All posts by George Walters

George Walters is a Canadian columnist and author with more than forty years of writing experience. For over twenty years he has written a weekly column for Postmedia Network — Canada's largest newspaper chain — never missing a single week, publishing fifty-two stories a year. Combined with his work in Reader's Digest Community Voices, World News, Country Living, The Country Register, and farm and rural lifestyle magazines across Canada, he has published well over two thousand stories drawn from everyday life. He writes about farm work, fishing, old trucks, and the kind of people you only find in small towns — but just as likely he'll hand a voice to a weathered telephone pole, or turn his eye on something happening in the world today and tell you exactly what he thinks about it. No subject is off limits. If there's a story in it, George will find it. He has been called a philosopher of everyday life, a description that came up more than once during his television appearances over the years — and it's not hard to see why. His writing has a way of making the ordinary feel worth sitting with. He is the author of eleven books, including yearly short story collections and the Clay Moretti Files mystery series. Clay is a fifty-year-old private investigator who drives a 1967 Ford Galaxie, smokes cigars, and operates by a code the modern world gave up on a long time ago. The cases are present day. The man handling them is not. All titles are available in paperback and eBook on Amazon. Together, George and his wife Ruth have also created Elmer Finds His Way, the first in what he hopes will be a long series of children's books. Ruth did all the illustrations, as she has for every one of George's books — and beyond that she designed and painted the covers as well. Her work is woven into every page of everything he has published. A few words from readers: "I pulled up a kitchen chair and read your story three times." "You have a way of making a person homesick for a place they haven't been to." "Thank you for writing things that make old people and kids feel the same way at the same time." All my titles are available in paperback and eBook on Amazon.ca here.
News, Information & Events

Happenings In And Around Our Town Of Port Loring

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For a good many years while growing up and even today I have always looked forward to our Fall Fairs.  In Beamsville it was held downtown at the Fair Grounds with a Carnival, food and a good number of other things like a demolition  derby, never missed one.
The thing that gets to me some is that for most parts a lot of these events are closing up.  Right now for that matter Beamsville is going through a transition stage of not having the Fair Grounds anymore and selling off the land it sits on to build homes.  Some call this progress I suppose but for me I see it as a great loss for the town.
Seems to me that if left alone the Fall Fair Grounds would be a great asset to the town or other towns that are going through the same thing.  Thing is folks these things can’t be replaced once gone they are gone forever.  To bad too as half the town I see is for keeping it the other half wants to sell it off.  Who will win, well I think you all know what the outcome will be.
I know some say what does it matter to you now that you are living here in Port Loring.  Well lets just say living there for a good number of years I just hate to see so many changes happening that messes up so many folks life styles and leave it at that.
Here in Port Loring though lots of different things are on the go.  For one thing last year I was voted in as one of our LSB members and I got to say it has been quite an experience.  Luckily I have had four other good members to work with  which is something in itself.  For most parts the first year has been getting things in order and helping out where I can.  My part is looking after Marketing which I have been doing diligently over the past year.  Got to say I have enjoyed it too. So far I have set up a new Web Site for our district which if I might say has been quite successful so far.  Here is the Web Sites Address if you would like to have a look.    http://www.loringlsb.com/ There you will find all kinds of things like when and where our next meeting will be held, what took place at our last meeting, events going on in our district, well just to many to name.  The thing I wanted to do with building this site is to make available everything that goes on.  Today it has seemed to me that some Boards doesn’t like to  communicate with the town or city folks, for us here in the Loring District I am trying to change all that.  I would like us to be a family in other words. No hidden agenda, just straight to the point happenings.  Can it be done? Well time will tell I suppose.  I plan on one more year as things like this takes a bit of time.  Once done I will move on and let others take the reigns.  Be interesting to see if it is kept the same.
On another note this year our Corn Fest at White Birches Resort has been canceled this year due to some changes that is happening with the resort, but not to despair, as next year it will be back better than ever.  Where and when I will let you know  in 2011.
I would also like to let you know of a new event that is going to be happening here in Port Loring.  Come October 9 & 10th 2010 at our  Community Center in Arnstein right off HWY 522 which is a Saturday & Sunday we will be holding a first time ever Oktoberfest.  Going to be a great two days filled with all kinds of things.  A few would be continuous playing bands for both days, On going food and beverages being made available for folks, horse shoe tournaments and for those that like a wee snort once in awhile there will also be a beer gardens, beer and coolers only. As I say just for those that like a touch now and then.
Sunday morning from 9:00 am to 12:00 am there will be a German Style Breakfast for those that don’t feel up to cooking breakfast at a cost of $5.00 per person.  I should mention the admission price too which will be $10.00 per person for both days, can’t beat that huh?  Coupon books can be found at any of the  Information Centers in North Bay, Sudbury, Perry Sound, Gravenhurst and South River.
So there you go, a lot of old time items, places and things being closed up sold or what ever, but here in Port Loring there is new things on the horizon.  Kind of makes me feel good all over when things like this happen.  The only way that events like these can be kept going though folks,  solely depends on you.  You are the ones that will have the final say of whether they keep it going or not.  Hope to see you all there!!! For more information call 757-2380.
In Closing I Would Like To Wish You Well.
For Those That Would Like To Get In Touch With Me, You Can Reach Me At:
[email protected]

or 705-757-1640

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Other Things

Little Humor For A Cool Rainy Holiday Weekend

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Newfoundland declares war on the U.S.A.

