ELORA – In the face of a housing crisis, the province has determined that every municipality in the province should allow homeowners to add up to two additional residential units (ARUs) to their property.

With that direction in their back pockets, council decided at its Nov. 10 meeting to update its zoning bylaw amendment to allow it here.

Managing director of planning and development Brett Salmon explained that while Centre Wellington had a long-standing provision to permit a second unit inside a detached house, the province expanded those provisions in 2019 to allow two ARUs on a property.

Wellington County updated its Official Plan through OPA 112 to be compliant.

In 2022 “the province went a step further and now requires municipalities to permit a total of three residential units per lot where full municipal sewer and water services exist, which can include up to three attached units, or two attached units and one detached unit,” Salmon wrote in his report.

Again, Wellington County updated its official plan through OPA 123, which was recently approved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Salmon said because of that the township doesn’t need an official plan amendment, just a zoning bylaw amendment. And because of the provincial planning statement certain aspects of the township’s previous bylaw are no longer permitted.

“For example, our 2022 bylaw specified that site plan approval applies to detached ARUs, but this is now prohibited by the Planning Act. Site plan approval cannot be applied to a site with fewer than 10 dwelling units,” Salmon wrote.

The only change the township can make to the bylaw is that there must be an unobstructed walkway to the ARU.

Councillor Lisa MacDonald noted she’s heard from residents who don’t like having an ARU next door.

“We are required to facilitate it,” Salmon said. “We are supposed to make it easy.”

Salmon included a guide to ARUs written by the Brant County for its residents to understand ARUs and suggested Centre Wellington could provide a similar guide for interested homeowners.

Council approved the motion.

The post Centre Wellington residents can have up to two ARUs plus original dwelling appeared first on Wellington Advertiser.

With artificial intelligence advancing at break-neck speed, Elmira’s Doug Thomas, the president of Secular Connexion, a national humanist organization, is worried about it making moral decisions for us.

“Anytime you turn your life over to a traditional god or to a machine god, you diminish your own freedom, your own responsibility for what you do,” he told The Observer.

Having won battles against the imposition of religious views on atheists and others, he now believes these achievements could be at risk due to the unchecked technological power of those behind AI, many of whom are in hock to the rising tide of far-right Christian nationalism.

Elmira Dollar Tree staff told of their terror after witnessing a hooded young man with a cross tattooed under an eye rob their store and assault a customer.

“It was pretty scary,” explained Kara Losee, who said her own father was hit by the suspected thief and was then threatened by the man after bravely trying to stop him.

“He went to run out the door, and my dad sort of stood in his way, but he shoved my dad,” said Losee, who was working as a cashier at the time.

With great sadness our family announces Gary’s passing, suddenly, on Monday, November 10, 2025 at the age of 79 years. Husband of Jocelyn (Smith) Schaefer for 14 years. Loving Dad of Charlene (Jim) Radler, and Todd Schaefer. Devoted Grandpa “Branta” of Matthew, Lucas, and Jaiden Radler; and Gramps of Austin, and Jasmine Wilson. Cherished brother of Rick (Doris), David (Jeanette), and Susan “Sue” (Earl) Gingrich. Gary was very family oriented and will be sadly missed by his many nieces, nephews, and their families as well as all his friends. Son-in-law of Donna Smith, and brother-in-law of Cait Smith. He is predeceased by his parents Gerry and Betty Schaefer, his first wife Barbara (2004), and father-in-law Harry Smith (2022). Gary was a very proud, active and dedicated Legion Member. He was past President at Branch 469 Elmira, and most recently he was the Veteran’s Services Officer for the Polish Legion Branch 412, Kitchener. Gary was always helping veterans one-on-one, getting housing and financial aid as well as any other assistance needed. He was also proud to have been the medical trainer for 30+ years with the Elmira Sugar Kings, and was the only recipient of the Trainer of The Year award, which he received twice! Gary was a longtime resident of Elmira, having come over from England with his mom on the Queen Mary at the age of six months, to join his dad after the war. Gary loved his 42 years camping at Silent Valley Park, going for golf cart rides, doing word search puzzles, not to mention Skip Bo, “beiners and weens,” travelling, hockey, baseball, listening to 50s and 60s music, Export Ale, and cruising around in the Mustang Convertible. After 40+ years at Uniroyal Chemical as a steam fitter/plumber, Gary also served as President for the United Steelworkers for many years. In 2007, Gary retired and thoroughly enjoyed driving school bus for Elliott Coach Lines for 19 years (he loved his “corner office with a window seat”). At Gary’s request there will be no visitation or funeral service. Cremation has taken place. A Legion service for family only will take place at a later date. As expressions of sympathy, donations to Gale Presbyterian Church or the Polish Legion Branch 412, Kitchener would be appreciated and may be made through the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Grace from Dreisingers for her care and compassion shown to us during this most difficult time.

