#northeastern ontario news

[theusarticles]

More than 5 feet has fallen in New York snowstorm and 2 people have died while clearing paths in Erie County | CNN

More than 5 feet has fallen in New York snowstorm and 2 people have died while clearing paths in Erie County | CNN

CNN  —  Heavy snowfall is pounding parts of western New York state as a potentially historic storm that’s halted traffic on major roadways threatens to topple trees, damage property and knock out power as temperatures plunge. Snowfall totals have now reached 5 feet in at least one location. Orchard Park, where the Buffalo Bills had been scheduled to play their now-relocated NFL game Sunday, had…

[allthecanadianpolitics]

It took more than a decade of litigation, but 21 Anishinaabe communities along the north shore of Lake Huron in Ontario will finally access a fair share of the wealth generated on their lands over the past 173 years.  The Robinson-Huron Treaty signed in 1850 promised its Indigenous beneficiaries annual payments in exchange for the right to use their lands. A clause in the treaty explicitly tied the value of the annual payments to resource revenues.  Northeastern Ontario mining, lumber and fishing industries generated billions of dollars in profits over the past two centuries, but annual payments to First Nations were capped at 4 dollars per person in 1874 and haven't increased since. In 2018, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled that the Crown had a duty to increase annual payments to the beneficiaries of the Robinson-Huron Treaty. [...]

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Tagging: @politicsofcanada

[iilssnet]

About Hudson Bay, facts and maps

Hudson Bay is the summer home of up to 50,000 beluga whales! Each July and August an estimated 50,000 beluga whales migrate south into river estuaries that flow into the Hudson Bay. The whales use this estuaries as their grounds to feed, molt (shed skin), and give birth. Hudson Bay, inland sea indenting east-central Canada. With an area of 316,000 square miles (819,000 square km), it is bounded by Nunavut territory (north and west), Manitoba and Ontario (south), and Quebec (east). Hudson Bay (Southern East Cree: ᐐᓂᐯᒄ, romanized: Wînipekw; Northern East Cree: ᐐᓂᐹᒄ, romanized: Wînipâkw; Inuktitut: ᑲᖏᖅᓱᐊᓗᒃ ᐃᓗᐊ, romanized: Kangiqsualuk ilua or Inuktitut: ᑕᓯᐅᔭᕐᔪᐊᖅ, romanized: Tasiujarjuaq; French: baie d'Hudson), sometimes called Hudson's Bay (usually historically), is a large body of saltwater in northeastern Canada with a surface area of 1,230,000 km2 (470,000 sq mi). It is located north of Ontario, west of Quebec, northeast of Manitoba and southeast of Nunavut, but politically entirely part of Nunavut.

How far is it from Toronto to Hudson Bay? The distance between Toronto and Hudson Bay is 273 km. The road distance is 319.3 km. The large-scale cold air masses originating over Hudson Bay and the cold mesoscale winds combine to impose cold air temperatures on the adjacent terrestrial environment. Population. The area around Hudson Bay is very sparsely populated. The biggest sector of the population is the Inuit, who have largely given up their traditional way of life as hunters and now live from fishing and handicrafts in the few small communities dotted along the coast.

Is the town of Hudson in “Heartland” a real place? Hudson does exist — just under a different name! If you want to visit the town of Hudson, you'll need to make a trip to High River in Alberta, Canada. High River has all the small-town charm that you would expect from the town that serves as Hudson in “Heartland”. Who lives in Hudson Bay? The primary occupants continue to be Indian and Inuit bands living by fishing and hunting. The largest settlement is Churchill, Man (pop 1089, 1996c), at the mouth of the Churchill River. Where is the most beautiful bay in the world? Bay watch: 8 of the world's most beautiful bays - 1: Halong Bay, Vietnam. - 2: Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. - 3: Bay of Islands, New Zealand. - 4: Paradise Bay, Antarctica. - 5: Bay of Fundy, Canada. - 6: Phang Nga Bay, Thailand. - 7: Guanabara Bay, Brazil. - 8: San Francisco Bay, USA. Is Hudson Bay worth visiting? Hudson Bay is a city in Saskatchewan, Canada. It has many popular attractions, including Hudson Bay, making it well worth a visit. Hudson Bay is a city in Saskatchewan, Canada. It has many popular attractions, including Hudson Bay, making it well worth a visit. Do polar bears live in Hudson Bay?

