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HOCKEY PUCKS and tall poppies

A few of my favourite places? Just a few?

By: Abigail Mickelthwate

Posted: 01/29/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Enlarge Image

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Abigail Mickelthwate at her favourite eatery in the city, the Tallest Poppy.

Being new to any city is difficult until you find the things you love and meet people you connect with. Maybe it is the cold winter that brings us together, but the people I see on a day-to-day basis have shown me such genuine kindness since I moved here from southern California four years ago. I have really found a home in Winnipeg.

When my son was five, he started playing hockey. I soon fell in love with the different neighbourhood community centres and hockey arenas. The Old Ex Arena is my favourite. The moment you walk in, you just feel the years of history. Once I went to a pre-dawn hockey practice there and it was so hardcore hockey, sitting with other parents in the stand holding my Tim Hortons coffee -- all before sunrise. I just thought to myself: "This is the ultimate Canadian experience."

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TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS archives The Tallest Poppy on Main Street is known for its brunches.

Aside from being a hockey mom, I am working as a freelance designer for Donna Sarna Physiotherapy on Corydon Avenue. Together we are designing a post-pregnancy rehab garment we plan to put into production. When the weather is nice, it is great to walk around the shops on Corydon and sit outside at a patio restaurant. It is so beautiful when every spring and summer there are such vibrant colourful flowerpots and hanging baskets on every block.

But if I've got to pick one place, it would be the Tallest Poppy on Main Street. They do a beyond-good brunch, made using many locally sourced and organic ingredients. Once, The Tallest Poppy held a grilled cheese cooking contest. The contestants grilled at separate stations as a DJ played dance music. There was all the tomato soup you could eat. On the panel of judges were two adults and a five-year-old girl. I had so much fun and it was so creative. I hope they hold that event again this year.

I also enjoy getting together with a group of gals for Sunday dim sum brunch at Kum Koon Garden. We held our last book-club meeting there, since our book had an Asian theme. I think our new motto should be: "Book clubs are always more fun when there is dim sum."

If you will allow me one more favourite place, it's a lovely shop called Rockabetty Clothing, which has fun '50s-inspired clothing and accessories. Rockabetty showcased its stuff for a few months in a store in Osborne Village, but it has now branched out into home parties. See rockabetty.ca for more info.

OK. Just one last place, I promise. I love collecting retro furniture, and one of the best places in the city is 84 1/2 at 110 Princess St. They have '50s, '60s and '70s items that are so beautiful.

Thanks Winnipeg!

Abigail Mickelthwate designs a line of clothing called Vintage Betty for local buyers and boutiques in California while her husband, Alexander, conducts the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 29, 2012 A1

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