Bonnie's Window Seat
By: Bonnie Kogos
Newspaper Column
Kogos: 9/11 never really leaves us
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Nineteen years ago, as I was leaving my apartment in New York City to go to my office, I got a phone call from my dear friend in Sudbury, “Bonnie, are you OK? The Twin Towers have been blown up.”
Horrified, I turned on the TV, and there it was — smoke and devastation. I called my office and was told to stay home.
My dear cousin, Jon Uman, a vice-president, was in his office on the 102nd floor, having driven in early to exercise, shower, dress, and get to his office.
I called his mother, Susan, who was out of her mind.
I went to stand in line with hundreds of others to file a missing person claim. That’s how little we knew, here in New York City.
Later, his body was identified. In Connecticut, 600 of his friends, family and clients came to honour him.
And it’s never over. Susan goes to his grave often, and we wonder what Jon would be like today. Jon was a loyal husband, excellent father, well-respected businessman and part of a young band where he played the guitar. Our family talks about Jon all the time.
Since I was writing for The Sudbury Star, someone from CBC Radio called that day, a few times, and I asked, in increments of terror, where was our beloved Jon?
Days later, we were allowed to walk past the rubble and look up at the remaining structure and stare, being told by the police, politely, “Please walk along.”
His son has graduated college and works at a job he loves. Jon’s daughter is attending her last year at university and is doing fine.
In NYC, Sept. 11, 2020, is cloudy and grey; all our TV stations report the ceremony, and we wait for Jon’s name to be called.
We remember the many heroes who came from all over, including Canada to help, as the days went on.
The travel agency I was associated with had printed 200 tickets for the management company, Jon’s company, for its forthcoming conference in Arizona. Our agent who handled the company, sat crying, as she voided out the tickets.
“The world is quivering, and we in it,” writes Chauncey Bell, one of my esteemed teachers. His new book is titled, “Mobilize: Dancing in the World.
“What kind of history shall we make? What grand mischief? In this moment of scintillating uncertainty, we are called more than ever to build new ways of being and working together. These moments call for new learning as we embrace the challenges of adjusting and transforming our worlds.”
To join the adventure, opt-in here: http://harvester.academy.
Sept. 11th never goes away. And here we are in the COVID pandemic, as the death toll keeps rising.
What is the point of sharing this with you? Remembering those who died, and all the people, from all around the world, who came to help after this, and how our country came together in grieving, mourning and building back together.
And now, even with our masks on, how we are working desperately to get through the pandemic, reaffirming Black Lives Matter, that our Californians are traumatized by the fires.
And how our students are getting back to school.
And yes, waiting for the Canadian border to open, to yes, hopefully, when all is safe. I’ve packed my winter clothes and I am ready to come back.
Our Bonnie has been in our Window Seat for 29 years, respecting our customs, people and always learning about our region.
Loving Island life from afar
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Am I the only one who can spend money on Manitoulin without being on Manitoulin?
When my pals from the Soo, Darcy and Myril-Lynn — whom I’ve known for years, and we met on Manitoulin — told me they were spending two weeks on the Island, I sighed with envy.
“We’re driving to Meldrum Bay this week,” Darcy texted me.
Lucky them. I met Shirin Grover, who owns the Meldrum Bay Inn with her husband Bob. I met her 15 years ago, when the Glovers first bought the inn and were at the trade show. Our spirits connected and we’ve been friends since then. I immediately phoned Shirin from NYC, to see if their restaurant was open.
“This summer has not been quiet, yet it’s been a different summer without our friends from the United States,” she said. “We opened this summer because we want to keep the lights on as we miss and cherish our guests. We’ve extended our restaurant season until mid-September, and our rooms are available until the end of October.”
The inn isn’t serving lunch, just dinner, she said. “We only have outside seating to ensure our guests’ safety. And we have a waiting list,” she said, pausing. “Oh, I just got a cancellation for Friday night at 6:30 p.m. for two.”
“I’ll take it,” I yelled, ”in the name of Darcy and Myril-Lynn, and may I pay you with my credit card from New York City?”
Shirin has a golden laugh. “Of course, my dear, and call me the next morning with the credit card.” And I did.
Myril-Lynn and Darcy texted me how delicious their dinner was. Maybe Shirin has another cancellation! You can call her at 1-877-557-1645.
