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Community Chronicles
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When the Curtain Opens
by Angela Sanford As someone whose body temperature tends to run on the cold side, I haven't been particularly fond of the temperatures we've experienced lately. So, on the afternoon of the last Friday in May, I found myself contemplating how to spend the weekend, since the Weather Network forecast suggested that outdoor activities might not be the best option. Then I remembered that the REC’s Drama Group's production of Shrek Jr. was underway. A quick call to my arts-a
Angela Sanford
3 days ago3 min read
The Pleasure of Plants
by Raegan Densmore Photo reference: https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/97/e8/b9/97e8b9bc062208497068e6358aa7962f.jpg It is spring time, the weather is getting warmer, and the flowers are blooming. This time of year really makes me enjoy plants. In Toronto, I would stop on the sidewalk to take pictures of the beautiful trees and flowers, now here, they are in my own yard. The perks of living in the countryside is that you get to see them everywhere. I enjoy gazing at the fresh
Angela Sanford
5 days ago2 min read
Getting the Facts Instead of Spilling the Tea
by Angela Sanford For a quick chuckle to close out Celiac Awareness Month, let me share the unforgettable moment I first revealed my diagnosis. It was late fall of 2009, and I was directing our local teenage drama club as we prepared for what felt like the adventure of a lifetime — travelling to Scotland the following summer to perform at the Fringe Festival. By that point, this group of students had become like family. Honestly, there were weeks I spent more time wi
Angela Sanford
May 292 min read
Inspiration
by Cathy Arscott The weather may be a little cold and gloomy at the moment, but isn't it wonderful that we are seeing signs of Summer. Spring started with the pussy willows and the robins making their appearance. And now, despite this stretch of chilly weather we are having, the blossoms are out, many species of birds are back, there is warmth to the sun, the grass is green and the leaves on trees are starting to pop. We are starting to see the fruit of our labour on t
Angela Sanford
May 281 min read
Every Visitor’s First Time
by Angela Sanford In 2009, I travelled to Scotland to explore an opportunity that our local drama club would experience a year later. One stop on that trip was Rosslyn Chapel. I had first learned about the chapel after watching the 2006 release of The Da Vinci Code. A friend and I arrived to find the chapel and grounds open for full exploration, and it was an incredible sight — worthy of hours spent wandering the main floor, the tunnels beneath, and the gardens below.
Angela Sanford
May 223 min read
Cherry Blossom’s Goodbye
by Raegan Densmore Photo Courtesy of R. Densmore Toronto’s winter was pretty gross this year. Which was quite disappointing because I spent a lot of my time indoors. So it sucks when April comes around, the weather becomes nice again but I am swamped with final assignments and exams, then shortly after, packing to return to Nova Scotia. Although this is the case, I have found ways to enjoy the last moments regardless. Having multiple final assignments due within the same
Angela Sanford
May 152 min read
The Shops of the 215
by Angela Sanford Each weekend, as I deliver the bulletins, I have the opportunity to step into the past several times over. Each little store along the way that houses a distribution point for the bulletin seems to hold a story of its own — a reminder of a time when small community shops were woven into everyday life along the shoreline. Recently, another of those little shops closed its doors: the Walton General Store. Residents will surely miss both its convenience a
Angela Sanford
May 153 min read
A Lifetime of Mothers
by Angela Sanford I am very fortunate to have a great long-term memory. My short-term memory, well, that’s questionable at times. From that long-term memory, I clearly recall my maternal great-grandmother, who passed away when I was quite young. I remember visiting her house with my Barbie doll in hand. I remember her taking a moment to sit on the floor beside me, asking about my doll for a few short minutes in between her cleaning tasks. I remember her gentle voice as
Angela Sanford
May 83 min read
Can You Hear Me Now?
