T8N September 2023 Vol.10 Iss.4

PUBLISHER EDITOR

Rob Lightfoot Gene Kosowan

DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT

Isaac White

PHOTOGRAPHY

Paula E. Kirman, Brenda Lakeman

CONTRIBUTOR

Gene Kosowan, Tom Murray, Shima Zonneveld

OFFICE MANAGER

Janice Lightfoot

CONTRIBUTING AGENCIES

Images page 15: Musée Héritage Museum

École Father Jan School

ISSN 2368-707X (PRINT)

ISSN 2368-7088 (ONLINE)

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FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Rob Lightfoot rob@t8nmagazine.com

780 940 6212 or visit t8nmagazine.com

T8N magazine is published 5 times a year by T8N Publishing Inc. Copyright ©2023 T8N Publishing Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. Content marked by the Sponsored Content icon was produced in partnership between content producers and T8N magazine.

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T8N PUBLISHING INC

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Rob Lightfoot: rob@t8nmagazine.com

Mailbox #215, 3-11 Bellerose Drive, St.Albert T8N 5C9

8

The Maui wildfire situation raises questions about vacationing

11

24

26

How St. Albert Trail serviced the city for more than a century

22

Writer-in-residence Tololwa Mollel provides locals with a literary spark

30

Here’s another challenge that offers sweet rewards

CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS

Gotcha Covered: Style, Service, and Selection

If you’re in the market for window coverings and treatments, Gotcha Covered has you covered.

Gotcha Covered began when owner Tamara Cluff bought the business in February of 2020, a few months after she turned 50 because she “had too much energy to retire” and always wanted to own her own company. As well, Cluff, who moved to St. Albert in 2005, spent 30 years in the medical field in a position which required frequent travel. For the next phase of her life, she decided that she wanted to open a business where she could be part of the community.

However, then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Since window blinds were not considered an essential service, the first few months were slow “but really allowed me the opportunity to understand my new product offerings and define my business plan,” Cluff explains. She managed to navigate the various phases of pandemic restrictions by working out of her home office and offering in-home and virtual consultations.

Now, she is excited to finally open a storefront this September at 30 Green Grove Drive. “Our focus is to provide exceptional quality and service with custom window treatments transforming houses into homes. I felt it was time to expand our offering in St. Albert and have a show-and-tell location where citizens can come and touch and feel the products before scheduling an in-home consultation to lock in colour and fabric selections.”

Our focus is to provide exceptional quality and service with custom window treatments transforming houses into homes

Gotcha Covered offers a huge selection of blinds, shades, shutters, and drapery. Everything is custom-made. Many products are made in Canada, including in nearby Edmonton, and all of the drapery is handmade locally. There are options for both “the budget conscious consumer, who still wants great quality, to the high-end customer who wants the very best warranty, quality, and brand backing,” Cluff says.

The focus at Gotcha Covered is residential window coverings. She loves it “when customers have lived in their homes for a few months before calling us, as it gives us a very good idea of what function is needed from the window treatments in each room.”

The most common functional needs for window coverings in the order of demand as:

• Privacy.

• Blackout bedroom blinds.

• UV sun protection/glare.

• Temperature regulation (improving energy efficiency since most heat loss in a home comes from window and door leakage).

• Sound absorption.

• Beautification and to add personality to a space.

Customers working with Gotcha Covered can expect personalized service. Once we understand what we need the window covering to do, the team at Gotcha Covered can recommend the right product to overcome the issue. We will be asking clients a ton of questions to really get to the heart of how we can help them and to garner an understanding of their style preference and tastes.

“I had one client who I drove 45 minutes outside of Westlock to visit,” Cluff recalls. “She said she needed some help with sun but hated the look of all blinds. She was a nature lover and she had wood furniture and hardwood floors throughout the house. We found the most amazing solar shade that you can see out of, but looks somewhat like the bark of a tree and she fell in love”.

Another client had been searching for the perfect fabric for her living room for months. With her help she found one in Paris she loved - only to find out that it was out of stock and now discontinued. Cluff is working with a manufacturer to recreate the fabric. As well, Gotcha Covered can put picture prints on blinds, such as logos or any high-resolution image.

Other services from Gotcha Covered include:

• Outdoor screens (to keep out bugs and sun).

• Exterior drapery/pillows/seat cushions.

• Motorization: Helping clients open and close blinds in high windows or windows that have something in front of them.

• Automation: Having blinds communicate with apps and home AI systems, allowing the user to have the blinds move while not at home. Blinds can come down at set times of the day to ensure the utmost in energy efficiency, or clients can program their blinds while on vacation to improve home security

With the new storefront now in operation, Gotcha Covered has a lot of gratitude to express. “I’d like to thank all the businesses that helped get Gotcha Covered’s showroom up and running. I’d also like to thank the people of St. Albert for their support over the last few years. We look forward to having you pop by the showroom at 30 Green Grove Drive to just say ‘hi’ or when you need our help with window treatments.”

SUMMER’S FADING RAYS SIGNAL a time for us to shake ourselves out of the slumber that came with the season. For most families, that means getting kids prepped for school while adults shift into gear for the post-vacay job commute. In short, the fall marks a time when folks get a bit more serious about their daily lives.

Understandably, the change of seasons never registered on the minds of devastated residents of Maui’s west-coast town of Lāhainā, which was obliterated by a massive wildfire that’s so far killed more than 100 citizens and crippled its otherwise lucrative tourist industry. It stands to reason that holiday excursions to such a destination may be controversial, although Maui’s residents wouldn’t likely reject those prospects. We weigh those pros and cons on page 8.

