The Final Stage

By late morning on that final day before the official opening, the anticipation about the new season is palpable everywhere in the building. Im a little bit nervous but I think Im prepared, says Nehemiah Neo Brown, who has been hired as a bellhop for the 2019 season: Its his first job. Its definitely exciting to be here.

Guests will arrive by ferry the next day, check-in, enjoy high tea in the parlor, as always, and dine and drink at the hotels restaurants and bars. With the weather expecting to clear and warm up by the weekend, the front nine of the golf course will be open as well as the four tennis courts.

We sell a summer experience here, not just room and board, says Bob Tagatz, the hotels long-time historian. But everything has to be in place and ready to go. Its a little bit like putting on a play and the hotel is the stage. Its not just a play but a Broadway production.

A production nearly ready to go, waiting for the last props to be put in place, namely the 1,375 geraniums along the 600-foot-long front porch and the red carpet at the main entrance.

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Behind the Scenes of Grand Hotel's Opening Day (It's Amazing) - MyNorth.com

Milans Sforza Castle may not be as well known as its Teatro alla Scala or Duomo, but it is one of the Italian citys proudest monuments. In the mid-1400s the Duke of Milan, Francesco I Sforza, transformed what were near ruins into one of the most exclusive residences of the Italian Renaissance. A few years later, the restoration was taken further by Francescos fourth son, Ludovico il Moro, who enlisted his contemporaries to help him deck it out, including a couple of chaps called Donato Bramante and Leonardo da Vinci. Five centuries on, across the road in the home of former fashion designer Lorenza Bozzoli, history is repeating itself.

The Milan-born artist and interior designer, together with her husband, architect Piergiorgio Fasoli, has just finished a six-month renovation of their mezzanine apartment in front of the castle on the Piazza Castello. They have turned a boring studio, as Bozzoli puts it, into a multicoloured Tardis filled with furniture and art.

This is the first apartment the couple have lived in since their son, Fedro, moved out last year. It represents a new beginning all round, says Bozzoli. Weve always designed every place weve lived in and redone everything, but every time is different. You grow up and have different needs. Before, it was about family; now its about us.

Despite three fantastic windows inviting spectacular views of the castle (curtains have been deliberately eschewed so as to feel a part of the city), any trace of tradition stops there. In Bozzolis home, every surface has had a vivid, modern makeover. The feel is energetic and experimental. Bozzoli is not afraid of combining contrasting ideas.

In her bedroom, the walls are covered in a palm-print wallpaper by Herms. Elsewhere, realistic jungle scenes depicted by the wallpaper publisher Ananbo cover the walls; in the bathroom, imported Brazilian marble is contrasted with an aquamarine bidet and toilet; large-scale pieces by the Sicilian abstract expressionist artist Emanuele Diliberto hang in every room. If you like it, you like it, Bozzoli laughs.

One of the things she likes the most in her home is the signature fringed pouffes she designed for her eponymous brand, Lorenza Bozzoli Couture, which have become an international hit I love that every single one is different, she says and the thick-pile carpets designed by Bethan Laura Wood for the Milan-based rug company cc-Tapis. You must feel comfortable from the moment you enter the house, she insists, so everything must be soft and warm. You should never feel cold when you stick your feet out of the bed. I hate cold floors. They take so much energy from the body.

Where the carpet stops in the kitchen, wood decorated with a geometric Escher pattern takes over. This room, says Bozzoli, is the opposite of any kitchen in their previous homes. The idea was to do something that was as less kitchen as possible more like an office. The lights in this room are all Bozzolis own designs for Tato Italia, while the table is by Simone Bonanni for Mingardo surrounded by Gio Pontis iconic 699 Superleggera chairs for Cassina. The backsplash has been rendered in convex ceramic tiles by the award-winning designers Rombini and the double-height cabinets housing the couples glassware were designed by Piergiorgio (the Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck figurines that sit on top of them were picked up by Bozzoli in a flea market 20 years ago. They follow me around, she says, smiling.)

