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Are you really hearing
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AUTUMN 2015
VOLUME 22, ISSUE 7
PUBLISHER/EDITOR Robert E. Robinson
CONTRIBUTING Karen Paton-Evans
WRITERS Leslie Nadon
Dick Hildebrand
Kim Willis
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Carol Garant
ART DIRECTOR Michael Pietrangelo
PRODUCTION George Sharpe
PHOTOGRAPHERS Dick Hildebrand
St. Louis Studio
Kristi Gnyp Photography
Paul Jokelainen
Laurie Clement
Jay Terry Photography
#YOUbeautymoment Carly Nicodemo
CREATORS Erika Harnish
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Kim S
S. (50 years old)
I sta
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Fitness and exercise has been very important to me my whole life I was a boxer in Montreal in my mid 20s
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Wend
I have
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b
a client of Dennis And have lost 123Ibs so far. I still have a bit to
go so I have followed him to Train Station Fitness. I am now working out there
everyone
eve
v ry
ryon is friendly and very helpful. The doctor has taken me off my blood pressure
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meds and type 2 diabetic meds. I feel GREAT!!
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54
42
ON THE COVER
DEPARTMENTS
Pam Seney caresses an
Indochina tiger at the
Buddhist Tiger Temple
in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
See page 16
59
30
NEW & NOTICED
48
BON APPETIT!
58
HOROSCOPE
64
#YOUBEAUTY MOMENT
66
CALENDAR
70
LIFE SHOTS
F E AT U R E S
16 THAILAND
38 PUTTING OUT THE WELCOME MAT
World Class Scenery Delight
Essex County Adventurers
26 SPREADING HER WINGS
Artist Shirley Williams’
New Adventures
32 FREE THE CHILDREN
Local Teacher Travels
Abroad To Enhance Learning
10
W i n d s o r
L i f e
Visitors Are Encouraged
To Share Artists’ Talents
42 THE POWER PILOTS
Scholarship Program
Teaching Air Cadets To Fly
51 “WHAT WOULD YOU DO?”
Local Singer’s Track
Carries A Powerful Message
54 UNCORKED
Sommelier Renee Nantais
Pours at Neros Steakhouse
59 THE KRAZY KENNY PROJECT
Local Rockers Make A Debut
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62 BACK HOME WITH GOLD
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Publisher’s Note
Where did the summer go? Although it
struggled to get started, summer finally took
off and I am not ready for it to end. Spending outdoor time with family and friends
is something I have grown over the years
to enjoy more and more. Our community
has so much to offer, from the many festivals
to boating and swimming, we in Canada
South have much to use up the summer
months. And as many before it this has been
a summer to remember. I hope you have
enjoyed it.
While editing this issue’s stories, the one
thing that struck me was how well many
people explore, develop and honour their
creativity. Whether it’s professional or just for
fun, they make time for healthy, healing play.
Painters, potters, photographers, a printer,
jeweller and wood turner are revealing what
happens when personal creativity is let off the
chain. During the free, self directed Windsor-Essex Open Studio Tour on Oct. 3rd
and 4th, stop at any of the 14 stops, chat
with artists and nudge your own talent out
of hiding. Creativity begets creativity!
Perhaps you will be inspired by our story
about Shirley Williams, another local artist
whose artwork deserves your attention.
The art of the grape is toasted by Renee
Nantais, the only in-house certified sommelier working in a Windsor restaurant. We
chat with her at Neros Steakhouse, Caesars
Windsor.
Art for the ears is being crafted by the
Krazy Kenny Project, an intriguing local
band, and musician Mike Cerveni.
Our #YOUbeautymoment featured woman,
Mia Tannous, regards everyone as a work of
art. During her many years at the Bulimia
Anorexia Nervosa Association, she tried to
help other people see that in themselves.
Windsor Life has more great people for
you to meet: The Windsor-Essex County Air
Cadets, 364 Lancaster Squadron; female
goalie Erica Fryer; and volunteers on a Free
the Children mission trip.
We also tag along with Maria and Roger
Bramhall and Pam and Bill Seney as they
travel through Thailand.
Your trek begins by simply turning this
page. I hope you will let yourself be inspired
along the way.
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STORY KAREN PATON-EVANS / PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAM AND BILL SENEY, MARIA AND ROGER BRAMHALL
16
W i n d s o r
L i f e
competed with star Leonardo DiCaprio for viewers’ attention in
The Beach, a film released in 2000 depicting an American tourist
searching for the perfect way of life.
All of these sites and more mesmerized Pam and Bill Seney and
Maria and Roger Bramhall of Essex County when they traveled to
Indochina last winter for an extensive tour of several countries. They
had eight days in Thailand and made the most of each one.
After touring Cambodia, the couples flew to the centre of Thailand to reach its capital city, Bangkok, on Tues., Jan. 20th. A good
night’s rest energized them for a full day of sightseeing. Fortunately
for the Canadians, many of the country’s residents speak English, a
mandatory subject in public schools.
Located in Southeast Asia and formerly called Siam, Thailand is
adjoined to Laos and Myanmar to the north; Cambodia and the
Gulf of Thailand to the east; Burma and the Andaman Sea to the
west; and Malaysia to the south. More than 61 million people are
residents of Thailand; 95% of them follow the Buddhist faith.
A military junta that took power by coup d’état in 2014
▼
SOME PLACES IN THE WORLD ARE SO GORGEOUS, they
appear to have been manufactured by Hollywood. Thailand is such
a destination, which the average Canadian has only encountered in
the movies.
One of the earliest glimpses was of the luxurious royal palace,
revealed in technicolour in The King and I, 20th Century Fox’s
1956 musical film about Anna Leonowens, an English teacher hired
by King Mongkut of Siam in the early 1860s to educate his many
offspring and wives. Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner in the title roles
argued, sang and danced through the lively score by Richard
Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. In 1999, Jodie Foster and
Chow Yun-fat reprised the roles in a dramatic non-musical version,
Anna and the King.
The 1957 World War II film, The Bridge on the River Kwai, starring William Holden and Alec Guinness, told the brutal tale of
prisoners of war forced to build the bridge connecting Bangkok and
Rangoon.
Thailand’s white sandy beaches and turquoise blue waters
Clockwise from top left: The Bridge on the River Kwai is more than just the title of a
fictional book and movie; it is also a real place in Thailand; the Grand Palace in Bangkok
dazzles visitors and citizens with its golden architecture and statuary. The former royal
residence also once housed the Thai war ministry, state departments and mint. Now
it is used for royal coronations and other special occasions; a huge, ornate figure
guards the grounds, which also contains Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald
Buddha, the country’s most important Buddhist temple; Bill and Pam Seney and Maria
and Roger of Essex County visited Thailand last winter; Carved of a single block of
green jade, the large image of Buddha is enshrined within an ornate temple, adorned
with golden figures.
▼
governs the country. Thailand also has a monarchy:
King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, has reigned
since 1946, making him Thailand’s longest reigning
monarch and the world’s longest serving head of state.
For the Essex County tourists, much of Jan. 21st
was enjoyed at the iconic Grand Palace, Thailand’s
most visited landmark. Construction on the palace’s
countless spires, columns and peak roofed structures
began in 1782. The complex served as a royal residence until 1925. Three main zones organize the
functions of the vast compound: The Outer Court
houses royal offices, public buildings and the Temple
of Emerald Buddha; the Middle Court boasts the
most significant residential and state buildings; and
the Inner Court was once the private domain of the
king and his queen and consorts.
“The workmanship is incredible. Little pieces of inlaid glass and mosaics decorate the buildings, making
them very colourful,” Roger says.
Pam adds, “You would need to focus on a small
square to appreciate how very intricate everything is.”
After taking in the Royal Palace, where the current
king and queen host special events, and the Funeral
Hall, the site of state funerals, the Essex County travelers approached Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist
temple, the Holy Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the
Emerald Buddha. Carved of green jade and gilded
with gold ornaments, the massive Buddha sits at the
top of a series of platforms and is protected by a
golden bell shaped enclosure. Only the King is permitted near the Emerald Buddha; it is His Majesty’s
task to change the Buddha’s ceremonial robes for
This page, counterclockwise from the top: Abundant marine life
and corals, white sand beaches, limestone cliffs and other tropical attributes prompted Bill to rate Phi Phi Islands “in the top
three of the most beautiful places that I’ve seen in my life”; at
the Elephant Sanctuary in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, Pam learns
how to steer an elephant while Bill rides in style; a Macaque
monkey rests in the shade. Other monkeys living in the Phi Phi
Island archipelago dive into the water for food provided by
Mother Nature and tourists; just hanging out at the Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi, a Buddhist monk and an Indochina tiger
let Pam get to know them better.
18
W i n d s o r
L i f e
This page, clockwise from top left: At the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, vendors
load their small boats with peppers, bananas and other produce to sell. Much of it is
raised in the fertile soils flanking the canal; the distinctive flavours of Thai cuisine
delight Pam, Bill, Maria and Roger; the sun descends into the sea, signalling it’s time
for the nightlife to begin in Karon Beach, Phuket; Thailand’s largest island also offers
visitors deep sea diving, white beaches, shopping, fine dining and a Buddhist temple;
rafting on the River Kwai, the current proved strong and swift.
A u t u m n
•
2 0 1 5
19
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CPA, CA
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W i n d s o r
L i f e
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the summer, winter and rainy seasons to
bring good fortune to Thailand.
“Since we weren’t allowed to take photos
up close, we zoomed in,” Maria says.
Monks worship at the temple but do not
reside there. “Driving in Bangkok, we encountered thousands of monks in orange
robes, walking on the road single file over
marigolds an inch deep and several feet
wide. People had strewn the flowers for
them to walk upon,” Pam marvels. The gesture is a symbol of respect for the holy men.
Traveling 100 km southwest of Bangkok
on the following day, the Bramhalls and
Seneys encountered the Damnoen Saduak
Floating Market, bustling with hundreds of
vendors, customers and tourists. “It dates
back to 1866 when King Rama IV ordered
that a canal 32 km long be dug to connect
two provinces,” Roger says. The fertile soil
along the canal yields bountiful crops. “At
the Floating Market, we saw the traditional
way of selling and buying fruits, vegetables
and other items from small boats. We also
saw Thai houses and the way locals use boats
in their everyday lives.”
About 50 km west of Bangkok in the
province of Nakhon Pathom is Phra Pathom
Chedi, the world’s highest Buddhist stupa,
standing 127 metres tall and shielding a
huge standing golden Buddha, a large reclining golden Buddha and other statuary.
Thailand’s introduction to Buddhism was
initiated in Nakhon Pathom; the first Buddhist temple was erected in the country here
in the year 350. The present stupa and the
golden, upside down bell shaped outer chedi
protecting it were built in the 1800s.
After exploring the temple, the travelers
attended the Thai Cultural Show. Designed
for tourists, numerous performers at various
sites presented Thai boxing, sword fighting,
folk dancing, entertaining elephants and a
traditional wedding ceremony. The colourful costumes, music and architecture speak
of the country’s rich and intricate traditions.
“It was relevant because even though these
things are thousands of years old, they are
still done today in Thailand,” Bill remarks.
Maria and Roger, who had visited Thailand before, chose to relax by their hotel’s
pool on Jan. 23rd while Bill and Pam set off
for Tiger Temple (Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua),
a Theravada Buddhist Temple founded in
1994 as a forest place of worship and wild
animal sanctuary for deer, water buffalo,
cows, goats, horses, banteng, porcupines,
boars, civet cats, lions, peacocks and other
birds.“The temple started with people
bringing abandoned tigers to the monks.
A u t u m n
•
2 0 1 5
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Now volunteers come from all over the
world to care for the tigers with the monks,”
Pam explains. The temple was cleared of allegations of animal mistreatment in a 2015
investigation conducted by wildlife officials.
Most of the animals are Indochinese
tigers, many weighing in at 500 and 600
pounds. Bill observes, “These tigers made
the lions we saw in Africa look like kitty
cats.”
At the time of their visit, 139 Indochinese
tigers were in residence. “We got to play
with five week old cubs for about an hour,”
Pam says. “One ‘attacked’ Bill. His teeth felt
like a mosquito bite.”
Leaving behind their new striped friends,
the couple met some pachyderms. “We rode
elephants through the jungle and into the
River Kwai, where some riders bathed their
elephants,” says Pam. She abandoned the
saddle seat provided and sat on the elephant’s head, manoeuvring the big animal
to go where she wanted. “I really enjoyed
that. It was a unique situation.”
She and Bill walked across the Bridge over
the River Kwai. Nearby are two well-kept
cemeteries containing the graves of 9,000
Allied soldiers who died while building the
bridge and the Burma-Siam “Death Railway” during WWII.
The couple then rafted on the River
Kwai, savouring the beauty of the region.
“The current is super strong,” Bill recalls.
They boated upstream using an engine and
then floated 5 mph downstream. “We were
up in No Man’s Land in the middle of the
jungle.” Their progress was observed by
Mangrove monkeys on the shoreline. Pam
thinks, “They are the funniest looking
things.”
The travelers’ last days in Thailand were
enjoyed mostly on Phuket, the country’s
largest island, situated off the southwest
coast. A bridge connects it to the mainland.
Tourists spend daylight hours frolicking in
the water, deep sea diving and sunbathing
on white beaches. After the sun goes down,
nightspots and restaurants offering traditional and high end dining beckon.
“On the beautiful, clean beach, we could
walk for miles. The water was crystal clear
and warm; the temperature was 35 degrees
C with humidity. It’s what we like,” Roger
says. They dozed on the beach and splashed
in the warm turquoise water, spotting little
jellyfish.
