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192.4 | APRIL 2022

THEONTARION.COM

PAG E 6

P7

Guelph-based initiative provides free online lessons to prospective politicians

P 12 & 13

‘The Gay Cookbook’ P 22 makes a meal of camp & 23 and serves it up with a side of LGBTQ+ activism

Get your taste buds blooming: Four delicious edible flower recipes

APRIL 2022 TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEWS 3.

The struggles and triumphs of women in STEMM

4.

ON the Radar

5.

Intake suspension for U of G master’s program leaves applicants reeling

6.

Guelph businesses adapt to the removal of COVID-19 public health restrictions

7.

Local education project provides free online lessons to prospective politicians

8 & 9.

The Ukraine crisis: Anti-Russian sanctions, mass refugee movements, and conflict resolution

10.

Few women actually own electric vehicles, despite making the vast majority of car-purchasing decisions

VOLUNTEER WITH US! The Ontarion is always looking for passionate and creative volunteers to join our team of reporters, copyeditors, photographers, and illustrators!

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THEONTARION.COM/VOLUNTEER

ARTS & CULTURE 11.

The shadows are alive in The Batman, for better or for worse

@THEONTARION

12 & 13. ‘The Gay Cookbook’ makes a meal of camp and serves it up with a side of LGBTQ+ activism 14.

The future of the climate crisis: Rising temperatures, food insecurity, and urban maladaptation

16.

Applying essentialist principles for better time management

17.

Easter basket ideas for grown ups

18.

Five books to dive into this spring

19.

What's April Fools' Day all about?

20.

How to create photo illusions

21.

Poems by Noah Kozicki

The Ontarion Inc. University Centre Room 264 University of Guelph N1G 2W1 ontarion@uoguelph.ca Phone 519-824-4120 Editorial: x 58250 Advertising: x 58267 Accounts: x 53534

24 & 25. Four East Asian dessert recipes to indulge in this month

OPINION 26.

The social media detox

CONTRIBUTORS

Executive Director Aaron Jacklin

Prabhjot Bains Lorel Danielov Gillian Manford Rachel Fioret Noah Kozicki Chen Chen Paula Henry-Duru Anchitaa Ghag

Business Coordinator Lorrie Taylor Marketing Manager Patrick Sutherland Circulation Director Salvador Moran Administrative Assistant Jaidyn McCrae-Wilson

SPORTS & HEALTH 22 & 23. Get your taste buds blooming: Four delicious edible flower recipes

OFFICE STAFF

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief Ellyse McGarr Staff Reporter Eleni Kopsaftis Editorial Assistants Emily Bray Alyssa Marks

FUN STUFF 27 & 28. Fun Pages 29.

April To-Do List

PRODUCTION STAFF

30.

#IWriteTheOntarion and Pets of the Month

Multimedia Content Creator Nicolas Buck Graphic Designer Brubey Hu Web Developer Waqas Bakht

This cover has been designed using resources from Freepik.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Alex Lefebvre Chair of the Board Miguel Mabalay Vice President Finance Tasha Falconer Vice President Communications OPEN POSITION Staff Representative Nicolas Buck

DIRECTORS Anne O'Keefe Josh Szweras Taelor Reid Rachel Tudor

The Ontarion is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. Since The Ontarion undertakes the publishing of student work, the opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of The Ontarion staff and Board of Directors. The Ontarion reserves the right to edit or refuse all material deemed sexist, racist, homophobic, or otherwise unfit for publication as determined by the Editor-in-Chief.

Material of any form appearing in this newspaper is copyrighted 2022 and cannot be reprinted without the approval of the Editor-in-Chief. The Ontarion retains the right of first publication on all material. In the event that an advertiser is not satisfied with an advertisement in the newspaper, they must notify The Ontarion within four working days of publication. The Ontarion will not be held responsible for advertising mistakes beyond the cost of advertisement. The Ontarion is printed by Hamilton Web Printing.

NEWS

THEONTARION.COM

5 | INTAKE SUSPENSION AT U OF G

8 & 9 | UKRAINE CRISIS

3

10 | WOMEN AND EVS

The struggles and triumphs of women in STEMM An International Women’s Day event

by GenEQ urges institutions to promote greater participation of women in the sciences ELENI KOPSAFTIS

S

top what you’re doing for a moment and think: in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM), how many famous women can you name off the top of your head?

Can you name 15? How about 10? Maybe five? This was the question posed to volunteers during a study in the U.K., and this was the opener to the GenEQ International Women’s Day event.

GenEQ is an initiative that strives to advance the status of all women at the University of Guelph. Its Women’s Day event was held on March 8 and welcomed nearly 100 attendees.

The above question was posed by event speaker Dr. Linda Lara-Jacobo, a toxicologist expert in toxicogenomics, environmental epidemiology, and sustainability. She revealed that more than half of the population cannot identify any famous women for their contributions to the world in science. Out of the other 47 per cent, most could only name one: Marie Curie, a Polish physicist and chemist who pioneered research on radiation during the early 20th century.

Despite these staggering statistics, Lara-Jacobo explained that some of the most notable STEMM achievements have actually been accomplished by women.

“For example, Katherine Johnson; she played a huge role in calculating the case factories in the space race as well as for the 1969 Apollo 11 flight to the moon,” said Lara-Jacobo.

“Rachel Carson; she wrote

the book Silent Spring which has been credited as the catalyst for the modern environmental movement … Ada Lovelace is considered to be the founder of scientific computers and the first computer programmer. Barbara McClintock is considered one of the most prestigious cytogeneticists.”

Without the contributions of these incredible women, the world of science would not be as advanced as it is today. However, Lara-Jacobo says that less than 30 per cent of the world’s current researchers are female, and only one third of Canadians with a STEMM degree are women. To make matters worse, women are also paid significantly less for their research and don’t make it as far in their careers as a result.

“Studies have shown that women are discouraged from or become less interested [than men] in turning to the fields of [STEMM] when they're really young,” said Lara-Jacobo.

It was for this reason that she and GenEQ held the event with hopes of igniting an interest in scientific initiatives amongst women.

The event was hosted by Dr. Alicia Viloria-Petit, a professor for the University of Guelph’s biomedical sciences program.

Viloria-Petit says she has always loved science, and decided to pursue a medical education after her grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer. She now studies the process of metastasization, or how cells from cancerous tumours can spread throughout the body and infect vital organs. “[Women] have been struggling for a long time to achieve

Women have been struggling for a long time to achieve our place in society.

— Dr. Alicia Viloria-Petit

To women interested in STEMM, Dr. Alicia Viloria-Petit recommends getting involved in the field and finding a reliable mentor.

CREDIT: ALICIA VILORIA-PETIT

our place in society,” said Viloria-Petit to The Ontarion.

“We organized this event as a way to support them and show the community an example of a person that represents this type of struggle and achievement and how we can, as women, work together.”

While having talented women host and speak at the event helps to bring awareness to the achievements of women in STEMM, it is still up to institutions to take the initiative and implement changes to reduce gender gaps.

Namely, institutions can promote the participation of women at all levels, including education,

environment, research, and administration. This would entail having more women amongst students, faculty, and committees in science-based programs and initiatives.

Viloria-Petit says she thinks the University of Guelph is going in the right direction in regards to these points. Namely, having Dr. Charlotte Yates as president and vice-chancellor of the university, which promotes the participation of women in the highest levels of leadership at the school.

Additionally, the 2020-2021 U of G fact book claims that the College of Biological Science and the College of Social and Applied Human Science generally had

more female students than male.

