Windsor Life Magazine Summer 2014

Youdon’thavetolivewithacneanditdoesn’thavetobethefirst thingpeoplenoticeaboutyourface.Putyourbestfaceforward startingtoday.

Fortyyearsagoonly20%ofthepopulationsufferedfromthis condition.Nowitisreachingepidemicproportions.Acneaffectsall agegroups:youngsters,thoseintheir30sandevenindividualsover 50.Thedifferencebeingthatolderpeopleareabletoconcealit better.Ifindthebestwaytoaddressthisproblemistoanswerthe qu estion“why”firstandthentreattheproblemaccordingly. Ifyousufferfromacneattendoureducationalseminarandlearnall abouthowyoucanclearyourskinforthesummerahead. Ouracneeducationalseminarison Wednesday,June18th,2014. Theseminarwillbelocatedatourclinic: 9833TecumsehRd.E. Spaceislimitedsopleasecall 519-979-6141 toreserveaseat.These sessionsarefreewithnoobligations.Horsd’oeuvresand refreshmentswillbeprovided.

Canadian-madefromsolidwood.

Rootedbyacommitmenttoquality.

Inthisdayandage,notmanythingsarebuilttolast.

ButHandstoneFurnitureisn’toneofthem.

Werefusetocompromise.

AsaCanadianmanufacturerofcustom-made,solidwoodfurniture.Westill hand-selectthekiln-driedcherry,mapleandredoakhardwoodsweworkwith.

Wecontinuallyinvestinaddingstate-of-the-artmanufacturingequipmentto ourfacilities.Andweneverforgetthattheonlythingequaltotheprecision andaccuracyofmodernmanufacturingprocess isthetechniqueandattention todetailthatcomesfromhavingareverenceforoldworldcraftsmanship.

HandstoneFurnitureisdifferent.

Ittakesalittlelongertobuildaseachpieceisbuilt-to-order. Butwethinkyou’llagree...it’slastingbeautyisworthit. Over20CollectionsfeaturingBedroom,Media,Dining,HomeOfficeand OccasionalTables.Over30Finishesavailable,EndlessCustomPossibilities.

Publisher’sNote

Asamotorheadwhospendsmanysummer weekendsdrivingmyracecar,happilyinhalingthescentofburningrubberwhile tryingtobeatmybesttimeonthetrack,I suspectthatwheelsarespinninginmyhead frequentlythistimeofyear.

SoI’mpleasedthatwheelsarefeatured prominentlyinthissummerissueofWindsorLifeMagazine.

CrosstheriverwithustotheMotorCity andtheChevroletDetroitBelleIsleGrand Prix.Thedriversandtheircarswereoutstanding.

Getreadytorollwiththe4thAnnual BobProbertMemorialRideaswecheckin withDaniProberttohearaboutherfamily’supcomingmotorcyclingfundraiserin supportoflocalhearthealthcare.

Pedalpowercanachievebigthings,as evidencedbytheRideDon’tHideinitiative thataddressesthestigmaofmentalhealth bygoingonaverylargegroupbicycleride onJune22nd.Itisinaidofprograms offeredbytheCanadianMentalHealth AssociationWindsorEssexCounty,so pleasethinkaboutbeingariderorsupportingone.Ourstorytellsyouhow.

Thereareplentyofotherreasonstoget moving.Perhapsyou’lltakeawalkon Windsor’sformerwildsidewiththeRum RunnersTour.Orcheerontheteamstestingtheirwitsandathleticprowessinthe WindsorCorporateChallenge,alaugh-inducingFUNraiserthisJune22nd.

Maybeyou’llenjoyaworldclassentertainerordinneratCaesarsWindsor.WindsorLifelooksback20yearswhenthe casinofirstcametotown.

Taketimetochillthissummer,too,with thegoodreadsfoundonourpages.Thearts arerepresentedhere:TheWalkervilles,a popularlocalband,andFunkadelic's CalvinSimon,afascinatingrockandroller HallofFamerlivinginTecumseh.Thereis alsoareviewofKaraKootstra’snewchildren’sbookonthelifeofBobbyOrr:The Boyin#4.

Nowthatyouareoutsidemore,you mightbeinspiredbywhatinteriorstylist JodiMasondidwitha1970s’attached garage.I’dlovetodothesamewithmy own,ifitwasn’tsofullofcars… Haveagreatsummer! Sincerely, BobRobinson

THECHEVROLETDETROIT BELLEISLEGRANDPRIX

‘TheFastestWeekendoftheYear!’

“HOWSWEETITIS!” ThosethoughtswerelikelyracingthroughRogerPenske’smind attheendoftheGrandPrixweekendonBelleIsle.Thebillionaireindustrialistand race-carteamownerhadtwofirstplacefinishesandonesecondinthe“DualinDetroit” whichfeatureda70lapIndyCarraceoneachoftwodays.

Theweathercouldn’thavebeenbetter–lotsofsunshine,warmtemperaturesand relativelylowhumidities.Andtheisland,whichrecentlycameunderstatejurisdictionnever lookedbetter.

PenskedriverWillPower,thealwayspoliteAustralian,wonthefirsteventonSaturday andfinishedsecondonSunday.Hecouldhavemadeittwowinsinarowbutatrack infractioncausedhimtobeblack-flaggedandmakeadrive-thruonpitlane.Histeammate,HelioCastroneves,theobviousfavouriteamongthethrongstookthecheckeredflag inSunday’sclosingevent.Needlesstosay,therewas‘fan-’demoniumatthewinners’circle whenHeliomadehis post-raceappearance.Followingtheawardpresentationshundredsof speciallyinvitedguestssqueezedintoacordoned-offareatogreettheirhero.

And,yes,Helioagainclimbedthefenceafterhisvictory–justashehaddonewithhis first-everwininDetroitbackin2000andhissecondthefollowingyear.Hisinterviews aftertheracewerefuelledbysheeremotionandadrenaline,astheaffableCastronevescould hardlycontainhimself.Heliterallyscreamedwithdeli ghtwhileansweringquestions.Even thenormallystoicRogerPenske,itseemed,hadtochokebacksomeemotionsofhisown asheacceptedtheteam-owners’award....afittingendtoaraceweekendonhishometrack inthecitythathehasembraced.

Therewere22driversonthestartinggrid:amongthem,JamesHinchcliffe,theOakville nativewhohaswontheheartsofracefansallovertheworld.‘Hinch’ashe’sknown...ormore appropriately,“themayorofHinchtown”,isatoughcompetitor.

Offthetrackhealwayshastimetospeakwithfansandsignautographs.He’sgota marvelloussenseofhumor,atraithesayshegotfromhisdad.He’sapproachableand simplydoesn’tappeartohaveanegoproblem.Whenhesmiles,thosearoundhimcan’t helpbutreturnthecompliment.Inshort,he’sjustanice,normalguy.

Yet,onceheputsonhisracingsuitandhitsthetrack,he’saforcetobereckonedwith. IndyCarfanshaveseenHinchavoidwhatcouldhavebeentragic accidents.Heseemsto

haveasixthsensewhileoperatinghisracecarandalwaysappearstohaveaplan‘b’incase oftrouble.There’snodoubtthatintheensuingyears,Hinchwillbemakingmanytripsto thewinners’circle.Hisnaturalability,hisdiligenceandhardwork,coupledwiththatquick mindwillenablehimtobecomeoneofthetopgladiatorsontheIndyCarcircuit.Hebegan hiscareerwiththenowdisbandedNewman-Haasteamandjustwhenhethoughtthatit wastheendoftheworld,hewaspickedupbyAndrettiAutosport.AndwhenHinchlost hissponsor‘GoDaddy’hewentoutandpersonallygotanewsponsor‘UnitedFiberand Data’.Onceagainhisdoggeddeterminationcameshiningthrough!

SinceracingbeganonthestreetsofDetroitin1982withtheFormulaOneseries,there havebeenmanychanges.Theworld’spremierserieswasreplacedbyIndyCarsandthe juggernautmovedtoBelleIslein1998.Therehavebeenseveralhiccups,includingtwo suspensionswhensponsorhipsranthin.Forthetimebeing,thatthreathasbeenerased, withtherecentannouncementbyChevroletthatitwillcontinuetobethemajorsponsor overthenexttwoyears,through2016.

Coupledwiththatcamethenewsthatmostofthebumpsthatarethesourceofdriver

Clockwisefromoppositebottomleft:TeamPenske driverHelioCasteroneves,winnerofsecondIndyCar race;Helio’steammate,WillPower,winnerofrace one;spectacularviewoftheRen-CenfromBelle Isle;HelioCasteronevesstreakingtovictory;Roger PenskediscussingGrandPrixeventswithDetroit MayorMikeDuggan;SPEEDtrucksnegotiatingone ofthetrickyrampsonthecircuit;JamesHinchcliffe attemptingtocatchHelio;Pitactivity;WillPower’s #12carinthewinner’scircle;VicFaust,Alicia SmithandTomLeydenprovidingexcellentChannel 7coverageofraceevents;Pirellichampionship sedansdicingforthecheckeredflag.

complaints,shouldbegonebynextyear, whenmostofthetrackwillberepavedata costofaround$4million.

Since2007,atleast$7millioninimprovementshavebeenmadetoBelleIsle. Morethan230,000squarefeetofnewconcretehasbeenpouredinroadimprovements,damagedlightinganddrainage systemshavebeenrepairedandtheScott Fountainwhichwasbuiltinthe1920shas beenrenovatedandwasworkingintop orderforthisyear’srace.Improvementshave alsobeenmadetotheBelleIsleBoatClub andtheCasino,whichservesastheCityof WindsorInternationalMediaCenter.Race fanshavebeentreatedtofreshconcrete forthepaddockareatoenhancetheirrace experience.Therearenewpedestrianbridges andplayscapes,alongwithnewconcrete parkingareasthatareavailableforpark visitorsattendingcommunityeventsand activitiesallyearround.

TheGrandPrixweekendinDetroithas becomeamajoreventandvisitorsareencouragedtobringtheirfamilies.TheMeijer FanZonegetsbiggerandmorefunevery year.Music,entertainment,gamesand interactivedisplayscontinuethroughoutthe entireweekend,sothere’snotimetoget bored.OnceagainthePenskeorganization, andRoger’sright-handman,BudDenker theguywhocontrolsallactivities,along withhundredsofdedicatedvolunteers,have allgelledtomaketheGrandPrixweekend onetoremember.

Evennon-racefanswerejoltedouttheir complacencybytheadditionoftheSPEED EnergyStadiumTruckseries...a30minute spectaclewherehot-rodtrucksracedaround the13-cornercircuit,jumpingoverramps thatwerestrategicallyplacedincriticalcorners.Usually,thevehicleslandedon4 wheels,occasionallyonewouldtakethecorneron3andmanytimes,itwasonly2 wheelsonthepavementasthedrivers foughttokeepthemundercontrol.The uniqueseriesisownedbyformerIndyCar driverRobbyGordon,whohimselfpilots oneofthetrucks.Theraceonlylasts30 minutesbutthat’senoughtogetfans’hearts pumpingamile-a-minute.Thecrowdsalso gottoseetheTUDORUnitedSportsCar ChampionshipraceandthePirelliWorld Challengeraces.

Soifyoumissedit....toobad.Whynot makeplanstoattendnextyear?The ChevroletDetroitBelleIsleGrandPrixruns duringthefirstweekendofJune,aweek aftertheIndianapolis500andisafitting waytocelebratethesecondunofficialweekendofthesummerseason. WLM

GRAND PRIX ACoolExperience ForEveryone

BYKIMWILLIS

THESIGHTSANDSOUNDS didnot disappointatthe2014DetroitGrandPrix. Asawomanandrelativenewcomertothe sportofautoracing,Iwasunsureofwhat toexpect.

BeforecrossingtheAmbassadorBridgeI couldalreadyheartheroaringengines.Like othermajorsportingeventstheatmosphere isexcitingwithlotsofthingstoseeanddo. AdefinitehighlightishavingtheopportunitytotourBelleIsle.InWindsorweoften hearabouttheterriblestateofDetroit.The GrandPrixallowsvisitorstoseeoneofthe gemsthatthecityhastooffer.

Walkingaroundbeforetheracevisitors havetheopportunitytoseethecarsup close.Thesecarsareworksofart.Evenan amateurlikemewasimpressedwiththe engineeringsophisticationthatgoesinto producingawinningcar.

Finallywemadeourwayovertothe track.Youcan’thelpbutgetchillswhenthe nationalanthemsaresungandtheplanes flyoverhead.Iwaspleasantlysurprisedto learnthatHelioCastroneves,aDancing withtheStarswinner,wasoneofthedriversintherace.Asanaddedbonusheended upthewinneroftheSundayrace.Itwas alsonicetoseeaCanadian,JamesHinchcliffe,dowellintheraceplacingfifthand sixthinthetworaces.

Finally,theysaidthosefourmagicwords, “Gentlemenstartyourengines.”Iexpected tobecomequicklyboredwiththecarsjust goingrepeatedlyaroundthetrack.However,Icametolearnthatthereisalotof strategy,luckandtrainingthatgoesintothe race.Avidraceenthusiastsarehappyto sharetheirknowledgeinsight.Forexample, Ilearnedaboutthedifferenttypesoftires thedriversusethroughouttheracefor speedandendurance.

Itwasexcitingtobepartoftheaction.I canunderstandtheattractionforbothmen andwomenofcarracing.I’malreadylookingforwardtonextyear!

THEWALKERVILLES

THREELOCALGUYSMAKINGMUSICUNDER THENAMEOFTHEIRHOMETOWN

ASKANYBODY inthelocalmusicsceneaboutTheWalkervilles andyou’llalwaysgetapositiveresponse.

