WARREN BUFFETT CEO Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
Trevor’s passion for finance and home design has led him to pursue a career in real estate.
With his extensive knowledge of the market, and the home maintenance experience he gained, he knew it was time to make the jump to real estate. His expertise has proven to help his clients achieve their financial and real estate goals. Trevor has years of experience in real estate, excellent customer service and a commitment to work hard, listen and follow through. He provides quality service to build relationships with clients and more importantly, maintain those relationships by communicating effectively.
As a realtor, Trevor’s first priority is to make his clients happy. He listens to his clients’ wants and needs to achieve the best outcome in every transaction, and he strives to ensure that the buying or selling process is fun, easy, and stress-free. His clients can count on him any time of day when they have a question or a concern. Although location is important, Trevor recognizes that his clients should be prioritized over all else. He stays committed to their interests, understanding how important the decision to buy or sell a property can be.
BERKSHIRE
SALES REPRESENTATIVE
WEST REALTY
Oakville Branch 210 Lakeshore Road East #4
Branch
Phone: 289-242-6642 trevor@bhhsoakville.ca
Phone: 905-844-8068 gloria@bhhsoakville.ca
www.trevorallman.ca
www.gloriayellery.ca
Welcome to the October Issue of Look Local!
There seems to be so much negative news in our world at the moment - the war in Ukraine, the after-effects of the pandemic, inflation, worries about recession, interest rates going up…
In this context, we see our role at Look Local as vitally important. We focus on the positive things happening in our local community – the amazing generosity of our neighbours, the resilience of our local businesses, and the fun things to explore and do close to home. There is so much to celebrate and be proud of, and we are happy to play a small part in spreading this good news.
Enjoy this issue of Look Local!
publisher cf LOOKLOCALMAGAZINE looklocalmagazine.com
Root
Root
Beth Walder
Anneliese Lawton
Julian Kingston Erin Pepler Lisa Evans
Sarah Noble Jennifer Brewster Vanessa Chong
Alana MacKenzie
For Advertising or General Inquiries 905.845.8732
Look Local Magazine is published 10 times per year and is distributed for free at over 550 locations in Oakville, Burlington and surrounding areas. Copies are also distributed to select neighbourhoods using direct mail.
Look Local Magazine is owned and published by Novavita Publishing Limited 1464 Cornwall Road # 8, Oakville, Ontario L6J 7W5
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Fall-scented candles have hit the shelves, and pumpkin spice is everywhere Ð it is officially one of my favourite times of the year. Food, fashion, and foliage come alive in the autumn months. And we've made sure to incorporate the delicious scents and flavours of fall into this very special Thanksgiving issue of Look Local Magazine.
Starting with food. Specifically, meatballs. It seems like every family has their own take on it, but we spiced things in our Food feature with autumn-friendly flavours. They may even earn a spot on your Thanksgiving table.
Another fall flavour: crisp and delicious apples. Local pick-yourown orchards are full of fun this time of year with corn mazes, wagon rides, and even giant sandboxes. Our Just for Fun feature highlights them all. And if you’re looking for some adult-friendly fun, our Round-Up feature will lead you to the best Cideries in the area.
In this issue, Oakville Museum supervisor, Julian Kingston, shares the inspiring story of Juliet Chisholm (the great-granddaughter of Oakville’s founder) – her career in medicine, her role in the Royal Canadian Medical Corps, and the legacy she left behind.
There’s nothing more important than the safety of you and the people you love. This Home and Garden issue is a special one, featuring impressive technologies in home security that you can access from the palm of your hand.
Here, at Look Local Magazine, we would like to encourage you to spend some time reading through our special events feature highlighting the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We honour First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities and remember the children who never returned home from residential schools.
EDITOR | anneliese@looklocalmagazine.com
Your home should be your sanctuary — a place you feel relaxed, comfortable, and above all else, safe. This is even more true if you have kids, pets, or an aging family member who lives with you. Let’s keep your sweet home as safe and secure as possible — you’ll be glad you took the time to protect your loved ones and your biggest asset. If you’re interested in adding security features to your abode, here are a few key areas to address.
