~ HAPPY HALLOWE'EN

HELPLESS ~ Christie Blatchford

Christine Blatchford Book Signing today, Sat., October 30, 2:00 p.m.

at The Regional News, 345 Argyle St. (Hwy. #6)Caledonia.

One of the most heroic books I have read. HELPLESS, Christine Blatchford's Caledonia's Nightmare of Fear and Anarchy, and how the Law Failed All of Us.*

"This book is not about Aboriginal land claims. What HELPLESS is about is the failure of government to govern and to protect all its citizens equally" ~ Christie Blatchford.

You will recognize the names. The courageous individuals who stood tall when three levels of government and the OPP virtually abandoned the people of Caledonia ~ the late Ontario Superior Court Judge David Marshall, Mayor Marie Trainer, Gary McHale, MPP Toby Barrett ~ to name a few ~ and the brave area residents who stood firmly on the front-line.

Christine, thank you for writing the book.

*Doubleday Canada, 2010. Christie Blatchford writes for the Toronto Globe and Mail and can be heard regularly on CFRB.

For larger image, click on photo.

The subject of plagiarism came up recently in the bookshop.
According to American comic-book writer Peter David, one is often inspired by another writer's work.
"One can take a concept or an idea... and twist it around and transpose it and make it into your own. This takes work.
"It is also possible to take the aforementioned concept or idea or bit of business and put it in its entirety in your story. It's possible to do this unintentionally. This is called "happenstance."
And if you realize it while there's still time to do something about it, then either you excise it or else acknowledge the source. This is called "honesty."
"However, if you do it deliberately, hoping to pull a fast one, that's called "plagiarism," from the Latin root meaning "kidnapper." To put it mildly, it's frowned upon. To put it unmildly, it's actionable in a court of law."

Peter David, But I Digress, krause publications, 1994.

"Where do writers get ideas?
"They don't get ideas. Ideas come to them.
They come from the newspapers or books or T.V. shows. They come from movies, or friends. They come from happenstances that they witness or hear about second hand.
If I'm making it sound like ideas are a dime a dozen, well ---- they are. Probably less. It is so darned easy to get ideas, if you just set your mind properly."

Peter David (b. 1956) American Comic-book writer, But I Digress , krause publications, 1994.

(For larger image, dbl.click on photo.) Tomorrow: Plagiarism.

Smile for Today:
"The beaver is a good national symbol for Canada.
He's so busy chewing he can't see what's going on."

~ Howard Cable (b. 1920) Canadian orchestra conductor
Quotable Canada, A National Treasury, Running Press.

Smile for Today:

"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for."
~ John A. Shedd *

"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly."
~ Robert F. Kennedy

* Reference may be J. G. Shedd for whom the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago is named after.
Source: Treasury of Wit & Wisdom, The Reader's Digest Assoc. (For larger image, dbl. click on photo.)

Thought for Today:

"There is no such thing on earth as an uninteresting subject; the only thing that can exist is an uninterested person."

~ Gilbert K. Chesterton (1874 - 1936) English Writer, Wikipedia

Photo Credit: Cherilyn Gibson, Antique Roadshow, Dundurn Castle, Hamilton, ON.

Smile for Today:

This is a real question posted on Yahoo's, Ask. Answer. Discover.

"Why do all landlord like to have their rent on time and don't like to fix anything? That's the problem I have with my landlord. For he don't like to fix nothing in the house like my water being linking(sic) for 4 months now an(d) my wall socket have been out about the same amount of time. The house have lose wiring and I've asked them to fix it and nothing have been fixed yet. The landlord have been putting little letters in my door when think I am gone. So I'm asking for some help as soon as possible."

Our Answer: We don't know, Carol P., but if you do find out, we would sure like to know.

"When I read a book, I seem to read it with my eyes only, but now and then I come across a passage, perhaps only a phrase, which has a meaning for me, and it becomes part of me."

~ W. Somerset Maugham, (1874 - 1965) English playwright, novelist, writer.

"Be ruled by time ~ the wisest councellor of all."

~ Plutarch, Greek historian

How many times do the facts reveal themselves if we simply step-back? Do nothing. Let time sort out the details.

Photo: by Lorna

Farewell ~

Farewell~ For larger images, click on photo. Dbl. click for really large image.

"The traditional family farm is becoming an endangered species. For that reason, my grandfather's farm represents as important a piece of human heritage to me as any rainforest."
~ Robert Bateman, Canadian wildlife artist, environmentalist.

Photo by: Lorna, Family Farm

Agriculture in Haldimand and preservation of farmland has been a topic for discussion at candidate nights leading up to the municipal election on Monday, October 25. Make your voice heard.

~ Poetry Reading today with Neil Paul. 1:30 p.m. Thursday,
October 14.

Come by ~ Tea and coffee's always on.

They say dogs look like their owners.

Happier Days...

Say it isn't so... Customers were disheartened this morning to find a sign on the Back 40 Restaurant ~ CLOSING. Bob and Sharon Logan are retiring ~ for the second time. The sign is typical of their personalities, expressing gratitude to the wonderful folks they have met in the years that they have owned the restaurant. We will certainly miss you.

"Nurture your mind with great thoughts."

~ Benjamin Disraeli (1804 - 1881) British Prime Minister

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

Gathering Hickory Nuts on Thanksgiving Day

Ruthven Park National Historic Site

For larger image click on photo.

