Windsor Life Magazine Holiday 2014

WINDSORLIFEMAGAZINE 318-5060TecumsehRoadEast Windsor,OntarioN8T1C1 Tel:(519)979-5433 Fax:(519)979-9237 www.windsorlife.com WindsorLifeMagazineispublishedbyCampbellMcGregorGarantPublishingIncorporated.Articlesandartmay notbereprintedwithoutwrittenpermissionfromthepublishers.Thepublishersassumenoresponsibilitytoreturn unsolicitededitorialorgraphicmaterial.WindsorLife MagazineisaregisteredtrademarkofCampbellMcGregor GarantPublishingIncorporated,Suite318-5060TecumsehRoadEast,Windsor,OntarioN8T1C1.Telephone (519)979-5433,Fax(519)979-9237.Allrightsreserved. ISSN11955694.CanadaPostCanadianPublicationsMail ProductSalesAgreementNo.02753200.

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Getreadyforthe Holidays

Therehasbeenquiteanexplosionofexcellentnewfiller productsthisyear.Ihavebeenfortunateenoughtolearn aboutthemonmytravelsandnowusetheminmyclinic. Thevariety,safetyandqualityoffillershavegreatly increased.WehaveTeosyalfillerswhichhave10different productsrangingindifferentstrengthsanddensities, Estheliswhichhas5differentlinesandnowthenewand revampedRevanesseisaCanadianproductshowing great promise.

Thesefillersgiveinstantresultsoftenwithnodown time.Wehaveananti-bruisingprotocolthatif followedprovidesgreatresults.

Althoughthegradualprocessofbuildingupcollagen isstillverygood,Ihavefoundthatdoinga completetreatmentimmediatelyismore effectiverequiringonlysmalltouch-ups alongtheway.Ourholidayspecials reflectthisapproach.

Dr.RuthMarkovic

Dr.Markovichas19yearsexperience incosmeticprocedures.

Publisher’sNote

“Everytimeyouhearabellring,itmeans thatsomeangel’sjustgothiswings.”

ThatiswhatGeorgeBailey’sguardian angelClarencetoldhimintheclassicholidaymovie,It’sAWonderfulLife.

Ifyoulistencarefullywhileyouareout findingtheperfectgiftstogive,droppingoff donationsforfoodbanksandtoydrivesand celebratingtheseasonwithfamily,friends andcolleagues,Ibelievethatyou,too,will hearbellschimingalloverourcommunity.

Weareblessedtohavealotofgoodsouls doinggoodworkrightnowandyearround. Morethan600WindsorGoodfellowsOldnewsboyswereoutsellingpapersthathelp fundannually11,517boxesoffoodfor hungryneighboursand1,500pairsofshoes andbootsforschoolchildreninneed.

For30yearsnow,LinaandLindaSabatinihavebeenhelpingmakethelastpartof thejourneymorecomfortableforpalliative patientsattheHospiceofWindsorand EssexCounty.

Caringpeopleare ensuringtheyoung livesofeightchildrenwhodiedinabus accidentin1966willberememberedwith aspecialcommemorationinHeritageMemorialPark.

AndtheS’Aint’s,withsupportfromSt. ClairCollege,BlackburnRadioandCaesars Windsor,areSleighingHungerwiththe holidayrockband’snewalbumandcharity concertattheColosseumonDec.21st.

Thenightbefore,thatsamestagewill hostLeAnnRimes,theGrammyaward winningpop-countrysinger.Shewillput everyoneintheholidayspiritwithherONE Christmas–Chapter1concert.

Ifyouneedsomeinspirationtowrapup yourgiftlist,takeapeekatourgiftguide.

Thesecoldwinternightsareidealfor relaxingbythefiresidewithagoodread, likeWindsorLifeorVanessaFields’bookof poetry.We’verevieweditforyou.

Noteveryonewillbehomeforholidays, assnowbirdsandvacationersheadfor warmerdestinations.Forthosebravingthe cold,thesepageswilltakeyoutoSpainand Portugaltoseethesunandthesights.

Fromallofushere,I’dliketowishyou andyoursajoyfulholidayseasonanda healthy,happyNewYear.It’sawonderful WindsorLife!

BobRobinson

Weareproudtohave JimBennettDD onour teamwhoisstill welcominghispatients totheclinic

STORYBYKARENPATON-EVANS PHOTOBYSARAHERTEL

AMONGTHESTARSSHININGBRILLIANTLY ONTHISHOLIDAYSEASON

ispowerhousesongstress LeAnnRimes,performingthemusicofhernewalbum,ONEChristmasChapter1,ontheColosseumstageatCaesarsWindsoronDec.20th.

LeAnnclaimedherrightfulplaceinthespotlightwhenshewasonlyachild. Afterreleasingherfirsthugehit,Blue,atage13,LeAnnbecametheyoungest persontowinaGrammy;shewashonouredasBestNewArtistandBestFemale CountryVocalPerformancein1997.

Withglobalsalesofmorethan42millionunitstodate,LeAnnhasrepeatedlydominatedthecharts.Sheexpandedhermusicalrangetoincludepopand attractedevenmorefans.HerversionofHowDoILiveranksasthesecond longestchartingsongeverontheBillboardHot100chart.Can’tFightthe Moonlightzoomedtonumberonein11countries.LeAnnhashad42singles ontheBillboardHotCountrySongschart;13weretop10hits.

HertalenthasbeenrecognizedwiththreeAcademyofCountryMusic Awards,twoWorldMusicAwards,oneCountryMusicAssociationAward,one DoveAwardand12BillboardMusicAwards.

FanshaveseenadifferentsideofLeAnn’srangethroughheractingworkin television.Withherhusband,actorEddieCibrian,LeAnnalsorevealedsomethingofthemoderncelebritycouple’spersonalandprofessionallivesinLeAnn AndEddie,aVH1realityshowthatairedthispastsummer.

OnOct.28th,LeAnn’snewholidayalbum,ONEChristmas-Chapter1,becameavailableondigitalplatformsand inretailstores.Chapter2willbereleasedin2015andChapter3in2016.

ThefirstreleaseisasixsongEPproducedbyLeAnnandDarrellBrown.

Thecountry-popartistmixesuptheselectionwithinspiring,heart-warmingand soulfulsongs:SilentNightHolyNight;I WantAHippopotamusforChristmas;Blue Christmas;SomedayatChristmas;Hard CandyChristmas;andCaroloftheBells.

Tocelebratetheseasonwiththemusicof ONEChristmas–Chapter1andotherholidaysongs,LeAnnistravelingthroughout theU.S.inDecemberandearlyJanuary withher12cityholidaytour.Windsorisher onlyCanadianstop.Moretourinformation canbefoundatleannrimesworld.comand caesarswindsor.com.

WindsorLifecaughtupwithLeAnnin themidstofheralbumreleaseandtour rehearsals.

WL: Youandtheholidayseasonseem meantforoneanother.Whenyouwerea youngteen,youco-wroteastory,Holiday inYourHeart,whichbecameamade-fortelevisionmoviethatyoustarredin.In 2006,youwereavoiceactorinadirect-toDVDanimatedmovie,HollyHobbieand Friends:ChristmasWishes.Then,in 2009, Lifetimenetworkviewerssawyoustarin NorthernLights,aromanticmysterytaking placeduringtheholidays,basedonNora Roberts’novel.Thefilmingofthemovie broughtyoutogetherwithyourco-star EddieCibrian,whobecameyourhusband. Andlastyear,EddiewasintheChristmasthemedfilm,TheBestManHoliday.What holidaymoviewilldefinitelybeplayingat theRimes-CibrianhomethisChristmas?

LR: Ithinkthebetterquestioniswhat movieWON’Tbeplayinginourhouse!It ismyfavouritetimeofyearandIreallylove allthingsassociatedwithChristmassoIlike todabblebetweentheclassicslikeAWonderfulLifeandMiracleon34thStreettothe morerecentfilmslikeElfandLoveActually. Butinallhonesty,Ithinkmorethan movies,wewillbelisteningtoholidaymusic forthenexttwomonths.NomatterwhatI amdoinginthehouse,thereisalwayssome typeofChristmasmusicplaying.

WL: SinceyoustarredinaNoraRoberts stor y,I’mwondering:Areyouasuckerfor theromanceoftheholidays?

LR: Well,Iamasuckerforromanceingeneralbuttheholidaysjustaddsuchamagical elementtoeverything.Ithinkitisthetime ofyearwheneveryonetakesastepbackto reflectonthepast10or11months.Werun aroundallyearlong,sometimesnotappreciatingallthatwehaveandthenBAM, Novemberhitsandeveryonestartsyelling

(andsinging!)aboutsharingandgivingand gratefulness.WhileItrytokeepthoseideas inmymindandinourhouseyearround,it ishardnottogetsweptupbyitall!

WL: YourdebutsingleBluewasreleased whenyouwerejust13.Doyouremember thefirstChristmassongyousangpublicly beforegoingpro?

LR: AllIwantforChristmasisYouisthe firstChristmassongIremembersinging.

WL: Evidently,Christmasisameaningful timeforyou.Isthatwhyyoudecidedtoreleasenotjustoneholidayalbumbutaseries ofthemoverthenextthreeyears?

LR: Yes,Idolovethistimeofyear–thatis forsure.AndithasbeenawhilesinceIhave releasedaChristmasalbum.Sowhenwedecidedthetimingwasrighttomakeanother one,IrealizedthatIwantedtocomeup withaninnovativewaytomakethisalbum. Ithought,‘Whycan’tIrollthisoutoverthe courseofafewyearssothatintheend,I havecontinuedtoreleasenewholidaysongs Ilovethatcanallbecompiledintooneset attheend.’Andselfishly,Iwantedtoextend theprocessaslongaspossiblesoIwouldbe abletocreatemyownversionsofsomeof themostclassicholidaysongs.

WL: ChapterOnehasquitearangeofmusicalstyles.Itseemstorepresentthemany moodsofChristmas.Isthatwhatyouintended?

LR: Yes,thatisexactlywhatIintended:)

WL: Surprisesarepartoftheholidays;however,couldyougiveusapeakattheplaylist youhaveplannedforyourperformance attheColosseumatCaesarsWindsoron Dec.20th?

LR: I’vedonemanyChristmastoursbut thisonewillbe100%holidaymusic.Some ofmyfavouritesaswellassongsfrom myEP.

WL: Windsorwilltrytoreleasesome Christmassnowforyouwhileyou’rein town.ThisisCanada,afterall.Areyou hopingtohaveawhiteChristmasorwill youandyourfamilybesomewherewarm?

LR: WewillbehomeinLosAngeles...hopefully,itwillbecoldandcozy.

WL: Isthereanythingelseyou’dliketosay?

LR: JustthatIamsoexcitedtobecoming toWindsoraspartofmytourandIwish everyoneoutthereawonderfulholiday season!

TheWindsorGoodfellowsClubanditssupportivevolunteershitthestreetsbefore Christmaseveryyeartocollectdonationsfor theorganization’scharitablenewspaper.The proceedshelpfeedlocalpeopleinneed.

Goodfellows

YesWindsor,thereisaSantaClaus!

STORYBYKARENPATON-EVANS/PHOTOGRAPHYBYRANDYMOORE

STANDINGATSTREETCORNERS andcheerilywavingtheWindsorGoodfellowsannualpaperatdriversandpassersby,600volunteerOldnewsboyscan’tbe missed.“We’rethefirstsignofChristmas,besidesalltheadsonTV,”chucklesBruce Tait,theclub’spresident.

FromNov.27ththrough29th,theGoodfellowsgratefullyreceivedthecoinsand billsthatcommunityspiritedfolksexchangedforthefundraisingnewspaper donatedbyTheWindsorStar.Thirtyteamsofvolunteer sworkedthestreets,heartenedbytheirneighbours’willingnesstohelpfeedover62,500peopleinneedeach yearinWindsor,LaSalle,TecumsehandSt.ClairBeach.

TheGoodfellowsandtheirvolunteersare“peoplefromallwalksoflife,”says Bruce,includingfirefighters,policeofficers,shiftworkers,retireesandteenagers givingtheirpersonaltimetosell120,000newspapers.Twoormoregenerationsof familiesoftensignoninkeepingwiththeirownholidaytradition.

AlsohelpingouttheGoodfellowsarepeoplewhohaveexperiencedhardtimes. “Wehelpedthemwhentheywereinneedandtheyarenowreturningthefavour,” Bruceexplains.