Researchers surveyed Western Hudson Bay — home to Churchill, the town called "the Polar Bear Capital of the World," — by air in 2021 and estimated there were 618 bears, compared to the 842 in 2016, when they were last surveyed. Can you swim in the Hudson Bay? “Most people think that you can't swim here, but you totally can. In fact, the water has never been cleaner.” Gershenhorn is part of a loosely knit group of West Siders who enjoy, when the weather warms up, freely frolicking in the Hudson. What language do they speak in Hudson Bay? Kivalliq, also known as Kivallirmiutut, Caribou Eskimo, or formerly as Keewatin, is a dialect of Eastern Canadian Inuktitut which is spoken along the northwestern shores of Hudson Bay in Nunavut. Are there sharks in Hudson Bay? While it is rare to find a shark in the Hudson River, there have been several sightings over the years. Sharks may swim into the estuary from time to time but won't travel far up north, due to the freshwater. Why do people live in Hudson Bay? They make their living by fishing and hunting, some are in the trade industry and tourism. Hudson Bay was named after Henry Hudson, an Englishman who first explored the region looking for a northwestern passage to Asia at the beginning of the 17th century. Is Hudson Bay water clean? The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has listed various portions of the Hudson as having impaired water quality due to PCBs, cadmium, and other toxic compounds. Can you drink from the Hudson River? Seven communities and over 100,000 people rely on drinking water from the Hudson River. Riverkeeper helped these seven communities — the City of Poughkeepsie, Village of Rhinebeck and the Towns of Esopus, Hyde Park, Lloyd, Poughkeepsie and Rhinebeck — organize as the Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council. Is the Hudson River clean or dirty? Every New Yorker knows that while the Hudson is likely at least slightly cleaner than the East River (and certainly cleaner than the Gowanus Canal), it's by no means recommended for swimming or drinking. Read the full article

[theresah331]

Tribes covered in the books

Tribes covered in the books

People of the Wolf - Alaska and Canadian northwest

People of the Fire- Central Rockies & Great Plains

People of the Earth- Northern Plains & Basins

People of the River- (Mississippi Valley) Cahokia

People of the Sea- Pacific Coast & Great Basin

People of the Lakes- East-Central Woodlands & Great Lakes

People of the Lightning- Florida

People of the Silence- Southwest Anasazi

People of the Mist- Chesapeake Bay

People of the Masks- Ontario & Upstate New York

People of the Owl- Middle Archaic

People of the Raven- Pacific Northwest & British Columbia

People of the Moon- Northwest New Mexico & Southwest Colorado

People of the Nightland- Ontario, New York, & Pennsylvania

Children of the Dawnland - Northern US and Ontario (thanks Duane)

People of the Weeping Eye- Mississippi Valley & Tennessee, Moundville Mississippian

People of the Thunder- Moundville, Chicaza, Choctaw, Yuchi.

Long house series

People of the Longhouse- Iroquois (Haudenosaunee)  Oneida,   (New York state and Canada)

The Dawn Country- Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Onondaga,

The BrokenLand- Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Cayuga and Seneca nations.

People of the Black Sun- Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Mohawk

De Soto series (there are a lot of tribes not all featured in the books, i tried to limit to those i remember in the books)

Coming of the Storm- including : the Ocale, Northern Utina, Uzita, Mocoso, Uzachile, Yustaga, Alachua culture,  Apalachee Nation (florida)

Fire The Sky-   Including but not limited to the Capachequi, Ichisi, Ocute,  Coosa, Cofitachequi,  Mobilian (Georgia,South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, alabama)

A Searing Wind- Mississippian culture including not limited to Chicaza, Quizquiz, Quigate (tribe),  (alabama, Mississippi)

People of the SongTrail (Northeastern coast, Vikings)

People of the Morning star Series (Cahokia) Central Mississippi valley

People of the Morning Star- Cahokia 

People of the Morning Star: Sun born -Cahokia, Chichen Itza

People of the Morning Star: Moon Hunt- Cahokia, Quiz Quiz,Chikosi,Albaamaha,Moskogee

People of the Morning Star: Star Path- Cahokia, Quiz Quiz, Albaamaha, Haudensaunee,

People of the Morning Star: Lightning Shell - Cahokia

People of the Canyons- Fremont 

[gurugramm-massage-service]

Canada and New York

Canada and New York share a border that highlights the interconnectedness between the two regions, particularly in the northeastern part of the continent. The area of Canada closest to New York is the province of Ontario. This proximity not only facilitates economic and cultural exchanges but also enhances tourism and cross-border relations. Read More

[bbumtravel]

The Oldest State Park in the United States

Niagara Falls State Park is a renowned natural park located in the state of New York, USA, and is home to the famous Niagara Falls. Here is a detailed introduction to Niagara Falls State Park:

Location: Niagara Falls State Park spans over 400 acres along the Niagara River, encompassing both the American and Bridal Veil Falls on the American side of Niagara Falls. It is situated in Niagara Falls, New York, and offers stunning views of the falls as well as access to various attractions and recreational activities.

History: Established in 1885, Niagara Falls State Park is one of the oldest state parks in the United States. It was created to protect the natural beauty of Niagara Falls and has since become a popular destination for tourists from around the world.

Natural Attractions:

Niagara Falls: The park is most famous for its breathtaking waterfalls. The American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are part of the Niagara Falls complex, which also includes the larger Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the falls from several observation points within the park.

Three Sisters Islands: These picturesque islands are located near the edge of the American Falls and offer close-up views of the cascading water. They are accessible via pedestrian bridges and pathways within the park.

Attractions and Activities:

Maid of the Mist Boat Tour: A popular attraction that takes visitors on a boat ride to the base of the falls, providing a thrilling and immersive experience.

