Posted on November 29, 2014 under Storytelling with no comments yet

Boston Marathon. Fuelled by Wheel pizza

 

 

The gateway to downtown Antigonish runs down West Street, onto St. Ninian’s, and takes a 90 degree turn to the left onto Main.  Just after crossing the bridge over Brierly Brook, an unassuming building hangs very near the river’s edge.  If Times Square is the “crossroads of the world”, then The Wheel Pizza and Sub Shop is virtually the center of this town’s universe.

At least, that’s what it feels like.

I was standing at the finish line at the Boston Marathon the day before the race in 2012.  I was there to soak up the vibe and to pray like hell that that I would cross that line the following day.  I was decked out in all of my Boston Marathon swag for some photos.  And, much to the bewilderment of many other participants, I was holding an empty pizza box.  I expected a security officer or a psychiatrist to whisk me away at any moment.

Buddy Sweet owned and operated The Wagon Wheel back in the 50’s and 60’s.  This was long before the advent of fast food restaurants.  Initially the proximity to the campus of St. F. X. University was its main drawing card, but over the years it became famous for its exceptional pizza.  Many a relationship blossomed over a late night nosh at The Wheel.

The Lerikos boys were passed the baton and they continued the tradition of excellent food and friendly service.  I worked there for a spell during my university days.  I remember vividly making dough down in the basement … and the extra dough that it put in my pocket.

The current owners, Mike and Trish Hassin, have been running the restaurant for decades in the same fine fashion.  Many of their employees have made careers there; with Mike and Trish, their sleeves rolled up, right alongside them.

In a time of rapid progress, one thing has remained constant.  The pizza recipe is virtually unchanged, so if you are ordering a large with the works delivered to Bora Bora on your Tahitian honeymoon, you can expect the same pizza your grandparents munched on 50 years or more ago.

And if you don’t believe that they will send that pizza to Bora Bora, I invite you to step inside the restaurant and check out the pictures on the wall.  I daresay that Wheel pizza has been consumed in every country and continent on the planet.  I would not have been surprised to see Chris Hadfield munching on a slice during his time in space.

Regardless of the weather, The Wheel delivers, literally and figuratively.  During the very worst winter storms you can be assured that this iconic establishment will be open for business and that they will somehow get you your pizza fix.

These days I rarely buy a whole pizza.  The kids are gone and I’m the only one home who can eat it.  When I get the hankering, I just drop by and grab a slice on my way home from work.  The staff know me by name and they wrap up a slice with the works the moment I step in the door.

And Mike is in the back.  Mike is always in the back.  He greets his customers like family because, well, they are.

It’s definitely the” Wheel” deal.

Posted on November 26, 2014 under Storytelling with no comments yet

“Stressed” is just desserts spelled backwards!

 

 

It is a well-known fact that stress is unhealthy and sometimes leads to all kinds of physical and mental problems.  We all face challenges from cradle to grave.  When a baby needs to be fed or changed, it lets us know in no uncertain terms.  As young children begin to learn the do’s and don’ts of daily living, it is not uncommon to see temper tantrums.  And so it goes, all the way into adulthood and beyond.

There are lots of familiar stress releasers.  For those of us lucky enough to have them, holding a child or grandchild close is probably the most effective method to soothe angst … theirs and yours.  A long run or a bike ride can change the body chemistry quickly.  Or retail therapy!  These days, meditation, yoga and qigong seem to be the magic elixirs for maintaining equilibrium.

But may I offer a one-stop; one size fits all solution to reducing stress, regardless of your age?

I give you … the crayon.

I was walking the halls of academia recently.  I was honored that the university library at my alma mater had decided that they needed to fill a bit of space in the stacks by adding my two books …. in the “Canadian Studies” section, nonetheless.

While being escorted to the office where procurement takes place, my eyes were drawn to a table.  I did a double take and for a moment I thought I was at the library of an elementary school.  In the middle of a table was a nearly completed picture, a box of crayons and a sign that read, “Feeling stressed out?  Take a moment to relax and help us colour this picture.”

