In Articles

Shop Local – Winter Survival Gear – Play Outside, Stay Warm and Have Fun This Winter.

February 5, 2018 No Comments

All Hat Jazz

Stay warm and chic with this classic updated toque. Made of a soft cashmere blend with a fur pompom. Available in a variety of colours.
Pure Boutique, Burlington
pureboutique.ca

Blanket Statement

Soft and fluffy like new fallen snow – only way warmer! This plush, wool-blend throw is perfect to layer on the bed or over the sofa – anywhere you need to keep cozy. Fun, large pom-poms add a detailed finish.
Fairhome Interiors, Burlington
fairhome.ca

Jack’d Up

The Bec Jacket is made for Canadian winters: it’s edgy and robust and has a ton of features to keep you warm in any outdoor adventure.Features a 2-way water repellent front zipper, zippered hand pockets, a ski pass pocket, a goggle wiper and more.
Peak Performance, Oakville
peak-oakville.ca

Happy Feet

Avoid cold feet this winter with Lenz Battery Heated Socks! These socks stay warm with a rechargeable battery that, when on the low setting, can last for up to 14 hours. Perfect for those early morning rink practices, snow shovelling or any outdoor pursuit like skiing or snowboarding.
Corbetts Ski + Snowboard, Oakville
corbetts.com

Contented Contents

Stow this slim white thermos easily and have at the ready for being outdoors this winter. Features a contrasting green gasket and has a stainless steel double wall with a vacuum seal. Keeps drinks hot for 12 hours to last you through any hockey practice – and keeps cold drinks chilly for 24 hours.
Centro Garden, Burlington
centrogarden.com

Bind of the Times

Stay warm and chic with this classic updated toque. Made of a soft cashmere blend with a fur pompom. Available in a variety of colours.
Hustler Snowboards & Skateboards, Oakville
hustlersnowboards.com

Creature Comfort

Fit, flare and function for Fido. The durable Great White North Winter Coat is designed to keep your beloved best friend warm while outdoors. It features an “Easy On, Easy Off” design to dress and undress your pet quickly. Made in Canada.
Tail Blazers, Bronte
tailblazersoakville.com

In Articles

Chatting Chocolate – Local Chocolatiers in Burlington and Oakville Share Their Chocolate Journey

February 2, 2018 No Comments

Beloved in most societies and communities, chocolate has been enjoyed since the time of Mesoamerica in 1900 BC. Its preparation has changed over the years, but the feeling it brings to us is the same and chocolate products continue to have a huge following around the world, including here in Oakville and Burlington.

Casteleyn Belgian Chocolatiers launched their company in Burlington in 1990, as the only shop to make traditional Belgian chocolates, with a chocolatier who was born and trained in Belgium. The Casteleyn team utilizes exclusively milk, white and dark chocolate that has all been imported from Belgium. The creation of their products is quite a process that involves tempering, molding, and filling the chocolates with multiple cooling steps in between. They also make the fillings for their chocolates from scratch using butter, cream, liqueurs, coffee, chocolate, fruits and nuts. When we asked Casteleyn about their signature item, they stated “As for signature item… we strive to make every chocolate someone’s favourite.”

The Christy’s Gourmet Gifts family, Christy and Bernhard Mueller, started small with their business in 2002 – doing craft shows. Since that time, they have slowly grown their business, focusing on creating high quality and unique gift items and expanding to a small retail outlet in Burlington, shipping their products worldwide. Using only high-quality Belgian and French chocolate (plus a few exotic chocolates from around the world), their products are made in small artisanal batches with attention to detail and high-quality ingredients like pure butter. Their signature item is definitely their Chocolate Buttercrunch. The recipe is from Christy’s grandmother, Ethel, who happens to be turning 102 this year. The Chocolate Buttercrunch (available in milk, dark, white cranberry and seasonal flavours like peppermint) is the product that started the company, and fans still rave about it today.

The owner’s of A Chocolate Lab – Handmade Chocolates, Nicky Lawson and Helena Thompson, originally met many years ago while fostering labrador puppies and fundraising for the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guide. Their paths continued to cross in the dog community, a friendship was fostered, and they decided to become business partners in a chocolate business. A Chocolate Lab was born in August 2016, running out of rental kitchens on a daily basis and moving to their own production kitchen in April 2017. All of the products Nicky and Helena create are made by hand, with their Sticky Paws (raw almonds covered in a rich caramel, chilled, dipped in a hot chocolate, cooled and lightly dusted with Mediterranean sea salt) product becoming a customer favourite. Their passion lies in custom orders, as it gives them a chance to use a bit of their creative flair to meet customers’ needs.