Before departing, Pam and Bill signed
up for a tour of the Phi Phi Islands, 48 km
east of Phuket. Taking in the naturally artistic arrangement of white sand beaches,
▼
Selected As One Of
Brian
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Melissa
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Brian
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Lynn
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Lesley
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Hooper
Michael
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PARTNER
Peter
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Denise
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ACCOUNTING & BUSINESS ADVISORY GROUP:
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A u t u m n
•
2 0 1 5
23
ONTARIO’S NEW ESTATE
ADMINISTRATION
TAX RULES HAVE VERY
BIG TEETH!
Recent changes to Ontario’s Estate Administration tax rules (probate tax)
will affect you! Administration has passed from the Ministry of the Attorney
General to the Ministry of Finance. The new Estate Information Return and the
application for a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee are now required.
If you missed the seminar, you can still meet with me to discuss
how you may be impacted by these rules.
Are you affected by any of the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Are an executor of an estate
Will benefit from an estate
Plan to leave an estate
Have aging parents who plan to leave an estate
Have a disabled child
Want to minimize estate taxes
Want a timely distribution of your estate
Are uncertain of the role of your estate trustee (executor)
I’ll review your portfolio and advise how you may be impacted
by the changes. I’ll also provide you with suggestions on how
to minimize the amount of estate tax you will ultimately pay.
Call or email to set up your appointment
Barbara Allen, HBA, CFP, CDFA
Manulife Securities Incorporated
Senior Financial Advisor
Direct Line 519-250-0515
519-250-5190, ext. 409
[email protected]
2255 Cadillac Street, Windsor
Manulife Securities Incorporated is a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund.
The Manulife Securities logo and the Block Design are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it, and by its affiliates under license.
limestone cliffs and palm trees, Bill pronounced the region to be “simply spectacular. It’s in the top three most beautiful places
that I’ve seen in my life.” There was much to
explore around the islands. “Each area is
unique,” Bill says.
Coral reefs begin just two metres below
the waterline in Loh Samah Bay and Pileh
Cove, making them popular with snorkelers and divers.
Viking Cave is a large limestone cavern
adorned with ancient rock paintings of
boats that resemble Viking ships. The cave is
also a nesting site for swiftlet birds, whose
nests are considered an expensive delicacy in
Chinese cuisine.
The Seneys were intrigued by Monkey
Beach in Kasem. “The long tailed Capuchin
monkeys actually swim and dive for food.
Bill tossed bananas into the water,” Pam
says.
Bamboo Island, one of six islands belonging to the Phi Phi archipelago, is ringed
with a band of white sand. The centre of
the island is covered in bamboo trees and
other lush, growing things. Bill swam in the
water and was surrounded by hundreds of
colourful fish, clamouring for the bread and
bananas he brought to feed them.
At Phi Phi Don, “thousands of people
were there,” Pam says. “It was where Leo
DiCaprio filmed The Beach and the tourists
wanted to get their pictures taken.”
The couple put on their snorkelling
gear and waded into the sparkling water,
home to coral fish, crabs, lobsters, angelfish,
groupers, snappers, surgeonfish and sharks.
“The snorkeling was good, although it was
more beautiful above the water than below,”
says Bill. “It was paradise.”
With gorgeous memories and golden
tans, the Seneys and Bramhalls drove to
Phuket Airport on Jan. 29thand flew to
Hong Kong to catch their connecting flight
to Toronto. Having left Canada 22 days
prior, home literally felt a whole other world
away.
“It’s a shorter flight to fly over the North
Pole than to fly around the circumference of
the earth,” Bill was interested to learn. However, unforeseen air restrictions over Alaska
caused travel delays and rerouting for the
friends, extending their long journey to 21
hours. Even so, every extra minute spent sitting on the airstrip was worth the magical
days exploring Indochina.
The travelers also squeezed in an eye
opening trip to Vietnam before flying to
Thailand. That exciting leg of their journey
is being featured in the next issue of WindWLM
sor Life Magazine.
Windsor’s Top Labour and Employment Legal Team
Bob
Baksi
Jessica
Koper
Brian
Nolan
Bryce
Chandler
Sheila
MacKinnon
Peter
Hrastovec
With an active group of six experienced professionals, Shibley
Righton LLP has one of the largest Labour and Employment practice groups in Windsor-Essex. A full-service law firm established
in 1964 in Toronto, Shibley Righton opened its Windsor office
in 2001 and right from the outset, a significant portion of the
Windsor office’s practice was devoted to Labour and Employment
issues.
“With the depth of our lawyers’ experience, we are able to
address virtually all of an employer’s needs in the areas of labour
relations, collective agreement negotiations, employment contracts,
workplace discipline and dismissals, workplace violence and
bullying, human rights, discrimination, disability claims, and
occupational health and safety,” explains Brian Nolan, leader of
the practice group.
Partner Peter Hrastovec explains, “the workplace has become a
dynamic and ever-evolving entity. With changing technologies,
there are newer and better ways to do business. But this may affect
the way employees interact with each other, and with management.
The stress of change often leads to conflict. Competent and informed legal counsel provide valuable assistance to employers and
employees by helping to resolve – or prevent – debilitating issues
that may affect productivity. Quick and timely consultations on
a regular basis help to fine-tune the workplace, aid in bolstering
morale, and ensure that the focus of the employer’s business
remains the business itself – and not some labour or employment
crisis.”
“It’s as simple as picking up the phone and talking to your labour
and employment advisor. At Shibley Righton, we are prepared to
do that and much more,” adds Bryce Chandler, a Partner in the
group, who joined the firm in 2004.
Senior counsel Bob Baksi observes, “employers often do not have
employment agreements that specifically limit the employee’s
entitlement upon termination of the employment. Alternatively,
I’ve found that employers often are using outdated contract provisions that the courts have now ruled insufficient. The problem is
compounded by the highly technical requirements of obtaining
a new or revised agreement from an employee who already has
commenced employment. Many employers do not realize that an
employment agreement that the employee signs after they’ve
already started to work will not be valid and enforceable unless
several technical requirements are met. At Shibley’s, we regularly
assist employers in updating and implementing new or revised
employment agreements. That way, we avoid the problem before
it becomes a problem.”
Collectively, what the lawyers at Shibley Righton share is a
client-centred, common sense approach to the practice of law.
Partner Sheila MacKinnon sums it up, “bottom line, we provide
excellence in client service and value for cost. Excellence in client
service means delivering a superior work product. It means the
firm’s employment clients are entitled to expect high quality legal
services provided by high calibre legal talent.”
At the same time, clients today are legitimately concerned about
the cost of their legal services. The lawyers at Shibley Righton
understand those concerns and demand of themselves that they
always provide cost-effective and efficient advice. As Sheila MacKinnon, the Managing Partner of the firm’s Windsor office, likes
to say, “we deliver ‘big-firm’ legal services but with a more personal
touch, and at more cost-efficient rates. We’re practical, and live in
the real world, and we understand that our job is to deliver real
solutions to our clients. That’s the Shibley Righton difference.”
To speak with one of our lawyers, please call us at:
Toll Free: 1-866-422-7988 Main: 519-969-9844 Web: www.shibleyrighton.com.
2510 Ouellette Avenue, Suite 301, Windsor, Ontario N8X 1L4
Right: ‘Wish You Were Here’, ID# C1502, acrylic on canvas, 48” x 60”.
Far right: ‘Waterfall’, acrylic on canvas, 36” x 72”. Bottom right: ‘Wish
You Were Here’, ID# C-1503, acrylic
on canvas, 45” x 45”. Below: Artist
Shirley Williams prepares canvas in
her art studio.
LOCAL ARTIST
CONTINUES TO
SPREAD HER WINGS
Award-winning Artist Shirley Williams
Expands Into New Avenues
STORY BY KIM WILLIS
ON ANY GIVEN DAY you can find local, award-winning artist, Shirley
Williams working in her modern warehouse studio situated in an industrial area. Williams has a successful career spanning two decades and
continues to find innovative ways to express her artistic expertise. Her
abstract artwork inspired by colour and nature forms can be found in
galleries, offices and homes worldwide.
As part of a military family Williams had the opportunity to travel the
world growing up. This experience formed the basis and inspiration for
much of her artwork. The travel also allowed her to see artwork throughout the world, which has had a profound impact on her studio practice.
“I can vividly recall visiting the Mona Lisa in Paris for the first time. I
had the chance to see it up close and personal and the emotions embedded in that painting really spoke to me,” says Williams.
26
W i n d s o r
L i f e
▼
Although her passion was always art,
Williams majored in Business and Marketing at the University of Toronto. She
worked for many years in Toronto as a documentary film producer. Although she was
successful, her goal was always to work as a
full-time artist. In 1998, after much research, Williams chose Windsor as the city
she wanted to relocate to.
“People are always surprised that I chose
Windsor as a location to pursue my dream.
It is absolutely beautiful here and the cost
of living is low. Plus many of my collectors
are American so the proximity to the
United States was attractive to me.”
Since making that life-changing decision,
Williams has never looked back. She has
won several prestigious arts grants and
awards including a National Painting Competition award in 2008, several Ontario
Arts Council grants, a House of Commons
Culture Recognition Award and the midcareer recognition, Elizabeth Havelock
Foundation Award in 2012. Galleries in
Toronto, Alton, Austin and San Francisco
continue to represent her. Her work is also
licensed globally for fine art “Prints on Demand” by New Era Portfolio and her canvas prints are part of the Ethan Allen Home
‘Exclusive Artist Collection’.
Williams is well known for incorporating textures into her paintings. Although
she has formally studied art, her unique
style is self-taught. Her inspiration comes
from both colour and nature. While her
smaller pieces are more experimental,
Williams’ large canvas paintings always
have a concept behind them and she will
spend years working on a series. Most recently, she has found a passion for creating
colourful semi-abstract landscapes.
“I truly feel that being an artist is in your
blood,” says Williams. “You’re driven to
create. However, I do believe that everybody has the ability to be creative. They
just need to find the best outlet that allows
them to do so.”
Like any career, there are challenges. For
Williams this came in the form of 9/11 and
the 2008 recession. Both international
events had a direct impact on her business
and changed the playing field for artists.
Many galleries closed and artists began representing themselves online. “After these
events occurred I was forced to re-evaluate
how I did business. Luckily I already had a
website, ShirleyWilliamsArt.com which allowed me to profile my artwork and stayy
in contact with my clients. However, thee
amount of disposable income people
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had was drastically reduced for a while.
The world changed and people’s priorities
changed.”
Williams continued to keep in regular
contact with her clientele and acknowledges
how fortunate she is to have their loyalty.
However, after the financial crisis of 2008
she realized she had to look at her career
from a different perspective. The pressure of
frequent exhibitions had been draining, she
wasn’t enjoying painting as much and felt
she wasn’t growing as an artist.
“In that sense the economic crash was really beneficial to me. It forced me to look at
myself and decide what direction I wanted
to go next.”
Shirley is now working on a series of new
canvases and selling her work both online
and through her studio. In addition, she and
her assistant are relaunching a website she
created in 2008 called ColorWheelArtist.
This website is Williams’ way of sharing her
knowledge, experience and enthusiasm for
colour with other aspiring creatives.
The Colour Wheel Artist website,
www.color-wheel-artist.com shows how to
use a colour wheel, choose colour schemes
and mix paint colours for art, crafts, graphic
design and interior decorating. To Williams’
surprise, the site has grown increasingly
popular. It now has 110,000 unique visitors
per month. Schools are even using the site
and its contents for their curriculums.
“My goal for the next little while is to
focus on ColorWheelArtist.com and kick it
into high gear,” states Williams. She also is
now more active on social media to regularly
engage with her fans about her work and
inspiration.
Williams is also active locally with the
Visual Arts program at the University of
Windsor through her affiliation with the
Windsor Endowment for the Arts.
Although the focus of her work changes,
Williams still enjoys the opportunity to
interact personally with her supporters
and fans. For the first time in three years
Williams recently held an Open Studio
event and plans to host activities more often.
She currently has an exciting selection of
sensational small scale artworks on view in
her studio. Additionally her paintings from
galleries both in Toronto, and Austin have
come home and are available to view for the
first time locally.
The studio is not generally open regular
hours. To arrange a studio visit at your convenience, contact Shirley at 519-980-4852
or [email protected]. Online
at ShirleyWilliamsArt.com.
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A u t u m n
•
2 0 1 5
29
NEWANDNOTICED
SKINOV8IVE
MEDICAL ESTHETICS
SKinov8ive Medical Esthetics owners Karey
CHARITY CHIX
Menzies and Slajana Saveska welcome
A dynamic group of women representing professional, business and labour
Joanne Diana to their team. With over 30
in Windsor have joined forces to create the Charity Chix, a new organiza-
years’ experience in the spa industry, Joanne
tion dedicated to supporting charitable causes locally and internationally.
is certified in Oncology Esthetics. Now
The John McGivney Children’s Centre, Rotary mission for children of
SKinov8ive can offer safe, individualized
Ghana, Africa and Drouillard Place are recent recipients of funds generated
and specialized skin care treatments to pro-
from their events. Working as freelance fundraisers, the Charity Chix look
mote cancer patients’ wellbeing and quality
forward to helping more groups and others in need. Pictured at a recent
of life. 519-966-7200 or skinov8ive.com.
event are (back row from left) Jodie Paterson, Briar Jansons, Carly Erber,
Christine Romualdi, Snez Koutras, Wendy Foresto, Vanessa Vargas and Effie
Papa; and (front row from left) Lynn Pike, Kim Spirou, Jessaline Fynbo and
Lori Balkwill. Photo is courtesy of Jason Kryk and The Windsor Star.
facebook.com/charitychixwindsor.
FRATELLI PASTA GRILL
Owner Angelo Verardi is celebrating the
fourth anniversary of Fratelli Pasta Grill.
