Okay, I admit I have written about this before, and likely will again in the future, but the fascination many have with their cell phones has me worried about society as we know it. So let me get this rant off my chest so I can get on to other, more important topics in this space in the coming weeks and months.
The Pew Research Centre released survey results a couple of weeks ago on cell phone etiquette and what constitutes acceptable behaviour, and frankly, I am appalled at the results. The Pew folks surveyed 3,200 American adults, most of whom not surprisingly had cell phones. It would have been interesting to see how the results might have been skewed somewhat by including younger adults into the survey mix, but we can only surmise on that count, unfortunately.
It should come as no surprise to anyone who walks about 77% of respondents think it is okay to use their cell phones while walking down the street. Most often they are texting, and oftentimes bumping into other people, telephone poles or even falling into wading pools. Don't laugh, it happens.
About 75% of respondents feel it is okay to use their cellphone while riding on public transportation. Well of course, why do you think wi-fi hotspots are popping up at major transportation hubs now as well as on buses and trains? Because people feel they have to be connected at all times. I can live with people texting while on public transportation; what I take issue with is people having loud conversations or worse, arguments on their phones while riding said transportation.
Same goes for waiting in line, of which 74% of respondents feel is okay. Everyone seems to do it, but does that make it right? I know people want to maximize their time, but really, the entire time you're in a line up? Not necessary. If the line up is at the bank, it is even worse. I think the height of rudeness while I worked in banking last year was people talking on their cell phones while I am trying to professionally serve them at the branch.
Now here is where the results become more interesting: about 62% feel using their cell phones at a restaurant is wrong, which means 38% think it isn't rude, it is acceptable. Sorry, it is rude, plain and simple. I have excused myself from the table to deal with an important call maybe once in my life; the rest of the time it can wait until after I have enjoyed the meal I am paying good money for with the good company I am keeping at that particular moment.
Want more? According to Pew Research, 88% of respondents agree using their phone at a family dinner is wrong, and thankfully 94% agree it is wrong to use their phones at a meeting. Similarly, 95% think it is wrong to use their phones at a movie theatre or other quiet public place and 96% feel using your phone at a church or worship service is wrong.
Good for them. But I must be hanging around the other 5 or 6 percent in these instances, because I always seem to see people with their faces buried in their phones at concerts, live theatre events and even at church.
So what do these numbers tell us? For the most part, I think they suggest an addiction, plain and simple. We can't put the darn things down. Almost weekly for example, I spy people texting or otherwise engaged on their phones during the homily at mass at my church. What did we do before cell phones came along, sleep? Probably yes if the speaker was boring.
So how do you explain sitting in the audience at a live theatre event? In all likelihood you spent good money to sit there in the first place; wouldn't you want to actually see what you paid for?
This year while attending shows at the Shaw Festival, I found things are getting worse than ever. Prior to You Never Can Tell at the small Royal George Theatre back in June, I noticed a middle-aged couple at the other end of our row, he on his tablet and her on the phone, each texting people while the house lights went down and the curtain went up. I mean, for at least a minute after the play started. All that time, they never spoke a word to each other. At intermission, the same thing. The entire time, each one texting on their device, oblivious to the life partner sitting next to them.
At just about any other show I attended this season, people would hold off shutting off their phones until the very last second, and the moment the intermission starts, the phones are out again and they are reconnecting to the outside world.
Do we need to be that connected all the time? What did we do in the days you had to wait for the payphone in the lobby to be free before you could check on whatever? We survived, that's what we did. We also more than likely paid attention to the play and the people around us.
It astounds me how many times I see people at a table sharing a meal, and each one is glued to their phones. Just recently, I sat next to a grandmother and her 14-year-old granddaughter sharing afternoon tea and conversing, yet the entire time the young lady had the phone in front of her face, constantly checking on whatever.
If I were the grandmother in that instance I would not have been so polite and let it continue, but perhaps she is wise enough to know you can't stop it, so you might as well put up with it. I am not at that stage yet, nor will I ever likely be.
If I am out with someone, I never check my phone unless I have excused myself to use the washroom first, and then only quickly before returning to the table. But most often, the text I received or phone message was not urgent, not requiring my attention at all at that particular moment.
While in the theatre the phone is either shut off entirely or on mute, which should be sufficient. Yet I constantly hear phones ringing while at the theatre, even after the obligatory "Please turn off your cellphones" message is broadcast in the theatre prior to the performance beginning.
Theatres are now even trying more clever ways to get the message across, making it almost part of the performance sometimes, which is lost on that person who has their face buried in their phone and isn't paying attention anyways.
I can understand paying a little more attention to it while alone, but still, you don't have to become a slave to technology. Just last evening I was out for my after-dinner walk and I encountered a middle-aged gentleman walking his dog, all the while staring at his phone. He never once looked up to see if there might be some danger up ahead both he and his dog might want to know about. I suspect the dog was paying attention to the walk more than he was, although even on that count the dog seemed rather bored by the slumbering pace of the walk.
Here's my problem with cell phones: although it is nice to be constantly connected to your friends and family, it is wise and I would suggest healthy to not be constantly connected. One of the reasons I walk several times a day is so I can get away from the computer and other technology and marvel at the lovely day, the flowers blooming in the neighbour's garden or the cat that happens to cross my path.
You should take that break so you can experience life around you. And no, I am not suggesting you should take a picture with the phone of something happening in front of you all the time. That is the worst possible situation to be in, as you are capturing a picture of life rather than experiencing it first-hand.
Selfies? Don't need them. I know I was there and might even take a picture of something I saw, but validating my being there by snapping a selfie just seems a waste of time to me. Good for you, you took a picture of yourself in front of that elephant at the zoo. Do you remember anything else about the event other than the fact you posted a picture moments after you took it, and you are in the picture? Probably not.
Let's at least try putting the phone down and start living life rather than recording it. We'll all be the better for it.
End of rant.
September 16th, 2015.
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Shaw Festival looks to the future
I promised a couple of weeks ago I would update news on the Shaw Festival, as there is plenty to report, so this weekend let's look at what the future holds for our venerable theatrical institution.
First off, let's recap the 2015 season, as there is still plenty of great theatre still to go in Niagara-on-the-Lake before the season ends November 1st. Most of the action for the rest of the season takes place at the Festival, Royal George and Studio theatres, as the 2015 season at the Court House Theatre ends this weekend.
Ibsen's The Lady From the Sea wraps up tomorrow afternoon at the Court House, and Top Girls and The Twelve-Pound Look both wrapped up today. Of the three, I saw Top Girls and although it was very much an acquired taste, it was well worth seeing this season at the Court House Theatre.
At the Royal George, the big show is Rick Elice's Peter and the Starcatcher, based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, which closes out the Shaw season this year on November 1st. Shaw's You Never Can Tell wraps up October 25th and The Divine, a contemporary Canadian play looking at the life of Sarah Bernhardt, continues until October 11th. The Divine is by Michel Marc Bouchard, translated by Linda Gaboriau. Of the three, I caught Shaw's You Never Can Tell, which is probably the most light-hearted version of the play we've seen in many years. Director Jim Mezon scored a major triumph, though, and it is well worth seeing.
On the Festival stage, the big musical this year is Sweet Charity, with music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Dorothy Fields and book by Neil Simon. Not their best musical, I've heard, but certainly garnering lots of attention all the same. Sweet Charity runs until October 31st. Shaw's Pygmalion is the big show at the Festival Theatre this year, a very contemporary take on the classic story directed by Peter Hinton. It runs through to October 24th. And Moss Hart's comedy Light Up the Sky, a broadway play about the opening of a Broadway play, continues until October 11th. I saw Light Up the Sky and it is funny and very well acted for the most part, but it really is dated, and not one I'd recommend with such a wealth of other great choices still available.
Last month, the Shaw announced their replacement for outgoing Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell, who steps down at the end of next season. Artistic Director Designate Tim Carroll will work alongside Jackie Maxwell during the 2016 season, taking over the reigns completely December 1st of next year to begin the 2017 season.
Carroll has 25 years of experience in theatre, beginning his career with the English Shakespeare Company in 1990 before becoming the Associate Director of the Northcott Theatre in Exeter. Over the years, he has also been Associate Director with Kent Opera, producing acclaimed productions of Britten's The Prodigal Son and Handel's Acis and Galatea. While Associate Director of Shakespeare's Globe in London, his productions of Twelfth Night and Richard III were very popular, making it all the way to Broadway.