Cave of the Winds: Offers a close encounter with the Bridal Veil Falls, where visitors can walk along wooden walkways and feel the power of the waterfall up close.

Observation Towers: Prospect Point Observation Tower and Niagara Falls Observation Tower offer stunning views of the falls and surrounding area.

Niagara Gorge Trail System: Provides hiking opportunities along the Niagara Gorge, offering scenic views of the river and gorge landscape.

Visitor Facilities:

Visitor Center: Provides information, exhibits, and amenities for visitors, including gift shops and dining options.

Picnic Areas: Scattered throughout the park, offering scenic spots to enjoy a meal or relax.

Recreational Activities: Include hiking, biking, fishing, and birdwatching, with designated areas for these activities.

Conservation and Education: Niagara Falls State Park is committed to conservation efforts to preserve the natural environment and educate visitors about the park's history, geology, and wildlife. Interpretive programs and guided tours are available to enhance the visitor experience.

Accessibility: The park is accessible year-round and welcomes millions of visitors annually. It is easily reached from major cities in the northeastern United States and southern Ontario, Canada.

In summary, Niagara Falls State Park is a magnificent natural park that offers visitors the opportunity to experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Niagara Falls up close, along with a range of recreational activities, educational opportunities, and scenic viewpoints. It remains a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the natural wonders of North America.

[eviesessays]

1. At what times in your life were you the happiest, and why?

To ask an octogenarian when  the happiest time in their life was, and why that was so sets forth a monumental task  that requires the review of many memories, experiences and events.   I will make that attempt but given the ravages of old age and the myriad of events I will likely miss something.

As a child I enjoyed playing with my brothers.  We had active imaginations and a blanket could become a tent or a boat as the necessity arose. The small woods behind our house was a place for great hunts and Cowboy and Indian games. That was before it was declasse to refer to native Americans as Indians.  On summer days we packed a lunch and towel and headed for the lake with only the responsibility o f being home by 4:00pm to be ready for dinner.  In winter we put on our skates and walked down to the lake to clear a rink and skate until we looked like colorful ice sculptures.

I remember the joy of the end of World War Two.  Our neighbor Roddy McIvor was killed when his plane was shot down over France.  Many of our playmates had Dads away at the war. On VE day and then on VJ Day we formed a tin pan band and we paraded up and down Wellington Street singing every patriotic song we knew many times over. Food rations were ending.. We no longer were sitting by the radio hearing Quentin Reynolds refer to Hitler as Dr. Schicklegruber. The speeches of Winston Churchill are engraved in my memory.  These were worrisome times and the great joy was being done with them and hoping that would last for all time.

Graduation from Sioux Lookout Continuation School was a big event. This was the beginning of my adult life. At the age of 17 I was going to St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in Port Arthur,  Ontario to become a Registered Nurse.  Those were happy years with parties and dances and boyfriends memorable and forgettable. I was pinned to a Beta Theta Pi named Howie Steward.  He was handsome and at Northwestern University in Evanston , Illinois.  The distance took its toll and that joy ended.  Graduating from Nursing School was a lifelong goal accomplished.

In 1958 I married a Scotsman named James Wemyss Joss.  Because of his work with an American firm we moved to Pasadena Texas where my firstborn Heather arrived healthy and beautiful  Another move to Anchorage, Alaska and the birth of Jaylyn.  She too was beautiful and healthy. For several months in 1959 we lived in a beach house in Cheriton, Virginia where Jay’s employer, RCA was building some ,”over the horizon” scanning radar.  I was eight months pregnant with Robin and the nearest hospital was 25 miles away in rural Maryland.  We moved to Mobile, Alabama where  Robin was born a very healthy and beautiful baby.  In 6 weeks we were on our way to Washington DC where Jay would eventually work for the Navy Dept.  Peter was born at Washington Hospital Center and was a very handsome baby.  We spent joyous summer vacations at Rehoboth Beach and many holidays in Canada. Washington was a wonderful city with endless things to do and great museums with no entry fees.  There were wonderful military tattoos and magnificent fireworks.There were also times of great concern like the murder of President Kennedy and Martin Luther King..  There were certainly happy times with good friends and good jobs but Jays drinking became an enormous problem.  We were divorced.

Four years after parting I married again. We moved to Boston.  This was a time of peace and stability if not great joy.  My children were all going off to college and I did likewise.  I  worked full time and went to school in the evening. At the age of 49 I received a Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern University in Boston. This was an enormously joyous moment for me and a lifelong dream realized.  I was the first one in my family to do so. Three of my four children received college degrees and Robin dropped out of college to pursue a career in acting and modelling in New York.  Life was peaceful  .

In 1985 we bought a beautiful house in Warner, NH.  It was 27 acres on the Warner River and one marker of the property was the abutment of the Waterloo covered Bridge. The property lie in the intervale of the Mink Hills. It was idyllic.  It had an in ground pool with a beautiful bar and cabana.. There was a one room .building near the river with a wood stove for heat.  This proved a magnificent feature. There was a large vegetable garden sadly unattended but all looked very appealing.  After two years here my husband told me of a long standing affair he was having with a woman from our church in Bedford.  That was the end of the marriage but was the beginning of the happiest time of my life.