Located at 13340 Lanoue St. off Manning
Rd. in Tecumseh. The restaurant specializes
THIRD ANNUAL CODEGREEN EXPO
in the creation of authentic Italian cuisine,
Caesars Windsor once again joined the Downtown Windsor Farmers Market for the 3rd
served at lunch and dinner. Guests savour
Annual CodeGreen Expo on Aug. 29th. Continuing the casino and hospitality complex’s
fresh, healthy and flavourful dishes, such as
ongoing goal to promote environmental sustainability, energy conservation and waste
seafood, steaks slowly grilled over a wood
reduction, the free family friendly event featured cooking demonstrations by Caesars
fire and a wide variety of pasta dishes.
Windsor chefs, e-waste collection, live demonstrations with local birds of prey and more.
Fratelli Pasta Grill also offers a large gluten
As usual, the market’s regular food and retail vendors sold local products, giving customers
free menu. Reservations are recommended
opportunity to enjoy the bounty of the county close to where it is raised. Picturd here are
for the popular dining spot.
Sean Westlake (left) and Jayce Rowen. caesarswindsor.com.
fratellipastagrill.com.
30
W i n d s o r
L i f e
CASAGRANDE
GRANITE & MARBLE
Forty-five years ago, Gino Casagrande
launched Casagrande Granite as a
flooring company. As the demand for
stone products increased, Gino and
his son and business partner, Ken,
expanded into granite, marble and
quartz countertops, fireplace surrounds, bars and more, all custom fabricated in
Casagrande’s own stone shop at 4215 Concession 7, Windsor. The company has just
brought in 38 new quartz colours for residential and commercial projects. Casagrande
Granite also does ceramic and porcelain backsplashes and other tilework. 519-974-9321.
FIREPLACES BY MARIO
Fireplaces by Mario has been keeping
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Belle River. Featuring leading edge building design
and construction technologies, the home offers im-
Windsor-Essex residents warm for 24 years.
Family-owned and operated by Mario and
Phyllis Sementilli, the retail and service
store at 3118 Jefferson Blvd., Windsor
displays the latest models of natural gas and
electric fireplaces, stoves, inserts and outdoor fireplaces by Kingsman, Continental,
Heat & Glo and other manufacturers.
fireplacesbymario.com.
proved comfort, better indoor air quality and tools
to efficiently control energy use resulting in lower
utility bills. 519-728-3664 or bkcornerstone.com.
COMFORT MOBILITY INC.
Marking its first year in business, Comfort
Mobility Inc. brings solutions to people
with mobility issues and disabilities. RN
THREE LAMBS REGISTRY & BABY BOUTIQUE
John Fase, who co-owns the company with
Giang Nguyen and Jeanine Jodoin (pictured with daughter, Tatum), have opened Three
his wife and vice president, Julie, assesses
Lambs Registry & Baby Boutique at 1124 Lesperance Rd., Tecumseh. Carrying everything
clients’ needs and challenges to determine
the expanding family needs to prepare for the arrival of their bundle of joy, Windsor-Essex
which products will make their lives easier
County’s new full service baby boutique specializes in baby products from a wide range of
and safer. The showroom at 2707 Temple
manufacturers, available through a concierge style registry service. Parents can register for
Dr., Windsor displays manual and power
gifts online, which their family and friends can order as gifts, quickly and conveniently.
wheelchairs, walkers, and lift chairs, as well
Three Lambs is one of only 50 Canadian retailers offering safe products by Jessica Alba’s
as grab bars other bathroom aids. Comfort
Honest Company. Everyone is invited to Three Lambs’ grand opening on Sat., Oct. 3rd,
Mobility makes house calls and delivers,
where families can see product demonstrations, connect with valuable services and win
installs and services everything it sells.
giveaways. 519-735-0035 or 3lambs.ca.
519-988-1234 or comfortmobility.ca.
A u t u m n
•
2 0 1 5
31
Clockwise from top left: The never-ending mat hangs in Cafe de
las Sonrisas; Laurie works on the play structure that was built for
children in El Trapiche; learning how to weave was part of
the contributing to the never-ending mat; Escuela El Trapiche is
the Free the Children community where we the group worked
during the trip.
EDUCATING OUTSIDE
THE CLASSROOM
Local Teacher Inspired By Altruistic Missions
STORY BY KIM WILLIS / PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURIE CLEMENT
MANY TIMES THE MOST POWERFUL, effective teaching takes place outside of the
classroom. Corpus Christi Catholic Middle School teacher Laurie Clement personally experienced this during a summer excursion to a distant central American village in Nicaragua.
Laurie has been a teacher for 16 years. She has always been driven by student empowerment. Corpus Christi is a 1:1 Chromebook school. Each student has a laptop and the
majority of learning takes place online.
“I feel so fortunate to be teaching at CCMS as this extends my ability to assist my
students in developing a global perspective. For example, in September we are hosting a
global project where students will identify what they perceive to be the most pressing global
issues. We currently have students from Canada, USA, Japan, Venezuela, Brazil and Hong
Kong signed up. The ability to engage in conversation and learn about deforestation from
students in Brazil or biodiversity from students in Hong Kong is something my students
will not forget. Students today are no longer limited to the knowledge their teachers can
provide or that exists within the walls of our schools,” says Laurie.
She has always been passionate about helping students develop not only their academic
skills, but also understanding their place in the world and how they can help make it a
better place.
It was in developing these initiatives that Laurie discovered the Free the Children on the
internet. She was immediately intrigued by their story. The organization, created by Craig
Kielburger when he was 12 years old, believes in youth empowerment and provides
32
W i n d s o r
L i f e
numerous opportunities for youth to get
involved in both local and global initiatives
through their We Act Education Program.
Today, Free the Children is celebrating
their 20th anniversary. Over 650 schools
have been built and they have provided
education opportunities for over 55,000
students. Education is only a small part of
their sustainable development model. Their
five pillar model includes; Education, Clean
Water and Sanitation, Health, Alternative
Income and Livelihood and Agriculture and
Food Security.
Corpus Christi signed on as a “We Act
School” and soon earned the opportunity to
participate in We Day, a celebration of
youth making a difference.
“We joined over 10,000 youth from
across Ontario to listen to inspirational
speakers such as Martin Luther King Jr.,
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Molly Burke, Spencer West and other activists working hard to make a difference.
The unique thing about We Day is that
everyone in attendance, both the speakers,
performers and students, earn their way.
Tickets cannot be bought, but earned
through local and global initiatives. It was a
day that I will never forget and continues to
inspire me daily,” says Laurie.
The “Me To We Trips” focus on three
main elements – service project, cultural immersion and leadership. In Nicaragua Laurie
spent time in a community known as El
Trapiche. Free the Children has been working with this community for three years.
Two schools, a latrine, access to clean water,
a garden and women’s group have all been
established here thanks to Free the Children.
She found their commitment inspiring.
“I really found comfort in knowing that
when Free the Children commits to a community, they work alongside the community
until they are completely self-sustainable. It
is a true partnership, and not just a temporary fix which I love.”
During her excursion, Laurie’s group
worked on a playground and slide as they
currently had no play equipment. In order
to make the slide, they had to pick axe dirt
from the ground, fill buckets and bring
them to the slide. She was on water duty.
This meant walking to the reservoir one
kilometre away and carrying them back to
the slide to moisten layers of dirt.
“Each time I carried a heavy bucket, I
thought about how a short time ago people
in El Trapiche walked several kilometres
daily to obtain water for all of their needs.”
El Trapiche is fortunate to now have two
school buildings, each one a room about
15x15. One of the schools is for preschool
children allowing the women to work the
fields. The other building is an elementary
school which goes up to grade six. Unfortunately they did not have a space for high
school so students in grade 7 and 8 are only
able to attend school on Saturdays.
Learning about the community was as
fascinating as the projects.
“One of the highlights for me was visiting
a coffee shop known as Cafe de las Sonrisa.
This coffee shop is run by a man known as
Tio Antonia, truly one of the most remarkable people I have ever had the pleasure of
meeting. We listened to him share his story
of how he came to open this cafe, which
he staffs with people who are deaf and his
desire to care for those that he describes as
differently-abled,” shares Laurie.
Antonio is also very passionate about
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the environment. He commented to the
group that he will not rest until plastic
bags are no longer the national flower of
Nicaragua. While visiting his cafe the group
worked on the never-ending plastic bag
mat. Antonio plans to continue creating
this mat until garbage is no longer a concern in Nicaragua. He is currently initiating
a new project, a barter system, where kids
can pick up plastic bags from the streets
and trade them for things they need like
pencils.
This past year at Corpus Christi the
Caritas Club collected milk bags to make
into mats that are being donated to local
homeless shelters so that people have a
softer place to sleep than on the ground. In
honour of Tio Antonio Laurie invited the
community to help by recycling milk bags
and donating them to one of the many
groups collecting them.
“While my trip to Nicaragua was short,
the lessons I learned will last a lifetime. As
an educator it reaffirmed my belief that
students need to be actively engaged in
their learning process, whatever subject or
topic that might be. Regardless of the task
or initiative, life lessons are learned when
you are actively engaged,” says Laurie.
Her travels will continue when she travels with a group of 13 passionate educators,
students and family members to Ecuador
over the Christmas holidays.
In addition to this trip, there are many
other exciting events coming up. In October a group will attend We Day Toronto
with over 15,000 other youth. Planning
will also begin soon for WECDSB We Day.
For the past two years, Laurie has worked
alongside a group of passionate educators
(Doug McMahon, Kim Sidi, Laura Plante,
Michelle Barnes and Stephanie Hage) and
generous sponsors to provide a WE Day
experience for 1,000 grade seven and eight
students. They feature local #CHANGEMAKERS who share their stories and inspire those in attendance to be the best
versions of themselves as well.
Laurie is truly an inspiration to both
students and her colleagues.
“I feel so fortunate and thankful to be an
educator. The opportunity to work alongside young adults and engage in their passions daily is extremely rewarding. When I
initially began this journey I was looking
for ways to further engage my students. It
is truly their passion that drives it today.
Each time we tackle a new initiative, their
excitement and desire for more sparks the
next idea.”
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PEOPLE WITH A LOT OF LIFE experience need a helping hand occasionally. ONESource Moving Solutions for Seniors provides that and more.
Serving Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent, ONESource owner Danielle
Carriere specializes in relocating seniors from one home to another;
decluttering and downsizing their household goods; and dispersing their
estates.
“People may not realize their loved one is overwhelmed, not sleeping
and stressed by an impending move,” says Danielle, a Certified Relocation
Transition Specialist®, bonded, insured, trained and experienced in helping
seniors make the next move in their life’s journey.
If not handled properly and sympathetically, a relocation can leave a
person feeling depressed, anxious, withdrawn and confused for months
afterward. These are symptoms of Relocation Stress Syndrome, recognized
as an official diagnosis in 1992.
Seniors and their caring, concerned adult children are relieved that
ONESource can be depended upon to make the process easier for everyone.
One chore that daunts most people is sorting and clearing out possessions accumulated in the home. Danielle assures, “When you aren’t up
to the job, we can tackle it.” ONESource helps the client choose which
mementoes to keep and what to give to loved ones and charity.
Danielle can also arrange for a home appraisal, repairs and realtor; clean
the property for viewing; coordinate the
logistics and oversee the relocation; and
then handle the unpacking of the
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SENIOR MOVE MANAGER
client’s possessions in the new home.
OWNER
Happy clients have scored ONESource highly on clear, respectful
communications; making the move happen as promised;
decision-making support; stress relief; and peace of mind.
Staci commented that ONESource is “totally trustworthy,
honest and respectful. Danielle has a fabulous sense of humour and is sensitive to the needs of the client. I would recommend it to anyone.”
Grace remarked, “Danielle, you were amazing. There are
no words sufficient to tell you how wonderful everything
was. From the first day to the last, you were there. You
answered all phone calls and emails; calmed my nerves. You
and your staff are efficient. Packing was smooth and stress
free, organized at both the old house and new. Because you
are so good and efficient, it made moving in easy; unpacking was a breeze because you put all the boxes in place. I
would highly recommend ONESource to get the job done.”
In listening to her clients, Danielle realized that snowbirds also need someone to rely on while away. “Our new
Snowbird Services include house checking while you are
vacationing; transportation to the airport; cleaning your
house in readiness for your return; watering plants; taking
care of snow removal or grass cutting; resetting the furnace
to a normal temperature; turning the water back; and other
tasks,” Danielle says.
A member of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber
of Commerce and National Association of Senior Move
Managers, ONESource is accountable. “All of our services,
including estate dispersals, are available to trustees, banks,
lawyers, Power of Attorney, executors, geriatric care managers, senior living communities, physicians and health
providers,” says Danielle.
People considering ONESource can determine if it is the
right solution for their situation during a free, one hour, no
obligation consultation. Danielle provides a detailed quote
so everyone knows what to expect.
“We are here to help anyone who needs extra hands,” she
says. “Although we specialize in seniors, we also assist busy
families and businesses. Just give us a call!”
Windsor/Essex Chatham/Kent
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HÔTEL-DIEU GRACE HEALTHCARE
RETURNING
TO ITS
ROOTS
LESS THAN A YEAR AGO ANNE-MARIE was a degenerate
gambler. All of her spare time was spent at the casino, she was thousands of dollars in debt and her family relationships were in ruin.
Fast forward to today, Anne-Marie is no longer gambling, her
relationships are improved and her self-esteem has never been better. She credits this success with Problem Gambling Services (PGS)
at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare. Anne-Marie entered this 21-day
program last January.
“In November I had a nervous breakdown. It was at that point
I knew I had to get real and start this program,” says Anne-Marie.
Soon after she packed her bags and travelled from Brampton
to attend the program. She credits the staff at HDGH with saving
her life.
“The Counselling Team at PGS helped me see myself and spouse
for who we truly are. We are happier now than we have been in the
last 15 years. My daughter says she hasn't seen us this happy in over
18 years.”
