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In Community

Living Life To The Fullest: Senior Living Community + Care Options

March 29, 2023 No Comments

I still remember my childhood home – a red brick, closed-concept, four-bedroom in the heart of River Oaks. I was ten when we moved a few neighbourhoods over – but that home, in particular, holds a very special place in my heart. It was our family home. The home where my grandparents would gather for special occasions and where I made some of my earliest (and most cherished) memories. Since then, I’ve lived in a number of homes. There was the frat-house-esq university home, the move-backin- with-my-parents home, the I-think-I-want-to-marry-this-guy rental home, and all the homes that have followed. Including the family home I live in with my very own babies now. My point: home means something different to everyone…because the place you call home varies throughout each stage of your life.

While I’ve been moving homes as I’ve moved through each stage of my life (bringing along the second-hand furniture that comes with it), my parents have been adapting their home life to the changes they’ve experienced, too. From our family home to their current downsized home to what comes next, there has been a home-sweet home that accommodates each stage of life’s journey. But as we’ve learned through my grandparents and now my parents, finding a home accommodating a senior’s needs can be challenging.

Danny Gehchan, the marketing coordinator of V!VA Retirement Communities, says, “While independence and age-in-place can be desirable, delaying your move to a retirement community should be based on a simpler question, will you be happier in your home or a retirement community?” At the root of it, a retirement community is a lifestyle change that can offer resources, opportunities, and social outlets specifically catered to seniors. Aging-in-place can become quickly lonely and overwhelming if you don’t have access to support or the ability (or motivation) to take care of a household. Maintaining a lawn, shoveling snow, and navigating stairs can become increasingly difficult. Retirement communities often offer the best of both worlds.

With larger-than-average suites with full kitchens and full-size appliances, residents of Queens Avenue Retirement Residence in Oakville can cook and entertain in their suite or enjoy a meal with friends in the dining room. Residents can access many essential services without going off-site with an onsite beauty salon, laundry services, and pharmacy. And that’s really the beauty of retirement communities – the cohesive experience of home life, social life, and medical support.

While some retirement communities only provide basic care, others like V!VA, Queens Avenue, and Oakville Estates Retirement Residence (located seconds from Oakville Hospital) offer full-scale support. “As an age-in-place residence, we provide care for IL and AL (independent living and assisted living) right up to palliative level, with a great mix of people ages 70-100+,” says Janette West, executive director of Oakville Estates. With experienced staff supporting memory care and amenities, including an on-site theatre, restaurant, bistro, bar, fitness centre, billiards and games room, chapel, and more, residents will feel comforted with access to various lifestyles and needs.

Touring prospective retirement communities is one of the best ways to get a feel for their atmosphere. But as with any move – especially when downsizing – it can come with mixed emotions. Services are available to help make the transition as smooth as possible, and people like Mary Dilly, owner of Downsizing Solutions, can help you sort through every last spoon, post-it note, and picture (and prepare your home for sale). Mary and her team really take care of everything, from creating a floor plan for your new home to organizing documents and facilitating movein day.

Honouring your needs is one of the most important considerations as you move into this next stage of life. While every senior is motivated for different reasons, there’s no doubt you or your loved one will find a deep appreciation for the lifestyle and hospitality that retirement communities offer.

By Anneliese Lawton

Local Links

Downsizing Solutions
downsizingsolutions.ca

V!VA RetirementCommunities
vivalife.ca

Oakville Estates Retirement Residence
allseniorscare.com

Queens Avenue Retirement Residence, Oakville
queensavenueretirement.com

Heritage Place, Burlington
heritage-place.ca

Palermo Village Retirement Residence, Oakville
verveseniorliving.com

Oakville Estate s | 3000 Hospital Gate, Oakville, ON | 905-464-0807 | www.allseniorscare.com

An Unwavering Commitment To Exceptional Care

Welcome to Oakville Estates, now under construction on Hospital Gate right beside the new Oakville hospital. Featuring a mix of lifestyle options ranging from independent condo-style to assisted living suites, this luxury community has been created to ensure that residents maintain ongoing quality of life throughout the years.

