DECOR-REST has channeled our inner Zen with this livable lounge sectional. At 61” square this chaise is the perfect way to decompress at the end of a long day. Arriving this fall to the EHF showroom, come in to let the team help customize this stylish sectional to fit your home.
MOVIE TIME MAGIC!
Get ready for family movie night. There is room for everyone to have the best seat in the house. This great new sofa or chair ½ instantly becomes a lounge or extra bed. Available in custom covers, you can define your space and make this functional for your family’s needs.
SIZING SOLUTIONS MADE EASY
Fabulous Fall for
Finally, a sectional that can help accommodate varying body types. You can customize this set to be deep on one side and shallow on the other. Available in 42” and 39” depths, create the perfect fit for you. Select one side deep and cuddly and the other, standard seating for when you don’t feel like lounging. Make both sides deep or both sides shallow. The choice is yours.
Estate planning mistakes to avoid
Advice for ensuring a smooth transfer of wealth.
Every year in Canada, billions of dollars in estate assets are transferred at death. Sometimes these transfers don’t go as smoothly as expected. There are, however, ways to minimize the risk of problems by keeping a few points in mind during the estate planning process. Careful planning and review of existing plans can help to ensure that the assets you’ve spent a lifetime accumulating go to the people you’ve selected, in the way you intend.
I’ve highlighted a few of the most important factors to consider when planning your estate. Of course, each highlighted factor requires significant explanation and understanding to ensure the smooth transition you are seeking.
Will planning
A basic and all too common mistake is not preparing a will. A will communicates your intentions and allows you – rather than the government – to determine how your assets will be distributed when you die. A will facilitates the administration of your estate and can help you avoid some taxes. It also allows you to choose the executor of your estate and the guardians of your children.
Tax implications
Often people intend to split their assets equally between beneficiaries – for example, between three children. However, if you fail to consider the tax consequences, the wealth transfer may not turn out equal at all!
Another example of failing to consider the tax implications often involves second marriages or separated and estranged spouses. Understanding these implications is extremely important.
Tax issues may feel complicated, I can help you to sort out appropriate solutions related to both investments, life insurance and retirement savings.
Beneficiaries
When a life event such as a birth, death, marriage, separation or divorce occurs, people often remember to review and update their will, but may forget to review their beneficiaries. This common oversight could greatly affect the realization of your final wishes. When naming a beneficiary, it’s also important to consider the age of the individual.
Joint ownership
Oft times, individuals choose joint ownership for “simplicity” yet fail to consider the implications of such a choice. I can explain.
After a lifetime of carefully saving, investing and planning, you want the peace of mind of knowing your assets will be distributed as you intended. As a well-established, trusted advisor, I can partner with you to make the best choices for your situation.
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE, PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL
Barbara Allen, HBA, CFP
PUBLISHER/EDITOR Robert E. Robinson
CONTRIBUTING Matthew St. Amand WRITERS Serafina Piasentin
Michael Seguin
Fred Groves
Alysia Therrien Alley L. Biniarz
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Carol Garant
ART DIRECTOR Michael Pietrangelo
PRODUCTION George Sharpe
PHOTOGRAPHERS John Liviero, Sooter’s Photography
Michael Pietrangelo
Serafina Piasentin
Florida Panthers Marketing
CBC Gem
Lauren Vandenbrook
Jose Ed Ramirez
ADVERTISING SALES 519-979-5433
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Windsor Life Magazine is published by Campbell McGregor Garant Publishing Incorporated. Articles and art may not be reprinted without written permission from the publishers. The publishers assume no responsibility to return unsolicited editorial or graphic material. Windsor Life Magazine is a registered trademark of Campbell McGregor Garant Publishing Incorporated, Suite 318-5060 Tecumseh Road East, Windsor, Ontario N8T 1C1. Telephone (519) 979-5433, Fax (519) 979-9237. All rights reserved. ISSN 11955694. Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 43512513.
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PLEASE RECYCLE
Tinnitus describes hearing a sound in the absence of external sound.
Often described as ringing, hissing, roaring, whooshing and clicking, tinnitus can negatively impact our concentration, sleep and emotional well-being. Ranging in severity from mild to debilitating, it can occur sporadically, intermittently, continuously as well as pulsate or change in pitch and loudness.
Often, this can be the brain’s response to hearing loss. However, sometimes it is associated with other causes that may require further medical evaluation.
Tinnitus often comes on gradually as we age, but can also occur in children and adults. Hearing loss is one of the largest risk factors for tinnitus, as is long-term or sudden exposure to loud noise.
While lab work, imaging studies and noise machines can sometimes aid in the treatment of tinnitus, tinnitus retraining therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy can also help. Hearing devices with integrated tinnitus programs are one of the most common and effective treatments. The use of Bluetooth streaming in hearing aids has now added the ability to use treatment apps to provide the tinnitus sufferer with even more tools to help!
Can you benefit from income splitting?
Income splitting is a strategy that aims to level out income earned by married or common-law spouses with the goal of reducing the household’s tax bill. An added benefit is that income splitting can help protect income-tested benefits such as Old Age Security, which is reduced at a higher income.
Canada has a graduated tax system meaning as Canadians earn more, they pay a higher rate of tax on the higher earning. For example, in 2024, the tax on taxable income $55,867 or less is 20% – but every dollar earned above that up to $111,733 is taxed at 32%.
What income qualifies for income splitting?
Only certain types of income qualify for income splitting, and the biggest opportunity is in retirement when you can split up to half of eligible pension income with your married or common-law spouse.
Pension income eligible for income splitting includes:
• Life annuity payments from a Registered Pension Plan (RPP) at any age
• Variable pension benefits from an RPP starting at age 65
• Withdrawals from a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) or Life Income Fund (LIF) starting at age 65
• Income from an annuity, including an annuity purchased with a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) or Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan (DPSP), starting at age 65
In addition, a couple can share Canada Pension Plan (CPP)/Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) income, whether one or both spouses contributed. The portion that’s sharable depends on how many months spouses lived together while contributing to the CPP/QPP. Couples cannot share the CPP post-retirement benefit, which is earned by those who both contribute to, and receive benefits from, CPP/QPP between the ages of 60 and 69 inclusive. You cannot split Old Age Security, U.S. Individual Retirement Account (IRA) income or any other foreign pension.
Can you split income while working?
A spousal (or common-law partner) RRSP allows working couples to split some income right away and lay the groundwork for more equal income in retirement.
Here’s how it works: The higher-income spouse contributes to the spousal RRSP on behalf of the lower-income spouse. In return, the higher-income spouse uses their RRSP contribution room and deducts the contribution at their marginal tax rate, which would likely be higher if their income was higher. Meanwhile, the lower-income spouse builds up retirement savings and then, in retirement, withdrawals from the spousal RRSP will be taxed in that spouse’s hands. Regular reviews required.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.
Actress Sarah Booth
Lauren Vandenbrook
THE PIZZA YOU PICK UP IS THE BETTER PIE!
We’re often asked why we don’t offer traditional delivery. The reason: QUALITY.
Traditional delivery often requires that drivers take multiple orders per run. To keep warm, pizzas are placed inside insulated delivery bags. Bags trap steam. Steam is the enemy of a crispy crust and can make pizzas soggy. That’s why we deliver party and catering orders the same way you pick up—no delivery bags allowed!
Another benefit of no delivery bags—we don’t have to worry about high moisture content pizza sauce contributing to the sogginess. We put more sauce on your pizza. More sauce equals more flavour. Who doesn’t want a more flavourful pizza pie!
I recommend, that even if you’re not an Antonino’s customer, the next time you order pizza from your favorite pizzeria, pick it up—it’ll be a better pie.
President Antonino’s Original Pizza Inc.
Bagless
(Subject
The Pynn family pickup at Antonino’s Original Pizza’s newest location in Riverside.
Concept to Completion
Publisher’s Note
Our Autumn Edition is coming just in time. On August 31 my wife’s brother and his wife hosted a pool party. The weather was a beautiful sunny and 27˚C (81˚F). On September 2 we had a low of 7.2˚C and a high of 16˚C (45-61˚F). How on earth does Mother Nature change that much for the first day of school? It’s like she knows.
