T

he phrase “I love you” isn’t exclusive to romantic couples, nor should Valentine’s Day be either. In fact, there are myriad ways that love shows up in our lives — through family, friends, pets and more. This year, don’t wait for romantic inspiration (or a change in your Facebook relationship status) to plan your perfect Valentine’s Day. We’ve come up with fun ideas to celebrate alone, with family or friends — without the pressure of romance. 

Express your family love

For moms and dads, it can be tempting to argue that every day is a testament to their love for their kids. But Valentine’s Day is a reminder to tell your kids how much you love and value them — even when they don’t unload the dishwasher or finish their homework. Here are some ways to celebrate together: 

Bake with heart – Start the day with heart-shaped pancakes and maple syrup, or bake “heart-y” cookies, preparing icing and candies for decorating after school. Visit Nicety’s in Downtown Oakville for cookie cutters and other baking implements. 

Love-inspired chocolate – Treat the family to a stunning gift box from Chocolate and Love in downtown Oakville, filled with their award-winning Fairtrade certified organic chocolate bars so you can spread love to your kids, and the Earth. 

By candlelight – Make meal time special with a candlelit dinner for the entire family. Before eating, invite each person to share something they love about everyone at the table. Don’t feel like cooking? Treat yourself to takeout. Try Familia Fine Foods or The Platter Company in Burlington; and for dessert, try The Sweetest Thing in Kerr Village.

Crafted with love – For young kids, consider an afternoon of crafts at home or at a kid-friendly studio. For inspiration, visit Lollipop Art Lounge in Oakville or a 4 Cats studio in Burlington and Oakville.  

Single in the suburbs

Being single has its perks, even on Valentine’s Day. While you could watch a romantic movie alone while devouring chocolate fudge ice cream (tempting though it is), consider these decidedly more celebratory ways to enjoy this day on your own or with friends:

I heart spa days – Book a luxurious spa treatment to get your glow on. Whether it’s a massage, pedicure or facial, try something outside your usual beauty routine at a local spa like Yellow Door Selfcare Studio in Oakville.

Galentine’s Day dinner – Officially the day before Valentine’s Day, it’s a great excuse to grab your besties for a culinary night at one of the many local restaurants with delicious fare and great atmosphere. Some faves are: Isabelle or Radius in Burlington;
Plank or Beacon in Oakville. 

Burning love – If fitness is your gateway to good vibes, plan for an extra-long workout to sweat it out and feel the burn. Step it up by booking a personal trainer or ditching your usual routine to try something new like a class at SpinCo in downtown Oakville.

Retail therapy – Who can resist the power of retail therapy to boost your self-love and heal a broken heart. You can go small with a treat from a bakery like Anna Cakes or Sweet! Bakery in Oakville. Or fresh flowers for a lovely pick-me-up to yourself or a friend from Floral Collective in Oakville. If you crave more extravagance, consider selecting a piece of jewellery you can love and treasure for years to come. 

Valentine’s Day is more than an invitation to express love to those you care about, it’s a chance to spread loving vibes in a world that can often feel lacking. Prolific love song writer, Burt Bacharach expressed it best: “What the world needs now, is love sweet love. It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.” 

For winter enthusiasts, the choice between cross-country skiing and downhill skiing becomes a pivotal decision that defines how you enjoy the season. Even though both types of skiing require skis, these two sports are actually very different, each offering unique thrills and challenges. In the quest for the perfect winter sport, we compare downhill and cross-country skiing to help you decide how to spend your snowy days.

Downhill skiing: Also known as alpine skiing, in downhill skiing you ride a chairlift to the top of a mountain or hill and ski down. Downhill skiing can be a heart-pounding adrenaline-fueled adventure as you speed down the mountain. 

Cross-country skiing: Also known as Nordic skiing, cross-country skiing involves gliding through forested trails that are most often flat or slightly hilly. 

Whether you prefer the rhythmic glide of cross country skiing through serene landscapes or the adrenaline-fueled descent in downhill skiing, the type of skiing you’ll enjoy comes down to the type of winter experience you’re seeking, how far you’re willing to travel and physical fitness levels. 

Go the distance

You don’t need to travel far to find cross-country trails in Halton region. Crawford Lake, Mountsberg and Hilton Falls are popular areas for Nordic ski enthusiasts.