Start by ensuring you have great exterior lighting. Motion-activated lights are an excellent option, but anything that lights up your yard is effective. Consider wall-mounted lights at your front door and on either side of your garage, ground-level lighting along any walking paths, and motionactivated lights at your back and/or side entry. If you have a large yard, you may also want to add floodlights with a motion sensor, and if you travel often, consider exterior lights with a timer setting to help give the illusion that someone is home in the evening. Groves Electric in Hamilton has a wide selection of outdoor light fixtures and installation services, and your local hardware store will have DIY options.
Your home should have a modern, high-quality lock system at each access point, including the garage. Additionally, be sure to have functioning locks on all main-floor windows. If you keep valuable items in a shed or other outbuilding, install proper lock systems on those doors as well. You may also want to have a lock on your back gate!
Your front door is essential to your home’s security, so talk to an expert about keyed and coded lock systems. Each option has pros and cons — ease of use, reliability, safety, and durability, for example — and a home security professional can advise on which is best for your home and family. Consider reaching out to Oaktown Lock and Hardware on Speers Road in Oakville — they’ve been serving Halton residents since 1964.
Consider a doorbell camera or other digital security solution if you travel frequently or spend extended periods away from your home — even to the cottage at weekends. The Ring system is a popular and affordable option. You can also get large-scale video surveillance systems that allow you to view live footage of your home’s interior and exterior via an app on your phone. Not only will this give you peace of mind if you’re worried about home intruders or porch pirates, but it can also alert you to other issues, such as flooding. A double win!
Digital21 in Burlington has a wide variety of tech solutions, including surveillance cameras, innovative home features, and gate access/control. A1 Security Systems in Burlington offers home alarm systems and innovative home features, and Sounds Good in Oakville has a similar offering.
today
info@tavaresdesigns.com
From a simple alarm system to a fully integrated security system, there are a number of ways to incorporate additional safety measures into your home (or cottage). PMWYRE in Burlington offers design, installation, and maintenance of full-service alarm systems for every need and budget. All systems (camera, video, doorbell, alarm, lights, shades) can be managed through a single app. And even better, you can access the feed from anywhere in the world.
And there’s even more! PMWYRE also offer leak and flood detection and CCTV. This means your systems can detect leaks (such as a hot water tank, sump pump, or split dishwasher hose) and will send a notification right to your smartphone. In some cases, you can even close the water valve from the app on your smartphone to prevent further damage. With CCTV, you can constantly be in the know about what’s happening at home. PMWYRE helps by strategically placing cameras around your home, and then provides you with access to the stream from virtually anywhere in the world. Some systems also come with built-in mics so you can hear the audio in addition to viewing colour images.
How’s that for safety? LL
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by LISA EVANS
The hot sunny days of summer may be over, but the crisp cool air and vibrant fall colours make the perfect combination for family fun at the farm. Whether you’re picking your own pumpkin or apples, getting lost in a corn maze, petting a goat, or taking a hay ride, Halton region’s farms have tons of fun activities in store for the whole family.
9365 10 Side Road, Milton | andrewsscenicacres.com
This pick-your-own farm is a great place to get your apples and pumpkins this fall, but aside from the produce, it’s an excellent destination for family fun. From peaceful walking trails to wagon rides, playgrounds, farm animals, straw mountain climbs, and miniature straw mazes, the kids may never want to leave. Don’t forget to pick up a yummy pie for dessert at the Farm Store.
Fall in love with the colours of autumn! Find unique, Canadian, handmade gifts and home decor items for animal lovers at Nest.
