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music when I asked him to help me record a song We worked so well together that one song turned into a musical journey, a business, and a life partner Darren's not very talkative, unlike me Unless you get him talking about music, sound engineering, or helping others achieve their goals We work so well together because weareboth so passionate"
5 - Tell us about your last album or an upcoming album you started writing/ recording
"We are currently working on a seven-song concept album entitled 'The 7 Deadly Sins' Exploring the themes of Pride, Sloth, Gluttony, Lust,Wrath,Envy,and Greed I want to create an experience when you listen to this album that transports you to an old Jazz Club Mixed in with a little R&B and my own life experiences I wanted to create something that I enjoy. And most importantly,giveonehell of ashow "
Mariela Ortiz Maxwell is Costa Rican-born and Canadian-raised Her mother and her three siblings relocated to Canada when she was a year old Her mother was a Latin Dance teacher, and her father pursued a career in music in Costa Rica Influenced by her upbringing, family, and culture,she pursued arts from a very young age Fast forward to 2020,and this is where you will find Señorita Sin and her music A character that brings you back in time with her sultry voice inspired by Jazz,R&B,and Blues
Señorita Sin has played Cornwall Art Walk, the Pride Festival at the Lamoureux Park band shell, and La Maison Tavern Also, Señorita Sin played a charity concert and spaghetti dinner at the Agora Centre to help raise funds to hire a PI and to help find themissingperson Paul Bellmore
1 - What is it about music that makes you feel passionate?
"Expression and emotion are so important in my values I think it is vital for us as humans to be able to express ourselves and share that with others. Music has the ability to make you cry or can make you dance It can make you think Music can help you forget someone, or remember another It is a powerful tool we can all understand and create, a universal language that brings communities together "
2 - Describe your creative process when you writenew music
"My creative process is very intense but random I saw the most improvement when I stopped telling myself my ideas were bad or too much. I learned that creativity isn't linear and that even those "bad lyrics" can transform into beautiful ones I also love to create with others rather than on my own Having a different perspective is key to my growth in writing And it sounds cliche,but practiceis essential "
3 - Which skills have you gained that help you perform effectively as amusician?
"My first experience on stage was at four years old After that, I just never stopped Dance, poetry, musicals, theatre, improv, talent shows, and countless hours singing very loudly in my room My family was really patient during those years I would say lyricism is my strongest skill, but I'll never stop trying to improve I sound repetitive; however, time, practice, and listening to others' insights are why I perform the way I do "
4 - If you're in a band, tell us about your bandmates and what it's like working with them
"Señorita Is two people,really. Myself and Darren Martin We first started working together in
To learn more about Señorita Sin, visit her Facebook page@senoritasin
Kashenni:iostha is a representative of C.U.R.E.A. (Coalition for Unity, Respect, Equality/ Equity for All), which was formerly incorporated on October 14,2020 CUREA is a racial justice and educational organization with the goal of advancing racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in the Cornwall, Stormont,Dundas,and Glengarry areas
Kashenni:iostha is a Mohawk of Akwesasne who has been residing off-reservefor about 15 years and has experienced systemic racism throughout her life Kashenni:iostha has always considered herself to be shy and on the quiet side; however,since the week of May 24, 2021,when the country of Canada was hit with media releases of 215 skeletal remains found at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, she started talking within the public of Cornwall about how so many Indigenous families have been affected by the Indian Residential School Era
Kashenni:iostha was invited to join the CUREA Board of Directors in the summer of 2021 following the organizing of the memorial walk for Indian Residential School survivors and those who never made it home that was held June 5, 2021, in the City of Cornwall Kashenni:iostha's role within CUREA is to continue raising awareness for Indigenous Issues in Canada and to also aid in the awareness of issues residing within all racialized groups within the areas of Cornwall, Stormont,Dundas,and Glengarry
1 - What do you like most about working at this non-profit?
I love working with C.U.R.E.A. to promote Indigenous awareness Through my work, I'm able to connect to speak on a widespread level about issues and experiences that I hope will bring a good change to Cornwall City Council in 2026 as I have decided to run as the first Indigenous Councillor
2 - What are the ways people in the community can support your organization?Eg, donations,volunteering,etc
The ways the people in the community can support CUREA is via donations in the form of e-transfer to curea curet@gmail com, attending and inviting CUREA to speak at workshops,stoppingin to speak to them during community wide events, attending fundraisers hosted by them, as they are funded by donations, and signing up to volunteer as they grow their Board If anyone is interested, they can also email C.U.R.E.A. at curea curet@gmail com to inquire about joining theBoard of Directors
3 - Tell us about an outcome or success story your organization has had
"Through fundraising in 2022, CUREA was able to donate $621 to Agape Cornwall I organized a Winter Holiday Fundraiser where a nontraditional, fully decorated white holiday tree with gifts donated by many community partners and residents was raffled off I plan to host the Holiday Raffle every year. I am also planning an annual June 3rd formal fundraiser where a different issue racialized groups face regularly will be addressed The first event will focus on Truth & Reconciliation "
4 - Tell us about volunteers and what they mean to your organization
"Currently, CUREA consist of Neha Chugh (co-founder),Stacey Ottley (co-founder)Michele Allinotte, Clement Gwanyama, Noreen Majeed, and Tara Chandran, who are all amazing at promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity for all! CUREA has some great volunteers who continue to chip away at the glass ceiling by raising awareness and promoting as much anti-racism as possible It is a big job,but it has to be done so that everyone can live and feel safe in the country they choose to live in In the words of Crazy Horse ? Oglala Lakota Sioux, "I see a time of Seven Generations when all the colors of mankind will gather under the Sacred Tree of Life and the whole Earth will become onecircleagain "
5 - What is your organization's most significant accomplishment?