Mountsberg Conservation Area has two ski trails that run along the shoreline and through the woods and sugarbush. Bronte Creek Provincial Park is home to plenty of trails, although not all are maintained. Hilton Falls and Crawford Lake in Milton also offer various cross-country ski trails. 

For downhill skiing, the most accessible locations near Halton are Glen Eden in Milton, Chicopee in Kitchener and Hockley Valley near Orangeville. If you’re willing to take on a longer road trip, there’s Mount St. Louis Moonstone just north of Barrie and Blue Mountain in Collingwood.

While there are more cross-country trails in Halton region than alpine ski hills, you are reliant on Mother Nature to grace those trails with snow. Alpine resorts will make their own snow throughout the season as long as the weather is cold enough.

Physical challenge

Cross-country skiing provides a full-body workout. “Cross-country skiing can be more physically taxing for a first experience as it requires the skill to master that sliding, as well as the physical exercise aspect to keep moving through the trails,” says AJ Leeming, senior manager, programs & services at Glen Eden. Downhill skiing has gravity on your side to keep you moving, and lifts to help you get to the top of the hill. 

Comparing costs

Getting equipped for downhill skiing will typically ring up a higher bill than cross-country, but savings can be found if you purchase second hand. For both sports, you’ll need skis, boots, poles and warm gear to withstand the cold outdoors. Downhill skiing will additionally require goggles, a helmet and ski pants (none of which are necessary for cross-country). 

If you’re downhill skiing, you’ll also require a lift ticket every time you hit the slopes, which can quickly add up. These often run from $50 to $100+ for an adult; season’s passes can lower the cost per day if you plan to ski a lot. Cross-country skiing at a Halton conservation area will set you back the cost of a day pass (around $12 per adult). 

Ready to give skiing a try?

If you’re new to downhill skiing, Leeming recommends a beginner lesson. “A lesson with a certified instructor will help make it safe and fun, ensuring you discover all the little tips and tricks to make it as easy as possible,” he says. Ask if instructors are Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance (CSIA) certified. Cross-country lessons can also be helpful, but watching a couple of YouTube videos can be enough to get you started. 

Whether you crave the exhilarating speed of downhill skiing or the picturesque landscapes of cross-country, both offer a unique experience to enjoy our
snowy winters. 

Advent calendars have certainly evolved over the years, leaving behind those flimsy cardboard calendars filled with often stale and ambiguously shaped chocolates. (Was that supposed to be a reindeer or a goat?)

Advent calendars trace back to 19th-century Germany, where families marked the days leading up to Christmas by lighting candles or hanging religious images. The first printed advent calendar, as we know it today, was created in the early 20th century, featuring little doors to open each day through December 1 to 24. 

Over time, these calendars have become more creative and diverse, opening the door to a wide array of imaginative and personalized options.

“You can get as creative as you like or keep it simple. The true magic is in creating fun, family-friendly ideas to get into the holiday spirit,” says Sarah Gunn of Gunn and Co, who specializes in holiday decor. 

Last year, Sarah’s family counted down to Christmas with adorable DIY paper bag advent gingerbread houses. “The larger ones can hold colourful socks, small toys or sweet holiday treats. The smaller ones are perfect for a message from the Elf on the Shelf or a note with a suggestion for a holiday activity that the whole family can enjoy together.” 

To create a quick and easy version of these gingerbread houses (pictured on the next page), fold over the top ¼ of a brown paper lunch bag and decorate it with a white paint pen and other embellishments. Then hole punch at the top, and tie closed with twine or red ribbon. Better yet, turn it into a crafting session; kids love decorating for the holidays, especially if hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies are involved. 

Another easy and budget-friendly advent calendar can be crafted using holiday gift tags. Number each tag from one to twenty-four and attach them to a length of ribbon or twine, which you can hang on a mantle or wall. Write an activity for each day on the back of each tag using pencil or sticky notes – so you can reuse next year or shuffle activities as needed. Refer to your calendar to ensure you save the big adventures for weekends or when everyone is available.

Remember, no peeking! The element of surprise is a big part of the fun. 

