The Lynda Parcells Blog - 660News Calgary

The entire city seems to be in mourning, and for good reason. The man behind Calgary’s most famous milkshake and hamburger joint, Peter’s Drive-In passed away at the age of 77. Gus Pieters moved to Canada in 1954 and started the restaurant ten years later. I actually have a funny story about Peter’s. My Mom worked with his wife at the Alberta Gas Company way back…well, I won’t say how long ago. Anyway, his wife told her co-workers one day that her husband Gus was opening up a hamburger joint. According to my Mom, everyone just sort of thought “well good luck with that”, not really thinking anything would come of it. Boy were they wrong! I don’t think I have ever been to Peter’s when there hasn’t been at least ten cars in front of me. Peter’s was a staple in my childhood. I still remember my Dad going to pick up Peter’s milkshakes and burgers for his employees who were stuck working late at his printing company. Aside from moving locations once, probably the best thing about Peter’s is the fact it hasn’t changed over the years. Despite his massively successful business, Pieter’s didn’t break from the format of the drive-through and the walk-up windows, which by the way are always lined up too! Pieters actually sold his booming business back in 2005, but made sure he hand-picked the new owners himself. Talking about his famous drive-in, Pieters said he just wanted to sell the best hamburgers and the best milkshakes in Calgary. I don’t think there is any question, he made his dream come true. I think I’ll pay tribute to Pieter’s with a chocolate-banana milkshake.

I discovered last night that there are a couple of complete idiots working for the Calgary Parking Authority. My husband and I were attending a Stampede party at Fort Calgary. Anybody familiar with Calgary knows it can be very hard to find parking, even at the best of times, so we decided to take a chance and park in the CP Rail parking lot. We knew we could be seeing a lovely parking ticket on the windshield at the end of the night, but that was a risk we were willing to take.

When we left the party, we got a much bigger surprise than a parking ticket. A couple of complete morons working for the Calgary Parking Authority thought it would be a great idea to not only ticket vehicles, but to block the only exit with their cars. There was absolutely no possible way to get out of the parking lot! I have never been so irate in all my life. Anybody with half a brain would realize that was NOT a good idea. What if there had been an emergency?

The idiots who blocked the entrance couldn’t be found, so we finally had to resort to calling the Parking Authority. We waited, and we waited, and we waited some more. By the time someone finally showed up, there were several people lined up in their vehicles waiting (very impatiently) to get out. Needless to say we gave the guy a piece of our mind, but he just shrugged it off without a care in the world.

I’d like to thank the Calgary Parking Authority, not only for the ticket, but for forcing me to get to bed way later than I had intended, leaving me very grumpy and tired for work!

Tomorrow is going to be a great day. Ted and I will off the morning show, showing off our cooking skills down at the Stampede grounds. We’ll be flipping pancakes bright and early for BMO Kids Day. If you’ve been thinking about heading down to the grounds with your little ones, Kids Day is the day to do it. Children 12 and under and any accompanying adults will get free admission to the park from 6 a.m. until 9 a.m. And if you head to the Grandstand Courtyard, you’ll find Ted and myself handing out free flapjacks, sausage and juice from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. We’ll also have some other 660News staff along for the ride, handing out 660News yo-yo’s. Make sure you come by and say hi. I do have one word of advice though. You might want to bring a snack. I hear Ted’s cooking isn’t very good.

This is the time of year I absolutely love. The Calgary Stampede is one of my very favourite things in life. I know that sounds a bit over the top, but it’s true. I love getting into the spirit of things, like wearing my shirts that only see the light of day during the 10 days, a cowboy hat is a must, and of course the dreaded cowboy boots (they’re only dreaded because they kill my feet!).

I will admit, I’m getting way too old to party like I used to, but the Stampede is still a ton of fun. I’m always surprised by the people that leave the city for the 10 days. What the heck is up with that? There is no better time to be in the city with all of the free breakfasts, party after party, not to mention the rodeo, grandstand show, rides and we can’t forget the midway food.

I’m really looking forward to this year’s festivities because we have relatives visiting from Ontario. My husband and I are taking them to see the chuckwagons and the always entertaining Young Canadians Friday night. Many of my relatives have never experienced the Stampede, so I’m really looking forward to seeing the look on their faces when they take everything in. My Mom is even dragging them down to the parade. I believe she instructed them to be ready to go by 4:30 am.! I think they’re still in shock over that.

This year, the 10 days of fun will be quite a bit different for me because I’m actually working. You see, in the past I’ve always taken the whole week off, just so I can experience everything the Stampede has to offer. Needless to say, my partying is going to be a lot tamer this year, otherwise I might not be making any sense at work. I can guarantee you one thing though…..I won’t be missing out on filling my belly with corndogs!