BackattheGoodfellows’homeat401ParkSt.W.,Windsor,adedicatedteamof volunteersreceiveandcounttheOldnewsboys’returnsoftoquesandvests.Forthe pastseveralyears,theclubhastriedtoreachitstargetof$250,000.Lastyear’stotal of$241,400“wasthemostwe’veeverraised,”Brucesays.“Whoknows?Wemight makethegoalthisyear.”

TheGoodfellowshavebeenaccomplishinggoodthingsforaverylongtime.After theorganizationwaslaunchedin1905byDetroitnewspaperworkersconcerned aboutimpoverishedchildrenwhowouldhaveacheerlessChristmas,Windsor

newspapermenfollowedsuitfiveyearslaterand beganaskingthepublicfordonations.

In1914,theWindsorGoodfellowsClubpublisheditsfirstspecialnewspapereditionand10 formernewspaperdeliveryboys,nowOldnewsboys,soldthepaperonstreet corners.Theyraised justover$400tofundaChristmasdinnerand somenecessitiesforpeopleintoughcircumstances.

Today,theholidaynewspapersalesdriveaccountsfor43%oftheclub’syearlyincome.The restisraisedandcontributedbydonorswho understandtheneedandrespondtotheGoodfellows’fundingappeals.

SupportershelptheWindsorclubhonourthe GoodfellowsCode,whichstates:“Thebestoflife andtheworthofitisnothowmuchIcangetfor me,butwhat haveIdonetobeneighbourly.”

Theclub’smembersliveoutthecodeinmany ways.Forinstance,BrianandMary-LynnParent, ownersofFamiliesFirstFuneralHome,havebeen partoftheclub’sgolftournament,whichhasbeen runningfornineyears.Theyhostedthe2014 event.“Thiswasourmostsuccessfulyearyet,”observesColleenRenaud,generalmanagerofthe

WindsorGoodfellowsClub.The2015tournamentwillbeonAug.13thatPointeWest GolfClub.

FamiliesFirstalsopartnerswiththeclub toprovidebreakfastoneveryschooldayto 1,500childrenenrolledatnineschools.By startingthedayoffwithahealthymeal,the studentsarebetterabletofocus,learnanddo theirbest.

Youngstersfromjuniorkindergartento gradeeightinneedofshoesandbootsare alsoeligiblefortheGoodfellows’footwear program.Providing1,500pairs,theGoodfellowsspendabout$80,000annuallyto ensurekids’feetarecorrectlyfittedandshod. Attheclub,it’snotuncommontoseesome parentsarrivecarryingtheirshoelesschildren, somembersarewellawareoftheneed.

“It’simportantthatchildrenhaveproper footweartogotoschool,”Colleensays.The student’sparentcontactstheschoolprincipal andrequestsanapplicationfortheWindsor GoodfellowsShoeProgram,whichtheprincipalcompletesandgivestotheparent.Once theGoodfellowsarealertedtothechild’s need,theclubprovidesachitthatthestudentcanredeemforshoesorbootsatKaren’s Shoeslocatedat1647OttawaSt.,Windsor.

Withtemperaturesfallingbelowfreezing, kidsalsoneedtokeeptheirhandsandheads warm.Womenwhodon’tbelongtothe GoodfellowsClubbutsupportitsmandate industriouslyknitanddonatemittensand toquestobedistributedbytheorganization.

Keepingitsfundraisingandadministration coststotheminimum,theGoodfellowsdirect83%ofmoniesraisedtolightentheload forlocalpeoplesufferingfinancialhardship. Theorganization’snumberonepriorityis tohelpkeeppeoplenourished.Thedonationscollectedduringthe2014Oldnewsboys’paperdriveareearmarkedfor2015 foodpurchases.

Manyindividualsandfamiliesdependon thefoodbankoperatedbytheGoodfellows yearround.Theclub’sannualgrocerybill, includingi temsforfoodboxesandcertificatesforfreshmeatanddairy,amountsto approximately$586,000.

MonetarydonationsfromCaesarsWindsor,TVCogecoandotherbusinesseshave helpedfillthecoffers,enablingtheclubto meetpastobligations.

Localgroupsalsohostfooddrives,helping toensurethereareeatablesforpeople whenthefoodbankopensonTuesdaysand Fridays,from10amtonoonand1to3pm. Communitygroup’seffortsaccountfor1% ofthefooddistributed.

Inall,theGoodfellowsgiveout11,517 ▼

boxesoffoodeachyear.Theyalsoprovide foodandfoodvoucherstotheHouseof Sophrosyne,AIDSCommitteeofWindsor, St.ClairCollegeStudentCouncil,DrouillardPlaceandmanyotherorganizations withclientsandmembersinneed.

Everytwomonths,eligiblepeoplewith establishedneedmayreceiveafoodboxthat containsingredientsforthreeorfourmeals. Inhonouroftheholidayseason,theGoodfellowsofferanextraboxpackedwithstaplesaswellassomefestivegoodies,like candyandfruitcake.Thegiftalsoincludesa vouchertomakepurchasesatasupermarket.

Santa’sworkshophasnothingonthe Goodfellows’assemblylineof90volunteers workingtogethertofilltheholidayboxes. Officestaffof18registerandapprovetherecipients.Peoplearesoeagertoretrievetheir boxesthatmanyarrivemuchearlierthanthe pre-arrangedtimestheyhavebeenassigned. Brucerecallsoneyearwhenvolunteers shovelingsnowoffthe sidewalkhadtomaneuveraroundearlybirdsliningupallthe wayaroundthecorner.

Applicationsforthisyear’sChristmas boxesstartedonOct.14thandwillbeacceptedtillDec.12th.Distributionwilltake placeDec.16ththrough19th.“We’reexpecting5,000families,”Colleensays.

InordertoqualifyforanyGoodfellows’ program,apersonmustprovideanincome statement,identificationandacurrentmailingaddress.Theagerangeiswide,from17 to80years.“ Therearequiteafewyoung peoplewhoseemtobeoutontheirown,” Colleennotes.“Wedon’tjudgeanybody.”

Alsoreceivingboxesthisyeararepeople whousedtocontributeandarenowfinding themselvesinneed,duetotherecenteconomicdownturnthatisstilladverselyimpactingpeopletryingtosecureworkinthe GreaterWindsorArea.“Theyfinditvery difficult,”Colleensays.“Therearenotalot ofjobsoutthererightnow.”

Thatisindicatedbyincreasingrequests foraid.“Ourregularfoodbankuseisup 28%,”saysColleen.“Eachyear,it’sharder andhardertodofundraisers.”TheWindsor GoodfellowsClubisgratefulforeverycontribution.

GreaterdemandfortheGoodfellows’ programsmeansevenmorehandswilling tohelparerequired.Peopleinterestedin volunteeringcancontacttheWindsor GoodfellowsClubat519-252-2739,check outwindsorgoodfellows.orgordropinto theclubandseewhypeoplehavebeen supportingitsworthycausesformorethan 100years.

STORYBY KARENPATON-EVANS PHOTOGRAPHYBY LIQUIDWILDMEDIA

#YOU beautymoment ConnectingWith ASisterhood OfInspiration

#YOUbeautymoment,createdbyCarly NicodemoandErikaHarnish,iscontinuingtosparkconversationamonglocal womenage40yearsandyoungerwho aredefiningwaystobetheirownkindof beautiful.

Windsor-Essexisblessedtohaveastrong forceofyoungrolemodelswhoepitomize truebeauty.WindsorLifecaughtupwith onebusy,vitalperson,NourHachem,to discoverthesourceofherinspirationand drive.

NourHachem

Nourhaspackedalotoflivingintoher27 years.Anactivevolunteersincehighschool, shefeltherlifechangeprofoundlywhilevolunteeringinKhayelitsha,SouthAfrica, whereshetaughtlifeskillstoyoungwomen. Herstudentsvoicedtheirissuesregarding sexualviolenceandabuse,whichtragically wasthenormintheircommunity.

Deeplyconcerned,Nourreturnedto EssexCountyandchosetofocusheradvocacyeffortsonwomen’sempowermentand thechallengeswomenface.

Tofurtherthataim,Nourbecamea memberoftheboardfortheWelcomeCentreShelterforWomen.Overthepasteight years,shehasworkedatWomen’sEnterprise SkillsTrainingofWindsorInc.(WEST), MulticulturalCouncilofWindsorand Essex,NewCanadians’CentreofExcellence Inc.andothercommunityagencies.

Recently,Nourwasoneof25womenacceptedintotheCanadianWomen’sFoundation NationalLeadershipPrograminpartnershipwiththeCoadyInternationalInstituteatSt. FrancisXavierUniversityinAntigonish,NS.

Earlyon,Nourrecognizedthatfulfilling,goodpayingjobsarecriticaltoawoman’s wellbeing,nowandinfuture.Thechallengeisthat“youthinWindsorcurrentlyfacethe highestrateofunemploymentinCanada,”shesays.Evenso,“Istronglybelieveyouneed tolovewhatyoudo,especiallyintoday’ssociety.”

Alackofjobexperienceisoftenabarriertogettinghired.“Youngpeopledonotknow fullyhowtonavigatethroughthischangingsystem.Youcan’t simplygetajobafterschool anymore.Networkingisanimportantskilltogrow,”saysNour.

Volunteerismorentryleveljobscanbuildandstrengthenawoman’sresume.“Irecommendyouthdonetworkingandgetinvolvedintheircommunity,”shesays.Asfor securingwork:“Whatmayseemlikeyou’restartingfromthebottomisnotnecessarilythat way.Manyyouthareworriedaboutstarterpositionsbutthatcouldbeagatewaytoadream job.Itdependsontheamountofworkyouarewillingtoputintoshowothershow determinedyouare.”

Noururgeswomentothinkbeyondjobstraditionallyheldbywomenthatofferlittle

"Dreambig, believethatanything ispossible,workhard, committoimprovingthelife ofatleastoneperson, moreimportantly DON'TEVERGIVEUP!"

-Nour

roomforprofessionalorfinancialadvancement.“Whyisityoungwomendon’tconsiderhighpayingskilltrades?”

Shepromotedopportunitiesinskilled tradeswhenshewasaprojectcoordinatorat WEST.Theorganization’s2013project,WE Succeed:BeyondtheStatusQuo,setoutto addresseconomicissuesimpactinggirlsand youngwomenintheWindsor-Essexcommunity;educategirlsandyoungwomen oncareeropportunitiesinskilledtrades, science,technology,engineering,mathand entrepreneurship;andencouragecommunitystakeholderstotakespecificactionto improvegirls’andyoungwomen’sfulfillment oftheireconomicpotential.

TheWESucceedprogramprovedtoNour theimportanceofgettingagroupofyoung womentogetherandempoweringthemwith thetools,skillsandconfidencetohelpthem influencechangeintheircommunity.

OneoutcomewasthecreationofSt.Clair College’sfirstallwomenCNC/Industrial MechanicMillwrighttrainingprogram, fundedbytheOntarioWomen’sDirectorate. NouralsocontributedtocreatingasuccessfulpartnershipwithHackforge,acommunityorganizationofferingasharedspace wherecreativetechnologicalmindscome togetherandmakethingshappen.The partnershipresultedinsecuringathree yearComputerGirlsprogramdesignedto addresstheunderrepresentationofwomen inscience,technology,engineeringand mathematics.

Nour’sown careerpathrecentlyledtoher appointmentasthecollege’sprojectmanager forpre-apprenticeshipprogramsdeliveredby theSchoolofSkilledTrades.Partofherrole istocreateahealthyandinclusivelearning environment.

Inmentoring,workingandvolunteering withyoungwomen,Nourassuresthemitis okaytomakemistakes.“Forgiveyourself,” shesays.“Allowyourselftimetogrow.”

Shereceivedthesameusefuladvicefrom herownmentor,TerryWeymouth,an electricianbytradeandUnifor’sNational EducationCoordinator.

HerfirstpositiverolemodelwhocontinuestoinspireNourtodayishermom,who raisedfourchildrenbyherself.“Sheruns herownmotoroilcompanyinamale dominatedfield.Shenevergaveupand supportedusonherown.”

APassionforExcellence

WLM

Nourismotivatedbyherbeliefthat“we allplayaroleinourcommunity.”Determinedtoinfluencechange,shestayson trackbyaskingherselfwhethereachdayhas beenspentworkingtowardsthisgoalwith allshehas.

