Food – Prairie Dog

Happy Birthday To Us!

Gooooood eveniiinnng! We’re getting this in a little before sunset, which lands at 5:53. Current temperature is -11, and it’s supposed to drop to -18 tonight. We’ve been screwing around with this thing’s logo lately. I like Designer Paul’s new one.

1. OLD NEWS Prairie Dog turns 24 today! Feels like… more. Our first issue was published Tuesday, Feb. 2, 1993. Yes, that’s Groundhog Day, yes, that was on purpose. I wasn’t here. I was in Winnipeg. It was a pretty good month. I was at the old Winnipeg Arena to see Teemu Selanne’s four-goal game on Feb. 28. He set the rookie goal-scoring record two games later. That guy.

2. SPEAKING OF GROUNDHOG DAY Climate change ruins everything.

3. MOURNING THE DEAD Huge turnout at the funeral for the victims of a far-right gun nut terrorist in Quebec.

4. SPEAKING OF GUN NUTS Kevin O’Leary needs to work on his timing. Or maybe he has.

5. TRUDEAU BREAKS A PROMISE No electoral reform for you! Really not sure most Canadians want voting reform so I doubt it’ll hurt him politically. Nevertheless, feel free to call your MP, or maybe just Ralph Goodale, since he’s the ultra-Liberal in this province. Goodale’s Ottawa office’s number is 613-947-1153, and his constituency office is 585-2202. Or if you’d rather just read something snarky to help you fume, check out this Andrew Coyne column.

6. FIGHTING FOR LIFE Ignite The Life tackles the Indigenous youth suicide crisis in a two-day Saskatoon conference.

7. CARMICHAEL OUTREACH RE-ZONING CLEARS A HURDLE One more step before the anti-poverty organization can move to a new location on 12th Ave.

8. BEST OF FOOD & DRINK 2017 Our restaurant scene reader poll is back with way more categories than last year’s version. The write-in round is now open! This is your annual chance to rain some positive public attention on your favourite local (and where appropriate, chain) restaurants. Check it out!

Here’s your Daily* Trump report. *DISCLAIMER: Report is not daily.

T1. TRUMP DUMPS ON A CONSERVATIVE ALLY Given how shitty, anti-environmental and generally racist conservative Australian politicians are, I can’t muster outrage when Donald Trump treats the leader of an allied like crap. That said, turning close friends into enemies is not a recipe for political success. THAT said, Trump probably just boosted the approval ratings of an anti-immigrant world leader, and you have to wonder, just a little bit, if that wasn’t part of the plan. My nickel’s on poor impulse control and ego-driven chaos, but ya never know. What do you guys think?

T2. WAIT, DID TRUMP THREATEN TO INVADE MEXICO? What a reckless buffoon.

T3. OH, AND HE’S BAITING IRAN Moron.

T4. AND HIS TRASH TALKING SCHWARZENEGGER Twit.

T5. REUTERS TO REPORTERS: TRUMP’S AN AUTHORITARIAN The news outlet briefs reporters on how to cover the Ugnaught-In-Chief.

T6. DIVORCED, MOLEST-Y CHEATER FINDS JESUS? A super-duper profane president wants to help all the lovely “Christian” churches who attack the poor, vulnerable and oft-discriminated against become even more openly political. Learn more about the Johnson Amendment—which Trump wants to “destroy”—here. I look forward to the Satanic Temple’s inevitable mischievous political jujitsu.

T7. TRUMP THREATENS TO REVOKE BERKELEY UNIVERSITY’S FUNDING AFTER A FAR-RIGHT SPEAKER’S CAMPUS TALK WAS CANCELLED This alleged defence of free speech from the guy who signs gag orders on scientists.

T8. SPEAKING OF CENSORING SCIENTISTS Remember Stephen Harper? He pioneered it. Expect Trump will do the same things, but at higher intensity.

Facebook And A Weird Croissant

Once upon a time, Dog Blog (“The Official Blog Of Prairie Dog“) had three-plus posts daily, which was pretty damn impressive for a volunteer blog (volunteer = “no one got paid”). Greg, Paul, Shane, Jorge and others did (and in Shane and Jorge’s case, do) a great job writing a hell of a lot of stuff. But as I’ve said before, it’s been a lot quieter in 2016 because these days most of us don’t have the time, energy or motivation to spend 15-20 hours a week writing stuff for free.

