Biz X magazine June 2017

YOUR ONLY INTERNATIONAL BORDER CITY PUBLICATION Dilkens May Cake Walk To Re-Election In 2018 Leisure Trailer Sales, WMM Construction Services; Willowood RV Resort & Campground And Fast Fitness Q&A With “The World’s Greatest Rock Band” Backup Singer

June 2017

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“The Maple Leaf Forever!”

The new flag is now flying high on the Windsor riverfront and local municipalities are ready to honour Canada’s 150th anniversary with festivities for all ages. – Page 18

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FOR BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE IN WINDSOR, ESSEX COUNT Y AND METRO DETROIT

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B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • J U N E 2 0 1 7

table of contents June 2017 volume 20 • issue 6

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4 Funny Stuff 5 From The Publisher: And The Survey Says . . .

6 Editorial Viewpoint Columnist Alan Halberstadt takes an early peek at the odds of Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens being unseated in 2018, and determines that it is unlikely unless somebody comes out of the woodwork, for instance long-time City Councillor Bill Marra.

8 Front Lines 13 Heard On The Street 14 Newsflash The Windsor Yacht Club (shown in top aerial shot) celebrates its 80th birthday in 2017. Learn a bit about their history along with a lot of other good news from area companies and biz pros.

16 Dates To Remember 25 Cover Story Sidebar: The Rise Of The Great Canadian Flag 26 Hot Shots: Howdy City Folks, It’s “The Black Tie Tailgate” 28 Portfolio Corner 29 Corporate Spotlight: The Right Culture, Place & Time At The Accelerator 30 Biz X Was There 32 Generation YKNOT: Advice From A Young “Artpreneur” 33 Keys To Success: University Of Windsor’s Master Of Engineering Management Program 34 Milestones: Leisure Trailer Sales Turns 60 37 Ask The Experts: Willowood RV Resort & Campground, Amherstburg 38 Hot Shots: Kidney Foundation of Canada Windsor & District Chapter Appreciation Awards Committee member Angie Tuovinen presents Chapter President Michael Mastronardi with the “Volunteer of the Year” Award (middle photo by Rod Denis). Which other local businesses and individuals received recognition from the local Kidney chapter? Find out here.

40 Have A Cup Of Joe With Joe: A “Downtown Windsor” Wedding Theme 41 XX Files: Samantha Menzies, Strong Body Yoga & Fitness 42 Awards Spotlight: The “27th Annual Business Excellence Awards” Recipients 44 NEW! Making A Sound Living: Bernard Fowler, The Rolling Stones 46 Food For Thought: Mazaj Mediterranean Grill, 3335 Banwell Road, Windsor 47 Hot Shots: “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes”

The Sexual Assault Crisis Centre of Essex County organizes this walk to raise awareness about the issue of sexual violence against women, one man step at a time. But it’s also about having a little fun as the group of guys in the photo at left (by Rod Denis) demonstrate by showing off their fashionable red heels and funky socks: Ron Ripley, event emcee Joe McParland, Gerry Willsie, Justin Appler and Joey Wright.

48 From The Bookshelf 49 The Way It Was 50 Biz Of The Month: WMM Construction Services, Windsor

ON THE COVER — “The Maple Leaf Forever!”—18

“The Maple Leaf Forever,” a Canadian song written by Alexander Muir in 1867, the year of Canada’s confederation was an appropriate title for this issue to show how much we appreciate living in Canada. Windsor Essex has rich historical roots and residents in the region are proud to be a part of Canada 150 celebrations — from a giant rubber duck to fireworks galore, tall ships, an ice cream festival and more! We list all the fun and exciting events each local municipality is hosting to commemorate Canada’s 150th birthday.

MODEL: Five year old Dylan Jones is in awe at just how spectacular the big new flag looks. He loves his country so much and is a member of the family who owns Biz X magazine.

FACE PAINT: Dylan’s maple leaf on his cheek and fireworks on his forehead are the professional work of the talented Kim Hamilton, Owner and Artist for Glitterfly Face Painting.

(See Facebook and search under “Glitterfly Face Painting & Entertainment”) LOCATION: The Great Canadian Flag Project came to life in mid May and the downtown Windsor waterfront location of the 60 x 30 ft flag and 150 feet high pole was the ideal image for our background. PHOTOGRAPHER: Rod Denis (RodneyLDenisPhotographer.com) B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • J U N E 2 0 1 7

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August 8, 2017

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from the publisher

It’s A Small Business World, After All!

By Deborah Jones

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n the 20 years of publishing Biz X magazine, I have always done my best to help other Windsor Essex businesses by offering editorial content to promote companies, organizations and events whenever possible. We have also kept our advertising rates extremely affordable.

(In fact they have remained unchanged since 2001). Together we can help each other I believe.

That is why we have always made small businesses our #1 priority and enjoy a great relationship with the Small Business Centre (WindsorEssexSmallBusiness.com) as you will read in the accompanying letter I received from Sabrina DeMarco, their Executive Director.

Whenever we can help local businesses make more money — well it’s that much easier for us as a business magazine to flourish too.

It seems lately that everyone feels things are looking up!

“Economic Development Week In WindsorEssex” (March 27 to 31, 2017) was the result of a collaboration among the Windsor Essex Economic Development Corporation WorkForce WindsorEssex, WEtech Alliance, the Ministry of Economic Development and Growth, the City of Windsor, the Municipality of Leamington, the Towns of Amherstburg, Essex, Kingsville, Lakeshore, LaSalle and Tecumseh as well as Pelee Island.

Over 200 companies participated in a survey conducted by these organizations and the partners had an opportunity to reach out into the business community and meet with 100 companies in person.

A few of the results can be summed up in the quotes here . . .

“The City of Windsor is booming right now, of the businesses surveyed, we now know

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almost 60% of these companies are planning to expand within the next 18 months,” says Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “This is consistent with the Conference Board of Canada’s Outlook report for the Windsor Census Metropolitan Area as the second fastest growing economy in all of Canada for 2017.”

“The results of the survey are encouraging, with participating businesses hiring over 4,500 people in the last year,” comments Katie Renaud, Research Associate at Workforce WindsorEssex.

“As ‘workforce skills shortage’ was identified as the top barrier to growth in Windsor Essex, we will continue to work to improve the availability and stability of the workforce in our region.”

“We are very pleased with the overall survey results, particularly that 53% of the businesses surveyed reported that the outlook for their industry is growing and over one third indicated that exporting to international markets was of interest to them in the future,” adds Stephen MacKenzie, CEO, WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation.

The data collected will help the city, county and region identify

specific issues and challenges faced by Windsor Essex companies. Understanding the needs of local businesses will give us all a competitive advantage and keep us journeying down the road to profitability and growth.

And I’m all for that!

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editorial viewpoint

Mayor Not “Mr. Popularity” But Who Else Is There?

By Alan Halberstadt If you would like to comment on this topic, please post it under my column in the CITY section of BizXmagazine.com.

W

hile it is still 17 months before the next municipal election, political junkies are starting to speculate on whether there is anyone on the horizon who might challenge incumbent Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.

Reasons are plentiful why Dilkens should be unseated in 2018, but we must start with the premise that there are no obvious contenders.

This includes the 10 current City Councillors, although six-term Councillor Bill Marra has stood the test of time, and has an unparalleled resume, having served on two dozen City Council committees and boards.

Marra is still a young man, in his early 50s, and would give Dilkens a serious run. He has sent out signals, however, that this is his last term. He is an upwardly mobile Sunshine List Vice-President at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, with a reported annual salary and benefits of $173,077, which is a smidgeon more than the Mayor’s $172,522.

Meanwhile, Dilkens is benefiting from a local economy that is rolling after several arid years. Windsor’s unemployment rate has plummeted to under five percent.

Jobs, jobs, jobs is a lynchpin of any successful political campaign, even when the ruling party or person has little to do with creating them.

Truth be told, the city has done little to diversify its economy and create sustainable full-time, private sector jobs outside of low wage call centres and incremental expansions of small businesses incentivized by tax deferrals granted by a community improvement program hatched by former Mayor Eddie Francis in 2011.

Francis defeated Marra in the 2003 Mayor’s race and sparred with him during the final eight years of his term after Marra returned to his ward seat with an easy win in 2006.

The lion’s share of the credit for Windsor’s turnaround goes to Fiat Chrysler and the Ford Motor Company for billion dollar investments in their Windsor automotive plants. Fiat has hired 1,200 workers and Ford is expected to employ some 600-to-700.

Dilkens is a tireless photo op seeker. He speaks well at new jobs’ announcements, seems comfortable in his own skin and is adept at presenting himself as the “Friendly Giant” to all manner of children, Vets and special interest groups.

These demonstrations are in sharp contrast

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to his performance within the confines of City Hall and Council Chambers, where he has been accused of throttling public consultation and using his influence to reverse previous council decisions.

A prime example was the May 8 vote on where to locate a Brock-Tecumseh monument in Olde Sandwich Town. Dilkens violated Council’s procedural bylaw that states Council members shall not enter into debate with delegations. He allowed Councillors John Elliott, Hilary Payne, Ed Sleiman and Paul Borelli to intersperse their personal views ad nauseam with disrespectful questions of Sandwich institutions Mary Ann Cuderman and Gregory Hanaka.

Later that evening the Mayor engineered a pot-calling-the kettle-black moment by halting proceedings for a spell, accusing emotional protectors of Ojibway Nature Reserve of lacking respect for the chamber.

I recently came across an old newspaper clipping dripping with irony. It was dated December 4, 2007, entitled “Council shoots down Dilkens’ bid for info.”

It was about the frustration of a greenhorn City Councillor. First elected in 2006, Dilkens was a bit of a rebel back then, but his bid to access the minutes of meetings from the city’s arms-length corporations was torpedoed by Francis.

Dilkens expressed surprise that his motion for open, transparent government was treated so cavalierly. But, the new kid on the block caught on rapidly. The precocious Francis, while one year younger, took the fledging under his wing, and he soon became the heir apparent.

Dilkens became a student of Francis’ behaviour in ridding the city of its Auditor General, and CEOs of the WindsorEssex Development Corporation and Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island.

This closed-door corporate behaviour continued when Dilkens mounted the big chair and shuffled Parks boss Phil Roberts off to manage Roseland Golf & Curling Club.

Roberts holds pro environmental views, such as the protection of Ojibway, not shared by the Mayor’s usual supporters Fred Francis and Jo-Anne Gignac.

Dilkens became a kingpin of many of the aforementioned corporations, including B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • J U N E 2 0 1 7

Windsor International Airport and EnWin Utilities, after he was elected Mayor to succeed Francis in 2014. The EnWin boards remain top heavy with Francis himself and his long-time cohorts, including younger brother Fred and Gignac.

Dilkens was the wing man in the campaign to build the $77.6 million Windsor Family Aquatic Complex, which has been bleeding serious red ink since it opened in 2014. While hailing improved profits at the Airport, he has remained mainly mute about mysterious, so-called job-creation projects on airport lands, namely Premier Aviation and the Fedex Cargo Hub, which cost taxpayers of three levels of government $22 million and $16.8 million respectively to build.

Dilkens has earned criticism for cattle prodding six Councillors to support his divisive pet projects through the age-old political tactic known as “pork barrelling.” He has done this by unevenly doling out $10 million annually in capital spending enhancements favouring compliant Councillors.

This practice includes flip flopping a vote to contract out janitorial services, build expensive legacy monuments, kick out ground floor retail at a downtown parking garage (another reversal), play favourites by waiving fees for aquatic complex divers, dish $50,000 a year to the Detroit Grand Prix and host numerous sports tourism events.

Dilkens drew guffaws for branding international diving events as an economic development tool. The economic spinoffs of events like the FINA swimming championships remain unclear. With taxpayers footing the bill for food, transportation and accommodations of the visiting competitors and their entourages, the main benefactors are Caesars Windsor and Devonshire Mall.

Undeterred, Dilkens still wants to build a $15 million tunnel under Riverside Drive and a multi-million dollar indoor sports complex connected to the WFCU Centre. This after recently opening another money-losing swimming pool attachment, costing $7.5 million.

In spite of the relatively good health of the economy, a Postmedia poll early this year ranked him second least popular among Canada’s 10 large city Mayors.

No doubt his style rubs people the wrong way. When Marra announced he was not running for Mayor prior to the 2014 election, he panned Francis for ostracising Councillors who didn’t agree with him.

It was time for a new leader with an attitude of collaboration and co-operation, he said.

At this juncture Dilkens hasn’t been that kind of leader.

Perhaps what we need is a draft “Bill Marra for Mayor” campaign.

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FRONTLINES

The FAST Track To Fitness

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our friends have turned their passion for fitness into a business opportunity by opening FAST Fitness Inc. featuring High Intensity Interval Training, which combines cardio workouts with weight training.

Located at 4450 Rhodes Drive in Windsor, the club is owned by Stephanie Beaudoin, Antonella Chisesi-Gereige, Felicity Montgomery and Tom Tracey, who all met while working out at various fitness clubs.

“We also knew each other casually outside the fitness sector and we realized we had the same goals and vision for a club of our own,” says Montgomery, who also works at Cypher Systems. “We are all very passionate about fitness and we decided to use our knowledge to help other people reach their fitness goals.”

Once the partners decided to take the leap into club ownership, it took a few weeks to transform a former Zumba studio into a high intensity workout space.

“It sounds simple, but it wasn’t,” admits Tracey. “We did all the work ourselves with a great deal of help from family members.”

“We decided we can do this because we have experience in fitness and even though we’ve only been open since May 1, it’s been a positive experience,” says Tracey, who also works at The Wine Rack.

Montgomery lists the renovations

FAST Fitness Owners/Trainers from left: Tom Tracey, Antonella Chisesi-Gereige, Felicity Montgomery and Stephanie Beaudoin inside their new club. Photo courtesy of Doug Rhea.

including: taking down some interior walls where offices once stood and installing steel beams capable of withstanding the pounding from people using boxing bags, as well as replacing flooring and trim throughout the gym.

“We’re all busy with this project, but we would be at the gym anyway,” says Montgomery.

Working together to bring their dreams to reality has also been a positive experience.

“We were able to do it ourselves over the course of four to six weeks, because we all had a specialty or something that we were good at, so it didn’t take as long as we thought it might,” states Beaudoin, an Educational Assistant with one of the local school boards.“We also share the goal of wanting to provide a safe, clean, fun environment so that people want to come to our centre and reach their fitness goals by taking one of our classes.”

Chisesi-Gereige, a hairstylist, adds, “We’ve already met some great people and business has started off really well.”

Classes are at 5:45 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., which suits “our main demographics,” Chisesi-Gereige indicates.

“In the early morning, we get members who want a fast, intense 45-minute workout before work, the middle session is mostly made up of moms whose kids are at school and the late afternoon session is generally for people who have left work and want a workout before they head home,” says Chisesi-Gereige.

She believes, “Today, people seem to want a fast workout so they can get back to their busy lives.”

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) features a combination of cardio and weight training in 40 minute classes, which are the equivalent of longer sessions on a treadmill.

The Owners take turns teaching the classes, as well as taking on clients for personal training sessions.

The centre also offers exercise boxing classes along with the personal training and HIIT classes.

For further information, you can visit their website: FastFitnessInc.com.

Booking for summer!

Weekends or Weekdays To reserve call 519-259-2745 See the summer schedule at

www.agoodstart.ca

Windsor’s only CAA approved Driving School

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B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • J U N E 2 0 1 7

FRONTLINES

Canadian Immigrant Lives The Entrepreneurial Dream, Now Ready To Retire & Travel A lmost 50 years after arriving in Canada with $20 in his pocket, Riaz Bhatti is closing his eclectic World Cottage store at 553 Ouellette Avenue in downtown Windsor.

For people seeking belt buckles, rock posters and t-shirts, jewellery, leather jackets and vests, candles, incense and much more, it has been the place to go since 1970, but Bhatti has decided to close by the end of June.

“I started out selling incense and candles down in Dieppe Gardens, mostly to fishermen on the river,” recalls Bhatti, now 71. “When I had enough money to rent a store, I moved onto Ouellette Avenue and just started accumulating all you see here in the store.”

There are two more floors above the ground-level storefront jam-packed with boxes and boxes of inventory, much of it never opened since it arrived.

“It’s been a lot of hard work and in the early days, I even slept in the store,” says Bhatti. “I worked six or seven days a week in the beginning, but I loved every minute of it.”

Bhatti’s wife Anzalara, to whom he has been married for 45 years, worked alongside her husband for 30 years before retiring.

Bhatti, who has a master’s degree in political science from the University of Lahore in Pakistan, originally planned to go to law school, but “it was expensive and I couldn’t afford it.”

Instead, he moved to Windsor, largely because his brother lived in Detroit at the time and Bhatti thought the transition to North America would be easier with family living close by.

