“The desire for non-single-family accommodation continues, so it behooves NOTL to somehow grow and densify. Like bonsai, let’s plan our growth and appearance,” writes Ross Robinson.

“So much of life is controlled by our reactions, especially when something beyond our control has affected us. Even the smallest thing can be remembered and can have a positive or negative influence on the rest of our lives,” writes Ross Robinson.

“Standing at the back of the room in the St. Davids Fire Hall, from what I could understand, competing interests seem to be pointing fingers at each other. He said, she said,” writes Ross Robinson.

“Yes, Donald Trump and I both want to get rid of the annually challenging concept of daylight savings time. If you’ll pardon the pun, it’s time,” writes Ross Robinson, going on to share, however, some of his less-than-complimentary views of the president-elect.

“I am not a betting man, but my numerous trips to France, and my year living in Strasbourg in 1979, made me confident that the rebuilding of Notre Dame would take decades,” writes Ross Robinson, commenting on the official reopening of the historic cathedral in Paris this past weekend, after its five-year closure.

“Yes, we are lucky to live in Canada’s prettiest town, but let them know they are lucky to call their hometown home, too,” writes Ross Robinson. “You will have made a random person feel better. You will have been kind, which is a very good thing.”

“Until my 24-year-old daughter Carrie recently provided her précis version of Taylor Swift’s life and contributions to society, I hadn’t really paid much attention to the Swiftieworld. I now believe she is bigger than Elvis and the Beatles,” writes Ross Robinson.

“Did we learn the necessary lessons? Only two decades after the end of the First World War, the war to end all wars, we decided to do it all again. Young men who didn’t know each other fighting the wars for men who knew each other. Why?” writes Ross Robinson.

“Event planning takes talent and desire, but the per-person price can be very fair due to the shoulder season timing. The town’s business people win, and the visiting groups win,” writes Ross Robinson about off-season corporate retreats.

Back in the day, many of our mothers and fathers told us to avoid talking religion and politics. But frequently, we would have interesting and respectful conversations at school and on the streets,

“There can be no good excuse for not reading books here in our Niagara,” writes Ross Robinson, beginning this week’s Ross’ Ramblings with a shout-out to Old Niagara Bookshop on Regent Street.

“I have argued for several years that weeknight Halloween is unduly stressful for parents, grandparents and school teachers. And oh yes, young children and students too,” writes Ross Robinson.

“What worries me is not that Premier Ford threw this cockamamie idea out to the press and the people,” writes Ross Robinson about the proposed tunnel for under Highway 401. “I find it frightening that his most trusted and wise advisers would come up with such garbage.”

“If we want amenities and services, we must admit that densification is required. Let’s catch up to the rest of the world,” writes Ross Robinson.

“Was NOTL the busiest small town in Canada last weekend?” asks Ross Robinson. Between the Niagara 5000 car show and Peach Festival goings-on Saturday and Sunday, it was likely a strong contender.

“Please, neighbours, commit to the arts. Don’t let Yogi Berra’s famous malaprop be proven here, as he famously said, ‘If people don’t want to come to the ball game, you can’t stop them,'” writes Ross Robinson.