Anne-Marie remains thankful to the compassionate team of professionals in the program with helping turn her life around. They
provided her with a toolbox that allowed her to re-build her life.
“When you hit rock-bottom you lose who you are, when you
find yourself, it’s a whole different world. I cannot sing the praises
for PGS enough.”
Anne-Marie’s experience is common among many patients
and clients who have received care at HDGH. While their role
has evolved over the last 127 years, HDGH remains a trusted
leader that is transforming healthcare and cultivating a healthier
community.
Located on Prince Road, HDGH provides many programs and
services that make a fundamental difference to individuals and their
families. Hôtel-Dieu Grace offers Rehabilitation Services; Specialized Mental Health & Addictions; Complex Medical and Palliative Care; and Children and Youth Mental Health Services to
Windsor and Essex County. As you can see by Anne-Marie’s story,
HDGH is Changing Lives Together through a unique blended
model of specialized services which includes outpatient programs
such as crisis services, addiction services, bariatric treatment, problem gambling services and the cardiac wellness program.
“127 years ago the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph began
their work, with Dean Wagner to serve the marginalized, the
disenfranchised and the most vulnerable populations. Today, at
our new location on Prince Road, we are continuing that commitment”, explains Janice Kaffer, President and CEO.
With a multi-disciplinary team and multiple community partners, HDGH prides itself on exceptional patient care. Anne Marie’s
story is just one of many stories heard from patients and families
about the level of care and service provided at HDGH. The focus
on recovery, restoration and rehabilitation yields important benefits at the individual patient level and at the system level.
“We are stronger as a united team, working for and with the
patient and their family on a personal level to make a positive
impact on that individual’s life. With our partners in academia,
in healthcare and in our community, we are truly changing lives
together,” says Kaffer.
Community partnerships are highly valued at HDGH and play
an important role in the success of its programs and services. They allow
for a continuum of care for patients and their families. The Canadian
Mental Health Association is just one example of the community
partnerships that have been established over the last year. “We are
thrilled to have the Canadian Mental Health Association as our community partner. Together we can only create a stronger, more effective
system for mental health clients across Windsor and Essex County” says
Kaffer.
The future offers many innovative initiatives for HDGH. In 2016
the Transitional Stability Centre (TSC) on Ouellette Ave. will open.
The TSC will provide day services and supports for adults who are
experiencing an acute mental health and/or substance use episode, but
do not require hospitalization or hospital treatment. The Centre will
benefit frequent users of the hospital emergency room, ambulance and
police services. Additionally, it will assist individuals who are homeless,
at risk of being homeless or who come from substandard living conditions. A multi-disciplinary team will be available including nurses,
clinicians, outreach workers and support services.
Last July the Windsor Essex Hospital’s System was announced. If
funding is approved by the provincial government, the plan includes
construction of an acute care hospital along with exciting developments
for HDGH that includes a return to its historic site on Ouellette
Avenue near downtown, caring for the “most marginalized, disenfranchised and vulnerable populations.”
The site, which will be rebuilt in a $137-million transformation, will
house a mental health hub, which will be the anchor program caring for
people suffering from mental health or substance abuse problems who
don’t need a hospital. Like the satellite medical centre, it may also offer
chronic disease services like heart disease, diabetes, asthma and arthritis management. This site will also be the home to a community hub
where HDGH will strengthen and expand community partnerships.
“HDGH is excited about the potential of returning back to the
Ouellette Campus and creating a community hub. This work will not
be completed by HDGH alone. The community will have an opportunity to help us shape what this site will look like for years to come,”
explains Kaffer.
HDGH’s Tayfour Campus on Prince Road will consolidate inpatient
mental health care at one location. This campus already treats children,
youth and those needing specialized care. Sixty beds for adults will be
transferred there from the Ouellette Campus.
Developing the acute mental health beds on the Tayfour campus will
strengthen and support the commitment that Hôtel-Dieu Grace has
made to our community to become a future “Centre of Excellence for
Mental Health and Addictions.”
The Tayfour campus, which already provides complex continuing
care and rehabilitation, will also add satellite kidney dialysis for another
400 patients and expand diagnostics. All of this brings care closer to
home for those on the west side.
As you heard in Anne-Marie’s story, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare is
committed to our patients, and helping them to change their lives for
the better. It is a very exciting time for healthcare in Windsor-Essex and
Hôtel-Dieu Grace is proud to be a part of it.
Above left to right: Artist and Planning committee member Nancy Bauer, Executive Director Arts and Cultural
Alliance Windsor Essex Leona MacIntyre, Chair of the Open Tour Planning Committee Linda Monin.
THE OPEN STUDIO TOUR
OF WINDSOR ESSEX
OPENING LOCAL STUDIOS TO THE PUBLIC
STORY/PHOTOGRAPHY BY DICK HILDEBRAND
DID YOU REALIZE THAT ART AND CULTURE workers account for nearly
4% of the overall Canadian labor force? According to a national household survey
conducted in 2011, that number was larger than the number of Canadians working on farms, in real estate and in the wholesale trade industry in the same year.
Art has a universal language all its own and we are constantly reminded of this.
Around the world, people appreciate art, whether it be oil paintings, acrylics, water
colors, sculptures and other means of expression. Consider the average home.
There aren’t too many empty walls – most have been adorned by some type of art.
38
W i n d s o r
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work, talk about their methods, provide
demonstrations and even sell some of their
pieces, while visitors have an opportunity to
see their talented neighbors at work, to talk
about their art and to buy a unique piece
that no one else has. Some of the artists have
rented space in various galleries for their
demonstrations, several are hosting people
in their homes which double as studios,
while others have been sponsored and given
space by D’Angelos Winery and The Dusty
Loft Antiques and Collectibles. The artists’
participation fee of $100 covers the cost of
planning, organizing and advertising the
tour and helps defray the cost of a 6-day
public preview exhibit at the ArtSpeak
Gallery, 1942 Wyandotte East, from September 21st through the 26th. This gives
artists a chance to highlight some of their
best work and provide visitors with a sample of what’s available on the tour.
And, what makes the tour even more
enticing is the fact that it’s not just the work
of painters that’s involved. There’s also a
printer, two potters, three photographers, a
wood turner and a jeweller. The woodturner is Paul Guilbeault....an expert in the
field. Some of the stuff he’s ‘turned’ out is
absolutely stunning. He and photographer
Theresa Posloski are in the same Belle River
building, so visitors there will be treated to
a ‘2-for’. Painter Dennis K. Smith, wellknown in the area has lent his expertise to
the tour, while photographer-painter Phylmarie Fess and painter Julia Conlon share
space in downtown Windsor. The Mudpuppy Gallery in Amherstburg, which has
been touted as a must-stop is displaying
works by at least three people and is close to
some of the town’s best eating places. While
it’s impossible to chronicle the entire talented roster, the brochure and the website
adequately fill in the blanks.
So, if you’re looking for something a bit
different to do early in October, mark the
3rd and 4th on your calendars and make
time for the tour. You might find something to add a little extra flavor to your
home and learn a few things from extremely
creative people. Nancy Bauer is optimistic
the tour will grow in future years. Already,
a number of patrons from the United States
have said they’ll be here this year and like
Art In The Park, which has grown into a
major happening from relatively humble beginnings, Nancy is convinced the open studio tour will become a must-attend event.
As far as art is concerned, Nancy puts it this
way: “just picture your own place with bare
walls!”
WLM
Decking Your Halls & Everywhere Else
With Inspired Interior Décor
FORGET ABOUT ASKING FOR a hippopotamus, two front teeth and a ’54
convertible too, light blue. What you really need for this holiday season is a creative
interior design team, a smart plan and an achievable deadline. In other words, you
need Urban Home, winner of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce
Business Excellence Awards for Small Company of the Year.
There is still time to make your home sparkle before
your guests arrive. To help you get motivated, Jodi Mason,
owner and principal design consultant, has come up
with a fabulous offer. You can receive an in-home design
consultation for just $150! You only have until Sept. 30th
to reserve your consultation and take advantage of this
limited time deal. Appointments begin Oct. 1st and
continue through the holidays.
bby
That means your tired foyer can shake off its grubby
nksappearance and make a truly great impression this ThanksJod
Jodi
odii Mason
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giving, Eid, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa or
New Year. Perhaps a trendy new sunburst mirror
placed above a vintage console table to reflect your
good taste?
“Chances are you already own some interesting
pieces. We can integrate them in fresh ways and
unexpected spots so you can fall in love with them
all over again,” Jodi assures.
Inviting company over means your guest room
and powder room will be on view. Get ready to
receive genuine compliments and maybe a little
envy after the Urban Home team recreates your
rooms. “The imaginative, memorable styles that
have made boutique hotels so popular also work
well in the home,” Jodi explains. “Your guests are going to want to linger.”
In the living or great room, an older sofa and armchairs shed years when perked up with new
accessories featuring winter and holiday themes. “Our exciting collection of accessories and toss
pillows is just in,” says Jodi. Depend on Urban Home to always have an inspired selection of
coffee and occasional tables, lamps, artwork and large furnishings to update one room or your
entire residence.
Look no farther than Urban Home for stylish gifts to give to friends and yourself. Deer
fashioned from birch, silver penguins, furry wine bags, Christmas decorations and much more
will add a festive feel to the season.
Urban Home’s newest team member, interior design consultant Philip Chouinard, particularly enjoys the holidays. “He specializes in warm, inviting rooms in every décor genre and
instinctively knows the perfect place to put the Christmas tree,” says Jodi, smiling. “Be prepared
to be wowed by your own home, after Philip and our team complete your design consultation.”
“Like the holidays, outstanding design is something to celebrate. So we’re blending both
with our holiday social. You’re invited!” Jodi says. The lighthearted event is from 5 to 9 pm,
Thurs., Nov. 12th in Urban Home’s showroom and studio at 4409 Seminole St., Windsor.
Enjoy beverages and snacks while checking out holiday gift ideas and décor. Vinyl holiday
records will be spinning on the vintage LP stereo. “Bring any old vinyl record for our Santa
swap and receive an Urban Home gift!” Jodi encourages.
Urban Home will donate a portion of all purchases made during the holiday social to its
Urban Angel Bedroom Makeover Event. Every year, Urban Home does a room makeover for
a child with special needs in the Greater Windsor Area. To nominate a child as the next Urban
Angel, please visit facebook.com/urbanangelwindsor.
Ph lip
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www.urbanhomewindsor.com
4409 Seminole St. Windsor, ON
519-974-HOME (4663)
Showroom open M-F 11-4; Sat 10-2
LEARNING
TO
FLY
Future Pilots Earn Their Wings
STORY/PHOTOGRAPHY BY DICK HILDEBRAND
▼
FROM “ZERO TO HERO”....that’s how
the result of a unique flight training program at the Windsor Airport has been
described by the Canadian Air Force
reservist, Major Steve Stephenson, who
co-ordinates the program across Ontario
and commands an air cadet squadron in
Leamington.
A Windsor native and graduate of the
University of Windsor, Major Stephenson
is a physics and math teacher at Tilbury
District High School. He is the Officer
Commanding, Power Pilot Scholarship –
Central Region which covers 5 flight centres in Ontario. The program is offered by
the Royal Canadian Air Cadets and funded
by the Department of National Defence.
Currently living in Ruthven, Major
Stephenson is married and the father of 3
daughters and a son. Himself, a graduate
of the scholarship program, he joined the
air cadets in 1977, got his glider pilot’s licence in 1981 and was awarded the cadet
flying scholarship the following year during which he earned his wings. An avid
flyer, he’s currently working toward his instructor’s permit and even owns his own
small, vintage plane.
To become air cadets, interested boys or
girls must be at least 12 years old. In Windsor, kids can register Tuesday evenings
at the 364 Squadron near the Windsor
Flying Club headquarters on the airport
grounds. Cadets, hoping for a career in
Opposite Clockwise from left: Cadets march past the reviewing stand in front of 364
Squadron at Windsor Airport; Major Steve Stephenson, Officer Commanding Power Pilot
Scholarship; George McMaham (left), former president of the Royal Canadian Air Forces
Association, top cadet Warrant Officer First Class Robert Maronowski and Major Chris
Toth, Deputy National Cader Air Operations Officer.
This page clockwise from above: Cadet Kevin Zhang in the cockpit of the Katana DA 20
trainer; 6 cadets look skyward in a promotional photo shoot at the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association hanger at Windsor Airport; Major Chris Toth pins the wings on a graduating cadet; training planes line the tarmac in front of 364 Squadron during graduation
ceremonies; re-fueling a Cessna trainer; the first wings received by a cadet who has successfully completed the training program.
A u t u m n
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43
aviation, can join the flying scholarship
program when they turn 16. Interested applicants must have good school grades along
with an exemplary cadet record. They’re initially required to write a qualifying exam, attend an interview and prepare a narrative.
Scores are tabulated and the top 80 finishers
are chosen for the program which turns out
at least 250 pilots per year across Canada. In
fact, says the Major, “if you look in the sky
and see a commercial plane, there’s a 50 or
60% chance that one or both the pilots in
the cockpit completed the scholarship program” – a program he maintains is the envy
of other flight training programs around the
world.