171 Locke St S, Hamilton social: @nesthamilton web: nesthamilton.com
With over 10,000 apple and pear trees, The Apple Orchard is a great place to explore the beautiful agriculture of Southern Ontario. This farm offers way more than pick your own fruit. There are wagon rides, farm animals, a corn maze, retired tractors for kids to sit on, walking trails, a corn pit, and who can resist a candy apple and sweet apple cider?
1219 Burloak Drive, Oakville brontecreek.org
Located in Bronte Creek Provincial Park, this 150-year-old barn has been transformed into a play loft for kids to climb, jump and burn off some energy. The play barn is located across from the Nature Centre, which features interactive exhibits, live reptiles, hands-on displays, and even costumes. Gnome Road is also located nearby, where you’ll find little wooden fairy houses along a stroller-friendly path. Bronte Creek is home to many animals, including chickens, sheep, goats, cows, and horses. Staff often hold informative workshops where kids can learn how to milk a cow or groom a horse. Check with the park for details.
9528 Regional Road 25, Milton | chudleighs.com
A full day of fall fun awaits at Chudleigh’s. Enjoy a scenic tractor ride, visit the farm yard's pigs, goats, sheep, alpaca, and other animals, and enjoy the vast slides and hay bale jumps in the play area. Or, for some quiet family time, enjoy the scenic nature trail. Plus, there is an incredible outdoor kitchen featuring barnboard pizza’s, hard cider, and so much more. This farm requires pre-booking. You can reserve a 3-hour timeslot on the farm’s website.
1001 Highway 5 West, Dundas | thehanescornmaze.com
You can easily spend an entire day in this place! Take a trek through Canada’s largest corn maze - over 20 acres of cornfields shaped into a new challenging maze each year. Collect clues at various checkpoints to solve the puzzle as you make your way through the maze. Younger kids will love running through the maze to find the checkpoints, and older ones will enjoy decoding the clues at the end to win a prize. Visit the farm
animals on your way to the farmland play area full of swings, slides, a sandbox full of diggers, and even pedal carts. Bring your lunch and camp out at a picnic table while the kids play. Don’t forget to visit their delicious bakery on your way out.
7256 Bell School Line, Milton | springridgefarm.com
Springridge Farm is packed full of fun farm adventures for younger kids. A newly renovated giant sandbox filled with diggers and buckets will surely be a hit with the little ones. Red Muskoka chairs surround the sandbox for adults to lounge in while the kids play. The farm yard includes tube slides, a spider web climber, farm animals, antique tractors, pedal tractors, farm hoppers, a singing chicken show, and a wagon ride. During Harvest Weekends (Sept 17th - Oct 30th), explore the 5-Acre Corn Trail (special admission prices apply). Springridge also serves delicious baked goodies and has a marketplace with country-chic home decor and gifts. LL
Elevate your boot collection with these platform boots, a perfect addition to any 'return to office' wardrobe pureboutique.ca
This beautiful Louis Vuitton bag is the perfect accessory for autumn. My Girlfriend's Closet carries luxury handbags without the luxury price tag.
mygirlfriendsclosetoakville.com
Cozy enough for a snuggle, classy enough for a day at the office. This soft Frank Lyman top wraps you in a comfortable – and chic – cocoon of coziness.
davidwilliamshoes.com
Fresh fashion from Portugal! Upgrade your fall wardrobe and make a statement with these chunky, colour sole boots. With an easy elastic fit and inside zipper, they're not just trendy but comfortable, too! bosandco.com
JUS B' GAUZE
Bamboo is incredibly soft, perfect for sensitive skin, antibacterial, moisture wicking, and is both warming and cooling. Jus B'Gauze carries a wide variety of Bamboo products year-round (Leggings, Tank Tops and Bandeau). jusbgauze.com
This dress from Velvet is crafted from luxe silk cotton voile, which has a hint of sheer and a bold floral statement print. An easy silhouette with elastic at the waist, cuffs and neckline so you can wear on-of-off the shoulder. Pair with some boots and you’re good to go! thehomebodystudio.ca
Sparkle and dazzle (and stay warm) in this beautiful bomber-style jacket. lanasbronte.com
THE GREATGRANDDAUGHTER TO OAKVILLE’S FOUNDER AND HER LEGACY
Artist,
United Nations worker, Grace Juliet Chisholm is such an example.
