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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-09-24, Page 44 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, September 24, 2014 www.seaforthhuronexpositorcom Seaforth kiln Expositor PUBLISHED WEEKLY — EST. 1860 RO. Box 69, 8 Main Street Seaforth Ontario NOK phone: 519-527-0240 fax: 519-527-2858 www.seaforthhuronexpositor SUN MEDIA A Quebecor Media Company fiL. NEIL CLIFFORD Publisher neil.clifford@sunmedia.ca MAXWELL BICKFORD Advertising Rep. max.bickford@sunmedia.ca DIANNE MCGRATH Front Office seaforth.classifieds@sunmedia.ca WHITNEY SOUTH Multimedia Journalist seaforth.news@sunmedia.ca MARIE DAVID Sun Media Group Publisher Grey Bruce Huron Division 519-364-2001 or 519-372-4301 SUBSCRIPTION RATES 1 YEAR $50.00 (47.62+2.38 GST) 2 YEAR $95.00 (90.48+4.52 GST) SENIORS 60 WEEKS $50.00 (47.62+2.38 GST) 120 WEEKS $95.00 (90.48+4.52 GST) Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064683 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT RO. Box 69 Seaforth ON NOK For any non -deliveries or delivery concerns: phone: 519-527-0240 Advertising is accepted on condition that in the event of a typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a typographical error, advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time. The Huron Expositor is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproduction purposes. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canadian Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities. Canacr3 editorial Bee deaths must fuel focus on ecosystem It's as simple as the life -cycle lessons taught in ele- mentary schools: The plants grow flowers; the bees, the butterflies and other creatures pollinate the plants. Fruit is produced, feeding other creatures, and the cycle goes on. Take the bees out of the mix, and it doesn't take a sci- entist to figure out there's a problem. Out of the hive and into a courtroom comes an envi- ronmental crisis that dares to shake the fragile ecosys- tem and, some say, ultimately jeopardize the food supply. Earlier this month, Canadian beekeepers launched a $450 -million class-action lawsuit against seed/insecti- cide companies Bayer and Syngenta. With London law firm Sisldnds LLP leading the charge, the apiarists allege that neonicotinoids, a family of pesticides applied as a coating on corn and soybean seeds and now banned by the European Union, is killing bees at an alarming rate. The allegations have not been tested in court, and the defendants weren't immediately commenting. Farmers say the chemicals affect the ability of bees to do their jobs, hurting their mobility, honey production and health. Neonics have their boosters. Grain farmers have said their yields would drop if they were banned. One defendant has said the chemical replaced more toxic compounds that threatened the environment and there's no evidence of massive bee deaths in Western Canada, where neonic-treated canola seeds are the norm. While the scientific arguments about what's killing bees will take years to play out in court, the legal action speaks to how dire the situation has become — and how crucial it is to find solutions. Pesticides have been cited as the main cause for the 80 per cent decline of the monarch butterfly, once 350 -million strong but now cut to 60 million largely because of the decline ofmilkweed plants. Honey bee populations are down 58 per cent, devas- tating the honey industry. The Sierra Club of Canada is backing the claims and running its own Save the Bees campaign, sounding the alarm that the loss of bees could spell the loss of other vital components in the food chain. It should create a buzz in the rest of us, to pay closer attention to what's happening in our meadows and fields. Never give up, never surrender Cancer is a scary word. For those living with the dis- ease, either personally or through a loved one, it's a word that can conjure feelings of helplessness and despair. And the truth is, we're all far from alone. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, around 524 Canadians are diagnosed every day, while an average of 210 lose that battle. Last week, I lost two won- derful people to this terrible disease. Two lives that couldn't have been more different. Back when I was a teenager, I really didn't like kids, except one. Nick was a lively little guy with an energetic spark and an infectious smile. At a time in my life when I couldn't fathom hav- ing to spend one second around anyone half my age, I looked forward to our time together during my family's yearly trips to Traverse City, Michigan, to visit friends. Even though, unfortunately, he, along with his two older brothers had a penchant for listening to a lot of rap music, something I tried to nip in the bud with no success. We'd sit up at night and talk about whatever shenanigans the boys had gotten up to that day. Sometimes he's even fall asleep at the foot of my bed. What can I say? The little guy stole my heart from the go. Two years ago, at the age of 21, Nick was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer. Despite a terminal diagnosis, he continued to fight, never losing the kindness, joy and charm that made him so spe- cial to so many. On Sept. 16, he lost his battle. As far back as I can remem- ber, I always loved spending time with my godparents and their family. Being an only child, it was a little strange for me to all of a sudden be Column Whitney South Huron Expositor thrown into a crew of four sib- lings, but they always made it great and I always felt welcome. With a smile like the Mon- kees' Davy Jones, and an accent to boot, my godfather Colin was a big part of that. He was the type of guy who always made me feel special, a part of the family, even calling my parents after his youngest was born just to let them know there would always still be room for me. Colin beat prostate cancer two years ago, only to have it return in his esophagus. In the end, doctors found stage four cancer in his abdomen. On Sept. 17, he lost his battle. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada, and it needs to be stopped. In order for that to happen, we have to keep fighting. At times it may feel as though this disease has become something so com- monplace in our society, each diagnosis is inevitable. But it doesn't have to be that way. Over the past 20 years, sur- vival rates have increased to 63 per cent for all cancers combined. Fundraising and research are making a difference. It's up to all of us to keep it going; no matter how long it takes, we can never give up. For more information on how to donate to the Canadian Cancer Society, please visit www.cancer.ca. SEAFORTH HURON EXPOSITOR - HOURS OF OPERATION MONDAY: 9:00 - 5:00 • TUESDAY: - CLOSED • WEDNESDAY: - 9:00 - 5:00 • THURSDAY: - 9:00 - 5:00 • FRIDAY: - 9:00 - 5:00 • SATURDAY & SUNDAY: - CLOSED ADVERTISING DEADLINE: FRIDAY AT 2:00 • PHONE 519-527-0240 • FAX: 519-527-2858 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com