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T8N MAGAZINE
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 3
July 2024
PUBLISHER EDITOR
Rob Lightfoot Gene Kosowan
DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
Isaac White
PHOTOGRAPHY
Francis Tetrault, Paula E. Kirman, and Brenda Lakeman
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Paula E. Kirman, Tom Murray, and Shima Zonneveld
OFFICE MANAGER
Janice Lightfoot
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Contents
Culture
5 APPAREL AESTHETICS
This season’s outfits offer a mixed bag of retro and fashion-forward
Living
9 FOOD & GATHERINGS
CAMP CUISINE
Once the tent’s pitched, try these tasty meals designed to make the most of the great outdoors
14 THE 8s SUCCULENCE WORTH SCOOPING
Check out these unique cone-toppers across the capital region
City
16 MEET YOU THERE DAY DIPPING
10 bask-friendly beaches within 100 clicks
18 THEN & NOW
SPANNING THE STURGEON
Credit the Perron Street Bridge for first connecting St. Albert with the world
Spotlight
20 HOME THEATRE UNDER THE STARS
Regardless of your budget, backyard movies can be fun for the whole family
Down Time
23 CANDY COIN COUNT
Try your luck at this tasty tally
Many of us eagerly awaited the arrival of summer, especially those days at the beach, afternoons of barbecue, and evenings of vibrant nightlife. But more body-conscious folks traditionally dread the onset of those hot months, presenting them with a challenge of how to parade around in fewer layers of clothing than usual.
It’s an issue that this edition’s fashion spread was willing to address. On page 5 we reveal a selection of summer apparel to accommodate almost all types of physiques. Additionally, those designs, from stripes to florals, received kudos on runways worldwide, providing a motive for more appearance-wary consumers to avoid relegating themselves to the shade this season.
On the other hand, shade is a great way to beat the heat. So is ice cream, hence our look at eight unique cone-topping flavours on page 14. But for more ravenous appetites, we suggest a few recipes to try while camping on page 9.
We also offer a rundown of 10 popular beach destinations less than an hour away via car on page 16. Closer to home, families looking for an alternative entertainment option might consider screening some flicks in their backyard. We cover the basics on page 20. Finally, on page 18, we chronicle the history of the venerable Perron Street Bridge, due for a makeover this summer.
No matter how you perceive the summer, it’s our hope that we provide enough insight and information to ensure you can enjoy every moment that the season has to offer. Happy reading, everyone!
On the Cover
For hardy families, there's nothing like roughing it in the great outdoors. But even the most rustic campers appreciate a well-cooked meal prepared in the wilderness. We offer six awesome dishes that are also easy to create on page 9.
Cover photo: Brenda Lakeman
Rob Lightfoot
Apparel Aesthetics
This season’s outfits offer a mixed bag of retro and fashion-forward
DECIPHERING THE MINDSET behind this year’s summer fashions is much like throwing pasta against the wall to find out what sticks. It also conjures up notions that designers are still shaking off the claustrophobia that choked their creativity during the pandemic’s isolation decrees and are still trying to find their footing to reconnect with wardrobeconscious folks.
Some have resorted to bringing back some classic looks, including the black-on-white Breton stripes trend that’s bounced back and forth with regular abandon since the ’50s. A few more have taken horizontal striping to the next level with a greater variety of colour and a wider array of fabrics to showcase them.
Other seasonal statements include florals, which are bolder and more inventive than ever, including a few designs boasting psychedelic features. At the other end of the style spectrum, more pragmatic designers are opting for faded, lighter shades to avoid colour clashes among consumers who prefer to mix and match. Meanwhile, celebrity fashionistas like Jennifer Lopez and Margot Robbie are leading the charge to make overalls cool again. Even cooler? How about overalls shorts for extra comfort?
