California's Centenarian Columnist
Eric Shackle interviews Frank Pelatowski who, at the age of 100, is still writing lively columns for a newspaper in California.
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Eric Shackle interviews Frank Pelatowski who, at the age of 100, is still writing lively columns for a newspaper in California.
Eric Shackle introduces us to Australia's Ken Sillcock, a writer who is even older than Open Writing's celebrated weekly columnist Henry Jackson.
Australian Eric Shackle, whose well-crafted words regularly feature in this magazine, writes about another of our columnist, Henry Jackson of London.
Eric is a mere lad of 89. Henry, is 95.
Henry and Eric are a long way from hanging up their keyboards.
Continue reading "World's Oldest Columnist Writes For Open Writing" »
Liz Elmont, a 29-year-old mother of two young children has been raising money for the Dogs For The Disabled charity by trekking in the Jordanian desert, as Eric Shackle reveals.
Eric Shackle tells of astonishing occurances on the Australian coast when the ocean began to foam.
Eric Shackle introduces us to the bizarre animal images created by Italian artist Guido Daniele.
Eric Shackle assists 108-year-old Olive Riley, the world's oldest blogger, in finding some "long lost'' relatives.
Spain's oldest blogger, Maria Amelia, has just celebrated her 96th birthday, as Eric Shackle reveals.
Do please visit Eric's world-famouse e-book for further reading pleasure www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Is solar thermal power the answer to our future energy needs? Eric Shackle tells of developments in California.
Do please visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
...I sneak up to the Opera House for that all-important photo before being chased away by security. Supper is a meat pie and, as I look across to the Harbour Bridge, it dawns on me that I've made it halfway round the world. It feels great...
Classical musician David Juritz went on a world tour, busking to raise money for charity. Here he tells Eric Shackle of some of his experiences.
For lots more stories do visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
...Few people other than North Americans have heard of the once-threatened Pig War between Great Britain and the United States...
Brilliant journalist Eric Shackle tells of the commemoration of an important international boundary dispute.
Do please visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle tells of artists who thrive on the warm-hearted sentiments if Christmas.
To read lots more stories by one of the most talented journalists at work on the Internet please visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle tells of a pavement artist who has been called a 3D Michelangelo.
To read many more stories that are guaranteed to fascinate please visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Is the ancient game of conkers staging a comeback in England. Eric Shackle reports on recent developments.
To read a huge collection of entertaining stories about all manner of subjects please visit Eric's world-famouse e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
A Welsh couple have made it their mission to enter as many world championships as possible, as Eric Shackle reveals.
For lots more stories about the unsual things which occur in our wonderful world please do visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle tells of birthday celebrations for centenarian Cinderella Olive Riley, who is celebrating her 108th birthday next Saturday.
Do please visit Eric's world famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/ for more stories about Olive.
Eric Shackle turns his attention once again to giant tomatoes.
To read an earlier story on this subject, and other entertaining columns, please visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Journalist Eric Shackle, a man with a very special way with words, hails World Punctuation Day which was celebrated this month.
To read more of Eric's extraordinarily varied features please click on Eric Shackle Writes in the menu on this page. And do please visit his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
The inimitable Eric Shackle, Open Writing columnist and the oldest citizen reporter writing for the daily Web newspaper OhmyNews International, sits down with the incredible Olive Riley, who will be 108 next month, to enjoy an oyster feast.
Do, do, do visit Olive's Web site. Follow the links and join in an epic occasion.
If you write a witty poem which escapes from your clutches and finds its way onto the internet, don't be surprised if someone chides you for claiming it as your own.
Eric Shackle tells of the experiences of two authors who are rueful victims of Net "banditry''.
For more of Eric's ever-surprisng and unusual articles please visit his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Film maker Mike Rubbo has invented a new form of home entertainment, a blogalog - a cross between a blog and a travelog, as veteran journalist Eric Shackle reveal.
Mike's first blog features the astonishing 107--year-old Olive Riley.
For more stories by Eric please visit his world famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Gordon Graham, an American painting contractor, daily communed with his tomato plants, singing to them and tuning in a nearby radio to a country-music station. Twenty-one years ago one of Gordon's plants produced the world's largest tomato, as Eric Shackle reveals.
For lots more amazing and enetertaining stories do visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle tells us more of the amazing Olive Riley, who, at 107, is the world's oldest blogger.
For more of Eric's entertaining articles please visit his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle tells of comical business names which stop you in your tracks then enforce hearty chuckles.
To read more of Eric's brilliant features please visit his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
The inimitable Eric Shackle tells how the residents of Liverpool, one of England's largest cities, came to be known as Liverpudlians.
