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Passion Projects: Local Independent Furniture Makers

March 10, 2017 No Comments

How many of us toil away at jobs we don’t love, only to spend a few stolen hours during evenings and weekends embracing our true passions? It takes time and definitely some courage to devote ourselves full-time to living the creative life we crave. Local independent furniture makers have taken the leap, and are living lives that make them — and their clients — truly happy.

After spending many years working in book and magazine publishing, followed by a period when she stayed home with her two young children, Oakville-based designer Liz Schensema-Stone decided to finally pursue her love of creativity and building. “For many years now I have ‘worked’ for myself making furniture, adding built-ins to my home, and finishing our basement,” says Schensema-Stone. Last year she joined the Facebook group ‘Handmade in Halton – South (Oakville/Burlington)’ and decided to put out a post to see if she could generate interest. She received responses immediately, and got her first project order shortly after.

She says her overall furniture style is farmhouse inspired, featuring rustic, distressed and “lived-in” pieces that clients are not afraid to use, as additional dents and scratches only add to the character. “I think the most surprising thing to me was that I never had to post again because the jobs came to me one after another,” she says, having completed seven projects this past fall. “I’ve always been a creative person, but really wanted to hone in on what my passion was. My objective is to only work with one client at a time truly giving them the custom treatment.”

Described as a “one-man show,” Devon Stange of Kraft-Works in Waterdown gave up his career as a firefighter and rescue tech in the oil and gas industry to embrace creating one-of-a-kind, custom order coffee tables, side tables, candle holders, consoles, desks, shelving and more for clients yearning for something different. Stange uses materials and hardware all locally sourced from small businesses and local farms. “I love to save and repurpose antiques and hardware, and all the wood is 100 per cent reclaimed,” he says. “I’ve always been handy in general, and I really love building and creating.”

Working from home with all locally sourced wood for a rustic modern look, Stange also uses other interesting accessories such as genuine antiques including old sewing machines, plus he makes his own finishes such as bees wax, for an added unique touch. “I do a lot of custom work, about 90 per cent,” he says, “and my favourite part is still my customers’ reactions.”

Craig Clements of Rustic House Interiors in Oakville, spent more than 20 years in the IT industry before moving to full-time furniture design and building less than three years ago, and he doesn’t regret it for a second. “I’ve always had an interest and a passion for woodworking, he says, “and I always did it on the side, self-taught. Over the years it just kind of snowballed into a full-time occupation.”

Aside from the creative aspect, Clements most enjoys working for himself while helping others bring their creative visions to life. Working primarily on dining room tables and consoles, he likes to push himself to embrace the larger pieces. “The bigger the better,” he says. “I am a perfectionist and love to pay attention to detail with the custom pieces. My work is sturdy and built to last.”

He says his years in the service industry have paid off, as his work ethic dictates that he keep his clients happy, no matter what the project. “I’ve never had a table come back from an unsatisfied client,” he says. “Clients have a say in all the pieces I create for them.”

At Little Sapling Co., based in Burlington, Rachel Croll-Reid takes people’s furniture and décor dreams and turns them into a reality, with finishes designed to fit clients’ personal and unique visions and desires. “We have an appreciation for melding the high standards of furniture makers of the past with more modern design,” she says. “Because we design furniture to our customers’ needs and desires, we provide a high quality and unique product that’s literally created in house from start to finish.” The company also sources as many materials as possible from small businesses in Halton.

Little Sapling Co., strives to find ways to design and build pieces to “stand the test of time,” while fulfilling the wishes of clients. “We love to involve our clients,” says Croll-Reid, “from choosing and brainstorming, to material and finish choices.”

For those who have a creative vision but feel thwarted in their daily routines, find inspiration in these individuals who strive to embrace their creative vision and produce their very best work every day. As Croll-Reid says, all these artists strive to create pieces that “we’d be proud to have in our own home.”

by Allion Dempsey

Local Links

Liz Schensema-Stone, Oakville
lschensema@hotmail.com
289-208-4318

Kraft-Works, Waterdown
facebook.com/KraftWorksDesign

Rustic House Interiors, Oakville
(by appointment only)
rustichouseinteriors.com

Little Sapling Co., Burlington
facebook.com/littlesaplingco

In Articles

Montessori Education – Where teaching is for life

January 19, 2017 No Comments

In one corner of this sunny classroom, a group of children are painting pictures, while children in another area are playing games. Across the room, two girls are sitting quietly while eating snacks. It’s not a scene you would typically find in most classrooms where the desks are neatly lined up and children learn from the same lesson. But this is a Montessori learning environment which follows the philosophy that children learn by doing rather than by being told what to do, and that they learn at their own pace. There are several schools in Oakville and Burlington that offer a traditional Montessori approach.