www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

Waterloo Region residents can expect significant changes to their recycling and waste collection in the months ahead as Ontario transitions to a new, producer-funded recycling system on January 1.

The changes are part of the province’s enhanced recycling program, operated by Circular Materials, a national not-for-profit responsible for managing packaging and paper recycling across Ontario.

The Region of Waterloo will join more than 400 other communities that can now recycle a wider range of materials than before.

Amidst a brisk November wind, the final planting of 2025 by Trees for Woolwich took place last week, marking a symbolic close to a season that witnessed the successful rooting of thousands of saplings across the township’s roadsides and farms.

Woolwich Mayor Sandy Shantz, regional Chair Karen Redman, and Michelle Beaupré, executive assistant to Kitchener-Conestoga MP Tim Louis, were among the attendees, underscoring the community-driven nature of the reforestation initiative.

The planting took place on the farm of Glen and Anna Horst, a family that has been a steadfast supporter of the initiative. While Glen was unable to attend due to illness, his wife and grandson, Carson, were present and actively participated in the day’s work.

The Woolwich Community Fund is marking its 25th anniversary after handing out more than $250,000 to local causes over that time.

“I think the proudest achievement is probably that it exists at all, for such a small community,” said board member Inga Rinne.

“Over the years it has had a big cumulative impact.

Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at the age of 79 years. Loving husband of Sheila (Bitschy) Arndt. Cherished father of Ron, Carolyn (Don) Bauman, Cheryl Greene, Tim, and Rylee. Adoring grandpa of Colton (Emily), Nicholas (Sarita), Courtney; Emilie (Manny), Matt (Izzy); and great-grandchildren Avianna, Lily, Sophie; Luca, and fur baby Lucy. Survived by sister Eva Billings. Will be missed by many extended family, nieces, nephews, and their families. Predeceased by parents Henry and Eva Arndt, many brothers and sisters and their spouses. Peter’s love for automobiles was more than just a hobby; it was a way of connecting with others. His passion for cars brought him many friends, and he treasured every moment spent with his family, friends and neighbours bonding over engines, road trips, and the memories they made together. His sharp, sarcastic wit kept everyone on their toes and brought joy and laughter to those lucky enough to know him. Cremation has taken place. At this time there will be no funeral home visitation or services. As expressions of sympathy, donations to Elmira District Community Living would be appreciated and may be made through the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira.

www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

On the front steps of St. Jacobs Public School, three Jamiesons – father, son and grandson – sat in a place that has long been familiar in their family.

“There’s a lot of stories we can tell you about this place,” noted Art, 77, as he and Will, 40, reflected on being students there. 

Beside them was four-year-old Torey, the youngest of the trio to pass through those doors.

After I filled my deer tag at the tail end of the first week of deer season, I was once again reminded of how hunters such as myself have played a great part in the advancement of medicine. Much like how the first hammer-wielding carpenter provided study material to advance the treatment of thumb injuries, we hunters have given doctors ample opportunities to delve deeper into the problems created by hauling out a deer, bear or moose.

For instance, the morning after I dragged my 160-pound deer a mere 65 yards to where it could be accessed by a smarter hunter using an ATV, I immediately realized that there wasn’t a single part of my body that did not require medical treatment, or at the very least, its own aspirin.

This is on me. For the standard advice is that hauling all that dead weight out of the bush is unwise and could lead to serious medical complications – and it’s even worse when you are dragging a deer.

With the sudden arrival of snow this week, Elmira’s OK Tire was also expecting a flurry of calls as drivers scrambled to prepare their vehicles for another long winter.

