Dear sir: Please allow me to respond to the latest dose of angst in our community. I am listing the causes for the angsts as I see them. I. Our mayor and council ignored the obvious and selected a name other than “Ice for Kids” for the second ice surface. […]

Redpolls are sort of dumpy, little sparrow-like birds. They’re brownish, streaked on the sides, have fluffy feathers, and are distinguished by red caps (“poll” is an old English word for the top of the head). Quite a few of the male birds also have pink breasts. There actually are two […]

Lourens Visser, 88, of Emo, Ont., passed away Thursday, Dec. 2, 1999 at La Verendrye Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont. He was born Nov. 3, 1911 in Drachten, Friesland, The Netherlands, and was was united in marriage to Tina (Wieringsma) on May 19, 1938. In the summer of 1957, Lourens […]

To the editor: We are writing in regards to a problem that is caused by vehicles travelling too fast on the River Road. We live on the corner of Bone Road and River Road in Alberton Township, and we have resided in our home for more than eight years. In […]

Dear sir: “Operation Christmas Child” thanks the people of Fort Frances and surrounding district for the success of its “Shoe Box” program. As a first-year project, I would have to say the response was overwhelming. Fort Frances is known as a caring and giving community. And because so many took […]

Dear sir: About a month ago, I attended the Life Writing workshop here in Fort Frances. The 20 of us were given 45 minutes to write a story. As a retired forester, I had several bear stories but instead wrote the following: I am a cancer survivor and perhaps my […]

Holiday is a splendid word. It makes you think of turkey and dressing with all the trimmings. And playing with your cousins at Grandma’s house. Holiday is a word that’s all sugar and spice. All smiles and laughter. Song and friendly conversation. Surprises and good feelings. Gift packages with big […]

Irene D. Bradford, 79, passed away Monday, Nov. 29, 1999 at La Verendrye Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont. following a lengthy illness. She was the beloved wife of C.F. (Brad) Bradford, who predeceased her July 22, 1984. She will be greatly missed by her children, Karen (Fred) Moroz of London, […]

John Elyk, 53, of 235 Scott St., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away suddenly at his residence Sunday, Nov. 28, 1999. He was born Jan. 15, 1946 in Fort Frances. John lived in Fort Frances all his life, and had worked as a labourer for various construction firms for about 20 […]

“Confessions of a Workaholic” is a book I could easily have written. For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved my work. It’s been easy for me to take work home and burn the midnight oil. To say yes when I really should say no. Or to skip a […]

Dear fellow Canadians: Each year as I hear the line, “If ye break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep though poppies grow in Flanders Fields,” I wonder how many more ways can we break that faith? Some of the worst “bad faith bargains” that irritate me are: […]

Dear editor: On Nov. 11, as is our custom, my sons accompanied me to Barwick to take part in the Remembrance Day ceremonies. Imagine our surprise when we were told that the “powers that be” decided that this year there would not be a ceremony in Barwick. Why? No one […]