Windsor Life Magazine Summer 2024

Neros Signature Prime Rib Special I Friday – Sunday Steak and Seafood Special I Wednesday & Thursday

Moving Forward without Moving Out

Accessing your home equity can help boost your retirement income, ease pressure on your pensions and investments, and help you stay put.

IN A RECENT SURVEY of Canadian homeowners, while some Canadians felt in control of their desired timeline for retirement, more than half the respondents don’t know what their retirement income will be. 1One reason may be that investment values fluctuate, and for many, a significant portion of their wealth at retirement is tied up in their home. And selling their house to free up that money simply isn’t what they want to do.

If that sounds like your situation, you may want to consider accessing the equity in your home to help boost your retirement income. One of the most common ways to take income out of your home without selling it is through a secured line of credit (also called a home equity line of credit). A secured line of credit lets you borrow what you need, when you need it, at a very favourable interest rate because your loan is secured, or guaranteed, by your home.

In addition to helping you stay in your home longer, there are other potential advantages. When you access your home equity:

Your withdrawals are tax-free, unlike withdrawals from registered accounts such as Registered Retirement Savings Plans and Registered Retirement Income Funds

You may be able to avoid cashing out other investments and locking in losses when markets are volatile

You can ensure ready availability of funds to meet unexpected home or health care expenses

You can reduce the cost of other debts by transferring those balances to the secured line of credit (if the interest rate is lower than your other loans)

Keep in mind that you may need to have enough cash flow from other sources to cover the monthly interest payments on the secured line of credit. The best time to apply is before retirement. To protect yourself and keep interest costs from becoming a burden, it’s a good idea to put a cap on the amount you borrow – for example, 20 per cent of the value of your home.

Your home is an important asset that should figure in your overall retirement planning. Schedule a no-cost appointment with me to find out how well this approach fits your personal situation. And plan to enjoy your retirement knowing that reaching this milestone with less saved than you hoped for doesn’t necessarily mean you need to sell the home you love. n

12023 Manulife Financial Health Survey, www.manulifebank.ca/debtresearch.

SUMMER 2024 VOLUME 31, ISSUE 5

PUBLISHER/EDITOR Robert E. Robinson

CONTRIBUTING Matthew St. Amand WRITERS

Karen Tinsley

Michael Seguin

Alley L. Biniarz

Alysia Therrien

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Carol Garant

ART DIRECTOR Michael Pietrangelo

PRODUCTION George Sharpe

PHOTOGRAPHERS John Liviero, Sooter’s Photography

Justin Hoch

Michael Pietrangelo

Carrie J Photography

Pam and Bill Seney

Eric Weingarden

Jaden D.

ADVERTISING SALES 519-979-5433

VICE PRESIDENT ADVERTISING SALES Charles Thompson 519-818-7352

ADVERTISING SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Leslie Campbell 519-567-0603

WINDSOR LIFE MAGAZINE

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Windsor Life Magazine is published by Campbell McGregor Garant Publishing Incorporated. Articles and art may not be reprinted without written permission from the publishers. The publishers assume no responsibility to return unsolicited editorial or graphic material. Windsor Life Magazine is a registered trademark of Campbell McGregor Garant Publishing Incorporated, Suite 318-5060 Tecumseh Road East, Windsor, Ontario N8T 1C1. Telephone (519) 979-5433, Fax (519) 979-9237. All rights reserved. ISSN 11955694. Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 43512513.

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PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE

Are annuities a wise investment choice for retirement?

What are annuities?

Annuities work on a simple premise: you make a lump sum payment in return for a guaranteed, predictable, ongoing stream of payments. In this sense, annuities create a pension-like income that can be particularly attractive to retirees who need to convert a portion of their savings into a retirement income stream. The amount and duration of payments can vary as annuities can be structured to provide income for a specific period of time or for life.

Retirement risks and realities

Retirees are facing two significant new realities. First, we are living longer. That’s very good news, but the flip side of that coin is we now face a much greater risk of outliving our savings – this is known as longevity risk.

Second, only about 1 in 3 Canadians has an employer pension. After saving and investing throughout our working years, we are the ones responsible for turning that pool of savings into a lifestyle-sustaining retirement income stream. Yet, market volatility and unpredictable investment returns can threaten an otherwise healthy retirement income. What can you do?

Top 3 benefits of annuities

Annuities offer a unique set of benefits to retirees, including:

• Lifetime income: Annuities can provide a steady stream of income for life. In this sense, purchasing an annuity can be thought of as buying yourself a guaranteed pension-like income.

• Tax advantages: Certain types of annuities offer additional tax benefits and a tax-efficient source of retirement income. A special type of annuity known as a prescribed annuity can ensure that the taxable portion of your annuity payments is stable and predictable, so you won’t be caught off guard with any unexpected tax consequences.

• Protection against market volatility: Annuities shield you from market fluctuations, providing financial stability during your retirement years.

Bottom line

Annuities are valuable tools that can provide financial security and peace of mind in retirement. Remember, it doesn’t have to be an ‘all or nothing’ decision – you can use a portion of your savings to purchase an annuity while leaving a portion of your retirement assets invested elsewhere in financial markets. To find out more, speak with our Edward Jones advisor today.

Mark Szarek

Dennis

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

THE PIZZA YOU PICK UP

We’re often asked why we don’t offer traditional delivery. The reason: QUALITY.

Traditional delivery often requires that drivers take multiple orders per run. To keep warm, pizzas are placed inside insulated delivery bags. Bags trap steam. Steam is the enemy of a crispy crust and can make pizzas soggy. That’s why we deliver party and catering orders the same way you pick up—no delivery bags allowed!

Another benefit of no delivery bags—we don’t have to worry about high moisture content pizza sauce contributing to the sogginess. We put more sauce on your pizza. More sauce equals more flavour. Who doesn’t want a more flavourful pizza pie!

I recommend, that even if you’re not an Antonino’s customer, the next time you order pizza from your favorite pizzeria, pick it up—it’ll be a better pie.

President Antonino’s

Pizza Inc.

Bagless delivery available for advance catering orders. (Subject to availability of

The Pynn family pickup at Antonino’s Original Pizza’s newest location in Riverside.

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Publisher’s Note

Hello Summer! Summertime in Windsor, Essex County and Chatham/Kent is my favorite time and place to be. When you live in such an amazing area with so much to do, why would you want to leave for a “summer vacation”? From boating to golfing, pickleball and hiking, there are so many amenities packed into our area that you could do a different activity every day and still have only seen a fraction of what the area has to offer.

I love our festivals with various food trucks and the different cultural experiences. I love the diverse array of quality restaurants with outdoor patios so that we can enjoy the warmth that summer brings while dining on some of the world’s best food.

I am consistently impressed by the number and quality of our parks including baseball diamonds, courts, outdoor pools and vast walking trails. Going to parks like Ojibway or Pelee makes you feel like you are hundreds of miles away, while still in our own backyard.

The two cycling and hiking trails along former rail routes are underutilized. The Essex-Amherstburg Greenway stretches 26 km between Essex and Amherstburg and the Chrysler Canada Greenway stretches 50 km from Windsor to Leamington. The two trails intersect in the McGregor portion of Essex.

Our waterfront alone is world class with amazing sculptures and priceless views of the Detroit skyline. Those of us who have lived in the area for any length of time sometimes forget just how incredible the view is until you bring a first-time visitor to the waterfront and hear their reaction.

As part of the changing landscape at the river, the final steps are underway to connecting the Gordie Howe International Bridge deck between the U.S. and Canadian sides. At the writing of this message, officials for the bridge say there is now only 36 feet between the two sides and it’s expected that they will be connected by the end of June. 13 million hours of construction and over 6 years of planning have brought us to this significant milestone.

This is truly an exciting time.

Bob Robinson

Barry Parisien dd owner

Exceeding Your Expectations

By Providing Knowledgeable Expert Advice

WHEN IT COMES TO TAXES, sometimes you need a steady hand guiding you every step of the way.

