TOQUE 21 - Homes Sweet Homes Issue

Main stage, Riverfest Elora.

Photo by Kevin Konnyu

MUSIC

A Very Charlie Brown Concert

Big Sugar

Boreal’s Songs for a Snowy Season

Burton Cummings and His Band:

Unplugged

Dean Brody

D’eve Archer

Guy Davis

International Roots ’n’ Blues Kitchen Party

iskwē

James Gordon

Kinderconcerts

Matt Zaddy

Men of the Deeps

Mudmen

Susan Aglukark’s

The Trews | House of Ill Fame

20th Anniversary Tour

Valdy

An

this season!

COMEDY

An Evening with Whitney Cummings

Girls Nite Out

Just For Laughs Road Show

Middle Raged

Shaun Majumder

ON 4 OR MORE SHOWS.*

Centre’s 2023–24 Season.

& MORE

360 ALLSTARS

Anne of Green Gables

— The Ballet®

Chris Funk, The Wonderist: Redefining Wonder

Erth’s DINOSAUR ZOO LIVE™

Frankenstein — A Living Comic Book

In Conversation with Carl Dixon

Paddington Gets in a Jam

SEASON SPONSOR

RESOUNDING · 2023/24

WANDERINGS AND TRACES

Works by Amanda McCavour

Curated by Karly Boileau

cai@toque.ltd

Experience free installations at Hespeler, Preston, and Queen’s Square. Visit our website for location, date, and event details.

ideaexchange.org/art

Wanderings and Traces is supported by The Musagetes Fund held at Waterloo Region Community Foundation

chris@toque.ltd

We want to use this space to give a 'shout out' to all the fantastic advertising partners who have supported TOQUE through the years. These days, when it's tempting to dump an entire marketing budget into social channels and online ad spots, it takes a discerning mind (along with imagination and courage) to invest in the community-minded stories and images TOQUE offers. Like so many of you, we continue to believe in the unique tactility and compelling impact of the kind of print medium we strive to be. So to all of our incredible advertisers who continue to believe with us and in us: the love is mutual.

Contributors: James Anthony, Jacquie Bunker, Kelly Caldwell, Michael Christie, Ryan Christodoulou, Dani Kuepfer, Christina Mann, Monica Mazun, Katie Shewen & Mike Von Dehn.

magazine TM

CAi SEPULIS, partner art director. design & illustration

CHRIS TIESSEN, partner editor. writing & photography

WHEN WE FIRST STARTED PUBLISHING TOQUE IN SPRING 2017, THE MAGAZINE HAD A SUCCINCT (THOUGH SOMEWHAT ELUSIVE) TAGLINE: ‘BROOKLYN TO BERLIN’. AND WHAT DID IT MEAN? IN A NUTSHELL, ‘BROOKLYN’ REPRESENTED GUELPH (WHOSE NEIGHBOURHOOD JUST SOUTH OF THE CONFLUENCE OF ITS TWO RIVERS WAS KNOWN, DURING THE ROYAL CITY’S EARLIEST DAYS, AS ‘BROOKLYN’ OR ‘BROOKLYN HILL’), WHILE ‘BERLIN’ STOOD FOR KITCHENER (WHICH WAS, OF COURSE, CALLED BERLIN UNTIL THE FIRST WORLD WAR CHANGED ALL THAT).

‘BROOKLYN TO BERLIN’, THEN, WAS A WAY OF ENCAPSULATING WHAT WE WERE AIMING TO ACHIEVE: TO CREATE A MAGAZINE THAT COULD HELP DEFINE AND ENLIVEN A REGION – FROM GUELPH TO KITCHENER, OR ‘BROOKLYN TO BERLIN’. IT WAS ABOUT BRINGING CLOSER TOGETHER ONCE-DISPARATE COMMUNITIES BY UNDERSCORING HOW NAVIGABLE AND COMPATIBLE (AND INVITING) – AS WELL AS SCINTILLATINGLY DIFFERENT AND DISTINCTIVE – THEY REALLY ARE. AND, PERHAPS MOST OF ALL, IT WAS ABOUT ATTEMPTING TO DEFINE ‘HOME’ FOR OURSELVES AND OUR READERS ALIKE: A TERRIFIC REGION WEST OF THE BIG SMOKE THAT OFFERED EVERYTHING FOLKS MIGHT LOOK FOR IN MUCH LARGER METROPOLES.

SINCE THOSE EARLY DAYS, TOQUE, TO BE SURE, HAS CONTINUED TO TRY TO (RE-)INTRODUCE A REGION TO ITSELF – A REGION THAT HAS EXPANDED AS THE MAGAZINE ITSELF EXPANDED. NOWADAYS, TOQUE REPORTS ON FOOD, DRINK, BUSINESS, ARTS AND CRAFTS, AND ADVENTURE NOT ONLY FROM KITCHENER (AND, BY EXTENSION, WATERLOO) TO GUELPH, BUT ALSO FROM CAMBRIDGE TO WELLINGTON COUNTY, STRATFORD TO LONDON, HAMILTON TO AYR. THE TAGLINE ‘BROOKLYN TO BERLIN', THEN, NO LONGER CAPTURES THE ENTIRETY OF THE REGION WE EXPLORE AND WRITE ABOUT. AS A RESULT, WE’VE RETIRED THAT INITIAL MONIKER.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE'VE INTENSIFIED OUR INITIAL INTENTION: TO HELP IDENTIFY, INVOKE, AND EXPRESS ‘HOME’ FOR OUR READERS. OVER THE PAST SIX YEARS WE’VE ATTEMPTED TO ACCOMPLISH THIS PRIMARILY BY INTRODUCING EVERYONE TO THOSE DESTINATIONS WE HAVE DEEMED WORTHY TO BE IDENTIFIED AS OUR COMMUNITIES’ GEMS: RESTAURANTS, TRAIL SYSTEMS, BREWERIES, WATERWAYS, BOUTIQUES, GROCERS, AND PERSONALITIES WHO STRIVE TO CREATE SOMETHING UNIQUELY ‘REGIONAL’ – UNIQUELY FROM ‘HERE’. UNIQUELY ‘HOME’.

THIS TIME AROUND WE HAVE FOCUSED A BIT MORE INTENTLY ON HOMES IN A MORE LITERAL SENSE; THAT IS, THOSE DWELLING PLACES WHERE WE LAY OUR HEADS MOST NIGHTS. NET ZERO HOMES. PASSIVE HOMES. COHOUSING UNITS. CONDOMINIUMS. ALONG THE WAY WE ARE, OF COURSE, NOT FORGETTING TO FEATURE ALSO A HANDFUL OF THE EXTRAORDINARY DESTINATIONS THAT COMPELLED SO MANY OF US TO CHOOSE THIS REGION AS ‘HOME’ IN THE FIRST PLACE.

SO GET COZY. POUR A COLD DRINK. AND TAKE AN IMAGINATIVE STROLL THROUGH THIS HEFTY ISSUE. WELCOME HOME.

.

‘HOME IS THE NICEST WORD THERE IS.’ - LAURA INGALLS WILDER

CONTENTS

COVER FOLD. CITY (E)SCAPE 1: GUELPH BEER BUS

9. EDITOR’S LETTER: THE HOMES SWEET HOMES ISSUE

14. ABOVE THE FRAY: WHERE RENATE KARGER & HER PARTNER JOHN LIVE, WORK & PLAY IN ELORA

22. DAYTRIPPIN’ WITH SARAH MCBEAN & SVEIN PIENE

24. BEYOND BRICKS & MORTAR: HOW HIP DEVELOPMENT IS BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE HUMAN SPIRIT

28. UPTOWN WATERLOO: A MOST NAVIGABLE, HAPPY CITY

34. EXPERT OPINION – INVESTMENT: MONICA MAZUN

35. CITY (E)SCAPE 2: KITCHENER-WATERLOO HOP

36. UNCOVERING WELLINGTON COUNTY: STONEWELL FARM

40. #PHOTOSPREAD: THE COME UP: BELIEVING THE HYPE ABOUT DOWNTOWN CAMBRIDGE

48. SAVING WHAT’S THERE: HOW WOODHOUSE GROUP IS BUILDING KITCHENER’S FUTURE USING ITS PAST

52. HOME DECOR SPOTLIGHT: SCHREITER'S

54. EXPERT OPINION – FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS AND SELLERS: VON DEHN HOMES TEAM

58. NET ZERO HEROES: HOW ACTIVA STAYS AHEAD OF THE GAME

62. #PHOTOESSAY: BOTTOMS UP: STAYING HYDRATED IN THE LIBATION DISTRICT OF LONDON’S OLD EAST VILLAGE (OEV)

72. GOOD NEIGHBOURS: LEARNING ABOUT THE COHOUSING COMMUNITY AT 1 MONT STREET

76. EXPERT OPINION – PURCHASING RURAL PROPERTIES: MICHAEL CHRISTIE

77. CITY (E)SCAPE 3: HAMILTON DATE NIGHT

78. #PHOTOSPREAD: SUMMERING BY THE BOOK

82. DTK: THE WALKABLE CITY

86. HOME DECOR SPOTLIGHT: PARAGON KITCHENS

88. FRONTIERS DESIGN + BUILD: FASHIONING COMFORT INTO THE EVERYDAY

94. EXPERT OPINION – NEURODIVERGENT BUYERS: KELLY CALDWELL

100. DOWN BY THE RIVER: GETTING (RE-)ACQUAINTED WITH EVERYONE’S FAVOURITE SUMMER FESTIVAL

108. THE COSMOPOLITAN HOTEL, THE VILLAGE MILL & THE COUNTRY MANOR: FINDING REJUVENATION AT THREE OF OUR REGION’S MOST LUXURIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS

116. EXPERT OPINION – CUSTOM HOME BUILDING: JAMES ANTHONY

117. CITY (E)SCAPE 4: SHOPPING IN STRATFORD

118. HOME DECOR SPOTLIGHT: RUG & WEAVE

120. TRILLIUM WALDORF SCHOOL: DISCOVERING THE ‘HEART OF CHILDHOOD’

126. #PHOTOSPREAD: HOLD IT DOWN

134. A FAMILY AFFAIR: HOW WOOD DEVELOPMENT GROUP IS INVESTING, AGAIN

138. #SNAPSHOT: GETTING AN INSIDE LOOK AT ROYAL CITY BREW’S BEERHALL

140. GETTING TO KNOW: CHRIS MOCHRIE, REALTOR

142. EXPERT OPINION – REAL ESTATE INVESTING: JACQUIE BUNKER

143. CITY (E)SCAPE 5: ADVENTURES IN ELORA

144. #PHOTOSPREAD: FRESH AND LOCAL.

152. HOME DECOR SPOTLIGHT: THE ART OF HOME

154. MENNO S MARTIN CONTRACTOR LIMITED: PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST – FOR QUITE SOME TIME

160. COMIC: GOOSE

162. COCKTAIL HOUR WITH KATIE SHEWEN

illustration: Cai Sepulis

@caisepulis

ABOVE THE FRAY:

WHERE RENATE KARGER & HER PARTNER JOHN LIVE, WORK & PLAY IN ELORA

WORDS & PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN

'It’s like we’re floating above the town,’ I hear myself say as Renate and I settle into a couple of outdoor loungers positioned under a large wooden pergola on the third-storey terrace, ‘completely above the fray.’ From our perch in the sky I can see much of Elora – laid out below us like some sort of playful tableau. To my right, along West Mill Street, tourists lollygag in groups of twos and threes, flowing in and out of boutiques and cafés and restaurants. To my left, down East Mill Street, kids jog on their way to Bissell Park for a game of ‘capture the flag’. Straight ahead, just past the restaurants across the street on East Mill (La Fontana, The Cellar, Shepherd’s Pub), swans congregate on the Grand River – no more than a hundred metres from the famed ‘tooth of time’ rock formation where the river rushes past the Elora Hotel Mill & Spa.

While I remain transfixed by the spectacle below, Renate lifts a gin and tonic to her lips, takes a sip, and remarks with a smile: ‘It sure is a wonderful place to call home.’ Elora, yes. And, more specifically, this impressive threestorey compound that Renate and her partner John have settled into.

It’s a warm Tuesday evening, late May, and I’m in Elora with a singular mission in mind: to spend the night at Renate’s place. Not squished between her and John in their airy apartment, mind you, which takes up the entire second floor of this most unique edifice, and half of the third, and spills onto expansive terraces across both levels. Instead, my bed for the night will be in the building’s luxurious third-storey Airbnb – a bright and spacious one-bedroom unit that rivals anything Elora’s got on offer. I’m staying here to experience

The view from the Karger third-storey terrace towards the rear patios and decks of Elora’s Metcalfe St shops

how this unique multi-storey complex functions, and to hear how Renate and John operate in (and around) it. Because besides housing the couple’s aforementioned twostorey apartment and third-storey Airbnb, it’s also home to Renate’s business, Karger, which takes up the building’s entire ground floor. The place is where Renate and John live, work, and play. A self-contained oasis.

There’s a good chance you know the place. In fact, if you’ve ever visited Elora you’ve probably marveled at it. Located just a couple doors down East Mill off Elora’s main drag, Metcalfe Street, it’s hard to miss. With its lovely combination of white stucco walls, Ipe wood trim, glimmering glass railing systems, and a head-turning second-storey greenhouse, the modern and angular building presents itself as though it might be as much at home in Sedona, Arizona or Moab, Utah as it is in the picturesque village of Elora. But it definitely wasn’t always this impressive.

‘When I bought the building back in 2012,’ Renate tells me while we watch the sun set over the river and behind the treeline past the Mill, ‘this place was known as Elora’s ugly duckling.’ She continues: ‘I had outgrown my rental studio in The Mews [a quaint collection of shops and cafés off West Mill] and was looking for something larger – a place where I could expand my growing business. I needed more space to be able to showcase the jewelry, sculpture, furniture, and other items I curated and offered up.' When the former brownstone garage-turned-restaurant (after restaurant after restaurant) came up for a sale – for a price that would make today’s prospective buyers’ jaws drop – Renate jumped at it.

‘I was actually on vacation when the building was listed,’ she recalls, ‘and only learned about it when my employee Elizabeth told me she’d seen the for sale sign out front.’ At the time, Renate didn’t have the funds she needed to buy the place and no bank would finance the purchase. Her solution? ‘I convinced my mom to fast track my inheritance as a down

Renate with John & sweet Winston in front of the greenhouse on the Karger compound’s second-storey terrace

payment on the property,’ she tells me. ‘I was actually still on vacation when I closed the deal,’ Renate notes with a contagious laugh, recalling her high-risk antic. ‘The place was a disaster when I took possession,’ she remembers. ‘Liquidators had stripped everything of value from it and left the rest a total mess.’ Speakers ripped out of the ceiling. Garbage all over the place. Rotten steaks in the freezer. No hydro. And all hers.

Over the next while Renate’s good friend Barry Williamson worked to gut and renovate the structure, while local artists paraded large cartoon pieces that had been crafted for the outside of Renate’s Mews studio by Elora artist (and Riverfest Elora founder) Marilyn Koop to her new building, to be displayed outside –just in time for opening day. ‘It was actually a pretty cheesy storefront,’ Renate recalls with a chuckle, ‘but it was mine and we were open for business.’ Over the next few years, Karger Gallery (which is what it was called then) grew and Renate worked on beautifying her ‘ugly duckling’ – including resurfacing the façade in white stucco (a fix that resulted in Renate's

receiving a township award in 2016). And then disaster struck – when the old building’s roof, untouched for decades, gave its last gasp and began to leak profusely.

‘I still remember John and me taking a bottle of wine up onto the roof one evening, with the intention of patching the leaks,’ Renate tells me. ‘We ended up enjoying the wine, marvelling at the view, and wondering aloud whether it might make sense to sell our home in Fergus and build a whole new place for ourselves on top of the business.’ Never one to shy away from daunting tasks, Renate (with John) committed to the move and began what would be a two-year rebuild of Karger that’s resulted in the fantastic compound where I find myself sharing space with Renate – and now John, who’s just arrived back home from a dog walk with their wonderful companion and shop dog, Winston.

‘The job was certainly an ambitious one,’ John tells me, citing Guelph-based structural engineering consultants Tacoma Engineers, and Guelph-based builders Centrix Building

The main room of the Karger Airbnb

Snapshots of Karger

Group as central collaborators on the project. ‘The whole building has been designed and built with self-sufficiency and sustainability in mind,’ John emphasizes. ‘From the greenhouse where we can theoretically grow our own food to hook-ups for solar to in-floor heating to strategically-placed windows and terrace overhangs that work with sun and shade to warm and cool, we could live here without leaving for quite some time.’ Above the fray.

Their capacity to stay put, to shelter in place, so to speak, is especially true since John –who toils in the tech world – works mainly from home and Renate’s thriving business, Karger, is on the first floor of the building. Ah yes, Karger. Renate’s brainchild – a business that began in The Mews as a studio where Renate sold local art beside her own original pieces and has morphed into a fullblown lifestyle boutique where a die-hard following seeks out an eclectically-curated collection of beautiful products for beautiful homes. Scandinavian-inspired furniture. Internationally-sourced home accessories. Elegant coffee tables and massive dining tables. Clothing made with natural fibers by independent fashion designers. Funky jewelry. And, of course, original artwork. ‘Most of the items in the store,’ Renate tells me, ‘have been crafted either by artisans or small batch manufacturers.’ I liken the space and everything in it, with affection, to an expression of Renate’s freneticallycreative mind – a sort of abstract art in and of itself. Wildly composed. Somehow perfectly balanced. And spilling over with texture, colour, and energy.

I ask Renate what it’s like to live so close to work. ‘It certainly saves on the commute’, she laughs, ‘so that’s convenient.’ Renate pauses before continuing: ‘It can also be tough to separate work from home. If my staff needs me, for instance, I’m only a stairway away. And when regulars pop by the shop it’s hard not to come downstairs for a chat. I’m like a yo-yo sometimes,’ Renate continues, ‘always running up and down from the apartment to

the business for some reason or another.’ She takes another moment, gazes down at her empty glass, swirls the ice around, and adds: ‘I really wouldn’t change anything, though.’

Indeed, this really is a wonderful place to call home.

For the next few hours, as dusk becomes nighttime, Renate and John and I continue to enjoy drinks (and charcuterie, which had been waiting for me – along with Elora Brewing Co tall cans – as a welcome treat in my Airbnb). We explore different seating areas around the building’s terraces: beneath the pergola, beside the greenhouse (which Renate still dreams of using to grow herbs for local restaurants), around a gas firepit, next to the sliding doors leading into Renate and John’s open concept kitchen. Every vantage point is surrounded by lush planters and each gathering place offers new views of the village below – and new angles of this wonderful compound. 'During past Riverfests,’ Renate tells me as we sit on the terrace next to the kitchen, ‘we’ve hosted live music shows on this terrace for close friends.’ I imagine festival goers, on their way to Bissell Park, catching these tunes in the air. I plan to listen for them myself over festival weekend this August.

Some time past midnight the three of us bid adieu and I mosey across the terrace to my Airbnb for sleep. As I unlock the door and venture inside, soft gusts of wind from the ceiling fan fall across my face. I look around the place and note its wonderful furnishings – all sourced (much like Renate and John’s apartment) from Karger below. The perfect business model, really, having each floor of this compound feeding (and feeding into) the next. And the perfect home, too. And place of work. And backdrop for play.