This connection to the legal profession will continue after the store closes at the end of June.

Bhatti plans to transform the building, which he now owns, into a law office for his daughter Nadia Bhatti and her husband Christopher Knowles, who

World Cottage store owner Riaz Bhatti behind the counter of his eclectic gift store on Ouellette Avenue.

After more than 45 years in business, Bhatti is closing the doors this summer and turning the building into a law office. Photo by Dave Hall.

are both lawyers, and his son Sunny Bhatti who is completing his licensing to become a paralegal. Bhatti’s other daughter Uzma Bhatti is a Director at Trios College.

“My father has worked very diligently to provide for our family and his business has been part of the downtown community since the 1970s,” Sunny comments. “My dad has really put his heart and soul into the shop and is very well known throughout the downtown community. It is closing with mixed emotions, but it is time for the next chapter.”

Sunny estimates the renovations should take close to 12 months. And his father admits that selling everything in the store won’t be easy, but he’s hoping someone comes along and buys a lot of it in bulk.

“I still have about 5,000 belt buckles and 300 leather jackets in stock,” says Bhatti, smiling. “There’s stuff packed away everywhere you look and I keep finding boxes I had forgotten about.”

He adds, “It’s sad to be closing because this store has provided our family with a living for many years and made it possible for our children to become successful in their own careers. But, now my wife and I will have more time to travel and perhaps even go back to Pakistan to visit relatives. We never really had the time before this.”

B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • J U N E 2 0 1 7

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FRONTLINES

Where There’s A (Good)Will, There’s A Way To Donate!

Goodwill Industries EKL continues to grow locally and recently opened an attended donation centre on a busy stretch of Tecumseh Road East, to service a fastgrowing area of the county.

The donation centre at 11145 Tecumseh Road East, near Banwell Road, provides an easy and convenient drop-off location in a high traffic area, says Adam Frye, Goodwill’s Manager of Donor Acquisitions.

Housed in a portable trailer, the centre is staffed Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It has created three jobs which contribute to Goodwill’s vision: “You Donate, Someone Works.”

“We are proud to say that 89 percent from sales in our retail stores, funds jobs skills and training programs, which are designed to prepare people to re-enter the workforce,” says Frye. “Our programs are designed to help people overcome barriers to employment and last

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year, we helped 1,600 people find jobs.”

Frye says the centre is averaging about 20 donors a day since it opened on April 1.

“It’s a great response so far and we believe it will become even more popular as people realize we are here and that it’s a convenient stopping-off point for residents in the Windsor-Tecumseh area,” says Frye.

Kevin Smith, CEO of Goodwill Industries adds, “If you have items in good condition, don’t throw them away. Drop them off at our donation centres instead. The donations divert waste from landfills and the revenue generated will help fund local counselling, job preparation and training programs right here in Windsor.”

Last year, Goodwill of Essex-KentLambton (EKL) diverted more than four million pounds of goods from the landfill by accepting gently-used clothing, furniture, books, toys and dishes.

According to the organization’s website — GoodwillEKL.com — Goodwill also operates a retail store in Windsor at

B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • J U N E 2 0 1 7

Goodwill Industries employee Dave Loosemore, left, and Adam Frye, the organization’s Manager of Donor Acquisitions, are ready to accept your donations at the new Tecumseh Road East and Banwell Road location.

Photo by Dave Hall.

1643 McDougall Avenue, a book store at 298 Lauzon Road and donation centres at 3799 Tecumseh Road East; 216 Talbot Street in Essex; 2170 Front Road in LaSalle and 43 Main Street West in Kingsville.

Empire Roofing receives industry’s most distinguished honours Throughout 2016, Empire Roofing Corporation has earned a spot as one of the most elite contractors in the nation thanks to a commitment to long-term roofing system performance and high quality workmanship.

Therefore, Firestone Building Products is pleased to present Empire Roofing Corporation with the 2017 “Platinum Master Contractor,” “Inner Circle of Quality” Award and the “President’s Club” Award, which are the commercial roofing industry’s most distinguished honours.

The annual Master Contractor Program honours top Firestone Building Products Red Shield™ Licensed Roofing Contractors for excellence in roofing system installation, quality of work and customer service.

Empire Roofing Corporation has achieved this designation by meeting requirements for total square footage installed; outstanding inspection ratings on materials covered by the Red Shield™ Warranty; and the number of completed jobs.

The Master Contractor Program represents contractors who have mastered quality commercial roofing solutions and who exemplify the hard work, determination and entrepreneurial leadership that defines Firestone Building Products.

The “Platinum Master Contractor” Award is designated for Master Contractors who regularly earn the highest quality points on an annual basis, placing them among the top 1% of contractors for that time.

Empire Roofing Corporation also earned the esteemed Firestone Building Products “Inner Circle of Quality” Award.

At the Awards Ceremony, from left: Anthony Salvatore, Firestone Vice President of Roofing Sales; Matt Loos, Firestone Marketing Executive; Ken Gascoigne, President of Empire Roofing and Timothy Dunn, President of Firestone Building Products.

Photo courtesy of Firestone Building Products.

The “Inner Circle of Quality” Award recognizes an elite group of Master Contractors who installed a minimum of eight warrantied Firestone Building Products roofing systems each in 2014, 2015 and 2016; and four warrantied roofs per year for each of the prior three years. They were also required to maintain at least 2 million square feet of Firestone Building Products roofs under warranty and achieve an annual Quality Incidence Rating (QIR) of 1.0 or less.

Congratulations to the entire Empire Team — your commitment to continued excellence is reflected in every aspect of your business!

24/7 EMERGENCY NUMBER: 1-844-547-ROOF

EMPIRE

ROOFING

CORPORATION

Now serving the Midwestern and Southern areas of the United States!

WWW. EM P I RE R OOFIN GCORP OR ATION .COM

TORONTO BRANCH: 6140 Ordan Drive, Mississauga ON L5T 2B4 | Ph. 416-923-7663 (ROOF) B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • J U N E 2 0 1 7 WINDSOR BRANCH: 4810 Walker Road, Windsor ON N9A 6J3 | Ph. 519-969-7101

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and Parent Avenue is currently being renovated aimed at meeting the mid-July opening date.

BRINGING YOU UP TO SPEED ON THE LATEST BUZZ AROUND TOWN! A long-time Windsor hair salon is closing its doors next month and the entire staff is moving to a new location on Ottawa Street. Katherine Sims, who has worked at T’Dye For Salon at 1464 Ottawa Street for nine years, is opening Elysian Beauty Bar, in partnership with her sister Maria Mouammar, at 871 Ottawa Street in mid-July. “I just think it’s time for me to take that next step as a business owner,” says Sims, whose sister is moving back to Windsor from Dubai to help run the new salon. “It’s a challenge, but we’re taking everyone with us and all our clients will have their appointments honoured at the new location, so we think it will be a seamless transition.” Elysian will offer many of the same services, which are currently offered at T’Dye For, including hairstyling, colouring, facials, lash extensions and esthetic treatments. Jeffery Wood, who opened T’Dye For 15 years ago, is also moving to the new salon. “I’m ready for a new chapter in my life,” says Wood. “In fact, I talked Katherine into it and I’m very happy to be joining her in a new business venture.” Wood continues by stating he is “very excited and looking forward to it.

We had a great run here at T’Dye For and it’s time to start another run somewhere else.” Sims said the empty space at the corner of Ottawa

A Windsor couple has taken over a former breakfast and lunch restaurant on Tecumseh Road East, at Jefferson Boulevard, and turned it into a family-style Mexican restaurant.

Susana and Armando Armas opened The Three Amigos in early May after closing their original restaurant in Cottam after two years of operation. “We had been looking for a new, busier location with more traffic and when this restaurant closed, we thought it was a great location,” says Susana of the former Eggsmart restaurant, which closed abruptly last year.

The menu features authentic Mexican food including flautas, chile rellenos, chicken fajitas, chips, salsa, pico de gallo and guacamole.

The City of Windsor, self-proclaimed champion of restraint, has taken a few on the chin recently from its employee groups and the Ontario Pay Equity Commission. The city will shell out $11.6 million over four years, to the end of 2020, to cover new four year contracts with its two union groups and its non-union employees. The costing news began in late January when the city’s 295 outside workers, represented by CUPE Local 82, settled a four year deal with the key component being wage increases of 1.25 percent per year. Local 543.1, representing 1,400 inside workers, agreed to terms in late February with the same accumulated five percent wage boost over four years. The city’s non-union workers received matching percentage wage increases. A minor gain for the city was an agreement, effective February 27, to increase the co-pay for overthe-counter prescription drugs from $2 to $5.

A group of inside workers who park in city lots downtown have seen their subsidized fees increase from $20 per month to $25 in 2017 and $30 per month in 2018. Travel insurance was reduced to 90 days from 180 days, but employees received improved vision, massage therapy, dental and foot orthotics coverage. The hit to taxpayers from each group is $1,737,256

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for Local 82; $6,108,461 for Local 543.1 and $4,749,009 for non unionists. The news from the pay equity commission started rolling in April when the Sunshine List revealed three female directors for Windsor Police Services received huge retroactive payouts ordered by the Pay Equity Commission. The Director of Financial Services pulled down $427,272 in 2016, the Director of Information Services $270,608 and the Director of Human Resources $258,080.

Fast forward to May and along came news of another order from Pay Equity nailing the city for back pay estimated at tens of thousands of dollars for life guards at the downtown aquatics centre and Adventure Bay. The city promptly appealed the ruling, claiming the reduction in salary for the female-dominated group, from $18 an hour to $15 an hour, was agreed upon by CUPE to avert contracting out.

Dari de Lite is one of Windsor’s oldest family businesses and recently opened for its 46th season selling both soft-serve and hard ice cream at 2686 Howard Avenue. It opened in 1972 when Albert Shalhoub bought a former Dairy Queen and after a proposed lease deal with a client fell through, he decided to learn how to run an ice cream business, according to his grandson John Paul Malette. “My parents John and Renee Malette bought the business in the early 1980s and it has since been passed down to myself and my three sisters,” says Malette. “It’s been in the family for almost 50 years and we have been very fortunate to have been blessed with great customers and great employees over the years.” Malette, a Financial Analyst for Little Caesars in Michigan, and his sisters Jacqueline Biswas, a Rheumatologist, Rachelle Christensen, a Pharmacist, and Gabrielle Malette, a dentistry student at Western University in London, all take turns working in the store. Malette is increasing the store’s social media presence and last year bought a mobile unit, which is used for weddings, corporate and community events and during area festivals. “This is our first full season with the mobile trailer and based on the second half of last summer, it should be very popular,” says Malette.

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NEWSFLASH THE RUNDOWN Allegra Marketing Print Mail in Windsor has been chosen by Canada Post to be a Smartmail Marketing partner. Located at 1800 Huron Church Road, Allegra is among a handful of marketing solutions’ providers across Canada — and the only one in Essex County — to offer Smartmail Marketing solutions. “Working with a Canada Post Smartmail Marketing partner offers access to the kind of expertise and experience that’s usually reserved for larger businesses,” says Pat O’Halloran, Account Manager at Allegra. “In today’s increasingly digital marketing landscape, direct mail has unique strengths as a channel for both consumer and business marketers. Research shows mail’s touchable qualities connect with people more intimately than digital communications. And interacting with mail is part of their daily routines, especially in the home.” A recent study conducted by Canada Post, “Breaking Through the Noise,” reveals 81% of consumers read their mail the same day they receive it, and 60% say good advertising mail helped keep the sender’s brand top-of-mind. “Small and mid-sized companies who may have moved away from mail would be wise to take a second look,” suggests O’Halloran. “We’ve managed many successful mail campaigns, both micro-targeted with very precise lists, as well as broader outreach to geographic areas that surround a local business. As a Smartmail Marketing preferred partner, we give guidance in choosing the right mail solution, design and print the mail pieces, and ensure they meet all postal regulations. This type of coordinated support saves time and money, and drives improved response rates.” For more details visit: AllegraWindsorEssex.ca.

After 19 years of serving the community at 5505 Rhodes Drive in Windsor, Guardian Storage has opened a second location at

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472 Blanchard Park Drive in Lakeshore. This new world class facility, which ranks in the top five of storage facilities in North America, (according to Trachte Building Systems), offers a full range of storage options. Guardian Storage specializes in “true climate control storage units” and offers regular drive up access storage units as well. The climate controlled building offers wide aisles for easy access to units. There are no long corridors. Each brightly lit unit is located within steps of an entrance offering easy move in. The storage units come in a variety of sizes ranging from 5x5 to 10x30 — a size to suit every need! Adding to the upscale atmosphere is a sound system providing music for the customers’ enjoyment. In addition to traditional storage units, portable storage boxes that can be delivered right to your home are also available.

For information go to: Guardian-Storage.com.

New and exciting things are happening at the Lakewood Café in Tecumseh this summer. Located at 13451 Riverside Drive East (at Manning Road), a food menu and catering services will be added to the line-up. Since July 2015, the Café has been growing and will be continuing down that path during the summer months. At the moment, Co-Owners/Operators Ashleigh Neil and Chris Divito are still preparing your favourite beverages just the way you like them. Featuring lattes, cappuccinos, specialty coffee drinks, milkshakes, slushies, floats, sodas, hot chocolate, apple cider, tea and of course the four-bean espresso blend coffee, you will find something to satisfy your thirst.

Many of the coffee products at Lakewood are fair trade and organic with an effort made to use locally sourced products. Healthy products are used whenever possible as well. And don’t forget the Soft Serve Artisan Gelato! The flavours are endless! There are 40 seats available outside and the Café also has a strong presence on

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Facebook and Twitter. Discs can also be picked up at the café for the new Lakewood Park Disc Golf Course.

NEW IN BIZ In March 2017, Dr. Meagan Tsagaris opened her own chiropractic practice, Windsor Chiropractic and Wellness, located at 7670 Tecumseh Road East, Unit #1, inside the Goodlife Fitness Club on the Tecumseh Mall site. Dr. Meagan’s unique approach to treatment involves a combination of functional assessments, soft tissue mobilization, chiropractic adjustments/mobilizations, rehabilitation and patient education to eliminate symptoms, restore full function and promote a healthy lifestyle. Windsor Chiropractic and Wellness can direct bill with almost all major insurance companies, accepts motor vehicle accident and worker’s compensation claims. Visit their website: WindsorChiroWellness.com.

ON THE MOVE Tecumseh Mall (7654 Tecumseh Road East, Windsor; TecumsehMall.com) is pleased to announce the new addition of Colleen GosnellConlin, who has gladly accepted the position of General Manager. She has since started her new role from being the General Manager of Maplewood Manor Retirement Home in Seaforth, ON. She brings more than 35 yearsof property m a n a g e m e n t Colleen Gosnell-Conlin, the new experience with her, Tecumseh Mall General Manager.

16 of those years managing Windsor Crossing Premium Outlets with Bentall Kennedy and Westmount Mall in London, ON with Oxford Properties. Please join us in congratulating and welcoming her to the Tecumseh Mall and 20 VIC Management Inc. family!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO . . .

One year ago Lindsay Logsdon and Sherry Postma opened Mighty Oak Elementary in 2016, the only school in the Windsor Essex region to offer a Waldorf curriculum paired with a forest program. Driven by a desire to provide their own children with a wholesome, well-rounded education, Logsdon and Postma pooled their talents and their resources to launch summer nature programs for children and a private elementary school where students are immersed in nature and the arts. Now, as of May 2017, the school has been so successful that it has outgrown its space in Essex (32 Arthur Avenue) and is expanding into the Lakeshore area to 540 Old Tecumseh Road.

They also recently hired additional teaching staff and the school is prepared to purchase a school bus and accept an additional 35 to 40 students for the 2017/2018 school year. Students at Mighty Oak Elementary learn through an approach for “the head, the hands, and the heart.” The Mighty Oak curriculum addresses not only a student’s academic needs, but their developmental and emotional needs as well.

With intentionally small classes, all students receive individual attention from teachers and plenty of opportunities for real-life, hands-on learning. Here, recess is recognised as being just as important as the core subjects, and teachers understand the importance of outdoor time and physical activity for academic success. Artistic expression is integral to the learning process, and allows students to deeply know and understand lesson content.

In an era of screens and endless media, Mighty Oak students learn in a low-tech, screen-free environment and connect with the natural world through the school’s weekly forest program. Mighty Oak Elementary’s new

Lakeshore location will allow staff to provide a hands-on learning experience to more families in the Windsor Essex region and will also allow for expansion of summer programs to help more kids connect with nature. Learn more by checking out: MightyOakEducation.ca.

