Biz X magazine October 2022

Harmony In Action is a local, non-profit organization that provides a fantastic day program for individuals with developmental disabilities. Families in our region depend greatly on these programs to help their loved ones build a feeling of accomplishment and self-worth. Together in harmony at their accessible playground, Elizabeth Esposito and Dianne Serran pose with Dianne’s adult children, Lisa and Dale. We look into the challenges faced by those with special needs, at this time, and what lies ahead for the future. — PAGE 18

Harmony In Action is a local, non-profit organization that provides a fantastic day program for individuals with developmental disabilities. Families in our region depend greatly on these programs to help their loved ones build a feeling of accomplishment and self-worth. Together in harmony at their accessible playground, Elizabeth Esposito and Dianne Serran pose with Dianne’s adult children, Lisa and Dale. We look into the challenges faced by those with special needs, at this time, and what lies ahead for the future. — PAGE 18

TABLE

CONTENTS

4 Funny Stuff

5 From The Publisher: The 30th American Thanksgiving

Football Classic Returns

6 Rose City Politics: It’s Municipal Election Time

Who’s headed to City Hall October 24? We’re about to have a new city council in Windsor and here’s what the Rose City Politics panel think its priorities starting off the term should be! (Photo courtesy of City of Windsor)

8 Small Biz eXcellence: Second Libro/Biz X And Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Windsor Winner Announced

10 Front Lines

We start with the Leamington District Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award winners on the left hand page and on the right (Page 11) feature a one day event with 50 local companies, 500 team members and volunteers who raised over $130,000 for charity! (Windsor Corporate Challenge photo courtesy of Mychailo Photography).

13 Heard On The Street

14 Newsflash

16 Food For Thought: Big Changes For India Paradise

24 From The Bookshelf: A Murder Mystery Set In Amherstburg

25 Tech Bytes: Four Ways An EV Charging Station Can Give Your Business A Boost

26 Milestones: Antoyan Jewellers, A Shining Example Of Success

28 XX Files: Why Gina Facca Oughta Be In Pictures! As COO Of Imagine Cinemas Running The Third Largest Movie Theatre Chain In Ontario, She Certainly Is!

29 Biz Bits: Social Media Etiquette

30 Have A Cup Of Joe With Joe: An Interesting 70 Year Search To Find A Birth Family Finally Is Solved

31 Motivational Quotes With Danny

32 The Parenting Biz: Discover The Joys Of Foster Care

Thinking of becoming a foster parent? Fostering a child may be a lot of responsibility, but it’s also extremely rewarding. In this issue we feature local foster care agencies in Windsor/Essex County who can assist you in becoming a foster parent, and we get a few referrals from those familiar with the experience. (© Can Stock Photo / Zinkevych)

37 Guest Column: Adopting With Beginnings Family Services

38 Hallowe’en Safety Tips

40 Just Sayin’: Steven Bezaire Analyzes Democracy

41 Accounting Counts: Planning For The Unexpected

42 Ask The Experts: Beyond The Box, For All Your Assembly Needs

44 Portfolio Corner: Autumn Leaves Bring Opportunity

45 The Way It Was: From Their Struggles They Built A Future

46 Biz Of The Month: KELCOM Revolution IP, Windsor

ON THE COVER — Come Into Play — 18

Who will care for my child when I’m gone? It’s a top concern for aging parents caring for adults with disabilities. One local organization plans to expand its community-based services and take action to tackle the lack of housing support, head-on. We introduce you to Harmony In Action and fill you in on the programs and services they currently offer the community and what they have planned for the future. You’ll also read how participants are treated like family with many being together since they were young children.

COVER LOCATION AND INDIVIDUALS PICTURED: From left: Elizabeth Esposito, Executive Director of Harmony In Action; Dianne Serran, Board Chair of Harmony In Action and her children in front, Lisa and Dale Serran, all enjoy the fall weather in front of the adult playground park located behind the Harmony building, 3335 Woodward Blvd, Windsor. The playground opened in the fall of 2017 and includes ramps that allow wheelchairs to access the glider, a slide, swings, and an exercise section ideal for all individuals with disabilities.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Rod Denis. (RodneyLDenisPhotographer.com)

FUNNY STUFF

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Give Thanks For Slobbery Kisses, Dog Hair, And Nose Prints On The Windows

Send your funny animal photo with your pet’s name to: deborah@bizxmagazine.com and it may be included here in an upcoming issue. Make sure it gives our readers a laugh!

So you think you’re cool? Sorry to tell ya,

“Striving to provide our readers with a quality magazine that contains accurate information about the businesses and people that shape our border cities; and that challenges us to appreciate, explore and contribute to our communities.”

never be as dope as Arthur

To catch the UPS driver, Harlow must become the UPS driver.

Sorry but I’m calling in sick today. I just can’t leave my adorable new pup, Tucker

Bonnie

PRESIDENT Deborah Jones

Colin Jones

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION & SALES

Della Jones-Goulet, Assistant to the Publisher Kathleen Jones, Office Administrator

Jack Rosenberg

WRITERS

Amanda Baigent

Lori Baldassi

Steven Bezaire

Julianna Bonnett

David Clark

Andrea Grimes

Danny Gautama

Dave Halliday

Nicole Matchett

Steven Mayo

Joe McParland

Jim Murphy

John Ropac

Victoria Rose

Rose City Politics Panelists

Rebecca Wright

THE OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER. INFORMATION IS TIMELY AS OF OUR PRINT DEADLINE. Biz X MAGAZINE IS A REGISTERED NAME OF 1277025 ONTARIO LTD.

CONTENTS

WITHOUT

©2022 BY 1277025 ONTARIO

Advance Business Systems Scores Touchdown After Touchdown For Charity, 30 Years And Counting

By Deborah Jones

Windsor’s largest networking event is back!

After a two year hiatus, due to pandemic restrictions, the 30th American Thanksgiving Football Classic, presented by Advance Business Systems, returns November 24, 2022

The event is already almost sold out with more than 500 confirmed guests (invitation only).

“Windsor — or as I like to call it ‘Canada’s best-kept secret’ — has always shared in the traditions of our neighbours in Detroit, especially the annual Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day Football Game, which has helped turn this event into the largest Customer Appreciation Networking gettogether in southwestern Ontario,” says Jack Jorgensen, President and CEO of Advance Business Systems.

Besides all the networking opportunities, great food, drinks — and hopefully a win for the

Lions — there is a major charity component to the classic. In the past, over $250,000 has been raised (through sponsorships and raffle ticket sales) for local charities.

Over the years, due to the generosity of their guests, Advance Business Systems has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for many different charities, including, but not limited to: the Windsor Regional Hospital Children’s Safari, the Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator, Children First, Family Respite Services, Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society Youth Advisory Committee, Farrow Riverside Miracle Park, John McGivney Children’s Centre and many others.

For 2022 they are proudly teaming up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation with the fun beginning at noon at the Windsor Yacht Club, 9000 Riverside Drive East.

“Putting together this type of event

requires a lot of work from many people throughout our community,” Jorgensen expresses. “I want to start by thanking our current sponsors, our passionate staff, and our suppliers for their ongoing support over the past 38 years, and of course the entire staff of the Windsor Yacht Club.”

Thank you Jack, as well, for everything you do to host this amazing event and for your support of local organizations!

To learn more about Jorgensen’s company visit: AdvanceBusiness.net. If you would like more details about the 30th American Thanksgiving Football Classic and how you can get involved, please send an email to: football@advancebusiness.net.

At the 2019 event Jack Jorgensen (left), President and CEO of Advance Business Systems, poses with Grant Higginbottom, Owner of Syles Mechanical Services. Photo by Rod Denis.

New City Council Priorities

For October 2022, Rose City Politics outlines what the priorities of the next city council should be.

With a new city council about to be elected it’s that time of year when Rose City Politics racks our brains to come up with the most pressing priorities facing the city and council.

JUST KIDDING!

We don’t rack our brains, we reiterate the same damn points we make ad nauseum because for some reason we just can’t seem to tackle them.

I could write about how we need to pursue Vision Zero with a focus on making our roads safer with traffic calming measures and how dedicated cycling lanes are desperately needed to minimize accidents and save lives.

Or I could write about how Windsor desperately needs an expanded and reliable transit system that all residents can utilize for our collective benefit. Or how it was unjust that one elected official was able to shutter transit unilaterally.

Or about how it’s a travesty that the Tunnel Bus has yet to resume and how there is seemingly no will from either the city or Transit Windsor to deal with this fact until after the federal government discontinues the use of ArriveCan

Or I could write about how we need to further invest in not only housing, but also affordable housing.

Or I could write about any of the things we talk about weekly on Rose City Politics or write about monthly here in our Biz X magazine column.

But I want to just focus on the ABCs: Accountability, Basics, and Community.

Accountability to residents, not re-electoral prospects. Accountability through public consultation, not public conferral. Accountability through bearing responsibility, not finger pointing.

Basics. Less streetcars that are less than desirable and more safe streets and safe neighbourhoods. We don’t need to continue building legacy monuments that residents didn’t ask for and council didn’t run on. Every term there’s another project, and every time it takes money away from other recognized community priorities.

Community. Council can bring the community together or council can artificially pit one against the other by prioritizing unnecessary spending that doesn’t help the community as a whole.

and opportunities that should define its agenda in the early years of the upcoming term.

Serious candidates, and some not so serious, have identified the key issues facing our city.

Some are problems for every municipality across Ontario: homelessness and addiction, equitable access to housing, and inflationary pressures. Others, like our weak transit system and sclerotic city administration, are uniquely our own.

Doug Sartori

As I write this, we’re in the first weeks of what looks to be an energetic and competitive election season in Windsor.

Whoever prevails in the various races around the city on October 24, 2022, the incoming council faces a mix of challenges

All of these issues have unique solutions requiring expert guidance, but my prescription is the same — stop playing politics with critical issues that negatively impact people’s lives and start finding ways to build consensus around real solutions.

The tone of our local politics needs to be more serious and less self-serving and that starts at the top.

Whether Drew Dilkens or Chris Holt wins the top job, Windsor needs our Mayor to set a more serious tone and do more to listen to all voices around the table, whether they’re

It is time for the community to come together and demand the council follow the priorities the residents elected them to.

The ABCs are what we should be focusing on.

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

his friends and allies or pesky opponents.

The Stellantis/LG battery plant announcement this past spring was the best economic news we’ve had in a generation, and it is no surprise that incumbents are running on this issue like all our problems have been solved. Converting on this opportunity will require more than smug self-satisfaction.

City leadership needs to finally get serious about economic diversification and find ways to attract the educated professionals and business investments that can deliver it. That means using the Windsor Works report as a blueprint, not as a political tool or a paperweight.

I sincerely hope that Windsor elects a Council that can turn the page on the petty, personal, divisive politics that have dominated the past decade in this town and get started on the serious work ahead of them. Doug Sartori is a political observer and organizer. When he’s not recording podcasts or getting people out to vote he runs Parallel 42 Systems, a technology consultancy firm in downtown Windsor.

Jon Liedtke

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

The hospital will be an ongoing priority for (unfortunately) years to come.

I think good or bad the debate about the location has exhausted itself for most people.

Our healthcare infrastructure has been terribly inadequate for many years and this area deserves modern facilities.

The special interest groups and social media Ph.D.s who present themselves as experts in the delivery of healthcare services seem to have moved on to other degrees so not only ensuring the hospital project moves forward, I would like to see the new council pressure the provincial government to expedite the process.

On the economic front, the recent announcements of the Nextstar Battery Plant and Dongshin Motech plant are an opportunity for the entire area to continue to leverage these investments into further economic development opportunities.

Hopefully the focus will be on the sharp end of the stick of research and development and not just the assembly of these products.

Even with the somewhat dramatic softening of housing prices for Windsor

Essex supply continues to be an issue.

An issue that will probably increase as the new facilities mentioned prior get into production.

I would expect an influx of people coming to the area for the jobs that will be created with those projects.

Rentals and subsidized housing in this area is still in short supply and will need to be addressed.

Building one new subsidized housing project when there is a wait list of thousands is nothing Council should be patting themselves on the back for.

Just looking at the situation of homeless people in the downtown core is proof this area has ignored a serious problem for decades.

Mental health and addiction issues are a problem not only in this area and needs higher levels of governments to assist with.

Our current solution of “well we just won’t go downtown” isn’t exactly taking care of the issues. Possibly all the Twitter/Facebook Masters and Ph.D. students could focus on this as their next area of study and come up with some real solutions?

Don Merrifield Jr.

Don Merrifield Jr. is a REALTOR serving Windsor and Essex County for over 21 years, a Co-Host on Rose City Politics for over 10 years, a father and grandfather, a former professional musician, and a former Ward 3 City Council candidate.

