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Niagara Falls
Thursday, December 11, 2025

Opinion

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: The long road travelled and ended — and a big thank you

"Over the last six years, I’ve witnessed their hard work, dedication and faithfulness to care for their charges much as they would their own. That’s been a privilege to witness first-hand, and never more so than in Jan’s last few days," writes Dr. William Brown.

Letter: Make Chautauqua a gated community

"Clearly, the overwhelming majority of our town residents would agree, Chautauqua is indeed unique within our community," writes Samuel Young.

The Turner Report: The little town that wouldn’t

The old Royal George may need to tumble and be rebuilt, but Old Towner and Tiktoker Sally Basmajian says, “there are right ways of doing things and just egregiously wrong ways of doing things.”

Editorial: Time to embrace change at the Royal George

"A major institution is doing things the right way — listening, adjusting, communicating and making real efforts to include the public in the process. That’s not lip service. That’s leadership," writes editor-in-chief Richard Harley.

Arts review: Masterful ‘Dear Liar’ is one not to be missed

"This is not a static read but a lived experience of minds and bodies in motion both intellectually and physically," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Arch-i-text: The importance of heritage conservation district — analyzing our neighbours, St. Catharines

in many jurisdictions, the sheer volume of important heritage assets which potentially stood to be lost was such that only a small fraction could be protected via Part IV designation.

Growing Together: Harvesting sun-kissed and homegrown tomatoes

"Harvesting tomatoes at the right time and in the right way ensures the best flavour and extends the productivity of your plants," writes Joanne Young.

Creating the new Royal George together

"The next round of renderings will offer a fuller picture — complete with streetscapes, gardens, and trees — so you can better visualize the theatre as part of the community fabric," write Tim Jennings and Tim Carroll.

Ross’s Ramblings: An accessiblity challenge for our sweet little town

"I sincerely hope this Ross’s Ramblings will help the StopGap ramp initiative gain traction. It would simply be the right move — and would feel so good," writes Ross Robinson.

Letter: Gus the Wonder Dog and his coyote encounter

"My garden is well fenced, so the mystery is how the coyote got in and how he left. And the lingering fear was, would he be back?" writes Nancy Smith.

Bottom Line: Reducing tax on your savings and investments

"When you contribute to an RRSP in your peak earning years and then withdraw in retirement (when your income will be lower), there will be a reduction in taxes paid, by moving into a lower tax bracket," writes Steve McGuinness.

Letter: The future of 176 Wellington should reflect the best of us

"We must be careful with our community: seasonal wealth and picture-postcard charm can mask a deeper fragility," writes Jim Burton.

Letter: Glencairn Hall wasn’t built by Robert Hamilton Sr.

"Robert Hamilton Sr.'s estate (land holdings) wasn't distributed to the four sons, three stepsons and daughter until 1823, when John was 21," writes Elizabeth Oliver-Malone.

Letter: We can’t wait for a coyote attack before taking action

"I would encourage the town to show some common sense and remove or cull every coyote on an ongoing basis to support our community’s safety and to prevent any further ridiculous discussion on this matter," writes Mark Smith.

Letter: NOTLers tried to save Parliament Oak school

"It would be great Old Town still had a public elementary school, but it seems our elected officials decided otherwise a long time ago," writes David Israelson.

Letter: Our frustrations are being ignored

"You should survey the sellers, as I have done. They will give you the answer — and often an earful — on how NOTL has already gone to the dogs," writes Sam Young.

Bottom Line: Retirement savings: Too little? Too much? Too late?

"Even when we rigidly follow a retirement budget, many variables will lead to actual account values differing from plans," writes Steve McGuinness.

Opinion: Must we fall before anyone will help us stand?

"Why are we only supporting people after they’ve gotten hurt? Shouldn’t the right care at the right time be before the injury happens?" writes Carolyn Chandler-Hill.

Growing Together: Add drama and colour with these summer garden showstoppers

"No matter the season, there are always plants that are ready to show off the beauty that lies inside of them and summer is no exception," writes Joanne Young.

Ross’ Ramblings: As cool as the other side of the pillow with Music Niagara

"I felt happy to still be curious, but at the same time, sad because my life has been so lacking in music. I know so little, but am able to lose myself in this world that is so foreign to me," writes Ross Robinson.

Opinion: Ontario is sliding toward a two-tiered, U.S.-style healthcare system

"Year after year, the Conservative government has underinvested in primary care, abandoned rural communities and advanced private clinics at the expense of our public health system. This trend must stop," writes Wayne Gates.

Arch-i-text: From the Royal George to Virgil, planning decisions raise eyebrows in NOTL

"For the sake of the heritage district, town residents and the Shaw, I hope they succeed in tabling a design that will work," writes Brian Marshall of the upcoming Royal George Theatre renovation.

The Turner Report: From NOTL bedsheets to soldiers’ slings

"This is the Niagara Warehouse of Hope. Mary and her squeeze, Ted, started in their garage almost 40 years ago. She now operates out of the big structure a crew of believers built in a single day and ships containers around the world with the help of at least 150 volunteers," writes Garth Turner.

Letter: How the Royal George could be restored without affecting Queen Street

"I humbly submit these solutions to restore and preserve the existing theatre, bring it up to code, and maintain the historic character of Queen Street," writes Yimlei Molly Yep, retired architect.

Letter: Move Virgil’s pickleball court to new Queenston court

"If the town had done its due diligence, it would have found that scores of other municipalities in Canada and the U.S. did studies that resulted, in many cases, in changing plans for location," writes Rick Gallant.

Letter: NOTL is loved for its small-town charm — don’t ruin it

"Why does a rehearsal hall and other amenities have to be built at this location, causing the demolition of three historic homes?" writes Ann Goodin.

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