My Blog

Blog

  • IWE details Q1 highlights to Essex County Council during ‘extraordinary times’

    By Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press

    “We are facing extraordinary times right now in this county and the country,” Keith Andrews, COO & Strategic Advisor to the Board of Directors for Invest WindsorEssex (IWE) – the region’s economic development organization, told members of Essex County Council at the May 7 meeting.

    “We have never really seen a situation like we are facing right now when it comes to trade and the uncertainty of what we will be facing in the economy.”

    Every day, however, “we continue to work hard, and I am pleased to say [for] uncertain times, we are seeing success,” Andrews continued. “We drive investment, we drive expansion, and the team continues to put their dedication to fostering economic growth and supporting our companies and our communities.”

    The IWE reps appeared in front of County Council as last year, the organization made a commitment to provide Essex County Council with regular, in-person updates on its activities, its work, and what it does on behalf of the region.

    That promise was made after County Council decided to reduce IWE’s County contribution 15%, from $1,122,060 to $953,750 during 2025 Budget Deliberations. Originally, IWE asked for $1.23M, around a 9% increase from 2024, then pulled it back to match its previous funding ask.

    IWE is funded by the County and the City of Windsor. With that funding, it also obtains provincial dollars.

    The original cut in funding stemmed from a survey Essex County Council received back in July that detailed the results received from a discretionary regional shared services survey sent out to the seven local municipalities.

    In terms of satisfaction, 53% of respondents report being either satisfied or very satisfied with Invest WindsorEssex products/services. From a reputation standpoint, 52% of respondents rated their impression of Invest WindsorEssex as good to excellent. 43% believed their municipality is receiving good value for money from Invest WindsorEssex.

    At the regular meeting on February 18, however, a majority of County Council moved Tecumseh Deputy Mayor/Deputy Warden, Joe Bachetti’s, motion to rescind that resolution and reinstate the original funding amount.

    Detailing IWE’s work in the first quarter of 2025, Joe Goncalves, Vice President Investment Attraction & Strategic Initiatives, noted IWE’s Investment Attraction Department and Business Retention and Expansion Department and Small Business Centre landed around $421M worth of new investment.

    In addition, there were five expansions, 1260 direct jobs, and 14 business startups. 31 business support sessions were also held, which were provided to 576 attendees. 291 business consultations took place, stemming from businesses that connected with IWE looking for support.

    “I don’t need to tell anybody around this room how important this is to the economic vitality of our region in how it is going to contribute to new home building, to commercial plazas going up, and really to the GDP output of Windsor-Essex,” Goncalves said.

    In building off Andrew’s previous statement, Goncalves noted “we live in very complicated times. Even in those complicated times, we managed to land investments in the Windsor-Essex region, which will benefit us all.”

    He spoke of the $120M over eight-years investment from Neo, and the $300M Minth investment that also has plans for further expansion.

    In looking at the Minth investment, for instance, Goncalves highlighted that will equate to an economic output of nearly $357M, create an additional indirect 1564 regional jobs, with regional wages totalling $151,708, 247 introduced to the Windsor-Essex area.

    There are four expansion projects to be announced in Essex County in the near future, which will total $43M and 220 jobs, Goncalves said.

    “We do this because we want to build great things for the community that we serve, and we want to improve the quality of life of every resident across Windsor-Essex,” Goncalves said, noting the projects he highlighted will contribute to that.

    In terms of dealing with the US tariff situation, Wendy Stark, Director of Business Retention & Expansion, noted IWE has partnered with the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce to launch and cochair the Windsor-Essex Economic Trade Task Force.

    The group has been meeting weekly, but will likely move to biweekly moving forward, and has hosted a couple of events, as well.

    “I personally met with many companies across the region since all of this started, trying to connect them with programs that are available, provide them with all the information we have,” Stark said.

    The Task Force has tried to help businesses implement strategies to help mitigate tariffs and examine other markets for their products.

    Stark also spoke of the New Start Ventures program, launched March 1 by IWE’s Small Business & Entrepreneurial Centre, aimed to help newcomers to Canada with essential skills, knowledge, mentorship, and resources to start and grow their own businesses.

    In speaking to the IWE’s Strategic Plan, a document many County Councillors previously voiced they wanted to see complete, Andrews noted the strategic planning process began in January, and IWE is on schedule.

    The overall goal is to develop a five-year roadmap for the organization, and will identify priority areas of focus, and will determine how IWE should be organized to deliver on the plan, Andrews said.

    Work will continue this month, with additional input gathered. The target is to have the Strategic Plan presented to the Board of Directors by mid-June.

