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Michael Atkins

Occasionally you have to pay for what you need

Occasionally you have to pay for what you need

It was a modest start, but my fabulous career at the CBC began at the old Parliament Street radio studio in Toronto where each Friday night the Nimmons “N” Nine Jazz Trio played a fantastic live jazz concert.
From Olympic grandeur to fish hut ingenuity

From Olympic grandeur to fish hut ingenuity

A couple of weeks ago the Laurentian School of Architecture held an auction; for fish huts. I can’t tell you much about it because as of this writing it hasn’t actually happened.
Santa Claus was not amused

Santa Claus was not amused

As I watch the January spring rain pelt the window pane it is hard to imagine just two weeks ago there was a good-sized tree sitting on the back of my car, electrical wires down at both ends of the street and Santa’s milk and cookies only half eaten.
Finding the focus for a new year

Finding the focus for a new year

I have been extraordinarily lucky. When I was 22 years old I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life. When I was 23 years old, I fell into a journalistic job in Thunder Bay and knew that was it.
Why it is not just about Pamela, Mike and Rob

Why it is not just about Pamela, Mike and Rob

It’s hard to avoid the question of Rob Ford wherever you live in this country. He brings a larger than life “wince” seldom achieved in this highly contested category of public service. He can take you from rage to compassion in an afternoon.
Biking to the top in North Bay

Biking to the top in North Bay

Around 1965 I travelled to North Bay for the first time. Actually, I hitchhiked from Burk’s Falls to North Bay to visit a friend of mine from camp. His name was Barry Pond and we were councillors at a now long-defunct boys’ camp called Big Doe Camp.
Leadership: it just ain’t that simple

Leadership: it just ain’t that simple

It’s a complicated time to consider the matter of leadership.
Our 40th anniversary: don’t lose your nerve and be lucky

Our 40th anniversary: don’t lose your nerve and be lucky

It began as many things do. I didn’t have a clue what I was getting into.
Our culture: between a digital rock and a hard place

Our culture: between a digital rock and a hard place

In the last 10 years this ink-stained wretch has broadened his horizons into a variety of digital companies. Some have prospered. Some have died. A couple remain potential home runs. A couple remain on life support. I love each one of them.
Aunt Betty and the passing of time

Aunt Betty and the passing of time

My Aunt Betty died this year. She had suffered with dementia for some time and so it was a shock to lose her, but not a surprise. She was 87. Many of you, of course, have a favourite aunt or uncle.