Windsor Life Magazine September 2020

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SEPTEMBER 2020 VOLUME 27, ISSUE 6

PUBLISHER/EDITOR Robert E. Robinson CONTRIBUTING Karen Paton-Evans WRITERS Michael Seguin

Matthew St. Amand Leslie Nadon CREATIVE DIRECTOR Carol Garant ART DIRECTOR Michael Pietrangelo PRODUCTION George Sharpe PHOTOGRAPHERS Sooters Photography

Janet Balmer Photography Steve Biro White Blossom Photography Jack Jorgensen

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As I write this Windsor/Essex has finally joined the rest of the province in Stage 3 of the recovery. Many more businesses have been allowed to open. I have been to several of them and am very impressed with the care proprietors and staff are taking not only for our safety but that of their own. They are making sure that they follow the strict guidelines set by the government and also that the public adheres to those guidelines.

But, that doesn’t mean that we have the all clear. We must be very careful to make sure we stay diligent and indeed work toward slowly removing the restrictions that are still in place and slowly move back to where we were before this all began.

I hear many different opinions on what is and isn’t safe and why. While I respect everyone’s opinion, I think it is best to go with what the scientists tell us. Practice the safeguards for the safety of ourselves and those around us. Social distancing, wearing of masks, washing your hands and being aware of your surroundings are very important. This cannot be a casual effort.

Courtesy will also play a big role in how we improve our lives going forward. Pay attention to directional arrows. They are designed to help us distance. As you enter an isle in retail establishments, take a quick glance at the arrows on the floor to make sure you are following traffic patterns.

If you encounter a person protecting the entrance of a building, they are there to make sure the rules of the area are followed.

If they want you to wait, wait. It means the building is at its safe capacity. If they ask that you wear a mask, do so. They didn’t make the rules, they are just there to make sure everybody abides with them. If you can’t follow the rules, for whatever reason, don’t expect them to change the rules for you. And please keep calm and practice patience. Doing so will help make it so we can enjoy being out in the world again.

Ours has always been an area where we support one another. Please, let’s keep it that way.

We look forward to being in your mail the last week of each month for the rest of this year and ask that you keep the Three Ws in place: Wear a Mask, Wash your Hands, Watch your Distance.

“Please Stay Safe”.

Bob Robinson

Solutions Life has changed significantly in the past few months. Family may need financial assistance due to job loss. You may have lost friends or family unexpectedly. And, you may be rethinking the move to a retirement home.

IN A RECENT SURVEY of Canadian homeowners, only four in 10 respondents were confident they would have enough savings to maintain their lifestyle when they retire. 1One reason may be that, for many, a significant portion of their wealth at retirement is tied up in their home.

And selling their house to free up that money simply isn’t what they want to do.

If that sounds like your situation, you may want to consider accessing the equity in your home to help boost your retirement income. One of the most common ways to do this is through a secured line of credit (also called a home equity line of credit). A secured line of credit lets you borrow what you need, when you need it, at a very favourable interest rate because your loan is secured, or guaranteed, by your home.

In addition to helping you stay in your home longer, there are other potential advantages. When you access your home equity:

Accessing your home equity can help boost your retirement income, ease pressure on your pensions and investments, and help you stay put.

Your withdrawals are tax-free, unlike withdrawals from registered accounts such as Registered Retirement Savings Plans and Registered Retirement Income Funds You may be able to avoid cashing out other investments and locking in losses when markets are volatile You can ensure ready availability of funds to meet unexpected home or health care expenses

INTERESTEd IN lEARNINg MoRE, PlEASE CAll oR EMAIl

You can reduce the cost of other debts by transferring those balances to the secured line of credit (if the interest rate is lower than your other loans)

Barbara Allen, HBA, CFP Senior Financial Advisor Manulife Securities Incorporated Life Insurance Advisor Manulife Securities Insurance Inc.

Keep in mind that you may need to have enough cash flow from other sources to cover the monthly interest payments on the secured line of credit.

To protect yourself and keep interest costs from becoming a burden, it’s a good idea to put a cap on the amount you borrow – for example, 20 per cent of the value of your home.

Direct Line 519-250-0515 519-250-5190, ext. 409 Barbara.Allen@manulifesecurities.ca 2255 Cadillac Street, Windsor

Your home is an important asset that should figure in your overall retirement planning. Schedule a no-cost appointment with me to find out how well this approach fits your personal situation. And plan to enjoy your retirement knowing that reaching this milestone with less saved than you hoped for doesn’t necessarily mean you need to sell the home you love.

Stocks, bonds and mutual funds are offered through Manulife Securities Incorporated. Insurance products and services are offered through Manulife Securities Insurance Inc. Banking products and services are offered through referral.

FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR ALL LIFE EVENTS SINCE 1995

12016 Manulife Bank Homeowner Debt Survey, www.manulifebank.ca/debtresearch. The Manulife Bank of Canada poll surveyed 2,373 Canadian

www.ProtectMyFamilyWealth.ca

homeowners in all provinces between the ages of 20 and 59 with household income of more than $50,000. The survey was conducted online by Research House between February 3 and February 20, 2016. National results were weighted by province, income and age.

Manulife, Manulife & Stylized M Design, Stylized M Design and Manulife Securities are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it, and by its affiliates under license.

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ON THE COVER

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Never having visited Tuscany didn’t stop a local couple from applying their design sensibilities in the remodeling of their Tecumseh home, turning into an inviting villa.

DEPARTMENTS

Photography by White Blossom Photography See page 12

39

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NEW & NOTICED

36

BON APPETIT!

44

HOROSCOPE

48

WLM ONLINE

F E AT U R E S 12

UNDER THE TECUMSEH SUN

28

Homeowners Produce Their Own Bit Of Tuscany 18

SPREADING COLOUR

WORLD CLASS WATERWAY

The Only Way To See Ontario

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Local Photographer Shares Travels 39

Ahmad Othman Joins Windsor Art Community 22

CAPTURING BEAUTY

PICKLEBALL

The Changing Landscape of Postsecondary Education 50

The Fastest Growing Sport In North America 42

THE BIKE BOOM

Windsor Cyclists Take To The Streets

ST. CLAIR COLLEGE

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The Mully Cup Flag Stick 53

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COVID-19 creativity abounds, as this issue of Windsor Life Magazine proves.

Eager to return to the golf course this spring amidst pandemic restrictions, Frank Cirino and David Thibert considered the fresh challenge of retrieving a golf ball out of the hole without touching the flag. They designed the Mully Cup Flag Stick, now proudly manufactured in Windsor and already installed on courses.

Pickleball is a hit throughout North America and demand for local courts speak to its popularity here. Malinda Hebert, ambassador for Pickleball Ontario and president of Tecumseh Pickleball Association, tells Windsor Life readers why this sport is being embraced by people of all ages, even during COVID-19.

Ahmad Othman developed a healthy way to deal with his anxiety arising from pandemic concerns. He picked up a paintbrush in earnest for the first time in March and is now selling his paintings online.

Nature in his own backyard and around the globe inspire photographer Steve Biro. The photos he unveils in this issue are a reminder that beauty can be found everywhere.

With the encouragement of his young daughters, teacher Scott Clements polished his writing and became a published author last December with the release of Thermopylung, a tale of Norse mythology written for children. He is working on his next book.

Many local people are peddling their way through the pandemic, hugely boosting bicycle sales and exploring dedicated trails connecting neighbourhoods and towns.

One couple doesn’t need to leave their Tecumseh property to enjoy the ambiance of Italy. They are glad they remodeled their home in the spirit of a Tuscan villa.

Friends Jack Jorgensen and Glen Muir reminisce of their past cruises together and hit the highlights of their latest yachting trip, calling into Bayfield, Tobermory and other port towns this summer.

St. College’s president Patti France and her faculty are preparing for a fall semester unlike any other. With COVID-19 protocols in place, Patti discusses how the college is keeping students safe through online learning and very limited in-person labs, workshops and clinics.

Perhaps these stories will be the springboard for your own next great idea, new passion or rediscovered friendship or pastime.

Happy reading!

Karen Paton-Evans

Be Alert to Scams Related to the Pandemic On one hand, the coronavirus (COVID-19) has brought out the best in us with people across the country pitching in to help others.

On the other, a small number of people are trying to take advantage of the situation. How can you guard against these scam artists?

For starters, be aware of three common scams connected to the virus.

Websites claiming to help and track the pandemic – Look out for websites that claim to help you work remotely or provide financial resources to the afflicted. These sites may try to trick you into giving up personal information, donate money or load malware onto your computer. Don’t trust information technology (IT) “helpdesk” agents you don’t know. And check out any obscure organization claiming to help virus victims through a reputable charity evaluator, such as charityintelligence.ca.</> Products claiming to prevent or cure the disease – When there’s a real treatment for the virus, it will be big news, and the news will come from an organization like the Government of Canada. Until then, ignore any claims of “miracle” cures. Not only will they waste your money, but, if you click on attachments from “phishing” emails advertising these fake cures, you could end up supplying crooks with your sensitive data.

Financial help or "perfect" investments – The coronavirus has caused two separate, but related, areas of stress. The first is the health concern, and the second is the financial and investment component. The enormous volatility of the financial markets has caused much concern among investors, and scammers are seizing the opportunity to offer financial assistance or "risk-free" or "guaranteed" investments "perfect" for this particular time. Again, responding to these types of offers can bring you nothing but trouble. Your best move is to stick with a long-term investment strategy based on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.

One more suggestion: Warn your older relatives and friends about the increased potential for scams. Older adults are usually the most susceptible to fraud, and now, when they may be more isolated than before, they may well be even more vulnerable. Urge them not to make any sudden, out-of-the-ordinary financial moves.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member Canadian Investor Protection Fund.

Matthew Sears Windsor St. Rose 519 945 6165

Dave Freeman Cabana Near Howard 519 967 0084

Diane Santing

Sean Hunt

Chris Horovenko

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Tecumseh Centre 519 979 7334

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Tecumseh Rd. at Norman 519 944 2971

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Tecumseh Rd. at Forest Glade 519 739 9583

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St. Clair Beach 519 979 5555

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Clockwise from this page: A Tecumseh home is renovated to incorporate elements found in traditional Tuscan villas, including wooden beams, panelled walls and a warm palette of mustard, paprika and cream; garnering design ideas from magazines, the homeowners created their version of a Tuscan dining room, accommodating 14 guests at the hand-carved table; Terracotta steps lead to an ornate arched front door. Shutters bracket soft yellow stucco walls.

EVOKING THE TUSCAN ESTHETIC A Couple Converts Their Tecumseh Home into an Italian Villa STORY BY KAREN PATON-EVANS / PHOTOGRAPHY BY WHITE BLOSSOM PHOTOGRAPHY

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TUSCANY IS MORE THAN 7,200 kilometres from Tecumseh, as the crow flies. One local couple decided to shorten the distance by bringing the sun-drenched Italian region to their home.

Intrigued by design photos in a magazine, the wife became enchanted with the Tuscan esthetic. Warm hues, aged beams, tiled floors, terracotta roof tiles, hewn stone walls, ornately carved furnishings – they all spoke to her personal sense of home.

With that concept in mind, “we did a lot of traveling to find the exact look we wanted. We went to California, Arizona, Florida and Italy - although not the Tuscan region,” the wife says.

