WINTER 2017 | ISSUE 22
contents
16
30
11 29
Lifestyles 11 Feature
8
Finding your family. How and why people do genealogy research
16 People
A Jock’s life. Former teacher has the inside scoop on golf balls
19 Culture
Dessert wines. BC vintners offer variety of fruit flavours
23 In The Kitchen
Sweet & savoury. Delightful delictables will tickle your tastebuds any time of year!
13 Market Overview
Let the numbers do the talking. Housing start stats speak volumes
29 Getting To Know Mike Ronnie. Sorento Custom Homes
What is your favourite Christmas song?
Homes 8
Items 6
30 You Said It
Industry News
23
Message from the Chief Executive Officer
28 Maps Central Alberta and Red Deer new communities
Habitat humanity. Bulding homes, not houses
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message from the chief executive officer
Family Time With winter already in full gear and Christmas and New Year’s fast approaching, now is a time many people like spend ‘cocooning’ with family and friends. It’s a time when we’re thankful for what we have and that we can share with loved ones — and a time to think of those less fortunate also. In this edition, we’ve done a little bit of both. First, when it comes to providing affordable homes for Central Alberta families, nobody does it better than Habitat For Humanity. In fact, their newly begun project, a duplex in east Red Deer, will house families number 34 and 35! That’s a rate of more than one family per year — a huge accomplishment for a great organization. It’s our cover story and you can read about it on page 8. Still on the family angle, how well do you know yours? How far back can you trace your family tree? For some people, it’s a hobby, while for others, it’s an obsession.
CANADIAN HOME BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION – CENTRAL ALBERTA represents professionals in the housing industry. CHBA – Central Alberta has been in existence for over 60 years and is a network of professionals that manages industry issues to provide value to our members. #200, 6700-76 Street Red Deer, Alberta T4P 4G6 Tel: 403.346.5321 Toll-free: 1.888.346.5329 Fax: 403.342.1301 Toll-free: 1.877.342.1301 E-mail: eo@chbacentralalberta.ca www.chbaca.ca Denie Olmstead | Chief Executive Officer eo@chbacentralalberta.ca Joan Butler | Administration & Event Co-ordinator admin@chbacentralalberta.ca Sharon Stange | Event and Communication Manager info@chbacentralalberta.ca
Whichever category you fall into, the Red Deer Genealogical Society is the perfect place to start. Want to discover your roots? Start digging on page 11. Meanwhile, for those of us lucky enough to get to spend time with family and friends over the season, how about some fun and easy food and beverage ideas? From pickled tequila jalapenos (not for delicate taste buds) and spicy cayenne pepper pecans, to the perfect seasonal dessert wines to serve them with, we’ve got a couple of ideas guaranteed to make you the host with the most! Crossing the threshold into the homes part of the magazine, our market analysis paints a pretty optimistic picture for 2018. It’s great to hear some positive things
PUBLISHED BY Source Media Group Corp. 6109 – 6th Street S.E. Calgary, AB T2H 1L9 Tel: 403.532.3101, Fax: 403.532.3109 Toll free: 1.888.932.3101 Email: info@sourcemediagroup.ca www.sourcemediagroup.ca ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER | Jim Zang
about the economy and housing industry! On a more neighbourly note we introduce you to two of them, literally. First, meet Jock Mackenzie, former Red Deer school teacher and principal and still
ART DIRECTOR | Jean Faye Rodriguez
Mr. Mackenzie to the many former students he meets around town. So just how does
GRAPHIC DESIGNER | Dave Macaulay, Vivian Zhang
a retired classroom desk jockey spend their time? You might be surprised. Check out
PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR | Colleen Leier
the feature story and photos for yourself on page 16. Finally, we get to know Mike Ronnie, of Sorento Custom Homes. Just how does one go from a baseball scholarship at Minot State to building homes in Red Deer? You’ll have to read the story on page 29 to find out. As for our You Said It question, “What’s your favourite Christmas song?” I’d have
CONTRIBUTORS | Amber Casey, Ruby Cole, Jock Mackenzie, Don Molyneaux, David Shepherd, Tammie Sorensen, BJ Tumanut, Laurette Woodward DIRECTOR OF SALES | Jim Zang jim.zang@sourcemediagroup.ca
to say mine is Bing Crosby and David Bowie’s version of The Little Drummer Boy / ADVERTISING SALES | Ruby Cole ruby.cole@sourcemediagroup.ca
Peace On Earth. Have a merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year!
