The best of the best

There’s always beauty just around the corner and much to be thankful for, even amidst the pain and loss of recent months, and we hope in turning the pages of this issue, you’ll find some respite, joy and even a little magic.

However, as we publish the summer edition of Homefront Magazine it’s with a sense of loss, amidst cherished memories of our Publisher Helmut Dostal who passed away on April 8th. It’s to him that we dedicate this issue with sincere thanks for his patience, guidance and steadfast commitment to Canadian publishing.

 

Helmut was a veteran print management and advertising man who loved the smell of ink on paper at midnight after a press run and the challenges of sales and distribution. Against all odds, he skillfully transitioned his company, BCS into the digital world and strategically kept us afloat when others closed their doors. 2021 was, in fact, our company’s 50th anniversary—something he wouldn’t want us to forget.

By his own admission, Helmut had no regrets. He’d raised a wonderful family, spent fun times with his grandchildren, travelled the world and, as an automotive journalist, test driven the finest automobiles in the most magnificent of settings.

Born in Austria, the land of his beloved Mozart and Salzburger Nockerl, Helmut was a proud father, a true gentleman and a prince who enjoyed music and art, almost as much as he loved cars and publishing Homefront. He was much respected and well-loved and will be truly missed by us all.

Caroline Tapp-McDougall,
Editor-in-Chief
caroline@bcsgroup.com

Get our newsletter

Get monthly updates with unique HomeFront updates and stay up to date with tips and trends

All aboard –The Napa Valley Wine Train

The Valley is home to five distinct communities that all have their own unique personalities where great wines, wonderful cuisine and fun shopping experiences await. It’s been over 35 legendary years since the Napa Valley Wine Train took its inaugural

The robots are coming!

Ready or not, here they come. Helpful humanoids for the home are on the horizon and they’re promising to make life easier. For decades, the “robot butler” has been more fiction than science… an unfulfilled dream for more efficient 21st

Spring hosting simplified

Spring entertaining is all about embracing ease without sacrificing intention. As the days grow longer and gatherings move outdoors, hosting becomes less about perfection and more about creating moments that feel relaxed, thoughtful, and welcoming.  We approach spring tables with

The Meandering Epicurist

Simon Turcotte Jams They’ve been crafting the most remarkable jams, jellies from carefully selected local fruit in Sainte-Marelline-de-Kildare, Quebec for over 25 years. Why then have I only just now just stumbled on Simon Turcotte? My introduction began at the

Game. Set. Host.

By Sebastien & Sheila Centner, @sebandsheila @eatertainment There’s something about summer that naturally brings tennis to the forefront; Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, and a calendar filled with iconic tournaments that blend sport, style, and social energy. It’s a season defined

A hidden gem that overlooks the Douro

Who needs a mini bar when your room is above 2.5 million litres of vintage, tawny and white Port that’s aging gracefully in the cellar? Just ask and sommelier Carlos Veira will happily take you on a tour and introduce