The Way It Was: Esprit de Corps, In Concert With . . . History And Tradition

THE WAY IT WAS A 50 Year Tradition Of Performance Excellence By Andrea Grimes

What are some of your recollections of Windsor in the 1970s?

Was it that gas in Windsor was 0.36 cents a gallon or that you attended the opening of Devonshire Mall on August 12, 1970? Perhaps it is that you stood in line for the annual Birks “Plum Sale”? Or maybe you were so absolutely passionate about music and military tradition that you joined a Canadian Armed Forces band?

History shows that the ’70s marked a pivotal turning point (changes and challenges) in Canada’s military from redesignations to imposing a single set of uniforms for all three services.

These changes also determined the presence of our local military bands — HMCS HUNTER, Windsor Regiment (RCAC) and RCEME (The Corps

of Royal Canadian Electrical and

Mechanical Engineers).

Captain Beth Dykeman (retired Director of Music, Windsor Regiment Band) says, “With the subsequent reorganization of Canada’s military, all three Bands were disbanded in 1969 resulting in an amalgamated military band as the Windsor Militia District Band. Captain Lasse Pahjola was the first Director of Music in 1970 followed by Captain John Gimpel. Chief Warrant OfficerGrant Peiferwas the Bandmaster from 1969-75 and Captain Age Smies, (a young music educator who emigrated from the Netherlands) served as Director of Music from 1975-87.”

In the ’80s,the Bandwas renamedWindsor District Military Band. At that time, Mobile Command stated that only 15% of a unit could be female members but Captain Smies was instrumental in having the directive eased for the Band.

Under his direction, the Band performed for H.M. Queen Elizabeth II and H.R.H. Prince Philip,in Toronto on October 2, 1984.

In 1987, Chief Warrant Officer Marlene Holmes became the first female Band CWO in Canada. Holmes took over the Band at this time and was eventually commissioned to the rank of Captain.

The Windsor District Military Band became the Windsor Military Band (WMB) in 1991 falling under the command of London Militia District. Captain Dykeman became the Director of Music in 1996 and held that position until 2018.

According to Dykeman, “In June 1997, the WMB became a regular performer at the Hamilton International Tattoo (later called theCanadian International Military Tattoo). In September 1997, the Band became a sub-unit of31 Canadian Brigade Group (London). The WMB travelled to Dieppe, France in August 2006 to rededicate the Dieppe Memorial at Red Beach with the Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment. Later that year, in November, the Band was transferred to the Windsor Regiment (RCAC) with another name change to the Windsor Regiment Band.”

In recognizing the Band’s 50thanniversary (1970 to 2020), the Windsor Regiment Band, under the direction of Lt. Andrew

The Windsor Regiment Band is pictured at the Major F.A. Tilston, VC, Armoury February 11, 2017. Photo courtesy of the late Ed Goodfellow.

Shaw, (Director of Music) will showcase its commitment to achievements in our Canadian Military Music heritage with an anniversary celebration to be held in October 2021.

Military music not only fills many hearts with a stirring sense of patriotism; it contributes to our national identity lending itself to foster “esprit de corps” honouring the memory of all Canadian Armed Forces Armoured Corps soldiers, including its bands.

Do you recall where you were the first time you heard the Quick March “My Boy Willie” of the Windsor Regiment? (Youtube.com/watch?v=jEfslWDdfrk)

It honours the memory of all who had the privilege to serve (and continue to do so) — a commitment made to safeguard our Canadian values of democracy . . . “fighting to the front of our battle cry.” As a civilian Veterans Advocate, Andrea Grimes was presented with the “Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal” and the “Governor General’s Medal” recognizing her volunteer service to Veterans and the military families of our Canadian Armed Forces, as well as with military family service-support organizations to include, North Wall Riders Association, Windsor Veterans Memorial Service Committee, Military Institute of Windsor, the Royal Canadian Naval Association, the Korean War Veterans Association and the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association.

