The Drive Magazine // Spring // Issue 141

ISSUE 141

GISÈLE LEVASSEUR INSIDE THE WORLD OF WHAT MOTIVATION AND DEDICATION LOOKS LIKE

LIFESTYLE | CULTURE | PEOPLE | TRENDS

JOIN US AT THE LEADING EDGE OF SCIENCE

Find out more at uwindsor.ca/science

SMILE You’re at Rose City Ford

Celebrating

41

‘

‘

years of excellence

You shared your favourites moments with us. Now it's our turn to share them with our community.

I always feel welcome, top notch service.

Quick and courteous. Everything went well.

—A satisfied Rose City Ford customer

Rose City Ford. Rose City Proud www.rosecityford.com • 6333 Tecumseh road east, Windsor • 519.948.7800

Home is where we are

together.

Through years of providing top notch customer satisfaction, quality furniture above and beyond expectation, and everyday exceptional pricing, our business has continued to grow and has satisfied the home furnishing needs for all of Southwestern Ontario.

14 King Street West, Chatham, ON

|

519-397-5288

|

devosfurniture.ca

NOT ALL PERFORMANCE CARS ARE GERMAN (519) 250-5500 | 925 Provincial Road | Windsor 6

alfawindsor.ca

LEADING CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH

Dr. Nigel Hussey Integrative Biology

Dr. Dan Xiao Physics

Dr. Lisa Porter Biomedical Sciences

Studying movement dynamics of the Greenland Shark.

Developing a portable Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device.

Resolving the mechanics of cell cycle checkpoints in development and disease.

Dr. Aaron Fisk School of the Environment

Dr. Tricia Carmichael Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dr. Luis Rueda Computer Science

Leading the Real-time Aquatic Environment Observing Network.

Creating new weavable electronic materials.

Applying machine learning, pattern recognition and deep learning to identify cancer biomarkers.

Find out more at uwindsor.ca/science

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DRIVE

PAUL ST-PIERRE ................................................ Publisher DAVE HUNTER .................................. Vice President, sales BREANNE MCGINTY.................................................. Sales SONJA POPOVSKI ..................................................... Sales SHAWNA BEECROFT .............................. Graphic designer SABINE MAIN......................................... Creative director MARNIE ROBILLARD ............................. Director of design CONTRIBUTORS ALLEY L. BINIARZ .................................................. Writer TREVOR BOOTH .......................................... Photographer JEN BRIGNALL-STRONG ......................................... Writer DR. ANDREA DINARDO ......................................... Writer MONA ELKADRI .......................................... Stylist/writer KENNEDY HARDY ....................... Writer (student contest) DAVE HUNTER ............................................ Photographer SYX LANGEMANN ....................................... Photographer DEVAN MIGHTON .................................................. Writer ANTHONY SHEARDOWN ............................ Photographer MATTHEW ST. AMAND ........................................... Writer ANNA STANLEY ............................................. Copy editor

On the cover: ISSUE 141

GISÈLE LEVASSEUR INSIDE THE WORLD OF WHAT MOTIVATION AND DEDICATION LOOKS LIKE

Gisele Levasseur – RBC Mortgage Specialist Inside the world of what motivation and dedication looks like.

By Devan Mighton Photos by Heike Delmore

LIFESTYLE | CULTURE | PEOPLE | TRENDS

We create so much more than closets.

Follow and like us: Twitter @thedrivemag Instagram @thedrivemag Facebook @thedrivemag

From simple to intricate designs, California Closets systems are custom designed specifically for you and the way you live.

The Drive magazine is delivered direct to nearly 30,000 select homes throughout Windsor-Essex exclusively through Canada Post. Mail subscriptions available on line at thedrivemagazine.com/signup or by emailing info@thedrivemagazine.com

Free In-Home or Virtual Design Consultations WINDSOR 1160 Walker Rd 519.723.2100 californiaclosets.ca ©2022 California Closet Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

Franchises independently owned and operated.

CANADA POST Delivery agreement no. 43497602. Printed in Canada.

Owned and operated by the Landscape Effects Group of Companies.

1125 County Road #42 RR#1, Belle River ON, N0R1A0, 519.727.4769 All advertisement content to appear are subject to approval of the publisher and the publication assumes no responsibility for content included. We do not necessarily share the opinion or views of such advertising and assume no liability of this content or messaging.

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2/15/22 8:51 AM

CONTENTS

ISSUE 141

36

FOOD 13 Oh So Mona Blueberry Scones

SPOTLIGHT

AROUND TOWN 15 Noteworthy Mentions Around Town

One on One with Photographer Steve Biro.

PSYCH DRIVE 20 Put a Time Limit on Negativity Story by Dr. Andrea Dinardo

Story by Devan Mighton Photo by Syx Langemann and Steve Biro

PORTRAIT 24 Gisele Levasseur – RBC Mortgage Specialist Story by Devan Mighton Photos by Heike Delmore INNER-VIEW 44 Dr. Kendall Soucie of the University of Windsor Story by Jennifer Brignall-Strong Photo by Syx Langemann BOOK REVIEW 58 Book Review – Windsor Then and Now

By Matt St. Amand Photos by Ian Virtue

52 SPOTLIGHT Community – Building Today’s Walkerville. The Sood family is reshaping Walkerville.

Story by Devan Mighton Photos by Trevor Booth THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

9

Building Custom Docks and Lifts for over 30 Years.

Excavating, foundations, site work, breakwalls, docks

519-798-3110 leomailloux.ca A NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER Spring is almost here, a much-needed welcome and change of season. Change is becoming the buzzword of 2022 as we let go of pandemic restrictions, relax slightly and take a deep breath to renew and rejuvenate.

We are excited to share a wonderful collection of engaging local stories in this issue, including a glimpse of the award-winning photographer Steve Biro. We also had an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Kendall Soucie from the University of Windsor’s H.E.A.L Lab about the disparities in women’s healthcare experiences. Read on and let us know your thoughts, feedback or content you’d love to read about at info@thedrivemagazine.com.

We are grateful for your continued support during the uncertain times we have experienced. Thanks to you, our advertisers and our readers, we have managed to record unprecedented success with our issues to date – we could not have done it without you and our hard-working team. I thank you for your continued support.

As always, stay kind to each other and continue supporting our small businesses throughout Windsor and Essex County.

Yours truly,

Paul St. Pierre Publisher 10

T H E N E W 2 0 2 2 N A V I G AT O R I S H E R E .

O R D E R Y O U R S T O D AY.

301 Richmond Street, Chatham, ON 519.397.3403 www.victorylincoln.com

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11

FOOD

Photo by Mona Elkadri

12

FOOD

Blueberry SCONES

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar.

1 tbsp baking powder

• Add cubed butter and using the whisk attachment, pulse the mixture at low speed until it forms a coarse mixture with chunks of butter. Add the fresh blueberries to the mixture.

½ tsp salt 6 tbsp granulated sugar (set aside 1 tbsp for sprinkling at the end) 1 ¾ cups fresh blueberries ½ cup cold unsalted butter cut into cubes cup milk 1 large egg 1 tsp vanilla

• In a small bowl, combine the milk, egg, and vanilla.

• Using a spatula, add the wet mixture to the dry and mix until just combined.

• On a floured surface knead dough a few times and form it into a ball. If the mixture is too sticky, sprinkle a light dusting of flour.

• Pat down into an 8-inch circle and cut into 8 wedges. Place each wedge on a lined baking sheet 2 inches apart. Place in the fridge for 30 min.

• While you wait for the scones to chill in the fridge, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. • Brush the tops of your scones with milk and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Place the baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 20 min or until golden brown.