To read more of Eric's sparkling articles please visit his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle introduces us to the Printer's Devil, the character blamed down the centuries for causing typographical errors.
Do visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/ where you will find a treasure trove of fascinating articles.
"Kind-hearted bloggers around the world are eagerly copying and praising a heart-warming news story about Brisbane firemen granting a boy's dying wish to be a fireman just like them,'' reports Eric Shackle.
Actually this happened in Phoenix, Arizona, not Brisbane - 28 years ago.
For lots more stories do please visit Eric's deservedly world-famouse e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle is amazed by the inexplicable co-incidences which crop up when he surfs the Net.
For more of Eric's entertaining articles please visit his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle tells of feisty seniors, one of whom, a 90 year old lady, is still strutting her stuff with Jean's Golden Girls.
Eric's ebullient outlook on life is, happily for all reders of Open Writing, infectious. For more of his articles please click on Eric Shackle Writes in the menu on this page. And do please visit his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle tells how the world's two oldest bloggers took to the air.
For more of Eric's stories please visit his brilliant e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
How would you like to live in a place called Pig's Eye, or Porkopolis? Eric Shackle tells of the naming of two august American cities.
For more of Eric's sparkling articles are guaranteed to tell you something you didn't already know please visit his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Continue reading "Porkopolis a metropolis? In a pig's eye!" »
Australia is now suffering from a plague of wild camels. They are damaging water points, fences and buildings and causing havoc in remote aboriginal communities, as Eric Shackle reveals.
BHP-Billiton, the world's largest diversified resources company, thinks it has the answer: let's eat them.
To enjoy a large collection of Eric's entertaining and often astonishing stories please visit his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
There are more slang words for money than for anything else apart from sex and drinks, says Eric Shackle.
For more of Eric's fascinating articles please click on Eric Shackle Writes in the menu on this page.
And do visit Eric's internationally-famed e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle tells of a 79-yeard old Derbyshire man who is now known world-wide for his YouTube videos.
Star reporter Eric, who recently celebrated his 88th birthday, is also know worldwide for his superb on-line journalism. Do please visit his famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/ There you will find a feast of good reading.
"Sorry to tell you, kids, you can't find any nuts to gather in May.''
Eric Shackle has some sad news for youngsters. The famous nursery rhyme which begins "Here we go gathering nurts in May...'' raised false hopes.
For more of Eric's ever-surprising and informative articles please click on Eric Shackle Writes in the menu on this page.
And do visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle tells the delightful tale of an Aussie cattle dog that has fallen head-over-heels in love with an aristocratic canine that lives thousands of miles away in England.
For more of Eric's wonderful stories please visit his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
The name Rudd has echoed down he years in Australian public affairs, as Eric Shackle reveals in his intriguing article.
For dozens of ineresting columns please click on Eric Shackle Writes in the menu on this page. And you are missing a huge treat if you don't visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle spotlights the slowest cities in Australia - cities which promote their citizens' quality of life.
For lots more of Eric's unexpected and always-entertaining stories do visit his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle, who was a cadet reporter in Brisbane before World War Two, tells of the launch of a new on-line newspaper in that city.
For lots more stories please visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle tells of an American "king of coffee'' and a commission for a 4V mural - Vivi Vivace i Vizu e le Virtu (Live intensely your vices and virtues).
For more of Eric's sparkling stories please click on Eric Shackle Writes in the menu on his page. Visit also his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
...In St. Mary's, Maryland, 50 miles from Washington, D.C., an old-time newspaper war has broken out. Three newspapers are engaged in what may be a fight to the death of one or even two of them...
Eric Shackle brings us a hot-of-the-press report.
For more of Eric's well-crafted and ever-surprising stories please visit his world-famouse-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Glance at the calendar - then read Eric Shackle's grim news that bushfires have destroyed spaghetti trees in Australia, consigning the residents of the so-called Lucky Country to a diet of baked beans.
For lots more surprises do visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle tells of an African grey parrot called called N'kisi, which is reported to have a vocabulary of 950 words, and to show signs of a sense of humour - and also of a flock of intelligent sulphur-crested cockatoos.
For more of Eric's stories, gathered in from all parts of the world, please do visit his internationally-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
The Green Man, a symbol of uncertain origin common in the British Isles, is invading the United States, as Eric Shackle reveals. The man's pagan features, often sinister though sometimes smiling, are carved into the stonework of some British churches.
To read more of Eric's asorbing stories please do visi his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle's sprightly tale about 107-year-old Olive Riley presents proof positive that you are never too old to blog.