It is like a switch is thrown and suddenly it is Autumn. By the time this edition of Windsor Life Magazine reaches the more than 60,000 addresses we regularly deliver to, how much more will it change?
Time for all of us to switch to Fall mode. Get out the sweaters and light jackets and get outside. I know, I say the same nearly every year at this time but Autumn is the best time to enjoy the outdoors. The humidity is low, most of the bugs are gone (except for the crazy yellowjackets), the temperature is much more bearable and people seem to be in a better mood.
Get those daily walks done that you’ve been planning. There are still plenty of great days for bike rides or boat rides. Many people leave their pools open hoping that there will still be some warm weekends to enjoy. Fall golfing is spectacular with the changing leaves and more bearable temperatures despite the added difficulty of finding lost balls amongst the fallen leaves.
It is also a great time to start planning changes to your home. Working outside can be at a much more casual pace and preparing your outdoor space for next year will ease the rush of the Spring season. If you still have some outdoor projects that you wanted to tackle before winter, time is not on your side.
Remember the season switch I referred to earlier. It can and probably will go in the opposite direction and just as quickly when Winter ends next year. Don’t be caught wishing you had done more this year when the temperature rockets 25˚C overnight in April.
One of the great benefits of living in Southwestern Ontario (and there are many) is that we get to fully experience every season. I hope you embrace the changes in the weather like I do.
Bob Robinson
Actual Project
THE GENUINE ARTICLE
Sarah Booth Co-Stars in a Haunting, Mesmerizing Mini-Series Now Streaming on CBC Gem
STORY BY MATTHEW ST. AMAND
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAUREN VANDENBROOK
HAVE YOU EVER WISHED you could change your life? That you could go back in time—a week, a month, a year, or more—and make a different decision at a crucial crossroad that would steer you around some nuisance or catastrophe and hone your happiness in the present?
The CBC mini-series, Plan B, starring Windsor’s Sarah Booth, offers up the possibility of people doing just this. The fascinating aspect of this series is that just because people go back in time for a “do over” doesn’t mean they make good decisions when they have that chance.
Meeting actress Sarah Booth is like stepping into the multiple timelines of Plan B. One might know her as agent, Yvette Nicole, in the Prime series Three Pines, or as Winnifred in the film Rent Do, or Beth in the movie Last Call, or any of the characters she has portrayed in shows like Murdoch Mysteries, Pretty Hard Cases and Star Trek: Discovery.
In this corner of reality, she is Sarah.
Born and raised in Ormstown, Quebec—an hour outside of Montreal— Sarah lived with her family: Gregg Hansen, Anne Manseau and her brother Tim, who is older by eighteen months.
Acting was not Sarah’s first aspiration, but over the course of years it became her Plan B.
“I grew up with a family that wasn’t into media or film and I didn’t realize acting was a possibility for me,” she explains. “I was always onstage as a child, dancing mostly. Our town had a dance school. That was my way of releasing my passion at the time.”
During those childhood years, Sarah was also an avid horseback rider, competing at area equestrian events.
“I had an uncle who was a spokesman for Audi, which sponsored some of these events,” Sarah remembers. “He would show up and give a short speech, hand out trophies, and I guess seeing the collaboration between one of my
Clockwise from left: Actress Sarah Booth. Photo by Lauren Vandenbrook; scene from CBC Gem mini-series Plan B, Sarah Booth as Keri speaking with Vinessa Antoine, who starred as Mia. Photo courtesy of CBC; Sarah Booth’s character, Keri, in a stressful moment in Plan B Photo courtesy of CBC.
passions—horseback riding—and public speaking, made it seem like something I could do.”
Sports was the primary extracurricular activity in Sarah’s high school. Toward the end of her time there, an arts program began. That was time enough.
“It was only after I was cast in a play that I stood back and thought: ‘Oh, this all makes sense,’” she recalls. “I wasn’t a singer. Wasn’t good enough to be a dancer. But acting? That was something I could do.”
One of the first creative projects the arts program undertook was the stage musical, Fame. Sarah auditioned as a ballerina, but her drama teacher wanted her to play the lead, Carmen.
“For me, being artistic was just an extracurricular activity,” Sarah says. “I never thought it could lead me to my career… the whole path of my life. When my teachers took me seriously, that framed it differently… made it seem possible.”
After graduating high school, Sarah attended the Professional Theatre (Acting) Program at Dawson College in Montreal. That was her first experience with the audition process.
“I was never so terrified!” she says. “We had to audition to get into Dawson. I had to perform a song, recite a sonnet and deliver a monologue. I was terrified that I would just blank! When it was over, I had no idea how I did. Then I found out I got in!”
In her program at Dawson College, Sarah learned what a life devoted to acting required of a person.
“It was a shock when I learned what it was all about,” she says. “I was at school two to three times longer than anyone else, attending my classes, personal rehearsals and working on plays. I realized all the extra hustle behind this career that a lot of people don’t see. You’ve got to want it.”
And then, in a flash right out of the CBC Gem show, Plan B, Sarah finds herself a successful working actress who has earned dozens of screen credits.
She married filmmaker Gavin Michael Booth on Christmas Eve 2012. Together, they have collaborated on several film projects, most notably the 2014 horror movie The Scarehouse, was picked up by NBC/ Universal. In 2019, they collaborated on the feature-length drama Last Call where Sarah portrayed a night janitor who receives a wrong-number telephone call from a desperate man trying to reach a suicide prevention hotline. If that premise is not sufficiently gripping, the movie occurs s
in split screen, following both characters in real-time, no cuts. The resulting film is a multi-faceted tour-de-force.
Sarah was awarded the ACTRA Performer of the Year for her portrayal of Beth in Last Call.
For a working actress, the auditions never end. In July 2023, Sarah auditioned for a role in Season Two of the English version of the Quebecois TV series, Plan B, for CBC Gem.
“I have an agent who submits me for roles they think I’m suitable for,” she explains. “The casting directors for Plan B were from Montreal and knew my work. I heard there was interest in me, and I was called for a ‘chemistry read.’ I happened to be visiting my parents at that time. They were choosing the actor who would play the husband of the character they were considering me for. He had been in Three Pines, and we knew each other. Our chemistry read went really well.”
A week after auditioning for Plan B, Sarah got the news: the role was hers.
Filming began in August last year and production wrapped in February.
The second season of Plan B stars Vinessa Antoine as police officer Mia Coleman who seeks to change her actions after her intervention in a domestic dispute goes disastrously wrong. Sarah’s character is at the center of the abusive relationship. The series is dark and challenging, involving a time-travel subplot. The resulting six episodes are a haunting, mesmerizing experience.
What does Sarah think of the final product?
“I’m very happy with it,” she says. “I’m really impressed with the whole production. It’s shot beautifully.”
There is no rest for the working actor. Sarah’s next role is in the Fox medical drama, Doc, starring Molly Parker.
Reflecting on her career, Sarah says: “I’m extremely privileged to do this job. I go to a gym here in Windsor where everyone next to me are police officers, firefighters, nurses, teachers… I find it very fun that people are fascinated by my job, but I also find it really crazy because the people around me are the ones I take from. They’re my inspiration. And that’s why I love living in Windsor because these are the people that I play.”
Plan B is streaming now on CBC Gem. To see the breadth and depth of roles Sarah has played throughout her career, check out her actor showcase at: www.vimeo.com/ showcase/5650335. WLM
Bishop’s Dinner
Seminary Rector, Fr. Denis Grecco will unveil an exciting project to restore and preserve the Seminary’s stunning St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel, an architectural gem of our diocese.
Tickets $185 each or Table of Eight $1300
Thursday October 24, 2024
Ciociaro Club of Windsor
Jeremie and Kimberly Bornais parishioners of St. John the Baptist in Amherstburg have accepted Bishop Fabbro’s invitation to be this year’s Honorary Co-Chairs.
The Bishop’s Dinner is a celebration of our Catholic faith and the important work of St. Peter’s Seminary. In addition to supporting the Seminary, a donation to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Windsor-Essex Central Council will be presented to assist them in serving the increasing needs of people in our communities.