Above the fray.

KARGER GALLERY 14 E MILL ST, ELORA kargerlife.com

FUR KIDS LOVE ― ACTIVA ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMES*

RESIDENT COMFORT

GOOD FOR PLANET

When you’re as furry as Mugsy (Old English Sheepdog), it’s crucial to maintain a comfortable home year’ round. An Activa home provides just that! Think even temperatures throughout, better indoor air quality and less noise from the outdoors. Bark twice if you love your Activa home, Mugsy!

SAVE ENERGY SAVE MONEY

One of the energy e icient features in an Activa home are the big, bright triple pane windows, which let Bentley (Yorkshire Terrier) enjoy his daily squirrel surveillance! These high-performance windows, paired with ultra-efficient heating and cooling systems and better insulation, result in a home that’s good for you and the planet!

*Energy Star & Net Zero Ready. Photography may not be an accurate representation of the project or project surroundings. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. E. &

DAYTRIPPIN’

A LIFESTYLE-BOUTIQUE-OWNING POWER COUPLE AND THEIR TWO BOYS SHARE A SUMMERY SATURDAY DAYTRIPPING IN (AND AROUND) GUELPH.

SARAH MCBEAN

AND THEIR BOYS, FINN & SULLY

When power couple Sarah McBean and Svein Piene aren’t busy filling their two-storey downtown Guelph lifestyle boutique, Rug & Weave, with the most fabulously-curated selection of rugs, pillows, furniture, lighting & décor, they’re being run off their feet by their two young livewires, Finn & Sully. Saturdays, then, are for the family: opportunities to get outdoors, burn some energy, and break bread together. Tag along with Sarah, Svein and the boys as they spend a whirlwind Saturday in the region.

FOUND COFFEE

17 GORDON ST, GUELPH FOUND.COFFEE

ROYAL CITY PARK

139 GORDON ST, GUELPH GUELPH.CA/PARK/ROYAL-CITY-PARK/

FREELTON ANTIQUE MARKET

248 FREELTON RD, FREELTON FREELTONANTIQUEMALL.COM

WEST AVENUE CIDER HOUSE

84 CONCESSION RD 8 E, FREELTON WESTAVENUE.CA

1. A great Saturday morning begins with take-out breakfast from Found Coffee on Gordon St in downtown Guelph. This Australian-coffee-culture-inspired spot is an easy walk for the whole family from our College Hill home, and has much to offer: minimalist vibes, fantastic coffee and food, and even a yoga studio. Svein and I order drip coffees to-go, and juice for the kids. To fill our bellies, I order ‘The Smashed Avo’ (sourdough, avocado, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, chilli flakes), Svein chooses ‘The Salmon’ (sourdough, smoked salmon, cream cheese, lemon juice, pepper, fresh dill), and the kids share ‘The Berries’ (sourdough, marscapone, fresh berries, pepper, mint, honey). Take-out in hand, we head outside to enjoy breakfast in the sun.

2. Nestled pretty much halfway between Found Coffee and our house is Royal City Park – a favourite destination for family fun. Located on the banks of the Speed River and replete with mature trees, picnic tables, a covered pavilion, ball park, trails, and two fantastic playgrounds, the Park is perfect for breakfast. While Svein and I get down to our sourdough specials and coffees at a picnic table, the boys scarf down their food and head for the larger play structure. All around us, families and friends and cyclists and joggers enjoy time in the sun. Pure bliss.

3. With food in our bellies and a pep in our step, we grab the family hauler and drive with the boys to the Freelton Antique Market. Open seven days a week and featuring over two hundred vendors, this regional gem is the perfect spot for scouring vintage items. While Svein and the kids cruise the aisles in a haphazard way, I scavenge more strategically for antique bowls, wicker baskets, and other precious household items that catch my fancy.

4. Once we’ve had our fill of antique hunting, we beeline to a favourite spot of ours – the idyllic West Avenue Cider House. In addition to producing a substantial variety of award-winning hard ciders, West Ave is a must-visit rural destination for its beautiful pouring room and expansive trail system out back that’s perfect for dog-walking and (in our case) letting the kids run free. After a good hike, Svein and I enjoy a couple samples each before settling on bottles of ‘Heritage Dry’ (made with one hundred percent Ontario heritage apples) and ‘Cherriosity’ (with Niagara Montmorency cherries) for home.

WITH HUBBY SVEIN PIENE (OWNERS, RUG & WEAVE)

For (late) lunch, it’s back to Guelph for food and drinks on the Beertown patio – a consistently-great Royal City culinary joint. The place’s impressive selection of craft beer, hopping patio, and family-friendly menus (not to mention plentiful parking) makes it a perfect spot to bring the kids. We grab a high-top on the patio and order drinks: pints of Collective Arts IPAs for ourselves and chocolate milks for the boys. For food, I decide on the ‘Steak + Blue Salad’ (flatiron steak, greens, romaine, blue cheese dressing, tomatoes, cucumbers, croutons, smoked bacon, pickled red onions, cider vinaigrette); Svein grabs the ‘Beertown Big’ burger (two patties, smoked bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, pickles, sauce, toasted sesame bun); and the kids are all about the ‘Fried Chicken’ (with fries and plum sauce). So

GUELPH

After lunch, we make our way across town for a trail walk along the Speed River to the Guelph Lake dam. While the vast majority of the trails at Guelph Lake have been developed by the Guelph Off Road Biking Association (GORBA) for our region’s gnarliest cyclists, there’s still good hiking to be had. And the boys absolutely love the trail systems – running along berms and launching off roots (and always yielding to cyclists). When we reach the dam, we climb its banks and see, across the lake, the island – home of the annual Hillside Festival.

By the time we get back to the car after our Guelph Lake escapades, the boys are ready for an afternoon treat. Our destination: The Boathouse for ice cream, of course. After all, it’s a Royal City staple for anyone craving something cold and sweet on a summery weekend afternoon. We find parking in the gravel lot beside the Guelph Lawn Bowling Club, trek across the covered bridge, and line up (with about sixty other people) to wait our turn. Finn and Sully each order kids’ size scoops of ‘Birthday Cake’ on sugar cones. Svein and I share a single scoop (which is actually two scoops) of ‘Granny’s Cupboard’ and ‘Moose Tracks’ in a cup with two spoons. We sit on grass at the confluence of the Speed and Eramosa Rivers and watch the canoes (rented next to The Boathouse) glide past.

It’s late afternoon, and our busy day is coming to a close. Just one last stop: The Owl of Minerva in Guelph for take-out dinner. (This Korean restaurant has locations in Waterloo, Hamilton, Oakville and across the GTA as well.) Svein and I lived in Korea years ago, so this local spot has become near and dear to our hearts for obvious reasons. Our go-to dishes: the Bulgogi (stir-fried marinated beef & noodles with rice), Bibimbop (assorted vegetables w/ ground beef on rice) and Kimchi Jjigae (pork kimchi, stew, rice).

Back at home, we dig in. To our food. And then, afterwards, to our beds. It’s been a long day – and we’re wiped. (Even the kids.).

LAKE (GORBA) TRAILS

VICTORIA RD N AT SPEED RIVER CROSSING GORBA.CA

116 GORDON ST, GUELPH THEBOATHOUSEGUELPH.COM

THE OWL OF MINERVA 35 HARVARD RD, GUELPH OWLFAMILY.CA

BEYOND BRICKS & MORTAR:

HOW HIP DEVELOPMENTS IS BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE HUMAN SPIRIT

THERE ARE FEW REGIONAL INITIATIVES THAT HAVE RECEIVED AS MUCH HYPE OVER THE PAST HANDFUL OF YEARS AS WATERLOO-BASED HIP DEVELOPMENTS' AMBITIOUS PROJECT, THE GASLIGHT DISTRICT. AND FOR GOOD REASON. THIS PART-RESIDENTIAL, PART-COMMERCIAL, PART-COMMUNAL (WE’LL GET TO THIS PART) ADAPTIVE REUSE UNDERTAKING IS BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO GALT’S FORMER SOUTHWORKS FOUNDRY AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, INTO GALT (AND, BY EXTENSION, DOWNTOWN CAMBRIDGE)

ITSELF. IT’S ALSO SERVING AS A UNIQUE MODEL FOR HOW DEVELOPMENTS (AND THEIR DEVELOPERS) MIGHT INTERACT WITH THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY’RE BUILT.

AS THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE OF THE GASLIGHT DISTRICT WINDS DOWN AND ITS GRAND OPENING WEEKEND – SLATED FOR JULY 28-30 TH – DRAWS CLOSER, I WAS ONCE MORE ABLE TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH SCOTT HIGGINS – THE INSPIRED AND INSPIRING MIND BEHIND HIP’S PROJECTS – TO INTERVIEW HIM. HERE'S SOME OF WHAT HE HAD TO SAY:

THE GASLIGHT DISTRICT HAS BEEN A MONUMENTAL UNDERTAKING. HOW LONG HAS IT TAKEN TO GET TO THIS STAGE?

The project itself has been seven years in the making –and has cost upwards of two hundred and fifty million dollars. It’s been driven by a vision to create something unique for Cambridge and for the entire region.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT’S SO UNIQUE ABOUT THE GASLIGHT DISTRICT?

The Gaslight District is most unique because it’s been developed with community top of mind. Specifically, at the heart of the District – surrounded by the project's impressive Gaslight condominium towers, awe-inspiring Tapestry Hall event space, and a handful of commercial units housing restaurants, bars, and other public-facing amenities which have been integrated into the former foundry’s wonderful century-old limestone walls – lies a one-acre public square filled with unique interactive installations

and attractions whose primary function is to encourage play and drive interactivity. As such, HIP has developed a sort of ‘infrastructure for the human spirit’ that’s all about motivating interpersonal connectivity and fellowship on a physical level.

TELL ME A BIT MORE ABOUT THIS PUBLIC SQUARE – AND SPECIFICALLY ABOUT ITS INSTALLATIONS AND ATTRACTIONS. WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO BE LIKE?

We’ve invested heavily in a range of technologies that will enliven the place for everyone who visits it. There will be a number of playfully-interactive permanent installations, for example, that will (re)acquaint folks with the Grand River [located just steps from the Gaslight District] and help tell the stories that define the city’s past, present, and future. A permanent outdoor stage in the square will host concerts and arts & culture performances [which will, in turn. complement Tapestry Hall, Gaslight’s indoor event space, that’s already operating just next to the square]. Already

INTERVIEW WITH SCOTT HIGGINS BY CHRIS TIESSEN; PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN

Scott Higgins

installed in the square is Canada’s largest outdoor video screen – perfect for movie nights, extraordinary telecasts [think Olympics, Stanley Cup Finals, World Cup], and even local band video launches. And when the video screen isn’t playing ‘scheduled programming,’ it will animate the space in unique ways, functioning in tandem with the interactive installations, for instance.

THIS SOUNDS INCREDIBLE – AND EXPENSIVE TO USE. WHAT WILL THESE INTERACTIVE INSTALLATIONS COST TO USE – OR ‘PLAY’?

Everything in the public square will be free. I firmly believe that any great development should include public art, civic squares, and vibrant spaces where folks can connect with each other and the environment around them – at no cost.

TALK TO ME A BIT MORE ABOUT YOUR INTEREST IN CONNECTIVITY – WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Over the past few years our society has slipped into a sort of ‘social recession’ in which loneliness, depression, and anxiety have reached all-time highs. I believe that this is because we, as individuals, don’t connect with other people like we used to. Even before the pandemic introduced restrictions and lockdowns into our lives, folks were connecting less – choosing instead to doom scroll their lives away on their screens.

At the same time, city planning has increasingly stripped away many of the spaces and places where we used to casually bump into people, make conversation, meet a new friend. I believe that it’s time we rebuild these communal spaces – and I know that we can no longer rely on city hall to assume responsibility for city building of this sort. Instead, achieving a goal of inclusive communities is going to take experimentation and collaboration from – and with – all sectors.

AND SO THAT’S WHAT HIP IS DOING HERE AT THE GASLIGHT DISTRICT, THEN?

Yes. At HIP we believe that creating meaningful connections between people is a city’s most important job because quality of life, better mental health, and

Rendering supplied by HIP Developments

the innovations that our economy runs on all come from a sense of united and collaborative communities. As a result, The Gaslight District defines its purpose as creating a new kind of public place designed to connect people with strangers and neighbours through play – for free.

WHAT’S LEFT TO DO BEFORE THE GASLIGHT DISTRICT’S GRAND OPENING CELEBRATIONS ON JULY 28-30TH?

There’s always work to be done, that’s for sure. But, really, the only missing ingredient at the site are the citizens of Cambridge and Waterloo Region whom I can’t wait to see activating the space – playing in it, and with it, and with each other.

GASLIGHT DISTRICT gaslightdistrict.ca

AND ONE LAST QUESTION – WHAT ARE SOME THINGS TO DO AT THE GASLIGHT DISTRICT FOR FOLKS WITH CASH BURNING A HOLE IN THEIR POCKET?

There are definitely options for these visitors, too. The Foundry Tavern, for instance, is open already and abuts the public square. It serves products made at Foundry Brewing Co – which is also located at Gaslight – and is fast becoming a favourite food destination for locals. There are also plans for a cocktail bar and pizza spot. And of course there will also be a well-curated selection of markets, shops, and even art studios for those who want to expand their Gaslight District experience.

But The Gaslight District will never be just another outdoor shopping mall to hang out with your close friends. The main thrust of this urban park is to be a place where you hang out with your city and feel like you belong.

plus so much more

UPTOWN WATERLOO: A MOST NAVIGABLE, HAPPY CITY

WORDS & PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN

‘We’ve been standing here for only three minutes,’ I exclaim to my TOQUE Partner Cai in amazement, ‘and over twenty cyclists have ridden past.’ I watch as another couple bikes cruise by – all safe from cars and trucks in a well-marked protected bike lane. ‘Now this,’ I emphasize, ‘is what I’d call a bike-friendly city.’ Just as I finish talking, the whirring noise of metal wheels on tracks grabs my attention. I follow the sound and spot the ION gliding smoothly across King Street and toward its next station at Waterloo Town Square. From there it will take passengers through scenic Waterloo Park and out towards the universities. ‘And look at that,’ I laugh aloud, ‘light rail public transit in the mix. It’s like we’re in some sort of public service announcement for future cities.’ Navigable cities. Green cities. Happy cities. And I’m all for it.

‘Well,’ Cai remarks, ‘what are we waiting for? Let’s join the action.’ And just like that, she hops expertly onto the bright orange e-scooter she's just rented, presses the throttle, and joins the flow of riders heading up King toward some near or far destination or other. Workplace. Patio. Café. Whatever. Not wanting to be left behind, I swing a leg over my rented orange e-bike (because I have never learned to scoot), push down on the pedal with the lightest force, and propel forward – effortlessly – after Cai. Uptown Waterloo sure has come a long way since I grew up here – roaming these very same streets.

It's mid-June on a Wednesday, and Cai and I have shot down ‘the seven’ from Guelph to spend a few wonderful hours Uptown. Our agenda for the day is wide open. Of

Cai gliding up pedestrian-friendly Princess St past Loloan Lobby Bar

course we’ve got a few stops we’d like to hit. Beertown for food and drinks. Old Goat Books for second-hand gems. The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery for a quick peek in the gift shop. Ethel’s for a couple of pops up at the bar. Midnight Run café for americanos. Mostly, though, we’re here to give the new Region of Waterloo e-bike and e-scooter rental program a try. You've seen these sets of wheels around. Bright orange. Parked at virtual stations across Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo since midApril. And available for rent through a mobile app that’s quick to set up and load with money to pay your way.

We’d picked up our e-vehicles at Waterloo City Hall. Effortlessly. And now we’re part of this two-wheeled parade – and I’m enjoying every second of it. ‘I’ve got an idea,’ I shout to Cai over the wind in our ears, ‘follow me.’ I pull ahead, and in no time we’ve turned off King and onto Erb Street’s protected bike lane. Just before we pass the Dana Shortt Gourmet parking lot (perhaps the only time I’ll pass Dana’s place without stopping in for amazing prepared treats), I guide us onto the

Waterloop, a paved multi-use trail emblazoned with painted centre line, and then onto the Spurline Trail – a well-marked, tree-lined rail trail that takes cyclists, scooter riders, walkers, joggers, and stroller pushers in and out of Uptown towards Kitchener.

Along the way I’m engaged and heartened by the plethora of wayfinding signs installed by the City of Waterloo that lets active trail users know where they are and how far away they are from various destinations across town (with arrows pointing out which direction to go). I read the nearest one: Erb Street –0.1km; Bridgeport Road – 0.4km; Conestoga Mall – 5.0km. I’ve long argued that my current hometown, Guelph, should incorporate wayfinding systems just like this one in its downtown core. What a great way for a city to interact with its residents and visitors. Indeed, wayfinding systems are not only useful but also playful – generating curiosity and encouraging exploration and adventure. And it gets even better. On one of the signposts I note a metal plaque featuring an icon of a

Chris with his e-bike near the Spurline Trail

Jeanne Létourneau, ‘Objects and Relics Series’, 2022-23. Glass. The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery

cassette tape together with a QR code. Intrigued, I pull off the trail, make my way closer, and discover that the code is for a ‘Trail Mix’ featuring local artists. On this particular mix: ‘Santa Barbara Pier’ by Sean Bertram and ‘Liquor’ by Paige Warner. I’m surprised that there are only two tracks on the mix until I realize that there are more mixes at different points along Waterloo’s intricate muti-use trail system –functioning as tasty aural treats along the way, encouraging folks to travel further to find more tunes. Talk about a city interacting with its citizens.

As Cai and I continue down the Spurline we pass many like-minded souls out for jogs, walks, and bike rides. A trio of young women walking strollers catches my attention for a photo. They’re keen to oblige my camera’s eye, and then keep moving. And we keep moving, too, until – just when I imagine we might cruise these e-vehicles forever – a loud pre-recorded voice emanates from both of our rides, announcing to us that we’re exiting the Uptown boundary and must turn back. At the same time, power to our e-rigs gradually shuts off. ‘I guess these things have GPS for geofencing,’ Cai remarks as her scooter slows to a crawl and then comes to a stop. ‘Looks like this is the end of the line,’ she adds with a laugh. 'Headed in this direction, anyway.'

For the next few hours we use the Uptown fleet of e-bikes and e-scooters as our own personal means of transport – hopping from one to another as we skip across this favourite city core. Our first stop: Beertown for a late lunch. While I grab a ‘Beertown Big’ burger (two patties, smoked bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, pickle, special sauce) and a ‘Farmhouse Limeade’ (Willbald gin, home brewed hibiscus tea, lime juice, simple syrup, splash of soda), Cai chooses the ‘New York Steak Frites’ (ten-ounce striploin, fries, chipotle aioli, chives) and a non-alc Erdinger.