Museums carry more than just memories of the past, they can also provide a biography of someone’s talent, intellect, and ambition and the story of a life well-lived.
Artist, dancer, military officer, physician, and United Nations worker, Grace Juliet Chisholm is such an example. Born in Oakville on July 17th, 1902, Juliet was great-granddaughter to Oakville’s founder, William Chisholm. Her father, John Alexander Chisholm Jr., was an inventor and businessman, and her mother, Emelda Beeler Chisholm, became an influential social leader and philanthropist.
Widowed when Juliet was only an infant, Emelda purchased Oakville’s Erchless Estate to keep the property in the family and serve as a summer home for herself, Juliet, and Juliet’s older sister, Hazel.
Talented and ambitious, Juliet studied at The Brearley School in New York City as a teenager, and was taught by influential artist, Kenneth Hayes
Miller. However, this was just an early brush with high society and fame. In 1924, while enrolled at the prestigious Barnard College in Manhattan, she exhibited her work with artists Robert Henri, George Bellows, and Henri Matisse!
After graduating from Barnard College, Juliet travelled to Paris, where she studied at the École des Beaux-Arts. While in Paris, she mingled in the artistic atmosphere of contemporaries like Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, and Simone de Beauvoir. In 1926, Juliet married playwright Robert Turney. In keeping with Emelda’s usual approach, the wedding spared no expense, with a ceremony at the American Cathedral followed by a reception at the Ritz Carlton Hotel.
After several years together in France, Robert and Juliet separated amicably. Juliet, unconventional as ever, began a new path. She returned to the United States to take science courses in California. She eventually re-entered Barnard College to study Zoology before being admitted to McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine, graduating with a medical degree in 1940. After completing her residency in pediatrics at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto in 1943, she enrolled in the Royal Canadian Medical Corps as a Captain and served for the remainder of the war years as a medical officer in Toronto, Ottawa, and Washington, D.C.
Proud
help with provincial matters, please reach out to my office,
MPP for Oakville STEPHEN CRAWFORD stephen.crawfordco@pc.ola.org (905) 827-5141 74 Rebecca St. Oakville www.stephencrawfordmpp.ca Constituency Office: For and we would be more than happy to assist.
Juliet recognized the need for civilian care in occupied areas during the war. She wrote to her second cousin, Brigadier General Dr. George Brock Chisholm, to suggest creating a special task force to help with this cause, and volunteered for such a posting. General Chisholm, who would later co-found the World Health Organization, knew that such an effort was being considered. Following the war, Juliet’s ambition was realized when she became the Acting Regional Medical Officer, United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) in Hunan, China, a province
ravaged by post-war famine and disease. Ever the artist, while Juliet worked to alleviate suffering, she also captured the plight of the people through arresting black and white photography.
Juliet returned to live at Erchless Estate in 1947, established a successful pediatric practice out of the Coach House, and was one of two women doctors in town at that time. Still an artist at heart, she continued to produce art and photography and followed other interests, including starting an experimental farm.
When Juliet died in 1964, she left instructions that curators from the Royal Ontario Museum could review her possessions and make selections for the museum. Today, a fine lyra guitar that once graced Juliet’s home is on display in the ROM’s European Galleries.
Juliet's home and life are interwoven throughout what is now the Oakville Museum. The documents, pictures, and objects she left paint a striking portrait of her ambition, the force of her personality, and her keen sense of style, and they tell a powerful story of a women who made her way in the world on her own terms. LL
In September 2018, our editor, Anneliese Lawton, took to Facebook to write about the differences in post-op care between her c-section and her paroti dectomy (a surgery to remove her parotid gland after a tumor was found wrapped around her facial nerves). She couldn’t understand why the two surgeries had such different post-op experiences. The post, which described her struggles with postpartum depression and accessing postpartum resourc es, went viral in just hours. Six million moms from all over the world nodded in unison, all agreeing that support for postpartum mothers, especially those struggling with their mental health, was far from perfect. There was (and is) work to do, and Anneliese has made it her life’s work to advocate for change.