GeorgePaquetteoftheRiversideGuitarShoponWyandotte StreetandamemberoftheWindsor-EssexCountyMusicHallof FamerecallsseeingthegroupatthedowntownTorontoMassey Hall.“Theybleweverybodyaway,”hesays,“peoplejustcouldn’t believethesethreeguyswerefromWindsor.Theirperformancewas terrific...andthesoundwasperfect!”

The threefriendswereborninWindsorandnowresidein Walkerville,sowhenthetimecametonametheband,itwasan easychoice:“let’snameitafterwherewelive.”

TheWalkervillesbandisarelativelynewcreation...havingbeen formedin2012.Themembers,allintheir20saremusicalveterans. PatRobitaille,whohadbeendoingacousticsolowork,nowplays theelectricguitarandisleadvocalist.Hisinterestinmusicgoes backalongway–hewaswritinghisownattheageof12,and bythetimehewas16,hewasinLosAngelesdoingworkfora groupofproducers.He’safamilyman,happilymarriedwithone daughterandasecondchildontheway.MikeHargreavesisthe group’sbassplayer,whileStefanCvetkovichandlesthedrums.Both MikeandStefanweremembersofanestablishedbandcalled Michouandasthestorygoes,thethreegottogetheronedayfora jamsessionandbeingdedicatedMotownfans,theybeganbyplayingafewcovers.Intime,theyputtogetherashowwhichattracted ahugeaudience.Thatoverwhelmingresponsepromptedthemto beginwritingtheirownmaterialandTheWalkervillescameinto being.

ThemusicisenergeticandhasthatdistinctMotownflavor....a combinationofsoul,bluesandrock.Andyet,theWalkervillesdon’t

copyanbody’ssound.Theyaretrulyuniqueandindividual.Their manyfansrangeinagefromtheearlyteenstowherever,although theirmaindemographic,accordingtoon-linenumbers,ispeoplein theirearly20stoaround40.LyricsareG-ratedsothemusiccanbe playedoncommercialradio.

SincetheguysarerepresentedbyTheAgencyGroup,aninternationaltalentorganizationwithofficesinToronto,NewYork,Los Angeles,Nashville,London,andMalmo,TheWalkervillesareable toscorebiggershows.They’vebeenbookedintosomeofthebiggest festivalsacrossCanada,includingtheirhometownCarouselof NationstowhichtheywereinvitedlastyearbyAlexanderZonjic, thenotedWindsorjazzflutistwhoseimagealsoadornsthemusic halloffameintheDevonshireMall.

Latein2012,thegroupreleaseditsfirstCDofall-originalmaterial,‘MeetTheWalkervilles–LiveatMcKenzieHall’.Itwas recordedonthemainflooroftheSandwichstreetfacilitywhichhad beenconvertedintoamakeshiftstudioforaboutaweek.

Severalmonthsago,TheWalkervilles’talentswereshowcased attheHighlineBallroominNewYorkCitywheretheyopened forseveraltopnamemusicianslikeStanleyClarke,oneofthetop touringandsessionbassplayersontheplanet.Laterthissummer, theboyswillperformatafestivalinPennsylvania,they’recurrently firmingupdatesintheBostonareaandwillalsobefeaturedat anumberofclubs.They’realsodelvingintothepossibilityofhookingupwithabignameforacross-Canadatour.They’veappeared atfashionshows,corporateeventsandevenbackyardpartiesand atthemomentthey’reworkingondesignsforalineofmerchandise includingT-shirtswithspeciallogos.

ThebandhasjustreturnedtoWindsorafterarecordingsession

TheWalkervillesare (fromlefttoright):MikeHargreaves, StefanCvetkovicandPatRobitaille.

inAustinTexaswhereanewdiscwasbeing produced.Titled“RebirthoftheCool”,the discfeaturesatleast8tracksoforiginal musicwhichisexpectedtobereleasedby August.Oneofthetracks‘LoveCrazy’will likelyfinditswaytoradiostationslaterthis summer.Thesessionswereaugmentedby thesaxophonestylingsofKellyHoppefrom ‘BigSugar’andsomeTexashornplayers suppliedbyproducerGordieJohnson.

ThankstotheinternetandsolidmarketingbyTheAgencyGroup,TheWalkervilles areenjoyingworldwiderecognition.Their YouTubevideosareattractinghugelistenershipsinBrazilandthePhilippines.Personal contactsarebeingmadeinthosecountries, butthere’sbeennowordonapossibletour. Moreinformationisavailableonthewebat thewalkervilles.comwhichhaslinkstotheir facebook,twitterandYouTube.Alsocheck outtheagencygroup.com,findTheWalkervillesontherosterandclickthelinkfora furtherinsightintotheband.

TheWalkervillesaremanagedbyMichael Primeau,PatRobitaille’sfather-in-lawand co-ownerof4downtownWindsorclubs includingTheLoopandtheFMLounge. Primeauhasenjoyedmuchsuccessinbookingbands–hefigureshe’sfoundgigsfor atleast2,000groupsovertheyears.For thepast10years,he’sprovidedtheentertainmentattheShoresofErieWineFestival inAmherstburg.Heknowsthemusic businessandcanbecreditedforhelping TheWalker villestaketheircareerinthe rightdirection.

Butintheend,it’sthemusicthatwinsthe fans,wholiterallyflocktoTheWalkervilles’ shows.Theguyshavetremendouscharisma, greaton-stageenergyandtheyplaythestuff thatpeoplewanttohear.They’realways nattilyattired,withcustom-madesuitsand moreoftenthannot,theysportbow-tiesas partoftheirstageensembles.Infact,they’re socomfortablewiththeirduds,thatthey oftenevenwearthemtorecordingsessions togetthat‘performinglive’feeling.They havefunandasaresult,theaudiencehas fun.Allthreearefull-timemusiciansand theytaketheirworkseriously...rehearsing everydaytoimprovetheiralreadyimpeccablepresentation.Theycontinuelivingin WindsorbecauseofitsproximitytoDetroit andtobeascloseaspossibletotheU.S.in caseopportunitycomesknocking.

Giventheirworkethicanddedication, there’sagoodchancethatsometimedown theroadthey’llhearthatknockandThe Walkervillescouldendupbeingahouseholdname.

Afteryearsofhardknocks,womenstrugglingtobreakfreeofaddiction andthesextradearefindingasafeplacetobeginanewatWindsorLife Centre.Secureandsequesteredfromharmfulpatterns,unsupportive associatesandtemptation,eachwomanisgrantedafreshstartatWindsorLifeCentre.There,theyacquirehealthylifeskills,perspectiveandan empoweringattitude.

Afterhittingrockbottom,itistoughtobelievetheirlivescanget better.Thewomentypicallyarrivefeelingtoodowntroddentohope forawayup.Yet,during12monthsinresidenceatWindsorLife Centre,theygaincertaintytheirlivesarechanging.Theyundo olddamagingwaysandstartdreamingagain,settinggoalswiththe mindsetthatbackedbythestrengthofpeoplewhocareaboutthem, cleanandsoberwomencanhavethequalitylivestheydeserve.

ThecentreopenedinApril,2013.“Sincethen,we’vehadwomen Canada-widecomingtoourhome,”saysFionaMacDonald,programcoordinator.

Fionapersonallybenefitedbyasimilarprogramyearsagoandknowsitseffectiveness.Even so,“Thesuccesswehaveseeninourfirstyearherehasdefinitelyexceededourexpectations.”

Everyonerejoicedwiththefirstgraduate,SherryVanderZwaag,whoisnowinterningas areceptionist.Nearly50yearsold,Sherryiseagertosharewhatitmeanstobecleanand sober.“Istruggled,tryingtoquitonmyownforyears.”Sheadmits,“Iwasscaredtodeath” uponenteringWindsorLifeCentre,worriedaboutrelinquishingher“freedom”forthe program’sduration.“Ihadn’tgoneadaywithoutdrinkingalcoholforalongtime.”

Ingivingupalcohol,Sherrysaysshegainedmuchmorefromthecentre’sstaff,volunteers andresidents:Support,love,kindnessandprayers.Thedailyroutinewasreassuringasshe learnedtolivefirstonedayatatimeandthenlookforwardtoherfuture.AsSherryhealed, sodidherrelationshipswiththepeoplesheadmittedlyhurtinthemidstofherownpain.

“Sherryisnowabletobethemotherandgrandmothershealwayswantedtobe,”Fiona observes.“Herfamilyandfriendsarealsobeingsetfreefromoldwounds.”Sherryis profoundlygratefultobebackintheirlives.

“Iwakeupandcan’twaittogettoworkandreachout,”saysSherry.“It’samazingtopay itforward.Iwouldneverinamillionyearsbelievemylifewouldbelikethis.”

Eachwomanpaysamodestfeeforapplicationandassessment.Uponacceptance,she receivesfreeresidencyandtreatmentduringtheyearlongprogram.Donorsandvolunteers contributetomaketheservicepossible.Anyonecansupportaresidentthroughthemonthly sponsorshipprogram.

NATUREHASMANYPOSITIVEBENEFITS toofferpeople: Healthyexercise,stressreductionandincreasedpleasureineveryday life.Tohelpyougetmoreconnected,PeleeWingsNatureStore& PaddlesportsShopoffersahugestockofbinoculars,astronomytelescopes,kayaks,canoes,StandUpPaddleboardsandotherexcitinggear.

“Witheverythingwesell,wewantyoutotryitbeforeyoubuyit,” saysownerMichaelMalone.Thatmeanstakingbinocularsandspottingscopesout onthestorewaterfrontandtrainingthesportsoptics onbirdsonthelake.Orsettlingintoakayakanddippingthepaddle intothewateroffthestore'sbeach.

“ManypeoplesecretlywanttosetthemselvesfreeonEssexCounty waterways,buttheirinexperienceholdsthemback.Wehelpthem overcomethatbyofferingexpertadviceandpracticaltraining,” Michaelsays.Forinstance,duringthesummer,from6to8pmweekly, PeleeWingshostsFridayNightKayakingfornewandveteran kayakers.PeoplebringtheirownkayaksorrentaPeleeWingskayak forjust$14perhour.Kayaktrainingcoursestakeplaceallsummer. Alsoweekly,6to7:30pmtillmid-September,PeleeWingsholds ThursdayNightSocialPaddleboardingforpeoplewiththeirown boards.Paddleboarderscanalsorentonefor$16perhour.

“Itisaconvenientwaytotestandtrybeforeyoubuyfromour inventoryof150kayaks,canoesandSUPs,”Michaelstates.

APeleeWingstrainer,certifiedbyPaddleCanada,leads90-minute SUPtrainingclinicsforonly$30perpersonthroughoutthesummer. AlsoavailablearetrainingclinicsonPeleeIsland.Visitpeleewings.ca fordetails.

Notalladventurersneedtoleavehometoexplore.Theycantraverse thewaterfrontwithbinocularsandspottingscopesorthenight skywithastronomytelescopes.PeleeWingsisapremieredealerfor Celestronastronomytelescopesandbinoculars.“Thatallowsustooffer terrific pricingonalltelescopes,instockandspecialorder,”Michael says.“Seethepossibilitiesatcelestron.com.”

Birders,boatersandhuntersbenefitfrombeingabletostepoutside thePeleeWingsshopandfieldtestover200modelsofbinocularsand spottingscopes.Usingatripodforsteadyviewing,aportablespotting scopecanjourneyeasilyintothenaturalenvironmentorbeenjoyed fromawindoworbalconywithanintriguingviewofwildlifeor waterfrontaction.

Waterfronthomeownersappreciatebeingabletotaketheirtimeat PeleeWingstofindtheperfectopticsfortheirenjoyment.“Thereisa reasonwhyyoupaidthepremiumtohavealakefrontview.Youwant toseethewaterandalltheactionthatishappeningonit,”Michael reminds.“Binocularsoraspottingscopewillrevealawholenew worldjustbeyondyourcondobalconyorbackyarddeck.Thereisa fascinatingshowplayingcontinuallyandyouhaveafrontrowseat. Allyourequireisgoodopticstoseeit.”

TravellersalsoflocktoPeleeWingsforoptics.Lightweight, compactmodelsareeasytocarryoncruises,flightsanddaytrips.“Now youcanreallyseethesights,”Michaelassures.Carrying200different modelsofbinocularsatpricepointsforeverybudget,PeleeWings makesenhancedviewingaffordableforeveryone.

Asoutdoorgearspecialists,PeleeWingsNatureStore&PaddlesportsShopmakesthegreatoutdoorsaccessibleforpeopleseeking casualrecreationtoextremesports.NextdoortoPointPeleeNational Park,PeleeWingsisthenaturalplacetobeginyournewadventure.

STORYBYKARENPATON-EVANS PHOTOGRAPHYBYMICHAELPIETRANGELO

ABEAUTIFULGARDENACCENTED with importedbronzesculpturesisnottypicallythefirst placeyouwouldconsidertobringthekidstoplay. Yetforthegrandchildrenandotheryoungsters whofrequentlyvisitaSouthWindsorhome,that isjustwheretheyareencouragedtogo.

CalledPapaandJeffybytheirgrandkids,the homeownershaveownedtheirpropertysince 1993.Originallybuiltin1953anddesignedfora crowd,thetwo-storeyhouse’s4,800sq.ft.wasa drawforthefamilymen.Nineyearsago,whenthe emptynestersputonaone-storeyadditionincludingasunroom,upperdeckandoutdoor

Clockwisefromleft:Atrioofbronzeswans seemstocontemplateadipinthedeeppoolof aSouthWindsorhome'sbackyard;addingthe pleasingambientsoundofbubblingwater,a pineapplefountainsignifies"Welcome!";outdoor livingroomsareestablishedwithseveralgroupingsofcomfortableseatingarrangedaroundthe yard;standing4-1/2'tall,abronzemancarries authenticwaterpailsoverflowingwithspider plants;theleatherybronzeskinandlongtusksof twobronzeelephantsglintinthesunlight.

staircase,theyhadatotaloffourbedroomsandfive bathrooms.“Thereislotsofroomforeverybody,” Papaassures.