At the Clanmore Montessori School on Lakeshore Road in Oakville, the building itself tells you that something different is going on inside. The original building was a farmhouse built in 1904 and the second addition was designed to look like an old barn and is covered in reclaimed barn board. The green roof is in keeping with the school’s philosophy on green living. Pine trees surround the building and there’s a special magnolia tree where students often go for quiet talks. When the school opened in 1997, there were 50 students (toddler to grade two) compared to 150 now (toddler to middle school).

Clanmore’s Communication Co-ordinator, Anne Mercer, says the school’s approach to learning is based on Dr. Maria Montessori’s observations about the developmental needs and abilities of children, which are addressed both in terms of content and approach as well as subject areas. Rather than being compartmentalized, all facets of a child’s development are addressed, including academic, physical, social and emotional. The key is to take an individualized approach with each child. “What emerges are students who are independent, curious, responsible, self-disciplined, empathetic, and able to collaborate,” says Mercer. “They have strong academics, leadership skills and initiative. They are the best versions of themselves.”

Dr. Montessori’s belief was that you should educate the child for life so that when they become adults, they’re able to contribute their skills, knowledge and talents to the betterment of their communities. Mercer notes that Clanmore creates an environment where children can learn that way. “We discovered that education is not something which the teacher does, but that it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being.” She says the majority of children thrive under the Montessori model, including children who struggle to learn, but children who need constant one-on-one attention may be beyond the resources of a typical classroom.

Breanne Rymes, Director of School Operations at Dearcroft Montessori School in Oakville, also emphasizes the importance placed at their school on a student-centered approach. Every student has an individualized curriculum that is tailored to his or her abilities and needs. Lessons are presented one on one or in small groups, ensuring each student receives instruction that is appropriate specifically for that student at that time. Students are always working at their highest ability in every subject area. Rymes explains that “with a hands-on, student-centered program, students help drive the curriculum, keeping it interesting and engaging. In addition to using a true Montessori approach, our school regularly has extra classes and programs to ensure students are prepared for the rapidly changing workplace.”

Tammy-Leigh Sage, Director of Fairview Glen Montessori School in Burlington, says the biggest key for success in any child is their ability to self regulate. In a Montessori classroom, if a child has trouble concentrating, the teacher will show them strategies to help them concentrate. Fairview Glen Montessori School has 120 students, from toddler to grade six and, like Clanmore, they’ve seen steady growth since opening in 2007. This year’s enrolment is up by 20 percent from last year.

Sage says parents often enroll their child during the pre-school years and keep them there once they discover the benefits. What parents like is the philosophy that not every child the same age has the same abilities. “They’re looking for an individualized approach to education where teachers plan individual lessons and where every child has an individual plan for the week,” she says. “There’s also a big emphasis on the community and what you can contribute.” She also states that studies have shown that children who attend a Montessori school have an ability to think critically and are more skilled at using their time.

To see if your child would benefit from a method of education that’s beyond a typical classroom setting, consider attending the Oakville Independent Schools open house event on Saturday, January 21st from 10am – 2pm. Visit www.educationoakville.com for more information.

by Denise Davy

Local Links

Fairview Glen Montessori School
fairviewglen.com

Clanmore Montessori School
clanmore.ca

Dearcroft Montessori School, Oakville
dearcroft-montessori.com

Rotherglen School, Oakville
rotherglen.com

Headon Forest Montessori, Burlington
headonforestmontessori.com

Burlington Montessori Preschool, Burlington
burlingtonmontessori.com

Hopedale Montessori School, Burlington
hopedalemontessori.ca

Childventures Early Learning, Burlington
childventures.ca

Western Heights Montessori Academy, Oakville
westernheightsmontessori.com

Trafalgar Ridge Montessori School, Oakville
trms.ca

Glen Abbey Montessori School, Oakville
glenabbeymontessori.com

In Articles

Sweetness From The Heart, Homemade Cookies For The Holidays

November 19, 2016 No Comments

Christmas is a magical time of year, a time when people who usually don’t bake find themselves in the kitchen trying out family recipes. For some it’s a chance to relax and transform a few simple ingredients into something amazing that captures the joys of the season. For others, it’s a chance to create gifts that come straight from the heart, a symbol of the sweetness of friendship and family. For me, it’s about family tradition.

