Business - Fall 2015

TODAY MAGAZINE

Kemp-ing it all in the family GET UP CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH THE DYNAMIC BROTHER-SISTER TEAM AT KEMP FINANCIAL

POWER COUPLES How two of Niagara’s most enterprising couples made their passion their work

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Boudoir photography, warding off cyber criminals & the struggle to find the ideal career.

What was your share?

What was your share?

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meet the

CONTRIBUTORS JILL THAM

FLAVIO IAMMARINO

GABRIELLE TIEMAN

Convinced she would have made a better teen in the 80s instead of the 90s, Jill’s passion for writing came after seeing the movie Stand by Me. When Jill is not moonlighting as a freelance writer, she is an Elementary teacher juggling her three children. Along with being a regular contributor to Today Magazine, Jill’s articles have been featured in Canadian Running, Pedal, Allergic Living and @OECTA. jilltham. wordpress.com @JillBT

Renowned for his amazing ability to affect profound change in people within an impressively short period of time, Flavio works with professional athletes, corporate clients and individuals.

He has trained and instructed in the martial arts for over 30 years.

He has established an excellent reputation as an effective and skilled therapist working largely on referrals from physicians, psychologists and lawyers.

Gabrielle is a writer with REV Publishing and holds a passion for covering travel and event pieces. She is always up for an adventure and loves meeting new people but also maintains close relationships with her Keurig and bicycle. Her favourite time of year is scarf season and she has easily watched the movie Armageddon 200 times. You should follow her @ gabrielletieman

PH.D., SW.,C.CHT

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 5

ONTENT

PUBLISHER Rev Publishing Inc. PRESIDENT & CEO Daniel A. Pasco GENERAL MANAGER Candace LeBlanc ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Alexandra Mills BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER David Mace MULTI-MEDIA CONSULTANTS Patricia Bolus, Tara Hahl, Jason Bayne, Nancy Croce EDITOR Megan Pasche CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tina Lanzillotta GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Tabitha MacDonald Rachel Bertrand IT/WEB DEVELOPER Justin Soungie MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Kaila Henderson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jill Tham, Gabrielle Tieman, Flavio Iammarino CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS David Haskell, AJ Harlond TO ADVERTISE PLEASE CALL 905.356.7283 or 1.877.888.2825 WEBSITE todaymagazine.ca

facebook.com/RevPublishingInc @revpublishing www.revpublishing.com

Business by Today Magazine is published by Rev Publishing Inc. All opinions expressed in Business Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of Rev Publishing, it’s employees or owners. Reasonable care is taken to ensure that the information contained in this magazine is as up-to-date and accurate as possible, as of the time of publication, but no responsibility can be taken by Business Magazine for any errors, omissions or comments made by writers or interviewees that are contained herein. Furthermore, responsibility for any losses, damages or distress resulting from adherence to any information made available through this magazine is not the responsibility of Business Magazine. All unsolicited manuscripts and/ or photographs submitted are assumed to be intended for publication or republication in whole or in part. The right to alter, edit or refuse photos and/or manuscripts intended for publication is assumed. All unsolicited material submitted to Business Magazine are submitted at the author’s risk. Manuscripts and or photographs intended to be returned must be accompanied by sufficient postage. Business Magazine does not assume any responsibility for any claims of our advertisers and reserves the right to refuse any advertising.

Cover Story 10

KEMP-ING IT ALL IN THE FAMILY Get up close & personal with the dynamic brother-sister team at Kemp Financial.

Tool Kit SHOW ME THE MONEY Advice on how to deal with the financial end of your business.

19 20 23

LAUNCHING A BUSINESS IN THE DIGITAL AGE How to incorporate a strong online presence when starting a business.

HOW TO MANAGE SEASONAL CASH FLOW Helping you manage the ebb and flow of your seasonal business needs.

TIPS FOR FINANCING A SMALL BUSINESS Got a business plan? Some sage advice on how to get start-up capital for your great idea.

IN THE VAULT In this digital age, it’s getting increasingly more important to properly assess and implement a plan to protect your business from the threat of cyber crime. Here’s some advice on how to go about it.

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SOCIAL NETWORKS AND YOUR BOTTOM LINE Social engineering and how it can work against you.

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SIX STEPS TO A CYBERSAFE SMALL BUSINESS Cyber criminals are getting smarter; now so are you.

Innovation 29

ENTREPRENEUR PROFILES The story behind two of Niagara’s most enterprising power couples.

30 34

IT’S A DOG’S WORLD Niagara Pet Resort is cage-free and loving it.

TIDE & VINE A shucking good time.

Lifestyle & Culture 39

WHEN A JOB IS NOT A JOB

42

IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

46

MEGALOMANIAC WINERY

51

DECK THE HALLS

The struggle to find the ideal career so you “never have to work”a day in your life.

Welcome to the new age of boudoir photography.

John Howard’s passion for wine, quality and all things Canadian.

Planning a holiday work party? Here’s a list of venues in and around Niagara to accommodate your needs.

Special Section 53

EXPLORE WESTERN NEW YORK Need a little excitement this fall? From the Seneca casino properties to the Allegany Mountains, Western New York is sure to deliver.

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 7

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INVEST KNOWLEDGE: IN THEIR

BY JILL THAM PHOTOS BY DAVID HASKELL

KEMP FINANCIAL To state that the financial planning is in the blood of

Jessica Kemp, Financial Advisor and founder of Kemp Financial Group and her brother, Michael Kemp, Certified Financial Planner, would be an understated clichĂŠ. Not only have they grown up around the financial industry, the Kemp family has more than 100 combined years of experience in the field. >>

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 11

T

heir parents, Anne and Rick Kemp, met while working at Freedom 55 Financial and have been married for 35 years. Anne, a pioneer in the financial industry, was just 17 years of age when she began working as a receptionist and eventually worked her way up in the business to become the only female advisor working at the St. Catharines London Life branch. “Forty-five years later, she is still working with the same clients,” says Jessica. Rick advanced in the company to become Regional Director, a position he has held for the last 15 years. Their uncle, Darrell Kemp, has worked in the industry for the past 28 years.

The senior members of the family garner a wealth of knowledge for Jessica and Michael to draw from.

Jessica and Michael were active in high school athletics and both received university scholarships. Jessica attended Niagara University to play basketball and completed a degree in Business commerce and an MBA in General Management. Michael began his studies at George Mason University in Virgina, playing baseball, and completed his degree in Business Administration at Brock University while on the baseball and basketball teams. After having the opportunity to pursue their own endeavours and gain experience in other areas including sales and marketing, Mike and Jessica both found themselves knee deep in the business. “I always knew this would be my career. I

was waiting until I was ready to step into the last job I would ever have,” says Michael.

Trust. Commitment. Relationships. These are the core values that identify Kemp Financial Group as one of the leading providers of life insurance, retirement savings, and investments. “It all goes back to family and building a family relationship,” says Michael Kemp.

“You are not just getting a financial advisor, you are getting someone that coaches your children, attends your fundraisers, and genuinely takes an interest in you and your family. Our biggest selling point is our long term commitment to our clients,” says Jessica. “Our clients recognize we are going to put in the effort to make sure that their needs are met,” adds Jessica, stating that she believes that 80% of what they do is trust that the client has in her and Michael, and the other 20% boils down to knowledge about the business.

From GICs, TFSA, RRSPs. RESPs the acronyms are endless. Deciphering the codes and their long term benefits can be daunting for some. How does one know exactly what to do with their money? In an industry that can be confusing for clients, Jessica and Mike take the time to ensure their clients are well informed. Another core value is what Jessica and Mike call, “transparency.” “Nothing is hidden. There are no surprises for our clients. You will not wake up and say, ‘Jess never told us that,’” says Jessica. >>

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“

MICHAEL KEMP

“

IT ALL GOES BACK TO FAMILY AND BUILDING A FAMILY RELATIONSHIP

“We offer a variety of services, but sales aren’t our priority,” states Michael. “We build relationships with our clients.”

When asked what it is like to work with your sibling, Jessica jokes, “There may be a bit of name calling around the boardroom.” Although disagreements may be inevitable between Mike and Jessica, they both have the client’s best interest in mind. “When we have an argument as business owners, it is over within five minutes, especially because we are family,” says Jessica.

Mike and Jessica are committed to giving back to the community. Not only do they reside on various boards for predominant charities such as Niagara University Advisory Board, Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre Niagara, Ronald McDonald House in Hamilton, and the Hernder Picasso Foundation, but they enjoy sharing their talent and knowledge of sports with Niagara’s youth. Jessica coaches basketball with the Niagara-on-the-Lake Rangers, and Michael has his hand in various baseball organizations. “Jess and I were fortunate enough to play at a high level, but being involved in sport at any level is the best thing you can do for yourself,” says Michael. The Kemp siblings are glad to share their wisdom and their dedication to athletics that has ultimately influenced and shaped their strong work ethic.

“Being part of a team helps to build strong relationships and a competitive drive. If you miss a shot, shoot the next one. We owe that to our athletic backgrounds,” adds Michael.

Jessica’s knowledge and passion for the business has led her to become a sought after public speaker. Her message is inspiring for those in the financial and business industries as well as entrepreneurs looking to start their own business. “I really enjoy motivating others and teaching them the concepts of how to be successful not only in the financial industry, but in other areas of business as well,” says Jessica.

The Million Dollar Round Table is an elite conference held each year for the world’s leading life insurance and financial services professionals and Jessica has qualified each year she has been in the business. “I like to learn from the best. I will talk to someone from New York City who is at the top of their game and ask them what they are doing in order to determine where I need to develop to further assist my clients,” she explains.

The information age has drastically changed many industries and Jessica and Mike acknowledge that the financial sector is no exception. “Today, the younger generation has the internet at their fingertips and 20 years ago they wouldn’t have. It might not be the best information, so it makes sense for young people to have a financial advisor they can learn and grow with,” says Jessica. “Gone are the pension plans our parents had and the days you can feel comfortable not doing your own planning. Our generation is different.”

Jessica and Michael take the time to sit down with young people who may think they don’t have the funds to begin investing and review their budget to determine what is possible. “We work with people our own age, so that is a smooth conversation to have,” says Michael. “If there is no pension plan then they need to start building one.”

