Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
NEWSFLASH Nov/Dec 2021 – Thirsty Butler Sports Lounge
THE RUNDOWN
Thirsty Butler (1585 Wyandotte Street East in Windsor), owned by Dan Gobbo and Jeff Bourque, officially rebranded to Walkerville’s newest and only sports lounge in late September 2021. The two owners have worked in the hospitality industry for many years. Gobbo since 1981, when he opened up Peachy’s in downtown Windsor, then shortly after, Bentley’s Roadhouse and finally, the Electric Fish. Bourque was a wine/cooler representative back then and the two eventually met and became friends. Years later they opened The Butler in June 2018. The original concept was a jazz lounge with cocktails and charcuterie boards, but it did not take long until they realized the area needed a sports bar instead! Fast forward to 2021 and the rebrand becomes reality with an entirely new renovated hot kitchen (June), accompanied by a delicious new menu and plenty of big screen TVs. Not only can you enjoy a drink and watch the big game at the same time, but now you can order tasty game-day foods too. Choices include their Peachy’s wings, nacho platters, Cajun beef tips, potato jackets and of course, the fan favourite — Smash Burgers!
The Windsor Classic Chorale (WCC), Windsor’s premier chamber choir, has become a core component of the local arts community, dedicated to achieving artistic excellence by maintaining a high level of musicianship with a rich palette of ambitious choral works. While they are still unable to perform in person, the WCC is very excited to celebrate the holidays in new and exciting ways with a virtual holiday concert in December hosted on their website. Celebrate the season in song with the Windsor Classic Chorale on December 10, 2021 at 7 p.m. with the “Winter Nights” concert. Timeless carols, solemn readings, and a surprise visit from jolly old Saint Nick himself, are only the beginning of what’s in store for the viewers! To make a donation to this event, please refer to: CanadaHelps.org/en/dn/15705 and select “Holiday Concert 2021” as the fund. Although they are not able to have audiences hear them in person, this transition to a virtual format is providing the WCC with the opportunity to extend its performances to audiences beyond Windsor and Essex County. Let’s all show the WCC how much we support what they do by tuning in! If you miss the December 10 premiere, you can access the concert after this date on their YouTube channel and website.
HALL OF FAME
The River Bookshop, 67 Richmond Street in Amherstburg, is this year’s recipient of the “Peter Stokes Restoration Award: Small-Scale/Individual/Small Business” by the Architectural Conservancy Ontario (ACO) in Toronto. Congratulations to Richard and Colleen Peddie, manager Lori Wightman, their staff and all the local contractors, led by the Fortis Group, who brought the bookstore to life in August 2020! The business is housed in a newly renovated 1885 Victorian building and the exterior also features a mural by Harrow artist David Creed. Biz X magazine is very proud of the River Bookshop, who also earned a Biz X Award for the “Outstanding New Business Of 2020”. Read all about the shop’s latest ACO win here and more about their inventory of books and curbside pickup offered on their website.
Windsor author and businesswoman Jackie Apostol-Pizzuti has received a gold medal award from the Jenkins Group in Traverse City, Michigan for her book, “Healing Pretty”. The “Living Well Book Awards” are awarded annually to recognize outstanding books that celebrate innovation and creativity of newly published books that enhance the quality of life. “Healing Pretty” is a guidebook for women with cancer that helps women prepare for and get through cancer treatment. “I’m really quite honoured that my book has received this award,” comments Apostol-Pizzuti. “I’m honoured to help women with cancer. I knew I wanted to do this after helping my sister go through cancer, and the many women I see in my boutique (Wigs to Wellness and The Mastectomy Boutique, 4454 Howard Avenue, Windsor). They are overwhelmed with anxiety and information. It was my intention to bring everything together in one place in an easy-to-understand way, and it brings me much comfort knowing that so many women locally and around the world have benefited from it.” The book tells women what to expect every step of the way from diagnosis to treatment and survivorship, with 12 chapters covering hair loss, post-surgical healing bras, fertility preservation, the best radiation burn creams, facial care and make-up tips, scar treatments, surgery reconstruction options, comfort and fashion accessories, and more. It also features tips and stories from cancer survivors. “I am so thrilled that Healing Pretty has received this type of recognition,” says Jill Laframboise, local breast cancer survivor. “After 10 years I’m now in remission, but when I was diagnosed at 23, I wish I had this book. It would have saved me so much time and anxiety to help me prepare for and get through my treatment.”