My mom was an excellent baker; every Christmas she would put out a magnificent display of her culinary talents with impressive trays of holiday cookies. She always made her famous shortbread that everyone fought over, there were never enough of her mini pecan tarts or thumbprint cookies; her iced cutout cookies were sheer holiday decadence and everyone would wrestle for her
mincemeat tarts.

Sometimes she would make her luscious chocolate and mint squares, her festive dried fruit icebox cookies, Italian pitzels or anything else that caught her eye that year. She would even craft the most beautiful gingerbread house that adorned our table, begging to be nibbled at throughout the season. I try my best at baking during the holiday season but my mom’s shoes are big ones to fill. I bake her traditional cookies but have added my own such as Whisky Pecan Bites, Niagara Biscotti and Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies.

The kind of cookie you bake is not as important as the flavour of the cookie. If you like that “melt-in-your-mouth” burst of flavour decadence in a cookie, nothing is better than butter. I’ve discovered through trial and error however, that cookies made with shortening hold their shape better. I don’t use margarine, but if you do, never use whipped margarine, the solid sticks are better for baking and they’re easier to measure.

If you’re a fan of chewy cookies you can melt the butter before adding it to the sugars and of course, cook them a few minutes less than the recipe calls for. Brown sugar will give you a chewy cookie while white sugar makes them crisper. Speaking of crisp cookies, try using two egg yolks instead of a whole egg and you’ll be surprised how much crispier each bite will be.

Try cookies with a vinous flair like Black Chocolate Baco Noir Cookies, Lavender Raspberry Cassis Cookies and Cabernet Crescents. Even the trendy French macaroons taste better with some wine with framboise cream between two little raspberry coloured cookies, or champagne cream sandwiched in light golden cookies.

Anyone who loves to bake during the holidays knows that Christmas baking is much more than about baking cookies – it is a way to celebrate life, family and friendship. These irresistibly sweet, icons of enchantment are perfect for gifting, decorating the tree and of course, leaving for Santa. To you and your family this holiday, all of my best wishes for a wonderful holiday season.

by Lynn Ogryzlo

Lynn Ogryzlo is a food, wine and travel writer, international award winning author and regular contributor to Look Local Magazine. She can be reached for questions or comments at www.lynnogryzlo.ca

In Articles

Root Vegetables: Your Local Guide for a Thanksgiving Feast

September 26, 2016 No Comments

Have you ever noticed that most of the vegetables we see at the farmers’ market grow above ground? It may not be something you think about when you look at the abundance of greens, squashes, melons and eggplant. But fall is the season for roots and tubers that grow below the ground and offer what other vegetables cannot: savoury textures and natural sweetness.

As I walk through my farmers’ market at this time of year, I look at the parsnips and carrots and my mouth waters at the thought of them caramelizing along with a joint of meat. I can visualize parsley root to be made into breakfast fritters served with maple syrup, and onions roasted with figs and drizzled with balsamic vinegar. I can imagine my sweet potatoes being puréed for pies and velvety custards, and beets diced into a warm beet and corn salad.

The best part of fall roots is that they keep for longer periods of time in cold cellars or “root cellars” as they were once called. These little basement closets moderate temperatures for the sole purpose of extending the growing season, giving us the ability to eat local long after the first snowfall. Because so many roots will keep, we think of them as winter foods but they’re harvested in the fall making them an essential part of a great Thanksgiving meal.

Thanksgiving is a true food holiday that isn’t cluttered with the frenzy of buying presents, stringing lights or group singing. Thanksgiving dinner is a celebration that marks the end of a season filled with bountiful harvests; it’s about delicious food from the garden and good cooks.