Kâkesimokamik, the idyllic, healing garden monument on Red Willow Trail recognizes an equally distraught issue, namely the atrocities committed by the federal Residential School system against our indigenous community. Discover hidden meanings in the installation and its history on page 24.

Elsewhere, you’ll find a chat with writer-in-residence Tololwa Mollel (page 28), an inside look at what the St. Albert Pottery Guild is up to (page 11), interesting teas being brewed around town (page 22), summer harvest recipes (page 16), and a chronicle of St. Albert Trail (page 26).

Finally, it might be best to consider that although many of us might bemoan the end of summer, a big-picture perspective of more serious matters faced by others worldwide might temper that sentiment.

On the Cover

No matter how you sip, stir, or savour it, tea is the world’s most popular drink, next to water, which you obviously need to brew the stuff. On page 22, we look at a few local venues offering some unique blends and brands. Adobe Stock: OlegKovalevich

Rob Lightfoot

5 Misconceptions about life insurance

A life insurance policy is one of the greatest gifts you can leave your family when you pass away - but it can be a complicated topic. That’s why, I’m here to help you understand how it can protect you and your loved ones, so that finances do not become an added stressor during such a difficult time.

Here are 5 common misconceptions about life insurance and what you should know:

1. If you don’t have kids or a spouse, you don’t need it

If you unexpectedly pass away, and you’re not protected with life insurance, your estate may have to cover the expenses that you leave – including medical bills and personal debts. Even if you don’t have kids, your partner or spouse would be left to sort out these expenses in your absence. It’s best to have at least a basic life insurance policy, to help you pay for any essential bills.

2. Life insurance is too expensive

Life insurance comes in a range of coverages and affordable options. Term premiums are usually reasonably priced and worth considering if permanent life insurance doesn’t meet your needs or budget. Term insurance provides coverage for a certain period of time, and many policies offer the option to upgrade to a permanent life insurance policy later.

3. Your coverage from work is enough

You may need more coverage than what your employer provides – if, for example, you have dependants or a mortgage. Additionally, if your employer switches insurance providers, your policy could change without notice.

4.

Young and

healthy people don’t need life insurance

The younger you are, the cheaper life insurance is likely to be, because you’re less likely to need it – but accidents can still happen. Younger people tend to engage in riskier recreational activities, including sports, which can lead to unexpected injuries1 Plus, you may still have expenses, such as your student loans and other debts that your estate will have to sort out in your absence.

5. I should get the same life insurance policy as my friend or neighbour

Your individual needs, goals and lifestyles may be very different from those around you, so it’s important to tailor your policy to your unique needs. As you go through different life stages, your financial needs can change – and so can your life insurance needs.

Interested in learning more about how to protect yourself with life insurance? Give me a call to discuss your coverage options, or for more helpful tips, visit our blog at desjardinsagents.com

Jennifer Miles, Agent 125-15 Circle Dr St. Albert AB 780-460-2279

jen@jmilesinsurance.com jmilesinsurance.com

MBroadbent Inurance Agency Inc. Michelle Broadbent, Agent 3523 Tudor Glen Market St. Albert AB 780-470-3276

michelle@michellebroadbent.com michellebroadbent.com

PARADISE IN PERIL

The Maui wildfire situation raises questions about vacationing on the island

BY: TOM MURRAY

CHRIS NORBERG IS attempting to reverse the last few weeks of social media messaging regarding the wildfires that devastated portions of Maui, where he lives.

“The message to visitors was initially crafted incorrectly,” explains Norberg, team manager for Hawaii Web Group and the Maui Guide, which produces content for both Maui visitor websites and social media profiles. “It was a short-sighted reaction. We wanted to keep visitors from coming for a week or two until we had a handle on what our displaced residents needed, but it turns out the message went out that we needed months to heal. This is incorrect. Only Lāhainā and some areas upcountry have been physically affected by the fires. That means the rest of the island is fine to visit and has not changed.”

The wildfires, which started Aug. 4 near Kahului Airport, are officially the deadliest in U.S. history in more than a century. The communities of Kula, Pūlehu-Kīhei and O’ahu were among areas where the wildfire caused damage, but as of this writing, it was Lāhainā that suffered severe human casualties, with 115 confirmed deaths and 388 people unaccounted for. Alberta tourists have spoken in newspapers reports of the surreality of the scene, and their deep sympathies for the residents. After all, they could go home, while almost the entirety of Lāhainā was burned down.

It’s a tragedy underscored by continuing questions about privilege and cultural imperialism on the island state, especially when it comes to tourism, which is their main economic driver. So when is the appropriate time for tourists to plan a trip to Maui? According to Nikola Berube, Director of Sales for AMA Travel, this is a question that potential visitors need to ask themselves.

“I can say that people are inquiring about trips that are booked for November through January, asking if they’re good,” says Berube. “‘Should we

be thinking about going somewhere else?’ They’re wanting to know what our thoughts are, and all we can do is counsel them on the information that we have, and then they have to make a personal decision. As far as trying to travel now, there’s also the travel advisory; travel insurance won’t cover that, it’s for the unknown things that come up. So if people are booking under an existing travel advisory, it does limit their travel insurance coverage.”