No matter. She carries the spirit of Tuscany in her heart.

Her husband, a practical man who is great with details and enjoys searching for treasures, supported the vision for their home. The Lakeshore property certainly needed something to give it distinction, he believed.

Built in the 1960s, the house had undergone multiple phases of remodeling before the couple bought it 10 years ago. “Our intention was not to stay here. We were going to build a new house,” the wife says. “However, we soon realized if we did some renovations, we would be perfectly happy here.”

“We sketched it all up and did the floor plans ourselves,”

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Clockwise from right: Skis, ready for the familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next outing on the slopes, await in the sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bedroom; new faux beams and repurposed leaded glass doors pair well in the exercise room; fieldstone walls and faux wooden ceiling planks and beams generate coziness in the family room, brightened by sunlight entering through large windows and French doors; traditional cream cabinetry antiqued with a crackle finish and polished stone countertops bring lightness to the big kitchen; black-brown cabinetry line the craft room, where the wife enjoys doing papercrafts.

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says the husband, a professional engineer. “An architect formalized the designs and we got the town’s stamp to proceed.”

So, much like old Tuscan villas whose character has evolved with overhauls and additions spread over time, the Tecumseh house was prepped for major work inside and out. When the drywall dust settled after 18 months of effort, 2,000 square feet of living space had been added, bringing the total size to 7,000 square feet.

A new addition stretched across the front of the house, wrapped around the left side and extended three storeys up. The couple also removed the car port to make way for a two-car garage that accommodates living space above it.

Clay roof tiles, stuccoed walls and an ornate front door that hints at history and romance beyond are all staples of a traditional villa in Tuscany, where the coldest temperature averages 3 degrees Celsius.

Could these essential elements be translated into Canadian home construction?

“We found clay roof tiles from Portugal through a Canadian supplier,” the husband says. “Our next challenge was finding someone who could install them. A local installer, Alternative Roofing, did a great job.”

The effect of the rust tone of the roof tiles is echoed by terracotta tile covering the front porch and entry steps. “We started out with decorative tile, but it didn’t hold up. Then we bought weather resistant terracotta tile from California that withstands freezing and thawing,” the husband explains.

A band of tile outlines the front doorway. The wife spotted her dream door while browsing through a Pella catalogue. The arched double

This page, top to bottom: Cobalt blue tiles and a decorative sink pop in the powder room; the homeowners’ son and daughter opted out of the home’s Tuscan theme, choosing modern decor. The daughter wanted black and plum for her bedroom, accented with a trio of Holstein cow paintings, which her resourceful dad made for her. The young man’s bathroom blends grey tones, while glass and mirror mosaic tile glints on the shower walls.

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door’s dark wood frame encases glass panes sandwiching metal curlicue grids. Everything pops against the plain exterior walls finished in soft yellow stucco.

Giving the house a sturdy, aged look are exposed wood beams, in view indoors and out. “The beams are actually decorative. They are made of foam and painted by a local artist to resemble woodgrain.

Since the foam will never rot, these beams will last forever,” the husband says.

A truck from the U.S. delivered a large load of the faux beams.

“We were trying to make our home appear authentically Tuscan – and beamed ceilings were everywhere in the designs we saw,” the wife says. That led to many hours of contemplation, staring at the ceilings. The outcome is “the ceilings are different in a lot of our rooms.”

Another truck, this time from Wisconsin, dropped off a load of hewn fieldstone to dress the walls of the family room. The husband recalls, “We tried to buy as many materials as we could locally. Some things that weren’t available here 10 years ago would be now.”

Appreciating the existing tumbled limestone tile sweeping through the foyer and into the large kitchen, the homeowners bought more of it from a nearby supplier to extend into the areas they enlarged on the main level. The wife says, “The limestone hides dirt well - good for kids, dogs and anyone leaving their shoes on.”

It also sets the scene for the Tuscan experience. Stepping into the foyer feels like walking into a family’s much-loved villa passed down through the generations over hundreds of years.

Expansive with its two-storey ceiling, the foyer presents the home’s unified colour palette of deep mustard, paprika, cinnamon and cream, accented by dark wood tones.

Confronted with golden oak throughout the home, the couple

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Make your home into your

y a w ta e G n o ti a c a V

overstained it to a warm dark hue that allows the woodgrain to show through. The technique is especially impressive on the staircase, complementing the wrought iron railings.

The once-narrow hallways leading off the foyer “felt like walking through a little cave before. We widened the hallway and created a barrel ceiling. Then we panelled it and painted it cream to make it more formal,” says the wife.

Like all proper Italian family villas, the kitchen is the heart of this home. The wife loves to cook for her husband, their two children and family visiting from out of town. “We didn’t touch the kitchen cabinets and island – they had that Tuscan look already. We simply added striped wallpaper,” says the woman. “We were living here while renovating, so the kitchen became command central and our place of sanity.”

“Over all these years, I like to perch at the eating bar, watch the sunrise over the lake and catch up on emails,” the husband says.

Traditional cabinets are painted in a cream hue and antiqued with a crackled finish. Polished stone countertops reflect the light cast by two giant brass chandeliers with hanging crystal teardrops.

A hand-carved wooden table dominates one end of the kitchen.

Brown leather tufted chairs accommodate six.

Even more people can be seated in the formal dining room. The table was hand-carved by a designer in Burlington and expands to let 14 leather and brocade chairs gather round comfortably. “My husband came home from the GTA with all this furniture one day.

Luckily, I liked it!” the wife chuckles. “Though it is new, it appears antique-ish.”

Another buying trip in Toronto yielded a chandelier carved of wood and matching hand-carved corbels that work well on the fireplace. “We like hunting for unique items,” says the husband.

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Wondering what to do with the dining room’s blue walls left by the previous owners, the couple endorsed their painter’s suggestion of a more Tuscan-like finish. The wife remarks, “He said he could make it look like brown suede and he did.”

Faux beams on the ceiling add the finishing touch.The full wood treatment was given to the ceiling of the family room on the main level. Faux wood planks cover the spaces between the beams.

Hewn fieldstone in mixed tones of brown, grey and gold cover the walls and hardwood clads the floors. “This room used to be dark with no real windows overlooking the waterfront,” the wife notes.

“We put in giant windows wherever we could, eliminating the mullions for a clear view. Our little dog loves to look outside. This is where we spend most of our time.” When relaxing on leather overstuffed furniture and watching TV or the sunset, the couple can pretend that Lake St. Clair is Lake Bilancino in Tuscany.

Extra-wide French doors custom-designed by the imaginative homeowners also let in the sunlight. The doors lead to a sitting area on the adjacent patio and the pergola and outdoor kitchen nearby.

The son and daughter have their own lounge and study area on the third floor. “A little staircase takes you up there. That’s where the kids hide away,” the mom says.

Another family gathering spot is the craft room. Black-brown built-in cabinetry organize supplies for the wife’s papercrafts and scrapbooking. Flooding the room with natural daylight are a big window and a French door with a balcony overlooking one of the courtyards.

One seldom used space is the exercise room. “The equipment came with the house. The room is above the attached garage and it’s too far to walk there,” the husband jokes. “We do use the balcony, though. We put a Christmas tree on it.”

The Old World décor throughout stops at the thresholds of the children’s bedrooms. “Our kids didn’t want Tuscan. They designed their own thing,” the mom says.

Wanting to be fair, Dad says, “We had to move the wall between our kids’ rooms. To the inch, their rooms are the exact same size so they wouldn’t think one was a favourite getting the bigger room.

Both have views of the lake.”

The daughter’s design theme called for plum carpeting, contemporary furniture and cow prints. When the prints couldn’t be found, Dad made them. “Whatever we can do, we like doing ourselves, including helping the contractors. We’re not afraid to get dirty, that’s for sure,” says the wife.

The son’s bedroom is a simple, modern statement in charcoal and black. Built-in floating cabinetry contain his collectibles.

The young man’s bathroom is finished in multiple shades of grey, including the grey glass and mirror mosaic tile on the walls of the glassed-in shower and the backsplash for the contemporary floating vanity.

“As a family, we like a lot of different things. You can tell by our rooms,” the wife says. “There are so many options out there nowadays. It’s fun to bring it all together and make it work.” WLM Windsor Life Magazine is always searching for interesting homes, landscaping, gardens, patios and water features to show our readers what others in the community are doing with their living spaces. If you have a home that you feel would be interesting please email photos to publisher@windsorlife.com. Photos need to be for reference only. If your home is chosen we will arrange for a complete photo shoot. If you wish, you may remain anonymous and the location of your home will not be disclosed.

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Ahmad Othman Local Painter Spreads Some Colour STORY BY MICHAEL SEGUIN FOR MANY OF US, our canvases are slashed with dark shadows. However, one young Windsorite has found a way to spread some colour.

“I grew up in a very impoverished area,” 28-year-old Ahmad Othman explains. “We never really had much. There wasn’t much for us to do besides sports and drawing. So, I started drawing. I would draw cartoons. I would attempt to recreate famous paintings that I liked.”

However, as life became more complicated, Ahmad put his artistic pursuits aside.

“Mother passed away when I was two,” Ahmad admits. “Father left when I was 12.

So, it was just me, my older brothers and my older sisters. In my teen years I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. I’ve been through abuse and poverty.”

Despite his difficulties, Ahmad was able to find solace working as a Peer Support Leader at Ten Friends Diner on Wyandotte Street.

But, when COVID-19 sent everyone scrambling back to their homes, Ahmad found himself out of sorts. In order to combat his anxiety, he decided to resume his artistic pursuits. However, this time, he decided to go beyond the sketchbook.

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“I had a lot of anxiety,” Ahmad states.

“I was very nervous. So, I decided to take up painting. I only had a background in drawing. I had so much to learn.”

For Ahmad, taking up painting was an intensely rewarding, liberating experience.

“It’s been great,” Ahmad explains. “It’s helped me mentally, physically, spiritually— in every aspect. I’ve totally been revived through my art career.”

Ahmad has been painting nonstop for the last five months. Since then, his technique has improved in leaps and bounds.

“I know so much more than I did four months ago,” Ahmad states. “I tried selling my first couple paintings, but no one bought them. I guess I wasn’t very good!

It was hard at first, because I felt limited. I didn’t have much knowledge on the subject.

But, thanks to COVID-19 and my work closing down, I’ve had the opportunity to fully immerse myself in my craft.”

Over the last four months, Ahmad has experimented with a variety of different styles. However, his personal favourite is currently abstract expressionism.

“Abstract expressionism is perfect for helping me communicate how I feel,” Ahmad explains. “With that genre, that style, I get to express emotion on the canvas through different colours and strokes of the brush. It doesn’t necessarily have to be anything perfect. It’s just how you feel. And then people view the canvas, and hopefully they can experience those feelings, too.”

While Ahmad has produced a wide variety of works in the last few months, his personal favourite remains a variation on a classic painting.

“There’s this piece by Picasso called Femme au béret et à la robe quadrillée, or Woman in beret and checkered dress,” Ahmad states. “When I was drawing as a child, I would try and recreate classic paintings myself. So, I did the same thing on the canvas. I made my own version of it. Thus far, it’s my proudest accomplishment.”

Ahmad is constantly improving, honing and refining his talents. In only four short months, his skill with a paintbrush has improved dramatically.

And thanks to social media, Windsor has been able to experience Ahmad’s development every step of the way.