Schilling’s Patisserie aux Chocolat is run by German-trained pastry chef and chocolatier, Susie Schilling. Her chocolate knowledge goes right back to the European source, as she trained in the chocolatier program in Switzerland for many years. The company started out in August 2017, opening slowly and in segments. They opened with ice cream and slowly launched into baked goods, chocolate, and are now a full-fledged café. Susie has a love for the old craft, making everything in-house in small batches. She believes in enjoying the traditional stuff – making classic recipes like her famous Stollen, and Pralines – out of high end chocolate from Belgium, or original beans.

Walker’s Chocolates has a long history. Co-owner Dave Walker’s parents opened the chocolate shop in Burlington in 1983. Today they also operate a factory with an outlet on Harvester Road, and four additional stores across Hamilton, Burlington and Oakville. Dave has worked in the business for 10 years, his older sister for 15. In the making of their chocolate, they use a combination of two different chocolates and blend them together for a unique flavour. Using the finest ingredients they can source, they create over 50 chocolates and a huge range of moulded shapes. Though they have expanded to now have two enrobing lines and a candy kitchen in the factory, all of their chocolate centres are made the old-fashioned way: in small batches, hand-stirred in copper kettles. Their signature item: Mint Meltaways.

by Heather Peter

Local Links

Casteleyn Belgian Chocolatiers
368 Brant St, Burlington
casteleyn.ca

Christy’s Gourmet Gifts
3530 Mainway, Burlington
christysgourmetgifts.com

A Chocolate Lab
511 Pinegrove Rd., Oakville
achocolatelab.com

Schilling’s Patisserie aux Chocolat
109 Thomas St, Oakville
Facebook: schillingsexclusive

Walker’s Chocolates
Burlington: 3350 Fairview Street
Oakville: 1011 Upper Middle Road
walkerschocolates.ca

In Articles

Burlington Comedy Festival

January 31, 2018 No Comments

Knowing that laughter is the best medicine isn’t new, but what is new is the lineup at the Burlington Comedy Festival this year. It’s true: there’s nothing like a good guffaw and the roster of comics appearing on stage this year will do their best to get you giggling.

This year’s funny festival features over 12 comedians, including Scott Thompson of Kids in the Hall fame, comedian/actor Kevin Pollack and Canadian writer/actor Jon Dore. It will be held at two venues: The Burlington Performing Arts Centre and the Water Street Cooker. The three-day festival begins on Family Day, February 19, starting with a Family Variety Show. The show features award winning, international circus artists including a Portuguese clown, a magician who has performed in Las Vegas and a Juggling and Acrobatic Duo from China. Seating is general admission. Tickets are $15.

The Festival concludes with two performances at The Water Street Cooker on February 20 and February 21. The best deal is Emma’s VIP Food & Funny Deal, which includes admission to the reserved seating area and a $25 dinner at Emma’s Back Porch. Total ticket price is $54. Although material will undoubtedly be funny, it won’t be censored and is intended for mature audiences only. A portion of the proceeds from the festival will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society, Halton Unit. Tickets are now on sale!

by Becky Dumais

Local Link

Burlington Comedy Festival
burlingtoncomedy.com

In Blog

Seed Voyage: A Farm in Every Yard

January 30, 2018 No Comments

Growing your own garden can be rewarding and even fun for some people, but if not all of us have the time or space to devote to gardening, yet we still want to enjoy those local varietals and heirloom veggies. Seed Voyage aims to connect local growers and consumers through a simple online marketplace.

According to industry research, 35% of US households maintain a food garden. And in Canada, 57% of households report growing either fruit, herbs, veggies or flowers. People can’t necessarily grow everything they like and that’s why Seed Voyage was created to give everyone convenient access to the best homegrown produce in their community.

How does it work?

The home gardener signs up on seedvoyage.com and inputs two key things – their address and the foods they are growing. The local consumer signs up and inputs their region of interest (for example, within 5 km of their house) and the foods they are interested in buying. When the produce is ripe and ready for harvest, the grower will send notification and any eaters with matching preferences will be alerted. They will confirm purchase and pick up the goods at the growers house. Simple as that.

Why would a grower want to sell their goods?

A grower could make about $500 on 100 sq. ft. per summer based on my estimates. For summer students or retired people with access to a bit more land, they could even earn a bit of money. The appeal of Seed Voyage would be to find a new use for those weeks in August and September when everything goes ripe at the same time. Instead of giving away all of your delicious produce, you can sell them and use the funds to purchase other amazing produce from local gardeners.