    Kingsville Mayor Dennis Rogers appreciated the update from IWE. He asked if the Strategic Plan will be shared with County Council.

    Andrews noted IWE will look to its Board of Directors first to vet the draft plan, which would then determine what the next steps would be.

    Something that keeps Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara up at night is looking at Canada as a G7 Nation and that it is at the bottom for productivity. He said productivity has to be brought up.

    He believes that has to be a top-down funded opportunity from the federal and provincial jurisdiction to aid companies.

    McNamara asked IWE what the County can do at the ground-level to convince the government to make big investments, so Canada will be a successful nation moving forward.

    Andrews agreed with McNamara, noting productivity is an important issue, and is a silent issue in some respects. To Goncalves, tariffs are a threat, but Canada’s productivity gap is a bigger threat.

    He spoke of how many small companies know AI needs to be implemented, but very few know how to do that.

    Goncalves spoke of how IWE set up a proposal with the federal government to do a SWOT analysis of around 300 companies across the region in the automotive, logistics, service, and pharmaceutical industries to look at what they need to do, and when, in terms of implementing AI. Phase two shows the return on investment.

    Amherstburg Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb said it is important for County Council to hear of IWE’s successes with small business owners.

    “A truly resilient economy is one where small business owners can create their own jobs,” Gibb said.

  • To the Ends of the Earth: Local Radio Host Mitch Snaden Returns from a Global Adventure

    To the Ends of the Earth: Local Radio Host Mitch Snaden Returns from a Global Adventure

    By Devan Mighton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter

    Stoney Point resident Mitch Snaden has been on a journey. A former radio host in Essex and Kent counties with CHUM Group and Blackburn Media, he was last heard on the airwaves with Kara Ro on Windsor’s Country.

    Thirty-five years ago, he started to get serious about sail boating, and when a friend of his purchased at 24-ft. C&C, they shared sailing times together for years.

    This January, Snaden made the journey of a lifetime, sailing from Thailand to Sri Lanka for two months as a part of a crew.

    “There were major changes happening in my life when I came across a post on Facebook from the people, Shawn Dear and Ally Cochrane, I ended up sailing with,” explains Snaden. “Their story intrigued me as they are circumnavigating and were, and still are, looking for crew to experience this trip with them. Every month is a leg and up to six people can join them each month to be part of the adventure. I chose to meet them in Phuket, Thailand and stay for two months, January and February. I departed from the ship in Galle, Sri Lanka.”

    As he recalls his odyssey across Indochina, Snaden described his trip as one of soul-searching, of self-discovery. He says that the ship was biggest highlight of the trip to him, riding upon a 42-ft. Catamaran in the open ocean.

    “We had a crew of six on the first leg from Phuket to the Andaman Islands,” he describes. “Shawn and Ally, of course, owners of the boat, myself, a young lady from New Zealand and a married couple who were from Holland and Russia – but call Bulgaria home.”

    He says that each leg lasted 25 days, and at the end of each leg, the crew departs while the owners prep for the next go. After five layover days, a new crew boards for the first of the month.

    It was a magical adventure. Snaden saw pilot whales and their ship was often frequented by dolphins. They island hopped while in Thailand and the Andaman Islands, dropping anchor to snorkel and see the copious coral life. He says that there were numerous secluded white sand beaches and the beautiful blue waters reached as far as the eyes could see.

    “Sunsets and sunrises, as well moon rises and sets, were spectacular and when there was no moon, the stars filled the skies,” he recalls. “Being on the helm at 2 a.m. on a two-hour night watch is a humbling experience, as you realize just how insignificant you are in this universe.”

    He met many fascinating people on his voyage.

    “On the second leg of my trip, from the Andaman Islands to Sri Lanka, our crew saw the arrival of a couple from South Africa and Italy who met in their 20’s when they were in France on ski holidays, dated for awhile, and then separated for 30 years. Then, because life is filled with circumstances, they reunited and now are together again.”

    Before leaving, they spent a day familiarizing themselves with the boat and learning the ground rules for surviving 25 days together in close quarters.

    “Our open-water trips lasted for three days and four nights from Thailand to the Andaman Islands,” he recalls. “We landed in their major town called Port Blair, which had both Allied and Japanese occupation during World War 2. There are remnants of those occupations through the archipelago of islands around Port Blair. The port is a major naval base for the Indian Navy, so there is a lot of official boat traffic. We were boarded numerous times by various authorities in the short time we were anchored in Port Blair. Certainly not a highlight of the trip.”

    He says that the trip from Port Blair to Sri Lanka took almost eight nights.

