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! M O BO

May 2013

Executive Chef
Home
brings it all
page 3

World-class chef Luke Gagnon returns to Tecumseh roots.

- Ed Goodfellow: Special to The Star

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A sure sign someone has visited Amica.

If you're considering moving from an empty nest to a fuller life, a visit to Amica at Windsor may prompt a call to your realtor. Because here you'll have all the comforts of home with none of the hassles. Professional chefs will cook your 5-star meals in a resort-class kitchen, while you enjoy an endless range of activities making your mature years your best; filled with adventure, fun and friends. Amica. You'll be sold. Suites starting from $2,595/month, all~inclusive. Call today and ask about our Smooth Move Offers! Join us for a FREE lunch and a tour. Available 7 days a week. Amica at Windsor A Wellness & Vitality Residence 4909 Riverside Drive East Windsor, ON N8Y 0A4 519.948.5500 www.amica.ca

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BOOM Cover Story

! M O BO
Index
A shave for charity pg. 4 100 Mile Peninsula Club pg. 6 Stephen Roberts has style pg. 10 Valerie Pringle profile. pg.14 Mall walkers stay in shape pg. 18 Condo makeover pg. 24 Birders eye view pg. 28

St. Clair Beach Retirement Communitys executive chef Luke Gagnon with executive director Cathy Zucchetto.

Iconic decor pg. 32 ElderCollege pg. 35 Careers after retirement pg. 36

Word-class chef returns to Tecumseh roots

By Alexander Zelenyj
The St. Clair Beach Retirement Community will be opening its doors on June 12, 2013. Located at Riverside and Manning Road, its a luxurious building housing 115 suites in all different price ranges, including lavish bachelor, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. The centres amenities are state of the art, but according to Executive Director Cathy Zucchetto one of the SCBRCs most striking features is its therapeutic and beautiful location. Its a destination because of its location, which includes an interior courtyard with a pavilion, a licensed bar, library, lounge areas, and recreation rooms, all located on 8 acres of land complete with walking trails. Zucchetto says the SCBRC is different from other retirement communities. Residents are able to age in place without having to leave their suites. This emphasis on independent living allows residents a great deal of freedom, so that if an individuals health changes that person is able to stay where they are while continuing to enjoy the benefits of the community. Nurses will be on staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week providing care and assistance to any resident who needs it. But theres another ingredient the SCBRC can add to its long list of selling points, namely worldclass chef Luke Gagnon. Gagnon, born and raised

- photo Ed Goodfellow

in Tecumseh, will serve as the retirement centres Executive Chef, overseeing its restaurant staff of 35 cooks. His resume is impressive, to say the least. After graduating from Torontos Culinary College at George Brown in 1982, Gagnon embarked on an illustrious career that saw him working in many different places throughout the world. Following an apprenticeship in Toronto at the Four Seasons Inn On The Park Hotel which gave him a solid foundation of experience, Gagnon worked in a variety of 5-star restaurants in Hong Kong, China, and the Philippines, followed by a fouryear stint at Casino Windsor before moving on to Malaysia, where he managed a total of 18 restaurants and bars. This immersion in cultures outside of North America affords Gagnon a unique perspective, allowing him to distinguish the importance that different cultures place on healthy diet and good cuisine. In certain places people arent as privileged as they are in Canada. They dont have a social system, their salaries are lower, and the culinarian has a phenomenal weight on his shoulders because hes not only supporting his immediate family, hes perhaps supporting aunts, uncles, grandparents, so when he comes to work he has his game face on each and every day, and their position is respected. See CHEF, page 22

This relief sculpture by local artist Yolanda Lamoure depicts Cathy and Rick Ciarimataro and their congregation followers. See more of the Ciarimataros inspired sense of decor on page 32.
- photo Karen Brady

BOOM! is a publication of The Windsor Star and publishes twice per year (June and October). To advertise, in BOOM! please contact your Windsor Star sales representative or call 519-255-5720
BOOM! 3

BOOM Charity event

Ted McCabes new look.

John Nikitiuk (left), and Chris ONeill (right) owner of Thunder Road HarleyDavidson, drag Ted McCabe to the barbers chair to lose his handlebar moustache
- Ed Goodfellow photos

Mark Woltz paid an extra $500 to have his wife, Clyde shave off Ted McCabes moustache. Ted had a total of $3000 donated for Prostate Cancer Research.

Losing the stache for fund-raising cash

By John Humphrey
A local motorcycle dealership has won provincial and national acclaim for its fundraising efforts last fall. Thunder Road Harley-Davidson finished first in Ontario and sixth overall in Canada among Harley Davidson dealerships during Movember fundraising efforts for Prostate Cancer research. Thunder Road salesperson extraordinaire Ted McCabe finished second overall in Canada while owners Rob Reeb and Chris ONeil finished 23rd and 30th respectively among individual fundraisers. All male Thunder Road personnel grew moustaches last fall and shaved them off during a ceremony at the Huron Church Road dealership last November. McCabe, however, didnt have to put much effort into growing a moustache as he had a trademark handlebar cookie duster for 40 years before finally shaving it to raise the much-needed funds. After all those years, I didnt realize that I had such a babyface, mused McCabe, who raised $3782 for cancer research. I was going to go a couple of weeks with a moustache, just to see how it felt, but things didnt work out that way. I was told by Barb (Allen McCabes partner) that I had to start growing another moustache the next morning, he continued, matter-of-factly. So thats exactly what I did. It took McCabe, whose motorcycle trip to Tombstone, Arizona along with four friends was featured in a story in last falls Boom, three months to fully regain his trademark moustache and restore his face to its fullest grandeur. When I started growing my moustache all those years ago, it was full of red hair, he admitted with a chuckle. Now, its all grey. McCabes impressive fundraising total was buoyed by a $500 donation from long-time friend Mark Woltz so his wife Clyde could have the honour of shaving off McCabes moustache. I was actually relieved when Mark did that so Clyde could shave me, McCabe recalled. I knew she can handle a razor and that she would be gentle and not cut me up. McCabes finally tally was also boosted by lastminute donations from both Reeb and ONeil when it was found out that McCabe trailed the vice-president of Harley-Davidson Canada by only a few dollars in the race for second place overall among individual fundraisers. That was a great gesture by both Rob and Chris, McCabe offered. They could have added that money to their own totals, but instead donated it in my name. In the end, though, McCabe, who lost his own mother to Cancer, credited his extensive network of loyal customers for helping him raise so much money for Prostate Cancer research. Windsor and Essex County is known for being such a giving and caring community, McCabe offered. They certainly came through again for us.

4 BOOM!

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Connect Volunteer Share

Join The 100 Mile Peninsula Club

If youre among the influx of newcomers recently retired or semi-retired to the area, theres a new organization created by the Windsor-Essex Active Retirement Community Initiative (WEARCI), worth looking into. The 100 Mile Peninsula Club is volunteer run and fosters an environment of friendship, social engagement, community volunteering and promotion of the regions nine communities for ideal retirement living. WEARCI, formed as a not-for-profit in 2008 by the Regional Chamber of Commerce, Greater Windsor Home Builders and Windsor-Essex County Association of REALTORS, is mandated to support the regions economic growth and diversity by attracting age 50-plus families to relocate to Canadas southern-most region. Marketing primarily targets the Greater Toronto Area and on a smaller scale, Ottawa, Kingston and western centres, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. Efforts seem to be paying off! In January, WEARCI announced 942 families age 50-plus relocated to Windsor and Essex County and purchased $241 million in real estate, benefitting all communities since the program began in mid-2009. Lauzon and Wharram had a resource that new retiree residents like Stephanie Thompson didnt have a network of friends and relatives to help them integrate into the community. Thompson, a Bob-lo Island resident, moved from Toronto after being downsized. The CARP member received a promotional e-mail that brought her to the area. The timing was perfect and so was the lifestyle. Moving here has put 10 years back on my life, Thompson stated. I dont have to worry about money here. Thompson managed to localize herself through the Amherstburg library and by joining a book club. She agreed that the 100 Mile Peninsula Club would have made her transition much easier and is eager to get involved. Newcomers with a year or two of familiarization in an area can be helpful, even influential in the prospects choice of community, when to move and which neighbourhood is best for them.

