Musings

Personal memories of Canada’s first flag day

By: Robert Washburn | February 15, 2015

By Robert Washburn

As the Canadian flag’s 50th birthday is celebrated today, it is a wonderful opportunity to be filled with national pride. It is lovely to have a day to put aside all our difference, tensions and stresses as Canadians honour a symbol of our unity. When Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson decided to create a new national flag back in the 1960s, little did he know it would ignite a passionate debate. Amazingly, it also generated more than 6,000 contributions from ordinary Canadians wanting to contribute their vision. Despite all the acrimony, the red Maple Leaf on a white field with a red background was adopted. Continue Reading →

Remembering a dear friend and mentor

By: Robert Washburn | October 13, 2014

By Robert Washburn

We all have a biological father. But, we also have men in our lives that helped raise us, teach us, share their wisdom with us and shape us into the people we are today. Lee Sauro was like a father to me. He died at age 90 in July. His son, Darryl contacted me today to let me know there is going to be a wake. Continue Reading →

The new French Revolution

By: Robert Washburn | January 9, 2010

What happens when there is no room for a public sphere to exist and citizens are left feeling disenfranchised, alienated and unempowered? A revolution. And, the signs are beginning to show. The recent incident involving actor-comedian Michael Richard, also known as Kramer in the hit television series Seinfeld, was devastated after he used a series of racial slurs against hecklers at the laugh Factory on Nov. 17. Continue Reading →

Recent Podcasts – Consider This Live

Warden responds to Cobourg mayor’s suggestion to separate from Northumberland County

The show: The full interview with bonus material: At a recent committee meeting of Cobourg council, Mayor Lucas Cleveland said Cobourg’s efforts to deal with the encampment on King Street were only dealing with the symptoms, but not the sickness. The sickness the mayor was referring to was Northumberland County’s efforts to address the situation.

Biologist offer insight into challenges and pluses to fishing sanctuary on Ganaraska River

The show: The full interview with bonus material: Nearly 30,000 Chinook Salmon migrate through the lower Ganaraska River in Port Hope to spawn upstream. It is one of the largest in Ontario.

Tragic death leads to debate about opioids within Alderville community, says chief

The show (full interview): International Overdose Awareness Day was last week. A tragic death caused by a drug overdose took place in Alderville recently.

Walk-in clinic re-opens following year of challenges to serve patients who don’t have a doctor

The show: The full interview: After a year of hard work and numerous challenges, the walk-in clinic in Port Hope re-opened with a soft launch earlier this month. As everyone slowly finds their sea legs, the clinic hopes to serve a growing population in Northumberland without doctors.

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