    “We dropped anchor just as the sun was setting on the eighth evening,” says Snaden. “[There were] full days where all you could see was water. No other boats on the seas until the last day, as we approached Sri Lanka. It’s an amazing feeling to look out and see no other humans.”

    As every country has different rules and customs, the crew were not allowed to roam around the Sri Lankan coast looking for secluded spots, so they had to tie up to the jetty at the main harbour in Galle.

    He says that the journey brought him peace and a greater appreciation for all the people in his life, as well as a realization of how lucky he has been.

    Snaden hopes to rejoin Shawn and Ally on their boat, SY Imagination, when they arrive back in the Caribbean in 2026. However, he doesn’t plan to rest on his laurels, as he is on the lookout on social media for other people looking for crew members that he can help out and join in their adventures as well.

  • Donna Spickett retires after a remarkable 52-year career with Essex County Library

    Donna Spickett retires after a remarkable 52-year career with Essex County Library

    By Matt Weinagrden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter

    For Donna Spickett, one chapter closes – as another one opens. The long-time employee has retired after spending 52 years with the Essex County Library.

     

    “I started as a desk clerk at the LaSalle branch of the Essex County Library (ECL) in 1973. I never imagined that my career in the library would have lasted beyond my high school years!” said Spickett.

    “When I finished high school I wasn’t sure which direction I wanted to go to further my education, so I continued to work at the LaSalle library until 1980 when an opening came up in Essex for a branch assistant.”

     

    She worked at ECL part time for 10 years, was married in 1981 and had three children. She worked part time until 1999 – which gave Donna and her husband Matt time to raise their family.

    “Our children loved their mom working at the library! I was always borrowing a variety of books for them to read,” she laughed. “My family supported me through my career because they knew I loved it!”

     

     

    In 1990, when her mother (Jean Forbes) retired from the LaSalle Branch, she came back to LaSalle as the branch supervisor.

     

    Over the years, Spickett shares she has seen many technical changes at the ECL.

    “When I started there was a small binder to find the general location of books with the Dewey Decimal system,” she laughed. “We had a very small card catalogue with recipe cards in a file box which we also used. We checked out books with a stamp attached to a pencil and patrons had a card number which we wrote down on the cards that we removed from the books when they took them out.”

     

    She says the stamp was changed nightly, so patrons could keep books out for three weeks. They would file the cards alphabetically and numerically at the end of the day and count them for circulation statistics.

    “When computers came into the ECL system in the 90’s things started to move quickly with technology. There are now databases available for free to access newspapers and magazines from around the world, Libby to download e-books and audiobooks, storybooks in different languages (Lote), transparent language and many more,” she added

    During the Covid shut down the library attached an RFID tag into each book, which meant that they could place a number of books onto a tablet to check them out instead of scanning each individual book.

    RFID stands for “Short Frequency Identification” and these smart barcodes are attached to items in order to easily identify them by using radio frequency technology.

    In more simple terms, radio waves transmit data from the tag to the reader that then transmits the information to a RFID computer program.

    Spickett also acknowledges she has seen many major changes to library programming over time.

     

    “Our programming consisted mainly of children’s programs to bring families into the library. We started out with story times and craft programs, which continued to grow with great attendance,” she shared.

    Currently programming has expanded to all ages including adult crafts, cooking programs, book clubs, outreach and community partners.” she said.

     

    Overtime she recalls many fond and favourite memories.

     

    “My greatest memories are the families that come in today – that came in when they were children! They talk of the programs that went to when they were very young and they are now carrying on the library tradition with their families,” Spickett shares.

    “The cards and kind words I have received over the last month show me that I have touched many people and they certainly have touched my life! The LaSalle Branch has moved six times since I started in the 70’s. With each move it was so nice to see more and more families coming into a newer location.”

     

    Spickett says that working for the ECL has been a wonderfully fulfilling career.

    “It is overwhelming when I think back to the beginning of my career!

    Some of the patrons that I have met over the years have become great friends and I looked forward to seeing them in the library,” she said. “The staff that I have worked with will never be forgotten.

    We have shared family stories and enjoyed each other’s company for many years!

    I will miss seeing them on a daily basis.”

     

    As one chapter closes another chapter begins.

    “My husband and I hope to do some travelling in the fall and winter,” Spickett says.

    “We moved last year, and I am looking forward to the nicer weather to work in the yard and garden.

    I will have more time to spend with family and our six grandchildren…they are also looking forward to that.” she added.

     

    “I was honoured to be a part of ECL and the LaSalle Community for over half a century!”

     

  • New Season, New Staff, New Clippers

    New Season, New Staff, New Clippers

    By Devan Mighton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter

    For the first time since 2014, the Windsor Clippers Junior B lacrosse team will start their season with a new bench boss.

