A good teacher can be a powerful influence on a person.
Blair Crawford traces the life of former Hillcrest High School teacher Roger Taguchi, who recently died after a fall.
Following the sad news of his passing, a number of students came forward to tell stories of the indelible mark he left on their lives.
To this day, one can still name all five of the Dionne Quintuplets from Taguchi's time coaching their Reach For The Top team.
You'll find that and more below with your news of the day.
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PHOTO: Pierre Habib / CANADIAN FORCES SUPPORT UNIT
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By David Pugliese
The military’s decision to sound a partial retreat on its controversial dress policy that allowed for gender-neutral uniforms and long hair sparked a noticeable improvement in morale among troops, Canada’s top general has been told.
The original September 2022 policy, brought in by then Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre, faced significant pushback from veterans and soldiers who argued the Canadian Armed Forces had gone too “woke.”
Traditional rules were abandoned as Eyre dumped all restrictions on hair length, allowed for coloured hair, face tattoos and long nails as well as gender-neutral uniforms.
But in July the military announced a partial reversal on the new policy, admitting the changes had gone too far.
WHY THE BACKTRACK WAS APPLAUDED |
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PHOTO: Lynn Ball / POSTMEDIA
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By Blair Crawford
With his “triple buckeye” study tips, mad scientist explosions, limitless enthusiasm, and ever present white lab coat and camera, Roger Taguchi was a legend at Hillcrest High School for more than three decades.
“He was a whirlwind,” said Lisa Murray, a former Hillcrest student who was part of the school’s Taguchi-coached Reach for the Top team that won the national championship in 1980.
Taguchi, who taught chemistry, math and science at Hillcrest from 1972 to 2004, died Nov. 8, two days after suffering a catastrophic brain injury in a fall from a ladder. He was 78.
“When I think of Roger Taguchi, I only see him laughing with a big smile on his face,” Murray said. “I can’t recall a time that he wasn’t in a good mood and laughing. There will never be another Roger Taguchi.”
MOVING TRIBUTES FROM FORMER STUDENTS
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PHOTO: Tony Caldwell / POSTMEDIA
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By Peter Hum
Fortunately, I was forgiven for my silly question.
After enjoying an incredible cup of hot chocolate at Amandine Pâtisserie on Wellington Street West, I asked a staffer what the brand was for that amazing beverage — basically a chocolate fan’s thickened, flavour-packed, liquid ambrosia.
Let’s just say that If you are OK with gas-station hot chocolate, or the just-add-water stuff made from packets of powder, Amandine Patisserie’s hot chocolate will rock your world.
It turned out that at the French pastry shop in Hintonburg, the hot chocolate was house-made, and has been since the store’s day one, a little more than two years ago. I wonder: if I had made a similar gaffe in Paris, would I have been met with an icy stare and a derisive remark?
THE 'REALLY GOOD' INGREDIENTS |
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THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Click on the photo to play today's puzzle |
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