Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Southpoint Sun - 5
Helen Featherstone has seen a lot of changes
A real estate career that lasted 55 years By Mark Ribble WHEATLEY — When Helen Featherstone entered the real estate business in 1966, she didn’t imagine that she’d still be selling real estate into 2021, but she fell in love with a business that she made her whole life. She and her husband Gary Sr., were operating the Featherstone Shell station in downtown Wheatley, with three young children in tow, when Helen got the idea to go into real estate. She joined A.M. Wol-
bers Real Estate in Leamington and began learning the craft of buying and selling homes. Soon, she got her broker’s license and when the owner of the company died unexpectedly, Helen was able to purchase the business and soon changed the name to H. Featherstone Realty. Over those early years, the ups and downs of the real estate business were challenging, but she did well and soon her husband joined her in business in 1976.
Long-time area realtor, Helen Featherstone, is retiring on May 4.
Their son Gary Jr., fresh out of high school, joined the firm in 1979, making it truly a family business. With that, they developed that unique red sign that is visible from every roadway. “Everyone knew me as the girl with the red sign,” Helen said last week from her Wheatley home. “We had to spray them to keep them from fading.” She’s witnessed many changes over the years and watched markets go up and down, along with interest rates. The current market is a crazy one, although history tells Helen that it will eventually calm down a bit. After 55 great years in the business, Helen is retiring on May 4, but she has no regrets. “I’ve loved every minute of it,” she says. About two years ago, Helen sold the business to Camille and Patty Elters, who had worked for the company for many years. She’s confident that she’s left the business in very capable hands. “Camille and Patty
bought the business and I’m happy they took it over,” she said. At the time of the sale, Gary Jr. had recently passed away and Helen was going through some health battles of her own, so she was happy to have someone she could trust, take over the business. Now, it’s on to retirement, creating spare time in her life that she didn’t have before. With all of the new
spare time, she’s still not sure how she’s going to fill her days. “I used to love to golf, but there would always be a call from a client in the middle of the round,” she said. As much as she loves golf, her clients came first, so she gave up the golf clubs a few years ago. “It was a seven-day-aweek job, but I loved it,” she said. She can now spend ex-
tra time with her five remaining grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. “I hate to give it up, but this girl is retiring,” she added. Meanwhile, her husband Gary Sr., continues to work for H. Featherstone Realty and says he’s not contemplating any retirement at this time, but that’s okay with Helen. “It’s nice to still have a connection to it,” she said.
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Windsor Essex Child/Youth Advocacy Centre is Here to Help The centre has been in operation since October, 2018 If you or a loved one have experienced child abuse, the Windsor Essex Child/Youth Advocacy Centre has and they’ve supported 933 clients within that time period. As a result over 500 charges have been laid. resources to help you through the process. “We see an increase in cases each year,” said Oake. They provide a neutral, safe, and child friendly space Since all concerns of where child abuse investigations child abuse must be reported are hosted. through the Children’s Aid The Centre works with Society, and all emergencies Windsor Police Service, LaSalle must be reported by calling Police Service, Essex County 911, the centre works closely O.P.P., Children’s Aid Society, with their community partners Windsor Regional Hospital and to ensure these investigations the Sexual Assault Crisis Centre. are conducted efficiently. “We want people to know “By attending WECYAC, that we are here,” said Centre When we all rise together we can ensure that your President, Lynda Ware. “We child’s trauma is appropriately provide support for all of in unity, we build a stronger managed throughout the Windsor and Essex County.” foundation in supporting child/youth investigation intervention/ The Centre’s Executive ~ Lynda Ware victims of abuse. treatment,” Oake added. Director, Michelle Oake, says For Lynda Ware, it’s about community engagement. that the Centre is there to help families navigate the The Centre is a registered charitable organization complex child abuse system and the support services in and they work on about a $200,000 annual budget, of place. “We are one of only 32 child advocacy centres in which the Federal government provides partial funding Canada,” said Oake. “In the United States, there are over at this point in time. They rely on local fundraisers for the rest. Last fall, 900 Child Advocacy Centres.” The Windsor Essex Child Youth Advocacy Centre they held a Ladies New-To-You Sale at the Riverside is located at the Health Science Toldo Building on Sportsman’s Club and plans are in the works for a St. Clair College Campus and will provide transportation plantables event this spring. You can also donate to the centre by logging on to anyone needing their services. When a child abuse report is received, they to their website at wecyac.ca or sending a cheque to provide long-term support services to children and WECYAC, 2000 Talbot Rd. West, Suite 3304, Mailbox 12, make appropriate referrals to their community partner Windsor, ON N9A 6S4. The Centre is very active on social media with their organizations. “We believe that kids should only have to tell their Facebook account being @WECYAC, while Twitter and Instagram can be found @WE_CYAC. story once,” said Ware.
Camillia DiPasquale, one of WECYAC’s Child Advocates, is photographed in the Centre waiting for a family to arrive.