“I’ve been sharing all my paintings on social media since the beginning,” Ahmad explains. “I’m very motivated to wake up in the morning and share my art with Windsor and the world. The feedback I get helps me so much.”

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Within a few weeks of sharing his work online, Ahmad sold his first few paintings.

“Just knowing that my art is out there hanging on someone’s wall has given me a whole new reason to fall in love with the process,” Ahmad states. “I love the feedback.

I love the support.”

And while Ahmad appreciates all the feedback he’s received, he particularly appreciates those few people who have been with him since the beginning.

“A lot of the comments I get are generally the same,” Ahmad states. “‘The art is beautiful.’ ‘That’s stunning.’ ‘Wow!’ ‘Amazing!’

People have even called me on the phone and asked me how I do different things.

And while I appreciate that, the comments that mean the most to me come from those who were there for me when I first started posting. Initially, I was still learning and my stuff wasn’t that good. But those people who supported me from the beginning, their comments mean the world to me. I have a lot of love and appreciation for them.”

Ahmad is planning on taking his paintings out into the community once it is safe to do so.

“This is all so new to me,” Ahmad admits.

“But, I’ve been trying to connect with people on social media in the Windsor art community. I’ve spoken with someone at the Walkerville Art Gallery. I’ve been saving some key pieces and working on some new material for future showings and events.

Hopefully after COVID is settled, I can start sharing my work with my community.”

And while Ahmad enjoys every aspect of his craft, when asked what his favourite part of the process is, he returns to the sense of pure serenity that painting affords him.

“When I paint, everything disappears,” Ahmad explains. “Anxiety is not there.

Depression is not there. The past is not there. Everything falls away. I feel at peace.

I’ve learned to cherish that feeling, because it’s kind of new to me. Painting has given me that. I love what I do. The love has grown, and it keeps growing.”

And regardless of the size and shape of their canvas, Ahmad encourages everyone to get out there and splash some colour.

“There’s a lot of negativity in the world right now,” Ahmad states. “Mental illness doesn’t get the attention it deserves. But, I suppose my message is that there’s always something out there that can make it better.

Even on the days when you feel nothing will get better. Art is my thing. That’s what helps me. Just get out there and find what makes you feel better.”

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The Partners of Shibley Righton LLP are pleased to welcome Marko Ivanisevic to the Firm. Marko will be joining Shibley Righton as an Associate, and will practice in our Business Law and Real Estate group in our Windsor Office.

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Living the Dream A Social Distancing Vacation in Paradise STORY BY MATTHEW ST. AMAND PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY JACK JORGENSEN AND GLEN MUIR

EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN VISION of what “living the dream” entails, but many of us can agree one that ranks among the top is traveling by luxury watercraft to a beautiful destination. Extra points for that beautiful destination being in Ontario.

This past July, Jack Jorgensen, President & C.E.O. of Advance Business Systems, and Glen Muir of RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd., lived the dream on a 15-day voyage that included stops in Grand Bend, Kincardine, Tobermory, Killarney, Gore Bay, Little

Current, Port Elgin and Bayfield – a major league trek of 600 nautical miles. A vacation in any one of these locations would make for a memorable summer. Jack and Glen managed to string together the K-tel Greatest Hits of Cottage Country in one fell swoop.

To begin at the beginning, Jack and Glen have been friends for 27 years and have boated together for nearly as long.

It’s said that people are not truly friends until they travel together. And traveling by boat – well, any mode of transportation where “walking the plank” is an option will test the strongest of bonds. Jack and Glen hedged their bets a little in this department, each taking his own boat: Jack’s yacht – Jackie’s Rose V – is a 60-foot Sea Ray 540.

Glen is the proud captain of a 50-foot Sea Ray 460 yacht. Both are equipped with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchenette, dining area, full sized fridge and freezer, washer/dryer. They are like seaworthy luxury condos.

“We live on the boats,” Jack Jorgensen says. “We have everything we need, there. I have been boating for forty-plus years and there is no better way to see our province.”

Relaxation is naturally enforced: some of the areas to which they traveled have little to no cell phone coverage.

At night, darkness closes in like the black void of space.

“With no light pollution,” Glen says, “you cannot believe the view of the stars.”

The boaters were fortunate the weather was in a (mostly) cooperative mood. At one point, however, while docked in Little Current, Jack and Glen were relaxing on the

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Right: Lake Topaz, near Baie Fine and the Pool. Below left to right: Playing “corn hole” at Killarney Mountain Lodge; Jack & friend in dinghy; BBQ dinner, Port Elgin; Jack and Glen in Port Elgin. Bottom: Little Tub Marina, Tobermory.

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back of their boats, each enjoying a cigar, when suddenly a gust of wind whipped up and blew a chair off the back of Jack’s yacht. It promptly sank.

“A storm came through the area,” he explains, “but it was as though it had split in two and either side went around us.”

The next day, Jack put on a pair of goggles and dove for his chair. He located it and with Glen’s help, returned it to leisure duty on his deck.

When talking about such a voyage, the inevitable, impossible question arises: “What was the highlight?”

Both Jack and Glen are hard-pressed to narrow it down, but if either is forced to choose, it seems to fall to Killarney.

Particularly, a day spent at the Pool – a destination within a destination. As the geography of the area would have it, the Pool lies at the end of a three-mile waterway bracketed by mountains and gorgeous scenery. The voyage there is as breathtaking as the final arrival point.

The Pool is a secluded inlet with a large “pool”, approximately 1,000 feet across.

The location cannot be accessed by land.

“The Pool is a special place. I first visited it many years ago,” Jack says. “This was Glen’s first time. It’s a little tricky navigating around the rocks in the narrow opening, but it was worth the effort.”

The friends anchored there and stayed the night, swimming during the day, S e p t e m b e r

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taking in the view, barbecuing their meals and stargazing at night.

“We had our dogs onboard,” Jack remembers, “and we brought them ashore in our dinghies so they could take care of business. On one of those trips, Glen and I found a trail that went up to the top of the mountain. It took about thirty or forty minutes, but the view was amazing. That’s where we saw a lake up inside the mountain – Topaz Lake.”

A voyage of this duration takes a fair bit of planning. Reservations are required in popular destinations, like Tobermory and Killarney, to secure slips for the boats.

“Planning began in January,” Jack recalls.

“We were originally going to ports in Michigan, such as Lexington, Port Austin, Mackinaw City, Mackinac Island, skipping across the top of Lake Huron to Gore Bay, the Pool…”

Then the global pandemic happened, threatening to derail the voyage entirely. But if there is one trait a yachting captain needs, it’s flexibility. Jack shifted gears and continued piecing together the itinerary.

No detail of the trip was left to chance.

“We needed to know where to fuel-up,” Glen says. “My boat takes four hundred U.S. gallons of diesel fuel, so we can’t just pull in anywhere.”

When traveling together, Jack and Glen alternate who fills up. Glen filled up at a marina in Grand Bend. Jack filled up the next day at Kincardine.

Just as important as fuel – “You have to have your charts,” Glen says. “We have GPS, of course, but a dead battery or some other failure with the system can leave you spinning in circles. We always, always have our charts. Jack is our navigation guy. You must be good with your charts. Jack knows them inside-out.”

Completing the triumvirate of tools required by yacht captains are reliable weather apps. Weather on the Great Lakes can turn ugly quickly. Gordon Lightfoot’s song about the Edmond Fitzgerald is not about a myth.

Mariners need to know what’s coming. The stakes are high. We’ve all seen the TV show Gilligan’s Island.

“Wind is your major factor,” Glen explains. “We can handle rain. It’s not fun, but it’s more an inconvenience than anything else. If you have a strong wind on your nose, you’re going to have a long, bouncy day on the water. We consult Environment Canada, but I also use an app called My Radar. Jack uses a government app. We pool our info so it’s as accurate as possible.”

Glen remembers a voyage two years before where he and Jack had to leave a marina in Niagara on the Lake. “They were having a regatta, and all the slips were booked,” he says. Glen and Jack headed back out onto Lake Ontario. It wasn’t long before the weather turned and the boats faced six foot swells. For this reason, the final leg of the voyage – to Port Elgin – was delayed a day.

The apps warned of bad weather. The apps were correct, and an unpleasant, bumpy ride was averted.

So, after loading up on provisions in Windsor, packing the vessels to the gills with food and drink (which included several cases of wine, vodka, and rum – the last being the best libation for pacifying pirates), the captains set sail.

On the journey back, during their second stop in Killarney, the boaters were surprised by friends who had made the 10-hour drive from Windsor to be a part of birthday celebrations onboard.

The voyage brought back fond memories of their last major trip.

“Two years ago, we did The Loop,” Jack says.

That was a 26-day voyage, which took Jack and Glen through the Detroit River, around Lake Erie, down the Welland Canal, into Lake Ontario and into the Trent Severn Waterway.

“We passed through forty-five locks,” Jacks remembers, “taking us all the way through the Kawarthas and into Georgian Bay.” “That was one to remember,” Glen says.

“The lift lock in Peterborough raised us up ninety feet. The thing was just massive.

Later, in another area we took a rail lock that secured the boats with slings and lifted them down a mountain, over a highway.”

Glen refers to the Big Chute Marine Railway, Lock 44, the only marine railway of its kind in North America. It’s such an engineering marvel, it’s worth checking out its Wikipedia page. There are also YouTube videos of it in action.

Summing up the experience, Glen reflects, “I’m fortunate to have a good friend who is an accomplished boater, who made it possible for me to enjoy this…Boating is great when you have great people. Always— safety first. And plan!”

“There is a reason why this region is known as the greatest pleasure boating waterway in the world,” Jack says. “Every port has its own attraction. The harbors are so different. They all have their own beauty.”

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NEWANDNOTICED

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WECF JOHN ATKINSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP The Windsor-Essex Community Foundation’s Constable John Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund has selected Angela Rolph and Danielle Burt to receive $1,350 each. Both students are pursuing diplomas at St. Clair College’s Protection, Security and Investigation program. The scholarship is awarded annually to students pursuing a career in law enforcement. The scholarship’s annual golf tournament was canceled this year due to the pandemic. Pictured is Kevin Sivell, Danielle Burt (top, centre), Angela Rolph (bottom, centre) and Shelly Atkinson. 519-255-6572. wecf.ca.

Last month, Transition to Betterness (T2B) Youth Ambassador and cookie connoisseur, Connor Presland, hosted a tasty fundraiser on his own front yard. Connor started a cookie business during this pandemic to bring a smile to people's faces and has partnered with T2B to donate to local front-line workers over that past couple of months.

He raised an astounding $2,000 to support T2B's Back the Pack Program, which gives children in the Oncology and Chronic Illness Unit a customized backpack filled with toys. 519-944-5143. t2b.ca.

DÉJÀ VU NEW 2 TECUMSEH LASER CENTRE

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After 18 years in business, Tecumseh Laser Centre moved to a new location at 1120 Lesperance Road. TLC is committed to growing and adapting its centres to meet the emerging needs of its clients, which allows them to continuously set themselves apart from the competition. Pictured is owner Joanne Duff. 519-979-5200. tecumsehlasercentre.com.

Windsor Vacuum—which has been in business for over 80 years!—has moved to a new location at 3051 Dougall Avenue. Jon Zakoor aims to continuously evolve with today’s consumer and retail world. A central vacuum and portable vacuum sales and service company, they scour the globe for the finest products available at a reasonable price. 519-972-5557. windsorvac.com.

