16 - Southpoint Sun
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
THE APPLEFEST ‘PIE THRU’
Nicole, Ethan and Charlie Abdul-Massih have worked hard over six years to raise over $55,000 toward fighting childhood cancer. Photo submitted
Annual fundraiser goes virtual, raises $8,000 KINGSVILLE — The 6th annual Super Ethan’s Steps fundraiser for childhood cancer was a little different this year, but they managed to raise $8000 for the Pediatric Oncology Unit at Windsor Regional Hospital, despite dealing with COVID restrictions. The annual fundraiser, which began in 2015, has raised awareness about the disease and over $55,000 for children and families in Windsor-Essex affected by childhood cancer. In 2014, young Ethan Abdul-Massih was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. His parents, Nicole and Charlie spent a lot of time taking Ethan to his treatments and visiting the unit at the hospital. Ethan endured three-and-a-half years of treatment for his disease, completing his last treatment in 2017. Nicole and Charlie started the fundraiser to help others. “As a family who has been touched by childhood cancer, we understand how long those days can be,” says Nicole. “We understand how emotionally draining it can be.” With September being childhood
cancer awareness month, the event has been organized at the end of September each year and includes a walk through Kingsville from Lakeside Park. Following the walk, they did family activities, served snacks and refreshments and had a raffle table. Due to COVID this year, they opted to turn the event into a virtual one, with participants walking, biking and running with their family and friends on September 27. They also had a virtual raffle table. “Our goal is to help provide some comfort, care and smiles to children visiting the clinic due to their cancer diagnosis, as well as their family and loved ones who are with them there,” said Nicole. She was quick to point out the generosity of the local community, who have had a hand in helping them raise that $55,000. “None of this would ever be possible without the support of our Windsor-Essex community, who continue to amaze us with their kindness and generosity,” said Nicole.
Local food banks need donations WHEATLEY/LEAMINGTON/KINGSVILLE — Two massive food drives in Chatham-Kent and Windsor-Essex collected almost three million pounds of food, and about four months later, some local food banks are in need of food donations. The May 16 Miracle in Chatham-Kent set a new record for food collected in one day, with upwards of 500,000 pounds. It was followed by the June 27 Miracle in Windsor-Essex — an event that shattered that record, collecting two million pounds of food for the hungry. It’s now October and the Wheatley Area Food Bank is in need of donations.
According to Susan Fulmer from the food bank, their location is in need of canned meats, canned fruit, juice, soda crackers, peanut butter, jam, cereal, cookies, Sidekicks, instant oatmeal and soup. Any extra that you can spare can be dropped off at the Wheatley Baptist Church on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 am. You can also call the Food Bank at 519-8257433, extension 4, to make other arrangements. The Kingsville Community Food Bank is also looking for donations of canned flakes of ham and chicken, pudding cups, fruit cups, canned green beans, snack bars and hygiene products. They
are open Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 am – 12:45 pm and on Wednesdays from 5-7pm. They’re at 18 Division St. North. Over in Leamington, the Salvation Army Food Bank is accepting emergency food appointments only and ask that you call 519-326-4901 to make an appointment. The Leamington Society of St. Vincent DePaul Food Bank at St. Michael’s Church has plenty of food in their pantry and invites those in need to make their way to the church. They are open on Wednesdays from 12-1 pm and 5-6 pm, and Saturdays 10am to 12 noon.
RUTHVEN — Over 100 apple pies were sold online during the Virtual Ruthven Apple Festival last week and a drive-thru pickup for the apple pies was held on Saturday, October 3. All funds raised benefit Community Living Essex County. Here, mascot Ruthie Van Apple and volunteer Joanne DeSantis make sure one of the lucky recipients gets her pie. Photo submitted
Live concert coming to Boonies Drive-In By Mark Ribble TILBURY — The Boonies Drive-in will be the site of a live conert being held October 17. In this time of COVID restrictions, many performers have opted for livestream concerts from their basements. Many others feel the need to perform live in front of a real live audience. Such is the case with Leamington’s Mary Newland and the Blue Bayou Band. Newland and her husband, Richard Baker of Santana fame, have been performing together for many years and to have that down time is not something they are used to. The two Canadian musicians met in LA, where Richard became her producer and performing partner for many years. Returning home a few years ago, they’ve found success with the Blue Bayou Band. “We’ve sold out houses from Windsor to Port Stanley,” she said. “We’ve never had this lack of gigs like we’ve experienced this year.” Newland reached out to a few musician friends and they had a discussion about trying to put on a concert in the midst of the COVID restrictions. “In such times, concerts are not allowable, so I decided to create a COVIDsafe concert,” she said. “That’s when the idea of using a drive-in came up.” So, on October 17 at Boonies Drive-In near Tilbury, Newland and her bandmates will take the stage for the first time since March, performing in the First Annual Mon-
deprived of late,” said Newland. Each group will play a full set and the concert will end with a finale by all four groups on stage at once. One of Newland’s signature tunes is a medley of Santana hits, which showcases her husband’s MARY NEWLAND deep roots in the AND RICHARD BAKER band. When Newland arch Music Festival. “Windsor and Kings- came up with the idea of ville both have great mu- a concert, she reached out sic festivals,” she said. to Richard ‘Ziggy’ Schief“Why can’t Leamington er of Leamington, who owns Boonies Drive-In. have one?” “He didn’t hesitate to Joining the Blue Bayou Band will be Almost say yes,” she said. She is hoping this will Famous (Kingsville), The Fontaines (Windsor) and become an annual event. Concert-goers are enLeamington’s own Jody couraged to bring lawn Raffoul. Newland’s band, as the chairs and sit outside name suggests, spotlights their vehicles and are also the musical catalogue of asked to bring a mask for Linda Ronstadt, belting washroom and concesout tunes such as You’re sion stand visits. The gates open at 5 pm No Good, When Will I Be Loved and of course, Blue with the first act up at 6 pm. Bayou. There is room for 200 Almost Famous plays a mix of classic rock tunes, vehicles, plus some room while The Fontaines play around the perimeter of more to the Joni Mitchell/ the drive-in for buses, James Taylor crowd. Of campers and trailers, if course, Jody Raffoul has you are so inclined. The cost is $100 per a collection of his own songs and does some carload, up to five peofabulous covers of classic ple. Beyond five people in your car will incur an rock and roll songs. “Each of the acts have extra charge. The drive-in is located loyal followers, and music lovers are feeling a bit at 4625 Richardson Sideroad, just south of the 401 exit at County Rd. 42. You can book your spot by heading over to EventBrite.com and searching for the concert, or by picking up tickets in person at Wharram’s Jewellery, Thirteen at the Inn, or at Sissy and Roche in Kingsville. JODY RAFFOUL