I am proud to announce that this October an extension of that post will be hitting shelves at all major bookstores (and some incredible local businesses), as Anneliese releases her new (and first) book, Welcome to the Jungle: A Frantic Journey Through Motherhood and Self-Discovery. Anneliese believes that getting lost in motherhood is easy – but what’s not easy is understanding why. While navigating motherhood and facing the unexpected (back-to-back high-risk pregnancies, postpartum depression, and a rare tumour), she had an awakening.
Throughout this memoir, Anneliese pinpoints the moments in her life where she truly lost herself, as she comes to understand the power motherhood holds in finally discovering her true self. Filled with unfiltered thoughts and perspectives on womanhood, Welcome to the Jungle isn’t just another parenting book on the highs and lows of motherhood; it will spur a conversation that mothers didn’t know they needed to have.
Local businesses Vereda Central and Chickadee Kids Co will be hosting book signings this October. You can follow Anneliese on Instagram @annielawton_ to keep up with her appearances and book tour.
You can purchase Welcome to the Jungle as of October 1st at Artisanville in Burlington, Lakeside Livin’ in Oakville and Piper’s Closet in Hamilton, in addition to Chapters, Indigo, Coles, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.
Congratulations Anneliese! LL
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, colloquially known as Orange Shirt Day, is a Canadian statutory holiday to recognize the legacy of the Canadian Indian residential school system. This day is meant to also encourage deeper reflection, learning, and public dialogue on the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Our communities are hosting a number of events to honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities.
The City of Burlington is extending an open invitation to all residents and Indigenous people of Burlington and Halton to come to Spencer Smith Park on September 30, 2022, between 4 and 7 p.m. to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The City will provide free space within the park for groups to set up their own displays, interactive events, or information booths.
Spencer Smith Park 1400 Lakeshore Road, Burlington Events.burlington.ca
Enjoy Lacey Hill on the screen in Central Library's Hamilton Room. A soulful musician, singer, and songwriter, Hill composes her music on the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve. She grew up “down the bush” (slang for on the reserve) where her passion for singing emerged when she was a toddler. Central Library 55 York Boulevard, Hamilton Events.hpl.ca
In this session, Indigenous artist, curator and educator, Naomi Smith will discuss the ways the hairpipe is used, as well as the materials and ideas around how the hairpipe got it’s name. Following the presentation participants can construct their own hairpipe using traditional materials. Indigenous teachings will be part of the learning experience.
Oakville Public Library Virtual Attend.opl.on.ca
Explore the history of the lands in the Oakville area from an Indigenous perspective. Take a relaxing walk amongst the beautiful colours of the Oakville Trail system along Bronte Creek. The Moccasin Trail features an Indigenous history kiosk and a series of 13 plaques containing Indigenous stories, verses and information relating to the land, water and sky, giving visitors a deeper understanding of Indigenous heritage.
Sixteen Mile Creek Inner Valley Dundas Street West at Lions Valley Road, Oakville Oakville.ca
Street E.
SEPT 23 TO OCT 30
Explore a magical pathway lit with over 6,000 pumpkin sculptures and displays, with music, sounds, and special effects. With classic Halloween characters, dinosaurs and dragons, and movie and pop culture icons – this family-friendly event has something for everyone.
Country Heritage Park 8650 Tremaine Road, Milton Pumpkinsafterdark.com
Celebrate the changing of the seasons at Ireland House Museum’s Applefest Fall Fair. The day will feature main-stage entertainment, vendors, museum tours, farm animals, historic demonstrations, and a mini local food market. Treat yourself to a serving of signature house-baked apple crisp!
