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Wrapping Up January
The temperatures during the month of January have covered a wide range. We had some record-breaking warm days and then some below-zero days. One constant, though, has been the comments from readers of "On the Sly." It amazes me how just one suggestion or idea can lead to so many varied comments. Thanks to the regulars at "On the Sly" and please continue to tell your friends about us.
Before we head into February, there are some leftovers to take care of. The "Atomic Fireballs" blog generated 25 comments at this point, and I have visited A Different Blend on Clinton Street a few times to buy penny candy. I've reloaded my pockets with fireballs and enjoyed licorice candies and caramels, while telling Joe, the owner, about some of the candies mentioned by readers.
And on Saturday night I came across one of my all-time favorites when it comes to candy. It is from my childhood time in Canada, when we would visit my Mom's parents, Grandpa and Grandma Jock. They owned a little mom-and-pop grocery store and they sometimes sold a molasses candy called Tire Ste. Catherine.
It's not pronounced "tire" like on your car. It's pronounced "tear" like when you cry. It's a little piece of taffy-like candy with molasses flavor and it comes wrapped in a paper, the same as salt-water taffy. On the wrapper is a cartoon of an old lady. The sticky candy has a great flavor, and it can be dangerous for pulling fillings out of your teeth, so you have to eat a Tire Ste. Catherine with caution.
I found some in a candy shop in Montreal on Saturday night. I gave a yell that frightened the owner. Then she laughed at my happiness at finding this treat! The next day I called Josee Beauharnois, my former colleague who taught French at Stafford Middle School. She told me that "tire" comes from "tirer," the French word meaning "to pull." Therefore, it's a pulled candy. According to legend, the old lady on the wrapper has to do with the olden days when, if you weren't married by the age of 25, you would be considered an old maid. The Catholic Church named St. Catherine as the patron saint of unmarried women, because she chose execution rather than marry the Roman Emperor Maxentius.
Saint Catherine's Day is celebrated November 25 and that is the time each year when this candy can be found in Canada. In fact, for a few years, Josee's father would buy me a big bag of the candy in St. Jean, Quebec, Josee's hometown.
On another topic, my mention of baseball cards stirred up memories of those Topps' pieces of cardboard being used on our bicycle spokes as kids to make a motorcycle sound. We all did it, hopefully using cards of players like Bob Oldis and Bill Renna instead of Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays.
I was never a Yankees fan, but I was glad to get a Yankee in a pack of Topps, because that meant I would have something to trade to my buddy Bobby Gertsch. He was the Yankees fan, and I was the Dodgers fan. I can still remember the day in 1958 that he dangled a 1954 Topps Jackie Robinson card in front of me for hours in his bedroom while we worked on a trade for Yankees cards. We finally consummated the deal for several Yankees baseball cards. I still have that card today!
The blog "My Pal Sal" resulted in an e-mail from the man himself, Sal Righi, who wanted to recognize some of the guys he worked with. Sal wrote, "How can I thank George Dukette, Bob Clukey, George Roberts, Robin Roushia and Tony Ciccone for their dedication to the department?" Sal was grateful for all the kind words that he read from readers of "On the Sly."
Let's bring on February. We are ready. Baseball spring training camps will be opening up. Hey, the Opening Day of the baseball season is just 63 days away! Go, Dodgers!
Comments
Zone I had just left the Wick after driving him to the hospital for him to get wired up for some spinal injury.
However, the lasr 5 hours were at Mick Miles doing Buds.
Posted by: skip zatonski | February 2, 2007 6:13 PM
In keeping with the Carver's wish; I DO HEREBY OFFICIALLY SIGN ONTO FOXY'S BLOG on this Groundhog Day. Sorry Carver but I, like you, have just cable and no dish. Go YANKEES and the YES network. As for Bullet, Long Ball does sound catchy. Skipper Z, sorry to hear about the foot injury but I am sure it will not slow you down. Get home where it is safe and your friends can look after you more closely (Where was Wick?) how could he let this happen to you?
Posted by: Zonebreaker | February 2, 2007 7:27 AM
Punkinhead Rowlson, Just spoke with him last week. Same old /same old, so I'm off the subject.
Posted by: Crazy Critter | February 1, 2007 10:16 PM
I remember the Pine Cone. I went to Punkinhead Rowlson's wedding reception there I think i got back safely .
Carver I haven't played golf much here in Myrtle Beach. I broke my foot 2 weeks after I got here. It wasn't from the ice on the ground like up north but I think it had something to do with the ice in the glass. I'm still hobbling about.
Chris R. is living HUGE in Tn.
Im looking forward to watching college baseball here in Myrtle Beach next month. They usually have a big tournament here.
If I'm still hobbled by the time spring training starts I might drive down to Tampa or Ft. Myers and watch Sushi sox or the Yipponese Yanks play.
Take care and GO SOX
Posted by: skip zatonski | February 1, 2007 5:51 PM
Hey Carver,
Thanks for the milestone. First time referred to as "elderly". Carr's got me by 4 years. I liked Miney's reference to Officer Connick, I remember playing pull the rope in front of Primard's/Aley's and Chief Young's house on an unmarked car and the cops chased us into Sherman St. Woods. We didn't get caught but had a lot of explaining for the dirt and mud caked on us.That was before the houses on the East side were brought in. By the way will Zonebreaker be switching his name to "Long Ball" once baseball season comes.
