As Sault Ste. Marie looks to draw more tourists through developing its downtown, I can’t help but think of Buffalo, N.Y., and its redevelopment success story. In terms of similarities, I was dazzled by Buffalo’s waterfront, reclamation of old facilities, architectural gems, and food tourism. Truly, if you haven’t been to Buffalo lately, you haven’t been to Buffalo. The waterfront …
It’s time to break bad habits
Habits. They can be good or bad. They can set you back, or move you forward, or leave you exactly where you are. Sometimes the best thing we can do is to break the ones we have, or more importantly start new ones. The first step is recognizing the patterns of our lives, and how we choose to spend our …
Rafting trip just what I needed
They say that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but what if an experience leaves you scared, even scarred? What then? Get back on the horse, or maybe a pony? Almost two decades ago, I was thrown out of a white water raft in a class IV rapid in Nepal. I wound up in a cast from ankle to …
Snoring problem often transferred to non-snorer
We’ve all heard it, in person or in the movies, those who sound like heavy breathers, who whiff out puffs of air at force at random intervals, or even the echoing cave bear hibernating snorers. Interestingly enough, the same person can be any and all kinds of snorers. Sometimes it is related to weight, sickness, alcohol , and/or sleeping position. …
‘Parental alienation’ inclusion may ease needless pain
On May 25, the World Health Organization (WHO) included “parental alienation” as a “caregiver-child relationship problem” in ICD-11, the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision. ICD-11 comes into effect on Jan. 1, 2022. This new term is described on the WHO website as: “Substantial and sustained dissatisfaction within a caregiver-child relationship associated with significant disturbance in functioning.” While that sounds nebulous, …
Getting piece of local film action a family affair
“That’s a cut” and “Back to first position” are just two of the new phrases my daughter and I heard a lot over the last couple of weeks as background actors for two films being shot in Sault Ste. Marie. Having done a few local musicals, including a lead role with her beautiful tenor voice, my daughter became more interested …
Outdoors is where it’s at in Sault, Algoma
This past week, I was thrilled to be part of the Travel Media Association of Canada’s annual conference hosted by our very own Sault Ste. Marie. Travel writers, bloggers, vloggers, and photographers from across the country enjoyed experience after experience in our community before the association’s annual general meeting. As the only local member of the association in the Sault, I got to play …
Warming up to odd snowman and new splash pad
Driving down Queen Street this morning I thought I was having a nervous breakdown or strange out-of-body experience. There was Christmas decorations. There was a snowman, not to mention snow, on the sidewalk. Granted it has been a particularly long and drawn out spring, making me wonder if Mother Nature has been trying to retire, and her succession plan is …
Canoe tour opens eyes, cements connections
When I was invited to participate in the big canoe tour with Canoes for Conservation, as a friend of the tour operators, I was excited to see for myself what the buzz was about. The big canoe tours being offered on the St. Mary’s River are the hot, new, tourist/local attraction in the Sault and they’re making waves (literally on …
Getting ready for an emergency
Last week was Emergency Preparedness Week in Ontario. I know this because I won a Facebook contest put on by Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services. A question was posted: “How often does Emergency Management Ontario recommend you check and refresh the items in your emergency kit?” I answered correctly: “Twice a year.” One doesn’t have to look far in the …