"Black History Month 2022 CUREA hosted an online Facebook meet with Spider Jones, who talked about the Black History of Cornwall and Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry For Black History Month 2023, Stacey Ottley (co-founder of C.U.R.E.A.)will be moderating a Black History Month event at the Cornwall Public Library
Everyone at CUREA is so proud to be promoting and being involved in events directly related to Black History Month ? along side any and all racialized awareness initiatives "
In conclusion, Kashenni:iostha pledges to continue raising awareness for Indigenous issues so that the country of Canada can actively work towards real truth and reconciliation for the generations to come,with hopes of ending that intergenerational trauma cyclefaced by so many Indigenous families
To learn more about CUREA, visit their website https:/ / www cureacuret ca/
Kendra Richard is a family and wedding photographer working out of her downtown Cornwall studio Kendra Richard's Spilt Photography and Jason McNamara's Framed Photography share a studio space at 150 B Pitt Street next to The Happy Popcorn Co Whether it's working in the studio or at a location, Kendra is a fan of storytelling and vintage vibes
1 - Tell us about your creativeprocess
"I'm inspired by films I enjoy, and I like to look up vintage photos to draw inspiration from I have an entire folder of inspiration I've taken from various medias My favourite images that I create with my clients are ones that (I think) look like stills from a film I am always location scouting when I'm out If you've been on a drive/ outing with me, you've heard me say, "I wonder who owns this field" or "wow, it would be so cool to shoot here! " It's hard to turn that part of my brain off The way the light hits at certain times of the day is also a mental note I make When it finally comes to the photoshoot, I prefer a storytelling style, but I'm also not afraid to pose my clients if I think it will match the vibe I'm trying to create I'm lucky to have clients who let me have creative freedom more often than not, but I'm also always open to their input, and we can agree on the vision for our session Next is editing, which is where I can really complete the vision Since I draw inspiration from films, I always lean towards a more cinematic edit I use Lightroom and photoshop to achievethis! "
2 - What is your favourite piece of photography that you've created, and why is it your favouritepiece?
"This is a tough one Technically it's not the best photo, but I captured a surprise engagement once and was lucky enough to capture a tear in focus (at 1 2,which is actually a little difficult to do),and the rest of the image was a little out of focus The image was full of emotion and movement, which is exactly what was happening at the moment It was also my client's favourite image of the set too Definitely one of those "as if this is my job" moments "
3 - What are your thoughts on Photoshop and heavily editing pictures versus making minor adjustments in Lightroom?
"When I first started photography, I took every single image into Photoshop Fast forward a few years,and I definitely use Lightroom more, but I'm still a Photoshop gal Lightroom is great for helping to make the photos more interesting to cull through But when it comes to cleaning up and editing the images, I find Photoshop way moreprecise"
4 - How has your photography changed compared to when you first started?
"My photography has changed so much over my career I'm not as heavy on some editing techniques, my approach to posing my clients has completely changed, and my confidence to shoot in different light has allowed me to capture some photos I'm excited about. When I first started,I was terrified of full sun;now some of my favourite images were taken in full sun Having a studio has also forced me to grow with flash photography and that has been challenging but fun "
5 - What makes your photography unique and authentically you?
"It's hard to articulate exactly what it is because photography is a very personal process When I see the people and locations I'm shooting, the images Icreatereflect how Iseethesituation. So these images are a little snapshot of how I'm processing the moment I would also say that I pride myself on being able to help people's personalities shine during a session,which helps me to organically capture these moments so that thesemoments areequally as much theirs "
Follow Kendra Richard's Split Photography on Facebook
@spiltmilkphotographyMontreal, I bought a piano and slept on a mattress on the floor. That was a fully furnished apartment "
2 - Describeyour favouritevenuefor performing
"There was a venue on the West Island of Montreal run by Isabelle Delage called the Side Door Coffee House She had put extreme effort into providing the best sound and lighting, and there was always an amazing audience I think I played that venue 7 or 8 times with different bands And by the way, she now has the same venuein Morrisburg called the Tilted Steeple The best venues arealways local."
3 - Tell us about your favouriteperformanceas a musician
"It's a toss-up between being the big band vocalist on New Year's Eve at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in 1992 and the Ottawa Jazz Festival in 1990 They were very different experiences For the New Year's Eve night, I was treated to complete hair and makeup and an eveninggown However,for thejazz fest,I played with the best jazz musicians, including Greg Clayton."