Whatever your tastes, all those choices are here, enabling you to face the summer in style. t8n
Bella Dahl dress with Billini boots and Pilgrim necklace from Bella Maas Boutique
P
Miller the Label dress with Yellow Box sandals from Frock Box
TL: Dex dress with Bamboo sandals from Frock Box
TR: Mus & Bombon tank top with Agolde shorts and Steve Madden sandals from Bella Maas Boutique
B: Miller short overalls and top with gracelace shoes from Frock Box
PBella Maas Boutique
370-5 Giroux Rd. St. Albert
780-470-7467
168-11 Athabascan Ave., Sherwood Park
780-47-3562
Frock Box
445 St. Albert Tr., St. Albert
780-460-3061
SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL INVOLVED
PHOTOGRAPHER: FRANCIS TETRAULT
ASSISTANT: RENEE POIRIER
WARDROBE ASSISTANT: ASHLEY WILKINSON
HAIR AND MAKEUP: ALICIA CHARLES FOR BLONDE BRUNETTE HAIR STUDIO
MODELS: EM AND SIDNEY
MODELING AGENCY: MODE MODELS
LOCATION: KUHLMANN’S GARDEN CENTER
T: Mink Pink top with Miller pants and Qupid sandals from Frock Box
R: Black Tape dress with Toms sandals from Frock Box; Mus & Bombon dress with Sister X Souer sandals and Pilgrim necklace from Bella Maas Boutique
Camp Cuisine
Once the tent’s pitched, try these tasty meals designed to make the most of the great outdoors
BY: SHIMA ZONNEVELD PHOTOGRAPHY: BRENDA LAKEMAN
WITH A TRUSTY camp stove, what tasty meals can be created? Camping can be more than hot dogs and marshmallows. Included in the following recipes are both ideas you can prepare at home and cook on site for your next camping trip.
Pancake Mix
Prepare this pancake mix ahead and all you need to bring with you is butter, honey butter, maple syrup and berries.
2 c. all purpose flour
4 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. kosher salt
¼ c. ground flaxseed
¼ c. buttermilk powder
1/3 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla sugar
Combine all these ingredients, stir and pour into a jar or bag. Pop this into your food bin along with a few other ingredients and you are good to go.
On site, in a bowl, add two cups of water to your pancake mix and stir to combine.
Set your camp stove burner to a low/medium flame and add a pat of butter to a pan until it has melted. Using a cookie scoop (any size works, tiny pancakes are fun), drop as many scoops that fit in the pan. Let them cook until tiny bubbles appear on the top of the pancake. Flip the pancakes and cook for another two minutes.
Serve with any topping of choice! Some ideas might include maple syrup and fruit, chocolate spread and bananas, nut butter and honey, honey butter and raspberries.
HONEY BUTTER
4 tbsp. salted butter, room temperature
4 tbsp. honey powder
Mix to combine. This compound butter is fantastic on pancakes and would also work great on toast!
Camping Calzones
These are great ways to design your own camping meal, requiring quick cooking with many possible flavour combinations.
FLAVOUR COMBINATIONS:
mozzarella, tomato, basil pesto, shredded cooked chicken, gouda cheese tomato sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella pear, gouda cheese, pine nuts, basil ricotta, nectarine, honey
There is no end to the flavour combinations that can happen with these calzones.
In a large skillet over medium heat on the camp stove, place one tortilla or flatbread in the pan. Add in desired toppings, a pinch of salt and ground black pepper and fold in half. Cook until the bread is golden brown, flip and finish cooking the other side. The cheese should be melted and the calzone golden brown on each side.
Keep cooking until everyone has their calzones!
Easy Flatbread
It’s fun and very satisfying to make your own bread products. Having said that, a store-bought flat bread or a thicker tortilla will work wonderfully for camping calzones.
1 ½ c. all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. kosher salt
1 ¼ c. plain Greek yogurt (full fat) olive oil for frying flaky sea salt for finishing
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt. Whisk to combine. Add the yogurt and use your hands to bring this mixture into a shaggy dough. Knead the dough until it becomes a smooth ball.