• Enjoy scones as soon as they cool down or refrigerate them in an air-tight container for up to 5 days. D

Mona Elkadri is a lifestyle blogger with a fondness for everyday living and entertaining, from sweet recipes to home décor and DIY, and everything in between. Ohsomona.com

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13

New Fortis Group Head Office Project.

1455 Matthew Brady Blvd Windsor | 519.944.5277 Windsor & Essex County’s Only Registered Diamon-Fusion Dealer.

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bayviewglass.com

Eric LaMarre Owner

AROUND TOWN

TOWN Welcome to our custom content page meant to highlight unique news from the Windsor-Essex region DEVOS FURNITURE In 1981, after 32 years working in the furniture industry, George Devos decided to open a furniture business named Devos Furniture. Along with his wife Georgette, and three children, they have built what has become Chatham's most recognized fully independent family run furniture business. Through years of providing top notch customer satisfaction, quality furniture above and beyond expectation, and everyday exceptional pricing, their business has continued to grow and has satisfied the home furnishing needs for all of Southwestern Ontario. Today, Ryan and Andrea Devos run the family business with the same commitment to all the aspects that have made them successful for over 40 years. Devos furniture is in the heart of historic downtown Chatham at 14 King Street West.

Hours of operation are Mon-Fri,10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and closed Sunday. They may be reached at 519-397-5288 or visit them online at devosfurniture.ca THE REAL GROUP WITH DORIS & MATT The Real Group with Doris & Matt is the region's newest and most talked about, luxury-focussed real estate team, leveraging Doris Lapico's 25 plus years of selling luxury properties across WindsorEssex and Matt Biggley's successful track record as a real estate investor. Doris is synonymous with luxury properties, forwardthinking design, and her philanthropic leadership, while Matt spent 15 years serving students and families as a well-known area educator.

They've partnered together with their incredible team, Brandi Plantus and Nahid Alam, to offer concierge-level service and bring luxury marketing to their clients, getting amazing results in the process. With years of experience and countless happy clients, The Real Group with Doris & Matt, look forward to sharing their passion for beautiful homes and helping more good people. For more information about The Real Group and to “Get on the List”, please contact Concierge Services at therealgroupdm@gmail.com

CCS ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION CCS Engineering and Construction is a local, family owned and operated business committed to quality work built on a foundation of trust for every project. Whether you’re looking for a renovation, a custom home build or commercial/healthcare space, CCS engineering and construction can make it a reality. With an in-house design and engineering department, CCS can put your dream to paper, providing sealed drawings and can submit them to your associated township for approval. CCS engineering and construction are proud to have talented project managers as part of the team making sure you enjoy a hassle-free, and entertaining building experience.

They proudly service all of South Western Ontario. Please contact them at (226) 499-2227 or visit ccsengcon.com THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

15

RBC Dominion Securities Inc.

Global investing strategies to help you strengthen your portfolio An exclusive wealth seminar presented

by Sechopoulos Valente Group Every investor deserves to feel confident in their portfolio. Join us for expert insights on investing for growth and preservation in today’s global capital markets.

Tuesday, April 19, 2022 | 5:30 p.m.

Hosted by: Sechopoulos Valente Group RBC Dominion Securities www.svgroup.ca

For more information, or to secure your space, contact Stella at stella.dhono@rbc.com or 519-252-3178.

Essex Golf & Country Club, 7555 Matchette Rd. Windsor, ON N9J 2S4 RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. ©2022 RBC Dominion Securities Inc. All rights reserved. 22_90621_MT6_002

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INSPIRE LUXURY

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Manor Windsor Realty Ltd. Brokerage | 3276 Walker Road | Windsor | 519.250.8800 markeugeni.com • tinapickle.com #1 Sales Agent 2006-2021 18

Building Lifestyle into Our Homes: Dory Azar Architect Inc. Photo by Syx Langemann

Dory Azar’s architectural designs take his clients’ dreams and desires and bundle them into the spaces of their future homes.

“It’s like we’re shrink-wrapping someone’s life with walls; we’re taking how they live and building a framework around it,” Dory explains the method behind his firm’s holistic approach to design.

The team behind Dory Azar Architect Inc. works to bring unique homes to the area while also encouraging homeowners not to shy away from their extraordinary visions. “People often want something unique and different, but they worry about fitting in and not offending their neighbours and they wind up living in something they don’t love. I want people to know that while it’s important to consider the context of the neighbourhood, you can do it without being an exact replica,” Dory says.

Dory has built his entire reputation on this belief. When he first established his residential portfolio after working on commercial architecture, Dory began by designing projects that were close to his heart — his own homes.

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“I was a nervous wreck,” Dory says about taking the leap with his designs.

“But every sale since has shown a higher resale value than other homes in the neighbourhoods and I believe it’s because they’re unique”. When designing those first contemporary homes, Dory considered the size of the other homes in the neighbourhood and used comparable materials that would make the home “fit in” while also standing out with its unique structural features. With each build, he made a list of objectives by asking himself and his family how they wanted the home’s qualities to enhance their existing lifestyles. This approach is what continues to set Dory and his team apart today, as they design around their

understanding of how clients live and then build them in with flair.

With the decades of experience that Dory and his team have under their belts, clients now know exactly what type of design and energy they’ll receive through the process. “We’ve got enough work out that there’s a style there. It’s a little more contemporary, not so cookiecutter, and is meant for someone who is looking for that special something.”

They take as much pride in the process as they do in the end-result, and they understand that there’s a lot of emotional energy on the clients’ part when designing and building a home.

“We always meet them with empathy because we want the process to be as enjoyable as the finished product. We challenge each other, we have fun, and we always make it through together.”

Dory and his team are motivated by the permanence that residential builds hold; how they go from being a kernel of an idea to someone’s home. Once that torch is passed, the homes and their stories outlive the architect and become a part of generations of legacies. That has been one of Dory’s main motivators for focusing on residential work: the influence that could be had and the impact that homes have on people’s souls. “When you’re designing homes, you’re designing something that people can’t wait to get back to after a long day.”

Dory says he and his team can’t get to work fast enough. They spend their days designing good work for good people, and that’s all they’ve ever aimed to do.

You can see more of Dory Azar Architect Inc.’s designs and influence on the community on their website at doryazar.com or you can catch Dory’s high-energy and approachable self on his TikTok channel where he educates on architecture and design trends. D 19

PSYCH DRIVE

When I was a kid, my mom set the egg timer for almost everything we did; whether it was how long we spent doing our homework, weeding the garden, watching television, or complaining about life’s challenges.

PUT A TIME LIMIT ON

NEGATIVITY

TIME IS IN SUCH SHORT SUPPLY. THE SOONER WE APPRECIATE ITS VALUE, THE BETTER LIFE BECOMES.

20

PSYCH DRIVE

PASSING VERSUS PERMANENT DIFFICULTIES Setting a time limit helped us understand that nothing lasts forever – good or bad.

This was especially important when we felt helpless over things, we did not have control over, including chores we did not want to do.

Full disclosure: My mom is a psychologist too.

ENERGY AND EMOTIONAL AWARENESS The egg timer (principle) can be applied to how often we feel negative versus positive throughout the day. Venting our negative emotions feels good “in the moment”, but when it goes on too long, the costs outweigh the benefits.

Too often we complain about stressors for hours beyond the momentary challenge has passed. Leaving little time in the day for appreciation, wonder, and gratitude.

Then one day we wake up and realize that life is too short to be all negative, all the time. Even (especially) when life gets tough.

RESPECTING OTHER PEOPLE’S BOUNDARIES Setting time limits also taught us to respect how our words and actions impact others.