Why would someone want to buy these goods?

For amazing quality and flavour. Homegrown foods picked at exactly the right time with no ripening on trucks.

Specialized varietals – home gardeners like me tend not to grow generic foods that you can buy at the grocery store or farmers market: heirloom tomatoes, rainbow carrots, fingerling potatoes and exotic peppers. These are foods that are ultra-local and grown by passionate gardeners that are feeding their families.

Seed Voyage is excited about connecting you with your local community members to spread the love of homegrown fruits and veggies.

For more information, visit seedvoyage.com

In Articles

Up To The Guilds – Mixing Creativity and Socialization Through Art

January 26, 2018 No Comments

Guilds were originally formed in the Middle Ages in order to oversee the practice of their craft in a certain locale. The earliest guilds were like a brotherhood of tradesmen. Today they function more as social and creative outlets.

You might think you’d have to be an expert in a guild’s craft in order to join. Has anyone become a member without any experience whatsoever? “Yes, me,” kids Murray MacDougall, president of the Burlington Sculptors and Woodcarvers Guild. Just prior to retirement, MacDougall says he was worried he would have nothing to do. He was invited to come and give it a try. That was four years ago. He says the best aspect has been “Keeping the brain going. That was my goal.”

Richard Darjes, president of the Oakville Sculptors & Woodcarvers Guild, is also a retiree and a hobbyist woodcarver who’s also interested in stone carving. One of the benefits about being a member, he says, is that everyone’s more than happy to share their talent. “I’ve watched people doing stone carving and they’ve shared their tips. It’s actually a great group of people to be a part of.” He also enjoys the deliberate 3pm coffee break when anyone present can sit in the senior’s centre and enjoy a chat. “We have a great time sharing with one another. That’s made it a very social organization. Carving (or maybe any art) can be a little solitary when you’re not part of a group.”

Oakville Sculptors & Woodcarvers Guild

The Guild was formed in 2002, and currently has 24 members who meet every Thursday at Queen Elizabeth Park Community & Cultural Centre. Members meet in the woodshop to enjoy socializing with like-minded individuals, and they exchange ideas and techniques. The Oakville guilds have a full compliment of power tools for use, though most people own their own tools. The Guild participates in wood shows and exhibitions, including Oakville’s annual Art in the Park.

Burlington Sculptors & Woodcarvers Guild

The Guild operates out of the Art Gallery of Burlington. Woodcarvers meet weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays; sculptors meet every Friday. Members whittle away their time crafting many different kinds of work: folk art, stone, spoons, birds and wildlife, intarsia, bowls, stylistic interpretations and many others. Ages of the members cover a wide range: there are a few teenagers mixed in with the older members – from about age 15 to 80, according to MacDougall. There are also some ladies involved, and some people who both carve and sculpt. The Burlington Guild runs juried exhibitions, participates in various gallery sales and area woodcarving competitions, and they also perform carving demonstrations for local schools and charitable organizations.

The objectives of both guilds are essentially the same: to bring people together who share a common interest, to provide opportunities for them to share ideas and their love of art, and to promote appreciation for carving and sculpting in the community. For example, the Burlington Guild makes canes for local veterans. “We carve the handle in the shape of a beaver. Everyone does it differently so they’re all unique. On the staff the person’s name and rank is carved,” says MacDougall.

On any given meeting day you’ll find people working on different projects and with different tools. “Carving is a great deal of fun actually,” says Darjes. “Learning to think in three dimensions has taken a little time. Being able to think about the object I’m going to make and how to represent that in wood is part of the learning curve that makes it interesting.”

By Becky Dumais

Local Links

Burlington Sculptors & Woodcarvers Guild
burlingtonsculptorsandwoodcarvers.com

Oakville Sculptors & Woodcarvers Guild
oswguild.org

In Articles

Supporting The Younger Set – Mentoring Programs for Kids and Families

January 22, 2018 No Comments

Big Brothers Big Sisters has helped thousands of children and youth in the years they have been in Halton. Big Brothers in Halton dates back more than 50 years, and in 2005 the agency merged with Big Sisters. The agency’s goal is to provide positive role models in the lives of children and youth through trained volunteers.