Thelot,measuring90’x150’,isdominatedby anin-groundconcreteswimmingpool,25’wide,40’ longand16’atthedeepend.Thepoolandits cementdeckwereinstalledintheearly1980s. “Whoeverdiditdidsuchagoodjob,thereisnota singlecrack30yearslater,”Papaobserves.“Thepool isunbelievablydeep.It’sprettyhardtogettothe bottomoffthedivingboard.”

Still,thetwogranddaughtersandfivegrandsons try.Aged5,6,7,8,9,10and11yearsold,“theycan spendalldayinthepool.Wegetthemoutfor meals,”Papasays.Heteachesthemallhowtoswim, diveandswooshdowntheslidesafely.Jeffymaintainsthepool,usingchlorinetomakeitsparkle.

Helpingtokeepaneyeonsomanyactivechildrenisamixedhostofcharactersarrangedpoolside andthroughouttheyard.Swans,elephants,ducks, heronsandmusicianscast inbronzegetanunusual taninthesunshine,gentlyturningfromburnished browntoaqua-tonedverdigris.

Iftheycouldspeak,thehome’squietestresidents wouldsharefascinatingtales.Asculptedman playingazitherandagirlgracefullyfingeringaflute sitcross-leggedoneithersideofthedivingboard. “ThispairwesawinCambodiaandlovedthem,” Paparecalls.

Twogreatblueheronsinabelievableshadeof verdigrisseeminglyflewinfromBangkoktonest intheSouthWindsorbackyard.Whenbuying sculpture,“youreallyhavetoshopforquality,”Papa advises.Detail,artistry,craftsmanshipandmetal purityallcount. Clockwisefromoppositetopright:Acurvedmetalstaircaseprovidesquick,easyaccessfromtheupper decktothepoolandpatiobelow;flankingthemetalgate,apairofhospitablepineapplesgreetsvisitors;openingofftwomasterbedrooms,anupstairsdeckoffersadditionalseatingandagreatview;as thesignindicates,thehomeowners’grandkidsarewelcomewithopenarms;apagodalanternunderscorestheAsianoriginsofthebronzesculpturesresidinginthegarden;thoughsilent,thesongof abronzegirl'sflutebeckonschildrentodiveintothepool;

Thecouplehonedtheirdiscerningskillsduring oneextendedtriparoundtheworldoveradozen yearsago,followedbyotheradventures.“Wetravel alot,”saysPapa.“Whenwetravel,wedoabitof shopping.”Foregoingsouvenirt-shirtsandfridge magnets,theretiredcoupleacquirebronzesculptures.

“Allourstoriesinvolvehowtonegotiateprice,” Papaadmits.BuyingmostlyinChiangMaiand BangkokinThailand,perpiece,thebargaining processaveragedthreevisitstothemerchant.“We gotthehangofit.”Initiallyshockedtorealizeshippingcostswereusuallytwicethepriceoftheitem, thecouplelearnedtonegotiateshippingintothe completepricetogetabetterdeal.Arrivingin woodencratestransportedbyship,“everypiece camebackbeautifully,”saysPapa.

“Ourfavouritesaretheelephants,”hesayswithouthesitation.“Ittakestwopeopletolifteachone.” Oneofthepairisposedwithhisheadthrownback, histrunkunfurledintheairandhismouthopenin asilentlytriumphantbellow.Tothetipofhistrunk, hestandsthreefeettall.

Theelephants’wrinkledhides,bigfloppyearsand longtusksareendearingyetdignified.“Thebronze issodetailedthattheelephantskinlooksleathery,” saysPapa.

Whenashipmentoffivebronzeducksarrived, PapaandJeffyarrangedthembythepoolsteps. AftertheyopenedthepoolonedayinMay,thecoupledidadouble-takeupondiscoveringrealducks andtheirducklings,mimickingthebronzebirdson thepooldeck.Thentheducklingsjumpedintothe poolforapaddle.Realizingtheyoungsterscouldn’t getout,themenusedafloatingfoammattressto ▼

makeanimpromptubridgesothebabies couldwalkoutofthewater.Rescued,they waddledoutoftheyardbehindtheir mamas,whoobviouslysensedthiswasa family-friendlyplace.

Balancingtheexoticbronzesculpturesare fountainscastincementandmadeinNorth America.“Welikerunningwaterfountains. Wethinktheyaddcharacterandtheyare nicetohearoutside,”Papanotes.Afountaininthepoolplugsintoawaterjetthat spins itaround,sendingagentlespray. Thereareacouplemorefountainsinsidethe house.

Themenputalotofeffortintogetting theyardreadybeforethelazy,hazydaysof summerbegin.Theyplant1500annuals in10days.“It’sourlittlehobby,”Papa chuckles.Awateringsysteminthegarden keepsthebedsoflilies,hostasandother perennialslookinglush,“butthepotsneed tobehand-wateredeveryday.”

Inchoosingplantsandcolourschemes, “weusuallydoatheme,”hesays.Onememorableyearsuccessfullyshowcasedbloomers inpurplesandoranges.Yellows,redsand whitestookcentrestagein2013withan appealingmixofgeraniums,marigolds, petunias,salvia,grasses,ivyandcoleus. Impatienswerealsointheline-upbut diseasewipedthemout.Thegardening enthusiastsquicklyswitchedthemoutwith begonias.

Threeseparateseatingareasintheyard andanotherontheupstairsdeckprovideadvantageousspotstochat,read,relaxortake intheviews.“Wedoalotofentertaining,” Papasays.Guestsofallagesarehappilyreceived.“Thereisseatinginthebackyardfor 30people.”Morecanbesqueezedin,like whenthecouplehad85oftheirnearestand dearestoverforanoutdoordinner.

Themosthonouredguests,however,are thegrandkids.“Theycomedownaweekat atime,whichisgreat,”saystheirPapa.Part oftheyardisgreenspacewherethechildren canpitchtheirtents,playsoccerandrun around.Asig nboughtatArtinthePark saysitall:GrandkidsWelcomeHere.”

WindsorLifeMagazineisalwayssearchingfor interestinghomes,landscaping,gardens,patios andwaterfeaturestoshowourreaderswhat othersinthecommunityaredoingwiththeir livingspaces.Ifyouhaveahomethatyou feelwouldbeinterestingpleaseemailphotosto publisher@windsorlife.com.Photosneedtobe forreferenceonly.Ifyourhomeischosenwe willarrangeforacompletephotoshoot.Ifyou wish,youmayremainanonymousandthelocationofyourhomewillnotbedisclosed.

Bart

AnitaBerecz

Brian Chillman

Mary-Ann

TheRum Runners Tour

Anentertainingand educationaljourney throughWindsor’s ProhibitionEra

ITWASKNOWNAS ‘TheRoaringTwenties.’Prohibitionwastheorderoftheday andthenotoriousrumrunnersdidtheir besttokeeptheboozeflowingbetweentwo nations.WindsorauthorMartyGervais wrotetwobooksaboutit,whilelocaltour operatorMarkBakerhasbroughtitback tolife.

Baker,whoheadsupEncoreProductions wasbornandraisedinthecity.Hefellin lovewiththearea’suniquehistoryasa youngperson.About20yearsagohehad the“goodfortunetoplaytherole ofthe ReverendLeslieSpracklininMartyGervais’ play,‘TheFightingParson’,oneofthestoriesintheoriginalRumRunnersbook whichhadbeenpublishedabout10years earlier”.Overtheyears,ashereprisedthe part,hisfascinationwiththecharactersand incidentsgrewandthoughtitwouldmakea “cool”tour.Afteratleast3yearsofresearch intotheprohibitioneraandthetourism industry,Bakereventuallywroteascriptfor hisuniqueidea,contactedfriendsinlocal theatreandstagedthefirstRumRunners Tourin2010.

Overthepast4years,thetourshavebecomeincreasinglysuccessfuldrawingvisitorsfromacrossNorthAmerica.“Theword isspreading,”saysBaker,“andit’sbecome quiteapopulareventforthebustourindustry.”Infact,oneKitchenertour-bus companyhasalreadybookedatleast3trips forthisseason.

RumRunnertoursbegininAprilandrunthroughDecember–thisyear,Bakerexpects tohostatleast40or50ofthemforatotalofabout1500people.Amazinglyenough,it’s notjustout-of-townersthatbecomeinvolved.Itseemsthatmoreandmorelocalpeopleare signinguptotravelbackintime.Datesaresetasideforprivatetourswhereindividuals,couplesorsmallgroupsareinvitedtohopontothetrolley.Tours,at$69.50(includingtax) each,canbebookedonlineatwww.rumrunnerstour.comwhichincludestelephoneand Emaillinks.

AsamemberoftheOntarioMotorcoachAssociation,BakerregularlyattendsconferenceswhichhedescribesasamarketplacetomeetoperatorsfromallovertheU.S.and Canadaandassistinputtingtogetherschedulesforthemaintouristseason.Hesays“it’s almostlikespeeddating.You’vegot7or8minutestopresentyourproductbeforemoving on.”

TheRumRunnersTourisa5-houreventwhichbegins,appropriatelyenough,atthe CanadianClubBrandCentreonRiversideDrive.At10am,guestsboardaspecialtrolley bus,whichheadswestalongtheDrive.Twocharactersfromtheprohibitionera,namely BennytheWeaselandYorkie,anewspapervendor,bothdressedinperiodcostumesare alongfortherideandtellstoriesaboutthehistoryofprohibitionandbootleggingbetween WindsorandDetroit.InOldSandwichTowne,thebusstopsathistoricMcKenzieHall, passengersdisembarkandenterthecourtroomwiththetwocharactersstilltellingtheir tales.Therethey’reaccostedbya policeofficer,wearingtheuniformoftheday,whodeliversthepolicesideofthestory.Inthemeantime,Bennyhasconveniently‘leftthebuilding’ becausehe’soutoffavourwiththelaw.Passengersreturntothebuswhichheadstothe riverfront,astheofficersrecallsthevariousmethodstheliquorwastransportedtoDetroit. ThenextstopistheBedfordUnitedChurch,whichwasknownastheSandwichMethodist Churchbackintheday.....theministerfrom1919to1922wastheReverendLeslie

RumRunner’sTourorganizerMarkBakerastheReverendSpracklin,withmachineguntotting,Roaring20sFlappergirl, KristyLoewenattheCanadianClubBrandCentreonRiversideDrive.Bothareregularperformersonthe5-hourtour.

Spracklin,whobecameknownas‘The FightingParson’afterheshotandkilleda churchelderatalocalspeakeasy.Atthe church,awomandressedasamemberof theWomen’sChristianTemperanceUnion, greetsthevisitorsanddescribestheorganization’sroleintheprohibitionlaw.Thebus thenleavesandheadstoRosa’sRestaurant inLasalleforlunchandperiodmusic.The buildinghasbeenstandingsincethemid 1800sandbecameofthearea’spopular drinkin gholesduringprohibition.Diners aretreatedtomorestoriesandmeeta womanplayingtheroleofBerthaThomas, whohadownedoneofthemostpopular andlucrativespeakeasysinthearea.After somesinging,comedyroutines,and1920’s pianomusic,it’sbackonthebusforanother tripdownmemorylanealongDrouillard RoadandFordCityandarecapoftherelationshipbetweentheautoindustryandthe illicitliquortrade.Afterheadingoutto Walkervilletocheckoutsomeofthemansionsthathadbeenfundedbytheproceeds fromillegalbooze,thetrolleyheadsbackto theCanadianClubCentrewhereguestsare treatedtoatourandatasteofthe‘legal’ productthatisdistilledthere.

Bakerhasassembledquiteanensembleto portraythe8charactersonthetour.Some comefromlocaltheatregroups,othersare highschoolanduniversitydramastudents andthereareevenacoupleofretiredseniorswhohavehadpreviouson-stageexperience.The priceofadmissionforthetour, whencomparedtosimilarevents,isagenuinebargain,consideringitsattentiontodetail.InChicago,aprohibitiontourcanbe boughtfor$30butitlastsfor2hoursand hasonly2charactersonthebus...thedriver andtheotherwho’stalking.Thereareno stopsathistoricsitesandnofoodisserved.

Meanwhile,MarkBakerisnotrestingon hislaurelsandisintheprocessoforganizing anotherhistorictourthat’lltellthestoryof morethan300yearsofFrenchculturein thisarea,fromthediscoveryofthisregion byCadillacwhobuiltafortthatbecamethe cityofDetroit,thespilloverofpopulation frombothsidesoftheriver,andthefactthat theAssumptionChurchistheoldest RomanCatholicparishwestofMontreal. Lookforthetourtobeginthisfall,orearly nextyear.

Verylittlehasbeenoverlookedinthe RumRunnerstour.It’sagreatwaytospend thedayinhistoricWindsor-EssexCounty andisanideal andentertainingwaytolearn moreaboutthefascinatinghistoryofour partoftheworld.

NEW AND NOTICED

LIMELIGHT&ELECTRIC

InbusinessinLeamingtonsince1985,limelight&electricrecentlyopened anewlightingshowroominMarquisTilePlazaat1825ManningRd., Tecumseh.DonnaIllsley,MichelleLearandNoraFrankoareonhandto introducecustomerstothelargeselection.Homeowners,designersand builderscanalsoviewthelightingcollectionatlimelightandelectric.com.