Only two years after the amalgamated City of Windsor was formed, the Windsor Yacht Club (9000 Riverside Drive East) was born. On May 9, 1937 the club was incorporated and it is now celebrating its 80th birthday. The club has an interesting and storied history. In the spring of 1938, the Canadian Power Squadron was started at the Windsor Yacht Club with G. William Bowman as its first Commander.

Over the past 75 years, the squadron has spread from Windsor across the nation and been involved locally, regionally and nationally in providing leadership and education regarding safe boating. The Windsor Power and Sail Squadron continues to host events for members of the general public to this day. That includes holding seminars involving border patrol and various police and coast guard officers regarding the rules of our area waterways and crossing the border. During the Second World War, yacht club member Harry Gignac loaned his boat to the RCMP to patrol the Detroit River from Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie, helping to keep residents safe during a time of conflict.

The club’s first major expansion occurred after the war when, in 1945, kitchen and dining facilities were added. In 1949, the first “Maple Leaf International Classic” race for power boats was held. In 1972, the “Canadian Club Regatta” for sailboats began, with this year marking its 45th anniversary. In 2001, the clubhouse was reconstructed as it stands today. And, in 2016, the harbour was reopened after an $850,000 upgrade, which means it can now accommodate boats up to 60 feet in length. (See photo on contents page of this issue.) The club has a long tradition of welcoming boaters from around the Great Lakes and belongs to the Inter-Lake Yachting Association and the Detroit Regional Yacht-Racing Association. Despite the obvious nautical nature of the club, one does not need to own a boat to become a member and enjoy

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the many amenities it offers. Need more details?

Navigate to: WindsorYachtClub.com.

HALL OF FAME Walkerville Brewery (525 Argyle Road, Windsor) earned a total of three awards at the 2017 “Ontario Brewing Awards” held in Toronto on April 28, 2017. They were awarded a silver medal in the Scotch Ale category for their Scotch Ale, a silver medal in the Milk Stout category for their Easy Stout, and a gold in the Imperial Stout category for their Russian Imperial Stout. With submissions from over 120 breweries all over Ontario, and 681 beers, these local craft beers were able to win over the judges and take on some wide-spread recognition. “We are very proud to receive these awards which are a credit to the great work of our brewing team at Walkerville Brewery,” comments Ian Gourlay, Partner at Walkerville Brewery, “Another indication of the growing reputation of the Windsor area for fresh, locally brewed craft beer!” For more information view: WalkervilleBrewery.com.

St. Clair College held their “25th Annual Alumni of Distinction Awards” on April 26, 2017 to honour six new “Alumni of Distinction” recipients. They are: Andrew Banar, Designer and Spokesperson for Group Hug Apparel, a graduate of the Community Living Skills Program; David Sellick, Vice President of Sellick Equipment Limited, a graduate of the Business Administration Program; Judy Robinet, Executive Director of A Life Worth Living, a graduate of the Early Childhood Education Program; Dr. Snezana Ninkovich, Emergency Department Physician at Windsor Regional Hospital, a graduate of the Medical Laboratory Technology Program; Elizabeth Farano, Vice President of Douglas Marketing Group, a graduate of the Graphic Design Program, and Daniel Miskokomon, Chief of Walpole Island First Nation, a graduate of the Mechanical Drafting Technician Program. For more information about St. Clair College and past “Alumni of Distinction” recipients, log on to: StClairCollege.ca/alumni.

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JUNE/JULY2017 D AT E S T O R E M E M B E R

Biz X has the list of business events (and some fun stuff) that you shouldn’t miss! Please be sure to confirm all events before attending.

Having an event? Submit your listing to us at: Bizxmagazine.com and InPlaymagazine.com

VISIT: BIZXMAGAZINE.COM AND INPLAYMAGAZINE.COM AND CLICK ON THE “EVENTS” TAB TO SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE BORDER CITIES!

WINDSOR ESSEX *unless noted the area code to dial is 519 June is “Seniors’ Month” in Ontario. This year the theme is “Living Your Best Life.”

June is also “Tourism Month.”

June 8 to 11: The “30th Annual LaSalle Strawberry Festival” at Gil Maure Park, Front Road at Laurier Drive, features Canadian band “The Philosopher Kings” on June 10.

The “LaSalle Strawberry Festival” is proud to be named one of Ontario’s “Top 100 Festivals”

by Festivals and Events Ontario. The festival features a carnival, fireworks, parade, talent show, entertainment and fresh local strawberries! Download their FREE app or visit: LaSalle.ca for the latest news and schedule.

June 10: The 31 Service Battalion (Windsor) conducts its “Freedom of the City Ceremony” in City Hall Square at 2 p.m.

“Freedom of the City” is an ancient honour granted to military units allowing them the privilege to march into the city “with drums beating, colours flying, and bayonets fixed.”

This ceremony represents an affirmation of the bond between the Battalion and the citizenry.

All are welcome to celebrate this chapter of Windsor’s military history.

June 11: The “4th Annual Jeep Jam Poker Run” throughout the region is a fun day for Jeepers to come together for a great cause. Check in 10 a.m. at On The Beach, 354 Amy Croft Drive in Tecumseh. All monies raised support local brain injury survivor programs provided through A.L.S.O. (Assisted Living of SW Ontario). Admission is $25 in advance; $30 at the door; passengers an additional $5. View: WindsorJeepClub.com to learn more; email:laurakay@alsogroup.org or call 259-2258.

June 11: North Wall Riders Association hosts a family-focused fundraising chicken dinner “with all the fixins + dessert” at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 143, 1570 Marentette Avenue. Doors open 4 p.m., dinner served 7 p.m. Live musical entertainment on stage until 8 p.m. All are welcome and proceeds to support Veterans’ causes. Visit: Facebook. com/NWRAWindsorChapter. Tickets $20 and are available at the Legion or by calling Mike Lepine, 945-3199 or Manny Chayer, 997-5858.

June 11: “Fourth Annual King of Guac — You Gotta Eat Here!” at The Bull N’ Barrel, 670 Ouellette Avenue in Windsor from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. This event supports the Brain Injury Association of Windsor & Essex County’s (BIAWE) “Helmets on Kids” program. To purchase your $35 ticket go to: Eventbrite.ca

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and search “King of Guac Fundraiser.” For more info email: info@biawe.com; check: BIAWE.com or call 981-1329.

June 11: Silver Ambassadors Concert Band annual summer concert on the riverfront — a FREE performance of favourite summertime tunes in Reaume Park (Riverside Drive at Pillette Road) at 7 p.m. Bring a chair, a blanket and a friend to sing along. Get more details on their Facebook page under “Silver Ambassadors Concert Band.”

June 14: The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce “After Business” starts at 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Wolfhead Distillery, 7781 Howard Ave in Amherstburg. Admission is $15 to $25. For more info call 966-3696 or email:bmalmberg@windsorchamber.org.

June 16&17: The Amherstburg Fort Malden Horticultural Society “Garden Tour” is a self guided tour of over 10 beautiful private gardens paired with artisans to inspire you.

Hours are Friday 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $12 and available on the day of tour at Toddy Jones Park, 50 North Street, Amherstburg. Be sure to end your Saturday tour in the beautiful King’s Navy Yard Park with a performance from the Windsor Symphony ensemble at 5 p.m. Find out more here: Facebook.com/AburgHortSociety.

June 16 to 18 & 23 to 25: Come celebrate 42 years of culture at “Carrousel of the Nations.” Delight in the tastes, sounds and traditions of an array of cultures “Around the City.” Live entertainment, cultural foods and much more can be found these two weekends when ethno-cultural groups open their cultural centres in celebration of their origins. For more information refer to: CarrouselOfNations.com or call 255-1127.

June 16 to July 2: “Summerfest” downtown Windsor with midway rides, fireworks party and more! Check out: SummerfestWindsor.org/main to view the daily schedule of events.

June 17: The “4th Annual We Will Rock Blue” concert at 8 p.m. featuring ALWAYS ABBA in support of Roots 2 Wings at the Chrysler Theatre, 201Riverside Drive West, Windsor. Tickets $22 or $32.

See: WeWillRockBlue.com for further details.

June 21: “A Day for a Life” Charity Golf Tournament honouring Trevor Louis Funkenhauser at Kingsville Golf and Country Club, registration at 10 a.m. Proceeds support awareness campaigns to increase the number of registered organ and tissue donors and maintenance of the hospital ICU area and waiting room at Windsor Regional Hospital.

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For additional information on fees please email: kingsvillefoods@yahoo.ca or call Gunther Funkenhauser, 970-89891.

June 22: “Chamber 141 — A Celebration at Augustus 27” presented by WindsorEssex Regional Chamber of Commerce at Caesars Windsor, Augustus 27 from 6 to 10:30 p.m. The Chamber is celebrating 141 years of operation and honours their Chairman of the Board, Jeff McKinnon and also will present the “Lifetime Achievement Award” to Marty Beneteau. Admission is $135 to $160. For info call 966-3696 or email: mburke@windsorchamber.org.

June 23 to June 30: “Compassion Care Community Week” hosted by the WindsorEssex Compassion Care Community in Kingsville, Windsor, Tecumseh, Leamington and Lakeshore. This is a free public event starting at noon and ending at 4 p.m. The week’s events include entertainment, a neighbours’ fair, art, awards, and giveaways! The WindsorEssex Compassion Care Community is citizens, families, neighbours, providers, businesses and community leaders working together to build a fully connected community care system from the roots up. Together, they aim to raise happiness, improve quality of life and reduce inequities for our citizens. For a list of locations call 974-2581 ext. 2420.

June 23: The “Tecumseh Night Market” promotes hip and historic neighbourhoods, bringing people together with local business, musicians and artists. It begins at 5 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m. in the parking lot of the Tecumseh Towne Centre Plaza, at 1614 Lesperance Road. For more summer updates, check: TecumsehBIA.com.

June 25: The “Third Annual Summer Craft & Gift Show” at the Serbian Centre, 6770 Tecumseh Road East in Windsor from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Free to attend and free photos for kids with Paw Patrol’s Chase (11 a.m. to noon) and Marshall (12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.). For the Love of Paws donations are welcomed. For info call 903-7574 or email: jewelry.by.janine@hotmail.com.

June 25: The “Bob Probert Memorial Ride” departs from Thunder Road Harley Davidson, 2139 Huron Church Road in Windsor at 11 a.m. and weaves it way through Essex County for numerous stops. Admission is $20 for riders, $10 for passengers. Register at: HDGH.org/probertride; call 257-5111 or email: dani.probert@hdgh.org.

July 1: Happy Canada Day! For a list of all events in Essex County, as well as for Canada

150 celebrations, please read the cover story beginning on page 18.

July 1: Windsor Chrysler partners up with Farrow Customs Brokerage and Ground Effects Ltd./LLC for the “5th Annual Classics Car Show” presented by Gil Valley from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Farrow’s Windsor location, 2001 Huron Church Road. Classic and muscle cars from all Windsor Essex and surrounding areas are featured. Entertainment provided by the band The Bad Moustache and Lights Sound Action Entertainment Services.

There is also an engine blow contest and a BBQ lunch. Car entry is just $10 and you must pre-register by June 19. Event is free to the public. For more info phone 791-6642 or email: gvalley@windsorchrysler.com.

July 2: North Wall Riders Association annual “Run to the North Wall Memorial Service” at 1200 hrs in Ambassador Park (Riverside Drive west at Patricia) — under the bridge. Full event details at: Facebook.com/NWRAWindsorChapter.

July 5 to Sept. 1: The “5th Annual Film Camp for Kids & Youth” has day and overnight film camps, English and French camps, writing and photography camps which run all summer until Sept. 1 from Monday to Friday (various weeks): 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ages 8 to 18, with one or two weeks per age group. Extended hours for working parents. The program has 15 instructors and a

teaching space in downtown Windsor. Shoot locations and field trips vary by age. Camera, computers and editing software provided with teaching on all aspects of filmmaking. Register soon at: FilmCampForKids.com.

July 7 to 9: “Amherstburg Rotary Ribfest,” Centennial Park. See AmherstburgRotary.com.

July 7 to 9: “Fork & Cork!” Riverfront Festival Plaza, Windsor.

July 13 to 16: “Bluesfest Windsor” at the Riverfront Festival Plaza.

July 13 to July 16: “Sunsplash Festival” presented by Belle River-On the Lake BIA takes place at Lakeview Park, 100 Lake Road in Belle River-On the Lake. Refreshment tent, food booths, Campbell Amusement Carnival, music, parade, SOLTRA Lawnmower Race, jet ski race, “Sunsplash Idol,” kids fishing derby, vendors and entertainment! A highlight is always the “Sunsplash Classic Cruise 16th Annual Car Show” on 11 blocks of Notre Dame Street from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. on July 14. This is a free show for ALL makes and models. Please register early online at:ClassicCruise.ca for a chance to win $100 of BIA dollars or you can even enter at the show!

For more info email: info@belleriverbia.com; visit: BelleRiverBIA.com or call 728-4624.

July 15: The “Third Annual Grrrl Fest” presented by Christin Ceshan at Villains Beastro, 256 Pelissier in Windsor from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. The fest was created to support

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the local female artists and musicians in Windsor and part of the proceeds collected during the event are donated to the Welcome Centre Shelter for Women. What kind of art will you see at the event? Hand embroidered patches, handmade soaps, jewellery, and many other unique DIY art! Performances by folk band The Whisky Stings and a performance by the Rose City Burlesque team.

First hour is free to attend, then $5 after 7 p.m.

Questions? Phone 996-3408 or send an email to: christinceshan@hotmail.ca.

SPECIAL MICHIGAN EVENT HIGHLIGHT July 14 to July 16: “Blue Water SandFest” presented by Friends of the Fort Gratiot Light at the Fort Gratiot Light Station County Park, 2802 Omar Street in Port Huron, Michigan. Hours are:10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 to 4 on Sunday. Admission $5. “Blue Water SandFest” brings together master and advanced amateur sand sculptors from around North America and Europe to sculpt more than 450 tons of sand into beautiful works of art on the grounds of the Fort Gratiot Light Station County Park. Live music, amateur contest and kids’ activities complete the weekend. It’s Michigan’s first and only master sand sculpting and advanced amateur competition and festival.

It’s the Michigan State championship of sand sculpting! Details at: BluewaterSandfest.com; or you can call 810-385-4951.

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COVER STORY By Rebecca Wright

With Glowing Hearts, Windsor Essex Joins The Country With Canada 150 Celebrations

Dressed as mounties, the Stilt Guys (Kyle Sipkens, left and Mark Lefebvre) will tower over attendees as they stroll along the “Canuck it UP! Festival Canadiana” this summer. Photo courtesy of the Town of Amherstburg.

Canada Graphic: © CanStock Photo/prawny

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cross the country, Canadians are celebrating our nation’s 150th birthday, and luckily for local residents, there’s no shortage of ways to commemorate Canada 150 in Windsor Essex!

Gordon Orr, Chief Executive Officer for Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, informs Biz X that all the towns and municipalities in the region are seizing this opportunity to celebrate and commemorate Canada 150, in an effort to evoke that pride of place and country we all know, appreciate and love.

“We have much to be grateful for as a nation and as a community,” states Orr. Gordon Orr, CEO of TWEPI, says their website: WE150.ca has extensive lists of all the exciting events the area is hosting to celebrate Canada 150.

Photo courtesy of Gordon Orr.

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TWEPI recently launched a website — WE150.ca — to create a regional hub which promotes events related to this milestone celebration, along with the hashtag #WE150 for social media.

“This hub promotes signature events in banner ads searchable by event or by community in an effort to draw more attention to what the municipalities and towns across the region have in store for the visitors to enjoy and experience,” explains Orr. Part of the website is also dedicated to recognizing the storied past of WindsorEssex and its role in the automotive industry, black history, War of 1812, and prohibition — all rich aspects of Canadian history.

Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations can be found right here in our community, asserts Orr. “The party is being brought right to B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • J U N E 2 0 1 7

you — no need to travel further than your own ‘backyard’ to celebrate this milestone birthday for our great country and province,” Orr says. “It is a time to underscore the importance of our freedom and this year-long celebration gives us pause to do so.

It’s a festive occasion and needs to be celebrated with your family, friends and neighbours.”

Read on to discover the different ways and dates, throughout this summer, each local municipality is celebrating this national milestone birthday across Windsor Essex!

AMHERSTBURG Celebrations in Amherstburg kick off July 1 at the Fort Malden National Historic Site with the “Ice Cream Festival.”

“This traditional event is loads of family fun all day long, (also) with the popular nighttime fireworks display along the Detroit River,” says Anne Rota, Manager of Tourism and Culture for the Town of Amherstburg.

This year’s “Canada D’Eh 5K Run/Walk”

by Running Flat in Amherstburg has a special Canada 150 tie-in. All finishers receive a maple leaf medal along with a Canada D’Eh shirt, which sports the official Canada 150 logo on the back. The route goes through historic Amherstburg, from Fort Malden up Laird Avenue, around Toddy Jones Park, down Dalhousie Street and back.

