Columns

By Melanie Mathieson
Gardening Guru

By Gary Sliworsky
OMAFRA Rep.

By Al Lowe
Contributor

I was very sad to learn this week of the announced receivership of Northern Sawmills, Atikokan Forest Products Great West Timber and Buchanan Northern Hardwoods. My heart goes out to the hard working former employees at these mills and their families who have suffered greatly for some time. I want you to know that my offices and staff remain ready to assist you with anything you may need in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

I am a coffee addict. I like a strong robust coffee. Each morning, I go into the kitchen, grind my coffee beans until they are almost like dust and begin making coffee. The smell of coffee wafts across the kitchen and up through the house announcing the morning has started.
And every morning I begin my day by pouring a 20-ounce cup and heading off to work with my cup that I will nurse for over two hours. I tell everyone that I drink my coffee pure, not to be diluted with milk or cream or sweetened with flavorings or sugar. I like my coffee simple.

By Michael Dawber
Assistant Librarian

If you have not visited us since before the holidays, the big guy in the red suit was very generous to the library this season.

By Melanie Mathieson
Gardening Guru

By Al Lowe
Contributor

At 90 above or 40 below, the strident call of the Blue Jay can be heard in the northern forest.

With the end of a busy 2010 and a quiet holiday now behind us my focus is shifting to 2011 and what opportunities and challenges lie ahead in Ottawa. One thing is for certain, it will be a busy year.

“It’s long distance!” used to tell you the call was important. When making a Christmas long distance call, you were connected from operator to operator. It often took several attempts. Now we can dial anywhere in the world and can expect someone to answer. In our household the timer was set on the stove to tell us when to hang up because long distance was expensive.
With one son living in Korea, we now rely on Skype to keep in contact. Skype and other internet calling services allow us to talk anytime and for almost free. And we can do it face to face because of the internet.