Aside from the practical issues of booking a vacation in an area where a disaster has happened, ethical questions arise. Celebrities like Honolulu-born actor Jason Momoa have used their social media to make it clear: Do not visit Maui as the island attempts to rebuild and grieve. But then, it got even more complicated as small businesses and workers in the industry pushed back, countering that tourism is the only way in which they’ll be able to feed their families and keep a roof over their heads.

Berube points out that the current focus of the Hawaiian government is to help their citizens in rebuilding houses and lives. After that, they’ll be looking at promoting travel to rebuild the economy, which is heavily weighted towards tourism. She’s cautious about the idea of booking a flight right at this moment, though.

“If you do decide to travel in the next while, there are a few things that you should expect from your experience because of the turmoil,” she points out. “There may not be restaurants or hotels that you might want to frequent. There was already a lack of accommodation and car rentals in Hawaii to begin with, and now that’s been compounded by the disaster.”

Norberg is much more specific. He readily admits that areas of West Maui should be off limits for some time, but argues that the rest of the island needs visitors to survive. The Maui Guide website that he oversees is very direct in its view that visitors to the

If you do decide to travel in the next while, there are a few things that you should expect from your experience because of the turmoil

Nikola Berube, Director of Sales for AMA Travel

rest of Maui are welcome from September on, while West Maui remains a “wait and see” proposition. He realizes that this is still a controversial view to some, but argues that many of the people pushing back don’t have any skin in the game.

“The dissenting voices are coming from locals that don’t work in tourism, as well as wealthy influencers that don’t need tourism to survive,” counters Norberg, who says that donations to Maui can be made on the Maui Goodness website. “Actors like Jason Momoa initially told visitors to not visit Maui, even though he’s not here and doesn’t need the money. He later went back on that message and corrected himself.”

For Albertans like Berube, this has been a heartbreaking time. The travel industry counts family, friends and associates all over the world, including Maui, and the devastation hits home. Berube can’t currently provide a good timeline for when a traveler can feel ethically correct in traveling to Maui, but she does feel that it requires a certain amount of inner reflection.

“There’s lots of things to debate about,” she points out. “It really comes down to what’s right for you. How do you ensure that you’re not creating a negative impact on the economy or the infrastructure by traveling after a devastation like this? It’s not an easy decision to make.”

It’s a tangled issue, made even more so by the aftereffects of the fires.

“West Maui is still having some issues getting power, cell service, [and] clean water,” says Norberg. “That means the areas above Lāhainā are still affected, even though the fires didn’t burn structures there.”

Still, adds Norberg, “The only problems we had were when the roads were briefly opened and a few disrespectful tourists went into the affected Lāhainā area. There’s no reason for visitors to be there. We still haven’t uncovered and found all of the victims yet. Our displaced residents are now temporarily in hotels and AirBnBs. We have supplies, and once we get water fixed, the island will be in better shape for our locals. The rest of the island is fine to visit and has not changed.”

MORE ON MAUI

County of Maui Hawaii

The government website for the island posts media releases and newsflashes on the wildfire situation. (mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts)

Lāhainā Town

Once a site designed to attract visitors, it now offers a tribute to a town that “is no more.” (lahainatown.com)

Maui Guide

This site contains an overview of activities on the island, blog posts on the situation, wildfire updates, flight information and a donor link to Maui Goodness. (mauiguide.com/about)

MUD MAGIC

After more than 60 years, the St. Albert Potters Guild continues to get crafty with clay

BY: GENE KOSOWAN PHOTOGRAPHY: PAULA E. KIRMAN

WHEN

IT COMES

to pottery, it seems safe to say that Diane Gwilliam isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty.

“I love the way clay responds to the potter’s touch,” she said.

“I’m always learning, and I guess I have to say I seem to love a challenge!”

It’s a challenge she’s pursued for more than 40 years, which started with her first pottery class. She fell so much in love with the discipline, she eventually became a member of the St. Albert Potters Guild, where she shares her passion and knowledge with 59 other members whenever they get together. With studios based in St. Albert Place, Gwilliam and other guild members work on pieces touching on every aspect of pottery from traditional Japanese raku methods to sculpture.

“The members have huge amounts of experience to share with each other,” said Shirley Randall, a guild member who took up pottery when she was 15 and currently teaches the craft at the Art Gallery of St. Albert. “You can ask fellow members for help, ideas and possible solutions when projects don’t turn out how you expect.”

Randall added that she’s constantly inspired by the river valley the studio overlooks from its downtown headquarters, a far cry from the guild’s more humble beginnings in 1962. Back then, the guild originated as part of the visual arts-oriented St. Albert Arts and Crafts Guild, based in the basement of a local community hall that housed the town’s first pottery studio. Six years later, an expanding arts community warranted relocation to two portable structures in Salisbury Park, before finding a permanent home in St. Albert Place in 1984.

The following year, the St. Albert Arts and Crafts Guild folded. In its place sprung the St. Albert Potters Guild, the St. Albert Quilters Guild, The St. Albert Painters Guild, the St. Albert Paper Arts Guild, and the Floral Society of St. Albert. These five groups, however, don’t entirely operate independently; along with the Art Gallery of St Albert and the City of St. Albert Cultural Services Department, they’re all under the not-for-profit St. Albert Place Visual Arts Council (SAPVAC) umbrella.

SAPVAC offers the Potter’s Guild membership several opportunities to display and sell their works, such as the WARES Gift Shop in St. Albert Place and the annual Country Craft Fair that occupies the complex during the third weekend in November.