    Trevor Learn, the team’s fourth head coach since its inception in 2003, is also the first alumnus to take over at the helm.

    “At this point, we’re very young, so we’re going to have to rely on working hard,” explains Learn, who played with the team from 2009 until 2014, amassing 93 goals and 248 points in 91 regular season games. “Our game plan is to work hard and be the most in-shape team. We’re going to start there. We’ve got the building blocks to match the pace of the Junior B game. [For our rookies,] the jump is a bit of a step ahead of our minor program – the U17 jump is quite significant – but they are putting in the work.”

    Taking over from longtime coach and Windsor Warlocks minor lacrosse president Jerry Kavanaugh, the team Learn has inherited is a young, but hard-working group. Despite their best efforts, last year’s Clippers finished outside of the playoffs for the second time in franchise history, only two seasons removed from winning the Marlene Soulliere Trophy as OJBLL Western Conference champions and playing for the All-Ontario title. Finishing with a 7-13-0 record, the 2024 Clippers never gave up, fighting until the end, missing the final playoff seed one spot behind longtime rivals, the Wallaceburg Red Devils.

    “This year’s group is all bought in,” states Learn. “Starting in training camp, and moving into our first few practices, everybody’s on the same page and working hard, showing up on time at dryland, smiling, even at the end of dryland – you know you’ve got a good group when that happens!”

    Learn wants to see growth in his first year behind the Clippers’ bench. “I’d like to make playoffs this year,” he says. “I think that’s a good goal for us. I think it’s something we can definitely take care of.”

    Fourth year player and 19-year-old LaSalle resident Kane Murphy is excited about the challenges of the upcoming season.

    “I think it’ll be a good change up,” states the St. Clair College paramedics student. “It’s a young squad, and I’m looking forward to that, seeing what we can do, how we can improve, and hopefully we can make the playoffs this year – and, we’ll see what happens.”

    Murphy put up 16 points in 20 games during the 2024 campaign. “We’ve gotta start and feel it out. Whenever we’re out there, we’ve got to give it 110 per cent,” he says. “We can’t be afraid to get hit, we’ve got to bare down and pick up those tough loose balls. If we do the small things right, I think we’ll have a good chance and we’ll come out well.”

    Third year veteran and recent Sandwich Secondary School graduate Owen Coffey is chomping at the bit to get the season going.

    “I can’t wait,” states Coffey, an 18-year-old University of Montevallo commit who earned five points in 19 games last year. “I felt we needed some change after how last season went. We came up just short of making the playoffs, and that was something we didn’t want – of course. With the change, we see a lot of younger faces, it’s a very young team, and I’m excited to see what we can do. I think we can make a run for it this year.”

    When he looks around the dressing room this year, he sees a team full of players excited to get rolling. “There’s a lot of new guys that have maybe never played junior lacrosse before, but I can see that they’re excited and are ready to work hard and play. That’s all you really need for a team, people who are ready to put in the work and be there – that’s what we want to see around the room. I’ve been waiting all year for this. I’ve been playing in the States and it’s nothing like playing junior with my friends – and the atmosphere here – I just love playing here in The Shipyard. Playing with my friends, it’s an experience you can’t get anywhere else playing lacrosse.”

    This season will be Hudson Dalpe’s rookie season with the Clippers. In 2024, pulling double duty with the Warlocks U17’s, Dalpe tallied 15 points in 10 games as an AP with the Clippers.

    “I played a little bit last year and it was really fun, I got to play with my brother (Vance),” says the Lakeshore resident, who attends St. Anne’s Catholic High School. “I’m going into my rookie season, so I’m excited to get a full season with the Clips – not just have a limited amount of games to play – and see what we can really do.”

    Last summer was a banner season for the rookie, who also earned silver with Team Ontario at the Canadian National Lacrosse Championships in Regina, SK, and was drafted in the second round, 20th overall, by the St. Catharines Athletics in the 2025 OJLL Entry Draft.

    “We’ve got a good squad this year,” opines Dalpe. “We’ve got some new guys, we’ve got some American guys, and some returning players. Everybody already knows each other already, we’ve done some team bonding experiences, and I think we look pretty good – we look like we’ve got good chemistry already.”

    Joining Learn on the bench will be David Hodgins and Zane Dalpe as offensive co-ordinators, Brayden Bell as defensive co-ordinator and Ken Gough, as equipment manager and trainer.

