Tag Archives: Magazine

CLUBWEST, FROM THE PUBLISHER (PREVIOUS EDITIONS)

From the Publisher November/December 2015

ClubWest

(To view our November/December 2015 issue of ClubWEST online, click here.)

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

Heritage, community cornerstones and people who go above and beyond to make the world around them a better place…what do those things have in common?

West Niagara.

When we developed the “concept” of what ClubWest Magazine would be – a portrayal of people who made and make this area one of the best places to live anywhere in the world – the subjects of this edition’s features are exactly what we had in mind.

One could spend a lifetime looking for a better community partner than the folks at Stanpac in Smithville. It is not hard to understand why employees love to work there and community groups speak in such glowing terms about the support they have received from the company over the years.

The cornerstone of their philosophy, keep the company in the family and avoid the inevitable dissolution which comes with corporate ownership. They invest in their people and their community, and their staff and town in which they live is better off for it.

They fall under the “It is great to see good things happen to good people” category.

From the private sector to public sector…I laughed out loud when Angela Maccaroni related the story about driving right by Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary School when she came to scout it out after accepting a job there. The maze of portables, back in the day, did not look like much of school. From humble beginnings, a thriving music program has evolved at BT with more than 100 students involved, almost 10 cent of the school’s population.

You talk about passion…this lady personifies a passion for music and teaching. Board officials, co-workers, parents and students all recognize that – hence her nomination for the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Results of the nomination are expected in January.

On the heritage front, there are a host of people – from Town officials to property owners – who have spent years and a lot of money working to preserve Grimsby’s heritage. Those efforts are pastimes, passions and pursuits all rolled into one.

Each of these story subjects exemplifies what we strive to represent with ClubWest and the flavour with which we develop our feature material – classy, local and accessible.

The people involved are the ones making our community a great place to live and are more than deserving of a little ink here and there and of our appreciation.

Publisher, ClubWest Magazine
Mike Williscraft

CLUBWEST, FEATURED ARTICLES (PREVIOUS EDITIONS)

You’re not in Kansas anymore… this barbecue is from Winona

ClubWest

(To view our September/October 2015 issue of ClubWEST online, click here.)

By Mike Williscraft

In business, just as in life, sometimes the best deal you make is the one which does not come to fruition.

Such was the case for Lori and Steve Popp, owners of the highly successful Memphis Fire Barbecue Company in Winona.

It was in 2008 when the duo had decided, after years in different capacities in the restaurant industry, to try their hand at operating a food truck/catering business.

“We had a BBQ catering trailer build set up with a U.S. company that fell through. We searched for a Canadian company to do the same thing but the closest we could come on price was three times the original cost. We just could not afford that,” said Steve.

“We had been driving by this spot for 18 months so we thought, ‘why not give this place a try?’.”

Their theory, recalls Lori, “We would rather open the door for one person, rather than wait for a phone call to serve 100.”

While that circumstance led them to their Hwy. 8 location just west of Lewis Road, their venture into the world of southern barbecue started about a decade earlier.

The first turn of fate came while Steve was working at Mon Bijou, a fine dining restaurant in Burlington.

…

See the full article in our online edition.

FROM THE PUBLISHER (PREVIOUS EDITIONS)

From the Publisher July/August 2015

ClubWest

(To view our July/August 2015 issue of ClubWEST online, click here.)

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

He had me at his first anecdote: needing to start a brand new job a day later than asked, after asking permission, so he could get married on Monday, June 10, 1972.

Gary Ricker was a walking, talking moment in West Lincoln history when he dropped by the township council chambers back in May to accept a token of appreciation after retiring from 41 years with the West Lincoln Fire Department.

It seemed Gary had stopped by to see about a potential job in the Caistor works yard as a truck driver and ended up being offered a position on the spot. Only problem was he had already set that date as his wedding day. It all worked out.

He started a day late, got married and is still married to his bride, Dawn, today.

The man has a great memory and can spin a yarn…a great combination for a feature story subject. I hope you enjoy hearing his tale, as much as I did speaking to him about it.

Then you toss one Garett Grist into the mix, and you have a very different recipe.

The 20-year-old Grimsby lad is movin’ on up in the auto racing world and we wish him nothing but luck on his life’s path which he hopes speeds him through the fast lane to the highest levels of racing in North America.

And a note of appreciation must go to former Grimsby resident and neighbour of the Grists on Kennedy Avenue, Bob Brooks, for connecting me to Garett. I’ve known Bob for many years and he dropped in to chat in mid-June touting the exploits of Garett. Bing, bang, boom and we were all set for another great story of a local kid doing well.

Simply put, these are the stories of which we just cannot get enough.

This edition marks the first anniversary for ClubWEST. In that year, I believe we have delivered on everything we set out to do: provide our readers with the best feature stories and photography on people, activities, pursuits and items of historical significance. And when we say ClubWEST will hit the street the first Thursday of every month it is due, you better believe that deadline will be honoured.

We love portraying people’s stories and it is clear after one year that our readers love this publication. Readers have jumped on board and taken ownership of this little book. That is clear from the number of people I get coming in with tidbits and story ideas they think are ClubWEST worthy. That occurred to me when Bob Brooks was in our office.

This type of connection to readers and the community it not something we take for granted. We deeply appreciate it.

Publisher, ClubWEST Magazine
Mike Williscraft