Windsor Life Magazine May/June 2016

Bringing awareness better hearing and to speech month

Although people regularly go for eye examina tions, man y don’t realize their ears need ongoing checkups, too “Consider a hearing test as part of your annual physical,” recommends Tina Stafferton, the primar y audiologist and owner at Sound Hearing Care

It is quite obvious when your vision gets weaker, things look progressively blurrier. Since you can’t blame another person for not being in sharp focus, you ha ve to admit the issue is your o wn. Ho wever, when your hearing starts to diminish, there are other factors tha t you may believe account for it. Your partner or co worker mumbles. The TV’s volume is too lo w. There is a bad connection on the phone line.

Untested and unaided, hearing loss gro ws steadily worse, not better With hearing, you really do have to use it or lose it. One quick and easy way to assess your hearing difficulty is by taking an online questionnaire on the Soundhearingcare.ca website.

While the online assessment is helpful, it can’t provide the kind of comprehensive hearing test you will receive during a thorough examination at Sound Hearing Care “Even if your hearing is fine right now, it is important to establish a baseline as soon as possible so that we have something to compare to later on” Tina explains To encourage people to get their hearing tested immediately, Sound Hearing Care is offering complimentar y hearing tests for adults

throughout May Should your hearing test indicate that a hearing aid is required for one or both ears, Sound Hearing Care has a comprehensive range of options to suit your lifestyle and budget Aids by all manufacturers are available The right style for you will depend on the level of hearing loss as well as budget and lifestyle needs “We work with you to determine which style is best,” Tina says

Some people have good hearing but experience specific challenges. “Though they don’t need hearing aids, they find they have trouble listening to someone on the phone or hearing the TV. Yet they may do fine in face to face situations,” Tina says. “Our other assistive listening devices can take care of that.”

Schedule your appointment in May to see how you are really hearing There are also draws and specials going on in hon our of better hearing month Contact us today to find out more!

Tina Stafferton

Jody Picoult

Publisher’s Note

Stepping into the warm sunshine this morn ing, my dog paused on the green lawn and began to shimmy, star ting with his ears and then shaking along his spine and out the tip of his black tail I know just how he feels Months of great weather are stretching before us and man, does that feel fantastic!

The arrival of long, sunny days and balmy nights coincides with the release of Windsor Life’s Inside Out issue As you turn these pages, you’ll find inspiration and motivation for mak ing the most of the fresh, new season.

Drop into the LaSalle backyard, lovingly designed by the homeowners, Stephanie and Gregg Practical features combine with whim sical touches in this personal retreat.

To see how the pros are transforming prop er ties, join Windsor Life on our tour of the trends revealed at the 2016 Canada Blooms

Creativity sprouts ever ywhere this time of year Perhaps you are painting your garden with flowers. Or decorating an indoor or outdoor room. Painter Katherine Korach, one of the talented artists spotlighted in this issue, shows us her latest works

If music is your medium, spend a moment with Windsor musicians Crissi Cochrane and Gavin Michael Booth. They just shot a video for Crissi’s song, Pretty Words, in Tecumseh Kids seem to have a super highway connect ing them to their imaginations Senior kinder gartner Liam Fitzmaurice is one creative little dude, writing more than 30 books since October.

Local students have oppor tunity to learn about different cultures by interacting with 94 students from China, Spain, La tin American and other countries. The visitors are living with local host families and pursuing their ed ucation through the International Student Ex change offered by the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board

I’m always so impressed that our residents and organizations no matter how busy they are take time to make the world a bit better One way we can make a difference is by con tacting LEAVE A LEGACY™, a national pub lic awareness program that encourages us to leave gifts to a charity or non profit organiza tion.

Another big hearted group is motorcycle en thusiasts They are hitting the road, raising money and awareness on charity rides all while getting outside and enjoying beautiful Essex and Kent Counties. My dog would approve

Bob Robinson

Get Ready To Ride

OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DECADES, more and more families have become in volved in motorcycle related events Today’s riders come from all walks of life with most of them being generous people who reach into their pockets and help wor thwhile causes. Coupled with invaluable assistance of excellent corporate citizens like Thunder Road Harley Davidson on Huron Church in Windsor, local organizations have become the beneficiaries of these rides

The following is a list of the major rides: First up on the schedule is the 11th annual RIDE FOR DAD on Sunday May 29th with proceeds going for prostate cancer re search and public awareness of the disease The entr y fee is $30 per rider passengers are free The day begins with registration at the Moose Lodge on Tecumseh Road west between 7 and 9:30 am with the ride getting under way at the Festival Plaza on Riverside Drive at 10 sharp. Paul Bridgeman, the event chair says after participating in the ride for 8 years he decided it was his turn to step

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STORY BY DICK HILDEBRAND

Opposite Clockwise from far left: Former

Wing and Probert Team mate Darren McCarty with his wife Sher yl riding on the late Bob Probert’s classic bike (The Moo Moo) in The Bob Probert Memorial Ride; Special Olympics Athlete Ryan MacBean (Georgetown Swim Club) getting a ride from D/Cst Brian Parkes, Orangeville Police Service in The Law Enforcement Torch Ride For Special Olympics; Rob Reeb, Sales Ma nager at Thunder Road Harley Davidson with his wife Corinne Chiasson and friend Real Deguire at The Windsor Ride For The Breath Of Life for Cystic Fibrosis.

This page clockwise from top left: Motorcycles lined up to start The Bob Probert Memorial Ride; Randy Tansley and Shar Good at Shar’s Ride For Muscular Dystrophy; Hogs for Hospice Team (Leamington) Donny Pacheco (Hogs for Hospice Board Member), Tim Iles (Hogs for Hospice Board Member), Jeannine Lassaline Berglund (Municipality of Leamington), Ross Barnwell (LDMH Foundation), Cher yl Deter (Hospice of Erie Shores), Leamington Mayor John Patterson and Joe Oswald (Hogs for Hospice Board Member); inset is Benji Mastronardi (Hogs for Hospice Board Member) with Cher yl Deter; group at Windsor’s Festival Park on the Detroit River preparing for the Rid e For Dad Biker’s taking off on the Ride For Big Brothers Big Sisters in Erieau

Red

up and help with the organization. He says the ride “took on a genuine significance for me because my father is a 20 year sur vivor of prostate cancer who is able to enjoy life today ” If you need more details, Paul wel comes your calls at 519 982 0352 or Email him Psbridge01@hotmail com

IRON HORSE CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT JUNE 3RD, 2016

You’re invited to bring your Hog to the Kingsville Golf and Countr y Club on Fri day June 3rd, park it and swap it out for a golf cart and take a ‘ride’ around 18 holes. It’s the Iron Horse Charity Golf Tourna ment sponsored by Thunder Road to raise money for the Motorcycle Museum at the Canadian Transportation Museum at Her itage Village in Essex.

More money for the museum is being raised at an open house and motorcycle raf fle scheduled for the dealership on August 13th The family oriented event will feature live enter tainment and a barbecue Only 1000 raffle tickets will be sold at $50 each for a brand new Harley Davidson Fat Boy Lo thunderroadharley com

6TH ANNUAL BOB PROBERT RIDE JUNE 26TH, 2016

Back in the saddle again, it’s the 6th Annual Bob Probert Ride on June 26th. It’s very af fordable...drivers pay $20 while passengers pay $10. Pre registration is June 16th at the Colchester Bar and Grill between 4 and 8 pm. Forms will also be available at Thunder Road, or riders can sign up at the dealership on the day of the ride At 10:30 am it’s “kick stands up ” for the star t of the ride covering a major por tion of the county from Lasalle and Amherstburg, to Lake shore and back to Windsor with stops at the Verdi Club, the Colchester Bar and Grill and the Sandbar The final leg takes riders to Walker ville where at least 4 blocks of Wyandotte street will be closed. Accord ing to event chair Dani Probert, “last year, the people of Walker ville did a fantastic job…pushing out their patios and welcom ing us with open arms. There was a ton of food and great bands and ever ything looked wonderful until that torrential downpour Despite the weather which had reduced ridership, we still managed to raise nearly $98,000 which was donated to the Cardiac Wellness and Pulmonar y Rehab Program at Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare”

The entire Probert family gets involved Daughter Tierney has put together a celebrity hockey tournament at the Tecum seh Arena to commemorate Bob’s June 5th

bir thday. This year ’ s contest on June 3rd will feature past and present NHL players, along with several OHL stars. All the pro ceeds are turned over for cardiac care.

The Bob Prober t Ride was initiated in 2011 as a tribute to the Red Wing and Blackhawk hockey star who died suddenly a year earlier from a heart attack Since its inception, the event has raised nearly $500,000 for cardiac care in Windsor Essex County

Updated information can always be found at www facebook com/probertride

HOGS FOR HOSPICE

JULY 29TH - 31ST, 2016 No detail has been overlooked for a ne w event that wraps up the month of July. Hogs For Hospice is promising to be an exciting 3 day motorcycle rally (the only one of its kind in Ontario) in Leamington from July 29th through the 31st with 100% of the proceeds going to the Erie Shores Hospice Although activities are tai lored to the motorcycle community, all family members, riders or not, are invited to join in The entire town will be shut down on the Friday evening for a block party A Hogs For Hospice charity breakfast will kick things off Saturday morning, prior to the registered ride from 11 am to 5 pm. In the evening, fans can head to the Fair grounds where they’ll be treated to motor cycle races involving Thunder Road and the Erie Ramblers, while others can attend a full blown rodeo. For $25, rock lovers will be able to enjoy the Bret Michaels concer t at the Seacliffe Park water front Throughout the weekend, visitors will be able to browse the offerings of vendors who’ll be set up inside the park grounds A morning worship ser vice for all riders will open the Sunday proceedings which will be followed by bike games and an evening classic car and bike show again with all downtown streets being shut down

Registration is a nominal $20 per person and can be done online from a ver y detailed, easy to navigate website: www.hogsforhospice.com.

The Erie Shores Hospice, which was of ficially opened last month is located on Talbot Street west, across from the Leam ington District Memorial Hospital.

LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RIDE FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS AUGUST 21ST, 2016

The Law Enforcement Torch Ride For Spe cial Olympics is slated for August 21st Rides are staged throughout Ontario and are organized by local law enforcement ▼

agencies. Officers accompany participants on the so called ‘poker rides’ which gener ally end with a picnic, barbecue and enter tainment. Information can be obtained from your local police Registration can be done online at torchrideontario com

RIDE FOR BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

AUGUST 27TH 28TH, 2016

Riders will assemble on James Street across from the Black Goose in Wallaceburg for registration between 8:30 and 9:45 am The cost is only $10 per rider It’s kick stands up at 10 am for a police escor ted ride to Tecumseh Park in Chatham for Bikefest, a celebration for the entire family with plenty of food, vendors, enter tain ment and motorcycle showcase

Fans are encouraged to donate motorcy cle memorabilia to the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization to be sold in a silent auction For more information contact the agency ’ s executive director Nan Stuckey at 519 351 1582 or Email info@bikefest ca

14TH ANNUAL WINDSOR RIDE FOR BREATH OF LIFE SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2016

The Labor Day weekend will feature the 14th annual Windsor Ride For The Breath Of Life for Cystic Fibrosis. Riders meet at Applebees on Walker Road at 9 am for the optional breakfast and registration, which is $20 per rider and $15 for a passen ger The poker run begins at 10 am Gene and Victoria Boivin organized the ride follow ing the death of their 19 year old daughter Renee, who had been a second year Com munications student at the University of Windsor The ride will conclude with din ner and the awards ceremony at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch in Belle River. Gene, who has been a past president of the local CF Society, says about $130,000 has been collected since the ride began He can be reached at 519 728 2403.

8TH ANNUAL SHAR’S RIDE FOR MS

SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2016

Registration is at The Leaf Restaurant on Tecumseh Road from 9 to 10:30 am. Rid ers pay $30 and passengers pay $20.

The entourage leaves at 11 am for an Essex County tour and winds up at the K of C on Columbus Drive in South Wind sor for a family style dinner. The money collected is used to buy special equipment for the local MS society and in the past 7 years the total has exceeded $57,000 Event organizer Shar Good was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1987 and last year, doctors discovered she had lung cancer ▼

Craig Lanoue

for which she’s been receiving chemother apy and radiation treatment.

Always the cheerful optimist, Shar wel comes your phone calls at 519 798 3858 or shar good54@gmail com

7TH ANNUAL CHRISTINE SORRELL MEMORIAL “POOKER” RIDE SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2016

A second ride on the 18th is for the Heart Defect Society. It’s in memor y of Christine Sorrell whose nickname was ‘Pooker’. She was only 19 and in her third year of ac counting at St. Clair College when she died from a congenital heart defect. Riders will meet at Local 200/444 Unifor on Turner Road at 9:30 am for registration which is $25 per person After a tour of the county, it’s off to Average Joe’s on Lauzon Road for the banquet and awards ceremony

Over the past 6 years, the ride has pre sented more than $150,000 to the Hear t Defect Society of Windsor Essex County, which provides financial assistance to fam ilies requiring extended stays in either Toronto or London while one of their members is undergoing heart procedures. The organization is staffed entirely by vol unteers and all the money raised in the ride stays in this area For more information, contact Warren Hayes at 519 564 6404

To contact the Hear t Defect Society, email hear tdefectssociety@gmail com or call 519 973 0915

RED KNIGHTS TOY RIDE SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2016

The Red Knights Toy Ride is slated for September 25th with proceeds going to the Windsor Homes Coalition. Riders will gather at Thunder Road beginning at 10:40 am with Kickstands up at 11 sharp.

Registration is either an unwrapped new toy or $25 Contact Wally Charette at alk1@sympatico ca

For people that would li ke to ride, but have never done so, Thunder Road is offer ing, free of charge, HD 101, a comprehen sive training program initiated by Harley Davidson All aspects of motorcycle own ership and operation are covered in the sessions which are held on the second Thursday of each month through July.

As the sun ’ s rays penetrate the clouds and temperatures warm up, it’s “kickstands up ” for another season on the open road!

WLM

If you are serious about getting your motorcy cle licence, it is recommended that you take the weekend course at St Clair College’s Windsor or Chatham campuses and get your class M2 licence stclaircollege ca

Life is an adventure, best experienced in person, in its natural habitat. Pelee Wings Nature Store & Paddlesports Shop has all the gear required to put you in the midst of the action.

Nature is all around the store, located on the water front in Leamington, next door to Point Pelee National Park. People who don’t live within driving distance can shop online at peleewings ca

The return of the birds, boats and other intriguing subjects has people pausing for a second look and listen “Being a nature store, we specialize in birding binoculars,” says owner Michael Malone “However, with over 200 models in stock, we have binoculars specific to a variety of interests such as boating, astronomy, hunting, sur veillance, travel and waterfront viewing ”

Other sports optics options are astronomy telescopes and spotting scopes, two different tools for exploring your interests. The portable spotting scope, requiring a tripod for steady vie wing, works for birders, hunters and lakefront homeowners. “Ever y condo owner on the waterfront should have a spotting scope in their living room or balcony,” Michael believes. “As sailboats, freighters, birds and people come into view, good sports optics ma gnify life.”

An astronomy telescope reveals the mysteries of the night sky “As a premier dealer, we offer great prices on astronomy telescopes by Celestron,” Michael says “ With all of our sports optics, we en courage people to tr y before they buy You can ’ t experience the view online! Take our optics onto our waterfront deck, view the outdoors with different models and determine which best suits yo ur needs, hands, eyes and budget ”

“Essex County is surrounded by water We have the Great Lakes,

Detroit River, Point Pelee marsh and Conser vation Area wetlands to explore. Kayaks also can be enjoyed in our 250,000+ lakes here in Ontario,” Michael notes. Pelee Wings stocks 150 kayaks from leading manufacturers. “ There is a big new trend in fishing kayaks which offer exercise and fuel savings for anglers.” Pelee Wings rents kayaks for $20 per hour; each additional hour is $10

The ne w models in stand up paddleboards are now at Pelee Wings “SUPs are great for exploring local water ways and they offer terrific exercise,” Michael says People who practice yoga also embrace SUPs for balance

From mid June through to mid September, Sundays are special for paddleboarders Pelee Wings offers one hour of f itness paddle boarding, starting at 8 a m On Sunday evening, 6 to 7:30, Pelee Wings hosts social paddleboarding for people wanting to tr y out paddle boards for the first time or hone their techniques.

“All skill levels are welcome to our public events, ” Michael invites. To join the fun, participants can bring their own SUPs or rent one from Pelee Wings for $22 for the first hour and $10 for each addi tional hour. Pelee Wings’ certified SUP trainers also host training clinics bi weekly, or you can make an appointment for personal training Full day kayak training courses are offered all summer long

People who arrive at Pelee Wings Nature Store & Paddlesports Shop range from leisure seekers to extreme sport adventurers “They all want to step out of the stressful high tech workplace and get outdoo rs to enjoy nature therapy firsthand,” Michael says “ That’s what kayaking, paddleboarding, birding and other fresh air activities are all about Get out there!