After lunch we cruise down King, past such Uptown staples as King St Cycles, The Loop, S&V Uptown, Carry-On Comics and Books, the Princess Twin Cinemas (and Café and Sidewalk Beer Shop), Kinton Ramen, and more – before turning up Princess Street (converted into a charming pedestrian-only thoroughfare during these warmer months) past the Jane Bond and Loloan Lobby Bar, and towards The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery. If you haven’t been to this regional treasure, you’re missing out. Blessed with free admission, fantastically-curated exhibits, and an awesome gift shop, it’s the perfect site of repose along any route.

After the Gallery Cai and I make our way to Old Goat Books – located on King almost directly across the street from Ethel’s. Even if you’re not in the market for used books, this longtime Uptown establishment is worth a visit for its photogenic character alone. Overflowing with (seeming) teetering bookshelves straining to support the weight of thousands of used titles, Old Goat is a must-visit for fans of weighty reads, The Smiths, and like-minded 'philosopher' types. While Cai gets busy in the poetry section, I find delight shooting the place from all angles. And then it’s on to Ethel’s – another Uptown institution and the very definition of a ‘local’. I’ve been a patron for a while. In fact, Ethel’s is where I settled to watch Lennox Lewis beat Mike Tyson way back in 2002. I’ll tell you this much about the place: nothing’s changed. And that’s just awesome. Up at the bar, I put down a pint of Cowbell Cerveza, Cai enjoys something non-alcoholic, and we watch an inning of an afternoon Jays’ game on the small screen. It rarely gets more nostalgic than this.

For our last stop of our Uptown jaunt, Cai and I pop in at Midnight Run Café. As we both haven’t been here since the place was DVLB, we want to suss out its vibe. It’s still cool. Exposed brick walls. Lots of plants. Dark and moody. And americanos that are (still) on point. By this time the late afternoon is upon us and our home lives beckon. On our

way back to Cai’s parked car, she tries out my e-bike. (I don’t dare do the same with her scooter.) The day’s been fun – and made so much more entertaining with these bright orange rides. Sure there are some hiccups with this regional rental program. Our e-vehicles yelled at us more than once for riding on the sidewalk (while we were firmly on the road), for instance. And my e-bike’s pedal may or may not have fallen off. And I’m not sure how much I would’ve enjoyed wearing a rental helmet had I not brought one of my own. But complaining about these slight issues isn’t the point of it all. Instead, it’s wonderful to see Uptown embrace forward thinking. Protected bike lanes. Multiuse trail systems. Trail mixes. And a fleet of rentable two-wheeled e-vehicles that will for sure bring a smile to the face of even the most cynical among us.

It's true what sustainable transportation guru Robert Cevero once said: 'Planning of the automobile city focuses on saving time. Planning for the accessible city, on the other hand, focuses on time well spent.' Once Cai and I park our rides back near City Hall, each of us knows we’ll be back. To rent these e-rigs with friends, and family, and whoever else wants to enjoy one helluva day. And then again. In this navigable city. This green city.

This happy city.

We put the time in with you and your trusted advisors to build a deep understanding of your goals. Then, we keep our ear close to the ground, complete thorough due diligence, and bring you opportunities that align with your objectives.

INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE? BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION.

BY MONICA MAZUN | Monica.Mazun@RichardsonWealth.com |

One of the most exciting days has finally arrived as you grip the cool, comforting metal in your hand. It’s the key – not just to your new home, but to the next chapter of your life. As you open the door, you’re overcome with pride and joy. You start walking through your new home, taking it all in, reflecting on the steps you took to get here. So just how did you get here?

The road to owning real estate can be onerous (pun intended), complex and – much like the stock market – unpredictable. In the last issue of TOQUE we touched on the advantages for first time home buyers of saving for a down payment. Setting up a regular pre-authorized contribution is an easy way to pull funds directly from your bank account to a savings vehicle. Tools like the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP), and First Home Savings Account (FHSA) are strong incentives to help.

But maybe you’re ready for the next stage – a recreational property. Studies show that Gen Xers (ages 43-58) are driving demand for recreational homes, fueled by career stability, wealth transfer, and inheritances. If owning a recreational property and building those family memories is your dream, it’s important to sit down with an investment advisor to discuss how this dream fits into your financial plan. Just like owning a home, owning a cottage has many costs associated with it, and capital gains tax implications if you need to sell. Knowing if your current liquid assets can help cover future expenses such as maintenance bills or property taxes can put your mind at ease.

In some cases, the inheritance is a family property such as a cottage. Often this transfer can result in a burden for the next generation. If keeping the cottage in the family is important to you, your advisor can work with you to set up a cottage succession plan while keeping tax planning strategies and long-term ownership implications at the forefront.

What if you’re feeling comfortable including income properties in your investment and retirement savings picture? This can be a great long-term game plan – but it can be complicated, too. Cash flows, income projections, and tax implications are things to consider. Your advisor can help you take an objective look at your becoming a landlord and provide guidance about whether this is a hat you want to wear, or if other investment solutions should be discussed.

Investing in property can be a significant and extremely valuable part of your investment portfolio, and you want to ensure that it fits just right with your financial plan. After all, a good foundation is always key.

All material has been prepared by Monica Mazun, who is an Associate Investment Advisor with the Mactaggart Hryn Team at Richardson Wealth Limited. The opinions expressed in this report are the opinions of the author and readers should not assume they reflect the opinions or recommendations of Richardson Wealth Limited or its affiliates. Richardson Wealth Limited, Member Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Richardson Wealth is a trademark of James Richardson & Sons Limited, used under license.

STONEWELL FARM

When Lee Anne Downey moved with her family to a gorgeous ninety-three acre farm in Erin back in 2017, she had a singular mission in mind – to put lavender in the ground for a future business endeavour. ‘I actually held lavender planting parties back then,’ Lee Anne reminisces with a laugh while she and I chat in her farmhouse kitchen: ‘I gathered together anyone and everyone who’d help me.’ The result: an initial field of twenty-five hundred plants. An additional two thousand plants have since been nurtured.

‘With these plants,’ Lee Anne announces with pride, ‘I launched my lavender business, Stonewell Farm, in 2019.’ Taking into account the profuse field of lavender just outside the kitchen window, I’d say the enterprise is in full bloom. ‘We make a wide range of products with our lavender,’ Lee Anne tells me, ‘including everything from body butters and lip balms to herbal teas and soaps.’ Lee Anne’s even got lavender sugar scrubs and lavender shortbread cookies – all available at the charming on-site farm store (open Tuesday thru Friday 9am-4pm). And (mostly) all made at the farm.

There’s more: Lee Anne makes the farm available for artist workshops, photography sessions, and evening yoga in the lavender fields. ‘There’s something magical about practising yoga in the lavender,' she reflects, invoking local wildlife: 'bees buzzing nearby and coyotes howling further afield.’ And there's even an Airbnb on the property. Peaceful. Tranquil. Perfect.

Like so many other remarkable farms and food businesses that dot Guelph and Wellington County, Stonewell Farm is a partner of Taste Real – a County of Wellington program that promotes local food and facilitates valuable connections among food businesses, consumers, craftspeople, and farmers alike. That includes lavender doyens (and all-round entrepreneurial gurus) like Lee Anne. Learn more at stonewellfarm.ca and tastereal.ca

ERIN

WORDS & PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN

WELLINGTON COUNTY FARMERS’ MARKET TRAIL

Go on a local food adventure and explore Guelph and Wellington County’s vibrant farmers’ markets this summer. Each market showcases the unique tastes and flavours of its community and offers visitors a gateway to explore beautiful towns and rural destinations.

Pick up your FARMERS’ MARKET TRAIL PASSPPORT and collect stamps each time you visit a market for a chance to win one of eight market prize packs.

Aberfoyle Farmers’ Market | afma.ca

Saturdays | 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

June 17 – October 7

23 Brock Road South, Aberfoyle (in the Optimist Recreation Centre)

Elora Farmers’ Market | elorafarmersmarket.ca

Saturdays | 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

May 6 – October 7

127 East Mill Street, Elora (at Bissel Park)

Erin Farmers’ Market | erinfarmersmarket.ca

Thursdays | 3:00 pm - 6:30 pm

June 22 – September 28

190 Main Street, Erin (Erin Fairgrounds)

Guelph Farmers’ Market | guelphfarmersmarket.ca

Saturdays | 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Year round

Gordon Street at Waterloo Avenue, Guelph

Mapleton Farmers’ Market | mapleton.ca

Last Thursday of the month | 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

May 25 – September 28

49 Elm Street, Drayton (Drayton Fairgrounds)

FARMERS’ MARKET BOXES

Get a curated selection of farmers’ markets goodies delivered to your doorstep this summer and fall. A different Wellington County or Guelph Market is featured every two weeks. For more info and to order your box(es) see tastereal.ca

Minto Farmers’ Market | mintofarmersmarket.ca

Saturdays | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

June 3 - September 30

164 William Street, Palmerston (at Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum)

Rockwood Farmers’ Market | therockwoodfarmersmarket.ca

Wednesdays | 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

June 7 - October 4

120 Rockmosa Drive, Rockwood (behind Rockmosa Community Centre)

Wellington North Farmers’ Market | simplyexplore.ca

Saturdays | 8:30 am - 12:00 pm

June 17 - September 30

320 King Street East, Mount Forest (at Victory Community Centre)

TASTE REAL LOCAL FOOD MAP

Pick up a copy of the newest Guelph-Wellington Local Food Map and explore local food this summer. Find participating locations at tastereal.ca

Georgia McNab, owner and milliner at Off The Block (@_offtheblock_), takes a moment to herself at The Galtway (@thegaltway) sporting a breezy summer outfit by re:treat (find them on facebook).

DOWNTOWN CAMBRIDGE DESTINATIONS. A TASTE OF WHAT’S ON OFFER.

BELIEVE THE HYPE.

Shupi Mapuranga, owner and head baker at Bliss Creations (@blisscreations.kw), relaxes at The Laundry Rooms (@the.laundry.rooms) in an absolutely stunning getup from The Art of Home (@theartofhome).

Kayla Zawiski, owner and farmer at event venue Waterhill Farm (@waterhillfarm), shops at Painted Out (@paintedout_inc) accessorized with a sweet bag from The Witty & Co (@thewittyandco).

Emily Rowsell, a manager at Downtown Cambridge BIA (@downtowncambridge), takes in the exquisite artwork at nowords (@nowordsgallery) donning a killer hat from Off The Block (@_offtheblock_).

Roland Ross, realtor at Shaw Realty Group (@shawrealtygroup), enjoys a margarita at The Mule (@themulecambridge) in a dapper suit from Gadsbys Clothing Co (@gadsbysclothing).

Delicious dishes from The Mule Cambridge

SAVING WHAT’S THERE: HOW WOODHOUSE GROUP IS BUILDING KITCHENER’S FUTURE USING ITS PAST

WORDS & PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN

When I was a kid growing up in Kitchener, my dad (also born and raised in the city) loved driving my brother and me past the many landmark buildings that helped grow – and define – our hometown. The Arrow Shirt factory on Benton Street. The AR Kaufman factory at the corner of King and Victoria. The Electrohome structure on Shanley. The massive Krug edifice along Breithaupt. As we cruised past these imposing historic monuments (either in my parents’ secondhand Mercury Marquis Brougham or their used Lincoln Continental MkV – a combined thirty-eight feet of automobile) my pops would entertain my brother and me with tales of the industrialists who built these factories, reminding us that Kitchener had, at its height,

been an industrial powerhouse in the British Commonwealth.

These tours inevitably included driving past sites where a number of Kitchener’s historic buildings had at some point existed but had since been torn down in the name of ‘progress’. The plot on Weber where the Smiles’n’Chuckles factory had once stood. The spots where Kitchener’s old Market building and Central Fire Hall had once existed. And, of course, the location on King where Kitchener’s grand original City Hall had been erected and then demolished – an act that my dad still calls ‘one of the city's great tragedies.’ (The building’s clock tower can still be visited at its new home in Victoria Park – a sort of monument of

Woodhouse Group CEO Joe Woodhouse with Commercial Property Admin Megan Beedie & Facility Manager Sebastian Skuza

erasure.) Exploring these vestiges of history taught me much about Kitchener, and still having many of these landmarks around today – restored, repurposed, re-invigorated – adds layers and texture to the city's stories.

It may not be the easiest (or most efficient) task to try to save an old building, to make the effort of breathing new life into it, but it’s a noble undertaking. And one that Joe Woodhouse, CEO of Kitchener’s long-standing Woodhouse Group, has been tackling head on, one project at a time. Indeed, during the past while Woodhouse Group has worked collaboratively with local developers and architects to restore and repurpose several historic downtown Kitchener sites – including, among others, 27 Gaukel Street (also known as the old Schreiter’s building and now occupied by Google), 1 Queen Street North (kiddie corner from The Walper Hotel), 132 Queen Street South (a one-time auto shop that’s now home to Alert Labs Inc).

It wouldn't be a stretch to say that it’s the adaptive reuse projects that are currently defining Woodhouse Group. As Joe tells me: ‘For the past few decades, Woodhouse was primarily run as an independent insurance restoration company, restoring properties after damage caused by fire or flooding. About a decade ago, the business branched out to include general contracting, real estate management, and environmental services. Adaptive reuse projects are a perfect fit for us because they incorporate all of the skillsets the company has honed over the years.’

The rehabilitation of 17 Benton Street in downtown Kitchener is a perfect example. This historic three-storey building, the original century-old red brick façade of which had been hidden from view for almost forty years, is currently being restored and reimagined for a new future. In the process, Woodhouse is developing new boutique office space surrounded by discrete units of public parkland and anchored by a future restaurant

Rendering of 17 Benton St submitted by NEO Architecture

tenant – all with a view to enlivening this pocket of the downtown core.

‘Before Woodhouse purchased 17 Benton,’ Joe remarks, ‘the building was owned and occupied by Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest.’ I remember the building’s Oktoberfest era well. Its ornamental turrets. Plaster parapets. Blackpainted trompe l’oeil ‘windows’. A nostalgic faux-castle design meant to evoke particular sentiments. Not my cup of tea (or, in this case, stein of beer), but a distinctive Kitchener landmark, nevertheless, that carries significant meaning for a segment of Kitchener citizens.

I can imagine the public scrutiny Joe and his team must have faced when they dismantled the building’s iconic Oktoberfest castle skin.

‘There were a few people who didn’t want to see the Oktoberfest castle pulled down,’ Joe tells me. ‘We have made sure, in the redevelopment process, to pay homage to this

particular chapter of the building’s long life.' He explains: 'The Kitchener firm NEO Architecture Inc, who works closely with us on many of our ventures, has designed a pattern emulating the striking checkerboard Bavarian emblem that was a hallmark of the Oktoberfest structure; that emblem will be incorporated onto the Charles Street wall where it will extend beyond the original building’s roofline and serve as the exterior facade of a new fourth floor.’

And who will occupy the upper floors of the Benton Street project? ‘Brightpath Capital and Montfort Capital will occupy the third and fourth floors, while Woodhouse Group will retain the second floor for their growing real estate team.’ And the ground level floor? ‘We’re hoping to fill that space with a fantastic restaurant,’ Joe remarks excitedly. Joe continues: 'Whoever ends up taking the space will have the opportunity to work with us to build it out to their custom needs.’ The location

On-site at 17 Benton St

is definitely ideal for a great nosh spot. Nestled directly across from the Charles & Benton Parking Garage, and just feet from the ION light rail tracks, it would see lots of traffic. And with room for a sweet outdoor patio facing Charles (and directly underneath the Bavarianpatterned exterior wall), it would attract lots of attention from passersby as well.

‘What we’re trying to do at 17 Benton,' Joe tells me, 'is to remain true to the building’s earliest roots while re-energizing a corner of the downtown.’ He explains: ‘Seeing the potential in older buildings and redeveloping them for new futures is one way we aim to contribute to the ongoing evolution of the core as a

vibrant commercial hub, business district, and community destination.’

My dad, who to this day takes me on car drives of Kitchener’s landmark buildings, would certainly be keen to join me in embracing the mission Joe and the team at Woodhouse Group is giving voice to – their commitment to restoration, adaptation, and stewardship. Just what every city needs.

WOODHOUSE GROUP woodhouse.ca

17 Benton St under construction

HOME DECOR SPOTLIGHT:

SCHREITER’S

Staged Area: Living Room

Location: Waterloo

‘For this product shoot, we staged my living room in Waterloo with chairs, tables, planters, and even a sectional from the Schreiter’s showroom. This house was designed by architect John Lingwood and built in 1968 for a Dean at the University of Waterloo. It was later the home of Waterloo-based artist, Peter Etril Snyder, whose paintings of Old Order Mennonites brought him much acclaim. It features a flat-roof design and feels very linear inside – with box-like rooms and extremely high ceilings. The pieces that we selected from Schreiter’s to fill this space feature curved lines and circular shapes that work to soften the angular architectural nature of the home. The buying team at Schreiter’s carefully selects and curates home and contract furniture collections with a focus on style, quality, value, and a commitment to environmental sustainability. The pieces showcased here are great examples of what Schreiter’s is all about.’

- Chloe Lobsinger, General Manager Schreiter’s

(1) Cello Shelf, EQ3 (Winnipeg)

(2) Timeout Reclining Chair & Ottoman, Conform (Sweden)

(3) Floor Lamp, Origina Lighting (Toronto)

(4) Art, LeftBank

TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS AND SELLERS FROM THE VON DEHN HOMES TEAM

| vondehnhomes.com

Buying and/or selling a home can be a complicated and overwhelming task – especially for first-time home buyers and sellers. The von Dehn Homes team believes firmly that the first step to successfully and smoothly navigating the process of buying or selling is to pick the right real estate agent or team to guide you through the entire process; that is, folks who align with your core values and whom you can trust and feel comfortable with. It’s imperative that you have a good working relationship with your realtor or real estate team so that you can be honest about your worries and concerns without feeling any judgment or pressure to buy or sell.

The von Dehn Homes team regularly works with first-time home buyers and sellers, and understands what clients might want to consider when looking to buy or sell their first home. We have compiled a list of the three most important tips that buyers and sellers, respectively, should keep in mind. Once you have chosen the right team to work with, use the following guide for a streamlined journey through the entire home buying and selling process.

TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS

Get pre-approved for a mortgage

Before you start hunting for a first home, it is important to seek a preapproval from a lender. This will give you a better idea of what you can afford and how much you can borrow, as well as set you up for a quicker and smoother transaction when it’s time to act.

Know what you want

Make a list of your must-haves and deal-breakers before you start looking for a home. This will help you narrow down your search and save time as you begin to look at options. It will also keep you focused during the often overwhelming quest for a first home.

Be realistic

Remember that no house is perfect. Be prepared to compromise and make concessions to find a home that fits your needs and budget.

TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME HOME SELLERS

Get your home ready for sale

Before you list your home, make sure it is in good condition. Clean, declutter, stage, and make any necessary repairs or upgrades.

Price your home competitively

Your trusted realtor can help you determine a fair and competitive price for your home based on market conditions and comparable homes in the area.

Be flexible

Selling a home can be a stressful and time-consuming process. Be prepared to accommodate showings and be flexible with your schedule.

Whether you are a first-time home buyer or seller, following these tips and working with a knowledgeable and experienced real estate agent and/or team can help ensure that you achieve your goals and avoid any pitfalls along the way. By staying organized and proactive, you can make the most of your home buying or selling journey and feel confident in your final decision. Most importantly, do your research and find the right team that fits with your values and your needs. Don’t be afraid to interview multiple agents and teams to choose the right fit for you.

