cktimes.ca Archives for Notes from a Garage


Notes from a Garage

With John Gardiner

Just one more great week.

Tuesday, October 15, 2002

cktimes.ca continues to grow with each passing week. I can't tell you how excited I am about the addition of John Weese and Jeff Wesley to the fine collection of columnists featured in cktimes. I have history with both of these guys – John and I working together at the old Wallaceburg News, and did a good job with that grand, old lady for a few years. I have come to know John as a guy who says what he thinks and generally gets a reaction– he is also a sincere guy who people can really identify with. He fits perfectly into the philosophy of cktimes. Jeff Wesley is another fellow I'm glad to add to the team. He brings a wealth of political savvy to the pages of cktimes, former two-time mayor of Wallaceburg and one of the hardest-working people I know. I look for Jeff to write a forthright, straightforward commentary on the political happenings in Chatham-Kent – another guy who is sincere and honest and will write what he thinks. Really, though, folks, I can't believe my good fortune at being able to assemble such a strong cast of writers for you. From Phil Shaw to Jim and Lisa Gilbert to Glen Turner and Jon Gilbert, all have come to the fore and done me proud. Many, like Glen and Brian Horrobin and Chris Ford, are first-time columnists and each and every one has done a splendid job. I'm finding more and more people who tell me they're visiting cktimes several times each week to read all the great stuff that can be found there. And the "community" aspect of the paper continues to grow stronger each week – this week, there are four submissions from the community, as well as a Letter to the Editor. Also, the forums have been a little bit busier. I urge you to get involved in cktimes. Together, we'll build a great community product.

I have been meeting many wonderful people in my travels. From Terry Youlton and Rob Watson of Ridgetown Rotary Club, to Sheri Lockyer of the Chatham-Kent Multiple Births Association, it has been great to meet you all. Keep spreading the word about cktimes and help me get this thing running. Most faithful contributor award so far goes to Steve Sadler, who has sent me two great pieces, with photos, on the activities of the Sunrise Rotary Club. In truth, local Rotary Club have been much in the spotlight in recent weeks in the Times. John Quennville and Tilbury Rotary are working on the PowerPlay for Easter Seals down in that neck of the woods, Messers Watson and Youlton and Ridgetown Rotary are battling polio at that end of the community, and Sunrise Rotary are just busy doing all sorts of good things. (Almost forgot Wallaceburg Rotary and its physician recruitment program. Oops!) Way to go to local Rotary Clubs.

Not to say that I'm ignoring other organizations – made contact with the Kiwanis Club in Ridgetown on Thanksgiving Monday. There they were – a dedicated group of community-minded citizens ready for the 2nd annual Turkey Trot – ready to raise some money for the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Kiwanis Nursery, a $100,000 commitment from local Kiwanis clubs. Got to meet Catherine Moore and all the rest and it was good to see such fine spirit so early in the morning. Great job, folks!

Was up to my hometown of Hanover to visit my folks over the weekend and it was great to be back in the place where I spent my youth and came of age (although there are those in my life who would tell you I've never really come of age). They say you can never go home and in a way I agree with that. It'll never be the same as it was back in the old days. Should perhaps mention that they've just enacted a no smoking bylaw in Hanover – only the Legion Hall escaped going smoke free. Big story on the front page of the Hanover Post that the Hanover Inn is in serious jeopardy. Problem is that patrons can drive six miles to Walkerton, which is in Bruce County where bars can apply for an exemption. We used to frequent the bars in Walkerton back when I was a lad, so know that traffic regularly flows down Highway 4 and out of Hanover. This will just make the flow a little quicker. Too bad there have to be casualties in the smoking wars, but it seems the non smokers really want to rub a few faces in it. It's the way I feel.

As this Thanksgiving Day went into the books, I was reminded that countless thousands of children would die of starvation each day over the weekend. It's a sobering thought and one that sort of keeps coming back to me.

Great feedback on the classic vinyl column – seems there are plenty of vinylphiles out there in cyberland. And really why wouldn't there be when vinyl is still the best place to listen to some real music.

Time to go for another week – remember to tell your friends and neighbours that you read it in cktimes.ca. And remember..."Hew to the line; let the chips fall where they may."



John Gardiner is a 25-year-veteran of the community newspaper business, but he is also a prolific writer of moralistic short fiction he refers to as "emotional thoughtscapes" or "adult fables". Samples of his fiction can be found at:

He has also produced a noteworthy piece of humanist philosophy which can be found at: http://www.xs4all.nl/~aboiten/ad502.htm He welcomes comments on his work.