Well in this business, there are few hands steadier than Peggy Kapsalis and Fredrick & Associates Accounting and Tax Professionals Inc., a full-service accounting firm. They provide a wide range of accounting services and expertise, including tax planning and preparation, financial statements and financial planning.

And as a full-service accounting firm, Owner Peggy Kapsalis’s approach varies from others in her industry.

“We take our business clients from start to finish,” Peggy explains. “We set up their accounts so that they’re geared towards their business and their needs. We then take care of their tax return. So if we’re doing their books, that gives us an insight into what they should be doing or not doing. We’re honest and truthful to a fault.”

Peggy’s clients have often described her as a “mother hen”—a comparison she agrees with.

“I watch over everybody,” Peggy states. “I make sure they’re not getting into trouble. If things ar en’t rosy, I will tell you things aren’t rosy.”

Peggy and her team pride themselves on their accuracy, their ability to cut straight to the heart of the matter.

“Everybody’s chart accounts are always generic,” Peggy explains. “They’re no good to a reader, unless you’re the bank manager. A company needs to know what they’re reading by providing a more detailed chart of accounts to our clients. So when I hand the client an income statement and balance sheet everything is more

broken down to reflect where they’re making money. I make sure they understand what they are reading.”

Peggy’s reports break everything down into digestible, easy-tounderstand pieces.

“I don’t categorize everything in one bunch,” Peggy states. “Take insurance, for instance. Most chartered accounts will just have one item on their sheet, called Insurance. Well, is that business insurance? Life insurance? Vehicle insurance? What kind of insurance is it? We categorize them separately so that you can see how your rates are affecting you.”

But more than anything, Peggy enjoys working with taxes.

“Taxes are my niche,” Peggy explains. “I like to dig into tax law. We always go to the source. Canada Revenue Agency’s folios are light reading material.”

Peggy’s sheer accuracy sometimes staggers her clients.

“There’s a lot of forensics in accounting,” Peggy states. “You could drop off a year’s worth of receipts. And after flipping through them, I could tell you your whole life. What you did. What you ate. What you cooked. Where you lived. Who you lived with. Whether you have children. How many birthday parties you attended. If you were on the beach with your girlfriend having a couple of cold ones. I could give you everything about you.”

Are you in need of accounting or tax services? Reach out to Fredrick & Associates Accounting and Tax Professionals Inc. today.

Peggy Kapsalis Owner, Accountant/Tax Specialist

BEYOND ORDINARY

This Modern Masterpiece is a Cut Above

STORY BY KAREN TINSLEY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIC WEINGARDEN

ALMOST A QUARTER of the way through the 21st century, after a vicious cycle of uncertainty, our world has finally regained some semblance of normal. Could it be due, in part, to a heightened focus on making our home our haven?

Situated in the peaceful, upscale Timbercreek neighbourhood of Kingsville, this stunning ‘midcentury-with-a-touch-of-modern minimalism’ masterpiece is just steps away from all downtown has to offer, where award-winning wineries, fine restaurants and charming shops await. The home is also just minutes from the scenic views of world-famous Point Pelee National Park.

Creator Troy Torreon, founder and CEO of Torreonland Design + Build says, “Imagine, at the end of a long day, experiencing the anticipation and joy that comes from being able to say, ‘This is my home’.”

Organic architecture (which promotes harmony between human habitation and the natural world) inspires and influences every aspect of design in this house of stone and light.

Lots of large windows and white details are hallmarks in this welcoming space. Troy loves

Windsor Life s

Clockwise from left: Great room with oversized uncovered windows, built-in fireplace, mid-century modern curved, molded chairs and monogrammed throws, woven area rug and overhead pot lights; open-riser stairs, geometric chandelier, floorto-ceiling built-in shelving, textured aluminum library table and faux grass evoke a bright, gleaming aesthetic; Troy Torreon, B.S Arch, MRAIC, Founder and CEO of Torreonland Design + Build Inc.; dramatic pendant lamps, “cream and chrome” oversize chairs, built-in appliances and creative lighting converge in this sleek kitchen.

to use natural light, “which explains why I love oversize windows,” he laughs. “It’s wonderful to wake up in the morning to see the sun shining through your living spaces.”

Whether natural or simulated, lighting is one of the most important features of a home. It’s almost impossible to have too much of it; many homes don’t have enough. It can really liven up a space, serving as a functional work of art.

High quality, controlled LED lighting and automation allow for customized lighting in every area of this home, any time of the day or night.

For many of today’s modern home designers, “bringing the outside in” is considered fundamental, as are state-of-the-art smart home technology and sustainable building practices.

There are many environmental factors to be considered, such as the orientation of the sun, wind direction and water levels to name three.

Clockwise from above: A statement chandelier, and beveled glass banister; floor-to-ceiling uncovered windows, Eames chair, unique chandelier, and built-in fireplace in the master bedroom; tiled brick, a fire pit and giant upholstered patio seating adds texture and interest to this spacious outdoor living area; pale turquoise under-cabinet lighting, linear overhead vanity lighting, soaker tub and marble establish a spa-like feeling.

Since this home was designed in the mid-century modern style, that motif was kept top of mind in the selection of artwork, furniture and fixtures.

In the Great Room, the unique curved, molded chairs draped with monogrammed throws add depth. The oatmeal sectional sofa, woven area rug and built-in fireplace radiate warmth. ‘Big Art’ above the fireplace, the rectangular marble coffee table with books and magazines as well a vase of faux green hydrangeas radiates modern elegance.

With respect to décor, “art is a mood creator; it can promote positive energy, comfort and calm. A great way to keep up with the latest décor trends is to visit home and design shows,” adds Troy.

Artwork is also a perfect way to incorporate richness, whether as an accent or as the centerpiece for a space.

And according to top designers, ‘Big Art’ is back. The Gallery Wall trend is finally fading, because more and more homes are being designed with two-storey spaces (perfect for hanging huge art pieces and a wonderful way to infuse lots of life to a room).

Another reason why ‘Big Art’ is back? Decision fatigue. It’s far easier to choose one large work than multiple smaller pieces.

Chrome, steel and aluminum accents are everywhere in this home, evoking a bright, gleaming aesthetic throughout: from exquisite metal light fixtures to the library table to the Eames chair in the master bedroom to the metal and canvas patio chairs.

In general, metals amplify whatever vibe a space is already emulating. After years of gold and black dominating metal hardware and accessory finishes, bright aluminum and silver are gaining popularity. Brushed or textured metals (like the library table and Eames chair) give a more polished, sophisticated feel.

When it comes to staircases, one of the biggest decisions that homeowners and designers face is whether to choose open-riser or closed-riser stairs.

The absence of solid risers allows light to pass through the stairs, creating the illusion of more space, making the area feel brighter and more open.

Open-riser stairs are also less visually heavy, allowing the eye to flow through the structure.

Another advantage of open-riser stairs is that they can be designed to match space and style aesthetics. This flexibility allows open-riser stairs to complement and s

Jessica Koper

Brian Nolan

Sheila MacKinnon

Frank Saroli

Andrea Thielk

Jacob Benson

Peter Hrastovec

Mary-Ann Keefner

Donald Leschied

John Jedlinski

enhance the existing decor in a room rather than detract from it. They seem particularly well-suited to mid-century modern style.

Even though this home is abundant in natural light, sometimes regular travel or busy lifestyles can make fresh flowers, plants and greenery impractical. When fresh just isn’t possible, blooms of the everlasting variety have come a long way in terms of looking and feeling real. Throughout the house of stone and light, unexpected varieties of dried arrangements abound, adding colour, texture and pizzaz.

Sleek, modern kitchens appear to be here to stay. You may use your air fryer every day, but do you really want to look at it on your countertop? Kitchen design has been taken to a new level with custom touches such as hidden outlets and drawers for those who want to stash toasters, coffee makers and crockpots out of sight. In this kitchen, dramatic pendant lamps, “cream-and-chrome” oversize mid-century modern bar chairs, built-in appliances and creative lighting converge to generate a bright, sunny space for culinary adventures or simply scrambling eggs.

