Doctor’s appointment update…

As promised, an update would be posted once I returned from my doctor’s appointment – and here I am sitting in front of the PC writing to all of you with the news I was given today.

After my rant with the Quebec Government about health care and lack of physicians, I was asked to call a pager number last week; which I did, and this morning I went to a Sherbrooke clinic for my prescription renewals. After meeting briefly with the doctor, and hearing my story she decided to take me on as a regular patient.

She renewed all of my prescriptions, and gave me a new prescription for another asthma inhaler that she felt I should be taking along with my Flovent.

She asked that I open a dossier with the receptionist on my way out, and gave me an appointment for a full evaluation in January – and she asked that I go to another clinic and carry out other tests as well. She wants to get all the information required in order to fully understand and teat my medical needs. So in the next few months, I’ll be busy with doctors, nurses, and a series of tests.

This is not the way I wanted to get medical attention – however if it took several phone calls, and letters, then so be it. That’s the way I got into the Quebec medical system, and let this be an example for others who are out there with no answers – write letters and make phone calls, and most importantly of all; don’t give up!

Karen Eryou
December 27, 2007

Healthcare update – ask and you shall receive

SHERBROOKE - Back in November of this year, I wrote letters to the Quebec Government, in regards to lack of doctors and prescriptions that needed renewing before the end of the year.

After having been refused to be seen by a doctor at the local CLSC’s, I decided to take matters into my own hands and went on a letter-writing campaign.

On November 15th, I wrote a letter to Mr. Jean Charest, our elected Minister and Sherbrooke Deputy, I received acknowledgement of my letter, and was asked to call the CLSC – however, I had already taken that route and was declined attendance at that location. The other suggestion was to present myself to an emergency service at the CHUS or Hotel Dieu (the solution that I did not want to take) – I’m not an emergency patient; all I need is to see a doctor to renew my prescriptions. I don’t want to sit for hours, and take the place of someone who really needs to be in the emergency room.

Also on that same day, I wrote to Mr. Philippe Couillard’s offices – I received a letter dated December 5th also acknowledging reception of my letter and stating someone would get back to me. On December 17th, another letter was sent to me by an administrative agent for the Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de l’Estrie – a short one paragraph letter, but to the point and one that has brought a solution to my problem.

I was instructed to call a certain pager number and leave my phone number, and a doctor would call me back. I did this the day after receiving the letter, and the doctor called me back – renewed one of my prescriptions by phone at the drugstore for me for the next four months, and I have an appointment with this doctor as of December 27. It’s an open appointment – which means I will have to sit and wait my turn at a clinic; however, this is all a step in the right direction – I’ll fill you in how it goes upon my return.

Yes, there are problems with our health system – but I guess the old saying stands true, if you don’t ask you don’t get.

Karen Eryou

December 26, 2007

Hello Kitty Armoured Personnel Carrier

Hello Kitty Armoured Personnel Carrier, originally uploaded by Dud21e@.

Used with Written Permission. Thanks Dud21e@. HK Armoured Personnel Carrier

How safe is Fido’s rubber ball?

As the Christmas season soon approaches we are still reminded almost each week about product recalls. This year has been marked with many recalls – mostly by products originating from foreign lands. These products are much cheaper to mass produce in another country other than North America; salaries are the biggest complaint from manufacturers today.

The pet food recall was a huge deal this year – tainted food being produced for our cherished four-legged companions. Being a pet owner myself, I would not have wanted any of these foods being presented to our Persian cat, Pacha, who is as much a part of the family as another human would be. He greets us at the door when we arrive from our long day at work – he wakes us in the morning, and amuses us all evening long, just by being cute and doing cutesy things that would probably annoy the heck out of a non-pet owner.

Our Pacha, king of his castle, was introduced to IAMS as a kitten and then was switched over to Persian 30, a product manufactured by Royal Canin. Pricey, yes, but he is worth every dollar spent on his food. He’s healthy, has a shinny coat, and the shape of the nugget is made especially for his odd-shaped face; a specialty food, for a special cat.

Now with all this fuss about lead-based paint on children’s toys is beginning to annoy me – how much paint would a child have to suck back or how many paint chips would they have to ingest before becoming an alarming level for health reasons?