However office-inspired, this is a space that allows Bozzoli to indulge her love of cooking (Im a real Italian lady, I cook tons, she laughs) and entertaining. We love being sociable, she says. This is a house that is always open. People pass by to say hello or to have an aperitif or stay for dinner. Friends are always coming and going. During Salone del Mobile, we usually have about 200 creative friends from all over the world although that, of course, didnt happen this year.

In keeping with the apartments art gallery-cum-installation-space feel, clothes are kept in a secret built-in wardrobe in the bedroom, and personal belongings are hidden behind the cherry-wood panelled cupboards in the living room. I have so many things, you cant imagine Im not a teenager after all, she says. All my life I have collected objects, hats, shoes, books my husband has a ton of music, too, but we like to have as little furniture as possible, so we made these to put everything in.

The one space where its all allowed to hang out is in Bozzolis office from where she runs her studio, designing for the likes of Alessi, Dutch furniture company Moooi and lighting specialists Slamp, as well as her own brand. Books, hats, keepsakes and mementoes from her travels are kept in an old wardrobe belonging to her grandfather. It stands beside one of her most prized possessions: a wall-to-wall glass and wood cabinet. I rescued it from a bread shop years ago. I heard banging and smashing and looked in and saw them destroying all the shop fittings with a hammer, and screamed at them to stop. It was, sadly, the only one left. I was almost too late!

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Rhapsody in blue: a Milanese apartment - The Guardian

As the Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort continue their reopening measures, Orlando International Airport has taken the initiative to let all would-be visitors know what to expect during their visit.

On May 21, 2020, the TSA implemented changes to security screening at airports nationwide that reduce the potential for cross-contamination and help prevent the spread of the virus behind the pandemic. Earlier today, May 22, Orlando International Airport (MCO) shared a video of how those changed will affect their customers passing through on their way to Universal, Disney, or any of Central Floridas attractions and destinations.

They shared the video over twitter and explained, We continue to improve and adapt in order to create the safest way to travel for our customers. Heres an update on some of our procedures to ensure a healthy experience to all.

You can watch the full video here:

Related: Disney Enforces Use of Face Masks on Disney Springs Reopening Day

Promising to meet customers expectations and bring peace of mind to their passengers and staff, MCO will implement the following changes:

MCO strongly advises that all passengers wear protective face coverings, but face coverings are also already required on over 24 of the airlines that fly in and out of the airport. Passengers are also now allowed to carry-on up to 12 oz of hand sanitizer and are asked to wash hands frequently. Hand sanitizer stations will also be placed throughout the terminals.

There is no word yet how long these extra health measures will remain in effect, but if you are looking to be one of the first guests to walk back through the gates of Universal Studios Florida, The Magic Kingdom, or any other Orlando-area theme park, this is what MCO will look like when you arrive.

Related: Orange County Mayor Approves Universal Orlando Reopening Dates and Plans

What do you think about MCOs new safety measures? Do you think theyre necessary? Let us know in the comments!

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The "New Normal" for Flying Through Orlando International Airport - Inside the Magic

1903 Longview Drive, Springfield

Sun room opens from formal living room

Contributing writer

Located in the Ridgewood neighborhood of Springfield, this two-story home at 1903 Longview Drive was built in 1925. The property is listed by Coldwell Banker Heritage Roediger for $224,500.

This three-bedroom home offers a warm, traditional style. Special features include original gum wood trim, hardwood floors, a center hall and with an open staircase, arched doorways and a gas fireplace. There are also formal living and dining rooms, a sun room, a remodeled, eat-in kitchen, remodeled bathrooms, a walk-in closet and a partial, unfinished basement.

Attic space could be finished to provide additional living space.

The property offers three bedrooms, one full bathroom and one partial bathroom. The interior of the house offers approximately 2,120 square feet of living space. The house has a brick-and-vinyl exterior. In addition to to the partial, unfinished basement, there is a partial crawl space foundation.