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Déjà Vu New 2, a new and gently loved designer ladies fashion store, has moved from Amherstburg to a new location at 2597 Howard Avenue to better serve clients. Déjà Vu’s mission is to provide “affordable fashion for everyone.” The new store is a spacious, clean environment. All items are steam-sanitized. Owner Kimberly Malega makes customer service and assistance a top priority. 519-713-9440. dejavunew2onlinestore.com.

KIWANIS CLUB OF WINDSOR AND STAPLES CANADA The Kiwanis Club of Windsor is one of 77 Kiwanis Clubs across the province chosen this year to partner with Staples Canada to deliver the Start to Smart School Drive, which officially kicked off on July 17th and will run through September 8th.

113 Staples Business Depot stores in Ontario will support each Kiwanis Club to get school supplies to kids in need in local communities. Make a donation at a Staples store today or drop off new backpacks and supplies to Deerbrook Realty Inc. (59 Eugenie St E). Pictured are Sales Associates Jason Jurakosky and Nicholas Duronio. kiwanisclubofwindsor.com.

LEMONADE BRIGADE This summer, W.E. Care for Kids hosted their annual Lemonade Brigade campaign. This year, the Brain and Maggio families took it to another level and challenged each other to a first ever Lemonade Duel to see who could have to best and most profitable lemonade stand in the neighborhood. Together the two families raised $25,000 for local paediatric healthcare programs in our community. Picture here are left to right: Mia Magri, Brynn Higginbottom, Nina Laus, Tessa Brain, Anna Spidilieri, Lily Maggio and Angelina Magri. wecareforkids.org.

WESTERN ONTARIO AMATEUR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP This month, James Hill won the 2020 edition of the Western Ontario Amateur Men’s Golf Championship, winning the trophy with a score of 67 – 5 under par. The tournament took place Saturday August 1st at Roseland Golf and Curling Club in Windsor. The second day of the event was canceled due to inclement weather. James was also the recipient of the Bill Sheldon Award due to his score at the tournament. westernontarioamateur.com.

THE BEAUTY REFINERY What happens when you combine the talents of Toronto Stylist Francesco Oliverio and Luxbrow’s Owner Tanya Macri? You get an experience like no other. Welcome The Beauty Refinery, a boutique salon, to Tecumseh. The Beauty Refinery offers men’s and women’s hair colour/cut and styling services, as well as Luxbrow’s own permanent makeup, Botox, teeth whitening and so much more. Visit them at 12357 Tecumseh Rd East or call 519 735-6245. thebeautyrefinery.ca.

WICKED WRENCH Vehicle owners cruised into Wicked Wrench on Saturday, August 8 to celebrate the grand opening of the four-bay automotive repair facility. Located at 40 Lyon St. in Tilbury, the shop is a kilometre east of its sister company, Tilbury Auto Sales RV & Yamaha. “We’re always expanding, growing our company and building on our staff ’s professionalism and passion,” says owner and president Lindsay Belanger (above).

Well-wishers were treated to free car washes and tours of the shop, which specializes in repair of North American, Porsche, Mercedes, BMW and commercial vehicles.

Open 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, Wicked Wrench offers a 90 day no payment program on repairs.

226-639-0182. wickedwrench.ca.

HOSPICE FACE TO FACE This year’s Face to Face campaign aims to raise funds in support of our Hospice, as they continue to provide care, programs and services at no cost to patients and their loved ones. The 2020 Face to Face campaign will operate similar to previous years, with canvassers able to collect donations both online and in person. Community members can show their support by pledging a specific canvasser, or supporting the cause as a whole, also either online or in person. To access the Face to Face canvasser kit or for information, visit: thehospice.ca.

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A Sense of Wonder Local Photographer Steve Biro Shares Travels STORY BY MICHAEL SEGUIN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVE BIRO FOR PHOTOGRAPHER STEVE BIRO, everything comes back to a sense of wonder. “I try to look at the world around me the way a child would,” Steve explains.

“If you can explore the world like a child and try to see everything with a sense of wonder, I think you’ll capture the world in a really unique way.”

Steve was born and raised in Windsor. An employee at the Ford Motor Company, he first began experimenting with photography 12 years ago as a way to better remember his travels.

Clockwise from bottom right: The World in a Droplet; Phantom Aurora; Mesmerizing Canyon; Photographer Steve Biro; Serenity on Yosemite Lake; Bruce the Bald Eagle; Violet-Eared Hummingbird; Sweet Fox Kits; Crimson Flow.

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“I was mostly doing it for myself,” Steve recalls. “I suppose that a good portion of my early photography was for my memories. I was creating a photographic account of my travels. I still love going through photos of my trips and reliving them that way. I guess that’s originally how it started. I just wanted to capture what I was seeing.”

Buoyed by the glowing feedback his photographs started receiving from friends on social media, Steve decided to explore his new passion further.

“I started getting comments about the landscape photography I was posting from my trips,” Steve states. “So, I thought, ‘Why not take things to the next level?’”

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Steve’s original mentors were photographer Bob Gallagher and techniques he found on the internet. And now, after several years and several thousand snapshots, Steve has become one of the Windsor’s most eagle-eyed photographers.

For a time, his primary motivation remained sharing the beauty he encountered on his travels with others.

“I just love nature so much!” Steve exclaims. “My photography evolved into wanting to share the beauty of nature with everyone around me. Some of the nicest feedback I ever got was when people said, ‘Oh, I’ll never get a chance to see that, so I really appreciate you sharing that with me.’

I’m really grateful to be able to share what I see with people who might not get the chance to see it. I still take great pleasure in that.”

While Steve has travelled all over the world in his pursuit of wonder, he maintains a particular fondness for northern countries, such as Iceland.

“I love Iceland,” Steve states. “I’ve been there three times, now. I’ve even brought some photographers there on a workshop last fall. Iceland has so much to offer. Everywhere you drive, there’s something different and unique jumping out at you. It’s just spectacular. There’s thousands of waterfalls and they all offer something different. Ice capped mountain ranges. Glaciers. Icebergs.

And of course, the Northern Lights. If I could see the Northern Lights every day, I’d be very happy!”

Steve’s wanderlust has also taken him across Canada.

“I’ve been to Banff a couple times,” Steve explains. “Everyone knows how incredible the scenery is there. And the wildlife is just incredible. You see a lot of bears and eagles.

I have a real passion for travelling in North America. There’s so much to see that we could never see in one lifetime.”

However, after many years of photographing the wonders of nature, Steve began to notice how much beauty there was to discover in his own backyard.

“I became infatuated with our city,” Steve states. “Before long, I was out almost every day shooting something in Windsor. We have an absolutely beautiful waterfront. I think sometimes because we live here we take our surroundings for granted, but I love going down to our waterfront at sunset or on a stormy day. There’s a lot of beauty that comes with living on the water. And I love trying to capture the Detroit skyline!”

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fondness for local attractions like Ojibway and Malden Park.

“I can go there almost everyday and take pictures of something different,” Steve states. “It’s always surprising to me. I can see anything from snapping turtles to hawks to all kinds of songbirds and herons and egrets.

I really enjoy going out there by myself and photographing nature. We have a lot right here in Windsor. People would be surprised.

There’s so much at our fingertips.”

While it’s difficult for Steve to narrow down on his personal favourite photo, he is proud of the shot he took of an eagle mid-flight at the Canadian Raptor Conservancy in Vittoria.

“That is one of my favourite photos,” Steve admits. “That being said, I have a couple others that are near the top of my list. A lot of the time, my personal favourite photos aren’t necessarily my most spectacular shots.

Sometimes, when I’m in a shoot and just totally absorbed in the whole experience—the light is amazing and I’m enjoying the tranquility all around me—that makes a picture more important to me. The entire holistic experience of taking that photo means more to me than the photo itself.”

While COVID-19 has halted Steve’s travels, he does have some plans in the works.

“Next year is going to be an Africa trip,” Steve explains. “It was basically postponed a year because of the pandemic. And I definitely want to make another trip to Iceland.

I also want to make a trip to Churchill, Manitoba and photograph whales and polar bears. And, of course, that gives me another chance to see the Northern Lights!”

When asked what advice he would pass on to younger photographers, Steve encourages them to educate themselves as best they can.

“Learn to use your camera the best that you can,” Steve advises. “It’s very important to learn the parameters of your equipment.”

However, Steve stresses that the most important thing any photographer needs is that characteristic sense of wonder.

“Just have fun with it,” Steve states. “Experiment with it. Look at the world around you like a child would. We all have our moments where we think, ‘Ugh! I missed the shot!’ But the reality is, if you have fun with it, you’ll get those shots. You’ll be eager to get up in the morning. You’ll be eager to get out there. If you’re having fun, that’s the most important thing.”

More information about Steve’s work can be found at stevebirophotography.com.WLM Back to Contents

“GIVE A DOG BONE!”

THE HUNGRY POOCH is Windsor’s first dedicated raw pet food retailer. The store offers a wide variety of healthy options and services, frozen treats, raw bones, accessories, skin care products, supplements, treats and much more!

“The whole concept behind raw feeding is returning your pet’s diet to its natural, ancestral roots,” Owner Alina Sherman explains.

“Dogs are facultative carnivores, meaning that their diet should be compromised of meat in order to achieve optimal health. By feeding a natural diet their bodies, organs and endocrine system all function better.”

One of the most valuable services that the Hungry Pooch offers is education.

“Our focus is always: ‘How can we help pet parents get their pets to a place of better health? And how do we do that effectively?’” Alina states. “We take our time with everyone who comes through the door. When it comes to their pet’s diet, we walk them through the process A to Z.” Part of Alina’s process is helping her customers steer clear of products that could adversely affect their pet’s health.

“Take rawhides, for example,” Alina explains. “They’re a very common pet treat. Most people have grown up with rawhides as a completely normal, healthy thing to give your dog to chew on. They think it’s a natural leather product. But, not really.”

According to Alina, the rawhide development process is horrifying.

First, the cattlehide is split into two layers with chemicals. What’s left is then bleached to remove the smell of rotting carcass. In order to shape what’s left into a bone, the product is coated with artificial

dyes. In some cases, the rawhide is even painted with titanium oxide, which is toxic. From there, the rawhide is glued together. And because rawhides are not considered a food product, the adhesive is rarely food-grade or edible. Meaning, the rawhide can contain traces of formaldehyde, arsenic and mercury.

“Then they put a cute red and green bow on it and it’s a Christmas chew toy,” Alina states. “Who would ever think that it would be harmful? But, it can cause blockages. There’s studies showing deaths every year from rawhides.”

To combat this, the Hungry Pooch offers a large variety of raw bones, deer antlers and hardened Himalayan cheese as a healthier alternatives.

“Our bones are raw, digestible and safe to use with proper guidance,” Alina states. “The bones we carry are grass-fed, pasture-raised meats that are hormone and antibiotic free. And they provide the mental stimulation of chewing. They’re also really, really good for cleaning plaque and tartar.

In store, we also have a snack bar filled with naturally dried and baked dog snacks.”

The Hungry Pooch currently has two locations: one in the Lakeshore Oasis Town Centre at 486 Advance Blvd #110, the other in South Windsor at 2451A Dougall Avenue. Both locations offer weekly home delivery, from Windsor to London. All products are delivered in a refrigerated van.

