The Drive Magazine // Winter/Spring 2021 // Issue #134

DRIVE

ISSUE 134

WHEN DOING ‘OK’ IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH

ERIC LaMARRE’S VISION IS CRYSTAL CLEAR

LIFESTYLE | CULTURE | PEOPLE | TRENDS

uwindsor.ca

Windsor ! d u Pro

I am a registered nurse, registered pharmacist and local business owner.

My journey to becoming a successful healthcare professional started at the University of Windsor’s Faculty of Nursing.

The University provided me with a firstclass education, stimulated a lifelong commitment to learning, and inspired me to pursue a career path that is focused on building a healthier and more compassionate community. I am proud to be part of the University’s exceptional alumni. We are all Windsor Proud.”

Dorothy Leung, BScN 2008 Registered Nurse, Registered Pharmacist, Owner of Shoppers Drug Mart at Lauzon and Menard in Windsor

The

THE HEART OF YOUR HOME

DRIVE

PAUL ST-PIERRE.................. Publisher DAVE HUNTER..................... Vice President, sales BREANNE MCGINTY............ Sales STACEY MCDONALD............ Sales SABINE MAIN...................... Creative director SHAWNA BEECROFT............ Graphic designer MARNIE ROBILLARD............ Graphic designer

CONTRIBUTORS JEN HALE............................. Copy editor SYX LANGEMANN................ Photographer TREVOR BOOTH................... Photographer MONA ELKADRI................... Stylist/writer ALLEY L. BINIARZ................ Writer JEN BRIGNALL-STRONG....... Writer CHRIS EDWARDS................. Writer GAVIN MACDOUGALL........... Writer DEVAN MIGHTON................. Writer GABRIEL RUEDA.................. Writer (student contest) MATTHEW ST. AMAND......... Writer

On the cover: Eric LaMarre has a clear path and vision when it comes to the future of his business.

Photo by Trevor Booth

Follow and like us: Twitter @thedrivemag Instagram @thedrivemag Facebook @thedrivemagazine

The Drive magazine is delivered direct to nearly 30,000 select homes throughout Windsor-Essex exclusively through Canada Post. Mail subscriptions available on line at www.thedrivemagazine.com/signup or by emailing info@thedrivemagazine.com CANADA POST Delivery agreement no. 43497602. Printed in Canada.

Owned and operated by the Landscape Effects Group of Companies.

1125 County Road #42 RR#1, Belle River ON, N0R1A0, 519.727.4769 All advertisement content to appear are subject to approval of the publisher and the publication assumes no responsibility for content included. We do not necessarily share the opinion or views of such advertising and assume no liability of this content or messaging.

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CONTENTS

ISSUE 134: SPRING 2021 AROUND TOWN 8 Noteworthy mentions around town

30

CHANGING THE CULTURE 12 Celebrating 20 years with The Drive magazine

PORTRAIT Eric LaMarre of Bayview Glass shares the decades of family history and pride that goes into every project

FOOD 18 Guilt-free spring rolls with peanut sauce by Oh So Mona 65 Oh So Mona serves us a Lemon Blueberry loaf right on time for spring FIRST PERSON 22 A one-on-one conversation with Robert Gordon on the effect of the pandemic on University of Windsor students REFLECTION 46 Danielle Campo reclaims her joy and is living life to its fullest LANDMARK 52 Beach Grove Golf & Country Club celebrates 100 years COMMUNITY 57 W hen tragedy struck a Windsor family, the community rallied to make them whole again

40 SPOTLIGHT Discover how Windsor artist Daniel Bombardier’s paintbrush is his weapon THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

EDUCATION 60 Libro Financial contest: Gabriel Rueda INNER-VIEW 62 In a changing industry, Greg Gnyp has seen it all REAR VIEW MIRROR 66 Metropolitan Department Store on Ouellette Avenue 5

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

20 YEARS OF COMMUNITY WITH THE DRIVE For most of us, we would rather forget 2020 and look towards 2021 with focus, determination and of course DRIVE. While tomorrow looks promising, we spent our time in isolation looking for new ways to improve our magazine. Our first issue for this year doesn’t come without change.

We welcome the return of David Scott Hunter, the former publisher of The DRIVE magazine. His passion for the community will continue to keep this publication as real, as grounded and as authentic as you have come to enjoy.

As the publisher, I would like to express my sincere admiration for the amazing efforts put by each team member, past and present, working with The DRIVE magazine.

Thank you to all of you who we now consider family, working to write and photograph each story your read. To Ken Stewart, Sabine Main, and Breanne McGinty for always being ready to roll-up their sleeves when needed. You helped us get through a pandemic as we continued to find ways to support our community while telling stories. All of you still managed to build relationships amidst lock-down challenges and juggled all things that make The DRIVE what it is today while seeing my creative vision of the magazine come to life.

The loyalty of our advertisers and the inspiration from our readers continue to push me, thank you.

We appreciate everything that you have done since you have joined us. The professionalism that we all standby has motivated the entire team.

This year, David Hunter will continue to present Windsor & Essex County with a magazine that captures the spirit and lifestyle of its diverse readers. The DRIVE Magazine’s vibrant aesthetics, visually stunning covers, and strong editorial content remain the heart of the magazine to serve YOU and our community.

We are filled with anticipation and look forward to having you join us as we head into this upcoming year.

From all of us at The DRIVE magazine, we would like to thank you for your twenty-plus years of support not only to our publication but to our local advertisers and small business owners. We could not have done it without you.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy The DRIVE.

Sincerely, Paul St. Pierre and David Scott Hunter 6

Photography by Trevor Booth

AROUND TOWN

AROUND TOWN

Welcome to our custom content page meant to highlight unique news from the Windsor-Essex region

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MR. MEAT MARKETS MR Meat Markets is proud to announce that it will be returning to Windsor’s east side with a third store located at 6645 Tecumseh Road East. “We had some business changes that resulted in us closing our east side location with another shop opening in its place.

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AROUND TOWN

VICTORY LINCOLN Fresh out of University, Sa’id Hammoud knew he wanted to follow a lifetime passion of Lincoln automobiles. His love for cars landed him with a dream position at Victory Ford Lincoln in Chatham, ON. A resident of LaSalle, Sa’id loves the daily commute up the 401 to the dealership where he works and couldn’t imagine himself working anywhere else. A married man and Father of two daughters, Sa’id knows the importance of driving your family around in a well built, well manufactured Lincoln. Today, Sa’id has earned the position of General Manager and in March celebrates his 10 year anniversary with the dealership. Stop in today and see Sa’id at Victory Lincoln located at 301 Richmond Street in Chatham or visit them online at www.victoryford.ca CLOSET CRAVINGS Lisa Berbynuk is the owner of Closet Cravings Upscale Consignment Boutique and Gift Shop has moved to 25 Amy Croft Drive in Tecumseh. The Consignment Boutique is full of gorgeous gently loved women’s clothing, handbags, shoes and accessories as well as new items. The store is a treasure trove of high-end and mall brand fashions such as Lululemon, Swarovski, BCBG, J Brand, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel and many more.

They also offer private shopping parties, personal shopping and dressing/styling clients for special occasions. Consignment shopping leaves a positive imprint on our planet, sustainable fashion is not only great for the environment but great for your pocket book.

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ZOONO SERVICES Zoono Services may be new to Southwestern Ontario but is recognized as North America’s leader in Environmental Cleaning and Infection Control (ECIC.) Zoono Services is where technology, sanitization, disinfection and surface protection meet to combat germs and infectious microorganisms in a global environment.

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CHANGING THE CULTURE

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CHANGING THE CULTURE

IT WAS TWENTY YEARS AGO TODAY For the past two decades, The Drive has provided Windsor a unique view of itself

By Matthew St. Amand

In a sea of glossy colour, it was The Drive’s black and white cover that caught everybody’s notice. In the past two decades, The Drive has profiled countless businesses and personalities, such as Cam Gardiner, Jody Raffoul, Colm Feore, and “Thirsty Traveler” Kevin Brauch, and has told stories about Windsor that often left readers thinking, I never knew that.

business side.” Forces were such, at that time, says, “a guy you’d see around town, who wrote that Kevin’s partner had to go his own way. at a table in the library, and published books “Rather than fold, I took over the that were global.”

magazine,” Kevin says. “At times it was thrilling. Often, it was exhausting. I published six issues. Shooting the covers was the most fun. I wanted each to tell a story without words. I remember having Paul St. Pierre of Although Dave Hunter is the face most Landscape Effects posing, sitting in a wheelassociated with The Drive, he and his business barrow. I kept saying to him, ‘More aggression, partner, Mark Long, purchased the magazine Paul! You’re on a roller coaster!’” from Kevin Kavanagh, its first publisher.

There came a point where the 16-hour days The year 2000 was a time when the Windsor magazine market was bursting with competition. What inspired Kevin to enter that crowded space?

“I was a big fan of publications like Hour Detroit,” Kevin recalls, “and I thought there may be room for an entertainment-lifestyle perspective in Windsor.”

Then, there was the profile of actor Colm Feore, who originates from Windsor.

Dave put his philosophy—if you don’t ask, you’ll never know—into action when he phoned Colm’s mother, Sally, asking for help contacting her son.

“Next thing I knew, Colm left me a voicemail,” Dave remembers. “It was like he was rehearsing a role: ‘Hello David. This is Colm caught up to Kevin and he considered folding Feore. I understand you are looking for me.’

The Drive.

The next day I went to Stratford with the “At that time, I had no life outside of writer and did the interview.” work,” Kevin says. “Then, Dave Hunter and Highlights of Dave’s time with The Drive Mark Long approached me out of the blue, include seeing the very first issue he published asking if I ever considered selling.” in December 2000. Five years later, Dave was Nobody would believe the timing if they named Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the Windsor Chamber of Commerce. saw it in a movie.

The signature black and white look of The After some productive negotiations, Dave Drive mirrored Kevin’s photography aesthetic. and Mark bought The Drive.