I mean, writing in public can be a fun hobby, but it’s not that much fun.* Besides, like pretty much all media outlets, we’ve laid-off half our staff in the last several years so we’re (me and the freelancers) all busier with the actual paper.

Having said that…

We’ve gotta get this thing going again, at least a little bit, because it’s just wrong to restrict our online opinions to social media.

If the world didn’t already know Facebook can be dangerous, the recent election of Donald Trump proved it. For years, Facebook has amplified the voices of profiteering bullshit purveyors and demented, sexist, racist and anti-social maniacs who support the agenda of Trump and other toxic politicians. Too often, it’s been a magic looking glass that sucks viewers in and tosses them down Internet rabbit holes of nonsense, conspiracy theories, racism, sexism, homophobia and even radicalization.

Thanks to Facebook, a lot of U.S. voters brainwashed themselves into believing a lying, self-absorbed, thin-skinned, ignorant, selfish, silver-spoon-fed millionaire would make a better president than a highly qualified woman with a lifetime of experience in politics, international affairs and public service.

It’s nuts. And it’s a problem.

That’s not to say Facebook doesn’t have value. Many users share smart, fact-based, informative articles, proving Mark Zuckerberg’s $350-plus billion rabbit hole can lead to knowledge and wisdom as well as ignorance, hatred and insanity. I’ve often found it a useful tool professionally, too. It’s a good way to reach people I want to talk to for stories. And personally, Facebook arguments have helped me fine-tune (and occasionally correct) my opinions and ideas. So I’m certainly not going to shut down my account anytime soon.

Nonetheless, it’s clear that too often, Facebook is a vector for the spread of fake news, anti-science flim-flam and outright fascist propaganda, not to mention using other people’s work to generate advertising revenue. (a rant for another day). It’s annoying, and I’m going to cut down the time I spend on Facebook as a result.

Besides, I’d rather give my free time to my (local!) business, which does pay me.

Anyhoo, all this rambling means means you can expect a minimum of a couple blog posts from me a week going forward. More, if they’re dumb jokes or pictures of animals.

Speaking of dumb things, I promised you a weird croissant. Here you go.

Cheers!

Editor Steve

*Unless you’re a masochist who likes constantly being told you’re wrong** by people who didn’t read what you wrote, ignored facts you linked to, and concern-trolled the shit out of you every time you made a goddamn joke. Then hell yeah, it’s a blast.

**Though I’ve always appreciated and enjoyed Barb Saylor’s proofreading. Always. Thanks, Barb!

Basil AIZeri: The Mobile Kitchen Lab

Since the food-themed exhibition On The Table opened at the Dunlop Art Gallery at Central Library in late January the above-pictured mobile kitchen has been sitting in front of the gallery window.

The kitchen is the creation of Toronto-based Palestinian artist Basil AIZeri. He calls it the Mobile Kitchen Lab, and on Saturday March 19 he’ll be in Regina to do a durational performance at the gallery.

In past performances, AIZeri has cooked a meal in the gallery while patrons watch and interact with him. Sometimes, while he’s cooking he communicates with his mother via Skype.

At the end of the performance AIZeri shares the food with people in the gallery. Consistent with the broader themes of On The Table the performance relates to subjects such as the role food plays as an expression of cultural identity and social engagement.

AIZeri’s performance goes at the Dunlop on Saturday between 3-6 p.m. If you’d like to read more about AIZeri’s practice here’s a short article from late 2013.

Beer Bacon Bands

This is the second annual celebration of the three Bs mentioned in the title. The event goes Friday Jan. 29 and Saturday Jan. 30 at Conexus Arts Centre.

If you check out the Beer Bacon Bands website you can learn more about all the food and drink vendors that will be showcasing their products at the event.

As far as the live music goes, bands that have been booked to perform include the Dudes, Johnny McCuaig Band and your choice for Best Regina Band of 2015 the Dead South.

Beer Bacon Bands runs from 7 p.m. to midnight both nights at Conexus. To close, here’s the Dead South performing “Honey You” off their debut album Good Company:

Regina Restaurant Week

After all the fun and excitement of the holiday season, January is typically a slow month for the hospitality industry as people tone down their spending and calorie consumption and seek to escape the typically frigid weather by cocooning at home.

But January’s just about done, and in order to showcase some of the new and renovated restaurants that have sprung up in the downtown over the last few years Regina Downtown Business Improvement District has partnered with over a dozen local establishments to organize a special showcase that runs Jan. 27-Feb. 10.

