Competition: Local & International

Competition: Local & International - theHumm August 2016

Watching the Olympics last month, I got thinking about the positive and negative aspects of competition.

Some people have a competitive nature. I am not one of those people… well, except in grade 11 music class. How intent I was on beating my friend (and crush) Ewan when we were marked on our saxophone playing. There is no way he was better than I! I mean, come on!

And then there is arguing; a competition to be right. I admit, this is something I enjoy. But there is calmly trying to get someone to understand your perspective (with the hope they will eventually “see the light” and agree), and then there is using all the ammunition you have (even insults) to beat them down.

When we are competing with someone — for a medal, for a presidency, for being right — it is easy to dig our heels in, pull out all the stops and do or say whatever needs to be done or said to win. Focussing on the fight, we can lose sight of the big picture, not realizing what we have lost along the way.

Take the various doping scandals that come with each Olympics these days. The athletes likely started out wanting to be the best, on their own steam, but when you have spent so much time and effort striving for something, and you will perhaps only derive financial reward by being top three on the planet, and people are whispering in your ear that these “medicines/vitamins” will simply help you be a faster, stronger you…

Some would argue that the Olympics are already unfair, without the drugs, due to the differing levels of each country’s funding; it’s easier to train when you aren’t worried about your rent and dinner, and having high-tech gear and a good coach helps.

The men’s relay results were an interesting reveal to me of the importance of medalling. The Canadian team had broken our national record and placed fourth, yet appeared quite despondent in their post-race interview. Minutes later the US team was disqualified, so the Canadians moved to third. Seeing them interviewed as the now bronze-medal winners was incredible: they were all smiles and relief. Their performance, their speed… nothing had changed… but they were now bronze medal winners. I didn’t understand the change of mood, until a friend mentioned winning a medal likely gets you more funding from both your country and commercial sponsors. Competition can be complicated.

Some of my favourite moments of the Olympics were when we saw that competition didn’t have to be cutthroat. After runner Nikki Hamblin fell in the 5000m heats, causing Abbey D’Agostino to trip, Abbey stopped to help Nikki up and encouraged her to finish the race. Maybe there is a camaraderie between competitors — an understanding and empathy. They’ve been through a lot of the same experiences and struggles, and although they want to do their best, and want to win, they want to win on their merits, not on the misfortune of others.

A CBC commentator said, after the 200m race, Bolt “comes to this event with a completely different attitude... It isn’t the big confrontation anymore. This is embracing your talent, your skills, your abilities, to show the rest of the world.”

This is how I see competition between local businesses in our small towns. No new shop or restaurant opens here with the intent of crushing competitors; not if they’re smart anyway. If people come to town to visit this one shop, they will likely discover (or re-discover) yours as well; anything that encourages people to go near your place is a good thing, no?

And with that I welcome a new — well, renewed — restaurant to the field of great local restaurants! After a LOT of hard work and planning, three months after closing Café 7 West, Laurie Anne Brennan has re-opened as NOAL Pantry & Local Food Eatery at 5 Main St. E. in Smiths Falls.

Laurie doesn’t use the term “local food eatery” lightly. Actually, NOAL stands for Natural, Organic, Artisan and Local food. Her delicacies are made with fresh ingredients, with a focus on local suppliers. Your meal may include Highland Organics garlic (from Lombardy), Valley Cutters beef (SF) and Rideau Pine Farms veggies (North Gower). Or how about some Rosecamp Farms eggs (Perth) and grain-free peameal bacon (Quinn’s Meats, Yarker), with some Back 40 cheese (Mississippi Station). Perhaps you fancy Seed to Sausage charcuterie, or a local veg salad dressed with Kricklewood sunflower oil (Franktown), Barkley’s vinegar (Morrisburg), and Perth Pepper & Pestle’s mustard? NOAL’s main supplier is the Two Rivers Food Hub; as “a connection point for buyers and sellers of local foods”, they are a match made in heaven.

Why eat at a chain restaurant when you can support a local restaurant that supports local producers?! Let’s help Laurie and the other quality food purveyors in our lives to continue the healthy and supportive competition for our dollars, while enjoying a delicious meal.

Note for those with food issues: her kitchen is nut-free, she has a dedicated prep space for gluten-free dishes, and she offers vegan and vegetarian options.

Note for those with chocolate issues: NOAL Pantry does a heavenly, rich, creamy, decadent hot chocolate.

Pieter Doef —In the Service ofArt and Humanity - theHumm August 2016

Fifteen years ago, theHumm was pleased and privileged to feature artist and sculptor Pieter Doef as our profiled artist in April 2001. The headline read “Pieter Doef — A Life-long Art of Givin......

Competition: Local & International - theHumm August 2016