“I specialized in black and white,” he says.

“I remember the first time I saw The “I had my own darkroom, and I thought it Drive,” Dave says. “I was in Rosser Reeves would stand out and give us a brand identity.” Jewellers, and Kevin had just dropped off some For the first cover, Kevin convinced CKLW’s Cam Gardiner to pose in his pajamas with bedhead hair and shaving cream all over his face. It was a hit.

“After that, we got calls from numerous people asking how they could be on the cover,” Kevin remembers.

Too often, with success, there comes a “careful what you wish for” moment.

“I started The Drive with a partner,” Kevin continues. “I was the artist; he handled the THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

“That put us on a whole new level,” Dave recalls. Scribing Windsor’s ongoing story, The Drive dedicated many pages to triumphs— subtle and significant—around the city, but also shared in the tragedy. Most notably, when Constable John Atkinson was slain in May copies. I grabbed one and went through it. 2006, his life and career were memorialized Cam Gardiner was on the cover. I remember in a cover story. thinking the black and white was very daring.

“We faced our biggest challenges in It immediately caught my attention.”

2008,” Dave continues. “The economy took The first address for The Drive, with Dave a nosedive and advertising budgets dried up.

Hunter at the helm, was 307 Chatham Street, We made every adjustment possible to ensure a one-room office. Kevin continued shooting we didn’t fold. Somehow, we made it through.” the covers for the next eight years.

Times change and in 2017, Dave realized, One of the memorable early covers featured “I got The Drive to a certain point, but the ad children’s author Christopher Paul Curtis. revenue wasn’t as fluid as it once was, and I “Here was an award-winning writer,” Dave was stuck at a standstill.”

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CHANGING THE CULTURE

That’s when Paul St. Pierre, owner of “He is a person who experienced adversity Landscape Effects, entered the picture. He in his life,” Paul notes, “and overcame it.” was interested in having a voice in Windsor Other significant stories include The Drive’s and felt The Drive was the best way to achieve article on human trafficking, where the cover that end. depicted a survivor cutting a rope.

“I didn’t want to sell,” Dave explains, “but if “Or the cover we did for ‘The Colourful I wanted to get to the next level, I had to accept Spectrum of Autism,’ with the puzzle piece in that I couldn’t do it alone. Paul had the vision.” the middle peeled away and a child looking Anyone who knows Paul St. Pierre knows he has a unique outlook on the world. Recognized for his business acumen, Paul has carved out his substantial footprint in Essex County through his artistic vision. He prides himself on not taking things at face value and seeing beyond the surface veneer of situations.

through the opening.” Paul still remembers his own turn on The Drive’s cover. “I had just come from a job site,” he says, “and hurried home to clean up, press my khakis, and iron a new Landscape Effects shirt.” Kevin had asked him to bring some props along: a wheelbarrow, rake, and a bag of dirt.

“When I arrived, Kevin snapped a few photos,” Paul continues, “and next thing I knew, we opened the bag of dirt and emptied some into a bucket. Somebody added water, and they started rubbing the mud all over me.

They wanted me to look like I’d just come from a job.” He laughs. “It was a blast. I threw my shirt in the garbage when we were done.”

It’s that spirit of spontaneity and creativity Paul wants at the core of The Drive.

“It’s like being on a Twister mat,” he says.

“We can pivot in any direction as new ideas come along. My life isn’t a straight line. My businesses are not straight lines. The last three years have been a great ride.” D

“I come at things from a design perspective,” Paul says. “So, when I took on The Drive, I wanted each issue, each article to resonate with readers. We focus on impactful stories. I love stories about the underdog.”

Paul is no stranger to adversity in his own life, and readily credits friends and mentors for the many ways they have inspired him to overcome challenges.

During our video interview, Paul held up a book. “I keep this front and centre on my desk, no matter where I am,” he says. “These are all the text messages my friend, Bob Berry, ever wrote to me. After he passed away, his wife compiled them into a book and gave it to me as a gift. I always have it near me.”

Paul then holds up a classic Bic four-colour retractable ballpoint pen, popular in the 1970s and ’80s. “Another friend who had a big impact on me used these pens. He passed away some time ago, and I make sure I always have one around. We have these pens everywhere at the office, as a reminder.”

That is Paul’s vision for The Drive.

“I want The Drive to be something people leave on their dining room table,” he says.

“I want to create something that people will remember. I want readers to see our covers and think, What is that? I want to know more about it.”

He also shares Kevin Kavanagh’s belief that The Drive’s covers should tell stories without words.

“No tricks,” Paul says. “The cover has to speak for itself and make people think, Wow, I need to pick this up.”

Some of the stories he has found personally memorable include a feature on Lionel Sanders, the triathlete from Harrow who has racked up more than 20 victories on the IRONMAN 70.3 circuit.

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FOOD

SPRING ROLLS WITH PEANUT SAUCE Guilt-free and fun appetizers for the family to enjoy!

For this recipe you will need: PEANUT SAUCE ½ cup peanut butter (room temperature) 4 tbsp chopped peanuts (reserve 1 tbsp as sauce garnish) 9 tbsp soya sauce 1 tbsp fresh lime juice 1 tbsp honey 2 tbsp rice vinegar 1 tbsp sesame oil ½ tsp red pepper flakes* ½ tsp sriracha* Directions • Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl, whisk until well combined. *Leave out the red pepper flakes and sriracha if you would like a mild sauce.

6 SPRING ROLLS

Directions

Rice paper for 6

• Follow the package directions and cook your vermicelli noodles. Once they have finished cooking strain immediately and rinse under cold water to ensure they do not continue to cook. Once drained and rinsed, add sesame oil and toss to prevent the noodles from sticking to each other.

150 grams rice vermicelli (cooked as directed) 1 avocado sliced 1 red pepper thinly sliced 12-16 large fresh basil leaves 1½ tsp sesame oil

• Arrange your sliced avocado, red pepper, basil, rice noodles, and rice wraps in an easy accessible manner so that you can work quickly. Place a large mixing bowl filled with warm water next to your wraps.

• Start by dipping a single piece of rice paper into the water so that it is fully submerged and pull it back out. It should only sit in the water for 1-2 seconds. There are two sides to the rice paper, one rough and one smooth. Place the rough side down on a cutting board then add your ingredients to the middle of the paper, leaving lots of room around the edges to wrap.

• After placing your ingredients in the middle, your rice paper should be soft and sticky. Start by folding the top of the paper over the ingredients to the middle. When doing this, gently pull the paper back also pulling the ingredients to ensure a tight wrap.

• Next, fold the right and left sides of the paper to the middle. Then finish by rolling the spring roll forward.

Simple! Continue the steps until you’ve run out of prepared ingredients and enjoy. They can be enjoyed right away or placed in the fridge for up to a day without getting tough and rubbery. D

Mona Elkadri is a lifestyle blogger with a fondness for everyday living and entertaining, from sweet recipes to home décor and DIY, and everything in between. Ohsomona.com

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FIRST PERSON

THE LIFE OF A WARTIME PRESIDENT Robert Gordon discusses the effect of the pandemic on University of Windsor students

By Devan Mighton Photography by Syx Langemann

Upheaval is a catalyst for change, and these are trying times. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way we think, the way we interact, and the way our society operates. Simple things we took for granted—like handshakes, social gatherings, and sporting events—have all gone by the wayside as we ride the second wave of this pandemic.

Back in February and early March 2020, life was different. Sure, the COVID-19 virus was already spreading elsewhere, but it seemed far away. Many questioned the seriousness of the disease. However, as COVID presented 22

itself in Ontario, and we slowly descended into across the institution. I’m really proud of its midst, our society was turned on its head. how our staff and faculty had responded to Our educational institutions were not the shift back in March and certainly how exempt from the changing tides. All local students have responded as well in terms of schools were shut down, including the Univer- the new approach to learning.” sity of Windsor and St. Clair College, and a Gordon, born in the small midwestern student’s life soon became a digital world.

Ontario town of Hanover but raised in Nova “It’s impacted all of us,” states University Scotia, assumed his role with the university at of Windsor President and Vice-Chancellor the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year.

Robert Gordon. “I think we did a fantastic job He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees last March in terms of shifting from primarily in engineering from McGill University and a face-to-face [education] to primarily online in a doctorate in land resource science from the few days. It was a fantastic effort that continues University of Guelph. He came to the Univer-

FIRST PERSON

sity of Windsor after serving as the provost and vice-president, academic at Wilfrid Laurier University, and dean of the University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College and the Nova Scotia Agriculture College.

“I’ve always seen significant potential for the University of Windsor and this community, how it’s part of the fabric of the region,” explains Gordon. “That really excited me in terms of being a part of that. This is a gorgeous area and, unfortunately, two-thirds of the time I’ve been here we’ve been in a pandemic response. I haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy the region as much as I’d hoped to, but I’m looking forward to that as we move past COVID.” He says that the Windsor-Essex region is a well-kept secret in Ontario—it is a great place to work, a wonderful community with a lot to do, and provides incredible access to the United States.

Gordon explains that one of the keys to the success of his academic career has been through the building of meaningful and long-lasting partnerships, a philosophy that he applies to his role as university president.