You can get all the details on Regina Restaurant Week here. But what each participating restaurant is offering is a special price fixe dinner with the choice of one appetizer, entree and dessert for a set price.

Restaurants that have signed on so far include Beer Bros, the Capitol, Copper Kettle, Crave, Diplomat, Famosa, Fat Badger, Flip, Golf’s Steakhouse, Malt City, 20Ten and Victoria’s Tavern.

Snake Oil Salesmen Fundraiser

You have an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone at this event which goes at the Exchange on Friday Dec. 11. Not only will you be treated to some quality music by local artists, you’ll also be helping out two local charities.

First, the music. The country rock trio the Snake Oil Salesmen are organizing the event, and they’ll be joined by Accomplice, Bad Comrade, Val Halla, Hello, Lady, InfoRed, Bats Out!, Christopher “Tiny” Matchett and Hugh Poorman. Doors are at 7:30 p.m. at the Exchange, with the show starting at 8 p.m., and admission is $10.

Gifts of non-perishable food items and unwrapped toys are being collected, and they’ll go to the Regina Food Bank and Santa’s Anonymous.

Here’s a recent video addressing the residential school system by InfoRed with guest vocals by Sister Says

https://youtu.be/HGCQUQsVjZk

Films For Foodies

For a few years now the RPL Film Theatre has been holding a foodie fundraiser. The next one is set to go on Saturday Nov. 7. The event typically involves a screening of a food-themed film along with an opportunity to sample specially prepared refreshments. This year, The Capitol Jazz Club & Tapas Bar, the Lancaster Taphouse, Rebellion Brewing and the Backyard are participating.

The film that is screening is the 2014 documentary The Search for General Tso which explores the history of mass market Chinese food in the United States. The film will be followed by a reception, and more details can be found on the RPL website. Tickets are $20.

To give you a taste of what to expect, here’s the trailer for The Search for General Tso

Weekly Reckoning: Togarishi Edition

Have you ever tried shichimi togarishi? It’s a seven-spice blend of Japanese pepper, nori, black sesame seeds and whatever else. I sprinkled a bit on some corn-on-the-cob today, and I have to say, I’ve had worse things in my life. Why don’t you sit down for a while and think about all the things you haven’t tried and may never get around to trying before your heart reaches its allotted number of beats? It can be comforting. If you’re a crazy person.

1. EUROPE YOU SO CRAZY The Communist Party is polling well in Portugal and may end up forming the next government if trends hold. It would be weird to see the European Union’s southern limbs drop off, but there you go.

2. ALL THE ARBITRARY BUT FASCINATING REASONS YOU CAN’T WEAR WHITE AFTER LABOUR DAY But the real reason is that God will come to your house and lick everything in the fridge. Anyway, enjoy!

3. GO HOME SCIENCE YOU’RE DRUNK Some super-dumb scientists produced a cockamamie study that says my cats don’t love me. Well I’ve got enough love for all of us, science.

4. HEY EVERYONE, I JUST DISCOVERED SOME TRUE SUFFERING HERE Never mind refugees, here’s the harrowing tale of a guy who lined up outside a Toys “R” Us for Star Wars toys and came away empty-handed. Well, almost empty-handed – he got some toys, but not the toys he wanted. Not the cool ones. Also, a bunch of kids didn’t get Star Wars toys because grown men lined up outside toy stores to relive their childhoods. Also, refugees.

5. THE EGG COUNCIL CONSPIRACY IS REAL! The American Egg Board launched a campaign to crush food bloggers, a celebrity chef and a Silicon Valley egg-replacement startup. Every part of the last sentence is more ridiculous than every other part.

Regina Dragon Boat Festival

Altogether now!

“Row, Row, Row, Your Dragon Boat//Gently Across Wascana Lake//Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, Merrily//Life Is But Dream”

That’s right, everyone, it’s time for one of Regina’s more popular Labour Day weekend traditions the Regina Dragon Boat Festival.

You can find out more information on the festival website, but this year’s oarfest goes Friday Sept. 4 and Saturday Sept. 5 in Wascana Centre.

There’s an opening ceremony Friday at 4:30 p.m. That’s followed by some 200 m sprint action. Then on Saturday there’s heats running between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. with some family and cultural events mixed in. And to top it all off, there’s apparently some fireworks that will be set off from Willow Island at 10 p.m. on Saturday.

Market Under The Stars

To grab the freshest produce and tastiest baking at the regular Regina Farmers’ Market you have to be a bit of an early riser as the markets on Wednesday and Saturday open at 9 a.m.