• Choose from a variety of beautifully designed 1 or 2 bedroom suites, each with a 4-piece bathroom, air conditioning, heating, and a kitchenette. Elegant and comfortable, all suites are equipped with the latest safety features to meet the needs of older adults.

• Take advantage of “age in place” living, with a true continuum of care options, from independent to assisted living, and secure memory care.

• No shortage of wellness and exercise options, including an indoor pool, an indoor walking track, a fitness and yoga centre, and a billiard and games room.

• With 33 full kitchen suites, you can prepare your own meals in comfort, or visit the onsite restaurant, bistro or bar. All meals are prepared in-house by culinary teams led by Red Seal chefs.

• Make new friends and indulge in memorable experiences and choose from an excellent range of activities to suit all interests.

• There is even an onsite theatre, chapel, hair salon and pet washing station, plus underground parking!

Oakville Estates is operated by All Seniors Care, one of the oldest, most respected and accomplished names in the retirement residence field.

1 Sixteen Mile Drive, Oakville, ON | 289-725-6000 | www.vivalife.ca

V!VA Retirement Communities Wants You To Be Happier Here™

Located on Sixth Line just north of Dundas, and nestled alongside a residential enclave, V!VA Oakville is close to convenient shopping, restaurants and the hospital. The 6-storey retirement community has 151 suites, with studio, 1 bedroom, 1 bedroom + den, and 2 bedroom suites available.

At V!VA Oakville, you are more than just a resident – you belong to a select group with a passion for active living and the finer things in life, such as sophisticated design, premium amenities, healthy dining, and unparalleled service.

• Enjoy 3 meals a day Anytime Dining with meals prepared fresh daily from a Red Seal certified Chef. And there’s no need to eat alone with the friends you are sure to make. Plus, there’s fresh coffee, delicious teas, and snacks in our café throughout the day.

• Participate in daily fitness activities in our gym and saltwater pool to keep you in good physical health. Plus, enjoy yearround golf in our V!VAlinks Golf Simulator.

• Take part in a rich social life with plenty of activities in the Community and fun excursions to interesting events and places.

• There are wellness and medical services in-house with doctors, nursing staff, personal support workers, and regular visits by dentists, chiropodists, and more.

• The safety and security of our Retirement Communities with 24/7 staffing and emergency call buttons means help is seconds away. Having the discussion with elderly parents about the right time to enjoy the benefits of a retirement community should be easier when you simply ask, “Will you be happier here?”.

In Articles

Impactful Giving: Unique Charitable Opportunities With Oakville Community Foundation

March 29, 2023 No Comments

Everyone has something they wish they had more time for in their busy schedule. Time for yourself. Time for your family. Time to give back to your community. Ideally, we all want time to do the things that truly matter. But the more balls we have in the air, the harder it is to find “time” (and when we do find time, it’s usually because something else had to give).

But just like your relationships with yourself and your family, your relationship with your community is deeply personal and important. Togetherness is central to our experience as humans, and that feeling that we are part of something bigger can help give meaning to our lives. Most importantly, it can make a difference in the lives of others.

This is where the Oakville Community Foundation (The Foundation) comes in, offering flexible charitable giving in the Oakville community. The Foundation is a charity and granting organization, and is also a philanthropic solutions provider for donors with all interests and goals, offering donors a personalized use of their donation – now or in the future.

With a local community focus, The Foundation undertakes research in Oakville and Halton, identifying various needs and possible solutions. The relationship with local donors is a true collaboration built on trust. And together, The Foundation and donors work to fund the needs of our community with both resources and support.

The Oakville Community Foundation is truly a charitable umbrella, offering great insight into the diverse needs of our community. Here are some of the many ways The Foundation can help you make a difference:

GIVEOakville

The Foundation has a vast knowledge of other charitable organizations in our community. GIVEOakville, hosted every fall, is an annual giving campaign that allows donors to complete their end-of-year giving in one place. The campaign features over 50 charities and enables the public to crowdfund, with 100% of donations going directly to their charity or charities of choice.

