Current & Past Articles » Sports

Bolton players among those recognized by North Dufferin league

March 21, 2024   ·   0 Comments

Contributed

Players, coaches, and fans attended the North Dufferin Baseball League 2023 regular season awards event on March 10 in Lisle.

In the senior division, Kirk Gibson of the Owen Sound Baysox won the batting and best on base percentage awards. With 57 at bats and 31 hits, Gibson managed a .544 batting average along with a .643 on base percentage.

His teammate Bryan Post tied with Bolton Brewers’ Brett Chater for the most home runs with 6 a piece.

Chris Fafalois of the Bolton Brewers scored the most runs crossing the plate 26 times.

The best pitcher was Nick Hodgson of the New Lowell Knights and his coach Peter Kinghan picked up the coach of the year award.

Creemore Padres’ Anson Dupuis was named the most valuable player, Nathan Lennox of the Clarksburg Blues was selected as the most sportsmanlike player and Daniel Morningstar of the Clearview Orioles was voted the best catcher.

In the junior division, Whyatt Winkel of the Orillia Royals took top place in the batting and on base category. His 34 at bats with 18 hits resulted in a .529 batting average and an on base percentage of .673. His teammate Ben Barzo scored 28 runs to top that category.

A third Royals’ player won the best pitching title as Wyatt Thompson took home his second-straight title after a stellar 2023 season.

Fraser Trivett of the Georgina Bulldogs won the most home runs award, hitting out 4 in the season, and was also named the most valuable player. The most sportsmanlike player award went to Jayden Akins of the Barrie Baycats.

Following the awards, league membership met for the annual general meeting. The Clearview Orioles requested a leave of absence for the year bringing the senior division down to 11 teams. The juniors have added Richmond Hill, but lost Georgina, keeping the division to seven teams.

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Current & Past Articles » Sports

Caledon Junior Hockey Roundup 2023-2024: Caledon Golden Hawks Swept from PJHL Playoffs by the Stayner Siskins; Admirals Miss Playoffs; Bombers Swept in First Round by Listowel Cyclones

March 21, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Jim Stewart

The seventh-place Golden Hawks put up a valiant effort versus perennial powerhouse Stayner in the North Carruthers Divisional quarterfinals, but Caledon’s most successful junior hockey team in 2023-24 was eliminated in four games by the second-place Siskins last Wednesday night.

Carson Marinelli’s hat trick paced the Siskins to an emphatic 6-1 series-clinching Game 4 victory at the Mayfield Recreation Complex. Ryan Russell, Aaron Leenaars, and Caleb Tiffin-Seminara scored one goal each for Stayner.  

After the Siskins took a 5-0 lead after 40 minutes of play at the Icebox, Ryan Scott’s power play goal got Caledon on the scoreboard at 3:06 of the third period, but that was as close as the home team could get to stave off elimination.

The Golden Hawks gave the Siskins all they could handle in Game 1 of the series before being edged 4-3 in OT.

Titus Mok tallied two goals for Caledon in the series opener with Jacob Altomare adding one.

The Golden Hawks held a 2-0 lead five minutes into the second period in Stayner, but the Siskins replied with three consecutive goals before Mok’s second marker sent the game into OT. 

Forward Anton Smirnov scored Caledon’s only goal in a 4-1 Game 2 loss in Stayner.

When the series shifted to the Mayfield Recreation Complex for Game 3, Golden Hawks’ goaltender Marek Andreoli made 42 saves to keep his club competitive, but Caledon was edged 4-2 to fall behind three games to none to the Siskins.

Smirnov and Mok scored for the Golden Hawks.

In the Golden Hawks’ regular season finale in Huntsville, Patrick Polaczek notched his 27th goal of the campaign in the first period versus the Otters—vaulting him into the Top 25 Goal Scorers in the 61-team PWHL. 

Most notably, Polaczek was also the top goal scorer among the Town’s three Junior hockey teams in 2023-24 and was an AP for the Bombers in the GOJHL’s playoff series versus Listowel.  

The Junior C Golden Hawks finished the regular season in seventh place in the very competitive nine-team North Carruthers Division with a 13-25-1-3 record.

