Biz X magazine July August 2021

YOUR ONLY INTERNATIONAL BORDER CITY PUBLICATION

SPECIAL COUNTY SECTION

The Butcher of Kingsville Wedding In The Woods

Blimeys British Store & Gift Shop Rock-A-Bye Baby Boutique; “The Medicine Bag” Book Review; Atlas Raw

July/August 2021

$3.50

PLUS Online Nominations Open Up For 24th Annual Biz X Awards; The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Windsor East — Lakeshore: More Than Just A Great Place To Stay; SOS! The Dire Situation Of Land Border Duty Free Stores; Learn How To Get Up To $5,000 For Energy-Efficient Retrofits With The New Canada Greener Homes Grant

THE PARENTING BIZ School’s Out! So What’s A Kid To Do Now?

“I Want To Ride My Bicycle” Jennifer Flynn gets set to take off from Colchester Beach for a tour of the county on a RadRunner e-bike, which is for rent by the hour from The Grove Bike Co. Her new business, along with a variety of local tourism companies such as campgrounds, craft beer producers, farms, Wine Trail Tours and even a new cidery, plus of course the many restaurants, wineries and shops in our small towns, are all ready to welcome customers once again this summer. — PAGE 18 B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 1

FOR BUSINESSES & PEOPLE IN WINDSOR, ESSEX COUNTY & METRO DETROIT SINCE 1998

PECHE ISLAND

Plan to stay in Windsor Essex this Summer Stay local this summer and explore the great things to see & do in your own backyard – plan a Staycation!

Click visitwindsoressex.com/staycation to start planning your summer fun: 1. Check out our downloadable suggested Summer of the Staycation day-trip itineraries 2. Plan your own staycation itinerary using our MyTrip Digital Itinerary Builder 3. Enter your itinerary to WIN your own Staycation Experience valued at $500!*

*Due to the impacts of COVID-19 on the region, some locations may have limited hours or services. Please contact providers prior to visiting. Contest closes on 09/30/2021.

Approximate retail value $500. Chances of winning depend on number of entries received.

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B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

table of contents JULY/AUGUST 2021 volume 24 • issue 7

4 Funny Stuff 30 Good News: Experience The Hospitality Of The New Holiday Inn 5 From The Publisher: The 2021 Biz X Awards Categories Express & Suites Windsor East — Lakeshore 9 Just Sayin’: NEW! Steven Bezaire Speaks His Mind About 32 The Parenting Biz: On The Lookout For Summer Excitement COVID-19 Anti Vaxxers Summer is here, school is out and kids are looking for 11 Front Lines something fun to do. Parents may be searching high 13 Heard On The Street and low and not sure what options are available for 14 Newsflash their children. Let Biz X point them in the right

Who is now the new Chair of the Ontario Pharmacists direction! With the pandemic restrictions lifting, it’s Association (OPA)? Tim Brady (pictured in photo finally time for kids to go outside, step away from courtesy of his pharmacy), Pharmacist/Owner of the computer and enjoy the great weather. This Brady’s Drug Store that’s who! With more than issue we feature several summer activities they can 9,000 members, OPA is Canada’s largest advocacy enjoy, inside (when they need to keep cool) and out. organization, professional development, and drug (Photo credit: © Can Stock Photo /michaeljung) information provider for pharmacy professionals 40 Take One: The New Media Arts Centre In Windsor across Ontario. Brady has been a practicing 42 Stories To Make You Smile: Local Gamer Raises Funds For School pharmacist since 2000 and Brady’s Drug Store operates three pharmacies in Backpacks For Needy Students Essex, Belle River and Tilbury. Read more about his new appointment and lots 44 Tech Bytes: Windsor Start-up Brings Local Favourite Beverages more of biz news bites too!

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Conveniently To Your Door 45 Portfolio Corner: Ready To Roar 46 Have A Cup Of Joe With Joe: “Motorcycles, Moose & Magic — The Ride To Self-Love”

16 Food For Thought: The Butcher Of Kingsville 25 The Marriage Market: Your Fairy Tale Wedding Awaits

Visit the area’s enchanted forest at Wedding In the Tracey Rogers, Owner of White Feather Holistic Arts Woods, a new 30 acre venue on Ottawa Street in Windsor, takes us on a gutneatly nestled between Sutton wrenching, heart-soaring adventure via her Honda Creek Golf Club and Muscedere motorcycle, “Stella.” It’s about all the experiences Vineyards in Essex. Join owners she’s had in her life to date. Her recently published Jordan and Joshua Goure book, “Motorcycles, Moose & Magic — The Ride who lead Biz X columnist Joe To Self-Love,” is a must read for everyone needing McParland on a tour of their hope and direction in their own personal journey to latest and very cool venture. (Shown are a bride and groom near the pond area self love. So climb on and hold on tight! on the property as photographed by Melissa Hunter).

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26 From The Bookshelf: Four Amherstburg Women Living In 1850 49 Lifestyle Matters: Fire Safety Tips For The Summer 50 Ask The Experts: MP Irek Kusmierczyk And Green Sun Rising Inc. 27 X X Files: Kaitlyn Nussio, Owner of RockTalk About The New Canada Greener Homes Grant A-Bye Baby Boutique, Essex 54 Awards Spotlight: The 30th Annual Windsor-Essex Regional 28 New In Biz: Atlas Raw Chamber Of Commerce “Business Excellence Award” Recipients Doesn’t your furry friend deserve the best food?

56 The Way It Is: The Situation At Ambassador Duty Free Windsor Shown (in photo courtesy of Atlas Raw) is one And The Windsor Tunnel Duty Free Shop hungry dog ready to chow down! Atlas Raw is a new 57 The Way It Was: Called To The High Command Amherstburg company that sells 100% natural, 58 Biz Of The Month: Blimeys British Store & Gift Shop Makes raw dog food with human-grade ingredients for A Move To Essex home delivery or a pick-up order.

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ON THE COVER — “I Want To Ride My Bicycle!" — 18

The hospitality and tourism industry has been hard-hit by COVID-19 restrictions over the past 16 months, but it is slowly making a recovery. In our summer cover story we offer a roadmap to all kinds of places you can discover, as you, your family or friends go tootling around the town(s) of Essex County. After all, it’s been a crazy year and now, all we wanna do is have some fun!

COVER PHOTO LOCATION: If you want to go for a spin in the county this summer, a good starting point is with The Grove Bike Co. This new venture of The Grove Hotel is a partnership with the Lewis family of Kingsville. Electric and vintage style bikes are available for rent by the hour and can be picked up from their bright red outlet on Jackson Street, just up from Colchester Beach. Jennifer Flynn, General Manager of The Grove Hotel (photographed on front cover) also has bikes available at the Hotel, located at 12 Main Street East, Kingsville, if a cityscape is more to your liking.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Photo by Rod Denis (RodneyLDenisPhotographer.com) B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

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Steven Bezaire Julianna Bonnett David Clark Andrea Grimes Dave Hall Dave Halliday Zander Kelly Vik Lall Steven Mayo Joe McParland Jim Murphy Rose City Politics Panelists Matthew St. Amand Rebecca Wright PHOTOGRAPHERS

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from the publisher

Nominations Open For The 24th Annual “Biz X Awards”

By Deborah Jones

H

ere we go again! It’s summer and that means another exciting process in search of nominees for the annual Biz X Awards is in the works.

Last year we appropriately celebrated our 23rd year with the theme: “We Are All Survivors.”

Whereas many in business are still fighting setbacks from the ongoing pandemic, everyone seems to be riding out the storm.

No matter what challenges we face, we always find the best this region has to offer when the nominations begin to roll in!

Let’s get started on year 24 now. As usual, our nomination/voting process uses the latest technology via our website to allow for plenty of social media interaction. So be sure to share the nomination and voting links everywhere you can!

Here is a quick rundown on the whole awards process. With the publishing of our July/August edition, the categories are officially released and nominations are accepted on our website: BizXmagazine.com from July 28 (noon) until September 10, 2021 at 5 p.m.

Readers can nominate the businesses and people in Windsor/Essex County and Pelee Island that they believe are the best in each category and deserve to be recognized.

Whenever possible, please include some supporting evidence, for your nominee, on our online form. If you choose the wrong category, we reserve the right to move it to the appropriate category so that your nomination counts.

Nominees are made public on the Biz X website when voting commences at noon on September 16 and continues through to September 24, 2021 at 5 p.m.

During the voting period you can go online to: BizXmagazine.com and cast your vote for your choice to win the 2021 Biz X Award in its respective category. You can also vote using your smart phone or tablet via our mobile friendly voting site.

Keep in mind the nomination and voting process is not a popularity contest — it only takes ONE nomination to be included in the voting poll. It is always best though to get a few people to nominate you or your business to ensure your nomination was received by us.

Once you nominate an individual or a business, you will receive a confirmation email showing it was properly submitted. If you DO NOT receive this email (check your spam folder too) that means we did NOT receive your nomination. Please check all sections were filled out, and you have answered the captcha question, and re-submit the form.

If you or your business is fortunate to be

NOMINATE YOUR FAVOURITE

BUSINESSES AND

PEOPLE

JULY 28 (NOON) TO

SEPT. 10, 2021 (5 P.M.) ON

BIZXMAGAZINE.COM

VOTING TAKES PLACE SEPT. 16 (NOON) TO SEPT. 24, 2021 (5 P.M.) nominated, you’ll be contacted to supply further details online about your qualifications, history, and confirm information supplied by nominators.

Once the polls open in September, don’t be shy to toot your own horn. Do whatever you can to get your customers to vote for you on the Biz X website — use social media and your own website to tell all you know!

Remember that vote tallies are only a part of the overall selection process. All nomination forms received, along with company background information supplied and voting poll results, are then reviewed by the Biz X panel of Judges after the polls close.

The next step involves the Judges meeting in the fall to determine the final winners.

The Judges will not know the actual winners’ names, as voting during this meeting is done by secret ballot. The final results are posted in the November/December edition of Biz X magazine, released mid-November.

In the past 24 years, Biz X has awarded over 750 recipients in all kinds of industries, so don’t be discouraged if a certain category is not listed as it may have been previously awarded. (Please check our website to see a list of past winners.)

Now that we’ve entered our third decade of award winners, certain categories from years back are reused to allow for new businesses in those industries an opportunity to be included.

Traditionally, we have seven staple categories awarded every year — “Outstanding New Business,” “Distinguished Biz Champ Of The Year,” “Powerhouse Professional,” “Artist of the Year,” “Best Little Retail Shop,” “Restaurant That’s Hot, Hot, Hot,” and “The Most Wonderful Event Of The Year.”

Listed below are the four major sections containing the 24 various categories. While the majority of nominations and votes come from Essex County residents, U.S. citizens and those living outside Essex County can nominate or vote in any category, since they could be patrons of the business.

Please follow the rules* below to ensure that your nomination counts . . .

1. Only nominate ONE company/person per award category. Businesses/people are only permitted to win one award each year.

NEW FOR 2021! THERE CAN BE NO MULTIPLE NOMINATIONS IN DIFFERENT CATEGORIES. We reserve the right to choose the best category for the company or individual when a nomination comes in. All nominees must be over 19 years of age.

B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

2. Be certain that the company or individual you are nominating fits the category’s criteria.

3. The business/person you nominate must be located (or reside) in Windsor, Essex County or Pelee Island and NOT be part of a national franchise/chain or non-profit organization (except for categories in the PEOPLE section and category #22). The PEOPLE section (#8 to #13) is judged on the individual and not the company itself and those working for chains/franchises and non-profits are eligible to participate only in this section. An exception for category #22 is also allowed as many national organizations have local chapters hosting events.

4. Every business in Essex County (with the exceptions above) has the opportunity to win a Biz X Award. *However: NO MEDIA outlets or representatives can participate in any of the categories. You do not have to be an advertiser with the magazine to be nominated or to win.

Judges are not told who is an advertiser (past or present) to ensure there are no biases or conflicts of interest.

Be sure to check your email account in August or early September to see if we contact you about an awards nomination. Visit: BizXmagazine.com for the very latest information and watch for the September issue to learn how to vote in the 24th annual “Biz X Awards.”

And now we present the. . .

2021 BIZ X AWARD CATEGORIES

*See rules in second column before nominating*

BUSINESS & SERVICE

(*no chains/non-profits allowed) *Remember once a business is nominated in one category they cannot be nominated in any others.

1. “Outstanding New Business Of 2021” (Businesses that opened from September 1, 2020 to September 1, 2021.) *No restaurants/food trucks or bars can be included as they can participate in the Hospitality & Entertainment Categories.

2. “The High Note Music Studio” (Focus on the experience of the teacher(s), qualifications, teaching philosophy, school/studio location, cost per lesson, if virtual learning is offered.)

3. “The Supreme Space To Store Your Stuff” (Storage unit facilities preferred for long term, but those renting storage bins to only keep items temporarily is permitted.)

4. “Pet Paradise” (A dog boarding kennel with the kind of care your dog deserves while you’re out of town. Consider: the facility, staff, space for your pet, outdoor runs, and other services offered.)

5. “Distinguished Biz Champ Of The Year” (A company in operation for over one year

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NOMINATE YOUR FAVOURITE BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE JULY 28 (NOON) UNTIL SEPT. 10, 2021 (5 P.M.) AT BIZXMAGAZINE.COM that has done something exceptional to take care of business.) *No restaurants/bars or retail shops as they have their own categories. Remember if a business is nominated here they cannot participate in any other category.

6. “Office Building Experts” (If this developer/ construction company builds it, they will come!

Commercial and institutional projects only.)

7. “Numero Uno Insurance Agency” (Auto, home, commercial, or life insurance.)

PEOPLE

*Remember once a person or his/her business or organization is nominated in one category they cannot be nominated in any others.

8. “2021 Powerhouse Professional” (A local business owner or top manager who has what it takes to keep the company/organization they own or work for, profitable in today’s tough times.)

9. “Artist Of The Year” (For example: a singer, painter, musician, sculptor, band, actor etc.) *No authors or photographers.

10. “Exceptional Social Enterprise” (A team of workers at a non-profit organization or registered charity making a big difference in our community.)

11. “Caregiver That Nurses You Back To Health” (Who is the area’s very own Florence Nightingale? Nominee can be a nurse, health care professional or caregiver working at a hospital, retirement home, clinic, senior care service etc.)

12. “The Physiotherapist With All The

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Right Moves” (Consider availability, qualifications, treatment methods, and reputation.)

13. “Real Estate Lawyer Holding The Keys To The Kingdom” (The lawyer to hire to help you close the sale on your new home who is experienced, trustworthy and helps you save time and money.)

19. “The One Stop Pool Supply Shop” (A company offering supplies, parts and chemicals for swimming pools or hot tubs . . .and some fun inflatables too! Swimming pool design, installation or maintenance services are not required.)

RETAIL

(*no chains/non-profits allowed; exception #22) *Remember once a business is nominated in one category they cannot be nominated in any others.

20. “Restaurant That’s Hot, Hot, Hot For 2021!” (Can be a new or an existing restaurant/ food truck that offers exceptional cuisine, fair prices and has a unique, trendy atmosphere — patio dining and/or take-out only is acceptable.)

21.

“Rootin’-Tootin’ Pearfect Meals” (Restaurant or take-out business specializing in serving vegan or plant based dishes.)

22. “The Most Wonderful Event Of The Year” (Annual runs, golf tournaments, motorcycle rides, charity fundraisers etc. Virtual events accepted.) *EXCEPTION: Non profits and charities can participate as can festivals and trade shows.

23. “Amazing Accommodations” (A hotel, inn, or motel with cheerful, knowledgeable staff; luxurious rooms; a variety of amenities; reasonable rates in a great location.) *No B&Bs, campgrounds, or cottages.

24. “Most Instagram-Worthy Biz” (A business where visitors and local residents love to visit to take selfies and post all over social media!)

(*no chains/non-profits allowed) *Remember once a business is nominated in one category they cannot be nominated in any others.

14. “The Best Little Retail Shop Of 2021” (Open to all retailers with good prices, fantastic customer service and selection.) *They must have a storefront, no online only businesses please.

15. “Rock Of Ages Granite Outlet” (Granite countertop companies with a good reputation, helpful sales reps, large selection, showroom, efficient installation, warranties and more.)

16. “A Gardener’s Wonderland” (A garden centre or nursery selling quality plants, flowers etc., plus a few little extras to tempt shoppers!) *No landscaping companies please.

17. “The Home Advantage Artwork/Décor Store” (There’s no place like this place to purchase artwork and/or home décor items.) *No large furniture shops or art galleries.

18. “The Alarm Co. Always There With Bells On” (Where to buy a security system and/or fire protection for residential, commercial or industrial needs.)

B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

HOSPITALITY & ENTERTAINMENT

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COVID-19 Vaccination And The Social Contract

© Can Stock Photo/andrianocz

JUST SAYIN'

Op-Ed By Steven Bezaire

I

t is as mournful as it is disconcerting that such a large segment of our population is disinclined, or outright refuses, to avail themselves of any of the free COVID-19 vaccinations supplied by our government to fight this pandemic.

Taking the vaccine is the right, and patriotic, thing to do.

Failure or refusal to do so, without medical justification, however, is not merely a matter of personal choice, a simple “I’ll do me, you do you” proposition — it is the narrow-minded and ungenerous act of people who do not understand the privileges and commitments of democracy.

Weren’t we all taught the notion of the Social Contract somewhere early in high school — at roughly the same time as the relative merits of democracy were compared to the tenets of communism, socialism, and totalitarianism?

Isn’t it, still, one of the biggest influences on our modern democracy — the concept that, in a civilized society it is necessary for individuals to voluntarily renunciate their individual freedoms for the sake of the greater collective good?

In other words, democracy is never free, but requires commitment, sacrifice and compromise.

