Canada Day worth celebrating

July 1st falls on a Wednesday this year. Historically, it usually has led to a long weekend. For some lucky folks, it will be an extra-long weekend this year.

Many communities will have celebrations. Many families will head to the cottage or host relatives and extended family at home. It will be a time to embrace the great fortune we have living in this country.

While laying out the paper we were reminded of a peculiar interaction around five years ago. Perhaps one of the most patriotic professionals we know declined to run an ad, based on the then tumultuous culture wars and freedom convoy crowd. Happily, those sentiments have eased and this year we have a great turnout of local businesses and leaders proud to celebrate Canada Day. 

The country may be imperfect on many levels, but it is a phenomenal place to live. Natural beauty, relative harmony amongst people and the ability to live as a person wishes are not found in all corners of the globe. 

We have something special in Canada – don’t be shy, celebrate it.

Hungry hungry

There should be no surprise that coming soon to a drive thru near you, AI will take your order.

The concept is being tested and refined state-side to mixed reviews. It will get better and provides a glimpse at “the future” touted by tech-types. News of this latest innovation is no surprise. It follows on the heels of apps and display screens to place orders. For those of us not inclined to forgo hospitality for the sake of efficiency, times are changing.

While deployment of gadgets to speed things up may qualify as progress, eliminating entry level work opportunities doesn’t serve society well. 

It remains a talking point with friends and colleagues when discussing “the future.” Certainly the unemployment rate for young people reflects need for concern. Without these early-life opportunities, providing young people with social outlets to learn about responsibility, commitment, conflict resolution, earning a day’s pay and so on, does anyone think they will magically become productive adults when the time comes?

Further to developing life skills and learning to work, it behooves a peek into the checkered past of Henry Ford. Somewhere in his efforts to establish the assembly line, which was a miraculous innovation in the end, he remarked that his workers needed to be able to afford the product they produced.

It remains curious that big business and tech-types continue to roll the dice with this basic premise. No jobs, no money, no business. 

A special Father’s Day

Over the past 25 years, a tradition evolved that this was the day for a family photo. There are a few favourite backdrops on the farm, including a horse chestnut tree that has spectacular blossoms some years. Most often, a tractor is part of the scene. It is a bit of fun, and we are quite thankful for the memories.

Looking back, it chronicles the circle of life – in our little world at least. First the twins, Alexis and Brooke, then Chloe and Nicholas. Darren and Phil have rounded out the mix and about three years ago grandson Emerson was born.

This year was extra special with another recent addition to the family. A granddaughter, just three weeks old, made her debut. Welcome to the family Jodie and congratulations, Brooke and Darren.