There is an old story about a dinner-table discussion about which modern convenience a person would not want to live without.
Opinion
Last Mayor of Rusty River offers comedic take on council capers
The Last Mayor of Rusty River, currently on stage on the Blyth Festival offers audiences a comedic look behind the scenes of a rural council chambers – a bit of well-timed fun for the voters in the crowd before the serious business of municipal elections set to take place across Ontario this fall.
Community newspaper publishers need fair rates, quality service from Canada Post
Community newspaper publishers are asking the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Québec Lieutenant, to direct Canada Post to offer publishers the same rate it offers to the country’s dominant flyer printer.
Smoke gets in your eyes – and lungs
The song, “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” was written by composer Jerome Kern and lyricist Otto Harback for the 1933 musical comedy Roberta, and has been performed and recorded numerous times, by many famous musicians and singers.
Ottens says Return to Grace offers an authentic Elvis concert experience
Do you remember when you heard that Elvis Presley died? I was 15 and although it was shocking, I admit I wasn’t a fan back then. While I was familiar with some of his biggest hits, I was too young to remember him as that hip-swivelling rock and roll icon in the 1950s.
It pays to stay in the ‘swim’ of things
Once upon a time, not so long ago, there was little question about including at least one round of swimming lessons in a child’s summer schedule.
We are Canadian and proud of it
Canada Day usually triggers a burst of new bits of info that will probably make their way into a trivia competition at some point.
Goderich celebrates ‘Dominion day’with Grand Tattoo: July 1, 1926
A hundred years ago, people across Perth County were talking about the Grand Tattoo held in Goderich on July 1, 1926. Residents traveled to the town by automobile or bus to take part in the Dominion Day’s celebrations held there.
Reader recounts memorable story in contrast to Scott’s theatre column
To the Editor: I just finished reading Denny Scott’s column about theatre etiquette (editor’s note: The magic of theatre (and what dispels it) ran in Midwestern Newspapers for June 25, 2026) and I had to send you my own story.
To ban or not to ban, that is the question
The debate continues on whether children should have access to social media, and if so, at what age access is appropriate.
Dry Streak a relatable rural story which left me wanting
The strength of the Blyth Festival is its ability to connect with the audience through rural stories. That is the point of theatre, is it not, to evoke emotion, to give perspective, to relate through the characters’ experience?
Lengthy ER waits continue to plague rural health care
There has been quite a furor in recent days about people waiting far too long in emergency rooms, and sometimes leaving without seeing a doctor or nurse practitioner.
The time has come for new adventures
Journalism is often described as “literature in a hurry” – and as someone who’s been dashing around the province covering news of all manner for somewhere around four decades, I concur with that characterization.
Michael Cy Cywink’s Grand Entry and the bravery of the butterfly
I can still hear Michael’s joyful laugh. It was a rich, belly-shaking sound that could instantly…
Michael Cy Cywink’s Grand Entry and the bravery of the butterfly
I can still hear Michael’s joyful laugh. It was a rich, belly-shaking sound that could instantly uplift and connect us all, reminding us of his warmth and the happiness he shared.
