The age-yellowed Spectator clipping from the bottom of an old dresser drawer was dated 1996 and it contained a column of mine.

So, I've been doing this at least 12 years.

The old new pages talked of "Hamilton not losing the downtown core." What's new?

Elsewhere, the ancient paper announced, O.J. Simpson trial about to begin.

Sheesh, now every second TV station features a Simpson-like trial -- with judge, jury and lawyers -- in long-running episodes. What's new?

The cloud bursts of rain accompanied by lightning and thunder we had recently washed away an expensive landscape job that was intended to beautify my back yard.

People living down grade from my place will now have grass growing on their paved driveways. What's new?

One Steve Lynam hopes I can attend a rowing race on Nov. 8 at Leander between McMaster Frenchmen and Western University crew.

A prerace ceremony will be held Nov. 7 at the Leander Boat Club. Yes, Steve, I'll be there.

Can I claim a dozen or so finches, sparrows and canaries as dependents when I fill out my income tax?

The fancy, two-foot long plastic bird feeder hanging over the lawn out front is rife with hungry birds from sunrise to sunset.

Below the device, in the grass, doves, grackles and pigeons thrive on the spillage of the smaller feeders.

What's new?

Ted Wilcox is a lifetime Hamiltonian with a passion for sports, community and, most of all, family.