Changing our mindset

February 22, 2018

The historic development of business and finance in this part of Ontario can be traced back to the Indigenous trade routes and voyageurs. Established towns and villages in rural Ontario were also, however, largely built by farmers and industries such as logging, mining and milling that no longer employ a large, local workforce.

Not ready for spring in February

We should take this opportunity to go over the different levels of flood alerts for the coming spring — even though it’s supposed to be the middle of winter.

Deer, wolves and coyotes, oh my

While I hold to wolves will be wolves as it were — food is scarce in the winter. Animals might be prone to come a little further out of the woods to sustain themselves. It might be time to discuss wolf/coyote safety.

It’s playoff season for Bancroft hockey

Here at the Bancroft This Week office everyone has a hockey history. Our graphic designer Alex Banelopoulos plays on both a competitive and beer league team. In our ads department both Melissa Armstrong and Tim Jenkins are hockey parents. I played from eight to 18 — I miss it dearly.

Dealing with multiplication and maximum wage

For the last few months it has grown more difficult to find a social gathering space in North Hastings, and throughout the province, where there is not a heated discussion underway about Ontario’s new minimum wage. Recently, I found myself drawn into one of these conversations, while enjoying a cup of Joe at The Partista Espresso Bar in Bancroft. I overheard a few folks at the table beside me talking about how raising the minimum pay rate from $11.60 an hour to $14 would hurt local businesses.

Let’s reduce winter collisions

When driving past the OPP station in Bancroft I often try to peek into the parking lot to see if there’s anyone hanging out with a speed gun — we’re all human. Recently, when applying my not-so-eagle-eyes I noticed a “Reduce speed in winter conditions” sign instead.

BBIA: keeping it clean

As you know, the BBIA is responsible for beautifying municipally owned property (beyond what is already undertaken by the municipality). BBIA members are the local businesses and commercial/seasonal decorations.

Time for a hot tub

A few weeks ago I talked about Canadians ignoring the cold as a rite of passage — this is what I’m talking about!

#ilivewithdementia

According to a press release by the Alzheimer Society of Hastings-Prince Edward, “Almost 50 per cent of Canadians would not want others to know if they had dementia.”

Cold shmold

Take the last Skate Maynooth, for example. Bancroft This Week’s Nate Smelle reported “some 20 brave souls” made it to Maynooth’s outdoor rink Jan. 5 — during an extreme cold weather warning. It was -41 degrees with the wind chill. To put that in perspective, the Canada 150 rink in Ottawa moved hockey games indoors over the holidays when temperatures dropped below -18 degrees. Is it our lack of ability to feel the cold that makes us ignore it, or the fact that skating on an outdoor rink, or any winter sport really, is very much a rite of passage for most Canadians?

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