One story that has stayed with executive director Sandra Baker involves an eight-year-old girl who was matched with a “big sister.” Like many matches, the girl thrived under the mentorship of her big sister. When the girl reached 15, her mom noticed her daughter was getting in with the wrong crowd and that her grades were dropping. “(She) saw her daughter going down the wrong path and called us back and said, ‘I saw what happened before and I know what Big Sisters can do’,” recalls Baker. This time the teen was matched with a “big sister” who happened to be a financial advisor. The woman taught the teen about money management which inspired the teen to change her spending habits.
She even began educating herself on investments. Baker cites the story as an example of how relationships that develop through the program can yield unexpected results.

Last year, volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton impacted the lives of more than 1,200 youth and children. While the children and youth came from different life situations, their common thread was that something put them at risk of not developing to their full potential. Some had parents who were experiencing mental health or addiction problems, or their family was living in poverty and the parents were working multiple jobs. In addition to the one-on-one program, the agency has a school-based program and a seven-week after-school program for boys called Game On where a mentor volunteers with four boys at once.

Some 800 mentors volunteered with the agency last year, but there is always a need for more, as current wait lists are anywhere from 18 months to two years for a big sister or big brother. Baker says it takes around 20 hours to move through the screening and training process (which includes police checks) and, after a person qualifies, the requirement is that they meet with their little sister or brother for a minimum of one outing a month. People who step forward to volunteer do so for a number of reasons but most do it for the love of helping others. “It’s a good lesson in selflessness. When you really boil it down, it’s people who just want to help,” Baker notes. One sign of the program’s success is seen in how many people who are matched continue to stay friends after the person turns 18. “Our mentors say over and over to us, ‘I get so much more out of this than I think he gets out of it’.”

There are several other agencies in Halton that offer mentor programs for children and families as well as couples. Family KiNnections has a youth mentor program that involves paid staff that are specially trained to help youth develop their social skills and life skills. A social skills coach works with them one-on-one to help them develop people skills. They also have life skills coaches who teach them about day-to-day skills like cooking, doing laundry and budgeting. The agency is based in Hamilton, Oakville, and Mississauga and also offers in-home counselling and coaches who will work with a child who needs one-to-one attention or who just wants a special friend.

The Oakville-based group Community Youth in Action Network (CYAN) also offers several ways for youth to connect and engage with others, including its Summer Passport program.

by Denise Davy

Local Links

Big Brothers Big Sisters, Halton
halton.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca

Family Kinnections
familykinnections.ca/services/youth-mentoring

Youth Inspire, Oakville
youthinspire.ca

In Articles

In Vino Veritas – Wine Away in Wine Region

January 16, 2018 No Comments

It’s safe to say that Niagara wine country is romantic year round, but when there’s snow on the ground and the air is crisp, the region takes on a whole new ambiance. Between tours and tastings, festivals and events, you could find something to do every weekend in Niagara’s wine region this winter. We’ve highlighted just a few options for a wintry weekend getaway.

Twenty Valley is considered the gateway to the Niagara Region, and it’s just a short drive from Burlington or Oakville. It’s the largest wine producing region in Niagara with over 50 vineyards and many of the province’s best boutique wineries. Many of them are family-run award-winning estates set on beautiful varied landscapes.

Events & Happenings

Twenty Valley’s Winter Wine Fest, from January 12 – 14 aims to please oenophiles with Niagara’s top winemakers, chefs and premium VQA wines. Take to the streets of Jordan Village to enjoy this outdoor event that offers live entertainment, food, wine (red, white, sparkling and icewine, of course) and cozy fire pits and warming stations to keep you going. Plus, there’s no shortage of boutique shops in the historic shopping district.

Get a taste for culinary adventure at Winter Downtown D’Lish. From January 19 – February 3, various downtown restaurants in St. Catharines are offering fixed price lunch and dinner menus. A list of participating restaurants and their D’Lish menus is available online.
Options range from $15 – $40.

The big wintertime event is the ever-popular Niagara Icewine Festival. For three weekends in January, from January 12 – 28, the Niagara region is transformed into a wintry wonderland, in celebration of one of Canada’s most cherished products,: Ontario icewine. Here’s your chance to sip over 20 different local icewines, enjoy live music and great food. To extend the experience even further, buy a Discovery Pass and partake in eight unique pairings at your choice of over 35 wineries across the Niagara Region.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is as pretty as a picture during the winter. Hop on a horse and buggy ride and explore the many boutiques and historic streets of this quaint town. Add Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery to your list of must-visits because it’s the perfect place to sip and skate. The backyard rink will be open from 12 – 6pm daily, and the heated outdoor Whisky Bar is where you can warm up with a tipple.

