First, a full and sincere apology to Kathleen Wilson for any reference to her being involved in the 2026 Third Party Advertising campaign
Ms. Wilson has informed me that she is not affiliated with the Russo campaign, nor is she acting on behalf of any candidate, campaign, or political organization. Deepest and most sincere apologies for making that erroneous connection.
The corrected article will be fact checked on online by 6:00 PM.
The Thanksgiving Weekend, like a Christmas gathering, can be a very stressful time. But this year, at my home, it was truly a giving of thanks. The “children” were home and full of love and laughter and fun. We decided to do the big dinner on Saturday, and relax on Thanksgiving Monday.
The meal preparations of turkey and dressing and mashed potatoes and gravy, and Brussels sprouts roasting, and pumpkin tarts and Yorkshire pudding baking all went off without a hitch. Everything came out warm and wonderful as if the good fairy had touched the evening with her magic wand.
The clean-up was a smooth team effort, we retired downstairs to a fabulous movie night, and sweet dreams! On holiday Monday morning, we headed up to Caledon Village and spent the afternoon canoeing on C3’s beautiful Quarry Lake. Canada Geese heading south, a beaver lodge at the edge of an island, a loon diving. The whole day gave me such a sense of peace that it is difficult to describe.
I have experienced eight decades of Thanksgiving dinners and holiday weekends with family. This one will hold a special place. At a time of global chaos and geopolitical uncertainties, this one small weekend came together perfectly for this Caledon part of our family, and we give thanks!
This past weekend, from September 11 to 13, 2026, Ontario Nature (ON) held its 15th annual Youth Leadership Summit at the supernaturally beautiful Tawingo Outdoor Centre in Huntsville, Ontario. Originally known as the Summit for the Environment, Ontario Nature’s annual event is now called the Youth Summit for Mother Earth and incorporates a deep respect for indigenous teachings, cultures, and the sovereignty of our First Peoples in North America.
The ages of the attending youth range from 14 to 20, and the program is run “by youth, for youth” … BUT … they welcome Elders into their young circle of passion and enthusiasm with respect. I had been invited as a guest speaker and workshop leader at the first Summit held at Cedar Glen YMCA fifteen years ago. The event disappeared from my radar during Covid when they lost their new site at Geneva Park YMCA on Lake Simcoe.
Then a notice popped up on my email this spring that there was going to be a Summit at Camp Tawingo. They were back! And it turned out, so was I. Under the leadership of Christine Ambre and her Ontario Nature Youth Council leaders, the three days were an inspirational blend of indigenous wisdoms and ceremonies, up close looks at wetlands and insects and herptiles and birds, the macro world of nature photography, the impacts of climate change, and the power of finding and using your voice. “I have seen the truth, I am speaking the truth.”
The youth represented a cross-section of Ontario’s cultural diversity from across the province and it was remarkable to see, once again, how complete strangers could become a community in only three days. Our wise elders, Chris and Jackie. kept us tuned into the rhythm of the land and water, and respect for Mother Earth.
As it did fifteen years ago, when I was honoured to help Sarah Hedges launch the first ON Youth Leadership Summit at Cedar Glen YMCA, this Summit re-inspired all of my ecological engines. The Tawingo Outdoor Centre staff, in the halo of Jack Pearse, original founder, and his legacy, welcomed everyone with open hearts. This Youth Council is the voice of a healthy future for Ontario ecosystems and communities. They know exactly what the adults voting for their futures are leaving them. They don’t like lies, they don’t like media spin, and they want real change, meaningful positive action.
The goodbyes were both joyful and tearful as the buses left Tawingo.
In my own notes I wrote, “Who will protect Ontario from our own government. from bills that eliminate environmental protections? We don’t need more jails, the Trump threat is overplayed, and the greed for development is obvious. We need more environmental education in our school systems and more opportunities for youth to engage in experimental learning in a natural setting. Our Ontario government is misusing taxpayer dollars to promote an agenda few of us want.”
Our youth want honesty and integrity and genuine caring for their future, not greed for the next developer’s donation. To Paraphrase the Tina Turner song, “They don’t need another hero, they don’t need to know the way home. All they want is life beyond our Thunderdome.” And they want to be the positive agents of change.
As one of the Tawingo staff wrote to me in a book inscription, “We can make a difference, you and I ,,, we can make a difference if we try. Drop a pebble in the water, just a splash, and it’s gone. But there are half a hundred ripples circling on and on and on.”
Making the world a more beautiful place, one pebble at a time, The way I see it.
Skid Crease, Caledon
*****
NOTE; The primary mission of Ontario Nature is to protect wild species and wild spaces through conservation, education, and public engagement. The Youth Summit for Mother Earth is just a part of the wide range of youth programs organized by ON, as well as their myriad programs for all ages.
The word “kakistocracy” was introduced to the English lexicon in the seventeenth century and used during the English Civil War between King Charles I and Oliver Cromwell. it means: “Government by the worst. least qualified and most unscrupulous people.” Isn’t it ironic that another King Charles now sits on the English throne as kakistocracy reigns supreme in his lost colony of the Republic of America.
Basically, in modern times, “kakistocracy” could refer to the advisers and government of the USA under President Donald J. Trump, including, but not limited to: J.D. Vance, Pete Hegseth, Howard Lutnick, Susie Wiles, Stephen Miller, Pete Navarro, Dan Scavino, Will Scharf, and Elon Musk. Missing on leave, but not forgotten, is the shameless Caroline Leavitt, the President’s pure white Christo-fascist Stepford clone Press Secretary. The President’s delusions now pass through Steven Cheung, his Director of Communications.
It is only when we see Canada’s current Prime Minister, the calm, intelligent, respectful and courageous Mark Carney stand up to the bullies that we can clearly understand the idiocy that has infected USA politics. In response to the latest tantrum thrown by the USA government into their current trade war with the world, Carney responded, “When the Americans stop doing memes, stop throwing shade, stop trying to be tough and start being serious about having those discussions, we can have those discussions.”
Let’s hope the midterm elections in the USA shift the control of their destiny back to an intelligent democracy loving population and away from the kakistrophic maggats. If not, we’re going to need a Canadian population truly ready to put their elbows up to protect the world. In defence of the Global Commons – from Lake Ontario to the Gulf of Mexico. from Gaza to Cuba to Venezuela.
This comic reality show has become a horror movie and we need to change the channel Immediately.
The way I see it.
***
Skid Crease, Caledon