I was welcomed back  to work at McLean Hospital where I had many friends.  I belonged to the Warner Historical Society where I spent many years running the barn sale that raised significant funds for the Society.  I volunteered at the recycling station where I sorted glass and swatted flies and met most of the town people.  I experienced a cancer diagnosis and was successfully treated at Dana Farber Cancer Center in Boston. I traveled to Scotland , Spain, Portugal, Italy Germany and the Canadian Rockies many times.  In the midst of this all my children but Robin  married. All my grandchildren were born while I lived in Warner.  It was hard to imagine a greater joy than seeing your own babies born beautiful and healthy but grandchildren can do that.

The grandchildren visited often.  Anne and Merton and Hillary and Harry sometimes had time together there.  Kalote and Will came along later and had less time but still have happy memories of wonderful times there.  The little house by the river became the center of an annual event.  I baked each of the grandchildren a gingerbread house and I cut evergreen boughs and every year for many, on the Sunday after Thanksgiving we gathered in the little house.  the children decorated their houses and we made Christmas wreaths and swags.  We had chili that was kept warm on the old wood stove. In summer they swam for hours in the pool.  We flew huge styrofoam airplanes in the meadow.  We slid down the hill toward the pool in Winter.  We ate strawberries in the garden and dug potatoes. We had a snowball fight over the barn roof on the last Easter Sunday I lived there.  It was the best of times and the greatest joy.

After my 70th birthday it became increasingly more clear that I could no longer manage three acres of lawn, an aging pool, and an enormous garden. I sold Warner and moved to Mountain Road in Concord.

I am now enjoying the pleasure of my grandchildren finishing degrees and living very interesting lives.  And then there is the sheer pleasure of great grandchildren and the joy begins again.  Since I am past my mid 80’s I will not know the full extent of that So I will say with the fondest of memories that my 22 years in Warner were the most joyful days of my life.

[thxnews]

Border Patrol Detains Fugitive in New York

A Critical Arrest at the Border

WESTVILLE, New York – The U.S. Border Patrol, in a significant operation, has successfully apprehended Luis Miguel Eucebio-Severino, a 29-year-old Dominican Republic citizen, wanted for First Degree Murder in Toronto, Canada. This arrest underscores the crucial role of vigilant citizens and robust international cooperation in maintaining border security and community safety.  

The Arrest: A Timeline of Events

Citizen's Alert and Swift Response The sequence of events leading to Eucebio-Severino's arrest began on the morning of January 12, 2024. Border Patrol received a tip from a concerned citizen about a suspicious individual seen exiting a vehicle and running into a field near Westville, NY. This alert prompted an immediate search operation.   Coordinated Efforts Lead to Capture Aided by a Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine helicopter, Border Patrol agents conducted a thorough search, leading to the discovery of Eucebio-Severino hiding in the nearby woods. The timely response and coordinated efforts of the Border Patrol agents were instrumental in the swift apprehension of the suspect.  

Legal Proceedings and Deportation

Immigration Status Verification Upon capture, it was ascertained that Eucebio-Severino lacked the necessary immigration documents or legal status to be in the United States. This finding led to his subsequent deportation proceedings.   Handover to Canadian Authorities In the evening of the same day, Eucebio-Severino was handed over to the Canadian Border Services Agency in Cornwall, Ontario. The Toronto Police Department took custody of him later that evening, ensuring that he faces the charges levied against him in Canada.  

Importance of Community Involvement

Citizen Reporting: A Key Factor Patrol Agent in Charge Dustin Judd from Burke Station emphasized the critical role of citizen reporting in such cases. "The community's vigilance is invaluable in aiding law enforcement efforts to secure our nation's borders and ensure public safety," Judd stated, commending the concerned citizen's proactive approach.

International Cooperation in Law Enforcement

Strengthening Cross-Border Relationships This incident highlights the importance of maintaining strong relationships with international law enforcement partners. The seamless coordination between U.S. and Canadian agencies in this case reflects the effectiveness of cross-border cooperation in tackling criminal activities and enhancing regional security.  

The Role of Swanton Sector

Securing Northeastern Borders The Swanton Sector, responsible for overseeing the land border security between ports of entry in Vermont, New Hampshire, and northeastern New York, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the region. The sector encourages community members to report suspicious activities, reinforcing the collective effort to protect national borders.  

A Testament to Effective Border Security

The arrest of Luis Miguel Eucebio-Severino by the U.S. Border Patrol is a testament to the agency's commitment to border security and public safety. It showcases the impact of community involvement, swift law enforcement response, and international collaboration in upholding law and order. This operation serves as a reminder of the continuous efforts required to secure borders and protect communities across the nation. To report suspicious activity in Swanton Sector, please call 1-800-689-3362.   Sources: THX News & Customs and Border Protection. Read the full article

[yatescountyhistorycenter]

The other round-stone schoolhouse

By Jonathan Monfiletto

For a building that is no longer standing – and that hasn’t stood for well over a century – the Round Stone Schoolhouse is a gem in Yates County. Formally known as Potter School District No. 5, the schoolhouse is unique in that – for 80 years of its existence – it was a schoolhouse made out of cobblestones.