Family Funds

Setting up a Family Fund is a great way to have your own named Foundation without the admin work. The Foundation will help you set up a long-term or short-term fund and guide you toward achieving your charitable goals. Allow your funds to build up over time, or contribute a one-time lump sum – it’s entirely up to you!

Scholarships, Bursaries And Education Awards

Post-secondary school can come with a hefty financial burden. By creating a scholarship, bursary, or education award, you can change the lives of youth in the community. The criteria for the scholarship are always in your hands, and you can decide if the funds are gifted as needed or in a lump sum. From there, The Foundation does the heavy lifting, while you rest assured knowing your generosity has helped a student achieve their dreams.

Memorial Funds

Honouring a loved one through a Memorial Fund offers a beautiful legacy. The Foundation can quickly initiate and manage these funds in the event of a loved one’s passing or to meet one’s wishes. With a dedicated link, Memorial Funds can be shared online and set up to readily accept donations worldwide. You can honour your loved one by dedicating these funds to cherished charitable passions or beloved community organizations. The Foundation handles all of the admin work and disbursement of the funds, so you can focus on what matters most.

Women’s Giving Collective

Tap into the collective giving power of incredible local women with the Women’s Giving Collective. Members learn about prevalent issues in the community while enjoying a like-minded group’s camaraderie, connections, and support. The collective pool of funds makes an impactful difference toward selected causes.

Want to take a next step with your personal relationship with your community? Contact Sarah McPherson, VP of Philanthropy, at sarah@theocf.org to help find what’s right for you.

By Anneliese Lawton

In Community

Taste of Burlington Winter Prix-Fixe Program

February 28, 2023 No Comments

Cheers to 15 years! Burlington takes pride in its diverse culinary offerings, and Taste of Burlington’s prix-fixe dining offerings for the Winter Program are the stars.

Taste of Burlington, presented by PV&V Insurance, is celebrating its 15th year with rich and diverse culinary offerings in convenient prix-fixe menus. Starting February 21st and running to March 12th, 2023, residents and visitors can taste-test their way through the city. This season we have more than 25 restaurants with a wide range of mouth-watering menus from fine dining to quick lunches, so be sure to explore each menu and try something new. This year we have some beloved as well as new restaurants serving up dishes from lobster poutine to lamb burgers, or seasonal soups and yummy risottos.

Burlington has quickly become known as a culinary destination with so many great restaurants, pubs, cafes and more! We are excited to showcase Burlington food & drink all year round. What started as a prix-fixe dining program twice a year now features Burlington restaurants and eats all year long with blog posts, event updates, a directory of restaurants and more! Our prix-fixe dining program is featured twice each year in the winter and fall. “Taste of Burlington is the city’s most appetizing event and it takes place at the most convenient time of year. It gives visitors and residents a chance to sample the best of our foodie scene. We encourage
everyone to get out there and try something new with a mix of unique menus and old favourites.”, says Kristene Smith, Executive Director.

Burlington has something to offer every taste bud from casual – fine dining and intimate bistros to pubs, fast food, and specialty shops. The Taste of Burlington program encourages diners to try something new at one of our many dining establishments. This winter program features the following restaurants: Barra Fion, Bistro Restaurant and Lounge at the Courtyard, Burlington Pump & Bistro, Burro Tacos, Cherry House Restaurant, District Kitchen + Bar, Downtown Bistro, Earl’s Kitchen + Bar, El Inka, Familia Fine Foods, Gator Teds, Industria Pizza & Bar, Isabelle’s, Jackson’s Landing, Lowville Bistro, Milestones Grill & Bar, Montfort Mediterranean Gill –
Brant, Paradiso Burlington, Pepe and Lela’s, Pepperwood Bistro, Pizza Boat, Rock Bistro @ RBG, SB Prime, Scaddabush, Spencer’s at the Waterfront, The Express Italian Eatery, The Platter Company, and The Slye Fox.

