Saturday December 2, 2023

December 2, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday December 2, 2023

Rooting for Tradition: The Christmas Tree Price Surge Forces a Festive Dilemma

‘Tis the season to be jolly, but for many, this year’s festive cheer comes with a hefty price tag. The evergreen centrepiece of our holiday celebrations, the live Christmas tree, is bearing the brunt of inflation, making us question whether it’s time to reconsider the allure of artificial alternatives.

December 7, 2022

Inflation, that Grinch of economic woes, is playing the role of the party pooper this holiday season. The cost of bringing home a fragrant fir or a noble fir is skyrocketing, with a roughly 10 percent increase across Canada, thanks to a confluence of factors. Higher fuel prices, escalating fertilizer costs, labor expenses, climate change, and even insurance premiums for Christmas tree farms are all contributing to the festive financial strain.

Picture this: a Christmas tree lot resembling a car dealership, with families being told, “If you’d like to step inside the dealership, we could explore financing options.” It’s a scenario that reflects the stark reality of our times, where even holiday traditions are becoming subject to economic negotiations.

News: Christmas tree prices will continue to grow in 2023 amid shortage

December 10, 2021

Shirley Brennan, the executive director of the Canadian Christmas Trees Association, highlights the significant spike in fertilizer costs, with some regions experiencing an alarming 50 percent increase. The repercussions extend to insurance premiums, which have doubled for some farms, reaching a staggering $15,000 per year for one Christmas tree farmer.

While the reasons behind the surge in prices are diverse and complex, ranging from retiring farmers to extreme weather events affecting crop yields, the undeniable truth is that the cost of Christmas trees is spiralling out of control.

George Powell, a seasoned tree farmer from Bowmanville, Ontario, recounts the evolution of the industry over his 40-year tenure. Seedling prices have surged from a modest 10 cents each to a hefty $1.50, reflecting the broader trend of escalating costs in the Christmas tree business. Despite the challenges, Powell sees a surge in demand, potentially fuelled by a shortage that traces its roots back to the 2008 financial crisis.

December 9, 2022

The impact of the financial crisis on farmers is akin to a time-delayed holiday Grinch. As Jordan Bishop, founder and CEO of Yore Oyster, points out, Christmas trees take around 15 years to reach full height, and the consequences of reduced planting during the 2007-2008 recession are now hitting consumers’ wallets.

Canada, a major exporter of Christmas trees, shipped around 2.5 million trees worth approximately $163.5 million in 2022. However, the looming shortage has prompted a reconsideration of export strategies, with some farms redirecting their inventory to meet domestic demand.

News: O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree, how much more expensive will you be?

December 9, 2017

In the face of this Christmas tree crisis, consumers are left to grapple with tough decisions. Do we continue to shell out more money for a live tree, or is it time to consider the synthetic allure of artificial alternatives? The latter, once scorned for lacking the authentic charm of a real tree, may now be a pragmatic choice for budget-conscious and environmentally aware consumers.

The looming shortage and rising prices might prompt a shift in consumer preferences, with smaller trees gaining popularity and larger ones demanding a premium. As Bishop suggests, the 2022 experience may make tree sellers more strategic in pricing, possibly driving some consumers towards the simplicity of artificial trees.

As Christmas tree prices soar and availability dwindles, the season of giving is becoming a season of financial compromise. The traditional joy of selecting and decorating a live tree is now tinged with the reality of economic constraints. Perhaps, as we deck the halls, it’s time to ponder whether an artificial tree might be the gift we give ourselves in these financially turbulent times. (AI) From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro. If you’re creative, give illustration a try:

Wednesday November 15, 2023

November 15, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday November 15, 2023

Regal Evolution: From Elizabeth to Charles on Canadian Coins

May 6, 2023

The Royal Canadian Mint is about to embark on a new chapter, with Canadian coins soon featuring the face of King Charles. This shift in design, replacing the image of the late Queen Elizabeth II, marks a significant moment for the mint based in Winnipeg.