LEVANTJEWELLERY

Mokum-gane,anancientlostartrediscovered, isavailableexclusively atLevantJewellery,aone yearoldbusinessat116ParkSt.W.,Windsor. JewellerJosephLevantalsocreateswithrareammolitegemstones.LevantJewellery’sservicesincludesplashcasting,reticulation,repairsand design.519-258-7691.

TOWNANDCOUNTRY ANIMALCLINIC

PetsarecaredforatTownandCountryAnimalClinic,whereveterinarianDr.Robert Fetherstonprovidescomprehensivemedicine,surgeryanddentalcare.Practicing since1980,Dr.Fetherstoncreatedanew, modernclinicat2055SandwichW.Parkway,LaSalletwoyearsago,givingpetsand theirownersaccesstoanimalmedicalservices,prescriptions,groomingandboarding. townandcountryanimalclinic.ca.

CAESARSWINDSOR20THANNIVERSARY

Glengarry-MarentetteRenewalInitiative,DowntownWindsorFarmers’Marketand PathwaytoPotential.Sinceopeningin1994,CaesarsWindsorhasgivenmorethan$13 milliontoregionalnon-profitorganizationsthroughitscorporategivingprogram.

DONATOCOLLISION

DonatoCollision,thearea’spremiereauto collisionrepair,serviceanddetailingshopat 435HannaSt.E.,Windsor,iscelebrating 40yearsinbusiness.JoeDonato(atleft,pictureherewithhisfatherJohn)andhiswife andpartnerStephanietookoverthebusiness17yearsagofromJoe’sparents,John andJosie,whofoundedit.519-253-1032.

iYOGASTUDIOS

Achievingitsfirstcomplete yearinbusinessat375Croft Dr.,Tecumseh,iyoga studios offers30orsosmallclasses weekly,facilitatedbycertified instructors.Forsummer,instructorscertifiedbyPaddle CanadaareleadingStandUp Paddleboard(SUP)YOGA andfitnessclassesonthe waterandinnature. iyogastudios.com.

OLDCOUNTRYCUPBOARD

Ahugetentsalewithhundredsofdeals onantiquereproductions,primitiveand countryhomedécorandgiftsispartofThe OldCountryCupboard’sseventhanniversarycelebration.IthappensonJune29that 1110CountyRd.22,Emeryville.Owner MarilynGallweyisalsolaunchinganincentivebuyingprogramforregularcustomers. oldcountrycupboard.com.

IMAGINARTSIGNS

JustrelocatedfromWindsorintoa5,000sq.ft.shopat320CroftDr.,Tecumseh,ImaginArtSignsisnowmorecentrallysituatedforcustomersinWindsor-EssexCountyand elsewhereinSouthwesternOntario.UsingthelatestinsigntechnologyImaginArtcan produceanysignfromsmallindoorsignstobacklitmenuboardstofullcolourwrapsof vehiclesandeverythinginbetween.Withmorethan40yearsofexperience,thefullservicesigncompanyisoperatedbyownersRonandEileenPomerleauwithsupportfrom theirstaff:daughterJulie,BenYoung,AlexDupuis,andMattLaforet.imaginartsigns.com.

ALEXANDER’SDAYCARE

Alexander’sDaycareCenterisgettinga sibling-asecondlocationopeningSeptember2014.Locatedat197AuburnAve., BelleRiver,itwillbestaffedbyregistered earlychildhoodeducatorswhofollow theOntariocurriculumandofferFrench immersion.OwnersDanandSonjaDimitrievskiarepleasedtoopenregistration nowforinfantstoschool-agedchildren. alexandersdaycarecenter.com.

APWCUSTOM HOMETHEATRES

Aftermorethan35yearsatitsSt.ClairStreet location,APWCustomHomeTheatreshas foundanewhomeforitsdesignstudio.Dave CartierandtheAPWteamarenowinoperationinsidetherestoredMcKeoughSchool BuildingatSuiteB,55ForestSt.,Chatham. 1-800-746-7279.

A1CHINESEFOOD RESTAURANT

CheungKwong,calledJonesybyeveryone, introducedA1ChineseFoodRestaurant toEssex15yearsago.Encouragedby guests,heeventuallybroughthisCantonese chowmeinandotherdishestoadditional communities.Today,A1ChineseFood RestaurantalsohaslocationsinLaSalle, WallaceburgandLeamington. A1chinesefood.com.

3RDANNUALGOLFTOURNAMENT

Organizersaregearingupforthe3rdAnnualGolfTournamentinsupportofthe BrainInjuryAssociationofWindsor& Essex.HeldonFri.,Sept.5thatKingsville Golf&CountryClub,640Hwy.18,the eventraisesfundstoenhancethelivesof localresidentsaffectedbyacquiredbrain injury.BIAWE.com.

SKINOV8IVE

Specializinginlasertreatmentsforskinrepairandrejuvenation,veinsandhair,aswell asBotoxandmore,SKinov8iveMedical Estheticsat13300LanoueSt.,Tecumseh isobservingitssecondanniversary. 519-966-7200.Picturehereareco-owners SlajanaSaveskaandKareyMenzies.

MR.INSULATION

With25-plusyearsofexperienceinresidential,commercialandretro-fitapplications, FredCorp,ownerofMr.Insulation,isencouraginghomeownerstotakeadvantageof theHomeRenoRebateprogramofferedby UnionGas.Thisprogrampaysupto$2,500 towardsinsulatinganexistinghome.Mr.Insulationcanbecontactedat519-796-9350.

PRECIOUSCARGO&MOM2

NowinitsnewlocationintheDowntown ChathamCentreat100King.St.W., Chatham,PreciousCargo&Mom2hasa freshinventoryofthisseason’sfashionsfor weeonesandexpectantmothers,aswell astoys,giftsandqualityfurniturethat convertsfrominfancytoadulthood.Owner SandraStepniakalsooffersonlineordering atpreciouscargocanada.com.519-351-5225.

SUNDAYDRIVERS

4thAnnualBobProbert MemorialRideReady toHittheRoad

STORYBYKARENPATON-EVANS

ruisingattheheadofthepackofmorethan1,100motorcyclists takingpartinthe3rdAnnualBobProbertMemorialRidelastyear, DaniProbertexperiencedsomeoftheheadyfreedomandstraight-upjoy thatherlatehusband,Bob,usedtofeelwhileeatinguptheroadonhis Harley-Davidson.

Lookingoveratherfourkids,fatherandsister,Daniappreciatedmore thaneverbeingtogetherasafamily,surroundedbygoodfriends.Dani andhersister,JacquelineMacInnesWood,had grownuparoundbigbikes, takingturnshangingontighttotheirdadastheyexploredEssexCounty’s roadwaystogether.BeforeBobProbertcollapsedwithheartfailureonhis boatanddiedJuly5th,2010atage45,Jacquelinesharedthesamekindof funandadventurewithhim.

SeeingJacqueline’sfacealightwiththesheerpleasurethatridinggives, Daniknewshehadthenextroadcaptainforthe4thAnnualBobProbert MemorialRide,takingplaceonSun.,June22nd.

Dani’sselectionwasrevealedattheeventlaunchofMay7thatThunder RoadHarley-Davidson.JacquelineMacInnesWoodisanactor,singerand televisionhost.Since2008,shehasportrayedSteffyForresterondaytime

TopLeft:AtThunderRoadHarley-DavidsononMay7,sisters

soapopera,TheBoldandtheBeautiful,a roleforwhichJacquelinehastwicebeen nominatedforanEmmy.Herotherwork includesFinalDestination5andDisney’s Skyrunners.

Describingtheroadcaptainas“ahometown,greatgirl,”Danisays,“Sheismy muchyoungersister.She’sanavidmotorcyclistandalwayshasbeen,”saysDani. “Jacquelinehadagreatrelationshipwith Bob.”

Alsopartoftheridearethefamous father’steenagedchildren:DaughtersTierney,Brogan andDeclynandsonJack. Leadinguptotheevent,Tierneyorganized ahockeyclassiccharitygame,playedon June6thatTecumsehArena.Hersister foundsponsors.“I’maproudmamabear,” Danilaughs.

Onrideday,Jackwillgivethesignal tostartthebikes.“It’sadaywealllook forwardto,”Danisays.“It’sawonderful daytohonourBobandforthekidstocelebratetheirdad.”

Thisyear’srideispresentedbyHôtelDieuGraceHealthcareandUniforLocal 444.TheProbertRide isexpectedtodraw asmanyifnotmoreridersthaninprevious events.“We’reexcited,”saysBillMarra, seniordirectorofpartnerships,planning, communicationsanddevelopmentfor Hôtel-DieuGraceHealthcare.

Thefundsraisedwillsupportheart healthcareandangioplastyprovidedbythe localhospitalsystem.“Healingisbestdone athome,”Billsays.“Wewanttoensure thateverypersonwhorequiresangioplasty orsomeformofcardiacinterventionisable toreceiveitinWindsorthroughexpanded 24/7service.”

Toperformacoronaryangioplasty,acardiologistguidesacatheterwithaballoonat itstipthroughabloodvesselandintoan arterythathasbecomenarrowedor blockedwithplaque.Uponreachingthe blockage,theballoonisinflatedtoclearthe arteryandenablebloodtoflowandkeep theheartpumpingproperlyagain.Astent tokeeptheaffectedarterywallopenis oftenplacedatthesametime.

Anaverageof900patientsrequirethe life-savingprocedureinWindsoreachyear, butonly500areabletobetreatedintown. HenryFordHospitalreceives200ofthe heartpatientsandtheremaining200goto LondonHealthSciencesforangioplasty.In ordertotreatallpatientsrequiringangioplastyinWindsor,donationsareaccumulatinginaprotectedfundearmarkedtopay for10percentofthecostofanew,second

catheterlab,aswellasequipmentforboth suites.TheMinistryofHealthcoversthe remainingcost.

AbigeventliketheBobProbertMemorialRidegarnerssignificantdollars.The Probertfamilyis“veryinvolvedinwhere allthefundswillgo,”Billnotes.“What’s reallyimpressiveaboutDani,herchildren andhermother-in-law,theyareveryhands on.It’snotjustthattheylenttheirname toit.”Thefamilyisengagedineventdevelopmentandplanningandprocuring corporatesponsorshipandgifts.

TheProbertRideisalsoimportantfor raisinghearthealthawareness.ForRob Reeb,generalmanagerofThunderRoad Harley-Davidson,the2014rideispersonal victorylap.Alittleoverayearago,Rob receivedangioplastyandastentatHôtelDieuGrace.“It’sascarythingtogo throughbutyou’resillynottopayattentiontothesigns,”hesays.Acknowledging thesignalshisheartwasgivinghim, namely chestpains,Robwentfortests.Happily,he wastreatedbeforeaheartattackoccurred.

“Theygotmeinrightaway,”Robsaysof thecardiacunit.“Theymadeabadexperienceasgoodaspossible.Theysuredida greatjobofhandlingeverythingright.”He reflects,“I’mthankfulIgotgoodtreatment andgoodadvicewhileIwasthere.”Today, “I’mrightbacktodoingmorethanIwas doingbefore.Ifeelprettygood.”

Robreflects,“Havingcardiacserviceand treatmentlocallyisahugebenefit.Ican’t imaginehavingtotravelbackandforth–andconcernedfriendsandfamilyhavingto dothat,too.”

ThunderRoadisamajorsponsorand thelaunchingpointfortheride.“Hopefullywe’llhaveawholebunchofmotorcycleshere,”Robchuckles.“We’relooking forwardtoit.”

Rainorshine,thepolice-escortedride andpokerrunwilltravelalongthewaterfrontandthenstopattheVerdiClubin LaSalle,wheremotorcyclistsarealways greetedbyalivebandandballoonslining thestreet.ThenitisontoColchesterBar andGrill,followedbyRochesterPlace ParksideGrilleinBelleRiverandfinally, RiversideSportsmen’sClubforfood,a silentauction,entertainmentandcamaraderie.

BornandraisedinEssexCounty,Dani enjoysshowingofftheregiontoout-oftownersparticipatingintheride.Eachstop honourstheOriginalSixteams,withautographedjerseysandmemorabilia,includinghighlightsofBob’sNHLcareerand ▼

life.Takingpartintherideisalonglistof proathletes,includingDougGilmour, RyanWilson,EddieMio,DarrenMcCarty andSuperBowlchampionandLaSallenativeLukeWillson.

Theday“isaboutfamilyandfriendsand rememberingBob,”saysDani.“I’mjustso gratefulforthepeoplewhocomeout,” Danisays.Especiallythenearly100volunteerswhohelpmakeeverythinghappen. “Bob’smomisamazing.”

Therideisorganizedbyadedicated committee.“Whatateam!”Daniremarks. “WecallourselvestheProbiePeeps.”

Ofcourse,thedaywouldn’tbepossible withoutthepeoplewhosignupforthe ride,collectpledgesandrevuptheirbikes forthecause.Loyalandnewridersfinditis aneventnottobemissed.Danifinds,“It’s likeahugereunion.”

Pre-registrationbeganMay7thatThunderRoadHarley-Davidson,locatedat2139 HuronChurchRoad,Windsor.Entryfees havebeenloweredthisyeartoenablemore peopletoparticipate.Aspecialpre- registrationdayisalsobeinghostedonThurs., June19thatDirtyJerseysat6675TecumsehRd.E.,Windsor.BobProbertbeer Kooziesarebeinggivenawaytoearlyregistrants.

Registrationisalsopossibleonrideday, June22nd.Participantsareaskedtoarrive atThunderRoadHarley-Davidsonearlyin timetosignupandalsotoseethestage presentationat10am.

Non-ridersarealsowelcome,although whenBilljokinglyaskedProbert’sPeepsif hecouldtagalongonane-bike,“they laughedmeoutoftheroom.”Spectators canjoininthefunatanyoftheridestops. Andtheyarewelcometoseethebikesstart upatthelaunch.Thegoodvibrationsof 1,100bikesissomethingtoexperience.