See a full list of participating businesses, by visiting https://tasteofburlington.ca/prix-fixe-program/

About Taste of Burlington Taste of Burlington had humble beginnings with just twelve restaurants in 2008 The program has grown, running twice a year each winter and fall. Burlington has established an urban culinary. A Taste of Burlington is managed by Tourism Burlington destination in the GTA, showcasing the variety and uniqueness of a large city combined with the accessibility and service of a small town.

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For more information on our 2023 Winter Taste of Burlington Prix-Fixe program, please visit tasteofburlington.ca. Contact us at 905-634-5594.

In Community

Playground of Light is Coming to Downtown Oakville This March

February 27, 2023 No Comments

Wip Wap is coming to Towne Square in Downtown Oakville from March 4 to 23. This interactive art installation features luminous musical seesaws that invite visitors to co-create when the lights and music intensify as the planks swing up and down. Dreamed up by Canadian designers from Lateral Office and CS Design, Wip Wap has traveled the world visiting cities and towns, including Montreal, London, and New York City.

We invite adults and kids of all ages to play from 12 PM to 9 PM daily. The seesaws are part of the GLO DTO experience, an initiative poised to shed light on the dark days of winter. “While residents and visitors are Downtown riding the seesaws, we invite them to play, shop, and dine,” said Adrienne Gordon, Executive Director of the Downtown Oakville BIA. “We hope our downtown businesses benefit from what is traditionally an off-shoulder season for our restaurants and retailers while creating an illuminating experience for visitors,” she said.

Beginning March 4th in Downtown Oakville

Other GLO DTO activations include an all-ages LED Dance Party On March 11 beginning at 5 PM, featuring a giant Lite Brite board, glow-in-the-dark face painting, and LED buskers. There will also be fire pits and free hot cocoa, courtesy of our Downtown Oakville cafes, served from a vintage 1966 airstream every Saturday and Sunday beginning at 1 PM, while supplies last.

To find out more about GLO DTO visit oakvilledowntown.com

In Articles

A Frozen Era: Cootes Paradise Has An Icy History

February 16, 2023 No Comments

Kitty-corner to the bustling hub of McMaster University and Children’s Hospital, you’ll find 600 acres of preserved paradise. Birdwatchers flock to the boardwalk that meanders through the marshland, but back in the early 19th Century, hunters frequented the spot for its hearty waterfowl population. Captain Thomas Coote, a British naval officer, was one of those hunters. He spent many days pursuing the land for fowl in the 1780s. Rich in history and named in Captain Coote’s honour, “Cootes Paradise” is a crucial wildlife habitat and the only remaining wetland in western Lake Ontario. But there were other uses for this popular spot. Because of its sheltered location, accessibility, and tendency to freeze at a suitable depth, it was an ideal spot to harvest ice. Before the development of refrigeration, ice harvesting was an important activity for many communities across Ontario. It provided a much-needed income source and helped sustain local economies. The practice continued until well into the 20th century when artificial cold storage methods became more widespread.

Natural ice was used domestically to preserve food, and was also an essential element of commerce throughout the 19th and early 20th Centuries, with many industries relying on it for refrigeration. Breweries utilized extensive quantities to cool their wort before the advent of artificial means. Railway shipping used such a considerable volume that the Canadian National Railway maintained its own ice operation on Lake Simcoe, with steamboats packed full of natural ice to keep goods fresh while enroute.

The harvesting process involved cutting large chunks of ice, called “cakes,” up to twenty inches thick, with longhandled saws and loading them onto sleds pulled by horses or oxen. The harvested blocks were then transported off the lake, packed in straw and sawdust, and stored in icehouses until sold off in the summer months. The practice was an arduous job that required a great deal of skill, effort, and perseverance. Drowning and hypothermia were a dangerous and very real possibility, as workers and animals risked falling through the ice.

For many years, ice harvesting from Cootes Paradise and the adjoining Burlington Bay, known now as Hamilton Harbour, was a significant source of employment for the local community and provided ice to many cities around Lake Ontario. At its peak in the early twentieth century, over 600 workers were employed in the trade, cutting ice daily while the conditions were favourable. Over 60,000 tons of ice were cut in a typical winter season.