EzioTartaro PRESIDENT GINTARHOMES

GREATERWINDSOR HOMEBUILDERS ASSOCIATION 2010-2012

NEW AND NOTICED

DOGOODDIVAS

ACoachbagdonatedbyMarleeMatlinandotherhandbagsdonatedby celebrities,designers,retailersandlocalindividualswereallupforgrabsin aliveandsilentauctionhostedbytheDoGoodDivasattheCabotoClub onOct.30th.Theorganization’sfoundersLucyFansonandGaleSimkoHatfieldhostedtheannualDivaDelights.Galeispicturedherewithher husbandPercyHatfield,MPPWindsor-Tecumseh,whowastheevening’s masterofceremonies.About1,00 0womeninattendancehelpedraise $30,000forloungesattheWindsorRegionalHospital’sMetropolitanCampus.DoGoodDivashavecommittedtoraising$100,000insupportof W.E.CareforKidsandaswimmingpoolattheHôtel-DieuGraceHealthcare–TayfourCampus.Dogooddivas.com.PhotobyTomTaylor.

PAINTNITE

Invitingadultstodrink creatively,PaintNiteisa newwaytounwindand enjoyaneveningout.At aselectrestaurantorcorporateorcharityevent,a performingartistguides eventhemostinexperiencedguestsinthecreationoftheirownacrylic paintings,completedin twohours.DanMuldoon,localPaintNitelicenseeanddirector,takescareofthearrangements,engagingadifferentartistinstructortoleadeachnightandprovidingeverythingguests need:canvases, paints,brushesandsmocks.PaintNiteeventsarecurrentlyheld7to9p.m.atLorelei’s BistroonMon.;JohnnyShotzonTues.;Cramdon’sonWed.;andtheDominionHouseon Thurs.Forregistration,ticketsanddiscountcoupons,call226-348-5014.Paintnite.com.

INHONOUROF THEONESWELOVEINC.

InHonouroftheOnesWeLovepresident AnitaImperioliandtheboardofdirectors hasappointedKimSpirouasdirectorofdevelopmentandcommunityrelations.Kim willsupportInHonour’sfundraisingand publicrelationseffortsthroughherleadershipinorchestratingoutreachactivitiesand events.Shewillalsocontinuetooperateher publicrelationscompany,SpirouandAssociates.519-551-3747.

RADINSKINCENTRE

Specializinginnon-invasivecosmeticproceduresandlaserdermatology,including Botox,cosmeticfillersandlaserhairremoval,Dr.DanielRadinisenteringhis11th yearofpracticeasadermatologist.Radin SkinCentreismarkingitssecondyearinthe TecumsehMedicalCentreat13278TecumsehRd.,E.drradin.com.519-979-4569.

PURECYCLE SPINSTUDIO

Windsor’sfirstandonlydedicated spinstudiohasjustopenedat300CabanaRd.E.Bringingpeople together totrain,burncalories,improvecardiovascularhealthanddevelopleg musclesandcorestabilityinasafe, friendlyandfunfitnessenvironment, ownerRenéeDiPietroinvitesadultsto enjoyspecialholidayridesonSpinner

BladeION™spincyclesandtryoutspinsessionswithtrainedinstructors.PURECYCLE SpinStudio’sregularschedulebeginsJan.5,2015.purecyclespinstudio.com.

ASPRAKIS&

DANTIDENTAL

Ayearago,Dr.G.Asprakis andDr.A.Dantirelocated theirdentalpracticeto12345 TecumsehRd.E.,Tecumseh. Theyandtheirstaffareobservingthefirstanniversary intheirnewhome,equipped withstateofthearttechnology.Servicesincludecomprehensiveandpreventativedentistry;crownsandbridges;dentalimplants;biteappliancetherapy;fullandpartialdentures;andsmilemakeoverswith veneers,whiteningandbonding.Newpatientsarewelcome.519-979-8333.

BROADWAYFASHION

Women’sdresses,men’ssuitsandmuchmore isinstoreatthenewBroadwayFashionBoutiqueopenedbyMarvenDawodat6640 TecumsehRd.E.,Windsor.Men’sslimfit looksandothertrendyweararesoldinlimitedquantitiessoeachcustomer’sstylecanbe distinctive.Shopperscansavewithmonthly couponsandspecials.519-962-4653.

MISTERMAID

Providingcleaningservices24/7inWindsor-EssexCounty,MisterMaidInc.has beenoperatingsince1997.DavidBurman isexcitedtocelebratehissecondanniversaryasowneroftheindependentcompany. Allworkissupervisedandperformedby trustworthy,bondedandinsuredindividualsinaccordancewiththecustommaintenanceplancreatedforeachclient.No contractisrequired.519-890-0117.

MAIOINTERIORS&DESIGNS

Offeringsolutionsforeverybudgetfor eightyears,MaioInteriors&Designsconsultswithclientsintheselectionofcolour palette,décor,windowtreatmentsandfurnishings.Withanarchitecturaldegreeand technologydiploma,MaryJeanMaioalso doesroomlayouts,renovationsandbuilding,aswellashomestaginganddécorto increaseaproperty’smarketability. 519-978-1997.

THESTRONGCLINIC

Peopledeprivedofpropersleepduetotheir snoringorobstructivesleepapneanowhave twooptionsforrelief.Inadditiontoitsmain clinicinLeamington,theStrongClinichas openedanewtreatmentcentreat13158 TecumsehRd.E.,nexttotheTMCBuildinginTecumseh.Theclinicispartneredwith StrongDentalLtd.,whichisthethirdlargest manufactureoforalappliancesforthe

treatmentofsleepdisorders.PatrickStrong developedthe SUAD™(StrongUpperAirwayDilating)familyoforalsleepappliances andhassuccessfullytreatedthousandsof patientslocallyandglobally. 519-419-1776.strongsnoring.weebly.com.

GAVINMICHAELBOOTH

TheScarehouse,amoviereleasedthisyear byitscreator,localfilmproduceranddirectorGavinMichaelBooth,picturedhere withScarehouseactressIvanaStojanovic, wasanofficialselectionofthe2014New YorkCityHorrorFilmFestival.Themovie wasshown attheTribecaCinemasduring thefestheldNov.13thto16th.TheScarehousewasawardedBestFeatureofthefestival.PhotobyRavenAdams. facebook.com/TheScareHouse.

GOLDSTARJEWELERS

Celebratingits11thanniversary,GoldStar Jewelersoffersafineselectionofgoldand diamondjewelleryandalargearrayof watchesformenandwomen.Garoand ArletKalktik,theownersofthefamilybusinessat25AmyCroftDr.,Tecumseh,arealwayshappytoperformin-storerepairs, professionallyhandcraftnewjewelleryand refurbisholdpieces.goldstarjewelers.ca. 519-735-9002.

LUXDINER

Kastro(above)andRobertPerkaj,brothers andownersofTheWalkerGrill,havecreatedafreshdiningexperienceinTecumseh. LuxDinerisnowopenat33AmyCroft Dr.,offeringahugebreakfastselectiontill3 pm,TuesdaythroughSunday.Forlunch anddinner,broastedchicken,barbecued ribs,burgers,wraps,lasagna,meatloaf,saladsandmoreareservedintheclean,moderndiningroomandavailablefortakeout. Thefamilyrestaurantisopenfrom10am to8pm,Tues.throughFri.and9amto8 pm,Sat.andSun.519-735-8001.

COMPLETEFOOTCARE

&ORTHOTICCENTRE

Caringforpediatrictoelderlypatients, CarlaDiGioiaofferstheonlyFDAand HealthCanadaapprovedlaserinEssex Countyforthetreatmentoftoenailfungus, plantarwartsandscars.TheCompleteFoot Care&OrthoticCentrealsohasa3Dlaser scannerforcustomorthotics.Locatedat 3020DougallAve.,Windsor,thecentreis celebratingitsfifthanniversary. 519-946-0420.

CRUISINGFROMPORT

UnearthingtheTreasuresofPortugalandSpain

STORYBYKARENPATON-EVANS/PHOTOGRAPHYBYLIZANDJEFFPATON

TOGETTOSPAIN, itwouldbequickandeasyforWindsoritestocatchaplane.Or,ifthey had12daystospare,theycouldsailEastNorthEast6,659kmacrosstheNorthAtlantic Ocean,seeingnothingbeyondtheship’srailingbutthedeepblueseaforninedaysstraight.

LookingforatwoweekvacationthatwouldprovidelotsofR&Rwithnewsitestoexplore atjourney’send,JeffandLizPatondecidedtoflytoFortLauderdale,FloridaandboardRoyal CaribbeanInternational’sLibertyoftheSeascruiseshiponApril8th.Theyanticipatedamuch moreluxuriousvoyagethanthatexperiencedbytheSpanishexplorerswhofirstlandedinthe FortLauderdaleregioninthe16thcentury.

“Oneofthebenefitsoftransatlantictravelisthevalue,”Jeffsays.“Ratherthanreposition anemptyship,thecruiselineofferspassengersaninexpensivecruisewithjustafewports ofcall.”

Withsomuchtime,“wegottoreallytakeadvantageofwhatwasonboard,”hesays. SaturdayNightFeverandotherliveshowskeptguestsentertained.Casualtofinediningkeptthem content.Toworkoffcalories,guestscouldtakeontheFlowRider®surfsimulatororrock climbingwall,goiceskating,boxorplayminigolforbasketball.

Thoughtheyhadablastonboard,whenPortugal’sshorelinecameintoview,LizandJeff wereeagertofeellandundertheirfeet.“Lisbonwasthehighlightofthetripforus,”Jeffsays ofthecountry’scapital.“It’savery,veryoldcity.”LisbonwasthrivingcenturiesbeforeRome wasevenconceived.

TheCanadiancouplerelieduponWeHateTourismTours’X-daytrip.Injustseven hours,theirengagingprivateguide/driverproudlyintroducedthemtoSintra,CabodaRoca, GuinchoBeach,CascaisandotherspotsingreaterLisbon.

JustbeyondLisbon’sbordersisSintra,anarearichinroyalpalaces.JeffandLizfairlygaped whentheyencounteredQuintadaRegaleira,aUNESCOWorldHeritageSite.Thefairytale palacewasboughtin1891byeccentricCarvalhoMonteiro,whoaddedtunnelsthatopen unexpectedlyintohisgrottoes,chapel,WaterfallLakeandLeda’sCavebeneaththeRegaleira

Tower.Monteiro’sfascinationwithalchemy,Masonry,theKnightsTemplarandthe Rosicruciansareevidentinhisstructures,includingtheinitiationwells,constructed likeundergroundtowerslinedwithstairsandusedforinitiationceremonies.

SintraispunctuatedbyCabodaRocaorCapeRoca,itslighthousemarking continentalEurope’smostwesternedge.

OncethesummerretreatoftheKingofPortugalandhighsociety,Cascais continuestobepopularwithvacationerswhoenjoygreatbeaches,surfing,museums,diningandlazinginthesun.

“LisbonCathedralwastheonlyplaceinthecitywherewesawanyonepanhandling,despitetheextremelyhighunemployment,over35percent,”Lizsays.“Our guideRicardosaidthatbetweensocialservicesandrestaurantsthatregularlyfeedthe homelessandunemployed,peoplearetakencareofinthecommunity.”

RicardoinsistedthecoupletastePasteisdeBelém,Portugal’scustardcupswrapped inpastry.FirstmadeinaBelémmonasteryinthe1830s,pasteisarebakedallover Portugal.AftereatingpastriesinLisbon,CascaisandBelém,JeffandLizassured

AtPlazadelaCatedral,churrosandhotchocolatereviveLiz andJeffPatonafteradayofsightseeinginCadiz,Spain;Liz entersaritualinitiationwellwithstepsleadingdowntotunnels connectinggrottoesandotherfancifulfeaturesonthegrounds ofQuintadaRegaleirainSintra,nearLisbon,Portugal;Quinta daRegaleiraisafairytalepalacefullofsurprises;theinterior ofLisbonCathedraloffersinspirationandrespite;Gaudi’s bizarre,beautifulBarcelonachurch,SagradaFamilia,hasbeen underconstructionfor132yearsandwillbeforatleastanother20;lushgardensandpathwayswendthroughtheQuinta daRegaleiraestate;Gaudi’smosaicSalamanderFountain greetsguestsenteringBarcelona’sParkGüell,featuringbuildings,walls,plazasandbenchesbythearchitect;manyof Barcelona’sresidentsridescootersthroughtheirbusycity.

