Port wine
Prior to the Napoleonic wars, as the British established very strong trading ties with Portugal, they built an opulent Factory House in Oporto that exists to this day. The Factory was constructed to accommodate the merchants and its grandeur pays tribute to the importance of the trade between both nations. A similar concept here in […]
Thin ice
Playoffs in the ECHL During my winter visit to the south, I focused on the teams in Florida. Let me update you on the current status of those teams. First of all, the Panthers are not headed for the playoffs, having lost more games by one goal than any other team in the history of […]
Love and other laundry
The things you do for love, eh? The song, “The Things You Do For Love” was written by the Brit group,10cc. In one verse, the suggestion is it’s “like walking in the rain and the snow.” Well, if you live in Canada, you’ll walk in the rain and the snow whether you want to do […]
March Madness
A look at US college basketball There is a certain fanaticism surrounding the college basketball championships every spring in the United States. The entire nation embraces the game, and the hype surrounding the annual tournament never diminishes. There are 68 teams invited to participate in the championship tournament, often referred to as “The Dance.” Four […]
Spring in the County
The history of Portuguese viniculture dates back to 2000 B.C., around the central costal area of Portugal. It was the Romans and Celts who introduced viniculture and winemaking to the north and, in particular, the Duero Valley. The wines were produced and consumed by the local population and were reportedly crafted in the manner of […]
Down the rabbit hole
I think my computer is winning the fight to pull me down the rabbit hole of useless information. It won a round the other day by a convincing margin. I was powering down to begin my afternoon meditation on the pressing issues of the day—whom to entrust with the keys to Canada’s public purse, how […]
Reaching for rainbows
I’ve got terrific neighbours. I do. Living in a community like Prince Edward County spoils you for anyplace else. One of my neighbours is a minister. Lynne Donovan. Not the preachy, Sunday-go-to-meeting kinda person at all. Lynne is intense but is as involved in her congregation as she is in her own family, her friends […]
Jambalaya
From the ashes of the 17th century European wars rose the new country of Holland, which would become a hugely successful and important trading nation. Not surprising, as they were the descendents of the Friesians who commanded the wine trade in the time of Charlemagne. In a very short space of time they built a […]
Opening Day 2011
Are you ready for baseball? They are packing their bags here in Florida for the annual trek north. On Friday, the Blue Jays open their regular season against the Minnesota Twins. As has usually been the case, the Rogers Centre is sold out for the first game; however, rest assured there will be plenty of […]
Grey places
So, here I am in beautiful (just kidding about the beauty), downtown Hamilton, missing Maple in the County. Of course, by the time this column hits the big blue Times stands, I’ll be at home wondering why I let myself miss something as excitingly delicious as Maple weekend in Prince Edward. But, the City of […]