Ripplecove’s serene Arboressence Spa produces sublime results

Ripplecove Hotel, a haven of sublime lakeside beauty, houses a treasure akin to Shangri-La. It’s their spa. Reflecting the spirit of Eastern Townships’ beauty, the tranquility that surrounds you at Arboressence Spa is not one that is fabricated. Nor will you have to stand in line, staring at sterile walls plastered with product pictures. Arboressence’s cedar walls cocoon you, and its subtle Canadiana décor instantly relaxes you. I felt I was sitting in a lovely cottage on the lake. No waiting for your turn here!

My masseuse was the one-and-only Nicole Beaudoin. Having worked at Ripplecove’s spa for twelve years, Nicole is perhaps the most experienced massage therapist I have ever met; her hands proved it.

The 100% chemical-free products used to exfoliate my back and massage it – along with those for my facial were from one exquisitely rejuvenating all-natural/organic Hungarian line: Eminence. My six-step back exfoliant included a coconut sugar mixture of scrub, mango gel, pumpkin cream, menthol rosehip that she mixed with herbal spicy mud from Hungary.

 

Nicole is so into what she does!

The final step was laying plastic over my back for skin penetration. 

   

While waiting, she spontaneously treated me, massaging my arms, head and feet. She even worked on sore spots she identified using reflexology. What a gift she gave me; what a gift she is!

 

Nicole(middle) with others from her Arboressence team

My facial used a camomile cleanser cream, coconut cream for massaging, and an exfoliant mask of rosehip and corn. Her golden hands seemed to rejuvenate my appearance and my troubled skin benefited greatly from the products. Nothing was harsh or grainy in texture.

                                                 A facial that really works 

Recently, Arboressence has introduced a special ayurvedic massage and I plan to have on upon my return.

Esthetician, Ann McGee, has created a pièce la résistance facial, and it sounds divine. Known as the Royal Treatment, it includes exotic natural plants from Damascus and New Zealand. Ann uses honey flowers from Manuka (used by the Maori Indians). These flowers are renowned for their exceptional curative/restorative powers. The Royal Treatment has become the talk of the eastern Townships. Nicole convinced me that when I return I must have it. I am now convincing you that you can’t leave Ripplecove – an outstanding lakeside hotel, without going to its spa. Ask for Nicole and experience the hands of a goddess.

Contact them at (1-800) 668-4296. Visit the website: www. ripplecove.com

 Read about my stay and dining experience at Ripplecove

HOUSE WITHOUT ROOF (Directed by Soleen Yusef) ****

Three siblings who do not get along were born in Kurdistan, but live in Germany. However, they all agree to fulfill their mother’s wishes that she be buried next to their father in Kurdistan. Trouble ensues when the uncle refuses to cooperate; he sends his son after them while the siblings are making the journey in one of the brother’s pick-up truck with their dead mother draped in the back. Their trip encounters many obstacles, including border barriers, fights between them and finally, a huge secret kept by one of the brothers which almost separates them all for good The music and scenery come along at just the right moments in the film – when poignant discoveries are made within the family. It is a moving film with many philosophical moments. It ends with the Iraqui city of Mosel being invaded by ISIS. This film is worthy of hitting the public screen.

 

BENEATH THE SILENCE

(Directed by Erez Mizahai & Sahar Shavit)

An important film that demonstrates the long-term terrible toll Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome has on soldiers – in this case, Israeli soldier, Menashe. his best friend was killed in the Six-Day War, and he blames himself. Six years after returning from that war, he displays severe symptoms of PTSS. He is mute with his family and does bizarre things – keeps his head on the car horn at night, is absent from his son’s birthday, and even tries to hang himself. Daphna, his wife and son Shlomi are totally ignored.  The lead actor, Amos Tamam portrays the depth fo despair with credibility. PTSS is affected by many soldiers form all over the world. Evidently, at the time this film was made, the army remained silent about the condition. 

 

Breadcrumbs (Directed by Manane Rodriguez) ***

                             Female Fortitude Endures Torture in Fascist Uruguay

In 1976, students and older resistance workers ran a clandestine operation of printing false passports in Montevideo’s “House of Figs”, so people could escape from the dictatorship - a reign of terror that affected those critical of the regime.  This exceptionally gripping film vividly shows the torture and imprisonment of many – particularly, Liliana – the prime heroic protagonist who was captured and tortured along with those she worked with (in secret) to combat the terror.

 

When she is taken, a never-ending nightmare becomes her fate – until 1982 when she is released. She is now a photographer. The cathartic finale to this political ordeal also involves Liliana’s reconciliation with her alienated son, and the pursuit of justice against the perpetrators, as the brave women tell their stories at a press conference in 2012.

   



The acting of Cecilia Roth who plays   Liliana (post-prison), and Justina Bustos (the young heroine) is phenomenal.