Exterior features include a covered front entry, a covered back porch, a fenced backyard, landscaping, mature trees and a detached, two-car garage. The house sits on a large lot that measures 60 feet by 142 feet. The property has a gas, forced air heating system and a central cooling system.

Updates to the property include new wiring, copper plumbing, a remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, newer appliances, and a new furnace that was installed in October of 2015.

The front door opens to the spacious center hall entry foyer, which features hardwood floors, carpeting and views of the formal living and dining rooms on either side. The open staircase makes an elegant focal point.

The formal living room is large and features oversized windows and plenty of space for entertaining. The gas fireplace is surrounded by an original mantel. French doors in the living room open to the sunroom.

The formal dining room is flooded with natural light thanks to several large windows. Other features of the dining room include hardwood floors and crown molding.

The remodeled kitchen boasts hardwood floors and a center island. There is plenty of wood cabinetry as well as counter space. The stainless-steel cooktop, dishwasher, refrigerator and microwave are included in the price of the home.

Children in the neighborhood attend school in the Springfield City school district.

Springfield

Price: $224,500

Directions: N. Fountain Blvd to Dover Road to Longview Dr.

Highlights: About 2,120 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 1 full bathroom, 1 partial bathroom, original Gum wood trim, center hall with open staircase, hardwood floors, many updates, detached, 2-car garage

For more details

Mike and Linda Knox

Coldwell Banker Heritage Roediger

(937) 605-8333

http://www.coldwellbankerishome.com

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2-story has traditional style with remodeled, eat-in kitchen - Springfield News Sun

Written by Amil Bhatnagar | New Delhi | Updated: May 24, 2020 5:10:00 am All passengers will be required to have the Aarogya Setu app installed. (Photo: Tashi Tobgyal)

With domestic flights becoming functional Monday onwards, the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) Saturday showcased standard operating procedures it has put in place to provide a safe and healthy environment to passengers, with an emphasis on contactless procedures.

Delhi Airport is all set to open for commercial flight operations after a two-month shutdown, and we have implemented several unique initiatives to ensure passengers safety without compromising their comfort and experience. Our teams have worked round-the-clock to sanitise the vast terminal and DIAL will continue encouraging passengers to maintain social distancing at the airport, said Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, the DIAL CEO.

Domestic flights will operate out of T3 and passengers will be advised to arrive two hours before departure. At the entry road, hoardings and placards with flight details will be displayed, and there will be several entry gates to prevent crowding. All passengers will be required to have the Aarogya Setu app installed, where officials will check the persons status, along with his or her temperature on a thermal screening device.

If a person does not have the app, he will have to sign an undertaking that the phone was not compatible with the apps requirements. If the temperature is within the prescribed government limits 100.4 F and the app shows a green status, the passenger will be allowed in.

At the boarding gate, a CISF officer will be standing behind a glass partition and passengers will have to display the confirmed web check-in document along with an ID without coming in contact with the security officer. Social distancing norms will be maintained at the waiting queue, officials said.

Once crossing the automatic doors at the gate, passengers will be greeted with a squishy sanitising carpet, meant to disinfect the bottom surface of shoes. As you step on the carpet, it releases a sanitising liquid that can clean the bottom sole of shoes, said an airport official. This will be followed by another thermal scan and the passenger will have to sanitise his hands with a contactless dispenser. Passengers will be encouraged to self check-in using contactless kiosks where scanning the QR code will produce the boarding pass.

According to officials, all departure baggage will be sanitised through a UV light disinfection tunnel, developed by DIAL. Passengers will be expected to put the tags on the bags themselves, but they can ask ground staff for assistance. At every point of contact, a bottle of sanitiser has been placed.

For Delhi and Hyderabad airports, an app called HOI has been developed which provides information about departures and arrivals, among other things. Food courts and restaurants will also be open for passengers but will be functioning with fewer seats. A team of 500 professionals will disinfect the terminal every one hour.

