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Friday, July 18, 2025

Featured

Bottom Line: Our border and the trade wars

"U.S. President Donald Trump, with his focus on trade and tariff negotiations, poses significant threats to our town's economy. Local businesses must adapt quickly to protect profits and jobs," writes Steve McGuinness.

Sports: St. Davids boxer is fighting to achieve her Olympic dream

Fresh from scoring a bronze medal in June at the World Boxing Challenge in the Czech Republic, Mckenzie Wright is at the gym almost every day, training and learning, still hoping to make her Olympic dream a reality.

Ross’ Ramblings: In a sweltering hot summer, let’s talk about ice

"All the stars seemed to have aligned. Terror, temperature and talented people. An enabling microclimate. Wine tourists from around the world, more than willing to open their wallets wide for this sweet treat, to be savoured here or back home, around the world," writes Ross Robinson.

The Turner Report: Will tourism bring the curtain down on NOTL?

"The Royal George eruption has folks again asking that eternal question: is this a place to live or a theme park for the tourists?" writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: It’s much more than all to do about nothing

"Change within the heritage district is one thing, but the wholesale flouting of the heritage district guidelines — specifically designed to preserve its 'special character' — is a horse of a different colour," writes Brian Marshall.

Growing Together: Achieve your landscape goals in a small space

"Just like any garden, you need to have something that will catch and capture your attention and cause your eyes and mind to rest. Let your imagination go when dreaming of what your focus will be," writes Joanne Young.

NOTL library collecting 225 reasons to celebrate 225 years

"Every contribution, no matter how small, helps tell the story of a community connected through books, programs and people, painting a picture of how the library has touched lives over more than two centuries," writes Debbie Krause.

Dr. Brown: Building a brain — science fiction or real?

"If sub-systems in the nervous system can be created and connected with each other in meaningful ways, could a brain be created from its constituent systems?" writes Dr. William Brown.

Editorial: Bring back beach ‘warning’ signs

"In our view, doing away with on-site warnings in favour of passive signs leaves a lot to be desired," writes editor emeritus Kevin MacLean. "We urge Niagara Region to revisit this policy."

Arch-i-text: Other points of concern in the new Royal George plans

The proponents of the Royal George Theatre redesign "are slavishly following the flawed protocols of the Venice Charter to produce a design which, in the view of several architects of my acquaintance, is utterly inappropriate within the context of the Queen–Picton historic district," writes Brian Marshall.

The Turner Report: The NOTL dream died. So they left

"Over the years we felt that our dream was slipping away as the town and council seemed to become more and more focused on tourists, and less so on the residents that chose to call NOTL home," says a former resident who wrote to Garth Turner this week.

Bottom Line: How first-time buyers can realize their home ownership dreams

"The average age of a first-time homeowner has increased from 36 to 40 over the last decade, but some basics never change," writes Steve McGuinness.

Growing Together: Yellow plants give your garden an extra zing

"With careful selection and thoughtful placement, yellow foliage can transform your garden into a vibrant and welcoming outdoor space," writes Joanne Young.

Letter: Setting the record straight on temporary patios

"Let’s remember: this was a temporary solution for a temporary crisis. If there’s now a desire to make patios permanent, then we must follow a proper planning process," writes Coun. Maria Mavridis.

The Turner Report: Shaw’s ‘Fat George’ plan seen as tragedy

"Shaw says it has worked and planned harmoniously with neighbours. They say phooey," writes Garth Turner.

Ross’s Ramblings: Out-of-town eyes made me open my mind

"We know so little of our history, and so much of it is instructive. As a people, we have an amazing tendency to forget what we don’t want to remember," writes Ross Robinson.

Editorial: Canada Day traditions, sounds and politicians

"This isn’t about nitpicking. It’s about recognizing that Canada Day in NOTL isn’t just a party — it’s a platform. A chance to show the world who we are, and how much we care about this place and this country," writes editor-in-chief Richard Harley.

Arch-i-text: A call to reconsider the Royal George proposal

"This application risks undermining the district’s founding principles by demolishing three 19th-century buildings and significantly altering the streetscapes of both Queen and Victoria streets," writes Brian Marshall.

Growing Together: On the cutting edge of a hedge

"We typically think of a hedge being kept trimmed to maintain a certain shape or height, so a more formal style. For a more relaxed or informal look, you can also let the plants grow into the shape and size that they want to be," writes Joanne Young.

Dr. Brown: Hype and hope in Alzheimer’s disease

"It sounds great to treat as early as possible, but the drug had better be not only effective, but safe and free from troublesome side effects in patients who are clinically well," writes Dr. William Brown.

Red, white and not for sale: Patriotism on display at Legion celebration

Patriotism came with a message at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 124’s Canada Day celebration, where “Canada is not for sale” shirts, a new fixture in this year's national holiday, made a statement among the sea of red and white.

Opinion: The new Royal George Theatre: a meeting place for the whole community

"The new Royal George will be a bigger, grander complex than the current one. It has to be, by law, but more importantly, it will offer far more to the communities it serves and most especially to our friends and neighbours here in Niagara," write Tim Carroll and Tim Jennings.

Ross’ Ramblings: Holy cow! It’s been hot around here

"It was no surprise that our main street sidewalks were full of people of all ages doing their best to eat their gelato treats and ice cream cones 'n cups before the heat wave cheated them," writes Ross Robinson.

Arts review: ‘Tons of Money’ just needs more time to gel

"'Tons of Money' has a strong farcical plot, fine performances by a talented cast, stunning set and 1920s costume designs ... It simply needs to more cohesively come together," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

The Turner Report: Citizens resist Shaw’s latest drama

"Dear Shaw Festival, we want you to stay and prosper. But there’s a reason you’re here in paradise, and not in Brampton," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: Focus on the real housing issue — the lack of affordable homes

"Building more of the same type of homes faster will do nothing but add to the current glut on the market of properties that a significant segment of our society simply cannot afford or, in other cases, do not want," writes Brian Marshall.

Growing Together: Giving your roses special care with pruning

"By removing the flowers as soon as they are done, the plant produces more flowers to produce more seeds. So, deadheading produces more blooms," writes Joanne Young.

The Turner Report: Stage fright: How Shaw will rock Old Town

"In all, four heritage buildings will be offed. The iconic Queen streetscape will be forever altered, the 120-year-old Royal George erased, trees sacrificed and apparently you have nothing to say about it," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: Analyzing the Shaw’s future plans for the Royal George Theatre

"I support the Shaw’s overture for redevelopment of the Royal George. However, it must be done sympathetically, within context and not at the expense of the Part V heritage district," writes Brian Marshall.

Growing Together: Early June flowering shrubs

"But as we move into early summer, we start to lose some of that magic of spring and need to add in some shrubs that will extend interest and colour into summer," writes Joanne Young.

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