Thethreepreviousrideshavegarnered lotsofawarenessaboutheartdiseaseand theneedformorecardiacmedicalservices inthecommunity.Significantmonieshave beenraised.“We’renearingthe$300,000 mark,”Danisays.“Iamsoproudofthat.” Sheiscertain,“Bobissmilingdownfrom heaven.”

ForDani,therideturnsatoughtime intosomethingpositive.June5thwasBob’s birthdayandFather’sDayissoonafter.The Proberts’weddinganniversaryisinJuly; Bobdiedthatsamemonth.Knowingthe annualfundraiserishelpingtosavelives, Danilooksforwardtotakingherfamilyon aSundaydrivewith1,100orsoofnewand oldfriends.

WLM

Windsor CorporateChallenge WhereWorkComesToPlay

STORYBYDICKHILDEBRAND/PHOTOGRAPHYBYIANGERVAIS,SPRY

IT’STHATTIMEOFYEARAGAIN...atimewhencharity-mindedpeopleassembleforadayofcompetitiontoraisemoneyforthelocalSunshineFoundation Chapter,whichispartofacountry-wideorganizationfoundedbyapoliceofficer whohadlosthissontomusculardystrophy.

Despiteitsratherserioustitle,theCorporateChallengeisactuallyagoodtime, designedtopromotewellness,balanceandteambuilding.Soundslikework,right? Inthiscase,though,teamscompete in“10fun,silly,obstacle-filledeventsthatare guaranteedtobemorefunthanwork”.Allmoneycollectedstaysinthisareawhere theSunshineFoundationhelpsmakedreamscometrueforyoungpeoplewithseverephysicaldisabilitiesorlife-threateningillnesses.

Asinthepasttwoyears,theCorporateChallengeishostedbytheJobShoppe,an employmentandhumanresourcescompanywhichhas5officesinOntario,including LesperanceRoadinTecumseh,London,Woodstock,KitchenerandMississauga.Company founderandpresidentMeighenNehmeisthepersonmainlyresponsibleforthechallenge, withassistancefromupto100volunteerswhohavesteppeduptohelpmaketheeventa success.Anyoneinterestedinbecomingpartoftheorganizationcanregisterbyloggingon towww.windsorcorporatechallenge.comandlinktotheappropriatepage.

Teamregistrationforthecompetitionisalsodoneonline–bothcorporateandnoncorporate teamscanparticipate.Thecostis$350perteam,whichnormallyconsistsof8 to12members.Upto50teamscanbeaccommodated...asoftheendofMay,atleast40 hadalreadysignedin,includingtheRoyalLimousinesquad,whichwastheoverallwinner in2013.It’sexpectedtherewillbeafullcomplementbythetimethebigdayarrives.

It’ssuggestedthateachteamcollectaminimumof$1200throughfundraisingefforts. Individualswhoraisethemostwillbegenerouslyrewarded,eitherbyafabulouspieceof jewelryfromPhoenixJewelers,or2,VIPticketstotheupcomingKatiePerryconcertat ComericaPark.Lastyear,forinstance,theCaesar’sWindsorteamsalonecollectedanamazing$10,000!

Thisyear’sCorporateChallengewillhaveadifferentlookthanthepasttwoevents.First ofall,it’sbeenmovedfromtheFogularFurlanClubtotheVollmerCentreinLaSallewhere anoutdoorcantinaandpavilionswillbesupplied.Onthespaciousgrounds,theunique,

hillytopographywillbeincorporatedinto

challenge,atthesametimeprovidingample roomforthegrowingcrowds.And,forthe firsttime,it’shappeningonaSunday...June 22nd,between8amand4:30pm.Plenty ofrefreshmentswillbeavailableatreasonableprices.....water,softdrinksandfresh hamburgers,allpreparedbythevolunteers.

The2014gameswillbetotallydifferent fromthepasttwoyearsandthere’llbeafew surprises.Lookforthingslikeauniquekind ofscavengerhunt,orBessietheCow,where team-matesracetofillabucketofmilk.... fortunatelyBessieisn’treal,butratherareallookingrodeoprop.There’sthe‘super-hero’ scrambleandforthebrainiacsquads,watch formorecognitiveandtrivialevents,where correctanswershelpparticipantsmakeit throughamaze.AsMeighenputsit,“it maynotnecessarilybemorefunthaninthe past,butwe’realwaystryingtobemorecreativethanbefore...bythinkingoutofthe box.Nomatterwhat,it`sgenerallypretty hilarious.”

Followingtheleadoftv’s“Let’sMakeA Deal”,teammembersarriveonthescene dressedinvariouscostumes,rangingfrom funnyhats,todownrightsillyget-upsand customizeduniforms,hopingtowinthe ‘TeamSpirit’award.TheJobShoppeisthe challenge’smainsponsor,joinedagainthis yearbySt.ClairCollegeandthecollege alumni.AM800,CKLWisonboardagain, asistheSpryAgency,whichbuiltanew eventapp...aninteractivemapwhichwill supplyteamscores,picturesandevenopportunitiesforvolunteerstologinforrules anddescriptionsofeachevent.SmartPhone userscanreachitthroughtheCorporate Challengewebsite.

Overthelasttwoyears,theWindsor CorporateChallengehasbeenanoverwhelmingsuccess,notonlyforthecompetitorsbutfortheSunshineFoundation andthekidsithelps.Meighensaysshe’s hopingtoturnovernearly$250,000tothe foundationattheendofthischallenge, enablingSunshinetocontinue“making dreamscometrueforoursunshinekids”all yearlong.

TheWindsorCorporateChallenge... markitonyourcalendar–Sunday,June 22nd....anexcitingandfunwaytospenda sunnyEssexCountysummerafternoon, whethercompeting,cheeringonyour favouriteteams,orsimplyoutasaspectator andalookatsomeside-splittingactivities, atthesametimeraisingmoneyforamost worthwhilecause.

ITHASBEEN20YEARS sincethecasinocametotownandchangedhowWindsor’sdowntown waterfrontlooks,itsresidentsplayanditsguestsregardthisevolvingcity.

Newkindsofjobsalsoappeared.KevinLaforet,presidentandCEOsays,"Weareamongthetop threeemployersintheWindsorEssexregion,asfarasnumberswithmorethan2,800employees.We areproudthatasignificantportionaredayoneemployeeswhohaveseenandexperiencedmany changesandtransformationsovertwodecades.Iamproudtobecountedamongthem.Theirdedicationtounparalleledserviceiswhathassetusapartfromourcompetition."

Thefactthatthehotelaverages90percentoccupancyofits758roomsonaverageandisthecity’s onlyCAA/AAAFourDiamondhotelfor13consecutiveyearsisevidenceofCaesarsWindsor’sappealtoguests.Throughtwodecadesofeconomichighsandlows,thecomplexhascontinuedtobe thecity’snumberonetourismdraw,attractingmillionsofvisitorsannually.

Today’shospitalitycomplexisalongwayfromMay17,1994,whentheGovernmentofOntario andWindsorCasinoLimitedopenedaninterimcasinoandshowedresidentsanddignitarieswhatit coulddowith50,000sq.ft.intheformerArtGalleryofWindsoronRiversideDriveWest.Where paintingsandsculptureswereoncedisplayed,colourfullightswinkedandthestagerockedwithentertainers.Thegallery’squietudewasreplacedwiththeupbeatsoundsofroulettewheelsspinning andchimingslotmachinespayingout.

Windsoriteswereagog.Itseemedeveryonehadtogo,atleastforapeek.

Then,inDecember1995,theNorthernBelleCasinocruisedalongtheDetroitRiveranddocked

atDieppePark.Welcominggueststothefirstriverboatcasino tosailtheGreatLakes,theNorthernBellecharmedpassengers tillJuly1998,whentheriverboatandtheoldartgalleryturned gamingfacilitywereclosedtomakewayforthenewlyconstructedCasinoWindsoronRiversideDriveEast.

Withanarchitecturalnodtotheregion’sGreatLakesties, thenewcasino’swhitewalledandblueglassexteriorwasslightly nautical.Insidewasathree-storywaterfallandglamourona levelneverexperiencedinthecity,notevenduringtheyears thatstarslikeTonyBennett,LiberaceandEllaFitzgeralddazzledattheElmwoodHotel&Casinobeforeitclosedin1974.

IntroducinganeweraofentertainmentwithRegisPhilbin andothercelebritiesattendingitsgrandopening,CasinoWindsorofferedshowswithmusicians,dancersandcomedians, restaurantsandgamesofchance.By2006,thefacilityhadexpandedtoincludemorerestaurantsandlounges.Italsohada newname:CaesarsWindsor.

Twoyearslater,CaesarsWindsorrevealeditsnewhoteltower, 5,000seatColosseumtheatre,100,000sq.ft.conventioncentreandotheramenities.ThePianoManhimself,BillyJoel, headlinedthegalaopening.

“Wehavecertainlycomealongway,"saysKevin."Some ofthebiggestnamesinentertainmenthavegracedourColosseumstage,includingCelineDion,KISS,JayLeno,Sarah

McLachlan,RebaandBBKing.”EvenTony Bennet,atage86,returnedtotown.With over300acts,thecasinodrawsupto5,000 peoplemostweekendstothedowntown core.

Canada’slargestcasinoresorthasgarnered internationalrecognition.CasinoPlayer MagazinevotedCaesarsWindsorOverall BestGamingResort14consecutiveyears. TheColosseumhasbeennumberedasone oftheTop25TheatreVenuesbyPollstar® worldwidefor3straightyears.

“Havingtopheadlinersperformingright hereinourownbackyardhasallowed Windsoritesandourfriendsfromthe Countyaccesstothelikeswehavenever experiencedbefore.”saysGordonOrr,CEO ofTourismWindsor,Essex,PeleeIsland. “Premierentertainmentatanaffordable pricewithouthavingtocrossaninternationalborderortraveldownthe401has beenaverypositivebenefitforthisregion. CombineCaesar’sA-listactswiththeirarray ofrestaurantoptions,followedbyyour choiceofhighcalibregamingandyouhave aperfectnighttoenjoywithinminutesof yourhome.”

MattMarchand,presidentandCEOof theWindsor-EssexRegionalChamberof Commerce,ispleasedCaesarsWindsorhas alsoshonethespotlightonlocalorganizationsdoinggoodwork.Celebrating20years ofgiving,CaesarsWindsorisdonating $130,000toPathwaytoPotential’sMarket DollarProgram,Glengarry-Marentetter RenewalInitiative,DowntownFarmers’ Market,WindsorEssexCo untyCancer CentreFoundation’sIt’sInYourJeansand ArtGalleryofWindsor’s2014Triennial. Since1994,CaesarsWindsorhasdonated $8milliontolocalcharitiesandnon-profit organizations.

“CaesarsWindsorhasbeenakeyeconomicdrivertotheregionandthedowntownoverthepast20yearswithmillionsof visitorscomingtoexperiencethisworld classvenue,”saysMatt.“Justasimpressive tonotehasbeenCaesarsWindsor’songoing commitmenttothecommunitya ndthe countlesscharitiesthathavebenefited throughouttheWindsor/Essexregion.”He commendsemployeevolunteerismas“truly admirable.”

Gordonadds,“Onthis20-yearmark,the tourismindustrycelebrateswithCaesars WindsoraswerecognizethesignificantpositiveimpactCaesarsWindsorhashadon ourtourismlandscape.Changingusforever andforthebetteranddoingitastheworld classentertainmentvenuetheyare.”

YouandYourPetsarePartoftheFamily

WELLNESSANDHEALTHCARE areimportantforeverymemberofyourfamily, includingthefurryones.Catsanddogscan't tellyouinwordswhentheyneedmedical attention,therefore,itisbeneficialthatyou haveaveterinarianwhoisexperiencedand compassionatecaringforyourpetregularly. TownandCountryAnimalClinicoffersthat andmuchmore.

TownandCountryAnimalClinicisafull serviceanimalclinicprovidingcomprehensive medicine,surgeryanddentalcareforpetsin WindsorandEssexCountyforoverthree decades.

Dr.RobertFetherstongraduatedfromthe UniversityofGuelphandestablishedhispracticein1980.

Opportunitytoupgradetheveterinarypracticearosewhentheclinic’ssitewasexpropriated forroadwayexpansionin2011.Dr.Fetherston createdanewstate-of-the-artfacilityinLaSalle behindtheWindsorCrossingOutletMall. “Our3,200squarefootanimalclinicwasdesignedandequippedtoservetheneedsofpets inamoderncomfortablesetting,”hesays.

Whenevermedicalservices,prescriptions, grooming,boardingandmorearerequired, itisreassuringforpetstogotoonelocation andbetendedbyfamiliarstaff.Itisalso convenientforpetowners.“Ourmission istoprovideexcellenthealthcaretopets, andqualityservicetotheirowners,ina caring,professionalenvironment,”says Dr.Fetherston.

Veterinaryservicesincludesurgery,dentalcare,digitalradiographyandlaboratory wellnesstesting.“TownandCountryAnimalClinicembracesthelatestmedical advancementsandtechnologywhileplacinggreatfocusonthewellbeingofyourpet andthepreventionofdisease,”Dr.Fetherstonsays.“Withouronsitediagnostics,we cangetanswerstoyourpet’shealthconcernsquicklyandbeginappropriatetreatment.”Theclinic’saffiliateensuresafter hoursand24houremergencycareforyour convenience.

TownandCo untryAnimalClinicalso featuresitsownpetpharmacy,nutritional counsellingprogramandprescriptiondiets thatmaintainyourcat’sordog’s optimalhealthandweight.