Kimberly
Bishop Ronald Fabbro, CSB
and Jeremie Bornais honorary co-chairs
Photo by Judith Ponti-Sgargi
Local Band Joins Teaze For Reunion Performance
STORY BY MICHAEL SEGUIN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSE ED RAMIREZ
IF I CAN RUDELY INSERT MYSELF into the story, I’d like to point out that—as a Writer for Windsor Life Magazine past six-odd years—very few interviews still surprise me.
Stone Luck found a way: “Hello!” Vince Shepley answers the phone. “This is Bon Jovi, Paul McCartney, Kurt Cobain, and Trent Reznor. How can we help you?”
Stone Luck is a local original and cover band consisting of Tom Watson (Lead Vocalist and Guitar), Joe Maurovic (Drummer), Riccardo Santia (Bass and Vocals) and Vince Shepley (Guitar & Vocals).
The band was formed the way most bands are formed— with a pair of bored musicians sitting around.
“Joe and I were sitting on our hands, so to speak,” Vince recalls. “And we realized that we weren’t getting any younger. So, we decided to start a band!”
Tom Watson was the first musician they recruited to their new enterprise.
“He was relatively unknown when we discovered him,” Vince states. “He’s our little diamond-in-the-rough. He was keeping to himself, but he’s a true musician. He’s been writing songs forever. We ran into him and the rest is history.”
Next, they poached Riccardo, who had already built something of a name for himself across the country.
“Joe is the most ambitious in the group,” Vince states. “He’s a founding member of Timeline. He’s traveled all over Canada with the Kiss tribute band Destroyer.”
And so Stone Luck.
While many of us are not musicians, everyone understands the importance of a well-honed group dynamic. How the push and pull of personalities can either lead to harmony or
Stone Luck members (l-r): Riccardo Santia, Vince Shepley, Tom Watson, Joe Maurovic.
tragedy. How you can either come together towards a common goal or pull each other apart.
Stone Luck, however, is a band in every sense of the word. The four musicians have a true collaborative spirit, resulting in a wholly unique sound.
“There’s a true brotherhood here,” Vince explains. “Not one of us is a virtuoso. There’s no Eddie Van Halen or Neil Peart here. We’re a band. We play and perform as a band. We’re wide open with each other. We’re able to say to each other, ‘Hey, you messed up here.’ We’re able to recognize our own weak links. And otherwise, our chain is fully united.”
Stone Luck credits their age with bringing them this close.
“We’re more mature than a lot of bands,” Vince admits. “Maybe a 22-year-old would go ballistic if you tell them they’re a hair out of tune, but we won’t. And we’ve seen other bands succumb to drama—where it’s all about the guitar player or the singer or whoever. We don’t have that. It’s all about what we’re doing as a collective. There’s no ego in the band. We just get along with each other.”
Stone Luck has been lighting up Windsor for years now. They describe themselves as a band that has mastered “both sides of the coin.” They’re able to play the usual crowd-pleasing favourites, as well as their own original music.
And for Stone Luck, nothing compares to the sensation of standing atop a stage.
“For me, it’s the most natural high you can get,” Vince states. “It’s an absolute blast. It’s the culmination of all the work you put in during the day.”
“There’s no better feeling than seeing everyone having a good time and appreciating your music,” Joe admits.
“It’s like we’re flying and the crowd is coming right along with us,” Tom explains.
Riccardo is more succinct: “Adrenaline rush.”
Vince laughs at Riccardo’s statement.
“If you ask around Windsor, you’ll quickly hear something funny about Riccardo,” he states. “That he’s the guy with the most energy. He never stops moving! And that’s because he’s a world-renowned boxer! If you Google his name, he comes up in Japan as a trainer. He’s also a well-known Massage Therapist with a practice in Tecumseh.”
Which brings up an interesting point. As with almost all musicians, the Stone Luck crew has day jobs. But what’s interesting about them is how the skills they’ve s
developed in their “civilian identities” have contributed to their success.
“Tom is a Vice President of Sales,” Vince explains. “Joe has been a Business Owner. Riccardo also teaches at the college in his spare time. And I’m a Director of Procurement. Together, the skills we bring to the table are collectively salesmanship and an entrepreneurial spirit. More to the point, we’re all lifelong learners. We don’t believe that we have all the answers. There’s always something new to improve upon.”
As well, Vince confesses to a hidden X Factor to their success:
“I also make really good salsa,” Vince explains. “Sometimes I bring a bowl to practice.”
While Stone Luck has performed dozens of shows, a few stick out in their memory. One such show was a fundraiser they played at during 2015 for Transition to Betterness at the Walkerville Theatre.
“That was a phenomenal experience,” Vince recalls. “The whole venue was completely sold out. The balcony was packed. The dance floor was full. That then lead us to open for Our Lady of Peace in Leamington at the Hogs for Hospice event. And anytime we can play our original music, it’s exciting!”
Stone Luck has several upcoming shows. Most significantly, they’ll be opening for Teaze at their 50th Anniversary at the Olde Walkerville Theatre on October 19th.
“Mark Bradac, the guitar player of Teaze, saw a bunch of our music videos.” Vince explains. “He saw our most recent video ‘Mary Go Round’ and was impressed, so he invited us to open for them. It should be an incredible night! It’s Teaze’s first time performing together in years and we’re going to be there right alongside them!”
Stone Luck already has several gigs booked for 2025.
“I’d say we’re in the prime of our life!” Vince states. “In the meantime, we’ll be hard at work in the studio. We’ve got a lot of new and exciting things we’re trying. And we’re going to make more music videos.”
The bandmates credit their fans with keeping them inspired throughout the creative process.
“We’ve established a really loyal following,” Vince explains. “And we’d like to thank them for all their support.”
More information about Stone Luck is available on their Facebook page (facebook.com/StoneLuck11) and their YouTube page (youtube.com/@StoneLuckBandWindsor).
Spencer has joined the Firm as an Associate in the Business Law Group of our Windsor Office. Prior to Shibley Righton LLP, Spencer articled and was an associate at a local law firm in Windsor where he practiced in the areas of corporate law and wills and estates. Spencer is passionate about providing creative and practical solutions for his clients, catering to their unique and specific needs. Spencer will continue to focus on his growing practice with Corporate transactions, Estate planning, and Estate administration.
To
519-967-3784
spencer.hsu@shibleyrighton.com
NEW AND NOTICED
HOSPICE FACE TO FACE CAMPAIGN
Face To Face Campaign Chair, John Fairley (left) and Windsor Life Magazine Publisher, Bob Robinson, were at the kickoff for the 22nd Annual Face to Face Campaign. Over the last 21 years, The Hospice Face to Face Campaign has raised over 1.6 million dollars in support for the Fairley Family Transportation Program, which provides rides for Hospice patients and families across our community. Donate now until September 30th at thehospice.ca or call 519-974-7100.
LOCAL WELDER CREATES A TRIBUTE TO GORDIE HOWE
Local Businessman and MacDonald Muffler owner, Peter Solly (pictured right) and his son Joshua, built a statue of Gordie Howe in the spirit of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge, which is currently on display on the second floor of Art Windsor Essex. They built the bridge with a young Gordie holding two sticks as towers to symbolize the strength and the construction of the bridge as well as the unsung construction workers that risk their lives every day to build it. To view more of Peter’s sculptures, visit the Photos section at facebook.com/MacdonaldFullServiceAuto.
RE/MAX PREFERRED REALTY LTD.