Where to Stay

The Twenty Valley offers varied accommodations, many of which are within very close proximity to the wineries. The Inn on the Twenty’s cozy fireplace suites will tempt you, as will its onsite restaurant. Historic Jordan Station has the casual accommodations of the Jordan House Hotel. Scattered throughout the area and into Niagara-on-the-Lake are many more inns and B&Bs. The Orchard Croft Boutique Retreat (also in Jordan) is set amongst, what else, an idyllic orchard location. It delivers charm and elegance and personalized service for all guests. In Beamsville, the House By the Side of the Road is a B&B ideally situated near award-winning wineries and trendy shops. If you’d prefer to stay nearer the Falls and the Icewine Festival, try the Old Stone Inn Boutique Hotel. Located in the Entertainment District on Fallsview Boulevard, you’ll find historic elegance and modern magnificence.

This winter, make the most of what the Niagara Region has to offer, whether it’s a festival, an organized tasting tour, or your own itinerary wining and dining on a getaway weekend.

by Becky Dumais

Local Links

Twenty Valley
20valley.ca

Downtown D’Lish, St. Catharines
mydowntown.ca/events

Niagara Icewine Festival
niagarawinefestival.com

Wayne Gretzky Estates
waynegretzkyestates.com

Brewery & Distillery Tours Niagara
brewerydistillerytoursniagara.com

Niagara Wine Tour Guides
niagarawinetourguides.com

Wine Country Ontario
winecountryontario.ca

Inn On the Twenty
innonthetwenty.com

Jordan House
jordanhouse.ca

Orchard Croft Boutique Retreat
orchardcroft.ca

House By the Side of the Road
bbhousebythesideoftheroad.com

Old Stone Inn Hotel
oldstoneinnhotel.com

In Articles

Kitchen Party – Keep This Busy Room Bright, Clean and Clutter-free

January 12, 2018 No Comments

The heart of the home, the hardest working room in the house, party central: yes, we’re talking about the kitchen. It doesn’t seem to matter what size your living quarters are, or how cozy and inviting you make your family room, the kitchen is where family, friends and guests naturally tend to gravitate, no matter the occasion. We talked to two local kitchen design and renovation companies to find out what the current trends in kitchen design are.

“This year it’s all about white,” says Barbara Abraham of Chestco for Kitchens in Burlington. “Right now 80 per cent of kitchen designs are light, bright, cloud, or simply white, but with some grey thrown in too. Shadow is very popular, and a greyish taupe as well.” But aside from a certain colour scheme, what homeowners most desire is simplicity in style, which means no clutter to be seen, and surfaces and cabinetry that are easy to keep clean. “Everyone wants a clean look,” says Abraham. “That means cupboards with no raised panels, so they’re easy to wipe clean with a warm, damp cloth, water only — no furniture polish.”

And when it comes to countertops, it’s all about quartz now — which is low maintenance and easy to clean, unlike granite, which requires care, sealing and yearly upkeep. “Customers who come in have done a lot of research, know what they want, and are armed with photos and lots of knowledge,” says Abraham. “We strive to help them get what they want, but there are certainly trends that we help to accommodate.”

And who doesn’t want that clean and clutter-free look in their home? Moving appliances off the counters, or at least having them hidden, not only creates a more attractive space, but makes it easier to work in as well. “Clients want things hidden, but still functional: a place for everything and everything in its place. At Chestco, even a six-inch spot can be modified to utmost functionality,” says Abraham. “Useable space is more important than an actual trend.”

And that’s something John McInnis of Coxon-McInnis Kitchens in Burlington can agree with. He takes a more philosophical approach to kitchen design by embracing the space and flow of the room over any current or upcoming trends. “There’s a lot happening in the kitchen,” he says. “But I encourage customers to not just chase the latest thing to come along. It’s more to do with the room space itself and how you want to utilize it now and for years to come.”

Kitchen Trends — Coxson McInnis Kitchens

Calling it “the hardest working room in the house,” McInnis approaches kitchen design from a lifestyle point of view, rather than what the upcoming year predicts in popularity. He likes to visit with families to find out how exactly they use the space, and create designs from there. “These days we need to look at the entire space, and work around that,” he says. “Trends come and go, and it’s vital not to just be trendy. No more short-term thinking, go bigger than that, and go with what you like.”

He does, however, agree that white is very popular, never gets old, and ultimately never dates itself. He stresses using complementary colours throughout the house, or at least the main floor, to keep the flow. Galley kitchens, he says, make the most sense in terms of functionality and social aspects, with large islands to accommodate both the kitchen and an adjoining family room.

