Ontario Archives — Lindsay Advocate

Pandemic has proven we’re a caring society; government budgets should reflect this

Published on August 29, 2020 in Opinion by Joli Scheidler-Benns

Michael Wesch, a cultural anthropologist and professor, says there are three main questions that unite all of humanity. “What am I doing here? What am I supposed to be doing? And am I doing it right?”

COVID-19 has all of us asking these questions again even if we thought we had them figured out.

Our governments, for example, are starting to conclude that the austerity measures they have imposed last 40-plus years (from Conservatives and Liberals at different levels) were based on self-interest and greed.

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Essential workers: Sorry, but memes are not enough

Published on April 4, 2020 in Opinion by Kirk Winter

As Ontario enters its second month of COVID-19 protocols, you don’t have to look too far on social media to find the lionization of many of the essential workers who are on the frontline of combating this deadly respiratory virus.

While doctors, nurses and paramedics have earned well-deserved kudos, it has been especially satisfying to many to see people publicly posting about the very important roles being played by cashiers, personal support workers and truck drivers whose services to society before this pandemic were often marginalized and ridiculed. For the first time in a very long time we are taking a hard look at these kinds of jobs and who works them, and some are developing a whole new appreciation for the risks these individuals are currently taking for little remuneration in return.

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More than $2 million in community infrastructure funding announced by Scott

Published on January 20, 2020 in Municipal by Lindsay Advocate

Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock will receive more than $3 million across eight municipalities, including the City of Kawartha Lakes receiving more than $2 million, according to a recent announcement from MPP Laurie Scott.

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ETFO to issue five days notice to boards for possibe rotating strikes next week

Published on January 14, 2020 in Education by Lindsay Advocate

Catholic principals join call for slower re-opening

Starting Wednesday January 15, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) will begin providing the required five-day notice to school boards in anticipation of rotating strikes.

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The Sitcom called ‘Living with Mom in Lindsay’

Published on December 28, 2019 in Opinion by Timber Masterson

Being a chauffeur is just one of my important jobs. There’s line cook, personal shopper, super snow-shoveller, not to mention a whole slew of Viking-like tasks and Herculean daily errands that come under the heading of “Welcome to the Mother and Son Show.”

This is life with mom.

I can’t be the only 50-something adult that is helping to look after his mother in small town Ontario. Where are you people?! We should have some kind of support group going! (Is there one? I don’t know as I’m too busy shovelling snow…)

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Lindsay’s last hanging: The McGaughey case of 1924

Published on October 26, 2019 in Just in Time by Ian McKechnie

It’s May 25, 1924, and the evening is drawing nigh. You are a senior student at S.S. No. 6 Ops Township, known to locals as “McArthur’s School,” and you have just had supper at Joseph Parrington’s place, down on what is now called Halter Road. You’ve been helping Mr. Parrington with chores since school began, and he has graciously invited you to eat with his family on this calm Sunday night.

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Library moves ebook collection to cloudLibrary for greater choice, access

Published on September 27, 2019 in Community by Lindsay Advocate

Starting October 21 the Kawartha Lakes Public Library is moving its main eBook and eAudiobook provider to cloudLibrary from OverDrive/Libby. Through cloudLibrary patrons can access the online collections of over 25 public libraries in Ontario through the cloudLink consortium, starting on November 6.

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Benns’ Belief: This land is our land — and we must protect it

Published on August 20, 2019 in Opinion by Roderick Benns

“We no longer see the world as a single entity. We’ve moved to cities and we think the economy is what gives us our life …without regard to what it does to the rest of the world.” – David Suzuki

It’s a privilege to be able to drive across Canada, not the least of which is because it helps one understand the essence of the country better than dropping in on big cities by plane. However, the cost of lodging, gasoline, and time away from jobs makes it next to impossible for too many Canadians.

So, it was indeed a privilege for us to be able to travel over 12,500 kilometres to the Yukon and back a few years ago for over a month, seeing this great country in a way that few of us do.

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The coolest job in town

Published on July 19, 2019 in Around Town/Community by Jamie Morris

Summertime, and the livin’ for many of us is sweaty and uncomfortable. Then there are the lucky few who spend their days in refrigerated bliss. The list includes workers in the Kawartha Dairy ice cream production area, the Beer Store employees who restock shelves, butchers who are in and out of freezers.

Most enviable, though, might be Tyler England, whose job includes maintaining the Lindsay Recreation Complex’s twin pad ice surface. For almost two years now he’s been one of nine who operate ice-resurfacing machines, sitting at the controls, systematically crisscrossing ice surfaces at the city’s nine arenas, leaving behind a slick of fresh ice.

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Newfoundland cod, community gardens, and our fading social memory

Published on June 25, 2019 in Opinion by Roderick Benns

A stinging, light rain is in the air in Petty Harbour, Newfoundland. The fishing trawler edges to the dock and there is a bustle of activity. One man is below deck organizing the day’s catch while another man, above, eases a basket of cod from the belly of the boat. Two other men are on the dock, swapping stories. I’m there, too, out of place and taking some photos at their invitation.

Here in one of the oldest communities in all of North America, just four miles away from Cape Spear, I am in awe of this traditional way of life.

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