And, here’s an interesting fact that many
of us probably didn’t know: the first-ever
flying scholarship was offered in Windsor
back in 1946, just after the war and after an
on-again, off-again history, the program was
permanently established here in 2009 with
Major Stephenson on board. He says ,“there
is no doubt that this is a direct descendant
of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan
which readied pilots for the Second World
War. We’re doing almost the same thing
today. Cadets are in a military-ish environment....they’re up at 6 in the morning and
undergo intense training for a 7 week period
....exactly the way it was in the war.” They
spend half their day in ground school and
the other half in and around the planes, either flying with instructors, or soloing crosscountry. While a majority of the candidates
already have their glider licences from last
summer, there are those that have absolutely
no flying experience. But as a proud Major
Stephenson puts it....“they’re doing just
fine,” adding, “most of these people knew
they wanted to be pilots when they signed
up in the first place and they worked their
tails off. I can’t imagine anything to top this
experience. These young guys and girls are
at the top of their game and are just amazing kids. There's not much you can’t throw
at them.” 15 of the trainees are 17, while the
other two celebrated their 18th birthdays
this summer. They train aboard three different models of single-engine planes: Piper
Tomahawks, Cessna 172s and Katana DA
20s. Instructors come from the Windsor
Flying Club and Journey Air, both of which
have been awarded Defence Department
contracts to do the teaching.
In order to avoid distractions like visits
from parents, girlfriends or boyfriends, all
cadets are required to take their training at
least 2 or 3 hours from their homes. In
Windsor, the 17 trainees came from the
Greater Toronto area. While here, they were
housed at the St. Clair College residences
and fed at Route 42 across from the airport.
At the same time, Windsor and area cadets
were sent to Waterloo for their pilots’
instruction.
On August 21st, the proud cadets were
honored at a graduation parade on the tarmac in front of 364 squadron headquarters.
They received their wings from Reviewing
Officer Major Chris Toth, the Deputy National Cadet Air Operations Officer who is
stationed in Ottawa. The Top Overall Pilot
for Central Region (Ontario) this summer
was Warrant Officer First Class Robert
Maronowski from 758 Squadron who
trained at the Windsor Flying Club. He was
presented the Royal Canadian Air Force Association Medal by Mr George McMahon
who is a former President of the association.
It’s expected that most of the graduates
will make aviation their career – some will
go on to become commercial pilots, while
others will likely join the military and a few
may become instructors. No matter what,
though, they have all learned valuable
lessons in life and have shown they have an
innate ability to work hard and learn something of extreme value. After all, they did
learn to fly!
WLM
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THE ARTISTRY AND ALLURE OF FLAMES dancing in a handsome
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County for custom fire features. At Scotts Fireplace, we have the products, skill and expertise for any scope of design and installation,”
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Local builders, contractors and architects engage Scotts Fireplace to
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Six different models span up to 16’ wide and several feet high. Friendly
cool touch tempered glass and a high tech air flow system with friendly
touch glass means the flame system can be built right up to the glass
edge,” A.J. explains. “Multi-coloured interior LED lighting increases
visual impact.”
This fall, Scotts Fireplace also has the new Bellfires collection by
interfocos.
“Linear gas fireplaces are a strong trend,” Emile notes. “Our clients
can keep it modern with a crushed glass media or add optional driftwood logs, twigs or rocks for a natural or classic feel.”
Real wood burning fireplaces continue to be the choice of traditionalists who enjoy the authentic crackle and scent of flaming logs. “With
our current collection by fireplaceXtrordinair, we can offer customers
Actual Project
Grace De Vito, A.J. Godwin and Emile Anhorn
the cleanest wood burning inserts in the world. The
Flush Wood Hybrid-Fyre Technology is available in two
sizes with 0.58 grams per hour emissions,” A.J. says. A
Green Start Electric Igniter simplifies lighting the fire.
“Electric fireplaces have come a long way, featuring
great style, low operation costs and the option of heat
or no heat,” says Emile. “We’re excited about our newest
linear electric fireplace, the Panorama Series by Amantii.
Choose from units that are slim or deep, depending on
the wall application in your indoor or outdoor space.”
All products sold by Scotts Fireplace can be installed,
maintained and repaired by the company’s W.E.T.T.
certified, gas licensed installers. “We do not subcontract
any of our work,” Emile says. “We work with you to
develop the vision and then our team does the complete
project to bring it to reality.”
The project’s cost is recouped by increased value and
pleasure in the home or business. “A fire feature provides
money saving zone heating where you need it,” A.J. says.
“It also gives you peace of mind when the power goes
out during a winter storm. Depend on your wood burning or natural gas fireplace to keep you warm.”
For design inspiration and heating solutions, visit the
Scotts Fireplace showroom located inside The Home
Gallery at 2 N. Talbot Rd., Maidstone on the corner of
Manning Road and County Road 46.
2 North Talbot Road
Maidstone, Ontario N0R 1K0
519.723.4111
[email protected]
www.scottsfireplace.ca
Located in
Corner of County Rd. 46 and Manning
The Family Home Health
Care Store That Delivers
Personal Service
People dealing with mobility issues and disabilities can feel overwhelmed by the choices
available in wheelchairs, scooters, lift chairs and other equipment required to keep them
moving. “I approach every situation with the same thought: If this was my mom or dad,
what would I want?” says John Fase, owner of Comfort Mobility Inc.
The Ministry of Health mandates that
everyone requiring funded equipment have
the choice of who they want to deal with.
Choice matters. The price is set by the
government, but not all service is equal.
“We are the only locally owned and operated company that has a Registered Nurse
on staff and sees the sale through from order
to delivery and set up,” explains John.
Comfort Mobility makes house calls to
discuss options with clients and caregivers.
“My experience as a Registered Nurse for
almost 30 years helps when I’m assessing our
client’s challenges. I’ve always had a strong
mechanical aptitude, which is useful in determining the best solution to keep the
client safely mobile at home and out in the
community,” John says. “I also deliver and
setup all chairs I sell to ensure continuity of
care for the client.”
His desire to help people regain independence led John to mobility product sales
after spending 10 years assessing patients in
the ER. After working as a manufacturer rep
in London, John moved home to Windsor
in 1999 and established one of the largest
home health care suppliers locally. He sold
the business in 2014.
Realizing how much he missed interacting with people determined to overcome
their physical challenges, John, his wife Julie
and daughter Jessica launched Comfort
Mobility in August, 2014. “The clients we
work with want people who care about
them and their families. A small family run
operation works best to bring the personal
touch,” says Julie.
Serving clients in Windsor-Essex County,
Comfort Mobility sells, rents, delivers and
maintains manual and power wheelchairs,
walkers, rollators and scooters, as well as
installs stair lifts and porch lifts.
“Quality counts when it comes to your
safety. We stock only the most proven, quality safety equipment and install it properly
for you,” John says.
Clients can also visit the 6,500 sq. ft.
building at 2707 Temple Dr. that the Fases
purchased to house their showroom, offices
and service department. Products can also
be viewed online at comfortmobility.ca
and ordered by phone at 519-988-1234.
“We pride ourselves on answering the phone
in person,” John says. Delivery in Windsor
is free.
“When a client is considering getting a
new wheelchair, I bring one that they can
test drive at their home or long-term care facility,” John explains. He often leaves behind
a free loaner. “People no longer requiring
wheelchairs frequently donate theirs to us.
We clean and repair them, then lend them
to folks while they are waiting for their custom-built chair to arrive. It’s a nice way to
help people in our community while keeping useable equipment out of the landfill.”
Comfort Mobility has a full service
department with two experienced Technicians to assist with equipment maintenance,
repairs and installations. Jessica is the Customer Service Manager and in charge of
answering client’s questions and handling
marketing and advertising. “Our commitment to the community involves a legacy
plan for Jessica to take over the family business,” John explains. “It’s important to us
that our clients will have continuity of care
for many years to come.”
Owners Julie, John
and Jessica Fase
Actual Projects
1455 Matthew Brady, Windsor
519-94GLASS
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BON
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dining & nightlife guide
Annie Oakley’s Bar & Chophouse - Annie
Oakley’s Bar & Chophouse proudly brings
Leamington what it’s been missing. A high end
steakhouse featuring the 38 oz Tomahawk as
well as all the fan favourites.
24 Seacliffe Dr. Leamington 519-398-9759
Armando’s Belle River -Pizza made fresh from
our family to yours, with all your favourite
toppings. Other menu items available. Fast delivery. Located in Aspen Plaza.
1679 County Rd. 22. 519-727-0660
Billy’s Pub and Grill - 14 craft beer taps, local
wines, and food made from scratch. Take the
short drive to Essex and see why Billy’s was
voted one of Ontario’s hidden gems. See what's
on tap at billyspubandgrill.com
305 Talbot St. N., Essex 519-776-7094
Capri Pizzeria - Capri’s casual atmosphere and
welcoming staff attracts a mix of diners! Come
out and enjoy our great pizzas, pasta and more!
3020 Dougall Ave. 519-969-6851
Casa Mia Ristorante - Experience authentic
Italian food, local wines and homemade desserts
and crepes served in a casual, completely handicap accessible setting. For 22 years, chef and
owner Frank Puccio has been making lunch and
dinner fresh to order. Gluten free options.
Closed Sunday.
523 Notre Dame St., Belle River.
519-728-2224.
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
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. Takeout, catering, private parties. For reservations call
519-735-0355. www.fratellipastagrill.com
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48
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12065 TECUMSEH RD. E. 519-735-2622
Joe Schmoe’s Eats N’ Drinks - Family friendly
restaurant offering big and bold, made in-house
foods you crave! Pulled pork, big mouth burgers and jumbo wings, we have something for
everyone. Patio, lots of parking, sports package,
12 beers on tap. Kitchen open late.
5881 Malden Rd. (behind Rexall)
519-250-5522 www.eatatjoes.ca
Joey’s Seafood Restaurant - Family friendly
▼
WINDOW TINT
Jeff ’s Fresh Meats - We make dining at home
easy. Choose from one of our many ready made
products: stuffed pork chop, stirfrys, cordon
bleu, stuffed peppers, meat loaf.
The City Market – 1030 Walker Rd.
519-967-0988
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M A R B L E • G R A N I T E • Q UA R T Z
atmosphere. Locally owned and operated. Serving our Famous Fish & Chips for over 20 years.
Home of the All You Can Eat Fish & Chips.
Landlovers enjoy rotisserie chicken & ribs. Take
out available. www.joeys.ca
245 Talbot St. W., Leamington
519-322-2660
Johnny Shotz - Tecumseh’s #1 roadhouse and
home of the New Chicken Deluxe. 2 for 1
wings (Sun 1-4, all day Mon). Breakfast Sat &
Sun. 38 HD screens covering every game, 7
pool tables & 13 beers on tap.
www.johnnyshotz.com
13037 Tecumseh Rd. E. 519-735-7005.
We Finish What
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4215 Concession 7
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Eye exams for all ages
Laser surgery
consultations
Ocular health exams
including diabetic,
glaucoma and cataracts
Glasses and
contact lenses
Providing Medical Optometry
and Family Vision Care
Riverside Medical Centre
7875 Riverside Dr. E.
Lux Diner - Family friendly atmosphere. Large
variety of items that makes everyone happy.
1/2LB Burgers, BBQ Ribs, Halibut, Pasta,
Breakfast, and our famous Broasted Chicken.
O
Open Tuesday thru Sunday.
E.
E.C Row & Manning, Lakeshore,On
33 Amy Croft Dr. 519-735-8001
N
Neros Gourmet Steakhouse - Indulge in the
fin
finer things in life at Neros where modern
up
upscale dining meets traditional steakhouse
fa
fare. Fresh, local ingredients, an incredible wine
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selection and superb service.
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11-800-991-7777 ext. 22481.
Parkside at Rochester Place - Newly renovated
with 3000 sq ft patio with large fountain pool,
incredible fire features, large outdoor lounge
area, dining area, new sound system that will
amaze you and a New menu that will more than
impress! See what they've done!
Cty Rd. 2 in Stoney Point at Ruscom River.
www.rochesterplace.com. 519-728-2361
Sandbar Steak & Seafood Restaurant - Open
year round, featuring great steaks and seafood
plus live entertainment Thurs., Fri. and Sat.
nights in a casual atmosphere. Lots of guest boat
slips off Puce River.
930 Old Tecumseh Rd., Lakeshore.
519-979-5624 www.sandbarpuce.com
Taza Mediterranean Grill - Enjoy a delectable
variety of authentic, Lebanese-style dishes rich
with flavour and traditional spices. Open to all
ages, located in the Augustus Hotel lobby at
Caesars Windsor, open weekdays 11 am–11 pm
and 7 am on weekends. caesarswindsor.com.
Tony’s Chargrill - Serving authentic Portuguese
Cuisine on a real charcoal grill. House specialty
is chargrilled chicken. Offering several meat and
seafood dishes grilled to perfection. Try our buffet and salad bar Thursday to Sunday Serving
lunch and dinner 6 days a week. Closed Mondays. Open noon to midnight. 226-674-1200
3347 Tecumseh Rd. E. (west of Central Ave.)
519.945.8000
guthrieoptometry.com
www.facebook.com/DrTimGuthrie
50
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For information on listings and advertising
in the Bon Appetit! section please call Leslie
Campbell at 519-979-3419.
mike
cerveni
His Music Is The Message
STORY BY
DICK HILDEBRAND
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
JAY TERRY PHOTOGRAPHY & KRISTI GNYP PHOTOGRAPHY
the whole situation, so I wrote two songs for my
mom who was the person that pushed me to become the musician I am today and to truly believe
in myself.” The album, even though it’s nearly 5
years old can still be ordered from Mike’s website,
www.mikecervenimusic.com, on iTunes or by
email at [email protected]
In 2009 he wrote a song titled “What Would
You Do” inspired by the popular ABC TV show of
the same name and was designed to help raise
awareness against domestic violence. He recorded
it in 2013 and released it the same year at the
Capitol Theatre downtown. His performance was
enhanced by members of the Windsor Symphony
Orchestra who accompanied the young artist. Battered victims came forward to tell their stories of
abuse, while representatives of Hiatus House and
Well-Come Centre attended to offer their support.
According to Mike, “domestic violence seems
▼
MIKE CERVENI, 29, HAS BEEN A MUSICIAN for nearly 20 years – a creative
music maker carrying a powerful message.