Glen Muir, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. in Windsor-Essex County has officially acquired RE/MAX Chatham-Kent Realty Ltd. His first move was to improve the facilities and moving to a centralized office at 250 St. Clair. Now with over 175 Realtors, RE/MAX Preferred has locations in Chatham, Tilbury, East Windsor, South Windsor, Amherstburg and Leamington. Congratulations Glen and the RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. team on this expansion and for your continued growth. remax-preferred.ca
TRANSITION TO BETTERNESS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Alexandria Fischer is the new Executive Director of Transition to Betterness (T2B), an organization dedicated to providing comfort to patients and families impacted by life-altering illnesses in Windsor-Essex County for over 25 years. With over 20 programs, including Paediatric, Palliative, and Oncology support, have become crucial pillars of care and comfort in our community. Alexandria’s extensive experience in non-profit management, strategic planning, and community engagement aligns perfectly with T2B’s mission. t2b.ca
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REWILDING FARMLAND
Couple Takes on Their Biggest Landscaping Project to Date
STORY BY ALLEY L. BINIARZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL PIETRANGELO
MANY DREAM OF LIVING surrounded by forest but how many would do what it takes to make their own bush lot? Denise and Andy were at a loss when looking for a lush, wooded lot in the Windsor-Essex area in the late 90s. Although the area is known for its stunning Carolinian forest, there isn’t much tree cover left given the sprawling farmland. The couple knew that in order to create the space they dreamed of living in, they would have to take matters into their own hands— even if it meant not seeing it come to full fruition for two decades.
Looking at their luscious yard now, it’s hard to imagine that this land was once 100 acres of pure farmland. “That was it when we bought it, just a corn field with no trees,” Andy explains the land’s initial conditions. “We knew we had to buy the farm and create our own. That was the idea: to have some trees planted in the back and allow bush to naturally grow around.”
With Denise’s college degree in Horticulture and their collective experience with owning and operating a greenhouse and nursery for 10 years, the two had both the knowledge and the passion to take on this feat of converting barren land into something unique.
Clockwise from above: Swimming pool with waterfall and dock over to pond; glimpse of house and pond; view of front garden with Hydrangeas; dragon on faux rock wall; one acre winding pond with bridge; the pond edge with metal Herons that Andy made.
They couldn’t wait to get started. Even before Andy and Denise started building their house, they took to planting out some trees. Their initial plan was to put in a Christmas tree farm, so they took off planting rows of evergreens like Balsam and Spruce; aside from a few Scots pine that are now over 30 feet high, the rest didn’t take because of the intense clay soil on the land.
This would be a long learning process, they realized. Although it wasn’t their first try at planting out a property, it was definitely the first of this magnitude. “We’ve built houses before in the Tecumseh area but with a regular sized lot. Once we landscaped it, it was done. Here, we have an ongoing project,” Andy says. They knew they wanted something more substantial, so they first sized up from a city lot with their previous home where they also started plotting out a woodlot and came close to planting 1000 trees. This new property, however, has been a journey of rewilding an entire seven acres, while renting the rest out to a farmer.
They couldn’t have imagined the work that this project would be to undertake. The property consists of a bit of everything including annual plants, trees, shrubs, faux rock structures, multiple ponds and bubbling rocks. Denise is a wonderful guide through the property, detailing just a few of the many species of trees that live on their plot (thankfully, she’s given the common names, but she was ready and willing to demonstrate her Horticulture background by sharing their Latin names as well.)
“People love the Tri Colour Beech Tree, the Kentucky Coffee, Mimosa and Yellow Chain Trees. Everyone especially loves the Princeton Gold Maple, which gives us an autumnal yellow tree almost all year until they fade to a green. We even have the Dawn Redwoods planted here, which are normally found in California.”
She continues to describe the structural design work that they have contributed to the property over the years, including the seven-foot gargoyle statue that Andy created. Although this smaller dragon is purchased, Andy is currently working on his own six-foot sprouting dragon for the little pond. Denise adds that she loves medieval fantasy and has filled the yard with smaller statues throughout, including another gargoyle and a wizard that she created in stained glass. Their newest feature that readers can see captured within the article is the completely manmade rock wall.
They admit that seven acres was a big undertaking. “It’s a big commitment and a s
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lot of maintenance, especially in the summer with the upkeep with the weeds, the watering and keeping the lawn cut,” Andy says. Thankfully, he shares that they had some physical and financial aid from ERCA (Essex Region Conservation Authority) when putting in their larger pond. The organization recognized that this rewilding initiative would help attract wildlife to the area and they were right. Denise and Andy have seen an inspiring amount of nature and wildlife return to what was otherwise a barren area and they say it’s beautiful to watch the hummingbirds, the frogs, the foxes and more come back into their habitat thanks to their landscaping.
Although the road hasn’t been an easy one, there have been far more benefits than downfalls. Denise shares that one of the most exciting parts for them has been watching everything that they planted out as small seedlings grow bigger each spring season. They started everything that way, so it’s been quite the transformation to watch unfold. “The property is very us now,” Andy says. “We’re not much for watching T.V. so this is our hobby. In our spare time we pick away at it, not to get it done and over with, but because we love it.”
Denise’s favourite part of living on this property is when she looks out from the balcony and sees all of the trees in their full glory around the pond; Andy’s is when you come up to the house you can see the faux rock wall in their newest garden. They both love seeing how their gardens have filled in and to be in the lesser maintenance phase of the project now.
When asked what future projects he’s working on (because there’s always something), Andy says that the bridge he put in over their pond 15 years ago that was made of wood has started sagging. “My newest idea is to take the Gordie Howe Bridge and make a model to go across the pond, replacing the old bridge,” Andy says excitedly. “I’ve already picked up some of the steel and material and wiring. I’ve taken so many shots of the bridge, trying to make it look as similar as possible as a model.” He jokes saying he hopes he’s not encroaching on any copyright, but it’s been a fun creative project to take on and should be done just as the new bridge is unveiled in about a year.
Although the work is never done and they continue to prune, maintain and dream up the next phase of the landscape, at least now they can look back at 23 years of work and see how much their tended efforts have grown. WLM
Back: Susie, Dr. Ed MacMurdo, Sarah. Front: Jade, Hanna.
It was the second week of freshman year — Sept. 15, 1995 — and Mary J. Blige’s “You Bring Me Joy” was playing on the stereo.
“All of us got up to dance. We kind of locked eyes, I smiled, he smiled, walked across the dance floor, and we started dancing,” Andrea Franklin, BA ‘99, reminisced.
“The feeling was mutual when we first saw each other,” Jermain Franklin, BA ‘99, added.
The husband and wife met at an off-campus event hosted by the University of Windsor’s Caribbean Student Association. They have been together ever since.
While studying communications, Jermain gained critical writing skills and volunteered to get a feel for the business, allowing him to dive headfirst into sports journalism post-graduation.
He reported in Toronto before securing a job at TSN in Calgary, where he built a distinguished career. He covered Stanley Cup finals, World Juniors, NBA finals featuring basketball superstars like LeBron James and Steph Curry, and the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.
“I feel truly blessed to be able to do that,” Jermain shared. “It’s a lot of fun.”
One of the biggest highlights for Jermain has been his return to Ontario as a host on TSN’s SportsCentre.
“To come back and be on the anchor desk, that was a big deal to me,” he said. “I’d say that’s been the most significant. It’s good to be back home.”
Andrea found her calling in helping others and making a difference in her community. While working at UPS in Calgary, she localized the “Pulling4U” event, where volunteers haul a commercial airplane, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the United Way.
Now, she serves as the company’s first community relations manager in Canada.
“It’s about finding projects and people to uplift and support,” Andrea explained. “Educating our employees on what’s happening around them, finding causes that matter to our people and finding ways to bring them to that cause.”
The couple carries their UWindsor experience with them throughout their careers and everyday life, from practical skills to the community they’ve built.
“Every semester, when I worked at the academic writing centre, we’d go to classrooms and do presentations about the resources available to students,” said Andrea. “As someone who’s shy, that experience helped me develop those communication skills.”
“I learned to survive, how to make everything work with what we had,” Jermain said. “I think what made that special is the
UWindsor alumni couple reflects on their lasting legacy
friendships that we made, friendships I still have to this day.”
Now, their daughter Micah is attending their alma mater, pursuing a Drama in Education and Community degree.
“It was nostalgic and exciting when she chose Windsor,” Andrea said.
“Since she grew up in Calgary, we thought she’d want to go back for university, but Windsor had the program she wanted. So, when she chose it, we had the warm fuzzies,” Jermain said.