According to officials, no shuttle buses will operate and passengers will use one of the 14 aerobridges to reach the aircraft. Masks will be compulsory for all passengers and all Covid-related norms listed by the Aviation Ministry will be followed during in-flight operations.

For those arriving at the Delhi airport from another city, a screening will be compulsory and medical staff, assisted by airport authorities, will have facilities to isolate suspected Covid passengers. After this, the government guidelines for isolation, quarantine or testing will follow.

The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines

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Delhi: In time of social distancing, IGIA prepares to open doors - The Indian Express

If youre looking for a place to take in nature that is more off-the-beaten path and less crowded than some spots in New York City, the daylighted section of the Saw Mill River in Yonkers is a great choice, accessible by public transit via Metro North and of course, by car. Its a stunning example of environmental and urban design melded together, set to the backdrop of a historic train station.

The Saw Mill River is a tributary of the Hudson River in Westchester County, flowing from a pond near Chappaqua to downtown Yonkers, also known as Getty Square. Many New Yorkers are probably familiar with the river, as it flows parallel to the Saw Mill River Parkway and directly through Yonkers. Yet, the river hasnt always been its relatively pristine self, home to habitats of eels and egrets. About ten years ago, the river was covered by a concrete flume in Yonkers to halt the rivers frequent floods and to open space for construction and development.

In the 2010s, the city of Yonkers carried out a $48 million project to uncover the river for six blocks in downtown Yonkers by removing the flume installed nearly 100 years earlier. This project was known as daylighting, a term used for the restoration of an originally open-air waterway that had been covered, typically by man-made projects. Similar restoration projects have been undertaken in New York City at sites like the Bronx River, Alley Creek, and the Harlem River, yet none have been as involved as the daylighting of the Saw Mill River.

Originally known as the Nepperhan River, which means rapid running water in the language of the Lenape, the Saw Mill River served as a boundary between the Manhattan Indians and the Weckquaesgeek Indians. The area of downtown Yonkers was originally called Nepeckamack, or fish trapping place, inhabited by the Lenape. By 1639, however, the Dutch West India Company acquired the area that would later become Yonkers. In 1646, Adriaen Van der Donck, the first lawyer in the New World, was given a land grant for part of Yonkers including the Saeck-kill, which would later become the Saw Mill River. On the waterfalls of the river, he built one of the first mills in the New World, and eventually, Yonkers would take its name from Van der Donck, as his title was Jonkheer, or young gentleman.

Philipse Manor Hall in Yonkers

By the end of the 17th century, the Dutch immigrant Frederick Philipse built the Philipse Manor Hall, now a National Historic Landmark, along the Saw Mill River in todays Getty Square. The Saw Mill River was actually a fairly significant site of the Revolutionary War, including the 1776 Battle of White Plains. A number of Continental Army officers spent time along the river, including George Washington. The 1800s saw the Industrial Revolution in the northeast, and a number of factories sprouted up around the river, which included the Otis Elevator factory, which was founded by Elisha Graves Otis who patended a design that prevented an elevator from falling if its hoisting cable failed. Other employers in Yonkers included Alexander Smith & Sons Carpet Company and a number of sugar refineries.

But as the river became more and more polluted by industrial and human waste, the river around Yonkers was encased in a flume and paved over in the 1920s. By 1920, the New York Health Department noted that the rivers sanitary conditions were unsatisfactory, and instead of trying to clean up the river, the city of Yonkers chose to cover the river entirely. Subsequently, Larkin Plaza, named after Mayor Thomas F. Larkin, was constructed over the river.

Fish in the freshwater portion of the daylighted Saw Mill River in Yonkers, now an Urban Fish and Wildlife Restoration Site

It wasnt until the 1990s that the Army Corps of Engineers recommended daylighting the river, and in 1999, Governor George Pataki announced his commitment to the rivers restoration. Organizations like Groundwork Hudson Valley and Scenic Valley provided ecological guidance, especially after a Yonkers sugar refinery spilled hydrochloric acid into the river in 2003. City funding and state grants were approved in 2010.

