By Melanie Mathieson The Gardening Guru The blooming and scent of the lilac trees is like an official mark of spring and the kick-off to gardening season. You can drive almost anywhere in the District, the older homestead farms, newer rural or lake properties and of course the settled areas, […]
Columnists
Most gardeners do not have a greenhouse or cold-frame, but they can use some great plant protection kits and devices and small portable and affordable greenhouses to get a jump on the gardening season. Here are a few ideas for you to try. Many traditional gardeners will place black plastic […]
One of the busiest weekends of the fishing season in Northwest Ontario is going to look a little bit different this year. The walleye season opens on Saturday across the region and typically it is a weekend filled with fishing, friends and family for many of us. Thankfully we can […]
One fall while in Kenora I stopped around to visit with Sweet Charlotte and Big Pie. “So you’re headin’ for Florida again this winter?” queried Big Pie looking sadly at the big snowflakes that were drifting down out of the November sky. “Yeah, staying around for this isn’t my idea […]
The news broke last week that our Emo Fall Fair is cancelled. Heartbreaking, but certainly understandable. It will be the first fair that I have missed in my life (or at least I think. . . ) There is a lot of rumblings going on about our 4-H Beef Clubs. […]
A staple in almost every home’s pantry is spaghetti or some form of pasta that makes its way to the dinner table on a regular basis. Many of us take the time to focus on building the flavour and complexity of the accompanying sauce for our pasta of choice. However, […]
A debate is forming on Facebook. Should the border be opened to out of area summer residents or remain closed to protecting residents of the district from the virus. Both sides have solid arguments. I have mixed emotions. Our summer residents on our island hail from Wisconsin and Texas. We […]
Things are growing. Tulip shoots were pushing through the snow weeks ago in my garden, only to be buried again last week, but still they grow, determined, steadfast. No matter what goes on in the world, be it struggle or celebration, Spring in Canada comes; gently some years, hesitant and […]
By Robin McCormick
The COVID-19 pandemic causes another cancellation. This time it’s the Rainy River Valley Agricultural Fall Fair. The Board of Directors announced last week that it was with much sadness this decision was made. They did feel it was the right decision for the safety of all people that would be […]
Today is my first day with my 2020 helper! Katie Hay is my right-hand helper for this summer at the Emo Agricultural Research Station. I am looking forward to working with her. She told me that she is excited to learn so that just made my day! We should be […]
My lawn has been raked. The grass grows greener by the day. Almost two weeks of sunshine and being outside in the yard makes me feel almost whole again. Buds are forming on the branches of the trees in my yard. Green leaves are starting to shoot our from the […]
“How you doing? ” It’s a greeting that rolls off our lips without thought or hesitation. “Fine.” Is the answer we expect. Again without thought or hesitation. Lawrence Gushulak always replied, “Terrible.” It was unsettling. My automatic reply of, “That’s great!” caused me a great deal of pain as I […]