“I think that [partnerships are] essential now that we’re dealing with a pandemic, but also in terms of the opportunities that those partnerships forge to help enhance the student experience, to ensure that we continue to grow better as an institution, focusing on being locally relevant while also globally excellent in what we do,” he states. “Partnerships and building up ways in which we can work with other organizations, both government and non-government, is certainly something I’ve done a lot of in the past and we have the potential to do that even more here in Windsor as we move forward.”

and continue to deliver academic programs, Something that is likely to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic is the advancement of but doing it in a safe way.” hybrid learning. As the pandemic took hold in Gordon says that research leadership the Windsor-Essex region, the school quickly within the university has done an exemplary shifted to online learning for a large portion job of continuing to operate safely by utilizing of its academic programs. social distancing, facility cleaning, PPE, “We’re really excited about people being screening tools, and testing protocols. able to physically come back to our campus “There’s a lot of research that’s still taking and interact with others,” says Gordon. “At place on campus, even during the stay-at-home the same time, I think there’s going to be a order, but the number of cases [of COVID- real opportunity for us to look at different 19] that we’ve seen from those interactions has approaches to how we deliver programs been negligible,” he says. “I’m really proud of with maybe a balance of face-to-face and that. We’ve had a few situations over the past online hybrid delivery for individuals as well months where there have been a few positive too. Thinking about how we best do that is cases on campus, but those were dealt with certainly a lot of the conversation that we’re swiftly, in clear and strongly communicated having today, and we’re also making strategic investments into our classroom space at the ways, and our current caseload is zero.” university to allow more of that hybrid delivery The future of learning at the university to be able to optimize moving forward.” is being steered by the lessons learned on The University of Windsor is striving to the ground by the school’s administration and faculty. The goal is to take the positive be a strong community partner during the attributes learned through the pandemic and pandemic and has agreed to a partnership apply them to developing an evolved and more with the Windsor Regional Hospital to provide in-tune learning model for future University a vaccination clinic at the downtown campus. of Windsor students.

“We want to be seen as an institution that is committed to doing what’s right,” states “It’s going to be a different world when we Gordon. “We’ve been working on a number go back to some of the ‘new normal’,” states of issues, institutionally, since the pandemic— Gordon. “There are going to be different equity, diversity, inclusion at the university. and heightened expectations of how people We still have a long way to go on some of those interact with one another, but I think it’s important issues, but, for us, we continue to going to be appropriate for us to make sure still have a strong commitment to being a that we’ve learned from this and that we can post-secondary institution, a university that is adopt new approaches to how we support our committed to global excellence in everything that we do.” D institution through those lessons learned.”

Photography by James Brittain

However, the pandemic has caused a fundamental paradigm shift for the University of Windsor. Not just the need, but the necessity of social distancing to lessen COVID-19’s impact on its students and the community as a whole, has caused vast changes in educational services.

“We’ve been paying very close attention over the past 11 months, making sure that the foundation of every decision we make is addressing the health and safety of our community,” states Gordon. “We’ve primarily been focused on our online course delivery, and our intentions were to transition to a little bit more face-to-face in the winter, but given the current health issues and the stay-athome orders, our decision was to pull back THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

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Give a Dog a Bone!

The Hungry Pooch offers local dog owners a holistic approach to feeding

By Jen Brignall-Strong

“They ruled out a behavioral issue, so we gave them some recommendations for natural remedies; colloidal silver, bladder support supplements. Within a week, everything turned around.”

Charmaine Gillis, owner of Ocean Bottom Soap Company, is also a regular customer and credits her dog Brody’s health to the food she purchases from The Hungry Pooch.

“She says every time she brings him to the vet he passes his checkup with flying colours,” says Alina. “They’re always impressed with how healthy he is and how white his teeth are.”

Bonnie and Grant Higginbottom attribute their dogs’ health to a raw diet as well.

For Alina and Attila Sherman, what began as a search for quality food for their beloved Portuguese Water Dog resulted in the creation of The Hungry Pooch; a holistic pet store offering the largest selection of raw pet food in Southwestern Ontario.

“When we first got Jellybean, the breeder recommended a raw food diet and it just made so much sense,” recounts Alina.

A raw diet consists of natural foods that canines regularly consumed before they were domesticated; namely meat, bones, eggs, and fruits and vegetables. Advocates for the feeding method site multiple health benefits including a shinier coat, cleaner teeth, and higher energy level.

While the Shermans were living in Ottawa, they had access to a wide variety of convenient, pre-made raw food options.

Upon moving back home to Windsor, they found their choices extremely limited.

“It was really slim pickings. I wasn’t able to find her regular food brand anywhere,” explains Alina.

It was that experience that lead the couple on their journey of making raw food more accessible to local dog owners.

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“Over the past two years of a raw diet, we’ve noticed several benefits like “We thought, ‘we can’t be the only peo- fresh breath, softer coats, and increased ple looking,’” says Alina. “We wanted a energy,” says Bonnie. “Our Higgins and convenient, really high quality, pre-ground Penny are happy customers. The Hungry Pooch team is absolutely wonderful, raw food.” knowledgeable, and helpful.”

While those choices existed, there were In addition to a wide selection of raw virtually no pet stores carrying prodfood options, The Hungry Pooch also ucts like that in Windsor-Essex County. features nutritional supplements, natuSoon after, Alina and Attila began sourcral dog treats, toys, and quality pet care ing a variety of Canadian-made raw food items; some you can’t find anywhere else brands, and word quickly spread. in Canada. It all comes back to the Sher“People who were coming to us started man’s philosophy of inspiring others to telling their friends and family, ‘my dog is give their four-legged friends a happier, so much healthier, it has to be this food!” healthier life. laughs Alina.

“There’s nothing that gives us more The first Hungry Pooch location offipleasure than having that conversation cially opened its doors in 2016 in South with people,” says Alina. “Everything we Windsor, with a second location in Lakebring in has some connection to helping shore added in 2018. with a pet’s physical or mental health.”

Since then, the Shermans have heard As an essential service, The Hungry countless success stories from their cusPooch remains open throughout COVID-19 tomers, crediting the diet with alleviating restrictions. Both locations are open seven health issues and improving their anidays a week for in-store shopping, and mals’ overall wellbeing. home delivery is always available for WindAlina cites an example from two of sor-Essex, Chatham, and London. her regular customers, Pete and Laura.

To learn more about The Hungry Recently, one of the couple’s Australian Cattle Dogs began experiencing signs of Pooch, follow them on social media or at www.thehungrypooch.com D bladder issues.

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A Century of Tradition and Innovation How Cunningham Sheet Metal (Windsor) Ltd. Has Remained an Industry Leader

By Jen Brignall-Strong

vate residence on Riverside Drive this past summer,” says Marchand. “It was a very cool infinity pool design; very unique.”

The team is skilled in creating specialized solutions for sanitary environments as well, servicing many of the area’s hospitals, labs, and clinics.

Over the last year, Cunningham has even added shoreline work like dock refacing and splash guards to its résumé.

“We have been working with steel for over 100 years and I’ve grown up on the water so I know what Mother Nature is capable of,” says Marchand. “That combination provides us a distinct advantage when creating a solution for each customer.” Of course, traditional sheet metal fabrication, duct work, and H-VAC services remain in their long list of abilities.

Since 1908, Cunningham Sheet Metal has been a fixture in the Windsor community, establishing themselves as the contractor of choice for stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and lead-coated copper fabrication.

we’re finding some newer companies or next generation owners aren’t aware of all our capabilities.”

“All of our workers are licensed sheet metal workers with Local 235. We do commercial and industrial duct work including heating and cooling systems, material processing lines, dust collection and exhaust systems,” explains Marchand, noting their work with local companies like Bonduelle, ADM, Lekter Industrial Services, and various millwork shops.

And their capabilities are vast. The team specializes in custom architectural metal fabrication and installation of stainless Looking forward to the rest of 2021, “We have been around a really long steel, aluminum, copper, and brass.

Marchand and the team are excited for time,” laughs Justin Marchand, co-owner Cunningham caters to clients in every several large upcoming projects, includand director of operations since 2016. sector—residential, commercial, and ing stainless steel railings for the new Since purchasing Cunningham in 2012, industrial. Past projects include copper Lancer Sport & Recreation Centre at the Marchand’s partners, Carlo Cerroni and eavestroughs and downspouts at the University of Windsor.

Rino Tedesco, have continued to grow heritage-designated Low Martin House, “We’ll be working on that this summer the company, moving from their historic as well as machine guarding for Hiram and we’re really looking forward to that,” Walkerville location to a more modern, Walker and stainless steel signage and says Marchand. spacious 10,000-square-foot facility at statues for the University of Windsor.

Despite an unconventional year of 2060 Blackacre Drive in Oldcastle in 2015.

“Everything we do is custom,” notes COVID-19 restrictions, the team at CunWith the company’s rich history and Marchand. While much of Cunningham’s ningham have remained safe, busy, and stellar reputation, it’s hard to imag- work is in commercial settings, they have focused on the future. ine anyone in Essex County who hasn’t also added gorgeous finishing touches to “It has definitely been a bit of a roller heard the name Cunningham, but homes across Essex County, including coaster for everyone, but we’ve been forMarchand admits it happens more often stainless steel countertops, copper and tunate to keep doing what we love to do.” than you’d expect. metal roofing, high-end fencing, and even “After 112 years we assume everyone custom water features.

Learn more about Cunningham Sheet knows what we do,” says Marchand, “but “We did a big water fountain for a pri- Metal at cunninghamsheetmetal.com D Sponsored content

29

PORTRAIT

CLARITY &VISION GUIDE BAYVIEW GLASS More than three decades of family history and pride go into every project

By Matthew St. Amand Photography by Trevor Booth

The first Bayview Glass windowpane was installed in 1987.

It was a lifetime ago, but even at that early time, Al LaMarre was an experienced glazier.

“Before Bayview Glass, my dad worked in Toronto, and was a union glazier for a local glass company,” says Eric LaMarre, owner-operator of Bayview Glass.

Al was known for his solid work ethic. He was task-driven and didn’t feel a job was done until the job was done.

“After working his way into an estimator position, he came to a point where he felt stuck in his career,” Eric continues. “Doing ‘okay’ wasn’t good enough for him. He always needed a new challenge.”

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PORTRAIT DRIVE

THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

31

PEOPLE DRIVE PORTRAIT

“

We were the only company in the city that could handle all-glass railings. There were a few times where competitors hired us to come in and fix railings for them.

We set the market.

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PORTRAIT

The challenge Al sought was as obvious as an estimator: “If I’m going to work for as the world beyond the office window: it was someone, it may as well be for myself.” time for him to start his own company.

