Saskatoon
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DESIGN • RENOVATION • BUILDING • DÉCOR
WINTER 2020
s e l b Giftafrom
s ' n e e Maur en Kitch
DIY Backsplashes | Respectful Hosting | History of Hockey Rinks
Complimentary Virtual Consultations, Simulations & Estimates.
www.braidflooring.com
#1–2301 Millar Avenue Saskatoon, SK Ph: 306-244-1973 www.braidflooring.com Pirouette® ClearView® Satin Metallic™ PowerView® Automation
INSIDE
~our home~
From Reno to Rebuild
16
Photo Credit: Lillian Lane
Respecful Hosting
32
4
HOME Front
11
DIY with Britt
A greeting from the publisher.
Subway tile and brick veneer backsplash installs.
16
From Reno to Rebuild
26
Right-Sizing by the River
32
Respectful Hosting
39
Transform a Space
44
Staying Inspired at Home
50
Maureen's Kitchen
56
HOMEtown Reflections
62
Water Gardening
66
Viewfinder
Trading one dream for another.
Vacation vibes on University Drive.
Amidst a world pandemic.
In five simple steps.
Bringing art and culture to the doorstep.
Holiday gift giving.
Hockey rinks.
Beautiful and delicious.
Cover: The gift of festive treats in keepsake containers is an act of kindness suitable for any time of year. —Photo by Nicole Kozar. Saskatoon HOME winter 2020 |
3
HOME front
Issue 52, Winter 2020 ISSN 1916-2324 info@saskatoon-home.ca
Publishers Amanda Soulodre Rob Soulodre
Welcome to the winter issue of Saskatoon HOME magazine. This issue bookends what has been a challenging year for many of us. It has been a year we never expected, but as they say, "Hindsight is 20/20.’ As always, we have packed this issue full of local Saskatoon stories brought to you by our talented group of local contributors. Despite the challenges facing us this year, we have so many exciting things happening right here in Saskatoon. After many years with very little change along the skyline, we bring you a look inside the new kid on the block near Broadway. We go along for a bumpy ride on a reno-turned-teardown, provide a framework in tackling the design of any room in your house, and look at DIYing your backsplash, and so much more! As beautiful as the spaces are, the real stories are about the community, and the families who take houses and transform them into homes. We also want to take some time at the end of this year to thank all our incredible advertisers who make Saskatoon HOME possible. Shopping local and supporting our business community have always been important, but this year even more so. We may not know when we can get back to normal, but we do know that our spirit and sense of community will prevail. Enjoy the end of 2020, and bring on 2021! Happy reading,
Editor Karin Melberg Schwier
Photographers Lillian Lane Nicole Kozar Sarah Androsoff Steve Hiscock Tammy Zdunich
Production and Design Amy Schiller
Writers Britt Arnason Jeff O’Brien Julie Barnes Karin Melberg Schwier Kimberly Evans Maureen Haddock Sarah Androsoff Connect with us: www.saskatoon-home.ca www.facebook.com/saskatoon.home @HOMEmagazineSK /saskatoon_home
Saskatoon Home is published by: Farmhouse Communications
Amanda Soulodre
204 - 120 Sonnenschein Way Saskatoon, SK S7M 0W2 Telephone: 306-373-1833 Fax: 306-500-2993
OWNER & PUBLISHER
www.saskatoon-home.ca
No part of this publication may be copied or reprinted without the written consent of the publisher.
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Do you have a great story idea for HOME? Email amanda@saskatoon-home.ca
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For information about homes or to arrange a personal tour please email hheimann@crossmountvillage.ca, phone 306-374-9890 or connect through our website at www.crossmount.ca.
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#SUPPORTLOCAL #Supportsmallbusiness #SHOPYXE #SUPPORTLOCAL
Support Local
GIFT Guide S
askatoon HOME has always encouraged our readers to support local businesses in their gift giving at this time of year. These businesses are not just companies – they are our families, friends and neighbours. They are working hard to provide us with great local products and services, as well as keeping food on their employees' tables. As we go to press, there is some uncertainty about what Chistmas will look like this year. But we know you will still want to spread some Christmas joy, and these businesses are a great place to start!
Health and Safety is a Priority.
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Overlooking the South Saskatchewan River, 637 University Drive, Saskatoon’s most desired address comes to life. Upon entry, the grand lobby makes an indelible impression upon the senses with light flooding in through the 20 foot high windows. Exquisite interior design, high ceilings, and Miele kitchen appliances, are just a few of the extras that this extraordinary building enjoys, and with only 41 units, you are guaranteed privacy and quiet. With an appreciation for the finer details, each home has been crafted to highlight the scenic City views in all directions. Floorplans range from 900-2400 square feet and offer two and three bedroom options.
Contact Jordan Boyes, Sales Concierge at 306-270-9028
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PrePared. Professional. Passionate. offering custom quality landscaping. Paving stone driveways | Walkways | Patios site Grading & top soil retaining Walls & stairs irrigation Plant Material & Mulch
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with Britt This Issue:
subway tile & brick veneer backsplash BritT Arnason
Backsplashes are a brilliant way to update a kitchen or bathroom. It is something that a DIYer can often handle if a simple pattern is selected. At an inexpensive price point and a pretty quick turnaround, depending on the square foot you are tackling, you can make a big impact. I find subway tile offers a timeless look, and faux brick has a rustic charm that can really change the feel of a space. Below are some general price points I’ve found at my local hardware store, but prices do vary. All prices listed are approximate.
Watch for Britt's Spring issue DIY— Chalk Wall and Hanging Garden Want more inspiration? IG: @investorgirlbritt
Saskatoon HOME winter 2020 |
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diy subway tile & brick veneer backsplash install Tips for First-Time Tilers •
When buying your supplies, figure out how much of each item you will need based on the square footage of your project. There is nothing worse than realizing mid-job that you are short on an important component.
•
Having everything prepped, laid out, and instructions memorized or close by for quick reference is key.
•
Pre-cut and organize your tiles before starting so that the mortar does not begin to dry before you begin to apply the tiles. Don’t forget to account for outlets.
•
Work in small sections to help minimize mistakes.
•
Follow the instructions carefully when mixing the grout and mortar to achieve the right thickness.The job can get sloppy fast and can be more difficult if not set up properly.
•
Make sure your grout (the coarse mortar that is pressed into the spaces between each tile) is well worked into the joints by using a 45-degree angle on your trowel and applying it in diagonal 'X' strokes over the line.
•
You will get grout on your tiles when applying. Don’t fret. It can be sponged off later.
•
When wiping excess grout off tiles, do not use too much water or pressure with the sponge. The integrity of the grout could break down.
12 | winter 2020 Saskatoon HOME
How To:
SUBWAY TILE BACKSPLASH (3" x 6" Tiles)
You will need: •
3” x 6” individual ceramic subway (metro) tiles in colour of your choice ($0.30ea)
•
Thin-set mortar for ceramic tile (Premixed mortar is much easier and faster, but is more expensive. $33/4L pre-mixed or $15/50lbs unmixed)
•
Non-sanded grout in the colour of your choice ($20/10lbs)
•
Caulk for kitchen and bath with applicator ($10/300ml)
•
1/16“ tile spacers ($5/300)
•
Square notch trowel 1/4” ($5/ea)
•
Rubber grout float ($8)
•
Wet tile saw ($300 new, $50/4 hr. rental, or buy one used on a local buy and sell online)
•
Safety goggles ($5)
•
Grout sponges ($3)
•
Bucket ($5)
•
Grout sealer ($7/12oz)
Day 1: Prep walls. Remove outlet covers, even out all surfaces, fill and sand any holes, wipe everything clean. Lay out, pre-measure, and cut tiles (note the staggered installation to the right to create the subway tile effect). Tip: if you are a first-time tiler, make sure you take into account the spacing between each tile of 1/16.” Pre-cutting will help you work quickly before the mortar sets. Mix your mortar exactly
in the ratio given on the bag instructions, or use pre-mixed mortar for faster application and correct viscosity. Apply the mortar to the area mapped out for your backsplash using the notched side of the trowel working at a 45-degree angle. Working in small sections makes the job easier and allows you time to be careful of even spacing. Place and press the tiles in staggered rows. Start on the bottom row with a full tile
and the second row with a tile cut in half and so on. The end piece will also be marked and cut to the size left at the end of the row. Work on one row at a time. Use a leveler as you work for evenly leveled rows. Mark and cut your tiles to fit around the outlet holes (if applicable). Use two tile spacers per tile on the long side of the tile to ensure even spacing. Allow the mortar to dry for at least 24 hours.
