Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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May 28, 2011, 11:53 am
While I was at the second Spoken Word and Music event at McGinty's last night, a friendly stranger approached me and asked why I haven't published anything on this blog lately.
It always amazes me when total strangers approach me to ask if I am “The guy from The Meaford Independent”, or to talk... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Feb 5, 2011, 9:53 am
I arrived at the Facebook party rather late - and with great reluctance. I had always been one of those anti-facebook people who scoffed at the whole phenomenon.
When I finally broke down and entered the world of Facebook, it was mostly because I saw a potential upside of setting up a Facebook 'fan... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Jan 4, 2011, 10:18 am
I was up much of the night frustrated with yet another work related email.
Yesterday on January 3rd, which for the record was a statutory holiday, I received an email from a reader in which frustration was expressed that I had not published a letter to the editor that had apparently been sent for pu... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Dec 25, 2010, 11:07 am
Good morning all, I hope that whatever you may or may not be celebrating today, that you are enjoying this festive season.
My posts on this poor blog have been few and far between of late, but this morning I have some time as I sit in my favourite chair, with steam rising from my favourite coffee mu... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Dec 6, 2010, 3:00 pm
Howdy...it's been a while, I almost didn't recognize this place.
What a fabulous weekend to have had my boys here in Meaford. The Santa Claus parade was happening, we got tonnes of snow, and Mr. Writer needed something for his blog so that people will stop emailing asking why there has been nothin... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Nov 13, 2010, 11:04 am
I had a traumatic experience last weekend.
The kind of experience that resulted in my heart racing a little, beads of sweat forming on my brow, and a terrifying feeling of being trapped in a completely foreign world.
You see, last Saturday I allowed myself to be talked into going to a mall.
Regular ... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Oct 25, 2010, 1:19 pm
It was a beautiful autumn weekend, and it seemed like the perfect time to try making something else that I had never made before- chili. Or more specifically vegetarian chili.
I had some helpers in the kitchen this weekend, so this creation was a team effort.
After a nice game of Scrabble, it was ... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Oct 17, 2010, 6:57 pm
As I have said before, the goal of the Mr. Writer's Kitchen posts is to share ideas of things that can be done with local food, right in your own kitchen to make fun, easy to prepare, cost effective meals.
Anything I publish in the Mr. Writer's Kitchen section is something that I am making for the ... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Oct 17, 2010, 12:27 pm
After a wonderful thanksgiving dinner last weekend, my son Sam and I decided to take a bunch of the fresh, local vegetables that were left over and we made our own vegetable soup.
I'd never made any sort of soup before, so we were basically flying by the seat of our pants, and making it up as we we... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Oct 16, 2010, 11:43 am
Another gorgeous Saturday morning in Meaford. The sun is shining, the temperature is balmy given the time of year, and I am glad that the weekend has arrived.
This morning I don't want to talk about the Meaford election campaigns, I don't want to talk about Meaford events, in fact, I don't want to... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Oct 12, 2010, 3:59 pm
Yes, I know that there were no Saturday Morning Musings this past weekend. Thanks to all of you who emailed me just in case I forgot that this blog exists.
After a few weeks of election craziness, I decided to take the weekend away from work, and that included this blog site.
I had my boys for the... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Oct 4, 2010, 1:14 am
When I returned home on Sunday after a wonderful afternoon at Meaford Hall watching the reading of the stage adaptation of the novel Beautiful Joe as part of the 100 Mile Playwright Festival, I felt the urge to cook a nice dinner.
Though it was beautifully sunny outside, there was also a chilly wind... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Oct 3, 2010, 11:34 am
I was reminded yesterday that I need to find a food processor.
I have been on the hunt for a good, used food processor, and so far have not had any luck. I've been checking the Midas Mart every week, I've been asking around, but nothing so far.
Yesterday a friend and I were spending the afternoon o... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Sep 25, 2010, 9:27 am
The Farmers' Market sure seemed like the place to be in Meaford yesterday- especially if you are running for a council seat. The Rotary Harbour Pavilion was crawling with candidates who were handing out literature and talking to potential voters. At least half of the 17 candidates for Mayor, Deput... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Sep 20, 2010, 11:06 am
Okay folks, if a couple of guys can do this on a Sunday afternoon, then anyone can.