Eric went to work at Bayview Glass, Grateful for the experience he had gained but was not hailed as a returning prodigal from his former employer, Al went his own way. son, with a plush office, company car, and There was no sense trying to compete with expense account. “You start at the beginthe company he’d just left—one man against a ning,” Al declared.

five employees. It was a massive job, but my dad thought we could do it.”

The casino also did—sort of. The panel that awarded jobs demanded that Bayview Glass provide a personal guarantee from their supplier and that it would complete the job if, for some reason, Bayview Glass could not. The decades-old business, with a list of customers Eric joined the install team and began owner of their supply company provided that personal guarantee. that stretched a city block, was a non-starter. learning the business from the ground up.

What can I do that they don’t do, Al thought.

In 1990, Al had an epiphany that took Bayview Glass to the next level. While Residential glass: mirrors, windows, attending a trade show in Toronto, he glimpsed thermal panes, back splashes. what was called a “Euro-style shower”: an Today, it’s difficult to recall a time when all-glass, frameless shower. residential glass was new and innovative. But in 1987, it was. And Al was an idea man who had a gift for creating niche services.

“I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a certain amount of panic about how we’d actually get the job done,” Eric confesses all these years later. “It was make-or-break time.” Ultimately, Bayview Glass came through, completing the

“He started with a truck and a storage unit at St. Rose and Lauzon,” Eric states. “The original Bayview logo was a little dock and waves with two little lights—that was the view from the storage unit. A view of the bay: St. Rose Beach.”

Al’s father, a school principal, was particularly pleased with the name. Those were the days when the Yellow Pages were king and a company with a name starting with “B” put it near the front of the listings. Al even paid Bell Canada for a custom business telephone number: 94GLASS. It wasn’t long before word of Al’s work circulated among homeowners. In a slow, steady progression, Al went from project to project, and eventually hired a helper. “The first Bayview Glass shop was on Lauzon Road,” Eric explains. “And he opened a showroom on Wyandotte and Reedmere.” As Bayview I’m going to figure out how to do this, Al Glass grew, so did its need for space. Finally, thought, and he did.

Al moved to the company’s current location As with all new things, customers had to on Matthew Brady in the east end. come around to the brilliance of the idea.

Movies and TV shows give a skewed vision When Bayview Glass first began installing Euro-style showers, they were doing one or of what it’s like being the “boss’ son.” two a day. With each install, their technique The reality? improved. The number of installs slowly “I grew up around glass and glazing,” Eric increased, and they perfected the process. says. “I’ve worked at Bayview Glass since I was a “Today, we install five Euro-style showers a kid. If there was a terrible job, I did it: sweeping, day,” Eric says. picking up garbage, painting the building.”

If Al was short on challenges when he’d Eventually, Eric went on jobs doing installs. had a desk job, he now had a talent for finding them for Bayview Glass.

Although Al was a hands-on guy, he The next great leap for the company was encouraged Eric to pursue his education in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation, a massive job with Casino Windsor in 1994.

Eric worked for a time in the sheet-metal It was one of those “careful what you wish industry. There came a point, however, where for” moments.

job on time and under budget.

“That opened the floodgates,” Eric says.

“We were definitely operating on the next level after that.” This led to work with Casino Rama, MGM, and Greektown casinos in Detroit. As the years progressed, and as the jobs increased and grew in scope and complexity, Eric took the lead in finding new avenues for design.

This took the form of all-glass railings.

“My dad was hesitant,” Eric admits, “but with my mechanical engineering background, I’m good at setting up angles and shapes. We were the only company in the city that could handle all-glass railings. There were a few times where competitors hired us to come in and fix railings for them. We set the market.”

In a nutshell: all-glass railings are very he experienced inspiration similar to what “We did all the showers for both casinos,” complicated. “It’s easy to screw them up,” Eric his father had experienced when he’d worked Eric explains. “At the time, Bayview Glass had says. “You have to be very accurate.”

THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

33

PORTRAIT

Aside from pinpoint accuracy, the challenges converge: understanding what the customer wants the end product to look like, getting the geometry right, and achieving all of this within Ontario’s building codes.

are truly astounding. More people than ever are building with glass. Among the notable projects Bayview Glass has completed, Eric and his crew constructed massive glass bi-fold doors, opening almost 30 feet of frontage on “Ontario has the strictest building codes an Essex County property. anywhere,” Eric says. “I like the challenge of “We have done homes with commercial doing the best design and making the end glazing and glass,” Eric continues. “We can product look amazing. If it’s not perfect, we go big for homes. We worked at one residence take it out and do it again. I’ve had near-mu- for six months. Did the whole house, tinies about this with my crew, but I never inside and out: glass walls, glass railings, settle. I hold myself to the same standards I backsplashes, tables, counters, showers. If it’s set for them.” designed right, the option isn’t as expensive The torch of Bayview Glass was passed as people might think.”

tions for numerous businesses in Windsor,” Eric says. “We did the casino, both hospitals, St. Clair College, a few dozen dentist offices, all branches of WFCU.” One particularly clever partition was designed and built for Kinetic Konnection.

“We put a partition on wheels that went between the customer and employee,” Eric explains. “We cut an opening at the bottom for the customer’s foot to fit through.”

It kept 75 percent of Bayview Glass staff working at a time when many companies saw business drop due to the lockdown.

“We went through two thousand sheets of from Al to Eric four years ago. Al approached Bayview also recently replaced the Lexan,” Eric says. the idea of selling the company to Eric as he windows and doors on all 16 floors of Le did every job: with cautious calculation.

Goyeau Condominiums. This was a herculean Even with decades in the industry, Eric project that completely changed the configucontinues to enjoy the challenges that come “Ten years ago, I took on a larger role ration of the windows, not only increasing with new projects. in running the business,” Eric explains. “I purchased the company four years ago, but ran it for two years before that.”

When Eric first took over, the company fluctuated between seven and 11 full-time employees. Today, it has more than doubled that to 25.

Today, Eric’s is the guiding vision of Bayview Glass. After all these years in the industry, what keeps it interesting for him?

“Always staying up on the latest technology and trends,” he says. “We’re always evolving.

We now have two divisions, commercial and residential, and two crews of six working in each. The jobs continue to be interesting, energy efficiency but transforming the waterdoing whole houses, installing floor-to-ceiling front view with new floor-to-ceiling windows curtain walls, for instance.” accenting the waterfront panorama.

During the week of this interview, Eric One product that is proving to be a favouwas in Sarnia for a colossal skylight project at rite among customers is Starphire glass for Bluewater Health. custom back-painted projects.

“Can’t let the crew have all the fun,” Eric “It has very low iron content,” Eric jokes. “I still like to get in there and do the explains. “Other glass with higher iron work.” In its continuous pursuit of keeping levels gives colours a minty hue. Colour seen pace with technology, Bayview Glass is a registhrough that glass isn’t true. Starphire gives tered dealer of Diamon-Fusion. the truest representation of colour. We use it “This is a game changer. It’s a good for backsplashes, shower surrounds, feature value-add for a decent price,” Eric says. walls, tabletops, counters, custom signs.”

In layman’s terms, Diamon-Fusion is a All-glass wine rooms are another current coating for glass surfaces that people want to trend. The largest panes of glass Eric and his keep clean, but don’t want to actually clean. crew have worked with were 8 x 14 feet, each This is not simply a spray-on solution. Trainers weighing in at 650 lbs. from Diamon-Fusion had to come down and Sometimes, Eric’s skill for innovation is teach Eric and his team how to apply it to glass. pulled in unforeseen directions. When the “This helped us get the job doing all the COVID-19 global pandemic hit, Bayview showers for the Harborview condo project,” Glass switched gears and got into the Lexan Eric says. partition business.

The end results of Bayview Glass jobs “We designed and built protective parti34

“I get myself into some hairy situations, occasionally,” he says, laughing, “and people just shake their heads. We’ve yet to run into one that I couldn’t figure out. Sometimes they take many long hours, or I’ll wake in the middle of the night, thinking, That’s how I’ll do it! That’s how it is—the customer says, ‘This is what I want,’ and we make it happen.”

No matter how absorbed Eric is with the business, he never forgets where he came from.

Bayview Glass supports many local charities.

“We are huge supporters of Riverside Minor baseball,” he says. “We donated $5,000 to support the hospital.”

It’s an unfair question to ask someone to sum up in a few words all they have learned from trusted teachers and memorable mentors, but Eric seemed up to the task.

“Bayview Glass is about honouring commitments,” he says. “If you promise something, you’d better deliver. You’re only as good as your word.”

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‘WECAN powered by Equation’ community outreach drive has resulted in seven new angel investors coming onboard with the local WECAN Angel Investors network in the past three months.

Deborah Livneh, interim executive director of the Windsor-Essex Capital Angel Network (WECAN), said the partnership, dubbed Equation Angels, will create more opportunities for investment.

“This collaboration is a gamechanger and it has rejuvenated our organization,” said Livneh. “We’ve added more investors in the past three months than we would normally attract in a year.”

The new partnership, which is the second-largest angel investment network in Canada, saw the Southwestern Ontario Angel Network, which includes WECAN, join forces with similar organizations in London, Kitchener-Waterloo and Oakville-Burlington bringing together angel investors with more resources and experience in helping entrepreneurs turn their dreams into commercial reality.

And while expanding the network across the majority of Southwestern Ontario will create more competition for investment, it will also mean there are more than 200 potential investors in the pipeline.

“We’re anticipating an increase in high-quality pitches to our investors because of the competition across the board,” said Livneh.

“Start-ups get 12 minutes for their pitch and then another 12 minutes for questions from potential investors. It’s a pretty intense process because a company’s future can rest on the results.”

“This expanded network allows our investors, company executives and entrepreneurs to tap into more exposure,” explained Livneh.

At the moment, meetings during which entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to as many as 80 potential investors can only take place through one of the many virtual meeting apps such as Zoom.

In January, WECAN held a virtual members wine-and-cheese party so that new investors could ‘mingle’ with existing angels and compare stories, opportunities and investments.