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

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

Big Businesses Start Small . . . Second Winner Announced

Small Biz eXcellence Award as Jeff and Christie have been working diligently in their first year to promote their new hot sauces. Their branding expertise has catapulted them through to national exposure as a feature on the TV game show, Let’s Make a Deal. The condiment market is growing, and Halo Heats’ focus on creating a sauce accessible to vegan and gluten-free customers sets them apart.”

Photographed at the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (SBEC) downtown Windsor for the cheque presentation, from left are: Sabrina DeMarco, SBEC Executive Director; Christie and Jeff Denomme, Owners of Halo Heats; and Shannon Dyck, Small Business Specialist Coach for Libro Credit Union. Photo by Rod Denis.

The next installment of a special contest with Libro Credit Union (Libro.ca), the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (SBEC; WeBusinessCentre.com) and Biz X magazine, rewarding new start-ups in the region has now awarded its second winner of the year.

So how does the process work?

The SBEC staff selected three finalists from 175 businesses who utilized their consulting services from May to August.

Libro then picked their top choice to receive a cash prize of $500 plus coaching sessions.

And now the second winner is, drum roll

please . . . Halo Heats! (HaloHeats.com).

Launched in 2021 by husband and wife, Jeff and Christie Denomme, Halo Heats is a gourmet hot sauce company producing spicy condiments, which are all vegan, gluten-free, made with whole foods, developed and produced in Windsor.

“When reviewing each of the three finalists, the Libro team looked at how each business aligned with our 4 Pillars, the impact on our community, scaleability,” indicates Shannon Dyck, Libro Small Business Specialist Coach. “The Libro team chose Halo Heats to receive the

Dyck continues: “Halo Heats also demonstrated that they are eager to learn and are open to coaching and mentorship through the Libro sponsored Foodpreneur Advantage Scale-Up program, through the SBEC, providing them with additional business coaching and resources to take their business to the next level.”

The couple was thrilled to be selected as the winner, edging out two other amazing finalists.

“Launching a new business is incredibly difficult — let alone doing so amidst a global pandemic — and receiving this kind of support means everything to us,” they state. “It’s so encouraging for us as we come off celebrating our first year in business and we know our journey with Halo Heats has only just begun. Receiving a cash prize is wonderful, and those funds will likely be put toward purchasing kitchen equipment or marketing initiatives, but we are particularly excited to receive coaching sessions with Libro Credit Union to discuss our business goals.”

INTEREST WOULD MEAN MORE THAN A LOAN RATE.

Your business is your baby. You created and nurtured it, risking everything to make it a win. So yes - loan rates are important. A financial partner who shows genuine interest in your success is also important. Libro business Coaches believe in your company. Through good times and challenges. Making money better for businesses blends compassionate, expert financial coaching and fair rates.

Contact a Libro business Coach today.

libro.ca/business 1-800-361-8222

Libro is excited to partner with Biz X Magazine and the Small Business Entrepreneurship Centre on the Small Biz eXcellence contest.

You Bet Your Boots (& Suits)

Leamington Chamber’s BEA Awards Were A Blast

The Leamington District Chamber Of Commerce celebrated its 28th Business Excellence Award (BEA) ceremony on September 14, 2022 to a sold out crowd of 200 at the Leamington Portuguese Club.

“It was wonderful to see so many different businesses and organizations out again to celebrate and recognize the great achievements they have achieved over the last year,” states Wendy Parsons, General Manager of the chamber.

The official list of BEA winners is as follows:

Young Entrepreneur: Kieran Buzek from Top Dog Brewing Company

Youth Excellence: Morgan Robinson

Positive Professional: Erie Shores Rehabilitation

Warm Welcome: Migrant Worker Community Program

Welcoming Accessibility: Thrift on Mill

Small Business Excellence one to nine employees: The Leamington Arts Centre Small Business Excellence 10 to 50 employees: Rosewood Erie Glen

Customer First: Legacy Auctions

Invest in a World Class Workforce: Highbury Canco Innovation: Tychon Packaging Inc.

Excellence in Food Services: Cancunsito Mexican Cuisine

Grow South Essex: Mastronardi Produce Industrial/Manufacturing Excellence: UE Enclosures

Libro Director’s Choice: Leamington Regional Food Hub

Alf Bennie: Mike Ciacelli

View their business directory and learn about upcoming events on their website: LeamingtonChamber.com.

Group shot of the Leamington District Chamber of Commerce 2022 Business Excellence Award winners. Photo courtesy of Mark Ribble.

The theme, this year, for the awards ceremony was Boots & Suits, a spin on the hit TV show Yellowstone. Decked out in their western attire are Leamington Chamber staff, from left: Jacey Foster (summer student); Wendy Parsons (General Manager); Ursula Tiessen (Administrative Coordinator) and Lily Steinhoff (summer student). Photo courtesy of Jen Dawson.

Windsor FUNd-raiser Nets Over $130k

On Saturday, September 10, 2022, over 50 local companies with more than 500 team members and volunteers attended the 10th annual Windsor Corporate Challenge at the Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex.

This one day event raised over $130K to support the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation!

All net funds raised this year go towards enhancing the patient experience, as well as funding local cancer research.

Since its inception, the Windsor Corporate Challenge (WCC) has given away $250,000 in prizing and more importantly, donated over $1.3M for Windsor-based charities with a focus on children, women, and families.

“In our 10th year of hosting the Windsor Corporate Challenge the success is a testament to the support and compassion of our community,” comments Meighen Nehme, WCC founder and President, and CEO of The Job Shoppe. “After cancelling our event in 2020 and offering our participants a hybrid event in 2021, this year was better than we could have anticipated. It was impactful to hear how missed our event was by the participants and how much they look forward to supporting the cause and spending quality time with their coworkers.”

The event gives local business owners a cost-effective team-building day for their employees.

The day’s agenda consists of a variety of activities and challenges of all levels, so everyone can partake in the fun!

Team St. Clair College was the overall official winner; Team Orange (the volunteer team of high school students) had the best score of the day and the top fundraising team this year was the Vita Villains from International Nutrient Tech, followed by the Forest Glade Animal Hospital, and Tecumseh Animal Hospital

The top individual fundraisers included: Sam Madia (Vista); Jim Scott (Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation); Rebecca Kirwin (Canadian Mental Health Association) and Amanda Zimmermann (Windsor Regional Hospital).

Additionally, the WFCU (Game of Loans) earned the Team Spirit Award and Mathew Delgreco and Lindsey Saccucci were the Most Valuable Volunteers (MVV) of the day.

A special thank you goes out to all the WCC sponsors, especially St. Clair

College, St. Clair Alumni, The Job Shoppe, TD Bank Group, Baker Tilly, MCO Partners, Studio V, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital Foundation, California Closets, Lester, Windsor Spitfires, Lisa and Brian Schwab, Windsor Star, Second Chance CPR, WindsoriteDOTca, and Kersey Kickboxing.

Nehme also wishes to acknowledge

the Vollmer staff for their assistance; McDonald’s for providing breakfast; Domino’s Pizza, Ciociaro Club, Dairy Freez, Mr. Meats, and Le Bon Bake House for feeding the teams; Frank Brewery Co. for the refreshments, and DJ Rye for keeping the beats going all day long.

To view photos from the event, please visit: WindsorCorporateChallenge.com.

HEARD ON THE STREET

Many of you know the Burger King, 72 University Avenue West in downtown Windsor (at Goyeau Street), has been closed since January 10 of this year. Yet, 10 months later, there might be some action on this vacant building! Rumour has it there could be a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen opening up there in the future. However, at press time (midSeptember), this was the first the Chair of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association (DWBIA; DowntownWindsor.ca) had heard about it. “I know that there were a few companies vying for this high demand spot, but Popeyes would be a very welcome addition to the downtown area,” says Brian Yeomans, who is also the Regional Director of Sales at FHC Hotels and Resorts (Farhi Holdings Corporation) and currently on leave from the DWBIA while he runs for Windsor City Council in Ward 3. Popeyes is an American multinational chain of fried chicken fast food restaurants. In Windsor, restaurant outlets can be found at 2854 Howard Avenue, 1375 Huron Church Road, and one being developed in east Windsor in the old Country Time Café property (Buckingham Drive and Tecumseh Road East). Find out more about this restaurant chain on: PopeyesChicken.ca.

The east end of the city will soon see some changes in the hospitality scene. First up, Thai Palace Restaurant, 1140 Lauzon Road is planning a move in the near future, but they won’t be moving very far. “We still can’t reveal the address yet, but we will be opening up in the same area out of convenience to our customers,” says Renu Anderson, Co-Owner and Chef of Thai Palace Restaurant. “The reason we will make the move is because the property was sold last year and we need to find a new home.”

For 15 years, Thai Palace has offered flavourful dishes and exceptional service in an amazing atmosphere. While the exact closing date was not disclosed, Anderson invites everyone to join them soon in the final days at the Lauzon Road location. A second restaurant — Thai Time, 3395 Howard Avenue — is ready to serve customers with indoor dining once the Lauzon restaurant closes. “We would like to thank all of our loyal customers, family and friends who have supported us,” says Anderson. “We hope you continue to support us in the new location too.” For more information go to both their websites: Thai-Time.ca and: Thai-Palace.ca, and for updates on the new location refer to: Facebook.com/thaipalacewindsor.

As well, Thai Palace’s neighbour, Average Joes Sports Bar, is also anticipating an upcoming move. A huge sign in the parking lot indicates a new commercial plaza is coming soon with a MultiFood Supermarket and 3,000 to 20,000 sq. feet for lease (LauzonPlaza.com).

“It’s no secret that the property at 1286 Lauzon Road has been sold,” reports Colleen Kelly, Owner and Operator of Average Joes Sports Bar. “We can assure you that we have no plans to leave the east Windsor area and are super excited to see what the future holds. In the meantime, continue to stay happy, healthy and hungry and always support local.” Average Joes has become a staple in the Riverside community and in the local food and beverage industry as well. It has always been a favourite spot for those to go before and after a Windsor Spitfires game. “We are your neighbourhood friendly restaurant and bar offering live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night,” adds Kelly. “Our fast and friendly staff are eager and excited to serve our

clientele every day! With 13 televisions — you will never miss a game; and if you’re not into sports we have pool tables, dart boards and some billiard time for you to enjoy as well.” Operating for almost 13 years, their menu contains a multitude of scrumptious options for every type of diner. “Wings are one of our most popular features and we offer a wing special on both Thursdays and Sundays,” Kelly mentions. “We also have hand-packed fresh burgers that are a great option and are one of the popular ones as well. Our chicken quesadilla and steak sandwiches are some of the best in the city; pizza and appetizers, wraps and salads will all provide you with both positive and tasty experiences here at Joes.” Stop by and check them out soon, by either dining in or picking up some take-out. For more information and to keep up to date on where and when the business will move visit: AverageJoesWindsor.com.

The non-profit organization COOK-UP, which specializes in supporting food entrepreneurs to launch and grow their business, has moved from 875 Ouellette Avenue to 1 Maiden Lane West, the previous home of The Squirrel Cage. “When we were considering options for COOK-UP’s new location, we were looking for a space that allows for opportunities for entrepreneurs to thrive,” say Delna Buhariwalla and Trishauna Linton, Co-Founders of COOK-UP. “At our new location, we offer shared, licensed kitchen space for entrepreneurs to create products, opportunities to participate in market and retail operations, and build community with fellow entrepreneurs and community members.”

COOK-UP is a food business incubator working with early-stage food entrepreneurs, primarily those from marginalized communities. “We provide access to licensed kitchen space, entrepreneurship and business coaching,” say Buhariwalla and Linton.

“We also offer connections to industry professionals and mentors, and market opportunities for entrepreneurs to build their business.” As well, in other exciting news, COOK-UP will be launching a retail store featuring products from their clients and other local entrepreneurs. For further details on this organization log on to: CookUpInc.com.

NEWSFLASH

THE RUNDOWN

Baker Tilly Windsor LLP, 325 Devonshire Road, Suite 200 in Windsor, has formed a new Corporate Finance Service for the region. The focus is on mergers and acquisitions — helping companies both in selling their business and in making acquisitions. Using their national network, Baker Tilly plans to bring superior investment banking services to the Windsor Essex area to help companies maximize their sale price. The group will also focus on capital advisory services; helping companies source new debt and equity investments. Peter Corio has joined Baker Tilly as Vice President, Corporate Finance, leading this new service offering. Find further details online at: BakerTilly.ca.