For women interested in pursuing STEMM, Viloria-Petit recommends that they seek out ways to participate in their respective field and find a mentor. The participation will curate the interest and specializations, and the mentor will accelerate the path to success through guidance.

“A lot of great ideas come from having a diverse source so we can have better ideas to respond to particular challenges,” she said.

“So if we have a more equal contribution of women at all levels of the university, we’ll be able to generate those ideas that we need to hone a more powerful and a more sustainable institution.”

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APRIL ISSUE | APRIL 202 2

UNIVERSITY CENTRE FOOD MARKET OFFERS FRESH PRODUCE AT AFFORDABLE PRICES In collaboration with the Feeding 9 Billion initiative, the University of Guelph launched its new community food market in early March. The hope is that the market will improve food security for students who often cannot afford to purchase healthy foods because they are more expensive than unhealthy foods are.

Spearheaded by U of G students Maya Nickle and Vivian Ma, the market is held every Thursday afternoon in the University Centre.

It offers a variety of fruits and vegetables sourced by The SEED, a local not-for-profit community food project. Anyone within the campus community is welcome to shop at the market stands, and produce is priced according to a sliding scale which buyers can use to determine what amount they are comfortable paying.

“Money is a huge factor when deciding when and where to eat on campus. When it comes to produce, students only have access to a limited selection,”

THE ONTARION

ON THE RADAR said Ma. “Having the market in such a public space has really brought everyone together and helped increase awareness of food security.”

So far, the market has been a success. U of G News reports that customers regularly line up with reusable bags to browse and shop for produce, and they also appreciate the sliding scale pricing. Events have also been held in collaboration with the market, including a smoothie social and a plant-based proteins discussion.

After a total of six weeks, the market will wrap up on April 7.

However, organizers hope it will become more permanent in the coming semesters.

U OF G TAKES STEPS TO OFFSET STUDYABROAD CARBON EMISSIONS The University of Guelph’s Centre for International Programs (CIP) has invested in a new initiative that will help to reduce and offset carbon emissions

generated by study-abroad travel.

CIP is collaborating with PlanetAir, a non-profit organization that specializes in offsetting greenhouse gas emissions through a variety of environmental projects, including reforestation and renewable energy initiatives.

U of G students, faculty, and staff will now be able to reduce their own travel emissions by purchasing PlanetAir’s gold-standard carbon offsets. In order to encourage students to invest in this program, CIP will be matching student carbon offsets up to $4,000 a year.

This is CIP’s first step towards reaching its goal of carbon-neutral study abroad by 2025. Other steps will include partnering with the U of G’s sustainability office to promote education about this initiative as well as the expansion of virtual exchange programs.

According to Dr. Lynne Mitchell, director of CIP, studyabroad programs that involve air travel are a major contributor to the global climate crisis. Therefore, CIP hopes that its collabo-

ration with PlanetAir will allow students to continue pursuing international experiences while also caring for the environment.

For more information about the initiative, students, staff, and faculty can reach out to the Centre for International Programs at cip@uoguelph.ca.

U OF G GENERATED $8.6 BILLION FOR THE NATIONAL ECONOMY DURING 2019-2020 YEAR, SAYS NEW REPORT According to an economic report on the University of Guelph prepared by accounting firm Ernst & Young, the university had a $8.6 billion impact on Canada’s GDP during the 20192020 fiscal year.

The report, released in March 2022, aimed to measure the economic impact of the U of G on national, provincial, and local economies in 2019-2020. It analyzed factors such as research productivity, spending by students,

operational activities, alumni and visitors, and capital programs.

“From spending on local contracts and partnerships to expenditures on transit, housing and food, the U of G community’s economic impact supports a strong community, driving prosperity and success,” said President Charlotte Yates in a news release.

At the national level, U of G contributed 21,400 jobs, $1.1 billion in labour income, and $2 billion to Canada’s GDP through research productivity alone in the 2019-2020 year.

Furthermore, with U of G’s research and educational facilities scattered throughout the province, the university has generated $5.22 billion for Ontario’s GDP, with another $1.44 billion from the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance.

U of G has also been regarded as an “economic engine” for the communities where its campuses reside, producing over 15,000 local jobs, $523 million in annual student spending, and $2.77 billion to regional GDPs, including in Toronto, Chatham-Kent, and Guelph-Wellington.

This economic contribution has increased by over a billion dollars since U of G’s 2018 report, which announced a $7.2 billion national impact.

ISSUE 192 .4 | NEWS

THEONTARION.COM

Chelsea McMullan was one of 198 applicants for the CFT program before student intake was suspended.

CREDIT: CHELSEA MCMULLAN

Intake suspension for U of G master’s program leaves applicants reeling The university’s sudden suspension of student intake for the CFT program has damaged the school’s reputation amongst some prospective students ELENI KOPSAFTIS

A

pplication season for MA programs is coming to an end, and students are starting to receive their response letters. After several hours spent perfecting resumes and toiling over cover letters, some individuals who applied to the University of Guelph’s Couples and Family Therapy (CFT) program were disappointed when they were rejected from the program.

For many, that feeling turned to frustration when they learned the university was no longer accepting new applicants in the first place.

The CFT program is managed under the department of family relations and applied nutrition, and it is one of only a few family and couples-specific therapy MA offered in and around the GTA area.

Ben Bradshaw is the U of G graduate department’s assistant vice president. His role is to ensure the integrity of the university’s graduate degree programs.

Bradshaw told The Ontarion that although the U of G had every intention of accepting new students into their CFT program when applications were sent in,

the admissions department had to suspend its intake of new students for the fall 2022 semester.

“The department of family relations and applied nutrition very recently came to an unfortunate conclusion that it didn’t have the capacity to take in another cohort,” said Bradshaw. While he stated that he cannot provide details as to the reason why intake was suspended, he does say it is related to the pandemic.

“It’s such an intensive training program to become a counsellor with a huge amount of professional practice that’s built into that program, so that makes it very difficult to take in huge numbers.”

Students already in the program are continuing their studies, and the university plans to take in a new cohort in the fall of 2023.

Because the decision to suspend intake was not made until after applicants had submitted their documents and application fees to the university, most students were not informed of the situation. The 178 applicants who were reviewed and denied only received a standard rejection letter from the university. Meanwhile, 20 were told they would be short-

listed for an interview for the fall 2023 semester.

Because the suspension wasn’t implemented until after the department had created the shortlist, many students learned about the situation on GradCafe forums in mid-February, long before the university addressed it in March.

At the time, the only way anyone could learn anything about the suspension was through GradCafe or by emailing the U of G admissions office directly. This led to much confusion and frustration amongst those who submitted an application fee for a program that wouldn’t even be running.

Chelsea McMullan is a graduate student with a combined BA in English and psychology, neuroscience, and behaviour from McMaster University. She finished her studies with honours in 2014 before attending the paralegal program at Fanshawe College the following year. She has since been working at a legal clinic for the past six years.

Her psychology education and legal experience, along with a diagnosis of anxiety, fueled her desire to pursue the CFT program at U of G. “With my own mental health struggles, I know firsthand the difference a therapist can make in the lives of their clients and I want to be able to do that for others,” said McMullan to The Ontarion.

“At the end of the day, I want to be able to help people who need it, especially those with low incomes, like I've been doing for the last half a decade but in a way

that doesn't trigger my anxiety.”