So it is that we all agree to drive on the right side of the road, pay our taxes, or, albeit solemnly and sorrowfully, honour a nationwide conscription of our young sons, husbands, and brothers to defend democracy on another continent.

The contract portion comes in the form of an expectation that my sacrifices will be matched by my countrymen and women — that my efforts at collective collaboration will be no greater, or lesser, than that which I would expect of my peers, and vice versa.

It turns out human knowledge and improvement are not linear.

So much for naively imagining the arrival of the Internet, bringing near-instantaneous access to such abundant stores of human scholarship and intelligence would increase both humanity’s, and every individual’s, knowledge, and wisdom.

Alas, the higher tide does not raise all boats. Truth is everywhere under attack.

Sadly, apparently it is now possible for “alternative facts” and multiple “truths” to coexist with logic and deduction.

So it is that in the heart of the largest

city in the world’s most profitable country a measles outbreak in New York in 2019, threatened to make the United States only the second country in the Americas without a WHO “measles free” status 20 years after the disease was effectively eradicated through vaccination.

The pervasiveness of misinformation on the Internet, especially the disdainful memes which are reposted endlessly on social media sites, is nothing short of astounding.

Ignorance is as human a phenomenon as hunger. Pure ignorance — being born into it — is unavoidable. I get it, but willful blindness to the truth is not the same thing — it is not as blameless as pure ignorance.

And, assuredly, willful blindness and defiance are terrible roommates.

The old PT Barnum saying “There’s a sucker born every minute” has been around for a long time and is easily invoked to describe the gullible. Yet it is Noam Chomsky who captured our particular dilemma best when he said: “Propaganda is to a democracy what the bludgeon is to a totalitarian state.”

These are the facts: real, confirmed, and indisputable.

Amid a world-wide pandemic, for the inconvenience of attending an appointment, bearing a momentary needle prick, and potentially a few hours of mild nausea, Canadians can obtain overwhelming protection from a disease that has killed over 4 million people and more than 26,000 Canadians (efficacy rates of Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations are approximately 95%).

And yes, there is a mathematically negligible chance of becoming ill or even dying from a vaccination. Twenty seven Canadians, out of two million, suffered CVST (a cerebral blood-clotting issue), and five of them died of it — a number dwarfed by those who died in car accidents or drowned over the same period, to say nothing of the 26,000 who succumbed to the disease itself.

In every country where vaccinations are increasing the case counts are decreasing.

One would think that the benefit of such relative protection would, alone, merit braving the comparably small risk of an adverse reaction.

It follows then, doesn’t it, that reasonable, self-interested people, armed with this knowledge, would take the requisite simple, B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

free, step to protect themselves? And, in so doing, those same reasonable, self-interested people will also be protecting their fellow Canadians who either have not had a chance yet or are too young or immunocompromised to get the benefits of vaccination themselves.

Because you do not have to be or feel sick to transmit the virus to others — after all, that is how the majority of transmission occurs.

Your vaccination directly protects you AND the members of your community, your country. It serves to reduce the number of potential hosts for the virus, thus contributing to a quicker eradication of the disease (which means, frankly, less people die and more freedoms are restored quicker).

It is admiringly patriotic.

Maybe we stopped teaching the significance of the Social Contract part of democracy, but did we also stop teaching logic and deductive reasoning?

If it were the case that anti-vaxxers’ decisions hurt only themselves there would be no reason to appeal to the Social Contract: the problem would solve itself over time.

I know that free riders are to be expected.

I can tolerate those born of pure ignorance, as long as they try to become informed. But the willfully blind and militantly defiant are insufferably self-righteous and annoyingly misguided.

So, if your worldly wisdom, Internet research, misplaced “wokefullness”, American-style rights mentality — or whatever you think suffices as suitable rationale for not getting vaccinated in the face of pure logic — compels you to shun all of the available vaccinations, please at least avoid shouting it from the rooftops and antagonizing those Canadians, currently and historically, who have sacrificed for the very democratic principles that allow you to take such a imprudent and self-indulgent stand.

Steven Bezaire is a local lawyer, humourist, an accomplished napper, and loves all puppy dogs and babies in the world. *If you have a comment on his column and want Steven to see it, please visit the “Biz Blog” section on: BizXmagazine.com where you can have your say on the topic too!

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FRONTLINES New Building And Location For Compact Construction Company Is The (Bob)cat’s Meow

At the official ground breaking celebration on June 8, 2021, from left are: Nick Rosati, Co-Owner, Rosati Construction Inc.; Vince Rosati Jr, Project Manager, Rosati Construction Inc.; Kai Sorensen, President, Oaken Equipment; Tony Rosati, Co-Owner, Rosati Construction Inc. and Hugo Sorensen, Chairman, Oaken Equipment.

Photos by Kim Jussila.

A

n official groundbreaking ceremony in early June, signalled the beginning of construction on a 10,000 square foot dealership for Bobcat of Windsor, part of Oaken Equipment’s Bobcat dealer network.

With construction and design to be carried out by Rosati Construction Inc., the new facility will be solely dedicated to the Bobcat brand of equipment and is expected to open in the fall of 2021.

Located on Rhodes Drive, the new Bobcat dealership will be conventionally constructed on a three acre property with excellent exposure along EC Row Expressway.

“Rosati gets our business and have a very clear understanding of what our future dealership requires to be efficient, scalable and safe,” states John Burrows, Branch Manager, Bobcat of Windsor. “Their team has been extremely responsive and proactive throughout the process. Their deep industry expertise and experience have also allowed

them to bring us multiple solutions for any challenges we encountered. We can always count on them to sweat the details and clearly communicate, ensuring we’re comfortable with the direction the project is going in. They have been true partners in this build.”

Oaken Equipment is a family-owned business that entered the Windsor market following the Bobcat Dealership purchase from Carrier Centers on September 1, 2020. The Windsor dealership is now part of Canada’s largest Bobcat dealer network, which includes two Bobcat of Toronto locations, and Bobcat of Barrie. Bobcat of Windsor also carries the torch as the first Bobcat dealership in Canada, which began as Jacobs Farm Equipment in 1972.

Oaken is thrilled to partner with a solid team and loyal customers, throughout Windsor Essex, to offer a full-service construction and grounds maintenance equipment dealership, offering new and used equipment sales, in-shop and road service equipment maintenance, parts’ sales, and equipment rentals.

Rosati Construction Inc. is a familyowned business, established in 1969, and has been chosen as the Design-Build Contractor for this new dealership.

The LaSalle business specializes in industrial and commercial design/ build projects, machine foundations and construction management.

Find more details on both companies on these websites: OakenEquipment.ca and RosatiGroup.com.

The new 10,000 square foot dealership for Bobcat of Windsor is slated to open this fall. Also on site for the groundbreaking, from left, are: Bill Bezanson, Project Manager, Wilbuild Management Ltd.; Tony Rosati, Co-Owner Rosati Construction Inc.; Nick Rosati, Co-Owner, Rosati Construction Inc.; Drew Dilkens, Mayor of Windsor; Kai Sorensen, President, Oaken Equipment; Hugo Sorensen, Chairman, Oaken Equipment; John Burrows, Branch Manager, Bobcat Windsor and Brian Lansue, Territory Manager, Bobcat of Windsor.

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FRONTLINES

Manor Realty Marks 35th Year Milestone

By Zander Kelly

M

anor Windsor Realty Ltd., 3276 Walker Road in Windsor, is celebrating 35 years of excellent service to the community, in 2021.

Founded in March 1986 — by Steve Mustac, Bill Girard and Jack Genaro — Manor prides itself on highly trained and highly equipped agents with an emphasis on being “Agent-Centric.”

This translates to providing its agents with up to date technology, which at the time of its founding would have included secretarial services and research materials, but now involves access to a wide variety of digital tools for the modern industry.

“The market has been booming,” says Manager/Broker Rob Agnew. “There’s never been a better real estate time in Windsor than this.”

Agnew, who has been with Manor since 1989 and has been the General Manager for three years, tells Biz X why Manor has retained the rank of #1 in sales per capita, for an independent agency.

After a brief shutdown during the early stages of the pandemic, the company was able to adjust via virtual house tours and “contactless entries,” once prospective buyers had narrowed their choices digitally.

“We have an extensive training program and that helps because of our four pillars of success, as the philosophy corporately is ‘Quality Training for Quality Agents will get you Proper Quality Sales’,” Agnew explains.

To note, the four pillars of success of Manor are: Quality Training, Quality Sales, Mentoring, and Community.

“The only downside is that if you’re a young, first time buyer, you’re going to have a hell of a time,” believes Agnew.

However, he mentions that there are government programs in play that can hopefully pave the way for first-time buyers, by providing more affordable homes in the future.

This includes new affordable housing developments that are being built all the time in Windsor Essex.

Co-owner Bill Girard also speaks on Manor’s history and consistent client base, discussing how he’s beginning to take clients who are the sons and daughters of clients from 15 to 20 years ago.

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Posing at the entrance to their Walker Road location, Manor Windsor Realty Ltd. staff and agents from left are: (Front row): Cindy Morneau, Maria Franzoi and Anna Kolm. (Back row): Angela Cope, Paul Sulja, Steve Mustac, Sanja Bojovic, Rob Agnew, Kristina Bondy, Caren Green-Smith, Anita Villemaire and Adele Youssef. For a complete roster of all agents please visit their website: ManorRealty.ca. Photo by Rod Denis.

When asked how he felt getting those calls, Girard simply replies, “old!”

Girard, who has been in the real estate industry for nearly 50 years, explains further how Manor takes the time to treat each client with care to assist them in finding the perfect home.

“We look at every possible want and need you have and our agents do everything possible to get you the house that best suits you,” expresses Girard, leaving little to wonder about as to why families come back to Manor again and again.

Manor is a staple of the community in more than just real estate.

For the past three years, it has made a difference in the community with its Manor Keys of Hope charity, which seeks to help local charities and non-profits that need it most.

The charity collects a portion of the earnings from each sale throughout the year and at the end of the year the company matches that amount. After this the company meets to decide who should get the funds for that year. (Learn more at: KeysOfHope.ca).

The 2020/2021 recipients, as reported in

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Biz X magazine’s April issue, were Julien’s House Bereavement Support Centre, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) of Windsor and Ron Gudel, a local magician and philanthropist known for doing shows at children’s hospitals.

When asked to summarize what sets Manor apart from other real estate firms, Agnew reiterates: “This is undoubtedly our professional agents and the high level of training and access to technology that each agent is provided.”

He continues by commenting: “They actually care deeply about getting the client the right house. Since we are a boutique-sized company (about 55 agents) we don’t want to be huge so we can maintain our high quality of service. We have a sense of family and a responsibility to be our best, so when we go out into the community, we do so with the right mindset — to do the very best job for our sellers and buyers.”

To contact Manor Realty to set up an appointment, or to virtually tour commercial and residential properties in the Windsor Essex region, visit their website: ManorRealty.ca.

HEARD ON THE STREET The owners of Kona Sushi are planning to open two more locations in the region. The first to open is in July, at 1224 County Road 22, Unit 10 in Emeryville.

The second new one is scheduled to open in the fall at 11977 Tecumseh Road East in the previous home of Tecumseh Diner & Subs. There are currently two Kona Sushi restaurants — 5965 Malden Road in LaSalle, which opened 13 months ago, and 1801 Wyandotte Street East in Windsor, which opened four years ago. Owner Nick Mountryvong says business started to pick up once patio dining was allowed in mid-June. “Before that, we offered an allyou-can-eat curbside service, which allowed people to order on an app on their phone and then re-order if they wanted more food,” he explains. “You have to be creative and try to find a way to stay afloat.”

Mountryvong mentions he was very appreciative of the neighbourhood support throughout the pandemic. “Our regulars were coming in more often just to help us stay open and it was amazing,” he adds. To view a menu, log on to: KonaSushi.com.

business 25 years ago. “We needed a smaller space because of that impact,” she explains. Other services include virtual offices, office and boardroom rentals, mailboxes and preparation of cover letters and resumes by the centre’s professional office staff. “It’s a lovely new space and I’m very proud of it,” says Dimoff. The move took place in mid-June and Dimoff is confident it will yield positive results.

“It’s been a difficult year or so for many businesses, including ours,” she adds. Visit: Execucentre.ca.

A new Pakistani-Indian grocery store is expected to open at the corner of Campbell Avenue and Tecumseh Road West (1434 Campbell Avenue) by the end of July. The building, which once housed a Windsor Tae-Kwon Do studio, has changed hands four or five times in the past five years, according to Mustafa Malik, a Real Estate Agent with LC Platinum Real Estate. “The new owners, who are local, are in the process of renovating the space,” says Malik, at the time of writing in late June.

“It needs a new floor and walk-in coolers before they can even think about opening.”

Access Storage, the largest storage company in Canada, has reportedly acquired Guardian Storage. Access, which was established in 1998, has eight locations in the Windsor area and now Guardian’s two locations have been added to Access’s portfolio. Guardian Storage opened its facility at 5505 Rhodes Drive (Windsor Airport) in November 1998 and had only recently opened a second location at 472 Blanchard Drive in Lakeshore. Access also has locations in LaSalle, Essex, Leamington and Emeryville. For more details refer to: AccessStorage.ca.

Execucentre, which offers office space for entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized businesses, and start-ups, has relocated to 2557 Dougall Avenue, Unit 6, in Windsor close to Bluewater Pools & Spas. “We have been severely impacted

by COVID because more people are working from home and don’t need office space,” explains owner Lois Dimoff whose late husband Nick launched the

Developers of The Grove Motel, a proposed boutique-style motel in Colchester, are anxious to get a shovel in the ground now that zoning approval has been granted by the Town of Essex, but they still have to wait until a 21 day appeal process expires. Zoning approval was granted June 21 and that’s when the 21 day clock started ticking. “We have a preliminary design in place, but we won’t get

First Choice Haircutters, with more than 400 locations across North America, has relocated one of its Windsor salons. The new location is at 1691 Tecumseh Road West, just across the street and one block east of the previous salon. It opened on June 30, 2021 when COVID-19 restrictions moved to Step Two of Ontario’s re-opening plan, which included hair salons and spas. Learn more on: Facebook.com/FCHTecumsehRdW. Another First Choice operates from 5060 Tecumseh Road East.

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started spending real money, as it were, until final approval is given,” says Jim Flynn, whose family is developing the project. Flynn says the next part of the project will cost about $160,000 and he hopes to have all the relevant approvals in place for a fall start. “We’re excited about it and anxious to get started,” he says. The motel will have two floors and 28 units on County Road 50 West, just a short walk from Colchester Beach.

Owners of More Taters Please, a locally-owned restaurant featuring a variety of baked potatoes, poutine, fries, wraps, bowls and chicken dishes, are opening a second location at 4320 Tecumseh Road East in Windsor. The space was previously home to a KFC outlet (its new location on Tecumseh Road East near Rivard is slated to open at the end of the year). More Taters’ original restaurant is situated at 4110 Walker Road. To download their app to order on your phone or to order online, go to: MoreTatersPlease.com.

With 2021 almost half-over, the value of construction permits issued by the City of Windsor’s building department is almost $20 million ahead of the same period a year ago. So far this year, $164,327,850 in permits has been issued, compared to $145,421,581 through May of 2020. Government and institutional lead the way with an increase from $29.3 million to $46.7 million; followed by residential, which has jumped from $87.8 million to $92.3 million.

Meanwhile, industrial permits have fallen from $16.9 million to $14.7 million and commercial permits have dropped from $11.4 million to $10.6 million. Among the major projects launched recently are; construction of Parkview Public School for $10.7 million; additions and alterations to a Ford Motor Company building at 2950 Metcalfe Street for $5 million; construction of a greenhouse at Jackson Park at 125 Tecumseh Road East for $2.5 million; repairs to a City of Windsor parking garage at 62 Chatham Street East for $950,000; construction of a commercial building at 2640 Tecumseh Road West for $900,000; alterations to a non-profit organization’s building at 5305 Adstoll Avenue for $850,000; replacement of roof units at The Village of Aspen Lake long term care facility at 9855 McHugh Street for $833,000; construction of a six-unit multiple dwelling at 251 Watkins Street for $750,000; construction of a new medical centre/pharmacy building at 1200 University Avenue West for $625,000; alterations to Princess Elizabeth Public School at 5399 Raymond Avenue for $550,000 and alterations to Roseville Public School at 6265 Roseville Gardens for $450,000.

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY

NEWSFLASH THE RUNDOWN Libro Credit Union has launched a new money management app, Yooli, designed to help people take control and improve their financial wellness by using datadriven technology. Yooli is powered by the MX award-winning, modern connectivity and data enhancement platform. The new Libro app includes an interactive financial health score tool FinStrong; as well as MX’s personal, predictive and proactive financial alerts and guidance. The Yooli app will be aided by feedback provided by Libro’s owners (it considers its customers/members “owners”) who were asked to sign up and test the app’s beta version, which is still in development. In the initial beta rollout, signups have totalled more than 2,000. The FinStrong tool, included in Yooli, will use spending, saving, and borrowing behaviour from across all connected user accounts, to automatically generate a financial health score and roadmap for each owner.

Additionally, MX will apply its machine learning capabilities and behavioral transaction data to generate insights that will protect, guide, and inform account holders of anything from opportunities to save more money, to duplicate subscriptions and transactions, to potential overdraft possibilities. To learn more go to: Libro.ca.

HALL OF FAME

The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (R.N.A.O.), Windsor-Essex Chapter, has announced the recipients of the 14th annual R.N.A.O. “Lois Fairley Nursing Award.” John Fairley, son of Lois Fairley states: “In 2021, our community continues to fight and respond to the pandemic; it has been reinforced, over this past year — the nurse’s role as frontline healthcare heroes.