Co-owner Rob Bowman smiles wryly when he considers this perennial pattern of Canadian life that always keeps him busy at this time of the year.

“The farmers make hay when the sun shines, and we change tires in the fall and in the spring,” he told The Observer.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’m a people-pleaser by nature and have difficulty saying no or setting limits in my relationships. How can I start to create healthier boundaries in a kind yet firm way?

ANSWER: People have various types of relationships, including partners, spouses, children, friends, co-workers, neighbours and acquaintances. Different relationships involve different interactions, responsibilities and influences.

Every relationship has boundaries or rules of engagement. You may be deliberate and conscientious about these boundaries, or they may have formed subconsciously.

Elmira’s Gale Presbyterian Church is hosting a dinner and show fundraiser later this month to support youth-targeted programs.

Organizer Bill Judge noted they are hoping to raise $4,000 from the event to support National Service Dogs’ work with autistic children and their families, the Elmira District Secondary School music program, Gale’s Handbell Choir, along with the church’s youth programs, including the Camp Kintail Campership Fund, Messy Church, and the Gale Summer Camp program.

Set for November 28, the event’s dinner portion will feature music from the EDSS Jazz Ensemble. Afterwards, jazz singer Mary-Catherine Pazzano will perform, accompanied by Mark Eisenman (on piano), Jason Hunter (saxophone), Pat Collins (bass) and Steve James (drums).

There’s never been such a thing as a federal Liberal budget that satisfied farmers.

However, there’s also never been a budget released in the wake of the wild weather changes we’ve experienced this year, or on the heels of hostile threats to our sovereignty by a U.S. president as erratic as Donald Trump, either.

The latest federal budget – the first for Prime Minister Mark Carney, released last week – was prepared amid Trump’s chest thumping, an incessant act that led us to wonder if he might actually send tanks across the border.

ELORA – The Elora Centre for the Arts is inviting the community to a soft opening celebration of its newly renovated gallery and atrium spaces.

Everyone is invited to an afternoon in the refreshed gallery to meet the artists of Loops, Layers, Shapes & Shadows: David Brown, Heejung Shin, Laurie Skantzos and Michael Stecky.

An artist reception is slated for Nov. 16 from 2 to 4pm. Admission is free.

“We are working furiously to finish up the gallery to feature this group of artists in our new gallery space,” stated arts centre executive director Lianne Carter in a press release.

“It’s very fitting that the essence of their exhibition is all about renewal and transformation, which is exactly what we are all about here at the moment.” 

The soft opening event offers a first look at the renovated spaces and an opportunity to enjoy creative conversations, hear behind-the-scenes stories from the artists and mingle with the community, officials say.  

“We’ll have an official grand opening of the new space … in the new year,” stated Carter.

“But this is an awesome way for people to get a sneak peek at the spaces and enjoy a very compelling exhibition that reminds us to give ourselves permission to play, take risks and begin again.”

The Elora Centre for the Arts is preparing for a soft opening of its new gallery space. On Nov. 16 the exhibition Loops, Layers, Shapes & Shadows opens with an artists reception. Submitted photos

The Toronto and Guelph-based artists of Loops, Layers, Shapes & Shadows explore the relationship between process, material and meaning, officials say. 

Their work investigates themes of transformation, rhythm, identity and cultural heritage – reshaping everyday materials into art objects that challenge traditional perceptions of their mediums, officials added.

The artists work with paint, paper, plywood, beeswax and reclaimed materials for this exhibition.

Skantzos reconfigures the discarded into the refined, finding sculptural beauty in the overlooked. 

Brown folds, layers, and reshapes the human form into rhythmic geometries. 

Stecky reinterprets the pulse of music through painted puzzle fragments, translating sound into visual rhythm. 

Shin deconstructs and reassembles traditional Hanji paper, honouring cultural memory while creating something distinctly contemporary. 

Loops, Layers, Shapes & Shadows runs in the gallery until Jan. 18.

For more information, visit eloracentreforthearts.ca. 