Ensuring visitors feel welcomed and wanted back

The 100 Mile Club is a natural extension for our group to connect newcomers with their communities and each other, commented Krista Del Gatto, WEARCI President and Executive Officer of the REALTORs regional association. With close to a thousand new families in the region, we have a tremendous opportunity to engage and involve them in the growth of this new green economy, she emphasized. Prospective new retiree residents may visit a region up to six times before setting down new roots. Others like Dennis and Louise Keller from Surrey, BC, made just one trip here before moving to Leamington in 2008. To assist potential newcomers, WEARCI offers a 50/50 Tour program with accommodation and entertainment discounts plus real estate orientation and tours visitors can register for on their website.

Moving here has put 10 years back on my life,

Newcomer, Stephanie Thompson. Its a perfect retirement community for people wanting a more leisured lifestyle, stated Kingsville resident Paul Wharram. Wharram grew up in Leamington, and after a succession of moves which included Toronto and Ottawa, headed for home after 35 years away. Similarly, Maureen Lauzon, originally of Tilbury, moved back to the area from a small town north of Kingston. Initially, she and her husband looked to Chatham but discovered taxes were much higher than Essex County. Less than a year ago, the Lauzons settled in Lakeshore at Coopers Mill.

The 100 Mile Peninsula Club members are asked to serve as volunteer ambassadors for their specific communities and the region in general, welcoming prospective residents age 50-plus, offering experiential information and personal tours. Follow-up with visitors to answer questions and gauge their level of interest in the area is also crucial. Membership in the 100 Mile Peninsula Club is free. Newcomers are welcomed and encouraged to join using the contact information listed below. As a not-for-profit, we offer many opportunities for newcomers to connect, volunteer, and share experiences. Their participation is vital as we anticipate increasing numbers of boomers visiting the 100 Mile Peninsula and returning here to live, Ms. Del Gatto commented. WEARCI is planning a Meet and Greet BBQ to be held in late June. All newcomers to the Windsor-Essex region age 50-plus are invited, whether theyve just moved or have been here as far back as 2008. Event and location details will be announced in mid-May. Connect with WEARCI, the 50/50 Tour program and The 100 Mile Peninsula Club at www.retirehere.ca or call: 1-877-963-2323 To contact Krista Del Gatto, WEARCI, President Tel: 519-966-6432 Email: Krista@wearci.com

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The Hearing Wellness Centre is the only resource you need to look after you or your loved ones hearing care. We do more than sell and t hearing aids we take care of ALL of your hearing health care. Im Lisa Macari, were the Hearing Wellness Centre and we care about your hearing. Come hear the difference.

I am a mom, a wife and the neighbour you see every day; Im not just a hearing aid retailer. I am a Doctor of Audiology.

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Its a pretty crowded marketplace out there for hearing care, and Lisa Macari, Doctor of Audiology and CEO of The Hearing Wellness Centre wants to help clear up some of the confusion. So many storefront shops are opening these days, says Lisa. I want to help consumers understand the different options that are available to them. Lisa and her team at The Hearing Wellness Centre offer an exemplary level of hearing care, because they have the schooling and qualications that come along with being Audiologists. Lisa earned her Masters of Audiology 14 years ago, and her Doctorate in 2006, and has been involved in both private and public practice since. Her credentials are so well established that she was chosen by Phonak to be the rst distributor in the area for the groundbreaking Lyric hearing aids. We were thrilled to be the rst local distributor for the Lyric, says Lisa. It was a real demonstration of their trust in our credentials and our abilities. At The Hearing Wellness Centre, Lisa and her team offer comprehensive hearing care. We know that amplication is not treatment, she explains. We truly want whats best for each person, not just a sale. Well often refer patients to their family physicians or to other specialists rather than just t them for a hearing aid. Thats not the cure-all for everything its critical to do a full assessment and determine the underlying cause of the hearing loss. Lisa went on to outline the extensive investigation that is needed to determine whats behind hearing loss. She described one patient who after Lisa reviewed all of his

history was shocked to nd that a course of chemotherapy hed recently completed was responsible for his hearing loss. Fortunately, the chemo treatment was part of his cure, but it did result in almost complete hearing loss in one ear, which sadly doesnt come back. And, she went on to explain that tting this patient with hearing aids soon after his chemo isnt always the proper solution. Patients can continue to experience increasing hearing loss for up to a year after their chemo.their progress has to be monitored and their treatment adapted to reect those changes. This is just one example of what Lisa and her team like to describe as their commitment to care. Heres a testimonial from the nephew of one of Lisas patients: I would like to thank-you, Lisa on behalf of my uncle Ron. He went to see you about his tinnitus, and you suggested to him that he should have an MRI. The MRI showed a mass around his ear. Doctors were not sure what exactly the mass was at rst - speculating that it was an Arteriovenous malformation. He nally went for brain surgery two days ago and they found he had a mass of excess calcium around his ear. Surgery was reported as being successful and he is now at home recovering. Thank you, for being a good friend and taking the time and care for my Uncle Ron!! That small piece of advice probably saved his life. Brad W. We believe in compassion and a continuity of care for the whole person. Its not an overstatement to say that the proper hearing aids are life-changing, says Lisa. Thats exactly how some of our patients and their families have described the difference in their lives. Lisa and her team invite you to Come Hear Again.

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BOOM Style

Life to the Fullest

By Anna Cabrera Cristofaro
Hes handsome. Hes smart. Hes funny. Hes fit. Some guys do have it all. Windsor-born attorney Stephen Roberts is one of those men who are easy to envy. As a workplace safety and insurance attorney with McTague Law Firm, Stephens is happily married and a father of a daughter, Leah, and two stepdaughters, Ashlyn and Madison. An avid athlete, Roberts began running marathons after the age of 40, completing eight before turning 50. In 2007, Roberts was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but thanks to a successful laparoscopic radical prostectomy in July of that year, Roberts has been cancer free for six years. Since his surgery, Roberts has participated in another two half marathons, plays basketball weekly, and is currently training to run with his team, the Bravefarts, in the Tough Mudder competition at the Michigan International Speedway this summer. I love life and live each day to the fullest, says Roberts. I try to do my best to smile and laugh as often as possible, and I also love to travel as my wife works for Delta, were able to get away often. Weekends in Amsterdam are very fun!

See ROBERTS, page 12

10 BOOM!

Were Lovin The Lifestyle!

Meet the newcomers to WindsorEssex. Our southern-most region shaped by 100 miles of shoreline has caught the attention of age 50-plus families across Canada and around the world. Almost 1,000 couples have made the move here since WEARCI began their initiative four years ago.* They love our friendly nature, relaxed, affordable lifestyle and the diverse amenities unique to each of our nine communities. Since 2009, these afuent boomers have been a major boost to the local economy, purchasing real estate valued at $241 million, creating new jobs and spending over $32 million throughout the area. Our newcomers give back too. Theyre tireless volunteers, eager to mentor and supportive of their new communities. As the most powerful consumer group in Canada, age 50-plus represents a windfall in both economic and social gains for their community of choice. If you havent met a newcomer in your town, chances are, you will. The WindsorEssex100 Mile Peninsula continues to gain national recognition as the ideal destination for active retirement living. A good news story worth talking about.

JACK TH OMPSO B N Relocated ob-Lo Island from Oak ville, ON 2011

CHRIS &

E HUM CARL ch & A PETER & ASTRID TOBIN T a 2012 RI Be Oxley ngeville, ON Kingsville a r mO Relocated from Toronto, ON ted fro a c 2012 lo e R

s o mer C w e tion N Atten Age 50+te d! Invi Yo ure

a etails Get d

N ONNIE NELSO ROBERT & C n Ruthve C 2010 BC Dawson Creek, Relocated from

STEPHA NIE THO MSON Relocated Bob-Lo Island from Missi ssauga, O N 2012

ual t Ann Q s 1 I B C WEAR & Greet B une e J Meet in lat g .ca n i reHere Co m i t e R t

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RetireHere.ca
Tel: 1.877.963.2323

JOIN US! FOR DETAILS VISIT

*The Windsor-Essex Active Retirement Community Initiative ( WEARCI : WE - ARE - KEY ) is a not-for-prot, cooperative, marketing partnership formed by the Greater Windsor Home Builders Association, Windsor-Essex County Association of REALTORS and Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce. WEARCIs mission is to attract the afuent, active, age 50-plus market, create new jobs, encourage investment, revitalize the real estate market and ultimately, create a new green economy for the region.

BOOM Style

Roberts revealed...