4 - What inspired you to start playing music?
"My inspiration has always come from musical theatre and musical movies I watched The Wizard of Oz and Peter Pan as a small child and became fairly obsessed with the genre until I discovered Motown and soul music My first concert was the rolling Motortown Review, where Little Stevie Wonder jumped up on stage and played harmonica We were both 12 at the time Every day of my life was a new musical inspiration."
5 - Who is your ideal musician to collaborate with,and why?
Virginia Dipierro is the host and community producer of Melodies and Memories on Yourtv Cornwall She spent her life juggling her social service career and her career as a professional performer, musician, and actress Retiring to Cornwall in 2015,Virginia hit the ground running Since being back here, she has played at many venues and festivals, including Cornwall Music Fest, Garlic Fest, The Port Theatre, Arts in the Park,and Buskapolooza
After her retirement in 2012, Virginia began playing in long-term care homes and retirement residences and fell in love with both the process of reworking and interpreting the songs she grew up with. In turn, the audiences were grateful to hear and sing along to these songs Enter the pandemic and Yourtv Cornwall Unable to continue playing live in residences, Gabriel Rivière-Reid offered to bring the music to them via Yourtv Hence, Melodies and Memories was born Entering its third year with producer Even Hambleton, Virginia records the show every two weeks and invites everyone to join her and "Comesingalong."
1 - What was your first musical instrument?
"I still have fond memories of my piano teacher, Sister Marie Theresa starting in first grade Sister Theresa taught me for 8 years Learning piano shaped my love of music and my desire to keep playing I have never been without a piano For my first apartment on Pine Avenue in
"Collaboration has always been the key to anything and everything that I have done as a performer Llawnroc (Cornwall spelled backward) and The Bottles are two of the bands I formed since being here I never expected to become a solo artist, but the pandemic changed all that And since you asked,I'll takea year or so hanging out in the studio with Paul McCartney. We'll put together a couple of love ballads that every great vocalist will sing over the next 75 years, add someharmonies,and thereyou go "
The United Way/ Centraide of Stormont, Dundas, & Glengarry (UWC SDG) was incorporated in 1964 and is well known for its fundraising endeavours that help other local charities However,in recent years they have joined UWCs worldwide to take a lead on poverty reduction by being a catalyst, a coordinator, a collaborator, an educator, and of course, a fundraiser to ensure the role-out of essential programs that meet local communities?needs
Juliette Labossière is the Executive Director for the UWCSDG She equates her work to that of building puzzles She continuously searches for the right pieceof thepuzzleto solve a social issue and understands where and when to put that piece in motion to have the greatest impact She manages the UWCSDGteam,offers guidance for the strategic direction of the organization, and chairs multiple intersectoral working groups She believes that collaborative work is what will propel our community to themost economicand impactful work
Juliette received The Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce President?s Award for 2021 Here are five questions she answered for TheSeeker magazine
1 ?What do you likemost about working at this non-profit organization?
?No two days are the same Our organization, because of the type of work we do and to ensure sustainability and impact, is continuously evolving We are always learning about trends, and needs, and exploring how and what is possible for our region and pushing limits Every day we dream of creating better communities for our families, our friends, our neighbours, and every day we do something, sometimes albeit small, sometimes massive,that makeour communities better places ?
2 ?Tell us about your community partners
?The UWC SDG collaborates with as many different stakeholders as possible, ranging from private donors to the business sector, to elected officials, to other non-profits and regional institutions Our closest ally in the work we are doing is the Social Development Council of Cornwall and Area and their Vibrant Communities ?Our Safety and Well-Being Plan. This comprehensive poverty reduction plan guides us in the type of work that needs to beaccomplished and in what priority, so as to create inclusive, resilient, and caring communities ?
3 ? What are the ways people in the community can support your organization?
?You have probably seen us in the media more over the last few years, particularly because of our collaborative work with all levels of government for the roll-out of various funds However,it is easy to forget that we administer those funds,and for the most part,wedo not benefit from them
The UWC SDG receives no annual funding for our work from any level of government and to be able to continue to do the work we do, we need you We need you to donate, whatever you can, whenever you can We need you to ask your employer to allow for payroll deduction so that you can easily give 1 or 2 dollars a pay directly to your United Way We need you to learn more about who we are and dispel any myths of who people assume we are. We need you to volunteer with us when we organize our events that help us fundraise If you want to do any of these things, give us a call, we would be happy to help you, help us ?
4 ? Tell us about an outcome or success story your organization has had
?Through our leadership role on the Regional Emergency and Strategic
Response Council, we were able to identify during the pandemic an important gap in services that would assist certain individuals that had lived through an unforeseen crisis and needed a one-time helping hand to ensure they could remain in, or access, stable and safe housing The program we created, rightfully named the Last Resort, as it needed to be your last resort for assistance after you have attempted to find assistance from any government or organizational-led program first, has, over the last year and a half, helped hundreds of families from across SDGC&A In thefirst month of this project,a Cornwall woman who had been without electricity for over 8 months was reconnected to hydro, and a man in the counties was able to obtain an apartment and regain visitation rights with his children for the first time in months by proving he had stable housing The stakeholders implicated in the role out of this project brought hope and compassion back to our region ?