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WELLINGTON COUNTY – Municipalities across Wellington County held Remembrance Day services to honour local residents who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Photos by Jordan Snobelen, Duncan Hossack, Joanne Shuttleworth, Ellouise Thompson, Bill Longshaw and Sue Hogenkamp.

The post Wellington County remembers appeared first on Wellington Advertiser.

LeBron’s grip on the league is loosening; one of the most celebrated careers is nearing its end. 

LeBron James is undeniably one of the greatest players in NBA history, but at 40 years old, many are starting to wonder if he’s overstaying his welcome in the league. 

Even in his 23rd season, LeBron continues to defy time, finishing sixth in MVP voting last year, earning All-NBA Second Team honors, and adding to his résumé a 2020 NBA championship and Finals MVP, the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023, and a 2024 Olympic gold medal and MVP. 

Yet despite these accolades, the glory is beginning to fade as age, injuries, and organizational changes begin to challenge his lasting grip on the league. 

First, Lebron James exercised his hefty $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 NBA season. The Lakers are essentially maxed out at $194.8 million, sitting just $1.1 million below the hard capped first apron, restricting trades, exception use, and late-season signings. 

Additionally, the Lakers acquired Luka Doncic in what was a blockbuster deal in sending Lebron’s partner in crime Anthony Davis to the Mavericks on February 2, 2025. 

Typically, LeBron James and his agent Rich Paul have a heavy influence on the Lakers’ roster and front office decision. According to Bleacher Report writer Eric Pincus, they pushed for the trades to acquire Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. 

This time, it was reported that Lebron had no knowledge of the deal being in the works, foreshadowing a potential rift between LeBron and the Lakers organization. 

Ahead of the 2025-2026 season, it was announced that James would miss the first few weeks of the regular season with a sciatica issue down the right side of his body. Part of Lebron’s brand was his superhuman conditioning, playing at least 65 out of the 82 games in all but one season over 15 years. Since coming to the Lakers, he has missed that 65 game mark in four of his seven seasons, a testament to the shortfall of his physical health. 

In the games the Lakers have played this season without Lebron on the floor, Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic have reached new levels in their play. Luka Doncic averaged 46.0 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 8.5 APG on 73.3 TS% before heading to the injury list to address his left finger sprain and lingering leg contusion, and Austin Reaves averaged 35.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 8.5 APG, 1.8 SPG with 57/43/88 shooting splits over the first four games. 

Although these inflated stats come early in the season, a team built around this young core is a possibility, especially as Lebron’s on-court habits have hindered Lakers’ performances. He is often lagging in transition defense, sometimes opting to do so to argue for missed calls. The decline is reflected in his 113.0 defensive rating over the past five seasons, far from his elite 97.3 mark in 2011-12. 

Offensively, his once-relentless rim attacks have given way to stagnant off-ball play and increased reliance on passive jumpers. Last season, LeBron James shot only 4.8 percent higher than the league average at the rim, with less than half of his shots coming from there. In comparison, during the 2013–14 season, LeBron converted 74.9 percent of his attempts at the rim, and in the 2017–18 season, he attempted 806 field goals at the rim, 248 more attempts than last year. 

From a marketing perspective, the NBA no longer recognizes LeBron James as its undeniable centerpiece. During his peak years from 2010 to 2018, NBA viewership surged, with regular-season averages surpassing 2.5 million and Finals audiences topping 20 million, according to Sports Media Watch. 

However, as LeBron’s era wanes and no single superstar has emerged to replace his cultural gravity, viewership has dropped to around 1.6 million for the regular season and 11.6 million for the Finals by 2022–23, the lowest since the early 2000s. It’s become clear that the league and media have been rushing to find the new face of the league. 

Even LeBron’s fans seemed ready for his farewell. On October 6, he teased “the decision of all decisions” on social media, referencing his iconic 2010 announcement with a clip titled “The Second Decision.” Many believed a retirement announcement was imminent, causing Lakers ticket sales to spike 25 times higher than usual, and the average resale price jumped from $280 to $399, according to Victory Live. However, the frenzy quickly subsided after it was revealed to be a Hennessy advertisement. 

People initially expected Lebron James to end his career in year 23, to pay tribute to one of his iconic jersey numbers. However, Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor suggested LeBron isn’t ready to retire just yet, noting on the Wine and Gold Talk podcast that James will “make it known” before officially stepping away and won’t quietly retire after a season ends. 