The Kemps have many clients who are business owners and they see a difference between Generation X when compared to other age brackets. “Generation X takes more risks than the baby boomers would,” says Jessica. This, in turn, sets Michael and Jessica apart from other companies as they themselves are business owners.

“Venturing out on our own and investing in a commercial property is something our parents would never have done,” adds Jessica.

What Jess and Mike do at Kemp Financial is pretty unique.

Staffed with a certified office manager and an accomplished actuary, they can specialize in providing alternative investment strategies to help families transition their wealth from one generation to the next in the most tax efficient way. With investment and insurance planning being the core of the overall financial plan.

Along with extensive experience to draw upon within their family circle, Jessica and Mike have a distinctive approach to the profession. “You have to treat this business as a career, not a job.

It’s a marathon, not a sprint and you have to be willing to wait years to see the success. We believe in it and have a passion for it,” explains Jessica.

Spend a short time with Jessica and Michael and their values are evident. It’s no wonder their tag line reads, “Let our family take care of yours.” After all, experts would agree, the best thing that money can buy is financial freedom. Let Kemp Financial Group build a plan and form a relationship that will get you there. For more information visit kfginc.ca TM

Putting you in the hands of every tourist & local consumer for

A BUCK A DAY

HOW DOES YOUR CURRENT FORM OF ADVERTISING COMPARE? be part of theirTODAYMAGAZINE.CA experience15 >>

THE RIGHT MEDIUM Mobile apps are the most powerful promotional tool out there. Consumers are using the mobile web to look up your store information and discover new businesses in their area.

Save-A-Buck enables people to easily access entertainment, restaurants, attractions, nightlife, services and more. This free GPS based guide quickly allows consumers to find your business based on category of interest.

Promote your business and gain exposure while having the opportunity to offer Save-A-Buck users coupons and discounts or broadcast your events on our Save-A-Buck calendar to create a wider net of interest.

EXPAND YOUR CLIENT BASE The Save-A-Buck Beacon broadcasts a customizable message or offer from you directly to the app user’s device when they are in range of your Save-A-Buck Beacon.

• A virtual perimeter is created around your business, a maximum range of up to 40 meters.

• As a consumer enters the radius of your beacon, their phone is immediately tagged for the delivery of your message.

• Through the bluetooth smart technology, your message will be immediately delivered.

• After clicking this ad, the consumer will be taken directly to your offer or coupon.

Save-A-Buck isn’t just about saving users money, it’s about gaining exposure and expanding your client base.

We advertise on multiple print, digital and social media platforms to reach them where they live, work and play:

• Key-card holders, in-room television ads and in-room tent cards in popular hotels located in Canada and United States.

• Highly active on Facebook and Twitter.

• Full page advertising in over 30 targeted publications distributed throughout Canada and U.S.A. along with 15 second TV commercials.

• 1 MILLION COPIES of the Save-A-Buck coupon booklet are distributed annually through: counter stands located in hotels/motels, bed & breakfasts, wineries, restaurants, travel information centres, attraction lobbies and in street boxes.

Get on their radar. Get on the app

FEATURES AT A GLANCE Priority Status: Get your business featured ahead of the rest so you get first grabs in your category.

Description: Make it easy for customers to get in touch or learn more about your business.

Click to Call: Get more calls by enabling customers to call you at the click of a button.

Easily access Entertainment, Attractions, Activities, Bars, Services, Transportation, Rentals, Daily Coupons, and Much More!

Find the BEST DISCOUNTS in your area.

Multiple ways to find what you’re looking for.

Directions & Maps: Display the exact location of your business, events, or branches so your customers can easily find you.

Find exciting nearby events and locate them on the map.

Menu: have customers browse your menu and view images of your dishes right from the app.

Events: Make sure customers mark their calendars for all of your important events, whether it be a big sale, promotion, or anniversary gala.

Save your favourites so they’re only a touch away.

Photos: Display a gallery of photos from company events, grand openings, products and more.

Images, description, menus, GPS directions, hours, social media and website links, direct phone number and more.

CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT The average person looks at their phone 150 times a day or once every 6.5 minutes of every waking hour. the North American population own 56% ofa smart phone.

North American smartphone users 94% ofsearch for local information.

76%

of users opt into location sharing because it provides more meaningful content.

62% 77%

of smartphone users consume mobile media. actively use their smartphone to research before making a decision.

Our team is committed to development. We strive to continually improve the app by utilizing the latest technology and offering new innovative features that will bring us both to the next level.

Mobile app users are FOUR TIMES more engaged than those browsing the web.

stop guessing.

*ComScore Mobile Metrix, March 2012

that puts the city in their hands. >> TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 17

get on their radar.

SAVE-A-BUCK be part of their experience saveabuck.com

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IN THE DIGITAL AGE (NC) Today there are more opportunities than ever for people to start a business. While many entrepreneurs still open businesses in fixed locations, more people are launching businesses that operate entirely online. “While the traditional tips for starting a business still apply, entrepreneurs can't ignore how important having an online presence is to the success of their business,� says Sarah Adams, vice-president of Small Business at RBC.

ADAMS OFFERS TIPS FOR LAUNCHING A BUSINESS IN A DIGITALLY CONNECTED WORLD: RESEARCH YOUR MARKET While it may be tempting to ask family and friends for input on your product or service, to truly understand if your idea is viable, it is best to talk to your target audience.

WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN Studies have shown that owners who create a business plan have a better chance of success. By developing a business plan you ensure everyone involved is on the

same page to set priorities, establish goals and create a strategy for execution.

your business needs to be online, and that means creating a web site.

DETERMINE YOUR FINANCIAL NEEDS

CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Assess your start-up costs, calculate your cash flow needs, and figure out how long it will take to break-even. Create scenarios to find out if you have the funds you need.

Social media is a great way to reach your target audience while saving money on advertising. Think about which social media channels your customers are most likely to use and connect with them.

BUILD YOUR WEB SITE To continue to find new customers, grow your business and remain competitive

More advice on starting a business is available at www.rbcroyalbank.com/business TM www.newscanada.com

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 19

TOOL KIT

LAUNCHING A BUSINESS

5

WAYS TO MANAGE

CASH FLOW

FOR YOUR BUSINESS (NC) Managing cash flow can be a challenging part of running any business. When you operate a seasonal business, maintaining cash flow can be particularly tricky.

“Cash flow shortages can be the cause of business failure, even for companies that had great potential,” says Sarah Adams, vice-president of Small Business at RBC. “Planning for the ebb and flow of a seasonal business needs to be done early and often, before you find your business in a cash crunch.”

TO HELP MAINTAIN CASH FLOW THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, ADAMS PROVIDES FIVE TIPS: 1. DETERMINE YOUR CASH FLOW NEEDS. Calculate your start-up costs, review your financial forecast for the busy season, and calculate your cash flow based on the entire year, including the off-season.

2. BUDGET CAREFULLY. Creating and sticking to a solid budget is necessary to ensure you can pay for regular expenses such as maintenance, taxes and equipment financing when you have no funds coming in.

3. ESTABLISH GOOD CREDIT. Having good credit is especially important for a seasonal business, so be sure your bills are paid on time and maintain your strong credit rating.

4. CONSIDER FINANCING OPTIONS. Talk to a financial advisor about an operating line of credit, business credit card, term loan, leasing, and business loan insurance.

5. MAKE USE OF THE OFF-SEASON. After a busy season, owners may look forward to some well-deserved downtime. This is the best time to review the past season, plan any changes, and prepare your marketing efforts for next year.

More information is available at www.rbcroyalbank.com/business. www.newscanada.com TM

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how to secure

FINANCING for your small business

(NC) The old adage, Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life is the mantra many entrepreneurs use to justify the endless time and energy needed to successfully start a small business. And while their passion and energy may be limitless, most of the time their resources are not. “Many people looking to start their own business find that they need start-up capital, whether it’s for purchasing space, equipment or just to establish a healthy cash flow,” says Geordan Robertson, Meridian’s director of small business. “Securing sufficient credit is crucial for operation and many people find this process to be an uphill battle.”

Robertson outlines the following tips when securing the financing for your small business:

CREATE A BUSINESS PLAN A well-crafted business plan is vital for lenders and it should outline the following: your business idea; how it fits in the current market landscape; how you plan to make profit; and what your start up budget will be. It's essential that your business plan outlines how much financing you require, what the funds would be used for and when you plan to repay the loan.

LOOK FOR A VARIETY OF FINANCING SOURCES Funding is not just limited to financial institutions. There are a variety of government grants and programs that can help a small business get off the ground. A listing of government grants and loans can be found via the federal government's Canada Business Network at www.canadabusiness.ca.

DETERMINE YOUR BORROWING NEEDS There is a wide range of lending products available to small businesses from operating lines of credits and credit cards to commercial mortgages. Skilled advisors in this field can help you navigate the options to ensure you pick products that are suited to your needs.

DON'T LOSE HOPE IF DECLINED GET ORGANIZED When meeting with a financial institution to discuss potential lending options be prepared to bring a lot of financial paperwork with you. In addition to your business plan, you should also bring copies of your personal banking records and statements in order for the financial institution to determine your ability to pay back the loan.

Work with your small business advisor to fully understand why your proposal was declined so it can be strengthened. In some cases, the financial institution may require you to request a smaller loan amount or invest more of your own capital into the business. Additional information on this topic is available online at smallbusiness.meridiancu.ca. www.newscanada.com. TM

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 23

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THE BOTTOM LINE HOW CYBER CRIMINALS ARE HACKING INTO YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA

(NC) Engaging with current customers, connecting with new ones, and generating buzz about your product or services − these are just a few of the ways social media can benefit your small business. However, cyber criminals can also use information you post on social media to their benefit, to target your business, pilfer your profits, and steal your customers' personal information. It's called “social engineering” and here's how it works: • Cyber criminals scan through your social media profiles to gather information. They're looking for details such as the names and titles of your colleagues or other professionals you work with, like an accountant or IT specialist, or if you have recently attended a trade fair or an event in another city.

• They can then reference this information when they contact you. Their correspondence will feel genuine, because it will look like they're familiar with your business, your colleagues or your business dealings.