We learned the importance of asking permission before sharing our problems and difficulties. Boundaries go both ways, and few people have the capacity to listen seven days of the week.

TIMER MOTIVATION TECHNIQUE To this day I set a timer on the microwave or my cellphone. A simple, yet effective way to motivate myself through tedious tasks and become more mindful of time itself.

FINAL THOUGHTS Negativity is to be expected. It’s part of the human experience. The question is – how long will you stay there?

Share your challenges. Share your obstacles. Share your difficulties. But also leave room for what’s good in your life. D

JOY NEEDS ROOM TO BREATHE AND SO DO YOU PSYCHOLOGY REFLECTION QUESTIONS 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Is negativity something you consciously pay attention to?

Is positivity something you consciously pay attention to?

Do you focus more on time or energy throughout the day?

Who or what drains you? Who or what energizes you?

What is your energy level on a scale of 1 to 10 right now?

Dr. Andrea Dinardo

Psychology professor and keynote speaker with expertise in stress, resilience, and mental health.

Visit DrAndreaDinardo.com to learn more about her speaking services and leadership programs.

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penaltyboxwindsor.com

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PORTRAIT

24

PORTRAIT

GISÈLE LEVASSEUR

IT'S TIME TO Fly Local mortgage specialist continues to make a brand for herself.

Gisèle Levasseur sat at her desk, tapping her pen on her keyboard, pondering her future. The recent graduate of St. Clair College's marketing program was working her old summer job, also her new main gig, at the family business – AV Gauge & Fixture in Oldcastle.

By Devan Mighton Photos by Heike Delmore

"I was good at the marketing aspect, but I just wasn't passionate about what I was trying to sell," admits Levasseur. She heard from a friend that he was looking for an assistant at a local mortgage company and she decided it was time to take a leap of faith.

ista, Levasseur made ends meet through a job at Tommy Hilfiger, a job that allowed her to flex her communication and customer service skills. Advancing to the mortgage assistant job felt right and she soon received her mortgage agent licence.

Still stuck in an assistant-type role, on the advice of her cousin and lifetime mentor, Fred Quenneville, Levasseur struck out on her own and jumped ship to Royal Bank of Canada.

Quenneville, a four-decade veteran of RBC, was a top dog at RBC Dominion Security – their wealth management branch.

Fred Quenneville sadly passed this fall Levasseur had to break the news to her father. "I was like, 'Dad, thanks for the oppor- after a brief battle with cancer. tunity, but this isn't for me,'" she chuckles.

"He's still well respected at RBC," states After putting in three years of hard work Levasseur. "He introduced me to a lot of at the college, and working for public relations RBC partners to help build my business. guru and philanthropist Kim Spirou, as well He introduced me to different realtors and as the Essex Community Foundation, Levas- builders, people in the community who are seur still hadn't quite found the career path business owners." Quenneville motivated her she was looking for. A self-professed fashion- to choose roughing out her first few years on THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

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PORTRAIT

her own, learning the job from the inside out as opposed to becoming a team member who might fall beneath another's shadow.

Now, four years down the road, she has come into her own as an RBC mortgage specialist.

"In this industry, you don’t really become successful until your third or fourth year," opines Levasseur. "In the first year, you're getting to know the programs, getting to know the system and you meet the adjudicators. In the second year, you're getting your name out there more, and, in the third year, people start realizing who you are and your advertising."

Levasseur, has always dedicated herself to her community, not just through mortgage advice, but also by supporting and advocating for small business.

"You have to support where you live – and support local businesses," she explains. "There are so many businesses that have suffered through the pandemic that I don't even know how they're still alive." Levasseur spent nine years as a member of the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce for their Business Excellence Awards committee, where she advocated for small business and honoured pillars of the community. She also regularly attends gala fundraisers and supports charities through donations and gift baskets.

Through her job, she continues her dedication to small business and WindsorEssex families by helping them gain premium advice to get the best-fit mortgage they can get.

"Whether you're a homeowner or not, you feel the inflation when you go to the gas pump, when you go to the grocery store," explains Levasseur. "People are realizing that things are more expensive. There are a lot of expenses that happen in life and people's paychecks aren't getting any bigger. It's looking at the big picture and asking, how much am I spending a month? How can I save some money?"

With ever-present inflation, mounting debts, and spiking interest rates, Levasseur puts her customers at ease by showing them options for consolidating their debt, to help save money, providing loan preapprovals, refinancing, navigating an overheated housing market, the pros and cons of fixed and variable mortgage rates, and even downsizing. Whether she is your first or second choice, her advice is free.

"A lot of people look at today and don't look to the future," states Levasseur. "They need to understand their goals and what they want to do. I give them the best advice possible.

We have a lot of wonderful partners that we 26

PORTRAIT

It's all about being top of mind, being relevant, and doing really unique things to set yourself apart.

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work with, whether it's everyday banking, or investing money, or looking to consolidate debt, we bring in everyone together so we're all on the same page to help you."

Levasseur has made a real effort at branding, getting her name out there for people to see. "Jokingly, I used to be called the 'Selfie Queen'," she laughs. "I'd go to a lot of galas, and I'd tell people, 'Oh, let's take a picture!' I met a lot of wonderful people through community events. I wanted to stand out and do unique and different things."

She has also been thinking outside the box. "One of the things I did was partner up with Ocean Bottom. After every client, when I close their mortgage, they get a soap basket with my face on it, and I have my own room spray."

Through two years of pandemic Facetiming, she has also garnered a reputation for sporting her embroidered RBC-blue attire while on camera. "It's all about being top of mind, being relevant, and doing really unique things to set yourself apart."

Also, after two years of co-marketing with another top producer who recently left the company, it has been important for Levasseur to stand apart and let the world know that she's doing her own thing. "It's my time to fly," she emphasizes. "I felt comfortable having him there to lean on and to ask questions, but after a mentorship for so long, it's time for me to do my own thing and separate myself."

Levasseur has excelled at being a calming voice for her customers as the COVID-19 pandemic has persisted.

"As much as the pandemic was negative, there were also a lot of positives that came out of it," she explains. "There are a lot of people that it affected, and people panicked. They were freaking out over paying bills, weren't sure, if they had a lot of debt, if they wanted to consolidate everything right, and it was just sitting down with them and explaining there were things we can do, we can figure it out, they don't need to freak out – we will help you. Just being that calm sounding board, I felt sometimes like a therapist."

RBC has slowly started allowing employees and customers back into their buildings on a case-by-case basis. However, the digital universe has allowed Levasseur to set up shop at any time her customers need. "I'm glued to my computer all the time," she states. "People will send me a message, whether it's on What's App, text message, Facetime, or Facebook, we 28

are pretty much available 24/7. Our job isn't 9-to-5. People think that because I work for a bank, I have regular 9-to-5 hours, but I don't."

Levasseur tailors her time to her clients, often fielding calls after her clients have put the kids to bed. "It's about being resourceful," she says. "Throughout the pandemic, people are slowly adapting to a new way of doing business. I don't have to go to the bank, and I don't have to wear a dress anymore – it's all about connecting with that client – understanding where they are coming from and being available to them when they're available."

After graduating from Cardinal Carter Catholic Secondary School in 2011, Levasseur, no doubt, never saw herself as a mortgage specialist, or studying marketing three years at college to sell mortgages or spending her first eight months of the job working at Tommy Hilfiger helping make that dream a reality, but the dedication to bettering herself, getting herself out there, and dreaming big has paid off.

"People always tell you to go to school for what your dreams are and, realistically, when you find a job at the end of the day, it may not have anything to do with what you went to school for," explains Levasseur. "I technically went to school for marketing, and I am marketing myself today, yes, but it's not really what I thought I would be doing."