NET ZERO HEROES: HOW ACTIVA STAYS AHEAD OF THE GAME

WORDS & PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN

It’s mid-May, Friday afternoon, and unseasonably hot outside. Just a couple hours remain until the end of the work week, and I’ve got plans for dinner with the family at Willibald. I can taste the weekend – along with Willibald’s magnificent menu of juicy IPAs and farm-to-table dishes – already. I’m at my last meeting of the day and should be excited to wrap things up. Yet I find myself not wanting to be anywhere but here – sunken into a comfortable white faux-leather chaise, bathed in natural light, enjoying this most wonderful open concept living space. The clean lines. Natural hardwood floors. Subtle matte finishes. Tall ceilings. So relaxing. Almost zen.

A touch to my right, the place’s open concept kitchen – featuring a massive granite island, glass dining table, modern light fixtures, and floor-to-ceiling windows – beckons. Behind me, the main staircase – all white and black with

sleek glass railings – invites. And all around me, the home’s contemporary design features – its led lighting, in-ceiling sound system, electric fireplace, and more – nods. To me. As if granting permission for me to stay awhile. To take a load off. Get cozy. I feel completely at home here. I guess this is what an Activa build can do to a person.

‘We strive to build homes that our clients want to live in,’ Activa’s CAO, Geoff McMurdo, remarks – waking me from my blissed-out reverie. Mission accomplished, then. Geoff continues: ‘It’s always been our mission to craft singularly beautiful homes. This one is no exception.’ He can say that again. After all, this spacious abode is a particularly special Activa unit – serving as the company’s certified NetZero model home build in Activa’s sweeping Trussler West community in Kitchener. When I ask Geoff how easy it would be to replicate

Photo submitted by Activa

Activa Marketing Manager Jessica Flanagan with Activa CAO Geoff McMurdo

the fits and finishes of this model home in another Activa build (in case, for instance, I’m ever in the market for a shiny new place), he’s quick to answer: ‘All of our new homeowners are afforded the opportunity to design their homes from scratch with all sorts of fits and finishes – including all the nice amenities found in this place.’

Activa Marketing Manager Jessica Flanagan, who has joined Geoff and me at the model home, expounds: ‘We’ve built an awardwinning design studio where every Activa new homeowner is encouraged to see, touch, feel, and experience the quality features the company has on offer. And we also pair new homeowners with a design specialist for one-on-one consultations to help with the oftentimes overwhelming process of designing their new living spaces.’ It wasn’t always this way. In fact, for much of Activa’s almost-fortyyear history in the region, the company was known more for its land development than for its home building. This all changed less than a decade ago when Activa decided to try its hand at what it's known for now.

And while Activa has a reputation for building high-quality, well-designed homes, what really

sets it apart from others in the industry is its self-imposed mandate to build industryleading energy efficient homes – en masse.

‘By the end of this year,’ Geoff remarks with pride, ‘we will have built two hundred Net Zero Ready homes in the region – placing us among the leaders in Canada for Net Zero Ready construction.’ He adds: ‘In fact, as it stands now, all Activa detached new builds are certified Net Zero Ready.’

While I’m familiar with the concept of Net Zero homes – that is, houses (like the one we’re in) that generate as much energy as they use – I’m less familiar with the term ‘Net Zero Ready.’ So I ask Geoff about it. He tells me that a Net Zero Ready home is built to the same exacting energy-efficient standards as a Net Zero home – minus the solar panels. We're talking about ultra-efficient heating and cooling systems, as well as superbly-insulated walls, high performance windows, and more.

Jessica chimes in: ‘Most larger homebuilders are still striving to build Energy Star certified homes, which are constructed to be about twenty percent more energy efficient than a typical home. We’ve done that. In fact, we are a former recipient of the Energy Star Builder of the Year award presented by Natural

Photo submitted by Activa

Resources Canada. Now we've moved quite a bit closer to Net Zero.’

Because Net Zero Ready homes are, as the name implies, ready for Net Zero, each Activa detached build is just a bundle of solar panels away from achieving this ultimate goal in environmentally-efficient homebuilding. ‘Some folks wonder why we don’t build all of our detached homes like this one – that is, Net Zero rather than Net Zero Ready. It’s actually for a good reason,’ Geoff tells me, 'since government grants and loans for items such as solar panels usually come into effect only six months after closing.' He explains further: 'By letting our Activa homeowners choose whether they’d like to invest in panels after they’ve taken ownership of the home instead of having the panels included with the sale of a new home, we’re actually saving them money.’

What about this house, then? Why showcase a Net Zero home when the vast majority of Activa homes are Net Zero Ready? ‘Since we jumped into the home building game,’ Geoff tells me, ‘we’ve tended to push the envelope and we’re proud to be industry leaders. Even though the building code won't mandate Net Zero Ready builds until 2030, we’re already there.’ He waves his arm around the space, adding: ‘A home like this one is an example of where we hope to be in the not-so-distant future.'

I push back in the white chaise, noticing (discreetly) that I’m almost late for dinner at Willibald. I could stay here all evening – and longer – happy to learn that there are regional builders committed to blazing trails in the industry. A number of them – including Activa – are featured in this issue: visionary leaders striving to pay particular attention to the environment, to the community, to personal comfort while keeping ahead of the game.

DUAL FUEL FURNACE & HEAT PUMP

This hybrid system pairs an electric heat pump & gas furnace – automatically switching between the two to maximize efficiency

ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATION SYSTEM (ERV)

An ERV acts as the lungs of the home year-round, replacing stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air while controlling humidity levels

HOME MONITORING SYSTEM

This system tracks energy consumption in real-time, allowing you to pinpoint which appliances are consuming electricity

EXTRA INSULATION

Net Zero Ready Homes incorporate 2” layer of extra insulation under the slab, 1.5” thick codeboard on exterior walls, and 10” thick basement walls

TANKLESS WATER HEATER

A tankless water heater stores no water, but instead uses an electric element to warm water coming through pipes as soon as the tap is turned on

AEROBARRIER

After drywall goes up, a sealant called Aerobarrier and a blower door are used to pressurize home and seal gaps in the building envelope

TRIPLE PANE WINDOWS

These windows feature three sheets of glass, two air spaces filled with argon gas, and low-E coatings

PLUS

ABILITY

HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE ENERGY-EFFICIENT FEATURES YOU’LL FIND IN A NET ZERO READY HOME:

THE

TO UPGRADE HOME TO FULL NET ZERO W/ SOLAR PANELS

BOTTOMS UP: STAYING HYDRATED IN THE LIBATION DISTRICT OF LONDON’S OLD EAST VILLAGE (OEV)

PREAMBLE & PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN

It’s Tuesday. Middle of May. Just past eleven in the morning. And when my TOQUE Partner Cai and I pull up to the main entrance of Anderson Brewing Co there’s already a long lineup of people waiting in a queue out the front door. ‘This place is absolutely hopping,’ I remark to Cai as we join the back of the line, ‘there must be something big going on.’ A middle-aged man decked out in a business suit and a couple spots ahead of us in line is quick to reply: ‘It’s Hundred Pack Day.’ Before I can ask what this means, an Anderson employee emerges from the brewery’s front door, massive box perched on his shoulder and happy customer in tow. On the side of the box I read the succinct answer to my question: ‘Hundred Pack.’

Certain that this bit of theatre will make for a great photo, I pull out my camera. ‘Just make sure you don’t get me in the shot,’ our man in the suit says with a chuckle, ‘my wife thinks I’m at work.’ I flash a grin, re-compose my Nikon (guilty culprit out of frame), and snap away. What a fitting beginning to our tour of London’s Old East Village ‘Libation District’ – a Forest City ‘hood sprinkled with an array of craft breweries, distilleries, roasteries, and even an organic grocer that makes London-based drinks.

This motley neighbourhood certainly does not disappoint.

Before long, Cai and I make it inside the brewery and snag a table near the bar. No hundred packs for us. It’ll be pints for this adventure. When I begin with an Anderson IPA, the first sip takes me back to when my oldest kid was competing next door at London’s Junction Climbing Gym. (Back

in the day, we climber parents snuck into Anderson now and then, for a quick and tasty reprieve.) When I look around the place now I am struck by just how archetypal this craft brewery is. Anderson’s warehouse – with retractable garage door, chalkboard menus, and barnboard accents – elicits a certain comfortable, familiar feeling. With its strings of Edison bulbs and loft seating overlooking the busy brewhouse, it hits all the right notes for craft enthusiasts like Cai and me –and it's the perfect jump-off for our adventure.

And what an adventure it turns out to be. There is Anderson, of course – to set the mood. And Powerhouse Brewing Co – an industrial-themed brewery whose ‘Hip Things’ IPA and smash burger are the perfect pair. We stop by Asmara Coffee for americanos featuring house-roasted beans; and then visit Paradign Spirits, whose cocktails are made with such lovely ingredients as beeswaxed gin, chamomile honey syrup, and pollen. We also hit up London Brewing, which features the hippest vibes and an ‘Organic Local 117’ amber ale whose ingredients are all grown within a stone's throw of London. Then, also, The Root Cellar – a ‘farm-to-fork, plough-to-pint’ joint. There's Dundas and Sons Brewing Co – a raucous brewery and live music space whose owner Rob embodies the OEV spirit. And finally, to lay our heads, The Woodfield Hotel – featuring large modern suites with a minimalist vibe, beautifully situated close to all of our ‘Libation District’ destinations.

Now come along with us on a photo essay of our adventure. And then go visit oldeastvillage.com to set up your own exploration of this colourful ‘hood. Bottoms up.

11:12AM – ANDERSON BREWING (1030 ELIAS ST, LONDON)

At our first stop in the OEV Libation District we found Anderson Craft Ales owner Gavin Anderson shouldering ‘Hundred Pack’ boxes of beer, transporting them to happy patrons’ vehicles. The boxes, each containing a customer’s choice of one hundred Anderson brews for two hundred bucks, festooned the line-up emerging from the front door. We opted for pints of Anderson IPA – featuring a complex bouquet of citrus, melon, stone fruit & floral notes supported by a subtle malt backbone. Pro tip: enjoy a pint on the Anderson loft and watch the brewers at work.

11:42AM – ASMARA COFFEE HOUSE (700 YORK ST, LONDON)

For our second stop in the District, we grabbed ‘between-beer’ americanos at Asmara Coffee House – the only Eritrean coffee shop in London. (Asmara recently opened a second location downtown.) Roasted in-house and delectable, Asmara beans make this joint a must-visit OEV destination.

Pro tip: ask for ginger in your coffee – it’s flavourful, brewed the traditional Eritrean way.

12:12PM –

POWERHOUSE BREWING (100 KELLOGG LN, LONDON)

At Powerhouse Brewing Co – our third stop in the District – we grabbed a pint, Shirley Temple, and smash burgers for lunch. The brewery is a staple on the 100 Kellogg block and is a regular participant in largescale Kellogg events – including the Merry Market, the Spring Market, and the inaugural Beer Fest (to be hosted by Powerhouse and held on brewery grounds).

Pro tip: if you’re not up for the boozy stuff, Powerhouse makes a mean hop water.

The brewery is located in downtown’s famous Kellogg block, and wears its London-strong manufacturing heritage on its sleeve

2:02PM – LONDON BREWING (521 BURBROOK PLACE,LONDON)

Every tour of Old East Village’s Libation District must include a stop at London Brewing – a co-op brewery that’s a hotbed of live music, game nights, community events, and more. The brewery’s tucked-away location makes it feel like a cozy home away from home, and its laid-back vibe makes you never want to leave.

Pro tip: if you’re hungry, the brewery’s warehouse neighbour, On The Move Organics, provides on-site local food offerings.

5:12PM – PARADIGM SPIRITS CO. (100 KELLOGG LN, LONDON)

This high-end craft distillery and event space, located next to Powerhouse Brewing Co on the 100 Kellogg block, is one of two distilleries in OEV. Featuring state-of-the-art, beautifully-appointed digs, Paradigm produces traditional gin, vodka, and whisky with seasonal flavours, and even some canned creations. And it offers tours and tastings too. When we stopped in, mixologist Melissa crafted us a signature cocktail featuring beeswaxed gin, chamomile honey syrup, bee pollen & more.

Pro tip: be sure to take a peek at Paradigm’s distilling operations – the shiny set-up is a sight worth seeing.

Love for the OEV ‘hood is real – as seen in this mosaic by Susan Day, Clayworx, and volunteers: a love letter to this grandlytextured neck of the woods.

6:47PM – DUNDAS AND SONS (400 ADELAIDE ST N, LONDON)

Our sixth stop in the Libation District was at Dundas and Sons – an OEV nano-brewery run by charismatic owner/brewer Rob Dundas. This local serves as a community hub of sorts – featuring live music & comedy, karaoke, and more. When we arrived, the bar was filled with regulars – including one sporting a Dundas and Sons tattoo. The love is real. Our fave brew on tap: Rob’s ‘British Golden Ale’ dressed up like a West Coast IPA.

Pro tip: Rob’s ginger ale is a fantastic non-alcoholic option for folks looking to take it easy.

8:30PM

– ROOT CELLAR

(623 DUNDAS ST, LONDON)

Our last stop of the night was at The Root Cellar, a favourite London hangout that, until the pandemic, offered a farm-to-fork, plough-to-pint experience with a fully-organic, locally-sourced menu. The restaurant remains closed, but The Root Cellar has launched a new live music concert series at its upstairs venue, Taproot. Stay tuned for more music and events announcements in 2023.

Pro tip: you can still experience The Root Cellar menu, of sorts, through owner Jeff Pastorius’ other endeavours –On the Move Organics, London Brewing, and LOLA Bees.

10:11PM

– THE WOODFIELD HOTEL

(364 DUNDAS ST, LONDON)

After such a busy day in the Libation District, it was so restful to come ‘home’ and unwind at The Woodfield – a completely-renovated, ideally-located downtown accommodation that offers large, modern-designed ‘industrial-esque’ boutique rooms, king-size beds, and easy underground parking.

Pro tip: don’t forget to shower – every bathroom features rainfall showerheads that’ll bring a smile to your (drenched) face.

GOOD NEIGHBOURS: LEARNING ABOUT THE COHOUSING COMMUNITY AT 1 MONT STREET

WORDS & PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN

‘This place is a lot like summer camp,’ David McAuley, prominent and (not quite) retired Guelph architect, tells me, ‘except we’re all grown-ups and there are no counselors.’ I smile – recalling my own summers at camp. The friendships. The freedom. The fun. ‘If there are no counselors,’ I ask, having fun with David’s analogy, ‘then who’s in charge?’ Without hesitation, he replies: ‘We’re all in charge – together. That’s the whole point.’ I nod – even though I'm not quite sure I grasp what he’s getting at. But that’s why I’m here, in David ’s open concept living space at the brand new cohousing build by Guelph builder Eric Small and his team at SL Builders Group, on the corner of the Royal City's Mont and Woolwich Streets. It's the dream of ‘living in community’ David has held for years that has been realized in this building, which is an expression of both David and Eric's

compatible and collaborative visions for lifegiving community-building within a sustainable environment.

It’s late June on a hot and humid (and hazy – thanks to those pesky wildfires) afternoon, and I’m seated with David and Eric in David and his wife Cynthia’s main floor apartment. The lights are off. The windows are closed. The HVAC unit is dormant. And yet the whole place seems perfectly lit and wonderfully cool and comfortable. I ask David how this can be. He tells me: ‘This place was designed and built to use as little energy as possible. In fact, at peak usage in the middle of winter this apartment uses only two dollars of energy a day.’ For lighting, heating, cooking, and hot water. He continues: ‘And some units in this building use only about a dollar a day.’ Impressive. But what exactly is this building, anyway?

Eric Small of SL Builders Group

Middle row, left-hand & bottom row, right-hand photos by Nancy Giovinazzo

The new & old halves of the Watershed Cohousing project at 1 Mont St

‘Over a decade ago,’ David tells me, ‘I began thinking about what I wanted to do in retirement – where I wanted to live. Too often, when folks get older, they’re moved out of the neighbourhoods where they’ve been living for years – decades – to senior living residences or long-term care homes on the outskirts of town, or even in other cities.’ Where they might be able to interact with one or two people they know, if they’re lucky. But mostly with strangers. ‘I wanted to figure out a solution that would enable me to continue to live here, to age in place,' David continues, 'in the neighbourhood where I’d raised my children and built my career. And with a community of friends who wanted to do the same.’ And so he began looking into the idea of cohousing.

The concept (on the surface, at least) is simple: a community of people invest equally in the construction of a multi-unit build where they will all live in apartments next to each other – in community. ‘In a cohousing build,’ David explains, ‘residents – the community – share almost everything: gardens, tools, food, artwork, common areas and, perhaps most important of all, values.’

For the Watershed Cohousing community at 1 Mont, these values seem to revolve primarily around environmental sustainability. Indeed, two of the building’s investors and future residents, partners Christine and

Sally, are founders of Transition Guelph and long-time environmentalists. David, too, is a long-time advocate for green solutions –having designed more than his fair share of environmentally-friendly buildings all across Ontario throughout his illustrious career. And Eric Small, the project’s general contractor, is highly regarded as a green builder.

It's Eric who tells me that sustainability has been designed and built into the very fabric of the building. ‘The entire structure is built to last,' Eric tells me. 'It's extremely-well insulated and air tight. It utilizes robust thermal barriers throughout, too, so that in the winter, for instance, the concrete balcony slabs don’t transfer cold to interior slabs of the build.' Commenting on the windows, he remarks that they are ‘high-efficiency models with European tilt-turn operations, for cross ventilation and ease of cleaning; and all window openings are shaded from the sun by robust overhangs and deep interior sills.’ Moreover, Eric observes: ‘Every unit’s HVAC unit is state-of-the-art – and everything in the building runs on renewable electricity.' Most remarkable from my point of view is the fact that underneath the building is a four-thousand-gallon cistern 'for rainwater harvesting.' Eric explains: 'The water that we collect in the cistern is used for watering the garden, and will in future be used to flush all of the building’s toilets.’ And there are also bike

Photo by Nancy Giovinazzo

rooms designed into the build, an EV charger, and plans for carsharing. They seem to have thought of, and addressed, everything.

‘And the structure is an infill build, too –which aligns with the green philosophy of the project,’ David tells me. Specifically, 1 Mont has been built on an underutilized lot abutting David's century home property (at Mont and Woolwich) the architect has owned for years. In fact, the cohousing structure is actually attached at one end to the century home – a feat that Eric and his small but mighty team handled wonderfully. While the new build includes all six units, as well as large shared balconies that span the structure from end to end, the century home has been adapted to provide shared office space, a maker space, and a guest bedroom. On top of everything (pun intended) is a large common room in the century home’s attic, featuring wonderful vaulted ceilings and an abundance of natural light.

And one more thing: in between the new and old sections of this cohousing wonder is a sixstop elevator. ‘That elevator was a hundred thousand dollar expense,’ David tells me, ‘but we all agreed that it is worth the investment.’ For aging in place, of course. But also for much more – from facilitating the moving of

furniture to serving as a mobility solution, for example, should someone in the community roll an ankle.