Closing Junior Hockey Notes

The OJHL Caledon Admirals finished out of the 2023-24 playoffs and accrued a record of 10-40-1-5.  The “Junior A” Admirals finished 11th in the 12-team West Conference.

In the GOJHL, the Caledon Bombers finished in eighth place in the Midwest Conference with a record of 5-44-0-1.  In Round 1 of the playoffs, the “Junior B” Bombers were swept in three games by the first-place Listowel Cyclones (38-9-1-2), including a 7-0 loss in Game 3 at the Steve Kerr MC on Friday.

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Current & Past Articles » Letters

A Meditation on Hair

March 21, 2024   ·   0 Comments

by SHERALYN ROMAN

I know it’s a bit random, but as I type today’s column I am in fact sitting in an airport lounge awaiting a flight to see one of the best people in the world, my brother. I’m lucky. Lucky to have such an amazing human in my life and lucky to be able to occasionally pop down for a visit. What does that have to do with hair? Well if you follow the bouncing ball that is in my mind, it’s because sitting in an airport now, reminds me of sitting in an airport many years ago where I passed the time people-watching and noticed a woman with purple hair. 

If we have had occasion to cross paths, you’ll perhaps know that I too have purple hair. I know, I know, in the profile picture in this paper it simply looks grey and for the most part it is. But nothing says “aging gracefully” like adding a few streaks of purple. At least in my mind, that is! Yes, I was one of the many who chose the pandemic as an ideal opportunity to ditch the dye and embrace the reality that I am 50+ and “touching up” my hair every few weeks was tiresome, expensive and who knows, maybe not all that good for me, either. Locked up within the four walls of my own home seemed like a good time to experiment with yet another new “colour.” (Perhaps I should also mention here that one of my besties used to regularly ask “What colour is your hair this week?”) Turns out I quite liked the grey, but after years of dyeing my hair various colours I wasn’t content to simply go grey. What to do? Spice it up with a touch of purple was my answer.

That said, the truth for most women is our relationship with hair is fraught with a myriad of emotions, self-judgment and, when pressed, I’m betting many of us would admit to a flat out love/hate relationship with our hair. Some mornings I wake up and look in the mirror and wonder what happened to the young, vibrant me. The grey feels washed out, old and frumpy, even with the little splash of purple. Then I harken back to the days of colouring my hair; either loving or hating the current colour choice and then also dealing with things like hating the way it was cut, the style, the curls or the fact that when straightened the ends look dry enough to start a fire. I think about every woman I have ever known who at some point in their lives has hated their hair, had a bad haircut (or perm!) who left a hairdresser to find a new one rather than say they didn’t like the style, or who loves their hairdresser more than their psychiatrist and will follow them willingly from salon to salon even if that means a 2-3-hour drive from home. Women often spend inordinate amounts of money on their hair and will invest in any number of products that claim to do everything from helping hair to shine, to curl, to look wavy or straight, or that will hold hair in place even through gale-force winds.

For many of us, how our hair “turns out” in the morning potentially impacts our entire day. We’ll say things like “I’m having a good hair day,” or we lament that humid weather causes a “bad hair day.” We will lounge in a pool, but not swim underwater so as not to ruin our hair and we’ll alternate between avoiding wearing hats when our hair looks great or wearing one to cover up a bad case of “bed-head.” Our relationship with hair can vary by culture and ethnicity and even by religion – this conversation is barely touching the surface of the discussion. Hair is too thick or too thin, and for men it might often disappear altogether – the topic of baldness could fill an entire column in and of itself. Then too, there are those persons facing treatment for disease who go through the trauma of losing their hair and/or when it grows back, it’s entirely different. In short, hair dominates the discussion often, and quite often, not in a good way.

Back to the airport. (Bouncing ball indeed!) I don’t care what anyone says, sometimes…sometimes we judge, not just ourselves but others too. We glance at a person, admire their hair, or their clothes, and sometimes we make snap judgments that are not as complimentary. We have no right to do so and hopefully, most of us strive not to. But here’s how negativity and truth sometimes comes back to bite us. 