Continued from page 10

Rotation on my iPod: Adele( I have been a fan since she was 18 and before she was known in North America), Paloma Faith( the new Amy Winehouse/Duffy/Adele), Ray LaMontagne, Jamie Cullum, Mumford and Sons, Snow Patrol, Dave Mathews, The Lumineers, Ed Sherran, Damien Rice, Led Zeppelin and The Sheepdogs. ( I love music so it was hard to keep this list short) My favourite getaway is: Nassau Bahamas (Amsterdam and Paris are a close second but I love the ocean and beach) If I werent a lawyer, Id be: A teacher. I always wanted to be a lawyer from as long as I can remember and I now teach at many continuing education seminars throughout the year so in a way I have been able to do both. My style can best be described as: Professional for work (although I only wear a tie if absolutely necessary) and age-appropriate modern, stylish casual wear for leisure activities (jeans or shorts and a tee shirt as often as I can). I am told I am metrosexual whatever that means. I never leave home without: Music!!! The last book I read was: John Irvings In One Person I stay in shape by: Running, P90X (in the winter) and eating well. What designers fit you best: Hugo Boss for suits, shirts and casual wear, Canali for suits, Lucky Brand for jeans, tee shirts and casual shirts, Armani Exchange for casual wear. What is your favourite thing to do in Windsor Essex: It is a tie between running along Riverside Drive down by the waterfront and strolling, eating and drinking in Old Walkerville.

Stephen C. Roberts jogs along the Windsor riverfront. -Ed Goodfellow photo

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BOOM Profile

Hometown girl Valerie Pringle has gone from familiar broadcaster to active citizen, motivated by causes close to the heart.
- Photo courtesy Valerie Pringle

Valerie Pringle: Driven by passion

By Claudio DAndrea
Valerie Pringle answers her cellphone on a hot day at the end of July. She is at a dog park in the middle of Toronto walking her two chocolate labs. I always seem to have two, she says. We hang around a lot. The Windsor native and well-known broadcaster Banff Television Foundation chose her as one of the Famous 50 Faces of 50 years of Canadian Television a decade ago is keeping typically active on this day. On this day, its recreation and interactions with other dog owners. Other days, it could be giving a public speech or volunteering for one of many causes that are near and dear to her heart. Pringle will get to talk about some of those activities but the first question is about her cellphone number. It ends in 1812. In a year when her hometown and the place she grew up in and now calls home are basking in the bicentennial glory of the War of 1812, was that a deliberate choice? Its a happy accident, says Pringle, laughing. Ive had the same number for years. She then recalls a funny story from the time she was at a Scotiabank branch in Windsor a few years ago. She was scheduled to give a talk on personal finances as part of a cross-country tour for the bank. The branch had closed and a man was standing at the door, holding a sword. Pringle and the bank employees didnt know what to do at first, but then someone talked to the man. He thought she was in town to host the Canadian Antiques Roadshow, which the CBC broadcast from 2006-09. He brought in his most treasured possession, she says with that trademark laugh. Pringle would be the first to admit she has no memories of her hometown. She knows she was born at Grace Hospital. Her father worked at Ford Motor Company. She was only two when her family re-located to Toronto. Shes rarely been back. In recent years, however, Pringle has returned to Windsor several times. There was that investment and financial planning tour last year. In 2010, the subject matter was darker and more serious mental illness. Pringles daughter Catherine had struggled with panic and anxiety disorders for years until she got help. She is now recovered but Pringle, inspired by her hero Michael Wilson, former finance minister in Brian Mulroneys government, became a spokeswoman for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Was this not at odds to her perky persona and a career highlighted by travel and antique shows and coverage of the Lillehammer, Norway 1994 Winter Olympics? Hardly, answers Pringle who is not at all offended by the perky tag its one shes heard a thousand times. Ive worked in news and entertainment for 35 years, she says. Ive done a lot of serious interviews. Pringle says she was motivated to speak out about mental health and illness for two reasons. Even though Catherines illness was not as serious as other mental health disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disease, Pringle says it is the most common disorder. Also, the relationship of the parent to a child was something with which most people could identify. They always say youre only as happy as your least happy child. Catherines story is indeed a happy one, Pringle says. Her daughter survived the years of uncontrollable sobbing and sleepless nights. She is now married and recently received her MBA. Pringle thinks there has been progress in raising awareness and funds about mental illness but admits it is extremely difficult to fight this stigma. She calls it cruel and pernicious and says its especially important to tackle the problem at a young age, at the onset of the illness. Wilson, who was also a Canadian ambassador to the U.S., broke down barriers when he spoke out about his sons depression and suicide at a time when few people would donate to the cause.

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14 BOOM!

See Valerie, page 16

Enjoyretirement livingatitsbest.
St. Clair Beach Retirement has something for everyone Great food Lovely all inclusive accommodations starting at $2745.00/mth 24/7 Nursing Assistance if required Activities Galore Friendship and abundant relaxation

One of the Leafs biggest fans is moving to St. Clair Beach Retirement Community in June, 2013 Vicky Mahoney moving to St. Clair Beach Retirement June 2013. St. Clair Beach Retirement Community leads the area with state of the art safety features as well as Keiser Exercise equipment designed specically for seniors. Our trained Life Style Coordinator will guide and assist you whether you participate in Yoga, Aquat in our beautiful salt water pool or any of our Clubt senior programs. Not up for exercising? Then stop by the pub for an afternoon beverage, play cards, billiards or simply relax in our gorgeous indoor pavilion surrounded by windows that capture beautiful views of Lake St. Clair and 3 acres of garden and walkways. Enjoy pub night camaraderie while viewing a hockey game, movie or lively entertainment chosen for your enjoyment. Our movie theatre is designed for comfort and fully adaptable for those with hearing difculties. Love to garden? Delite in our potting room and transplant to our resident garden. Tired, achy muscles? Rejuvenate

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yourself in our marvelous Therapeutic Spa, complete with a walk in spa tub that boasts an attached at screen TV. Relax and enjoy your favorite program while being massaged by warm water and pulsating jets. Wind down after a long day and grab a beverage & snacks with family or friends in our Tecumseh Lounge or perhaps venture to the 4th oor scenic lounge to witness the beautiful sunsets over Lake St. Clair.
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Canadian Mental Health Associations Gerontology Mental Health Promoter can come and speak to your group or association about a variety of mental health issues important to older adults. Depression Seasonal Affective Disorder Anxiety Stress Caregiver Stress Loneliness Top Ten Tips for Mental Health How to Pay Yourself First Difcult Behaviour Communication Tips

BOOM Profile

Catherine and Valerie Pringle (right) speak about mental illness at the Caboto Club in Windsor on Friday, May 7, 2010. Catherine Pringle has dealt with her own mental health issues and shared her story with the crowd.

Valerie Pringle
Continued from page 14
Were now getting $30-million donations, Pringle says. Its mind-boggling. She was also overwhelmed at the candid responses of strangers she approached when she traveled Canada asking people about their finances. It was almost universal that people my age said I wish I knew then what I know now, says Pringle, who turned 59 in September. Most boomers who prepared for retirement were disciplined and learned to save money, she says. Pringle understands that things do happen like job loss and a struggling economy, but most people wish they would have kept things simple and maintained discipline with their finances. For the past 13 years, Pringle has been an active volunteer with Trans Canada Trail, a nonprofit registered charity dedicated to building a trail from coast to coast by Canadas 150th birthday in 2017. Its a cause that brought her, again, back to her hometown where she saw Windsors green ribbon of riverfront first hand an achievement that she is reminded is many local residents are proud of. You should be, she says. Its gorgeous. Pringle is co-chair of the foundation along with Hartley Richardson of Manitoba. The foundation has to raise $150 million by the 2017 target date an ambitious effort. Pringle says its also probably the biggest volunteer effort in the history of the country. Were 73 per cent of the way there. Again, its a cause that ignites her passion and drives her forward. Pringle loves walking trails everywhere she goes and she loves the idea that the trail will be accessible to anyone and everyone. As a legacy project, it would become the worlds longest trail when complete. Pringle doesnt miss the daily grind of TV but at a time when the worlds eyes were focused on London, England, she admits she regrets missing her chance to cover a summer Olympics games. She would have wanted to go to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Looking back at a long, event-filled media career, she says her fondest memory was hosting the CTV travel show Valerie Pringle Has Left the Building from 2002-06. It was an absolute blast, she says of four years traipsing around the globe. I wish Canadian TV werent so cheap. Id love to keep doing it. BOOM!