Years ago my Thanksgiving dinner evolved into an affair of friends. Our Thanksgiving dinners have also evolved from the traditional menu of my childhood to the wondrous offerings of the cooks who come together, each brining a different dish to form a collective feast. There are usually four cooks in the kitchen that have spent an entire week scheming and foraging neighbourhood farms purchasing the necessary roots. Locally grown roots like turnips and beets, sweet potatoes and onions are in good supply and economical in this season.

When the day arrives, the kitchen is humming as we take turns swapping recipes and commenting on each other’s dishes. Rutabaga is peeled, Jerusalem artichokes are shaved, carrots are sliced, onions are diced and beets are roasted. On one workstation, thin layers of pasta are being stuffed with purée of yellow turnip and herbs; on the other side of the kitchen small, caramelized onion tarts are being topped with soft goat’s cheese; meanwhile on the stove, pine nuts are being browned for the soup.

The table is set in the beautiful colours of fall and the aromas in the kitchen are full of roasted turkey and sweet roots. The first course is served to the sounds of corks being pulled from bottles of wine. A large steaming terrine of truffled cream of celery root soup dotted with toasted pine nuts sits in the middle of the table; on either side are smaller bowls of glistening baby beets and baskets of Parmesan crusted Jerusalem artichoke chips.

We all sit down and raise a glass to the farmers who labour long to bring us so much fresh and delicious food. The conversation revolves around food, wine and more food. I hope your kitchen is deliciously bountiful this Thanksgiving.

Lynn Ogryzlo is a food, wine and travel writer, international award winning author and regular contributor to Look Local Magazine. She can be reached for questions or comments at www.lynnogryzlo.ca

Local Links

Halton Fresh Food Box, Burlington
haltonfreshfoodbox.com

Busy Liz’s Farm Shop, Campbellville
busylizs.com

Halton Region Farms, Halton
halton.ca

Farmer Jacks, Burlington
farmerjacksmarket.com

In Articles

Public or Private: Choosing The Best School For Your Child

September 22, 2016 No Comments

Choosing which school your kids should go to comes with a list of questions longer than a spelling bee. There are so many options and schooling methods to consider: Catholic, French Immersion, Christian, Montessori and more. We are very fortunate in Halton as our publicly funded schools have great reputations, undoubtedly fueling the immigration to our region. For example, both Oakville Trafalgar and Abbey Park in Oakville consistently rank in the top 10 schools in the province in the annual Fraser Institute rankings.

Oakville and Burlington’s public and separate schools offer many programs and options, including special education resources. For example, you can elect to take the International Baccalaureate curriculum, or sign up for a variety of extra-curricular, athletic and after school programs. The Thomas Merton Centre for Continuing Education in Oakville offers youth, academic upgrade and language programs that are very economically feasible. Kids from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 can take international language classes in one of more than 15 languages during the school year and in the summer. It is widely accepted that learning multiple languages can enhance cognitive development, promote cultural literacy, and increase employability.

In addition to our strong public schools, the Town of Oakville also boasts one of the highest concentrations of independent schools in North America. Jane Hamilton, Executive Director of Oakville Independent Schools (OIS), explains that these schools provide parents with a choice that they may be looking for based on their child’s talents, passions, needs and their family’s situation. “Just as we have great public schools in the area, we also have exceptional independent schools. It’s up to each individual family and parent as to what they decide is best for their child.” Parents opting to send their kids to an independent school may be attracted by the benefits of special needs classes, smaller class sizes, a focus on the arts, or perhaps the philosophy of Montessori-based education. There are also increased opportunities for children to get involved in charitable work. “Every single one of the OIS member schools is involved in some way with giving back to the community,” Hamilton says.

Two schools, Wildwood Academy and Chisholm Academy, focus on the special needs of children with ADHD, autism or dyslexia. Appleby College offers the option of boarding school for international students and requires all students to board in their final year. “Each school has its own mission and philosophy and is uniquely positioned to address each student’s educational goals and needs. It really comes down to what each family is looking for. Their reasons are often very personal and individual,” says Hamilton.