© 2017 Source Media Group Corp. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publishers. Source Media Group Corp. agrees to advertise on behalf of the advertiser without responsibility for claims or misinformation made by the advertiser and acts only as an advertising medium. Source Media Group Corp. reserves the right to refuse any advertising at its sole discretion.
Sincerely,
Denie Olmstead
Central Alberta Homes & Lifestyles is published quarterly and is distributed to every member of the Canadian Home Builers’ Association – Central Alberta, as well as on free stands throughout the region.
Chief Executive Officer CHBA – Central Alberta
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industry news
Habitat humanity Bulding homes, not houses
BY R U BY CO L E
8
H
abitat for Humanity Red Deer (HFHRD) believes everyone deserves a safe place to call home, and by working together with the community, they strive to break the cycle of poverty through affordable homeownership. HFHRD proudly recently announced their new project: a duplex in the South East section of the City of Red Deer at Aspen Ridge. In the organization’s 23 years, it has housed 33 families, so serving families 34 and 35 marks an important milestone for the organization. According to Karen Vavrek, Chief Executive Officer — HRHRD, the need for affordable housing in Red Deer is extremely high. “With the downturn in the economy, Red Deer has the biggest need (in Central Alberta) for affordable housing — we have over 100 families in our waiting list”. The new homes will be built on land bought from the City of Red Deer, which originally was going to be used for a new fire hall. “The City re-designated a lot — anyone was invited to the draw to purchase that land. We were one of the lucky ones,” she says. It’s unknown when the ground-breaking will
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begin, the next step is to set timelines and schedule. Vavrek said it can take up to 10 months between announcing a project and completing construction. The families who will own these homes are not yet chosen. Whoever gets selected will go through a rigorous process. To become homeowners, families must meet various qualifications and be willing to invest 500 of sweat equity into the home, through volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and other community organizations. But the investment of the families does not end there. “Habitat for Humanity offers low-income working families a hand up, not a hand out!” says Vavrek. “Contrary to the myth we do not give away free houses, but instead promote homeownership at a more affordable rate.” Selected families become Habitat homeowners,
industry news
and gradually repay a no-interest, no down-payment mortgage carried by HFHRD, with monthly payments set at approximately 25 per cent of the family’s monthly income. For the construction phases of the homes, HRHRD builds new homes with community support in the forms of donated materials and uses volunteer labor for most of the construction process. “We like to work with as many contractor and trades as possible — community minded organizations”. Vavrek calls it a ‘win-win situation’. There are number of ways to contribute — donations of goods, building materials,
For the construction faces of the homes, HRHRD builds new homes with community support in the forms of donated materials and uses volunteer labor for most of the construction process. monetary donations and professional services are always welcome. As for next steps, the organization strives for building homes throughout Central Alberta. They currently have homes in Three Hills, Delburne, Lacombe and Red Deer and continue to work to build houses in several other communities.
For more information on the organization or different ways to volunteer, visit www.habitatreddeer.ca.