Also on Canada Day at 2 p.m. in Fort Malden, Amherstburg is honouring 150 residents with a medal of distinction for outstanding service or contributions to their community.

The town’s main signature event, above and beyond Canada Day, is the “Canuck It Up! Festival Canadiana” on August 5 and 6.

The event takes place along the waterfront and in the downtown core.

A giant yellow duck that travels worldwide — and is originally from the Netherlands — will loom over crowds along the Amherstburg shore, and is sure to make for some great photo-ops for families! Photo courtesy of the Town of Amherstburg and David Sun.

“A huge street party is the best way to describe it,” exclaims Rota. “Everything you can imagine Canadian!”

General Amherst art students, in partnership with the Amherstburg Tourism and Culture Department, will “Canuck up” the hydrants in downtown Amherstburg.

Each hydrant will be painted in Canada 150-themed artwork inspired by iconic Canadian images in time for the “Canuck It Up! Festival Canadiana.”

The main attraction, however, is the world’s largest rubber duck that weighs 1,250 pounds and is 61 feet high.

“It’s taller than some buildings,” notes Rota.

It will be docked at the corner of Richmond and Dalhousie for the entire festival, for amazing picture opportunities.

Also docked at the waterfront will be the Tall Ship Appledore V, where you can take a deck tour presented by the Fort Malden National Historic Site.

Rota adds, “The very cool and fun West

The West Coast Lumberjack Show is an exhilarating experience for spectators with axe throwing, pole climbing, hot saw racing, saw carving and more. Photo courtesy of the Town of Amherstburg.

Coast Lumberjack Show and Rhythm of the Nation have scheduled shows throughout the event. And a ‘Just Ducky’ Kids Zone entertains the kiddies, while a farmers’ market, downtown restaurants and a food court are gearing up to serve Canadian treats!”

The event also includes foot and ship battle re-enactments and period activities. Live performances wrap up the day with a big band concert at King’s Navy Yard Park.

Entry is free to the “Canuck It Up! Festival Canadiana” and a small fee applies to Fort Malden’s special event. Find details with event times and an activity schedule at: Amhersburg.ca/CanuckItUp. Rota says that Amherstburg is one of the oldest and prettiest towns in Southwestern Ontario, dating back earlier than the War of 1812. The actions, which took place at Fort Malden and other areas of the town, were pivotal in the destiny of Canada as a nation.

James Jones plans on mesmerizing the crowds in the Rhythm of the Nation (Canada’s mosaic cultural sounds and dance) at Canada 150 celebrations in Amherstburg this August. Photo courtesy of the Town of Amherstburg.

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“Amherstburg’s history is part of what makes Canada what it is today — a free and an amazing nation,” states Rota.

Amherstburg is known for its quality events, being a walkable community with lots of parks, waterfront views, gardens, and open space with amazing venues — perfect for celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday.

“Canada 150 is a once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate a milestone in Canada’s history, and it’s about creating memories of family, fun, unity and what makes living in Canada so special,” Rota comments. “Canadians are very inclusive and love to celebrate good times. Canada 150 is a great reason to do just that!”

ESSEX To celebrate Canada 150, the Town of Essex (Essex.ca) is holding a one-day event on Saturday, July 29 called “Get Your Red & White ON.” It takes place 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Colchester Park and commemorates both Canada 150 and Colchester’s 225th birthday.

“This family-friendly, public celebration aims to build awareness about Colchester’s early contributions to Canada and includes children’s activities, musical entertainment, beach volleyball tournament, a heritage plaque unveiling, and a spectacular display of fireworks over Lake Erie at nightfall,” describes Laurie Brett, Communications Manager for the Town of Essex.

Music headliners are the Celtic rock band, The Mudmen. This community celebration and commemorative event connects participants to the historical and cultural roots of Colchester, the oldest English settlement in Upper Canada south of the Niagara region, she adds.

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“Colchester is also the southernmost inhabited community on mainland Canada, positioned on and below the 42nd parallel along the vibrant Lake Erie North Shore wine route,” explains Brett.

Brett notes that this year is an historically important year as we celebrate Confederation and all the events and people who helped to build our nation.

She also says that it’s important to celebrate all the historic moments that took place in Ontario — which is also celebrating 150 years — as well as the community of Colchester — which is celebrating 225 years.

“Confederation brought us together as a fledgling nation, but Canada’s origins are rooted much earlier in time than 1867, and Colchester, as an early settlement area of Upper Canada, is testament to the struggles and hardships of those pioneer days,” says Brett. “It is important that we celebrate all aspects of our rich history. It’s equally important that we view our future with great optimism. Canada’s 150 is an opportune time to remember the past, but it’s also the perfect time to pave the way to a greater future.”

Sylene Argent, Coordinator for the Essex Centre BIA, adds that Essex’s “20th annual Classic Car Show” on July 8 has Canadian elements in celebration of the nation’s 150th birthday.

“As part of the giveaways, we raffle

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two prizes of $150 worth of Essex Centre Downtown Dollars — a numerical value chosen in celebration of our nation’s anniversary,” Argent mentions. “We are also encouraging our businesses to hang Canadian flags the BIA is purchasing, to celebrate the sesquicentennial during the car show. Our commemorative dash plaques also have an element of Canadian pride.”

The “Classic Car Show” and sidewalk sales take place along Talbot Street in Essex from noon to 4 p.m. on July 8.

On average, the event attracts around 300 vehicles of all different makes and models, according to Argent.

“Putting a Canadian-themed twist on local events is a great way for us all to come together to celebrate community and national pride,” states Argent. See more at their website: EssexBIA.com.

KINGSVILLE Maggie Durocher, Manager of the Programs, Parks and Recreation Department for the Corporation of the Town of Kingsville (Kingsville.ca), lists a full day of activities planned for Canada Day to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday this year.

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Maggie Durocher, the Manager of Programs, Parks and Recreation Department for the Corporation of the Town of Kingsville and Director of the Windsor Parade Corporation is one busy lady this summer with all the Canada 150 events and parades. Photo by Joe McParland.

Held at the Kingsville Arena, 1741 Jasperson Lane, families can enjoy a day of fun, taking part in: a Scouts BBQ from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; cake cutting at noon; Mad Science Shows noon and 2 p.m.; ACCESS Character Meet and Greet noon to 3 p.m.; horse drawn carriage rides 1 to 4 p.m.; Fantasy Express Train Rides 1 to 4 p.m.; Balloon Twist Artist noon to 3 p.m.; Magic of Wayne Tellier 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; Border City Barkers Agility Show 1 p.m. and a Stilt Walker 1 to 3 p.m.

“It’s a great free community event that enables all residents to share in Canada’s 150th birthday celebration,” comments Durocher. “It’s a celebration of a national nature that ties us all together, and it’s a moment to reflect, on a personal and municipal level, on the importance and the privilege to be Canadian.”

LAKESHORE Lakeshore’s community of Woodslee hosts a day of Canada 150 fun on July 1 from 2 to 11 p.m. The annual Canada Day parade kicks off the day at 2 p.m., followed by celebrations throughout the day at Millen Park.

“Town officials host the flag raising ceremony commemorating 150 years of various acknowledgements that includes century-old farms, combined years of volunteerism by local service groups, veterans, council representatives from many years past, and outstanding citizens that have empowered this municipality with incredible talent and ability,” states Mariette Renaud, Recreation and Events Coordinator for the Town of Lakeshore (Lakeshore.ca).

Canada Day cake and watermelon will be served to all, and ice cream and strawberry shortcake will also be part of the celebration.

“Other activities include live entertainment, bubble soccer for all ages, a live theatrical performance themed Canada 150 in celebration of Lakeshore’s history, local artisans, crafters, produce markets, Border City Barkers Dog Agility Course, car show, and the grand finale of fireworks at dusk commemorating our blessings for this beautiful country we call Canada,” adds Rita Chappell-Arsenault, Manager

of Communications and Strategic Services for the Town of Lakeshore.

Renaud notes that Woodslee is a rural local community rich in history and it’s important to share our local municipalities’ pasts with young families and their children in the area.

“This history is collected and attainable through local history books by the many volunteers who have taken this on,” explains Renaud. “This celebration will provide the Town of Lakeshore an opportunity to recognize these individuals and celebrate this meaningful accomplishment.”

It is important to come out and connect with the community in family friendly activities and show your Canadian pride, adds Chappell-Arsenault.

“Celebrating 150 years for our wonderful country adds a richer dimension to this year’s festivities,” Chappell-Arsenault expresses.

LASALLE On Canada Day, in conjunction with the opening of the Town of LaSalle’s brand new splash pad and accessible playground at the Vollmer Complex, there’s a Canada 150 Mosaic Mural Unveiling, Great Canadian

Magic Show, performance by The Autumn Kings, character visits and free swimming.

Events take place from 1 to 5 p.m. on July 1.

Beforehand though, during the “LaSalle Strawberry Festival” (30 years old in 2017) from June 8 to 11, the theme of this year’s iconic parade (June 10) is “Celebrating Canada’s 150th,” according to Patti Funaro, Supervisor of Programming for the Town of LaSalle (LaSalle.ca).

“This is an exciting time in LaSalle to celebrate the past and future,” states Funaro.

As a tribute to great Canadian music, a free outdoor concert series will be held at the LaSalle Civic Centre for several Sundays throughout the summer. The lineup is: Sunday, June 25, Winnipeg Wind (music of The Guess Who); Sunday, July 30, Canadian XSports and on Sunday, August 27, Almost Hip (music of The Tragically Hip).

Funaro adds there is also to be a free historical series on several Wednesdays at 10 a.m., in the summer, at the LaSalle Civic Centre, suitable for all ages. This lineup features historical storyteller Doug Robinson dressed in period costume.

The presentation themes are: Wednesday, July 12, “The Road to Confederation Part 1”; Wednesday, July 26, “The Road to Confederation Part 2”; Wednesday, August 9, “A Nation Rises”; and on Wednesday, August 24, “A Test of Fire.”

DA PA RTS TR C ICI HAMP IO AS OOLE N Y

I♥ CANADA

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LEAMINGTON On June 30, from 5 to 11 p.m., enjoy the first “Mill Street Market and Block Party” along Mill Street in Leamington in honour of Canada 150.

The fully licenced event features live music by a variety of bands, including the 519 Band, local foods by uptown merchants and artisan vendors, according to Kyra Knapp, Culture and Tourism Developer for the Municipality of Leamington (Leamington.ca).

Wendy Parsons, Leamington BIA Chairperson, says the market’s a chance to bring people uptown to mix and mingle with friends and family and enjoy some food and drink from local restaurants and food providers, while celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday.

The family friendly event also includes: a nail boutique offering mini manicures, stores with merchandise on display, an arts and activity centre available for kids, door prizes from local businesses and more.

The entree fee is $2 for adults over 19 and proceeds go to help beautify uptown Leamington even more.

Parsons suggests “Residents should check it out as it is a great way to kick off their Canada Day weekend celebrations while enjoying all that uptown Leamington has to offer. They can re-visit places they may have not been to in a while or check out new opportunities.”

Then, on Canada Day from 4 to 5 p.m., “Canada’s 150th Parade” takes place from Leamington Fairgrounds, heading south on Erie Street and finishing at Leamington Roma Club. The Canada 150 parade is hosted by the Leamington and District Chamber of Commerce, which is who to contact about putting an entry in, Knapp mentions.

Following the parade from 6 to 10:30 p.m., further celebrations are held at Seacliff Park “There will be live entertainment and a pavilion dedicated to Leamington’s history as a settlement community,” describes Knapp. “Then one of the most spectacular fireworks shows in Southwestern Ontario at 10:05 p.m.”

Each community across Windsor Essex has its own unique history, and Canada 150 is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the past, which has shaped the present, says Knapp.

“It is not only fascinating, but important to learn about our connection to the Canadian landscape, and the unique qualities that make Leamington so special,” Knapp remarks. “We have a distinct tale to tell and this is a great platform to get that story out through celebration, commemoration, and a fun time for the whole family! It’s just as important for communities to celebrate

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Canada as a nation as it is for people to understand how the community they live, work, and play in has been shaped in the last 150 years.”

TECUMSEH Canada 150 celebrations begin in the Town of Tecumseh by “dancing in the water” on June 30, according to Kerry Rice, Manager of Recreation Programs & Events.

At Tecumseh Leisure Pool, (590 Lacasse Blvd.) a “Rock N’ Swim” event, with a live DJ to entertain swimmers with music is scheduled. That evening at Lakewood Park, fireworks light up the sky, adds Rice.

Also at Lakewood Park on July 1, there’s a wide range of family activities including: bouncy castles, games and activities lead by summer day camps, a clown, balloon twisting, Zoo 2 You, cupcakes, Mad Science, face painting, Silver Star Riding Drill Team performance, disc golf and more. Then, the Windsor Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet performs all Canadian inspired music on July 2 at 1 p.m.

All events are free and a full listing of even more family-friendly Canada 150 commemorative Tecumseh events are on the website: Tecumseh.ca/Discover/Canada150.

A shot of the crowd and cupcakes formed in the shape of the Canadian Flag at a previous Canada Day celebration in Windsor. Photo courtesy of Eyes on Windsor.

The Tecumseh community is very proud of its past and celebrates the unique features of three historic communities — the former Town of Tecumseh, the former Village of St. Clair Beach and the former Township of Sandwich South, notes Rice.

“The Town of Tecumseh has ensured the history of these communities continue,” says Rice. “The fact that our community is named after the great Shawnee Leader who played such a significant role in establishing Canada as an independent country, gives us pride.”

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WINDSOR Maggie Durocher, who also heads up the Windsor Parade Corporation is ready for everything going on in the city to celebrate Canada 150.

The annual “Canada Day Parade” from historic Walkerville to downtown Windsor starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 1.

“As the parade winds its way up the street with a multitude of bands, floats, dancers

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and special guests, viewers will be treated to a plethora of colour and celebration,” says Durocher. “On Wyandotte Street, you can visit with the many merchants as our sponsor, the Wyandotte Town Centre BIA, opens its doors to everyone.”

Following the parade at the Riverfront Festival Plaza, the Diplomats Drum & Bugle Corps and a community choir will lead the crowd in the singing of O Canada, then everyone is invited to share in a giant birthday cake before the Official Canadian Citizenship Ceremony.

The Riverfront Festival Plaza stage features entertainers and dance groups from across the area from 1:30 to 9 p.m.

Acts include: Chinese Folk Dance, Place du Partage, Nupur Jhankar, Hart School of Dance, El-Sanable Dabke and Terpsichorean Dance Group.

“And don’t miss the Canadian Tire Kidz Zone with Character Meet and Greets, Zoology, Glitterfly Face Tattoos and Jangles the Clown,” Durocher adds.

The World’s Finest Shows midway is also in full swing with rides and games. At the Capitol Theatre 121 University Ave. West, at 7:30 p.m., the free presentation of “Canada 150 in Sound and Light” takes place.

“This is a multimedia presentation sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, Ontario 150, and Heritage Canada that looks at the Windsor and Essex County Area over the past 150 years,” explains Durocher.

This free presentation is shown again on July 2 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The Canada 150 tulip — the official tulip of Canada’s 150th anniversary — is also on display throughout the City of Windsor to commemorate Canada 150.

The National Commission has partnered with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Home Hardware (exclusive retailer of this special tulip bulb) and “Communities in Bloom” for distribution of the Canada 150 tulip. These tulips were planted in 2016 and will bloom this year in Jackson Park, Dieppe

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Windsor’s Canada Day Parade is always full of great floats and displays, and horseback riders are always a crowdpleaser. Photo courtesy of Eyes on Windsor.

Gardens, Coventry Gardens and more.

The City of Windsor (CityWindsor.ca) is a municipality with a long and very proud history for Canada.

“From the war of 1812 when Tecumseh and Brock collaborated in Olde Sandwich Towne on strategies to overcome American intervention, to our direct ties with the U.S. through tourism and industry, Windsor has been a focal point and a decisive leader for our country,” believes Durocher. “As a border town, we are most likely even more appreciative of our Canadian roots, and leading the celebration of our 150th birthday is our way of showing our appreciation for all that we have.”

Windsor’s Canada Day celebrations are always epic, and they’ll be even more special this year, claims Durocher.

“The calibre of these events, the diversity, and the accessibility of them create a barrier free, cost effective way to encourage everyone to come and share in this

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birthday,” she comments. “We are proud of our partnerships and our sponsorships and the fact that these signify the importance of these events, not just to Windsor, but also to our province and our country. Canada 150 is an opportunity to celebrate our roots, our accomplishments our partnerships and our dreams.”

The full schedule is available on their website: SummerfestWindsor.org.