Day 2: Remove tile spacers and wipe tiles clean with a dry cloth before applying the grout. Mix the grout at the correct ratios given on the bag. Again, work and mix in small sections if you are new to tiling. Apply and work the grout into the tile spaces with the float using an 'X' motion
and a 45-degree angle. Wait about an hour, then start wiping the tiles clean with a well rung-out sponge and a bucket of warm water. Allow the grout to dry for 48 hours. Apply caulking to the edges and a grout sealer to the grout for further protection.
Saskatoon HOME winter 2020 |
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How To:
BRICK VENEER BACKSPLASH You will need: •
Heavy duty construction adhesive ($12/300ml)
•
Brick veneer ($14/sq. ft.)
•
½” wooden dowels or rope ($2)
•
Sanded grout in the colour of your choice. ($20/3kg)
•
Caulking gun for construction adhesive ($10)
•
Piping Bag ($5)
•
Bucket ($5)
•
Safety goggles ($5)
•
Rag ($3)
•
Manual tile cutter ($30-$100)
•
Brick sealer ($15/950ml)
Day 1: Prep walls. Remove outlet covers, even out all surfaces, fill and sand any holes, wipe everything clean. Lay out, pre-measure, and cut bricks (note the staggered installation below to create the subway tile effect). Tip: if you are a first-timer, make sure you take into account the space of ½” between each brick. Pre-cutting will help you work quickly before the mortar sets. Use the tile cutter for end pieces. Tip: when using a manual tile cutter, you will need to score the brick a few times after cutting to snap the brick evenly.
Place your bricks on the wall using heavy-duty construction adhesive. Place and press the bricks in staggered rows. Start on the bottom row with a full brick and the second row with a brick cut in half and so on. The end piece will also be marked and cut to the size left at the end of the row. Work on one row at a time. Use a leveler as you work for even leveled rows. Mark and cut your bricks to fit around the outlet holes (if applicable). Allow the backsplash adhesive to dry for 24 hours.
Day 2: Mix and apply grout using a piping bag. Smooth the grout lines with your finger and clean the brick faces using a well rung-out sponge and a bucket of warm water. After the grout is dry (anywhere from 24-48 hours), seal the brick with a sealant.
14 | winter 2020 Saskatoon HOME
Saskatoon HOME winter 2020 |
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from RENO TO REBUILD Trading one dream for another
The home building process is often fraught with emotion. Excitement, anticipation, anxiety, and indecision are all par for the course. But it’s even more complex when the decision to build is made for you by circumstance. As the co-owner of Bella Vista, a local home building company, Sheena Sinclair
has experience guiding clients along such home building journeys. She’s worked with clients who’ve lost a home in a fire, and others, like Anne-Marie and Tom, whose anticipated six-week renovation turned into an unexpected teardown and rebuild. When looking in from
16 | winter 2020 Saskatoon HOME
the outside, some people might expect these future homeowners to be excited, says Sheena. “But it’s more complex than that.There are a lot of memories and emotions any time that choice is taken away from someone.” Last year, Bella Vista took on a new renovation project for Anne-Marie and
Tom—it involved replacing their Berber carpets and two bathroom makeovers. When old flooring was removed, evidence of water damage was discovered. Walls were then opened up, and the builders found mould. Unbeknownst to Tom and Anne-Marie, water had been seeping into their
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house through a number of flat sections on their roof for years. “The water had been pouring down the inside walls, so we decided to do a major reno,” says Anne-Marie. The walls containing mould were enveloped with poly, and Anne-Marie, Tom and their 19-year-old son, Emmett, moved themselves
Lillian lane
and their belongings into the basement. Soon after, the builders discovered more widespread, structural issues. “They said they found so much mould, everything had just collapsed in the front of the house,” says Anne-Marie. They intended to move out when the major renovation started, but
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306-931-2885
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17
leave their belongings in the basement. “All of a sudden we had to be out completely, and we had a week to move out and clean out our house,” says Anne-Marie. She and Tom had lived in the home for almost 25 years and raised their three children there. It soon became clear that a complete rebuild was in order, and insurance wasn’t going to cover it, says Tom. “They will insure you for floods— things that are episodic— but they won’t insure you for something longitudinal such as seepage.”
The island in Tom and Anne-Marie’s old house wasn’t functional because of a lack of legroom—the men in the family are all 6' 5" or taller. The new island was designed with this in mind, and today, the whole family can sit comfortably around it.
Anne-Marie and Sheena chose Vancouver-made Bocci lights for kitchen island pendants. “Sheena was really helpful with the light fixtures,” says Anne-Marie. “They are the jewelry of the home.”
18 | winter 2020 Saskatoon HOME
A New Dream Tom and Anne-Marie moved to Saskatoon 35 years ago. Tom is originally from Comox, B.C., while Anne-Marie grew up in the Ottawa Valley. For years, the couple
had been saving money, earmarked to buy a piece of property that has been in Tom’s family for over a century. Located north of Comox on the Strait of Georgia, they planned to spend their retirement there. “For the past 35 years we have worked really hard to make that happen,” says Anne-Marie. “When I first met Tom, before we were even married, I saw how much the place on the beach meant to him and I vowed that I would work hard to see that dream realized.” All of a sudden, their dream changed on a dime. The money they socked away for the family property in B.C. was redirected to their rebuild. “We just put everything we had into this house to make it work,” says Anne-Marie. “This became our dream.”
Bella Vista incorporated several walnut accents throughout the home to create continuity and cohesion.
They moved out of their long-time family home on Thanksgiving weekend in 2019, and it was taken down in November. The demolition was difficult for the family to witness. With a goal of having the new foundation poured and capped by Christmas, that gave the couple about a week to design their new home with Sheena, and her partner and Bella Vista co-owner, Jeremy Sinclair. Inspiration Image After many late nights of frantic scrolling through apps like Houzz, Anne-Marie found a photo of a floating staircase that became a key design component of their new home. In the image, cantilevered treads appear to effortlessly float in space, thanks to a robust support
system hidden behind the exterior wall. Bella Vista joined forces with other trades to turn Anne-Marie’s vision into reality (see sidebar for details). “It remains my favourite feature of the home,” says Anne-Marie. Making a House a Home Their previous home was more traditional, while the new one is decidedly modern, but there were some features they wanted to replicate from their old home. One was a central fireplace. “In our old house we had a wood-burning fireplace,” Anne-Marie says. “It was the centre of our house, so we spent a lot of time sitting by the fire.” This time around, they went with gas. “We miss the crackle
Tucked away behind the kitchen is a butler’s pantry, which includes a skinny freezer and a bar fridge. “This is a space that I will really enjoy,” says Anne-Marie.
Saskatoon HOME winter 2020 |
19
The loft-level deck offers beautiful views of the river, and is the couple’s favourite space. “With the leaves falling, you can look through the trees more and more each day,” says Tom.