Its free.
Call 519-255-7440 ext.269 for more information www.cmha-wecb.on.ca

16 BOOM!

BOOM Profile

Trans Canada Trail

Chapter 150 is the name of a circle of leaders dedicated to connecting the Trans Canada Trail and all Canadians by 2017, Canadas 150th birthday. Its fundraising goal is $150 million. The money would go toward engineering and construction costs that will fill in the gaps of the 6,000-km. trail from every province and territory, as well as promotions and an endowment fund. For more information including details on how to donate, visit tctrial.ca.

Valerie Pringle is shown with Governor General

- Photo courtesy Valerie Pringle

BOOM! 17

BOOM Fitness

into health
Aging mall walkers set the bar for healthy living
By Karen Brady
The last place youd expect to find health care services is the mall, but thats exactly where the Windsor Essex Community Health Centre (WECHC) wants to be. As part of its plan to keep people from clogging up emergency rooms and hospital beds, the Local Health Integration Network is funding programs that are attempting to shake people out of their sedentary lifestyles. One such program is the Diabetes Wellness program offered by the WECHC. Three times a week, its staff is out at the Tecumseh Mall, encouraging those people who show up before the stores open to put in a few laps in the name of health. The mall walking initiative is part of a larger WECHC program targeting diabetics who need to better manage their health. But anyone can join in says registered dietician Rahaf Albochi, one of the front-line staff. In the old country they say an old horse -- you gotta put him behind the carriage on Sunday too, because if you dont hell get lazy and stiff, jokes Tony Mauri, a regular walker at Tecumseh Mall. The WECHC also leads a group of about 20 walkers every Friday at Devonshire Mall under its Chronic Disease Management Program banner. It also runs special health events, inviting health professionals like speech pathologists and physiotherapists to offer free advice to mallgoers at a booth in
Many walkers say they like the social aspects of walking at the mall. Regular walking increases energy levels and improves cardiovascular endurance and strength, which can help people with chronic diseases, according to the Windsor Essex Community Health Centre. For many, mall walking is part of a daily routine.
Photos - Karen Brady

Stepping

the food court area. Even those not registered with the groups are pleased someone is taking an interest in their walking initiatives, says Albochis colleague Jillian Conlon-Ray. That little bit of support is encouraging for them.

equate to about three kilometres, meaning if you walked twice a week you could log 312 km over the course of a year.

Walking community
There are a variety of fitness levels and ages ranging from 60 to 90 years-old amongst the participants. Many stick around after the walk to socialize and have coffee. They wave, they smile, they say hi, says Tecumseh Mall marketing coordinator Nancy Jarnevic. Theyve gotten to know us as familiar faces in the mall as well, so theyve created a real sense of community. On any given morning, there are five to 24 walkers hoofing around, she says. At Devonshire Mall theres a group of Italians that walk together and they call themselves the Italian stallions, says Nurse Conlon-Ray. Theres

Dietician, Nurse help to set goals

Each morning around 8:15 a.m., Diabetes Wellness staff meet in the food court and lead the group through a series of stretches, then they do a couple of laps around the perimeter of the mall, followed by a cool-down stretch. We do encourage all the walkers to create goals for themselves to kind of reflect on how many laps they would like to walk and then build on that to achieve the recommendations of at least 150 minutes of physical activity in a week, says Albochi. According to Tecumseh Mall, five interior laps

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Outdoor walking programs offered

For those who want to venture outside once the weather gets nicer, the WECHC will also partner with the city for the third year in a row to offer outdoor Nordic pole walking at city parks. All of the program staff is trained in using the equipment, and the poles are provided for free. The Outdoor Walking Program starts in June at Malden and Jackson Parks, on the Ganatchio Trail, and at Navy Yard Park in Amherstburg. No registration is required.

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18 BOOM!

Each lap around the interior perimetre of the mall equals 0.6 kilometres, according to Tecumseh Mall management.

Katie and Rudy Herzog walk seven laps of Tecumseh Mall. They come six days a week.

Rino DAngelo, 77, walks Tecumseh Mall six days a week.

six or seven of them and they all walk together. The two malls open their doors about an hour before the stores open to accommodate the walkers.

Healthy living
In addition to the social benefits, the health benefits of walking include increased insulin absorption for diabetics, and improved cardiovascular output and strength, not to mention weight control, says the nurse. Katie Herzog, a diabetic, started walking with her husband Rudy in January after experiencing a difficult summer health-wise. They do about seven laps of Tecumseh Mall four to six days a week. My [blood] sugar went down to normal since I start walking, she says proudly. And there are many advantages to getting exercise at the mall its free, it offers extended hours like a gym, lots of parking and accessible transit options, bathroom facilities, a climatecontrolled environment, and a safe, non-slip walking surface for the aging. There are some people that arent able to walk very far or for as many laps and we do see a gradual improvement, says Albachi. Many join the mall walkers as part of a rehabilitation regimen after surgery or illness.

MALL WALKERS SCHEDULE

Walkers welcome Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. to close, Sunday 11 a.m. to close. WECHC Walking Group meets in the food court at 8:15 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, & Friday.

Tecumseh Mall:

Barbara Allen, HBA, CFP, CDFA Senior Financial Advisor, Manulife Securities Incorporated Life Insurance Advisor, Manulife Securities Insurance Inc. Direct Line 519-250-0515 519-250-5190, ext. 409 Email: Barbara.Allen@manulifesecurities.ca 2255 Cadillac Street, Windsor

Walkers welcome Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to close, Sunday 10 am to close. WECHC Walking Group meets in the food court at 8 a.m. on Fridays.

Devonshire Mall:

BOOM!

BOOM! 19

Tacoris Newest Silver Collections

Stylish and playful, with color-lled gemstones and unique details, the Tacori fashion jewelry is an elegant, modern take on iconic glamour. The sleek metal combination of 18k gold and .925 silver that characterize these pieces, makes each design bold, signicant and special. Diamonds, colorful gemstones, exquisite quartz, and creative doublets set this collection apart from any other. Tacoris signature crescent motif of interlocking half-moon arcs are elegantly incorporated into virtually all of the fashion jewelry designs, acLeft. From the Lilac Blossoms companied by a golden gem collection showcasing colors of amethyst and lavender amethyst. seal for the extra Tacori touch.

Above. From the City Lights CollectionNew for 2012! Big and bold with blues, reds, and greens is the inspiration behind this collection. Make a statement! Right. From the Island Rains Collection. Its all about blue! Turquoise with sky blue and london blue topaz make this collection absolutely stunning!

BOOM Cover Story

Chef Gagnon
Continued from page 3 This contrasts with Gagnons experiences in Canada, where hes observed an abundance of phenomenal regional ingredients and very talented chefs with skill sets that are often higher than their overseas counterparts due in part to the privilege of attending culinary schools. Both offer different opportunities in terms of growth and development, Gagnon maintains, But the inspiration at the end of the day is the same: its all about food, and the beauty of food is that its controversial food nurtures the soul, challenges the system and your senses. Gagnon has won over 18 gold medals in food competitions in Toronto, Chicago, Germany, Singapore, and Hong Kong. He has also coached teams in Hong Kong to compete in Singapore. He muses, Competition is a natural by-product of my work. Working in a kitchen youre competitive with your peers, food competitions are a platform to exhibit and represent what you do within your own kitchen, to market the company you work for, and to expose your staff to new presentations by other chefs. When asked what inspired him to dedicate his professional life to the culinary arts, Gagnon cites being raised in a culinary-minded environment. I was always intrigued by food. Growing up, my father was a butcher, so I guess its in the blood. More importantly, working as a chef reflects Gagnons personality, which he admits is high-energy and highly motivated. For me to work in an environment where I would be doing the same thing each and every day would have destroyed me internally. Gagnon has a firm philosophy when considering what makes a successful chef, maintaining that a strict focus on cooking alone will lead to the burning out of ones career. If you stay focused on entities that are unrelated to cooking music, theatre, art, recreation although these are totally

Chef Gagnon at work in his brand new kitchen.