Tim Carroll is no stranger to Canadian stages, either, as he has directed several productions at the Stratford Festival, including most recently King John. This fall, he will direct Ben Hur at the Tricycle Theatre back in London.
This will be an exciting new chapter for the Shaw Festival, which has flourished and grown over the past 14 years with Jackie Maxwell at the helm, taking the Festival in different directions after replacing long time Artistic Director Christopher Newton, and Carroll will no doubt do the same in the coming years.
In the more immediate future we have Maxwell's final season starting next spring, and it promises to be another interesting summer in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Shaw's 55th season includes 10 diverse productions including works from the Shaw mandate period, as well as contemporary takes on Shaw classics and the world premieres of two commissioned works.
At the Festival Theatre, director Peter Hinton returns to direct a world premiere of a musical version of Alice in Wonderland, commissioned by the Shaw Festival. Hinton also did the stage adaptation of the musical by Allen Cole. Oscar Wilde's 1893 comedy A Woman of No Importance will be directed by Eda Holmes; this is the first time the play has appeared at Shaw since 2000. Jackie Maxwell directs the big musical on the big stage next season, and it promises to be one of the more interesting offerings: the musical thriller Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler.
Over a the Court House Theatre, Chekhov's Uncle Vanya, which last appeared at the Festival in 1999, will be directed by Jackie Maxwell. The play was originally produced in 1898, but this will be a new version of the play, although further details are still pending on that aspect. One of my favourite Shaw plays, Mrs. Warren's Profession, last seen at the Festival in 2008 will return to the Court House next year as well. The play dates from 1893, although the first production was not until 1902. Finally at the Court House Theatre, the Festival premiere of "Master Harold"...and the Boys by Athol Fugard, first produced in 1982, will be directed by Philip Akin.
The Royal George Theatre hosts the second Festival premiere next season, Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama from 1938, Our Town. This classic slice of Americana will be directed by Molly Smith, who last directed at Shaw in 2011 when she handled My Fair Lady. Also at the Royal George, another Festival premiere will see Morris Panych direct Engaged: An Entirely Original Farcical Comedy in Three Acts by W. S. Gilbert. Yes, that Gilbert, before Sullivan, circa 1877. Finally, the world premiere of The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God, adapted for the stage by Lisa Codrington from a short story by Bernard Shaw, will be the Lunchtime show next season. Directed by Ravi Jain, it is another Shaw Festival commission.
The Studio Theatre will see the Festival premiere of August Strindberg's The Dance of Death in a new version by Richard Greenberg. Originally produced in 2001, this Festival production will be directed by the one and only Martha Henry.
Tickets for the 2016 season will go on sale this winter, but you can still catch plenty of great theatre for the remainder of this season by calling the Shaw box office at 905-468-2172 or by going to www.shawfest.com.
Enjoy the weekend!
September 12th, 2015.
First off, let's recap the 2015 season, as there is still plenty of great theatre still to go in Niagara-on-the-Lake before the season ends November 1st. Most of the action for the rest of the season takes place at the Festival, Royal George and Studio theatres, as the 2015 season at the Court House Theatre ends this weekend.
Ibsen's The Lady From the Sea wraps up tomorrow afternoon at the Court House, and Top Girls and The Twelve-Pound Look both wrapped up today. Of the three, I saw Top Girls and although it was very much an acquired taste, it was well worth seeing this season at the Court House Theatre.
At the Royal George, the big show is Rick Elice's Peter and the Starcatcher, based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, which closes out the Shaw season this year on November 1st. Shaw's You Never Can Tell wraps up October 25th and The Divine, a contemporary Canadian play looking at the life of Sarah Bernhardt, continues until October 11th. The Divine is by Michel Marc Bouchard, translated by Linda Gaboriau. Of the three, I caught Shaw's You Never Can Tell, which is probably the most light-hearted version of the play we've seen in many years. Director Jim Mezon scored a major triumph, though, and it is well worth seeing.
On the Festival stage, the big musical this year is Sweet Charity, with music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Dorothy Fields and book by Neil Simon. Not their best musical, I've heard, but certainly garnering lots of attention all the same. Sweet Charity runs until October 31st. Shaw's Pygmalion is the big show at the Festival Theatre this year, a very contemporary take on the classic story directed by Peter Hinton. It runs through to October 24th. And Moss Hart's comedy Light Up the Sky, a broadway play about the opening of a Broadway play, continues until October 11th. I saw Light Up the Sky and it is funny and very well acted for the most part, but it really is dated, and not one I'd recommend with such a wealth of other great choices still available.
Last month, the Shaw announced their replacement for outgoing Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell, who steps down at the end of next season. Artistic Director Designate Tim Carroll will work alongside Jackie Maxwell during the 2016 season, taking over the reigns completely December 1st of next year to begin the 2017 season.
Carroll has 25 years of experience in theatre, beginning his career with the English Shakespeare Company in 1990 before becoming the Associate Director of the Northcott Theatre in Exeter. Over the years, he has also been Associate Director with Kent Opera, producing acclaimed productions of Britten's The Prodigal Son and Handel's Acis and Galatea. While Associate Director of Shakespeare's Globe in London, his productions of Twelfth Night and Richard III were very popular, making it all the way to Broadway.
Tim Carroll is no stranger to Canadian stages, either, as he has directed several productions at the Stratford Festival, including most recently King John. This fall, he will direct Ben Hur at the Tricycle Theatre back in London.
This will be an exciting new chapter for the Shaw Festival, which has flourished and grown over the past 14 years with Jackie Maxwell at the helm, taking the Festival in different directions after replacing long time Artistic Director Christopher Newton, and Carroll will no doubt do the same in the coming years.
In the more immediate future we have Maxwell's final season starting next spring, and it promises to be another interesting summer in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Shaw's 55th season includes 10 diverse productions including works from the Shaw mandate period, as well as contemporary takes on Shaw classics and the world premieres of two commissioned works.
At the Festival Theatre, director Peter Hinton returns to direct a world premiere of a musical version of Alice in Wonderland, commissioned by the Shaw Festival. Hinton also did the stage adaptation of the musical by Allen Cole. Oscar Wilde's 1893 comedy A Woman of No Importance will be directed by Eda Holmes; this is the first time the play has appeared at Shaw since 2000. Jackie Maxwell directs the big musical on the big stage next season, and it promises to be one of the more interesting offerings: the musical thriller Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler.
Over a the Court House Theatre, Chekhov's Uncle Vanya, which last appeared at the Festival in 1999, will be directed by Jackie Maxwell. The play was originally produced in 1898, but this will be a new version of the play, although further details are still pending on that aspect. One of my favourite Shaw plays, Mrs. Warren's Profession, last seen at the Festival in 2008 will return to the Court House next year as well. The play dates from 1893, although the first production was not until 1902. Finally at the Court House Theatre, the Festival premiere of "Master Harold"...and the Boys by Athol Fugard, first produced in 1982, will be directed by Philip Akin.
The Royal George Theatre hosts the second Festival premiere next season, Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama from 1938, Our Town. This classic slice of Americana will be directed by Molly Smith, who last directed at Shaw in 2011 when she handled My Fair Lady. Also at the Royal George, another Festival premiere will see Morris Panych direct Engaged: An Entirely Original Farcical Comedy in Three Acts by W. S. Gilbert. Yes, that Gilbert, before Sullivan, circa 1877. Finally, the world premiere of The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God, adapted for the stage by Lisa Codrington from a short story by Bernard Shaw, will be the Lunchtime show next season. Directed by Ravi Jain, it is another Shaw Festival commission.
The Studio Theatre will see the Festival premiere of August Strindberg's The Dance of Death in a new version by Richard Greenberg. Originally produced in 2001, this Festival production will be directed by the one and only Martha Henry.
Tickets for the 2016 season will go on sale this winter, but you can still catch plenty of great theatre for the remainder of this season by calling the Shaw box office at 905-468-2172 or by going to www.shawfest.com.
Enjoy the weekend!
September 12th, 2015.
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Touring around Merritton on Labour Day weekend
I've been continuing my travels around the city and region the last few weeks, and the past two Saturday afternoons I have been spending time in Merritton, a friendly, working-class area in St. Catharines that is enjoying a bit of a building boom the last few years.
