Louise Penny's Library

   Many of the libraries about which I have written are private ones. To date, they have all been collections of books gathered by men and none of the collectors are Canadian. I am pleased that I learned about Louse Penny who has both written and collected many books, and is Canadian.

  Her house and books are found in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. I was also pleased to learn that her collection is not organized, as a recent interviewer reported:

   "Louise Penny was eager to show me an important book — the one she said is at the core of her wildly successful Armand Gamache mystery series — but she couldn’t find it. The floor-to-ceiling shelves in her bright, fluffy living room are tidy and filled with fascinating works, but they aren’t organized by author, title or certainly color.  
    “And that’s part of the fun,” she explained during a tour this past summer of her spacious and welcoming home, where she lives with her beloved golden retrievers, Charlie and Muggins. “For me part of the joy of not having an order to the shelves is that it’s like going into a used-book shop. You end up finding things you weren’t looking for, that you didn’t even know you wanted.”

   Although I worked in libraries and write about them, the books in my own are randomly arranged, but I can't say that was planned.  Again, I am pleased that she also cannot quickly locate the book she is looking for. 
   Her name was recognized by me, but I confess to having none of her books since I don't read many mystery novels. The public libraries close by have many titles by Penny and most of them are on loan.
   The Haskell Free Library and Opera House, which is on the Canadian/American border not too far from Knowlton, Quebec where Penny lives also has many of her books. Given the recent regime changes to the south, access to the Haskell became problematic and Penny donated a considerable number of Canadian dollars to build a new entrance. She also cancelled her U.S. book tour. 
   

That Penny is successful and has written many books is proven when one takes the underground tunnel from the house to her writing studio and sees the framed covers lining the wall.  
Sources:
   The pictures and the quotation are from: "Louise Penny Gives Us a Tour of Her Book Collection," Nora Krug, Washington Post, Nov. 15, 2025.
    If you are unfamiliar with her books, but interested in them see: "I’ve Read Every One of Louise Penny’s Gamache Novels. Here’s What to Read, and What to Skip," Sarah Zlotnick, Country Life, Oct. 29, 2024. 
    About the border hassles at the Haskell see: "U.S. Limits Canadian Access to Iconic Stanstead, Que., Border-straddling Library," Benjamin Shingler, CBC News, Mar. 21, 2025.
   About Penny's involvement see: "Dismay as Cross-border Library Caught in US-Canada Feud: ‘We Just Want to Stay Open’," Leyland Cecco, The Guardian, April 13, 2025.

   "The tour for Penny’s forthcoming book Black Wolf, which coincidentally imagines plans to force Canada into becoming the 51st state was due to start at the Kennedy Center in Washington. But a recent decision by Trump to fire the previous board of the Kennedy Center for its support of “woke” programming, and to install himself as board chair, has prompted widespread artistic backlash.

   That move and a broader call for Canadians to boycott travel to the United States amid annexation threats and tariffs from the president, led Penny to scrap all of her American tour dates. She plans to conclude her book tour at the Haskell.

   Penny made headlines in recent weeks after donating C$50,000 (US$36,000) to help fund a new entrance to the library, an “elegant” solution to the diplomatic snafu created in wake of new restrictions."

   If, like Penny, you do not plan to travel to the U.S., Knowlton and the Townships are an option. These are some suggestions for book lovers: Brome Lake Books and the Café Three Pines.
The Bonus - For Women Book Collectors:
  The bookstore Honey & Wax, sponsors a contest for women collectors: Women and Books. 

Hulbert Footner: A Research Update

     In this post I will offer an update about research relating to the author, Hulbert Footner. It should be of some use to Footner fans and those in Southern Maryland, particularly at the Calvert County Historical Society, where his works have been collected, and space dedicated to honour him. As well, those interested in the exploration of northwestern Canada during the early part of the last century, will find beneficial, a new book based on Footner's account of his travels on the "new rivers" in the area, in 1911. 

What's New?
  A few years ago, I published a book about Hulbert Footner, who wrote, New Rivers of the North: The Yarn About Two Amateur Explorers of the Headquarters of the Fraser, the Peace River, the Hay River, Alexandra Falls. He was also the author of many other works of non-fiction, but is best known for his detective novels. In my book, which is largely bibliographical, I gathered and annotated every reference I could find about Footner and his work. I will now add to those references, but will warn aficionados of his detective fiction, that most of what follows relates to Footner's travels in the Canadian north. To keep this short, I will resort to points and spare you my prose, of which there is always too much. 

