Even though we are lucky to live in Canada, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the world, we are not not lucky enough to have a lot of balmy weather. So, when summer finally does come around every year, we are HERE FOR IT. (Can I get an amen, Alberta?) To give you a tasty appetizer, we thought we’d scour social media to find some of our favourite #CanadianSummer photos.
Sunset Season
No, this isn’t a painting, it’s a real place. Crescent Beach in Surrey, BC, to be precise.
Do you have a photo that perfectly captures the #CanadianSummer? Why not have it printed and framed to enjoy all year? London Drugs Photolab experts can help you choose the perfect format for your prints.
National Indigenous Peoples Day is on June 21, and it’s a day for all Canadians to celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding contributions of the three groups of Indigenous Canadians: the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Although these groups share many similarities, they each have their own distinct heritage, language, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs.
June 21, the summer solstice, was chosen for National Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly known as National Aboriginal Peoples Day) because many Indigenous communities have traditionally celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day due to its significance as the longest day of the year.
There are many fun and interesting activities happening all across Western Canada that you can take part in to celebrate. Here are just a few we found:
Victoria, BC
Join the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations for the Victoria Indigenous Cultural Festival, June 21-23, celebrating National Indigenous Day weekend with a canoe crossing opening ceremony, totem pole tour, dance performances, art workshops, Victoria Harbour canoe tours, and mouthwatering authentic cuisine. (Pro Tip: Songhees-style clam chowder is an absolute must.)
National Indigenous Day at Trout Lake is always a big deal, and a great time. Kick things off with a pancake breakfast, then the Friendship Walk through East Vancouver is a special way to connect with the community.
Here are some highlights from last year’s celebrations:
Everyone is invited to Penticton’s 3rd Annual Indigenous Day at the Shatford Centre. The event is a collaboration between the En’owkin Centre, Ooknakane Friendship Centre, and South Okanagan Restorative Justice. Plans for the day include a mini pow-wow, food trucks, drumming, story-telling, and much more.
Kamloops, BC
The Little Shuswap Lake Indian Band is hosting an Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on Thursday, June 21, at the beautiful Quaaout Lodge near Chase, BC. Visitors will be treated to various cultural activities and tours, and the evening will be capped off by a live concert with Maori artist Mihirangi and DJ Shub (of Tribe Called Red fame).
Rossland, BC
The Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre is hosting a screening of the documentary Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance, an unflinching look at the history and events surrounding the 1990 Oka crisis by acclaimed director Alanis Obomsawin. Obomsawin and her small crew spent 78 days behind Kanien’kéhaka lines filming the armed standoff between protestors and the Sûreté du Québec (Québec’s police force) and the Canadian army. This landmark documentary has been seen around the world, winning over a dozen international awards and making history at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it became the first documentary ever to win the Best Canadian Feature award, and known as “watershed film in the history of First Peoples cinema.”
Join the National Music Centre for Indigenous Music Day at Studio Bell on June 21, featuring music and youth-friendly activities that celebrate the cultural diversity of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples. On-site activities include live music from Métis singer-songwriter Sandra Sutter, traditional dance and drumming performances from Thundering Nations, and indigenous art demonstrations.
The Banff Centre for Arts never disappoints when it comes to cultural events, and this year’s National Indigenous Peoples Day event will celebrate with a rich and unique immersion in Indigenous arts and culture. The day starts off in beautiful Canmore with a parade down Main Street, then travels to Centennial Park where there will be a welcoming ceremony, dancing, drumming, storytelling, Indigenous food and an artist market. The day concludes at the Banff Centre with a film screening and panel discussion, medicine walks, and musical performance featuring Dale Mac. Events are free and open to the public.
Main Street parade in Canmore, AB. Photo from Canmore.ca
Edmonton
Western Varieties is hosting a week’s worth of events in honour of the day. Edmontonians can take in teepee raisings, prize draws, nature gathering workshops, Cree language lessons, and kids’ crafts. Don’t forget the bannock tacos!
