Page 20 - Boca Club News - May '24

Page 20, Boca Club News
Get Fresh! Tips from The Produce Maven–Asparagus:

Watch Them Grow…and Grow and Grow

Irving Swedko and his wife, On a sunny day, planted asparagus can grow seven Asparagus comes in various hues, including green,
Beverly, are members of Broken inches while the roots can delve a staggering 20 feet into white, violet and purple. The green color is a result of
Sound Club. He hails from Ottawa, the soil. It’s a slow starter, taking three years before a chlorophyll activated by sunlight. White asparagus is
the capital of Canada, where he plant will produce asparagus, but once it gets going this grown with limited sun exposure by piling dirt on top.
spent more than 50 years in the vegetable keeps on giving for up to two decades! Both white and purple asparagus can be consumed raw,
produce business that included Asparagus has a rich history, brought to North America with the purple variety offering a sweeter, nuttier flavor.
taking a small fruit and vegetable from France in the 1600s and 1700s, but not commercially The purple hue transforms to green when it’s cooked.
retail store and expanding it grown until the 1860s. There are myriad ways to enjoy asparagus–raw, boiled,
across the city and into other areas This cruciferous vegetable isn’t just tasty; it’s a baked, grilled or steamed.
to include wholesale, food service and importing, bringing powerhouse of health benefits. Asparagus can aid in When purchasing asparagus, opt for richly colored
trucks of fresh produce from across the U.S. directly into weight loss, prevent urinary tract infections, promote spears with tight, compact tips. To keep them fresh,
Ottawa. His experience made him an expert on all things reproductive health, and even boost your mood. Packed trim half an inch from the bottoms and place them in a
produce-related, from how to select the perfect melon to with such nutrients as vitamins A, C, E, K and B6, folate, container with a bit of water, covering them with plastic
the best way to store fruits and veggies. After retiring, iron, potassium, copper, calcium and protein, it’s also a and storing in the fridge. Alternatively, wrap the bottoms
Irving and his wife Beverly became snowbirds and have rich source of antioxidants. with a damp cloth and lay them down in the crisper.
been enjoying life at Broken Sound for 20 seasons. He is But beware: asparagus contains asparagusic acid, a Freshly purchased asparagus can last up to two weeks in
the proud father of three daughters and looks forward to sulfur-containing compound that can lead to peculiar the fridge.
family time with his seven grandchildren. odors in urine after consumption.
The Arts

Book Review…“The Main Character”

By Nils A. Shapiro to describe what they are that Ginevre Ex has also arranged for the most important
Many years ago I read a couple promoting. But in the case people in Rory’s life to join her on that trip: Max, her
of the all-time bestselling murder of “The Main Character” brother, whose pharmaceutical company is reportedly
mystery novels by Agatha Christie it is the most important about to introduce an Alzheimer’s treatment drug that
and decided that this literary genre element in the story line.) will help to cure his and Rory’s father and make himself a
was simply not my cup of tea. The book gets its title billionaire; Nate, the man Rory loves who has just broken
While my own personal reading from its theme: A famous up with her; Caroline, her best friend since childhood,
tastes lean toward nonfiction, bestselling author of murder who works for Max and has had a crush on him almost
especially history and anything mysteries, Ginevre Ex, her entire life, and Gabriele, a handsome Italian to whom
related to nature and a better understanding of the wonderful has figured out that her Rory was once attracted.
animals with whom we share this planet, I do make it a biggest successes have As if that weren’t enough, Ginevre Ex has arranged
point to review several novels a year in consideration of this come from stories based to have distributed to all of them advance copies of the
column’s readers’ more varied preferences. on real people’s lives. So novelized mystery she has just written based on Rory’s life,
So, when a year ago I was urged to read a new she hires real people and a tale that includes a secret one of the group is hiding–and
author’s first book, a murder mystery novel, I turned pays them to become the a murder in their future! But before any can read the book,
the first few pages reluctantly—but was then caught up main characters in her books, interviews them extensively, one of them has stolen all of the copies.
in what surprisingly turned out to be an impressive and then fictionalizes their lives in novels. The story of “The Main Character” is told through the
intriguing story that deserved a rave review and strong Her newest main character, an American woman named eyes of these different people in alternating chapters—a
recommendation in my Book Review column in the May Rory, has just lost her job as an anchor person on a TV news chapter from Rory, then one from Max, one from Caroline,
2023 issue of Boca Club News. show and, as a double blow, her boyfriend whom she was back to Rory, then to Ginevre Ex, and so on. It is an
The name of that novel was “The Chateau.” Its author, expecting to marry has just broken up with her. Some time adventure fascinating to view from each one’s perspective.
Jaclyn Goldis, is a young American woman who practiced after Rory’s in-depth interview relating her life story to But you are advised to keep in mind my—despised but
law in Chicago before leaving her job to travel the world and Ginevre Ex, she learns that the author has gifted her with necessary—caution that nothing on this ride is as it seems.
write novels, and finally settled in Tel Aviv, where she writes a luxury trip through Italy aboard the sumptuous Orient If you enjoy murder mystery novels, “The Main Character,”
from cafes near the beach. She has now published her second Express train. published this month, is a must. Even I am anxiously awaiting
novel, and it is clear that her first success will not be her last. But when she boards the train, Rory is shocked to find the next stop on Jaclyn Goldis’s literary journey.
Now, having just finished reading “The Main Character,”
I am reminded of what impressed me so much about Jaclyn
Goldis, and why I had looked forward to her next book.
Rarely in any work of fiction have I come across a writer who
combines intricate and imaginative story lines with an innate
ability to narrate perfectly—dialogue so natural, and other ARCHIVE GALLERIES
actions related with such exquisite word choices that for me
the loveliest part of this reading experience was savoring the
author’s writing style, prompting me many times to put the
book down for a few minutes to reflect on precisely that. PAYS HIGHER PRICES FOR FINE ART AND ANTIQUES
Fans of Agatha Christie will be well aware that one of
her most famous murder mystery novels was “Murder on the
Orient Express,” which was made into a film more than once. • Oil Paintings • Sterling Silver • Collectibles
Her readers will immediately recognize Jaclyn Goldis’s nod • Oriental Rugs • Objects of Art • Fine Crystal
to Dame Christie by setting most of her own new novel on • Tapestries • Sculptures • Orientalia
an Orient Express train!
But that is where the similarities end. Where Agatha • Fine Furniture • Bronzes • Tiffany Items
Christie’s story follows the usual plot—a murder takes • Service Plates • Porcelain • Clocks
place and we must then try to figure out who committed the
dastardly deed—in “The Main Character” we are taken on a
very different journey. We Also Purchase Men’s And Ladies’ Items Including:
I won’t reveal any more about that because I don’t want to
spoil your fun. Instead, I am forced to use a phrase here that • Old Watches • Cufflinks • Smoking Items • Coins • Antique Jewelry
I absolutely despise: Nothing on this ride is as it seems. (I • Designer Handbags • Fine Modern Jewelry • Vintage Costume Jewelry
once devoted an entire column to how much I hate that phrase,
which is used to promote so many books and films by lazy
advertising writers who can’t think of more creative ways One Piece Or Entire Contents Purchased

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