The chosen design, crafted by Canadian portrait artist Steven Rosati out of 350 entries, has been forwarded to Buckingham Palace for royal approval. Notably, the King’s effigy is poised to grace the iconic loonie for the first time, with a limited release of 2023-dated coins expected to circulate in early December.

News: The Royal Canadian Mint unveils the first coins bearing the face of King Charles III

April 4, 2008

Reflecting on the history of Canadian coinage adds depth to this narrative. Dating back to 1857, when the dollar became Canada’s official monetary unit post-independence, the country’s coinage has undergone notable transformations. The introduction of decimal coins in 1858 and subsequent denominations in 1870 marked key milestones.

Over the years, the composition of Canadian coins, originally boasting a .925 silver content, has evolved, transitioning to .800 in 1920 and eventually abandoning silver in favour of pure nickel coins by 1968. Interestingly, Canada’s coinage journey also included large cents from 1858-1920, diverging from the smaller-sized US cent.

April 4, 2008

The need to differentiate Canadian and US currencies led to the issuance of a distinctive 25 cent coin around 1870. Despite initial delays, the silver dollar made its debut in 1935, featuring a portrait of George V.

Analysis: How does putting King Charles on Canadian money make people feel? It’s a coin toss

Coins issued in Canada have historical ties to mints beyond its borders, with some struck in London’s Royal Mint or the Heaton Mint in England. Grading standards for Canadian coins align with those of the United States, emphasizing wear on the obverse, particularly in areas like crowns, laurel sprays, and hairlines.

August 7, 2003

In the present day, Canada boasts seven main denominations, including the iconic 1 C$ (Loonie), 2 C$ (Toonie), 50 Cent (Half Dollar), 25 Cent (Quarter), 10 Cents (Dime), and 5 Cent (Nickel). Yet, as we witness the introduction of King Charles on Canadian coins, it prompts reflection on the broader societal changes, like the diminishing role of physical coins in an era dominated by digital transactions. The cartoonish scenario of a grandmother introducing King Charles on a coin to her grandkids, met with confusion about both the monarch and the concept of coins, encapsulates this evolving landscape where tradition meets the modern age. (AI)

Wednesday September 9, 2020

September 16, 2020 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday September 9, 2020

Where did the ‘no white after Labor Day’ rule come from?

The day itself first became a national holiday back in 1894 – but with it comes the odd tradition of not wearing white shoes or clothing after the day has passed. Just where did that rule come from – and what is Labor Day all about anyway?

September 3, 2016

It’s not quite clear where the rule about not wearing white clothes or shoes after Labor Day came from – with a number of explanations given.

Time Magazine previously suggested that wearing white in the summer was a way of keeping cool in warmer temperatures, and that it wasn’t necessary to do so once the autumn months arrived.

In the early part of the 20th Century white clothing was regarded as a status symbol for Americans who were wealthy enough to spend time away from the city in the warmer summer months.

Their return from vacation to city life around Labor Day was seen as a time to pack away those clothes and get out their darker-coloured autumn clothing.

June 10, 2020

Although it’s not an official rule, fashion magazines started pointing to the ‘no white after Labor Day’ trend in the 1950s – although style icons such as Coco Chanel continued to wear white all year round.

It’s also been suggested fashion editors led the trend by featuring white clothing in magazines during the summer months and darker clothing once autumn rolled around.

These days people are less fussy about the so-called rule and wear white all year round – although it still pops up from time to time, notably in John Waters’ 1994 movie Serial Mom, in which Kathleen Turner launches a murderous assault on a woman (Patty Hearst) for wearing white shoes after Labor Day is over.

July 18, 2020

Labor Day, which is always on the first Monday in September, commemorates the social and economic achievements of workers in the US, and the contribution they have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of the country.

It was first celebrated in New York City on September 5, 1882, in accordance with the plans of the city’s Central Labor Union, while Oregon was the first state to make it a holiday five years later.

The day became a national holiday in 1894, after Congress passed a bill recognising it as a holiday and then president Grover Cleveland signed it into law.

