Savour the Southeast Project

Back in early March I shared my experiences from this shoot that I directed for Stream Media.  We were producing the video for the Economic Development Alliance's Savour the Southeast campaign, which was all about drawing attention to locally produced foods and the potential for continued prosperity for growers in Southern Alberta.

This was such a cool experience and a lot of fun to be a part of.  As of late, the majority of my work has been editing based, so getting the chance to direct again and get caught up in a day of shooting was a welcome change. I'm really proud of the finished product too.  The goal was to create something fresh, bright, and beautiful, and I think we achieved that.  I also believe it's a great showcase for Southern Alberta products and I hope to we get to work with the EDA again soon.  

Train Station in Medicine Hat

Constructed in 1906, and doubled in size during an upgrade in 1911/12, the Canadian Pacific Railway station in Medicine Hat, Alberta has long been a prominent landmark in the city. I think it was in 1990, when I was 6 years old, that my family took us on one of the last passenger trains from Medicine Hat to Calgary. Passenger train service in much of Western Canada is now non-existent, although there are a few exceptions. 

This historic station is now used as offices for CP Rail. It gained designation and protection as a Heritage Railway Station by the federal government in 1991, but I don't have much of an idea of what the interior is like anymore. It's always been an attractive building though. Pronounced gables, sloping eaves, and locally produced red brick make it a highlight of Medicine Hat's core.

As a kid I had a model station for my train set that resembled this popular early 20th century style. It's one more reason this building has always been so iconic in my eyes. I can't help but wonder what a flurry of activity there must have been every time a train rolled into town, especially back in those early years when the railway truly was the lifeline for the community.  

Medicine Hat from the tracks ca. 1912

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at the Medicine Hat train station during their cross-country tour in 1939.

Another postcard of the station from the early 1910s.

Spaghetti Tuesday

Every Tuesday in the high school cafeteria they used to serve spaghetti.  It was watery and the sauce was essentially ketchup, but because I liked it so much the name stuck. Now every time I make spaghetti, it's Spaghetti Tuesday, regardless of what day of the week it actually is. 

It's really not much of a recipe, but it is one of my all-time favorite foods.  Here are a few things that I do to make Spaghetti Tuesday a bit more interesting.

Season the beef twice. I like to add Italian seasoning to the beef while it's cooking and then add a bit more after I've drained it off.  It's all salt really, and frankly I'm the kind of guy who could eat the ground beef by itself and not feel much shame.

More garlic or basil. After adding whatever new sauce I wanted to try out at the market (usually something from Classico) I like to add garlic and/or basil if I have it.  I've often used garlic powder and dried basil as substitutes to the fresh stuff and it still gives the sauce a bit more kick.  

Mozzarella.  What isn't improved with cheese?  I like to shred mozzarella and put it directly on my spaghetti before I add the sauce over it.  It ends up melting with the sauce and it's like incorporating your cheesy bread into the dish - who needs the extra bread with pasta anyway?

Cafeteria connoisseur?  I think so.