From September 12 through September 14, 2022 the Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO was held at the Essex Golf & Country Club, 7555 Matchette Road, LaSalle. Now in its second year, the national golf championship consists of a 36-hole competition that features players with neurological, intellectual, sensory, and physical impairments. Forty golfers from across Canada and the USA participated with their aides. The competition supports Golf Canada’s commitment to create a more inclusive and respectful sport environment across the country’s golf community.

“Essex Golf & Country Club wanted to participate in a national tournament that showcases players of all abilities and promotes the great game of golf in our beautiful city,” states Corey Ladouceur, General Manager. “Essex Golf has been involved in National Championships since our first hosting of the 1976 Canadian Open, followed by the 1998 Ladies Open and 2002 Seniors Open, and we look forward to future opportunities to share our club and city with the world.” Go to: EssexGolf.com to learn more about the club, becoming a member, event spaces and dining options.

After temporarily closing due to a gas explosion in August 2021, John Urban and Katherine Burton, Owners of Cellar Door Wines have recently reopened at 4 Talbot Street West in Wheatley, just in time for the Christmas wine making season. “Our customers have become more like friends than customers,” say Urban and Burton. “It’s a very social and interpersonal business that brings about connecting and sharing. We have missed all of our friends throughout our absence.” Cellar Door Wines is a craft wine making establishment based on the customer experiencing the satisfaction of making and bottling their own wine, for considerably less cost than commercially made wine. “We have a wide variety of juices, which come from regions

all over the world,” they indicate. “Our red, white, rosé, and fruit wines are designed to be collections.” For more information visit: OrderCellarDoorWines.com.

ON THE MOVE

“As Chair of ENWIN Utilities Ltd. Board of Directors, and on behalf of the Boards of Directors of Windsor Canada Utilities Ltd., ENWIN Energy Ltd and the Windsor Utilities Commission (WUC), I am pleased to announce that Garry Rossi, P. Eng., C. Dir., has been named as ENWIN’s next President and CEO, effective January 1, 2023,” states Drew Dilkens who is also the City of Windsor Mayor. Rossi brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role, having most recently held the position of ENWIN’s Vice President of Water Operations since 2016. He has led his team in providing safe reliable drinking water to the residents of Windsor, Tecumseh and LaSalle, garnering 10 years of a 100% inspection score through the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks measurement system. During that time WUC has been awarded such accolades as the Water’s Next Conveyance Award, and the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association Innovation Award.

BROUGHT

Photographed at the Essex Golf & Country Club during the September Canadian All Abilities Championship from left are: Kevin Delaney (Net Stableford Champion) of Windsor; Kurtis Barkley (Gross Stroke Play Champion) from Williamsburg, Ontario; Johannes Grames of Vancouver, B.C. and Randy Mackus from Prince George, B.C. Photo by Rod Denis.

In addition, since 2020, Rossi has been a member of the Board of Governors for St. Clair College. Prior to ENWIN, he was a Senior Site Environmental Engineer for the Ford Motor Company with over 13 years of service and is a graduate of the University of Windsor Engineering Program. Rossi will be assuming leadership from Helga Reidel who announced her retirement earlier this year after over six years of service with ENWIN Utilities. According to Rossi, “I am both honoured and excited to embark on the next chapter of my career as ENWIN’s President and CEO. Helga has been instrumental in building a solid foundation upon which we will continue to enhance our services and grow, carrying on the tremendous work that she has done.” As of September 19, Rossi became Executive Vice President and recruitment for the Vice President Water Operations commenced. Reidel continues in her current role as President and CEO until December 31, 2022. “I am honoured to have been ENWIN’s President and CEO for over six and a half years, and I thank our tremendous team for all their hard work,” Reidel expresses. “I am truly excited for ENWIN’s future under Garry’s leadership and I know he will continue ENWIN’s dedication to its customers and communities.” ENWIN Utilities Ltd. (ENWIN or EWU) is a regulated subsidiary of Windsor Canada Utilities Ltd. (WCU) and a licensed electricity distribution company, serving customers in the City of Windsor. ENWIN also maintains a contract of service with the Windsor Utilities Commission (WUC) to manage WUC’s administrative and operational functions, and to supply water to the residents of Windsor, Tecumseh and LaSalle. ENWIN works with Windsor to provide a safe, reliable source of electricity and water for our community. Learn more by logging on to: ENWIN.com.

Garry Rossi: ENWIN’s next President and CEO effective January 1, 2023. Photo courtesy of ENWIN.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOOD FOR THOUGHT

India Paradise 1459 Ottawa Street, Windsor

By David Clark Photos courtesy of Rajdeep Singh

Originally gracing the pages of Biz X magazine for this column in January 2021, now there’s a new story to tell about the India Paradise restaurant that is sure to please those who enjoy exotic traditional Indian food prepared by the experts.

India Paradise has grown significantly since the article was published almost two years ago.

Major renovations have been happening as of late and the customers can’t get enough of it! This is definitely one place to keep an eye on!

The big news centres around the wonderful expansion where the wall to the restaurant’s neighbour was taken down to accommodate the renovations made by India Paradise.

It took nearly four months to redo everything and almost $100,000 was spent on tables, chairs, the interior, and reworking the bar area and entire restaurant.

“The work is finished as we have expanded our dining room capacity by two times, where private parties, banquets and corporate functions can be hosted,” explains Owner/Operator Harish Gudavalli

Previously, there was around 1,500 sq ft of dine-in area.

Today, the total is 2,800 sq ft. with

a contemporary bar, sitting area and banquet space.

Now they can seat 120 guests with 28 tables, whereas before it was 60 diners and 12 tables.

The MisterHQ Group (1055 Ottawa Street; MisterHQgroup.ca) handled the styling aspect and did an amazing job.

Haven Home Interiors, a full service décor company, 1445 Ottawa Street (HavenInteriors.ca) provided items such as rugs, lamps, lounge chairs, frames and more.

The rest of the work was subcontracted to multiple trades.

So far, the renovations seem to be the right decision.

“The true goal for the work was to

really tie together our cuisine and service in an upscale contemporary environment,” Gudavalli informs us. “Every little detail there is a refined authentic experience. The new décor helps put that idea in motion.”

In addition to the renovations, they also recently received a 2022 gold award in the Indian Restaurant category by CommunityVotes Windsor.

It all leads to more Windsorites becoming their customers, as well as the folks from out of town. Staff are also very busy with onsite caterings and banquet hall bookings.

According to Gudavalli: “Our dishes are the star of the show and now finally, we feel that we’ve successfully combined multiple elements such as the bar, sitting area, banquet hall and entrance, to uplift the ambience to a whole other level.”

As for the food, whether you love North Indian, South Indian or even Gujarati cuisine, you will find it here.

India Paradise Owner/Operator Harish Gudavalli proudly stands in his newly renovated space, next to a table full of tangy and exotic Indian cuisine on display: Chicken Curry, Garlic Naan, Chicken Biryani, Gobi Manchuria (crispy fried cauliflower florets), Samosas and an exotic Mango Lassi drink.

Beautifully served in a pot of dreams, the Butter Chicken is a staple of Indian food everywhere.

© Can Stock

Photo/Kurhan

If you crave a bit of spice, the Goat Curry entrée, sautéed with onions in a creamy sauce, is an ideal choice.

A quick look at an item or two on the menu reveals the favourites include the tangy Butter Chicken, a staple of Indian food, and if you’re on a health kick, explore the Punjabi Mixed Vegetable Curry.

An appetizer, the Chicken 65, is marinated chicken with spices, a popular Indian bar room snack. The Hyderabadi Chicken Tandoori is chicken leg pieces marinated in yogurt, cooked on skewers in a tandoor clay oven.

A healthy dish, the Punjabi Mixed Vegetable Curry is loaded with vegetables and cooked with Indian cottage cheese in a rich creamy gourmet gravy.

“The beautiful part about the Indian culture is there are so many different types of cultures and ways of life that people can explore by just indulging in its meals,” Gudavalli describes. “There is a story behind every dish, backed by its delicious taste.”

To view the hours of operation and the menu, check out the restaurant’s website: IndiaParadise.ca or their social media page: Facebook.com/IndiaParadiseCanada.

Harmony In Action

Tackles Housing Challenges For Adults With Disabilities

Among the many challenges that parents of children with developmental disabilities face, there is another hurdle that needs to be addressed — being an aging caregiver.

It’s a cold reality for families who must ask, “What happens to my child when I die?”

Parents are caring for disabled children at a time when mom and dad might need care themselves.

There are few options for adults aging with a disability, so many end up in nursing homes. Social housing is also unattainable for many.

Along with the massive waiting list for

affordable housing in Windsor Essex, many adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities require around-the-clock care.

“It’s a crisis,” declares Elizabeth Esposito, Executive Director of Harmony In Action, a charitable non-profit organization situated at 3335 Woodward Blvd. in Windsor, that provides day support opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Esposito speaks with parents every day about the lack of housing support available.

“It’s always on your mind,” adds Dianne Serran, President of Harmony In Action’s Board of Directors and a parent of two

children on the spectrum. “What happens when I’m gone?”

Serran, 60, a retiree of the Greater Essex County District School Board, says that nursing homes are not the answer considering the type of care and activities provided, as well as the loss of connections within the community.

“The future is grim,” she comments for a community that she feels is overlooked.

With a better future in mind, this fall, Harmony In Action launches a new capital campaign.

There is a huge demand for the organization’s day program and with

Dale and Lisa Serran are pictured having a whole lot of fun on the teeter totter (glider) with their Day Program Support Worker, Hallie Higgens. Opened in the fall of 2017, the accessible playground has ramps that allow wheelchairs to go on the glider; a slide, swings and an exercise section for all individuals with disabilities. It was designed by Mark Jones of Playworld Ontario and made possible thanks to The Alan Quesnel Family Foundation, the Barry and Stephanie Zekelman Foundation, Caesars Windsor Cares, the Government of Canada, The Harold E. Ballard Foundation, CogecoTV and the Rotary Club.

COVER STORY By Victoria Rose Photos by Rod Denis

resources already on site, the goal is to build small homes to allow residents to live on the Windsor property.

“We want it to be a very inclusive surrounding for them,” says Esposito who hopes to create all-encompassing support for their participants.

She needs this solution to be ready in four years, as many participants who attended when they were six or seven years old, are now entering their 50s!

Originally created in 1981, Harmony In Action is the longest-running day program in the community.

It started as an informal way for friends to meet and allow their disabled children to build friendships through weekly activities, and blossomed into a valuable resource for individuals to build connections, facilitate personal growth and independent skills, and participate actively in the community.

Esposito earned her Masters’ in Social Work from the University of Michigan and originally worked in child welfare and psychiatric social work. After a number of years, she wanted to make a change, but still wanted to focus on helping.

In December of 2006, Esposito joined as Executive Director when the organization was located in the Novelletto Rosati Sports & Recreation Complex and had 35 participants.

Now there are 67 participants who attend the extensive programming at Harmony In Action’s location in the former St. Christopher’s Church, acquired in May 2010.

For its new home, the organization was creative and utilized government funding, fundraising, and a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to renovate.

As Windsor prepared to build its super highway, Habitat went into expropriated homes and removed useable materials like flooring and countertops.

“We had to find what we could,” Esposito indicates.

They also hired a contractor and worked

with Habitat for Humanity to provide work experience for individuals who wanted to learn construction. The workers did the renovations under the contractor’s supervision.

The church property also came with a second building, an old army barracks.

In November 2011, Harmony took advantage of the Toldo Foundation’s matching program; with $100,000 raised and Toldo giving an additional $100,000, Esposito and her team were able to arrange for renovations on what is now the Toldo Recreational Complex

The building houses regular activities for the organization and is also made available to seniors’ groups within the community.

For Serran, awareness is key and bringing people from the community (like the seniors) in to see what Harmony does is vital to making change.

“Youth with disabilities are in our community and schools, so the visibility is there, but when they leave school, that visibility of adults with mental disability changes,” she states. “They are forgotten.”

Like many Canadian parents, Serran experienced first-hand the struggles with a lack of resources for disabilities.

She believes there is a misconception that the government takes care of children — but they do not.

At 21, when her son, Dale, and daughter, Lisa, were too old for high school, Serran had to find somewhere for them to go.

“Changes are very difficult for them,” she stresses.

After reviewing other programs in the area, Serran chose Harmony In Action and calls it a “godsend”. After just one month of participating, she saw the benefits of the day program and was happy to

Standing on vacant land next to the Harmony in Action facilities at 3335 Woodward Blvd. in Windsor, Alexander Burrows, Harmony in Action’s Public Relations and Fundraising Coordinator, holds up this year’s selection of Christmas Cards painted by the Harmony artists. Donations from the cards and other programs will be used to build permanent residencies for individuals with disabilities, in the near future.

see her children with their peers again enjoying activities.