Shannon McMullan, the owner and curator of the fabulous Perivale Gallery in Spring Bay, has been busy: “All of our shows this season have been successful in spite of the dour economic forecasts. Now we’ve got the work of Olaf Schneider, a new artist to Perivale, on display until Sept. 20. Embrace the Light, the new collection, has received wonderful acclaim.
A prolific Canadian painter inspired by the power and diversity of the northern landscape, Olaf’s style ranges from high realism to impressionism.
“Amazing is that our visitors have marvelled at the style and the therapeutic calm his work generates,” she said. “Definitely art for the heart.”
The gallery is open weekends. For an appointment, call Shannon at 705 210-0290.
Years ago, I sailed with friends to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, loving these destinations. Later, in Toronto at a book fair, I was honoured to meet the owners of Flanker Press, based in St. John’s.
I fell in love with them and have kept up with all their publications. My recent purchase, titled In Search of Adventure: 70 Years of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Newfoundland and Labrador, by well-known bestselling author Helen C. Escott, is so wonderful, I couldn’t put it down. Escott has captured amazing stories from veterans behind the police lines and shares details how they built the foundation of the world-renowned RCMP. Go to www.flankerpress.com. It’s also an e-book.
Another friend, wonderful Sudbury author Mark Leslie, wrote a novel that made me laugh, titled A Canadian Werewolf in New York, since I live here. This has led to his recent novella, Stowe Away.
“The next one is due in February, titled Fear and Longing in Los Angeles,” he told me. “It’s a slightly humorous look at how a man deals with the side effects of being a werewolf.”
Evansville builder — and Sudbury Star columnist — Steve Maxwell happily emailed me about Ellie, his wonderfully musical 12-year-old daughter.
I was delighted to meet Ellie as a youngster years ago, when I had dinner at the Maxwell home in Evansville. Loved her then. Now, she’s been named as one of the 12 finalists at the Canadian National Exhibition’s Junior Rising Star competition for the second year in a row.
I immediately tuned into her pre-recorded performance on YouTube, loving that her dress was bouffant, over sparkling lucky charm sneakers. The minute she began singing I Will Always Love You, I was charmed.
If you have a minute, please see Ellie Maxwell’s amazing performance by going to bit.ly/ellie-vote. It would be great if you can leave a ‘like’ on the YouTube video. The last day to vote is Sept. 6.
I am so grateful for these friendships and it continues to be wonderful to be a fan of so many things.
And people.
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Newspaper Column
Kogos: Another serendipitous Sudbury connection
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Master musician Warren Chiasson has lots of family in Sudbury
With a beloved, well-used baby grand piano in my living room, inherited from my musical father, I frequently have music evenings where friends come to meet, greet, drink wine, sing a song, tell a joke, or play the guitar or piano. You never know who may show up.
When this gentleman came in, with one of my friends, I said "Hello, have a glass of wine, where are you from?"
His pal said, "This is master musician and world-famous vibraphonist Warren Chiasson. By the way, he also plays the piano."
"Forget the wine," I laughed. "Please sit down at the piano."
Warren did, and the party sang, stomped, danced, applauded and wanted more.
When I learned where he was from, there was more.
"I was born in Cheticamp, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada," he said, "I'm called a Caper. I have family in Sudbury and love to visit them."
We're off and running. That means, I'm listening.
"Well, Bonnie," Warren said, "My mom and dad were direct descendants of 1630 French settlers to the New World. I grew up in deep Acadian culture. My hometown radio stations were CJCB and CBI, which were getting fantastic late night direct feeds from the music stations in New York.
"I studied violin at age 9, and listened to The Milkman's Matinee, WNEW, and I heard the finest of jazz: Charlie Parker, Thelonius Monk, Bud Powell, Lenny Tristano and the George Shearing quintet. Because Shearing fused classical music with the wonderful sounds of new jazz, I memorized all of Shearing's arrangements, including all the solos. I played records until 4 a.m. Mom often yelled, 'Go to bed, Warren!'"
"At 20, I moved to Halifax, joining the Royal Canadian Artillery Band, which enabled me to play the violin, the trombone, the guitar, the piano and an old set of vibes from England called Ajax Vibes. I realized I was born to play the vibes. I knew a drummer who owned a music shop in Halifax. He thought I needed to have my own instrument. So, I ordered the Deagan Aurora Vibraphone from Chicago. Everybody fell in love with my vibe playing and I immediately earned extra money doing radio and TV studio work."