The couple is proud of Micah’s choice because, to the Franklins, being a Lancer is special.
“I know what we bring to the table is different than any other school,” Jermain said. “The Ambassador Bridge right over the top of campus symbolizes a bridge to opportunities.”
As the University of Windsor celebrates Alumni Week, stories like the Franklins’ remind us of the legacy of our Lancer community. Share your story at uwindsor.ca/ alumni/UWindsorLegacy
From left: Micah, Jermain, Andrea, and Samson Franklin at the 2023 EDI Awards, where Jermain received the Alumni Award at the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ont.
AARON EKBLAD
Belle River Native Climbs to the Pinnacle of Success in the NHL
STORY BY MATTHEW ST. AMAND PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF FLORIDA PANTHERS MARKETING
THE SEEDS OF the Florida Panthers’ 2024 Stanley Cup success were sewn a year before in the team’s bitter loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
“Last year, I followed every superstition in the book to sway the Finals our way!” says Belle River native and Florida Panthers defenceman, Aaron Ekblad. “When it came to Edmonton, this year, I abandoned all superstitions, all jinxes. After Game Three, I felt like we should start planning the parade, and get the Cup rings ready!”
That was the unspoken feeling in the Panthers’ locker room going into Game Four against the Edmonton Oilers in the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals.
“There is something about waking up in the morning with an opportunity to win the Stanley Cup!” Aaron says.
It is a feeling that every young hockey player in Essex County, throughout the province—through the professional ranks— works toward every time they don their skates.
The ice has felt like home to Aaron ever since he can remember. “My parents had me in skates when I was two years old,” he says.
He grew up with his brother, Darien, who is older by eighteen months, and who was a ready playmate and worthy athletic rival.
“We played all sports growing up,” Aaron continues, “but it always came back to hockey. I played other sports to get better at hockey.”
Although Aaron was a stand-out player, early on, his future success seemed foreshadowed in the 2010-11 season playing for the Sun County Panthers minor midget AAA team in Belle River, which he led—as team captain—to an alliance championship.
A couple of years later, Aaron became the first defenceman
Above: Aaron hoists the Stanley Cup with his parents, David, Lisa, and his wife Dayna.
granted exceptional player status, which allowed him to enter the Ontario Hockey League a year earlier than his eligible age.
In 2014, he was selected first, overall, in the NHL Draft—not before winning top honours in four categories of the 2014 Coaches Poll in the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League: best shot, hardest shot, best offensive defenceman, and best defensive defenceman.
Drafting Aaron was part of the Florida Panthers’ plan to turn the franchise around. The fact was, when Aaron came on board, the Panthers had gone more than ten years between playoff appearances.
He had his work cut out for him. The Panthers’ 2014–15 home opener set a team record for lowest opener attendance. At the next game, where the Panthers’ hosted the Ottawa Senators, only 7,311 seats were occupied in the arena, marking the team’s lowest attendance ever. Things slowly got better.
If Aaron has learned one thing in his hockey career, it is holding onto his focus.
“On the ice, I’ve always been in the moment, playing the game,” he explains. “People around my parents in the arena stands would say: ‘Oh, he’s going to make it!’ I just played the game of hockey. Making it to the NHL never dawned on me. It wasn’t until I was in minor hockey, I realized I was preparing for something.”
That focus served Aaron well during the slow, steady climb—season after season— until the Panthers met the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals. There is no poetic or philosophical way to describe losing a championship series. It stinks.
“When you lose in the final, you think: ‘It was all for nothing!’” Aaron says.
It’s easy to look at professional athletes and see only their physical skills, but years of dedication have quietly honed their mental strength as well. Disappointment does not last long.
“How did we feel coming back after losing the Finals? Like we had a new opportunity!” Aaron says.
He missed training camp and the first sixteen games of the 2023-24 NHL season due to shoulder surgery.
“It felt like a short summer,” he continues. “We were upbeat… felt good. The guys had a good start to the season. I came back in November. We had a much better year than the previous, finishing fairly high rather than scratching and clawing into the playoffs.” s
And so, the Florida Panthers found themselves up three games to none against the Edmonton Oilers in the 2024 NHL Finals.
“I woke for Game Four feeling confident, but nervous,” Aaron remembers.
Game Four did not go the Panthers’ way. Neither did Games Five or Six.
“We are trained to deal with these situations, but every emotion goes through you,” Aaron says, referring to the three missed opportunities to close out the Finals.
“Game Four we played bad,” he says. “Game Five was at home, and we played really well, thought we had a chance to win it. Game Six, we were evenly matched and knew it just took one game. Game Seven was on our home ice. That’s so important. You try to focus on the positives, on the game plan which changes each game—the matchups change on a shift-to-shift basis. If you do lose your head, it’s OK. You’re not always perfect. You rely on your training when the puck drops.”
Much as hockey fans may have believed the Florida Panthers despaired their missed opportunities, the feeling among the team was that the pressure had shifted in Game Seven, settling squarely on the Oilers. That was the sense in the Panthers’ locker room. What was the feeling on the ice?
“It was insane,” Aaron recalls. “Especially when the puck went into our corner with fifteen seconds left in the game! That was stressful. Then as the final seconds ticked off the clock, the emotions began to pour out. It’s a pretty crazy, special experience.”
Aaron credits the love and support of his wife, Dayna, along with his parents David and Lisa, as well as his brother, Darien, for seeing him to this summit of success.
Aaron had his turn with the Stanley Cup in the middle of August, bringing it to the Atlas Tube Center, sharing it with the region’s hockey fans.
For the wild ride his hockey career has been—much early success, ten years in the NHL culminating with the top prize—Aaron never forgets what it’s all about.
“I remember before I left for the OHL, there would be ‘free ice’ at Belle River Arena,” he recalls. “There was no charge, the Zamboni hadn’t even gone over the ice yet, but I’d be out there—sometimes all by myself—and I remember how awesome it was that they’d do that… how it felt to be out there just gliding around the ice.” WLM
FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR ALL STAGES OF LIFE
The Wealth Center Offers a Holistic Approach to Personalized Wealth Management
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The Wealth Center offers a team of experienced financial advisors who specialize in insurance, investments, benefits, estate and funeral planning. “From birth to death, we cover all stages of financial planning,” says Kevin King, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Wealth Center. Whether you are looking to save for your children’s education or end-of-life tasks, the center will be there to guide you.
It is the family environment and their holistic approach to planning that makes The Wealth Center unique. They have built relationships with their clients that have lasted generations. Since 1991, Kevin has witnessed his plans unfold from parents to children. “We’ve grown up with these families and we are now starting to deal with the kids of our clients, and the grandkids,” says the office manager, Kathy Macyshyn, who is The Wealth Center’s first form of contact.
Whether you are looking for mortgage planning, or estate and funeral planning, or even a business owner needing a retirement plan, The Wealth Center can cover all the bases. “It’s like a one-stop-shop that handles everything and can do an entire plan, rather than just one-off stuff,” states Evan Carrick, one of The Wealth Center’s experienced Financial Advisors.
The Wealth Center process begins with a client interview, where you not only share your specific goals, but you get to decide whether the center is the right fit for you. The data collected will align you to the correct advisor who best suits your needs. Together, a plan will be put into place with clear actions and solutions to help maintain your vision.
Goals change over time and our team supports our clients every step of the way according to Stacy Burnett, Final Expense and Estate Planner. Stacy utilizes her years of experience as a funeral director to guide individuals through protecting what they have built. “This is a way for me to still truly help people and give them that guidance and hope that their goal, their legacy, their wishes are met.”
The center itself is newly established, but collectively the team has over 93 years of experience. This last year alone, the cooperation had a growth rate of 25%. The center has surpassed its 5-year plan already simply through client referrals and maintaining their established relationships. “We have an established track record,” says CEO Kevin, “So, honesty, integrity and providing a service for our clients that puts them ahead of ourselves, that’s the number one concern. We make sure we do what is right for the client.”