On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough ball into four pieces. Roll each of those pieces into a ball. Let the four dough balls rest for 10-15 minutes. Roll the dough into a long pipe and coil the dough like a snail, tucking the end under and then slightly flattening the dough with your hand. Cover with a dish towel and let them rest for another 10 minutes.
Work with one dough ball at a time. Using a rolling pin, roll each dough ball out to roughly an eight-inch circle. Emphasis on “rough!” Do the same with the other three dough balls. While each round is waiting to be cooked, ensure that the counter or work surface is floured so nothing sticks.
Over medium heat, warm up a large skillet. Brush the skillet with olive oil, add one of the rounds to the pan. Cook until bubbles appear and the colour is golden brown. Flip and cook on the other side. These go fast, about two minutes per side. Cook all the rounds, sprinkle with sea salt while still warm and then let cool on a wire rack.
For packing to take camping, in either a large container or a zip top bag, place each flatbread in between sheets of parchment paper and seal the container.
Tahini & Chocolate
Quick Bread
Bake this quick bread before the camping trip and you have a great hiking snack, a before bed snack or a yum breakfast slice with some hot chocolate or coffee.
2 ripe bananas, unpeeled (they can be frozen, just use them defrosted along with their liquid)
½ c. packed dark brown sugar
¼ c. avocado oil
¼ c. tahini
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
½ c. all purpose flour
¼ c. cocoa
½ tsp. kosher salt
½ tsp. baking soda
½ c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 c. crushed up sesame candy or 1 package (set aside 1 tbsp. for the topping)
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a loaf tin with two pieces of parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal of the bread. Set aside. Using either a whisk or a hand mixer, blend together the bananas and the tahini. Add in the oil, egg, sugar and vanilla. Mix to combine.
Add the flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda and whisk or mix to combine. Stir in the chocolate chips and the sesame candy. Pour the batter into the prepared baking sheet, smooth out the top and give the pan a tap on the counter to knock any air bubbles out. Sprinkle the reserved sesame candy over the top.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a skewer comes out almost clean.
Cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack. Use the parchment sleeves to lift out of the tin. Wrap well for transport and slice on site when ready to eat and enjoy.
Apres Camp Set-Up Soup
The tent is set up, it’s late and getting dark. Time to warm up the soup previously made at home and to enjoy dinner or late night nourishment after travel time and camp set-up.
4 tbsp. olive oil
¼ onion, finely chopped
1 c. carrot, sliced and halved
1 ½ tsp. fresh rosemary, finely chopped pinch of dried red pepper flakes
8 small or 1 large potato, chopped (if it is a thin-skinned potato, no need to peel)
1 c. canned mixed beans (freeze the remainder of the can for next time)
¾ c. pasta
½ tsp. powdered chicken stock or paste (your preference)
1 tsp. kosher salt
½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 bag of tortilla chips to serve
In a medium to large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and the rosemary. Cook for eight minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the red pepper flakes, chicken stock, salt and pepper. Cook for one to two minutes, until fragrant. Add the potato and beans along with two cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until the potatoes are cooked.
In a separate pot, cook pasta following package directions. Drain and set aside. Pack up the soup and the pasta in separate containers. Add together on site and warm up before serving. Add salt and pepper if required and crunch tortilla chips on top before serving.
Sausages and Grilled Vegetables
A simple camp meal including specialty sausages and veggies on the side. Leftovers can be turned into a sliced sausage, grilled veggie sandwich for a hike the next day.
Tip: The veggies can be prepped at home and placed in a resealable container. Keep them in the fridge until transferring into the cooler for the trip.
GRILLED VEGETABLES
2 bell peppers, sliced
1 small zucchini, sliced
½ onion, sliced
1 tsp. kosher salt
2-3 grinds of black pepper
1-2 tbsp. of olive oil
In a cast iron or a camp grill pan, add a tbsp. of olive oil. Over a medium flame, heat the olive oil and then add the veggies. The total cook time is eight to 10 minutes which allows the veggies to attain great grill marks and colour while still maintaining a crisper texture.