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feature
Finding your family How and why people do genealogy research BY L AU R E T T E WO O DWA R D
Y
Eugene and Linda Yaworski, with images of Linda’s ancestors.
ou might say that Linda and Eugene Yaworski are bucking the trend. Instead of travelling to warmer southern destinations during the winter, the couple instead spends the summer travelling. They stay at home in Lacombe during the winter to work on genealogy research (also called family history) online and in libraries. Summer times are spent travelling to places connected with the couple’s family history. “Linda is really good at digging deeper to find the facts,” says Eugene. “It’s all about being a sleuth.” “I have a burning desire to do genealogy,” says Linda. “I enjoy it because of how I feel. Finding my family makes me feel rooted, and connected. They were real people. I just can’t ignore that.” Although an interest in genealogy has always existed for Linda, the couple really got started in 2011 when camped at an RV campground in Claresholm. Linda’s mother mentioned
Linda’s great grandfather, and his mother.
that Linda’s grandfather was buried there. So the couple went to City Hall to find out where the plot was and then at the cemetery found an unmarked grave. Eventually they purchased a permanent marker. “That really got us hooked,” says Linda. “We just kept researching in cemeteries after that.” Since then the couple has found 1900 family names, and filled in all sorts of missing information throughout Linda’s family tree such as a missing great Aunt, which they discovered had served as a nun throughout her life. Last year, the Yaworskis started loading their findings into an online family tree. They were able to be successful at that because of the personal mentoring they received from more experienced researchers.
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feature
Although it can be a lot of work, genealogy is more accessible than ever before.
Sonya Miller
“I would really recommend that to anyone who is just starting,” says Linda. “Be sure you find a mentor or join a group so you can learn and ask questions.” Red Deer’s Genealogical Society is a good place to find help. The branch is the third largest in Alberta, with 30 to 40 people who regularly attend society meetings. The Red Deer Branch will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2018. “We’d love to have new members,” says Sonya Miller, the President of the Red Deer Branch of the Alberta Genealogical Society. “And we’d love to help you get started.” Sonya’s tips for those who are beginning family history research: • Interview your living relatives to gather birth dates, location, marriage dates, death dates, etc. for family members. Record the information using a paper or online pedigree chart. • Be aware that even close family members don’t always want to share information. Be patient. They may be willing to share at a later time. • Genealogy is not a ‘quick’ hobby. It takes time and effort. • Don’t presume other people’s family trees (which may have overlaps with yours) are accurate. You need to check sources 12
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(birth, death, marriage records, census records, etc.). Although it can be a lot of work, genealogy is more accessible than ever before. “One advantage of our modern age is the internet, which makes family history research so much easier than in the past,” says Miller. Birth, death, marriage, census, military, immigration and other records are increasingly being made available online and more are searchable because of efforts to index records. Perhaps because of the easier access, genealogy has become a very popular hobby. Television shows such as “Who do you think you are,” “Finding Your Roots,” and “Genealogy Roadshow,” along with advertisements for DNA testing that links family trees, have added to the increased interest. What motivates people to do genealogy? “I heard someone say that without the past there is no present,” says Miller. “I like
that idea. And I like discovering facts about my family. With facts like when and where a person was born, where they worked, who they married, and how many children they had, I can construct a story. I like seeing those stories and coming to know my family.” Eugene Yaworski agrees. “The people we find become so much more than a name. These are people who loved, worked, and really lived just like you and me,” says Eugene. “They are a part of who we are. We shouldn’t forget them.”
Linda Yaworski’s great grandmother and her children.
FAMILY HISTORY RESOURCES IN CENTRAL ALBERTA Alberta Genealogical Society. Meets at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sunnybrook (in Red Deer) on the third Thursday of each month. Membership is $50 per year. www.abgenealogy.ca Alberta Genealogical Society’s books and records containing local and provincial data are available to the public. They are housed at the City of Red Deer’s Archives (in the same building as the Museum). Also at that location is a computer terminal that provides free access to “Ancestry”. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Family History Centre in Sunnybrook provides free access to Ancestry, My Heritage and other online resources, as well as volunteer staff to help you with your research. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 until 3, and Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 pm.
