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Walk Softly – The Conclusion of a Chilly Tale
by Geoffrey Carpentier We are nearing the end of our discussion on how animals deal with winter’s cold and snow: having dealt with birds,...
Geoff Carpentier
5 days ago3 min read
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Walk Softly – Cozying up for the winter
by Geoffrey Carpentier ‘Wish I had a fur coat – oh wait – I do’ says the fox! Well, mammals are furry to be sure, so let’s continue our...
Geoff Carpentier
Mar 53 min read
10 views
1 comment


Take the Glue out of Gluten
by Jonathan van Bilsen The popularity of gluten-free eating has soared over the last decade, with many claiming it leads to better...
Jonathan van Bilsen
Feb 282 min read
9 views
1 comment


Listen to me
by Jonathan van Bilsen I have been writing this column for 13 years, which means I have written nearly 300 of them. I love the...
Jonathan van Bilsen
Feb 192 min read
12 views
2 comments


Walk Softly - Sleeping the night away
by Geoffrey Carpentier In my recent columns, we’ve been exploring how birds deal with bitter-cold weather. Let’s next look at how some...
Geoff Carpentier
Feb 193 min read
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World in trouble
DAN CEARNS The Standard Checking out the international news of late has led me to believe this world is slipping back into a dangerous...
Dan Cearns
Feb 122 min read
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It's voting time again
by Jonathan van Bilsen By now, you will be aware, we are heading into a provincial election. I will, once again, be hosting the live...
Jonathan van Bilsen
Feb 123 min read
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An American Perspective
by Jonathan van Bilsen During these extraordinary times, it is refreshing to find an article capturing how people in the United States...
Jonathan van Bilsen
Feb 52 min read
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Walk Softly - Great Horned Owl
by Geoffrey Carpentier If you ask anyone what sound an owl makes, they will likely respond “hoo-hoo” in a deep, resonant voice. However,...
Geoff Carpentier
Feb 53 min read
13 views
2 comments


Keep the work option
DAN CEARNS The Standard With news of a new administration in the United States, a number of executive orders have already been signed....
Dan Cearns
Jan 302 min read
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What Exactly is a Tariff?
By Jonathan van Bilsen There has been much discussion about Canadians, potentially, paying a 25 percent tariff on goods going to the...
Jonathan van Bilsen
Jan 302 min read
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Walk Softly – Dealing with the Cold
by Geoffrey Carpentier Last time we explored how some small birds (i.e. chickadees) dealt with extreme temperatures. Now, I’d like to...
Geoff Carpentier
Jan 233 min read
19 views
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Where has the time gone?
By Jonathan van Bilsen Have you noticed how the second week of a two-week trip always seems to slip away faster than the first? It is as...
Jonathan van Bilsen
Jan 162 min read
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Party misfortunes
DAN CEARNS The Standard In one of my more recent columns, I referenced the situation of former female Prime Minister Kim Campbell. Right...
Dan Cearns
Jan 162 min read
5 views
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Late to the party
by Jonathan van Bilsen January 6th marks the Epiphany, a feast day celebrating the journey of the three wise men to Bethlehem, where they...
Jonathan van Bilsen
Jan 92 min read
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1 comment


Gee, I can own a Mercedes
As the calendar turns, it is natural to reflect on the shifting tides of business and retail over decades rather than mere months....
Jonathan van Bilsen
Jan 22 min read
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1 comment


Looking out on the Feast of Stephen
by Jonathan van Bilsen Last week, I wrote about Good King Wenceslaus (who was not really a king) and the first line refers to the Feast...
Jonathan van Bilsen
Dec 11, 20242 min read
11 views
4 comments


Good Duke Wenceslaus
by Jonathan van Bilsen I have just returned from beautiful Prague, home of Saint Wenceslaus, and learned the true story behind the person...
Jonathan van Bilsen
Dec 4, 20242 min read
7 views
8 comments


Walk Softly – Striped Skunk
by Geoffrey Carpentier Many of us over the past few years have been experiencing an incredible increase in the number of Japanese Beetles...
Geoff Carpentier
Dec 4, 20243 min read
10 views
4 comments


Time for trades
DAN CEARNS The Standard If the Toronto Maple Leafs’ recent loss to the Florida Panthers proves anything, it’s that this team needs to...
Dan Cearns
Dec 4, 20242 min read
2 views
4 comments
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