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BRANTFORD | SIX NATIONS | PARIS | ST. GEORGE

2014 - Do Something
by Marc Laferriere, Twitter: @MarcLaferriere
Readers of The Brant Advocate may remember my 2 part
story on why and how people should become more
involved in their community. I really enjoyed writing
those pieces, but more so I enjoyed the reaction from
people. I was excited every time I got a tweet or an e-mail
from someone asking more questions about joining boards
and community initiatives, or even telling me that they
were applying for a board after reading something that
demystified the process.
The local community - especially those who are members
of The Brant Advocate family - have been finding ways
to just make things happen in the last 12 months. We love
highlighting the stories of these activities. The Frosty Fests
and Taylor The Turtles drive us all to do better.
I've been really lucky to see first hand many others start
new things this past year. Big and small, it all makes a
difference and makes our community appreciably better.
More on that in a little bit.
I was at a training in my day job around mental health and
the PhD speaker was a self described fiery southern
woman from the United States. She shared a lot of
wisdom around individual happiness that I think applies
just as fittingly to any community. She talked about how
we all make efforts around getting rid of the negative with
varying degrees of success, but that it becomes better to
light a candle than to curse the dark. Getting rid of the
negative in yourself, your home or your neighbourhood
involves doing more of the pleasant and positive.
It is not always easy, but as the trainer mentioned it is
when we "do things that are achievable that make us feel
competent, confident and in control of our lives that we
see an improvement in our quality of life." That statement
is just as true for an individual as it is for a city, town or
riding.
Were all connected. The more positive things you do in
the short term, and the more things that mean something
to you that you do in the long term make you feel more
fulfilled. They also have a ripple effect on people you may
not even know. 2013 was filled with the creation of a

variety of new positive enterprises in our community that

I think are winning ideas. Some are grand, some are tiny
- not everything needs to be some massive front page story
- but they all provide an example that starting something
positive is its own reward.
These are just a sliver of some of the things people in our
community got off the ground in 2013, all of which can
be found on Facebook if you want to learn more:
GenNext: This Brant United Way initiative launched in
the last quarter of 2013 and seeks to get people in their 20s
and 30s engaged in our community through volunteering,
giving and action. At the launch event, I was so excited
to hear from others how they want to sign on for the kind
of pop-up volunteering for good causes that fit with busy
schedules that this group is facilitating.
Self Help Addiction Resource Centre: SHARC is a grassroots
community-based, not for profit organization co-founded
by regular Advocate contributor Randy Roberts. This
group seeks to provide a safe environment where people
in recovery have opportunities to meet others, find
resources and proudly and openly seek help.
Paris Mommas: Created by my friend Kim Newell who
has joined with others to bring together Paris, On (and
area) moms for play dates, field trips, advice networking
and more. They currently have over 100 moms signed up
getting to know one another.
Single Fathers Brantford: I know a few of the dads in this
group and they are an excellent, progressive and busy
group. They hold events for single fathers, they provide
support for one another and share advice and experiences.
They also have over 100 members and are growing.

The Brantford Comic Book Club: A little thing Rev.

Jonathan Massimi and I started this year just to get other
comic book readers to have a little something they can do
to let their hair down. As a group we gather on the last
Monday of every month at 9pm at Sophia's Bakery to
discuss the stories, symbolism and meaning in comic
books.
Brantford Buskers Festival: A really well attended event
in the heart of Eagle Place that brought people out to enjoy
amazing entertainment in a great environment. The first
time an event is held is always the most difficult but
Steven Boudreau and the Eagle Place Community
Association outdid themselves at this inagural event.
That's just some of what I've been able to see from only
one year in our community on the rise. If someone else
were to write about this same topic they might have an
even larger list without any crossover with this one. This
makes me - and should make you - very hopeful about our
shared 2014. What positive thing are you going to start
this year? I can't wait to hear about it... And neither can
our readers.
But do something. It doesnt have to be a cat rescue, a
comic book club, a parents group, an arts festival, a
recovery program or a volunteering group. It just has to
be something positive and something youll enjoy. You
never know what kind of good will come from it.
I'll leave you with this inspiring little quote from a friend
of the publication, Craig Cardiff's latest musical release
Love is Louder. I think it speaks right to the heart of what
we can do as a community when we start new things and
work together:
"This moments happening, we're all in it.

Feral-to-Friendly Cat Rescue: A rescue dedicated to cats

and kittens that also supports Trap-Neuter-Return
programs. My friend Pam Newell (yup...related to Kim
above) recently held a Christmas party where instead of
bringing Christmas food people were encouraged to bring
cat food and other supplies to help support the work Pam
and her friend Celena Brooks-Ferraro do helping these cats
socialize and find good homes.

And the trick is the recognition of little perfects.

All hands up, don't sleep through it.
No one knows how much time...how much time is left."

BRANTFORD | SIX NATIONS | PARIS | ST. GEORGE

Zapatista
by Carrie Sinkowski, Twitter: @CSinkowski
In Women Studies and Labour Studies we had to start
every essay by first acknowledging our privilege relative
to the subject.
I find myself still doing that today, 13.5 years after
graduation.
So to begin, I have the privilege of having been raised by
a loving family who supported both financially and
emotionally my choice to go to
university. From those years I had
the privilege of time to read countless
books, and investigate the world
which broadened my understanding
of systems of power and privilege,
and the resulting oppressions.

the most southern state in Mexico. They organize their

autonomous communities according to Mayan traditions,
socialism, and liberation theology (a movement within the
Catholic Church that designated the church to stand alongside those in struggles). This December will be their 30th
anniversary of being autonomous, and January 1st will
mark their uprising against the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA).

We are connected to
Oventic. NAFTA forced
the Mexican government
to revoke Article 27 of the
constitution which was
born out of the Mexican
Revolution of 1910.

In both of my programmes there

was a heavy emphasis on utilizing
our privilege to help create social
change on any scale. Growing up in
a small town that was quaint and
picturesque with no visible poverty
and being involved in the community
through my grandfathers store, I
was never really exposed to systems of power because in
all truth I was benefiting from the system.

Through academia and community work I became

involved in the activist world giving my time and thought
to actions within the labour, womens, anti-globalization,
and Palestinian movements. At times I really miss those
days. I sometimes regret my choice of legitimate socially
sanctioned work. Being at protests was liberating and
validating. I was not living in my head with my thoughts
about injustices in the world, but instead I was surrounded
by voices who sounded like mine, who wanted to see
change and, more importantly, were willing to work and
make sacrifices for those visions.
I love my job, but sometimes I miss my voice. I feel like
The Little Mermaid.
Of all the social movements I studied, one stood out for
me. The Campesino Movement won my heart. I live in a
rural area so I guess it was only natural that I be drawn to
the struggles of landless campesinos farmers.
In 1998, my dad and I both started reading everything we
could on the Zapatistas, a group that is located in Chiapas,

In 2003 I had the honour of going

to Oventic, the oldest caracole
(community), to celebrate their
20th and 10th anniversaries.

We camped in Oventic for a

couple of weeks with the Mexico
Solidarity Network, an American
based organization. The Zapatisitas
fully welcomed us into their
community to join in their celebrations. Women and men have
equal rights and roles in their
communities. They live separate
from the state and receive no
subsidies. They run, instead, their own schools and health
clinics that are hybrids of traditional and modern practises.

As a resource rich area, the mountains provide ample

space for coffee production which is a staple for their
export economy. The women in the community produce
weavings in the traditional back loom fashion, and sell
their products locally, and globally. There is also a boot
making shop. I was the only lucky one in our group with
small enough feet to fit their boots. Mayan people are quite
small compared to the average Canadian, so the largest
boot they make is a mens 4.5. Seeing people work
together collectively was inspiring. Everything is a
process. Yes, they have conflicts and it is not all sunshine
and lollipops, but they have processes to work through
conflicts. The processes do take longer and nothing is
quickly resolved, but everyones voice is attempted to be
heard.
My trip there is very romanticized. I recognized it even at
the time. Time was fluid. Food was so fresh and tasted so
good over an open fire. We made all our food together as
a collective which provided opportunity to tell and share
pieces of our lives. Our hikes up into the mountains made
me forget my habits of technology and conveniences. Water-

falls and twisting vines became my norm quickly.

