I love the beginning of a new year, and one of the things I always do in advance of Jan. 1 is set up my calendar for the next 12 months. That means transferring all the important upcoming dates and events, including the birthdays of people I’ve known over the […]
Columnists
Recently, an individual was doing some remodelling in his home. He had finished stripping the wallpaper, and was getting ready to change a light fixture. Since he was the only one home at the time, he left the light switch in the off position. But before disconnecting the old light, […]
All of the thrush family are very good singers. In North America, there are several species which qualify, including the robin and the bluebird. In the Old World, there are many thrushes, including the famous nightingale. In Northwestern Ontario, we have our share of these fine-singing birds, including the Veery, […]
You won’t find her listed in most literary anthologies, and there would be plenty of critics to sneer at her writing. But that really doesn’t matter. Because Dame Barbara Cartland was the people’s author, much as her step-granddaughter, Lady Di, was the people’s princess. And critics aside, Cartland forever will […]
By Linda Weins
Quetico Centre
Quetico Centre
Could “Walkerton” happen in your town? You bet. Like others, I puzzle over how this could happen. It is likely due to a confluence of unfortunate events. But I see two primary causes that I have observed in many work settings: Both miscommunicated seriously. What would you answer to a […]
Sweet, gentle Phoebe doesn’t like to say “goodbye.” And I understand exactly how she feels. She loves to say “hello” in every way she knows. Licking, wagging, dancing, playing, and squeaking her toys. When all the expressiveness is over, Phoebe leads the newcomer to a comfortable spot by the fire. […]
Safety and the role it plays in your life depend on many things, including your attitude. All of us need to learn how to protect ourselves and family members from potential hazards that can strike at any given time. We all need to be made aware of and reminded to […]
Here we are again. It’s woodtick season. I imagine most folk think of ticks as insects. Well, they aren’t. They are related to spiders, scorpions, mites, and so on, all of which are classified as Arachnids. Arachnids have either eight or 10 legs while insects get along with only six. […]
We all have our images and stereotypes. And for us, it’s a known fact that very few of our out-of-town guests arrive on motorcycles. Janet and Brian, however, were the exception, and we barely knew where to park their over-sized Honda. It all began with a phone call from the […]
In 1834, explorer Paul Kane recorded “. . . the trees on each side of the river and part of the Lake of the Woods, for full 150 miles of our route, were literally stripped of foliage by myriads of caterpillars. “This scourge extended to more than twice that distance.” […]
By any assessment of my childhood, I grew up happy. The days were fun-filled and friendly. We laughed and talked. We ate spaghetti suppers with our neighbours and went to Grandma’s every Sunday. We looked forward to occasional all-day excursions to scenic spots. We played hard and we worked hard. […]
Now that winter is over in Northwestern Ontario, this can be fun to think about what does Thunder Bay have in common with Ulaan Baatar (Mongolia), Sapporo (Japan), and Lulea (Sweden)? All are “winter cities,” and there are a lot more! The international Association of Winter Cities is doing its […]