Ireland House Museum 2168 Guelph Line, Burlington Museumsofburlington.com
Carnival Join the Salvation Army on October 1st from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a free family event. Enjoy bouncy castles, games, prizes, free food, popcorn, cotton candy, a free magic show, and so much more!
2270 Speers Road, Oakville Salvationarmy.ca
It’s that time of year for apples, pumpkins, spiced everything, and fall fun! Join the Aldershot BIA for a vendor market, canning, crafting and blacksmithing demonstrations, children’s entertainment, and fun for the whole family!
Aldershot BIA East Plains United Church 375 Plains Road East, Burlington Aldershotbia.com
The Turkey Trot is a great opportunity to celebrate Fall in Bronte Creek Provincial Park. Runners and walkers from all levels are welcome to challenge our 5K loop in the morning and then stay for a relaxing day in the park. This year’s event will also feature a 1K Fun Run for families, a Kidz Zone, as well as 20 local vendors selling food, crafts, and apparel. Bronte Provincial Park 1219 Burloak Drive, Oakville Rotaryturkeytrot.ca
Hamilton: 905-393-7005
Oakville: 905-484-1468
It’s a magical evening on the Pumpkin Trail! Follow the candlelit glow of hundreds of jack-olanterns guiding the way through the garden, and along the Hendrie Valley South Bridle Trail. Enjoy live entertainment, pumpkin-themed activities and fall-inspired treats. Be sure not to miss this unique family-friendly event celebrating the wonders of the autumn season. Don’t forget your costume! Hendrie Park –Royal Botanical Gardens 680 Plains Road West, Burlington Rbg.ca
For one weekend only, pick your pumpkin from our pop-up patch for a donation of $10 or more to the Humane Society. Simply pick your pumpkin and ‘Tap to Donate’ on exit. On Saturday October 22, enjoy live children’s music, story-time in the patch, and pose for an Instagram moment. Then, meet at Towne Square to trick-ortreat with your dog at participating Downtown Shops. Enter the costume contest and browse the pup-up marketplace. All proceeds raised from this event will support the Oakville Humane Society. Centennial Square, Downtown Oakville Oakvilledowntown.com
A special evening to celebrate Gord Downie’s music, legacy, and call-to-action to “Do Something” in our collective reconciliation journey with Canada’s First Peoples. Featuring Tom Wilson, Susan Aglukark, The Poets, and more! Burlington Performing Arts Centre 440 Locust Street, Burlington Burlingtonpac.ca
Eat, drink, and be scary! Experience a tour of Ireland House Museum at night with a ghoulish twist. You’ll learn about mourning traditions throughout the years and the Victorian tradition of post-mortem photography. Join Patrick Cross of Burlington Ghost Walks for fireside ghost stories. Specialty spooky cocktails and treats will be served during your visit. 19+ event.
Ireland House Museum 2168 Guelph Line, Burlington Museumsofburlington.ca
OCT
Some of Canada’s finest jazz musicians come together for a phenomenal evening of music including Guido Bass, Heather Bambrick, Mike Murley, Robi Botos, Dave Young, and Davide DiRenzo.
Burlington Performing Arts Centre 440 Locust Street, Burlington Burlingtonpac.ca
Experience the historic Hamilton Waterworks in a completely different light! This special afterdark tour will take you through the fascinating 1859 Pumphouse and the rarely-seen basement of the 1913 Electric Pumphouse. Experience what life would be like for a Victorian engineer working the evening shift at the Waterworks. Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology 900 Woodward Ave, Hamilton Hamilton.ca
OCT 29&30
This Dessert Fest & Shopping Market is sure to be a sweet event! Featuring 90+ vendors, sweet treats, food trucks, pumpkin painting, daily swag bags for the first 25, prizes, and more!