Some members also enjoy additional exposure with their pieces available for sale at the Musée Héritage Museum, also in St. Albert Place, the Art Gallery of St. Albert on Perron Street, and Seasons Gift Shop on McKenney Avenue.

Although the Potters Guild doesn’t offer classes for the public, a few members are instructors of pottery courses made available at the St. Albert Museum. Gwilliam has noticed the positive effects among people who discover pottery for the first time in the classes she teaches.

“I taught pottery for almost 27 years and personally can attest to the wide variety of personalities that attend classes,” she said. “Some people are just curious; they just want to give clay a try. Others are more serious and feel a draw to it, and they come back year after year developing their skills.”

In a way, watching those students home their skills on blobs of clay hearken reminders of why some Pottery Guild members got into the craft in the first place. “I like pottery because it presents challenges,” said Randall. “Being able to form, decorate and make something from mud into something like a simple lovely functioning coffee mug is just cool!”

Flavours for fall

Autumn’s the chance to savour these summer bounties

ONE OF THE many joys of summer is enjoying the bounty of fruit that is in season, like grabbing a delicious handful of fresh berries as a snack while walking home from the market. When the leaves start to turn, it’s nice to be able to capture a bit of summer once those in-season fruits become a thing of the past.

Enjoy the summer bounty in the moment and freeze some for an occasion or a day when we need to be reminded of the pleasures and bounties of summer!

BY: SHIMA ZONNEVELD PHOTOGRAPHY: BRENDA LAKEMAN

Blueberry Smoothie Bowl

A delicious start to the day or a midday energizer, smoothie bowls are both beautiful and satisfying!

¼ c. toasted oats

1 tbsp. hemp hearts

1 ½ c. frozen blueberries

a handful of spinach

1 ½ c. almond milk, unsweetened

¼ c. plain yogurt

1/3 c. almond butter

1 tbsp. honey

½ tsp. cinnamon

¼ tsp. almond extract

Add all the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. The longer you blend a smoothie, the creamier the texture will be!

The smoothie bowl add-ons:

Toasted coconut

nut butter

honey

fresh berries

sliced banana

chia seed pudding

favourite granola

sliced nuts

Pour half of the smoothie into a bowl, add select toppings and dig in!

Nectarine & Almond Cake

This is a delightfully moist cake with tasty hits of almond, thanks to the small pieces of marzipan added into the batter!

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Liberally coat either an 8-inch round or square bake tin with baking spray and then line with parchment paper. Set aside.

½ c. butter, room temperature

2 large eggs, beaten slightly

2/3 c. cane sugar plus 1 tbsp. for the top of the cake

1 c. all purpose flour

½ c. ground almonds

½ tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. kosher salt

½ c. Greek or plain yogurt

1/3 c. chopped marzipan

3 fresh or frozen sliced nectarines, ripe

In a large bowl, cream the butter and the sugar together. Add in the two eggs and the vanilla. Mix to combine. Add in the yogurt and mix. Finally, add in all the dry ingredients except the marzipan and mix to form a smooth batter. Stir in the marzipan at the end.

Dollop the cake batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top using an offset spatula.

Place the nectarines on the top of the cake either random or in a pattern. Sprinkle the top with the 1 tbsp. of cane sugar.

Bake for 35-40 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Cool in the tin for 15 minutes, remove from the tin and cool completely on a wire rack. Transfer cake to serving vessel and serve.

Double Blueberry Muffins

What could be better than a blueberry muffin? How about a blueberry muffin with blueberry jam inside and topped with sugar and toasted almonds? Delicious.

Spray and line a jumbo muffin tine with cupcake liners. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

This recipe will yield 12 jumbo muffins.

BLUEBERRY JAM

1 c. frozen blueberries

1 tsp. cane sugar

2 tsp. water

Add the ingredients into a saucepan, bring to a simmer and cook 6-8 minutes, mashing and stirring along the way.

Set aside to cool.

BLUEBERRY MUFFIN

1 c. cane sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

½ almond extract

1 c. buttermilk (1c. milk plus ½ tsp. lemon juice, let sit for a few minutes)

¼ c. avocado oil

¼ c. melted and cooled butter

2 ½ all-purpose flour

2 ½ tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 c. frozen blueberries, toss in 1 tsp. flour right before adding to the batter

¼ c. toasted, slivered almonds

2 tbsp. cane sugar

In a large bowl, combine the sugar, the eggs and the extracts with a whisk. To this, add in the buttermilk, the avocado oil, the cooled melted butter and whisk to combine.

With a wooden spoon or spatula, stir in the flour, the baking powder and the salt. Gently stir in the flour coated blueberries.

Scoop the batter into the muffin tin, filling each with 1/3 c. of the batter. Dollop 1 tsp. of the blueberry jam and then an equal layer of muffin batter.

Sprinkle toasted almonds and sugar on the top.

Bake for 22-25 minutes or when a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Let cool, serve with a smear of butter.

Peach & Blackberry Lazy Day Pie

Why worry about the perfectly baked pie crust and whether it will be soggy or not? How about putting the bottom on the top? The crust for this recipe has a distinct nutty flavour thanks to the hazelnut meal in the dough. Frozen peaches and blackberries are used for this recipe, but any frozen fruit would be delicious.