Private school is not just for the wealthy. Many forms of financial assistance are offered through bursaries, scholarships, and payment plans. “It is a cost and it is an investment. Financing an independent education takes planning and most families look at various options to keep costs within reach. Some families choose to manage with one car or forgo family vacations in order to provide for an investment in private education,” notes Hamilton. If you are thinking that a private school might be an option for your child, this is the time of year for school expos and open houses. You should consider attending the 11th annual Halton-Peel Private School Expo on October 16 at St. Joseph’s Banquet & Conference Centre in Oakville, and the members of OIS participate in a joint open house day on October 22nd where you can visit one or all of the eleven schools in one day.

With so many options available, the decision-making process can feel overwhelming. Of course, this is a good problem to have. Choice is important, and at the end of the day parents simply want to make the best decision for their child and their family. Take the time to explore your options, ask meaningful questions, and compare schools objectively. The best part is: the choice is yours.

Local Links

Halton District School Board
hdsb.ca

Halton Catholic District School Board
hcdsb.org

Oakville Independent Schools
educationoakville.com

Thomas Merton Centre for Continuing Education
mertoncentre.com

Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools
oacs.org

Our Kids Media
ourkids.net

In Articles

Leaving On a Floatplane: Fly-in fishing resorts offer great fishing in Ontario’s north

August 25, 2016 No Comments

Afly-in fishing trip is probably an angler’s dream vacation; and even if you are not so keen on fishing, it may be something you should add to your bucket list. The adventure starts right from the get go. No baggage checking required – take your gear down to the dock, climb aboard and take off. Before long, you’ll gaze over wilderness, forests, valleys, lakes and rivers. The floatplane will hold just you and any immediate companions, your gear and the pilot.

There are several fly-in resorts in the Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury area; Tornados Resorts in Armstrong is the closest. If you’d rather not board the plane, you can stay and enjoy your fishing trip right at the main lodge which has nine cottages, a motel and Settler’s Lodge, a five bedroom cottage with views of Pickerel River. There’s also a full-service licensed restaurant and lounge with WiFi (so your Instagram followers will believe that fish was actually “this big”). The main lodge is your base for floatplane charters and sightseeing adventures. There are four fly-in fishing outposts: Smokey Lake Lodge, Portage Lake, Straight Lake and Sinclair Lake. No matter where you go, most fishing lodges offer either an American Plan (maid service and meals served) or Housekeeping Plan (guests are responsible for their own cooking and cleaning).
Smokey Lake Lodge is on an island where secluded two or three bedroom housekeeping cottages have electricity, fully equipped kitchens and all the necessary kitchen utensils. You’ll need to bring your own bedding and towels (plus your fishing gear and personal effects of course). If you go for the American Plan the same-sized cottages offer electricity, hot water, bathrooms (with showers), electric heat, a fridge and daily maid service. This package also includes bed linen and towels. Breakfast and dinner are served in the dining room, while lunches are provided picnic-style or as shore lunch.

Portage Lake is completely private, and together with four surrounding bodies of water plus the Magnetawan River, it is very popular for great bass, pike and walleye fishing. Portage Lake’s outpost is a large three-bedroom cottage that can accommodate up to 11 guests. There’s no electricity here, but it is equipped with propane lighting, a fridge, wood stove and bathroom with hot water. A separate cook’s cabin holds the kitchen and eating area.
Straight Lake is peaceful and private for those wanting to troll for large and smallmouth bass or try to land a large northern pike. You can portage 100 yards over to Courtney Lake where there’s a beach with the perfect shoreline for shore lunch. This outpost cabin has a wood stove, propane-powered fridge, range and lighting. All cooking utensils are provided. Straight Lake Fly-In Cabin is equipped with a BBQ, wood stove, propane refrigerator, range and lights. Although there isn’t any electricity here, there’s no need to stumble out to the outhouse since there’s a three-piece bathroom inside the cottage. There are two bedrooms with two bunk beds each. You’ll need to bring your own pillow and linen.

Sinclair Lake, the fourth outpost was built just four years ago – small and largemouth bass seekers will find both species here. It’s an electricity-free camping style cabin that sleeps up to four people. Cooking is done outside over the fire pit and guests must bring their own linen and food supplies.
People who have done fly-in fishing trips will tell you that it is not just about the fishing. It is about experiencing the beauty and tranquility of Ontario’s north, about truly “getting away from it all”, and about quality time spent with friends and family. Combine that with the adventure and excitement of some great fresh water fishing, and you have a winning formula.

written by Becky Dumais

Local Link
Tornados Resorts
tornadosresorts.com

In Articles

Ready, Set…Sail – Take up a new hobby for life

July 1, 2016 No Comments

Singer Christopher Cross wasn’t wrong when he sang his classic tune, “Sailing”. In his words “if the wind is right you can sail away and find tranquility.” You just need to know how to skipper a sailboat and find a place to set sail from. If you’ve always wanted to take lessons, you need look no further than the Oakville or Bronte Harbour or LaSalle Marina in Burlington.

