Letters to the Editor: December 7, 2024

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Lesson in fortitude

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The front page photo Finding their way (Dec. 3) provided a smile and was an inspiration to me for the rest of the day.

The image shows two grandparents leading their preschool grandchildren home through a snowstorm. It struck me as a metaphorical journey for our time.

Kudos to those grandparents for imparting to a future generation the self-confidence to do hard things.

Trish Forster, London

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Tepperman’s news awakens memories

I recently read Tepperman’s furniture stores, established in 1925 and part of Windsor for more than 99 years, appointed a new CEO who’s not a family member.

The news brought back memories from 72 years ago in 1951, when Nate Tepperman had a two-storey furniture store at the corner of Ottawa Street and Pierre Avenue in Windsor.

My younger brother and I lived close by and often watched TV through the store’s display window with speakers placed outside. Once, while bundled up watching TV, we suddenly realized it was Christmas Eve and rushed home thinking maybe we missed Santa Claus.

My mother, suffering from multiple sclerosis, had become confined to a wheelchair and my dad, even though he was stressed out with little Christmas spirit, took the time to buy a Christmas tree and decorate it for my mother’s and our sakes.

This was my mom’s last Christmas. She passed a few months later, at the age of 42. I was so happy dad had made her last Christmas special having taken the time to buy presents, and cook a delicious Christmas dinner. He made our mother so very happy.

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I’ve never forgotten the tears in my father’s eyes telling us our mom had passed. I’ve been so proud of my father, who gave the woman he loved his undying support, that to me, it was a chapter in a beautiful love story.

I’m 86 now and wish my mother, Florence, had lived long enough to spoil her grandchildren. I have wanted to hug her a thousands of times over the years.

Yes, two brothers watching TV in Tepperman’s display window 72 years ago was the beginning of a Christmas I’ll never forget.

Happy Hanukkah to the Tepperman family plus happy holidays and merry Christmas to all.

Peter J. Middlemore Sr., Windsor

Not following logic

Regarding the article Committee backs demolition of home for new high school (Dec. 4) about the house on Richmond Street that may be demolished to make way for a new school.

The house was built in 1877 and looks extremely well kept. Does this not make it a heritage property worth keeping?

Meanwhile there’s the poor gentleman in Byron who demolished a barn on his own property that was in major disrepair and probably a danger. He’s still having legal issues.

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There seems to be something wrong here.

Lisa Smith, London

Timbit a grinch

That great Canadian institution Tim Hortons has decided to warm up your Christmas season by decorating their store windows with a couple of Timbits sharing a cup of coffee and a heart-shaped slogan that says “Care carries us forward.”

We are so politically correct that Tim Hortons is so fearful of offending someone they don’t even recognize Christmas. No trees, no lights, no Santa.

On the other hand, Canadian Tire bills itself as Canada’s Christmas store. Way to go Canadian Tire, and bah humbug to Tim Hortons.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Brian Snelgrove, London

Downtown hard sell

I enjoyed reading the article Living it up downtown (Nov. 30).

Really? There is nothing to do, no entertainment, no cinemas, only the Canada Life Centre. There’s no shopping, only the Covent Garden Market.

Are developers selling tenants on the great view of the Forest City? Otherwise, downtown has roadwork and a lot of vacant buildings.

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Roy Hudson, London

Pull plug, farm it

Regarding the article Trump tariff threat to VW plant (Nov. 27).

There needs to be a serious review of this project’s viability. If it’s not viable, then cut losses and terminate it.

It’s being built on what was some of the best food producing land in the entire country, so if it’s not viable, return this land to its former use as farmland.

As for the billions of dollars in subsidies saved, better to put it toward the defence budget to help with those NATO funding requirements our country has fallen so far behind on.

Doug Payne, London

Canoe-thru spoiled

Regarding the article Conservation Authority rejects proposal for McDonald’s offices on flood plain (Nov. 29).

I’m disappointed. The conservation authority’s common-sense rejection of the proposal to build a McDonald’s and offices on a floodplain at Windermere Road and Adelaide Street denies London its first canoe-thru.

Frank Pyka, London

Any exec layoffs?

With Canada Post laying off striking workers one wonders: How many of the corporation’s more than 80 executives earning six figures also have received layoff notices?

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Daniel Meidinger, London

BRT question

If the city is so smart with its red transit lanes, what is it going to do when it snows?

Allan W. Janssen, London

Dangerous prank

Recently we were driving south on Wonderland Road approaching the Medway skate bowls near the Aquatic Centre. Without warning, a bicycle wheel came rolling down the embankment of the skate park into traffic. Even though we were able to come to an abrupt stop, the bicycle wheel still hit our car. Traffic behind us also had to come to a sudden stop. We pulled into the Aquatic Centre, and spoke with three boys who were near the skate park. They stated they saw an individual push the bicycle wheel down the embankment and run away toward the high school.

Our dash camera footage clearly shows the individual standing at the top of the embankment watching the “results” of their act of stupidity. This footage was submitted to the London Police Service,so you might want to “fess up” to your parents.

This prank could have caused any number of collisions resulting in injuries. This individual needs to be taught that their actions could have serious consequences.

N. and M. Chornie, London

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