Eric by the way is a mere slip of a lad, aged 87. For more of his amusing and amazing articles click on Eric Shackle Writes in the menu on this page. And do please visit his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Continue reading "Olive Riley - 107-Year-Old Internet Star" »
Feeling thirsty? Fancy a long cool beer? Hair of the Dog is what you need. And, as the inimitable Eric Shackle reveals, there really is a brewery of that name.
Do please visit Eric's dazzlingly brilliant e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Goolwa in South Australia and Matakana in New Zealand are slow towns - and delighted to be so, as Eric Shackle reports.
Slow has become a powerful international movement dedicated to the preservation of flavour and bio-diversity and the promotion of real food.
For lots more incredible facts and amazing stories about the richly surprising world in which we live do please visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
...As for talking like pirates, very few real-life pirates spoke in those comical accents adopted by today's pseudo buccaneers. British actor Robert Newton (1905-1956) delivered his lines with his native Cornish accent and great gusto when playing Long John Silver in the 1950 classic film "Treasure Island", and his fruity voice has been copied around the world ever since...
Eric Shackle wonders whether 2007 will be the year of the pirate.
For lots more stories that are sure to amuse, amaze and entertain please visit Eric's world famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Continue reading "Real Pirates Did Not Speak Corny English" »
Normally sane men and women are embracing strangers in public places throughout the world, as Eric Shackle reveals in this amazing article.
For more of Eric's ever-surprising and always entertaining words please do visit his world famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle tells the delightful story of photos of British soldiers clearing snow in Italy during World War Two which mean the world to an Australian grandmother.
For more of Eric's fascinating columns please click on Eric Shackle Writes in the menu on this page, and there's a feast of good reading to be found in his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle considers the weirdness of the word weird.
Eric's curiosity and investigative energy lead him on, through various reference works, to Macbeth, one of the greatest creations by the Prince of Playwrights, William Shakespeare. Or should that be Shakspere, Shakespere, Shakkespere, Shaxpere...?
Eric's Internet explorations have produced a feast of good reading. Please do visit his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
The Joneses easily beat the Norbergs to set a world record gathering of people with the same name, as Eric Shackle reporters.
Eric, one of the world's oldest active reporters, discovers sparkling and unexpected "treasures'' by systematically exploring the Internet. Do please read his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
How about a Winking Lizard as a thirst quencher? Or maybe a Black Toad?
Eric Shackle, while downing a foaming schooner of Bluetongue, considers the exotic names given to some beers. Lucky man!
Eric is the world's leading explorer of the Internet's highways and byways. His "journeyings'' have resulted in numerous fascinating articles. To read them do visit his famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle, master explorer of the Internet's byways, goes in search of information about a mysterious emblem depicting three hares and three ears.
Do please visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
So what's the definition of the word hoot? And after you've pondered that question, think of half a dozen words that rhyme with organge.
Eric Shackle indulges in some etymological fun.
For more of Eric's ever-surprising and invariably entertaining features do please visit his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Could the tiny brains of bees give a guide to the designing of pilotless flying machines? Eric Shackle tells of some fascinating research.
When you have read and enjoyed this article please do visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle reports that a 600-year-old Christmas Eve bell ringing tradition in the Yorkshire town of Dewsbury will go ahead this week, despite damage done by thieves to the church where the ceremony takes place.
"I've known and greatly admired Barry Jones, now a 74-year-old Australian "National Treasure," for half a century,'' writes Eric Shackle.
Turning to politics, Barry entered Victoria's State parliament as a Labor member in 1972, and graduated to become a Federal parliamentarian from 1977 until 1998. He was Minister for Science from 1983 to 1990 and national president of the Australian Labor Party from 1992 to 2000.
Now Barry has written his autobiography A Thinking Reed http://www.allenandunwin.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?ISBN=9781741143874
For lots more fascinating articles by ace journalist Eric please visit his world-famous e.book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
New Zealand philanthropist Gareth Morgan was amazed by the changes he found on a motorbike tour of South Korea, as Eric Shackle reveals.
Eric, a journalist gifted with an Everest-sized helping of curiosity about the world and its wonders, tells of a tour of discovery.
For hours and hours of enjoyable reading please do visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle calls for a war against missing apostrophes and errant commas
Eric, a retired Sydney journalist and treasured Open Writing columnist, is copy editor of Anu Garg's "A Word A Day" free newsletter. U.S. wordsmith Anu emails this from Seattle to 600,000 wordlovers in 200 countries.