The New Book: 
   The title is: New Rivers of the North Revisited, by Hulbert Footner.  It is pictured above, to the left of my book about Footner. The authors of it, both highly qualified, are David W. Leonard and Brock Silversides and it was produced with the assistance of a grant from the Alberta Ministry of Culture. 
A Condensed Version
   It is not a reprint of Footner's original New Rivers, all 340 pages which are freely accessible on the Internet Archive and elsewhere. The professionally produced Revisit consists of around 100 pp., the authors having decided to leave out some of the repetitive descriptive scenes.
Good Early Photos of the North and the Natives
   A large number of photographs are included, some of which appeared in the original, and they have been restored by Mr. Silversides and new ones added. Most of them are found in the University of Alberta Archives, having been donated by Geoffrey Footner, the son of Hulbert (see.p.xxvi, in Revisted and p.33 in my HF.) The photographs are of special interest to those studying the Indigenous and the authors note that, "For posterity, the most important accomplishment of the journey of Hulbert Footner and Auville Eager in 1911 was the photographs they took" (p.xxv).
Helpful Background About the Canadian Northwest
   The background information about the 1911 trip and several maps will be of interest to readers of the complete account and to those trying to sort out in which direction the 'new rivers' are flowing and where the explorers are heading.
   Two brief essays offer observations from descendants of the original inhabitants: "A Cree Perspective," by Joanne Gontar and "A Métis  Perspective," by Beverly Whalen.
Footner's Description of the Indigenous
   New Rivers Revisited  is also shorter because the new authors decided to leave out passages that portray the Indigenous in unflattering terms: "Footner's depiction of the Native people (both Aboriginal and Métis ) was far from accurate and, at times, excessively derogatory" (p.xxii). I disagree and think "excessively derogatory" is excessive. The issue of Footner's "racist" views in his outdoor novels has been raised before, and I also thought then that he was being unfairly judged by the standards existing in our more sensitive times (see pp. 51-54 in HF).
Any New Sources?
   The new New Rivers of the North Revisited, is presented by two authors who have written books about the area and they offer some good suggestions about other works related to Alberta in the early 1900s. 
   I found no references about Footner, however, that are not included in my Hulbert Footner. Unfortunately the authors were unaware of my book, which would have saved them a lot of research time. 
   For Footner, they chiefly rely on the Wikipedia entry for him, unaware that most of the information in it was provided by Geoffrey Footner, Hulbert's son:
"For an account of Footner's life and writings see, the submissions to Wikipedia, to be taken, of course, with a grain of salt. There is apparently a lengthier biography being written by one Jerry Mulcahy, but as of this writing, it is not available." (n.1, p.XV).

   Those interested in Footner and the remote areas of Alberta and British Columbia should read both this book and the original. Although I did not uncover any new sources about Footner, there is one quotation about Footner, of which I was unaware. It comes from the forward of the second printing of Footner's, Maryland, Main and the Eastern Shore. Written by Hamilton Owen, it proves, once again, that Footner is worth our consideration:

       
   Bill Footner was a sensitive man, as conscious of ugliness as of beauty. When what he saw was unpleasing, he commented on it, and always with a special kind of tolerance. But often, when others saw only the commonplace, he found under the surface as it were, a kind of beauty -- the kind of beauty untrained men of simple honesty usually bestow upon their makings. The pretentiousness of those whose chief desire was to attract attention, he found more humorous than irritating....There was not much self-righteousness in this man (p.XV).

There Is More: New Rivers Previewed in the Journal - Alberta History. 
   To announce the publication of New Rivers of the North Revisited, Leonard produced an extract in the journal, Alberta History, pictured above to the right of my book. The article contains some of the maps and photos and the proper citation is as follows: "The Euro-American Discovery of the Hay River," by David W. Leonard, Alberta History, Spring 2024, Vol. 72, No.2, pp. 2-12.

In Addition: A Review of Hulbert Footner...Also Found in the Same Issue.

   Readers of that article  will likely find it curious that the issue begins with a piece  about Footner's book and ends with a review of my book about Footner. The curious part is that no connection is made, and there is no mention in the front of the journal about what comes at the back. The simple explanation for this is likely that this slim issue was produced during a time of editorial change and the connection went unnoticed, or that there was not time to make a comment about it before publication. In any case, readers should know that Leonard and I were like two canoes passing in the dark on the Hay River; the paddlers in them, unaware of one another. I am sorry to report that I never did have the opportunity to connect with Dr. Leonard, who recently passed away. 

The Review of Hulbert Footner....

  A picture of the page containing the review is provided and the entire review, written by Graham MacDonald, is included below.