In the dining area, a splendid statement chandelier, big comfy Parson’s chairs and more ‘Big Art’ beckon.

Pale turquoise under-cabinet lighting in the master bathroom evokes a slightly tropical vibe; more ‘Big Art’, large, linear overhead vanity lighting and a soaker tub set against marble walls and floors establish a spa-like atmosphere.

Perfect for spring/summer/early fall outdoor entertaining, the spacious patio and pool area is also perfect for after work cocktails, at-home date nights or just chilling out with coffee and your favourite magazine. Tiled brick, a stone fire pit and giant upholstered patio seating brings the cozy comfort of the indoors outside.

There’s something incredibly unique and just plain cool about the way all the details come together to infuse this bespoke home with life and vitality.

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 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.

A Most Innovative Décor Shopping Experience

FROM ITS HUMBLE BEGINNINGS more than 75 years ago as a family-owned plumbing and hardware store on Wyandotte Street East near McDougall, Hi! Neighbor (with its iconic red, black and white sign and logo) grew to become Windsor’s premiere Big Box retail flooring warehouse store, but with personalized service.

Hi! Neighbor co-owners Erik Rorseth and Terry Darbyson (both hired by original owner Steven Shanbon when they were just teenagers) have been part of the Hi! Neighbor family their entire lives. When Shanbon passed away in 2014, Erik and Terry pooled their resources to buy the store.

“We’re so proud of our history,” Erik says. “And thanks in large part to our loyal customers, not to mention a ton of hard work, in August 2021, the doors at our 275 Wyandotte East store closed and the doors at 2610 Pillette Road opened. Relocating to a space more than twice the size of Wyandotte was a daring move, but it turned out to be the right move for us.”

Ever growing and expanding to offer ‘more than just flooring’, Erik adds, “As well as an abundance of quality flooring options that are affordable, on-trend and in stock for instant delivery, Hi! Neighbor is now delighted to carry top-of-the line kitchen, bathroom and laundry room cabinetry. We are also delighted to continue providing our signature face-to-face, personalized service.”

If you’re looking for the best in carpet, carpet tile, glass or metal tile, backsplashes, area rugs, cork, hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl, outdoor flooring (including faux grass) or natural and faux stone, the Hi! Neighbour showroom has it all, and you’ll want to see it for yourself.

Featured brands and technologies such as Nourison rugs (intentionally crafted to simplify upkeep and personalize living spaces), Aladdin, Mannington, Dream Weaver, Kraus, Engineered Floors and many more inspire joy with designs that look and feel good; delivering seamless blends of style, quality, comfort that make a personal statement to any indoor or outdoor oasis or workspace.

For basements or other spaces prone to flooding, a vast selection of waterproof flooring options is also available.

While certain customers may find this type of décor shopping stressful or confusing, the friendly, experienced Hi! Neighbor sales team and skilled project specialists are with you every step of the way, from your first showroom visit to delivery to installation.

Terry says, “For 75 years, generations of Windsor Essex families have trusted and supported Hi! Neighbor and have remained loyal customers. We understand and appreciate what an honour that is. It inspires us every day.”

Since 2020, satellite store Tiles Planks & Rolls on in Chatham, has become the most recommended flooring store. Terry adds, “We also serve Leamington and Amherstburg.”

If you are looking for gorgeous indoor and/or outdoor floor coverings for your home, office or business, or you’re dreaming of a kitchen, bathroom or laundry room upgrade, visit hineighborflooring.ca, or stop in to our Pillette Road store and experience our breathtaking, comprehensive showroom. Friendly, courteous staff and knowledgeable, skilled professionals are waiting to welcome you.

See Hi! Neighbor is one of the most trusted product and service providers. From design consultations to commercial and residential installations to financing, they’re here to help!

Owners Erik Rorseth and Terry Darbyson

A DAY IN EPHESUS

Uncovering the Story of the Historical and Biblical City of Ephesus

STORY BY ALLEY L. BINIARZ / PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL AND PAM SENEY

PAM AND BILL SENEY are known in the Windsor-Essex area for their well-researched travels and the spreadsheets that help take them to far off places around the world. That research would lead them to one of their favourite historic sites to date: to see the ruins in the ancient city of Ephesus. At 15% excavation, archaeologists are just scratching the surface of what life was like in Ephesus. Much of the ancient history is unrecorded or unreliable but as they steadily uncover pieces, more of its story and significance throughout history comes to the surface.

Ephesus is located near the western shores of modern-day Turkey and is accessible through the Kusadasi cruise port. This stop was the main reason for Pam and Bill booking this particular cruise and upon arriving, little else was a consideration other than making it 25 minutes inland to Ephesus.

“This area is one of the world’s classical sights and was once a cultural heartland

Clockwise from above: Tomb of the Apostle John; Kusadası shoreline on Aegean coast; the Celcus Library; architectural detail in Celcus Library; water cistern near House of Virgin Mary; Fountain of Trajan.

for Ancient Greece,” Bill explains. Now just one main street, Ephesus once sprawled up into the mountains and is estimated to have housed 250,000 people. Some of the richest people in the world lived here and they lived in sheer luxury with homes arranged around a central atrium, richly decorated with art on two or three floors.

“When you walk through the main entrance and the city of Ephesus opens up to you, it brings you goosebumps,” Pam says. She describes the experience of walking down the 500-metre marble sidewalk and noticing the imprinted grooves that were once used to help grip people’s sandals to keep them from slipping during the rain. All beneath this marble walkway archaeologists have located underground sewer systems and aqueducts that they’ve concluded would bring freshwater into the fountains and baths; in fact, there’s still active freshwater that streams into the system where you can get a glass of water from a well area. “There’s no word to describe the experience. I’ve never felt that way in ruins before. You can feel the grandeur, the wealth and what it must have felt like walking down the street during that time,” Pam adds.

Even with just 15% being excavated, we now know that Ephesus has passed through the hands of countless empires throughout the years. In the seventh century B.C. Ephesus fell under the rule of the Lydian Kings and became a thriving international port city where men and women enjoyed equal opportunities. Pam and Bill say that they could see evidence of where the city would light torches to brighten up the market and welcome the ships in.

The Lydian King Croesus, who ruled from 560 B.C. to 547 B.C., was most famous for funding the rebuilding of the Temple of Artemis who was the goddess of the hunt, chastity, childbirth, wild animals and the wilderness. She was one of the most revered Greek deities, and of incredible importance to the Ephenian population, proven by the temple which at one point stood four times larger than the Parthenon and became known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Other than small remains housed in the British Museum, there is nothing left of this magnificent temple today after it was destroyed.

Ephesus continued to thrive despite its changing borders and falling under Egyptian rule, Persian rule and then Roman rule by 129 B.C. where the city became the seat of the regional Roman governor. It was during the reforms of Caesar Augustus that

brought Ephesus to its most prosperous time and most of the ruins seen today such as The Library of Celsus and the Amphitheatre were built or rebuilt during his reign.

Along with being a centre of culture and commerce, Ephesus also played a key role in the spread of Christianity. As a Christian Apologist, Bill was especially keen to explore this part of the city’s history. “After leaving Jerusalem, Mary, Mother of Jesus, is thought to have moved to Ephesus to escape persecution,” Bill recounts. “It was the Apostle John who took her there and ran his ministry. Both of them lived here until they died.” Bill says that he and Pam toured what is believed to be Mary’s house along with the confirmed gravesite of Apostle John, which they say to be an incredible piece of history to witness.

Bill explains the rise in Christianity that happened after the Apostle Paul came to rebuke the worshiping of Artemis. Paul’s message wasn’t openly received by everyone; when he tried speaking at the amphitheater, he was run out of town by a man named Demetrius whose business and faith both relied on the goddess Artemis. However, Ephesian officials protected Paul and his followers and eventually Christianity became the city’s official religion.