 

DUST (Directed by Gödze Kurai ***

When Azra’s mother dies, she is charged with taking her ashes to Afghanistan. She must leave Turkey to do this. In Kabul, she plunges into trying to unravel more about her mother’s life.

 

 An old tattered diary written by her mother is given to her by a friend. In trying to find out the contents of the diary, she discovers that Kabul’s chaotic landscape is stained with treachery and horror that has trickled down to affect her very identity and that of her older brother. 

The film is slow moving, and rather confusing as the important mystery about her mother’s life unfolds. The director is from Turkey, and one suspects there might be some biographical elements in the script.

TIGER THEORY (Directed by Radek Bajger) ****

Try Dementia When You Want out of a Marriage 

                                               
A sixty-something hubby feigns Alzheimer’s and he goes to a home. His wife never catches on that he’s faking it. His sons are let into the secret. They end up floating on a river in a pretty cool make-shift boat. He becomes a hermit. A Czech film of humour which also reflects the conflicts couples endure during a marriage.

Alfred-Kelly Nature Reserve

                                  GOOGLE TREKKER COMES TO MAP IT ALL

As one of the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s coveted areas, the Alfred-Kelly Nature Preserve in the Laurentians, Quebec has embarked on yet another ambitious project. I was there to see it in action on its first day.

As a curious tag-along, I watched Annie Ferland, the reserve’s project manager co-ordinator strap giant George to her back.

So who is George? He’s Google’s unique 50- pound camera contraption that is cumbersome but effective. Although it looks like it belongs more in a Star Wars movie, than on the back of an avid A-K team member George’s 15 lenses  easily shoots pictures every 2.5 seconds while capturing a 360-degree view of the preserve’s impressive landscape.

 By next year, people at home will be able to instantly view key areas of some of the reserve’s 16 kilometres of trails on their computer. Planning can be made to visit your favourite part of the preserve, or arm-chair trail fans around the world can enjoy the panoramic virtual experience without having to move any leg muscles.

Master-computer minded lucky Luc was there to show the team how George works. He along with Annie and Mark, one of reserve’s volunteers, took turns hoisting George on their backs during the trail shoots. I noted after their segments of shooting, their spirits did not wane, despite the burden to their bodies.

Personally, I love the element of surprise when I immerse myself in nature for hiking or trail blazing, and many like-minded Luddites may agree, but having this reserve along with 13 other Nature Conservancy properties earmarked in this way vividly provides detailed exact visuals of the reserve.

I learned a fair bit about the area as I hiked with Claude Bourque,  the biologist and president of the CRPF  whose mandate is to protect, educate and raise awareness of  the  unique biodiversity of the Conservancy's lands.

 

 

Varied views with distinctive terrains under foot were lovely – something George will   be showing. Overhead, we spotted turkey vultures and ravens. A-K has a northerly nesting site site at its upper reach of a pair of peregrine falcons – a 2010 miracle, considering that for 50 years the species had disappeared from the area.  In fact, 80% of all bird of prey species in the province have been found here and recorded here; that means 22 of  Quebec’s 27 birds of prey species.

 A seasonal wild life and fauna paradise, rare plant species have been discovered in the  1980's by naturalist Denis Paquette, a botanist and member of the CRPF. He often embarks ubiquitous visits into the rocky escarpment draped in greenery that explodes into view at every turn. 

    

Purple clematis and Holbells' rockcress have been spotted here, and many more plants that remain elusive to the regular forest-goer grow here, and that makes us city-folk green with envy as we stare out at cement buildings and ragweed.

The stunning bio-diversity with its fresh air that surrounds this reserve may account for the fact that cross-country skiing pioneer, Herman Smith-Johannnsen (AKA Jackrabbit), who often  traversed A-K’s trails, lived to the ripe old age of 111!

It would seem the purity of nature’s gifts is shielded here by surrounding cliffs of Prévost and Piedmont – darling villages that proudly offer A-K free of charge for all to enjoy year-round. In fact, all of the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s reserves are run by a sea of volunteers and biologists, and basically owned by the citizens; each area thrives only via donations.

I noted how well-maintained the trails are – a challenging feat, considering that they are over 100 years old and rise up to 100 metres in some places. Such is the prodigious dedication that the keepers of Alfred-Kelly physically exert to assure natural longevity for their beloved reserve.

Lake and stone stairs for easy access begin your accent to Lake Paradis – once covered by a glacier that fortuitously created this lake, called a kettle.

Come for the snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing and hiking. Rest at one of the two stunning look-out points to take in the vista. 

Only 60 kilometres from Montreal, Alfred-Kelly Nature reserve is a true “everyman’s” place. The natural beauty belongs to you. After visiting the reserve, the name, Alfred Kelly will linger long after you hit the highway to travel to your desk job. But don’t forget, you can still gaze at it all right from your chair next year. 

Take a peek; enjoy the peak!

          

The website is quebec@natureconservancy.ca

Call 1-887-876-5444