The first thing I wanted to find out is just where the boundary lines are for Merritton, as it seemed to me to be quite a bit larger than we realize when we're thinking of Merritton. I contacted my former radio colleague Rod Mawhood, a life-long Merritton resident and inveterate booster of the community, and he simply said it is HUGE. He added our downtown St. Catharines home might even be part of Merritton.
That piqued my interest, of course, so I consulted the website www.merritton.com for the lowdown on just where the boundaries lie, and indeed the area is larger than you think. They include Jacobson Avenue, Highway 406 and Geneva Street in the west; QEW and Eastchester Avenue in the north; the Welland Canal and Glendale Avenue in the east and St. David's Road in the south. So yes, a lot of area is covered, but no, Rod, I don't quite live in Merritton.
So armed with that information I ventured into the heart of Merritton, the Merritt Street area most people think of when they think of Merritton, parked the car and started walking. I quickly discovered even though Merritton amalgamated with St. Catharines in 1961, it still maintains its own identity over 50 years later.
Walking the side-streets here, you don't see large, palatial residences but rather, ordinary homes housing ordinary people, many of whom do extraordinary things in this area. They work, play, and often promote Merritton with a down-to-earth attitude you can't help but find appealing.
There are also several churches in the heart of Merritton representing many denominations, including St. Patrick's Roman Catholic, St. Andrew's Anglican, and Elm Street United among others. Each has served the community and respective congregations for many years.
Once you stop and take a look around Merritton, you can't help but notice the building boom that has been going on here for several years now. It wasn't that long ago, really, the stone building that now houses The Keg restaurant on Glendale Avenue sat abandoned, long-ago retired as a manufacturing entity. It was the former home of the Independent Rubber Company/Merritton Cotton Mills years ago. When The Keg opened in that wonderfully refurbished building, it seemed to be the catalyst for a general rebirth of that part of south St. Catharines that continues to this day.
A few years later the former Lybster Mill at the corner of Merritt and Glendale was transformed from a former cotton mill to a modern boutique inn serving a clientele from far and near. The Stone Mill Inn building dates from 1860 and was one of the pioneering cotton mills in the country in its day.
Today, the sleek and modern Stone Mill Inn, Resort & Spa sports 35 luxurious rooms and suites, nine Jacuzzi suites and two spectacular lofts that are simply breathtaking. I toured the Inn a few years ago just after it opened, and not long afterwards my wife and I stayed in one of the rooms at the Inn, and we can tell you it is a first-rate place to stay, centrally-located for touring all over Niagara.
The Stone Mill Inn also houses the St. Catharines location of Johnny Rocco's Italian Grill, and this remains one of my wife's all-time favourite places to dine any time of year. The Tuesday evening specials are especially affordable and more than worth the price.
These former mills were strategically situated to take advantage of one of the earlier Welland ship canals, and if you look closely just south of the Merritt/Glendale intersection, you can see the remnants of one of the old locks. The water rushes pretty fast here, and as I stood near the stone wall you could imagine ships travelling along this very route so many years ago.
Standing at the corner of Merritt and Glendale, you notice the improvement in traffic flow due to the realignment of the intersection several years ago, making it possible to drive through the intersection much more efficiently than in the past, but really, you should do as I did, stop the car and see what there is to enjoy in the area.
Next to The Keg, for example, you'll find the busy Shops at Glendale Place, featuring a bank, restaurants and fashion boutiques like Honey's celebrating 36 years in business and happy with their relocation to Merritton a few years ago from their long-time home on St. Paul Street in downtown St. Catharines.
I visited the store last weekend and was impressed with the decor, selection and design of the shop. Owner John and his lovely wife have made a good thing better by moving to Merritton, and they tell me the increased traffic to the new location made the move more than worthwhile.
Across the street is another large plaza housing another modern bank, a large LCBO store and a well-stocked Sobey's grocery store.
Another business in the heart of Merritton with a recent history is Mr. Coppola's Men's Hair Styling at 302 Merritt Street. Opened in 2011 by Joe Falconi, who used to work out of the large barbering establishment at the Pen Centre, Mr. Coppola's offers everything from hair cuts, buzz cuts, head shaves and beard trims, plus what particularly interested me, the traditional hot towel straight razor shave.
I used to go to a barber in Toronto years ago who offered the service and if you have never experienced the true relaxation and luxury of this service, you owe it to yourself to try it at least once. I hope to myself in the near future. Just call ahead first to make an appointment.
Joe told me when I visited the busy shop yesterday he is happy with the move and loves being a part of the heart of Merritton.
Walking up and down Merritt Street reveals many places I have visited over the years when the St. Catharines Historical Museum was housed in the former Merritton Town Hall. The Milk Maid Shoppe is still there, with a faded facade that just seems to fit the area nicely. Nearby is a very small brick building that once housed a branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia, now home to The Life Centre Church. The Scotiabank logo on the door pulls and words engraved in the stone above the entrance are cues to the original use of the building.
Merritton is home to two appliance dealers on opposite sides of the street, Pirie Appliances and Star Appliances, and several comfortable gathering places for drinks and fun, including Pizza Jerry's Union House and my favourite due to the name, Blind Referee. Sadly, the Columbian restaurant El Cafetal is now closed, no longer a home to food and beverages in Merritton.
Driving over the Merritton overpass, newly reconstructed a few years ago, you also notice the very modern yet traditional-looking Merritton Fire Station, known officially as St. Catharines Fire Station No. 4. I remember when this new facility opened not many years ago, and it is a very impressive addition to the area.
Once over the bridge I recently visited two of my favourite hangouts on the south end of Hartzell Road, Casa Leone Deli and Bakery, with a selection of breads second to none, and our local Dairy Queen location, which was hopping on a recent Friday evening when I visited. As busy as it was, I was impressed by the very friendly and efficient service provided by my young server.
There's lots more to see and visit in this part of town, like the friendly Griffin Pub, Brewmonger, home to all your beer-making needs, and a little further up Hartzell the Chile & Agave Mexican restaurant, one of the best around.
Back at the intersection of Glendale and Merritt, the local Benjamin Moore paint store anchors a small strip plaza, where for many years I have relied on the friendly staff to guide me with my colour choices as I repaint the front porch of the house every year.
I know I am just scratching the surface here on what's worth seeing in Merritton, but if your interest is piqued, this is a good weekend to explore the area for yourself. Tonight, for example, the Merritton Legion Labour Day Fireworks display happens at dusk.
Meantime the annual Merritton Lions Club Community Days Carnival, a staple of the Labour Day weekend happens tomorrow, tied in with the annual Labour Day Parade that starts from the Pen Centre tomorrow morning at 11.
The parade begins on Chestnut, heads down Glengarry, along Glendale, up Merritt Street and ending at Community Park. There, events will continue all day with the beer garden, the carnival with attractions from such local supporters as Niagara Inflatables, and of course, the traditional raffle for $5,000 to be drawn Monday evening at 7 pm.
The Community Days Carnival is different this year, scaled back due to unforeseen circumstances after last year, but the day-long carnival tomorrow and the morning parade will be a fine way to spend your Labour Day in Merritton before the kids get back to school on Tuesday.
Have a great weekend!
September 6th, 2015.
The first thing I wanted to find out is just where the boundary lines are for Merritton, as it seemed to me to be quite a bit larger than we realize when we're thinking of Merritton. I contacted my former radio colleague Rod Mawhood, a life-long Merritton resident and inveterate booster of the community, and he simply said it is HUGE. He added our downtown St. Catharines home might even be part of Merritton.
That piqued my interest, of course, so I consulted the website www.merritton.com for the lowdown on just where the boundaries lie, and indeed the area is larger than you think. They include Jacobson Avenue, Highway 406 and Geneva Street in the west; QEW and Eastchester Avenue in the north; the Welland Canal and Glendale Avenue in the east and St. David's Road in the south. So yes, a lot of area is covered, but no, Rod, I don't quite live in Merritton.
So armed with that information I ventured into the heart of Merritton, the Merritt Street area most people think of when they think of Merritton, parked the car and started walking. I quickly discovered even though Merritton amalgamated with St. Catharines in 1961, it still maintains its own identity over 50 years later.
Walking the side-streets here, you don't see large, palatial residences but rather, ordinary homes housing ordinary people, many of whom do extraordinary things in this area. They work, play, and often promote Merritton with a down-to-earth attitude you can't help but find appealing.
There are also several churches in the heart of Merritton representing many denominations, including St. Patrick's Roman Catholic, St. Andrew's Anglican, and Elm Street United among others. Each has served the community and respective congregations for many years.