“Face-to-face can be better but technology has reached the point now where it’s easy to reach out to people and meet virtually,” explained Jim Marsh, a WECAN board member and Dean of the Zekelman School of Business and Information technology at St. Clair College.

“When existing investors reach out and offer testimonials and explain how the process works and what it can mean to entrepreneurs and investors, it’s made the whole investment ecosystem much stronger,” said Livneh.

But when COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed, many of these sessions will take place face-to-face.

Under normal circumstances, WECAN investors would meet on a monthly basis to listen to pitches from entrepreneurs seeking supporting capital with final decisions regarding funding being made by investors after a lengthy due diligence and vetting process.

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39

DRIVE

ART IN THE WORLD OF

Windsor artist Daniel Bombardier’s paintbrush is his weapon

By Devan Mighton Photography by Syx Langemann

40

SPOTLIGHT

Andy Warhol once said, “Art is what you can get away with.” Good art challenges perception. It turns a mirror on society, it shocks, and it pushes boundaries.

where. I also began learning graphic arts and began forming a style by merging traditional graphic processes and graffiti techniques. This all led to a lot of stickering and fostering and “I have believed for a long time that your promoting DENIAL as this sinister clandesattitudes, ideology, the relationships you tine brand.” foster, the travelling you experience, and one’s The stickers were hard to avoid in the beliefs can all help to design your entire life mid-’00s. Lampposts, mailboxes, tables into exactly what you want it to be,” explains in bars, you name it—soon, DENIAL was Daniel Bombardier, aka DENIAL. everywhere. “I have shared and given a lot of The prominent Windsor artist, who free stickers out over the years, and I always specializes in graffiti and mural work, has thought it was rad to see where they would end up,” smiles Bombardier. “For me, sharing made his painting a mirror on society. my stickers was also a way to involve others in “We all create our own worlds, and that what I was doing, which has led to a lot of fun world can be as big or small as you will it to and some friendships.” be,” he muses. “I would say that the very act of creating art and expressing oneself is boundary-pushing. I think it is up to the artist to determine how far you want to push it and what you see as a boundary. For me, personally, I broke that gauge off a long time ago.”

to the status quo of consumerism,” states Bombardier. “Everything is fair game to poke fun at and show the truth about dark topics through my art. DENIAL is a way I can encompass a lot of different ideas under one absurd brand.”

Anything can be an inspiration in the world of DENIAL. The art is organic and flows from him like dark poetry. “Everything inspires me daily. Being alive on an asteroid, hurling through the vast void of outer space inspires me—but, mostly, social justice and consumerism,” he quips. “Through my work, I try to express anger and frustration that change does not always happen quickly. I generally try to utilize some forms of humour— tongue-in-cheek or shock value—to jolt viewers

Bombardier grew up the oldest of five children, an experience he cherishes, but also one that forced him to strive for more. “For me, creativity was sort of born from necessity as a kid with my brothers and sisters,” he reflects. “We grew up modest and we made our own fun out of not too much. As most kids, we were very imaginative, and I guess, for me, I luckily just forgot to grow up.”

As a child, Bombardier’s grandfather Henry, who was a painter, instilled in him an appreciation for painting and creativity.

However, Bombardier says that his flair for art caught fire in his early teens when he discovered the DIY aesthetic and attitude of punk rock and skateboarding. “It helped to form my ideology and my own style,” he says. “Skateboarding is something you do with others, but it is really something you practice and get better at alone. I found a lot of similarities between skateboarding and creating art. It is as if both are you-versus-yourself in a lot of ways, and I really fell in love with both.”

“I began painting graffiti in the late ’90s and, in the beginning, I painted DANIEL,” he recalls. “I soon learned that you should not paint your real name, and I switched a few letters around to form a powerful word and name—DENIAL. DENIAL was a deeply complex pseudonym that Bombardier would have to grow into. “Over the years, it has certainly meant a lot more to me and others following my work,” he states. “As I learned more about the world— that social justice, politics, and capitalism run amok—I saw the prevalence of denial everyTHEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

Photography by D.S. Hunter

Bombardier’s murals are thought-provoking masterpieces. The 44-year-old spends much of the year touring North America, slathering on paint in bold, brightly coloured metaphor that grabs the attention of the beholder and transfixes them—daring them to dive deeper into the piece and its subversive subtext.

into pausing and looking deeper into the meaning of my work.”

In September 2017, Bombardier was commissioned to paint a mural, Detroit Is the Future, in the city’s Eastern Market. Little would anyone suspect that, two years later, he would be in a legal battle with Mercedes“To me, DENIAL is a sarcastic gut punch Benz over the piece. “Mercedes Benz—no 41

SPOTLIGHT

a story on a large mural would be finding a balance to the aesthetic and the surroundings while staying true to the story I want to tell,” explains Bombardier. “I try to make the work stand out while complementing the peripheral world it will exist in.”

He also likes to engage the public while he is working and even tries to incorporate aspects of the conversations into his work.

“This leaves viewers with a unique experience to the mural… as an ambassador to my work far beyond me leaving town or the area. It is also fun talking to the people that will be living near the piece to hear their thoughts.”

rock, and we are a DIY city from the get-go.

I say f*** you to anyone that calls my home the armpit or whatever—or any of those other stupid connotations. Our city will kick your city’s ass—believe me.”

Bombardier’s plans for 2021 revolves around “HOME.” Since June 2020, he has been redesigning his studio space into one massive art piece. He says that it will be his largest exhibition to date.

“My canvas is the entire building at 510 Pelissier St.—the roof, the alley, and basement will become an all-encompassing art experience,” he explains. “HOME explores my Bombardier thinks that Windsor has inspirations from Windsor and Detroit but, all the ingredients for the same urban art also will show how I dealt with quarantine renaissance that we currently see in Detroit. lockdowns and isolation. “[Windsor has] the accessibility to Detroit “It is starting to look ridiculously awesome and everything going on over there—an inter- here and I am excited to share my biggest national market right next door, access to exhibition to date with my hometown. I am international travel 25 minutes away at Metro immensely proud of Windsor for a lot of Airport, and so many more things—if you look things, and I spread the word. Wherever I Photography by D.S. Hunter for it. There are so many positive opportuni- go, I show Windsor in a positive light. Some comment,” he laughs. “This lawsuit was settled ties in our area—you just might have to polish people think I am simply mad or angry at out of court. What I can say is this, stand up the turd to really see it like that sometimes. the city or the mayor or the politics here and, for what is right. Do not let corporations get “I sometimes wish Windsor would really yes, I am sometimes, but it’s only because I away with bullshit.” embrace its completely badass history as well,” love the damn place so much—so, just chill, He and several other renowned mural he adds. “Windsor’s story is so damn punk honey bunnies.” painters in the area were sued by MercedesBenz after the company used their murals as the backgrounds in a series of Instagram advertisements. In March 2019, the artists had threatened a lawsuit against the company for copyright infringement but were sued themselves. The lawsuit challenged whether the painters owned the trademarks of their work or if it was technically public domain.

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In 2020, it was announced that Bombardier’s mural, Never Say Never, which he painted for Detroit’s Murals in the Market in 2017, was going to be torn down. Locals voiced disapproval of the 100 x 35–foot mural’s destruction.

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ZEDD ARCHITECTURE INC HOLDS THIS DRAWING, THE COPYRIGHT AND ZEDD OWNERSHIP ARCHITECTURE OF THE INCDESIGN, HOLDS AND THIS ZEDD ALL DRAWING, ARCHITECTURE INSTRUMENTS THE COPYRIGHT OF INCSERVICE HOLDS ANDTHIS AS OWNERSHIP EXCLUSIVE DRAWING,OF PROPERTY THE THECOPYRIGHT DESIGN, ANDAND MAY AND ALL NOT OWNERSHIP INSTRUMENTS OF THE OF SERVICE DESIGN, AND AS EXCLUSIVE ALL INSTRUMENTS PROPERTY OF AND SERVICE MAY AS NOTEXCLUSIVE PROPERTY AND MAY NOT BE USED FOR ANY OTHER PROJECT, SOLD OR BE OFFERED FOR SALE BE USED (OR AS FOR PART ANY OFOTHER A SALEPROJECT, OF PROPERTY) BE SOLD USED OR WITHOUT FOR BE OFFERED ANYTHE OTHER WRITTEN FOR PROJECT, SALE CONSENT (ORSOLD AS PART OF ORZEDD BE OFOFFERED AARCHITECTURE SALE OF FOR PROPERTY) SALE INC.(ORWITHOUT AS PART OF THEA WRITTEN SALE OF PROPERTY) CONSENT OFWITHOUT ZEDD ARCHITECTURE THE WRITTEN INC. CONSENT OF ZEDD ARCHITECTURE INC.

ZEDD ARCHITECTURE INC HOLDS THIS DRAWING, THE COPYRIGHT AND ZEDD OWNERSHIP ARCHITECTURE OF THE INCDESIGN, HOLDS AND THIS ZEDD ALL DRAWING, ARCHITECTURE INSTRUMENTS THE COPYRIGHT OF INCSERVICE HOLDS ANDTHIS AS OWNERSHIP EXCLUSIVE DRAWING,OF PROPERTY THE THECOPYRIGHT DESIGN, ANDAND MAY AND ALL NOT OWNERSHIP INSTRUMENTS OF THE OF SERVICE DESIGN, AND AS EXCLUSIVE ALL INSTRUMENTS PROPERTY OF AND SERVICE MAY AS NOTEXCLUSIVE PROPERTY AND MAY NOT BE USED FOR ANY OTHER PROJECT, SOLD OR BE OFFERED FOR SALE BE USED (OR AS FOR PART ANY OFOTHER A SALEPROJECT, OF PROPERTY) BE SOLD USED OR WITHOUT FOR BE OFFERED ANYTHE OTHER WRITTEN FOR PROJECT, SALE CONSENT (ORSOLD AS PART OF ORZEDD BE OFOFFERED AARCHITECTURE SALE OF FOR PROPERTY) SALE INC.(ORWITHOUT AS PART OF THEA WRITTEN SALE OF PROPERTY) CONSENT OFWITHOUT ZEDD ARCHITECTURE THE WRITTEN INC. CONSENT OF ZEDD ARCHITECTURE INC.