SHOW YOUR TRUE PATRIOT LOVE THIS SUMMER So, whatever community you live in, join the nation and get out, explore and experience all the ways Windsor Essex is celebrating Canada 150. Over the next few months, you’re sure to find something close by for you and your family to enjoy. You’ll be happy you seized the opportunity to commemorate Canada’s 150th birthday!

COVER STORY SIDEBAR By Joe McParland

“O Canada . . . Our Canada”

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s Windsor celebrates its 125th birthday in tandem with Canada’s celebration of 150 years as a nation, a volunteer group of residents — the Great Canadian Flag Project committee (GCFP) — along with the City of Windsor, has recognized these milestones with the installation of a 150 foot flag pole flying the Canadian flag at the foot of Ouellette Avenue.

(Also see front cover of this edition).

But, the genesis of this 60’ by 30’ flag goes back to the early 1980s when Thomas G. M. McDade, a patriotic Canadian political and community activist from Montreal, moved his family to Windsor in search of new career opportunities.

Peter Hrastovec is shown with Karen McDade, daughter of Thomas McDade who holds a photograph of her father and her brother, Shane.

Photo by Joe McParland.

He had a profound love for the Canadian flag and was among thousands of Canadians who witnessed the raising of the “new” Canadian Flag over the Peace Tower in Ottawa on February 15, 1965.

After his arrival in Windsor, McDade envisioned a large Canadian flag towering over the Detroit River at the foot of Ouellette Avenue.

He made a proposal to Mayor Bert Weeks and city council, but it was rejected; he died 10 years later, never realizing his dream.

But, the vision he had for a flag did not die with him. Fast forward to 2012.

From the GCFP website: GreatCanadianFlag.com, “In a letter

submitted to City Council on December 4, 2012, a formal proposal was made to City Council to fly a substantial flag — 60 ft. by 30 ft. — on a flag pole that rose 150 feet out of the ground just north of the intersection of Ouellette Avenue and Riverside Drive . . . Windsor City Council approved the project.”

McDade’s 30 year dream was now alive! The GCFP committee members: Dave Woodall, Lisa Kolody, Peter Hrastovec, Anne Arquette and Mary Baruth, worked tirelessly, assembling volunteers and organizing a fundraising campaign to finance the project.

The $350,000 required was successfully raised through community donations and a $150,000 grant from the federal government.

McDade’s daughter, Karen says “if my father was standing beside the flag at the waterfront today, tears of pride and a sense of accomplishment would roll down his face.”

Karen was a special guest at the dedication May 20, 2017 and was beaming with pride.

“I feel so proud for my father that the flag will fly down by the river facing the United States, where it is so rightly belongs,” she expresses.

The sun shines brightly on May 20, 2017, when the flag was raised for the first time on the new pole. Photo by Rod Denis.

Her mother, Fay McDade adds, “for Thomas, the flag was the only thing missing from our beautiful waterfront.”

Hrastovec effectively wraps up this story with the words of the GCFP mantra inspiring them these past five years: “O Canada . . . Our Canada!”

The Mayor of Windsor with the GCFP Committee at the ground breaking ceremony in January 2017 from left: Ann Arquette, Lisa Kolody, Mary Baruth, Mayor Drew Dilkens, Dave Woodall and Peter Hrastovec.

Photo courtesy of the GCFP Committee.

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“The Black Tie Tailgate”

HOT SHOTS HOT SHOTS HOT SHOTS HOT S April 7, 2017 at the WFCU Centre, 8787 McHugh Road, Windsor.

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

To see even more photos from this event visit: BizXmagazine.com under “Biz X was there!”

1. The Windsor Essex Care for Kids Foundation (W.E. Care for Kids) and the Windsor Spitfires Foundation teamed up to bring a little bit of Nashville to Windsor for this upscale hoedown. Event Chairs/Hosts Jenn and Bob Boughner (Co-Owner of the Windsor Spitfires and Assistant Coach with the San Jose Sharks), welcomed 300 of Windsor’s business and community leaders to their stompin’ grounds at the WFCU Centre, including Nathan Komsa, Sun Life Financial Advisor and Macey Barnet, Sun Life Financial Advisor.

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2. Those in attendance at the “The Black Tie Tailgate” were treated to performances by Canadian country music artist Scotty James, headliner Jake Maurer of Nashville, and the Bull Girls. Owners/management of The Bull N’ Barrel (Windsor & London), The City Grill, The Level 3 Vodka Emporium, The Pub Club Whiskey House and The Soup Market and their guests — Macey Barnet, Luis and Jessica Mendez, Matt and Shanna Komsa (also committee member), Emily Moran, Dan Patterson, Kat and Christian Komsa — thoroughly enjoyed the Western shindig.

3. This wildly successful fundraiser was in support of two locally focused charities, the Windsor Spitfires Foundation (WindsorSpitfiresFoundation.ca) and the Windsor Essex Care for Kids Foundation (WECareForKids.org), and raised $86,000! Hee haw! For this next photo we rustled up a cowgirl and a few cowboys: Patrick Driedger, Financial Advisor with Castle Wealth Services; Steven Wilder, a Lawyer at Diamond & Diamond and also Town of Lakeshore Councillor Ward 1; Ashley Weeres, Operations Manager at W.E. Care for Kids (also committee member) and Darrin Roseborsky, Mortgage Agent at OMAC Mortgages.

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4. The “Big Gun” sponsor of the gala was Cypher Systems Group (a member of the Spitfires’ ownership group), represented by Stephen Savage, Executive Director and his wife Kelly with Lisa and Brian Schwab (also with The Lisa & Brian Schwab Foundation and event committee members). The third partner, John Savage, was not present.

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BBIZIZ XX MMAAGGAAZZININEE •• JJUUNNEE 22001177

5. Y’all know who is another big community supporter? Well partner, it’s none other than the “Big Green Tractor” sponsor, Windsor Family Credit Union (WFCU). Pictured were Marty Komsa, WFCU Chief Executive Officer and his wife Janis Komsa (second from right) with Bruce Lane, President Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce and Beth Lane.

SHOTS

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6. Another “Big Green Tractor” sponsor was Quinn Roofing Solutions and the company owners brought along their friends dressed in chic country attire: Vicki and Paolo Collavino, Gero and Maria Lapico, Ken and Sue Quinn, Darlene and Brad Vollmer, Lisa Tayfour, Melissa and Rob Trdina and Dr. Fouad Tayfour.

7. Caleb Docherty, Taylor Brain, Shannon and Michael Brain (also committee members), President at Dominion Lending Centres Advantage Mortgages, were “Wagon Wheel” sponsors. Note: Committee members missing from photos were Kim Peto and Felicia Krautner.

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portfolio corner

Dear Mom & Dad: Part I

By Steven Mayo

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High School age or earlier if you think they’re ready . . .

1. Savings vs. spending, and budgeting.

2. Needs vs. wants.

3. Operating a bank account . . . and yes, they may still need to know how to write a cheque.

4.

Protecting your identity, scam email fraud and phishing.

5. The cost of their cell phone (if applicable . . . they all seem to have one).

6.

The cost of a car (if applicable).

For example, insurance, gas, maintenance etc.

7. Liability and what it means as it relates to driving, and their actions in general.

Young adults, age 18+ or earlier if ready . . .

1.

Understanding the responsibilities at

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Graphicstock images

oes this sound familiar? “Please teach me, please talk to me about important financial topics that I should know about.”

Financial literacy is becoming a big issue with high school and college/university students, and young adults generally.

Exposing your children to these crucial skills early is a lasting gift that parents can provide.

Too often I recall my own children not fully comprehending the financial language we adults deal with daily, and they didn’t fully appreciate the significance of my explanations.

As a starting point, I’ve created two lists of topics that parents can refer to while educating their kids — the first for teenagers and the other for young adults.

age 18, the legal age of majority. Such as their ability to enter into a contract and what that means.

2. Credit cards, their purpose, how to build credit and manage it responsibly. How they can hurt their credit and how that will affect them in the future.

3. What is a lease?

4. What is renters’ insurance?

5. Shredding important documents.

6.

Online banking/computer privacy; reiterate risk and implications for phishing scams.

7. Income taxes, what they’re based on, why they pay, how they pay, and deadlines.

8.

Mortgages, life insurance, and if they’ve been successful in this learning, a Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA).

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There are so many topics, a young person could easily be overwhelmed.

However, shielding them from these responsibilities is not helpful in the long run. Financial competency is a marathon, not a sprint.

High school curriculums have embraced enhanced education on this topic, which can be a great help to parents.

The newly announced Ontario Financial Literacy Program covers four modules beginning in Grade 10: Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship/Skills, Digital Literacy, and Career Life/Planning.

Kids do want to learn these skills, but may not know what to ask.

It’s up to the parents to open up the conversation and provide their offspring with the day-to-day financial skills they require.

When you do, I’m sure you will hear the most satisfying words from your children: “You’re smarter than I thought, tell me more!”

I’ll wrap up with an appropriate quote: “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” ~ Warren Buffet Steven Mayo is a Vice President, Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities Inc. (Member — Canadian Investor Protection Fund). This article is not intended as nor does it constitute investment advice. Readers should consult a qualified professional before taking any action based on information in this article.

CORPORATE SPOTLIGHT

Creating A Culture Of Success Story And Photo By Arthur Barbut

The people behind Witeck Solutions and Powerball Technologies Inc. from left: (Standing): Usman Mughal, Tony Meng, Justin Nicholls and Edwin Padilla.

(Seated): Jimmy Ghelani, Fatema Poonawala, Jenna Seguin, Moe Murtadi (front), Cole Kierdorf, Olivia Bauer, Danielle Gifford (front), Grace Laporte and James Henderson.

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or the second year running, a company from the Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator has won the coveted “New Business of the Year” at the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual “Business Excellence Awards” (BEA).

In 2015, Usman Mughal, the CEO of Witeck Solutions, was working from home as a sole proprietor.

In May 2016, Mughal took a hot desk at the Accelerator and since that decision, he has grown Witeck Solutions into a company that employs over 20 people.

This success story follows in the footsteps of Devine Personnel, the Accelerator company that won the award in 2016.

Devine Personnel have since graduated from the Accelerator and moved to a new location that can accommodate their growing staffing needs.

In the same spirit we also want to recognize Powerball Technologies Inc. for being a finalist for the “Innovation” Award for the 2017 BEAs.

In a very short time the Accelerator has helped create some incredible success stories.

The reason for this can be discovered in the sage words of Peter Drucker — “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”

The Accelerator is much more than just a great space. It’s an interactive entrepreneurial ecosystem that shares a culture built on trust, genuine collaboration and the entrepreneurial mindset.

This culture has allowed the companies at the Accelerator to leverage each other’s knowledge, skills and network to create something that is much greater than the sum of its parts.

Success Breeds Success

Over the past six years the Accelerator has created an incredible economic impact for the region.

The latest economic impact report shows that the Accelerator was responsible for creating over 50 new jobs in 2016 and generated an economic impact of over

$3.7M to the regional economy. To view the report please visit the Accelerator website: DowntownAccelerator.com.

New companies that join the Accelerator benefit from an instant boost by becoming part of a culture that breeds success.

This occurs organically through the daily interaction in the space and through events that the Accelerator hosts, such as the “Windsor Women Accelerate” Networking Series and the “Bootstrappers Breakfast.”

The ecosystem is built such that a start-up, which becomes a member of the Accelerator, is instantly connected to a powerful network of entrepreneurs, mentors, angel investors and potential collaborators.

The maxim of the Accelerator is — “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

Over the past six years the Accelerator has proven that creating a successful entrepreneurial ecosystem is not only possible, but inevitable, if you have the right culture.

For more information regarding the Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator, 720 Ouellette Avenue and how you can become a positive contributor to the region’s entrepreneurs, please contact Managing Director, Arthur Barbut by emailing: Arthur@downtownaccelerator.com.

B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • J U N E 2 0 1 7

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Bringing you all the action in the region since 1998.

To view more events visit: BizXmagazine.com

was there!

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In mid-May, presenting sponsors UNIFOR Local 444 and 2458, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare staff, friends and the family of Bob Probert gathered at Thunder Road Harley Davidson, 2130 Huron Church Road in Windsor to officially kick off the “7th Annual Bob Probert Memorial Ride” set to take place Sunday, June 25, 2017. Shown from left are: (Back Row): Bob’s children: Brogan, Declyn and Tierney (son Jack is missing from photo). (Front Row): Theresa Probert (Bob’s mother), 2017 Road Captain Dave Hutchison (retired NHL player) and Bob’s wife, Dani.

Get the scoop on this Biz X award winning event at: ProbertRide.com. Photo by Rod Denis.

Helping to celebrate The Bloomin’ Gardener’s flourishing success with food and drinks were from left: Sherman Grant, Server; Michele Moro, Owner of Bella Vino and Vintner’s Cellar; Marco Moro, Server; Joe Fallea, Owner of Il Gabbiano Ristorante; Mikaela Lavergne, Server and Carmen Habuda, Server.

Located a short five minute drive from Windsor, The Bloomin’ Gardener is a family operation, run by founders Mike and Kelly Colasanti (pictured) since 1997. On April 27, 2017 the couple hosted a 20 th Anniversary party at their 40,000 square foot of stateof-the-art greenhouse as part of the festivities.

Bloomin’ Gardener photos by Rod Denis.

On May 12, Successful Image held its “4th Annual Networking For Charity” event at Victoria Greenlawn Reception Centre, where this year’s charity recipient, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC) received $1,730. Andrea Dmytrow (left), 2017 “Gutsy Walk” National Honourary Chair (GutsyWalk.ca), accepted the donation. During the morning event, CCFC Past President and motivational guest speaker, John Scott spoke on the subject of “Everyday Leadership — Overcoming Obstacles and Turning Tragedy into Triumph!” Also shown (on right) is Theresa Nicodemo Reaume, Owner of Successful Image. Photo by Della Jones-Goulet.

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In late April 2017 SNP Technical Services, Inc., hosted an open house to celebrate their new location at 1880 Assumption Street, Suite 100, in the historic Walkerville area of Windsor. For the past eight years, SNP has provided engineering, design, architectural and control services in the manufacturing, industrial and commercial sectors. Shown in the company board room from left were: (Standing) John Di Pelino, Vice President; Alan C. Ko, Vice President of Building Group and Fonda Asprakis, Vice President. (Seated): Santiago Pablo, Chief Executive Officer and Richard Letts, Chief Operating Officer.

The Windsor SNP location employs 40 individuals, including the technical and support staff, from left, (Back Row): Shahhan Arshad, (Co-op student); Mussayab Ehtesham, Bernie Mantay, Fawad Khan, Donald Clapper, Jeff Morrison and Josh Lewis. (Middle Row): Amandeep Dhillon, Taryn Coutts, (Co-op student); Neda Thomas-Jahn, Heather Amlin-Boisvert, Alyssa Helferty, Peter Gallo and Amir Hosseini.

(Front Row): Brandon Azar, (Co-op student); Bobby Geronga, Ronnie Villaranda and Zhihao Zhang.

SNP photos by Rod Denis.

Smashed Apple Catering provided the food for the SNP event. Shown by their food truck, from left, were: Marcello Pasquale, Sous Chef; Dion Doumani, Line Cook, (inside truck): Angela Pasquale, General Manager and Chris Couture, Sous Chef.

At the Ciociaro Club on May 3, 2017 event host Brian Hogan (left), President of the Windsor and District Labour Council, welcomed executive board members, coaches, volunteers, parents and leaders to the “Promising Practices In Sports Workshop.” The event stemmed from discussing legal responsibilities of sports organizations in regards to human rights, gender equity including coaching, harassment, hazing, and leadership, all aimed at building stronger sports organizations within the Windsor community. Among the speakers in attendance was Dr. Victoria Parashack (photographed at podium), faculty of Human Kinetics at the University of Windsor. Photos by Chelsea Girard.

May 6, 2017 marked the inaugural event, Air “Field of Dreams” put on by the Sponsoring Committee for the 364 Air Cadet Squadron and CH2A. This event included tours of the CH2A and Air Cadet hangar, a silent auction, souvenir and book sales and guest speakers from the aviation world. From left: David Crawford, Event Director; Victor Dominato, Flight Operations Manager of Centaero Aviation; Dr. Brian Smith, President of the Tuskegee Airmen Museum and retired LCol Ronald Holden, Past President of the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association, retired RCAF pilot and retired CFI Manager of the Windsor Flying Club. Photo by Della Jones-Goulet.

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GENERATION YKNOT

The Business Of Being An “Artpreneur”

By Hailey Joy

When I came to study at the University of Windsor in the BFA acting program, I had a very clear five year life plan. Get in, get out, and move to Toronto!