    “The roster is shaping up pretty good,” reports Learn. “We do have a few older guys and they’re going to be part of our leadership team. The core group is very young … and we do have a learning curve there, but I have faith in this group. They have a lot of passion and we’re all working together as hard as we possibly can and, I think that at this point, that is a great standpoint to move forward with.”

    In net, the Clippers enter the season with three tenders: veteran MJ Schwager, Mason Jacobs, who played with the Six Nations Rebels last season, and rookie Dan Deters, who was named 2024 Warlocks Goalie of the Year in U17. In addition to Murphy, Coffey, and Dalpe, the Clippers floor will be graced with the likes of Ty Myers, Logan Gough, Connor Scott, Adam Lyder, Keegan McIntyre, Ashton Maluske, Michael Diponio, Gage Soulliere, Vance Dalpe, Keegan Bernier, Keagan Drexler, Luke Morin, Ngwiisus Whiteye, Ajinn Vantassel, and Americans Jacob Hunsinger and Kyle Spondike.

    Meanwhile, Owen Arthur, Cahan Lessard-Williams, Jacob Levesque, Gabe Arnett, Sebastian Rail, Nathan Anger, Caleb Whitson, and Liam O’Neill, have all been assigned to the Warlocks U22 squad where they can AP for the Clippers while staying busy.

    The Clippers’ season opened on Thursday, Apr 24 against the London Blue Devils. However, their home opener will take place on Saturday, May 3 at 7 p.m. at Forest Glade Arena against the Owen Sound North Stars.

  • Sabres Spring Into Action!

    Sabres Spring Into Action!

    By Angelo Lucier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter

    A new season is upon us with the Sabres getting off to a fantastic start, especially with their OFSAA winning track team, and dominant baseball team, along with the undefeated Ultimate Frisbee team, and the resilient soccer teams.

     

    Track & Field – The Track & Field season started off strong with a triumphant All-Comers meet by the Sabres. Hosted at Sandwich, the four events showcased were the 100m, 1500m, long jump, and shot put, with medal-winners in all four! In the first track event, the 100m, Junior Girls runner Charlotte Townsend won 1st place, Novice Boy Will Lester got 2nd, and in the senior girls Jaela Bailey and Ella Steel-Douglas came home with gold and silver. In 1500, meanwhile, Senior Girl Leah Shannon placed 1st, Senior Boy Grayson Pitcher received 2nd, Novice Girl Julia Carswell placed 2nd, and in a great junior girl race Alexandra Pardalis and Kallie Zajacz received gold and bronze, respectively. In field events, Adekanye Adedolapo placed 2nd for novice girls long jump, Charlotte Townsend placed 2nd in junior girls, Lucas Tuckey placed 2nd in novice boys shot put, and Ajax Smith placed 2nd in junior boys. After the first meet of the season, the Post asked grade ten athlete Pardalis on the toughness of the season; “Racing and training is often difficult but to persevere and overcome adversity defines who we are as runners.” The OFSAA winning team is looking forward to their future meets, with 2 more All-Comers meets before the WECSSAA Finals!

     

    Boys Baseball – The baseball team has come out the gates dominant, with a combined 18-0 score against their first two opponents – Holy Names and Massey. Both sides of the ball have been extremely successful, led by the pitching prowess of Chase Patterson, Carter Chase, and Jack Brnardic. The boys’ quest for WECSSAA gold continues, as they travel to Leamington to take on Belle River and Riverside this week.

     

    Ultimate Frisbee – The “Sandy Frizz” team’s season started off with a bang, defeating the rival Villanova team with an excellent score of 6-2, and beating Marantha 8-2. The Sabres made plenty of great plays, throwing the frisbee to perfection, and forcing drops of the frisbee from the other team. Their 14 combined scores in two games were impressive, as in their past games, they continued to march into the “end zone” without fail. As they are undefeated, this places the team 1st overall in WECSSAA, as they prepare for more games to come this upcoming week.

     

    Boys Soccer – The senior boys’ soccer, meanwhile, have had a rough season, running into tough teams, including Massey, Villanova, and Holy Names, the latter of which the Sabres

    played strong throughout the game, coming up just short with a score of 1-0 in a nailbiter of a game. It is only halfway through the season, and it is still anyone’s game, with the boys being only one win away from being in position to host a playoff game.

     

    Girls Soccer – The Sandwich senior girls soccer team has gotten off to an unfortunate start, dropping their first two games to Holy Names and St Anne. There were multiple bright spots throughout the matches, with stellar defense, particularly from Aidee Roberts-Maurizio and Vivianna Merlino, the latter of which scoring the Sabres first goal of the season in a free kick against the Saints. The team is looking forward to continuing the season, with only one more game to go until the halfway point.