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REFLECTION

“

The main thing is I’m setting dreams, getting to be a mom and a great partner

”

46

REFLECTION

RECLAIMING HER JOY: DANIELLE CAMPO MCLEOD The story of a misdiagnosis, a successful career in swimming, setting new dreams and living life to its fullest

By Alley L. Biniarz Photography by Trevor Booth

Danielle Campo McLeod lived 35 years of her life thinking she had muscular dystrophy and the endless pain that came with it. And then, last year, a medical breakthrough revealed her misdiagnosis, and Danielle was informed that she not only has a neuromuscular disorder that presents like muscular dystrophy, but also that there was a treatment.

diploma. When she was pregnant with her children, she had to face that her body was not doing what she needed it to do. She lived with chronic pain while she was cooking dinner for her family, but pushed through because “it would be worth it.”

Danielle often describes MD as a joy stealer; the muscle fatigue would take away moments of joy that she didn’t expect it to.

At both her high school and university graduations, there was no railing, so she needed help walking across the stage just to get her

Danielle’s life was very different from the one her parents had imagined for her but watching her bursting drive for swimming gave them hope. They went the distance to support this dream; they drove to Chatham before a 5 a.m. practices and travelled around

Throughout her life, the only place MD couldn’t touch her was when she was in For most of her life, Danielle would have the water. told you that she didn’t live with a glass ceiling “On land, there were so many things I over her. As she slowly transitions into the couldn’t do that my friends could; you saw able-bodied world thanks to her new medicathose limitations in front of you. But once we tions, she’s realized that wasn’t true—that got in the water, it didn’t matter. This is where I instead, all her life, people had had lower could do what I wanted to do.” Her comfort in expectations of her. the water is what led the now-retired champion “I didn’t think people saw the disability; to undertake competitive swimming.

I assumed people just saw ‘Danielle’ when I Danielle comes from a very sports-oriented walked into the room. It’s been unique to see and competitive family and tried at first to that there are higher expectations put on from follow in her older brothers’ footsteps through the outside on what I can deliver,” she explains. hockey, but says after scoring on her own net, “I’d always put a high level of expectation on she knew it wasn’t for her. It felt good to have myself, but many people before didn’t feel something of her own, a field where she could they could. It comes down to a comfort level beat her brothers.

After she out-swam both of of still critiquing and challenging someone, them, the two would bet their OHL friends even if they have a disability.” This transition $20 that “their sister could beat them in the has motivated her to keep fighting to make pool.”

Danielle’s still waiting for her cut of that sure that when things are labeled accessible prize money, but she’ll settle for the shattered for people with disabilities, that they’re not set world records and medals. with those invisible ceilings.

THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

47 47

the world for her, because at every doctor’s appointment they’d hear another positive message: “These muscles are stronger than we expected.” And those words are enough motivation for any parent.

Danielle didn’t recognize the magnitude of her life until she retired from swimming: that not everyone gets to experience opening ceremonies or the Paralympics. She was 13 when she went to her first international meet, and 15 when she attended the Paralympics; this was just part of her life and after-school activities. Despite winning gold and breaking world records in Australia, she says that to this day her favourite races were those in Athens in 2004. By then, the world had caught up and the competition knew of Danielle’s strengths.

“Those races didn’t end in gold, but I left everything I had in the pool. I raced for those bronze and silver medals.”

By 2006, Danielle was tired of dedicating every part of her life to swimming, and even though she thought she might get back into the pool at some point, she didn’t. Life had other plans as she began to enter the world of social work.

The field first piqued her interest when she performed a keynote speech at the Children’s Aid Society’s AGM, after coming home from the 2000 Paralympics. After achieving so much success in her young life, Danielle wanted to give back her winnings; she vowed to CAS’s executive director that she would come back to work for them. This sparked a love for working with people and led Danielle to embark on a tour around Ontario elementary and secondary schools to share her story.

Social work just made sense, and so once she received her degree, she went back for that job at CAS and they hired her to start a career in child welfare.

Now, after years in the field, Danielle has found a new way to connect with people through her new diagnosis.

When Danielle was given this life-changing medication last year, it strengthened her muscles by 18 percent. She began experiencing a life without pain for the first time. Though it was “only 18 percent” in the doctor’s eyes, Danielle looked at them and said, “To you it’s only 18 percent but to me, it’s being able to put my youngest child in the bathtub. You all did that. I want you to know that you changed my life forever.”

In the last year, Danielle has begun walking her youngest to school in the snow without fear of falling or slipping on ice—they even had a snowball fight on their way to school.

48

These little moments have brought Danielle a new sense of gratitude, and the opportunity to teach others how they can enjoy pausing and being present in the moment.

Whenever Danielle has a new goal in mind, Dennis is there to come up with a plan of action to make it happen. Touchpoints, a recent dream-turned-business of Danielle’s, is “Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got those days a product of that “make it happen” attitude. too,” she explains seeing other parents rush Danielle explains Touchpoints as life their kids to school. “But I was just able to coaching meets practical body work. “In think, wow, you have no idea that you’re just the clinical world, we feel like we can do walking your kids to school because that’s everything, but how do you take that piece what you’ve done every day.” of paper and turn it into real life?” She and She’s also excited to experience another her partner Sarah Westbury, who is a certipregnancy with this new, pain-free body. Due fied health coach and manual therapist, are to give birth in August 2021, Danielle is going putting together webinars to help people through a pregnancy where she’s not living in implement goals through the power of pause fear. “I didn’t realize that with my other two I or breathing techniques that actually work. lived every moment thinking, what if this body Touchpoints brings Danielle’s passion for life can’t do it? Now it’s not like that. This body is and joy together with teaching others to “put going to do it. It feels like such a gift to be able the how into action!” to say that.”

“The main thing is I’m setting dreams, Danielle says the world must look at her getting to be a mom and a great partner. I feel and her family and think they’re nuts. They’ll like I can carry the weight of having a young, have five kids total and are a “travelling circus” busy family, and be that equal partner.” who need a “small, ugly European bus” to fit Danielle is so grateful that this re-diagnosis them all, but says her home is wild, fun, and happened at the age of 35, because she gets to full of life and that’s what she loves about it. experience so much life in this new body.

Her husband Dennis is her best friend and And, she gets to reclaim her joy. D biggest supporter in life, joy, and dreaming.

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100 years

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LANDMARK

BEACH GROVE CELEBRATES

52

100 Years

LANDMARK

Great golf on a historic Stanley Thompson design is just the beginning at Beach Grove Golf & Country Club, where members enjoy exquisite dining, spectacular scenery, and a familyfriendly club that truly is one of Windsor-Essex County’s hidden gems

By Gavin MacDougall Photographs by Beach Grove Golf & Country Club

The sixteen Windsor area businessmen who gathered in the spring of 1921 to form a new golf club along the shores of Lake St. Clair would smile proudly at what has become Beach Grove Golf & Country Club in the 100 years since. Indeed, from the great golf offered across its Stanley Thompson–designed course, exquisite dining, spectacular scenery, and a decades-long focus on creating memorable experiences for its members and their families, Beach Grove endures as a landmark of Southwest Ontario golf and leisure.

At its core, Beach Grove has always promoted the principles of family membership, great golf, and good social times. This year Beach Grove celebrates a century of delivering on that promise, and while the ever-changing restrictions due to COVID-19 and the impacts on service and operations present unique challenges, the club will continue to adjust and deliver opportunities for its members to be engaged and celebrate the Centennial.

“Beach Grove has been part of our community for 100 years, has survived a devastating fire in 1927 that destroyed the original clubhouse, endured the economic hardships of the Great Depression and World War II, THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

53

LANDMARK

and even the Flood of 1973,” says Karl Straky, Beach Grove vice-president and Centennial Committee chair. “It has seen its share of challenges but has always persevered thanks to the dedication and commitment of our amazing members.”

As a year-round private member-owned club, Beach Grove's primary focus is to provide its members with great value via an exceptional golf, culinary, and social experience, and 100 years after its founding the club continues to maintain its strong concept of family membership while fostering an atmosphere that welcomes members and guests in a relaxed, friendly manner.

“Many of our members are third-generation Beach Grove families,” says Straky. “Their parents, grandparents, and family history are linked directly to the club’s 100 years of heritage and those founders. Our history and deep roots in the Windsor-Essex community are truly amazing! The club is thriving, with over 2,000 members who are proud to call Beach Grove their second home.”

Beach Grove’s activities go well beyond its stunning golf course—one of the finest parkland layouts in Southern Ontario, the Beach Grove course features some of the best greens in all Southwestern Ontario golf.

Playing as long as 6,700-plus yards from the championship tees, Beach Grove is a stern test for the best of golfers, but still provides an enjoyable and challenging game for higher handicaps as well. The course has been the site of numerous provincial championships over the years and, true to its family heritage, continues to boast one of the best ongoing junior golf programs in the region.

But golf is not the only reason Beach Grove is the club for you and your family. Indeed, with its wide variety of social activities and club functions throughout the year, it is easy to see why Beach Grove has one of the highest active memberships among Ontario private golf and country clubs. This is a vibrant and busy place, one that knows how to maximize membership value. Curling, a fixture at the club since 1965, continues to be a vibrant component, and during summer months the large pool with its certified kids swim programs and active marina are busy complements to Beach Grove’s outdoor offerings.

A near $5 million renovation project in 2014 resulted in new locker rooms, lounges— including an updated Stanley Thompson lounge—redesigned Marine Room, expanded St. Clair Room, enhanced dining terrace, new upper and lower decks, and a new kitchen.