The 1 Mont cohousing project is a fascinating initiative – and (almost) unique, too. Indeed, it’s only the second cohousing initiative in Ontario, and the first in these parts. When I ask David and Eric if they see the model itself as sustainable, David is quick to answer: ‘There’s a waiting list of sixty people for this building, and I’m actually already designing a second cohousing project (GrassRoutes) in another neighbourhood of the city.’ An indisputable success.

After taking my leave from these inspired and inspiring collaborators, Eric and David, and heading back out into the hazy afternoon, I find myself pausing to take in the whole project – both the realized dream and the expertly-executed material reality of the build. I try to imagine how elements of this vision might inform and enlarge my world. Surely we don't have to wait until (near) retirement to envision how our lives together in the places we love right now might be made better.

David McAuley comfortable in his unit at Watershed Cohousing

PURCHASING RURAL PROPERTIES

BY MICHAEL CHRISTIE, TEAM LEAD CAPSTONE REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS capstonereps.com

If you’re one of those special few who have set their sights on purchasing a rural property (a house in the country, a larger farm, or something else outside of town) it’s best to understand the unique opportunities and challenges that accompany these properties –including access to utilities, types of water sources, and allowable agricultural uses. It’s also essential that you understand potential costs and responsibilities that come with owning and maintaining rural properties, such as septic systems and wells. As someone who was raised on a one-hundred acre horse farm and now specializes in buying and selling rural properties, I take pleasure in guiding my clients through the process of purchasing in the country. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Buried oil tanks: If you’re interested in purchasing a farm (or former farm), it’s best to check to ensure there aren’t any abandoned buried oil tanks on the property. They cost a bundle to remove, and risk seeping into the property’s water source if left in the ground.

Septic systems: Most rural properties use septic tanks. Before putting an offer on your dream home in the country, it’s important that you check the location – and size – of the septic tank to ensure that it’s in an ideal spot and can handle future demands. It’s also a good idea to have the tank pumped and inspected to avoid any future surprises.

Wells: When looking at a rural property, it’s important to understand its water source. If there’s a well, you should note the location and

potability as well as the presence of any filters or improvements (such as UV lights or RO systems).

Zoning & land use regulations: Before purchasing a rural property, it’s important to familiarize yourself with local zoning and land use regulations. Specifically, you should check to see if any of the property has forest management credits or classified wetlands controlled by the local conservation authority. These could limit building outbuildings or additions to existing buildings.

Workable land: If you’ve fallen in love with a rural property that includes workable land, before purchase it’s best to note who’s been working the land and how this working relationship might transition with new ownership of the property.

The house: While this is true of all properties (both urban and rural), it’s still worth mentioning: it’s important that you familiarize yourself with the residence on any property that interests you – including roof condition, electrical updates, etc. And be sure to find out if there are any heritage designations or if the property has historical significance.

Finding that perfect rural property is not a straightforward journey, and definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s important that if you’re interested in purchasing something in the country, you work with a realtor who understands the intricacies of purchasing rural properties.

HOME DECOR SPOTLIGHT:

PARAGON KITCHENS

Staged Area: Kitchen

Location: Annex Garden Bed & Breakfast and Suites, Guelph

‘Annex Garden Bed & Breakfast and Suites [formerly London House] is an historic, iconic property in Guelph’s Exhibition Park neighbourhood that’s been operating as a bed & breakfast for decades now. When ownership changed hands recently, Paragon was tasked with completely rebuilding its kitchen for the business’ new proprietor, Roberta Ferrence. We set out to design and build a sleek, streamlined modern kitchen smartly juxtaposed with the traditional elements of the rest of the heritage building. Because the building is a bed & breakfast, we designed a highly-functional layout that’s conducive to cooking, entertainment, and service. The centrepiece of the project: a large quartz island that’s accessible from three sides - with seating on the fourth. It’s actually two slabs joined together with gold trim for a small hit of warm glamour. I’m so happy with how this project turned out! Spend a night at Annex Garden to check it out for yourself.'

(1) dedicated coffee area for easy guest service

(2) display curio with integrated lighting

(3) efficient study desk by the window in matching cabinetry serves as a separate functional area

(4) gold trim joining two slabs of large quartz island showcases a hint of warm glamour

-Aileen Salva Brown, co-owner Paragon Kitchens

(1)

(3)

(2)

(4)

(5) mix of warm wood and white high gloss cabinetry in extremely durable engineered materials

(6) large quartz island accessible from three sides – with seating on the fourth

(5)

(6)

FRONTIERS DESIGN + BUILD: FASHIONING COMFORT INTO THE EVERYDAY

WORDS BY DANI KUEPFER; PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN & JASON HARTOG

‘People know what it’s like to live in a house that's uncomfortable,’ James tells me, and I nod, maybe a bit too eagerly, ‘but they don’t often make a connection between the absence of comfort and environmental inefficiencies.’ He continues: ‘Our goal is to build sustainable and energy-efficient homes that will also ensure that our clients are comfortable in their everyday lives.’

It’s later afternoon, early June, and James Savoie and I are sitting across the kitchen table from one another at his home in Arkell – just outside Guelph. From my perch near the window, I can see the swelling wave of rush-hour traffic backed up from a nearby four-way stop – Arkell’s main intersection. A gaggle of cyclists cruises past – no doubt on their way to Flow State Bicycle Company (just out of my line of vision) for coffee and a treat. Two dog walkers mosey by, canine pals

straining at their leashes. It’s a hustle-bustle world out there, yet I hear nothing. Indeed, the entire scene plays out like a silent movie. In fact, the only sounds I hear are the soft laughter of James’ wife, Katherine, and the gentle pitter-patter of their toddler Brooks’ feet coming down the hallway towards us.

‘It’s all in the insulation and windows,’ James tells me when I ask how things inside James’ and Katherine’s house can be so eerily-quiet – despite the action just outside their kitchen window. ‘Watch this,’ he instructs, while he gets up from the table. He cracks the window open a touch. Instantly, the house – set back only a few feet from busy Arkell Road – is filled with the outside clamber of the day. Honking. Barking. Chatter. James seals the window, and the place goes quiet, restful, calm again.

Comfort in the everyday.

James Savoie with wife Katherine & cutie Brooks

Before James and Katherine purchased this Arkell home back in 2018, it was a quintessential small hamlet abode. Reasonably cozy. Over a hundred and fifty years old. A bit run down. And just perfect for an intensive (and extensive) overhaul by James and the company he co-owns, Frontiers Design + Build, that could put into practice a philosophy in homebuilding near and dear to James’ heart: deep energy retrofitting. James and his business partners, Doug and Adam Taylor, started Frontiers in 2008 as a landscaping company, but eventually converted it into an enterprise focusing on renovations and custom builds. By 2018 the Frontiers crew knew they wanted to focus on radically energyefficient homes – and that they wanted to emphasize the element of comfort in these homes as a selling point. And so they began with James’ and Katherine’s home in Arkell.

At first glance, the place doesn’t give away any hints that it’s undergone a deep energy retrofit. Not that it doesn’t show signs of

Frontiers’ fantastic design and build work –because it does. The exterior of the house is wrapped in streamlined horizontal wood siding, for starters, signaling to passersby that it’s undergone renovations. It’s the inside of the building that really highlights Frontiers’ work, though. The main house – once a myriad of tiny rooms – has been completely opened up into a single open concept space that combines living room and kitchen (including the table where James and I chat). It’s a perfect mix of calm, contemporary finishes and thoughtfully-preserved century features. The modern kitchen featuring earthy tan and matte black, for instance, is complemented by the building’s original rafters and brick walls dipped in a fresh coat of white paint. A floating staircase, all raw iron and wood, cuts diagonally across that painted brick wall. Clean. Simple. Plain gorgeous.

Walk through the kitchen and you’ll find yourself in an expansive addition at the back of the house. Featuring a cathedral ceiling,

moody black walls (which contrast elegantly with the lighter tones at the front), and a fireplace, this back room has a chalet feel that just begs for relaxing with a book and a glass of wine after a day’s work.

Every bit of James' and Katherine’s house looks and feels snug, cozy, restful. Comfortable. I tell James that I could picture living here – unwinding in this kitchen, or in the cathedral ceiling addition, forever. ‘It’s so easy on the eyes,’ I hear myself saying – taking it all in. He nods, before remarking that ‘it’s actually what you can’t see that makes it most appealing.’ Indeed, behind these fantastic finishes is the true magic of the place – and what actually has me feeling so serene. ‘Besides the triple pane windows,’ James explains, ‘we built a continuous air barrier around the exterior of the entire home. And we built in mechanical ventilation with heat recovery for continuous fresh filtered air.’

While James did not end up certifying the building as a Passive House, he is strongly in favour of certification. ‘We definitely encourage our clients to certify,' he says, 'and aim to build Passive Houses in our work.’

Passive Houses. If you’re even vaguely interested in design trends, green tech, or German engineering, you’ve probably heard of this technology. Passive House (or Passivhaus) is a construction concept that refers to a super-sealed home that requires significantly less energy to maintain. An ‘envelopefirst approach,’ as James explains, calls for a high-quality layer of insulation that wraps the home as a single piece, sans gaps. Add in triple pane windows, strategically positioned to maximize the sun’s energy, and airtight seals throughout, and you have a superiorly-insulated home. In addition to this envelope, Passive Houses employ a heat-recovering ventilation system (HRV) that squeezes even more out of what little energy the home does use. An airtight home maintains its temperature better, not only saving energy and lowering utility bills, but preserving the structure itself for centuries to come. Without thermal gaps, the home is more resilient both to condensation and to expanding and contracting through the dramatic temperature changes of Ontario’s summers and winters.

Passive Houses are built with meticulous attention to detail and unparalleled quality materials; they require less to operate on a daily basis and less maintenance over time. ‘Energy savings are intrinsic to better building physics,’ James explains. ‘We’re not building spaceships here – just really good homes.’ And, of course, Passive House principles lead

MAKING SENSE OF PASSIVE HOUSE:

The design of Passive House is based on five fundamental principles, including:

1. CONTINUOUS INSULATION:

A well-insulated building envelope keeps warmth in during the cold months and heat out during warmer months. Robust exterior insulation (unlike traditional cavity insulation) keeps the wood and steel in your walls warm all year round.

2. THERMAL BRIDGE-FREE DESIGN:

Avoiding thermal bridges, which are weak points in the building envelope, contributes to pleasant, even interior temperatures while eliminating moisture damage and improving energy efficiency.

3. PASSIVE HOUSE WINDOWS:

Highly-insulated, strategically-positioned tripleglazed windows do their part to make optimal use of the sun’s energy. Windows are often the weakest link in a home’s envelope, so premium quality makes a significant difference.

4. AIRTIGHTNESS:

Passive Houses are designed to avoid leakages in the building envelope, thus boosting energy efficiency while preventing draughts and moisture damage. Airtightness relies heavily on the calibre of craftsmanship involved in the build; ultimately, exceptional airtightness directly translates into exceptional energy efficiency.

5. VENTILATION WITH HEAT RECOVERY:

Passive House ventilation systems provide plentiful fresh, pollen-free and dust-free air, with maximal energy efficiency through heat recovery. Continuous fresh air is a key element to overall homeowner health.

to more comfortable homes. In the calm of James’ kitchen, for example, it’s hard to ignore the immediate value – luxurious, inimitable comfort – of things well built. Moreover, high performance homes, thanks to their ultrasealed container, maintain temperature better and reduce cold spots, allowing you to fully utilize every nook and corner of your home throughout the seasons. They’re also incredibly quiet, as I've already observed, thanks to doors and window panes that measure nearly three inches thick. The ventilation system provides clean, healthy air, free of pollutants and allergens.

‘We want to encourage homeowners to see this technology as an investment in their family’s wellbeing,’ James tells me, ‘and a realistic option for the immediate future.’

Frontiers and other builders in town are also looking to see legislative change that supports the integration of this technology

into our region’s growth plans. Cities like Vancouver have Passive House concepts such as airtightness already built into their building code; Ontario’s standards, on the other hand, are due for a much-needed update – especially in light of the ongoing climate crisis and the uncertainty of energy costs. The technologies used in high performance homes go well beyond the minimum standard required by Ontario’s building code, framing energy efficiency as a luxury option for the sociallyconscious homebuyer rather than part of a long-term housing strategy.

James likens Passive House technologies to popular home upgrades like quartz countertops and hardwood floors, rather than to a full-blown lifestyle change. The key difference, though, is that this five to ten percent increase in upfront cost begins paying off the day you move in, as homeowners see a sixty to eighty percent reduction in their

home’s energy use. And while building this technology in from the start is most ideal, the Frontiers team has had great success with high performance renovations.

Environmental efficiency is often associated solely with new products – from luxury EVs to trendy reusable versions of household products. But this view hugely undervalues the potential to get more out of what we already own – homes included. The Savoies' century home renovation is just one shining example of the possibilities embedded in technologies that allow us to make better what we already have. Imagine your home office impermeable to outside noise, or your workshop temperature controlled through the seasons – all this while using ninety percent

FRONTIERS DESIGN+BUILD GUELPH, ON

frontiersdesignbuild.com

less energy for heating and cooling. Or, even better, experience it for yourself in one of south Guelph’s favourite neighbourhoods, just steps from Preservation Park, where Frontiers is soon breaking ground on three certified Passive Houses.

We’re lucky to live in a place where respite from the vibrations of the city is only a short drive away. At the same time, while we might love any opportunity for a change of scenery, there’s something deeply comforting about the possibility of creating respite within the walls of our own homes – while investing in the earth that our homes rest upon.

ATYPICAL ACQUISITIONS: MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE NEURODIVERGENT BUYER BY KELLY CALDWELL, REALTOR® TRILLIUMWEST | kellycaldwell.ca

‘No two homes are alike’ is a common saying in the world of real estate. The same can be said of home buyers. We’re all unique – and we all come to the house-hunting process with our own needs, desires, challenges, and quirks. That's why realtors need to be able to relate to people coming from all walks of life. Many of us have trusted systems and best practices, but we also must be ready to adapt our regular ways to meet some clients’ needs. A great example? The neurodivergent buyer.

Neurodivergence refers to a natural variation in the way some brains function, impacting patterns of thinking and behaving. Many conditions fall under this category – including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and dyslexia. Neurodivergent people – and I’m one of them – often have challenges that play out as they interact with the world around them. We see the world differently, so, naturally, we approach the home-buying process differently.

Neurodivergent buyers have unique needs. For them, for example, sensory issues while touring homes are not unusual. Social interactions can be challenging, and emotional sensitivity is common during what is, after all, a stressful process. There’s so much to learn during the home-buying process, and neurodivergent buyers can struggle with information overload. To properly serve these clients, we must lead with empathy and patience.

What does that sort of leading look like, in practical terms? Perhaps booking private showings for neurodivergent buyers instead of suggesting they attend a public open house. Or requesting additional time for viewings so these clients don’t feel rushed. And it’s communicating effectively, taking extra time to ensure they’re fully informed. Our aim is to create a supportive, inclusive environment that helps them feel empowered during the buying process.

Of course, individual preferences and needs vary greatly within the neurodivergent community. Home elements that might be of particular interest to neurodivergent clients include:

• A sensory-friendly environment: many neurodivergent individuals are sensitive to sensory stimuli. They might appreciate a home with adjustable lighting, soundproofing, and good insulation to reduce noise.

• Organizational spaces: neurodivergent individuals often benefit from clear organization and visual cues designed to help with planning and routines. Closet and cupboard organization systems are beneficial, as is plenty of storage to ensure clutter is minimal.

• Quiet spaces: access to a quiet space to retreat and recharge is valuable. This might include bedrooms with soundproofing or designated personal spaces.

• Natural elements: plants, natural lighting, and access to relaxing outdoor spaces can all have a positive impact on mental well-being.

• Light: those who struggle with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) might find comfort in a home with an abundance of windows facing south.

I find that working with other neurodivergent people is a lot of fun. They tend to bring a unique perspective to the process, and very little slips past them. By understanding and appreciating the unique experiences of neurodivergent buyers, we can ensure that everyone who buys a home enjoys the process and also experiences a successful outcome.

DOWN BY THE RIVER:

GETTING (RE-)ACQUAINTED WITH EVERYONE’S FAVOURITE SUMMER FESTIVAL

INTERVIEW WITH SPENCER SHEWEN & JON RALSTON BY CHRIS TIESSEN; PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN & RIVERFEST ELORA

SUMMER’S HERE – WHICH MEANS THAT FESTIVAL SEASON IS UPON US. WHILE OUR REGION PLAYS HOST TO A MYRIAD OF ARTS AND CULTURE EVENTS ALL THROUGH THESE WARMER MONTHS, THERE’S ONE THREE-DAY PARTY THAT’S ESPECIALLY DEAR TO MY HEART: RIVERFEST ELORA. THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL – WHICH TAKES PLACE AUGUST EIGHTEENTH THROUGH TWENTIETH AT ELORA’S BISSELL PARK AND FEATURES SUCH HEADLINERS AS METRIC, FEIST, THE REKLAWS, AND (WAY) MORE – PROMISES TO BE A TRIUMPH.

SOME TIME THIS MAY, BETWEEN FESTIVAL PLANNING MEETINGS, TWO OF RIVERFEST ELORA’S ORGANIZERS – EXECUTIVE & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SPENCER SHEWEN AND FESTIVAL CO-OWNER JON RALSTON – FOUND TIME TO CHAT

WITH ME AT ELORA BREWING COMPANY ABOUT THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL AND ABOUT RIVERFEST LORE IN GENERAL. HERE’S A BIT OF THAT MEMORABLE CONVERSATION – CHRONICLED BETWEEN BITES:

Riverfest Elora Executive & Artistic Director Spencer Shewen with festival co-owner Jon Ralston

BEFORE WE DIG INTO ALL THINGS RIVERFEST, COULD YOU LET OUR READERS KNOW HOW EACH OF YOU GOT INVOLVED WITH THE FESTIVAL?

Jon: I’ve been involved with Riverfest since its inception back in 2009, when Elora local Marilyn Koop organized a fundraising music festival called ‘Riverfest’ for the Elora Centre for the Arts. Shawn Watters [Festival co-owner and current town mayor] and I agreed to help Marilyn put on that first festival: a one-evening, two-act affair that took place in the yard at the Centre. Each summer until her passing in 2012, Marilyn put on the festival with our help – moving it from the Centre to its current location of Bissell Park. Since 2012, Shawn and I have stewarded Riverfest – in Marilyn’s honour.

Spencer: I got involved with Riverfest in 2012, after meeting Jon and Shawn at The Cornerstone in Guelph – which I was managing

at the time. The two of them came in to hang festival posters. I told them that we’d put some up if I could have some free passes to the festival – which took place on my birthday that year. They agreed, and I ended up cramming a bunch of people into a limousine and heading off to Elora to celebrate my birthday at my first Riverfest. In 2013 I helped with the lineup and stage managed. Since then my role at the festival has grown every year.

Photo by Viktor Radics

Photo by Laura Leighton

Photo by Wayne Simpson

Photo by Kevin Konnyu

Photo by Keegan Taylor

Photo by Emily Dunlop

SPENCER, YOU’RE THE EXECUTIVE & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF A MAJOR FESTIVAL. WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR START IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?