This seemed to be the mantra of most actors as we graduated from our training program. However, during my time at the university, I was lucky enough to qualify for two arts internships, which have shaped me to be the “artpreneur” I am today and to continue to reside in Windsor.

Trying to explain what I do for a living is sometimes difficult to sum up.

I am an actor, a singer, a talent agent, a director, a teacher and a producer. During the day, I connect with casting agencies in Toronto (and many other large cities around the world) and submit the actors I represent for consideration in the top commercials, films and television shows that the industry can offer.

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If I’m not working with the agency, I am working behind the scenes or directing the children’s productions at Lakeshore Academy of Fine Arts.

Although my primary training background is in acting, I have gained a great skill set for the business behind the film and television industry.

My schedule changes on a day-to-day basis and although my job security isn’t the same as those who work a nine-tofive job, I do have more flexibility and the power to change schedules as needed.

The benefit to having many of these jobs is that it’s partially a creative outlet for me.

I find enjoyment in seeing my actors get big auditions and book fun gigs, but I also get to be paid for my creative work outside of the GTA. The down-side is I always have to be on call.

I never know what casting director or production company could be calling for

B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • J U N E 2 0 1 7

my services or for an actor on my roster.

My best advice for the new “artpreneur” would be to take an accounting class so that you know how to keep your finances in order.

Keep your receipts for your services and operate just as any other business would.

The Arts Council Windsor & Region provides many great accounting and business resources to support local artists, so don’t forget to check out their website — ACWR.net — every month to see what they have in the works.

Hailey Joy graduated from the University of Windsor in 2015 and currently works as a director and acting coach at Lakeshore Academy of Fine Arts, and as a talent agent at Fusion Talent Agency. She is also a member of YKNOT Windsor Essex (Facebook.com/yknotwe). To find out more, visit: FusionTalentAgency.ca.

KEYS TO SUCCESS

University Launches Ontario’s Only Weekend Master Of Engineering Management Program

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ennifer Côté didn’t want to give up her manager role at a global headquarters to go back to school.

“I wanted to further my understanding of business and management from an engineering perspective so I could build on the skills I acquire on the job,” says Côté, a Corporate Planning Manager at Valiant TMS, a Windsor based corporation. “The University of Windsor’s Master of Engineering Management program has allowed me to do that; it’s an ideal fit for working professionals.”

Last year, UWindsor’s Faculty of Engineering partnered with the Odette School of Business to launch the province’s first weekend Master of Engineering Management (MEM) degree.

The two year program allows working professionals to earn a master’s degree without interrupting their careers and prepares graduates for leadership and entrepreneurial roles in multinational engineering and technical enterprises.

“The majority of people who make it to the top of a company are the ones who have the elements of business and engineering combined,” notes Dr. Majid Ahmadi, UWindsor’s Associate Dean of Engineering Research and Graduate Studies.

“That’s why we feel this program is going to be an enabling program that prepares engineers to run, lead or setup a business.”

The university welcomed the inaugural class last September. MEM Program Coordinator and Professor Ali AbdulHussein says this year alone the university has received more than 150 applications.

“We can tell this is a much-needed program,” he believes.

Côté points out that each MEM course is tailored to real-life working situations that would arise in a workplace.

“The students in the class are all working professionals with technical backgrounds in engineering, which simulates real working conditions and allows for more dynamic learning through group discussion and brainstorming,” she states. “Working with engineers from different disciplines and backgrounds, allows for alternate perspectives on the topics being discussed. Many of us come from diverse industries, which is a great learning experience to see similar and different issues arising in real-life situations.”

In addition to core competencies in applied finance, administration, market research, engineering design and product management, students in UWindsor’s MEM program can focus their degree in the following

Jennifer Côté, pictured in the Ed Lumley Centre for Engineering Innovation, says the skills she’s acquiring in the University of Windsor’s weekend Master of Engineering Management program are quickly transferable and beneficial to the daily situations of her professional career. Photo courtesy of Kristie Pearce.

areas: manufacturing strategy; operations management; project management; supply chain management; and entrepreneurship and innovation.

Dr. Beth-Anne Schuelke-Leech, a Professional Engineer who has co-founded three technology-based businesses, is guiding the MEM students through the innovation process and helping them establish a link between industry, academia and policymakers.

She believes the program will help students navigate the insecure work environment of today’s world.

“The next wave of engineers is going to have to figure out how to be entrepreneurial — not just as in a start-up, but how to be entrepreneurial within a company,” Schuelke-Leech explains.

“If you are not providing or demonstrating value, companies will not keep you around like they used to.”

Schuelke-Leech joined the University of Windsor last August as Assistant Professor of Engineering Management and Entrepreneurship.

Prior to earning her doctorate at University of Georgia in Public Policy and Finance, Schuelke-Leech received an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from McMaster University and an MBA from York University.

She was attracted to the university’s MEM program after speaking to faculty members and recognizing their commitment to diversifying the engineering curriculum and preparing students for the working world.

“That’s a very different approach to engineering and I found that very appealing,” she says.

For more information about the MEM program, please visit the university website: UWindsor.ca/mem. Domestic students can apply before July 1, 2017 for fall 2017 intake.

B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • J U N E 2 0 1 7

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MILESTONES

Leisure Trailer Sales Hits The Big 6-0!

Family Owned, Family Driven Since 1957

By Dave Hall

T

A blast from the past! Summer 1987, the Raymond family on the site of the future Leisure Trailer Sales building and lot in Tecumseh.

he rising cost of gasoline across the continent has done nothing to slow the growth in recreational vehicle sales and Tecumseh based Leisure Trailer Sales, a family-owned business for 60 years, is no exception.

“We just keep growing and business has been fantastic,” declares Owner Tom Raymond whose father, Andre, opened the business as a repair shop in 1957.

“I believe people are simply seeking to get away from the rat race even more now than they have in the past,” says Raymond.

He continues by saying, “There are constant pressures in everyone’s lives and we’re able to play a small part in relieving those pressures. Our role is to anticipate market trends and customer needs and provide our customers with the vehicles they want, all loaded with the technology they want.”

Leisure Trailers (LeisureTrailers.com) is owned by Tom and his brother Jim along with junior partner and brother Edward.

Also working in the business are family

members Steven Raymond, JT Raymond, Nicole Ellwood and Stephanie Holding.

The business was launched as R&R Garage in Riverside. It later grew into an RV sales business located on Lauzon Road at McHugh Street, where it stayed for 30 years before moving to its current location at 204 Patillo Road in Tecumseh.

“We had one acre on Lauzon, we have six acres on Patillo and we’ve outgrown that site as well,” states Raymond. “We could do with more land but prices are ridiculous so we will likely survive where we are for now.”

One constant challenge for Raymond and his family is the fluctuating rate of exchange against the U.S. dollar.

Recreational vehicle production is largely based in Elkhart, Indiana so, as Raymond says, “it’s a challenge to offer top-flight vehicles at competitive prices for our Canadian customers.”

While prices may seem high to RV sector newcomers, Leisure Trailers offers financing on trailers for up to 20 years

Congrats!

Congrats! congratulates Leisure Trailer Congrats! on 60 wonderful years.

Congrats!

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as well as extended service warranties.

Raymond informs us that his company’s constantly changing inventory — as many as 150 vehicles valued at between $5 million and $6 million — means there is usually something in stock for every taste and requirement.

“We’ve been taking care of our customer’s needs for more than 60 years and I don’t see that changing in the near future,” Raymond proudly states.

This includes vehicles with sleeping quarters for as many as 10 people, slide-outs for extra space and outside kitchens.

“You can’t sell these vehicles from a brochure,” Raymond points out. “People want to see them, touch them, sit in them and check the layout to see if it works for their family. You don’t want to be turning people away because you don’t have something in stock, so our lot is always full of product.”

He adds that they are “seeing a great many new customers who have never had an RV before and just want to get a taste of that lifestyle. It’s about shedding the bustle of everyday life and getting away to spend time with family.”

In addition to sales, Leisure Trailers services everything they sell, in six service

Grouped together between a 2018 Winnebago Winnie Drop WD1780 and a 2017 Jayco Alante 31P motor home, are the staff and owners of Leisure Trailer Sales. From left: (Top Row): Dennis Parent, Andrew Ellwood. (Second Row): Stephanie Holding, Nicole Ellwood. (First Row): Tom Raymond, JT Raymond, Denis Gauvin, John Poisson, Bob Oneschuk, Edward Raymond, Ron Mabbett, Brad Prevett, Dawn Holmes, Dawn Patchell, Jeff Kacsur, Steve Raymond, Jim Raymond and Ryan Brinn. Photo by Rod Denis.

bays, and they also have a large accessory showroom. As well the company is a Biz X Award winner, in 2009, for “The Ultimate Trailer Hook-up.”

The company has 20 employees including seven family members.

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“Everyone in the family has been involved from the time they first could be involved,” says Raymond. “It’s been a great family business and we’re fortunate to have been able to serve the Windsor and Essex market for as long as we have.”

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY

ask the experts

The Escape From The Rat Race Is Closer Than You Think

By Dave Halliday

Y

ou love your home. It is just on the edge of the city in a newer sub-division and the sense of relaxation you get when you arrive home after a hard day at work is difficult to describe.

On this particular day the city seemed to annoy you even more than usual. The noise!

The exhaust fumes! The angry drivers and the vehicles in front of them that neglect to move even though the light has been green for at least two full seconds.

Yup, it’s the rat race alright.

That all changes when you get home though, or at least that’s what you thought.

The wife isn’t home yet, so you toss off your jacket and tie as you walk to the fridge for a cold beverage. You unbutton the collar of your shirt as you settle into your favourite deck chair for a few moments of bliss.

Just then you notice you can still hear the trucks from the highway and there are at least four dogs incessantly barking for no apparent reason. Suddenly, sirens ring out and the dogs’ barking changes to howling and you swear that somewhere in the middle of this din you hear the steady pounding of a jack hammer . . . you need a break!

What can you do though? You don’t have any significant vacation time left over so you can’t go far. The last time you tried to get the wife to go camping for the weekend she seriously wanted you to figure out a way to mount an air conditioner on the side wall of the tent! You love camping, but she is not one to “rough it.”

Enter Willowood RV Resort & Campground, 4610 Essex County Road 18, RR#1, Amherstburg, Ontario (find out more at: Facebook.com/willowoodrvresort).

Willowood (and predecessor Jellystone) has been serving up rest, relaxation, and recreation to the residents of Essex County for generations.

Park Manager Bonnie Jackson was kind enough to allow Lisa Swift, the Guest Service Coordinator to share a moment or two with Biz X to enlighten us and our readers on all Willowood has to offer.

Describe a typical day for a resident at the resort? “In my opinion the best part of camping is a camp breakfast followed by a day of activities and swimming,” Swift replies. “Following a delicious camp dinner it’s time to gather at the campfire for S’mores treats.”

Besides the regular activities of camping life such as campfires and family time, what other activities can one expect at Willowood? “We have crafting, horseshoes, bingo, mini golf, musical events, pedal gocarts, a playground, a swimming pool, volleyball nets, and all sorts of activities for both kids and adults alike,” Swift lists.

She adds, “We have themed weekends and numerous activities that include a wagon ride, chocolate bar bingo, crafts, a Friday night movie, and a Saturday night dance.”

What can you tell me about your sites?

“We offer 30 amp and 50 amp hook-ups, a dump station, full hook ups, onsite rentals, pull through sites, cabin rentals, and tent sites,” she indicates. “The sites have fire pits, a picnic table, and firewood is available at the onsite store.”

What other perks are offered at Willowood? Swift explains, “We have rentals that include Deluxe cabins, Cozy cabins, and Park Model trailers, which are all equipped with a washroom and air conditioning. We also have Bunkie and Bare Bones cabins that do not have the washrooms or air, but are located next to the washroom.”

Can you elaborate a bit about what Willowood intends to offer its patrons? “Willowood is a family oriented

campground with nice sites in a relaxing country atmosphere,” Swift notes. “We take pride in making sure our seasonal, as well as our short-term guests, have a safe and enjoyable vacation with us.”

Well, it’s the evening of day three of your escape from the city, and despite having to drive in to work on both Wednesday and Thursday — the break has been a breath of fresh air. The kids are up at the pavilion playing with their new camp friends. The wife is in the cabin reading her novel. You have settled into a chair by the fire pit intending to hang out with the six ice cold buddies you brought for the evening!

You have the rest of the weekend off and have a full day of activities planned for the next day.

For now you just mindlessly poke away at the logs in the fire with your new poker stick and nod at each of the other campers that wander by on their evening walk around the campground.

You truly find it amazing that you’re literally only 20 minutes from your office and all of its troubles, yet you feel completely detached from the stress of it all.

It would appear that when you are in need of a break and some family time, it isn’t always so much about the distance travelled as it is about the quality of the destination.

If you don’t have your own tent or trailer, no problem — there are plenty of cabins to rent at the resort. Just make sure to bring the marshmallows for the campfire! Shown is the Bunkie Cabin, which requires a two night stay (prices range between $116 to $132 plus tax per night depending on the date). Please note that pets are not allowed inside or outside the rentals. Photo courtesy of Willowood RV Resort & Campground.

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The Kidney Foundation of Canada Windsor & District Chapter’s “46th Annual Chapter Appreciation Evening”

HOT SHOTS HOT SHOTS HOT SHOTS HOT S April 26, 2017 at the Hungarian Cultural Centre, 790 Hanna Street East, Windsor.

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

1. During this special evening various awards were given out to local businesses and people who support the cause of this charity and demonstrate an outstanding commitment to the goals of the foundation. The committee members responsible for organizing and presenting the awards (also shown in individual award shots) were: (Standing): Natalie Saby, Fund Development Assistant; Michael Mastronardi, Chapter President; Dennis Diemer, Rick Miller, Angie Tuovinen, Laurie Walesiak and Erika Muscat, Fund Development Officer. (Front Row): Elizabeth Nagy, Mary Diemer, Terri McPherson and Pat Desmarais. To learn more about the local chapter refer to: Kidney.ca/WindsorEssex.

2. The “Spirit Award” was given to Heather’s Heroes for outstanding support for the fight against kidney disease. The heroes were: Dianne Schertzer, Rick Schertzer, Mary Diemer, (Award Presenter); Heather St. Pierre, Lucas St. Pierre, Justin St. Pierre, Lucille St. Pierre and Kerry St. Pierre.

3. Elizabeth Nagy presented Zoltan Veres the “Community Partner Award” for the Hungarian Culture Centre.

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4. Peggy Leithead accepted the “March Drive Recognition Award” presented by Pat Desmarais.

5. Terri McPherson accepted the “Newcomer Award” from Mary Diemer.

6. Chapter President Michael Mastronardi presented Lori Kennedy the “Corporate Award” on behalf of Cavalier Tool & Manufacturing Ltd. 7. Terri McPherson presented Publisher Deborah Jones the “Media Award” for Biz X magazine.

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SHOTS

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The “Business Partner Award” went to Nancy Johns Gallery & Framing. Owner Nancy Johns (below) was unable to attend the awards ceremony due to a major art show. Everyone at the local chapter and with Biz X magazine wishes to still publicly recognize her and her staff for all their prize donations and their many fundraising events, as well as being a ticket seller for “Artilicious.”

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HAVE A CUP OF JOE WITH JOE

Couple Says “I Do” To Downtown Windsor Story And Photo By Joe McParland

A

s a registered Ontario marriage officiant, I’ve officiated many “themed” wedding ceremonies in the past 10 years. These include zombie weddings, Halloween weddings, weddings on the back of boats in Lake St. Clair, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars and Star Trek ceremonies, country-western weddings and, my favourite, a ceremony at the WFCU Centre where everyone wore hockey jerseys, including the bride and groom — and the officiant.

Now, this month, I will wed Jonathan Choquette and Caitlin McLaren — with their two adorable children Annica (two years old) and Luca (seven years old) — on the stage of Windsor’s Capitol Theatre, 121 University Avenue West, in a “Downtown Windsor” themed celebration of love. Every component of their wedding day is urban centric, making use of downtown Windsor businesses and services.

McLaren, a Dietician, originally hails from the Ottawa area. She met Choquette, a Windsor area Conservation Biologist, 10 years ago while attending the University of Guelph. They selected Windsor as their home and chose to live in the urban core on Dougall Avenue near Park Street.

Choquette describes his home location “as one of the most walkable neighbourhoods in the city.” Both he and McLaren are committed to “living in higher density communities for health, air quality and natural habitats.”

Describing why they chose a downtown themed wedding day, Choquette says, “the downtown wedding is our way to support urban living and businesses in our core; it allows out of town guests to walk our neighbourhood streets from their hotel and explore where and how we live.” And McLaren adds, it lessens the hassles of wedding preparations since “we can simply walk to various appointments for services needed that day, such as my dress fitting.”

