“What was the point of having black maple leaves on the Canadian ice hockey sweaters? Was it Nike’s creative folks dictating to our national Olympic bosses?” writes Ross Robinson.

“In my crystal ball, at the 2030 Winter Olympic Games, I think we will have curling referees in black and white striped shirts, blowing whistles to signal infractions,” writes Ross Robinson.

“This winter, like almost every other winter since we have been keeping accurate and useful meteorological records, has been cold. And this year, really cold,” writes Ross Robinson.

“Prolonged really freezing temperatures, ice and persistent accumulations of snow had basically shut our town down. But our Fish Fry crew had thawed the haddock, and it just isn’t right to thaw it again,” writes Ross Robinson.

“Think about how tough life was for  our ancestors. We cannot even imagine. How did they survive and prosper without all the things we take for granted?” writes Ross Robinson.

“How can we still be debating the subject of immigration? Especially here in the new world, and specifically in Niagara?” writes Ross Robinson.

“Are we getting better when compared to other nations? Perhaps, but there are so many more events now. Many more opportunities to grab a medal,” writes Ross Robinson.

“Media and technology today allow us to be informed, and almost everything is in real time. Not that long ago, less than a century, news travelled at a snail’s pace, if it travelled at all,” writes Ross Robinson.

“As locals, most of us tend to fall into the trap of taking our trees for granted. Not so for Suzanne and her horticultural and history-hungry daughter,” writes Ross Robinson.

“We have no shortage of issues that will affect our futures, but may I humbly and respectfully request that we all take a few deep breaths?” writes Ross Robinson.

“Let’s all lighten up a bit and get jolly as the holly appears once again. Queen Street downtown, and indeed our four villages, are being transformed again,” writes Ross Robinson.

“From Niagara-on-the-Lake to Hong Kong and eventually to Toronto, the word ‘love’ has suddenly been added to our vocabulary. And it happened so naturally, so quietly,” writes Ross Robinson.

“Especially in our current world, seemingly so divided and torn over so many issues, it was gratifying to learn that love for the poppy is universal,” writes Ross Robinson.

“Do our political party leaders think we believe they have a great big pot filled with money that they dip into to pay for their projects and programs?” writes Ross Robinson.

“Around NOTL, so many residents and visitors proudly wearing Blue Jays merchandise. People smiling and saying hello to strangers. In our world today, any positive news is welcome, and this World Series run is definitely good news,” writes Ross Robinson.

“Here in Niagara, we seem to be impatient, unhappy and often down on each other. Often a bit mean,” writes Ross Robinson.

“Even in State College on a very busy weekend, our driver didn’t once ask me for directions. It was out of character for me, but I just sat in the back seat with my mouth shut. He would just glance at his GPS screen and implicitly trust the computers,” writes Ross Robinson.

“When only 16, Maria fled her homeland in 1944 to Germany, sometimes riding with all their belongings in a horse-drawn carriage. A tough life happened during and after the Second World War,” writes Ross Robinson.

“Understanding the recently regularly mentioned notwithstanding clause had never been a priority in my life,” writes Ross Robinson. “It’s pretty dry stuff.”

“We seem to be living in the midst of so much angry emotion. Can we please give our heads a shake?” writes Ross Robinson.

“Life in our small town was great, and the Terry Fox participants and volunteers were sharing the love. Raising the money to ‘Finish It,'” writes Ross Robinson.

On the rebuilding and reopening of the new Royal George Theatre, Ross Robinson writes, “Please don’t say 2029 and then take a year or two or three longer … The pain to local businesses and residents will be unbearable. To everyone involved.”

“I was part of a wonderful tableau of Canadiana, with people of all ages, ethnicities, clothing styles and spoken languages. No rhyme or reason to it, it was just happening,” writes Ross Robinson.

“I was given a tour of the infrastructure work being done in west St. Catharines, preparing for the commencement of the magic pill that will be GO Train service to Niagara,” writes Ross Robinson. “I was attentive and polite, but very skeptical.”