T8N Spring 2021

SPRING 2021 I t8nmagazine.com

Post-Lockdown Mortgages Will your home be safe during recovery?

Isolation Snacks Curb that hunger while hunkered down

WowFactor Mad about mosaics

Reborn Barns Reviving history with wood

Day Tripping Northeast sites to catch from your car

g in s t a br a r s e l e s Ce y ine 2 5 n bus i

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T8N Spring 2021 1

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Better quality. So you can create your own unique ecosystem. And everyday is perfect.

HVAC systems are smart systems that implement cooling, or heating, in accordance to your desired set temperature and maintains it in every season. The Daikin Fit system is an Inverter unit which runs continuously but adjusts the compressor’s speed to meet the demand. Because it maintains the temperature consistently, your home will no longer feel too hot or too cold.

Undesirable operational sounds often accompany non-inverter systems, especially in start-up operation.

These sounds can become a nuisance in yards or when the system is near a window. With the ability to operate more consistently, at variable-speeds, the Daikin Fit system can help bring additional acoustical comfort to any environment (inside and out).

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MIRANDA HAS COME FULL CIRCLE, HER FATHER WAS THE FOUNDER OF A-1 AND WE WERE LUCKY TO HAVE HER COME ABOARD LAST YEAR. MIRANDA HEADS UP OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM AS OUR SERVICE COORDINATOR AND HAS A UNIQUE PASSION FOR BRINGING WORLD CLASS SUPPORT TO ALL OF OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS.

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HE IS THE LINCHPIN IN OUR OPERATION, FOCUSING ON SUPPORTING THE TECHNICIANS IN THE FIELD WITH TRAINING AND TECH SUPPORT. IN HIS SPARE TIME, YOU CAN FIND HIM ON OUR WONDERFUL CANADIAN MOUNTAINS AS A SKI INSTRUCTOR AND PATROLLER.

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INTRODUCING...

BRAD LAVERTY

OUR LEAD SALES TECHNICIAN IS A RED SEAL JOURNEYMAN, AND FULLY CERTIFIED PLUMBING AND HEATING TECHNICIAN. HE BALANCES A PROGRESSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE NEWEST INDUSTRY TECHNOLOGY WITH OLDER SYSTEMS ALREADY ON THE MARKET.

BRAD PRIORITIZES HELPING PEOPLE HAVE AN EFFICIENT, COST-EFFECTIVE SYSTEM IN THEIR HOMES.

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2020 LOCAL CONTRACTOR 5 years in a row!

Reclaim your house from COVID-19 O

ver the past year, we have all had to find ways to make the best of a bad situation. One of the most common sacrifices has been to give up part of your house to either a work or study area. We have given up the kitchen island where we used to gather, talk and cook to the clutter of books, papers, computers, charging cables, and all the bits and pieces that go with them. On top of all of that, our houses have all seen about five years worth of wear and tear in just about one year!

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Caruana Interiors and Contracting has been focusing on helping families get more from their homes for over 14 years now. By pulling together all the specialized people needed to make a renovation successful they let you, the homeowner, keep doing what you need to do. That might be working without the added distraction of managing a construction project or it may mean being able to spend more quality time with the kids.

As spring is starting to poke out from around the corner, now is really the time to reclaim your house from the sacrifices of the last year.

It’s not likely we will ever go back to

“the way it was,” so let’s make the best of the new normal. Take your kitchen or family room back and make it the place it was before–the place where the family gets together to spend time with each other, not just with their heads down on their devices and trying to cope.

A springtime renovation to make that kitchen workable, or to rearrange and even enlarge the family room, will help take us to a new mindset about the future. Now is the time to start the planning, interviewing a contractor, and looking to the brighter days ahead.

Flexibility is the name of the game!

The new normal at many workplaces is going to be the flexibility to work from home when needed. Whether it is by choice or necessity, chances are, it’s a lifestyle change that every family will have to consider. The best way to reduce stress around this issue is to be prepared. Having a place in the house that can safely and easily be used for either full-time office space or study space is the way of the future.

Changing up part of your house is never an easy decision, and it doesn’t mean that the space can’t be used for other things in the meantime. Is there a corner of the living room that no one ever uses and where the furniture just collects

dust? Is there a closet or storage area in the basement that is just full of junk? Many places can be turned into safe and effective work and study spaces. All you need is a little inspiration.

At Caruana Interiors and Contracting, we have made finding and developing these spaces a new priority. “Safe and effective” isn’t just a catch phrase. Having a space to work on a computer that is ergonomically designed, well lit, with proper ventilation and hard-wired internet, is not a luxury anymore. It really is a necessity, and it is very doable in most homes. All of these things will help the worker or student focus on the task at hand and not get distracted by a slow connection or being too hot or cold. And on top of that, there is much less worry of a

sore back, neck, eyes, or arms, from an uncomfortable setup.

Having this dedicated space is truly going to be an inevitability for most people in the coming months and years. Making the space now will help you and your family make the most of the time they need to spend at home.

780.935.5831 caruanainteriors.ca 9, 8 Riel Drive, St. Albert, AB Licensed & Insured for your protection Alberta Prepaid Contractor License 320821 Serving St. Albert & Edmonton since 2007

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

T8N Spring 2021 5

Contents

T8N MAGAZINE

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 1 Spring 2021 PUBLISHER

EDITOR

Rob Lightfoot

Gene Kosowan

ART DIRECTION

Brenda Lakeman, Correna Saunders DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT

Correna Saunders PHOTOGRAPHY

Brenda Lakeman CONTRIBUTORS

Paula E. Kirman, Corbin Stewart, Shima Zonneveld OFFICE MANAGER

Janice Lightfoot CONTRIBUTING AGENCIES Image page 6 ©sIrina Strelnikova/Adobe Stock Image page 36 ©Trueffelpix/Adobe Stock

ISSN 2368-707X (PRINT) ISSN 2368-7088 (ONLINE)

Conversations

10 Shelter from the Spread How post-pandemic recovery and rising interest rates could affect your mortgage.

Arts & Culture 13

Wall Works

THE 8s

From Cozy to Cottagecore Snacks to savour while in self-isolation.

21

28

FOOD & GATHERINGS Quarantine Cuisine With more reasons than ever to stay inside, here are a few ways to beat those homebound blues.

THEN & NOW Landmark Legacies A condo project marks the spot where iconic businesses Dairy Queen and Blind Pig Pub once thrived.

30

The mosaic world of Carol Donald.

Living 18

City

MEET YOU THERE Planks For The Memories Reborn Barns creates durable products that reflect Alberta’s rural history.