The family focused feel is evident within their Emeryville location, where each client is greeted by their office dog, Dutchess. It’s the small things, like the goldendoodle, that The Wealth Center provides in order to ensure their clients feel supported. “We’re always putting our clients first, and their needs,” says Jack Sanko, the junior Insurance Advisor and Investment Representative. “We bring them into our family and we make sure they are taken care of.”
To begin your relationship with one of The Wealth Center’s licensed advisors, contact them at 548-708-0053 or visit thewealthcenter.ca to start your plan now.
The Wealth Centre team of experts: Jack Sanko, Kathy Macyshyn, Kevin King, Stacy Burnett and Evan Carrick.
PRAGUE A BOOK-LOVER’S DREAM
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY
SERAFINA PIASENTIN
PRAGUE, THE HEART of Czech Republic, is regally nicknamed “the City of a Hundred Spires,” and I agree considering every building looks like a little palace. However, I’ll propose a new title: “the City of Libraries.” While I spent three days in the capital city in April of last year, I had the pleasure of visiting three medieval libraries and one modern book installation. This was easily the highlight of my trip, earning Prague the award of ‘best city I’ve visited.’ Let me guide you through Prague and hopefully convince you to put this city at the top of your bucket list.
Prague consists of two main areas joined by the famous 14th-century Charles Bridge. On the west side is Prague Castle where we witnessed the changing of the guards at noon. But beware of the lineup! We unfortunately didn’t have time to visit the castle, so make sure you go in the morning.
The best thing to do on that side of the bridge is to walk 23 minutes uphill to the Strahov Libraries. This Premonstratensian Monastery was founded in 1140; however, after a fire destroyed it in 1258, it was rebuilt in its current Gothic style. Inside are two magnificent libraries.
Theological Hall has a sky of white frescoes depicting people’s reactions towards books. Beneath it are rows of astronomical globes, a writing desk to the left cradling an open novel and statues dotting the wood-paneled floor. The main attraction is the floor-to-ceiling walls of books. s
Clockwise from above: The Dancing House; Church of Our Lady before Tyn peeking out from behind buildings in the Old Town; Serafina peering into the Infinity Book Tower in the Municipal Library; a traditional chimney cone from Prague Easter Market situated in the Old Town; birdseye view of Prague Old Town from the Klementinum Astronomical Tower; Theological Hall in the Strahov Library; Street view of Prague Old Town.
The second is Philosophical Hall, which is much taller than the squat Theological Hall, has a domed ceiling with a radiant mural showing mankind’s journey to pursue wisdom. The walnut bookshelves stretch upwards for two levels, full of religious, medical, mathematical and geographical books. To reach the second level of books, there are spiral staircases in the library corners hidden behind false book spines.
To gaze upon these libraries is truly any book-lover’s dream; you get to immerse yourself in various artforms, but only from afar. To preserve these libraries, visitors aren’t allowed to walk among the books; instead, they must stand behind a gate— which still offers a full view of the library, so in my book, it was worth the money.
Another bonus of the Monastery is the beautiful white and blue frescoes in the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Again, I felt like a prisoner behind the metal gate keeping us from perusing the vast interior, but I slipped my phone through the cracks to get a stunning photo.
After peeling ourselves away from the Monastery, we stumbled upon one of the many shops selling trdelnik, a fried cylindrical chimney cone topped with sugar. Dough is rolled into thin strips that are then wound around a spire called a trdlo spun over open coals until golden brown. We tried them at Café u Kajetána, but after crossing the Charles Bridge, we found many stands selling chimney cones in the Old Town Square which was bustling with Easter festivities. I’d recommend trying one with chocolate filling, one plain, and one with ice cream to fully understand their popularity. Take heed, though: they are very messy.
To the East of the Charles Bridge is where we simply wandered through the colourful buildings. Some were engraved with writing, images and family crests. Others were topped with arches or crosses. Right behind the Main Square is the Church of Our Lady before Týn, a Gothic church rearing its two black spires like a dragon. As intimidating as it looks, it is breathtaking. In the same Square, you can find the ornate Astronomical Clock. Everywhere you look in Prague, there is some new, shiny object that will capture your attention.
But there is one place I’ll warn you about: the Infinity Book Tower located in the Municipal Library of Prague. Unless you are a huge bibliophile, you might be dissuaded
by the excruciatingly long line winding out of the library to see the optical illusion created by a mirror. We waited thirty minutes to peer through the opening in the book tower that spans floor to ceiling of the seemingly never-ending books. For me, it was worth it and I will forever treasure the picture I took… but it was overhyped.
If you’re like me and don’t have much time in Prague, I’d recommend skipping the Book Tower and taking a tour at the Klementinum. I came for the Baroque Library but quickly found out I couldn’t see it unless I got a tour. Best money I’ve ever spent. The tour was in Czech, but I bought it anyway, more interested in seeing the sights than hearing about them. However, since there were so many English speakers in our group, the guide translated for us!
The Klementinum was a former Jesuit college founded in 1556 and consists of a complex of historical buildings including a school, library, pharmacy and theater. Inside was my favourite library of the trip: the Baroque Library. Again, barred from entering, I hovered at the railing with wide eyes and an even wider mouth until the tour guide ushered me away. Filled with books from floor to balcony to ceiling, the shelves separated by spiral columns topped with gold, this library is home to many valuable manuscripts. The oldest document is a Greek Papyri from the 1st century. It also houses a collection of ancient Jesuit globes as well as the Vyšehrad Codex, a Latin coronation Gospel Book valued at 40 million euro.
I thought this was the highlight of the tour, but then we climbed 72 steps to the top of the Astronomical Tower and I was blown away yet again (not literally, thankfully, considering we were brought to an open, but guarded area). This gave me the best view of Prague. I could see all of the hundred spires, the Church, the Castle, and the surrounding green hills.
On this side of the bridge, we also visited the famed Dancing House. This building is abstract architecture considering the hotel looks like it’s caving in. In my opinion, it is more interesting than the Leaning Tower of Pisa. And if you climb to the top, there is a restaurant. Buy one drink and you can go out to the rooftop terrace to get the best views of the Charles Bridge and the Vltava River.
Prague is the most picturesque city I’ve ever been to, for its palaces, its spires, its sweets and of course, its books. I hope you find yourself there soon.
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The Bourbon Tap & Grill - Home of live music 3-6 nights a week. Signature thin crust woodfired pizza, burgers, wraps, sandwiches, wings and more. Open for lunch, family friendly. Big screens to watch the game. 1199 Ottawa St., 12049 Tecumseh Rd. East, and in Belle River at 405 Notre Dame.
Cheesecake On A Stick - Dessert shop offering gourmet cheesecake dipped in chocolate and various toppings. Take out or delivery offered with Jubzi.com. Open Thurs-Sun 12-9 pm. Kingsville location open Sat-Sun 12-9 pm. 13300 Tecumseh Rd. E., Tecumseh 519-999-9116. cheesecakeonastick.ca
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Cotta Food Bar - Let us be your place for private events, holiday parties, weddings, dine-in, takeout, catering and more! With a wealth of experience, our talented chefs pride themselves in creating delicious contemporary Italian food. Friendly service.
Cramdon’s Tap and Eatery - South Windsor’s friendly gathering place. Offering great food at affordable prices. Satellite sports and billiards in a pub-like setting. www.cramdons.com 2950 Dougall Ave. 519-966-1228
Erie St GastroPub - Located in the heart of Little Italy, this hidden gem offers elevated pub fare and a scrumptious Asian-fusion menu. The bar features local Ontario wines, a constantly rotating craft beer menu, handcrafted cocktails as well as alcohol infused ice cream. ErieStGastroPub.com 839 Erie Street, Windsor. 519-252-3743
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Original Guys Pizza Pies - The “Windsor style” thin crust pizza skillfully rolled and hand tossed is cooked to perfection in a stone baked oven. With vegetarian and vegan options, pizzas are tailored to each customer’s individual taste. Also offering wings, salads and subs. 3335 Banwell Rd., Windsor. 519-979-8808. ogpizza.ca
River’s Edge Tap & Table - Discover what is so delicious in the Harbour District of Riverside. Relaxing patio on the water, wine bar lounge, dining with private room available. Enjoy seafood, steaks, chops, pastas, burgers and more! 494 Riverdale Ave. 519-915-0200 riversedgewindsor.com
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Thirteen At The Inn - Casual/finer dining with a comfortable, modern ambiance. Carrying on traditions of Thirteen Russell Steakhouse, enjoy old favourites or something new. Prime Rib, fresh Lake Erie fish, steak and seafood. Cocktail lounge. Waterfront patio. Private parties. 40 minutes from Windsor/Detroit. Reservations recommended: 519-324-9266 Ext 215.