According to a Wikipedia entry, historians estimate that at least 75 percent, and perhaps as much as 90 percent, of cobblestone buildings in the United States are within 70 to 75 miles of Rochester – largely due to that major city’s proximity to Lake Ontario, from where the cobblestones were gathered. And here in Yates County, we had a schoolhouse constructed from these smooth, round stones.

The schoolhouse was built in 1838, round in shape with walls two feet thick built of field stone and faced with cobblestones. The cobblestones may have been drawn by wagon from Lake Ontario, or they may have been picked up in neighboring fields. The structure was 30 feet in diameter and 11 feet high, with seven windows and seats arranged in the style of an amphitheater.

In 1919, an explosion of gas in the chimney started a blaze in the wooden part of the building, destroying the wooden infrastructure and damaging the stone walls. The following year, the school was taken down, and a wooden school house was put up in its place. That structure is also no longer standing, and a historical marker is all that remains on the site.

Here are the Yates County History Center, the Round Stone Schoolhouse is a gem also because it was the school Caroline Underwood – the namesake for the L. Caroline Underwood Museum – attended as a young girl. However, if my recent research is correct, it was not the only cobblestone schoolhouse ever located in Yates County.

Looking more into the history of the town of Middlesex through our research files, I came across the following typewritten but otherwise unidentified statement in the folder: “Another round stone schoolhouse stood for a time near Pine Corners on the Middlesex-Rushville road. In the late 1830s the district decided to replace the old school. Men drove to Lake Ontario to get cobblestones for its construction. Part of the school benchs [sic] were built to fit the shape of the wall.” As the description suggests, this school appears to have been the Pine Corners Schoolhouse or Blair School District, or Middlesex School District No. 1.

According to “Memories of the Rural Schools of Yates County, New York” by Jennie L. Hiler, the land title for the schoolhouse location – on Middlesex-Rushville Road (State Route 245) at the intersection with Loomis Road – dates to 1790 and a log building was built in 1796. Though Hiler states a frame structure known as the Poplar Schoolhouse was in use by the 1830s, she does not mention a cobblestone structure. She goes on to say an improved building was constructed in August 1889 according to S.N. Blair’s specifications.

In “America’s First Rushville,” Robert Elbridge Moody states the cobblestone schoolhouse at Pine Corners – a hamlet in the northeastern corner of Middlesex, situated on the outskirts of the present limits of the village of Rushville – was built around the same time as the Round Stone Schoolhouse was constructed in Potter. Indeed, he asserts the two schoolhouses were among the first cobblestone structures – houses or otherwise – constructed in the Rushville area. Unlike its cousin in Potter, though, the Pine Corners Schoolhouse “was given a very poor foundation,” Moody writes, “so bad that cracks in the walls made it dangerous and the building had to be torn down.”

According to a handwritten document from the subject files – possibly written by Hiler in the course of her research on rural schools – the Pine Corners Schoolhouse was the first school established in Middlesex. William Bassett started the school and served as its first teacher. The log schoolhouse was situated on a 504-acre farm that John Blair had bought in 1795; Blair gave the land for the site of the schoolhouse and also did many things to support the teachers and students. Indeed, Bassett later married Blair’s daughter Ann.

It was initially called the Poplar Schoolhouse, then the Round Schoolhouse during its time as a cobblestone structure, and finally the Pine Corners Schoolhouse. Typical of schoolhouses of the time, according to an article by Ruth Clark, it had a dirt floor, a fireplace for heat, benches made of split logs, and windows covered in paper rubbed in grease to make the paper transparent. The last record of Middlesex School District No. 1 is from 1929, and it seems students transferred to the nearby Rushville district at that point. Moody tells of children being transported to school in wagon and sleighs.

A newspaper item from the subject file, stamped October 12, 1944, states the Pine Corners Schoolhouse “has been unused since centralization,” a period that according to a timeline started in 1937 with district residents voting in favor of centralization and begun in 1938 with a new central school. The first six grades attended school in Middlesex, and the upper six grades went to Rushville. In 1939, the Middlesex Valley Central School opened. The schoolhouse was purchased by a man who intended to use it to store electric welding machines and household goods and planned to occupy it at some point.

Thus ended a nearly 150-year history of a schoolhouse in Middlesex, with a brief period within that timeframe as a second cobblestone schoolhouse in Yates County. According to the newspaper item, the property was to revert to the Blair family when the site was no longer used for a school. Indeed, it was Mrs. Elizabeth Blair, the oldest living member of the family, who completed the transfer.