Born in London, Mike was very young when his family moved here. He went to
the A.V. Graham Elementary School in Windsor, matriculated from Belle River
High and attended St. Clair College where he completed a computer networking
course in 2007.
His roots are embedded in an extremely musical family. His father, grandfather
and many of his cousins either sing or play an instrument. Mike picked up his first
guitar at the age of 11, took lessons and within five years was writing his own material. His drive followed him to adulthood and today he owns a film company that
produces music and wedding videos and he has a full time job as a web developer
for Sutherland Global Services.
His first album, ‘The World You Know’, was two years in the making before being
released in 2010 and deals mainly with coping and getting through loss. It features
10 tracks including “On Your Mark”, “Right Now” and “A Moment”. “We all have
tough times and we all go through heartache,” says Mike, “so for me, writing was a
way to help get out things I couldn’t express.” In fact, he wrote “Right Now” and “A
Miracle” as a tribute to his late mother at a time when she battled cancer. As he says,
“it was a tough period for me. I really didn’t know how to express how I felt about
A u t u m n
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51
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W i n d s o r
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UNIQUE GIFTS FOR ALL OCCASIONS
like it’s a hot topic in the media recently and
I believe there is no better time than now to
try and reach as many people as possible
with this single.”
“What Would You Do” has received limited airplay on local radio stations and
thanks to the web, has been heard around
the world. Cerveni has received communications from abused women as far away as
Great Britain and Australia who claim this is
the first time they’ve told their story and
praising him for bringing the message to the
public.
Last month, after returning to Tecumseh
from his second trip to Serbia where he has
family, Mike played at the opening ceremonies of the Dragon Boat Races for the
Cure in Tecumseh and appeared at this
year’s Tecumseh Corn Festival. His main
thrust, though, remains his charity work –
he’s working closely with the Canadian
Cancer Society and is available to similar
organizations to “share my music in any way
I can.”
Mike is married, after, coincidentally
meeting his future bride in 2012 during his
first Serbian trip where he performed at the
Club Underground in a small town near
Belgrade. The couple has no children.
He’ll be heading to the studio for new
recording sessions in September and has indicated that “What Would You Do” will be
on one of the two extended play albums he
intends to produce. And music lovers can
expect lush orchestral arrangements blended
into acoustic and electric guitars, bass and
keyboards. One of the tracks titled “I Do”
will have an accompanying video that was
shot, during a heavy downpour in an old,
broken down Serbian fortress. “It was a great
opportunity to perform over there,” he says,
“I met a lot of awesome people and can’t
wait to go back. I’ve had many requests to
perform at other venues, so I’m looking forward to returning in the next couple of
years.”
Mike is the genuine article. He’s downto-earth and sincerely believes in the message that’s contained in his music. He does
have a problem categorizing his material,
but after brief consideration, he decided
it could best be labelled it as ‘contemporary
rock’, or even “contemporary something!”...
certainly not designed for hard-rock stations. However, wherever you decide it
belongs, the music is mellow and uplifting.
The stuff is good enough and he’s young
enough to continue developing his talents
that he has the potential of becoming a
musical force to be reckoned with.
WLM
“IT’S THE DETAILS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR HOME stand out from
all the rest,” Jeremy Truax says. He created Truax Design Centre to introduce
extraordinary construction products to homeowners, builders, architects and
designers with exacting standards and exemplary taste.
“There is nothing like Truax Design Centre anywhere around here,” Jeremy
believes. Clients have been responding to the selection and services with such
enthusiasm that “we’re growing already, after opening just five months ago.”
“We’ve added a new bath department and have just brought in a beautiful
variety of bathtubs and vanities,” Jeremy says. Newport Brass’s distinctive faucets
in 27 different finishes will arrive by the end of December. “We can help you
visualize your new or renovated bathroom in our bathroom vignette area, showcasing unique sculptural bathtubs from Acri-Tec and other stylish fixtures that are
sure to please the most discerning customer.”
The Truax family has a long relationship with local homeowners and knows what
people prefer. It all began in 1933 when Ken Truax established a construction company in Leamington. Babe and Craig Truax transitioned into the supply business
in the 1970s. In 1989, Craig added a location in Kingsville, which is now the operation’s main location. Listening to builders and homeowners, Jeremy responded
by adding to the family legacy with the founding of Truax Design Centre,
connecting clients with a large range of select wares, conveniently under one roof.
Located at 3585 Rhodes Dr., Windsor, the showroom boasts 4,500 sq. ft. of on
trend residential construction products. The section dedicated to door handles
reveals the latest by Aurum Hardware, Rocky Mountain, Baldwin Reserve Hardware and other manufacturers. “There are 150 very different door handles on
display, plus we have access to every other door handle imaginable,” Jeremy says.
Interior doors and trim are also important elements to consider when elevating
the character of the home. “With over 40 interior doors on display, we feel we have
something for everyone. We can also have doors custom made to your exact
specifications,” says Jeremy. “The same goes with the trim. The Truax Design team
can assist you with selecting the trim profiles and finishes that will distinguish your
home as a very special place.”
The Truax Design team can also be depended upon for smart advice regarding
the kitchen, the room regarded by many realtors as the home’s main attraction.
An investment in handsome cabinetry, hardware, countertops and fixtures can be recouped by the resulting
increase in the property’s value. “In our in-house
kitchen design centre, we can introduce you to stunning Canadian made kitchen cabinets and vanities,”
Jeremy says.
Homebuilders are sending their own clients to Truax
Design Centre to pick out finishes and fixtures, all in
one visit. “Let our knowledgeable team walk you
through every component of your home’s new build or
renovation and help you make choices that are right for
you,” says Jeremy.
Truax Design Centre proves that great taste can be
achieved at affordable prices. Jeremy finds that “budgeting a few more dollars beyond what you would pay
at a big box store can make the difference between your
guests saying, ‘That’s nice’ and ‘Wow!’”
3585 Rhodes Drive, Windsor | 226-674-2444 | truax.ca
Monday thru Friday 9 am-5 pm
Saturday and after hour appointments available call or email [email protected]
STORY BY KAREN PATON-EVANS
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY CAESARS WINDSOR
Sommelier
Renee Nantais
Helping Neros
Steakhouse
Guests Appreciate
the Finer Points of
1,000 Wines
WINDSOR’S ONLY IN-HOUSE CERTIFIED SOMMELIER, Renee Nantais, worked
her way through Poland, Korea and Canada’s west coast before returning home to Essex
County four years ago. Shattering the stereotype of the snooty sommelier who looks
down her nose at the guest who mispronounces Gewürztraminer, the amiable Renee is
introducing people to the world of wines stocked in the glass enclosed cellar of Caesars
Windsor’s signature, fine dining restaurant, Neros Steakhouse.
Born and raised in the McGregor-Amherstburg area, Renee studied Fine Arts, majoring in drawing, at the University of Windsor. She did not begin studying the art of the
grape till long after graduation.
“I didn’t even start drinking till my mid-20s,” Renee says. At the time, she was living
and working in Poland as an English as a Second Language teacher. Her first sips were
from wine bottled in Bulgaria. “It was not good. I stuck with it because it was cheap,”
she chuckles. Renee spent five years in Poland and one year in Korea as an ESL teacher.
“Neither of them were wine regions.”
Her interest became more than recreational after she was hired on as a server in the
Empress Room at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria, British Columbia. Surrounded by
sommeliers, Renee found them to be very approachable and funny – “not what I expected
sommeliers to be.”
The restaurant manager at the time, Pamela Sanderson, is also a teacher with the
54
W i n d s o r
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Renee Nantais is the only in-house certified sommelier working in a Windsor restaurant. She helps guests select from
more than 1,000 bottles of wine stored in the glass enclosed
cellar at Neros Steakhouse. The fine dining establishment at
Caesars Windsor recently won its 7th consecutive Wine
Spectator Award of Excellence. Renee, the chefs and servers
meet to discuss which wines will best complement succulent scallops, tender steaks and other dishes featured on
Neros’ changing menus.
▼
International Sommelier Guild. “She was
happiest in baggy jeans, no makeup and riding a horse on her farm,” Renee says. Seeing
Renee’s interest in wine, Pamela showed her
where to start.
From her Vancouver Island base, Renee
got to know the Okanagan and Washington
wine regions. She took Wine & Spirit Education Trust courses in Victoria and achieved
Sommelier Awards for Level 1 and 2. After
moving to Essex County, she drove to
Toronto for ISG courses to earn the Sommelier Diploma. “You really need to be
dedicated to the course. Many people don’t
complete it,” Renee notes.
“There are lots of facts and figures to get
in your head,” says Renee. Presentation and
style are also critical. “A large part of being
a good sommelier is diplomacy. Personally, I
believe that comes with experience. I think
my artistic background helps.”
At Caesars Windsor, “my main task is
maintaining the integrity of Neros’ wine
cellar,” Renee explains. That involves ordering new wines, reordering those doing well,
ensuring they are all properly stored and
represented on the wine list. To stay abreast
of up and coming wines, Renee meets with
agents and participates in wine events.
The sommelier is curating a cellar with
exceptional standards. Neros Steakhouse recently received its seventh consecutive Wine
Spectator Award of Excellence for 2015, one
of only two Windsor restaurants to earn
recognition this year from the important
guide for wine lovers, collectors and connoisseurs. To be considered, a restaurant’s
wine list must offer a well-chosen selection
of quality producers, along with a thematic
match to the menu in both price and style.
Neros’ extensive wine list features over 1,000
bottles representing dozens of countries and
400 labels.
Such selection gives Renee many options
when she meets with the chefs and servers
to discuss the upcoming week’s menu and
which wines will best suit each dish. Whenever Neros hosts a wine dinner, Renee and
the chef collaborate on a set meal focused
on the pairing of wine and food.
Specializing in prime cuts of beef, Neros’
celar is stocked with a good deal of bold
Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Renee says,
“I do recommend having red wine with
steak, although there are some nice, full
bodied Chardonnays with rich flavours that
will go great. A light white will get lost and
overpowered.”
Neros’ guests encounter Renee in the dining room. “Often, the wine is ordered
ISN’T IT TIME WE TALKED?
Peter Dobrich
PRESIDENT
CORPORATE SOLUTIONS
1329 Ottawa St., Windsor, Ontario
519-254-8638
www.privategroup.cc
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before the guests even decide what they are
going to have for dinner,” she observes. “I feel
occasionally there are missed opportunities in
food and wine pairings but it’s most important to have what you enjoy.”
She tries not to overwhelm guests with information. “Sometimes I just open the wine
and say, ‘Nice selection, sir.’ If they ask me
questions, though, it’s hard to shut me up.”
“It’s essential to have variety, something for
everyone,” Renee knows. “I like to have popular wines and wines that are more obscure
and intriguing.”
Price range is also key to Neros’ successful
cellar. Modestly priced wines that please
guests include the $45 Andeluna Malbec
from Argentina; a $71 Bordeaux from the
Medoc region of Bordeaux, France; and the
$70 Murphy Goode Cabernet Sauvignon
from California.
For a superior sipping experience, Renee
recommends French Bordeaux wines such as
the $750 1986 Chateau Latour Pauillac or
the $800 1982 Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou
St. Julien.
When a guest feels like splurging, the sommelier is pleased to open a $3,000 bottle of
the 1997 Harlan Estates Cabernet Sauvignon
from Oakville, Napa Valley, California.
Whatever the price, “each wine has a different story. Each one inspires me in a different way,” Renee says.
Perhaps it is the source: “I just bought wine
from Tasmania and am stoked about adding
a label from that country.”
“Or it could be the vintage. The Lake Erie
North Shore region is interesting because we
almost lost the vines last winter. I’m excited
about what they’re going to produce this
year,” Renee says, predicting that the drop in
grape quantity could produce even better
quality.
Neros’ wine list includes local stars from
Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards, Viewpointe Estate
Winery, Oxley Estate Winery, Sprucewood
Shores Winery, Muscedere Vineyards, Colchester Ridge Estate Winery and Colio Estate
Wines. The sommelier is currently exploring
other regional wineries.
Believing she is an ambassador for Essex
County vineyards, Renee enthuses, “I love
our wine region and the fact that it’s growing.
There is such a positive vibe surrounding it.”
She applauds the passion of the winemakers and vineyard owners. “It’s not an easy industry. It’s a labour of love.” Renee reflects,
“Growing up in this area, hearing a lot about
layoffs in the auto industry, it’s exciting to
have an industry that is going strong. I like
cars – but I love wine.”
WLM
HOROSCOPE
ARIES
MAR 21 - APR 20:
You may find yourself being more cautious
than usual. Once bit, twice shy could be
your new motto. A lot going on behind the
scenes may cause you to stop and debate
whether or not you want to proceed on the
path you now tread. Accentuate the positive
and minimize the negative.
CALL DANIEL!
519.735.6015
www.dhof.ca
TAURUS
APR 21 - MAY 21:
SOLD
Back up computer files and documents
ASAP and make sure your virus detection is
up to date. You probably do that anyway.
Both in your home life and in business there
will be distractions that throw you off
course. Be patient, focus, and prioritize.
GEMINI
MAY 22 - JUN 21:
There is an old saying from times of war,
“Loose lips sink ships!” It means be careful
what you say and who you say it to. You
never really know who might be listening or
you may accidently say the wrong thing to
the wrong person at the wrong time. Keep
your thoughts to yourself.
CANCER
JUN 22 - JUL 23:
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L i f e
Set a limit on what you spend and try to
save some money for a rainy day. You are reluctant to ask for help even when you really
need it. This can create a dilemma when
others are afraid to offend you by offering
help. You have to meet life in the middle to
solve your current situation.
LEO
JUL 24 - AUG 23:
Try to remember. You cannot please all the
people all the time. Having respect for others and from them is essential for you. Your
ability to maintain good relationships is part
of who you are. You need co-operation from
others to carry on. There is a time when you
say enough is enough.