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Twigg’s Bar + Grill - Family oriented local establishment offering freshly prepared pubfare. We take pride in providing prompt service in a unique atmosphere with craft beer, specialty cocktails, daily specials, live entertainment, catering and more. 1207 County Rd 22, Emeryville 519-727-8704. www.twiggsbarandgrill.com
Vito’s Pizzeria - Rustic Italian restaurant serving wood-fired pizza, fresh pasta, veal, chicken, grilled steaks and seafood. Wonderful wine selection. Private party spaces. Food truck and portable pizza oven for offsite catering. 1731 Wyandotte St. E., Windsor. 519-915-6145. catering@vitospizzeria.com
For information
PARTNERSHIPS AND PROGRAMS
Greater Essex District School Board Offers Exciting Educational Opportunities
WERE THERE ANY SKILLS you wished you had learned in school? What about tearing down and restoring a deck? How about cooking the finest meals? Or flying a plane? Beautifying urban spaces?
Fortunately, students at the Greater Essex Country District School Board (GECDSB) are taking advantage of four exciting projects. Thanks to various innovative partnerships with community organizations, these initiatives are designed to equip students with practical skills and real-world experience, fostering a comprehensive educational environment.
First, the GECDSB has partnered with the local Carpenter’s Union 494 to offer a semester-long Enhanced Construction program.
“Students go to school at the Carpenters Union Hall,” Shelly Duben, Superintendent of Education—Student Success, Alternative Education with the GECDSB, explains. “Students learn current industry practices and earn health and safety certifi cates, including Working at Heights, MoiIle Elevated Work Platform, Forklift Training, Confined Space and others to help prepare them for co-op and the workplace.”
One of their summer projects tasked the students with rebuilding an existing deck leading to Simcoe Building, which is now located at John Freeman Walls Historic Site.
“This deck is not just an access point to the Simcoe Building, it’s a stage that has held thousands of visitors, countless dignitaries, both local and from around the world,” Shelly states. “Even the great Mrs. Rosa Parks sat upon this stage numerous times. This project is not just about rebuilding a deck, it’s about preserving a piece of history that inspires and educates all who visit.”
Second, the Community Kitchen is a state-of-the-art facility located at the UHC Hub of Opportunity on Cantelon Drive. Students help prepare food for the Meals on Wheels and the Community Food Bank. The whole program is spearheaded by Chef Adelina Sisti-DeBlasis, the 2023 recipient of the National Chef of the Year award from the Culinary Federation of Canada.
This past year, the students have also helped maintain the community garden on site. They started a Farm to Fork program and hosted two local secondary schools where students had an opportunity to plant and harvest vegetables and herbs from the garden.
Third, the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Aviation Program led by Teacher Rob Jasey at Sandwich Secondary School introduces students to the field of aviation. Students have the chance to work with industry experts, gaining insights that could propel them into the clouds.
The program provides students with access to flight simulators and drone training, while also supporting certification and organizing field trips to help them explore the aviation sector.
Allie Houser, a student, just had her first solo flight. The SHSM Aviation program is currently the only program of its kind in Ontario.
Fourth, the GEE Project (Ground, Engage, Express)—one of the United Way’s Cradle to Career and On Track to Success programs—aligns with GECDSB’s Climate Action Plan and Board Improvement and Equity Plan to immerse students in community service and sustainable activism. The whole project aims to instill a sense of communal pride in students by having them beautify their neighborhoods with activities like gardening, cooking, sanding, and painting.
“To see students feel empowered to change their tomorrow through actions at the GEE Project is more than inspiring, it’s hopeful,” Grace Kim, Cooperative Education Teacher, stresses.
Interested in the latest news, partnerships and events happening at the GECDSB? Visit publicboard.ca.
Visit publicboard.ca
HIDDEN GEM
The Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village is a Vast Portal to The Past
STORY BY MATTHEW ST. AMAND
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL PIETRANGELO
IF THERE IS ONE MUSEUM in Essex County that represents this region’s history, it is the Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village (CTMHV). Celebrating fifty years at its current location, the CTMHV is often described by visitors as “the best kept secret in the region.”
“This is actually our seventieth anniversary,” says Les McDonald, board chairman. “We started as the Historic Vehicle Society of Ontario in 1954 and moved to this property in 1973. That’s the year we became the Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village.”
The Historic Vehicle Society of Ontario began with a single vehicle: a 1921 Gray Dort touring car with 326 original miles on it. Windsor car enthusiast Alex Horen bought it for $135, tuned it up and had it back on the road by the summer. Around that time, he hosted a meeting with seven other car enthusiasts in his living room at the Towne and Country Motel on Howard Avenue to organize the formation of an antique auto club.
Twenty years later, the group had changed its name, obtained non-profit status, and acquired its second fifty-acre parcel of land between Kingsville and Harrow.
“And then the buildings started showing up,” Les explains.
Not only have residents of Essex County donated vehicles to the museum, but also whole, actual buildings.
“The Holden family donated a two-story cabin to us that dates back to 1864,” Les says. “It was moved here in 1995.”
He continues: “We have Jack Miner’s original homestead. After his first wife
This page top to bottom: Replica of Windsor Motorcycle circa 1946, which was owned by Curly Ellis and Fred Finch; Les McDonald, Board Chairman of the Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village.
died, Jack Miner married again, but his second wife refused to live in the house that his first wife lived in, so he built another. The home we have dates back to 1889 and all intact furniture came with it.”
Among other historic buildings, the CTMHV has a schoolhouse that dates back to the 1890s.
“We have an ongoing education program,” Les points out. “We do a summer camp, and all through the year we have school programs. Our education coordinator, Courtney Gregorian, works with school boards, showing homesteader lifestyle to area students—making candles, and experiencing all of the things the homesteaders went through in the early years of Essex County.”
The CTMHV also has a jail from the mid-1860s, which originated in Chatham. When the donation was made, the building was disassembled, brick by brick, and reassembled on the CTMHV’s property.
“Moir Crane Service does a lot of work with us,” Les notes. “They’ve been very generous with the use of their personnel and cranes!”
The museum also has a mid-1800s general store that came from Olinda—a recognized ghost town near Cottam. It is a two-story brick building. Half the building contains a wide array of items from the period that would be found in general stores of the time. The other half of the store displays items from the early 1900s.
“There is also a post office inside,” Les says, “and there is a big pot belly wood-burning stove that is still functional. We light that up in the wintertime for atmosphere.”
The CTMHV has six full-time employees. The rest of the people who keep the place running are volunteers.
This page clockwise from top left: A 1956 Mercury custom four-door sedan. The red 1954 MG TF was donated by Michael Beneteau; a pristine hand-built horse-drawn hearse from the early 1800s; amazingly detailed replica of the Wright Brother plane that flew at Kitty Hawk; A 1926 Chevrolet touring car in Salon A.
“There is a lot of grass to cut!” Les says.
Les’ involvement with the CTMHV began more than twenty years ago. He was a part of bringing the motorcycle museum to the property.
“I belong to Windsor Harley Owner’s Club, and we raised $100,000,” he says. “We donated it to the museum and recreated the 1946 building that housed Windsor Motorcycle that was owned by Curly Ellis and Fred Finch.”
And then there is the museum’s automobile collection:
“We have, arguably, the oldest production car built in Canada—an 1893 Shamrock built in Wardsville, Ontario by Charles and William Mimna,” Les says. “It has a one-cylinder engine, acetylene headlights, couldn’t drive much faster than walking-speed and did not have enough power to travel uphill! The company made three of these. The Shamrock is the first attempt at an internal combustion engine in Canada.”