Spotlight 34 36

NXNE Top 10

For editorial inquiries or information, contact T8N magazine at info@t8nmagazine.com. Have something to say? Letters, suggestions or ideas can be sent to letters@t8nmagazine.com.

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION Rob Lightfoot rob@t8nmagazine.com 780 940 6212 or visit t8nmagazine.com T8N magazine is published 6 times a year by T8N Publishing Inc. Copyright ©2021 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.

PRINTED IN CANADA

T8N PUBLISHING INC PUBLISHER & PRESIDENT

Rob Lightfoot: rob@t8nmagazine.com

Fun and quirky sites for physically distanced day trips.

Puzzling Pandemic

Here’s a word search challenge with a twist.

CONNECT WITH US

6 T8Nmagazine.com

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There’s no denying 2020 was a difficult year. Almost every person experienced some sort of hardship and a shift in their everyday lifestyle. Notably, our backyards and patios served greater purposes than ever before as they replaced office spaces, gyms, happy hours and refuge! Our outdoor spaces are sure to remain hot spots for all that is to come in 2021, so we are sharing a few top outdoor trends in pursuit of achieving greater health both mentally and physically.

New Colour Trends – Gone are the bold colours of the last decade; making a reappearance are the warm, earth shades. It’s all about connection with oneself and nature bringing warmth and a calming effect to your environment.

Year-Round Use – Investing in a good outdoor fire feature will enhance the use of your patio, balcony, or deck from season to season!

New Designs – There has been an overall shift for new outdoor materials. We have seen woven finishes change over the last decade, and powder-coated aluminum make a comeback, but this year you will see something exciting as rope product make their debut.

Lighting the Mood – One of the best ways to decompress is with soothing lighting.

It is crucial to have areas of darkness and light to illuminate areas you want to draw the eye.

Forever Botanicals – Another way to bring warmth is with greenery. The easy alternative is Forever Bontanicals. These life-like plants can bring effortless natural-looking gardens to any sunroom or outdoor space.

To read the entire blog on What’s Trending in 2021, visit orww.ca/blog.

IT’S TIME YOU STEP OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INTO OUTDOOR ROOMS WITHOUT WALLS EDMONTON’S TRUE/PREFERRED OUTDOOR STORE 10011 – 169th Street NW Edmonton I orww.ca I sales@orww.ca

I FROM THE PUBLISHER I AFTER MORE THAN a year of enduring the pandemic,

the phrase about your home being your castle has never taken on more meaning than it does now.

We’re all spending more time in our digs, which have doubled as fortresses to keep us comfortable and mitigate the risk of infection outside our doors.

Which is why we’ve devoted a lot of space this issue in how to ensure your pad is in tip-top shape.

That includes making sure it’s well-protected financially as lower rates have propelled consumer debt, with rising Rob Lightfoot interest rates jeopardizing some homeowners from losing that valuable roof over their heads. We offer a look at the situation on page 10.

Otherwise, household maintenance comprises much of this edition’s content including a number of interior design trends emerging this year (page 18). At the same time, we’re proud to feature a couple extraordinary St. Albert businesses that have provided their own personal touches to people’s homes, from the artistic creations of WowFactor Mosaics (page 13) to wood-reclamation company Reborn Barns, which offers a connection to Alberta’s past in its products (page 30).

Elsewhere, those wishing to remain homebound can nosh on unique snacks during lockdown (page 21). But if you wish to venture outside your home in complete safety, check out a historic patch of land that was home to two civic landmarks (page 28).

Or head out of town to check out some attractions visible from your vehicle (page 34).

Whatever road you take, make sure it’s a secure one, so we can all enjoy what a post-pandemic world has to offer.

8 T8Nmagazine.com

On the Cover Being cooped up during lockdown is one thing, but it’s downright aggravating if you’re strapped for ideas on how to turn what’s in your fridge into something tastier. A good start is this handful of snack recipes waiting to be made on page 21. Photo: Brenda Lakeman

I

magine you’re 24 years old, single and have no children and you’ve just purchased your first home. To help pay your mortgage, you are renting a couple rooms to friends.

Your parents have suggested that you should have a Will and a rental agreement with your friends, but since you are just getting started with your career and your roommates are your friends, you question if the documents are really necessary.

Why do you need estate planning documents and a rental agreement?

The simple answer is that someone must have the legal authority to step into your shoes and be able to handle your personal and financial affairs in the event you die or lose mental capacity.

The primary purpose of a Will for you would be to appoint an Executor.

An Executor’s authority begins at the moment of death. Meaning that your Executor could immediately deal with your mortgage company, bank accounts, home insurance, utility companies, your employer, and roommates. Without a Will, no one has authority to manage any part of your estate and none of these third parties will take instruction or provide any information to the person trying to manage your estate until a Grant of Administration has been obtained from the Courts: a process which takes months. In the meantime,

Estate Planning for Young Adults A good estate plan includes, at minimum, three documents – a Will, an Enduring Power of Attorney and a Personal Directive. Without these documents no one has the authority to take any actions on your behalf. your mortgage could go into default, your bills unpaid, your rental income not deposited and if your roommates ran amok there is no ability to evict them without a Court application.

Most people think of estate planning as something only retirees or seniors do. But the fact of the matter is that any adult over the age of 18 should have an estate plan in place.

The purpose of an Enduring Power of Attorney is to allow someone to step into your shoes in the event you lose mental capacity. Mental capacity can be lost at any age due to illness or injury. An Enduring Power of Attorney would give the person you’ve named the same authority as your Executor with respect to your financial affairs, but while you are alive. That person would be able to manage and make

your financial decisions, including dealing with your roommates, depositing your rental income, filing your taxes and so on.

Anytime someone has roommates or tenants, a rental agreement should be entered to set out in writing the obligations of each of the parties, even if these individuals are your friends. If you were to die or lose capacity, your Executor or person acting under your Enduring Power of Attorney would easily step into your shoes as their landlord.

Christine D. Maloney Barrister and Solicitor Tel 780.459.5596 Fax 780.459.6572 400-30 Green Grove Drive St. Albert, AB T8N 5H6 christine@wearyco.com

This sponsored content was produced in partnership between Weary & Co. and T8N magazine.

T8N Spring 2021 9

I CONVERSATIONS I

SHELTER

from the Spread How post-pandemic recovery and rising interest rates could affect your mortgage

BY GENE KOSOWAN

TARA BORLE’S PHONE is literally ringing off the hook these

days. As a St. Albert-based mortgage planner, she’s juggling her schedule more than ever, answering calls, responding to messages and fitting in Zoom conferences−almost all of them involving people wanting to purchase a property. “It’s a good time to buy a house these days,” said Borle.

