NEWSFLASH September 2024 – Rum Runners Tour; Hospice; St. Clair College; MotorCityMurals.tours; The City Market/ALSO & Pita Mania
THE RUNDOWN
The producer of The Rum Runners Tour, Encore Productions of Windsor, has been honoured for the second consecutive year with the prestigious Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award — Best of the
Best, bringing their total to an impressive seven awards, determined by the glowing reviews from delighted patrons. So, what makes this four- hour bus tour of the Windsor, Walkerville, and Sandwich 1920s’ era so popular? Talented actors in period attire, visits to historic sites, and being entertained and dined in a re-created speakeasy (the RockStar Music Hall, 2418 Central Avenue in Windsor) are just some of the reasons. Ruth Mary Deraper is from the Chatham-Kent area. She turns 94 on September 9, signalling that her birth in England took place during the Canadian American prohibition era. Deraper has attended the Rum Runners Tour seven times in the past 10 years. Unofficially baptized by the Fighting Parson (a character in the tour) as “Rum Runner Ruth,” she is a delight to have as a frequent fan. And this is a woman who doesn’t drink! Before leaving her homeland for Canada in 1957, she excelled in track and field, and has the trophies to prove it. In Canada, she spent years as a skilled printer and book binder, personally binding the Eaton’s’ catalogues displayed on the downtown Toronto store counters. When she turned 83, Deraper started acting with local theatre groups. She has been in nine plays in the Chatham area, some with her bestie, Michelle Mainwaring (1920s’ speakeasy owner Bertha Thomas in The Rum Runners Tour). Today, Deraper can be found entertaining seniors during the week in several long-term care residences singing Vera Lynn hits from the WWII years. To see why Rum Runner Ruth keeps coming back time after time, read more information about the tour online. Perhaps you might even be with her for the eighth visit!
The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County Inc.’s 22nd annual Face to Face Campaign, officially began August 15 and runs until September 30, 2024. Each year, this campaign raises funds for the Fairley Family
Transportation Program, which provides rides to medical appointments for Hospice patients and families in the community. The G.E.N.I.E. Program (Granting Exceptional N’ Impactful Experiences) is also supported through Face to Face, offering the opportunity for patients receiving Hospice care, whether in the Hospice Residences, or in their own home, to request special trips or outings. How can you help support these memorable moments and much-needed rides? (1) Collect pledges from friends and family as a Face to Face Canvasser. (2) Make a personal donation online, through the mail, or in support of a Face to Face Canvasser. (3) Spread the word about Face to Face! To collect pledges or donate, go online.
On Saturday, July 6, 2024 a small, but mighty gathering of Western Ontario Institute of Technology (W.O.I.T.) alumni assembled (see accompanying photo) for a reunion at St. Clair College. The gathering was hosted at the College’s Eatery 101, an upscale casual restaurant providing a real world working experience for students. At the reunion 1960s’ grads came together from programs, including Business Accounting and Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, and Industrial Engineering Technologies. W.O.I.T. — which operated from campuses on Mercer and Erie Streets in Windsor from 1958 to 1967 — was the predecessor of St. Clair College before the schools amalgamated in 1967. Sponsored by the St. Clair College Alumni Association, the gathering was an opportunity to honour some of the remaining alumni, who are now mostly retired, but still hold fond memories of their time at W.O.I.T. “All these graduates ended up working in positions as administrators, vice-presidents and presidents for companies around the globe,” notes John Fairley, the Senior Vice President, Communications, Advancement and External Affairs, at St. Clair College. “They really made a mark in their professions with their technical skills and know-how, but many moved on to leadership roles during their careers.” Further proof that behind every successful leader is a good education and that school spirit never gets old!
Launched in July 2024, discover art and amenities in the Motor Cities as MotorCityMurals.tours invites you to explore the neighbourhoods of Windsor and Detroit on your own time, at your own pace, all year round. The self-guided mural tours celebrate the people and spirit of our cities and the thrill of discovering places and spaces that you both know and don’t know. MotorCityMurals.tours builds upon past tours — McDougall Street Corridor Project and Queer Walk — created by Parallel 42 Systems. It launched in partnership with Hackforge, WindsorEats and the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County. The app is designed to support tourism in the region and encourage cross-border connections. “We built MotorCityMurals.tours to help folks explore street art in the region we love,” states Doug Sartori, President Parallel 42. “We hope people like using it as much as we enjoyed researching the murals and building the app.” With over 50 stops in Detroit and 100 stops in Windsor, each tour is packed with photos and information about the art, artist and surrounding area. Users can make a day of it and explore the whole tour at once, or return again and again — MotorCityMurals.tours keeps track of your journey for you— all with nothing to download and no accounts to create! The tour showcases the work of dozens of talented artists from Windsor such as: Athena (Briana Benore); DENIAL (Daniel Bombardier); Derkz (David Derkatz); Kristina Bradt and Jeff Denomme, as well as Detroit and places beyond. To capture the murals, Parallel 42 tapped local photographers Tricia Wanamaker and Lauren Hedges. There are no fees to use the app, no advertisements and no data is collected besides the basic web logs.
The City Market, 1030 Walker Road in Windsor, has earned the prestigious ALGO Accessibility Award by Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO) for July 2024. This accolade celebrates the market’s unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all community members. With wide aisles, ramp entrances, and ample handicap parking, the market ensures easy access for everyone. These facilities reflect their ongoing commitment to universal accessibility. The ALGO (Assisted Living Goes Out) Award is a monthly accolade recognizing local businesses demonstrating outstanding accessibility and inclusivity. Remember, only together can we build a more inclusive world! Find out further details on these awards and nominate a business online.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO . . .
Congrats to Pita Mania, 1050 Lesperance Road in Tecumseh on celebrating 25 years in business! Founded by Peter Niforos in 1999 and kept in the family ever since, now his niece and her husband, Eva and Mladen Remetic are the proud owners of the restaurant. Home to the original Chicken Supreme, their small family establishment prides itself on using only the freshest ingredients, cut daily, paired with their special sauce that is sure to please your taste buds! With a diverse menu suitable for any member of the family, Pita Mania is a favourite spot for lunch and dinner offering items like gyros, salads, chicken fingers, Greek fries, homemade chicken lemon rice soup . . . and more. The couple wishes to thank all their customers for their continued support over the years and they look forward to serving you for many years to come. To see a menu for takeout/dine in options or to order online, go online.