• They want to gain your trust so that they can gain access to your computer systems or defraud you in some other way.

Some cyber criminals even try to impersonate the government for this exact reason.

You can protect your business against social engineering by following a few simple rules: • Review and stay up to date with social networking sites' privacy policies (most are updated frequently) and adjust your personal privacy settings appropriately.

• Ignore requests on social networks from people you don't know.

• Never reveal your precise location online.

• Be suspicious of any phone calls, visits or email messages from individuals asking about employees, their families and sensitive business matters.

• Never respond to emails requesting private information, and never click on links from unknown sources. TM TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 25

TO A

6 STEPS

Here are six steps to help keep your small business cyber safe: 1. EDUCATE YOURSELF. Learn about cyber crime − the risks and the threats. Then, pass that information on to your employees.

GetCyberSafe.ca/business is a good place to start learning.

2. INVEST IN SECURITY SOFTWARE. It may seem like an added or unnecessary expense, but investing in strong anti-spam, anti-spyware and firewall software could save your business a lot of money in the long run. Also, many security software companies offer products tailored to the needs of a small business, with more budget-friendly options.

3. CREATE STRONG PASSWORDS. Your passwords should be at least eight characters, and incorporate numbers and special characters. They should also be changed regularly (at least every 90 days). Encourage your staff to do the same.

CYBER-SAFE

SMALL BUSINESS I

(NC) t's already a big job to keep your small business running smoothly, so imagine the additional hassle and expense if your business was to fall victim to a cyber crime.

Cyber criminals use technology to harvest information. They try to gain access to your servers or to your email to steal company information, like banking data, customer records and contact lists.

If you think your business is too small to be a target, consider this: According to the Ponemon Institute cyber crime cost smaller businesses more on average per capita ($1,088) than larger-sized businesses ($284).

4. PROTECT MOBILE DEVICES. You may use a number of different devices to access company email and records (computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, USB key, etc.). All of your strong cyber security practices should apply to these devices as well.

5. DEVELOP POLICIES. Some cyber threats can impact your business due to inadvertent actions by your staff. For example, an employee may click on a link in an email which automatically downloads malware. Curb these threats by putting in place strong company policies for Internet use, email use and social media use.

Ensure that your staff read and follow these policies.

6. RESTRICT PHYSICAL ACCESS. Ensure that your business is safe from unauthorized visitors, and that easy-to-grab laptops and mobile devices are stored securely and installed with remote tracking software.

Following these six steps will go a long way toward keeping your small business cyber safe. More information and free resources are available on the Government of Canada's website, GetCyberSafe. ca/business. More information is available online at GetCyberSafe.ca/ business.www.newscanada.com TM www.newscanada.com

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INNOVATION

IN PERSON WITH NIAGAR A’S INNOVATIVE ENTREPRENEURS

ONE

of the most gratifying aspects of being a writer for REV Publishing is the opportunity to showcase Niagara’s finest. I have had the sheer pleasure of interviewing musicians, food bloggers, diner owners and Olympians. The perseverance of the exceptional individuals in our community never ceases to amaze me. For this series (In Person With…), I was swept away by the passion, business minds and good old-fashioned values of the entrepreneurs we will be featuring.

To work diligently and build a successful and original business is commendable; not to mention the stories of adversity. From the high school drop out to the entrepreneurs currently sleeping in their closet while their business undergoes renovations, these owners truly know what it means to get their hands dirty, chose quality over profit, and work exceedingly hard for every dollar they earn. What else can I say? Read on and experience another one of my proud Niagara stories. Each upcoming issue of Business will feature two new innovative entrepreneurs, and I continue the series here, with Nathan Peterson and Marisa Pavan of Niagara Pet Resort in Niagara On the Lake and Mike Langley and Kat Steeves of the Tide and Vine Oyster Company. >> TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 29

NIAGAR A PET RESORT &R AWCO

PHOTOS BY NATHAN PETERSON

pets,

they are the ones that wait at the window and greet you at the end of a long day. We would do anything to protect man’s best friend. Nathan Peterson and Marisa Pavan, Co-Founders and Owners of Niagara Pet Resort (NPR) in Niagara-on-the-Lake can surely attest to the emotional connection owners have with their canine companions. “Dogs are simple. They are the gateway to relaxation and calmness. They are unconditional in a world that is difficult to be in 95% of the time,” states Peterson.

Peterson and Pavan were together for three years before they decided to get a dog. Immediately they fell in love with Harley Dean, a wide-eyed, wrinkled faced bulldog.

One evening the couple took their five month old puppy, to the emergency veterinarian where he was diagnosed with pneumonia and given a grim prognosis. That night the couple made a vow that regardless of Harley Dean’s outcome, they were going change their current path in life. Miraculously, Harley Dean pulled through the night which fueled their passion for canine care.

Living in Toronto where Peterson was working in Hospitality and Tourism and Pavan was a Sommelier, they put their precious one in daycare where he ingested a cow’s hoof and expelled it. “By the time Harley was eight months old we had already spent over 10,000 dollars on veterinarian bills to repair his esophagus,” recalls Peterson. Pavan realized that Harley’s body was going to need a great deal of TLC, so she created a recipe for raw dog food and nursed Harley back to health.

“Harley made us realize that being in Toronto wasn’t the lifestyle we wanted,” states Peterson. The couple left their jobs and returned to Peterson’s home in Niagaraon-the-Lake with a plan to start a unique boarding and daycare facility for dogs that would focus on a holistic approach. “Marissa was great at caring for animals and I was great at working with them,” he adds.

Niagara Pet Resort, which is currently in its fourth year, is anything but conventional. Their cage free open concept program is highly controversial as it allows dogs to be dogs and roam free at certain times of the day. “All of our pack leaders go through an extensive training program and we don’t accept every dog that comes through the resort,” states Peterson.

In the beginning stages, the couple recalls standing side by side, each with a dog on a leash. “We have taken our cuts, bites and bruises and that is how we learned how to do it,” states Peterson.

“We talked to mentors and visited numerous pet resorts.

We learned how to be trainers and how to work with >> TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 31

all kinds of breeds,” says Pavan. Peterson and Pavan roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty every day. “If we didn’t feed 35 dogs a day, we could never come up with an efficient system or be on the same page with our staff,” he adds.

They often relate a dog’s overnight stay at NPR to the first time a child sleeps over at a friend’s house. “Kids will act differently without their parents around - so do dogs,” says Peterson. The couple must enforce a certain environment in order to keep the facility running smoothly and the dogs calm and comfortable. “We can’t have 35 dogs sleeping in our bed,” says Pavan.

With NPR being the first cage free facility in the area, the philosophy behind the program can be challenging for some to comprehend, but the benefits of the program are undeniable. “We are able to help the dogs come into the open concept and interact with other dogs and ultimately behave better when they return home.” says Pavan.

NPR offers a variety of membership options for clients such as active programs, daycare, training and wellness; with fees ranging from $89.00 to $400.00. Renovations are currently underway in the resort to create a VIP area for their members. Individual programming such as Labrador Retriever training for duck hunting is also available. NPR offers dog training lessons, personal training, grooming and photography, important features for daycare clients and dogs that board at NPR for extended periods of time.

Along with dog first aid training for all staff, NPR has a “No Bull” checklist when it comes to safety in the resort. Toys that can be chewed and ingested are not permitted in the facility. Doggy security blankets and toys that may unintentionally cause the dogs to be guarded are also discouraged. Their clients learn to wait their turn, refrain from jumping on the trainers and show respect to the

pack leaders. “The safety of our staff is a big part of the no nonsense rules. We also don’t allow digging and destruction of property,” explains Peterson. The facility is free from chemicals and essential oils and classical music are used in the resort.

Their property, which is large in scale, provides ample space for the dogs to run and play. “We are in a constant state of change because the resort is always adding new features for our clients. We are in the process of building a treehouse for the dogs and some mud pits surrounding our pond, so that from an aerial view it will look like a dog’s paw,” explains Peterson. “We are going to fence in an additional 200 acres and create a rollerblade path. I run 10-15 dogs around right now, if I was rollerblading it would be better exercise for the dogs,” explains Peterson.

Pavan’s formula for healthy dog food has become a business venture all of its own. RAWCO dog food is distributed across the Niagara, Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Areas and delivered right to the customer’s door. Pavan, who is certified in canine nutrition, has a very simple rational behind doggie nourishment: eat clean, basic raw foods, such as chicken, carrots, sweet potatoes, apples and bananas. Her high quality dog food is designed to build a stronger immune system and better metabolism for dogs. Her recipe reduces

‘THE SKY IS THE LIMIT WITH OUR BUSINESS’

and eliminates allergies and health issues common with dogs. Bright eyes, fresh breath, shiny coats and reduced odour in your dog’s stool are also benefits of her recipe. “We farm the raw food on our property. We have 10 acres that we plan to use for livestock and seasonal ingredients that go into my raw diet,” says Pavan.

NPR has a close relationship with their clients, who come from the Niagara Region, Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville and the Toronto area and are often picked up at their house through NPR’s pet taxi service. “We are a big part of people’s lives, our clients tell us everything,” says Peterson. From walking their client’s dogs down the aisle for a wedding to helping when a dog has been sprayed by a skunk, Peterson and Pavan are willing to go the extra mile for their clients with whom they share a special bond. “It’s all about customer service,” adds Peterson.

Peterson and Pavan aspire to develop the therapeutic benefits and confidence that working dogs can provide for humans. “We would love to work with teenagers and assist them in becoming dog trainers as well as explore how dogs can help kids read,” says Peterson.

Sometimes life’s heartaches can be a blessing in disguise. For Peterson and Pavan, the addition of Harley Dean to their family has forever changed their lives. “We became real people when we started Niagara Pet Resort,” says Peterson. It is a guarantee that NPR will continue to get the most out of the dogs they work with and aid and foster the therapeutic benefits of pets. “The sky is the limit with our business,” states Peterson. “We can help in many ways.” For more information visit niagarapetresort.com and rawco.ca TM

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you remember your prom night and the little things that made it special? Perhaps it was the first time your dad let you borrow his car or your favourite song being played while you danced. Nonetheless, it was a memorable night. “I want people to remember their visit with us the same as they do their prom night.