If you’re not an early riser, or work or other commitments preclude you from being in the downtown at that time on those days, you’re SOFM.

Tonight, though, you have a chance to scoop some goodies at this evening Regina Farmers’ Market. It’s held in the same place on City Square Plaza from 4 to 9 p.m. In addition to the regular stuff, there will be other activities such as yoga and salsa dancing going on, plus an eating contest of some description.

The Regina band Coldest Night of the Year will also do a set from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. If you’re downtown earlier, Dagan Harding will be on the same stage from noon to 1 p.m.

After tonight, there’s one final Market Under the Stars on Aug. 27. The musical act that night will be Danny Olliver, and Colter Wall will be doing a set at noon. All four shows are presented as part of the Regina Downtown Summer Concert Series.

Regina’s Best Sushi Restaurant Has Closed

We’ve lost Michi. From Facebook:

To Our Valued Patrons,

Due to a decrease in sales over the past few years, we have decided to close our doors as of June 13th, 2015. We want to thank you for your years of loyalty and patronage, as we have enjoyed being a part of the community for the last 12 years. We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause.

Michi Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar.

Well this sucks. I’ve never had sushi in Regina that touched Michi’s. Nothing’s even close. And Mich just won Best Sushi again, too (deservedly). If I’d known Michi was in danger of closing I’d have mobilized support. Hordes of sushi-fanatics would’ve been rallied. Shit. Shit. Shit. Now what? Anyone?

Pile O Bones BBQ Championship

In recent years, a number restaurants have opened up in town (Smokin’ Okies, Jack Keaton’s, Prairie Smoke & Spice) that are dedicated to the old school idea of barbecuing that goes beyond the type of grilling that most people in this area are familiar with. Instead of just firing up the barbecue and slapping on some meat, traditional barbecuing involves a ton more time and energy, both in preparing the meat of choice and in slow-cooking it to allow the magic to happen.

This weekend, there’s a whole festival happening that’s devoted to celebrating the art of fine BBQ. Everything will be going down on City Square Plaza, and in addition to all the food on offer, there will be a family fun area, a beer garden, a roadhouse and plenty of live music. Admission is free, and the festival runs Friday from 5-11 p.m., Saturday noon-11 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

You can find out all the details on the Pile O Bones BBQ website. And here’s the schedule of bands:

Friday 12

Alley Dawgs (5 p.m.), Brian Templeton Trio (6 p.m.), Coldest Night of the Year (7 p.m.), the Pistolwhips (8:15 p.m.) and One Bad Son (9:30 p.m.).

Saturday 13

Amy Nelson (noon), the Alley Dawgs (1 p.m.), Scott Richmond (2 p.m.), Mother Night (3 p.m.), Bad Comrade (5 p.m.), Brian Templeton Trio (6 p.m.), Dagan Harding (7 p.m.), Coldest Night of the Year (8:15 p.m.) and the New Meanies (9:30 p.m.).

Sunday 14

Brian Templeton Trio (noon), the Alley Dawgs (1 p.m.), Johnny 2 Fingers (2 p.m.), Dagan Harding (3 p.m.) and Coldest Night of the Year (4 p.m.).

Orange

For the past few years, the Art Gallery of Regina has held annual fundraisers tied to different locations such as New York, New Orleans and Spain. Food and other refreshments, entertainment, visual art and decoration are some of the special touches that help make each evening a unique experience.

With this year’s fundraiser, though, the AGR has switched things up. Instead of a particular locale, the gallery has chosen the colour orange as the theme.

You can get all the details on the AGR website. The gala goes Saturday June 20 from 8-11 p.m., and tickets are $40 advance and $45 door. Eight local restaurants will be serving up some special orange-themed treats, and the Matt Kaip Group will be providing music. There’s also a silent auction, and the money raised will be used to support programming at the gallery.

Introduction To Backyard Beekeeping

There’s been a lot of talk lately about declining bee populations in North America, and the important role bees and other pollinators play in the life cycle of flowers, fruit trees, berries and other plants.

On Thursday May 7 Regina Public Library is hosting a presentation by a local beekeeper on how to raise bees as a hobby. Teens and children are welcome at the presentation, which goes at Central Library (Public Meeting Room 1) from 7-8:30 p.m.

You’re asked to register in advance on the RPL website. And here’s a link to an interview with the beekeeper that appeared in our April 30-May 13 issue.