GRILLED SAUSAGES
Sausages, number and flavour based on the crowd
1-2 tbsp. olive oil
In a cast iron pan, over a medium low flame, heat 1 tbsp. of olive oil. Add in the sausages and cook with the lid on. Rotate the sausages so they are golden brown on all surfaces. This should take 10-15 minutes, cut in to one of the sausages to ensure they are cooked all the way through.
Serve with the grilled veggies and a grainy mustard.
Check out these unique cone-toppers across the capital region
BY: PAULA E. KIRMAN
THE CAPITAL REGION boasts a growing number of craft ice cream makers. These purveyors of creamy, cold goodness offer flavours that are unique, culturally-inspired, and feature local ingredients.
Cold Brew Coffee
Cold brew coffee is an excellent summer drink, and it can also be enjoyed in ice cream form. Kind Ice Cream’s Cold Brew Coffee is reminiscent of drinking an actual cup of cold brew, thanks to steeping beans from local roasters Roasti Coffee Co. A scoop is both refreshing and invigorating. The ice cream’s complex coffee flavour and caffeine boost is a great mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
Filipino Neapolitan
Many ice cream lovers grew up enjoying Neapolitan, that triple flavour power pack of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. Yelo’d has created a Filipino version that tastes totally different—and is totally delicious. Filipino Neapolitan features ube (purple yam that tastes mildly nutty with notes of vanilla), pandan (a tropical plant with a delicate nutty and sweet flavour), and mangaa (mango).
Rose Saffron Pistachio
On Twice Cream’s website, the rose saffron pistachio is described as “a cross-cultural Persian, Middle Eastern, South Asian, Turkish delight.” The delicate flavour of rosewater supports the salted pistachio nuts and colourful ribbons of muddled saffron. The subtle rosewater and saffron provide the perfect counterpoint to the pistachios, for an unforgettable ice cream experience.
Wild Blueberry
An unassuming storefront in Edmonton’s Parkallen neighbourhood, Annie Rue Ice Cream is named after two Annies, and this wild blueberry flavour honours them both for their many hours of blueberry picking. Blended with blueberries through and through, this small batch delight is a popular menu selection.
Sea Salt & Goat Milk Caramel
One of Made by Marcus’s signature flavours, this concoction is the perfect solution to cravings for something sweet and salty. A generous amount of salted caramel is woven throughout the decadently rich goat milk base. The goat milk used to create the ice cream’s base hails from Alberta’s Fairwinds Farm.
Belgian Chocolate
Including Belgian Chocolate on a list of unique ice cream flavours might seem a little—ahem—“vanilla,” but Pinocchio Ice Cream’s version has depth and complexity that goes beyond just this being another chocolate ice cream. Made with Alberta cream, the ice cream isn’t too sweet and has a fabulous texture.
London Fog
Another ice cream based on a hot drink, White Rabbit Ice Cream’s London Fog uses Earl Grey tea sourced from Edmonton’s Vintage Fork Loose Leaf Tea. The tea is steeped for 36 hours and the result is flavorful goodness in ice cream form. Those who enjoy the hot drink should definitely give this a try. Even for those who aren’t tea drinkers, this is a great choice for a scoop of something different.