10 T8Nmagazine.com

She’s not kidding. Over the past year, sales of single family dwellings alone in St. Albert spiked by 38 percent, more than three times the national average as potential purchasers eye homes in the city available for an average price of $446,719 according to most recent figures. Across the country, the housing industry is hotter than ever, with Statistics Canada reporting a 12.6 percent leap in home sales in 2020, with the annual average price of a home jumping by 22.8 percent to $621,525.

Driving the percolating market are mortgage rates at bargain-basement levels, a side effect of government lockdowns in reaction to the spread of COVID-19 which have devastated other industries in Canada from hospitality to travel. It’s a situation that speaks to basic economics: suffering sectors bring down the economy and throw people out of work, thus driving down interest rates because fewer people can afford to borrow.

But despite higher home prices, lower mortgage rates make the prospects of financing for a new home far more attractive, a venture that looks rosy as long as those rates stay low. However, with the arrival of vaccines and a multiple-stage reopening of the economy on the horizon, pundits expect rates to creep back up.

The result? On the one hand, those wanting to buy might second-guess that decision.

But others who’ve already bought places might be fearful about losing the very homes that provided much-needed quarantine shelter from the pandemic.

Calm Before the Storm Rhonda Fox Miles, a licensed insolvency trustee in Edmonton, believes the housing market is in a state of calm before the storm.

“Bankruptcies are very low right now, but everybody’s waiting to see when the real collections are going to start,” said Fox Miles, who’s had a few clients default on mortgages due to unemployment.

“It is really scary because in my opinion, the people living paycheck to paycheck will be pushed over by the rising interest rates. That’s when we’re going to expect people coming to our doors.”

Fox Miles’s concerns revolve around that mounting mortgage debt, a hangover from the buying frenzy. Throughout

THE THIRD PARTY SOLUTION? Roughly 80 percent of all residential mortgages in Canada are through the big banks, which are federally-regulated, with provincially-regulated credit unions and treasury branches handling much of the remainder. Regardless of which institution is approached, many of those regulations are so stringent that lending requirements make it impossible for some people to secure a mortgage. That’s where alternative third-party lenders come in.

Some of the better-known firms include Alpine Credits and Capital Direct.

And while they have far fewer restrictions, their interest rates according to one Financial Post report are considerably higher, starting as low as 10 percent.

Some companies charge upfront fees which can vary, although Fox Miles has heard one account where fees were as high as $5,000.

“I think people are kind of forced into it, because the banks won’t lend them the money,” said Fox Miles. “Third party brokers are still legislated, as they still have to operate within the law, but their threshold is not as high as a bank.”

“Obviously you want to stay from any high rate lender that charges high fees,” added Borle. “Sometimes you have no choice. Right now, some people aren’t working and can’t go to the bank they’ve always dealt with and need some money to get themselves through.”

But with some companies promising exorbitant loans, it’s easy for some folks to ignore the risks inherent in getting that needed cash. The problem is that defaulting on a third-party loan makes a borrower more vulnerable to foreclosure than with a chartered bank.

“The banks, underneath conditions in the Bank Act, have certain requirements to keep all their products even, so they have a limited number of mortgages to give out, said Fox Miles. “Whereas a third-party lender often gets a person to sign a credit agreement or a 30-day demand loan. So if a person misses a payment, they’re not protected by legislation.”

From her standpoint, Borle hasn’t seen much of that happen although the instances she’s aware of involved people struggling financially due to the pandemic.

“I see that more people who lost their job because of COVID have had to scale back their income; it’s sad,” she said. “But would still say that’s a small percent of the population.”

2020, residential mortgage credit shot up by 7.7 percent, a frenetic escalation over the annual national average of 5.4 percent. All that borrowing totaled $118 billion−the first time the mortgage residential credit ever surpassed the $100-billion milestone in the space of a calendar year. It also added to previous years of borrowing that now stands at $1.7 trillion.

But from her position, Borle isn’t worried.

“The rates are still pretty low,” she said,

adding that in February she was seeing five-year fixed mortgages at 1.59 percent and five-year variable mortgages at 1.45 percent. “Last year I remember mortgage rates running between 1.8 and 2.2 percent.

I think the rates are going to come up a little bit, but not by much.”

10.3 Million Canadians Stressed Compared to the five-percent rates that were the norm during the financial crisis of 2008, today’s rates seem like a steal.

T8N Spring 2021 11

That said, a Globe and Mail breakdown of a mortgage payment published in February took into account that national average home sticker price of $621,525, a 1.69 percent mortgage rate (the figure reported in January for a five-year fixed mortgage), a 10 percent down payment and 25-year amortization and then calculated the monthly mortgage payment to be $2,357. Change the rate to, say, 2.5 percent and those monthly payments jump by $226 to $2,583.

That assessment didn’t include inflation, which would boost mortgage rates even higher.

For families barely getting by as a result of the pandemic, that margin could put additional pressure on household finances. Statistics from Finder.com indicate that around 10.3 million Canadians are already feeling the strain of trying to keep up.

Most anxious of the lot were those earning less than $50,000 a year, many of them millennials. Even relatively more well-off families making up to $120,000 annually also said they were feeling the pinch. To those stressed over the effects of rising rates, Statistics Canada warned that “households may find themselves with record levels of mortgage debt relative to their current disposable income in subsequent quarters.”

Fixed Or Variable Understandably, looming increases in mortgage rates is a scary scenario, but it’s also a good time for families to plan for the unexpected. Many experts suggest first-time buyers opt for a fixed rate and get a mortgage pre-approval to take advantage of the current rate before it rises. Landing that pre-approval would lock that rate for up to 120 days.

Variable rates are riskier since they’re based on the Bank of Canada prime rate, but proponents of this option add that with the Bank recently announcing its rate will likely stay the same until 2023, it’s a step worth considering.

Borle advises her clients that they must pass the federal government’s stress test which benchmarks the mortgage rate at 4.79 percent. “Let’s say I’m giving you a mortgage of 1.69 percent,” she says.

“Even though it’s that low, I still have to make sure you qualify for a mortgage rate of 4.79 percent. That’s a big spread to consider.”

You’ll find no shortage of experts recommending that people renegotiate their mortgages to also lock into a fixed mortgage come renewal, although Borle adds that might not be the best option for people who want to downsize to a cheaper home.

“Depending on what you might do, you might want to look at a variable rather than a fixed rate because what if you don’t want to live in that house anymore?” she said. “If you want to sell or move, payout penalties can be a killer.”