Tourists can see examples of Christian dominance throughout Ephesus, such as a church being built atop Apostle John’s tomb and the baptismal pools. “In Christianity, being baptized by submersion was symbolic to dying in an old way of life and living in a new life. You can see this practice immediately being put into place once Christians were there.” Bill says there were two notable pools, one beside the church that was built, and an even bigger one located near Mary’s home.

After Christianity took over Ephesus, all traces of the goddess Artemis were destroyed, places of worship were banned, schools and temples were closed. It was during this time that Ephesus peaked and met its decline through additional conquests, a large amount of physical looting and destruction by the Goths in 262 A.D., accumulating silt in the port which cut Ephesus off from their main trading method, and then an eventual abandonment.

What is left of Ephesus is a feeling—a sense of what could have been and the potential that lies in its streets. It’s through visiting historical enthusiasts like Pam and Bill that keep the story of Ephesus alive and what will keep us going in searching beyond the 15%.

NEW AND NOTICED

WINDSOR REGIONAL HOSPITAL RECEIVES BELIEVE WINDSOR AWARD

Congratulations to the entire Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) team, recipients of the 2024 Believe Windsor-Essex Award, presented by WFCU at the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce annual Business Excellence Awards. Accepting on behalf of WRH were (from left) David Woodfall, Vice President, Commercial at WFCU Credit Union; from WRH, Chief of Staff, Dr. Wassim Saad; newly appointed Acting President and CEO, Karen Riddell; David Musyj, longtime WRH President and CEO, now Acting President and CEO for London Health Sciences Centre.

Photo by Mike Kovaliv of Mychailo Photography.

PLAY FOR A CURE RAISES $424,000

The fourth annual Play For A Cure Pro Am fundraising event exceeded everyone’s expectations raising $424,000. The volunteer event raises money for the Cancer Research Collaboration Fund in partnership with the Windsor Essex Community Foundation. Pictured from the event are Ryan Marier, Jeff Casey (event co-organizer), Paul Dufour and Jeff Robillard. playforacure.ca

WECHC ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Nancy Brockenshire has taken over the reign of the Windsor Essex County Health Centre. Nancy is a seasoned healthcare executive with over 30 years of managerial experience. “The organization could not be placed in more capable hands,” said Rita Taillefer, weCHC Executive Director. wechc.org

MAY COURT CELEBRATING 90 YEARS

During the month of May, through money raised at their resale stores and other fundraisers throughout the year, May Court has provided more than $100,000 to organizations that work with children. Pictured is May Court member Martha Robinson. windsormaycourt.com

UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR ALUMNI AMBASSADOR AWARD

Beth Ann Prince was recently presented with the University Of Windsor’s Alumni Ambassador Award. Beth Ann is the Community Investment Manager at the WFCU Credit Union and sits on the UWindsor Board of Governors. She is also the President of the Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation and volunteers with Transition to Betterness and the Windsor Yacht Club.

Photo courtesy University of Windsor. uwindsor.ca/alumni

HOSPICE WINDSOR ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Hospice Board of Directors recently announced Katharen Bortolin as the new Executive Director, effective May 10. For the past five years, Katharen was the Director of Community Engagement and Advancement overseeing fundraising, donor relations and communications for the organization. Founded in 1979, The Hospice provides compassionate, clinical, end-oflife care. thehospice.ca

NURSES WIN TRILLIUM GIFT OF LIFE AWARDS

Two local nurses have been recognized by the Trillium Gift of Life Network for being exceptional advocates for organ and tissue donation. WRH Intensive Care Unit nurses Andrea Brearley (left) and Terra Popovski have been awarded the 2023 Provincial Donation Champion Award for excellence in fulfilling Ontario Health’s mandate to save and enhance more lives through the gift of organ and tissue donation. giftoflife.on.ca

PREPARATION PAYS

Members of the University of Windsor Head-Up

A Project to Strengthen Supply Chain Lines in the Event of Another Global Pandemic

STORY BY MATTHEW ST. AMAND PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR

PRIOR TO THE early months of 2020, the idea of a global pandemic shutting down the world was the stuff of dystopian science fiction movies. Then we came face to face with COVID-19. During the tumultuous time that ensued, supply chains buckled, information came in sporadic, baffling bursts. Vaccines and personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks and cleaning products, were scarce for far too long. The pandemic brought the world as close to a screeching halt as anything has in the past hundred years.

Nobody wants to live through that again and a team of experts at the University of Windsor is heading up a $15 million research project to ensure we do not. Known as INSPIRE (Integrated Network for the Surveillance of Pathogens: Increasing Resilience and Capacity in Canada’s Pandemic Response), the project is focused on strengthening Canada’s biomanufacturing sector in preparation for future pandemics.

According to a press release from the University of Windsor, the program “brings together 43 experts from seven universities and public and private agencies in Canada and the United States. This team of microbiologists, biochemists, engineers, computer scientists and experts in supply chains and public policy will look for ways to improve biomanufacturing and health sector supply chains, bolster cross-border trade and mobility as well as explore new technologies in pathogen surveillance.”

INSPIRE is headed by Dr. Mike McKay, director of the University of Windsor’s Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER), which is a founding member of the Ontario Wastewater Surveillance Initiative. Dr. McKay is joined at the project’s helm by Dr. Lawrence Goodridge, a professor in the Department of Food Science and director of the Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety within the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC).

“We need to shore up the ability of the private sector in Canada to meet demands of the health sector in case of another pandemic,” Dr. McKay explains. “We must learn from experience to develop proactive strategies to prevent the

Top: Professors Arezoo Emadi, Mike McKay, Kendall Soucie, and Kenneth Ng are pictured along the Windsor-Detroit riverfront, showcasing the interdisciplinary team leading the $15 million INSPIRE project to advance Canada’s biomanufacturing and pandemic response capabilities. Above: Dr. Mike McKay, Director of the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, conducts research such as analyzing waste water samples as unbiased early indicators of community health.

devastating impact of infectious diseases on the biomanufacturing and health sectors and improve efficiencies moving assets across borders.”

Dr. McKay’s research group at GLIER is key to this program because it provides an early warning system for outbreaks— such as COVID-19—by testing sewage for pathogens.

“We led the charge in Southwestern Ontario taking on this type of surveillance,” Dr. McKay says. “Most of the work we do at GLIER is focused on safeguarding the Great Lakes, but we also got involved in this when the pandemic struck. It’s a gold mine of information. Wastewater monitoring is cost effective and it really takes the pulse of the health of an entire community. And it’s not reliant on clinical samples, which come from people in the form of blood samples or nasal swabs, for example.”

Particularly during the Omicron out break in January 2022, clinical testing became overwhelmed. So many people were sick, testing labs could not keep up.

“That’s when the public health commu nity really bought into wastewater surveil lance,” Dr. McKay says.

The INSPIRE project is not only at the forefront of early detection of the next pandemic providing guidance to public health, but is also examining ways of strengthening Canada’s ability to respond to consumer and commercial needs.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we had supply chain shortages, we couldn’t get enough PPE in Canada, we weren’t making our own vaccines,” Dr. McKay says.

Funding for INSPIRE is coming from a larger, over-arching matrix of projects.

According to an announcement made on May 7 by federal Tourism Minister Soraya Martinez Ferrada, the $15 million going into INSPIRE is part of nearly $574 million in funding spread across 19 projects.

During the announcement, Minister Ferrada said: “The projects that we’re supporting today will strengthen our ability to supply medicines, vaccines and therapeutics for the benefit of Canadians. These collaborations between research hubs, post-secondary institutions and research hospitals will foster innovation across the country. Thanks to the work of experienced scientists in institutions at the cutting edge of innovation, Canada will be ready to respond to future health priorities.”