Strange how you can step into a different world and have
it feel so immediately like your forever.
I wanted to stay there in the utopia of Oventic. They ask
foreign nationals to visit because it keeps both the paramilitary and military at bay. They are not looking to recruit
people into their way of life or for our charity, but rather
they seek solidarity. Stepping in and out of your privilege
is ok with them. The Junta (council) expressed the gratitude
of the community over and over again while we there,
sharing with us ways that we could express solidarity.
They are not asking to be rescued or patronized, but for us
to accept responsibility for our role in their circumstances,
and to remedy that grievance by demonstrating solidarity
in supporting their ways of life through knowledge of their
existence, being a presence in their community and
spreading awareness about their realities.
We are connected to Oventic. NAFTA forced the Mexican
government to revoke Article 27 of the constitution which
was born out of the Mexican Revolution of 1910. This
article guaranteed everyone land to farm and was preventing
transnational corporations from appropriating land for
their own agribusiness. Since that article in the constitution
was revoked and NAFTA was implemented it has become
harder for people to farm, creating landless Campesinos.
So what I said in the above passage about our responsibility
for their situation, NAFTA is what I am referring to and
we is the collective of Canada. Chiapas is an extremely
poor state with high levels of infant mortality and a very
short life span for those who survive childhood. The
Zapatista communities have a much higher rate of health
than other communities in the state. In Canada, there are
many coffee shops that serve and sell the coffee grown in
the Zapatista communities. It costs us a little more to have
a cup of coffee that helps ensure that a community thrives
in southern Mexico.
This trip was another one of those life defining moments
for me.
Academia pushes you inside your head and often turns
out the light. Your thoughts circle and bump into each
other.
This trip gave my head a chance to breathe and connect to
my heart. It connected all my senses to the concept of social
justice and change. It made me see, as the late Mandela
had said, It always seems impossible until its done.

Mabida - Alive in our Hearts

by Joe Cressy, Twitter: joe_cressy
In 2001, when I was 17 years old, I left Canada to spend
a year living in Johannesburg.

of passionate people committed to building a better

society.

That year changed my life.

Over the course of that year every conversation I had always

seemed to revolve around the impact of Nelson Mandela.
His lifelong struggle made us believe that change is possible.
His willingness to forgive showed us that if we dig down
deep, we can overcome even the worst injustice. That we
can overcome hate. And his wonderful heart, and that classic
smile and 'Madiba shuffle', taught us to always find joy.
That to lose the joy of it, was to lose all of it.

I had grown up in downtown Toronto - a city that taught

me to embrace and love multiculturalism and diversity.
And, I had been raised by parents who taught me to value
equality and to always stand-up for social justice.
But it was that year in South Africa, when I was still learning and finding my way, when I grew-up. I spent the year
living with a British-South African family in Johannesburg
and then a Zulu family in Soweto. I attended local schools,
rode minibus taxis, and cavorted with the freedom of a
teenager out to conquer the world. But more importantly,
I came to see the world for all its injustice and hope.
I came to understand the real meaning of struggle and
forgiveness. I encountered a deeply unequal society
struggling to find its way. But I also found a nation

I left South Africa a different person. I remember returning

to Toronto for my final year of high school and finding
myself far less interested in sports and spring break - social
justice and activism became my new past-time. I got
involved in the anti-war movement against the war in Iraq
and started marching and chanting. I participated in town
halls and conferences, and I started organizing. And, I met
Jack Layton, then an NDP leadership candidate who happened
to share the same birthday as Mandela (July 18), who

asked me to join him and his project to build a better country.

That was 12 years ago and a lot has happened since then.
I look back now and can't help but think of the impact
Nelson Mandela had on my life. But more importantly, I
look back and think about Mandela's impact on a
generation of South Africans. A generation still grappling
with the challenges of continuing and rampant inequality.
A generation that tonight has lost hero and patron saint.
Over the years I had the honor of meeting Madiba 3 times:
twice in South Africa and once in Toronto. His dignified
stature and genuine warmth, especially when children
were near, was infectious. I remember the last time I saw
him at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Nelson Mandela
Children's Fund in Johannesburg. He was older and his
face bore the marks of years of imprisonment and struggle,
but that sparkle in his eyes was still there.
That sparkle lives in all of us now. Madiba, and the lessons
he taught us, must now live in our hearts.

BRANTFORD | SIX NATIONS | PARIS | ST. GEORGE

On-line Shopping
by Michael St. Amant, Twitter: @MichaelStAmant
Funny, you wake up one morning and it is 2014 and
your world is about to change!
No, I am not talking about an invasion of aliens or the
rise of a political dictatorship. Nor am I thinking of
geographic catastrophe. What I am referring to is the
manner in which we do our shopping. In 2013, global
e-commerce sales exceeded $1.2 trillion. Generations
X and Y currently do 25% of their shopping on-line and
this percentage will increase along with their spending
power. We are not just talking about electronics, books
and music, but clothes, accessories and in some cases
pharmaceuticals and food products.
The fact is the only major impediment limiting the
growth of the on-line shopping industry is the distribution
network required to manage effective delivery. Most
consumers like the idea of the delivery services
associated with on-line shopping. People who participate in social networks have probably already noticed
the increase in promotions for on-line shopping networks. The introduction of mobile shopping apps is
considered an important development in attracting consumers.
There is a cost to moving towards a digital commerce
system. First, as the nature of retail changes, so will the
need for retail stores and the employees who work in
them. Dollars spent on purchasing goods on-line are not
spent in the community where you live, and it is quite
likely that the warehouse that ships you the product is
not in your community, maybe not even in your country.
And yet, the local retail store pays taxes, employs
people, and uses local services. If communities thought
that Walmart negatively impacted local retail, digital
commerce will make the Walmart experience pale by
comparison.

Technology has improved

our lives considerably. We see
this in healthcare, education,
transportation, agriculture and
financial services. There is also
a downside to technology: loss
of jobs, loss of control, and
loss of human interaction.
I know that some will see my comments as being overly
alarmist or out of tune with modern society. It is
inevitable after all, that technology will continue to
play an important role in how we do business, and that
the more creative of us will find ways to exploit it to its
maximum. When I mentioned the issue to a friend, he
laughed and said that I would have found the Eatons
catalogue to be a danger. The Eaton catalogue was
introduced in 1884 and was utilized until 1976. During
that period, it revolutionized retailing by bringing
product choices to distant communities that would not
have had access to retail shopping. In some respects, it
has been argued that digital shopping similarly expands
the markets for goods to distant countries and helps to

sustain profitable companies due to lower investment

in retail operations.
There is no doubt that businesses that rely on fewer
employees and manage efficiency should generate more
profits and a greater return on investments for its shareholders. The premise of this theory of economic activity
is that there are consumers able to purchase the goods
being offered. In the case of on-line shopping
companies, they are indifferent to local markets as long
as there is a market somewhere that will utilize their
services. At the same time, with just-in-time delivery
methods, they are indifferent to production risks
because shipping and the inventorying of product is
mostly left to the producer. So what the on-line
companies really are, are transaction and promotion
managers that take a cut in the sale of goods. In reality,
they are indifferent to location and employment.
Think about the retail industry in Brantford. Many
businesses are already hanging by a thread and rely on
seasonal periods to survive. Chain operations move in
and out as the market demands, but at least a physical
presence means that there will be employees. The
n a ture of the local consumer is changing as the
demographics of our community change. As the baby
boomers retire, the disposable dollars move to the next
generations for the majority of goods purchased. These
are Generation X and Y who are the most likely to
utilize on-line shopping. They are also the target market
for on-line shopping companies who want to make it
easier and easier for them to shop on-line.
Some would argue that local merchants can offer their
goods and services on-line. This is no doubt true in
some cases. But think about it. Are they going to be able
to compete with the transactional power of

Amazon.Com? If they are successful at creating an

on-line business, will it be sufficient to sustain a retail
operation in its traditional sense? This begs the
question: will companies of the future need retail stores
or warehouses? If it is the latter, modern efficiencies in
inventory management will likely mean there will be
fewer employees.
Technology has improved our lives considerably. We
see this in healthcare, education, transportation,
agriculture and financial services. There is also a downside
to technology: loss of jobs, loss of control, and loss of
human interaction. On-line shopping, however,
represents a different type of threat. As it grows,
improves distribution, and increasingly dictates the
nature of production, it will play a greater role in determining
market trends, nature of competition, financial structure
and choice.
An on-line company selling goods manufactured in
China provides no benefit to Brantford, save perhaps
the convenience of shopping on-line and perhaps a
slightly lower price because they do not have the
overhead of employing people and maintaining a store.
This does not bode well for the smaller and independent
retailers in our community. Nor, in the long term, does
it bode well for the big box stores who will face increased
competition from companies that utilize international
purchasing power to control and dictate the market.
Perhaps the nature of the 21st century is that this is the
way it will be. Perhaps Im being too negative. The next
time FedEx arrives at your house with a parcel youve
ordered on-line, take a second to think about it. Maybe
Im not being as negative as some may think and our
world is about to change!