Eventually, the economy will bounce back once the pandemic threat ends.

But it won’t be without a number of mortgage casualties along the way. Said Fox Miles, “When we get back to the new normal, this period is going to be reflected in the number of insolvencies we will see.” t8n

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Wall

I ARTS & CULTURE I

Works The mosaic world of Carol Donald PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA LAKEMAN

CAROL DONALD IS in her studio going

over what materials will make their way into her latest mosaic project. It’s an eclectic array of stuff that includes metal strips from an old printing press, tools from England that are more than half a century old and pieces of glass from a window that was the casualty of a break-in. As for what will make the cut, there’s no manual that offers yea-or-nay advice to a creative working in with these items; intuition and an experienced eye are usually enough.

T8NSpring Spring 2021 2021 13 13 T8N

“It will either appeal to me and fit into a piece I’m working on or I’ll just set it aside to use in a future project,” says Donald, who’s been running her own interior design company WowFactor Mosaics for more than five years.

The space is where Donald redesigns clients’ home interiors with a variety of found objects in almost every form you can imagine.

Glass, stone and reclaimed tile are most common items that go in finished products like backsplashes, staircase rises, walls and even a mannequin that have become canvases for her talent.

And while the pandemic has put the brakes on a few endeavours from workshops and school appearances to a canceled showcase at the Art Gallery of Alberta, Donald still has enough motivation and stuff around her to keep busy. She’s not alone, having witnessed other households opting to do crafts during lockdown.

14 T8Nmagazine.com

“People are spending more and more time at home,” says Donald. “Being creative is good for your mental health and it’s just a very positive thing to do for yourself.”

In Donald’s case, the chance to be creative and entrepreneurial has been a positive life-changer.

A university graduate in art history and interior design, she’s worked as a painter, printmaker and a salesperson for a number of companies, including a tile shop. “I thought I’d give it a try,” she recalled. “So I started making mosaics when I took home scrap tiles and worked on that.”

That’s where she took home tile scraps to work on her own designs until she gathered the muster to start her own company. It wasn’t long before she felt she had enough of a background to go at it as what she calls a semi-retirement venture.

As for the name, that came from feedback via friends and family who saw her first solo project: a bathroom wall and vanity countertop. “Wow” was the universal response. “Okay, don’t overthink this,” Donald remembers telling herself at the time. I probably have a good thing going with the name.”

T8N Spring 2021 15

These days she treats WowFactor Mosaics like a job working on projects for residential and commercial clients, even though she finds it to be more of a great outlet for her creativity. She shows up at the studio between three to four hours a day, sharing space with other artists in what she calls a positive working environment.

As for all those items on her desk, she’ll likely find enough inspiration from them to help her decide what will be a fit for whatever she’s working on at the time.

But she also hopes the end result will be the same: a reaction from her clients that’s every bit as amenable as the time she put into creating what they requested.

“I want it to be something for people to see and go ‘Wow, isn’t that nice?”

But whether she’s working on client pieces during those boom times or puttering in the studio during a pandemic, there’s always a positive aspect regarding how she bides her time.

“That’s the upside in being creative,” says Donald.

“You can always seek solace in your work.” t8n

WowFactor Mosaics 33 Rayborn Crescent, St. Albert wowfactormosaics.com 16 T8Nmagazine.com

2020

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I THE EIGHTS I

From Cozy to

Cottagecore 18 T8Nmagazine.com

8 top interior design trends worth following BY: GENE KOSOWAN

IF 2020 PROVED anything, it was

that your home was literally your castle. Your pad doubled as both a living space and fortress buffering your family from the effects of infection via COVID-19. While we’re still hunkering down, interior design experts have suggested that 2021 is the year we shed our bunker mentality and make our dwellings more engaging and inviting.

1. Cottagecore Blame the quarantine for this buzzword, coined by social media influencer and designer Paula Sutton, which hints at a huge craving for comfort that only a summer getaway cottage could provide.

For those unable to get to their retreats and others who don’t own a cabin, the next best thing is to add a cozy element to your confines, with colours reflecting your natural surroundings, wooden furniture, floral decorations and lots of wicker.

2. Natural Materials While this trend has long been an offshoot of environmentalism’s impact on culture, it’s getting a lot more traction of late.

The focus here is an overall rejection of synthetic materials from polyester fabrics to plastic composites used in making furniture and even parts of your home.

So look at linens and cotton for curtains, marble tops for bathrooms, and wood or even metal for furniture.

3. Grandmillennial Following up on the “granny chic” trend that recently brought back frilly, floral-print dresses, this trend, long predicted by designer Heather Goerzen, is totally steeped in nostalgia. This style is totally geared towards rekindling fond memories of your grandparents’ abode with a focus on wallpaper, vintage furniture, antique household items, crocheted covers and doilies and even china dishware.

4. Global Getaway The lockdown has prevented hardy travelers from taking off to sunnier or more exotic climes, which is why several

design pundits suggest redesigning your home to reflect the vibe of your favorite getaway spot. Tropical plants and floral wallpaper is highly recommended to emulate that forbidden destination, while bright tones can act as stressrelievers until that dastardly lockdown is finally lifted.

5. Going Minimal With a lot more people who still have jobs now working at home, balancing your job and your family life is likely becoming more of a circus act. What isn’t helping is all that clutter now that paperwork is starting to dominate all those piles of stuff mounting every day, which is why going minimal is seen as a move that’s not only more pragmatic but easier on the eyes. Start with desks that both look good in a makeshift office as well as the living room and vintage furniture designed for storage.

6. More Home Entertainment Traditionally, we used to have designated spaces for the TV, computer and the sound system. But being homebound has changed all that. Going out for a night on the town has given way to Netflix and chill (not to mention an emergence of more streaming opportunities), retrieving your favorite music online, more resolution

in high-definition flatscreens, and more elaborate audio systems. In tandem with that demand will be furniture designed to take in all that entertainment, which might entice people to continue staying at home, once the all-clear signal has been given.

7. Classic Traditionalism This is hardly a trend in that it’s never gone away, but it’s still noteworthy in that enough households are so taken by the allure of 19th-century interior design which boasts a charm all its own. This take on ye-olde Brit luxury is irresistible, especially to fans of such television fare as Downton Abbey, Poldark and Bridgerton.

