Troublesome bubbles
Over the next two weeks I want to delve into the history of a wine that began as a run-of-the-mill still wine, but evolved into a unique sparkling wine that figures as the centerpiece for so many celebrations today. That wine, of course, is Champagne. We all know the story of how the monk, Dom […]
Happy New Year 2012
From 2005 to 2008, a couple of Toronto kids skated around the ice in North Belleville at the Sports Centre to celebrate New Year’s Day. The Bulls have traditionally used the afternoon to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. Shawn Matthias and P. K. Subban were teammates on those very successful Bulls squads. Nowadays, […]
No means yes
No. There. That wasn’t so difficult. But, if you’re anything like me (and I suspect some of you are) saying “no” is harder than it sounds. I’ve always had difficulty telling people I don’t want to do something. “No” isn’t a four letter word in my vocabulary else I wouldn’t have a concern. So, be […]
All the world’s a stage
Several hundred tons of concrete later, the refurbished Wellington Grill is about to open under the guidance of the redoubtable Kimberly and David. For their next trick—the first one having been to attract swarms of people to Wellington as an eating destination—they will launch an Italian trattoria to bring in those legions of Vespa-riding, open-shirted, […]
The Pope’s vintage
This week I want to pay tribute to the iconic wine region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which is located in the southern Rhône valley of France, around the town of Avignon. This area has been historically strategic since Neolithic times, settled in turn by Celts, Romans, Goths, Francs and Saracens, until it was brought under the influence […]
Who the Dickens invented Christmas?
Only four days to go before we celebrate Christmas. At first a religious holiday, it has been of tremendous importance for many faiths throughout the ages. From the very beginnings of Christianity, the holiday took on a gravitas that required celebration in a purely religious form. Even so, kings throughout the Christian world celebrated this […]
Mike Murphy enjoys the coffee!
Mike Murphy dressed for the recent game between his Carolina Hurricanes and the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has been rehearsing, so to speak, for his chance to play in the National Hockey League for some time. Following his stellar OHL career with the Belleville Bulls, he was drafted by the Hurricanes, and signed a three-year, […]
The perfect tree
I’m putting politics and other guff aside for this week in favour of saying Merry Christmas. Not “Happy Holidays” or “Festive Fun” or “Best of the Season” but “Merry Christmas. I’m one of those folks who doesn’t have a lot of internal dialogue and “Merry Christmas” is what it’s all about for me. I’ve had […]
Eagles still in flight
To say that the Philadelphia Eagles began this season with high expectations would be an understatement. They were supposed to “cake walk” their way to the Super Bowl. Along the way, wheels fell off, here and there. Injuries, dropped passes, missed ass i g n m e n t s , dumb penalties: they all […]
When night falls below Bridge Street
The murmur of traffic catches in the maples as the chime from the clock tower of Picton United Church descends from the hill. Headstones climb the rise of Mount Olivett cemetery while the grounds of Glenwood lie nearby. The bark of dogs at play; a woman carries two terriers across a footbridge; end-of-day light chases […]