5 ?What should thepublicknow about your organization/ services?
?The UWC SDG is not the organization you probably think it is Take the time to come to our next AGM or peruse our annual reports
Did you know that you can come into our office and receive assistance with your applications for LEAP and OESP? Soon we will even be in Morrisburg one day a month to assist with anyonein that areaas well!
Did you know we run awareness campaigns to discuss various facets of poverty?Watch out for Tampon Tuesday in March!
Did you know we are working alongside so many amazing organizations locally to ensure that investments are being made not just to good things happening in our communities,but the right things that need to happen now? We do this to have the most influential and sustainableimpact
A dollar donated to your local UW stays right herein SDGC&Aand goes alongway ?
For moreinformation about TheUnited Way/ Centraideof Stormont,Dundas,& Glengarry,visit their website www unitedwaysdg ca
adecade,wherein sheempowered women through strength trainingto find their badass femininevoice When Covid hit,shedecided to closethefacility,but her passion for empoweringpeopledidn? t go with it She rekindled her loveof paintingand turned it into afull-timecareer as an artist
Her mixed media paintings areon canvas and oversized playingcards;her sassy bird series combines sarcasm and various feathery friends in aloose,lyrical style At thesame time,her figurativepieces celebratethe uniqueness,inner strength,and beautiful flaws in all of us Sheshares theaphorism, ?Beunapologetically you! ?
1?What is your preferred artisticmedium, and what do you likeabout it?
Iabsolutely lovethefreedom of mixed media Any limitation aparticular mediamight have is forfeit when you blend materials to create your own new style It allows meto push creativeboundaries and give two-dimensional works interestingtexture and unique3Delements.
2?What is your artisticeducation and background?Did you do an apprenticeship or go to art school?Areyou self-taught?
Iattended Sheridan Collegefor ?Art Fundamentals & Illustration?in my twenties, but I?m alifelonglearner,havingbeen paintingsinceIwas achild Icontinueto take workshops and courses
3?Tell us about your creativeprocess Do you plan each pieceout,or does theart take shapeas you work?
My art process is mostly intuitivebecauseI tend to paint very quickly with lots of bright, bold strokes,but lately,I?vebeen more methodical in my process I?vebeen working with oils becausethey add adeep and rich quality to paintingthat Ijust can? t get with acrylics So,half theportrait is intuitive,then I layer on theoils at theend and really refine thework
4?Do you haveany tips or advicefor artists just starting?
Bepatient and beauthentic. You must realize it?s alot of work to find your voiceand your people You can? t just sign up for aworkshop or go to an art class and expect gallery representation and collectors to follow shortly thereafter Most successful artists havedecades under their belt of honingtheir skills,workingtoward findingtheir style,and buildingafollowing Stay trueto you throughout.
5?Tell us about thebest reaction someone has had to your artwork
South Glengarry,Ontario ?Sara Leger is an internationally-sellingpainter and illustrator whoworks out of her home studio,Cherry Bomb Studio,in South Glengarry,Ontario
Thename?Cherry Bomb?initially camefrom thegym sheowned and operated for nearly
Ihavehad amyriad of reactions when it comes to my work,but someof thebest have been stunned silence,whereIcan seethem holdingtheir breath and lightly brushingtheir hands over thepiecewithout realizingthey areeven doingit,and my second favouriteis when Iget athank you notefrom them months later Usually statingsomething alongthelines of how theart gives them strength and energy every day
For moreinformation about Cherry Bomb Studio,visit her website https:/ / cherrybombstudio ca/ visit our websiteat theseeker ca for more stories
resilience of rural women business owners in a time of crisis" and learned about creating a social enterprise In July 2022,we received a $100,000 grant from Desjardins' Community Development Fund, which enabled us to rent a space for events, training, and mentorship for women business owners
3-What are some of the biggest challenges that women in business face,and how does your group work to address these challenges?
1-What inspired you to becomea suspense novelist, and how did you get your start in theindustry?
I cravereading almost the way other people rely on breathing. I knew medicine would inspire me to write because every day, I'd meet a person in crisis, which is a natural flash point for stories At the end of my emergency medical training, I decided to write about a resident physician like me,Dr Hope Sze, who solves murders as well as saves lives, jump starting my mystery/ suspense/ thriller career
Doreen began her career in the hotel industry in 1984, becoming VP Marketing for The Sutton Place Hotels in Toronto in 1995. Three years later, she left her dream corporatejob to start her own business and better accommodate her family needs She and her husband Heinz moved to Alexandria to start a hospitality consulting firm that grew into a lead generation agency They sold thebusiness in 2016
At 55, Doreen returned to school to study entrepreneurship and gender She graduated from Royal Roads University with an MA in Inter-Disciplinary Studies in 2022 She has since founded Business Sisters (Cons? urs en Affaires for our Francophone Business Sisters) as a social enterprise that offers online and live events, peer-to-peer learning and gender-smart tools for women entrepreneurs
Her work is focused on the unique needs and passions of women business owners, especially those based in small towns and rural areas She believes happy communities are fostered through collaboration,inclusion and diversity
1-What motivated you to start this group for women in business, and what have been some of the biggest challenges you havefaced along theway?
