The Hub September 2015 | Page 4

CONNECTING By the time I write this message to our readers every month, every ‘i’ has been dotted and every ’t’ crossed on the rest of our pages (I hope.) We’ve spent days and weeks brainstorming, assigning, editing, gathering information and photos to put together the issue of The Hub we want to share with all of you. It’s usually only then - while Eva waits patiently and everything is ready to go - that I pop open a new blank document in Pages and start to compose the thoughts that ultimately end up in this space. Not that those thoughts haven’t been running around inside my head for at least several days. But translating them into perfect prose just gets shifted down the priority list as we go through our publishing process, until finally I feel I can now give them 100 per cent of my attention. If this were a traditional magazine, the ink on this particular column would barely be dry when it reaches you on the first of the month. But of course, we’re not a traditional magazine - and isn’t that wonderful? Thanks to technology, we’re able to bring you interesting ideas and stories in a way that honours our magazine roots and then takes it one step further - we link you directly to our advertisers and resources, provide paths to videos and details we can’t fit into the bounds of a story and deliver it all in the most convenient way possible - via your smartphone, tablet or computer. You can read it, save it and share it just as easily, all absolutely free. And this makes you - the reader - and not this column, the final step in this monthly venture. For as much as we and our entire team have worked to bring the community together, it’s ultimately all about you - the fascinating, interesting and supportive readers of Windsor-Essex. A wheel needs a hub - but it also needs spokes to keep turning. That’s why we’re so thankful for all the information you share with us - and equally thankful to you for passing along the information you see here. You’ve got a great issue in front of you - lots to read and experience on some great ideas. As we all get ready for back to school - even if school is no longer part of your September - we hope you’ll enjoy this month’s “study” of the community you’re a part of. We had a great time putting it together - now it’s your turn to have a great time reading it. See you in October! Between Art in the Park, Pride Fest, Rib Fest and Corn Fest, summer has come and almost gone. On a wider scale, Wimbledon 2015 is history, the World Series is creeping ever closer and a new hockey season is knocking at our door. The kids are living it up one last week before school, cottages are given a last once over and pools are drained and wrapped for another season. Is it just me or do the months between May and September fly by faster than any other? Here at The Hub we've seen our share of ups and downs this summer as life continues to surprise us and keep us on our toes. But, as all of you do as well, we've managed to survive, learn and thrive. Wounds have healed, bones are on the mend and shaken spirits have been reminded of the goodness of people when push comes to shove. The name of the game is perseverance and hope. In the throngs of a federal election, here and across the border, we are reminded daily to re-examine our values and to learn from the past. We read, we listen, we ask questions. They don't have to be far reaching or philosophical. If we focus on asking what it means to be a good friend, neighbour and member of our community, the bigger issues will take care of themselves. This is our task as we work on every issue of The Hub; to ask questions, to peer beyond the obvious, to encourage curiosity about the place we call home and to re-evaluate what it is that we want for our future. As you look through the pages of this issue of The Hub, we hope some of your questions will be answered, that new ones spring to mind, that you'll be inspired to consider ideas you haven't before and most of all that you'll enjoy the break from the constant barrage of political jargon aimed to sway your vote. Eva Shelley Managing Editors Please direct advertising or subscription inquiries to [email protected] Eva Antonel Shelley Divnich Haggert Contributors Alex Antonel, Dan Gray, Angelica Haggert, Michael Haggert, Sean Previl, Justin Prince Windsor Essex County Health Unit Connect With Us! [email protected] facebook.com/thehubwindsoressex @TheHubWE 4 The HUB - September 2015 Copyright 2015 The Write Side Up Inc. & Audacity Design Group Inc. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the publishers. The Hub is published 11 times a year by The Write Side Up In