A personal Thanksgiving reflection from me—along with the chef-approved prep tips and mise en place habits that help me make the holiday easier, calmer, and a little more joyful.

Fifty years ago today, the Queen of the Lake — the Edmund Fitzgerald — went down in the icy waters of Lake Superior, taking twenty-nine men with her. The tragedy left ripples that still reach families, friends, and all who feel the pull of the Great Lakes.
This year, I had the honor of joining the Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Swim …

I refused to stop my open swimming or turn on my heat until today. This morning, wrapped in a robe and slippers, I counted how many more months I would have to endure the cold. Sometimes it’s warm in March, so really just four months, I thought to myself. Not very Zen. Then it hit me …

Today, my taste buds are calling for Vermont Cheese soup. I make this with a dark beer, and I use bread flour in the roux. It is thick, flavorful and keeps you warm.

My team swam the St. Clair River, one of the swiftest rivers in North America. Swimming with the current, we soared down the river at five knots per hour. We covered 30.8 miles in under 8 hours.

My triathlon neighbor and I were interviewed on Focus Week about our incredible journey: the Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Swim. We'll be sharing details about the swim and our recent completion of Stage 16.

I have four weeks until the main event. Facing my uncertainty: Am I strong enough? Will I make it? Will I disappoint my teammates?  What happens if I can’t finish? Will the weather cooperate? 

Nov. 10, 2025, will mark 50 years since the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior, killing its 29 crew members. The large freighter was set to deliver more than 27,000 tons of iron ore to Detroit from Wisconsin, but it didn’t make it past Whitefish Point.

I like this pasta dish because it tastes great both hot and cold, and the protein from the chicken addresses my need for protein, while the veggies add to the flavor. It is a one-pot, easy recipe to prepare ahead of time.

I will be swimming for a few 30-minute sessions in open water this August. The St. Clair River, to be exact, one the fastest flowing rivers in the world. The river forms part of the international boundary between Canada and the United States. The river is an essential part of the Great Lakes Waterway system. The shipping channels permit cargo vessels to travel between the upper and lower Great Lakes. 

My childhood friend and descendant of the Edmund Fitzgerald clan signed up to swim leg 16 of the 411-mile relay in the Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Swim scheduled to begin in July of 2025.

The challenge intrigued me, and in August of 2024 I added my name to the waiting list and convinced my neighbor Ed to add his name too.

When I taught culinary arts to high school students, I was surprised by their lack of knowledge concerning our mitten state. I learned as time moves forward, what I may consider a relevant event in my life has gone unnoticed by newer generations.

I grew up on Lake Huron. One could rightfully assume my water skills would be close to Michael Phelps’ level, since I had easy access to the lake my entire childhood. But I was more of a dunker than a swimmer. I enjoyed the sun, rolled in the sand and floated on the water, but swimming was not in my genes.

Working in a restaurant is stressful. Let’s face it, where else does a customer go and expect a plate of food to be in front of them in no more than fifteen minutes. If you are getting your tires rotated or seeing the doctor, you are prepared for the hour-long wait time.