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market overview
Let the numbers do the talking CMHC Housing start stats speak volumes BY R U BY CO L E
I
like to think of myself as politically agnostic. Instead, I’d rather be a cold-hearted data realist. That being said, I believe Alberta seems poised for economic recovery. Don’t believe me? Let’s take a look… The numbers of this third quarter of 2017 give us solid reasons for optimism, as far as the new home market is concerned. Although according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation data, Red Deer’s new home starts are down year-to-date 2017 compared to last year by 128 homes (see Chart A), at closer look we can see 154 of that number was attributable to a couple of big apartment projects. When you subtract those from the equation, this year is outpacing 2016. To be precise, 48 more houses in the single-family category, that’s almost a 50 per cent increase! Another sign of great things to come? Looking at Red Deer County’s Q3 numbers (see Chart B), numbers are up by almost double compared to 2016’s third quarter. Olds, Lacombe and Lacombe County’s numbers are up as well. If you’re in the market for a new home the numbers are in your favor. For the communities with higher number of new builds, that could be because it’s a good place to live, which could result in a great investment. On the other side, for the communities with a lower number of homes being built — like Sylvan Lake — that means demand is low and prices trend to go down, which could make it a good time to buy. Bottom line, for first-time homebuyers, this could mean it’s a good time to shop around, while keeping an eye on changing economic conditions. After all, knowledge is power! Check out what’s happening in your favourite communities in the charts on the right:
CHART A
RED DEER HOUSING STARTS BY DWELLING TYPE
Sept. 2017
Sept. 2016
YTD 2017
YTD 2016
Single-family 29
17
151 103
Semi-detached 2
6
18
Row
16
0 9 12 36
Apartment 0 0 0 154 Total
21 32 181 309
Median price $455,000 CHART B
HOUSING STARTS BY DWELLING TYPE
LACOMBE
Q3 2017
Q3 2016
YTD 2017
YTD 2016
Single-family 8
1
26
22
Semi-detached 0
2
6
2
Row
10 0 30 4
Apartment 0 16 Total LACOMBE COUNTY
0 16
18 19 62 44 Q3 2017
Q3 2016
YTD 2017
YTD 2016
Single-family 18
18
39
34
Semi-detached 0
0
0
0
Row
0 0 0 0
Apartment 0 0 Total RED DEER COUNTY
0 0
18 18 39 34 Q3 2017
Q3 2016
YTD 2017
YTD 2016
Single-family 25
11
57
42
Semi-detached 0
0
0
0
Row
0 0 0 0
Apartment 0 0 Total SYLVAN LAKE
0 0
25 11 57 42 Q3 2017
Q3 2016
YTD 2017
YTD 2016
Single-family 18
14
43
51
Semi-detached 2
10
14
22
Row
9 11 21 54
Apartment 0 0 Total OLDS*
0 4
29 35 78 131 Q3 2017
Q3 2016
YTD 2017
YTD 2016
Single-family 2
2
11
13
Semi-detached 2
0
2
10
Multi-family 22
0
22
0
Total
26 2 35 23
*Building permits.
Sources: CMHC, Town of Olds
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people
A Jock’s life
Former teacher has the inside scoop on golf balls Teaching in the ’80s.