by Angela Sanford Years ago, I was at Bedford Place Mall picking up Easter treats for the boys. When I got back to the van, it wouldn’t start—the computer had “locked up.” I went back inside to find a payphone and called Dan, then his uncle Bunny, hoping someone could help. After a fair bit of frustration, we finally reached another family member—an actual mechanic—who arrived as the hero of the day. That was also the moment I broke down and decided to buy my first cell ph
Angela Sanford
May 12 min read
Tribute to Poetry Month
Poems by Debbie Weatherhead The Dishwasher It’s not full yet, there’s still some space So, you can’t turn it on; that would be a disgrace. A waste of water; a waste of soap. Don’t start it now. Nope! Nope! Nope! I’ll find something small to fill up the spot, I’ll put in a spoon and the porridge pot. That didn’t quite do it; now let me think. I know! I’ll put in the kitchen sink. But there’s still some space, now how about that. I’ve got it! I’ll put in the dog and cat. They b
Angela Sanford
Apr 292 min read
Hope
by Cathy Arscott I found this Winter to be very difficult. I have Seasonal Affective Disorder and struggled with depression. It was cold, LONG and depressing. Honestly, it felt that January had 500 days. I fell, dislocated my shoulder and blackened my eye, so that just amplified every negative feeling and self pity, I could muster. With that being said, no matter how difficult the Winter was and the complete inconvenience I am experiencing now, I have to take o
Angela Sanford
Apr 261 min read
Commitment Also Means Knowing When to Let Go
by Angela Sanford I’ve always believed that if you’re going to serve on a board or community group, you need to commit wholeheartedly. So many of our organizations are already stretched thin and in real need of volunteers, and they deserve people who can fully show up. Over the years, I’ve sat on numerous boards, both as a director and in executive roles. But the greatest commitment in my life began when our boys started boxing in 2010. Little did I realize just how inv
Angela Sanford
Apr 242 min read
Family Gatherings
by Krista Vroegh Last summer, the Mumford clan decided it was time to get together for a family reunion. Nearly 60 of us came together—some traveling long distances, others just down the road, all of us with food in hand and a story waiting to be told. Last week, we lost the oldest member of our Mumford family tree. And how many times have we said since then, “I’m so glad we had that gathering last year.” We had a great time, lots of great food, games, water slide fo
Angela Sanford
Apr 221 min read
Spring
by Angela Sanford A couple of weeks ago, while delivering the bulletins, I found myself weaving around spring potholes and realizing I’d almost forgotten about snow. Aside from a light skiff more than a week earlier—gone as quickly as it came—our yard had been free of the heavy accumulations of this past winter. Then, just like that, I was driving from Cheese Factory Corner to South Rawdon when it hit me. Along the ditches, at the edges of treelines, and in the places w
Angela Sanford
Apr 172 min read
Coffee Wonders
by Raegan Densmore Photo Credit: Raegan Densmore I have been a big coffee fan for a long time. Not only is it a fun treat to get for yourself and an excuse to leave the house, getting coffee is also a fun activity to do with friends. Recently, I have been diving more into the coffee realm, not just by going to cafes, but by learning the different kinds, and even making it myself as well. Whenever someone asks me what I like to do for fun here in Toronto, I say I like to wa
Angela Sanford
Apr 152 min read
Where are the Proverbial Goalposts?
by Angela Sanford Two years ago, I made a quick decision to buy out Pam’s Web and reshape it into what is now The High Tides Bulletin. It was a decision made with clarity and confidence — little hesitation, no second-guessing — and it remains one I do not regret. Retiring after more than 30 years in education? That decision was different. It came with sleepless nights, deep reflection, and more than a little hesitation. Education has never been just a career for me — it
Angela Sanford
Apr 102 min read
The Grand Tour
by Angela Sanford Flashback - I'm 8 years old and it's Saturday night in East Noel. Mom is in the bath, primping herself for the local dance. The Saturday Night Classics are on FX 101.9 and our kitchen is filled with the warmth of the woodstove and the choruses of familiar songs. A Foxtrot comes on and Dad takes my hand and leads me around the kitchen instilling in me the steps, followed by a Polka, and then it's time for him to leave and pick up the babysitter.
Angela Sanford
Apr 33 min read
The Tooth be Told
by Angela Sanford March is Dental Health Month — a timely reminder that our teeth carry quite the history. They witness it all over the years: greasy indulgences, sugary delights, rushed coffee mornings, and (I hope) a faithful relationship with toothpaste and floss. My own teeth have certainly lived a full life. As a child, dentists admired my milk fortified enamel. Strong. Impressive. Built to last. Fast forward a few decades, and that enamel has quietly thinned —
Angela Sanford
Mar 273 min read
Addiction and Recovery
by Cathy Arscott I am an alcoholic and addict. I now, one day at a time, have 28 years of sobriety. My addiction was messy. I created a lot of mistrust and hurt too many people, including my family. I had an issue with addiction by the time I was 17 years old. And all the things I said I would never do or say….I did. I had issues with self-worth, self-love and self-esteem. I felt that if people treated me better I would not have entered the throes of addiction. I tried to bl
Angela Sanford
Mar 252 min read
Be Careful What You Put in the Universe
by Angela Sanford It's my last March break and as I walked out the school doors last Friday afternoon another teacher brought me this realization. I headed into the break with great anticipation: some relaxing, some reading, some time with friends, and, generally, a few chores that needed to be done around the house. However, the week has been less than liberating. The first weekend started with a little bit of tension in my back, as a result of a chore started before
Angela Sanford
Mar 204 min read
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