Construction began soon after, as industrial cables imbedded with diamonds cut the old flume into arch-shaped pieces. These arches were removed on October 25, 2010, opening the river to daylight for the first time in nearly 90 years. A concrete diversion chamber was installed to divert normal river flow into a new path through the park. Over 10 million gallons of water were pumped into the Hudson River during construction, since construction was often done below sea level. The path was lined with a heavy polymer sheeting since the soil nearby was contaminated by factories. Steel reinforcing bars were installed to strengthen concrete walls, and much of the old underground plume remains there today to prevent flooding in the park.

Netting chamber and concrete box in the distance

A large concrete box containing a netting chamber was installed underground to catch trash from upstream. The netting chamber catches at least 175 tons of trash per year. The city also installed a counter-flow passage to prevent the rivers American eels from getting caught in the net. Additionally, the city put in a fish ladder, which would allow fish traveling upstream to rest at each rung of the ladder. A number of steps were also added to create a waterfall and to prevent rising saltwater tides to reach the Saw Mills freshwater pool. To improve water quality, the citys sewage drain was separated from a stormwater drain so that when it rains, no sewage goes into the water (New York City still has a combined sewer system, however). Rocks were placed alongside the river to create turbulence and increase the streams velocity.

Sound Bridge art installation by composer John Morton on the Saw Mill River suspension pedestrian bridge.

Work was later done to expose the river in the Mill Street Courtyard of Yonkers, which was completed in August 2016. A number of walkways were installed over the river, which would subsequently increase real estate values in the area. What used to be a parking lot is now an open, vibrant river that brings life to the city of Yonkers. Art installations abound in Adrian Van der Donck Park, which encompasses the river and the public space around it, including Sound Bridge, a sound installation hanging from the suspension pedestrian bridge, colorful mosaics of local wildlife on the ground, and more.

The Saw Mill River is one of the only ones in the northeast that has been daylighted, perhaps paving the way for more nature restoration projects in New York City in the coming years.

Next check out 28 Historic Estates to Visit in New Yorks Hudson Valley!

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Explore the Stunning Daylighted Saw Mill River in Yonkers - Untapped New York - Untapped New York

While mandated regulations are still requiring nonessential businesses to remain closed to the public, small business owners are getting creative with their newly freed-up schedules. At Steve's Flooring & Design in Morris, owner Steve Meyer is finding ways to keep certain operations functioning, all while completing a large renovation and expansion project in the store.

"We've taken advantage of the shelter-in-place directive by freshening up our showroom and expanding our displays," explained Meyer. "We're still receiving new samples of carpeting and Luxury Vinyl Tile and Planking, so there's a lot to see. We've added a nice color to our walls and installed new carpeting in our offices. Our entire showroom is being upgraded, and will even include a new shower display that highlights the Schluter Shower System, complete with different tile sizes and patterns and available shower doors." The Schluter Shower System is an integrated group of products that form a fully watertight and bonded assembly for tiled showers. It eliminates the risk of water and vapor penetration and overwhelmingly reduces total installation time.

In addition to the renovation, Steve's Flooring is broadening its display of Cambria quartz countertops, which feature new patterns and colors that will give customers more options for their new kitchen and bath designs. "Cambria is our bestselling quartz countertop manufacturer, so we're excited to roll out the new product line," said Meyer. "Cambria countertops are made in Minnesota; we're very proud to offer American-made products to the community."

Although the store is currently closed to the general public, some business transactions can be done by appointment. "Some of our services are still being performed," added Meyer. "We're still able to take measurements and install floor coverings. Customers can call or email us to set up an appointment. We're very flexible with our timing, and we are adhering to social distancing and other safety requirements during this crisis." For more information, please contact:

Steve's Flooring & Design

717 Liberty St.

Morris, IL 60450

Phone: 815-941-4505

Email: stevesflooring@sbcglobal.net

http://www.stevesflooring-design.com

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Steve's Flooring Prepares for Store Reopening with Renovations, Expanded Offerings - Morris Daily Herald

Your home may never be a castle, but it can definitely be a haven your own private refuge (at least after the kids are asleep) from the mayhem outside.