White oak floors and white walls give the third-floor loft a bright, airy vibe.
of the wood,” says Tom, but “Bella Vista designed a beautiful, warm space to replace the crackle.” Jeremy designed a ledge alongside the fireplace, which he calls Anne-Marie’s “perch." “It’s kind of like where she sat in the old place,” addsTom. Lofty Ideas Building new gave AnneMarie and Tom the ability to gain new river views that weren’t possible in their old home. They added a third storey loft, with front and back balconies bookending the space. When both balcony doors open, it creates a refreshing cross breeze—and a natural air conditioning system. “A third storey isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, but it was part of the house that
20 | winter 2020 Saskatoon HOME
was compelling for a number of reasons,” says Tom. “One was the flow-through (fresh air circulation), one was the view, one was the living space and the contemplation space.” As the trees shed their leaves in the fall, their vista opens further. “You can see the traffic on the Buckwold Bridge, and the art gallery,” says Tom. “Every day, you see more and more of the new development on River Landing.” Anne-Marie says the loft is her favourite space. “This was our inspiration for the house. I always wanted a loft my whole life…and it gave us a river view.”
give Anne-Marie and Tom a dedicated art wall for some of their favourite pieces. Tom’s love for the west coast is well represented here. The couple own a number of pieces featuring Haida Gwaii scenery by Tom’s artist relatives who reside there. Another Haida Gwaii landscape painting by a local Saskatoon artist adorns the wall. There’s also a nod to AnneMarie’s roots in the couple’s art collection—a landscape painting featuring Ontario’s Algonquin Park, which is close to where she grew up. “I like to buy art from people I know,” says AnneMarie. “Every piece of art in the house is someone I knew. All of them are Saskatchewan artists, pretty well, other than Tom’s family.”
Personal Touches Bella Vista mounted picture lights next to the piano in the living room to
Tucked under the rafters in the loft is a half bath, added for convenience when the loft is used as a guest room.
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Interior Design Solutions by Michelle Rowlett Saskatoon HOME winter 2020 |
21
Collaborative masterpiece The striking staircase in Tom and Anne-Marie’s home is a testament to what can be achieved when clients, builders and other talented tradespeople come together with a common goal. White oak cantilevered treads appear to float in space, and glass panes provide no structural support.
Sheena and Jeremy sourced the black walnut for their clients’ new dining table on a trip to Ontario. They designed the table and partnered with local sub trades to build the legs and finish the top.
The homebuilders worked with Krista Martens, an architectural technologist and owner of Beyond Measure Design, to turn Anne-Marie’s inspiration photo into reality. Once Krista and Bella Vista came up with the overall shape of the staircase, they engaged an engineer, “to design a step and stringer from steel that could be the main support for each step,” says Krista. Bella Vista hired a local fabricator to weld the pieces together, creating a base structure to support the stairs. “We basically reverse engineered it,” says Krista. “Inside the exterior wall is a very complex metal structure that forms the outside stringer. There are cantilevered bridge-welded pieces off of that, which support the stairs from the main floor to the second floor.”
An antique treadle sewing machine sits at the end of the main floor hallway.
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Anne-Marie says Jeremy chose this botanical print wallpaper for the main floor half bath “because it reminded him of the trees on the street.”
In Good Hands Sheena says the final walkthrough with AnneMarie, Tom and Emmett felt emotional. “I think it was overwhelming for all of us.” During the course of the build, Jeremy had the chance to meet the couple’s other two adult children, Sarah and Robert, who reside in Ontario and B.C.—their parents’ home provinces. “They were very grateful. They said to Jeremy, ‘Thank you for taking care of our mom and dad— we knew they were in good hands,’” says Sheena. Anne-Marie echoes the sentiment. “I am immensely grateful to Sheena and Jeremy, and actually quite moved by how much of themselves they put into the build.”
The mudroom maximizes storage with floor to ceiling millwork on the two opposite walls.
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Eleven months elapsed between vacating their old house and moving into their new home. Anne-Marie, Tom and Emmett moved about 15 times during that period, and they’re equally grateful to friends and neighbours who opened their homes to them, including a friend and neighbour who hosted them for four months. The Meaning of Home Until last year, Tom and Anne-Marie envisioned the possibility of retirement at Tom’s family’s home in B.C. “because neither of us are from here,” says Anne-Marie. “But a friend of mine once said that Saskatoon is a sticky
Jeremy designed a seat that seamlessly flows into the fireplace surround. “He called it my perch,” says Anne-Marie. It echoes where Anne-Marie sat fireside in the old house.
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place, and it does tend to pull you back.” “We’ve both been here for 35 years,” adds Tom. “And you get territorial about a place after a while, and you find out what it’s about. I think I would have a hard time turning my tail lights to Saskatoon for the last time, and so by extension, living in a place that is in the centre of Saskatoon is a pretty good place to be.” Julie Barnes
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RIGHT-SIZING by the river Vacation vibes on university drive For the past 35 years, Barb Crowe has called Silverwood home but four years ago, she decided it was time for a change. In December 2016, her partner Brian Taylor passed away from cancer. “He was my life partner, business
partner, travelling companion and best friend,” says Barb. “It was shortly after his passing that I decided that I would like to right-size my space to be closer to my kids and their families…choosing a location close to the river was a priority.”
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She managed to find just what she needed. This February, she’ll be unpacking her worldly possessions in her stately new townhome on University Drive. Her new home is an architecturally stunning multi-residence building called Escala. It’s
next door to the river and closer to her adult children and their families. When Meridian Development unveiled their architectural plans for Escala at Remai Modern back in 2018, Barb was the first person in line for the event
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and she bought her unit that night. She had found her new home. “I’ve always been fond of the Broadway area,” she says, noting that the shops, restaurants and cafes are part of the appeal. She also enjoys walking along the
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Meewasin river trails. “If I’m going out for a walk, I usually park down at Rotary Park and walk around there, so the location of Escala was appealing to me.”
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Escala’s undulating curves were designed to mimic the sweeping curves of the river bank it looks upon.
The entire building superstructure is made of concrete.
Making use of every space. shelves were built in under the stairs to add style and storage.
president of Ixtapa Travel, Barb says part of the charm of Escala townhomes is how they remind her of her travels to cities where elegant townhomes are ubiquitous— such as Vancouver, London and New York. “It’s not a New York brownstone, but it has that street appeal—I like that look,” she says. That big-city street appeal was intentional, says Meridian’s president, Karl Miller. “With it being on University Drive, and the iconic Broadway community, a typical apartment-style condo wouldn’t have felt right,” says Karl. “We wanted to really add to the streetscape.” Each of the ten two-storey townhomes (which Meridian calls ‘city homes’), have pri vate, ground-level terraces enveloped by cedar hedging in raised planters. Residents will use this al fresco area to barbecue and set up their patio furniture, and because it’s street facing, it encourages interaction between neighbours, says Karl. “It just has a more interesting feel, and it feels more like the rest of the neighbourhood where it’s single-family homes.” Exterior materials such as the aluminum composite paneling and cultured stone were selected for their durability and maintenancefree qualities. They will stand the test of time, says Karl. “We really wanted materials that fit in with the neighbourhood.” The Right Mix The two-storey city homes form the base of Escala, and above them, the building steps in, with apartment-style condos comprising the second to the seventh storeys.
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Outfitted with quartz countertops and twotone cabinetry, the kitchens feature high-gloss lacquer uppers that create a sleek counterpoint to wood-grain lower cabinets.