VIRGO
AUG 24 - SEP 23:
Your mind is in over-drive. There is a clash
between reality and expectation. About 70
percent of things you are worried about will
never happen and you will not be able to
change some things in your life. Focus on
what you can do, not on what you can’t.
BY LESLIE NADON
LIBRA
SEP 24 - OCT 23:
You need to build a solid foundation for a
place to rest and renew your sense of security and responsibility. Be careful with what
you say and do. Easier said than done.
Someone may be trying to steal your ideas
by using social media to find out where you
are and how you got there.
SCORPIO
OCT 24 - NOV 22:
Don’t get caught up in other people’s quarrels. They will join hands and then turn on
you. A little bit of practicality goes a long
way. Every day you may feel like you are
learning something new, contributing to
your store of knowledge. That can be good,
keeping your mind active.
SAGITTARIUS
NOV 23 - DEC 21:
One of your many ventures could turn into
an actual reality leading you further down
the road to success. Make a plan and follow
it through, taking it one step at a time. The
first step is the hardest part. But, once you
have mastered that, the rest comes easy.
CAPRICORN
DEC 22 - JAN 20:
Just when you thought you had seen it all
and you could relax, a new experience
brings you to attention and back on board.
The world is a-changing and you are one of
the few who can help others live and work
with the changes. You make a huge difference in the lives of others.
AQUARIUS
JAN 21 - FEB 19:
A new way, a new day helps you enjoy time
spent being more active in pursuing your
dreams. This is the time to create the
lifestyle best suited to meeting your own
hopes and expectations. Music can play a
big role in your life now, whether being actively involved or just listening.
PISCES
FEB 20 - MAR 20
A new opportunity could pay off big-time.
By living in the here and now, you are likely
to be quite successful with a new chapter in
your life. Do your research! You may be
pleasantly surprised at how much further
you get ahead by helping those close to you
in mind, spirit and ambition.
STORY BY DICK HILDEBRAND
PHOTOGRAPHY PAUL JOKELAINEN
THE
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During that period, Koekstat also
played in nightclubs where he won ‘a best
band contest’. In fact, says Kenny, “the
guy who was one of the judges said I
should become a professional musician
and make money at it. I took him at his
word and left The Power And The Glory.”
So, while many of the players are hanging up their instruments and taking to
the porch, Ken’s iconic Brand X Live continues knockin’ em dead every weekend,
52 weeks of the year. Last year at the
Thunder Bay Blues Festival during a conversation with Jimmy Vaughan, the late
Stevie Ray’s brother and leader of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Ken was approached
by blues fest organizers inviting his group
to grace the stage during this year’s
Canada Day weekend event. Kenny was
quick to accept and after a 14 -hour drive
to the Lakehead, his musicians took to
the stage, opening for the likes of the
legendary Paul Rodgers of Bad Company
and Queen fame. Also on the all-star
bill...The Sheep Dogs who were recently
featured on the cover of Rolling Stone
Magazine.
With all expenses paid, Kenny says it
was “simply fabulous. We had a great
time....the sound was handled by professionals, the stage was carpeted and vacuumed after every act...there
were towels and water...all the
accoutrements of a truly firstclass operation. The Thunder
Bay Blues Festival is one of
the best shows of its kind in
Canada – their ground transportation, their food and their accommodations are all first-ticket. No detail is
overlooked. It was great to prance around
on stage – and now I know what it feels
like to be Mick Jagger! We threw out
smiley-face beach balls which you just
gotta have at a rock concert and we tossed
beads into the crowd because we did some
Zydeco, New Orleans style tunes for
AT A TIME WHEN MANY BANDS are calling it quits, either because of aging players
or a lack of activity, Ken Koekstat who spent more than 33 years on the Windsor Police
force, is breathing new life into an already distinguished 50+year career in music.
One of the groups in which he played in the early 1960s, The Power And The Glory,
performed its final gig late last month after enjoying a resurgence in popularity for the past
21 years. Thanks to the efforts of Koekstat, the Power came out of a two decade retirement
in 1994 after appearing at the first Crimestoppers’ band reunion.
▼
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Some Things
Are Meant to
Last Forever
LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU IN
• WINDSOR • TECUMSEH •
• LASALLE • AMHERSTBURG •
mastercleaners.ca
GRAND OPENING
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60
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that ‘Big Easy’ sound and we just had to
have the look and sound of a blues band.
We were made to feel so welcome. Believe it
or not, after the show we had a meet-andgreet...long lineups of Thunder Bay folks
looking for autographs and wanting to say
hello and tell us how much they enjoyed the
music. The Walkervilles, making huge waves
internationally, performed the night before – they were awesome and what a compliment for us, because they stayed around
for Sunday’s show to see us.”
But it wasn’t Brand X the fans were loving
– it was the Krazy Kenny Project...or as Ken
laughingly puts it: “Brand X modified! With
Ken on lead guitar and supplying vocals,
Owen B. Jones did his usual great job on the
drums and shared vocals. Dave Willick was
on bass, Wayne Lealess performed his duties
on the keyboards, the blues harp and guitar,
while Dave Belch, the so-called ‘ringer’ saxophonist was called in from his home in
Leamington.
For Ken Koekstat and the members of his
musical entourage, “this is just the beginning!” The group is currently in the recording studio, Riggi Media of Russell Woods,
putting a new CD together. When completed, it’ll contain a compilation of original music and cover tunes that have made
Brand X Live one of Windsor’s most popular bands. Not looking to get rich from the
project, the band will be donating proceeds
from sales, likely to a children’s charity. The
as yet untitled disc should be finished and
in the hands of the public in the next month
or so...certainly in time for Christmas.
Meanwhile, Brand X is hoping to expand its
horizons in the future and perform at more
festivals which are scattered throughout the
province.
There is no room for the word retirement
in Kenny’s vocabulary. His idea of leaving
your job is to do something else you love:
for him, it’s music. As he has a wont to say,
“how is it possible to stop doing something
you love and get paid for it?” Yet, it’s not the
money that drives him – it’s that itch deep
down in his soul requiring him to perform,
to write and to attend concerts of those
share their gift of music with the world.
Then, there’s that unmistakable gleam in
those bright blue eyes when you speak of
musicians, past and present that have influenced Ken Koekstat who, for all intents and
purposes, has absolutely no intention of ever
growing up.
The title of “the world’s oldest living
teenager”, once bestowed on the late Dick
Clark, should be transferred to Ken. WLM
Experience & Consistency
You Can Trust
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for 13 years
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for 12 years
PH 519-979-3419
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In Its 23rd Year Of Business, Windsor Life Magazine Is
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Homes & Businesses In Windsor/Essex, Chatham/Kent
Next Issue: ANNIVERSARY 2015
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In-house ad production and standard photography available at no additional charge.
Erica
Fryer
Amherstburg Teen
Goalie Helps
Her Team To An
International Victory
STORY/PHOTOGRAPHY BY
DICK HILDEBRAND
ERICA FRYER CONTINUES TO AMAZE. Born on December 27th, 2000, she’s
been a goalie for 8 years and for the past 4, has been recognized as one of the best netminders west of Toronto.
Three years ago her team, the West Coast Selects, won the gold medal at the World
Selects Invitational in Prague, the Czech Republic and a year later the squad was invited
to play in a tournament in Sweden, finishing 5th overall. Erica says the once-in-a-lifetime experience has been exciting to say the least; “I’ve met people from all over the
world, made new friends and played some high-tempo hockey – it’s been a lot of fun.”
She decided not to travel last year, opting to stay at home, attend some camps and
perform her goalie duties with the Lasalle Sabres AA Boys’ team, of which she had
been a member for 3 years. This season, on the advice of her long-time coach Perry Wilson, Erica will be switching sides and playing with the Chatham Outlaw Midget AA
Team – an all girls’ squad. Wilson, who is recognized as one of the top goalie coaches
in Canada, remains behind the bench of the Junior B LaSalle Vipers, works with the
University of Windsor women’s Lancers and with the Under-18 Canada women’s team.
Erica says she has enjoyed beating the boys at their own game, but is looking forward
to being on an all-girls team.....and she’s not too concerned about the fact that most of
her teammates are older than her, seeing it as a challenge to improve her skills.
Unlike most 14 year-olds, Erica has her own personal trainer. Her daily routine
consists of leg work, squats, lunges, weights and exercises to increase upper body
strength. She and her dad regularly take bike rides, while she and her younger sister,
Cora, 9, run together. Cora is also involved in hockey but unlike her sister is not in
goal....she laughingly considers herself a “player,” preferring to score goals rather to
stop them. An older sister, Sabrina, who has since retired as a member of the silver
medal winning Windsor-Essex County team that competed in the recent Children’s
Games, coaches for Rose City Gymnastics.
More recently, Erica has taken up roller blading and has tried her hand at air rifle
target practice. This summer she coached aspiring young goalies at the Meghan Agosta
62
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Top: Erica proudly displays her gold metal from Bolzano, Italy.
Above: Erica with Payne Oltrop, her young goalie student.
camp, and has worked with 8 year-old Payne
Oltrop at the all-girl Extra Mile Academy on the
ice of the Libro Centre in Amherstburg. Payne,
a student at the Ste. Jean Baptiste School, says
she’s been wanting to be a goalie for about a year
now. Erica, pleased with the young girl’s progress
says she shows great potential.
About a year ago, the West Coast Selects were
invited to participate in a tournament in Bolzano
Italy, which took place last month. And, since
most of the girls on the European national teams
were 3 to 4 years older than Erica, the challenges
were greater than usual.
However, the Selects were up to the task, overcame those challenges and won the tournament!
Erica and her companion goalie, Gwyneth
Philips of Columbus Ohio took turns in
the nets, each playing half the game and
showing their all-star stuff by allowing only
4 goals in 8 games of which The Selects lost
one. The gold medal game against East
Coast Quebec was quite the nail-biter and
was decided in overtime. Quebec scored
first and at the end of regulation time the
score was tied at 1. The overtime period
featured a 3 on 3 squad and within the first
3 minutes the Selects sewed it up with the
winning tally for a 2-1 victory. The Selects
were coached by Manon Rheaume, a former member of Team Canada and the
Tampa Bay Lightning...the only female to
have ever played in the NHL.
On her return home, Erica’s only comment was...” the rules of the game are much
the same as they are here in North America,
but they play a rougher game over there –
it’s very aggressive, so we had to be more
physical. As goalies, we can’t trip opposing
players, but you’ve gotta push ‘em out if
they’re in the crease and make sure it’s covered. But I was up to it. It was a blast.” The
trip also gave Erica an opportunity to spend
time with her aunt, her grandfather and
other family members on her mother’s side,
who live less than a hour from Bolzano.
The family paid its own expenses, while
Erica herself canvassed local businesses
which helped support her trip. To them
and her coach Perry Wilson, she has passed
on her heartfelt thanks.
While the Selects won’t be competing in
global tournaments over the next little
while, Erica and the Chatham Outlaws are
getting set for several events in the near
future. They’ve just returned from a tournament in Stoney Creek and are now getting set for another in Detroit the end of
October, followed by one in Rochester
New York.
So what does the future hold for this
energetic, affable athletic dynamo with the
infectious smile? Obviously, Erica’s immediate goal is to finish high school (she just
came out of grade 9 at Villanova with a
94% average) and after that she’s not really
sure. She has considered a possible career in
the medical field, or maybe go into training
as a police officer. “I really don’t have a clue
what I want to be, but I do know I want to
play hockey. My dream is to some day compete for Team Canada in the Olympics.”
If she does maintain her present pace as
an outstanding goalkeeper and keeps her
positive attitude, that dream could most
certainly translate into reality.
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A u t u m n
•
2 0 1 5
63
STORY BY
KAREN PATON-EVANS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
LIQUIDWILD MEDIA
#YOU
beautymoment
Connecting With
A Sisterhood
Of Inspiration
When #YOUbeautymoment asked Mia
Tannous what beauty means to her, she appreciated that the question is not a frivolous
or shallow one. During the nine years she
worked at the Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa
Association (BANA), Mia used to connect
with people whose unhealthy perceptions of
what constitutes beauty are harming and
threatening their very lives.
Mia reflects, “I find beauty everywhere;
you can see it, hear it, feel it. Sounds cliché,
but you find what you’re looking for and I
try to find something beautiful in everything. Beauty to me is subjective, defining
it is almost a ridiculous notion but I think
what I find most beautiful is joy and peace.
When I see someone happy and content, I
think wow, that’s beautiful and I can’t help
but smile myself.”
Sharing the voices of Windsor-Essex
women aged 40 years and younger,
#YOUbeautymoment strives to support
them as they define and live their truth
through positive, beautiful attitudes and
actions.
Mia Tannous
Encountering women with body issues
was a daily experience for Mia, who until
recently was the Interim Health Promotion
Manager at BANA. The best advice she
believes she can give is: “First things first, we
all have body image issues—you are not
alone! I can’t think of one person who loves
each and every inch of their body all the
time, and that’s okay.”
64
W i n d s o r
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““Be
Be a good
good person,
person, be
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the best
best
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funny,
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appearance, I say
say thank
thank you
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and it
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afterthought,
and
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when someone
someone compliments
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person,
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take it
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to heart.”
heart.” – Mia
Mia
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“Wh
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“What’s
over your life, when they
inhibit you from doing things you want to do—that’s when we have a problem. It’s important to stop comparing yourself to everyone else; this is a sure-fire way to be miserable.
Think about your body and all of the things it does for you, think of it as a tool rather than
a decoration. Focus on being healthy, with the understanding that health comes in all shapes
and sizes.”
Women with serious body issues can find help at BANA. “The team at BANA is a small
but committed one. Working with the population that they do is challenging and it takes
a dedicated group of people to do it well,” Mia observes. “I got inspired by their passion. I
was also inspired by the people BANA serves, the clients and the community at large. Their
openness to taking in new information and enhancing their lifestyles is amazing.”