A Broadened Horizon
Sailing has many physical health benefits, but there’s more to the sport than just sore forearms and tired feet from moving from bow to stern, manning all of the equipment, and ducking under the boom.

Once you take up sailing, you’re always learning. Even experienced sailors find there is always something new to figure out, or a new set of weather conditions to master. There’s personal reflection involved, and especially when racing, technique and strategy make all the difference. Learning how to manoeuvre the ship through the water and how to navigate through the elements brings new skills to the table. Unless you’re a passenger just relaxing on deck, sailing trains your brain; it requires focus and hard work.

Sail Stress Away
The sport may involve some hard work, but by the time you’re ready to man your own boat it can be very relaxing. Imagine gliding through the water with nothing but sea and sky on the horizon. It is also a very social sport, and both young and old sailors can make lifelong friendships with fellow crew or other members of the sailing club. And once you have learned the basics, you can sail anywhere and enjoy different surroundings.

Ahoy, Accomplishment
Learning to sail takes dedication and passion. You will learn how to face certain challenges, either due to the weather or a malfunction of the boat, and on land you can transition those same skills when other unpredictable issues in life occur. All sailors have a healthy respect for nature, and understand the inherent dangers of wind and water. Acquiring the skills to captain your own boat is definitely a unique and invaluable experience, and will result in a real feeling of personal accomplishment.

Young children and teenagers can get involved and develop an appreciation and skill level for sailing too. The Burlington Sailing & Boating Club (BSBC), The Oakville Yacht Squadron (OYS), and Bronte Harbour Yacht Club (BHYC) offer classes and the CANSail summer camp program to would-be sailors. From the first day, campers are taught to be safe, have fun, learn to be a better sailor, work together and make friends. The Wet Feet camp (ages 5 – 8) is at an introductory level to get them comfortable with sailing. Kids learn basic rigging, boat parts and knots. Beginner Sailing (ages 9 and up) and Intermediate Sailing takes older kids through CANSail levels one through four, covering balance, basic concepts, propulsion, further boat rigging, control, knots and boat parts all the way to directional changes and advanced sailing skills such as trapeze and spinnaker. These clubs also offer race teams and big boat sailing lessons for kids.

Each club offers day camps in July and August for children. Adult classes are available in the evenings and/or weekends through each club, with women’s-only classes available at BSBC.

Did you know that “in the doldrums’ is a sailing term? The doldrums is an area in the ocean on either side of the equator where sailing can be difficult because of unstable and light wind conditions, calms and squalls. Of course it has also come to mean a feeling of listlessness, stagnation or despondency in everyday life. But once you get a feel for sailing, you’ll find a new freedom and need never feel depressed or marooned on dry land again. Just climb aboard and set a course for adventure.

Local Links:
Burlington Sailing & Boating Club
sailbsbc.ca

Bronte Harbour Yacht Club
bhyc.on.ca

The Oakville Yacht Squadron
oysqn.com

By Becky Dumais

In Articles

Local Apiaries & Honey Farms

June 2, 2016 No Comments

Not only do bees work hard all day to pollinate our flowers, trees, fruits and vegetables, but – of course – they make honey while doing it! There’s nothing like fresh, high-quality local honey to make your baking, desserts and toast sing! And there are a healthy number of local pure honey producers in our area. Here are a few to discover:

Burlington

Derry Gold Honey
From The Rattlesnake Point Conservation area, 100% local unpasteurized honey. Regular vendor at Burlington Mall Farmers’ Market on Saturdays May to October.
ontariobee.com or phone 905-332-9626

Martin’s Sweet Farm
High quality raw honey, skincare products and gifts in Campbellville. Vendor at Oakville Civitan Farmer’s Market. Products also available at Taste Marketeria. martinssweetfarm.com