  • Local Runners Shine at Boston Marathon

    Local Runners Shine at Boston Marathon

    By Matt Weinagrden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter

    A dozen local runners tool part in the 129th running of the Boston Marathon on April 21st 2025.

    “The weather was 50 degrees and sunny with no wind,” said Mike Aubin, a Belle River runner.

    “The crowds were incredible.”

    Richard Ditty, from Woodslee, ran his 13th straight Boston and this was Aubin’s 8th Boston.

    Both men requalified for 2026 Boston Marathon.

    The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the world’s best-known road racing events.

     

    Back row from left; Shawn MacFarlane, Janet Morrice, Deanna Galbraith, Jason Petruniak, Mike Aubin, and Theresa Lukas

    Front row from left; Derek Mulhall, Ashley Meloche, Julie Adoranti, Rich Ditty andGeorge Drew.

  • Meet the Classroom Champions

    Meet the Classroom Champions

    By Matt Weingarden , Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter

    A unique pilot program that started in 2023 in Lakeshore has proven to be a popular choice for local students.

    Classroom Champions empowers children to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. Through the mentorship and mindset of participating world-class athletes, the program is designed to improve student engagement, build growth mindsets, and inspire positive classroom culture.

    “We talk about a lot of topics like goal setting, a sense of community and responsibilities, a healthy lifestyle and emotions,” said teacher Jenn Woodrich, who runs the Lakeshore program.

    Each adult athlete, generally from Ontario, is paired with a class and sends the group a monthly video on a pre-determined topic. The class watches the video and enters into discussion about the topic and the sends its own video feedback to the athlete through the year.

    “An athlete, either an Olympic or Paralympic, has a different mindset which tends to be more developed when it comes to goal setting, handling success and failures,” said Woodrich. “While this is sports related, we’re not training to compete so to speak. These are life building skills we’re learning.

    Typically delivered through school boards and local classrooms, the Lakeshore pilot project was the organization’s first step into community-based programming.

    Woodrich noted that many students in her classroom learn to face their own big issues with resilience, thanks to the tools provided by Classroom Champions lessons and stories shared by their Athlete Mentors. Whether it was learning to manage emotions or tackling academic hurdles, these Athlete Mentors give Jenn’s students the strength to push through their struggles.

    When a world class athlete stands on the podium, the world sees victory – but the real story lies in the confidence connection and resilience that got them there. This championship mindset isn’t just for athletes it’s a powerful blueprint for success in school and beyond. Imagine students learning from the best, gaining life experience/skills like perseverance, discipline, and confidence from inspiring role models who have lived it!

    The program starts in September through March and open to students aged eight to 12. Over 10 weeks, students will participate in weekly classes at the Atlas Tube Recreation Centre. There is a $10 registration fee.

    “This is an important program for today’s youth, especially given the number of challenges out there today,”

    said Woodrich. “I’ve received comment from parents who say that they see a difference in their child’s attitudes. Teachers at school have noticed a difference as well, noting a change in applying problem solving skills.

    To learn more and register for the program, please contact 519-728-2700 ext. 0, email RecInfo@Lakeshore.ca, or visit Lakeshore.ca/ClassroomChamps.

  • Lakeshore Helping Lakeshore – 2nd Annual Spring Food Drive

    Lakeshore Helping Lakeshore – 2nd Annual Spring Food Drive

    By Matt Weingarden , Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter

    The Lakeshore Helping Lakeshore organization was overwhelmed by the incredible outpouring of love, generosity, and community spirit shown during their 2nd Annual Spring Food Drive benefiting the Community Support Centre of Essex County.

    The group collected a remarkable amount of donations to stock the local food bank! In addition to receiving many of the specific items requested, they also gathered just over $580 in generous cash donations.

    “We cannot thank you all enough for coming together as a community today and making such a huge difference!” read a heartfelt message on the group’s Facebook page.

    “Special thanks to Paul Lajoie and Larissa Vogler. And a big thank you to our amazing volunteers! We had the privilege of working with several incredible local teens who were a tremendous help throughout the day. We’ve got some truly wonderful kids here in Lakeshore, that’s for sure!”

    Sincere appreciation also goes out to Rymerson’s YIG, Atlas Tube staff, Lighthouse Cove Variety, Stevenson’s Transportation, Belle River Legion Branch 399, BR Vape, Comber Library, Emeryville Post Office, FACCA INC., Good Neighbour Club, Noble Champions Group – NCG Wrestling, Pet Valu, St. Joachim Post Office, Stoney Point Library, Your Wooden Treehouse, Wayne White’s Fresh Meats & Deli, and Windsor Pure & Clean H2O To Go!

