Page 13 - 07_Sept-2025

YOUR TURN
RE: July/Aug Issue
As a regular reader
of Edify I would
like to commend
the team on the
inclusion of Lost Ones and the essay series
about love (Love Letters). I look forward to
appreciating fellow citizens and their
individual ways of making a difference in our
communities. These are perfect anecdotes
to the global chaos because they remind us
of reasons to be grateful and hopeful closer
to home. -Joanne Sasges
My partner and I picked up the latest edition
and we agree (not always the case, of
course), that with a new editor at the helm,
and a stable of excellent writers creating
honest, good pieces we care about, including
old reliables like Liane Faulder and Curtis
Gillespie, Edify has magically transformed
into something crisp, clear, literary and locally
delicious. -
 Marlene Hamdon
I like what you’ve done with the place, Edify.
The change has been subtle and adeptly
nuanced, yet noticeable and rewarding for
the reader. I particularly enjoyed the piece
by Curtis Gillespie on Amarjeet Sohi. That
was some serious journalism, well-crafted
and, to my mind, a welcome change
from the usual fare we’ve come to expect
from Edify. -Terry McConnell
The love for our neighbours, regardless of
housing situation, is evident in so much of
this issue. This is the Edmonton I know and
love! –Max Amerongen
RE: “Kids on the Block”
I found Omar Mouallem’s piece, “Kids on
the Block,” refreshing, enlightening and
entertaining. We reside in Delton and have
stayed here because of our neighbours
who are caring, friendly and well-grounded.
I truly appreciate the perspective you
brought to the topic. –Angelo Carducci
Want to comment on a specific story or topic we’ve
covered? Send us an email with “Your Turn” in the
subject line to [email protected], or, for
those of us who still like putting stamps on things:
Edify Magazine
10221 123 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T5N 1N3
Letters may be edited for length and/or clarity.
OmAR
FARaH
Content Creator,
The Farah Kitchen
FAVE THING
SWISS
DONAIR
8308 144 Ave. NW,
swissdonair.com
Omar Farah knows his way around a kitchen.
As the creator behind The Farah Kitchen — an
East African food blog with nearly 200,000
followers on TikTok and Instagram — he claims
he can replicate almost any dish found in
restaurants. However, he has never been able
to recreate his favourite take-out dish from
his go-to spot: Swiss Donair.
It’s not for lack of trying; Farah has even
bought his own rotisserie to replicate the
spicy and savoury flavour of the long-standing
north-side institution, but nothing quite
compares to a visit to the donair shop. Farah
tops his donair with ingredients not typically
found in Edmonton’s traditional mix of
lettuce, tomato and onion. He prefers banana
peppers, pickles, black olives and extra
sweet sauce — a little tang to balance out the
richness of the donair meat.
“I’ve been going there as long as I can remem-
ber; they’ve been a staple in my monthly, if not
weekly, rotation,” he says. “My order pretty
much hasn’t changed in the last 20 years.”
A self-professed “donair connoisseur,”
Farah appreciates the certain je ne sais
quoi of Swiss, from its sweet sauce to the
homey, friendly service. After two decades
of patronage, it’s no surprise that the front
counter staff know him by name.
–Allison Stephen
A highly subjective, lovingly
curated list of Edmonton’s best
We all have those special places and dishes we return to again
and again — the perfect scoop of gelato, a tucked-away trail,
that go-to shop and stunning landmark. For Edify’s annual 25
Favourites list, we asked tastemakers, community builders,
creative minds and one beloved lynx to share the things they
love most. Add a few picks from the Edify team (and some
spirited debate) and you’ve got a bucket list to pack your
summer — or your year.
PHOTOGRAPHY CURTIS TRENT
hair & makeup TIIU VUORENSOLA
ED’S
PICK
Tracy Hyatt,
Contributing Editor
Food and Lifestyle
Winterruption YEG When January hits, I’m fed up with double-digit below-zero temperatures. But this weekend
music festival changes my whole attitude. The lineup is eclectic — punk, electronica, pop, rock, comedy, even drag.
(Great for me since I don’t stick to one genre.) What I enjoy more is moving from venue to venue — all in downtown and
within blocks of each other. Last year, we made a Google spreadsheet to schedule our shows and maximize our festival
pass. We might be at the Starlite Room for two shows, then head to Rocky Mountain Ice House for another, walk to
9910 to dance into the early hours, then repeat for two more days. winterruptionyeg.com
30
31
RE: “25 Fave Things”
I enjoyed your 25 favourites feature,
especially Sami Hayek’s mention of Orlando
Milite’s shop Le Belle Arti. I discovered it
while hunting for a unique light fixture
and it turned into an unforgettable visit.
Orlando is a true artist — crafting one-of-
a-kind furniture pieces, many of which he
refuses to sell because of the history they
carry. He’s been part of this city’s creative
fabric for a long time, and I believe his
story deserves to be told. Thanks for keep-
ing Edmonton current and connected. I
often tear out your articles and share them
with my neighbours. –Dianne Vanderwell
PHOTOGRAPHY ADRIEN VECZAN
38 EDify. JULY•AUGUST.25
39
RE: “The Final Campaign”
Conservatives won in 34 of 37 federal ridings
in Alberta and yet there was no mention of
this “blue wave” in Curtis Gillespie’s article.
Instead, Gillespie concludes “Amarjeet Sohi
lost because he’s unpopular.” Gillespie even
mentions the fact that Jeremy Hoefsloot, a
Liberal candidate in a neighbouring riding,
had a similar result but chose to interpret this
match in outcome as, “(not saying) much
for the mayor’s reputation, political machine,
or vast well of experience.” Not even a nod
to the blue wave trend in Alberta. Given this
lack of context, the only “polarizing figure”
in this article is the author. –Emma Wilkins
Crossword Puzzle Answers (page 66): ACROSS: 1. Nurse
6. About 11. Greta 12. Roots 13. Liner 14. My Man 15. Appall
17. Elms 19. Seeder 23. Nee 24. BLT 25. Ran 26. Did Too
28. Cora 29. Powwow 31. Cabot 34. Rosso 37. Shish 38.
A Peep 39. Shoes 40. Pssts DOWN: 1. NGL 2. URI 3. Re-
named 4. Steps 5. Earp 6. Armlet 7. Boyle 8. Oom 9. UTA
10. TSN 16. As Low 17. End 18. Lei 20. Drowses 21. Ear 22.
RNA 24. Booths 27. T Pose 28. Coops 30. Wrap 31. CSS 32.
Ahh 33. Bio 35. Set 36. Ops
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