With all the sophisticated technology we have at our finger tips, it’s quite telling that a university has discovered that simple play still has a place in a wired world.

When is the last time that you got down on the floor and played marbles or tiddly winks?  Or how about tinker toys and etch-a-sketch?  Dinkies?  Hula-hoop?  Grab your slinky and stand at the top of the stairs and watch your stress dissolve as this amazing bundle of steel creeps and crawls to the bottom.

But, is there anything better than opening a fresh package of pointed Crayola crayons with its waxy smell, and pressing them on to a clean sheet of paper?

While walking past thousands of scholarly publications, my mind drifted back to my own university days.  It dawned on me that I probably should have spent more time studying Chaucer than Alexander Keith.  Back then, when we got stressed out with mid-terms and essays, we painted the town alright … but not with crayons.

Most universities in this country offer free courses to people over the age of 65.  I know of one lovely lady, slightly north of 65(!) who is one year shy of earning her university degree.  I’m not sure that she will take part in all of the “X ring” ceremonies when her time comes, but she will wear the X with considerable pride.  She is a perfect example of “life-long learning”.

I’m thinking I might just give this a go myself as I hurtle towards my first Old Age Security cheque.  I could be that “bold and bald” student in a class of twenty somethings.  If that day comes, and I witness a professor lose his cool, I will politely put my hand up and suggest that he chill out and go to the time-out room on the first floor of the library.

There will be a fresh package of crayons waiting for him.

Posted on November 24, 2014 under Monday Morning Musings with no comments yet

The scales of injustice

 

 

I saw this card in a UPS store in Florida. It just about says it all for those of us trying to lose a few pounds.

I’m rarely serious in these posts but from time to time, I’m like everyone else and like to blow off a bit of steam.  Facebook. It is a prevalent force in many of our lives. It is a terrific way to stay in touch and is a powerful tool for getting messages out to family and friends near and far. I also understand that Facebook is running a business and as such they can do what they want. It’s like the old adage “ he who pays the piper, calls the tune.”

Every now and then Facebook changes things up in an effort to monetize their business. Fair ball. It’s hard for small businesses who have spent a considerable amount of time cultivating customers ( or in my case, readers ) to see their “views” and “likes” plummet virtually overnight as a result of a change in algorithms. Or as climate change proponents might say “ Al Gore Rhythms.” ( Sorry. Couldn’t resist ).

So only a small handful of my loyal followers are getting my posts. There is no point whining about this because that won’t get any of us anywhere. It’s just the way it is. If you like my material and want to be sure that you receive every story… and idle musings, the best way is to go to my website and sign up for e-mail notifications. Yeah, yeah, I know that’s the boring, old fashioned way of getting messages… but it works. A small favor. If you could pass this story along as a “share” I would be extremely grateful. I would hate to think that my followers thought that I took the last three weeks off from writing stories.

Thanks.

My book launches are just around the corner. The first one is in Port Hawkesbury on Wednesday, Dec. 3^rd. at 7:00 P.M. at the Fleur de Lis Restaurant. The second is on Thursday, Dec. 4^th. at the nationally acclaimed People’s Place Library at 7:00 P.M. Come along for a few laughs and some refreshments.

I have a new story coming on Wednesday. I stumbled upon this one the other day while wandering the halls of the university library. I was over there to drop off my two books that they are going to put on the shelves in the Canadian Studies section.

I saw something that caught my eye. It was very colorful and really unique. I don’t want to give away  too many more clues or it will spoil the story but, safe to say, it will bring back a lot of childhood memories. The story is called “Color My World.”

Thanks again for all the nice comments about my story about retired art teacher, Mary MacGillivray. I was honored to share the space with Herald cartoonist, Bruce MacKinnon.

Have a great week.

P.S.  Congrats to the folks who organized the Christmas parade. Great job!!!