From 1998 to 2016, I owned a business in Alexandria and had limited involvement with local business groups as our clientele was outside the area I found little value in networking locally as few actual business owners attended such groups, and there were no women business owners After selling the company, I organized the first Business Sisters conference in 2018 to create an event where women business owners could have productive conversations and learn from each other about starting and growing a business, as well as balancing parenting and caregiving roles I aim to support rural women business owners, as urban areas offer moreresources for women entrepreneurs
2-How has the group evolved over time, and what have been some of the key milestones or successes for thegroup?
From hosting two annual conferences in 2018 and 2019, I explored the idea of forming a network with monthly events offering entrepreneurial training in both French and English However,thepandemic interrupted my plan Instead, I completed my master?s thesis on "The entrepreneurial
Women business owners in general face several challenges, and sometimes those challenges are just amplified in rural contexts: they still bear the majority of family caregiving responsibilities Traditional entrepreneurship often disregards family and emotional support Women are criticized for not being risk-takers in business, which is a simplistic view -there's evidence they are more debt-averse, which is different Finally, in rural areas we suffer more from isolation, and lack of supports, ranging from childcare to business services Business Sisters' approach to entrepreneurship addresses these challenges head-on We talk about personal well-being and family life, and work that into business planning Finally because we bring together women from different regions and language backgrounds, we help create business relationships and a solid peer support group
4-How does the group support and empower women in business, and what resources or services does it offer to its members?
Aside from an annual conference in the fall , and monthly networking events that alternate between SD&G and Prescott-Russell, we offer online and in-person workshops, plus one-on-one advisory services Currently our advisory services are free to women business owners
5-How does the group foster a sense of community and provide opportunities for networking and mentorship among its members?
I think the sense of community comes from putting the spotlight on women business owners themselves We do that with social media, and by holding our events at women-owned businesses, catered by women-owned suppliers Community also happens through collaboration I am not a coach or a"guru" Iam asoundingboard and help connect people Often that means referring entrepreneurs to other groups that some might think are "competitive" like the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre, or PARO, or another industry group I see those organizations are part of the same ecosystem, where we serve different purposes
But I got started in the industry by writing fantasy and science fiction short stories for magazines, which I consider an excellent trainingground
2-How do you balance the need for suspenseful tension with the development of well-rounded, relatablecharacters?
Exactly! You have to balance the tension with characters people care about,or else a death means nothing When I pick up a book, I often skim a prologue where Someone Is In Danger but you don't give a crap about that someone
Hope and other characters live and breathe in my head like real people I care about them I drop them into dangerous situations and struggleto shuttle them out, giving myself and my readers white hairs alongtheway
3-What do you believe are the most important elements of a successful suspense novel, and how do you incorporatetheseinto your writing?
So you already know that Ican't livewithout characters and plot/ tension I also love humour, romance, and genuine surprise I walk my dogs, read a ton (novels, news, short stories, science, non-fiction, poems, whatever), write every day, talk to fascinating people, go see plays, listen to music, work out, watch the occasional movie, and fold it all into my books Truthfully, I write to surprise myself, which means I write tons of words and have to cull it mercilessly afterward
4-How do you handle criticism or negative reviews of your work, and how has this impacted your writing process?
I struggled with this Don't read mean reviews if you can help it Otherwise, they live rent-free into your head until the poison finally wears out Sometimes I'd pivot by writing in a different genre A trusted friend, Kandy Gray, sent me this funny video,"Thank You Hater! "
https:/ / www youtubecom/ watch?
v=uz2jbCJXkpA (not safefor work)
5-What challenges have you faced in your writing career,and how have you overcome them?
Oh boy. My parents couldn't understand why I read so much,let alone why I'd write I overcame that by marrying a man and making friends with writers who did understand It's hard to make a living in the arts,so I became an emergency doctor and socked money away, which gave me the financial freedom to write Right now,every writer is struggling with sales, so I started crowdfunding and doing terrific in-person sales led by W3G The hardest part for me is balancing writingand children
Sometimes I'd prioritize writing, and other times I'd read them the same book,play the same game, or play Powder Puff Girls until my husband or a babysitter took them so I could write or sleep Never underestimate the power of sleep and relaxation My kids told me I should spend more time with them, and I feel guilty about that, but writing is a calling that I can't shelve without hurting myself I've been celebrated nationally and internationally for my work and consider my stories my children too Hard to keep everyone happy, so you just do your best
Every career has its downside. Elizabeth Gilbert said that you have to decide how much you like that sh*t sandwich for that particular career She loves writing so much that she'd ask someone else, you going to finish that sandwich?
Metoo,Liz Ilovewritingthat much too
3- What have been some of your most successful transactions, and why do you think they weresuccessful?