Joan L. Mailing R.M.T., C.B.H.T., N.M.T, CST, C.R., C.I., W.T., C.I.A.S.P.
Registered Massage Therapist
Certified Bowen Health Therapist
Neuromuscular Therapist
Craniosacral Therapist
Certified Reflexologist
Certified Iridologist
Watsu Therapist
Raindrop Technique
Massage Cupping

Movement is Life.
The function of a moveable joint is motion.
Loss of motion causes distorted functioning.
Normalization produces normal functioning.
~Joan L. Mailing

FOCUSSING ON:

519.752.9948
www.joanmailing.com
126 King George Road

Multidisciplinary Clinic
By Appointment Only

therapeutic massage for expectant mothers with a specially designed table for mother's comfort and a support strap for baby.

BRANTFORD | SIX NATIONS | PARIS | ST. GEORGE

Out of the Cold with Rein VandenEnden

by Nathanael Lewis

Rein VandenEnden is the Executive Shelter Director for

the Out of the Cold program at Yes Church on West Street
in Brantford, ON. The Out of the Cold program is funded
through the City of Brantford, the federal government and
a few private funders. A Coldest Night sponsorship walk
is held every February, with all donations going directly
to the shelter.
In June of this year, the shelter was looking for city funding
to increase. Currently, the city donates $5.47 per
bed-night. The increase would be a difference of $1.09
bringing the total to $6.56 per bed-night. No news has
come of that quite yet.
One of the main reasons that there needs to be more financial
support is because there has been an increase in the
number of attendees, a variety of whom have mental
health problems or medical needs beyond that which the
church can supply for.
The shelter offers a clean shower and toiletries for its
clients helping to revitalize the attendees and boost morale.
Out of the Cold also assists its clientele in eventually
finding shelter or housing beyond what the program can
provide, which will help them get on in life and hopefully
improve it.
The Interview
I walked into the Brown Dog Caf early on a Tuesday
morning. Right away I heard a kind voice behind me say,
"Are you Nathanael?"
He waved me over to his table with a smile.
"Oooh, it's chilly out today," I remembered starting off the
conversation with.
"Not as chilly as it would be if you were the guy outside
under a tree," he replied. Right away, I knew that this was
the man I should be talking to. I asked him what his title
was with the Out of the Cold program.
"I'm the Executive Director."

Now, to me, that sounded like a big huge title. I thought

he must have been the person to start the program.
"No," he replied quickly. Rein went on to explain that in
2002 a St. Johns student officially started the program.
Inspiration was drawn from seeing churches in Hamilton
unite themselves to help meet the needs of the homeless
in their city. Brantford certainly had its own need in that
regard.
I then asked how Rein got involved.
"I started as a volunteer about six years ago and it's been
about four years that I have actually been heading it up.
He explained that it began under the banner of Yes Church
initially, but is now a separate corporation with its own
charitable status.
I told Rien I thought the program was doing a great job. It
wasn't long after I first came to Brantford that I heard
about the program
"Well, yeah. It's the only one of its kind!" - He laughed.
That saddened me. Why was it the only one of its kind?
There are tons of people who need help and tons of people
who could provide that help. I asked him his opinion: Do
you think that Brantford has a problem with homelessness?
Are there any specific parts of town that see it more than
others?
"Of course it does. It's undeniable. There's at least 13
people who are sleeping outside this time of day [9:30
a.m.]. Under trees, under the bridge. And, well they
congregate in the downtown area because there's fellowship,
there's places they can get in and out of - you know. Coffee
shops and so on - you don't find them hanging around the
subdivisions because there's no place to go."
I asked what kind of services Out of the Cold provides
specifically.
"Primarily, we provide beds. Beds, hot beverages, snack
foods, and hot breakfast in the morning before the guests
leave. We have showers, we have laundry facilities."

Rein told me that the Out of the Cold program is planning

on expanding. But not only that, they are planning to expand
the months that they are open, the goal being to be open
year-round.
The Out of the Cold works primarily through the efforts
of volunteers, but, over the past few years, the number of
volunteers has been diminishing.
"Over the past few years we have lost some volunteers,
we now have about 40, but we initially had about 75 volunteers.
Rien went on to say that due to the complexity of the
guests, some of the volunteers have found themselves illequipped to handle circumstances where people have
shown up in the thrown of addictions, or who exhibited
signs or severe mental health struggles. The two-day
mandatory training sessions can also be a difficult thing
for people with busy lives to sign on for. After that they
sacrifice one night in a two week span.
However, on a more positive note Rien pointed out that
...some of the students that come and work the evening
shifts are working in social work programs, or a police
foundations course, or law and security or whatever. So
those students have at least been exposed to these issues
and they have some understanding. Of course for them it's
good because they're actually getting some experience in
an area that they're eventually going to end up in. So, it's
a good two-way street that way.
I then asked Rein what I was really curious about, how
can students get involved? He told me that many of the
students volunteering are from Laurier. They run programs
in the spring to help fundraise with a Coldest Night walk
- where people walk all night and people sponsor them.
As I wrapped up my interview with Rein, he told me about
some experiences he had with the clientele who came in.
People come from many different walks in life, often in
the throws of addiction, and each with their own unique
story. As the interview came to a close, I couldn't help but
think, Wow - here is a man who would actually give as
much as he could to see his city and the people within it
become revitalized again.

90 Morton Ave East Brantford 519.757.1800 www.handcraftedwood.ca

BRANTFORD | SIX NATIONS | PARIS | ST. GEORGE

Living with Joy Despite having Down's Syndrome - The Sputnik

by Brittany Bennett
Paul MacGilvaray, the older brother of Laurier Brantford
student Megan Clayborne, is someone who lives a very
different life from most. At first glance, many have
assumed his quality of life is bad. To truly be able to measure
the quality of life in definition depends on the degree of
excellence within it; something you cannot tell by first
glance.
Pauls family describes him as happy, delightful, upbeat,
optimistic, loving, engaging and the list goes on. There are
nothing but proud, defined grins on his parents faces
when they talk about him. For them it is easy, but Megan
has a harder time finding the words. Pauls not only my
brother, but my best friend, Megan says. The rest of the
family all acknowledge his and Megans special connection,
and tell of how she understands him better than anyone.
Paul officially joined the Clayborne family at the age of
31, the same year that Megan was born. It was June 30,
1994. Pauls newly adoptive parents, Linda and Kevin,
already had a daughter of two named Mallory, and Pauls
best-friend-to-be joined the family late that November.
Paul was born with Downs syndrome on August 14, 1962,
and was put up for adoption at birth. The Down Syndrome
Research Foundation describes this disability to be a
genetic condition caused by an extra chromosome. This
extra chromosome causes developmental delays, learning
disabilities and health problems due to cellular changes.
By the time Paul was a year old, he found his first home
at The Robertmack Home for Retarded Children, where
he resided until he became a part of the Clayborne family.
During his stay at The Robertmack Home, Paul had a
terrible accident. A friend dropped a piece of paper that
flew out into the street and Paul followed it to lend a helping
hand, as he always does. He was hit by a Hamilton Street
Railway (HSR) city bus and, luckily, survived. The right
side of his body was paralyzed, and he would never walk
again. At the age of only 16, Paul was to continue the rest
of his life in a wheelchair, but went on living and loving
without complaint.
Linda worked with Paul at The Robertmack Home from
the age of 13 until she was 20. Fifteen years after she left,
Kevin received a job there as well. Within six weeks of
Kevins employment, the owner passed away.
Initially, The Robertmack Home was for children, but by
this time all of the occupants were well into their adulthood; they were no longer eligible for group homes.
Everyone was to be put in to long-term care facilities. That
was when Kevin and Linda jumped in. They decided to
adopt Paul so he could live a normal, fulfilling life within
a family. Kevin explains that he took a real shining to
him, he was just a great guy.
Only one year later, Paul began to experience severe neck
and head pains, as well as loss of balance. They took him
to a doctor, who did X-rays and referred the family to a
specialist. It seemed that his vertebrae were pressing
against his spine; a common health issue with people who
have Down syndrome, but the bus accident surely
contributed to its severity. The doctor gave Paul about
three weeks to live without the thought of any treatments.
Kevin and Linda desperately asked what could be done,

