Tag Archives: Mike Williscraft

From the Publisher September/October 2015

ClubWest

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

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

One thing about food: everyone needs it.

Whether you are a bonafide meat maniac or a hardcore vegan, not a person on earth does not have a favourite dish, a favourite way of preparing something, and that meal which almost certainly reminds them of childhood, comfort and warmth.

It is harvest time here in Niagara and it is a great time of year for anyone who invests their time and energy into making their own food. Some do it from scratch, others may use an accessory here or there to save a little time. For those folks, and for those who rarely see the kitchen, with what the residents of this area have at their collective doorsteps we thought we could offer some ideas to give it a try.

Chef Jan-Willem Stulp has taken some extra time to create some recipes for a unique, not-overly-complicated Thanksgiving-style meal, but bits and pieces of it can be simplified to be just a very nice dinner for company, a family gathering or a romantic dinner for two. He always puts a great deal of thought and effort into what he presents in the pages of ClubWest and you will see that attention to detail is evident in our Fall edition to be sure.

If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, and getting your base cooking materials at the grocery store is not enough for you – you want your food to be even fresher – you may want to take the advice of Brent Bochek, who offers some fishing tips and locales to catch your own dinner. Brent is an avid fisherman whose passion for the hobby is clear.

His knowledge of the local fishing scene is also second to none. He too offers an idea on how to prepare what you catch…his version of stream-to-table as opposed to the popular gate-to-table theme.

Speaking about passion….what more can be said about Steve and Lori Popp at Memphis Fire Barbecue Co. Their combined passion for treating people right and putting out great from scratch food has been a recipe for success. They provide some secrets and tips for smoking meats at home.

Without a doubt, this time of year is our opportunity to appreciate all we have right here in Niagara West. Fruit and produce to be sure, but also locally raised chicken, meat and fish. Whether you cure meats or can tomatoes, you can use local freshness to prepare foods for those nasty, cold winter days.

With this edition also spanning Thanksgiving, one can reflect on the whole year. It is easy to see something in every season why there are great reasons to give thanks we live where we do.

Publisher, ClubWEST Magazine
Mike Williscraft

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

From the Publisher May/June 2015

ClubWest(To view our May/June 2015 issue of ClubWEST online, click here.)

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

As an avid Globe and Mail reader – kind of have to be since I got my newspaper industry start there – I was not surprised and highly pleased to see the name of one Nathan VanderKlippe pop up last month as the recipient of the 2014 Amnesty International Canada award, honouring outstanding reporting on human rights issues in Canadian media.

The surprise was not that he earned such a high award of distinction, but that he won such a high award of distinction.

Let me explain.

Back in the good ol’ days of owning another paper in Niagara West, Nathan came to me looking for a summer gig – as about 25-30 students do every year.

Bright and talented? Absolutely. Equally shy, though. I have seen some very good writers who simply could not survive in the publishing game because they could not overcome that shyness. If you don’t have the ability to stick your nose in where it is not welcomed from time to time, you would never be able to cut it as a journalist at any level.

To do a proper job, one cannot be a hugs and sunshine reporter. Readers need some meat on a story’s bones on occasion.

So that was the only question regarding Nathan and his future.

Me thinks he proved his point and more with this award.

His family is very proud I am sure, and they should be. It is nice to know I was able to give this outstanding reporter his start with his first paying gig. As always, Katherine Grant has done a great job highlighting some of his exploits. I think you will find it an interesting read.

And what spring edition of any publication worth its salt would not include features on some things to get readers off their couches and into the great outdoors?

Niagara West residents are spoiled having so many unique and picturesque conservation areas in their collective midst, to say nothing of the majestic Niagara Escarpment.

Enter George and Sylvia Prins. There are a lot of folks who enjoy a good walk and still others who might consider themselves more adventurous….so much so they take on the escarpment on a regular basis.

Few would march the entire expanse of the escarpment from one end to the other. Now that is a worthwhile project, complete with a bear encounter!

Now, if you planned a hike after whipping up and packing the tasty lunch – following Chef Jan’s frittata with chive pesto and chicken soup recipes – you would really be onto something

Publisher, ClubWEST Magazine
Mike Williscraft