An important part of 19th century political life was the big rally. Those events were something of…
Summer’s gone
On the last day of August, along about the 4am hour, my furnace kicked in, telling me that the…
A new opportunity for better alternatives in energy
Despite all the environmental concerns, the development of alternative sources of energy has moved…
Changing medium
We recently watched a series of television shows that stand in sharp contrast to the usual…
Ponsonby workman was killed by a train in 1890
All too common in the first decades of railway service in Wellington County were deaths resulting…
Meeting the challenge
One of the mainstays of Canada as a nation is its postal system, binding the country together. Yet,…
Uncivil war
I spent time going through websites sponsored by people who oppose President Obama’s attempts…
Butterfly time
My memory is quite often short-lived but right now, at this moment, I cannot recall a summer that…
Nichol Mutual Insurance Company folded 78 years ago
A feature of the 19th century rural economy was the local mutual fire insurance company. Most of…
Gold became underappreciated, undervalued, under-owned
For a number of years, this column has been predicting that the price of gold would move higher. It…
Writer’s block
Not often, but once in a while, I come up with no thoughts at all on what I should scribe for a…
Gone missing
“Harry has disappeared,” mother said. The hesitation in her voice and tiny quiver in…
Harriston plant was a pioneer in ice cream production
At the end of the 19th century the town of Harriston boasted an economy that was as diverse and…
Expect some stiff headwinds before a recovery
Inasmuch as history books are full of examples of rapid and sharp recoveries following steep…
Going bananas
When you read this, you are going to think that I have no doubt “gone bananas,” and you…