Halton Hills

Hornby Apiaries
Just north of the 401 in Halton Hills, established in 1872. Liquid and creamed honey, raw and unpasteurized honey, comb honey.
ontariobee.com or phone 905-878-8568

Pinecreek Honey
Liquid and creamed honey. Comb honey in season. Beeswax candles. Regular vendor at Milton Farmers’ Market. pinecreekhoney.com or phone 905-636-6221

sweetBees
Located in Halton Hills and specializing in small batches of high quality raw honey. sweetbees.ca

Hamilton

Dutchman’s Gold
Retail store in Carlisle selling honey, maple syrup, gifts, candles and skincare products. dutchmansgold.com

Gibbs Honey
Unpasteurized honey from 2 locations in Binbrook and
Burlington. Vendor at Centro Garden Farmer’s Market. gibbshoney.com

Weir’s Lane Lavender & Apiary
Lavender farm, gifts, honey in West Flamborough/Dundas area. weirslanelavender.ca

In Articles

Cinco de Mayo – Local Mexican food that’s gourmet enough to say “Olé!”

April 15, 2016 No Comments

As this story was being written, restaurateur Bryan Adlam of Maracaz Cantinerie in downtown Burlington was just beginning to think about his plans for the Cinqo de Mayo celebration. “Of course we’re going to celebrate,” he says – as if the party had already begun!

The fun and quirky Mexican restaurant on the second floor above Curdz Putinerie on John Street is the birthplace of the Ultimate Baked Nachos. Adlam went around and tasted nachos at all of the other restaurants that served nachos (in the name of research, of course), and made his dish ultimately better. Then, “people began adding different ingredients to the nacho dish and it turned out to be a hit”, says Adlam of the dish that has made his restaurant so popular.

You can look forward to a full Cinqo de Mayo festival at Maracaz Cantinerie including the unbeatable Hermosa Fish Tacos, the smoky barbecued pulled pork Taco Guapos, and the Mac Grande, a much better version of a ‘Big Mac’ that you never knew you needed to have! Adlam is guessing there will be a piñata to bat around, different flavours of Margaritas in the constantly swirling slushie machines and maybe even a Mariachi band.

Besides lots of icy cold Mexican beer, Margaritas have become the signature drink of Cinqo de Mayo. Originally an icy cocktail made of tequila, triple sec and lime juice served in a salted rimmed glass, it now comes in many different flavours from Chili Mango to Jalapeno Watermelon, and in colours of the Mexican flag. Adlam doesn’t yet know what flavours he’ll be offering, but he does know that they’re going to be as fun and wacky as the restaurant itself.

Cinqo de Mayo literally means May 5^th. If that doesn’t sound like a good enough excuse for a celebration, consider that the day commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The stories told resemble Mexico’s version of David versus Goliath. The triumph became an inspiration for Mexican Americans during the American civil war and they began to celebrate the date in full Cinqo de Mayo spirit – and that’s the American history behind this Mexican holiday.

“Yes, we’re going to have a party on the 5^th of May but we don’t celebrate Cinqo de Mayo in Mexico,” says Antonio Marin, owner of Maria Bonita, Oakville’s go-to place for the best and most authentic Mexican food. Marin is from Mexico City and explains Cinqo de Mayo is a Mexican-American festival with the emphasis on American. “So many (people) think it’s Mexico’s Independence Day (September 16) but it’s not. It’s an excuse to go out, drink Mexican beer and eat guacamole.” Olé!

Like Adlam, Marin doesn’t plan very far ahead for the Cinqo de Mayo party but he does say with confidence, “I’ll make burritos. We don’t have burritos in Mexico or on our menu, but people ask me for them, so I’ll make them on Cinqo de Mayo.” Some of the more popular dishes on Marin’s menu include Ceviche de Pescado (light and bright white fish cured in lime juice), Pollo con Mole (chicken with the famous chocolate chili sauce), and Enchiladas (chicken wrapped in a warm tortilla blanket and smothered with salsa, sour cream and cheese). Finish the night with a slice of Marin’s famous Dulce de Limón, described as a lime and cookie pie, which is as light and refreshing as a Margarita. He’ll have plenty of cold Mexican beer flowing and he’s considering a Mariachi band and some flamenco dancers.