LOCAL LINKS

Retro Festive
1100 Invicta Drive, Oakville
retrofestive.ca

Walkers Chocolates
3350 Fairview Street, Burlington
1011 Upper Middle Road East, Oakville
walkerschocolates.ca

Lollipop Art Lounge
338 Church Street, Oakville
lollipopartlounge.com

Simply Gifted
491 Brant Street, Burlington
simplygifted.ca

L’Occitaine en Provence
162 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville
loccitane.com

With shorter days and longer nights, board games are a great way to gather with family or friends for an affordable and fun evening’s entertainment.

While board games have always been popular, Megan Edmonds, co-owner of The Bard and The Bear Games Cafe in Hamilton, believes there’s an even greater appetite for human connection, post-pandemic. “Board games are a great way to connect in-person and take screens out of the equation,” she says. 

Kevin Bileski has been part of a bi-weekly games night in Burlington with the same group of friends for six years. “Playing board games is a great way to come together,” he says. “It’s a Sunday afternoon alternative where the only thing on the table are chips and chocolate.” 

Okay, but which board game do you choose?

If you’ve moved on from collecting $200 every time you pass Go in Monopoly, fear not. There’s a slew of new games to re-invigorate your next board game night! 

For families with young children

Orchard: Edmonds says co-operative games, like Orchard, are a great way to introduce board games to young kids without someone winning or getting upset. 

Drop It: Similar to the classic Connect Four, players strategically drop pieces into the stand to land them as high as possible without touching anything of the same shape or colour.

Catan Junior: Children ages six and up slip into the role of pirates who build their hideouts – called pirates’ lairs – on islands and set sail to find new places to build more pirates’ lairs.

For building your games collection 

Klask: A popular option for hockey fans – Edmonds like to call it the love child of air hockey and fridge magnets. This two-player game is very similar to air hockey in play, but uses magnets to move the pieces and create hazards.

Bohnanza: One of Edmonds’ favourite sleeper hits is this German card game where you harvest beans. More exciting than it sounds, Bohnanza is great for a large group of friends as every player gets to trade on each turn.

Pandemic: This older game has had a resurgence in popularity. Bileski likes it because all the players must work together as disease-fighting specialists on a mission to keep four deadly diseases at bay. 

For strategic thinkers 

Scout: This card game about making sets and runs seems simple but actually requires a lot of strategy making it a hit among folks who normally play heavy strategy board games. 

Ticket to Ride: This cross-country train adventure board game challenges players to constantly monitor the board state, which cards they need, and what their opponents are up to.

Carcassonne: Inspired by the medieval fortress in southern France of the same name, Carcassonne is a tile-laying game where players need to strategically fill in the countryside around the fortified city. 

Kulami: A two-player game with simple rules that’s easy to learn and quick to play, it encourages you to replay it again and again as you develop more complex strategies. 

5 PLACES TO GET YOUR GAME ON

Torchlight Games and Hobbies
4033 New Street, Burlington
torchlightgh.com

Lords of War Games & Hobbies
124 Kerr Street, Oakville
lordsofwargames.com

The Bard and Bear Games Cafe
237 James Street North, Hamilton
thebardandbear.com

Mastermind Toys
1011 Upper Middle Road East, Oakville
1035 Brant Street, Burlington
mastermindtoys.com

Enter the Battlefield
2172 Speers Road, Oakville
etboakville.com

With Halloween creeping up on us, let’s unmask some ghoulishly great ways to celebrate.

Take a ghost tour

You don’t have to wait for Halloween night to get your ghostly thrills. There are some eerie locations around Oakville and Burlington that are screaming out for you to visit – if you dare. 

Erchless Estate is rumoured to be the most haunted house in Oakville, with employees claiming to have seen ghostly figures walking the museum grounds. And if that’s not spine-tingling enough, visit Dingle Park after dark, where you might catch a glimpse of the ghost who is said to reside there. 

If you happen to be in downtown Burlington on the night of a full moon, pay a visit to the statue of the soldier at the cenotaph at City Hall. Legend has it that he descends from his pedestal to wander under the full moon’s light.

If that’s too scary for you, same ghoul, same. I’m team “playful pumpkins” over “ghostly figures” every time. 

Pumpkins After Dark in Milton is a family-friendly way to conjure up some Halloween spirit. Also, check your neighbourhood Facebook groups for “Haunted Houses” near you. Several homes in Oakville and Burlington boast Halloween activities and decor that are eerie-sistible. 