This year we gratefully announce that ‘All nurses throughout Windsor and Essex County’ are the deserving recipients of the 2021 R.N.A.O. ‘Lois Fairley Nursing Award’.” Crystal Hepburn, President of the R.N.A.O. Windsor Essex Chapter, adds: “This year, this award recognizes the extreme dedication, loyalty and hard work that all our nurses are providing to ensure our community continues to be safe and healthy during this pandemic.”

This is the second year in a row the award has honoured nurses throughout Windsor

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John Fairley (left) is pictured with Amherstburg Mayor Aldo DiCarlo at the 2020 dedicated R.N.A.O. community bench in Amherstburg. Photo courtesy of R.N.A.O. Windsor Essex Chapter.

and Essex County. Presently, there are two dedicated benches announced to recognize the important role of nurses in our region.

One bench is located in Windsor’s Jackson Park, and the other at the new Amherstburg Health and Wellness Centre (the former St. Bernard School site) located on Richmond Street near Centennial Park. For 2021, there will be a dedicated bench in Leamington’s Seacliff Park to recognize the valuable contribution of Windsor and Essex County nurses in 2021. See: WindsorEssexRNAO.org for more information if needed.

Easter Seals Ontario (EasterSeals.org) hosted its AGM online in early June, during which two Windsorites received exceptional recognition for their service to the organization and enabling opportunities for kids with physical disabilities. At the forefront of this achievement and recognition, Bill Girard — a Broker from Manor Windsor Realty Ltd. and 37 year Easter Seals volunteer — received the “Yvonne Alexander Award”. This award is Easter Seals highest honour given to a volunteer and contributor who has demonstrated strength and outstanding achievement, as well as integrity and quality performance. Also, Steve Raby, a volunteer, donor, and employee of Unique Communications, received a “Service Award”. This award is given to a person who has demonstrated consistent support over a period of years, while making meaningful contributions of time, resources and gifts, as well as demonstrating a commitment to the organization through innovation. Congrats to Bill, Steve and everyone at Easter Seals Ontario Windsor-Essex!

Tim Brady, Pharmacist/Owner of Brady’s Drug Store, has stepped into the leadership role of Chair of the Ontario

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Pharmacists Association (OPA) for a twoyear term that started on June 3, 2021.“I feel very honoured to be serving pharmacists across Ontario to strengthen the profession and to activate the membership,” says Brady. “The pandemic has highlighted the important role that pharmacists and technicians can play in the healthcare system, and I want to work with government, pharmacy and industry to expand that role and show how much more the profession has to offer.” Brady’s Drug Store operates three pharmacies in Essex, Belle River and Tilbury. Refer to: BradysDrugStore.com for full details.

ON THE MOVE Marie-Rose Music Studio is expanding and excited to announce its new storefront location at 1700 Sprucewood Avenue in LaSalle. Under owner Jordyn Severin, they provide high quality music education for those in Windsor Essex. Small group and private music lessons are available for piano, guitar, voice, drums and ukulele.

They also specialize in offering “Music for Young Children” group classes for children as young as two years old! Visit the website: MarieRoseMusic.com to register your child for September.

NEW IN BIZ Saving money by making your home more energy efficient has never been easier!

Federally Licenced Energy Advisor Taylor McKay, Owner of Tohoma, a local energy efficiency and home upgrades company, has spent years helping homeowners fight climate change, lower their bills and put money back in their pockets. “We remove the stress from the process of upgrading your home for maximum energy efficiency,” says McKay. “Tohoma handles everything from start to finish; we execute the energy audit, file all the paperwork and install the required upgrades so you receive your energy rebate.” Tohoma offers multiple home upgrade services, like insulation and new windows, or equipment like high efficiency heating or cooling products, and more. With the launch of the new Canada Greener Homes Grant, homeowners can

receive up to $5,000 in grants to make energy-efficient retrofits and receive up to $600 to help with the cost of the home energy audit (get full details in the “Ask The Experts” column in this issue). Tohoma and their Home Efficiency Squad, made up of local Windsor Essex companies, is your one-stop-shop for energy audits and upgrades! For more information please visit: Tohoma.ca.

Sherri Cazabon opened her business in May, One Plant Stand, to make plant stands from upcycled materials. “It was created through my own need to find a plant stand that I would like and then friends and family wanted them, and soon after the word spread quickly and we started making orders,” she explains. The plant stands are sold at: Urban Surf and Sketch Art Workshop (55 East Pike Creek Road, Tecumseh), and Potted & Quenched (100 Lesperance Road, Tecumseh). Find out more on: Instagram.com/oneplantstand or email: oneplantstand@gmail.com.

Sherri Cazabon, Owner of One Plant Stand, displays her product made of upcycled materials.

Photo courtesy of Sherri Cazabon.

DrinksOut, a new beverage delivery service in Windsor, LaSalle and Tecumseh officially launched in May 2021. The company delivers spirits, wines, beers, ciders, coolers, and other specialty alcohol products from the LCBO and local producers within Windsor Essex. “We realized that people needed an alternative to receive products during lockdowns, and the convenience provided through direct to door delivery is becoming more of an expectation for consumers,” says Vik Lall, Co-founder of DrinksOut, along with his brother. “With those factors together, the opportunity for this business to continue thriving post COVID-19 is high, so we went all in on making it happen.” The company’s platform allows users to book deliveries to fit into their schedule.

DrinksOut also offers after-hours delivery until 10 p.m., allowing local companies such as Wolfhead Distillery and Peele Island Winery to extend their opening hours, giving customers access to their local favourites like never before. Check out: DrinksOut.ca for further details.

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT THIS ISSUE FEATURES…

The Butcher Of Kingsville 13 Main St. West, Kingsville

W

By Jim Murphy

ith growing concerns about harmful antibiotics in meat and the ethics of factory farming it might seem the only way to eat healthily is with a vegan diet.

Thankfully, for those of us who want to enjoy healthy and ethically sourced meat, there is a shop in Essex County that provides just that.

The Butcher of Kingsville is a full-

Photos by Rod Denis service, whole animal butcher shop specializing in organic and responsiblyraised local meats, dry-aged and grass-fed beef, specialty meats, handcrafted foods — such as burgers and weekly sausage specials — and artisan cheeses.

“We believe in community, sustainability and responsibly-raised food for the health and betterment of all,” says Izabela

Muzzin, Co-Owner of The Butcher of Kingsville, along with her husband Mark.

“Once we had children of our own, we were disappointed by the meat options that were readily available — with no known source or standards.”

Izabela and Mark were not alone in their concern.

“We recognized the disconnect that

The Butcher of Kingsville is a full service, speciality butcher shop that works with local farmers to produce naturally and responsibly raised beef, pork, chicken and lamb.

Holding up various samples of meat from left are: Greg Holwell, Assistant Butcher/Manager (leg of lamb); Izabela and Mark Muzzin, Owners (bone-in rib eye steak) and Ethen DeSanti, Head Butcher/Manager (tomahawk steak). They provide the best quality meats for great eating experiences.

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SPECIAL COUNTY SECTION existed between our community and what was available locally,” Muzzin tells Biz X. That is why she and Mark decided to open their own shop in 2011.

“Through our butcher shop, we are able to do our part in satisfying our needs and the needs of our community,” Muzzin says. “We support farmers raising their animals responsibly and who take into account their well-being along with that of the environment, which in turn produces food that is safer and healthier for us all.”

These strip loin steaks from Shake River Farms, Idaho are Gold Certified full-blood Wagyu beef and are considered the “best Wagyu outside of Japan.”

Their aim when they opened was to bring back the craft of butchery that uses the whole animal and prepares it in a way that is best for cooking.

“We know how important food is to people in order to feed their growing families, in maintaining health and preventing disease,” says Muzzin. “Our butchers love their craft and it shows!

They respect the animals and do their best to minimize waste and maximize its usage and enjoyment.”

Izabela and Mark are both very involved in supporting and promoting the Town of Kingsville.

“We have always been active members of our community, participating as proud members of the Kingsville BIA and the ‘Eat, Drink, Dine Kingsville’ events including their gift card program, ‘Swine’n Dine,’ ‘Burger Month’, ‘Dinner with Santa Claus’ and more,” Muzzin indicates. “We are continuously working with various partners to create various promotions — most recently being the ‘Beer & BBQ’ gift packages with Kingsville Brewery (which the couple also owns).”

Operating as an essential business during the pandemic, they also offer free delivery throughout Essex County, as well as curbside pickup, while adhering to all social distancing and sanitization protocols.

For more information regarding weekly specials, pricing and hours, check out their social media page on: Facebook.com/TheButcherOfKingsville.

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Out and About In Essex County Where To Visit This Summer So You Can Stay Local, Support Local & Also Have A Good Time!

COVER STORY By Dave Hall

S

upporting a local hospitality and tourism industry, devastated by the effects of a lengthy pandemic, as it prepares to navigate through the various steps of Ontario’s “Roadmap To Reopen,” is a major challenge for area tourism organizations.

For Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI), the battle to help local businesses survive and thrive is being fought on a number of exciting fronts.

The tourism organization recently launched its 2021/2022 Official Visitor Guide, which has been re-imagined as the “Staycation in Windsor Essex Guide.” It features tips on where to go across the county, where to eat, where to stay and ideas for outdoor attractions, socially-distanced experiences and remote locations.

“As the tourism industry continues to reopen (after provincial COVID restrictions are lifted), our Official Visitor Guide is one of the top advertising pieces we use to promote our region,” says TWEPI Chief Executive Officer Gordon Orr. “The guide highlights the most relevant information about the region with things to do, all the while keeping safety paramount.”

This year’s guide will be a great asset to locals, as well as visiting friends and family, as they plan to explore the great attractions and businesses right in our own backyard.

Orr adds the tourism industry was hit first and hardest by pandemic restrictions and it will likely be the industry that takes the longest to recover.

In an attempt to boost tourism across the region, TWEPI also launched, in June, the “W.E. Heart Local” digital passport. This initiative is designed to help consumers go on a unique journey through Windsor Essex, to learn more about the growing agri-tourism scene in the region, and support local while doing so.

Destinations include farms with roadside stands, craft beverage producers, shops, markets, butchers, wineries and restaurants.

“Our destination has a much-celebrated history with food,” Orr expresses. “By having one of the longest growing seasons in Canada, we are truly blessed with a diverse offering of produce alongside, meat, honey, wines and beer.”

The digital passport is free to access and requires no download to use. It is instantly delivered via text and email and those interested in signing up can do so on: WeHeartLocal.ca .

Once users have registered they can check in at one of 70-plus participating locations, while they take a self-guided tour across the county.

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Essex County map courtesy of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island.

Possible suggestions include: Amherstburg Farmers Market; Black Bear Farms of Ontario Estate Winery; Colio Estate Winery; Green Heart Kitchen; Hylander Farms; Little Foot Foods; Muscedere Vineyards Estate Winery; Pelee Island Winery; Thiessen Orchards and more. (Next up in this story are four other places described in their own sections).

Incentives for users include recipes, reusable produce bags, a barbecue paddle and “W.E. Heart Local” ball cap.

The program is a partnership between TWEPI and the Essex County Federation of Agriculture (ECFA) with sponsorship from Libro Credit Union.

“Our vision to connect consumers and farmers has developed into a new and exciting digital format,” states Leo Guilbeault, President of the ECFA. “The passport gives all the details to plan a visit to the county and enjoy our plentiful products, which are produced locally.”

Lori Atkinson, Regional Manager for Libro, says the credit union has a 75-plus-year history of supporting local farmers and the agricultural community.

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“We actively advocate for local food accessibility and the improvement of food systems to increase local food for all,” adds Atkinson. “We regularly support programs promoting local and sustainable agriculture, community gardens, farmers markets, local food sector initiatives, food processing and distribution projects throughout Southwestern Ontario.”

In early June, TWEPI was awarded a Destination Marketing Accreditation Program seal from Destinations International, a global organization representing 600 destination organizations in 13 countries.

“Achieving this elite designation through each critical standard, demonstrates the dedication by TWEPI staff in going above and beyond defining quality, accountability and professionalism,” says Kingsville Mayor Nelson Santos, who is also Chair of the TWEPI Board of Directors.

His sentiments were echoed by City of Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, in his statement: “Much like the numerous industry awards they have received, this is another fine example of TWEPI showcasing their leadership,

SPECIAL COUNTY SECTION Use the 2021/2022 “Staycation in Windsor Essex Guide” as your roadmap to planning the best summer staycation in Windsor, Essex County and Pelee Island.

Find activities to do, places to explore and where to stay, shop, eat and drink. Whatever it is that you are looking for . . . you're sure to find it here! Photo courtesy of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island.

industry skill set and mindset to achieve this prestigious status.” (Note: For full information about TWEPI and all programs it offers view: VisitWindsorEssex.com).

The provincial government has also jumped into action by launching the Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant, which offers between $10,000 and $20,000 to eligible small businesses in the hard-hit sector.

Eligible businesses include hotels, motels, travel agencies, amusement and water parks, hunting and fishing camps, as well as recreational and vacation camps. Small businesses which received the Ontario Small Business Support Grant, were not eligible for this new grant.

The deadline to apply for the tourism and travel small business grant was July 9, 2021.

For further information please go online to: App.Grants.Gov.on.ca/otsb/#/.

Recently the federal government announced the Recovery Fund for Arts, Culture, Heritage and Sport Sectors providing $300 million over two years to organizations that are still struggling due to the pandemic. And the Reopening Fund will provide $200 million over two years through existing programming to help Canada’s festivals, cultural events, outdoor theatre performances, heritage celebrations, local museums, amateur sport events and more.

Regardless of the level of government and sector-specific support from tourism agencies, the best support small businesses can receive is from loyal customers itching for a chance to shed long-time COVID restrictions and to get out and enjoy themselves again.

So, while Ontario has the “Roadmap To Reopen” businesses safely, Biz X magazine presents its version of the “Roadmap To

Fun” (with all safety protocols observed of course). What follows is a small snapshot of possible ideas of where to go this summer to experience the best Essex County has to offer!

Sun Parlor Honey Closing in on their 100th anniversary, the owners of Sun Parlor Honey are looking forward to a busy season, even though they’ve been open throughout the pandemic because they sell essential goods such as honey and beeswax.

“We’re expecting business to increase because more and more people are out and about now that some rules have been relaxed,” says Tracey Congdon, who owns the business along with husband Tom whose grandfather Frank opened Sun Parlor in 1925.

Tom Congdon is Owner and Beekeeper at Sun Parlor Honey, a family owned and operated business in Cottam. The company is among the largest honey producers in the province. This year their 1,400 hives and 85 million bees will produce more than 80 tonnes of award winning Ontario honey. Now that’s SWEET! Photo by Rod Denis.

The onsite store at 238 County Road 14 in Cottam, sells a variety of honey-based products including liquid, buckwheat, combed and white cream honeys, as well as bee pollen. They also sell a variety of bee-keeping products for people interested in establishing their own hives.

The apiary is also participating in Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island’s “W.E. Heart Local” digital passport initiative, which has drawn together more than 70 businesses and attractions for people to visit throughout the year.

“We’ve been part of the organization’s ‘Buy Local’ campaign for a number of years and it just

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made sense to get involved with this new idea,” explains Congdon. “Anything which brings in new customers and helps people become aware of what’s available in the county is a great idea.”

Sun Parlor has only a few hives on their property, but has more than 1,400 in Guelph, Chatham and Windsor.

“We used to have an observation hive so we could show people what we do, but because of COVID that’s no longer available,” adds Congdon. “However, we do have photos and we can explain what we do and how we make our products and tend to the hives.”

Get the buzz on this biz at: SunParlorHoney.ca.

The Little Cider Company Open since the beginning of June, The Little Cider Company in Harrow is slowly finding its way as people are now hitting the road to see what’s going on across the county.

Owner Mary Beth Little says the cidery was years in the making, accompanied by experimenting with different kinds of apples.

“It was a steady progression and ultimately enabled me to get all of my stored cider out of my parent’s basement,” says Little, laughing.

“To make a good cider, you need a good blend of acidity and sugar in your apples and that’s part of the experimentation process.”

Little uses McIntosh, Empire, Fuji, Mutsu, Kingston Black, and Dabinett apples for her ciders, bottled in wine-sized containers.

Customers can buy bottles and drink on the cider’s patio, but Little’s licence doesn’t allow her to sell ciders by the glass.

It can take a little over a month from fermentation to enjoying a good cider. However, Little informs us that ciders can also be aged for as long as two years.

As a new business owner, Little is grateful to be part of TWEPI’s “W.E. Heart Local” initiative, which encourages area residents to take a trip across the county to enjoy what the region has to offer.

“Anything which encourages people to visit your business is a great idea,” believes Little whose husband David Wright owns Wrightland Farms, along with his family.

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SPECIAL COUNTY SECTION The cidery is located at the farm at 957 Ridge Road in Harrow and you can learn more about this new biz on their social media page: Facebook.com/TheLittleCiderCompany or their website: TheLittleCiderCompany.ca.

Cured Craft Brewing Co. Established in July 2020 during the pandemic, Cured Craft Brewing Co. is finally beginning to build some momentum with the opening of patio dining, followed by indoor dining since rules were recently relaxed by the Province of Ontario.

“It feels as if we’ve opened four businesses instead of one because of the open-close-open nature of the rules we’ve had to follow,” says brewery Co-owner Lisa Bradt. “It’s been a difficult process, but here we are.”

Cured Craft is also a participant in TWEPI’s digital passport initiative, which encourages people to visit local businesses, particularly those in the hospitality and tourism sector.

“It’s a great idea because anything that drives customers to your door can only help,” comments Bradt, who owns the brewery, along with husband Scott.

Located at 43 Mill Street West in Leamington, the brewery offers a variety of beers, including lager, pilsner, port, stout, cream ale, IPA and wheat beer. There are six classic beers on tap and five others which rotate on a seasonal basis.

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remain open throughout the pandemic because the store is an essential food business, but with more people expected to venture out now that rules are being relaxed, business is expected to improve.

