Mike Rainone - Hammertime
Within the midst of this magnificent summer heat wave we have carefully begun to tan our bodies, enjoy our holidays and get relief with many afternoon splashdowns — and we should be thrilled that the traditional barbecue season is now in full swing.
It is therefore important to refresh our memories on this sublime and popular outdoor cooking activity, which will attract and transform all sorts of folks of all ages into a total culinary and social frenzy, coming up with all sorts of excuses to get together and “turn on the barbie” just about every day of the summer.
Although I am definitely not the master of our patio barbecue, an old friend was kind enough to send me the newest edition of the neighbourhood ‘BBQ rules’. It clearly states when a man volunteers to do the barbecuing, the following chain of events is put into action as a matter of routine.
• The woman buys the food.
• The woman makes the salad, prepares the veggies, and makes the dessert.
• The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and then takes it to the man who is now lounging beside the grill with a drink in hand.
• The woman remains outside the compulsory three-metre exclusion zone, where the exuberance of testosterone and other manly bonding activities can take place without the interference of the ladies.
• Now here comes the important part: The man puts on his chef hat and places the meat on the grill.
• The woman then goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery.
• The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is looking great. He casually thanks her and asks if she will bring him another drink while he flips the meat.
• Another very important step: The man takes the meat off the grill and hands it to the woman.
• The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauce and brings them to the table.
• After eating and the coolers are refilled, the men will relax and continue their usual male chatter, while the women will clear the tables and disappear quietly into the kitchen to do the dishes.
• And now the most important part of all. Everyone will praise the man and thank him for his cooking skills.
• Later, when the man asks the woman how she enjoyed her ‘night off’, he will get the usual rather cool “Of course dear” reaction, then later in the week he will offer to host the annual staff BBQ, and she will begin making all the plans once again.
Whether these may be the rules of your backyard barbecue or not, please continue to enjoy the good food and the keen camaraderie of family, friends, neighbours, and the rest of your great gang of guys and gals.
The Black Elk Hockey Camp tradition continues
I was lucky enough to be working at the new Ponoka Complex when the Black Elk Hockey Camp first came to town in 1983. It was a great experience when Les and I, and the rest of the crew set out to make ice on both rinks in the middle of the summer, and then joined in on all the action for up to five hectic weeks.
The popular instructional sessions for boys and girls of minor hockey age will return to its Ponoka roots for the 29th year Aug. 18 - 24 and there is still room to register and take part in a busy week of keen participation and fun.
The Black Elk Hockey Camp was organized by the Jones/Raugust families of the Ponoka district and has become a tradition here and throughout Alberta for nearly three decades. Daily sessions include power skating, ice skills, floor hockey, chalk talks, soccer, outdoor games, dry land training, exciting scrimmages, clinics on shooting, checking and defense, a special goaltender’s clinic, a performance report card, and much more.
Throughout their existence the camp has strived to bring in top-notch instructors, many of whom learned their hockey skills right here in our long-standing Ponoka Minor Hockey community program.
Those interested in registering or receiving more information on the upcoming 2012 camp are welcome to get in touch with Dave at (403) 938-2686 or 1-800-338-2686 or go to their web site: www.blackelkhockycamp.com.
In the meantime keep the bugs off and sun tan lotion handy, and have a great week, all of you!