You are missing a treat if you don't read Eric's world famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Offbeat artists are amusing and amazing the public in Britain, America and New Zealand, as Eric Shackle reveals.
For artistry in words read more of Eric's articles, which also amaze and delight a worldwide audience. Visit his famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle tells of us of prairie dog "wars'' in western states in the US. Some want to take extreme measures to exterminate the cute little creatures, which are a menace in a variety of ways. Others oppose the killing of prairie dogs in their natural areas.
For lots more fascinating articles and facts do please visit Eric's e-book which has achieved world-wide fame www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle introduces us to Paul English, a helpful computer genius whose aim is to reduce phone frustration by ensuring that calls go through to a real live person instead of a recorded voice.
Do please visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/ which is packed with fascinating features and facts.
Eric Shackle recalls Welsh lass Helen Adams, "star'' of the second series of the British Big Brother TV reality show in 2001. Helen, famous for her naïve dumb blonde 'Helenisms', asked 'Is there Chicken in Chick Peas?'
To read more of Eric's sparkling articles please visit his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle introduces Tim Sanders, contributing editor of an Alabama newspaper, and he in turn presents a collection of vivid southern phrases which reveal the English language in a whole new light.
For lots and lots of great entertainment please visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Perth wants to be a slow city. That is, Perth, Scotland, not Perth, Western Australia. Eric Shackle, puzzled as to why a city should wish to be known as "slow'' in 2006, went on a Net search to discover the facts.
To read more of Eric's always-entertaining articles please visit his famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Sergeant Coleen Hayward MacLeod knows her oats when it comes to making porridge. She's served up tonnes of Scotland's puts-hairs-on-your-chest breakfast staple to her colleagues in the 1st Royal Irish Regiment.
Sgt MacLeod's skill won her the Golden Spurtle at this year's World Porridge Making Championship, as Eric Shackle reports.
For lots more fascinating facts and must-read articles please visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle introduces us to the gentle art of worm-charming.
Eric, a journalist with an insatiable curiosity to investigate events around the world, writes memorable features that often amaze, and always entertain. To read more of them please visit his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Continue reading "How Tom Shufflebotham Charmed 511 Worms" »
Eric Shackle introduces us to a cartoon character called Baldrick - and other famous Baldricks.
To read lots more of Eric's ever-surprising and invariably entertaining articles do please visit his world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle reveals the locations of the world's five tallest towers - locations which may surprise some readers.
For lots more interesting and enjoyable information please do visit Eric's ever-entertaining world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle juggles letters to demonstrate the truly startling nature of the word startling.
This is the weekend when you should be brushing up on your pirate talk. Eric Shackle reminds us that Talk Like A Pirate Day is upon us again.
For more unexpected and astonishing aticles do please visit Eric's World-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/ No month is complete until you have read Eric's latest articles.
As more and more readers wanting news look to the Net rather than picking up a newspaper, master wordman Eric Shackle becomes the oldest citizen reporter writing for the Web journal OhMyNews International.
Eighty-seven-year-old Eric is featured every week in Open Writing. His own world-famous e-book contains a feast of interesting facts and features to satisfy readers of all ages. You're missing a treat if you don't visit www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Some parents name their children after the place where they were born or conceived. It's just as well that the parents of Paul Kleynhans did not name him after his birthplace, as Eric Shackle reveals.
For lots more astonishing and entertaining facts and articles please do visit Eric's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Continue reading "Born in Tweebuffelsmeteenskootmorsdoodgeskiedfontein" »
...There I was, seated at a table outside a waterfront fish and chips joint at Woy Woy, at peace with the world, devouring a choice piece of fried fresh fish held elegantly in my fingers, when suddenly, out of the blue, you might say, a 50cm. (20in.) beak appeared from behind my left shoulder, and clamped on my hand. In a flash, the fish had gone, and I was left with a bleeding wrist...
Eric Shackle tells a tale about a pesky pelican - then ruminates on dining upon creatures of all kinds.
Do visit Eric's world-famous e-book, a treasure-trove of articles about many wondrous things: www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle tells us about Eric Utne, founder of UTNE Magazine and creator of The Urban Almanac, which has the motto: Look up, look out, look in. Mr Utne devotes much of his time these days to being chairman of an imaginative and inspirational global environmental project, the Schweitzer Earth Corps, which he co-founded.
Utne, which ryhymes with chutney, means "far out'' in Norwegian.
For more fascinating facts and interesting articles do please read Eric Shackle's world-famous e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/
Eric Shackle samples the printed "honey'' served up by what was almost certainly Australia's first Sunday newspaper, The Bee, publishe