Biz X magazine July/August 2023

2023

Grape Vine Tours Riley Marques, Beauty Addiction

Eyes On Site Kingsville’s Greenway Jam Music Festival

MCC Thrift On Mill, Leamington TWEPI’s W.E. Heart Local Digital Passport The New Essex Home Hardware Building Centre

Innovation Outposts For Rural Entrepreneurs

THE PARENTING BIZ Places To Go & Fun Stuff To Do

PLUS The 26th Annual Biz X Awards Categories; Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce BEA Winners; The WonderBroads 20th Anniversary And The Kidney’s 5th Annual Celebrity Men Fashion Event . . . and more!

What A Wine -derful World

We truly are lucky to live in a region with many amazing wineries, breweries and distilleries. From Oxley Estate Winery (represented by Winemaker Andrew Wilson and his father Steve, President) to Pelee Island Winery, GL Heritage Brewing Co. and more, we take you on an EPIC adventure to discover the finest wines, breweries where you can taste the passion in every pour, and distilleries that will put you in good “spirits” this summer. Page 18

TABLE OF CONTENTS

JULY/AUGUST 2023

Volume 26 • Issue 7

4 Funny Stuff

5 From The Publisher: It’s Baaaack! Time To Nominate Your Favourites In The Annual Biz X Awards

8 Rose City Politics: What Esplanade Dreams Are Made Of Does Windsor need a Civic Esplanade or are there other opportunities to focus on? Read what the panel has to say!

10 Front Lines

12 Milestones: Forget Horsepower, The WonderBroads Have Had Dragon Boat Power For 20 Years And Still Rowing

14 Newsflash

Em’s Crystals (storefront photographed by Joe McParland) at 419 Shepherd Street West in Windsor, has added a whole lot of glitz, glamour and energy to a nearly 100 year-old neighbourhood in the core of the city. Learn more about the owner of this new biz and how you can get a little sparkle in your life!

15 Motivational Quotes With Danny

16 From The Bookshelf: Short Stories To Enjoy With Wine

17 Food For Thought: TWEPI’s New Digital Passport Is A Way To Create Locally-Sourced Meals By Purchasing At Each Stop

26 Cover Story Sidebar: Unwined With Grape Vine Tours

28 Have A Cup Of Joe With Joe: Celebrating Community, Culture And Creativity With Kingsville Music Society

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend of music, food and fun at the Greenway Jam Music Festival in Kingsville, presented by the Kingsville Music Society. Michele Law, Executive Director of the society and her husband John (shown above in photo they supplied) take a group selfie with two members of Reggaddiction at the event last year. Who will be

stopping by this year’s festival that you might be able to snap a photo of? Find out now!

30 Tech Bytes: WEtech Alliance’s Innovation Outposts

31 XX Files: Riley Marques, Beauty Addiction

32 Ask The Experts: Keeping An Eye On Your Home — Eyes On Site

34 NEW! Arms In The Neighbourhood: Excitement Builds As The New Essex Home Hardware Comes To Fruition

38 The Parenting Biz: School’s Out, Fun’s In

Looking for activities your children can enjoy this summer — with or without you? Our PBIZ section features all sorts of family-friendly businesses and organizations throughout Windsor and Essex County, offering fun things to do. Plus, we throw in some ideas for your kids to do on their own (giving parents a much needed break). One of our suggestions is the UMEI Christian High School Robotics Camp. Pictured is camper Luke Schmidt (in top photo courtesy of Abby Krueger) in August 2022 using a LEGO Mindstorms kit to build a robot. Check out our story for more suggestions to keep your child entertained in July and August.

54 Biz Of The Month: Special Organization Salute To Leamington’s MCC Thrift On Mill, A High End Shopping Experience

REGULAR COLUMNS CONTINUE . . .

36 Guest Column: Mortgage Tips For A Post-Pandemic Housing Market

44 Health Matters: Reporting Your Child’s Immunizations To The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

46 Hot Shots: The 5th Annual Celebrity Men Fashion Event

49 Awards Spotlight: The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber Of Commerce 2023 Business Excellence Award Winners

53 The Way It Was: The 38th Parallel, Land Of The Morning Calm

ON THE COVER — What a Wine - derful World — Page 18

Have you seen the 1989 sci-fi comedy movie, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure? If not, it’s about two rock-nroll teens (played by Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter) who travel back in time to complete their history project. Well, step aside Bill & Ted . . . Biz X writers Tracey Harding and Sherrilynn Colley-Vegh have embarked on their own EPIC summer adventure to experience a taste of what Essex County wineries, breweries and distilleries have to offer. Their assignment? To write our cover story! And we know our readers are going to give them an A+ for all their hard work!

INDIVIDUALS/BUSINESS PICTURED: Winemaker Andrew Wilson (left) and his father Steve Wilson, the current CEO and President of Oxley Estate Winery. Andrew holds a glass of their 2020 Pinot Noir Rosé, while Steve prepares to enjoy the 2021 Pinot Gris. Our photo was taken on a busy Friday in the summer with a private group in the background who chartered a bus for a wine tour. The family has 10 acres of vines on the Oxley Estate and an additional nine acres at their Corner Ridge property just up the road (a farming operation only).

LOCATION: The patio tasting bar near the front entrance to Oxley Estate Winery, 533 County Road 50 East, Harrow.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Rod Denis. (RodneyLDenisPhotographer.com)

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We’re Hot On The Track For Nominees In The 26th Annual Biz X Awards

By Deborah Jones

As predictable as a heat wave in the summer, you can count on the release of our July/ August edition to mean the search for nominees in the annual Biz X Awards has officially begun.

Last year we celebrated our 25th Silver Jubilee with the theme: Always Look For The Silver Lining In Every Cloud. Now in 2023 we are set to celebrate our 26th year of awards, traditionally known as the picture anniversary.

How appropriate for a magazine filled with photos and artwork issue after issue!

However, before this year’s awards tribute is published, we need to fill you in about the whole awards process.

With the publishing of our summer issue, the categories are officially released and nominations are accepted on our website: BizXmagazine.com, from July 31 (noon) until September 8, 2023 (5 p.m.)

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

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

Nominees are made public on the Biz X website when voting commences September 18 (noon) and continues through to September 22, 2023 (5 p.m.)

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

Once you complete a nomination form, you will see on your computer screen we received it and also a confirmation email will be sent to your email. If you DO NOT receive this email (check your spam folder too) that means we did NOT receive your nomination.

Please check all sections were filled out, and you have answered the reCAPTCHA question, and re-submit the form.

If you or your business/organization is fortunate to be nominated, you will be contacted to supply further details to us, online, about your qualifications, history, and to confirm information supplied by the nominators.

Once the polls open in September, be sure to toot your own horn. Do whatever you can to get your customers to vote for you on the Biz X website — use your own website and social

media pages to tell everyone you know that you are nominated!

During the voting period you can go online to: BizXmagazine.com and cast a vote for your choice to win the 2023 Biz X Award, in its respective category. You can also vote using your smart phone or tablet via our mobile friendly voting site.

Remember that vote tallies are only a part of the overall selection process.

All nomination forms received, along with company background information supplied and voting poll results, are then reviewed by the Biz X panel of Judges after the polls close.

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

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

In the past 26 years, Biz X has awarded over 800 recipients in all kinds of industries, so don’t be discouraged if a certain category is not listed as it may have been previously awarded. (Please check our website to see a list of past winners.)

As we are now in the third decade of our annual awards, certain categories from years back are re-used to allow for new businesses in those industries to have the opportunity to be included.

There are eight staple categories every year — Outstanding New Business, Distinguished Biz Champ Of The Year, Powerhouse Professional, Artist of the Year, Exceptional Social Enterprise, Best Little Retail Shop, Restaurant That’s Hot, Hot, Hot, and The Most Wonderful Event Of The Year.

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

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

1. Only nominate ONE company/person per award category. Businesses/organizations/ people are only permitted to win one award each year. MULTIPLE NOMINATIONS IN DIFFERENT CATEGORIES ARE NOT PERMITTED. We reserve the right to choose the best category for the company or individual when a nomination comes in. All nominees must be over 19 years of age.

NOMINATE YOUR FAVOURITE

EVENTS, AND PEOPLE JULY 31 (NOON) TO SEPT. 8, 2023 (5 P.M.) ON BIZXMAGAZINE.COM

VOTING TAKES PLACE FROM SEPT.18 (NOON) TO SEPT. 22, 2023 (5 P.M.)

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

3. The nominee must be located (or reside) in Windsor, Essex County or Pelee Island and NOT be part of a national franchise/chain or non-profit organization (except for categories in the PEOPLE section and category #24) The PEOPLE section (#8 to #13) is judged on the individual and not the company itself and those working for chains/franchises and non-profits are eligible to participate only in this section. An exception for category #24 is also allowed as many national organizations have local chapters hosting events.

4. Every business/organization in Essex County and Pelee Island (with the exceptions above) has the opportunity to win a Biz X Award. *However: NO MEDIA outlets or representatives can participate in any of the categories. You do not have to be an advertiser with the magazine to be nominated or to win. Judges are not told who is an advertiser (past or present) to ensure there are no biases or conflicts of interest.

Be sure to check your email account in August or early September to see if we contact you about an award nomination. Visit: BizXmagazine.com for the very latest information and watch for the September issue to learn how to vote in the 26th annual Biz X Awards.

And now we present the. . .

2023 BIZ X AWARD CATEGORIES

*See rules in second column before nominating*

BUSINESS & SERVICE

(*No national chains/non-profits allowed)

*Remember once a business is nominated in one category they cannot be nominated in any others.

1. Outstanding New Business Of 2023 (Businesses that opened from September 1, 2022 to September 1, 2023) *No restaurants/food trucks or bars can be included as they can participate in the Hospitality & Entertainment Categories.

2. True Masterpiece Art Teachers

(Where adults and children can go for art lessons such as painting and/or making crafts.)

3. Piping Hot Plumbing Specialists

(The plumbing team who are the greatest thing since indoor plumbing!)

4. Ride In Style Limo Co.

(Who to rent a limo from for a wedding, elegant evening out, event, and sports game, etc. Think about price, selection of limos, customer service.)

5. Distinguished Biz Champ Of The Year

(A company in operation for over one year that has done something exceptional to take

BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS,

care of business.) *No restaurants/bars or retail shops can participate. Remember if a business is nominated here they cannot participate in any other category.

6. World Class Currency Exchange Firm (When you need to exchange Canadian currency for a foreign country, the Currency Exchange business to use. Consider cost/ commission fees; speed of delivery of funds; customer service.)

7. The Life & Soul Of The Party Rentals (Where to rent inflatable bouncy castles, outdoor games, movie screens, carnival food machines and more.) *Tent rentals not included.

PEOPLE

*The business/organization the nominee owns or works for cannot be nominated elsewhere.

8. 2023 Powerhouse Professional (A local business owner or top manager who has what it takes to keep the company or organization they own/work for profitable in today’s tough times.)

9. Artist Of The Year (For example a singer, painter, musician, sculptor, band, actor.)

*No authors or photographers please.

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

11. Dynamic Duo (A couple who own a business and live together personally.)

12. The #1 Paralegal Who’s In It To Win It (Your money matters so when you need to collect from an unpaid client, the trusted paralegal to hire. Consider: experience, references and his/her qualifications.)

13. Favourite Bartender Who Calls All The Right Shots (An energetic, hard-working individual who is attentive to customers, is a master of mixology and has a great attitude.)

RETAIL

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

14. The Best Little Retail Shop Of 2023 (Open to all retailers with good prices, fantastic customer service and selection.) *Must have a storefront, no online only businesses please.

15. Distinctive Door Dealer (It’s an open and shut category, a business selling residential and commercial doors and possibly garage doors too!)

16. Fabulous Fashions Finds (From office attire to a night out on the town, the boutique to visit for a large variety of casual clothing.) *Businesses selling women’s fashions only please.

17. Promo Product Pros (The promotional product company that can put your logo on absolutely anything and/or offers a large selection of corporate gift ideas.)

18. Jewellery Store That Sets A Shining Example (The jewel in the crown of all local gem shops.)

19. Pet Supply Paradise (Everything under one woof! Pet food, toys, accessories and more.)

HOSPITALITY & ENTERTAINMENT

(*No national chains/non-profits allowed; exception only for events #24)

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

20. Restaurant That’s Hot, Hot, Hot For 2023 (Can be a new or an existing restaurant or takeout establishment with exceptional cuisine, fair prices and has a unique atmosphere.)

21. Always Ready To Roll Sushi Spot (Simply the best sushi rolls around! Must be a restaurant specializing in sushi.)

22. The Food Truck That Drives Everyone Wild (Whether it’s on the move or stationary at one location, the food truck serving up amazing menu items.)

23. Charming Cottage Comfort (A lake/beach house, cottage/cabin, lodge, or houseboat for the perfect getaway.) *No hotels, motels, inns, Bed & Breakfast or Airbnb businesses please.

24. The Most Wonderful Event Of The Year (Annual runs, golf tournaments, motorcycle rides, charity fundraisers, festivals, trade shows etc. *EXCEPTION: Non-profits and charities can participate.

Esplanade Dreams

In this space the Rose City Politics panel will analyze, breakdown, and critique a local political issue that affects each and every Windsor resident.

The Rose City Politics panel opines on the end of the 30 year Civic Esplanade debate with Windsor City Council approving a conceptual master plan to develop the expected $35 million stretch from City Hall Square to the riverfront, complete with an outdoor stage and ice rink, food truck areas, civic space, and more. In their own opinions, two of the panelists now explore the merits and costs of the CIVIC ESPLANDE PROJECT as they relate to the goal of downtown revitalization.

win an Oscar for Best Actress, and Tobey Maguire was actually Spiderman and not just a multiverse cameo.

And for those old enough to remember — or if you dive into an old Windsor Star article — in Windsor, Ontario 1,500 residents rung in 2002 at Charles Clarke Square and Esplanade for the first time on New Year’s Eve, while ice skating and watching fireworks.

Windsor’s Civic Esplanade master plan dates back 40 to 90 years — whether a dedicated city hall civic esplanade or a larger one connected to the riverfront — and it’s actually one of few master plans that’s been dusted off, approved, and funded; honestly a remarkable feat in this city.

the downtown core was bustling with hospitality establishments that were filled with patrons, a project of this stature was more easily justified.

Today though, it’s not surprising that some residents are experiencing sticker shock and window shopping other municipal priorities in their mind’s eye.

And let’s not forget that sometime this term City Council will have to decide the fate of the Riverfront Festival Plaza canopy and finalization at a price tag of $32.5 million.

In a city with $10 million streetcar desires, why not a $37 million “Esplanade, goddammit?” (See this reference here: YouTu.be/rk-GFEVSryo)

That’s how the redevelopment and revitalization of the riverfront of the other “city by the bay,” Newark, New Jersey was described on The Sopranos, and much like how Newark is to New York, Windsor is to Detroit.

Both cities, Newark and Windsor, exist in the shadows of larger cities looming over their skylines, creating a perpetual little-sibling syndrome of self inferiority and fostering a lack of self esteem, while wanting to prove yourself better.