Taste Of Spring

This event has been around for a few years now. And in that time the roster of potential exhibitors has grown significantly. No longer is it unusual to find locally sourced producers of wine, spirits, beer and gourmet food items, and on Friday May 8 and Saturday May 9 you’ll have an opportunity to check out the current crop at this annual showcase.

Exhibitors will be exhibiting, and patrons consuming, all manner of food and drink products at the Credit Union Eventplex at Evraz Place. Doors both nights are at 6:30 p.m., and tickets (which are limited to the 19+ crowd), are $45. You can find out more information on the Brandt Centre website.

Taste of Cathedral

The 2015 Cathedral Village Arts Festival runs May 18-23. It will be the 24th annual, and the theme this year is From the HeART. Before that happens, though, we’ve still got a few months of winter to slog through along with what’s typically a sketchy spring.

To help set the mood for May, plus also raise funds for the 2015 CVAF, the organizing committee is holding this fundraiser on Saturday Jan. 31. As the title implies, the event will showcase neighbourhood restaurants along with other food and drink-related businesses in the Cathedral area.

Taste of Cathedral will be held at the Italian Club. Start time is 6 p.m., and admission is $20, with taste tickets $1 each. For more information, visit the CVAF website.

Weekly Reckoning: Sex Bacon™ Tonic Edition

That’s right: sex bacon. Or should I say, Prairie Dog’s Patented Sex Bacon™ Tonic! Stop not taking Sex Bacon immediately! Guaranteed to increase your SBBL count and put a strut in your step when you swig a swag of Sex Bacon™! Ingredients: ethyl alchohol, sugar, bacon, natural things like twigs and maybe a clove or two of garlic? Hey, that sounds good. Maybe this is more of a lifestyle spray than a medicinal tonic? You know, we’re still in the blue-sky phase of the product launch.

1. TOLLER CRANSTON, THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME, IS GONE Toller Cranston, the greatest skater with the coolest name who ever lived, is not living. Cranston died at age 65 in his Mexico home of an apparent heart attack. There’s no word on whether he was was wearing one of his uber-cool turtleneck sweaters or maybe writing me a letter saying, “Yes Aidan, I really am the coolest Canadian who ever popped up on your TV screen on Saturday nights to make all of the other skaters look like amateurs. I only won the bronze at the 1976 Innsbruck Olympics because my athleticism and talent and spangly suit and floppy hair terrified the judges. Keep following your dreams, Toller.”

2. TATIANA ~~MASLANEY~~ MASLANY, WHO IS ALMOST AS COOL AS TOLLER CRANSTON, MAY BE IN STAR WARS Regina’s Tatiana ~~Maslaney~~ Maslany is up for a role in the upcoming 2016 Star Wars film from director Gareth Edwards (Monsters, Godzilla). Also in contention are Rooney Mara (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Kate Mara (House of Cards) and Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything) but they won’t get it because they’re up against the cybernetic acting machine from the future we have designated as Tatiana ~~Maslaney~~ Maslany.

3. IT’S GETTING HARDER AND HARDER TO FIND BAD FAST FOOD The New Yorker has a fine and thoughtful piece called “The Shake Shack Economy” on the challenge that fast-casual” restaurants like Shake Shack, Chipotle and Panera Bread pose to the traditional junk food slingers of post-war ‘Murica. Traces of this trend in Regina can be found in the $15 poutines of Fatburger or the ongoing bend towards comfort food in high-end restaurants. But don’t worry, there are lots of totally awful fast food experiences available in Saskatchewan.

4. VROOOOOM VROOOOOOM SHUFFLE REPEAT What do you think of the sweet roar of the engine in your new F-150? It’s probably an .mp3 file.

5. OH SKY MALL, WE BID YOU AND YOUR MOUNTAIN OF OVERPRICED JUNK GOODBYE After 25 years of doing a rip-roaring trade in Bigfoot garden gnomes and electronic litter boxes, Sky Mall has filed for bankruptcy. Slate.com has an explainer piece on Sky Mall’s business model and why it failed, but if you can’t figure out how a company whose brand was founded on selling stuff that nobody could possibly want ran out of money, then I doubt any link can help you (actually, Sky Mall’s chief revenue source wasn’t their catalogue – see the article for details). The website is still up and taking orders, but who knows how long that will last? Better move quick if you want your Night Glow Toilet Seat.

UPDATE: ~~Maslaney~~ Maslany.

