One of the things which we associate with the Christmas season is holly. The brilliant red berries, and the firm leaves with their prickles, are common in our homes, stores, and advertisements. Holly is almost as much a symbol of Christmas as Santa Claus himself. The holly which most people […]
Columnists
Please don’t tell me there isn’t a Santa Claus. I know better. It’s not that I’ve actually met him but I’ve seen his tracks. Sixty years ago, before the Depression had subsided and after the winter’s snow had blanketed the countryside, he brought joy to a little girl in upstate […]
As a citizen, do you recognize the members of your local fire department as a partner in community services? Your fire department, whether full-time or volunteer, has an important function within your community. When the Fort Frances Fire Department was established many years ago, the Fort Frances Volunteer Fire Brigade […]
In a country like Canada, almost everyone has something to do with wheat. We grow it in vast quantities, we sell it to other nations, we use it in all kinds of bread, buns, and rolls, and we feed it to our animals and poultry. Wheat is an almost indispensable […]
After all these years, I still don’t know if he meant it as a compliment or an insult, or maybe a curious mixture of both. But I clearly remember the words. He looked interested, almost amused, as he said, “You think your work is the most important thing in the […]
The Christmas season is fast approaching and in the spirit of the festive season, it is important to practice and make time for safety. Why? So to avoid the dangers of carelessness during a time of happiness and celebration–when most people are relaxed and not alert as usual. Fire safety […]
The Canadian Red Cross has been helping Canadians lead safer, healthier lives for close to 100 years. Many of their programs and services are considered to be among the best in the world. They have been working together with partners like Fire Prevention Canada to create healthier communities. They also […]
By Linda Wiens
Quetico Centre
Quetico Centre
Most people like to pick up interesting gadgets and gifts from their travels. I tend to go overboard. Once I carried two 15-pound, vine-ripened watermelons, another time a dozen delicious fresh pineapples, through airports ’til my arms felt stretched to the floor. My take-home items since then are lighter. Recently, […]
“Concentrating on life is important. Concentrating on the laundry is not.” I found that quote someplace. Well, actually, I found it written down in a section of my Daytimer that’s reserved for little bits of wisdom. What I don’t know is who said it. Did I think it up? Did […]
Nearly all childhood unintentional shooting deaths occur in or around the home. And most of those shooting deaths involve firearms that have been loaded and accessible to children. The big problem in Canada and the United States is that many children between the ages of five and 14 have died […]
In Northern Ontario, we have three grouse–the Ruffed, the Spruce, and the Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus). It is often, wrongly, called prairie chicken but that is an entirely different bird. The Sharp-tail is a little bit larger than the common Ruffed Grouse. Its conspicuous marks are a short pointed tail, […]
It’s fall again. Autumn if you want to wax poetic. And think about it, for a minute, what would autumn be without leaves? Oaks, maples, aspens, cottonwoods, green ash all blanketing the countryside with colour. It’s because of autumn leaves that we think nostalgically and longingly of New England, the […]