“It was nice to have them feel like a part of things again,” Serran states. “It gives them a sense of normality.”

Participants attend on any number of days to work on cooking and food prep, build skills like math and literacy, practice communication, do arts and crafts, explore the outside world, utilize the accessible playground, and work on their physical fitness.

Classes are designed to engage participants of varying abilities and focus on what families identify as their child’s greatest need.

Harmony In Action receives base funding from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, but must charge a user fee to participants to attend. Additional costs are offset by fundraising and many use their Ministry funding and/or Passport Dollars to attend.

Esposito notes that no participant is denied access due to funds, but transportation is not included.

For example, it is currently $650 each month to shuttle Serran’s two children back and forth via Carelink Health Transit However, she is used to paying out-of-pocket.

Inside the activity room at the Harmony in Action building, art therapy is a creative way to communicate without restrictions and without worries of being judged. After all, there is no such thing as failure when you create your own piece of art! And as you can see by the smiles on their faces, Lisa Serran, Jodi Tesarski and Dale Serran certainly enjoy these art sessions.

At 18, child benefits stopped and she had to apply for different types of funding from resources like the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and the Ministry of Children, Community

and Social Services (MCCSS) Passport Program. It took four years to qualify!

“What do families without funding do?” she wonders.

Along with more fundraising, Serran

says that local, provincial, and federal champions are needed to bring more awareness to the lack of funding for these vital services, because while what Harmony In Action does is considered a service, the organization is really providing something more vital . . . family.

As Esposito points out: “Some participants have been together almost their entire life. We celebrate birthdays together . . . an illness affects everyone . . . and we have had to support each other through losses. The participants are really interconnected.”

Harmony In Action’s tight-knit group was hit hard when the organization had to close its doors due to the pandemic.

For many participants who were not comfortable with change, it was devastating. Esposito was receiving lots of calls from families asking if there was any way to connect.

That is when Harmony’s staff — Personal Support Workers, Child and Youth Workers, and a Social Worker — took control to see how participants’ needs could be met.

The team started with phone calls to allow individuals to hear a familiar voice, then distanced porch visits for visibility. A private Facebook group was created for participants to start chatting with

their friends and that evolved into Zoom meetings twice a week.

Always evolving based on their clients’ needs, Harmony started to do porch drops with activities, and then a full virtual online program was launched thanks to funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation

“It was a learning curve to get comfortable with technology and be able to expand services online,” recounts Esposito, but it was vital to families to get something working.

“During COVID, I don’t think we would have survived without Harmony — it was extremely special,” Serran expresses.

She purchased two iPads for her children and watched them discover a new routine and explore new ways to connect with peers.

Once restrictions were lifted, in-person programs resumed with safety protocols in place (measures like social distancing and daily sanitizing of surfaces are still being followed to this day).

Esposito and her team realized that online programming was still beneficial to participants who did not have transportation or were ill, so this service has remained.

It was also important to provide since

some other community programs did not reopen post-pandemic, further limiting what families could access.

However, the pandemic affected more than relationships and accessibility.

The organization saw a big dip in fundraising, particularly since popular in-person events were on hold.

Along with plans to launch its capital campaign, Harmony In Action is eager to rebuild momentum in fundraising overall, with help from its hands-on Board of Directors.

Both Esposito and Serran are grateful for the hard work from Vice President Arla Peters, Secretary Anna Maria DeCiaGualtieri, Treasurer Jeff Cowan, and Directors Larry Tesarski, Jeff Burrows, Paul Slavic, and Andrea Masson

Sponsors are also part of rebuilding the organization and have been instrumental in helping repair $20,000 worth of damage after the accessible playground was vandalized. Harmony In Action is very thankful for the support of KAP Fences, Liuna!625, HydroOne, St. Clair College, Unifor 240, JPS Charitable Fund, Breakaway Gaming Centre, and Biz X magazine.

As part of their fundraising for the future build, Harmony In Action is pleased to

announce the return of their Christmas Card fundraiser. Designed by participants, each box of cards is $20 and comes with 12 cards (six unique designs) and 13 envelopes.

The cards allow participants to share their creativity and gives the organization one more way to reach the community.

Their volunteers are another vital community resource.

The organization has some family members who donate time, but they are often busy with work, are acting as primary caregivers, and are aging.

Serran points out that volunteering is not just a great way to give back, it helps build more awareness of what is in the community.

More awareness means more power to make change, but change is hard.

“It’s hard for them . . . and us,” she says.

Her own experiences and the challenges families face are why Serran has committed so much time to the organization, first as a Parent Advisory Council member for four years and then as the Board President for the past six years.

“I felt I could do a lot more not just for my children, but for the other children there if I was on the board and shared my experiences,” she mentions.

In Esposito’s eyes the organization is successful thanks to dedicated board members like Serran, the commitment of families, its good reputation in the

community, and devoted, top-notch staff.

The team knows it is vital that when a residence is built, the same commitment to quality is maintained.

That will come at a significant cost, but Esposito and Serran note that proper housing is needed so desperately by area families and you cannot compromise on services.

Proper housing means housing with supports in place . . . and keeping friends together.

There are many opportunities to still explore, like government grants, partnerships, and generally getting creative with new ideas for fundraising and building awareness around the related issues.

“A lot of people might think about children with disabilities, but we need them to consider that they eventually become adults with the same needs they did as kids,” Esposito explains.

Serran adds: “It’s about getting people to change their way of thinking. Yes, they are adults, but they need 24/7 care. The current outlook is grim. We are pushing to change that.”

To volunteer, donate, buy Christmas cards, or become a sponsor, visit their website: HarmonyInAction.com.

© Can Stock Photo/cteconsulting

FROM THE BOOKSHELF

An Entertaining Murder Mystery Set In Amherstburg

Local author and former private investigator, John Schlarbaum, knows a lot about small town living, having grown up in a village of 1,000 and for almost 20 years living in the Town of Amherstburg.

So it’s no surprise his latest P.I. Steve Cassidy Mystery — titled The Groom Wore Red — takes place in his current hometown.

“It focuses on two former rival families — the Smiths and Browns who gather peacefully for the wedding of Nick Smith and a very pregnant Emily Brown — but when the groom-to-be doesn’t show, it reignites a decades-old feud,” Schlarbaum states. “Then to complicate matters even more, the police arrive to inform everyone

Nick is dead and a murder investigation has commenced.”

Initially, invited wedding guests Steve Cassidy, a former police officer, and his girlfriend, Dawn, are reluctant to get involved until the bride-to-be asks for their help.

“Of course, not everyone welcomes this parallel investigation, especially a few local police officers who don’t appreciate big city folk telling them how to do their job,” Schlarbaum comments. “In previous novels, my main character has run-ins with the authorities and it’s no different in this story, although this time he really is trying to help the official investigation.”

For fans of P.I. Steve Cassidy and Dawn (who makes her third book appearance after When Angels Fail To Fly and Off The Beaten Path), Schlarbaum guarantees their sleuthing abilities and romantic bond are stronger than ever.

“The wedding was an excuse to get away together and visit Amherstburg in all its summer glory,” he notes. “Their personal

storyline as a fun loving couple also gives the reader a contrast to Nick and Emily’s (almost) life together.”

The Groom Wore Red is an entertaining story with references to many of Amherstburg’s attractions, businesses, and local history, which incorporates Schlarbaum’s knack for creating believable characters and situations that keep the reader guessing until the final pages.

The book is available in Amherstburg at the following locations: the River Bookshop, Bondy House Bed & Breakfast, the Park House Museum, and Gibson Gallery

It also can be purchased at Windsor businesses: Juniper Books, Biblioasis, and Storytellers Bookstore

Additionally, an eBook version is sold on: JohnSchlarbaum.com.

Author John Schlarbaum’s latest book is The Groom Wore Red. It is the fourth book in his popular Steve Cassidy Mystery series and takes place in the Town of Amherstburg. Photo courtesy of the author.

How An EV Charging Station Can Give Your Business A Boost

By Nicole Matchett

With rising gas prices and the world turning to electrification for a greener, cleaner future, Electric Vehicles (EVs) and their charging infrastructure have never been so hot!

I’m sure you’ve noticed the influx of charging stations throughout Windsor Essex, and though many EV drivers charge up at home, accessibility to public charging infrastructure is, and will continue to remain, very important.

So, what can you do to help?

Are you a business owner? Are you interested in meeting more of your customer’s needs and increasing revenue, all while contributing to a greener, cleaner community?

If so, here are some of the many benefits of installing EV charging stations for your business . . .

1. Increases sales within your store.

Not only will you meet the needs of

your current customers as they transition to electric, but you will also attract new customers.

While they’re charging up, they will likely spend more time and money in your store.

Over time, you’ll also see a profit being generated at the stations themselves. And remember, they remain open even when you’re closed for the day.

It’s truly a win-win — your business thrives and customers are happy!

2. Puts your business on the map, literally.

The main way to find an EV charger is through different apps, like PlugShare and ChargeHub. EV drivers often plan their trips and shopping locations based on where they can charge up.

So, if your business has an active EV charger, drivers will see this via the app and consider your business as a charging stop.

If they choose you, there is a good chance they’ll pop in to shop around while they’re juicing up their ride!

3. Enables you to stay ahead of your competition.

EV charging stations are a hot commodity!

The Government of Canada has the very ambitious and exciting goal of zero-emissions by 2050, with all new passenger vehicles and light-duty truck sales being 100% electric by 2035.

In less than 15 years, a very large chunk of the population will be driving electric.

Goodbye gas stations and hello chargers!

Your business will be ahead of the game and already have an excellent reputation in the community!

4. The environment will thank you.

Together we can make the changes needed to create a healthier environment for future generations. Investing in EV chargers is a simple way to meet sustainability goals and reduce environmental impact.

Tech Bytes is powered by WEtech Alliance (WEtech-Alliance.com). The columnist for this edition Nicole Matchett, is the owner of Windsor’s Taurean EV Charging Solutions Inc. She is passionate about the environment and helping people make the change to electric. For more information, please visit: TaureanEV.com.

Antoyan Jewellers . . . 25 Years As The Jewel In The Crown For Tecumseh

By Victoria Rose

Alocal jeweller is celebrating a significant milestone this year and is thankful that people in Windsor Essex have entrusted him to be part of so many big events in their lives.

Hagop (Jack) Antoyan opened Antoyan Jewellers in 1997 in a small shop in Tecumseh. In 2013, he outgrew that space and moved to his current location in the Green Valley Plaza (at the corner of Manning and Tecumseh Roads) to a storefront that is double the size of the original.

The store’s focus on quality is evident as soon as you step through the front door.

Along with the stylish layout and exceptional selection of jewellery available, craftsmanship and superior customer service are a priority for owner and goldsmith, Antoyan.

“I’m the one talking to every customer personally that walks into my store,” says Antoyan. “All repairs, custom designing/ making and diamond setting are all done in-house.”

That care and service is also a differentiator from many other jewellery stores, as from drop off to pick up, customers deal with Antoyan directly.

He has always enjoyed drawing, sketching, and bringing ideas to life. That’s what drew him to the industry 27 years ago, eventually opening his own shop.

Despite having created so many custom pieces, Antoyan uses every day as an opportunity to draw inspiration from the world around him for future designs.

“I love fashion and constantly look for new ideas to make for inventory or for clients,” he expresses.

Those plans turn into unique gifts like a special engagement or anniversary ring, wedding band, or other piece of jewellery.

Some customers even bring in precious or sentimental jewellery to have it melted and remade into a personalized piece just for themselves.

The store carries popular brands like Caro 74, Valina Bridal, Zinzi Silver Jewels, Serj & Sons, Elle Time & Jewelry, Citizen, Karina Designs, Chrysalis, and Philip Stein

Antoyan also offers repairs (for more than just rings), sizing, stone replacement, watch repair, pearl restringing, engraving, and more.

During the pandemic, the shop was forced to open with restrictions, which meant opening by appointment only for the safety of their clientele. That “open by appointment” change is still in place today.

“We saw that our clients felt safer and loved the one-on-one personal service,” Antoyan indicates. “It has worked very well for both us and our clients.”

He is proud of his reputation for services and ability to focus on happiness.

His own happiness is a priority too.

“I’m a proud father of three beautiful daughters and recently became engaged to my fiancé, Daleta,” Antoyan mentions.

And yes, he designed the ring!

“I had simple, classy, and elegant in mind,” he describes.

Based on the feedback the store receives, the craftsmanship and thought that goes into pieces is rewarding for customers, but it’s a benefit to him as well.