President Barack Obama was in the Oval Office when his telephone rang.
“Hallo, President Obama ” a heavily accented voice said. “This is Archie, up ere at the Harp Seal Pub in Badger’s Cove , Newfoundland , Canada , he? I am callin’ to tells ya dat we are officially declaring war on ya!”
“Well Archie,” Barack replied, “This is indeed important news !
How big is your army ?”
“Right now,” said Archie, after a moments calculation “there is myself, me cousin Harold , me next-door-neighbor Mick, and the whole dart team from the pub. That makes eight!”
Barack paused. “I must tell you Archie that I have one million men in my army waiting to move on my command.”
“Wow,” said Archie. “I’ll have at call ya back!”
Sure enough, the next day, Archie called again. ” Mr. Obama , the war is still on! We have managed to acquire some infantry equipment!”
“And what equipment would that be Archie?” Barack asked.
“Well sir, we have two combines, a bulldozer, and Harry ‘s farm tractor.”
President Obama sighed. “I must tell you Archie, that I have 16,000 tanks and 14,000 armored personnel carriers. Also I’ve increased my army to one and a half million since we last spoke.”
“Lord above”, said Archie, “I’ll be getting back to ya.”
Sure enough, Archie rang again the next day.. ” President Obama , the war is still on! We have managed to git ourselves airborne! We up an’ modified Harrigan’s ultra-light wit a couple of shotguns in the cockpit, and four boys from the Legion have joined us as well!”
Barack was silent for a minute then cleared his throat. “I must tell you Archie that I have 10,000 bombers and 20,000 fighter planes. My military complex is surrounded by laser-guided, surface-to-air missile sites. And since we last spoke, I’ve increased my army to TWO MILLION!”
“Jumpins,” said Archie, “l’ll have at call youse back.”
Sure enough, Archie called again the next day. ” President Obama ! I am sorry to have to tell you dat we have had to call off dis ‘ere war.”
“I’m sorry to hear that” said Barack . “Why the sudden change of heart?”
Well, sir,” said Archie, “we’ve all sat ourselves down and had a long chat over a bunch of pints, and come to realize dat dere’s no way we can feed two million prisoners..”

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

My Opinion Only

Three Items I Recommend For Folks To Eat.

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What are three amazing foods we should be eating more of-and why?

I like blueberries, wild salmon, and grass-fed beef. Blueberries, for all the reasons you’ve heard before. Wild (not farmed) salmon, for its omega-3s, the antioxidant astaxathin (which gives it that pink color), and the protein. And grass-fed beef because it has none of the problems associated with commercial supermarket meat-no antibiotics, steroids, hormones and other potential carcinogens-along with a higher omega-3 content, some CLA, and it’s humanely raised on top of it. My Opinion Only

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

My Opinion Only

Cholesterol And My Opinion

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Top health mistake people tend to make?

Believing high cholesterol causes heart disease. Fully half of the people who have heart attacks have normal cholesterol. And fully half of the people with “elevated” cholesterol have no cardiovascular disease. In my book that makes cholesterol a pretty lousy predictor for heart disease, even though lowering it produces 20 billion in revenue for the makers of Lipitor and Zocor combined.   Not to mention of what these drugs to your body.   My Opinion Only.

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Other Things

Good O Farm Poem That Brings Back Memories

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The 30-some years of milking cows

Are drawing to an end

With many mixed emotions

Parting with these old friends.

The milk checks kept us going

They certainly paid the way

But with machinery wearing out

There’s breakdowns every day.

One learns a whole new vocabulary

When one milks cows twice a day

‘Cause when they kick you more than once

I swear you’ll make them pay.

No more feed bills for these critters

No more cleaning supplies to buy

A whole new lifestyle awaits us

This change won’t make me cry.

Wintertime brought frozen pipes

Ice and snow brought pain

Summertime, we fought the flies

With ankle-deep mud from all the rain.

If ever I get melancholy

I’ll think about the worst

Then I’ll check my finances

With very little in my purse.

Farming’s been a good life

But it will be a great relief

Not having to milk those doggone cows

Seven days a week!

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]