and the doctor told them that there was no point in going
further with his quality of life.
Kevin and Lindas voices hasten and their faces begin to
flush as they explain how furious they were with that
doctor. They asked him many questions revolving around
how he could possibly know about Pauls quality of life
without being a part of it. Reluctantly, the doctor scheduled
Pauls cervical spinal fusion surgery. Paul lived on happily
with his quality of life and was no longer in pain.
Linda explains how the family is centered around Paul.
They do not have the opportunity to do spur of the moment
activities; things always have to be planned around Pauls
accommodations. However, they do not see this as a hassle,
just their way of life. Besides, he loves the attention.
During the interview, Paul hushes us all as if hes about to
say something incredibly important. After a moment of silence,
he begins to sing. Instantly the room is full of laughter;
something Paul does effortlessly.
In October of 2009, Pauls health began to spiral down
once again. He was drastically losing weight, noticeably
having stomach pains and suffering from constipation.
With each hospital visit Paul was sent on his way with laxatives
that did not help. It came to the point that Linda and Kevin
refused to take him home until something was done. The
doctors admitted that they did not want to be stuck with a
housing problem; they were afraid Linda and Kevin
were going to leave Paul there and never come back. After
reassuring the doctor that Paul had a family and home,
ultrasounds were finally taken.
Paul was admitted to the hospital at 7 a.m., and the call
was made to the family at 4 p.m. the same day. Paul had a
cancerous tumor in his abdominal cavity.
The family was devastated. As they were breaking down
and barely holding on, Paul was still smiling. He would
refuse to admit that he was in pain, although they could

all see it in his eyes. The options were minimal. Either

Paul went through with surgery to have the tumor removed
at only a 10 per cent chance of surviving, or he had a meager
four weeks to live.
The family decided on the surgery. They did not want him
to go on suffering any longer. Lindas eyes begin to water
as her voice crackles out, We all said good-bye that morning
because we didnt know if he was going to make it.
The tumor was removed at 17 lb. and Paul instantly went
into cardiac arrest. With only a few scares since, Pauls
will to live prevailed yet again.
Megan finds the words to explain that, No matter how
many people told him things were looking bad for him,
that there wasnt much to look forward to, he always
looked for that little something and held onto it.
Paul has been cancer-free for four years now. After those
long seven months in the hospital, he lives happily back
at home in Hamilton with Linda, Kevin, Mallory and their
dogs, Buddy and Sophie. This is his first year living without
Megan and he is by no means used to it considering
theyve been together for almost 19 years. He tells Megan
that he is coming to live with her in Brantford just about
every time he sees her. Megan smiles as she teases, You
cant live with me! Where would you sleep? He disregards her
excuses and insists on it anyway.
Paul is continuously happy; he has the desire to always
put others before himself. He never looks at the negative
side of things and always knows how to cheer people up.
Because of him I have true compassion, Mallory admits.
We ask Paul how he cheers Megan up when she is down.
Paul motions her over with his left hand, takes her in a big
bear hug and kisses her cheek. As Megan walks back to
her seat, Paul blows her a kiss and shines his big smile.
Even with all the tragedy thrown at Paul, a smile is his answer.
Why is he always so happy? My friends, he said.

VISION
VISIONEXPERIENCE

Authorized by the CFO for the Brant PC Association.

YOUR ONTARIO PC CANDIDATE FOR BRANT

BRANTFORD | SIX NATIONS | PARIS | ST. GEORGE

ShowcaSing LocaL TaLenT

BeST of 2013
Dave Mccreary (editorial cartoonist for the
Brant news) created this amazing one-of-akind illustration for our april 2013 front
cover. Dave is an extraordinarily talented
artist and it was an honour to work with him.

BRANTFORD | SIX NATIONS | PARIS | ST. GEORGE

Frozen Sculptures
Photography by Paul Smith
Email: paul@photohouse.ca

Last month, just before the holiday, Mother Nature decided it

was high time Ontario needed a whole ton of ice on everything.
At first it snowed, then it rained, then it did both at the same
time and most of us woke up to find trees and cars, stop signs
and fences covered in a sparkling layer of crystal clear ice.
Make no mistake, this was not a Thomas Kinkade painting
come to life. Rather, the sheer weight of the ice alone brought
down power lines, placed limbs of trees on cars, and made
commuting a nightmare. But man, was it pretty.
I saw an opportunity to capture the inherent beauty of this ice
storm. All of a sudden, everyday objects became frozen sculptures.
I walked across the street to my neighbours front lawn. There,
a Japanese maple that had some of its bright red leaves still on
its branches. My nieghtbour opened her door with a concerned
look, hoping I didnt fall in her driveway. She couldnt
understand what was so special about her tree until I showed
her the back of my camera. It may sound clich, but beauty is
everywhere if you are willing to stop and look for it.

10

BRANTFORD | SIX NATIONS | PARIS | ST. GEORGE

Small Business: A Manual for Survival

by Layne Beckner Grime, www.facebook.com/JonoandLaynie, http://jonoandlaynie.wordpress.com/
you react to them might. They will show your true colours.
(Sage advice from the girl who has bawled her eyes out
almost monthly in our rst two years of business.) Just
grab your beloveds hand and hold on tight. Then one day,
when you least expect it, you will see a tiny icker of light
at the end of the tunnel. It will be confusing; you will wonder if its even real. Then, slowly, surely, that light will
grow.
4. Rest.
Take a whole day of rest off weekly. A day when you cant
think about the worlds problems or your own, or the
blessed business. Just be. Feed your soul and do all the delicious things that make you feel alive. On these days, you
can nd me in bed until dinner, surrounded by writing
notes and piles of books. I nap. I eat outrageously. I dont
do the dishes. You must make your own magical day of
rest.
5. Dont be afraid to ask yourself the hard questions.
Like, Are we going in the right direction? Better to
re-direct now than end up in a smoldering mess of train
wreck somewhere down the line.
6. Comparison Will Kill You.
There will be people in your eld who are terrible at what
they do but are somehow wildly successful. There will
others who are better than you and who are also very successful. Basically, you will see success everywhere you
look. So, stop looking. Ban yourself from stalking the happenings of your competitors if it only depresses you.
Just.say.NO. (You may, however, allow yourself ten minutes a week to yell and rage at the skies against all those
people who make it big just by blinking.)