Maybe this is why we constantly aim for legacy projects: I’ll show you just what we can do!

Regardless, both cities too had projects, in fact and fiction, to revitalize their shorelines and cities more broadly to not only benefit the architects, builders, and contractors, but also the community, labour, elected leadership, and all.

That episode of The Sopranos — Eloise — aired December 1, 2002, the year when American Idol premiered, Halle Berry became the first black actress to

Before the $37 million stretch from City Hall to the riverfront received city council’s approval, only Fred Francis, Ward 1 Councillor noted any serious objections, so it wasn’t surprising to see him as the lone and fiscally-posturing holdout.

Now don’t get me wrong, I think the project looks great and I’m sure when the city partners with organizations it will be well used and animated. Just look only to WIFF UNDER THE STARS to see the benefit of community activations at City Hall Square.

My concern is that when the space is not used professionally by event organizers, it will be a $37 million walkway from City Hall to the riverfront that will be at risk of vandalism, neglect and decay.

It’s also difficult to justify such a large spend — even if in a multi-phased approach — when the city faces ongoing and serious issues dealing with addictions and drugs, mental health and social needs, affordable housing and housing broadly, and safety issues, which present themselves seemingly more frequently.

Twenty, 15, or even 10 years ago, when the Riverfront Festival Plaza had a different event every weekend and

Perhaps downtown’s revitalization will be borne of the Civic Esplanade and Riverfront Festival Plaza completions, proverbially “getting two birds stoned at once” as Ricky would say in the Trailer Park Boys (Canadian sitcom).

But today’s Field of Dreams (1989 U.S. film), “If You Build It They Will Come” project to lure both attendees and event organizers, feels like a debate whether it’s best to be punished as Sisyphus and forever pushing the boulder up the hill only for it to fall and then repeat, or as Tantalus and forced to stand in a pool of water under a fruit tree, but unable to eat and drink.

Both the Civic Esplanade and Riverfront Festival Plaza finalization will cost roughly $70 million in today’s dollars and whether it’s the key to fixing our downtown core is the million dollar question (not adjusted for inflation).

I don’t know the answer, but I do know we have many other priorities ranking higher on the list.

Oh, and let’s not forget about our $10 million streetcar home either . . .

Dreaming is cheap, it’s the desires that are expensive.

Jon Liedtke is a host on AM800 CKLW, Co-host and Producer of Rose City Politics, a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists, and plays trumpet in a Windsor band The Nefidovs.

The Rose City Politics panel includes Doug Sartori, Pat Papadeas, Don Merrifield Jr., Melinda Munro, Kiemia Rezagian and Jon Liedtke and broadcasts Wednesday nights at: RoseCityPolitics.ca. It is available on all your favourite podcasting and social media apps and appears in print in Biz X magazine.

Jon Liedtke

Doug Sartori

“Downtown Windsor, still the heart of this city, is a problem that must be faced and faced now by this council, the merchants, the business people and in particular the landlords of the downtown core area.”

City of Windsor Mayor Frank Wansbrough said those words at his 1970 inauguration, 12 years before the

average Windsorite of today was born.

Seventeen council terms later, we’re still having the same conversation.

The Esplanade plan is every bit as exciting as the “major high-density residential redevelopment” at Glengarry and Riverside pitched by the city in 1976.

Councils of the ’90s had exciting ideas of their own, destroying the Norwich Block for a planned 30-storey office building that ended up a truncated white elephant.

The current Mayor chaired the steering committee that brought us Adventure Bay, another would-be downtown panacea, in the 2010s.

It hasn’t really panned out. It’s lost millions of dollars and seems to be closed more than it isn’t these days.

Downtown has been in decline for longer than most Windsor residents have been alive. All that time, City government has been pouring money into one headlinegrabbing scheme after another, without much to show for it.

To make matters worse, every once in a while council delivers a body blow to downtown, like the debacle around the sale of the former Central Library building,

a disastrous transaction that got us a brandnew eyesore in the city core.

When council endorsed the plan, first-term Ward 3 Councillor Renaldo Agostino said: “There’s always this feeling that Council and the Mayor don’t support downtown and tonight is a clear indication — even for people that aren’t supporting this particular project — that they still care about downtown and want to see things improve.”

Fair enough, but I’d like to hear more about why this plan is different and what we’ve learned from past mistakes.

Five decades of downtown futility have taught Windsorites to be skeptical.

This council didn’t create downtown’s problems and it isn’t responsible for every failed project of the past, but politicians shouldn’t be surprised that they have work to do to sell this plan.

Telling Windsorites we deserve nice things isn’t going to cut it.

Doug Sartori is a political observer and organizer. When he’s not recording podcasts or getting people out to vote he runs Parallel 42 Systems, a technology consultancy in downtown Windsor.

If you have a comment on this topic, please post it under the Rose City Politics column in the CITY section of BizXmagazine.com.

Amherstburg’s Belle Vue National Historic Site Invites Expressions Of Interest

The Town of Amherstburg presented an exciting investment opportunity in mid-June with the release of expressions of interest for the development of the Belle Vue National Historic Site.

Situated on a sprawling nine-acre property close to downtown, Belle Vue is primed and ready for a visionary developer to bring forth a transformative project that showcases creativity, innovation, and a deep respect for the community’s heritage.

What is your vision spa, vineyard, conference/wedding centre, resort, or everything just mentioned? If you’re a developer, the town wants to know!

Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue enthusiastically emphasizes: “Belle Vue’s vast potential beckons those with the vision and expertise to embark on a truly remarkable project. We want to forge a partnership with a creative and seasoned developer who shares our commitment to preserving the historical significance of Belle Vue, while delivering a development that will invigorate our community and attract visitors from near and far.”

Deputy CAO and Director of Development Services, Melissa Osborne, echoes this sentiment, stating: “Amherstburg is eager to foster a partnership that aligns our town’s aspirations with the ambitions of a developer who can realize the true potential of Belle Vue. We invite forward-thinking individuals and organizations to join us on this exciting journey, creating a development that enhances its value as a destination for residents and tourists alike.”

The Town of Amherstburg seeks expressions of interest from experienced developers with a demonstrated track record in delivering successful, high-quality projects and businesses.

They invite you to envision the possibilities, think beyond the ordinary, and submit proposals that showcase your creativity, expertise, and commitment to collaboration.

As well, they encourage proponents also to consider if the Town’s recently approved Economic Development Community Improvement Plan may align with the

proposal and provide incentives to realize it.

The deadline for submitting expressions of interest is August 16, 2023

After a thorough evaluation process, a shortlist of applicants will be selected to proceed to the next stage.

The chosen developer will have the unique opportunity to collaborate closely with the town, fostering a partnership that will pave the way for a lucrative and awe-inspiring development.

For more information and to access the complete expression of interest package, refer to websites: TalkTheBurg.ca/bellevue and: BidsAndTenders.ca.

The Town of Amherstburg purchased the vacated Belle Vue property in 2016 and now is considering a unique partnership to breathe life and economic prosperity into the building. The graphic shown of the Belle Vue as painted by artist Peter Rindlisbacher is courtesy of the Town.

The Seacliffe Inn “Seas” The Day With Renovations

The Seacliffe Inn attracts visitors from near and far to experience the local waterfront activities, hiking trails, wineries, Point Pelee bird watching, access to the Leamington Marina and world class golfing opportunities. Their goal is to give their guests a home base with their choice of single (Garden View, left) or double (Lake View) accommodations. Photos courtesy of The Seacliffe Inn.

Leamington has had its shares of ups and down over the last few years.

Between Heinz leaving the city after being a landmark and anchor for 105 years, Highbury Canco coming in to restore many of those lost jobs shortly after, and the recent pandemic making things even tougher for everyone, it seems like resilience and strength is part of Leamington’s DNA.

Another Leamington landmark from the turn of the century that has endured is their beloved Seacliffe Inn, 388 Erie Street South.

All the above challenges hit this business hard (and many others of course too).

However, just as the world is coming back to life after COVID, so is this historic hotel.

Recently, the Seacliffe Inn opened their doors and held a grand reopening event to show off their recent renovations to all 23 rooms.

Jack Towle, Media Manager for Seacliffe Inn explains why this was so important, not just for the Inn, but for the area as well.

“Leamington thrives on its tourism industry, that’s why the pandemic was so difficult for the community,” says Towle. “So, we felt it was important to us to kick off the tourism season with this event to celebrate the community’s resilience and look forward to a fantastic season for tourism.”

He continues by stating: “The greatest part about being able to be associated with the Seacliffe, is how it means something a little different to everyone in the area; whether they spent their wedding night at the hotel, stayed at the hotel to visit old friends, or even had one too many Seadogs (the house drink) on the patio on a summer night.”

To make a reservation please visit the website: SeacliffeInn.com . . . and here’s to a profitable summer for the local tourism industry!

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extensive accounting and business advisory experience, Alex Wiens helps his clients in the manufacturing sector stay competitive and profitable in a complex environment.

MILESTONES

The WonderBroads Celebrate 20 Years Of Paddling For A Cure

By Rebecca Wright

Thisyear, the WonderBroads Charitable Dragonboat Racing Organization is celebrating 20 years of racing, sisterhood and most importantly, joining together to conquer cancer.

“We have continued growing and competing from those early years and are now a strong committed team of women of varied ages who happen to be breast cancer survivors,” states Peggy Hurley, the team’s current Assistant Coach. “Our values of courage, camaraderie and commitment form the backbone of our team and guide us in all we do.”

Hurley is also one of the founding members of the team and has held many titles over the years, including Captain, Steersperson and “Best of all, Paddler!” she exclaims.

The team practices several times a week at the River Canard Outpost and typically competes in five or six festivals each season.

“Over the years this translates to competing in more than 100 festivals locally, nationally and internationally,” Hurley proudly points out.

Wallaceburg, Brampton and Stratford are common regional races, with Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Vancouver, and St John’s being national ones.

In Lake Orion, Michigan members of the WonderBroads team pose for a group photo in 2018 after winning their division at the Dragon on the Lake Festival. Photo courtesy of the WonderBroads Charitable Dragonboat Racing Organization.

The team has also travelled to Italy, Australia, Ireland, and Florida, with Kentucky being a planned race for this year.

“One of our highlights was actually competing in the Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival — what a first-time experience that was,” recounts Hurley, adding “it feels fantastic to be celebrating 20 years.”

“Knowing that someone always has your back and will always be there for you is pretty special,” she expresses in reference to being part of the team. “We are athletes who thrive on the thrill of competition. We have a chant that says: ’We’ve come here to win the gold; the gold for us is find the cure.’ We want to develop skills, compete and win, but we also want to raise breast cancer awareness and find a happy ending to this terrible disease.”

The WonderBroads currently have 27 active members — eight of whom are founding members.

“I believe this team is of great importance to the community,” asserts Hurley. “Comprised of local ordinary everyday women, it puts a face and a positive spin to breast cancer. These women are just like everyone else and they have conquered disease and fears to have new experiences and learn new skills. They are living well and enjoying life, new friendships, support and teammates.”

Founding member Lynn Chappell says

the WonderBroads have been a constant and a rock in her life for the past two decades.

“They pushed me to learn new skills and to prioritize physical fitness,” she comments. “Being part of a team was a first for me and it gave me the strength and encouragement to do something I never dreamed of. These women are my teammates, but also my friends — ones I can always count on to be there for me!”

Jennifer Fraser, also a founding member, believes the WonderBroads are the silver lining to a diagnosis of breast cancer.

“When I was told I had breast cancer, I immediately thought it was a death sentence, but it turned out to be the beginning of a new life,” says Fraser. “Paddling with the team has kept me fit, while enjoying the company and support of amazing fellow paddlers. We are a team in the true sense of the word.”

In addition to the outstanding commitment of team members, as a registered charity, there have also been many sponsors over the years, including Families First, FN Tech, the CIBC Run for the Cure, Canadian Cancer Society, Troup Group of Companies, and Puce River Harbour Marina

If you too would like to help this incredible group of breast cancer survivors keep their boat afloat, plan to attend their fundraiser — The WonderBroads

Second Annual Golf Tournament — August 12 at Belleview Golf Club, 436 Belle River Road, Woodslee.

The registration fee for the four-person scramble is $100 with a $25 tax receipt available.

The price includes 18 holes with a cart, and a hotdog and beverage at the turn.

Register by July 29 on the website: 2023WonderBroadGolf.GolfGenius.com.

Keep up to date on other upcoming events, the race schedule and news by logging on to: WonderBroads.org.

A full dragon boat consists of 20 paddlers, a steersperson and a drummer. The WonderBroads are shown in action (forefront dragon boat #8) last year in Vancouver, participating in the “A” division at an all-Canadian BCS Event and Dragon Boat Regatta. Photo courtesy of Ross Davies.

THE RUNDOWN

Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island recently launched the tastiest trail in all of Ontario to celebrate the cultural diversity of our area through food. Follow the Flavours is a culinary discovery route highlighting 25 businesses of distinct cultural backgrounds across the region. The program was developed in consultation with the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County, the Culinary Tourism Alliance and through funding from the Government of Canada “What better way to learn about the cultural diversity of our region than by taste!” states Gordon Orr, CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island. “Whether it’s dumplings or Birria tacos or Shawarma, there is a story behind each dish, and we encourage you to connect with friends and family over food, but also to engage with the local businesses as you order and learn their story and history.” Some of the participating restaurants include: Funky Chow Kitchen, Thai Palace, Eddy’s Mediterranean Bistro, India47, Tacos Tony, Tropical Hut Philippine Cuisine and more. Foodies and curious explorers can go to the website: FollowTheFlavours.ca to register for their free digital pass. In addition, users can check in at three or more participating partners each quarter for the chance to win one of four foodie experiences, including cooking classes, group tastings and gourmet date nights.

After 30 years of running different businesses, Thanos Zikantas has stumbled upon another winner. This new company was launched in July 2022 and, as of March 2023, it has already expanded across the province. What type of business would produce this type of exponential growth you ask? Fixing fence posts! Yup, you read that right. Zikantas recognized that one in four homeowners who have a wooden fence have at least one post that has rotted at the base. The issue here is that contractors are generally too busy to fix fence posts and the traditional method of pulling out all the concrete and cutting out fence sections is too time consuming. Lean on Me Fence Post Repair (2366 Dougall Avenue, Windsor) solves this problem. Their patent-pending fixture was engineered to withstand high winds, it is powder coated to avoid rust and does not require the post to be removed. This simple innovation has taken Ontario by storm and Lean on Me now employs 20 different crews throughout Ontario who are repairing thousands of fence posts each week. “I am very pleased this has come together so quickly, and the rate at which we are expanding is a clear

indication that we are doing something the customers love,” comments Zikantas. “When I was 19 years old, my first business was Quality Fencing and Bobcat Services. I did that for about seven years and who would have guessed that nearly 30 years later I would circle back to this.” If you would like further details or to request a quote visit: FencePostRepair.com.