In hopes of making it into the CFT program, McMullan submitted her required documents and paid the $120 application fee in November 2021. She ended up being rejected by the school only to later learn about the program’s suspension through other prospective students online.

“The rejection letter sent to applicants by the university simply states you were not accepted for Fall 2022 and does not mention that the program will not be run,” she said.

A refund for McMullan’s application fee was not offered in this letter.

“It's very frustrating to feel taken advantage of financially by a publicly-run university during a time when many families find their finances heavily impacted by the pandemic and the steadily rising cost of living.”

It wasn’t until March 14 that the university began issuing refunds to all 198 applicants.

According to Bradshaw, applicants were given the choice between a cheque, an Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) voucher that can be used to apply again next year to CFT or any other U of G program, or a Visa gift card.

Despite receiving a refund, McMullan says her experience with the program has been eye-opening, in a negative way.

“I'm glad they listened to us and are working on issuing refunds. However, I don't think it should have taken this level of advocacy for them to do the right

5

thing. Refunds are being issued only because their reputation has been impacted,” said McMullan.

She also notes that those who apply to such programs often do so because they want to be able to help others, so the university’s handling of the situation felt ironically unempathetic.

“Despite the CFT program having been my top choice, I won't be applying to that program again, or to the University of Guelph for that matter. This has left such a bad taste in my mouth [that] I'd rather go to another university.”

While McMullan’s feelings towards the program have soured, other applicants agree that the problem should never have happened in the first place.

Another applicant, who wishes to remain anonymous to avoid potentially hurting their chances at getting into a different MA program, told The Ontarion that they saw the refund as the least the school could do by that point.

“They can’t do anything about … the time wasted for our references, the time we wasted on the application, getting it in by the deadline and all that,” they said.

The applicant had also learned about the intake issue on GradCafe. While users online were already discussing the suspension, their application status was still listed as ‘documents received.’ They needed to email the department of family relations and applied nutrition to confirm that there would be no new cohort that semester.

At the time, the department also informed them that they would not be reimbursed for the application fee.

The school’s decision to eventually issue refunds ultimately did not change their feelings about the situation.

“I would never apply again, and I would broadcast to anybody I know that’s trying to go into the field not to apply [to the CFT program at U of G]. They totally acted as if their program was going to happen, and that could easily happen again,” they said.

Overall, the experience left them feeling disappointed, unimpressed, and shocked. While they said that U of G was a good school, they no longer believe it is reliable.

The suspension of student intake at such a late stage in the application process was unprecedented, and unfortunately, it has left many individuals disheartened.

“I understand why people are frustrated,” said Bradshaw. “[The intake suspension is] not ideal, not what we’d like, but we're taking what I think are the right steps to rectify the situation.”

Ultimately, it is up to applicants to decide whether enough is being done to assuage the situation.

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APRIL ISSUE | APRIL 202 2

THE ONTARION

Guelph businesses adapt to the removal of COVID-19 public health restrictions Some establishments will be dropping proof of vaccination and masking requirements, while others plan to keep certain practices in place ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY EMILY BRAY

A

s proof of vaccination and masking mandates are lifted in Ontario, many local businesses are breathing a sigh of relief.

In February, the Government of Ontario announced that proof of vaccination would no longer be required for customers to enter non-essential business establishments as of March 1. This was quickly followed by another announcement that mask mandates would be lifted just a few weeks later on March 21.

Although these rapid changes have been the target of criticism by some scholars and medical officials, some local restaurants and public social spaces are seeing positive effects.

“Since the vaccine mandate has been lifted, our business has increased significantly,” said Thomas Gofton, owner of the Round Table board game café.

“We hope these trends continue for all small businesses.”

The capacity limits and proof of vaccination requirements put in place to combat COVID-19 have created challenges for local small businesses. Many have been forced to close their doors for long periods of time during lockdowns, and others have faced fierce competition from larger corporations like Amazon and Walmart whose activities were not as heavily im-

pacted by the pandemic.

Therefore, the removal of the public health mandates is offering a glimmer of hope for many local businesses after a difficult two years.

“We’re thrilled to be open once more and to be welcoming our guests as they reconnect with friends and family over a meal,” said Ben Ragetlie, general manager of Guelph’s Earth to Table: Bread Bar. Both Ragetlie and Gofton told The Ontarion that they are no longer requiring proof of vaccination and will make masks optional for guests and employees.

Gofton said that he felt it was an appropriate time for the requirements to be lifted.

“We are at a stage where we can now function with COVID-19,” said Gofton. “It’s time to focus on mental health and social wellbeing.”

The safety of customers will remain a top priority for both establishments, and they will monitor government recommendations closely.

“The health and safety of both our guests and our team has always been at the forefront of our thoughts,” said Ragetlie. “We’ll continue to comply with instructions from both local and provincial public health units.”

Ragetlie also noted that the

comfort levels of employees and guests will be taken into account by the restaurant and accommodated whenever possible.

Gofton echoed this sentiment.

“We will continue to follow provincial mandates as implemented, the same way we follow health code regulations and liquor laws. This is just another mandate that changes and conforms with time.”

However, not everyone is open to the idea of dropping COVID-19 prevention rules. Some establishments are taking a different approach and choosing to maintain certain health measures even after the mandates have been dropped.

Nighthawk Tattoo, a tattoo and piercing shop located on Gordon Street, currently plans to continue asking customers to mask while inside their shop, citing safety concerns.

“We are in no hurry to get rid of the masks as we all work in close proximity with our clients.

It not only keeps everyone coming safe, but it keeps us safe as well,” said the management team in an email to The Ontarion.

The shop was not previously required to ask for proof of vaccination as tattoo parlours were classified as personal care facilities under the vaccine passport legislation and were therefore excluded from the mandate. How-

The Bread Bar is one of the many restaurants looking forward to fully opening up to all members of the public again.

A sign encouraging customers to mask posted in the entrance to The Bookshelf, a downtown book shop, café, and cinema.

ever, Nighthawk has implemented a mandatory client screening process to make sure that no one entering the establishment could put others at risk of contracting COVID-19.

Ultimately, the decision to lift regulations or keep them in place is a matter of choice that will be based on the individual needs of each business and its employees.

Yet regardless of their approach to the post-mandate world, businesses are acutely aware of the public’s strong and often polarized feelings on the matter.

According to survey statistics, opinions about whether or not the mandates are beneficial and still needed are very mixed, both locally and within the province at large.

In a February poll conducted

by Guelph Today, 50.5 per cent of respondents stated that they were in favour of the government’s decision to lift proof of vaccination mandates, 42 per cent reported that they felt it was too soon, and the remaining 7.5 per cent were undecided.

Similarly, a recent survey conducted by the Angus Reid Institute found that, as of March 2022, 67 per cent of Ontarians still supported the use of vaccine

passports, and 56 per cent plan to continue wearing masks in public spaces even after the mandates are dropped. Moreover, 39 per cent believed that the removal of mandates is happening too quickly, while 26 per cent say that it is happening too slowly.

This divisiveness is difficult for business owners to navigate, as they will inevitably face criticism regardless of their decision.

“We are quite aware of the stress and fears this era has brought on for both sides of the population,” said Gofton. “It’s a heavy divide here in the world now, so anything we say will have people support as well as refute us.”

As Ontario moves into this next stage of pandemic reopening, everyone must make an effort to be mindful of others’ comfort levels regarding COVID prevention measures. It is important to respect the decisions made by businesses and individuals, whether those decisions involve continuing to follow the mandates or dropping them altogether.