PIE DOUGH

1 c. all-purpose flour

1/3 c. hazelnut meal

2 tbsp. cane sugar

½ tsp. kosher salt

1 sticks of butter, cold

A small bowl with water and ice cubes (need 3-4 tbsp.)

In a food processor, add in the flour, hazelnut meal, sugar and salt. Using the low setting, process until combined. With the food processor running, add in the cold butter in roughly tablespoon pieces. Add in 3 tbsp. of ice water. The dough should be pulling together; if it still seems dry, add another ½ tbsp. of water. The dough is ready when it stays formed when pinched together.

On a lightly floured surface, empty the food processor onto the surface. Gather the dough bits into a ball and give it a few quick kneads. Place the dough ball in between 2 pieces of parchment paper and using a rolling pin, roll out into a disc.

Refrigerate the dough and prepare the filling. (The dough will last up to 2 days in the fridge or a month in the freezer.)

FILLING

4 c. fresh or frozen fruit

½ c. cane sugar

1 tbsp. cornstarch

pinch of kosher salt

EGG WASH:

1 egg, beaten lightly sanding sugar or turbinado

Preheat oven to 375°F. Using cooking spray, coat a 9” pie tin.

In a bowl, quickly stir together the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Pour this mixture over the fruit and stir to coat the fruit. Pour the filling into the pie tin and spread it all over the bottom of the pie plate.

Break off 1-inch chunks off the disc of pie dough, flatten them between your fingers and place on top of the fruit. Continue doing this until all of the fruit is covered.

Brush each piece of dough with the whisked egg and sprinkle with a sparkly sugar.

Bake until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling, for 20-22 minutes. Then lightly cover the pie with aluminum foil and continue to cook for another 15-20 minutes to soften the fruit.

Pie + Ice Cream = Win!

Peach Season Cocktail

This peach season inspired cocktail is fantastic with both fresh peach purée or frozen purée that was made during the height of the season!

This recipe makes 2 cocktails.

2 tsp. Aperol

3 oz. gin

2 oz. peach liquer

4 tsp. simple syrup

3 tbsp. peach purée

Whisk the above ingredients, divide into two glasses that are filled with ice! Garnish with a peach slice or a sprig of rosemary and enjoy!

Elevated Grilled Cheese Sandwich

It is fun to think of ways to jazz up the classic grilled cheese sandwich. Look no further than the frozen apricots picked at peak season and combined with rosemary and sugar to create a sweet yet earthy jam.

APRICOT & ROSEMARY JAM

2 c. sliced apricots, skins removed 1 sprig of rosemary

1 tbsp. + 1 tsp. cane sugar

1 tbsp. water

In a medium saucepan, combine all of the ingredients and bring the mixture to a simmer. Using a potato masher, mash the apricots while they are cooking. Cook for 8-10 minutes and remove from heat. Remove the rosemary sprig and let the jam cool.

FOR THE GRILLED CHEESE:

The best loaf of bread that can be found!

Gouda cheese

Dijon mustard

In a medium frying pan, heat over medium heat. Spread each slice of bread with butter. Spread with apricot jam, add the cheese and then spread the top piece with a thin smear of Dijon mustard.

Fry the sandwich on each side until golden brown and the cheese has melted.

For

COFFEE MIGHT BE king to some, but tea’s a titan drink not to be trifled with. Still, that hasn’t stopped eateries and retailers from experimenting with blends and other food items to attract folks with more eclectic tastes. Here’s what’s brewing among eight local establishments.

BY: GENE KOSOWAN PHOTOGRAPHY: ADOBE STOCK KARANDAEV & YARUNIV-STUDIO

leaf lovers, here’s what’s steeping in cups around town

Brown Sugar Milk Tea

The title might be misleading, considering some of the other elements that Tealicious Blend puts into this offering. Besides roasted brown sugar, black tea and fresh milk, the drink gets an extra boost with a tapioca base crowned with a dollop of homemade cheese.

11 St. Anne St. facebook. com/tealiciousblend

Chamomile Flower Infusions

Chamomile tea is known for its fruitiness and its calming effect on drinkers, But the Gioielli Tea Company, which creates some 250 varieties of tea, recently went all out to get the highest quality chamomile flowers from Egypt for an infusion that accentuates the aroma and flavour.

gioiellitea. square.site

Dirty Chai

Thank the Italians for coming up with high-octane espresso coffee, which they cleverly add to a traditional tea. The folks at La Crema Caffe will drop a shot or two of the stuff into a mix of steamed milk and black tea spiced with the likes of cardamom and cinnamon for full effect.

44 St. Thomas St.

Genmaicha Tea

Those who imbibe at Freshly Squeezed Premium Fruit Bubble Tea and hanker for something different might opt for this combination of Japanese green tea and whole roasted brown rice. It’s especially highly lauded for keeping sippers warm during the winter months.

175-375 St. Albert Tr. freshlysqueezed. ca

Green Tea

You’ll find thousands of green tea variations worldwide, but you never know which one you’ll get at Whisk Bakeshop & Coffeehouse. Edmonton supplier The Tea Girl rotates those offerings regularly, meaning you might get mint gunpowder on one occasion and electric blue lemonade during a repeat visit.

186-1 Tache St. whiskco. ca

Lotus Love Tea Latte

Health-oriented eatery KB&Co continues to make good on its gluten-free, organic, and NGO mission statement with this offering that takes the exotic properties of lotus pollen and blends it with Earl Grey tea. Round it out with almond milk, blue spirulina, maple syrup, and vanilla, and you’re good to go.