With their street level entrances, the city homes bring a sense of human scale to the project. “When you’re walking by, at street level, you’re not met with a seven-storey straight-up wall,” says Karl. “You’re met with a two-storey wall, and the tower (floors 3-7) steps back.” Karl says it was important to find an architect who had experience designing that townhouse/apartment-style condo hybrid. “No one in Saskatoon had done that. It’s a very unique concept.” They found that qualified expertise in Wensley Architecture—a firm based in Vancouver, where that mix of condo styles is quite common. Maximizing Views In addition to that particular mix of home styles, Meridian told the architects to maximize the views, which meant an abundance of glazing. The upper-level, northwest-facing suites offer
panoramic river views, while the suites fronting University Drive provide a verdant vista of Nutana’s mature tree canopy. “We just wanted to do something that was different,” says Karl. “So, the building has a lot of sweeping curves to it, and it steps back as we go up—really mimicking the riverbank that we are sitting on.” Meet the Neighbours The majority of Escala buyers have been people between the ages 45 and early 60s, says Karl. Some of them already own homes in Nutana, but wanted to minimize home maintenance. The city home buyers aren’t ready for an apartmentstyle condo—they still want two-level living, with bedrooms on a separate level. Young professionals without children have also been purchasing, Karl says. “People who are working at the hospital or downtown— they know it’s an easy walk for them in either Saskatoon HOME winter 2020 | 29
Floor-to-ceiling windows on the second level of the City Homes flood the bedrooms in natural light.
direction.” These buyers want to live in a nice home, but don’t want to worry about yard or home maintenance, he adds. “Mainly in this area what you have to buy is an older home, and that comes with a lot of maintenance or renovations.” The other demographic moving to Escala are empty nesters. They may still be working, but spend their winters down south, so they’re seeking a suite they can comfortably walk away from during their travels. Vacation Vibes That’s another reason Escala ticked all the boxes for Barb Crowe. Pre-pandemic, she would often find herself travelling once a month “even if it’s just to Vancouver for a weekend or Toronto for a concert.” Barb says March 1st was the last time she found herself on a plane, but she’s thrilled that her new home has a boutique hotel feel. “I will feel like I’m on vacation,” she says. And it sounds like she knows how to get into vacation mode, even when she’s unable to travel. Having just turned 60, she says “I’m done with yard work, and I’d rather be spending my Saturday afternoon having a bottle of wine on a patio somewhere with a friend than cutting my lawn.” After 35 year s in Silverwood, she’s excited for her next chapter. “Finding Escala gave me the river and Broadway,” she says. “Turning 60, I feel like I’m in my third chapter now— 60 to 90—and I’m hoping I will be there for the next 30 years.” Julie Barnes
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Respectful hosting Amidst a world pandemic
Kimberly evans If 2020 has taught us anything, it is the importance of connection and not taking any moments for granted. We are all eager to gather with friends, family and loved ones this holiday season. But there may be some equally anxious feelings coming up as well.
Entertaining during the holidays is a time-honoured tradition of bringing the ones we love together, having fun and connecting in meaningful ways. However, even at the best of times, the preparation for a party, attention to detail and requests from guests can
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turn good intentions into stressful planning. Adding in health and safety protocols during a world pandemic can make this feel even more daunting. We need to be cautious of selecting our guests based on our circle of exposure, as well as being honest in
understanding the number of people our homes can reasonably hold while allowing for distancing between guests. Follow these simple steps, to make entertaining at home this season not only fabulous but exceptionally meaningful.
Communicate Clearly The host is responsible for setting the tone of the party. Before inviting guests, it is important to check on current guidelines with the local health authority to determine what is allowed and what isn’t. It is important to note the maximum allowance, but take into account the size of your home. You need to think about how many people can you comfortably (and safely) accommodate. When sending out the invitation, clearly state what to expect at the party. For example: “We are excited to open our home to a small gathering. Eight invitations have been extended and we hope you can make it!” Photo Credit: Tammy Zdunich Photography
Photo Credit: Tammy Zdunich Photography
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Seating can be arranged with social distancing in mind. Masks and sanitizer should be offered. A host shouldn’t be offended if a party invite is turned down. Health and family situations may require additional precautions.
‘In order for this holiday party to be fun for everyone, please ensure that you do not have a fever, haven’t been in contact with someone who is sick, and are feeling healthy.’ ‘You are welcome to bring a mask. There will also be extra masks available to ensure everyone feels comfortable.” ‘We will have a hand sanitizer station at the front door, so please use this when you arrive.’ ‘As much as we would love to hug, we are still staying socially distanced and you can expect a big smile along with an air hug upon your arrival.’ If guests choose to not attend, don’t take it personally. If this past year has taught us anything, it is to accept what we cannot control. Guests might even choose to send a thoughtful hostess gift to let them know they were grateful for the invitation and wish they could have attended. Etiquette Upon Arrival If you have communicated clearly prior to the party, this should be really simple.
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Appetizers and servings can be individualized and offered in ways that minimize handling by guests.
Welcome guests and follow the procedure you had communicated. “Welcome! Coats can be hung in the front closet. I sure wish I could come in for a hug, but this smile and air hug will have to do!” This can
even lead into using hand sanitizer. “You need to try this new holiday scented hand sanitizer that I found. Doesn’t it smell delicious?” Keeping conversation lighthearted can help remove any awkwardness.
Setting Up Your Home With physical distancing and safety at top of mind, this can naturally happen by creating a flow from different points in your home. Ensure that the space is clear and furniture has
been placed accordingly in the high traffic areas like the entrance. Food and beverage stations are situated to allow for social distancing so everyone attending can feel comfortable.
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In times of uncertainty and worry, a little kindness goes a long way. A guest can bring a hostess gift. A host can send a little something home with guests to thank them for coming.
Be Compassionate, But Speak Up It is important for you, as the host, to make your guests feel comfortable. Etiquette extraordinaire Emily Post suggests that if someone hasn’t given you enough space or is doing something to make you feel uncomfortable, there are perfectly acceptable ways to address this in a friendly way. Make sure you have an upbeat tone to your voice with no edge whatsoever. (Think Glinda the Good Witch or Oprah Winfrey!) If you don’t receive the reaction you were hoping for, you can either move to another room or step aside until they move and wait, keeping as much distance as possible. A few phrases that might work are: ‘Excuse me, Phyllis. The line starts back there.
Everyone’s just trying to stay safely distanced.’ While stepping back: ‘Sorry, Brad. I’m trying to keep six feet away.’ ‘Oh hi, Gordon. After you, please,’ said cheerfully. Food and Beverage Creating food and beverage items that can be handled individually will allow guests to help themselves with minimal contact. If hors d’oeuvres are passed around or set up buffet style, ensure that each item is individually packaged or skewered so that only one needs to be touched at a time rather than a serving dish with a common utensil that everyone touches. Pre-pour wine so that guests can pick up a glass or have a bartender on site so that only one person is touching
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Skewers are a great way to create an interesting table, but also reduce the need for common serving utensils.
the items and can safely pass the drinks to the guest when requested. Entertain with Purpose Purposeful entertaining makes a good party great. Hosting guests in your home means you get to make connections, introduce people to each other with thoughtful details and add sparks of insightful conversation to allow everyone to get to know one another better. For example: ‘If you found $100 on the floor in an empty room, what would your first thought be about what you would spend it on?’ ‘Where is the first place you plan to travel next— when we can travel again?’
Make it Memorable After your guests have a lovely time in your home, connect with them afterwards to make a lasting memory. Print a photo from the party or use a classic handwritten card to let them now it meant a lot they came, and wish them joy this season. Entertaining with purpose and building relationships with friends and loved ones is all about showering guests with thoughtfulness, kindness and love. Kimberly Evans
Beverages can also be pre-poured to ensure only one person touches the glasses and bottles.