Complete Chiropractic Centre is celebrating 25 years in business! Centre owners Dr. Stephanie Medoro and Dr. Marisa Serra have had your backs since 1998. Originally located on Walker Road in Windsor, and now at 4100 Tecumseh Road East, Dr. Serra, Dr. Medoro, and Dr. Michael Merner continue to deliver exceptional chiropractic care. The clinic offers a warm and inviting environment, while providing ancillary treatments, Registered Massage Therapy, acupuncture, bracing and Kinesio taping. They accept all extended health coverage, as well as W.S.I.B and M.V.A. and treat patients of all ages. Crawl-ins are welcome! No referrals are necessary. For a list of all their services go to: CompleteChiro.ca.

— Recruiting Solutions by Deborah Zsebok — which specializes in direct hire placements of qualified candidates at any level within the organization. In this time of steadily increasing costs, she is able to reduce traditional fees as she has minimal overhead by working remotely and can therefore pass along the savings to her client companies. In addition to conducting a full candidate search from advertisement to placement, Zsebok also offers her 30+ years of recruiting skills to companies on a per hour basis. There are occasions when companies have already paid to advertise, or receive a pool of unsolicited resumes based on their great reputation in the marketplace, or find themselves in a situation where their Human Resource team is handling other urgent matters within the company. As an end user company, you still have the ability to make the final candidate selection. Her company (based in Windsor) is here to support the owners or HR team by handling the screening, interviewing, short listing and referencing. For more information see: RecruitingSolutions.ca.

Tunnel Golf is a new online golf store at: Tunnel-Golf.myshopify.com, which began operations in May 2023. From the latest clubs and golf balls to stylish apparel and bags, the company offers a selection of golf products designed with each golfer’s needs (golf enthusiasts and athletes) in mind. Their collection includes golf tees, towels, gloves, balls, shoes, clubs, accessories, clothing, portable refrigerated bags and more. “I started my business in order to gain some experience and learn some new things about the sport of golf,” says Tim Olowokere, Founder/Owner of Tunnel Golf in Windsor. “Whereas we have initially launched online, we hope to attract some investors to invest in our business and open a physical location in the Windsor area soon.” He adds that he hopes to expand in the Windsor/Detroit region, Ontario, North America and around the world in the near future. Check out their website — and for an added discount on your shopping items make sure you are a BetterDealClub.com member!

With 30+ years of experience in the human resource recruitment industry, Deborah Zsebok has again opened her own business

Some might say the best restaurants are not always those situated on the main street of a city/town or in the trendy areas of a community. Many are found off the beaten path such as the Back Road Café, 3316 Grand Marais Road East in Windsor. The same applies to other small retail businesses and here is one shining example that has been called “the cutest shop with an impressive selection and prices, plus the owner is a gem!” Tucked away on Shepherd Street West between Church and York Streets amid 100-year-old residential housing, is a block-long strip of retail/commercial storefronts. The newest tenant is Em’s Crystals at 419 Shepherd Street West, which opened last

The owner of Em’s Crystals, Emelgie Barredo Soares is shown inside her shop on Shepherd Street West in Windsor. Photo by Joe McParland.

November. The owner is Emelgie Barredo Soares, aided by her mother, husband and three school age children. This quaint shop is bursting with a wide assortment of crystals, pearls, jewellery and tapestries, with new products being introduced regularly. “I am happy to be part of the positive energy crystal culture . . . and we are always working to get our customers the highest quality and selection of crystals and stones at the most affordable prices,” says Soares. For store hours and to shop online, visit: EmsCrystals.com.

Get ready Colchester for a blast from the past . . . The Grove Motel is set to open in August! This is retro-style motel boasts 28 uniquely creative rooms, each filled with fun and funky vibes. It also houses the second location of joe. HOT+COLD, serving specialty coffees, fresh pastries, fabulous lunches, and fun cocktails all day long. (The other location is at The Grove Hotel, 12 Main Street East in Kingsville.) To find out how you can book a stay at the new motel, and have a groovy experience you won’t soon forget, refer to: TheGrove.Rocks!

HALL OF FAME

This year marks the Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association’s (1500 Ouellette Avenue, #100, Windsor; BANA.ca) 40th year

of service. This milestone anniversary presents a unique occasion for BANA to celebrate its history of extraordinary service delivery, growth, compassion and dedication in our region. And it is only fitting they chose to share their success with others in the community! On June 15 at their Annual General Meeting, BANA presented the following five community awards: Outstanding Business (Auntie Aldoo’s Kitchen); Outstanding Individual (Ryan Essery, Tecumseh Vista teacher); Outstanding Community Non-Profit (Windsor Regional Hospital); Outstanding Volunteer (Nour Akil) and the Moriarty Leadership Award (Jean Laforge, Mental Health Connections). Congrats to BANA and all winners from Biz X!

ON THE MOVE

Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) welcomes the Government of Canada’s appointment of Charl van Niekerk as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With his role starting on July 25, 2023, van Niekerk brings extensive experience in public-private partnership projects, including planning, delivery and operations of infrastructure, and senior leadership to WDBA. For more information view: GordieHoweInternationalBridge.com under the Info Centre, News Releases section.

Motivational Quotes

Dear kindness . . . You are the saviour of humanity. The creation of happiness. The destroyer of hate and negativity.

You live inside each and every beautiful heart, that makes this world a better place.

Danny Gautama is an inspirational writer who writes for mental health organizations, hospitals, and is a blogger on: BizXmagazine.com. He helps many on social media and is a two time recipient of the LoveMakers Foundation Awards. Connect with him by emailing: dannygautamawellness@gmail.com.

Short Stories To Enjoy With Wine FROM THE

As this issue celebrates in the Cover Story the abundance of locally-produced wine options and the fine wineries that produce them, we at Biz X magazine thought it would be fitting to also explore a new locallyauthored book with a focus on wine!

Imagine spending a relaxing evening or weekend afternoon, reading some enchanting fiction while sipping on your favourite wine. It just may be the perfect way to unwind and ease the tension! The choice of wine is up to you, but we have a recommendation for a very fitting book.

About a year after releasing his last book, local author Stephen Kristof started digging-into a new project. The idea was to write a book that would pair perfectly with the Drink of the Gods. The result was released in April 2023.

Short Stories to Enjoy with Wine is the first in a three-book series that has wine lovers and readers rejoicing!

At 385 pages, the first volume is packed with 17 riveting short stories and novelettes, all woven together with the common thread of wine. Each story begins with a quick look at some stand-out characteristics of a certain wine grape varietal, which Kristof uses to gently launch the reader into a spellbinding plot that makes the book hard to put down.

Kristof’s motivation for his new book was about feeding our desire to be joyful and contented.

As he explains: “There’s no doubt that, as a society, we’ve been through a lot of chaos in the last few years; people everywhere are craving an escape from that; we want to relax, to be happy, and to do things that make us feel good about ourselves and others.”

For many people, there’s nothing more therapeutic and uplifting than reading while enjoying some good wine. Kristof’s response was to spin his rich imagination and passion for writing into gripping tales that really do pair well with vino!

The fiction is quite diverse, with genres ranging from romance to time travel to crime to sentimental feel-good stories and everything in-between. His characters are memorable, relatable and believable. He describes visual scenery and senses in ways that are poetic and often beautiful.

“The focus on wine in these stories is provided as a vehicle to make them more interesting for wine enthusiasts; it’s also a way to encourage the reader to enjoy life,” Kristof comments. “My goodness, things don’t always have to be so serious!”

Growing-up and living in Windsor Essex influenced Kristof in many ways. In terms of his new book, watching the local wine industry grow and mature over the years left an impression on him. Had it not been for that aspect of living here, the thought of framing his new book with wine would likely have never occurred to him.

So, why short stories instead of a standard novel?

The format has become increasingly popular with readers in recent years. With so many demands on our time, the short story allows the reader to experience the satisfaction of completing an entire piece

Stephen Kristof’s first mass market book, Feeling Normal Again, was profiled in Biz X, March 2022. This was a pandemic-related non-fiction book that did well and, based on reader feedback, helped a lot of people. In the interim, he finished another book and completely switched tracks! With the pandemic firmly in the rear-view mirror, Kristof (pictured tasting a glass of Essex County wine) wrote a fun and positive fiction book titled, Short Stories to Enjoy with Wine. It’s the first in a three-book series of anthologies that are all, in one way or another, woven together with the common thread of wine. Photo courtesy of the author.

without having to commit the several hours or days that are needed to finish a novel.

Kristof adds: “Another advantage is that the format also allows the reader to randomly choose a story that interests them at the time, without having to follow any particular order.”

Short Stories to Enjoy with Wine is worth the read and is available at several local wineries in their wine and gift boutiques, such as Viewpointe Estate Winery and Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards Local bookstores, including Storytellers Bookstore (1473 Ottawa Street, Windsor); Biblioasis Bookshop (1520 Wyandotte Street East, Windsor) and River Bookshop (67 Richmond Street, Amherstburg), also have it for sale.

In addition, the book is available at online retailers such as Amazon, Indigo, Barnes & Noble and others.

To connect with the author and read his bio, go to: StephenKristof.com.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The W.E. Heart Local Digital Passport – Your Guide To Farm Fresh In Windsor Essex

Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI) recently re-launched the W.E. Heart Local Digital Passport, a program that provides locals and visitors alike the opportunity to learn more about the growing agri-tourism scene in the region, and support local business at the same time.

Now in its eighth year in operation, the free passport is available on: WEheartlocal. ca/passport. It features 70+ farm/roadside stands, shops, markets, farm-to-table dining, growers, wineries, craft beverages and more, all brimming with local produce options.

A few examples of participating locations include: (South Woodslee) Trimble Farms Cattle Company; (Kingsville) Mettawas Station, Jack’s Gastropub, Meleg’s Lakeview Orchard and Ortaliza Farms; (Harrow) Hawksview Honey; (Essex) Hylander Farms; Amherstburg Farmers’ Market (8728 Howard Avenue at GL Heritage Brewing Co.); the Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market (Pelissier Street Parking Garage); (Woodslee) Sauve’s Country Market; (Cottam) Raymont’s Berries; (Leamington) Thiessen Orchards and plenty more!

Once users register for the passport, they can take a self-guided tour across the region.

For doing so they could receive free gifts, including limited-edition apparel, free tasting passports on the Barrels Bottles & Brews trail (while supplies last), and the chance to win one of two grand prizes (a $250 local gift basket).

The passport can be used to create locallysourced meals by purchasing at each stop along the way.

“With one of the longest growing seasons in Canada, and an abundance of greenhouse fresh produce all year long, our region is blessed with a diverse offering of fruits, vegetables, honey, wine, beer and more,” states Gordon Orr, CEO of TWEPI. “This digital pass offers users a unique journey through Windsor Essex through the adventure of taste, and various incentives for them to explore more while doing so.”

TWEPI operates the digital passport in partnership with the Essex County Federation of Agriculture (ECFA) and Libro Credit Union

“The ECFA partnership with Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island and sponsorship from Libro Credit Union continues to be the premiere resource for consumers to find farmers who grow locally and businesses who use these wonderful, fresh, and quality products,”

comments Leo Guilbeault, President of the Essex County Federation of Agriculture

“Our vision to connect consumers and farmers has developed beyond a website and digital pass to include on-farm events and experiences. This program provides all the information needed to plan a visit to the county and enjoy our plentiful products grown and produced locally.”

Lori Atkinson, Regional Manager of Libro Credit Union, adds: “Libro Credit Union has been a longtime supporter of ECFA and the W.E. Heart Local map and it is wonderful to see how the program has evolved and grown over the years. Libro has a 75+ year history of supporting our local farmers and agricultural community. We actively advocate for local food accessibility and the improvement of food systems to increase local food for all. We regularly support programs promoting local and sustainable agriculture, community gardens, farmers’ markets, local food sector initiatives, food processing and distribution projects throughout southwestern Ontario. Supporting the W.E. Heart Local initiative naturally aligns with our mission to promote local agriculture.”

In addition to the digital passport, an Open Farms Day event gives the public a chance to visit participating partners and experience on-the-farm fun. For this year, the first Open Farms Day has already taken place in June, but mark your calendars for the second installment on Saturday, September 23. More details can be found at: WEheartlocal.ca/openfarms.

Sip, Sip . . . Hooray! An EPIC Summer Tour Of Essex County

COVER STORY AND PHOTOS (unless marked)

When Biz X asked us to visit some of our local wineries, breweries and distilleries to provide suggestions for “staycation” outing adventures, we immediately stepped up to the task.

Yes it’s a tough assignment, but someone has to do it! Our response involved uncontrollable grins, a few high fives and discussions of what to wear! However, the job also included the not-so-easy task of picking only seven locations out of the 19 wineries and 17 brewery/distilleries in Essex County (we will fill you in on how we will visit more businesses in upcoming issues at the end of this story).

Join us as we raise a toast to some of the best our county has to offer and to living and experiencing your best life in your own backyard!

OXLEY ESTATE WINERY

533 COUNTY ROAD 50 EAST, HARROW

Driving to our first EPIC Winery (Essex Pelee Island Coast), the beautiful Oxley Estate Winery — and passing signs for Holiday Beach and the Oxley Retreat House — we are flooded with fond childhood memories.

What a great way to kick off our summer Essex County adventure!

Upon our arrival we are immediately impressed by the warm greetings and their hospitable winemaker Andrew Wilson, who took the time to sit and talk with us about

By Sherrilynn Colley-Vegh And Tracey Harding

journalist, business owner, educator, music manager, former Chief Communications Officer and international Athena Award recipient. Harding is a fourth-generation Canadian with deep roots in southwestern Ontario. She has wined, dined and lived in Toronto, Bermuda, New York, the U.K., and Windsor. She has worked in the fashion, real estate/décor, hospitality and food service industries and is a Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 1 Sommelier, award-winning amateur cook, food tour guide and instructor. Photographed at Dancing Swallows Vineyard in Amherstburg with Owner/Winemaker Scott Wilkins, Vegh and Harding enjoy a glass of Base 3 Baco Noir Unfiltered 2014/2015/2016. Photo by Rod Denis.

their winery, their history and their future.

Andrew’s grandparents, Ann and Murray Wilson, founded the winery in 2010 and his father Steve Wilson is the current CEO and President (shown on cover with Andrew)

Andrew started working in the fields at 13 years old and his love of chemistry and biology were a natural fit that led him to pursue an education and career in winemaking. He studied Viticulture (the cultivation of grapevines for winemaking) at Niagara College and at Brock University he took Oenology (the study of wines).

Andrew’s program focused on the science of wine for the specific areas of Niagara, Windsor/Essex County, and Prince Edward County.

In fact, their Sparkling Wine was the result of his research thesis, which was a published article culminating his six years of study.

He explains how vineyards are a 100-year process and are constantly in flux: “There are so many variables with the weather that affect the growing season and the wine,

and it is a constant learning and adjusting process. Changes are slow and often you can change only one thing at a time to measure the effects.” He adds: “Sometimes the wine you start out to make changes, as the weather determines the type of wine you will be able to create for that particular growing season.”