Now age 31, Mia chose to enhance herself by working on her personal growth over the
past two years. “I decided to continue my education and pursue my Master’s Degree, while
continuing to work full time.” She has a bachelor’s degree in Developmental Psychology
from the University of Windsor and now
has a Master’s Degree in Leadership from
the University of Guelph.
“In addition, I also completed the Leadership Windsor Essex program, both of
which taught me a great deal about myself.
I am proud of my ability to stretch beyond
my bounds.”
That ability was nurtured early on within
her family. “I was always raised to never
accept mediocrity from myself or anyone
around me. They say a comfort zone is a
beautiful place, but nothing ever grows
there—I believe that in order to rise to our
fullest potential we need to get a bit uncomfortable,” Mia says.
For inspiration and reassurance, she looks
to her role models, her parents, “who not
only exemplify but encourage moving beyond the status quo.”
“I literally have a black and white photo
hanging beside my computer of my mom
and dad the day they opened what is now a
thriving business. It keeps me motivated!”
says Mia. Another source for incentive is her
community. “I was born and raised in the
County—Windsor was always the BIG city
to me. It seemed infinite and anything
seemed possible here. I try and look at it
with the same wonder now as I did back
then. What’s great about Windsor is that we
are small enough to really embody a sense
of community but big enough to make
things happen. The people in Windsor and
Essex County are eager to learn and engage
and grow and I think that is the key to any
great community. It’s allowed me to feel like
I can make a difference and build upon the
many successes we currently enjoy here.”
One way Mia feels she can make a difference is through volunteerism. She is a member of the Patient and Family Advisory
Committees for the Erie St Clair Regional
Cancer Program and Cancer Care Ontario.
“I am very passionate about bringing the
patient and family voice where it can be best
heard and utilized,” she says.
To those who let their lack of self-assurance sidetrack their potential, Mia says, “If
you want to feel better about yourself, stop
looking for something outside of you. Find
your voice and use it, be assertive—that is
the best way to build your confidence. There
is no feeling more liberating than expressing
yourself, whatever that means for you. Being
confident doesn’t mean you feel certain
everyone will like you or that you’ll ace
whatever you’re doing, it means that even if
they don’t and even if you fail—that’s okay.
That doesn’t change who you are.
WLM
A u t u m n
•
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65
CALENDAR
september/october 2015
SEPTEMBER
Saturday, 26
RUTHVEN APPLE FESTIVAL
Till Sunday, Sept. 27. The bounty of Essex
County and simple country pleasures are in
abundance at the Ruthven Apple Festival,
one of the top ranked festivals in Ontario.
The weekend is jam packed with a parade,
musical entertainment, rides and games for
children, the Apple Festival Car Show, over
100 craft and food vendors and the Farmers Market, where locally produced food
can be bought and brought home. Admission and parking to the family event are
free. The fun begins at 10:30 am, Sat. and
9 am, Sun. at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens,
1550 Rd. 3 E., Ruthven. Funds raised benefit Community Living Essex County in
support of people with intellectual disabilities. 519-776-6483, ext. 246
communitylivingessex.org.
CANADA SOUTH COAST BIKE TOUR
2400 Highway #3, Oldcastle | 519-728-4226
www.facebook.com/smallenginesca
twitter.com/SmallEnginesca
European Style Garden Sheds
Cyclists can pedal with a purpose in the
Canada South Coast Bike Tour, raising
funds that will be used to construct the
Essex-Amherstburg Greenway Trail. Participants can cycle in a 12 km, 32 km or 70
km ride on the Greenway or tour the region
and stop at some of the local Conservation
Areas on the 58 km or 110 km road routes.
Entry fee is $25 to $35 per person.
519-776-5209 or raceroster.com.
DINAH KERR WALK ’N ROLL
Put some heart into your landscape
with a EuroShed HeartScape!
Benefiting the social recreation program at
Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario, the
Dinah Kerr Walk ’N Roll gets people moving for a great cause. Participants can walk
or ride in the annual event, taking place in
Malden Park at 4200 Malden Rd., Windsor. Registration is at 9 am. The actual walk
starts at 10 am and is over an hour later, in
time for lunch and festivities. Please contact Karen Boal at 519-969-8188, ext 229
or [email protected] for information.
Sunday, 27
THE KIDNEY WALK
519-987-4335
www.eurosheds.ca
66
W i n d s o r
L i f e
Everyone is encouraged to take steps and
join the Kidney Walk to help one in 10
Canadians living with kidney disease.
Monies raised will aid research, programs
and services. The top six fundraising teams’
donations will be matched up to $25,000
by Domino’s Pizza of Canada Ltd. The Kidney Foundation, Windsor & District
▼
EuroSheds Workshop and Display
740 Morton Drive, Windsor, ON
Pools By Angelo (On Display)
2950 Jefferson Blvd., Windsor, ON
BMR (On Display)
11365 Tecumseh Rd. E., Tecumseh, ON
coming up!
Whose
W
Wh
ose Liv
Live
i e Any
Anyway?
nyway
a ? • October 1st, 2015
Junie B. Jones • October 3rd, 2015
The Wiggles • October 10th, 2015
The Mixed-Up Fairytales • October 22nd, 2015
The World of Anne Frank • November 3rd, 2015
Michael English & The Nelons • December 19th, 2015
Windsor Comedy Festival • December 27th, 2015
Muppet Movie Sing-A-Long • December 29th, 2015
The Best of Second City • January 23rd, 2016
Gord Bamford • January 30th, 2016
The Right to Dream – Civil Rights • February 11th, 2016
Chantal Kreviazuk & Raine Maida • February 13th, 2016
The Cat in the Hat • February 17th, 2016
WSO presents The Song Remains the Same:
The Music of Led Zeppelin • February 27th, 2016
Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood • March 14th, 2016
Norm MacDonald • April 2nd, 2016
www.chryslertheatre.com
Chapter invite families to participate and
be entertained by Rosie the Clown, Mad
Science of Windsor and more. It all happens
at the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation
Complex at 249 Sherk St. Register at
kidneywalk.ca or phone 519-977-9211.
OCTOBER
Saturday, 3
ALL HALLOWS EVE (HALLOWEEN)
AND THANKSGIVING FESTIVAL
The history, both heartwarming and chilling, of Canadian Thanksgiving and Halloween, are revealed at the Park House
Museum through candle making, baking,
weaving, spinning, print shop and tinsmithing demonstrations, ghost stories,
games, vintage decorations and more.
Visitors can make their own candles and
purchase small snacks for additional cost.
Admission to the All Hallows Eve (Halloween) and Thanksgiving Festival is $3
per person; tots aged two and younger are
admitted free. The event is from 11 am to
4 pm at 214 Dalhousie St., Amherstburg.
519-736-2511 or parkhousemuseum.com.
Sunday, 4
HARVEST AND HORSES FESTIVAL
BROCHERT DRAPERY
3230 JEFFERSON BLVD., WINDSOR
519-251-0378
DECORATING IDEAS
3059 DOUGALL AVENUE, WINDSOR
519-966-7102
DETAILS
1475 TECUMSEH RD. E., WINDSOR
519-977-0573
PETER MILEC'S DECORATING CENTRE
120 ERIE STREET NORTH, LEAMINGTON
519-326-3662
GABRIELE FLOOR & HOME
55 TALBOT STREET WEST, LEAMINGTON
519-326-5786
UNITED FLOORS CHATHAM
71 SASS ROAD UNIT 2A, CHATHAM
519-351-8080
Thursday, 15
Offer runs from September 1st to December 18th, 2015.
BOOKFEST WINDSOR
† Purchase a minimum of 4 Silhouette®, Pirouette®, Luminette®, Vignette® or Duette® Window Shadings with
PowerView™ Motorization and receive a tablet. Valid at participating retailers only. For full details, visit hunterdouglas.ca.
INSULATE
INS
SULATE NOW!
Rebates
ates
$
up to 2500
Fred Corp
OWNER
Butch Laframboise
SALES
Harvest time is always busy on farms. The
John R. Park Homestead is demonstrating
how things used to be done back in the pioneer’s day. Ghost stories will be told in the
attic while throughout the historic house
and farm, visitors can be engaged in corn
husk crafts, cider and sausage making, seed
saving and more. They will also encounter
beautiful, hardworking horses that were vital
to harvesting 200 years ago. The Harvest
and Horses Festival is from noon to 4 pm at
915 County Rd 50 E., Essex. Adult admission is $6; child 3 to 16 years is $4; $20 family maximum. 519-738-2029 or erca.org.
Till Sunday, Oct. 18. Authors Nino Ricci
and Lawrence Hill will be launching their
new books and Rampike magazine will release its final edition during BookFest Windsor, Southwestern Ontario’s only literary
festival. BookFest examines and celebrates
great stories through a unique literary and
artistic series of author readings, panel discussions, drama, music, visual arts and more.
This page turning event is at The Capitol
Theatre, 121 University Ave. W., Windsor.
519-253-7639 or bookfestwindsor.com.
Friday, 16
Call today @ 519-962-6062
68
W i n d s o r
L i f e
HOCKTOBERFEST: INTERNATIONAL
FEMALE HOCKEY FESTIVAL
Till Sunday, Oct. 18. Exciting sports action
is taking place on ice rinks throughout
Windsor and surrounding communities
during Hocktoberfest: International Female Hockey Festival. Spectators enjoy
free admission to the eighth annual event
that showcases the players’ talents in competitive hockey games. 519-816-8235 or
hocktoberfest.com.
KINGSVILLE MIGRATION FESTIVAL
TRANSFORM YOUR HAIR TO
Salon Utopia’s experienced, Schwarzkopf trained professional hair stylists can easily
and quickly turn your thinning, tired hair into luxurious thick, beautiful locks.
Till Sunday, Oct. 18. People flock to
the annual Kingsville Migration Festival
that honors migration, heritage and the
conservation legacy of internationally acclaimed Jack Miner in his hometown,
Kingsville. Canada Geese and other wild
birds are the star attractions. Visitors can
also take in the flying raptor show, Jack
Miner reading, OPP pumpkin carving,
woodcarving show, parade, art and photography competitions, youth duck calling
contest, Essex Retriever Club dog show
and for a price, plenty of opportunities to
eat hearty. Admission is free to events in
town and at Jack Miner’s Bird Sanctuary,
360 Rd. 3 W., Kingsville. 519-733-2123
or migrationfestival.ca.
In little over an hour, with the use of natural hair extensions, colour
and highlights you can have the style and look you have dreamed of.
Our professional hair experts will assess and correct your hair concerns
and guide you in the use of Schwarzkopf Products to maintain your
beautiful, healthy looking hair between Salon Utopia visits.
Call for an appointment to begin
the journey to a new you.
Saturday, 22
90TH ANNIVERSARY
COMMEMORATION OF THE HUT
The Hut is celebrating its 90th anniversary
with an open house on Thurs., Oct. 22nd
and an anniversary banquet on Sat., Oct.
24th. The open house will showcase the
history of The Hut since its early beginnings, before the Royal Canadian Legion
was founded. Veterans will be on hand to
tell their stories and vintage army vehicles
will be on display at RCL Branch 12, 2090
Brant St., Windsor. 519-256-3366.
Saturday, 24
THIRD ANNUAL ORCHID SHOW & SALE
Till Sunday, Oct. 25. The Windsor Orchid
Society is hosting its annual Orchid Show
& Sale, unveiling hundreds of orchids and
a weekend packed with lectures, a photography workshop, artwork and photography
displays and repotting demonstrations,
all centred on the orchid. Vendors and
exhibitors are coming from as far as
Ecuador. Now at its new location at the
Columbus Center of South Windsor, 2401
Columbus Dr., the event starts at 11 am
and concludes at 5 pm, Sat. and 4 pm,
Sun. A special photographers’ session is
scheduled for 9 to 11 am, Sun. Admission
is $6 per adult; children age 12 years
and younger are admitted free with adult
accompaniment.
Facebook or windsororchidsociety.ca.
AFTER
BEFORE
Beautifull hair
h begins at...
For appointments call 519.727.0507
Lakeshore Oasis | 486 Advance Blvd. Unit 100 | salonutopia.co
TRUNK SHOW
OCTOBER 22 6pm-9pm | OCTOBER 23 10am-5pm
PLEASE JOIN US!
an exclusive look at Spring 2016
shop the newest holiday styles & more
giveaways & in-store draw
personal styling & expertise from our Nicole Miller Rep
25 Amy Croft. | 519.735.9643
A u t u m n
•
2 0 1 5
69
WINDSOR LIFE SHOTS
A PHOTO SHOWCASE DESIGNED TO HIGHLIGHT PUBLIC EVENTS IN OUR AREA
In this edition of Windsor Life Shots we present a photo essay of the influences
St. Clair College’s Dr. John Strasser had on our community. We wish him a very special retirement.
DR. STRASSER WITH NEW ST. CLAIR
COLLEGE PRESIDENT PATTI FRANCE
DR. STRASSER WITH WIFE GAYLE
CAROL DERBYSHIRE AND DR. STRASSER
DR. STRASSER DECLARES HIS LOVE OF ST. CLAIR
TONY TOLDO AND DR. STRASSER
ANITA IMPERIOLI AND DR. STRASSER
If you or your group is hosting an event or fundraiser please submit photos by going to our website at www.windsorlife.com, click on the
“submit photos” tab, tell us a little bit about the event and the photos, then upload and they may appear not only in Windsor Life Magazine
but also online at www.windsorlife.com as well as Facebook and Twitter. We look forward to presenting your event to our readers.
FOR MORE WINDSOR LIFE SHOTS, VISIT WWW.WINDSORLIFE.COM
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