She says it's important to have a strong support system if you want to succeed.

"Surround yourself with encouraging people and work hard. Work harder than anybody else. The harder you work, the more successful you will be in the future."

Levasseur puts a lot of stock in helping people through difficult situations. Debt strapped families to consolidate and live better lives. Mortgage advice for young couples and families buying their first home. New Canadians getting a fresh start and providing sage advice to older couples and smaller families about downsizing and tailoring mortgages to their needs. She has even assisted pandemic challenged small businesses revamp their finances to keep them afloat.

"It's little things like that that really make you feel good about your job, what you do, and how you help people," she smiles.

If you would like to receive mortgage advice from Gisèle Levasseur, she can be contacted by email at gisele.levasseur@rbc.com, on mobile at 519-999-0901 and be sure to follow her on social media at #mymortgagegirlgisele. D

PORTRAIT

I give them the best advice possible. We have a lot of wonderful partners that we work with, whether it's everyday banking, or investing money, or looking to consolidate debt, we bring in everyone together so we're all on the same page to help you.

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PROFILE

PALAZZI TILE AND GRANITE Laying the Groundwork to Build a Legacy

By Alley Biniarz Photo by Max Wedge Photography

Palazzi Tile and Granite began as all strong legacies do: by establishing humble roots in the community and devoting themselves to quality workmanship, customer satisfaction, and offering a selection of the finest materials in the flooring industry.

Their commitment to quality and community began in 1960 and has been passed down from the original founders and brothers Paul, Marco, and Max Palazzi to the new generation of family ownership.

“We had a good foundation to start with,” Robert Palazzi says about the work his father and uncles accomplished before he, his brother Mark, cousins Paolo Palazzi and Paula Mele along with partner Fabio Bernabo took over the business. “It’s been a transition from the older generation who brought it to this point, and now it’s up to us to improve the business and carry it into the future.”

Knowing that the Palazzi name has been a part of the community for over 60 years motivates Robert, Mark, Paolo, Paula, and Fabio to maintain the relevancy of the business in today’s industry. “As time goes on it’s easy to become stagnant. You’re like THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

someone who has been waiting at a train station; you can either keep standing there, or at some point you have to jump onto the train and move forward,” Robert adds.

It’s this mentality that has inspired the push towards renovating the Palazzi Tile showroom. “Upon completion, the goal of the showroom will be for clients to come in and experience the sights, colours, and textures firsthand,” Fabio says about the growth of the manufactured materials division with the continual addition of products such as Quartz slabs and the newest in large format porcelain tile slabs. “We have capabilities to fabricate and install them,” he adds. With the new showroom, they will have the space to display full sheets on the showroom floor.

These large slabs have expanded the opportunities for clients beyond flooring and into counter work, shower enclosures, or fireplace design. The Palazzi products are imported directly from Italy, Spain as well as other parts of the world and range from exclusive to entry level materials that can suit any project. The new showroom has broadened the horizons for clients while

the open concept feel allows them to feel inspired by the design and creativity brought into the space.

In the early years, the Palazzi’s established a reputation within the Windsor-Essex community for their vision, quality installations, and meeting the market demand and its changes. These values and workmanship stand true today and continue to be the cornerstone of the business’ philosophy adopted by the entire Palazzi team. It’s not only the product that stands the test of time, but also the staff who maintain the goal of service and knowledge of products that the original owners set out to showcase.

Mark and Paolo say with endless gratitude that it’s the community’s support that has kept the business going through the years. They are proud to carry on the legacy that carved out the award for Best Flooring Company in YQG. Customers can get their creative juices flowing by exploring the Palazzi website at palazzibros.com, or by visiting their showroom at 3636 Walker Rd. D 33

PROFILE

LEADING THEIR LEGACY WITH PURPOSE BRICETIN CONCRETE RESTORATION INC.

By Alley Biniarz Photo by Trevor Booth

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PROFILE

We’re seeing it more and more with the new generations coming in, that they need a reason to come into work and a sense of purpose.

Mark and Cindy Rivait are retiring from Bricetin Concrete Restoration Inc. after 31 years in the business. The company they built has been known for its work in brick restoration which morphed into concrete and foundation repair, and was built on high levels of skilled workmanship, high quality, and a devotion to both their employees and customers. As successful as their company is today, Mark and Cindy say that it’s important that people see the work and effort gone into their early days.

“It’s very rewarding to look back and see what you accomplished, but in being successful people don’t realize where you’ve come from. They see where you’re at now and don’t see the sacrifice or the long road ahead,” Mark says about what they’ve gone through to get to this place in their lives.

Cindy adds that they took a big risk when first starting the company. On top of running the business they worked together flipping houses, and all the while they were raising two young boy. “We can relax and breathe a bit now, but there were days where we thought we couldn’t do it anymore,” she says.

Mark says that during those difficult days he was driven by his motivation for wanting to provide stable work and respectful treatment for his employees and to run a business differently than he’d seen it done by others.

“I worked for other people and hadn’t been treated well by them and I decided that when I went into business, I would never treat anyone that way. They were my motivation; they motivated me to get out and do my own thing,” he adds.

They’ve maintained that attitude towards their employees throughout the entirety of running Bricetin, where they have treated them with respect and helped them reach their potential. “We’ve always believed that the psychic income is just as important as the monetary. We’re seeing it more and more with the new generations coming in, that they need a reason to come into work and a sense of purpose,” Cindy says.

Even in the way they’re passing on their business, Mark and Cindy have taken an empathetic and alternative approach. The two-year training process was made seamless with the help of Hilary Van Welter from Ascentia, who consults with cultural and structural changes in businesses. “There’s a different mindset moving from employee to

THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

employer, and with the help of her meetings, workbooks, and templates they’ve felt supported in the transition,” Cindy explains.

To ease the financial transition, Cindy and Mark wanted to create a fair way for their employees to take over the company. “We felt that this was the right thing to do, to give them a hand up. They just have to do the work we agreed upon to buy us out and then the company— and its reputation — is theirs.”

Cindy says they felt this was the way to move forward as we evolve as humanity, where it’s more about spreading the wealth and fairness amongst the people.

The new owners, Greg, Matt, Mitch, and Jeremy have been with Bricetin for 16, 17, 18, and 30 plus years consecutively and Cindy and Mark say they’ve always shown leadership, responsibility, pride and loyalty for the company, which is how they know that they’ll continue to live up to the reputation that they’ve helped to build.

They trust that the new owners will carry on the Bricetin legacy of quality and service, where customer satisfaction is backed up by honesty and integrity. It shows in their average daily quotes of 15 - 20 jobs a day in peak season, and average wait time of two to six months, which Mark says people are willing to wait because they know that they can trust the Bricetin team will get it done, and get it done right.

As Mark and Cindy pass the torch and transition the company to those four key employees, they’re placing their energy into new ventures and commitments. In their next chapter the two will continue their support of Peace Literacy, as they believe in investing in their community. This organization is close to their hearts as it is so in line with their values of focusing on purpose, meaning, belonging and self-worth while cultivating a deeper respect of our shared humanity, strengthening communication and understanding in the workplace and in our communities.

They have used Peace Literacy in their business to better their workplace culture and open the conversation around trust and building morale. They believe that having these free and accessible tools in place will help to benefit any organization and will continue supporting them through their everlasting legacy. To learn more visit peaceliteracy.org. D 35

SPOTLIGHT

Photo by Syx Langemann

THROUGH THE LENS OF STEVE BIRO Local nature photographer finds beauty across Windsor–Essex

By Devan Mighton Photos by Steve Biro

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I know some people will never see the things that I am very fortunate to see in my travels. I've been to many countries, I've been all over the world, and when it brings people joy, it brings me joy.

