The connection between California and Niagara that most people traditionally make is through their respective wine industries. But if a project being organized by a Niagara-on-the-Lake group gets the funding and support it needs, the two regions could share another similarity.

The holidays bring with it many traditions. Some remain constant over the years, others get tweaked and evolve, and still more sometimes crop up out of nowhere. But for Diana Tracey, while the traditions may be great, Christmas means one thing above all.

Normally Jennifer Hancock is more than willing to take a backseat and let the firefighters with their shiny trucks, or police officers announcing a major bust, take the limelight. But this time, she and two other Norfolk paramedics were front and centre as they received the Governor General Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medals. Hancock, Tiiu Jaanusson and Steve Potz each received the award and were recently honoured by Norfolk council. “I am humbled and honoured standing before