Category Archives: FROM THE PUBLISHER (PREVIOUS EDITIONS)

CLUBWEST, FROM THE PUBLISHER (PREVIOUS EDITIONS)

From the Publisher May/June 2018

ClubWest

(To view our May/June 2018 issue of ClubWEST online, click here.)

“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”
– Benjamin Franklin

Interesting contrast in this month’s edition of ClubWest.

We have a profile of Grimsby Museum’s Death & Dying exhibit – on now until the end of June – something to which we can all relate and something from which none of us returns, unless you want to get into a whole reincarnation discussions, but we’ll park that and save it for another day.

Then we have the rebirth of passenger/commuter rail which will and is reshaping Grimsby (and eventually Beamsville) in ways it seems unlikely most residents cannot contemplate as yet.

It isn’t shocking there was a rail line to connect rural residents to an urban centre 100 years, but it is surprising to many to read that it was an electric system.

That had to be incredibly cutting edge in the early part of the 20th century.

It was interesting to find that the driving desire of the rail line’s construction was to ensure the system went right down Main Street to ensure passengers had access to Grimsby’s downtown shops. The opposite plan is underway with the GO train plans to create its hub at the Casablanca/QEW quadrant with – as town council calls it – a new main street being built along Winston Road.

The HG&B line is just one of the remarkable historical ditties which make this area so unique, so special.

How many out there in reader land know what the “honeymoon huts” were?

I know there will be a few and, no, if you work at the museum or volunteer at the archives you don’t count for the purposes of this unscientific survey. For anyone who emails me (mike@wn3.ca) with the correct answer – and I want an approximate physical location included, as opposed to simply what the huts were – I’ll have a nice little prize for you. I will do a draw from all correct answers.

These are the kinds of stories which cried out to be told in a publication like ClubWest Magazine when I launched the publication five years ago.

This area is so rich in history, characters and talent we’ll never run out of story subjects. In fact, it’s just the opposite. It is more of a chore to narrow the field when trying to plan copy for each edition. That noted, some of these historical anecdotes are the most difficult to unearth, so we welcome the offering of ideas which can prove like a flashlight illuminating a previously dark trail. Show me the way, I’ll do the rest!

Publisher, ClubWest Magazine
Mike Williscraft

FROM THE PUBLISHER (PREVIOUS EDITIONS)

From the Publisher March/April 2018

ClubWest

(To view our March/April 2018 issue of ClubWEST online, click here.)

“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”
– Benjamin Franklin

If you’re looking for a grind ’em up, spit ’em out attitude of winning at any cost in minor lacrosse, Grimsby native Jamie Taylor is decidedly not your man.

If you want your youngster to gain some experience, learn about the game and themselves along the way and be the best they can be on both fronts, then you will be glad you read the feature on the former National Lacrosse League journeyman. Taylor will be a new coach in the Lincoln Crush minor lacrosse system and he brings a wealth of experience to the table.

As a former number one draft pick and someone who made many stops along the trail of his pro career, he will have a lot of insight to offer his players and their parents.

Surprises come along. Taylor’s career was not planned. It was almost a fluke, really, as he started out as a hockey player but found his skills flatlined. When he started cross-training with lacrosse, he immediately took flight and didn’t look back.

The ability to read the tea leaves and adapt are key in the world of sports, just as it is in business.

This month’s cover story on the ongoing development of Dillon’s Small Batch Distillery is proof positive of that.

Geoff Dillon and family members sensed an opportunity, did their homework and launched their new business, which was quite likely the easy part but getting it up and moving forward is the more difficult, ongoing battle.

Dillon and his team has listened repeatedly to what the market has told them and continued to adapt their offering to interest varied consumer interests and tastes. Being a good lis- tener can serve you in good stead no matter what line of work one is in and Dillon’s has picked up on that, clearly.

Starting out just over six years ago in what was, essentially, a little used drive shed on Tufford Road at the South Service Road in Beamsville, massive renovation and fine tuning has culminated in a unique consumer experience for anyone who has stopped by.

As owner of a small, independent publishing company, I know all too well the perils and benefits of going the entrepre- neurial route. A winning concoction is one part energy, one part smarts, one part creativity and one part crazy. Put all in a blender, mix well with anything from Dillon’s and you’ll be well on your way. Just kidding.

The first three parts are true, though. Great respect to Team Dillon’s and continued success and, as well, for Taylor with his lacrosse charges.

Publisher, ClubWest Magazine
Mike Williscraft

FROM THE PUBLISHER (PREVIOUS EDITIONS)

From the Publisher January/February 2018

ClubWest

(To view our January/February 2018 issue of ClubWEST online, click here.)

“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”
– Benjamin Franklin

For one, I appreciate the efforts of someone like Brandon Saigeon.

Yes, he is a talented young man, but he also has heart and determination.

As a very high pick in the OHL draft – fourth overall – one might think he was a silver spoon type, someone who had doors open and a path paved because of what he could do on the ice. Hockey simply doesn’t work that way.

No matter what your “specialty”, it is all about production. If you check, your opponent does not tally points. If you score, the puck needs to find the back of the net. If you stop pucks, your team had better win: night in, night out.

So for a teenager trying to make a name for himself and just plain get noticed, suffering a serious injury like shattering two bones in a forearm is major setback.

Confidence, development and most of all time on the ice is gone in an instant. Confidence can get rebuilt, development (while delayed) can come with solid coaching but making up for the time is near impossible.

Hard, painful work on rehab and training can help make up for that. Hours upon hours in a gym, effort fans don’t see, is what pushes one down the tough road to success.

Finally, and undoubtedly, a little later than he would have hoped, Brandon’s game is rounding into form and he and his mates with the Hamilton Bulldogs are starting to roll the way scouts had predicted for Brandon coming out of midget hockey.

Good on him!

I recall doing the story with him when he got drafted by the Belleville Bulls. He was a quiet, unassuming youngster who just wanted a chance. He is the same youngster today.

For me, it has always been my interest to tell the story behind the story. Yes, we have a solid prospect here with an opportunity to get to the promised land of the NHL. Maybe he will, maybe he won’t. However, it won’t be through lack of effort and it is that story that needs to be told.

How many kids play hockey? How many kids are a top prospect? How many players average more than a point per game in Junior? The numbers dwindle pretty quickly.

Brandon has an interesting story to tell and we are happy to do just that.

Now it is time to sit back and see how things play out while rooting for the young man.

Publisher, ClubWest Magazine
Mike Williscraft