Photo -Ed Goodfellow

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unrelated to what you do they heavily contribute to your creative ability in the kitchen. Gagnon owes his own success in the kitchen to his family, which is very important to him. Theyre also the reason he returned to Windsor. I wanted to provide my three boys with a great social system, free education, safety, the opportunity to network and develop friendships they carry into high school. Also crucial to Gagnon was that his children have the opportunity to spend time with their extended family, which adds to the balance he believes is essential to living a good life. Gagnon has very particular thoughts on providing a healthy diet and good cuisine for the +50 set, as well as the challenges of working in a retirement community setting, in which he will be providing meals to the same audience on a daily basis. Its definitely important that I have a very keen perspective of breakfast, lunch, and dinner in terms of the foods that are consumed, that the ingredients are diversified and not repetitive, and that the three meals are well-balanced in terms of carbohydrates and proteins. He plans on achieving this diversification by preparing 5-star meals from scratch, using ingredients integrated from different cuisines and cultures, including Thai, Japanese, Indian, and Malaysian. He claims that hell never cook the same dish twice. In Executive Director Zucchettos past experiences working in retirement care settings she found that the residents chief complaints always related to food quality and the diversification of foods on the menu. This is another reason that Gagnon is an ideal chef for the SCBRC. Luke is a stickler for detail, enthuses Zucchetto. He is so diversified in talent, his presentation is great and the diversity is there! Gagnon is quick to praise Windsors culinary climate. Windsor has a lot of great chefs, and a great college in St. Clair College, with very talented teachers. Despite this he believes that Essex County represents somewhat of an under utilized resource in terms of ingredients, local farmers and their offerings, and wineries. I see a phenomenal advantage as a chef working within Essex County in this region. Gagnon says its very important for aspiring chefs to find a work environment that is well-balanced and high-quality, because their first kitchen will be their foundation. He also stresses the nomadic nature of his vocation, advising, Its very important as a chef that you continuously change environments, because its an evolution. Its crucial that when you decide to leave a kitchen you dont leave simply to find another job, but that you specifically identify the kitchen in a restaurant based on your weaknesses. Seeing ones career in terms of self-evolution and development is important, Gagnon says, because cheffing is a lifestyle, not a complacent entity. He believes that working with different chefs and in various environments all become ingredients in ones personal recipe for culinary success. Executive Director Zucchetto emphasizes that Chef Gagnon is a perfect fit for the SCBRCs philosophies and mandate of providing top-notch resident service. Luke has overseen and mentored hundreds of chefs. Hes catered to all different kinds of tastes and cuisines, and customer service is his focus. We have the same goal.

22 BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM Cover Story

Chef Lukes favourite recipe

Seared prosciutto and basil wrapped prawns, caramelized melon, olive tapenad, honey Sambuca yoghurt, fresh seasonal cantaloupe melon, pan-fried and caramelized, fresh prawns marinated in saffron, wrapped with prosciutto in a basil leaf and pan-fried, served with an olive tapenad, honey-yogurt Sambuca sauce, and a glass of wine Seared Prosciutto and Basil Wrapped Prawns/ Caramelized Cantaloupe Melon/ Olive Tapenade/ Sambucca Honey Yoghurt. Serves 4 persons
Qty U/M Ingredients: Method:

For The Prawns

12 pcs 12 pcs 12 pcs

For The

Peel and devein the prawns  prawns, P&D tail on 16/20 leaving the tail shell only. Wrap prosciutto, sliced thinly with fresh basil leaf, prosciutto black pepper ground fresh, to taste and skewer with a tooth pick. basil leaf fresh whole Pan fry or grille. Sambucca Yoghurt Dressing

60 gram

For The Tapenade

10 gram 10 gram 10 gram 3 gram 3 gram 2 gram 0.25 gram 0.25 gram 0.25 gram 0.25 gram 5 ml green olives Mix all ingredients together and kalamata olives season to taste. Finish with olive oven-dried tomatoes  oil. Place the tapenade on the capers plate in a quenelle shape. garlic anchovy basil fresh, chopped thyme, fresh chopped flat parsley, chopped oregano, fresh chopped extra virgin olive oil black pepper ground, to taste kosher salt, to taste

plain yoghurt  Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and season to tast. 5 gram honey 5 ml sambucca 2 ml lemon juice vanilla bean, seeds scraped from 1 salt to taste 8 wedges cantaloupe melon, wedge  Slice melon into wedges and pan fry in a very hot pan with a touch of olive oil till golden brown. salt to taste black pepper ground fresh, to taste 3 ml olive oil 12 ml balsamic vinegar, reduced to a glaze  Drizzle around the platted melon and prawns. 4 leafs arugula for garnish Keep your presentation natural. Recommended Wine: Chardonnay

Until now, theres been a stark choice of opting for great sounding, but relatively large speakers or choosing a stylish mini speaker system that looks the part, but fails to stir your soul when the music starts. But now, thanks to Minx, you can experience extraordinary levels of power and renement from staggeringly small speakers. Minx brings all your favourite music, movies, sports and TV shows to life in a way youd never imagine. Such advances are made possible by fundamental developments in acoustic science enabling Minx to deliver a quality and depth of sound that has previously been the preserve of much larger speakers. Created at Cambridge Audios Research and Development Centre in the heart of London by a team fuelled with a passion for incredible sound, Minx completely rewrites the rulebook of whats possible from miniature speakers... Colossal cinema sound from surprisingly small speakers

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BOOM! 23

BOOM Home Renovation

Condo reno
Jose Jarry chats with Lawrence LeMoal in the living room of her newly remodelled condo.
All photos: Gordana Mladenovic Jose Jarrys new master bedroom.

24 BOOM!

Dividing her time between residences in Windsor, Toronto and Regina, with trips to Europe slipped in whenever possible, Jose Jarry realized she needed to simplify her life. In 2001, Jarry began working three days a week as a psychology professor at the University of Windsor. She moved here in 2005 and lived in university housing. When it was demolished for campus improvements, the prof took up residence in a large apartment downtown. Looking around for a permanent home within bicycling distance of the university campus, Jarry discovered a condominium in a complex on Riverside Drive. What I noticed about the condo was there was a lot of light coming in from the southeast, she says. A confirmed morning person who works at home a good deal, Jarry puts high value on natural light and quietness. Finding both amenities in ample supply, Jarry was able to look past the tired flooring, outdated fixtures and cramped kitchen. The condo was in original condition, untouched since the building went up several decades before. It was all falling apart and rickety, she says. I knew it was ideal because I wanted to remodel. Jarry signed the real estate papers en route to the train station before heading back to Toronto. Remodelling was not new to Jarry. She had previously renovated her five-bedroom house in downtown Toronto. Now she was ready to put her experience to work. First, the right contractor had to be hired. After rejecting a bid she found too high, Jarry heard through word of mouth about Family Home Improvements. She explained to company owners Mike and Mary Godwin precisely what she wanted, as well as her chemical and environmental sensitivities. I cant breathe any dust. I want the unit to be strong, simple and low maintenance, the condo owner informed the Godwins. Im very detail oriented and it has to be this way. I told Mike that if you can be really patient, talk to me at length, then we can work together. Mike Godwin produced a floor plan, elevations and a timeline for transforming the Lshaped main area containing the dining room at one end, the kitchen in the corner and the

By Karen Paton-Evans

BOOM Home Renovation

living room at the other end. Family Home Improvements would also remodel the two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Jarry went to the design showroom to select materials. She was thrilled she could come to one place under one roof for all her products, Mary Godwin remembers. It took time to tweak and nail down exactly what she wanted. The client is very reasonable and straightforward, which makes our job easier, Godwin adds. Attention to detail was something critical to her. Its just as important to us. Work began May 2011. Jarry intended to be in Europe for the duration. Mike kept her informed of progress via email and uploaded photos. Jarry, suddenly realizing she hadnt chosen a wall tile pattern, found a concept online and emailed the design to her contractor. She also made the decision to change all the doors, frames and hardware. We added that on and despite that, everything was done on time, Jarry says. On the jobsite in Windsor, the ceiling was raised to its limit and old carpeting running through the entire unit was ripped out. A warm charcoal tile with a pearl finish was laid over the condos entire floor. Once that was done, the condo was already transformed, says Jarry. Aiming for easy maintenance and simple style, It actually turned out even better than I thought, she says.