My friend Jarret and I decided to take a crack at making our own homemade tomato sauce- something neither of us had done before.
Based on the end result, we are apparently amazingly fine chefs who ought to be worshi... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Sep 19, 2010, 10:18 am
Wow, what a blur of a couple of weeks.
With the election season in full swing in Meaford, I have been buried in events to attend, people to interview, and copy to write for The Meaford Independent.
And because that just isn't enough to have on my plate, two partners and I are also in the midst of re... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Sep 7, 2010, 1:48 pm
It was one month ago that I ran the first (and until now only) Mr. Writer's Kitchen post. That post was about cooking summer squash, so it is only fitting that this second installment is about preparing a winter squash for the first 'autumn-esque' dinner of the year.
This Labour Day weekend was a ... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Sep 4, 2010, 9:58 am
I know that summer doesn't officially end for another 19 days at 3 in the morning on September 23, but this morning sure feels like a glorious autumn day.
I stalled getting out of bed this morning so that I could listen to the wonderful rain falling all around my home. Tapping on the windows and th... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Sep 1, 2010, 4:00 pm
What started out as a quiet evening at the home office working on website updates for a client whilst sipping some fine martinis turned into a fun and refreshing adventure.
As I was playing with pixels there was a knock at my back door. A friend had stopped by for a little break on my deck in the w... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Aug 23, 2010, 3:54 pm
This sign will be a particularly valuable addition to your collection:
Gerald Shortt got a really bitchin' Boxing Day deal on his signs provided they were in black & white only.
A key feature with these signs is that they all bear the personal handwriting of Shortt who after changing his mind and d... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Aug 23, 2010, 3:23 pm
The second release in our Limited Edition Collection:
If we can't have a real campaign, we can at least have some fun! Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Aug 23, 2010, 3:01 pm
Watch for them all! Collect the entire set kids!!
If we can't have a real campaign, we can at least have some fun! Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Aug 23, 2010, 11:41 am
'Nuff Said!
Shouldn't a logo/slogan for a community, actually reflect the community? I am not trying to merely criticize the work done by the consultant in coming up with logo designs for Meaford, but what does the top logo say about Meaford?
If I can re-do it as Hillcrest Mall and it looks just as... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Aug 16, 2010, 6:09 pm
Here are some expressions and statements my wonderful contributions to the gene pool have used in recent months.
“Apparently you don't get it.”
This from my 7 year old son Zack who though not involved in a conversation between my 11 year old Sam and I during which I was having some trouble under... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Aug 15, 2010, 2:42 pm
To those who have sent email messages asking why there have been no Saturday Morning Musings for the last two weeks- my apologies.
Last weekend I simply took the entire weekend away from the computer, phone, and blackberry, and I holed up in my apartment in an attempt to relax and re-focus.
Yesterda... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Aug 13, 2010, 12:35 pm
I find it amusing that I am sometimes criticized for being too fair and objective when I write articles for The Meaford Independent. What people are really saying is that they feel that I am too nice. That I don't get into the trenches and rake the muck, dig up dirt, and well... basically stir the... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Aug 10, 2010, 9:18 am
By-Law 073-2009 passed by our council on August 17, 2009 states the following:
4. PROHIBITION ‐ NOXIOUS WEEDS
No person shall cause, permit or otherwise allow noxious weeds to grow or remain on any privately‐owned land located other than Agricultural Land.
Hey, I don't agree with it either- but ... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Aug 4, 2010, 10:47 am
After my recent posts about making quinoa flake porridge, french press coffee, and sweet tea, I have had a lot of email requests to post more articles about stuff we do in the kitchen at the Vance Manse.
So I decided that what I would do is run an occasional piece called Mr. Writer's Kitchen. The... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Jul 31, 2010, 9:45 am
This time last year I was whining about the fact that our Meaford Council had passed a bylaw dealing with long grass and noxious weeds. I get a little rankled when governments at any level tell us what we can and can't do especially on our own properties.
Then again none of us actually own any... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Jul 17, 2010, 10:43 am
I had a discussion recently with “the friend” about sacrifice, and what we humans need to be willing to forsake or forgo if we truly want to make a difference and help make this blue ball a better place to live.
