Consider This (https://consider-this.ca/category/consider-this-northumberland/)
Full interview with bonus material below:
Six months ago, I spoke with this same group of farmers from the Northumberland Federation of Agriculture. The lockdown had just started. Some grocery store shelves were empty. Everyone was buying toilet paper. You could not find yeast to save your soul because people started bake bread at home. Continue Reading →
The full interview with bonus material below:
So often it is easy to take things for granted. A roof over your head. A warm bed. Food in the fridge. Your favourite restaurant is open or a quick stop for a double-double. Continue Reading →
Many parents like to keep their kids busy outside of school. Whether it is playing rep hockey, martial arts, or music lessons, extracurricular activities are a part of many children’s lives. Usually, these activities gear up come September. This year is different. Like so many other aspects of our lives, these groups are facing challenges as they adjust to the restrictions placed on us by the pandemic. Continue Reading →
As many of us brace for the possible second wave of the virus to hit, there are efforts across Northumberland looking at how we adjusting to the ongoing challenges we face. Today’s show looks at two aspects of the ways our community is adapting. When the pandemic first hit Northumberland during the lockdown in March, within a two-week period, Venture 13 pulled together a micro-manufacturing operation to create personal protective equipment for hospitals, senior’s homes, and others within the county. If that wasn’t enough, it was recently announced another innovative enterprise is helping to protect frontline emergency workers in the county. This new start-up company created a scanning device that is being used by police, firefighters, and paramedics to quickly determine if people have a fever – one of many signs a person is infected with COVID-19. Continue Reading →
As the clock ticks down to the reopening of local schools, the debate over safety and the concerns of parents, teachers, and others continue to be hashed over in meetings and in public. School boards are finalizing plans while reaching out to parents to keep them informed. Yet, in some aspects, it is a very fluid situation. Teachers unions are seeking the intervention of the Ministry of Labour, adding uncertainty. The province is making last-minute decisions to provide school boards with flexibility around opening dates. Continue Reading →
In the face of the pandemic, the transition to fall represents a pivotal moment on many levels. The most significant is the prediction of a potential second wave of the COVID-19 virus spreading. Students from kindergarten to university and college will be returning to the classroom either face-to-face or online. School boards and educators are working diligently to ensure students and teachers will be safe. For the rest of us, it has been around two months since the provincial government slowly transitioned into Stage 3 of its Economic Recovery plan. Continue Reading →
Back in January, when I last interviewed local MP Philip Lawrence, he was tight-lipped about who he was about to endorse for the leadership race for the Conservative Party of Canada. It was very early days. Peter MacKay had announced. Lawrence said nothing. Then, a few days later, Durham MP Erin O’Toole raised his hand. Continue Reading →
As long as anyone can remember, Northumberland County has issued his annual audited financial statement. I know, could anything be more boring to anyone other than an accountant. But, the financial report for 2019 was different. It was released recently. But not as that snooze of a document. Continue Reading →
August always brings a sense of anticipation for teachers preparing for another year at school. But nothing can match the challenges facing educators returning to classrooms this fall. The pandemic has placed huge stresses on those in front of students regardless of their age. They must create a learning environment that is safe from a deadly virus. Educators need to protect the students and themselves. Continue Reading →
A burning issue for many parents right now is sending children back to school. Whether it is kindergarten, high school, college, or university, making a decision about what to do can be gut-wrenching. Things are compounded by the ever-changing landscape as the provincial government keeps making announcements and school board release their plans. Then, the media is full of varying perspectives from experts and others trying to weigh in with advice. Today’s show tries to shed some light on what is happening in Northumberland. Continue Reading →