As a young woman, many years ago in a moment of weakness, a woman walked past me at the airport with a bold streak of purple hair slashing through her grey. She was quite a bit older – realistically, probably about the age I am now. As I sit here, I shamefully recall thinking to myself, “Oh, give it up, you’re getting older, just admit it.” Hmm. My bad. Judged on the basis of my perceptions and what constituted an “appropriate” hair colour for a woman of a certain age. I’m older now and I sincerely hope I’ve grown as a person since then. I hope I’ve released the ridiculousness of measuring self-worth (of myself AND of others) against impossible beauty standards set solely by those who seek to profit from our emotion-laden relationship with our hair. I hope I’ve learned what that woman in the airport all those years ago obviously already knew; that hair should be embraced, colour should be played with, hair should reflect our personality and if you are bold enough (or trying hard to be bold enough) to plonk a streak or two of purple (or any colour!) into your hair – good for you! Be bold. Be grateful you have hair! Anyone judging you is the one with the real issue.

So here is my very public Mea Culpa, to the beautiful purple-haired airport lady from all those years ago.

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Current & Past Articles » Letters

Growing anxiety about the direction of our country

March 21, 2024   ·   0 Comments

by FRANK STRONACH

If you’re looking for warning signs about the state of our economy, there were all kinds these past few weeks. 

Fueled by inflation worries, gold is trading at an all-time high. 

Year-over-year business insolvencies were up nearly 50 per cent, according to a report issued last week by the Canadian Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy.  

And Canada is on track to register another massive deficit. 

But there are other, far deeper and more worrisome trends that are eroding our country’s economy.  

Our manufacturing sector – and the good-paying jobs that go with it – is vanishing. You no longer see factories being built – only new and massive warehouses for storing imported products. When you go into any major department store, you no longer see many products that are made in Canada. 

But the fact is, a country that imports more than it exports will inevitably experience deteriorating living standards. 

Add to that a complex tax system that caters to the rich and special interests, the never-ending buildup of bureaucracy, and the smothering red tape and regulations that go with it.  

All of these problems combined are like an out-of-control freight train heading for a major crash.  

I know many decent politicians, and I always ask them: is this the kind of country you want to leave behind to your children and your grandchildren?  

But our elected officials and civil servants are trapped in a system that no longer works for the benefit of most Canadians, and many of them are just as frustrated as the majority of Canadians. 

I came to Canada from Europe in 1954. After several years of working at various factories as a toolmaker, I started my own small business in a rented garage. Over the years, I built that business into a global multinational corporation employing close to 180,000 people. 

But I could never have accomplished all that if I had stayed in Europe. Sixty years ago, Europe had far too much red tape and far too many obstacles – much like the country that Canada has today become. 

I could live anywhere in the world, but I choose to call Canada my home because I believe it’s the greatest country in the world. My concern, however – one that many Canadians share – is that our country has deteriorated over the past several decades. 

The basic fact is, if the economy doesn’t work nothing else will. We won’t be able to adequately care for those most in need. And we won’t be able to sustain the high living standards that made Canada a desired destination for people from around the world. 

That’s why it’s critical that we get Canada’s economy back on a solid foundation. But how do we go about doing that? 

For one, we can start by balancing the budget and paying down debt. 

We can claw back spending on government overhead and streamline government regulations. And we can make it far easier for Canadians to start their own small businesses. 

We can simplify our tax system – it’s something almost everyone agrees should be done, and yet no one ever does anything to fix it. 

We can give more Canadians the chance to share in the financial success of the companies they work for. 

And we can create the ideal conditions for small business to flourish and thrive, including eliminating business income tax so these companies can grow and create badly needed jobs. 

These are all simple, common-sense fixes. So why aren’t we doing them? 

To learn more about how we can get Canada back on track, email me at info@economiccharter.ca.   

Author Bio

Frank Stronach is the founder of Magna International Inc., one of Canada’s largest global companies, and the Stronach Foundation for Economic Rights  (www.economiccharter.ca). 

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Current & Past Articles » Letters

Lighten up!

March 21, 2024   ·   0 Comments

by BRIAN LOCKHART

This is the new age of information, where the world news is brought to you almost as it happens.

Unfortunately, not a lot of the news is good news.

“My doctor told me to watch my drinking. Now I drink in front of a mirror.”

During pre-internet times, news was presented in four formats – local, regional, national, and international. A story that may be big news in one region, may not even make the news in an area just a few miles away.