SPOTLIGHT

Patience. It took patience to get here.

At the crack of dawn, Steve Biro sets out on the snowy sideroads south of East Windsor.

Shaking cobwebs from his head, taking sips of bitter coffee, he cruises along with his eyes peeled – through foggy windows – on the snow-encrusted treelines for an elusive soul.

Finally, he spots his quarry just inside a field. He pulls over and sneaks down the ditch to a fencepost for a better view – shivering as hints of melting snow slide down his heels inside his boots.

He quietly sets up his camera and waits.

He may have sat and watched for seconds or hours – time melds together. A small mouse dashes in front of him – leaving the safety of the nest below the snow, running an errand.

Biro hears a rush of wind and primes his focus, as a magnificent raptor glides down to make its kill. A snowy owl has made its breakfast, and for Biro, his patience has paid off with another remarkable image to share.

"Much of my knowledge is self-taught," admits Biro. "I have taken some classes.

It started to evolve from seascapes and

landscapes, that was my original passion.

I used to run down to the riverfront, about two-or-three years straight, 250 days of the year, taking pictures. I found it fascinating that I could go down there and get a different image every day."

Steve Biro is an avid hiker and adventurer turned nature photographer.

"I started into photography as a way to capture nature when I was hiking," he explains. "I wanted to be able to capture what I was seeing. It was more for myself, at the time, because I like going through images of vacations and hikes and places I've been because it helps bring back fond memories of my trips. I find it's much easier for me to recall just from the act of taking pictures."

Biro says that from 2009 until 2012 were his formative years as a photographer. He posted images to social media of his travels around the world and people started to take notice.

"About five years ago, I started to turn more to nature and wildlife photography," says Biro.

"I found that people really seemed to enjoy seeing birds and animals in pictures. People

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SPOTLIGHT

38

were telling me it was nice to see things they normally wouldn't see. That drove me to take more nature images and it has progressed from there."

A few years ago, Biro started venturing to the Canadian Raptor Conservancy in Victoria, near Port Dover – this is where he met Bruce the Bald Eagle. Frozen in stunning symmetry, skimming the surface of the water with his wings spread like St. Louis' Gateway Arch, Biro caught Bruce in his majestic glory.

"After the image went viral, a lot of people started to follow me on social media," Biro recalls. "They, obviously, had a love for seeing images of animals and eagles. That reinforced my desire to capture nature."

On top of his job with Ford, Biro figures he photographs 20-30 hours per week.

"I really enjoy being in nature," he professes.

"It's not just about photography for me. There's something peaceful about being in nature, watching it, learning about it – you really learn a lot about wildlife when you're watching birds and animals in action."

"You can walk around Ojibway Park and focus on nature and take your mind off the harshness of life. That aspect is very attractive to me. I find that during tougher times, nature brings you back in focus and always makes you feel a little better."

In addition to Bruce, Biro is well-known for his gorgeous deer and owl photography, as well as his shots of eagles and hawks. He frequents Ojibway Park, Spring Garden, East Windsor, the Windsor Riverfront, Holiday Beach, and is often touring the county in search of his next shot.

snowy owls, it can take even longer to find one to shoot.

"It's very common for me to go out driving for three to six hours if I'm out looking for snowy owls, which are much rarer to spot," states Biro. "I only first saw them several years ago myself, and I do spend a long time looking for them."

Biro explains that what drives him to keep searching for the next great shot is his need to immerse himself in nature, which helps him to find peace, and his insatiable need to find an image that is unique.

"I just went to Port Stanley to photograph these amazing waves that were being churned up by 100 kilometer-per-hour winds last weekend," he says. "On that day, I took over 14,000 images. I went through and tried to find something unique to post other than a picture of just an ordinary wave. I just posted a wave that looks like a lion coming out of the water. I'm always driven to find something unique – I guess that is a big part of what makes me get out there."

However, Biro admits that his motivations for photography have changed over the years.

"Something happened along the way – I found that my images bring some people great joy," admits Biro. "I know some people will never see the things that I am very fortunate to see in my travels. I've been to many countries, I've been all over the world, and when it brings people joy, it brings me joy."

To see Steve Biro's latest work, please visitSteveBiroPhotography.com or follow him on Instagram at @stevebiro or on Facebook. D

"Ojibway is really nice in the cooler months," he explains. "I find you can see deer as well as smaller songbirds. Another peaceful, fun part of Ojibway is that if you go in there with birdseed, a lot of the smaller songbirds will land on your hand – and they're usually fed with birdseed anyways, so you're not doing any harm there. Holding a bird in your hand, a lot of people enjoy it – especially children.

"One of my favourite spots, from spring until fall, is Malden Park. Malden Park has the ponds, and you can get some really nice images of birds that you won't see elsewhere – like green herons, blue herons, kingfishers, even ospreys sometimes come hunt in the pond – which is quite nice."

Nature photography is an exercise in patience. Biro admits that even once in position, it may take anywhere from 30 minutes to five hours to get the right shot.

Additionally, in the case of photographing THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

39

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PROFILE

From Their Family to Yours Encore Mechanical & Building Services Photo by Trevor Booth

Even after 40 years of adaptations and changes in the business, one detail remains a constant for Encore Mechanical & Building Services: their commitment to the Windsor-Essex community.

“Between the growing residential subdivisions and the high-rise market, we haven’t been able to stop growing.

Basically, everything has just expanded since the transition,” Joel Cecile says about their ability to grow since he and his two siblings, Jeff Cecile and Kailey Garant, took over the business in 2015.

Their father was a part of the business ever since it was launched in 1982, where he paved the way for making Encore Windsor’s premier choice for all plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical work. Since then, they’ve continuously been recognized for their hard work and for putting their customers’ needs at the forefront. Even with the new additions to technology and advancements in the mechanical industry, Encore continues to maintain intimate relationships in the same way they always have.

“We’re committed to maintaining these relationships with all of our customers and aim to please every single one. We like to think that we’ve done a good job because we constantly have repeat customers and people we’ve dealt with throughout the years. We always make sure they’re satisfied so that they come back to us,” Jeff says.

Previously working as licensed plumbers within the business, Joel and Jeff now oversee all of the day to day operations to ensure everything is running smoothly on the floor. Since they’ve put the right employees in place to run each job, they say they can handle the challenges that each day brings and enjoy the ability to help solve customers’ problems together.

Kailey, who holds the role of Office Manager, echoes that they have maintained success and good working relationships with customers because of the professional and qualified staff they have on board. “We’ve been able to recruit and keep employees on staff for a long time; we don’t have a high turnover

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rate. Everyone here is positive, they work well with each other, and they get along like family. We have a good system going,” she adds.

It’s important for them to keep the family-like feel in the business, and it’s been a privilege to nurture the family atmosphere of Encore through hiring young employees. “We really focus on apprenticeships and like to hire new employees right from scratch and train them through,” Kailey says, explaining how the company even works with local high school co-op programs to offer opportunities to youth. Students from schools like St. Joseph’s, St. Anne’s, and L’Essor have gone on to complete their co-op programs and have continued with Encore through apprenticeships and full-length careers. “We always say when we hire someone that this is more of a career than a job; we’re going to keep you for the long haul,” Kailey adds.

Encore likes to offer long-term stability in their jobs, and they take pride in not only supporting individuals but supporting their families as well.

“We’ve always been able to expand, even through the recession in 2008 or the last two years through the pandemic,” Joel says. “We’ve kept everyone on board and working. Where other places were laying off and people were losing their jobs, we were able to maintain everyone we had and we’re proud of that.”