MAPLE CIT Y MARINE

Over 7 Decades of Bringing Boaters and Watercraft Together

For people who want to purchase their first boat or trade and upgrade, Maple City Marine’s showroom has an impressive fleet of watercraft for everyone, from previously owned runabouts and fishing boats to a custom ordered yacht with luxurious features

Among Maple City Marine’s new beauties this year are the 2016 Regal Cr uisers and Bowriders Regal Boats is not as much a boat builder as it is a family who, for generations, has forged deeply loving connections with each other through boating.

“Our purpose is not to merely sell a boat, but to give you and your family experiences that enrich life and create lasting memories,” says Rob Rule, whose family owns Maple City Marine “ We want your Regal to provide you more than a boat ride it should take you to a place that, however far from land, always fee ls like home.”

Regal 35SC

Other coveted boat builders are well represented at Maple City Marine, including Mastercraft Ski and Tow boats, Four Winns, Bennington, Lund and Ranger Outboard motors are in stock by industr y leaders Mercur y, Yamaha and Evinr ude, as well as Stern Drive by Volvo Penta and Mercruiser

Helping local families discover the adventures of boating since 1948, Maple City Marine offers shore suppor t, sheltered winter storage and maintenance and repairs done by factor y trained ser vice technicians Clients receive reliable advice and answers at the boaters’ haven and at maplecitymarine com

As part of discoverboating ca, Maple City Marine instantly con nects its boaters and interested browsers to the ne west watercraft, boating tips and tales of life on the water. People considering a purchase benefit from the knowledge of three generations of the Rule family and their staff “ We can show you all of your options so that ultimately, you select the right boat,” Rob says Ranking among Boating Industr y ’ s Top 100 Dealers for the fourth consecutive year, Maple City Marine and its crew clearly know what they are doing.

Rob obser ves, “Boat ownership is more than a pleasure for our clients it is the fulfillment of their dreams We do ever ything possible to make your buying and aftercare experience outstanding ”

Three Generations to Ser ve You. Left to right: Grant, Bob & Rob Rule.

Concept toCompletion

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D E S I G N C O N C E P T • P R O D U C T S A L E S & S E L E C T I O N • E X P E R T I N S TA L L AT I O N

STORY BY DICK HILDEBRAND PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN BROUGH

Pretty Words

Gavin Michael Booth and Crissi Cochrane Team up for Beautiful Music in a New Visual

The award winning producer moved from this area about 3 ½ years ago to advance his film making and music video career in Toronto, just before he began filming ‘Scarehouse’, a horror flick which was produced entirely in Windsor Essex It premiered at the Lakeshore Cinema with an audience of about a thousand which totally astounded the young filmmaker “Scarehouse,” says Booth, “is Mean Girls meeting the movie Saw, a revenge thriller that takes place inside a man ma de Hallowe’en funhouse in which two

GAVIN MICHAEL BOOTH is on a journey to major success…a 15 year journey that has taken him from his native Amherstburg, to Toronto and now to the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles.

Clockwise from top left: Director Gavin Michael Booth watches playback during a take; three stills from the Pretty Words video shoot; Crissi reviews a take with Gavin (left) and cinematographer Matt Bendo; Make Up Artist Carly Nicodemo applying final touches to Crissi in preparation for the video shoot

girls have decided to get revenge against some friends that don’t know what’s about to come to them.” Since its world release in October of 2014 and its Canadian premiere the following Januar y, the movie has also been seen in the U S , the Phillippines, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and the British Isles It’s available on video and can be ordered from most outlets that have an entertainment department When that pro duction had ended, Gavin and his wife, an actress with some movie credits in her re sume, decided that a relocation to Southern California would be the next logical step for career advancement. He still travels between LA, Toronto, Windsor and Detroit to work on various project.

Booth’s friendship with singer Crissi Cochrane, the Halifax native who now calls Windsor her home, goes back at least 4 years when he produced her first video for the song, ‘Drive All Night’. “ We had a great working experience,” as Booth recalls, “but it was short since I also had a 2 year com mitment as director, editor and producer of my movie, so Crissi and I didn’t have a chance to work together again until this past March when we did the video for Pretty Words which is on the album Little Sway ” The tune has al ready attracted nearly 5 mil lion listens on Spotify and according to Booth, “the number is unprecedented for an independent artist even artists with record labels, managers and financial backing for advertising would be impressed getting that many listens. The fact that it happened to Crissi, being a 100% self made artist, is be yond impressive!”

Crissi had been sitting on the idea of the video for a couple of years and originally imagined it for another song. A study in ‘mood’, it opens with the singer in full makeup under professional lighting. As it progresses and the lighting changes, off camera hands reach in and remove the makeup, bringing the 27 year old back to her “classic, natural beauty.” As Crissi puts it, “it’s ver y much a transformation from a public persona, with makeup being like a mask that can be removed to reveal who I really am in private.” Gavin says it was done in the vein of today’s “ no make up selfies” which have become popular, especially among celebrities

At just under 5 minutes in length, the video is a single shot with only one camera angle and no edits Production was done at a friend’s home (which ser ves as a studio) and took about 8 hours in total “It was like doing a pl ay, ” explains Booth, “all the ▼

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cues were rehearsed and when ever ybody was comfortable, shooting began. It was all ver y simple and we managed it in only two tries.” He had nothing but praise for Crissi’s poise and professionalism: “She potentially had to sit in a chair for 8 hours which would have tested anyone else’s patience But, she was as sweet at the finish of the day as she was at the beginning The entire crew just loved her!” T he ne w video along with Crissi’s other videos can be seen on her website, on YouTube, it’s just been picked up by Buzzfeed and could potentially be aired by Much Music in Canada.

It’s difficult to classify her music under a specific genre While some would call it adult contemporar y easy listening, Crissi says it’s more like pop, with jazz, countr y and folk overtones….a throwback from her younger days in Halifax.

Fortunately, with grants from the Ontario Arts Council, FACTOR ( The Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent on Recording) and the City of Windsor Arts Culture Her itage Fund, she’s been able to avoid “getting a day job recently” and has been able to con centrate on her music At the moment, she’s working on a new album which should be ready for release sometime next year. She’s also been writing songs for the red hot trio, The Walker villes (she’s married to band member Mike Hargreaves) and for Valen tine’s Day, Crissi had a limited offer where she composed and recorded original and personalized songs for people to give to their loved ones. She says, “it was kind of crazy. I wrote about a dozen of those songs in 11 days and for the whole of last year, I think I only wrote one song!”

While she doesn’t have many live appear ances lined up for this year, yet, Crissi will be a guest per former at the Jeff Burrows Dr um Marathon which star ts June 3rd at Good Time Charly’s on Tecumseh Road East. A few other appearances are in the off ing, but final details haven’t been worked out yet

At the same time, Gavin Booth, with at least 80 music videos and a number of films to his credit, is working on a ne w feature film. He’s not saying much about it until all the contracts are signed but he does say “it is coming together ”

The future looks bright for the two tal ents, and given the synergistic relationship that the pair has developed, there is little doubt that Crissi Cochrane and Gavin Booth will again be combining their unique talents for more musical collaborations down the road.

Re ce ntly, the Province of Ontario e nacte d signif icant change s to the legislation of the Estate Administration Tax Act of 1998, transfer ring the administration to the Minister of Revenue from the Minister of the At torney General. Changes include the introduction of the Estate Information Return which executors are require d to file.

Probate fees, more recently refer re d to as estate administration taxes , are levie d under the EATA. These taxes are paid when an “estate representative” (including an executor, etc.) receives a cour t order cer tif ying that the will of the de cease d is valid and that the e state repre se ntative has the legal authority to administer the estate Repor ting has gone from largely an honour system to one with considerably enhance d administration and compliance The new fo r m details the value of all prope r tie s and assets owne d by the decease d at the time of death, that do not have name d beneficiaries The rules are complex and are wor th discussing with me

In Onta r io, the value of naming a beneficiary can be signif icant If a be nef icia r y is name d, at death the company is require d to pay any death be nef i t pro ce e ds to the name d be nef icia r y on re co rd Be cause the se procee ds do not pass through the estate, they not only avoid the delays of set tling the estate but also bypass “probate” and other estate administration fees. RRSPs/RIFs and TFSAs are examples of investments that should have name d beneficiaries Non registere d investments that do not have name d beneficiaries can be subject to the full estate tax rules Investing your non registere d holdings in insure d products, like segregate d funds, insure d GICs, annui tie s and life insurance, can avoid probate and other estate administration fees, and a timely payment of the death benefit

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We provide consultation on small to medium projects including Do It Yourself weekend warrior projects, as well as full ser vice design work for la rger more intricate scale projects Our experienced design staff can work through preliminar y landscape concepts to landscape construction costing and 3D rendering and fly throughs.

“ We work ver y closely with our clients through ever y step of the design and construc tion process to ensure that all the owners ’ goals are realized and financial budgets are respected,” says owner Mike Bellaire

Increa singly homeowners are investing in their proper ties and enjoying staycations in the serenity of their own yards From pools, cabanas and landscaping that includes night lighting to extend the useable hours of the outdoor space, Bellaire Landscape has the ability to help you interpret your outdoor needs and the ultimate vision of your finished space Show us a picture or two of your style and we can design and build your dream outdoor space

Bellaire Landscape is a full ser vice Landscape Construction ser vice company We build what we design and pride ourselves on completing projects in a timely quality driven fashion. All aspects of the outdoor space are possible; including pools, cabanas, gazebos, fences, pergolas, pavers, concrete patios and sidewalks to planting, sodding, earthworks, irrigatio n and lighting systems “ We work hard to exceed our customers expectation and ensure our client’s satisfaction,” says Mike

All of Bellaire Landscape installed projects can be seen in the Galler y pictures on the website at www.bellairelandscape.com. We have been honoured to receive numerous ‘Awards of Distinction’ and ‘Awards of Excellence’ through our Windsor Chapter and Provincial chapter of Landscape Ontario As well, we are Authorized Unilock Contractors and have been recognized through their Award Programme We are members of Landscape Ontario Horticultural Association, Windsor Construction Association, Better Business Bureau and are fully licensed, bonded and insured.

Feel free to call us for all of your landscape requirements. Visit our yard at 2025 Ellis Side Road, Maidstone to see our wor k displayed in our outdoor showroom Call anytime

WHEEL LIVING

A Disability Awareness Program For Schools

STORY BY DICK HILDEBRAND

JOHN BOYKO UNDERSTANDS LIFE IN A WHEELCHAIR. In 1973, the Hamilton area native and former custom wheelchair builder was involved in an accident that nearly took his life He was riding his motorcycle, when a car pulled out in front him Unable to stop, the bike t boned the car and John was catapulted over the vehicle, landing about 50 feet away His spinal cord was crushed, he lost the use of his legs a nd for the past 43 years has been in a wheelchair But he didn’t allow it to interfere with his life He’s been a member of the Canadian National Wheelchair basketball team and is currently a wheelchair basketball coach and a student motivator

He ran a wheelchair basketball program in Hamilton and brought it with him when he moved to the Windsor area more than 20 years ago. Calling it Lasalle Lightni ng Wheelchair Basketball, he also took his message of ‘ Wheel Living’ to area schools. A fiercely independent individual, he hooks up his own trailer, loads a dozen specially designed wheelchairs and drives himself to the schools in a van that’s operated by hand controls. To him, the effort is worth it, “because the program is educational, interactive and fun!”

His classroom demonstrations, which last anywhere from 2 to 3 hours, include discussions, followed by students getting into the chairs to tr y their hand on the basketball court ‘Wheel Living’ has a threefold purpose: to teach participants what it’s like to live with a physical disability and how it affects their lives to show how motivation and drive can help overcome adversity and allow for a pursuit of dreams and to demonstrate how being active helps people live a healthier life by building self esteem, establishing strong social networks and developing skills in working as a team.

Most of his student audience consists of able bodied individuals and, “ once they tr y out the chair, they love it,” says Boyko, “and then all of a sudden they see a different viewpoint from that person in the wheelchair, so there’s kind of a hidden messa ge in my presentation.” He usually brings two other people with him and they all tell their injur y stories and explain how their lives have been affected John says most are reluctant until they start sharing

their experiences and as they continue, their confidence keeps growing ‘ Wheel Living’ is funded entirely by the participating schools No other money comes his way In order to pay for regular maintenance of the chairs, vehicle gas and other programming costs, Boyko asks for a $250 donation for the first session and an ext ra $100 if chairs are left at the school for three days for use during gym classes. At the end of the period, there’s usually a game involving both teachers and students, a fitting end to a program which, according to the coach, is definitely a school spirit builder

Top and left: Exciting wheelchair basketball action at a typical LaSalle Lightning en counter Above: John Boyko, LaSalle Lightning head coach and motivational speaker

“The games are as competitive and as much fun as possible,” he says, “and there’s no problem with competition, because the students just want to beat their teachers no matter what!” Students, who rush to the gym as spectators, each pay a small admis sion extra cash for the unique program Last month, Catholic Central High School on Tecumseh Road kept the chairs for 4 days and at the end, nearly 800 stu dents laid out toonies as they clamored for space to watch the contest!

Regular season wheelchair basketball games are played at the Holy Cross school gymnasium in LaSalle on Tuesday evenings between September and April On any given night, 12 to 16 players attend a game They’re divided into two squads and the game is on. At least 60% of those players are abled bodied and usually face quite a struggle co mpeting with those who live in their chairs As Boyko puts it, “it’s the best level playing field that you can get. ” The usual basketball rules apply, and the net is the regulation 10 feet above the floor Gym rental fees are covered by the players who pay $3 to attend the games Only a dozen wheelchairs are available, so it’s first come first ser ved for the competitors.

Players are most often recruited t hrough word of mouth Prospective registrants are urged to send an Email to John Boyko and they, in return, are sent the Lightning ne wsletter and other follow up informa tion It’s up to them whether or not to sign up

Basketball wheelchairs are much differ ent from normal hospital chairs. At $6,500 each, they have a normal life span of 5 to 7 years and since they’re involved in a contact sport, repairs are required often mostly to the wheels The chairs are ver y compact, much narrower than hospital chairs and weigh about 20 pounds as opposed to 60 for conventional units The wheels are cam bered, or angled, to make the chair more mobile and easier to maneuver not to mention easier on the operator ’ s hands.

The regular LaSalle Lightning Wheel chair Basketball season is now finished until Septem ber, although the squad is consider ing an invitation to play at a tournament in Toronto during the August Civic Holi day weekend. The entr y fee is $500 for the team and the coach won ’ t consider going until all players give their approval

In the meantime, prospective players can contact John Boyko by email at johnboyko@bell.net or on the telephone at 519 978 9185. WLM

N E W A N D N O T I C E D

SEAA COUTURE

Sewing up a sea storm, local designer Paula Collavino has just launched her new collection of stylish, easy wear and easy care fashions. Washable and wrinkle free, the globally inspired clothing packs well and suits Essex County’s casual lifestyle The simple essentials are available now at the new Seaa Couture

ORGANICS LIVE

Local owners Keith and Donna Rivard have brought Organics Live Grocer y Deliver y to Windsor/Lakeshore Sustainably produced, locally focused and 100% certified organic produce and groceries are now being deliv ered to customers ’ doors. The Rivards say the food prices are less than the cost of shopping retail and the deliver y ser vice is free 519 256 9796 or organicslive com

ESSEX FAMILY DOCTORS

JIM WILLIAMS, RE/MAX CAPITAL INC.

RE/MAX International has determined that among 104,000 sales associates work ing for the realty organization in nearly 100 countries, Jim Williams ranked #8 in the top 50 commercial sales associates in Canada and #22 in the top 50 commercial individuals network wide in 2015. Jim is with RE/MAX Capital, Inc., Brokerage at 3080 Grand Marais Rd. E. in Windsor. 519 258 5072 or remaxcapital com

Dr Fawad Ahmed (left) and Dr Ryan Craig have established a new comprehensive family medicine practice at 1 35 Victoria Ave , Essex Focusing on disease prevention, Essex Family Doctors provides patients and their families with modern, evidence based care Trained in Windsor and London, the doctors offer a range of ser vices including acute and chronic care, elderly care, pre and p ostnatal care, pediatrics, counselling, cosmetics and small procedures 519 961 9297

boutique at 14301 Tecumseh Rd E , St Clair Beach seaacouture com

HI! NEIGHBOR

After decades of working for Hi! Neigh bor Floor Covering Company, Terr y Darbyson and Erik Rorseth are now the owners of the 77 year old store at 257 Wyandotte St. E., Windsor. They have renovated and updated the showroom and expanded the selection to over 1 mil lion square feet of on trend flooring products, ready now for installation by do it yourselfers or Hi! Neighbor’s crew 519 258 4481 or hineighbor.ca.