8. Rustic Vogue Taking into account all the aspects of previously-mentioned trends, rustic vogue isn’t a reflection of the “slob chic” that characterized the wardrobe of folks quarantined at home 24-7. Rather, it’s more of a slant towards character and uniqueness, combining modern with traditional. Emphasis is on having furniture that doesn’t match and having items made out of such materials as reclaimed wood that highlight the flaws of the components used. The first rule? Avoid having your home look like what’s on display at a big box store! t8n T8N Spring 2021 19

has only had seven cases of COVID between all 20 locations.

“With our procedures in place, those situations were handled quickly to ensure the safety of the children & educators,” added Cunningham.

The educators of SIGIS continue to adhere to the strict guidelines and are committed to delivering a high-quality program that families can rely on. All educators are certified as an ECE Level 1, 2, & 3 with many achieving a higher level through SIGIS’ professional development program.

AT SIGIS, SAFETY REMAINS #1 Since 1994, SIGIS Child Care Society has been taking care of children in St. Albert and surrounding area.Throughout 27 years, SIGIS has kept its promise of providing quality child care. Starting with one location and six children, SIGIS has grown to 20 locations. COVID-19 pandemic did put the organization’s resources at its’ truest test.

Faced with the task of ensuring the 800 children in their care were in the safest possible environment, 145 educators in 2 day care facilities and 18 out-of-school care locations took the Guidance for Child Care issued by Alberta Health Service and developed their own COVID-19 Procedure Manual.

“We took all of the recommendations in the AHS guideline and developed policies to ensure our locations were operating at the highest safety standards,” said Tricia Cunningham, SIGIS’s Executive Director.

“We thought of everything from training our educators on the procedures outlined in SIGIS’ COVID Manual, purchasing electrostatic sprayers as well as necessary PPE. We also adjusted schedules to ensure all locations had time when the educators were out of ratio so that cleaning could take place during the day.

We carefully structured each location with multiple rooms to operate in separate cohorts. If a case of COVID-19 hits, we don’t have to close the whole facility, only the room affected would have to close.”

The provincial government lockdown in 2020 meant that SIGIS had to shut its doors on March 15th, but within a month, one of the out-of-school care facilities was operating for essential workers, with the rest of the locations up and running by the beginning of June. Since April, SIGIS

SIGIS PRIORITIZES LEARNING Remaining uncompromised is SIGIS’s unique programming that takes a curriculum approach to learning. The educators understand how their lesson plans play an instrumental role in the learning and development of children.

The programming is based on age, such as infants (0-19 months), toddlers/ preschool (19 months-preschool), kindergarten and out-of-school care. All the content is geared towards addressing children’s needs and interests, especially when it comes to covering all aspects of a child’s overall development. They’re encouraged to be curious and express their ideas about their environment and are given a wide range of opportunities to explore experiences conducted in a secure environment. Children learn various life skills such as creativity, problem-solving and teamwork.The curriculum interest is constantly changed, and the educators alter the room environment to support the curriculum interest.

Parents are encouraged to attend the society’s monthly board meetings which are currently being held virtually. This allows parents to gather more insight into how SIGIS operates and take a more active role in the society. The society’s board of directors have an avid interest in child care, with most of them being parents themselves as well as residents in the city and active participants in their relative communities.

While SIGIS ensures all the bases are covered when it comes to the children, they’re also conscious of the financial needs of the parents. Infant fees are $1,140, toddler/preschool fees are $940, kindergarten fees range from $580 to $750 and out-of-school children are $460/month. SIGIS’ monthly child care fees are lower than the provincial average; however, they still encourage parents to look at subsidy programs provided by the provincial government.

SIGIS GIVES BACK TO EDUCATORS & FAMILIES With some of the recent financial support from the Provincial Government that has been given to all child care programs, SIGIS Child Care Society has chosen to use those additional funds to support their educators and families.

“All educators receive paid sick leave for when they need to be away from the program due to sickness or COVID symptoms. We want our educators only coming to work when they are healthy and not be worried about missing out on pay,” Cunningham stated.

To support families, Cunningham also adds that SIGIS has implemented a COVID Credit Program. If a child is away from the program for 2 or more days in a month due to sickness, required isolation or positive COVID test, the family is eligible to receive a credit towards their next month’s fees.

“What we’re trying to do is help our families as much as we can during this time,” Tricia said. “By recognizing we are in a difficult time, we are doing our part in helping everyone out.”

Another way that SIGIS is giving back to families this year is by reducing summer fees for July & August for all age groups.

The Daycare families will receive a $50 savings/child/month, and the OSC families a $100 savings/child/month. Summer 2021 fees for OSC children will be $500/ month/child or $150/week/child and kindergarten children will be $600/month or $150/week.

“We have also re-evaluated our Kindergarten fees for the upcoming school year to align with the new Early Learning and Child Care Regulation that came into effect February 1, 2021. Kindergarten fees commencing September 2021 will be $500/ month for children attending full-day, every day kindergarten, and $600/month for children attending ½ day or alternating day kindergarten,” Cunningham stated.

SIGIS Child Care Society is committed to supporting their families, children and educators. Contact SIGIS to see how they can meet your family’s needs.

(780) 460-1024

sigischildcare.ca

This sponsored content was produced in partnership between SIGIS Child Care Society and T8N magazine.

I FOOD & GATHERINGS I

Quarantine

Cuisine

Snacks to savour while in self-isolation RECIPES AND STYLING BY SHIMA ZONNEVELD, PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA LAKEMAN

IT’S SPRING 2021 and it’s been a crazy ride which is not quite over yet! It

has been a tough year for everyone for so many different reasons. Whether you are seeking comfort or inspiration in the kitchen, hopefully these recipes will achieve both as 2021 continues to unfold with a light at the end of the tunnel for all.

T8NSpring Spring2021 2021 21 21 T8N

Comfy Salty, Choco-Chippy Cookies These yum cookies can be made all in one bowl using a whisk and a wooden spoon! If you’re feeling like comfort in a few tasty bites, whip these up and enjoy with your favourite warm beverage.

1 c. unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled 1½ c. brown sugar ½ c. white sugar 2 room temperature eggs 1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 ½ c. all purpose flour 1 tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. kosher salt 1 c. milk chocolate chips 1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 tbsp. Maldon sea salt

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Line two sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, then set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the butter and the two types of sugar until well combined. Add the eggs and the vanilla extract and whisk the mixture together.

Remove the whisk, add the flour, baking powder and salt. With a fork, give these three ingredients a quick mix on the top. Now using a wooden spoon, incorporate the flour mix into the egg mixture. It takes a bit of muscle but you’ve got this!

Once most of the flour mix is combined, add in the chocolate chips and do a final stir.

Using a cookie scoop, scoop out the dough onto the prepared baking sheet.