In theory, most people agree that planning ahead for catastrophe makes good sense. In practice however, detractors

sometimes zero-in on costs alone, and question the need for thoroughness. One need look no further than the town of Fudai, Japan, as an example of “future-proofing” one’s community against calamity. Fudai survived the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami that devastated much of Japan—where more than 20,000 people lost their lives or went missing. In the 1970s, Fudai’s then-mayor, Kotaku Wamur (who served ten terms and passed away in 1997 at age 88) oversaw the construction of a 51-foot floodgate between mountainsides at a cost of more than $30 million in today’s dollars. For years, the floodgates were described as the mayor’s folly; criticized as an expensive, wasteful project. Although Wamur did not live to see it happen, Fudai was saved by those floodgates in 2011. Other nearby communities that built less substantial, more cost-effective seawalls—such as Taro—were not so lucky.

Preparedness pays.

The INSPIRE program will also build strategic partnerships with researchers in Michigan, Ohio, and New York to create a cross-border pathogen surveillance network that covers regions where many supply chains supporting Canadian industry originate.

Those supply chains will be the focus of SCAN Health (Supply Chain Advancement Network), headed by CEO and scientific director Anne Snowden, a professor in the University of Windsor’s Odette School of Business and member of the INSPIRE team. SCAN Health designs, validates and scales collaborative supply chain solutions, practices and measurement tools to improve health system supply chain resilience and economic recovery in Canada’s post-pandemic future.

Expressing her gratitude for the confidence the government places in the university by funding INSPIRE, Shanthi Johnson, Vice-President – Research and Innovation at the University of Windsor, says: “This announcement speaks to our local to global scale expertise, experiences and excellence in research and innovation within the University of Windsor, our ability to engage a diverse cadre of experts and trainees and collaborate with other universities, community and industry partners throughout the province and in the United States.”

Everyone agrees that INSPIRE is an important initiative with the significant potential to improve the lives of Canadians and support the growth of Canada’s biomanufacturing and health sectors. WLM

Justin Moore / Priscilla Block

MUFFLERS INTO MASTERPIECES

Peter Solly Transforms Auto Parts into Art

STORY BY MATTHEW ST. AMAND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL PIETRANGELO

ANYONE WHO has met Peter Solly, second generation owner/operator of MacDonald Automotive Supercentre, has no doubt he will leave his unique mark on the world. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, it appeared he was destined to leave that mark in the entertainment world. Peter lived in Toronto at that time and was slowly carving out a career as a model and an actor.

“I did well in my auditions,” Peter remembers. “I appeared in a few episodes of the CTV show Street Legal. I did some commercials for Molson Brewery and had a part in a kickboxing movie.”

The only thing more important to Peter than his art was his family.

“I was just getting going—it was a great feeling—when my dad asked me to come home and help him with the family business,” Peter says. “So, I came home, worked in the business and started my own family.”

Peter’s high-octane personality ensures that anything he sets his mind to is successful. Although he easily transitioned from the world of acting and modeling to that of business owner, his creative side remained watchful for the next opportunity to express itself. That came from an unexpected quarter.

“When my sister-in-law, Rhonda, was studying to be a hearing doctor,” Peter recalls, “she had to take a course in folk art—using scrap material from the area where you live to make art. In her textbook was an article about a guy in Walla Walla, Washington

who was making art out of mufflers. My brother, Chuck, showed me that and said: ‘Why don’t you start doing that?’”

Peter did just that. His first sculpture was the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz, which he created using an old, discarded muffler and other scrap materials.

“I made that one, and a few more, and displayed them out front of the store,” Peter says, “and people went crazy for them. They had never seen anything like that before!”

In the past twenty years, Peter has created upwards of four hundred sculptures. Notable subjects include Prince, Elton John, the Blues Brothers, Taylor Swift and most recently Freddie Mercury, the late lead singer of the British rock group Queen.

“I was just getting good at it, honing my craft through trial and error, and people started telling me they wanted these sculptures,” Peter says. “I sold a few and then I got into donating them to charity and raffles.”

To date, Peter has donated between one hundred and two hundred sculptures. This is no easy or inexpensive thing. Each takes approximately forty hours to create, not including the time required to find the proper scrap materials. Then there is the cost of priming and painting each of them.

“The primer, alone, costs a hundred dollars and the paint is four hundred,” Peter explains.

The first creations Peter made, he tried his hand at painting the faces. Unhappy with the results, he enlisted the aid of Windsor artist Glen Hawkes.

“Glen makes children’s books and cartoons,” Peter says. “He and his wife, April, who’s an artist too, help me paint the faces. And they really nail it! It’s a gift to be able to paint on a propane tank, I’ll tell you! I’ve had other people try and it looked terrible. Paint on a muffler or balloon canister—it’s a big learning curve. They nail it. Freddie Mercury, it’s him! Taylor Swift. Elton John. Cat Woman. Wednesday from the Addams Family. Everybody went nuts for Prince!”

After years of donating sculptures in support of a myriad of causes around Windsor, one of Peter’s most recent works finally received the attention and notoriety it deserved.

Peter joined forces with Mario Ricci and Jon Renaud, area events and concert organizers. On April 6, Mario and Jon staged a concert at the Olde Walkerville Theatre. The event featured the cover band Simply

s

Clockwise from left: Wednesday and Thing from The Addam’s Family; pop star Taylor Swift; Spider-man from Marvel Comics for a devoted comic enthusiast; life size moose for Peter’s mentor Al Martin with his wife Lorraine and Peter in the US; Peter with sculpture of Freddy Mercury from Queen for tribute band concert series auction; Don Cherry, ambassador to the NHL; Sponge Betty, Sponge Bob’s wife to keep him company in front of the shop; Star Wars villain, Darth Vader; sculpture of comedian Jay Leno.

Queen and raised money for the Fight Like Mason Foundation, which supports children with cancer and their families. Peter donated his Freddie Mercury sculpture for the auction.

“I’m used to my sculptures going for $1,000 or $1,500 at charity auctions,” Peter says. “I almost fell over when I heard the bidding for the Freddie Mercury sculpture!”

When the auction portion of the April 6 event began, Peter wasn’t the only person who thought it would follow the familiar routine: the price slowly rising one hundred dollars at a time with each bid.

“This time the bids were going up a thousand dollars at a time,” Peter says. “I couldn’t believe how it kept going on—one thousand, two thousand, three thousand! Teddy Boomer—the Blues Festival founder—just kept raising the price!”

When all the other bidders fell away, Ted won the Freddie Mercury sculpture for $23,000. In a stunning plot twist, Ted gifted the sculpture to Rick Rock, lead singer of Simply Queen. In a further twist, Rick Rock said he could not accept the sculpture, but had an idea.

“Simply Queen is affiliated with an over-arching association of Queen tribute bands,” Peter says. “So, they’re trying to organize something through them—like a global auction to raise even more money. That would be tremendous, to keep this ball rolling!”

He adds: “The people in Windsor are great when they come together to help for a charitable cause! We love Windsor people!”

Despite his success, Peter has thought about giving up the sculptures. He has a family, runs a business. Life is busy enough.

“A couple of years ago, I said I’m done, I need to focus on the business,” Peter says. “The art takes up a lot of time. But my staff said: ‘No, people love this stuff!’”

When the rumour of Peter giving up the sculptures surfaced on Facebook, fans of his work were emphatic: “Don’t ever stop!”

Peter’s latest creation is a sculpture of Jay Leno. Peter has made several attempts at reaching out to Jay about this and is still awaiting a reply. In the meantime, Peter’s fans can see his work outside the MacDonald Automotive Supercentre on Howard Avenue at Eugenie Street.

To view more of Peter’s sculptures, including Jay Leno and Taylor Swift, visit MacDonald Automotive’s Facebook page, the Photos section, at www.facebook.com/ MacdonaldFullServiceAuto. WLM

Back: Dr. Ed MacMurdo, Susie, Sarah. Front: Jade, Hanna.

Take the 21st century challenge

Making your money work hard, so you don’t have to.

If you’re like most of the investors we’ve helped achieve greater risk-adjusted returns over the years, you’ll begin to make statements like “THIS SHOULD BE ME!” However, when an investor considers making a very positive change to their future wealth, their relationship with their advisor makes it awkward. When your wealth and retirement are at stake, you need to make results the #1 priority rather than any perceived relationship. You’ve worked hard to create your savings and those hard-earned savings can potentially grow substantially. As you’ll see below, at 21st Century Advice, we have a track record of helping our clients to achieve their financial goals.

