Warmth for the soul
Winter is a time for hibernation and rejuvenatio—not only for animals and humans, but also for plants. In wine country, vines go into dormancy, recharging until that true harbinger of spring, when buds break. Vineyards begin winter work as soon as the vines lose the last of their leaves: pruning the old wood, and leaving […]
Helmer begins coaching career
I went into the Peterborough Petes’ dressing room area after their recent game against the Belleville Bulls to search out my friend Bryan Helmer. He was immersed in post-game discussions with various team officials, including coach Jody Hull. I basically dragged Helmer out of the room, and down the hall, past the curtain that keeps […]
2013 Year in Review
As is customary when the old year passes and the new year begins, the Times looks back over the year that was. Most staff are home with their families at this point, so that it falls to the most junior guy in the pecking order, namely me, to write the story based on old archives, […]
The twelfth day of Christmas
On Christmas Day afternoon, my granddaughter looked under the tree and offered, “Christmas is over.” Any five-year-old would have agreed with her. All of the presents had been opened, stockings had been unstuffed and Grandpa was doing the rounds of the carpets with the tinsel-sucker. Her little face was pretty sorrowful. She’d been through weeks […]
Christmas bird count: swans a swimming
The ice shifts close to the shoreline off Huyck’s Point: Nicholson and Scotch Bonnet islands lie moored to a slate horizon; at Consecon creek, three swans shelter beneath the bridge by Pigtail Lane. This freezing rain affair has made a spectacle of the landscape: the pines bow from the heavens to the ice-fields below; the […]
Port passage
Wheels of Stilton cheese, rich steamed pudding and Christmas cake feature prominently this time of year in the British Isles. Little wonder that sales of all types of port seem to spike at Christmas: the seasonal bill of fare demands that additional little something to sate the appetite. A decanter of port is almost invariably […]
Panthers on a roll
Last Thursday, the Florida Panthers continued their road trip to Ottawa. They entered the nation’s capital on a bit of a roll, with six wins in their last 10 games. They have a couple of key players missing from the lineup at this time, and that is bound to make a difference. Tim Thomas has […]
Shivering in the dark
Power’s out. It’s 16 degrees in the dining room. Power has been off for about 14 hours. It’s Sunday. The sky is dull and the rain/snow continues to glaze the roads and power lines. I’ve had a half-cup of Cheerios, half a banana and a hint of milk for breakfast. There are four adults and […]
A promise of light
Winter solstice should be a time to reflect on our fragile existence upon a planet placed in the Goldilocks belt of the Solar System. Fifty kilometers northwest of Dublin is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Newgrange. Built over 5,000 years ago by farming communities working the fertile plains of the region, this Neolithic monument […]
Blackhawks get caught napping
I am quite certain that teams do not lose NHL games intentionally. Just the opposite, in fact. When it comes down to it, every game is important. I get a little tired of hearing people say that they are hockey fans, then add that they only watch the playoffs, because that’s when players really play […]