“Apet’sbodytypicallychanges andagesmuchfasterthanour own,”saysDr.Fetherston.“Anannualcheckupallowsustoassess yourpet’shealthstatus.Wedesign awellnessprogramforeverystage ofyourpet’slife.”

Left:Dr.BobFetherstonandstaff, Lisa,Ashley,KitrinaandCarole.

Everyonedeservesoccasionalpampering.TownandCountryAnimalClinic’spet spaoffersmedicatedbaths,blowdrying, professionalhairtrimmingandpedicures. Whenyouhavetobeawayovernightor longer,yourpetiswelllookedafteratTown andCountry’spethotel.Separatewings keepdogsandcatsapart.Theyliveluxuriouslyincomfortable,airconditioned,individualsuites.Caregiversplaywithpets daily.Dogsenjoyexercisingontheoutdoor PoochyPatioandfiveindoorruns.

OpenMondaythroughSaturday,Town andCountryAnimalClinicinvitesyouand yourpettomeetDr.Fetherstonandhis staff.Cometouroneofthisarea’spremier animalclinics!

BIGHOMESTYLEONABUDGET 1970sTecumsehHomeIsRedesignedForNow

STORYKARENPATON-EVANS/PHOTOGRAPHYMICHAELPIETRANGELO

INCLOTHING,CARS andarchitecture, everyeraproducespopularfadsandfashions thatcatchon.Homebuyerstodayputgranitecountertopsandopenlivingspacesatthe topoftheirwishlists,whileinthe1970’s, peoplefellinlovewithmulti-levelsconnectedbyshortstaircases,Mediterranean andSpanish-influenceddesignandLshaped livinganddiningareaswrappedaroundan enclosedkitchen.

By2005,thatL-shapedconfigurationhad stampedsomanyWindsor-Esse xCounty residentialfloorplansthatmostpeople wouldhavebeenabletoenterastrange homeandnavigatetheirwaythroughiteasily,blindfolded.

Onehomebuyer,however,walked throughwithhereyeswideopen.Viewinga four-levelside-splithouseinTecumsehthat wasonthemarket,shewaspleasedtonote thehaciendatouches,mostevidentinthe entrancearchwayanditswroughtirongate leadingintoastuccoandbrickalcove.

Whilethepreviousownerhaddoneaway withtheoriginal70sshagcarpetingandold cabinetry,theLconfigurationremained firmlyinplace.

Thathadtogo.

UrbanHomeownerandinteriorstylist JodiMasonredesignedthefourbedroom,

Below:Servingasthekitchenisland,afreestandingbuffetisalsothespotwherethekidsdohomeworkwhileMomcooks.

Right:Arrangedintowallartinthediningroom, smallcubeseachholdaglassvotivecandleholder.

Bottomright:Oversizedchesspiecesareamong theplayfulaccentsadorningthefamilyhome

twobathroomhouse,fromtoptobottom.“Weslowlyupdatedroomsoverseveral years,”shesays.“Alltherenovationsweredonecosteffectively.”

Tacklingthekitchen,JodihadmostofthetwowallsformingtheLremoved.The cornersupportpostwasleftinplaceandboxedouttocreateasquarepillar.Itbecame adesignelement,cladintravertinetile.Additionaltravertinewasappliedasthe kitchenbacksplash.

The1990sgoldenoakkitchencabinetswerein goodshapebutinneedof refreshing.Aprofessionalpainterapplieddurablecoatsofespresso-huedpaint.(He alsopaintedthebathroomvanitiesforanewlook).Agranite-typematerialreplaced theoldcountertops,helpingtokeeptheremodelonbudget.

Ratherthaninstallingfixedcabinetryforanewisland,adeepbuffetwasordered fromUrbanHome.Itsantiquepearlfinishlightensthespace,whiletheblackgranitetopprovidesatoughsurface.“Thatservesasaworkspaceaswellasthebar,” thehomeownersays.“It’swherepeoplesitwhileI’mworkinginthekitchen.”The family’stwochildrenclimbontothebarstoolstodotheirhomework.

Nowbarrierfree,visuallyandspacially,tothediningroom,thecookcanchatwith guestsasshereadieseachcourse.Atnight,theroomglowswithcandlesflickering invotiveholderssetintosmalldarkcubesarrangedsymmetricallyononewall. Candlelightbringsoutthesparkleintheironandcrystalchandelier.“It’satraditionalchandelierwithacontemporaryfeel,”Jodisays.

ChocolateleatherParsonschairsare drawnaroundthelongwooddiningtable thatseats10.Slatetilesquaresareinset downthecentreofthetable,readytoreceivehotdishes.Jodichosethetableforits tiles.“Theyprovideanestheticelementas wellasfunction.”

Inthelivingroom,leatherfeatureslarge onthecaramelvintagesofaandchairand darkbrownaccentchair.Textureislayered withthepearlwhitesilkyshagarearug, creamcottontosspillowsandAsianwooden chestholdingtheflatscreentelevision.Old carpetingwastornupandwideplank, hand-scrapedhardwoodinamediumstain waslaid.

AClavinovababygrandisenjoyedbythe son,daughterandfamilyfriendswhofavour tunesbyColdPlayoverclassicalmusic.

Anotherspotwhereeverybodycongregatesisthethirdlevelfamilyroom.Jodi removedthescrolldetailfromthefireplace mantelandhadthewoodandyellowbrick featurewallpaintedaquietgrey-cream. Heatresistantpaintturnedthegoldtoned fireplacesurroundamoredesirableblack. “Ittotallychangesthelook,”Jodifinds.

Newwoodflooringsoftenedbyachenille arearugalsoaidedthefamilyroom’stransformation.Abig,overstuffedsofaintaupe velvetgotacontinentaltouchwithlinen tosspillowsbearingtravelstampsfromParis andLondon.Moretravelnotesappearvia stampedFrenchscriptfabriccoveringa Frenchprovincialchair. ▼

Above:Thelegsoftheformerdiningtable werecutdowntofashionagenerouslyproportionedcoffeetableinthefamilyroom.

Left:DVDs,gamesandotheritemsareneatly stowedinthecarvedhutchimportedfrom Asia.Acollectionofsmallframesdisplay photosoffamilymemberssnappedover generations.

Honouringthehomeowner’scommitmenttoupdatingoldthings,thecoffeetable wasupcycled.“Inthelastfamilyhome,it wasthediningtable.Wecutitdown,”Jodi explains.Bigandsturdy,thetablebalances wellwithabigcarvedwoodenhutchfrom Asia.“Thatisamassivething,”thestylist says.“Ithousesallthevideogamesand otherfamilyroomnecessities.”

Abovethehutchhangsanassortmentof smallframescontainingphotographsofthe kidsandseveralprecedinggenerations.It’sa gentlereminderoftheimportanceoffamily.

Withfourlevelsforthefamilytosprawl over,Momcanfindsomeprivacyinher bedroom.Withtaupeaccents,ithasaserene feel.Patiodoorsleadingtoabalconyoffer aviewoftheparklandborderingthebackyard.Jodicoveredthepatiodoorsand sidelightswithafourpaneltrackwindow treatmentthatslidestotheside,stacking vertically.Inpaletaupefabricinsetwith bamboorods,“it’sanalternativetotheold verticalblind,”shesays.

Thispage,toptobottom:Theattachedtwocar garagewasconvertedintoagatheringspace witheasyaccesstothebackyardandswimming pool.Greylaminateflooringhasarusticplank look;anaturalgasfireplacewasaddedfor warmthandsurroundedbydarkporcelaintile; friendsliketocongregateatthebar.

Althougheveryroomreceivedthestylist’s touch,hergreatestfeatwasaccomplishedin thegarage.“Itwasjuststoringjunk,”Jodi observes.“Wetookthespaceandreimagineditwithour3Ddigitaldesignprogram, convertingthetwocargarageintoagatheringareaandbarwithaccesstothebackyard andpool.Ididitallvirtuallytoshowthe homeownerthepotentialofwhatcouldbe done.”

Sheleftthebiggaragedoorfunctioning soitcanopentotheoutdoors.Thereisa sma llareaforstoringbikesandtypical garagestuff.Therestisdefinitelyunexpected.

Onewalliscoveredinagedboulder stone.Theremainingwallsarepaintedeitherslateblueorchocolatebrown.Anaturalgasfireplaceinstalledastheheatsourceis surroundedbydarkporcelaintileswith doorknobbuttonsateachcornertoadd interest.Greylaminateflooringresembling rusticplankscoverstheconcreteanda sheepskinrugoffersalittlewarmthunderfoot.

An8’ slidingdoorwascutintothe garage’sbackwalltoprovidemorenatural lightandaccesstothepool.

Furnishingsaredesignedforstyleand comfort.Adown-filledvintageleatherclub chairisangledbeforeacowhidestoragebox thatalsoworksasanottoman.Onecorner issnuglyoutfittedwithadarkbrownchenillesectionalaccentedwithcreammohair tosspillowsandafauxfurthrow.Inplaceof acoffeetableisacarvedwoodenIndonesian ottomantoppedwithavelvetcushion.

Abigwallmirror“actuallyreflectstheTV sowhenyou’resittingatthebar,youcan watchyourprogrameventhoughtheTVis behindyou,”saysJodi.

“Thecrystalchandelieraddsafeminine touchtothismancave,”shepointsout.So dosilvernailheadsadorningthebarstools. “Idesignedinlotsoftestosterone–andthen Itossedinalittlebitofglam.

Whichprettywellsumsupthe70s.

WindsorLifeMagazineisalwayssearchingfor interestinghomes,landscaping,gardens,patios andwaterfeaturestoshowourreaderswhat othersinthecommunityaredoingwiththeir livingspaces.Ifyouhaveahomethatyou feelwouldbeinterestingpleaseemailphotosto publisher@windsorlife.com.Photosneedtobe forreferenceonly.Ifyourhomeischosenwe willarrangeforacompletephotoshoot.Ifyou wish,youmayremainanonymousandthelocationofyourhomewillnotbedisclosed.

WLM

limelight&electricbringsauniquelightingshowroomtoTecumsehwiththefocusonfixtures.TheLearfamilyhasahistoryof40 yearsinthelighting,electricalsupplyandcontractingbusiness, basedinLeamington.Theyarenowproudtowelcomeyoutotheir newretaillightingstoreintheMarquisPlazaat1825ManningRd.

Therecentlyopenedshowroomaimstoprovideapleasantenvironmentwhereyoucanbrowseunpressuredorcallontheirhelp andadvice.“Thisisthefirsttimelimelight&electricventuresinto aretailoperationthatisdedicatedtolighting,”saysMichelle,“and wewantittobeaninvitingplacethatofferspeoplefreshideason themarkettoday.”

Foryournewconstruction,renovationorupdatingproject,limelight&electriccangiveyouinformed,sensiblesuggestionsforyour space.TheTecumsehstaffistrainedthroughtheAmericanLighting Associationandenjoysworkingwithcontractors,designersandcrea tiveprofessionals.AsmembersoftheALA,limelightstayscurrent bykeepingupwiththelatestlightingtrendsinanever-changing lightingindustry.

“OurTecumsehlocationfeaturesanimpressiveselection,where you’resuretofindyourindividualstyle,”saysMatt.Whetherit’s simpleeleganceorasignaturestatement,limelight&electriccarries classicandcurrentlooksinfixturefashion.

Theshowroomatlimelightfeatureslightingfixturesandlamps foreveryroominthehouse.Discoverimpressiveandcleverdesigns thatwillenhanceanydécor,whetherit’syourhomeorworkspace.

limelighthassprinkledtheshowroomwithathoughtfulcollectionofpiecestohighlightthelightingandgivelivelynewpurpose toanyspace.

thatappealstoyourindividualstyle.

Importantforcustomerstoknow,limelight&electrichastheir completeinventoryontheir“easyto use”website.Thisallowsyou toexplorebeyondtheoptionsavailableintheshowroom.Search foryourselfandgetinspired.

Itisalwaysimportanttoconsiderlightingsolutionsthatareright forbothpurposeandlocation.Youmayneedsoftfunctionalambientlightingalongwithsometaskandaccentlighting.Nomatter whatroom,limelightcarriestheappropriatefixturesthatcomplementyourinterior...whateveryourstyle.

Whenitcomestolighting,limelight&electricisreadywithhelpfulsuggestionsandcompetitivepricing.Bestofall,they’veopened uptheoptionsyouhaveavailablewhenchoosingyourlighting.

“Wewanttoshowitoff,”Mattstates.“We’reencouraging peopletocomeandvisit.Evenifyou’renotinthemarketforfixtures rightnow,dropbyandgetinspired.We’llbegladtoseeyou”!

Visitlimelight&electricattheirnewlocationat1825Manning Road,Tecumsehoronlineatwww.limelightandelectric.comFollow themonfacebookforexclusivedealsaninformationontheirGrand OpeningCelebrationhappeningthissummer.

A1ChineseResturant -Providingauthentic Chinesedishesusingthefreshestingredients andtraditionalChineserecipes.Take-out,menu &buffet.Essex,LaSalle,Leamington&Wallaceburg.www.a1chinesefood.com

Armando’sBelleRiver -Pizzamadefreshfrom ourfamilytoyours,withallyourfavourite toppings.Othermenuitemsavailable. 10%offpickuporders.Fastdelivery. LocatedinAspenPlaza.