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Transform A Space in Five simple steps
As the owner and principal designer of Vivid Interior Designs, Jocelyn Malcolm is often asked to speak to Saskatoon high school students about her chosen career path. Those speaking opportunities sparked an interest in distilling some of the fundamentals of interior decorating into an online course. Design Your Room in Five Simple Steps is tailored to both aspiring designers and anyone just
interested in a bit of DIY. Saskatoon HOME recently chatted with Jocelyn to learn how anyone can implement these steps to transform their own space. Although her course focuses on designing a bedroom, the steps can be applied to any room of your home. 1. Inspiration and Visualization One of the first steps for gathering inspiration is to take a look at your closet,
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says Jocelyn. “If we buy it, wear it and love it, it has to say something about us.” She suggests taking a close look at some of favourite pieces, and asking ourselves what it is about the item that we’re drawn to. “I also think you can look around your house and pull things from your own space that you really love… it’s important to gather from what you truly feel is your own personal style,”
she says. “If you love your bedding and don’t want to change it, that might help create your colour palette.” Then it’s time to venture outside. “Go out into nature and look around your city and gather materials,” she says. “Take pictures and gather inspirational photos from your own neighbourhood.” In Saskatoon, Jocelyn says inspiration can be found anywhere from the river valley trails, to
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vibrant street art, to modern architecture. “Gather inspiration outside of your computer,” she says. Digital inspiration sources like Pinterest, Houzz and Instagram are still great tools, but Jocelyn recommends paring down online inspiration photos to 10 images to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
“Everyone has a good and bad association with colour,” says Jocelyn. For some people, blue bedroom walls might be calming, while for others, it could evoke sadness.
2. Colour Psychology and Mood The p s y ch o l o g i c a l effect colour has on us is often underestimated, or completely overlooked, when it comes to designing our own spaces, says Jocelyn. “Everyone has a good and bad association with different colours,” she says. “As a designer, I feel the trick with finding the right colour for a client is to find the best psychological association with colour.” For Jocelyn, that involves interviewing her clients to determine what kind of visceral reactions they experience with different colours. For example, some
Colour is a powerful tool, so Jocelyn interviews her clients to determine what kind of visceral reactions they experience to various colours before embarking on a design.
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Think about the items you want to bring into your space that are practical, comforable or both.
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clients may have a positive association with the colour red—it may evoke feelings of love, power or passion, says Jocelyn. In others, it may provoke a negative association, like anger. “When you want to add red to a room, that might mean you are feeling bold or you have confidence, so that might be something you want to bring attention to,” she says. But if you associate red with anger, you’ll want to steer away from it. Similarly, blue can evoke calmness in some people, while others may find it conjures sadness. “The only colour that doesn’t have a strong negative association is pink,” says Jocelyn. “It’s seen as calmness, kindness—a nurturing feeling.” Jocelyn often brings the colour orange into her commercial designs, as it can be associated with “energetic, enthusiastic communication…you choose different colours or accents based on what kind
of feeling you want to have in that room,” she says. That said, orange might feel too bold for someone looking for a calming atmosphere in a bedroom. 3. Comfort and Practicality The third step is about determining your wants and needs, says Jocelyn. For example, dimmable reading lights might be something you want for your bedroom, while a bed is a practical item you’ll need. Jocelyn says it’s important to balance the need to “be imaginative in creating a room that’s unique to you and your style” while still being functional, and maintaining longevity. Comfort considerations in designing a bedroom might include whether you want a separate reading area, whether you need blackout blinds or prefer to be roused by the sun, and whether or not you want something soft underfoot when you get up in the morning.
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A mood board created by Jocelyn shows the colours and textures planned for her space.
4. From Scratch to Sketch “You want to get out a ruler and start sketching” at this stage, says Jocelyn. “This is where the basics of designing came from.” Although many designers use computer software, sketching is still an important skill to learn, she adds. “Some people are very visual,” Jocelyn says. If you have an idea of a chandelier you’d like for your bedroom, putting that design down on paper helps because it’s easier to source something when you have a clear idea of what you’re looking for. Think about the layers of your room—lighting, furniture, fabrics, decor, accessories, art and room layout. Creating a mood board is another great way to
visualize how your materials will work together. You can use a mood board to pull together your selected finishing materials—such as tiles, paint swatches, knobs, fabrics and flooring. “This is a key tool for shopping for your space,” says Jocelyn. She often creates mood boards for her clients to reference. If, down the road, they want to add some accent pillows to their bedroom, they’ll bring their mood board with them when they go shopping to ensure they choose shades that work with their existing colour palette. “There may be a teal colour in 14 different tones and you could get that wrong if you don’t have the actual board with you to choose the décor.”
A mood board for this living room could include paint swatches for the wall and baseboard colours, a flooring sample and a swatch of the upholstery fabric. It becomes a helpful tool when shopping for accents or updating furniture.
Even with today’s CAD programs, sketching is still an important skill to learn, says Jocelyn.
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5. Layout and Design 101 The fifth and final step introduces 3D rendering software called ‘Homestyler,’ which offers a free basic version. “You plug your room measurements into the program and it will create a 3D version of your room,” says Jocelyn. Then you can add doors and windows, select your flooring, paint colours and wallpaper, and select furniture and accent pieces from over 200 real furniture brands. The software creates both a bird’s eye view of your room, and a 3D walkthrough view. The software also “creates a shopping list once you’ve designed your room, based on the items you put in your space,” says Jocelyn. “That’s a
cool feature I don’t see very often.” Jocelyn adds that the software is user-friendly— whether you’re using it as a newbie designer, or just want to DIY. It’s for all skill levels, just like her online course. Whether someone is starting out to design a full house or just decorate one room, Jocelyn says she hopes people who learn these five steps will “walk away creatively inspired” with “a greater understanding of the design process, tools and fundamentals required to make their spaces unique and beautiful.”
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Staying inspired at home Bringing art and culture to the doorstep
Karin melberg schwier “I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it.” – William Shakespeare, As You Like It Performance and visual art organizations traditionally rely on selling their wares to live audiences. Far from being much ado about nothing, arts groups have to be nimble as they work with ‘stay safe, stay home’ health
decrees. Many are mounting unique approaches to reach house-bound patrons. For those squeamish about ‘peopley’ situations, staying inspired is an important part of an enriched life, pandemic or not. Saskatoon HOME
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spoke with a few local arts organizations about what they’re doing to make sure the arts remain an uplifting albeit distant experience. The Saskatoon Symphony (SSO) When COVID ended the
SSO’s 89 th season early, “we felt that we couldn’t just sit on our hands and do nothing,” says Megan Grier, Director of Marketing and Communications. The SSO collected pre-filmed performances and released
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The Addams Family by Saskatoon Summer Players. Photo Credit: Nicole Stevenson Photography
them as part of a virtual Beethoven Festival in May. “People were grateful for this simple concert experience. It was moving to get so many messages about how they missed their symphony and live music.”
Filming and live-streaming is a recent Symphony innovation. “We’ve always wanted to bring our concerts to a larger audience, but never had the resources.” After receiving Robert A. (Bob) Steane Legacy funds, Saskatoon HOME winter 2020 | 45
The SSO has moved into St. John’s Anglican Cathedral for rehearsals, and performances for socially distanced audience members, and recorded for patrons at home. Concert enhancements are suggested on the SSO blog.
Photo Credit: Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra/Julie Isaac Photography
In December, SSO offers Postcards from the North Pole and Candlelight Christmas. “People are already telling us they’ll be watching with family on Christmas Day.” Virtual programming has been so successful, Megan wonders what will happen when large audiences can gather again. “It sounds like cameras aren’t going away even when the restrictions do.”
Photo Credit: Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra/Julie Isaac Photography
SSO purchased cameras and hired a videographer to record performances at St. John’s Cathedral. “We can give our audience the chance to watch our concerts wherever they want with our Digital Concert Stream. Instead of a concert being a one-off, people can watch and revisit their favourites,“ says Megan. Over 500 and counting households have signed up.