“Nothing is more rewarding then bumping into a customer at a restaurant or a social gathering and seeing them wear a piece of jewellery I made,” states Antoyan. “I feel blessed and fortunate for having a 25-year-old business in the beautiful Town of Tecumseh.”

Do you have a jewellery idea you want to discuss or do you need help picking out a perfect gift?

To learn more about the store and to view a gallery of collections and custom pieces, visit: AntoyanJewellers.com.

Biz X magazine is now in its 25th year of publishing and since our success is due to the support of area businesses and organizations — and of course our readers, advertisers and suppliers — we are celebrating with others also achieving this amazing milestone. This column features a local business, biz pro or organization, recognizing 25 years of operation in 2022. To date we have profiled The Bloomin’ Gardener, International Art Designs, Daniel Hofgartner of Buckingham Realty, Sound Foundry Studio, Transition to Betterness (T2B) and now Antoyan Jewellers.

© Can Stock

Photo/Ganko

Owner and goldsmith of Antoyan Jewellers, Hagop (Jack) Antoyan, is shown inside his store at 13300 Tecumseh Road, Unit #285, in the Town of Tecumseh.

Photo by Sanja Tabor.

PROFILING LOCAL WOMEN AT WORK

Gina Facca . . .

She’ll See You At The Movies

It’s officially October and the season of ghosts, witches and vampires is upon us. What better time than now to feature a business that embraces the true sense of Hallowe’en?

Get into the spirit of the season with a scary blast-from-the-past, horror movie marathon at Imagine Cinemas this month.

On Saturday, October 22, 2022 catch Trick ‘r Treat (2007), Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) and The Exorcist (1973). Then on Friday, October 28, 2022 another trilogy of horror movies continues (check their website for more details).

“Each marathon will take place in our luxury theatres and there will be costume contests, trivia and games at intermission,” explains COO Gina Facca. “Ticket price is $25 for either evening and will include all three movies. These events have sold out in the past, and tickets are available on our website: ImagineCinemas.com.”

According to Facca, Imagine Cinemas is a “cultural community hub.”

“In our community we represent a sense of kinship and entertainment,” she says. “Families have a night out, couples have date nights, schools have field trips and sports teams have private screenings at our cinemas. We have also hosted many types of events, including world premiere movies, wedding party photo shoots for those who are keen movie goers, promposals, wedding proposals, training sessions, commemorative life events, and many private corporate events.”

Imagine Cinemas, located at 164 Commercial Blvd. in Lakeshore, (its flagship movie theatre) is a locally owned and operated family business.

Since opening in 2005, the company expanded and currently has 12 locations — 11 in Ontario and one in British Columbia.

“We are the third largest movie theatre chain in Ontario, but the only independently owned chain,” Facca indicates. “I think that what sets us apart is that we are accessible to our community since we are pretty small, so it is easy to connect with us to book corporate events, private rentals and more. Because we are agile, we can work outside the normal corporate box to offer

unique opportunities to customers who want to use movies and our theatres for different things.”

Movies are a staple in Canadian culture, and there is nothing quite like the experience of being in an audience — surrounded by like minds — enjoying a movie together.

“The experience of lining up to get freshly popped popcorn layered with butter and then viewing the latest movie on the big screen in our luxury recliners with others, is an event that cannot be replicated at home,” Facca believes.

Running a business is challenging every day, but it’s all about finding that balance.

“Life balance has always been important to me as my family — especially my two sons — are the most important people in my life,” reflects Facca. “I have learned that kids grow up quickly and you never get that time when they are little, back. So it’s really important to balance your work life with your family life, otherwise burnout and unhappiness could set in.”

It’s also important to remember you’re only as successful as the team you build around you.

“And I have the best there is,” she declares. “I’ve been fortunate to be able to curate my own team over the years as we have continued to grow our business.”

Imagine Cinemas, owned by two families has 10 shareholders, eight are female.

“In addition, seven of nine of our head office staff and half of our theatre General Managers, are also women,” she points out.

Facca’s advice for other women entrepreneurs is to find a female mentor for guidance along the way.

“Find someone that you look up to and one that has the ability to share the secrets to their success,” she states, adding that she found her someone early in her career and she became one of her closest friends. “Once you have it all figured out yourself — become a mentor. There are many young, aspiring women who need someone to help them learn and grow.”

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Story And Photo By Rebecca Wright

Imagine Cinemas COO Gina Facca is extremely proud of her staff, which is predominantly made up of women. Here, she is photographed (fourth from left) with a few members of her team in the entranceway of the theatre. From left: Jenn Eggett, Heidi Innes, Sandi Spencer, Facca, Bailey Gauthier and Kabri-Ann Loosemore.

BIZ BITS

Social Media Etiquette 101 What’s Rude Online?

(NC) Participating in social media networks like Facebook, Instagram or even TikTok, later in life can be great fun — a rewarding way to reconnect with far-flung family and old friends — maybe your friends are even bugging you to take part.

However, navigating the social niceties can be a bit perplexing for some of us who came of age without the Internet.

To help give you a leg up, here are a few handy DOs and DON’Ts for interacting with others online.

DO: Use Punctuation And Emojis

• Without facial expressions or tone of voice, punctuation like an exclamation point or emoji smiley face can help express a positive attitude.

• Conversely, a one word reply with a period may indicate displeasure.

• Several emojis or exclamation points is overkill so keep it light.

DO: Ignore A Message Or Request From A Stranger

• It may feel impolite, but ignoring a stranger’s message online is a normal and safe choice.

• Unsolicited messages or requests from strangers often turn out to be scams. The person may threaten you or solicit you for money or personal information. So, it’s best not to engage.

DO: Check Your Facts

• With lots of misinformation circulating on the web, take information you see with a grain of salt.

www.newscanada.com

• It’s nothing personal to go to the source of a friend’s post or investigate it further on reputable sites.

Here’s What You Should Avoid Doing To Be Safe And Polite Online . . .

DO NOT: Post Something You Wouldn’t Say In Public

• Being kind should be a no-brainer, but it can be easy to forget yourself over on the Internet.

• As a rule, don’t say something online you wouldn’t say to the person’s face in public.

DO NOT: Sign Your Name On Direct Messages

• It’s not necessary or expected. The person will know who you are based on your profile or account.

• If it’s the first time ever you’re messaging the person, then you should certainly say who you are at the start, but not as a sign off.

DO NOT: Overshare

• A few pics of your pets may be a nice diversion, but no one wants to know every detail.

• In fact, sharing too much online can be a security risk. Many cyber criminals are on the lookout for information they can use to personalize scams so you’re more likely to fall for them.

Find more information on how to stay safe on all social, visit: GetCyberSafe.ca.

Thankful For The Answer To “ Who’s Your Daddy? ”

By Joe McParland

On March 31, 1954, the trajectory of my life was forever changed when Judge Joseph Antoine Legris, in the County of Essex, signed my adoption decree officially naming me Joseph Edward McParland, the infant son of my Adoptive Father (AF), Joseph James McParland and my Adoptive Mother (AM), Elizabeth Catherine McParland

I wish to make it very clear that my adoptive parents, Elizabeth and Joseph, are, and always will be, MY mom and dad — the amazing couple who specifically chose me as THEIR son, loved me, cared for me, and raised me as their own. I love them deeply and miss them each day they have been gone.

I was born on December 11, 1952 to Margaret Anne Bensette, my Birth Mother,

(BM), an unmarried 19 year-old girl. I was 10 years old when my AM explained to me that I was adopted.

A few years later I was snooping through her “private drawer” and found part of my adoption record and learned I was born Gary Michael Bensette

No other information was provided.

Fast forward 40 years to June 2009, Ontario opened adoption records for adoptees and natural parents. An adopted person could now obtain his or her original Statement of Birth with the names and addresses of the birth parents.

I applied in September 2009 for my records. I received them and the Statement of Birth confirmed my birth name, and supplied my BM’s name, age, occupation, and address. It turns out that my BM lived two streets directly east of where I grew up on Partington Avenue.

However, missing from the Statement of Birth was data about the paternal side of my birth; it was blank. This showed that no one knew who my Birth Father (BF) was.

Over the past decade, through social media and library research, I’ve contacted relatives of my BM who passed away in 1989 from cancer. I received some maternal medical family history and family photos from some of them.

However, according to my Family Doctor Frank DeMarco: “It’s paternal medical history that is much more important to have.”

But how to obtain it, since my BF is unknown?

My friend Fred (last name withheld) is a retired librarian and I shared with him that I was adopted as an infant.

He suggested that I take an AncestryDNA test (Ancestry.ca), which he offered to interpret for me. I honestly wasn’t interested. I didn’t think that a DNA test could ever find my Birth Father.

However, Fred kept subtly suggesting AncestryDNA and I eventually agreed to it.

I ordered the kit, spat in a tube, and sent it off to the lab in Ireland. Weeks later, my results

This late August picture in front of the historic Assumption Church the home parish of the McParlands and Martels depicts from left: Fred (last name withheld, Joe’s friend); Janice Forsyth (Joe’s neighbour and recently discovered first cousin once removed on the maternal side); Joe McParland (formerly Gary Michael Bensette); Don Martel (Joe’s new brother) and Christopher Martel (Don’s son and Joe’s new nephew). Photo by Rod Denis.

appeared online to reveal I am mostly French and English, not Irish like my surname.

In addition — and here’s the important part — I have over 40,000 cousin matches.

That is, other people who have taken the test and have DNA related to mine!

By examining those cousin matches and sorting the closest ones into maternal and paternal groups, Fred noticed a pattern. As he explains “One name stood out in the family trees of the matches on the paternal side, and that name was Martel.”

Fred developed a theory that my BF was one of three Martel brothers who grew up on Windsor’s west side: George, Victor or Leo

His investigation then found a local Martel named Don on Facebook, and they began to exchange information.

It turns out that Don is Leo’s son.

Don informed Fred that his own son, Christopher “took a DNA test at a different company, 23andMe (23andme.com/en-ca) and perhaps that might shed light on this.”

Coincidentally, Don, Chris, and I were all Facebook friends, though I didn’t know either of them. So, Chris, Fred and I had a video chat, where Fred instructed Chris on how to upload his data to a site called GEDmatch (GEDmatch.com) where DNA results from different companies can be compared.

Comparing Christopher’s results with mine showed that we are closely related.

He was either my half nephew or my first cousin once removed. Only by his father taking a test of his own would we find out which relationship was correct.

Don readily agreed to be tested and when

his results came back, those results made it clear that he is my half brother; we both share the same father, Leo Martel

As Don tells us with a big smile, “It’s 99.9% certain he’s (Joe) my brother!”

And his son, Christopher chimes in “I am so excited to have ‘Uncle’ Joe as part of our family. Until now, I stood alone as the only gay person in the Martel family. Knowing Joe is my uncle and is also gay is awesome.”

So that’s how my nearly 70-year-old personal mystery of “who’s my daddy” came to be solved. In Fred’s words it was “just by spitting in a tube!”

My BF Leo died in 1964 of cancer, when I was 11, although I never knew he existed. He was 34 years of age.

I don’t know whether he ever knew about me, but he is my biological father just the same. As I indicated earlier, my BM died in 1989.

My AF died of cancer in 1970 when I was 17 years old. My AM died of Parkinson’s related issues in 2002.

In the past year I also discovered by coincidence that a neighbour of mine for the past 20 years is my first cousin once removed on my BM’s side. Janice Forsyth is a self-employed consultant, operating as Foresight Management Consulting (ForesightConsulting.ca).

This is her account of our connection: “My mother always talked about the great-nephew she had never met. She would talk about how hard it was for a young woman in the 1950s to have a child on her own. Although I had met Joe, waved to him as we walked by his house, and even been interviewed by him over the years, it wasn’t until one day recently, when Joe spoke to my husband about his Birth Mother being a Bensette that I knew we had found my long lost cousin (first cousin once removed). I only wish my mom was here to meet him!”

Forsyth continues: “The discovery was confirmed when I did my own DNA ancestry test — 38% England and Northwestern

Europe; 37% Scotland (my dad’s side) and the rest a mix of Germanic Europe, Sweden and Ireland. We are so happy for Joe and welcome him to our family.”

My friends, October is a time of Thanksgiving, a time for us to celebrate the gifts in our life. For me, that is family, friends, and good health.

I am so grateful to have found answers to my nearly 70-year-old questions and to have expanded my circle of family here on earth and beyond.

Motivational Quotes

“You will not quit, you will thrive.

You will conquer all your battles, I know you will survive.

Keep climbing up, I know you can cope.

Just promise me you will never lose hope.

I want you to be happy and strong like a tree.

You will fly like a soaring bird and just live free.”

