Victoria’s Read

Cheryl Ward, President of Ivy Home Staging is celebrating her first year in business this month. A relatively new industry, home staging is the process of transforming a home from one that has been loved and lived in to one that will be looked at and loved by potential buyers.                                                                               

 From the moment I purchased my first home, I quickly realized that I could make dramatic changes on a limited budget and experience a good return on my investment. As a result of my experiences over the last twenty plus years with five of my own homes and as a graduate of the “Staging Diva” home staging business training program, Ivy Home Staging was born.            

This business provides many of the aspects that bring great joy to my life, such as helping people, decorating and of course, shopping. No two projects are the same, yet they all have the same approach. Each property is thoroughly reviewed and suggestions and solutions are provided on how to make each space show at its best. These suggestions are either implemented by the homeowner or I can take care of completing the transformation or a combination of both.                                            

 I believe that home staging is “the key to selling your home”.                                 

Cheryl volunteers for the local chapter of the Canadian Owners & Pilots Association. She is also a member of BNI Blue Sky, a local chapter of Business Network International. BNI helps members increase their business through a structured, positive and professional “word-of-mouth” program. You can learn more by visiting www.bni.com.                                                                 

Cheryl encourages anyone to ‘Follow your passion’. If you are planning on starting your own business, be sure to network with other business owners and take advantage of their knowledge.

While growing up in Hillsburgh, Elsie Beaulne learned the fine art of working with her hands from her parents. “My father was a furniture frame builder and my mother was a welder in the war.” Elsie soon realized that she too was a hands-on kind of girl and departed out on a career as a hairdresser.                                                        

 During a chance meeting at her neighbors place, Elsie was led to North Bay. “My neighbor was the sister-in-law to my now husband, Terry.” Elsie began visiting Terry in North Bay where their relationship progressed nicely. “We have three children and have been happily married now for twenty-three years.”                             

 Elsie never felt confident in her work as a hairdresser and enrolled in a career planning course where she decided to try her hand at wood-working. “Part of the course criteria was to fulfill a two week placement. I simply opened the phonebook closed my eyes and pointed to a business. It was Bonells Upholstery. Bonells loved Elsie’s workmanship and hired her under the apprenticeship program. “I stayed there for 20 years before I got up the nerve to open my own business.”                    

Elsie’s Upholstery was conceived three years ago and the family ran business is doing very well. Elsie strongly believes in recycling and doing quality workmanship. “I love turning a piece of furniture from old and ugly into something new and beautiful. I use only high quality products and begin repairing a piece at its frame.”                                                                                          

 Elsie balances her work and family life by spending her weekends with her family, tending to her gardens, playing with her pets, bird-watching or camping and fishing. “I also love to paint scenery and flowers with water colours and acrylics.                         

Elsie gives back to her community by donating her toss pillows to Leisure World for their fundraisers.                    

Elsie would like to take this opportunity to deeply thank Bonnie Bonell for everything that she has done and continues to do for Elsie and her business.

The Redbridge Snack Bar, owned by mother and daughter team, Barb Stanley and Amanda Holmes is back for another season and is ready to cook for you. “We have introduced a brand new menu this year.” announces daughter, Amanda.                                                         

The Redbridge Snack Bar opened for business April 2009. “We did pretty good during our first year but business is much better this year.” Barb stated.                                                            

For as long as Barb can remember, she dreamed of running her own snack bar. “My uncle owned one while I was growing up and it was always intriguing to me.”                                                                      

 Barb’s husband Joe always wanted to fulfill his wife’s dream and when his daughter moved to a prime location in Redbridge, he began the search for the perfect snack bar. Three years later, Joe stumbled across the little yellow truck. It was in need of some serious TLC but he could see that it was just right.                                                                         

Barb had never run a business before. “My daughter taught me everything from customer service to operating a cash register.’ Amanda was working at Walmart as a customer service representative and cashier. “I quit that job to work for my mom and will take over the business someday.”                                

Amanda has two young boys that fills most of her spare time but she still finds time to take  in stray animals and find them good homes. Barb likes to tend to her flower and vegetable gardens when she is not working at the snack bar.                        

The Redbridge Snack Bar prides itself on buying locally grown potatoes from Redbridge and 100% pure beef patties from Gravelle’s. “We feel that it is important to support our community.”                                                                                

 The little yellow truck is sporting some new technology this year as well. “We installed solar panels to provide our hydro because protecting our environment is a good thing.”                                                                                       

Written by: Victoria Reed.

Lois Ann Tamke grew up on a little farm in Alberta “I had two brothers and two sisters. My father was a farmer and my mother raised us children.”

Lois would spend hours watching her mother and grandmother make flowers out of crepe paper then dipped in wax. “My mother and grandmother were members of the Royal Purple and would regularly make bouquets for their events.” 

“I would also often spend time picking berries with my father”. It is here that Lois developed an admiration for the pure elements of nature.

Lois’s first job was as a clerk typist for Alberta Red Cross. “I really didn’t like the repetitiveness of the job.