Spencer: I began working in live music venues in Guelph – Trasheteria, Jimmy Jazz, eBar – when I was old enough to drink. These earliest experiences cemented my desire to work in the music business. I ended up at the Harris Institute in Toronto to learn about the industry, and honed my chops by interning for Ted Heagle who ran the Canadian arm of Rainbow Quartz Records. After a while Ted and I started our own label – Sunnylane Records – where we put out Donovan Woods’ first record, as well as music by Ride Theory, Hopewell, and a bunch of other stuff. Eventually I moved back to Guelph where I started Fortnight Music as a concert series at eBar and The Albion. Through Fortnight, we eventually helped release albums from several local singers and bands – including Alanna Gurr and Lowlands. I also sat on the Hillside Festival board for six or seven years – which provided great experience for what I do now. As Riverfest’s Executive & Artistic Director, I’m the only yearround, full-time staff. It can be quite a heavy lift, but come festival time there’s a not-so-small army of seasonal staff and volunteers who help carry the weight.

AH YES, THE VOLUNTEERS – TELL ME A BIT ABOUT THE ROLE VOLUNTEERS PLAY AT RIVERFEST.

Spencer: To put it bluntly, Riverfest wouldn’t be possible without the incredible contributions of our spectacular volunteers and our local community at large. This year there will be over five hundred of them helping over festival weekend – including more than seventy lead volunteers who manage particular sections of the festival [shuttles, bar, artist hospitality, and more]. These leads pour their hearts and souls into Riverfest, and have become like extended family.

AND WHAT IS RIVERFEST ANYWAYS? HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE FESTIVAL TO SOMEONE WHO’S NEVER BEEN?

Spencer: These days, Riverfest is a three-day, family-friendly arts and music festival that takes place at Elora’s Bissell Park. This year’s festival features forty-seven performers [forty-five of whom are Canadian] across three stages. It also features artist vendors selling everything from tin-can ukuleles to jewelry, and food vendors featuring everything from Nepalese momos to Indian tacos.

Jon: And we’re locally-owned and operated, too.

YOU’VE GOT YOUR TICKETS TO RIVERFEST ELORA. WHAT ELSE WILL YOU NEED ON FESTIVAL WEEKEND?

HERE’S A LIST OF ESSENTIALS TO ENSURE YOU HAVE A GREAT TIME AT BISSELL PARK:

HAT, SUNSCREEN & SHADES: TO KEEP THAT MIDDAY SUN AT BAY

CELL PHONE: TO DOWNLOAD THE SCHEDULE, KEEP IN TOUCH WITH FRIENDS, AND RECORD MEMORIES

FAVOURITE CONCERT TEE: TO FLY YOUR FLAG FOR ALL TO SEE

FLIP-FLOPS: TO FACILITATE DIPPING YOUR TOES IN THE GORGE BETWEEN YOUR FAVOURITE ACTS

REUSABLE BOTTLE: TO FILL AT THE FREE WATER STATION SO YOU STAY HYDRATED

GOOD VIBES: TO SPREAD LOVE ALL WEEKEND LONG

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REGIONAL ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVALS THAT VIE FOR FOLKS’ DISCRETIONAL SPENDING EACH SUMMER –INCLUDING GUELPH’S HILLSIDE FESTIVAL, KITCHENER’S BLUESFEST, LONDON’S ROCK THE PARK AND SUNFEST, AND OTHERS. WHAT MAKES RIVERFEST UNIQUELY GREAT?

Jon: Besides the music, which is always incredible, I think that Riverfest’s success is rooted in its physical location. Most festivals take place either in an urban area or out in nature. Riverfest – situated in Bissell Park, cradled between the Grand River on one side and the town of Elora on the other – enjoys the best of both worlds. On festival weekend, both of these remarkable assets are put to good use as festival-goers enjoy the river and Elora’s fabulous gorge, on the one hand, as well as spend time in the town, which becomes a vibrant extension of the festival. We encourage festival goers to take a break from the music to explore the shops, restaurants, cafés, and bars of Elora throughout festival weekend.

And some of Riverfest’s most memorable shows actually happen in the town of Elora, away from Bissell Park, at the festival’s official afterparties.

Spencer: There are so many things that make Riverfest special. There's the festival’s ‘Murton Woods’ that features local artist Tim Murton’s entrancing monster sculptures [that also come out during Elora's October ‘Monster Month’]. And the live karaoke sets by The Boo Radley Project, the local band that enables festival attendees to sing their favourite tunes with live backing. This year’s festival is especially exciting for me because five of our top six headlining acts are female-fronted bands. As a festival that’s taken the Keychange Pledge –an initiative that’s working toward achieving gender balance in the global music industry – I think this is something definitely worth mentioning.

The Flaming Lips perform at Riverfest Elora Main Stage, 2018. Photo by Kevin Konnyu

SPEAKING OF BANDS, WHAT PERFORMERS ARE YOU BOTH MOST EXCITED TO SEE AT THIS YEAR’S RIVERFEST?

Spencer: I’m pumped to see The Aggrolites – a legendary Los Angeles-based ska band that’s just one of two non-Canadian festival bands. And I’m also so excited to catch Charlotte Cardin, a totally badass Montreal-based performer.

Jon: I’m really looking forward to seeing Rêve – a Montreal-based pop artist. I also can’t wait to see Ottawa-based Talk, whose inspirations range from Freddie Mercury to Guns N Roses. And also SonReal, a wicked artist who combines hip-hop with a soulful vibe.

AND WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORIES FROM PAST FESTIVALS?

Spencer: The Flaming Lips’ show in 2018 has to be right up there. Their stage theatrics –which included Wayne Coyne riding a giant inflatable unicorn and performing on top of the audience in a transparent balloon. Men Without Hats in 2019 was also pretty great. Watching a sea of people sing and dance along to ‘The Safety Dance’ at the more intimate Grasslands Stage was just plain awesome. Charles Bradley’s 2014 performance will always stand out in my mind. And Metric’s 2015 set was definitely epic. I’m so excited to have them back again this year – they’re the perfect festival band and will do such an awesome job closing out Saturday night.

Jon: While that Flaming Lips set is hard to top, I really loved seeing Wolf Parade in 2018, and Bruce Cockburn in 2014. What I remember most is Bruce's arriving in Elora in the middle of the night and waking up the next morning at 5am to go fly-fishing on the river. After fishing, he climbed out of the water and headed straight for sound check in an empty Bissell Park. I was there to see it all – it was truly magical.

THAT SOUNDS INCREDIBLE. NOW HOW CAN FOLKS WHO WANT TO COME TO THE FESTIVAL GET THERE?

Jon: Riverfest attendees rely heavily on our [by donation] shuttle bus service, which runs on a loop through festival weekend from downtown Guelph, the Elora Gorge Conservation Area, the Guelph Lake Conservation Area, the racetrack in Elora, downtown Fergus, and downtown Kitchener. We also have a bicycle lockup facility at the festival grounds. We encourage carpooling for those coming from out of town.

JUST ONE MORE QUESTION – IF YOU COULD GET ANY ARTIST IN THE WORLD TO PERFORM AT RIVERFEST, WHO WOULD IT BE?

Jon: For sure I’d want to hear some iteration of Jack White or the White Stripes. Oh, and Bad Religion.

Spencer: Rancid one hundred percent –they’re my favourite band of all time.

WANNA BUILD THE HYPE?

HERE'S RIVERFEST'S SPOTIFY PLAYLIST:

WORDS & PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN

WHILE THE THEME OF THIS ISSUE IS ‘HOMES’ – THAT IS, THOSE ABODES WHERE WE MOST OFTEN REST OUR HEADS – THERE’S SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT PLACES WE SEEK OUT WHEN WE WANT TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL. HOMES AWAY FROM HOME. LAVISHLY APPOINTED PLACES TO STAY THAT PAMPER AND SPOIL AND OVERINDULGE. LUCKY FOR US, OUR REGION HAS AT LEAST THREE PORTS OF CALL POISED TO CLEAR EVEN THE MOST OVER-BURDENED MIND. WHETHER YOU’RE PLANNING A WEEKEND AWAY OR SIMPLY LOOKING FOR AN ELEVATED COCKTAIL, MEAL, OR EVEN HIGH TEA (WE’RE LOOKING AT YOU, LANGDON HALL), THESE OASES OF COMFORT AND REPOSE HAVE YOU COVERED – AND ALL ARE JUST A STONE’S THROW AWAY.

THE WALPER HOTEL

20 QUEEN ST S, KITCHENER WALPER.COM

Stepping off of Queen Street South and into the mid-century-modern-appointed lobby of the historic Walper Hotel might just have you feeling as though you’re checking into some bougie accommodations in Montreal, or Soho, or Barcelona – not downtown Kitchener. The wonderful design cues are all around: large, colourful abstract paintings mounted to white wainscoted walls; low-back, earth-tone leather couches and organic velvet loungers scattered about the lobby; floor-to-ceiling wall units lined with hardcover design books, brass sculptures, and other perfectly-curated nick-nacks; mosaic-tiled floors – grey and refined and just right. I could go on.

One floor up, the mcm theme continues in the hotel’s Lokal Lounge – a playful and elegant cocktail spot. The wraparound bar, grand piano, and uber-hip seating area will let you know that you’ve arrived at the right place. Walk from the lounge toward the second floor ‘balcony’ where jazz legend Louis Armstrong is purported to have played for crowds below and you’ll find the hotel’s Barrister’s Lounge – a bright and cheery breakfast room where Al Capone, so the story goes, once met representatives from Waterloo’s Seagram distillery to discuss running spirits from the region into Prohibition-era America. Remnants of this history remain – including a nineteenth-century cigar vent in the lounge ceiling. Explore the rest of the second floor and you’ll find a myriad of event spaces –including both a massive ballroom and smaller rooms for hosting intimate group meals or private board meetings.

Take one of the hotel’s central elevators to the remaining four floors (which were added by Abel Walper in 1893 when he transformed what had been a two-storey inn into The Walper Hotel) and you’ll find ninety-two guest rooms – each one unique in layout, design, and furnishings. Buck Naked Soap Co products adorn the bright glass and tile bathrooms, while a coffee machine stands ready to satiate your desire for caffeine until you settle in at Barrister’s for breakfast. While some rooms face outward, toward Queen or King Street, others face inwards – overlooking one of two wonderfully-photogenic courtyards that serve beautifully as event spaces come wedding season and as a private outdoor oasis for hotel guests.

Besides Barrister’s and Lokal for food and drinks, The Walper also features TWH Social – an elegant restaurant perched just below street level. All of the menus at The Walper incorporate seasonal local produce and locally-procured meats and cheeses –and even honey from bees kept on the hotel’s roof. When you're in the mood to head out, borrow one of the hotel’s bicycles to explore the many cafés, restaurants, boutiques, and museums of downtown Kitchener. The Walper can even set you up with a guide to point out some of #DTK’s favourite spots.

What are you waiting for? Grab a cocktail, a meal or a night’s stay in downtown Kitchener’s premium digs. And experience a bit of Montreal, or Soho, or Barcelona – right in your own backyard.

THE COSMOPOLITAN HOTEL, THE VILLAGE MILL & THE COUNTRY MANOR: FINDING REJUVENATION AT THREE OF OUR REGION’S MOST LUXURIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS

MILL HOTEL & SPA

77 MILL ST W, ELORA ELORAMILL.CA

A sumptuous meal at an elegant four-top right next to floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking rapids just below – this is an experience everyone should savour at least once in their lifetime. A feast for the senses. Revel in it at the Elora Mill Hotel & Spa's main dining room. While your tastebuds are being tickled by expertly-crafted dishes prepared by esteemed Executive Chef Dacha Markovic’s expert culinary team, your eyes are gifted the most magnificent vista just on the other side of the glass – of the rushing water crashing over rocks and past tree-covered cliffs and the expansive Elora gorge snaking into the distance. It's unique in Ontario. Indeed, this might just be the most photogenic seat anywhere.

Nestled in the heart of what’s been labeled ‘Canada’s most road-trippable town,’ the Elora Mill is a favourite destination for travelers and locals alike. And for good reason. The Mill – which is actually a collection of century-old stone buildings made dazzlingly modern with wood and glass and everything nice – does so many things right.

There’s the aforementioned main dining area, of course, which actually spans two storeys and even descends – through carved rock – into a mesmerizing private event space and wine cellar built into the building’s original mill tunnel. And the seasonal outdoor patio – filled with large planters and umbrellas and nestled between the main Mill building, the Mill spa, and natural rock walls. And the ‘Kitchen Counter’ – a seat at the granite counter in the Mill’s spacious kitchen where you meet the chefs, watch your dishes being prepared, and get a sneak peek at new items. And two lovely bars, too – one situated in front of a massive hearth (perfect for negronis during cooler months) and the other incorporated into the main dining area (for people watching, to be sure). All of these dining spaces are available to visitors looking to experience the magic of the Elora Mill, even without committing to an overnight stay.

Whether you are a daytime or overnight guest, you're welcome to book an appointment at the Mill’s spa. Perched cliffside with unparalleled views of the gorge, the spa – envisioned by internationally-renowned designer, Lori Morris – features everything from pedicure, manicure, and couples massage areas to a relaxation room in the top-floor solarium. The rooftop pool and hot tub offer stunning views of the main Mill building and gorge (way) below. (There’s almost nothing more magical than a January swim in the heated pool – steam rising from the water, snowflakes melting on your face, cocktail waiting on the deck.)

If you’re lucky enough to be overnighting at the Mill, there are thirty total rooms and suites to choose from, located across three buildings and offering something for everyone. Whether you stay in one of the Coach House Riverview Rooms (located in the Mill’s nineteenth-century Coach House and featuring balconies overlooking the Grand River), a Mill Bedroom (in the historic main Mill building and featuring exposed wood beams, stone walls, functioning wood fireplaces, and even balconies with firepits overlooking the gorge), or the James Ross House (a one thousand-square foot two-storey private villa just steps from the other Mill buildings), you’ll find yourself in a little piece of heaven.

And of course there’s also the walkable village of Elora – beckoning to be explored by foot or on one of the Mill’s custom-made bicycles (available for overnight guests). Featuring unique boutiques, quaint cafés, awesome restaurants, and seemingly-countless opportunities for adventure (including tubing, rafting, ziplining, hiking, biking, and more), the town offers never-ending fun. All this – just steps from your room.

A feast for the senses, indeed. The Mill. The rest. Take it all in.

ELORA

HALL

The exceptional delight of gliding slowly past the front gates and up the meandering tree-lined drive toward the neo-classical main building at historic Langdon Hall never gets old, and this magnificent approach always sets the mood (no matter your disposition) for what’s to come: a period of peace, tranquility, and bliss. Sauntering past the main building’s fluted columns and into the historic country manor’s main entrance only confirms this inevitability. Indeed, every detail of the place has been curated to remind you that you’ve arrived in a lap of luxury. Every. Little. Detail. Heavens, even the place’s seemingly-countless candelabras, light fixtures, and vases are fashioned with ornate brass lizards, silver stag heads, and other almost-hidden miniature odes to nature just waiting to reveal themselves – if you take the time to look for them.

Of course, not everything’s miniature at Langdon Hall. The manor’s sprawling grounds, for instance, consisting of acres of manicured lawns and gardens and, beyond this loveliness, rolling hills of forests and walking trails and even Langdon’s own farm (that supplies the kitchen with fresh ingredients), seem to go on forever. Which is the point, really: to be surrounded by nature – away from it all. To be sure, when you spend any time at all at Langdon you’ll forget that this wonderful oasis is situated on the outskirts of Cambridge – and just a few kilometres away from Kitchener-Waterloo.

Completed in 1902 as a new residence for Eugene Langdon Wilks and his wife, Pauline Kingsmill, Langdon Hall lives and breathes magnificent oldworld Canadiana. From the architecturally-stunning oculus in the ceiling above the main lobby to the massive framed historical map of Waterloo Region in the billiards room; from the countless century-old oil portraits hanging in Wilks’ Bar to the collection of porcelain plates positioned in a row on wainscoting in

a main-floor hallway – every detail of the place invokes an earlier, grand chapter of Canadian history.

Langdon Hall is many things to many people, of course. For some, it’s an overnight refuge. Featuring sixty glorious guest rooms and suites in multiple buildings across the manor’s grounds, the place has a feather bed with down duvet for almost any taste. Looking for a wood-burning fireplace? Check. An effervescent jet tub? Yep. Heck, Langdon even offers water and food bowls for pets.

For others, Langdon Hall is a daytime getaway – a special place to reset and refuel. Acclaimed Chef Jason Bangerter and his masterful team, presiding over the seventh best restaurant in Canada (as ranked by Canada’s Top 100), are always working with the freshest ingredients – many grown at Langdon’s farm – and creating the most distinctive, spectacular dishes. Daytime guests to Langdon are welcome to dine in the estate’s Main Conservatory, which overlooks the gardens, or settle into the cozy atmosphere of Wilks’ Bar – perfect for lunch or cocktails. Langdon Hall also has a number of exquisite private dining rooms that can seat anywhere from twenty to one hundred and twenty guests – for weddings and other events.

And then there’s the intimate, award-winning spa, ranked one of the top twenty-five spas in Canada. Langdon’s spa is all about indulgence. Featuring massages, wraps, scrubs, and other expert restorative and aesthetic treatments, the spa is available for both overnight and daytime guests.

If the devil’s in the details, then Langdon Hall reveals itself, at every turn, to be a devilishly-wonderful mecca of luxury. Just take a look. And then look closer. Every. Little. Detail.

LANGDON

1 LANGDON DRIVE, CAMBRIDGE LANGDONHALL.CA

CUSTOM HOME BUILDING: FROM THE GROUND UP REFLECTIONS FROM JAMES ANTHONY OF ANTHONY HOMES | anthonyhomes.ca

Working with a custom builder is an opportunity for you to ensure that your home meets your exact needs. Super-sized walk-in closet? Check. Hoping the kitchen counters can be lower or higher than standard? No problem. Looking for a rec room that can transform into an in-law suite? Achievable.

‘When we’re looking at the houses already on the market, it’s a huge feat to find a perfect home that meets all needs, and even renovating can usually only go so far in getting exactly what a homeowner might want,’ notes James Anthony of Anthony Homes, a Guelph-based builder who works one-on-one with clients to build their dream home from the ground up. As such, a custom home is a great solution for folks looking to ‘check all their boxes.’

And while almost everyone looking to have a custom home built knows their budget, they might not know exactly what their money will get them. ‘We get stars in our eyes when we think ‘dream home’,’ James remarks, ‘so it’s important for us to sit down with our clients to let them know how we can work successfully within their budget.’ Here are a few things James and his team urge clients to keep top of mind:

Prioritize your needs

‘It’s important to know your 'must-haves' versus 'what’s nice to have',’ says James. So he encourages clients to create a scoring sheet (or similar system) to keep track of what they consider most important – especially

when more than one future homeowner is involved. As James posits: ‘Scoring sheets are a great communication tool to explore what matters most to you both.’