Exciting, full of friends, full of possibilities and maybe even some blurry moments,” explains Mike Langley, Co-owner of Tide and Vine Oyster Company.

Mike Langley grew up in Niagara Falls, ON and at the age of 15 he dropped out of high school to work at the Golden Griddle before moving to Ottawa, ON. Langley drifted from city to city and country to country with what he calls “no focus or direction,” holding a variety of positions from kitchen jobs to working in a Backpackers Hostel. “When I was 19 years old, some guys I knew were driving a psychedelic bus around Canada picking up back packers and staying at camp sites. I hopped on and that really fueled my desire to travel,” says Langley. Next, Langley found himself in Liverpool, England. “I had a wicked job at a rock and roll joint where the Beatles started. I met Bo Diddley and I was there when George Harrison died. It was a pretty wild time in my life,” recalls Langley.

Shortly afterwards, Langley returned to Ontario. “I fell into a job at an oyster house in downtown Toronto. I enjoyed it because it was casual, not fine dining, but there was a certain refinement and class to it,” he states.

This is where he met his partner, Kat Steeves, and suddenly Langley found himself smitten.

“It was moments of standing beside her and I clearly saw my future,” recalls Langley.

It wasn’t long before Langley and Steeves decided it was time to make a change from downtown Toronto. “One day, we drove to Niagara to visit Mike’s mother and we stopped at a bunch of wineries and a light went off.

We knew no one was handling oysters in Niagara with the passion and experience we have,” states Steeves. “We bought ‘Pearl,’ a 1974 Volkswagen camper van and we didn’t think about the food truck aspect of it, we just needed a way to travel to the >>

PHOTOS BY GIANT SHOW CREATIVE, STEVE WHARTON

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 35

Champion. “There is a bit of a rock and roll element to it: which is what I like,” admits Langley.

With the immediate success of Tide and Vine, Langley and Steeves began planning their long term goal of opening a restaurant in Niagara Falls. “We wanted a restaurant of our own where we weren’t travelling and most importantly we didn’t have to present our food on a disposable plate,” states Steeves. The Tide and Vine opened its doors in November 2014 to a crowd of pleased customers. “I love Niagara. Right from the start we have been welcomed into the community with open arms. We couldn’t have chosen a better place for the Tide and Vine,” says Steeves.

Although Langley and Steeves have given countless individuals their first oyster, they are not the only item on the menu, which is designed for the experience of sharing with friends. “Tide and Vine takes common items like Beef Short Ribs and Shrimp Cocktail and kicks it up a notch,” states satisfied customer Deb Vukelich. “The woody flavour of the shrimp is what makes it the best shrimp on earth.”

Everything on the menu is fresh and made from scratch and Chef Steeves, from Moncton NB, wouldn’t have it any other way. From her homemade Scotch Bonnet Sauce to her flavourful Seafood Chowder, Stevens is a true chef at heart. “I grew up with a family whose love is in the kitchen: constantly cooking, canning, making their own maple syrup and raising chickens. Not everyone these days gets to grow up with homemade cookies, bread, soups and a dad who is a trained chef; from a culinary perspective I was spoiled rotten,” explains Steeves. wineries,” adds Steeves. Less than five weeks later Tide and Vine Oyster Company had their first job shucking oysters at Food Truck Eats 2012 at Peller Estates Winery for thousands of people. “It was crazy,” recalls Steeves.

“Pearl” is a food truck, so to speak, but Langley’s crew do not cook out of her. “We pitch a tent and use custom built tables and barbecues to cook with,” he states. “Mobile food is extremely hard.

With travel time, set up and take down a four hour job is a ten hour job. You really work hard for your money,” adds Langley.

The couple acquired a kitchen space on Portage Road in Niagara Falls ideal for the purpose of preparing the food for their events. They quickly entered a partnership with Silversmith Brewery running the brewery’s kitchen. “Our product and their product work well together,” states Langley. This partnership allowed Langley and Stevens to hire more staff and begin building their repertoire of signature dishes. “Our Lobster Roll is one of our best sellers,” says Langley.

The Tide and Vine orders a variety of oysters from places within the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and delivers them to various restaurants and businesses within the Niagara Region. “We use a refrigerated van to pick them up in Toronto. Anyone can offer one kind of oysters, but to carry a variety is challenging and costly because of shipping and weather,” states Langley. “Winter weather is difficult because it can mean delayed shipments.”

“When you work with oysters you learn about how geographical location affects the taste of the oyster, how to prepare them properly and then there is the sub-culture and competitive side of shucking,” he says. Langley quickly became caught up in the friendly competition of shucking and started to compete across Canada achieving the status of 2013 Canadian Oyster Shucking

‘EVERYTHING ON THE MENU IS FRESH AND MADE FROM SCRATCH’ While it is important not to confuse food oysters with pearl oysters, it is safe to note that the clientele and staff you find working at the Tide and Vine are as rare as the pearl itself once was - they are genuine. “It’s a very family feel,” states Langley.

The Tide and Vine Restaurant is a modest space and with growing popularity and the couple are in talks to expand the space to add more seating and an area for larger groups and parties. However, not before they host the much anticipated third annual Oyster Fest Niagara this spring.

“I had no idea what I was doing until I did what I am doing now,” states Langley. “Anyone that you talk to that has made a decision to own their business will tell you it’s emotionally and physically draining. You think I could have a regular job and not worry about how you are going to pay the phone bill, then you shake it off. I really believe that anyone can do it, but I believe it is not for everybody,” says Langley.

Much like a prom, the Tide and Vine is a place to enjoy new experiences, great friends and incredible food. Whether you sit at a private table or at the bar where you can watch Langley shuck oysters, the Tide and Vine will open your mind and take your palate to a new level. For more information visit tideandvine.com TM

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LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

WHEN A JOB IS NOT A JOB

BY FLAVIO IAMMARINO, PH.D, SW, C.CHT

There is a saying that goes something like this… “Choose a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.” But how many of us can honestly say that we have found this job, this ideal career path?

I

often meet people struggling with this very topic. I’m not talking about people in their teens or twenties who have still yet to realize their dream; I am talking about people in their thirties, forties, and fifties still trying to find their path, their true “calling.”

So many of them tell the same story… they go to their 9 to 5 jobs and put in more effort and energy than it seems worth. They come home feeling exhausted and unfulfilled. The money may be

good, and the job may be familiar, but the days are monotonous and there is a constant tugging inside them that keeps whispering that there must be so much more. Recently a woman said to me, “I come home exhausted and unfulfilled thinking I have just wasted a whole day of my life that I cannot get back. The day was productive and I accomplished many things… but I just feel like something is missing.” >>

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 39

“

GEORGE BURNS

“

I’D RATHER BE A FAILURE AT SOMETHING I LOVE, THAN A SUCCESS AT SOMETHING I HATE

So why do people stay in jobs they aren’t content with or that they straight out hate?

There are several reasons why someone chooses to remain in a place where they don’t belong. The main reason is fear. Even though the individual may be unhappy in their current job, their insecurities make them question whether it is worth making a move. They create their own roadblocks and they find excuses and reasons to stay. Holding the person back are questions and rationalizations like, “If I change jobs what kind of work will I do? I am getting older so who will want me? There are a lot of people unemployed so maybe I should just be happy I have a job.

I have not updated my skills so maybe it is best for me to stay where I am.”

What we must understand is that there are times when we outgrow a certain job or career. We also must understand that we are 100% responsible for our daily happiness. Our daily jobs take

up at least 40 hours of every week… so it is very important that we enjoy what we do during this time. If you don’t like your job, or the people you work with, complaining about it only makes it worse. We have all met someone in the workplace who complains the whole day long… this only makes their job more stressful and them miserable. If you don’t like where you are, or what you are doing, take responsibility and take action; make a plan and find a job that is right for you.

When we were kids everyone asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. 9 out of 10 times a child can answer this question immediately and yet if you ask an adult what job they would love to do, they hesitate or can’t answer the question. Why is this?

When we were children we answered through innocence, through dreams and possibilities. Unfortunately as we grow our family, friends, teachers and society influence us. Other people’s ideas and beliefs begin to be imposed upon us and we try to please others. If we can learn one thing, it is to listen to our own instinct.

Our instinct tells us what we are good at and what we love to do.

If we follow this inner instinct and apply it to our careers we all would be doing exactly what we should be doing—following our calling. If you do what you love, you will always be successful.

If you believe that there is your ideal job out there… then there is. There are no shortages of jobs and your ideal job does exist if you truly want it. There are opportunities around every corner if you choose to be aware.

We are given signs every day if we pay attention to them. We cross paths at the exact right moment and opportunities are presented to us at every corner and in every conversation but the question is, do we clue in and take action? Do we turn right when we should have turned left? Do we pay attention? Do we know what our passion is? Do we know what we were created to do? Do we acknowledge our calling?

We all have a gift that comes naturally; whether it be organization, administration, hospitality, design, sales, painting, wood working, writing, hair styling, health care, child care, teaching, counseling, cooking, baking, banking, creating, flower designing, veterinary, plumbing, electrical, technical, artistic, legal etc. etc.—there is something that each and every one of us is great at and that comes effortlessly from within. If we have a job where we can apply these gifts and natural skills, work becomes a pleasure—this is when a job is no longer a job. Our age or situation does not matter, we can always set aside fear to make positive change and follow our dreams!

If you have questions about this article or need help taking the first step towards change, please contact our office at 905-6841717 or visit our website at askflavio.ca TM

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BOUDO WELCOME TO THE NEW AGE OF RISQUÉ: BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY.

Everyone wants to do it and everyone deserves to do it. Who needs the privacy of their own bedroom to feel sexy when the secret to feeling sexy is located in the heart of Niagara?

People from all over the globe are coming in to discover the new era of classic seduction with award winning photographer David Haskell.

"Everyone thinks you have to go to the ‘Big City’ to get quality photos - well that's a myth," Haskell said. "And half the time the photos don’t even come out the way you want them.”

"I am just amazed at how much this has blown up," he added. "We are shooting middle age to older aged men and women. We are getting so many referrals the roof is on fire right now."

And that isn't the only thing smoking hot; former model and beauty queen Jennifer D'Amico said Haskell is the kind of photographer that takes an idea and brings it to life. D'Amico has been shooting with Haskell for over 10 years.