1679CountyRd.22.519-727-0660

Billy’sPubandGrill -14craftbeertaps,local wines,andfoodmadefromscratch.Takethe shortdrivetoEssexandseewhyBilly’swas votedoneofOntario’shiddengems.Seewhat's ontapatbillyspubandgrill.com 305TalbotSt.N.,Essex519-776-7094

CapriPizzeria -Capri’scasualatmosphereand welcomingstaffattractsavariedmixofdiners! Comeoutandenjoyourgreatpizzas,pastaand more! 3020DougallAve.519-969-6851

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

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

FamousJoesDiner -Largeportions.Small prices.Familyfriendlyatmosphere.Servingall daybreakfast.Senior’sandchildren’smenuavailable.TryourFamousSouthernFriedChicken, CountryRibsorfreshSteakBurgers.Open TuesdaythruSunday. E.C.Row&Manning,Lakeshore. 33AmyCroftDr.519-735-8001

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

Jeff’sFreshMeats -Wemakediningathome easy.Choosefromoneofourmanyreadymade products:stuffedporkchop,stirfrys,cordon

bleu,stuffedpeppers,meatloaf. 3750WalkerRd.519-967-0988

MazaarLebaneseCuisine -Anupscalecasual restaurantspecializedinauthenticLebanese Cuisineinaclassycomfortableyetenergeticatmosphere.Theirextensivelunchanddinner menuspromotefreshandhealthydelicious options.Freeparkingafter5pm.Reservations recommended.

372OuelletteAve.519-967-9696.

NerosGourmetSteakhouse -Indulgeinthe finerthingsinlifeatNeroswheremodernupscalediningmeetstraditionalsteakhousefare. Fresh,localingredients,anincrediblewineselectionandsuperbservice.caesarswindsor.com 1-800-991-7777ext.22481.

ParksideatRochesterPlace -Newlyrenovated with3000sqftpatiowithlargefountainpool, incrediblefirefeatures,largeoutdoorlounge area,diningarea,newsoundsystemthatwill amazeyouandaNewmenuthatwillmorethan impress!Seewhatthey'vedone! CtyRd.2inStoneyPointatRuscomRiver. www.rochesterplace.com.519-728-2361

SandbarSteak&SeafoodRestaurant -Open yearround,featuringgreatsteaksandseafood plusliveentertainmentThurs.,Fri.andSat. nightsinacasualatmosphere.Lotsofguest boatslipsoffPuceRiver. 930OldTecumsehRd.,Lakeshore. 519-979-5624www.sandbarpuce.com

ShotzRoadhouse -Tecumseh’s#1roadhouse andhomeoftheNewChickenDeluxe.2for1 wings(Sun&Mon,1-4).38HDscreenscoveringeverygame,9pooltables,13beersontap andfriendlystaff. www.johnnyshotz.com 13037TecumsehRd.E.519-979-7005

TazaMediterraneanGrill -Enjoyadelectable varietyofauthentic,Lebanese-styledishesrich withflavourandtraditionalspices.Opentoall ages,locatedintheAugustusHotellobbyat CaesarsWindsor,openweekdays11am–11pm and7amonweekends.caesarswindsor.com.

Tony’sChargrill -ServingauthenticPortuguese Cuisineonarealcharcoalgrill.Housespecialty ischargrilledchicken.Offeringseveralmeatand seafooddishesgrilledtoperfection.TryourbuffetandsaladbarThursdaytoSundayServing lunchanddinner6daysaweek.ClosedMondays.Opennoontomidnight. 3347TecumsehRd.E.(westofCentralAve.) (226)674-1200

TunnelBar-B-Q -HomeofWorldFamous SpareRibs,chickenanddesserts,includingmile highlemonpie.58ParkSt.E.519-258-3663

Campbellat519-979-3419.

CALVIN SIMON

RockHallOfFamer LeadsTheQuiteLifeInTecumseh

STORYBYDICKHILDEBRAND

Hewasborn

intheUnitedStates,becameamusicallegend andwasinductedintotheRockandRollHallofFameandMuseum. Today,at72andstanding6-feet5inchestall,CalvinEugeneSimonisan imposingfigure.Foratleast6monthsoftheyear,heandhiswifeJennifer,a CanadiannativeandformerAirCanadaflightattendant,liveinthetownof Tecumseh.Whentheweatherturns,theyheadsouthforwintersinFlorida. HewasbornMay22nd,1942inBeckleyWestVirginiaandlikesomany

Left:FunkadeliconTV’sSoulTrainin1981.Lefttorightare:Grady Thomas,FuzzyHaskins,CalvinSimonandshowhostDonCornelius.Above:CalvinSimontoday,followingaroundofgolfatthe KingsvilleGolfandCountryClub.PhotobyDickHildebrand.

others,hisfirstsingingexperienceswereinhis churchchoir.Whenhewas13,Calvinandhis familymovedtoNewJerseywherehegotthe breaksthatledtoaphenomenalmusicalcareer.

HewasworkingatabarbershopinNewarkat atimewhendoo-wopwasamajorforceinthe popmusicscene.Calvin’sfirstgroupwasThe CrystalswhichbecameasteppingstonetoThe Parliamentsquintet,assembledinthe backroom ofthebarbershopbackin1955.Andwhatolder generationmusiclovercanforgetthenamesof CalvinSimon,GeorgeClintonandGrady Thomas,whowerebarbersandFuzzyHaskins andRayDaviswhowereregularcustomers.

OriginallymodeledafterFrankieLymonand theTeenagers,thegroupquicklyevolvedtoa uniquesoundalltheirown.Inthemid60s,The ParliamentsmovedtoDetroitwheretheywere signedtoMotownRecords.However,withthe label’sestablishedgroupstakingmostoftheglory, Calvinandhismateswererelegatedtotheback benches.Headds,“Wedidn’twanttobelikethe rest,sowemovedon.”Theywentfromlabelto labelreleasingrecord-after-recordbeforefinally latchingontothepotofgoldattheendofthe rainbowin1967whentheyreleased“(IWanna) Testify”onRevilotRecords.Itsoaredto#3onthe R&BchartswithCalvincreditingTheBig8, CKLWformuchofthetune’ssuccess.

Therewasnofollow-uptothehit,the groupranintocontractualhasslesand CalvinwasdraftedtoserveintheVietNam war.HisreturntotheUnitedStatesin1968 wasnotatallpleasant–hesufferedfrom PostTraumaticStress,aconditionforwhich he’sstillbeingtreated46yearslater.“You havenoideawhatit’slike,”hesays,“towake upinthemorningandfeelthatM-16, whichhasbecomeyourbestfriend,stillin yourhands.”He’sdiabetic,hasundergone surgeryforthyroidcancerandhashad doublebypassheartsurgery,whilehiswife isbeingtreatedforMultipleMyeloma,a formofbonecancer.Andyet,hewearsa perpetualgrinandalwayshastimeforother people.

TheParliamentswererenamedFunkadelicandwhenRevilotfolded,theircontractwassoldtoAtlanticrecords.Theguys, notwantingtobedictatedtobytheAtco hierarchypermanentlyabandonedthedoowopstyle,mergedwiththeirbandandrenamedthemselves“Parliament/Funkadelic” in1970.Theirfirsteffortwas“Osimium” ontheInvictuslabel.Overthenextfew years,Parliament/Funkadelicunderwent manychanges,notonlyinname,butin musicalstyles–lotsoffunky,high-energy andtechnologically-advancedstuff.And,as Calvinproudlystates:“Nobodyelsehadthe stagepresencethatwedid.Weshowedalot ofpeopleinthemusicindustryhowtoinvestinthemselves.”Forfulldetailsonthis fascinatinghistoryandacompleteofall thehits,checkoutCalvin’swebsiteat www.CalvinSimon.com.

In1978,Calvin,FuzzyandGradyleft Parliament/Funkadelicaftermoneydisputes withClinton...theyformedanewgroupand releasedanalbumtitled‘Connectionsand Disconnections’in1981underthename Funkadelic,whichwouldhavedifferenttitlesinensuingyears.Eventually,Calvinsays ashebecameunhappierandmorefrustrated,hetookhisconsiderablefortuneand movedhislifeinadifferentdirection.He investedinseveralprofitableenterpriseswith helpfromhisfather-in-lawwhojusthappenedtobetheheadofinvestmentsforthe BankofMontreal.

OnMay25th,1997,CalvinSimonand 15membersofParliament/Funkadelicreceivedtherecognitiontheysowell-deserved withtheirinductionintotheRockandRoll HallofFame.Theysharedthehonorwith TheBeeGees,BuffaloSpringfield,Crosby, StillsandNash,TheJacksonFive,Joni MitchellandtheYoungRascals.Itwasthe firstinductionheldattheHallofFame

whichhadopenedtothepublicinClevelandtwoyearsearlier.

Withhisnumerousbusinessesonthe AmericansideoftheDetroitRiver,theSimonswhohadbeenlivinginToronto, movedtoTecumseh,whichwasmuchquieterandmorelaidbackthanthemotorcity. “Atthetime,”hesays,“wewerestillvery popularandwereconstantlybeingchased byautographseekers,especiallyinDetroit. Andwithonlythebridgeandtunnelseparatingmefrommyoperations,we decided tomakeourhomeontheCanadiansideand thatwasin1986.Itwasniceandsecluded andthepeoplethatdidknowaboutmymusicalpastweresocoolaboutit.”

Today,heremainsveryactive,isamemberofLifestylesGymandplaysgolfregularlyattheKingsvilleGolfandCountry Clubwhere’sbeenamemberforthepast27 years.Infact,whenIcaughtuphimrecently,hehadjustfinishedan18-holeround witha77...quiteanachievementatthe challengingKingsvillelayout!Hestillhasa recordingcompany,SimonSayz–hewas “thefirstandonlyartisttohaverecorded there.”About10yearsago,hisgospelalbum ‘SharetheNews’reached#32ontheBillboardTopGospelAlbumschart.Another effort,‘SimonSayz’,whichhit#21onthe chartsisstillavailabletodayonCal’swebsite.He’sbeenatennischampionandanace atKarate...ashesays,“Iplaytowin.”He’s alsoamemberofTheCanadianBirdies,an internationalorganizationthathelpsyouth groupswithcontributionsfromgolftournaments.Hisonemaindesirethesedaysis tobecomeanaccomplishedpianoplayer... notnecessarilyaconcertperformer...but hejusthasn’thadthetimetopractice.He saysthemusicneverleavesandhislife todayishappierthanever,withalotless congestions.

Meanwhile,theroyaltychequesfrom Calvin’smusicdayscontinuetorollinevery threemonthsandashesayswithhisinfectiousgrin,“thehardestworkIdoissign themandputtheminthebank.”

Hedoessaythemusicindustryhas changeddrasticallyovertheyears.“Sometimesyoucanbethemosttalentedpersonin theworldandyouwon’tgetthatbreak.It’s almosttothepointofwhoyouknow.Even inthecountryfield,man,ifyoudon’tsella millionalbums,youwon’tbere-signed. You’reoutofthereinaflash.”

Hisadvicetoyoungpeoplehopingfor thatbigbreakintheindustry:“youmust haveanalternative.Anotherjobwaitingin thewings.”

HOROSCOPE

ARIES

MAR21-APR20:

Finallythingsbegintosettledownaround youandstarttofallinplace.Slow,steady andsurestrengthensyourposition.You can’tbuildcastlesinthesand.Youneeda firmfoundationtostanduponbeforeyou moveahead.Restandrecuperationisessentialtoyourhealthandwell-being.

TAURUS

APR21-MAY21:

Suddenchangescatchyouoff-guard.You needallofthefactsbeforeyoucanmakea decision.Theremaybesomethinggoingon behindthescenesother thanwhatyouanticipate.Thiscouldmakeabigdifferencein thefinaloutcomeofacurrentproject.

GEMINI

MAY22-JUN21:

Itstillfeelsasifyouaregoingfullspeed aheadwiththebrakeson.Youaremore likelytosucceedwhenyoufocusonwhat youcandoratherthanwhatyoucan’t.New friendsandassociatesmayprovideinformationandfreshideasthatstimulateyour thinking.Anewroadbeckons.

CANCER

JUN22-JUL23:

Putonyourseatbelt.Positivechangescome fastandfurious.Somethingyouhave workedonforalongtimeisabouttopay off.Ifyoutrytoholdontoasituationthat hasservedits’purpose,youcouldruninto someflakfromothers.Trustyourintuition. Youknowwhattodo.

LEO

JUL24-AUG23:

Sometimesitfeelslikeeverybodywants somethingfromyou.Youarepulledinso manydifferentdirectionswhenallyouwant todoistakeatime-outandrelax.Peopleare usedtoyougiving110%plus.Ithelpsif yousetclearboundariessoothersknow whattheycanexpectfromyou.

VIRGO

AUG24-SEP23:

Frictionoverfinancialmatterscouldbecomemoredifficult.Searchcarefullyfor areaswherecompromiseispossible.There ishopeforyoutobesuccessful,butitdoesn’tjustlandinyourlap.Youhavetoput someworkintoit.Now,notlater.

LIBRA

SEP24-OCT23:

Youreallydon’tlikethefeelingofbeingin limbo,ofbeingstuckinoneplacenot knowingwhattodo.Othersmaygettired ofwaitingforyoutomakeadecision.The solutionmaybefoundintakingastepforward,atleastgetstarted,andmakeanynecessarychangesasyougoalong.

SCORPIO

OCT24-NOV22:

Makechangesconsciouslyoryourbodywill forceyoutomakethem.Youdonotneed tobeateverybody’sbeckandcallallthe time.Chooseoptionscarefully.Putyour ownhealthfirst.Thenyoucangetbackinto thegame.Bytakingcareofyourself,you cantakebettercareofothers.

SAGITTARIUS

NOV23-DEC21:

Gameon!It’sanewday,anewwayandyou areonfire,confident,readyandwillingto takeanewdirection.Memoriesofthepast remainprecious,butthatiswhattheyare–memories.Keepthegoodones.Letthe otheronesgo.Youcanbeapositiveinspirationtoothers.

