We moved from Toronto when my wife accepted a full time permanent position in Chatham. We always had hopes of coming back to Southwestern Ontario because we had spent 3 years in Windsor attending school. I opened my own legal practice in the areas of employment, human rights, and workers' compensation law (WSIB). The legal community here has been quite welcoming. I also quickly discovered that being in Chatham has also made me accessible to clients in both Windsor and London.
In 2022, my wife and I did a pro bono case together at the Federal Court of Canada. The case was about workers' health (particularly migrant farm workers) in their workplaces as it relates to pesticide use. The two of us worked well together on that project, and decided to join forces afterward. Since I opened Dimeski Law, we have seen a demand from employees and workers in the Chatham-Kent area for our legal services, so to have my wife join the team with her unique training and experience is an asset. We enjoy the opportunity to combine our mutual passions.
I, alongside several other lawyers, created Lawyer's Feed the Hungry - Chatham-Kent Chapter. The group has hosted two Bowl-a-thon fundraisers for Hope Haven. There was a great turnout at our first Bowl-a-thon fundraiser and we just finished the second annual event recently. The local businesses and attendees were generous, and with the support of the Chatham-Kent community, we raised over $3,000 for Hope Haven to help with their hunger relief efforts. The Bowl-a-thon is open to members of the public and the community. Every year we also have opportunities for local businesses to sponsor a bowling lane at this event or to provide prizes for the draw.
Since settling in Chatham-Kent, I've found a new passion in beekeeping. A friend introduced me to a local farmer who has agreed to host my bee hive on his farm. While the bees have a good place for shelter, water, and pollen, they also contribute to the local ecosystem. Our family and friends are excited to enjoy our own honey this summer. There are many local beekeepers in the area, so I encourage anyone reading this to find one and taste the local honey. It is delicious and such a benefit to the local ecosystem and farms.
We continue to take advantage of the natural beauty Chatham-Kent has to offer. It still feels surreal how close we are to provincial parks where we can easily go for an enjoyable walk with our dog Maximus, smell the campfire, gaze at the sky full of stars and the Milky Way, and hear the waves on the beaches of Lake Erie. These days, we particularly enjoy visiting Erieau for the open space and beautiful scenery. We continue to ride our motorcycle in and around Chatham-Kent. We attended the annual Hogs for Hospice at Point Pelee National Park once again in 2023, and plan to do it again this year. We also love spending time at the local library. In addition to books, they have so many different items for patrons to borrow, including gear for outdoor activities such as provincial and national park passes, snowshoes, and family games.
Choosing CK to call home was the right decision for us.