With this said, why is nobody not checking the lead-based paint levels in pet toys? These precious creatures are as much a family figure as a child to many. If it’s that dangerous for children – it must have the same effect on pets. A pet is more apt to lie on the floor and nibble at a toy than a child is going to suck on Barbie’s hand all day long.

Come on people, let’s start investigating the toys that our pets are loyal to – they must be made with the same lead-based paints – after all, how many pet toys are not massed produced in a foreign country these days?

It’s time to take back these manufacturing jobs – and get North America back working again. If I’m willing to pay more for a brand-name food product for my pampered feline – maybe it’s time that today’s parent pay more for a brand-name toy that would be manufactured by their friends, neighbours, or even relatives right here in North America, and be safer for their child at the same time.

Let’s take back jobs, and be more safety-conscious about it as well.

A little help from Santa's elves...

While the trees have all shed their leaves, the cool crisp nights, and the snowflakes in the air, the winter season is now upon us. Santa has arrived at several shopping malls, and has also made his grand arrival at the traditional Montreal Santa Parade – this could only mean one thing – Christmas shopping is once again upon us. What to purchase for the car collector? There is always the lame department store T-Shirts, and boxers. However this year, make his or her gift a bit more enjoyable with a unique gift that is not available at the local mall or department store. Make it something original, or something that they do not already have and will only further their personal collection, knowledge, or passion of the antique car for season’s to come.

Here are a few items that I’ve located online that may interest your loved-one this holiday season:

One could offer a coveted real 1949 Woody wagon in pristine condition that could cost close to $50,000. However, T. Shipley offers a die-cast metal model that costs a bit less, hauls a long-board for surfing, and comes with a matching ballpoint pen that can replace the surfboard on top. The pen is handcrafted with a maple and rosewood inlaid barrel that mirrors the wood paneling on the classic car. Other pen features include a rich black lacquer cap, chrome trim, and distinctive surfboard clip. This is a unique gift for any car collector.

Car Collector magazine is a great gift – and one that will continue to give all year long. Inside every issue, there are collector profiles, restoration tips, auction updates, new product information, and more. I’m sure that this will be a magazine that will find it’s place in the heart of many automobile enthusiasts and will be used as a referral book in the future for restoration projects. You can subscribe by calling 800-490-5680 (if the 800 number is out of your calling area, you can reach them at 321-267-8011) – the rate for a Canadian subscription is 39.95$

At One Share you can purchase a single stock in Ford. The certificate features an ornate steel etching of Henry Ford, and his famous black car. It is perfect for any Ford collector. This gift will run you about 100$ but it’s a great item to proudly display. They have many other stocks available, such as Harley Davidson, GM, Chrysler, and many more. This is a real stock ownership opportunity. To date, OneShare has served more than 360,000 customers. For more information about this unique gift item call 888-777-6919.

And if you are looking for that hard-to-come-by vase for your vintage automobile – then look no further, Classic Dreamcars in Mount Dora, Florida offer authentic original vases pulled from a museum collection and are available while supplies last. These are made from etched glass, cut crystal, cobalt Vaseline glass, and others. The reason these vases were installed into the automobile way back then, was to mask the smell of fuel, leather and the hot mohair fabric. For availability information and pricing call 352-385-1945.

If nothing here seems to appeal to your loved one – maybe a few days in sunny Florida is what would be most appreciated, along with a trip to the Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum, located at 1527 Packard Avenue, Fort Lauderdale.

Karen Eryou - Le Tacot 2007

Our Quebec health system is like a roundabout – with never a clear exit in sight.

Last year I found myself at the emergency room at the Magog hospital at least 10 times before a duty doctor decided to give me an asthma test – and decided that the persistent colds, coughs and sinus infections would be cleared up with an asthma inhaler – Flovent.

The kind doctor prescribed me this medication for a year – and the year is coming to an end very soon – and the warning in the product guide enclosed in each box clearly states: Do Not Stop Taking Flovent HFA Suddenly.

Today, I called the local CLSC for an appointment or information on the hours of a walk-in-clinic so I could have this and another prescription I have for migraines renewed, and was told that they no longer take new patients, and I must present myself to the Emergency room at the hospital for this, if I have no family doctor.

The hospitals all say to consult the CLSC unless of a real emergency – where does one turn to? This is when you miss Dr. Gilles Bouchard and Dr. Bonin of Stanstead.