Compare your own portfolio’s income to the income our clients enjoyed over the same periods.

How We’re Different

• We welcome clients to discuss their actual returns on their investments complete with comparisons. In fact, we will always begin our client meetings with performance updates.

• When necessary, we recommend changes to your portfolio. As the global economy changes, so should your portfolio.

• We are committed to meeting with clients a minimum of 2-3 times per year to update them and ourselves for any relevant changes.

• We are truly independent investment advisors. We are not associated with any fund company or bank. This means we can recommend the BEST investment for the client. Adding to our independence, all investments pay us the same amount.

• Lastly, we only make more money personally, when the client makes more money.

• Our accounts include Corporate, pension trusts, general trusts, power of attorney, as well as every type of personal savings account including RRSPs, all types of RIFs, LIRAs, LIFs, TFSAs etc.

• Applicable accounts are insured the under CIPF coverage policy for insolvency coverage, (limits apply).

• We do not hold nor purchase any equity investments which would require a client having to wait to access their money. Client’s funds are available to them within 3-5 business days from their request of any funds.

Many of our new senior clients and others left behind a portfolio that included bonds and GIC’s. They are shocked when they see the potential earnings they should have enjoyed. We emphasize that it’s never too late to start investing smarter.

The most important part of our job is to ensure our clients receive the highest risk-adjusted returns. In order to meet that goal, we manage your risk rather than your money, a subtle but important difference. Doing the required research is a very time-consuming task but, is necessary to achieve the best results. We consider it part of our due care and diligence.

Our unique background and experience in corporate and trust clients enables us to recommend Individual Pension Plans when appropriate. Also, we can recommend a suitable option in the case of a defined benefit plan when changing or retiring from employment eg. OMERS, HOPP, Teachers etc.

*Data through client plan performance reports from OneBoss.

*According to the data above, if you invested $1000 with us on January 1, 2019, then on March 31, 2024, your current value would have been $1862. This was calculated by compounding the average annual returns above.

*Returns are calculated after charges have been deducted. These include charges you pay for advice, transaction charges and account-related charges, but not income tax. Keep in mind your returns will reflect the mix of investments and risk level of your account. When assessing your returns, consider your investment goals, the amount of risk you’re comfortable with, and the value of the advice and services you receive.

*Mutual funds provided through Sterling Mutuals Inc. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values fluctuate frequently, and past performance may not be repeated.

BON APP ETIT!

Antonino’s Original Pizza - South Windsor, Tecumseh, LaSalle. Multiple-award winning pizza with the money back guarantee! Fresh salads & authentic Sicilian Cannoli that even your Nonna will love! Google our menu. originalpizza.ca

The Bourbon Tap & Grill - Home of live music 3-6 nights a week. Signature thin crust woodfired pizza, burgers, wraps, sandwiches, wings and more. Open for lunch, family friendly. Big screens to watch the game. 1199 Ottawa St., 12049 Tecumseh Rd. East, and Opening soon in Belle River at 405 Notre Dame.

Cheesecake On A Stick - Dessert shop offering gourmet cheesecake dipped in chocolate and various toppings. Take out or delivery offered with Jubzi.com. Open Thurs-Sun 12-9 pm. Kingsville location open Sat-Sun 12-9 pm. 13300 Tecumseh Rd. E., Tecumseh 519-999-9116. cheesecakeonastick.ca 460 Main St. E, Kingsville 519-999-6024

Cotta Food Bar - Let us be your place for private events, holiday parties, weddings, dine-in, takeout, catering and more! With a wealth of experience, our talented chefs pride themselves in creating delicious contemporary Italian food. Friendly service.

3891 Dougall Ave., Windsor. 519-915-6882. cottafoodbar.com

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

Erie St GastroPub - Located in the heart of Little Italy, this hidden gem offers elevated pub fare and a scrumptious Asian-fusion menu. The bar features local Ontario wines, a constantly rotating craft beer menu, handcrafted cocktails as well as alcohol infused ice cream. ErieStGastroPub.com 839 Erie Street, Windsor. 519-252-3743

Mamo Burger Bar - Burgers made with local beef are piled high with creative topping combinations at this casual spot. Recently voted 9th best burger in the world. Kids menu also available! mamoburgerbar.com 1515 Ottawa Street, Windsor. 519-973-1234 s

Neros Steakhouse - Indulge in the finer things in life at Neros where modern upscale dining meets traditional steakhouse fare. Fresh, local ingredients, an incredible wine selection and superb service. OpenTable.ca 1-800-991-7777 ext. 22481.

Original Guys Pizza Pies - The “Windsor style” thin crust pizza skillfully rolled and hand tossed is cooked to perfection in a stone baked oven. With vegetarian and vegan options, pizzas are tailored to each customer’s individual taste. Also offering wings, salads and subs. 3335 Banwell Rd., Windsor. 519-979-8808. ogpizza.ca

River’s Edge Tap & Table - Discover what is so delicious in the Harbour District of Riverside. Relaxing patio on the water, wine bar lounge, dining with private room available. Enjoy seafood, steaks, chops, pastas, burgers and more! 494 Riverdale Ave. 519-915-0200 riversedgewindsor.com

SONA Ristorante & Taverna - An upscale casual dining experience inspired by cliffside restaurants of the Mediterranean. Spend an evening in our ristorante, featuring seasonal cuisine and international wines for your enjoyment.

11 Queens Ave, Leamington. 519-974-7664. sonacanada.com

Thirteen At The Inn - Casual/finer dining with a comfortable, modern ambiance. Carrying on traditions of Thirteen Russell Steakhouse, enjoy old favourites or something new. Prime Rib, fresh Lake Erie fish, steak and seafood. Cocktail lounge. Waterfront patio. Private parties. 40 minutes from Windsor/Detroit. Reservations recommended: 519-324-9266 Ext 215.

388 Erie St. S., Leamington. 13attheinn.com

Twigg’s Bar + Grill - Family oriented local establishment offering freshly prepared pubfare. We take pride in providing prompt service in a unique atmosphere with craft beer, specialty cocktails, daily specials, live entertainment, catering and more.

1207 County Rd 22, Emeryville 519-727-8704. www.twiggsbarandgrill.com

Vito’s Pizzeria - Rustic Italian restaurant serving wood-fired pizza, fresh pasta, veal, chicken, grilled steaks and seafood. Wonderful wine selection. Private party spaces. Food truck and portable pizza oven for offsite catering. 1731 Wyandotte St. E., Windsor. 519-915-6145. catering@vitospizzeria.com

For information on listings and advertising in Bon Appetit! please call Leslie Campbell at 519-567-0603.

POLISHED TO PLAY

With Their Blended Genre of Pop, Punk and Classic Rock, TuneSquad is Always Ready to Play

STORY BY ALYSIA THERRIEN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY JADEN D.

CAREFULLY SELECTED TUNES and a squad of good friends equal the perfect combination for a cover band.

TuneSquad was initiated by Windsor singer/songwriter Christee Palace. She states the idea was to create a cover band that matched her soloist style, which meant selecting tunes from genres such as 80s rock, 90s pop and modern hits. “I had always wanted to start a cover band project based off of music I was raised listening to and where I am at musically,” explained Christee.

After reaching out to Brandon Lefrancois, TuneSquad’s drummer and occasional singer, the two were ready to start their lineup. Christee and Brandon, the first original members, began playing together back in 2016. A few changes occurred over the years, but the group now features Dylan McCarthy on bass and Will Li on lead guitar and keys.

“We are this cool hybrid,” says Dylan about stemming from Christee’s influences of pop punk, rock and classic rock. “We are a blend of those styles and attitudes.”

Due to their blended genre, the band draws a crowd from various groups, such as rockers and millennials. Their audience does span a wide range, especially if you love pop, punk and alternative music.