Once you stop and take a look around Merritton, you can't help but notice the building boom that has been going on here for several years now. It wasn't that long ago, really, the stone building that now houses The Keg restaurant on Glendale Avenue sat abandoned, long-ago retired as a manufacturing entity. It was the former home of the Independent Rubber Company/Merritton Cotton Mills years ago. When The Keg opened in that wonderfully refurbished building, it seemed to be the catalyst for a general rebirth of that part of south St. Catharines that continues to this day.
A few years later the former Lybster Mill at the corner of Merritt and Glendale was transformed from a former cotton mill to a modern boutique inn serving a clientele from far and near. The Stone Mill Inn building dates from 1860 and was one of the pioneering cotton mills in the country in its day.
Today, the sleek and modern Stone Mill Inn, Resort & Spa sports 35 luxurious rooms and suites, nine Jacuzzi suites and two spectacular lofts that are simply breathtaking. I toured the Inn a few years ago just after it opened, and not long afterwards my wife and I stayed in one of the rooms at the Inn, and we can tell you it is a first-rate place to stay, centrally-located for touring all over Niagara.
The Stone Mill Inn also houses the St. Catharines location of Johnny Rocco's Italian Grill, and this remains one of my wife's all-time favourite places to dine any time of year. The Tuesday evening specials are especially affordable and more than worth the price.
These former mills were strategically situated to take advantage of one of the earlier Welland ship canals, and if you look closely just south of the Merritt/Glendale intersection, you can see the remnants of one of the old locks. The water rushes pretty fast here, and as I stood near the stone wall you could imagine ships travelling along this very route so many years ago.
Standing at the corner of Merritt and Glendale, you notice the improvement in traffic flow due to the realignment of the intersection several years ago, making it possible to drive through the intersection much more efficiently than in the past, but really, you should do as I did, stop the car and see what there is to enjoy in the area.
Next to The Keg, for example, you'll find the busy Shops at Glendale Place, featuring a bank, restaurants and fashion boutiques like Honey's celebrating 36 years in business and happy with their relocation to Merritton a few years ago from their long-time home on St. Paul Street in downtown St. Catharines.
I visited the store last weekend and was impressed with the decor, selection and design of the shop. Owner John and his lovely wife have made a good thing better by moving to Merritton, and they tell me the increased traffic to the new location made the move more than worthwhile.
Across the street is another large plaza housing another modern bank, a large LCBO store and a well-stocked Sobey's grocery store.
Another business in the heart of Merritton with a recent history is Mr. Coppola's Men's Hair Styling at 302 Merritt Street. Opened in 2011 by Joe Falconi, who used to work out of the large barbering establishment at the Pen Centre, Mr. Coppola's offers everything from hair cuts, buzz cuts, head shaves and beard trims, plus what particularly interested me, the traditional hot towel straight razor shave.
I used to go to a barber in Toronto years ago who offered the service and if you have never experienced the true relaxation and luxury of this service, you owe it to yourself to try it at least once. I hope to myself in the near future. Just call ahead first to make an appointment.
Joe told me when I visited the busy shop yesterday he is happy with the move and loves being a part of the heart of Merritton.
Walking up and down Merritt Street reveals many places I have visited over the years when the St. Catharines Historical Museum was housed in the former Merritton Town Hall. The Milk Maid Shoppe is still there, with a faded facade that just seems to fit the area nicely. Nearby is a very small brick building that once housed a branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia, now home to The Life Centre Church. The Scotiabank logo on the door pulls and words engraved in the stone above the entrance are cues to the original use of the building.
Merritton is home to two appliance dealers on opposite sides of the street, Pirie Appliances and Star Appliances, and several comfortable gathering places for drinks and fun, including Pizza Jerry's Union House and my favourite due to the name, Blind Referee. Sadly, the Columbian restaurant El Cafetal is now closed, no longer a home to food and beverages in Merritton.
Driving over the Merritton overpass, newly reconstructed a few years ago, you also notice the very modern yet traditional-looking Merritton Fire Station, known officially as St. Catharines Fire Station No. 4. I remember when this new facility opened not many years ago, and it is a very impressive addition to the area.
Once over the bridge I recently visited two of my favourite hangouts on the south end of Hartzell Road, Casa Leone Deli and Bakery, with a selection of breads second to none, and our local Dairy Queen location, which was hopping on a recent Friday evening when I visited. As busy as it was, I was impressed by the very friendly and efficient service provided by my young server.
There's lots more to see and visit in this part of town, like the friendly Griffin Pub, Brewmonger, home to all your beer-making needs, and a little further up Hartzell the Chile & Agave Mexican restaurant, one of the best around.
Back at the intersection of Glendale and Merritt, the local Benjamin Moore paint store anchors a small strip plaza, where for many years I have relied on the friendly staff to guide me with my colour choices as I repaint the front porch of the house every year.
I know I am just scratching the surface here on what's worth seeing in Merritton, but if your interest is piqued, this is a good weekend to explore the area for yourself. Tonight, for example, the Merritton Legion Labour Day Fireworks display happens at dusk.
Meantime the annual Merritton Lions Club Community Days Carnival, a staple of the Labour Day weekend happens tomorrow, tied in with the annual Labour Day Parade that starts from the Pen Centre tomorrow morning at 11.
The parade begins on Chestnut, heads down Glengarry, along Glendale, up Merritt Street and ending at Community Park. There, events will continue all day with the beer garden, the carnival with attractions from such local supporters as Niagara Inflatables, and of course, the traditional raffle for $5,000 to be drawn Monday evening at 7 pm.
The Community Days Carnival is different this year, scaled back due to unforeseen circumstances after last year, but the day-long carnival tomorrow and the morning parade will be a fine way to spend your Labour Day in Merritton before the kids get back to school on Tuesday.
Have a great weekend!
September 6th, 2015.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Saying goodbye to an old musical friend this weekend
I have been out of radio full time for just over two years now, and although I still do some freelance work, I don't anticipate that changing anytime soon. Too bad, as I still love the medium that gave me a career and livelihood for 40 years. But you deal with things in the present as best you can and that is what I am doing as I currently look for new career opportunities to get me excited.
That being said, it is always fun and at the same time sad to look back on radio's glorious past and wonder at the magic of it all while the medium continues to redefine itself in the current digital age. I'm going to look back in this column on the history of a station I have never worked for but have long admired.
CKOC 1150 in Hamilton began life in May of 1922 and was the brainchild of Herb Slack, owner of Wentworth Radio and Supply Company. Herb, like many of his contemporaries at the time, figured he could sell more radios if he owned a radio station. What can I say, life was simpler back then...
CKOC became only the third radio station in all of Canada that spring of 1922, and still holds the title as the oldest continuously-operating radio station in Canada. True, Saskatchewan's CHAB began broadcasting a week earlier than CKOC, but apparently they had an interruption in service in 1933 before reopening, so the key word in all this is "continuous".
There have been many broadcast locations over the years, beginning at the corner of King William and John Streets in Hamilton, before moving to the 11th floor of the late, lamented Royal Connaught Hotel in the downtown core, the corner of James and King Willimas Streets and later the imposing old building on Garfield Avenue near King and Sherman Avenue North.
The frequency they broadcast on changed almost as often as the physical location, including 880, 630 and 1120 kHz, before moving to its present home at 1150 back in 1941.
Most people of a certain age remember CKOC as a Top 40 music station from 1960 to 1992, when it faced the music, as it were, and changed to Oldies 1150 with the call letters CKMO. Turns out listeners liked the music but not the call letters, so saner heads prevailed and they reverted back to CKOC the following year, and it has remained that way ever since.
Until now, actually. At noon today the final chapter in the glorious history of CKOC will play out as the final Top 500 Countdown begins to signal a shift in programming at the venerable institution. After this weekend, the station, owned by Bell Media, will become TSN Radio 1150 and become an all-sports station.
From what I've heard, the programming will be local in the morning and they will carry the Hamilton Tiger-Cats games as well as be the Hamilton affiliate for the Toronto Raptors and the Toronto Maple Leafs, but in-between they will be basically repeating the corporate network TSN feed. So full-time local programming will be a thing of the past.
Too bad, and I know many will lament not just the loss of local programming but the loss of CKOC as a whole. But radio, as much as many would hate to admit it, is a business, and a business needs to make money to survive. CKOC bucked the trend for a very long time, not forsaking their musical format on radio until now, even though many others long ago gave up on broadcasting music on the AM band, including my former employer CKTB many years ago.