The store is located at 34 Mill Street West in Leamington and online at: Bradts.com.

Good times and good friends, that’s what it’s all about!

Enjoying a cold bevy on the patio at the Cured Craft Brewing Co. in Leamington, from left are: Ryan Bradt, Jenny Bradt, Brent Klundert, Chantal Klundert, Al Messier and Megan Messier. Photo courtesy of Lisa Bradt.

The brewery also offers a large patio serving pub food, including prime rib, pulled pork and chicken sandwiches, pretzels, nachos and charcuterie board appetizers, as well as a variety of pizzas and salads.

For further details, refer to the website: CuredCraftBrewing.com.

Bradt’s Butcher Block Next, we shine the spotlight on another participant in TWEPI’s “W.E. Heart Local” campaign. Bradt’s Butcher Block opened in 1995 and offers a variety of meats, deli items, baked goods, produce, prepared foods and pantry selections.

Owners Lisa and Scott Bradt have been able to

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Camping Under The Stars Now that pandemic rules have been loosened, many Essex County campgrounds are back in business, which helps our next profiled business, Cozy Camper Rentals, 7047 Giardini Side Road in Cottam.

Drew Bastien, an owner at Cozy Camper Rentals, says the company offers onsite trailers for rent and also rents trailers that people can take away and seek their own destinations.

They also offer towing services (for a set fee) for people who rent their campers, but don’t have a vehicle capable of towing them to a campground or property located in Windsor and Essex County. Deliveries and pickups outside the region have additional charges.

“It’s been a stressful few months since we weren’t allowed to be open, but now that rules have been changed, we’re expecting a busy summer because people are getting the itch to get out and do something fun,” says Bastien.

The company was established in 2014 with Bastien and some fellow owners taking over about a year ago.

SPECIAL COUNTY SECTION Bastien says his campers can accommodate between four and nine people. Find out more details on: CozyCamperRentals.com.

So, now that you have rented a camper, (or perhaps purchased one from Leisure Trailer Sales), where should you head off to?

Here are a few suggestions.

At Windsor Campground (4855 9th Concession Road), there are five cabins on site, as many as 50 tent sites, a large number of seasonal trailers, which people leave onsite all year long, and more than 60 pull-through sites for people looking for short-term visits.

“Our first weekend (in early June) when rules allowed us to open, we were at about onethird capacity, but we expect that to increase throughout the summer months,” Co-owner Ron Laliberty indicates.

The campground also has two hiking trails on its 50 acre property, as well as a catch-andrelease fishing pond. Once outdoor gathering numbers are increased, Laliberty plans to return to offering fireworks, hotdog roasts and outdoor bingos.

Camping and RV sites cost between $30 and $60 a night which includes access to hydro, Internet, bathroom and laundry facilities and water. Rates for cabins, which can comfortably accommodate two adults and two children, vary by the day, week and month.

Meanwhile, business is booming at Campers

Drew Bastien of Cozy Camper Rentals, makes sure all his customers are happy campers! One way he does that is by renting trailers that offer an awesome camping experience, such as this 26 foot Fireside Trailer, which sleeps nine. It features a queen bed in a separate bedroom; couch that folds down into a double bed; a dinette that goes into a double bed; and a double bed with a single bunk above. There is also a microwave, fridge, propane cook top, oven, full washroom with shower, a/c, furnace, and awning. Photo by Rod Denis.

Cove Campground, where weekend camping sites are completely sold out through the middle of September with only limited weekday sites available throughout the summer months.

Located at 21097 Campers Cove Road in Wheatley, Campers Cove has been in business for over 50 years. The campground features a 1,200-foot sandy beach; large screen movies; adult and teen dances; hotdog, marshmallow and corn roasts; pancake breakfasts on holiday weekends; church services; swimming; fishing; sports: basketball, baseball, soccer; horseshoes; shuffleboard and three playgrounds.

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There are also numerous amenities at Willowood RV Resort & Campground, 4610 Essex County Rd. 18 in Amherstburg, with a variety of activities for the entire family.

They include free WiFi access, restrooms, showers and laundry facilities, a food store, campfires, a picnic area and covered pavilion, mini-golf, go-kart rentals and sports areas for basketball, horseshoes, softball, volleyball, basketball and a playground.

For more information on these local campgrounds, go to: WindsorCampground.ca; CampersCove.ca and SunRVresorts.com/resorts/ truenorth/Ontario/willowood.

Keep in mind, some activities may still be restricted under provincial COVID regulations.

The Grove Bike Co. For a chance to take a slower, more leisurely ride across Essex County, The Grove Hotel launched on June 1, 2021, The Grove Bike Co., a bike rental business including electric bikes and regular pedal bikes.

The hotel is owned by James Flynn and his family and the bike company is a partnership with the Lewis family of Kingsville.

“We have 20 RadRunner e-bikes and six one-speed beach cruisers,” notes Jennifer Flynn, The Grove Hotel General Manager.

“It’s a great way to visit our wineries and other attractions across the region.”

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SPECIAL COUNTY SECTION

Jennifer Flynn, General Manager of The Grove Hotel takes her company’s bike out for a spin in downtown Kingsville. The bikes are available for rent at the hotel or down at Colchester Beach through The Grove Bike Co. Photo by Rod Denis.

Renters are provided with a copy of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island’s cycle tourism map, as well as suggestions from Grove’s staff to help riders get the most out of their experience.

Reservations can be made online and bikes can be picked up at either The Grove Hotel at 12 Main Street East in Kingsville or at Colchester Park at 100 Jackson Street in Colchester.

“We’re also looking at offering guided tours, but we’re going to wait until we can decide whether or not there’s any interest,” says Flynn.

For now renters are being directed along the Chrysler Canada Greenway Trail, which runs from Leamington to Windsor, County Road 50, which runs from Kingsville

to Colchester, and the Essex County Wine Route.

For more information and to book a bike, visit: TheGroveBikeCo.com.

WindsorEats Wine Trail Ride Cycling Tours have made a comeback and are running on Saturdays and Sundays until October.

“They were extremely popular last year because it was one of the few things you could do and be safe and have fun,” reports Adriano Ciotoli, Co-owner of WindsorEats. “It’s great to be outside, enjoy the weather and visit some of the area’s wineries.”

The five hour tour’s schedule has stops at a selection of wineries, including Paglione Estate Winery (724 County Road 50 East, Harrow) and North 42 Degrees Estate Winery (130 Essex County Road 50 East, Colchester), as well as Walnut Grove Bed and Breakfast (4000 McCormick Road, Harrow).

Participants can enjoy as many as 12 different wines and be served a progressive, ever-changing meal at each stop.

The price per tour is $175 per person and includes bike rentals, wine tastings and a meal, as well as a guide.

The tours run from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sundays. For more information and bookings, check: WineTrailRide.ca.

Urban Surf Chris Mingay and Danielle Chevalier, owners of Urban Surf, are looking forward to a busy season with their new EV bike rental service now that COVID-19 restrictions have been relaxed.

“We tried it last year, but we’re expecting a much greater response now that people feel comfortable being out and about,” says Mingay.

The company offers 12 beach-cruiser style EV bikes, as well as stand-up paddleboards and kayak rentals, all by the hour.

“Renters can register in advance for our evening sunset rides towards Belle River, and on Saturday we offer rides into Windsor with a stop at Pressure Drop, a café on Drouillard Road, for a brief stay on their patio,” Mingay explains.

“We’re hoping to include other businesses during the summer as well.”

She also points out that “In addition to the group rides, we provide maps and some suggestions about where people can go.”

Urban Surf, 55 East Pike Creek Road, Tecumseh also has a surf shop retail business and a restaurant/bake shoppe, Maverick’s by Carrots n’ Dates on site. For more information, visit: UrbanSurf.ca.

“Open Air Weekends” In Amherstburg The town is once again rolling out the welcome mat for the “Open Air Weekends” celebration, all the way through until September 27, 2021.

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SPECIAL COUNTY SECTION

Jodi McLean, Owner of Terra Green Gardens, 264 Dalhousie Street in Amherstburg, began to welcome customers inside her shop as of June 11 (the store officially opened late January for curbside pickup only). Selling products from 20 local artists, it caters to all things nature inspired! This little boutique is filled with a collection of hand-picked, handmade items from bath and body products to gorgeous and lush plants, skilled woodwork, beautifully handcrafted glass pieces, upcycled and repurposed art work.

Photo courtesy of the Town of Amherstburg.

Running from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and again Saturdays from 4 p.m. through to 11 p.m.

Sunday night, downtown streets will be reserved for pedestrians allowing them to take advantage of numerous restaurants offering patio dining, as well as other businesses open for shopping in the town’s core.

“It’s a great event and gives us an opportunity to showcase many of the restaurants and businesses in town,” expresses Anne Rota, Amherstburg’s Manager of Culture and Tourism.

Perimeters are the streets of: Richmond and Ramsey, Dalhousie and Rankin, Dalhousie and Murray, and Ramsey and Murray. Accessible parking is available and there are plenty of spots to park your vehicle, motorcycle and bicycle as the town has added additional bike racks to help encourage active transportation.

Among the participating restaurants and businesses (please note this is not a complete list) are: Caffeine & Co. (238 Dalhousie Street); Lot 10 Brewery (263 Dalhousie Street); Towne Shoppe (56 Richmond Street), The Salty Dog (237 Dalhousie Street); Pepper Cat (239 Dalhousie Street); River Bookshop (67 Richmond Street); Downtown Espresso Café (249 Dalhousie Street); Artisan Grill (269 Dalhousie Street); Lord Amherst Pub (273 Dalhousie Street); Chicano’s Tacos and Tequila (219 Dalhousie Street); Royal Sushi (259 Dalhousie Street); Burger 67 (67 Murray Street); A La Mode (52 Richmond Street) and Terra Green Gardens (264 Dalhousie Street).

Kevin Lafontaine, who also owns The Salty Dog in Amherstburg and used to own The Manchester in downtown Windsor, launched Pepper Cat in mid-June.

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SPECIAL COUNTY SECTION

Caffeine & Company Ltd. in Amherstburg, is one of many participants in “Open Air Weekends.” Customers can sit in front of their location or take a quick walk to the park to enjoy the “Take-out Food Court” with its new accessible patio tables. Photo courtesy of the Town of Amherstburg.

“It’s an upscale casual, date-night kind of place,” he says. “We serve seafood, steaks and pasta and it’s pretty well impossible to get a reservation right now.”

He has seven tables on a small patio and has another six tables or so available for indoor dining.

“I think we’re filling a niche in the Amherstburg dining scene and we’ve had mostly couples in for dinner so far,” adds Lafontaine. “‘Open Air Weekends’ has been a huge help because it creates a festive atmosphere and it has drawn a lot of people to our downtown.”

But, it’s not just about patios and shopping opportunities.

On Sunday during “Open Air Weekends” from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., there is free yoga in King’s Navy Yard Park with limits on the amount of people who can participate based on outdoor gathering regulations at the time. Plus, there is also a mural-painting display by local artists Dylan and Dennis White who invite the public to come and view the transformation on the walls of the Privy building in Navy Yard Park.

Rota says that Amherstburg is also planning to stage another “Uncommon Fest” on September 25 and 26, 2021 providing provincial restrictions allow higher numbers of spectators to attend.

“Obviously, it’s more fun with crowds and spectators having a good time,” Rota states.

“We’re doing some back-end planning right now so that if the restrictions are eased, we will be ready to go.”

The festival, which was cancelled last year because of COVID-19 lockdowns, features 19th century fashion along with mechanical, mystical and fantasy themes built around art, music, dance, wizardry and STEM-based activities for the entire family.

The Kings Navy Yard Park, Toddy Jones Park and downtown Amherstburg will showcase magicians, live performances, a spectacular aerial display and a unique festival experience.

For more information, check out: VisitAmherstburg.ca and follow links to “Open Air Weekends” and “Uncommon Festival”.

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Kingsville’s “Open Streets” A similar celebration is returning to Main Street and Division Street for downtown Kingsville’s “Open Streets” event where portions of the roadway will be closed to traffic on Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. until September 11, 2021.

“It’s critical for our businesses to give them all an opportunity to expand their space and welcome more people to their restaurants,” says Karen Loney, The Town of Kingsville’s Manager of Recreation Programs, Special Events and Tourism. “It’s also an opportunity to create awareness of what we have to offer in Kingsville.”

Among the participating restaurants and businesses are: Banded Goose Brewing Company (15 Main Street East); The Main Grill and Ale House (24 Main Street West); Elite Restaurant (20-22 Main Street West); Kingsville Brewery Taphouse (15 Main Street West); El Diablo (16 Main Street West); The Grove Brew House (12 Main Street East); O’Sarracino’s (31 Main Street West); Jack’s Gastropub and Inn 31 (31 Division Street South).

“We’re fortunate to have a patio in front of our restaurant, which is allowing us to participate again this year,” states Heather Brown who co-owns The Main Grill and Ale House with Tom Soutars. “It’s wonderful to see people out again and enjoying a little bit of life, after a long 16 months.”

Brown mentions that The Main was able to stay open and offer takeout meals through the pandemic “thanks to an incredibly gracious and caring community.”

For more information on “Open Streets,” refer to: Kingsville.ca.

Time To Cruise Whether you travel by car, motorcycle, ebike, or bicycle, take a few hours (or days if time permits) this summer and cruise on over to some of the many restaurants and businesses that have survived the pandemic and are ready to tempt you once again with the sights, sounds and tastes of Essex County.

Amherstburg’s Downtown Espresso Café is a popular early morning stop for cyclists. The town also has designated bike parking, making it easy to bike, park and get to all the businesses in the downtown area.

Photo courtesy of the Town of Amherstburg.

SPECIAL COUNTY SECTION THE MARRIAGE MARKET

Enchanting, Rustic Private Wedding Venue Opens In Essex N

By Joe McParland

o sooner had the June 2021 issue of Biz X magazine hit the streets — with a story entitled: “Tying The Knot In Windsor And Essex County During A Global Pandemic” in the “Have A Cup Of Joe With Joe” column — did we discover another new and exciting spot for weddings was just opening up as well.

And the author of this article was to be the wedding officiant at their first ceremony on June 12, 2021 joining Ryan and Alexandria Stevenson together in marriage!

The tented ceremony and reception area in the verdant forest at Wedding in the Woods. Photos courtesy of Zack Berjawi/Element Photography.

Wedding in the Woods, 1241 South Malden Road in Essex, is neatly nestled between Sutton Creek Golf Club and Muscedere Vineyards. This secluded 30 acres of densely wooded property is the site of the former Chelsea Spa & Retreat.

The two principals of the new venue are brothers Jordan and Joshua Goure, who are no strangers to the business world in Windsor Essex.

Former owners of The Pour House Pub on Chatham Street West, from 2008 to 2013, and since 2014, also the owners of BREW Microbrewery, 635 University Avenue East (BrewWindsor.com). After a six year effort their popular Maple Beer is now on the shelves of LCBO locations across Ontario.

The head of BREW Manufacturing and Bar Management is Bronson Goodfellow.

So how did the wedding venue come to life?

It all began when Jordan needed a place to get married on Labour Day 2018.

“My wife and I were looking for a private outdoor venue with an intimate, rural and rustic vibe, for the wedding experience,” he recounts. “What we realized was that there were many hall venues and plenty of wineries available, but nothing like what we were looking for.”

They decided to use his own 15 acre woodlot property in Amherstburg, and transformed it into a magical space that wowed all the attendees. As a result of the positive feedback from guests, he allowed eight of his friends to use the space for their upcoming weddings, during the remaining months of 2018.

As more requests continued to pour in through early 2019 to use their property for weddings, the Goure brothers realized they had come up with a winning concept.

However, they wanted (needed) more space, so they purchased the 30 acre wooded property on South Malden Road in Essex.

The property now features a vineyard, a 3,000 square foot winery, which produces their signature VIN wedding wines — a Pinot Grigio and a Cabernet Sauvignon. A retail shop for their wine on the property is set to open mid to late July.

There are two Airbnb style rustic cottages.

“The Woodhaven” with sleeping capacity for six, and a smaller contemporary rustic farmhouse bridal cottage for two (with a king sized bed).

Further into the property is the main wedding ceremony and reception area, surrounded by the massive forest trees.

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Pictured at the first wedding ceremony held at Wedding in the Woods, from left are: Joe McParland (Wedding Officiant); Co-owner Joshua Goure (holding a bottle of their signature VIN wedding wines); the happy couple, Ryan and Alexandria Stevenson; Wedding Coordinator Alex Clarke, and Co-owner Jordan Goure.

It has a 5,000 square foot floor foundation with a custom designed (in Ontario) semipermanent framed tent with a clear plastic roof, allowing for romantic dancing under the stars at night. This ceremony and food/drink reception space has a capacity of 220.

The use of Wedding in the Woods is presented only as a weekend package. The brothers stress: “We are offering couples and their guests a total weekend expense without the worries of clean-up afterwards.”

Couples and their guests have use of the property, cottages, walking trails, wedding ceremony locations, and assistance from an in-house Wedding Coordinator, Alex Clarke.

Couples can choose their own decorators, florists, officiant, DJ or live musicians, and food service providers — outside caterers and food trucks like Butchers on The Block, owned by Andrea Brule and Brian John, preferred vendor partners. (Note: Their deepfried Mac n’ Cheese is to kill for! See a menu online at: ButchersOnTheBlock.com).

If you are getting married in the future and want an intimate and rustic experience, be sure to book with them as soon as possible.

As Jordan informs us: “We are already booked solid through 2022 and now taking reservations for 2023.”

Get the contact details you require by logging on to: WeddingInTheWoods.ca.

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SPECIAL COUNTY SECTION FROM THE BOOKSHELF

“The Medicine Bag”

A historical fiction story of four women living in Amherstburg around 1850

“We soon settle ourselves on the blanket Hester has spread out on the ground. Several officers from the fort ride slowly by on horses. They nod and I wonder what they think of us. A woman of the upper class, a woman of colour, a servant woman, and myself a Métis.”