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Saskatoon Summer Players This volunteer-based troupe presented The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy at the Rawlco Radio Hall at the Remai Arts Centre just before Halloween. Artistic Producer Anita Smith says SSP partnered with film company Bamboo Shoots to produce a “hybrid between live musical theatre and film.” The “altogether
The SSO Oktoberfest concert was live-streamed in a space that allows the capture of better live sound and space for each musician.
ook y” finger-snapping musical was live-streamed for a variety of ticket prices, some with unique add-on incentives. One option included spooky-themed appetizers brought to the patron’s home by D’reen’s Catering on the day of the show. “Caterers are performers, too,” says D’reen, noting her own Best Actress award in high school drama, three
years running. “I love working with this troupe. When I heard Addams Family, I was thrilled!” She prepared “a coffin of snacks” like Bat Wings Black Bun Sliders, Bacon-wrapped Mummy Jalapeños, Witch’s Fingers and Graveyard Cupcakes. “ I t ’s definitely a challenging time to be creating live and in-person art,” says Anita. “But we are by nature creative people so it is interesting to see the new access methods being created.” The Gallery/Art Placement There’s a significant difference between a public art gallery and a commercial one, says Levi Nicholat, Manager, The Gallery/Art Placement. The art in the first is for viewing and the
venue publicly funded; art in the latter is for sale. Gallery owners like his are in the business of selling art to support operations and pay artists for their work. “I absolutely believe that the arts are essential to our lives, as makers and participants but also as viewers, spectators or supporters,” says Levi. “In a perfect world, art would have no barriers to viewing it or owning it.” The difficulties facing commercial galleries when access is restricted are significant. But because the selling and buying of art at a distance is a familiar issue for his gallery, transactions carry on virtually. “We promote the idea that art is something to experience directly, in person. Viewing a
Painter Lorna Russell will be staying home from her opening reception and show in November. The Gallery hopes to help her participate via a video connection. Photo Credit: Karin Melberg Schwier
Saskatoon Summer Players live-streamed The Addams Family, featuring Juan Mendoza and Kristel Harder as Gomez and Morticia Addams.
Photo Credit: Nicole Stevenson Photography
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Galleries are practicing social distancing and ‘by appointment’ viewings.
painting on a screen never compares to interacting with it in real life,” Levi explains. “But many of our gallery’s clients—a majority in fact— are not in Saskatoon, or even Saskatchewan.” The gallery sends high-resolution images, or perhaps a series of installation views, through email. If a purchase is made, the work is delivered to their home or office. The gallery is also about showcasing artists. In November, for example, the gallery will mount a scheduled show featuring Saskatoon painter Lorna Russell, who will be staying home. “A reception is an opportunity to celebrate artists and congratulate them on their achievement. Unfortunately, Lorna won’t have that full experience this time, but obviously health and safety are more important,” Levi explains. “Whether her buyers are local, visiting the gallery in a safe way, or looking and transacting from afar through digital means, we’re able to accommodate them.” Remai Modern Art Gallery Staff at Remai Modern are working to provide additional
digital resources for patrons who aren’t able to visit in person. Stephanie McKay, Communications Manager, says the gallery has been working on a few ways to engage people at home. “Given our reduced capacity and the fact that not everyone is comfortable with coming to see a performance or exhibit,” Stephanie says, “we want there to be other opportunities. “We’ve started live-streaming performances. Our social media feeds are another great way to engage with Remai Modern, including ‘Meet the Artist Mondays’ posts and ‘Spotlight on the Collection,’ where we talk a bit about a piece from the more than 8,000 works that Remai Modern holds.” The gallery offers weekend art-making tutorials online that are “easy to complete at home and require very few materials.” Video interviews with artists have been uploaded to YouTube, as have a series of Spotify playlists, launched prior to the pandemic. “Those are a great way to learn more about the artists we showcase and what inspires them,” Stephanie
The Remai Modern is offering art-making tutorials online for aspiring at-home artists. Photo Credit: Carey Shaw
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Will Brooks greets 30 VIP guests at the September grand opening of Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan’s new festival site. The event was live-streamed by SightLine Designs.
Photo Credit: timkip Imaging
adds. “It’s just a start. We’re developing other ways to extend our work into the digital sphere to reach as many people at home as possible.” Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Will Brooks, Artistic Producer with Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, says summer festivals have a slight edge as a pandemic drags on given their curtains don’t rise until next year. That makes ticket revenue seem a long way off, but what it gives them is time for artist training, organizational development, and the thrill of creating new work.
“We’ve just come off a $7 million capital marketing push and we’ve been around for a long time, so it would be quite a while before Saskatoon forgets who we are,” says Will. “But reaching our audiences digitally is a way to stay connected, and keep artists busy while putting a little money in their pockets.” In recent months, patrons at home have enjoyed a live-streamed reading of The Tempest on YouTube. A Zoom series called ‘Sup with Me’ has Will chatting with SOTS actors, directors and playwrights wherever they might be around the globe. Still other YouTube offerings
give fans their Shakespeare fix. “We can really take this opportunity get better as an organization, create new relationships and work, and offer things to the world for the sake of theatre, not just for the sake of not going bankrupt.” Will plans a series of livestreamed actors’ workshops and conversations so patrons can look behind the theatrical veil. He is also considering a couple of livestreamed options for plays next summer. There will be people who still won’t feel comfortable or able to gather in person. Perhaps not portents and evils imminent,
but that live-streamed version comes with a warning. “I’m a big believer that if it’s digital, it isn’t theatre,” Will insists. “Vibrant live theatre requires an audience rubbing shoulders, a give and take with the actors. Digital is different, and it’s a lot cheaper. I do have fears as we move ahead from this pandemic that unless we’re careful, we may forget what live theatre is meant to be.” Or not to be. Karin Melberg Schwier
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MAUREEN'S KITCHEN Holiday gift giving I like to be prepared for creating gifts from the kitchen by collecting unique containers all year. Manufacturers used to make a point of selling their products in reusable tins by placing their advertising on the wrapper or the bottom
of the container. Perfect old tins, jars, and canisters can still be found at garage sales and antique stores. Clear plastic egg cartons make perfect packaging for mini-muffins or homemade chocolates. Tea towels and cloth napkins make attractive
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and gift-worthy wrapping too. I buy labels and seasonal packaging when I find a sale. These days, more than ever, it’s important to consider the relationship we have with the recipient before planning gifts from our kitchens. Do they have
Maureen haddock
allergies or special diets that should be considered? Are they foodies? Are they new or veteran cooks? Do they enjoy vintage recipes and antique kitchenware? Most home cooks have a collection of recipes that provide quick and easy
food gifts. Some will have inherited extra utensils and pans that provide interesting family history. These heirlooms can be gifted to family members along with a recipe and photo. Experienced cooks develop a fondness for certain gadgets that can be purchased and given along with enthusiastic instructions. The Gift of Time and Teaching One of my decades-old Christmas traditions involves inviting someone into my kitchen to make Merry Cherry Chocolates. I purchase the ingredients for each of us to create over 100 dazzling, delicious, fondant-wrapped, chocolate-dipped, gift-worthy cherry chocolates. I set up two stations, one on each side of a table or island, turn up the Christmas music, and brew a pot of coffee. I plan a
lunch break between fondant wrapping and chocolate dipping. It is satisfying to send my guest off with the recipe, a pile of chocolates, and a fun memory. These chocolates keep fresh in the freezer for months and can be added to a dessert buffet or gifted year-round. The Impromptu Gift If we are invited on the spur of the moment to a sleigh ride or wiener roast, I like to present a jar of Popcorn in Caramel Sauce to the hosts. I make it clear that the jar is part of the gift. I print on a chalkboard label with liquid chalk pens or write on a string tag. I always include the recipe because everyone will ask for it. This gift takes minutes to prepare and causes quite a stir.