210-840 St. Albert Tr. kbandcompany. com

Old-Fashioned

Mad Men bigwig Don Draper probably never had this combination in mind whenever he ordered an old-fashioned. The Good Earth Coffee House variation does away with the alcohol, instead using organic black tea, chai, orange syrup blended with orange with a cherry garnish.

130 Bellerose Dr. goodearthcoffeehouse. com

Watermelon Sugar

Named after a Harry Styles song, this oolong tea doesn’t contain melon, but it certainly matches the colour of one when poured into a cup. Those who drop in at Yard Divas Tea & Fibre Emporium can sample a cup of the fruity concoction while searching for materials to finally get that sweater knitted.

10 Tache Mews West yarndivas. com

Spiritual Healing

Kâkesimokamik helps to remedy the anguish of an atrocity

BY: GENE KOSOWAN PHOTOGRAPHY: PAULA E. KIRMAN

FOR THE PAST six years, passers-by on the Red Willow Trail have had something unique to gape at besides the lush greenery melding with the Sturgeon River and St. Albert’s downtown cityscape. The attraction near Mission Park is hard to miss. A pagoda with a fan-shaped roof

supported by six wooden pillars stands at the end of a wavy concrete path encircling a perfectly round patch of grass, with four giant boulders flanking the entire installation. It’s a garden, but one designed to cultivate items that are more spiritual than agrarian.

First Nations and Metis folks in the region refer to the creation by its Cree name, Kâkesimokamik, while others simply call it the healing garden. Regardless of the moniker, the structure recognizes the damage caused by the Residential School system set up nearly two centuries ago by the British and Canadian governments, designed to assimilate indigenous students into the mainstream, stripping them of their culture in the process. It also offers a safe place for survivors to deal with the atrocities they suffered.

Kâkesimokamik didn’t come into being until after the final hearing of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a federal initiative to investigate the shocking history of the Residential School system, had adjourned in 2015. In St. Albert, a collective of individuals including municipal delegates, residential school survivors, members of indigenous committees and the local churches convened on how to educate the public, recognize the survivors, and provide a remedy for those who continue to suffer from tenure in those schools.

Roughly a fifth of the estimated 150,000 children herded into the system across Canada died while at the schools, the last of which was shut down in 1996. St. Albert had two such schools in the region. One was located on nearby Mission Hill, while the other was situated roughly six km. further east of downtown in what is now Poundmaker Lodge.

Former United Church minister James Ravenscroft came up with the idea of a healing garden, which ticked all the boxes concerning what the committee was looking for. The aptlynamed St. Albert Healing Garden Committee then approached internationally-recognized architect Douglas Cardinal − an Albertan with Blackfoot and Cree lineage and whose curvilinear approach to design resulted in works that include St. Albert Place and the Canadian Museum of History − to design the structure.

The City green-lit the project the same year, with funding from all three levels of government and private donors that included the local Anglican and United churches, the St. Albert Rotary Club and Muriel Martin Elementary School. A spiritual pipe and sod-turning ceremony launched Kâkesimokamik’s construction in May, 2017 until its completion four months later.

“There have been challenges with the process, funding and support,” said the City of St. Albert in a statement before Kâkesimokamik’s unveiling. “However, in taking small steps toward reconciliation, there has been learning, understanding, and signs of hope, demonstrating that we are indeed on the right path.”

Addressing the needs of Residential School survivors may have been a major motivator for making the installation happen, but those involved in its creation have been quick to point out that anyone coming across Kâkesimokamik is welcome to access it.

“We invite all families, any family, any background, anything to come to our garden and come and join our circle,” said Hazel McKennitt, a survivor of Manitoba’s Residential School system, at the opening ceremony. “So from here on we will walk together, we will walk beside each other, and we will help on this journey to our truth and reconciliation.”

Accessing Kâkesimokamik from the Red Willow Trail is a symbolic journey in itself. The winding pathway emphasizes the garden’s affiliation with the Sturgeon River and the sun,

with the boulders symbolizing their strong link to the earth. The garden and pagoda offers a chance for users to experience a sensory awakening, a healing process, and a realization of their ancestral bonds. In 2022, Kåkesimokamik experienced an auspicious addition, when electric power supplier FortisAlberta donated a bench to the site.

It seems like kismet that Kåkesimokamik − one of the first structures of its kind created in the country − directly faces the Cardinal-designed St. Albert Place, on the south side of the river. Still it’s hard to argue that the surroundings offer a tranquil atmosphere to cast an idyllic air of sorts to visitors, while those who find deeper meanings in Kâkesimokamik likely find peace of mind at the site.

But for those responsible for the installation, Kâkesimokamik is only just the beginning. “As a municipality, we are still finding our way in terms of how we will respond to the Calls to Action identified in the Truth and Reconciliation Report,” said the City of St. Albert in a statement. “However we have taken our first steps together.”

From fish path to freeway

How St. Albert Trail serviced the city for more than a century

PHOTOGRAPHY:

BACK IN 1860, the familiar path we now call St. Albert Trail was part of a main shipping route, footpath and horse trail between Fort Edmonton and Lac Ste. Anne. One hundred years later, in 1960, it morphed into a four-lane highway that linked St. Albert to Edmonton. The road has undergone many improvements over the years and, today, the history of St. Albert Trail continues to be written. The original version of this profile, published in T8N’s December, 2015 edition, contained several historical highlights concerning the trail. We’ve added a few more in this latest revision.