    A big thank you to Mayor Tracey Bailey and the dedicated volunteers from the Goodfellows, who helped unload and sort the many generous donations received.

    “And a never-ending thank you to each and every one of you who support us every day! Together, we truly can—and are—making a difference!”

  • Essex OPP’s Jim Chauvin Carries the Torch for Canada at Special Olympics in Italy

    Essex OPP’s Jim Chauvin Carries the Torch for Canada at Special Olympics in Italy

    By Ken Pastushyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter

    Essex OPP Constable Jim Chauvin was selected as one of five law enforcement officers to represent Canada at the World Special Olympics Winter Games Final Leg torch run in Turin, Italy this year running from February 23 to March 9.

     

    Like all Olympic torch runs, it began in Athens. The next day the torch was flown to

    Rome for a special blessing at the Vatican. Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica was one of the

    highlights of Chauvin’s trip.

     

    “It was absolutely stunning!” said Chauvin referring to the altar at St. Peter’s Cathedral

    “Gorgeous!”

     

    Another religious experience for Chauvin was seeing the famous Sacred Shroud of

    Turin during three days of sightseeing.

     

    Chauvin was part of a contingent of 90 law enforcement officers, mostly from the United

    States. They all stayed at a retrofitted hotel and shopping centre, formerly a Fiat test

    track. Turin is headquarters to Fiat Motors in Italy and heritage cars like the 1936

    “Topolino,” the 1957 Nuovo 500, the 1971 Fiat 127, the 1972 Dino and the 1980 Fiat

    Panda were on display outside the complex.

     

    As well-known as Fiat’s sport-utility cars is the Italian cuisine.

     

    “Lots of gelato, cannoli, pasta and pizza,” said Chauvin who compared the wood-fired

    Pizza pies to those of Oven 360’s Neapolitan-style pizza. “I also tried my first espresso.”

     

    Chauvin also watched his first professional soccer match in person at the home of

    Juventus F. C. in the Serie A division. At halftime, eight athletes, who were members of the final leg team along with four torch runners were escorted onto the soccer pitch.

     

    The torch run to promote Special Olympics is why law enforcement officials are in

    Turin.

     

    The five-day journey of carrying the torch through the Piedmont region of the Italian

    Alps began on March 1. Chauvin said law officers wrote the badge numbers with a felt pen

    on their running shoes of two Virginia Beach police officers who were killed in the line of

    duty prior to coming to Italy. One of Chauvin’s teammates is a Virginia Beach officer.

     

    There was a total of eight torch run teams. Each team of 10-11 had an Italian officer, an

    Athlete and eight or nine more officers from around the world.

     

    Two runners, one officer and one athlete, would hold the torch high in the air and run approximately 100 metres. It would continuously be passed on to two more runners for three kilometres in each town.

     

    After each run officers and athletes would be greeted by local dignitaries, school children

    and Moly the Mole, the mascot of the Turin Games at all the town squares. This was

    done twice a day in 10 different countryside towns like Bardonecchia, Cueno and Novara.

     

    The ski resort town of Colle Sestriere, near the French border was another was a stop

    for the torch runners. It was also the venue for alpine skiing at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics.

    The opening ceremonies for the 2025 Turin Special Olympics were inside the Inalpi Arena,

    also the venue for ice hockey in 2006.

     

    During the opening dinner, Chauvin gave a speech about what Special Olympics means

    to him. On March 8, he was invited to speak again at a Coca-Cola bottling plant in Turin.

    Coca-Cola is a major sponsor of the Turin Games.

     

    “We can’t do it without our sponsors,” said Chauvin. “Even just local donors help, every

    dollar counts across Canada.”

     

    Chauvin said the Windsor Polar Plunge had lots of sponsors like Caesars Windsor,

    Unifor 444 and 200 along with St. Clair College.

     

    On the last day, a Polar Plunge event was held in Turin where the final leg team raised an incredible $350,000 U.S. for Special Olympics.

     

    “A big part of it is just getting the word out,” said Chauvin. “Over the years besides

    participating in torch runs, I’ve organized torch rides, NHL alumni games, grocery

    packings. These are some of the ways we raise funds for Special Olympics.”

     

    And Chauvin has been raising funds and getting the word out since 2001with the Essex

    Police Department. In 2009, he continued as a local coordinator with the OPP and becoming a zone co-coordinator for Southwestern Ontario. He was on the

    provincial operations committee for six years before returning to a local representative

    again in 2023.

     

    Chauvin applied for a spot to the final leg team, voted on by the operations committee and had the honour of being selected.