“In the end, it’s about making the most of what you have, and spending time with family and friends,” he says. “I’ve designed thousands of kitchens over the years, but what matters in design is what the family wants, and how they’re going to use
the space.”

by Allison Dempsey

Local Links

Chestco For Kitchens, Burlington
chestco.com

Coxon-McInnis Kitchens, Burlington
candm.ca

In Blog

TERRA’s Indoor Winter Market Returns

January 12, 2018 No Comments

The TERRA Winter Market returns to TERRA Hamilton for the third year and TERRA Milton for the sixth year running. The markets will open on Saturday, January 13th and run until Saturday, March 17th, 2018. Nothing beats shopping local at an indoor market in the winter! The markets will operate 10am-3pm and will reside in the greenhouses at the Hamilton and Milton locations of TERRA. The Hamilton store is located at 340 Highway 20 R.R #1 and the Milton store is located at 12800 Britannia Road.

Local farmers and artisans call TERRA their own over 10 Saturdays in its fully enclosed, warm and colourful space, filled with artsy designs and an assortment of plants. Customers of the market can escape the cold to do their shopping and catch some vitamin D on blistery winter days. The market has a large café seating area, a fun kid’s zone and a huge selection of local vendors to check off any grocery list or craving.

With 60+ vendors in Hamilton and 80+ vendors in Milton to choose from, these markets have something for everyone. There is a great selection of products such as produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, coffee and wine. The Winter Markets also feature specialty items including hot sauce, salad dressing, popcorn, kombucha and meat pies.

TERRA decided to start the markets in support of local business and farms. This will lead to increased healthy lifestyles by providing communities with the necessary connection to local food producers over the winter months. The Winter Markets will also provide social opportunities for people to connect with neighbours, friends and acquaintances in comfortable and fun atmospheres.

terragreenhouses.com.

In Community

The Backyard Rink is NOW OPEN at Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery in Niagara-on-the-Lake!

December 18, 2017 No Comments

Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery is pleased to announce the official opening of the Great One’s rink, right here in beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake. It just wouldn’t be Wayne Gretzky’s without a backyard skating rink! Guests are invited to bring their skates, or rent a pair, and spend the afternoon in wine (and whisky) country. After a skate, warm up on The Whisky Bar Patio with a whisky-inspired hot beverage or cocktail, a glass of wine and Chef Frank Dodd’s winter menu.

Don’t worry, the patio has heaters, too. Skating admission is $5 per person and skate rentals are available in limited quantities for $10, plus taxes.
The rink will be open from December to March, weather permitting.

The Winery & Distillery (and skating rink) will be closed on Christmas Day (December 25th ) and New Year’s Day (January 1st). The rink will operate daily from 12 noon to 6 pm, occasionally closed due to private bookings.

Visit waynegretzkyestates.com for hours of operation and
skating rink rules.

Note that hockey sticks, pucks, balls or nets are not permitted during public skating hours, and helmets are mandatory for children 12 years and younger.

The rink spans 5,000 sq. ft. and doubles as a reflecting pond during the summer months. A loonie,placed by The Great One himself, is located in the concrete at center ice. Custom Ice Inc., based in Burlington, installed the 40,000 linear feet of Glycol tubes under the concrete floor in order to
create and maintain the ice rink. A 35 ton chiller will cool the antifreeze that circulates through the pipes. A fluid temperature of -10°C is needed to maintain ice at outdoor temperatures of -5°C. The system should be able to maintain ice up to 7°C.

Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery Wayne Gretzky wines celebrate excellence in winemaking across the country. Whether they’re made in the Okanagan or Niagara, they’re produced from the finest grapes and developed by some of the greatest winemakers in the country. The same soils that produce great grapes also grow grains that are used to produce the brand new Wayne Gretzky No 99 ‘Red Cask’ Canadian Whisky; whisky that is finished in red wine casks from the Gretzky winery.

jenn

All Hat Jazz

Blanket Statement

Jack’d Up

Happy Feet

Contented Contents

Bind of the Times

Creature Comfort

by Heather Peter

Local Links

by Becky Dumais

Local Link

Oakville Sculptors & Woodcarvers Guild

Burlington Sculptors & Woodcarvers Guild

By Becky Dumais

Local Links

by Denise Davy

Local Links

Events & Happenings

Where to Stay

by Becky Dumais

Local Links

by Allison Dempsey

Local Links