1800s

In 1806, James Bird of the Hudson Bay Company wrote of the abundance of fish at Lac Ste. Anne, which he dubbed “God’s Lake.” That was no idle accolade, given how critical the fish supply was to feeding the early settlers. In an 1858 journal entry, explorer John Palliser praised the vast haul of whitefish, which he said were “delicious eating [and] are of an average size of four pounds.”

These early shipments of fish by horse cart influenced where the St. Albert Trail would eventually be located. The path proved to be an ideal route from Lac Ste. Anne, accommodating some 30,000 to 40,000 whitefish shipped annually by horsedrawn carts, according to Hudson Bay Company journal entries made in 1860 and 1861. They were a particularly significant food source, especially during the winter to supplement the dwindling supply of buffalo meat.

The trail easily accommodated the transportation of human resources, such as the Grey Nuns who in 1859 arrived in the tiny, St. Albert community to assist Father Albert Lacombe, after travelling 51 days from St. Boniface, Manitoba. Thirty years later, back when Alberta was still a southwestern chunk of the Northwest Territories, the first representative of St. Albert on the North-West Commission opened the initial road from St. Albert to Edmonton, officially establishing the existence of St. Albert Trail. By 1899, St. Albert received official recognition as a village.

1900s

St. Albert achieved town status in 1904, a year before Alberta entered Confederation as a province, and St. Albert Trail’s importance as a connection to Edmonton increased considerably. In 1909, newspaper entrepreneur Raymond Brutinel led a group of investors and businessmen to develop a proposal for the Interurban Railway to operate between St. Albert and Edmonton along St. Albert Trail. Despite a rather convoluted process of stops and starts, the railway began operating on December 22, 1913. Service abruptly ended on April 1, 1914 with a tremendous fire that consumed the car, barn and contents. It never operated again.

In 1940, workers completed construction on Highway 2 through the town, bringing with it a new bridge over the Sturgeon River. Twenty years later, increasing traffic between St. Albert and Edmonton warranted the conversion of the Trail into a four-lane, graded highway joining the two communities. At that time, St. Albert’s population stood at 3,190 which grew rapidly to more than 25,000 by the time St. Albert was incorporated as a city.

2000s

On February 26, 2007, part of St. Albert Trail between St. Albert and Edmonton was renamed Mark Messier Trail, as a nod of thanks to the NHL superstar who made his mark in professional hockey playing for the Edmonton Oilers, a team that benefited from his presence to win five Stanley Cups. When he was younger, Messier lived in St. Albert and played with the city’s Saints franchise in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

In April 2012, the first meeting of the newlyestablished St. Albert Trail Improvement Plan Committee launched with a 15-month mandate to address several concerns and goals. This Mayor’s Task Force initiative looked at ways to maximize greenery surrounding the trail and make it more aesthetically-pleasing as a way to brand the city. The committee also examined ways that the trail could accommodate all modes of travel and the diverse needs of drivers, pedestrians and surrounding businesses. But they also had to balance those options with approaches concerning cost-effectiveness and user safety. In the end, the committee drew up 16 recommendations, including implementing a long-term sidewalk strategy, engaging business operators, and building owners to support key initiatives and developing a median rehabilitation strategy.

Today

As St. Albert inches closer to reaching a population of 70,000, St. Albert Trail continues to evolve, with construction that began in 2020. The first phase involved widening the trail to six lanes and widening at Villeneuve Road and Coal Mine Road, as well as building sidewalks. Similar work will continue on the trail adjoining Everitt Drive North and Jenson Lakes Boulevard.

Long-range plans include a proposed Light Rail Transit connection between St. Albert and Edmonton along the east side of St. Albert Trail, which is still decades away from seeing reality. The project, earmarked at $1.1 billion, involves creating a seven km. line and includes building LRT bridges crossing Anthony Henday Drive, the Sturgeon River, and Sir Winston Churchill Avenue.

The Write Stuff

Writer-in-residence Tololwa Mollel provides locals with a literary spark

BY: GENE KOSOWAN PHOTOGRAPHY: TWYLA LAPOINTE

GROWING UP IN Tanzania, Tololwa Mollel didn’t have very many books around. “Because of that, books became really special,” he recalls. “And the few that I had, I would read them over and over and over again.” Those books also inspired Mollel to try his hand at writing, which turned out to be a pleasant distraction from the rigidity of his native country’s more structured British education system.

Mollel developed a flair for storytelling, a skill that helped script a future for himself in his adopted Canada, where he’s since written nearly 20 books, and wound up as a regular on the writer’s workshop circuit. He’s currently on the final leg of his latest gig as the Edmonton region’s writer-inresidence, a program that’s taken him to public libraries in Fort Saskatchewan and Strathcona County. His tenure ends Sept. 30 at the St. Albert Public Library, where he’s been based since the summer.

Since the beginning of his regional residency, Mollel has helped aspiring and veteran writers by providing an extra set of eyes that pore over their works to sharpen their skills and fine-tune their voices. He’s also taken part in a series of community outreach programs to heighten the profile of public libraries in this part of the province and foster imagination in young minds when it comes to literature.

“A lot of people might be writing, as I say, in the shadows,” says Mollel about working with upstart authors. “They kind of share their writing with a very small group of people, who may not necessarily be literary people. So they really get some really perfunctory comments on their work. But with a writer in residence, you have somebody who has done it professionally, looking at your writing in a professional way and getting under the skin of your writing.”