This evening, I’ve written our own Jean Charest, as well as the minister of health Philippe Couillard – we will see if I even get an answer from either of them in a timely delay with a reasonable solution.

I then placed a call to Magog’s La Providence Hospital and asked what their solution was… the kind male receptionist said: ‘Come to the emergency waiting room and wait to see a doctor.’ Unbelievable I thought, one day they say do not to go to the hospital unless it’s a true emergency, and then I’m told to present myself at the emergency room…

What has happened to our health care system – does anyone care anymore – all we hear about are the C-Difficile cases and how our hospitals are unclean. Marketplace had an entire show dedicated to the dirtiness of our health care institutions. Maybe it’s time Couillard and Charest take a good hard look at the system and instead of spending millions on studies – they should inject some cash in the system and bring back the Dr. Bouchard’s and Bonin’s of Stanstead and provide health care to each and every one of us instead of treating us like numbers.

I was told seven years ago that my name was added to a waiting list here in Sherbrooke for a family doctor, guess what…. I’m still waiting.

Karen Eryou – November 15, 2007

NHIS going once, going twice, SOLD

Loudon, NH - Bruton Smith has done it again. He's purchased yet another NASCAR sanctioned track. The North Carolina billionaire announced last week, that he had indeed purchased NHIS for a whopping $340 million from Bob Bahre, 80, who built and operated NHIS for over 20 years.
NHIS presently has two Cup races each season, and this newly acquired piece of property by Smith could change this in the near future; as Smith had purchased North Wilkesboro Speedway, NC closed it down just to get another date at one of his other tracks. However, he did state that nothing would be changed to the 2008 schedule. But do recall, Smith has mentioned in the past, that he would like to have a second race date at his Las Vegas track.
Also, Smith recently spoke about building a new track near Charlotte NC and walk away from the present Lowe's Motor Speedway he owns because the city of Concord, NC will not let him build a dragstip at Lowe's. Face it, Smith is a businessman, and has nothing to lose and everything to gain. I believe that Smith, will do what is best for him and if moving a date in the future is best for him, and NASCAR approves, it will be done.
According to reports, NASCAR did tell Smith, that he could move a race from one of his tracks, and purchasing NHIS would give him that option - but any race he does decide to move, NASCAR would still have the final say or nay.
Along with the ownership change, the name will also change and no longer be called New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS) but instead will be renamed New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Smith now owns seven racing facilities with the acquisition of NHIS; others are Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Infineon Raceway, Lowe's Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Las Vegas.
Only two hours after the news was made public, New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch issued his own statement on the subject, stating that he intended to reach out to the new owner of NHIS, welcome him to the state and encourage him to maintain both races at Loudon.

Karen Eryou

Road rage gone wrong

ST-JOHNSBURY, VT – I can’t believe it, there are conflicting reports on this one, but this is surely an accident.

Working in the transport industry, I try to keep up with industry news and pass this onto my drivers and the owner of the company I work for; new rules, what the DOT is presently looking out for, etc… however this one is something I hope my company, my drivers or myself will never be faced with – road rage.

According to media reports, last Wednesday, October 31, the driver of a tractor trailer unit ran over and fatally injured a woman who was trying to stop him from leaving a parking lot in St. Johnsbury, VT.

Vermont State Police reports say that Laurie Bragdon, 45, died at hospital after she was allegedly run over by a truck driven by Delbert Degree, 41. The investigation is ongoing at this time.

Sarah Bragdon, 22, of Guildhall, Vt., who is reported to be the victim’s daughter, said that her mother confronted Degree in St. Johnsbury; after he almost sideswiped their car about 20 miles back up the road. Sarah was at the wheel of the car at the time. She said that Degree used profanity with her mother, and that while she went to get help from a police officer her mother stood in the parking lot, in front of Degree’s truck, in order to hold him there until police arrived on the scene. An apparent witness to this horrible event told police that Degree ran over Bragdon, dragging her under the truck and crushing her.

According to Karl R. Johnson of Karl R. Johnson Trucking of Lyndonville, VT., Degree joined the company in February of 2004 and has over 10 years experience operating a commercial motor vehicle.