“We kind of have that nostalgia element to what we play,” says Brandon, “we try to pick songs that people go ‘Oh, I forgot about this one!’”

All members of TuneSquad were active musicians prior to joining together, but they are now more than just coworkers.

“I would describe us as a group of friends who have come together, who love to share music and who want to share the music that inspired us to be musicians,” explains Christee.

Any time music and song selections are being discussed, it is the squad who contributes. A collaborative approach, TuneSquad always aims to keep in line with who they are and the music they like.

The group didn’t always go by the name TuneSquad. One night in 2019, the group was looking to play a Halloween gig. At the time, the group was called Undercover. The particular venue they wanted to book already had a band who went by the name Undercover.

“We had to change our name if we wanted to play,” explained Brandon. Since costumes were required, the group had decided to dress up as TuneSquad from Space Jam the Movie. They wore

TuneSquad are (l-r): Christee Palace, Dylan McCarthy, Brandon Lefrancois and Will Li.

the same basketball jerseys worn by Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes. “We changed the name to TuneSquad to get the gig and it stuck from there,” said Brandon.

Brandon, who refers to himself as a “hired gun”, is quite involved with various music groups and projects throughout the South-Western Ontario area. Some of his most frequent contributions include performing regularly with Buck Twenty, The Jen Knight Band and Indiana Drones. From playing live, recording and teaching, his vast experience and professionalism has directly impacted TuneSquad.

“I am really proud of the fact that we have a large repertoire, we do the songs justice,” explains Brandon, “We really value playing things note-for-note. We are all about being as polished and professional as possible on stage.”

TuneSquad also focuses on keeping up to date, while featuring some of the classics. One of the newest artists they recently covered is Tate McRae, who Christee references is blowing up on the social media platform TikTok.

If it fits in with a booking, Christee will sprinkle in some of her original material, but she expresses the set list is very versatile. “We’ve developed a song list now that is very cohesive,” adds Christee, “When we are performing, it very much works with different audiences and different age groups.”

Christee Palace is known in Windsor as an accomplished artist. She has had her music featured on platforms such as USA Network’s “Temptation Island” and has opened for professional acts, such as the Canadian indie band Walk Off the Earth. Streaming now on all major platforms is Christee’s newest single, “Someone I Hate”, which is also now rotating regularly on local radio station 96.7.

Although she is an established solo artist, Christee still places

great emphasis on her gratitude for her bandmates by saying that they are a “great group of boys”. She references that TuneSquad is truly a group project where everyone has grown immensely in their craft. “They’ve made me better as a performer and musician in general,” Christee boasts.

“We’re all great friends and it’s just super chill. We are all strong musicians and we all trust each other,” says Dylan.

Dylan, a Quality Assurance Technician by day, has also been an active member of various local cover bands, such as Stiletto Fire. Will, a multi-instrumentalist, tours with his country duo Aldershot. A Western University graduate, Will utilizes his music degree to take on work as a producer and music director.

For the group, Christee shares that she hopes they can branch out with their bookings and take on more performing opportunities. “We’re a good fit,” says Christee, “we’re modern and quite polished.”

Together, the squad is eager to take their tunes on the road. “We definitely want to get over to the states and start booking more things there,” says Christee. The group is fortunate to have played throughout Windsor, Toronto and “everywhere in-between”, so it makes sense they are looking across the border to their closest neighbour.

“We just want to keep building the brand of TuneSquad, because it’s honestly still kind of like hidden” says Brandon. He explains he hopes TuneSquad will become a go-to name in the area for events and will be one of the first bands that comes to mind when booking a wedding band.

To find out where TuneSquad is playing next or how to book them, check out their website at tunesquadband.com and social media page @tunesquadband.to.

JEN FAROUGH

The New Face At Provincial Chrysler

EMPATHY AND EXPERIENCE are two of the personal qualities Jen Farough brings to Provincial Chrysler. For eleven years, she has been a numbers cruncher with a heart at other dealerships—or, as she says: “I’m a credit specialist who deals with people who have less-than-perfect credit.”

What brought her to Provincial Chrysler?

“It’s an opportunity to help more of my customers on a larger scale,” she says. “I believe in listening to people, making them feel comfortable. Buying a car is the second biggest purchase most people will make.”

Jen says she finds particular satisfaction in helping single moms buy a car.

“I was a single mom,” she continues. “I have three boys: Chris, Nick, and Daniel, and seven grand kids! I know the challenges of living on a budget and trying to give my kids the best.”

Before she got into auto sales, Jen worked as an assistant bailiff and saw the other side of financial struggles when repossessing automobiles. It was a friend she met in her work for dog rescue who first gave her a chance in a local sub prime company.

“I went through a bad time,” Jen says. “She gave me a shot. She taught me everything she knows.”

Jen believes in paying that opportunity forward. She does far more than credit checks and assemble the paperwork needed for people to purchase vehicles.

“Part of my job is educating people and I thoroughly enjoy it,” Jen says. “I see the outcome. Some customers have come back to me three and four times. They started at thirty percent interest and I recently put them in a prime loan at seven percent. They take my advice. They learn it, work it and they will call me before making a financial decision. I enjoy seeing that positive impact.”

She continues: “Some people have an old school mentality and say: ‘I’ll just pay cash’ for things, not realizing that hurts you more than anything. They don’t understand credit. The credit bureau isn’t alerted when you’re paying your bills. They’re only notified when you miss. That’s what gets reported. Many people do not know this.”

Not only does Jen listen to her customers, but she also communicates with them in whatever manner works for them.

“If they are more comfortable doing that by text, we do that,” Jen says. “I listen to the customer, their wants, their needs, their stories. Sometimes it’s about getting them on track, not even into a car.”

More than that, Jen derives great satisfaction from helping newcomers to Canada who are new to credit.

“I’m constantly researching what programs are available at the banks,” she says. “I know ahead of time the criteria of what a car buyer needs. I don’t have all the answers, but I educate myself as I go and work it backwards with my customer: ‘Where do you want to be payment-wise? Have you called an insurance company to see if this fits into your budget?’ I want to see my customers succeed.”

Away from the dealership, Jen has a passion for dog rescue, donating time and resources to SMART Rescue, which rescues and re-homes Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes and Alaskan Huskies. Come see Jen at Provincial Chrysler at 1001 Provincial Road in Windsor.

THE LONG ROAD TO PARIS

Dedication and Determination Take A Local Wrestler to Her First Olympics

STORY BY MATTHEW ST. AMAND PHOTOGRAPHER BY JUSTIN HOCH

MOST PEOPLE WOULD NOT be able to stand the central premise of freestyle wrestling: countless hours training, an unending procession of matches, years of dedication—all for six minutes of all-or-nothing competition. Dreams are made or dashed in three hundred sixty seconds. That is the road to the ultimate goal: the Olympics.

On the second weekend in May, Essex County wrestler, Linda Morais, entered the competition circle intent on making her dream of qualifying for the Olympics come true. She was in Istanbul, Türkiye for the final World Olympic Qualifier and had already competed in five matches over the course of two days. All that stood between her and her dream was Alexandra Anghel of Romania. There were only sixteen spots in the 68-kilogram weight class going to the Olympics. Fifteen of those were already secured. Numerous countries vied for the final remaining slot.

Six minutes later, Linda prevailed in the match 4-3, winning a bronze medal in her weight class and securing her place on Team Canada.

“The competition was stiff,” she says, back home in Windsor on a break. “The two wrestlers I fought were World bronze medalists.”

How does it feel to know she is going to the Paris Olympics?

Clockwise from top left: Linda Morais, World Olympic qualified athlete in the 68 kilogram weight class; Linda faces off against Romania for a true bronze qualifying match; Linda performs a leg take-down against Uzbekistan; Linda in par terre doing a crossed ankle against Bulgaria.

“I’m very excited!” Linda says. “This is another chance to represent my country and to wear that Maple Leaf on my singlet!”

Although she believes in her ability, Linda went to Istanbul knowing one thing about her competition: “They were very tough women!”