I helped a couple find their first home that could generate income to offset their living costs After touring numerous properties, we found a triplex in their preferred neighborhood with long-term tenants and everythingon their wish list Theonly hurdle was a zoning change,which I confirmed and helped them successfully close the transaction It was my most fulfilling and successful transaction because I helped them fulfill their dream of buying a home and purchasetheir first incomeproperty
4-How do you measure your success as a real estateagent?
I grew up in India I remember thinking I wanted to be a surgeon, while I was in high school However, despite being a very good student, with good grades, I did not feel I would ever be able to do it At the same time, there were very few career options in those days If you were a good student, you tried to go into medicine, engineering, agriculture, or law So, I just followed along with what everybody else expected of me In fact,I got into the agriculture college,before Igot into medicine
1- Why did you choose real estate as a career?
As a child, I moved frequently and enjoyed imagining my new bedroom and life in each new home. I even stopped by the local real estate office after school to pick up listings for my family This sparked an interest in architecture, which led me to study architectural technology and work in the field for 8 years However, I still felt unfulfilled and explored other career paths Eventually, I discovered a passion for B2B sales and life coaching, which led me to start my own coaching company. While I enjoyed helping people, my love for architecture remained After much contemplation, I realized that the perfect way to merge my interests was through real estate, which offered unlimited potential in my career, the ability to help people and my community, and a connection to architecture
2- What are the biggest challenges you faceas a woman in real-estate?
As a realtor, safety is of utmost importance Meeting new people, often from the internet, and visiting new properties alone can be risky To ensure my safety, I have implemented several measures I inform my brokerage, friends, and family about my whereabouts and the individuals I am meeting on any given day Additionally, I carry a tracker on my person and have set up emergency alerts to notify my contacts if I feel unsafeor am in danger
If possible, I prefer to have a companion with me,especially if my intuition suggests it As a realtor, it is crucial to prioritize safety
This is an excellent question, and there are various ways to approach it Success in real estate can be defined in different ways depending on the individual's goals and motivations. For me, success in real estate is determined by my unwavering determination to keep pushing forward despite the challenges I started my career in a volatile market,and ever since then,the market has been in a constant state of flux As a result, I have had to adapt to the changing conditions continually While this has been stressful, it has also been incredibly empowering. In real estate, no two transactions are the same Each deal is unique and requires a tailored approach to suit the individual needs of the buyer or seller As such,success cannot bemeasured solely by the number of transactions closed or the amount of commission earned Instead,I measure my success by my ability to show up every day, ready to face the challenges that comemy way.
5-How do you stay competitive and continueto grow your business?
Entering the real estate market can be challenging, but continuous learning and relationship-buildingarecrucial to success I prioritize learning about local market trends and building strong connections with the community through participation in events Providing excellent customer service by treating each client uniquely and being responsive to their needs is vital to stand out in a crowded market To grow my business,I plan to become more involved in the community by supporting local businesses and initiatives,which can create brand awareness and networking opportunities
In medical school, I may have been perhaps the only student in my class who had no mentor in the form of a family member or an older friend to show me the ropes I went in, not knowing what to expect It was very hard work,but I was always a good student, so I did well in medical school. I also had a very supportive family,which helped,when I was workingall thoselonghours
Thebiggest challengewas leavingmy family, to go to Britain The system in Britain was not really very helpful for a woman surgeon, trying to make her way through That, combined with the loneliness,and the worry madefor someof theworst years of my life
2-How do you balance the demands of a medical career with your personal life and responsibilities?
Sadly, I did not have any good role models, when it comes to this balancing act! So, I blundered my way through
Luckily, my husband has been a great support, all along He was willing to stay home for a few years, when my kids were little During that time, he went back to school, became an accountant, and was later ableto get ajob that hereally liked
My work as a surgeon was really very demanding, timewise It was also very stressful,by nature Imanaged thestress by taking courses, learning things that had nothing to do with medicine Do you know,I haveacertificatein Interior design?
As far as the children are concerned,I made the best of whatever little time I got to be with them, making them laugh, with the idea that they should have good memories of me
Unfortunately,the one thing I could not ? or did not pay enough attention to was my own health
3-Can you sharesomeof thechallenges you have faced as a female doctor in a male dominated field?
Male domination is not just a challenge in my field. The problem is that it is not always overt Also, I found the male colleagues far easier to deal with than some females! You often see that you are treated differently than your male colleagues (not just in Canada,but also in theUKas well)
While the majority of my colleagues, including the male surgeons have been very kind and supportive, there have been a select few females in the health care field who have been far more unreasonable, unfair,or downright aggressive
1-What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine and what were some of the biggest challenges you faced along the way?
On a personal level, I feel that females, no matter what career path they follow, often feel guilty for not being home with the kids There are many activities of my kids?that I missed While the kids were very understanding, and don? t resent my absence,Ifeel that Imissed out on alot
4-How have you navigated the challenges of advancing your career while also ensuring you havea good work-lifebalance?