Have your financing in order

‘When you work out the project cost,’ James observes, ‘it’s important to know where the funds will come from.’ Have you been saving, or will you need to arrange for a mortgage or construction financing? Having your finances in order reduces the stress of planning the build. James adds: ‘We help customers discern what design features mean from a cost perspective and give them options to help stay on budget.’

Plan early with your builder

James’ primary goal is to draw on his knowledge and experience to provide information that will help clients meet their goals while remaining realistic about the journey ahead. ‘Every relationship is built on solid communication,’ he notes, ‘and working with a home builder is no different. We put time into conversations with clients – providing helpful, honest advice so that the process goes as smoothly as possible.’ Anthony Homes’ team of professionals starts working with customers at the design phase, ensuring all needs – as well as considerations such as municipal zoning bylaws and soil conditions – are accounted for from the beginning, to ensure the successful execution of your dream home.

HOME DECOR SPOTLIGHT:

RUG & WEAVE

Staged Area: Bedroom

Location: Guelph

‘At Rug & Weave we embrace the art of transformation. Our team carefully works with each client to help bring elements of our down-to-earth modern aesthetic into their home. For this project, our lead designer, Sarah Thompson, worked with the client to create a calm & minimal bedroom design. A tranquil and peaceful escape with layers of texture and softened lines was achieved by incorporating curved furniture, cozy boucle, and subtle yet statementmaking lighting. Every item we curate or create for our shop is thoughtfully selected to bring beauty and function into your space. From in-house-made throw pillows to rugs, furniture, decor and more, Rug & Weave aspires to serve as a destination for all things home.’

-Sarah McBean, co-founder Rug & Weave

(1) Amber Lewis x Loloi Ojai Ivory Natural Rug, Roi Long Lumbar Pillow, Harper Throw Blanket

(2) White Glass Décor Beads

(3) Niko Dresser

(4) Gus* Modern Forme Chair, Dobbie Reclaimed Wood Stool

(5) Gus* Modern Odeon Coffee Table, Found Antique Pot

(4)

(5)

TRILLIUM WALD ORF SCHOOL: DISCOVERING THE ‘HEART OF CHILDHOOD’

WORDS BY DANI KUEPFER; PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN

The first thing I see is a collection of small wooden desks facing a chalkboard that boasts a series of letters strung up in tidy cursive. An equal number of potted plants, each unique in size and species, fill the windowsill: a juvenile avocado tree, a wandering pathos, and a shy cactus catch my eye. A peep startles me, and I bend down to peer into the warm glow of a pen where four small chicks dart and tumble amongst each other. From my squat I look up at the shelves above me, lined with sprouted seedlings and baking supplies. To my right I notice a bucket of shovels, and beyond, a flash of movement through the window. Raising myself up to the pane, I see a group of children moving about the schoolyard in twos while an adult conducts the spectacle; rain dots the glass in front of me, but the children outside don’t seem to mind at all.

I am visiting Guelph’s Trillium Waldorf School – one of over a thousand Waldorf schools worldwide (although there are fewer than ten in Ontario). Following the core values of the Waldorf education system – communal upbringing, a healthy unfolding of childhood, joy in the learning process, and more – each school adapts the distinctive Waldorf structure to the community it’s rooted in. (These principles were first articulated by Rudolf Steiner, founder of the first Waldorf school, in Germany, in 1919). One of the defining characteristics of Trillium Waldorf is its cohort structure: from grades one through eight, the students take their elementary journey

Rain’s nothing but a four-letter word for these Trillium Waldorf kiddos

‘IN MANY PUBLIC-SCHOOL SETTINGS, CHILDREN ARE LOOKED AT AS EMPTY VESSELS TO BE FILLED. AT WALDORF, CARE IS TAKEN NOT TO IMPOSE UPON CHILDREN WITH MEDIA, POLITICS, AND DISTRACTIONS; THEY ARE GIVEN THE SPACE TO UNFOLD NATURALLY, LIKE A PINECONE OR A ROSE.’

together, teacher included. ‘Kids learn so much, so fast. I get to learn with them – and from them,’ Jessica Gladio, who currently teaches sixth grade and also serves as faculty chair, tells me.

Trillium Waldorf students are encouraged to lean into their natural curiosity and follow their own instincts. At one point, when a teacher calls out, ‘raise your hand if you made a mistake,’ several tiny hands shoot up with enthusiasm. Throughout the grades, learning unfolds with a distinct rhythm: first, students are exposed to the area of study; next, they generate their own experience of it; and finally, the teacher delivers the lesson. My own tour of the school, for example, facilitated by the school’s lead administrator Stefanie Ly, allowed me to notice details (the cacophony of plants in each classroom’s windowsill) and ask my own questions (‘why

is there a plant placed on the desk of the child who is absent?’) before learning that each plant belongs to a child, and they will care for their flora throughout their elementary journey. In addition to honing a green thumb, they’re conducting a scientific case study and developing a relationship with nature (which will later underscore their ‘social action’ studies, rather than, say, a focus on doom and gloom).

While decidedly not an ‘art school’, Trillium Waldorf uses music, movement, nature, and art to facilitate engaged learning through Socratic methods – that is, by encouraging a child’s natural curiosity rather than giving them the answers. The core subjects come alive across the grades: Greek history in the fifth grade culminates in an Olympics-inspired event; the grade twos learn multiplication through movement; and the

– SHARON FINLEY, WHO MOVED TO GUELPH SO HER DAUGHTER COULD ATTEND TRILLIUM WALDORF

grade threes experience their studies on the large scale during their annual overnight farm trip.

Instead of standardized textbooks, students learn through teacher-led stories and group engagement and create their own workbooks through age-appropriate writings and drawings. ‘It’s really easy to meet kids where they’re at when they all start with a blank book,’ says Megan Gruner, whose class is currently in grade five. Several of the parents I speak to relay a similar experience of their kids learning to read when they were ready, and once they did, becoming voracious readers seemingly overnight. ‘It’s not so important that our students meet a milestone at a specific age,’ Megan tells me. ‘Allowing them to grasp a skill at their own pace often has better staying power.’

And a Waldorf education doesn’t begin and end with the school’s students – but instead extends to the whole family. ‘Parents send their kids here because they want to

experience – almost through osmosis – the curiosity, the community approach, even the field trips,’ Jessica tells me. ‘When the child enrols, the whole family enrols.’

The school has a ‘tri-pillar’ decision-making structure that involves a parent council along with members of faculty plus a board and administrative team. This alternative to the typical top-down structure is also core to how they bring together teachers, parents, advocates, and facilitators to address children’s behavioural issues. In addition to supporting events and participating on parent councils, interested parents are offered a pre-kindergarten class (for parents and babies) as well as parent-centred courses and conversations across a variety of shared challenges. ‘We don’t just drop the kids off,’ Kevork Tanielian, father of two, tells me. ‘Trillium Waldorf is a magical place where the children are looked at for who they are. And it’s a journey not just for the kids, but for ourselves.’

Trillium Waldorf is committed to cultivating young people who are engaged in their education and their community. The school nurtures the best in these young human beings, from encouraging their love for nature to helping them build skills for entrepreneurship and circular economy: building structures, mending clothing, growing their own food. As mom Ami Dehne remarks: ‘My son [a Trillium Waldorf student] has been a ball of energy since he arrived on this earth. It’s not that he doesn’t struggle at school – it’s that the school sees his good, too. He doesn’t get labelled as ‘that child’. The impact on our family has been tremendous. Our child

can express himself and his love; he’s truly thriving.’

Among Waldorf founder Rudolf Steiner's oftquoted remarks is this: 'We are fully human only while playing, and we play only when we are human in the truest sense of the word.'

Trillium Waldorf School is a treasured place that encourages children to play, imagine, explore, create, learn, go outside, and just be kids for a little while longer.

COMING SOON TO NORTH GUELPH

STARTING IN THE LOW $600 S

708 96 Modern | Urban Towns 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms Surrounded by Nature

STREET

A family-owned real estate builder & developer homegrown in Guelph, Ontario, Reid's Heritage Properties is committed to exceeding expectations, creating desirable & sustainable communities that meet a neighbourhood's specific needs.

AT REID'S HERITAGE PROPERTIES, WE DO MORE THAN BUILD COMMUNITIES WE ARE A PART OF THEM.

HOLD IT DOWN.

DOWNTOWN GUELPH HAS A DISTINCTIVE AND ALLURING CHARACTER DEFINED BY A RANGE OF FANTASTIC RESTAURANTS, AT LEAST A HALF DOZEN HIP COFFEE SHOPS, A HOPPING BAR SCENE, PATIOS THAT FILL SIDEWALKS AND SPILL ONTO STREETS, AN IMPRESSIVE SPORTS ARENA, A WORLD-CLASS MUSIC VENUE, AND SO MUCH MORE. THESE ARE THINGS THAT ENTICE FOLKS FROM ALL ACROSS THE ROYAL CITY (AND REGION) INTO THE CITY’S CORE.

BUT THERE'S MORE THAT SETS DOWNTOWN GUELPH APART. A VIBRANT LOCAL SCENE SUSTAINS, AND IS SUSTAINED BY, THOSE LANDMARK SPECIALTY BUSINESSES THAT JUST SEEM TO BELONG IN A PLACE LIKE THIS – INDEPENDENT, LOCALLY-OWNED, NICHE. THESE ENTERPRISES OFFER PRODUCTS AND SERVICE THAT SIMPLY CANNOT BE REPLICATED IN A SUBURBAN MALL, OR BY ANY VIRTUAL SHOPPING EXPERIENCE.

FOR THIS PHOTO SPREAD, WE HIGHLIGHT FOUR FOUNDATIONAL DOWNTOWN GUELPH BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN ANCHORING THIS EXCEPTIONAL CITY FOR DECADES. HOLDING IT DOWN.

BELIEVE THE HYPE.

TAMMY RATCLIFFE & CHRIS AHLERS, CO-OWNERS

•

•

•

What

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HEATHER

FIND YOUR SOUNDTRACK.

That song. Whether you hear it in the car, at a show, or in your kitchen - you belt out every bar without hesitation. That song is your song - the soundtrack of your life, written for no one else. It’s your anthem. Own it.

Welcome to Anthem, The Metalworks’ fourth phase located in Downtown Guelph. Ebb and flow with the rhythm of the river. Bask in the sun-soaked melodies filling the square. Quiet your mind in the lounge as the next song begins. The sounds of The Metalworks resonates within.

A FAMILY AFFAIR: HOW WOOD DEVELOPMENT GROUP IS INVESTING, AGAIN

WORDS & PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN

What’s in a number? When it comes to the bold ‘9’ stencilled onto the side of 9 Elizabeth Street – a sleek adaptive re-use project situated at the corner of Elizabeth and Duke Streets in Guelph’s historic ‘Ward’ neighbourhood – quite a lot, actually. But don’t take my word for it. Next time you’re in the Ward – for an americano at Double Rainbow Café, or negroni at Spring Mill Distillery, or pint at Standing Room Only (which might just be the smallest bar in the world) – take a look for yourself. Because while most street numbers are small-scale affairs, rudimentary wayfinding markers for delivery drivers, the large number at 9 Elizabeth holds deeper meaning and signals lofty ambitions.

‘It’s an original Seth,’ Wood Development Group’s VP of Development, Ian Panabaker, tells me while we stand on the sidewalk at Elizabeth and Duke – gazing up at the numeral.

‘The artist Seth?’, I ask, eyebrows raised, referring to Guelph’s most famous creative son – the eccentric and brilliant (and worldrenowned) illustrator and graphic novelist whose pieces have graced the pages and/or covers of the New Yorker, the New York Times Magazine, the Walrus and more. ‘You bet,’ Ian replies, ‘we commissioned Seth to design the piece as a sort of ‘easter egg’ for passersby – as a representation of the inventive and industrious spirit of the neighbourhood.’ I've seen enough of Seth's work to recognize the distinctive signature font. Ian continues: ‘Seth actually lives in the neighbourhood – just down the street. It seemed only fitting to have his work on the side of this building that not only serves as a sort of entranceway to the Ward, but also signals our commitment to the development of this historic working class Royal City community.’

Ian pauses, and I take time to marvel at every aspect of Seth’s modest but impactful piece – its whimsical nature, perfect proportions (that echo the shape of the building’s original window openings). I marvel perhaps most of all at the fact that a developer would make the effort to identify and invest in such a seemingly minor detail. ‘Wood Development Group,' Ian reminds me, 'has a vested interest in this part of town.’

Indeed, it does.

The Wood name is synonymous with the Ward, and has been for almost one hundred years. The Wood family, beginning with WC ‘Bert’ Wood and continuing with his son John Wood, owned and operated WC Wood Company – a global pioneer in the design and manufacture of home appliances (particularly refrigerators, freezers and dehumidifiers), agricultural machinery and more – out of large factories in the neighbhourhood from the 1940s right up until the business was sold in 2007. To be sure, there was a time when you couldn’t throw

a baseball in the Ward without hitting a WC Wood employee. And while the manufacturing business has been sold, a number of its old factories remain under Wood family ownership, waiting to be revived.

Which brings us to today – and here. In this neighbourhood. With Ian. And, now, up the street a couple of blocks, with Susan Frasson too – President of Wood Development Group. Susan, who happens to be John Wood’s daughter, is meeting us at the former WC Wood Company Plant No.2 – a nine-acre site that remains a property of the family. It’s Susan’s ambition to reimagine this piece of land over the coming years with new parkland, public green spaces, and residences that embody the charm and character of the neighbourhood.

‘I can vividly remember working in this factory as a teenager,’ Susan tells me as our small group enters Plant No.2 for a tour. At the top of the narrow staircase leading to the second floor I marvel at the size of the space. ‘We’re

Wood Development Group President Susan Frasson & VP Development Ian Panabaker in former WC Wood Company Plant No.2

actually standing in the former factory’s original concrete and brick core,’ Susan tells me, ‘that well pre-dates WC Wood operations.’ She continues: ‘This historic building was constructed in the teens and twenties for the Partridge Rubber Company and later the Guelph Paper Box Company before being swallowed up by Plant No.2, which was built up all around it.’ She continues: ‘My dad simply referred to this plant as the Guelph Paper Box building.’ Old ways of seeing things die hard, it would seem. And sometimes old buildings do too. But not this one, if Susan and Ian have anything to say about it.

‘The original Guelph Paper Box building is a fantastic piece of historic Guelph industrial architecture,’ Ian tells me, ‘spanning over three hundred feet by sixty feet with just a single row of columns supporting the heavily beamed ceilings.’ He walks over to one of the columns, pats it, and adds: ‘When we develop the Plant No.2 site, we will be restoring this heritage building – effectively making it a jewel in the crown of this new development.’ And of the Royal City.

As we walk around the space, we see vestiges of the building’s storied manufacturing past everywhere – from painted lines on the worn wood floors that would have guided workers safely past heavy machinery to hand-painted murals on the corrugated-metal walls, depicting colourful fridges, ice chests, air conditioners and more. ‘The murals,’ Susan tells Ian and me, ‘are illustrations of the products that would have been manufactured on this site.’ As I spot several more murals – of lakes, and forests, and birds – it occurs to me that the workers took pleasure in the landscape within which they made these products, too. I wonder aloud who would have painted them. ‘The landscapes were done by an employee named John Feenstra. I worked with him in those years. He loved to paint, he loved it here,’ Susan replies, adding: ‘The employees really were so proud of what they made here.'

As we continue, Susan has a story to tell about almost every nook and cranny of this massive site: about the products that were manufactured here, and the processes involved and, most often, about the people she worked with at WC Wood from her teens

Wood Development Group’s 9 Elizabeth Street project (foreground) with former WC Wood Company Plant No.2 behind. Photo by Ryan Christodoulou

into her twenties. She is proud of her family’s legacy supporting employees, her community, even the war effort. ‘At one point the company made a part for the Avro Arrow, and Dad insisted on hand delivering it himself just so he could have a chance to see the Arrow up front,’ she laughs.

As we make our way down a side staircase and toward the front door Susan pauses to reflect: ‘For me, WC Wood has always been about the people. Everything that my grandfather and father built here, from the factories themselves right down to the refrigerators that kept folks’ food from spoiling, was for people – the people who worked here, or who bought products manufactured here. And,' she adds as we reach the door and tumble into the sunlight, 'we're coming full circle as we begin to explore how we can continue to create space for life with this site. What Wood Development Group is trying to do here over the next handful of years – build greenlands and parks and muchneeded residential units – is also about people. This much has never changed.’

I imagine how this site will look in a decade or so. How it will enrich the neighbourhood. As a tenured resident of the Ward myself whose century home is just a stone’s throw from this redevelopment project, I have a stake in what will happen here. I think back to 9 Elizabeth Street – the beginning of Wood Development Group’s ambitious plans – and picture the stencilled ‘9’ on the side of this gorgeous adaptive re-use project. I envisage Seth – a Ward resident like me – sketching up the ‘easter egg’ for passersby. I recall Susan's reminiscing about her Dad's favourite saying: ‘The best is yet to come.’ I see clearly her enthusiasm for this project, and hear her saying: ‘That’s what’s guiding us now. Getting the best out of this property with such an important history.’ .

Some of the murals at former WC Wood Company Plant No.2

#SNAPSHOT

GETTING AN INSIDE LOOK AT ROYAL CITY BREW’S BEERHALL

PREAMBLE BY CAI SEPULIS; PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN

IF YOU HAPPEN TO THINK THAT ROYAL CITY BREWING’S BRICKS AND MORTAR LOCATION IN GUELPH IS STILL JUST A SMALL TAPROOM SPRINKLED WITH A HANDFUL OF TABLES AND A FEW SEATS BY THE BAR, YOU’VE GOT ANOTHER THING COMING. THE RECENTLY-EXPANDED BREWERY IS NOW OVER TWICE ITS ORIGINAL SIZE AND FEATURES AN IMPRESSIVE HUNDRED-AND-FIFTY-SEAT BEERHALL, A SECONDARY EVENT SPACE (THAT CAN BE RENTED FOR PRIVATE EVENTS), AND A BRAND-SPANKING-NEW OUTDOOR PATIO THAT SEATS AN ADDITIONAL EIGHTY BEER LOVERS. AND WHAT’S MORE, THE BREWERY NOW OPERATES A FULL KITCHEN – FEATURING EVERYTHING FROM BRISKET TACOS TO DUCK FAT FRIES, PORK SCHNITZEL TO PAN-SEARED TROUT, CHORIZO MUSSELS TO SAUSAGES ON A BUN. AND, OF COURSE, THERE’S ALSO ROYAL CITY’S LINE-UP OF AWARD-WINNING BEERS – ALWAYS COLD, ALWAYS DELICIOUS.

AS ROYAL CITY’S DESIGNER AND BEER LABEL ILLUSTRATOR, I’M NO STRANGER TO THE EVOLUTION OF THIS FAVOURITE BREWERY. AND YOU SHOULDN’T BE EITHER. EARLIER THIS SUMMER I POPPED BY THE BREWERY WITH MY TOQUE PARTNER CHRIS TO DIG INTO THE MENU AND GET THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM STAFF ABOUT WHAT’S UP. 138

Kyle, Beer Hall Manager

Our Brisket Tacos are a fan favourite, for sure. But don’t sleep on our daily specials.

We’ve got something going on in our event space, The Ward Room, almost every night. Check our socials for up-to-date info. And the space is also available for private events like working lunches, holiday parties, and even small weddings.