Andrew continues by sharing: “Our area is unique in that we have colder winters and hotter summers than Niagara. We learned quickly that we have to blanket the vines in winter, but in the peak days of growth (three inches a week) you can sit in the vineyards for a day and watch the vines grow.”

Matthew Wilson, Andrew’s brother, a graduate of St. Clair College, is in charge of the gardens and the grounds, which adds to the ambiance and charm of the winery.

The grandson’s compassion for the environment and concern for sustainability of farms in the future is evident.

Andrew discussed the advantage of buying local wine and the lesser

environmental impact it has, as opposed to

Biz X Columnists Sherrilynn Colley-Vegh (left)

and Tracey Harding know that every sip of wine tells a great story. That’s why they are the perfect pair to travel across the region in search of the finest wines, best beers and innovative spirits in the region. Plus, they have the qualifications to prove it! Vegh has travelled to over 50 countries exploring cultures and what the world has to offer in food, wine, music, art, and fashion. She is an award-winning community leader,

Lucky Blue, Oxley’s Sparkling Wine from thesis to shelf.

transporting products from longer distances.

“We grow produce for the restaurant and compost,” Andrew indicates. “Matt would like to have chickens in the future for eggs and composting, maybe goats are next. Evolving is both daunting and exciting.”

Andrew is concerned with inspiring future grape growers and winemakers and is a member of Next Generation of Grape Growers Under 40

Supporters of education and maximizing local talent, the owners even sponsored staff member, Yvonne Gratton to attend Niagara College and become their Master Taster.

Gratton speaks highly of Oxley Estate Winery and you can enjoy her creative and passionate “tasting notes” on the wine menu.

This young winemaker also emphasized the importance of buying local and is overwhelmed by the support of our community and their loyalty to our local wine industry. Oxley sells local products in their wine shop as well, such as Lakeside pickles, beets and asparagus, and apple cider vinegar from The Fruit Wagon.

Lunch at Oxley Estate Winery was amazing! We enjoyed asparagus soup with a dash of pepper oil, salad and the fluffiest quiche topped with fresh beets.

Our flight (a selection of wine) was excellent and consisted of: 2021 Bianca, the citrus and green fruit notes paired well with soup; 2021 Lulu, which was fruity and floral on the nose, perfect for summer; 2017 Pinot Noir, Oxley Bluff, cedar cherries on the nose with a peppery finish that pairs well with meat, cheese, mushroom and truffles, and our

favourite, a 2020 Syrah, a bold plum/cherry “jammy flavour” with a hint of pepper to pair with meat, game or chocolate.

Stop by Oxley Estate Winery soon for a tasting or to enjoy events such as Sunday Sounds (live music) at the Wine Garden Patio, Cornhole Fridays, Swanky Tastings and Howl at the Moon dinners.

For further details about the winery and restaurant, visit: OxleyEstateWinery.com.

DANCING SWALLOWS VINEYARD, 8704 ESSEX ROAD 9 (HOWARD AVENUE), AMHERSTBURG

Every now and then you find a true gem, let us introduce you to Dancing Swallows.

Our first impression of this vineyard is that it definitely is going to be a winery to watch.

Its Owner/Winemaker Scott Wilkins was both genuine and generous as he began his conversation with us, recommending we visit Muscedere Vineyards for some big full-bodied reds and Colio Estates Wines to try their Pink Lily Sparkling Rose (Riesling and Cabernet Franc blend) crafted in the Charmat method.

in 1881 and currently is a mix of cash crop and vineyard/craft winery.

They started with a test plot vineyard in 2006 to see what varietals were best suited to the site. In 2012, they planted their first crop and had great success, even recovering remarkably quickly from the Polar Vortex which destroyed local crops in 2014.

As we sat under the majestic 200 year old maple tree in their Outdoor Tasting Garden, we selected our wines.

Their labels, as well as their emblem, depict swallows in flight, created by artists, and their wine flights are served with corkheld tasting notes. It was very interesting to see that Wilkins named the wines with math themes, but this was not surprising as his former career dealt with numbers as he worked at the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Wilkins is the Vice-President of EPIC Wineries and a huge supporter of their region and fellow winemakers and vineyards.

“A reboot of EPIC took place during the pandemic lockdown and created an emphasis on marketing for the EPIC Wineries,” he adds “As a winery owner, EPIC is the number one contributor to winery traffic.”

Dancing Swallows is located on the Hutchins Farm, which started as mixed crop

Our flight begins with 2016 Random Number Chardonnay, a wild fermented Chardonnay with hints of butter and a lovely smooth finish. The wild fermentation creates a big mouth feel similar to luxurious red.

Our hands-down favourite was 2014 Trial Solution Chardonnay, this wine is gently oak-barrelled just enough to create a pleasant nutty aroma and taste.

This is a classic Chardonnay in taste, not like the over-oaked Californians that turned us all off and started the acronym, “ABC” standing for, Anything But Chardonnay!

The perfect pairing — lunch and a wine flight at Oxley Estate Winery.

Wine flies when you’re having fun! A flight from Dancing Swallows Vineyard includes two Chardonnays, a Cabernet and Baco Noir.

The labels gracing the bottles of Dancing Swallows Vineyard products change with each year to reflect the vintage. Over the years they have collected original art featuring swallows in flight, and artists from all over the world have given permission to use their work on the labels.

The 2016 C2 is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon and is a lighter “mouth feel” than expected, but big on flavour. This wine is balanced to perfection.

A big surprise for us was 2014/15/16 Base 3 Baco Noir. This is a combination of three years of Baco Noir harvests. Baco Noir tends to be harvested in September; however, Dancing Swallows takes their grapes off in late October.

Leaving the grape on the vine longer, drops the acidity and intensifies the flavour, yet results in a lower yield. The bold tobacco and green grass notes linger throughout the taste.

We were curious as to the type of food this would complement. Turns out it is heavy spice and they recommended Zuleeats, 2760 Howard Avenue in Windsor.

We brought a bottle home to pair with some big curry flavour.

To view the hours for the Outdoor Tasting Garden (open late spring until early fall) and to order online see: Dancing-Swallows.com.

WOLFHEAD DISTILLERY

7781

HOWARD AVENUE, AMHERSTBURG

Wolfhead Distillery — a blender and distiller of ultra-premium spirits — is now serving Breakfast in the Burg, Wednesday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon. We decided to check out what’s on the menu to pair with our favourite specialty coffee.

Items include three egg omelettes, butter milk pancakes, cinnamon egg dipped French toast and more. However, in our opinion, nothing beats an old fashioned classic breakfast (two eggs, bacon or sausage, home fries/hashbrowns and toast) and a decadent specialty coffee (Costa Rican coffee bean) with their famous Coffee Whisky Liquor, Banana Caramel Vodka, whipped cream and a cherry on top!

We also tried a sample of the new Blackberry Basil Gin Smash (River’s End Gin, blackberries, lemon juice, basil syrup and 7UP), which was not too sweet, and the delicious White Blossom (River’s End Gin, Elderflower Liqueur, lemon juice,

lime syrup, cucumbers, mint and club soda).

Plus, we had a chance to talk to Danielle Moldovan, Director of Marketing & Events, whose passion and excitement for their product is infectious. Since opening in 2016, they are making a huge impact and even have an ad with Hockey Canada and are tapping into the Michigan market.

We also met Executive Chef Larry Girard, who began his career in 1978 and still puts in 50 to 70 hours a week, even offering cooking lessons and helping to organize special events like an upcoming retro music festival.

Girard is part owner of the business and the main owners are Tom and Sue Manherz.

The whole property, from patio to restaurant, distillery area, bar and restaurant, is first class all the way around. It makes you want to come back and bring all your friends again and again.

Wolfhead offers flights of their premium spirits accompanied by tasting notes, which is helpful when you see all the unique products in their store.

We love that they include some of their cocktail recipes tags on the bottles, although it tends to make you want to buy them all!

Their store is one of our favourite places to stop and buy unique gourmet baskets for gifts and special occasions.

The Retail Shop at Wolfhead Distillery lets you purchase your favourite Wolfhead spirits along with a selection of gift ideas, apparel and tasty items from the kitchen. The distillery is a Biz X award winner for Outstanding New Business of 2016.

We also couldn’t resist the Vanilla Almond Biscotti Cream Liquor. It is the first bottle in Canada to be made totally out of paper, lightweight with a recyclable centre (imagine the environmental impact and reduction in carbon footprint for shipping weights). And we can’t wait to try all the Howlin’ Cream recipes such as Specialty Coffee, Vanilla Caramel Cream Soda, Espresso Martini, Creamy Pina Colada and Chocolate Mudslide. Their products are available at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario stores (LCBO), their onsite retail shop and they can ship to Ontario and most states in the U.S.

The Vanilla Almond Biscotti Cream Liquor in Canada’s first paper bottle from Wolfhead Distillery.

As well, they’re really stacking up the awards for their products, service and creative cocktails. They also offer an incredible selection of mocktails, which are all the rage.

Wolfhead has a great outdoor patio with a new outdoor stage and they offer tours, private events and parties, live music, the Cosmo Club and Parking Lot Parties.

To learn more about their line of spirits, tours/tastings, restaurant, gift shop and upcoming events refer to their website: DrinkWolfhead.com.

CURED CRAFT BREWING CO. 43 MILL STREET WEST, LEAMINGTON

Operating since 2020, Cured Craft Brewing Co. is one of 15 breweries located in Windsor Essex and is truly a family affair.

Co-owners Scott Bradt and Lisa Bradt, also own Bradt’s Butcher Block (34 Mill Street West), which opened in 1999. Lisa runs the front of the house at the brewery, son Josh Bradt is the master brewer, and Scott runs the upscale butcher shop/deli market.

This is a charming upscale brewery with little vignettes that create intimacy, while the patio offers a place to be seen in the town of Leamington.

They have a taproom with a seasonal food menu at their newly renovated historic building, which was built in 1911 by

tobacco grower, Colonel William Gregory

We tried a flight of four beers and the sampler is served on a board in the shape of the EPIC region.

The 42nd Parallel Lager is a light crisp flavour, great for easy summer drinking.

The Triple ‘A’ New England IPA (India Pale Ale) is mild in the hops and bitters for a Triple, but if you are a novice to IPA, this is a good introduction.

Colonel G’s Cream Ale is a nice summer ale with almost a pilsner finish, and is our favourite of the foursome.

S.O.S. Oatmeal Stout has notes of coffee, oatmeal and caramel and is a refreshing delight. We would love to try it with a rich chocolate cake.

We also enjoyed a freshly baked pretzel and a Prime Rib Ciabatta Sandwich — both are great complements to the beer we sampled.

It is interesting to note that the menu and beer selections change seasonally.

At the end of our visit, we learned that all the food is supplied by Bradt’s Butcher Block.

The care and professionalism brought to this farm from table butchery, is a treasure.

Scott is very knowledgeable and has an amazing personality. We think it would be a lot of fun to sit down with him at the dinner table and learn from his expertise.

Needless to say, we shopped at both locations and left loaded down with gourmet meats for dinner and delicious craft beers to pair with our selections.

Cured Craft Brewing Co. has live music on the weekends, from time to time, and special dinner events. To see a calendar of the entertainment schedule, check the Events section on: CuredCraftBrewing.com.

Live life hoppy with the EPIC region-shaped flight boards at Cured Craft Brewing Co.

PELEE ISLAND WINERY 20 EAST WEST ROAD, PELEE ISLAND

Pelee Island Winery is arguably the most famous of the EPIC region wine producers.

The winemakers are like painters that capture the traditional assets of a place or thing. The first vines were planted in 1854, and by 1878, Pelee Island Winery won its first medal at the Paris World Fair.

Pelee Island wines capture the big floral and fruity notes, famous in the EPIC region — cantaloupe, roses, lilies and plums, just to name a few.

This winery has a history of wine making for 150 years.

We reminisced about our own experience seeing their Pelee Island Icewine on the shelves in Harrods, London and feeling a swell of local pride.

Icewine was originally made in Germany in 1794 when an unexpected frost ruined the grapes. They decided to use the grapes anyway and discovered they had a unique, sweet wine similar to honey nectar.

Our weather conditions in Essex County allow us to produce this dessert wine every year, when the weather drops to the correct temperature. Pelee uses the thick-skinned Vidal and Riesling to create the delicate balance of peach and apricot flavours with a hint of toffee and a finish of orange.

This is a larger “Award Winning” wine producer. It is worth the trip to the Vineyard Pavilion to try the products that don’t make it into your local LCBO store. The wines are true to form, steeped in regional history of EPIC and the result of the unique quality of the soil in this lush area. Pelee Island Winery uses a sustainable pest management system developed between viticulturist, Brian Evers, and the World Wildlife Fund

The star of the show, from our samples, is the Empress Orange skin Fermented White. A sweet citrus start and a buttery finish. Think of all the wonderful summer food parings. We took a bottle home and served it

with fresh local asparagus. It was heavenly!

The J.S. Hamilton Red — a Shiraz, Malbec and Petit Verdot — is rich and full bodied with a lovely dry finish and has a deep amethyst colour and the aroma of deep plum and figs. The wine can stand up to fattier meats and cheeses. We would pair this wine with a stilton-smothered rib-eye and a plum pudding for dessert.

Pelee has a lot of summer events in their

You’re the wine that I want! Pelee Island Winery’s award winning wines.

The J.S. Hamilton’s Nostalgic Label from Pelee Island Winery.

SPECIAL ESSEX COUNTY & PELEE ISLAND SECTION

beautiful wine garden at the island pavilion.

There are golf carts you can use to tour the vineyard, restaurant and beautiful scenery. For more information go to: PeleeIsland.com.

Wine-not make a day of it and visit to enjoy a bit of “island time” soon?

Ferry service is offered April through December, and you can book online at: OntarioFerries.com/pelee-island-ferries.

Please note, you may also visit their location in Kingsville at 455 Seacliff Drive for daily wine tours, as well as special tours for Cheese & Wine Pairings or to book a wedding or private event.

Log on to: PeleeIsland.com/event to find out about their upcoming events, such as Summer Sundays when you can enjoy wine, beer, wood-fired pizza and live music.

VIEWPOINTE ESTATE WINERY

151 COUNTY ROAD 50 EAST, HARROW

Nestled on the north shore of Lake Erie, the view alone is worth the visit, but we guarantee you will stay for the food and wine on the expansive patio at Viewpointe Estate Winery.

The business was established in 2007 by brothers John and Steve Fancsy and his wife, Jean (their daughter Laura also works at the winery).

The first vines were planted in 2000 and

now, 23 years later, they have kept up with technology and even have a robot server, nicknamed Robota, as part of their kitchen service. The robot (see photo next page) brings food from the kitchen to the patio where customers retrieve their order (saving their staff many footsteps).

Getting back to our visit, upon our arrival we’re greeted by Nova, a friendly black lab, and warm smiles from the staff as we enter the Tasting Bar. This is a beautiful area for events and can easily accommodate large groups.

The design of the pavilion was inspired by the Mettawas, a luxury hotel in Kingsville built by Hiram Walker in 1889.

The age of the vineyard and the vines are beginning to produce some very beautiful wines.