Cookie Dough Bowl
Head to the walk-up window of gigi’s ice cream, located by The Cheesecake Cafe in Spruce Grove, for a simultaneous, incredible scoop and edible accessory. Chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream served in a freshly-baked chocolate chip cookie dough bowl, one of many flavours inspired by The Cheesecake Café’s dessert inventory. “Signature white chocolate raspberry, turtle and strawberry cheesecake ice creams are created using the same ingredients we use for the Cafe’s cheesecakes of the same name,” says Bobbi Beeson, owner of both establishments. t8n
Annie Rue Ice Cream 6531 111 St. NW, Edmonton annierue.ca
gigi’s ice cream
96 Campsite Road, Spruce Grove instagram.com/gigis_icecream
Kind Ice Cream
Edmonton 12017 102 Ave. NW
9551 76 Ave. NW 6507 112 Ave. NW kindicecream.ca
Made By Marcus
Edmonton 10426 82 Ave. NW, 10429 121 St. NW madebymarcus.ca
Pinocchio Ice Cream
Pinocchio Ice Cream is available at a number of retailers, restaurants, and cafés in the Capital region and beyond. pinocchioicecream.ca/locations
Twice Cream 10983 127 St. NW, Edmonton twicecream.ca
White Rabbit Ice Cream 10546 110 St. NW, Edmonton whiterabbiticecream.com
Yelo’d Ice Cream & Bake Shoppe 101-10324 82 Ave. NW, Edmonton www.yelod.ca
BY: GENE KOSOWAN
Day Dipping
10 bask-friendly beaches within 100 clicks
HALF MOON LAKE
30 km. southwest via Hwy 16 & Rge. Rd. 830
Besides taking a dip in this narrow body of water or lolling about on the pristine beaches, folks can also take advantage of standing paddleboats, volleyball courts and mini-golf. Pack a lunch and don’t forget the weenies as this area is fully equipped with picnic tables, firepits and washroom facilities. But be prepared to fork over $10 per adult and $5 per child, as those proceeds go to ensuring everything is clean and safe for public use.
SOUTH COOKING LAKE
36 km. southeast via Hwy. 14
Run by the South Cooking Lake Community League, this Strathcona County attraction is best known for the white sands bordering the shorelines. If a good soak in the water or a sunbathing session isn’t your thing, you’ll find an assortment of other things to do in the area, such as pickleball, basketball, and a playground for the youngsters. More peckish families can make full use of the picnic area that includes firepits.
VOYAGEUR PARK
42 km. southwest via Hwy. 2 & Hwy. 19
Using the short beaches along the North Saskatchewan River as a draw, this day park near Devon is suitable for shallow swimming and a multitude of hiking trails just off the shoreline. The park also features picnic facilities including firepit as well as a boat launch. A full day here will cost $10 for parking.
ALBERTA HAS SOME of the country’s most splendid aquatic attractions, such as the picturesque Lake Louise, bustling Sylvan Lake, and scores of relaxing beaches touching Lesser Slave Lake. Most of these, however, are so distant it’s best to plan for an entire weekend. But if you only have a day’s worth of downtime, you can find several appealing lakes and beaches within an hour’s drive from the city. Here’s a look at 10 of them. Unless otherwise indicated, all services are free.
HUBBLES LAKE
45 km. west via Hwy 16 & Rge. Rd. 13
Underwater springs are responsible for the crystal clarity of this Parkland County lake that boasts depths of up to 30 feet, although visitors might also Allan Beach with sand that’s equally clean. A local private resort responsible for its upkeep also offers horseshoe pits, firepits, and a general store for supplies. For day use, the resort charges $12 for adults and $6 for children, although tykes five and under get in free.
HASTINGS LAKE
54 km. southeast via Hwy 16 & Rge. Rd. 830
This crystal-clear, spring-fed lake is geared more for swimming and boating than a sunbathing excursion given that the beach is a combination of rock and sand. The area doesn’t offer much in terms of picnic and play areas, but the surrounding area is ideal for hiking. Nature lovers in particular might revel at the opportunity to catch a glimpse of an occasional moose or whitetail deer foraging in the wild.
WIZARD LAKE
56 km. south via Hwy 2
Your front-seat access to this lake near Calmar is Jubilee Park Campground, where local staff endeavour to keep the beach and waters in top shape. Their efforts are rewarded with an $8 parking charge for day use of the facilities. Within the gated area, visitors will find plenty of opportunities for swimming and sunning, while
folks bringing boats can make full use of the launch area for waterskiing, fishing for perch and pike, or simply putting around.