Lois then met someone in the florist industry who offered her a job on a trial basis. She was a natural and enrolled in the apprenticeship program to become a floral designer and arranger. She was 19 years old. Upon successful completion of her education, Lois opened her own flower shop and taught floral design classes.

Lois’s life took a dramatic turn in 1998 when she found herself helping a friend out by moving her to Ontario. “I liked it here and decided that I would like to stay.”  Lois landed a job at Jackman’s Flower Shop as a floral designer where she stayed until opening Art Blooms in 2004.

Art Blooms specializes in custom design arrangements for all occasions. “ I offer designs that are different yet affordable.” Lois also teaches flower arranging classes.

Written by Victoria Evangeline Reed

Tammy Brunne was born and raised in North Bay and is the 15th child of 16. Tammy was employed with the local newspaper for 23 years before moving on to photograph weddings. “I really enjoyed working at the newspaper. It is where I met my mate, Steve.” Tammy and Steve have four boys between them.                                                            

Then opportunity knocked when Tammy learned that her good friends had closed their Laundromat on Champlain Street. Tammy ceased the chance to open her unique establishment. “I wanted a Laundromat that was different.” Sunshine Laundromat is eco-friendly, clean and above all, welcoming.

Sunshine Laundromat shares it birthday with Tammy’s dad, August 17th. “It’s been just 8 months and business is going very well.” Tammy has a friendly staff of four and plans to expand in the near future.                                                                                                                                     

Tammy gives credit to her father for her business skills. “My father Rooney Brown owned Brown’s Towing for 54 years. He also taught me the importance of community and the people who live in it.”  Tammy’s mother, Ruth is a nurse who taught her children the importance of caring and sharing.

Sunshine Laundromat uses only the ‘top of the line’ machines. “We have a 4 load machine which means that you can put the equivalent of four loads in one washer. It is great for large items such as tents, sleeping bags and hockey equipment. It washes, neutralizes and disinfects for just $12.00 a load.

Tammy offers environmental friendly soap for just 25 cents which comes in a recyclable container. Tammy also offers a convenient wash and fold service. ‘You can drop off your dirty laundry and pick up freshly washed and folded clothes later.”                                                                                                                                           

By Victoria Reed

British Columbia born, Terry Muir came to North Bay in 2002 after her husband, Wilson received a job transfer.                                                                                                                      

After obtaining new employment as a server, Terry quickly learned that she wanted to run her own business and grow professionally. Terry had always enjoyed waitressing but began to not get pleasure from her line of work anymore.  She had done it all of her life and successfully raised two children on her own doing just that. “I admit that I sometimes had three jobs going at once but Wilson came into my life when the kids were young and it all worked out well.”      

November 2007, Terry had the opportunity to purchase what was then called Kitty’s Cafe. “I was working there at the time and knew that  I wanted a place where my employees would be happy to come to work.” It’s been three and a half years now since Terry’s Place came into existence. “It was real slow at the start but that all changed. I started out with only four employees and now have nine.”

Terry prides herself on providing good, fast and friendly service along with a positive atmosphere for her patrons and employees alike. “Colin Ricciuto has been with me since the beginning. He started out as a dishwasher then server. Even though he is in an apprenticeship program now, he still works on the weekends because he says that he really likes working here.”                                       

Terry knows that her success is due greatly to her staff and would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank them “They are all so awesome.”                                                                                                                                

Terry is also a proud supporter of Community Living North Bay. Pierre Brenton began working for Terry on the weekends but now works five days a week. “Everyone is nice to me here.” says Pierre.                                                                                                            

Terry’s Place is open 7 days a week from 7am -2pm.

Switzerland born, Anita Smylie came to North Bay to learn English. ‘My boss at the time knew a man here who could teach me English so I could get a better job back home.” That man would turn out to be her future husbands father. Anita and Clark have been married now for twelve years and run their business very much like their marriage; as a team.

Anita had been working for the Second Cup in the North Bay Mall for only six months before the owners decided that they wanted to sell. “I thought that the business was in a good area but knew it would be a lot of work.”

Anita and Clark have two small children and share the responsibility of raising happy children. “When I’m working, my husband takes care of the children and visa versa.” Anita admits that owning her own business is a 24 hr a day job so quality time with her family is always very well spent.

June 1st 1999, Anita became a first time business woman and Café Botanica was born. “It took some time to establish some good suppliers and to discover what would sell.”

Café Botanica offers Fairtrade organic coffee and tea as well as protein enriched fruit smoothies, made from real fruit. “We also have sugar free Italian sodas and soy milk.” Anita sells quality giftware and giftbaskets, made to your personal requirements. 

Café Botanica also promotes the local pottery company, Stonethrow Pottery. Owners, Bas and Liliane Oorschot are makers of functional stoneware.

Anita says that she never regrets taking the plunge to open her own business. “My customers are wonderful and I love that Café Botanica has become the regular meeting place for my loyal customers.”