Creating a stress-free and soothing home environment can mean hiring a contractor to install serious soundproofing or a spa-worthy steam shower pricey upgrades that are likely to add property value. But just as often, its about simple things you can do without laying out a cent.

Ready to boost your homes relaxation quotient? Here are some easy ways to do it:

l Clear the decks Clear open surfaces of extraneous stuff, clean out closets and generally straighten up. This kind of orderliness really helps people feel more energetic and cheerful.

l Muffle irritating noises If youre serious about blocking out noise such as traffic you can soundproof walls and ceilings by doubling up on drywall and caulking gaps where sound enters. Carpets, drapes and other soft materials help absorb sound. For walls, a quick, cheap, sound-muffling solution is Homasote, a recycled cardboard material that costs about $25 for a 4-by-8-foot sheet. It doubles as a pinboard, making it especially suited for childrens rooms and home offices and takes paint like a dream.

l Soak out the stress A prefab steam shower can run you $5,000 or more, but there are less pricey ways to take your bathroom in a spa-like direction. If your existing tub isnt deep enough, a 30-inch-deep soaking tub starts at around $500 (plus installation, of course). Dont forget the bath salts.

l Color yourself calm Blue is considered a restful paint color, which is why decorators often choose it for bedrooms. Followers of the Chinese art of feng shui believe pink calms a room, while green because it symbolizes nature is serene and refreshing. As luck would have it, classic blue is the color for 2020.

l Light it right Overhead lighting can be glary and unflattering, whereas light at lower levels creates warmth and intimacy. Balance an overhead fixture with wall sconces and table lamps, and be sure to put that ceiling fixture on a dimmer, especially over a dining table.

l Flickering flames Sitting by a crackling fire has nurtured souls from time immemorial. If youre lucky enough to have a fireplace, use it to create relaxing ambience.

l No fireplace? Make the most of candlelight for a cool spring mood boost. Plain, long-burning candles from the supermarket are so inexpensive ($7 for a box of 72), youll feel free to use them in abundance.

l Flower power Freshly cut flowers provide measurable uplift. Chrysanthemums last the longest; they can go up to three weeks in a vase, with alstroemeria, roses and lilies a close second.

Remember, when its time to sell or buy a new home, contact the Warren Area Board of Realtors. They are the experts and can help you through the real estate process.

Cunningham is the 2020 president of the Warren Area Board of Realtors.

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Give your home some TLC; it will love you back | News, Sports, Jobs - Warren Tribune Chronicle

Subodh Kerkar, like any other ethos aware artist, is in search of answers. Gandhi could be one. Before the pandemic started its rampage, the Goan installation maestro had been exploring the theme, and has spoken on Gandhi at many forums his recent session at the Kerala Literature Festival in Kozikode was Mahatma through the Arts.

"Gandhi has helped me understand the situation in the country and cope with it. Ive begun to propagate his ideas which, I believe, have a great role in educating people," says Kerkar. Before COVID-19 put a spanner in his works, he was on the brink of starting a year-long residential programme for students in Goa and mulling a corporate art programme to educate leaders in collecting and collating art.

A full-time artist for the past 30 years since he abandoned a career in medicine at Calangute Hospital to become a water colourist, Kerkar has founded art galleries, exhibited in India and overseas and spoken at prestigious venues such as Amsterdams Van Gogh Museum.

His first art lessons were from his father, whose palette he used to clean. By the time he was 10, he could weild a mean watercolour brush. He says, As an 18-year-old, I had many ambitionsamong them were to be a priest, soldier, mafia don and shopkeeper. Now, he calls himself an ocean artist, because the sea, beside which he was born, lives, sleeps and creates is my master and my muse.

