"We are being asked to accept the partial destruction of the Queen-Picton heritage district’s place identity on the very questionable altar of a cultural institution’s ask," writes Brian Marshall.
"The buyer of a $1.9-million house needs $400,000 in cash and an income of about $220,000 to handle the $8,400 monthly mortgage payment, plus property tax and utilities. Ouch," writes Garth Turner.
"It takes villages, towns and cities of scientists working together, whether directly or simply by sharing insights and data, to make most science work in our time," writes Dr. William Brown.
The following column was written by the late Joanne Young, garden expert and coach, and was originally published in the Oct. 5, 2023 edition of The Lake Report.
"A decline in earthworm populations due to hammerhead worms can negatively affect agriculture, gardens and ecosystems. We need to be diligent in controlling this invasive species if we want to keep it at bay," writes Joanne Young.
"Is this a good development for NOTL, or does it polarize us? Is endorsing candidates useful, or cause conflict and strife? Does the rebel movement suggest we need improvement in the way this place is run? And will you attend the meeting?" writes Garth Turner.
"Coast to coast, somehow this organization battles the domineering and slow marching curse of demographics, providing leadership as 'We Will Remember Them,'" writes Ross Robinson, covering this year's annual general meeting at Legion Branch 124 in NOTL.
"The weather in Crete was sunny and English is widely spoken. We were greeted warmly and there was some recognition of our Canadian challenges with Trump and the 51st state rhetoric," writes Judy McLeod.
"It is a fundamental mistake for a municipality to assume that urban planners and urban designers are interchangeable. A city or town must draw upon the expertise of both professions to successfully realize urban development that serves the needs of its residents," writes Brian Marshall.
"Whether you’re creating sharp lines for a contemporary feel or soft curves for a more natural look, a well-edged garden shows attention to detail and care," writes Joanne Young.
"After the winter that we had, they have never been more beautiful than ever. There is something about seeing those fresh, green leaves start to push through the ground, only to be followed by the brilliant shades of yellows, reds, pinks and purples," writes Joanne Young.
Throughout her final shift in the paint department, where Judy Doerksen worked for the last few years, customers and NOTLers stopped by to say goodbye and wish her well.
"The loss feels like a death — not of a person, but a part of a person vested in a physical symbol of shared heritage. There's simply no excuse," writes Brian Marshall.
"The 1832 white heritage Queenston gem may be lost. Damage is extensive and the fire marshal is poking around. But the fact folks opposite took quick action when they saw the flames lick says much about the relationship that’s existed for more than a century and a half," writes Garth Turner.
"Despite so much muscle, compression of the nerve can still cause symptoms. For example, the nerve may be compressed within the sciatic notch by an enlarged piriformis muscle through which the nerve passes on its way through the notch," writes Dr. William Brown.
“The problem I see is the government is changing rules (strong mayor) and all we're getting is more housing approved, not built," says Niagara Foundation head Lyle Hall.
"Growing native groundcovers in our gardens has become more and more important. Many of the groundcovers we have been growing for years, because of their dependability and ease of maintenance, are now included on the invasive species lists," writes Joanne Young, sharing a list of her favourite native groundcovers.
“Orange hair is the most powerful man on earth,” says Murray Weaver. “The only thing more powerful is the stock market. It has endured wars, financial crises, COVID-19 and many more. Cracks are already beginning to appear in this man-made crisis ... The market will come back, I promise you."
"Evidence that the spinal cord is compressed is based on weakness in what’s often referred to as a 'long-track' distribution," writes Dr. William Brown. "Some patients report that they feel an electric shock sensation extending from their neck and often into their trunk legs when they flex their neck, cough or step down hard on something."
"Undoubtedly things will get worse in the next few weeks as layoffs happen, confidence wanes and the economy shrinks a little. Once the election’s over, serious talks can begin to try to resurrect Canada’s favoured trading status with the Americans. That will take time," writes Garth Turner.
"The joy of spring isn’t just about the change in weather; it’s about the profound sense of rebirth that touches everything around us," writes Joanne Young.
"This particular bylaw is ... remarkably flexible — almost to the point of raising the question of whether it will accomplish the protection necessary for a successful study," writes Brian Marshall of a new bylaw meant to halt development in a portion of Old Town for one year.
"Everything’s approved these days. Tract houses. Honking big hotels in Old Town. Condos. Towers. Heritage house mutilations. Meanwhile, the housing market’s gone icy. Sales are rare. Prices under pressure," writes Garth Turner.
For those in the later stages of life dealing with degenerative changes, "sorting out which clinical, radiological and electrodiagnostic features best explain the symptoms can be very challenging," writes Dr. William Brown, "and the reason why surgery to relieve symptoms related to degenerative disease so often fails to relieve symptoms."
"During the growing season, grasses are a very low-maintenance plant that requires little attention. In the spring, though, a little bit of effort is needed to keep your grasses healthy and thriving," writes Joanne Young.
"Does Virgil need 150 more families? Can the developer even flog that many new homes from plans and a sales trailer? Now that we’ve got a new wave of job-sucking Trump tariffs coming on April 2, was the Great Pine Slaughter a tad premature?" writes Garth Turner.
"Interfering with signalling in the peripheral and central nervous systems has serious functional consequences, the effects of which may be masked by the capacity of surviving nerve fibres and nerve cells to carry the load — up to a point," writes Dr. William Brown.