Holiday Celebration

Each year in early December the MacKenzie Art Gallery hosts an art-themed holiday celebration complete with choirs, sleigh rides, refreshments and more. This year’s party goes Sunday, Dec. 7 at the gallery starting at 1 p.m.

The weather at this time of the year can be challenging, of course. But the nice thing about this party is if you do get chilled while participating in the outdoor activities you can always head into to the gallery to warm up. And while you’re inside you can check out all the great art that’s on display, and perhaps even do some art-making of your own in the Learning Centre.

Feature exhibitions at the gallery right now include In the Alley by Regina painter Wilf Perreault and Digital Handshake by Regina sculptor Troy Coulterman.

Again, the party gets going at 1 p.m. on Sunday, and you can find out more by visiting the MacKenzie website.

Chicken & Wine

After a hiatus of a year or two this informal lecture series is back for another run. The venue is the Artful Dodger (1631 11th Ave.), and the first Chicken & Wine of the 2014-15 season goes Tuesday Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. Admission is free.

Here’s the three speakers, and the topics they’ll be discussing:

Jenelle Jacobsen I Have Made You a Mix Tape. A personal journey through the Canadian indie music renaissance.

Aidan Morgan A Cultural, Chemical and Personal History of the Ampersand.

Ken Wilson El Camino de Santiago.

If you’d like to speak on a topic of interest to you at a future gathering, you can contact the organizers via the Chicken & Wine Facebook page or e-mail chickenandwine@yahoo.ca.

Save Your Fork 2014: Return To Strasbourg

When I cast my mind back over my childhood and teen years, driving through Ontario’s cottage country with my parents, I can recall signs advertising fall suppers in the little towns that dotted the route northeast of Toronto. But these were always on Sunday nights, and we had to get back to the city in time for everyone to get organized for their busy Monday mornings. Who were these people? And who has time for a fall supper? Well, lo these many years later, I do. In fact, I make time for them (and lament every squandered Sunday evening we drove silently past what was, undoubtedly, some very good eatin’).

The first fowl supper I ever enjoyed was about four years ago in the lovely town of Sedley (about forty minutes south of Regina). One taste was all it took to hook me for life. This may sound corny, but whenever I’m in some little town hall or hockey rink, surrounded by people who have come together to share a communal meal, support their community, and raise funds for some local something-or-other, my heart swells. It’s wonderful. I’m also a sucker for a good slice of pie, so that may contribute to the sense of bonhomie. Anyway, let’s get this year’s Fowl Supper season* started!

I enjoyed my first fowl supper of the 2014 season tonight, in fabulous Strasbourg, SK. Strasbourg’s supper was, as always, a marvel – a seamlessly executed event that draws everyone from the local girl guides to the volunteer fire fighters together to pull off a dinner you’ll want to save the date for again next year. This year’s offering included creamy coleslaw, buns, pickles, turnip, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce and turkey (of course). As is the custom in Strasbourg, the bird was delicious – a mélange of tender, succulent light and dark meat carved and served together for the best of both worlds. For desert, there was a dizzying selection of pies to choose from: cherry, apple, pumpkin, lemon merengue, and pecan. I chose the pecan, and my dining companion the cherry. Neither of us was disappointed. We capped the meal off with a top-shelf cup of coffee and drove home happy.

This was the third year in a row I enjoyed Strasbourg’s supper, and it sure won’t be my last. Half the fun of taking in these suppers is the drive to the town itself. In Strasbourg’s case, this means driving through the beautiful Lumsden valley and along the edge of Last Mountain lake. Then there’s the friendly conversation that invariable crops up at long banquet tables. It’s a seating arrangement that encourages interaction and one that I’m sorry more restaurants don’t employ. Tonight, for example, I made the acquaintance of Clarence Biller. We struck up a conversation after he remarked on my photo-documentation of a plate of pie (“want a picture of mine too?”) Mr. Biller was the town’s pharmacist for 48 years and now farms just outside of Strasbourg. We talked about water-logged fields, hunting, the recent appearance of elk on his property, and urban sprawl. Who knows who I’ll meet at my next fowl supper!

Verdict: Strasbourg’s fowl supper is a perennial favourite for a reason; scenic environs, an excellent meal, and stellar company. 5 out of 5 Prairie Dogs.

*Upcoming fowl suppers this month include ones in McLean (Oct 11), Sedley (Oct 19), as well as Lumsden, Milestone, Pense, and Wolsley (all on Oct 26).