Food For Thought

CANADA’S MOSAIC

On Sunday, Robert and I attended a multicultural fair in a nearby town. The picturesque village of Perth, Ontario planned an event to help the community meaningfully engage with their newest neighbors. Recognizing that one of the best ways to connect with others is by sharing a meal, the organizing committee secured a grant for groceries and mobilized a team of volunteers to bring the event to life and make it free to all.

When we arrived, a long lineup stretched down the block. Yet, in true Canadian fashion, people braved the cold with good humor, tucking their scarves tightly and chatting about life as they waited. After a series of polite apologies for the delay, we were handed sturdy paper plates and bamboo utensils, stepping into a space filled with warmth, laughter, and the mouthwatering aroma of home-cooked meals.

Inside, nine new Canadian families had set up booths, each proudly sharing traditional dishes from their cultures. We savored Ghanaian peanut soup, Afghan pastries, Korean BBQ, Ukrainian pies, Chilean desserts, and incredible dishes from Japanese, Indigenous, Filipino, and Mexican traditions. As we moved from table to table, it became clear that food was more than just sustenance—it was a gateway to understanding, a way of welcoming others, and a celebration of heritage.

It was also an exercise in gratitude when one considers the sacrifices these families made to come to Canada. Some were refugees. Others sadly had lost family members.

Beyond the flavors, the event was alive with energy. Ethnic dancing, presentations, and heartfelt conversations filled the space, reinforcing the idea that Canada's multiculturalism is not just about coexistence but about actively lifting each other up. By celebrating different languages, traditions, and cuisines, we don’t just tolerate diversity—we embrace it, making it a defining strength of our national identity.

Sharing a meal with others has always been a way to build relationships, and this event was a perfect example of how breaking bread together breaks down barriers.

In Canada, multiculturalism isn’t just a policy; it’s a lived experience, woven into the fabric of communities that grow stronger through connection, understanding, and mutual respect.

As we left the fair, our hearts (and stomachs) were full—not just from the food but from the shared experience of a community coming together in the most delicious way possible.

For those that are not familiar, Canada has a Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which is the section of the Constitution of Canada. In Section 2 of the Charter, the “Fundamental Freedoms” are listed as:

(a) freedom of conscience and religion;

(b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;

(c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and

(d) freedom of association.

The Charter further describes and protects Canada’s multicultural heritage and just to be sure, we passed The Canadian Multiculturalism Act in 1988 to preserve and enhance the cultural diversity of this country.

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This newsletter is 100% organic - no algorithms, chatbots, or artificial sweeteners - just original thoughts, reporting, and stories from cave diver/explorer Jill Heinerth and photojournalist Robert McClellan, a guy with too much time on his hands in winter...Please share and enjoy!

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FLAGS OF CANADA

This week, I had the opportunity to attend an event featuring the Right Honourable Stephen J. Harper, who served as Canada’s 22nd Prime Minister from 2006 to 2015. He was introducing his new book, Flags of Canada (published in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society), marking the 60th anniversary of the maple leaf flag.

Above: Former Prime Minister Harper at the RCGS in Ottawa.

Book Link: https://amzn.to/3WSCd8z

Both the modern Canadian flag and I share the same birth year—a time of rising patriotism and a growing desire to establish a national identity distinct from the British Monarchy. Harper’s timing for this book’s release couldn’t be more fitting. I’ve always been fascinated by flags and the stories they tell, but now, more than ever, I feel deeply connected to my home country.

While the event largely avoided politics, one moment stood out. Despite his firm Conservative stance, Harper took a moment to commend other national leaders navigating an exceptionally difficult period. Demonstrating his deep understanding of history, he assured the audience that if he were Prime Minister today, he would “impoverish our country rather than submit to annexation.” The room erupted in applause. His words underscored a shared willingness to endure sacrifices as our leaders work to forge new economic partnerships that ensure both security and sovereignty.

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Farmer Bob’s Hydroponic Project

Well, it has been about two weeks since I began to germinate seeds to eventually transplant into our hydroponic grow tower. We have many varieties of lettuce, spinach, herbs and maybe some surprise veggies that I did not label as I planted them.

Most of the seedlings were started in a rock wool medium and a few in the grow plugs that came with the tower. I finally have the lighting and water pump dialed in - now it is just a matter of waiting for the seedlings to get a bit bigger and hardy enough to transplant into the tower. Jill has named the hydroponic tower our “Nuclear Flux Capacitor.” I’m sure some neighbors walking by our window think we have some kind of “Breaking Bad” operation going on. Stay tuned…

The “NFC”

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