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The Heirloom Gift Kitchen heirlooms make wonderful gifts. I go through my baking dishes and utensils regularly and set aside the items I am not using. Baking a cake in your grandmother’s pan and handing it down to the next generation with the recipe makes a welcome gift. Giving a batch of teacakes with an antique tea set to your granddaughter is also a meaningful gesture. Include an old photo of the heirloom gift in its earlier days, if you are fortunate enough to have one. Framing well-loved, old family recipes is a creative gift idea. Handwritten cookbooks from your ancestors will be valuable to the right recipient. If your own family doesn’t show interest in your heirlooms, I
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encourage you to give them to someone else. The Perfect Purchased Gift Purchase a favourite gadget and include the recipe for using it. I often give an 8-cup glass measuring bowl, a whisk with a fun handle, and a recipe for my Perfect Microwaved Cheese Sauce or Fantastic Microwave Oven Peanut Brittle. A 9” by 13” Tupperware storage container with a lid can be filled with Best Chocolatey Puffed Wheat Cake Ever. Many vintage recipes suggest baking in a 7” by 11” cake pan. If you find one, old or new, it makes a perfect gift when filled with Boiled Raisin Cake and topped with Caramel Fudge Frosting.
Popcorn in Caramel Sauce Mix the following ingredients in a large, microwave-safe bowl: 1/3 cup melted butter 2/3 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup Rogers Golden Syrup Microwave the above mixture on high power for 4 minutes, stirring once or twice during the cooking time. I usually stir at 2 minutes, 3 minutes, and at 4 minutes. Slower microwaves might require 5 minutes. This mixture should be a deep golden colour but not dark brown. Stir the following ingredients into the hot butter mixture: 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda To well-stirred sauce, add: 8 cups of popped corn Stir until popcorn is well coated in sauce. Return the bowl to the microwave and cook for 1 minute, stirring halfway through. Slower microwave ovens might require another 30 seconds. Over-cooking results in blackening! Experiment with your cooking times and make notes. Once cooked, spread caramel popcorn on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. When cooled, separate the clumps of caramel corn and store in a tin or jar to keep crisp and crunchy.
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The Party Favour Have a little fun with your party favours. Placing personalized jars filled with treats beside each plate will specify seating and provide fun take-home gifts. If a sit-down dinner is not part of your party plans, place a basket of treat-filled jars by your door for guests to take home. I often bake Marion’s Spritz Cookies, a recipe dating back to the 1940s. These small cookies fit nicely into jars and can be made in seasonal shapes. Maureen Haddock
Recipes in italics at
www.getabiggerwagon.com
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Fantastic Microwave Oven Peanut Brittle Cook on power 8 (medium high) if you have a 1200-watt microwave oven.
Mix the following ingredients in an eight-cup glass measuring bowl: 1 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup of Rogers Golden Syrup Cook for 3 minutes on power 8. To well-stirred sauce, add: 1 cup of salted peanuts or salted mixed nuts Cook for 3 minutes on power 8. To the boiling peanut mixture, add: 1 teaspoon of butter 1 teaspoon of baking soda Stir and cook for 1 minute more. Gently pour the molten mixture onto a buttered cookie sheet. Let it cool and harden. When cooled, break the peanut brittle into chunks. Store in a dry, cool place in a tin or jar.
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Official opening of the Saskatoon Arena Rink, 1937.
HOMEtown Reflections
Hockey rinks
Jeff O’Brien
Photo Credit: City of Saskatoon Archives -1058-003
The temptation to spend the dark months of winter cocooned in front of a TV can be irresistible. But there’s more to winter than binge-watching television, and when it comes to winter activities, it’s hard to beat grabbing a pair of skates and spending a couple hours on the ice. Skating In The Raw Places to skate have never been in short supply here. Before Saskatoon spread
out and filled in, sloughs and ponds abounded. On the east side, the large Nutana Slough, off 12 th Street just east of Clarence, was a favourite for moonlit skating parties. On the west side, it was the Hudson Bay Slough, which wrapped around the edge of the city and could take skaters as far as the airport. In 1933, one of those skaters was five-year-old Gordie Howe, wielding a taped-up stick and wearing skates jammed with
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newspapers to fit his feet. During the First World War, the City Parks Board operated a skating rink on the river near where Riversdale Pool is now. In the 1930s, two fellows are reported to have skated from Nutana to Beaver Creek, a distance of nearly sixteen kilometres. Nowadays, although the river still freezes in places during the winter, waste heat from the power plant keeps it largely ice-free here in Saskatoon, and it goes
without saying (but we’re going to say it anyway) that the ice on the river is never safe to go on, not anywhere, not ever. The First Indoor Rinks The best skating is done on ice that is lovingly prepared and maintained, and in a place where winter weather can be dangerous and unpredictable, it’s always nice to be able to skate inside. The first indoor rink here opened in December,
1903, on the southeast corner of 22nd Street and 4th Avenue, where the Federated Co-op offices are now. It was divided into curling and skating sides, and there were waiting rooms and a gallery for the band. In summer, it was used for roller skating. In 1910, the Auditorium Rink opened on Spadina Crescent where the end of the Broadway Bridge is now. It, too, doubled as a roller rink in summer. But when the weather got cold, they covered the hardwood floor with sawdust, put tarpaper on it, pitched the seams to make them waterproof, then flooded it for ice skating. The Auditorium Rink burned down in 1914. For several years, the Greenaway Rink, a temporary, canvascovered structure, stood there, until the Crescent Arena was built in 1920. It was
torn down to make way for the Broadway Bridge. Down at the Saskatoon Exhibition stood the Exhibition Auditorium, which served the city for decades and of which it has been said that there was no seat anywhere the view from which was not obstructed by a pillar. It closed in 1994.
Auditorium Roller Rink, 1913. Photo Credit: Local History Room - Saskatoon Public Library - PH 96-10-A
Spadina Crescent, 1913. Photo Credit: Local History Room - Saskatoon Public Library - LH 6642
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These rinks all depended on cold weather to keep the ice frozen. A sudden thaw could wreak havoc on the hockey schedule. The Exhibition Auditorium was later modernized, but Saskatoon didn’t get its first purpose-built artificial ice rink until 1937, when, during the depths of the Great Depression, a couple of local hockey fans decided that what we really needed was a brand-new, modern, hockey arena. On November 19, 1937, the Saskatoon Arena Rink—“the finest ice palace in Western Canada”, an Edmonton newspaper called it—opened on 19th Street in what is now River Landing. Originally pri vatelyoperated, the Arena was taken over by the city in the 1950s after suffering financial losses. For half a century, it was the place to go for hockey games, concerts and events. It closed in 1988 when Saskatchewan Place (SaskTel Centre, now) was built, and the Arena was later torn down.
Outdoor Rinks Schools and community groups have always run outdoor rinks in Saskatoon. In the 1920s, the city would flood them for free for community groups and provide electricity at half price. By the mid-1920s there were ten community-run rinks in addition to school rinks, and two large municipal rinks, one on Broadway where Oskayak High School is now, and the other in Caswell Hill, at 29th Street and Avenue E. Admission was charged for these. In 1930, the city handed over control of all the public recreational facilities to the newly-created Playgrounds Association, a volunteer-run organization funded by an annual civic grant, which for the next thirty years would be responsible for Saskatoon’s municipal playgrounds, sports fields, swimming pools, and skating rinks. But these were the years of the Great Depression and the Second World War, and the
Saskatoon Arena decorated for Ice Carnival, 1952.
Photo Credit: Local History Room - Saskatoon Public Library - A 3020
Saskatoon Crescents pose, showing interior of the Crescent Arena, 1923.
Photo Credit: Local History Room - Saskatoon Public Library - PH 90-34-3
King Edward School Rink, 1928. Photo Credit: Local History Room - Saskatoon Public Library - LH 6262
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City Hall Skating Pond, 1970.