Posted by: Bullet | February 1, 2007 4:25 PM
Good bye January and welcome to February... baseball is just around the corner and I've decided I need a new team to root for.. tried to stick with the Nationals (formerly Expos) but they 're too hard to follow unless you have one of those fancy dish packages that only rich guys like foxy, carr, and zonebreaker can afford so I've decided to join my old pal "Willard" and jump on the Cubs band wagon....Go Cubs..
Hey Fox thanks for the fireball, they are a tad hotter than I remembered... but did manage to keep it in my mouth the entire time, (cried a little doing it !) and managed to finish it off in just under 20 minutes, I've noticed Blog replies have been a little scarce recently... probably the winter blues has got everyone down a little... although I do worry about some of our elderly bloggers, (like oldtimer, Bullet, Carr, skipper and the likes).. I think we need a roll call. (like WIRY used to do at the common council meetings) remember...: alderman Poitras..here!... alderman Blumette ... here! and who remembers when someone used to ask your phone number and you'd say JORDAN 1-2345...Good old J O !.., I think groundhogs day should also be recognized as Foxy's blog Day ..so why doesn't everyone check in... and for those who usually just read the blog now would be a great time to join in, Happy Blog Day in advance!!!
(Foxy's note: Great idea, the carver!)
Posted by: the carver | February 1, 2007 3:07 PM
Foxy,
Minnie Rowlson--Is he son of the Dentist Buzzer Rowlson?? If so he had another brother who was with the fire department at PAFB. He was a frequent customer of mine when I owned the "Pine Cone Restaurant" in Cadyville. Would like to get in touch with him.
Say Hi to your Mom.
Bob Jock
(Foxy's note: Bob.. the answer is yes, he is the son of the doctor. I'm sure Miney will see your comment and respond. The Pine Cone Restaurant is well-remembered and missed. It was a great place!)
Posted by: Robert J Jock | February 1, 2007 2:50 PM
Foxy, your blog affords many of us a trip down memory lane and that is always an enriching experience. The opportunity to hear from many old friends and even find out where they are now in their life. The blog has afforded this opportunity to, not only people here in the North Country, but from all over the United States and that is a credit to your popularity. Now, as Kern said, PLAY BALL. It is that time of year with pitchers and cathers reporting within two weeks.
Posted by: Zonebreaker | January 31, 2007 7:12 AM
Thank YOU, Foxy, for a fantastic opportunity to read and share wonderful experiences from the North Country.
It’s great to see that so many of us can take a few minutes to reflect and relive a little piece of history, and through the blog, grow a little older, a little wiser, and a bit wider (it was all that candy and 'pig's dinner' talk!).
“PLAY BALLLL!”
I’m sorry, what was I saying…
Oh yea, history…baseball, Dodgers, nah..YANKEES, peanuts, popcorn and, of course, Cracker Jacks!
Foxy, if you come down for a ValleyCats game, please let me know!
(Foxy's note: Yes, indeed, I will let you know. This weekend I talked with Erik (my son) about getting to several games this summer, and maybe even doing a "Fox on the Run" show from Joe Bruno Stadium, complete with the hot dog survey. You would be a great hot dog judge!)
Posted by: Kern | January 30, 2007 8:51 PM
The Chief calling his sports museum "little" is a total understatement. He is TRULY a FANatic. I'm happy you boys are all looking forward to the baseball season. We are going to catch a game when we're in Georgia but, unfortunately, the Mets won't be playing then. Have fun kids and enjoy the Super Bowl - May the Lucky numbers be MINE!!!!
Posted by: miss d | January 30, 2007 5:45 PM
Speaking of bicycle wheels making noise .. did you ever try tying balloons to your bike so they rubbed up against the back wheel? This produced a much sweeter sound than cards, course you had to be careful. You had to use the long balloons and not blow them up too far or they would burst. The sound was much closer to a 'hot' car, a deep rich sound. You controlled the depth of the sound by how much air you put into the balloon. And of course they did not last as long as well as the fact that balloons had a much more important use - water balloons to throw @ Leo Connick's police cruiser.
Posted by: Miney Rowlson | January 30, 2007 7:26 AM
Hey Foxy... I've been counting the days until spring training opens up (actually started counting the day my Cowboys decided to take a nap and end their season). Living down in the southeast gives me the opportunity to visit some of the camps. Until I retired from the AF a couple years ago my troops down in the Tampa area had great connections with some of the teams, especially the Indians (unfortunately not the Braves..a real baseball team) :) I even got the opportunity to throw out the first pitch for an Indians/Dodgers game, quite a memory. Bob Feller is always there also and after visiting there for a few years got to spend some quality time with him. Great man.. lots of stories.. and he loved us military guys. Looking forward to the Braves/Yankees spring training game in April.. and as many others as I can. Like you I am a BIG baseball fan... also a collector (Miss D has visited and seen my little sports museum). I'll keep you posted on my adventures. Play Ball!!!!
Posted by: Chief | January 29, 2007 11:37 PM