We tasted the 2016 Big Bluff White, a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris, acidic and creamy in perfect balance; the 2013 Cabernet Franc, a peppery forward wine with notes of green peppers and green tobacco; and the 2013 Big Bluff Red,

Talk about a room with a view! The Viewpointe Estate Winery Tasting Bar overlooks Lake Erie’s North Shore.

a blend of Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot — the finish on this wine is very smooth.

As for the entertainment schedule, there is live music on the weekends and the annual music/food festival, Perch-a-Palooza on August 19. The event calendar is available on: ViewpointeWinery.com.

While in the area you can also visit: Colio Estate Wines, 1 Colio Drive, Harrow and North 42 Degrees Estate Winery, 130 County Road 50 East, Colchester, which includes the Serenity Lavender farm and Bistro 42 Restaurant

GL HERITAGE BREWING CO.

8728 HOWARD AVENUE, AMHERSTBURG

GL Heritage Brewing Co. is another great family-owned, small-batch brewery.

The tasting room and beer patio are located on a beautiful century farm, which is still owned and operated by the seventh generation of Waldron families since 1850.

It is run now by two brothers and their wives — Dwayne and Jen Grondin along with Greg and Cathy Grondin

As Jen explains: “Our family wanted to create a welcoming, inclusive space for our community to come together and create new connections. Our agricultural, family-friendly and pet-friendly space, as well as high quality beer, food and music, does just that.”

The brewery is open Friday through Sunday all year round. There is always lots of free cornhole fun and the brewery hosts many events throughout the year, such as the Halloween Devil’s Masquerade with proceeds donated to local charities.

From the patio, you can listen to music played on vinyl and the occasional live performance, plus enjoy a meal (or snack) from rotating food trucks, such as Big Mac BBQ, Twisted Sistaz, and The Hub

They have tours of the brewhouse for up to 50 people at once, with a sample of six beer styles for $15, and you can book private events as well.

We tasted a flight of beer starting with a special pilot, Lemon Grass Pale Ale —

a bright, fresh citrus forward burst of flavour — so unique in taste and finish!

The BackShop is an award winning “Best in Class” brew and was the closest taste to a macro brewery we have tasted. If you like a Blue or Bud Light this would be your beer.

The Stompin’ Grounds Cream Ale (a special collaboration with local coffee roasters, Acorn and Oak) was another very interesting taste and brew style with its rich coffee aroma and flavour.

Common Mutt is a lager originally created in California with a nutty caramel start and it finishes with a mild citrus.

Finally, we tasted the Galaxie Milkshake IPA infused with roasted coconut and the essence of lime. Lactose (for a smooth silky mouth feel) and the galaxy hops are also added to round out this big flavour beer.

You can read up on all their products on: GLHeritageBrewing.ca.

We also wanted to stress how supporting other local businesses and organizations is a top priority for the brewery owners.

“Our family values our hometown and focuses on how we can support our neighbours, in any way we can,” Jen comments. “Between hosting everything from the Amherstburg Farmers’ Market to big charity events to private events, we are proud to give back to our community.”

The market takes place on the grounds of the brewery every Saturday (late April to the end of October) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

You too can support local and purchase agricultural items, healthy foods and artisan products. The market is open come rain or shine, and you can read vendor spotlights on: Facebook.com/AmherstburgFarmersMarket.

But we’re not done yet! Greg is also a partner with Drew Coulson in The Little White ChurchAirbnb

A product shot of offerings at GL Heritage Brewing Co. is displayed. GL Co-owner Jen Grondin suggests this summer you try their American IPA, I PA with a candied citrus aroma, grapefruit zest and pepper flavour layers, ending with a smooth, sessionable hop finish. As well, kick off your Happy Hour with this pale ale made with pure Canadian-sourced grains, hops and yeast. It offers hints of nuttiness with a gentle citrus and slightly floral hop finish. With so many great choices, which will be your pick? Photo courtesy of GL Heritage Brewing Co.

Fresh Lake Erie fish tacos delivered to your hands via “Robota” from the Viewpointe kitchen to the patio 30 metres away. Photo courtesy of Viewpointe Estate Winery.

Inside the tasting room you can enjoy the craft beer selection with help from the bar staff at GL Heritage Brewing Co., Glen Greenwood (left) and Noah Boudreau.

For more information on these wineries visit EPIC’s website: EPICwineries.com as well as: VisitWindsorEssex.com.

Area breweries and distilleries (other than the two breweries and one distillery in this article) also include: Banded Goose Brewing Company; Belle River Brewhouse; BREW Microbrewery; Chapter Two Brewing Company; Craft Heads Brewing Company; FRANK Brewing Co.; J.P. Wiser’s Experience Centre; Kingsville Brewery Beer Garden; Lot 10 Brewing Company; Sandwich Brewing Company; Taphouse 127 Restaurant by Kingsville Brewery; The Beerded Dog Brewing Company; The Grove Brewing Company; and Walkerville Brewery

It has eight themed guest suites that are absolutely charming.

This Airbnb is situated next to the brewery and Dancing Swallows Vineyard and close to Wolfhead Distillery and Ure’s Country Kitchen, Ice Cream Parlour and Mini Golf. Together they offer the perfect stayaction in one convenient area!

CHEERS TO GOOD TIMES

As you have just read, there are plenty of amazing wineries, breweries and distilleries for you to enjoy tastings, patio services and indoor dining.

In addition to the businesses profiled in our cover story, other local wineries include: Aleksander Estate Winery; Black Bear Farms of Ontario Estate Winery; Colchester Ridge Estate Winery (CREW); Colio Estate Wines; Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards; Erie Shore Vineyard; Mastronardi Estate Winery; Muscedere Vineyards; North 42 Degrees Estate Winery; Paglione Estate Winery; Sanson Estate Winery; Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery; Vivace Estate Winery; Vin Winery; and Wagner Orchards & Estate Winery.

For further details on Essex County Wineries & Breweries (ECWB) log on to: ECWB.ca.

If you’ve enjoyed reading about all these businesses in the hospitality industry, we have some good news to share!

Starting in September a regular column titled Belle Vivante by Vegh and Harding premieres on the pages of Biz X

It will feature local places to go, things to do, and experiences to enhance your beautiful life. And so the excellent adventure continues . . .

Grape Vine Tours Inc.

The Perfect Outing For Locals, Tourists, And Companies Entertaining Clients

By David Clark

For your bucket list this summer, be sure to check out Grape Vine Tours operating out of Kingsville.

The company specializes in investigating wineries, craft breweries and distilleries all over the Windsor Essex region with comprehensive tours planned for customers.

With Grape Vine Tours you and your group can discover many wines, brews, and spirits at locations across the county and take in the fantastic scenery along the way.

Wine/brewery tastings and having lunch is also included in the deal.

Craft breweries and distilleries are a part of some of the packages offered as well, bringing you to new places to explore.

As a reward for all their hard work, Grape Vine Tours were nominated last year for the Greatest Of The Great Outdoors Adventures in the annual Biz X Awards.

An honour in and of itself.

Opening in April of 2013, Grape Vine started (the brain child of the owner’s son Mark Scherer) with small group tours in a six-seat Dodge Caravan.

Ten years later they have a nine seat Ford Transit and two Caravans doing the job.

The number of people in a tour ranges from two to nine, with an average group size of six. Larger groups can utilize all vehicles.

Although there are other limo and bus companies in the area who can drive people to a winery or brewery of their choice, there really is no other tour company specializing in guided tours of these facilities. Grape Vine Tours offers fully knowledgeable tour guides who can be helpful in sharing information about wine, craft beer and spirits.

At the helm of all of this, Peter Scherer, Owner/Operator with a history of watching things grow, is an experienced farmer being in the fruit business for 50 years in Ontario and an orchardist and vegetable grower also.

“This is a great retirement gig and it keeps me quite busy as telephone calls and bookings do take time,” he states. “I have a great staff that does most of the touring. My son Mark is in real estate and he, along with my wife and daughter, are my mentors.”

Additionally, Scherer has an Honours

Degree in Geography and Economics, and a Degree in Education from the University of Windsor. In particular, with 20 other people he completed a Master Wine Taster Certificate from Niagara College too.

“Packages (the price includes tastings at three wineries/breweries and a nice lunch) start with the pickup between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. with the whole group at one place including your hotel, B&B, residence or another location of your choice,” Scherer explains. “You will be returned between 3:30 and 4 p.m. Times can be customized.”

He adds: “The three tour packages are the North Shore Wine Adventure, the Wine and Brew Along the North Shore, and the Craft Brewery Experience. You will find a breakdown of the tours and pricing on the website: GrapeVineTours.ca and you can book and pay online.”

A few of the more popular tour visits include wineries in the county such as: Pelee Island Winery, Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards, Oxley Estate Winery, North 42 Degrees Estate Winery, Muscedere Vineyards, and Viewpointe Estate Winery

For the breweries and distilleries you have; Cured Craft Brewing Co., Banded Goose Brewing Co., The Beerded Dog Brewing Co., and Wolfhead Distillery

The business is open seven days a week, year round, with the exception of the month of January.

For further details, in addition to the website listed above, check their social media page at: Facebook.com/people/Grape-VineTours-Inc/100063690804643.

Before the bride says “I do” it’s time for a glass of wine (or two) with the girls! With the Grape Vine Tours van you can have a day of fun and stay safe at the same time.

Photos courtesy of Peter Scherer

Surrounded by wine country, a group of friends celebrate the day with a toast at Muscedere Vineyards in Harrow.

Kingsville’s Greenway Jam Music Festival

By Joe McParland

with the Greenway Jam Music Festival

Taking place August 11 to 13 at the cozy Mettawas Park, 103 Park Street, it’s presented by the Kingsville Music Society (KMS).

This is an Ontario-registered non-profit organization dedicated to presenting non-alienating, world-class celebrations of the musical arts.

They create productions that engage audiences with diverse programming, stimulate arts education, foster economic growth, and unite artists and audiences in Kingsville. The organization strives to be clean and green at all events.

KMS is celebrating 10 years of music, and headliners for the 2023 festival are: The Paul Langlois Band, the guitarist and songwriter from Canada’s iconic band, The Tragically Hip; Country and Western Rockers The Sadies; East Coast favourite and multi-award winner Joel Plaskett; and Afro-Cuban World Music Juno winners OKAN.

Returning for another appearance is the legendary Canadian folk singer, Valdy and the line-up also features the bands Reggaddiction, Union Duke, The Accidentals and more.

Big name performers from prior years include such notables as Bruce Cockburn, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Cowboy Junkies, Jimmy Rankin and Natalie MacMaster.

So how did this event come to be?

It traces back to husband and wife team John (from Chatham) and Michele Law (from Kingston) who had a 17 year touring

Like the title of the 1964 hit country song King of the Road (Roger Miller), the Town of Kingsville is ready to once again to be the “king of the road”

Catch Reggaddiction, a 10-piece reggae band from Toronto, perform on Friday evening (August 11) and Saturday afternoon (August 12). The band is known for delivering cross-over vibes, refreshing vocal harmonies, and powerful instrumental riddims. Photo courtesy of Kingsville Music Society.

SPECIAL ESSEX COUNTY & PELEE ISLAND SECTION

career as song writers and performers with stops in Australia, Nashville, Texas, Florida, and other worldwide locations.

The Laws have been called the best duo out of Canada since Ian and Sylvia. During their career they have released six CDs.

They eventually settled in southwestern Ontario and started this festival in 2014.

They were assisted by Canada’ s foremost folk music businessman, Mitch Podolak, the architect of major folk festivals across Canada.

The festival started out in Kingsville’s expansive Lakeside Park. Last year, emerging from the pandemic years, was a transitional year as they attempted a multivenue approach, spreading the entertainment to several various locations in town.

With its pluses and minuses, they decided for their 10th anniversary to return to a single site location that would be smaller, more intimate and easier to manage — the newly emerging Mettawas Park. (For history buffs, this is the property where Hiram Walker built the grand resort The Mettawas Hotel, which opened in 1889.)

As the Laws explain: “This park has not really been fully developed yet and we are trying to develop it as an arts’ and culture park. Festival patrons will sit on a grassy slope in an amphitheatre style setting with the main stage at the bottom and a beautiful view of Lake Erie behind it.”

“It is also the site of the new Grovedale Arts & Culture Centre, which we will use Saturday for some of the performances,” adds John.

The Laws also point out: “Parking availability will be vastly improved at Mettawas Park compared to the more limited parking spaces we had at Lakeside Park.”

For a major music festival like this, the KMS relies on volunteer help to assist their five member volunteer board of directors.

Though they currently have a mailing list of about 500 members — about 200 volunteers are active — and about 140 will be needed for the three day event.

In the festival’s initial years, the Laws performed on stage with their renowned near-perfect harmony vocals, but as Michele reflects: “It’s difficult to change your hat from performer to coordinator. One day we were getting ready to go on stage and just stared at each other trying to remember the words of a song. So, we decided to just coordinate, which reduced the stress for us.”

Previously called the Kingsville Folk Festival, there was a change to the current name The Greenway Jam Music Festival because John had a dream of lining up numerous stages along the 45 km Chrysler Canada Greenway

They dabbled with it last year using their multi-venue location approach, but as John

tells us: “Sometimes I dream too big and we soon realized it was a very expensive venture that could not be sustained.”

However, since it seemed like a cool name, they retained it even though the entire festival this year is at Mettawas Park.

On site there will be a General Store where patrons can purchase festival t-shirts, merchandise and music from the performers; an Artisan Vendor Village; food vendors and food trucks; and a licensed bar.

Festival goers are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair to plop themselves down on for the night and take in the music from the main stage.

On Saturday admission is free from noon to 5 p.m., with two stages set up for concerts and workshops (a third stage is ticketed).

In addition there are free yoga classes, a drumming circle and a Farmers’ Market.

KMS also awards $2,000 scholarship funds each year for high school graduates entering post-secondary art-based programs.

AleX CUBA

This year two recipients will receive their awards on stage Saturday night, August 12.

AleX CUBA

MARCH 24 8PM THE GROVE ARTS AND CULTU

MARCH 24, 8PM

THE GROVEDALE ARTS AND CULTURE CENTRE

GROVEDALE ARTS & CULTURE CENTRE

Doors Open: 7:30pm SHOW: 8:00PM

TICKETS $30 EACH - 16 UNDER FREE www.kingsvillemusicsociety.com

s and C ry 17, 8

boundaries of jazz and 103 P

gsvillemu

GROVEDALE ARTS & CULTURE

103

Doors Open: 7:30pm SHOW: 8:00PM

TICKETS $30 EACH - 16 UNDER www.kingsvillemusicsociety.com

Tick

Grammy winning Cuban Canadian Singer Songwriter

Grammy winning Cuban Canadian Singer Songwriter

The Jeremy Ledbetter trio

with Larnell Lewis and Rich Brown ...pushing the

Innovation Outposts . . . Connecting With Rural Entrepreneurs

By Jen Brignall-Strong

When you think of a business owner, what comes to mind?

Someone in a suit and tie, perhaps carrying a briefcase? An executive typing away on a laptop in a high-rise building?

