Does questioning the wisdom of paying a whit of attention to Wiarton Willie make me a curmudgeon in these turbulent times? Shouldn’t any levity in the news be cause for celebration? Maybe I am just suffering from the information overload that Lisa Brandt describes in her “What’s Really Wracking Our Brains” article. I recognize many of the issues she outlines in my life, and I’m betting a lot of readers will too. Therefore, should I just let this go?
As I understand Groundhog Day — not the Bill Murray classic movie, but February 2 on the calendar — our local counterpart to Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil has come out of hibernation to predict an early or late spring. The folklore has it that since he peeked out on a rare sunny day, Willie saw his shadow, and we will have six more weeks of winter. That is somehow the worst-case scenario?!
I mark that as March 16: spring arrives. I’ll take that any year. But I’m a doubter.
For Lifestyle, the day on the calendar that has our attention is March 8, a global event recognized as International Women’s Day. Throughout this issue, we are featuring over 50 women that our magazine does business with, and it is a distinguished group. Each short profile is a personal account, but you will recognize several themes running through them. They speak for themselves, and I encourage you to fi nd “the takeaway” in each one for yourself — woman or man. They are instructive and celebratory, and that’s far better news than a cute rodent’s questionable prognostication.
Fortunately the brighter mornings and evenings do indicate that the seasons are in transition, even while the weather remains bitterly cold. There’s more hope in the following pages. Our fashion retailers are offering both spring and wedding inspiration, we highlight some new vehicles in our automotive section, and Kathy Navackas’ “Culture Calling” column highlights plenty of shows to help celebrate spring — from painting to music to theatre.
Bruce Fyfe takes us on a road trip for the spring bird migration through nearby Point Pelee. “Following the Flight Path” is about more than the birds — you’ll fi nd fi rst-hand recommendations for where to stay, play, eat and drink — but our feathered friends bring us closer to nature’s rhythms and the glory of spring.
We’re always attentive to our homes at Lifestyle, and in our Marketplace pages “All Things Kitchen” offers creative ideas and products. And Janis Wallace looks at the changing role of the basement. No longer an afterthought, these are impactful spaces for living more comfortably, increasing property values, and even potentially making housing more affordable.
Cheers,
Chris McDonell
