Ticks and Lyme Disease - A Growing Concern Across Canada

Lyme-carrying ticks are now found in almost all Canadian provinces.  At one time, they were only found in Ontario.  They were once limited to areas along the U.S. Border in Southern Ontario such as, Point Pelee and Fort Erie.  Now, the organisms can be found everywhere along the border.

Medical professionals are becoming more worried about the spread of the disease and feel there are so many more at-risk Canadians.  Read more ...

Symptoms of Lyme disease:

If you suspect that you may have been in contact with a Lyme-carrying tick, seek medical help right away.  Tips on avoiding the possibility of contracting the disease include, staying out of areas that ticks thrive in.  Check yourself and your pets thoroughly if you have been in any of these areas.

Read more ...

Learn how to remove ticks

This Is What Lyme Disease Feels Like

Personal story by Molly Napolitano

It's a beautiful day -- stunning actually -- but I've been lying in bed since one in the afternoon. I's now almost six and I've wasted yet another day thanks to Lyme disease.

In the last week, my joint pain has been getting worse and worse. Today, it feels like I've been hit by a truck. Every muscle hurts to touch. My hair started falling out in the shower. Most joints in my body are extremely painful. It hurts to open my hands or bend my elbows. It hurts to stand up because my right forefoot screams out in agony. My right knee, both hips and my neck are joining in on the fun. I have a horrible headache, but none of these pains are the worst of it.

I feel like the life has been literally sucked right out of me. The fatigue is overwhelming. I'm so tired that my eyelids struggle staying open --

Read more ...

Written By: Mike Crawford

Gordie Howe International Bridge

Naming ceremony of the new Windsor-Detroit International Bridge

There has been much controversy over the construction of a new bridge that will connect Windsor and Detroit.  One of the biggest concerns, is that Canada is footing the bill for construction on the U.S. side.  The money we are contributing will be used to build a Customs plaza.  It is alleged that it will be paid back from tolls collected and, won't cost Canadian tax payers a cent but, many believe this is just a dream.  Canada already had plans to pay for 95% of the new bridge and then came the decision to move forward, a customs plaza was needed on the American side of the border.

The new bridge is being designed to connect directly to Highway 401 via the Herb Gray Parkway on the Canadian side and to Interstates 75 and 95 in Detroit.  The current Ambassador Bridge is connected to city streets which causes a lot of traffic and congestion within the city itself.  The design of the new bridge connecting to major highways is expected to improve the flow of freight traffic over the border using six lanes instead of the current four.  The Windsor-Detroit border crossing is one of the busiest in North America.  At an estimate of 2.5 million trucks, carrying over $100 billion in trade used this corridor in 2012.

The proposal for a new bridge came about in 2004 and in 2007.  In 2008 the proposal received approval.  Work began in 2011 to construct the Herb Gray Parkway in Windsor, preparing to connect the bridge to highway 401.

Owner of the Ambassador Bridge, Manuel "Matty" Moroun, opposed the idea of building a new bridge.  He did everything in his power to sue the Canadian and Michigan Governments in an effort to stop construction on a new bridge.  He came up with a proposal of his own, to build a second span to the Ambassador Bridge.  In the end, that doesn't do anything to help the current bridge which is 86 years old and is in need of major repairs.  It was not made to accommodate the heavy duty freight vehicles that are used today nor, was it originally made for the high volume of traffic that uses it daily.  It's estimated that 10,000 trucks use the bridge daily.  The second span would also not alleviate the traffic congestion within the city.

More controversy ensues when Moroun begins to buy properties and land in a Historic community within Windsor.  It would be where the second span of the Ambassador Bridge would be located. Many of the residents in the community were outraged at the idea and were worried that this would cause their property value to decrease.  Many of these properties have houses on them and they are now abandoned and boarded up.  They have become targets for vandalism and this has residents concerned.  People are getting into these houses illegally and destruction and arson have ensued.

The choice of using the Delray neighbourhood in South Detroit has been under scrutiny. The community doesn't believe that this is an ideal location but, there is room to grow economically there. Warehouses and other businesses can be created to assist with trade that passes over the bridge. Creating more jobs, along with more revenue.  It's agreed that citizens focus more on that aspect and, to build up the area and begin to train people to fill those jobs that will be created.

A public-private partnership from Canada will oversee the bridge project and the construction of Inspection plazas, on both sides. The United States has agreed to staff, operate and maintain the Detroit customs plaza. Although, Canada's main decision to pay for the project was so it would benefit Canadian's, doesn't mean they were not thinking of their U.S. neighbours.  The span will be of vital importance to communities and businesses on both sides of the border, states Transport Minister, Lisa Raitt.

As it stands now, the Ambassador Bridge is privately owned and used for profit by Moroun and does not benefit everyone but, mainly adds to his own wealth.

The new Gordie Howe International Bridge is proposed to be completed and in service by 2020.

Written By:  Mike Crawford

Remembrance Day: Remembering Our Veterans And All Our Fallen Canadians.

November is the month we remember our Service men and woman.  The Veterans that fought for the freedom we have today.  November 11 has been dedicated to honour those people across Canada. This day is observed yearly.  Our Veterans deserve to be recognized all year round.  In Windsor, Ontario, ceremonies and dedications take place throughout the year.

Canada has participated in many different wars.  More notably the First and Second World Wars, the Vietnam War and the Korean War.  There was also the Boer War, War of 1812, D-Day and Normandy.  These wars went on many years ago.  More recently, there was the Gulf War, the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.  Those are just a few of course.  There is quite a history of Canada and the wars Canadians were involved in all over the world.

