Tag Archives: Niagara

From the Publisher May/June 2017

ClubWest

(To view our May/June 2017 issue of ClubWEST online, click here.)

“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”
– Benjamin Franklin

Magazines, unlike their industry sisters, newspapers, can often have themes which harmonize pages from cover to cover.

This edition of ClubWest does not follow that scheme in the slightest. In fact, it is probably about as diverse as could be conjured from the topics in Niagara West.

What can be said about the Coutts that has not already been said. Simply lovely people who have as dedicated a passion forhistory and their Nelles Manor as they possess for the Town of Grimsby itself. Absolutely deserving of their Grimsby & District Chamber of Commerce honour. Good on the Chamber for recognizing them as well as Junior Citizen Neha Gulati.

While the Coutts feature drips of history and interesting story lines, Diala Canelo is at the opposite end of the feature spectrum – working mom travelling the world as a flight attendant, who happens to a highly trained foodie.

She has managed to combine those two areas of interest to become a bit of an internet sensation who is about to parlay years of groundwork into a cookbook.

For an interesting twist on top of all that, the author of that piece, Isabella Gilmore, just happens to be Diala’s daughter.

Isabella will be working with me for the next few months and will continue with her post-GSS studies at Sheridan College’s journalism program this fall. She offers an excellent first piece and her mom should be very proud.

Down the middle of these two polar opposites, you have the Dunns who, after nearly three decades on Grimsby’s Main Street plying their trade in the jewellery business have opted to retire. In speaking with Rob and Pat last month it is clear they still have the passion, but the timing was right, and good for them.

It was interesting to hear them relate the transitions in their industry which have emerged over their careers: supply chain dwindling, technology, sales habits and more.

Their comment about consumers having less interest in quality in favour of lower prices is a universal cry of most craftsmen who are finding the going significantly more difficult. If the 90s were considered the start of a disposable society, today that atmosphere has exponentially grown.

Toss in a little fishing expertise from Brent Bochek – along with a little culinary spice from chef Jan-Willem Stulp and we have another successful recipe for and excellent read covering all things homegrown right here in Niagara West. Enjoy!

Publisher, ClubWest Magazine
Mike Williscraft

New horizons

ClubWest

(To view our March/April 2017 issue of ClubWEST online, click here.)

Tonya Verbeek ~ Canada’s most-decorated Olympic wrestler of all time ~ now sets her sights on coaching excellence leading Team Canada

By Mike Williscraft

Teaching was always something Tonya Verbeek could see herself doing.

The 39-year-old Beamsville native will get an opportunity to do just that in an area that is her passion thanks to Wrestling Canada Lutte naming her an international coach for Team Canada.

“There was some restructuring at Wrestling Canada and the previous coach in the high-performance division was shifted to a new post, which made room for me,” said Verbeek, who retired from competition after her silver medal performance at the London Olympics in 2012.

“Teaching has always been part of my plan. I went back to help with Brock University’s program and did some high school substitute teaching for the District School Board of Niagara. I still have the passion for wrestling and want to pass that on.”

When the appointment was released early in February, Verbeek wasted little time jumping in with both feet.

She was off to Paris, France on tour with the national team. Then it was off to Sweden at the end of the month.

These competitions, which also include training camps, acclimatize team members to travel and a tournament regimen. That discipline is one of the keys Verbeek hopes to instill in her wrestling pupils.

“I consider myself a firm coach, but I want them to trust their hearts. I was in competition right up to just four years ago, so I think I have a very good understanding of what they are going through and dealing with. I can put myself in their shoes,” said Verbeek.

“My strength was as a technical wrestler and those technical elements are what I stress. It is very important. Fundamentals, that is the biggest part of my philosophy.”

And in wrestling in particular, when the entire match is a test of wills, the mental side is also crucial.

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For the complete article, click here for Club West Online.

From the Publisher March/April 2017

ClubWest

(To view our March/April 2017 issue of ClubWEST online, click here.)

“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”
– Benjamin Franklin

This edition is dominated by two very different champions.

While they both have performed right at the top of two very different sports, they both have similarities.

Key among those championship traits is heart.

You can’t coach that into a person and you cannot train it into a race horse.

Tonya Verbeek, a self-described technician of wrestling, showed time and time again during her illustrious career that her undying will to win helped her overcome some excellent quality competition. The result of which placed her on podium after podium around the world.

For Modern Legend, a harness racing millionaire owned by Grimsby’s Dave Drew who has trained out of Vineland all his career, he has managed to remain competitive at the highest levels of harness racing thanks in large part to the patience displayed by Mr. Drew, his owner, breeder, trainer and swimming coach.

In 30-plus years as a journalist, countless stories have been “penned” by this scribe. When it comes to winners, heart may be the only truly common characteristic on any consistent basis.

There are athletes in all disciplines who have unbelievable talent, gifts for which many would die.

Granted, they may do quite well, but intestinal fortitude always puts them over the top. If you follow any sport it is quite likely you can think of several examples.

The whole point of this ClubWest Magazine is to tell the story’s of great things being done right on our own backyard and of things being done by people who are from this area. Tonya’s exploits are known around the globe due to her efforts in competitions all around the world and Modern Legend put Niagara on the map for a North American audience thanks to his racing prowess in Canada and the U.S.

Both are ambassadors in their own way. Both are entering different phases of their careers.

Tonya is now on her way as a Canadian wrestling coach, and good on her! When you work as long and hard as she did, it is great to see someone like that get a break and be able to continue on in a path she clearly relishes.

Modern Legend, now nine years old, is on the back-end of his racing career, but due to Dave’s stewardship he is still in great shape, so he may have a bullet or two left in that racing gun. One thing is certain, both are wished the absolute best in their future endeavours!

Publisher, ClubWest Magazine
Mike Williscraft