And on August 29th, the Hungry Pooch is celebrating Customer Appreciation Day. “We just wanted to give back,” Alina explains. “We want to thank the community for supporting us through COVID. We’re really lucky that we got to stay in business and continue serving the community. We’re going to be offering really great sales and goodie bags. We will be COVID compliant, of course.”

More information is available at thehungrypooch.com.

2451A Dougall Ave., Windsor Dougall Plaza

519-915-9933 486 Advance Blvd., Unit 110 Lakeshore Oasis Plaza

519-977-1120

TheHungryPooch.com

TOURISM WINDSOR ESSEX PELEE ISLAND

The Summer of the Staycation

According to Gordon Orr, the Chief Executive Officer for Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, this is the summer of the staycation.

“The pandemic has posed a challenge for the tourism industry,” Gordon explains. “We’re still in the throes of the reopening framework that the Government of Ontario has put in place. Our neighbours from across the border can’t visit us. Even the businesses that have opened up or pivoted are not nearly operating at their previous capacity.”

Due to these hardships, Gordon stresses the importance of supporting the local tourism industry.

“We hope that our friends and neighbours can support local, go out and explore!” Gordon states. “What this pandemic is telling us is that people will travel when it is safe to do so. But, you can travel in your own backyard. This is the summer of the staycation. We encourage people to go out and go places they’ve never been or go back and enjoy positive memories from the past.”

And Windsor Essex, Gordon explains, is a community ripe for the exploring.

“Unlike places like Toronto or Niagara Falls that have one iconic signature, we have countless compelling tourist attractions,” Gordon states. “But, that’s our strength. We have all kinds of different venues, whether you’re looking for food and drink, entertainment, outdoor adventures or arts and culture.”

In many ways, Windsor Essex is a community for gourmands. Our dining industry fills plates, bowls and bellies with flavours from all over the world, sourced with a farm-to-table attention to quality.

“We’re the fourth most diverse city in the country,” Gordon notes.

“Windsor Essex is a dining mecca for any foodie.”

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As well, Windsor Essex hosts a wide selection of award-winning breweries, distilleries and wineries.

“We’re blessed to have 18 award-winning wineries in our own backyard,” Gordon states. “Including North America’s largest distillery, J.P. Wiser’s Hiram Walker & Sons. There’s also Wolfhead Distillery in Amherstburg.”

Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island encourages you to follow their Barrels, Bottles and Booze Trail, a program that allows you to wander the Windsor Essex barrel trail – the birthplace of Canadian whiskey!

The program includes an Explore & Pour Passport. Visiting all 12 locations allows the passport holder the opportunity to redeem a gift.

In addition, as part of the gorgeous South Carolinian Forest biosphere, Windsor Essex contains over 24 different parks and trails.

“We have everything a nature lover could want here,” Gordon states. “Golf. Birding. Cycling trails. Boating. There’s plenty to do under the sun!”

As well, Windsor Essex is a teeming artistic hotspot, featuring the award-winning sculpture park by the waterfront, as well as historic buildings like the Capitol Theatre and the Windsor Symphony Orchestra.

And that, Gordon explains, doesn’t even scratch the surface of what our community has to offer.

“There’s so many people I encounter who say, ‘I’ve lived here for however many years, but I haven’t done this, or I haven’t done this!’”

Gordon laughs. “At the end of the day, I think that happens no matter what city you’re in. But what we would like to do is encourage our Windsorites and friends in the county to explore their region—their own backyard. If you have friends or family visiting from out of town, get off the couch and away from the dining room table. Go out and explore Windsor Essex firsthand!”

More information is available at visitwindsoressex.com.

TILBURY AUTO SALES RV & YAMAHA Putting the Passion in Your Ride “Our clients are really living life,” observes Lindsay Belanger, owner and president of Tilbury Auto Sales RV & Yamaha. “They are on the go, staying safe and having fun during COVID-19 measures.”

“We’re seeing a big boost in our recreational vehicle sales with COVID-19 because people aren’t traveling south this year. This is an opportunity for everyone to do something different. After all, Canada is a huge country to explore,” Lindsay says.

When you can take your own home on the road, with a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living room equipped for your comfort and convenience, it’s easier to control your environment and protect your loved ones.

Happy to break free after the long lockdown, people are also hitting the trails on dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles and zooming through the water on Waverunners. Once you start playing outside, it’s hard to come back in. When the snow eventually flies, Lindsay anticipates an increased demand for snowmobiles.

So much more than the place to find certified pre-owned cars, trucks, SUVs, vans and other used vehicles, Tilbury Auto Sales RV & Yamaha is the source for anyone taking up powersports and recreation at speed. The certified Yamaha Power Equipment dealership even has its own playground.

Located on Highway 401, “we have 15 acres of property that includes a pond where we test Yamaha Waverunners and boat products. Take our ATVs, UTVs and dirt bikes for a spin on our own test track,” Lindsay says. “When you want to see how an RV handles, drive it on our treed and grassed area around the pond. Our knowledgeable staff is on hand to provide tips and answer questions. You know exactly what you are getting before making your choice.”

With a team of 26 dedicated team members, several on board for over 15 years, the family-owned business takes customer service personally. Lindsay notes, “Tilbury Auto Sales RV & Yamaha started in 1991. We’ve been around so long, we’ve served multiple generations of families.”

Taking care of any car, truck, RV or powersport product, “we have specialized teams with different technicians trained for every area of our business,” says Lindsay. “Maintenance and repairs are done here in our shop. We also go to parks to service RVs.” “We opened a second location called Wicked Wrench, a four-bay automotive repair facility at 40 Lyon St. in Tilbury. We specialize in North American, Porsche, Mercedes, BMW and commercial work.

Ask about our 90 day no payment auto repair program.”

Parts, accessories and extended warranties are available for every kind of vehicle sold at Tilbury Auto Sales RV & Yamaha. The huge selection features the complete lineup of current Yamaha motorcycles, ATVs, dirt bikes, Waverunners, snowmobiles, scooters, side-x-sides and outboard motors – plus generators, water pumps and other Yamaha power equipment.

The RV dealership carries collections by Coachmen RV, Shasta RV, Highland Ridge RV Open Range, HY-Line and more. Fifth wheels, travel trailers, motorhomes, pop-ups, A-frames, toy haulers and other new and pre-owned trailers are ready to go.

Combining adventure with community spirit, the business hopes to once again host its Puddle Jump & Mud Bog event. ATVs ploughing waist-deep through mud and dirt bikes flying across puddles will do it all for charitable fundraising – if the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit permits.

“More than ever, we need to support one another,” Lindsay believes. “Fingers crossed we can have a great time together!”

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BON

APPETIT! dining & nightlife guide

Antonino’s Original Pizza – A 61-year-old pizzeria. Antonino’s Original Pizza spares no expense in finding the finest and, whenever possible, closest ingredients. Fresh produce purchased daily. Authentic, thin-crust dough.

The best pizza in town or your money back!

4310 Howard Avenue/519-969-1959 (South Windsor). 1695 Manning Road/519-979-9759 (Tecumseh). 6535 Malden Road/519-978-2500 (LaSalle). originalpizza.ca Capri Pizzeria - Check out our take-out menu and be tempted by our famous pizzas, great pastas, fresh salads and much more! Penny more, penny less, Capri Pizza is still the best!

3020 Dougall Ave. 519-969-6851

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Cramdon’s Tap and Eatery - South Windsor’s friendly gathering place. Offering great food at affordable prices. Satellite sports and billiards in a pub-like setting. www.cramdons.com 2950 Dougall Ave. 519-966-1228

1695 Manning Rd. Unit D206

Eddy’s Tabouli – Discover Windsor’s newest source for authentic, homemade Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Fully-stocked wine menu. 1614 Lesperance Road. 519-979-9600. taboulibyeddys.ca.

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1637 Provincial Rd. 519-969-0300

Frank Brewing Company - FRANK is pure, straight-to-the-point, old-fashioned beer crafted with dedication and pride. Beer-loving folk enjoy FRANK's small-batch brews made with only four natural and simple ingredients: water, hops, grain and yeast; and foodies enjoy the small plates, pizzas and sandwiches for pairing, and all the peanuts you can shell.

12000 Tecumseh Rd. E., Tecumseh, ON 519-956-9822 Fratelli Pasta Grill - Offering flavour drenched “woodfire” grilled steaks, seafood and pasta dishes. A fresh and healthy selection of modern and time tested classics. Located behind McDonald’s on Manning Rd. in Tecumseh. Take-out, catering, private parties. For reservations call 519-735-0355. www.fratellipastagrill.com The Hungry Wolf - The Hungry Wolf serves up Windsor’s best Greek, Canadian, Mexican and Lebanese food. Home of the best gyros in

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Casa Mia Ristorante - Experience authentic Italian food, local wines and homemade desserts served in a casual, completely handicap accessible setting. For many years, chef and owner Frank Puccio has been making lunch and dinner fresh to order. Gluten free options.

Closed Sunday and Holidays. 519-728-2224 523 Notre Dame St., Belle River.

YOUR COMPOSITE DECKING HEADQUARTERS All the best brands under one roof

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Windsor! hungrywolfrestaurant.com.

3422 Walker Rd., Windsor 519-250-0811.

25 Amy Croft Dr., Tecumseh 519-735-0072.

Joe Schmoe’s Eats N’ Drinks - Family friendly restaurant in LaSalle. Handcrafted burgers, sandwiches and salads. Fresh ingredients and house made sauces. Local wines; 12 Ontario craft and commercial beers on tap. HDTVs. Fast, cheerful service. 5881 Malden Rd. (behind Rexall).

519-250-5522 www.eatatjoes.ca Johnny Shotz - Tecumseh’s #1 roadhouse and home of the Chicken Deluxe. Serving Halibut every Friday. Breakfast served Sunday. 37 HD TVs, 15 beers on tap. Follow us on facebook.

13037 Tecumseh Rd. E. 519-735-7005 Neros Gourmet Steakhouse - Indulge in the finer things in life at Neros where modern upscale dining meets traditional steakhouse fare. Fresh, local ingredients, an incredible wine selection and superb service.

1-800-991-7777 ext. 22481. caesarswindsor.com O’Maggio’s Kildare House - British-style pub.

Award-winning halibut fish and chips, housemade burgers, Irish nachos and crispy chicken wings. 21 cold beers on tap. Live music several nights a week. Outdoor patio. Takeout or dine in. 1880 Wyandotte St. E., Windsor.

519-915-1066. kildarehouse.com.

Paramount Fine Foods - Serving flavourful Lebanese dishes like no other! Famous for charcoal BBQ meats, including vegetarian and vegan options. Dine in, take-out and catering. Kids play area available. 3184 Dougall Ave., Windsor 519-915-9020. paramountfinefoods.com.

Spago – A legacy that stretches all the way back to the streets of Casalvieri. Fresh pasta noodles, authentic Italian dishes and traditional homemade desserts—all made daily. Impeccable service. Fresh, genuine ingredients from land to mouth. Enjoy the taste of Italy! 3850 Dougall Avenue. 519-915-6469. www.spago.ca.

Tea House Windsor - Local cafeteria offers Eastern/Western snacks with coffees, teas and drinks.

