A mountain, paradise and a castle — you’ll find them all in Hamilton...Well, sort of. Check out my “Flashbacks” column bit.ly/3fSUzj5, in the paper and my song “Land of the Holy Mackinaw” at youtu.be/CHmlCExzjoA.

Shades of a Trump Rally. In the midst of the Spanish flu pandemic 102 years ago this week, Hamilton hosted its biggest superspreader event ever. It was a fundraiser for the First World War effort and 30,000 people packed Gore park. Check out the story at bit.ly/3oShjUd

Halloween is just around the corner. Here is an amusing story to help you celebrate it. Check it out at thespec.com bit.ly/34xAPxt

I had a lot of fun putting together this video that features historical photos from the age of HSR streetcars and trolleys with my song “Trolley Girl.” Check it out. youtu.be/YaV1zwZjzXs

Lots of neat pieces of Hamiltonia were photographed and sent in as part of a ‘Show Your Stuff’ challenge for my Flashbacks column. bit.ly/2KkyHOr

If you’re looking for a short diversion from the present world, have a look at a music video I put together about newspaper history in Hamilton. youtu.be/D9zgq3dHjDQ

After 39 fabulous years doing what I love to do, I will be retiring from The Spectator today to pursue new storytelling and musical adventures along with a new freelance column about local history in The Spec. Follow me at @songscribe. Send me column ideas at [email protected]

Mysteries in the attic. George Matheson found some amazing stories in the house he inherited in 2007...youtu.be/tkCgH4Y3voY Check out thespec.com story at bit.ly/33bSO9q

Many thanks to the wonderful audiences that have come out to “Hamilton for Beginners.” We have one more Fringe show left — Sunday at 2 pm — 28 James Street North. Come and hear stories and songs about the quirks that make our city the “biggest small town on the planet.”

Did you know that Canada’s first traffic light was in Hamilton and that we used to have a coroner named Dr. Deadman? Come hear these and many other curious facts about “the biggest small town on the planet” at my show Hamilton for Beginners. Ticket info: Hamiltonfringe.ca