These few lines, taken from a new historical fiction by Mary Anne Adam entitled “The Medicine Bag,” encompass this story of four women living in Amherstburg around 1850.

The front cover artwork courtesy of Jude Quick.

“I’m not sure how I came up with the idea,” says Adam. “Perhaps it was when I was taking a break from yard work a few years ago and saw a tall ship coming up the Detroit River. I stopped, looked at it and wondered who had been standing here on this same land, beside the same river, under the same sun, when the original tall ships came by this way so many years ago?”

Thus, began years of research into original property owners, the history of Anderdon and Amherstburg and the 200

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year old Belle Vue House on Dalhousie Street, now a national historic site, and a key part of the story (refer to: BelleVueConservancy.com).

The land was once part of the Huron Reserve, designated for those of the Huron-Wendat nation who at one time were free to live where they wished.

As the British, Irish and French population grew in Amherstburg, the Wendat were moved further and further away from the town.

The story of the medicine bag is narrated by Maketah, a Métis medicine woman.

The contents and significance of her medicine bag weave throughout the story and the reader is introduced to Hester, an enslaved woman who leaves the south with her two children to make the treacherous journey to Amherstburg and freedom; Mary, an Irish immigrant whose heart-wrenching journey to escape the potato famine on a schooner from County Cork, Ireland to Montreal, is described in detail; and Catherine of Belle Vue, a woman of great wealth and social position.

“Each of the women experience tremendous loss and sorrow, but remain resilient, determined and thus able to form a strong bond despite the differences in their culture and social status,” comments Adam. “The medicine bag brings them together. It’s an enduring story.”

“The Medicine Bag” is available for purchase at: The River Bookshop (67 Richmond Street, Amherstburg or on their website: RiverBookshop.com);

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In mid-May 2021, Mary Anne Adam released her historical fiction book about four women from different cultures: a woman of social status, an enslaved woman from the south, a servant woman, and a Métis medicine woman, who bond together for one common purpose. The story also revolves around the Belle Vue National Historic Site in Amherstburg. Photo courtesy of the author.

Biblioasis (1520 Wyandotte Street East, Windsor or online at: BiblioasisBookshop.com); the Campus Bookstore, University of Windsor (CAW Student Centre, Lower Level, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor or online at: Uwindsor.ca/bookstore) and the Amherstburg Freedom Museum, 277 King Street (online only at: AmherstburgFreedom.org by clicking “Gift Shop” for curbside pickup).

If you wish to contact the author, please go to the social media page: Facebook.com /MedicineBagAmherstburg.

SPECIAL COUNTY SECTION Story And Photo By Julianna Bonnett

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

PROFILING LOCAL WOMEN AT WORK

Kaitlyn Nussio . . .

S

Her Hand Rocks The Cradle

ince March 2019, Kaitlyn Nussio, the Owner and Operator of Rock-A-Bye Baby Boutique, has provided a local shopping option for her community by selling essential baby needs, including clothing, nursery décor, strollers, baby accessories and more.

The inspiration behind opening up the business, located at 48 Talbot Street North in Essex, was simple. Nussio always wanted to become an entrepreneur.

“I always dreamed of owning my own business and while off on maternity leave with my daughter (in 2018), I put a lot of thought into what I really wanted to do and what would really work for my family,” she recalls.

Before opening up her own boutique, Nussio attended St. Clair College and enrolled in the Personal Support Worker (PSW) program. She then worked as a PSW for nine years in long-term care, a hospital, and in a memory care unit.

From there she moved into the automotive industry working in the Human Resources department. Then, after her maternity leave, she finally took the plunge to become a business owner.

One of the big reasons why she was able to do this is because of the constant support from her family.

“I’m very close with my family and couldn’t have opened my shop without them,” she expresses. “There were late nights spent renovating, with my husband and my dad putting in a ton of effort to make this happen for me. My mom, sister, and in-laws all help out to make everything come together . . . it really does take a village.”

While being committed to creating an environment where parents can find the latest and greatest baby attire, Rock-A-Bye offers a one-on-one type of registry service that helps customers find the perfect products and brands to suit their needs.

According to Nussio: “It’s always nice to have a shop in your home town or close by so you do not have to drive a great distance to pick something up. I also offer brands that are not available anywhere else in Windsor Essex, so this gives customers a reason to shop with us.”

During the pandemic, her boutique continued to offer its services in a reliable and easy way.

“There have been obstacles to work through as everyone has had to navigate a different way of life,” she comments. “By being open

Kaitlyn Nussio turned her dream of owning a business into a reality with the birth of Rock-A-Bye Baby Boutique in her home town of Essex. To her: “It’s my baby. I put so much work and pride into my business and have created a place and atmosphere customers feel comfortable to shop in.”

minded and keeping a positive attitude, I have been able to keep my business thriving.”

How you ask?

Nussio replies: “From offering delivery and driving hours and hours each day to get customers their goods, to offering curbside pickup, changing store hours and having lots of patience, I was able to maintain my business. It definitely has not been easy with delayed shipping, supply shortages etc., but our customers are always understanding and patient.”

After the last lockdown, when Windsor moved to Step One of the reopening plan for Ontario in June, Rock-A-Bye Baby Boutique had reduced store hours and curbside pickup options, but stopped its delivery service.

With business re-openings now in Step Three, the shop’s hours have returned to normal. (Tuesday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday).

For more information on her boutique, products available and the hours of operation, check out: RockaByeBabyBoutique.ca.

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SPECIAL COUNTY SECTION NEW IN BIZ

Atlas Raw Delivers Top Quality Dog Food Right To Your Front Door

By David Clark

W

ith good nutrition, for your favourite furry friend, being their number one priority, a new raw dog food purveyor has introduced a state-of-the-art website and online order system, as of June 2020.

Atlas Raw offers an efficient way to feed your dog with a subscription-based model that’s easy to use for home delivery or a pickup order. Their products are 100% natural, raw dog food with human-grade ingredients.

Anthony Bastien, Owner of Atlas Raw, may be tempting his canine companion with dinner, but he knows a raw food diet is just one of the many benefits in making sure his dog has a long and healthy life.

“Our website: AtlasRaw.ca is the pointof-sale for our brand,” states Owner and Operator, Anthony Bastien who is based in Amherstburg. “Since our business is mainly online and we deliver no contact raw food, we have not had to change the way our business operates when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we still wear masks, wash our hands and use antibacterial hand cleaner, to be safe.”

Regarding online ordering, you can use the standard add to cart method or their helpful raw feeding order assistant, to help you calculate the exact cost and the amount of food your dog needs each month.

“We decided to take our passion for a healthier lifestyle for your dog, through the raw diet, and combine it with the ease of ordering online and to your door safe delivery,” says Bastien. “We also have the added convenience of notifications (for those with subscriptions) when you’re running low, making it easy to manage your dog’s feeding habits.”

Delivery customers have the opportunity for contactless delivery on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. For pick-up orders, he will arrange a day and time with each customer to receive the food.

As for the actual products, Bastien mentions: “With the main dog food products,

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there are Ultra and Prey Blends. The Ultra Blends are closer to the traditional BARF method on feeding and include vegetables, premium oils, oyster shells and kelp. The Prey Blends are small prey animals with muscle meat, organs and bones. They include green tripe as a staple ingredient — a super food for dogs.”

With several Ultra Blends to choose from, one in particular is the Ultra Kangaroo, a great protein alternative for dogs with severe food allergies. It’s low in fat and packed with B vitamins, iron and zinc and is also high in Omega-3.

The Ultra Turkey is easily digestible poultry, high in amino acids and a rich source of iron, zinc, phosphorus, potassium and B vitamins. It’s an alternative for dogs with allergies or needing to lose weight.

With the Prey, the Chicken is an excellent staple protein, providing Omega-6 fatty acids. A good source of glucosamine and amino acids, making it ideal for bone health and lean supporting muscle tissue.

Other Prey Blends, including the Rabbit, are low in cholesterol and ideal for bone and joint health.

A sampling of Atlas Raw’s best comes with top notch meat and vegetable products.

Photos courtesy of Anthony Bastien.

In addition, since raw-fed dogs require added minerals and nutrients, Bastien also sells additives to help serve a holistic approach to healthy fuel for the canine body.

Items like Grass Fed Beef Bone Broth and more can be purchased.

And let’s not forget about the treats!

Natural raw healthy bones are great for your dog’s teeth and help supplement bone intake and the website lists a number of choices available for purchase.

Interested in getting more details?

Customers can receive a newsletter for new product updates, restocked inventory and see what’s going on in general on the website mentioned at the start of this article and also on: Facebook.com/AtlasRaw.

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GOOD NEWS

Against All The Odds, Visitors And Staycationers Have A New Destination in Lakeshore/Tecumseh

By Matthew St. Amand

T

he jewel of Essex County hotels had a silent opening on April 28 of this year.

Now that the pandemic-imposed “stay at home” order has been lifted in the province of Ontario, let the opening be silent no more and this good news shared with all!

Owned by Petcon Hospitality Group Inc. (headed by builder and entrepreneur, Davide Petretta) and managed by Crescent Hotels and Resorts under a license agreement with IHG (Intercontinental Hotel Group) Hotels and Resorts, the 105-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites Windsor East — Lakeshore is located at 14 Amy Croft Drive.

And they have hit the ground running!

“We’re partnering with a number of businesses in the area, creating packages and unique experiences for our guests,” explains General Manager Stacy King.

“The hotel is located in a great area, within walking distance of every type of service our guests would need: restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, barber shop, banking and more. We offer free parking and charging stations for electric vehicles.”

Director of Sales/Assistant General Manager, Heather Nantau adds: “We have reached out to Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, focusing on driving leisure travel. We have built five amazing packages to draw people to Lakeshore and to experience our area — not just out of town travellers, but also for ‘staycations’ locally. We are partnering with Urban Surf, Estetica Day Spa, and Grape Vine Tours, which is a VIP service that will take guests on tours of local wineries and breweries.”

The hotel is a destination in and of itself with an indoor heated swimming pool, a 24-hour fitness centre, a 24-hour business centre, Express Market and free “Express Start” breakfast offering a

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Stacy King (left), General Manager and Heather Nantau, Assistant General Manager/Director of Sales, show off the breakfast table complete with all the high-tech gadgetry for the well connected traveller at the new Holiday Inn Express & Suites, located at the corner of Manning and EC Row Expressway. Photo by Rod Denis.

selection of hearty, fresh and hot options.

There is 984 square feet of meeting space with natural light, which comfortably accommodates up to 75 people.

The Holiday Inn Express lives up to its motto “Simple, Smart, Travel” through the brand’s “Formula Blue” which provides a spacious, comfortable, and stylish design that delivers on the guest’s need for a productive stay, good night’s sleep, and a clean guest room.

“Our guest rooms have electrical outlets and USB ports readily accessible for all the devices we have to plug in,” Nantau lists.

“Guests will notice there is more convenient storage space. The IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group, owner of the Holiday Inn brand) beds offer pillow selection of firm or

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soft and the headboards are sound reducing to ensure a good night’s sleep. The fridge and microwave are strategically placed in a cubby away from the bed and the bathrooms are equipped with our stay smart shower head, which provides revitalizing massage and wide spray.”

King points out: “There is also lots of open space and separate sitting areas in our main lobby, perfect for social distancing.

This includes a community table with builtin wired and wireless charging stations.”

But that’s not all!

This Holiday Inn Express is committed to the IHG Clean Promise. All guest rooms are deep cleaned upon checkout and high touch areas are cleaned every hour with medical grade cleaners in all common areas.

The hotel team looks forward to welcoming you, your family, friends and business associates this summer.

Photo courtesy of the hotel.

“Our guests are impressed with the attention to detail and high level of cleanliness that we portray in all areas of our hotel,” says King. She continues by stating: “Built and owned locally and backed by the workmanship and reputation of Petretta Construction, you can rest assured to see and feel the quality of this beautiful property. Not a single detail was overlooked.”

Established in 1985, Petretta Construction

Inc. specializes in the design and build of commercial and industrial construction.

Their key personnel have been successfully active in the construction industry for more than four decades and are well respected in the community.

“Neighbours who live nearby the property have watched the progress of the hotel since ground-breaking, and are excited to book their friends and family when visiting the area,” comments Nantau.

The new IHG Holiday Inn Express brand’s “Formula Blue” design is waiting for you! The rooms are an appealing combination of fresh, energetic, and engaging elements, creating a distinctive style that is evident at every touch point of the Holiday Inn Express brand experience. Photo courtesy of the hotel.

For more information on this new hotel, visit their social media page at: Facebook.com/HIELakeshore or their website: HIElakeshore.com.

The following local businesses and organizations are pleased to partner with the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Windsor East — Lakeshore to create packages and unique experiences for hotel guests. The Hotel looks forward to working with them and many others located in their commercial district to promote our region.

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THE PARENTING BIZ

How To Keep The Kids Busy This

Summer Vacation

Don’t forget, mom and dad need a break too!

N

Feature Story By Jim Murphy

ow that COVID-19 restrictions are starting to relax as more and more people get vaccinated, it’s finally time for kids to get out and have some fun. And while they are doing so, perhaps parents can get a few hours to themselves as well!

With many children staring at computers all day long, due to remote learning for this past school year, followed by even more screen time playing video games online with friends, kids need to turn off all devices for as long as possible.

Socializing with others in person, breathing in fresh air, exercising and getting vitamin D from the sun (safely of course) is essential for good physical and mental health.

Whether your kids are into mini-golf, swimming, horseback riding or anything else, we suggest some cool things to do in July and August before the school bell rings again in September. So get ready to read about some great ways to keep your child’s mind and body stimulated, with interesting activities!

Spend Time On A Saddle At Lazee G Ranch

For more than 25 years, Lazee G Ranch has shared their love of horses and providing horse-related programs for people in the Windsor and Essex County region.

“We believe that anyone interested in riding should have a safe and educational atmosphere to visit and learn,” says Brenda Gagnon, Owner of Lazee G Ranch, with 25 plus years of experience working with and training horses. “A barn can be so much more than a place to ride. It can be a place to laugh, learn and get away from the stress of your world.”

Located at 9039 Baseline Road in Maidstone, they offer horse riding lessons, camps, public horse shows, parties, events, tours and Cowboy’s Ice Cream Parlor.

Like many businesses during COVID-19 lockdowns, Lazee G Ranch and their staff of four were forced to make some adjustments.

“We closed our doors when we were asked

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Brenda Gagnon, Owner of the Lazee G Ranch is a professional Horse Instructor and Coach. Here she is photographed teaching six year old Abigail Colletti a Western Riding Technique on “Thunder Pants,” a 15 year old Miniature American Painted horse. Photo by Rod Denis.

to and waited patiently to re-open,” Gagnon states. “We kept our horses exercised and in good mental and physical shape, limited staff, closed and cleaned everything, posted signs and had regular monitoring of animals and staff.”

Due to the ongoing pandemic, they are only running a small lesson program this summer for those aged four and up.

“We are hoping to have a limited summer horse camp program also,” indicates Gagnon.

“We have had to offer smaller programs with limited clients due to the restrictions.”

For more information, log on to their website: LazeeGRanch.ca.

Get In The Nature Of Things With MESSS Makers

Launching for the first time this summer, MESSS Makers is a daily program offered Monday to Friday, from June 28 to August 27, to help children between the ages of five B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

and 10 develop emotional intelligence skills.

Located at 804 Lesperance Road in Tecumseh, the program utilizes play and therapy-based approaches and emphasizes self-love to encourage the development of internal Motivation, Empathy, SelfAwareness, Self-Regulation and Social Skills (MESSS).

“It makes me genuinely happy to enhance people’s lives in as many ways as possible,” expresses Amber Raymond, Owner and Operator of MESSS Makers. “My passion for MESSS Makers stems from my desire to help others learn the skills I wish I had known as a kid.”

Personal struggles in her early 20s, led Raymond to seek a career in social work where she learned to help others overcome challenges in life.

“I started my education in social work about five years ago, but it wasn’t until

THE PARENTING BIZ

Amber Raymond, Owner of MESSS Makers, gets back to nature at Jackson Park in Windsor. Her daily program for children utilizes play and therapy-based approaches and focuses on spending time outdoors.

Photo courtesy of Stephanie A. Photographie.

my BSW placement at The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County that I realized how much I loved working with children,” Raymond tells Biz X. “About a year ago, I felt overwhelmed struggling to self-regulate amid constant stress from school, mom-life challenges and just general life challenges as well.”

That is when a friend encouraged her to join the Self-Care Society, which launched her journey of self-discovery and unconditional self-love.

“Finding myself required a lot of self-care practices, which ultimately turned into a profound growth in self-awareness,” Raymond says. “It didn’t take long to realize that being self-aware allowed me to self-regulate and be intentional with everything I do.”

After completing her MSW in May, Raymond opened MESSS Makers in order to share her knowledge with others so they can live happy, fulfilled lives too!

“In light of the pandemic this year, I am offering the program outdoors to increase safety for everyone involved, and on a smaller scale, MESSS Makers only requires myself and two junior apprentices to run it,” she states. “Watching my nine year old son and loved ones struggle emotionally with the restrictions of the pandemic, really sparked urgency in me to help those around me overcome this hurdle.”

Compared to other childcare programs, MESSS Makers focuses more on emotional intelligence skills rather than intellectual ones.

“Don’t get me wrong, I genuinely believe that intelligence is vital to success in life,” Raymond explains. “But right now, with all the trauma we’re experiencing with the pandemic, all of society needs that little extra attention on mental health.”

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The daily program is filled with fun crafts and activities, turned into learning opportunities. The day is organized so children have lots of time to explore nature and blow off steam, as well as time relaxing independently and expressing themselves creatively. Activities include: scavenger hunts, outdoor water play, relay races, craft making and completing random acts of kindness in the community.