We make all fresh with the specialty of Pink Kashmiri tea. Dine in, take-out, catering. Frozen homemade snacks available. Halal options. Monfri 9am-4pm. Closed weekends and holidays.

Located in the Jackson Park Health Centre.

2475 McDougall St., Windsor Call to order: 226-348-6151

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direct: 519-919-4549 office: 519-997-2320 eberry@jumprealty.ca

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3422 Walker Rd., Windsor | 519.250.0811 25 Amy Croft Dr., Tecumseh | 519.735-0072

For information on listings and advertising in Bon Appetit! please call 519-979-5433.

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Vito’s Pizzeria - Rustic Italian restaurant serving woodfired pizza, fresh pasta, veal, chicken, grilled steaks and seafood. Wonderful wine selection.

Private party spaces. Food truck and portable pizza oven for offsite catering. 1731 Wyandotte St. E., Windsor. 519-915-6145. catering@vitospizzeria.com.

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LOVE AT FIRST PLAY Pickleball Craze Sweeps Essex County STORY BY MICHAEL SEGUIN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANET BALMER PHOTOGRAPHY

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PICKLEBALL, MALINDA HEBERT EXPLAINS, is the fastest growing sport in North America. The game originated from Bainbridge Island, Washington, during the summer of 1965.

Joel Pritchard and his two friends, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum, attempted to set up a game of badminton for their families, but were missing some equipment. They improvised, lowering the badminton net and bringing in a plastic ball and plywood paddles. And thus, pickleball was born.

The name itself—pickleball—originated from either term “pickle boat”—small vessels manned by leftover oarsmen—or the Pritchard family dog, Pickles.

Malinda first encountered pickleball right before she retired from her sales position at the Windsor Star.

“I saw a full page article for something called ‘pickleball,’” Malinda recalls. “When I read it, I said to myself, ‘I’ve got to try this!’ I used to play a lot of racquetball, and Ioved it. I thought it would be a perfect sport for me because it was low-impact, and racquetball courts are so scarce.”

After retiring at 60, Malinda marched over to the Riverside Sports Centre, picked up her first paddle, and her life changed forever.

“It was an instant love,” Malinda laughs. “I was so excited because Pickleball is great exercise, wonderful people showing you how to play, very inexpensive and a lot of fun. It’s not like golf where it could take a long time to get good at it. Or tennis where you need some kind of skill to enjoy it. It’s for everyone. That said, it can be intensely competitive if you want it to be.”

When asked what her favourite part of the sport is, Malinda mentions the social aspect.

“It’s a very social sport,” Malinda explains. It gets me off the couch and I also like the competitive play. The competitive aspect is not my main thing, although I have played in many tournaments. But, the social end means a lot to me. I tell everybody that, once you try this sport, you’re going to fall in love at first play.”

Clockwise from top: Outdoor courts located at 13158 St. Gregory's Road in Tecumseh, Ontario, West of Manning Road, on the North side of ST. Gregory's; Bob Butnari, last year’s number 1 ranked Men’s 60+ singles player in Canada; Tecumseh Pickleball Association directors (l-r) Laurie Howie, Joanne Neilson, Russ French (Pickleball Ontario Ambassador), Malinda Hebert, Deb McGivney and Pat McGivney.

2019

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2019

Malinda has competed at different pickleball tournaments both sides of the border.

“Competing at the U.S. National pickleball tournament was on my bucket list,” Malinda states. “My husband and I were vacationing in Arizona. I partnered up with another Canadian named Karen Hill, who lives outside of London. We decided to play in a tournament, so we entered one in Pebble Creek, Arizona which at the time was the largest Pickleball club in the world.

We ended up getting the gold in the 4.0 division.”

After winning that tournament, Malinda and Karen qualified to compete at the Nationals at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Palm Springs, California.

“We knew it would be extremely competitive because we moved up to the 4.5 division,” says Malinda. “What an experience. We had a ball! We ended up winning one game. It was spectacular watching all the pros and meeting players from all over the continent. It was amazing!”

Windsor-Essex County is home to some serious pickleball talent. Players from this area are constantly bringing home medals from tournaments in Canada and the United States. Windsorite Bob Butnari finished last year as the number one ranked men’s 60+ singles player in Canada.

Malinda currently serves as the Ambassador for Pickleball Ontario and the President of Tecumseh Pickleball Association.

She previously served as the Vice President of the Riverside Pickleball Club.

“I’ve been playing for seven years at Riverside and other facilities,” Malinda states. “Right now, Riverside has the largest group of players with over 250. The biggest problem right now in the pickleball world is getting facilities.”

However, Malinda’s prayers might have been answered. Next spring, the Town of Tecumseh plans on installing 10 more outdoor courts and a future six indoor at the new SportsPlex. In addition, the Town of Kingsville plans on launching new pickleball courts.

“Kingsville just got approved to build eight outdoor courts next to the arena,” Malinda explains. “They’ve even resurfaced two tennis courts to include eight pickleball courts in Cottam.”

As an enthusiast, Malinda couldn’t be happier watching her favourite sport sweep Southwestern Ontario.

“It’s so exciting!” Malinda states. “Even though I’m the President of Tecumseh Pickleball, it’s not just about Tecumseh. It’s

about all of Essex County. My goal is to bring pickleball everywhere. Everybody can enjoy this sport and the more courts we have, the more people we can introduce the sport to. We actually had to be careful how many people we taught pickleball to in the outdoor courts because come wintertime there was limited space for them to play!

Especially evening and weekends.”

During the pandemic, the Town of Tecumseh and Tecumseh Pickleball have endeavored to keep everyone safe on the pickleball courts.

“Right now, Tecumseh has adopted a very conservative stance on pickleball play,” Malinda explains. “They’re only allowing singles to be played on their courts during stage 2. Meaning, only two people per court. Which is smart of them, but our players are anxious to get back to doubles play hopefully in stage 3.

However, Malinda notes that some hungry enthusiasts have gotten creative.

“People are playing in their driveways,” Malinda states. The courts are still in high demand. The Town of Tecumseh has been great at ensuring that everyone stays as safe as possible.”

Under normal conditions there are numerous pickleball courts available. There are locations at the Atlas Tube Centre, WFCU Centre, the Essex Community Centre, General Amherst High School, the Leamington Kinsmen Recreational Complex, the Heritage Park Alliance Church and more!

What’s more, Malinda has even developed a website to help grow pickleball in Windsor and Essex County. Windsor Essex County Pickleball is a volunteer organization that promotes the sport and keeps everyone up to date on the latest news in the area. The website provides pertinent information on local places to play, events, clinics, tournaments and other useful links.

More information can be accessed at windsoressexpickleball.ca.

“Our team from Tecumseh Pickleball is amazing,” Malinda explains. “We’ve been working so hard. We’re doing a lot behind the scenes right now in preparation for the new courts next year. We’re organizing teams to help with lessons, boot camps, referee clinics, junior programs and much more.”

“When I used to go on vacation, I would ask what kind of golf course they had?”

Malinda states. “Now, whenever my husband plans a vacation, he knows to look for pickleball courts!”

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We examined what other factors we could use to support that. Our overall goal is to connect the seven municipalities of Essex County and make connections with our neighbouring municipalities in the City of Windsor and Chatham-Kent.”

Over the last eight years, the County of Essex has completed half of their long-term goals.

“We’ve been implementing our network year-by-year, continuing to grow,” Katherine states. “CWATs is a 20-year plan and since 2012, we’ve implemented half of our total network. Our full network, once completed, will be 800 kilometers of connected pedestrian and cycling facilities. Today, we’ve completed close to 400 kilometers of infrastructure. Once this is in place, residents of Windsor and Essex County will be able to enjoy biking in their communities and other municipalities. Our goal is to give them a safe way to get out and be active.”

“The county is doing a phenomenal job through CWATs,” Lori explains. “By putting in paved shoulders and connecting those communities. And the Town of Essex has done an amazing job connecting us to Kingsville. They’re even working on Highway 50 to help people get safely from winery to winery. These are wonderful things. Leamington is even working on these new avenues to access Point Pelee safely. The county’s done a great job encouraging and promoting active transportation.”

“It feels great, seeing families and teenagers out on bikes,” Mark states. “When all is said and done and we finally have a fix on the virus, if we can just retain a quarter or a half of the people that are riding right now, then I think that will be great for everybody. We’re seeing municipalities rush through cycling infrastructure right now because they know that everybody is out on a bike right now.

They’re really stepping up.”

And with its flat terrain and gorgeous trails, Windsor and Essex County is a landscape almost uniquely designed for cyclists.

“There are so many places to go on your bike!” Lori exclaims. “In the east end, all around Blue Heron, there’s some wonderful trails.

There are similarly wonderful, wonderful connected trails in LaSalle.

LaSalle has this wonderful network of safe, separated bike trails that are enjoyed by residents, commuters and visitors. Out in the county along Highway 50, there are areas where you can see the lake and the vineyards, it’s absolutely beautiful. This is the perfect place to ride!”

Cycling, Lori explains, is not just a method of transportation— it’s a way of better connecting with your community.

“You say hello to everyone as you ride by,” Lori states. “And then you notice a little café that you could stop by. Or a book shop. Or a winery. You can just stop and explore. You don’t do that in a car.

You never smile and wave at the other drivers if you drive by. But if you’re on a bike, you are going to stop. You’re going to spend some money. You’re going to spend some time. You’re going to have an experience. That’s what it’s all about. Having experiences. It’s all about the journey on your bike.”

“I think it’s very positive for our region,” Katherine admits. “It’s something we’ve been trying to grow for some time. The benefits of active transportation are well-known. It has a positive impact on your health, the environment and the local economy. What we hope is that as we transition back into a regular routine, people will consider integrating these new activities into their daily lives.”

And as Lori stresses, there’s always new adventures to be found on two wheels.

“Get out there and discover your community,” Lori advises.

“Enjoy the breeze and the sights!”

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ARIES MAR 21 - APR 20: Right now, you may feel as if your life is like a battleground. Try to find some kind of balance between stability and harmony. It takes two to solve problems that seem to persist no matter what you do. The answer may come in a positive way when you least expect it to do so.

TAURUS APR 21 - MAY 21: Do you feel that breathe of fresh air? You have been carrying a heavy load on your shoulders for too long. You have done your duty and you have planted seeds for success all along the way. Blossoms are beginning to show at just the right time. Loved ones may rely on you to get the job done.

GEMINI MAY 22 - JUN 21: This is a time when you may find yourself learning to look at other people’s point of view. You need to focus on how to best communicate with those who are important to you. You may be surprised to learn that someone would like to form a partnership to benefit both of you in some fashion.

CANCER JUN 22 - JUL 23: Family is important to you. You have been going through a rough period. There may be some disruptions that are knocking at your door. When you most feel like you want to run away, it is actually the time to move closer. It may help you to remember to look for a rainbow after the storm.

LEO JUL 24 - AUG 23: When will they ever learn? Over and over again the same people will come to you looking for advice.Maybe they just like to talk to you. Young people may think that you know everything. They gain strength and courage from you.

VIRGO AUG 24 - SEP 23: You may have an opportunity to make a wrong right again. You should be able to easily move forward. You are able to do things that others can only wish they could do. You can gently show them the way by laying down a path that they can follow.

BY LESLIE NADON

LIBRA SEP 24 - OCT 23: When you run into obstacles, you are a good negotiator. This past year has been a difficult one for you. Rules and regulations seem to wear you down. You may find yourself caught between family and legal issues.