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The kitchen is very important to me because I cook and bake a lot. Jarrys design vision for a wide open working space included a combination baking centre and island. Wood cabinetry lightly stained feature panelled doors. The backsplash is clad in glossy white subway tile accented with a thin band of coloured marble. On the must-have list were double wall ovens to juggle Jarrys cooking marathons and her partner Lawrence LeMoals bread baking. Although LeMoal lives part-time in Regina, we manage to be together most of the time, Jarry says. A gas cooktop was another essential. To achieve it, a new gas line had to be installed through the ceiling into the elevator shaft. LeMoal also hoped for a spot for his Italian espresso machine and got it. We had to redesign a corner of the kitchen a little bit to accommodate the machine, Jarry recalls. My kitchen is quite beautiful and so incredibly functional, the homeowner finds. Its really comfortable to prepare food there. Remembering handsome places she and Lawrence stayed in during travels in Europe, Jarry decided upon floor-to-ceiling white tiles in the condos two bathrooms. A single ribbon of black, grey and white mini mosaic tiles runs around the wall. Contemporary chrome fountain faucets pour water into heavily veined black and white stone vessel sinks sitting atop black polished countertops and simple dark wood vanities. When Jarry tried to hold out for a special Euro-style mounting for the new glass enclosed shower stall, Mike Godwin explained that it wouldnt work and showed her a practical way to make her design function, without getting water on the floor. Determined to utilize every space, Jarry wanted both bedroom closets remodelled so the upper section would have separate doors so it is pretty and accessible. On July 28, 2011, Jarry stepped through the door of her totally renovated home. Not a whiff of paint could be detected. The unit was clean, fresh and ready. And completed on budget. For several days afterward, the delighted homeowner arranged her treasures: Quebec antique furniture, a circular diamond-tufted armchair and one from the 1940s, new master bedroom furniture and a coffee table that Jarry designed more than 25 years ago and had crafted of Quebec granite. Stone was not popular then, she admits. I ended up going to some headstone guys and convinced them to make it. Taking pride of place is a sculpted marble seashell weighing 400 pounds. I finally got that out of its crate, says Jarry with satisfaction. Revelling in her new place, Jarry was dismayed one day when there was a contaminated water disaster in the master bathroom. Everything had to be torn out and replaced. I thought, Oh, my god, it was just done!

BOOM Home Renovation

She moved out for two weeks while Family Home Improvements took over. Mike just pulled his file and put it back together. All settled in again - Jarry is pleased. Its a really nice place to live. I think the investment in renovations was worth it, giving the quality of environment that we have, she says. Its quite something to live in the city and when you get to bed, you hear the wind in the leaves and crickets. Her partner loves the home and the buildings features. Lawrence is at the pool and gym every day, Jarry says. We have a wonderful lifestyle, frankly. The condo isnt as complete as Jarry intends Im still figuring out my furniture but last November, she thought it was time to open the door to guests. She invited her new neighbours in the building to a meet-and-greet tea. Several months later, celebrating end of term, Jarry welcomed 35 students to a bring-your-culture potluck party. Remembering how her kitchen filled with spicy aromas and students lively conversation, Jarry says, It was fantastic. Of her home, Jarry reflects, I quite like it. Im pretty happy here now. Now I have no plans of moving at all.

BOOM!

Part of kitchen reno: new cabinets, undermount very deep sink, countertops and backsplash. All applances are GE, built into cabinetry. All renovations done by Family Home Improvements. Second bathroom.

Jose walks through her kitchen while preparing breakfast.

BOOM! 27

BOOM Hobbies

Birds eye
Danny Mustar has one very important piece of advice for those interested in becoming birdwatchers. You cant chase them. If you chase them, youll never see anything, says the 52-year-old nature photographer from Amherstburg. According to Mustar, bird watching is a patience game. If you have ever seen any of his photos, youll understand what he is talking about. Close-up photos, like the Eastern Bluebird that appears on the homepage of his website (http://imagepro. photography.com/dan_mustar), are taken from at least 40 feet away after long periods of waiting for just the right shot. Its amazing if you sit there against a tree and dont move its amazing what comes out of the woodwork. Mustar finds a quiet spot where there seems to be a lot of bird action, then waits for the action to happen. It is an activity that an ever larger number of people will be enjoying soon as the weather gets warmer and the spring migrations begin. Each year, the bird-watching population increases and there is no indication that this new hobby will be slowing down anytime soon. The employees of Armstrong Milling in Hagersville, Ontario will happily confirm the growth of the bird-watching phenomena. Their contribution? Bird feed. And business is booming. The mill, located in the small town south of Hamilton, has had to double its staff over the past 10 years and the future shows only steady growth ahead. Baby boomers, especially, seem to be taking to the sky with their cameras and binoculars. Coming from a generation that made its own rules, Baby Boomers are very active, hard-working people who are not about to slow down, even as they get older, feeling the effects of achy joints and a little extra weight. Bird watching gives this age group an activity that they can enjoy close to home with very little cost. Bird watching is accessible to almost everyone and the diverse natural habitats of the Essex Region means that birding can be enjoyed right from your backyard. A vast collection of parks and conservation areas makes southern Ontario one of the greatest locations to see many bird species resting on their migratory paths. According to the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA), this portion of the Great Lakes provides the shortest route across the open water. A funneling effect brings thousands of birds through the area during the spring and fall migrations.

By Carolyne Regan

Yellow Warbler - Courtesy Danny Mustar

28 BOOM!

Danny Mustar, shown near his Amherstburg home, uses Canon equipment and a 600 mm f4 lens to photograph small birds.
- Ed Goodfellow photo

BOOM Hobbies

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For those interested, bird watching is an easily accessible hobby that doesnt require a lot of preparation, physical exertion or expense. A pair of binoculars, some comfortable walking shoes and perhaps a few dollars for the park entrance fee are all that most people need to appreciate the natural world around them. The ERCA website will also suggest bug repellent and water. For those who have a little more enthusiasm, a bird identification book may be a good investment. Birders go a step further and usually invest in a decent camera to record their observations. Mustar agrees with the many authorities on the subject that there is a difference between a bird-watcher and a birder. Bird-watchers may own a pair of binoculars, they may see a flurry of feathers, focus, marvel for a few moments and move on. Birders, on the other hand, make more of an investment. If you own any kind of recording equipment to immortalize your bird observing experiences, if you travel to the birds instead of waiting for them to come to you, if you know the difference between a sparrow and a finch, you just might be a birder. Whether you are a birder or a bird watcher, it is an easy, enjoyable, and inexpensive way to spend an afternoon. For serious birders, it is a lot more difficult than it looks especially when you are toting 20 pounds or more of camera equipment. Mustar owns a Canon DSLR camera that he uses with a 600mm lens. As a result, he prefers not to attend birding events, but enjoys the quiet of local parks and conservation areas during the week when the crowds are smaller. Although the crowds at major parks such as Point Pelee, Holiday Beach and Ojibway are getting larger and more intrusive, there are still a large number of nature areas to enjoy the quiet and solitude. ERCAs website contains a list of local conservation areas, many of which are free of charge. If you go, nature lovers ask that you

observe the American Birding Associations bird watching code of ethics which has been endorsed by Point Pelee officials. The code includes: protecting the welfare of the birds and their environment by not disturbing their habitat, respecting the laws and rights of others, and remaining respectful of both humans and birds during group birding situations. Bird-watchers who are interested in more

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BOOM Hobbies

Scarlet Tanager

structured and educational activities can attend one of the many festivals and events during the migration seasons. You can begin your season with the Shore and Songbird Celebration at Hillman Marsh on May 11 and 12, and end with the Festival of Hawks at Holiday Beach in September. If you have one, bring a camera. You dont need a 600mm lens or an expensive digital unit. Surprises abound, even with an inexpensive camera; a rare owl sighting, a gaggle of geese, or a rafter of turkeys hanging on the basketball court (a not infrequent occurrence at Point Pelees Camp Henry). Danny Mustar takes photos for his own enjoyment. Although he may agree to make a print for someone who asks, he photographs his avian subjects because its what he loves to do. No matter how you decide to enjoy birding, nature authorities ask that you be respectful of our feathered friends. BOOM!

For the birds...

For more information on birding, events and nature areas in Essex Region, visit these websites: http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/on/pelee/index.aspx http://erca.org/ http://www.ontariossouthwest.com/birding Northern Parula http://www.birding.com/ - Courtesy Danny Mustar

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Cedar Waxwing

Common Yellowthroat Warbler

Black Tern

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Photos - Courtesy Danny Mustar

BOOM! 31

BOOM Decor

This depiction of Jesus Christ was carved from a tree trunk. The Ciarimataros picked it up on a trip to Puerto Rico.
- photos Karen Brady

Decor with meaning

A home inspired by spiritual art
By Karen Brady
When you walk into Cathy and Rick Ciarimataros Lakeshore home, its unusualness doesnt hit you at first glance. Their three bedroom ranch in Lakeshore is well appointed with an elegant mix of traditional and modern decor, but its the finishing details that are somewhat surprising - in particular, the art work. Cathy and Rick, both 60, are deeply involved with the ministry at Windsor Christian Fellowship church; both are Senior Pastors with more than 60 years experience between them. Their ministry has taken them all over the world for speaking engagements and conferences, and they frequently visit Israel hosting Biblical tours. Wherever she goes, Cathy keeps her eyes peeled for faith-based art pieces that inspire. A lot of our life is based around it and it means a lot to us, she says. The Ciarimataros family is a bit like Windsor Christian Fellowships congregation big. They have six children and 16 grandchildren. Their dining space adjacent to the kitchen is large enough to seat 24 people; the dark wood dining table expands to seat 16, and there are 8 seats around their oversized granite-topped kitchen bar. The kitchen features a trio of tiles depicting religious motifs by Canadian artist Sid Dickens one of Cathys favourites. The six by eight inch reliefs are hand embellished with gold or silver leaf and are known to appreciate in value over time. She found the Memory Blocks at Lionheart Interior Design on Edinborough St. in Windsor. Wall art featuring religious motifs, sculptural crosses, and stone tablets are not something you see on display in the average Canadian home these days. I did search out some of those specifically because of our beliefs, Ciarimataro says.