[zbphotography]

Joe Auger flies his replica of the famous WW1 Red Baron over the fields of Brampton, ON. (Zoran Bozicevic photo)

This picture has quite a story attached to it, so allow me to tell it:

A few WW1 airplanes enthusiasts just outside Toronto built fully functioning replicas of some famous biplanes and triplanes of that era. I was sent to a small airport near Brampton, Ontario, Canada, to take pictures of the planes. When I arrived, Joe Auger, one of the plane builders and a pilot, greeted me and showed me around the hangar where they had kept their flying machines. There were fragile-looking planes with one, two and three sets of wings, strewn haphazardly around the space. I confessed to Joe that I don’t know much about air battles of the WW1, the only plane I knew was the Red Baron. At that, his face lit up. As it turned out, he flies the replica of the famous plane. He showed me the red airplane which looked unexpectedly small and fragile in the vast hangar. The light was dim and the background was just horrific dull metal interior, so I asked if there was a chance to roll the plane outside. He grinned widely - “I can offer something better,” he said, “I can take it up for a spin.”

That sounded great, but I worried the photos wouldn’t be the greatest on a fly-by against the sky and said so. Joe had the solution for that too - they’ll take me up in another plane to fly parallel to his Red Baron. They’ll even fly a third plane and do a mock air-battle. Who could refuse such offer?

We took off and Joe, true to his word, preformed some Red-Baronesque air maneuvers, even let some smoke billow behind his plane for greater effect. It was an adventure to remember for life. I wore the appropriate WW1-style leather cap/helmet and sat in a tiny cockpit of a two-seater biplane whose name I sadly cannot recall, snapping picture of the Red Baron over the fields outside Brampton. When I had what I need in terms of both, pictures and thrill, we prepared for landing. That’s when things became weird. The pilot shouted over the wind that he can’t hear the control tower. We circled around the small structure, not much taller than a water tower, for a while, to no avail. He decided to fly by and let them know that something’s wrong with the radio. Someone waved him from the tower, signalling to land. So we did.

While we were up in the air, the whole airport lost power. It took them a while to start generators, that’s why there was no radio answer from the tower. Thinking nothing of it, I said my goodbyes and left the airport, still thrilled from the flight. Traffic lights outside the airport were dead, even the blinking yellow lights were off. Knowing that the airport had no power, that didn’t surprise me. But, soon after I hit more dead traffic lights and the traffic started building up until everything came to a halt.

There was no internet-enabled cell phones at the time, so I finally tuned to all-news radio station. They broadcast traffic situation every 15 minutes, so I thought to check how to get home the fastest. And that’s when I heard it - while I was flying above fields of Brampton, Northeast Canada and the U.S. were hit with the massive “Northeast Blackout of 2003”. The whole province of Ontario, as well as a bunch of northeastern states in the U.S. were without the power. Everything from Toronto to New York City went dark. Instantly, the blackout was the story of the day. My involvement in the air battle of the WW1 was forgotten. The story and pictures never saw the light of the day.

Yours truly Zoran B., sitting in the cockpit wearing the godawful, but cool leather helmet befitting WW1 aircraft crew, and Joe Auger, the pilot of the Red Baron replica, before taking off for our air-battle. (The real pilot drove the plane from the back seat).

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Family doctors in rural northeastern Ontario say emergency rooms are at higher risk than ever of closure this fall.

The warning comes as many health-care facilities in the region grapple with a deepening doctor shortage.

Most big cities have doctors who specialize in emergency care.

However, in rural communities in the north, family doctors have their own clinics and are also responsible for providing emergency care.

"It's really a crisis situation in the north right now and a lot of family doctors in many communities are barely hanging on to keep their emergency rooms open," said Dr. Anjali Oberai, a family physician in Wawa. [...]

Continue Reading.

Tagging: @politicsofcanada

[scavengerhunt-toronto]

Top Restaurants in Runnymede Toronto

Runnymede is a neighborhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada located north of Bloor Street West between Jane Street and Runnymede Road north to Dundas Street West. It is located directly north of the former village of Swansea and west of the High Park North neighborhood.

Great care is taken to ensure the character of Toronto neighborhoods is preserved, thus the addition of high-rise apartments is not permitted, and new businesses in the community must prove that they will not produce adverse effects on residents, such as noise pollution or increased traffic. They must also fit well with existing businesses, and reduce the frequency of automobile use in the neighborhood (i.e. by providing a needed service within walking distance).

GATTO Wood Oven Pizza

GATTO (pronounced Ga-toh) means Cat in Italian. Located in Toronto’s Bloor West Village neighborhood, nestled between High Park and Etobicoke, Gatto Wood Oven is a restaurant that brings authentic Italian recipes, and outstanding hospitality to Toronto’s West End restaurant scene. Since opening our doors in 2018, we have been thrilled to host our guests coming from the beautiful nearby neighborhoods of Bloor West, Swansea, The Kingsway, Baby Point, and many others. Our menu was designed by an outstanding chef, a native of Asiago, a town known for its famous cheese, located in the Province of Vicenza, in the Veneto region of Northeastern Italy. Chef Enrico Dal Sasso has poured his love for food, authentic ingredients, and most importantly for the people who bring us all the amazing food, in the dishes served at Gatto! The joy you experience when you are trying our food, is the joy of the farmers, the cheese makers, and the beekeepers, who wake up every morning to provide us with the joyous fruits of their labor. Your enjoyment is why we do what we do! See you at GATTO!

