I was out cross-country skiing last week and was shocked to see people walking towards me on the groomed trail with their two dogs. Had they forgotten to don their skis? Probably not. This means they either didn’t know the trails weren’t for walkers and their dogs, or they were being downright ignorant by using the trails unlawfully. The trails …
Fear doesn’t have to be proportional to age– Dr. Seuss taught us that!
I love that young children will try anything. Present a young child with a new sport, a new language, a new food, and he or she will try it. However, that changes quickly — just show most children a plate of vegetables. Based on experience, children who don’t like spinach or broccoli will start refusing to try other green foods, …
Vibrant colour — and rum — of Bermuda reduced fall doldrums
While the last cruise ship sailed out of Bermuda, I arrived for a quick vacation. It truly was the perfect time to visit — no lines, empty beaches, and 24 degrees of yeah in November. I am proud to note that not only did I survive the Bermuda triangle, I also survived the local way of life, all the while …
Checking your bills can help you save hundreds of dollars a year
We could all use a little more money or find a way to cut some expenses, right? Fellow Northerners, have you heard about the Northern Ontario Energy Credit? It’s been on the television quite a bit lately, but I’ve learned to tune out advertising. It was hard to miss the huge ads in the newspaper, however. According to the ads …
We might be oppressing the woman who wants to wear a burka
Quebec is following suit on the anti-veil sentiment, alongside a number of European nations. France has gone so far as to pass a law that if a woman wears a niqab she will be fined 150 Euros or have to take citizenship lessons. If a man forces a woman to wear the facial covering, he will be fined 30,000 Euros …
There should be a more humane way to close a business
This community has sustained another kick in the health-care teeth, and most people don’t even know about it, because it happened so quietly and quickly. Last week I had some blood work requisitioned, so I went to the 170 East St. LifeLabs location only to be told they don’t do that anymore. They still do X-rays, but you have to …
Olympian Clara Hughes will bring inspiration to Sault Ste. Marie
The Olympians are coming! The Olympians are coming! Even though hearing the word “Olympian” in Sault Ste. Marie is not uncommon, take note this time — Clara Hughes is speaking here Oct. 23, 2010, and as a bonus, hometown girl Brigitte Acton will be introducing her. Hughes is the only athlete in Olympic history to win multiple medals in both …
Make it socially irresponsible for people to chuck their butts in public
Dropping your cigarette butt on the ground is littering … and I want it to stop. For some reason, buttchucking (or filter-flicking) seems to be the only remaining acceptable form of littering. We would frown or comment if someone tossed their Timmy’s to-go cup on the ground in front of us, but the butts seem to drop without issue. I …
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Are the time and energy spent coupon clipping worth the return?
Coupons are ruining my life. They’re supposed to help us save money and introduce us to new products, but I’m starting to wonder if they are more trouble than they are worth. I’m directing this column to those of you out there who also clip coupons. Coupon clippers tend to be those of us who run the finances and are …
Allow children to take safe risks, but protect them from great harm
What would you do if your young teenager asked you to let him or her sail around the world? Me, I’d say no. Recently, we heard of a 16-year-old girl who had to be rescued from her attempt to navigate the globe alone, at a great cost to perhaps everyone except her parents. Now, a 14-year-old has been given the …