Regina
The National Indigenous Peoples’ Day event at Government House will feature multi-generational drumming group Buffalo Lodge and traditional dance performed on the Ceremonial Circle. The Lieutenant Governor, His Honour Thomas W. Molloy, will be in attendance for a public address.
Saskatoon
The Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation starts at 9:30am in Victoria Park and will feature a variety of traditional and multicultural dances, music and performances along the way. The walk culminates at the Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre, where walkers will enjoy lunch, special guest speakers, entertainment and fun for the whole family.
This year’s theme is “Planting the Seed.” By walking together, the Reconciliation Saskatoon organization hopes to plant the seeds of reconciliation—honouring survivors and answering the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action as we create a more inclusive community.
Winnipeg
The University of Manitoba is hosting an entire day of activities: a pipe ceremony, teepee construction workshop, and Anishinaabe cardio workout, children’s storytime, and an Indigenous health seminar. It will also be an arts and culture lover’s dream with crafter/art displays and performances by Maxine Angoo, Spence Tradition and Buffalo Red Thunder Singers.
A Buffalo Red Thunder dancer performing at U of M.
If you can’t make it out to any of the celebrations in your area, you can watch a live broadcast of the festivities from Winnipeg, Ottawa and Toronto on June 23. APTN’s Indigenous Day Live will feature some of the most recognized entertainers in Indigenous music and television, including influential award winners and rising stars.
The Dyson V7 Complete Cord-free Vacuum has whole machine HEPA filtration. The HEPA filter captures fine dust and pet dander and expels air cleaner than the air you breathe.
Together with Dyson, we’re excited to be giving away a Dyson V7 Complete Cord-free Vacuum! See below for full Terms & Conditions and how to enter.
Dyson Facebook Contest Terms & Conditions
To enter: Comment with the answer to “What is the smallest particle a Dyson V7 Complete can capture?” (Hint: Check the product page!) on the Dyson giveaway Facebook post.
Contest is open to all residents of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba who, as of the date the prize draw is made: (i) have not won a London Drugs contest since June 21st, 2017; (ii) have reached the age of majority in the province in which they reside as of June 15th, 2018; (iii) are not employees of London Drugs, their respective advertising and promotional agencies, the independent judging organization (if any), or any family member living with any such employee.
No purchase necessary. Limit one (1) entry per person per social network per contest. Entries must be received no later than 11:59 PM Pacific Time on June 21st, 2018. London Drugs is not responsible for entries that become lost or misdirected. All entries become the property of London Drugs Limited and will not be returned.
One (1) winner will be randomly chosen on the day the contest ends (see dates below) in Vancouver, British Columbia, from all eligible entries received per contest. To win, selected entrants must correctly answer a skill-testing mathematical question and must sign London Drugs’ declaration and release confirming compliance with the contest rules and acceptance of the prize(s) as awarded, releasing London Drugs from liability in association with the contest and prize and consenting to the use of their name, photograph, voice and statements for promotional and publicity purposes.
There will be one (1) prize of one Dyson V7 Complete Cord-free Vacuum ($499.99). See details and contest date below. Prizes must be accepted as awarded, are non-transferable and no substitutions are permitted. Prizes will be awarded at the closest London Drugs location to contest winners.
Contest date – Friday, June 15th, 2018 – Thursday. June 21st, 2018, 11:59 PM Pacific Time
Draw date – Friday, June 22nd, 2018
Only one prize may be won by any one person and household. In the event that any selected entrant incorrectly answers the skill-testing question or is otherwise unwilling or unable to comply in full with these rules, a new entry will be drawn.
Selected winners will be contacted by email or on the social network they were drawn from. No correspondence will be entered into except with selected entrants. If the winners do not respond then they will be notified for the second time, 3 (three) days after the first notification. If the winners still do not respond within 3 days of the second notification, a new winner will be chosen in the same manner until a winner is successfully contacted.
The chances of winning a prize will depend on the number of eligible entries received. Decisions of the judges in respect of all aspects of this contest including, but not limited to, eligibility of entries and correctness of answers given to the skill-testing question, are final.
