A History of Our Festive Feasts by Brian G. Spare The Yuletide season will soon be upon us once again and with it comes all the rituals, social gatherings, traditions and food that make up this time of year. I don’t know of any other holiday season that is so steeped in traditions, or isContinue reading “Dinners of Christmas Past”
Category Archives: inspire
Kids Bids
An auction just for kids! by Brian G. Spare Think back to when you were a youngster. Wouldn’t it have been cool to have an auction just for kids that was every bit as like one for grown-ups? You would be on TV, win games, toys or even a bike that you bid on, andContinue reading “Kids Bids”
In The Shadow of Anemki Wajiw
Etched Murals at Thunder Bay International Airport Celebrate Indigenous Culture by Brian G. Spare What sparked this endeavour was the work of an aspiring young artist and film maker from Couchiching First Nation who is involved in a project to reclaim Indigenous languages and places across Ontario. She uses commercial billboards to showcase Anishinabe languageContinue reading “In The Shadow of Anemki Wajiw”
The Great Wall of Thunder Bay
The construction of the harbour breakwater provided an economic life-line to our city by Brian G. Spare As the 1880s approached, people of the Lakehead knew the fur trade, the industry which had sustained them for two centuries, was winding down. Times were changing. The national railway, the CPR, was making its way eastward andContinue reading “The Great Wall of Thunder Bay”
The Lesson of Christmas
by Brian G. Spare What does the name “Scrooge” conjure up in your thoughts? No doubt an image of old Ebenezer himself and likely the classic image of Scrooge portrayed by Alasdair Sim… Humbug!… Whether it’s July or December the mere mention of Scrooge reminds us of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” one of theContinue reading “The Lesson of Christmas”
Christmas and Candy
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Brian G. Spare When I was little, my Dad read this rhyme to me as my bedtime story of choice from Halloween until Easter. Even though I didn’t know what a sugar plum was, but they sure sounded delicious. Years later, I found out they don’t’ haveContinue reading “Christmas and Candy”
The House
by Brian G. Spare I slumbered in bed for a while half asleep. The glint of sunshine through my bedroom window and its warm caress on my face was a wonderful feeling, and I sighed deeply nestling down into the covers. But gradually the sleep wore off, and with a yawn and stretch, found myselfContinue reading “The House”
My Favourite Christmas Present
by Brian G. Spare I have received some very nice Christmas presents over the years. But the presents I remember most fondly are from my childhood and one in particular stands out as I recount the years. It was 1969, I was ten, and the excitement of ripping the wrapping paper off a gift pulledContinue reading “My Favourite Christmas Present”
Brian G. Spare 