Still, as age, injuries, and diminished impact begin to erode his dominance, LeBron’s grip on the Lakers and the league is loosening, signaling that basketball’s most celebrated career may be nearing its end. 

Graphics/Vlad Latis

Melancon’s two-goal night and Malboeuf’s wall-like performance lift young Golden Hawks past York 

In a game that balanced grit and precision, the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks defeated the York Lions 4–2 at the Sun Life Financial Arena on Oct. 9, continuing their strong start to the OUA West season. The win improved Laurier’s record to 6–2, a stark contrast from their 2–6 opening stretch last year and solidified the team’s early-season momentum. 

From puck drop, both teams traded heavy chances in a back-and-forth first period. York controlled more of the possession and offensive zone time, yet Laurier’s ability to capitalize on limited opportunities proved decisive. Fourth-year arts major Max-Antoine Melancon led the way with two goals, while second-year goaltender Tristan Malboeuf delivered a standout 31-save performance that anchored the Hawks defensively. 

The scoring opened at 10:01 of the first when Lucas Chard, a third-year communications studies major from Burlington, ON, buried a setup from Thomas Lenart and Travis Verbeek to make it 1–0. With just 30 seconds left in the period, Melancon extended the lead to two on a sharp pass from Ty Petrou and Alexander McDonald, swinging momentum firmly toward Laurier. 

Laurier maintained composure through the second period, despite York’s offensive surge. At 16:41, Justin O’Donnell, a second-year communications studies student from Burlington, scored his first of the season to push the lead to 3–0. 

Malboeuf, meanwhile, continued to stonewall the Lions, tracking rebounds and cutting off shooting lanes with the poise of a veteran. His effort reflected the form that earned him Laurier Athlete of the Week honours earlier this month. 

The Hawks’ power play converted midway through the third when Melancon netted his second of the night, and fourth of the season, off a crisp passing sequence from Petrou and Joshua Kavanagh at 13:07, giving Laurier a commanding 4–0 lead. York countered with late goals from Owen Gilhula and Olivier Lamothe, both generated through strong forechecking and smart puck movement, but Laurier’s early efficiency and Malboeuf’s steadiness sealed the 4–2 win. 

This year’s Golden Hawks roster tells a different story, one centered on transition and growth. With former alternate captain Sam Rhodes, who signed with the ECHL’s Indy Fuel over the summer, no longer on the roster, Laurier skates without an official captain. Last season, Rhodes reflected on how “the team [had] a mix of vets and new guys learning to mesh,” a sentiment that has now evolved into a locker room filled with younger players shaping their own identity. 

Melancon’s now veteran presence has become essential in guiding that process. His two-goal night demonstrates how Laurier’s attack has matured into being patient, opportunistic, and efficient rather than frantic. Malboeuf’s confidence behind the mask has been equally critical, giving the Hawks the stability they once lacked in tight games. 

When the final buzzer sounded, the Golden Hawks had not only earned two more points but demonstrated that their early-season success is no fluke. The eye test and the box score now say the same thing: Laurier is a team with composure, chemistry, and growing confidence. 

The Golden Hawks will aim to replicate their home-ice performance on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7:00 p.m. for their third matchup against the Lions at Canlan Ice Sports Arena. The upcoming road tilt will be a key test of Laurier’s consistency as they look to maintain their perch atop the OUA West. 

Contributed Photo/Birnavan Varnacumaaran

The Blue Jays narrowly lose to the Los Angeles Dodgers in their First World Series since 1993 

The Toronto Blue Jays were on the precipice of greatness, as for the first time in 32 years, they played in the Major League Baseball World Series. What made their run even more improbable was the fact that the Jays finished last season at the bottom of their division, marking an incredible single-season turnaround all done through a well-constructed team with overperforming players, conquering postseason woes, and some help from their rivals stumbling. 