Strange how Karl R. Johnson Trucking’s philosophy is: "Treat others as you would want to be treated".

What is clear is that the two had exchanged words in the parking lot, according to the daughter; so obviously, the mother did not run out in front of a moving truck, she was trying to hold him there until police arrived. And playing devil’s advocate on this one, being in the industry, investigators will have to measure height of the engine compartment on the truck and see if in any way there was a blind spot, and that the driver’s vision was obstructed. It is quite possible that Degree never saw her in front of the truck – that’s why school busses are now equipped with the arm to keep them away from the front of the bus and in the driver’s line of vision.

Also, why did she not just call the company Degree drives for, and file a complaint like most motorist do instead of chasing the guy down the road for 20 miles.

This terrible incident took place in the parking lot of Fairbanks Scales.

Karen Eryou

Discovering the magic of Halloween in Salem, Mass.

SHERBROOKE, QC ‑ Last year we took a weekend road trip to Cape Ann, and went on an outstanding whale watching tour – thereafter, we headed up one road and down another and ended up unknowingly in the bewitching seaport of Salem. After touring the town and visiting the witch museum – we agreed that the following Halloween would be spent in the town of the famous witch trials of 1692.

Early on Halloween morning we packed up the car and headed down to Vermont and made our way towards Massachusetts to take part in the haunted happenings that Salem had to offer us.

We found a parking garage operated by the city of Salem located just across from the visitor's center – which made it quite easy to walk around the town and participate in the many ghoulish activities.

Activities vary from walking tours, museums, cemeteries, trolley tours, family activities, adult activities, street merchants, face painting, psychic fairs and mystical events, and even a which trial trail; there is even a store operated by the worlds most famous witch, Laurie Cabot.

Every quaint boutique seems to offer their own spell bottles, spell kits, herbs, candles, potions, and voodoo dolls, just to mention a few items.

After spending the entire day (and night) out and about amongst the 100,000 plus crowd our feet decided it was time to take a break and sit down and enjoy the evening's fireworks. Soon after it was time to call it a day.

Upon our awakening to a very cold and crisp morning, we made our way to a local gas station and fuelled up the car and decided to spend the day in the Boston area since we were so close by. Let me just say that Boston drivers are not forgiving, the instant the traffic light has changed to green you better be on the gas, if not be prepared to hear horns aplenty.

Not having any set plan of our day – we took a sight seeing tour of our own up and down the streets of Boston, and finally found the New England Aquarium. After checking the admission fees and the parking rates, we decided to pass up the aquarium and moved along our unknown journey in Beantown.

I definitely wanted to see Fenway Park, being a sports enthusiast there is nothing better than being handed the opportunity to visit baseballs oldest field. Up and down the streets, being able to see the famous Citgo sign yet not being able to crisscross detours and road construction to get to the park. Frustration set in, and then a roadblock because a truck was trying to back into a construction site; however there was a police officer directing traffic. Bingo, this was a lucky break, well… so it seemed. The officer gave us directions, which took us up and down the same streets we were just on… but, wait, we were lucky again, another police officer, one of Boston's finest, and all we had to say was Fenway, and he said, "Why do you want to go there, what's there," with a smirk on his face. He then gave us better directions, and then alas, Yawkee Way. We had made it, and guess what, there was an open parking space on Brookline Avenue, and it was free for 2 hours, what a deal! We purchased tickets for the tour and headed back to the famous Red Sox team store and waited for our knowledgeable tour guide. The tour was awesome, and cold chills came across me once we were inside the ballpark – we were on home turf of the 2007 World Series Champs, what a feeling to be in that ballpark and to sit in the Green Monster and also in the original seats of Fenway. Souvenirs were a bit costly, so pictures and memories it was.

From there we went on a slight tour of the other part of the city of Boston, and stopped by a park that was once a battle ground and the cannons are still visible atop the fort. Looking across the bay, there is Logan International Airport. We took some pictures of some of the airplanes taking off, and since the wind was a bit cool, we headed back to the warmth of the car. The city was now awakening, and so was traffic – it was time to head out of the city and back up toward the coast.

For some unknown reason, and unplanned itinerary for the return trip, we took an exit that leads us to Portsmouth, NH. From there we followed the roadway signs to Maine and up the coast. Old Orchard is a great place to visit during the off-season, no crowds and no mosquitoes, but the good ole seagulls are still around and in force. Having found sand dollars on the shoreline it was time to walk back to the car and head up the coast a bit more and stop by the famous LL Bean stores in Freeport.