COMFORT MOBILITY INC.

Julie, John and Jessica Fase celebrated the second anniversar y of their business, Comfor t Mobility Inc , on Apr 14th Offering sales, rental and ser vice of wheel chairs, walkers, scooters, lifts and bathroom safety equipment, Windsor's only family owned and operated home health care store that is ADP authorized is at 2707 Tem ple Dr , Windsor 519 988 1234 or comfortmobility ca

CUT FOR A CURE

On Apr. 10th, Matt Senechal, online marketing administrator with Motor City Commu nity Credit Union, got his first haircut in nearly three years from Jen Senechal, Amici Salon stylist Benefiting Cut For A Cure, the 14 inch locks are being donated to the Angel Hair for Kids Program with A Child's Voice Foundation in Toronto The event was presented by Amici Salon and MCCCU, raising over $3,000 for the local Kids Beating Cancer Program led by In Honour of the Ones We Love The credit union contributed $1,000 to suppor t the event. 519 944 7455 or mcccu.com. Photo by Simon Wyn Edwards Photography and Snapd.

DAYUS ROOFING

Dayus Roofing, a family owned and oper ated company that has been roofing Windsor and Essex County since 1920, is celebrating a milestone Frank Dayus III (left) is proudly handing the president’s position to Frank Dayus IV, the fourth generation to run the local business Dayus Roofing specializes in quality roof products, including rubber and fibreglass. The company also s ells and installs skylights, siding, eavestroughs and more 519 737 1920 or dayusroofing com

MARYLYNN HOLZEL

The Windsor Essex Chapter of the Regis tered Nurses’ Association of Ontario has presented Mar ylynn Holzel the 2016 Lois Fairley Nurse of the Year Community Ser v ice Award. Working for the past 31 years as a RN at Hotel Dieu Grace/Windsor Re gional Hospital, Marilyn founded the local Windsor/Essex County SIDS Chapter, a branch of The Canadian Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths. She developed Safe Sleep Practices for Infants, a manual for health care professionals; volunteers with

Miracle League in Amherstburg and helps the community, professionally and person ally, in many other ways. windsoressexrnao.org.

TREASURE NOOK

The Treasure Nook’s first year in business has flown by for owner Sandy Pepper Carr ying gifts and jeweller y for all ages, the boutique has just introduced the complete Skinny line of 100% raw coconut oil products and is offering after hour demon strations. The Treasure Nook is also hosting Kameleon Jewelr y parties in store for host esses and bridal parties at 575 Notre Dame St , Belle River 519 715 9416 facebook com/The Treasure Nook

HEARING & DIZZINESS CLINIC

The only audiology clinic in Windsor Essex to per form balance assessments and reha bilitation ser vices for dizzy patients, the Hearing & Dizziness Clinic is marking its second anniversary Paige Pierozynski, Doc tor of Audiology, collaborates with the in house speech language pathologist and physical therapist to evaluate and treat patients onsite. Located at 35 Victoria Ave., Essex, the clinic uses the latest diagnostic and rehabilitative technology. 519 961 9285 or hearinganddizzy.ca.

CHORNEY VISION CENTRE

Offering HD digital lenses and Choice BluSelect lenses to protect eyes from blue light emanating from screens, Chorney Vision Centre is 10 years old. Dr. David Chorney and his team provide comprehen sive eye exams; retinal exams using the new Daytona retinal imaging device; and more The eyeware boutique is hosting a Ray Ban Sunglasses tr unk show from 2 to 7 pm, Tues , May 3rd at 169 5 University Ave W , Windsor 519 258 0942 chorneyoptometr y com

The Secret of A nti-ag ing

Lanoue St , Tecumseh (Off Manning , behind McDonalds) 519 966 7200 skinov8ive com

SOOTERS PHOTOGRAPHY

Windsor Life Magazine is proud to have partnered with Photographer John Liviero, owner of Sooters. John began his career in 1989 working part time for Sooters while in school for business and photography, grad uating in 1991 He went on to purchase Sooters Photography Studio in 1991 John has been photographing weddings since 1992 and is booked consistently He provides a talent for ph otography with a passion and style for capturing memories along with excellent customer ser vice. He also specializes in commercial, aerials, fam ilies, couples and children’s portraits.

A FRESH SEASON OF OUTDOOR LIVING

AAt the 20th Canada Blooms in Toronto, the EnerCare Centre’s vast concrete floor and exposed ceiling trusses were barely noticeable after tr uckloads of soil, trees, plants, rocks and mulch were imaginatively arranged to create fabulous gardens in a matter of days Eager to view the final results, thousands of people swarmed over land scapers ’ creations from Mar 11th to 20th Canada Blooms’ hosts, Land scape Ontario and the Garden Club of Toronto, presented this season ’ s hottest trends

ELEMENTS OF THE INTERACTIVE OUTDOOR RETREAT Floors

Clockwise from top left: Garden Re treat’s mod take on the white stucco Mediterranean house is furnished with black faux leather sofas The house is raised above a paved terrace; dark grey all weather wicker dining furniture is set with turquoise table linens and dishes By Royal Stone Landscaping & Design and Aquaspa Pools Landscape & Design; wooden beams form the en trance to a globular gazebo fashioned out of pieces of board attached in a random pattern By Genoscape; a swimming pool is framed by a sloped flower garden and overlooked by a round lounger By Royal Stone Land scaping & Design and Aquaspa Pools Landscape & Design

Ceiling

Adorned with clouds or stars, the sky is a beautiful ceiling for the outdoor room until the sun is too strong or the rain falls

For protection: A gazebo or garden house puts a roof overhead. The open structure of a wooden pergola still lets some sun shine in. A modern stucco cubed garden house, painted snow white, reflects the heat.

Walls

For seclusion and shade, a wall or four enhances the outdoor retreat Wooden boards cut a foot long or so and nailed to one another in a random zigzag pattern and secured to a wooden frame forms a sculp tural wall The technique is also used to build a globular gazebo. A metal mesh frame is filled with pea stone alternated with bands of aqua glass chips. Rusting corr ugated panels and distressed wooden boards make privacy screens. Succulents grow vertically, row upon row, on outdoor shelving units to form living walls Recir culating water washes down over a vertical sheet of plexi glass or metal Composite boards in deep grey are hung horizontally between tall fence posts

Lighting

Moonshine is romantic but insuff icient for strolling through the night garden. Ad ditional light can be provided by: Modern and traditional pendants and chandeliers with plastic shades or cr ystals and chrome hardware Clusters of cathedral candles, batter y operated so breezes can ’ t blow out the flames

Technology

A large flat screen TV is mounted inside the garden house. Timed controls operate lighting effects, music and water fountains.

Fire

Outdoor fireplaces with mantels and fea ture walls were big at Canada Blooms Firepits are ringed with stone or stacked pavers The gas barbecue is built into a fully equipped kitchen with granite countertops, fridge and sink

Water

Bubbling rocks, ponds, bird baths and water falls help birds, frogs, fish and people thrive. Streams of water arc gracefully over the pool ▼

Furnishings

Comfort and style are equally important in al fresco spaces Matching metal or all weather wicker loveseats, armchairs and dining tables finished in neutral paint colours are jazzed up with colourful pillows and throws. A big round wicker lounger is shaded by its folding fabric canopy. A platform bed with a cedar frame and thick foam mattress is accented with pillows adorned by a turquoise feather motif Black vinyl sofas are shielded under the solid roof of a garden house Classic Muskoka chairs are painted or left to weather naturally

Palettes

Ear th tones naturally look at home in outdoor rooms. This season ’ s hot combina tions are: Tropical blues and greens with soft white. Terra cotta and electric blue. Black, oyster and grey. Charcoal grey and turquoise.

Plants

“A plant can oxygenate your room, and it has been proven that having plants in a cor porate setting will improve productivity,” says Jennifer Har vey, a floral and event

Clockwise from top left: A yellow Stingray Cor vette is the inspiration for the garden by Julie Moore Modern Landscape De sign; the chaises are shaded by an awning shaped like a stingray; Canada Blooms’ 2016 plant of the year is the Gar vinea Sweet series of gerberas that bloom spring through autumn; Hewn stone is stacked to form a domed cave, covered with a living roof A wine cellar lies within By Br ydges Landscape Archi tecture and the Landscape Ontario team; The great room lives up to its name out doors with elegant areas for dining and reclining; matching taupe and ivor y fur niture is punched up with blue and green pillows By Near North Hardscapes Ltd

Below: Making the most of the outdoor space on the ground and in the air, b sq Design creates Nest, an elevated play house above and an urban garden retreat down belo w with a water feature wall, fire column, TV and contemporar y seating

designer who demonstrated her skills at Working in the garden is great exercise that is rewarded with flowers, fruits and vegeta bles; digging in the soil provides your body with nitrogen that nourishes the skin and promotes blood flow.

Canada Blooms’ 2016 plant of the year is the Garvinea Sweet series of gerberas in coral, yellow, orange and pink Disease resistant and cold tolerant, it re blooms from s pring through fall Slender white birch trees are visible in the moonlight Stonecrop and other succulents need little water to thrive Hydrangeas come in a rainbow of colours Tulips are planted in wide swaths of a single hue: Pink looks romantic; yellow is upbeat; and white almost glows in the night garden. Rock gardens are arranged with big boulders and limestone slabs, interspersed with plants.

Surprises

Of all the elements, the element of surprise is the true delight Canada Blooms delivered: A garden’s palette coordinated with a canar y yellow Stingray Cor vette and a white fabric awning shaped like a stingray fish shading the black chaise longue Musical water streaming over a baby grand piano, set in the midst of a rock garden greened with ferns and hostas Wine, glasses and cork screw on a keg in a cave within a stacked stone struc ture, covered with a domed living roof. A painted carrousel horse cavorting beside the garden path. A silver tea ser vice and old china teacups bringing elegance to a roughly hewn stone buffet. White hydrangeas pop ping in a bright red popcorn car t Fairies tending their miniature gardens Stepping stones that seem to float across the pond Sand heaped in a corner, with toy dump tr ucks, buckets and sand shovels because playing outside is a fun and healthy thing for ever yone to do

Left: A ceramic bluebird watches over an outdoor bed accented with feather motif pillows By Julie Moore Modern Land scape Design

It’s More than a Club

AFTER FOUR YEARS OF PLANNING, a $2.4 million renovation has been completed at Essex Golf & Countr y Club on both the golf course and the clubhouse. The renovation has maintained the club house’s impressive histor y and the look of a traditional English manor while also providing a stunning new look of elegance

“Members are thrilled with the renovations and improvements we have made They appreciate the e ffort that went into embracing the club’s histor y, ” says Tal Czudner, General Manager

A significant amount of work was done in their clubhouse Walking into the Ballroom takes your breath away when you first see the spec tacular Maria Teresa chandeliers. New wood floors have been installed in the Great Hall, with the same pattern as the original floor in 1929. Classic, rich colours dominate the carpe t and paint throughout the Club. In the Grill Room original blueprints of the course designed by Donald Ross have been framed and are on display The Champions’ Bar has been renovated and now includes a big screen TV along with photos that honour and recognize champions at the Club

Both the men ’ s and lady’s lounges and locker rooms have been up dated The lounges create a great atmosphere conducive to relaxing with friends after a day on the course or conducting business

“Essex Golf Club is one of the highest ranked courses in Canada and we want to continue to offer our members a championship level course and clubhouse. Essex stands apart by mixing a rich history with an updated yet classic Tudor feel,” states Czudner.

In the summer of 2015, the membership embraced significant im provements to the golf course

The greens have all been redone to a strain of bent grass called Pure Distinction, which is a type of turf that is more resistant to the heat and cold that seems to be more prevalent in our region Bent grass also provides a consistent putting sur face for the entire season In addition, the tee decks have been laser leveled to provide the perfect beginning to ever y hole, cart paths have been redone and 44 bunker

It’s an Experience

misters have been installed to keep the grass around the bunkers lush and healthy.

Later this year an expanded golf academy will be added along with a golf simulator There are also plans to add a covered dining patio so members can enjoy dinner overlooking the tree lined course

One of the attractions of being a member at Essex is that it is a full ser vice golf and countr y club It truly offers something for ever yone In addition to a championship course, they offer a popular children’s program that includes golf, social activities and swimming programs A splash pad and jungle gym added a couple of years ago have proven to be a hit with children and grandchildren.

Essex also offers many social events that appeal to ever y demo graphic and taste including higher end events such as Wine Dinners and themed menus, as well as some casual events that feature comfort food and local fare Essex has a monthly Date Night, where members can bring their children or grandchildren to the club and enjoy dinner while staff entertain the children in a separate area

“ We are busier than we have ever been since 2002, the year we held the AT&T Senior Open,” says Czudner There are 420 full access members and a wait list for new members now exists to ensure that current members have ample access to the course.

Social memberships also continue to be popular, especially with younger families. These individuals and families may not be interested in golf but can enjoy all of the other amenities that the club has to offer.

Although the media might have you believe that there has been a do wnturn in golf ’ s popularity, this is certainly not the case at Essex Whether you are looking to conduct business and spend time with family or have access to a championship golf course, Essex Golf & Countr y Club is the place to be There is not a better place in Windsor Essex County to celebrate special occasions and make mem ories to last a lifetime.

COMIC BOOK HERO

Creations of Writer and Illustrator

Jeff Lemire Will Soon Grace the Silver Screen

HE’S BEEN DESCRIBED as the Stephen King of comics, a comparison he doesn’t mind at all all done with a vivid imagi nation and a dark side running through the stories and drawings

Jeff both writes and illustrates comic books which is unusual in the business However, for this rather reclusive native of Essex County, it’s perfectly natural. Grow ing up on his parents ’ Woodslee area farm, Jeff was interested in comics ever since he can remember. “My dad, on top of being a farmer also worked for a tool and die com pany in Windsor,” he recalls, “ so I had a lot of time to myself And since there weren ’ t many close neighbours, the comic books sort of took over my imagination ” Even at the tender young age of 6 or 7 Jeff copied pictures and tried his hand at writing a

STORY BY DICK HILDEBRAND

Clockwise from left: Writer and illustrator Jeff Lemire Photo by Jamie Hogge; the cover of Jeff ’s Essex County Collection, soon to be made into a CBC TV mini series; illustration from Jeff ’s personal creation, Descender which has been op tioned by Sony Pictures for a major film adaptation

fe w stories of his own. And, laughingly from his Toronto home, he quips: “obvi ously I never stopped!”

He recalls a number of instances in grade school where teachers chided him for not paying attention and suggested he gets his head out of the comics. However, that changed in high school and he actually fared well academically, especially in Eng lish and Ar t, the two subjects that inter ested him the most As a teenager he also helped around the farm, but in his spare time he would retreat to his room and work on the comics He admits to being a loner, but doesn’t feel the trait is bad “ you pretty well have to like being alone to do what I do. You don’t want a lot of people hanging aroun d the drawing board or the keyboard ”

At the age of 18 Jeff made his first move to Toronto where he attended Ryerson Col legiate to study film. He returned home during the summer, helped with the farm chores and worked part time at a tool shop in order to fund his university education However, in his four th year, he “ sor t of abandoned the program, so I could con centrate on creating comics, the thing I really wanted to do ” He made Toronto his permanent home and embarked on what has become a rather remarkable career What makes this stor y even more interest ing is the fact that Jeff is completely self taught. He worked diligently for up to 7 years per fecting his craft before he felt confident enough to tr y making a living at it During this period, he worked as a cook in a restaurant by night and spen t his days at the drawing board.

About 10 years ago, with the help of a government grant, he self published a graphic three book series titled ‘Essex County’ and that got the attention of some prominent publishers which opened the door for Jeff to submit his ideas, and as he says, “that’s when things star ted happen ing ”

The series is fictional with no auto bio graphical overtones, but Jeff say s the setting was ver y real “close to where I grew up ”

In developing his characters, he com bined traits from a number of people he knew and told their stor y which spanned a period of about 100 years.

‘Essex County’ got some great reviews The Ne w York Times called it a “rich tapestr y ” with “emotional wallop” And the CBC, declaring it one of the decade’s five essential works of Canadian fiction, has picked up the rights to the publication

and is adapting it for a future television miniseries.