ASTOTIN LAKE
63 km. northeast via Hwy. 16
Elk Island National Park is renowned for the spectacle of buffalo wandering across the roads, but once they eventually let you pass through, be prepared for another eye-catching natural wonder of Astotin Lake’s unsullied beach. A superb spot for sunbathing, swimming or paddling around in the available watercraft, keep your eyes open for some of the lake’s aquatic wonders from beavers to pelicans. The park charges a family admission entrance fee of $17.50.
WABAMUN LAKE BEACH
64 km. west via Hwy. 16
One of the most popular summer locales for swimming and suntanning, Wabumun also offers a slew of options for getting around on the lake. Choose from paddleboards and kayaks to windsurfing boards and even sailboats. In fact, it was at this very lake where Olympian Lawrence Lemieux learned to sail. Besides picnic facilities and a playground, the village of Wabumun also offers retail service for any supplies you might have forgotten for your day trip.
ALBERTA BEACH
72 km. west via Hwy. 16 & Hwy. 43
St. Albert Pregnancy Care and Newborn
If there’s one beach that has a strong cultural link to the capital region, it’s this spot on the southeastern tip of Lac Ste. Anne, where for decades, a legendary dance hall once hosted everything from orchestras to jazz combos and rock acts. Things are relatively quieter there these days, but it’s still a prime destination for swimmers, sunbathers, boaters and hikers who also take advantage of the picnic facilities and play areas on the shore.
MA-ME-O BEACH
93 km. southwest via Hwy. 216
Located on Pigeon Lake and a short distance from the village of the same name, this beach is revered for its white sand, enticing folks to splash around in the shallow, crystal-clear water. After drying off, visitors can dine in the well-equipped picnic area, let the kids loose in the playground, or get everyone together to hike on the plethora of trails near the beach. t8n
Spanning the Sturgeon
Credit the Perron Street Bridge for first connecting St. Albert with the world
BY: GENE KOSOWAN PHOTOGRAPHY: PAULA E.KIRMAN
CONSIDERING THAT THE St. Albert Trail bridge is the most widely used way to get across the Sturgeon River, locals might easily forget that it wasn’t the first project built for the task. That distinction goes to the relatively smaller Perron Street Bridge, which more than 160 years ago, not only made it easier for residents to traverse the river, it also opened St. Albert to the region and contributed to the well-being of one of Alberta’s most prosperous cities.
1860s-1870s
Until 1862, the easiest way to cross the Sturgeon River was when its surface was frozen during the winter. Any other time of the year, folks either occupied a small barge and pushed it forward by stabbing poles into the muck, splashed across on horseback or equine-driven Red River carts, or—if reckless enough to brave the cold and currents—by swimming. That all
changed when Father Albert Lacombe finally got fed up with having to traverse the river the hard way and offered a challenge to his church audience.
“My friends, I am through crossing the river, walking in mud on the bank and pushing the scow,” he reportedly announced, according to “The Black Robe’s Vision,” St. Albert’s historic tome. “I’ll build me a bridge. All those who help me, will cross over it free. The others will not. I will have a man there to watch.”
Within days, the locals, armed with basic carpentry tools, completed the wooden bridge, which measured 200 feet long and 15 feet wide, and connected the shores where Perron Street now exists. Lacombe also made sure that those who didn’t contribute to its construction paid a five-cent toll before crossing.
Building the bridge, which at the time was simply called “The Bridge,” was one thing. Maintaining it was another, as residents had to devote time to clearing away debris that the river swept against its supports. They added posts upstream to block ice floes that would otherwise damage that foundation. Despite all precautions, the stubborn Sturgeon still managed to entirely take out that bridge in 1875, prompting hardy citizens to rebuild it as quickly as possible.
1880s-1890s
That promptness was critical, as the bridge was instrumental in helping settle new arrivals to the region, drawn by the arable land in the area as St. Albert expanded rapidly on both sides of the river from 1870 until 1885, when the Riel Rebellion interrupted its progress. Before that, brigades of Red River carts travelling for hundreds of miles to garner supplies for the community comprised the bulk of long-distance ventures using the bridge.