In Essex County, many of our local entrepreneurs don’t fit that stereotypical “businessperson” image. In fact, they don’t all live and work within the city limits, and their offices are a little more — well, open concept.

From the innovative agritech companies of Essex to “green” manufacturers in Lakeshore and founders making medical advancements in Amherstburg, our region is home to entrepreneurs from virtually every industry.

With such a diverse range of innovators and thought leaders, how does one connect the dots? How do we come together to support one another and create a cohesive strategy

for success, both as individual businesses and our region as a whole?

Enter WEtech Alliance’s Innovation Outposts.

Over the past two years, WEtech has set out to meet entrepreneurs where they’re at and connect them to valuable resources and like-minded businesspeople through Innovation Outposts, a program designed to support rural entrepreneurs with connections, business supports, and programming.

In partnership with Libro Credit Union, we host an array of engaging networking events aimed at activating these communities and fostering business development.

Last year, we saw eight successful events across Windsor Essex and Chatham Kent, with 240 entrepreneurs and community members registered, and supported dozens of entrepreneurs and small businesses through

catering, experiences, event space and rentals, and more.

Part networking event, part workshop, and part fun night out, these Innovation Outposts have been well received across our municipalities and we are excited to kick off another season of stops this summer, with events planned in Amherstburg, Kingsville, and Essex, as well as in the Chatham Kent region.

Some of the topics we’ll be focusing on this year include . . .

The latest tech tools and tips for improving your company’s social media presence.

Innovations in our region’s agri-tourism. Financing and funding opportunities.

The goal is to empower our local entrepreneurs and create opportunities for people to succeed, no matter where they live.

We look forward to seeing you at an Outpost event this season. Please refer to: WEtech-Alliance.com/outposts to find out where we’ll be next!

Tech Bytes is powered by WEtech Alliance (WEtech-Alliance.com). The columnist for this edition, Jen Brignall-Strong is the Manager of Events & Community Programs at WEtech Alliance. She also runs Tailgate Takeout, a local food blog showcasing the best places to eat and explore in YQG found online at: TailgateTakeout.ca.

PROFILING LOCAL WOMEN AT WORK

Story And Photo By Julianna Bonnett

Riley Marques . . .

Might As Well Face It, She’s Addicted To Beauty

t the tender age of 18, Riley Marques embarked on a journey that would shape her future and redefine the beauty industry in Windsor Essex.

As the owner and founder of Beauty — 14 Queen Street, Harrow — her love for art, cosmetics and all things beauty led her to establish a salon that offers exceptional nail art, brow services and more.

“I’ve been in the beauty industry for over six years,” indicates Marques. “I’ve always been interested in anything that is art related and have been painting my nails since I was a little kid. I started practicing nail art on myself and repeatedly painting and wiping off my nail polish, multiple times, on some days, when I was 10 years old. In grade school I graduated with the art award and have since taken art, cosmetics, and beauty courses throughout high-school and my continued education.”

Her passion for beauty continued to blossom and by the time she reached Grade 12, she set her sights on pursuing a career in the industry.

Taking a leap of faith, Marques embarked on a co-op placement at a local spa and esthetics salon that would serve as a pivotal turning point in her life.

“This experience gave me the courage to fully commit to myself and my talent and I opened my own beauty salon at 18 years old on August 1, 2022,” she expresses.

Determined to succeed, Marques transformed her dream into reality, establishing Beauty Addiction as a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and artistic prowess.

With multiple services such as: manicures, pedicures, nail extensions, makeup application, body waxing, eyebrow wax/tint/laminate, lash tint/lift and facials — as well as haircuts, hair colours, highlights and balayage (highlights are hand painted on the surface of random sections of hair) — setting her business apart from the competition is her top priority.

“Beauty Addiction is a salon where my employees and I take all the necessary time to give the best quality services in Windsor Essex,” explains the certified esthetician. “We adapt our services to meet every one of our clients’ needs.”

Recognizing the significance of personalized attention, Marques ensures appointments are never rushed or overlapped, allowing ample time to provide exceptional care to each client.

When asked about her young age as a business owner, Marques shares: “I think as a business owner at 19, I inspire people around

Through her strong determination and belief in her abilities, Riley Marques of Beauty Addiction, has created a thriving business that inspires all those around her and lights up the life of her clients.

me every single day. I feel that I give a lot of my clients who are older than me the courage to do what they feel is right for them because I do my best to do what is right for me.”

As for the future, her goal is for Beauty Addiction to expand into a larger space where they can offer more services plus a comfortable atmosphere for their clients.

And to keep making everyone feel beautiful and confident!

This young entrepreneur sets a good example on the power of following one’s passion, taking risks and staying true to oneself.

When asked what keeps her motivated, Marques replies: “Seeing how I’ve already come to where I am now, at such a young age, just that alone inspires me on a daily basis. I’m able to see all the potential I have, as this is me before I’ve even fully bloomed yet.”

To learn more about Beauty Addiction and to view all their services, check out: Riley-Beauty-Addiction.square.site.

Travel In Peace Knowing You Have Eyes On Site

By Dave Halliday

Imean you’re only going away for a month, but the preparation that went into this trip to see your friends and family in Scotland, has been exhausting.

You’ve done everything on the list and are certain nothing has been overlooked. However, when you pull away from the driveway, you can’t help but feel a little uneasy.

Just about everything you have ever worked for is going to be left on its own for the next four weeks, while you are 5,300 km away.

Sure you have a security camera system set up, but what are you going to do if you see something?

What if a pipe breaks? Did you lock the patio door? Did you turn the stove off?

You’re now officially in a panic . . .

Well, we at Biz X are here to let you know that you can have a fantastic, worry free vacation by simply contacting the professional, observant, and knowledgeable people over at Eyes on Site in Kingsville (EyesOnSite4U.com).

Eyes on Site have been providing peace of mind for local residents for the past seven years and Nick Diniro, Owner and Operator, was kind enough to sit and discuss the services they offer based upon his 30 plus years of experience in construction and related fields. Describe the initial steps in your process. “We offer a comprehensive service as we make ourselves familiar with your home and its inner workings, to best protect it in your absence,” states Diniro. “A pre-inspection tour is conducted that often will identify any areas of existing concern. Often, clients may not even be aware that something even needs repair, making it even more vulnerable in their absence. These risks can be mitigated prior to their departure.”

What are the benefits to having a professional watch your home and property?  “There are many, but the ability to ensure you have continued insurance coverage is by far the most important,” he indicates. “Most people are not always familiar with the clauses that specifically indicate the number of days or hours your property can remain unattended. If you exceed that timeline, and have a claim, it can be denied. Imagine, after a lovely vacation, you arrive home to a flooded basement and call your insurance provider only to find out that it is not covered. I guess we are insurance for your insurance, in a way.” Describe what occurs once the inspections are initiated. “The number of visits per week is determined on a case by case basis and the physical inspections are conducted and recorded for the client’s reference and security,” informs Diniro. He adds: “We also manage repairs and maintenance as needed. Our goal and mandate is to provide excellence in service and operate as a guardian of your property, providing peace of mind to our clients.”

Do you gather mail, flyers, etc. to assist in avoiding the appearance that the home owner is away? “Good question,” he replies and elaborates by explaining: “We gather mail, flyers, cut the grass, arrange for snow removal or water plants when needed (of course depending

on the season) and generally create the illusion that you are still home. We visit the property at all hours to be sure no pattern can be detected if there happens to be someone watching the property. Everything we do protects you.”

Do you monitor vacation homes and cottages as well? “Yes, absolutely!” declares Diniro. “It is interesting that we are surrounded by so many recreational properties and snowbirds. We established the business to serve the many out of area cottage owners and snowbirds. We believe they likely would prefer a professional company that carries insurance to monitor their home, rather than bother their buddy down the street or a family member. Besides, if something was amiss, what would they do?”

Do you have any final notes to add?

“We are insured, bonded, and accredited with the National Home Watch Association (NationalHomeWatchAssociation.org),” he mentions. “Let me leave you with one parting thought. Think about the preparation that goes into making sure our pets are cared for in our absence. We understand, as we are pet lovers as well, but, how much time do you put into preparing your home (your largest asset) to be in the best care possible? Call Eyes on Site and be sure you have the best home watch protection.”

Well your trip was amazing. It was truly a blessing to be able to visit family members and places that you hadn’t seen in years.

Having the periodic updates on your home and property really allowed you to let go of your worries and truly enjoy the experience.

Even the nights when you may have had an extra pint or two at the pub were more enjoyable as you had Eyes on Site back home!

Through his company, Eyes on Site, Owner and Operator Nick Diniro is ready to keep a close watch on your home while you and your family are away. Photo courtesy of Nick Diniro.

ARMS IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

The New Essex Home Hardware . . . More Than Just A Hardware Store By Arms Bumanlag

Essex is booming. We recently sold a wonderful townhome on Kimball Drive and chatted with neighbours and residents during one of our open houses.

The buzz is all around that a brand-new Home Hardware store is coming to town, and it’s set to be one of the largest in Canada.

With its central location, this new store will not only provide more job opportunities, but also bring the community together through bigger and better events. The vision is becoming a reality, and the anticipation is palpable with construction near Highway 3.

One of the key challenges faced by the store has been attracting customers from outside the town of Essex.

Despite the town’s charm and tranquility, many people simply aren’t aware of the store’s existence. However, with the opening of the new location, this will change.

The current outdated building on Wilson Avenue will be left behind, making way for a modern, inviting space that will capture the attention of passersby.

Recently I toured the new facility with my

friend Kimberly Seguin-Gauthier, along with her father, Larry Seguin and brother, Brent Seguin. The family owns both Essex and Tecumseh Home Hardware Building Centres

They explain that many departments customers know and love will be expanding, and indicate: “Among the various departments in the new store, the Home Expressions

department (home décor) will be particularly impactful. The expansion in space will allow for a wider range of products, product lines and eye-catching displays. The aim is to create an amazing experience for customers, enticing them to step inside and explore.”

The new location also houses an M&M Food Market Express outlet, offering customers a convenient, high-quality dinner

From left: Brent Seguin, Larry Seguin, Arms Bumanlag and Kimberly SeguinGauthier, on site at the new Essex Home Hardware, 300 Maidstone Avenue West near Highway 3 in Essex. Photo courtesy of Littleheart Social.

and meal shopping experience. Additionally, the Design Gallery will be bigger and better, while the paint department will showcase a 16’ colour chip rack that has doubled in size.

Kim informs us they have planned for the growing needs of the community and states: “Each department will be slightly larger and offer an increased selection, catering to the diverse needs of customers.”

In preparation for the new store, careful consideration is being given to the layout and proximity of departments. This ensures that employees receive adequate training, cross-training, and coverage, enabling them to deliver the exceptional, hands-on service Home Hardware is known for.

According to Kim: “It’s this personal touch that makes customers feel valued and keeps them coming back.”

Spanning approximately 50,000 square feet, with 29,000 square feet dedicated to retail space, the new store boasts unique features. The drive-through lumber section, the sizeable garden centre, and the themed rooms in the Home Expressions department, all add a special touch.

The Seguin family holds the concept of local near and dear to their hearts as construction of the new location not only gives the store a fresh start, but also contributed to the growth of the local job market.

By involving local companies, the store has created numerous employment opportunities.

Even in cases where contractors or the head office needed to outsource specific jobs, workers were required to stay in town for extended periods, providing a boost to the local economy.

But there are even more advantages!

The company lives by the words of its founder: “We are not in the hardware business, we are in the PEOPLE business.”

In a world increasingly dominated by automation, Home Hardware proudly stands as a beacon of human interaction.

Cashiers take the time to engage in conversations, bag products and process payments, emphasizing the value of personal service. Phone calls are answered by real people, not automated systems.

The intentional decision to maintain a significant number of employees ensures that service remains consistent, personal and efficient.

After all, the relationships built with both the team and customers are the foundation of their success.

Beyond its own growth, Home Hardware is focused on the community’s development.

Plans are underway to develop the perimeter of the property, helping other local businesses thrive. Building stronger and more

meaningful relationships with the community is a top priority. Furthermore, the store aims to connect with leaders at Canadian Tire, envisioning a partnership where competitors come together for a greater cause — building a better community. It’s a testament to the store’s commitment to collaboration and making a positive impact.

The grand opening of the new Essex Home Hardware location is scheduled for September 21 to September 24, 2023 at 300 Maidstone Avenue West near Highway 3.

This highly anticipated event promises a grand celebration filled with interactive activities for kids, live entertainment, contests, product demos and great savings.

It’s an opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the new store.

My family and I plan to make the trek to Essex Home Hardware for our basement reno project and attend this grand opening.

We hope to see you there as well!

Arms Bumanlag is a seasoned media professional for over 25 years and has previously worked at CKLW, CTV and CBC. He has now transitioned into the world of real estate as a partner with Ron Deneau at Bob Pedler Real Estate Inc. In addition to his column in Biz X, you can also see his web series on: BizXmagazine.com.

Is There An Upside To Inflation? Navigating The Housing Market Post-Pandemic

By Rasha Ingratta

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused big changes in the world economy.

To help stabilize things, banks like the Bank of Canada, made some important decisions.

One of these decisions was to lower interest rates to the lowest they’ve ever been. The idea was to encourage people to borrow, invest, and spend money, which can help the economy. However, there was a downside too — it caused prices to go up.

When prices go up, we call it inflation.

There are a few reasons why inflation happens. One is that more people want to buy things, so the demand goes up; and another is that it costs more to make things, so prices have to go up to cover those costs. Disruptions in the way things are made and delivered can also drive prices higher.

During the pandemic, all of these factors came into play, causing prices to rise. Central banks around the world, including the Bank of Canada, responded by raising interest rates.

They did this to slow down the economy

and bring inflation back to normal levels.

Since 2022, inflation rates have started to go down. Yet, there is still more work to do. The effects of disruptions in the supply chain and challenges in production are still pushing prices higher.

Additionally, certain areas, like the housing market, are dealing with a difference between how much people want to buy houses and how many houses are available.

In this kind of market, it can be tough for people dealing with high interest rates and high home prices.

Options to consider include exploring different terms when renewing your mortgage. This can help you get a lower interest rate, which means lower monthly mortgage payments.

Another option is to extend the time you have to pay off your mortgage. This spreads out your payments over a longer period, which can give you some relief right now. And when rates decrease, you can adjust your mortgage amortization once more.

Even though interest rates are high,

buying a home today can have long-term benefits.

Due to the lower demand because of the Bank of Canada rate hikes, home prices declined from their peak in June 2022, bottoming out in December 2022.

But, as interest rates start to go down again, home prices are likely to go up. This is because people will feel more confident about buying homes when interest rates are lower.

So, if you’re thinking about buying a home, it’s a good idea to think long-term. Buying now, while prices are lower, could be a smart way to build wealth, as your home’s value goes up over time.

The media talks a lot about interest rates because they have a big impact on the economy. They affect things like inflation and the housing market.

By understanding what causes inflation and considering different strategies, you can navigate these uncertain times, successfully, with the right plan in place.