Having the right staff aligned with their business has allowed the Encore team to adapt to future business growth and continue to provide premium services to customers in the area. Whether you need help with any plumbing problems, to install a tankless water heater, or to repair, install, or maintain HVAC systems, the Encore Mechanical family has you and yours taken care of no matter what. D

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INNER-VIEW

ADVOCATING FOR CHANGE

THE H.E.A.L LAB

University Researchers Work to Understand and Improve Women’s Healthcare Experiences

By Jennifer Brignall-Strong Photo by Syx Langemann

This has allowed us to help people feel connected and give them a platform to share their experiences.

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Years of misdiagnosis. Stigma. Depression. Disordered eating. For women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, the road to understanding their condition can be riddled with frustration and chronic health issues.

While Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects one in ten women, there is shockingly little research on the subject and minimal resources for those seeking support with long-term management.

The Health Experiences and Longevity (HEAL) Lab at the University of Windsor is working to change all that.

Directed by Dr. Kendall Soucie in the Department of Psychology, the lab studies the social, cultural, and institutional determinants of women’s health and chronic illness diagnosis and management, particularly within the context of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

“I think this research is overdue in terms of understanding what it's like to live with this condition every day,” says Dr. Soucie.

“Millions of Canadian women have it, yet THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

it's the most under recognized and underfunded syndrome.”

PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder for women of reproductive age.

Symptoms include infrequent, prolonged or abnormally heavy menstrual cycles and elevated levels of male hormones that can result in excess facial and body hair, severe acne, and male-pattern baldness. If left unmanaged, the condition can worsen over time and lead to serious complications including: Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and an increased risk of uterine cancer, infertility, depression, and eating disorders.

Soucie shares that it was her own personal experiences that initially drove her to dig deeper into the subject of women’s health and why so many are dismissed or misdiagnosed.

“When I was in my mid-20s, I started to get a lot of weird symptoms. I was experiencing rapid weight gain and I was super tired; I felt dizzy all the time and had no

energy. My skin changed colour in spots,” she explains. “I went to my family doctor and was basically dismissed and told to lose weight and I’d feel better.”

Discouraged and seeing no improvement in her symptoms, Soucie eventually took advantage of the American healthcare coverage she had through her teaching position at Wayne State University. After numerous tests and appointments with allergists, internists, and endocrinologists, she was diagnosed with PCOS. “It basically explained all my symptoms,” she says.

After Dr. Soucie received her diagnosis, she began touching on PCOS in some of her lectures at Wayne State and the University of Windsor.

“I’d be teaching a Child Development course and would talk about women’s health just to test the waters and see if anybody knew anything about these conditions,” she says. “Students would come up to me after and say, ‘I have PCOS and you're the only 45

INNER-VIEW

person that has ever explained this to me.

I had these horrible experiences in healthcare and nobody listened to me. I still don't know how to manage my condition.’”

Soucie began to delve into scientific literature to see if anyone had written anything on the subject.

“After reading a few journal articles, I noticed it was all really biomedical and the focus was mainly on restoring fertility,” she recounts, noting that she also found a few papers on negative health care experiences and women experiencing misdiagnosis or diagnosis delay.

“On average, it took at least five years to get a diagnosis and the women experienced frustrating, rushed appointments with providers. They were belittled and told to lose weight or to come back when they wanted to get pregnant,” she says. “It was pretty consistent with what I was hearing from my students.”

It was then that Soucie decided to conduct her own study, applying for a small women’s research grant through the University of Windsor. After putting out a call for study participants through the newspaper and social media, Soucie’s inbox and voicemail filled up quickly, with over 200 applicants ultimately applying.

condition and amplify voices that have histor“The fact that The H.E.A.L Lab is one of ically been left out of the conversation like the only research labs in Canada exploring women, trans, and non-binary people. That's these issues is alarming, but also why part of what we're trying to do in our lab.”

I joined,” says Kenzie Tapp, Lab CoordiThe team is also currently exploring nator and fi rst year Clinical Psychology links between PCOS and Intimate Partner graduate student. “We’re doing the work Violence (IPV), as well as medical gas that needs to be out there, and we’re doing lighting; a term used to describe when a it in new and innovative ways. I feel like healthcare provider refuses tests and tells a we’re the voice that I always needed in my person what they’re experiencing isn’t real. diagnostic journey.”

The lab’s plan is to build a comprehensive understanding of why it happens and how to fight back against it through self-advocacy and healthcare reform.

For more information on The H.E.A.L Lab and resources on PCOS, log on to healuwindsor.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram (@theheallab) D

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From 2017 to 2019, Soucie and her student research team were able to interview 75 women. Participants charted a diagnostic timeline and reflected on their diagnosis journeys. The study is part of a long-term research agenda to better understand the reason behind lengthy diagnosis and the impact these lags have on women’s quality of life.

“I feel like many people have health experiences that shape their lives, yet they don’t get the opportunity to talk about them,” says Jasmine Kobrosli, H.E.A.L Lab Coordinator and fourth year undergraduate student. “This has allowed us to help people feel connected and give them a platform to share their experiences.”

Though their continued work, Soucie and her team hope to change the conversation and help women of all backgrounds get the most out of their healthcare experience.

“We need to expand research to look at lived experiences in terms of gender diversity, ethnicity, age; all of these things are so important,” she says. “So often in medicine, you’re just your chart. We need to humanize the experience of living with a chronic health 46

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How to Help Your Pet Live More

holistically

The Hungry Pooch takes the health and wellness of our pets seriously, and for them that means helping to educate pet owners on how to approach their pet’s health holistically. Alina Sherman, and the entire knowledgeable team behind the shop, want to empower us to look at and address the “whole system” and work to support both the bodies and minds of our pets.

Here, Alina shares some tips with us on how we can learn to view our pets’ health holistically to improve their quality of life for the long haul.

LOOK INTO OUR PETS’ NUTRITION Our pets’ health starts with their diet. Alina says that making sure they’re eating what’s right for them is a top priority, and we don’t often think about the type of water that our pets drink. Studies have shown the difference in animal health when they’re given filtered water because they’re sensitive to the types of minerals, chemicals, and antibiotic runoff found in our tap water.

Along with diet and water intake, holistic health also stretches into limiting medications and antibiotics when possible and looking into natural supplements and vitamins that support their overall health.

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LEARN TO BETTER CONNECT WITH OUR PETS We are our pets’ advocates, Alina emphasizes, which means we have to be as in tune and connected with our pets as possible to understand what’s going on with them. Since our pets don’t speak verbally, we need to spend time identifying their non-verbal cues and learn to associate them with their needs. Connecting with our pets allows us to be their best advocates and to be able to speak for them in their times of need.

HELP MANAGE THEIR STRESS (AND OURS) Animals can absolutely pick up on our energy, Alina explains. If we are in distress, our pets can pick up on that and may begin displaying signs of anxiety or stress like restlessness, panting, circling when outside, or having a hard time finding a spot to settle into. It’s important to help manage our own stress to help keep our pets calm. If our pets are displaying these anxiety or stress signs out of the blue, they also may be trying to communicate a physical discomfort, which is another reason to watch these behaviours closely with our pets to mitigate further harm.

GIVE OUR PETS MASSAGES It may seem silly, Alina says, but giving your pet a weekly massage is another way for pet parents to become in tune with their animal and get an understanding of their physical well-being. Massaging their full body can help owners see if their pet flinches in a specific area to help catch a lump, bump, disease, or ache early on to help treat it sooner rather than later.

EXERCISE OUR PETS’ BODIES AND MINDS Just as we thrive with physical and mental stimulation, our pets need it for their general health and wellness too! Alina suggests guiding your pet through activities like puppy puzzles or even hide and seek (her dogs’ favourite game) to help with their mental agility. Since our pets, specifically dogs, are more in tune with the natural world, it’s also crucial that they get outside as often as possible.