As my husband and I just completed another proverbial

lap around the bend with the second birthday of our photo
business, I am, of course, 100% qualified to speak on all
things relating to small businesses. Now, old and wise,
with the white hairs to prove it, I feel empowered and am
overflowing with a plethora of advice for other baby businesses.
To give you a bit of a back story, our media company was
born two autumns ago in the same month as our marriage.
I couldnt get a second job as I was immigrating to
Canada; Jonathan couldnt get a second job as he had a
small business grant from the government which prohibited him from doing so. We were a few thousand dollars
in debt already and living in a 1-bedroom apartment. Our
budget was stretched to the max. It was sink or swim; book
work or go hungry. But, heres the thing: you cant, in this
industry, make work magically appear from thin air. Believe me, I tried. Because as much as I mind-melded the
universe to send folks to our doorstep en masse demanding
amazing photo sessions...well, it just didnt happen like
that.
I am sure that in subsequent years I will lovingly look back
upon those rst two years as romantic and charming. Oh
for those simple times! Ill say. But for now, I too vividly
remember the Cold winter nights and those seemingly
unending string of silent days when all we could do was
look for work and wrack our brains on how to get out of
the mush pile of photographers. Wed jump any time the
phone rang and cry to ourselves immediately afterwards
when we heard a telemarketer or our mother on the other
end.
(Sorry, mom.)
Those were long days of hot tea galore, mountains of unearthed dreams and a small countrys worth of bean soup
for dinner.
Its been a long two years, a hard two years. Weve died a
little; weve cried a little. And I know we have a few more
hills to climb before we reach the other side and can
breathe easy. But, I now know that its worth the journey.
Thats my story and youre in the middle of making your

own. So just take a breath, let me hold your hand and lets go.
For anyone out there who has not attempted to launch a
new business, allow me to give you some perspective. It
feels like trying to get a loaded-down Antonov An-225 off
the runway...when you have never been in a cockpit
before. It feels like the age-old nightmare that you are in
a public place, naked, with all your wobbly bits exposed.
It feels terrifying, exciting, vulnerable, frustrating, surreal,
too real and everything in between.
If you have, in fact, ever started your own business then
you will know exactly what Im talking about.
So take or leave the LBG manual for how to succeed in
founding a small business without really dying, but here
goes:
1. I dont want to be dramatic about this, but invest in
some alcohol.
We personally bought a coupon to bottle our own wine.
We walked away with 90 and no complaints. A year
later...we desperately need another coupon.
You have some long days ahead, my friend.
2. Surround yourself by driven, motivated people. (And
people you respect in your line of work.) Pick their brains,
look at their business models, be inspired.
2b. Dont be afraid to keep on learning, to admit that you
dont know everything. When I started university, I was
overwhelmingly intimidated by all the cool kids with their
cool cameras and years of cool photo experience under
their belts. I had nothing but a cheap, beginner camera and
a passionate love for photography. The love didnt do
much for me in return-I was an honest-to-God disgrace to
the art of photography. Bless my heart. But the passion
kept me going when all looked lost. And now, 12 years
later, Im still learning.
3. There will be dark days. Perhaps some dark months too.
Take the disappointments in stride. They will come with a
vengeance. Know they dont make you a failure, but how

7. Dont be afraid to get your hands dirty.

Paint the adage that Rome wasnt built in a day across your
forehead, on your arms, across your walls and mirrors.
Begin with the end in mind, but then dig yourself into the
trenches for the long haul. Some days it may feel as if all
you are doing is digging. For most, standing out takes a
lot of endurance and just plain old hard work. (See: Never
Say Never and Katy Perry: Part of Me.)
8. Make sure you are on good terms with your mother.
You will appreciate her over-the-top belief and encouragement
when all the rest of the world seems blind to your talents.
9. You will get hurt.
There will be friends who support you wholeheartedly
from day #1. Embrace these wonderful beings. There will
be other friends, who may linger on the sidelines a bit
longer and withhold their belief in you until the rest of the
world afrms that, after all, you do have talent. And you
may have other friends who will never love your work.
Thats okay. Just give them grace and believe in yourself
anyway. And still choose to champion them when its their
turn to try something great.
10. Never give up.
You may want to. Just dont let those Very Real feelings
have the nal word. Its the tortoise who wins the race. Or,
to quote my beloved Winston Churchill, If you're going
through hell, keep going. And one last thing- at the end
of almost every wedding we shoot, I nally allow myself
to grab a glass of wine. The lights are down and the music
is up. We keep our cameras nearby, but in a looser grip.
And then I give Jonathan The Look. I am trying to charm
him onto the dance oor, a ploy that rarely works. But the
principle remainsnever forget to dance.
So wherever you are in your story, in life or in business,
know that its going to be okay. I applaud you; I applaud
you for the courage it took for you to step out on your own
and take a risk. A freaking huge risk. You are going to do
great things; not because your mom says it; but because
its in you. And you know it too-thats why you stepped
out in the rst place. So dont stop or slow down now.
Today is the day you need to go out there and kick some ass.

BRANTFORD | SIX NATIONS | PARIS | ST. GEORGE

11

20 Years of McGonagalls Pub

by Dave Dodds, Facebook: Dave Dodds

The mad rush was on! Glasses were being

cleaned and stored, table arrangements finalized and the
beer lines tested when, at just on 6 oclock, in walks this red
haired stranger. His name was Ray and he liked Labatt Blue. Ray
lived just down the block from what has affectionately become
known as the Pub. In the early days, Ray would come in a few
days a week to enjoy his half pints of beer, the banter and to relax
with friends. This has become a standard for many who feel at
home in the Pub.
Since the time McGonagalls opened its doors that first
Hogmanay (the Scots word for the last day of the year) the dcor
of the building has changed and has been updated three times,
but the feeling remains the same. Just as we set out to accomplish
in the beginning, the ambiance of the Pub has become just like
what most ex-pats remember of their local home, from the fixtures
who discuss the merits of each others football teams to the folks
who pop in for a pint on the way home from work to unwind.
Back in the early days the front wall of the Pub was made up of
3 large plate glass windows. The door opened up to the stairwell
and an obstacle course of dart boards. The bar itself was in the
back corner with a bulkhead above. Behind the bar was the standard
collection of bottles on the right. On the left, however, was
something that showed all who stopped in what the Pub was.
Row upon row of engraved personalized pint glasses, with

the banter remains the

same.

names
like Wee
Bob
and
Funky Hunky,
were proudly displayed and rarely allowed to
collect dust. Looking up to the bulkhead
you could peruse the collection of coasters from around the world
that were so lovingly stapled to ceiling.

Characters are abundant in the pub.

There is a special table across from the
bar where tales are spun, wine glasses
are common and we even allow Has ans. It has
long been the type of place where you can find someone who
knows how to do just about anything, from bricklayers to
plumbers to geeks who can fix your puter.

It only took a few years to see the folly of the door opening onto
the stairwell, and the first transformation occurred. The door
changed sides; the bar was moved to the opposite center and the
darts to the back wall, thus ending the entry gauntlet. The beloved
tartan carpet endured. Dave quite liked this relocation of the bar
as he could now pull pints and not have to take his eyes off whatever
football game was on. In recent times yet another makeover took
place, this time at Anns hands. That long worn tartan carpet was
removed (remnants remain as the backdrop for the dart boards)
and woodwork was added to the walls, refreshing the look; but

As the eldest of the Dodds children Ive had the opportunity to

grow up, as they would say on Cheers, in a place where
everybody knows your name. Im not alone in that. My brother
Steve has pulled more pints that could be counted and my sister
Ann more or less runs the place now. We, along with our parents
Dave and Ann, have all enjoyed these past 20 years of getting to
know those in our community and thank everyone for all of the
memories. The next generation of Dodds kids are in training,
learning the theory of a perfect Guinness from our self
proclaimed athlete.

12

BRANTFORD | SIX NATIONS | PARIS | ST. GEORGE

Was the Original Lone Ranger African American?

by Zig Misiak, Facebook: Zig Misiak

Act Now OR Forever Hold

Your Premiums
Anti Selection is a term used in insurance. It refers to a market process in
which undesired results occur when buyers and sellers have a pre-existing
illness or injury; the "bad" products or services are more likely to be
selected.
In Lehman's terms -- those who "need" the product are most likely to "buy"
the product. In the insurance industry our prototypical client is one who
has recognized their need, are young and are medically fit enough to qualify.
In the real world however, there is a procrastinative in our industry where
people don't think about their insurance needs. They generally require our
expertise to educated them as to what & why their needs are what they
are.
They may have a small insurance plan but it generally doesn't suit their
needs.
They are generally middle aged if not older and at a stage in their lives
where their current health status may be a riskier venture for the insurance
company. It's this higher risk that will warrant higher premium levels.
Think of it this way. You have a twin who like you is a non-smoker but
eats improperly, doesn't exercise. As a result is 50lbs heavier than you and
has high blood pressure and high cholesterol. You on the other hand are
the exact opposite, you eat pretty well, exercise (although not as much as
your brain wants you to) and are otherwise fairly healthy. Should you both
pay the same
insurance premiums?
The insurance company looks at every case objectively and with the intent
on giving the prospective client the best possible offer for insurance that
they can. They are a business whose premiums pay the bills so obviously
they want to give you the coverage, but if you have a higher risk then that
warrants a higher cost. Recently a client called and responded to a letter
that I sent them over one year ago. The letter was discussing an option in
their policy that would allow them to extend their costs out for a longer
period of time. The great news was that they both quit smoking and thus
can qualify for lower insurance rates. The bad news for them is that all
they have to do is qualify medically. Long story short, he has been seeing
a doctor for a minor medical ailment.
This ailment could potentially increase his risk. She was recently diagnosed
with cancer which makes her an uninsurable risk at this point in time.
These medical issues only arose in the last 4 months which means that had
they acted a year ago, they most likely would have been able to qualify
with standard risk rates. Now, procrastination will significantly increase
the cost
of their coverage.
Don't get me wrong, this isn't an "I told you so" article. However, there is
no better time to review you insurance needs with your advisor than when
you're healthy. Your premiums will depend on it. If you wish to talk about
your financial goals and how we can help you achieve them give us a call,
were here to help.
Alford & Associates is a family owned and operated financial practice in
Brantford. For over 25 years we have helped our clients secure their
financial goals. First and foremost we help you secure your greatest asset
Your Family