Ricardo,“Theywerealltasty.”Another day’ssailbroughttheirshiptoCadiz,Spain’s oldestcontinuouslyinhabitedcity,founded byPhoenicians3,000yearsago.TheSpanishNavyhascalledCadizitshomeport sincethe18thcentury.

Whileothershipmatestookthesixhour trainridetoSavilleandback,“westayed behindanddidthelocalscene.Cadizisvery accessibletowalkaround,”Jeffsays.The modernpartisanelegant,bustlingmetropolis,yeti ntheOldCity,anancientambiancepermeatesthemazeofnarrowalleys connectingplazas.Publicparksareshaded byhugetrees,believedtohavebeenbrought byColumbusfromtheNewWorld.

AtthePlazadelaCatedral,JeffandLiz enteredthebaroque,rococoandneoclassicalstyledcathedral,erectedover116years andcompletedin1892.Thecouple climbedthecathedral’stowertotakeina viewofthecity.

TheyshoppedCadiz’sopenairmarket, walkedonthebeachandpeni nsulaand wenttoPlazadeEspanatoeatchurros.

Backonboard,theyenjoyedonemore dayofcruisingbeforedockingatBarcelona. “Thecityisverycosmopolitan,”Lizobserves.Itsstreetlayoutwaspatternedafter Paris.Jeffnotes,“Barcelonaisvery,very hectic.”

OnLaRambla,apopularshoppingdestinationfortourists,“itwasabsolutely mobbed,shouldertoshoulder,”Jeffsays.

Anotherpeople-packedvenuewasCamp Nou,asportsstadiumseating99,354spectatorsandhomeofprofessionalsoccerteam FutbolClubBarcelona.JeffandLizscored ticketstoamatchbetweenBarcelonaand Levante,witha1-0winforthehometeam.

TohavemoretimetosavourBarcelona, LizandJeffstayedatHotelDerbyfortwo nights.Thecityisaculturalfeast.Roman andmedievalarchitecturestillstands.VisitorsfollowPicasso’sliteralfootstepstothe hauntsofhisyouthandseehisartworkin thePicassoMuseum.

PobleEspanyolisavillagereplicatingthe Spain’sdifferentresidentialstylesandarchitecture,withshopsproducingtraditionally madeSpanishgoods.

ArchitectAntoniGuadi’sunfinished cathedral,theSagradaFamilia,begunin 1882,waspartiallyobscuredbyconstructionscaffoldingwhenJeffandLizarrivedto viewitonabusySunday.Guadi’sCatalonianmodernismalsoformstheintriguing ParkGüell.

AftertheirleisurelysailtoSpain,alltoo soon,itwastimetosay“Adiós”andfly home.

SLEIGHINGHUNGER

TheS’Aint’sFeedBodyandSoul withNewCharityCDandConcert

STORYBYKARENPATON-EVANS/PHOTOGRAPHYBYMICHAELPIETRANGELO

S’AINT’SANDS’INNERSAREMAKINGajoyfulnoiseaboutthetruespirit oftheholidayseason:Sharingthelovebycaringforothers.

IncollaborationwithSt.ClairCollege,BlackburnRadioandCaesars Windsor,TheS’Aint’shaveunitedonceagaintocreateandrecordtheband’s fourthfundraisingCD,SleighingHunger.WithTheS’innersChoirandThe DiplomatsDrumandBugleCorps,TheS’Aint’swillperformtheirnewmusic liveontheColosseum’sbigstageatCaesarsWindsorat8pm,Dec.21st.

“It’smusicwithapurpose,”saysRonSeguin,vicepresidentofglobal educationandtrainingservicesatSt.ClairCollege.“Itisanannualprojectthat hasbecomeaChristmastraditionatSt.Clair.Thecollegefamily,including students,staffandalumni,lookforwardtohelpinglocalfamiliesdealingwith hunger.”

AsindicatedbytheCD’stitle,SleighingHunger,thisyear’sfundraisingaim istohelpalleviatetheseriousproblemofpeopleofallagesgoinghungryin Windsor-EssexandChatham-Kent.ProceedsfromconcertticketandCDsales willbenefitWindsor’sDowntownMission,theUnemployedHelpCentrein

WindsorandBelleRiverandOutreachforHungerinChatham,as wellasSt.ClairCollegescholarshipsandbursaries.

“Thisyear,Ithinkthecauseisreallyhittinghomewithpeople becausethenewsisreportingthatthefoodbanksarestrugglingto keeptheirshelvesstocked,”Ronsays.“It’ssomewhatalarmingto stillseethenumberoffolksinourlocalareawhoarestruggling. Ourapproachtotheproblemiscomprehensive.Thereisn’ta communitywithin50milesofusthatisn’tbenefitingfromthe SleighingHungerproceeds.”

PeoplewhobuyasinglesongortheentirecharityCDcanfeel goodaboutcontributingtotheirneighbours’healthandwellbeing atChristmastimeandinto2015.

ForTheS’Aint’s,thenewCDandconcertgivesthemopportunitytosingforsomeoneelse’ssupper.EversinceSt.ClairCollege askedJodyRaffoulandJeffBurrowstoformtheveryspecialband oflocal,well-knowntalentandcollaborateonacharityCDbackin

TheS’Aint’sandSt.ClairCollegeare SleighingHungerwithanewholidayCD andconcertinbenefitoflocalpeople dealingwithhungerandthecollege’s bursariesandscholarships.Thecharitableinitiativehasanewpartnerthisyear: CaesarsWindsor,whichisprovidingits ColosseumfortheconcertonDec.21st.

Left,lefttoright:TheS’Aint’sbandmates areKellyHoppe,KellyAuthier,Garrett Bielaniec,JodyRaffoul,WesBuckley,Jeff BurrowsandDavidCyrenne.

2011,theresultshavebeenverygratifying.TheS’Aint’sinaugural debut,ATimeForJoy,netted$10,000fortheHospiceofWindsor andEssexCountyand$10,000fortheSt.ClairCollegeHealth Plex.Encouragedbythecommunity’senthusiasm,thebandreleased AlmostChristmasin2012,aidingtheworkofCampBUCKO,a freeprogramforchildrenwithburninjuries;andassistingthe purchaseofequipmenttobenefitstudentsinthecollege’sFirefighter Program.

TheS’Aint’srockedonwithMyChristmasWishCDandconcert in2013,supportinghealthsciencesprogrammingatthecollege.

Thebandregroupedintherecordingstudiotostartmakingfresh holidaymagichappenthispastMay.“TheChristmasCDwas actuallycutinJuly.It’salwaysinterestingbecauseit’stoughtosing JingleBellswhenit’s90degreesoutside,”Ronchuckles.

ProductioncostsoftheCDarecoveredbyBlackburnRadio.John Weese,vicepresidentofoperations,says,“Ourinvestmentinthis projectnotonlymakesithappen,butallowsforproceedsfromsales togototheintendedcharitiesratherthanproductioncosts.”

TheS’Aint’sbandmatesarepop-rocksinger/songwriterJody Raffoul(leadvocalsandguitar);TheTeaPartyandCrashKarma drummerandpercussionistJeffBurrows(drumsandpercussion); WesBuckley(guitarandvocals);DavidCyrenne(bass);Kelly Authier(keysandvocals);Mr.Chillhimself,KellyHoppe (harmonicaandsax);andGarretBielaniec(electricguitars).Ted LamontjoinedtherecordingsessionforFatherChristmas.

JeffandJodyare“themasterminds”behindeachCD’ssonglist andcompilation.Ronbelieves,“You’vegottoshakethingsupwith music.”SleighingHungerswingsfrom“jazztorockandrollto everythinginbetween.”

Ronpredictshispersonalfavouritewillprovetobeacrowd pleaser.“OnlythisbandcouldcomeupwithamixofLoveTrain andJingleBells.”Praisingtheuniquenessofthenumber,Ronnotes, “It’salotoffunandit’sreallycatchy.”

Amongthealbum’s12songsarerocktunesAngelofHarlem, FatherChristmasandDoTheyKnowIt’sChristmas,aswellasthe S’Aint’sspinonthetraditionalcarol,GodRestYeMerryGentlemen.Theholidaysoundsarebalancedwithsoulfulrenditionsof WalkinginMemphisandIWasOnlyJoking.

TheSleighingHungerCDwasreleasedforsaleonNovember 6th.Just$10,itisavailableforpurchaseoniTunes,onlineat

sleighinghunger.comandatSt.ClairCollegecampusesandBlackburnStationsin WindsorandChatham.Individualsongs areonly$1ononline.Apackageofallfour oftheS’Aint’scharityCDsisofferedat $30.

Thebandisnowpreparingforitsbiggest gigyet,Windsor’slargestholidaycharity concertthisseason.TimTrombley,director ofentertainmentatCaesarsWindsor,says, “OnbehalfofCaesars,wearethrilledto hostashowfeaturingagroupofincredible, localandglobaltalentswiththealtruistic goalofhelpingthoseinneed.Itsupports ourcompany’sowncorporategivinggoal focusedourlocalcommunity.Weare proudtoprovideanaward-winningvenue toshowcasethisconcertandgivetheir dedicatedaudienceandsupportersaworldclassexperience.”

Althoughthecollegehas“twowonderful theatres,”RonsaysthatwhenCaesars Windsorcontactedth ecollegetodiscuss possiblesupport,“itwasachancetoopen theconcertupto4,500peopleandtohave theCaesars’marketingmachinebehindit. It’sabigdifference.”PastS’Aint’sconcerts attheSt.ClairCentreforPerformingArts havesoldout,sothereiscertainlydemand formoreseats.Everyticketboughtmeansa localpersoninneedwillbeabletoeat.

Jeffsays,“Thebandisabsolutelyecstatic tobemovingintoaworld-classvenue. I’vehadthegreatopportunityto play thousandsofstagesaroundtheworld.This willgiveustheperfectplatformtopresent ourspectacularholidayconcert,while raisingfundsandawarenessforaworthy anddesperatelyneededcause.”

WithspecialguestsTheS’innersChoir andTheDiplomatsDrumandBugle CorpssharingtheColosseumstage,the SleighingHungerconcertonDec.21st promisestobeanighttoremember.

Theticketpricefortheconcertis$20for generaladmission;$25forreservedseats; an d$100forlimitedVIPseats(taxes included).TheyareonsalenowatSt.Clair Collegecampuses,CaesarsWindsorBox Office,BlackburnStationofficesinWindsorandChathamandtheChryslerTheatre BoxOffice.

“We’vereallyhadagoodfollowingwith thisevent.We’rerenewingitwithCaesars’ involvement.Folkscangototheconcert, enjoydinnerandgotothecasino.It’sabit ofadifferentpackagethisyear,”Ronsays.

FurtherinformationregardingpurchasingCDsandconcertticketscanbeobtainedbycalling519-985-2896orvisiting sleighinghunger.com.

ST.LOUISSTUDIOANDCAMERA FOTOSOURCE,TECUMSEH

ROSSERREEVESJEWELLERS, TECUMSEH

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PRECIOUSCARGO

OLDCOUNTRYCUPBOARD, EMERYVILLE

OurOldTymeBeartogreet yourholidayvisitors$39.99; PrintedPillowwithfunny sistersaying$14.99; Santaleavepresentsandtake brotherSPARKLYsign$14.99; Holidaytreeinburlap$24.99; Rusticbatteryoperated timedcandle$13.99.

LITTLEPEOPLE BIGHEARTS

LindaandLinaSabatini Celebrate30YearsatTheHospice

STORYBYKIMWILLIS/PHOTOGRAPHYBYST.LOUISSTUDIO

LINDAANDLINASABATINI aresynonymouswiththeTheHospiceofWindsorand EssexCounty.In2014thisdynamicduocelebratedtheir30thyearwiththeorganization.

BornandraisedinWindsor,thetwinsgraduatedfromCentennialHighSchoolin1982. ImmediatelyaftergraduationtheystartedvolunteeringatHospicethroughayouthgroup. SoonafterwardsagrantmadeitpossibleforHospicetohirebothLinaandLindafull-time. Therestastheysay,ishistory

TodayLinaworksasassistanttoExecutiveDirector,CarolDerbyshire,aroleshehas heldfor20years.LindaistheServiceCoordinator,responsibleforservicedelivery.She handlesallthereferralstoHospiceandlinkspatientstoserviceswithinHospiceaswellas communityresources.

Inaneraofconstantchange,itisuncommontofindindividualswhohavebeenatone organizationtheirentirelifetime.Itisequallyuniquetofindtwoindividualswhohave givensoselflesslytoanemployerforsuchanextendedperiodoftime.However,Linaand Lindacannotimagineitanydifferently.

“ThekindofworkthatwedoatHospicemakesitarealfeel-goodatmosphere.Themore thatyougive,themoreyougetback,”saysLina.“It’sbeenexcitingtoseethetransitions develophereovertheyears.Wearealwayslookingforwardtothenextphase.”

Lindaagrees.“Ididn’tthinkthatIwouldretirefromHospicewhenIstarted30yearsago. Buttheworkthatwedomakesallthedifference.Itisnotanormal9-5job.”

Theircolleaguesareinspiredbytheirlongtimecommitmentandextraordinarysupport oftheorganization.

“AtHospice,ourmissionistosupport,educateandempower.LinaandLindaSabatini livethisphilosophyeveryday.Overthepastthirtyyears,theyhaveshowcasedtheirvalues,

theircommitmenttocompassionatecare, andmostespeciallytheirwillingnesstogo aboveandbeyondinservicetoothers. Wheneverwehaveapatient,afamilymember,afriendoraneighbourwhoisinneed, LinaandLindaarethefirstpeopletostop, extendtheirhands,andhelp.Theircompassion,empathyandgenerosityofspirit makesvisitorsfeelatease,creatingtheoasis ofpeacethatHospicestrivestopromote.I wouldliketothankthesetwowonderful ladiesforalltheydofortheWindsor-Essex community,”saysCarolDerbyshire,ExecutiveDirector.

Fr.MatthewDurham,csb,Director, Comm unityEngagementandAdvancementsharesDerbyshire’sopinion.

“Forthelastthirtyyears,LinaandLinda Sabatinihavebeenthebackboneofthe Hospice.Intoday’sworlditisextraordinary tohavetwoemployeeswhohavebeenwith ussolong.Fromourcampusattheold MetropolitanHospitaltoour5acreHospiceVillage,LinaandLindahaveworked tirelesslywithme,supportingthework oftheHospiceinshapingthedirectionof palliativecareinWindsor-Essex,continuallygoingaboveandbeyondinserviceto ourpatients,familiesandvolunteers. Knownthroughoutthecommunityfor theirkindness,thoughtfulnessanddedication,IwouldlikethankLinaandLindaon behalfofourBoardofDirectors,volunteers, staffandmostespeciallyourpatientsand families.”

InadditiontocelebratingtheirownmilestonethisyearattheHospiceGala,Hospice celebratedits35thyearinthecommunity. Servicesnowincludewellnessprograms, supportgroups,fitnessprograms,counselling,educationandpalliativecare.Itwas thefirstcommunity-basedpalliativehospice villageinNorthAmerica.

Overtheyearstheyhaveseentremendous changesattheagency.Theorganization hasgrownfromoperatingoutoftheMet campusofWindsorRegionalHospitalto havingoneofthemostextensive,progressiveHospicesintheprovince.Inaddition totheHospiceVillageinWindsor,anew residentialhomeiscurrently underconstructioninLeamington.Thissatellite homewillhavetenbedsforpalliativecare. Itisscheduledtoopeninspring2015.

Thechangeshavedefinitelykeptthings excitingovertheyearsfortheSabatinis. However,changecanbringitsownchallenges.Forexample,securingfundingfor anypubliclyfundedagencyisanongoing sourceofpressure.

“Asanorganizationwearealwaysstriving tore-inventtheagencytokeepupwiththe times.Thefocusthesedaysistotrytokeep peopleoutofhospitalsandkeepthemin theirhomestoreceivecare.Itisawesome thatwecanoffersomeindividualsuseofthe Hospicehome,”saysLinda.

Inaddition,thereisalwaystheriskof burn-outfromtheemotionalimpactthat workingatHospicecanentail.Upto450 individualsuseHospiceservicesanygiven month.

Oneofthemostchallengin gpersonal eventstheyexperiencedwaswhentheirdad wasdiagnosedwithcancerandusedHospiceservices.

“EverythingthatwedoatHospicebecamerealforusatthatpoint,”saysLinda. “Thatexperiencehasgivenmeabenchmark forotherpatients.Iknowfirst-handwhatit islikeforthefamiliesthatweserve.”

Linaaddsthattheexperiencedefinitely madethemmorecompassionateandempatheticforfamiliesthatuseHospiceservices.

Twinsoftenshareaspecialbond. However,withLindaandLinathisbondisextraordinary.Theyhavelivedandworked togethertheirentirelives.Growingupthey werealwaysinthesameclassandhavebeen bestfriendsforever.

Althoughtheirdwarfismmadethem unique,theirparentsnevermadethemfeel asiftherewasnotanythingtheycouldnot do.

“Ourparentsprovideduswithawesome toolsofwhatyoucando.Therewasnothing thatwewereheldbackfrombecauseofour size,”statesLina.“Ourparentsdide verythingtoensurethatwehadeverythingwe neededtobeasnormalaspossible.”

Althoughtheirsimilaritiesareobvious, theydefinitelyhavesignificantpersonality differences.Linafreelyadmitstobeingthe extrovertwhileLindaismoreintroverted.

“Linaisagymrat!”saysLindawhoshares thatyouwon’tfindherexercising.

Althoughretirementisinevitableatsome point,theSabatinishavenoimmediate planstoleaveanytimesoon.Theycontinue tolookforwa rdtogoingintoworkeverydayandmakingadifferenceinthelivesof individualsandfamiliesgoingthroughdifficultexperiences.

FortheirpartLindaandLinaremain gratefulfortheopportunitytoworkat Hospice.“Wearethankfultobepartofan organizationthatservessuchanimportant roleinthiscommunity.Hospicemakesa realdifferenceforpeopleinWindsor-Essex,” saysLina.

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CapriPizzeria -Capri’scasualatmosphereand welcomingstaffattractsavariedmixofdiners! Comeoutandenjoyourgreatpizzas,pastaand more!

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CasaMiaRistorante -Experienceauthentic Italianfood,localwinesandhomemadedesserts andcrepesservedinacasual,completelyhandicapaccessiblesetting.For22years,chefand ownerFrankPucciohasbeenmakinglunchand dinnerfreshtoorder.Glutenfreeoptions. ClosedSunday.523NotreDameSt.,Belle River.519-728-2224.

Cramdon’sTapandEatery -SouthWindsor’s friendlygatheringplace.Offeringgreatfoodat affordableprices.Satellitesportsandbilliardsin apub-likesetting.www.cramdons.com 2950DougallAve.519-966-1228

FratelliPastaGrill -Offeringflavourdrenched “woodfire”grilledsteaks,seafoodandpasta dishes.Afreshandhealthyselectionofmodern andtimetestedclassics.Locatedbehind McDonald’sonManningRd.inTecumseh. Take-out,catering,privateparties.Forreservationscall519-735-0355. www.fratellipastagrill.com

Jeff’sFreshMeats -Wemakediningathome easy.Choosefromoneofourmanyreadymade products:stuffedporkchop,stirfrys,cordon bleu,stuffedpeppers,meatloaf. 3750WalkerRd.519-967-0988

JoeSchmoe’sEatsN’Drinks -Familyfriendly restaurantofferingbigandbold,madein-house foodsyoucrave!Pulledpork,bigmouthburgers andjumbowings,wehavesomethingforeveryone.Patio,lotsofparking,sportspackage,12 beersontap.Kitchenopenlate. 5881MaldenRd.(behindRexall) 519-250-5522www.eatatjoes.ca

FORBROTHERS,CHEFSANDRESTAURATEURS KastroandRobert Perkaj,feedingandtreatingtheirguestswellisamatteroffamilypride.With alonghistoryofowningandoperatingsuccessfuleateries,theyareexcitedto introducehungrypeopletotheirnewestplace,LuxDiner.

TheideatoopenanotherrestaurantcamefrompeoplewhofrequentThe WalkerGrillat1275WalkerRd.,Windsor.Servingbreakfastandlunchdaily foroverfiveyearsnow,“TheWalkerGrillisabighit.Alotofourguestsasked usfordinneroptions,aswell,”Kastrosays.“Whenwesawthisplacein Tecumseh,weknewthiswasouropportunity.”

Althoughrelativelynewintheretailcomplexat33AmyCroftDr.,the restaurantalreadyhadtwopreviousowners.ThePerkajsplanonstaying. “We’recommittedtoprovidingapositivediningexperienceforeveryone,” saysKastro.

His14yearsinthefoodindustryensureguests’preferencesarerespected. AftertakingownershipinMarch2014,thebrothersspenttimegettingto knowguestsandwhattheywanted.InOctober,“weputourownstampon thisplace,renamingitLuxDiner,redecoratingitandlaunchingournew menu,”Kastrosays.

Robert,aqualifiedcheffor20years,eagerlycraftedalargemenufeaturing dishesthatwouldpleasejustabouteverybody.Kidswithdecidedtastes, vegetarians,glutenintolerantguests,ribconnoisseurs,seniors,folkswho favourhomestylecooking,adventurersseekingglobetrottingflavours:They allleaveLuxDinerfullandsatisfied.

FreshingredientsboughtfromWindsor’sMarketSquareandotherlocal suppliers,signaturesaucesandhomestylecookingcontributetothefood’s

LuxDiner’sfriendlyserversknowhow totreatguests.Breakfast,servedtill3pm, TuesdaythroughSunday,ishotandaromatic,withselectionslikethefarmer’s omelette,pecancaramelpancakesand

“Ourskilletsarepopular,”Kastronotes.Theheartyversion ispiledwithsausage,bacon,ham,greenpeppers,onions, mushrooms,homefries,cheddarandtheguest’spreferredstyle ofeggs.

Flamingcheeselitatthetableisamemorableappetizer.Every sandwichormealisaccompaniedbycoleslawandachoiceof corn,sweetpotatofries,mashedpotatoes,CaesarorGreeksalad orothersidedish.

Robertaddsspecialtouches,likehomemadecranberrymayo sauceontheroastedturkeyclubsandwichandhisowndryrub andsauceontheslowcookedbarbecuedribs.Oldfashioned halibutorhaddockandwedgefries,liverandonions,meatloaf, porkchops,lasagnaandchickensouvlakidelivercomfort. Burgersweighhalfapoundandaretoppedwithmushrooms, mozzarella,baconandothergoodstuff.

Kidshavetheirownmenuofpancakes,grilledcheese,mac andcheese,barbecuedribsandmore.

TillDec.31st,LuxDinerisoffering15piecesoftender broastedchicken,coleslaw,mashedpotatoes,gravyand dinnerrollsforjust$35.99.Themeatloaforfourpiecedark chickendinnerisonly$8.99.

Fruitpies,Turtlebrowniesandsouthernpecanpieoffera nicefinish.PartofLuxDiner’sappealisthediningroom’s casual,moderninteriorwithacomfortable,cozyvibe.Thispast summer,guestsenjoyeddiningonthepatio.

Openfrom10amto8pm,TuesdaythroughFridayand 9amto8pm,SaturdayandSunday,LuxDineralsoofferstakeoutandcat ering.Toplaceanorder,pleasecall519-735-8001.

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THEFORMULA

ROCKWITHABLUESFLAVOUR

STORYBYDICKHILDEBRAND/PHOTOGRAPHYBYCHARLIEO’BRIENWWW.TJL-PHOTO.COM

HE’STHEFATHEROF2TEENAGERS,MichaelandMelody, he’sworkedforChryslersince1995,he’sateacher,acommunity activist,acomposerandaprettygoodmusiciantoboot.Andhe doesitallwithadisabilitythatlimitshishearingofhighfrequenciesandmostsybillantsounds.

RickLaBonte,whoturns45onFebruary1st,wasbornandraised inWindsorandspenthishighschoolyearsatbothHermanCollegiateandRiversideHighwhereheenteredthedramaartsprogram, developedhisnerveandbeganforginghistalentasaperformer. “Foronce,Ididn’thavetobeRickLaBontewhenIamincharacter,”hesays,“andwhenyouheartheclappingandrealizeyourstuff isworking,it’sgreatencouragementandthebarriersbeginfalling.” Becauseofhisbasicshynessandhearingimpairment,hewas thebruntofridiculeingradeschoolwhichhecallshis“Charlie Browndays.”

However,LaBontewhoembodiesthehumanspirit,roseabove thebullyingandusedittostrengthenhischaracterandresolve.He wasnotathleticandwasalwaysthelastchosenforanysportsteams. “Iwastheartistictype,”herecalls,“Ipreferredtodrawalot,Iread alotofbooksandwatchedmanymoviesandlistenedtomusic.” Hewasmesmerizedbyhisdad’scollectionofElvis,BeachBoysand Beatlesrecordsandsoonhewasabletodecipherthemusicandplay itonhisown.“Iheardmusicofthe50s,the60sandthe70sbefore Ilistenedtostufffromthe80s....itwaslikeIwasschooledtheright way.So,wheneverybodyelsewaskickingaroundthefootball,I becamemoreofanintrovertinisolationbecauseIwaslisteningto records.”Hefantasizedaboutbeingonstageasthemusicpoured

intohissoul.“Icouldpicturemyselfonstageandevenplayedthe airguitaraspartofmyperformance.”

Certainlyhishearingproblemisfrustrating,buthedoesn’tseeit asaKryptoniteandbecauseofit,hewasabletoconcentrateonthe musicandabsorbthesingers’nuancestothepointwherehe’sable toimitatemanyofthegreats.Allonehastodoisattendoneof Rick’sshowstoseethedeterminationbehindthisuniqueindividual.

LaBontecreditshisparentsforgivinghimthesupportand encouragementrequiredtosurviveinsocietyandfollowingtheir example,hebelievesingivingbacktothecommunity.Forthelast 18years,he’sbeenactivewithnumerouscharitableandenvironmentalgroups.“Alongtheway,”hesays,“Iwasabletobuildconfidencethroughpublicspeakingengagementsanddecidedtostart aband.Today,aftermanymusicaladventures,I’minvolvedinat least3differentprojects:Ihavemyownmusic,myoriginals,I’vebecomefriendswithgreatpeopleinthelocalmusicscenethathavebecomemembersofanewsupergroup,‘TheBluesSide’andI’m reallyluckytobeamemberof‘TheFormula’whichgoingon5 years,hasenjoyedbeingonstageinsomegreatvenues,including Caesar’s.”Muchofthegroup’smusicisfamiliar(tunesfromtoday’s bandstoAerosmith,LedZeppelin,TragicallyHip,CollectiveSoul, etc.).LaBontesayseverygigislikeaconcertwithhigh-energy, rockin’dancesongsdesignedspecificallyfortheaudience.Aptly named,TheFormulaplayswhatthecrowdwantsandthathasundoubtedlycontributedtothecombo’ssuccess.Infact,thebandhas beensobusythattheguyshavedeclinedbookingsfortheentire monthofJulyineachofthepasttwoyears.

TheFormulaare(l-r): WayneBracewell,RickLaBonte, ChrisVanLare,AlKenneyand DanLaframboise.

RickLaBonteistheleadsinger,emceeand playstheacousticguitar,harmonicaandthe pianowhenhe’snotsinging.ChrisVanLare playsrhythmguitarandisthesecondvocalist,andfantasticback-upsinger,asarethe remainingmembers,WayneBracewellon drums,bassistDanLaframboiseandlead guitaristAlKenney.Bandinformation,like itsscheduleandhowtobookisnoproblem...justcheckoutTheFormula’sFacebook page.Incidentally,beginninginFebruary, ‘TheBluesSide’willbeappearingatthe Lion’sHeadTavernonthefirstTuesdayof everymonth.TheBluesSidefeatures MichaelHereford(BritishBeat66)onpiano andorgan,RonMcMinn(ownerand teacherat‘MakingMusic’inLaSalle)onlead guitarandvocals,JackLehoux(theSource) ondrumsandvocals,DanLaframboiseon bassandofcourseRickisthefrontmanas leadvocals,harmonicaandrhythmguitar.

Rickisalwaysindemand...moreso becauseofhischaritywork.Asanexample, hehasguestedwithanumberofbandsincludingmembersofBritishBeat‘66for the“SensationalSixties-TheWoodstock Review”.Playershitthestagedressedlike hippiesandbeltedoutthemusicof‘The MamasandthePapas’and‘JoeCocker’just tonameacouple.

Recently,he’sbeenatthelegendaryPolaris studiosworkingonanewalbumofhisown compositions.WhileTheFormulaisthe coregroupinthatproject,musiciansfroma numberofotherhigh-profileareabandsare alsofeatured.Asingleandavideo‘I’veBeen There’isalmostsetforrelease.AsneakpreviewcanbefoundonYouTube.Fourother tuneswillfollowoniTunesaheadofthe 2015scheduledalbumrelease.

RickLaBonteisthe‘genuinearticle’.He believesinhiscommunityandselflessly devotesmuchofhistimeservinghisfellow citizens.He’sthechairpersonofUniforLocal 444’sEnvironmentCommittee,andhas beenafull-timeteacherfortheunion.Last year,hewasrecognizedbytheEssexRegion ConservationAuthorityforhiswork.Right now,he’sputtingtogetheraNewYear’sEve bandbashattheRiversideBanquetHallon LauzonRoad(behindAverageJoe’ssport bar)that’llfeature4bands,including‘The Formula’,‘TheSource’,‘TheSellouts’and ‘GuitarArmy’.

Simplyput,Rickloveshislife.“Ihaveto pinchmyselfwhenIrealizewhatagreattime I’mhaving,playingmusicanddoingcharity workandgettingpaidforit.Itjustdoesn’t getanybetterthanthat!” WLM

GeneralForecastfor2015 HOROSCOPE

BYLESLIENADON FORENTERTAINMENTPURPOSESONLY

During2015wefinallystarttoseethelightattheendofthetunnel.That isnotwhatyouwanttohear.Youwantoutofthetunnel!Wearegoing tobeendingathreeyearpatternthathaschangedthefaceoftheworld andeachofusinourplaceinit.However,wearemorelikelytobegetting abetterhandleonhowtodealwithsituationsthatarisetryingtothrowus off-course.Thegoodnewsisthatsomeofthestepswehaveputinplacetohelpusget throughtryingtimeswillnowbegintobear fruit.GoodthingsWILLhappen,butnotif wethrowourhandsupintheairandwalkaway.Thelastmileiswherewemeetwithsuccess.AccordingtoHenryFrederick,“Manyoflife’sfailuresarepeoplewhodidnotrealize howclosetheyweretosuccesswhentheygaveup.”Probablyeightypercentofthethings weworryaboutwillneverhappen.Anothertenpercentcouldberelatedtothosethings aboutwhichwecandonothingpersonally.Weneedtofocusontheareaswherewecan makechanges.KEEPITSIMPLE!Donotcomplicatemattersbytryingtodothatwhich cannotbesuccessful.Lifecanbeconfusinganduncertain.ButweMUSTfocusonwhat weCANdo,ratherthanonwhatwecannotdo.Donottrytoeatallthefoodonyourplate atonce.Takeyourtimeanddonotpushyourself,orothers,toextremes.Youroutlookon lifeischangingandlikewiseothersarecapableofchangingtoo!Thismaynotbethebest oftimes;but,YOUcanmakeitbetter.Takingafewsmallsteps, onestepatatime,will helpyoureachyourgoals.Thinkstrategicallyandpleaserememberthatneitherlifenor astrologycomeswithguarantees!

ARIES

MAR21-APR20:

Youneedtoremainopenandmoreflexible regardingideaswhichwillhaveanimpact onyourlife.Newevidencecomesintoplay andcanhelpyoumoveforward.Donot dismissitasofnoimportance.Thinkabout itbeforeyoutakeaction.Makesureyou havealltheinformationyouneedbefore youcommityourselftoaspecificproject whi chwillchangethecourseofyourendeavours.Ifyouassumethatyouknow everythingthereistoknow,youmaymiss outonachancetomoveintoabetter position.

TAURUS

APR21-MAY21:

Theremaybesomeissuesarisingwherefinancesareofconcern.Youneedtobevery clearwithothersaboutwhatyoucanand cannotdoinagivensituation.Donotgo outonalimbandstretchyourresourcestoo thin.Aback-upplanisessentialincase thingsdonotworkoutinquitethewayyou wantthemtodo.Youaremostlikelytobe ok.Itisotherswhomaynothavequite thesameamountofdeterminationand preparationtobesuccessfulthatcouldput youatrisk.Trustinothers,butbeprepared.

GEMINI

MAY22-JUN21:

Youhaveachancetoexpanduponyourrole inlife.Whatothersmayseeasdifficultyou tendtoseeasopportunity.Thisisofthe mostimportancewhererelationshipsare concerned.Ifyoupushyourlucktoofar, youmayloseoutonyouradvantages. Othersaremakingincreasingdemandson whattheyexpectofyou.Youneedtodothe bestyoucan,particularlywhereworkmattersareconcernedandinagreementsthat youhavemadewithco-workers.Taking onyourshareofresponsibilitycanbring success.

CANCER JUN22-JUL23:

Youemergefromdifficulttimesfeelingabit easier,knowingyoucanhandleyourselfbetternow.Thereisanewyou,abletotakeadvantageoffreshopportunities.Youwill probablybeverymuchindemandwitha specialskillthatyouhave.Beextremelyselectiveofassociateswhomaytrytotakeadvantageofyou.Youseemtohaveprepared yourselfforthelonghaulbytakingonresponsibilitiesthatotherswouldnotdo.Your hardworkpaysoffwhenyouleastexpectit todoso.Youhavepaidyourdues.

LEO JUL24-AUG23:

Youmayfindyourselfchoosingtowithdraw fromotherstosomeextentbecauseitmay seemasifeachencounterbringsnewdifficultiesandchallengeswithit.Itisimportantforyoutotakecareofyourselffirst,so thatyouwillbeinapositiontohelpothers whenitisnecessary.Stepsthatyouhaveput inplacebegintopayoff.Truefriendsand thosewhocareaboutyouwillstandbyyour decisionsandallowyouthefreedomtojust beyourselfwhenitisnecessary.Askandyou receive.Giveandyouwillget.

VIRGO

AUG24-SEP23:

Lifecanbeconfusingonthehome-front. Youmayfindyourselfhavingtodealwith issuesthatyouarehavingsomedifficulty handling.Mostoftheseissuesarenotnearly asclearcutasyouwouldlikethemtobe. However,thefinalresultcouldbemoreto yourliking.Patienceisthekey.Youmaybe tryingtogointoomanydifferentdirections allatthesametime.Actiongoingonelsewheremaybehavinganimpactonyour presentlifestyle.Itisoktoaskforhelpwhen youcouldcertainlyuseit.

LIBRA SEP24-OCT23:

Fornow,youneedtobemoreconcerned withwhatisratherthanwhatcouldbe.If youfeeldiscouragedjusttrytodoonesmall thingatatime.Whenyouhavedonethat successfully,moveontothenextitemon yourlistofactivities.Youmayfeelasifyou arenotabletoaccomplishmuch,butyou certainlyhavehadyourhandsfull,possibly moresothanothers.Betterdaysareright aroundthecorner.Theloadgetslighteras youcarryon.Putonefootinfrontofthe otherandsoonyouwillbewhereyouwant togo.

SCORPIO OCT24-NOV22:

Youmaybecomingtotermswithwhatis reallythemostimportantthinginyourlife, ratherthanfocusingonmaterialthoughts. Life isamatterofchoicesyoumakeandthe actionsyoutake,althoughitmaybethe choicesandactionsofsomeoneelsecloseto youthatdeterminesthedirectionyouwill go.Lifecomeswithpricetagsattached. Howmuchareyouabletopay?Whatisit worthtoyou?Itisimportanttofindout howtomakethosechangesthatarebeneficialtoyouandforothersyourtoppriority.

SAGITTARIUS

NOV23-DEC21:

Youmayassumeheavierresponsibilities, butyouwillberewardedfarmorethanyou thinkpossible.Itisnotacaseofgivingup yourfreedom.Itismoreaboutestablishing yourselfinthepositionwhereyouwantto be.Nowisthetimeforyoutosearchdeep withinyourselfanddecidewhoyoutruly areandwhatyouwanttogetoutoflifeitself.Themoredetailyouattachtothis,the happieryouwillbeinthelongrun.Thisis thetimeforyoutomakeplansandput downfirmrootsinyourlife.

CAPRICORN

DEC22-JAN20:

Thisisthetimewhenyoucanseeaproject throughtoitscompletion.Youhavegiven ityourallandnowitistimetotieuploose ends.Youneedtoclearthedeckssoto speak,inordertomakewayfornewactivitiesandmajorac complishmentheaded yourway.Nowyoucandowhatyouwant todo,allthosethingsthatyouputofffor tomorrowwhiletakingcareoftoday.Try nottodwellonthepast.Thisisyourfuture.Dowhateveryoucantomakeit bewhatyouwantittobe.It’soktotreat yourself!

AQUARIUS

JAN21-FEB19:

Newfriendscanhelpmakeyourlifeworthwhile.Itistimetostopandsmelltheroses. Youcanaccomplishmorethanyouever thoughtpossible.Yougainmuchwhenyou minimizethe“it’smywayorthehighway” attitude.Lifeisasharingprocessand bydoingso,yourjoywillbedoubledor eventripled.Youmayfearbeinghurt,but thatconcernalonecanhurtyoumore thananythingelse.Youwillsurviveand prosper.Thechoiceisyours.Donotmiss outongoodtimesaheadbecauseofpast performances.

PISCES

FEB20-MAR20:

Hardworkbringsgoodresults.Worryless. Domore.Therereallyisnoconflicthere. Youarebetterthanyouthinkyouare.You canbeputtingonagoodshow,butyou maystillbeunsureofyourselfattimes.Did Idothisright?DidIdothatright?Relax andenjoy.Youinstinctivelymaketheright choicesandtherightmoves.Whenyou don’tknowwhattodo,coastuntilthecoast isclear.Anopeningwillpresentitself andcantakeyouwhereyouneedtogo. Thefurtheryougo,theclearerthelandscapebecomes. WLM

STUDYINGTHE21ST CENTURYWOMAN

STORY/PHOTOGRAPHYBYDICKHILDEBRAND

AFTER‘LAUGHINGTHROUGHASECONDPREGNANCY’, Windsor authorVanessaShieldshasreturned...thistimewithabookofpoetry.Afterall,she says:“theworldneedsmorepoetry.”

‘IAmThatWoman’isanirreverent,candidcollectionofVanessa’spersonalinsight intothelifeofa21stcenturywoman.Thethemesoffemininityandmotherhood areviewedinamuchdifferentlightthanmostpeoplewouldexpect.Youcouldeven saymostoftheversecontainedinthishotlittlepublicationis‘PG’rated–some easilymakesthe‘R’category....certainlynotreadingmaterialforyoungkids.Infact, Vanessahasincludedacautionarynotetoherownkidsintheearlypagesofthis 64pagegem.

Appropriatelyenough,theopeningpoemistitled‘HowToSneezeAfterGiving BirthTwice’andisanaturalfollow-uptoVanessa’sfirstbook,‘LaughingThrough aSecondPregnancy’,whichdelves,infinitedetails,intotheauthor’ssecondchild deliveryexperienceas comparedtoherfirst.It’sstillavailableandisworthreading.

VanessaandherhusbandNick,co-founderofSuedeProductions,havebeen marriedfor11years.Theyhavetwochildren,asonJettwhois8andadaughter Millerwhois6.

BornandraisedinWindsor,VanessaattendedAssumptionHighandgraduated fromtheUniversityofWindsorwithadegreeinCommunications.Shehastaught

Author VanessaShields

writingformorethan10years,includingatSt. ClairCollege,andshehasorganized,ledandparticipatedinaseriesofworkshopsandretreats,and continuestoreadherpoemsatvariousfunctions. Thispastsummer,shetravelledtoSt.John’sNewfoundlandforaWriters’UnionofCanadaconferenceandparticipatedinapaneldiscussiononways ofengagingtheaudienceduringlivereadings.

HerprolificwritinghasearnedherOntarioArts Council’sWritersReservehonoursandin2010,she receivedtheWindsorEndowmentfortheArts awardasanemergingartistintheliteraryfield.Her workhasbeenpublishedinWrite!Magazine,the WindsorStarandLiberatingWorkingWomen.She holdsadiplomafor“WritingforChildrenand Teens”fromtheInstituteforChildren’sLiterature andisawinnerof2poetrycontestawardsthisyear fromtheOntarioPoetrySociety.“I’mconstantly enteringthesecontests,”saysVanessa,“andbecause ofthat,I’veusuallygotabout80piecesofpoetry lyingaroundjustincase.”ShehasalsobeenpresentedwithanOdysseyAwardbytheUniversityof WindsorAlumniAssociation,whichrecognizesits peerswhohavebeensuccessfulintheircareers.

Despiteherhecticschedule,Vanessaisawifeand motherfirst,assistsherhusbandatSuedeProductionsatleasttwiceaweek,makessurethekids attendalltheirsportingandotherextra-curricular events,andstillmanagestodevote9or10hoursa weekforherwriting.Atthemoment,onenovelis complete,whileasecondisnearlyfinishedandhas anagentinNewYorkwaitingtoreadit.

Vanessa’sbookofpoemscameaboutonthesuggestionlastyearfromformerWindsorStarcolumnist,author,UniversityofWindsorcreativewriting guruandpublisher,MartyGervaiswhoownsthe BlackMossPress.Vanessawasgivena5weekdeadlinetocompletetheproject,whichshedidinSeptemberof2013.Mostofthepoemsarenew....some thathadpreviouslybeenpublishedwerere-worked andaddedtotheanthology.50-pluspoemsare squeezedbetweenthecoversandleaveverylittleto

theimagination.Vanessapaintsbrutally clearpictures!Thepoemsarenotwhatmost peoplewouldexpect.They’redeliveredwith abitingwitandarenotforthefaintof heart.Thelanguageisdirect....thereisno mincingofwords.Thecollectionhasbeen sowell-receivedthatit’salreadyheadinginto a3rdprinting.

Vanessa’sabsoluteandtenderloveforher childrencanbefoundin‘WatchingYou SleepInTheEarlyMorning’whereshe writes:“youdon’tfeelthetearthatfallsfrom myeyeintothecurveofyourperfectblond curl.......itholdsforaninstantclearandtrue beforerelaxingintothearmsofyourhair.”

Therearereferencestoherchildhoodin ‘1415EllisStreetEast’(Onthecornerof EllisandMoy)......“IthrewarockatTodd’s headbyaccident,gasheditopenandstood afoolasheranhomecrying,bloodseeping throughhisfingerslikeameltingpopsicle. Mymommademerenderanapologyinhis livingroomonhisbirthday...thehousefull offamily.Ifeltusedandobligated.Hestill wantedtokissmeinthefortbetweenthe buildings.”

Andfromthetitlepoem‘IAmThat Woman’:“Icookthedinner,setthetable, pourthedrinks,divvythefood(teachthe kidstosayMayIpleasebeexcused?)Finish mymealalone,clearthetable,dothedishes. HecomeshomeandIdoitagain.”There’s muchmoretothatlittledittywhichgoeson forawhileandprettymuchdescribeswhat mostwomenwithfamiliesfaceeverydayof theirlives.

‘IAmThatWoman’goesfor$17acopy andiswortheverypenny.Itcanbeobtained atBiblioasisonWyandotteeastnearGladstone,atWhiteFeatherHolisticsonOttawa StreetandonlinefromAmazon.ca.Itcan alsobeordereddirectlyfromtheauthorby loggingontowww.vanessashields.com.

Whilethere’slittledoubtthat‘IAmThat Woman’isa‘chick-book’,alotofguyshave readitandcommentedonitscontents. Manyevenadmithavinglearnedstuffabout theoppositesex...thingstheyneverhada clueabout.Thebookisafunread.You’ll laughandyoumayevenbeshockedatsome ofthethingsyouread.Onethingiscertain –youwon’tbeboredandyouwillcome awaywithanintrinsicknowledgeofthe thinkingprocessofa21stcenturywoman.

VanessaShieldshasdaredtoverbalize,on paper,aboutsubjectsthatmostwomenonly thinkaboutbutwouldneverdaresay!

Asoneobserverwrote:“She’sabluemoon inanotherwisewhite-moo nedliterary world.”

INHONOUROFTHEONESWELOVE,INC.

ContinuesToGiveBackToTheCommunity

WINDSOR-ESSEXIS fortunatetohavean organizationlikeInHonouroftheOnesWe Love,Inc.Foundedin1997byAnitaImperioli, theirvisionistoraiseawarenessandensurethis communityhasaccesstothebestmedicaltreatmentswithstate-of-the-artfacilitiesspecializinginenhancingcancerpatientcare.

Overthelast18yearsthisorganizationhasraisedover$6,000,000insupport ofprogramsandamenitiesforcancerpatientsandtheirfamilies.Thesefunds have beenusedtosupportthepurchaseofaBloodLab,CT-ScanMachine, BrachytherapyRadiationTable,aSARALift,aGivingTree,InHonourofthe OnesWeLove–FamilyTree,SummerCampforChildren,aRespite&PalliativeCareHomeandanOncologyProcedureRoom.Inadditiontheyfounded theKidsBeatingCancerHonourableNinjasProgram.

RecentlyInHonouroftheOnesWeLove,Inc.announcedtheappointment ofKimSpirouofSpirouandAssociatesasDirectorofDevelopmentandCommunityRelations.InthisroleSpirouwillsupporttheorganization’sfundraising andpublicrelationsefforts.Spirouhasawealthofexperienceinfundraising andpublicrelationsthatwillgreatlybenefittheorganization.

“Iamprivilegedtohavetheopportunitytosupportsuchanexceptionaland visionaryorganization.InHonouroftheOnesWeLovehasmadeextraordinary contributionsbothintermsofitsfinancialinvestmentinhealthcareandin termsofinnovativeprogrammingithasinitiatedtoenhancethecareofpatients facinglifethreateningillnesses.Anitawasthefirsttorecognizethevalueofa martialartsprogramforchildrenandbroughtittoourcommunitybackin 2008whenfewpeopleunderstooditspowerandimpact.”

AspartoftheInHonouroftheOnesWeLovefamily,Spirouwillplayanimportantroleintheirfuture projects.

Theirmostrecentinitiativesincludethepurchaseof anewBladderScannertobeusedintheEmergency RoomofWindsorRegionalHospital.Thescanneris portableandworkssimilartoanultrasound.Theyhave alsocompletedaQuietRoomintheCriticalCare Unit.Thisroomwasrequestedbyphysiciansasaprivatespaceforthemtomeetwithfamilies.Itwillbe namedbyInHonouroftheOnesWeLoveInc.

AttheOuellettecampusofWindsorRegionalHospital,therearethreecomfortcartsfundedbyInHonourandTheresaMelocheandchildren,inmemoryof JohnMeloche,availableforpatientsandfamiliesinthe palliativeunit.Thecart,managedbyPastoralServices, isavailableon-demandtoprovideadditionalcomfort andamenitiesforfamilieswhoarespendingcountless hoursatthehospital.Inaddition,anoutpatientroom wasdedicatedinhonourofBryceMamowhodied fromabraintumour.Hewouldhaveturned19this yearonDecember7,thedayofthededication.

“WindsorRegionalHospitalcontinuestobeextremelygratefultoIn HonouroftheOnesWeLove forallthattheydotoprovideadditionalcomfortand caretopatientsandtheirfamilies,”saysRonFoster, Vice-President,Communications,PublicRelationsand Philanthropy,WindsorRegionalHospital.

In2008,InHonouroftheOnesWeLoveintroduced“KidsBeatingCancer”(HonourableNinjas) MartialArtsProgramforchildrenwithcancerand otherlife-threateningillnessesordisabilities.

Top:AnitaImperioliisthefounderofInHonouroftheOnesWeLoveInc.,mandatedtoenhancethe livesofpatientsfacingcancerandotherlife-changinghealthchallenges,aswellastheirfamilies. Aboveandright:GrandmotherGeriSpencerwithTobyScottandhissonsBenandAlexareoneof manyfamilieswhohavebenefittedfromInHonouroftheOnesWeLoveinthiscommunity.Benand AlexareparticipantsoftheHonourableNinjasMartialArtsProgram.