32 BOOM!

One of the few collections Cathy Ciarimataro bought locally were these relief tiles by Canadian artist Sid Dickens. Prices range from $80 to $90 a picture at Lionheart Interior Design on Edinborough St..

Israeli artist Sam Philipe: Soldier at the Wall.

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Its all about creating an environment that you feel comfortable and you feel nourished by, says Lionheart owner Richard Pursel. The Ciarimataros built the house almost two years ago, and Cathy has spent the better part of a year tastefully incorporating her faith into her dcor - and its not the typical ceramic angel youd pick up at a Christian book store. Ciarimataro says she took a decorating course once long ago, where she learned that homeowners should try to pick accent pieces that have meaning to them, and she has taken the lesson to heart. God is definitely all around their 2400 square foot home. A prominent piece on display in the front hall is a relief carving gifted to her by local artist and friend Yolanda Lamoure. Lamoure has a similar - albeit larger - piece adorning the exterior wall of Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital in Windsor. Ciarimataro procured her most cherished piece on a trip to Puerto Rico - a tree trunk carved into the face of Jesus. A lot of people have asked me about that, Ciarimataro says.

EARLY

The great room features a display cabinet dedicated to Judaism. The centrepiece is a sculpture by Sam Philipe, a renowned Israeli artist. Philipes work is often gifted to heads of State like U.S. President George Bush and the Pope. Ciarimataro purchased The Soldier at the Wall on one of her ten pilgrimages to the region. Theres a lot of good art out there and people are always giving us gifts, says Ciarimataro. Rick and Cathy are lucky to have generous friends, because for others wishing to honour their maker, theres not much available in Windsor. Dianne Clinton, a co-ordinator at the Nancy Johns Gallery in Pillette Village, says they dont get much call for faith-based art. In four years, only one person asked for that type of artwork, and it was at Christmas, says Clinton. You walk a fine line in retail to make sure that works are fitting for anyone that walks in and not just specific people, she says. Clinton says the nearest they get to faith-based art is landscapes that include churches. She has also known local artists to do commissions of a

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church for a wedding gift. Ron Bishop, who is the Director of the Bob Rauschenbuerg Gallery in Fort Myers, Florida, says religious art is hard to find in public settings too. He believes we live in an era of such political correctness, that even galleries hesitate to display such works. Galleries and museum professionals dont want to talk about that subject matter because its not considered contemporary art, suggests Bishop. Theres nothing out there that tells us to think about religion. Upon reflection, Bishop adds that artistic thinking has really evolved from religion to more general themes of spirituality. Its a tough topic and theres nothing more important, says Bishop Srimoyee Mitra, a curator at the Art Gallery of Windsor, feels that contemporary artists express their views on religion more intrinsically than just using iconic religious motifs. She agrees that the broader topic of spirituality is more important to artists today. As for Ciarimataro, her faith is unwavering and unabashedly on display, and although she loves to talk about decorating, she is even more passionate about the ministry of her church. Cathy Ciarimataro has just released a new book entitled How to change your Hell into Heaven, available on Amazon, and in February, Windsor Christian Fellowship opened a 20-bed home for women with drug and alcohol addictions. All of the funds to pay for the building were raised before she opened its doors a four-year dream come true for the Pastor. Its really important because we have the church and a lot of times well have people struggling with addiction and its destroying their lives and they come to us for help and weve been very limited in what we can do until now, says Ciarimataro. For us, its wanting to be able to do more for people, she says. -To be able to empower and help people break those destructive cycles off their lives. !

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34 BOOM!

BOOM

BOOM Education

Canterbury ElderCollege at 2500 University Ave. W.

Photos - Ed Goodfellow

Ca n te rbur y ElderCollege
By John Humphrey
Currently nearing its fourth semester of classes at the University of Windsor, Canterbury ElderCollege continues to flourish and the future of unique learning opportunities for local mature (55 +) students appears bright. Patterned after an Eldercollege in British Columbia, the local ElderCollege is the brainchild of Professor Emeritus Lloyd Brown-John. Activeinvolvement courses last as short as three hours to an entire semester. Facilitated by Canterbury College, an affiliate college at the University of Windsor, local ElderCollege organizers have designed their virtual school based on Capilano University in North Vancouver, B.C. That institution is now in its 24nd year of offering ElderCollege programs for those over 55. However, Canterbury Colleges ElderCollege differs greatly from its West Coast model as Windsors school is not located within one location, but rather at satellite locations through the city and county. Weve seen great interest from area residents and weve grown exponentially since our inception in the fall of 2011, offers Catherine Fettes, Canterbury Eldercollege coordinator. We started out two years ago offering 34 courses and now we are up to 75. The schools student population has also swelled from 250 students to 550 students over that time, Fettes adds before claiming that much of the allure of Canterbury ElderCollege is the emphasis is on the joy of learning with no pressure, exams or homework. Canterbury ElderCollege operates on the semester system and there are two semesters at the school every calendar year: Fall (late September to

early December) and Winter/Spring (end of February until end of May). According to Fettes, there is no typical Canterbury ElderCollege student but most do share a few common character traits. We are a community of individuals 55 years and older who have a zest for learning and exploring life, she offers. We provide affordable classes and day trips designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests. Courses are led by instructors and/or facilitators or teaching assistants. All serve on a volunteer basis. Canterbury ElderColleges impressive teaching roster includes current University of Windsor professors Gordon Drake, Beth Daly, Don Laing and Max Nelson and professors emeritus BrownJohn, Louis MacKendrick and Trevor Price. Courses are regularly held in a wide variety of venues across Essex County including Amherstburg, Essex, Kingsville, Leamington and Tecumseh in addition to Windsor. Students do not have to reside in the municipality where the courses are offered. They can travel to attend whichever courses capture their fancy. Last fall, Canterbury ElderCollege expanded into Puce and programs in that community have been particularly well-attended. We started offering courses at the Puce Recreation Centre last year, Fettes points out. And for some unknown reason, the courses offered there have been some of our more technical courses. Fettes adds that the local ElderCollege, which recently received a three-year Trillium grant, hopes to offer courses in centres such as Tilbury and Chatham-Kent in the near future. We are committed to meeting the goals and needs of our students, she says.We are looking to expand our programs wherever and whenever it is possible. The Trillium grant, coincidentally, has made Fettes own job more pleasant too. Our offices have consisted of my desk in a corner of an office at Canterbury College, she admits with a laugh. Now we will be able to move into

Catherine Fettes, Canterbury Eldercollege coordinator

our own offices. Canterbury ElderCollege expansion plans are realistic, Fettes, adds, in light of the schools extensive and growing list of working relationships with such local partners as the Windsor Public Library, Essex County Public Library System, Artcite Windsor and Essex County and the Windsor Police Service. Fettes confirms that Canterbury ElderCollege is also exploring partnering with the Third Age Network. Third Age learning groups are self-managed groups of seniors providing opportunities for members to share learning experiences in a wide range of subjects. Some groups are associated with universities or colleges while others are located in community centres. There are many groups active worldwide, including in Australia, United States and the United Kingdom in addition to many other countries. We hope to offer webinars soon as well, Fettes contends. We are always striving to make our courses accessible to as many people as possible. For more information visit www.uwindsor.ca/canterbury/eldercollege or phone (519) 253-3000, Ext. 4944