aLfoRD & aSSociaTeS inc

Insurance & Investment Advisors, 254 Brant Ave., Brantford,
ON N3T-3J5 Ph: (519) 751-0901 Fx: (519)751-0522
Cell: (519) 758-4224
Email: mike@alfordandassociates.ca
Website: www.alfordandassociates.ca
LinkedIn: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/mikeeh

Who doesnt remember the Mel

Brooks 1974 movie classic,
Blazing Saddles? How many
of us connected with the townspeople
as they gasped in unison when
they saw the Black Sheriff ride
into town. How we, the audience,
laughed with mixed emotion at
the unexpected appearance of a
Black Sheriff. This masterful
script helped break down
stereotypical attitudes towards
Blacks in movies, daring to enter
the all white domain of the wild
west. I also believe, along with
many other events, it contributed
to the positive overall national
and
international
Black
movement for equality.
Did Mel Brooks know that his
new movie character mirrored an
actual historic person? Whether
Bass Reeves, 1938.
he did or didnt I would suggest
that most people (myself
included) did not know, and thats why we were so surprised by his Black Sheriff. Had we known that there
had indeed been a Black Sheriff during the period
portrayed in the film we wouldnt have been as taken
aback as we were.
Well, as they say, you live and learn. Or, as they also
say, expect the unexpected. I say even if you expect
the unexpected, the unexpected can still be an unexpected
surprise with the potential of being a revelation.
I was sent an article titled, "The REAL Lone Ranger
Was an African American Lawman Who Lived With
Native American Indians" written by Micah Naziri on
October 23, 2013. Mr. Naziri is making a case suggesting
that Bass Reeves, an actual historic person, was the
inspiration for the Lone Ranger radio series that
eventually evolved into the Lone Ranger TV series and
subsequent movies, including the newest release of the
Lone Ranger in 2013.
After many months of research and having just
completed and released my new book, Tonto: The Man
in Front of the Mask, the biography of Jay Silverheels,
this article was unexpected. I read it, checked out its
sources, and am convinced of its authenticity. I needed
to see whether the writer of the article was really stretching
to make a connection, or if I thought he made reasonable
assumptions.
Vaunda Michaux Nelsons biography of Bass Reeves,
Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass
Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal won the 2010 Coretta
Scott King Award for best author. This book clearly
points out that Bass Reeves was well known during his
lifetime. He died in 1910 and had the distinction of
possibly being the first African American to be
appointed US Deputy Marshall. That, coupled with his
amazing record of having caught over 3000 bad-guys
would qualify him as a topic of conversation during and
after his lifetime. Perhaps enough of a topic to be the
subject of an exciting radio broadcast.
In his article, Mr. Naziri wrote that many of the outlaws
who were captured by Bass Reeves and his Native
companion were sent to a Detroit prison. Is it a coincidence that this is the city in which the Lone Ranger
radio show originated?
Here are some of the points Mr. Naziri makes in his
article along with my own comments:
Bass Reeves rode a white horse, as did the Lone Ranger.
Bass Reeves used a trademark silver coin. The Lone
Ranger used a silver bullet. Bass Reeves had a Native
companion. The Lone Ranger also had a Native

companion, Tonto. Bass Reeves

was a US Deputy Marshall. The
Lone Ranger was originally a
Texas Ranger. The American
Civil War was common to both
Bass Reeve and the Lone Ranger.
The real life Bass Reeves and the
Lone Ranger character evolved
during the same historic time
period.
Bass Reeves used disguises to get
close to, and capture, bad guys.
The Lone Ranger, as we know,
also used a disguise, but in a
slightly different way. Bass would
use his disguises to help him
infiltrate enemy territory, while
the Lone Ranger would not have
been able to use his disguise that
same way for obvious reasons.
Bass Reeves was a noted crack
shot, as was the Lone Ranger
character. To contrast, Bass
Reeves was a black escapee slave while the Lone
Ranger was a white man coming from a relatively
privileged life. Bass Reeves lived in Oklahoma on the
northern border of Texas among the Seminole and Creek
while the Lone Ranger was born in the mid-west part of
Texas. Bass Reeves riding companion would have been
Seminole or Creek while the Lone Rangers fictitious
companion, Tonto, was a Potawatomi.
Does anyone care that an article suggests that the
Hollywood characters, the Lone Ranger and Tonto, were
based on historic figures?
Well, I would say the answer is yes. I personally care
about getting closer to the truth. If, in fact, the fictitious
Lone Ranger and his companion, Tonto, were inspired
by the life of a man named Bass Reeves and his
unnamed Native companion then it becomes important.
To recognize these human beings and a historic human
condition is to honour these real life people, their birth,
life and death. Its a remembrance of who they were
and what they did. Its the right thing to do.
So, what does this have to do with the Tonto character
played by Jay Silverheels in the TV version or the new
Lone Ranger movie released this year?
The possibility that there could have been a real Tonto
is interesting. Isnt it?
The suggestion that the Lone Ranger character concept
could have been based on a historic, adventurous and
dynamic African American person cannot be ignored.
As early as 1526, Natives captured and/or accepted
runaway African slaves and brought them back to their
communities, gradually integrating them. Runaway
African slaves knew they could find safety among the
Native/First Nations people. There are stories within the
Grand River Six Nations community which illustrate
that around the time of the underground railroad
relationships were developed between Blacks and
Natives. So, Bass Reeves acceptance within the Native
communities in Oklahoma would not be unusual. His
relationship with a Native companion would likely have
been held in a higher degree of mutual respect and
acceptance than the relationship between the white Lone
Ranger and Native Tonto.
I would conclude that the Lone Ranger and his Native
companion are in fact based on a rather interesting and
overlooked historic fact. I will have to consider adding
this new information when I reprint a second edition
of my book, Tonto: The Man in Front of the Mask.
As we say in Canada, live and learn EH

BRANTFORD | SIX NATIONS | PARIS | ST. GEORGE

13

Fun Skills with Computers

by Randy Schelhas, Facebook: Randy Schelhas
It might be a little intimidating to some people or
possibly boring to others, however I have always
wanted to write an article about my computer hobby.
Like hot-rod automobile enthusiasts, there is a segment
of geek culture, to which I belong, that likes to build
and modify computers. It's also a fantastic way for
a teenager to become enthusiastic with computer
systems as preparation for college or university.
Building a computer is much simpler than normally
believed and is a pretty satisfying accomplishment
to boot. Most of the work is in the head-scratching
that goes along with trying to figure out which parts
to use in a build. For the beginner, the guess work
can be eliminated by reading a magazine such as
Maximum PC which gives a list of parts that work
well together, while occasionally walking the novice
through the construction process. A Google search
also provides many different resources and videos
showing how to build a computer.
Basically, all you need are eight different parts,
namely; a motherboard, a CPU processor, a couple
of sticks of DDR memory, a power supply, a hard
drive, a DVD drive, a computer case and a new
licensed copy of Windows 7 or 8. The keyboard,
mouse and the monitor are simple plug-ins that,
while needed, are not considered as being part of the
computer build.
Unfortunately, you may have to drive out of town to
buy parts, however the websites of nearby stores
such as Canada Computers and TigerDirect provide
more than adequate well organized information
about literally thousands of different computer parts
they stock. It is possible to do lots of mind-expanding research on compatible parts and prices long before you open your wallet.
The next step up for computer builders, if they so
wish, is to add muscle to their PC, namely a video
graphics card. This is a card that plugs into a slot in
the motherboard giving the machine extra video
horsepower with a second processor known as a
GPU. Some people might want this for playing high
detail video games, perhaps spread across 3 monitors
at once. You can't do that with an Xbox or a PS4.
Others might want to render video, which simply
means changing a video from one format, such as

