A Spotlight on Manitoulin Living: June 2006

 
Derek and Rosie Malacek, with their golden retriever Chester, enjoying their retirement on beautiful Manitoulin Island.

May 2006 (Assiginack) -- My wife Rosie and I were both born in Czechoslovakia. After the Russian invasion in 1968, we left for England where we lived and worked. In 1972, we travelled to Canada and visited friends of Czechoslovakian descent who settled in Vancouver, BC. During this time we fell in love with the Canadian beauty and as a result, made our decision to make Canada our home.

In 1973, we went to the Canadian Consulate in London England and applied for landed immigrant status. Our application was approved and in March of 1974, we relocated to Windsor Ontario where Rosie pursued her career as an Accountant at St. Clair College and I accepted employment at International Tools as a Tool Shop Manager (mechanical engineer with tool making background).

In 1976, having interests in outdoor life, Rosie and I began to venture northbound to enjoy our summer vacations in northern Ontario. We discovered Manitoulin Island while returning to Windsor from a northern Ontario vacation and were immediately captivated by its beauty and environment. We started thinking that if there were properties available that met our needs we would be interested. By sheer luck, a few years later, we learned through some friends that a woman was selling her property on lake Manitou. We came; we saw it and we bought it. That was in 1984. We used our summer cottage for annual vacations and every time there was a long weekend, we’d sneak north to enjoy the atmosphere as much as we could.

We became acquainted with a lot of local people, which confirmed our love for the Island and people. My wife and I decided that this was the place that we’d like to spend the rest of our lives and planned our retirement for the Island. In 1994, we tore down our old camp and started building our dream house.

Finally in 1999, we retired to lake Manitou just outside the community of Manitowaning. A lot of our friends asked us before retirement, what about healthcare? What about shopping? What about entertainment? Because we already did our homework, we knew what we were getting into. Our decision was final and irrevocable. We found out that everything we expected on Manitoulin Island was true. The healthcare is excellent. As far as entertainment is concerned, one has to decide what he or she wants to do - it’s personal preference. Today’s technology allows us to educate and entertain ourselves through the Internet no matter where you are. With respect to shopping, of course it cannot be compared to major centres such as Windsor where we formerly lived and worked but we have no problem accessing everyday necessities and now we enjoy a more personalized service locally.

Many of our friends that visit mainly during summer months are pleasantly surprised how we both are doing. For that the answer is very simple, we are enjoying Manitoulin’s beauty, clean air, friendliness of locals, and above all, a stress free life.

Some of the most beautiful occasions on Lake Manitou, can be experienced in late summer when the sky is dark and you are watching the stars - you feel like you can almost touch them. Watching the northern lights and listening to loon song across the water also adds to the wonder of the Island. Those beautiful moments add many years to our lives. A couple of favourite pastimes include playing the violin with friends in one of the local churches, inspiring local economic development, fishing and tending our vegetable garden.

To retire on Manitoulin Island, having a pet is a must. Our golden retriever Chester fulfills all expectations and he adds a lot of pleasure to our lives. The vet service is excellent on Manitoulin, which was one of our worries prior to settling here. Rosie enjoys a lot of activities - primarily walking with our dog on the many beautiful nature trails, spending time with neighbours and friends, attending nearby fitness classes and reading books borrowed from the well stocked local library. There is a lot to do for both of us, though its never hectic. I should also mention that there is a well organized Horticultural Society of interest to people who enjoy flowers and gardening.

We found that since moving here, friends from Windsor, London, Vancouver, Huntington West Virginia and Santa Rosa California, USA who all have visited, are now exploring the possibility of retiring here. Last summer, a young couple that visited from our native country (now the Czech Republic) were also quite struck by the beauty of Manitoulin Island.

We experience a strong bond of community amongst our neighbours and feel safe and comfortable in our environment. All visitors were amazed at the value of available lakefront properties compared to other regions that are within an afternoons drive.

A few years ago, I was approached by the Ford Motor Company to help establish a new tool shop in the Czech Republic. I took on this assignment for almost one year and while away, I continually missed Manitoulin. This experience reminded me of how special the Island is and how glad we are to be retired here – in one of the most beautiful places on this planet.

If you want to spend your golden years happily and without harassment in a beautiful environment, and very likely prolong your life - that’s Manitoulin. Another thing to remember is that there is really no such thing as Rush Hour on Manitoulin Island and there’s only one traffic light!

This fall, Rosie and I look forward to curling for first time at the local curling club and maybe we will try some golfing at the local golf club in the summer.
 

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