BY J I M Z A N G
A
pro golfer can do almost anything with a golf ball — cut it, slice it, carve it. And so can Jock Mackenzie. Perhaps better-known for his 31-year career as a teacher and principal with the Red Deer Public School District — starting at West Park Junior High in 1973, then Eastview Junior High, G.W. Smith Elementary, Aspen Heights Elementary, Piper Creek Elementary, Annie L. Gaetz Elementary and at Eastview Middle School — friends and family know that Jock, true to his Scottish heritage, is an avid golfer. In fact, in 2003, he and second wife Janet got married at Innisfail golf course — where Jock’s still a member. “I started in Commerce,” says Jock, “but switched to Education. It was the best decision I ever made.” His favourite teaching memory? “There are almost too many to mention,” he recalls fondly. “But I’ll go with this. I taught my students a secret handshake. I remember running into a former student years
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later, Brandt, he’s in his teens working at a gas station/convenience store, and he almost comes over the counter to see if I remembered the secret handshake. I did.” Known as Mr. Mackenzie to many, he’s also known as Dad and Grandpa to a growing brood that includes Jock’s two children from his first marriage, Jillian (36) and Andrew (34) Janet’s three children, Jeremy (43), Heather (41) and Jenny (36); plus assorted spouses, significant others and, to-date, three young grandchildren (Wil, Avery and Emma). Now retired and living back on the last 40 acres of the family farm, in his renovated childhood home, Jock keeps busy with a variety of pursuits. “Just for fun, and because I feel I still have something worthwhile to offer, I collect used books and take them to the Christmas Bureau, or the Food Bank, from school to school, to a summer reading program called Reading College, or to Books on the Bus. One of my best sources is a local bookstore, Nearly New Books. I read a lot,” he says, “and I love to write. I’ve written a teacher reference book, a crime novel, humourous — to me anyways — rhyming poems and songs, short stories — usually reminiscences — and magazine articles.” There’s a playful side to this son of a cattle farmer, too, as he enjoys not just golf, but skiing, fly tying and fishing, working with stained glass, wood carving (walking sticks, canes, miniature houses) and traveling. Recently, he and Janet took part in a program called Englischhausen
people
Jock with wife Janet and her three kids: Jeremy, Jennie and Heather.
where English-speaking tourists travel to Germany and stay in a resort setting while hanging out with German nationals who want to improve their English. Two years ago they took part in a similar program in Spain called Diverbo. And, speaking of hobbies, what about that golf ball carving? It all started, says Jock, when his wife Janet, a nurse at the Red Deer General Hospital, was given a carved golf ball by an elderly gent from Sundre. On it was etched the face of an old, bearded man. Intrigued and challenged, Jock put a golf ball in a vice, scored the outside using a hacksaw, and then popped off half of the shell with a screwdriver. Golf balls used to be made of wraps of miniature rubber bands. Nowadays, a solid core or layers of solids are inside. They go further, straighter, or so the manufacturers say, and, says Jock, “they’re easy to carve — some easier than others. “I started out making an evil-looking character I called the Bogie Man, a talisman who would scare away the bogies. From there, I tried a Double Bogie Man with faces on both sides — and even a Triple Bogie Man. “My wood carving knife and gouges
worked well for the detail but it really helped when I started using my Lee Valley magnifier and light. I offered a particularly scary looking Bogie Man to Christina Kim at the LPGA tournament at Priddis Greens. Her response: ‘I don’t even want to think of the word ‘bogie’ when I’m playing golf.’ But she took it anyway.” Since then, he’s carved a Birdie Man, numerous faces (Santa and related characters, Eeyore, Pokemons, Alfred E.Newman from MAD magazine, gnomes — and even Darth Vader) and half golf balls with sports team logos — Flames, Oilers, Roughriders, Habs, Blue Jays, Seahawks. “I give and/or sell them to friends. It’s the best thing a high handicapper like me can do with a golf ball.” Plus, they make great Christmas tree ornaments.
“I started out making an evil-looking character I called the Bogie Man, a talisman who would scare away the bogies. From there, I tried a Double Bogie Man with faces on both sides — and even a Triple Bogie Man.” W I N T E R 2 017
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culture
Dessert wines
BC vintners offer variety of fruit flavours BY B J T U M A N U T
W
e’ve all been misunderstood. People have made assumptions about us. We’ve been characterized, stereotyped and pre-judged. Can you relate? If so, then you can relate to the struggles of being a dessert wine. Dessert wines are often lumped into one category: Sweet. This generalization is often paired with a disapproving wrinkled nose and shaking head. While this is understandable, I promise you the world of dessert wines is much more interesting than just “sweet”.