In radio it all comes down to numbers, as in ratings, and that translates into advertising dollars, and simply put, CKOC was not generating the numbers needed to sustain it in the present marketplace. I know people will lament its passing, as will I, but the grim reality is you have to have the numbers to make it work.
Like it or not, CKOC simply didn't have the numbers.
So the big change happens Monday, just in time for the annual Tiger-Cats/Toronto Argonauts Labour Day tilt. Time will tell if TSN Radio 1150 generates bigger numbers than CKOC did. If not, who knows what the next format change will be, if any.
Radio isn't the fun business it once was.
Although I didn't have a direct connection to the station, I do have an indirect one. Years ago when one of the sister stations in the group, CKLH-FM, changed music formats and was in need of old comedy albums by the likes of Jonathan Winters, Bob Newhart and others, I was contacted by station manager Nevin Grant and a deal was struck to sell my large comedy LP collection to the station for a nice sum of money. Later I found out the station was willing to go much higher than they actually paid, but I was happy to get rid of them and get what I could for them at the time.
So after my evening shift at CKTB one Friday night, I made the drive down to the Garfield location in Hamilton and dropped off my boxes of albums and collected my cheque before continuing my journey to Toronto for the weekend. Back then, there was actually a live studio person overnight on one of the stations, so he knew I would be arriving about 1 in the morning or so.
That's as close as I got to being a part of CKOC's history, but at the time none of us had any idea things would change as much as they did. Back then stations were still playing albums, for heaven's sake, and CDs were the up and coming trend.
As I write this, my former radio colleague and photographer extraordinaire Ted Yates and his former morning-show co-host Shelly Marriage are on the air until 2 pm kicking off the final countdown, with guest appearances by Nevin Grant and Roger Ashby over the course of the two-hour broadcast. The rest of the team, past and present will carry the tunes the rest of the way until the end of the long run and the start of the new era on Monday.
I wish TSN Radio 1150 luck in the future, and I wish the past and present staff of CKOC (Classic Hits 1150) all the best. Thanks for the memories, gang, and keep the hits coming in our collective memory banks.
Have a great weekend!
September 3rd, 2015.
That being said, it is always fun and at the same time sad to look back on radio's glorious past and wonder at the magic of it all while the medium continues to redefine itself in the current digital age. I'm going to look back in this column on the history of a station I have never worked for but have long admired.
CKOC 1150 in Hamilton began life in May of 1922 and was the brainchild of Herb Slack, owner of Wentworth Radio and Supply Company. Herb, like many of his contemporaries at the time, figured he could sell more radios if he owned a radio station. What can I say, life was simpler back then...
CKOC became only the third radio station in all of Canada that spring of 1922, and still holds the title as the oldest continuously-operating radio station in Canada. True, Saskatchewan's CHAB began broadcasting a week earlier than CKOC, but apparently they had an interruption in service in 1933 before reopening, so the key word in all this is "continuous".
There have been many broadcast locations over the years, beginning at the corner of King William and John Streets in Hamilton, before moving to the 11th floor of the late, lamented Royal Connaught Hotel in the downtown core, the corner of James and King Willimas Streets and later the imposing old building on Garfield Avenue near King and Sherman Avenue North.
The frequency they broadcast on changed almost as often as the physical location, including 880, 630 and 1120 kHz, before moving to its present home at 1150 back in 1941.
Most people of a certain age remember CKOC as a Top 40 music station from 1960 to 1992, when it faced the music, as it were, and changed to Oldies 1150 with the call letters CKMO. Turns out listeners liked the music but not the call letters, so saner heads prevailed and they reverted back to CKOC the following year, and it has remained that way ever since.
Until now, actually. At noon today the final chapter in the glorious history of CKOC will play out as the final Top 500 Countdown begins to signal a shift in programming at the venerable institution. After this weekend, the station, owned by Bell Media, will become TSN Radio 1150 and become an all-sports station.
From what I've heard, the programming will be local in the morning and they will carry the Hamilton Tiger-Cats games as well as be the Hamilton affiliate for the Toronto Raptors and the Toronto Maple Leafs, but in-between they will be basically repeating the corporate network TSN feed. So full-time local programming will be a thing of the past.
Too bad, and I know many will lament not just the loss of local programming but the loss of CKOC as a whole. But radio, as much as many would hate to admit it, is a business, and a business needs to make money to survive. CKOC bucked the trend for a very long time, not forsaking their musical format on radio until now, even though many others long ago gave up on broadcasting music on the AM band, including my former employer CKTB many years ago.
In radio it all comes down to numbers, as in ratings, and that translates into advertising dollars, and simply put, CKOC was not generating the numbers needed to sustain it in the present marketplace. I know people will lament its passing, as will I, but the grim reality is you have to have the numbers to make it work.
Like it or not, CKOC simply didn't have the numbers.
So the big change happens Monday, just in time for the annual Tiger-Cats/Toronto Argonauts Labour Day tilt. Time will tell if TSN Radio 1150 generates bigger numbers than CKOC did. If not, who knows what the next format change will be, if any.
Radio isn't the fun business it once was.
Although I didn't have a direct connection to the station, I do have an indirect one. Years ago when one of the sister stations in the group, CKLH-FM, changed music formats and was in need of old comedy albums by the likes of Jonathan Winters, Bob Newhart and others, I was contacted by station manager Nevin Grant and a deal was struck to sell my large comedy LP collection to the station for a nice sum of money. Later I found out the station was willing to go much higher than they actually paid, but I was happy to get rid of them and get what I could for them at the time.
So after my evening shift at CKTB one Friday night, I made the drive down to the Garfield location in Hamilton and dropped off my boxes of albums and collected my cheque before continuing my journey to Toronto for the weekend. Back then, there was actually a live studio person overnight on one of the stations, so he knew I would be arriving about 1 in the morning or so.
That's as close as I got to being a part of CKOC's history, but at the time none of us had any idea things would change as much as they did. Back then stations were still playing albums, for heaven's sake, and CDs were the up and coming trend.
As I write this, my former radio colleague and photographer extraordinaire Ted Yates and his former morning-show co-host Shelly Marriage are on the air until 2 pm kicking off the final countdown, with guest appearances by Nevin Grant and Roger Ashby over the course of the two-hour broadcast. The rest of the team, past and present will carry the tunes the rest of the way until the end of the long run and the start of the new era on Monday.
I wish TSN Radio 1150 luck in the future, and I wish the past and present staff of CKOC (Classic Hits 1150) all the best. Thanks for the memories, gang, and keep the hits coming in our collective memory banks.
Have a great weekend!
September 3rd, 2015.
Friday, August 28, 2015
Touring Niagara, and stopping in Thorold for a visit
Since I have had a bit of unscheduled time off this summer, I have spent some of my time away from my computer conducting job searches to search out some pleasure right here in Niagara. Now, when I say pleasure, don't worry, I am not heading down that dark road your mother probably never told you about...
A couple of times this summer I landed in one of my favourite parts of Niagara, downtown Thorold. In fact, I wrote about Thorold back in the spring and how impressive the newly-updated downtown storefronts are looking. But it was still pretty cold back then and I didn't linger too much, but I have this summer, and there is plenty to linger over all around the city of Thorold.
So here are the results of my meandering through the heart of the city and the outer environs, enjoying the old, the new, the tried and true...
When you head into downtown Thorold, Ground Zero for many of us is Henderson's Pharmasave on Front Street. John and Cathy Henderson have kept the faith all these years and were probably the first to update the facade of their pharmacy back in the 80s, setting the bar high for the rest of the downtown merchants. They've kept up with the times on the inside, too, but the staff is just as friendly and welcoming as ever, and yes, they usually remember your name, too.
Not far from Henderson's is a new building going up that will house a medical practice on the main floor, I believe, and modern apartments upstairs. It is rare to find a new development of this type in a downtown, but this one is nearing completion and looking pretty impressive. A little further up that side of Front Street you'll find Nevaeh Kids Spa, which appears to be a rather novel idea.
If you take a few steps in the other direction on Front Street, you pass by Gypsy Alley, Elio's Foot Care Centre and Harry's New York Bar, and at the corner notice the equally sharp facade of the Panini Cafe. This local hangout is getting their share of good press lately, and although I have not been inside yet, I hope to soon. I've heard plenty of good things about both the food and the service there.