 Hulbert Footner, Author of Adventure Novels, Detective Novels and Historical Nonfiction: A Bibliographic Account of His Life and Work

by Jerry Mulcahy

Amazon: Bolton, ON, 2021. 300 pp. $22.00

In 1912, the Outing Publishing Company of New York brought out New Rivers of the North: The Yarn of Two Amateur Explorers, by Hulbert Footner. This was a substantial book, richly illustrated with photographs, detailing an audacious canoe trip down the Peace River and almost to Great Slave Lake via the Hay River. Such adventure literature was popular with the reading public, now and then, producing classics of natural history such as those by Warburton Pike, David T. Hanbury, or Stewart Edward White. But just who was Hulbert Footner? Jerry Mulcahy retired Emeritus Librarian at the C.B. "Bud" Johnston Library, Western University, determined to find out. It was not his purpose to write a full biography, although the first third of his study provides a review of the main details of Footner's life and achievements. The remaining sections provide a thorough listing of his works, their various editions, and annotated commentaries on those works. As the author implies, his book is all spadework for anyone seeking to prepare a full biography. (51-74) His commentaries reveal the possibilities provided by the tools now available to researchers in our new age of the computer.

Born in Hamilton, Ontario, William Hulbert Footner (1879-1944) was a prolific and well-published writer of fiction, drama, and non-fiction, with his books numbering over 70 titles. More than 150 stories and reviews appeared in at least 36 reputable magazines. Today, he has become a rather obscure figure, although new editions of his works have been appearing in recent years. The family had significant connections in Montreal but moved to New York City around 1889. Footner attended school and gradually involved himself in theatre and journalism. In 1901 his first fiction appeared in Argosy. Memories of Canada lingered, however. He became adept at canoeing in the harbours of New York City. Seeking adventure in 1902, he and a friend paddled up the Hudson River and headed into Canada. An account of the trip was published in Forest and Stream in 1903. The year 1906 found him north again in the new province of Alberta, testing out journalism with the Albertan and Bob Edwards of the Calgary Eye-Opener. (27-30) From Edmonton, he made a canoe trip to the Peace River country but no record of it has been found. By 1908. Footner had relocated from New York to Maryland, taking up residence on Solomon's Island at the mouth of the Patuxent River. Auville Eager, a local friend, became his travelling companion on the 1911 trip into the Peace River Country, the event behind New Rivers of the North. Well received, in 1922, Federal Surveyors found the book useful as a source of landscape information. In the High Level area, they named Footner Lake, and years later, a large surrounding tract was established as Footner Lake Forest. (32-34)

The author had already made use of the trip in other directions, for it inspired the first of his adventure novels, Two on the Trail (1911). His early engagements with journalism and the theatre had, meanwhile, been giving way to the writing of short stories brought out by leading publishers. Over fifty pieces appeared in American magazines by 1912. (109-113) Several historical adventure novels were inspired by the northern trips, such as Jack Chanty (1914) and The Fur Bringers (1916), set in the Lake Athabasca country. His mounting popularity is reflected in the pre-1929 years of silent movies, with several of his novels made into films, including Jack Chanty. (98-106)

Encouraged by an editor to try detective fiction, The Fugitive Sleuth appeared in 1916 in All-Story Weekly, republished as a novel in 1918. Set in New York City, this tale marked his shift to the American scene as a setting. President Woodrow Wilson became one of his many readers. As favored by many fiction publishers today, Footner developed a series approach. The first, based around Madame Rosika Storey, was introduced in 1922, with the last, The Casual Murderer, appearing in 1937. The heroine of this series did not remain in New York City but went on tour to Japan, China, and other places visited by Footner and his wife. A second series, centred around a more Sherlockian figure, Amos Lee Mappin, commenced in 1930 with The Mystery of the Folded Paper. That series concluded with the posthumous Orchids to Murder (1945). Mappin, as a personality, reflected what Mulcahy calls Footner's 'clubbable' side, as revealed by the author's regular sociable restaurant meetings in Baltimore with writers such as H.L. Mencken. (51, 66-67)

Going in search of Hulbert Footner, Mulcahy did not, as mentioned, set out to write a full biography. It was the character of the author as much as his achievements that fed his curiosity. In early 1911, a New York journalist asked Footner why he was going back to the Peace River country. Footner stated that he was not going to Alberta for a long time but 'for a good time' (243). In the pleasing sketch of his life provided, Mulcahy finds this to be an important key to his personality. Mulcahy gives us glimpses of not just a compulsive and successful writer, but of one who saw life as a dare and a gift to be enjoyed. These traits are well revealed in his fiction and the later non-fiction works which detail the rivers of Maryland and the history of his colonial home on Solomon's Island, Charles' Gift: Salute to a Maryland House of 1650. Mulcahy's study will be a fundamental reference for any prospective biographer of Footner or for anyone who wants to explore the works of this many-sided writer.