Top each dough ball with a sprinkle of Maldon sea salt.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown at the edges. Cool slightly and enjoy!

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Sheet Pan Gnocchi Two Ways Gnocchi done on a sheet pan allows for the gnocchi to stay pillow-like in the middle while roasting it adds a delicious crunchy texture to the exterior. Pair it with any number of flavour combinations and you have a delicious, one pan dinner! Use the following recipes as a springboard to your own kitchen inspiration!

Version #1 Tomato, Pepper, Basil and Mozzarella Gnocchi 1 pkg. 500g of potato gnocchi

1 yellow pepper (orange works too), chopped

2 tbsp. olive oil

½ c. + ¼ c. fresh basil, roughly chopped

1 c. chopped tomatoes or halved grape tomatoes

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 c. fresh mozzarella, cubed

1 tsp. pepper ¼ pine nuts

Preheat your oven to 425ºF. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

In a medium pot, bring six cups of water to a boil. Remove the pot from the heat and add the gnocchi and cover for two minutes. Drain the gnocchi and put right on the sheet pan.

Onto the sheet pan, add the tomatoes, mozzarella, bell pepper, olive oil, half cup of the fresh basil, salt and pepper. Stir all the ingredients together, coating everything with the olive oil.

Bake for 20-22 minutes. Add the pine nuts to the sheet pan and bake for an additional five minutes.

Add on the rest of the fresh basil and serve immediately.

Version #2 Sweet Potato & Spinach Gnocchi 1 pkg. 500g of potato gnocchi 3 tbsp. olive oil + 1 tbsp. olive oil 1 ½ c. baby spinach, roughly chopped

1 ½ c. sweet potato, skin removed and cubed ¼ c. goat cheese, chopped

1 tsp. kosher salt 1 tsp. pepper 2 tbsp. roasted pumpkin seeds

5-7 stalks of fresh thyme

Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Line a sheet pan with parchment.

In a medium pot, bring six cups of water to a boil. Remove the pot from the heat and add the gnocchi and cover for two minutes. Drain the gnocchi and put right on the sheet pan.

On the sheet pan, along with the gnocchi, add the three tbsp. of olive oil, the spinach, the sweet potato, the goat cheese, thyme, salt and pepper. Stir to coat everything in the olive oil.

Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the thyme stalks and sprinkle with the pumpkin seeds and drizzle the extra tbsp. of olive oil. Serve warm.

T8NSpring Spring 2021 23 T8N

Banana Bread Banana Bread in all its glory made a heavy appearance in social media throughout the last year. Here are two different ways to add textural and taste variations to your banana loaf in the months to come.

Version #1 Hemp Heart & Almond Banana Bread

3 very ripe bananas, mashed ½ c. brown sugar 1 egg ½ c. milk (whatever you have on hand works) ⅓ c. natural almond butter (smooth or crunchy both work) ¼ c. avocado oil (my preference for healthy fats) 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. kosher salt 1 ¼ all purpose flour 1 ½ tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. baking soda 3 tsp. flax seed meal 2 tbsp. + 1 tbsp. sliced almonds 3 tsp. + 1 tsp. hemp hearts

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray a nine-inch by five-inch by three-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and then line with a piece of parchment, leaving an overhang on the long sides for easy removal of the loaf.

In a large bowl, whisk the sugar and egg together for one minute. Add in the mashed banana, milk, almond butter, oil and vanilla extract. Whisk until the ingredients are fully incorporated.

Into the same bowl, add in the salt, flour, baking powder, baking soda, flax seed meal, two tbsp. almonds and the hemp hearts.

Switch to a wooden spoon and stir to combine all the ingredients evenly.

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Lightly bang the pan on the counter to remove any air bubbles. Sprinkle the remainder of the almonds and hemp hearts over the top surface.

Bake the loaf for 45-50 minutes, use a skewer to check the center of the loaf for doneness. Cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes and then remove the loaf from the pan and cool completely (Feel free to cut a slice while warm!).

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Version #2

1 ½ tsp. baking powder

Tahini & Coconut Banana Bread

½ tsp. baking soda

3 very ripe, mashed bananas ½ c. brown sugar 1 egg ⅓ c. tahini ¼ c. avocado oil (my preference for healthy fats) 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. kosher salt 1 c. flour ¼ c. coconut flour

3 tsp. flax seed meal ¼ c. shredded coconut ¼ c. ribbon coconut

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray a nine-inch by five-inch by three-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and then line with a piece of parchment, leaving an overhang on the long sides for easy removal of the loaf.

In a large bowl, whisk the sugar and egg together for one minute. Add in the mashed banana, tahini, oil and vanilla extract. Whisk until the ingredients are fully incorporated.

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Into the same bowl, add in the salt, flour, baking powder, baking soda, flax seed meal and shredded coconut. Switch to a wooden spoon and stir to combine all the ingredients evenly.

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Lightly bang the pan on the counter to remove any air bubbles. Sprinkle the ribbon coconut on the top of the batter.

Bake the loaf for 45-50 minutes, use a skewer to check the center of the loaf for doneness. Cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes and then remove the loaf from the pan and cool completely.

Slice and enjoy!

T8N Spring 2021 25

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Carrot & Potato Soup Ultimate comfort in a bowl. This soup is half-pureed so it is creamy while still having chunks of potato and carrot.

Perfect with a warm piece of baguette to perk you up at the end of the day.

1 tbsp. olive oil 5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 carrots, peeled and sliced 2 stalks of thyme 1 parmesan rind (Keep these in the freezer and they are a great addition to any soup or sauce!) kosher salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil starts to shimmer, add in the potatoes, carrots, salt and pepper.

Stir for four minutes.

Add in the vegetable broth, the parmesan rind and the thyme.

Stir and cook until the veggies are fork tender, usually 20-30 minutes.

Take the pot off the heat, remove the thyme stalks and parmesan rind. With a hand blender, puree half of the soup. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper if needed.

Serve warm.

(If you like a chunkier soup, skip the puree step and if you want a smoother soup, puree it all!) t8n

4 ½ c. vegetable broth

10 OFF %

any order over $75

Excludes milk, lottery and pharmacy purchases. Valid April 7 to May 3, 2021.

One coupon per purchase, only valid at St. Albert location (not valid at Safeway). Cannot be used with any other coupons.

Thank you for your loyalty, from Stuart and the team at St. Albert Sobeys! Locally owned and operated.

Online ordering now available.

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Excludes milk, lottery and pharmacy purchases. Valid April 7 to May 3, 2021.

