How shocked was I to look and see the last Weekly Zekely was in 2025?! Quarterly Zekely doesn't really roll off the tongue so I better get you caught up.

A full 3 months worth of adventure would make a 100k word novel so I will just catch you up on a colourful holiday season and dawn of the new year.

Theatric!

Looking back through pictures, you might think I was a theatre lover. Despite a deep appreciation for everything that goes into the world class theatre in this small town, I might pick a round of golf over going to a play. I wasn't given the option here and enjoyed a production of Annie. On the same stage a couple weeks later, I attended A Stratford Christmas concert hosted by the Stratford Arts & Culture Collective. The marketing company I am with Town Crier Marketing is responsible for online promotion and ticket sales so we get a few tickets to enjoy and shoot pictures for next year's promotion.
This isn't quite theatre but is a prominent local venue Revival House that hosts some pretty special performances as well. This is another Christmas concert with a celebrated local musician. For a small town, there are some mighty fine live performances to enjoy!

Charity

I have the privilege of working with many local not-for-profit organizations and the holiday season is a great time for charitable events. Here, I am with the local multiculturalism team serving up food from around the world during a fundraiser. It was delicious.

As work slows down a little for the holidays, there is a little more time to help out. Here we are with an organization sorting all of the toys the fundraisers purchase and dividing them for donation for underprivileged kids. Such a rewarding thing to be able to do but I am saddened a little by this picture as it was the last with my friend John as he died a couple weeks later. ;(

The Rest

Christmas season happened during this time and was enjoyed by all, including the dog. I thought that encouraging a dog to destroy presents was not a great idea but was outvoted by those who wanted the little guy to be able to unwrap his own present too. I did also get to enjoy a trip to Montreal for some entertainment and to watch my favourite sports team. Having watched the Montreal Canadiens hockey team since the 70s, there is something magical about getting to see them in person. Such a fun town too. A neat scene at the feet of city hall in the middle of winter. This is an interactive light exhibition you can read a little more about here. It has been damn cold up here for a while but a little winter never stops Canadians! Fortunately, our groundhog didn't see his shadow today and proclaimed that spring is on the way but I am prepared for plenty more winter up here. You know what makes winter a little more enjoyable? Indoor golf. We are lucky enough to be able to play weekly while the snow is falling and all the courses are closed. Will it help our score when summer eventually arrives? Probably not much but sure is fun.

It really has been a winter wonderland up here since the end of November. Usually, there is an early snow storm and then a thaw til Christmas. Not this year. Consistent snow and freezing temperatures make walks in the woods pretty wonderlandly.

Beer!

Those who have followed my ramblings for any length of time would know there is a #beer segment in a Zekely. This Christmas was extra beery as I enjoyed a Beer Advent Calendar put together by 24 craft beer enthusiasts. I love #beersaturday and have only shared a few of the variety I sampled all through December. We brew our own beer as well and Winter is no time to slow down. It does get a little cool in the garage but the brewers, beer and propane heater are enough to keep us comfy. Enjoying a nice New England IPA right now and recommend everyone grow their own veggies and brew their own beer. I do love to drink a beer while enjoying music of all sorts. I am starting to do a little research and practice of a new batch of songs for the concerts the band will play this year. Nothing that big but I plan on putting my new bass to use on Easter weekend in the big city and will share that tale then as well.

Bring on 2026!

It sure feels like we are in the dead of a long winter with a world that is threatening to go more crazy. When the going gets rough, the tough get going so I am choosing inspiration and Hive to attack the year for best results.

Thanks for checking in during a cold but fun winter!

Are you a little closer to spring than we are?