Even international news was never truly international. Our news feeds are very Euro-centric. How often do you hear news about what is going on in South America?

“Last week I told my psychiatrist, ‘I keep thinking about suicide,’ He said from now on, I have to pay in advance.’”

However, that has all changed. News feeds provide coverage from across the nation, the continent, and the world. They pick up stories from all over just to fill the space on the screen.

“My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met.”

The Canadian Press fills up the news feeds daily with stories from across the country. From murders out west, to small town council decisions in Ontario, they don’t really filter much of what is released. If it’s in their feed, it goes on the internet.

“My psychiatrist told me I’m going crazy. I said, ‘if you don’t mind, I’d like a second opinion.’ He said, ‘alright, you’re also ugly.’”

I will admit, I read a lot of the stories. Sometimes it’s interesting to find out what Cobourg Town Council is up to, or how a town in Manitoba has decided to adopt a new animal for the town mascot.

“A computer once beat me at chess, but was no match for me at kick boxing.”

The disturbing thing about getting so much news from such a huge source is the fact that you realize just how much crime there is in the world.

At one time, a murder-suicide in Texas wouldn’t make the Ontario newspapers, unless it was so horrific it became national news.

“I was the kid next door’s imaginary friend.”

Now, just about every murder, mass murder, and murder-suicide that happens on the continent is on my news feed every day – and there are a lot of them.

“Half the people you know are below average.”

It can be depressing to see how often crimes of violence occur. It seems every day there are stories of multiple violent murders happening across the continent.

Top that off with the several wars that are taking place and people are dying daily and suffering in refugee camps doesn’t make the situation seem any better.

The fact that the world seems to be gearing up for a third world war, again based in Europe, doesn’t paint a promising picture of the next ten years.

“The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.”

World leaders must get their act together, and solve the current problems in Europe, before they head down a path that may lead to an even more catastrophic situation than the last two great wars resulted in.

“99 per cent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.”

The news feeds however, do provide a lot of other information. This includes everything from the best tourist get-aways, to what the Kardashians are up to.

While the Kardashian news is not something I would read, I will read the stories on popular music history or even where the best place in Ontario is to find a good hamburger.

“My wife told me the car wasn’t running well because there was water in the carburetor. I asked where the car was. She told me, “In the lake.”

So, in contrast to the continuous stream of bad news that crosses your computer screen every day, here are some jokes, courtesy of Rodney Dangerfield, Emo Phillips, Red Skelton, and Stephen Wright.

“A clear conscience is usually a sign of a bad memory.”

Sometimes you just have to turn off the news and have a laugh.

“Last night coming home from work I saw a naked man running down my street. I yelled at him, “Why are you running down the street naked?”

He said, ‘You’re home early’!”

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Current & Past Articles » Letters

Grocery “games” continue to baffle public

March 21, 2024   ·   0 Comments

by MARK PAVILONS

George Bernard Shaw once said “there is no love sincerer than the love of food.”

While George was spot-on regarding our taste buds, he never faced paying $7 for a pound of butter.

“Give us this day our daily bread …” the prayer goes.

But God never ventured into a grocery store.

We stand in line for things that we think are important and I believe the check-out lines at grocery stores contain more sad faces these days.

The latest bad news comes from the Loblaw conglomerate, who installed receipt scanners in four stores, the closest in nearby Georgetown.

It’s a trial but the company contends that “retail crime across the entire industry is a very serious issue, and has only gotten worse. To protect customers and colleagues, we’re always looking at different ways to stop this theft.”

Customers are asked to scan their receipts to exit the store.

I wonder if the company brass looked at the root cause of the increase in food theft.

It’s obvious – ever-increasing prices, which outpace inflation and swell the cost of living.

Canada’s 2024 Food Price Report predicts an increase of 2.5 to 4.5 per cent in overall food costs this year, with a rise across the board. Meat, veggies and bread products are all expected to rise from 5% to 7% this year. Ontario wasn’t the worst in 2023, but we still experienced a roughly 5.5% hike in our grocery bills.

It’s estimated the typical family of four will spend between $15,000 and $16,000 on groceries per year. This is, of course, after tax income, and some of our groceries are, alas, taxed.