The story behind what makes a dessert wine sweet can range from drying the grapes to allowing the grapes to freeze on the vines to arresting the fermentation of the grape’s sugars. The flavours can encompass sunny, lifted characteristics of bergamot and pineapple to warm, inviting flavours like baking spices, honey and marmalade; the very best being supported by cutting acidity to balance the luscious mouthfeel and some even affected by Botrytis. In Canada, we are fortunate to have the rare conditions to create beautifully balanced and complex dessert wines. Here are three wine suggestions from the Okanagan to serve with your Christmas pudding, fruit tarts and other holiday deserts. You can also pair these wines with a variety of cheeses, dried fruit and roasted chestnuts.
Whistler Chardonnay Late Harvest Late Harvest wines often strike a consumer-friendly balance between quality and price. This is an excellent example with bright apples, tropical fruit and oranges with a creamy mouthfeel and lingering finish.
Quails Gate Botrytis Affected Optima Lighter-bodied with a symphony of luscious fruits including pear, quince, apricot and apple. Marmalade and baking spices add complexity and pointed acidity brings a beautiful balance to the wine.
Nk’mip Qwam Qwmt Riesling Icewine VQA Made from frozen grapes, this wine displays complex layers of baked apple, ginger, sweet citrus, apricot and honey. Full-bodied, well-balanced with a creamy mouthfeel and generous finish.
BJ Tumanut is a Wines and Spirits Education Trust Level Three and Canadian Wine Scholar graduates. She is part of the management team at JoieFarm Winery in Naramata Bench and owns Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut Red Deer and teaches wine and chocolate classes.
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in the kitchen
Sweet & savoury BY TA M M I E SO R EN S EN
T
his time around, just in time for the Christmas season, I come bearing a couple of unique ‘gifts from the kitchen’ — a sweet one and a savoury one. Best of all, while they’re perfect for events from office parties (or even as gifts!); to a New Year’s shindig at home; to an unexpected bonus for your babysitter or dog walker, they’re not just specific to Christmas. These delightful delictables will tickle your tastebuds any time of year!
Sweet & Pumpkin-Spicy Pecans
Pickled Tequila Jalapenos
So easy, thanks to a trusty slow-cooker. These roasted pecans have just the right balance of sweet, salty and a little heat. If you are pumpkin-spiced out, you can substitute with allspice. Perfect gifted in an air-tight tin or sealed cello bag.
I love gifting these tasty and unique pickled jalapenos. A quick refrigerator-style pickle, this recipe comes together quite easily. Perfect for nachos (of course), take them ice fishing, use to top off homemade chili or add to a grilled cheese. Great in a Bloody Maria (tequila instead of vodka). From your host’s fridge to their beer coolers, these versatile little gifts are a warm up on a chilly day. Dial down the sugar if you want super-hot peppers.
Ingredients 500 g plain, raw pecan halves 1/2 cup salted butter, melted 1/2 cup icing sugar 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (omit if you prefer) Method • Set your slow cooker to high and pour in the pecan halves. • Drizzle melted butter over and stir. • Add icing sugar and spices. Stir, coating evenly. • With the lid off (yep, off) roasted the pecans on high for 3 hours, stirring every so often. • Spread pecans out evenly on parchment to cool 30 minutes/until dry. • Place in your airtight gift-giving containers.