Becoming an objective voice with a literary background might be a boon for those eager to pursue the writing craft, but getting people interested in putting words on paper is a different issue entirely. Part of Mollel’s outreach responsibilities have taken him to classrooms, where he’s tackled that obstacle firsthand. He found that one way to connect with students is by encouraging them to write about things they find appealing.

“I first try to get them to come up with an idea that they really like, and make it clear that it’s just not homework,” says Mollel. “I don’t expect a masterpiece. All I expect is direction, and that this is their story, and they should feel that way about it. I tell them the first thing they need to know is what they are writing about. Once you do, that’s really great. You find a sense of purpose.”

Mollel often talks about his own upbringing in Tanzania and Canada, to help students generate ideas from their own existence to make it into paper. As it turns out, his past is rich with anecdotes and personal milestones. In 1990, shortly after becoming a permanent resident of Canada, Mollel’s first book, The Orphan Boy, won the Governor General’s award. “That kind of spoiled me,” he recalls, “but it was good for the book.”

Other works like My Rows and Piles of Coins and From Lands of the Night won Alberta literary awards and have been translated into Swahili, for readers in Mollel’s native country. The skills he honed back home as an actor and performer also help with his abilities to encourage novices in putting together a short story. That thespian background has also enabled Mollel to become a playwright and create theatrical works that include his expanding Story House series. Once he’s finished his St. Albert stint, Mollel is slated to work on a trilogy of plays for Edmonton-based Theatre Prospero.

In the meantime, he still makes himself available at the St. Albert Public Library as a one-on-one adviser for neophyte writers. He’ll also continue to encourage school children to tap into their creative minds and bring their stories to life, in much the same way he managed to develop his writing skills as a youth in Tanzania.

“When I found something I could call my own, I really went into it full throttle,” says Mollel. “Because it was not homework, it was not schoolwork, it was just my own.”

I tell them the first thing they need to know is what they are writing about.

Once you do, that’s really great. You find a sense of purpose

Crush this candy count

Here’s another challenge that offers sweet rewards

It’s a feat so sweet, we had to repeat.

There’s something enticing about counting candy, which arguably generates more excitement than counting sheep, which obviously produces the opposite effect. So t8n returns with another candy count asking you, the reader, to figure out how many of these tempting treats are in this jar.

All you have to do is first, write down your answer on this page, take a photo of it with your smartphone, then posting that image on either Facebook or Twitter (tagging #t8n, of course) or direct messaging us on those platforms. The closest guess wins. If there is a tie, we will randomly draw a winner. Prize is available only to St. Albert residents.

Prioritizing Home Functionality: The Key to Kitchen and Bathroom Renovations

Elevating Everyday Living through Essential Upgrades

When homeowners think of renovations, images of stylish kitchens with gleaming countertops and spa-like bathrooms often dominate their thoughts. While these aesthetics play a vital role in creating a pleasing ambiance, it’s essential not to overlook the renovations that can enhance the functionality and comfort of your home’s most important spaces: the kitchen and bathroom.

1. Efficient Kitchen Layouts: Where Form Meets Function

A well-designed kitchen layout can streamline your cooking and meal preparation activities. Consider the “work triangle” principle that arranges the stove, sink, and refrigerator in a triangular pattern. This setup minimizes unnecessary movement, making cooking more efficient and enjoyable. Additionally, ample counter space and storage solutions ensure that your kitchen remains clutter-free and organized. Do you find that you are spending more time moving than working in your kitchen?

2. Quality Cabinetry: Storage Solutions for Sanity

Updating cabinets goes beyond aesthetics—it’s about enhancing storage capabilities. Invest in cabinets with adjustable shelves, pull-out drawers, and built-in dividers. These features optimize storage space, making it easier to access items and keep your kitchen or bathroom tidy. Remember, a clutter-free space is a functional space.

3. Proper Ventilation: Clearing the Air in Both Spaces

Adequate ventilation is essential in both the kitchen and bathroom. Proper ventilation eliminates odors, excess moisture, and potential mold growth. Invest in a quality range hood for the kitchen and ensure your bathroom has a well-functioning exhaust fan to maintain air quality and prevent long-term damage. Does your house feel stuffy and damp after a day of cooking, or after morning showers?

4. Accessibility Upgrades: Designing for All Ages

As your family’s needs change over time, your home should adapt accordingly. Incorporate elements that enhance accessibility and safety, such as slip-resistant flooring,

grab bars in the bathroom, and lever door handles. These features promote long-term usability and cater to different family members’ requirements.

5. Plumbing and Wiring Updates: The Backbone of Comfort

Before indulging in lavish tiles or high-end appliances, ensure that the plumbing and wiring systems are up to date. Address any leaks, faulty pipes, or outdated wiring to prevent emergencies and ensure uninterrupted usage of these vital spaces. Building codes have changed over the decades and your home may need some updates to minimize insurance costs.

In summary, kitchen and bathroom renovations extend beyond mere aesthetic upgrades. By focusing on enhancing functionality, storage, and comfort, you’ll create spaces that not only look beautiful but also improve the quality of your daily life. After all, a home is truly luxurious when it seamlessly integrates style and purpose.

This sponsored content was produced in partnership between Caruana Interiors & Contracting and T8N magazine.

Michael Crummey Tuesday, Oct. 10 | 7 PM Melanie Gall @ The Arden