The report states: “There were widespread concerns about corporate behaviour, with allegations of profiteering by Canada’s major grocery chains frequently reported in the media and the subject of government attention.

“A significant 30.3 per cent of Canadians believed that price gouging was the primary reason for the escalating food prices.”

I think most people will agree that times are tough and money is tight. We Ontarians have been asset rich but cash poor for some time now. Are we now becoming “food poor,” too?

According to Food Banks Canada, more than half of Canadians are less than a pay cheque away from “dire financial circumstances.”

Food banks across Canada saw almost 2 million visits last March. We can only assume these numbers have risen. A third, or 33%, of food bank users are children, but they only make up 20% of the population. Seniors make up roughly 8% of users and 1 out of 6 food bank users are employed.

I’m sure helping organizations are overwhelmed and have trouble keeping up with the current demand. Donations have to rise even more to meet the rise in food costs.

While the community supports the King Township Food Bank, they’re are busier than ever. Their mandate is to provide a week of non-perishable foods, fresh produce, pet kibble and paper products to residents of King Township who seek assistance through registration with them.

Hard to believe in such an affluent community. And yet, the Food Bank serves roughly 120 families or 525 individuals per month. The King Township Food Bank, operating entirely on volunteer efforts for almost two decades, has seen a rise in demand by over 50% this year.

King is fortunate in that the Food Bank’s fundraisers are generously supported, helping the organization meet the need.

Consumers are a pretty savvy lot and we tend to adapt to changing circumstances. More are cooking at home and eating out less.
This is a double-edged sword of course. Bad for the restaurant and fast-food industry, better for average citizens. But it’s only better for “the average family of four” if they’re eating healthy. We all know that good food is pricey food. Junk food, and prepackaged food, are substantially cheaper. Given the current food price climate, I fear that many families are eating unhealthy foods.

The domino effect is prevalent – e spend less on crappy food. Restaurant and food businesses suffer, slowing the economy. Maybe this results in some job losses or reduced hours, which further reduces “food insecurity” – a nifty term we’ve created to lessen the severity of the situation.

What a tangled web we’ve woven for ourselves.

Growing up, I was fortunate to have a German mom whose expertise in the kitchen was legendary. I recall when I had friends and co-workers over for dinner, they asked “do you always eat this well?”

Yes, yes we did.

On our four-acre parcel in Caledon, my mom had an expansive garden and we benefited from fresh veggies of all kinds. Groceries didn’t seem burdensome at all – ven steak was affordable for the BBQ in the summer.

We try to make healthy meals that last at least a few days in our house. If certain souls weren’t so picky, we’d be fine. I hate throwing away leftovers. I’m not sure if it was from my frugal parents, or seeing poverty first-hand on a volunteer trip, but I can’t help but think of those who have nothing to eat.

Our food industry is likely no better. I can only imagine the amount of food wasted each and every day in this province.

Why can’t we implement rules like some European cities where at the end of each day, the “old” food is donated to shelters, the homeless, etc.?

I don’t know if waste factors into grocery costs but perhaps the great minds should find solutions all around.

The government has tried to encourage “big grocery” to create a code of conduct, but it’s a slow process.

No one should go hungry in a country like ours.

No one should have to steal food for their table.

Maybe we should be thinking about communal farms, fresh to table goodies. Despite the connotation, let’s bring back the idea of “from each according to their ability (to pay); to each according to their need.”


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Current & Past Articles » Letters

Don’t release pet turtles into the wild: Org.

March 21, 2024   ·   0 Comments

OUR READERS WRITE

It is known by biologists, conservation authorities, government at all levels, and community groups of volunteers who are involved in the work of preservation of turtles of all species, which are classified as at risk, that releasing pet turtles into the wild is a danger to other wildlife and our environment.

Many people, mostly youngsters, are interested in having a pet turtle but do not have the knowledge of what is involved in caring for one.

These turtles that are being purchased as pets are the Red-eared Sliders which are an invasive species in Canada.  They originated from the Mississippi River Waterways of the United States and are now living on every continent except Antarctica.

