There’s a story circulating for a couple of centuries now that the American inventor, Benjamin Franklin, started Daylight Saving Time back in 1784. He had suggested to Parisians that by moving their clocks forward, they could save on candles. It actually was a New Zealander, George Hudson, who came up […]
Jim Cumming – From the Publisher Emeritus’ Pen
Jim is the former publisher of the Fort Frances Times Ltd. He writes a weekly column and can be contacted at jcumming@fortfrances.com
All three levels of government are working to meet the requirements of the Disabilities Act, and they all should be applauded for their efforts. The act was designed to remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities. The legislation probably never thought about financial disabilities, or technology disabilities or infrastructure […]
It was Family Day in Ontario on Monday and here in Fort Frances, we had a thunderstorm and rain for most of the day. Needless to say, it was not the most wonderful day for outdoor family activities. Driving back from Dryden under a sunny sky Saturday afternoon, I could […]
It is probably a little early to start talking about spring, but there are signs everywhere that spring is just around the corner. Leaving my mother’s house on Sunday just before 6 p.m., there still was some light in the western sky as I drove home. Yes, the days are […]
Should it be chocolates, flowers, and a quiet candlelight dinner at a restaurant? Or should I prepare a special romantic dinner for my wife? Maybe a combination of ideas should be considered. I don’t often think about Valentine’s Day but every year when Feb. 14 comes around, I can’t help […]
The ban on accepting Muslim refugees into the United States may have a silver lining for Canada. Several huge technology companies in the U.S. already are asking the Canadian government to provide special exemptions for their employees to stay in our country. Taking up the call, Canada’s immigration minister offered […]
I was dumbfounded when I read that both Canadian Tire and Walmart were going to receive back taxes from the Town of Fort Frances after a hearing by the Municipal Property Assessment Corp. Where was the province and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario in opposing the reductions in taxes? […]
When the Fort Frances Times initiated voicemail, we believed it was really important for a caller to speak to a real person when phoning the newspaper. We still believe that, but we do have a voicemail system so that calls after hours, or when a person is away from their […]
I sometimes wonder where computers will lead us in the future. I watched in amazement Sunday morning as several manufacturers showed off their reality systems. What might it be like in a classroom where a teacher takes a whole class through a safari in Kenya? Within the safari, they could […]
If your wallet feels a little bit lighter in the New Year, it’s not a figment of your imagination. Your wallet will have been picked by the Liberal government of Premier Kathleen Wynne. In her haste to make Ontario “green,” the only greening that’s taking place is all the extra […]
’Tis the Christmas season and the time to look to the New Year. I often have made fun of our politicians, who toil on our behalf, with their Christmas “wish” lists and their resolutions for the New Year. So, too, this year, though not so much with the Christmas wish […]
Christmas Day will arrive shortly. My friend, David Iwanyszyn, posted a photo on Facebook on Sunday night showing off the Christmas tree in his home loaded with gifts and wishing everyone a “Happy St. Nicholas Day”—a Ukrainian tradition. On the eve of Dec. 19, children receive gifts from St. Nicholas. […]