Head further down Front Street and cross to the other side and the first thing you will notice is the nicely updated facade of another favourite local eatery, Cosmo's Diner. I have been to Cosmo's many times over the years, and it was a favourite of my Dad's when we would go out for lunch on a Saturday afternoon years ago.
Cosmo's specializes in breakfast and lunch, with both sort of merging on the menu. A long time favourite recommended to me years ago was the Eggs Benedict, and it is still worth the trip for eggs benny done right.
A few steps south of Cosmo's Diner and you are stopped dead in your tracks and your jaw drops at the new transformation of the venerable post office building. Long empty, the property was purchased a while ago by upscale designer and retailer Shannon Passero, who needed more space for her growing business than the original location in the old firehall provided. So she and her husband lavished time and money on the building, making sure everything was done just right.
From the custom-designed art-deco iron railing up the stairs to the stylish sign above the door, you know entering this building will be an adventure. Yes, I did saunter in one Saturday afternoon recently, watching a busy store in full flight, teeming with happy customers. Shannon has also added art on the walls, including at the moment some fine work by local photographic artist and friend of mine, Robin McPherson. I viewed the art this weekend, in fact, and it is impressive, and all for sale.
The official grand opening of Shannon Passero's new digs was this week, and although I was not able to attend, it was apparently quite the splashy event in downtown Thorold.
Right next door to Shannon's new digs is a storefront I have long admired, the Front Variety store hiding behind shelves upon shelves of fresh flowers, hanging baskets and more. I ventured inside and found out the floral display is the handiwork of the shopkeeper's mother and they have always had flowers for sale out front since they opened the shop 14 years ago. Mums are proliferating out front as we speak.
There are some empty storefronts on this side of the street at the moment, most notably the former Home Hardware location, but I am told plans are in the works for more development along this stretch of Front Street.
Beyond here you come across a stretch of lovingly-restored storefronts, in particular the old Quebec Bank building, now home to Studio 76 Interior Designs. The sign is an eye-catching combination of blue background and gold lettering.
Next to the old Quebec Bank building you find the small Bridal Lane, and I found myself wondering just how many brides and grooms had their pictures taken in this small area over the years.
Next you find a number of lovely storefronts housing several newer businesses, all of whom chose downtown Thorold for their new home because of the vibe on the street and more affordable rents. There's On The Front Cafe & Eatery and The Pie Man, for example, the latter where you can pick up sweet and savoury pies of every description.
Two of the newer businesses in this block I found particularly interesting. One, the Honey Bee Store is the second location for this business, the first still thriving on West Street in Port Colborne. As I mentioned in March, the Honey Bee Store has a wide selection of honey varieties on display, all of which you can sample. There's lots more, too, including maple syrup, teas and so on.
I lingered for quite some time in Figg Street Co., a gift store specializing in paper goods and related items. Here you will find gift wrap paper unlike any you've ever seen before and which I suspect you would never want to fold and tape, let alone rip apart to expose a gift. This paper almost IS the gift!
Need a card? Lots of great greeting cards here, including some exquisite hand-made designs you'll never find in your neighbourhood dollar store.
That's the whole idea behind the shop, according to proprietor Antoinette D'Angelo, who showed me around the store recently. You find special gifts here; more expensive yes, but top quality at fair prices. I never even knew you could purchase fine lead pencils from England, for example, but Antoinette has them in her shop.
Many items are locally sourced, but others come from all over the globe. I would venture a guess you won't see many of these items in another local shop in Niagara.
Nearby is the storefront for Knyvettism, another local shop with a lovely look and feel, but unfortunately they have decided to close down the store in the near future, I'm told, and concentrate instead on their burgeoning online business.
Once I left the downtown area proper, I ventured into some of my favourite tried-and-true businesses that in their own way have defined what makes Thorold unique. I visited my friends Glen and Ann, who run Clarkson Cycle & Sports, a going concern for many years at the corner of Pine and Richmond Streets, and then ventured further down Richmond to the iconic Big Red Markets. Their local produce is almost as much a draw as their BBQ-ready meats available year-round. I have never been here when it isn't busy, so they are certainly doing something right.
I can't leave Thorold without visiting the newly-renovated Riganelli's Bakery on Ormond Street. I have always enjoyed the bread here, including the Calabrese loaves they used to bake but no longer do, but the star attraction now is really the location itself. That dated storefront is no more; in its place a stylish new facade with tables and chairs out front.
When I visited recently the staff were obviously proud of the new look, and also the fact nothing has changed with their baking. It is still a great value after all these years.
After Riganelli's I headed down the escarpment into St. Catharines, happy with the new places I have discovered in Thorold, and happier still some of my old favourites are still there and thriving.
Have you visited Thorold lately? You might be surprised by what you find!
August 28th, 2015.
A couple of times this summer I landed in one of my favourite parts of Niagara, downtown Thorold. In fact, I wrote about Thorold back in the spring and how impressive the newly-updated downtown storefronts are looking. But it was still pretty cold back then and I didn't linger too much, but I have this summer, and there is plenty to linger over all around the city of Thorold.
So here are the results of my meandering through the heart of the city and the outer environs, enjoying the old, the new, the tried and true...
When you head into downtown Thorold, Ground Zero for many of us is Henderson's Pharmasave on Front Street. John and Cathy Henderson have kept the faith all these years and were probably the first to update the facade of their pharmacy back in the 80s, setting the bar high for the rest of the downtown merchants. They've kept up with the times on the inside, too, but the staff is just as friendly and welcoming as ever, and yes, they usually remember your name, too.
Not far from Henderson's is a new building going up that will house a medical practice on the main floor, I believe, and modern apartments upstairs. It is rare to find a new development of this type in a downtown, but this one is nearing completion and looking pretty impressive. A little further up that side of Front Street you'll find Nevaeh Kids Spa, which appears to be a rather novel idea.
If you take a few steps in the other direction on Front Street, you pass by Gypsy Alley, Elio's Foot Care Centre and Harry's New York Bar, and at the corner notice the equally sharp facade of the Panini Cafe. This local hangout is getting their share of good press lately, and although I have not been inside yet, I hope to soon. I've heard plenty of good things about both the food and the service there.
Head further down Front Street and cross to the other side and the first thing you will notice is the nicely updated facade of another favourite local eatery, Cosmo's Diner. I have been to Cosmo's many times over the years, and it was a favourite of my Dad's when we would go out for lunch on a Saturday afternoon years ago.
Cosmo's specializes in breakfast and lunch, with both sort of merging on the menu. A long time favourite recommended to me years ago was the Eggs Benedict, and it is still worth the trip for eggs benny done right.
A few steps south of Cosmo's Diner and you are stopped dead in your tracks and your jaw drops at the new transformation of the venerable post office building. Long empty, the property was purchased a while ago by upscale designer and retailer Shannon Passero, who needed more space for her growing business than the original location in the old firehall provided. So she and her husband lavished time and money on the building, making sure everything was done just right.
From the custom-designed art-deco iron railing up the stairs to the stylish sign above the door, you know entering this building will be an adventure. Yes, I did saunter in one Saturday afternoon recently, watching a busy store in full flight, teeming with happy customers. Shannon has also added art on the walls, including at the moment some fine work by local photographic artist and friend of mine, Robin McPherson. I viewed the art this weekend, in fact, and it is impressive, and all for sale.
The official grand opening of Shannon Passero's new digs was this week, and although I was not able to attend, it was apparently quite the splashy event in downtown Thorold.
Right next door to Shannon's new digs is a storefront I have long admired, the Front Variety store hiding behind shelves upon shelves of fresh flowers, hanging baskets and more. I ventured inside and found out the floral display is the handiwork of the shopkeeper's mother and they have always had flowers for sale out front since they opened the shop 14 years ago. Mums are proliferating out front as we speak.
There are some empty storefronts on this side of the street at the moment, most notably the former Home Hardware location, but I am told plans are in the works for more development along this stretch of Front Street.
Beyond here you come across a stretch of lovingly-restored storefronts, in particular the old Quebec Bank building, now home to Studio 76 Interior Designs. The sign is an eye-catching combination of blue background and gold lettering.
Next to the old Quebec Bank building you find the small Bridal Lane, and I found myself wondering just how many brides and grooms had their pictures taken in this small area over the years.