La Capricciosa

We drove with passion & built la Capricciosa to make you feel at home & enjoy a meal with friends and family. We are passionate about genuine hospitality. Our chef draws his inspiration from his childhood in Sicily, Italy, and encourages our team to learn the history behind the cuisines of each Italian region.

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[newsakd]

[ad_1] Heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for parts of Ontario and Quebec as the U.S. faces a severe storm system as well as potential flash flooding, record heat and wildfires. Global News meteorologist Ross Hull said that the bullseye for the strongest storms will be over the northeastern U.S., with parts of New York state down to Kentucky in line for potentially damaging winds, hail, heavy downpours and isolated tornadoes.He said Ontario and Quebec are on the “northern periphery of this disturbance.”“Once again it looks like parts of eastern Ontario could see some strong storms Monday late afternoon to evening with the biggest threat being heavy rainfall,” Hull said in an email.“There are Rainfall Warnings in place from Ottawa south towards Kingston and east to areas north of Montreal where some downpours could deliver more than 50 mm of rain in a relatively short amount of time which could lead to localized flooding.” Story continues below advertisement There are warnings/special weather statements across Central and Eastern Canada for heavy rain. Global News As the weather system moves east into the Maritimes, there will be the potential for heavy rain Tuesday night into early Wednesday, Hull said, and a special weather statement has been issued.Environment Canada says rainfall could exceed 50 millimetres over the northern half of New Brunswick and be up to 50 millimetres in some parts of Nova Scotia. 2:00 After severe N.S. weather events, calls increase for better support for volunteer first responders Parts of Nova Scotia are still reeling from a torrential downpour that triggered floods July 22 and killed four people, while Halifax recently had storms and flooding this past Saturday. Story continues below advertisement In an online bulletin, the U.S. National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Centre warned Monday of an increased threat of severe thunderstorms and flash flooding from Tennessee into much of the eastern U.S., as well as record heat from Texas to Florida, creating a higher risk of wildfires. Trending Now Giant, glowing ‘X’ atop Twitter HQ dismantled after wave of complaints Ontario dentists see huge spike in police requests for records in 2023 In addition, heavy rain and flash flooding is expected in the Pacific Northwest on Monday.The thunderstorms in the east are due to a fairly strong storm system tracking eastward from the Great Lakes, with a cold front reaching the east coast by Monday night, according to the Weather Prediction Center, part of the U.S.’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.“Numerous thunderstorms are expected ahead of the cold front today, some of which are expected to be severe, containing the potential for tornadoes, damaging straight line winds, large hail and flash flooding,” WPC said. The U.S.’s northeast is expecting a significant storm system. Global News WPC also warned of “dangerously hot daytime temperatures” in Texas and portions of the southeast and Florida for Monday and Tuesday, which could reach between 35 to 40 Celsius. Story continues below advertisement There will be an elevated fire risk due to dry ground conditions, low relative humidities and gusty winds, WPC said.The turbulent weather comes as global heat records have been shattered this summer, with scientists saying that climate change is to blame. &copy 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. [ad_2] Source link

[lifeafterlifeparks]

Smoke and the City: When Canadian Wildfires Shrouded New York City in Smoke

Climate change fueled disasters have a way of transcending geographical boundaries, reminding us of the interconnectedness of our world. On June 7th, 2023, the devastating wildfires that ravaged Canada had an unexpected impact on the bustling metropolis of New York City, located thousands of miles away.

This year, Canada experienced an unprecedented wildfire season, fueled by a combination of dry conditions and high temperatures. These fires rapidly spread across vast forested areas, including provinces such as Quebec and Ontario. The scale and severity of these wildfires prompted widespread concern and emergency response efforts.

As June’s wildfires continued to burn, large plumes of smoke and ash were released into the atmosphere. These plumes were carried by prevailing winds and a unfortunately timed low pressure system across great distances, eventually reaching major metropolises of the northeastern region of North America, including New York City. The air quality in affected areas deteriorated significantly, posing risks to human health and the environment. Parts of the city measured AQI (Air Quality Index) ratings of upwards of 468, which is considered extremely hazardous.

The Life After Life team in NYC experienced the event firsthand, waking up to a skyline veiled in an unusual haze. The smoke particles suspended in the air created an eerie ambiance, obscuring the sun and casting a muted glow over the city. This phenomenon resulted in reduced visibility and a distinct change in the usual appearance of the urban landscape. Our co-founder, Shaily Patil, shares her experience with us about this day:

"At around 2 p.m. when the visibility and air quality were at their worst. Breathing became extremely difficult, and everyone had to wear masks once again. After stepping outside for just 10 minutes, my eyes were burning for about 2 hours upon returning indoors. I am still coughing a couple days out, and I am quite certain it is a result of that brief exposure. I had never witnessed anything like it before in my life."