London Drugs and their respective advertising and promotional agencies, the independent judging organization, and their respective agents are not liable to an entrant in any manner relating to the contest or the awarding and use of the prize(s).
This contest is subject to all federal, provincial, and municipal laws and regulations. By entering the entrant consents to the collection of all personal information included on their entry and agrees to the use and disclosure of such information by and between London Drugs, an independent judging organization, and their agents. The winner(s) also agrees to the collection, use, and disclosure of their name, entry, photographs, voice, and statements for London Drugs’ publicity purposes without further compensation. All personal information collected from entrants will be used only for the purposes of administering the contest and for marketing and promotional purposes as contemplated by these rules; under no circumstances will any personal information be sold or rented to third parties. All personal information collected by London Drugs will be kept in accordance with the privacy policy of London Drugs, which can be viewed at www.londondrugs.com, and in accordance with all applicable privacy laws.
The right is reserved by London Drugs to terminate this contest, in whole or in part, and/or modify, amend or suspend the contest, and/or these rules in any way, should any cause beyond the reasonable control of London Drugs or its agents affect the proper administration thereof.
The SodaStream isn’t technically a new product – the company was founded in 1903 and their home soda makers became popular in the 1970s and 80s. SodaStream products have made a big comeback in recent years, mostly due to consumers’ focus on health and environmental impact.
People who want to drink more water for better health swear that the SodaStream makes the task of drinking water much more exciting. Making your own sparking water at home can also save money and you’ll keep plastic bottles out of the waste cycle.
Multi-cooker pots burst onto the kitchen gadget scene a couple of years ago and took the domestic world by storm. It seemed like you couldn’t call yourself a proper home chef without owning one of these, and it’s easy to see why. The Express Crock Multi-Cooker can cook up to 70% faster than traditional methods, or can be set to slow cook all day. This little gem is a master at homemade chili, stew, sauces, poultry (home-made hot wings? Yes please!), steamed fish, rice, soup, dessert, bread, and even yogurt. It’s so fast and versatile, it might even leave your stove and oven feeling left out.
If you’re not convinced that your counter needs an Express Crock Multi-Cooker on it, Crock-Pot has a whole library of delicious recipes for you to check out right here.
This is a serious piece of kitchen equipment, and Vitamix owners swear that it has changed their lives. Vitamix doesn’t make an “every-once-in-a-while margarita mixer” that’s stored away nine months out of the year; they make a use-it-every-day, can’t-live-without-it, commercial-grade blender.
Vitamix machines have all the power you need to pulverize ingredients, releasing flavours and marrying them together to create better-tasting blends. Eating healthy can be a challenge sometimes, so taste makes a big difference. With precise settings that can chop, grind, puree, or juice to perfection, you’ll be making your own delicious salsa, soup, nut butter, sorbet, sauces, and of course the most perfectly smooth smoothie you’ll ever taste in your life.
A Vitamix blender isn’t cheap, but knowing that it’s a quality piece of a equipment that will get used every day and last a lifetime (many people have passed theirs on to their kids and grandkids!) makes it completely worth it.
Another big healthy eating trend that’s taken the cooking world by storm is spiralized veggies. In an effort to replace the not-so-healthy pasta dishes, people have discovered this tasty, curly alternative. Pasta lovers can enjoy all the flavour, taste, and texture of their favourite dishes every day with a fraction of the carbs and calories. The catch is that creating the noodle-y spirals can be difficult with traditional kitchen tools, so products like the Vegetti can speed things up.
Food dehydrating is a healthy and cost-effective way to preserve meat, fruit, veggies and other foods. Using low heat and air, dehydrating reduces the overall amount of water found in food. Once the water is removed, the food is resistant to bacteria and doesn’t spoil as quickly as it normally would. The bonus of food that has been properly dehydrated is that it retains most of its original nutritional value. After food is cooked, it starts to lose the overall nutrition potential. A food dehydrator allows you to retain all of those nutrients and vitamins in your food, getting the benefits of a raw food diet but without the hassle of continuously buying raw food. It’s perfect for making healthy snacks for the whole family, saving you money, calories, and waste.