CAPRICORN

DEC22-JAN20:

Stayinthemomentandletsomesunshine intoyourlife.Thetimestheyareachanging.Gowiththeflow.Modificationisthe keytotakingsuccessfulaction.Usethose rocksaroundyouassteppingstonestosuccess.ItisOK tobehappy.Youdidyour duty.Nowhavesomefun.

AQUARIUS

JAN21-FEB19:

Thereisalottodo,alottoseeandplenty ofplacestogo.Ifyouhavepreparedwellfor thistimeinyourlife,thingscango smoothlyandcanbringhappinessandcontentmentyourway.Butyouwillonlyget thatforwhichyouhavetrulyworked.

PISCES

FEB20-MAR20

Dreamscancometrue.Thekeyistofocus onprimaryresponsibilities.Youknowthat afishswimmingintwodifferentdirections justkeepsgoingin circles.Chooseyourdirectionandstaywithit.Itisbettertobea successatonethingthantocourtdisruptionanddiscontentwithtwo.

RideDon’tHide

AddressingtheStigmaofMentalHealth OnePedalataTime

STORYBYKIMWILLIS/PHOTOGRAPHYCOURTESYWWW.RIDEDONTHIDE.COM

CYCLISTSPARTICIPATING inRideDon’tHideonJune22willbepartofanational movementtoaddressthestigmasurroundingmentalhealth.Thiscommunitybike ridehostedbytheCanadianMentalHealthAssociation(CMHA)ishappeningforthe firsttimeinWindsor-Essexthisyear.Itisoneof19rideshappeningacrossCanada.

Thegoalistoengageover3,600participantsandraise$800,000insupportof CMHAmentalhealthprograms.Manypeopleridefortheenjoyment,competition, andphysicalchallenge,buttherealrewardcomesinknowingthateverykilometre yourideandeverydollarraisedassistsinbreakingthestigmathataffectsover6 millionCanadianseachyear.

Mentalillnessaffectsallofus.OneinfiveCanadianswillsufferfromamental illnessduringtheirlifetime.Only1/3ofthosewhoneedmentalhealthservices inCanadaactuallyreceivethem.Theimpactofignoringthisissueissimplynotan option.TheeconomiccostofmentalhealthandaddictionissuesinOntarioisestimatedat$39billionannually!

Everyday500,000Canadiansmissworkbecauseofpsychiatricproblems.Suicideisnowoneoftheleadingcausesofdeathfromadolescencetomiddleage,

Windsor-Essexwillbeoneof19communitiesparticipatinginRide Don'tHideonJune22.Cyclistswillcompletea10,20or50km routetoaddressthestigmaofmentalillness. ▼

accountingfor24%ofalldeathsamong1524yearolds.

InWindsortheridebeginsinWalkerville atthecornerofDevonshireandRiverside Drive.Participantshavetheoptionofcompletinga10,20or50kmscenicroute.If youdonothaveabikebutstillwishtosupporttheeventyoucansignupasa“virtual” rider.AllthefundsraisedinWindsorwill thesupporttheBereavementprogram.The program,whichsupportsover600adults andchildrenannually,receivesminimalgovernmentfunding.Itreliesoncommunity supportthroughfundraisinginitiativessuch asRideDon’tHideforitsavailability.

“Dealingwiththelossofalovedonecan beoneofthemosttraumaticexperiencesan individualwillexperienceduringtheirlifetime.Weworkwithadultsandchildrenas theydealwithbereavementissuesandthe traumathatoftenaccompaniesanunexpectedlossorviolentdeath,saysColleen Campo,BereavementSpecialist.

MelissaKinghornisanavidadvocateand supporterofthebereavementprogramwho isparticipatingintherideonJune22nd. Sheusedtheprogramwhenhersisterdied in2003.“IbelievethatCMHABereavementprogramstrulysavedmylife.In2003 whenIlostmysistertoSuicideIattended theoneononecounselingprogram.Ireally didn'tthinkanythingcouldturnmyworld around.Ithastakenalotofworktoget whereIaminmygrief11yearslaterbutI knowandbelievethattheCMHAbereavementpro gramsandstaffhelpedguideme alongmypath.Idon'tknowwhereIwould bewithoutthemandIamforevergrateful! Ithinkitissovitallyimportantwegatheras acommunitytosupporttheseprogramsbecausetheyoffersuchamazingsupportwhen anindividualneedsitthemost.”

TheRideDon’tHidemovementbegan withMichaelSchratter,aVancouverschool teacherlivingwithbipolardisorder,who spentalmostayearandahalfcycling 40,000kmaroundtheglobe.Armedwith only hisbike,aknapsackandthedeterminationtorealizehisdreamofraisingawarenessandempoweringthosewhoexperience mentalillness,hisstoryinspiredmillionsof peopleandraised$100,000forCMHA.

“Withsome4,500Canadiansexpectedto participateonJune22nd,RideDon’tHide ispoisedtobecomethelargestmental healthadvocacyeventinCanadianhistory,” saysSchratter.”Neverinathousandyears couldIhaveexpectedthatitwouldbecome whatitistoday.”

Visitwww.ridedonthide.comformore information.

STORYBYDICKHILDEBRAND

IT’SHARDTOBELIEVETHAT hockeylegendBobbyOrr is66yearsold.Arguablyoneofthebestplayersinthehistory ofthegame,theOntarionativeisbasicallyshyandveryprotectiveofhispersonallife.However,whensomethingpleases him,heflashesacharacteristicgrinthatissomuchapartofhis personality.ThatwasthecasewhenoneofWindsor’snewest authors,KaraKootstracameupwithauniqueideaofportrayingtheformerBostonBruinhigh-scoringdefencemaninan illustratedbooklet,designedspecificallyforkidsaged3to7.

KarawasbornandraisedinWindsor.She’smarriedtoKyle, afinancialadviserandisthemotheroftwochildren,Nate,5, andClairewho’s3.ThedaughterofformerNHLerVernStenlund,Karaisamusicteacherbytradeandisactiveincommunityvolunteerworkthroughherchurch.

Assheexplainsit:“Bobby’smemoirshadjustbeenpublished andafterhehadexpressedaninterestindoingachildren’s book,myfathertossedaroundsomeideas.”However,she laughinglyadmits,“thematerialwasalittledatedandevenmy fatherrecognizedhisparticularwritingstylewasn'tagreatfit forchildren'sliterature."

Aboutfivemonthslater,inFebruary2012,Kara,withthe helpofherdad,arrangedameetingwiththehockeylegendat hisFloridahometopitchheridea.Shedoessay“thatitwas kindofatoughsell”andthetwotalkedforseveralhoursbefore thesuperstargavehisblessing. “He’sanextremelykindand graciousperson,”saysKara,“butisveryprotectiveofhaving hisnamesignedovertoanything.Hewasgrillingme....sometimesveryintensely.Mydadwasalsointheroomduringthe

Author KaraKootstra

meeting.Hejustsatthereandsmiled. However,intheendBobbyseemedvery comfortablewithwhatweweredoingand weapproachedapublishinghouse.”

Now,morethantwoyearslater,thebook isabouttobecomearealityandonSeptember30th,printedcopieswillappearonstore shelves...likelyChaptersandIndigointhe WindsorareaandBarnesandNobleinthe U.S.Advancecopiescanbeorderednow fromAmazon.caandChapters.ca.

‘TheBoyinNumberFour’isessentially apicturebook,colourfullyillustratedby anotherWindsorite,ReganThomson,an accomplishedartistwho’safull-timemom withfourkidsandoneontheway.The story,doneinrhyme,isaboutayoung guy...namelyBobbyOrrandfollowshis lifeanddevelopmentinhockey.Thefirst picturesshowhimasayoungguyaround theageof7or8andtraceshiscareerfrom hisjuniorhockeydayswiththeOshawa Generalstohisphenomenal,yetshortcareer withtheBostonBruinsoftheNational HockeyLeague.Thedrawingsweretaken fromactualfamilyphotosofayoungBobby growingupinParrySound.KaraandRegan alsoattendedhockeygamestogetthecorrectanglestoproperlyillustrateactionon theice.Therearesomefictionalaspectsto thebook–likeOrrwasn’tnumber4until hejoinedtheBruins.But,asKaraexplains, thatparticularnumberwasusedthroughout thebookforcontinuitypurposes.Atthe sametime,though,diehardfanswillappreciatesnippetsofhistoryalsocontainedin thebook,eventhoughit’saimedatamuch youngeraudience.

‘TheBoyinNumberFour’istotallyuncomplicatedandcanbescannedbyanadult inminutes.Foryoungpeoplewhoseminds arebeginningtomature,it’sashiningexampleofwhatcanbeaccomplishedthrough dedicationandhardwork.....principlesthat haveguidedOrrthroughhislife.AsKara explains,“BobbyOrrdoesn’tlikeselfpromotion,butthemessagecontainedinthis bookissoimportanttohimthathewantsit passedontothenextgeneration.He’sreally happywiththemessageitsends.”

BobbyOrrhimselfwrotethebook’s afterwordandhesays,inpart:“....foreveryonewholiveshockey–youngorold,player orspectator–Ihopethisbookinspiresyou tosimplypickupastick,gettogetherwith somefriends,andjusthavesomefunplayingthebestgameonearth.”

‘TheBoyInNumberFour’woulddefinitelybeanassettoanyyouth’slibrary... particularlyonewhoenjoyshockey! WLM

CALENDAR

june/july/august2014

JUNE Tuesday,17

CITYCOUNTYCLASSICTRACK ANDFIELDCHAMPIONSHIP

Boysandgirls100mand400mracesand relay,longandtriplejumparetheathletic eventsscheduledfortheBorderCityAthletic Club’sCityCountyClassicTrackandField Championship.Theactionstartsat5pmat SandwichSecondaryHighSchool,7050 MaldenRd.inLaSalle.bordercityac.com.

Thursday,19

SUMMERFEST

TillJuly1st.Maritimemusic,midway, buskers,rivercruisesaboardthetallship Liana’s Ransom,38thAnnualInternational TugBoatRaceandShoreParty,Hobiefishing,CanadaDayparadeandfestivitiesand moreareallpartofSummerFestindowntownWindsor.summerfestwindsor.org.

Friday,20

CANADIANCANCER SOCIETYRELAYFORLIFE

Till21st.AllnightlongduringtheCanadian CancerSociety’sRelayForLife,teamsof peoplewillwalktogethertohonourpeople whohavefoughtbackagainstallformsof cancer.Theopeningceremoniesbeginat7 pm,Friday.Theeventconcludesat7am, Saturday.Thefundraisertakesplaceat VollmerCultureandRecreationCentre, 2121LaurierDr.,LaSalle. relayforlife.ca/windsor.

Saturday,21

SOUTHCOASTADVENTURERACE

HostedbytheEssexRegionConservation Authority,theSCARisamulti-sportadventureraceforadults.Theactionisspreadover Amherstburg,EssexandKingsville;the routeisasecrettillraceday.Adultcompetitorswillcycle,paddle,tackleobstacles,do orienteeringandtrekthroughthe8hour racecourse. erca.org/scar-south-coast-adventure-race.

WINDSOR50+SENIOREXPO

Till22nd.Boomers,zoomersandseniorsare invitedtoattendthefree,newWindsor50+ SeniorExpofrom10amto5pmatthe WFCUCentre.Itoffersentertainment;exhibitors;food,wineandbeertastings;health screenings;prizesandgiveaways;50+Career Zone;TourYourCityTourismCentre; HealthandWellnessResourceCentre;and aseniorpetcompanionshipandadoption programwithpetsfromtheWindsorEssex HumaneSociety.Asilentauctionbenefits

theAlzheimer’sSociety,LifeAfterFifty(CentresforSeniors)andtheRetiredSeniorsVolunteerProgram.Windsor50PlusExpo.com.

Friday,27

SQUIRRELFEST2014

Till28th.RaisingmoneyfortheAlzheimer SocietyofWindsor&EssexCounty,SquirrelFestwillberockin’withover17bands, 40vendors,abeertentandcampsitesat KiwanisCampgroundat1948SeacliffeDr., Kingsville.ShuttlesdepartfromWindsor, KingsvilleandLeamington. alzheimer.ca/windsoressex

Saturday,28

ARTSATTHEMARINA

LeamingtonMarinaandtheparkgrounds willbetransformedintoanoutdoorgallery duringArtsattheMarina.Morethan70 artistswillberevealingtheirwork.Children’s artactivitiesinatent,liveentertainment, foodandrefreshmentsarepartofthefamily outingfrom10amto5pmat100Robson Rd.,Leamington.leamingtonartscentre.com.

JULY Saturday,19

THECOLORRUN2014

Humanwavesofcolourwillberacingalong theRiverfrontFestivalPlazaindowntown WindsorastheColorRuntakesoff.The Happiest5KonthePlanetisanuntimed racethatdousesparticipantsindifferent colourseverkilometer.Thestart-linewindow opensat9amandgetsparticipantsmoving withitsownpre-raceparty.AlzheimerSocietyofWindsor&EssexCountywillbenefit fromtheday.ca.thecolorrun.com.

AUGUST Friday,1

EMANCIPATIONCELEBRATION, DINNER&DANCE

TheNorthAmericanBlackHistorical MuseumishostingitsEmancipationCelebration,Dinner&Dancefrom6to11pm attheCabotoClub,2175ParentAve., Windsor.KGBisperformingMotownhits, theArtistsofColourisshowinganartexhibit andNatashaL.Henry,authorofEmancipationDay,CelebratingFreedominCanada,is thespecialguest.blackhistoricalmuseum.org.

Saturday,2

THEISLANDUNPLUGGED

Till3rd.The1stAnnualPeleeIslandMusic Festivalfeatures16performersplayingover theweekend.Familyfriendly,theeventis happeningintheEastParkCampground at1362EastShoreRd.ontheeastsideofthe island.theislandunplugged.org.