Many ice harvesters were farmers, and there are strong parallels in the language and equipment used in the process. Ice blocks were referred to as “the winter crop” and cut with a specialized “ice plough”using the same draft animals used to work the land. An example of overlap between farming and ice harvesting was the Raspberry family, whose 1864 farmhouse still stands on the north side of the marsh. The Raspberrys had a dairy farm and operated an ice-cutting business in the winter. In her journal, then-teenage Elva Raspberry tells us how in the winter of 1912, one of her brothers bought his own ice cutter to help with the family business.

Today, Cootes Paradise is a protected area – and while ice harvesting in the marsh is a thing of the past, this picturesque and naturalized gem is a popular spot for leisure activities like canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Cootes Paradise is owned and managed by the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG), which plays an integral role in conserving and protecting these precious wetlands for generations to come. The Raspberry Farm is now the RGB Arboretum.

Ice harvesting is still occasionally practiced in Canada, serving as an important touchpoint with history and our continued dependence on the natural world. As we work towards a more sustainable future, it helps to remember our roots and the traditions that sustained us in the past.

by Julian Kingston

In Articles

Don’t Let Love Get Lost in Translation: Valentine’s Gifts for Every Love Language

January 27, 2023 1 Comment

Romance, it’s the language of love. Though if you ask Dr. Gary Chapman, there are five “official” love languages: quality time, words of affirmation, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. Through years of counselling couples, Dr. Chapman analyzed the unique needs and communication styles within a relationship. Taking what he learned, he turned his observations into a best-selling book, The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts.

While many of us can relate to the five love languages above, understanding and acting on your partner’s love language can lead to a deeper connection. So, this Valentine’s Day, why not try a gift to resonate with your partner in a new way? Gift their love language.

Quality Time
If quality time is your partner’s love language, then the gift they really want is you! Book an evening at the Pearle Hotel and Spa to connect, unwind, and relax with views of Lake Ontario. Enjoy in-room dining, in-room soaker tubs, and luxurious amenities. Plus, their full-service spa on-site offers a 90-minutes couples’ massage. Another great way to spend quality time together is right at home! Order in from one of your favourite restaurants or make your own heart-shaped pizza with House Sauce and Pizza Dough from Son of a Peach Pizzeria. Once dinner is made, hop into your jammies (Bocana on Pearl has adorable Valentine’s jammies), throw on your favourite movie, or get competitive in a game of Scrabble.

Words of Affirmation
If words of affirmation aren’t your love language, coming up with verbal ways to connect with your partner may feel a bit daunting. But fear not, there’s at least one card on the planet to thoughtfully get your feelings across. People who seek verbal affirmations are looking for words of encouragement and compliments through cards, conversations, phone calls, or texts. In other words, say “I love you” in any number of ways. Burlington’s Waves in the Village has witty and hilarious cards for everyone. While Cards N’ Such in Oakville is a great spot for something a bit more classic and romantic. To step it up a notch, write a love letter (or two) in a beautiful journal from The Handmade House in Burlington.

Receiving Gifts
This is where you can go fairly traditional with classic, elegant, and timeless gifts. Jewellery and flowers may be an obvious choice, but adding a personal touch can really elevate a gift. Design custom jewellery or incorporate a family heirloom into a beautiful keepsake at Diamond Boutique in Hamilton or Avalon Jewellery in Oakville. With Brant Florist, you can create a floral arrangement featuring your loved one’s favourite colours and flowers, or select a pre-arranged bouquet. Shops like Pure Boutique, Bluboho, and Homebody have unique, modern gifts from jewellery to home décor perfect for any style and stage of life.

Acts of Service
Acts of service is the love language for people who believe actions speak louder than words. Things like a fresh cup of coffee (grab some fresh beans from Vereda Central and make a pot at home), prepping dinner (The Platter Company and Familia Fine Foods have incredible homecooked frozen meals), or tidying the house (Mint-Maids of Waterdown & Burlington offer plant-based eco-friendly cleans) will make your loved one feel seen and appreciated.