Connecting Virtually Serves A Purpose In New Alzheimer Society Fundraising Efforts

By Joe McParland

As with most organization’s annual events affected this year by COVID-19 restrictions, the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County (ASWE) has rebranded their traditional fall fundraiser, “Coffee Break” to “Social with a Purpose”.

The Windsor launch of “Social with a Purpose” took place on September 1, 2020 to coincide with “World Alzheimer’s Month”.

This is a do-it-yourself fundraiser promoting the importance of socializing, staying in touch and building a strong positive relationship with your friends, family, and community.

A “Social with a Purpose” fundraiser is hosted virtually and can be held anywhere and in any way, until November 30, 2020.

What are you doing to stay connected and come together during this time of physical distancing? Make your connections more

Quick Facts • It is estimated 564,000 Canadians are living with dementia, with 7,850 persons over the age of 40 in Windsor and Essex County living with dementia. • In 15 years, this figure will increase by 66%, to 937,000. • For every person with dementia, one or more caregivers are providing care. • The Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County provides programs and support services to help people with all forms of dementia, in addition to assisting their caregivers and families with living as well as they can.

Taken outside the ASWE building, Community Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator Shannon Van Watteghem

Levasseur (insert and far right) makes sure that masks were worn during this “Social with a Purpose” promotional photo shoot. Game Nights are a great idea for a fundraising event, as shown from left by: Cullen, Victoria and Jo An

Booth with Jennie Jacobson playing Connect 4, while Tara McBride and Adrian Kosla enjoy a game of Crokinole.

Photo by Rod Denis. special and meaningful by supporting people living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and their care partners who experience social isolation every day.

For example, turn your weekly online card game with friends or book club video chat, into a fundraiser. Be creative and add a game or task everyone can partake in during your call and highlight the importance that coming together can have by supporting others.

Have any special skills? Try hosting an online paint night or cooking class and ask for adonation!

Don’t want to be the head chef?

They have you covered with easy to use digital kits to host your own “Social with a Purpose” fundraiser that you can invite your friends and family to join!

Available digital kits include: a Paint Night; Sing-a-long Concert; Date Night with cooking lessons; Wine Tasting with your own Sommelier and Game Night where you can host a board game or card tournament with the family for ultimate bragging rights.

However, there is one in-person component to “Social with a Purpose”.

On October 11 and November 1, 2020 a yoga event, “Downward Dog for

Dementia” is planned at the Alzheimer Society of Windsor, 2135 Richmond Street.

Shannon Van Watteghem-Levasseur, ASWE Community Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator emphasizes: “The donations raised by leaders of the various social events will be used to help cover the expenses of the local community’s social and recreation activities. The money raised locally, via pledge sheets, will stay local.”

The power of coming together and hosting a “Social with a Purpose” fundraiser will provide those living with dementia and their care partners needed social recreation programming. Social recreation programs have been proven to improve life quality and reduce isolation, something we have all experienced over the last few months with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Your donations from “Social with a Purpose” go a long way to improve the quality of life for so many of our loved ones and friends.

For example, a fundraising donation of just $30 will allow a person living with dementia and their care partner to attend two sessions of “Minds in Motion” — a vital program that provides physical exercise, social interaction, and brain stimulation activities with other clients, volunteers, and staff. “Minds in Motion” has been offered virtually during the pandemic and is one example of the excellent work happening in social recreation at the Alzheimer Society.

In 2019 the “Coffee Break” campaign in Windsor Essex had 150 hosts and raised over $27,000. It is hoped this year’s “Social with a Purpose” will exceed this total and sponsors Biz X magazine, along with Colonial Coffee Co. Ltd. (see: ColonialCoffee.ca), are doing their part as well to help make the fundraising goal become a reality!

As Van Watteghem-Levasseur reminds us: “Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia strike every community and consume entire families. No one should have to face this disease alone. Residents of Windsor and Essex County, show that you care by registering and fundraising for ‘Social with a Purpose’. This is a great reason to stay connected with those you love!”

