POOCHed
I have, until now, avoided writing about the erosion and potential disappearance of our local hospital. I’ve skirted the big issue, not because I don’t care, but because I do care and I don’t want to misstep. Do you know what I mean? My reasons for maintaining and supporting our local hospital as a vital […]
Corked
What do you do if—after you uncork a bottle of wine —you suspect it is flawed? The initial tasting will tell whether the wine is correct. If you bought the wine in the L.C.B.O, they have a decent return policy. If you are dining in a restaurant, do not hesitate to inform your waiter. Restaurants […]
Let the playoffs begin
The regular season has concluded; the playoffs have arrived. The Florida Everblades of the ECHL have begun their quest to repeat as champions of the league. Last May, in overtime, they defeated the Las Vegas Wranglers to win their first Kelly Cup. For team owner Craig Brush, it was a relief. The team struggled through […]
Luscious looking red vases
The new Arts Trail/Taste Trail flipbook came out a few days ago, with the cover a knockout photograph of some luscious-looking red vases blown by Wellington’s own Mark Armstrong. Good for you, Mark. And Wellington is well— but not exhaustively—represented by the inclusion in the flipbook of the studios or galleries of Margaret McFetridge, Pamela […]
Grace under pressure
If you’ve ever worked for a living, you’ve been in the customer service business. Yes, you have. You don’t have to be the owner of a business and you don’t have to be at the customer service counter or at any counter, for that matter. Customer service is what makes or breaks a lot of […]
Contemplating a boot
I have a favourite pair of hiking boots. We’ve travelled well together for over two decades. Labrador mountains; prairie dirt; ocean to ocean. They’ve given loyal service but the day has come when my friendly boots need attention. I discover Jean François Lapointe: Cobbler. He’s working on a pair of auburn cowboy boots in a […]
Matthias leads the prowling cats
Bill Lindsay works as a colour commentator for the Florida Panthers. His partner is Steve Goldstein, and they complement each other quite nicely. Lindsay takes a fair amount of good-natured ribbing from Goldstein, and laughs it off easily. Lindsay played for the Panthers in the team’s inaugural seasons, and has been around the NHL many […]
Fear not the sediment
Last week we addressed the common occurrence of tartrates in wine. This week we will examine why wines have sediment The initial sediment that forms in wine is called the “lees.” It is composed of dead yeast cells, stems, skins and other solid matter that settles to the bottom of the tanks during fermentation. Winemakers […]
Bring me sunshine
Sometimes, you just have to tip your hat to government for opening the windows and letting the sunshine in, however much glare it causes. For instance, it’s been a perverse pleasure to follow the legislative committee hearings on the gas plant cancellations—a pleasure in the same way you just knew the Watergate hearings, tragic though […]
Parfait!
Faultless. Flawless. Ideal. Impeccable. Indefectible. Irreproachable. Immaculate. Unblemished. Perfect. Have you noticed, there’s a whole lot of “perfect” going on in the retail and food service industries these days. Go on, order a coffee and I’ll bet you dollars to dunking donuts the server is bound to pronounce your order, “perfect.” You’ve probably already ordered […]