Dumping on Wakefield, Quebec community centre ‘disappointing’

It’s hard to understand how some people can be “disappointed” with a new, $5.6-million community centre in their own village. What’s so upsetting about a bright, spacious library, an attractive youth centre, and a Great Hall that includes desperately-needed theatre space? It’s OK that there are no basketball hoops or floor hockey nets; the kids will easily find there’s plenty to do. Read More…

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Err Miles membership has its rewards

By Martti Lahtinen

When I hear the query “Air Miles?” at a commercial outlet, I smile. Consumers in the program collect points when they make purchases from participating outlets. I, too, am part of a points program, homophonically similar to the familiar one. I have Err Miles. Read More…

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Ode to my hat

Several weeks back, I alerted readers to the screwing Canadian oil producers were getting when they tried to get a fair price in the U.S. It wasn’t much of a story nationally then, because few Canadians knew that an artificial pipeline bottleneck at Cushing, Okla., existed. It was causing Canadian oil from Alberta to be heavily discounted. This story was virtually ignored. Who cared about Canadian losses over oil from Alberta then? Almost no one. A few short weeks later and it’s BIG, BIG news. Read More…

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Canine shelter keepers turn attention to humankind

France Turcotte and Gilbert Lemay seem destined to make the world a better place­, by saving one life at a time.

Over the past four years, the owners of Valley Boxer and Mastiff Rescue Shelter in Masham, have saved the lives of 45 dogs, and now, one human. Read More…

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Proposed Larrimac development threatens Chelsea, Quebec wildlife corridor

On January 9, Chelsea, Quebec council introduced zoning by-law amendments that would permit a housing subdivision on forested land owned by the Larrimac Golf Club (LGC). Currently, the land is zoned recreational and is recognized green space in Chelsea’s Master Plan. As the proponent, the LGC seeks to become a land developer, projecting profits of $1.5-2 million by developing the land for housing. Read More…

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Christmas greetings from the mom in town

Christmas greetings, dear readers.

Having been on maternity leave, your humble editor and publisher thought she’d pop in and shout out a little holiday cheer. Read More…

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MS patient proves possession is nine-tenths of the law

When 50-year-old multiple sclerosis patient Sandy Daviau was charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, it may have been the best thing that could have happened.

He is now one step away from becoming a legal, card-carrying marijuana smoker, all because police took away his medicine.

In late October, MRC des Collines police spent three hours rummaging through Daviau’s cottage at Edelweiss, certain they had stumbled upon a major grow operation, finding a scale, pipes, full marijuana containers, plants and other drug paraphernalia. Read More…

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Press club seed planted at The Tulip

By Martti Lahtinen

Centuries ago, the word “osmosis” was concocted by combining Greek derivatives for “within”, “outside”, and “push, impulsion”. For one whose journalistic training has been circuitous, osmosis has been a learning tool: take what you need and move on. When the within recognizes enrichment from without, it triggers the impulse to push for absorption. Never hit the stop button on that. Read More…

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Obama’s left-wing hook KOs Canadian pipeline plan

Well, all you U.S. Democratic Party-loving Canadians, I hope you are able to see the old biblical adage in operation. To wit: As ye sow, so shall ye reap. Read More…

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Push to keep the steam train here is on

By Martti Lahtinen

They’ve stoked the boiler; the pressure is rising; the switch has been thrown. The train’s about to pull out, maybe on the wrong track. The tentative regional handhold on the emergency brake must now grip the panic button. Read More…

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