Greetings
I love to travel. It isn’t about geography. It’s all about the social studies. The world is a great big mall and I get to people-watch. And, for your information, I had the highest mark in Social Studies eight years running at St. John’s School. Eight years, folks. Anyway, back to social studies and travelling. […]
Dear Sears Canada Inc.
Someone told me, and recent news stories have confirmed it, you’ve fallen on hard times, financially. I want to feel sorry for you but, I don’t. I will say, welcome to our world, Sears. You know, the world of people who are your customers. Your customers know all about hard financial times. It’s been tough, […]
Meet Marc
In last week’s article on the grappas of Italy, I noted that many other European countries make brandy from pomace. France produces several types of this brandy, which they collectively call “marc”: the most notable being “Marc de Bourgogne” that is distilled from the pomace of Pinot and Chardonnay grapes. There is, however, a distinct […]
Nicole Jeray – professional golfer
To my good fortune, I often meet the most interesting people. Not long ago, my wife and I attended a golf tournament, in the Champions Series at the Twin Eagles Golf Course in Naples, Florida. We followed a group of golfers for 18 holes, including Canadian Rod Spittle. Also in the group was a golfer […]
Preparing for the playoffs
In late January, things did not look good for the Florida Everblades. At that time, coach Greg Poss hoped that he could pilot his team into the ECHL playoffs. With their win last night against the South Carolina Sting Rays, the Blades locked up a playoff spot, even moving up to fifth place in the […]
The fruit of seeds and skins
Many wineries throughout Europe complete their cycle by distilling the “pomace” of seeds, skins and stems left over from pressing grapes. In Italy — and the Italian Swiss Cantons — this spirit has the E.U. protected name Grappa. Its raw form packs a wallop. Distillation is done by steam since the pomace solids would burn […]
Toying with the digital divide
I didn’t believe it when a friend told me she had received an overseas call on an iPhone from her four-year-old granddaughter—without her mother’s assistance. But now I do. That’s because the New York Times now reports that “more than a third” of children eight years and younger use iPhones, iPads and Android devices. More […]
Longing for home
I am missing Maple in the County. I love everything about Maple in the County. I love maple syrup. I love maple cheddar. I love maple sugar tarts and taffy on a stick. I love maple bacon with pancakes smothered in maple syrup. Is there maple wine or maple beer? Bring it on. I love […]
Dear diary
MARCH 17, 2012 Here I am, 4,700 km from home and in spite of my almost chronic gripe-fest about email, Facebook and Twitter, it is precisely because of social media I read the news from the County. In particular, the relaxing of the death grip on our revered cultural institutions including our museums, our libraries […]
Distilled pleasures
The grape is a marvel. Either fresh or dried, it provides a source of food. When pressed into juice, it offers a wonderful thirst-quenching beverage. In the hands of the winemaker, it can be transformed into wine. And, refined even further, it provides the gift of brandy. Two thousand years before Christ, the Mesopotamians understood […]