To learn more about this new biz go to: MesssMakers.com.

Make Beautiful Music With Featherstone Music & Performing Arts Company

Located at 628 Monmouth Road, Studio #6, Featherstone Music & Performing Arts Company offers to everyone aged five and up, pop/rock piano and vocal fusion lessons, traditional piano lessons, contemporary piano lessons and contemporary vocal lessons.

Featherstone is the first music school in southern Ontario with a “Rockschool” examination curriculum — a program like the Royal Conservatory of Music, but with contemporary repertoire selections.

“I cannot imagine my life without making and sharing music every day,” states Ava Ducharme, Owner of Featherstone Music & Performing Arts Company. “My musical journey began at age five with my first

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THE PARENTING BIZ piano lesson and I began teaching private piano and voice lessons in Windsor when I was 15.”

However, it wasn’t until she graduated high school and went into nursing that she discovered how strong her passion for music was.

“I was in a clinical placement at an assisted living home that had a piano in the lounge,” Ducharme says. “I hopped on to play one day for the residents and their visiting families.

Their smiles and the way they were clapping and tapping along made me realize that with music I could still follow a passion and career that helps people.”

Ducharme enrolled in the music program at the University of Toronto and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music, in 2017. After graduating, she taught piano and voice lessons at top-rated music schools in the GTA. After gaining this experience in Toronto, she moved back to Windsor and opened Featherstone in September 2019.

During the pandemic, Featherstone has been offering online music lessons, on-andoff with the lockdowns. When lessons are held in the studio they follow strict health and safety measures, such as hand sanitization, mandatory masks, plexiglass between student and teacher, and longer gaps between lessons to ensure all equipment can be sanitized.

Ava Ducharme, Owner of Featherstone Music and Performing Arts Academy is ready to strike a chord in your child’s life. Photo courtesy of Ava Ducharme.

Featherstone is always accepting new students, so if you’re interested, contact Ducharme via: FeatherstoneCompany.com.

Be On Cloud Divine With A Slumber Party

Based in south Windsor, On Cloud Divine is the only business in the region to specialize in slumber party events.

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“We are a one-stop-shop for fun and unique celebrations at home,” comments the mother and daughter team of Maria Sequeira and Laura Belanger, Owners of On Cloud Divine.

The pair always wanted to create a business together, and in the summer of 2020 they began to brainstorm ideas that collaborated their strengths — Belanger with event planning and Sequeira with crafting and sewing. Then in October 2020, On Cloud Divine was born.

Belanger is a lover of all things involving party planning, and she goes all out for events for her family, friends and their clients..

Now with three kids of her own, her passion is making a child’s birthday or celebration a memorable event.

Sequeira is a busy grandmother to six grandchildren, and her creativity with sewing and crafting has always brought that unique and special touch to every event.

Their service includes DIY spa tables, luxe dining tables and balloon garlands. Due to the pandemic, they began to offer outdoor events, such as outdoor bell tent settings and an outdoor movie theatre.

“Our slumber party tents are our most sought-after service,” Sequeira and Belanger say. “They include individual wood tents, complete with air mattresses, linens,

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THE PARENTING BIZ pillows and matching décor to a variety of colours and themes with custom themes available. Our bell tent can be used as a chic lounge, dining area or slumber space.”

Keep in mind, these parties aren’t just for children . . . they are fun for teens and adults of all ages!

As their business involves going into residential homes, Sequeira and Belanger take COVID-19 very seriously. Their number one priority is keeping their clients and community safe.

They always follow provincial COVID-19 restrictions, which required them to take a long hiatus during the lockdown.

“Now that we are back, we wear disposable booties in clients’ homes as well as a mask around all clients,” they stress. “We also ask clients to kindly wear a mask around us. We launder all linens, sanitize all surfaces after each event and offer disinfectant fogging of the event space after setup free of charge.”

For further details, or to book an event, visit their social media page on: Facebook.com/OnCloudDivine.

Experience Mobile Mini-Golf With Golf Indigo

Did you know mobile mini-golf was a thing?

Golf Indigo offers unique and interesting mobile mini-golf options, such as classic

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Pictured is a slumber party tent setup for a client by On Cloud Divine, featuring an outdoor bell tent, balloon garland, linens, pillows and matching décor. Photo courtesy of Laura Belanger.

nine-hole, LED light-up golf for night time and bubble soccer — a mix of bumper cars and soccer! Their courses are transported by trailer and can be set up to suit a variety of spaces and configurations.

“I can’t say that we are completely rebuilding the wheel here, but in terms of competition, I do believe we sit in our own category,” believes Mike McCallum, Owner of Golf Indigo since it opened in spring 2018. “I have a ton of respect for many of the other party rental businesses who have been around for years, but I have little interest in following their lead. Golf Indigo will continue to reinvent itself and its services,

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as the games we play today will look very different even two years from now!”

McCallum and his crew of two to three trusted employees are always looking to offer services that provide the “whoa, that’s cool” factor.

“We like to turn heads,” says McCallum.

“I hear the phrase: ‘I didn’t know mobile golf was a thing,’ frequently. We specialize in the unconventional side of the party rental market.”

Before opening Golf Indigo, McCallum started in the entertainment biz as an audio engineer, doing mostly theatre gigs before working at Polaris Studios in Ford City.

THE PARENTING BIZ

The Owner of Golf Indigo, Mike McCallum snaps a selfie in front of his nine hole LED mini-golf course setup, at a past Leamington “Night Market” event. Photo courtesy of Mike McCallum.

However, his real calling was for live entertainment.

So, he moved back to concerts and ended up touring North America and Europe, mixing live bands and artists. He also worked closely with local production companies such as Marz Media, Showtime Production and Atkins Event Productions, for most of that time.

“I’ve always been immensely passionate about the entertainment environment and its ability to create a space for people to escape to from the rest of the world,” states McCallum. “Golf Indigo has been an extension of everything I was doing in events beforehand. As a party delivery business, we bring our games to whatever event space or back yard we are called to; and I like to think that we bring this kind of environment wherever we go.”

As a result of the pandemic, McCallum put precautions in place to help keep players safe, such as frequent sanitization of equipment, smaller groupings for players on the course and increased equipment spacing.

“People are definitely eager to get out and play, but there will be a note of caution in the event space moving forward,” McCallum tells Biz X. “COVID-19 has required us to rethink some of our packages and practices

and effortlessly,” states Stulic. “The materials in the environment that facilitate learning are set up from easiest to hardest, from concrete to abstract, from left to right and from top to bottom, so the children are learning with understanding and are not simply memorizing information teachers are giving them.”

During the pandemic, the 12 to 15 dedicated educators at Montessori Academy of Windsor took all the necessary provincially mandated precautions to provide a safe and healthy environment.

to better suit the post-pandemic environment.

Safer practices with an increased focus on efficiency is something we will carry with us, for the future.”

For further information on this company, check: GolfIndigo.com.

Make New Friends At Montessori Academy Of Windsor Private School

Since 2004, the strong, passionate and experienced teachers at Montessori Academy of Windsor understand that each child requires an individualized education that best suits them and their academic and psychological needs.

“We follow the child and give them individual lessons on a daily basis to meet the child’s needs,” says Dushanka Stulic, Director and Principal of Montessori Academy of Windsor. “Every child is special and unique, and each one learns in a different way and at a different pace.”

Their classrooms are scientifically designed to meet the developmental needs of each child in every stage of life, allowing children to move freely through the environment, choosing activities that interest them.

“The beauty of the Montessori environment is the way it invites children to learn easily

Parenting can be hard - this past year has made it even harder.

Dushanka Stulic, Director and Principal of Montessori Academy of Windsor Private School is offering fun and exciting camps this summer so children can make new friends, learn new skills and explore a wide variety of stimulating activities. Photo courtesy of Dushanka Stulic.

Their summer program offers a completely unique combo of fun and learning for children from infants up to grade eight. It features an air-conditioned environment, exploration of nature, organized outdoor sports, ‘Go and Grow Kid Fit,’ brain gym, hands-on activities, environmental themes, culinary delight, language and math, art workshops, music/dance class, robotics and science.

Ask us about our parenting study.

We have solutions that can help you.

519-250-1850 info@children-first.ca children-first.ca

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THE PARENTING BIZ There are plenty of choices in the nine week camp program, ranging from a full day to half day, or a full week. Camps began July 5 and run to September 3, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

The school is located at 1775 Sprucewood Avenue in LaSalle. If you require more information about the Montessori Academy of Windsor, visit their website: MontessoriAcademy.ca.

Get Active At The Town Of LaSalle

Although the inside recreation amenities at the Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex (located at 2121 Laurier Parkway in LaSalle) remain closed due to pandemic restrictions at the time of writing, the Town of LaSalle is offering a variety of one-hour outdoor recreation programs, at the complex this summer, for kids ages six to 12.

Each of these activities is being offered free of charge, thanks to funding provided by Pathway to Potential and Windsor-Essex Communities in-motion.

“Each day our team has exciting activities for the group, including active and quiet games, sports, songs and crafts, along with several special guest appearances throughout the summer,” says Scott Bisson, Manager of Culture and Recreation at the Town of LaSalle. “The ‘Parks Power Hour’ takes place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.”

If you're someone who loves to swim, the LaSalle Outdoor Pool — located at 1200 Front Road — is open all summer long to the public.

“We are also pleased to announce the return of lifeguarding and aquatic leadership classes to the Town of LaSalle,” comments Bisson. “If you are interested in becoming a future lifeguard, you can sign up for one of the upcoming sessions of the Bronze Cross being offered as a blended learning class. Candidates will complete their classroom portion over zoom and their in-water component at the LaSalle Outdoor Pool.”

All programs offered this summer are in accordance with public health guidelines, and participants will be required to follow those guidelines while participating. Space is limited due to COVID-19 restrictions, and registration of all activities must be done in advance by calling the Town between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday or connecting with them online at: LaSalleActive.ca.

At Play With The Town Of Essex — Community Services

The Town of Essex — Community Services Department provides a wide range of recreational programs and services to meet a variety of needs and to promote healthy and active living for people of all ages and abilities.

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THE PARENTING BIZ

Cynthia Cakebread, Manager of Recreation and Culture at the Town of Essex — Community Services, is shown inside the Essex Recreation Complex, 242 Talbot Street North in Essex. Photo courtesy of Jason Jolicoeur.

Operating out of several Town of Essex recreation complexes throughout the community since 1999, they offer swimming lessons, art programs, music lessons, sports and interactive play, virtual programming, games, birthday parties, arts, crafts, fitness, leadership training, first aid and special events.

“We work while others play,” says Cynthia Cakebread, Manager of Recreation and Culture at Town of Essex — Community Services. “It’s great to be involved in recreation, creating fun and cool things to do —it’s something new all the time. Working with all ages and seeing people engaged and

enjoying what we do keeps us on our toes to keep looking for new and fun ways to get people active.”

Their 20 to 65 (depending on the year and programs being offered) HIGH FIVE accredited staff specialize in progressive and creative programming, overall attention to detail and community interest.

As things begin to open back up this summer, keeping the community safe remains top of mind.

The Town of Essex — Community Services Department has done extensive evaluations of facility uses, program participation ratios, development of site/program specific guidance documents for all users, daily screenings of all staff and participants, and improved cleaning and sanitation schedules.

“We’ve been very driven from day one of the pandemic, to remain present and necessary to our community for both physical and mental health,” Cakebread points out. “Keeping our participants engaged throughout, whether in person or virtually, has been very successful and has allowed us to expand the quality and content of our catalogue of activities. During every stage, we have adapted what we do to remain the go-to for our community and throughout Essex County.”

To register or to learn more on all that is offered, view: Essex.ca or: EssexConnect.ca.

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Swim Into Summer

With kids ready to dive in with both feet and have a good time this summer, spots for these great events and programs are sure to fill up fast.

Make sure you sign up ASAP for the activities your little ones are interested in so they can have the fun summer vacation they deserve this year . . . and parents get that much needed break as well!

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THE PARENTING BIZ

Take One . . .

New Media Arts Community Centre “Reely” Will Attract All Ages

D

uring a mid-June 2021 virtual press conference, the Windsor Centre for Film, Digital Media and the Creative Arts (2012) announced that it will be receiving $2.1 million from the Canada and Ontario governments for a new Media Arts Community Centre (MACC) for downtown Windsor.

With $970,000 to be matched by private donations and sponsorships, the total community investment is $2.9 million.

Through its WE GROW TALENT campaign, the centre will be offering naming rights for the building, as well as an auditorium, various editing and office suites, production studios, and more.

“The immediate plan is to retrofit the 25,000 sq. ft. facility on Victoria Avenue, long-time home to the Downtown Mission of Windsor,” reports Amanda Gellman, President. “After employing so many aspiring and emerging filmmakers through Film Camp for Kids & Youth, this has become a passion project. Volunteer and community organizations need a helping hand, and this is one where I felt my skills could be put to good use.”

Once the Phase One building renovations are complete, the facility will become the new and permanent home for Film Camp for Kids & Youth (see: FilmCampForKids.com), as well as offer various educational programs and social activities directed to residents of Windsor/Essex, Chatham/Kent, and Sarnia/Lambton.

Phase Two of MACC, which includes a second film studio, a professional music studio, and a 100-seat screening room, will begin once funds are committed.

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Shown is an artist rendering of a teaching space in the new Media Arts Community Centre (MACC), moving to 664 Victoria Avenue in downtown Windsor.

According to Gellman, the Windsor Centre for Film, Digital Media and the Creative Arts will play an essential role in creating new opportunities for southern-Ontario residents interested in creative industries.

“Over the past eight years we have created over 90 FTE (Full Time Equivalent) summer job opportunities for college and university students, as well as youth under 30 years of age,” she indicates. “Most are studying or working to build a career path in videography, communications, journalism, independent filmmaking, graphic design, creative writing, animation, accounting, marketing, social work, and more. By launching this centre, we hope to create local and regional opportunities that will help stop the brain drain to larger urban centres.”

The media arts centre will be renting out,

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on a sliding scale, spaces and equipment to local artists who are in film, music, theatre and more, to help them access training, resources and regional talent.

Gellman also believes the centre will help to foster a new cohort of collaborative creative minds in southern Ontario, and not just amongst the youth.

“I launched a full feature documentary in December 2020 entitled: ‘Aging & HIV: A Story of Resiliency’,” states Gellman.

“It was another passion project, but it was also most definitely a reminder to myself and my peers that filmmaking can offer rewarding opportunities to all ages. The Centre will encourage intergenerational teams to work together on fulfilling projects, where youth and seasoned professionals and retirees can mentor one another.”

For more information or to contact Gellman, visit: WindsorFilmMaking.com.

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THE PARENTING BIZ STORIES TO MAKE YOU SMILE

Windsor Gamer Raises Funds For United Way’s Backpacks Program By Zander Kelly

Pawel Wnek, aka “BushWookee”.

Photo courtesy of Pawel Wnek.

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Pawel Wnek is playing games so local kids can go to school prepared.

Wnek, who goes by “BushWookee” on Facebook Gaming, has been video game streaming and raising money for charities since March 2021.

He has chosen the United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County “Backpacks for Success” program as the cause he would like to support this summer.

With a starting goal of $500, Wnek has exceeded this target by over 500%, raising over $2,500!

Primarily, Wnek plays the first-person shooter game “Escape from Tarkov,” in which players on two teams of paramilitary soldiers battle in a fictional Russian landscape.

“My mother influenced me to help anyone you can if you have the resources to do so,” Wnek notes.

Viewers of his livestreams play a game called “Star Sabotage”. By donating money in the form of “Stars,” players can force Wnek to do things such as throw a grenade that he might have otherwise liked to use later, adding additional challenges and entertainment to his streams and giving his viewers a sense of engagement with the stream and game play.

Wnek was inspired by streamer RonnieFit, who raises money to build computers for Veterans, and Pestily, aka “The Godfather of Tarkov,” who raised $1 million for the Starlight Childrens’ Foundation.

“I decided to reach out to the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board and they passed along the United Way as being a source for what I wanted to raise money for,” explains Wnek. “I spoke with United Way and they mentioned the backpacks for B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

While the back-to-school season is generally an exciting time for many children as they look forward to the year ahead, unfortunately, some children do not have access to the supplies and resources they need for a successful school year. United Way’s “Backpacks for Success” program provides Windsor and Essex County students with backpacks filled with the supplies they need for school. © Can Stock Photo/Neirfy

kids and I knew that’s where I wanted the donation to go.”

The “Backpacks for Success” program raises funds and accepts donations towards getting supplies to students in need, from kindergarten to grade 12.

The goal for 2021 is to fill 1,000 backpacks!

Just $25 can provide one low-income student with a backpack and all the supplies they need to be successful in school!

Backpacks include a calculator, writing utensils and paper, coloured pencils as well as erasers, binders, duotangs, highlighters, rulers, pencil cases and pencil sharpeners.

If you wish to donate to the United Way’s program, you can until August 26, 2021. After this date future donations go to upcoming school years.

Read more information for the program on: WeAreUnited.com/backpacks and keep up to date with Wnek via: Facebook.com/ bushwookee. He's already working on raising more money for next year!

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TECH BY TES

The Importance Of Online Deliveries Post Pandemic

By Vik Lall Since the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way consumers shop, choosing delivery has never been more quick and convenient.

Now you can have pretty much anything delivered right to your door — hot meals, groceries, prescriptions, clothing, and alcohol.

With a delivery option available for just about all of our necessities, and the government simultaneously urging individuals to stay home whenever possible, choosing delivery has become a major trend among consumers across all demographics.

Due to the growing demand, restaurants are quickly getting on board and offering delivery, either privately or through mobile apps, in order to maintain sales. The same is true of breweries, wineries and distilleries.

