Sharing Niagara’s Stories – The Niagara Guide’s Blog

Baby Jesus’ First Christmas Tree

Baby Jesus’ First Christmas Tree

As a child, I never questioned where Christmas came from. Santa Claus delivered presents sometime in the wee hours between Christmas eve and Christmas day. That was the important bit, plus of course the massive family get-togethers with far more food than anyone could...

Positively, Absolutely, F*ck Perfection

Positively, Absolutely, F*ck Perfection

Nothing is perfect. Nobody is perfect. You're not perfect, and you will never be. The people you love aren't perfect, and will never be. The job you have isn't perfect. And in reality, nothing in our world is perfect. So, with grace, love, and compassion, take a look...

Stay Alive for Christmas

Stay Alive for Christmas

There are days I hate my brain. I see something and wonder "why?". That darn question will stick with me like poop on a boot until one day I get sick of the thought rattling around and I look for the answer. I was talking with an electrician friend of mine a couple of...

Could This Be the Least Efficient Fundraiser?

Could This Be the Least Efficient Fundraiser?

To say I "stumbled" across these the other day would be a lie. They've been sitting at the bottom of my sock drawer for years. While doing a purge of my worn out and holey socks, I decided to clear them out. Now they sit on my desk while I ponder what to do with them....

What Happened?

What Happened?

For people who have been here before, you might notice a few changes. For everyone else who hasn't been here before, welcome to the new Niagara Guide 🙂 It's not much to look at right now, but it'll change soon enough. There were lots of things that weren't "working"...

A Cyclist’s Niagara Homecoming

A Cyclist’s Niagara Homecoming

I was chatting with my friend Dave and said I’d been getting on the bike more. He whimsically suggested we go for a ride. Of course, I said “Yeah, we should”. That set the wheels in motion for a visit from Dave and his wife Vanessa. Dave grew up in Fonthill but hasn't...

Death is the Wrong Metric

Death is the Wrong Metric

Most people consider death to be permanent. That's one reason we consider it so important when someone dies. When it comes to statistics though, a focus on death is often not the most helpful when it comes to understanding the full impact of things that lead to death....

Niagara’s Re-Opening, So Now What?

Niagara’s Re-Opening, So Now What?

Ontario saw its first Covid-19 case on January 22, 2020. March 17 was when the government called a state of emergency and within short order, schools, places of worship, bars & restaurants, and non-essential businesses were shut down. It's been a challenging time...

Gratitude During a Pandemic

Gratitude During a Pandemic

If ever there was a time to look for silver linings, it is now. The measures in place to minimize the impacts of Covid-19 on society are drastic. Most of us have never been through anything like this. Even though the situation is challenging, there are things we can...

Our New Normal

Our New Normal

Well, it's an interesting time. We all knew there was going to be a pandemic someday. That day is now here. As Niagara shuts down and the challenges mount, we are being asked to be socially responsible and avoid unnecessary contact with other people. This "social...