Graham A. MacDonald has worked as a teacher, librarian, historian for the Ontario Parks Branch and Parks Canada, and as a heritage consultant. His books include: Where the Mountains Meet the Prairies: A History of Waterton Country (2000) and The Beaver Hills Country: A History of Land and Life (2009). ---------------------------------------- Notes:

New Rivers of the North Revisited was launched at the Grand Prairie Museum in late September, 2024. Information about the launch is available on the Facebook Page of the Museum. There are some related articles, for example: "New Book to Showcase Unseen Photos of the Peace Region Before Large Number of Settlers Arrived," CTV News Edmonton, Sept. 20, 2024. "Local historian David W. Leonard is releasing a book that gives a glimpse of the Peace Country through many unpublished photos just before a large scale of settlers arrived in the area. New Rivers of the North Revisited includes excerpts from the original 1912 book New Rivers of the North by Hulbert Footner, who documented his journey through the region in 1911. “As a historian, I'm very interested in this period of time in the Peace River country, right when large-scale settlement was about to take place but hadn't yet occurred, and how the natives lived right on the eve of large-scale settlement, and no one had any idea that there'd be such widespread settlement over the next few years, and so capturing these people right on at that point in time was especially meaningful for me,” said Leonard. “The reason we wanted to reprint it is that we have discovered in the University of Alberta (U of A) archives the entirety of Footner’s photos that he took on his trip of 1911 throughout the Peace Country and up to all the way to Fort Vermillion, Hay River and Alexandra Falls,” said Leonard." The book is available for purchasing online and here is one description from a vendor:

New Rivers of the North Revisited

David Leonard, Brock Silversides

Oct 16, 2024

$29.95

Online pricing. Prices and offers may vary in store.

Paperback

$29.95

   In the summer of 1911, two young adventurers named Hulbert Footner and Auville Eager undertook a precarious and sometimes dangerous excursion in a collapsible canvas canoe from Tete Jaune Cache BC through the Peace River Country and on to the Hay River and its Alexandra Falls. Along the way, the men took over 120 photographs of people and places they encountered which offer rare insight into what living was like in the region at the time, especially in Native communities. Footner recounted his journey in a book called New Rivers of the North, and included some of his photographs. In this book, New Rivers of the North Revisited, some of these and other Footner photos, along with maps, other images, and historical commentary, are combined with excerpts from Footner’s text to offer an even more detailed perspective of northeastern British Columbia and northwestern Alberta at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Publisher: Peace Heritage Press

Shipping dimensions: 10" H x 7" W x 1" L

ISBN: 9781999055332

The Author: Dr. David William Leonard (R.I.P.)

  An obituary is found on the website of the Edmonton Crematorium & Funeral Home Ltd. An obituary is also found in The Edmonton Journal, July 9, 2025.

The Bonus: Watch the "Hulbert Footner Slideshow" on the website of the Calvert County Historical Society (7:48)

Other Footner-Related Posts in Mulcahy's Miscellany
"Kathleen "Kit" Coleman" July 5, 2023 
(The famous Canadian journalist. It was announced that Footner was to marry her daughter, but it never happened.)
"Surely You Joust"  July 11, 2023
(An account of the "Ring Tournaments" held in southern Maryland, drawn from Footner's, Maryland Main and the Eastern Shore.)

"Footner Down Under" July 17, 2023
(Footner was very popular in Australia and New Zealand.)
"Canoeing on the Hudson" June 23, 2024
(The complete account of Footner's canoe trip up the Hudson to Canada, based on his article in Forest and Stream in 1903.)
"Armed Services Editions  July 11, 2024
(One of Footner's books was included among the "Books For The Troops".)

Periodical Ramblings (17)

    I write periodically about periodicals and this is a post about an annual publication, which is also considered to be a periodical. Even publications published once a year are having trouble and I am sorry to report that another one is disappearing.

The Farmers' Almanac
   That is the periodical that is ceasing publication. It was the newer almanac for farmers, which has only been around since 1818. It was a family-owned publication, issuing out of Lewiston, Maine.

The Old Farmer's Almanac
   This almanac is indeed older, having been around since 1792 and it is still being produced by Yankee Publishing in Dublin, New Hampshire. The publisher's of it, want you to know that, "The OLD Farmer's Almanac isn't going anywhere." 