.avi on your PC to another format such as .MP4 for

an iPod, or .wmv for YouTube. Any computer can
accomplish this feat albeit sometimes slowly. A quad
core or eight core CPU and a good GPU in a video
card in your box will greatly speed the process.
Assembling the different parts that comprise your
computer box is fun and it can give you quite a sense
of accomplishment. You need to examine cables and
plugs very carefully to make sure you don't try to
force them in upside down, but perhaps the only
truly tricky part is loading the CPU processor into
the motherboard socket. You need to really pay
attention not to bend any pins. Examining the CPU
and the socket with a magnifying glass before trying
to install this chip is a good idea because inserting
it the wrong way will cause damage. When the mechanical assembly is complete, all you have to do is
insert your purchased copy of Windows and follow
the on-screen instructions.
Once you have the basics down pat, computer builds
can become an incredibly creative and artistic
hobby. Perhaps one of the easiest artistic projects is
to spray paint an old computer box in vibrant acrylic
colours. A couple of spray cans from the hardware
store cost less than $20. Then you simply dismantle
the case and paint the parts individually. Mine was
a red and blue Iron Man case with clear plastic stickers purchased on eBay; however, the selection of
themes can be almost infinite. It can be a special gift
for a child to have a personalized computer decorated
with their favourite cartoon characters.
My favourite way to modify a computer is to create
a non-standard case that shows off the beautifully
coloured electronics in a flattering way. In my living
room sits a motherboard mounted inside an aquarium.
It is brightly lit by blue neon lights with the uglier
parts, such as the power supply and the hard drive,

hidden in a shelf below. Water cooling is another

novelty added to this machine which was originally
built as an experiment in extreme cooling. With the
flip of a couple of valves it can be run on chilled
water, bringing the CPU and graphics card temperature
down to a frosty minus 10 degrees Celsius for
overclocking. The aquarium gets filled with dry
argon or nitrogen gas to prevent wet dew in ordinary
air from condensing on the electronics and shorting
them out.
Many geeks like to indulge in overclocking, which
is a lot like tuning an automobiles engine for racing.
It is funny in the sense that I build powerful computers
capable of being wildly overclocked then treat them
gently, partly because you can easily damage a good
computer by trying to make it run too fast. The parts
are not extremely costly; however, why take a risk
on throwing money away by burning out a CPU or
motherboard. Today the FastRabbit PC, as I like to
call it, has been put out to pasture running a big
screen TV with a wireless trackball keyboard for
watching movies, general internet and such.
Another project I enjoyed was immersing an old
motherboard in an aquarium full of vegetable oil.
Keeping the vegetable oil cool is a trick that requires
a pair of small radiators with fans and an aquarium
pump; however, it will eventually go rancid. The
better way (however expensive) is to use mineral oil
that is generally used as a cooling fluid in large
hydro transformers. For me it was a $100 project
with a retired computer that eventually fried itself,
but it was pretty entertaining.
Then there are just the relaxing times, like tonight,
as I sit in my man-cave converted garage encircled
by electronics while cranking up the music playlist
in surround sound and writing this article. Lovin'
every minute of it.

14

BRANTFORD | SIX NATIONS | PARIS | ST. GEORGE

A Note from the Publisher

by Lucas Duguid

In early October we received a media release from Jamie Stephens of The

Brantford Comedy Festival. The release was surrounding a video that was
shot backstage at this years festival and it had gone viral on Youtube. No
other local publication picked up this story, and since its our role to tell
the untold stories of Brant, we feel its appropriate to share the release in
its entirety. Below is a screen capture from Twitter featuring a brief exchange
between Comedian David Andrew Brent and Hollywood Movie Star
Arnold Schwarzenegger regarding the video from the festival.

Awareness about Spinal Injury and Invisible Disability

By: Brenda Bondy-Caldicott, Facebook: Brenda Bondy-Caldicott

On behalf of all of us at The Brant Advocate wed like to say congratulations

to Jamie, his team at The Brantford Comedy Festival and Matt Joniec of
Fat Panda Studios. As a result of your efforts the name Brantford was
spoken more than a dozen times in the video and has since been viewed
over 1.5 million times by people around the world. You guys have set the
bar. Well done.

A Million and a Half Laughs

By: Jamie Stephens, Facebook: Jamie Stephens

As I write this today, I still feel like Im writing someone

else's story. Ill call it, Health Care Worker suddenly
becomes Primary Care Giver.
We all relate to hearing stories about someone with
Sciatica. Well, for 2 months my hubby worked with it,
knowing hed likely need time off if it was going to be a
long time until it resided.
Jamie Stephens, director of the Brantford Comedy Festival is pleased to
announce that a video shot at the 4th Annual Brantford Comedy Festival
in September has gone viral with over 1 MILLION views in less then 48
hours.
Brantford is officially on the map, weve received phone calls and emails from media outlets from around the world, commented Jamie
Stephens, Director of the Brantford Comedy Festival. I woke up to a
phone call from Good Morning America, asking me about Brantford and
the Brantford Comedy Festival it was such a surreal experience.
The video, shot by Matt Joniec of Fat Panda Studios shows Rising Star
winner David Andrew Brent doing a spot-on Arnold Schwarzenegger impersonation. Its being dubbed online as the best impersonation of Arnold
ever found, its so well done in fact that even Arnold Schwarzenegger
himself tweeted the video out to his followers. (from verified accounts)
I didnt like the impressionists Id been seeing Brent said. Everyone
just does a caricature. They take a few parts of somebodys voice and
they just bastardize it.
David Andrew Brent was chosen from over 200 comedians to compete in
this years Brantford Comedy Festival Rising Stars contest. After making
it through to the finals, he tied with comedian Mayce Galoni for the
chance to open for headliners Colin Mochrie & Deb McGrath. It was
absolutely amazing, opening for Colin & Deb, and appearing on the
Sanderson Centre stage said Brent. I cant wait to perform again in
Brantford.
As excited I am about the exposure for the Festival, Im more excited
for the opportunities this brings David and Matt said Stephens. Also,
I think its awesome that over a million people were exposed to Brantford,
its great to see a good news story attached to the city.

One day, the pain after working all day became excruciating.
We went to our trusted massage pain doctor. He informed
us hed be calling an ambulance if we didn't take
ourselves to the ER and that my hubby would need
emergent surgery.
We were shocked to hear that. We didn't even have our
coats with us or our affairs in order back home, yet we
were rushed to Toronto, as they explained to us that a
Spinal Compression was causing the weakness and onset
of paralysis. They had a short window of time to
minimize nerve damage, but that window had long
passed as he had worked for weeks with the pain.
Since that weekend Ive been his Primary Care giver. He
has permanent bowel and bladder paralysis, and is at risk
of falls (and has already had a few), and he also now has
foot drop, not to mention constant nerve pain and exhaustion.
Depression set in autonomically because of the signals
being messed up, and also because he's 42 and forced into
not being able to work.
He also has autonomic dysfunction and has had a few
scary attacks. His blood pressure is a problem, as well as
his passing out at times.
Weve had little support, if any, from doctors here. Weve
just had visits to the Neurologist in Toronto.
Ive had no help. As Primary Care giver I cant work very
long as Im needed at home. There are many tests still to
come, as well as rehab sessions in order to learn to function
with whats left after Spinal Injury. So, Im caregiver at
home and not in the community any longer.