Physical Touch
Some people just love a good ole fashioned hug – and there’s nothing better than snuggling in something cozy. New from Joseph Tassoni is the JT Spa Collection, available for both men and women, so you can cocoon yourself in the softest dream robe. Or, turn the heat up with a little something from Goodnight Goodmorning in Oakville. Their silk robes are beautiful and sophisticated, available in a number of fun colours and patterns.

While speaking another love language may take some practice, with these gift ideas, there’s no doubt your partner will love what you’re trying to say.

In Articles

Regift, Remake, Resell: Making The Most Of Nana’s Jewellery

December 1, 2022 No Comments

Special occasions are usually when heirloom jewellery changes hands (or necks or ears) – an engagement or wedding, a milestone birthday, an anniversary, and yes, even the holidays. But what do you do when Grandma’s ring shows up under your tree, and it’s not quite to your taste? Of course, the meaning of it far outweighs the appeal. But the last thing anyone wants is for a beloved ring to sit in a jewellery box collecting dust. Maybe you’ve thought of remaking the piece to suit your style while also keeping a loved one’s memory present. Maybe you’re not all that sentimental and would prefer to sell material objects you no longer use. When it comes to weighing your options, here are a few places to start:

Regifting

The most important part of regifting a piece of jewellery is acquiring an updated appraisal (the person receiving it should know exactly what its worth). If you haven’t had the piece appraised in a while, it is also important to note that the value may have changed over time depending on the material, popularity, and supply/demand. S. Taylor Jewellery Appraisal & Consultation is a local Burlington business specializing in all proper documentation needs for a professional and accurate appraisal by Certified Gemologist Appraiser, Sherrie Taylor. With in-person, private appointments, Taylor has invested in specific tools that allow their clients to see their gems and jewellery up close and personal.

Remake

Sometimes the memory of the piece is just too precious, or maybe the value of the raw material is high, and you want to remake the piece into something that suits your style more. In this case, The Diamond Boutique, Oakville Jewellery, and Laura Tedesco Jewellery Design are all great options. With over 35 years experience, John Akcan relocated his Toronto Dundas Square store to Lakeshore Road in Oakville. His new location Oakville Jewellery features a state-of-the-art workshop equipped with a 3D printer, laser welder, lapping machine and more. This allows them to create virtually any design a customer wants, and provide 3D proofs before creating the pieces on site. In the heart of Stoney Creek, you will find sisters Sandra and Julia Karan at The Diamond Boutique, with over 14 years of experience in the jewellery industry. This family-run shop specializes in custom engagement rings and jewellery designs, and can help you turn your vision into beautiful custom-designed pieces. Also in Hamilton, Laura Tedesco Jewellery Design on Locke Street offers custom design work as well as a stunning collection of Laura’s own designs. Laura grew up in the jewellery business and her father Dino still helps out and consults in the business. And Laura’s husband John brings his creativity combined with CAD expertise to create stunning pieces of art for their clients. This team’s passion is to help clients find their unique expression in the jewellery they wear. Their website is user-friendly, with a selection of beautiful design templates to help customize your piece.

Resell/Recycle

Finally, if your jewellery has surpassed the first two options, you are most likely ready to completely let go of your pieces. Au Jewelry Exchange Lab is located in the heart of Downtown Burlington and offers a one-of-a-kind experience when it comes to reselling your precious metals. From honest and educational evaluations right in the privacy of the lab to in-home Gold Party and Lab on Location events, AU prides itself in making the experience about you. Their transparent approach differs from what we’re used to when we think of selling our gold for cash. One of the other factors that sets them apart is their emphasis on recycling the majority of the products they buy. AU Jewelry Exchange Lab uses local refiners to melt down their metals and recycle them back to be repurposed. So, if your jewellery has reached its final destination, allow it to do something good for the planet…and for your wallet! AU pays out their evaluations on the spot. Complimentary evaluations are available.

