Wilf, the BIRDHOUSE Man

Wilf is a retired construction engineer but that doesn’t mean he has stopped designing or constructing. Now, in his spare time, he builds birdhouses.

I met Wilf purely by chance one day, while going for a walk through a bird park. It’s something I love doing whenever time allows. I would often look up and notice a birdhouse hanging way up high in the trees, but not just any bird house. A birdhouse, you can tell, that was built with love and attention.

Well, on my usual walk through the bird park this day, I noticed a ground squirrel scampering through the woods and I became ecstatic because I’ve never seen one up close. Sure I’ve seen many squirrels, but not a ground one, and just as I got closer to get a better look, the squirrel took off. I was disappointed to say the least but out of the corner of my eyes I could see an elderly gentleman approaching with something in his hands. His name is Wilf…

The Vampire Bride: Lisa’s Scary Halloween Costume

Lisa is very artistic, especially when it comes to applying make-up and dressing up for the right occasion. I always love her work and this year, around Halloween time, she impressed us all again with her latest themed costume – The Vampire Bride.


For me, the scarier the better so when I found out she was going to be a Vampire Bride at a local Long Term Care home, I just had to be there to capture a few shots. Some people were actually afraid to look at her. It’s those eyes I tell ya!

Weird Charity Sweeping Across Niagara: The 24 Hour Challenge (The Canadian Way)…

There seems to be a new charity event of a weird kind going through the Niagara Region. The 24 Hour Challenge (The Canadian Way). And like any charity event, it’s for a great cause:

Matthew Risi has worsening chronic Lyme disease symptoms and needs your help. His mother started a fundraising even in the effort of raising money to fund treatment at the Sponaugle Wellness Institute in Florida.  They’ve raised almost $18,000.0o so far.  To help them out in their cause, visit the website here.

So how exactly does this 24 hour challenge work? According to their Youtube site:

The 24 hour challenge is just that – once nominated, you have 24 hours to upload a video of you doing something outlandish in your gitch(just underwear, no socks,no shoes, nothing), outside in the sub-zero cold. After your stunt, you must immediately thank whoever nominated you for the nomination, nominate 3 people and tell them they have 24 hours to complete the challenge. Lastly, you must chug a beer. Have Fun with it. We do not condone Dangerous Behaviour!

They have great ones on their Facebook page but check out some of these videos I was able to find on Youtube of these crazy canucks helping out a great cause!

VIDEO: DISCOVERING St. Catharines – Musician RONN METCALFE | PEOPLE of NIAGARA

Club owner of The Castle in St. Catharines, Ontario, back in the day, Ronn Metcalfe was known as the 'king' of The Castle and hosted many great bands of the mid 60's...

People of Niagara

Ronn Metcalfe (July 20, 1930 – May 18, 1969) was a Canadian big band leader from St. Catharines and music industry leader.

He released an LP named after the title track "Twistin' at the Woodchopper's Ball" which garnered him a gold record. He used this success to start a rock and roll band scene in Niagara, Canada. He created Image Artist Representatives booking/managing agency, and opened The Castle in St. Catharines, the premiere club for bands between Buffalo and Toronto.

Another hit from Metcalfe (which he wrote) was a song called "Back to T.O." (T.O. is vernacular for Toronto)

This Niagara scene spawned many musicians such as Neil Peart from Rush, Glen Gratto from Lee Aaron, Bullrush, and The Mad Cats, Gary Storin from The Stampeders, The Hunt's Paul Dickinson, and Brian Gagnon and other music industry "behind the scene" types such as Jimmy Johnson from Rush and Styx.

Some of Metcalfe's band include:

• Drummer Chico Fernandez who went on to work with Motown and Vegas acts
• Alto sax Fred Lipsius who went on to create Blood, Sweat & Tears
• Bass trombonist Tony Salvatore who later joined Doc Severinsen's Tonight Show Band
• Sam Falzone who later joined up with Don Ellis.

Ronn Metcalfe died of a sudden heart attack at the age of 38 while on a business/family trip to Ottawa. At the time he was securing a deal with Polydor Records.

In 1976, the building that housed The Castle was demolished for a parking lot. 

Source