   

The Old Farmer's Almanac: Canadian Edition
   Like many, I suppose, I didn't realize there were two almanacs for farmers and am glad that one has survived. There is even a Canadian edition of it and I recently purchased a copy from the Home Hardware close by. The black circle in the upper left corner is actually a hole, so the book can be hung from a nail for handy reading.
  The 2026 edition "Being the 2nd after Leap Year and (until July 1) 158th year of Canadian Confederation --- Fitted for Ottawa, With Special Corrections and Calculations to Answer For All the Canadian Provinces. Containing, besides the large number of Astronomical Calculations and the Farmer's Calendar for every month in the year, a variety of New, Useful, & Entertaining Matter."

   Beneath that description there is a picture of a wood engraving and then this bit of verse by the Canadian writer, Marjorie Pickthall, "Look up to outer vastness unafraid And see the stars which sang when Earth was made."

   

  The Old Farmer's Almanac will again be a stocking stuffer for a grandson who says he enjoys it, or is at least polite enough to say so. Like you, he is not a farmer, but there is a lot in it that is not agricultural. Along with the "astronomical calculations", there are also many astrological ones, which I hope he is not interested in, and there are many pages devoted to weather matters, a subject which is of interest to everyone. The OFA people say that "the bedrock of this humble publication is our long-range weather predictions -- correct, or close to it, much of the time." 
   I am writing this on the last day of November, on a cold and snowy one and we have already had others. So far, the OFA is correct. Under the "Regional Forecast" for Southern Ontario, there is this summary:
"Winter will be colder and drier than normal in the east with below-normal snowfall, while it will be warmer than normal in the west with above-normal precipitation and snowfall. The coldest periods will be in mid- and late December, early and late January, and early February, with the snowiest periods in late November and early and mid February." 
   As the above indicates, there is Canadian content, appropriately enough, in a "Canadian" edition, but there may not be enough French for some. It should be mentioned, however, that "Secrets of the Sugar Bush" does include the Indigenous.
   The invention of the Internet may be one of the reasons why the other almanac is ceasing to publish, and the arrival of AI may cause problems for this one. The answers to some things are easily provided by the Internet, and AI questions appropriately framed will likely yield reasonable answers to such queries as "When is the proper age for the first mating of my cat?" (See the "Gestation and Mating Tables,"- 12 months, p.229).
  Still there is something to be said for "serendipity" and stumbling across articles about "Pingos" and "Skirrets", two new things you will now google. 
  Plus, the OFA does include ads., such as this one for, "The Amish 'Secret' to Prostate Woes?" and another ---"STOP EVIL: Sprinkling Salts & Yard Dressing to move out all evil enemies and jinx [sic] on you and your home..." But, I am happy to note that there are often disclaimers at the bottom, such as the one below these ads."  "We make no supernatural claims. All items sold as curios only."

   We hope our grandson reads the small print and pays attention to such suggestions as: "Plant peas when forsythias bloom."

Sources:
   Perhaps it is worth documenting the disappearance of things such as these. There are articles noting the demise of The Farmers' Almanac found in early November of this year. For example:

"Farmers' Almanac Editor-in-chief Explains Why it's Ending After 200 Years:

An Announcement by the Farmers' Almanac that it will cease publication has sparked an outpouring from readers and confusion with another almanac," NBC News, NOV.7, 2025.

"The Cute Yellow Old Farmer’s Almanac Isn’t the One Shutting Down

“There are TWO. This is not The OLD Farmer’s Almanac that has been around since 1792. Everything is fine. Just chill guys”

By Laura Hazard Owen, Nieman Lab,  Nov. 7, 2025
   The publishers of the Farmers' Almanac indicate that their website will be gone soon, so we will have to rely on the Internet Archive for that.
   The Old Farmer's Almanac is found here: 

By the way, The Old Farmer's Almanac is more popular than you might think. On the Toronto Star's bestseller list for Nov. 15, it is ranked Number 5, one spot ahead of Guinness World Records in the "Non-Fiction" category.  At the end of November, it is the Number 1 "Nonfiction" title listed in the Washington Post. 

Bonus:
   Many years ago when Montgomery Ward disappeared, I was the Director of a Business Library and thought it would be a good idea to grab their website, since I assumed it would also go. We did, and for a while some perplexed reference librarians were wondering why the University was getting queries about Montgomery Ward. I just looked and was pleased to find that the material grabbed from the now defunct Montgomery Ward website and our commentary, can still be viewed on the Wayback Machine/Internet Archive - Montgomery Ward: 1872-2000.

"BLACK FRIDAY"

Combat Linguistic Imperialism (& Marketing)

  You also must be tired of reading or hearing about “Black Friday.” My proposal is that we eliminate it. If merchants object, since the sales that day put them in the black, then let’s get rid of those words and call it “Red Friday”, for the other colour in the Canadian flag. Apart from the overuse of “Black Friday” driving us bonkers, consider that it is also American. I had planned to do a lot of research about “Black Friday” and present you with a long essay. But, as usual, Wikipedia does a fine job and even covers Canada. For that matter, one also learns about “Black Friday” in Libya and Wales, where it is more appropriately known as Dydd Gwener y Gwario Gwirion ("Silly Spending Friday").