Many point to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s excellence as the single source of the Jays’ offence; however, this is not the case. Guerrero Jr. is already proving to be worth his 14-year, $500 million extension with the Blue Jays, like having a 1.343 OPS season. Combined with veteran George Springer’s efforts, like an 8th inning grand slam against the Cleveland Guardians, the Jays have offensive leaders whose impact can be felt team-wide as the team is hitting 113 wRC+, a function of offensive value, normalized for comparison, omitting any specific ballpark quirks and accounting for the league’s offensive environment. The Jays rank 3rd in the league for wRC+, only behind division rival New York Yankees, and the reigning World Series champion LA Dodgers.   

The Blue Jays have depth on both defence and offence as they hold the highest Fangraphs team DEF rating, a statistic that combines fielding runs and positional adjustments to estimate how many runs a defender prevents relative to an average player at their position. Ultimately, the Blue Jays have a formidable defence from top to bottom. These fielding numbers are also in line with the team’s pitching strategy as they aim to allow more playable contact, such as ground balls, to allow their fielding to shine.  

The World Series finale itself will be remembered as an instant classic. In the top of the ninth inning of Game 7, with the Blue Jays clinging to a 4-3 lead and one out away from their first title since 1993, closer Jeff Hoffman hung a slider over the plate that Miguel Rojas sent into the left-field seats. The game-tying home run stunned Toronto’s dugout and electrified Dodger Stadium, marking Rojas as the first player in MLB history to tie a Game 7 in the ninth or later (MLB.com). What had felt like destiny just moments earlier suddenly shifted into disbelief. 

Yet the heartbreak deepened moments later. In the bottom of the ninth, Toronto loaded the bases with one out and the winning run standing on third. A sharp ground ball to second seemed certain to bring the championship home, until Rojas, again at the heart of it all, made a lightning-quick pivot and fired home to catch the runner by inches. On the next pitch, substitute Andy Pages made a full-speed diving catch in left-centre that robbed Bo Bichette of a walk-off hit. Four outs from glory, the Jays instead watched the Dodgers force extras and ultimately steal the crown in the tenth. 

That being said, 2025 Toronto Blue Jays are more than just a redemption story; they are a testament to the saying “strength in numbers.” Their journey from the AL East’s bottom to top proves that success in baseball is not built solely on star power but on cohesion and adaptability. With an offence firing at historic efficiency, a defence ranked among the league’s best, and a pitching staff perfectly aligned to its strengths, Toronto has rediscovered what made it a powerhouse decades ago. Although they didn’t hoist the championship trophy, suffering an incredibly narrow loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games, this season is one to be proud of for all Toronto sports fans. 

Contributed Photo/Creative Commons

The first few months of university are one of the stressful times for students. Whether it’s getting back into routine, joining clubs, meeting new people, or juggling part-time work with a full class schedule, life can start to feel overwhelming. Amid balancing everything, we often forget to dedicate time to ourselves. 

We, as students, or even full-time employees, believe that taking a break and giving ourselves time will set us back in life, but that’s not true. Think of it this way; if you never take a break, you’re only pushing yourself closer to burnout. Your mind starts to fog, your motivation fades, and even the simplest tasks feel exhausting.  

Breaks aren’t a sign of weakness, they’re what keep you balanced, focused, and capable of doing your best work.  

In recent times, social media has ruined our perception of productivity. We look at people being invested in side projects, internships or starting new businesses and it makes us feel as if we’re falling behind and feel guilty for taking a small break. But we should realize that making ourselves constantly busy doesn’t always lead to success. 

Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is stop, and let yourself breathe. 

I’ve experienced this firsthand. There were weeks when I’d force myself to keep going; attending classes, working late, trying to meet every deadline, until one day I realized I wasn’t even absorbing anything anymore. I was doing everything I was “supposed to,” but I didn’t feel present in any of it. That’s when I understood what burnout really feels like.  

Burnout doesn’t arrive suddenly; it slowly creeps to you. It starts with late nights, skipped meals, and the constant urge to “just get one more thing done.” Eventually, your body and mind hit a wall. You lose motivation, stop enjoying the things you once loved, and start running on autopilot.  

That’s not productivity, that’s exhaustion disguised as ambition.  

I’m not saying to stop working or taking things lightly, rather to take breaks, doing what makes you happy and gets you going. 