In 1885, more than 20 years after the bridge was built, a group of settlers petitioned Lt. Gov. Edgar Dewdney to walk back Lacombe’s toll decree and have those mandatory passage fees dropped. It was suggested that could be done if the federal government purchased the bridge. After lengthy negotiations between Bishop Vital Justin Grandin and Ottawa, the bridge was sold to the feds for $1,500.
For the next two years, the Canadian government footed the bill for bridge repairs, until it decided to build a new structure in 1890 for $1,500. It was durable enough to withstand Mother Nature’s punishment for another seven years before extensive repairs were necessary.
1900s-1930s
While the bridge was strong enough for horse-driven traffic, the arrival of the automobile around the turn of the century raised doubts about how the wooden structure could handle vehicles with heavy engines, especially farm machinery. That was a concern raised by foreman Duncan Gillies, who oversaw deck reconstruction on the bridge in 1903. In a 1905 statement, Gillies said that the bridge was able to “carry ordinary traffic that may go over it for a few months to come, but may not be very safe for tractor engines.”
Several petitions for changes to the bridge were circulated across the region, although it wasn’t until 1912 when the federal government decided a new structure was in order. With plans already on the table for the Canadian Bridge Company to work on the project, tragedy struck in 1913 when the bridge deck, unable to handle the heft of a steam-engine tractor, collapsed under the vehicle’s weight, killing James McCauley, its driver.
Despite the incident, work began later that year on building a steel replacement for the bridge, which was completed by May the following year. It would service Perron Street traffic for seven decades.
1940s-1980s
St. Albert’s steely replacement was a far more robust creation than its wooden predecessor, but it had one problem: the bridge was too narrow. While sedans could easily pass by each other on the two-lane bridge, the same couldn’t be said if one of the vehicles happened to be a bus or a delivery truck.
Taking some of that pressure off that bridge was the construction of Highway 2 in 1940, a more accommodating two-lane highway which doubled the number of bridges crossing the Sturgeon in St. Albert. By the ’60s, a revamped four-lane version of the Highway 2 (now St. Albert Trail) rendered the older Perron bridge to accommodate municipal crossings.
By 1984, it was determined that the steel bridge was far too old to be serviceable, and was replaced by the one that exists today. Some pieces of that bridge remain on display at Musée Heritage Museum, where a scale model of the original 19th century bridge also exists.
2000s-Today
Although the Perron Street bridge has undergone regular maintenance over the years and will still operate for many years to come, the structure is slated for a major makeover this summer. The list of improvements includes new sidewalks and handrails, street paving and more structural upgrades.
“Rehabilitation work is done to extend the service life and reduce the overall maintenance requirements,” said the City of St. Albert on its website. “Reconstruction is done as the bridge has reached, or is nearing the end of, its serviceable life.” t8n
HOME theatre under the STARS
Regardless of your budget, backyard
can be fun for the whole family
As adults we may no longer be able to make blanket forts, but we can still create our own drive-in movies.
Minus the cars, of course, and th e commute. Constructing a little area in your backyard to screen movies on a gloriously warm summer night isn’t really all that hard. All you need are a few pieces of equipment, some chairs, and a bowl of popcorn. Simple, really – or is it?
Screening Area
movies
BY: TOM MURRAY
Yes, you can use a sheet or the side of your house if you like, but that’s only if you want to see stucco on Ryan Reynolds’ face or watch as a particularly tense scene in “Minions: The Rise of Gru” flutter softly in the wind. No, we’re well into the 21st century and the outdoor screen is very much a thing.
Staples, Best Buy, and Amazon have a number in different formats and sizes running from around $200 into the thousands, but the Elite Screens Yard Master Plus ticks off all of the boxes if you can slam down $560. Slimming it down a little, the RCA 100-inch portable projector screen can be had at Walmart for
a paltry $68. Rentals? Go to River City Events, who have your back with 25-foot inflatable screens for $350.