While many smaller alcohol companies rely on tourism, foot traffic, and the tasting experience to fulfill their sales, reoccurring lockdowns have created a need for alcohol delivery.

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During the pandemic, the amount of delivery apps has more than doubled, allowing local business to use their platforms at a much lower cost, compared to the industry giants. These large delivery corporations may charge restaurant owners up to 30% in fees to use their platform.

Thus, many small start ups offered an alternative to help local businesses deliver their goods.

Local delivery services like DrinksOut, are making it easier for consumers to obtain their favourite alcoholic beverages.

Start ups like this allow business owners in the alcohol industry to tap into this online marketplace and push their products to a larger audience. However, post pandemic, these businesses can still benefit from using local delivery companies, since they offer much lower prices compared to the industry standards.

Alcohol delivery allows customers to access local breweries, wineries and distilleries, as well as the LCBO and The Beer Store,

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simultaneously, for a convenient all-inclusive shopping experience.

While some believe this shift in the food and beverage industry may be temporary, a survey by the National Restaurant Association found that more than 60% of millennials want to use technology to make ordering takeout and delivery more convenient.

In the era of COVID-19, online delivery has evolved into a powerful and necessary way to support local businesses, while remaining safe through contactless options. Though we’re all itching to get back to social life, the convenience of delivery will continue to play a major role in our day-to-day life, long past this pandemic.

Post pandemic, using local deliveries is still a great way for business to reach their consumers via online orders. Whether busy with work, on the go with kids, hosting friends, or just in the mood to stay home — skipping the store and having everything delivered right to your door is a convenience that can’t be beaten!

“Tech Bytes” is powered by WEtech Alliance (WEtech-Alliance.com). The author of the article in this edition, Vik Lall, is a young entrepreneur who has created an online alcohol delivery service, bringing locals their favourite beverages right to their door. Before becoming President of DrinksOut Ltd., he worked as an engineer in logistics. Learn more about his company on: DrinksOut.ca.

portfolio corner

The Roaring 2020s

By Steven Mayo

Let’s dream. The release of pent-up demand to enjoy things such as sports, travel, theatre, and restaurants, is now beginning to happen in Canada and many other countries. Our U.S. neighbours are well on their way to re-opening their economy. I suspect this excitement will last for a couple of years and then we will settle in for a normal stretch of consumerism.

This social explosion has happened before.

After the 1918 Spanish Flu and the end of World War I, the economies started to “roar” in the 1920s.

The 20s was famous for many things. Enjoy the list . . . (Source: Google) For the first time many people owned cars, radios, and vacuums.

The jazz age, flappers, sleeveless dresses and higher hemlines. Scandalous!

Prohibition was introduced (the 18th amendment to the U.S. Constitution). As a

result, many “speakeasies”, unlicensed bars, were created.

Many brand names were introduced, and still enjoyed today, such as: Wonder Bread, Kool-Aid, Welch’s Grape Jelly, Wheaties, Hostess, Popsicles, Velveeta Cheese, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

Other new products included, quick frozen food. Band Aids by Johnson & Johnson, electric blenders, hair dryers, and the electric automatic traffic signal.

Famous people in the 1920s were Henry Ford, Charles Lindbergh, Albert Einstein, Babe Ruth, Al Capone, and Louis Armstrong.

The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gave women the right to vote.

In Canada the right for women to vote came in 1916 provincially, and 1918 federally.

In 1922, Frederick Banting and three

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colleagues at the University of Toronto, created insulin. To this day one of Canada’s proudest moments.

In 1928, at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, Pablum for children was created.

What will be our list of new inventions in the 2020s? I’m sure new medical breakthroughs will continue and more technologies are to come. This may mean “new toys” for us to buy.

The human spirit is alive and well!

Stay positive, test negative, get vaccinated.

The door is opening now to better days and we deserve it! Our do-over of the Roaring Twenties is here.

In closing, consider these two quotes from the 1920s . . .

First from Charlie Chaplin: “A day without laughter is a day wasted.”

Secondly, from F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of “The Great Gatsby”: “The parties were bigger, the pace was faster, the shows were broader, the buildings were higher, the morals were looser, and the liquor was cheaper.”

Steven Mayo is a Vice President, Director, and Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities Inc. (Member — Canadian Investor Protection Fund). This article is not intended as nor does it constitute investment advice. Readers should consult a qualified professional before taking any action based on information in this article.

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HAVE A CUP OF JOE WITH JOE

Motorcycles, Moose & Magic . . .

The Adventure Of A Lifetime

By Joe McParland

A

s we journey through life, we come to realize that most of the people in our life are ordinary people with ordinary life stories.

But, every once in a while, we will encounter a person who may be “ordinary” yet has lived such an extraordinary life that we feel compelled to know everything about his or her life and learn from it for our own self-growth.

Meet Tracey Rogers.

I am sharing with you the gut-wrenching, but mostly heart-soaring, journey of Rogers, as portrayed in her recently published book, “Motorcycles, Moose & Magic — The Ride To Self-Love.”(Note: this is her second book, as in 2011 she self-published “Becoming the Rainbow,” a collection of healing poetry.)

So, what is the meaning behind this unusual title? How do motorcycles, moose and magic factor into a ride to self-love?

Rogers explains the inclusion of the word, Motorcycles in the book title this way: “My voyage to self-love has been a lifelong journey of 48 years that found literary expression through a 12 day motorcycle journey in September 2019. This included my participation in the Women Riders World Relay (WomenRidersWorldRelay.com), an international group of more than 20,000 inspirational women worldwide, dedicated to promote courage, adventure, unity and passion for biking (motorcycling).”

It was during this wonderful northern Ontario journey that Rogers rode “Stella”, her Honda VTX 1300T, and spent hours reflecting on her life story.

As written in the book’s introduction: “Each day on my trip is represented as a part in my story. Within each part I bring you back into my life — back to the places where I was broken, back to the places where I started to heal. Come take a bike ride with me and we’ll take the adventure of a lifetime together.”

Rogers explains that Moose is an essential element of the title as she has “been looking for a moose since 2013, because a moose as a totem animal is a powerful animal guide — a spiritual symbol, which I associate with self-esteem. And my whole journey has been about self-esteem and self-love.”

Luckily, she saw a moose on her

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Tracey Rogers with “Stella”, her Honda VTX 1300T, outside her shop, White Feather Holistic Arts, 1350 Ottawa Street in Windsor. Proudly holding up her book, “Motorcycles, Moose & Magic — The Ride To Self-Love,” she also gives a “Love-you” gesture. Photo by Rod Denis.

motorcycle road trip! As she describes: “It was like the universe finally saying to me ‘you’re there Tracey; you’ve finally got it figured out’.”

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Finally, what does Magic mean in her journey?

Rogers explains, “There’s lots of magic that happens throughout the book. Things happen

that some people would just call coincidence, but there were lots and lots of coincidences that just kept happening repeatedly . . . I’m just an ordinary person who’s had some extraordinary life experiences happen to me — and that is magic.”

Without a doubt, this book is indeed magical!

It weaves together Rogers’ past life experiences with her present-day recovery.

It shows how someone can emerge from an early life trauma and eventually discover redemption and self-love.

Rogers has experienced some of the lowest of the lows and the highest of the highs, in her journey to self-trust and self-love.

Born in 1972, her parents divorced when she was 12 years old. She split her time between living with her father on a farm outside London, Ontario and with her mother in the city.

At age 12, she suffered sexual abuse from a neighbour in her mother’s neighbourhood, abuse which went on for several years, despite charges being pressed and a restraining order in place.

In London, she attempted suicide at age 15. She experienced further abuse and relationship issues with a teacher in 1988 at age 15, while still a minor. At this time, she made new friends and was introduced to the drug culture.

What followed was a train wreck, including marriage at age 19, severe depression and a massive mental breakdown requiring five weeks hospitalization, at age 33.

At age 34 she moved to Toronto and became part of its homeless community living on the streets.

She attempted to leave Toronto by illegally hopping a train out of town.

Eventually she did get on a Greyhound bus and landed in Los Angeles.

But wait, there’s more! This includes more drug use, becoming a Mormon in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and periods of incarceration in California and Arizona.

Ultimately, Rogers was sent packing, back to Canada, by U.S. Immigration officials in 2009.

In 2011, she moved to Windsor, and February 13 marked her last time ever using drugs or alcohol. February 14 became her sobriety birth date.

During my interview with her, she and I laughed over the fact that at age 38 she had finally reached the “Promised Land” — Windsor — a city known for its rehabilitation culture.

On December 6, 2012, at age 40, she opened the doors of her successful business, White Feather Holistic Arts

at 1350 Ottawa Street in Windsor.

As found on: WhiteFeatherArts.com, “When creating White Feather Holistic Arts, Tracey’s vision was to create community — a community committed to finding compassion, kindness, healing, and wellness. Tracey envisioned others finding a safe space to express themselves and to join others on the same path to peace. White Feather Holistic Arts is a collection of the healing modalities that Tracey used in the healing of her own life, and continues to use to maintain balance and peace. Tracey’s goal with White Feather is to offer you a variety of holistic practices, teachings, and items to assist you on your own healing journey.”

In 2018 she received a M1 Motorcycle Licence, and the following year, her Ontario Marriage Licence, and married an amazing man, her husband, Ron. Rogers graduated from the University of Western Ontario with her degree in English Language and Literature in 2012.

In 2013, she appeared on an episode of “Life Story Project” on the Oprah Network, sharing her story of change, recovery, and gratitude.

“Motorcycles, Moose & Magic — The Ride To Self-Love” is a treasure trove of stories and life lessons. The book includes snippets of Rogers’ artwork, jewellery, poetry, select Tarot cards, and photographs.

As written on the book’s back cover: “Rogers is living proof that a life can change with curiosity, courage, faith, spirituality and self-love at the handlebars. Her life story is an inspiration to all those struggling with self-doubt and self-sabotage; to those searching for the courage to forgive and reinvent; and so, to those needing a how-to map of motivation to rewrite their self-love love story.”

In closing, two of my favourite lines from her book are: “Never has there been a greater love story, than the story of learning how to fall in love with you.”

This refers to when Rogers was reflecting on Joan Jett & The Blackhearts’ 1981 cover of the classic song, “Crimson and Clover” with the lyrics . . .

“Ah, now I don’t hardly know her; But I think I could love her.”

“Now this song makes sense; it’s about the woman I’ll meet and fall in love with one day . . . that was 100% right,” she expresses. “I was the woman I’d fall in love with one day.”

To purchase this gem of a book, contact the author at White Feather Holistic Arts or Biblioasis, 1520 Wyandotte Street East in Windsor (BiblioasisBookshop.com) and be prepared for the ride of a lifetime!

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LIFESTYLE MATTERS

Home Safety Efforts Heat Up This Summer Supplied by News Canada

(NC) As many of our homes have transformed into makeshift offices and classrooms and we plan summer staycations, fire safety has become a priority.

With more regular activity in and around the home, the risk of hazardous home incidents, such as fires and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, may also increase.

Whenever you are barbecuing be sure to use long-handled tools to provide plenty of clearance from the heat and flames. And don’t forget to have a fire-extinguishing device on-hand at all times. You never know when an emergency might happen!

Here are the top three tips for you and your family stay safe this summer.

1. Get alarmed. Even if you have alarms, you may not be sufficiently

protected. Safety experts recommend installing smoke and CO alarms on every level and in every bedroom of your home. Test alarms regularly and replace the batteries every six months.

To eliminate the need for battery replacements, upgrade to 10 year sealed battery alarms. But remember that alarms don’t last forever and should be replaced at least every 10 years.

2. Gear up to grill. Before you fire up the barbecue for your next cookout, position it well away from the house on a flat surface and give it a good cleaning to keep grease build-ups from catching fire.

Equip yourself with long-handled tools to provide plenty of clearance from the heat and flames.

Just in case of an emergency, have a fire-extinguishing device on-hand, like First Alert EZ Fire Spray, a compact, lightweight spray can. With no pins to pull or levers to squeeze, it’s easier to handle than traditional fire extinguishers. Just point and spray to quickly put out a developing fire.

3. Make an escape plan. The warm weather makes summer the ideal time to plan and practice a home emergency plan with your entire family.

Identify two exits out of each room, including windows and doors. Set a dedicated meeting spot a safe distance from the house and ensure everyone knows to call 911 only after they are safely outside. Be sure to practice your home escape plan at least twice a year, making drills as realistic as possible.

Learn more home safety tips at: FirstAlert.ca.

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY

ask the experts

Save The Planet And Save Money Doing It

By Dave Halliday

P

erhaps you are considering building from the ground up, or giving your existing residence a major overhaul. One thing is certain, it will be a complex and involved process and as usual it is best left to the professionals.

We hear it all the time: “We must care about the environment; we have to preserve the future of our planet for our children and grandchildren!” It is always said with passion and conviction, but honestly, what have you done to do your part?

Sure, we all pretty much recycle now and with the price of fuel these days we cannot imagine anyone leaving their vehicle idle for any length of time . . . however, what can we really do to diminish our carbon footprint on our planet?

Here is a better question. What can we do to help the environment while also helping our own bottom line? Is that possible?

Could we as Canadians not only help the planet, but also save money carrying out energy conscious renovations and upgrades to our homes? We at Biz X were delighted to discover that the answer is YES! The new Canada Greener Homes Grant is a federal program that will invest $2.6 billion over seven years, to help up to 700,000 Canadian homeowners across the country improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce their energy bills. Homeowners will be able to receive grants of up to $5,000 to make energy-efficient retrofits to their homes and up to $600 to help with the cost of an EnerGuide home energy evaluation.

To discover the finer details of the incentive program, we reached out to the office of

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Homeowners interested in learning more about the Canada Greener Homes Grant can go online (NRCAN. gc.ca/energy-efficiency/homes/canada-greenerhomes-grant/23441) to register, plan and document their progress, including applying for their pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation, choosing from a list of eligible retrofit options, scheduling a post-retrofit evaluation and applying for reimbursement.

Irek Kusmierczyk, Member of Parliament for Windsor ― Tecumseh, for the governmental objectives for this admirable initiative.

Kusmierczyk has a long history of serving local constituents as a former City of Windsor Councillor and he is also the current Parliamentary Secretary of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion. His local community office can be found at 9733 Tecumseh Road East, Suite 2, in Windsor and you can get his email and phone number via the website: IrekMP.ca.

So let’s get all our questions answered now!

What is the Canada Greener Homes Grant? “Climate action starts at home,” declares Kusmierczyk. “We’re launching the Canada Greener Homes Grant so Canadians can lower their energy bills and make their homes more comfortable while lowering emissions. The Canada Greener Homes Grant is part of Canada’s strengthened

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climate plan, ‘A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy’, which introduced 64 key measures, backed by $15 billion, to help exceed our climate targets.”

How does one go about initiating the process of investigating the Grant?

He replies: “Canadians begin their home retrofit journey by registering for the online portal on the Canada Greener Homes Grant website (NRCAN.gc.ca/energy-efficiency/ homes/canada-greener-homes-grant/23441) or through the supporting Call Centre: 1-833674-8282. Using the Greener Homes online portal or call centre, homeowners will register for a pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation and an energy advisor will respond to the request, perform a home evaluation in person, in accordance with relevant local public health guidelines and COVID-19 restrictions.”

What will happen after the evaluation? “The energy advisor will provide recommendations for energy efficient upgrades,” informs Kusmierczyk.

“Homeowners can then select which upgrades they wish to undertake, hire the contractors to do the work, and save their receipts and documentation to upload to the online portal.

Documentation required includes invoices for work completed, and proof of the home as a primary residency, like your property tax bill.”

So, once you have made your choices and the work is completed, what next?

“Once the eligible upgrades are complete, the homeowner will request a post-retrofit evaluation to certify the completed work and will be reimbursed for their eligible amount, up to $5,000,” he notes.

What are the prime initiatives behind the Canada Greener Homes Grant?

“By being more efficient with your home’s energy use, you will lower your energy bills and save money,” states Kusmierczyk.

“Lower energy use also means you are reducing the carbon footprint of your home and contributing to Canada’s climate goals.”

He adds that: “Home retrofits are good for your wallet, good for the economy, and good for the planet. Canadians want to do their part and now with the Canada Greener Homes Grant, they can. This gets us closer to net-zero emissions by 2050.”

What are the requirements to be eligible for this program? “Canadian homeowners with a property in Canada are eligible for an EnerGuide evaluation and can apply for the Canada Greener Homes Grant,” indicates Kusmierczyk.

“Homeowners will be required to provide documentation demonstrating that the property, where the upgrades are to be completed, is their primary residence. Landlords are not eligible for the Canada Greener Homes Grant.”

What types of upgrades are eligible?

“Eligible upgrades include home insulation, windows and doors, solar panels, heat pumps and smart thermostats,” he lists. “A full list of eligible upgrade categories, specific models eligible and additional details on the program

Irek Kusmierczyk, Member of Parliament for Windsor― Tecumseh, believes “The Canada Greener Homes Grant is good for your wallet, good for the economy and good for the planet.” He is shown here speaking on the phone to a Windsor-Tecumseh resident about the benefits of this grant. Photo courtesy of Manvir Shokar.

are available on the Canada Greener Homes Grant website.”

Please describe the potential benefit to our environment as a result of implementation of this program.

“Through improvements in energy efficiency delivered by the Canada Greener Homes Grant, Canada can see annual emissions reductions of up to 1.5 mega tonnes beginning in 2027,” says Kusmierczyk, who

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points out this is, “The equivalent of taking over 320,000 cars off the road.”

Hearing such wonderful projections of the benefits this program will have upon our pocketbook and environment is truly inspiring!

We then began to consider the secondary benefits this may have upon businesses in our area providing the services being considered.

Could this program assist in jumpstarting the local economy as well?