BOOM! 35

BOOM Retirement

Second Acts

The Ages and Stages of Retirement

The swift change ushered in by retirement left one woman I know surprised and a little dazed. I happened to bump into her on the day after she retired from her job of twenty years as a clerk. She said, I feel like I have been hit by a truck! She also mentioned hitting a parked car earlier in the day. Like many other retirees, she doesnt want others to know that it has been a bumpy ride going from working on an hourly schedule in a job with many interactions with people to waking up to find a day that stretches out in front of her without a set routine or to do list. Fast forward three months later into her retirement on a grocery run. Our mystery retiree tells me she found some comfort by takings some mini-vacations to Florida with her husband but she is starting to learn that retirement is more of a difficult life adjustment process then the destination it is often advertised as. It isnt necessarily about stepping off an airplane onto a sandy beach and spending days sipping pia coladas but more of a second chance to determine the kind of things one wants to really do with their life. She can now joke about the last cocktail she had being a sample at a trip to the local LCBO yet is honest about the fact that she doesnt quiet feel like a retiree, doesnt want to be a senior but does like the discounts and is still muddling through the challenge of how to order her days, how doing simple things like reading a book or surfing the internet can stretch into hours and how to incorporate the things she really loves doing like sewing and cooking - all those things she has dreamed of doing for twenty nine years but couldnt before into her life now. Her honesty is refreshing but she wasnt ready to admit it publicly to her peers and former colleagues. Fortunately, a few brave local people were willing to share their own individual approaches to living out the second and third acts of their life! Make the stage your own. Mornings for Phil Peck used to start with a rapid scan of local newspapers and listening carefully to every news story on the radio on his way into work so the he could assign reporters to follow stories for the evening news cast on CBC television. the drive into his job being spent listening for radio news as he considered assigning reporters to stories for the evening news on CBC Windsor, Channel 9. These days Peck has what he calls a leisurely breakfast with his wife Rosalind before they head off together in their car for work. He approaches the lookout point at the top of the Ambassador Bridge so he can anticipate whether or not Photon Phil and Rocket Rosalind will make it to Mad Science Detroit in Livionia, Michigan on time. So, just how did a TV News Producer become a Mad Scientist? After spending thirty years working in radio

By Mary-Jo Rusu

Photon Phil otherwise known as Phil Peck, went from prducing TV to becoming a Mad Scienctist.
- Phyllis Chant photo

Nancy Yamashita holds the lotus position in yoga at the Be Well Centre on Walker Road.

36 BOOM!

- Ed Goodfellow photo

BOOM Retirement
and television for CBC, Phil wasnt sure what he would do when he retired but he admits to thinking about it long before celebrating retirement with his co-workers and other retirees at a party on his last day. I had to give some consideration to the financial side of how the pensions might add up and what our lifestyle would be like, he explains. The idea of working after retirement came which Phil attended a seminar through his employer where he discovered he was eligible for retirement benefits because he was fifty five with thirty years of service. Once Phil determined that there would be a moderate financial gap between what he was earning which could be supplemented with another job. He decided it was worth it to leave but before he left he started reviewing his options by looking back at the things he had done and the skills he enjoyed using in his career. His wife Rosalind had encouraged Phil to be part of her new venture for years before he retired but it took some soul searching about what kind of things might be a match for what he most liked to do and a short stint fiddling around with fixing things around the house before he would step onto the next stage of his life. What drew me into the TV and radio business in the first place was a love for creating and fixing things with my hands. He came up with options he could do be a TV repairman and or do sales or public relations. He also recalled how much he enjoyed the interviewing and training skills he honed at CBC and the years he spent as a Scout Leader after work. There was, as he saw it, skills and interests that could be recycled into a new opportunity for work after retirement. I had a fallback position. If you I something before. I could do it again in a different setting and if it didnt work out I would still have a good story to tell about it and maybe even learn something in the process! The Pecks are now owners of an education franchise which provides the content and structure for a solid business. Phils work day may be spent teaching science in a classroom, hiring and assigning instructors or fixing mechanical equipment like rockets and robots. Everything he does relates back to bringing a charge of enthusiasm and excitement for science to children at schools, public demonstrations and summer camps. I have had to fill in for teachers in a few rough areas but I have never felt afraid. In one case, a janitor offered so walk me in and out of the school. He notes the main difference between metro Detroit and the suburbs isnt the kids.Its that the schools in metro Detroit are old and not maintained whereas the schools in the suburbs are state-of-the-art, shares Phil. As a Sunday morning unfolds Phil looks relaxed and energized as he enjoys a hot chocolate in a local caf and talks about his fortunate circumstances. I am lucky. We often interview and hire retirees who desperately need income due to their financial situation, explains Phil. For this retiree, reflecting on his new job is more about seeing how the pieces of his life he has most enjoyed have come together to provide a refreshing, if not surprising, new lease on life.

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It was really amazing to find myself setting up this outdoor stage for a Mad Science Detroit demonstration right in the middle downtown Detroit on Woodward Avenue at the Winter Blast festival. All these people were packed in to our tent to see our stage show! Taking a step in a new direction has come with life enriching rewards for Peck. Speaking as a new grandpa, Phil suggests others who are leery about failure or trying something new in retirement remember how children learn to walk by falling down and not giving up. What has his experience taught him? Risk! he exclaims. Say yes and see what happens. Be prepared to say your lines but you may need to improvise along the way. Nancy Yamashita is surrounded by co-workers and friends for dinner and conversation at the Twisted Apron. Yamashita looks younger than her age. She will turn sixty next year and has worked for Service Canada for 35 years processing Employment Insurance claims in Windsor. Two of the four women gathered have officially retired. Nancy and another colleague arent quite there yet. The following morning Yamashita will head off to Toronto to Retirement School (a two day seminar) in Toronto organized by her employer designed to equip her with everything she needs to know and do to retire effectively. Her eighty year old friend recalls having three purses in tow during the year after she retired, each with a separate balance sheet so she could track her expenses and make sure she did in fact have enough to live on. The senior retiree tells Yamashita, that she thought she would teach tennis and music but that things didnt work out that way. In fact, the most meaningful parts of her days, are spent doing from crossword puzzles to learning languages to exercise her mind and hopefully prevent dementia, taking long drives and walks outdoors and travelling to see friends. Nancy returns from her trip a few days later and reports back over breakfast. The seminar was conducted by a Financial Planner and each person was given a planning binder complete with a Personal section where participants could write about their goals for retirement. Nancy points out that the instructor advised the seminar participants to fill this section out on their own and focused more on how to reduce costs, handle income taxes and balance investment portfolios. She says the Financial Planner told the group of 40 they had a very good pension plan of seventy percent of their income, a far better than private sector employees receive. Nancy explains that she felt the seminar would be better suited to someone who is about ten years away from retiring so they could really plan their financial investments better. In her case, the future is coming faster than she thought it would and with it are three questions she must answer for herself: Can I financially afford to retire? What will I do with my life? Where will I live? An online pension calculator provided by her employer and determining her debts and mortgage will help her answer the first question. It is the answers to

Phil Peck encourages retirees to continue to learn from trying new things.
- Phyllis Chant photo

last two questions which are she feels will be key to the living a retirement life of value to her. Seeing family and friends, enjoying tennis and the theatre and eating out are all aspects of her life that take priority for Yamashita. With her closest relatives a manageable drive down the highway to London, right now the idea of staying in Windsor where she can have an active social life and spend time with friends makes the most sense to her right now. Far easier then selling her home in Windsor, living with family in Hamilton and trying to arrange for a place to stay to see friends visit Windsor. Windsor is where my social life is, she confides. Yamashita has also given some thought to how her social life might change after retirement. She is trying to focus on viewing retirement as a positive time when she could increase doing more of what she enjoys most like tennis, yoga and seeing live theatre but she might need to cut back when it comes to dinners out at pricey restaurants. I could having friends come over for tea or meet for a coffee at Tim Hortons, she says. I will have to cut back a little. Having seen the faces of her co-workers become more relaxed after they went through the initial adjustment to retiring gives Nancy hope that life after retirement will be good for her if not right away, then eventually. It is the unknown factors that could crop up which have Yamashita a little worried. What would happen if my health changes? Will I really get to see her friends as often as she wishes? What will I do with the time in between socializing and doing hobbies? For Yamashita, there is still time to talk over her decisions with friends and family and to consider the idea of living her own way through the answers just like so many other retirees she knows who are making an entrance into a new series of transitions. Soon to be retirees, newly minted retirees and those who are late into the post-retirement years will all grapple with uncertainty. Perhaps, they might find some perspective by considering the words of William Shakespeare who once referred to all men and women playing their parts on the stage of the world and spoke to their never ending confrontation with change when he wrote, They have their exits and their entrances. Better still, he reminded us that each person (with or without a great pension or master plan) will nonetheless play many parts during our lives.

38

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