The team at The Hungry Pooch hopes that by empowering the community with the tools and information about their pets, that they can help them make better decisions for their pets’ overall health and wellness. If you have any other questions about your pets’ diet or how you can make adjustments to your pets’ lives, reach out to the team at The Hungry Pooch by visiting their locations in Windsor (519-915-9933) or Lakeshore (519-9771120). You can also find them online at www. thehungrypooch.com or follow their social media pages: @thehungrypooch. D

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COMMUNITY

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COMMUNITY

BUILDING TODAYS' WALKERVILLE The Sood family is reshaping Walkerville for both businesses and families

By Devan Mighton Photos by Trevor Booth

Walkerville is a cornerstone of Windsor.

Founded by whisky revolutionary Hiram Walker and incorporated as a town in 1890, it was conceived by the liquor magnate as a "model city" to be the envy of both the region and all of North America. Favouring whisky production – growing grains, milling flour, raising livestock – the town built around the distillery on the Detroit River also served as a home for Canada's fledgling automotive industry.

By 1931, Walkerville had a population of over 10,100 people and its own school – Walkerville Collegiate Institute, built in 1922. However, the writing was already on the wall for the growing community. On July 1, 1935, Walkerville, Ford City, and Sandwich joined the previously annexed communities of Ojibway and Riverside as historic neighbourhoods amalgamated into the City of Windsor.

Today, Walkerville is far from forgotten. A bustling hub of activity in the heart of the city, sharing the Walker Rd. artery with Ford City to its east.

For over 30 years now, Ashok Sood has been a shaping force in modern Walkerville.

"I moved here in the early 90's," recalls Ashok.

"We bought our first property on Walker Rd. and then began assembling more and more.

At different times, we bought seven or eight properties in the area. Walkerville is so close to the border, it's convenient, it's close to downtown, close to the water – I just love the area. Walkerville, in general, has always been my choice of area – a great neighbourhood."

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Founding his cleaning supply business, Champion Products, he created work for local residents. He raised his family here and brought his sons, Amit and Anuj, up in the family business tradition.

"Champion Products is well recognized in the community," boasts Ashok. "I started the business in 1991 as a one-man show and it's a pretty big organization right now – we're 150 employees total. We have facilities in Michigan, Toronto, and Windsor, servicing Ontario, Quebec, and Michigan. My boys are involved in all aspects of Champion. We just want to put this land to the best use possible."

Therein lies the Sood's dream of "Walkerville Village". A revived residential community built on the border of Walkerville and Ford City – with a goal of up to 500 new housing units.

"We've been accumulating all of this land for quite some time now," explains Amit.

"The initial project that was first kicked off was The City Market. Champion Products used to be at that location – 1030 Walker Rd. was where our paper products were based out of – and then we had a fire in 2011, which was devastating. We were able to repurpose the property many years later. In 2015, we opened the market. There's so much land in and around the area, so a couple years ago we started another project where we put in 12 townhomes that are mostly occupied now.

The second phase of these homes are now going up a couple addresses away, and we are building another 12 there."

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– just off Drouillard Rd. The property, which dates back to roughly 1910, has been rejuvenated by the Soods and is again a key part of Drouillard Rd. and Ford City.

"When we moved in here, there was all this talk about Drouillard Rd. being run down and the quality of people," explains Ashok. "I can tell you – I've owned this building for almost 20 years now and they're great people, they just had a stigma attached to them."

However, that is only the beginning – the Soods are thinking big. "We are looking at developing and building a combination of apartments, condos, townhomes and, eventually, single family homes as well," says Amit.

"In total, the project is calling for close to 500 new units that will be coming into that area."

What started with The City Market in 2015 has now become a full on community rejuvenation project for the Soods. "We started building and improving the area – got a little bit of support from the city, and I would like to see more of it to bring it up to where it's supposed to be," explains Ashok. "Why run around miles and miles out of the city when you can do this right here?"

"We, personally, feel proud when we take a derelict piece of property, such as our building on Edna and turn it into what it has become," adds Amit. "When you see these vacant lands that have been sitting vacant for 20-plus years at least, and you turn it into something new – Amit says that they hosted an annual golf that is what we feel is the reward in all of this – tournament up until the start of the pandemic creating something new out of something old." with proceeds going to the Downtown Mission.

The Soods see Walkerville and Ford City They also donated around $40,000 worth of as community partners – a community and Champion Products items, like toilet paper bond that they would like to see grow. and cleaning supplies, to the June 27th Miracle "We just want to improve the area, which event in 2020. "We saw that people were we really believe in," praises Ashok. "I think donating and we wanted to do something as Walkerville is "the place" – you could call it well, so we called the organizers and said we the new Downtown Windsor – it's the most have a bunch of stuff we'd like to donate and happening place. There's a large amount of we made the donation," explains Amit. "No one investment coming into the neighbourhood. asked us to donate. We felt it was something we I don't know any other neighbourhood in should do to help the community during a time Windsor where there's this much action. that was scary for everybody."

"We are excited more than ever before Amit also sits on the Drouillard Place about this development and the response board and, in the name of Champion from the public is unbelievable. If we put a Products, has sponsored as many as 40 local sign up tomorrow, within a week, everything kids to attend summer camp. will be sold."

Now in the community fabric for almost seven years, The City Market has proven to be a success for the Soods. "I deal with a lot of In 2011, Champion Products moved into For more information on Champion different businesses and over the years I have the historic Long Manufacturing Building just Products, please visit their website at champiseen them struggle – getting a 500 sq. ft. store, east of Walker Rd. on Edna St. in Ford City onproducts.com. D advertising on their own, and paying for utilities. So, I came up with the idea, why don't we create a community place where people can come in for as low as $100 per week, all in – and there is already traffic coming through, they don't really need to advertise if they've got a good product – they can come in and start selling it instantly." Ashok adds that the market is currently oversized for their needs, and they are remodeling to cut the space down to a more cozy 30,000 sq. ft.

The Soods have done their part with local philanthropy, as well, through charitable contributions, donations, and fundraiser events. "We've never said no to anybody," states Ashok. "Do we do anything in a big way? No, but we do a lot of small stuff. For example, we've supported the Downtown Mission for the longest time. Also, we work with the Canadian Mental Health Association – we've sponsored them a few times."

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BOOK REVIEW

WINDSOR THEN AND NOW The changing face of Windsor is documented over the past 150 years

Reviewed by Matthew St. Amand 58

It sometimes takes a book like Windsor: Then and Now—among the latest offerings published by Biblioasis—to fully appreciate the growth of Windsor, to be reminded that our city is in continuous topographical flux, that it is something akin to an architectural Etch A Sketch. Like the river flowing beside it, no one steps into the same Windsor twice, from one day to the next.

Documented and compiled by architectural historian, Andrew Foot, and photographed by landscape and commercial photographer, Ian Virtue, Windsor: Then and Now is based upon a simple, yet very affecting, premise: early photographs of Windsor are displayed alongside recent photos of the same areas, often from the same vantage points.

For residents of a certain age, particularly second or third generation Windsorites, there are place names that come in conversation, time and again, of the venerable places that are now gone or irretrievably altered: St. Mary’s Academy, Kresge department store, the Volcano restaurant, and most recently, Huron Church Road.

BOOK REVIEW

Windsor: Then and Now looks at 43 locations around the city, documenting the architectural evolution of Windsor. The time travel begins in Old Sandwich Town, established in 1797. The first photograph in the book is from 1912 showing the Essex County Courthouse, which residents know, today, as Mackenzie Hall. Comparing the new, digital image with the century-old photograph, it’s amazing how little the exterior of the building has changed. One can only guess at the ghosts the building contains.