If you are unsure of a business’s COVID-19 policies, reach out and ask its staff for more information.

ISSUE 192 .4 | NEWS

THEONTARION.COM

Volunteers Kate Leatherbarrow (top right) and Lindsay Wilson (bottom) interview Zorra Councillor Katie Grigg (top left) about the campaigning process in one of the videos posted to the Municipal Campaign School website.

CREDIT: EMILY BRAY

Local educational project provides free online lessons to prospective politicians The Municipal Campaign School hopes to give women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ people the tools to achieve success in local politics EMILY BRAY

D

espite our international reputation as one of the most multicultural, progressive, and equitable nations in the world, Canada suffers from a serious lack of diversity in politics.

Although more women, LGBTQ+ people, and Black, Indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC) hold office today than ever before, our political institutions still do not reflect the actual percentage of women and people of marginalized identities living in Canada.

This is especially true when it comes to municipal governments, which are often dominated by small circles of established local politicians who tend to be overwhelmingly white and male.

Even in Canada’s most ethnically diverse cities, non-white Canadians are rarely elected to sit as councillors. For example, Vice reports that only four people of colour currently sit on the City of Toronto’s 25-member council despite the fact that over half of Toronto’s population identifies as non-white.

In addition, despite accounting for just over half (50.4 per cent) of the Canadian population, only a small fraction of municipal officeholders are women, re-

ports the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Just 28 per cent of municipal councillor seats are occupied by women, and a meager 18 per cent of mayoral positions.

Guelph City Councillor Cathy Downer notes that the issue is even worse in rural areas. “When I meet up with county or township councils, it’s mostly men. They’re lagging way behind and I’m not seeing any improvement.”

“Women make up over 50 per cent of our population, but we have nowhere near that many representing us in our local political institutions. Not to mention people from other equity-seeking groups,” said Theresa McKeeman, a community volunteer with the Municipal Campaign School.

“That’s a problem.”

This exclusion of women and other underrepresented groups from political office has been a longstanding issue in Canada. However, the Municipal Campaign School is seeking to change that.

The school is a grassroots educational project that was launched online by a group of local volunteers in March 2022.

The initiative is dedicated to encouraging members of underrepresented communities—including women, BIPOC, members of

the LGBTQ+ community, and youth—to run for office by providing them with open access to free informational videos.

“Women and other equity-seeking groups find it challenging to run for municipal office or a local school board because of the many barriers they face,” said June Hofland, one of Guelph’s city councillors, in a media release announcing the school’s launch. “[The school’s] videos offer honest and inspiring insights that we hope will level the playing field and help change the makeup

of local councils across Ontario.”

An earlier version of the project was first launched in 2018, when Councillor Hofland and a group of volunteers began hosting information sessions and workshops for local women who were interested in getting involved with municipal politics ahead of the 2018 elections.

Since then, the project has grown significantly, joining forces with campaign schools in Oxford County and Wellington County and expanding to include lessons for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ folks.

The videos on the school’s website cover a range of topics relevant to political leadership, including instructional talks about how to prepare for debates and interact with community members on the campaign trail.

Many of the videos feature successful municipal politicians— including Downer herself—speaking about their own experiences running for office and offering insider advice free-of-charge.

As with women, the process of getting involved with local politics can be very difficult for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community members. People from these groups face higher rates of poverty and receive unequal access to higher education, which inhibits their ability to run for office.

Moreover, those who are able to run may face resistance and even hostility from constituents and political peers due to their identities as marginalized people.

“In order to remove systemic barriers, we need more women and people from equity seeking groups in office, but in order to get more of these people in office, we need to remove these barriers,” said McKeeman. “It’s kind of a ‘what came first, the chicken or the egg?’ situation…It’s difficult.”

The Municipal Campaign School therefore aims to break this negative cycle by providing women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ politicians with the support and tools that they may not receive otherwise.

One of the many ways that

Guelph Ward 5 Councillor Cathy Downer is one of the many local politicians featured in the school’s videos.

CREDIT: CATHY DOWNER

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the school supports its students is by helping them develop their self-confidence and convincing them that political leadership is something that they can successfully pursue.

McKeeman and Downer both note that women in particular tend to shy away from the prospect of pursuing community leadership roles.

“Women sign up much less often than men and have to be asked many times to do so. They often suffer from the feeling that they aren’t good enough to fulfill the job—they struggle with imposter syndrome,” said McKeeman.

Downer echoed the sentiment. “I think with women you really need to work on the confidence aspect, much more so than with men.”

However, according to Downer, “Municipal politics are actually more accessible for a lot of women. It’s local, you don’t have to leave town or go be a part of Parliament. [The problem is that] a lot of women just don’t see themselves in the political arena, at any level of government. We want to change that.”

Unfortunately though, the Municipal Campaign School project has not been without its critics.

McKeeman said that the school has faced backlash from a number of local political figures for focusing on women and marginalized people specifically, as these politicians believe that the school should be open to all people, regardless of their gender or status as a marginalized person.

“They just don’t understand why it’s so important to target women or equity-seeking groups specifically,” said McKeeman.

“But we know that women and people from equity-seeking groups face certain systemic challenges that others do not, and that these challenges need to be addressed.”

Despite the pushback, the school is running in full swing this spring and community reception to the initiative has been largely positive.

Moreover, McKeeman says that there has been a growing interest in the project amongst women and people from other marginalized groups.

The school’s volunteers and organizers hope to keep the momentum going and continue their work emboldening women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ people to become leaders in their local communities.

To learn more about the Municipal Campaign School, you can visit municipalcampaignschool.ca or view their videos on their Youtube channel of the same name.

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APRIL ISSUE | APRIL 202 2

THE ONTARION

The Ukraine crisis: Anti-Russian sanctions, mass refugee movements, and conflict resolution U of G experts Dr. Edward Koning and Dr. Ian Spears weigh in on the international and domestic responses to the Russo-Ukrainian war ALYSSA MARKS

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n Feb. 24, the Russian military launched a devastating invasion of Ukraine. In the weeks since then, Russian troops have flooded into Ukraine through Russian, Crimean, and Belarusian borders in military land invasions.

State-sanctioned shelling has been targeted at humanitarian corridors and some of Ukraine’s largest cities, including its capital of Kyiv. In response to this, Ukraine has since paused the evacuation of civilians in anticipation of Russian attacks on these corridors.

These attacks have initiated a mass exodus of refugees, the largest mass refugee movement in Europe since WWII, states the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

According to the United Nations Human Rights Of-

fice of the High Commissioner (OHCHR), as of March 30, over 1,189 Ukrainian civilians have reportedly been killed and roughly 1,901 have been injured since the invasion began. Although the OHCHR warns that the true figure may be even higher. Most of the casualties have been caused by shelling and missile air strikes.

Since the 2014 ousting of pro-Russian Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraine has shown interest in joining the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). With Ukraine leaning towards Western association and NATO’s east-ward expansion, the Kremlin announced that it feels insecure about Russia's perception of security.

Ukraine, which was once a member of the Soviet Union, has been the subject of mass disinformation campaigns by Russia, which claim that Ukraine

Dr. Ian Spears says that a mutually hurting stalemate may be the only way forward to meaningful Russia-Ukraine negotiations.

CREDIT: UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH

is Nazi-affiliated and genocidal.

