The Hub August 2015 | Page 4

CONNECTING Ah, midsummer - a time when the days are long, the nights alive with the hum of cicadas, and we’ve finally settled into a seasonal swing of relaxation and recreation. Time at work is balanced with time at play, and even those who aren’t “on vacation” move a little slower and savour the moments the summer brings. Here at The Hub, we typically have no trouble embracing the summer mindset. Unfortunately though, in late July Murphy’s Law reared its ugly head and a series of unfortunate events in our personal lives kept us on our toes. Luckily, a few things helped us hang onto our zen and bring you the fullest issue of The Hub we’ve ever published. One of those things was our firm commitment to focusing on the important things in life and our willingness to reach out to those around us for help. Our core team members - and our families and friends - really stepped up, helping with a number of odds and ends involved in putting together this great magazine, and reminding us that they could be called upon for assistance. The other was this great community of ours. The Hub’s mission, as you know, is to bring people, ideas and resources together. We consistently celebrate those in our area who are engaged in positive action. I’m happy to say that the events of the last two weeks have only reaffirmed my belief that there’s a whole lot to be celebrated. Not once during the trials and tribulations of July have I ever wished I lived anywhere else. But of course, I’m not surprised. On Birthday Cake Day at the market in July we got to meet and speak with more than 100 of you, a small sampling that was representative of the great enthusiasm and support that sometimes hides in plain sight here in Windsor-Essex. We heard about new ideas, caught up on the progress of existing community ventures and just generally had a good time. It was a wonderful day! As we move into summer’s final chapter, we hope each and every one of you makes the most of the month of August. Our features and columns are sure to help you do that, and our calendar points the way to dozens of awesome community events for you to enjoy. We’ll see you in September!! Somewhere between my yard and that of the neighbour's, an agitated bug decided to teach me a lesson. I suppose it's the bug's territory that I've been invading, turning the hose on the sun-parched impatiens and thirsty tomatoes regardless of the time of day. I should have been more careful, respectful of the home which the flowers and veg were occupying. But being the preoccupied human on a mission that I was, I bolted into the yard, turned on the spigot and pointed the full force of the water toward the perimeters of the garden. The wilting plants may have been relieved but the flying insects were not. Most days they informed me that I wasn't welcome by diving dangerously close to my head. I swatted, moved several feet, but continued my quest to keep the living things alive while the neighbours were away. I was stung or bitten or whatever else can happen when an angry insect meets a tender part of the arm. I developed a rash, it got bigger. A doctor prescribed antibiotics. They didn't help. At the time of this writing I'm rubbing calendula salve into my sore arm while starting a course of new antibiotics. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's been acquainted with biting insects this summer but I am a human of Windsor and that's my story. If you want to read more real stories about the people of Windsor Essex you should check out HOW, Humans of Windsor. Taken after a similar idea that sprung up in New York City, it tells stories of real people like you and me. In the meantime, read about the jewel of the Detroit River, Peche Island and the popularity of Comic cons, in this month's issue of The Hub. By the time we touch bases next month, I hope the bug story is but a distant memory and you've had a summer full of your own stories to tell. Shelley Managing Editors Please direct advertising or subscription inquiries to [email protected] Eva Antonel Shelley Divnich Haggert Contributors Alex Antonel, 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 - August 2015 Eva 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 Inc. & Audacity Design Group Inc. Articles and advertisements in The Hub do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the