And I'm not just talking about environmental issues. There are many, many ways... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Jul 10, 2010, 9:01 am
I awoke before my alarm this morning. My alarm was set for 6:30, but at 5:00 I was wide awake so I figured that this would be a great opportunity to get a head start on the Saturday Morning Musings and make up for the fact that last week I played 'musings hooky'.
I tip-toed around my apart... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Jun 20, 2010, 3:01 pm
When shall we three meet again
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
When the hurlyburly's done,
When the battle's lost and won...
Fair is foul, and foul is fair;
Hover through the fog and filthy air. Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Jun 20, 2010, 1:34 am
I've mentioned before that I used to travel a fair bit. There was a seven year stretch in my life when I was out of the country travelling on business for two or more weeks of every month.
Over time about 65% of that travel was to the United States of America, and the remaining 35% was oversea... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Jun 19, 2010, 10:30 am
I don't do Hallmark Holidays.
Being that I live in North America, I have been reminded for the last couple of weeks that tomorrow is Father's Day. I can only imagine how much more I would have been reminded if I had cable and watched television.
Sure, I get sucked in sometimes- 40 years o... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Jun 13, 2010, 5:19 pm
As you know, I really dig the idea of a new logo and slogan for The Municipality of Meaford.
I've been putting some thought into it, and I have put together a rough draft of a design for a logo & slogan.
The Trillium represents Sydenham, St. Vincent, & Meaford.
Here it is.....Thoughts? (You c... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Jun 13, 2010, 8:38 am
Howdy and happy Sunday morning folks.
Well yesterday's musings were sooo much fun. Mr. Writer took it on the chin a little bit yesterday. Interesting to see the views of some people.
Anyway, I woke up this morning to an in-box full of email messages. There were 22 email relating to the mus... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Jun 12, 2010, 12:23 pm
Where the heck are the Saturday Morning Musings??
Since I redecorated this damned place I just can't find anything. I've looked under the bed, behind the couch, in the kitchen cupboards, and I can't find the musings. And what's with all these books? No wonder I can't find any... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Jun 8, 2010, 7:13 pm
Around this time last year I posted a little piece about words and expressions that I don't use.
It was a silly little blog post, but at the same time it generated some fun comments and even more email from readers sharing their own expressions that bothered them.
Today I have been thinking ab... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Jun 6, 2010, 11:58 am
A little update for all of you.
Mr. Writer fell to defeat. Yes, I was beaten fair and (almost) square.
The smug, smiling face you see to the right is the current Trivial Pursuit Champion around here.
She should be careful of smiling too much though, because all champions are destined to fall at ... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Jun 5, 2010, 11:07 am
Chris Haney passed away this week at the very young age of 59.
It is always sad when anyone passes away, but as we all know it is always particularly sad when it is someone we either know, or have a special appreciation for.
I have never met Chris Haney, however I do owe the man an enormous thank ... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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Jun 3, 2010, 8:19 am
Good morning everyone.
As I begin my day I see that there are already a bunch of birthday wishes in my in-box, and on my facebook page, and I have already received a phone call from my baby boys Sam & Zack. I thank all of you.
But this morning I want to talk about someone else's birthday.
Yo... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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May 31, 2010, 6:17 pm
By Stephen Vance, Editor- The Meaford Independent
There are times when I sit in the Meaford council chamber that all I can do is bite my tongue and shake my head. It is either that or draw the conclusion that there must be some secret initiation process for councillors, during which special logic ... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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May 29, 2010, 8:12 pm
I was re-reading an issue of Russian Life magazine from July/August of last year (2009), and there is a fabulous article about journalism and media in Russia in that issue.
It is no secret that I have a deep love for Russian people and Russian culture, but I must take exception to a statement made ... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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May 29, 2010, 4:33 pm
Some people have asked me why I get so bent out of shape about noxious weed and long grass bylaws.....here is just one of the reasons.
Thank you to Amber in Ottawa for being on top of the important stuff....one of the reasons I dig her:
http://unstuff.blogspot.com/2010/05/i-heart-hank-and-vera-j... Comment - Like
Stephen V. posted an article on
Mr. Writer: Musings from Meaford
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May 29, 2010, 10:53 am
Good morning everyone- what a week! I'm feeling so used...
It has been a week of re-using, re-tasking, and gifting around the Mr. Writer household.
Last weekend was one of those weekends that made me fall in love with this town after I first moved here. It was the weekend when Meaford reside... Comment - Like
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