Asterisk to Golden Knights
Idon’t want to pee on the corn flakes of Vegas Golden Knights fans because they really are the story from this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs. However, there needs to be an asterisk somewhere.
The team’s management did a great job with its drafting of unprotected players. However, this was the first time in NHL history that when there was expansion, it was only one team. Had there been a second team — let’s say a Quebec City or Hamilton — the Golden Nuggets would have shared the talent two ways. This time they were given pick of the litter. I spoke this week with Kelowna city council hopeful Loyal Wooldridge, the first to announce his intentions. I was impressed. Paul Butterfield was gone far too soon.
Scanning the Today in History column, it reminded me that CBC loves to cancel beloved television programs — first The Friendly Giant (thanks Fred Penner) and then The Tommy Hunter Show.
Writing thank you notes is a lost art. It shouldn’t be. The internet saves everyone the trouble of buying a stamp and going to the mailbox. But, fewer and fewer people acknowledge gifts and acts of kindness these days. I was taught differently. A reminder to everybody — Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13.
Let’s talk about your newspaper for a moment.
Beginning next week on the comics page, we are retiring “Deflocked” because it’s no longer available in our syndicated package. In its place we will introduce “Sherman’s Lagoon.” Many of our long-time readers said they enjoy comic strips with funny animals.
If I can take time out for a moment to do a quick piece of business, our new and improved sports agate page is drawing rave reviews. If there’s a sports-minded business in Penticton interested in sponsoring the page once a week or for all six days in The Penticton Herald, please give me a call and I’ll help set it up for you.
Several Penticton readers were asking about the whereabouts of recurring columnist Richard Peacock. Dick is presently in Surrey, advocating against a proposed peacock cull.
The latest letters feud is between Brian Butler and Gord McLaren. The issue: the death penalty.
(For the best depiction of the death penalty, watch 1995’s “Dead Man Walking,” with Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon She won an Oscar for her role as Sister Helen Prejean. Faithful to a true story, it presents all sides of the issue... and never asks the viewer to take a side.) Memo to U.S. President Donald Trump: If you need any design ideas for the border wall between Mexico and the U.S., give Hugh Deuschle a call in Penticton.
The Naramata Community Choir, under the direction of Justin Glibbery, is in Castlegar and Nelson this weekend but will return home for its annual spring concert — “Time” — on Saturday, May 12 at Penticton United Church, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available from The Dragon’s Den on Front Street in Penticton.
James Miller is valley editor for Okanagan Newspaper Group. Email: james.miller@ok.bc.ca.