To host your own “Social with a Purpose” fundraiser, go to: AlzheimerWindsor.com and click on the “Social with a Purpose” link. Upon registration you will immediately receive a customized web page with a unique link to share and promote your fundraiser.

So put your thinking cap on and come up with a creative idea of your own! Use this opportunity as the perfect excuse to get together virtually with your friends and family and raise a few bucks for a great charity.

Story And Photo By Julianna Bonnett

Diana Giorgi

Always Making A Great Impression

The mission of business owner Diana Giorgi of Game Gear Attire, is to be a one-stop shop for all her customers.

With only a single-head embroidery machine that she had in her house, being used regularly, Giorgi ended up making her love for embroidery a business.

Raised in Michigan, she went to secondary school for Fashion Merchandising and in her younger years, she opened a few clothing stores.

“I always had a passion for wedding and bridal,” Giorgi recalls. “My sister in law, at the time, had a bridal salon, so I would help her make dresses, but the business ended up failing because too much money was going out and not enough was coming in.”

In 1980, Giorgi moved to Windsor and in 1996, she opened Game Gear Attire located on 6909 Concession Rd 6 N in Amherstburg.

Since 2010, she's expanded her business, to not only include embroidery services, but also silk-screen printing.

“When we added the silk-screen printing, the business became busier,” Giorgi mentions. “All of the women I work with daily are local residents. Some live in Amherstburg, others in LaSalle or Leamington. I’ve always believed in a locally owned and operated service.”

Each work day, Giorgi wakes up at 7:30 a.m. to start checking emails immediately with most of her customers getting their quote within the first 24 to 48 hours after asking. Afterwards, she gets right down to work with her employees with her days ending around 6 p.m.

“There is so much prep time and clean up that goes into this work,” she says. “The embroidery machine only goes so fast and we're determined to get as much done in the day as we can.”

Diana Giorgi, Owner and Operator of Game Gear Attire (a division of Dimensional Embroidery) in Amherstburg, is all smiles after investing in a new Sabre fully automatic Workhorse silk screen machine, which can print up to six colours per design or logo.

Back in March, Game Gear was closed for two months due to the COVID-19 shutdowns, but Giorgi still feels like business has been good, regardless of the small set back.

“To recoup those two months is probably not going to happen and that is two months out of my life that I won’t get back,” she comments. “For right now, sales are good, but what will happen in the next few months is hard to say because every year we’re used to doing stuff for school teams and clothes for events, so we’re unsure at this time.”

Offering garments and gear that are embroidered or screened on-site, Giorgi ensures the highest quality work is maintained with most orders completed within a few business days.

“We work so hard every day to get done all the things that are needed to get done,” she shares. “Even if I have to work more than I usually would in my day, I’m OK with doing that because it’s what I love to do.”

According to Giorgi one of the most important things she learned being a businesswoman is to always listen to what your customers want.

“How do I put this?” she asks.

She continues: “If you make a mistake, they will not want to eat it (the cost). One of my girls always says ‘you’re only as good as the mistakes you can fix’ and I believe that to be true.”

Regarding advice for other entrepreneurs, Giorgi believes the best thing to do when starting any business is to learn what you are doing before jumping in cold turkey.

“I’ve seen a lot of people try to start a business like this and what they do is just buy a machine and think: ‘OK I know how to do this’ without even allowing themselves time to learn all aspects of the business first,” Giorgi indicates.

Of course, she now has a proven track record in business and her company welcomes all customers, including large corporations, small businesses, schools, organizations, clubs, and teams. They also accept personal orders for showers, weddings, baptisms, graduations and other events.

As for her personal life, Giorgi has two older children — one living in another city and one at home with her. She is able to balance her work life and personal life well.

For more information on her company and to see catalogues, check: GameGearAttire.com.