Remembrance Day and Veterans Week arrive next week. It was first celebrated on November 3, 1919, and was then known as Armistice Day. For over a decade it was celebrated on the first Monday preceding November 11. The date was set to mark the end of the first world war. […]
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
When I was the publisher of this newspaper, I set my agenda to be at the newspaper by seven in the morning. John Pierce often was there before me as we both wanted to get a jump on the day. I was usually up by six in the morning, having […]
We are at our children’s home in Calgary as I write this column. Winter arrived Saturday night and seems intent on staying for a few days. When we travel, the electronics come with us. I have a computer. My wife has a computer. My Android watch and our cell phones […]
It was a wonderful October weekend — perhaps a fitting close to summer. This coming weekend marks Canada’s Thanksgiving, a time to pause and appreciate all that we have across the district. It may well have been the best year ever for corn; we’re still enjoying sweet cobs from the […]
The town is required to mark hazards on sidewalks through the community. It is a requirement for a safe and beautiful community. The fluorescent orange is attractive even when it is hidden by the brown leaves that have fallen. The circles, straight lines, crooked lines marking every sidewalk break are […]
Who realized that in the last federal election that we would elect a progressive conservative to lead and transform the Liberal Party of Canada into a progressive conservative party. Mark Carney has done that single handed and today Canada is already stronger and more independent from the United States. Under […]
We are witnessing the breakdown of society in the United States and too much of the western world. We only must watch the vitriol following the assassination of Charlie Kirk at a campus in Utah. Charlie cris-crossed the United States debating students about his beliefs and those of students. To […]
Writing about one’s mother feels like writing an entire book. I realized that on Friday afternoon as I read over my words. Each memory became its own chapter in the story of Delsie Marie Cumming, who passed away Thursday evening. Mom was a quiet, respectful, and caring woman who devoted herself […]
Back at their first meeting in August, Fort Frances Council voted unanimously to oppose provincial legislation that granted Strong Mayoral Rule granting them the right to overrule decisions made by council. As Andrew Halikas noted, the Fort Frances council works well together. It was a good decision. Council returned authority […]
We are nearing the last long weekend of summer, a time of transition for almost everyone in the district. For many years, Labour Day in Fort Frances was highlighted by the parade, when unions proudly marched down Scott Street and were recognized for their role in building the community. Now, […]
We are travelling this week. We have chosen to take the northern route across Lake Superior and will end up visiting our son in Barrie and relatives in Inglewood and Waterloo. We have taken the route many times in the past and every trip we are reminded of how the […]
Sometimes the greatness of a human being is recognized in the humility of the man. Bob Lidkea practised humility all his life. He became the oldest practicing Optometrist in Canada in his 90th year and was proud of his achievement of treating so many district patients. For almost 60 years […]