The same is true of the second set of images: a postcard from 1910 looking southward down Bedford Street (now Sandwich Street) at the Bedford Street Post Office. The building remains, though its use has changed over time. It ceased operations as a post office in 2013 and three years later opened as a shortlived café. Today, it is used as office space.

The historical background offered throughout the book is illuminating, often fascinating, sometimes infuriating. In the book’s foreword, Ian Foot writes: “Working on this book has allowed me to really understand how much we have lost. Not only physical brick and mortar structures that have been torn down, Windsor faces a loss of identity.”

Windsor City Hall 1930

The demolition that might fall most squarely into this category is that of St. Mary’s Academy, established in 1856 by the Order of the of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary as a private Catholic girls’ school.

In the 1920s, the school was relocated from Park Street and Ouellette Avenue to South Windsor. The “new” building was constructed in the Gothic style and opened its doors in 1929. It’s demolition in 1977 can be compared to the destruction of Penn Station in New York City, which took place in the 1960s to clear the way for Madison Square Garden and Pennsylvania Plaza. Both demolitions are discussed and lamented to this day.

Although each reader will decide for themselves which “then and now” combinations are the most interesting, this reviewer was struck by the iterations of Windsor City Hall, the complete re-imagining of the old Norwich block at Ouellette Avenue and Riverside Drive, and the Devonshire Race Track, which operated at the current location of the Devonshire Mall. Some parts of the city just seem to have “always been there,” and the Devonshire Mall is certainly that in the minds of many. Built in 1970, “the Mall”—as it’s known among Windsorites—has been like a microcosm of the city itself, undergoing perpetual change. The most recent and jarring THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

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BOOK REVIEW

of these being the dissolution of Sears department store.

Andrew Foot was probably constrained in his efforts by the historical photographs available. It was only after the extensive upheaval of Huron Church Road in preparation for the construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, that this writer wished there were a dedicated department somewhere in the City whose mission it was the document the city through video and photography, street by street. Thank goodness for the photographers of decades past who thought to photograph mundane scenes, such as “1000 Drouillard Road” in the 1920s or Walker Road at Ypres one day in 1950, or “Ouellette Avenue October 1950.”

St. Mary's Academy 1930

One theme exuded powerfully in the pages of Windsor: Then and Now, is that change occurred in Windsor fairly even-handedly. Few corners of the city have gone untouched. One of these few is the Ambassador Bridge. Although it has been the site of almost perpetual maintenance work, a photograph of the bridge in recent years is virtually identical to a postcard from 1930. The location of Hiram Walker & Sons Limited, is another rare example of this.

If one set of images can be said to capture the change and evolution, not only of Windsor, but of its neighbour, Detroit, it’s the final set in the book: a photograph of Windsor’s skyline, facing Detroit, taken in 1954. It is contrasted on the following page by a recent photograph taken from the same vantage point. As a great writer or ancient philosopher might remark: only the river is eternal. The ways in which both cities have changed over the decades is startling.

Windsor: Then and Now succeeds in its mission. Ian Virtue’s efforts to line up contemporary photographs of the city to match the perspective of the historical images wordlessly tells the story. Andrew Foot’s historical analysis and background for the images deepens the experience, identifying old structures, pointing out similarities or aspects of buildings from the past that remain. An example of this is the Maple Leaf Hotel on Howard Avenue, photographed in 1960. It has since been converted into an apartment, though its configuration of entry points remains unchanged.

Devonshire Race Track (1940)

It’s left to the reader to decide if the changes to Windsor’s cityscape were progress or destruction, if the “new” replacing the “old” were genuine upgrades or simply erasing something that can never be replaced.

Windsor: Then and Now is published by Biblioasis and available at biblioasisbookshop.com D 60

Devonshire Mall

BOOK REVIEW

Windsor City Hall

The Imperial Bank of Canada 1934

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STUDENT ESSAY

The Drive magazine in partnership with Libro Credit Union is challenging Grade 12 students to write an essay focused on their day-to-day lives.

Once a school is selected, the top five articles chosen by the teacher are further reviewed by our editorial team and the winner receives a $500 RESP from Libro Credit Union, along with publication of the essay in our issue.

Congratulations to Kennedy Hardy for being our February winner!

We are proud of all the participants and will continue to support our community through continued literacy and a path to higher education.

Financing My Future Kennedy Hardy

We live in an ever-changing and evolving economy that requires preparation for future endeavors. In seven years, I see myself as a marketing specialist, aspiring to be a marketing director. Financially, I imagine I will struggle with student loans, car payments, planning for retirement, budgeting, saving, and beginning my investment portfolio. I feel my financial institution can help me with post-secondary expenses, investment advice, and setting myself up to better handle the financial burdens of adulthood.

Although post-secondary education will qualify me for certain job positions, it also brings numerous, long-lasting expenses. At 25 years old, my student loans will simply pile upon other living expenses. I will need a down payment for a house, auto loans for the vehicle I’ll need to commute to work, and other common living expenses.

I am aware that, “student debt can be overwhelming. Yet there are some actions that you can take to decrease it and pay it off quicker” (Konradsen, “Financial Advisors Can Help with Student Financial Debt”). To avoid unwanted interest charges, student loans should be the first debt repaid; however, a financial institution can help me organize my debt, set priorities, and decide on payment options.

Along with lowering debt, I want to be building an investment account. For my money to grow with the rate of inflation, I will need to keep it (however small it may be) in a safe investment account with potential for growth. Using a financial institution “helps to improve decision making because it follows a systematic approach to calcuTHEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

late all the risks and rewards” (“Financial Institution”). A financial institution can collect necessary information about account options, provide statical data on growth, and help me determine my risk level. Without the advice of a professional, I would be leaving valuable savings in the hands of fate.

Adulthood is famous for its struggles, both personally and financially. To minimize uncertainty, I need to plan for future expenses. Much like preparing for post-secondary when I’m 17, I will need to plan for retirement at 25. I need to start saving when I start working to utilize the amazing power of being young. (“When to start saving for retirement”). When I am paying off student debt, a mortgage, and daily expenses, finding capital to save will be difficult. Retirement savings cannot be postponed later than seven years from now and a financial institution can help find a plan that works for me.

At the age of 25, I hope to be a marketing specialist with a plan for my financial future.

I will need help navigating student loans, developing an investment portfolio, and saving for retirement. I believe that a financial institution has the resources to succeed in the current economy and to prepare me for the future. D Works Cited “Financial Institution | Types, Features, Functions of Financial Institution.” Educba, 2020, Financial Institution | Types, Features, Functions of Financial Institution (educba.com). Accessed 9 January 2022.

Konradsen, Salinas. “Financial Advisors Can Help with Student Financial Debt.” The Journey of Preston 952, 26 Sept. 2020, Financial Advisors Can Help with Student Financial Debt – The Journey of Preston 952 (wordpress.com). Accessed 9 January 2022.

“When to start saving for retirement.” Vanguard, 2022, When to start saving for retirement | Vanguard. Accessed 9 January 2022.

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Today, in Ontario, there are over 1,500 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. This is their only treatment option, and every 3 days someone will die because they did not get their transplant in time. But you can help. When you register your consent for organ and tissue donation, you let those waiting know that you would help them if you could. One donor can save up to 8 lives through organ donation and enhance the lives of up to 75 more through the gift of tissue. Len Martindale passed away six years ago and as an organ donor Len’s generous donation of his vital organs saved the lives of seven individuals. Martindale Window and Doors encourages you to visit www.beadonor.ca.