Ever since 2004, when a half-kilometre long line of installations along Miramar beach brought him acclaim, the muse has never left him. Mediums challenge and delight him sand, shells, truck tires, coconut shells, boats, bones, palm leaves, laterite stones and of course discarded plastic bottles.

For example, one of his critically acclaimed recent works, the Carpet of Joy used almost 100,000 plastic bottlesthe bane of beaches. I wanted to spread awareness about littering because its an act of violence against Mother Nature and against yourself, he says.

Kerkars work resonates with current concerns. "An artist is like a receptor and transmitter of ideas of an age," he says. His current mission is popularising contemporary art in India through the Museum of Goa (MOG) he started four years ago. "I realised that in this country of 1.3 billion people not more than 100,000 people can connect with contemporary art. Most galleries are in five-star spaces. I want to democratise art," he explains.

He sold houses to get funds to start his first gallery. A doyen of installations, Kerkars works have different meanings at different levelspolitical, social and otherwise. Once while passing by a beef shop he was struck by the translucent quality of bull intestines, which are used to make Goan chorizos. From Gandhi to chorizo, Kerkar continues to wield art as an instrument of conscience.

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The Bold Man and the Sea - The New Indian Express

Canadian Georges St-Pierre, who ruled the UFC welterweight division before putting a bow on a glitteringcareer by winning the middleweight title in his final outing, is headed to the UFC Hall of Fame.

The announcement was made Saturday night during UFC 249in Jacksonville, Fla., the UFC's first live show in two months due to the global pandemic.

The mixed martial arts fighter known as GSP was a pay-per-view gold mine for the UFC. And in honouring the 38-year-old from St-Isidore, Que., UFC president Dana White revived the debate of St-Pierre's place in the Canadian sports pantheon.

"Georges St-Pierre is a pioneer of Canadian MMA who helped build the sport globally," White said in a statement. "He is the most famous athlete to ever come out of Canada and one of the greatest martial artists of all-time. We're proud to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2020."

In 2010, White sparked a debate when he said St-Pierre was "a billion times more famous than any other athlete thats ever come out of Canada. Including Wayne Gretzky."

ACanadian Press-Harris Decima survey grading Canadian celebrities in January 2011 disagreed, calling Gretzky No. 1 and GSP seventh. Still the MMA fighter finished ahead of then Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

St-Pierre's success inside the cage, fuelled by hours of meticulous preparation, put MMA on the map in Canada and helped fuel the UFC's worldwide expansion.

St. Pierre (26-2-0) will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame later this year.

"It's a great honour to be inducted to the UFC Hall of Fame," St-Pierre said in a statement.

"I want to thank Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, Dana White and the entire UFC team, my family, my coaches and teammates, my past collaborators, my opponents and of course, all UFC fans. It's been an amazing journey, without them none of this would have been possible."

He will enter the Hall's "Modern Wing," which honours fighters who made their debut in the era of unified rules, which came into effect at UFC 28 in November 2000, and who are at least 35 or have been retired for one year or more.

He joins Forrest Griffin (2013), B.J. (The Prodigy)Penn (2015), Urijah (The California Kid) Faber (2017), (Rowdy) Ronda Rousey (2018), Michael (The Count) Bisping (2019) and Rashad (Suga) Evans (2019).

St-Pierre beat two of those Hall of Famers (Bisping and Penn).

There are also 15 fighters in the Pioneer Wing, including the likes of Randy (The Natural) Couture, Royce Gracie, Matt Hughes and Chuck (The Iceman) Liddell.

St.-Pierre stepped away from MMA after narrowly defeating Johny (Bigg Rigg) Hendricks at UFC 167 in November 2013. While the win marked his ninth straight title defence, St-Pierre said he needed a break from the stress of the sport.

He went on to fight just once more, winning the middleweight title off Bispingat UFC 217 in November 2017. St-Pierre gave up the 185-pound crown a month later, citing health issues (ulcerative colitis).