"It doesn't matter if you are a size 2 or a plus size, David will make you feel comfortable and sexy," she says. "He just knows how to bring the best out of everybody."

D'Amico says she has chosen Haskell over other photographers due to his amazing creative visions and his professional editing skills. Unlike others, she admits that

IR

Haskell can take a photograph and make it look like a million dollars no matter what.

"Even though his photos always look magazine worthy he just knows how to bring out your natural beauty and give you back the confidence hiding within you. He takes his photographs to a whole new level of elegance."

Like doing anything for the first time there are always fears and doubts. Haskell's Boudoir shoots can be anywhere from risqué to conservative to elegant to classic. He likes to put people at ease by customizing each individual's photography experience.

"I like to set the mood, lighting, music and the atmosphere for each person," he said. "By doing this the nerves are usually chilled out in time for the shoot."

IN NIAGARA Clients are required to have a full consultation with Haskell to help personalize their Boudoir photo shoot. During this consultation clients will discuss their ideas, the photographers ideas as well as what to expect. Consultations can be done in person, over the Internet or by phone.

Haskell said 75% of his shoots are gifts to significant others while the other 25% are men and women just wanting to make themselves see and feel their true beauty.

Haskell said it doesn't matter what you look like, whether you are skinny, heavier, disabled, young or old, everyone deserves to be sexy.

"There is a fine line between editorial fashion and cheesy - we don't do cheesy.

No matter how risqué the pictures are, they

are always classy and glamorous."

Lately, Haskell has been shooting Boudoir Parties. This is where groups of friends book him to come to their homes or suggested locations, whether it be the beach or the Haskell studio located at the old train station in St. Catharines. Haskell also mentioned that privacy is number one. Everything is confidential including hair and make-up which is provided by the studio's professionals. These parties are great for a girl’s getaway weekend, bachelorette parties, or just something new and different to try out.

Haskell notes, "We tell people; Come for the photography and stay for our local wine.

Why not make it a full day to enjoy? You are worth it." TM TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 43

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Truly Canadian

MANIAC

WINERY

BY GABRIELLE TIEMAN

Original in their product, bold in their flavours and audacious with their branding, Megalomaniac Winery continues to revolutionize the Niagara wine industry one innovative wine at a time – each with a touch of sass.

This cheeky line is a daring turn for a Niagara homegrown – touting cult favourites SonofaBitch Pinot Noir, Bravado Cabernet Sauvignon, Narcissist Riesling and Pink Slip Rose on their long list of incredible wines. But though Megalomaniac may use their unique branding and attitude to poke fun at the occasionally rigid and traditional Niagara wine industry, each wine remains loyal to the Niagara Region with their elevated homegrown characteristics; creating a truly unique reflection of a Canadian winery with a global perspective.

What began as strictly a retirement venture for owner John Howard has since rapidly grown; evolving from a brand of limited quantity, hand-crafted wines into an established award winning winery citing a 25-30 per cent per year growth over the last four years.

“We have gone from two thousand to 40 thousand cases in four to five vintages,” said Howard. “But that is all accredited to the people that I work with; they are all really personable, very grounded, they are all people who have a very dynamic spirit. They really walk the talk in terms of producing a quality wine and experience for the people who come here.”

Resting upon what is believed to be the highest vantage point on the Niagara Escarpment between Milton and Niagara Falls, Megalomaniac’s 120 acres of vineyard on the Vineland Upper Bench in Lincoln has been cultivated and restored to its natural glory. Boasting five varietals on premise and a multi-level winery, Megalomaniac is a must visit while in Vineland; featuring an open concept tasting bar, retail facility, private tasting rooms and the new addition of a wraparound stone patio and rooftop terrace adorned with glass railings and seating for an unobscured panoramic view of both the Niagara Region and Toronto and Niagara Falls skylines that is simply breathtaking.

The patio is not the only new addition to the winery’s impressive repertoire; welcome acclaimed winemaker Sébastien Jacquey to the team. The dynamic and highly educated winemaker from Burgundy, France is known for using a combination of old world style in the new world; diligent in his quest to create premium wines while fostering a comfortable environment that promotes creativity, discovery and spontaneity.

“Six years before I met him I said that the wine he produced, Le Clos Jordanne, a pinot noir, that it was the best red wine ever produced in Niagara,” said Howard. “I’ve said this for six, seven years – and I had never met him. So when he came to talk to us about joining us, we talked about Le Clos Jordanne and he said ‘I’ve heard you say publicly that you think it’s the best red wine.’ And I said, ‘That’s because I believe that. Well I want you to produce more.” >> TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 47

photo: (left) John Howard; (right) winemaker Sébastien Jacquey. photography: AJ Harlond location: Megalomaniac Winery

Jacquey’s extensive education includes five years of vocational training, a university diploma in Technology and Biology with a specialization in Food and Biology, a National Diploma in Oenology and his Professional Agricultural Aptitude certificate. He later received his Master of Earth and Environment studies, specializing in Vine Management and Terroir and then went on to the l’Institut Supérieur d’Agriculture, RhoneAlpes, where he graduated as an Engineer of Oenology and Viticulture.

Recognizing that knowledge is not only gained by textbook, Jacquey’s rigorous training has been complemented by lots of hands on experience in wineries around the world.

“The really important thing, the key thing, about thresholding a culture where people can become creative is you have to make them comfortable,” said Howard. “If they do not have that threshold then it is very difficult to ascend for that level of greatness. The environment [ Jacquey] creates allows for this level of spontaneity and discovery and exchange of ideas.”

Howard, the former proprietor of Vineland Estates Winery and Executive Vice-President for Canon’s North American operations, is no stranger to the evolution and growth of industry. Under Howard’s innovative eye, Vineland Estate’s once petite winery grew into a highend operation with much acclaim; expanding vineyards by 300 acres and growing production from its humble two thousand case beginnings into a 50 thousand case operation over the course of eight years.

Howard has done the same with his newest venture. What began as a single vintage meant to help financially support his charity Kids’ Health Links Foundation, which provides computers for children in hospital so they can stay connected to family and friends, took off.

And though Howard’s initial goal was to limit annual production to a few thousand cases while keeping the bottle price low, the winery’s growth could not be stunted.

“I was going to spend my retirement fly fishing for Atlantic salmon, I was going to spend time developing our projects in Bordeaux [France], and I was going to farm this property,” said Howard. “I wasn’t really keen on the notion of making wine again. For me, I was

done making wine in Canada; I had two Wine Chateaux in France [With the Jeanoueix family, a dynasty in the wine industry]. So we did one vintage, where a portion of the proceeds would go to the charity, and called it Megalomaniac.”

The original vintage sold out within 90 days and in tandem with the wine’s success, the foundation established a threshold. It became clear to Howard that the foundation could have a huge impact on children hospitals across the country. The notion of taking it national came up, so he made another vintage. Today, neither the winery nor the foundation has ceased growth; with the foundation currently residing in 11 of the 13 children’s hospitals across Canada.

With the intention of keeping Megalomaniac Canadian, Howard and business associate Bernie Beauregard set out to find a creative label to match the unique brand.

“I called it Megalomaniac frankly to poke fun at people in the wine business who take themselves too seriously,” said Howard. “Everyone, including [Beauregard] was nervous about me using Megalomaniac.

They thought wine journalists and people like that would think I was mocking them - which I was, unequivocally, so everyone was nervous.

“Our sense was that if we produced a really good wine at an affordable price, there would always be a place for that product,” said Howard. “That has been a bit of a threshold; producing the best wines we can, but presenting them at a very affordable price. Our underlining theme is value and it is very important to us and our customers.”

Their search ended at an art institute where they held a contest to find the winning label design to accompany the cheeky name. A young woman from B.C. was the first to introduce the image of the faceless man in a bowler hat.

The brilliant packaging went on to receive much acclaim in 2007 when Narcissist Riesling was singled out as the only individual design to earn double-gold honours at the San Francisco International Wine Competition under unanimous vote.

“I really think the branding struck a note with wine people internationally,” said Howard. “To win gold, first you have to have more

- JOHN HOWARD

votes than anyone else from the tribunal, but to get double gold it has to be unanimous. It’s a pretty big deal for Napa [Valley].”

Megalomaniac quickly found themselves at the forefront of interest in the wine world. Though Howard says he had no aspirations to expand the brand past its original concept, Howard said they had no choice but to construct the new winery – which opened in 2014 – to accommodate current and future growth. Rising upwards from the Underground Cellar Howard had constructed years previous to house farming equipment, a winery of esteem rose with one reoccurring theme; that it be Canadian.

“I wanted it to be Canadian,” said Howard. “And I wanted it to be organic. All of the stone is from the escarpment. Majority of the wood is Canadian. It’s supposed to look Canadian and I want it to look Canadian because we are in Canada. This idea of trying to emulate Italy, France; I don’t get that. You want property that looks French? Buy in France!”

Though they farm a variety of Bordeaux varietals imported from France on the property, this passion for a true Canadian winery can be found flowing effortlessly among the grapes surrounding the vineyard – with Howard’s patriotism mirrored by the Crimson King Maple Trees that line the drive into the winery.

“Anyone who takes a photograph - there is a maple leaf in front of it,” said Howard. “That’s who we are. But it was natural that we would have Bordeaux varietals here because of what we were doing in France. Some of the same vine clones we have on our properties in France are planted here so it gives us an interesting dynamic.”

The winery farms an evolving crop of varietals on the home vineyard and rolling fields of the main vineyard. This includes all Bordeaux varietals – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc – and Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling. Following an unfortunately rough winter, Megalomaniac was forced to uproot many of the damaged vines surrounding the property on flat land – losing 40-45 per cent and the entirety of the home vineyard merlot.

But Howard said he is looking towards the future and not back at the damaged grapes; this uproot has allowed their team to plant new

“

“

I CALLED IT MEGALOMANIAC FRANKLY TO POKE FUN AT PEOPLE IN THE WINE BUSINESS WHO TAKE THEMSELVES TOO SERIOUSLY. vineyards – including more Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to cater to Jacquey’s interests.