It all came down to her mindset. During that match against her Romanian opponent, Linda had a winning mindset and took the match.

There is no minimizing the mental aspect of the sport, where competitors are all reasonably equal in strength, well-versed in technique, quick and agile. It often comes down to who is mentally tougher that determines the winner of those six minutes in the circle.

At age thirty, Linda is just hitting her prime.

“Internationally, thirty years of age is considered old,” Linda says, “but in Canada women peak at this time. We’ve had three national team athletes who were moms and had success internationally!”

Istanbul is a long way from École Secondaire L’Essor where Linda first discovered wrestling. Actually, it was her father, Dean, who discovered it for her.

“I was in grade eight and was at an open house at L’Essor with my dad,” Linda remembers. “He saw the wrestling room. He didn’t know it was a women’s sport. He ran and found me, brought me over to the room. He knew I was a strong girl and thought I should give it a try. He introduced me to the coach, David Tremblay. A week or two later, there was an announcement in my grade school saying we could be a part of the after-school wrestling program at L’Essor. I went out for it.”

It is a testament to Linda’s time-management skills at such a young age that her father thought she could also handle wrestling. During that time, Linda had made it a stated goal to be a part of every sports team at school: basketball, volleyball, track and field, cross country, badminton, soccer. And then wrestling. She loved it from the start, though she found over time, the sport does not always love an athlete in return.

“When I first started, wrestling was a lot harder than I thought it would be,” Linda says. “In the early stages, we played games like Dodge Ball, British Bulldog and other team-building activities to toughen us up.”

Success came early for Linda.

“I made the national team when I was in grade nine,” she says. “I didn’t expect it. I tried it and ended up winning nationals.

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I went to the Pan American Championship in El Salvador. That was my first international trip. I won my first cadet PanAm.”

All through high school, Linda won matches. In grade ten, she went to the Canada Summer Games where she won gold.

Early success did not mean continued success.

“I hit a roadblock when I moved from cadets—grade nine to eleven—and entered juniors—grade twelve to second year of university,” Linda explains. “That’s when it got really tough. That’s when I was going to university in Montreal. If it weren’t for my support system—particularly Mr. Tremblay—I’m unsure if I would have continued with the sport. But I always had someone in my corner, someone saying to me: ‘Give it one more year! Give it one more tournament!’ Each jump in division was a difficult adjustment!”

Another setback occurred in 2016, when Linda missed out on a spot on the Canadian Olympic team. That year, she came close and lost to Canadian Michelle Fazzari. Four years later, in 2020, she was coming off winning the world title in her weight class, but experienced another wrenching defeat that placed those Olympic games out of reach.

She credits coaches Martine Dugrenier and David Zilberman for keeping her positive and motivated during this time.

With grit and determination, Linda continued competing. Now, with her place on Team Canada secured, she is circumspect about what it took to get here: “In wrestling, at least, it takes time to see success. Some athletes get discouraged early on. Wrestling is a tough sport in more ways than one! You need time to develop speed, strength and agility before the success will come. The technical part is huge. It takes years to develop that. One quote I often think of that keeps me going is: ‘Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.’ You have to stay with it. I’m glad I did!”

Linda is particularly thankful to her coaches at the Montreal Wrestling Club. She is also very grateful for the support of George and Eleanor Renitz whose sponsorship has been invaluable to many wrestlers.

“Their support has made a huge difference,” she says. “Without them I couldn’t have traveled as much as I did and gained all that necessary experience!”

All that remains now is for everyone at home to cheer Linda on this summer as she competes in Paris.

COME INTO MY WORLD

Author Rita Miceli

Invites You Into The Intimate Nooks of Her Life in Her Newly Released Book, Giaci and Me

STORY BY ALLEY L. BINIARZ

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARRIE J PHOTOGRAPHY

FROM THE OUTSIDE, Rita Miceli’s book Giaci and Me looks like an overnight success; but when you peer behind the scenes, you’ll see that this local mother and educator has spent decades with this story in draft.

Giaci and Me, which launched in late March of 2024, follows the story of a mother’s journey of loving and raising her Autistic child, Giaci. While covering the practical lessons of raising a child with Autism, the book also takes us into Rita’s world, where she vulnerably shares her fears and expresses some of the deepest parts of what many caregivers may feel but may never have had the space to share. This was one of the hindering elements for Rita in finding the courage to get the story into the public. “It’s so personal and raw. I feel like I cut myself open and let people see really deep down,” Rita shares. “I was so afraid of putting it out there to show that vulnerability and my inner thoughts. I was ashamed of a lot of it.”

Before the book took off, Rita’s twin daughters had their own idea of how to share their family’s story and educate the community on the day-to-day realities of Autism. They started a TikTok page for Giaci (@giacimiceli), which has reached over 600k followers today. “It was hard for me to let the girls do this,” Rita admits. “I knew there was such beauty in sharing him with the world, but I still had fears of how he would be received. But the educator in me wanted people to understand how we operate. Most people

don’t see the day-to-day of what it takes to go somewhere with him or how we prepare him for an event.”

Together they share the behind the scenes of seemingly ordinary events, like getting Giaci ready to say the prayer before his sister’s wedding by buying a microphone and allowing him to practice every day before the event, then bringing him to the venue weeks in advance to physically prepare him for the space. With change being a challenge for Giaci, the family has learned how to teach him the skills to achieve an everyday event that others may take for granted, like getting a haircut or going out to eat at a restaurant.

The TikTok page has been a success so far and Rita says that it’s been incredible to see how the strangers of the world have fallen in love with Giaci. With his fame also came messages from other families from around the world who saw Giaci living as an adult and the beauty of what could become a reality for their own story. All the questions that came rolling in confirmed for Rita the deep need for resources in the community and she was ready to provide the answers she always wanted. “This is what drove me to get the story out there. I knew I had to sedate my fears and take a deep breath. This is what it was all for.”

What started as a yearning to provide the community with the educational resource on Autism that she didn’t have, soon spun into the story we see published today; one that weaves in these personal elements of faith, culture and family. Rita realized the story that needed to be told was her own, where she showed the years of coping, learning and unlearning all while sorting out her own belief systems.

“As a mother, I envisioned a different life for him and us as a family. I had thoughts of what he would be like, the relationships we could have and I had to mourn that. That’s not what we have and I had to come to realize I couldn’t change this about him. The acceptance piece took me a while—I am a stubborn Italian girl,” Rita laughs. “And I wanted him to come live in my world. I had to learn to accept, reassess and change my perspective with what beauty I had in front of me.”

Rita wished for so long to have had more guidance at the beginning of her journey and she is humbled that her book can come in to help a new generation of families, caregivers, educators and professionals along theirs. She has been thrilled with the response to her book so far and is in awe of everyone who has already reached out with kindness, tears and with reassurance. Giaci and Me is exactly what it needs to be: a resource for readers to feel what a family goes through. “It’s hard to understand what anyone goes through if you’re not walking in these shoes, but by reading our story, you can be put into our shoes for a period of time and transported into our life. You can feel through words what we’re feeling and understand our journey a little better.”

Rita confides that there were many times throughout her life where she felt consumed by the fog and darkness of unknowing and her desperation for answers and although no two stories are alike, Rita hopes that this book will be good company for families who may feel alone upon receiving a diagnosis. “As hard as it is to ask for help, which I learned the hard way, it is so important. There’s so much power in community and in connecting with others going through it and there are so many people out there willing to help,” Rita offers.

She leaves those of us who are walking with Autism with the message she shared in her book launch speech: “When we first started our journey, it felt like an insurmountable mountain. Acceptance felt like uncharted territories unknown to me. But mountains are made to be climbed and uncharted territories are meant to be explored and learned about.”

Giaci and Me is not just Rita’s story, it’s for everyone who loves or cares for someone who is Neurodivergent to embrace that there can be joy and happiness with how life presents itself. It’s never as easy as it looks from the outside, but the peaks and valleys are well worth the trip. For more information visit giaci.ca. WLM

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