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

Leo Martel on the left (Joe’s biological father in his early 30s); Joe McParland on the right (in his early 50s).

“It Takes A Village To Raise A Child” Who can be a foster parent? What is the process?

Feature Story By Jim Murphy

As you have just seen in the pages before this installment of THE PARENTING BIZ, our regular columnist, Joe McParland wrote a special Thanksgiving Cup of Joe column demonstrating his gratitude for family and friends, since recently discovering (after nearly 70 years), the identity of his birth father.

McParland now has connected with his newly discovered brother, Don Martel, and his nephew, Christopher Martel

This real-life story inspired us to dive into the world of adoption and foster care.

A family is the most important influence in a child’s life. They give one a sense of belonging, provide a safe zone and help a child learn how to interact with others.

Yet, families come in all shapes and sizes. While biological children are a blessing for most, not all children are born to parents that are ready and/ or able to provide them with the love, support, guidance and most importantly, the safety they need.

For this edition, we feature two organizations in the Windsor and Essex County area that facilitate foster care, and interview two local foster parents

who have been through the process firsthand and share their experience with us.

Following this article, our Guest Columnist Amanda Baigent, the Executive Director of Beginnings Family Services offers information on private and open adoption.

The Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society

Since 1899, the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society (WECAS) has been the local branch of the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) in the Windsor/Essex County area.

CAS provides help and support to children and their families as mandated by the Child, Youth and Family Services Act of 2017 and is funded through the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.

Located at 1671 Riverside Drive East, WECAS is responsible for investigating all allegations of child abuse including neglect, while also providing protection services to children, youth and their families in Windsor/Essex County.

When a serious concern about a child’s care at home arises, that child may need to be placed in foster care where foster

parents provide a safe home for the child, temporarily. These foster parents work with the local CAS as part of a care team for the child.

Ideally, the child is reunited with their family after all safety concerns are removed; when this is not possible, the care plan may include adoption or longterm foster care.

From 2019-2020 there were a total of 686 adoptions completed through CAS in Ontario. In that same year WECAS completed 29.

Who Can Be A Foster Parent?

Anyone that has the desire to parent children can come forward to care for children.

To meet the diverse needs of the children and youth who come into their care, the WECAS recruits diverse foster families.

They encourage applications from families of different cultural, ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds.

Foster parents include members of the gay and lesbian community, couples with or without children, single parent families, single people, retired (single or married) individuals,

Help the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society (WECAS) find children and families by volunteering and/or fostering. Our community needs your help! Pictured is a group of Windsor Essex foster parents who were featured in a recent billboard campaign to help recruit other foster parents. Photo courtesy of WECAS.

married and common-law couples.

To become a foster parent, you need to complete a Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE), home study, and PRIDE training.

SAFE is a standardized assessment required for all those interested in kinship care, fostering, and adoption.

A SAFE home study includes application, home safety checklist/ questionnaires, medical evaluations, criminal record check, Children’s Aid provincial and local database check, and references.

PRIDE pre-service is a nine-module (27 hour) training program used to prepare and educate families interested in kinship care, fostering and adoption.

“We require foster homes for children and youth up to 18 years of age, including homes for our youth over the age of 16 that are transitioning out of care,” notes Rebecca Ross, Foster Parent Recruiter/ Trainer at WECAS. “So, if you can’t commit to the process and still have lots of room and time to mentor, consider a room and board arrangement for the older and more vulnerable youth in our community.”

The full process includes a telephone/ email/online inquiry, attending an information session, an initial home visit, PRIDE pre-service training, a home study including an interview, and finally approval and signing the service agreement.

“Here at WECAS we are always looking for foster homes for our older children, teens and sibling groups,” indicates Dorothy Watson, BSW, Resource Supervisor at WECAS. “We can’t stress enough the importance of having a range of culturally diverse homes available so we can make the best matches for our children in care.”

Types Of Foster Care

Many do not realize there are several different types of foster care.

Regular foster care is the most common; this is where you provide a safe, stable, and nurturing home environment for children and youth.

Relief care are homes that welcome foster children on an occasional basis to relieve full-time foster families.

This provides the regular foster family time away from care giving. These placements are usually for a matter of days and may appeal to those families wishing to consider fostering part-time.

“If you are new to fostering, this could be a great way to get your feet wet!” Ross comments. “Right now we are in a great need for relief homes. This could also be a great opportunity for teachers or professions that have time off on a regular basis.”

Customary care is alternative form of care provided to Indigenous/First Nations children by Indigenous/First Nations communities. These arrangements allow children and youth to maintain important cultural and family ties.

Kinship care occurs when the child or youth are cared for by members of the immediate or extended family, family friend or someone in the community.

The care provided here is like regular foster care.

“Foster care in Windsor Essex provides our children and youth with a safe temporary family setting in a time of crisis; it can provide essential support while allowing the birth parents time to address issues that are putting their children’s safety and well-being at risk,” says Ross. “Most of the time, children that are placed in foster care are reunited with their birth families once their parents’ parenting skills have been strengthened with support from CAS’s community partners. In other situations, foster care can open new doors to safety, permanency and well-being for children whose parents remain unwilling or unable to meet their needs.”

Sometimes interested applicants may not be able to commit to the demands of fostering. However, WECAS is still in need of volunteers.

“We want the community to know that we need their help more than ever,” stresses Tina Gatt, Manager of Community Outreach at WECAS. “While our pillar volunteer programs continue to need support, particularly in transportation, it is also a critical time to reach out to our diverse communities to engage their volunteer participation in new and inclusive ways that aim to provide equitable opportunities and support to children, youth and families across our region.”

WECAS has several volunteer programs including tutoring, mentoring, volunteer transportation and special events.

The Volunteer Transportation Program uses volunteer drivers to support children, youth and caregivers in getting to school, counselling, appointments, visits with family members, and recreational opportunities.

“Prior to the pandemic, we were seeing a decline in the number of volunteer drivers as this has generally been an older group, many of which have traditionally been

retirees,” says Gatt. “Coming out of the pandemic we have lost many volunteer drivers for various reasons: feeling they were ready to retire as a volunteer, fear of the lingering impact of COVID-19 and potential health risks, shifting family priorities and returning to work. We used to have over 100 and now we are down to approximately 50 percent capacity as the rising cost of living and transportation costs have hit the program hard.”

Meggie Bergen and her husband Rob currently have two foster children, a six month-old boy and a two month-old boy.

“Growing up I have always wanted to adopt, and my husband and I knew we wanted a big family,” Bergen comments. “We have five children aged seven to 14 and as my youngest child became more independent, foster care became an option for us. Now we want our home to be a place for children to come, specifically infants — as we are an infant home — to have a loving and safe environment to be in while their parents get ready for them.”

Bergen tells Biz X that besides the lack of sleep, the hardest part is saying goodbye to the little ones they foster because she treats them and cares for them like her own children. However, the benefits outweigh the challenges.

“The benefits are you get to love a baby as you watch them thrive and develop,” states Bergen. “For me, I am living my dream and that alone is a huge benefit. Knowing I am using my skill set to help comfort and love a baby and that baby is learning to attach and feel safe in the process is the best part for me.”

For more information on volunteering or becoming a foster parent, visit: WECAS.on.ca.

Five /Fourteen Foster Care

Located at 3640 Wells Street in Windsor, Five/Fourteen Foster Care provides services and supports tailored to Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, Queer,

Two-Spirited (LGBTQ2S) youth, and their foster families, adding to the services WECAS provides.

This includes foster services to teenagers in CAS care that provide an alternative to group homes. These youth are not looking to be adopted so much as supported, as they transition from foster care to independence and adulthood.

“Many foster parents and indeed CAS workers, still hold personal beliefs that make it difficult and even traumatic for LGBTQ2S youth to come out and be their authentic selves,” comments Chad Craig, Co-Founder and Administrative Director

of Five/Fourteen Foster Care. “These youth come to us so they can live in a supportive and affirming home, which lets them focus on regular, everyday life — rather than fighting to just survive.”

In 2012, a report on the Youth Leaving Care hearings titled “My Real Life Story” was released by the Office of the Provincial Advocate For Children and Youth (OPACY). This report highlighted discouraging outcomes for young adults raised in foster care, due to what was evidently a broken foster care system.

From that report was born the Youth Leaving Care Working Group’s

“Blueprint for Fundamental Change to Ontario’s Child Welfare System,” which, along with reports from Egale Canada Human Rights Trust and the City of Toronto, plus data from UCLA’s William Institute, the Child Welfare League of America and Lambda Legal, helped indicate the need for improving foster care for LGBTQ2S youth.

Lucas Medina, now Executive Director of Five/Fourteen, was all too familiar with the stories in the report, being a former crown ward himself.

He contacted OPACY to find out how he could get involved and was invited to join You Are Not Alone, a joint committee that would meet with LGBTQ2S foster youth to develop solutions. Out of this process, Five/Fourteen Foster Care was born in 2016.

“Five/Fourteen connects Queer and Trans Youth to their cultural community,” explains Craig. “This cultural connection allows them to build their confidence and life skills, which helps them build a sense of identity while reducing the likelihood of suicide attempts or involvement in human trafficking.”

Craig suggests that any Biz X readers currently fostering Queer, Trans, or gender-diverse youth can reach out to them to access supports available only through their agency, including an up to $70 per diem rate, additional funding for clothing and hair care, and $35 per week allowance for the youth, and of course, LGBTQ-specific programming.

One such foster parent who utilized the services of Five/Fourteen is Michael Cardinal, Owner/Operator of Mike Cardinal Counselling Services (MikeCardinal.com) and Cardinal Place retirement home, 3140 Peter Street in Windsor (CardinalPlace.ca).

“I met my foster son near the beginning of the pandemic,” Cardinal tells Biz X “For him, it meant the protection of a

Interested in learning more about fostering or volunteering? Then get in touch with Dorothy Watson, Resource Supervisor (left) and Tina Gatt, Manager of Community Outreach for WECAS. In this photo, Gatt holds a Volunteer, Eat, Sleep, Repeat booklet, which is included in a gift bag given to participants during April’s National Volunteer Week. Watson displays a shirt with the #1 morehome tagline for their current foster family recruitment campaign. Photo courtesy of Paul Medved/WECAS.

stable, safe home to clear his mind, be and become himself and achieve his high school diploma. For me, it meant an opportunity to parent, have a home and family-life that I had wanted for a long time. For two-thirds of my life, until 2000, it was illegal for gay people to foster or adopt children.”

Cardinal knew that despite the pandemic, the time was right and he was able to connect to his foster son, thanks to Five/Fourteen.

“I enjoyed sharing dinner, chatting, offering gentle guidance, learning from and about him and inviting him on various adventures like canoeing, nature and park walks and swimming,” Cardinal says. “The opportunity to listen and understand his world expanded my own.”

After 27 months, Cardinal’s foster son is now in college. He was able to witness him grow in confidence and become independent.

“His cooking skills blossomed,” Cardinal mentions. “His cleaning skills, as most parents of teenagers will say, still need work! (LOL). And I also grew, especially in the letting go part; while I offered guidance and witnessed drama, I learned to smile and accept that life will be the greater teacher.”

Cardinal is very grateful to the support

of Five/Fourteen and to the experienced guidance of his family and friends who are parents. And, yes, he “would absolutely do it again!”

To access Five/Fourteen Foster Care enhanced services and supports, LGBTQ2S youth in foster care and their foster parents should contact Medina and Craig via their website: Fostering.ca.

Family Forever

When you foster a child it’s a huge responsibility and often a lifelong commitment. Essentially you are becoming their family, sometimes the only family they’ll ever know.

Make sure your heart is in the right place when making the decision to adopt or foster a child or youth.

© Can Stock

Photo /creatista

Understanding Open Adoption

By Amanda Baigent

Additional family members, like grandparents, can also be involved with the child and adoptive family.

Beginnings Family Services works with birth families and adoptive families together to build an open adoption agreement. This agreement focuses on the commitment that both families make to each other in the best interests of the child.

Founded

in 1985, Beginnings Family Services (Beginnings.ca) is a non-profit agency providing counselling and support to expectant parents experiencing unplanned pregnancies and assisting people wishing to grow their families through adoption and embryo services.

Our approach is child-centred and dedicated to embracing connections and bringing families together.

The agency is licensed by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and we are grateful to be considered a leader in providing professional services across the province. Beginnings works with families across the province of Ontario.

For more than 35 years, we have worked with thousands of families and helped facilitate over 470 adoptions.

What Is Private Adoption?

Private adoption is a choice; it is about making a plan for your child.

Sometimes you will hear people use the phrase: “They gave up their child.”