“I love planting vineyards but you don’t really want to plant vineyard by virtue of ripping out vineyard,” said Howard. “But I don’t think we will have that problem again.”

“We are very keen on farming what we put into the bottle,” said Howard. “We want people to see that and see the commitment we have got in terms of owning and operating and maintaining the amount of vineyard that we have.”

The winery also features on premise labs and state of the art fermentation and barrel rooms for on-site wine tasting, testing and experimentation. Megalomaniac chose to invest in both high end cigar barrels and traditional round barrels for developing their wines – allowing their wine makers the opportunity to experiment and test aging and development components on the same grapes.

But expansions are not set to cease in the near future. Howard said the winery will continue to work on expanding their new patio, adding an additional roof top component above the current patio, all to help soften the concrete exterior and provide even greater views of the surrounding region.

Howard said they are also looking to build an experimental kitchen for catered events and add drone technology into the vineyard for live profiles of the grapes. All renovations sit with the same goal of creating an all-encompassing Niagara wine experience.

“We really want people to come out here and have fun and get a perspective of Niagara that is traditional,” said Howard. “If it wasn’t for this industry, all of this land on the horizon could soon be planted with basements. We’ll always pride ourselves in protecting our Agricultural Heritage.”

Whether it be their world-class wines, phenomenal views or Howard’s warmth and character that draw you to Megalomaniac, you are guaranteed to find something that will keep you coming back for more.

“We’re proud of our Niagara Heritage and we’re certainly proud of our homegrown wines!” TM TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 49

A Taste of Italy in Every Bite

OPEN FOR LUNCH AND DINNER

Located in Hilton Hotel & Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview, directly across from Fallsview Casino Resort.

6361 Fallsview Blvd, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 3V9 pranzoniagara.com | 905-353-7174 | facebook.com/pranzoniagara Complimentary parking for dining guests.

DECKtheHALLS IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A GREAT PLACE FOR A HOLIDAY BRUNCH, TO HOLD A CORPORATE PARTY, OR TO PARTY ON NEW YEAR’S EVE, CHECK OUT THIS LIST FOR SOME IDEAS ON WHERE TO GO.

ANGELO’S TRATTORIA, NIAGARA FALLS This quaint Italian restaurant offers authentic Italian comfort food that will make you think you are dining right in Italy. They are offering holiday parties and lunches, plus they are open New Years Eve. Angelos-trattoria.com BOSTON PIZZA, NIAGARA FALLS Boston Pizza at the Americana Resort, open 365 days a year. Spacious restaurant with separate large bar area as well as a private dining room. Perfect for corporate Christmas luncheons or dinners, or any group gathering.

BRASA, NIAGARA FALLS One of Niagara’s best steakhouses, there is unlimited portions of meat carved right at your table. Check out their website to book corporate parties or a spot for New Years. Brasaniagara.com DOC MAGILLIGAN’S, NIAGARA FALLS If you are looking for an authentic Irish pub, this restaurant exudes a genuine atmosphere and it’s wood interior is a warm and inviting place to host an intimate holiday gathering. Visit docmagilligans.com for special event rates.

MARILYN’S BISTRO, NIAGARA FALLS Perched up high at the top of the Tower Hotel offering spectacular views of Niagara Falls, and serving delicious Mediterranean dishes, this restaurant is closed Christmas eve and Christmas Day. This restaurant is open for New Year’s Eve, if you are looking for a party overlooking the Falls, and is also open for Christmas parties. Niagaratower.com RUTH’S CHRIS, NIAGARA FALLS This delicious, high-end steak house is the perfect place to hold a corporate Christmas gathering, or head out for that special holiday dinner. In addition to having parties or a meal right at the restaurant, Ruth’s Chris also offering catering, bringing the best of the menu right to your event or gathering.

Ruthschris.com STRADA WEST, NIAGARA FALLS This casual style restaurant specializes in dishes such as specialty burgers and sandwiches and pizza, and a wide selection of wine, cocktails and beer. During the holiday season, they are offering holiday lunches, corporate parties and dining on New Years Eve. Closed Christmas Eve, and Christmas day. Stradawest.com

JOHNNY ROCCO’S ITALIAN GRILL, NIAGARA FALLS & ST. CATHARINES Both locations will be offering holiday lunches, corporate parties, as well as dining on both Christmas and New Years Eve. Johnnyroccos.com UPPER DECK, ST. CATHARINES This restaurant located in St. Catharines is a taphouse and grill serving such dishes as specialty burgers, salads and other delicious comfort foods. They are offering holiday lunches, corporate parties and a party on New Years Eve. Upperdecktaphouse.com LAZY LOON, FONTHILL Serving their well-known fish and chips, among other traditional favourites, this long standing Niagara restaurant is hosting a special New Year’s Eve dinner. More information can be found by visiting Lazyloon.on.ca DE LUCA FINE FOODS, PORT COLBORNE This company produces great Italian gourmet frozen entrees, and are open until 4pm on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Catering is available for holiday events. Delucafinefoods.com TM TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 51

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SPECIAL SECTION

THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF THINGS TO DO, EXPERIENCE AND SEE DURING YOUR VISIT TO WESTERN NEW YORK; WHATEVER KIND OF ACTIVITY YOU SEEK, INDOOR OR OUTDOOR, ACTION PACKED OR CALM AND RELAXED, THERE IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING FOR YOU. FROM THE EXCITEMENT OF THE SENECA CASINO PROPERTIES TO EXPLORING THE SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS OF ELLICOTTVILLE TO THE ADVENTURES AWAITING YOU IN THE ALLEGANY MOUNTAINS, WESTERN NEW YORK REALLY DOES HAVE IT ALL.

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 53

SHOPP Filled to the brim with trendy boutiques, classic shopping centers and famous outlet malls, Western New York has formed a network of shopping districts only to be found in a retailer’s paradise. Catering to a diverse array of locals and tourists, each region offers something different for each shopper. Whether it be a picturesque town that specializes in sporting gear, a city street with the best artisanal goods or a mall housing one of the largest concentrations of brand names out there, it is not hard to find somewhere to spend your time and hard earned cash. So whether you are on the hunt for thrifty shops offering more bang for your buck or looking to treat yourself with a high-end piece, don’t loath trekking through each city to find the perfect retail therapy.

We have broken down the best shopping locations and hidden gems in Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Ellicottville New York.

ING BUFFALO NY | BOUTIQUE SHOPS IN EAST AURORA, ELMWOOD VILLAGE, HERTEL AVENUE & THE WALDEN GALLERIA Trendy neighbourhoods, artisanal goods, public art and lots of pub and brewery pit stops – downtown Buffalo and its surrounding neighbourhoods are great places to ditch your car and get out for a full day of leisurely shopping.

Start your retail journey in the stylish neighbourhood of Elmwood Village – a vibrant street filled with open air cafés, vendors and artisanal boutiques. Forget box brands; Elmwood Village will have you finding that unique gift or one-of-a-kind piece of art in no time. Visit Everything Elmwood for the perfect gift for that person you left at home – including handmade trinkets, home décor, handbags, jewelry and more. It is all about looking good at Urban Leisure and Luxury; a modern apparel, accessories and fine gift boutique for both men and women, where you can treat yourself to the perfect outfit.

The honorary Little Italy of Buffalo, the lively Hertel Avenue is a bustling 24 hour mini metropolis. Known for its furniture and home décor stores, the busy district also features Italian grocers, antique stores, chic clothing boutiques [a must visit is Modern Nostalgia – a stylist women’s clothing store] and Middle Eastern retailers. In between this diverse array of restaurants and bottegas you’ll find tucked away treasure troves perfect for redecorating – including showroom and design studio Room, The Painted House – a refurbished furniture fusion boutique – and interior designer manned store Conley Interiors.

The village of East Aurora is a handmade enthusiast’s utopia sure to lighten your wallet – but fill your shopping bags. Incredible prices only add to the charm of this village. Roycroft Campus Copper Shop Gallery hosts over 60 local artisans all under one wonderful roof selling everything from hand knit scarves, handmade prints and hand-spun yarn [see a trend?]. Vidler’s 5&10 is a full day excursion on its own. 75 thousand different items reside under its roof from an old fashioned candy counter to whimsical toys; your nostalgia will run rapid.

But the shopping vacation would not be complete without a trip to the Walden Galleria – the largest mall in the area. Whether you’re stocking up on basics or looking for the perfect dress, the Galleria has the best in brand names to satisfy your shopping tooth. Featuring stores like Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret, Michael Kors, Williams Sonoma and too many more to count.

BUFFALO, NIAGARA FALLS & ELLICOTTVILLE

BY GABRIELLE TIEMAN | PHOTO BY KATIE AMBROSE

ELLICOTTVILLE NY | FAMED SKI TOWN WITH THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATIONS OF SPORTING STORES IN THE NORTHEAST Annually, people from all over the globe flock to the town of Ellicottville for its ski hills and resorts. Though Ellicottville is known for attracting more snow bunnies than shoppers, its beautiful scenery and outdoor adventure landscape has been known to draw visitors far after the snow has disappeared for the season.

This picturesque town is quickly becoming a destination for those looking for their next sports gear or apparel purchase.

The town is said to have one of the highest concentrations of sports gear and apparel stores in the Northeast; counting three full-gear shops right downtown and multiple other vendors that specialize in outdoor apparel, gadgets and equipment. Mud, Sweat N’ Gears Ski and Snowboard, a Ski Magazine Gold Medal Ski Shop Award Winner, features top of the line equipment, professional boot fitting, stance alignment and custom foot beds for the avid winter sportsman. City Garage is the area’s source for functional footwear. They now sell stand up paddle boards and glamping equipment alongside brand favourites Birkenstock, Salomon and Keen.

If you’re not in the market for a new set of skis, there are still a number of shops to discover. The Purple Doorknob is as cute as its name – selling over one thousand pairs of socks to suit every personality. Watson’s Chocolates and their chocolatiers have resided in the village for almost 70 years and have people travelling for miles to purchase their famous sponge candy. Tangle Twigs is any Pinterest lover’s home away from home – offering custom made floral designs, whimsical home accessories and even posh seasonal clothing.