Labor Day is seen as the ‘unofficial end of summer’ with many people taking two-week vacations around it, while a lot of autumn activities such as school and sports seasons also begin around this time. (Metro UK)

Saturday December 8, 2018

December 10, 2018 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday December 8, 2018

‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ pulled from some Canadian radio stations

“Baby, It’s Cold Outside” is getting a chilly response from Canadian radio stations.

December 4, 2018

At least two of the country’s biggest radio operators — Rogers Media and Bell Media — say they’ve decided to pull the controversial Christmas favourite out of their rotations this year.

That comes as the duet, written back in 1944, faces renewed scrutiny over what some say are inappropriate lyrics in the wake of the #MeToo movement.

Earlier this week, Cleveland radio station WDOK-FM announced it was no longer playing the song in response to listener feedback. Some took issue over lyrics where one singer is trying to persuade the other to stay inside, with exchanges that include, “What’s in this drink?” and “Baby, don’t hold out.”

Bell Media spokesperson Scott Henderson says the company, which runs two 24-hour Christmas stations in Vancouver and Ottawa, chose not to include the Christmas tune on its playlists this year.

“The song wasn’t scheduled for airplay on any Bell Media Radio stations and there are no plans to play it in the future,” he wrote in an emailed statement.

December 9, 2017

Rogers Media also runs a number of all-Christmas music stations, including 98.1 CHFI-FM in Toronto and 98.5 CIOC-FM in Victoria. Spokesperson Caitlin Decarie says the broadcaster also removed the song this year, but declined outline how it reached the decision.

“There are so many wonderful songs that celebrate the holiday season,” she said.

A representative for CBC Radio was unable to answer whether its stations include the Christmas song in its current rotation.

“Baby, It’s Cold Outside” has been considered a holiday classic ever since it won the Academy Award for best original song in the film “Neptune’s Daughter.”

Christmas Classics

It’s since been covered countless times by singers Ray Charles and Betty Carter, Idina Menzel & Michael Buble, as well as Dolly Parton and Rod Stewart.

Concern over the song has existed for years, leading to many reinterpretations of the lyrics.

Lady Gaga and Joseph Gordon-Levitt flipped the gender roles in a performance for the pop singer’s 2013 holiday special with the Muppets.

And two years ago, Minnesota couple Lydia Liza and Josiah Lemanski rewrote the lyrics to include lines about consent, such as a response to the woman’s line “I ought to say no, no, no” with the man saying: “You reserve the right to say no.” (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

Saturday May 20, 2017

May 19, 2017 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 20, 2017

Americans are camping in record numbers, but they still want Wi-Fi

According to a report released by Kampgrounds of America (KOA), a group of privately held campgrounds, more and more Americans are now spending their leisure time camping.

July 2, 2008

Since 2014, the percentage of campers of who say that they take three or more camping trips a year has increased by more than 36 percent. Infrequent campers (those who go just once a year) have simultaneously dropped by 10 percent. In 2017 half of all campers surveyed said that they’re planning to spend even more time camping this year.

More than half of millennials surveyed (51 percent) said that they planned to go camping more often in 2017. Millennials also mark the age range to most enjoy the activity in large groups–10 or more travelers.

But neither millennials – nor campers in general – are completely cutting the cord. According to the study, 95 percent of people who go camping bring some sort of technology with them while 37 percent of campers said that some sort of tech was actually required for their trip in order to spend more time outdoors. About half of survey respondents indicated that least free Wi-Fi was a big factor when deciding where to stay.

And when it comes to sleeping, conventional tents were the most popular, according to the study. But the number of campers electing to use RVs or cabins is also increasing. (Source: Fox News) http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2017/03/21/americans-are-camping-in-record-numbers-but-still-want-wi-fi.html

long weekend, holiday, camping, family, campground, gadgets, devices, social media, Internet, technology, tradition, vacation, media, laptops, addiction (Source: Fox News)

The Western Star, Corner Brook, Nfld., May 23, 2017