It feels like a no-win situation. Trust your intuition.

SCORPIO OCT 24 - NOV 22: This may be a time when you can build a good foundation upon which you can stand. How do you want to spend the rest of your life? What must you do to make that happen? What will happen if you don’t? It is a crazy world we live in, but we must make it better. You can do it. We can help.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 23 - DEC 21: A sudden shift in the way things are done might put you in a position to work with others on an important project. First, you may have to go back to make some corrections and tie up loose ends. You might prefer to stay at home, but your associates might have other plans in mind.

CAPRICORN DEC 22 - JAN 20: Day by day changes can catch you offguard, drawing on your strength and stamina and your ability to move forward.

Keep on good terms with those who love you and remember to keep a check on your tongue as you may say things you would regret later on.

AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 19: You may not have the advantage of taking a day off here and there. So much to do. So little time to do it. Opportunities are there.

It may be difficult to gain access to them.

Make notes for yourself so when the right time comes, you can be ready to act.

PISCES FEB 20 - MAR 20 Submit to the wishes of friends and coworkers if need be in order to maintain peace and harmony. Your past may catch up to you in order to slow you down and help you revise your schedule if need be. You can call on those allied to you to give you a lift.

Making Dreams Come True St. Clair College Adopts New Delivery Methods STORY BY MICHAEL SEGUIN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY ST. CLAIR COLLEGE

Clockwise from above left: St. Clair College President Patti France; students in the Mechanical Engineering Technician program: Rahul Prabhalcar (goggles), Pamela Elijah (green jacket), Mahammad Abrar Vohra (glasses) and Jagjeevanpal Singh (white mask); Hairstylist student Stephanie Nelson; the new St. Clair College Sports Park.

be happy to return to traditional delivery when it is safe to do so.”

That said, Patti admits, there are some skills that can only be taught in a hands-on environment.

“While lectures will continue online in the fall semester, during the early spring we developed the ability to deliver some of our essential labs, workshops and clinics in-person,” Patti states. “We worked with 21 other colleges—Colleges Ontario and the Ontario government—to develop a pilot project for practical skills that required the completion of vocational learning outcomes.”

As part of this pilot project, the entire college went through a rigorous assessment process.

“We did a thorough assessment of every single program, including apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships,” Patti explains. “Every classroom. Every lab. Every area of the institution. This was to ensure the safety of our students and staff for face-to-face activity was possible. The assessment also included a comprehensive analysis of every course to determine the best blend of virtual learning opportunities. We’re designing everything to be flexible and accommodating.”

As a result of this thorough process, St. Clair College was able to provide some students with on-campus learning opportunities over the summer.

“We have about 500 students right now,” Patti states. “Almost all of the postsecondary students who have been with us over the summer were individuals in the final year of their studies at the end of 2019/2020 or during the spring semester. We also have

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PATTI FRANCE WAS FIRST HIRED at St. Clair College in April 1987. Since then, she’s been witness to countless seismic shifts in the postsecondary education system.

However, in terms of sheer impact, nothing could equal the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, as the fall semester approaches its September 21st start date for most programs other than Health Sciences and BSCN, Patti reflects on how her institution has adapted to these unprecedented times.

“The pandemic has changed our fundamental delivery method from in-person classes to online ones,” Patti explains. “We had a crash course in that when the pandemic first occurred in the spring.

Windsor’s first outbreak happened during our March Break.”

St. Clair College navigated the changing circumstances with astonishing speed. Within five working days, the faculty converted all classes to online instruction.

“I have to commend our students as well,” Patti states. “They recognized the severity of the situation and they adapted to those changes. Online education is certainly not our preference, but its effectiveness is certainly not to be underestimated. Today’s technology does allow it to be highly interactive.”

However, Patti notes that the current situation is far from ideal.

“Reception has been mixed,” Patti admits. “Some love it. Some absolutely love it. But some don’t. Some want the face-to-face interaction. Everyone learns differently. Some really enjoy the freedom of online learning, while others find it very difficult. We will

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apprenticeship students who have started back. Many of those programs are tied to professional accreditations or outcomes that require them to complete a specific number of hands-on lab hours, workshops or clinics.”

St. Clair College developed numerous safety protocols to ensure that these services could continue to be offered in the fall.

“If you were to come visit, it’s a very different place,” Patti explains. “We have directional arrows. We have controlled entrance and exit points. Physical distancing is required. We have signage everywhere.

We’ve implemented a mandatory wearing of masks in all common areas. Personal protective equipment is required in all of those labs and workshops where physical distancing cannot be maintained. We cannot sacrifice the health and safety of anyone.”

Patti acknowledges the role individual responsibility plays in order to halt the spread of the virus.

“Each student had to complete a training module before they could return to school,” Patti states. “In addition, they were all required to complete a daily screening questionnaire before arriving on campus.

Everyone’s safety is of the utmost importance to us at St. Clair College. It’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure that they follow the rules and those training protocols.”

And while St. Clair College was busy ensuring the health and safety of their students, the institution continued to find ways to service the community. Notably, the Chatham HealthPlex (along with the Windsor SportsPlex) were used as field hospitals for Windsor Regional Hospital and the Chatham Kent Health Alliance.

“After we concluded the 2020 academic year by switching those final few weeks from in-person delivery to online delivery,” Patti states. “And as the crisis worsened, our attention turned from inward to outward.

We looked at what we could do to serve our community. And our answer to that was to offer all of our equipment and facilities to the disposal of the local healthcare system.”

And St. Clair College’s generosity did not end there. Several faculty members in various disciplines launched COVID related research projects, including our Data Analytics team. Some Fashion Designer professors and students made masks. Respiratory Therapy graduates were immediately accredited so that they could join the workforce in the fight against COVID. The

alumni association and the student organization gathered a $100,000 donation to local hospitals.

“It’s a classic example of the community spirit exhibited by all of the St. Clair College staff and students,” Patti explains.

“If we as an institution, as people, can do anything to contribute to the wellbeing of the community, we really do try and step up. We always have.”

And as the summer draws to a close, St. Clair College continues to ensure that the 2020 fall semester is as safe and enjoyable as possible for all students.

“We must maintain our plans for online learning, coupled with brief attendance in essential labs, workshops and clinics,” Patti explains. “Our support services will certainly be stepping up. Even now, our library is promoting our vast catalog of online research material. We’ve also bolstered a number of counselling services to provide phone-in and online assistance to students.

We want to make sure it’s as exciting and engaging an experience as possible.”

And while the last six months have seen an unprecedented number of changes, Patti remains optimistic about the St. Clair College student experience.

“Postsecondary education has been changed by the pandemic,” Patti admits.

“But it has not been curtailed. Indeed, it’s certainly more alive, vibrant and innovative than I think it has ever been. We’ve expanded our offerings and our delivery methods to make everything more accessible to our unique circumstances. Converting the lifelong career aspirations of our students into reality has always been the purpose of St. Clair College. The obstacles presented by the pandemic can’t stop us or our students from making those dreams come true.”

NEW SPORTS PARK Despite all the turmoil surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Clair College has recently completed their new Sports Park, which will offer a range of new services and experiences for the students and community.

“When we constructed the SportsPlex several years ago, its amenities quickly made it one of the most popular spots on campus,” Patti explains. “We expect that the Sports Park will have the same effect for the outdoor sports that St. Clair College will be hosting. We expect it will instill a new vibrancy in our community.”

WLM Back to Contents

THEY SAY THAT PEOPLE have notoriously short memories. However, Riverside Roofing is a hard name to forget.

Since its inception in 1948, Riverside Roofing has become synonymous with integrity, innovation and reliability. Over 72 years ago, founders Steve Zold Sr. and Alf Prince started the company to serve the needs of the expanding Windsor-Essex community.

Built on the rock-solid foundation of integrity and hard work, Riverside Roofing quickly became a trusted and reliable name in the region. In the years that followed, Steve and Alf passed down the reins into the capable hands of their sons, Steve Zold Jr. and Bill Prince.

“This industry is in my blood,” Steve explains. “I was born in ’46, and Dad started the business in ’48. Our shop was in our front yard at one point. And we just kept growing from there. I started helping out around roofing sites when I was 10 years old. I became a full-time roofer when I was 17.”

For years, Steve and Bill took the business to new heights, expanding into multiple sectors and becoming the first to bring innovative new roofing technologies to Windsor and Essex County.

“We had quite a few of the major accounts in the city,” Steve admits.

“Every summer we were doing schools. We worked with seven plants in town—the two GM plants and all the Ford Motor Company plants. And we did quite a few of the municipal arenas. In our 60 years in business, we must have done millions of square feet of roofing.”

After over half a century in business, Riverside Roofing closed down when Steve decided to retire.

However, Steve and retirement had a difficult time getting along.

“Something was missing,” Steve explains.

“So, I decided that I needed to get back to what I was born to do.”

Now, after 14 years away from the business, Riverside Roofing has returned to service the city the company helped build.

Steve Zold Jr. “It’s like I never missed a beat,” Steve OWNER laughs. “I got back my old office. We

have our same phone number from 1948. We even scooped up some of our old crew members!”

Steve stresses that, when it comes to roofing, nothing can rival the quality of an amazing crew.

“I can go to you as a customer and tell you about all the great things we’re going to do,” Steve states. “But it means nothing if I send over a crew that doesn’t know what they’re doing. The men we have are the best there is in the business.

We’re in an industry that isn’t looked at as favorably as others.

Roofing isn’t considered a skilled trade, like an electrician or plumber. But, it absolutely is a skilled trade. You have to know what you’re doing in order to do it properly. The men we send to do our jobs are good, credible people.”

And with sights set on the future, and a team of the industry’s most experienced professionals, Riverside Roofing is proud to return to what they do best: providing the best in roofing technologies with integrity, innovation and reliability.

More information is available at riversideroofinginc.com or by calling 519-945-4263.

1340 Matthew Brady, Windsor 519-945-4263 riversideroofinginc.com

WLMONLINE

MR. EMANCIPATION

A Love Letter For My Community

STORY BY MICHAEL SEGUIN / PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY PRESTON CHASE

Several years ago, Preston Chase was faced with a difficult choice. Replace his 22 year old Honda…or fund an independently produced documentary about his great uncle, Walter Perry, the man who organized Windsor’s historic Emancipation Day celebrations.

Mr. Emancipation: The Walter Perry Story tells the story of Walter Perry, whose progressive festival flourished during one of the most significant times and places in North American history. For 30 years, Walter Perry helped transform his hometown into the place it is now.

The first faint inklings of the documentary tickled Preston’s skull years ago. “The documentary first occurred to me when I came home to visit my godparents after my second year at Carlton University,” Preston recalls.

“We were just talking. Then, I said, ‘It’s Emancipation Day weekend! I wish we could have the celebrations like we used to.’ Then my Uncle started laughing in his raspy voice. He said, ‘Boy, you don’t know what emancipation was! Don’t you know what your Great Uncle Walt did?’”

Above: Walter Perry and Mike Patrick. Left: Preston Chase, the director of Mr. Emancipation: The Walter Perry Story.

Read the complete story at windsorlife.com.