     

    Asked about some of his memorable moments in Turin, Chauvin answered…

     

    “Oh gosh, just meeting the officers and athletes from around the world,” said Chauvin.

     

    There were 90 athletes representing Canada during the Turin Games. Chauvin met with

    many of them during his last night in Turin. One was Brianna Williams from Windsor who

    won a Level Five (six being the highest) gold medal in the combined male/female figure

    skating competition.

     

    “It’s all about inclusion and equality. That’s what they are looking for,” said Chauvin.

  • Canadiens Reflect on Strong Season After Playoff Exit to Rival Essex 73s

    By John Humphrey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter

    The season-ending Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) play-off series loss to the arch-rival Essex 73s in no way overshadows what was another successful regular season and post-season run for the Lakeshore Canadiens.

    “We had very good regular season and a very good play-off and we had no bad issues at all,” claimed long-time Canadiens general manager Mark Seguin. “I’ve been with the Canadiens for about twenty years and 90 per cent of the time it comes down to us and Essex in the finals. Sometimes you come out on top and sometimes you don’t, and you have to tip your hat to whoever beats you.

    “The competitive side of yourself might get mad if you don’t perform as well as you were planning for but at the end of the day you have to put everything into perspective,” he continued. “For us, we had a great season overall.”

    The Canadiens had a stellar 35-7-record in the PJHL’s Stobbs Division in the regular season, finishing in second place only to the 73s and the two powerhouse clubs split the four-game regular season series. A play-off run saw the defending Schmalz Cup champions from Lakeshore sweep their first two post-season series (going 8-0 in the process) before losing to the 73s in six games in the Stobbs Division final.

    The Canadiens opened the PJHL playoffs this spring against the Dresden Junior Kings.

    “Against Dresden everything went according to plan and we were able to get everyone into the games and we ended it in four straight,” said Seguin. “Dresden gave us a battle, but they were overmatched.”

    The Canadiens then took on the Amherstburg Admirals, a team they had not faced in the PJHL playoffs for many years, in the second round of the post season this spring.

    “Amherstburg improved a lot over the course of the regular season and they carried that momentum into the playoffs,” said Seguin. “But our talent, depth and experience were huge for us and we were able to sweep them in four games too.”

    After eight straight wins, the stage was set for the inevitable showdown with the 73s.

    “It was an up and down series for us and we certainly did not play our best at times,” admitted Seguin. “And other times we turned it on and we were very difficult to play against.

    “If we reflect on the entire series, it all came down to came four,” he continued. “We were up 2-1 in games and we were coming home and we dominated the first period of game four when we had three breakaways and a four-minute powerplay and we were not able to score.”

    The 73s then promptly opened the scoring in the second period enroute to a 2-0 win on March 28 before also taking the next two games to claim the Stobbs playoff crown in six contests.

    In the big picture, while the Canadiens did fall short of their usual lofty play-offs goals in the spring of 2025, expect the team to reload quickly for the 2025-2026 PJHL season.

    “While we do have 15-16 players who are eligible to return next season, we do lose our top five scorers,” Seguin admitted. “While we will have to add some players who will have to help us out scoring next season, our defence will be strong and and we do have both goalies (Boe Piroski and Hunter Welk) coming back.”

    Four of the Canadiens top scorers who are graduating include overage players Trevor Larue, Eric Bisson, Marco Sladoje and Bryce Scarlett while the other high-scoring forward who will not be returning to Lakeshore in the fall is rookie Nicolas Rosati, a Windsor Spitfire draft pick (11th round in 2024) who will likely be playing with the junior b LaSalle Vipers this fall. Defenceman Josh Cyrenne, who also played as an over ager in 2024-2025, has also graduated.

    “That core of overage players has been one of the most successful in Canadiens franchise history,” claimed Seguin. “As a group, they won three Stobbs Division titles and two Schmalz Cups.”

    Rosati, who scored 25 goals s and added 47 assists in 42 regular season games before notching 20 points in the Canadiens’ 14 post-season contests, also won the first-ever Doug Kennedy Memorial Rookie of the Year Award as the top first-year player in the entire PJHL.

    “Nicholas had one of the best seasons for a 16-year-old that I’ve seen in this league for a long, long time,” Seguin claimed. “He is a great player and a great kid.

    “He will play at the junior b level as a minimum next season, and I would not be surprised to see him playing for the Spitfires not long after that.”

    Next up on the agenda for the Lakeshore Canadiens is the team’s mini-camp.

    “We are all set for May 20 and 22 at the Atlas Tube Centre,” said Seguin. “And then we will have another camp at the beginning of August.

    “It’s going to be recruit, recruit, recruit this off-season,”