You can tell that Christmas is coming. After the Halloween decorations were safely stored, the town went dark. Only the streetlights hid blackness in our neighbourhoods. The moon disappeared. And slowly light came has drifted back into our neighbourhoods. Outdoor lights were strung, and blow-up decorations began filling front lawns. […]
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
A columnist in the Globe and Mail asked a question of readers: “What would you be willing to sacrifice with the new Carney budget that was being voted on Monday?” It was a pertinent question because the budget proposes to create a major deficit by borrowing money while maintaining social […]
In our household, the past two previous weeks involved getting our immunization shots. It was a simple process that involved making an appointment at a pharmacy or with the Northwestern Health Unit. For me, I received my Covid shot and the flu shot; one in each arm. The Covid shot […]
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. […]
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 […]