Use the money you were going to spend and make a generous donation to Wikipedia. About that, I am serious. Have you noticed how many of the AI-generated answers to your questions are based on Wikipedia essays? Eliminate the middle man before it is too late.

  To the merchants’ objection, I will yield, but suggest that it be called something else AND moved to our Thanksgiving. Too many people up here are too busy on American Thanksgiving to go shopping anyway, since they are either watching football or shovelling snow. Snow, another reason to have “Red Friday” earlier.

Cyber Monday The same goes for "Cyber Monday" since it is also an American 'thing'. Let's keep it, if we must for the merchants, but switch it to our earlier holiday date. We could call it "Canuck Monday". My comment about Wikipedia being valuable, holds in this case as well. Look up "Cyber Monday" and you find this CANCON: "Cyber Monday came to Canada in 2008.[15] The National Post featured an article published on November 25, 2010, stating that the parity of the Canadian dollar with the US dollar caused many Canadian retailers to have Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales of their own. According to the article, an estimated 80% of Canadians were expected to participate in Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.[16] Speculation has been made that with all major US television broadcasters—which are typically available to Canadians—emphasizing Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales for stores that are also doing business in Canada, Canadian retailers needed to mimic sales offerings in order to keep Canadian dollars from being spent in the US.[16]" To bring my point home about Wikipedia, see the entry for "Canuck" and you will find that it is a slang term for "Canadian", "though its semantic nuances are manifold".

An editorial cartoon portraying Johnny Canuck (c.1910)

"Jack Canuck: O yes! you all come with the glad hand when you know I'm prosperous" [Caricatures of American President Taft and businessmen. Commenting on the American desire to take advantage of the healthy Canadian economy].

Post Script
Some American readers may be surprised to learn that we have Thanksgiving up here. While theirs takes place on the fourth Thursday of November to celebrate the "Black Friday" that follows, ours takes place on the second Monday of October to give thanks that our crops come in earlier. The Bonus In an earlier post, I discussed "Canadian Thanksgiving" and "Columbus Day", which you are now generally advised not to celebrate.

Miss Universe (Revisited)

 Miss Palestine - And Perhaps A Mess

  Ms. Nadeem Ayoub was the subject of a post in MM back in August, mainly because of her connection with Western University. 
  I just happened to notice that there was a "spike" in interest in that post, which surprised me because not many things in MM get "spiked." Here is the link to my post: " Miss Universe"

Here, perhaps, is why there is interest in it. The source is the New York Post and I will say no more:

"Miss Palestine’s Connection to Convicted Terrorist Leader Revealed Ahead of Miss Universe Pageant, By Caitlin Doornbos, New York Post, 

Published Nov. 20, 2025, 5:33 p.m. ET

Nadeen Ayoub — who claims to be a 27-year-old US and Canadian citizen living in Dubai — is competing this week to represent Palestine, a territory the US and Israel don’t even recognize as a sovereign state.

Strutting through preliminary rounds ahead of the pending pageant, Ayoub has kept most of her personal life under wraps — until now. Years-old screenshots and social media posts obtained by The Post show she took pains to hide that she was once married to Sharaf Barghouti — son of the infamous Fatah leader serving five life sentences in Israel for orchestrating terror attacks that killed five people in 2001 and 2002.

The convicted murderer’s name resurfaced last month when Hamas demanded his release in hostage-exchange negotiations with Israel — a request the Jewish state flatly refused, citing his participation in the first intifada, leadership in the second, convictions in five terror-related murders and founding of the West Bank’s al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades.

[there is more]