The Capitol Theatre was selected as the venue for the ceremony after Choquette first saw it and was wowed by its history and architecture. After checking out their website, the couple was excited to discover that the theatre advertised itself as an “unique venue” for weddings. Booked! As well it’s just a few short blocks from the Best Western Plus Waterfront Hotel, 277 Riverside Drive West, and the couple’s home. The hotel will host the couple’s out of town family and friends, and doubles as their reception location boasting

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a magnificent view of the Detroit skyline.

The catered meal is provided by the adjacent St. Clair College Centre for the Arts.

McLaren will be wearing a custom-made wedding dress made of natural fibre material.

It is from Hello Beautiful Custom Fashion & Bridal Boutique, 532 Pelissier Street.

Choquette’s wedding ring is from G & G Jewellery & Coins, 28 University Avenue, East. Janette Florist Inc., 686 Janette Avenue, will be tending to the floral needs of the day. Printing is being be done by Allegra at 225 Wyandotte Street West.

A unique and personal touch for guests is the “natural honey” they will receive as wedding favours. Choquette’s father is an apiarist, and maintains a number of apiaries in the downtown area and will provide the honey.

Not everything for their wedding day comes specifically from downtown, but close by in the city’s urban core. The couple’s photographs will be taken by Britton Images Photography (BrittonImages.com), and Klueless Cupcakes at 1598 Wyandotte Street East is supplying the wedding day cake.

And last but certainly not least, their officiant (yours truly) hails from 1559 Victoria Avenue — although they will be married with an Ontario Marriage Licence obtained from Windsor City Hall, 350 City Hall Square West.

This is not an all-inclusive listing of the services and products the couple will need. They indicate there’s likely even more to come, including a downtown spa, his and her haircuts, McLaren’s nails’ needs, and some possible ballroom dance lessons.

And, oh yes, Choquette and McLaren are sure to show their guests some of their favourite downtown Craft Beer establishments.

I contacted Larry Horwitz, Board Chair of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association (DWBIA) and informed him of this creative concept by McLaren and Choquette. Horwitz and Executive Director, Debi Croucher, were thrilled with this news. And to show their gratitude to the couple for their thoughtfulness and commitment to downtown Windsor businesses and services, they solicited some local businesses for wedding gifts.

The participating businesses (known at the time of writing) and their contributions are listed here: Obsession Hair Designs, B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • J U N E 2 0 1 7

Jonathan Choquette holding daughter Annica with Caitlin McLaren and their son, Luca in front of the Capitol Theatre, where they will marry June 17, 2017.

37 Chatham Street East (“His and Hers” hair appointment); A Dog’s Breakfast, 505 Pelissier Street on Maiden Lane (breakfast for two); Little India, 411 Pelissier Street (ruby red earrings and bangles); Frenchy’s Poutinery, 361 Ouellette Avenue (lunch for two); Pause Café, 74 Chatham Street West (ice cream for two); St. Clair College for the Arts/Chrysler Theatre, 201 Riverside Drive West (tickets to OPERA Luminata in August) and gift certificates from Bread Meats Bread, 33 Chatham Street East; Snackbar-B-Q, 39 Chatham Street East; The Burger Farm, 21 Chatham Street East; Chatham Street Deli, 20 Chatham Street East and Casa Chavela, 405 Pelissier Street.

When informed about the DWBIA gesture, McLaren and Choquette respond, “we are excited and grateful to see recognition from the DWBIA in supporting residents who are supporting downtown businesses; we give you a big thank you!”

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

PROFILING LOCAL BUSINESS WOMEN

By Rebecca Wright

SAMANTHA MENZIES A

Reaching For The Sky With Yoga

ccording to local entrepreneur Having a form of exercise, where the Samantha Menzies, when you primary goal was to breathe, seemed find a form of movement or fitness that pretty accessible and worth a try, she allows you to embrace yourself as you recalls. are — while also pushing you to stretch “I kept up the yoga practice, off your potential — it’s life changing. And and on, for my whole life because it that’s exactly what she aims to bring forth just resonated really well with me,” through her new business, Strong Body she states. “The focus, the control, the Yoga & Fitness. challenge, the rest — all of that just “I want to bring that sense of pride and drew me in and it empowered me.” empowerment to more and more people,” Eventually, Menzies decided she says Menzies. wanted to teach yoga because she Nestled in the heart of South wanted to share it with other people.

Windsor, in the iconic Yorktown Plaza, She stayed in Michigan for three Strong Body Yoga & Fitness Studio weeks to immerse herself in learning (StrongBodyStudio.ca) is located at 1391 how to teach yoga with renowned yogi Grand Marais Road West. She believes Jonny Kest. She’s also done hundreds it’s the perfect location for her boutique of hours of additional training with studio, which she feels boasts something a variety of teachers both locally and no other big gym can — community and internationally. a sense of belonging.

Ultimately, she realized the more she The business offers unique classes taught, the more that starting a studio that are custom crafted by experienced, seemed like the natural next step.

Samantha Menzies strikes a yoga pose in her studio in South Windsor. professional instructors.

Menzies specializes in flow yoga, Photo courtesy of Samantha Menzies.

“Our teachers design their own prenatal yoga, yoga for athletes and classes with the goals and abilities of their body fitness through yoga, strength training sports teams. She informs Biz X that her students in mind,” explains Menzies. “We through sculpt, elemental movement and teaching style is all about empowering, and cater to people who are striving to be their Pilates, as well as cardio through Zumba that’s what you’ll find at Strong Body Yoga & fittest selves regardless of age, gender, or and step.

Fitness Studio. ability, but who need the motivating and Strong Body Yoga & Fitness Studio offered “People looking for a local, small business encouraging environment of a small group its first class April 29 and had its grand fitness option in their neighbourhood that to exercise with.” opening the weekend of May 5. provides them with a sense of community, The boutique yoga studio has up to six The studio offers drop-in rates, class that empowers them to take their fitness into classes a day and offers more than just yoga. passes, and memberships so you can find the their own hands, and that encourages them Their philosophy is “the healthiest option that works best for your schedule to be their strongest selves — physically, lifestyle incorporates a variety of different It was at age 10 that Menzies started mentally, and emotionally — are going to movement modalities,” Menzies describes, doing yoga, a time in her life when she was find exactly what they need at Strong Body so their range of classes covers mind and overweight and wasn’t particularly athletic. Yoga & Fitness Studio,” she says.

BEST GIFT EVER.

XX FILES

5158 Tecumseh Rd. E. 519-974-7777 www.massagewindsor.com

B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • J U N E 2 0 1 7

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AWARDS The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce SPOTLIGHT “27th Annual Business Excellence Awards” The recipients of the “27th Annual Business Excellence Awards” (BEA) — presented by the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce and Windsor Star — were announced during a gala held at Caesars Windsor on April 19, 2017. These awards recognize professional individuals and companies who have set standards and demonstrated achievements that have contributed to prosperity and business development in Windsor and Essex County.

To learn more about the awards and the chamber refer to: WindsorEssexChamber.org.

The 2017 BEA Recipients and Award Sponsors are as follows . . .

“ATHENA” Award: Patti France, President,

Photos courtesy of John Liviero/Sooter’s St. Clair College with Simon Dwyer, Director (Sooters.net) of Government Affairs, Bell (Sponsor).

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“Professional of the Year”: Holly Ward, HWard Communications Inc. Robert Rumfeldt, District Vice President, TD Commercial Banking, TD Bank (Sponsor) and Award recipient Holly Ward.

“Small Company of the Year”: Surveyors On Site Inc. From left: Award recipients Mike Toupin and Chris Oyler, Owners, Surveyors On Site Inc., and Brian Parent, President, Families First (Sponsor).

“Mid-Size Company of the Year”: Next Dimension Inc. Award recipient Brian Pearl, President, Next Dimension Inc. (left) and Irfan Daya, Vice President, Commercial Banking, RBC Royal Bank (Sponsor).

“Large Company of the Year”: Red Sun Farms Award recipient Jim Di Menna, President & CEO, Red Sun Farms and Jennifer Mallen, Vice President, Commercial Banking, BMO Bank of Montreal (Sponsor).

“Entrepreneur of the Year”: Gino Piccioni, Timberland Homes Award recipient Gino Piccioni (left) and Darren Luck, First Vice President and Investment Advisor, CIBC Wood Gundy, CIBC (Sponsor).

“New Business of the Year”: Witeck Solutions From left: John Fairley, Vice President, College Communications & Community Relations, St. Clair College (Sponsor), Award recipient Usman Mughal, Director Operations and Jimmy Ghelani, General Manager, both with Witeck Solutions.

“Believe Windsor Essex” Award: Rosati Group. From left: Award recipient Nick Rosati, David Woodfull, Vice President Commercial Services, WFCU Credit Union (Sponsor), and Award recipient Tony Rosati.

“Tourism & Hospitality” Award: WindsorEats From left: Scott Fischburg, Director, Resort & Hotel Sales, Caesars Windsor (Sponsor) and Award recipient Adriano Ciotoli, Co-owner, WindsorEats.

“Innovation” Award: KeenTec NA Inc. From left: Award recipients Jens Oxenfarth, Engineering Manager and Hans Oxenfarth, President, KeenTec NA Inc. and Sean Collier, District Manager, Windsor/Chatham, Union Gas Limited (Sponsor).

“Young Professional of the Year”: Yvonne Pilon, WEtech Alliance From left: Lori Atkinson, Regional Manager EssexKent, Libro Credit Union (Sponsor) and Award recipient Yvonne Pilon.

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“Pillars of our Community”: The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County From left: Robert Scussolin, CogecoTV (Exclusive Broadcast Sponsor), Award recipients Veronique Mandal, Board Chair & Carol Derbyshire, Executive Director, The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County and Charles Janisse, President, Motor City Community Credit Union (Sponsor).

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MAKING A SOUND LIVING

“It’s Only Rock ’N Roll,” But I Like It!

By Lori Baldassi

ooo you want to be in the music business.

Great! (Insert applause . . . ) You’ve got the looks, mastered your instrument, hold a library of well crafted songs, the equipment and you are ready to take that centre stage.

How can you lose? You sell out locally and you’ve won every competition you’ve entered.

PUMP YOUR BRAKES. The reality of your goal is this — the music industry is a BUSINESS — a tough one at that.

Do you know what a record label “360 deal” is? That is if you’re lucky enough to have a record label offer you one!

Do you really need a label these days?

Joe Bonamassa (blues singer), and Amanda Palmer (American singer) among many others, sell out arenas around the world with no record label and no radio play — is that your road?

What do you know about publishing, SOCAN; incorporating yourself or your band; registering your music; copywriting; FACTOR; tour support; distribution of music or lawyers, accountants and managers who all play an important part to sustain your life in the music industry?

Don’t forget your social media platforms: You Tube, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

This online presence is now more powerful than any other avenue to get to the masses.

Radio has been scaled down to its bare bones and few break new music, so where do you get played? Where do you play live? Let’s talk about you or you and your band. Is it your band? Do you speak for all members or just yourself? If there’s a question, it’s time for the suits (lawyers).

My name is Lori Baldassi and welcome to my new column about the music biz. I will be interviewing industry professionals to ask the most important questions to help get you on that centre stage.

Let’s kick start my first column into high gear with a Q&A interview now. Any guesses who it is after you read the next paragraph?

He was asked to perform at the celebration of David Bowie’s life in a special concert in Los Angeles by Sting. His soulful musical signature can be found on the records of music luminaries such as Herbie Hancock, Ryuichi Sakamoto, John Mayer, Rod Stewart, Robert Plant, Duran Duran, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Michael Hutchence (INXS), Michael Buble, Philip Glass, Yoko Ono, Alice Cooper and Bootsy Collins to name a few.

He is best known for the last 30 years as a backup singer with Lisa Fisher on tour and

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Bernard Fowler photo courtesy of the artist and Jonnie Miles.

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in the studio with “the world’s greatest rock band” (insert drum roll), The Rolling Stones.

His name is Bernard Fowler.

Fowler is an accomplished Musician, Producer, Songwriter and Actor. His vocal versatility and stage presences have added the right spice to the hard-hitting experience of a Stones’ show. A solo release of “Friends with Privileges in 2006” received critical acclaim for Fowler and it took until 2015 for him to find time to get back to his second solo project (found on iTunes) “The Bura.” Friends like Rock and Roll Hall of famer Chuck D rapping on “Can’t you hear me knocking”; Will Calhoun of Living Color; David Goodstien, (resume includes working with Ricky Martin, B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • J U N E 2 0 1 7

Jackson Browne, Edgar Winter, Joe Perry); Phil X, (Bon Jovi); and the legendary dynamics of Slash, Waddy Wachtel and Lenny Castro, all contributed to the record.

Fowler is very proud of “The Bura,” not only as a labour of love with friends/musicians, but, financially it was all on his own dime. He points out this CD has a marking on it that states, “NO Pro tools were used in the making of this music.” Meaning, it was done old school with two inch tape in a recording studio, as he said all music should be made.

He believes you can record in your house, but there is a reason recording studios are built. There’s a reason mastering facilities exist, pointing out another buddy by the name of

Jack White who just opened a mastering studio in Detroit. Fowler says the resurgence of vinyl is great because it’s the best way to hear music.

The first time I heard the solo work of Bernard Fowler was on The Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts Quintet video, “I have a Crush On You” (View: YouTube.com/watch?v=PHcrrsDgkuo), and although it was a big band song, his smooth martini voice reminded me of David Ruffin of the Temptations.

(Note: for more information check out: BernardFowler.com) I caught up with Bernard Fowler (BF) and asked him a few questions about his experiences in the music business.

Biz X: So how did you come to meet The Rolling Stones?

BF: I met Mick (Jagger) first through producer Bill Lazlo. Mick was producing his first solo record (“She’s The Boss”) and I was on tour with Herbie Hancock. I had 10 days off and Bill called and asked me to come to London and when I got to London he introduced me to Mick and I did the vocal arrangements. A year later I was living in London with a band called Tack Head and Mick called and said “I’ve been looking for you!” The Stones are going to record a new album and I would like your help with some of the new stuff. That’s when I met the rest of them and have been with them ever since — that was 30 years ago.

Biz X: What have you learned in all these years in the music industry?

BF: Always have a lawyer, and management doesn’t hurt either. Don’t sign anything until it’s been looked at. Something that I learned very early on that I learned from old-timers was KEEP YOUR PUBLISHING. Some pretty unsavoury things can happen, so at all cost I make sure I keep my publishing of the songs that I write.

Biz X: Management is really important. How do choose a lawyer and management?

BF: It works all kinds of ways. I have approached people. I’ve had people approach me. It can work both ways.

Biz X: How do you choose the distribution of your music?

BF: iTunes was picked because that was the avenue available to go down. I’m not signed to a major label. I’m not signed to any label at all.

Biz X: Is that a good thing?

BF: Yes and no. I don’t have the machine of a label that does a lot of work. I think labels are more interested in someone really young that they can manipulate. They can tell the artist what song to do, who to use blah, blah . . . I’m past that stage. People like me and Waddy Wachtel, we don’t need labels to work.

If you’re a new artist a label is really good for you if you’ve not been heard, they can help circulate who you are and what you do.

Biz X: If you were an up and coming artist would you sign with a label?

BF: Probably I think that is what most kids want. “A record contract” — those words are magic to young artists and it’s not until they sign the contract that they realize how much #$%^ is involved.

Biz X: How do you transition when you’re singular and not in the group dynamic where you’re the boss and have to make everything happen?

BF: I have to make everything happen on a budget, that horrible word. Rolling Stones don’t.

Biz X: What advice can you give new generations?

BF: LEARN YOUR CRAFT. Nothing comes easy. Go to the bars. Go to all the bars and play. The only way you get good is playing. Before I started singing with Herbie Hancock and all these other people, I played every catering house in New York City. I played dinner dances, birthday parties. So that’s my advice, learn your craft and don’t depend on pro tools to fix it for you.

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Biz X: What experiences in your career shaped your path of where you are today?

BF: I never wanted to be a solo artist, that was not part of the plan ever. I always wanted to be with a group of guys and make good music and have this life. The first band I had big success with was the New York Citi Peech Boys. You hear it all the time — once the money starts coming people change. People get greedy. Record labels will use their power to influence and tear apart a group. There was one guy in the band that we elected to be our mouthpiece. You can’t have five or six members all talking to the media. That’s why The Rolling Stones are so successful.

It’s Mick and it’s Keith (Richards). They are the mouthpieces for the band. In my case we elected the older of the guys and sure enough the money started coming in and he started wheeling and dealing for himself and didn’t think anyone would notice. I noticed because everywhere I went I heard myself on the radio.

He had a new car and I was walking. I knew what was happening and he then wanted to put people out of the band. We don’t need all these guys he said “we can do it without them.” I thought to myself what a horrible person. I said if anyone leaves the band I quit.