There is a 1918 Model T owned by Moir—the first company to have one of its vehicles cross the Ambassador Bridge when the bridge was completed in 1928. Les points out that this Model T is not the truck that made the first crossing, but from the same fleet of vehicles that did.
“We’ve just acquired a 1929 De Soto that was built in Windsor,” Les continues. “The car is in British Columbia, right now. The owner got the museum’s name—he wants us to have the car because of the history. We’re in the process of raising funds to bring the car here.”
Another noteworthy donation is a 1937 Ford Coupe that once belonged to the Conklin family that owned Conklin Lumber.
“In fact, we also have a building out back and sawmill that was part of the Conklin Corporation, originally located in Kingsville.”
Among the vehicles is a black 1930 Model A roadster.
“A beautiful car,” Les says. “I like Model A’s. I’ve owned a few of them!”
One breathtaking display is a pristine hand-built horse-drawn hearse from the early 1800s.
“It took two years to build,” Les says. “It has a frame where a portrait of the deceased person could be displayed. The hearse is all red oak, very hard wood, and not easy to carve! It has glass windows on both sides, and there is a trap door on the bottom. My guess is that the trapdoor
AUGER
the hearse to be positioned right above the open grave and the casket lowered right into the earth.”
A person’s wealth and prominence in the community was indicated by the number of horses drawing the hearse.
Out front of the 1946 recreation of Windsor Motorcycle in the museum, there is a blue motorcycle.
“That is a Jawa flat track racer,” Les says. “It has a 400-cubic centimetre engine, can hit speeds over one hundred miles per hour, and has no brakes. These bikes were raced on the original horse track in Leamington.”
The museums’ 1956 Mercury custom is a four-door sedan.
“It had the first automatic transmission, the MercOmatic Transmission,” Les says. “The car sold for $2,630 brand new, back in the day!”
The red 1954 MG TF was donated by Michael Beneteau.
“Don Beneteau, co-founder of Centerline, was a member and a great benefactor to the museum,” Les says. “That MG TF sold for $1,500 brand new. Another vehicle Don donated is a 1930 Auburn—one of the nicest, most prestigious cars we have.”
The CTMHV also has the only EMS museum in Ontario with a collection of early ambulances, and various types of equipment used decades ago by paramedics.
The museum may be the best kept secret in Essex County, but it is well-known beyond the county. The majority of visitors are from out-of-town, often finding out about the museum from Tourism Ontario. It is no surprise that cars from the museum’s vast collection are sought after.
“We license four to six of our vehicles per year for car shows and parades,” Les says. “We participate in community events, doing what we can to get our name out there.”
The CTMHV also has a fully functioning 1950s style diner where visitors can stop in for a bite to eat. Events are also welcome, with multiple venues to suit any occasion. Most recently, the CTMHV hosted the Highland Games and plans to do so again next year.
The Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village is a non-profit labour of love, exquisitely maintained by its volunteers and enjoyed by a growing number of visitors. The CTMHV is open six days per week and has events occurring throughout the year. To learn more about the CTMHV and its events, its exhibits and offerings, visit them online at ctmhv.com. WLM
MUSIC AND WORDS Debut Short Story Collection
by Author Claudio D’Andrea
STORY BY MICHAEL SEGUIN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN LIVIERO
“WHAT I CAN SAY IS THIS: It matters. Only it matters. I mean the written word. As Rachel Toor noted, ‘You just do the work. The work gets done.’ So write. Write anything and write all the time. Like constant reading makes you a better reader, writing all the time will make you good at it. Maybe great.”
Wise words indeed. Wise words straight from the fingertips of one Claudio D’Andrea, the author of the recently released short story collection: Stories in the Key of Song.
If Claudio sounds familiar, that’s because he should be. A self-described “ink-stained wretch,” he has worked in nonfiction and journalism for decades, even contributing to the Windsor Star. However, he’s always retained a soft spot for fiction—scribbling out countless yarns while in his youth. And 10 years ago, after building an impressive career, he dusted off his old notebooks and started writing short stories again.
Now, his first short story collection: Stories in the Key of Song— published by Black Moss Press—is available now.
“Publishing has been a lifetime dream of mine,” Claudio states. “It’s tremendous to see it in print.”
Claudio’s book is interesting because it combines his two greatest loves: the written word and music.
“Music is a constant in my life,” Claudio explains. “I played the drums many years ago. My family even recently bought me an electronic drum kit. And with drummers in particular, you always hear the beat in your head. You can’t escape it—you always hear the rhythm. I find music so enriching. It’s such a powerful force. And it helps inspire my writing all the time.”
The first short story in the collection—“Bus Stop, Bus Goes”— was inspired by the classic song by the Hollies.
“I was taking a trip on a Transit Windsor bus one morning,” Claudio recalls. “That song ‘Bus Stop’ by the Hollies was playing in my head. And next thing I know, the main character almost burst to life all at once. So I decided to sit down and write the story.”
Claudio—like all creative types—finds inspiration in the unlikeliest of places. Sometimes music serves as his Muse. Other times, little incongruities perk up his ears.
“One time I was walking down Ouellette Avenue and saw a car with a steering wheel on the opposite side,” Claudio states. “I started thinking: ‘What would happen if someone decided to drive one of these? And then I thought: ‘Wait. What if they decided to switch up everything in their life?’ And that eventually became another short story in the collection, ‘SwitchSides.’”
Another short story in the collection—the spectacularly-named “Julie Andrews vs. Alice Cooper”—came from noticing some peculiar similarities between their songs “My Favourite Things” (from The Sound of Music) and “Halo of Flies.”
“I just wondered, ‘What would happen if Julie Andrews thought Alice Cooper was ripping her off?’” Claudio states. “And that’s how that story came about.”
In addition to his work in journalism and prose, Claudio has recently branched out into screenwriting.
“Walter Riggi—Owner of Riggi Media International Inc.— reached out to me one morning,” Claudio explains. “He’d seen my writing out there. He asked me: ‘Have you ever thought about doing something with film? I’d like to do something with you.’ And I was a little hesitant at first. I’d never experimented with video before. I couldn’t see anything I’d written making the transition onto the screen.”
After some gentle prodding, Claudio decided to adapt “Bus Stop, Bus Goes” into a short film.
“It’s essentially a dialogue between two people, so I thought it could make the leap successfully,” Claudio states. “Walter and I went back and forth on it several times.”
Claudio credits Walter with helping him understand the nuances in writing for an audience as opposed to writing for a reader.
“It’s a whole new way of working, a whole new way of thinking,” Claudio states. “Walter sees everything with a videographer’s eye, so that’s been helpful. When a character launches into a long monologue, that might work on the printed page where you’re just reading along, but it has to be broken up in a film. He also explained to me that there needs to be other characters to round out the cast. So we came up with the idea of the protagonist manifesting all these other characters as she talks about them.”
Claudio and Walter are currently in the process of securing funding for the adaptation. The two are planning to start shooting towards the end of the year.
“We’re anxious to get going on it!” Claudio exclaims. “I can’t wait to get the buswheels in motion, as it were.”
CONCERTS, SPORTING & SOCIAL EVENTS
And Claudio must have enjoyed his first foray into screenwriting, because he’s currently developing a television series. But his first love remains the written word. He has recently finished a collection of poetry he plans to publish in the near future that will serve as a companion piece to Stories in the Key of Song. As well, he’s currently working on a new fiction novel.
And when asked what he attributes his significant creative output to, Claudio returns to the same advice he dispensed earlier: “Write,” Claudio states. “Everyone has their own voice. Read and read widely. Read from the best. Get a good grounding of what the masters are doing and how. Then just start writing. There are tons of books and articles on how to generate the maximum amount of readers or ensure the most profit from your work. But I don’t really subscribe to any of that. The point is the work itself. Write what you know. Be honest and true to yourself. Write the best thing you can write. Just do it!”
Stories in the Key of Song is available now. Check it out! It’s good. Even very good.
It might even be great. More information on Claudio and his work can be found at claudiodandrea.ca.
COMFORT AND CONNECTIVITY
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