Photo Credit: Local History Room - Saskatoon Public Library - LH 6444
MVA Rink in Kiwanis Park, 1990.
Association could only afford to run three skating rinks: on the west side at Avenue F and 20th Street, on the east side, behind Victoria School; and on the southeast corner of 4th Avenue and 25th Street. But there continued to be private and community rinks. Residents of Saskatchewan Crescent got permission to flood little Idylwyld Park in the 1930s and ‘40s, for example. There were organizations like the King George Athletic Club, which had a rink at Avenue J and 17th Street in the 1930s and ‘40s, with floodlights and a warm-up shack heated by a potbellied stove burning coal donated by the fuel dealer across the street. By the 1950s, Saskatoon was riding high on a wave of optimism. People had money to spend and leisure time in which to spend it. By the winter of 1956-1957, the Playgrounds Association was operating seven rinks and sponsoring fourteen “improved” school rinks, providing a warm-up
shack, lights and a fulltime supervisor for each. Five more improved rinks were added the following year, so that every school in Saskatoon had a rink except one, which had one across the street. One of the most intriguing of Saskatoon’s outdoor rinks was the City Hall “skating pond” built around the cenotaph in City Hall Square in December of 1970 to help promote the upcoming Canada Winter Games. Today, the city of Saskatoon website lists fifty outdoor rinks, at schools and in parks, all operated by volunteers from the various community associations. But the most beloved patch of outdoor ice in Saskatoon is the one in Kiwanis Park next to the Bessborough, which the Meewasin Valley Authority has operated every year since 1980. Voted the best outdoor skating rink in Canada by Readers Digest in 2006, it now includes a permanent warm-up facility, washrooms and skate rentals.
Photo Credit: Local History Room - Saskatoon Public Library - CP 9576-A-3
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City Park rink on 25th Street, 1939.
Photo Credit: Local History Room - Saskatoon Public Library - LH 5541-B
Outdoor rink at the U of S, 1940s.
Photo Credit: Local History Room - Saskatoon Public Library - B 632
Modern Arenas As Saskatoon grew in the 1950s and ‘60s, so did its recreational facilities, with outdoor rinks in the new neighbourhoods, and several new arenas. The Kinsmen Arena opened in 1961, followed by the Lions Arena in 1969, Archibald Park Arena in 1972, the ACT Arena
in Sutherland in 1978 and the Cosmo Civic Centre in 1979. These are all operated by the city, which also leased the Wheatland rinks at the Exhibition starting in the 1970s. But there are private rinks and arenas, too. The Harold Latrace Arena was built in 1989 and named for businessman and Saskatoon
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city councillor Harold Latrace, who was instrumental in raising the money for its construction. A second rink was added later on the same site, and it now bears the name of Rodd Hamm, killed in a car accident in 1988, whose family donated money towards an upgrade of the facility.
Other privately-owned rinks include the Jemini at Grasswood Road and the Agriplace, near SaskTel Centre, built in 1988. The Schroh Arena, on Lorne Avenue just south of Saskatoon, opened in 1996, and most recently the Granatier Sportsplex, up near the Marquis Drive Costco, opened in 2019. The most notable of the new facilities is the University’s Merlis Belsher Place, which opened in 2018. Named for long-time Saskatoon businessman Merlis Belsher and built at a cost of $51 million (including funding from the City of Saskatoon), it replaced the old Rutherford Rink, built in 1929 and named for the late W.J. Rutherford, Dean of Agriculture. Although a campus facility, Merlis Belsher also serves the wider hockey community in Saskatoon and is a welcome addition to the city’s roster of recreational facilities. “…Wreathed In Nostalgia…” For many of us, skating is an activity wreathed in nostalgia. Memories of walking up to the school after supper, our skates slung over our shoulders, snow crunching underfoot and the stars shining above like a scene out of a Charlie Brown movie; of lacing up in the warm-up shack, packed with kids and the smell of wet wool and the hollow thunk! of skate blades on the wooden floor; and the skating itself, a feeling as close to flying as it’s possible to get without leaving the ground. You can spend this winter hibernating on the couch dreaming of summer, or you can get out and fly. Which would you rather? Jeff O'Brien
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WATER gardening Beautiful and delicious Gardening is a popular outdoor activity in the summer, but there’s a way to extend your horticultural penchant all year round. All you need are plant cuttings, a container, water and natural sunlight. This technique is similar to hydroponics, except it’s done from the comfort inside one’s own home. It’s a handy alternative
for someone lacking yard space and allows gardening during every season. Even if there is plenty of outdoor room, this low maintenance option reduces the need for pesticides and the risk of disease. Simple Prep It’s easy to get started and a water garden can yield a
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bounty of herbs and greens. There are several plants that take to growing in water. Basil, oregano, chives, rosemary and lettuce are just a few. Use a small jar or container with a narrow mouth so the cutting can stand, supported to grow upright. Tap water works perfectly well; it contains oxygen. However, set water
Sarah androsoff
aside for at least 24 hours so any chlorine can evaporate. Plants don’t like the chemical. Fill the jar halfway with water. Once you decide what you would like to grow, make the cuttings from existing plants. Make a diagonal cut just below the node on the stem. Insert the cutting in the jar. Set them on a window sill or anywhere that gets direct
sunlight. Change the water every few days when it’s dirty or has been mostly absorbed. Never let it get smelly; that means plants are rotting.
Oregano grows taller and new roots appear after three weeks.
New Developments In about two weeks, watch for new roots and plant growth. Don’t fret if your first cutting doesn’t grow or dies. It’s quite common on the first go. Just keep trying and enjoy experimenting with this technique. It’s affordable, so grow multiple plants at once to increase the chances of success. There are many benefits of using this technique to grow greens and herbs. The biggest advantage is to be able to grow all year round. During fall and
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winter, artificial light may be a necessary substitute for natural sunlight. Controlling the amount of water the plants get indoors relieves the worry when a heavy rainfall hits. At-Home Benefits Creating an indoor garden also comes with benefits to mental health. Research shows that being surrounded by plants improves concentration and execution of tasks. In these times of physical and social distancing, many people are adjusting to working from home. It can be difficult to keep motivated and organized. Growing plants provides a consistent routine and helps with productivity. There’s a form and function aspect, too. Plants aid in air filtration, which means better air quality. Growing plants
indoors adds both edible and beautiful home decor. Take the Plunge Some gardeners, even inexperienced beginners, see indoor water gardening as a fascinating project. It’s an excellent way to try vegetable and herb gardening, and learn a bit about plant care. It can produce an ongoing supply of herbs and greens, a handy thing if the market or grocery has a shortage. The author began with lettuce, oregano, chives, rosemary and basil. Growing vessels included a small glass container for herbs and a shallow plastic bowl for lettuce. It's not only fun, but the fruits of indoor gardening labour are delicious.
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Sarah Androsoff
Water gardeners can prompt successful growth in lettuce, celery, oregano and basil.
Water gardening tips •
Change water every 2–3 days.
•
Use a container with narrow mouth so herbs grow upright.
•
Grow plants where there is ample direct sunlight.
•
What grows well: basil, chives, thyme, rosemary, lettuce, green onion, oregano, mint, sage, green onion, stevia, lemon balm, carrot greens, celery.
•
When making cuttings from existing plants, make a diagonal cut just below node on the stem. Nodes are points on a stem from which the buds, leaves, and branching twigs grow.
Celery and lettuce growth after two or so weeks.
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viewfinder A Local Project to admire each issue
Hometown Homes
“Cozy” is the theme of this infill on Cairns Avenue. Dare we say ‘moo-cho’ cozy? The ranchland vibe comes inside and that rural feel complements the warm decor elements. The combination creates a relaxed, inviting space.
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