By Anneliese Lawton

Local Links

Laura Tedesco Jewellery Design
lauratedesco.com

Oakville Jewellery
oakvillejewellery.ca

AU Jewelry Exchange Lab
theaulife.com

The Diamond Boutique
thediamondboutique.ca

S. Taylor Jewellery Appraisal & Consultation
stjewelleryappraisal.com

In Articles

Discover The Spirit of Ukraine: The Zirkova Vodka Story

November 30, 2022 No Comments

The spirit of Ukraine is truly present in the vodka business that Katherine Vellinga runs from her home in Oakville. Katherine and her husband, John, are co-founders of Zirkova Vodka, an ultra-premium vodka made in Ukraine that first made its way onto the shelves of LCBO stores across Ontario in 2005. Keeping those shelves stocked hasn’t been easy, and their story is one of persistence and resilience.

It began many years ago when Katherine moved back to Ukraine for a few years. Her parents and grandparents were born there, and although they’d moved to Canada years earlier for a better life, they never forgot their dream of a free Ukraine, having survived Stalin’s genocide.

Vellinga wanted to honour that dream by creating a vodka that was grown in the rich black earth of Ukraine. No one was surprised by her idea, least of all her family.

“I was always the kid who wanted to bring people together, and vodka has always been part of our Ukrainian culture,” said Vellinga, the company’s CEO. Vellinga lucked out when she found a distillery in the Cherkasy region of Ukraine, the birthplace of vodka, that dated back to 1895 and was close to an artesian mineral water source, an essential component for high-quality vodka.

“You can bring grain there, but you can’t move the water,” said Vellinga.

The vodka was made in the old traditional classical method, with the first batch being launched in 2004. It appeared on the LCBO shelves in 2005. Vellinga described it as the “ultimate sipping vodka.” In short order, Zirkova vodka was ranked fourth among top-shelf vodkas, in the over $30 price range, which is the highest quality. They then came up with Zirkova Together, which is made for mixing with cocktails.

When the pandemic hit, like many small businesses, they were forced to pivot. “There were times (during the pandemic) when we couldn’t even go into the stores. The whole industry was impacted. But we managed to hold on and were looking forward to being able to get out and interact with people again,” said Vellinga.

Then in February this year, just as they were rebounding, came the devastating news – Russian forces had invaded Ukraine. “We’d had a couple of trying years with the pandemic, then we were coming out of it when the invasion appeared. It was so heartbreaking,” says Casey Kiekebelt, Chief Marketing Officer.

Vellinga says she cried for the country and for the people she loved so much. But she was also worried about their business. They had trucks full of vodka shipments that were supposed to leave Ukraine on the day of the invasion (which didn’t make it out), and they only had a limited amount of inventory with the LCBO.

Still, there were zero thoughts of giving up. “I thought, we have to keep going for them. We have to find a way.” She was buoyed by the images of bravery coming across the TV screen.

“The world was seeing what I’d loved and appreciated for so long – the spirit of Ukrainians.”

There was much discussion about what to do. They agreed they would bring their Master distiller over from Ukraine and start producing a new brand of vodka in Ontario. “We wanted to make sure we preserved Ukrainian vodka making and continued what we’d discovered,” said Vellinga.

They took all of the things they knew from working in Ukraine and created a third brand called Zirkova Unity, which was on the shelves by July 2022. To show their love and support for Ukraine, 100 percent of profits from sales of Zirkova Unity goes toward humanitarian aid there.

Keikebelt says they’ve learned much over the past four years. “We’re stronger because of what we’ve been through. We all really know what we need to do to move forward,” said Keikebelt.

They recently expanded Zirkova Unity into Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

In Ukraine, production isn’t quite back to 100 percent, but they’re slowly getting there. “We will survive this together,” says Vellinga. “You have these extraordinary people who are still working and keeping the economy going and doing all that they can to contribute to the war effort. They’re all unique and extraordinary and purposeful and resilient.”

By Denise Davy

In Articles

Burlington Downtown Warmly Launches Bright Nights 2022

November 22, 2022 No Comments

The Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) invites you to head downtown and enjoy a truly magical winter experience we call Bright Nights.

This much anticipated winter showcase of lights and displays is something that is not so much seen, but experienced. The Elgin Promenade comes alive with the warm glow of festive lights and animations for all to enjoy. From illuminated archways to gorgeously lit trees, from brightly decorated walls to canopies of lights, winter has never felt so electric.