We also made a quick stop at DeLorme, the map people, in Yarmouth, and the home of Eartha. For those who have never heard of Eartha, DeLorme has fabricated the world's largest rotating and revolving globe. Completed in 1998 by the DeLorme staff, Eartha is the largest printed image of the earth ever created. Eartha weights approximately 5600 lbs, and has a surface area of 5300 square feet.

A few minutes up the road, we made it to Freeport and LL Bean. Walking up and down the main street, visiting the outlets and boutiques, Starbucks was calling out to us. Snacks and drinks in hand, we hit the road again, with stops in Brunswick, to watch the US Navy turbo props practice their touch and go's, then up the coast a bit more to Bailey's Island, an old family stomping ground with my parents and our camping friends from Derby Line, VT.

After some fabulous photographic opportunities we were back on the road and headed to Bath and the Iron Works yard where there was many a large ship being attended to. In Bath, we also spotted the funniest Chinese restaurant sign and had to snap a shot, then came Augusta and the long ride back home to unpack, upload, and rest for what the week ahead will bring us. We are already planning next year's magical bewitching event in America's premiere Halloween Festival in wonderful seaport Salem, Massachusetts.

Photos of this journey and others are available on the site under Chad's albums.

Granby-based automobile

Granby-based automobile

Who would have known that Granby was the second home of the Manic GT?
This vehicle was a two-seater sports car built in Quebec from 1969 to 1971, first in Terrebonne, and then later in Granby. However the car was not the success the designer had dreamt it would be and eventually, after a very short-lived success, the plant closed it’s doors in Granby in May 1971.
The Manic had a rear engine and was built largely using components from the Renault line; it’s body was molded from fiberglass.
The Manic GT was to be sold and serviced by Renault dealers across Canada. Named the Manic GT after Quebec's Manicuagan River, it was built in Granby, in 1970 and 1971. It was the brainchild of Montrealer Jacques About.

About was an employee of Renault Canada's public relations department in the late 1960’s, and was asked to study the feasibility of importing the sporty Renault Alpine into Canada. The Alpine was a specialized sports/competition car made by an independent company using Renault components. Alpines were sold through Renault dealers in Europe. Although About's survey results were positive, Renault chose not to import the Alpine.
About was not only encouraged by the results of the survey he made a decision to leave his position with Renault and produce his own sports car.
Jacques About proved his ability at fund-raising, and with the backing of Bombardier (snowmobiles), Steinberg (groceries), and the Governments of Canada and Quebec, he soon had capitalization of $1.5 million.
A plant was acquired in Granby, and design and production planning for the new car began. The Manic GT was to be a small, stylish and affordable two passenger touring car offering good performance and low fuel consumption.

Jacques About was very familiar with the Renault components and the company in general, and made a deal to use the platform and running gear of the rear-engined Renault 10 sedan as the skeleton for the Manic.
The suspension was independent all around via coil springs, the steering was rack-and-pinion, and it was equipped with four-wheel disc brakes. The Renault engine consisted of 1,289-cc, overhead valve four-cylinder with five main bearings. It was available in three stages of tune: 65, 80 and 105 horsepower. The Manic GT was equipped with standard four-speed, or optional five-speed manual transmission.
According to reports the Manic GT was fuel-friendly as well, getting approximately 40 mpg. The car, however was listed as pricy for that era – $3400 and more depending of the chosen options. A company brochure claim was the the top speeds obtained by the Manic GT of 105, 120 and 135 mph.
Some reports claim that the total production had been sluggish, with only 160 produced – far below the 1300 planned for the first year. Unfortunately, the Manic’s time had come to an end.
Some of the Manic GT’s have been preserved in time – and one of them can be seen at the National Museum of Science and Technology in Ottawa.

Karen Eryou

 

Three cheers for the volunteers!

Hip hip hip hooray!

Before I begin with my regular article I would like to mention that it takes quite a group of dedicated people to organize The Granby International – and year after year we see familiar faces as well as new blood involved in the year-long planning of the three-day event.