ASSUMPTION CHURCH A Historical Landmark

STORY BY MICHAEL SEGUIN / PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY ASSUMPTION CHURCH

Windsor possesses some truly grandiose historical landmarks. That said, few can rival Our Lady of The Assumption Church, the oldest continuous parish in Canada, west of Montreal.

Located at 350 Huron Church Road, the church has stood vigilant for over 250 years.

Unfortunately, the building was closed in 2014 when it was determined that the church needed approximately $15 million in restoration work.

That was where lawyer Paul Mullins stepped in to help. “About 12 years ago, there was a major campaign to restore the church,” Paul states. “But, it went sideways, for reasons no one seems to understand. I didn’t understand it myself, either. There was such huge involvement by the community. Dozens of community leaders had signed on to support the restoration. And then, after a couple years of work, it ended up cancelled. A year or two later, the church closed.”

Read the complete story at windsorlife.com.

THE POWER OF MUSIC

Local Musicians Find New Stages STORY BY MICHAEL SEGUIN

They say you can’t keep a good musician down for long. Well, they don’t actually say that. But they might start, especially after hearing about how some of Windsor’s greatest bands found ways to deliver their amazing sounds during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A couple of these determined musicians include newcomers Leave Those Kids Alone and well-established mainstays like Mark Mailloux and Bigg Wiggle.

Read the complete story at windsorlife.com.

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Clockwise from top left: Bigg Wiggle; Mark Mailloux and Jen Knight; Leave Those Kids Alone.

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Left: Creators of the Mully Cup Frank Cirino and David Thibert. Below: The Mully Cup Flag Stick. Bottom: The process of removing the ball from the hole using the Mully Cup system.

GAMECHANGER Local Invention Makes Golf Safer During COVID-19

STORY BY MICHAEL SEGUIN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX McINTYRE THEY SAY THAT NECESSITY is the mother of invention. Perhaps no local invention embodies that spirit more completely than Windsor’s Mully Cup Flag Stick.

The product was created by local businessmen Frank Cirino, the owner of Lomar Machine Repair Inc., and David Thibert, a partner at Mega Mold International.

“I’ve been in business for over 27 years in the Windsor area,” Frank states. “We provide services to the tool and mold industry, which is how I met David. He’s a good client of mine. We have a great working relationship that extends beyond our offices.”

As with so many other businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic caused David and Frank’s workflow to stall a bit. However, the two took advantage of the slight lull to develop one of Windsor and Essex County’s most innovative new products: the Mully Cup Flag Stick.

“I’m one of the Chairs of the Golf Committee at the Pointe West Golf and Country Club in Amherstburg,” Frank explains. “When we were going to open up the golf course, we had to come up with a solution to retrieve the ball out of the hole without touching the flag.”

Frank spent weeks looking at the different types of units and materials available including pool noodles, wood handles

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and inverted cups. Eventually, he dreamed up the idea for an elevator style lifting device with fishline to support the bottom flange.

After several weeks of brooding over the concept, Frank approached his colleague David, who was playing out of Essex Golf and Country Club, with his idea.

“I said, ‘David, is there a way you could form plastic to a 25 thousandths wall thickness at about 16 inches long?’” Frank recalls.

“At first, David said, ‘Uh. That’s going to be very tough to do…’”

After explaining his concept in greater detail, Frank was able to recruit Mega Mold into his latest venture.

“Once Frank came to us with a concept, we got our engineering team involved,” David explains. “We started working with 3D models. We said, ‘What do you think about this? What do you think about this?’

We went back and forth with questions.

How we were going to hold the two pieces together? How we were going to inject plastic? How we were going to produce it? After we crossed all those hurdles, we built the mold in just over a week.”

“We had to make many changes to the mold,” Frank states. “We didn’t know that there were so many different types of flag sticks out there. There’s half-inch thick flag sticks and two styles of tapered flag sticks.

We had to modify the mold four or five times to accommodate all the different types. Once the mold was completed, and with the help of Injection Technologies, we began hard testing.”

“We went through several variations,” Frank states. “Thankfully we were able to salvage the mold and just keep adding to it.

We just kept building on top of what we had.”

The Mully Cup Flag Stick is a novel, yet beautifully simple invention. The bottom part of the flag stick rests inside the hole.

The upper part pulls the bottom cap up, allowing golfers to retrieve their ball with their putter—all without having to touch the flag.

What’s more, the flag stick allows the ball to enter the hole at 360 degrees, meaning it won’t interfere with the game. The product is made of plastic instead of metal, meaning that it won’t damage anyone’s putter or the course itself if it is removed.

And as with all great inventions, the product was immediately embraced.

“We’ve been receiving great feedback,” Frank states. “We haven’t had any negativity.

People have come up to me and David and said, ‘What a great idea you had! I hope

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it goes well for you!’ There’s tremendous satisfaction in knowing that people have embraced this product so wholeheartedly.”

Perhaps, most spectacularly, Frank and David have continued to encounter their invention on their home turf!

“We sold some flag sticks to Fox Glen Golf Course,” Frank states. “I have to drive by there on my way into work every morning. When I look over and see people using the Mully Cup, I get this big smirk on my face.”

“My son works at Seven Lakes Golf Course,” David explains. “When the Mully Cup first got installed, he told people that Mega Mold was part of the development.

But the guys he worked with didn’t believe him! It wasn’t until he showed up to work one day with some pieces from our garage that he convinced them that this invention came out of Windsor.”

The Mully Cup Flag Stick has been a phenomenal success, already attracting national attention.

“A gentleman from Bayco Golf out in Winnipeg contacted us,” Frank states.

“They’re a distributor of golf course supplies. They asked if they could be our distributor for this product. They have distributors in Canada, the United States and Europe. They felt that they could sell quite a few of them for us.”

“People are already installing it at practice facilities, putting greens and mini-golf courses,” David explains. “That’s making us very excited.”

The Mully Cup Flag Stick also has benefits beyond what Frank and David initially planned for.

“The Mully Cup has uses beyond what we initially anticipated,” Frank states. “A lot of elderly people like the invention because they don’t have to bend over to grab their ball. Even greenskeepers love the product.

They’re saying that the greens are staying nice and sharp, since no one is damaging the hole putting their club in it anymore.

Everyone’s been so positive.”

While no one can say for sure how far the invention will travel, one can’t deny that the Mully Cup Flag Stick is a homegrown phenomenon that will hopefully remain a fixture of golf courses for many years to come. “With Injection Technologies on board, we have the capacity to produce enough parts for the world market as required,” David states.

“People are saying that this invention is a game changer,” Frank states. “I think that WLM it’s here to stay!”

Back to Contents

LOCAL SCHOOL TEACHER RELEASES FIRST BOOK STORY BY MICHAEL SEGUIN

SCOTT CLEMENTS’ WRITING JOURNEY began in the unlikeliest of all places: a high school English class.

“One of my teachers wanted me to write a short story,” Scott recalls. “So, before I got started, I decided to do a little bit of research. One of the authors I’ve always admired is Stephen King, so I did some reading about how he approached his stories and how he made them work.”

Scott’s first attempt at fiction would have made the King of Horror beam with ghoulish pride. The story involved a couple stranded on the side of the road. In order to reach the nearest phone, they had to navigate a dark cornfield, which just so happened to be the hunting grounds of a local monster.

“They didn’t make it,” Scott reports. “I’ve loved writing ever since.”

For years, Scott has hammered himself against the wordsmith’s anvil, sharpening his skills.

After producing reams and reams of short stories, he gradually found a small audience in a number of online publications. In the interim, he became a teacher at St. Joseph’s Catholic Elementary School.

All the while, his first novel began to take shape. Thermopylung tells the story of a

▼

SCOTT CLEMENTS

disastrous dispute between the Norse gods.

In order to determine whose mount is the swiftest, Odin, the All Father, and his son Thor, the Prince of Asgard, decide to race each other to the end of the cosmos itself.

But, there’s a small wrinkle in their plan: the Universe is endless!

Enter seven-year-old Preston T. Thermopoly and his immortal friend Glimwir Starsong. Together, the two must journey through the Nine Realms in order to stop the two quarrelsome gods from tearing apart the Universe itself.

“I’ve always been a fan of mythology,” Scott explains. “I wanted to be able to bring these old stories across in ways I hadn’t seen before. The thought of writing a kid’s story—a child’s version of mythology—had been bouncing around in the back of my head for a while. Finally, a collection of little ideas started to form and the larger structure came to me all at once.”

While writing is often a solitary endeavor, Scott found some unlikely writing buddies in his two daughters, Samantha, now 17, and Emma, now 16.

“I used to tell my kids bedtime stories when they were small,” Scott recalls. “As I was writing the book, I would be reading it to them.”

However, Scott’s journey to the printed page—like the journey of Preston and Glimwir—was a bumpy one.

“I initially planned on releasing this as a picture book,” Scott states. “I teamed up with local artist Glen Angus to do the illustrations. He unfortunately passed away a few years ago. He was a world-class artist. I would have loved to have been able to see the project through with him.”

Additionally, Scott, like most writers, encountered some difficulty with publishing.

“I had become frustrated with writing for a number of years,” Scott admits. “You have to have a really thick skin as a writer. But it becomes demoralizing when you put hours and hours and hours into the different things you do only to face rejection after rejection. The kids were also growing up.”

For a time, Scott put his pen aside and occupied his time with other things, such as coaching and teaching.

However, it was ultimately Scott’s daughters who helped him see Preston’s journey through to the end.

“When Samantha was in Grade 5, there was these silly games that she always wanted to play,” Scott recalls. “She conscripted myself and her younger sister into a club and then elected herself president. She S e p t e m b e r

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would give us these little tasks to complete.

For one of the tasks, she gave us a writing assignment! I actually wrote a single-page little piece for her. And that made me realize that I missed writing.”

That summer, Scott dusted off Thermopylung. With his passion for the craft rekindled, he began to retool his old manuscript.

And once again, his daughters remained both his first audience and most merciless critics.

“I read the book to them before I read it to anyone else,” Scott laughs. “They kept asking me, ‘When are you going to get it published? When are you going to get it published?’”

After several more submissions, the book was picked up by Markosia, a British publisher. Thermopylung was released on December 9th, 2019.

“My daughters were overjoyed when it was published,” Scott states. “I think they spread the word on social media farther than I even did. They were very excited!”

And the feeling was mutual. Having a book published caused Scott to experience a surge of momentum worthy of the All Father’s eight-legged horse.

“It was incredibly satisfying,” Scott states.

“It gave me a sense of confidence that maybe I didn’t have before. It showed me that what I’m doing isn’t a waste of time. That it’s something I should be spending more time working at. Since the book came out, I’ve been doing a lot of writing. Which has been fantastic.”

Scott is currently hard at work on some new short stories. As well, his next novel is in the works, an adult science fiction story called The Answer Man. “Frustration kept me out of writing for a number of years,” Scott admits. “And looking back, I regret that. I might have been able to get something else published in the meantime. I’m not going to let any more writing time go to waste.”

And while his publishing journey was a bit of a winding one, Scott encourages young writers to be viciously dogged about pursuing their dreams.

“Develop a thick skin,” Scott advises.

“Keep plugging away at it. One thing I realized late is that you can’t really write for the purpose of getting published and earning money. That doesn’t really work because it doesn’t happen for very many people. You have to write for one reason: because you enjoy it.”

Thermopylung is currently available on Amazon and select bookstores.

WLM Back to Contents

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