Port Matters by Frances Kennedy franceskennedy782@gmail.com
Yet another ‘once in a lifetime’ celestial event occurred on May 10th when a historic geomagnetic force
According to the authors, the journalistic norm of balanced reporting was undermined to amplify misleading messages of contrarians. What’s that got to do with Port? The book’s title resonates with similar influences within CE. One example: The Aylmer Express quotes a rant on FB’s Accountability of Central Elgin forum by a former municipal employee denouncing the benefit to CE of the annexation deal with St Thomas. But wait, the post suddenly disappears once the damage of doubt is done. (For the curious, it just gets curiouser and curiouser.) If we could travel back 100 years and land on Bridge or Main St., we’d soon realize ‘we weren’t in Kansas anymore’ — or Port Stanley in the 1920s, as evidenced by photos of Port’s past in the Bell Medical Centre. My point? 10 years hence, Port Stanley will have become equally unfamiliar as the pace of change accelerates to meet the region’s growth. Our role in its transformation requires progressive development in concert with the region and ‘place-making’ within our community. Let’s bear in mind that what matters now is our small-town charm, which can prevail even as we become a thriving economy that serves a year-round population. When we practice our best future, we create it.
gave millions a dazzling display; the Northern Lights offered Port an unexpected spectacle. On Little Beach, people from far and near converged to scan the skies, welcomed by music drumming a primal beat out on the berm. It was awe-inspiring and memorable. Spring has sprung, heralded by the sounds of birdsong, the scent of lilacs, and the sight of boats afloat. Speaking of which, boaters beware -- deadheads are out there north of the bridge. Kettle Creek Stakeholders Association continues to press all three levels of government politicos to address dredging and clean-up of our beautiful creek; a navigable waterway ensures water safety and supports our local economy. Speaking of water activities, Derek Niles, Port resident and President of Orange Force Marine Ltd., provides maritime expertise for science research, hydrographic surveys, emer- gency response, water safety training, and tourism-related activities (in conjunction with Legends of Lake Erie) in Port Stanley. Beyond commercial activities, he also donates his expertise and his orange floating assets, the ‘Erie Guardian’ and the ‘Vigilant’ , to voluntarily serve as Unit # 544 in the Central & Arctic Region of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA). Derek, along with eleven other dedicated volunteers, provides Search and Rescue response to aid boaters in distress in the Canadian waters of Lake Erie, from Erieau to Long Point (that’s 2,400 sq. km!) When asking a crew member ‘why do you do it?’ (asking to remain unnamed), he responded, “There’s no better feeling than to serve our community and rescue those in trouble.” Fortunately, he lives among us. Merchants of Doubt by Oreskes and Conway explores how a handful of politically motivated experts “played a disproportionate role in debates about controversial questions,” resulting in “deliberate obfuscation” of issues influencing public opinion.
Wednesday July 10th 9am – 3pm Pinafore Park 95 Elm St., St. Thomas Celebrating a 25-Year Tradition of Music, Fun & Camaraderie
Join us for the
Seniors Picnic in
the Park
Bring a lawn chair
Music, Entertainment, Vendors, Car Show, Food Vendors & More!
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Port Stanley Villager • June 2024 • Page 15
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