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16 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday January 23, 2009 www.oakvillebeaver.com It started out as an igloo for his grandsons By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF In the complex field of snow construction, there are small snow forts and then there are snow forts so big they cause passersby to wonder if a building permit may be required. Morden Road resident Vern MacDonald, 61, has built one of the latter, taking an entire month to make his icy fortress a reality. At around 10-feet tall, the fort is an imposing sight with a height nearly as impressive as the inside, which is fully furnished with a table, chairs, a few mats making up the carpeting and a curtain to give residents privacy from the outside world. The fort even has its own lighting courtesy of some Christmas lights, strung around the walls, but these are not needed during the day as the fort has a skylight made up of two glass tabletops. MacDonald has also jumped on the `I love Barack Obama' bandwagon, hanging an American flag over the fort to celebrate the U.S. president's recent inauguration. As grand as the structure is now, MacDonald noted it began with Think Green. Breathe Easy. HUGE CENTRAL AIR & FURNACE $ Up to AND 2950* MANUFACTURERS CASH BACK SALE BEST PRICES EVER! NO PAYMENT! NO INTEREST! FOR 6 MONTHS *OAC HYDRO CASH BACK Cash Back GOV. CASH BACK UP TO UP TO UP TO $1400 + $1000 + $550 *Call for details. Financing Available 9 Locations To Serve You Better! www.aireone.com 1-888-827-2665 905-849-4998 Heritage Furniture T RU E L I F E T I M E QUA L I T Y F U R N I T U R E AT something small. "I started out with a small igloo for the kids, my grandkids," said MacDonald. "I'm looking forward to having them come and enjoy it now because they haven't seen it since I did all this work to it." MacDonald noted that the transformation of the fort from its original igloo form was a gradual process with the structure steadily getting larger and more complex as Old Man Winter supplied MacDonald with the building materials and temperature to proceed. MacDonald also took a few helpful suggestions as the project progressed. "My neighbour said, `Why don't you put lights on it?' He was just kidding, but I decided, `why not' and I put the lights in there," said MacDonald. The building process for the fort was labour intensive with MacDonald constructing the fort mostly out of large rectangular blocks of snow, which he would make by packing the snow down very tightly and then chiseling blocks out with a shovel. When he used up all the snow in his yard his neighbour's yard supplied the rest. MacDonald also used five-gallon pails to make huge ice blocks, which were also used in the NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER TRAFFIC STOPPER: Vern MacDonald's snow fort on Morden Road is slowing down traffic on the street as motorists slow down or stop for a better look. fort's construction. ing pictures. A retired steelworker, "It's really slowed traffic MacDonald is no stranger down in this area and to hard work and noted that's a good thing," said that he needs to keep MacDonald."People usualactive because of his dia- ly just whip right through betes. here." MacDonald's fort is MacDonald said anyone already garnering plenty of who wants to visit and see attention from the com- the fort is welcome to do munity with cars routinely so. pulling up to take and look It is located on his front with some people even tak- lawn at 377 Morden Rd. HUGE SAVINGS! IN STOCK NOW LIMITED QUANTITY 50% Solid Maple King Sleigh Bed $ Up To HARDWOOD FLOORING LIQUIDATORS ON NOW! 25,000 SQ. FT. Great Collection of 100% Solid Wood Canadian Made Bedrooms - Now Save Big During Our In-Stock Special Sale 2599 $ Was Great Value 100% Canadian Made Solid Wood Table and 6 Window Back Chairs $ 1699 Now GIANT $1.99 SALE HARDWOOD & ENGINEERED FLOORIN ARDWOOD FLOORING 3499 $1899 IN STOCK NOW Was Now $ Some q quantities may be limited. y N No Payment, N Interest, Until July 2009 O.A.C. No til y S Sale ends Jan 31 2009 31st, 200 1.99 9 BERTIN STABLES Winter Lessons and March Break Camps Now Booking · Saturday at Farm 10am-3pm $40 (Children 5-12 yrs.) / /SQ. FT. · Weekday Lessons 4/$107 or $35/Lesson www.bertinstables.com (905) 827-4678www.bertinstables.com Unbeatable Quality Pair of Recliners Great choice of styles and fabric $ NOBODY CAN BEAT THESE DEALS AND OUR THE QUEENSWAY KIPLING AVE LING AV AVE. HUGE SELECTION Installation Available * All Quantities Limited 486 Evans Ave., Unit #11 Etobicoke GARDINER EXPY./QEW 486 EVANS, #11 W SPECIAL OFFER 1899 $1199 for pair Was Now 416-201-0299 OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Mon.-Wed., Fri., 10-6 Thurs. 10-8 Sat. 10-5 If you have a news tip or story idea, call the Oakville Beaver at 905-845-3824. THERE'S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO BUY! 4205 Fairview Street, Burlington · 905.634.5298 CELEBRITY FLOORING