Jeff ’ s first major break was with DC comics thanks to an editor who had come across some of his early stuff Jeff ’ s ‘Sweet Tooth’ had a 4 year r un and proved to be quite successful. For the next 5 years, he worked on ‘ The Justice League’, and ‘Green Arrow’ along with a few other things before jumping to Mar vel, the company he’s still with today. His job is a balancing act not only is he the head writer of the X Men se ries but he also writes for other artists and continues with his own personal comic cre ations like ‘Descender’ which has just been optioned by Sony Pictures for a major film adaptation. It’s a sci fi stor y about a young boy who’s a robot on the run from people that are chasing him in a world where all ro bots have been outlawed

As Jeff likes to say, “it’s kind of a swash buckling space adventure with this young robot and all his companions ” Writing has already started on a screenplay, although the movie likely won ’ t be finished and released for 2 or 3 years. The ‘Descender’ books are readily available at most comic stores with the series expected to r un at least 2 or 3 more years

At 39 , Jeff is married and the father of a son. The family lives in a home on Toronto’s east side and his studio is in a conver ted warehouse off Queen Street about 15 min utes away by bike He treats his ar tistic endeavours “like a real job” he’s at it Mon day through Friday from about 7:30 in the morning until 5 pm after which it’s back home for dinner and several hours of family time, followed by a littl e more work before hitting the sack

In the meantime, Jeff ’ s newest comic ti tled ‘Roughneck’, published by Simon and Schuster will be coming out in October Set in a fictional town in Northern Ontario, it’s described as the haunting stor y of former NHL player and his kid sister.

Even though he lives many kilometres away, Jeff Lemire remains close to his par ents and two sisters and tries to make it home at least two or three times a year, while they also reciprocate with Toronto vis its. “ We see each other as much as we can, ” he says

The future looks bright for Jeff As long as his creative juices keep flowing, you’ll find his intense material filling the comic books, much to the delight of his legion of fans. And, as he told Maclean Magazine recently: “I like to write from a child’s point of view Kids feel ever ything so intensely ” WLM

Blending Science & Art for Unique Paintings

The Process of

STORY/PHOTOGRAPHY BY DICK HILDEBRAND

Art

KATHERINE KORACH IS AN ARTIST of a different ilk. As a young girl growing up in her native Winnipeg she chose an artistic path on which to travel. She has always loved ar t and dre w and painted any subject that came to mind. “I never had private lessons,” she maintains, “I was basically self taught. I used pencils and painted with oil. It didn’t matter, as long as I co uld use my cre ative powers ” She was also into figure skating and swimming and eventually learned to play golf, a game she still relishes today

In 1979 she graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Winnipeg, all the while continuing to experiment with various forms of artistic expression

Finding employment sc arce in western Canada, she decided to move closer to her parents who were already in Windsor, hoping to get a job in one of the auto companies, but it was the 80s, the industr y was in the doldrums and she was forced to find work in other fields. She attended the University of Windsor and graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree and went to work for the Windsor Board of Education as a sup ply teach er She stayed with it for about 10 years before deciding that art was the only route for her life During this period, she gained a reputation as an ‘established artist’ after selling some of her work which attracted accolades from both sides of the river

One thing that quickly becomes apparent when speaking with Katherine is that the artistic portion of her brain never shuts off and with her intense interest in science she is constantly looking for new ways to create her colorful images “I have experimented with almost ever ything that’s available to me, ” she says, “such as pencil, colored pencil, pen, ink, water colors, acr ylic paints, crayons, chalk in all pastels and encaustic…the ancient wax method of painting.” Today, she often uses 9 or 10 different mediums in one piece of work...a process that she developed over 5 years of intense experimentation.

Katherine’s inspiration has come from the art innovators throughout the centuries and her entire body of work has been the result of her vivid imagination. In her words, “the style of my artwork is a combi nation of realism and abstraction….which means realistic and organic form combined.” In recent years, after she stopped using canvas and after studying print making at the University of Windsor’s School of Art, she has been painting on Chinese rice paper And, since she’s using multiple mediums, work on one painting with the fragile paper can take hundreds of hours As Katherine says, “it’s like tissue and you have to be ver y careful ” In her constant desire for innovation, she has now moved to the use of Belgian linen, another daunting task Eventually, she hopes to publish her unique processes for all to see She does not use photographs or any other visual aids All her imager y is created from her mind “anything that appeals to me at a particular time I find that immensely challenging and believe it or not, I throw away much more work than I keep ” She has managed to make a successful living with her art and estimates she has painted thousands of pieces during her lifetime

From top to bottom: Spring Thaw; artist Katherine Korach; Summer Treat; Lady With Tattooed Face

The last 5 years have been par ticularly kind to Katherine. She’s been recognized by the Detroit Institute of Ar ts, thanks to collector Max Lepler who introduced her to Nancy Sojka, the retired department head of Prints, Drawings and Photographs at the DIA After several visits to the artist’s Wind sor home, Sojka was instrumental in having 4 of her paintings and 3 prints accepted into th e museum ’ s permanent collection, mean ing they can never be sold However, the public does have a chance to see one piece currently on display in the main galler y as par t of an exhibition from a number of major world famous ar tists. That show concludes on June 18th. Lepler is also re sponsible for having 2 pieces of Katherine’s artwork placed into the Flint Art Institute’s permanent collection. A third benefactor is Wendy Evans, an adjunct professor at Wayne State University, who has included 3 of Katherine’s pieces in an Ar t Histor y course developed by the professor Titled “ The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Women in Art”, the course studies renowned female artists dating from the Renaissance to mod ern times

Katherine’s Canadian resume isn’t too shabby either Her work has been at the Art Galler y Windsor and she’s had at least 15 solo exhibitions at a number of venues including the School of Visual Ar ts, the Thames Galler y in Chatham and the Gibson Galler y in Amherstburg. She’s also been featured at group shows in Manitoba, Toronto, Ne w York City, and of course, Detroit. She can be reached at her Email address: kkorach@hotmail.com.

With a keen interest in ar t innovation, Katherine Korach is a self described “ vora cious” reader of art histor y which she uses to continuously teach herself She has a profound respect for ar tists from all cen turies and strives to adopt as many styles as possible in her own paintings From a per sonal standpoint, she is an ar tistic person through and through she enjoys having lunch and attending social functions with friends and regularly attends plays and per fo rmances by the symphony. If it’s ar ts related, she’ll do it. “I’m driven and passion ate about what I do,” she adds, “because it requires so much intense work, I can ’ t afford to be playing around and wasting my time.”

Even though her images, which range from humans, landscapes, animals and ab stract, are fascinating, Katherine maintains they are secondar y to the process In her own words, “I am ulti mately most inter ested in the technical processes and not the images!”

A New Hair Salon Experience

WHERE ELSE CAN YOU go in Windsor to have your car ser viced and get your hair done at the same time? At Z’s Auto Centre and Z’s Hair Salon you can ensure that both you and your vehicle drive out of the parking lot in style!

For 18 years Zoran Filipovski has been in the car business. His successful car dealership features quality used vehicles along with ex traordinar y ser vice and flexible financing options Recently he moved the business to 11293 Tecumseh Rd. E. where they have a beautiful new showroom.

“ We have a solid reputation in the commu nity of providing excellent ser vice to our cus tomers, ” says Zoran

Recently Zoran expanded his business to in clude hair ser vices. Z’s Hair Salon op ened its doors in April. This unisex hair salon offers serv ice for men, women and children in a beautiful, new, modern environment The large windows provide natural lighting and the high ceilings allow for great ventilation. There is also plenty of free parking for clients.

Customers who take advantage of Z’s Auto Centre and Z’s Hair Salon are offered a special promotion If you come in for a hair ser v ice clients will receive 10% off a ser vice on their vehicle and if customers get a ser vice done on their car, they will receive 10% off a hair service.

“ This is a unique collaboration and we want to encourage clients and customers to reap the re wards of “ one stop ” shopping,” says Joanne O’Connor, hair stylist at Z’s Hair Salon.

In addition, once you have had your 10th hair cut customers will receive a free oil change,

tire rotation, top up fluids, brake inspection, steering and front and back suspension. This is a package valued at $100!

Joanne is an experienced hair stylist who is excited about working in this new beautiful space. There is also potential to eventually offer esthetic ser vices. Watch for details about a grand opening celebration planned for May

When it comes to cars, Z’s Auto searches for the most beautiful and highest quality vehicles from a variety of reputable sources. A testament to Z’s success is the high percentage of return and referral customers

Unlike many car dealerships their sales team does not operate on commission The staff are always welcoming and want to ensure that you make the right deci sion when buying a car without added pressure

When others have turned down cus tomers for financing Z’s Auto comes up with creative solutions to get them their dream vehicle.

“ We take pride in helping people finance their vehicles in an affordable manner Z’s says yes when others have said no ”

Z’s Auto features a large inventor y of vehicles and offers customers a one stop shop When your car needs service knowledgeable, experienced staff can address the issue in a time effi cient manner

Visit www.zsautocentre.ca to find out more information about Z’s Auto and Z’s Hair Salon

MACADAMIA • SCHWARZKOPF 3D MENSION • WELLA • ZENAGEN

W.E. Care for Kids Befriends Ronald McDonald House Windsor

“As President of W.E. Care for Kids, I am thrilled to announce our Board’s decision to pledge $400,000 in support of the Ronald McDonald House within the Windsor Regional Hospital Metropolitan Cam pus, ” says Vickie Komar.

We are extremely excited to announce the gener ous donors who have stepped up prior to the cam paign kickoff: The Stephanie and Barr y Zekelman Foundation ($150,000), David and Camille Cecchin ($50,000) and Fo Abiad ($50,000)

The Board is also exhilarated to announce that Celina Ussoletti has generously agreed to be the Honorar y Chair of this fundraising campaign “Celina’s passion and dedication to health care in this community is reflected in both her personal and professional activities.”

“She has displayed a strong commitment to the children of Windsor Essex as a Board member an d volunteer for Ready, Set, Go, which assists disadvan taged families with children age 0 to 6,” Vickie notes. As well, Celina has sponsored and volunteered with

many youth athletic teams over the years, assisted The Children’s Safety Village in various car seat safety initiatives and is responsible for community sponsorship in her family business.

Concern for community development as it relates to health and social welfare in our region has guided Celina Ussoletti’s professional career. “As a Registered Nurse and now as an Instructor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Windsor, I’ve had opportunity to observe the stress families experience when their loved ones are ill,” she says “I consider it not only my obligation but a great honour to make a positive impact for families when they a re most vulnerable ” Celina has long applauded the effor ts of W E Care for Kids, a non profit organization led and driven by volunteers who are committed to enhancing the health and well being of children in Windsor Essex County through fundraising activities My family has been personally affected with a sick child when my parents lost our brother Brandon at 7 months of age due to cardiac issues as well as complications from pneumonia. He was so ill and was in and out of hospital throughout his short life. One day while they were at home caring for my older sister he died, alone in hospital. The impact felt by our entire family was long lasting and had a place such as Ronald McDonald House existed back then it would have been likely that he died in the arms of his parents. This is yet another reason why I fully support this remarkable foundation.

In agreeing to be W E Care for Kids’ Honorar y Chair in support of Ronald McDonald House Windsor, Celina says, “It’s an honour to work with W E Care for Kids’ outstanding Board, a fine group of ethical and committed individuals who regularly demonstrate their passion for children in our community We’re proud that 100% of our funds stay local and go straight into benefiting our community ”

Highlights of W E Care for Kids’ past efforts include funding the only paediatric specific operating room in the Windsor Essex area and the W.E. Care for Kids House, the only inpatient mental health facility for children aged 6 to 13 in the Windsor Essex region.

The organization is now determined to raise $400,000 for Ronald McDonald House Windsor, the first R MH in Canada to be located inside a hospital and near the paediatric ward Through W E Care for Kids r un events and initiatives, third par ty events, personal and corporate donations and sponsorships, Celina is confident the organization will meet its commitment “It’s astonishing and encouraging what our community achieves when our children’s health and wellbeing are at stake ”

Supporting Ronald McDonald House Windsor with Help from TCI Titan Contracting and Friends

Built with love, Ronald McDonald House Windsor relies on organizations such as W.E. Care for Kids and TCI Titan Contracting Incorporated to support their

Celina Ussoletti Honorar y Chair and Vickie Komar President W E Care For Kids

programming Titan President Art Ussoletti also donated $20,000 towards the campaign. He regards his staff as family, appreciated that Ronald McDonald House was there for his team member and Site Super visor John Lepain when his stepdaughter Brooke Bennett fell ill last year “Our com munity’s children belong to all of us, ” Art believes “ We need to do what we can to take care of them ”

Last September, Br ooke needed immediate decompression neurosurger y at a London hospital. She had just been diagnosed with a Chiari mal formation, a neurological condition that caused hollow cysts to form on her spinal cord and inter fered with the movement of cerebrospinal fluid, the liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord and protects them from injur y. The medical issue also brought on scoliosis and sy ringomyel ia, a problem with the spine that can lead to ner ve damage

It was a frightening and bewildering time for Brooke and her parents, stepfather and other loved ones Over eight days, the blended and extended family found respite at the Ronald McDonald House near the London hospital They showered, slept and shared meals between hours at their girl’s hospital bed.

“It was an over whelming experience for all of us but it was nice to have the Ronald McDonald House,” says mom Barb Bodlack. The family appreciated the emotional suppor t and camaraderie of other families dealing with their children’s health concerns.

Brooke stayed in the house the night before repor ting for surger y. The family ser vice coordinators and volunteers “ went out of their way to make her feel special,” Barb says “ They gave Brooke a h andmade blanket that she took to hospital It’s now on her bed at home ”

Her daughter’s cysts are shrinking Brooke is looking forward to being well enough to volunteer in a children’s ward “After having the experience and seeing what other kids were going through, she feels a connection,” Barb says The family is pleased Windsor’s ne w Ronald McD receive its first guests

Giving a W.E. Care

Bear Hug

There are individuals who touch our lives in special ways ever y day. W.E. Care for Kids is helping us all say thanks by launching its Bear Hug Campaign, a warm and appre cia tive way for families and community me mbers to express ho w much we value those special people in our lives.

By purchasing a Bear Hug pin, we can sho w our a pprecia tion to a Health Care worker, Teacher, Volunteer, Collea gue or friend who has gone above and beyond the call of duty for us or someone we love A printed messa ge accompanies the pin, letting the recipient know the giver’s name cknowledgement also enables us to ue to support paediatric health care ndsor Essex County Bear Hug pins being sold by W.E. Care for Kids for $20. All proceeds will help support dia tric healthcare programs sup ted by W.E. Care for Kids at the three al hospitals (Windsor Regional, amington District Memorial and ôtel Dieu Grace), as well as pro s at John McGivney Children’s ntre, the Windsor Essex Ther peutic Riding Association and W E Care for Kid’s newest commitment, the soon to be opened Ronald McDonald House Windsor

The po werful Bear Hug s can be purchased online at eforkids org or a t Windsor

g Metropolitan Campus at 1995 Lens Ave also the home of the W.E. Care for Kids

Dr Ken Schneider, Oncologist at Windsor Regional Hospital being pinned by Vickie Komar for his excel lent support during a ver y difficult time

Brooke Bennett and her fam

were recipients of goodwill from Ronald McDonald house near the London Hospital

Honorar y Chair Celina Ussoletti pinning fellow University Of Wind sor Nursing Instructor Sue Baxter for her tremendous support of col leagues as well as her students

Indoor/Outdoor Rooms Crafted Just for You

FROM A RETRACTABLE SCREEN for your front door to a stunning year round sunroom addition, Seaton Sunrooms has smart, attractive products to help make your home and backyard the place you have always dreamed of.

“Ever yone wants to enjoy Essex County’s warm days and mild nights in comfor t Our sunroom and screen solutions can transform your patio into an oasis and your garage into an in door/outdoor man c ave, ” notes Brooke Watorek of Seaton Sunrooms “You can expand your home and enhance its archi tecture with a three or four season sunroom, custom designed, built and installed by us ”

Brooke and her husband, Jason Watorek, help operate Seaton Sunrooms, founded in 1978 by her parents, Vern and Linda Seaton. Using innovative, proprietar y construction techniques and components conceived by Vern, the com pany ’ s craftsmen proudly build the sunrooms right here in Windsor. “ We know firsthand what Essex County’s climate is like. Ever ything we do is with our neighbours’ comfort in mind,” Jason says. “Quality is assured. We put our family name on it.”

With more homeowners choosing to spend their leisure time in their backyards, they are discovering sunrooms are more than mosquito free spots for summer use As an addition to the house,

“From the first time I entered their showroom to the completion of the job, all the Seaton employees treated us in a courteous and professional manner. The installation went as planned and on time. The quality of work was exceptional.” BRIAN &

JOYCE

a sunroom connects for tunate owners to nature, providing comfor table views of sunrises and sunsets and the perfect setting for a cup of coffee or glass of wine.