Ingredients 6 x 8 oz mason jars or 12 x 4 oz mason jars, sterilized 5-6 cups sliced jalapenos 1/2 small white onion, thinly sliced 2 cups white vinegar 1 1/2 cups water 1/2 cup tequila 1 TBSP sugar 1 1/2 TBSP sea salt 12 cloves of garlic, peeled a little diced red pepper for colour if all your jalapenos are green Method • Put gloves on! • Slice peppers and toss the stems. Set aside. • In a large pot, bring onion, vinegar, water, tequila, sugar and salt to a boil. • While the brine is coming to a boil, fill the jars with sliced jalapenos (and bits of red pepper if using). The peppers should be about 1 inch below the tops of the jars. • Press 2 garlic cloves in each jar if using 8 oz, 1 if using 4 oz jars (now you can take off the gloves). • Quickly and carefully pour the brine over the peppers allowing 1/2 an inch from the top of the jar. • Add the lids and tighten. Let cool on the counter and then move to the fridge. • TAH-DAH you are ready to gift! Allow at least 3 days before opening and store (opened or unopened) in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
A published food writer and recovering food blogger, Tammie is a home chef with a love of rustic recipes. When she’s not at her day-job, you can find her in the kitchen (or at the local market) cooking up culinary creations while snapping photos with her trusty smartphone. You can follow Tammie on Instagram @foodiewithoutablog. W I N T E R 2 017
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| A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E |
Mr. Fireplace Doing it right for 50 years
S
eeing is believing! A visit to the Mr. Fireplace showroom is a must if you have or will have any reason to want a fireplace — or anything even remotely related to fireplaces. You would expect to find (and you will) gas and wood and electric fireplaces. In Red Deer’s showroom, there are not only 22 lit fireplace models but 20 unlit units on the floor to see and touch. The Calgary location has 91. Trucks arrive weekly from the three main American manufacturing
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sites so access to the extensive catalogue of choices adds even more. Mr. Fireplace is celebrating 50 years in Calgary and 20 years in Red Deer — providing all your fireplace requirements. In addition to fireplaces, they have hearths, mantels, log and kindling holders, grates, screens, fireplace tools, cleaning supplies, chimney brushes… a list so long it will fire you up to know you’ve found your ‘go to’ to store in the world of fireplaces.
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Three generations of the Eide family have always wanted to give you a wide range of price points, high quality products, and excellent service when you purchase a product as well as follow up if the need arises. What you might not expect at Mr. Fireplace is the range of barbecues: the more affordable Coyote as well as the higher-end Jackson Grill, a barbecue made in Canada, and each one is all high-grade stainless steel. A full range of sizes and prices are available from the portable Versa to the luxurious Premier 700 with its dual grills, flame thrower ignition system, rotisserie, work light, and infra-red heater. And deck fireplaces! Albertans know we’d all love to make our time outside more comfortable in both Spring and Fall so why not consider an outdoor fire pit, an outdoor fireplace or even a quality barbecue so you can extend the season. Mr. Fireplace is for home builders and home owners. Rod Loewen works most often with builders while Jim Fraser concentrates on retail sales. Both are knowledgeable with the many products from the industry-leading Hearth and Home Technology (HHT): Heatilator, Heat & Glo, Quadra-Fire, Harman and
| A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E |
For some, deciding on a fireplace becomes a question of aesthetics versus features and efficiencies. Why not have everything?
