Shopping With Ken: The Quest Continues

Charles Chandler riffs on ideas for fisherman and foodies

“A lovely thing about Christmas is that it's compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together.”- Garrison Keillor

A dozen days left until Christmas.
From a partridge in a pear tree to 12 drummers drumming these twelve days will seem to go by quicker than the song-particularly if you feel the same way about the popular refrain as SWK  does.
Personal tastes in carols aside we are in the home stretch and still many of us have either fallen short of completing your holiday gifting plans or (shudder) have yet to even begin to work on your list.

As we said in our previous article SWK is here to help. In the opener of the series  Lola Harmon-Ramsey tossed out some Fremont faves for gifting opportunities. https://www.nearnorthnow.com/features-and-fun/with-christmas-looming-swk-to-the-rescue 
And today Charles Chandler offers up some easily accessed internet items one can procure in a timely manner.

We have been honored to include the writings of Mr. Chandler in our pages since the humble beginnings of N3 nearly a half dozen years back.
He is an  avid fisherman and foodie and while SWK has not shared a boat with him we have shared many tables from sampling the goods at the late great   Gala Gourmet and embracing  the eclectic atmosphere of Hit The Road Joe,  to basking in the richness of the Hearthstone’s menu and belting down burgers at the Brown Bear.
We thank him for his contribution. 
As well as his company in our culinary pursuits.

Take it away Mr. C:

Here are my three last minute shopping suggestions for those special fisher folk and food lovers in your life. 
The first is FishUSA America’s tackle shop. https://www.fishusa.com/ Most if not all of our tackle is made in Asia and is now probably sitting in a big metal container in a freight yard or on a big boat anchored off the coast of California. FishUSA has a huge variety of tackle and an expert staff that will answer any question that you could possibly have.  My experience has been outstanding. They fill the order same day and send a tracking email. Shipping is usually free with purchases over $60.00. They are incredibly fast and I have always received my orders within three days.   
The second is a book by our own legendary Muskegon River Fishing Guide Kevin Feenstra, Matching Baitfish.
https://feenstraoutdoors.com/wordpress/report/  
This is a beautiful book and the general content and technical information is invaluable. The incredible photography, tips and techniques from this master fishing guide and instructor is priceless. This is a must have classic that will be a treasure for your special fisherperson.   
The last is Gold Belly https://www.goldbelly.com  Gold Belly is a place to find that special dish for that very special person or to treat your whole family.  Gold Belly’s is a food lover's paradise. You can find special food items, dishes or gift items from around the country.  You can order the food item or dish from a specific restaurant, state or region. It is here that you can get those wonderful dishes you had on your honeymoon or that last vacation or from wherever your old hometown may be.  I have ordered deep dish pizza from Gino's and popcorn from Garrett’s in Chicago. Bagels from New York, tamales from New Mexico and pecan pies and Barbeque from Texas. This is a place where you can lose your mind and wreck your Christmas budget with the click of your mouse.  Note that some of these items can be a little pricey, but you’re not shopping for weekly groceries. These are dishes to satisfy that craving you have had for that long ago favorite or great holiday gifts for those special people in your life.  And for goodness sakes we have been in a pandemic for the last couple years so treat yourself. Gold Belly’s is a place that has the stuff to satisfy those craving or make a great holiday dining experience.

Thank you Charles. There’s a rather righteous bread pudding in Pensacola SWK will be searching for via Gold Belly’s. 

And stay tuned folks. More is coming.
And if you have your own suggestions send us an email at [email protected] and we'll check it out.

Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves. -Eric Sevareid