To gain the perspective of a local businessperson we contacted Tanja Nuske, Vice President of Marketing for Green Sun Rising Inc. Green Sun Rising is southwestern Ontario’s oldest and longest-operating solar technology company, and solar possibility in our region is certainly a viable option in reducing our carbon footprint. It is located at 1680 Kildare Road in Windsor and the company website can be found at: GreenSunRising.com.

Are there aspects of your installations that would qualify under the Canada Greener Homes Grant?

“Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems qualify for the Canada Greener Homes Grant as there is a separate category in their list called Renewable Energy Systems,” explains Nuske. “The system has to be 1kW or larger in order to qualify and the homeowner can receive up to $5,000.”

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How important is it that these initiative programs exist to increase the energy efficiency of our citizens?

“Building heating is the single largest energy user of Canadian residences and domestic hot water adds approximately 25% to the heating needs,” she states. “So, looking at our older buildings we absolutely need to improve the energy efficiency of our housing stock and any incentive will help move the process along.” Nuske adds: “Our citizens will get to the point to look at the energy efficiency of a home before they purchase it and developing a long-term energy plan to maintain the property (that a solar system for example can offer) would be helpful.”

Solar technology certainly seems to be an area that can assist us in achieving the goals regarding our effect upon the environment. What are the Solar options you provide for generating clean electricity? “We offer Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems for electricity generation,” says Nuske. “In this case, the homeowner invests into a Solar PV system on their roof top and enters a net metering contract with the utility.

The system size is determined by his/her annual electricity consumption of kW hours. When the system generates a surplus, it flows back to the grid and the homeowner receives credits on his/her account that can be used when the

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Pictured is a residential, net metering, Solar PV system in Windsor, installed by Green Sun Rising Inc in October 2020. Photo courtesy of Green Sun Rising Inc.

system does not generate enough, or nothing at all, during the night or in the winter.”

There is another form of Solar option also? “Yes, Solar Thermal Technology,” replies Nuske adding, “Solar Thermal systems generate hot water for domestic hot water, boiler systems for heating or other year-round hot water needs.”

It appears there are many possibilities for both energy savings and environmental preservation as it relates to green technologies and our planet.

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Initiatives such as the Canada Greener Homes Grant are an excellent way for people to lessen their impact upon our environment and have positive effects upon their own financial and physical well being.

We are certain that the readers of Biz X will pitch in and do their part to achieve our longterm environmental goals, so that we can say with true conviction: “We do care about the environment, and we will preserve the future of our planet for our children and grandchildren!”

Stay green!

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2021-03-25 14:50

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AWARDS The 30th Annual Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber Of SPOTLIGHT Commerce "Business Excellence Award" Recipients

T

he Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of its “Business Excellence Awards” — presented

by Windsor Star — in late May 2021.

A total of 12 Awards were presented in a virtual format, broadcast to local Cogeco subscribers on YourTV and also on YourTV’s YouTube channel. This 30th anniversary celebration of the “Business Excellence Awards” (BEAs) were initially scheduled as an in-person event in 2020, but were postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions on indoor gatherings.

This year’s virtual format featured a “Stay At Home Ticket Package” that included a $100 dining voucher from a choice of 17 restaurants; a Johnson Insurance BEA Gift Bag filled with goodies from local sponsors, including EPIC Wineries; an Official Program printed by the Windsor Star and access to the live stream. Area restaurants received close to $40,000 in support through the purchase of gift cards for take-out and delivery orders.

The virtual awards broadcast followed a format similar to the in-person event, including descriptive videos of the three finalists in each category, produced

by Media Street Productions (the complete list of finalists can be found at: WindsorEssexChamber.org). A BEA Committee member personally, and safely, delivered the trophy to each winner’s viewing location.

The theme of the broadcast was “The Early Evening Show” with Gordon Orr’ (see photo #1 courtesy of Jason Toner).

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courtesy of Mychailo Kovaliv with Marlene, husband Brett and daughter Erika.)

This was the fourth time the CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island has emceed the BEAs. The BEAs are organized by a volunteer committee consisting of community leaders and Chaired by Jason Toner, Director of Marketing and Communications at Tourism Windsor Essex. Chamber of Commerce staff also help plan and execute the event.

“Entrepreneur of the Year” (Sponsored by Grant Thornton) Michael Difazio, Owner, Michael Difazio Reclaim Artistry

The complete list of 2020-2021 BEA winners, and category sponsors, is now listed here . . .

“Large Company of the Year” (Sponsored by St. Clair College) Cavalier Tool & Manufacturing Ltd. (See photo #3 provided by Cavalier Tool. Front row from left: Larry Caron, Plant Manager; Brenda Quint, General Manager; Brian Bendig, President/Owner; Mike McNaughton, Machining Leader and back row; Tim Galbraith, Sales Manager; Al Fuerth, Toolmaking Leader; Rob Wilson, Maintenance Leader and Jeff Caruana, Process Engineer.)

“Believe Windsor Essex Award” (Sponsored by WFCU) Farrow (Presented to Chairman and CEO Rick Farrow)

“ATHENA Leadership Award” (Sponsored by Bell) Marlene Corey, YourTV (See photo #2

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“Green Innovation” (Sponsored by University of Windsor and University of Windsor Alumni Association) GreenerFarms

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“New Company of the Year” (Sponsored by Enbridge) Plant Joy (See photo #5 provided by Owner Jordynne Ropat.)

“Pillars of our Community” (Sponsored

by Motor City Community Credit Union) Canadian Mental Health Association, Windsor-Essex County Branch (See photo #6 courtesy of Mychailo Kovaliv with Claudia den Boer, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor-Essex County Branch, and BEA Chair Jason Toner.)

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“Professional of the Year” (Sponsored by TD Commercial Banking) Janice Kaffer, President and CEO, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare “Small Company of the Year” (Sponsored by Families First) Colasanti Controls

“Mid-Size Company of the Year” (Sponsored by RBC) Brave Control Solutions (See photo #4 courtesy of Mychailo Kovaliv, from left: Mike Wynnyk, VP Operations; Angela Durand, Executive Assistant; Greg Sullivan, President; Brent McPhail, Founder and CEO and Cooper Lane, VP Sales.)

“Tourism & Hospitality” (Sponsored by Caesars Windsor and OLG) North 42 Degrees Estate Winery “Young Professional of the (Sponsored by Libro Credit Union) Dr. Maxwell Abraham, Owner, Abraham Orthodontics

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Year”

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THE WAY IT IS

The Land Border Duty Free Store Crisis

By Dave Hall

Land border duty free stores have effectively been shuttered since March 21, 2020. These stores are EXPORT ONLY businesses and have no alternative way to sell their products — as long as the border is closed, so are they, except for a very small number of essential workers.

They cannot pivot to other modes of business, such as domestic sales, curbside pickup or online sales.

Unfortunately, this is “the way it is” . . . until the border fully opens again.

K

eeping the U.S./Canada border closed to all but essential travellers has affected many lives over the past 16 months and it has also had a devastating effect on revenue levels at the region’s two duty free shops.

And with another extension recently announced, the border remains closed until at least July 21 with a few exceptions, but not nearly enough to bring revenue levels back to pre-COVID days at the Windsor Tunnel Duty Free Shop or Ambassador Duty Free Windsor (at the bridge).

In easing those restrictions, the federal government announced on June 21, 2021 that fully-vaccinated Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be allowed to enter Canada after July 5 without needing to quarantine, providing they have proof of being fully vaccinated.

It was a start; however, nothing will bring back business more than a complete re-opening.

“It was underwhelming to say the least,” expresses Barbara Barrett, Executive Director of the Frontier Duty Free Association. “It did nothing for our members and actually makes it easier for Canadians to fly to Paris than drive across the border from Windsor to Detroit.”

The association has asked the federal government for a $200,000 grant per store, to come out of the $500 million Tourism Relief Fund (Budget 2021) or a $6.6 million program based on size and need.

The fund will support investments by local tourism businesses in adapting their products and services to public health

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Ambassador Duty Free Windsor U of W student employees, from left: Alora Walls-Whiteford, Clayton Shreve and Faryal Pirzada, pose inside the shop, which has seen a major drop-off in business since the COVID-19 pandemic closed the border for all but essential travellers back in March 2020.

Photo courtesy of Mike Maskery.

measures, and other investments that will help them recover from the pandemic and position themselves for future growth.

Since the pandemic began, there has been a steady drain on revenues at duty free stores across the country.

At the Windsor Tunnel Duty Free Shop, business fell off by more than 90 percent because of the border closure, according to Abe Taqtaq, whose family owns the shop.

“We‘re fortunate in some ways because we have been able to stay open and service essential travellers and commuters even though we don’t always have what they want in stock,” indicates Taqtaq, who is also President of the Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA.ca). “But many duty free stores across the country have been completely closed because they don’t have the volume of commuters and essential travellers to allow them to stay open.”

The Ambassador Duty Free Windsor shop has also remained open to service border-crossers, mostly truck drivers who take advantage of the duty free diesel fuel station, and essential workers heading to jobs in Michigan, but revenue levels have taken a major hit.

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“We were down to about 15 sales associates at the pandemic’s peak compared to more than double that number in normal times,” explains Store Manager/Liquor & Tobacco Category Manager, Mike Maskery. “We’ve had to let our inventory run down and we’ve had to destroy a fair amount of confectionary items because of expiry dates.”

The licence for the bridge’s duty free store is held by the University of Windsor and managed on its behalf by Maskery’s group.

“It’s been a good relationship and provides employment for a limited number of students and we’re anxious to get back to normal employment and business levels,” says Maskery. “We’ve been waiting all along for a staged approach to re-opening with a set of plans and guidelines, but that still hasn’t happened.”

Duty free stores are essentially export-only businesses and have no alternative way to do business, because of COVID restrictions.

Given their unique export and regulated-business model, duty free stores have largely fallen through the cracks and cannot pivot to other ways to do business, like curbside pickup or online sales.

In Windsor, it has had an impact on employment levels at the tunnel as well.

Taqtaq informs Biz X that during the height of the pandemic, only eight or nine employees were required to keep the store operating, compared to between 45 and 55 at peak border-crossing times.

“We essentially kept the employees who could perform multiple roles,” Taqtaq states. “It’s been a difficult situation for everyone and we’re anxious to see the restrictions eased and eventually eliminated.”

He adds: “It will take a little time to ramp up again, but we’re assuming it will be a gradual re-opening, which will give us time to re-stock and get ready.”

There are currently 33 land-border duty free shops and 22 airport locations across Canada.

For more information, visit the tunnel website: TunnelDutyFree.com and the bridge website: AmbassadorDutyFree.com (and select “Windsor”).

THE WAY IT WAS

After The Battles . . .

Comes A Duty Of Care

By Andrea Grimes

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rowing fears of war made the headline news in the summer of 1914 across our young Dominion. They talked about it in the offices and in the factories and on street corners here in Windsor, convincing themselves that “it would be over

by Christmas.”

Without a second thought, there were some battle-hardened Boer War Veterans from Essex County who wanted to do their bit, once again! Our eager lads, living on the high side of adventure also filled the ranks without expressing any concerns of what was awaiting them . . . over there.

In no time at all, they came face to face with the unimaginable realities of being . . . at the front. The war of movement became a war of position as close-quarter conditions of the frontline trenches spoke to the stains and strains of war.

While waiting to go “over the top”, they huddled up to their knees in putrid waterfilled trenches. Those who managed to get some sleep were often roused by rats running across their faces.

They lost their youth on the battlefields of the Western Front where the steady trickle of death drove many outside themselves!

Families struggled with the bitter realities of the aftermath of WWI caring for the many Veterans who came home with insurmountable scars that haunted them for the rest of their lives.

In trying to adjust to the overwhelming expectations of returning to civilian life, some Veterans died alone and in poverty.

For our Veterans who had no family or

were unable to pay for their plots, they were buried in unmarked graves.

This was a common practice in communities all across Canada.

As society moved into peacetime, Major Joe Brown and Clarence Forster, Commander of the Royal Canadian Legion Ambassador Branch 143, formed a volunteer group of concerned Veterans, in 1926. Members gave freely of their time and money to buy caskets and burial plots, thereby ensuring that their comrades received a funeral fitting to every honour owed to them in recognition of their military service.

In 1933, Brown and Forster formed the Windsor Grave Committee. In managing requests for financial assistance, the committee approached cemetery owners convincing them to donate hundreds of burial plots. As a result, the committee was successful in establishing a burial section for our Veterans in each of Windsor’s cemeteries.

In 1963, the committee was re-named the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee (WVMSC; refer to: WindsorVeteransMemorial.com).

“In keeping with the tradition established

by Brown and Forster, the WVMSC conducts funeral tributes for our Veterans as the only volunteer group of its kind to do so,” says Committee President Paul Lauzon.

As Windsor’s only family-owned funeral service, Windsor Chapel (see: WindsorChapel.com) has served generations of Veterans’ families since 1904.

“At Windsor Chapel, we have had the honour to partner with the Windsor Veterans

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Photo depicts a memorial service honouring the fallen of WWI, hosted by the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee at Optimist Memorial Park, on April 4, 2011. Photo courtesy of the late Ed Goodfellow.

Memorial Services Committee to pay tribute to Veterans and to honour their service”, says CEO Scott Lockwood. “It is always humbling to work with this committee and to be a part of such a meaningful memorialization.

Over the years, we have heard much positive feedback from families and guests who participated in and witnessed these special services. Often times, people will comment how they had no idea that so much time, attention, and detail went into the service.

Families and guests are often overcome with emotion and thankfulness at witnessing such a dignified tribute that honours their loved one’s dedication, service, and sacrifice.”

In all theatres of conflict and peacekeeping missions, our Veterans of all stripes put their shoulders to history and gave it a shove. Their names liveth for ever more.

As a civilian Veterans Advocate, Andrea Grimes was presented with the “Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal” and the “Governor General’s Medal” for her volunteer service to Veterans. She volunteers for various military family service-support organizations including: the North Wall Riders Association, Windsor Veterans Memorial Service Committee, Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment Association, Military Institute of Windsor, the Royal Canadian Naval Association, the Korean War Veterans Association and the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association.

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SPECIAL COUNTY SECTION

Crikey! Blimeys British Store & Gift Shop Is Now In Essex OF THE MONTH

By Matthew St. Amand

As of July 2021, Blimeys has relocated to a brand-new location in the town of Essex. With more than double the size of their previous shop, owners Carl and Rita Hulme, pictured with their son Mark Hulme, (Store Manager) can continue the growth of their business and now showcase even more of their inventory, such as scented candles from Scotland, English porcelain and French perfume. Photo by Rod Denis.

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ne of the most popular shops in the county is Blimeys British Store & Gift Shop, owned and operated by Carl and Rita Hulme.

Opened in 2014 on King Street West in Harrow, Blimeys has earned two Biz X Awards for “County Biz Worth The Drive 2015” and “The Best Little Retail Shop Of 2018”, among other accolades.

The most common question that visitors to their shop ask the Hulmes is, “Why did you locate in Harrow?” Their answer is, “Why not!”

As the couple explains: “We love Harrow. It is central. In pre-pandemic times, there were always tourists visiting, especially because of the vineyards, nearby.”

Carl originally hails from Manchester, England, and stayed in Canada after being located here by the multinational corporation where he spent much of his early work life. That was 30 years ago. Rita was born in Germany, but grew up in Canada.

Blimeys’ popularity is no fluke. Its vast variety of goods imported from England,

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Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and countries throughout Europe, often can’t be found anywhere else.

Inside you’ll find jewellery, clothing, candles, footwear, food — an inventory of approximately 25,000 items.

“Everything in our store has a story,” expresses Carl.

Among their most popular sellers are the following . . .

“We carry clothing by Peregrine,” says Rita. This is a clothing manufacturer that has existed since 1790, making mostly menswear, wax jackets, sweaters, just to name a few.

“For five years, we were the only people in North America with that line.”

They also sell stainless steel jewellery from Bailey of Sheffield — where stainless steel was invented.

There is footwear from Loake, a classic English men’s shoemaker founded in 1880, as well as, Qudo Collection’s line of interchangeable jewellery, rings, bracelets,

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pendants, that unscrew and can be rearranged to create an individual look. And UNOde50, handcrafted jewellery from Spain.

“We carry Heathergems from Scotland,” states Carl. “The jewellery is made from heather — the stems of the plants are compressed, dyed, and lacquered. If we order six pendants, no two are the same.”

Blimeys also carries a line of Jellycat soft toys, plush “stuffies” that are popular, depicting animals, but also fruits and vegetables.

“We also have a cool line of handmade ladies’ hats from Proppa Toppa,” mentions Rita.

After seven years in business, the pair decided, in July 2021, that it was time to move to 71 Talbot Street North in Essex, next to the Spitfire airplane.

“We outgrew our Harrow shop,” Carl says. “Our new space is twice the size of our current store, allowing us to better display all our items — and, of course, food.”

Blimeys’ food offerings are plentiful and ever-changing.

“We bring in all the cakes that people like, especially at Christmas,” Rita states. “Bakewell Tarts, Christmas puddings, chocolate, as well as a wide variety of English teas, and meat pies.”

Carl indicates: “We also have a range of offerings from Cawston Press, which makes everything with apple: sparkling water like apple and rhubarb flavour, different drinks.

They’re very popular and we’re looking to expand on this.”

For the past three years, their son, Mark, has worked at the shop in several capacities, including Store Manager and overseeing social media. His weekly videos about Blimeys are posted on Facebook and Rita points out that “Mark is a natural in the store” and Carl proudly boasts: “Our last video had 40,000 views.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Blimeys was classed “essential” because they sell food.

And the Hulmes knew exactly what to do: “Keep calm and carry on!”

With the reopening of Ontario businesses recently rolling out, Blimeys is ready to pick up where it left off before the pandemic, at a new location that truly showcases their unique offerings.

For more information about this award winning shop, visit: Blimeys.ca.

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