Get this party startled!

A costume swap isn’t just budget-friendly; it’s also eco-friendly. Invite friends to bring their gently used costumes, and let the trading begin. Combining elements from various costumes can result in a unique look. Think Fairy-Ogre, Manchester United-Monkey, Space-Kitten, or Flamingo-Werewolf – guaranteed to stand out in any Halloween parade.

Consider hosting an “Upstairs Downstairs Party” to make it easier for parents of young children to socialize. Parents can bob for apples upstairs while their little ones enjoy treats and games downstairs, under the watchful eye of a few teens hired by ‘mummies’ (and daddies). 

Organize a scary movie marathon (Author’s Note: At the first sign of a clown, I’m out of there faster than you can say, “It.”) Serve up terrifying treats like Halloweenies and petrified popcorn and you’ll be the ghostess with the mostess. Remind guests to BYOB (Bring Your Own Boos). 

Trick or treat yourself

Many local shops and restaurants welcome young trick-or-treaters with candy-filled bowls. It’s a great opportunity to support local businesses while collecting some sweet treats.

Instead of going the usual candy bowl route, add a dash of creativity to the Halloween mix! Set up a “Witches’ Cauldron” using some dry ice for an extra eerie effect, or create a “Mummy’s Tomb” brimming with treats. And hats off to my ingenious neighbours who send treats down a PVC pipe from an upper window – we applaud your wicked engineering.

Welcome trick-or-treaters with glowing jack-o-lanterns, a Halloween music playlist on a loop, festive lights or some creepy cobwebs to set the mood. Let your imagination run wild, but within reason. I had to remind my spouse not to jump out in his vampire costume to scare unsuspecting trick-or-treaters. While it may sound amusing in theory, the bone-chilling scream from our neighbour (and her young child) haunted me for months. She gave us resting-witch face until Christmas. 

Keep celebrations inclusive and safe

Some children may have dietary restrictions, while others may have sensory sensitivities. Consider offering a mix of treats and non-food items (stickers, bubbles, fidget toys, glowsticks, slime) to accommodate all trick-or-treaters. 

If your children are old enough to venture out on their own, be sure to review safety rules and common courtesies. Remind them to take only a few treats from unsupervised bowls left out on doorsteps and to respect property – only monsters and ghouls stomp over flower beds.

There you have it, a how-to guide for a Halloween that’s frightfully fun for all ages! Whether you’re swapping costumes, exploring haunted houses, or simply enjoying the treats, have a safe and scary Halloween, everyone! 

by Lisa Thornbury

Familiar with terms like dink shot, double bounce and groundstroke? If so, chances are you’re a pickleballer. Despite the enthusiasm of friends urging me to play, I’m among the few remaining pickleball holdouts in my neighborhood. Lack of coordination and depth perception have kept me on the sidelines, but the allure of venting my frustrations with an oversized ping-pong paddle has me intrigued. 

What exactly is pickleball? 

A fusion of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court, divided by a low net. Two pickleball courts fit in one side of a tennis court (many tennis courts have pickleball lines to allow for both types of play). The rules of play are quite simple, which makes it accessible to beginners.

The game starts with an underhand serve, and players must wait until the ball bounces before returning it. Get this… a serve that intentionally hits the non-receiving opposing player is called a “Nasty Nelson.” That alone makes me want to rush out and buy a paddle.

“Whether you’re a serious athlete or a beginner like me, there’s a place for you in this sport. It’s very inclusive,” says Jolanda Rettinger of Oakville. 

Jolanda and her husband Dwayne have made Friday night matches with their neighbours a regular “date night” activity. “Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles which makes it super social,” she says. 

A robust match followed by a game recap over cocktails and possibly deep-fried pickles? Yes, please. 

Where to play

Both Oakville and Burlington Parks and Rec offer programs for new players. You can also join a recreational league or find a nearby court for a casual game with friends (or make new ones on the court).

Finding a court or learn-to-play location is as easy as Googling, “Pickleball near me.” There are both outdoor and indoor pickleball courts so you can play through all seasons. The Oakville and Burlington Pickleball Associations are other great places to learn more and connect
with other players in your area. Many private athletic and racquet clubs in the area have also enthusiastically adopted the sport.