54

In 2017, another $2 million was invested to renovate the Rose and Crown dining lounges, construct a new pool house with multi-purpose rooms, as well as course improvements to bunkers, cart paths, and irrigation.

engagement with a focus on family,” says General Manager Aidan Blunt. “The history of our club and the 100 years of community connection are another wonderful element of the operation that makes the establishment so unique. Many people are not aware that two of our founding members and our first president were the grandchildren of Hiram Walker.

When you are a member here, you know you belong to something very special and are part of a tremendous history.”

Beach Grove's fun and vibrant club atmosphere is evidenced by the numerous social events that dot the club's calendar—pre– COVID-19, of course—on a monthly basis.

Indeed, there is always something happening at Beach Grove, both on and off the golf If scenic settings are what you are looking course: from summer concerts and mixology/ wine nights, to its many leagues and games for while you enjoy a formal or casual dinner, competitions, and curling bonspiels during then there is no better place than Beach Grove. Backing on to Lake St. Clair, the the winter. sunset vistas in the summer are enough to With so many things to do at Beach take one's breath away, and certainly another Grove, you are sure to work up an appetite, reason why Beach Grove is the family country and as any experienced purveyor of fine club of choice in Windsor-Essex County. dining in this area can attest, you are at A Stanley Thompson–designed golf the right place when it comes to food and course, together with some of the best dining dining services. Beach Grove's award-winning in Southwestern Ontario and a welcoming culinary staff, led by Executive Chef Jillian group of people to share good times and good Gauthier, prepare some of the most exquisite experiences—that is resort-like life at Beach dishes in all of Essex County, and the club's Grove Golf & Country Club. To learn more wine list is second to none. about the fantastic and affordable family “Membership at Beach Grove provides membership opportunities at Beach Grove, a lifestyle and level of service that drives call 519.979.8090 or www.beachgrove.net D

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COMMUNITY

MIRACLE IN THE PANDEMIC YEAR When tragedy struck a Windsor family, the community rallied to make them whole again

By Matthew St. Amand Photography by Caster Custom Homes

It was a no-brainer.

When Dan Caster, president of Caster Custom Homes, received an email from Barry Zekelman in September requesting help for a family of six kids who had just lost both their parents, Dan had only one response: “What can I do?”

from friends while at dinner. The consensus vehicle couldn’t even hold five people. But among the group was that it would probably they stepped out on faith, thinking, ‘We don’t be impossible for the six siblings to remain know how, but we’re going to do this.’” together through the adoption process.

As each need arose, members of the As it turned out, the impossible happened: community responded.

Chantell and Terrence Hurst announced they To help with transportation, for example, would adopt all six children. a great deal on Chrysler Pacifica was offered

Adam and Carmen Allen tragically passed “The Lord just laid something on my away on September 6, 2020, shocking the New heart,” Chantell told CTV in December.

Life Fellowship church community to its core. “When they were at their house, I was doing The Allens left six children, aged four to 17. their hair and when I realized they weren’t “Carmen’s mother had been active in our being placed anywhere, the Lord put it on my music ministry,” says Bishop Paul Riley, the heart and then I called my husband and he church’s leader. “The older children went to just said, ‘If that’s what you want.’”

Sunday school here.”

Chantell, a hairdresser, had known the Allen family for just over two years. Chantell As the faith community dealt with its grief, is particularly skilled with braiding, and she Bishop Paul pondered, “What can we do for knew the children from going to their home these kids?” and doing their hair.

Having developed contacts within the Although the most important, and most business community over the years and miraculous, aspect of the situation had been working with youth groups in downtown solved, there was a litany of other issues to tackle.

Windsor, Bishop Paul put out a call to business leaders asking for help.

“The timing was a miracle,” Bishop Paul Even before Barry Zekelman contacted him, Dan had heard about the Allen children THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

to the family. But the most pressing challenge was, where would the family live?

“The children’s great grandfather donated his house,” Dan Caster explains. The children’s great-grandfather was not a wealthy landowner who bequeathed one of his many properties to the family; instead, Phil Alexander, a 78-yearold former professor at the University of Windsor, gave his own home.

“He had lived there for forty years or more,” says Bishop Paul. “Until recently, he had no intention of leaving. But Mr. Alexander said, ‘If it helps my grandkids, I want to keep this in the family.’ He moved out of the house within a week.”

The email circulating through the business explains. “The Hursts’ residence, however, community listed Bishop Paul as the contact wasn’t big enough for eight people. Their person for anyone willing to help.

57

COMMUNITY

“

People are saying we’re the heroes.

The kids are the heroes.

”

“When Dan called me,” Bishop Paul remembers. “He said, ‘Let’s talk.’ At that point, I hadn’t even seen the house. Neither had Dan. He said, ‘I’ll repaint the place and freshen it up for the family.’”

The day Bishop Paul and Dan went to see the house, they realized it was going to need more than some paint to make it a suitable residence for eight people.

“It went from ‘I’m going to paint,’” Bishop Paul recalls, “to a complete refurbishment. A three-week job turned into a threemonth job.”

While the new family stayed in Airbnbs around Windsor, Dan and his team of subcontractors got to work.

“My kitchen guy came in,” Dan says, “and he donated a brand-new kitchen, appliances and everything. My electrical guy came in and rewired the house. No matter who I asked, all they said was, ‘What can I do?’”

Benji Mastronardi of Double Diamond Farms contacted Dan and asked, “What do you need me to do?” Dan told him the house needed furniture. Benji furnished the entire house. One after another, Dan’s subcontractors came and donated materials and their services.

“Nobody thought twice about it,” Dan explains. “It’s for kids.

Everybody stepped up.”

Dan had particularly personal reasons for being so moved by the story.

“Five years ago, my daughter almost died in my arms,” he says.

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COMMUNITY

“It changed everything, my whole outlook on life. You have to take care of kids.”

All of this occurred while Caster Custom Homes was delivering 70 townhouses in 18 months—during a global pandemic. No matter the obstacles, people found ways to contribute.

Work on the house and support for the family came from all corners of the community.

“When we put this story out, the response blew my mind,” Bishop Paul recalls. “I was receiving envelopes at the church. People were making so much food for the family, their grandmother had to say, ‘Hang on, we’re running out of room.’ Everyone wanted to help.”

Windsor philanthropist Alan Quesnel contacted Dan, saying he wanted to make a donation on behalf of the Alan Quesnel Family Foundation. He quoted a sizable sum.

“Next day, Al called me,” Dan remembers.

“He said, ‘Dan, I talked to God last night and he wants me to double the donation. Can you give me the church’s address?’”

The house donated by Mr. Alexander became the focal point. The business community refurbished and furnished the entire residence.

“Every pot, pan, and dish,” Dan continues.

“Bed linen. We replaced outside doors. I filled six roll-off bins cleaning the house out. As soon as people heard the story, they were at the house doing something.”

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For all the outpouring of community support, there has been an equal measure of intrusion by the media. The story of Chantell and Terrence adopting six children is an uplifting story in a year that many people would prefer to forget. It must be remembered, however, that the Hursts are just ordinary people living their lives.

They never sought, nor expected, such attention.

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EDUCATION

The Drive magazine in partnership with Libro Credit Union is challenging Grade 12 students to write an essay focused on their day-to-day lives.

Once a school is selected, the top five articles chosen by the teacher are further reviewed by our editorial team and the winner receives a $500 RESP from Libro Credit Union, along with publication of the essay in our issue.

Congratulations to Gabriel Rueda from Holy Names Catholic High School for being our March winner!

We are proud of all the participants and will continue to support our community through continued literacy and a path to higher education.

IN SUPPORT OF LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS

By Gabriel Rueda WINNER OF A $500 RESP FROM LIBRO CREDIT UNIO N

Businesses are classified as either small, medium or large.

Small businesses are necessities globally and in Canada. They are privately owned and usually contained within one city.

According to the Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP), a small business is one with annual revenue of $10 million or less. Service and retail operations are the most common type of small business. Generally, these businesses are only located in one city to follow the criteria of the CSBFP. Supporting small businesses is important because they bring innovation to consumers and contribute to the local economy.

Supporting a small business encourages entrepreneurs to be creative and innovative. With a saturated market of small businesses, owners must be smart to stand out. As of December 2018, 97.9% of businesses in Canada were categorized as small. Standing out is easier for large corporations, forcing the remaining small businesses to be more creative. Additionally, small businesses are quick to respond when it comes to new, innovative ideas. Instead, large corporations have many layers of management, and so it may take several months to approve an idea. Since small businesses can be quicker to innovate, employees are more likely to bring new ideas. Innovation benefits everyone, not just the business. For example, in 2004, Mark Zuckerburg invented Facebook, which allowed people to easily interact with each other.

As such, people were able to share their ideas with friends because of Zuckerburg’s innovation. In conclusion, supporting small businesses brings creative and innovative ideas to the market.

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Supporting small businesses also contributes to the local economy through their tax base, while providing job opportunities. More cash spent by these businesses goes towards the local economy since they are more likely to purchase from local shops, service providers and farmers.

According to a study done by Civic Economics, when a small business spends $100, $73 stays in the local economy compared to only $43 for others. Just supporting one of them will allow the whole community to prosper.

Additionally, supporting small businesses will lower unemployment in the community. Statistics Canada concluded that 66.3% of Canada’s workforce is employed by small businesses. As such, supporting these companies avoids high unemployment in communities. A striving local economy brings benefits to the public sector. Public places and services such as schools, parks and libraries will receive more funding as a result. Therefore, supporting small businesses contributes to the local economy, benefiting everyone in the community.

To summarize, supporting small businesses is more beneficial than large corporations.

Although large businesses like Walmart and Costco may be convenient and more affordable, they lack the innovation and community support that small businesses bring. More innovation produces a more effective and efficient life for everyone.