Oakville Conference & Banquet Centre 2515 Wyecroft Road, Oakville KBeventscanada.com
Itwasn’t all that long ago that craft beer took Ontario by storm. In 2015, after much grumbling by craft brewers and beer drinkers alike, the provincial government introduced new measures aimed at making it easier for small local brewers to deliver their products to Ontario’s growing population of beer geeks. Since then, Ontario has seen a boom in both the quantity and quality of craft beer. It seems like nearly every region has a renowned brewery, and post-secondary schools have been expanding access to brewing programs.
However, it might be time for craft beer to take a back seat –said no one ever – but, hard cider is also trending in popularity. With fall just around the corner and local farmers’ fields lined with apple trees weighed down with fruit, there is no better time of the year to round-up local cideries.
West Avenue Cider is where authenticity and tradition meet big city lights. This small-batch cidery has been awarded Best Cider in Ontario for several years running. Heritage apples are rare in Canada, so West Avenue planted thousands of trees in their orchard to ensure their heritage ciders remain authentic. Using only the best ingredients, coupled with a slow fermentation process, West Avenue releases new ciders every month that are seasonally inspired by their Cider Maker. Try Legend of the Fall, a Spanish-style sour cider, or Autumn, fermented with wild yeast, unfiltered and unpasteurized.
84 Concession Road 8 East, Freelton | Westavenue.ca
CARLISLE CIDER CO.
1453 Milburough Town Line, Carlisle | Carlisleciderco.com
A family farm with decades of history, Carlisle Cider Co. has come to be known as one of Ontario’s most renowned apple farms and packers. While the third generation has expanded its offering, they have never lost sight of quality, integrity, and community. Carlisle is a small and simple town, and Carlisle Cider Co believes their hard cider should be that way too. They pay homage to their farming roots, dating back to the late 1800s, and keep their line of products narrow (so as to never spread the love too thin). Each cider was inspired by a special place in their little town. Discover all three: Tally Ho Valley (flavour of crisp green apple and fresh grapefruit zest), Chapel on the Twelve (flavour of apple and white apricot blossoms), and Progreston Falls (flavour of ripe bosc pear and vanilla).
1137 Boston Mills Road, Caledon | Spirittreecider.com
A cidery, a bakery, and a farm shop – there isn’t much Spirit Tree Estate doesn’t offer when it comes to apples. This small, communityfocused cidery is located on an environmentally-friendly property in Caledon. After years of running a successful farm market and pick-your-own operation, owners Thomas Wilson and Nicole Judge wanted to create a legacy for their family – a modern cidery that honoured old-world traditions. Today, they create craft ciders made on-site with Ontario apples, pears, and seasonal flavours. Try their Pumpkin Spice Cider, made from pumpkins roasted in their woodfired oven, or their Apple Cranberry Cider Spritzer for a refreshingly sweet-tart flavour.
You can find many local ciders in the LCBO – but they don’t carry everything. Be sure to visit your local cidery to explore all they have to offer (including yummy grub, great views, and wonderful conversation). LL
I’mpartial to a meatball. They’re incredibly versatile and easy to make, and for me at least –they’re nostalgic. Over the years, I watched my Nonna handroll at least a thousand meatballs as she hovered over her speckled linoleum counter. My mom minced meat and garlic, and then hand-mixed and rolled them right on our kitchen island. As for me – I have three kids and zero time – so my meatballs come from places like Burlington’s Platter Company (self-proclaimed best meatballs in town). Everyone in my family seems to like something different, so we stock up on their beef/pork and chicken meatballs. They’re gluten-free and pair phenomenally well with their house-made pappardelle. (P.S Their honey garlic meatballs are great for game day).
Our family recipe was never written down, and the ingredients were never measured. When my grandmother passed away, her meatballs went with her. And to me, those meatballs tasted like home. I spent years trying to replicate her recipe until I discovered Nonna’s Oven in Oakville. Their 50-year-old recipe is authentic, perfected, and tastes…well, like home. Made of veal and pork, the foundation of the recipe is exactly like my grandmother’s.