One coupon per purchase, only valid at St. Albert location (not valid at Safeway). Cannot be used with any other coupons.

Email your phone number and order to: sby5067stalbert@sobeys.com. One of our team members will call you back to confirm details.

T8N Spring 2021 27

I THEN & NOW I St. Albert Dairy Queen image: Rhonda Brown

St. Albert Square rendering image: Niche Development

The Blind Pig image: Google Maps

Landmark

Legacies A condo project marks the spot where iconic businesses Dairy Queen and Blind Pig Pub once thrived

BY CORBIN STEWART AND GENE KOSOWAN

AS FAR AS roadways go in St. Albert,

St. Anne Street isn’t a particularly long stretch, although it goes by a couple significant landmarks in the city. Along the six-block trail lies St. Albert Place−where City Council holds court and The Arden entertains the masses−and the provincial court building rests further southeast. But longtime locals would point out that the eastern tip of the street that touches St. Albert Trail was home to a couple establishments that had 28 T8Nmagazine.com

far more to contribute socially. From their standpoint, it’s hard to argue to legacy of the original Dairy Queen and the Blind Pig Pub that once occupied 32 St. Anne Street.

1970s-1980s In 1971, St. Albert was just a couple hundred heads shy of 12,000 people when the first Dairy Queen opened its doors to the public. Launched on Sept. 22, the local franchise made good on selling its parent company’s highly praised soft ice cream on a cone capped with its trademark swirl.

And to the folks who flocked there, it wasn’t just a fast food place, but a genuine rite of passage. You truly weren’t a resident of St. Albert if you didn’t show up at the DQ to sample its Dilly Bars (sold for 15 cents back in the day) or selected any of 14 different milkshake flavors. Other menu favourites included hot dogs, chili and the DQ Brazier, a combo of a burger, fries and shake.

Even when other fast food chains descended onto St. Albert to give the DQ a run for its money, the establishment, started by Max and Joyce McCann, still did well. Over the years, DQ was Ground Zero for ice cream treats, a spot that triggers auspicious moments for those who recall the franchise.

“I have such fond memories of going to Dairy Queen with my grandfather,” said St. Albert’s current may Cathy Heron in a recent Facebook posting. “It was our thing.” It was unlikely that in her youth, Heron realized she would play a part in the changes affecting that very property many years later.

1990s-2010s Despite the success of the St. Albert DQ, the McCanns decided to sell the franchise to John and Brenda Power, who moved the eatery further north to 338 St. Albert Trail, where it still stands. The facility wasn’t empty for long as a British-style

suds establishment called the Blind Pig Pub soon threw out its shingle. To the colonial faithful, the interior was much like any hangout that doled out lagers back in London, complete with a wooden interior and retro pictures and signs adorning the premises.

While not as family-friendly as the space’s former resident, the Pig had character, especially with its reputation for hosting live music and Karaoke as well as a weekly jam open to anyone who showed up with an instrument.

It also created local notoriety with its homegrown “Superjuice” cocktail, a combination of Sprite, orange juice, grenadine and three shots of a consumer’s choice of liquor.

All that revelry created wear and tear on the building, which was never seriously renovated, causing the Pig to slowly descend into dive status. That didn’t stop the regulars from showing up, even with remarks made in 2014 by then-mayor Nolan Crouse, who declared that the area would be ideal for development.

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Book Your Tee Time! Call (780) 973-3033 I egmgolf.com

2020s Early in 2020, like most bars and restaurants in the area, the Pig had to shut its doors for a couple months due to the pandemic. But shortly after reopening, the venue reeled from an announcement that threatened its existence for good. In June, Mayor Heron announced that the Pig was going to be shut down for good, as Niche Development Corporation was planning to put in a condo on the spot.

Despite a few nights of a “Save the Pig” campaign, the pub closed June 12. Two days later, demolition began on the building with Heron at the controls of an excavator to deliver the first physical blow to the structure. It was gone in three weeks.

Niche is planning an eight-storey condominium and commercial complex valued at $325 million. Dubbed St. Albert Square, Niche said it will be the city’s first zero-emission complex that will house 119 residential suites on seven floors with the main floor reserved for businesses. Scuttlebutt has since surfaced that the Blind Pig Pub could very well be one of those future establishments. t8n T8N Spring 2021 29

I MEET YOU THERE I

Planks For The

Memories Reborn Barns aims to create durable products that reflect Alberta’s rural history

BY GENE KOSOWAN

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IT’S A RUSTIC take on an old saying

about opportunity: tear something down and something else will spring up in its place. Well, that insight seems to have worked for Ryan Steblyk, owner and operator of Reborn Barns, located in St. Albert.

A grassroots operation in every way imaginable, Steblyk has hacked, carved and sawed out a living from rescuing old timber from rickety ba rns a nd other ru ral structures that see new life as furniture, walls and other items that add a down-home feel to a modern residence.

“I’ve been in love with the warm, cozy feeling that reclaimed wood brings to a space long before ‘rustic chic’ became trendy on HGTV,” said Steblyk, who’s been running Reborn Barns since 2012.

But Steblyk doesn’t come across as a follower of interior design fads. His orientation towards using reclaimed wood is far more personal, having grown up in rural northern Alberta and admired a landscape that used to be populated with grain elevators, barns and other buildings that defined this province’s agrarian roots.

Bemoaning the fate of these structures that succumb to the withering effects of time, Steblyk felt that the material was not only durable enough to be recycled into other products, he believed that the

wood’s new incarnation would in a way keep the legacy of those old structures alive.

“We have the unique, albeit limited, opportunity to get first and second hand recounts of how these buildings played an integral part in our growth as a nation,” said Steblyk. “I’ve had the chance to talk to farmers whose parents were original homesteaders and have memories of community barn raisings.

Reborn Barns has allowed me to pay tribute to the hard working families that

worked tirelessly through incredible hardships to develop our province.”

Steblyk is equally tireless in going about his business, which started out as a wood-crafting sideline gig while he was running his own media company. Even the pandemic that started in 2020 hasn’t broken his stride as he’s come across customers with plenty of time on their hands to renovate their homes.

While Steblyk meets customers only by appointment these days, demand for his T8N Spring 2021 31

32 T8Nmagazine.com

work remains high, especially for his milled feature wall material and readyto-installed barn doors, two of his hottest sellers. One of his favourite projects involved treating the residential walls of Edmonton businessman and country singer Danny Hooper, who allowed Steblyk free reign in the place.