Hard Rock Hotel - London, Ontario

   If one searches for "Hard Rock Hotels", many are found, often in exotic locations like Davos, Bali and the Maldives. There is now one in London, Ontario in a location that some Londoners would describe, euphemistically, as "exotic",  and most Londoners probably know as much about it as they do about the one in the Maldives.
   There are a few reasons why the London Hard Rock Hotel is likely more of a mystery than a destination for locals, one of them being that there is not much local reporting any more. Norman De Bono, who wrote two of the articles below, can only do so much. If you never make it past the Aeolian Hall on Dundas, or if you have been hindered by construction, if arriving from the other direction, you might want to read what follows and see what you are missing. There are bars and restaurants, if you are not looking for a room. 
   It has been about seven months since it opened and some skeptics assume that such a glamorous facility might be experiencing grim times during these times which are rather grim. I am pleased to report that that is not the case, as this recent article indicates: " 'Elbows Up' Boosts London Tourism: City Sector Having a Strong Year Due to New Draws, Waning Visits to U.S. Observers Say," Jonathan Juha, London Free Press, Nov.1, 2025.
   "London, however, isn't only benefiting from Canadian travellers. The city also has seen strong numbers of travellers from outside the country, with the new Hard Rock Hotel - also at 100 Kellogg Lane - proving a major draw.
   "For us, we've seen a great summer," said Brendon Ainscow, general manager of the hotel, which this summer was named by Forbes Travel Guide one of the Top 11 new hotels to visit around the world.
  "We were even a little bit surprised with the number of guests that we did see coming in from the U.S. and from outside of Canada," he added.
  "Hard Rock is quite a recognizable international brand, so that's really helped us to become an attraction that's brought in people not just from outside of Ontario, but from outside of the country."
   Ainscow said the hotel also has been boosted by Canadians willing to spend their dollars on this side of the border."

   Buy Canadian and Stay Canadian!  "Half Way Between Detroit and London", as the t-shirt says, now there is a place to stay.

Note: If you have made it this far, but don't want to read the rest, just skip to the YouTube videos at the bottom to see what the Hard Rock Hotel has to offer. 

Located East of Adelaide

  Here is a brief timeline, indicating when the Hard Rock Hotel came to London, and culminating with a description of what has resulted.

2021 - "Hard Rock Comes to Town: Music -themed Hotel Planned for Former Kellogg's Cereal Plant, Site, Norman De Bono, Jonathan Juha, London Free Press, January 16, 2021."London will be home to the first Hard Rock Hotel in Canada."

2024 - Hard Rock Hotel: 'Final Piece' in 100 Kellogg Lane Puzzle, Norman De Bono, London Free Press, Dec. 24, 2024, [Christmas Eve!]
   "London's Hard Rock Hotel is in the final stage of construction, a 164-room upscale development that will push the total investment into 100 Kellogg Lane to more than $100 million."

2025 - The Grand Opening
   "Hard Rock Hotel London, Ontario, Officially Opens Its Doors," PR Newswire, April 21, 2025.
   "Canada's First Hard Rock Hotel takes center stage at 100 Kellogg Lane as locally-owned property celebrates its opening day and welcomes first guests."

  Canada's first Hard Rock Hotel is officially open for business. Located within 100 Kellogg Lane, Hard Rock Hotel London, Ontario is part of Canada's largest indoor entertainment complex and sits in the heart of London's Old East Village, just minutes from the Western Fair District and a short drive from downtown.

    The 164-room luxury destination celebrated its opening day with owners, local leaders and VIP guests, including John Rees, Senior Vice President of Hotels at Hard Rock International. "I was so pleased to join the local team to celebrate the first-ever Canadian Hard Rock Hotel, where music, entertainment and hospitality will come together to create truly unforgettable guest experiences," said Rees. "We are proud to be able to share the iconic energy of the Hard Rock brand with guests in the region and from across the globe."

"The property will help strengthen London's economy, and its culture and tourism industries, and is perfectly positioned within Canada's only UNESCO City of Music," said hotel General Manager, Brendon Ainscow. "As a Londoner, I couldn't be more proud and excited to see our city officially become home to Canada's First Hard Rock Hotel. With the addition of this hotel, London is strengthening its role as an international hub for music and culture. Our local team of over 100 employees are ready to welcome visitors from Southwestern Ontario and across the globe."

In addition to specialty suites offering floor-to-ceiling windows, and family-style guestrooms featuring separate rooms with bunk beds, the property offers ultra-luxurious rockstar and terrace suites and a range of unique amenities, including:

   -- An indoor/outdoor pool, where guests can enjoy cabana seating,    poolside cocktails, gourmet bites, and a state-of-the-art underwater sound system. 

 

   -- The signature Hard Rock GMT lobby bar, and Sessions restaurant,
  with creative culinary experiences. 

 

   -- A 1913 speakeasy, with mixologist driven, and thoughtfully inspired 

      cocktails that give an ode to the history of 100 Kellogg Lane
with cereal infused libations and traditional speakeasy styles. 

 

   -- The Rock Shop, where exclusive Hard Rock merchandise and 

souvenirs  can be purchased.

 

   -- Iconic music memorabilia from legends like Shania Twain, 

Gord Downie and more. 

 

   -- Valet parking. 

Visit hotel.hardrock.com/london-ontario for more information.