Writen by:  Victoria Evangeline Reed

During Brigitte’s first pregnancy, she had many fears about her upcoming labour. “Every time I thought about it, I would get butterflies and anxiety. I shelved my fears throughout the nine months until I had no choice but to face them on the day of my labour.” She feared the excruciating pain and the overall intensity of labour itself. Sure enough, She found her labour to be too intense and needed assistance to deliver the baby via vacuum delivery. “My tension and fear produced unnecessary excessive pain. Of course, all of that went away the moment I met my baby’s eyes”                                                                    

What Brigitte didn’t know then, is that by using the HypnoBirthing method, childbirth does not need to be accompanied by unbearable and unmanageable pain - to the opposite, it can be an empowering, peaceful and enjoyable experience!                                                                                       

While she was pregnant with our second daughter, she stumbled upon an article in Mothering Magazine that talked about HypnoBirthing. “My curiosity was ignited. I noticed that no one offered it anywhere in Northern Ontario and realized that I would need to travel if I wanted to learn it for my upcoming birth.” Four months pregnant, she headed for Montreal and trained to become a Certified HypnoBirthing Practitioner.                                              

“To my delight,  I experienced a calm and peaceful birth and never for a moment found the surges too difficult to manage. The HypnoBirthing method gave me all of the tools I needed to walk into my birth experience with positive expectations and with full confidence in my body’s natural ability to bring a baby into the world.”                                                                                                        

Brigitte have become so passionate about HypnoBirthing that she began her own  business called Mother Peace and is ecstatic about being able to teach it to expecting mothers and their birthing companions. “I guarantee you that it is one of the best investments that you will make as expecting parents - whether it’s your first baby or your fifth.”

A few years ago, Linda Ashford did a favour for a friend. “I was asked if I could help pack up a house. I packed up a lot of real nice stuff, including 15 boxes of pure crystal and loads of antiques. The next time I saw my friend, I casually asked her what became of all the items and was told that they all went to the dump!” Linda’s friend proceeded to tell her that the company that she works for also has to pay the dump fees which can become quite costly. Linda couldn’t believe that all those beautiful objects simply went into the dump and asked her friend for her boss’s name and phone number.  Linda called and offered to buy the next estate items. An agreement was made that saved the company money and helped the environment.                                                                                                                                     

Linda began holding lucrative yard sales. She then came across an advertisement, stating that the old Pub 63 in Redbridge was for sale. A few short months later, Linda was open for business.                                                                                                                                                          

Estate Finds and Flea Market is turning 2 years old this month and business is great. Linda and her daughter Tammy receive calls from real estate agencies that need to clear the homes out for the new owners. The mother and daughter team usually take one to two days to completely clear out the estate at no charge.                                                                                                                                                           

Linda feels that donating to the less fortunate is essential. “I donate the clothes to the diabetic association as well as kitchen supplies to a local handicap association. I also donate all the medical supplies I receive and provide items to a woman who sells them to raise funds for Nicaragua.”            

Linda’s hobby is dog breeding. “I breed French Bull Dogs and Boston Terriers who are all CKC registered.”            

Written by: Victoria Evangeline Reed

Mrs Claus (aka ‘Mrs Claus’, ‘Goody’, ‘Jessica’, ‘Ma’, ‘Maya’, ‘Matha’, ‘Doloe’, ‘Dolores’) is an often overlooked part of the Christmas tradition, but without her Santa and the Elves would probably not be such a well oiled machine to be able to deliver millions of gifts in just one short night.                                                    

Without Mrs Claus, the Elves and Santa would probably starve, Santa wouldn’t have such a nice new suit every year and their time keeping, letter writing, toy making and general day to day chores leading up to the big day would suffer immensely if not for her continued support.                                                                         

 As you can probably tell Mrs Claus is a wonderful wife and it is this that she adores being, nothing wrong with that but we do have to say it is a mighty shame her entire identity is wound up with being a Mrs. It would appear Mrs Claus has little time to herself as all literature about her revolves around her domestic duties, her cooking, sewing and being the caretaker of all the men in her life, santa, the elves and the reindeer. Not that we would dare belittle the role of woman as caregiver, it is an important role, but we believe this should be a balanced role.                                      

Historically speaking, Mrs Claus apparently didn’t make an appearance until around the turn of the 20th Century when she gets a mention in a poem by Katherine Lee Bates.                                                                  

Mrs Santa Claus even has a film made about her. In the 1996, TV Movie ‘Mrs Santa Claus’ Angela Lansbury stars as Santa’s loving wife who goes on an adventure when she’s feeling neglected by her husband during the pre-Christmas rush. Mrs. Santa Claus takes the reindeer and sleigh out for a drive, only to end up stranded in the multi-cultural neighborhood of Manhattan’s Lower East Side of the early 1900s. She explores this new world by getting a job in a sweat shop and befriending a young suffragette, only to become empowered by the magic of urban life.                                        

So, we have made Mrs Claus Woman of the Month, not because she’s a ‘good wife’ but because we believe she is often overlooked despite her ’standing by her man’ and making sure there are lots of happy children in the world.   

Merry Christmas.

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