He also receives several requests from folks who want their old structures torn down, although he’s sometimes hard pressed to decline those offers.

values sustainability, appreciates the effort that goes into hand salvaging old growth material, and are drawn to the story behind each building that is reclaimed, “said Steblyk. “In today’s throw-away society, it’s reassuring to meet people who invest in local, handmade products that are built to last generations.” t8n

“As much as I’d like to reclaim all the beautiful structures I’m offered, storage and time become limiting factors,” said Steblyk. “I tend to give priority to buildings with interesting history but material integrity, patina, and proximity to home base definitely weigh in. Old growth fir is probably my favorite to work with and I love repurposing structural fir timbers into fireplace mantles.”

Preserving history through his business also reflects an environmentalist sensibility that attracts customers. “I consider myself very fortunate to have a clientele that

Reborn Barns 780-953-7832 (by appointment only) rebornbarns.com

2020

NON-PROFIT

To the St. Albert Community, The LoSeCa Foundation would like to thank everyone who voted us T8N Magazine’s “Best Non-profit”, for the third year in a row. We are so happy to have so much support and recognition for what we do from the members of our community. We have been supporting adults with developmental disabilities for 28 years now, and we will continue to focus on improving the quality of life for everyone who comes into our care for years to come. We consider ourselves lucky to have such an amazing team of staff and volunteers who are the keys to our success.

Thank you!

1-215 Carnegie Drive, St. Albert Located right above our I’m Unique Thrift Store.

Come check out our shop—all proceeds go to support the individuals we serve.

T8N Spring 2021 33

I SPOTLIGHT I Vegreville Pysanka Monument

NXNE TOP 10

Fun and quirky sites–and sights–for physically distanced day trips

BY PAULA E. KIRMAN

WHILE COVID-19 HAS put a stop to

many summer vacations, there is no reason to be totally house-bound this summer. There are still things to do and see within a short drive of the area. The areas north, east, and northeast of the city are home 34 T8Nmagazine.com

to an array of unusual, memorable, and fun roadside attractions. Most of them are viewable from within a family vehicle, but as long as you maintain proper physical distancing, you can get closer–and enjoy some photo ops!

Here are 10 excursion options for your summer day-tripping.

Lac La Biche David Thompson statue The 3.6-metre-tall statue on the lake shore was built to commemorate Lac La Biche's bicentennial and to recognize David Thompson's landing on the shores of the lake–a French translation from the Cree moniker of “Lake of the Elk.” Thompson was the first European to reach the shores of Lac La Biche, arriving in 1798 while searching for the elusive Northwest Passage.

St. Paul UFO Landing Pad You will see this landmark–the world's first UFO landing pad– as you enter St. Paul from the west. It was built in 1967 and at its grand opening that June, St. Paul was declared the Centennial Capital of Canada. Located next door is a tourist information centre, the pad’s been a boon for tourism, including a few international UFO conferences.

Mundare Sausage Monument You can't miss the world's largest sausage when driving through Mundare. It sticks out like a . . . big sausage. The 42-foot-tall statue is a tribute to Stawnichy's Meat Processing, a family-run sausage factory founded in 1959 that is famous for its kielbasa.

However, it's not likely the family has ever produced a sausage as big as this one: it is over 5,443 kilos (12,000 lbs.) and made of brown fiberglass.

Vegreville Pysanka Monument

areas in the district. It comes as no surprise that the area is a popular breeding ground for mallards. No actual mallards have ever been reported as being this size, however.

Smoky Lake Pumpkin Park Smoky Lake's Pumpkin Park features a sculpture of seven large pumpkins. They’re not oversized, but replicas of winning entries from the town’s annual Great White North Pumpkin Fair and Weigh-Off that’s a must-see event for gourd fanatics.

They’ve had a number gigantic winners, including one weighing in at 854.5 kilos (1,884 lbs.), a site record since 2017.

Bonnyville Splash Park giant moose shower Not many kids can claim to shower beneath a giant waterspewing moose, but then not everyone lives by Bonnyville Splash Park, where the antlered behemoth is visible to spectators up to several blocks away. It's probably the most unique aspect of the splash park, and if you have kids, they will get a kick out of it. The park is also located near some walking and biking trails if you’re up for more recreational activity.

Cold Lake 4 Wing Gateway Park If you feel like making the trip up to Cold Lake, a visit to the 4 Wing Gateway Park offers a number of aircraft on mounted display in striking poses near the roadway. You can park and gaze at such legendary fighter jets as the CF-5 Freedom Fighter and the CT-133 Silver Star, located outside Cold Lake Air Force Museum. If the museum’s open, more nifty displays await. t8n

The Vegreville egg makes for an iconic photo backdrop. Located, appropriately enough, at 4500 Pysanka Avenue, the Ukrainianstyle Easter egg was designed by artist Paul Maxum Sembaliuk and was unveiled in 1975. An intricate set of two-dimensional aluminum tiles make up the geometric patterns (524 hexagonal stars and 2,208 equilateral triangles, in case anyone wants to keep count) over an aluminum frame. Hey, a snow shaker replica of the Pysanka even made it into an episode of The X-Files.

Vilna Mushroom Monument The sculpture known as World's Largest Mushrooms is located in the village of Vilna, just a block away from Main Street.

The gargantuan fungi may look like something out of Alice in Wonderland, but is actually a giant replica of the tricholoma uspale mushroom which grows wild in the area and is often used as an ingredient in regional dishes. Mushroom hunting has been a tradition in Vilna since Ukrainian settlers arrived in the early 1900s.

Glendon Pyrogy Monument If you love the doughy dumpling, you won't want to miss seeing the World's Largest Pyrogy in Glendon, on Highway 28.

You won't need a fork–the 8.2 metre sculpture which weighs 2,721 kilograms is already mounted on one, to make it more recognizable. It's fiberglass with a metal frame and was built in 1991.

Andrew Mallard Monument If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it might be a testament to the sculpture of a mallard with a wingspan of 23 feet (7.2 metres). Weighing in at one tonne, the mallard was built in the village of Andrew to commemorate the wetlands T8N Spring 2021 35

I DOWN TIME I

Puzzling Pandemic

36 T8Nmagazine.com

ONE WAY THAT the pandemic has affected us is that for the most part,

we’ve been careful and savvy in how we get through the day. It’s that shrewdness that will get you through this word search, since we don’t provide a list this time. Your job is to come up with as many words or phrases concerning the pandemic and see if they exist in this puzzle.

Let us know how many you’ve found via Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag T8N. Those who find all 40 are eligible for a prize! t8n

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THE RESULTS ARE IN

Watch for our June issue of T8N to see if your favourite businesses made the list!

Coming this June!

2021 T8Nmagazine.com