The Weston Food Dehydrator has a compact, lightweight design that can fit in even a small kitchen, and is easy to clean. Apple chips, here we come!
This is the product that has made professional meat smokers very nervous. Nothing can beat the mouthwatering goodness of food cooked in a real smoker, and The Char-Broil® Connected Electric Smoker & Roaster has created a whole new generation of backyard barbecue masters.
This reliable smoker and roaster will impress your friends with tasty mouth watering burgers, charred veggies, juicy steaks and smoky chicken. This backyard must-have plugs into any common 120V power outlet and comes built with 15 pre-set temperature levels for all your cooking. Here’s the kicker – it has its very own smartphone app! You can virtually monitor your food’s temperature and general cooking information in real time and will let you multi-task in various locations without having to constantly go check on the food in your smoker. You won’t miss a minute of the big game while making the most mouth-watering ribs, steak, burgers, chicken, or veggies.
Did we miss a new, trendy kitchen product you can’t live without? Post it in the comments!
The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware Harriet Westaway – better known as Hal – makes ends meet as a tarot reader, but she doesn’t believe in the power of her trade. On a day that begins like any other, she receives a mysterious and unexpected letter bequeathing her a substantial inheritance. She realizes quickly that the letter was sent to the wrong person – but she also knows that she can use her cold-reading skills to potentially claim the money. Hal attends the funeral of the deceased and meets the family…but it dawns on her that there is something very, very wrong about this strange situation and that the inheritance is at the centre of it.
Book of the Month Every month we will be featuring a new book to be showcased in our Book of the Month. Staff members and friends will be reading the book and posting their reviews. We’d love to hear what you thought of these books as well. Post your comments and let us know. The Death of Mrs. Westaway is available at London Drugs along with many other great titles and is on sale for the month of June.
With the arrival of spring (finally!), we know that wedding season is just around the corner. So many details go into planning a wedding: the perfect dress, amazing food, gorgeous flowers, thoughtful invitations, meaningful vows, stunning (yet delicious) cake…the list can seem endless. Luckily, with some of the most stunning scenery on the planet, beautiful wedding photos are one thing we don’t have to worry too much about around here. Here are some incredibly beautiful Canadian wedding photos we found!
Here’s a gorgeous shot of a quintessential Muskoka Cottage Country wedding. We hope it was at the beginning of the summer, because the guests probably wanted to stay well into September.
After celebrating their nuptials in a modern, Western style, this Korean-Canadian couple chose to include a traditional element in their wedding to pay respect to their families and customs, and their photos captured both colourful traditions beautifully.
As one of the most beautiful places on earth, Banff is a common locale for weddings, and this gorgeous couple certainly took full advantage of the ready-made scenery for this epic wedding shot.
The Fanshawe Conservation Area near London, Ontario is the perfect location for an outdoor wedding, and these beaming brides undoubtedly got a ton of beautiful photos here.
Do you have a jaw-dropping Canadian wedding photo you think the world should see? Share it with us in the comments!
With over 35 years of photofinishing experience, the London Drugs Photolab can help you to preserve your memories and bring your photos to life. Our Photolab provides a wide variety of prints and personalized gifting products to creatively share your best photos, from photo books and mugs, to fine art prints and so much more.
Our experienced Photolab Technicians are dedicated to producing the highest quality photofinishing products, as well as offering Photolab services including film processing, scanning, and digital restoration: all using state-of-the-art equipment.
Why trust us with your photos? Watch the video to see how our LDExperts Nikki and Dave have built trusting relationships with their Photolab customers. Or just ask the countless Canadians – families and photographers alike – who already trust us with their photos!
Visit the London Drugs Photolab online or in-store to start creating something unique with your photos, or download our London Drugs Photolab App for iOS and Android. We can ship to your local London Drugs for pick-up, or deliver anywhere in Canada.
The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware
