Althoughpeopleregularlygoforeyeexaminations,manydon’t realizetheirearsneedongoingcheckups,too.“Considerahearing testaspartofyourannualphysical,”recommendsTinaStafferton, theprimaryaudiologistatSoundHearingCare.
Itisquiteobviouswhenyourvisiongetsweaker,thingslook progressivelyblurrier.Sinceyoucan’tblameanotherpersonfornot beinginsharpfocus,youhavetoadmittheissueisyourown.However,whenyour hearingstartstodiminish,thereareotherfactors thatyoumaybelieveaccountforit.Yourpartnerorco-workermumbles.TheTV’svolumeistoolow.Thereisstaticonthephoneline.
Untestedandunaided,hearinglossgrowssteadilyworse,not better.Withhearing,youreallydohavetouseit-orloseit.
Thenaturaldesignoftheearisverysophisticated.Tocontinue hearingoptimallytheearneedstobeabletoreceiveandrespond tosoundstravellingthroughitssystem .Thatiswhyahearingaid maytrulymakethemostofthehearingyoustillhave.
Onequickandeasywaytocheckthelevelofyourhearingisto takeafreeassessmentonlineatsoundhearingcare.ca.Youmaybe surprisedbywhatyou’vebeenmissing.
Whiletheonlineassessmentishelpful,itcan’tprovidethekind ofcomprehensivehearingtestyouwillreceiveduringathorough examinationatSoundHearingCare.“Evenifyourhearingisfine rightnow,itisimportanttoestablish abaselineassoonaspossiblesothatwehaveittocomparewithfuturehearingtests,”Tina explains.
Toencouragepeopletogettheirhearingtestedimmediately,
SoundHearingCareisofferingcomplimentaryhearingtests throughoutMay.“It’sBetterHearingMonth.Whydon’tyouhonour itbygettingexaminationsforyouandthepeopleyoucareabout?” Tinaasks.
Shouldyourhearingtestindicatethatahearingaidisrequired foroneorbothears,SoundHearingCarehasacomprehensive rangeofoptionstosuityourlifestyleandbudget.Aidsbyall manufacturersareavailable.
Althougheachaidprovidesamplification,theonerightforyou willdependonthelevelsofhearinglossandconfiguration.Various modelsincludeopenfit,invisibleincanal,completelyincanal,in thecanal,intheearandbehindtheear.“Weworkwithyouto determinewhichstyleisbest,”Tinasays.
Somepeoplehavegoodhearingbutexperiencespecific challenges.“Thoughtheydon’tneedhearingaids,theyfindthey havetroublelisteningtosomeoneonthephoneorhearingtheTV. Yettheydofineinfacetofacesituations,”Tinasays.“Ourassistive listeningdevices,likeTVearsoraspecialphone,cantakecareof that.”
Beingproactivecanhelppreservethehearingyouhave.Ifyou workinaloudenvironmentorareamusicianorswimmer,depend onSoundHearingCareforcustomplugsandnoiseprotection.
Rightnow,peoplewhowearhearingaidscantakeadvantageof SoundHearingCare’sbuyone,getonefreebatteryspecial.“You don’thavetobeapatienthere.”Tinainvites,“Justdropinforour deal.”
Forourthirdeducationalseminarthetopicwillbe skincancer, earlydetectionandtreatmentoptions.Biannualmoleand pigmentcheckupsonthefaceandbodyarerecommendedfor earlypreventativemeasures.Melanomasarethefastestgrowing andmostlethalskincancersandneedimmediateattention.Basal cellsandsquamouscellcancersareslowertodevelopandcanbe preventedifdiagnosedearly.Theycanbeeasilyandpainlessly eradicatedusingvarioustreatmentoptionsinouroffice.
GraduatingfromAustraliagavemeanedgeandgreatinterestin skincancersbecausethereweremorepeopledyingtherefrom melanomasinthe1960sand70sthantherestoftheworld combined.InAustraliamelanomaswerenotuncommonon unusualareassuchasthepalmsofhands,solesofthefeet,and evenundernails.Thereforefeelfreetocomeinwithanyquestionsorconcernsregardingskincancers.
Ournexteducationalseminarison Thursday,May15th, 2014. Theseminarwillbelocatedatourclinic: 9833TecumsehRd.E. Spaceislimitedsopleasecall 519-979-6141 toreserveaseat. Thesesessionsarefreewithnoobligations.Horsd’oeuvresand refreshmentswillbeprovided.
WindsorLifeMagazineispublished8timesperyear.Mailed deliveryinCanadaisavailablefor$30.00peryearincluding H.S.T.A$50.00chargeisrequiredformaildeliveryanywhereoutsideofCanada.Sendchequealongwithaddress informationtoWindsorLifeMagazine,318-5060TecumsehRoadE.,WindsorOntario,N8T1C1.
JustwhenitlookedlikewinterwasmanoeuvringforahostiletakeoveroftheSun ParlourofCanada,springfinallyshowed up.Judgingbythemanypatioumbrellas poppingupallovertheneighbourhood,I’ll beteverybodyisasrelievedasIamtofeel warmagain.
Therereallyisnowhereasgorgeousas ourareainspringtime,whenthetulipsand daffodilsarebloomingandthefruitand magnoliatreescomeoutinblossom.IfI haven’tdonethisbefore,letmeexpressmy thankstothemunicipalandprofessional gardeners,landscapersandgroundskeepers fortheiroutstandingwork.Ialsooffera hugebouquetofgratitudetothegardening enthusiastswhobeautifytheirownyards andbalconies,generouslysharingtheresultswithusall.
Asexpected,thisissueofWindsorLife unveilsthelatesttrendsingardening throughourcoverageofthenationalgardeningshow,CanadaBlooms.Youcanalso tourthestunningpropertyofaprivate homeonBob-LoIsland.
Whenyou’resittinginyourownpatio chair,relaxwithourstoriesaboutpianist AnyaLauren,BeggarauthorChristopher ShoustandDCComicsartistJasonFabok.
Meetthelocalhighschoolstudentsand theirrobotswhofacedoffduringthe WindsorEssexGreatLakesRegional FIRSTRoboticsCompetitiononthecourt attheUniversityofWindsor’sSt.Denis Centre.
Athletesofadifferentkindarebeing representedbyUniversityofWindsorlaw profess orEmirCrowne,whooffershis servicesfreeofchargetoCanadian Olympianswhobelievetheyhavebeen treatedunjustly.
Withsomuchenergycracklingoffour pages,youmightfeelinneedofaspring tonictokeepup.PerhapsyouhaveIron Overload,acommonbutrelativelyunknowngeneticdisorderthatmanyCanadiansdon’trealizetheyhave.
Onestorythatiscertaintoupliftyou followsWindsor’sRotariansandfriendson theirhumanitarianmissiontoAfrica.Itwill makeyouappreciateourmanyblessingsall themore.
Sincerely, BobRobinson
LONGBEFOREBOB-LOISLANDBECAME anexclusive residentialcommunityofupscaleproperties,the250-acreisle situatednearAmherstburg,atthemouthoftheDetroitRiver, provedirresistibletovisionarybuilders.
Thechallengethatarchitects,engineersandcontractorseach facedwastransportingthematerials,toolsandworkforcenecessarytogetthejobdone.Theirpasttriumphsstandproudlyyeton whatwasonceknownasBoisBlancIsland:Alighthouseerected
in1836,oneofthreemilitaryblockhousesbuiltin1839and HenryFord’sstoneDancePavilion,designedbyarchitectsAlbert KahnandJohnScottandcompletedin1913.
Recently,acouplealsofoundBob-LoIslandtobeidyllic.Ona waterfrontlot,theybuiltatraditionallystyledmansioncladinsoft greysidingandoutlinedinwhitetrimforatimeless,nauticalfeel. Thepropertywasattractivelylandscapedandthefamilysettledin forfunandrelaxingtimesatthewater’sedge.
AnewerprivateresidenceonBob-LoIsland receivesalandscapingre-creationworthyof thegrandretreatsbuiltatthestartofthelast century.Naturallimestoneaddedtotherenovatedlowerlevelofthehome'sexterioris repeatedonthelandscape’snewtiers,walls, plantersandoutdoorkitchen.Whiteframing wasbuiltovertheporchesandscreenedfor pest-freeenjoymentoftheoutdoors.
Thetiledinfinitypoolisableto continuouslyoverflowwithwater throughthesupportofanundergroundcisternthatcatchesand re-filtersthewaterbeforepushingitbackupandintothepool. Atnight,LEDlightingbeneath thecopingilluminatesthepool’s exterior.Awhirlpoolseemsto floatabovethepool.
Someyearslater,whenthelotnextdoorbecame availableforpurchase,thecouple’simaginationwent intooverdrive.Withsomuchpotentialontheir doorstep,theysnappedupthelotandcalledinLandscapeEffectstohelprealizetheirnewvision.
PaulSt.Pierre,presidentofLandscapeEffects Group,wasintriguedbythedesignpossibilitiespresentedbyanislandpropertythatcamewithfabulous vistasandevenitsownminiisland.Inordertoaccommodateallthefeaturesthehomeownerswanted, thedoublelotswouldneedtobescrapedcleanofthe existinglandscapingandkidney-shapedpoolwhile retainingmaturetreesandotherdesirableelements. Thehouseitselfwouldalsorequiresomeworkinorder totieitintothelandscaping.
ThelogisticswouldstretchPaul’sconsiderable knowledgeinmanoeuvringaroundEssexCounty. Decadesofbringingmachineryintotightbackyards, unloadingmaterialsonbusystreetsandducking maturetreesunderpowerlinesdidn’tcountwhenPaul stoodinAmherstburgandcontemplatedthenarrow stretchofwaterseparatingLandscapeEffects’delivery trucksandBob-LoIsland.
Everythingwashauledbybarge,oneboatloadata time.Unabletotransportacementmixertruckover thewater,LandscapeEffects’pouredconcreteinsmall trailers,broughtthemovertoBob-Loandthenpoured inplace.Paulbecameveryawareofthetimingofhigh andlowwaters.
Suchwereamongthemoremundanedetailsof transformingthehomeowners’doublelot.Thefun partwasinassemblingthecouple’swishlist.Afternumerousconsultations,itread:Oneoutdoorkitchen,a fulltenniscourtenclosedbywalls,acabana,araised infinitypoolandwhirlpool,diningandseatingareas
includingacasualspotaroundafireplace,agolf teeonthemainlanddirectedtowardagolfhole ontheislet,abridgetoconnectthetwo,allunifiedbyhardscapesandstonemasonryelevations accentedwithbalustersandotherfeatures.
“Theownersreallyworkedheavilywithus.It wasimportanttotieupeverylooseend,”Paul says.
Inall,ittook18monthsofvisioning,planning, strategizingandthendoingthephysicalwork. Finalcompletionwasspring2012.Thedesignhas goneontowinprovincialandnationalawards.
Aestheticallypleasing,theresultsarealsoinherentlypractical.Complementingtheresidence’s architecture,thecabanaisequippedwithchange roomsandshowers.“Peopledon’thavetogoinsidethehousetochangeafterplayingtennisor swimming,”Paulsays.
Theinfinityswimmingpoolwaschosenover otheroptionsbecausewhenitseverflowingwaterspourovertheraisedtiledsides,leavesand otherblownindebriswashout.
Thesideoftheresidencefacingthewaterfront underwentrenovationtobetterutilizetheinteriorspacesandextendenjoymentofthebigwide porches.Toprotecteveryoneagainstmosquitos atdusk,theporchesweretreatedtonewwhite framingandscreening.OneareaservesasacomfortableoutdoorlivingroomwithaTVandbar. Shrubberywasremovedfromthebaseof thehouse,clearingthewayfornewdoorsand
Clockwisefromupperleft:Teeingoffina Bob-LoIsland’sprivateyard,thegolfer needstoclearthewatertohitthehole ontheproperty’sislet,withoutovershootingintotheDetroitRiver.Abridge linkstheislandtotheislet,wherethree maturetreesstandsentinel.Underasuspendedumbrella,friendschatwhileadmiringtheview.Chairsgatheredaround anoutdoorfireplacecreateacozyspotat thewater'sedge.
WhatTecumsehhasbeenwaitingfor. NowTakingReservations COMING SOON!
EzioTartaro PRESIDENT GINTARHOMES PRESIDENT GREATERWINDSOR HOMEBUILDERS ASSOCIATION 2010-2012 THE MID FORFURTHERINFO CONTACT: RICKLESCANEC, BrokerofRecord RickLes@DeerbrookRealty.com • (519) 972-1600 24hrs DeerbrookPLUSRealtyInc. Brokerage LakewoodPark.ca
windowstobecutintothesolidexterior walls,whichwerethencoveredinauthentic,hand-cutandpainstakinglyinstalled limestonetomatchthenewhardscaping.
Apizzaovenwasbuiltagainstthehouse’s stonewall.Itformsonesideofthestone outdoorkitchen,fullyequippedformeal preparationonitsgranitecountertops. Nearbyisalongdiningtablewithanenviableviewofthemainland’sgreenshoreline.
Underfoot,stonepavingspreadsoverall theareas,link ingmeanderingpathwaysto theexpansiveterrace.Itsgreyandpale peachtonesalmostglowwhenthesunsets.
Thepoolactuallydoesradiateatday’s end.Tiledinsideandoutwithsmall mosaicsinpeachandgrey,thesquarepool hascopingthatcantileversovertheedgeto accommodateLEDlightingunderneath.A troughatthebasereceivesthecontinually overflowingwater,whichthendrainstoa cisternbelowforrecirculation.
Becausethepropertyhasaswimming pool,ithadtobefenced.Blackwrought ironfencinghonoursthetraditionalarchitecturewhileretainingopenness.Fencing wasnotneededatthewater’sedge,sothe fairwayiswideopenforteeingoff.Asteel bridgespansthewater.LandscapeEffects rimmedtheisletwithlimestonerocks.
Inselectingthelandscape’splants,the couplewasveryinvolved,requestingboxwoodandotherclippedandmounded greenery.“Everythingistexturesofgreen–verymattefinish,”Paulnotes.
Dripirrigationkeepsthegreenerylush instoneplanters.“Thereissomuchundergroundwork,”Paulsays.Whathecalls the“ooh,aahwork”didn’tbeginforlong monthsafterward.Waterpumps,filtersand othermechanicalsarecamouflagedbehind stoneworkandplantings.
Intheirtailor-madelandscape,the homeownersaresettorevelinanotherendlesssummer.Passersbylookonanddo somedreamingoftheirown.Paulremarks, “Thisplacestopsboattraffic.”
WLM Wedon’tstrivetobethebiggest, butwedostrivetobethebest.
Notaweekgoesbythataclientdoesn’task“howmuchdoIpay infees?”,“whyaretherefeesonmyinvestments?”and“howmuch doyougetpaid?”
Allverylegitimatequestionsandevenmoresensitivetodayinthis timeoftheClientRelationshipModel.CRMasitisknown,isa comprehensive,financial-industry-widereformpackageaimedat enhancingtherelationshipbetweeninvestorsandadvisors.Part oftheCRMfocusesontransparencyandreporting,notablywhat productand servicecostsinvestorscanexpecttopayincluding chargesinvolvedintheoperationoftheaccount,making,holdingandsellingofinvestments,andanyothercompensationreceivedbythedealeroradvisor.
Alottotalkabout,however,itbreaksoutquitesimply.Let’slook ataportfolioinvestinginmutualfunds.InaBundledstrategy, a$10,000investmentthatcharges2.5%MER(management expenseratio),thefirstyearcostcouldbe$250.Roughlyhalf ofthatfigure coversprofessionalinvestmentmanagementand administrationofthefundandtaxes.Whilethebalancerepresentsthecostofadviceandispassedalongtothedealershipyour financialadvisorisaffiliatedwith.Thedealerretainstheirportion andtheadvisorisnormallypaidapercentageoftheamountreceivedbythedealership.Theadvisor’sportioncoversthecostof
anynumberofservicestheymayprovide,aswellastheirbusiness operatingcosts.
InaDirectstrategy,likeManulifeSecuritiesIncorporated'sPremierInvestmentProgram,youchoosetopayforadvice.Again let’susethesame$10,000mutualfundinvestment.IntheDirect strategy,thecostofyourmutualfundwillnotincludeanyadvisorcompensationsoyoucanexpecttopayanannualfeeofabout 1.4%or$140.Thisamountcoversthecostofinvestmentmanagement,administrationofthefundandtaxes.Thecostofadvice ispaiddirectlybyyoutothedealershipyour advisorisaffiliated with.Althoughthereareanumberofwaysanadvisormaychoose tooperatetheirbusiness,thevastmajorityarepaidapercentage ofyourtotalinvestment.Inthisscenario,let’sassume1.1%or $110inclusiveoftaxes.Againtheamountyoupayissharedbetweenthedealershipandtheadvisor.
Remember,thesearejustexamplesofamutualfundportfolioand maynotbetotallyrepresentativeofyourportfolio.Thingscan changewhenyourportfolioincludesstocksandbonds.
Iwouldlovetochatwithyouaboutyourinvestmentportfolio. Pleasecallmeat519-250-0515orcontactmethroughmywebsite.
Source:InvescoCanadaLtd.
inthebackyard.You’vebeenputtingitoffbecauseyoucringeatthebotherofaddingautilitarianlittlebuildingthatwillholdyourstuffandruinthebackyardeffectyouaretryingtoattain.
EuroShedsistheansweryou’vebeenwaitingfor.Whetherit’sforyour garden,asapoolhouse,bunkhouse,hobbyortoolstorage,oneofthefinely craftedEuroShedsdesignswillaccentuateyourlandscapeandserveyouwell foryearstocome.
EuroShedscomplimentanybackyard.Thesedurableshedsexhibitthe characteristicsofthegardenshedsofEuropewithcharmingdesignsthat accentuateyourbackyardsetting.TheEuroShedsteam,undertheleadershipof ChrisandCharlotteBlanchette,takecareofthedetails,buildingandpreassemblingasmuchaspossibleintheirLaSallebasedshopandthenerecting yourshedinyouryardinasingleday.
Allthatisrequiredofyouisprovidingthelevelandpreparedsiteandthen, whenyourshediscomplete,fillitup.It’stimetoun-clutterthegarageand clearthatspaceunderthedeck.
EuroShedsoffersashedlikenoother.“Thisisashedforlife,”statesChris. Madefromthickroughcutknottypinelumberdelivereddirectlyfromthe millexclusivelyforEuroSheds’purpose,yourshedisconstructedwiththedurabilityandqualitythatisnotoftenseenintoday’sbackyardshedconstruction.
EuroShedsfloor,roof,andwallsarebuiltwithsolidlumber1”resawnor greaterwhichprovidesascentedexperienceofapineforestinsideyourshed.A
EuroShedlookslikeitbelongsinyouryardbecauseitismadeofnature’sraw materials.
EuroShedsareondisplayandviewableanytimeattheshoplocationat740 MortonDrive,Windsor.Aswell,BMRWindsorBuildingCentreandPoolsby AngeloonJeffersoneachhaveaEuroShedondisplay.Checkoutthesolidtwoby-fourconstructionaswellastheirrusticcharm.Takeapamphletwithallthe informationyouneedtodecidewhetheraEuroShedisrightforyou.Thewebsite hasacomprehensivelistofsizes,optionsandpricesthatmakeiteasyforyouto decideonwhatyouwantandwhatyoucanaffordbeforeyoucall.
Aspartofthequotingprocess,EuroShedsoffersanon-sitevisit.Typically,Chris showsthemtheimpressiveandinspiringcatalogueoftheirpreviousEuroShed creations.
“Ouron-sitevisitisarelaxingsharingofideasanddiscussionaboutcustomer requirementsandavailableoptions.Ultimatelythat’showpeoplemaketheirdecisions,”saysChris.
EuroShedsarecompletelyconstructedtoyourcustomspecificationsandassembledonsite.Allwindowsincludeflowerboxesandshuttersifthereisroom.Doors areassembledwithantiquehingesandlockablelatches.AEuroShedisshingled andstainedwithyourchoiceofcolourstocreateauniqueshedthatisabeautiful focalpointinyouryard.
Forqualitycraftsmanshipandashedthathasthatextraappeal,dependon EuroShedstodeliver.
“YoureallyareputtingalittleheartintoyourlandscapewithaEuroShed.IcallthataHeartScape,”Chris grins.
TolearnmoreaboutEuroShedsqualitygardensheds, visitEuroSheds.caorcall519-987-4335tobookyoursite visitforyourHeartScapeshedtoday.
Lifeisanadventure,bestexperiencedinperson,initsnaturalhabitat.PeleeWingsNatureStore&PaddlesportsShophasallthegear requiredtoputyouinthemidstoftheaction.
WhilepeoplenotfortunateenoughtoliveinEssexCountyshop onlineatpeleewings.ca,localresidentscantakeadvantageofthe proximityofPeleeWingsinLeamington.
Thereturnofthebirds,boatsandotherintriguingsubjectshas peoplepausingforasecondlookandlisten.“Beinganaturestore,we specializeinbirdingbinoculars,”saysownerMichaelMalone.“The samemodelscanbeusedformanyotherpurposes,suchasboating, astronomy,hunting,surveillance,travelandwaterfrontviewing.”
“Agoodbinocularenhancesyourvacationexperience,”Michael says.“Travellersandcruiserspreferlightweight,compactbinoculars thatgoeverywhere.”PeleeWingscarries200differentmodelsof binocularsatpricepointsforeverybudget.
Othersportsopticoptionsareastronomytelescopesandspotting scopes,twodifferenttoolsforexploringyourinterests.Theportable spottingscope,requiringatripodforsteadyviewing,worksfor birders,huntersandlakefronthomeowners.“Everycondoowneron thewaterfrontshouldhaveaspottingscopeintheirlivingroomor balcony,”Michaelbelieves.Assailboats,freighters,birdsandpeople comeintoview,“itbringstheactionupcloseandpersonal.”
Anastronomytelescoperevealsthemysteriesofthenightsky.“We offergreatpricesonastronomytelescopesbyCelestron,”Michael says.“Withallofouroptics,weencouragepeopletotrybeforethey buy.Youcan’texperiencetheviewonline!Takeouropticsontoour
waterfrontdeck,viewtheoutdoorswithdifferentmodelsand determinewhichbestsuitsyourneeds,hands,eyesandbudget.”
Amongthemostfascinatingpeopletowatcharekayakersand StandUpPaddleboarders.“EssexCountyissurroundedbywater. WehavetheGreatLakes,DetroitRiver,thePointPeleemarshand ConservationAreawetlandstoexplore.Kayakscanbeenjoyedin our250,000bodiesofwaterhereinOntario,”Michaelnotes.Pelee Wingsstocks150kayaksfromleadingmanufacturers.“Thereisa greattrendinfishingkayaks,whichofferexerciseandfuelsavingsfor anglers.”
ThenewreleasesinStandUpPaddleboardsarenowatPelee Wings.“SUPsaregreatforexploringlocalwaterways–andthey areterrificexercise,”Michaelsays.Peoplewhopracticeyogaare embracingSUPs,takingthemonthewatertogaugebalanceasthey gothroughtheirposes.
“SomepeoplecandoheadstandsontheirSUPs,”Michaelsays withadmiration.Frommid-Junethroughtomid-September,hesees themeveryotherThursdayevening,6to7:30,whenPeleeWings hostssocialpaddleboarding.Noteveryonedoesyogaduringthe SUPssocial.Somearetryingouttheboardsforthefirsttime; othersarebuildingtheirtechniques.“Allskilllevelsarewelcometo ourpublicevent,”Michaelinvites.PeleeWings’owncertifiedSUP trainershostthetrainingclinics.Participantscanbringtheirown SUPsorrentonefor$16perhourfromPeleeWings.
PeoplewhoarriveatPeleeWingsNatureStore&Paddlesports Shoprangefromleisureseekerstoextremesportadventurers.“They allwanttostepoutofthestressfulhigh-techworkplaceandgetout theretoenjoynaturetherapyfirsthand,”Michaelsays.“That’swhat kayaking,paddleboarding,birdingandotherfreshairactivitiesare allabout.”
INTHESOUTHEASTCORNER ofthecity,Chatham relishesashoppinggemthathasbeenevolvingforalmost40 years.Todescribethisjewelasmerelya“gardencentre”would beanunderstatement.TheGlasshouseNurseryandGarden CentreLtd.didstartoutasjustthatbuthasevolvedintoa homeandlifestylecentreattractingshoppersandtouristsfrom hundredsofkilometresinalldirections.Asteadystreamof visitorsregularlyfrequentsthetrendyhomeandgardenretail establishmentfromasfarawayasWindsor,London,Sarnia andToronto.
Whenyoumakeyourownexcursion,besuretoallow sufficienttimetowalkthenurserygroundsandenjoythe ponds,waterfallsandlandscapedgardens.Thereisevenan exoticbirdaviary.Thevastandirresistibleproductselection willhaveyoutoutingyourfindstofriendsandfamily!
Thegardencentreiswellknownforcarryingthelargest selectionofplants,trees,shrubsandgardenaccessoriesin southwesternOntario.Itsmanyotherdepartmentsinclude gifts,gourmetandkitchenware,homedécor,pondsand accessories,qualitypatiofurnitureandchildren'stoys.
TheGlasshouseisalsoanexclusivedealerofBima,anauthenticIndonesianhandcraftedhomefurniturelinewhichdesignersfromalloverOntariocometopurchase.Factorydirect
purchasingkeepsthepricepointssharp.“Some peoplesaywe'rebecomingalittlebitofamini mall,”saysco-ownerSueVan
ThenewestattractionisBetulaBoutique.The6000 sq.ft.women’sfashionboutiquehasbeenahugehitwith womenofallages.Thirdgenerationfamilymember,Erin, (Sue’sdaughter)andherdedicatedteamofsixgirlshavealreadyestablishedBetulaasaboutiquedestination.Clothing linesincludeVeraModa,PapionandNeonBuddhatonamea few.Justrecently,BetulahasbecameasilverlevelPandoraretailer.
“ELECTRIFYING”BESTDESCRIBESTHEACTION onthebasketballcourtofthe UniversityofWindsor’sSt.DenisCentre,where1,500highschoolstudentsfromacross Ontario,Quebec,Michigan,Ohio,Indiana,NewYorkandNewJerseypittheirskillsagainst oneanother,bobbing,weavingandaimingtoscoreinthepursuitofvictory.Whatseparated thisApril3rdto5thtournamentfromalltheothersthathavefacedoffatthecentrewasthat theathleteswererobots,underthecommandofverybrightandinnovativestudents.
TheteenagerswerecompetingintheWindsorEssexGreatLakesRegionalFIRST RoboticsCompetition,hostedlocallyforthefirsttimebyWindsorEssexFIRST.org,anonprofitorganization.Whenthelastrobotsunkthefinalball,SandwichSecondarySchool’s SabreByteshadsecuredtophonours.TheyandtheWindsorteamrepresentingHolyNames CatholicHighSchoolwereproudtoqualifyfortheFIRSTRoboticsCompetitionChampionshipheldinSt.Louis,MissourionApril23rdto26th.
InventorDeanKamenfoundedFIRST(ForInspirationandRecognitionofScienceand Technology)inNewHampshirein1989.Thepubliccharity’smissionistoinspireyoung peopletobescienceandtechnologyleadersbyengagingtheminexcitingmentor-based programsthatbuildscience,engineeringandtechnologyskills,inspireinnovationandfosterwell-roundedlifecapabilitiesincludingself-confidence,communicationandleadership.
SuchpositiveobjectivesappealedtoSandwichSecondarySchool,wheremanufacturing teacherLeeAwad,mentorstheSabreBytesRoboticsTeam772,establishedin2001.Each January,theSabreByteseagerlygoonlineforFIRSTRobotics’unveilingofthatyear’schallenge,sharedviaaninternetlinkwithNASA.Thisyear,theSandwichteamwasamong 68,000highschoolstudentson2,720teamscompetingin54regionalevents,fourqualifyingchampionshipsand40qualifyingdistrictcompetitions,witheveryonehopingforashot atcompetingintheworldchampionship.
The2014challengeisAERIALASSIST.Borrowingfrombasketball,thegameisplayed bytwocompetingalliancesofthreerobotseach.Atrussissuspendedfivefeetabovethefloor, straddlingthecourt.Thegame’sobjectiveistoscoreasmanyballsingoalsaspossible duringatwoandahalfminutematch.Themorecooperationthereisbetweenalliances, thehigherthescore.Mostofthegameisplayedbyteammembersremotelycontrollingthe robotsfrombehindaprotectivewall.Althoughtheactualplayisbeingdonebyrobots,itis hardforthestudentsdrivingthemnottobreakasweatduringthethrillofthegame.
TheveteranSabreBytesteam,comprised ofmechanical,electrical,programming, publicrelationsandcommunicationsunits, hasbeensteadilybuildingonitsskills.“We haveaprocess,”Leesays.Beforeanybuildingisbegun,theteaminitiallyfiguresout howtoplaythegame.Thentheybrainstorm,applyingwhattheyhavelearnedin schoolandknow-howgleanedfrommentorsandexperts.Finally,therobot,weighing asmuchas150pounds,isconstructedfrom acommonkitofpartsprovidedbyFIRST. Everythingisdonewithinsixweeks,in accordancewithFIRSTregulations.Once thetimeisup,thetoolsaredowned.“The rulesstateyoucan’ttouchyourrobotin betweenco mpetitions,”Leeexplains.Followingeachcompetition,qualifyingrobots arebaggedandsealedtillthenextgame.
TheSabreBytes’2014robot andattendantexpensestotalledabout $75,000.Fundingisprovidedlargelybycorporatesponsors.“Industryseesthebenefitinthis,”Leesays.“Theyseeitasaninvestment.”HalfoftheFortune500companiessupportFIRST Robotics.Endorsingtheprogram,oneWindsor-areabusinesspersonremarkedthatFIRSTRoboticsinvolvementisapracticalwayforcompaniestonurtureyoungbrainpoweratthelocal level–andhelpkeepitlocalafterthestudentsgraduateandenter theworkforce.
TomaketheWindsorEssexGreatLakesRegionalFIRSTRoboticsCompetitionpossible,ahostofsponsorscontributedresources, includingregionalpartnersValiantCorporationandRedpath.St.ClairCollegeandtheUniversityofWindsorcollaboratedtoprovidethevenue,mentoring,fundingandscholarships. BeingpartofFIRST“isayear-roundcommitmentforourteam,”Leesays.Partof Sandwich’senergiesarededicatedtobeingambassadorsofFIRSTRobotics.Untilthreeyears ago,“weweretheonlygameintown.”WiththeencouragementofWETechAllianceandthe supportofteamparentsandformerparents,thestudentstooktheirrobotsandtalkedupthe challengetolocalschools.
Hopingtodominateoratleastacquitthemselveswithhonouronthecourt,1,500high schoolstudentsandtheirrobotscompetedin theWindsorEssexGreatLakesRegional FIRSTRoboticsCompetitiononApril3rdto 5th.Thirteenlocalteamsplayedagainstother schoolsfromacrossOntario,Quebec,Michigan,Ohio,Indiana,NewYorkandNewJerseyattheUniversityofWindsor’sSt.Denis Centre.SandwichSecondarySchoolandHoly NamesCatholicHighSchoolhavequalified fortheworldchampionshipinMissouri.
Catchingtheexcitement,10gradeschools formedFIRSTLEGOLeagueteams.Atotal of13localsecondaryschoolteamswerecreatedintimetocompeteinthe2014WindsorEssexGreatLakesRegionalFIRST RoboticsCompetition.“Wewerehoping oneofthemwasgoingtoqualifyforthe worlds,”saysLee.
WhentherookieteamfromHolyNames madethecut,“itwasveryunexpected,”admitsteacherandmentorCatherineTillie. Throughthequalifyingrounds,“wekept movingforward.”Notimaginingtheywere contenders,“Ihadn’tevenbroughtabagfor ourrobot.”HolyNames’mechanicalathlete wassealedinaborrowedbag.
WinningonhometurfwasadoublevictoryfortheSybreBytes.Theyalsoreceived theChairman’sAwardwhichrecognizesoutstandinglevelsofcommunityoutreachand spreadingtheword.Ateachofthe50FIRST regionaleventsoccurringglobally,oneteam ispresentedwiththeprestigioushonour. “Therewerealotof tears,”Leerecalls.
NowallsightsarefocusedontheFIRST RoboticsworldcompetitioninSt.Louis. FedExistransportingthelocalmechanical athleteswhile40SandwichSecondaryand 14HolyNamesstudentswillmaketheirway downsouth.“We’reluckyCenterlineisone ofoursponsors.Theyhaveloanedusvans andabigtruck,”Leesays.
Thinkingpositively,theSandwichSecondaryteambookedtheirSt.Louishotel roomsinadvanceoftheWindsorregional event.HolyNamesdidnot,butapotential accommodationshortageisnotdimming theirspirits.“Thekidsaresohappy,” Catherinesays.“Thisisadreamforthem. Theyworkedsohardandnowtheyseethe fruitsoftheirlabours.”Theireffortsarecurrentlydirectedatlastminutefundraisingfor atriptheydidnotanticipatetaking.Though “inawhirlwind,”theteamis“thrilledtobe going.”
Attheworldchampionship,40,000spectatorswillturnouttocheeron400teams. “It’smassive.It’sunbelievable,”Leesaysfrom experience.Histeamhasgonetosixofthe past13worldgames.
Amongthekeenobserversaretypicallythe U.S.Armyandcorporationswhosetupinformationboothsattheevent.TheCIAis present,also.“Theyrecruitsmartkidsright outofhighschool,”Leenotes.
Whichisallthemorereasontogive Windsor-Essexstudentsincentivetostudy andworkintheirhomecommunity.
Pleasevisitwindsoressexfirst.org.tolearn howthelocalteamsfareattheworld championship.
LaunchingEssex-Kent’sBoatingDreamsfor66Years
Thisisit.Thesummeryougetoffthebeachandstopwatchingother peoplehavefunsailingtheirboatsonthelakesandriversflowing aroundEssexandKentCounties.Whenyoufinallyquitbeinga volunteerdeckhandonfriends’boatsandbecomecaptainofyour destiny.Thisistheyearyougetawatercraftofyourveryown.
MapleCityMarinemakesthewholeprocesssimpleandreassuring. ThreegenerationsoftheRulefamilyandtheirstaffwillgiveyouall theinformationandsupportyouneedtomaketherightdecision, whetheryou’vegotyoureyeonapre-ownedfamilyfriendlypontoon boatorareconsideringtradinginyourcurrentboatforsomething moresportyorspaciousfromthisseason’snewfleet.
Helpinglocalfamiliesdiscovertheadventuresofboatingsince 1948,MapleCityMarinecarriesboatsbyFourWinns,Bennington, LundandRanger.Justintime forthe2014season,MapleCityMarineisnowthedealerforMastercraftTowBoatsandScarabJetBoats.
OutboardmotorsareinstockbyindustryleadersMercury,Yamaha andEvinrude,alsoSternDrivebyVolvoPentaandMercruiser.“If youareseriousaboutaspecificboat,we’lltakehertothelaunchramp nearourshowroomontheThamesRiverinChatham.Duringthe watertestandreviewoftheboat’soperation,youcanexperiencehow shehandlesandfeelsonthewaves.You,yourfirstmateandcrew won’thavetoimaginewhatboatingcouldbelike–you’llknowfor certain,”saysRobRule,vicepresidentofMapleCityMarine.
Onceyou’vepurchasedyourboat,MapleCityMarinecontinues toofferassistance.Dependontheteamforshoresupport,sheltered winterstorageandmaintenanceandrepairsdonebyfactorytrained servicetechnicians.Adviceisalwaysfree.Youcanevendirectyour questionsanytimetoservice,partsorsalesatmaplecitymarine.com.
ThreeGenerations toServeYou.Leftto right:Grant,Bob& RobRule.
“Throughoutour65yearsofintroducingpeopletotheirfirst, secondandthirdboats,wehaveappreciatedthateverynewowneris livingouthisorherdream,”Robsays.Itmightbetogetawayfrom itallwhilecatchingfishfromaquiet,agilefishingboat.Oryoumay havethrillsinmind,slicingthroughthewavesinasportboat,with thekidsbouncingbehindonwaterskis.Perhapsentertainingfriends onacanopiedpontoonboatmeanderingintothisregion’smanycoves andcanals.Celebratingretirement,freefromdeadlines,goingwhereverthewindandyourcuriositytakeyou.Revelingintheromance ofsailingdirectlyintothesunsetattheconclusionofaperfectday spentonthewaterwiththepeopleyoulovebest.
“It’saprivilegetointroducepeopletothejoysofboating,”Rob finds.Hisfamilybusinessdoeseverythingpossibletomakeboat buyingandownershippleasantandsatisfying.TheRulesareproud tohavebeennamed,onceagain,oneoftheTop100DealersinNorth Americafor2012and2013byBoatingIndustryMagazine,the leadingtradepublicationformarinedealers.
RightnowistheidealtimetocheckoutMapleCityMarine’snew andpre-ownedboats,pontoons,yachts,marineenginesandtrailers, eitherattheChathamshowroomoratmaplecitymarine.com.“Our pre-seasonspecialsandincentivesareonnow,”saysRob.“Comemeet yournewboat!”
ST.CLAIRINSURANCEBROKERSINC. St.ClairInsuranceBrokersInc.hasrelocateditsWindsorofficetoanew locationat13340LanoueSt.inTecumseh.Openandcontemporary, theoffice’sdesignreflectsthebrokerage’scommitmenttodeliveringpersonalizedservicewithamodernedge.Specializinginthesaleofbusiness andcommercialinsuranceproducts,St.ClairInsuranceBrokersalso hasbranchesinChathamandLondon.Thecompany’sleadershipincludes, (backrow,lefttoright)accountexecutiveBruceVince,directorofoperationsMichelleTremblay,accountexecutiveShawnStephensand(seated) accountexecutiveTimHodgsonandaccountmanagerStephanieMartinson.866-308-9307.
DanielleCarriere,certifiedrelocationtransitionspecialistandmemberoftheNational AssociationofSeniorMoveManagers,has openedONESourceMovingSolutionsfor Seniors.Servicesincludesorting,packing, organizinganddownsizingcontentsinthe home;schedulingandoverseeingmovers; unpackingandarranginghouseholdgoods inthenewresidence;clearingthehomein preparationforsale;anddonatingunwanted itemstocharities.519-984-2111.
EveSigfrid,JenniferJubenvilleandBeckyLanglois,PostmediaNetwork’sJeffGalad, MillerCanfield’sShaeKavanaugh,theMSSociety’sJackiePuttermanandMotorCity’s LisaMontilla.
CanadianClubBrandHeritageCenter’s manager,TishHarcus,numbersonceagain amongtheIconsofWhisky.InMarch, WhiskyMagazine’sinternationalpanelof judgesdeclaredTishtheWhiskyVisitor CenterManageroftheYearfor2014.It isanhonourthatwasalsobestowedonher in2013.
Believingthateveryvictoryinthebattleagainst cancershouldbecelebrated,DaniellaCzudner wasupliftedtohearagong beinghitbyatriumphant fellowcancerpatientata Londonhealthcentre. Photographedlefttoright, Isaac,Daniella,TalandAlexandraCzudnerraisedmoneyandboughtagongforWindsorRegionalHospital’sCancerCentre,wherelocalpatientscannowmarktheachievement oftheirowngoals.
TheRoboticLawnBott,seeninactionasit mowedgrass,wasthestaroftheMar.21st grandopeningofEvernewSales&Service. OwnerRyanBondyhasestablishedanew retailstoreandserviceshopat2759County Rd.42,St.Joachim,wherecustomerscan purchasegaslesspowertools,ElectricZed TurnLawnmowersandrakesandshovelsor havetheiroldequipmenttunedandrepaired. Evernewalsoofferscommerciallawncutting services.519-728-0047.
Realizingthepost-holidaymonthsarewhenmanylocalresidentsaremostinneed, CaesarsWindsorlauncheditsnewjointEmployeeandCorporateGivingprogramcalled Operation:EndHunger.OnMar.20,CaesarsWindsoranditsemployeesdonatedmore than$21,000to10Windsor-Essexfoodbanks,aswellas1,460lbsofnon-perishable fooditems.OnhandwererepresentativesofCaesarsWindsorandtheorganizationsreceivingthecontributions(lefttorig ht):GlenSawhillandCarolynMarcotte,Caesars Windsor;ShirleyandJeffThachuk,Goodfellows;DebbieDesjardins,UnemployedHelp Centre;MarinaClemens,DrouillardPlace;JhoanBaluyot,CaesarsWindsor;Yvonne Pilon,WindsorEssexCommunityHealthCentre;andLizaBrowne,CaesarsWindsor.
ShoppersarrivingatSobey’sin TecumsehonMar.26thwereable tolearnaboutprotectingand improvingtheirhealth.St.Clair College’sfirstyearBachelorof ScienceinNursingstudentsand theirinstructor,CelinaUssoletti, werehostingabloodpressure clinicforcommunityeducation.
Receivingthemostnumberofnominations fromcommunitymembersdescribinghowa nursehasimpactedtheirownortheirfamilies’lives,EvaLewishasbeenawardedthe seventhannualLoisA.FairleyCommunity ServiceAward.ThedaysurgeryRegistered PracticalNursehasbeencaringforLeamingtonDistrictMemorialHospitalpatients for43years.Theawardwasgivenbythe Windsor-EssexChapteroftheRegistered
Nurses’AssociationofOntarioandpresentedbyLois’sons,John(left)andGrant Fairley(right),onApr.22ndinaceremony atWindsorRegionalHospital’sHotel-Dieu GraceHealthcareCampus.
JimmyMoussallamandfamilyopened Mexi-Canaat3395HowardAve.,Windsor onApril1st.Thedineinandtakeout restaurantservesCanadian-Mexicanfood, featuringburritos,tacosaladandother favourites,aswellasglutenfreeitemslike nachochipsandhardtacos.Foodispreparedfromscratch,includingMexi-Cana’s ownhomemadesalsaandfiestasauce. Guestscanalsoordertakeandbakedishes foreasycookingathome.EveryTuesday,a tacois$1.226-674-1111.
Justintimeforthewarmweather,Relax PoolsandSpashasopenedanewpatiofurniturestoreat1715ManningRd.atE.C. RowExpressway,runbySalesManager DaveMitchell.SouthwesternOntario’s largestallpatiofurnitureshowroomdisplaysover7,000sq.ft.ofthehottestoutdoortrends,featuringAndrewRichards, Canafoam,Encloverandotherdesigns,as wellascastaluminumbySummersetOutdoorlivingandProtégé.
TheUnitedFoodandCommercialWorkersLocal12R24, BeerStoreandtheLeukemiaandLymphomaSocietyofCanadaarehostingtheir ninthannualReturnsforLeukemiaBottle DriveateveryBeerStoreinOntario.On May24thand25th,peopleareaskedto donatetheirbeer,wineandspiritcontainers.Thedepositrefundwillhelpfightblood cancerinCanada.bottledrive.ca.
Offeringsportsoptics,stand-uppaddleboardsandotherproductsthatenable peopletoconnectwiththenatural world, PeleeWingsNatureStore&Paddlesports Shopat636PointPeleeDr.,Leamingtonis celebratingits25thanniversary.Co-owners MichaelMaloneandJoanWalker,(pictured herewithJennyCostaofParksCanada)and theirstaffenjoyhelpinglocalresidents, visitorsandonlineshoppersexploreand enjoythebiodiversityofEssexCountyand beyond.peleewings.ca.
CongratulationstoLynda,PamandCarla onthe9thanniversaryofHarmonyDay Spa.Thetrio,alongwith16aestheticians andsupportstaffoffercompletespaservicesat4114WalkerRd.Unit#3.Tobook anappointmentcall519-966-2524orvisit www.harmonydayspa.caforacompletelist ofservices.
BYDICKHILDEBRAND
allindications,itwouldappear thatJasonFabokhastheidealjob.He’sonly just29yearsold,worksfromhishomesothere areneverconcernsabouttheweather,hemakes aprettydecentliving....andheabsolutelyloves hisjob,atwhichhe’sverygood.
Forthepast4years,Jayhasbeenworking forDCComics,originatorsofSupermanand Batmanandhiscareerisontherise.Hewas borninWindsorandgrewupinHarrowwhere heattendedbothelementaryandhighschool. Itwasinhighschoolthathedevelopedhislove ofcomicbooksthankstoanEnglishteacher whoadmiredhisstudent’sdrawingskills.
AfterhisdaysatHarrowHigh,Jayenrolled inthe3-yearanimationprogramatSt.Clair College,knowinghewantedtobeacomic bookartist,atthesametimerealizinghow toughitwasgettingintothecomicbookindustry.“Iknewitwasacut-throatbusinessjust fromstudyinghowtobecomeanartistinthat field.”Buthesaysitcamedowntothe factthathewantedtoworkinthearts anddidn’twanttobestuckinafactory. Thecollegeprogramdidexposehimto “animations,videogames,illustrations, evenadvertisingandgraphicdesignelements,film...andcomicbooks.”He learnedtheclassicstyleofDisneyanimations,alongwiththemodern3-D
Topright:JasondisplayinghisBatmanEternalVolumeOneatPaperHeroesComicBookLoungeand Collectibles.PhotobyDickHildebrand.
Right:SamplesofJasonFabok’spublishedwork. PhotographycourtesyDCComics/DCEntertainment.
Pixarstyleofcomputergeneratedcharacters whichhavebeenusedinmanymovieslike ToyStory...a“goodblendofdigitalandtraditionaltechniques.”
Oncehehadgraduatedandcompleted hisrequiredportfolio,Jaybecomemore determinedtodocomicbooks.Foracouple ofyearsheworkedathiscousin’svideo productioncompanydoingcommercials, andabitofgraphicdesignwork.Hewas evenofferedjobsbyseveralTorontoanimationstudios,butheremainedtruetohis goalofworkinginthecomicbookindustry. AsJayputsit,“Iknewtherewasaveryslim chancethatIwouldevermakeitincomic books...theamountoftalentyoumusthave andgettingthatluckybreak.Quitefrankly IjustneverfiguredIwouldevergetthat opportunity.”However,opportunitycame knockingasJaywasintroducedto24year WindsorcomicbookveteranDavidFinch whoatthetimewasdrawingforMarvel Comics(creatorsofSpider-manandCaptainAmerica,etc.)Finchquicklyrealized theyoungguy’spotentialandputhim throughaso-called“6-monthcomicbook bootcamp,”providingJaywithregular drawingassignmentsrangingfromthe properwaytodofaces,buildings,posingof characters,shadows,lightandotherfacets ofcomicart.Jaysays,“Itwasmoreintense thananythingIhaddonebeforeandI’dgo homeaftereverysessionwithDavidandsit infrontofadeskallday,drawing.Thiswasn’taschoolassignmentandIwaslearning thedisciplineneededtobeacomicbook artist.”Attheendofthe6months,Jayput together a secondportfolioandsentitofftotheDC ComicsheadquartersinNewYorkCity.
Ashorttimelater,hewasofferedhisfirst assignmenttoillustratea6-pageBatman book.DaveFinch,whohadalreadystarted workingforDCwrotethestoryandJaydid thepictures.Hisfirst‘real’jobwasillustratingSuperman-Batman,issues70and71 wherethetwosuperherosjoinedforcesto fightcrime.AccordingtoJay,“Iwassolucky tohaveby-passedsmallerpublishers....I wentfrombeingatotalamateurto,allofa sudden,workingonmonthlySuperman BatmantitlesforDCComics.Itwasavery stressfulandstartlingtimeformebecause nowyou’reexpectedtoputout4or5pages aweek!”Herecallsworkingwithoutabreak 7daysaweekuntilatleast11atnightand startingagainat7amthenextdayand doingitalloveragain.Overtimehis diligencepaidoffa ndJaywashanded moreassignments.Hegotusedtothe ▼
deadlines,becamefamiliarwiththewaythe industryworkedandpresentedhisemployerswiththequantityandqualityofartwork theydemanded.“Afterthat,”hesays,“everythingreallystartedtotakeoff.”
Theprocedureissimple.Thewritersends Jayanoutlineofthestory,muchlikea moviescript,andit’stheartist’sjobtointerpretthestoryandsupplytheappropriate illustrations.
Today,Jayhasanexclusivecontractwith DCComicswhichgiveshimregularwork andalargedegreeofjobsecurity.Overthe last21/2years,he’sbeenspecificallyillustratingBatmantitleswhichhesaysis“like anOHLplayergoingtotheBostonBruins,”or“thehighestofthehighsincomic books.”Fortwoofthoseyears,he’sbeen workingonDC’sflagshipbooks,Detective Comics,theoriginalpublicationthatintroducedBatmanbackin1939.And,justlast month,hislatestdrawingscanbeseenin ‘BatmanEternal’,aweeklyseriesofbooks. Issue 1debutedApril9thandissureto becomeacollectors’item.Theserieswillrun for52weeks.
Reflectingonhissuccess,JasonFabok sayshehasbeenblessed.“WhatIthought wouldtakeme20yearstoachieve,I’vemanagedtodoin4andit’sopenedupmycareertoallsortsofuniqueopportunities.I’m verygrateful.Andtoseemynameonthe coverofabookjustdoesn’tseemreal.”
AdevoutChristian,Jayandhiswife Sarah,whomhemetataBibleCollegein OwenSound,liveinKingsville.“I’mjusta countryboy,”hemuses,“whodrawscomic booksinhishomeoffice.Thisisthebestjob I’veeverhad,oreverwillhave......Iloveit. I’msothankfulIcandrawthesecharacters thatI’veadoredsinceIwas5yearsold!”His hobbiesarelimitedtoplayinghisguitar occasionally,goingforlongwalkswithhis wifeandattendregularBiblestudysessions. He“loves”todrawwhichtakesupmostof histimeandevenonfreeweekendshestill sketches,somedayhopingto writeand illustratehisownmaterial.Butthat,hesays, iswaydowntheroad.
Beingasardentasheisabouthisart,Jay doesstronglysuggesttoparentsofkidswith artisticinterest,toencourageit....tohelp theminwhateverwaytheycan,addingthat therearemanyart-basedjobsthatcanprovideanextremelylucrativelivingtotalented people.Incidentally,thenexttimeyou’re watchingtheBigBangTheoryonTV,carefullycheckthewallsofthecomicbookstore andyoumightjustseeagiganticBatman posterwithJasonFabok’snameonit!
Almosteveryonehasafavouritecharity. Thereasonswhyacharityisclosetoyour heartareasvariedasthecharitiesthemselves.LEAVEALEGACY™isapublic awarenesscampaignthatpromotesthebenefitsofleavingabequestinyourestateto helpyourfavouritecharitableorganization.
TheLEAVEALEGACY™program providesinformationonhowyoucansupportcharitiesthroughestateplanning.This programisapartnershipbetweenregistered charities,professionaladvisors,themedia andthepublic.LEAVEALEGACY™has recentlybeenadoptedasthenational programoftheCanadianAssociationof GiftPlanners(CAGP™)
EveryMayamonth-longcelebrationis heldacrossCanadatomarkLeaveA Legacy™month.Thisnationalawareness campaignhighlightsandencourageslegacy giftsandalsoprovidesanopportunityto thankandacknowledgethosewhohavealreadymadetheultimategiftbyleavinga legacytoacharitableorganization.The aim ofLEAVEALEGACY™istwo-fold:
•EnsureeveryadultinCanadahasan up-to-dateWill;and
•Encourageindividualstoleaveagiftfor theirfavouriteregisteredcharityor non-profitorganizationintheir estate-planning.
ThevisionofLEAVEALEGACY™isto ensureeveryCanadianisawareofthepersonalandfinancialbenefitsofleavingagift fortheircharitiesofchoiceintheirWill. Preparinganestateplanthatincludesa charitablegiftprovidestremendouspersonalsatisfactionandsignificanttaxbenefitsfordonors.
EveryonebenefitsfromLEAVEA LEGACY™–theindividual,thefamily andthecommunity.Whateveryourreasons,yourgiftmakesadifference!
Windsor-Essexisoneof23CAGP RoundtableslocatedthroughoutCanada. CAGPistheonlyorganizationinCanada thatbringstogethercharitablerepresentativeswithadonoradvisorsinoneprofessionalassociation.
“Iwouldstronglyencourageanyonein thecharitablesectororfinancialsectorwith afocusonestateplanningtoconsider membershipinthelocalWindsor-Essex Roundtable.Itisagreatopportunityto networkwithothersandreceiveeducation aboutplannedgiving,”saysTimJones,FinancialSecurityAdvisor,RockHarbour
WealthManagementandPast-Chairofthe Windsor-EssexRoundtable.
Canadiansarecaringpeople.Manyvolunteeronaregularbasisandgivefinancially tothecharitiesthatareimportanttothem. Whentheyaregone,theirsupportissorely missed.
Itisshockingthatasmanyas70percent ofCanadianshavenotmadeaWill.Studiesshowthatonlysevenpercentofthose whomakeWillsleavemoneytocharity.It’s clearthereisadeepreluctancetoplanfor one’sdeath.ThroughtheLEAVEA LEGACY™program,peoplelearnthat theircharitablebequestisfeltlongafter theirdeath.Whilerealizingtaxbenefits, LEAVEALEGACY™donorshavean enormousimpactonourcommunities. Theyhelptopreserveourproudheritage andpreserveitforfuturegenerations.
Yourbequestensuresthatthemeaning youfoundinyourlifeisneverlost.When youLEAVEALEGACY™youensurethat helpcontinuestobethereforthosewho needit.YourGift isaLastingTribute!
AWillisaformallegaldocumentinwhich youspecifyhowyouwishyourpropertyto bedisposedofafterdeath.Ifyoushoulddie withoutaWill,yourlifetimeaccumulation ofwealthwillbedistributedaccordingto provinciallaws,regardlessofyourintent. Fortunately,makingaWillisnotcomplicatedwhenitisdonewithlegalassistance.
Providingforacharitablegiftinyour Willcaneasilybeaccomplishedbyincludingabequesttothecharityofyourchoice. "Bequest"issimplyatermusedtodescribe agiftinyourwillspecifyingthatacertain percentageofyourestate,aparticularasset, oraspecificdollaramountistobedirected toanamedbeneficiary.
WhiletherearecurrentlynoestateorinheritancetaxesinCanada,therearecertain "deemeddispositions"andincometaxes payableundertheIncomeTaxActthatcan createtaxliabilities.Acharitablebequest, however,canprovidesignificanttaxadvantagestoyourestate.
Whenyoumakeabequesttocharity, yourestateisentitledtoagiftreceiptfor thefullvalueofthebequest.Ifthetotal bequestexceeds100%ofthenetincome onyourfinaltaxreturn,theexcessmaybe carriedbacktotheprevioustaxyear.
Abequestcanbeforanunrestrictedor designatedgiftintheformofcash,propertyorsecurities.Itcanalsotaketheform
ofa"residuallegacy"wherebyacharity receivesalloraportionofwhateverremains ofyourestateafteralldebts,taxes,expenses andotherbequestshavebeendispensed. Shouldyouwishtomakeabequest throughyourWill,youcancontacta lawyertoassistyouwiththeappropriate legalwording.
•Youhavetheuseofyourassets duringyourlifetime.
•Therearemanyoptionstoensurethat yourbequestispersonallymeaningful.
•Yourestatereceivesataxreceipt,thus reducingthetaxespaidtothe governmentonyourfinaltaxreturn. Abequestisarevocablegiftandcanbe alteredatanytimeshouldyourcircumstanceschange.
Althoughbequestsremainthepreferred optionforleavingalegacygifttocharity, thereareseveralotheroptionsthatoffer tremendousbenefitstoboththedonorand thecharitableorganization.
Taxdeductionadvantagesareavailable forindividualswhodonatepubliclytraded securities.Donatingshares,eitherwhile youarealiveorthroughyourestate,will exemptyoufrompayingtaxonthecapital gaintriggeredbythedonation.Inaddition, youreceiveacharitabletaxreceiptfor thefairmarketvalueofthegift,making thisstrategyanexceptionalwaytomaximizeyourtaxsavingswhilesupporting acharityinasignificantway.Agiftof securitiesiseasytoexecute.Afinancial advisorsimplytransfersthesecurities electronicallyfromyouraccounttothe charity’saccount.Besuretoconsultyour financialadvisorand/oraccountantfor professionalguidance.
Anothermutuallybeneficialoptionis agiftoflifeinsurance.Bynamingthecharityasthebeneficiaryupondeath,theproceedswillpassoutsidetheestateproviding bothprivacyandprotectionfromestate administrationtaxes.Thecharitabletax receiptissuedwillalleviatethetaxburden onyourestate. Donorswhodonateanew orexistingpolicyduringtheirlifetime, irrevocablymakingthecharitybothowner andbeneficiary,willreceiveacharitabletax receiptforanyfuturepremiumsyoupay.
Otherpossibilitiesareassimpleasnamingacharityasthebeneficiaryofyour RRSPsorPensionplan.
DADSMATTER. Thatisthesimplephilosophybehind thesixthannualDadsMatterconferencehappeningon Saturday,June14inWindsorandEssexCounty.
Sixyearsagoconferenceorganizer,DougKrystia, ManagingFuneralDirectoratJanisseFuneralHomeand avolunteerparentleaderwithConnections,recognized thattherewasavoidwhenitcametoavenuefordadsto gettogethertoexplorecommonconcernsandissues.
“Thisisadaytargetedspecificallytodadswhichis somethinguniqueinbothCanadaandtheUnitedStates. Thereareveryfewvenueswheredadshavetheopportunitytocometogethertotalkaboutparentingandissues thataffectthem,”saysDoug.
Forthefirsttimethisyeartheconferencehasbranched outfromitsfounder,theEarlyYearsCentre,andinvited variouscommunitypartnersincluding:theGreaterEssex CountyDistrictSchoolBoard,theWindsor-Essex CountyDistrictSchoolBoard,theJohnMcGivney Centre,ChildrenFirst,Access–CountyCommunity SupportServices,theChildren’sAidSocietyandtheCity ofWindsor.
Organizersarealsoexcitedaboutofferingtheconferenceinboththecityandthecountythisyear.During thefirstfiveyears,30-80menparticipated.Thisyearthey arehopingtohave100ateachlocation.Inaddition,dads canparticipateiftheyhavechildrenuptotheageofthirteen.Previouslychildrenhadtobesixandunder.
“Ourpurposeistorecognizeandcelebratedadsand thosewhotakeontheroleofdadinthelifeofachild. Thereissolidresearchthatdadscanmakeadifferencein theirchildren’slivesandweallbenefit,”statesDoug.
Theconferenceiscomprisedofmalespeakerswhowill covervarioustopicssuchas:parentingwithconfidence, preparingforadolescence,parentingthroughseparation anddivorce,workandfamilybalance,parentingachild withspecialneedsandparentingthroughfinancialand employmentchange.
“Thesewerethetopicsthatparticipantshaveidentifiedasbeingimportant,”saysDoug.“Forexamplewith thehighunemploymentrateinthiscommunityitwas importanttoofferasessiononfinances.”
Parentingrolesforfathershavechangedalotin
recentyears,saidConnectionsParent GroupFacilitatorSharonPaolini.
“Manydadshaveseentheirone-timejob asproviderandbreadwinnertransformed intoamorehands-onrole.Asaresult, fathersoftenfindthemselvesaskingifthey arebeinganeffectiveparent.”
Pastparticipantshavefoundtheconferenceveryusefulasitoffersavenuetodiscussparentinginasafeenvironment. Severalparticipantshaveattendedevery year.
"Traditionally,it'salwaysbeenmoreacceptableformomstobetheonesthatare moreinvolvedwiththekids,butwewant topromoteco-parenting.Dadswhoare involvedwiththeirchildrenmakeahuge impact,”saysDoug.
"Wetalkaboutdadsbeinginvolvedwith children,anditsoundskindoffunnyright offthetop,"hesaid."Itmostlyhastodo withperceptionsofus.Foralongtime, menweren'tasinvolvedastheyaretoday. Therehavebeenalotofchangesinashort periodoftime."
Dougsaidalack ofrolemodelsinthe newparentingrolesmeansthatmencan sometimesstrugglewithwhat'sexpectedof them,describingtheexperienceofbecomingafathertodayasa"baptismbyfire".He hopesthattheDadsMatterconferencewill helpmenfindrolemodelsineachotheras theytalktootherdadsandshareideason howtotackleeverydayparentingproblems.
Thestigmaofdadsaskingforhelpand adviceischanging.Increasinglydadsare notafraidofaskingforhelpandfeedback whentheyneedit.
Onedadfeltthatitparticularlyrefreshingtoseedadsbeingtreatedasseriouscaregiversfortheirchildren.
“Itwasenlighteningtoseedadstaking parentingseriously,andbeingtreatedseriouslyinthatrole.Ialsonoticedalotof informationandadvicesharedbetween dadsinsimilaranddifferentparenting situations,makingalmost-instantconnections,andfriendships.”
Thedayconcludeswithaquestionand answerperiod.Itisfreeto attend,butregistrationisrequired.Lunch,snacksand doorprizesarealsoincluded.InWindsor theconferenceishappeningatF.J.Brennan SecondarySchool,910RaymoRd.andin LeamingtonitwillbeheldatCardinal CarterSecondarySchool,20EllisonAve.
AfterMay12individualscanregisterby calling211.Alternativelythosewhoare interestedcancallConnectionsFamily Centre(519)252-9696.
Formorethan120years,fourgenerationsofWeingardensandtheir trained,professionalstaffhaveensuredeverycustomerreceives personalattentionandapropersizingfora secureandperfectfit.
Specializinginshoesthatoffer outoftheboxcomfort,Diane Shoesnowhasinstockthis season’smostflexibleand fashionablecollections.
Softnessandsupportat aluxuriouslevelaredeliveredbyNaot,aleading manufacturerofanatomic footwear.Naot’sengineeringdistributesbodyweight acrossthefootwearandits innovativemulti-layeredinsolesmoldtotheshapeofthe footforsuperiorcomfortandbalance. Itscushionedarchsupportsandlatexpadding provideshockabsorption.Evenpeopleresignedtodealing withfootpainfindliberationfromdiscomfortandwalkwith easeinNaot’sshoes,clogsandboots.Atthistimeofyear,Naot's sandalsaremostindemand.Handsomelydesignedandincredibly supportive,thesesandalswillkeepmenandwomen’sfeetcooland refreshedalldaylong.
Justintimeforthewarmweather,theSAScollectionofsandals andshoeshaslaunchedmanystyles,sizesandwidthsformenand women.SupportiveSASfootwearisrecommendedbypodiatrists acrossNorthAmerica.
InEurope,Riekerhasbeenhandcraftingfashionablefootwear evenlongerthanDianeShoeshasbeeninbusiness.Itssignature anti-stresssolescushionandflexasthewearermovesthroughhis orherday.Lightweightandsupremelycomfortable,Riekershoes andsandalsarehighlyratedinNorthAmerica.
SoisECCOactivefootwear.Craftedfromnatural,softleather, thesporty,flatandwedgeheelsandalsaresoftandbreathable, ensuringtheperfectinnerclimate.Thehardwearing,flexibleand lightweightsolecradlesthefootwithexcellentcushioning.
DianeShoeshasbroughtinattractive,activecomfortlinesby manyothermanufacturers,includingnewspring modelsby Mephisto,Pikolinos,Clarks,Taos,Earth,Sperry,SauconyandKeds. Fordressieroccasions,theshoesalonhasthebestqualityname brands,likeAmalfi,NineWest,RosHommerson,Trotters,BandolinoandVaneli.Ontrendhandbagsinthisseason’scolours complimentbothdressandcasualfootwear.
Animportantaccessoryforpeoplewalking,golfing,sightseeing andenjoyingotheroutdooractivitiesisasmartlookinghat.Diane ShoesencouragesitscustomerstoprotectthemselvesagainstharmfulUVdamagewiththelatestcollectionofTilleyHatsformen andwomen.MadeinCanada,thedistinctivemodelsprovidean excellentshieldagainstthesun’sstrongrays.Thespeciallyengineered fabricisratedUPF50+,thehighestratinggivenforsunprotection. Meshfabricsewnintothecrownkeepsthewearer’sheadcooland comfortable.Packable,crushableandmachinewashable,softTilley Hatsretaintheirshapeandrepelraindropsinsummerstorms.They evenfloatwhenaccidentallydroppedoverboard.
ToupdateyourfootwearwardrobeandselectaTilleyHat,come toDianeShoes,opendaily.TheWeingardenfamilyandstaffinvite youtoenjoyWindsor’sFinestShoeSalon.
UPTOONEIN200CANADIANS maybeaffectedwithageneticdisorderthat theymaynotevenbeawareof.Hemochromatosis(HCC)isanironoverload conditionthatstemsfromgeneticsorametabolicdisorder.Ifundiagnosedthe conditioncanbedeadly.
HCCiseasytodiagnose,however,oftenmanydoctorsdonotperformthe necessaryteststoconfirmdiagnosis.ItismorecommoninpeopleofEuropean ancestry,withalowerincidenceamongotherethnicgroups.HereditaryHCCis characterizedbyanacceleratedrateofintestinalironabsorptionandprogressive irondepositioninvarioustissuesthattypicallybeginstobeexpressedinthethird tofifthdecadesoflife.Thisconditioncanbequitepainfulwiththefollowing symptoms:chronicfatigue,jointpain,arthritis,changeinskincolour,abdominalpain,lossofbodyhair,impotence,suddenweightloss,thyroidproblems, moodswings,severedepression,diabetes,irregularheartbeatandcongestiveheart failure.
“EssentiallyHCCcausesyourbodytoabsorbtoomuchironfromthefood youeat.Excessironisstoredinyourorgans,especiallytheliver,heartandpancreas.Thisexcessironcanpoisontheseorgansleadingtolife-threateningconditions.Itismoreprevalentamongmen,”saysBobRogers,CEOandExecutive Director,CanadianHemochromatosisSociety.
Despiteitsprevalence,HCCremainsrelativelyunknownbymostofthe population.UntilrecentlyphysiciansbelievedthatHCCwasveryrareand attributedsymptomstoothercauses.
“UnfortunatelymanyearlysymptomsgounnoticedsoindividualswithHCC goundiagnoseduntilirreversibledamagehasoccurred.Evenpostmortem,HCC
isoftenoverlookedasapossiblecauseofdeath.That iswhyhereditaryHCChasbeencalled‘thesilent killer,’saysRogers.
Althoughasimplebloodtestcandetectironoverload,itisnotpartofthestandardbloodtestordered inconjunctionwithanannualcheck-up.Aphysician mustspecificallyrequestanironseriesprofileonthe labrequisitionform.Itmeasurestheamountofiron inthevariousironstorageandtransportproteinsin yourbloodtogiveapictureofhowmuchironis storedinyourbody.
WhenHCCisleftuntreatedthedamagetoorgans fromtoomuchironcaneventuallyresultinlife threateningdiseaseslikecirrhosis,congestiveheart failureanddiabetes.Fortunately,manyofthecomplicationscanbetreatedorprevented,butearlydiagnosisandtherapyiskey.
Treatmentconsistsofregularlyscheduledphlebotomies(bloodletting).Whenfirstdiagnosedthis maybefairlyfrequentuntilironlevelsarebrought withinthenormalrange.Forpeoplewhoareunable totolerateroutineblooddraws,thereisachelating agentwherebythedrugbindswithironinthebloodstreamandenhancesitseliminationviaurineand feces.
MarcelMorin’sstoryistypicalofmanypeoplediagnosedwithHCC.Inhislate30shebegantosuffer fromjointpaininhisrightfootandankleandaburningsensationinhisleg.AstimeprogressedMorin’s legsstartedtoswell,hisskinbecamebronzyandhe evenhaddifficultywalking.Hewasincreasinglytired andstartedtoloseweight.
Whenhevisitedhisdoctorhewassimplytoldthat hewasgrowingolderandthatnothingwaswrong withhim.Itwasnotuntilafewyearslaterwhenhe hadhisbloodcheckedforalifeinsurancerenewalthat theHCCwasdiagnosed.
“Itwassucharelieftofinallyknowwhatwaswrong withmeandstarttreatingthecondition,”saysMorin.
Unfortunatelytherearetoomanypeoplelike Morinwhosuffersilentlyformanyyears.Manyexperiencepermanentaftereffectsbecauseofadelayed diagnosis.
“Ifapatientisinthehereditaryriskgroup(white, northernEuropeanorCelticethnicity)andthepatienthastwoormoreofthesymptomsanddiseases associatedwithtoomuchironinthebodythenitis prudentforthephysiciantotesttransferrinsaturationandserumferritinlevelsbyindicatingonthelab formtheysuspectHCC,”saysRogers.
“Iftheresultofthesetestsispositiveforironoverload,agenetictestcanconfirmthediagnosis.Until thisclinicalprocedurebecomesmorecommonplace, toomanypeoplewillsufferbecausetheylackthe medicalcaretheydeserve.”
TheCanadianHemochromatosisSocietywasestablishedtocreateawarenessofthislittleknown, commondisorder.Theorganizationprovidessupport andahealthcareprofessionalreferralnetworkfor thoseaffectedbyHCC.
STORYBYKARENPATON-EVANS/PHOTOGRAPHYCOURTESYROTARYCLUBOFWINDSOR
DURINGAWINDSOR-LEDROTARYMISSION triptoGhana,Africain2012,motherswalkedlong distancesandpatientlylineduptoobtaininsecticide-treatedmosquitonetsdesperatelyneededtoprotect theirchildrenagainstdeadlymalaria.Whenthelastnetwashandedout,RotarianKimSpirouwasstruckby thequietdismayregisteringonthefacesofthewomenstillinlinewhenthesupplyofnetsranout.“IpromisedIwouldcomeback,someday,withmorenets.”
Shetookphotosof themotherstobeabletoidentifythemlater.Itwastheirexpressionsofdesperationthat Kimthoughtofonherbirthday,whenfriendscollectivelygiftedherwith$2,500tobuynets.Withjoy,Kim wentshopping.“Asimple$5mosquitonetisthemosteffectivewaytofightthescourgeofmalaria,”shesays. Wiringthefundsforthenetsandthemoms’photostotheparishpriest,Fr.StephenAmoah-Gyasi,Kim knewsomechildrenwouldnowgetachanceathealthandlife.
“Fr.Stephenisanextraordinaryhumanbeing,”saysKim.GrowingupinpoorvillageinGhana,thepriest “isthegotopersonforeverything.Thewholeregionlookstohimforguidance.”Afterlongassociationwith Fr.StephenandseveralmissiontripstotheAssin-Berekuregion,WindsorRotariansknowtheneedforhelpisdire.Takingthelead,the RotaryClubofWindsor-RoselandpartneredwiththeRotaryClubofWindsor-Walkervilletoraisemorethan$124,000tofinanceahost ofprojects,includingdistributingmorenets,duringtheir2014missiontripmadeinMarch2014.
Payingtheirownway,ateamof18RotariansandconcernedvolunteersflewtoGhanaonMarch7,thentookabusintotheseverely impoverishedoutposts.Someoftheteammemberswouldstayforaweek,othersfortwo.Theyallworkedlonghoursintheheat, determinedtoaccomplishasmuchaspossible.Thishumanitarianeffortwasmassiveandincludedtheboredrillingoftwofreshwater wells,renovatinganentireschoolfromtoptobottomandrepairingtwootherschools,providingbackpacksfortheschoolchildren, buildingayouthcentre,constructingababypavilionattheclinic,providingmedicines,ageneratorandcriticalmedicalequipmentas wellasbuildingthearea’sfirstpublicsanitationsystemfeaturing12flushtoilets.
MedicalphysicianDr.ChrisSpirou,opticianDr.TimGuthrie,hiswifeandoptometrytechnicianRobinMarentetteand tworegisterednursessprangintoaction,providingmedicalcare,eyeexamsandeyeglassesinchallengingconditionstothousandsofpeople. Theteamworkedbyflashlightforseveralhoursduringscheduledandunplanneddailypowerblackouts.TheRotaryearmarkedfunds topurchaseanewgeneratorforthemedicalclinic;nownebulizers,otoscopes,fansandotherdevicesrequiringelectricitycancontinue functioningandemergencycarecanbeprovidedafterdaylightends.
Dr.Guthrieobserves,“Theeyeclinichaslimitedornoaccesstodiagnosticequipmenttotreatpatientsinacomprehensiveandefficientway.Itdoesnotevenhavea phoropter,developedover90yearsago,whichisthemaindevicetomeasurepatients forglasses.Ifpatientsdogetaneyeexamandaprescription,thecostofglassesmake visioncorrectionunattainableformanyvillagers.”
“Themostgratifyingresultsofourtriparethatwewereabletoprovideupdatedopto metryexamequipmenttoimprovequalityofcare,traintheclinicstaffanddevelop conduitstobeabletogetdonatedglassestopatientsinGhana,”Dr.Guthriereflects. “Inadditiontoprovidingeyecareandglassestoover400people,wewereabletoprovidethetoolsandthetrainingtotheclinicsothattheycanbetterservetheirown people.”
HewasmovedbytheGhanaresidentshemet.“Theyarethehappiestofpeople.In conditionswewouldconsiderunlivable,theythank Godforalltheirblessings.”That wasevidentwhenRobinplacedglassesonawomanwhohadwaitedcomplacentlyin theswelteringheat.“Theladywassohappy,shegotupanddanced!”Robinsays.
Clockwisefromtopleft:Ateamof18representingtheRotary ClubsofWindsor-RoselandandWindsor-Walkervilleandother communityvolunteersarrivesinGhanaonahumanitarianmission.Front:HeloiseCollicott,PamMcDonald,StaceyMcKinnon, JaclynMcCarthy,KimSpirou,JoeBezaire,BarbaraParentand MarilynShaw.Middle:RobinMarentette,BriarJansons,Alynn AnglinandKathleenSturba.Back:MichaelSpirou,Dr.Tim Guthrie,GregRiccardi,Dr.ChrisSpirou,AndyTorokandChris Bezaire;Paintingtherenovatedschoolgreen,Jaclyn,Alynnand Staceyhelpmakethetumbledownbuildingapropercentrefor education;KimSpiroudistributeslife-savingmosquitonets; AndyandGreggetrollingonconstructionfinishes;twoyoung boyssportneweyewarefittedbyvolunteerRobinMarentette; Dr.Guthrieperformsaneyeexambyflashlight;Dr.Spirou pauseswithoneofhismedicalpatients.Malariaiscommon.
Examiningpatientsformedicalconcerns, Dr.Spirouquicklyrealizedthatmalariawas themostcommonissue,highbloodpressurethesecond.“Thesepeoplehavesufferedalong,longtime,”saysKim.Noting thatmostGhanaresidentsarepoorsubsistencefarmersmakinglessthan$1aday, “unfortunately,theycan’taffordhealthinsurance.”In4andahalfdays,Dr.Spirou workedwellintotheeveningmostdaysand sawabout350patients,manywhowere acutelyillandwithcomplexissues.
Afterfourexpectantmothersarrivedat theclinicfortheirdeliveries,fournewresidentsweregreetedbytheraresightof beamingCanadians,happytobepresent forthebirths.Thebabiesweregiftedwith knittedhatsandreceivingblanketssent fromCanada.
Evenmoreappreciatedwerethemedical equipmentand300-pluspoundsofcritical medicationsthatDr.Spiroubroughtto treatmalaria,hypertension,allergies,asthma,bacterialinfections,skindiseases, trachomaandotherhealthtroubles.“Antibioticsareinshortsupply,”Kimexplains.
Preparedtoaddressmoreoftheresidents’ pressingbasicneeds,otherteammembers rolleduptheirsleeves.Donationsfundeda babypavilionbuiltontotheclinic,where momsandtheirlittleonescannowreceive post-partumcareandwellbabychecks, insteadofwaitingoutsideinthehotsun. Newexamtables,scalesandotherequipmentarewelcomeitemsinthebeautiful room
Happily,atotalof1,000insecticide treatedbednetsweredistributedtopregnantandnursingmothersandtheirchildren.
Rotary’scommitmenttoeducationcame totheforewhentheteamledtherenovationonthedecayedschool.Thebuilding requirednewwalls,windows,floors,porch androofbeforeanattractivecoatofgreen paintcouldbeapplied.Newwhiteboards, desks,schooluniformsandtextbookswere contributed,tothedelightoftheteachers. The 700studentswereoverjoyedwhen presentedwithnewbackpackscontaining schoolsupplies,toiletries,clothingandtoys.
“One-thirdofchildrenarenotinschool becausetheirfamiliescan’taffordthefeesor uniforms,”Kimsays.Rotarygavemany studentsnewuniformsandcontributed moreforkidswhoarenotyetinschool. Theywillbenow:Rotaryalsoleftmoney tocovertheirenrollmentfees.
Thevillagers,youngandold,receivedan educationinmodernplumbingwhen the
Rotariansmadepossiblethedrillingof twonewborewellsandtheinstallationof apublicsanitationfacilitywith12flush toilets.
“Withwater,you’regivinglife.These wellswillliveonfordecades,”Kimiscertain.Noting“thereisnotonesinglepublic flushtoiletintheregion,”thesanitationfacility“improvestheenvironment,protects watersourcesandgivespeopledignity.”
Likemanyimpoverishedcommunities, thereislittleforyoungpeopletodoin Ghana.“Thekidsgetbored,”Kimsays. “Thereisahighincidentofteenpregnancy.”Fr.Stephenrequestedayouthcentrethatcouldofferactivities,fellowship andanutritionprogramtoprovideyoungsterswithhealthyfood.Therewillsoonbe a5,000sq.ft.youthcentrewithalltherequestedamenities.
Theregion’slimitationsfrequentlyconfrontedtheteam.Returningtotheirhotel onenight,notenoughwatertrickledout ofthefaucetsforevenacursorycleaning Anunplannedblackoutmeantdinnerwas candyfromthesnackcounter.
Theteamwereinvitedtotherectoryfor lunches.“Fr.Stephenhasanexcellent cook,”Robinpraises.Sheenjoyedthelocal flavours,especiallyred-red,astewofbeans, plantain,black-eyedpeasandcayennepepperinsauce.
Althoughthepacewashectic,therewas timeforteammemberstoappreciatewhat theywereprivilegedtoexperience.“The kidslovetocomeuptoyouandputtheir armsaroundyou,”Robinsays.“Theyare openandexcited.”
OneCanadianvolunteer,ayoung womanarmedwithadigitalcameraand printer,tookphotosofeveryschoolstudent,all700.Thephotoswereprinted, framedsimplyandpresentedtothekids. “Photosareextremelyraretheresoitwas quiteagift,”Robinremarks.
Kindnesswasreciprocal.Ataparting ceremony,thevillagerspresentedeachof theCanadianswithbeadjewelleryanda dresstheyhadmade.“Theyareincredibly generous,”saysRobin.
“Fr.Stephensaidthisisthesinglebiggest humanitarianefforteverundertakeninhis regionandwassoverygratefulforthecare andconcernforhispeople,”Kimsays.The priestwillbecomingtoWindsorinJune toexpresshisthanksinperson.
Windsor’sRotariansarealreadyplanning theirnextmissiontrip,scheduledfor2015 andaregladlyacceptingdonations,eligible fortaxreceipts.Kimcanprovideinformationat519-253-0111. WLM
MANYPEOPLEHAVEONE ormorepersonalfeatures theywouldliketochange,ifitcouldbedoneeffectively, discreetlyandaffordably.Whentheissueisbeyondeating properly,exercisingregularlyandfollowinganappropriate skincareregimendiligently,thedesiredresultcanbe achievedthroughcosmeticsurgeryandnon-surgicaltreatmentsatCentricHealthSurgicalCentreSarnia.
Withanykindofsurgery,experiencecounts.Cosmeticsurgeryrequiresartistry,aswell.“Ourplasticsurgeonsareboard certifiedandfullyaccreditedbyTheCollegeofPhysiciansand SurgeonsofOntario.Theyupholdthehigheststandardsofmedicalcare,”saysRobertGalloway,generalmanagerforCentric HealthSurgicalSouthwesternOntario.Themedicalteamstays currentthroughongoingeducation.“Ourprioritiesarethepatient’s safety,outcomeandsatisfaction.”
CentricHealthisCanada’sleadingintegratedhealthcareservices companyprovidingacompleterangeofinnovativeandwhole-life solutions.“Ourcompanyiswellestablishedandpubliclytraded,”Robert says.Thestate-of-the-artsurgicalcentreinSarniawasrecentlyrenovated, includingextensiveupgradestotheoperatingsuite.
“OurWindsor-EssexCountypatientslikemakingtheshortdriveto Sarniabecauseitaddsanotherlevelofconfidentiality.You’relikelynotgoing toseeyourneighbour,”Robertexplains.Peoplecancall1-866-375-2452 tollfreeorvisitcentrichealthsurgicalsarnia.catobooktheirprivateconsultations.Noreferralisnecessary.
“Youwillmeetwithoneofourtwoplasticsurgeonsandgainthebenefitsoftheirexpertiseduringyourconsultation.Theygladlytaketimeto reallylistentoyourconcerns,discusspossibilitiesandansweryourquestions,”saysRobert.Thereisa$75consultationfeewhichisappliedtoward anyprocedure,shouldyoudecidetomoveforward.Financingisavailable forcosmeticsurgery.
“Mostpatientshaveverydefiniteideasaboutwhattheywanttoseewhen theylookinthemirrorafterrecovery.Theyoftenbringalongmagazine clippingsandotherimagesofpeopletoindicatetheattributetheyhopecan beachieved,”Robertsays.“Wecreateacomprehensiveplanforthepreparation,surgeryandrecoverystages.You’llknowwhattoexpectbeforewe begin.”
Breastaugmentationandreduction,tummytucks(abdominoplasty)and liposuctionarethemostfrequentlyrequestedprocedures.Othercosmetic surgerysolutionsofferedatCentricHealthSurgicalCentreSarniaarebreast lift,eyelidorearsurgery,face,neckand/orbrowlift,cosmeticnasal reshaping(rhinoplasty),chinorlipaugmentation,scarrevisionandthigh reduction/lift.
Patientsalsoreceiveexpertnon-surgicaltreatments,skincareandaestheticservicesatCentricHealthSurgicalCentreSarnia.Botoxandfillers smoothawaylinesandrestoreyouthfulfullnessandcontourstotheface. Specializedskincareaddressesanti-agingandotherconditions.“Weuse outstandingproducts,includingtheSkinMedicalinebytheAlleganCompany,favouredbycelebrities,suchasOprah,”saysRobert.SkinMedica’s TNSserumsandotherproductsimproveandmaintainskintexture,tone andappearance.
Whateveryourequirecosmeticallytoenhanceself-esteemandlookas greatasyoufeelisdonewithcareatCentricHealthSurgicalCentreSarnia, wherethefocusisyou.
Callforaconfidentialconsultation orvisitourwebsitetobookyourappointment: 704MaraStreet,Suite#106,PointEdward,Ontario,N7V1X4
TollFree:866.375.2452 www.centrichealthsurgicalsarnia.ca
Farleft:AnyaLaurence,pianist,authorandteacheris shownatherCarnegieHall recital.Left:today,Anya continuestoentertainaudiencesandteachfrom hernewhomeinWindsor.
STORYBYKIMWILLIS
ANYALAURENCEISANEXTRAORDINARY womanwhohasplayedCarnegieHall, isanacclaimedconcertpianist,authorandteacherwhonowcallsWindsorhome.
BorninToronto,Anya’smusicalcareerhastakenheraroundtheworld.Shebegan playingthepianoattheageoffourandknewthatshewantedtobeaconcertpianist.Her formaltrainingbeganattheageofsixandshegaveherfirstfullscalerecitalinTorontoat agetwelve.
Anya’spassionforplayingledmehertostudywiththegreatRudolfFirkusnyinNew YorkCity.“ForsometimeIhadwantedtostudywithhimbutIwastoldthathedidn't teach.Ifoundoutlaterthathedidn'tevenliketeaching!However,afteranauditionin Stratford,Ontario,wherehewasappearingontheSummerMusicprogram,Iwasaccepted ashisstudent.IwasthrilledandimmediatelymadeplanstomovetoNewYork.”
Shereadilyadmitsthatshewasfortunatetohaveoutstandingteachersthroughouther career.
“Thingsruboffonyoufromallyourgreatteachers.Theirdevotiontomusicsetsthegood onesapartfromothers.”
Anyaperformedherdebutrecitalat CarnegieHallin1968andhassinceperformedhundredsofsolorecitalsand appearanceswithorchestras.Afterspending timeinNewYork,Anyaattendedthe LandowskaCenterinLakeville,ConnecticutwhereshebecametheAssistantDirector.
Oneofthemanyhighlightsofhercareer washavingintheopportunitytotourwith actor/musicianEfremZimbalistJr.
“IlovedandadmiredEfremZimbalistall ofmylife.Whatanabsolutethrilltobeable toplayalongsidehim.Howmanypeople havetheopportunitytocalltheiridola friend?”
Eventuallyshemadeherwaybackto CanadaandbecameanArtistInResidence attheUniversityofGuelph.Itwasherethat shemetherhusbandof27years,theReverendAndreasThiel.
“Andreaswasoneofmystudents.Heis anaccomplishedmusicianinhisownright. He’shadamarvelousconcertcareer–played solorecitalsandalongsidesomeofthebest orchestrasinCanada,theUnitedStatesand Europe.”
OverthecourseofhercareerAnyahas taughthundredsofstudents,manyofwhom continuetokeepincontactwithher.Sheis currentlyinterviewingforstudents,butwill nottakemorethanfiveatanygiventime.
“Iloveteaching–Ifirmlybelievethat goodteachersareborntoteach.Anybody canstudytobecomeapianoteacher,butthe fortheoneswhoareextraordinaryitoozes outoftheirpores.”
Anyawashonouredwithteachingawards attheUniversityofGuelphandtheEmma WillardSchoolforGirlsinNewYork.Sheis alsoaSeniorPianoAdjudicatorinNewYork andOntario.
InadditiontoAnya’sillustriousmusicand teachingcareer,shealsofoundtimetowrite books.Herworksinclude:theinstructional
pianobook,“HouseofBassClef.”
“WomenofNotes:1,000WomenComposersBornBeforetheYear1900,”and “LoveDivine:TheLifeofHenryWard Beecher.”
Mostrecentlyshewroteaplayentitled, "WhoKilledFatherO'Malley”thatsheis hopingtoproduceinWindsor.
In2012AnyawasinvitedtoteachMasterClasseswithotherpianistsinBrno, CzechRepublic.PianistscamefromJapan, Italy,Canada,theUnitedStates,Austria andSwitzerland.Notsurprising lyAnya learnedtospeakCzechbeforethetripand gavehalfofherspeechinthatlanguage.
“Theoccasionwasthe100thanniversary ofthebirthofmybelovedteacherRudolf Firkusny.Hewasoneofthegreatpianists, andIwashonouredtohavehadtheprivilegeofstudyingprivatelywithhimforfive years,bothathisapartmentinNewYork CityandhissummerhomeontheHudson River.”
Afterspending10yearsinSt.Mary’s Ontario,Andreas’positionasaRectorat St.Matthew’sAn glicanChurchbrought themtoWindsor,amovethatAnyahas thoroughlyenjoyed.
“IabsolutelyloveWindsor!Thecongregationisfulloflife,wehavemetsomewonderfulpeople.”
Anyahasembracedsocialmedia,both forhermusicandherwriting.Someofher CDscannowbefoundonYouTubeand shehasablogthatshecontributestoona regularbasis.Onanygivendayyoucan findpostsabouteverythingfromheractivitiesinWindsortoherthoughtsonreality televisionstarHoneyBooBoo.
Althoughherperformingcareerhas sloweddownsomewhatovertheyears, Anyaislookingforwardtosomespecialupcomingevents.ShewillbedoingappearanceswithKarenCalder,“Southwestern Ontario’sreigningJazzDiva,”andoneof hercurrentfavourites,SaraDavisBuechner,whensheperformswiththeWindsor SymphonyOrchestrainOctober2014.
Asalifelongloverofallclassicalmusic, Anyaappreciatestheimpactitcanmakeon people.
“Musicbringsa tremendousamountto one’slife.Reallygreatmusicplayedwellis aspiritualexperience.”
CertainlyAnya’smusicaltalenthasallowedhertohavearemarkablelifewhere heradmirableambitionswereabletocome tofruitionandentertainthousandsofpeopleworldwide.Anyasaysitbestherself,“It’s beenagoodlife.”
dining&nightlifeguide
A1ChineseRestaurant -Providingauthentic Chinesedishesusingthefreshestingredients andtraditionalChineserecipes.Take-out,menu &buffet.Essex,LaSalle,Leamingtonand Wallaceburg. www.A1chinesefood.com
Armando’sBelleRiver -Pizzamadefreshfrom ourfamilytoyours,withallyourfavourite toppings.Othermenuitemsavailable. 10%offpickuporders.Fastdelivery. LocatedinAspenPlaza. 1679CountyRd.22.519-727-0660
Billy’sPubandGrill -14craftbeertaps,local wines,andfoodmadefromscratch.Takethe shortdrivetoEssexandseewhyBilly’swas votedoneofOntario’shiddengems.Seewhat's ontapatbillyspubandgrill.com 305TalbotSt.N.,Essex519-776-7094
CapriPizzeria -Capri’scasualatmosphereand welcomingstaffattractsavariedmixofdiners! Comeoutandenjoyourgreatpizzas,pastaand more! 3020DougallAve.519-969-6851
CasaMiaRistorante -Experienceauthentic Italianfood,localwinesand homemadedesserts 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
FamousJoesDiner -Largeportions.Small prices.Familyfriendlyatmosphere.Servingall daybreakfast.Senior’sandchildren’smenuavailable.TryourFamousSouthernFriedChicken, CountryRibsorfreshSteakBurgers.Open TuesdaythruSunday. E.C.Row&Manning,Lakeshore. 33AmyCroftDr.519-735-8001
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.Choosefromoneofourmanyready
THEANCIENTANDAPPEALING cuisineofChinaisrootedinclassictechniques andflavoursthathavebeenenjoyedforcenturies.Accompanyingeverydishisatale tobesavoured.AtA1ChineseFoodRestaurant,ownerCheungKwong’sstoryisas intriguingastheblendofspicesthatgiveA1’sgingerchickenitsdistinctiveflavour.
Cheung,calledJonesybyeveryone,lefthisfamilyandfriendsbehindinhishomeland,emigratingfromChinatoCanadawhenhewasjust17.“Icamealonefor school,”hesays.Whilecompletinghighschool,Jonesysupportedhimselfbyworkinginarestaurant.Hecontinuedhisemploytherefor10years,doingthedishes, serving,bartending,cookingandlearningeverythinghecouldabouttherestaurant business.
In1999,Jonesy,then27yearsold,boughthisownestablishmentinEssexand nameditA1ChineseFoodRestaurant.Heknewthattoattractguestsandkeepthem comingback,A1neededtoprovideconsistentlytastyfood,freshlyprepared,reasonablypricedandservedquicklybyfriendlystaff.Hispersonalstandardsalsomeantthat everyareaoftherestaurantwouldhavetobespotlesslyclean,atalltimes.
Therecipeforsuccessworked.Eventually,A1ChineseFoodRestaurantswere openedinLaSalle,WallaceburgandLeamington.Now44yearsold,Jonesybelieves EssexCountylocationssuithisstyle.“I’macountryboy.Iwasborninasmalltown.”
Growingup,theregionalflavoursheexperiencedwereCantonese.Jonesy’sculinaryoriginsarereflectedinA1’sdine-inandtakeoutmenusandbuffets.Oneofthe mostpopulardishesisCantonesechowmein.Variationsofbarbecuedpork,tender beef,chopsuey,eggfuyung,Szechuandishes,curries,seafoodandmorearemade fromscratchusingfreshlocalingredientsandusuallycookedinaflamingwok.Sauces forsweetandsourandotherdishesarepreparedinA1’sownkitchen.ThemenufeaturessomeCanadianfavourites,aswell.
A1ChineseFoodRestaurantsareopensevendaysaweek.Customersphoningin ordersaccountfor40percentofthebusiness.ThemajorityliketorelaxinA1’s casualdiningroomandpleasantambiance,perusingthemenuandorderingfamiliar itemsandothersnotavailableanywhereelse.
Adventurersandgrazerswhoprefertotastesomeofthisandsomeofthatarrivefor thelunchbuffetfrom11:30amto2pm,ThursdayandFridayorthedinnerbuffet servedfrom4:30to8pm,ThursdaythroughSunday.A1alsoofferscatering.
Outsideoftherestaurants,A1’snameisfamiliar asasupporterofthecommunity,contributingto hospitals,educationalinstitutions,charitableorganizationsandevents.
Asamodernyoungimmigrantmakesgoodinthe newlandstory,Jonesy’sisprettyimpressive.Yethe sidestepsthecredit,insteadexpressinghisgratitude toLouiseFreitas,hisrighthandwhohashelpedhim incountlesswaysovertheyears.
“Ialsowanttothankallofourloyalcustomers andour65employeesformakingitpossibleforus tocelebrateour15thanniversary,”saysJonesy.He hasspecialappreciationforsixstaffmemberswho havebeenwithhimfromthebeginning:Nene O’Neil,CatherinePrice,MargueriteHermann,Wen Sen,MichaelXioandKennyCheung.“Thanksto allofthem,A1ChineseFoodRestaurantissuccessfulbeyondanythingIcouldhavehopedfor.”
madeproducts:stuffedporkchop,stirfrys,cordonbleu,stuffedpeppers,meatloaf. 3750WalkerRd.519-967-0988
MazaarLebaneseCuisine -Anupscalecasual restaurantspecializedinauthenticLebanese Cuisineinaclassycomfortableyetenergetic atmosphere.Theirextensivelunchanddinner menuspromotefreshandhealthydelicious options.Freeparkingafter5pm.Reservations recommended.
372OuelletteAve.519-967-9696.
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TazaMediterraneanGrill -Enjoyadelectable varietyofauthentic,Lebanese-styledishesrich withflavourandtraditionalspices.Opentoall ages,locatedintheAugustusHotellobbyat CaesarsWindsor,openweekdays11am–11pm and7amonweekends.caesarswindsor.com.
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AAlluring.Mysterious.Unexpected.Yours.Allofthesedescribetheessenceofthesecret garden,whetheritexistsnowinyourbackyardoronlyinyourimagination.
Adviceandideasonhowtobringittolifeorimproveuponwhatyoualreadyhave wereinabundantsupplyatCanadaBlooms,thenation’slargestflowerandgarden festivalco-hostedannuallybyLandscapeOntarioandtheGardenClubofToronto. FromMarch14 thto23rd,CanadaBloomsletlooseitsWild!themethroughout ExhibitionPlace’sDirectEnergyCentreinToronto.
Duringtheshow,horticulturistCrystalGodfreysharedherthoughtsaboutforming intimatespacesingrowingplaces.BasedinHalifax,NovaScotia,hercompanyisnamed SecretGardensbyCrystal.Hernotionofwhatconstitutesasecretgardengoesbeyond thecrumblinghighwalls,creakinggateswithrustylocksandrambling,overgrownperennialssoprevalentinoldnovels.
“Asecretgardenisanareawhereyoucanforgetabouttherestofyour day,whereyoucancomehomeandrelax,”shebelieves.“Itisaplace whereyoufeelthehappiestandatpeace.”
Noghostlylovers,then,meetingeternallyunderthefragrantboweror ahigh-strunggothicheroinestumblingovertheunevenbrickpathways.
Butwait!Secretgardens,Crystalnotes,“traditionallyhaveromanticelements.”That’smorelikeit.Aprivatesettingwithasecludedseating area,surroundedbybeautifulflowersandplantsoffertherightnotes. Personaltouchesmakeitunique.“Yoursecretgardenmaynotbesomebodyelse’ssecretgarden,”thedesignerassures.
Tofigureoutwhatthatmeansforyou,recalltimesandplaces whereyouexperiencedcontentment.Perhapsitwasinaprovincialpark, wherelargerocks,toweringpines,cinnamonfernsandwildflowers
Clockwisefromabove: Withstreamsofwaterarcingoverheadandpouringfromthestonefountain,alargeelephantraisesitstrunkingreetingtovisitorstouringCanadaBlooms.RoyalStone LandscapingDesign&AquaspaPools&LandscapeDesign;arivuletofwatermeandersthe lengthofanaturalstonetabletopandfallsintoasmallpoolbelow.Apumprecirculatesthe water,sendingitbackupthestackedstonefountainattheheadofthetable.J.GarfieldThompsonLandscapeLtd.;nochancethesesheepwilleatthedaffodilsinthesecretgarden.Their bodiesareboulders,theirheadsarecraftedfromcopper.LandscapesbyLucin.
Thispage,counterclockwisefromtop:Anassortmentofdriedmossesdisplayedinasimple frameaddanaturallycolourfulnotetoadark greywoodwallofanairygardenhouse. VaughanLandscaping;sturdyprivacyisassured withcinderblockwallsstackedstraight,with sporadicblockspokingouttocontainplants.A pottedforestoftropicalpalmsaddmorescreening.TheParklaneTeam;aseriesofvertical woodplanterboxesfilledwithredtulipsand mossenlivenaprivacywall.TownofGoderich; hewnbeamsandwoodboardsarerepurposed intoasecludedgardenhouse.GenoscapeInc.
combinedinacarefree,naturalway.Or maybeitwasinyourgrandmother’sgarden, experiencedwhenyouwereakidchasing butterfliesamidsttrellisesbloomingwith sweetpeasandmorningglories.
BackinHalifax,Crystalhelpedacouple unearththeirinnergardeningstylebyrecallingtheirloveofMexico.Theplansfor theirsecretgardenbeganwithglazedMexicanpottery,colourfullypaintedinbold patterns.Thatcalledforvibrantperennials andannuals,withsomedroughttolerant grassesand,inplaceofcactus,softer,more Canada-friendlysedums.Herbswould growindesiredconfinementincinderblocks,theroughgreysidesupgraded withMexicantiles.Afreestandingmetal firepitwithapunchedstarmotifreflects thecouple’sfascinationwiththestars…anotherelementofromance.
Adifferentclientfoundherhappyplace everytimesheboardedacruiseship.Her loveoftheseainspiredasecretgarden growingwithpinkseathrift,steelbluesea
holly,sealavenderandElijahBluefescue. Anoldtreasurechestandarowboatwere turnedintocreativeplanters.Simplewood postsandthicknaturalropeformornamentalfencing.
Eachprojectwasplottedwithanidea boarddisplayingcolourchips,fabricsamplesandmagazineclippingsofthefurniture,accessoriesandplantsselectedforthe newarea.Havingaplaninplacehelped eachownerdefineandthenremainfocused onthevision.
Ofcourse,ifyourpropertyissprawling, welldrainedandblessedwithachuckling brookandapairofslenderbirchesentwinedasthoughinfondembrace,allyou needdoisslideawidelogoverthewater forarusticfootbridgeandpullupachaise lounge.
Fewaresofortunate,however.Ifyou unharnessyourimagination,though,even aminiaturegardencouldbecomeyour escape.Gardensupplyandcraftshopsare nowcarryingarbours,patiofurniture,
CounterclockwisefromTop:Snugwithin aroundyurt,twinbedsdressedindesignerlinenselevatetheexperienceof campingoutinthesecretgarden.The ParklaneTeam;Summerslumbersare sweetuponthegreywoodplatformbed nestledbetweenarockwallandopen gardenhouse.RoyalStoneLandscaping Design&AquaspaPools&Landscape Design;anarchedfootbridgecrossesa stream.GenoscapeInc.;logsandstone, seeminglyfoundintheforest,arecombinedinanappealingentrance.
wheelbarrowsandterracottapotsscaledfor dollhouses.Fairygardens,gnomehollows andothertinyscenesareveryontrend amonghobbyists.Thatmeansthesmall cornerofacondobalconyorevenanoffice deskcanboastapersonalsecretgarden.
Whetherthespaceislargeorsmall,Crystalisadamantthat“everyoneneedsapath totheirsecretgarden.”Haulingpaving stonestotheminiaturegardenismucheasieronthespinethaninthefullsizeversion.
Cr ystalisasticklerforthefacts.“Consideryourbudget,siteanalysis,maintenancerequirements,activitiesandthetime ofyearyourgardenwillbemostused,”she states.“Youhavetoberealisticaboutthe timeyouaregoingtospendmaintaining it.”Sheaddshelpfully,“Ifyouplanon beingoutthereincolderweather,you mightwantaheater.”
Whilelimitationstobudget,skill,energy,etc.couldbringadreamerdownto earthwithabump,theresourcefulperson shouldbeabletoadaptwithcreativesolutions.Forinstance,ifanoseyneighbouris likelytointrudeintothesecretgarden orshouldyouropensuburbanyardbe exposedtoview,thatdoesn’tnecessarily meanyouhavetoshelloutforpermanent fencing.Intherightspot,privacydrapes couldbehungonrodsormetalscaffold framing,withtiebacksforwhenyou’repreparedtoemergefromyourgardenhideaway.Readymadecurtainsareavailablein outdoorfabricsintheseason’snewcolours andpatterns.
Thoseandothergoodieswereondisplay forgardenersbrowsingCanadaBlooms’ marketplace,wheregreenthumbssnapup theseason’snewestcropofgardening gadgetry,plantsandseeds.Variousseed producersweresellingpackagesofsunflowersthatgrowfromminiaturetoover6’ tall.Inhuesofgold,red,orangeandivory, thesunflowersquicklyshootupward, spreadingfatgreenleaveswideastheir broad,roundfacesturnuptothesun.All thiscolourfulcoverisgreatforscreeningoff achain-linkfenceorcreatingprivacywhere nonewasbefore.Byplantingseedlingsina doublerow,markingoffanareaatleast largeenoughforacomfortablegarden chair,youcanhaveadelightfulfollyor minisecretgardenforthepriceofsome seeds.Anticipatecompanybylatesummer, whenbirdscomebyforameal.
ThatwouldagreewithanotherofCrystal’sopinionsaboutthesecretgarden:“It’s whereyoureconnectwithnatureandget somegrounding.”
LocalfilmmakersTheodoreBezaireandMikeStaskoknewthatWindsorwasthe onlyoptionforfilmingtheirsophomorefeaturefilm,“TheBirders.”Aftertheirfirst film,“ThingstoDo”wasmetwithanenthusiasticresponsein2006theywere encouragedbyTelefilmCanadatopitchtheirnextfilmtothem.
OverthenextfouryearsBezaireandStaskowroteadraftandwentthrough numerousredrafts.Thefinalproductis“TheBirders,”atongueincheekfilm abouttheworldofornithology.Itisarevengecomedysetinsidetheworld ofbird-watching.CanadianactorTomCavanaghplaysmildmanneredhighschoolteacherandavidbirderRonSpencer.SpencerisupfortheHeadof Ornithologypositionatthepark,butlosesittoayounger,hipperrivalnamed FloydHawkins,playedbyToronto’sJamieSplichuk.ThissetsRonoffinto atailspinandhedecidestosmearFloyd’sperfectimagewiththehelpofa formerstudentBenConner.
Thefilm,shotovereighteendaysinAugustandSeptember2012,features severalfamiliarlocationsthroughoutWindsorandEssexCounty.PointPelee NationalPark,OjibwayPark,HolidayBeach,St.Anne’sHighSchool, St.ThomasofVillanovaHighSchoolandtheCollavinoEstatefigure predominantlyinthefilm.
SeniorProduceratTheDotFilmCompanyinToronto,GerryLattmann, saysthatitwasano-brainertoreturntoWindsortoshoot“TheBirder.”
Above:Directorandwriter,TheodoreBezaire,isaWindsor nativewhosefilmshavefoundsuccessworldwide.
Top:ActorsTomCavanagh,MarkRendallandTommieAmberPirieareshownfilming"TheBirder"inEssexCounty during2012.
“Wehadaphenomenalexperience shooting“ThingsToDo”inWindsor.The city,peopleandbusinesseswereoverwhelminglysupportive.”
Findingfundingforafilmprojectcanbe oneofthebiggestchallengesinbringinga filmtothebigscreen.Again,Windsorand EssexCountyproveditssupport.Eighteen ofthe27fundersinvolvedin“TheBirder” werelocal.
“Fundersbelieveinthevalueofthe project.Theyknowthateverypennyiscritical,”saysLattman.
Whenitcametime tocastactorsforthe filmtheproducersandwriterslookedtoa LasAngelescastingagency.Originallythey soughtA-Listactorsastheythoughtthatit wouldimprovetheirchancesofsecuring funding.However,theysoonrealizedthis wasnotagoodstrategyforthisparticular film.Instead,theydecidedtheywantedactorswhohadarealpassionfor“TheBirders”script.
ThefilmpremieredinWindsoratthe CapitolTheatreonApril3toasold-out crowdwhogavethefilmglowingreviews. Followingthepremiere,thefilmcontinued tobeshownatLakeshoreCinemas.Its showingwasevenextendedbyaweek becauseoftheoverwhelmingpositiveresponse.
“Wewouldlovetomakemoreprojects inWindsor,ithasbeenproventhatwecan makeagreatfilmhere,”statesLattmann.
“Peopleneedtogotothetheatreand purchaseatickettothefilm.ItputsWindsoronthemap.Wecouldintheorybeing makingfilmsinWindsoreveryonetotwo years.”
BezaireandStaskohaveremainedfansof Windsor.Bothwerebornandraisedinthe city.AlthoughtheycallTorontohomenow, theyareextremelysupportiveofthecity,its residentsandallthatithastooffer.
“TheBirdercouldn’thavebeenmade anywhereelseduetotheunyieldingsupportwereceivedduringproduction.As well,it’strulyhumblingtoseethatsupport continuerightthroughtoourtheatrical run,”saysBezaire.
FollowingtheshowinginWindsor,“The Birder”willbeshowninseveralother markets.
ItwillfeaturedMay1-19attheFestival oftheBirdsinLeamington.Inaddition,it willbeshownattheLAComedyFestival onMay2attheLetLiveTheatre.Thereare alsoplanstohaveshowingsacrossthe country.
WLM
THELONGWINTERANDTHETEASEOFMILD temperatureshaveuseager togetoutsiderejuvenatingouroutdoorlivingandentertainingareas.Butbeforeyouget yourweekendwarrioronandstarthaphazardlyplantinganddigging,thinkabout investinginalandscapedesign.Aproperlandscapedesignwilltakeyourwishlistinto considerationandshapeasmartplanforyouroutdoorarea.
BellaireLandscapeInc.,headedupbyMike,hiswifeOliviaandhisbrotherBob,has beenhelpingtobeautifyclient’soutdoorareasforover20years.Whetheryouarea do-it-yourselftype(DIY),orlookingtohavealltheworkdoneforyou(DFY),Bellaire Landscapecanhelp.Theawardwinningcompanywillassistyouwithallyour landscapingrequirements.Theirestablishednursery,EssexLandscapeSupply,can provideyouwithallyourlandscapeneeds.
Experienceshowsthatspendingthetimeupfronttodevelopaplanforyourparticularprojectwillsavetimeand moneywhenyoubegintoconstructit.Whetherthe entireprojectgetsdoneinthesameyearoryoudecidetophasethework,aLandscape Plankeepsyouontask,budgetandallowsyoutofocusonorderandsequenceofthe workathand.
TheLandscapeProfessionalsatBellaireLandscapeknowthelatesttrendsindesign andmaterialsandcanguideyouthroughthelimitlesspossibilities.
Thebestplacetostartiswithpictures.Whensomethinginspiresyou,takeapicture anduseitas ajumpingoffpointforthethemeorconceptofyourproject.Magazines andtheInternetaregreatresourcesforcreatingaportfoliothatyoucansharewithyour designer.
Withyourinput,thedesignteamcannarrowinonexactlywhatyouarehopingto achieveinyouryard.Establishingabudget,asitevisittoyouryard,achecklistofpossibleelementsandasiteplan,surveyorairphoto,allowBellaireLandscapetodevelop aconceptforyourproperty.
Oncetheconcepthasbeenapproved,apreliminarybudgetwillallowyoutodecide iftheprojectwillbephasedandtheorderofoperationstoproceed.Itmaybedifficult
toenvisionalandscapeplanona2Dsheetof paper.BellaireLandscapehasthecapabilityof takingthe2Dplanastepfurther–providing anexcitingoptionthatallowsclientstoseea fly-throughoftheir3Dlandscapeplan.
Thisoptionalprocessenhancesyourvisualizationofthefinishedspace,includingchanges inelevation,decks,walls,waterfeatures,pools andplantings.Alongwithpicturesofsimilar completedprojectsandactualsamplematerials,homeownersgetabetterfeelfortheinvestmenttheyareabouttoembarkupon.“This processhelpspeoplejustifyanexpenseandallowsthemtovalueengineertheirownproject. Itreallygivespeopleconfidenceinwhatthey aregetting,”Mikesays.
BellaireLandscapecontinuallystrivestouse thelatestandgreatestnaturalandmanmad e materialsandthehealthiestplantingstomaximizethevisualimpactofyourspace.
VisitBellaireLandscapeInc.onlineat www.bellairelandscape.com,orstopbytheofficeandwalkaroundthedisplaygardensorthe gardencentreat2025EllisSideRoad,justeast ofManningRoad,northofHighway#3just beforethetownofEssex.
UNIVERSITYOFWINDSORLAWPROFESSOREMIRCROWNE compares amateurathletes–eventhoseatthetoplevels–withpowerlessgroupslikeminoritieswhen itcomestofightingfortheirathleticrights.
“Peopledon’trealizethatathletesaren’tmillionaires,”hechuckles.“Thevastmajority barelyscrapetogetheraliving.”
Crowne,whospecializesinsportandhumanrightslaw,isoneofthemostactivelawyers offeringhisservicesfreeofchargetoCanadian Olympians.
TraditionallyifanOlympiclevelplayerhadagrievance,suchasnotmakinghissports nationalteamorbeingdisciplinedforaconductviolation,theathletewasatthewhimof hisparticularsportsbody,whetheritbeskiing,bobsledding,swimmingortrack.
Notanymore.Forthelast10yearsathleteshavebeenabletoappealtoanationalbody setupbyalawofparliament.It’scalledtheSportDisputeResolutionCentreofCanada (SRDCC)andbasedinMontreal.
Thecentreisthechieftribunalforamateursportsconflicts,includingdopingviolations, whichgarnerthemostmediaattention.
ThewholepurposeoftheSRDCCistoprovide“lowcostandeasilyaccessible”arbitrationforthesportscommunity,includingthesportsorganizationsthatregulatetheir trainingandevents,Marie-ClaireAsselin,theorganization’sCEO,says.
Becauseathletestendtobeyoungandnotoflargefinancialmeanstheorganizationprovidesa listofprobonolawyers.Crowneisonthelistandhasrepresentedmanyofthemost recentcaseslastyearandthis,fromathletesinskatingtobobsledding,curlingandfencing.
Crownesaysthenationalsportsbodiesmaygive“theappearanceoffairness”butpower isstackedagainstathletessincetheorganizationsareself-governing,closeknit,andinvolve asmallnumberofpeople,wheredecisionsmightbelessthatprofessionalandfair.
Agoodexampleofthiswasthedisciplinemetedoutagainstafencer,AlexandreLyssov. Lyssovwaskickedoffthenaturalteambecauseofcurfewviolationswhilecompetinginan internationaltournamentlastyearinEurope.CrownerepresentLyssovandarguedhiscase washandledinconsistently.Theyoungfencerhadbeengivenonereasonforhisdismissal andthenseveralmonthslaterotherswerepiledon.
ThearbitratoragreedsayingthefencingorganizationshouldhavedealtwithLyssovina timelymanner.“Thatway,theathleteknowswhereheorshestandsand,inmakingdecisionsaboutcompetinginevents,canconducthimselforherselfaccordingly.”
CrownealsorepresentedskeletonbobsledderJaclynLaberge,whowasn’teveninvitedto ahearingthatwouldhaveadirectimplicationonhercareer.Thearbitrator,GraemeMew,
UniversityofWindsorlawprofessorEmir Crowne,above,isoneofthetoplawyers inCanadarepresentingCanada’selite amateurathletes.
didupholdthedecisionbyBobsleigh CanadaSkeleton(BCS)butsaidboth Labergeandtheotherskaterinthedispute werevictimsofaprocessthat“couldhave beenbetterhandled”andultimatelywas “flawed.”
Canadiansareprobablywellacquainted withtheHamelinspeedskatingbrothers, especiallystarCharles.ButlastyearCrowne representedtheircolleagueRemiBeaulieu becausehewasn’tnamedtothemen’snationalshorttrackteam.
Therewasobviousconflict.
TheHamelin’s’fatherYveshappenstobe shorttrackprogramdirector.Heremained onaconferencecallwhentheselection committeepickedtheteamandhisson FrancoisHamelin–Charles’sbrother–was alsochosen.
ThearbitratorcriticizedYves,sayinghe “shouldhavedroppedofftheconference call”whiletheteam–“andnotjusthisson’s selection”-wasdiscussed.“Eventhoughhe didnothaveavote,hispresencecouldpotentiallyhaveinhibitedorotherwiseaffected thediscussion.”
CrownerepresentedGuillaumeBastille whenSpeedSkatingCanadadidn’tname himtothediscretionaryfifthspotinshort trackonthisyear’sOlympicteambutasan alternate.
Bastillehadwongoldatthe2010VancouverGamesandnumerousWorldCup medals.Crownearguedsomeoftheinformationusedagainsthimwasirrelevantand otherinformationshouldhavebeenincluded.Thearbitratorreturnedthedecision forreconsideration.
Crownealsorepres ented62-year-old curlerJamesArmstrongnotbeforethe SRDCCbutbeforetheSwiss-basedCourt ofArbitrationforSport.
Armstronghadbeensuspendedbythe WorldCurlingFederationfor18months duetofailingadopingtest.Hispills-aspirin-hadbeencontaminatedbytamoxifen, adruggiventotreathiswife’sbreastcancer, andworthlessforathleticenhancement.
Crownewasabletogethisclient’ssuspensionreducedtosixmonths,allowing Armstrongtocompetein runneruptournamentsandtherebyprepareforthisyear’s SochiParalympics.
Armstrong,whosaidhiscareerprobably wouldhavebeenoverhadtheearliersuspensionbeenupheld,hadgreatrespectfor hiscounsel.
“Ifyoueverwanttotalkaboutsomebody whowellrepresentsthelegalprofessionfor whatitshouldstandforhe’stheguy.” WLM
MAR21-APR20:
Someonearoundyoucannotseemtoget theirmindofffinancesaswellasrelationships.Whatasurprise!NOT!Youbeginto getahandleonissuesandsomethingunpredictableandweirdpopsup.Youthought youhadseenitall.Patienceisthekeyto workingyourwaythrough.
APR21-MAY21:
Qualitymeansmoretoyouthanquantity. Youwillnotrestuntilthingsaredoneto yourspecifications.Whensomeonearound youfalters,putyourbestfootforwardand givethemsomehelp.Thespotlightshines onyouasaleaderorateacher.Youhave workedtoearnrespect.
MAY22-JUN21:
Theenvironmentaroundyoumaybefrustrating.Whenyoufigureoutwhatyouwant todo,asituationwhichholdsyoubackcan arisetotallyunexpectedly.Thereisopportunityaroundyou.Youfindthattimingis everything.Youhavetobecreative.
JUN22-JUL23:
Thereisatimeandapurposeforeverything.Youneedtoquithidingundera bushelandletyourlightshine.Donotbeso intimidatedbyothers.Youmakeagoodrole modelforothersonceyoucommityourself totakingarisk.Theriskshouldbeworth theeffort.
JUL24-AUG23:
Youdon’ttakekindlytoanyonetryingto holdyouback.Olddoorscloseasnewones open.Theloveoffamilyisimportantto you.Favourablecontactswithassociates helpyousucceedwhenanotherfallsshort ofexpectations.
AUG24-SEP23:
Thelessyousaythebetterinacurrentsituation.Youcancomeoutthewinnerifyou donotmakeamountainoutofamolehill. Lifeisrarelyperfect.Sometimesyoujust needtoletgoandnotholdontootight.It isthenmorelikelythatwhatyouwantto happenwill–ifitismeanttobe.
SEP24-OCT23:
Thereisabigdifferencebetweenwantand need.Ifyouspendallyourmoneyonwant, itmaynotbetherewhenyoureallyneedit. Becarefulwiththechoicesyoumake.You maybeabletogainsomeinsightifyouask yourself,“How importantwillthisbefor meayearfromnow?”
Somecompromisemaybeneededinorder toavoidmakingothersangryandunwilling tobackdown.Focusonwhatyouhavein common,ratherthanondifferences.You mayunderestimatethedeterminationthey have.Allornothingaccomplishesnothing. Canyoulivewiththat?
NOV23-DEC21:
Moderationinallthingstakescentrestage rightnow.Youareinthespotlight.Theactionsyoutakeareaclearsignalforothersto takenotice.Thiscanworkforyouoritcan workagainstyou.Efficiencyonthejob takespriorityalongwithmaintaininggood healthandwell-being.
DEC22-JAN20:
Youcanbecaughtbetweenarockanda hardplace.Dissensionrelatedtofinances andmattersconnectedtochildrencanmake itdifficultforyoutorelax.Itseemslikeone thingafteranotherkeepsyouonyourtoes. Itisdifficulttostayneutral,butforthesake ofeveryoneyoumust.
JAN21-FEB19:
Abreathoffreshaircomesyourwaybringingwithitawholenewworldandanewattitude.Thisisacontinuationofaproject alreadybegun.Youmaybesurprisedhow quicklythingscanchange.Whatyouput intoasituationiswhatyouwillgetoutofit.
FEB20-MAR20
Thisisabusytimeforyouandyoumay needtobemoreobservantofothersaround youtakingonmorethantheycanhandle efficiently.Awealthofinformationcomes yourway,alongwiththeneedtofollowup withalotoftravelbackandforth.Good communicationsbringresults.
VEHICLEOWNERSOFTENMEET DonatoCollisionby accident,buttheyreturnonpurposeformaintenance,repairsand detailingservices.“Peoplehavethechoicetohavetheirvehicles repairedbywhotheytrust,”saysJoeDonato.“It’simportantthat weearntheirtrustandkeepit.”
Thathasbeenthebeliefforthepast40years.Joe’sparents,John andJosie,foundedDonatoCollision.Joejoinedthemin1990and tookoverrunningthefamilybusinesswhenhisparentsbought Franco’sRestaurantatTecumsehRoadEastandLincolnRoad17 yearsago.“Mywife,Stephanie,andIarerunningthebusinessin thesamefashionasmymotherandfatherdid,”hesays.
AlthoughDonatoCollisionisanautorepairshop,itsnameis betterknownfordealingwithvehiclesdamagedinaccidents. Customersareoftenupsetoverbeinginanaccidentand appreciatetheDonatos’efficient,helpfulandkindlyservice.
Followingafenderbenderorcarcrash,thedrivercanmakeone calltoDonatoCollisionandthenleaveeverythingtothem.“We’ll dispatchMyersTowingtobringyourvehicletous.We’llcontact yourinsuranceproviderandhandleallthepaperwork.Ifyou needasubstitutevehicle,wehaveDiscountCar&TruckRental vehiclesonsite,readytogo.You’reinandoutofhere,backtoyour busylife,fast,”Joeassures.
It’sonethingtorestoreavehicle’sappearancetopre-accident condition;it’sanothertomakeitrunagain,goodasnew.Donato Collisionisamodernshopequippedwiththeproper,safe,stateof thearttechnologies.Itsmechanicsreceiveongoingtrainingtostay uptodate.“Wegiveyouareliabletargetdateastowhenyour vehiclewillberoadworthyagain,providingthatalltheparts arriveontime,”Joesays.“Somepeopleliketocomeinandsee howtheirrepairsarecomingalong.Weappreciatehowmuch yourvehiclemeanstoyou.”
Indevelopingrelationshipswithvehicleowners,Donato Collisionthoroughlyunderstandstheirvehicles,toptobottom. Whenroutineoremergencyrepairorreplacementworkneeds
donetothebrakes,engine,airconditioning,glassorothercomponent,“mostrepairsaredonethatday,”saysJoe.Tohelpcustomersstayonschedule,DonatoCollisionoffersshuttleservice anywhereinWindsor.
SafetychecksarealsoavailableatDonatoCollision.Anynecessaryrepairscanbehandledbytheonsitemechanicssothatatimely safetyslipcanbeissued.
Withspringfinallyhere,vehicleownersareabletoassessthe wearandteartheircars,minivans,SUVs,trucksandvanshave sustained.“Mostvehiclesaregoingtoneedagoodpolishandwax, afterthewinterwe’vehad,”Joefigures.InteriorsneedTLC,too. “Ifnotremoved,saltwillactuallystainanddiscolourcarpeting.”
Whenthedamageisdeeper–likescratchescausedfromice scrapersoralignmentsoutofwhackfromhittingpotholes–DonatoCollisionisonthejob.
Toputthesparklebackinyourvehicle’sappearance,thestaff detailergivesitafullshampooandhandwashing,plusengine steamcleaning,interiordeodorizingandpolishingallover.
“Ineverythingwedo,yoursatisfactionisguaranteed,”Joesays. “Weputthatinwritingandwebackitwithourpersonalwarranty andreputation,earnedover40yearshereinWindsor.”
WAYNEDURANTHASBEEN makingmusicinWindsorfor45 years......andlovingit!AnativeWindsorite,hejustturned59,is happilymarriedtoCelineandisthefatherof3.
AsayoungguyheattendedSt.Angela’selementaryschooland latergraduatedfromW.D.LoweTech.HeworkedattheBolero bowlinglanesonTecumsehroadwestforaboutsixmonths,butleft afterreceivingacallfromtheFordMotorCompanywherehe workedfor30-plusyearsbeforeretiringin2007.
Wayne wasanactivekid...“Ihadalotofhobbies,”hesays,“I playedsoccer,tookkarate,builtmodelcarsandeventriedmyhand atbuildingguitarswithmynephew.”Thepairofwould-beluthiers useda1inchby3inchpieceofwoodstrungwithelasticbands, whichtheyhookedtoacardboardbody.Onweekendstheywould traveltohissister’shomeinJeanette’sCreekandpretend‘play’their creations.“Iwasprobably10yearsoldatthetime,”herecalls,“but IlovedmusicandIlovedtheguitar.”
Hebecameseriouslyinterestedthroughaneighbourwholived acrossthestreet.JohnFarkaswasaprofessionalmusicianandhis band,‘TheSoundsofWindsor’hadaplethoraofinstrumentation includinghorns,guitars,keyboardsanddrums...“literallyeverything.”AsWayne’smusicaldesiregrew,hisparentsboughthiman inexpensiveacousticguitarwhichhequicklylearnedhowtoplay withalittlehelpfromtheCanadianConservatoryofMusic.Atthe same time,hiselementaryschoolmusicteacher,SisterIreneMelochewassoamazedathistalentthatWayneandhiscohortswere invitedtoplayregularlyinthepraisegroupatSacredHeartchurch onOttawaStreetandtheydidforatleastthenext4or5years.
Intheearly1970swhenWaynewasabout17andstillinhigh school,hegothisbigchance......toplayattheHorseshoeTavern with‘TheChantels’,acountrybandheadedbyBobandDonna Brazeau.Theirguitarplayerhadruninto aproblemandcouldn’t makeitforpartofthegig...soWaynewasaskedtositin.Asheputs it,“someofthesongsIknew...andtheothersIsimplymuffedmy waythroughthem.ButIsaidtomyself,that’sit...Igotthebugfor sure.”Hisparents,alwayshugesupporters,wentoutandbought himaGibsonLesPaulguitar..“theyweren’tasexpensiveastheyare now,”andheuseditalongwithaFender12-stringacousticwhich hestillplaystothisday.AtthesametimeWayneputtogether a garagebandwhichplayedatregularFridayafternoonschool assemblies.Althoughheplayedinanumberofbands,hedoes say,“notmuchleftthebasementorthegarage.Alotoftheguys justwantedtojam...theyreallyweren’tinterestedingoingoutto performinpublic.”
Bythetimethemid80sarrived,personalproblemsforcedWayne toquitplayingandhesoldmostofhisgear.Hishiatus,however, didn’tlasttoolongandjustbeforethestartofthenextdecade Durantjoined‘ WildandBlue’whichplayedawidevarietyof classicrockandcountryhits.Afteronly6months,theband’sexistencecametoanabruptandtragicendwhenleadvocalistand guitaristMikeMcGuin,arooferbytrade,felltothegroundduring ajob,brokehisneckanddied.Intheensuingyears,Waynelenthis talentstoanumberofgroupsincluding‘TheMods’,‘TheAmber Knights’,‘TheHeaters’,‘BobbyJandtheNighthawks’andDiggin’ intheKitty’whichdidanumberofbenefitshowsandothergigsfor
BlackburnRadio’s100.7fmTheRock.The groupmadevariousappearancesthroughoutEssexandKentCountiesonbehalfof theradiostation.Healsoplayedguitarfor NashvillerecordingsingerCrystalGage, herselfanativeofWindsor.
Today,Wayneisaverycontentedmemberofabandcalled‘NoDrama’,agroup heandtwoothersformedafterleavingan Amherstburgcombothatpresentednothing butproblems.Asheputsit,“let’ssayitwas veryunpleasant...let’scallitadisagreement...aconflictofinterest!”Hencethe monickerforthenewgroup.
In‘NoDrama’,Wayneplaysleadguitar andharmonica,occasionallyaddingtothe vocals.GlenGregory,anotherFordretiree playsbassandkeyboard,whileRobGerhardt,anemployeeofShawIndustries,plays rhythmandleadguitarandtheguitarsynthesizerandTimStaleyisthegroup’sdrummer.TimByrne,whoworksfortheEssex RegionConservationAuthority,isthelead vocalistandplays“whateverhecanputinto hishands...shakers,cowbell,etc.....he’sthe emceeofthewholething:thefrontman.”
Thebandplaysmainlyclassicrock,with somebluesandoccasionalcountrymusic tossedintothemix.Whiletherearefewbar appearances,NoDramacanusuallybe heardatoutdoorfestivals...atleast20to25 appearancesayear.Themusiciansaretotal professionalsandthegroupisatreattothe ears.Oneof‘NoDrama’s’majorgigsthis yearwillbeatGrandBend’sWindsorWeekendontheAugust1stcivicholiday.Tickets areavailablefromfacebookatNoDramaWindsorbandortelephoneWayneDurant at519-903-7214.He’salwaysgladtohear fromhismanyfans.TimByrnecanbe reachedat519-723-4758andRobisavailableat519-562-6552.Thefellowsare alwayshappytoarrangeabookingdatefor anyevent.
Whenhe’snotplayingchopsonhis favouriteguitar,Waynealsoservesassound technicianfortheCancerSocie ty’sannual RelayForLifeandandeverySundayhe playsacousticallyatSt.Andrew’sAnglican ChurchinLaSalle.
And,justthispastNovember,WayneDurantwasinductedintotheWindsor-Essex CountyMusiciansHallofFame,locatedin theDevonshireMall,anhonorthatcaught himcompletelybysurprise.Hetakeshis musicseriouslyandenjoyseveryminute thathe’sholdingaguitaranddoinghis thingonstage.
Forfansofgreatrockn’roll,NoDramais oneofthosedon’tmiss ‘embands. WLM
LakeshoreLandscapingpridesitselfonaffordabledesignstheycreate andinstallforcountlesssatisfiedclientsthroughoutWindsorand EssexCounty.Withstate-of-the-artsoftwareandtheirownbrandof professionalcreativity,owners/designersMattandRyanPawlukmake clientsfeelateaseincommunicatingtheirideas.Thisisacrucial elementinLakeshoreLandscaping’sprocess.
“It’sgoodrapportandcomfortablecommunicationthathelps uscapturetherightelementsforeachcustomdesign.Homesare different,yardsaredifferent,settingsaredifferentandmostofall, eachclientisdifferent,”saysRyanPawluk.
LakeshoreLandscapingknowshowtoenhancethesurroundings ofyourmostimportantinvestment,yourhome.Consideringproportion,unity,balance,perspective,colorandtexture,theyintegrate adesignthatconsiderstheclients’lifestyleand preferences.
Inoperationfor14yearsnow,Lakeshore Landscapingknowseffectivehardscapesand thechoicematerialsthatcomplimentyour home.Theirgreatrelationshipswithgrowers andsuppliersensureincredibleselectionand healthy,qualityplantmaterial.
Today,homeownersaretrulyembracing theconceptthatfrontandbackyardsaremore thanjustlawns.LakeshoreLandscapingcan tapintothepossibilitiesofyourhome’soutdoorsurroundings,helpingyou transform youryardintopersonallivingspace.Fromthe functionofcreatingahome’sfirstimpression atthefrontentrytoachievingthatoasisinthe backyard,thereareexcitingoptionsthat LakeshoreLandscapingcanhelpyouconsider.
“Whenwemeetwithhomeownerswe gettherealsenseofwhattheywanttoachieve, whattheirprioritiesare,”notesRyan.Functionalneedslikeprivacy,shade,storage, locationofkidsplaystructures,gradingand drainageissuesandotherconsiderationsinfluencethegreatdesign.
Decks,patios,porchesandwalkwayscanbe transformedwithanewtwistonatraditional theme,andfresh,innovativeideascanrejuvenateayardthat’slostitsappeal.
“Weloveworkingonolderhomes’landscaping.Oftenthere’ssomeincredibleplant materialthathasmaturednicelyandisburied behindsomeovergrownshrubbery,”Ryan notes.“Asclients’needsandwantschange overtimewerevitalizetheiryardwithlower maintenance,makingamorefunctionallivingenvironment,”headds.“Weembracethis challengeandloveputtingourqualitystamp ontheproject.”
Newhomesareblankcanvassesthatneed directionandavisionforthefuture.“We understandpeoplewantguidanceandaplan thatcanbetakenonatonceorphasedin becausetheyarejustsickofthemudandwant aquickcleanup.
“Wehelpdeterminethatplanandthebestorderofthework,” Ryansays,notingthatLakeshoreLandscapingisalsowellversed incollaboratingwithothercontractorswhoareonthenewconstructionsite.
Theinitialconsultationgivestheclientanexplanationofthecost ofcertainelementsintheirexpectations.Fromthere,bothparties haveageneralideaofthescopeofthework.Theyincorporateexistingelementssuchasapoolandintroduceaccentlightingandhardscapeelevations.State-of-the-artdesignsoftwareallowsLakeshore Landscapingtorender anaccuratedepictionoftheexcitinglandscape designdevelopedforthem.
Maximizetheoutdoorpossibilitiesforyourhomeandminimize theeffortrequiredtomaintainanattractiveyard.LakeshoreLandscapingoffersaneffectivecombinationofstylisticconcepts,easygoingupfrontcommunicationandenthusiasm.Call519-974-2000 orvisitlakeshorelandscapingwindsor.com.
STORY/PHOTOGRAPHYBYDICKHILDEBRAND
HE’SANARTISTANDAJOURNALIST. He’saradioannouncerandvideo producer.He’sateacher,anoccasionalmusicianandanauthor.Infact,Christopher Shousthaswrittenoneshortnovelwhichiscurrentlyonthemarketandisworking onfourotherbookswithsubjectsrangingfromliteraryfictiontonon-fiction.His articlesontheprofilesofnumerousindividualshavealreadybeenpublishedmore than400timesinnewspapersinSaultSte.Marie,VictoriaB.C.,andinsevera l Saskatchewantowns.
Ontopofthat,Chrisisapart-timepeer-supportworkerfortheCanadian MentalHealthAssociationinhisnativeSaultSte.Marie,wherehestartedtheHope HouseSchoolofArt.
Born31yearsago,hetravelledafairbittogainaneducation.Hecompleted aFrenchlanguagecertificateattheUniversityofQuebecinChicoutamiand graduatedwithaBachelorofFineArtsandaminorinEnglishLiteratureatAlgoma UniversityintheSoo.Between2000and2003hewasinWindsorwherehegothis degreeinJournalismfromSt.ClairCollege.HecametoWindsorbecauseoftheparallelsbetweenitandhisowncity...bothbasicallyindustrialtownswithahard-workingpopulationandstrongunions.Anotherattraction,hesays,wasWindsor’sdiverse
musicalscene,itsproximitytoDetroitandits multi-culturalpopulation.“Ilivedinahousewith peoplefromdifferentbackgrounds–onewasfrom Jamaica,onewasfromVietnam,another camefrom Bosnia,onewasFrench-Canadian,oneTurkishguy andtheotherfromtheMiddleEast.”Although WindsormetmostofChris’sexpectations,some unpleasantexperiences(nodrugsorcrime)caused himtoleaveandreturntoNorthernOntariowhere hebeganwritingabouthistimeinourcity.
10yearsand9re-writeslater‘TheBeggar’was finallypublishedlastyear.
Thebook,althoughsomewhatautobiographical, isaworkoffictionandattemptstoanswerthequestion s.....whatdoesitmeantoexist,andwhatis freedom?“It’slikeapersonaltherapy,”explains Chris.“Infactallofmynovelsarelikethat...forme, it’stryingtomakesomethinggoodoutofsomethingthatwasnotsohealthy.”
In‘TheBeggar’,theauthorwastesnotimein establishingitsmaintheme:“Jimwalkeddownthe road–outofsuburbia.Hewashomeless,outof workandhadfew,ifany,plansofwheretogoor whattodo.”Andjustliketheauthor,thefictional Jimisanartistandamusician.
Thebook’smoodgetsdarkerasJim’sstorycontinues.Withtheuseofdescriptivephrases,Chris managestoplungethereaderintothesamemorass inwhichJimfindshimself.“.........allhecouldthink aboutwassleepingunderthebridge:amonstrous bridgethatbasicallydividedthepoordowntown folkfromtheaffluentsouthside.”Asthestoryprogresses,Jim’splightappearstobeprogressingatthe samerate...“hespenttwoyearsmovingaround Windsor–fromoneapartmenthecouldnotafford, toanotherapartmenthecouldnotafford.Hehad justgivenupawritingjobthatwasn’tpayingforitself.Hecouldn’tevengetaslotinoneofthelocal establishmentstoshowoffhisartwork.”Numerous referencestoWindsorarescatteredthroughoutthe
book.Forinstance...“Healmostcollapsed inthedoorwayofoneoftheVietnamese restaurantsthatlineWyandotteAvenue,” or,“hemadehiswaythroughWalkerville wherehestoppedtogetanicecream,”and, “OldFordCityisaghosttown.....”
Ifyou’reexpectingsomelaughs,forgetit. And,ifyouthoughtTheBeggarwouldprovideahappyending...guessagain.Notthat it’stotallyunpleasant...butitisrealisticand sortofanswersthequestionsonwhichthe storywasbased.It’sanabsorbingbookand caneasilybereadinonesession.Onething iscertain:youwillnotbebored.
ChrisShoust,theauthor,answersquestionsdirectlyandfreelyadmitstohaving hadsomepsychologicalproblems.Asan artist,he’shad10soloexhibitionsandat least10moregroupshowsacrossCanada inthepast11years.Hehasalsomanaged anartgalleryandhasassistedinarteducationatSaultSte.MarieHighSchool.In 2008,heformedagroupofartiststhat travelthroughoutNorthernOntarioonretreatstogetbacktonature.Hedesignssilkscreenpostersforartexhibitions,has organizedamonthlytradeshowwhichis freeforartistsinhishomearea,andhe manufacturespanelsforthoseartists.“I’m bored,”hesays,“andwhenI’mhaving troublewithabookandcan’tsitstill,Iplay withmyband,orIgotowork.Ijustkeep switchingaroundeveryday...Ineverknow what’sgoingtohappen.Italldependson mymoo d.”He’sthedrummerforarock band,alsoplaysthepianoandguitarand compareshimselftoamosaicpainting where“tonsofpartscometogethertoform thecompletepicture.”
AsfarasthepeopleofWindsorareconcerned,ChrisShousthasnothingbuthigh praiseforthem.Hesaysthey’rehardworkers,they’reextremelyfriendlyand“they’re herebecausetheyhaveaseparatelifewith theirartcareerswhichenablesthemto blockoutthenegativethings.”Hestill keepsintouchwithgoodfriendsinthecity andonedayhemayevenreturnforavisit.
Inthemeantime,thankstothenet,‘The Beggar’isbeingsoldaroundtheworldand isprovingtobequitepopular.
ThebookcanbeboughtatBarnesand NobleStoresintheDetroitarea.In Canada,hardcopiescanbeorderedfrom Amazon.comandAmazon.cawhileIndigo andChaptershaveanelectronicversion available.Dependingonwhereyougetit,it sellsfor$13to$15acopy.Read‘TheBeggar’andthenthankyourluckystarsyou’re inabetterplacethanJim.
may/june2014
DressasyourfavouriterockstarandRun, Walk&RollforMemoriesinaidofthe AlzheimerSocietyWindsor-Essex.From 10amtonoon,participantsonfootandin wheelchairswillmakethethreekmloop fromtheLeamingtonMarinatotheLeamingtonDockandback.AmbassadorWayne Stevens,deejaysandmusicwillkeepitmoving.Call519-974-2220,ext.225orvisit walkformemories.com.
TillMay17.Thenation’stopyoungscientistsarecomingtoWindsorforthe2014 Canada-WideScienceFair,competingfor upto$1millionincash,prizesandscholarships.PublicviewingdaysattheUniversity ofWindsor’sSt.DenisFieldHouseareMay 11th,12th,15thand16th.TheawardsceremonyisMay15thatSt.ClairCollegeCentrefortheArts.Thefulleventscheduleis postedatcwsf.youthscience.ca.
CENTREOFWINDSOR-ESSEXCOUNTY
TheDistressCentreofWindsorEssex County’sDeStressfundraiseroffersamartini,minimanicure,dinnerbuffet,door prizeticket,giftbag,winetasting,spaservices($5-$20)andmoreforthepriceofthe $50ticket.From5:30to10pmattheCiociaroClub,3745N.TalbotRd.,Maidstone. dcwindsor.com.
KingsvillePublicSchoolstudentsandstaff invitecommunitymemberstojointhemin theschool's firstminiRelayforLife.Cancer survivorsareinvitedtowalktheSurvivor's VictoryLap.Gamesandactivitieswillhelp participantslearnmoreaboutcancerpreventionandthebenefitsofahealthy lifestyle.519-733-2338.
RaisingfundstosupportBigBrothersBig SistersWindsorEssex,theBattleoftheHors D'oeuvresspotlights21localfoodandbeverageestablishmentsoutdoingoneanother. Guestssavourth eflavoursatthelounge partywhilesongwriterCrissiCochrane entertains.From6to10:30pminthe
AugustusBallroomofCaesarsWindsor,377 RiversideDr.E.bigbrothersbigsisterswe.ca
Saturday,31
LUNGASSOCIATION’S13THANNUALBIKE
Getoutyourbikeandtakearidetoadvance lungresearchontheLungAssociation’sannualtrek,headingoutfrom3745North TalbotRd.,Oldcastle.Prizesincludet-shirts, giftcards,cyclingjerseysandshorts. Registeratbiketrek.ca.
Everyoneinyourfamilycanexperience whatlifewaslikeforEssexCounty’spioneersfrom10amtonoonatJohnR.Park Homesteadat915CountyRd.50,Essex. 519-738-2029.
Sunday,8
Localbandswillbeplayingfromnoonuntil 10pmatthe25thAnnualMcGregorMusic Festival.Raffles,acarshow,apigauction, foodandacashbarareallpartoftheaction atCo-AnPark,11071ConcessionRd.11 inEssex.Admissionis$5peradultand$2 perkidunder12years.Proceedssupportthe PatientAssistanceFund,ImageEnhancementProgramandChairsBecauseWeCare programsoftheWindsorEssexCounty CancerCentreFoundation. windsorcancerfoundation.org
TillJune15th.TheMulticulturalCouncil ofWindsorandEssexCountypresentsa worldoftastes,soundsandtraditionsduring itsCarouselbytheRiverlaunchweekend. Cuisine,music,artanddancerepresenting dozensofdifferentculturescometogether attheRiverfrontFestivalPlazaonRiverside DriveatGoyeauStreet.TheculturalshowcasecontinuesatothersitesonJune20thto 21stand27thto29th. carrouselofnations.ca.
RidingoutfromWalkervilleat7am,the CanadianMentalHealthAssociationWindsor-EssexCountyBranch’sfirstannualRide Don’tHideeventisforthewholefamily. Adultregistrationis$35andincludesa t-shirt.Kidsrideforfree($10iftheywanta t-shirt).Proceedshelpfundadultandchildrenbereavementcounsellingprograms. 519-255-9940,ext.161 cmha-wecb.on.ca/events/events.asp.
IDEALDECORATINGINC. Chatham519-351-8500
WhiletheNEWLibroCreditUnionwasofficiallylaunchedonJanuary1,2014,we'vebeenfocusedonthefinancialwell-beingoflocal individuals,familiesandbusinessesforover70years.Soitmakes senseforustostartthisnewchapterinourjourneybyemphasizing thatwhileweprovidebankingservicesandproducts,whatmakes usuniqueisyou.Youarewhywe'retransformingbankingtofitthe needsofsouthwesternOntario.Youarewhyweinvesthereandshare ourprofitshere.Youarewhyweputlocalcommunitiesfirst.Youare thestrengthofLibro.EverychoiceLibromakesstartswithyou.
TwogreatOntariocreditunions,UnitedCommunitiesCredit UnionandLibroFinancialGroup,agreedtouniteasoneorganizationservingsouthwesternOntarioexclusivelylatein2013.How theymadethatchoiceismeaningful-themergerwasvotedonby thecustomersofbothorganizations.LibroandUnitedCommunitiescustomersareOwnersandshareholders,andassuch,whatserves theirneedsbestguidestheorganization.Withanearunanimous 'yes'vote,it'sclearaunitedLibroCreditUnionserveseveryone's futureverywellindeed.
ThenewLibroCreditUnionnowoperates27branchesin21 communitiesfromLakeHuronandtheWindsorareatoLondon andKitchener-Waterloo.Weemploy560staffwhoarecompletely focusedontransformingbankingtobetterfitthelivesandbusinessesofsouthwesternOntario.
Canadaboastsastrongfinancialservicessectorandthatservesour countrywellontheglobalstage.What'slacking,however,isan equallystrongfinancialservicesleaderthatisfocusedregionallyin southwesternOntario.LibroCreditUnionaddressesthatneed.And we'reworkingfromasolidfoundationwith$3billioninfinancial strengthtoinvestinlocalbusinesses,employers,communitiesand inourabilitytoservefamiliesandindividuals.Ourdecisionsare madelocally,ourinvestmentsarefocusedlocally.Weunderstandthe differencebetweenruralandurbancommunitiesinthispartofthe provincebetterthananyone.Weunderstandbecausewelivehere, ownhomesandraisefamilieshere,too.
LibrooffersallthebankingandfinancialservicesanyoneinsouthwesternOntariomighteverneed.Butwedoitwithatwist.We tailorbankingtoyou,asopposedtosellingyouproductsand servicesyoudon'tneedortryingtosqueezeyourlifeintoafinancial cookiecutter.
AtLibro,everyonegetsaCoach.YourCoachlearnsaboutwhat's importanttoyouandservesthatinapersonalizedway.Yourmortgagefitsbetterasaresult.Wehelpyouusedebtwisely.
WehelpyoubudgetforsavingandsetuptoolslikeRESPs, tax-freesavingsaccountsandRRSPstobuildyournetworthinthe
rightcontext.Libroinvestmentadviceistailoredtoyourdreamsnotourbottomlineorcommissions.
CoachingatLibromakesadifference,oneplanandonelifeat atime.
Librooffersafullsuiteofonlinebankingservicessoyoucanmanageanduseyourmoneywhenitsuitsyou.Ourmobilebankingplatformisequallyflexible.AsaLibroOwner,youhaveaccesstoyour moneythroughanetworkofwellover2,400ATMsacrossCanada. SotherearenolimitationsatLibrowhenitcomestousingthetechnologyyouprefer.
Toensureyoualwayshavethelevelofsupportyouwant,you don'thavetotradeinyourCoachorgiveuppersonalizedserviceor accesstothegreatadviceprovidedinourbrancheswhenyouuse technologyforeverydaybanking.YourCoachwillhelpyousetup yourdigitaloptionsandbeuptospeedonyourneeds.Youcaneven makerequestsandaskquestionsbyemailingyourCoach.
ThereareseveralreasonsLibroCreditUnionistherightfitforso manybusinessesandfarmsinsouthwesternOntario.
•Wemakeourdecisionshere.
•WebelieveinAccountManagerconsistency.
•WeinvestinbusinessandfarmOwnersasopposed tonationalindustrytrendsandratios.
•Oursuccessisdependentontheeconomicvitality ofsouthwesternOntario-justlikeyours.
•We'realotclosertosmallbusinessesthananybankwilleverbe. Wecompetewithgiantsjustlikeyoudo-andweknow whatittakestobesuccessful.
LibroisdeterminedtobeapositiveeconomiccatalystinsouthwesternOntario.Webelievethemosteffectivewaytoachievethat isbysupportingthebusinesses,farmsandemployersinthisregion.
WHATISLIBRO?
Libroisacreditunion.ThatmeansourcustomersareourOwners. EachOwnerhasasayinthedirectionwetakeasanorganization. LibroisacreditunioninsouthwesternOntario,forsouthwestern Ontario.OurprofitsareinvestedinsouthwesternOntario.Libro offersfull-servicebankingservicesbyanysinglemethodorcombinationofmethodsyouchoose.
Our$3billioninassetsunderadministrationrepresentthesavings andinvestmentsof93,000Owners,whoarealsoourshareholders. Our560staffmembersputthefinancialwell-beingofthepeople whobankhereaheadofallotherinfluences.SowhatisLibro?Libro isyou.
WhenyouchooseLibrotohelpyouwithamortgage,yougenerate profitsforthecreditunion.That'scommontoallfinancialinstitutions.Whatisn'tcommonisthatwesharethoseprofitswithour Owners,thepeoplewhogeneratethem.Thesamethinghappens whenyouuseaLibrolineofcreditorbuyaGICinvestment.You generateprofitsandweshareapercentageofthoseprofitswithyou. ThemorebusinessyoudoatLibro,themoreweshare.
Soundfair?Wethinkso.
Here'sonefinalthingwewanteveryOwnertogain:Financial happiness.Inourbooks,that'sablendoffeelinglikeyou'reincontrolofyourmoney,managingwellandgettingaheadfinancially-all withoutstressorworry.Buildingfinancialhappinessforeveryone whobankswithLibroiswhywegetupinthemorning.