Next you find a number of lovely storefronts housing several newer businesses, all of whom chose downtown Thorold for their new home because of the vibe on the street and more affordable rents. There's On The Front Cafe & Eatery and The Pie Man, for example, the latter where you can pick up sweet and savoury pies of every description.
Two of the newer businesses in this block I found particularly interesting. One, the Honey Bee Store is the second location for this business, the first still thriving on West Street in Port Colborne. As I mentioned in March, the Honey Bee Store has a wide selection of honey varieties on display, all of which you can sample. There's lots more, too, including maple syrup, teas and so on.
I lingered for quite some time in Figg Street Co., a gift store specializing in paper goods and related items. Here you will find gift wrap paper unlike any you've ever seen before and which I suspect you would never want to fold and tape, let alone rip apart to expose a gift. This paper almost IS the gift!
Need a card? Lots of great greeting cards here, including some exquisite hand-made designs you'll never find in your neighbourhood dollar store.
That's the whole idea behind the shop, according to proprietor Antoinette D'Angelo, who showed me around the store recently. You find special gifts here; more expensive yes, but top quality at fair prices. I never even knew you could purchase fine lead pencils from England, for example, but Antoinette has them in her shop.
Many items are locally sourced, but others come from all over the globe. I would venture a guess you won't see many of these items in another local shop in Niagara.
Nearby is the storefront for Knyvettism, another local shop with a lovely look and feel, but unfortunately they have decided to close down the store in the near future, I'm told, and concentrate instead on their burgeoning online business.
Once I left the downtown area proper, I ventured into some of my favourite tried-and-true businesses that in their own way have defined what makes Thorold unique. I visited my friends Glen and Ann, who run Clarkson Cycle & Sports, a going concern for many years at the corner of Pine and Richmond Streets, and then ventured further down Richmond to the iconic Big Red Markets. Their local produce is almost as much a draw as their BBQ-ready meats available year-round. I have never been here when it isn't busy, so they are certainly doing something right.
I can't leave Thorold without visiting the newly-renovated Riganelli's Bakery on Ormond Street. I have always enjoyed the bread here, including the Calabrese loaves they used to bake but no longer do, but the star attraction now is really the location itself. That dated storefront is no more; in its place a stylish new facade with tables and chairs out front.
When I visited recently the staff were obviously proud of the new look, and also the fact nothing has changed with their baking. It is still a great value after all these years.
After Riganelli's I headed down the escarpment into St. Catharines, happy with the new places I have discovered in Thorold, and happier still some of my old favourites are still there and thriving.
Have you visited Thorold lately? You might be surprised by what you find!
August 28th, 2015.
Saturday, August 22, 2015
News and notes on a summer Saturday in Niagara
There appears to be plenty of opportunity to get out and enjoy a lovely summer weekend in Niagara, and that includes our incredible St. Catharines Farmer's Market, on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning year-round.
I just returned home with far more than I originally went for, but that is the nice thing about Niagara. When you grow so much here, you don't have far to go to get the best the world has to offer. Peaches, corn, eggs, Brazil nuts, early lunch and oh yes, the requisite butter tart...I think I'm done!
Now that I have fed the body, how about feeding the soul? You can do that today too, as the First Ontario Performing Arts Centre opens up the seating to new members starting now. The general public can purchase beginning September 12th, but why wait? In this case, becoming a member certainly does have its privileges.
In addition to advance notice and discounts on tickets to events at the PAC, you will also receive invitations to special events throughout the season and you can also look into having a friend come for free to selected events. There is lots more available to new members too, including discounts at partnering establishments.
In July, the 2015-16 Inaugural Hot Ticket Season was announced for the PAC, and as was the case at the venue's predecessor, Centre for the Arts at Brock University, there will be a mix of new and old, tried and true and newly-adventurous this season.
The first Hot Ticket performance at the Partridge Hall will be Darlene Love returning to Niagara Saturday evening, November 28th. Also playing the large hall before the Christmas break will be Louise Pitre December 3rd; Jesse Cook December 4th; Natalie McMaster & Donnell Leahy's Holiday Celebration December 5th; Ballet Jorgen's The Nutcracker December 8th and 9th; Classic Albums Live Led Zeppelin I December 10th; Molly Johnson's The Billie Holiday Project December 16th; John McDermott's Family Christmas December 17th and The Celtic Tenors December 18th.
The Robertson Theatre will host Fixt Point & Suitcase in Point Theatre Company with The Tale of a Town - St. Catharines from October 8th to the 18th; Essential Collective Theatre's production of Gary Kirkham's Falling: A Wake from November 18th to the 29th; Edge of the Woods Theatre production of Ralph & Lina December 2nd and 3rd; and the return of Suitcase in Point Theatre Company with Gimme! Gimme! A Holiday Cabaret December 11th to the 13th.
The Cairns Recital Hall will host Fortunate Ones on November 7th. This pop-folk duo hails from opposite sides of Newfoundland and have come together to make some interesting music together.
That's just what's in store for the fall season as the venues come online and begin to host events at the PAC. In January the film series will be announced for the film theatre, so we'll wait and see what will be coming to that smaller venue early next year.
Of course, there will be other tenants beyond the Hot Ticket series, including performances by Carousel Players, Chorus Niagara, the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine & Performing Arts, The Encore! Professional Concert Series, The Foster Festival, Gallery Players of Niagara, the In The Soil Arts Festival, Niagara Artists Centre's Strutt event, and of course the Niagara Symphony Orchestra.
All those events will be included on the Calendar page of my website at www.finemusic.ca shortly if they are not already there, so you can see everything on my site as well as on the FirstOntarioPAC site.
You can find out more today by going online to www.FirstOntarioPAC.ca or by calling the box office at 905-688-5601, ext. 3700 or 905-688-0722. You can also email the box office at BoxOffice@FirstOntarioPAC.ca.
This evening, downtown Thorold will come alive with the 27th annual Thorold Street Dance, hosted by the Protection Hose Company #1 Volunteer Firefighters. The event begins at 7 pm in the parking lot beside the Thorold firefighters station #1 on Towpath.
Music will be provided by the classic rock group Fifteen Stone, and admission is only $3, with proceeds going to Muscular Dystrophy and the Thorold branch of Community Care of St. Catharines & Thorold. This is an over 19 event, by the way, but should be a fun way to spend a lively and lovely Saturday night in the heart of Niagara.
Finally, this coming Monday evening I will be joining the local arts community attending the Annual General Meeting for Essential Collective Theatre at their present home at the Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre in downtown St. Catharines. The AGM gets underway at 7 pm, by the way.
I was recently asked to join the ECT board, which is something I have never done before, so I am a little nervous at the prospect of being on a Board of Directors. I long subscribed to the old adage I would not join any club that would have me as a member, but since it is a board for an arts organization on the cusp of entering the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre this season, I figured why not? How much trouble can I get into?
We'll see...
Wish me luck!
August 22nd, 2015.
I just returned home with far more than I originally went for, but that is the nice thing about Niagara. When you grow so much here, you don't have far to go to get the best the world has to offer. Peaches, corn, eggs, Brazil nuts, early lunch and oh yes, the requisite butter tart...I think I'm done!
Now that I have fed the body, how about feeding the soul? You can do that today too, as the First Ontario Performing Arts Centre opens up the seating to new members starting now. The general public can purchase beginning September 12th, but why wait? In this case, becoming a member certainly does have its privileges.
In addition to advance notice and discounts on tickets to events at the PAC, you will also receive invitations to special events throughout the season and you can also look into having a friend come for free to selected events. There is lots more available to new members too, including discounts at partnering establishments.
In July, the 2015-16 Inaugural Hot Ticket Season was announced for the PAC, and as was the case at the venue's predecessor, Centre for the Arts at Brock University, there will be a mix of new and old, tried and true and newly-adventurous this season.
The first Hot Ticket performance at the Partridge Hall will be Darlene Love returning to Niagara Saturday evening, November 28th. Also playing the large hall before the Christmas break will be Louise Pitre December 3rd; Jesse Cook December 4th; Natalie McMaster & Donnell Leahy's Holiday Celebration December 5th; Ballet Jorgen's The Nutcracker December 8th and 9th; Classic Albums Live Led Zeppelin I December 10th; Molly Johnson's The Billie Holiday Project December 16th; John McDermott's Family Christmas December 17th and The Celtic Tenors December 18th.