It is important to clarify that birth parents are making a loving and compassionate choice in making an adoption plan. In private adoption, the birth parent, or parents, voluntarily place their child for adoption.

Adoption is a decision made by women of all ages and backgrounds.

Regardless of where they are in their journey, every parent needs to feel supported and treated with care and respect.

Beginnings’ role is to be present with our clients and to provide information and support as they make decisions for their baby.

Some clients feel very alone when they reach out to us. Some have very little support around them. Knowing there is someone to talk with and walk alongside them as they explore their feelings can mean a great deal to our clients.

It is crucial to include fathers in the decisionmaking process whenever possible. For a child to know their biological father played a role in the decisions made can be very meaningful.

Extended families are also very important in adoption and add to the love and support each child deserves. While recognizing this, Beginnings ensures the choices of parents and privacy are respected and maintained.

What Is Open Adoption?

Open adoption means the birth family maintains a relationship with the child and the adoptive family.

In private domestic adoption, birth parents choose the adoptive parents, and they can decide what level of contact they would like to have with the adoptive family. This can take the form of updates, emails, phone calls and visits.

Open adoption allows adoptive families to maintain relationships with important people in their child’s life. It allows access to information about a child’s origins and background. Each situation is different, and the level of contact and openness will vary for each family.

At the beginning of an adoption process, relationships are new for everyone. Like any new relationship, it takes time.

Communication and respect for one another’s roles is important in navigating relationships. It is amazing to observe birth families and adoptive families as they see openness through their child’s eyes.

Prospective adoptive families must complete specific training around adoption issues and attachment, as well as have a home study conducted by a professional social worker, before being considered “adopt ready”.

Beginnings has a large list of waiting prospective adoptive families for birth families to consider, when choosing a family for their child. The matching process is individual and is often based on commonalities that are evident between the two families.

The essence of openness is captured by what James Gritter writes in The Spirit of Open Adoption: “To belong, then, is to feel that all that I am — my past, present and future; my quirks, dreams, capabilities and eccentricities; my wild and independent spirit — is fully acceptable and accepted.”

Ultimately, openness at Beginnings means accepting people and situations, and validating the stories that will lead them on the path forward.

To learn more about open adoption or if you or someone you know is in need of support or counselling regarding an unplanned pregnancy, please email: info@beginnings.ca. Amanda Baigent is the Executive Director of Beginnings Family Services in Hamilton, Ontario. She has a Bachelor of Social Work Degree (1988), from the University of Windsor and a Masters of Social Work Degree (1996), from Wilfrid Laurier University. She is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Certified Social Workers and a Private Adoption Practitioner. Amanda has worked in the field of adoption for over 20 years and embraces openness in adoption and has done so since the inception of her career.

Hallowe’en is a night full of fun and excitement for children and it is right around the corner!

As a parent or caregiver, there are many safety concerns to be aware of for children.

To be prepared and have a good time and safe night, it’s important to keep the following safety tips in mind.

Protecting Yourself And Others

Flu season is here and COVID-19 is still around.

If your child is sick, please keep them home to protect yourselves and others

in the community. They can still do fun Hallowe’en activities at home.

Remember to wash your hands often, such as, before eating candy, touching your face, and handing out candy.

Have Fun At Home This Hallowe’en Families can still enjoy a safe and fun Hallowe’en from home. Activities can include . . .

Baking Hallowe’en treats Carving pumpkins

Watching Hallowe’en movies

Dressing up, etc. and organizing a video

call with friends to show costumes to each other.

Staying Safe While Trick Or Treating

If your children plan on trick or treating, it’s important to keep them safe and healthy. Consider the following tips . . .

Dress warm and keep costumes safe by ensuring your child can see through any masks, his/her costume isn’t too long so trips and falls are avoided, and ensure everyone is visible in the dark by using reflectors.

If you or a household member has symptoms of, or tested positive for, COVID-19, in the last 10 days, a well-fitted mask should be worn in all public settings.

Trick or treat in small groups, never alone.

Practice road safety. Reminders to look both ways before crossing roads, use sidewalks for walking, and cross at stop signs or lights when possible.

Stick to roads and neighbourhoods that they know and only visit well-lit houses.

Keep a hand sanitizer with you and use it when needed.

Check all of the treats before eating to ensure it is all safe to eat and is in the proper wrapper.

Most importantly, have fun!

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

This page is sponsored by these community-minded businesses and organizations wishing your family a safe and happy Hallowe’en!

© Can Stock Photo/dolgachov

Supplied By

How Participatory Is Democracy Really?

Op-Ed By Steven Bezaire

Astory on CTV’s website in early August reported that — although an overwhelming majority of registered Conservatives supported Pierre Poilievre for leader of the Conservative Party over Jean Charest (44% to 17%) — most Canadians would prefer Charest to become leader of the party, with a larger percentage of voters indicating they would not vote Conservative in the upcoming federal election if Poilievre becomes leader. As was confirmed in September, Poilievre actually did win the top spot.

This is important because it would seem, if online chatter, bumper stickers, and random rural roadside protest signs are to be believed, Pierre Trudeau’s eldest child is not long for the Prime Minister’s office, and no other national party enjoys more than 20% support. (338canada.com)

I have previously complained that his current Liberal government enjoyed only a paltry 32.6% in nationwide popular support in the election — the lowest in Canadian history by the way. (BizXmagazine.com/canadiangovernment-countrys-support)

Partisan politics have become so divisive that there is no even-handed, conciliatory, national government anywhere on the horizon — only polar opposites.

The average Canadian is essentially left with two choices: the increasingly leftist Liberal government, which seemingly can never spend less, or the same amount, than it recovers in revenue and believes there is no reasonable limit on the kind and amount of tax the average Canadian can withstand — or the rigid, socially intolerant Conservatives who struggle to subdue their puritanical religious element from dominating most policy debates and are oblivious to the environmental realities of the day.

Not much of a choice for centrist Canadians (which I believe defines most of us). And no, the NDP are not a realistic alternative — they are really only useful as a conscience guardrail for the other major parties.

Since their most thoughtful, well-spoken, and earnest leader at any level to date, the Rhodes scholar Bob Rae, demonstrated that the party’s philosophy couldn’t stretch enough to govern Ontario successfully in the ‘90s when he was Premier, without invoking the “social contract” legislation that cut directly into public labour’s

interests, no national leader stands a chance of convincing disparate Canadians in every region to give them a chance to govern nationally.

And, as their unionized manufacturing base (indeed the middle class) continues to shrink, and regional parties (like the Parti Québécois or the former Canadian Alliance) bloom, flourish and then subside, there is little chance the NDP ranks could swell enough in any national election cycle to threaten national governance.

If my anecdotal conversations with others on the subject are any indication, most Canadians simply want a government that is: (i) Free from corruption (as much as that can be accomplished in a system of men and women); (ii) Built upon and committed to democratic rights and laws — free from secular, dogmatic religious influences; (iii) Practical and predictably focused on the majority’s concerns; and (iv) Forthright and frank about its vision of Canada and plans to attain it — unlike the ridiculous theatre on display in the House of Commons’ question period. In short, socially liberal, and fiscally responsible.

Is this so hard? Am I pathetically naïve?

So, you want to participate? You want to make a change?

The Conservative Party of Canada’s website contains 21 “governing documents,” addressing its Constitution, organizational rules, and current policy declarations — running 285 pages of legalese that would strain even a lawyer’s comprehension. The Liberal Party’s website disclosed 18 such documents running over 108 pages (not counting “Platform Commitments” — of which there were no fewer than 192 separate documents).

To become a candidate, you will need to “win” your riding association’s nomination, a separate contest for which you will have to sell party memberships to friends, relatives, acquaintances, and strangers who live in the riding, and nag them to attend to vote at the nomination meeting.

If you become a party’s candidate for your riding, then the real work begins.

You will need to recruit a team of volunteers, spend at least a few months of organization and full-time campaigning (during which time you will almost certainly need a leave of absence from your job and will be unable to earn income).

If you have a comment on this column and want Steven to see it, visit the Biz Blog section on: BizXmagazine.com where you can have YOUR SAY on the topic too!

Stop right there. How many of the people in your social circle can afford to do even that?

Campaigning is difficult work. Who likes constantly asking people for money or support? If you survive the doors slammed in your face (sometimes literally), the online trolls and critics can be heartless.

Opposing candidate organizations constantly take your signs, generate “public” complaints about your campaign to media, regulatory authorities and misrepresent and disparage your positions and character at the door.

Unless you’re well-connected with the existing party establishment, or are otherwise extremely qualified or famous, even if you win, you will become a back-bencher, often finding out about your cabinet’s decisions at the same time as the general public.

Rigid party discipline means that, except in the rarest of circumstances, you will not be able to vote your conscience and will be told how to vote, upon pain of expulsion from the party for disobedience.

You will have about as much impact on policy decisions as a regular citizen, and less so than one with a public profile or platform.

The modern Premier and Prime Ministers’ offices centralize far more decisional power than in the past. In reality, the person holding this office, and a cadre of probably no more than a handful of advisors (many unelected and all exclusively focused on re-election) run the province or country, as may be — far less on principle, or past promises, than current public favour.

This is modern democracy and political participation — the greatest form of government in the world. No wonder such a large portion of the electorate don’t care, don’t vote, and can’t participate in any meaningful way.

Steven Bezaire is a local lawyer, humourist, former infant, an accomplished napper, and loves all puppy dogs and babies in the world.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and may or may not represent the views or opinions of those associated with Biz X magazine.

Estate Planning For Business Owners

By John Ropac

As a family business owner, it’s understandably difficult for you to imagine no longer being at the helm of the business you’ve worked so hard to build and grow.

A second-generation business owner we recently helped with estate planning, summed up this mentality well by relaying what her father used to say: “Don’t worry about what will happen when I’m gone: I’m not going anywhere.”

The reality, of course, is that life sometimes has other plans for us.

Fortunately, our client recognized the importance of planning ahead, but her father certainly wasn’t alone in his thinking.

Although everyone knows they won’t really live forever, many are not prepared for the unexpected, nor are they aware of what it would mean for their business.

That’s why it’s vital to develop an estate plan with the future of your business in mind, so that your business and the financial security of your family members will be protected in case of your incapacity or death.

Without a well-drafted plan, your wishes may go unfulfilled, your assets may not be protected, your business may falter, and what you intend to leave to loved ones may be diminished, not to mention the emotional toll this could take.

While proper planning is vital for all businesses, it’s especially prudent for family-owned businesses that may be passed down to the next generation.

The following considerations will help as you start to think about estate planning in relation to your business.

1. A will is only one tool in the estate planning toolbox.

In many cases, in order to fully implement your wishes for the future of the business, or to utilize available tax efficiencies, your estate plan will include many other components beyond just a will.

2. Powers of attorney can be business and personal.

A power of attorney is a document that appoints an individual to make legal and

financial decisions and to manage your finances in your place. Many business owners appoint two powers of attorney for financial matters — one to deal with business issues and another to deal with personal issues, as the people who are best placed to handle each of these matters may be different.

3. Planning for tax efficiencies can help maximize the value of your estate

With proper estate planning, you can maximize the legacy left to your beneficiaries by implementing effective tax strategies.

4. Life insurance may ease financial burdens on the business.

A business-owned life insurance policy is designed to help the business continue in the event the owner or partner dies. Life insurance can help protect the business, see that the intentions of the deceased are honoured, and provide potential tax advantages.

5. A shareholders’ agreement and family contracts should not be overlooked.

When a business owner is not the sole shareholder of a business, a shareholders’ agreement is an important, but often overlooked, part of an estate plan.

While it’s never too late to develop and implement an estate plan, we often say to business owners: “Plan early and plan often.”

An estate plan is unique and personal to you, so it’s wise to revisit your plan as circumstances in your life or business change.

Planning for the unexpected may not be top of mind, but it does bring peace of mind.

John Ropac is the Office Managing Partner in KPMG’s Windsor office. He is a Tax Partner in its Canadian Tax practice with over 35 years of experience, specializing in Personal Tax Consulting and Compliance, Wealth, Gift and Inheritance Tax Planning, Trust and Estate Tax Services, Succession Planning, Shareholder Agreements, and Buying and Selling a Business. Contact him by emailing: jropac@kpmg.ca.

ask the experts

BROUGHT TO YOU BY When The Situation Requires Beyond The Box Expertise

By Dave Halliday

We have all been there.

In the store, the new addition to your home looks so sturdy and well constructed as you review the floor model. Your wife, without realizing it, challenges your ego by asking if you will be able to take care of the “Assembly Required” noted on the packaging.

You stand back, review the object with the look of a skilled tradesman and proclaim that you should not have any troubles.