He officially retired Feb. 21, 2019.

"There's no tears. I'm very happy to do it," he said of hanging up the gloves."It takes a lot of discipline though to retire on top. It was a long process in my mind but it's time to do it. Only a few people have done it. AndI always said that I want to retire on my own and not be told to retire."

St-Pierre was a class act inside and outside the cage

His preparation for fights was legendary, incorporating everything from gymnastics to power-lifting. Pull-ups with a 75-pound weight chained to his waist were routine.

While other fighters wore sweats and sponsors' T-shirts, St-Pierre taking a page from some champion boxers always wore a suit for his post-fight news conferences.

St-Pierre is one of only seven fighters in UFC history to win titles in two weight classes. His 13 consecutive victories and 13 titlefight winsare tied for second most in UFC history.

His 20 wins are tied for third most in the UFC and he leads all UFC fighters in most strikes landed (2,591),most significant ground strikes (461) andmost takedowns (90).

He avenged his only two losses, beating Hughes twice and MattSerra once.

St-Pierre helped make MMA history in Canada, attracting a then-MMA world record crowd of 55,724 to Rogers Centre for UFC 129 in April 2011 when he beat Jake Shields.

The championship belt St-Pierre defended against Penn at UFC 94 remains on display in theCanadian Museum of History.

During his career, St-Pierre survived knee surgeries and other injuries as well as unproven accusations of cheating (steroids, according to Nick Diaz, and greasing up with Vaseline according to Penn). White questioned his mental strength after he lost his first title defence to Serra.

Through it all, St-Pierre kept retooling and winning.

St-Pierre made a career out of taking away his opponent's advantages. It made for methodical, if not always pretty wins. Of his nine welterweight title defences, eight were by decision.

At UFC 87 in August 2008, St-Pierre was successful on seven of nine takedown attempts against Jon Fitch, an accomplished former Purdue wrestler. Afterwards, Fitch looked like he had been in a car crash, blood trickling down his face like tears.

St-Pierre dominated Penn, then the lightweight title-holder, in a champion-versus-champion showdown at UFC 94 in January 2009.

St-Pierre won the 170-pound title at UFC 65 in Sacramento in November 2006, stopping Hughes in the second round. Two years earlier at UFC 50, the Canadian had been submitted by Hughes with one second remaining in the first round.

St-Pierre, whoadmitted later he was in awe fighting his idol the first time they met, joined Carlos Newton as the only Canadian to ever hold a UFC title.

There were bumps along the way. St-Pierre's first reign as champion lasted less than five months as he lost his first title defence, staggered by a Serra blow to the head in a shock upset at UFC 69 in April 2007.

St-Pierre's training for the fight had been disastrous. His father was seriously ill and a cousin was in a coma after a car accident. There were other family issues. Injuries cut into his preparation.

St-Pierre changed managers, training and put his career back on track.

On the advice of sports psychologist Brian Cain, he looked to rid himself of the mental albatross of his title defeat by scrawling Serra's name onto a brick and hurling it into the icy waters off Montreal's South Shore.

He dominated Serra in winning back his title at UFC 83 in Montreal in April 2008. He never lost again.

St-Pierre comes from humble beginnings on the South Shore. His father spent more than 60 hours a week on a floor-recovering business, installing carpet and ceramics. His mother nursed the elderly.

He took up karate as a kid but chose mixed martial arts over hockey because his family couldn't afford both after watching Gracie in the early days of the UFC.

While going to school and training in MMA, he held down three jobs asa bouncer at the Fuzzy Brossard nightclub, working at a floor recovery store and working for the government teaching activities to delinquent kids. To this day, he remains proud that he earned his floor-recovering certificate.

St-Pierre won his first fight as a pro in January 2002, defeating Ivan Menjivar. Four more wins and he was in the UFC.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2020.

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Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press

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Canadian MMA star Georges St-Pierre headed to the UFC Hall of Fame - Airdrie Today