Ukraine’s Jewish president, Volodymyr Zelensky, says otherwise.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has posed a hefty list of demands to both Ukraine and the West. He calls on Ukraine to recognize Crimea, which was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, as a legitimate part of Russia. Moreover, Putin also wants Ukraine to alter the makeup of its constitution and national edicts to ensure that it will never join the EU or NATO. Putin also sends a message to NATO demanding that it reverse its expansion into eastern Eu-

Dr. Edward Koning supposes that Canada will see a small number of Ukrainian refugees fleeing to our shores.

CREDIT: EDWARD KONING

rope. Namely, the Kremlin calls on NATO to remove its military forces from states that joined after 1997. This includes Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria, most of which border Russia or Russian allies.

The West’s eastward encroachment The Ontarion spoke with Dr. Ian Spears, a political science professor at U of G whose research focuses on conflict, conflict resolution, and state building, for his expert opinion on the developing war.

“You may be familiar with the security dilemma. That is the idea that if I have a gun in an effort to make myself feel more secure, it makes everyone else feel more insecure. As the West began to incorporate more and more of Eastern Europe into NATO, or into a European alliance, that was bound to make Russia feel insecure,” Spears said.

Since the initial Feb. 24 invasion, Russia has been met with a surprising resistance campaign from Ukrainian forces and the West. NATO has deployed troops to the countries that border Ukraine, including Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. However no NATO troops have stepped foot in the country. These multi-

national battalion-sized groups are on stand-by in case Putin decides to traverse beyond Ukraine and into NATO countries.

According to Global Affairs Canada, Canada has responded to the Russian invasion through a number of actions, such as offering military aid, deploying military personnel to bordering NATO countries, donating to humanitarian organizations and projects, and implementing policies to fast track the refugee and immigration application process.

There have been several peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials, but as of March 30 they have not led to any substantial resolutions.

Moreover, on March 27 President Zelensky said in an interview with Russian journalists that Ukraine was ready to begin discussing the possibility of supporting a neutral geopolitical status.

Sanctions: Are they effective?

Canada has sanctioned over 900 individuals and entities from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine who are known supporters of the Russian invasion, reports Global Affairs Canada. Many of these sanctions were directed towards individuals, including some top Kremlin figures, executives from Russian energy companies, Russian oligarchs, and so on.

Canada has not imported Russian crude oil since 2019, and

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will continue to prohibit the import of Russian oil.

Moreover, on March 8, U.S. President Biden announced a ban on all imports of Russian oil and gas.

The United Kingdom also said that it would begin to wean its dependency on Russian energy and phase out Russian oil and gas by the end of 2022, according to UK MP Kwasi Kwarteng.

The EU has adopted a slightly different approach as a result of its reliance on Russian oil. Russia currently supplies 40 per cent of the EU’s gas, reports Al Jazeera.

On March 15, EU members agreed on a number of measures to strangle the Russian economy, which include a ban on steel and iron imports, an export ban on luxury goods, and a ban on new investments in Russian oil and gas.

Russian central banks have also had their assets frozen and been ousted from SWIFT, the international payment transfer network.

“The Ruble has lost 60 per cent of its value. There are all of these oligarchs, including some who might not be very sympathetic, who suddenly have their assets frozen. . . I think that it is possible that [sanctions] could wear down Russian resolve, especially if it can lead to Russians questioning the whole motivation [of the invasion],” Spears said.

“If those sanctions have teeth, which they seem to have, and as countries adapt to not using Russian oil, that could really undermine Russian prosperity in a way where [Russians] may start to question things. I think the West has more flexibility about this than Russia does.”

Dr. Edward Koning, who is also a political science professor at U of G, believes that at this point in the conflict, sanctions will be the primary response from the international community, especially from the EU. “To some extent, the level of unanimity in agreeing on sanctions towards Russia is almost as much as you can realistically expect from the EU, considering its institutional setup. If this would move to a military response, I would much earlier expect this to come from NATO instead of the EU. That is a military alliance that is made for that very purpose,” Koning told The Ontarion.

Amidst the widespread imposition of sanctions by the international community, many have wondered if, or when, the military will begin to escalate their response to the invasion.

NATO has said that member states are working collaboratively to develop a response strategy that will prevent further escalation. “[There is a] fear of an uncontrolled escalation. In this sense,

9

Attending local solidarity rallies, donating to reputable humanitarian organizations, and spreading awareness about the crisis are all great ways to support the people of Ukraine.

CREDIT: PEXELS

that’s why nobody has imposed a no-fly zone, that's why there is a profound reluctance to admit Ukraine into NATO, that’s why nobody wants to have Western troops in Ukraine, because everyone is greatly worried about escalation,” Spears said.

With the looming fear of escalation and the desire to avoid growing casualties, there has been increased pressure for negotiations with Russia. But, negotiation with a leader like Putin, who has threatened nuclear war, may pose difficulties.

Moreover, Spears says that military invasion and vast propaganda campaigns are never the result of a single person's actions; it requires many willing actors.

With this in mind, he goes on to say that a mutually hurting stalemate may lead Putin to engage in meaningful negotiations. This entails a situation where progress cannot be made by either member without devastating consequences, leaving members at a standstill.

Zelensky criticized the West for not doing enough to sanction Russia and support Ukraine.

“Fear always makes you an accomplice,” he said during an address on March 28.

What can Canada expect?

Although the crisis may be happening on the other side of

the globe, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has a ripple effect that impacts the entire international community, including Canada. So far we have seen impacts on oil and gas prices as well as supply chain issues, and we will presumably see an increase in the influx of refugees from Ukraine.

Canada’s oil and gas prices have surpassed $1.80 per litre at the pump since Russia’s invasion and may continue to soar, reports CTV. Moreover, Russia and Ukraine are some of the world’s largest producers of wheat–both accounting for one-quarter of the world’s wheat exports. With Ukrainian fields being destroyed by Russian shelling, a large number of working Ukrainians fleeing the country, and trade route blockades, exporting wheat has been difficult. This could mean that a loaf of bread will cost more on your next trip to the grocery store.

With regard to Ukrainian refugees and immigration, Koning suggested that the number of Ukrainians seeking refuge in Canada may be lower than other countries, but that we will still likely be welcoming many in the coming months.

“I think overall it's fair to say that the vast majority of people fleeing Ukraine will flee to the European Union… Canada has announced a number of temporary protection programs, and certainly some refugees will take ad-

vantage of those, especially those who have connections with Canada,” he said.

“For example, [in] the City of Guelph, there is a sizable Ukrainian community. So people who have ties to those communities might find Canada to be an appealing destination for that reason.”

In response to the increased demand for refuge in Canada, the Canadian government has made temporary changes to its immigration policies. These include expediting the procedure for processing travel documents and prioritizing the applications of individuals who are currently residing in Ukraine and seeking asylum in Canada.

What can we do to help?

There are a number of things that you can do to help support Ukrainians, whether that be donating to a humanitarian organization to help deliver relief, or staying informed about the developing crisis.

Here is a list of actions that you can take to support Ukraine: • Attend local rallies and events dedicated to solidarity with Ukraine.

• Donate to organizations that are helping with relief efforts. Check out the Can-

ada-Ukraine Foundation, Doctors Without Borders/ MSF Canada, Global Giving, the Canadian Red Cross, the Ukrainian Red Cross, or World Central Kitchen.

• Stay informed about the crisis and spread awareness.

• Purchase products from shops that have vowed to donate a portion of the proceeds to Ukrainian organizations.

There are also support networks available on the U of G’s campus for those who have been affected by the crisis: • Multi-Faith Resource Team, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 58909 • Student Counselling Services, Ext. 53244 • Crisis Text Line, text “UofG” to 686868 • Employee Assistance Program for faculty and staff, 1-800-265-8310.

