In 2019, the second week of September was declared Canadian Mennonite Heritage week. This event celebrates our 150 years of contributions to Canada. But who are the Mennonites, and why is this recognition important? Mennonites are a diversified sect practising varying degrees of social and religious conservativeness, and ethnic traditions. Some hold to heritage alone. Since … [Read more...] about Russian Mennonites, intergenerational trauma, cultural sensitivity
Opinion
Town committee provides context to inclusivity and related issues
“Inclusivity” is a word that has popped up a fair amount over the past year or two. It has been in the newspapers, on the town’s website, and was the basis of a survey circulated earlier in the year. Recently, Inclusivity initiatives have stirred some controversy, so it seems high time to give some meaning and context to “Inclusivity” and related terms, … [Read more...] about Town committee provides context to inclusivity and related issues
Local voices: Joan King passionate about keeping Terry Fox Run going
What keeps me inspired to organize the Terry Fox run? It all started during my teaching career, when every September I would tell my students the story of this courageous young man who believed ‘anything is possible if you try.’ After seeing the suffering of young children in the hospital, he decided he would raise awareness that cancer research was needed. Terry Fox … [Read more...] about Local voices: Joan King passionate about keeping Terry Fox Run going
Discovering local trails benefit of pandemic
During the lockdowns, I discovered walking and hiking as my new pastime during the pandemic. In the past I did a lot of walking, but mainly downtown or through nearby neighbourhoods. This summer I actually discovered some amazing hiking trails, ranging from easy to challenging. Of course there is nothing that compares to the Niagara River Recreational Trail, right in our … [Read more...] about Discovering local trails benefit of pandemic
Getting canoe on top a much-practised routine
It might seem unusual to write a nature article about my personal vehicle, the maroon Pontiac Montana. The ultimate family van — the too-typical vessel filled with children on the way to soccer games and school (well, when both of those are open again). After the May long weekend’s canoeing event in the Virgil Conservation Area, I felt an appreciable affinity for this … [Read more...] about Getting canoe on top a much-practised routine