Like St. Patrick’s Day, Cinqo de Mayo certainly does bring people together to eat and drink and celebrate cultural pride. Enjoy a grand fiesta at your favourite Mexican place. Don’t miss it!

Local Links:
Maracaz Cantinerie, Burlington
twitter.com/maracazcantina

Maria Bonita, Oakville
mariabonitaoakville.com

By Lynn Ogryzlo
Lynn Ogryzlo is a food, wine and travel writer, international award winning author and regular contributor to Look Local Magazine. She can be reached for questions or comments at www.lynnogryzlo.ca.

In Articles

Collingwood – Ontario’s ski town: Enjoy it year round

April 14, 2016 No Comments

Collingwood has built its reputation as a ski destination but there are many other things to see and do year round in this quaint town on the shores of Georgian Bay.

The area is one of Ontario’s most popular tourist spots and is close to the Blue Mountain Resort, Cranberry Resort and many well-known private ski clubs. Its popularity is well earned as the town and surrounding areas are filled with historic homes, great shops and lots of parks and trails, not to mention a feast of restaurants and cafes.

If it’s family fun you’re after, the Blue Mountain Ridge Runner roller coaster should be top of the list. The coaster blasts you down the side of the mountain as it twists and turns through varied terrain. Riders can control their own speeds but, if you’re feeling brave, the coaster can get up to 42 kms per hour.

The Wind Rider Triple Zips offer an even faster ride through the hills. You can fly down a 112-metre long zip line at up to 50 kms per hour while soaring 15 meters above the ground. For those who prefer a more sedate way of seeing the sights, you can tour the winding trails on a two-wheeled Segway, on Mountaintop Segway Tours (owned and operated by Blue Mountain Resort).

The tour company has an adventure outing that will have you riding a Segway along a scenic off-road trek across the top of the Niagara Escarpment. You can take in the views of Blue Mountain Village and Georgian Bay and don’t worry – there’s half an hour of training before you head out so you’ll know how to navigate your new set of wheels.

Of course, the simplest way to see the sights is by putting your runners on and hiking the trails, and Collingwood has lots of them. More than 60 kms of trails wind through the hills leading to every major point of interest in town, including the beaches of Sunset Point.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, simply take your pick Collingwood, from the Firehall Pizza Co. (at Blue Mountain Resort) to Azzurra Trattoria or The Iron Skillet. Or you can head to the Orchard where you’ll find Blue Mountain’s Yeti Cheese food truck, famous for its gooey grilled cheese sandwiches as well as its chocolate and candy. During the summer, the truck will be located at the top of the mountain next to the Gondola.

Speaking of candy, The Candy Factory is a one-of-a-kind store in Collingwood that includes a viewing room where visitors can watch chocolatiers and candy connoisseurs create sweets and chocolate the old fashioned way.

About 20 minutes south of Collingwood is the charming village of Creemore, where you can step back in time and relax. It’s home to the renowned Creemore Springs Brewery, which offers regular brewery tours. You can watch them fire brew their beer in authentic copper kettles and even enjoy some samples, if you’re of age, of course.

While in town, you can stay at the Creemore House Inn, a luxury boutique inn on the quiet main street. The village of Creemore itself is a collection of historic buildings with many dating back to the 1890’s. The main street includes Curiosity House Books and Gallery and The Mad and Noisy Gallery, named after two of the town’s rivers.

And for a slice of Viva Las Vegas without the plane ticket this summer, the Collingwood Elvis Festival has been going strong for more than 20 years and draws upwards of 30,000 people. Whether you’re an Elvis fan or not, it’s hard to resist the lure of seeing hundreds of lip-curling, hip-swerving Elvis look-a-likes. This year’s festival will be held from July 20 to 24.

By Denise Davy

Local Links:
Town of Collingwood
collingwood.ca

Collingwood Elvis Festival
collingwoodelvisfestival.com

Blue Mountain Resort
bluemountain.ca

Town of Creemore
experiencecreemore.com

Downtown Collingwood BIA
collingwooddowntown.com

LL note: Errors were made in the print edition of this article, which appeared in our April issue. The zipline company name, Segway information, Firehall Pizza Co. location and food truck references have been corrected in this online version. We sincerely apologize and regret any inconvenience.