Hats off to each and everyone one of you; and hope Mother Nature cooperates as well – as I’m writing this article, the weatherman is calling for rain all weekend long… Let’s hope ‘she’ can prove the meteorologist wrong and bring some sunshine through the clouds.

A little stroll down memory lane…

I’m not old enough to recall any of these events; honestly; however historians with automobile interest are quick to mention that in the early days of the development of the automobile, there were three sources of automobile power – steam engines, electric motors, and gasoline engines.

The first self-propelled vehicles were made during the late 1700’s in Europe using steam-powered engines.

Then in 1891, Mr. William Morrison built the first successful electric-powered automobile in the USA. Electric-powered automobiles were said to be an improvement over steam-powered automobiles because they were quieter, the costs were less, and they did not produce any fumes.

In 1860, it is reported that Mr. Jean Lenoir of France patented an internal-combustion engine that is similar to the type of engines used in today’s automobiles. Shortly after, more modern automobiles were produced in both Germany and France in the 1890’s.

By 1901, gasoline was not expensive in the USA; Texans had struck oil and the Model T sold for $825; over 17,000 were sold in the first year. In 1913, Ford introduced the moving assembly line, which allowed his company to build automobiles faster and at a lower cost.

The first known automobiles built for sale to the public in the United States were the works of art of Charles and J. Frank Duryea in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1893. Then in 1895, the brothers formed Duryea Motor Wagon Company, and it was the first company in the United States to produce gasoline-powered automobiles.

Today, we take the automobile for granted, without really thinking of the history behind it – it’s great to be able to walk thru the pages of history in a day at the Granby International and challenge the one beside you as to the make, year and originality of the car. This weekend brings back memories; we spy out cars our parents and grandparents once owned and wonder why did they get rid of such a piece of history…

And in wrapping up the flea market is a great place to run into someone and strike up a conversation, and ask if he or she has seen a certain part that they are looking for. It’s more than a great weekend of activities it’s 26 years of history in the making – and some day, someone else will be taking over the reigns and they will look back at everything this great organization has accomplished in gathering such a great group of proud automobile owners and vendors who cater to the hobbyist working on his project in order to display it the following year - all of this takes place in one location – The Granby International.

Karen Eryou

Published 2007 - LeTacot

A Great Find Along The Way...

Errol, NH - As a young girl growing up in a border town - my parents would often take a Sunday road trip; most often these mystery rides would find us in the USA. As an adult my passion for road trips has not changed, recently I recalled a yearly road trip my parents would take me on; and relived the experience all over again.

 

Chad and I decided to leave Sherbrooke, QC at around 10 am on Labor Day Monday, and headed out towards Cookshire and then took the long straight numbered two-lane road to towards the Maine border.

 

After clearing customs, (which, by the way, the officer's booth is on the passenger's side) we were back on our mystery ride headed towards the Rangeley Lakes region in Maine. We took a couple of picture-taking stops along the way; and saw a small spiked-horn deer on the side of a logging road. As we turned around to snap a shot, he was long gone. I was in high hopes of seeing a moose or two, as when I made this trip as a young child. However we were left mooseless. but we did discover something that I would like to share with you; The Errol 'Cream Barrel & Chuck Wagon.

 

After spending a few hours walking up one side of the main street in Rangeley Maine, and then down the other, and again snapping off a few pictures we were off to find Route 16 back towards New Hampshire, then Vermont, and then back home. Not having packed a lunch; we wanted to find a nice place to eat. It was around 4 pm and we were getting a bit hungry; when entering Errol, New Hampshire we saw a general store with a deli on the left. This was tempting, but decided to drive a few more yards; we came across a Subway on the right, this was housed in a sporting goods store; but that's not what we were really looking for. across the street diagonally we found this fantastic rustic restaurant and ice cream bar called 'The Errol 'Cream Barrel & Chuck Wagon'.

 

What a find! On Route 26 just west of Route 16 - a great little family restaurant with down home hospitality and we later found out that it's a Yankee Magazine Travel Guide Editors Pick. The homemade food is served in a very unique casual rustic dining room. And they are very proud to promote the fact that all their items are homemade right down to the pizza sauce, fresh cut fries, hand cut onion rings, fresh-made burgers, soups, chowders & more! They even make their own rich tasting ice cream in a variety of flavors.