Warren continued. "I frequented a jazz club in Halifax called 777 Barrington Street. When I played a song I wrote, titled My Own, at the club, Ron Roberts, a popular DJ, liked it so much, he gave me a contact in NYC for the George Shearing Quintet. They were looking for a new vibraphone player. They flew me in for an audition. When Mr. Shearing auditioned me, I was instantly hired to join his Quintet. I was 25, and this was a dream come true. Me, the musical Caper from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, playing with world-class pianist George Shearing.
"We performed at the Newport Jazz Festival in July 1959. Some of my musical heroes were on the band stand; Dave Brubeck, Stan Getz, and Roy Eldredge. The Shearing Quintet travelled all around the US, Canada and Australia. We played in Hawaii with the Hawaii symphony. When we got into a city, we stayed the whole month. In Los Angeles, we played the Sunset Strip. Bobby Darin, Judy Garland, Lenny Bruce, Gregory Peck, and Don Rickles, all came by. When we got to San Francisco, we played at The Blackhawk Jazz Club opposite Thelonius Monk for a month. I also played with Chet Baker.
"By 1962, Mr. Shearing moved to the West Coast and I wanted to pursue my own career in NYC. With my own group, pianist Roland Hanna and bassist Teddy Kotick, we performed at The Five Spot Café, and many other clubs where I met the jazz greats in New York."
Warren made his first album, titled "Quartessence," for Van-Los Records in Vancouver. Go to www.WarrenChiasson.com. You'll love hearing his music and listening to his incredible touch on the vibes.
"Bonnie, my family in Sudbury means everything; my brother Douglas, who passed away 10 years ago, raised his children there. He worked for Inco. My dear nephews, Scott and Jamie, have their own homes in the Sudbury area. "
Well, your Energizer Bonnie is not shy. I asked Warren to phone Jamie and Susan Chiasson to say hello that very evening from New York City; he did. A few weeks later, when I was in Sudbury, I phoned and went to visit Sue, Jamie, their son Christopher and daughter Kimberly in Val Caron. Sue runs a busy hairdressing salon from her home. Jamie is a heavy-duty mechanic, and his brother Scott, in construction.
This week, I phoned again to say hello to Susan and Jamie, and learned that their son Christopher attends Cambrian College, studying electrical engineering. Kimberly will graduate high school and attend Carleton University in Ottawa. She'll study journalism and humanities in September.
Between musical Warren Chiasson, who plays at my home, to Val Caron's Susan and Jamie Chiasson, the music of communal interests and new friends continues. Friends and I go to whatever nightclub Warren's group is playing; it is always crowded. A four-mallet master, Warren has his own distinctive sound on the vibes. Our musical Caper from Cape Breton is modest and will never tell you he's one of the top six jazz vibraphone players of all time, according to the NY Times.
Like tunes that dance in your head, and memories made by music, the melodies of community, friendship and caring sustain us.
-- Our Bonnie is delighted in the serendipity and bouquet of life, people, music, cuisine, art and "¦ that's enough for now. Please find her at BonnieKogos@gmail.com.
Teens explore another island
My lovely 17-year-old houseguest Kendra Jordison, from Little Current, is curled up on the couch at my home in New York City. My other guest, Jacob Maxwell, from Bailey Line Road, is checking email. I’m thrilled to have “my” Manitoulin teenagers visiting for March Break.
It began when Canada’s handyman Steve Maxwell, my longtime friend, phoned from the island just before Christmas, saying he and Mrs. Maxwell wanted to give their son a high school graduation present. “Jacob’s watched movies and TV about New York City so often, he expressed a wish to visit your city!”
“Tell Jacob Aunt Bonnie’s cordially inviting him to visit NYC during March Break. I have an air mattress for him in the living room. I’ll direct him to the tours and he’ll be fine.”
Jacob emailed me thanks, and asked if he might bring a school friend with him, Kendra Jordison from Little Current. “Absolutely. It’s better when you are two pals, discovering a busy, new city.”
I set up another air bed in my bedroom for Kendra, so we ladies had our own privacy. For years, I’ve hosted friends from Manitoulin, especially if they need a pep up in the dead of winter; New York City never stops, even with our nor'easters.
The day before their arrival, another snowstorm threatened, but “our flights were perfect,” Kendra said, standing at my front door downstairs. “Snow turned to rain, and Aunt Bonnie, you certainly know we come from a place where we’re already buried in snow.”
