Columnists

Heritage

Posted: Mar 13, 2015 at 8:45 am   /   Columnists

Much the same as we are the product of our life experiences— both good and bad—modern Western society is the sum of the knowledge of its early civilizations. The early empires of the Fertile Crescent benefited from the flood plains between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which were rich and ideal for growing crops. These […]

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Riding the Ritz cracker

Posted: Mar 13, 2015 at 8:40 am   /   Columnists

Did you see the news photograph a couple of years back of Vladimir Putin, shirtless, astride a horse? And—without meaning to draw you out as to your age—do you remember the infamous 1974 photograph, taken during the federal election campaign, of Robert Stanfield dropping the football—although nothing was published showing him make several successful catches? […]

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On the road

Posted: Mar 13, 2015 at 8:38 am   /   Columnists

What the H E double hot patch is going on with our county roads? This past weekend, LOML and I spent a bit of quality time in the car. Forty-five minutes of our five-hour drive to CFB Borden was spent getting out of the County. Forty-five gutwrenching, cheek-clenching, tooth-loosening minutes on poorly maintained pavement, courtesy […]

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The kid from Ameliasburgh

Posted: Mar 6, 2015 at 8:55 am   /   Columnists

There was an element of euphoria around the B B & T Center in Sunrise, Florida before the start of the game last Thursday night. The Chicago Blackhawks were in town to face the Florida Panthers. Earlier in the day, it had been announced that the Panthers had traded the New Jersey Devils a couple […]

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Worldwide wine

Posted: Mar 6, 2015 at 8:52 am   /   Columnists

Due to increased demand for a better selection, today we enjoy access to wines from around the world, This explosion in interest for wine began in the late 1960s, as Europe finally recovered from the devastation of World War II. In the UK for example, wine was consumed only in restaurants, clubs, and hotels— rarely […]

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Drifting

Posted: Mar 6, 2015 at 8:50 am   /   Columnists

The wind is in some big hurry. Hell-bound to sweep every last dusting of snow off the rigid stubs of cornfields; more like wishful thinking as I focus on the tree line. Over there, beyond the hedgerows that hold down the ragged line of cedar rails, where I spot a snowy owl through the damp […]

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Come on up!

Posted: Mar 6, 2015 at 8:48 am   /   Columnists

Last week’s column talked about the opportunities the low dollar provided to Canadians seeking to start businesses in the US. This week, we’re going to look at the opportunities here in Canada. The County in particular. We’re going to talk tourism. When the loonie is laid low, Canadians are more inclined to stay home, because […]

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H E double….

Posted: Mar 6, 2015 at 8:47 am   /   Columnists

During a recent excursion to a local grocery store, I was asked why I didn’t use the phrase, “what the H E double hockey sticks” in my columns anymore. I said perhaps I hadn’t had a really good rant brewing. Don’t get me wrong, there have been a few times when I’ve blown a gasket […]

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Vintage virtuosos

Posted: Feb 27, 2015 at 8:49 am   /   Columnists

The present position of a sommelier dates back to the wine stewards of the Pharaoh’s court, who documented the quality of vintages for their masters. It’s been a long road since. During the Middle Ages, wine buyers and cellar masters ensured that the yearly wine requirements of European courts were purchased and laid down. Prior […]

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Hitting the bullseye

Posted: Feb 27, 2015 at 8:42 am   /   Columnists

A passel of investors from Manitoba are hoping they have hit a bullseye with their latest project. “We figured it out pretty quickly, over a beer at the local curling rink,” says Wilf Germondsey, a Winnipeg insurance broker. “We were shooting the breeze about new ideas for franchises, retail stores, fast food joints and such […]

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