NIAGARA FALLS NY | OUTLET SHOPPING AT ITS FINEST If you are looking for more bang for your buck, look no further than the outlet shopping district of Niagara Falls. Offering designer labels at no-name prices, you are guaranteed to find your sought after designer duds at prices your credit card will appreciate.

The Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls, USA is an indoor outlet haven for shoppers looking to spend a day submerged in fashionable savings. Featuring over 150 high end factory outlets from designers such as Kate Spade, Le Creuset, Banana Republic, BCBG, J Crew and Burberry to name a few and outlet favourites the Cosmetic Company Store, Dress Barn and more. We can guarantee that you will have to hold back from running from one store’s sales rack to another. TM

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 55

OF BRICKS & MORTAR: DISCOVERING BUFFALO’S

GIANTS

BY GABRIELLE TIEMAN

The city of Buffalo has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Buildings that were once set to be demolished are having new life breathed back into their structure; redesigning the Queen City back to its former glory.

Painting the Buffalo skyline, weaving through the landscape and casting shadows on the streets you will find recognizable structures by one of the largest concentrations of architecture royalty and some of the greatest American architecture of the late 19th and early 20th century. Few cities can boast this comprehensive a collection of visionary design.

Housing seven Frank Lloyd Wright structures, Frederick Law Olmsted parks and hotels designed by Louise Blanchard Bethune – the first American female professional architect and member of the American Institute of Architects – there is no shortage of

prestigious architecture to enjoy within this fresh and vibrant city.

Few names in American architecture are as universally known as Frank Lloyd Wright. As the city thrived as a fast moving industrial hub, Wright was drawn to Buffalo at the turn of the 20th century in order to leave his imprint on what had come to be known as the Queen City. Today, Buffalo continues to boast seven of his legendary works. These works include the Martin House Complex – an iconic mix of building and landscape that today houses a museum store that offers up artfully curated collections of Wright inspired home décor; Graycliff Estate – a complex comprised of three buildings that were designed as an impressive summer home; the Blue Sky Mausoleum – a representation of Wright’s organic architecture that provides 24 burial crypts and a beautiful monument.

Completing the collection are the Wright >>

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 57

PHOTO CREDIT: IMGINK

Filling Station, Rowing Boathouse and a couple of private residences that continue to be so today.

But Wright is not the only notable architect to leave their imprint on Buffalo. American surveyor and city planner Joseph Ellicott is said to have been the first to lay out Buffalo’s radial street design which can be found in Niagara Square as well as in the Erie Canal’s presence – which ushered in vast business for many years in the city.

Frederick Law Olmstead, legendary landscape designer [best known for designing Central Park in New York City], conceptualized a vast park system in less than two days in 1868.

Father of the Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style, Henry Hobson Richardson, known best as H.H. is considered by many to be the 19th century’s greatest American architect. He is PHOTO CREDIT: RICHARD CAVALLERI known in Buffalo for his styling of the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane, which continues to stand today as the historically preserved Richard Olmstead Complex.

Look to the sky and you will be able to spot the work of Louis Sullivan.

Nicknamed the Father of the Skyscraper and considered by many to be their modern inventor, Sullivan is best known for his revolutionary work in creating steel skeletons for buildings to better support multiple stories. Sullivan placed his imprint on the Buffalo skyline – with his famous works including the Buffalo Guaranty Building.

Edward B. Green Senior is the proud owner of an extensive collection of works – with many residing in Buffalo. Born in 1855, he constructed over 370 buildings from Maine to Indiana, with over 200 in Buffalo. From extravagant residences PHOTO CREDIT: PATRICK MAHONEY to hospitals, crematories to commercial design, Green’s left a lasting imprint on PHOTO CREDIT: BRAND USA the city as a whole. Discover his work at the Market Arcade – a covered shopping pavilion – the impressive temple style Albright-Knox Art Gallery and at the First Presbyterian Church, a Richardsonian Romanesque style inspiration.

But Buffalo is not only a boys club. Louise Bethune, widely known as the first professional female architect and the first female member of the American Institute of Architects, worked tirelessly in Buffalo.

She is credited with designing a number of public schools but her masterpiece is widely remarked as the Hotel @ The Lafayette – which was recently historically restored to once again represent her intricate work in the French Renaissance style.

If you are afraid to miss a single historical keystone, monument, pillar or building, a guided tour of Buffalo is a must. Though it would take you a month to see every historical architecture landmark in the city and outer boroughs, there are a number of tour options to help you best compress your visit – guaranteeing an educational and eye opening experience.

BUFFALO RIVER HISTORY TOUR | DAILY TOURS AT 10:30, 12:30, AND 4:30 | ADULTS $17 / CHILDREN $12 Buffalo River History Tours’ 90 minute narrated boat tour takes you cruising through history at your leisure. Learn about the famed Erie Canal, Buffalo’s history as the largest grain port in the world and the scoopers who helped feed a nation.

EXPLORE BUFFALO | DAILY TOURS PLEASE INQUIRE PRICE VARIES $15-$45 ACCORDING TO TOUR If you would rather take in the sites by foot, Explore Buffalo is the perfect in depth guided walking tour. Witness the work of America’s greatest architects up close while learning about Buffalo’s rich history.

Explore Buffalo has a number of tours to choose from, including ones focused on Downtown, Waterfront and Grain Elevators, Crime in the Queen City, Art Tours, Gilded Age Series and more that will have you peeling your jaw off the ground at the beauty. Cycling and kayak tours are also available for those who wish to squeeze more sites into your day and gain another perspective on the city.

FORGOTTEN BUFFALO TOURS | RESERVATIONS ENCOURAGED | PLEASE INQUIRE | $50 PER PERSON A vibrant, off the beaten track bus tour, Forgotten Buffalo Tours is the regions authority on unique landmarks, classic taverns, old world neighbourhoods and Buffalo’s oddities. Described as historic and hip, tours encourage explorers to laugh and ask questions as you eat and drink your way through history. You will visit the unique hidden taverns and pubs off the beaten track and eat your way through Buffalo’s culinary scene.

MASON WINFIELD’S HAUNTED HISTORY GHOST WALKS SUMMER & FALL TOURS | ADULTS $15 / CHILDREN $10 Travel the paranormal side of Buffalo with Mason Winfield’s Haunted History Ghost Walks. Combining history and architecture with ghosts, goblins and ghouls, supernatural author Mason Winfield will have you seeing a darker side of Buffalo. Visit spooky historical sites within East Aurora, Larkinville, the Cobblestone District, Canalside, the Theatre District and more. They even host a haunted pub crawl – a tour of New York’s historic inns and taverns – which is a great adventure for a large group.

BUFFALO TOURS |YEAR ROUND RAIN OR SHINE ALL $10 / STUDENTS $5 Observe both the widely publicized and lesser known stories of the city’s architectural past with Buffalo Tours. This company offers a number of walking tour including their Queen City Downtown tour held daily all year long that showcases the best of Buffalo Architecture and their inside and outside tour of Buffalo City Hall – one of the largest city halls in America and an Art Deco masterpiece.

If tours are just not your thing, visit visitbuffaloniagara.com for a full comprehensive digital walking map of Buffalo along with architectural anecdotes, historical descriptions and numbered routes that make navigating without a group easy. TM

PHOTO CREDIT: ED HEALY

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 59

THE

SEDUCTIVE WORLD OF COGNAC &

CIGARS

BY LYNN OGRYZLO I watched as the dry, brittle tobacco leaves rolled tightly under the nimble fingers of torcedore (cigar roller) Avelino Lara. Lara was once Fidel Castro’s personal cigar roller. He retired to the island of Nassau and that’s where I first met him, rolling cigars at the islands top restaurant, Graycliff. That was a long time ago but my interest in cigars was born that day.

I learned that cigars weren’t just for burly bearded tough guys; I learned that the sophisticated who indulge in the finer things in life included cigars as one of their little luxuries; both men and women.

“It’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen, a woman smoking a cigar,” says Frank Ryan, head bartender of The Western Door at the Seneca Niagara Casino and Resort. Frank is an avid smoker of cigars, “I smoke one a day,” he says with a big smile, “I love the caramel, vanilla and hazelnut play of flavours I get from a good cigar”.

Frank started out with entry level cigars like Montecristo’s and Garcia Vega’s. Today his favourite are the more flavourful Rocky Patel, Arturo Fuente,

Ashton and Romeo & Julieta’s. “I’m an everyday cigar smoker.”

But being a bartender Frank never smokes alone.

While cigars and cognac are as classic a combination as Napoleon and Josephine, Frank has his finger on the pulse of the most popular drinks today, “all brown’s are hot right now, like never before!”.

Frank is referring to not only cognac, but whisky, bourbon, dark tequilas, and dark rums. Cognac XO’s like Rémy Martin, Courvoisier, Hennessy and Martell; Single Malt Scotch like Islay and Lagavulin; Canadian Rye like Gibson Whisky; Dark premium rum, like Zaya and Añejo and dark tequila like Don Julio and Reposado.

I picked up his glass of Zaya dark rum and my olfactory senses were flooded with the richest Madagascar vanilla, soft gooey caramel and frothy warm cream.

Woah! As soon as it touched my lips the initial burn was soothed with flavours of liquid caramel corn, sticky pecans and crème brûlée. “Now imagine a cigar giving you similar flavours,” says Frank with eyes that were longing to try them both together. >>

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 61

C

igars have varied flavours that range from the obvious tobacco, earth, nuts, cocoa and espresso, to the surprising flavours of cherry, plum, salt and a whole range of spices such as cardamom, clove, pink peppercorns and licorice.

There are floral nuances to mineral, herbal and wet aromas like moss, wet stone and must. Like a fine wine, cigars are appreciated, aged and savoured with pure enjoyment. So complex are the aromas and flavours of the different cigars that Cognac Gautier sent several of their cognacs to Cuban cigar makers to taste and give their feedback relative to the enjoyment of cigars. A number of blends were initially created based on their responses, two were settled on, the full bodied Gautier XO Pinar Del Rio Cigar Cognac (named after the Cuban valley where the best tobacco leaves are harvested) and the Gautier Panatela, a lighter Pineau des Charentes for the lighter cigar smokers. All of the cigar makers blind-tasted the blends and agreed on four blends.