I have given up many opportunities, to be with my family, over the years Once I had kids, I still wanted to continue my surgical career,but I was always weighing anything I wanted to do, against the possibility of being away from my family,and made very conscious decisions along the way. Just being a general surgeon left very little time for me at home One thing I really wanted to do in my career was to teach I was able to help bring the education program from Ottawa and Queens Universities, to Cornwall, and this really gave me the best of both worlds The teaching program in Cornwall has since expanded agreat deal
On thehomefront,Ithink we(my husband and I) did reasonably well, and have two very smart, respectable, hard-working kids, whom we are extremely proud of
5-What advice would you give to young women who areconsidering a career in medicine?
Having gone through depression and burnout, I think the most important thing would be to be aware that as a physician, you are very susceptible to burnout It is very important to acknowledge this, and make sure to prevent it from happening First of all, decide what values areimportant to you,and in what direction ?and how far - you would want your life- and your career to go Decide what your priorities are,and what you would be willing to sacrifice, to attain those
It is important to make sure you have interests outside of your field, and to continue pursuing those, so that you have something to take your mind off thestress
Finally, if you feel overwhelmed (which you surely will), do not think that your story is unique Remember that so many have gone beforeyou Seek help,and seek help fast
great ideas I won't say what we will become because I have no clue If the people want to move this machine forward, I will make it happen Somehow
2 How has the community supported your efforts and how can you get involved?
Full Bellies is 100%community led See a need fill a need is often how Full Bellies ends up being able to survive. I find myself floundering in an overwhelming amount of work and debt When customers see that the financial struggle is real, they make donations to alleviate a bit of that burden When volunteers witness the overloaded workload, they step in and support me and Full Bellies by filling in the gaps wherever their strengths are
It's incredible that the things I hate to do are in fact things that other people love to do and vice versa For example, I dislike cleaning and organizing very much yet there's a pile of volunteers who love this task and keep the store moving smoothly Some volunteers love to interact with the customers, and some prefer to be in a quiet space and so they find their place within Full Bellies,but it also fulfills a part of their life that often is missing Who has time to start a massive machine, like full bellies? And so, they join a pre-made community, a safe place to offer skills, and know they are contributing to a great movement Anyone is welcome to help out Just get in touch with meand we'll seehow and whereyou'll fit in
3 Can you share a memorable moment or story from your experiencerunning full bellies
We have a Neighbour in town where the store is He's got mental challenges that often frighten or bother people simply because they don't know him and at first glance he is a bit odd But he's lonely He comes to the store to seek company and to donate canned goods he doesn't like And recently has started volunteeringon truck unloadingdays and doing any other task wewill givehim He's been given value and love And if I can't do anything else but can achieve this, helping people to feel loved,then everythingis worth it
4. How do you balancethedemands of running Full Bellies with your personal life and responsibilities
It's very difficult It's been a rough year on my family I'm not home much My house is always a mess. My mental health is low. I rarely take a day off And I have 8 children But I have hope I don't know what the future looks like but I'm taking some of my time back with my family There's no sense in helping hundreds of others survive when mine is just barely surviving But my children are full of passion and compassion like me So, they understand I just don't want to miss them as much as Ido
1 How do you measure the success of the organization and what are your future plans for growth?
Measuring success is a strange thing to consider Money and profit automatically come to mind, in which case Full Bellies is a total and utter flop Although it's an incorporated company,thereis no profit to bemade. However, if measuring the success of Full Bellies is based on interactions, joy, contentedness, full fridges, fruit in lunch boxes, engagement in the community, the learned art of generosity, then Full Bellies is an overwhelmingsuccess
I don't have any particular future plans for Full Bellies It moves and morphs all by itself with theinfluenceof volunteers and customers with
5 What advice would you give to others looking to start a similar organization in their own communities?
It takes a special person to lead a movement like Full Bellies We make difficult decisions, deal with financial stress, and handle complaints while keeping the organization running smoothly and picking up the slack when a volunteer leaves unexpectedly It's and incredible weight to carry Despite the challenges, we make it possible for others to benefit from the community. Those who share this passion may be crazy enough to start their own movement I am waiting for someone to take the lead in Cornwall, but believe it must happen naturally for success
1928 ?1999
Firm in her conviction that education was the key to the survival of francophone culture,Jeannine Seguin was one of Cornwall?sand Eastern Ontario?s leading francophone proponents.According to historians Clive and Frances M arin,she was awarded the order of Canada in 1985 ?for her devotion to the cause of equal rights for francophone Canadians ?
Instrumental in the founding of the Association Canadienne-Francaise de l?Ontario,for francophone teachers,in 1978 she became the organizations President and then went on to head the Federation desFrancophones hors Quebec from 1980 to 1983
Born in Alexandria and educated here and Hawkesbury,Seguin earned her BA at the University of Ottawa and continued her education at Queen?s and the University of Toronto
Starting her career as an elementary teacher,she transferred to secondary schoolsand introduced popular bilingual classes at General Vanier in
Ian Boweringthe 1960s The local French community now spent several tumultuous years in an effort to found a French language high school in Cornwall,when they did Sequin became La Citadelle?s first principal,a position that allowed her to ensure the preservation of the francophone community?s ?strong sense of identity?