Even though they are small as juveniles, they grow into large adults with complex needs that pet owners don’t see or know about. This leads to their unfortunate and ILLEGAL release into the wild. They are effective competitors over native turtles and are capable of spreading diseases to other wildlife.

Red-eared sliders may be mistaken for native species like the Western Painted Turtle, but can be identified by the red markings either side of the head.

Did you know it is prohibited under Canadian federal Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations made under the Fisheries Act, to release any aquatic species into a region or body of water where it is not indigenous?  Putting a stop to pet release is the most effective way to protect native species and habitats from invasive red-eared sliders.

Think before you buy.  Plan to care for your pet turtle long term.  Although cute as babies, they grow into adults with complex needs and can live up to 40 years.  They not only need a proper diet of food, but as they grow, they need a much larger aquarium with proper cleaning among other requirements.

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Current & Past Articles » Letters

Yesterdayland, Todayland, and Tomorrowland

March 21, 2024   ·   0 Comments

by BROCK WEIR

It’s often said that hindsight is 20/20, but sometimes the results can be unexpected.

Having kids of one’s own, I hear, can give you a new appreciation of what your parents went through with you, particularly if your kids try to pull the same stunts.

It does, of course, cut both ways.

Hindsight can also help you scratch the surface of positive or negative memories, giving you new context through which you can re-evaluate them either way.

In other, less drastic ways, these experiences can reinforce the fact that you’re living in the here and now and some of these life lessons you’ve taken with you from childhood no longer have any relevance or currency in today’s world. Advice from parents and grandparents on homeownership to kids born in the 80s, 90s, and early 00s immediately comes to mind, but that’s a subject for another colum!

Who else grew up in the 1990s grew up watching Mrs. Doubtfire?

Chances are, when you first saw it as a youngster, you sided with Robin Williams’ Daniel when his marriage blew up following a raucous indoor party, complete with a petting zoo in the living room featuring livestock. As fun a party as it looked, in hindsight, Sally Field’s Miranda had every right to shut that nonsense down.

Who was going to clean that up, let alone re-plant her begonias? 

In an informal straw poll of my peers, the general consensus was the invariable change of allegiance came as something of a surprise. Of course, it’s less of a surprise to our parents as they watched it with us and they knew where they stood. They knew what the future would hold. 

But what does the future hold for all of us?

Maybe in this case it’s important to look back before we look forward.

Throughout our history, anyone with a splash of creativity coursing through their veins has had one vision or another of what the next decades, centuries or millennia might look like.

In the 1950s, when humans began to make real strides towards viable space travel, this spit-balling on what’s to come hit something of a fever pitch, with even Walt Disney embedding these very ideas into his theme parks through the development of Tomorrowland.

“Walt Disney – storyteller, visionary, and one of Time’s 20 most influential innovators of the 20th century – saw the future as a wonderous and magical place,” said Rachel Withers in a 2017 Slate article entitled, Yesterdayland. “He embraced new technology throughout his career: His early animations used what were then cutting-edge effects, such as color and sound, and he was obsessed with mass transit, with the concept for Disneyland coming out his passion for increasingly large model trains. Plus, he loved outer space. From 1954 to 1958, he hosted Disneyland, a weekly show on ABC, to finance the park’s construction. His passion for futurology came across in his Tomorrowland segments. Tomorrowland, referred to in early plans as The Land of Tomorrow, and envisioned by Walt to be ‘the factual and scientific exposition of things to come,’ was one of four imaginative realms that park-goers could visit (Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland, and Tomorrowland). Walt always intended his park to be educational as well as entertaining. In his Tomorrowland dedication speech, displayed in the park to this day, Walt promised the land would be a: vista into a world of wonderous ideas, signifying man’s achievements…a step into the future, with predictions of constructive things to come. Tomorrow offers new frontiers in science, adventure and ideals: the Atomic Age… the challenges of outer space…and the hope for a peaceful and unified world. But the problem with designing the world of tomorrow soon became apparent: Tomorrow very quickly becomes today, and then yesterday. The future never stays that way for long.”

We’re now living in the timeline that Disney envisioned in the future, but I doubt many of us are feeling it is necessarily a time of wondrous ideas and constructive things to come. There have been innovative ideas, sure, but constructive? I guess it depends on your perspective.