For me personally, breaks mean reading crime novels, going out on long walks, catching up with friends for coffee, or even choreographing at the dance studio. These moments remind me that life isn’t just about deadlines; it’s also about doing things that make you feel alive, finding connection. 

Even taking one hour a day for yourself can change everything. It boosts your serotonin, helps you reset, and makes you more ready to take on the next challenge.  

So, the next time you feel guilty for resting, remember this: you’re not falling behind, you’re giving yourself the strength to keep moving forward.  

At the end of the day, productivity isn’t about how much you can do in a day; it’s about how well you can take care of yourself while doing it. 

Contributed Photo/Sheryl Madakkai

The title character of this song, Ophelia from Hamlet, is mischaracterized in the lyrics of the track 

The song Fate of Ophelia, written by Taylor Swift, is what I would consider a fun listen. It has a great rhythm and is fun to dance to. However, the title character of this song, Ophelia from Hamlet, is mischaracterized in the lyrics.  

In the story of Hamlet, Ophelia is a character who represents a woman’s lack of freedom and, throughout the play, is used as a way for men to gain power. She is a pawn in everyone’s game, and the only way she can see to get out of their reach is to drown herself.  

In this song, however, she is treated as a damsel in distress who died of loneliness. Swift writes, “The eldest daughter of a nobleman, Ophelia lived in fantasy, but love was a cold bed full of scorpions, the venom stole her sanity.” Already, there are problems.  

Part of the reason Ophelia goes mad is that she is disillusioned with the world around her. In one of the first scenes of the play, her father and brother lecture her about her virginity. They talk about how she should not give herself up to a man who very likely will throw her away later. Ophelia is not living in fantasy; she is fully aware of the world she exists in; this disillusionment is part of her tragedy.  

The next two lines of the song are just as hollow, describing how love stole her sanity. She did not lose her mind because of Hamlet; she loses her mind because she is constantly controlled and put in harm’s way by men without having any say in the matter. 

In the chorus, Swift talks about how her lover saved her from the fate of Ophelia, alluding to the idea that Ophelia went mad and died over loneliness and not systemic oppression. 

Swift writes, “No longer drowning and deceived. All because you came for me,” which exemplifies this. Ophelia didn’t kill herself because Hamlet dumped her, she killed herself because it was the only way she could ever gain full autonomy as a person.  

Throughout the play, everyone else uses her, but when she drowns herself, that is a choice she made for herself. This is the antithesis of Ophelia; she had no choice in her life. Ophelia is a deeply complex character, who is a symbol of women’s oppression in history and today.  

By simplifying her into another damsel in distress, Taylor Swift has done a disservice to not only the character, but to the image of a poet she has created for herself. Swift’s new album has disappointed fans in many ways, from lackluster lyricism to the out-of-touch narrative, and it has not been a fan favorite.  

This song is especially disappointing as Ophelia is such a beloved character and one that could be used to highlight oppression against women in the United States under the current administration. Instead, she is shown as just another girl who needed to be saved by a man, who she decidedly is not.  

 Painted by John Everett Millais, Millais painted Ophelia between 1851 and 1852 

“Ophelia,” bottom, was painted in the 1850s.Taylor Swift/YouTube; The Print Collector/Getty Images 

Their coffee price has risen by roughly 1.5 per cent, marking its first price adjustment since 2022 

Tim Hortons has increased its coffee prices for the first time in nearly three years. With this, students at Wilfrid Laurier University are already feeling the effects of the rising prices.  

The company confirmed earlier this month that the average cost of a cup has risen by roughly 1.5 per cent, or roughly three cents, making its first price adjustment since 2022. According to a report by City News journalist Joseph Ryan, Tim Hortons stated that the change was prompted by inflation and the rising cost of coffee beans, saying the increase is “more than reasonable.”  

“This is the first time in about three years that we’ve adjusted the price of coffee,” the company explained in the City News article. 

Still, for many Laurier students who rely on a caffeine boost to power through early lectures or late-night study sessions, those few extra cents feel like yet another sign of inflation creeping into daily life.  

“I go to the Tims in the Science Building every single morning before class. It’s basically part of my routine,” said a third-year political science student at Laurier. “It might not seem like a big deal, but when you’re grabbing coffee five days a week, it adds up. We’re already paying more for rent and groceries, now even coffee isn’t safe.”  