Six weeks have passed since that moment of confidence. Much of the packaging remains torn open, strewn across the back room of your house.

On this evening you are in the midst of sorting through the 1,427 individual parts and hardware that came with your purchase, to ensure they haven’t forgotten anything.

The instructions, which are devoid of

words, are a group of illustrations presented in a progressive step by step booklet of 68 pages in length.

As you scratch your head, sigh, and open a cool beverage, you pray the wife doesn’t check in again this evening to ask how it’s going. To be honest it’s not going well, but you refuse to admit it.

You need professional help and fast!

Fortunately for you, we at Biz X were able to sit and discuss the finer points of assembly and installations with Joe Lucier, who has over 10 years of relevant experience to draw upon. And as of February 2021, he is the Owner of Beyond the Box, run out of Concession Road 7 in Tecumseh and found online at: BTBassembly.ca. How would you best describe the services you provide? “We assemble and install anything you can purchase, such as

furniture, television wall mounts, pictures, mirrors and artwork hangings,” states Lucier. “We also assemble outside structures such as gazebos, sheds, jungle gyms, and the list goes on and on.”

The concept of providing assembly and installation services such as these is, pardon the pun . . . beyond the box thinking. How did you develop this idea?

“My wife, Rebecca came up with the idea, the name and how it all works,” he points out. “She came up with this great concept and I made the idea come to life!”

How would you describe your client base? Is it limited to a certain sector, or broader? “It would definitely be broader as anyone can purchase something they’re not able to assemble or install themselves,” Lucier replies. “We do both residential and commercial projects.”

A Beyond the Box assembled jungle gym is shown as completed for Creative Homescapes, 2619 County Road 42 in Windsor. As well, Lucier and his team assembled the 12X20 Yardistry Cedar Gazebo for Tommy’s Bar-B-Q in The Roundhouse Centre on Howard Avenue. Photos courtesy of Joe Lucier.

Do you provide any after service for your clients? Lucier indicates: “If the customers have any questions or concerns, I am a phone call away to make sure I can help where I can.”

Obviously, your technicians must have an extensive skill set to tackle such a varied grouping of installs and assemblies. How do you stay up to speed with it all? “In the beginning everything was a curve ball, because each project was unique and a first,” recalls Lucier. “Once you’ve done it the first time, you get faster and more efficient for more projects to come.”

Beyond the notion that one can avoid the hassle of assembling their recent purchase, is it safe to assume you also provide the peace of mind that the installation or assembly is carried out safely and properly? “Absolutely!” he expresses. “We are both bonded and insured to take care of our customers’ products and to be on their property.”

What are the potential pitfalls of carrying out certain assemblies on your own? “As an example, let us consider the assembly of a typical Cedar Gazebo from a local supplier,” Lucier suggests. “Potentially it can be assembled by one qualified person, however, it is never really safe to do so. We, therefore, provide at least two employees on every job that requires an extra set of hands to complete it safely.”

Are there any areas of service or installation that you envision expanding into for the future? “Last year we opened the door to installing patio stone surfaces and installing residential and commercial Christmas lights!” he tells us and concludes by stating: “The sky is the limit with this company as we are always thinking Beyond the Box for new ideas.”

As luck would have it your wife has scheduled a weekend trip to visit her sister out of town. She asks you to tag along, but being the resolute handyman and husband that you are, it’s better to volunteer to stay home and get your assembly project completed.

The car isn’t even at the end of the driveway, and you are on the phone with the good folks over at Beyond the Box. Your purchase was assembled and placed in perfect position prior to your wife’s return home.

You sit smugly sipping your favourite beverage as she compliments the workmanship. As she sings your praises, you beam with pride until she mentions one of your other previous installs that was working quite well over the course of the weekend.

She informs you the remote monitoring cameras were a source of joy to her as she was able to check in and see your expertise in action. Busted!

A Strategy For The Fall

By Steven Mayo

As we approach the New Year, the stock markets will likely continue their tug of war, reacting between rising interest rates, inflation and recessionary concerns, versus stocks and sectors that are priced attractively for an investor to consider buying.

In many ways nothing has changed.

We have dealt with increased market volatility this year and this seems to be the new market normal.

As investors, we need to keep perspective. Prices and time frames will continue to be important considerations.

For example, the end of June this year proved to be an excellent buying opportunity. Many stocks had dropped 20%+ from their late March prices.

Having a buy list ready to go proved timely and opportunistic as we saw price improvements in July and early August.

I expect this market behaviour to continue.

In addition to your buy list, investors also have to decide what sectors they wish to focus on when markets correct. For example, oil stocks, having record earnings, have provided excellent buying opportunities this year on their price pullbacks . . . twice!

In general, each of the major market sectors can be picked on at different times. Investors can simply choose to buy the top companies in any sector to add to their portfolio.

It’s important to remember that companies have their own stories: earnings, dividends, cash flows, overall business strength and growth rates.

Preparedness and patience is required.

This is how the serious money is made in the investment world. Being selective is a better wealth building strategy than just being fixated on the indexes.

After all, stock indexes are noisy and distracting, whereas companies and their stock prices can be simply a reflection of fear — and media hype — and not necessarily their value. Successful investors can distinguish between these forces.

To finish 2022, it’s possible the markets have a recessionary reset. Economic weakness could arrive more quickly than expected, however, and with that likely comes a peak in interest rate increases and the opportunity to allocate capital again to grow one’s portfolio.

In the long run the stock market remains a wonderful wealth creating machine.

In the short run, income and dividends get you through the tough times.

As Peter Lynch said years ago: “The real key to making money in stocks is not to get scared out of them.”

I will wrap up now with another relevant quote from Steve Jobs: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”

Steven Mayo is a Senior 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.

Grounded By Faith . . . Steeled By Courage And Resolve

By Andrea Grimes

With the regaining of Polish independence in 1918, the government pressed to unify the country economically, politically, socially, and ethnically.

Then out of nowhere, Hitler landed a sucker punch that brought the world to its knees.

On September 1, 1939 German forces invaded Poland, waging war with might and main. At every turn, Hitler tried to destroy the Polish spirit, however; brave Poles retaliated by becoming guerilla fighters defending their freedom.

Referring to that chapter of Poland’s history: “Wielun, the tiny Polish western town located 30 kilometres from the German border, was Hitler’s first target, and its people were among the first victims of WWII,” recounts Arleta Sziler, Recording Secretary Polish Army Veterans Association Post 126 (Windsor) and President Polish Canadian Women’s Federation Chapter 20. “Roughly 500 people, including women, children and elderly, died during air raids on their town on September 1, 1939. Countless more were injured.”

We know all too well about those stains and strains of WWII — for lives lost, for lives that were forever changed.

“On the Mont Ormel battlefield, south of the city of Caen, were the 1st Polish Armoured Division who were battling to close an escape route of thousands of fleeing German troops,” were the notes that Windsor’s 96-year old WW II Veteran Stuart

Johns (who served with the Canadian Grenadier Guards) added to his Regiment war diary of August 21, 1944. “They had been surrounded on a ridge and were almost out of ammo, water and other supplies. The Grenadier Guards broke through to relieve them and evacuate several hundred wounded. The Poles cried with joy when we arrived and from what they said, I doubt if they will ever forget this day and the help we gave them.”

In as much as generations of Polish families were victims of social injustices and suffered human indignities, the resiliency of the Polish “spirit” the foundation of national pride — is steeled by courage and resolve.

When Polish refugees arrived in Canada through Pier 21, many did so with little more than hope and the absolute strength of their faith.

“Windsor’s first established Polish business was most likely Blak’s Bakery, which opened in 1917,” indicates Peter Sawicki, historian of the Polish Canadian Student’s Association of Windsor. “The first Polish couple to be married in Windsor was Mary Polly Chmay and John Lawrence Salach on January 8, 1929.”

By far, the achievements and accomplishments made by many Polish Canadians foster a steadfast commitment to honouring family values and preserving traditions, where the strength of the Polish heritage contributes to the diverse fabric of our community’s cultural mosaic.

Photo depicts a presentation of a Harley Davidson motorcycle by Windsor’s Polish community to the Essex Regiment (Tank) August 25, 1940. From left: Frank Solinia; Lieutenant-Colonel Day Warnia, the Essex Regiment (Tank); and John Kaniewski. Solinia and Kaniewski were officials of the Polish Relief Fund Committee of Windsor. Photo courtesy of the Windsor Regiment Association.

“Since 1995, the Polish Canadian Business and Professional Association of Windsor (PoloniaWindsor.ca/pcbpa) has promoted solidarity, diversity, and achievement in business development and education, as well as charitable and cultural activities,” states the association’s President Jerry Barycki

“After 25 years of dedication to fostering leadership performance, our organization will honour Polish Canadian individuals and families who are making a difference in our community, with a tribute on November 18, 2022.” (Note: The 2020 event was postponed due to pandemic restrictions).

Quoting former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lech Walesa: “The thing that lies at the foundation of positive change, the way I see it, is service to a fellow human being.”

As a civilian Veterans Advocate, Andrea Grimes was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Governor General’s Medal, for her volunteer service to Veterans and a number of non-profit organizations supporting Windsor’s military families’ network.

OF THE MONTH

KELCOM Revolution IP . . . A Customer Service Icon

Who Listens, Adapts And Delivers

By Victoria Rose

In 1969, Vince Otcenasek, an immigrant from the Czech Republic, created KELCOM, a business that serviced radios for ships passing through Windsor Essex via the Detroit River.

The company began to add different kinds of telecommunications services and products as the demands of the community grew, expanding to include telephone systems, security, and eventually Internet access.

In the early ‘90s, Otcenasek decided to split the business into seven divisions so that each could focus on its own niche. He became a partner in all of the divisions and created an opportunity for employees to become owners, a tradition that is still in place today.

Gerry Vanderheide became the owner of KELCOM Voice & Data, eventually launching KELCOM Internet as a sub-division.

In 2016, he split the company in two, and Dejan Todorovic, another KELCOM employee, bought into the business.

After operating separately for eight years, this summer, KELCOM Voice & Data and KELCOM Internet announced they would realign under the same banner: KELCOM Revolution IP

Todorovic, 51, has managed the Internet division for 25 years and now runs the business. Vanderheide, 59, focuses on customer acquisition and large account management. The move comes after listening to what customers want and adapting accordingly.

“The telecommunications industry is going through unprecedented changes,” indicates KELCOM Revolution IP’s new President, Todorovic.

He says that all of the current services — like phone service and Internet — tend to blend for customers now so their expectation is a single point of contact.

“Our focus is on our customers,” expresses Todorovic, pointing to the company’s 4.5 star Google rating. “Our high satisfaction rating is due to our friendly and local customer service, expertise, and willingness to go that extra mile for our customers.”

Todorovic believes that stellar customer service is a differentiator in the telecom space: “When a customer calls our company for services, we take the time to understand their needs, challenges and expectations and provide the best solution and advice. We will even recommend our competitors if we feel that their solution is the best option for the customer.”

Making a commitment to customers and then delivering on that commitment is the key to their success and has kept the company going for more than 50 years.

Todorovic and Vanderheide, 25 and 30-year plus veterans of the company respectively, add that the company’s success is also due to having excellent employees.

The owners are proud of their local roots and the ability to provide good jobs, especially to recent graduates looking to start their careers.

Bringing in new talent to complement the expertise from longstanding employees (half the staff has been with the company for 20+ years) is another reason for their success.

“My approach to business is to focus on what is best for our employees and customers,” Todorovic states. “If employees are happy, customers will be too.”

Having solid business goals, a strong customer base, and reliable staff meant that despite COVID-19’s roadblocks and skyrocketing usage costs, KELCOM Revolution IP was able to survive and avoid layoffs.

The company’s plan with the new merger is to restart their growth and add new services.

Current services include Telephone Systems (PBX), Internet Services, Telephone and Fax Lines, Web Hosting and Email, and — just added — Digital Marketing Services and Networking Support.

For 50 years, KELCOM has proven that telecom companies differ in more than just pricing.

According to Todorovic, having a local presence and expertise is incredibly important: “There are definitely companies out there that may sell services for less. You may save on the upfront cost, but end up spending twice as much paying for support when issues occur.”

To learn more about KELCOM Revolution IP, to find current promotions, and discuss what services are right for you, visit: RevolutionIP.com.

Gerry Vandeheide, the head of the KELCOM Voice & Data division for over 33 years, now focuses on customer acquisition and large account management. Photo by Rod Denis.

Dejan Todorovic, President of KELCOM Revolution IP is shown outside his Windsor office at 8605 Twin Oaks Drive. This summer, KELCOM Voice & Data and Kelcom Internet announced they would realign under the same banner: Photo by Sanja Tabor.