Whether it’s renewing your mortgage, extending the time to pay it off, or making informed decisions about buying a home, you can weather the storm and set yourself up for future financial success.

It’s important to stay positive and remember that every challenge also brings opportunities for growth and prosperity.

Rasha Ingratta is a local Mortgage Agent with Mortgage Intelligence (ShopMortgages.ca). She is a true enthusiast with three loves in life: family, friends, fur babies, and . . . real estate! Whoops, did someone sneak an extra love in there?

Jim Murphy

ESSEX COUNTY

Summer, the much-awaited season of sun-drenched days and boundless energy, beckons kids to embark on unforgettable adventures and create cherished memories.

In a world that sometimes seems to be dominated by screens and gadgets, the months of July and August present the perfect opportunity for parents to reconnect with their children and jump in the car for a family outing to experience the real world.

In this installment of The Parenting Biz, we offer suggestions of fun things to do with the kids this summer, along with activities they can do on their own, such as day camps, around Windsor and Essex County.

Up first . . .

The Crafty Nest Studio Kingsville

Opened in March 2019, The Crafty Nest Studio — 14 Division Street South in Kingsville — specializes in creative classes, workshops and parties for children and adults.

“We take pride that we have created a comfortable and non-judgmental space where individuals can truly express their artistic and creative feelings,” states Lisa Armer, Owner and Craft Instructor of The Crafty Nest Studio. “We are here to support our guests’ creative journey and cheer them on! Our small group classes offer personalized attention to our guests to complete their projects from idea to physical creation; it is also important to us to use everyday items

in our creations and upcycling otherwise garbage into beautiful creations.”

Their summer schedule includes a Saturday Morning Makers class from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for ages five and up. This is a drop-off class with a different theme every week with each artist taking home an amazing finished project.

They also have Teen Nights on Fridays from 7 to 9 p.m. for ages 13 to 17, where there is a different craft each week. It’s a great way for teens to express themselves through creativity and meet new friends.

“Our weekends are always busy with children’s birthday parties,” Armer adds. “We usually host two to five parties per weekend and we love hearing the birthday child express that they’ve had the best party ever!”

However, The Crafty Nest Studio’s staff of three is really looking forward to their summer camps for 2023, where they are offering a mix of full-week camps and mix-and-match day camps.

“We have designed our camps with two things in mind — imagination and fun,” she explains. “They are built to inspire and develop creative confidence and freedom in our campers. We use a hands-on approach to the projects using mixed media and different tools; this encourages campers to think outside the box and turn their wildest idea into a physical art piece.”

Their full week camps not only allow kids to express themselves artistically, while they engage their minds by learning skills involving

planning and execution, measuring, creative problem solving, ingenuity, and collaboration.

Full-week camps are Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for kids seven and up (early drop off and late pickup available).

If your child has an entrepreneurial spirit, they might like the Business + Design Camp where kids can setup their own mobile business out of an adorable vintage trailer.

“We will be constructing a large vintage travel trailer using papier mâché,” says Armer. “This is the blank canvas for your child’s business of their dreams. We will create a design plan and mood boards for our trailer, products, and services.”

Once the planning is done, campers will execute their ideas and start decorating their trailers. They will also create their products and design a logo for their business along with a wood mannequin to run the operation.

If your child is interested in planning and designing spaces, they might enjoy the Architecture + Design Camp.

Here each child receives a plain, four room, wood building that they will turn into their own unique space.

“I am the instructor for this week-long camp and took interior design in college, so this camp is full of learning too,” Armer points out. “Your child will learn all about the elements and principles of design, how to create a mood board and how to draw a floor plan.”

Once everything is planned out, the kids will be painting, creating their own furniture,

Get ready to blast off to planet fun at The Crafty Nest Studio! LEFT: Examples of children’s work are shown, such as this cardboard tube spaceship created by eight year old, Zac, for Lost in Space Day. MIDDLE: Odin, another talented eight year old, holds a cardboard fish he made during the Under the Sea themed day camp. RIGHT: A sample of the Crafty Nest’s Business + Design week camp, where campers create a business and products to sell out of a travelling trailer they design. Photos courtesy of Lisa Armer.

custom wallpaper, flooring, rugs, pillows, and other accessories.

Individual day camps are a great option for parents who would like their kids to have some fun experiences this summer, without the commitment of a full-week camp.

Day camps are for kids aged six and up and run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. These include theme days, beach days, pampered pet days, rock star days, Lego lab days and more.

During the town’s Open Streets (select Saturdays, see: Kingsville.ca/openstreets) there are drop-in classes coordinated with the theme of the night and there is a Mini Maker Market where their young customers sell their handmade goods.

There is also a retail space with an eclectic mix of products. As well as grab and go craft kits, wood signs, wreaths, revamped furniture and pre-loved treasures.

For further details on kids classes and dates of all camps, visit: CraftyNestStudio.com.

The Jack Miner Learning Centre Kingsville

Founded in 1904 by Jack Miner, the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation (332 Road 3 West in Kingsville) is a non-profit migratory waterfowl sanctuary specializing in providing educational opportunities for people of all ages to learn about migratory waterfowl like geese and ducks, but to also learn about the conservational legacy of Jack Miner.

“We offer tours of our grounds, the Jack Miner house, and our museum,” indicates Tom Coke, Executive Director of the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation. “We also offer close to six kilometres of walking trails in our Kennedy Woods Trails.”

Their learning centre is open every Saturday from noon until 3 p.m., for kids. It has lots of different activities including soil and water analysis, building bird houses, nature scavenger hunts, nest weaving, colouring, and animal track marking.

“The learning centre is a place where kids can come and actively learn through experiential playing and interacting with

objects that they would find in nature,” says Coke. “It provides them with an opportunity to learn about the environment and leads them to understand their role in our ecosystem.”

Coke goes on to tell Biz X that Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation and their staff of five is not an organization that fits into a single niche area. This is because people can learn about history, environmental education, migratory waterfowl and nature as a whole.

“I am very passionate about continuing the legacy of Jack’s work,” he states. “Being able to introduce and reintroduce the sanctuary to people of all ages is rewarding.”

For more information on the learning centre for children go to: JackMiner.ca.

UMEI Christian High School Leamington

Opened in 1945, UMEI Christian High School is a non-profit high school offering full high-school programming, whole-person Christian education, enriched robotics, arts programming, enriched French, leadership and community service.

“The students are what make us passionate about our work,” expresses Chani Wiens, Director of Enrolment and Community Engagement at UMEI Christian High School located at 614 Mersea Road 5 in Leamington. “Students come to us eager to learn, ready

to be leaders, passionate about serving their community and empowered to change the world. They participate in nurturing a safe and supportive community for all students to grow as whole people and find a place of belonging.”

This summer they offer several camps, including the Senior Robotics Camp, which runs from July 31 to August 4 for grades seven and eight. The camp, running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., is where kids program a robot in LABVIEW language, become confident in designing and creating unique robots that serve a function, and acquire problem solving

Taken last August, students at UMEI Christian High School’s Robotics Camp use LABVIEW coding language on iPads to test robots built using LEGO Mindstorms. Photo courtesy of Abby Krueger.

LEFT: A look inside the Jack Miner Learning Centre, which provides young children with opportunities to understand nature through experiential learning with hands-on manipulatives, games and crafts. Photo by Della Jones-Goulet.

RIGHT: Four year old Emerence Omstead-Olewski holds a nature scavenger hunt kit from the Learning Centre at Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation in Kingsville, last year. Photo courtesy of Katie Omstead.

skills while diagnosing robotic failures and having a good time!

They also offer Camp ExploreU, running from July 31 to August 4 for grades three to six. This camp offers a little bit of everything from drama, sports and art to robots and science.

UMEI Christian High School welcomes students from all backgrounds to apply for admission and tours are available throughout the summer.

For more information about summer camps or the school in general refer to: UMEI.ca.

Taking The Ferry To Pelee Island

Looking for a fun day trip or even a quick getaway with the family? Hop on a ferry and head over to Pelee Island!

The Owen Sound Transportation Company Ltd. (OSTC) operates ferries from Kingsville and Leamington to Pelee Island, all summer long. These include the M.V. Pelee Islander (holds 295 passengers and 16 cars) and M.V. Pelee Islander II, which holds 400 passengers and 34 cars (or 16 cars and four semi-trucks).

The company was founded in 1921 by the Hay brothers before being bought by the Ontario government in 1974 when they built and launched the Chi Cheemaun (Big Canoe) for the Manitoulin service.

THE PARENTING BIZ

Today the OSTC manages the Pelee Island Transportation Service on behalf of the Government of Ontario and they have over 150 employees seasonally and five vessels in total.

“OSTC is a ferry corporation that carries passengers and vehicles to and from Tobermory-Manitoulin, Kingsville and Leamington to Pelee Island and Sandusky, Ohio, and Moosonee to Moose Factory Island off James Bay,” explains Carl Kuhnke, President and CEO of the OSTC. “We are passionate about servicing Ontarians who have no other method of accessing the full services and goods of larger populations.”

The OSTC operates scheduled voyages to Pelee Island all summer and fall through to mid-December. To view pricing and ferry schedules check: OntarioFerries.com.

Once you arrive on the island there are

plenty of things to do, such as tours, outdoor activities, dining and shopping.

When you’re there you can pay a visit to the Pelee Island Winery (see cover story of this issue for more details), Fish Point Nature Reserve, The Pelee Island Heritage Centre, Lighthouse Point Provincial Nature Reserve, and/or Sunset Beach

No space for your car on the ferry? No problem! With Pelee Island Adventures you can book your golf cart or e-bike rental online ahead of time and everything will be waiting for you when you arrive.

They also offer everything from individual tours of Vin Villa (Canada’s first commercial winery) and the Butterfly Sanctuary (new this year), to half-day and full-day All-Inclusive Experiences that include lunch, tours and on-island transportation. Get more details on: PeleeIslandAdventures.com.

Accommodations on the island include a mix of charming and modern places such as The Wandering Dog Inn and the Pelee Lake Muse Cottage Rental & Guest Suite and family camping at the East Park Campground

If you’re in the mood for good food, check out the Westview Tavern, Pelee Island Coneheads and Stone House 1891 Craft Kitchen and Bar that features the largest lakefront deck on Pelee Island and locally sourced hand-made dishes.

The MV Pelee Islander II making one of many voyages in between Pelee Island and the mainland. Photo courtesy of Owen Sound Transportation Company Ltd.

THE PARENTING BIZ

They have everything from fresh fish, delicious handhelds, craft pizzas cooked to perfection in their wood burning oven, homemade desserts and a Little Pebbles menu just for the kiddos.

To read more information on everything the island has to offer, check: Pelee.org/tourism.

Everybuddies Place Game Café Amherstburg

Located at 216 Sandwich Street in Amherstburg, Everybuddies Place Game Café offers a 200-plus game library, a video game room stocked with six different consoles, the town’s only arcade, plus a full range of homemade baked goods, frozen treats, bubble tea, as well as board games and puzzles for sale.

“We put on game events for every type of gamer, such as game tournaments, trivia nights, open table nights, chess league, Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) leagues and movie nights,” points out Tammy Brochert, Owner and Operator of Everybuddies Place Game Café. “We make coffee, tea and specialty drinks like bubble tea, milkshakes and slushies, plus ice cream nachos, frozen treats and a rage of diabetic friendly treats as well.”

Brochert also owns Little Buddies Preschool Centre with two Amherstburg locations, which opened in 2011. Everybuddies Place Game Café opened in May 2023.

At the gaming business, you can reserve a table or book out their private boardroom. On Wednesdays, they open the tables to those who play Pokemon and Magic: The Gathering. Thursdays they run a youth/beginner D&D league for those looking to learn the basics. And Fridays alternate between family-friendly movie nights and themed trivia nights. Saturday is adult game night and on Sundays they host a chess league, which leads up to their end of summer chess tournament.

“We are a family owned and operated business consisting of myself, my daughter, and my son-in-law,” she comments. “We are not just a board game store or café, we want

Everybuddies Place Game Café offers beautiful spaces and unique experiences combining together their passions of board games, special snacks and social gatherings.

LEFT: The game room has large tables for lots of board game playing fun.

The pet-friendly back patio where people can order snacks and also play games.

to build a community hub where people can gather and socialize. We want a space where everyone feels like they belong and can see themselves as part of our community.”

Brochert tells Biz X they are always adding new games to their shelves for patrons to try (puzzles are also sold). And when they’re not playing games, they are in the café whipping up a cool new drink!

She adds: “Starting in July, we will have all-access member passes available for $40 a month. This gets you unlimited game passes, access to special events, and exclusive content.”

Just log on to: EverybuddiesPlace.com to reserve a table and see upcoming events.

RIGHT:

Photos courtesy of Tammy Brochert.

Marvelous Movie Nights

Established in 2021, Marvelous Movie Nights provides outdoor entertainment for fundraisers and private events, as well as indoor and outdoor movie night packages, concession stand packages, slumber party tent packages, party rental services and machine rental services, to Windsor and Essex County.

There are four outdoor movie packages ranging from $200 to $400 — junior, senior, grand daddy, and the date night — depending on the size of the inflatable screen (120 inch, 18 feet, and 20 feet).

Each package comes with their famous inflatable loungers and ottomans, speaker, projector, side tables and lanterns.

They provide everything you need to host the ultimate outdoor movie experience.

They also offer three different concession stand packages and have self-stock concession stand options as well. These include hotdog rollers, cotton candy machines, snow cones and popcorn machines ranging from $200 to $400 for fully stocked and $100 for self-stock.

Their two indoor movie packages ($180 to $200) contain a 100 or 120 inch screen and come with everything you need plus your choice of seating (beds, loungers or couch/bed).

Slumber party tent options are also available starting at $100 as an add on to a movie night package. These come with your choice of fleece blanket, sheet, tray, table, and lighting.

“Our slogan is: we bring the big screen to you,” says Melissa Harte, Owner and Operator of Marvelous Movie Nights. “It’s truly the ultimate outdoor movie experience because you feel like you are at the drive-in movie theatre at home under the stars in the privacy of your backyard.”

Harte tells Biz X that she and her husband have been hosting outdoor movie nights for their family for years, and she goes to the drive-in on a regular basis.

“I truly love to be able to provide the experience for others,” she comments.

“It’s very exciting to know people love the

experience just as much as I do. The response we received when we started back in 2021 was overwhelming and heart-warming all at the same time.”

Gift certificates are available. For full details on all packages visit their website: MarvelousMovieNights.com.

Time To Kick Back And Enjoy Summer

For all the parents out there on the lookout for exciting activities to keep their kids entertained and engaged, we hope we have provided you with some excellent suggestions in this article.

From Kingsville and Leamington to Amherstburg, McGregor/Essex and Pelee Island, area businesses and organizations are waiting for your family to visit this summer.

So get out there and start having fun in the beautiful sun-sational days here now.

Marvelous Movie Nights can bring the big screen to you wherever your home is located in Essex County. Indoor, outdoor movie and concession packages are offered.