The increase comes amid a broader rise in coffee prices across Canada. Statistics Canada reported that coffee prices in grocery stores surged by 27.9 per cent in August 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. Much of Canada’s coffee supply comes from countries like Colombia, Brazil, Honduras, and Mexico. On top of that, U.S. tariffs and Canada’s own trade countermeasures have impacted coffee importers, contributing to the higher costs passed on to consumers. 

“It’s just frustrating,” Said a third-year communications student at Wilfrid Laurier University. “We’re all used to seeing prices go up for big things like rent and groceries, but now even small comforts like coffee are costing more.”  

For several Laurier students, the Tim Hortons in the Science Building is not only a place for them to grab caffeine. It’s also a social hub and a study break essential. During the midterm and exam season, the line is often so long that it goes all the way down to the quiet study room. But with prices on the rise, some are wondering if it’s still worth it. A second-year communications student says she’s considering switching to making coffee at home.  

“I used to grab a medium iced coffee almost every day between classes,” she said. “Now, I’m thinking about getting a coffee maker for my dorm.” Some students, however, say they’ll stay loyal no matter what.  

Still, the question remains. Will Laurier students keep using the campus Tim Hortons, or has the price of a cup of coffee finally hit a breaking point? 

With midterm season in full swing and stress levels climbing, it’s safe to say caffeine demand isn’t going anywhere. But whether that caffeine comes from a Science Building double-double or a dorm room Keurig might just depend on how much more Tim Hortons decides to bump their prices up. 

Contributed Photo/Sangjun Han

What happens to critical thinking when we outsource the very process that cultivates it? 

AI is a slippery slope. Over the past half-decade, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) began as a novelty chatbot that could mimic conversation or tidy up an email but has quickly evolved into having a normalized presence on assignments at every level of academia. The technology’s rapid development and accessibility have reshaped student work habits, making it tempting for students to rely on the tool for process tasks such as brainstorming and articulation as opposed to heightening our mental capabilities.  

It is undeniably more time-efficient given how intuitive and convenient these systems have become, but beneath this convenience lies a pressing question: what happens to critical thinking when we outsource the very process that cultivates it? 

A KPMG report has been circulating widely across news outlets and social media platforms, revolving around students and their AI habits.  

According to the study, more than 73 per cent of Canadian students now rely on GenAI for their schoolwork, up from 59 per cent only a year ago. Within this group of AI users, 48 per cent admit their critical thinking skills have deteriorated since they began using it. 

Now, critical thinking is not just a vague academic buzzword. Critical thinking is a disciplined, and individually identifiable trait that also must be exercised to maximize its potential. When students offload these processes of interpreting sources and articulating their position in written assignments, they forego the struggle that strengthens the reasoning skill that higher education is designed to cultivate. 

This AI outsourcing could be seen as students simply streamlining tasks that are tedious and unnecessarily time-consuming. However, education professionals at all levels liken the process of sifting through readings and carving out essay outlines to “lifting weights–but for your brain.”  

The mainstream discussion of “do you use AI to write your papers” is also often reflected in a false binary; where one group are staunch opposers of AI and do their work as if it never existed, and the other group uploads all their notes and rubrics to a chat bot and submits whatever AI pumped out. 

But between these two groups, are plenty of students that weave the technology in and out of their work. They use it to brainstorm ideas and interpret course readings, while they polish the finished product off themselves to circumvent any detection software. 

This relationship with AI seems harmless, but it chips away at the micro-skills that make up the foundation of critical thinking, leaving students with polished assignments but weaker intellectual muscles. 

Despite this casual erosion of thinking skills, it would be a mistake to solely cast AI as a threat to intelligence. Technology is value-laden, and its impact depends on how a society chooses to use it. 

When we deploy GenAI as a sparring partner used for generating counterpoints and challenging assumptions, the tool could instead become an accelerator in building one’s intellectual ability. 

The problem arises when AI performs as a surrogate thinker and starts to absorb the role of the human in completing tasks. In these cases, the user may never end up engaging in the messy, frustrating process that is transforming raw information into articulate, ordered content that makes up the process of critical thinking.  

Graphic/Vlad Latis