Like hubby, as we go through this together I too feel less

than useful at times, but somehow its where I need to be.
I feel empathy for anyone going through disability,
especially an invisible one as there is so much judgement
to face and little financial help offered. One day you're
working and have sciatica, or so you thought. Then, voila!
Youre two days from the wheelchair but can luckily still
walk, though only slowly, carefully and painfully.
Invisible paralysis has set in.
Even the doctors don't know a lot about Cauda Equina
Syndrome.
I don't quite absorb what the tests will do, as there is no
cure for Spinal Injury.
Were hopeful that someday they will find a way to
regenerate damaged nerves.
And we are thankful for every day without an attack of
autonomic dysfunction, and for family. We educate
friends who have sciatica. If you experience numbness or
paralysis do all in your power to make someone listen to
you. The spinal canal is your whole nerve system. If the
root nerves are damaged, that will affect everything. Even
sleep dysfunction is common.
Be an advocate for your own health. Continue to make
doctors and loved ones listen to you during your sciatica
recovery so that no stone goes unturned. It is life changing.
Ive seen this throughout my hubbys struggle with
disability and depression. There's an element of grief that
comes with the sudden loss of friends, loss of independence,
loss of thoughts and dreams for the future, loss of security,
etc.
Thanks for listening.
People are curious as they don't often know about this
issue. Many dont believe it could happen to them. Im
here to say that if your disc ruptures into your spinal canal,
its that quick and can happen to anyone.

BRANTFORD | SIX NATIONS | PARIS | ST. GEORGE

A Celebration of Life
By: Lynne Joseph, Facebook: Lynne Joseph

A life is a precious thing. The experiences of each life

are unique and individual. When a person reaches the
golden years of life they have such exciting stories to
tell, experiences to learn from, talents to teach, and love
to give. These people deserve respect, loving care, dignity
and the right to live as they choose. When I would go
into a residence such as the John Noble Home or
Charlotte Villa, I looked forward to talking to the people
who lived there. They are usually cheerful, friendly and
eager to talk to anyone who will take the time to listen.
I have been taught to knit, quilt, and paint as a result of
these individuals. I have learned patience, understanding
and forgiving from the wonderful people I have been
lucky enough to work with. I was a care giver, and a
DSW or Developmental Service Worker. I worked with
those who were elderly, physically challenged, deaf and
deaf/blind. Everyone had a story to tell in their own way.
Each had lived a life unique to that of others. Not all
were happy, not all were sad, but all were special.
Families once lived together, the younger taking care of
the elders giving back what was so freely given. Everyone
lived in the same house. The elders took care of the
young ones while the parents worked and were taken
care of in return when their time came. Now there is no
time for this, or very little. It is rare for a family to care
for its senior family, especially if extra care is needed.
Time is needed to work and make a living. Two pay
checks are demanded to have a normal life and to give
children the things that others have.
Seniors are my favourite people, especially now that I
am one. I have spent many hours enchanted by the tales
of times gone by, of battles fought, of a family get-together gone astray, and shed tears with people who wonder where the children they raised and nurtured have
gone.
One elderly lady I remember, sat each day, dressed with
her coat on and umbrella in hand patiently waiting for a
family member to come visit. The lady had lived out this
same routine each day for four years. The family had
their own lives to live, their own problems, their own
pleasures. Alas, they were too busy to spend an hour
with the one person who spent so many hours listening
to them cry, feeding them when hungry, tending to them
when they were ill and worrying when they came home
late.
Until the ladys passing, I tried to visit at least once a
month, always in the hallway outside her room, for a
short time, while she was waiting for the visitors who
never came. She would patiently tell me that her family
were very busy and she just wanted to be ready when
they came so that she would not waste any of their
valuable time.
There are so many people in the many nursing homes
and seniors establishments who are lonely, unwanted or
forgotten. Many have literally outlived loved ones and
so have no one. This is where we should come in. Out
here at Smokey Hollow we take care of each other. We
are a community, but in many ways we are also a family.
Everyone knows if someone is sick, in hospital or had a
birthday.
One new friend has taught me how to knit socks (I never

could turn the heel). Another is teaching me to take

more time doing things so I dont hurt myself as I am
handicapped. At pancake breakfast held the first Saturday
of the month I can work from 9 a.m. until 12:30 with a
whole group of happy ladies working together as a team
to make others happy, enjoying family and fellowship.
Brantford has so many loving people and there are so
many students who would benefit from visiting these
wonderful elders. Imagine the stories, life on a farm
where cows were milked each morning and afternoon,
dishes washed by hand, clothes hung out in the sun light
to dry.
I never knew my own grandparents as they were gone
by the time I was born. I still feel that great loss. I am
sure my life would have been richer for knowing my
Dutch grandma, my Scottish grandma and a grandfather
who was a farmer. The other one was a constable. Think
of the ethnic differences, the cultural differences and the
fun I missed as a child. My children had time with theirs,
fortunately, and still speak lovingly of them. Good memories stay in the mind but also in the heart.
If you could see through those eyes the winning of the
war, the coming home of so many who were well, or
wounded and the grief for those who didnt come home
at all.
Look around you. See the gentle lady sitting in the sun
who remembers waltzing to the old bands with a soldier.
Tales of children and grandchildren and the wonderful
things done together, the scary things that we take for
granted, and the breezes blowing on board a ship which
brought some over from another country to live in ours
all can enrich your own life.
We have time to sit and watch TV giving our attention
to The Simpsons, Monday Night Football, or Much
Music. Would Grandma enjoy a movie night? That short
time could be spent in a visit, a phone call or in writing
a short note just to say hello.
I learned my love of books, good music, art, and gardening from those who came before me and knew what was
important, what was needed to produce a human being
who had respect, who was mature, who was responsible.
Maybe if we could involve our children with such people, they could learn from each other, share with each
other, give and accept love, dignity and responsibility.
Children are the most accepting of us all. Yes, they say
what they think because they have not learned to lie, to
be mean and spiteful. Those happy smiling faces and tinkling laughter can bring a smile from someone who remembers that sight, that sound, that moment of pure joy.
The seniors in our lives have so much to share. They are
indeed a great, untapped resource if only we take the
time to reach out and accept the many precious gifts that
they have to give. All we need do is make a little time
and use it for the benefit of ourselves, our families and
our seniors. Accept the gifts they have to offer and give
back the gift of love. Do you have elderly parents? Do
you have grandparents? When did you last take the time
to say, I love you!.

Looking forward to another year serving Brantford in 2014 in the

area of personal injury. In terms of motor vehicle law we anticipate that we will be continuing to move forward with respect to
defining and educating client's and insurers about the significant
implications of the Minor Injury Guideline both from a legal and
a practical perspective.
Legally the obligations of the insurers in terms of assessing the
continued applicability of the Minor Injury Guideline are being
delineated by both FSCO and the courts. Increasingly the insurers
are adopting an approach that is both rigid and flexible at the same
time. They are showing increased flexibility in removing
claimants from the Minor Injury Guideline at an earlier stage but
they are also in many cases responding to the claimant's compelling evidence that they should not be in the Minor Injury
Guideline with additional insurer exams to confirm the continued
applicability of the Minor Injury Guideline.
For persons hurt in car accidents the importance of having a supportive family doctor behind you cannot be under emphasized.
First, if you are in the Minor Injury Guideline you will rely upon
your doctor more than ever to manage your treatment and make
referrals to specialists funded by OHIP who may assist you both
in terms of diagnosis and treatment. Secondly, your family doctor
is the best person to provide an opinion as to the impact of the
collision on your health with consideration to pre-existing conditions which may have been worsened by the collision or which
may impact your recovery.
If you are not happy with your family doctor the New Year is a
good time to think about finding a new family doctor. Gone are
the days where we were held hostage by our doctors due to a
shortage of family physicians. Due to various initiatives there are
sufficient family doctors in the area. Amazingly I even heard a
radio advertisement soliciting new patients to a Cambridge clinic.
With primary health care being such a personal and important
issue this is certainly good news for all of us as it empowers the
patient.
We would like to thank everyone who helped to make our 2013
Morell Kelly Toy Drive a success, especially Sarah and Jason Picard who worked very hard doing the heavy lifting.
Lisa Morell Kelly
Morell Kelly Personal Injury Law
515 Park Road North
Brantford, Ontario N3R 7K8 (519) 720-0110

15

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