Additionally, a growing community improves living conditions and public services of the people. Thus, supporting small businesses is important because they bring creativity and local economic benefits. D

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INNER-VIEW

FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC: (NEARLY) 30 YEARS IN RADIO WITH GREG GNYP A changing industry, and the Gnyp who’d seen it all

By Alley L. Biniarz Photography by Syx Langemann

Greg Gnyp was one day away from celebrating his 30-year anniversary with radio station 89X when they let him, and other seasoned personalities, go.

a great financial idea for them! They saved a ton of money and their shareholders are going to be happy,” Greg says to me nonchalantly, infamous for his bluntness, even on air.

“Well, they say you’re not a professional in radio until you’ve been fired, so I guess I was a 30-year amateur!” he jokes in his classic “Gnyp” way as he tells me about how he and a few colleagues were let go in November 2020 from both 89X and The River by the Bell Media corporation, the most recent owners of the stations.

Still, Greg says that as sad as he was to lose his job, he doesn’t feel resentment. “I feel lucky because radio was fun until the day I got let go.” He enjoyed a weird and wonderful career—filled with whiskey tastings, beer fests, and DJ’ing some of the biggest music festivals—all while listening to and promoting good music.

Having been in radio for as long as he had, he saw the changing face of the industry, and says that once Bell bought the station, it shifted radio 100 percent away from anything to do with the joy of music and became more about selling.

“I sit back sometimes and think, huh, we certainly didn’t do it for the money… we were paid badly, oh did we get paid badly! But we did it because we loved it.” Greg reminisces about those early days of working 13 days on, one day off for federal minimum wage. Having been with 89X and CHUM—the original owners—since the company was three weeks old, “Gnyp” had the pleasure of being part of the golden years of the Windsor-Detroit music scene.

“I really realized I was becoming less and less of a DJ and more of a salesman under Bell Media. My job was to make you listen to the commercials and hopefully you wouldn’t turn them off.” He adds that the motive became about the numbers and not the people.

With all of this, he understands why people were let go. “It was 62

Greg was the “dorky, nerdy guy” in high school, so he still can’t believe some of the events he got to attend through the years. One of his first gigs was DJing “89X Stole Christmas” with 10,000 people

INNER-VIEW

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INNER-VIEW

in the stands, and his first real stage announcement was on the Pine Knob stage at DTE during the first Lollapalooza festival.

“During those first five or six years with 89X—I don’t know how to describe it—us DJs were almost like celebrities. Metro Times would write stories about us, and people would come line up by the tent while we broadcasted just to say hi,” he shares. “We were just this weird family of a bunch of goofy Canadians and Americans who were employed by radio for the first time, working as cheaply as possible, doing something so different and out there that it was kind of magical.”

Even before Bell bought the company, and they were sold by CHUM to CTV, Greg said that radio was already beginning to lose its freeform style to a corporate one. But despite the revolving rules and regulations, and though the DJs felt sad inside to put business in front of music, Greg says that his driving force came from his radio family.

“I always knew I had an awesome music family that I could dork out with. That was the cool balance; I was lucky to have program directors like Phat Matt. He was such a music head! You’d go into his office and spend an hour of the day listening to new music,” he says emphatically. “Or my last program director Jim would come into my office and be like ‘Gnyp! You’re going to be debuting the new such-andsuch… you’ve gotta hear it!’”

The team got to be authentic music dorks together and could always count on going out for beers after work and talking exclusively about music and radio. Greg says even though Bell didn’t seem to care about the music, the offices of Windsor still held that passion through and through. No corporation could ever stop the love of music. “I’m not trying to be the guy to badmouth the company who let him go, again it’s a great business move! But I think it’s leaving a big hole in the Windsor market,” he adds.

He laughs as he remembers his “pretty awesome life,” and transitions to tell me about a time where his ex-wife asked him if he was afraid of death. “And no, I don’t want to die,” he clarifies, “but I’m more afraid of not living. So maybe my adventure in radio is done now and I need to find something new to do?”

Of course, he’d still do radio if the opportunity presented itself, but Greg’s eternally optimistic attitude allows him to see the best in any situation. So, he’s currently spending his time writing a book called The Book of Ruby (and the pack)—which is about how he’s spent the last 12 years of his life learning to live sort of like a dog.

The idea came from a friend who said she’d written down the five things she learned from Greg’s late two-year-old pup Ruby Soho— named after the Rancid song—but Greg says he couldn’t just focus on Ruby because he’s learned so much from all of his thoughtfully named dogs. There’s Eliot Fitzgerald (after TS Eliot and F. Scott Fitzgerald), Primrose Grace (after a character in The Hunger Games and Grace Slick), and Pearl Eloise (for Pearl Bailey and “Eloise,” Greg’s favourite song by The Damned).

Along with learning to never hold a grudge, to always be unreasonably excited when you see your friends, to look people in the eyes, and that if you could give a person one kiss, give them two, Greg learned to stop and smell every flower. Ruby loved flowers, he says, and on one of their last walks she was sniffing a puffy, firework flower, and she suddenly just bit the stem, pulled the flower up, and took it with her.

So, the last line of Greg’s book, and the last word of advice he’ll give us from Ruby and the gang is, “Remember to stop and smell the flowers… and sometimes say f-it and take the flower with you.” D

The beautiful thing is, the group still texts one another to geek out over a new album drop or song release and Greg says, “That’s the one thing… looking back on 30 years in radio, it never got old talking to artists or hearing new songs.”

Greg has interviewed dozens of artists and met hundreds more throughout his career, but two stood out in particular. Ever since the early ’80s, The Smiths have been Greg’s favourite band. When the band’s former lead singer Morrissey was playing at the Meadow Brook Amphitheatre during his first solo tour in 1991, Greg’s boss’s car wasn’t running, and she needed a ride to the show. “Thank goodness I’d sabotaged her car!” Greg jokes. “As a result, she told me if I drove her, I could go to the show—and do the meet and greet.”

Greg didn’t hesitate and wound up going backstage to meet Morrissey before his show. “I’d always heard stories of him being rude during interviews, but we luckily caught him in a pleasant, laughing, and wonderful way. Now when I read those other stories about him being rude, I go, ‘Nope, not my Morrissey.’”

His other big-time celebrity sighting was a total fluke and happened when Greg was doing a live event before the Nine Inch Nails/David Bowie show at the Palace of Auburn Hills in 1995. The station had their booth set up at 3 p.m. when the show started at 6, and at first there was nothing to report on except the hot dog stand guy. That’s when Bowie came walking over and Greg was in complete shock to see him. Greg had to say something, but he didn’t want to be the guy that shouted, “I love your stuff” or “I have your every album” so he just blurted, “I like chicken!” It’s safe to say, that was probably the most memorable thing Greg could have said to a guy like Bowie.

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WHERE FRIENDS MEET IN WINDSOR! At Parks & Rec, you will always enjoy a unique and friendly atmosphere that is open 7 days a week for lunch, dinner, and drinks.

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www.parksrec.ca

FOOD

Lemon loaf BLUEBERRY

For this recipe you will need:

Spring is here. Celebrate all things fresh and fragrant with this delicious recipe!

LOAF MIX

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

Directions

1 ¼ tsp. baking powder

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9x5 loaf pan with butter.

½ tsp. salt

• In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt and set aside.

1/3 cup unsalted butter

• In the bowl of an electric mixer, blend melted butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, lemon zest, and lemon juice on medium speed until thoroughly combined.

1 cup granulated sugar 2 eggs

• On low speed, add the flour mixture and milk slowly, alternating between the two, a third at a time until it is combined.

¾ tsp. vanilla extract

• Add your blueberries to the mixture and with a spatula, gently fold them into the batter to incorporate.

2 tsp. grated lemon zest

• Pour batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake for 60 min. Use a toothpick to check for readiness at the end of the 60 min by sticking it into the middle of the loaf. It should come out completely clean, if it is a bit battery, add 5 min onto your baking time.

2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice ½ cup milk

• While the loaf bakes, combine the softened butter and powdered sugar to make the icing.

1 cup fresh blueberries 4-5 pieces of thinly sliced dehydrated ICING 2 tbsp. room temperature butter ½ cup powdered sugar

• Once finished, let the loaf rest in the pan for 20 minutes, then transfer it to a cooling rack.

• Once it’s on the cooling rack and still a bit warm, add your icing to the loaf so that it melts over the top.

• Finally, top the loaf with freshly grated lemon and dehydrated lemons for decoration, let cool and enjoy!

To make dehydrated lemon slices, thinly slice lemon about 3mm thick and place on parchment paper. Bake at 200 degrees for 1 hour, flip and bake for another 1 hour. D

Mona Elkadri is a lifestyle blogger with a fondness for everyday living and entertaining, from sweet recipes to home décor and DIY, and everything in between. Ohsomona.com

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REAR VIEW MIRROR

METROPOLITAN DEPARTMENT STORE ON OUELLETTE AVENUE On October 25, 1960, 10 people died and more than were 100 injured when a gas leak ignited during a furnace repair at the Metropolitan Department Store on Ouellette Avenue. The chaotic scene was captured shortly after the blast occurred by a photographer for the Windsor Police Services. The deadly explosion blew out the building’s rear wall, causing its second floor to collapse, trapping employees and customers; many had been sitting at the lunch counter. Hundreds of rescuers, including dozens of volunteers, scrambled through the rubble searching for victims. The building was torn down, the site unrecognizable in its current incarnation. D

1960 2021 From Windsor Before and After: a new book from Walkerville Publishing Inc., 2019. WPI is owned by Chris Edwards and Elaine Weeks.

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Quality. Experience. Style.

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Today, in Ontario, there are over 1,500 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. This is their only treatment option, and every 3 days someone will die because they did not get their transplant in time. But you can help. When you register your consent for organ and tissue donation, you let those waiting know that you would help them if you could. One donor can save up to 8 lives through organ donation and enhance the lives of up to 75 more through the gift of tissue. Len Martindale passed away two years ago and as an organ donor Len’s generous donation of his vital organs saved the lives of seven individuals. Martindale Window and Doors encourages you to visit www.beadonor.ca today.