• Homewood Health, U of G’s employee and family assistance provider, offers support for those experiencing traumatic events.

International students in need of support may also contact the International Student Advisors: • Matthew Keefe – mkeefe@ uoguelph.ca • Pugaleni Iynkaran – iynkaran@uoguelph.ca Student Wellness has also provided information on how to manage during times of uncertainty.

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THE ONTARION

Facilitating accessible information about electric vehicles helps to promote ownership among women, says Cara Clairman, chief executive officer of Plug'nDrive.

CREDIT: CARA CLAIRMAN

Few women actually own electric vehicles, despite making the vast majority of car-purchasing decisions Early adopters of EVs were mainly men, but as information about EVs becomes more accessible, the industry is seeing an increase in women ownership ALYSSA MARKS

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s worries surrounding climate change grow and the public becomes more concerned about environmental issues, consumers are making changes to their daily lives to live more sustainably.

Since the transportation sector is one of the main industries responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, many individuals have chosen to opt for electric vehicles (EVs).

However, there is a gender imbalance when it comes to EV ownership. According to NPR, decisions about which automobile to purchase are predominantly—85 per cent—made by women. Yet, women are four times less likely to own an EV than men, reports Jalopnik.com, a news and opinion website about transportation and the automotive industry.

But there is good news; as the automotive industry realizes the power of women buyers, there has been a slow push to make

EV purchases more accessible to women. With this, more women are making the greener switch.

On March 8, eMERGE Guelph hosted a panel called Women’s EV Night. The event was a women-led information night about EVs where attendees heard from local EV owners and experts. The goal of the panel was to normalize EV ownership by women and make information about EVs more accessible.

The panel discussed the environmental benefits of EVs. For example, it was mentioned that every EV that is purchased reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than four tonnes per year.

They also emit 90 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions than a gas or diesel vehicle.

“There was a study that came out in the Greater Toronto Area that suggested that if we were to switch to EVs there would be a huge public health benefit. We are all breathing the smog that is

produced by cars, and so it would be better for all of our health if we were to make the switch,” said Cara Clairman, chief executive officer of Plug’nDrive, to The Ontarion.

Plug’nDrive is a non-profit organization that offers unbiased information about EVs and hybrid vehicles. They own and operate information centres and road shows that are committed to delivering accessible experiential learning.

Clairman has over 20 years of experience working in the environmental and sustainability sectors, and offers expert knowledge when it comes to all things EV. The panel spoke about the fact that EVs were at first thought to attract women buyers, as women tend to be earlier adopters of environmentalism than men.

Subsequently, there are no scientific studies to confirm why women are less likely to be owners of an EV than men.

However, there may be a few

possible explanations.

For starters, the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety states that women statistically do not drive as much as men do. Moreover, the Statista Research Department reports that American men are more likely to own multiple vehicles. News Editor Elizabeth Blackstock on Jalopnik.com writes that the more cars a person owns, or the more people drive, the more likely they are to buy and keep an EV. These differences in vehicle ownership and driving habits only account for part of the picture, and researchers have yet to pursue a study that fully investigates the reasons why women are less likely to be owners of EVs. “I think early adopters [of EVs] tend to be men because of the cool technology, and with the majority of engineers and IT people being men, it attracted them more,” said Clairman.

“As we move away from the early adopter crowd, we are beginning to see more and more women purchasing EVs.” Clairman said that as EV model options continue to expand, she thinks that women will be more likely to consider purchasing them.

Having more models available will “let women know that [EVs] can suit their lifestyle, especially those who are thinking about the practicality of them,” she adds.

Clairman also suggested that educating people about the money-saving benefits of EV ownership could open up the EV market to many new buyers.

“They save a lot of money, which I think many people fail to realize because the upfront sticker price is a little bit more . . .

but because the fuel is so much cheaper, you really save over time.

I think that is the message that we need to do a better job at explaining,” she said.

When it comes to the initial shock of the upfront price of EVs, Clairman suggests people opt for used EVs. There are also ways to calculate the best EV match based on price, model, and lifestyle, such as the vehicle finder tool on the Plugn’Drive website. Offering helpful tools such as these will help with making EVs more accessible and inclusive.

There are also government incentive programs, both federal and provincial, intended to help push consumers to make the switch to EVs. These incentives vary from province to province, but the federal government has a program called the Incentives for Zero Emission Vehicles Program (iZEV). Launched in May 2019, the program offers those who have purchased or leased an eligible EV up to $5,000 in incentives.

“There are also provincial incentives that can be stacked on top of the federal incentives. These basically take away that upfront cost,” said Clairman.

“Though Ontario does not have that right now. So, that makes a big difference. . . The previous government had that incentive, but the Ford government got rid of it. So, many people have encouraged them to bring that back, and it would definitely make a difference if they did.”

If you are interested in learning more about EVs, visit the Plugn’Drive website, where you can find accessible and easy-to-understand information about purchasing and owning EVs.

ARTS & CULTURE

14 | FUTURE OF THE CLIMATE CRISIS

16 | BETTER TIME MANAGEMENT

Robert Pattinson successfully portrays Bruce Wayne’s inexperience as a young Batman in DC’s latest revival.

CREDIT: WARNER BROS. PICTURES

The shadows are alive in The Batman, for better or for worse The Dark Knight isn’t dark enough in this stylistically bold iteration PRABHJOT BAINS

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lthough it aims to be much more, The Batman never becomes anything more than an entertaining, above-average superhero rendition.

This isn’t to say that this version of the caped crusader is not a good superhero film; in fact it's quite the opposite. It delivers one of the best comic-book movies in recent memory and makes use of its cinematic influences to great effect, namely Se7en (1995), Zodiac (2007), and Taxi Driver (1976). Unfortunately, The Batman never becomes anything greater than a comic-book rendition of these classics.

In the vein of those master-

pieces, The Batman presents itself not as a typical superhero film, but more of a gritty, dark, and contemplative crime thriller that converts the historically goofy villain of the Riddler into a sadistic, intelligent, and damaged serial killer who pokes at the very existence of Gotham City, Batman, and more intrinsically, Bruce Wayne.

Yet, for a film that desires to hone in on a detailed examination of dark subject matter, it is repeatedly constrained by its PG-13 rating. Its ambition to be a visceral and dark experience remains just that, an ambition. It never truly comments on these mature themes in a meaningful way since

CINEMATOGRAPHY: 1.5/2 DIRECTION: 2/2 SCREENPLAY: 1.5/2 PERFORMANCES: 1.5/2 ENTERTAINMENT FACTOR: 1.5/2 TOTAL: 8/10

it has to compromise its vision to appeal to a broader audience.

It’s a crime thriller that, at times, distinctly lacks a visual showcase of the consequences of its character’s actions. The murders have no bodies, and Batman’s brutal brawls lack that punch of lush sanguine that its opening titles and marketing are littered with.

As a result, the film is constantly at odds with itself, teetering on the edge of being a mature noir but lacking the courage to ultimately dive into it. The final film forces us to wonder what a truly mature Batman film would look like, as Warner Brothers’ decision frustratingly keeps it from greatness, and instead, opts to play it safe.

The overt darkness the film shrouds itself in is both a blessing and a curse. The villains this time around, The Penguin, (Colin Farrell) and The Riddler (Paul Dano), are adequate foils for our hero but do not possess the virtuosity that was present in previous iterations, like Ledger’s Joker and even Hardy’s Bane.

