Columnists

Mushrooms, maple, cherries and royalty

Posted: May 6, 2011 at 1:17 pm   /   Columnists

We all know that the County is looking for a new economic development strategy now that the author of the “creative rural economy” approach has been shooed out of town. What we didn’t know, until now, is how close the County is to executing an audacious new strategy. The project has been shrouded in complete […]

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Different ports

Posted: May 6, 2011 at 1:15 pm   /   Columnists

Port is a wonderful way to mark a special event such as a birth, graduation or wedding. Vintage ports can lie down for at least 20 years, for future enjoyment. There are many styles of port with different aging potential. First, there is the simpler ruby port, stored in stainless steel tanks and blended to […]

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My dinner with Jacques

Posted: May 6, 2011 at 12:59 pm   /   Columnists

Senator Jacques Demers recently spoke to a group of businessmen in Belleville. Now approaching his 67th birthday, he spends a little time nowadays on the road, sharing a message or two with anyone who cares to listen. To say that he has had a fascinating trip to the present is a serious understatement. He was […]

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Bunny and the commandments

Posted: April 29, 2011 at 1:03 pm   /   Columnists

I suppose I should write something about the Easter weekend. I don’t want to, except to say my house has a faint aroma of chocolate and two, real, honest-togoodness Easter Bunnies left sweet little treats on my front porch on Sunday morning. I believe in the Easter Bunny. I mean bunnies. Oh, what the heck, […]

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Barrel-aged Ports

Posted: April 21, 2011 at 2:18 pm   /   Columnists

When you look at a list of producers of fine Port wine you would be amazed at the number of English names on the labels, such as Dow, Grahams or Taylors, to name a few. It shows the passion and enthusiasm the English have for Port wine. This passion has been shared throughout the world. […]

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Bundle up in Beantown

Posted: April 21, 2011 at 2:18 pm   /   Columnists

The Blue Jays were in Boston last weekend for a four-game series. They are winding down a road trip that has been satisfactory, although a little bumpy in Seattle. Any time you lose a game, after leading 7-0 in the latter stages…They will remember that one for a long time. They ran up the steps […]

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A tip of the helmet

Posted: April 21, 2011 at 2:18 pm   /   Columnists

I have to admit I’ve become a fan of both the Dukes and the new Essroc Arena. Let me tell you about a few things I like. I’ll start with the players. Watching the team march through the playoffs has reminded me that no matter how much flash and brilliance you might show, you can’t […]

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Welcome back

Posted: April 21, 2011 at 2:17 pm   /   Columnists

I hear the birds every morning now. I’m sure you do, too. The back yard birds have returned. Most of the birds in my back yard have been hanging around for a little while, but now they’re singing up a storm and nesting in the eavestroughs. Although there have been mornings when, for a brief […]

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Port wine

Posted: April 15, 2011 at 2:13 pm   /   Columnists

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 […]

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Thin ice

Posted: April 15, 2011 at 1:24 pm   /   Columnists

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 […]

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