In 1999, Lillian Taylor, an artist, and her husband, Ed, a carpenter and decorator, started Birch River Arts & Crafts in a small renovated tractor shed. With their creative skills and practices of recycling by re-purposing, they began to sell the items that they made on site. Lillian's unique birdhouses made of barnboard, tin ceiling tiles and array of different props and accessories have become a signature item at BRV. She also personalizes custom orders to include the hobbies and interests of the recipient. These have been popular gifts for anniversaries, birthdays, and Christmas. She handpaints all kinds of items to decorate your home or cottage including cream cans, mailboxes, gourd birdhouses, and coal pails. Ed has made many of the wood furniture products that have been sold at the shop. He still makes the beautiful diamond willow walking sticks. A former spitfire pilot in WWII and jazz pianist, Ed can amaze you with his stories and great sense of humour. And you can always ask him what the next project is, he's got 100 ideas a day. (All good ones!)

**Ed passed away in February 2009. Our memories are filled with his many contributions to the development of BRV.

Gord Taylor is a living example of a renaissance man. Skilled in many fields, he uses all of his talent in the detailed craftsmanship of his projects. Previously camp manager of ELA (Experimental Lakes Area) in Ontario, he bought an abandoned church in Kenora, restored it, and ran a Jazz Tea Room called 'The Belfry' together with his parents. Past-President of the Historical Society of Kenora, he continued restorative projects including the traincar restoration at The Forks in Winnipeg which was then able to house "Sugar Mountain". In 2003, he opened up a train themed store in a boxcar which sold Manitoba products. He also restored the shop, called "All Aboard Manitoba". Someone (thanks Dorothy!) suggested he hire Estee of 'Jazz on a String' when he mentioned he wanted to hire theatrical entertainment for his opening day. And that's how it began...Gord is a carpenter and general contractor for his own company, GTShelters.

Estee Taylor, is a marionettist who lived and worked as a streetperformer in Italy for 10 years. Her marionettes can be seen on her website Jazz on a String. She now runs the shop through the summer.