New frontiers in science, adventure and ideals? Sure, but some of these new frontiers in science have been conquered out of necessity more than anything else; and many the conquest of new, adventurous “frontiers” often feels more driven by profit than knowledge and knowledge-sharing.

Part and parcel of this vision of the future espoused by our forebears focused on robotics and primitive ideas of what we now call A.I. set on making our lives easier and more fulfilling, but as both have progressed rapidly in the last decade or so, has it been for the greater good?

Various forms of Artificial Intelligence have the potential to make a powerful, positive impact on this world, and have already proven themselves, but the march of this particular form of “progress” has also made many occupations endangered and, some of those individuals holding purse-strings might wrongly argue, obsolete.

Robots were also supposed to be developed for the betterment of our lives and society. Who wouldn’t want a delightfully sassy robot like Rosie from The Jetsons powering up every morning to help us get through the drudgery with a healthy helping of snark delivered on the side just for kicks?

I know I did. 

Now, at a local big box store, I see a robot, with its outer features arranged in such a way to suggest a friendly smile, roaming about cleaning floors while, at any given moment, in a quiet corner of their parking lot, are two packed-to-the-roof cars that appear to be serving as their driver’s primary residence. It might not be glamorous, but perhaps an opportunity for a custodial job could make a world of difference in their lives.

At any number of fast-food outlets, we have machines there ready to take our order, with varying degrees of success; at some of our “slow food” establishments, we now have to contend with our orders being delivered by a happy l’il robot who has taken the place of a human; at some of our largest service providers, if we want customer service, we have to get through the gate-keeper of cutesy chatbots that are ill-equipped to handle many of the simplest request. And then, of course, we have the self-check-outs at the grocery stores and new machines in some locations that are, apparently, there to check your work before letting you out of the store.

And on and on it goes, along with our chance for human interaction, opportunity and, when you get right down to it, humanity.

Which brings me back to the life lessons provided by the likes of Daniel and Miranda Hillard in Mrs. Doubtfire.

As much as we loved to hate the stuffy and gruff Mr. Spacely, at least he had the sense to recognize George Jetson’s specialized skills in producing Spacely Sprockets and held off on replacing him with a clanking riveter known as Rosie 2.0.

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911 » Current & Past Articles

FATAL COLLISION

March 21, 2024   ·   0 Comments

The Caledon Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a three-vehicle fatal collision on Mayfield Road.

“On March 17, 2024, at approximately 2:53 a.m., officers, along with Caledon Fire and Emergency Services and Peel Paramedic Services, responded to a three-vehicle collision on Mayfield Road,” say Police. “The passenger in the first vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the first vehicle was transported to a hospital with critical injuries, and the accused, the driver of the third vehicle, was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

“Mayfield Road between McLaughlin Road and Chinguacousy Road was closed for several hours while the OPP Technical Collision Investigators and Reconstructionists assisted with the investigation.”

Amrinder Dhillon, 25, of Oakville, has been charged with:

Operation causing death;

Operation causing bodily harm;

Obstruct Peace Officer.

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Orangeville on April 4, 2024.

The charges have not been proven.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has dashcam footage is asked to contact Caledon OPP at (905) 584-2241 or 1-888-310-1122.

If you are affected by this incident or witnessed the collision and wish to speak to victim services, Caledon/Dufferin Victim Services can be reached at (905) 951-3838.

ATTEMPTED CARJACKING

Members of the Caledon Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are investigating an attempted carjacking.

“On March 16, 2024, shortly after 10:00 a.m., officers from the Caledon Detachment responded to a report of an assault on Airport Road, at Mayfield Road, in the Town of Caledon,” say Police. “The investigation revealed an individual approached the victim while they were getting into their vehicle, struck them, and attempted to steal the victim’s vehicle. The suspect was unsuccessful and subsequently fled the scene on foot. The victim suffered minor injuries as a result of the incident. The suspect was described as wearing all black clothing, including a black surgical-style face covering.”

If you have information regarding this incident, please contact the Caledon OPP at (905) 584-2241. You can also provide information anonymously by contacting Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.peelcrimestoppers.ca. When you contact Crime Stoppers, you stay anonymous, and you never have to testify.