These villains are well-acted but contain an unintentional silliness that places them far away from the pantheon. Because of this, they are another factor that keeps this film from true greatness. A great antagonist would’ve served this film’s ma-

ture and dark ambitions well and allowed it to overcome its compromise of accessibility.

What this film’s darkness lacks in terms of thematic exploration, it makes up with a cinematic style that oozes with the delectable trappings of a pulp fantasy.

The Batman’s superb art direction, cinematography, and production design create a dingy world that purely complements the rise of the Batman as a vigilante who hopes to cleanse the filth that populates it. This is without a doubt the greatest version of Gotham City ever put to film, and it’s a grubby location that I am excited to see further explored in subsequent films. Its visual style alone puts this film high above its recent comic-book contemporaries, pushing back against the factory production style of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to create a film that is a wholly unique product of its director’s vision. The enveloping wide angles supplement the dark hues that pervade the screen, creating a unique re-envisioning of what a comic-book film should feel like.

With the exhausting popularity of the MCU reaching new highs, it's refreshing to see a film that is attempting to convey its tale with a visual focus, rather than the bland and faint minute-to-minute highs of, say, a Spiderman, Iron

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21 | POETRY

Man or Captain America film, which emphasized fan payoff over a welltold and stylistically underpinned story. The beauty of cinema is realized when an artist’s voice is not completely trampled over by a typical formula, even though this rendition of Batman desperately needed an R rating.

While the story is refreshing in its bold style, The Batman’s almost three-hour running time leaves the experience feeling too bloated, diminishing the narrative’s ultimate immersion and staying power. While I appreciate the story Matt Reeves attempted to craft, it felt like it should have ended about 35 minutes earlier.

But what makes this length easier to swallow is Robert Pattinson’s captivating turn as the tortured and obsessive man behind the Dark Knight’s cowl. He nails the inner darkness and inexperience of a young Bruce Wayne who's only been Batman for two years.

Pattinson perfects the desperation and neuroticism of a man who would resort to this type of vigilantism as he hopes to not only combat the crime that plagues Gotham, but to fight against the loneliness of losing his parents.

Zoë Kravitz nails the eroticism and sly nature of Selena Kyle, whose alter-ego, The Catwoman, plays a pivotal role not only in the film’s exploration of Gotham’s crime underworld, but Bruce’s emotional growth as well.

The Batman is a good comic-book iteration that revels in its bold original style, seducing us into the grimy world of Gotham. But due to the constraints of a PG-13 rating, it fails to move beyond that general description and become a truly great film.

Although well-made and entertaining, the film runs too long, has a lack of memorable villains, and is unable to truly explore the darkness it comments on, leaving us hopeful that the next film will finally be “the one.”

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APRIL ISSUE | APRIL 202 2

THE ONTARION

 SELECTIONS FROM ARCHIVAL AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

‘The Gay Cookbook’ makes a meal of camp and serves it up with a side of LGBTQ+ activism Author Lou Rand Hogan garnishes internationally-inspired recipes with witty commentary in this fascinating look at mid-century queer domesticity GILLIAN MANFORD | ARCHIVES CLERK ...in that magic hour 'tween day and dark, after effacing the ravages of the day's toil, and before the night's serious cruising, ya gotta take on some food. Man, woman, or child, a girl has got to eat!

— The Gay Cookbook, page 7

T

he year is 1965. Homosexuality is illegal in most of the world, the Stonewall Riots are still four years away, and those defying gender norms through their relationships, gender presentation, or behaviour are considered immoral, deviant, and dangerous.

However, that same year Chef Lou Rand Hogan presented a different vision of queer life in his cookbook The Gay Cookbook.

Hogan’s book could easily be mistaken for a novelty, joke, or political statement. In reality, it’s all three, and a usable recipe guide as well.

An ad in the 1965 New York Times suggested that “Straights and other types of squares will find much to enjoy [in the cookbook],” inviting in curious readers, while also teasingly associating them with ‘squares.’ Squares were those old fashioned moralists who, by 1965, were finding themselves in opposition to the progressivism of ‘60s counterculture.

In the 1960s, humorous, niche, and culturally specific cookbooks proliferated. As Hogan explains in his book, “there seem to be new jazzy cookbooks for everyone, for every type, every temperament. A mad, mad, mad Editor has coyly suggested: ‘Oh hell, May, why don't you people have a cookbook? After all, you're supposed to be 'one-in-six', and that's a lot of cooking!’”

Despite Hogan’s lighthearted manner, the growing movements for gender, racial, and sexual equality played out in the pages of many mid-century culinary guides. Some brought serious attention to underrepresented cultural foodways, while others used humour to target problematic norms. In this case, Hogan uses the medium to critique the heteronormative concepts of gender and domesticity. This combina-

tion of elements become ‘camp,’ a term often associated with queer modes of entertainment and expression, as well as the aesthetics of the mid-century period.

Writer and activist Susan Sontag examined this elusive concept in her 1964 essay Notes on ‘Camp.’ Sontag explained that camp is intentional, exaggerated, and ‘deadly serious,’ despite appearances suggesting otherwise.

The idea had long been present in queer communities, but by the 1960s it had taken on a political dimension.

Camp embraces the artificial, and in doing so, also exposes artifice. By taking ideas held seriously and dearly by the dominant culture (in this case, mid-century heteronormative ideals of domesticity, gender roles, and gender expression) and viewing them through the lens of camp, these norms are exposed as constructions, their dominance over society questioned, and those living outside of those norms given greater agency over their own narrative.

Through camp, Hogan challenges readers to reflect on conflicting stereotypes perpetuated by mainstream society. For example, how can gay men be both deviant and dangerous, while also effeminate, weak, and ridiculed?

Hogan and illustrator David Costain take the mainstream perception of queer people away from the back alleys, dingy bars, and jail cells to which they’d been relegated, and mock quaint mid-century domesticity. An illustration of a gay couple sitting at the kitchen table—one masculine presenting figure who is large and bearded; the other, more feminine in a floral apron (see photo to the upper right)—reflects domestic imagery from the period, queering the American familial ideal.

Throughout his book, Hogan reappropriates the language of heteronormative homemaking by simultaneously mocking these traditions and inviting in those who have been excluded. In the chapter on meat-based dishes, ‘What to Do With a Tough Piece of Meat,’ Hogan writes, “Men en-

joy real, genuine, honest to Gawd Corned Beef Hash; so let's make em happy.” He both adopts and subverts the trope of the housewife using her domestic skills to keep a happy husband while employing a few campy double entendres along the way.

The Comstock Laws—the same ones that prohibited the distribution of birth control by U.S. mail—would’ve had this book banned for ‘promoting sexual deviance’ and labelled it too obscene for the post, greatly restricting it’s reach and accessibility. However,

by the mid ‘60s these laws were in dispute, and, in Hogan’s book, saucy illustrations abound. Men dance the Can-Can in a recipe for French Dressing (see photo on next page) and recline in bowls of Fruit Salad (see photo below). The text is sprinkled with camp witticisms and cheeky culinary suggestions, using jargon that would have been opaque to straight readers, like instructing penny-pinching hosts to “Save that imported Sherry (at $7.80) for someone really elegant; serve the .98 cent stuff to that casual trade.”

The Gay Cookbook has practical uses, too. Hogan’s work as a chef on international cruises influenced his menus, as did the post-war fashion for ‘exotic’ travel as a marker of middle class consumption and cosmopolitanism.