About the Hard Rock Hotel, London, Ontario Property

    "Hard Rock and Dora Hotel Company collaborated with award-winning BBB Architects and Interiors to create a music-infused sensory experience for the guests at this boutique hotel. Upon arrival, a 32-foot-high sculptural metallic guitar, handcrafted in London, Ontario, marks the entrance for a grand porte-cochere, which combines a theatrical light show and surround sound immersive musical experience. The grand lobby combines elements of the historic Kellogg brick building with new stone tile, multiple skylights, and displays of significant musical memorabilia themed to London's history and Canada's contribution to the world music scene.

The hotel features 164 exquisitely designed guest rooms and specialty suites offering floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the vibrant energy within the complex. Family-style guestrooms featuring separate rooms with bunk beds sure to delight all ages, while the signature Rock Star Suite features a plush living area and bar, exclusive music-inspired touches, and high-end amenities like a private kitchenette, perfect for entertaining in your own one-of-a-kind retreat.

Guests and locals will discover innovative culinary and beverage concepts, including GMT-5 bar, Sessions Restaurant & Bar, and a unique speakeasy appropriately named after the year the Kellogg's Factory opened -- 1913. The mixologist driven bar will feature cereal infused libations as an ode to the venue's history.

At Hard Rock Hotel London, Ontario, music is at the heart of every guest experience. The Sound of Your Stay(R) program invites travelers to connect with music in immersive ways, from streaming expertly curated playlists with Tracks(R) to spinning classic vinyl on Victrola record players with Wax(R) or playing a premium guitar delivered to your room with Picks(R).

Wellness also finds its rhythm here. The signature Rock Om(R) program blends yoga with DJ-curated soundtracks for on-demand, in-room sessions that inspire balance and relaxation. Guests seeking a more dynamic workout can visit the Body Rock(R) Fitness Centre, fully equipped with Technogym equipment and energizing playlists. After an invigorating workout, the indoor/outdoor pool provides the perfect place to recharge, complete with an innovative underwater sound system that keeps the music flowing - even below the surface.

  

Pets are also part of the experience, with the Unleashed program offering thoughtful amenities for four-legged family members, further positioning Hard Rock Hotel London, Ontario, as a destination for all."

Videos:

Hard Rock Hotel, Jenelle Nicole (10 min.)

Inside Canada's First Hard Rock Hotel (6min.) "gunnarolla" (Andrew Gunadie).

The Bonus:
   Located next door, Paradigm Spirits won the grand prize at the Canadian Whisky Awards in 2024. For additional details, see "Local Booze."

Biking About (5)

    It is snowing today and I will not be doing any cycling. In fact, given that I am a fair weather cyclist, I am sure I won't be riding any more this year. So, I just ran through the wet snow to the garage to take that picture. I learned from it that I cycled 1547 km this year, since I put away the bike last year on Nov. 6. Although this 'series' represents my attempt to keep some statistics about my cycling, it is clear that I am not good at it. I didn't record when I started this 'spring', but it was likely sometime in April, maybe even March.  American readers are reminded that Canada has two 'seasons', July and winter, and that 1547km, is less that 1000 miles (960), I am sorry to learn. 
  While I am at it, I might as well document all of this, since I am as good at record keeping as I am in tabulating statistics. I do little jotting down of things, or keeping notes, so that is why you are learning these personal things here. If Google pulls the plug on "Blogger", however, we will lose all of the valuable posts in MM, and I probably won't even remember where I put my bike.
   It looks like I bought the bike on May 26, 2020, right about the time the plague hit. That means I have had the bike for five years and five months. I first recorded these valuable data on, May 1, 2023, after I had travelled 4574km. (Biking About).
   "Biking About (2)" does not mention me, but it does discuss how cycling affects one's sex life, so you might want to have a look. "Biking About (No.3)" contains the only known photo of the cyclist, so you may not want to have a look. "Biking About (No.4)", is here, and you are looking at #5. Now I will be able to find them next November if "Blogger" and I still exist.

The Bonus: It's Not About Me
   I am rather embarrassed about the pathetic data recorded above, particularly since this just happened: 
The French student, Oscar Delaite, pictured, just did a "Wheelie" for over six hours and travelled 93 miles. You won't believe me, so here is a note and a source:
  "Specifically, 150.4 kilometers (or 93.45 miles) over six hours and 31 minutes, completed in late September. The mark -- "Greatest Distance Covered While Performing a Continuous Bicycle Wheelie" -- is confirmed and in the books. Guinness World Records sent Oscar the congratulatory email on Monday."
"The College Student Who Did a Wheelie --for 93 Miles," Jason Gay, Wall Street Journal, Nov.14, 2025. Here is an article that is not behind a paywall: "Oscar Delaite Shatters Wheelie World Record with 150 km Ride," Matteo, The Cycling Week, Oct. 15, 2025.