Many decades ago, I heard someone state very authoritatively that wild meat has very little, to no, food value. Apparently, it is a widespread belief, as fellow biologists from both U.S. and Canada have said that they have heard the same statement. Usually, it was said regarding the meat of deer or moose, but sometimes caribou were mentioned. How such […]

7:15 p.m. The center atrium at the mall. A large, temporary structure houses “The North Pole”, an ad-hoc collection of holiday lights and fake snow. Rob weaves his way past a “Closed” sign, through the short maze where a line usually forms, and pokes his head behind the curtain. ROB: Mall Santa? MALL SANTA: You must be Ron? R: Actually, […]

Age has taught me a lot, and the wisdom I’ve gained helps me cope with stress. I’m more accepting of other people’s shortcomings, and perhaps I’m even more tolerant of my own (and believe me, I have them). I’m also better at seeing what truly matters. When I was younger, I let the holidays stress me out. I wrote this […]

Here is a secret that only a few of my closest friends know……when I host during the holidays, I serve the same meal over and over. That’s it. I only have to learn to make three delicious recipes and I’m golden. I usually like to get out my collection of Spode Christmas Tree Dinnerware. These are my favorite Christmas dishes […]

If you live in or near a small city, as we all do on 61, you learn soon that people have to wear many hats to get everything done. Grand Marais is fortunate to have overqualified people who can wear those many hats. One columnist and retired small business owner works at Holiday along with a retired money man from […]

The English Premier League commentators have this great catchword they go to every so often: “talisman”. A soccer club’s “talisman” is its best player, or longest serving. The player with whom all good things happen. Through whom all good things happen. Like in “Reservoir Dogs” when Nice Guy Eddie calls Vic (“Mr. Blonde”) Vega a walking rabbit’s foot. Think the […]