"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.
In examining a 2023 study from McMaster University that looked at the corelation between heritage designation and property value, "The authors concluded that heritage-designated properties 'were associated with a positive increase in sale value' and resulted in 'an increase in sale price of residential properties,'" writes Brian Marshall.
"Gerry Whittaker was from another era. Unfailingly kind, humble, highly accomplished in many fields, and a great lover of our Niagara-on-the-Lake," writes Ross Robinson, eulogizing his Chautauqua neighbour, who passed away in February.
"Rain gardens slow down the rush of water from these hard surfaces, allowing it to naturally soak into the ground," writes Joanne Young. "For every inch of rain that falls on a surface area of 1,000 square feet, approximately 600 gallons of rainwater are generated."
"It’s gone too far. Every act of resistance is justified. Canada cannot be annexed, occupied or held. Americans made a grave error," writes Garth Turner.
"On occasion, satisfying the criteria contained in this category can be straightforward, in cases wherein the facts are already established ... or self-evident — however, far more often a significant amount of research is required," writes Brian Marshall.
Proper pruning not only keeps your rose bushes looking neat and well-maintained but also ensures they remain healthy, vibrant and capable of producing abundant blooms.
"Young computer sharpies don’t need printed schedules or travel company booklets. It’s all online now, instantly available. But I wouldn’t have met the dozens of helpful, smiling Turkish and Vietnamese people who gave me a true sense of their countries," writes Ross Robinson.
“On both sides of the border this is going to mean people losing their jobs,” says Kathy Weiss, head of the local Chamber of Commerce. “So, discretionary spending is going to drop, while Canadians are also boycotting American goods. It’s a dangerous combination.”
"If you are one of those romantics who cannot resist the beauty of a rose or their fragrance brings back a slew of memories of days gone by, then David Austin English roses are a must-add to your garden this year," writes Joanne Young.
Over 20,000 Polish Americans were trained here to support the work of the Allies. The Polish saw the war as an opportunity to reclaim Poland, which had been partitioned by several Axis powers beginning in 1795.
"It’s not a happy time to be an elected person in this bucolic burg. It seems that historic protest outside town hall last summer was more a harbinger than a one-off eruption," writes Garth Turner.
"Sure, the premier and his local sycophants may point to grandiose promises of investments in Niagara’s infrastructure — most of which have not, to date, materialized — but, how does that translate to the health of your family’s pocket book?" writes Brian Marshall.
From weigelas and hydrangeas to lilacs and sweetspires, Joanne Young shares her favourite new cultivars that'll make a welcome new addition to your garden this spring.
Writing about the stormwater infrastructure management plans for hte upcoming Parliament Oak hotel, Brian Marshall writes, "Should the municipality construct and own that pipe, legal experts opine that the town could bear all or a part of that liability."
"For over a decade now, this once gracious stone home has been owned by a developer and allowed to deteriorate in a fashion that can only be described as a textbook case of demolition by neglect," writes Brian Marshall of Secord's historical home on Paxton Lane, built circa 1799.
Every year, there are countless numbers of new plants being released to tempt us gardeners. These new and improved varieties have been tried and tested for several years before being released for sale. Joanne Young reviews some of the new, exciting releases.
Ted Carmichael
Special to Niagara Now/The Lake Report
How should Canadian governments and citizens respond to the Trump administration’s threatened tariffs? Even if Canada’s commitments on fentanyl...
Google's GenCast, introduced at the end of 2024, is a program designed to accurately predict weather forecast for 15 days — "a far more difficult task than 10 days," writes Dr. William Brown, explaining how the program works and its implications for the future.
In this week's edition of Arch-i-text, Brian Marshall outlines how a municipality may directly intervene to bring a property into the provincially required standards under the Building Code Act.
For gardeners who have been working on adding to their outdoor space but feel dissatisfied with the results, what is missing is the sense of flow, writes Joanne Young: "It is the sense of flow that creates unity and peacefulness in the landscape."
