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ICYMI: All our weekly columns in one place

Mike Balsom shares why he likes spring training baseball, Owen Bjorgan talks about biodiversity and the Wainfleet Bog, Donald Combe reviews Lost in Austen, Ben Foster once again tests our knowledge of NOTL, and Rick Mills raps about the importance of 'real journalism'
Penny Coles
Penny Coles
owen-march-15-the-rail-tracks-that-used-to-ship-extracted-peat-out-of-the-wainfleet-bog-are-now-an-overgrown-walkway-used-to-explore-the-bog
The rail tracks that used to ship extracted peat out of the Wainfleet Bog are now an overgrown walkway used to explore the bog.Owen Bjorgan

Each week we collect the contributions from our regular columnists as they appeared on notllocal.com and repost them for our readers, in case you missed them.

When it comes to acreage, size matters

Wainfleet Bog
The Wainfleet Bog, as photographed by drone, is a large, protected area of biodiversity. | Owen Bjorgan

The sheer size of the Wainfleet Bog, now protected by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, remains its greatest asset. Read why environmentalist Owen Bjorgan stresses the significance of its biodiversity here.

POV: Spring training baseball a welcome diversion in confusing times

Mike Balsom
Mike Balsom in 1973 outside his family home on Pelham Road in St. Catharines in his Wings uniform during his second year playing baseball in the SCMBA. Sadly, no one thought to take a photo of him in his Pirates uniform the year before. | Supplied

The sound, rhythm and pace of a baseball game can take one's mind off the crazy things going on in the world. Read here why Mike Balsom enjoys watching spring training games, and why he isn't a Blue Jays fan.

Where's Ben? Let us know where in NOTL Ben Foster is in today's photo

Where's Ben

Our former co-op student, NOTL resident and Eden High School graduate Ben Foster, continues to test our knowledge of NOTL as he explores different locations in town. If you think you know where Ben is in this photo, please click here to find out how to reach us.

View from the Couch: A review of 'Lost in Austen'

View from the couch

Donald Combe shares his thoughts about this tale of a present-day woman who is transported back in time to the era of Jane Austen's classic novel 'Pride and Prejudice,' on Britbox. Read his review of the four-part series here.

Ricky Rap: Freedom of the press is essential to democracy

Ricky Rap
Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman star as journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein in 'All the President's Men' | Warner Bros. Films

Read here why Rick Mills recommends three Academy Award-winning films to watch to remind us of the importance of real journalism during these trying times, including All the President's Men, available on Apple TV or Amazon Prime.