If you’re determined to go the sheet route, make sure it’s pulled very tight and has somewhere in the area of a 400-thread count. The thicker the better! (rivercityevents.ca, amazon.ca, walmart.ca)
Media Player
Can’t be stinting on this one, because the better quality player you have, the better quality the image will be. Again, you can find yourself lost in the range of prices out there, but let’s draw a line down the middle and suggest the VANKYO Leisure 1080P projector, which does a fine job of streaming from up to 21 feet away for just under $400 at Walmart.
You’ll need your phone, streaming stick or computer for streaming services to connect with via wi-fi, and probably better speakers, whereas the BenQ GS50 features a 2.1 channel Bluetooth speaker with extra bass. It already supports AirPlay and Chromecast casting for iOS, MacOS, Android, and PC devices, so no worries on many of the popular streaming apps. The cost? This beauty will set you back $848 if you grab it from Amazon, though it does cover the bases quite nicely. Most likely you’ll be pulling the projector back or bringing it forward in order to get the correct screen size, so have a small table and an extension cord handy. A power strip should be kept on hand, and in case your home wi-fi isn’t powerful enough, consider investing in an extender. They can be found at Canadian Tire, Staples, Best Buy and other places, but it’s another item you don’t want to cheap out on. The UltraXtend has been getting rave reviews, and while only available online at the moment it’s actually a decent price at $49.90 US.
(ivankyo,com, benq.com, ultraxtend.com)
Seating
That really comes down to a number of factors, doesn’t it? Lawn chairs are a great idea if you can find where they’re stashed in the basement or garage, and blankets can be deployed as well. If you have a tarp, lay it down first so that you don’t get stains on them. Pillows are a great idea; the bigger the better, and if you have a blow-up mattress, then you’re really riding in luxury.
The Neighbors
Singer-songwriter Jonathan Richman once observed in a song to his wife that “there’s no need to let the neighbours run your life,” and while that’s true, it’s also a fact that you need to keep them informed. An outdoor movie night with the family or friends can be really irritating for folks next door, especially when there’s no forewarning. Let them know, and even consider inviting them. Maybe they’ll bring over a few bottles of wine or that potato salad that you’ve heard so much about.
Food
We’re going all out here in this article. No microwave popcorn or bags of popcorn twists for us high livers. Oh no, we’re bringing in a genuine popcorn machine from River City Rentals for $135. Then again, we could also choose the candy floss, sno-cone or the hot dog machine if we want to go all out. Infinite Event Services even offers margarita machines if you’re so inclined. If you figure you’ll be doing this on the regular and want to buy, Canadian Tire has a Betty Crocker Movie Nite Cinema-Style Kettle Popcorn Maker for $114.99. (rivercityevents.ca, canadiantire.ca, infinteeventservices.com)
Other Factors
Royalties are part of a larger discussion when it comes to the arts, but if you’re screening a movie among a small group of family and friends you don’t need to worry about that. If you’re charging and packing people in you’ll need to revisit this.
What you do need to worry about are bugs, and while you’ll never fully rid your yard of wasps, mosquitoes and other biting nasties you can alleviate it with wasp traps, mosquito trappers and perhaps some Deep Words Off, because we do live in northern Alberta.
Finally, it might be tempting to wait until after the sky is completely dark to screen your movie, but keep in mind that St. Albert has a noise bylaw that means you can be shut down after 10 p.m. if someone really doesn’t want to hear Ryan Gosling singing his song from “Barbie” wafting through their window. t8n
Candy Coin Count
Try your luck at this tasty tally
What you see in this jar might not be legal tender, but like the real thing, they’re sure sweet to have around. Ordinarily, we’d ask you to determine how many lip-smacking items are in this jar. This time, however, try to calculate the total dollar value of these candy coins as if they were genuine currency.
Once you think you’ve figured it out, write down the answer on this page, whip out your smartphone to click an image of it, then post it on either Facebook or Twitter (tagging #t8n, of course) or direct message us instead. The person who guesses the right dollar amount or gets closest to the correct total wins. If there is a tie, we will randomly draw from those lucky candidates. Prize is available only to St. Albert residents.