This free month-long animation is courtesy of our Presenting Sponsor Lisa-Marie Winning of Winning & Associates IG Private Wealth Management.

“We are thrilled to be back as the Presenting Sponsor of this year’s event,” says Lisa-Marie Winning, Winning & Associates, IG Private Wealth Management. “We hope Bright Nights gives our community a place to come and visit during the holidays. A place to snap some pictures with your family, to create some magical moments and a beautiful setting to enjoy while supporting our local shops and restaurants along the way.”

Visitors to the displays are encouraged to craft their own Bright Nights evening. Pair your Bright Nights walk with a festive meal at your favourite restaurant. Conclude your Bright Nights stroll with a warm holiday favourite at your go-to coffee shop. Match the festive mood with a night of shopping at local businesses. The experience is yours to create and we so warmly welcome you to do so.

Bright Nights runs Thursday December 1st through January 2023. For additional information on the event, please visit burlingtondowntown.ca/brightnights/

In Community

Digital Transformation Grant Impacts Burlington Small Businesses

October 21, 2022 No Comments

This post is provided by Burlington Economic Development. If you are a small business in Burlington, Ontario, this post is for you!

It’s Small Business Week! While it’s critical to support our small businesses all year round, this week we take the opportunity to celebrate our small businesses and showcase their resilience. Burlington Economic Development is committed to supporting small business through programs like Digital Main Street.

As businesses across Ontario reimagine their operations in a post-COVID retail environment, local Burlington business owners are looking for tools to help transform their digital strategies to reach new customers through online channels. Administered by the team at Burlington Economic Development, the Digital Transformation Grant from Digital Main Street has been a valuable resource for many small businesses across the city. This vital grant funding supports various digital marketing initiatives, website design or improvements, social media, productivity software, and more.

Social media support and adoption of software is one area that the Digital Transformation Grant supports. Tara Lester, owner of The Olive Oil Dispensary, is one of the many small business owners in Burlington that has been able to tap into the program. “I applied for this grant to improve my digital presence on all social media platforms,” said Lester. “This grant has allowed me the opportunity to expand my business social awareness and increase my sales though a more complete and unified social presence.” The COVID-19 pandemic brought on unprecedented pressure for small businesses to take their businesses online to accommodate things like curbside pick-up and delivery. The Digital Main Street program directly addresses this need.

In Downtown Burlington, Shirley Cope, the owner of The Knitters Boutique Inc., had the opportunity to hire support for social media through this grant funding. The increase in her revenue came quickly. “Receiving the grant has helped tremendously,” Cope explained. “I have been able to hire help with Instagram and with rebuilding my website. Almost instantly, sales came from Instagram posts.” Shirley also offered vital advice for other small business owners, saying that, “More than ever an online presence is imperative. Do your market research and know your target audience and reach out to them.”

Businesses can also use social media to expand brand awareness. Melanie Bianco, from Aldershot Dental Hygiene, shared that, “social media is a wonderful tool to get your name out locally”. As a grant recipient, Bianco is planning to use the Digital Transformation Grant funding to aid in the expansion of the business, and Bianco is looking forward to expanding to provide services to seniors in long-term care homes.

The Digital Transformation Grant is also available for owners looking to offer website and e-commerce solutions for their businesses. Aldershot Foot Clinic’s updated website will be ready next week, which they hope will result in more traffic and online books, according to owner Heidi Moris. Moris is also excited about using a portion of the grant for advertising in order to help clients know they are there and how they can help.

Small business owners across Burlington looking to reach new customers through new or redeveloped digital strategies can learn more about Burlington’s Digital Service Squad services here. Applications for the $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant are open until October 31, 2022.

About Burlington Economic Development

Burlington Economic Development (Burlington EcDev) is an arm’s length agency of the City of Burlington that works to attract high-value companies to Burlington, support the expansion of existing businesses, and encourage the start-up and growth of new companies. Burlington EcDev delivers a range of services to help businesses achieve their goals. To learn more, visit http://investburlington.ca.