Jacob was happy to put his duffel bag down; “Thanks so much for hosting us. Seeing New York City in movies and popular culture, but never in real life, has created a mystery that I wanted to investigate. When my parents told me that you were happy to have me, I couldn’t stop hugging them; what a gift!”
“I’ve been working since I’ve been in Grade 8, that’s 14, and I checked my bank account,” Kendra said, also in her senior year at West Bay. “When Jacob asked if any friends wanted to travel, I knew this was an amazing chance to explore another island. Jacob said to come along.”
As soon as they put their bags down in my apartment, I took them to the famous Sarge’s Deli on Third Avenue, where the menu is bigger than the three of us combined.
Kendra and Jacob chose hamburgers with coleslaw, pickles and fries, and were shocked and laughed when the plates arrived: “This is good New York deli!”
These two did so much: the first day, to the top of the Empire State Building. “My breath was taken away by the sunny Manhattan skyline,” Jacob said. “When we waited for the sightseeing bus to take us on the downtown loop, we chatted with people from all over the world. I was wowed by the old architecture. Downtown, we stopped to see the Charging Bull statue, and had to pay our respects at the World Trade Center Memorial.”
“It’s the history of the old buildings and their stories that has blown me away,” Kendra said. “We came back to midtown, walked through the enormous New York Public Library, then strolled through Bryant Park. After that, we skated at famous Rockefeller Center.”
Well, I was exhausted hearing about their first day of sightseeing! More than others do in three days. Daze. I appreciated their takes and reactions to what they were seeing and learning. And gave my standard speech, the usual about staying safe, taking care of their wallets.
The second day they braved the New York subway. “Was it ever packed, “Kendra said. “We’re so proud we found our way to emerge downtown to see the beauty of City Hall, and then walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, and back. While it was cold, it was fine. We then attended the 9/11 Memorial, and had dinner in Little Italy. The city feels safe and friendly.”
Each afternoon, I waited for them to come home to tell of their adventures and thoughts of my city. They were able to get reasonably priced seats on Broadway for Phantom of the Opera, and got dressed up NYC-style. Kendra brought a black dress from Dreamer’s Cove in Little Current to wear. Jacob wore a well-pressed blue and white shirt to wear with khakis.
As a proud Spirit Aunt, I took pictures and watched them walk away up Park Avenue on the way to the theatre.
“I find there’s unspoken communication between people walking the streets, staying out of each other’s way,” Kendra said. “If I smile, I get a smile back. Yet there are many with earbuds walking, talking and it amazes me how people stay out of each other’s way. We sat up on the red staircase overlooking Times Square the other night, shining with all the lights and people. We thought the entire population of Manitoulin could fit into Times Square."
Bonnie Kogos lives in Manhattan but considers Manitoulin a second home.
BIO
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Bonnie Kogos is from New York City with a background rich in family values. Encouragment from her parents enabled her to seek boldness and a sense of adventure, As a result, Bonnie grew up traveling throughtout the world, writing stories about the places she visited and the people she met. After graduating from Radcliffe Publishing Procedures Program, she worked at Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich in the traditional publishing world.
Then Bonnie had the opportunity to live in the Caribbean with her fiancee, on the Yacht Quadriga, a beauitful 40 ft. yawl. Sailing from St. Thomas all the way down to Grenada, including more than 26 island stops, Bonnie honed her skills in sailing, staying afloat, alive, and well, and expanding her knowledge base of the islands.
Applying what she learned about the Caribbean, Bonnie returned to NYC to happily become a busy travel agent, organizing business conferences, family travel, and arranging honeymoons to the Caribbean and throughout the world. This has kept her busy, committed and grateful! One of her clients was Bob Hope and his Christmas TV shows. Her photographs prove this!
Bonnie is the daughter of the late author and publisher, Fred Kogos, who owned the Kogos Publication Company. The Kogos Company edited and published monthly magazines and 50 textbooks dedicated to apparel manufacturers from around the world. Bonnie's involvement included editing and typing her father's many well-known books curating the Yiddish Language. One is 1001 Yiddish Proverbs and another is From Schmear to Eternity, available today on Amazon!
For thirty, happy years, Bonnie has been busy writing her newspaper column, Window Seat, for The Sudbury Star and other regional Nothern Ontario newspapers, owned by Postmedia out of Toronto. She writes on all kinds of subjects, with humor and keen wit. Do connect with her at linkedin.com/bonniekogos. This is her third published book