To see solutions in operation, drop into Seaton Sunrooms’ interactive showroom. Check out the latest design trends and photos of recently com pleted projects in Windsor Essex. Displays let you experience the sunroom ’ s sturdy construction, hand some design and sense of space. You can also get the feel of operating motorized and retractable screens, per fect for your residence’s front, back and garage doors or to bug proof your back deck

“Our motorized screens are extremely popular with customers who have a covered patio It’s a gorgeous outdoor living space, but customers find they can ’ t enjoy it because of bugs and scorching sun, ” Jason says “If you love the freedom of the outdoors but want to create a pest free room whenever you choose, these screens may be exactly what you ’ re looking for Besides, they have that ‘cool’ factor when you have guests over and use your remote control to bring multiple screens down at the same time!” Motor ized screens offer different grades of screening material which allow for sun and wind protection, t he ability to heat your outdoor space on cooler evenings and of course, bug protection.

When a sunroom is to be added to the house, ever ything is done right. “Because our sunrooms are custom built from the main house, the fit is perfect We’re not patching in a standard size unit,” Brooke explains

“Our Seaton made aluminum extr usions won ’ t rot or r ust during the long life of your sunroom, ” Jason says All glass and roof panels are cut to order by Seaton Sunrooms’ own staff “ This makes us unique We’re not importing from China or the U S ”

Whether you choose Seaton’s three season sunroom with an optional heating and cooling system and solar blinds or a year round sunroom, the designs are timeless. “ We’ve mod ified our signature style a little to accommodate more glass, letting in as much sunlight as possible,” Jason says. “ We have even added fun features such as a doggie door in the middle of a glass panel for a customer who desired it. Being custom made means finding fun solutions!”

For more information, please visit seatonsunrooms com

Lakeshore Family Living

STORY BY KAREN PATON EVANS PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL PIETRANGELO

“IT ’S BIG AND WE FILL IT,” acknowledges an almost empty nester whose four floor house is seldom without toy trucks and trains scattered about evidence that children are still ver y much a part of this home’s stor y

The woman and her husband bought the Lakeshore house in 2002, appreciating it would offer ample space for their son and two daughters as they grew up, plus all the stuff a family accumulat es over the years The house, built in 1979, was in need of updating and upgrading “It’s been a work in progress all these years Now we are planning to redo rooms we did when we first moved here,” the woman says.

The house is more full than ever. The youngest daughter still lives at home. The eldest daughter, along with her husband and little son, are temporar y residents while their new house is being built. A new grandchild is on the way.

Having so many people under one roof has prompted the owners to examine what is working and what is not With three floors above ground plus a finished basement, there is certainly room to do just about anything their hearts desire For now, the uppermost floor continues to serve as storage space “Maybe it will be a home office ▼

Left: Offering luxurious comfort, a taupe chenille sofa and chaise invite conversation by the formal fireside at one end of the 46’ long great room

The Lakeshore home provides four floors of space for the owners’ ex panding family

Above: Artwork and accents, like the open weave urn corralling decorative fruit, are changed with the seasons by the wife Some are purchased lo cally; others are brought home as mementos of trips to other countries

This page, clockwise from left: Balls inlaid with stone and metallic mosaics bring intriguing textures to a glass topped coffee table; the family shares mealtime at the custom made maple kitchen table; above is a balcony accessed by French doors leading from the master suite; holiday feasts and special occasion dinners are ser ved in the formal dining room, quietly elegant with caramel beige painted wain scoting and fireplace mantel; graced with traditional cabinetr y crafted of birch and finished with a cappuccino glaze and dentil crown moulding, the kitchen is highly functional, with an induction cooktop seeming to blend into the Black Gravel Corian countertop and a tech motion faucet from Brizo by Delta

someday,” the husband muses He enjoys remodeling projects and is never daunted by the scope of work to be done.

Four bedrooms are on the second floor; a guest suite is in the lower level. “Recently, we tackled the lower level to suit our ex panding family,” says the lady of the house. “It was chopped up into different rooms so we knocked down walls and opened it up ”

The husband adds, “ We had to move the furnace to the back of the basement in order to achieve the openness ” (Keeping such a huge house comfortable during the chang ing seasons actually requires two separate furnaces and two air conditioning units)

The couple selected ceramic tile that mimics dark brown, hand scraped hard wood to cover the entire floor. They both fell in love with ruggedly stylish, hand cut, dr y stacked ledgestone in r ust, brown, grey and ivor y hues and judiciously used it on several walls to unify the various areas. To prevent the stone from becoming too imposing, the homeowners painted the remaining walls a deep mushroom colour

Panels of rich auburn maple create a fea ture wall behind the natural gas fireplace More of the soft reddish wood was used to build closed cabinets flanking the hear th, keeping DVDs and games out of sight “ We have the fireplace on a thermostat so it helps keep the downstairs comfor table. Lower level areas are typically a few degrees cooler than the above ground floors,” the husband points out.

This page, clockwise from top: Cedar planking was a smart choice for the walls of the sunroom; a hot tub and cushioned rattan furniture encourage relaxing; the family room area, featuring auburn maple details and hand cut, dr y stacked ledgestone stone in rust, brown, grey and ivor y hues; auburn maple cabinetr y and decorative mouldings give the new bar a mellow warmth in the recently renovated lower level

Auburn maple was also used to craft the bar area, the most popular feature in the ne w space. Invoking the look and feel of a traditional British bar, the couple had mas ter craftsmen construct a snug enclosure A wooden rectangular bulkhead inset with auburn maple panels covers the ceiling Recessed lighting was installed to gently illuminate the action below More of the lumber was turned into cabinetr y for the back wall, providing organized storage for ingredients required by the resident mixol ogist Custom glass shelves are cleverly under lit, enhancing the liquid ambers and golds of the liquor selection At half the height of regular refrigerators, a wine fridge and a second fridge for other beverages tuck neatly under the bar

Beveled edges and vertically gro oved trim pieces add subtle detail to the bar enclosure The bar itself is a long beauty, with an auburn maple base of raised panels and decorative trims. The top is Black Galaxy granite, its edge car ved into a double bull nose. Five barstools, upholstered in black leather and trimmed with brass nail heads, line the bar One small television is mounted at the back of the bar and a larger flat screen is hu ng on the adjacent stacked

stone wall, ensuring no one will miss seeing the greatest play of the week

Another large TV is in the family room area, where a generous sectional in black leather gives ever yone a spot to lounge and unwind “Our kids will slide the big match ing ottoman right against the sectional so they can all recline. It’s like having a king size bed,” the mother says

Two more televisions can be tuned to the big game or favourite sit com in the games room section of the lower level. Jokes fly around the handsome pool table and air hockey table as players challenge one an other in impromptu tournaments of skill

Opting for the versatility of transitional décor in the choice of well made furniture and attractive finishes, the couple ensured the whole lower level will appeal to just about ever ybody Guests enjoy the inviting ambiance. Overnight visitors are put up in a guest room so comfortably and beautifully appointed, they are reluctant to leave. A four piece bathroom completes the suite

For years, the lower level patiently waited its turn for transformation When the cou ple first took ownership of the house, they directed their energies to the main level The results of the major makeover brought

cohesion. The great room, kitchen and din ing space flow into one another; the open concept enables ever yone to interact.

Periodic tweaks to the décor have kept it fresh Choosing a timeless neutral tone on tone palette for the walls and cabinetr y, the wife is inspired by the changing seasons to inject colourful accents and paintings. Liv ing ar twork is provided by the gorgeous trees fra med by the large windows. “Our proper ty is so full of trees maples, oaks, poplars and evergreens that we almost feel like we are vacationing up north I decided not to hang window coverings so we have an unobstructed view of the outdoors It’s ver y private here,” she says

The great room ’ s ceiling stretches 18’ high, so the homeowners painted it cocoa to make the cathedral peak feel more intimate. Warm taupe walls connect the formal sitting area with the more relaxed media area in the 22’ by 46’ space “ When you sit on the taupe chenille sofa and chaise, they envelope you, ” says the wife

Surrounded in green marble, the fireplace features a formal mantel accented with fine moulding, painted to blend with the walls

Curio cabinets were built on either side of the hear th to showcase a Venetian mask,

Asian dolls and other souvenirs the couple brought home from trips abroad

A wood burning fireplace is the focal point of the formal dining room Muted caramel and beige tones, painted wainscot ing and tailored Parsons chairs set the scene for special dinners “My grandson just loves getting the glass dining table full of finger prints,” the wife laughs

The kitchen tr uly is at the hear t of t his home An interior balcony off the second storey master bedroom overlooks the kitchen; the couple can open their double French doors to check on the activity below.

Traditional raised panel kitchen cabinetr y is constr ucted of birch, finished in a pale cappuccino glaze Decorative matching pan els conceal the refrigerator and dishwasher

A wide band of dentil cove moulding crowns the upper cabinets and frames the ceiling perimeter of the kitchen area.

The ceiling itself is covered in decorative stamped tin tiles, which the homeowners treated to four coats of different taupe hued paint and a metal finish.

A long island was fitted with glass doors that reveal teacups and other sentimental treasures belonging to the couple’s parents

The non porous Black Gravel Corian

counter top has held up well over y ears of family use

The custom made maple kitchen table that can expand to seat 16 relatives and friends naturally became the spot where the kids did their homework in their childhood years It is still where the family catches up on the day’s ne ws. Cheer ful flames dance in the natural gas fireplace in the eat in kitchen. It is a two sided design, providing welcome heat and a vie w between the kitchen and the adjacent sunken sunroom.

“ The warmth from the fireplace and the natural sunlight are really pleasant when we are in the sunroom, ” the wife says Rattan armchairs and a settee with gold and r ust patterned accent pillows inject texture into the sun filled area The walls are clad in cedar boards, installed on the diagonal. An indoor hot tub beckons after a long day’s work. “Our kids and grandson jump in to the hot tub year round They really like warming up after swimming in our outdoor pool ”

The sunroom opens onto an elevated deck at the back of the house A wrought iron fence guards the pool as well as the property, which measures 100’ wide by 300’ deep “ We lost all of our ash trees 60 of

them to the emerald ash borer,” the wife laments Even so, other tree species are thriving and casting ample s hade. The resi dence’s original Tudor style exterior appears timeless in its parklike setting

Busy operating their own local business, the couple value the time they get to spend with family and friends at home. “ This is a wonderful place for a growing family, espe cially when three generations are living under the same roof,” the wife says “It’s big enough for large gatherings and bringing lots of people together yet it also provides cozy spaces for when my husband and I want time alone To us, this doesn’t feel like a sprawling house It’s home ”

Windsor Life Magazine is always searching for interesting homes, landscaping, gardens, patios and water features to show our readers what others in the community are doing with their living spaces. If you have a home that you feel would be interesting pleas e email photos to publisher@windsorlife.com. Photos need to be for reference only If your home is chosen we will arrange for a complete photo shoot If you wish, you may remain anonymous and the lo cation of your home will not be disclosed

WHETHER IT IS THE COLD OF WINTER, or the hot, humid days of summer, home owners want reliability when it comes to heating and cooling their homes. For 48 years Syles Mechanical has been providing outstanding ser vice to residents and businesses in Windsor Essex County.

Experienced technicians can install and ser vice all of your home comfor t systems including all brands of water heaters, furnaces and air conditioning units. Syles Mechanical specialize in installation and repair of HVAC systems for new construction, residential and commercial and replacement projects They also offer 24 hour emergency repair ser vices for furnaces, air conditioners and water heaters

Locally owned and operated by Sylvio Lesperance and Grant Higginbottom, Tecumseh based Syles is par tnered with EnerCare, one of Canada’s largest home and commercial ser vices companies, to provide clients across the region with access to unmatched customer ser vice

Recently Syles introduced rental options for furnaces and air conditioning units “For decades people have rented hot water heaters. It only makes sense to offer this option

to home owners who cannot afford to pay upfront for heating and cooling It has already proven to be a popular option with clients,” says Grant

Renting is a hassle free, convenient option for homeowners A Syles technician will provide a comprehensive evaluation of your home comfor t needs that will provide the customer peace of mind that they are choosing a product they can depend on.

The arrival of spring means that your air conditioner will be your best friend to keep your home comfortable during the hot and humid summers of this area To optimize performance and efficiency, it is important to have a reliable functioning system

Syles Mechanical provides a wide range of cooling options, including high quality ductless air conditioning units which are a uniq ue solution to cooling issues for both homes and apartments These units are the per fect solution for residences that do not have any ductwork for central air condition ing systems.

Whether you are looking to purchase a new unit, or get maintenance on an existing system, Syles can help. They work with lead ing manufacturers to offer customers high efficiency systems which not only maintain temperatures at a comfortable level but also reduce energy costs

“ With ongoing increases to hydro rates it is impor tant to have an updated system It will not only provide improved cooling and comfor t, it will also save you money We encourage clients to provide regular maintenance to ensure units are running at capacity.” states Grant.

In addition to providing customized cool ing solutions, Syles technician’s se r vice and maintain all major brands and models of central air conditioning units. Give us a call to arrange your in home analysis so that you will be comfortable this summer

Maintenance plans can be tailored to suit ever y customer ’ s unique needs Ideally clients should have their systems checked in the spring and the fall Each inspection includes an examination of all HVAC equipment, cleaning of filters, blower fans, condenser units, replacement of belts as needed, check on coolant levels burners, ig niters, wiring, pumps, air conditioners and heat exchangers as well as testing fans and motors.

Whether it is repair, maintenance or in stallation of heating and cooling systems, Syles Mechanical is a name you can count on for trust and dependability For a free es timate call (519) 979 2090 You can also visit, www syles ca for more information

Ar mando’s Belle River Pizza made fresh from our family to yours, with all your favourite toppings. Other menu items available. Fast de liver y Located in Aspen Plaza 1679 County Rd 22 519 727 0660

Bean’s Ladle Eater y & Take Out Family friendly dining serving breakfast, lunch and din ner Featuring delicious and affordable home made food using fresh local ingredients. Offering daily specials and a senior’s discount Open 8 am to 10 pm Closed Sundays Come and check out this west end gem. 519 915 2349 www beansladle com 2440 University Avenue West, Windsor

Capri Pizzeria Capri’s casual atmosphere and welcoming staff attracts a mix of diners! Come out and enjoy our great pizzas, pasta and more! 3020 Dougall Ave. 519 969 6851

Casa Mia Ristorante Experience authentic Italian food, local wines and homemade desserts and crepes ser ved in a casual, completely hand icap accessible setting For 22 years, chef and owner Frank Puccio has been making lunch and dinner fresh to order Gluten free options Closed Sunday. 519 728 2224

523 Notre Dame St , Belle River

Cramdon’s Tap and Eater y South Windsor’s friendly gathering place Offering great food at affordable prices Satellite sports and billi ards in a pub like setting www cramdons com 2950 Dougall Ave 519 966 1228

Fratelli Pasta Grill Offering flavour drenched “woodfire” grilled steaks, seafood and pasta dishes. A fresh and healthy selection of modern and time tested classics Located behind McDon ald’s on Manning Rd in Tecumseh Take out, catering, private par ties For reser vations call 519 735 0355 www fratellipastagrill com

Jeff ’ s Fresh Meats We make dining at home easy. Choose from one of our many ready made products: stuffed pork chop, stir fr ys, cordon bleu, stuffed peppers, meat loaf The City Market 1030 Walker Rd 519 967 0988

Joe Schmoe’s Eats N’ Drinks Family friendly restaurant in LaSalle Handcrafted burgers, sandwiches and salads. Fresh ingredients and house made sauces Local wines; 12 Ontario craft and commercial beers on tap HDTVs Fast, cheerful ser vice

5881 Malden Rd (behind Rexall)

519 250 5522 www.eatatjoes.ca

Joe y ’ s Seafood Restaurant Family friendly atmosphere Locally owned and operated

WINDSOR’S NEWEST HOT SPOT

p p g q y g p p to gather with friends

With over 60 years of restaurant experience between them, Mike Webb and Craig Webb offer customers an awesome dining experience They have created a delectable menu with something for ever yone Their specialties include signature steaks cooked to per fection, tasty Angus burgers, fresh seafood and salads, topped off with a full ser vice bar

Each steak is seasoned with Webb’s secret seasoning and weighs in at 6 to 14 ounces of Certified Angus Beef.

“ We offer people a casual environment where they can enjoy great food in a great location at affordable prices,” says Craig.

The restaurant is open daily at 11 am for lunch. Coming soon, a new salad and club sandwich menu.