Canada has often joined forces with the United States as allies.  Not always actively fighting, they were more peacekeepers.  They did however, export weapons and other supplies and provided medical services to the wounded and those that could not mentally continue on.  Canadians still were exposed to the horrors of war.  Living in tunnel, trenches and bunkers and trying to survive in the open fields.  Hundreds of thousands of soldiers, nurses, and notable people either lost their lives, became prisoners of war or, were missing in action.

Windsor, Ontario, Canada became a very large training camp where men and women from the surrounding counties came to prepare for war.  There were eventually sent off to Camp Borden and were deployed from there.  Windsor also became known for manufacturing weapons, some vehicles and supplies to take to war.

Windsor is home to numerous monuments and memorial sites throughout the city that recognize and honour the Veterans and fallen soldiers.  Many of these monuments have been placed parks all along the riverfront.  Ceremonies and dedications take place throughout the year on anniversaries and the addition of monuments and plaques.  The service men and woman of the Windsor-Essex County area should be recognized as much as possible, not just on November 11.

Some of the larger monuments that can be found are, The North Wall which is also known as Canadian Vietnam Veteran's Memorial.  Located under the Ambassador Bridge in Assumption Park, it lists 103 names of casualties of known Canadian origin.

The North Wall Memorial

The First World War memorial stands at the gates of Memorial Park, which dates back to 1925.  This memorial has the names of 837 men and woman from the Windsor area who have died.

World War I memorial

The Second World War monument can be found in Jackson Park.  Located just South of Downtown. This park has many other monuments, plaques and trees that were dedicated to Veteran's from land, sea, and air.  Another WW II Memorial can be found along the river.

World War II Memorial

The Korean War memorial can be found Downtown in Dieppe Gardens.  On the left side, the names of 516 fallen Canadians and on the right side, the names of those from the Windsor-Essex County alone.

Korean War Memorial

Every year a Remembrance Day ceremony takes place at the Cenotaph at the City Hall in downtown Windsor, Ontario. Wreaths are laid, the Colour Guard Marches along with Windsor's divisions and forces of the military. 

Written By:  Mike Crawford

The Cenotaph at City Hall In Downtown Windsor

The Colour Guard

Assembled crowd at the ceremony

Some of the other monuments that can be found around Windsor.

Afghan War Memorial

Boer War Memorial

Windsor Junction

Olde Sandwich Towne, Windsor, Ontario

Olde Sandwich Towne  is where Aboriginal nations including the Chippewas, Ottawas, Potowatomis and Wyandots had originally settled in the area.  In 1797, the land was purchased from the Huron Indians and then, in 1858, was given the status of being a "town".  Located along the Detroit River in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, it is one of the oldest and historically significant settlements in Ontario, with many of historical events in Ontario history.  There are many historical buildings that still exist today in Sandwich Towne.  It then amalgamated in 1935 with East Windsor, Windsor and Walkerville and became the City of Windsor.

Some of the more historical points of interest in the area include, The Duff-Baby Mansion.  It is the oldest building in Windsor and, is one of the best preserved Georgian-style houses in Ontario.  It was built between 1792 and 1798 by one of the founding residents of Sandwich Towne.  It was then purchased in 1807 by military officer, James Baby.

The Duff-Baby Mansion

The McGregor-Cowan house, was built in 1805 and is one of the only residential homes in the area.  It was spared from the events of the war of 1812.  During the rebellion of 1837-1838, it was used as an officers quarters.

The McGregor-Cowan house

The Francois Baby House, which was being built in 1812, was commandeered by American Brigadier, General William Hull.  This happened during his invasion of Upper Canada.  The house was abandoned and became a museum in 1958.  As a National Historic Site, today it houses the Windsor Community Museum.

The Francois Baby House

Our Lady of Assumption Church is the oldest, continuous, Catholic Parish in Canada.  It dates back to the Huron Mission of 1728. The church has been built up by dedicated pastors and parishioners and is one of the first buildings you see when you cross the border from Detroit.

Our Lady of Assumption Church

MacKenzie Hall, built in 1855-1856 by Alexander MacKenzie.  He became the second Prime Minister of Canada in 1873.  It served as the County Court House until 1963.  Many memorable trials had been held there.

MacKenzie Hall

The original Windsor Jail, was built in 1926 in Sandwich Towne.  Three stories high and surrounded by 20 foot walls of cement, had enough room to hold 101 inmates.  Expansions were done over the years to make it larger.  Today, it is abandoned and the fate of the building unknown.

Original Windsor Jail

Post Office

Some other notable buildings include the Sandwich Towne Post Office, which is now closed.  Also there was the Dominion House, which still stands today but, was rebuilt after it endured a large fire in 1879.  It was once an Inn for stagecoach travelers going between Windsor and Amherstburg.  It is now one of the oldest taverns still operating in Ontario.

Original Dominion House

These are some of the more prominent buildings in Olde Sandwich Towne.  There are numerous other houses that still stand and are over 150 years old.  They have be remodeled over the years but, some of the original characteristics have been restored.  There is so much more to discover about the buildings and landmarks.  There is also more to discover of the more notable people that settled there and, what events occurred in the area so many years ago, in one of Windsor's more interesting areas.

Various annual festivals take place in Olde Sandwich Towne to celebrate the historical heritage of the area.  They have parades, car shows, ghost tours and Open Doors which allows you entry into some of the buildings.  You can also take your own Historic Walking Your by picking up a guide booklet from MacKenzie Hall.

There are historical murals painted on buildings, many bars with patios and restaurants.  Everything you need can be found there.  From a Farmer's Market, to a Bakery and a small town grocer.  You could spend and entire day exploring the Towne and hanging out by the river where you can find a replica of a Windmill that stood there so long ago.

Written By:  Mike Crawford

Library

Town Hall