I asked the hosts, Joe and Bonnie if they were open year round and Joe acknowledged from under his cowboy hat 'Yup, we are on a major snowmobile trail.'

 

If you can not find something on this menu - then you have a problem; as they serve everything from BBQ Pulled Pork sandwiches, a famous BBQ chicken dinner, burgers, dogs, fries, pasta, seafood, pizza, onion rings, brownie sundaes, and their own Barrel Beverages, unique flavours brewed and bottled just for them including: Old Fashioned Root Beer; Ginger Beer; Birch Beer; Sarsaparilla; Vanilla Cream Soda; Raspberry Lime Rickey; Orange Soda and Wild Black Cherry.

 

One visit will have you convinced that if you are travelling along this route, you must stop in and check this place out - the food is fantastic; the hospitality is warm and friendly; and the rustic décor is unique, warm and inviting. The check is even delivered to your table in a metal pie-type pan with a gold-painted stone-like nugget placed upon your bill - as if you were in a western town and had been panning for gold; however, don't forget to bring cash, as their saying goes 'We're so real we don't even accept plastic.'

 

This was a great find - and I wanted to share our Labor Day road trip and findings with all your readers. Have a safe road trip and do enjoy The Errol 'Cream Barrel & Chuck Wagon once you get there!

Published 2007 - Log Cabin Chronicles

Hello Kitty Car Things

I'm sure you are going to ask what does this little drawing of a cat
have to do with an automobile – well, lots… as a collector of Hello
Kitty merchandise, I've found many items to decorate my house, office,
and yes, even my car. But if that's not enough, there is even a Hello
Kitty automobile as well as a scooter; and some fans have even gone
as far a pimpin' out their own automobiles to the likeness of Hello Kitty.

As a collector, I can say it's easy to become real addictive – there are
so many items available – in my car alone I have the steering wheel
cover – the air freshener – I have had made two vinyl window decals to
put on my rear side windows – as a gift I received an airbrushed Hello
Kitty license plate to be installed on my car; and I've also purchased
the Mugan Hello Kitty ornament for the rear deck lid of my 1995 Acura
Integra.

Here are just a few photos of what some collectors are doing around
the world – and yes, Hello Kitty is not only for children – on the
contrary, Cameron Diaz, Gwen Stefani and Brittany Murphy are
just a few famous people who also collect Hello Kitty items.

Personalising what is dear to you is something that people in Japan
enjoy doing. One of the most famous characters is "Hello Kitty", a
small, pink and very cute cat, both liked by kids and adults. Japan is
unlike any other country, and whilst out-growing their youth, the
Japanese do not leave behind their joys and childhood passions.

In Japan, the car company Mira also built a Hello Kitty car.
Manufactured by Daihatsu Motors Japan, the Mira Hello Kitty car
comes in both 2WD and 4WD models in pink and white colors with
Hello Kitty logo on the hubcaps and body. The interior is also Hello
Kitty themed - from the fabrics to meter panel. The Daihatsu logo
on the grille is replaced by the Hello Kitty logo and even the car key
is shaped like Hello Kitty head!

And then, there's even a gentlemen who loved his wife so much, that
he painted his Ferarri Hello Kitty pink.

And then the airlines decided to get into the action with their version
of the Hello Kitty jet. Taiwan airline Eva Air teamed up with Sanrio to
bring this Hello Kitty Jet Plane. The Airbus 330-200 is painted
nose-to-tail with super-sized characters from the charming world of
Hello Kitty.

Hello Kitty has been on the scene since November 1st, 1974 –
and Sanrio took the job of main distributor and owner back in 1976.
Sanrio made a few minor adjustments to Hello Kitty over the years
and in 1982 her outline disappeared and her eyes were re-aligned.
In 1983 Hello Kitty was named the child ambassador of UNICEF. In
1987 a black and white version was released by Sanrio, in order to
mainstream Hello Kitty to a more adult audience. Over the years, she
has made many people smile, and when asked why – there is no real
answer, Hello Kitty is an icon, cute and makes me smile.

The merchandise is varied and is available all over the world – and for
the automobile, the products range from seat covers to air fresheners,
seat belt shoulder pads and handbrake covers… the list goes
on forever…

Karen Eryou - LeTacot - 2007