Upon entering the restaurant guests are greeted by a motorcycle in the lobby. It is indicative of an atmosphere that doesn’t take itself too seriously

In addition to their fabulous menu, one of the things that set them apart are their theme nights “Motorcycle Mo ndays” began in April and will continue through the summer People are encouraged to come to out on Monday night and show off their motorcycles Webb’s will pay the tax on food purchases Plus on ever y visit, customers are given a free ballot for a grand prize draw in September

Mondays feature two for one mussel appetizers and on Thursday bottles of house wine are available for $20 Bring your kids with you on Tuesdays when they can eat for $2 with the purchase of an adult entrée and beverage Wednesdays are All You Can Eat crab leg nights. Guests dining in can enjoy delicious fish, seasoned vegetables, a salad and choice of one side for $34.99.

Webb’s Steakhouse is also the perfect spot to go with friends to watch the NHL playoffs, Toronto Blue Jays or Detroit Tigers With 7 big screen TVS and $12 $16 draft pitchers of beer, it’s a great spot to cheer on your team. Meet up with friends and enjoy drinks and appetizers such as bacon wrapped scallops or their popular lobster spinach dip.

The restaurant also includes a party room that can be booked at no cost. It is the perfect space to cele brate special occasions such as showers, baptisms, graduations and team gatherings Webb’s can help you c reate a special menu for any occasion at any budget

There is still time to make a reser vation for Mother’s Day on May 8 where Moms will receive the VIP treatment and be treated to a fabulous meal Adults eat for $29 99, kids (ages 4 12) $14 99 and kids under 3 are free Spots are filling up quickly so call ahead (519 735 0007) to avoid disappointment

Webb’s also has an extensive Take Out menu for people on the go. Call ahead to take some fantastic food home with you. Located just off the E.C. Row Expressway, the restaurant is easily accessible.

“ We are committed to making your experience exceptional and helping you create special memo ries ”

Visit www webbssteakhouse ca to check out their menu and special events

Webb’s Steakhouse owners Craig and Mike Webb.

OPENING THIS MAY IN LITTLE ITALY

Ser ving our Famous Fish & Chips for over 20 years Home of the All You Can Eat Fish & Chips Landlovers enjoy rotisserie chicken & ribs Take out available www joeys ca 245 Talbot St. W., Leamington 519 322 2660

Johnny Shotz Tecumseh’s #1 roadhouse and home of the New Chicken Deluxe 2 for 1 wings (Sun 1 4, all day Mon). Breakfast Sat & Sun. 38 HD screen s covering ever y game, 7 pool tables & 13 beers on tap www.johnnyshotz.com 13037 Tecumseh Rd E 519 735 7005

Lux Diner Family friendly atmosphere Large variety of items that makes ever yone happy. 1/2LB Burgers, BBQ Ribs, Halibut, Pasta, Breakfast, and our famous Broasted Chicken Open Tuesday thru Sunday E.C Row & Manning, Lakeshore,On 33 Amy Croft Dr 519 735 8001

The Mushroom Hub Offering over 20 varieties of flavour ful, nutritious organic mushrooms from local farms and wild mushrooms imported from the Pacific Northwest. Also enjoy dried and marinated mushrooms, balsamic vinegars, local ingredient soups and more! 5950 Rhodes Drive, Windsor www.themushhub.com

Neros Gour met Steakhouse Indulge in the finer things in life at Neros where modern upscale dining meets traditional steakhouse fare. Fre sh, local ingredients, an incredible wine selec tion and superb ser vice caesarswindsor com 1 800 991 7777 ext. 22481.

Parkside at Rochester Place Newly renovated with 3000 sq ft patio with large fountain pool, incredible fire features, large outdoor lounge area, dining area, ne w sound system that will amaze you and a New menu that will more than impress! See what they've done!

Cty Rd 2 in Stoney Po int at Ruscom River www rochesterplace com 519 728 2361

Sandbar Steak & Seafood Restaurant Open year round, featuring great steaks and seafood plus live enter tainment Thurs , Fri and Sat nights in a casual atmosphere Lots of guest boat slips off Puce River.

930 Old Tecumseh Rd , Lakeshore 519 979 5624 www sandbarpuce com

Taza Mediterranean Grill Enjoy a delectable variety of authentic, Lebanes e style dishes rich with flavour and traditional spices Open to all ages, located in the Augustus Hotel lobby at Caesars Windsor, open weekdays 11 am 11 pm and 7 am on weekends caesarswindsor com

For infor mation on listings and adver tising in the Bon Appetit! section please call Leslie Campbell at 519 979 3419

A

LEAVE A LEGACY™ is a national public awareness program that encourages Canadians from all walks of life to make gifts through a will, life insurance, or other gift planning instruments to the charitable organizations of their choice.

A program of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP ACPDP), it is a collaborative effort of donors, charities, not for profits and professional advisors LEAVE A LEGACY™ has 19 local Canadian programs that operate under the CAGP ACPDP.

CAGP is a national association that inspires and educates the people involved in strategic charitable gift planning. They advocate for a beneficial tax and leg islative environment that strengthens philanthropic giving, create a networking environment with like minded professionals and experts, and provide access to outstanding learning opportunities and professional development

A national, nonprofit organization established in 1993, CAGP is the only Canadian professional association that brings together charitable fundraisers and professional advisors Through a commitment to a stringent Code of Ethics, continual learning and networking, and a willingness to share, members help each other grow and develop as professionals in their respective fields

Canadians support non profit organizations for many different reasons: for some it is a way to ensure their memor y lives on, for many it’s a way to ensure that their favourite charity is able to continue its important work, while for others it represents a way to facilitate the tax implications that come with the transfer of one ’ s estate to sur viving relatives

The majority of Canadians do not have a signed will Furthermore, many have never considered the possibility of leaving a gift to charity when making

their estate plans. Only seven per cent of Canadians support charitable organizations by leaving a legacy gift in their will

“LEAVE A LEGACY™ month provides an opportunity to bring awareness to the impor tance of making a will It also allows information to be shared about leaving a gift for charity as part of your estate plans,” says Nancy Parker, Chair of the Windsor Essex CAGP Chapter

“Many people think that it can be incredibly difficult to set up a legacy gift, but it is actually ver y easy A lawyer, accountant or financial planner can assist anyone who is interested,” states Parker.

Patricia Valleau CFRE, Chapter Member

Tim A. Jones CHS, EPC, Past Chair of Chapter Principal, Rock Harbour Wealth Management

Connie Giglio Chapter Member United Way/Centraide Windsor Essex County

Lisa Kolody Chapter Member, Executive Director WindsorEssex Community Foundation

Maureen Dodd Chapter Member, Director, Community Endowment Fund, United Way of Sault Ste Marie & District

Nancy Parker Chair of the Chapter Principal, Parker Fundraising Strategies

Jody Masker y CFRE Vice Chair Chapter City of Windsor

Martin L Sobocan CFP, CLU,CH F C ,CHS, Treasurer of Chapter Principal, Sobocan Insurance and Financial Services

Kim Willis CFRE, Secretary of Chapter Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor/Essex County Branch

Melissa East Aspila Past Chair of Chapter University of Windsor

May is national LEAVE

LEGACY month. To mark the occasion the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP) Windsor-Essex Chapter highlights the benefits and impact of legacy gifts.

Volunteer Members of the Windsor Essex CAGP Chapter

WINDSOR ESSEX COUNTY CHAPTER

Inspiration 100 members at the WindsorEssex Community Foundation’s AGM

Estate planning with an advisor provides an opportunity to give the most efficiently and assists in alleviating tax implications When exploring the different options for doing legacy gifts, many individuals find that they are able to make a significant im pact to a charity In many instances it is of far greater value than they would ever be able to make during their lifetimes

Donor Advised Funds are the fastest growing charitable giving vehicle in North America A local example is the unique legacy giving opportunity that has been es tablished by the WindsorEssex Community Foundation. Fifty one leaders across Wind sor Essex have joined Inspiration 100, a unique endowment fund that enables our community to give in perpetuity! What ini tially began as an idea by Mar ty Solcz Chairman of the Solcz Group Inc and Past Chairman of the WECF Board of Di rectors turned into something much greater With membership already half full, the group is looking for 49 more commu nity inspired leaders who are committed to creating a lasting legacy in Windsor and Essex County.

Each membership to Inspiration 100 is helping to build a fund within the Wind sorEssex Community Foundation that will grow in excess of $3 million over the next 10 years. Inspiration 100 asks 100 people to give $20,000, or $2,500/year for ten years, to build an endowment

Through legacy gift giving, fundraising, and special donor funds, the Community Foundation takes an active role in working with all its donors to ensure that their return on investment provides a lifetime of giving

“As individuals we can do good things. Together we can accomplish great things and have an everlasting impact In a combined effort, we can make a once in a lifetime difference ”

–

Marty Solcz, Founder/Chairman

Inspiration 100

When the Foundation builds its assets, it is guaranteeing future gift giving To do this, the Community Foundation only uses the proceeds from investments made from its many advised funds to distribute grants to worthy causes within the local community This means that the capital of all its dona tions are kept in perpetuity ensuring a life time of giving is possible.

The funds raised through Inspiration 100 will be kept in a permanent endowment within the Community Foundation, and

Since 1997, In Honour of the Ones We Love has funded projects for patients, from diagnosis to treatment, at Windsor Regional Hospital Met and Ouellette Campus, Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare and Windsor Regional Cancer Centre

Kids Beating Cancer (Honourable Ninjas) therapeutic martial arts program with classes at Windsor Regional Hospital, John McGivney Children’s Centre and Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare Regional Children’s Centre

For more information visit www.inhonour.ca 519-966-2960

only the proceeds from its investments will be used to grant back to Windsor Essex each year The group will meet annually to discuss plans for distribution of the fund proceeds back to local registered charities reaching key areas in our community including health & wellness, recreation & sport, arts & culture, education, youth, community development, and environment With all likeminded indi viduals eac h contributing $2,500 per year for 10 years or $20,000 upfront, Inspiration 100 can and will accomplish its outstanding objective to reach $3 million over the next 10 years

Choosing to leave a gift from the hear t brings meaning, dignity and purpose to a life well lived Your gift is your opportunity to participate in the charitable and community work most meaningful to you, in a way that allows these imp or tant causes to be well suppor ted now and long after you have gone. Personal philanthropy through a will can be an additional way to ensure that your memor y lives on

Surprisingly, a gift can also be a ver y prac tical addition to a financial or estate plan when tax issues are taken into consideration even for those who think they may not have tax issues In most cases, the tax burden left to relatives is lifted significantly

A Contribution for the Future

Personal philanthropy can help contribute to the sustainability of a not for profit organ ization or charity of your choice. In life, many of us require some kind of assistance, whether it’s physical, financial or spiritual Perhaps a local organization or charity has special meaning to you. By leaving a gift in your estate you are making a significant con tribution to the future sustainability of those charitable and not for profit organizations that you value most

The Windsor Essex Chapter has a special workshop planned for LEAVE A LEGACY™ month on Wednesday, May 18th at Essex Golf and Countr y Club entitled, “Planned Giving It’s Easier Than You Think!” A panel of three professionals will provide information on legacy giving from a local perspective. The event is open to the public. The cost is $35 for CAGP/AFP members and $40 for non members

Register at Windsor.snapd.com/#/events/view/936679. To find out more about the May 18th workshop contact Pat Valleau at patricia valleau@sympatico ca For more information about LEAVE A LEGACY™ and the Windsor Essex Chapter contact Nancy Parker at nlparker02@hotmail.com.

INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

An Enriching Experience for Everyone

STORY BY KIM WILLIS

IN ANY GIVEN YEAR, the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board (WECDSB) hosts dozens of international students This year 94 students are taking advantage of this awesome opportunity to study abroad These students come from a variety of countries including China, Spain and Latin American among others

This program would not be possible without host families who are willing to have thes e students stay at their homes and become a member of the “family.” The stays may be a few months or several years depending on the student.

Nadia Desjardins has been the Super visor of International Education for WECDSB for the last 5 years. Working with agents, she helps recr uit students from around the world to come to Canada to study. “ We have doubled our intake over the years. In September 2015 we started the new semester with 94 international students and we are looking to increase that number to 150 by 2017,” says Nadia

While the rewards are intangible for students who study in foreign countries, it is costly for their families It costs $12,700 per year for their tuition in addition to their lodging fees In spite of the cost, many families want their children to receive the best educa tion possible and believe that studying abroad affords them opportunities that they would not find in their home countr y

Karissa Quinlan is the Relationship Manager for the Canada Homestay Network Her job is to recruit host families, match students with a family and then check in with the students and the host families throughout the student’s stay.

“It can be a challenge to find host families, as it is not for ever yone, ” says Karissa. “However, for families who are interested in hosting for the right reasons the benefits are amazing and extend to both the student and the family.”

Grace Zang, from China, has been an international student in Windsor for three years. Currently in grade 11 at F J Brennan Catholic High School, she has found the experience ver y rewarding “I wanted to come to Wind sor so I would have a better education It’s different from the schools back home and will allow me to have better opportunities in the future ”

While there was some initial culture shock, Grace has loved meeting new friends and

getting to know the culture. She finds Canada peaceful and appreciates the open spaces and has become a fan of Windsor pizza The hardest part initially was learning the language

Although she sometimes misses her family and friends, the ability to frequently keep in touch with them through technology helps She also travels home in the summer to visit

Grace is for tunate to have an amazing host family Mar y Krzysik has been hosting students for three years She finds the experience ver y rewarding for both herself and her two daughters that still live at home, Danielle and Sarah.

It was actually Danielle who suggested her mom look into hosting a student when she was going away to school. Together they are able to teach Grace about Canada and its culture along with assisting her in learning the language

The Krzysiks lived in Panama for five years so know firsthand what it is like to be a foreigner living in a different countr y

While the experience is re warding, Mar y shares that you have to be prepared for ever y thing “ With these students away from their families, you have to be prepared to offer ongo ing emotional support as well. Ongoing commu nication with the student is essen tial. It can be easy for these students to hide. Our family makes sure there is constant engagement and socialization.”

In addition, being a host family has to be ac cepted by the entire family It is not just one person ’ s job; everyone in the house has to be sup portive and understanding It is vital for the host family to stay involved in the student’s activities, keep in regular contact with the sc hool and

Clockwise from top: The Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board (WECDSB) has a dynamic international exchange program

Currently 94 students from a variety of countries are enrolled Jose Pinalla is shown with a coordinator from Columbia Danielle, Mar y and Sarah Krzysik are a host family pictured with Grace

for the student. “If the host family isn’t strong everything else can fall apar t academically and emotionally,” states Nadia.

When ever ything does work, however, it is an amazing experience for everyone involved Lifelong relationships are established Danielle and Sarah love having Grace as par t of their family and say that they learn much from her “ We love Grace She has taught us a lot about her culture and Man darin It’s been a great bonding experience,” says Danielle.

International students are ver y dedicated to studying and getting good grades As such, it is important for the host family to expose them to various activities and experiences that will enrich their education.

With Danielle and Sarah’s encouragement Grace got involved in the school’s r unning and badminton tea ms She also recently placed second in a school talent show by playing the violin. In addition, Grace has volunteered some of her time teaching violin in downtown Windsor

“Education is not just about books, it’s also important to have these life experiences,” says Mar y.

“International students truly do enrich the home, school and the community,” says Nadia

A database of active families is kept and i t is then Karissa’s job to make matches between the families and the students. Once an initial match has been made they exchange profiles so the family and the student have the op portunity to get to know one another before they arrive in Windsor. Technology has made the process of communicating even easier.

“I think it’s impor tant to point out that families do not have to commit for years It is ver y fl exible We have families who do it for months at a time and others who commit for years, ” says Karissa.

Karissa is constantly recruiting good fam ilies If people are interested they can visit the WECDSB website for information at wecdsb.on.ca or canadahomestaynetwork.ca.

Karissa can be reached directly by calling 519 916 5290 After completing an applica tion, a meeting will be held in the family’s home and a police check must be completed for anyone over the age of 16 living in the home. This year 19 international students are graduating from Windsor high schools and three have already received early accept ance to Canadian universities “It truly is an amazing program, ” says Nadia. “It is so re warding to see someone grow in so many ways throughout their stay ” WLM

SUMMER UNDER THE PERGOL A Gnomes, Mushrooms and

People Bloom in LaSalle Backyard

STORY BY KAREN PATON EVANS / PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL PIETRANGELO

EVERY GARDENER MUST EXERCISE PATIENCE. Although hanging a nurser y pot of perfect flowering spec imens achieves instant gratification, everywhere else on the property, annuals are taking root, perennials are working up to blooming again and trees are slowly maturing

Back in 1986, a LaSalle backyard was “basically grass ” when its new owners first saw it The couple decided to live with it for a while and focused instead on updating and upgrading the interior of the 1972 orange brick ranch style house. “A lot of time and effort went into that,” says Stephanie.

Four years ago, the couple were finally free to go play outside.