It wasn’t long before Herbie Hancock called and I was gone.

Biz X: What is the hardest part of making great music?

BF: I am surrounded by great musicians.

My friends are great musicians. There is nothing hard about making great music. The hard part is getting great music to be heard these days. Making it is not hard. Getting heard is hard.

From backstage to the airwaves or leading the organizing committee Lori Baldassi has been in and around the music industry for over 20 years.

Lori has sat on a number of boards of directors and focused on charity/non-profit committees for concerts/ festivals bringing in name acts. She has also spoken in front of the CRTC. If you have any questions for her please send an email to: editorial@bizxmagazine.com.

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THIS ISSUE FEATURES . . .

FOR THOUGHT A

far journey past the norm, the extravagant cuisine at Mazaj Mediterranean Grill is something savoury that’s worth investigating.

While serving Lebanese food with Mediterranean flare since March of 2016, this fine establishment concentrates on preparing your meals with the best fresh products and herbs available.

“The ‘Mazaj’ way, in colloquial Arabic translates to a good mood,” explains Joe Kais, Owner/Operator (along with his wife Najwa).

The atmosphere here is Mediterranean, family oriented and relaxed with the décor being comfortable and modern. According to Kais, their “theme is family hospitality, fresh food and friendly service.”

Many kinds of exotic menu items are presented at Mazaj, where in some cases, you can choose your own ingredients and build your own meal.

You can mix and match and make substitutions.

As Kais explains, “Eating at Mazaj means options and customizing the food to your liking.”

A worldly individual at the helm, Kais has thickened his resume over the years with restaurant experience in the U.S., Lebanon, Dubai, and Jordan. Armed with this knowledge on creating many different kinds of food abroad and bringing it to Windsor, means several exciting choices for potential customers.

Some of the dishes served at the Grill are authentic Lebanese or hybrids — with a dash of Mediterranean. The two signature entrees featured include the Mazaj Chicken, charbroiled chicken breast in a house white wine sauce and the Mazaj Beefteak with thin slices of beef sirloin, served with portobello mushrooms with house red wine sauces.

“Mazaj menus are engineered based on healthy choices,” describes Kais. A dish like the Mazaj Chicken has a sauce based on yogurt, white wine, coriander, fresh garlic and herbs. Most of

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Mazaj Mediterranean Grill 3335 Banwell Road, Windsor, ON

By David Clark this food is locally sourced and fresh, leaving diners with many healthy options to consider.

Gluten free is also available.

Sometimes the food at Mazaj is recognizable like the wildly popular hummus and shawarma.

It is important to note that the usual shawarma, found elsewhere, would have a hard time competing with the Grill’s offering. Mazaj’s shawarma is cooked to order and the meat is marinated for 24 hours and not left in the open, maintaining its freshness. Additionally, the hummus is available in three flavours where beiurty comes out as the favourite.

The Mediterranean Grill is a meat lover’s delight featuring skewers of chicken, beef tenderloin and lamb mixed with beef with Vermicelli Turmeric Rice, potato slices and vegetables. Photo courtesy of Joe Kais.

You can also sink your teeth into one of the specials including the Lunch Shawarma ($12.99), served with either chicken or beef with a small hummus, small fatoush, rice and garlic or a traditional dish like the Spinach Meat Pie Combo.

The menus at Mazaj are revamped every six months in order to stay competitive and to keep up with customers’ needs and requests.

“We would also like to share with our customers that we are community people and we support our locals,” Kais stresses. “We are all about great food and service and providing true Lebanese family style hospitality when you get here.”

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Co-Owner Joe Kais settles in with a dinner entrée of Mazaj Chicken with rice and potatoes, plus a side of Beiruty hummus. Photo by David Clark.

Reservations are preferred and large groups are welcomed for catering or walk-in. The seating capacity is 60 inside and 35 outside. For onsite catering, Mazaj is fully licensed and custom menus can be created with or without Mediterranean fare.

In addition you can try the loaded party platters for your next special event. With several Lebanese staple dishes prepared, the price ranges from $42.99 to $82.99.

Customers, current and future, can stay up-todate with Kais and his team on their social media pages. View menus and the hours of operation at: MazajMediterraneanGrill.com.

Served with Hummus and Fatoush, at $12.99, this healthy choice is the Spinach Meat Pie Combo.

Photo courtesy of Joe Kais.

“Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” For The Sexual Assault Crisis Centre of Essex County (SACC)

HOT SHOTS HOT SHOTS HOT SHOTS HOT May 6, 2017 at Riverside Sportsmen’s Club, 10835 Riverside Drive East, Windsor.

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

To see even more photos from this event visit: BizXmagazine.com under “Biz X was there!”

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Taking place during “Sexual Assault Prevention Month” in May “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” is a free event to raise awareness about the issue of sexual violence against women. “Head over (red) heels” for this event, for many years, is the group from the Windsor Edward Jones office: Financial Advisors Norm Bezaire, Sean Hunt and Chris Horovenko along with friends Tom Teron and Quinn Hunt.

2. Event emcee and organizers from the Sexual Assault Crisis Centre of Essex County (1770 Langlois Avenue, Windsor; SACCWindsor.net) — Denise Parent, Bev Clouthier, MC Joe McParland, Biz X magazine; Amanda Vernhout and Lydia Fiorini, Executive Director S.A.C.C. — were photographed prior to presenting the “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes 2017 Winner With Most Participants” Award.

3. Never missing an opportunity to go beyond the call of duty, whether it is the authorities or the media, Windsor’ s finest and AM800 were on hand represented by: Constable Bojan Skrba, Windsor Police Services; Chris Mitri, Promotions AM800; Kara Ro, Radio Show

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Host AM800; Constable Marc Tremblay, Patrol Response Windsor Police Services and Kristyn Quenneville, Promotions AM800. The radio station, along with Biz X and CogecoTV, was also an event sponsor.

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4. Seeing red for the cause! Staff and students from Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence were the largest group in attendance this year to earn the top participation award, which was accepted by Joseph Picard, Director of Education.

5. Every year the University of Windsor participates by involving the Windsor Lancers Football Team. This year was no exception with team members: Dave Stoute, Athletic Trainer; Drew Desjarlais, Daniel Metcalfe, Joe D’ Amore, Head Coach & Ashlyn D’ Amore, his daughter; David Adelaja, Josh Vanroi, Kevin Limbombe and Liam LeClair walking a mile in those sassy red pumps.

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6. Doing a little leg work were Windsor Fire & Rescue Firefighters: Les Dorgo, Matthew Stewart, Gideon Hesman, Acting Captain Lance Moore and Joe Nagy.

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from the bookshelf

Life Matters From Estate Planning To Having A Baby

By Marlene Markham-Gay

H

ave you ever thought about estate planning and wondered where to begin? Who would you see for advice — a lawyer, an accountant a financial planner?

Looking through forms and documents can be intimidating and confusing, not knowing Canadian estate laws and types of trust funds, all can be very frustrating.

That’s where local author, Terrance Hamilton Hall and his book, “Canadian Estate Planning Made Easy” can help!

It is designed to empower the public with extensive knowledge of estate planning to be read before seeking professional advice.

Hall is a Certified Financial Planner and he holds many awards including the Queen’s “Diamond Jubilee” medal. He is also a Lawyer and has appeared before many federal hearings, the Federal and Supreme Courts of Canada, and the Parliament of Canada.

This unique book combines the many tools used by professionals and provides in footnotes backup authorities, using websites freely available to the public. The two legal systems of Canada are included, estate laws for all the provinces except Quebec, which is the “English Common Law” and the “Civil Law System” used in Quebec, which is based on the French Napoleonic Code.

Chapters include: Estate Planning; Wills; Looking After Yourself; Trusts; Support for

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the Disabled and Joint Ownership. There is also a checklist, a list of acronyms and tools of lawyers and financial survivors.

Reaching the stage in life when you want to have your estate in order can be a time when you want to be well informed and “Canadian Estate Planning” has everything you need to understand all matters and make intelligent choices.

This book can be purchased from the author by emailing: obempire@gmail.com.

It is also available from the publishing company on: Friesenpress.com/bookstore and in eBook format from Google Play, the Amazon Kindle Store and iTunes Bookstore.

Next up we have local author Vesna M. Bailey’s book, “Notes To My Baby, I Love You Already,” the third in her “Notes Before You Go” series. The series currently sells in North America, Continental Europe, Australia and parts of Asia.

Her previous installments, “Notes To My Son Before You Go” and “Notes To My Daughter Before You Go” are award winning publications and have been on the top 10 selling list such as “10 Inspiring Books for Women and Men.” Prior to her writing she worked as a Speech Pathologist in Leamington for 20 years where she and her husband raised their family.

“Notes To My Baby” is perfect for a baby shower gift or to give to a friend who is a mom-to be. It expresses the hopes and dreams an expectant mom has for the child she is carrying. Beautiful black and white photography in every chapter makes this book a wonderful keepsake that can be passed down in families.

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Bailey has answered the question, what would a mother-in-waiting say to her baby?

Her written word is like a gentle breeze nudging the words along to create a moving flow, page after page. The kind of breeze that ruffles your hair, but feels warm on your face as you read how Bailey describes the wonder, hopes and dreams a mother has for her child, even before the baby has entered this world.

It truly is a touching gift that will be treasured, a journey depicted as no other, the miracle of life. Bailey writes “I love you already because you are mine, and I am yours, I love you already, I just do.”

“Notes To My Baby, I Love You Already” is available at Lakeside Bakery Gift Shop, 286 Erie Street South, Leamington; The Sanctuary Gifts & Books of Faith Store, 6 Division Street North, Kingsville; From the Heart, 1356 Ottawa Street, Windsor; Chapters at Devonshire Mall and Indigo at St. Clair Beach. More information is available at: NotesBeforeYouGo.com.

Marlene Markham-Gay is the former host of CFTV’s “Storyteller.” She promotes local authors through the book corner at the Essex Railway Station, inviting them to display and sell books. Marlene is an avid reader and encourages her eight grandchildren to read.

So many books and too little time prevent her from reading the same book twice.

THE WAY IT WAS

Echoes Of The March-Pasts

By Andrea Grimes

The 21st Regiment Essex Fusiliers on parade. Circa 1918-1934. Photo courtesy of the Municipal Archives.

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ictonary.com defines a parade as a “a large public procession, usually including a marching band and often a festive nature, held in honour of an anniversary, person, event, etc.”

Who doesn’t love a parade?

The traditional pastime of parades brought people of all walks of life together to socialize, to catch up on the news of the day and to escape from everyday life!

With a shared sense of nostalgia, pride and love of tradition, families travelled into villages and towns to celebrate a festive occasion. In Windsor, families quite possibly gathered at the Barracks Square.

Well now, how did Windsor get its name?

According to: TheCanadianEncyclopedia.ca/ en/article/windsor-ont, Windsor received this designation on September 20, 1836.

This site: CountyOfEssex.on.ca/en/government/ Summary-of-the-Municipal-History-of-theCounty.asp confirms Windsor was incorporated as a town in 1858.

Ever since then, Windsor has presented grand and colourful parades that celebrated our cultural heritage, upheld historic traditions, and entertained crowds with military brass bands and the Regiment’s pipes and drums. Parades are commemorative and represent a sense of community. With fanfare and music, parades are known for laying the foundations for tradition.

History has shown that parades not only introduced our community to the pageantry of the trooping of the colour, they instilled a deep sense of patriotism that stood to discipline that recognized duty and service . . . on all fronts.

Who can resist the pomp and circumstance of a military brass band and the Regiment’s pipes and drums performing familiar “march-pasts” — Highland Laddie, A Hundred Pipers, My Boy Willie, Heart of Oak and the RCAF March-Past?

As such, local dignitaries, city fathers, veterans, police and fire Departments and notable citizens representing many professions, civic organizations, benevolent societies and the trades, joined

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those parades marching in precision along Ouellette Avenue.

Understandably, the summer parade season brought a long-awaited break from the boredom of the classroom and all that endless homework, always in the way of enjoying the carefree days of “being a kid.”

There was swimming in the Detroit River on a muggy August afternoon, serving tea to a fine collection of dolls on the veranda or setting up that first lemonade stand with the Haggerty girls.

Building soapbox cars or making slingshots from discarded inner tubes passed the time, but nothing compared to the arrival of “The Sheeny Man” and running beside his cart to trade up for everything and anything — a bike pedal, cap gun, a skipping rope or a sherriff ’s badge. Youngsters who saw opportunities to earn the odd nickel or two for helping guests of The Walkerville Exchange Hotel with their luggage, soon developed a taste for the entrepreneurial life!

After a parade passed through Windsor, a number of social traditions came into play. Families and neighbours from near and far made their way to picnics, fireworks displays, dances, church fêtes, sporting events, outdoor concerts or, if the timing was right, nipped over to The Dominion House for a cold one.

Of course, as human nature would have it, young couples embraced the joys of their first summer’s romance where the innocence of courting often came under the keen eye of a dowager aunt or a doting grandmamma!

All this and more was part and parcel of growing up in Windsor all those years ago!

According to Rob Wilson, Pipe Major with the Windsor Police Service Pipe Band, “In celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary, (and) the City of Windsor’s 125th anniversary, we’re proud to announce that our Pipes and Drums have contributed to Windsor’s distinguished history. Our Pipes and Drums have performed in numerous parades throughout Windsor since 1967. We thank our community for its support over the past 50 years.” (More at: WindsorPolicePipeBand.com).

With all these big anniversaries and celebrations in 2017, what memories spring to mind when you recall the time summer parades came . . . marching into town?

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OF THE MONTH

Story And Photo By Dave Hall

WMM Construction Services . . .

20 Years Of Building Solid Relationships

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Windsor business which started out 20 years ago with just one van to service a growing number of clients, has evolved into a property maintenance and construction services company covering a large portion of southwestern Ontario.

WMM Construction Services, started life as Windsor Mobile Maintenance, when Owner Joe Gatfield opened its doors in January 1997; it now has five employees and a variety of sub-contractors to call on as needed.

Gatfield established WMM, operated by 1214665 Ontario Inc., when one of his first clients decided to outsource its maintenance and repair services and was looking for a local contractor to handle the work.

“Twenty years later, we have developed long-term successful relationships with numerous clients across the region and business is still going well,” states Gatfield.

Among those clients are Nexacor Realty Management, SNC-Lavalin Operations and Maintenance, BLJC, CB Richard Ellis, the Diocese of London, Woodall Construction Co. Ltd., IRC Building Sciences Group and Del-Ric Integrated Construction.

These clients have contracts to provide maintenance and repair services to such companies and operations as Bell Canada, the Bank of Montreal, Canada Post, Purolator, Canadian Red Cross, Royal Bank and the Southwest Detention Centre and they have hired WMM to handle those services.

“We offer 24-7 services to all of those facilities and if we can’t handle a problem, we can find someone who can among our group of sub-contractors,” explains General Manager Doug Taylor who has been with the company for 19 years.

Gatfield informs Biz X that all of his employees and sub-contractors are bonded, insured and have all the required police

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Joe Gatfield, left, Owner of WMM Construction Services and General Manager Doug Taylor are photographed inside the company’s offices at 620 North Service Road East in Windsor.

clearances because of the sensitive nature of their clients’ businesses.

At one time, WMM also had residential clients, but as Taylor explains, “We have scaled back and now it’s almost exclusively commercial, institutional and industrial,”.

He adds, “We expect to stay much the same size as we are now because it’s a good working model for us. Our forte is definitely in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors.”

Among the services WMM offers are: building system and structural maintenance, new construction and upgrades, door and hardware repair, window installations and repair, plumbing, painting, drywall and electrical services, flood response, demolition, millwork fabrication, electric eel service, contamination mitigation and hazardous materials removal, as well as mould remediation.

The company can also call on subcontractors who can provide masonry, HVAC, excavation and other services.

“We have developed a solid reputation

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with our sub-contractors and with the property maintenance companies, which hire us so that when they move on to other clients or acquire new clients, we usually move with them and add those clients to our roster as well,” Gatfield mentions.

Taylor indicates, “Meeting all the compliance requirements in this business is not easy. So, if you are pre-qualified to handle this work and you have a good reputation within a circle of property management companies, you are in a great position.”

WMM services clients across Windsor Essex, Chatham Kent and Sarnia Lambton, with a small fleet of fully-equipped service trucks on call around the clock.

“It hasn’t been without a few struggles over the years,” admits Gatfield. “But, once we decided to concentrate on our core services, business has been going very well.”

He goes on to say, “Once we identified what we are very good at, we have been able to concentrate on those areas and build a solid roster of clients with whom we have great working relationships.”

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Photos taken by Brandon Stanley, Jason Barrera, Mira Gordic and bottom left by Chalet Studios

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