She measured everything by eye, and yet every meatball was full of the same perfect flavour, every time. There was always a dusting of bread crumbs, at least one egg, fresh-cut parsley, salt, and pepper. The meatballs would simmer for hours in my family’s homemade tomato sauce. The walls of my grandmother’s kitchen absorbed the aroma of basil and garlic.
Few things can beat the comfort of a big bowl of pasta and meatballs on a chilly autumn night. And it seems like every family has its own secret recipe for this old-time favourite (hopefully your family actually wrote it down). A little milk here, some ketchup there, maybe even some parsley or cheese. They’re easy to freeze, and many recipes can be gluten-free or even vegan. (Try Familia’s Fine Food's handmade gluten-free beef meatballs in a rustic tomato sauce). With this much variability, they also make the perfect side dish.
If you love fall flavours, then a simple turkey meatball, blended with stuffing seasoning, milk, bread, sautéed onions, and celery is a fool-proof Thanksgiving meal. Serve over mashed potatoes with cranberry sauce, gravy, candied yams, and Brussel sprouts – and you have an entire Thanksgiving meal without the stress of making a turkey.
For a vegan twist, lentil and mushroom stuffing meatballs with sweet dried cherries are the perfect mix. Again, they pair perfectly with mashed potatoes – but this time, try a vegan mushroom gravy to keep it friendly for your herbivore friends. If you’re nervous about trying your hand at a vegan ball – try Baranga’s on the Beach in Burlington. They serve a vegan meatball made of eggplant, tomato, and fava beans.
For other fun fall flavours, try adding apple butter and all-spice to Swedish meatballs for a spiced apple flavour. Or mix pumpkin puree, sage, cinnamon, and ground nutmeg into ground turkey and serve over spaghetti squash for the perfect fall dish.
Do you like to keep things traditional? Brick Oven Bakery in Burlington has oversized meatballs, perfect for a main dish. Add fresh pasta and a crispy loaf of ciabatta bread for a warm and hearty comfort meal.
Our favourite thing about meatballs? They’re the perfect menu item to experiment with – and when you add seasonal ingredients, you may just be crafting a family recipe that will be passed down for generations. LL
T H E P L A T T E R C O M P A N Y ' S
"this is a Thanksgiving meal" more than over indulgent side dishes. This recipe takes the classic French Dauphinoise potato with its rich gruyere cheese, cream and seasoning and replaces the Yukon Gold potato with a seasonal sweet potato! Oh yesss... stand down ordinary potato!
There's a new twist in town!
If you need more, double the quantities or pre-order as much as you need from The Platter Co. You can say you did it yourself... we won't tell!
THE PLATTER COMPANY
GOURMET MARKET
905.464.1138
175 Plains Road East, Burlington
Tues to Fri 10-6, Saturday 10-4 theplattercompany.ca
ü 2 medium sized sweet potatoes
ü 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
ü 6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
ü 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
ü Garlic (fresh or powder but not garlic salt)
ü Thyme (if fresh make sure there are no stalks)
ü Pepper to taste
1 Preheat the oven to 375 F and butter an aluminum pan or dish of choice.
2 Thinly slice the sweet potatoes into circles and layer on the bottom of your pan overlapping. You don't want to see the bottom but you don't want to pile too high either. Use the odd shaped bits to cover up the holes.
3 Add a nice amount of the shredded gruyere cheese to cover up the potatoes. Sprinkle some of the parmesan and then thyme. Not too much but enough to season.
4 Repeat for 3 layers, or more if using a higher dish. 3 layers should be perfect for a 2” high dish.
5 Once done and the top layer is complete, then the real magic happens. Pour the whipping cream over the layers until just over the top. If you need more cream, just do it!
6 Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour. Uncover for the last 20-30 minutes until golden on top. Once a fork can easily go through, they are done!