Why pickleball is the trendiest game in town

Pickleball’s popularity is not surprising, given its appeal to people of all ages and skill levels. It’s a fun way to stay active, meet new people and share some laughs. The fast-paced action and strategic gameplay keep players engaged and coming back for more. And, it might be what finally gets a newbie like me to answer the Pickler’s rally cry to join the pickleball revolution.

Get started:

Just enter “pickleball” into the search bar at www.Oakville.ca or
www.Burlington.ca for a complete list of resources and opportunities.

Or you can head to  www.burlingtonpickleball.com to learn more about the resources available through the Burlington Pickleball Association.

by Lisa Thornbury

Hockey: it’s the game that unites our country (and pits neighbours against each other over favourite teams). This stick-and-puck game is widely considered our national pastime, from Hockey Night in Canada to ball hockey on the street. Car!  

Between Oakville and Burlington, a total of 36 players have made it to the NHL so far. While that may not be your child’s end goal, our local leagues are known to offer incredible skills training. But before we anticipate our region’s next draft picks, let’s start with the basics. 

Getting Started

It really begins with one thing, learning how to skate – and learn-to-skate programs are a great way to fast-track your skills. “You want to make sure you have the fundamentals of skating,” says Anthony Miele, former Vice President of Wave Hockey and the Program Development and Marketing Consultant at Burlington Lion’s Optimist Minor Hockey Association (BLOMHA).   

Once your little one is comfortable on the ice, you can graduate to a hockey skills program. Children usually hit the ice in full equipment as they learn to handle a stick and pass the puck. Oakville Hockey Academy and Wave Hockey Academy offer introductory programs, while the Oakville Hornets and Burlington Barracudas specifically cater to girls.  

Founded in 1996, the Oakville Hornets Girl’s Hockey Association is one of the largest girls-only hockey clubs in the world. Now in their 18th season, they have consistently reached over 1,100 registered players. Their program boasts 34 House League teams from U7 to Senior, plus the Development Stream (DS) in younger divisions. With similar offerings, The Burlington Girls Hockey Club recently announced their “Grow the Game” initiative in addition to their existing Initiation Program for girls aged four to six. 

House League (Rec)

For friendly competition and the experience of playing on a team, try House League. This recreational league is low-stress (no tryouts) and designed for fun. Players can even request to be on the same team as their friends. With one practice and one game per week, families find this option relatively easy to fit into a busy schedule – though it does come with a cost: league fees range from $500 – $700 per season.

For more intensity, house leagues offer ‘Select’ – also known as Development Stream (DS) in girls’ hockey. This level of play is for higher-skilled players and requires tryouts. 

Rep Hockey

Players with an appetite for more competitive hockey may want to explore rep (short for “representative”) hockey. 

Burlington and Oakville have rep hockey teams for boys and girls, with annual tryouts. With more practice, training, games, and tournaments, this competitive level of hockey requires a significant commitment from players (and their families). “Rep hockey becomes time-consuming,” says Miele. It’s at least twice the time commitment of house league and involves traveling to tournaments. But rep comes with a cost (nearly four times that of house league hockey) ranging from $2,000 to $3,800, depending on the player’s skill level and commitment. When deciding whether to pursue rep hockey, Miele says, “You have to be realistic.”

Parents with children enrolled in the sport quickly learn that hockey is far more than athleticism and NHL dreams, regardless of the level played.  Many parents say that hockey has allowed their kids to feel more comfortable and confident, and has resulted in great friendships, trust, responsibility, and sportsmanship. 

From learn-to-skate to rep, you can’t go wrong with the programs in our community. Check them out: 

Learn to Skate Programs

Burlington

Wave
wavesports.ca/learn-to-skate

Burlington Skating Centre
burlingtonskatingcentre.ca

The Pond
thepond.ca/introductory-programs

Oakville

Cutting Edge Hockey Development Centre
cehockey.ca

Skate Oakville
skateoakville.ca

House League and Rep Hockey

Boys

Burlington Lions Optimist Minor Hockey Association (BLOMHA)
blomha.com 

Minor Oaks Hockey Association (MOHA)
oakvillerangers.ca

Girls 

Burlington Girls Hockey Club
bghc.ca 

Oakville Hornets Girls Hockey Association
oakvillehornets.com

by Lisa Evans