The following are tips in the case of a carjacking:

Always remain cognizant of your surroundings;

Lock doors and close windows while in your vehicle;

If approached by a person with a weapon or mention of a weapon, give your vehicle up without resistance;

If you feel as though you are being followed, drive directly to the nearest police station;

Use an audible alarm that can easily be activated to draw attention to your location;

Reverse into parking spots as this allows you to drive away if you notice someone approaching your vehicle;

If possible, always park in a well-lit area at night;

Equip your vehicle with a GPS tracker to assist police with their investigation.

Use heightened awareness when in these vulnerable areas:

Gas Stations: Keep doors locked while pumping gas;

ATM’s: Extra vigilance should be exercised at night and while using machines not enclosed in a structure;

Home Garages: Close your garage door at the earliest opportunity;

Parking Garages and Lots: Continue to be aware of surroundings and look for well-lit and populated areas to park;

Intersections and when stopped in traffic;

Parked in your vehicle: When stopped or parked in your vehicle, keep the doors locked. Avoid distraction such as a mobile phone that prevents you from being aware of your surroundings.

Safety tips for a parked vehicle:

As you approach your car, look around. Additionally, don’t use the key fob to locate your car as it may help carjackers verify their target;

Walk from behind your car and try to look into it;

Lock your door as soon as you are in your seat (this is the single-most effective countermeasure to carjackings);

Start your engine right away.

BREAK AND ENTER

INVESTIGATIONS

Members of the Caledon Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are investigating a recent series of break and enters.

“On March 8, 2024, officers from the Caledon Detachment responded to two residential break-ins, in the area of Cedargrove Road and Evans Ridge, in Bolton, which occurred between the hours of 2:30 a.m. on March 7, 2024, and 7:20 p.m. on March 8, 2024,” say Police. “In each event, the suspect(s) gained entry by physical force while nobody was home. Items such as cash and jewelry were stolen.

“Just hours later, on March 9, 2024, officers from the Caledon Detachment responded to a third break-in, in the area of Pattulo Drive, in Caledon, which occurred between the hours of 1:00 p.m. on March 8, 2024, and 2:30 p.m. on March 9, 2024. In this event, the suspect(s) gained entry by physical force while nobody was home. Items such as cash and jewelry were stolen.”

For anyone with information regarding these incidents, please contact the Caledon Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) at (905) 584-2241. You can also provide information anonymously by contacting Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.peelcrimestoppers.ca. When you contact Crime Stoppers, you stay anonymous, and you never have to testify. Investigators are also looking for surveillance footage from March 7 to March 9, 2024, in those areas.

SPEED CHARGES

The Caledon Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have recently charged three individuals for stunt driving, by way of excessive speed.

Continued on Page A5

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Current & Past Articles » General News

Spring Draws for Paws 50/50 Lottery to help local animals in need

March 21, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Paula Brown 

The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is springing into a new season by hosting a lottery fundraiser aimed at helping animals in need. 

Tickets for the Spring Draws for Paws 50/50 Lottery are now available for the April 25 Grand Prize draw as well as tickets for two early bird draws planned for April 4 and April 18. 

“This time of year, Ontario SPCA animal centres often see an influx of orphaned animals, as well as mothers with their babies,” said Stephanie Miller, OSPCA Vice President of development, in a press release. “The Spring Draws for Paws 50/50 Lottery is an exciting way to make a difference in an animal’s life.” 

The jackpot is now at nearly $20,000, and the pot is growing, with five weeks remaining.

The Ontario SPCA, which has a location in Orangeville, added that their animal centres across the provide typically see an increase in the number of kittens and puppies coming into their care during the spring months. 

The registered charity does not receive any annual governments so they rely on the support of donations from community members to help change the lives of vulnerable animals. 

“By purchasing a ticket in the Spring Draws for Paws 50/50 Lottery, you’re providing shelter and care for an animal in need,” said the Ontario SPCA. 

Ticket holders will have the opportunity to win $500 for each of the early bird draws. The grand prize pot for the Spring Draws for Paws 50/50 Lottery grows as people buy tickets. 

The OSPCA said the winner of their holiday lottery took home more than $74,000. 

Tickets for the Spring Draws for Paws 50/50 Lottery can be purchased online at www.ontariospcalottery.ca.

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