Backyard Whimsy
Magical and Mystical Close to Home by: Karin melberg schwier Maybe it was the itchy feeling from quarantine or imaginations run amok during self-isolation, but many Saskatoon residents found creative outlets for their pent-up energy during the pandemic. For some, the fruits of their labours have cheered
up countless neighbours, staycation destination seekers, and sometimes the media, all looking for a little comic relief and innocent wonder during unsettling times. Saskatoon HOME visited a few of these local points of interest.
So a Squirrel Walks Into a Bar… Rather than letting a pandemic drive him to drink, retired mechanical engineer Dave Hunchak built himself a saloon. A while back, he built a cute bar with stools–bird feeder size—and was amused when squirrels bellied up for peanuts and a peanut butter chaser. Someone suggested it would be fun to see a fullblown watering hole. Scaled the same as Barbie doll accessories— 1/6th scale—the saloon is dollhouse-like and Dave’s woodworking skills came in
42 | spring 2021 Saskatoon HOME
handy. His son’s 3D printer was enlisted to create the miniatures for the One Star Saloon. “The 3D printer was great for doing the intricate bits and pieces and odd shaped parts that would be hard to fabricate,” says Dave. He created bottles and cups, brackets for the footrail at the bar, swinging doors, wagon wheels and nicetouch pinecone finials on the stairway posts and railings. Family members scoured magazines for tiny logos to paste on the bottles;
Photo Credit: Dave Hunchak
