The Parrothead Restaurant

The landmark restaurant, The Parrothead, is reopening. As early as Canada Day weekend, patrons of this popular Lake Erie restaurant will be able to once again enjoy their favourite fare and try some new menu items ~ including Margarita Cake.
The new owner, Shane Carmichael, assured visitors this week that when he opens, he wants the neighbouring community to feel that this is their restaurant.
The Parrothead will retain the Jimmy Buffet flavour with careful attention to fresh, locally supplied products ~ (We will wait and see; will there be a "Cheeseburger in Paradise?")
As a bookshop, we are aware that Jimmy Buffet once said that "One of life's great pleasures is exchanging good books with close friends." Another of life's greatest pleasures is sharing good food.
The Parrothead is located at the corner of Lakeshore and Kohler Road, Lake Erie, Haldimand County. Watch for the official announcement.

"You've Got it!"

Words that are music to a used-bookstore vendor's ears, "You've got it!" Today it was a p/b copy of Frank Herbert's Dune. 1975. It was not the book that was unusual, it was the circumstances. Jeremy is leaving in the morning for Laurentian University in Sudbury ~ a big day. His graduation. Exciting, except that he will be in the company of his best friend from whom he borrowed Dune. The book was annihlated during a move.
Jeremy, congratulations and all the best. In this case, don't mention The Neat Little Bookshop.

Dunnville Author ~ Brad Smith

Dunnville author, Brad Smith, has accomplished what many Canadian authors strive for and few achieve ~ having their manuscript picked up by a publisher. (Most books today are self-published -- certainly first novels.) In addition to that, Brad is making movies from books.

Brad's tales have a colourful cast of characters ~ admittedly composites of people he has met. Rough. Tough. Humorous. People whom we have met at some time in our lives. Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River said, All Hat is an incendiary example of pedal-to-the-floor country noir."
The story lines are captivating; the underlying life-lessons linger.

When available "used," The Neat Little Bookshop carries Brad's books. All Hat, One-Eyed Jack, Bushed Flush, and Big Man Coming Down the Road, are all available new at The Dragonfly in Caledonia.

David Wice ~ Guitarist Vocalist

Guitarist/Vocalist David Wice, performing at
The Back 40, Cayuga, Saturday, June 20.
David appears regularly at The Bin in Binbrook ~ and anywhere that folks enjoy "listening to some good tunes." Self-described as "a bit of a jukebox when it comes to knowing songs," David has over two hundred titles in his repertoire. He can be contacted at
http://www.davidwice.ca/ Please note the date change.

Canadian Family Tree Research

Researching your family tree? At the Haldimand Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society genealogists regularly share experience and tips.
Tuesday, June 2nd, 7:00 p.m. at the Haldimand County Museum in Cayuga. Special Guest Speaker: Stephen C. Young, FamilySearch Project Manager of Historical Records in Canada, the British Isles and the South Pacific. Everyone Welcome. Admission Free.
www.familysearch.org

~ Niceties

Linda just brought us a piece of her homemade rhubarb pie. Linda is a special lady coping daily with more than most of us and still takes time to do something "nice."

Nice is a word that I don't often use unless in the noun form, "nicety." "There is still time for the niceties in life." The small things that make a difference. The important things. The things that matter.

A simple "Thank you" note takes a few minutes. A brief moment in front of the post office to exchange greetings. A few extra minutes to listen. A reassuring touch or a handshake. An unexpected "Thinking of you" card. A spontaneous invitation to a friend to ride-along. Or a piece of homemade rhubarb pie. Thank you, Linda.

"Woody"

It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of "Woody," Gary Whitty. "Woody," always a quiet gentle presence in the neat little bookshop since the earliest days of our opening, won a place in our hearts. His family came first. He carried a wish list of books in his pocket.
Woody, we will miss you. If Heaven's library has The Crow and the Castle, dear friend, please save us a copy.