She continued,

"This may be the first occurrence, but certainly won't be the last. I hope it serves as a wake-up call for people. We must all remember that regardless of who is causing harm to the planet and where it is happening, climate change is not an isolated event. Its repercussions are, and will be, experienced worldwide."

Fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, is a major component of wildfire smoke and is associated with respiratory problems, cardiovascular issues, and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections. The elderly, children, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions were particularly vulnerable.

The Canadian wildfires and the subsequent transportation of smoke particles to New York City highlighted the far-reaching environmental consequences of such events. The additional carbon emissions and pollutants released into the atmosphere exacerbate climate change, with potential long-term implications for weather patterns, ecosystems, and global warming.

The wildfires in Canada serve as a stark reminder of the interconnectivity of our world. Even though New York City was geographically distant from the disaster, it felt the reverberations through the atmospheric transport of smoke and ash. The impact on air quality and daily life highlighted the vulnerability of urban centers and the urgent need for collective action to address climate change and mitigate the risks posed by natural disasters. Together, we wade further into the climate change disaster slowly with a more tangible realization of exactly how the consequences of such events will extend beyond their immediate locations, necessitating global cooperation and proactive measures to protect our planet and its inhabitants.

[newsbites]

News from Vancouver Island, BC and beyond, 19 June.

Stephen Ewing, a Port Alberney man who was previously sentenced to 16 years in prison for sexual assault, pleaded guilty to new charges of sexual assault with bodily harm and strangulation.

2. The Cameron Bluffs Wildfire near Port Alberni, which has burned 229 hectares of forest, is now under control and suppression efforts have decreased fire behavior.

Highway 4, the only paved road connecting the Island’s west coast communities, is expected to remain closed until at least June 24, and a four-hour long detour route along logging roads remains the only way to reach the west coast.

Helijet is offering a daily round-trip helicopter flight between Nanaimo and Port Alberni starting Monday to circumvent the tricky detour, with a one-way fare costing $175 and booking must be done by calling the airline.

3. The Donnie Creek wildfire in northeastern British Columbia has become the largest individual fire ever recorded in the province's history.

The fire is still out of control and has resulted in evacuation orders for a sparsely populated region primarily used by the forestry and oil and gas industries.

The intensification of wildfire seasons in recent years has been linked to human-caused climate change.

4. BC Health-care unions say new whistleblower protections announced by Adrian Dix for British Columbia won't create conditions for staff to speak freely about the system.

Health-care workers must go through communications departments before speaking publicly or to the press, leading to concerns about narrative control and muzzling.

The new whistleblower protections are welcome, but concerns remain about the complexity of the reporting process and the need to extend protections to workers in private or long-term care facilities.

5. Six of the 10 seniors injured in a bus crash near Carberry, Manitoba, remain in critical condition.

The Canadian Red Cross is providing mobile medical units to displaced people in central Ukraine affected by the war with Russia.

The governments of Ontario and Canada have proposed a $10-billion settlement with the Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund over unpaid annuities for using their lands.

[atlanticcanada]

Air quality statements remain in effect in N.S., wildfire smoke impacting Ontario and Quebec

Air quality statements remain in effect for parts of Nova Scotia and wildfire smoke continues to impact large areas of Ontario and Quebec Tuesday.

In what has become an all-too-familiar sight this spring, smoke from wildfires is visible from space via satellites.

The following image is from June 5 and shows wildfire smoke in the grey haze. Clouds are the brighter white spots. Red spots denote wildfire locations, and thick smoke plumes off the fires in northern Quebec are easily spotted.

Some of those wildfires were likely ignited by lighting from widespread thunderstorms in Quebec on Thursday and Friday of last week.

Forecasts call for a very active wildfire season across country.

Wildfire smoke continues to drift north to south, out of Quebec and into Ontario today. Air quality levels in Ottawa are at a score of 10+ — very high risk.

Air Quality Statements are in effect for much of Quebec and a good portion of eastern and southern Ontario. Those most vulnerable to wildfire smoke include people with lung disease such as asthma, heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors.

So far there is little indication that smoke from the Quebec wildfires will move into the Maritimes over the next few days. Modelling for Wednesday shows much of the lower smoke has moved south towards Ontario and the northeastern United States. Air quality statements do remain in effect for Yarmouth and Shelburne Counties of Nova Scotia due to the proximity of the Barrington Lake wildfire.

The Maritimes has continued to pick up a significant amount of rain over the last 24 hours.

Rainfall reports for New Brunswick ranged from five to 35 mm Monday morning to Tuesday morning. Nova Scotia saw between 20 to 80 millimetres of rain during that period of time. Prince Edward Island also had a reported rainfall of just over 30 mm to just over 60 mm.

The prolonged period of wet and cool weather has reduced the wild fire danger index dramatically in the Maritimes.

As of Tuesday Natural Resources Canada has the Maritimes in low risk for fire danger. A burn ban remains in place provincially for both Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

New Brunswick is now open to burning of category one fires, which include campfires. 

from CTV News - Atlantic https://ift.tt/zUDnVZN