The Robertson Theatre will host Fixt Point & Suitcase in Point Theatre Company with The Tale of a Town - St. Catharines from October 8th to the 18th; Essential Collective Theatre's production of Gary Kirkham's Falling: A Wake from November 18th to the 29th; Edge of the Woods Theatre production of Ralph & Lina December 2nd and 3rd; and the return of Suitcase in Point Theatre Company with Gimme! Gimme! A Holiday Cabaret December 11th to the 13th.
The Cairns Recital Hall will host Fortunate Ones on November 7th. This pop-folk duo hails from opposite sides of Newfoundland and have come together to make some interesting music together.
That's just what's in store for the fall season as the venues come online and begin to host events at the PAC. In January the film series will be announced for the film theatre, so we'll wait and see what will be coming to that smaller venue early next year.
Of course, there will be other tenants beyond the Hot Ticket series, including performances by Carousel Players, Chorus Niagara, the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine & Performing Arts, The Encore! Professional Concert Series, The Foster Festival, Gallery Players of Niagara, the In The Soil Arts Festival, Niagara Artists Centre's Strutt event, and of course the Niagara Symphony Orchestra.
All those events will be included on the Calendar page of my website at www.finemusic.ca shortly if they are not already there, so you can see everything on my site as well as on the FirstOntarioPAC site.
You can find out more today by going online to www.FirstOntarioPAC.ca or by calling the box office at 905-688-5601, ext. 3700 or 905-688-0722. You can also email the box office at BoxOffice@FirstOntarioPAC.ca.
This evening, downtown Thorold will come alive with the 27th annual Thorold Street Dance, hosted by the Protection Hose Company #1 Volunteer Firefighters. The event begins at 7 pm in the parking lot beside the Thorold firefighters station #1 on Towpath.
Music will be provided by the classic rock group Fifteen Stone, and admission is only $3, with proceeds going to Muscular Dystrophy and the Thorold branch of Community Care of St. Catharines & Thorold. This is an over 19 event, by the way, but should be a fun way to spend a lively and lovely Saturday night in the heart of Niagara.
Finally, this coming Monday evening I will be joining the local arts community attending the Annual General Meeting for Essential Collective Theatre at their present home at the Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre in downtown St. Catharines. The AGM gets underway at 7 pm, by the way.
I was recently asked to join the ECT board, which is something I have never done before, so I am a little nervous at the prospect of being on a Board of Directors. I long subscribed to the old adage I would not join any club that would have me as a member, but since it is a board for an arts organization on the cusp of entering the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre this season, I figured why not? How much trouble can I get into?
We'll see...
Wish me luck!
August 22nd, 2015.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Looking to have some fun in downtown St. Catharines today?
In spite of the threatening weather, there is ample opportunity to head to downtown St. Catharines and have some fun and support a host of great causes. I've rounded up three of the big events underway today you might want to make time for.
First of all, throughout the day today until 7 this evening, the Buick Test Drive Event is on in the parking lot at the Meridian Centre. The Buick Drive For Your Students event is hosted by John Bear Buick GMC and MusiCounts, Canada's music education charity, and connects schools with local Buick dealerships to host interactive community fundraising events.
Today, you can drive a brand spanking-new Buick or GMC vehicle to help local schools in Niagara raise money. Here in St. Catharines, funds raised from the test-drives will help the DSBN Academy purchase new instruments. For every test-drive, Buick will donate $ 20 to the DSBN up to $10,000. That's a real financial shot in the arm for the DSBN, and it's a fun way to make a difference in the community.
Since this is also the day of Rick Dykstra's popular Hockey Night in St. Catharines fundraiser, our local MP and organizer of the event will be on hand along with players from the Niagara Ice Dogs to encourage residents to get behind the wheel for a good cause. You can park in the lot if you are doing the test-drive, and yes, you can bring your camera.
Speaking of Hockey Night in St. Catharines, the marquee event of the summer for hockey fans in Niagara returns for a sixth straight year at a new venue - the Meridian Centre. New location, but still the successful mix of former NHL players and Niagara Ice Dogs along with some other celebrity players coming together to raise money for the United Way of St. Catharines & District.
This event has become so successful it has become the top fundraiser for the local United Way for the past five years. Hockey Night in St. Catharines 6 will benefit both the United Way as well as the Steve Ludzik Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Program at the Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre.
Steve, who is co-host of the event with Rick Dykstra, is a former Chicago Blackhawk player and Tampa Bay Lightning coach, and has himself been living with Parkinson's disease for awhile now. He says "The players have been incredibly generous with their time when it comes to supporting good causes", and this is a very special cause indeed.
The rosters are still coming together, apparently, but it has been confirmed the celebrity referee will be former NHL Hall of Famer Ron Hoggarth, and players include Ludzik, former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Rick Vaive and many more. I would imagine Rick will be lacing up the skates as well.
General admission tickets are available for $15 each at the Meridian Centre box office, as well as Rick's constituency office at 61 Geneva Street and at the United Way of St. Catharines & District office at 63 Church Street in downtown St. Catharines.
Finally, why not make a full day of fun in downtown St. Catharines by enjoying dinner out at a great downtown establishment during Downtown D'Lish? Participating restaurants have special lunch and dinner menus through to August 29th, and the fixed-price menus range from $15 to $40, depending on the restaurant.
The list of restaurants participating is long, and includes everything from The Works to Gord's Place to The Blue Mermaid. Just Google Downtown D'Lish to find a list of participating restaurants and remember to call ahead to make your reservations directly with the restaurant.
So there you go - the whole day planned out for you right in downtown St. Catharines. Helping out great causes and having a fabulous meal at a super price. What could be better?
Enjoy the day!
August 20th, 2015.
First of all, throughout the day today until 7 this evening, the Buick Test Drive Event is on in the parking lot at the Meridian Centre. The Buick Drive For Your Students event is hosted by John Bear Buick GMC and MusiCounts, Canada's music education charity, and connects schools with local Buick dealerships to host interactive community fundraising events.
Today, you can drive a brand spanking-new Buick or GMC vehicle to help local schools in Niagara raise money. Here in St. Catharines, funds raised from the test-drives will help the DSBN Academy purchase new instruments. For every test-drive, Buick will donate $ 20 to the DSBN up to $10,000. That's a real financial shot in the arm for the DSBN, and it's a fun way to make a difference in the community.
Since this is also the day of Rick Dykstra's popular Hockey Night in St. Catharines fundraiser, our local MP and organizer of the event will be on hand along with players from the Niagara Ice Dogs to encourage residents to get behind the wheel for a good cause. You can park in the lot if you are doing the test-drive, and yes, you can bring your camera.
Speaking of Hockey Night in St. Catharines, the marquee event of the summer for hockey fans in Niagara returns for a sixth straight year at a new venue - the Meridian Centre. New location, but still the successful mix of former NHL players and Niagara Ice Dogs along with some other celebrity players coming together to raise money for the United Way of St. Catharines & District.
This event has become so successful it has become the top fundraiser for the local United Way for the past five years. Hockey Night in St. Catharines 6 will benefit both the United Way as well as the Steve Ludzik Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Program at the Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre.
Steve, who is co-host of the event with Rick Dykstra, is a former Chicago Blackhawk player and Tampa Bay Lightning coach, and has himself been living with Parkinson's disease for awhile now. He says "The players have been incredibly generous with their time when it comes to supporting good causes", and this is a very special cause indeed.
The rosters are still coming together, apparently, but it has been confirmed the celebrity referee will be former NHL Hall of Famer Ron Hoggarth, and players include Ludzik, former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Rick Vaive and many more. I would imagine Rick will be lacing up the skates as well.
General admission tickets are available for $15 each at the Meridian Centre box office, as well as Rick's constituency office at 61 Geneva Street and at the United Way of St. Catharines & District office at 63 Church Street in downtown St. Catharines.
Finally, why not make a full day of fun in downtown St. Catharines by enjoying dinner out at a great downtown establishment during Downtown D'Lish? Participating restaurants have special lunch and dinner menus through to August 29th, and the fixed-price menus range from $15 to $40, depending on the restaurant.
The list of restaurants participating is long, and includes everything from The Works to Gord's Place to The Blue Mermaid. Just Google Downtown D'Lish to find a list of participating restaurants and remember to call ahead to make your reservations directly with the restaurant.
So there you go - the whole day planned out for you right in downtown St. Catharines. Helping out great causes and having a fabulous meal at a super price. What could be better?
Enjoy the day!
August 20th, 2015.
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