Vintage cars, trucks and custom vehicles came from as far away as Sarnia, Ontario to be at Ruthven Park today. There were prizes, music and stories amid the rumblings and horns.

Ruthven Park National Historic Site is on Hwy. #54 just N. of Cayuga. Go to: http://www.ruthvenpark.ca/ Take the virtual tour under the title "About."

Poetry Reading with Neil Paul

We are pleased to host another Thursday afternoon with Neil Paul. On a lazy day in August we relaxed over coffee while Neil Paul read poetry and discussed writing. He described several life experiences that influence his compositions.

Circle Thursday, 14 October, 1:30 p.m. on your calendar. It promises to be a treasured few hours with a man who observes life with a sensitivity that he passes on to his reader. Neil's book, A Slim Volume, makes a charming gift for only five dollars.

Photo: Neil Paul signs a book for Mrs. Huitema.

Cayuga Development

Excavation has begun on a survey of twelve houses at the end of Winnett Street N. , Cayuga. Located along the former Penn Central railway, the housing project is within shouting distance of the controversial St. Lawrence Resin Products. According to Mayor Trainer and councillor Sloate, Haldimand County Council has been working hard to get the derelict plant cleaned up.

Photos by: Lorna

Green Energy replacing Coal Plant

Haldimand County is currently slated for between 180 and 200 wind turbines. Andy Frame, formerly a senior adviser, Electric Utilities, Ontario Ministry of Energy, states that "the changes in hydro rates are being driven by the policies of the McGuinty government and their decision to shut down coal plants, and replace power supplies with green energy sources."
"Stop paying exorbitant prices for wind and solar power, and no more long-term contracts. Manufacturers of wind and solar equipment are making good profits on these programs."*
*Andy Frame, consultant in the electrical power industry, The Hamilton Spectator, October 7. Pg. A11.

Photo by: Lorna. Malancton, Ontario

Ernest Hemingway's Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech

Thank you Jeremy Henatyzen for this wonderful link.

Two Autumn Days

All day in gusty showers, I saw the leaves
Swept eddying downward to the rain-soaked sod;
I saw upon the uplands tented sheaves,
And, by the roadside, wind-tossed golden rod.

BIDE A WEE, AND OTHER POEMS, By Mary F. MacColl,

Toronto: Rose Publishing Company, Hunter,
Rose and Co., Printers and Binders,
Wellington Street, 1882

Lydia and Andrew Thompson Collection

Municipal Election 2010

Reminder of the following upcoming All Candidates Nights for Haldimand County.

Tues., 5 Oct. 7:00 p.m. Jarvis Community Centre, 18 James St.
Wed., 6 Oct. 7:00 p.m. Dunnville Royal Canadian Legion, 305 Queen St.
Thu., 7 Oct. 7:30 p.m. Haldimand Agriculture Centre, Kohler Rd.
Wed. 13 Oct. 7:00 p.m. Caledonia Lions Hall, 100 Haddington St.
Wed. 20 Oct. 6:30 p.m. Hagersville Community Centre, 62 Main St. S.
Thu. 21 Oct. 7:30 p.m. Lowbanks Community Centre, 2633 North Shore Dr.

List provided by Ken Brownell of the Haldimand Northshore Property Association.
http://www.hnpa.ca/
Municipal Election on October 25, 2010. Make your voice heard.

The Cayuga and District Chamber of Commerce has invited Ward 2 candidates to attend a panel discussion at the regular meeting on Wednesday, 6 October at the Cayuga Golf Course, 8:00 a.m.

"Be ruled by time ~ the wisest councellor of all."

~ Plutarch

Greek historian

Photo by: Lorna

The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs recommend that smoke alarm batteries be replaced at least once a year. An average of eight Canadians die weekly from fire according to CHCH News, Hamilton, Ontario.
October 3rd to 9th is Fire Prevention Week in Canada.
http://www.safeathome.ca/

"If a masterly landscape painter was to take our hanging woods in their autumnal colours, persons unacquainted with the country would object to the strength and deepness of the tints, and would pronounce, at an exhibition, that they were heightened and shaded beyond nature." ~ Gilbert White, English Naturalist (1720 - 1793)

The English Year, Compiled by Geoffrey Grigson, 1984, Oxford University Press

Photo: by Lorna

For Sale

It is official. The Back 40 Family Restaurant is for sale.

Cayuga Street has been nurtured and cared for by a handful of business owners. This small stretch of downtown Cayuga-On-The-Grand has been deliberately and lovingly brought back to life by a few Cayuga enthusiasts. The street is adorned with baskets of flowers provided by the Chamber of Commerce.

Typically, downtown business areas lose out to strip malls. Commercial spaces become vacant. Windows are papered over. For-Lease signs go up. For every business that opens, one closes. When The Neat Little Bookshop opened three and a half years ago, there were four empty commercial spaces within a block. People commented that they were out of the habit of walking along Cayuga Street.

Today there is only one vacant retail space. Every new sign and window display is a testament to a growing enthusiasm of a proud community. Celebrations are planned. Local service clubs hold fund-raising events. Located one block away from the beautiful Grand River, the revitalization of downtown Cayuga is now attracting folks from all over.

Bob and Sharon Logan will be retiring for the second time when they sell the Back 40. We are reluctant to let them to go but we wish them all the best and welcome the prospect of new owners who will come in with the same enthusiasm and commitment to nurturing a licensed family restaurant on Cayuga Street.