Deeply involved in the welfare of the francophone community,Jeannine Seguin co-founded the SD & G Legal Clinic and Les Logesments Nativitie. Upon retirement Sequin waselected to the Catholic School Board Along with being awarded the Order of
Canada,Seguin received l?Ordre des francophones d?amerique,l?Ordre de la Pleidae and Benemerenti for outstanding service to the church
Here is one to make you shake your head and be glad times have changed
Lillian Ross,was one of three daughters of Scottish settlers Louis and Andrew Ross
The family originally settled in Lancaster and subsequently moved to Cornwall,where Andrew Ross became a respected contractor building the old Gothic Post office,and the reputedly fire-proof Rossmore Hotel,which burned in 1909 claiming twelve lives
W ith the financial means to receive the best education,Lillian became a trained opera singer,andplanned to perform at New York City?s opera houses At the time,a career on the stage,even the most prestigious stage wasfrowned upon and Lillian was summoned back to Cornwall where she used her talentsto teach music and dance W ith her energy muzzled by early 20th century prudishness,Lillian found outlet for her talents in charitable work and planned entertainment and receptions for Canadian soldiersduring W orld W ar I.She also dedicated her time to the Salvation Army Home League
Her irrepressible energy led her to becoming the supervisor of the Cornwall Tourist Bureau,opened in 1949,near the Roosevelt Bridge,when she was in her 70s Here she laid out the welcome mat and on quiet days she offered a cup of tea to travellers under the shade of a nearby tree At 84 Lillian retired and the Ontario Tourist Office was moved to Brookdale Ave.,to accommodate visitors arriving in Canada via the high-level Seaway International Bridge
W hen Lillian died at age 113 in M arch 1993,she was Canada?s oldest citizen
Responsible for founding of Baldwin House in 1979,Sister Pauline Rheaume told a ?Standard-Freeholder,?reporter that ?? women who come here are at the end of their ropes? So many women? have nowhere to go ?Statistics proved her point,and after only three years in operation,Baldwin House had provided a short-term safety-net for some 300 women
A Sister of the Holy Cross,Sister Rheaume started Cornwall?s Big Sister Program,wasa founding member of the Children?sTreatment Centre in 1996,and wasinstrumental in organizing both Chevrier House and M oreau Place for young women to live
For her work she wasawarded the Order of Canada in 1992,and named Cornwall Citizen of the Year
From M ontreal,Sister Rheaume started her career as an elementary school teacher,and then moved on to instruct at Ecole Secondaire St Croix for girls,worked as a social worker for the Children?s Aid Society and also served as an overseas missionary
(nee W ILLIAM S)
Dr M argarete M acaulay practised M edicine in Cornwall from 1966 to 2001
Trained at the University of Liverpool?s School of M edicine she earned her medical degree in 1955 After labouring under Britain?s National Health Care Service,Dr M argaret M acaulay came to Cornwall with her husband,Dr John D M acaulay,upon his appointment as assistant pathologist in 1965
Dr M acaulay related:
W hen we came to Cornwall there were roughly 40 Doctors.W e had a very warm welcome and felt immediately at home apart from having to learn another version of English and using strange money (Britain did not use decimal currency until 1971,and they still don? t have a ?dollar ?)
W e had to do our final examinations again which was rather a shock Some weeks before the exam I happened to be at a dinner in the Chateau
Laurier sitting by Dr Ewing,an Ottawa surgeon who told me that he wasone of the examiners ?Come to Ottawa,?he said ?and we will look after you ?And so I did? The surgery oral examination finally came and there was Dr Ewing waiting for me ?or so I thought ?Good morning?saysI ?we have met before ??Oh?replied Dr Ewing ?have I failed you before??As you can imagine he did not get any referrals from me! Before opening her practice in 1966,Dr M acaulay worked at the Cornwall General asHealth Service Physician, examining ?? doing physicals on new employees and regular examinationsof old employees,?and tending to any work related sickness or injuriesand administering immunizations She remained in this part-time position until 1987
In 1968,Dr M acaulay became the first physician appointed to the Cornwall of Nursing, a position she held after the school was transferred to St Lawrence College until 1982
Dr M acaulay continued:
In the hospitals there were no full time emergency physicians.The family physicians were organised into groups I was very honoured to be asked to join Group 2by Dr John M cKeown? Emergency Departments were manned by the family physicians who looked after their own or the group?s patients when on call and when on ?city call?
for those patients without doctors,it could be very hectic running from (one of Cornwall?s three hospitals) Nights were often disturbed.Full time emergency physicians were not hired until the mid ?70s
On top of all this,Dr.M acaulay immunised school children across the United Countiesover a two year period
Professionally,Dr.M acaulay served as President and historian of the Cornwall Academy of M edicine,sat on the ?Needs and Services Committee?for the District Health Council and was Chief of General Practice at the Cornwall General twice
Dr M acaulay was also active in the non medical community and was VP for the YM -YW CA aspart of the team that raised $250,000 be make them debt free in 1969
Even if you did not need her medical services,you may have heard her voice, as an active member of the Cornwall Centennial Choir