Stephanie grew up in LaSalle and her husband, Gregg,

is a native of south Windsor, so they both understood the extremes of changing seasons Protection from the sun topped the homeowners’ to do list

The front and side yards were done by a professional landscaper “ We thought we’d tackle the backyard our selves,” Stephanie says

Acknowledging some tasks were too strenuous for the do it yourselfers, the couple enlisted contractor Kevin Kehoe to rip out the lawn, put down big boulders and build a shade casting pergola.

The pergola is attached to the rear of the house, extend ing its full length. Squared cedar posts support the open framework of the pergola’s slanted roof, covered in Suntuf corrugated resin panels “ The panels block the rain so

Clockwise from far left: Extending the length of a LaSalle ranch style house, an outdoor great room is protected from the elements by a roofed and curtained pergola Dark brown all weather wicker tables and chairs are arranged for relaxed dining, conversation and resting; a mosaic glass bowl shimmers on the coffee table A new charcoal smoker barbecue waiting in the corner will be tried out by the owners this summer The homeowners prefer to cook and eat al fresco for as long as the weather permits; a grinning gnome invites guests to sit in the sky blue Muskoka chairs One of count less decorative mushrooms sits atop the table; the shape and hue of green canna lily leaves camou flage a green and orange painted metal owl, perched in a terracotta planter; in a custom built white stucco planter, real pink and purple flowers bloom against the backdrop of a ceramic painting of a pink hibiscus and live variegated euonymus

we can barbecue out there, no matter what the weather,” Stephanie says

Forming walls at both ends of the pergola are wide cedar lat tice panels from the roof down to the poured concrete floor “ The lattice lets in about 30% of the sun ’ s rays, diffusing the light,” says Stephanie.

Two ceiling fans mounted in the pergola keep the air moving and the bugs away an important feature in what she calls their “mosquito haven” of a backyard.

Eleven years ago, an outdoor kitchen was built near the back door. Kevin the contractor refreshed the stacked ledgestone island surrounding the barbecue by building a new countertop large enough to ser ve as a prep surface and eating bar He clad the countertop in porcelain tile, hardy to the elements

The couple purchased a new barbecue with a side burner they use for boiling corn on the cob and other vegetables The built in barbecue is conveniently hooked up to the house’s natural gas line, so the cooks won ’ t run out of propane before the steaks are done “I don’t think we ate in our indoor dining room at all last summer, ” Stephanie recalls. The couple recently won a charcoal smoker barbeque and are determined to learn how to use it this summer.

The long outdoor great room under the pergola is divided into living, dining and cooking areas. Taking her cue from the orange and brown tones of the house’s exterior brick walls, the Stephanie selected dark brown all weather wicker tables and patio chairs Her sister made comfy deep orange Sunbrella seat cushions and orange, brown and ivor y striped accent cushions

A floral outdoor rug in orange, yellow, gre en and ivor y an chors the settee, armchairs and occasional tables in the living area Ready made, full length drapes in ivor y indoor/outdoor fabric hang along the pergola’s frame “ They protect us from the glaring sun while we ’ re eating dinner,” says Stephanie “I find the curtains and the rug really make the outdoor room. I actually vacuum the rug!” ▼

Clockwise from far top left: An orange, yellow and green area rug pulls together the outdoor room's colour scheme A wooden lattice panel at either end of the outdoor room diffuses the sunlight and provides some privacy in the backyard; a 3' high metal peacock poses in the garden; metallic rays of a painted starburst accent the orange brick wall and painted bench; smiley face scarecrow was the first acquisition for the backyard many years ago; square paving stones are laid in a crisscross pattern on pea stone, leading to the shed; swirls of tangerine decorate a big glass ball set amid the stones; a new porcelain tile countertop freshens the stacked ledgestone outdoor kitchen unit; giant bees and other bugs hold up glass balls in the rock garden, greened by globe evergreens and drought tolerant plants

An anti gravity chair became the most im portant furnishing in the outdoor room in 2014, after Gregg came home from cancer surger y. “He called it his healing chair,” Stephanie says “Gregg did a lot of recover ing in our backyard ”

Wanting to spend more time enjoying the yard than tending to it, the couple put black felt weed barrier down on their pathways before covering it in pea stone. “I don’t have any flowers planted in the ground It cuts down on weeding and watering,” Stephanie says Each summer offers its own lessons “I’ve learned what not to plant over the years. Geraniums do really well here.”

At her direction, Kevin built large white stucco planters To fill them, the green thumbed lady goes with whatever appeals to her mood each new season. Tall red canna lilies accented with metal garden ar t are a striking combination

To further punch up the cumulative effect of bright colours in the garden, Stephanie displays ceramic paintings of flowers and colourful glass balls in the pots and beds, en suring it looks like there is always something in bloom

Even if all the plants died from drought or squirrel attacks, the couple’s garden would still be filled with colour and interest. Sur veying her retreat, Stephanie notes, “ There are a lot of mushrooms and a lot of gnomes throughout the yard ” One friend who couldn’t get over the plethora of deco rative mushrooms cropping up on the prop erty began tallying them “He lost count ”

Stephanie arranges her resin, ceramic, concrete and terracotta treasures here, there and ever ywhere in the spring. A plastic scarecrow with a yellow happy face, patched shir t and blue jeans is “the oldest thing we have ” He watches the yard’s annual transformation from his safe perch in a flower pot.

One of Stephanie’s favourite things is a ceramic character she found at an art sale. “It’s ugly but the cutest thing ever, ” she says The gnarly gnome stands guard by a pair of Muskoka chairs that the sun has faded to a cheerful sky blue.

Sunlight brings to life to the co lours of a mosaic glass bowl, handcrafted in a third world countr y A painted metal owl and peacock add flashes of beauty Giant bees grin over a rock garden.

“ We had wood leftover from the pergola’s constr uction so we had Kevin make us a bench and put it under our dining room window,” Stephanie says The bench was painted deep orange to match the outdoor

I have proudly joined the team at Train Station Fitness as their new Sales and Ser vice Manager!

With nearly 15 yrs experience in the health and fitness industr y, I have worked with some of the best, and worst, learning along the way how to create a better sense of community and interaction inside the club and the importance of promoting the benefits of a healthier lifestyle to the community

There are so many people who, for whatever reason, are not reaching their desired mental and physical potential, and as a result are lost, hurting and heading down a slipper y slope towards illness! Many of which are preventable.

It has always been ver y important to me to share the tremendous mental and physical benefits of taking charge of your health and let you know that if you ’ re willing to take action, you will get all the tools, knowledge, and support you need to reach your goals!

I plan to do my best with integrity and sincerity to earn your trust and show you why choosing Train Station Fitness will be the best decision you’ll make.

I’m thankful to owner Richard Milne for trusting me within this role and happy to be part of the team to bring you the quality you deser ve and create a positive network of health and wellness in and out of Train Station Fitness Much has already happened and there are more great things to come!

room ’ s colour scheme. Hung above is a big metal starburst finished in varied natural tones, accenting the house’s orange brick wall.

On the sitting area ’ s lattice wall is a cluster of small, round mirrors, flanked by circular sun and moon plaques “Ever ything was bought locally,” says Stephanie She enjoys finding ne w touches of whimsy that will elicit smiles from guests visiting in the gar den

Ideas for the outdoor room, pathways, garden beds and other features on the property were gleaned from magazines and houzz.com. “ The internet helped a lot,” Stephanie says.

One practical yet visually intriguing idea that she put to use is the crisscrossing of paving stones. Instead of laying the 12” square pavers in a straight line, the couple directed the ever handy Kevin to set a dou ble track of pavers on the diagonal, seem ingly crisscrossing the pavers wherever the paths intersected on the bed of pea stone Rather than installing a utilitarian walkway to the shed and garden areas, the couple have achieved an esthetically enticing path

The pea stone and pavers wend their way throughout the backyard, where not a blade of grass is intended to grow in the low maintenance garden. Grass greens up the front and side yards but there is no need for its softening effect out back, where cedars, variegated euonymus and purple leaf sand cherr y contribute lush, textural interest

The backyard is reminiscent of a Mediter ranean garden, where drought tolerant plants enlivened with potted flowering an nuals can endure summer ’ s long, hot days with a minimum of care The xeriscaping style of gardening is encouraged in commu nities with water bans. “ We live on a busy street but you couldn’t tell from our back yard. It’s ver y private,” Stephanie says. Al though she and Gregg have devoted a lot of imagination and effort to their garden, “it’s never done. There is always tweaking. Hap pily, we both enjoy it ”

Windsor Life Magazine is always searching for interesting homes, landscaping, gardens, patios and water fe atures to show our readers what others in the community are doing with their living spaces If you have a home that you feel would be interesting please email photos to publisher@windsorlife com Photos need to be for reference only. If your home is chosen we will arrange for a complete photo shoot If you wish, you may remain anonymous and the location of your home will not be disclosed

All Located in

Corner of County Rd. 46 and Manning

The first choice for homeowners | custom builders | interior designers

519 723 4141 www wayneswoodcraf t com

Custom Woodcraft

Actual Project

L ANDSCAPING

Create the Garden of your Dreams

Whether you are looking to spruce up an existing garden or create a new outdoor oasis, Lakeshore Landscaping has the experience and exper tise to transform any outdoor space Founded by Ryan & Matthew Pawluk, a family run business which includes their sister Andrea, Lakeshore Landscaping is one of the most prestigious resi dential landscaping companies in this area

Lakeshore Landscaping is full ser vice landscape design and instal lation firm specializing in custom residential work Whether it’s preplanning with new home construction or reworking a tired old yard, their consultation and design team is up to the challenge An extremely talented, friendly group who creates something special and unique for each client. “You must have a plan, direction and focus. This is the backbone of our success and where our creative genius is rooted,” says Ryan.

Their team offers a myriad of ser vices needed to create your ne w outdoor space Projects may contain ever ything from softscaping with trees, shrubs & perennials as well as hardscaping with interlocking brick, poured concrete and outdoor structures such as pool houses, decks, fences, and pergolas Addi tional elements include, outdoor kit chens, water features, pools, spas, irrigation systems, outdoor lighting and outdoor fire places…the list is endless.

“ We work with a variety of pool contrac tors, concrete finishers and even home builders. Each one contributes a piece to the overall puzzle. Often times these relationships speed up the project while keeping costs low, quality high and timelines ac hieved,” says Ryan

"Increasingly, we see clients who want to reap all the benefits from their home that they can Getting outside more and using the space like an extension of their indoor living area Summer is relatively short, and people want as much time outside as they can get, star ting earlier and going later into the fall. Adding fire features, outdoor kitchens and covered cabanas extend the use and functionality of these areas is definitely on the rise."

“Some people come to us with a ton of in formation ranging from magazine clippings, internet pictures and a laundr y list of likes and dislikes, and others with nothing at all ”

Lakeshore Landscaping consult with them and help put it all together Often times com ing up with the initial draft, tr ying to spark their creative spirit

There is planning, and then there is deliv ery. Lakeshore Landscaping’s field technicians are extremely creative and take great pride in their work, always staying informed about the latest trends and products in order to remain on the cutting edge of their craft.

“A lot of people come to us with limited gardening knowledge. They simply want a yard that looks good and is easy to maintain. Again, it comes back to not what we want, it’s what the client wants and delivering upon that value,” states Ryan.

Lakeshore Landscaping has won numerous Awards of Distinction with Landscape Ontario. They also won the Windsor Essex Cham ber of Commerce's "Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award "

If you are interested in transforming an outdoor space simply contact Lakeshore Landscaping at (519) 974 2000 Staff are ha ppy to meet with clients to complete a site visit and provide ideas and estimates They can work with any budget Don't delay in booking an appointment as spring and summer are their most busy times

Visit www lakeshorelandscapingwindsor com to vie w some of Lakeshore Landscapes' previous projects.

HOROSCOPE

ARIES

MAR 21 APR 20:

Your thought patterns are likely focused on finances, more than usual. You can be de fensive over your position It is time to adopt a better way to do things You will find it possible to smooth things out if you are willing to meet others half way

TAURUS

APR 21 - MAY 21:

Your patience is tested Issues that remain unsolved annoy you Quality, not quantity is what is most important for you. Small er rors in word or deed can irritate you more so than usual. Others do not seem to notice small things that can make a big difference. Check and re check.

GEMINI

MAY 22 - JUN 21:

You may get caught up in analysis paralysis The right thing to say and the right time to say it may not be easy to find You switch your own thoughts and actions according to what those around you are doing Keep your feet grounded instead of floating ideas that won ’ t fly in the sky

CANCER

JUN 22 - JUL 23:

Friends and associates seem to be racing back and for th tr ying to resolve major is sues You cannot be all things to all people at once Choose your actions carefully and tr ust your intuition to take you to where you need to go. Watch out for roadblocks. Have an alternate plan ready.

LEO

JUL 24 - AUG 23:

Wisdom you have gained throughout your life is helping you overcome difficult situa tions You do not need someone else to tell you what to do You have the ability to share this knowledge with others Proper applica tion usually leads to successful outcomes

VIRGO

AUG 24 - SEP 23:

In a perfect world ever ything you say and do would be understood by others How ever, there times when it is impossible to get your message across This is because ever y one has their own idea of what works best for them. Do what you can and then release it to the universe to help you. Write!

LIBRA

SEP 24 OCT 23:

You think too much at times. That makes it hard to make decisions that need to be made Say what you are going to do and then do as you say! You can never know all there is to know Sometimes you need to work with what you ha ve That could be better than doing nothing at all

SCORPIO

OCT 24 NOV 22:

You need to consider both sides of the pic ture Look in the mirror to see what you can see, but not for too long! Take constructive action to resolve conditions Listen carefully to advice you give others It may hold the answers you seek to help yourself Nothing in life is guaranteed

SAGITTARIUS

NOV 23 - DEC 21:

Do not expect of others what you cannot do yourself There are limits to how far you can go You may r un into some difficulties reaching an agreement with co workers To get where you want to go, you may need to go back to the beginning and start to organ ize all over again.

CAPRICORN

DEC 22 - JAN 20:

Former relationships could hold the key for you to move for ward It is time to put your creative side into play Curiosity leads you down new avenues, however it may be easier to say than to do. You can handle hard work. Do you want to be the actor or the spectator? It is up to you.

AQUARIUS

JAN 21 - FEB 19:

Your past emotions are now deeply buried within yourself Yet, they still influence what you do and say even if you deny their exis tence It is time to take advantage of the unique skills which can help stabilize your position and enjoy a new sense of freedom

PISCES

FEB 20 - MAR 20

Echoes of the past may return to halt your progress, but these thoughts are not based on reality. The reality is, that was then. This is now. You might branch out in a new di rection if and when necessar y. Many things you worr y about will never happen. Go with what you know is true.

Liam Fitzmaurice

6 Year Old Comic Book Creator Writes About the Adventures of Super Heroes

OCCASIONALLY, IN THE MIDDLE of the turmoil in today’s world, we run across a stor y that warms the heart This is one of those ‘feel good’ stories

Liam Fitzmaurice, who lives with his fam ily in the Belle River area, is a Senior Kindergar ten student at the St William School in Emer yville. His mother Meredith is a grade 4 teacher at the school and his dad, Gregg works at Vista Print. An older brother, Ja ck, is 8.

“Liam,” says his mom, “has always been ver y competitive, and is constantly tr ying to keep up with his older brother, especially at home Totally well adjusted and sharp as a tack, Liam plays hockey, loves playing base ball and works on his iPad This past year, he showed an interest in writing “I would bring workbooks home from school,” says his mother, “he looked at them and then would write his own words and simple sen tences….just for fun.”

Even though SK is play based, Liam has preferred to travel a different route. It all started back in October. Instead of playing with his buddies, he sat at his desk and in vented stories that were inspired by the “Captain Underpants” series He apparently wasn ’ t too interested in the pictures, prefer ring instead to concentrate on so called ‘chapter books’

Like his brother, Liam loves super hero books, so it stands to reason that much of

his material carries a good guy bad buy theme Some of his titles, “Out To Save The Day”, or “Beating The Bad Guys” have the same basic format as most comic books and are written in chapters. They range anywhere from 10 to 15 pages in length and like most books, his have a title page, chapter listings on the second page, and tribute…usually to himself on the third page. The stories come complete with pictures stick drawings of his imaginar y characters. Since October, Liam has amassed a collection of more than 30 books with his main desire being to sell them at Indigo, his favorite store.

He’s quite the kid! When he talks he looks you right in the eye and doesn’t mince words he’s refreshingly honest and direct His mom says he’s a pretty good speller for his age and writes simple, understandable sentences He enjoys reading out loud often to family mem bers apparently, tests have shown his ability and comprehension are that of a student who is nearing the end of Grade 2

‘Super Dipper Bay’ was his first effort loosely based on the comic book series titled ‘Super Diaper Baby’ Another series is called ‘ The Amazing Gumball And The Big Battle of the

Above: Liam Fitzmaurice with St William’s Vice Principal Maggie Dorion

Talking Toilet.’ A quote from that book: “the amazing gumball came flying into the night, back into his gumball machine”.

