-5.8 C
Niagara Falls
Thursday, December 11, 2025

Featured

Sports: NOTL teens run away with all-American titles at U.S. race

Two Niagara-on-the-Lake teens helped lead their track club to a first-place finish at the prestigious U.S. cross-country running national championships last Saturday.

The Turner Report: What turned NOTL real estate skunky

"Sure, overpriced homes will continue to sit, but there are lots of properties now priced at 2022 levels, getting no action. Sellers are anxious. Many are willing to deal," writes Garth Turner.

Arts review: Bidding adieu to the Royal George with ‘A Christmas Carol’

"Some will mourn the final performances of 'A Christmas Carol' at the Royal George for the foreseeable future. Others will mourn the passing of the theatre itself," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Arch-i-text: ‘If not here, then where?’ Not there.

"The basic precepts of good urban development planning place the onus on the local government to proactively identify low, medium and high-density locations," writes Brian Marshall.

The Forum: Our held-over then cancelled patio roller-coaster ride

"The only thing certain about this ongoing great town patio debacle is that it is not over," writes Steve McGuinness.

Dr. Brown: Degenerative disease in the spine, part 1: Lumbosacral spine

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."

Growing Together: Springtime care of ornamental grasses

"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.

The Turner Report: Of felled trees and swirling uncertainty

"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.

Dr. Brown: When electrical signalling in the brain fails

"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.

Arch-i-text: Addressing some urban myths about designation

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.

Ross’ Ramblings: Quiet remembrance of a quiet NOTLer on a quiet afternoon

"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.

Growing Together: Rain gardens — a sustainable solution

"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."

The Turner Report: In NOTL, special reasons to be wary of America

"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.

Arch-i-text: Heritage designation, part two — determining a propety’s historic value

"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.

Growing Together: How to prune your roses to keep them healthy and blooming

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.

Ross’ Ramblings: Travel is no longer for the weak of heart

"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.

The Turner Report: How to fight Trump? Try a little love

“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.”

Growing Together: David Austin roses — old-world charm, same sweet smell

"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.

Exploring History: Polish soldiers on King Street

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.

The Turner Report: Calling up the troops for Stu’s Rangers

"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.

Arch-i-text: Ford’s overture and what lies ahead for everyday Ontarians

"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.

Growing Together: The right plants to add privacy to your home

As more and more houses are being built closer together than ever, and yards seem to be getting smaller, it gets more challenging to...

The Turner Report: When freedom to speak was no freedom at all

Regular addicts may recall my encounter with NOTL Museum. It was a fine summer day. A heritage festival was in full swing out on the...

Growing Together: Invite these exciting new shrubs into your garden

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.

Arch-i-text: Points of interest and infrastructure

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."

The Turner Report: Spring housing market? Fuhgeddaboudit

The house on the corner is still for sale. A year now. They got an offer the other day for 90 per cent of...

Arch-i-text: Maj. David Secord’s old home — what happens when it goes wrong

"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.

Growing Together: These new perennials are worth planting

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.

Opinion: Canada-U.S. trade: Limit retaliation, negotiate, build a stronger economy

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...

The Turner Report: When Tariff Man arrives in NOTL

Ed from Rochester was walking into the Stagecoach when Cody and I walked out, still chewing a Milkbone. (Cody, not me.) “So, why is Trump...

- A word from our sponsors -

Follow us

HomeFeatured

Subscribe to our mailing list