Melissa Harte, Owner and Operator of Marvelous Movie Nights, puts her hands up in the air to celebrate after setting up one of their outdoor movie packages at an area home. Photo courtesy of Taylor Francis-Grant.

HEALTH MATTERS Reporting Your Child’s Immunization Records

Supplied By The Healthy Schools Team, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

There are nine routine vaccines that are required for a student to attend elementary and secondary school in Ontario. This list does not include COVID-19 vaccinations.

The Immunization of Schools Pupil Act (ISPA) is the legislation responsible for these requirements and outlines that parents or guardians must report their child’s immunizations to their local public health unit.

Public health units are funded by municipal and provincial governments, which are responsible for running programs and services to help keep the community healthy and safe.

Health Care Providers (HCPs) — for example: doctors, nurses, or nurse practitioners — administer vaccines to your children, but HCPs are not required to report vaccines to public health.

Parents and guardians are responsible for reporting immunizations directly to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU).

Why Is It Important To Report My Child’s Immunization Record To WECHU?

Immunizations work two-fold — they protect children from the consequences of deadly diseases, such as measles, pertussis (whooping cough), and polio, and they protect other children and the community by preventing the continued spread. Diseases are harder to spread when more people in a community are immunized.

To ensure the safety of the school community, the WECHU needs to act quickly when an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease occurs.

Up-to-date immunization records help health unit staff and school administrators determine which children are at higher risk of these diseases and they can then take steps to help keep these children safe. Depending on the level of risk, this may include keeping some children out of school, based on missing immunizations, until the threat is contained.

Something else to consider is that your child may need proof of vaccination in

the future, such as when applying for post-secondary school or a job.

Reporting your child’s immunizations to the WECHU every time they receive a vaccine (starting at two months of age), means your child’s online immunization record is kept current. This benefits your family as you will always have access to a backup copy of your child’s immunization record, if your paper copy gets lost or damaged.

We know you’re busy, so here are several ways for you to report your child’s immunization record to the WECHU . . .

1. Online at: Immune.WECHU.org. (You’ll need your child’s health card to log in).

2. Fax your child’s immunization records to 519-258-7288.

3. Bring the immunization record to the WECHU office in Windsor (1005 Ouellette Avenue), or Leamington (33 Princess Street).

4. Call the WECHU at 519-258-2146, ext. 1222 to update the records with a nurse. We’re here to help! For more information visit: WECHU.org.

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU), in partnership with other agencies and health care providers, seeks to enable all Windsor and Essex County residents to be as healthy as possible. The Health Unit is located at 1005 Ouellette Avenue in Windsor and online at: WECHU.org.

HOT SHOTS

The 5th Annual Celebrity Men Fashion Event

For The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Windsor & District Chapter

May 25, 2023 at Formula First Collision Centre, 9420 Tecumseh Road East, Windsor.

1. Over $50,000 was raised (including in-kind donations) at the 5th annual Celebrity Men Fashion Event for The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Windsor & District Chapter, to support its programs and services. Held at Formula First Collision Centre, the fundraiser was a “smashing” success which made volunteers Suier Richardson and Kidney Chapter President, Michael Mastronardi very happy. They are pictured here next to a very red circa 1950’s BMW Isetta, on display. For further information on the local chapter go to: Facebook.com/KidneyFoundationWindsor.

2. The evening included hors d’oeuvres, raffles and auctions — but of course, the fashion show was the main highlight. Thirteen models participated, including kidney transplant recipient Joel Robinet who flashed his jacket lining for the ladies in this fashionable attire from The Suit Shop Co. Ltd. Robinet is also a Director on the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Windsor & District Chapter Community Advisory Committee and a volunteer with the Kidney Connect Peer Support Program. As well, he is a real estate agent with Century 21 Erie Shores Realty Inc., Brokerage!

3. Michael K. Potter, Faculty Member, University of Windsor, Co-owner of Shadowbox Theatre, and Managing Director of Post Productions, modelled an elegant tux from Collins Formal Wear and was accompanied by his fiancé, who was equally as glamourous.

4. On your mark, get set . . . go! It’s none other than the winner of Amazing Race Canada 2022, Craig Ramsay, in an athletic suit and back pack from the Running Factory.

Photos by Rod Denis. All people listed in photos from the left.

To see even more photos from this event and others, visit: BizXmagazine.com under Biz X was there.

5. Over 140 guests were in attendance, including Najia Mazhar; Dr. Muneer Abidi, Hematology and Oncology at Henry Ford Cancer Institute in Detroit; and Aliya Zaidi, PhD., Scientific Director at Functional Fluidics.

6. Outfitted in a casual ensemble from At Ease Men’s Apparel, Peter Hrastovec, a commercial litigator with Shibley Righton LLP and Windsor’s newest poet laureate, looked rather determined to make sure you also have the right look this summer.

7. Hee haw! Windsor’s Pure Country 89 radio station host Chris Byrne made a stylish entrance on the runway in a tuxedo from Collins Formal Wear.

8. Co-Emcee, Joe McParland, of Biz X magazine, in a tux by Collins Formal Wear; Eddy Hammoud, Owner of Tabouli by Eddy’s (event sponsor) in Tecumseh; and server Moe Youssef, posed for this quick shot at the “gas bar” prior to the opening of the show.

9. Lisa Costante and Giovanni Arcuri, Owners of Sottozero Catering had delicious samples of their hot drinks and gelato available for all guests to enjoy.

AWARDS SPOTLIGHT

The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber Of Commerce 2023 Business Excellence Award Winners

The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce honoured the area’s top local companies, individuals, and organizations on May 17 at the 2023 Business Excellence Awards (BEA), presented by the Windsor Star.

The BEA ceremony took place at the Chrysler Theatre and was followed by an elegant dinner in the Skyline Ballroom at the accompanying St. Clair College Centre for the Arts

A total of nine Award winners were announced in a secret reveal format with the ATHENA Leadership Award, Believe Windsor-Essex Award and Business Ambassador Award recipients announced earlier this year.

As always the Biz X photography team was on hand to capture these photos of the winning businesses, organizations and individuals who are shown with representatives of the companies sponsoring their award.

PRESENTING THE 2023 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARD RECIPIENTS

Lisa and Brian Schwab (right), sponsored by WFCU Credit Union and represented by David Woodfull, Vice President, Commercial Services.

The CHARGE lab, accepted by Dr. Bill Van Heyst – Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Windsor (right) and sponsored by Meridian Credit Union represented by Marc Guilbeault, Director, Business Banking Services, Southwestern Ontario.

Estate of Health Holistic Wellness Centre, owned by Jordan Scott and sponsored by Enbridge, represented by Brian Chauvin, Manager, Environmental, Lands & Permitting, Sales & Growth.

Company of the Year Award (less than 25 employees)

Cedar Valley Selections, accepted by Founder/President Ameen Fadel, and sponsored by Families First, represented by Jessica Sylvestre.

Photos by Rod Denis. All people listed in photos from the left, unless otherwise noted.

Young Professional of the Year Award Lauryn Lefrancois (right), Lola’s Round Table shown with sponsor, Lori Atkinson, Libro Credit Union Regional Manager, Windsor Essex.

Believe Windsor-Essex Award

New Company of the Year Award

Innovation Award

Tourism & Hospitality Award

Urban Field House represented by Co-owner Steve Ilijanich and sponsored by OLG and Caesars Windsor, as represented by Kathleen Devine (Senior Municipal Relations Manager, Government & Stakeholder Relations for OLG, left) and Natalie Lepine (Director, Hotel Sales and Hotel Operations, Caesars Windsor).

Business Ambassador Award

Keith White (right) of FREEDS and sponsored by RBC represented by Marc Mundy, Vice President of Commercial Financial Services.

Entrepreneur of the Year Award

David Burman (right), Mister HQ Group and sponsored by Grant Thornton represented by Jeff Ostrow, Partner, Business Advisor.

Professional of the Year Award

Daniel Topp (right), Topp Law and sponsored by TD Commercial Banking, represented by Scott Defoe, Senior Relationship Manager.

Athena Leadership Award

Renee Daudlin-Iacobelli (right), Insight Advantage. Her award was sponsored by Bell and presented on their behalf by Nancy Jammu-Taylor, Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce Chair who also is a Partner with McTague Law Firm LLP.

Profiles of all BEA finalists can be viewed in the official program book found on: Issuu.com/thewindsorstar/docs/ businessexcellence_final.

Pillars of Our Community Award

Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor (WEST) represented by Executive Director, Rose Anguiano Hurst and sponsored by Motor City Community Credit Union, represented by Steve Schincariol, VP Commercial Operations.

Company of the Year Award (over 26 Employees)

HGS Limited represented by Ken Kapusniak, President and sponsored by St. Clair College, represented by President Dr. Patti France.

Paths Of Duty . . . From Action Bells To Action Stations

Story And Photo By Andrea Grimes

The world was still “smarting” from the stains and strains of WWII when the headlines brought disturbing news from halfway across the world — on June 25, 1950 the North Korean Army invaded South Korea — “the land of the morning calm.”

Lester B. Pearson, Canada’s Secretary of State for External Affairs, encouraged a Canadian response to render assistance to the Republic of Korea through the United Nations Special Forces

For many from Windsor and Essex County, who never gave “signing up” a second thought — was their commitment held in memory of their grandfathers who “did their bit” in the Great War or did they share that same sense of duty engrained in them by their dads who went “over there” in WWII?

Windsor resident, David Parent enlisted

with the Royal Canadian Navy in 1950 at the age of 17.

“It was 1953,” Parent recounts. “Not everyone can thank the fog. It was all that saved our crew. The North Koreans were nearby when our destroyer ran aground, leaving the crew high and dry in communist territory. If they had seen us, we would have been dead ducks.”

Parent — along with the late Korean War Veteran, Henry Martinak — launched a campaign that successfully raised $80,000 to build a monument in honour of our fallen Korean War Veterans.

On November 28, 2008, the Korean War Veterans Memorial was erected in Dieppe Gardens. A family-centred memorial tribute took place on May 30, 2009.

“The City of Windsor’s Parks, Recreation & Culture, and Facilities —

through the Community Services portfolio — works to create a healthy and sustainable community that supports people, places, parks and programs that make a difference in our lives,” states Michelle Staadegaard the Manager of Culture and Events for the Recreation and Culture department. “Windsor is a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community, and we value our rich heritage. It is an honour for all of us to work to ensure Windsor’s plaques, monuments and memorials continue to be one of the core ways that we succeed in our mission of ‘Telling Our Stories . . . Sharing Yours’.”

According to the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee website: WindsorVeteransMemorial.com/our_ services; fallen Veterans of the Korean War will be honoured with a public memorial service on July 27, 2023, in Dieppe Park. (Learn more about the words etched into the granite on: CityWindsor.ca/residents/ Culture/Monuments/Pages/KoreanVeterans-War-Memorial.aspx).

“Our Korean history tells us how fierce and difficult the Korean War was,” notes Mjay Kim, President of The Korean Society of Windsor. “Even though there are not many Korean War Veterans left, we will remember that they supported and made the sacrifice for our home country, and also we will deliver and teach to our next Korean generations.” (For further information visit: WindsorKorean.org).

Owning the “privilege” of remembrance, as it moves through each generation, is the foundation that strengthens our national identity — who we are as Canadians — standing to safeguard our fundamental values of freedom . . . one voice at a time! As a civilian Veterans Advocate, Andrea Grimes was presented with the Queen

Former City of Windsor Councillor Ron Jones (left) and Korean War Veteran Dave Parent, are pictured during the July 27, 2013, Korean War memorial service in Dieppe Park, Windsor.

58 Mill St W, Leamington mccthriftontario.com/leamington

Leamington’s MCC Thrift On Mill . . . Volunteers Are The Heart In All They Do

By Rebecca Wright

Alocal thrift shop offers a “high-end” shopping experience while benefitting the community through its proceeds.

“MCC Thrift On Mill is a unique thrift shopping destination,” indicates Cindy Epp, General Manager. “We often hear: ‘THIS is a thrift shop?’ Our standards for excellence, cleanliness, daily feature displays and quality items, provides all the joy of thrifting, yet in an environment that reflects the care and service mindedness of all staff and volunteers.”

Located at 58 Mill Street West in Leamington, MCC Thrift On Mill (MccThriftOntario.com/leamington) was formerly known as the Et Cetera Shop, which opened its doors in 1982.

“This shop was raised up from volunteers coming from local Mennonite Churches,” Epp explains.

As a not-for-profit thrift shop, revenue generated from the business contributes to the many projects and programs of the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Ontario, Canada and globally.

The shop accepts new and gently-used clean furniture, clothing, accessories, housewares, home décor, books, electronics, hardware and more.

Epp feels the phrase — “It takes a village” — definitely relates to the MCC Thrift on Mill, as their 125 active volunteers are the heart of the shop.

“It sounds like a lot of volunteers, but we continue to need more,” she notes. “Despite appearances, it takes anywhere from 15 to 20 staff and volunteers a day to keep receiving donations, cleaning, sorting and pricing items, stocking and restocking our shop, keeping cash lines flowing, and offering excellent customer service for this 12,897 square-foot shop.”

The “dynamic duo” of friends Gail Granger and Anita Taves volunteer every Tuesday afternoon as cashiers.

Granger has been volunteering for seven years and enjoys volunteering as it makes

her feel useful: “I love the customers and volunteers too. There is no place else I would rather be on a Tuesday afternoon.”

Taves began volunteering 14 years ago with her sister, who had lost her husband at the time.

She felt it would be good for a sense of socialization.

“I love it all — the volunteers and serving customers,” expresses Taves. “I also like to see what they are buying!”

Susan E. (Epp) has been a volunteer since the ’80s and also enjoys all of the people she works with.

She currently helps out in the linen department.

“Susan’s husband Abe (the first cousin of the mother of Cindy’s husband) is our fun loving, wise cracking, receiving volunteer who has also been with us from the early days,” explains Cindy Epp, adding that Abe celebrated his 90th birthday this year. “His dry wit catches donors off guard as he is known to ask them, straight faced: ‘Do you need a ride home?’ — to which they look puzzled and say ‘no!’ He replies, ‘Oh, you

RECOGNIZING LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

are not donating your car, too?’ It is never a dull day when Abe is around!”

For Epp it is truly humbling to witness their volunteers coming in to their shifts every day with smiles on their faces and a mission in their hearts.

“They work tirelessly and joyfully, each with their own reasons for giving of their time and selfless service,” she comments.

For some, it is because their families were directly impacted by the work of MCC.

“These volunteers state they are committed to giving back to MCC for the help that they received,” Epp adds.

And she says there are other volunteers that have a heart for our community and appreciate the opportunity to assist in providing quality items at low prices.

She sums it all up perfectly with this final quote: “Last, but certainly not least, there are many volunteers who simply want to share their skills and talents in our shop so that they can directly connect with our donors and customers for the simple, but impactful, desire to bring smiles to their faces and a feeling of welcome and inclusion.”

A look behind the scenes in the sorting area of MCC Thrift on Mill, where we see (from left) volunteers Janice Boldt and Fran Segedin with General Manager Cindy Epp. Photo by Tina Huynh.