Generally speaking cigars fall into two groups; Natural wrapped and Madero wrapped. Maduro is darker (dark brown to midnight black), complex and more robust, natural is lighter in both color and flavour. Of course, there are exceptions to this generalization and all cigar makers make both. Regardless of which category of cigar you prefer, a good cigar will burn evenly and give you equal flavour from the first draw to the last.

“My every day cigar is a natural wrap, (but) when I’m drinking scotch or cognac after dinner, I go for a richer Maduro,” says Frank who invites me for an after dinner drink and smoke; a Maduro with a glass of Woodford Reserve, small batch Kentucky bourbon, rich, brown and delicious. I picked up the cigar in my fingers and he laughs. “No, you’d look better in a Panatela,” he says as if dressing me. Panatelas are similar to a Corona only they’re usually longer and thinner, almost 7-inches long.

Frank and I make a pit stop at the Tinder Box Cigar store in Williamsville, NY. Tinder Box is the number one retailer of premium cigars in the state.

Owner Jim Dvorak, claims “we have over 1,080 open boxes of cigars”. It’s a little too overwhelming for me but this is where Frank comes to select his cigars, where he’s learned so much about the world of cigars, where he comes to chat about cigars and brown drinks and where he brought me to find a cigar that I would enjoy with my bourbon.

Jim talks to me in generalities, he explains he may start with a mild cigar like a Macanudo around mid morning and in the evening he’s worked his way into the fuller, bolder cigars like a Rocky Patel. “Like (the) cognac and rum business, there is an infinite

choice of cigar styles, sizes, makers, flavours and choices,” says Jim. “Usually if you’re drinking bourbon, you want something with a little more body to it, not quite a bold cigar but definitely a heartier one.” He gives examples like a Padron Maduro 1964 Aniversario with a hint of cocoa, toasty undertones and nutty nuances, the Davidoff, a Nicaraguan Diadema with flavours of raisin, almond and coffee bean and the Arturo Fuente, Double Chateau, simply rich and delicious.

While Frank loves those choices, I find a Baccarat Panatela calling my name. It’s smaller, slender, lighter and not as intimidating as the big fat cigars.

With two new cigars, we leave and settle into Frank’s evening ritual of a good smoke and drink.

There’s something about smoking a cigar, the long exhales, the way your shoulders drop, the way your olfactory senses dance around the fleeting aromas of the cigar and the permeating flavours of the bourbon. Perhaps that was the magic of my light cigar/rich brown experience, Frank describes his experience as robust, balanced and equally relaxing.

We don’t talk much, we just listen to the sounds of ice floating in a glass and smoke wafting through the air.

Like wine and food pairings, both Frank and Jim talk of cigars and rich browns as subjective matches. I liked my Baccarat Panatela with the Woodford Reserve Bourbon – a lot, but I would think the Baccarat would be as inappropriate with 30-year-old XO Cognac as a Pinot Blanc is with roast beef. It’s like the world of cheeses, wines and spirits, we get to mix them together in ways that please us yet, it’s not so much the result that pleases most, as the journey.

Like Frank and Jim, Rick McLeod, Manager of Premier Wine & Spirits in Amherst, NY is a cigar smoker and it’s where Frank comes for his cognac, whisky, bourbon, dark tequilas, and dark rums.

Premier carries everything from standard bottles to rare and out-of-your-mind expensive. It’s Frank’s favourite playground outside the Tinder Box. Rick explains, “the unique thing about the browns is that they’ve endured some type of oak aging. Oak is a tree and tobacco is a natural product that grows from the ground. They naturally have similarities that make them compatible.”

Rick suggests there’s some good value in Armagnacs. The French brandy that hails from the Armagnac region has amazing complexities for the money that suit many cigars. He also agrees with Frank that bourbon with its sweet character goes really well with cigars. As for Rick? “I love a cohiba, it’s as perfect a cigar as they come and I lean towards Aniversario because it’s the most complex” TM

‘THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT SMOKING A CIGAR, THE LONG EXHALES, THE WAY YOUR SHOULDERS DROP, THE WAY YOUR OLFACTORY SENSES DANCE AROUND THE FLEETING AROMAS OF THE CIGAR AND THE PERMEATING FLAVOURS OF THE BOURBON.’

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 63

“I loved autumn, the one season of the year that God seemed to have put there just for the beauty of it.”

–Lee Maynard

FALL FOR THE OLD-WORLD CHARM OF ELLICOTTVILLE & ALLEGANY

BY LAUREN CHARLEY

Part of New York’s Cattaraugus County, Allegany State Park and the town of Ellicottville are known as a holiday maker’s paradise in both the winter and summer seasons.

In winter, the location’s mountainous setting is a favorite hotspot for those who love to ski and snowboard or simply enjoy the picturesque scenery of a snow-covered winter wonderland.

During the summer months, the area is revisited by those wishing to relish the few months of precious warmth and enjoy the wildness of upstate New York, making memories out on a lake, or enjoying one of the many outdoor festivities the townships proudly offer.

The area, however, is a prime location to visit during any time of the year. The sensation of autumn is heightened within the colorful surroundings as the leaves begin to turn and air starts to cool, and the communities offer an array of celebrations for all ages to enjoy.

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SIMPLE PLEASURES ELLICOTTVILLE Renowned as a premier ski resort village and home to the HoliMont Ski Club, the largest private ski club in North America, Ellicottville enjoys a healthy level of tourism during all seasons by those who want to experience the scenic nature and welcoming culture of upstate New York.

Although it is only one square mile in size, the town offers an eclectic mix of shops and boutiques as well as a variety of dining establishments, live music and nightlife, and hosts festivities throughout the year. Autumn is the perfect time to visit Ellicottville. A cruise along the foothills of the scenic Allegany Mountains allows you to witness the magnificent change from summer to fall, relishing the spectacular colors and fresh scent of the fall foliage.

The main streets are a welcoming place to wander, with friendly locals and a distinct 19th century charm which demonstrates the community’s efforts to preserve the historic homes and buildings.

Ellicottville Brewing Company is a 10 barrel, whole grain craft brewery which offers tours of their facilities year round, educating visitors on the science and procedures used in their tasty local brews. A trip to the brewery is not complete without a delicious

meal at their restaurant with a menu of traditional pub fare favourites with a tasty gourmet twist.

HOLIDAY VALLEY Holiday Valley offers far more than just an optimal spot to enjoy the mountains when the snow has settled and skiers prepare for the winter excitement. The resort is also a popular tourist destination in the summer months, as it offers swimming pools, nature trails, golf, and a ‘Sky High Adventure Park’.

Sky High Adventure Park is the largest aerial park in New York State, and is open Fridays throughout October 18th, and continuing to operate on Saturdays and Sundays through November 1st.

Guests can enjoy chair lift rides to the top of Spruce Mountain, where they can explore the 14 acre lake and surrounding nature trails. A playground in the tree tops offers 13 rope courses ranging from easy to difficult, where climbers navigate their way through bridges, cables and zip lines.

The park also features a 3-D climbing wall, The Climbing Forest, and Mountain Coaster, a speed-controlled thrill ride that zig zags down the mountain! >> TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 65

ELLICOTTVILLE FALL FESTIVAL

RED HOUSE

Ellicottville Fall Festival is a weekend of fun taking place October 11th to 12th this year, celebrated both in the town of Ellicottville and in the renowned ski resort, Holiday Valley.

In town, the streets of Ellicottville are closed off to make room for a variety of vendors including arts and crafts, food stalls, rides and activities. Local businesses and restaurants take part in the festival to share the magic of their quaint town with tourists coming to sample the wondrous fall setting and welcoming culture.

At Holiday Valley, the autumn season is celebrated utilizing the facilities of the ski resort to provide visitors with chairlift rides through the backdrop of changing colors to the top of the mountain where they can enjoy a delicious cookout and live music.

The Sky High Aerial Adventure Park and Mountain Coaster remain open, and those who are up for the challenge can participate in a 5k run.

The Red House Area of Allegany State park is named after Red House Lake, where everything is centrally located around the water including a distinct Tudor-style Administration building with a natural history museum and gift shop.

Visitors love to enjoy activities during all seasons, which in the summer include five miles of paved bike paths, boat and bike rentals, swimming and sunbathing on the sandy beach and fishing spots. During the fall time the paths and trails are beautiful for walking through the changing colors of leaves and in the winter the area is a favourite spot for snowmobiling.

An impressive bedrock city, Thunder Rocks, is a unique site for nature lovers, as the structure is home to a diversity of wildlife and mature forestry. Thunder Rocks is a fascinating formation of rocks with an interesting geology. Approximately 360 million years ago, the whole of New York State was submerged by a large, shallow body of water.

Nearby at this time, the Catskill Mountains were formed to the East, and sediment from the mountains eventually eroded, and deposited in western New York, forming

ALLEGANY STATE PARK

PLAN YOUR TRIP To plan your visit to Ellicottville and Allegany and discover the many opportunities the area has to offer, visit ellicottvilleny.com.

The Allegany State parks offers an expansive area of un-glaciated land stretching 65,000 acres, with lush green grass and tall trees which share their wonderful array of vibrant colors in the fall season, bringing to life a kind of magic in the center of nature.

Allegany is one of the largest of New York’s state parks, and therefore is split into two areas, Red House and Quaker areas, each with their own unique beauty but sharing the commonality of being a serene place to explore the miles of groomed hiking and walking trails on a crisp autumn day.

Red House and Quaker are popular camping destinations year-round, as each of them are equipped with modern facilities and amenities, and many of the cottages available to rent are built to withstand colder weather conditions to enjoy the park during the fall and winter months in the beautiful scenery of glistening snow.

Thunder Rocks.

QUAKER AREA The Quaker area is home to two lakes with a sandy beach for swimming, two fishing piers and an access point for those wanting to canoe or kayak. Hikers can enjoy exploring the naturally formed caves with a diversity of plants and an abundance of wildlife within the intricate ecosystems. Sports fans can enjoy playing on the baseball fields, basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts, as well as horseshoe pits for more casual competition.

During the autumn months, the scenery is at its prime as the colors and patterns are brought to life within the forests, rolling hills, ponds, lakes, and fields present throughout the park. Check the schedule to see when live music will be performed on stage in Quaker’s very own amphitheatre! TM

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