This year is drawing to a close, and it has been both challenging and interesting. We’re still figuring out how to be in this post-pandemic world, and economic pressures, not least of which have been the wild inflation rates this year, have made life even more difficult for many of us. Mental health issues still seem to be on the rise, the food banks are under increasing pressure, and homelessness has increased. And not just on the local level, though we certainly do see these problems within Burlington.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Burlington residents have shown their generosity and kindness of spirit time and time again, through citizen-led food drives and fundraisers. Our local artists are still beautifying Burlington, and live performances and events have provided entertainment and opportunities for us to come together.
Indeed, our articles that showcase both the creativity and community-mindedness of Burlington residents have been popular this year — we will continue to find those kinds of stories for you in 2024. Development is also a hot topic for our readers, another item we’ll keep our eye on going forward.
Let’s have a look at the stories that were most popular with our readers this year; if you missed them the first time, you can check them out now.
Homelessness in Burlington: A Growing Concern
Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the discussions we’re all having about it both online and in real life, Noor Menhel and Hannah Menhel’s article on the increase in homelessness in Burlington was one of our most-read this year. Noor and Hannah followed that article up with one on the supports available for people experiencing homelessness in our community.
Joseph Tassoni’s Runway and Charity Show: Celebrating Diversity and Individuality with Style
Our readers really enjoyed the peek into local designer Joseph Tassoni’s big fashion show this year, that not only showcased his talent and beautiful tailoring, but also raised money to go towards revamping Joseph Brant Hospital’s therapeutic room and toward youth programs at the Art Gallery of Burlington. Take a look at photos of some of the models stomping the runway, and read on about our favourite fashion moments of the evening.
Go “Gnome for the Holidays” at East Plains United Church Arts and Crafts Sale This Weekend
While this piece did, of course, help inform our readers about a great community event, it also underscored the deep roots of East Plains United Church within Aldershot, as this year’s arts and crafts sale was the church’s 48th such event. It was fascinating speaking to Patti Martin, one of the organizers, about the sale’s earlier days, and to some of the vendors, both new and long-standing. Read more about it here and keep your eyes open for next year’s arts and crafts sale!
Burlington Dads’ Toy Drive and Big Shop
The Burlington Dads’ fourth annual toy drive was a big hit amongst our readers — and, no doubt, amongst all the children who benefitted from the great toy picks that were trucked to the Salvation Army Burlington Community Church for distribution. Have a look here at the big shopping trip undertaken by the Burlington Dads, their families, and their generous sponsors, all for the good of the community.
How Things Work: The Burlington GO Station Parking Garage
While this isn’t actually a 2023 story, we love that Eric Chiasson (as “Your Personal Engineer”) is still getting lots of reads — because, honestly, who else could make the construction of a parking garage so fascinating? Or concrete shear cores? Or the King Road railroad bridge?
Editor’s Picks
Fourteen Years on the Streets: One Woman’s Story of Falling Through the Cracks
So, yes, I (the editor) wrote this one, but that’s not why I want you to read it. Lori’s story is complex, and it’s important to hear the voices of those people we see walking around the city with their carts of belongings, or sleeping during the day at the library, as Lori sometimes has to do. Sometimes there are systemic failures to help people, sometimes people face one last crisis in a line of crises and find themselves unable to pay rent, sometimes there are other challenges, but what Lori’s story illustrates is that often, homelessness is the result of a complicated series of events and issues, and people are trying, very hard, to get themselves out of these situations. But they need help — and deserve dignity.
“Gossip Girl” in Real Life: Is This Happening in Your Teen’s High School?
This piece by Maisha Hasan highlights a harsh reality for some high school students: anonymous online gossip accounts can hurt real feelings and reputations, and they are happening, right here in Halton. Maisha’s own high school experience has been that these gossip accounts existed in both of the local high schools she has attended, though she herself has not been a target. She did get to speak with one high school student who found herself targeted by just such an account, as well as Tina Boyle of the Halton Regional Police Service, to find out the police’s take on these situations. I think this article might be a wake up call for some parents of high schoolers; for others, and for the students themselves, hopefully it can serve as warning and hope — that someone is listening and that there are steps that can be taken by schools and the police to try to stop such accounts.
The Partnering Aldershot Community section
Local-news.ca was truly excited to welcome the Partnering Aldershot Community section to our website this year. The Partnering Aldershot community group still prints the Partnering Aldershot Press four times each year — the only community publication of its kind in Ontario! — but we love to help build community, and so does Partnering Aldershot, so we think that altogether, we can do even more.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this look back at our community, and are looking forward to 2024 as much as we are. Best wishes for a healthy, happy, and fruitful 2024, whatever that looks like to you!