more. These quality products are all built in North America. The electric technology is impressive. Just one example is Dimplex whose unparalleled look featuring glass media and drift logs will have you asking, “Is that wood or gas?” The optimist technology gives the appearance of smoke using water vapour; by adding custom pieces together you could achieve an infinite length of realistic flames. Heat & Glo was the first to invent direct vent technology in a zero-clearance fireplace. The family of HHT companies have been leaders in fireplace technology; some of their other firsts were the first: remote control, hydrogen fireplace, indoor-outdoor fireplace, auto lighting pellet stove, thermostatically controlled wood stove, and many others. They have also won countless awards for innovation. More safety and efficiency? All Mr. Fireplace fireplaces have an IPI system (intermittent pilot) which saves the homeowner $12 per month. HHT has been a leader in safety using safety barriers for over 20 years. Safety barriers can be a screen type that attaches to the unit, reducing the risk of burns. The technology that is used in the Primo series
of fireplaces uses two pieces of glass creating an air space that allows the outer glass to remain cool to the touch even after the unit has been burning for several hours. For some, deciding on a fireplace becomes a question of aesthetics versus features and efficiencies. Why not have everything? Imagine choosing one of the newer linear fireplaces — either gas or electric. They can be, in one foot increments, from 3 to 6 feet. Would you prefer ember lighting in the front, varied flame height, rear accent lighting, a fan that has up to four speeds, a programmable thermostat? The Primo model can dump all the heat outside in the summer and inside in the winter. Just flip a switch. As mentioned, seeing is believing. The website (www.mrfireplace.com) is a start but a personal visit is really the best way to go. The spacious showroom is located at 4412 Gaetz Avenue — on the one-way going south, just across from the downtown Safeway. n
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getting to know
Mike Ronnie Sorento Custom Homes BY R U BY CO L E | P H OTO BY A M B ER C A S E Y
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alling the crew to play road hockey, building with legos and lots of laughter. Ah, the good ol’ days!” For Mike Ronnie, Site Superintendent at Sorento Custom Homes, these are some of his favourite childhood memories. The Fort Saskatchewan native also remembers moving a lot. With his dad, Ian, being part of the RCMP, his mom Lucy, little sister Jenna and Mike relocated several times. From British Columbia, to Alberta to the East Coast and back. It was in Senior Year in 2005 that he moved from Grand Prairie to Red Deer for the first time. It would be for a short term, just after finishing High School he received a baseball scholarship to North Dakota’s Minot State University. He would spend the next four and half years pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business and traveling across North America playing baseball. After graduating with a Major in Management, Marketing and International Business in 2009, he moved back to Red Deer to be close to his parents. Central Alberta has been home ever since. After spending the next six years in the Oil and Gas industry, he was ready for a change. “I was topped out of everything I could learn,” he says. “Looking out of the (oil and gas) industry I stumbled across an opportunity with Sorento. Two years prior, I built my first home and loved it — start to finish. I always wondered how do you get into that? I think I can do that!” Shortly, Mike decided to take the plunge in a new field of work. He has been with Sorento Custom Homes for over a year now. His actual day-to-day activities vary significantly, he says. “The best part of his job is starting something from piece of dirt to a finished project. It’s like building a puzzle. I also believe no project is the same.”
The best part of his job is starting something from piece of dirt to a finished project. It’s like building a puzzle.
Mike Ronnie
When not at work, his down-time is divided amongst cooking with his wife Teale or playing with their mini Yorkie, Kujo. He also enjoys playing hockey in the winter and camping in the summer. Mike also recently joined the Board of Directors of the Canadian Home Builders Association – Central Alberta. His favourite aspects of the organization are the networking opportunities and staying on top of the latest industry trends. As for his thoughts the City of Red Deer itself, “It still feels like a small city… you still know your neighbours. It also means so much to me to be surrounded by lots of great people and to live near my family and extended family,” Mike says. “Being so close to the mountains and the big cities, we live in luxury … I see myself living here for a while, have no intentions of moving anytime soon.”
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you said it
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Leigh Stuart
Treasurer CHBA Red Deer OverDoor
What is your favourite Christmas song?
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BY D O N M O LY N E AUX
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Camillo Tique
Ocean Sales (Smart Builders)
Deanna Graham Prairie Office Plus
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Peter Michaels 106.7 The Drive
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Little Drummer Boy.”
Joy To The World.”
Happy Xmas.”
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Jingle Bells… Because it’s the first one that came to mind.”
12 Days of Christmas by Bob and Doug MacKenzie.” Kevin Strate
Kevin’s Hot and Cold Air
Here Comes Santa Claus.” Nicole Woxall and Michelle Stewart Young Living Essential Oils
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Keegan, age 12
Penhold 7 Air Cadets
Little Drummer Boy.” Jessica Vleeming Vleeming Construction
Snoopy and The Red Baron.” Robin Essau,
Jingle Bells.”
Kles Air Mechanical ltd.
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Justin Bieber Christmas Album.” Ryan Gallant Botanical Custom Rinks