Here’s a line from Liam’s second series, ‘Super Zombie 2’: “ one season, super zom bie city was on fire Super Zombie went and he froze he used his freezing power to save the city Ever yone was HYPNOS TIZZ ” His mom can ’ t figure how he even knew the word, adding that he often spells phonetically and in most cases the most dif ficult words in the stories can be under stood.

Outside of his family, Liam’s staunchest ally has been St. William’s vice principal, Maggie Dorion Acting on the young guy ’ s insistence that his books be sold at Indigo, Maggie helped him compose a letter which was sent to the store around Christmastime last year. A couple of months later, Liam’s mom received a call from the manager inviting him to a super hero stor y telling session during March break Since the family had already made plans to be away, Indigo arranged for the young scribe to make his visit a week earlier On March 7th, after school, Liam, family members and teacher were given a tour of the facility “ We went through the entire store, ” says Meredith, “ we saw where the books are taken in and learned what happens during various readings, following which Liam was invited to read one of his own compo sitions”…like ‘Super Dipper Bay’ in which he reveals a bit of his dark side: “Meet Jack and Harold, Jack on the left, Harold on the right They make a comic book called Super Dipper Bay And it came to life with a dog Oh my gosh, they said, are you Super Dip per Bay, they said. They flyed away to crush them and they crushed them far, far away And zap they were rockin’ There they went woooooo Yeah it worked They got Super Dog and they flyed away. They saved the dog. It was hard to do that. They flyed and flyed away, flyed to the city U S A ”

Today, Liam still uses much of his class room time by writing and is often encour aged by 5 of classmates who share his imaginative and creat ive personality. Ac cording to his mother, “they always have him doing something ”

As he prepares to enter Grade 1 in the fall, Liam adjusts his so called “reading glasses” (he doesn’t really need them), insisting that he will continue writing his books And, armed with that terrific imagination and a constant need to be chal lenged, his stories can be expected to take on a whole new dimension.

Discover A Garden and Lifest yle Destination

WE’VE BEEN TOLD QUITE OFTEN by our shoppers “there’s nothing like you guys anywhere else We’ve traveled across southern Ontario and always end up back here at The Glasshouse in Chatham!”

“I can ’ t say enough about the fun it has been building our store with my family over the last 40 or so years Sure, it has been a lot work, with all those typical growing pains of an independently owne business but ever y year we always seem to have another project on th go to tr y to improve on ourselves,” remarks Dave Van Raay owne with his wife Sue.

If last season was your most recent visit to The Glasshouse, you may be in for a nice surprise as there have been a lot of great changes happening once again. The over 4 acre establishment is not just a garden centre….certainly not!!! It is the most extensive collection of gardens, ponds, water falls, landscape displays and boasting the largest selection of landscape and gardening supplies, unique home furnishings and giftwares in South Western Ontario It is also the home of ‘Betula Boutique’, this 4000 square foot space in itself fast becoming one of the area ’ s most popular women ’ s clothing stores

“Erin and Simon have really become involved now, ” comments Mo Erin was instrumental in the opening of Betula Boutique fashions in 2011 but has since handed it over to ver y qualified staff and relocated herself to management in the garden centre where big ‘third generation’ changes (whether mom or dad always agree) have been occurring. A total redesign of the store has taken place over the winter with son Simon at the helm with the hammer. Although he w ill put that away for the shovel now that it is spring and retake command of the landscape cre ws installing beautiful backyards like The Glasshouse has been known for since 1980. Simon takes great pride in his work installing custom Gardens, Patios, Outdoor Countertops, Fire Pits and Waterfalls using the newest products and some techniques brand new to the Ontario market

A day trip to The Glasshouse is a must this spring No other garden centre can compete with their selection and pricing Being a long time member of the ‘GCGC’ (garden Centre Group Co op, one of the most power ful independent garden centre groups in Canada, The Glasshouse can always compete on a level field with the ‘big boxes’

Whether you ’ re shopping for a new patio set, plants for your garden, clothing for your wardrobe, or just want to tr y a free sample of our delicious fudge made right on site you will be in for a pleasant experience like no other.

Visit us @ www.glasshousenurser y.ca for a virtual tour and then pick up a few friends and plan your shopping trip to The Glasshouse today, located on Creek road in Chatham.

56 Creek Rd., Chatham. Just minutes from the 401 519 352 1127 www glasshousenurser y ca www betulaboutiquefashion com

Proud Member of The Garden Centre Group Co op Corp.

MAY Wednesday, 4

ATWOOD DINNER

Great Canadian writer Margaret Atwood once again is showing her suppor t of the Pelee Island Bird Observatory with her fifth annual fundraiser. She is joined by this year ’ s guest author, two time Leacock Medal winner Terr y Fallis, author of Poles Apar t and four other national bestsellers

The Atwood Dinner is at 6 pm at Beach Grove Golf and Countr y Club, 14134 Riverside Dr E , Windsor Ticket price is $125 per person paulvasey@gmail com

Saturday, 7

SCIENCE RENDEZVOUS 2016

Taking science out of the lab and onto the street, Science Rendezvous is an annual na tional festival celebrating feats of science and engineering with presentations, hands on exhibits, demonstrations of scientific phenomenon, robots, science goo, a science fiction space booth and more. The free event is from 10 am to 4 pm in the Educa tion Gym next to the CAW Student Centre at the University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave sciencerendezvous ca

CINCO DE MAYO

In the hear t of Pillette Village, Cinco de Mayo is being celebrated with enter tain ment, children's activities, food and street vendors. Beginning at 10 am, the all day fun stretches from 4400 to 4900 Wyan dotte St E , Windsor pillettevillage com

Thursday, 12

HEARTHWOOD SERIES CUP 2016

STREET HOCKEY TOURNAMENT

Till Saturday, May 14. The 2nd Annual Hear thwood Cup 4 on 4 street hockey tournament brings together friends and families on teams of all ages and skill levels Held as par t of Police Week, the tourna ment is at Devonshire Mall, 3100 Howard Ave., Windsor. Proceeds raised will assist in the Windsor Police Ser vice’s Camp Brom bal Youth Program hea rthwoodcup com

Friday, 13

LEGENDS LIVE BLUES BROTHERS TRIBUTE

Benefiting Windsor Central Little League, Pro Tech Automotive presents a buffet din ner and a show at 6 pm at the Serbian Cen tre at 6770 Tecumseh Rd. E., Windsor. Turnkey Enter tainment and Promotions’ Legends Live Blues Brothers Tribute Show features Geoff and Chris Dahl, opening

FASHIONS FOR WORK, PLAY AND TRAVEL

DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED IN WINDSOR AND PROUD OF IT!

For over 20 years Island Girl Fashions has provided women “made to fit” clothing for ever y taste, budget and demo graphic. Whether you are looking for a power outfit for the office, the perfect little black dress or some dynamic vacation pieces, Island Girl Fashions, located at 5939 Wyandotte St. East, can help.

Owner Diane Clark and associate Donna Knapp take great pride in the ‘wardrobing’ options that they can offer women of all sizes Their pieces are easy to care for, will not fade or shrink and many pieces are multi functional offering fantastic vacation pieces that will allow women to pack lighter and avoid extra luggage fees “ We make sure a lady feels confident when she leaves here,” says Diane

We rely on our exceptionally talented man ufacturers who work off site to continually provide our outstanding quality “ These ladies have been with us since the beginning and Island Girl Fashions would not be possible without them.

Their timeless styles do not follow trends or fads. Instead they offer staple wardrobe pieces that will last years. The

pieces are multi functional and multi purpose Any par ticular piece is available in various colours and patterns

Our business has been strongly built on our customer referral base. They have come to be known for their outstanding customer ser vice that goes above and beyond for their customers.

“ Your imagination is your only limit when selecting pieces at the store, ” whether it be ‘off the rack’ or ‘ordered made to fit’ "

One of their most popular items is the ‘affordable little black dress’ “ We have the best selection of the little black dress in the city,” says Donna

Another speciality is the unique prints that they offer in their collection The various designs are exclusive to Island Girl Fashions and many people have come to recog nize their collections when they are worn by women in the community.

“I love this place! I went today with a dear friend and both purchased several outfits! Beautiful quality, styles and colours The ma terial is light weight, ver y comfortable and washable Excel lent for travel and ever y day wear! The colours are amazing!!” Sue King

Women also appreciate that their fashionable pieces are available in ever y size. Whether you are petite, or plus sized, Diane, Donna and staff are experts in providing options to accentuate the positive for all women With their years of experience they are able to educate women on key pieces to have in their wardrobe Their Referral Program has become extremely popular Basically any time a new customer makes a purchase the person who referred them receives a credit to their account “It’s our way of saying thank you to our customers and they absolutely love it,” says Diane

Gift certificates are also ver y popular especially for special occasions like Christmas, Mother’s Day, bir thdays and anniversaries. Men love that they can purchase a gift certificate and know that women can visit the store and pick out pieces they will love.

Island Girl Fashions holds an annual sale in the spring which is a great opportunity for new customers to tr y out all that the store has to offer. Most items are discounted at 50% off. With the wedding and grad uation season fast approaching it is a great reason to stop in Visit their website at www islandgirlfashionscanada com for more information You can also follow Island Girl Fashions on Facebook

Donna Knapp and owner Diane Clark

with special guest tribute performances of Carrie Under wood, Freddie Mercur y and Madonna. Tickets are $40 each. 519 980 8405 or ticketscene.ca.

Thursday, 26

BATTLE OF THE HORS D’OEUVRES

Windsor Essex County’s top chefs from area restaurants and hospitality businesses are competing in the Battle of the Hors D’oeu vres 2016 The big lounge par ty and net working event is ser ving cuisine and drinks in suppor t of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Windsor Essex The fun is from 6 to 10 pm in the Augustus Ballroom at Caesars Wind sor, 377 Riverside Dr. E. The $85 price includes all food and drink tasting.

519 945 6232, ext.13 bigbrothersbigsisterswe.ca.

Saturday, 28

HEART BREAKER CHALLENGE 2016

With more than 15 obstacles, 5 to 7 km of r unning and loads of mud, the Hear t Breaker Challenge tests the endurance of its participants. The race begins at 2:20 pm in Malden Park at 4300 Matchette Rd., Wind sor Entr y includes par ticipation, Hear t Breaker swag, post event food and beverage All money raised benefits the Cardiac Well ness and Pulmonary Rehab Centre at Hotel Dieu Grace healthcare raceroster com

Saturday, 28

STARGAZING NIGHT

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Windsor Centre introduces guests to the night sky through their telescopes Mars and Saturn are both rising during the evening of solar and guided night sky viewing begin ning at 6 pm at Colchester Ridge Estate Winer y, 108 County Rd 50 E , Harrow Admission is a suggested $5 donation to the RASC. 519 738 9800 Facebook: Stargazing Night.

CAN AM NATIONALS

Street machines, street rods, rat rods, clas sics, antiques, sport compacts and trucks are entering the Can Am Nationals Car show, presented by Windsor Area Street Rods Inc. presents featuring. Engines rev from 9 am to 4 p.m at Gil Maure Park at 40 Laurier Dr., LaSalle. Entr y is $10. 519 816 0719.

Sunday, 29

BABA’S HIGH TEA & RETRO PADDLE AUCTION

A lighthear ted high tea is being ser ved in suppor t of This One’s for the Girls!, the Windsor Cancer Foundations’ women fighting cancer campaign. From noon to 3:30 pm, guests can savour loose leaf teas, scones, soup, tea sandwiches and pastries ▼

ROCKSOLID Quality You Can Trust

ROCKSOLID WINDOWS & DOORS LTD is focused on offering clients high quality residential products at reasonable prices Founded in 2007, the company is family owned and operated by Steve Rock

With over twelve years of experience in the window and door industr y, Rock has been involved in sales, service, installation and the manufacturing process of windows and doors He is excited to open a new showroom on June 1, located at 4215 Unit #1 Seventh Concession, Windsor behind the Canadian Tire on Walker Road, that will showcase windows, doors and hardware

“ We take great pride in providing customers quality products to match their needs and their budget,” says Rock “Each customer is guided through a process that includes concepts, sales and installation ”

One of the things that set RockSolid apart f rom their competition is the time they spend educating their customers on various construction types and how the proper products should be utilized in the building envelope During this consultative stage Rock and his team will determine what the customer ’ s needs are and how they can meet these needs effectively.

“I like to build a relationship with my customers, learn what their style is and suggest various possibilities that are available to meet their vision. I think that it is important to be invested in the clients’ project, I continue to stay in contact with the home owners throughout the process to ensure they are satisfied ”

Rock sources products from across Ontario and is always looking for ne w and innovative solutions that can best serve his clients Products are selected based on esthetics , functionality and quality

While most manufacturers now offer a life time warranty on their products, build quality and installation techniques are critical to the dependability and functionality of windows and doors

“Quality and strength of products can var y greatly. Customers should not have to worr y about warranties when the product is of high quality These high grade products are key to what I offer my customers, which gives both of us peace of mind,” says Rock

Similarly, installation of windows and doors is equally as impor tant. RockSolid Windows & Doors Ltd. is unique in that they offer customers a 5 year workmanship guarantee In addition, each installer is certified by SAWDAC (Siding and Window Dealers Association of Canada).

“ This guarantee offers our customers assur ance of a pre mium installation, they know they are dealing with trained and experienced craftsmen that stand behind their work ”

One of Rock’s specialities is helping cus tomers design front doors for their homes. “Ever y door is different and the possibilities are endless A beautiful door is like adding a piece of jeweller y to your home, it can really make a statement ”

The hardware that customers select can also make a big difference. RockSolid uses Baldwin and Weiser hardware because of its quality, ease of use and design capabilities

Once again, it is very im por tant for customers to select high quality products to avoid headaches later RockSolid offers a wide variety of options including patio doors, storm doors and rolling screens.

Steve Rock and his team can work with customers on any budget They always pro vide detailed quotes with itemized options ensuring that the homeowner can make an informed decision. They are happy to come visit your home to offer free estimates.

Call (519) 919 2778 to book an appoint ment You can also visit them online at www rocksolidwindows ca

STEPHEN ROCK 519.919.2778 rocksolidwindows.ca

and bid for treasures during the retro style live paddle auction. The ticket price is $40 for Baba’s High Tea, held at The Other Place Catering, 1395 Walker Rd., Windsor. 519 253 3191, ext 58559 windsorcancerfoundation org

JUNE Saturday, 4

14TH ANNUAL I.C.H.A. FISHING DERBY

Physically and mentally challenged children and adults are going fishing at the 14th An nual I C H A Fishing Derby, hosted by the Italian HandiCapable Association Pro fish erman super vise the live release fishing in a controlled environment, beginning at 9 am in Assumption Park on Riverside Dr W , near the Ambassador Bridge. There’s a picnic with entertainment and prizes for all participants. The Canadian SportFishing TV show will be covering the derby and airing it on the Sport snet Network. 519 984 1860 or Facebook: ICHA Fishing Derby.

2K2K TUTU RUN/WALK/RIDE

The 2nd Annual Tutu Run provides t shirts, tutus and laughs for participants in the 2k2k Tutu Run/Walk/Ride, starting off at 10 am at 23 Mill St. W., Kingsville. The $30 partic ipant fee benefits non profit ACCESS County Community Support Ser vices. 519 733 8983, ext. 21 or 2k2ktutu.com.

Sunday, 5

JEEP JAM POKER RUN

Five Card Poker Run on the Road, live enter tainment, food, beer tent, games, prizes and more are part of the Jeep Jam Poker Run. En gines will rev at the Ciociaro Club, 3745 N. Talbot Rd, Oldcastle in support of brain in jur y sur vivor programs provided through As sisted Living of SW Ontario. 519 259 2258 or Facebook: Jeep Jam Poker Run

Saturday, 11

CRUISIN’ 2016 CAR SHOW

The annual Cruisin’ 2016 Car Show is back with new and classic cars competing for tro phies, a barbecue, music and Dash Plaques. Hosted from 9 am to 3 pm by Lally South point Ford at 414 Rocky Rd., Leamington, the show benefits the War Amps. 519 326 8600 or localcarshows ca

Sunday, 12

MCGREGOR MUSIC FESTIVAL

Live music sets the stage for a delightful day at the McGregor Music Festival. A car show, music and more are happening at Co An Park, 11071 Concession Rd. 11, Essex. Pro ceeds support the work of the Windsor Essex County Cancer Centre Foundation. 519 726 5434 windsorcancerfoundation org