Bonfire Life by Dave Dale
Chess is cool
My Dad taught me how to play chess, probably in Grade 6. Before the year ended I was beating him, as it wasn't something he focused on. For a long time, I had the rules written out on a piece of yellowed paper by his own hand. In pencil. I'm not sure where the paper...
Links to city’s 100-year history in Winter 2025 edition
The City of North Bay’s Centennial Celebration brings with it a fantastic opportunity to look back at the community’s foundations and pivotal moments – which helps everyone understand our potential moving forward. Our Winter 2025 Edition is step in the right direction...
Mother’s Day clarification needed, cribbage interviews are funny though
I really felt the need to talk to my mom before sharing the Mother's Day podcast with Echo's Lisa Boivin and Scott Clark, where we bare a bunch of deep stuff for the 'To North Bay With Love' episode released Thursday. Missing was some more context and updated info so...
‘I Won’t Remember Her’
In the depths of sickness and wilting under mounting tasks, the heart and mind mix fears, hopes and regrets into vivid dreams that are difficult to decipher. This week, as my fever broke, I awoke soaked with sweat and eyes welling with tears. A lucid sequence remained...
To each their own …
For those who still eat meat, the price of steak makes it a luxury item on most budgets. Fortunately, I don't eat much these days and can get by with small portions. Keeping trim is essential. These strip loin grilling steaks cost $12.20 for label weight of .554...
Happy 83rd birthday Mike de Moree
My college photography teacher Mike de Moree turned 83 years old today and I was happy to post a video of us talking about his life and interests, specifically what he considers when creating art. We talked for about an hour and a bit, although I cut out a bunch to...
Powwow guide brings back memories
The 29th annual Great Lakes Powwow Guide is circulating and it's impressive. I scored a free copy at the Duchesnay Store. Not sure if they have any more, but it's published by the Anishinabek Nation, which has its head office on Highway 17 West, just a few kilometres...
Driving his own destiny
Watching my son’s first mixed martial arts fight was everything I suspected it would be – intense, brutal and bloody. Many asked: "What were you thinking or feeling as your boy stepped into a cage to fight?” I tried writing a piece after the Jan. 28 match but it...
‘Flat earth’ road trip covers plenty of ground
Chatham is an interesting small city in southern Ontario that probably isn't on your bucket list, which is understandable. I took a rare road trip a bit ago and stayed there for five nights visiting a good friend. We checked out the 'Rims and Ribs' classic car show...
Batter up! Diamonds are shining in the Bay
I had one of those cool interviews the other day, it sparked a lot of memories about baseball. There's a video below where I talk to two young men I watched grow up immersed in multiple sports, with my lad just a year or so behind for all of a decade. They're now in...