TohonourandsupportsickchildreninWindsor andEssexCounty,InHonouradministersandfunds thisprogramforyoungpatientssufferingfrom cancer,chroniclifethreateningillnessesandother disabilitiesalongwiththeirsupportivesiblings.Each ofthelittleninjasarebraveindividualsdedicatedto theirweeklyclassesatWindsorRegionalHospital andtheJohnMcGivneyChildrenCentre.

Thisisatherapeuticprogramthatteacheschildren totrainintheartof martialarts,acquiringspecial skillstoaccomplishtheirmissiontofighttheir disease.Thegoalisforchildrentoenvisiontheir illnessassomethingthattheyconquerthatwillnever conquerthem.Itbuildsself-esteem,confidence, self-respectandself-disciplinealongwithspecial breathingtechniqueswhichimprovestheirfocusand concentration.

Theprogramhasbeenextremelysuccessful.Ben andAlexScotthavebeeninvolvedwiththeHonourableNinjasforthepastfouryears.Theirmother, Jen,heardabouttheprogramfromastudentinher classatschoolwhohadbeendiagnosedwithcancer. AfewyearslatershereadanarticleintheWindsor Starabouthowtheprogramhadexpandedandnow allowedforchildrenwithotherchroniclifethreateningillnessestoparticipate.

“Iwasveryexcitedtoreadaboutthiswonderful opportunityformyson.Benwasbornwithacongenitalheartdefectandhasundergonetwoopen heartsurgeri es,severalproceduresandhasapacemaker.Hehasparticipatedinothersportsprograms overtheyearsbutashegetsoldertheskillsofhis peersincreaseatamuchquickerrateandheisnot abletocompete.Karatehasbeenamazingforhimas eachchildworksanddevelopsskillsattheirownrate andtothebestoftheirability.OvertheyearsBen’s coordination,skillandself-esteemhavegrown.He hasbuiltfriendshipsandlooksforwardtokarate everyMondaynight.Theinstructorsandvolunteers arepassionateandcaringandhavecreatedafamilylikeenvironmentforthechildrenandtheirfamilies. TheygoaboveandbeyondbythrowingHalloween andChristmasparties,fashionshows,summer BBQ's,beltingceremoniesandotherspecialevents forthechildren,”saysJen.

Ben,10,andhisbrother,Alex,bothparticipatein theprogram.

"It'sgreat,itteachesyouselfdefenseandifyouare goingthroughtreatmentitteachesbreathingtechniques.Ihavedevelopedfriendshipsandeveryoneis sonicetoeachother,"saysBen.

Noneoftheequipmentorprogramsprovidedby InHonouroftheOnesWeLovewouldbepossible withoutfundraising.Their17thAnnualGalaDinnerisscheduledforSaturday,February7,2015atthe

CiociaroClubofWindsor.Thespecialeveningincludeschampagneand horsd’oeuvres,agourmetdinner,martinibar,silentauction,raffle,musicand entertainment.Ticketsare$125perpersona ndareavailablebycontacting 519-966-2960oranita@inhonour.ca.

“Theraffleisextraspecialthisyearwithaprizebeinga2012FIATLounge FWDCoupeautographedbyAlPacino,”saysSpirou.Thecarwasdonatedby Vince,MargaretandGiulianaMoceri.

Inadditiontothegala,theyorganizeseveralfundraisersincludingafashion show,golftournament,walkathon,Halloweenparty,PotatoFestandBowlathon.

“Noneofthiswouldbepossiblewithoutthesupportofourvolunteers,sponsorsandthosewhoattendourevents.Itisbecauseofourcommunity’sgenerous spiritthatwehavebeenabletoaccomplishsomuchtoimprovelocalcancer patientcare,”saysImperioli.

“Attheendofdaywewanttoensurethatchildrenandfamilieshaveaccessto thecaretheyneedintheirowncommunity.”

FormoreinformationaboutInHonouroftheOnesWeLoveInc.visit www.inhonour.ca

PRESSPASS

OLDCASTLEHERITAGEPARK

asnowstorminthe Windsorarealeftroadsslipperyanddangerous.Shortlyafter3pm, aspeedinggraveltruckcareenedoutofcontrol,strikingaschool busonWalkerRoad,justnorthofHighway3nearOldcastle,buryingthevehicleundertonsofsand.8childrendied...another16 wereinjuredandrushedtoareahospitals.Thekidswerestudents attheFrithPublicSchoolonNorthTalbotRoadandwereheaded home.ItwasjustfourdaysbeforeChristmas.

Now,nearly48yearsafterthattragicevent,the8littlevictims havebeenmemorializedina2-acrepark,immediatelysouthof TecumsehFireStation2,neartheaccidentscene.

TheideawasfirstbroughtbeforeTecumsehtowncouncilin 2004bythelateBobPulleyblankoftheSandwichSouthandArea

1. Oneofthetreesplantedin memoryoftheeightvictims. 2. MayorGaryMcNamaraand AnnaDubecuttingtheribbonto officiallyopentheHeritagePark. 3. LindseyMillsdedicatesasong toherlatebrother. 4. Specialplaquehonouringthe eightaccidentvictims. 5. Oneofonlytwosurvivingparents, AnnaDubeandhersonTed,a Kingsvillepharmacist.Ted survivedthebuscrashthattook thelifeofhissister 6. WendyPulleyblankaddressing thosegatheredforthepark dedication

700signaturepetition,councilchoseto placetheproposalonthebackburner, whereitsatuntilabout2yearsagowhen Bob’sdaughter,Wendy,adirectorofthe HistoricalSocietywentbeforecouncilagain witharevivedplan.Withstrongsupport fromcouncillorTaniaJobinandDeputymayorCherylHardcastle,thewheelswere setinmotionfordevelopmentoftheOldcastleHeritagePark.

AccordingtoWendyit’snotarecreational area,butrather“apassiveparkwithbenches andapergolawereonecansitandreflect, readabook,orhavelunch....apeaceful, healingpark.”Nearby,visitorswillbeable toseeaplaquewithpicturesofeachofthe childrenandreadsomeaccidenthistory. Thepark,developedatacostof$30,000 remainsmostlyinitsnaturalstate.Thereare walkingpathslinedwithrocksandgracious treeswhich willeventuallyconnecttothe EssexRegionConservationGreenwayimmediatelytotheeast.

Wendywasonly5atthetimeandsawthe accident.Sherecallsstandingonthecorner withhermother,waitingforherbrother andsistertogetoffthebus.Hersiblings, fortunately,werenotaboard....theyhad stayedinschooltohelpteacherscleanup forChristmas.

Instarkcontrasttothewintrymixon thedayoftheaccident,lastmonth’spark dedicationwasblessedwithbrilliantsunshineandseasonabletemperatures.Several hundredpeoplewerethere,manyhaving travelledfromvariouspartsofOntario. TecumsehMayorGaryMcNamaraand AnnaDube,oneoftheonlytwosurviving parentscuttheribbontoofficiallyopen therusticlittlepark.Theothersurviving mother,JeanCurtis,wasattheceremony, butpreferredkeepingalowprofileanddid notparticipate.LindseyMillschokedback tearsasshesangaspecialsongdedicatedto herolderbrotherBlain,oneoftheaccident victims.

Plansarealreadyunderwayforahomecomingattheparkintwoyearsonthe 50thanniversaryoftheaccident.....family membersandlocalresidentswillbeinvited toattend.

8newtreeshavebeenplantedatthe park...eachonerepresentingandidentifying oneoftheyoungvictims....ThomasO’Neil, 9,BlainMills,7,DavidMcKee,8,Rhonda MayMcDonald,9,LaurieAnnLeithead,6, AnnaMarieDube,7,GaryCurtis,8and SusanIreneBrown,also8.

Thememorialensuresthattheirmemory willneverfade. WLM

DECEMBER

AST.CLAIRCHRISTMAS2014

ToDec.13.TheMusicTheatrePerformance andEntertainmentTechnologyStudentsof St.ClairCollegepresentASt.ClairChristmas2014.AttheChryslerTheatre,201 RiversideDr.W.,Windsor,curtainsgoup onthemerryplayat7:30pm,Dec.5,6,10, 11and12andat3pmonDec.13.Ticket priceis$5andup.519-252-6579or chryslertheatre.com.

OTTAWAWINTERLIGHTINGFESTIVAL

ToDec.7.TheOttawaStreetBIAishostingitsOttawaWinterLightingFestivalfrom 10am.to11pm.OttawaStreetbetween WindermereRd.andLangloisAve.willbe jollywithentertainmentforallages,treats andalightingdisplay.519-919-8733.

Saturday,6

WINDSORSANTACLAUSPARADE

Floats,clowns,bands,horsesandSantahimselfwillbetraversingRiversideDriveW.at 6p.m.inthe46thAnnualWindsorSanta ClausParade.ThemerchantsandrestaurateursofOldeSandwichTowneareputting outawarmwelcomeforparadegoers. santaparade.org.

Sunday,7

WILLISTEADMANORHOLIDAYTOURS

ToDec.28.EdwardChandlerWalker’shistoricmansionat1899NiagaraSt.inOld Walkervilleisfestivelydecoratedfortheseasonandopenfortours.AdmissiontotheelegantformerresidenceofHiramWalker’s sonis$5.75peradult;$4.75persenior;and $2.25perchildaged12yearsandyounger. TheWillisteadManorHolidayToursare from1to4pmonSun.,Dec.7,14,21and 28;andfrom7to9pmonWed.,Dec.3,10 and17. 519-253-2365.

SANTA’SSCIENCELAB

Kidscandelvedeeperintothemagicofthe holidaysbyexploringSanta’sScienceLab. Theeventishostedfrom1to3pmatthe VollmerCultureandRecreationComplex, 2121LaurierDr.,LaSalle. lasallecultureandrecreation.ca.

Friday,12

SANTAROCKSYOUTHDANCE

Studentsingrades6,7and8candanceand bemerrywithSantaandtheElvesatthe SantaRocksYouthDance.Theholidayhits willbeplayingfrom7to10pmatthe VollmerCultureandRecreationComplex, 2121LaurierDr.,LaSalle.519-969-7771.

Saturday,13

MUSICEXPRESSWONDEROFCHRISTMAS

AndDec.14.MusicExpressand12local schoolchoirsaremakingtheseasonring withtheirWonderofChristmasmusical program,heldinbenefitoftheDowntown Missionandschoolprograms.AtL’Essor HighSchoolTheatreat13605St.Gregory Rd.,Tecumseh,performancesareat2:30 and7pmonSat.andSun.Ticketsareavailableatparticipatingschoolsandbycalling 519-735-6397.Advanceticketpriceis$10 peradultand$5per child;atthedoor,the priceis$15peradultand$5perchild.

ESSEXSANTACLAUSPARADE

Amoving,illuminatedspectacleshowcasingfloats,entertainersandSantaClaus,the EssexSantaClausParadeiscomingtotown at6:30pmsantaparade.org.

Sunday,14

BREAKFASTWITHSANTA

KidsandtheirgrownupscanenjoyBreakfastwithSantaandphotosessionsfrom8 amto2pmattheCanadianTransportation Museum,6155ArnerTownline,Essex.The buffeteventprice,plustax,is$10peradult and$5perchildaged5to12years.Tots under4eatforfree.519-776-6909or ctmhv.com.

Wednesday,17

CHRISTMASATTHEBLACKMUSEUM

Acclaimedbluesandjazzsinger,Shahidah Nurullah,willserenadeguestswithherholidayfavouritesduringChristmasatthe BlackMuseum.Startingat7pmatNazrey A.M.E.Church,277KingSt.,Amherstburg,thespecialeventalsoincludesa dessertbuffet.Pricedat$30perperson, ticketsareavailableateventbrite.ca. 519-736-5433.

JANUARY

Sunday,18

2015CHATHAM-KENT

TOYSHOWANDSALE

Kidsandtheyoungatheartareinvitedto attendthe2015Chatham-KentToyShow andSale.From10amto3pmattheJohn D.BradleyConventionCentre,565RichmondSt.,Chatham,guestscanenjoydisplays,hands-onactivitiesandfarmtoys, trains,sportscards,modelships,books,actionfigures,collectiblesandmoreonview. Admissionis$4peradult;$2perstudent; andfreeforchildrenaged6yearsand younger.ProceedsgototheC-K4-HFarm ToyClubandC-KOutreachforHunger. 519-352-8365.