Two Rivers Blonde Ale is my sleeper pick for beer of the summer here at the brewery. Its recipe has evolved so much over the years. Try it on draught in the Beer Hall or grab a six-pack of shorties to-go from the fridge.

Matt, Head Brewer

Amber, Events Coordinator

GETTING TO KNOW:

CHRIS MOCHRIE,

REALTOR

IF YOU’RE FROM GUELPH OR HAVE DRIVEN THROUGH THE CITY IN THE PAST YEAR OR TWO (OR ARE A FAN OF THIS MAGAZINE), YOU’LL PROBABLY RECOGNIZE CHRIS MOCHRIE’S FACE. AFTER ALL, HIS MUG IS EMBLAZONED ACROSS EVERYTHING FROM LARGE BILLBOARDS TO BUS SHELTERS TO THE PAGES OF TOQUE. HE’S THE HANDSOME BEARDED REALTOR WHO PROMOTES CHARGING ONLY A ONE PERCENT LISTING FEE. IN JUNE I SAT DOWN WITH CHRIS TO DISCUSS HIS REAL ESTATE JOURNEY – AND WHAT MAKES ONE PERCENT SO APPEALING. LISTEN HERE:

WHEN DID YOU GET INTO REAL ESTATE? AND WHY?

I got my real estate licence in 2018 after selling my previous business where I developed, branded, and imported electronics to retailers like Canadian Tire and Costco. At first I looked to real estate as a form of investment by initially purchasing and converting single family homes to duplexes. In the process I realized that I could be a real estate agent myself. I’ve always had a knack for customer service, which, combined with a great value proposition, has been a key to my success.

WHERE IN THE REGION

DO YOU WORK?

I work primarily in Wellington County and Waterloo Region. Having grown up in Guelph and attended university at Laurier, I am more than comfortable in both regions – although it really is a pretty big area. When I first started out in real estate, I was living in Centre Wellington so I have a soft spot for Fergus and Elora. I now live in the family farm property where I grew up on the north side of Guelph, so I’m currently focusing most of my energy in Guelph. Hence all of the bus shelters with my face on them.

DO YOU WORK ALONE OR WITH A TEAM?

I work with an amazing set of colleagues I rely on regularly. There’s Mary McEachern, born and raised in Guelph, who makes extraordinary efforts on behalf of clients. I actually went to primary school with Mary’s son – it’s funny how life works. And Mitch Myers, who recently started with us after moving on from a past career as a powerline technician at Hydro One. Mitch’s work ethic is second to none – and he really knows his stuff. And there’s Laurie Adams – my full-time stager. I’ve worked with a lot of great stagers and Laurie is the best, as well as a super important component of our operation.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE BEST NEIGHBOURHOOD FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS?

This is a tough question, as everyone has their own set of preferences. I’d suggest that first-time buyers head north to smaller towns (if possible), as this can provide great value and more home for your money if a person doesn’t mind a bit more of a commute into town. There are so many great towns north of Guelph. The most important thing is to get your foot in the door. In my opinion, it’s better to get a starter home than to wait for something bigger or better down the road.

INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS MOCHRIE BY CHRIS TIESSEN

AND FOR INVESTORS?

If someone is looking to invest, say, two hundred thousand dollars in real estate, I’d advise purchasing a duplex that will pay for itself and hanging on to it for the next couple decades. If someone wants to invest ten million dollars, I’d advise purchasing industrial space along the 401.

THERE ARE MANY REALTORS IN OUR REGION. WHAT DIFFERENTIATES YOU FROM THE REST?

I provide an extremely high level of customer service, along with all the services you would expect from a top performing realtor – including free staging – for a one percent listing fee which is considerably less than the average realtor. While there are a lot of great realtors in our region, M1 Real Estate Brokerage is the leader when it comes to bang for your buck. Since the brokerage opened in 2022, we’ve saved our clients over one million dollars in commissions, and we’ve done this while providing excellent customer service – and selling a lot of homes. On average, a client of mine will save over ten thousand dollars in commission – which means a lot to them.

YOU'VE BEEN BULLISH ABOUT YOUR ONE PERCENT STRATEGY. WHAT ARE SOME OF ITS ADVANTAGES FOR YOU?

My strategy is simple: I would rather sell more homes and charge my clients less. I’m extremely lucky to have everything I could ever need in life, so providing amazing value for my clients gives me real purpose. I could never look my clients in the eye if I took more equity out of their home than I thought was fair. For me, the process is the reward. I do have to credit Parker Coulter Realty out of Barrie for my strategy; they really proved to me that a one percent commission listing fee works.

WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS AND HOBBIES WHEN YOU'RE NOT REPRESENTING CLIENTS?

I have two daughters, four-year-old Addy and two-year-old Ava, and a beautiful wife, Lauren. As cheesy as it might sound, they are my main interests. My hobbies? Frequenting playgrounds across Guelph and Centre Wellington with the girls. On Wednesdays I manage to get out to Whistle Bear Golf Club for Men's League. I have about seven acres of grass to cut, so I also list that as a hobby now, and I think it truly qualifies me as a dad because it’s become the most relaxing part of my week.

LAST QUESTION – WHERE'S THE BEST SPOT TO UNWIND AFTER A BUSY DAY?

I live next to Wellington Brewery, so I pop in there for a couple takeaways and head to the swim spa in my backyard. Until the girls are a little older, I’m keen to stay close to home. After all, it’s never easy to find a sitter.

FROM ZERO TO PROPERTY HERO: REAL ESTATE INVESTING TIPS FOR THE BOLD AND AMBITIOUS

BY JACQUIE BUNKER, CFA REALTOR® TRILLIUMWEST REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE @jacquiebunker.re

Ready to dive into the exciting world of real estate investing? Prepare to roll up your sleeves, crunch some numbers, and take on the housing market like a pro. With the potential for big profits, real estate investing can be an amazing way to build your wealth and achieve financial freedom. But where do you start? Don’t worry, we've got your back with these quick tips for how to navigate the wild world of real estate investing.

Start

small and work your way up

Begin by investing in a single property and learn the ins and outs of the process before expanding your portfolio. Something like a condo or duplex. Remember, don't try to take on too much too soon.

Do your research

Research is key to real estate investing. Before you invest in a property, make sure you grasp the character of things like the local market, specific neighbourhoods, your prospective tenant pool, the potential for the property you're interested in to appreciate. Assess all potential risks.

Knowledge is power.

Build a solid team

Invest on fundamentals

Real estate investing is like picking a winning stock. Focus on market and property fundamentals that drive value: population growth, economic diversity, transportation, employment rates, rental rates, vacancy rates, etc. Invest where people, businesses, and communities want to be.

More than one way to earn a return

Cash flow, property appreciation, value-added appreciation, and debt pay down are some ways to earn a return. Cash flow is key, but don't fret if it's tough to get these days. There are still ways to make a solid profit on real estate with appreciation. Just make sure you build proper financial models with worst-case scenarios and always ensure you can cover cash flow in case of a short-fall

Think long-term

Real estate investing is a long-term game. Don't expect a windfall overnight. Instead, focus on building a solid portfolio of properties in desirable locations with great tenants. It’s worth it.

Whether you're flipping or holding properties, building your real estate empire can be an exciting and profitable venture. So what are you waiting for?

142

Teamwork makes the dream work. You'll need to work with real estate agents, mortgage brokers, accountants, lawyers; potentially, also, contractors and property managers. Building a strong team that specializes in real estate investing can help ensure your success. Having a trusted team in your corner that knows the market intimately can make or break your experience.

illustration: Cai Sepulis

@caisepulis

FRESH AND LOCAL.

AS CANADA’S LARGEST YEAR-ROUND MARKET, THE ST JACOBS FARMERS’ MARKET HAS MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY VENDORS FEATURING EVERYTHING FROM FOODS INSPIRED BY A VAST RANGE OF CULTURES TO LOCAL WINE, BEER & CIDER; FROM BAKED ITEMS TO BOOKS & TOYS; FROM CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR TO VINTAGE & COLLECTIBLES; FROM MEAT & SEAFOOD TO DAIRY PRODUCTS; FROM BATH & BODY PRODUCTS TO PANTRY ESSENTIALS. AND, DURING GROWING SEASON, THERE'S AN ABUNDANCE OF FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE ALONG WITH REQUISITES FOR THE GARDEN. IN EARLY JUNE THE TOQUE TEAM TOOK A TRIP TO THE MARKET TO MEET SOME OF ITS LOCAL GROWERS. COME SAY HELLO.

THE ST JACOBS FARMERS' MARKET IS OPEN TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS & SATURDAYS DURING THE SUMMER.

MARKET VENDOR: SINCE 1972

WHAT TO EXPECT: A TON OF FRESH FRUITS & VEGETABLES

FAN FAVOURITE: PEACHES, NECTARINES & CHERRIES

IRENE ROMAGNOLI ROMAGNOLI FARMS, BEAMSVILLE ON ROMAGNOLIFARMS.CA

MARKET VENDOR: 20+ YRS

WHAT TO EXPECT: GORGEOUS FLOWERING SHRUBS & PERENNIALS

FAN FAVOURITE: JAPANESE MAPLES

MARKET VENDOR: 2 YRS

WHAT TO EXPECT: THE FRESHEST VEGETABLES & GREENS FAN FAVOURITE: OUR LETTUCE

JEREMY MACDONALD

NEW LEAF MARKET GARDEN, WATERLOO

MARKET VENDOR: 25+ YRS

WHAT TO EXPECT: RESPONSIBLY-GROWN FRUITS & VEGETABLES

FAN FAVOURITE: GREEN ONIONS, GARLIC, SPINACH & SWEET CORN

MARKET VENDOR: 30+ YRS WHAT TO EXPECT: HANGING BASKETS, PATIO

HOME DECOR SPOTLIGHT:

THE ART OF HOME

Staged Area: Dining & Living Areas

Location: Cambridge

‘When TOQUE invited us to be a part of their ‘Homes Sweet Homes Issue’, we decided to highlight products from The Art of Home in my recently-renovated main floor. When my husband and I moved into our fifties home in the West Galt area of Cambridge, we fell in love with the historic neighbourhood and the charm of the house. Our newly-designed space is a perfect backdrop to highlight some new favourites from my shop. Our fresh white kitchen showcases The Art of Home’s butcher blocks, handcrafted stoneware and colourful kitchen accessories. Our moody dining room in Vintage Vogue by Benjamin Moore serves as a beautiful backdrop to my family’s original art collection and is a great base for the new tabletop accessories we’re loving at the shop right now. The Art of Home is all about being polished casual while adding personality to any home and wardrobe.’

-Laura Malone, co-owner The Art of Home

(1) Acacia Rattan-Handled Cheese Knife Set, Black & White Stoneware Mini Baker, Pebble Large Platter

(2) Brass Hare Stand

(3) Lina Linen Pillow Rooibos, Selena Linen Pillow Black, Selena Linen Pillow Forest

(4) Etched Brass Iron Vase, Skeem Matches

The Art of Home co-owners Pamela Mangos and Laura Malone in Laura’s lovely Cambridge home

MENNO S MARTIN

CONTRACTOR LIMITED:

PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST – FOR QUITE SOME TIME

WORDS & PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN

‘Don’t you think it would be fun just to hang out with Danny?,’ Art excitedly asks me as he and I hop into his Volkswagen SUV and begin the short drive back to his office on the north side of Waterloo. ‘I could hang out with someone like him all day,’ he adds energetically. I let out a spontaneous laugh. Art’s enthusiasm is palpable, and I find it refreshing to realize that, in his case at least, the oft-repeated adage that it’s the clients who make a person’s job worthwhile rings so very, very true. ‘Danny definitely seems like a great guy,’ I answer with a smile, ‘I’d for sure hang out with him.’ Especially if Art –gregarious, energetic, teeming with infectious energy – might come along too.

It's a Tuesday morning in late May and Art Janzen – co-owner of Waterloo-based Menno S Martin Contractor Limited – has just taken me on a site visit to a sprawling

home in Waterloo’s stunning Colonial Acres neighbourhood where a Menno S Martin crew has been busy converting a mansardroofed house – Danny’s house – into a more traditionally-gabled structure. ‘We’ve actually done a few mansard roof conversions around here,’ Art tells me as we cruise through quiet neighbourhood streets. He points to a large building set back from the street and announces: ‘Actually that’s one right there.’ As we drive on past sprawling Colonial Acres homes on mature treed lots, Art points out at least a half dozen more properties Menno S Martin has had their hands in over the years. More roof conversions. A couple of large main-floor additions. Interior renovations – of bathrooms, kitchens, entire main floors and more – not visible from the street. So many client homes.

Menno S Martin co-owners Trent Bauman & Art Janzen

‘We usually have around eight projects on the go at any given time,’ Art tells me as we make a last turn out of Colonial Acres and beeline it to the office. ‘It keeps our team of fourteen [an electrician, nine carpenters, four office staff] busy year-round.’ I don’t doubt it; that the company keeps busy, that is. It’s seemingly always been this way – at least from my perspective. Growing up in Kitchener, I remember seeing Menno S Martin trucks and signs on clients’ lawns in all parts of the city. In fact my own childhood bedroom is a Menno S Martin job; the company (then run by Laverne Brubacher, who had bought the business from Menno Martin in 1976) opened up the top floor of my parents’ Old Westmount storeyand-a-half home with two large cathedralvaulted gables back in the late eighties. The renovation was a godsend for me, who had been living like a hermit in what I interpreted to be an upstairs ‘closet’ (while my brother lived like a king in a huge bedroom next to mine) until the generous vaulted addition equaled the score. When I recall this childhood

anecdote to Art, he looks pleased – and proud. ‘I’m happy to hear we made your childhood tolerable,’ he tells me with a laugh.

Before long, we arrive at the Menno S Martin office and I’m seated with Art and his business partner, co-owner Trent Bauman, in the place’s sparse kitchen nook – a meeting room of sorts located between the bright front offices and expansive back shop. It doesn’t take me long to discern that while Art’s the company’s resident extrovert, Trent is his perfect counterbalance. Calm, measured, and blessed with a dry sense of humour, Trent has worked at Menno S Martin since 1987 – ever since he graduated in Architectural Technology from Mohawk College.

‘I think the reason Art and I work so well together,’ Trent tells me when I ask about how they manage their roles as co-owners of such a successful regional company, ‘is because we were mountain biking buddies well before we became partners at Menno S Martin.’ Art

Art & Danny poring over plans in Danny’s Colonial Acres kitchen

chimes in: ‘Our wives worked together before we’d even met. We got to know each other at their work parties. It wasn’t long before we began riding together – and became one another’s confidante.’

Indeed, Art recalls leaning on Trent for career advice more than once while he searched for something that would hold meaning for him in the years before he began work at Menno S Martin. ‘I worked in the glass business back then,’ Art tells me, ‘and also at a print shop as a graphic designer. While I learned a lot in both industries, I couldn’t picture what either place would hold for me five or ten years down the line, and that gave me pause.’ And so, after a time, Art applied to become a police officer. The day he found out his application had been rejected, he received a call from Trent, who wanted to share that then-Menno S. Martin owner Laverne Brubacher was looking for an operations manager to oversee marketing, health & safety, and overall operations at the business. Someone to work alongside Trent

– who at the time was a project manager at the company. Art leapt at the opportunity. ‘If a door opens,’ he tells me with a huge grin, ‘you go through it.’

When Laverne retired in 2010, Art and Trent knew they wanted to continue the Menno S Martin legacy and so they bought the business together – which brings us to today. ‘The company has gone through quite an evolution since Menno [and his brother] started it out of Menno's home in St Jacobs in 1942,’ Trent tells me. ‘For the first few decades the business focused on new builds and barn work. Back then, Menno – a pioneering Waterloo Region entrepreneur – drove to jobs in a Ford Model A with a ladder strapped to it. When Laverne took over the business from Menno in the seventies,’ Trent continues, ‘he dropped the new builds and barn-building side of the business in favour of home renovations.’

Like my childhood bedroom renovation, for example.

‘Since Art and I have taken over the company,’ Trent tells me, ‘we’ve focused much of our business on design-build renovations –bathrooms, kitchens, whole interior house renos, additions.’ Like Danny’s house, I remark. ‘Yes,’ Art tells me, ‘in the last decade especially, our sweet spot has become renovating wellbuilt 1980s two-storey houses whose owners want to modernize their living space.’ I ask how these ambitious projects affect clients’ day-to-day lives. ‘Quite often,’ Art remarks, ‘the homeowners remain living in the house and we've learned how to work around them.’ I’m amazed. Art continues: ‘For instance, Danny and his family are still living in their home while we build onto it.’ I think back to this morning’s site visit and imagine Danny working from home, and his family living at home, with all the renovations going on around them. Tight quarters. But if anyone can make it work, I imagine that Art and Trent and their team would be able to get it done.

‘During the most ambitious jobs,’ Art tells me, ‘we actually become like part of the family because our crews are at clients’ houses all day, every day, for weeks on end.’ He smiles: ‘Our clients have been known to feed us, their kids make us drawings, we get to know the

family dog. This might sound absurd, but it’s actually quite often a sad day for us – and even for our clients – when we finally finish the job and move on.’ I’m heartened by Art’s candidness. After all, why wouldn't a business which literally makes (newly-renovated) homes for families also sometimes grow to feel like family in these homes?

'These relationships arise out of mutual respect,' Trent observes. 'What we’re striving to do in this most recent chapter of the business is to continue living – and working – by values that have always been at the core of Menno S Martin. Essentially the Golden Rule. ‘Since Trent and I took over the business we’ve been preaching the motto ‘Putting People First’,’ Art remarks, 'because, in our minds, if you treat folks right – clients, subtrades, and each other – things will fall into place. Our team has adopted this motto and it's the whole team that deserves the credit for how we and our clients interact.'

People first. Another adage that rings true. It's clear that there's mutual pleasure and satisfaction in that.

If you want your printed material to look & feel as nice as this copy of TOQUE

contact James.

COCKTAIL HOUR

RECIPE BY PARK EATERY GENERAL MANAGER KATIE SHEWEN @COUNTYCOCKTAILS

SUMMER’S HERE, AND SO IS THE QUEST FOR THAT PERFECT DRINK FOR HOT DAYS WHEN YOU’RE SWEATING IN THE SUN. MIXOLOGIST KATIE SHEWEN’S SOLUTION: A MAI TAI MILKSHAKE. A PLAYFUL TAKE ON EVERYONE’S FAVOURITE CLASSIC TIKI DRINK, THIS BOOZY SHAKE ANSWERS ALL YOUR SUMMER NEEDS. SO SLURP ONE DOWN. JUST WATCH OUT FOR BRAIN FREEZE.

MAI TAI MILKSHAKE

Method: Mix, blend, top

Glass: Beer stein

Garnish: Whipped cream & a sprig of mint near the straw (for your nose)

3 scoops vanilla ice cream

1oz Newfoundland Screech Rum

1oz Elora Distilling Co Amaretto

1oz fresh-squeezed lime juice

2oz fresh-squeezed orange juice

Directions: In a beer stein, add all ingredients. Blend. Add whipped cream and a sprig of mint for the aroma. Slurp away.