Hogan teases those adhering to fussy, outdated ideas of sophistication and antiquated performances of queerness. “We all know a mad character…who puts pineapple-cheese…on round crackers, and tops this with a candied violet, no less. Gawd, Mabel, how gay can you get?” Instead, Hogan suggests

ISSUE 192 .4 | ARTS & CULTURE

THEONTARION.COM impressing guests with menus of saffron rice, Thai and Indian curries, and Polynesian preparations of raw fish with fruit. Walking readers through exoticised recipes, he allows them to engage with new markers of class and performative multiculturalism.

Cocktail and dinner party menus figure prominently in The Gay Cookbook, emphasizing the importance of chosen family—providing opportunities to commiserate, build community, and of course, meet like-minded friends.

At Hogan’s ideal gatherings, “The guests help themselves (do they ever!) and ignore the host. He, however, is then able to single out that muscular type and ask him to come into the kitchen and help

loosen the ice-tray.”

Hogan also speaks to those living alone, on a budget, or with little cooking experience; in other words, much of his target audience: The book provides simple solutions for the single cook with Many sad souls come home from a rough day over the ribbon counter… and face the prospect of wading into that grim little kitchenette to whip up something cheap and filling. No 'little woman' to greet him at the door…So we'll offer here a sort of nonsensical cookbook for the androgynous…we do not hesitate to assure the reader that all preparations and recipe details are honest and practical. time and money saving shortcuts, as well as the assertion that “Old (and well-seasoned) chefs will

know that a simple dish is quite often more satisfactory than something that costs a lot, and is a lot of trouble to make.”

What both The Gay Cookbook’s party menus and everyday recipes have in common is a depiction of a happy, fulfilled domestic life filled with chosen family. This stands in contrast to the contemporary understanding of queer life as deviant, dangerous, and ultimately lonely.

In Hogan’s world, multi dimensional lives are lived out through domestic moments— from raucous parties and candlelit dinner dates, to quick and inexpensive meals for one. He presents a version of gay life to a curious public—the ‘straights and squares’—while preserving inside references, jokes, and asides that serve as a comforting wink and nod to queer peers.

A trendy late ‘60s housewife could use this book to whip up an international dinner party and showcase her trendy progressivism; but more importantly, the queer community could see themselves on the page. They could see their language, humour, and lives, and revel in the domestic queer joy held up as a symbol of the recognition and equality that they were (and still are) fighting for.

Music. Smiles. Hot Dogs.

For 23 years, Bob has made it his mission to serve up good food and good times to U of G students. Whether you're in need of a quick meal or a just friendly face, come say hi to Bob at his hot dog stand just east of Branion Plaza.

Photos from The Gay Cookbook (Lou Rand Hogan, USA: Sherbourne Press, Inc., 1965), Canadian Cookbook Collection, Archival & Special Collections, University of Guelph Library, TX715.6ZZ7500.

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There is no Planet B. The IPCC’s latest report doesn’t just list out the repercussions of climate change; it also provides a few possible solutions for people and cities to implement.

CREDIT: UNSPLASH

The future of the climate crisis: Rising temperatures, food insecurity, and urban maladaptation A quick overview and breakdown of three important topics from the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change’s latest report ANCHITAA GHAG

O

n February 28, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) published a 3,675 page report called Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability.

This report is the second installment of three contributions that will make up the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). The AR6 is a summary of scientific studies explaining how humans influence climate change, how climate change impacts ecosystems, and how climate change can be mitigated in the future.

The goal of the IPCC is to evaluate the science behind climate change by publishing assessment reports written by top scientists and experts from around the world in approximately seven-year cycles.

The first installment of the AR6, published last August, covered the scientific basis for ongoing climate change. The most recent report is a compilation of updated research since the last IPCC assessment report in 2014.

It was authored by 270 experts from 67 countries worldwide.

Here are three key sections of interest to us here in Guelph.

Heat waves According to the report, the health of all Canadians will be impacted by more frequent and severe heat waves in upcoming years.

Just last year, the 2021 Western North America heat dome caused 595 deaths in British Columbia, reported CTV News Vancouver. The Royal Meteorological Society defines a heat dome as a mass of high air pressure that stays in one area over a prolonged duration. During this time, any hot air that rises from the ground becomes trapped in that area with nowhere to move, for days or weeks at a time.

The effects in Guelph were not as severe last year. However, Guelph saw a new daily high temperature record one year earlier, in 2020. According to CTV News Kitchener, this new record of 30.8 C broke the previous 2012 record of 29.2 C. Prolonged drought conditions, which can be caused by heat waves, also have a direct impact on mental health, states the report. Severe weather events are stressful because they can have permanent or irreversible impacts.

For example, floods or hurricanes

can destroy people’s homes and upend their sense of stability.

Food production The report also highlighted that food production will be limited by unpredictable and extreme weather events.

Several regions of Ontario are expected to experience water scarcity during the summer growing season due to droughts. Guelph has previously been identified as an area that could, without appropriate conservation measures, expect water shortages in the future, reports the Guelph Mercury.

Fortunately, the report outlines a solution to this issue.

While agricultural productivity in North America has been steadily declining since 1961 due to climate change, the report suggests that reducing carbon emissions as soon as possible can ensure the mitigation of further environmental risks to food security.

Sustainable development of cities Moreover, severe natural disasters affect the infrastructure of Canadian cities.

The report states that the 2013 Calgary flood led to $1.8 billion in insurance losses. For the 80 per cent of Canadians who live in a city, these types of infrastructural damages can be detrimental in the long term.

The IPCC website’s fact sheets propose some guidelines for the sustainable development of cities, including increasing green spaces such as street trees, green rooftops, parks, community gardens, and ponds. These can have a cooling effect while also supplementing physical infrastructure such as the building of sea walls or adapting building regulations.

Maintaining natural systems during the construction of sustainable cities is paramount to proper adaptation. Since its last assessment, the IPCC noted that maladaptation has been found in many instances.

Maladaptation is the shortterm adaptation to climate

change-caused events that have negative long-term effects on systems. Altogether, these kinds of approaches affect the overall resilience of a system or community in a detrimental way.

One example the report provides is when sea walls are built to protect a city from flooding, but also cause degradation of surrounding coral reefs. Over time, more families can move to these coastlines under the assumption that it is safe, but they face the risk of the sea wall being over-topped.

This maladaptive response can create an inflexible system that will become more expensive and difficult to resolve in the future.

Proper adaptation involves flexible, long-term planning and implementation, says the IPCC. In a different report it outlines an adaptive approach to protect against flooding through the use of hard physical barriers (e.g. sea walls) and nature based solutions (e.g. restoration of coral reefs or wetlands).

Climate change is certainly one of the most pressing issues worldwide, and action must be taken to mitigate damaging effects and protect the most vulnerable communities.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres said it best when he ended his video message at the press conference launch of the report with, “I know people everywhere are anxious and angry. I am, too. Now is the time to turn rage into action. Every fraction of a degree matters. Every voice can make a difference. And every second counts.”

The last of the three reports that make up the AR6 is scheduled to be evaluated by the IPCC up until April 1, 2022, after which it will be officially released to the public.

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4.

RUBY SINGH* Vox.Infold (Self-Released)

5.

OMBIIGIZI* Sewn Back Together (Arts & Crafts)

6.

5TH PROJEKT* The Labyrinth EP (Organik)

7.

JEAN-MICHEL BLAIS* aubades (Arts & Crafts)

8.

GHOSTLY KISSES* Heaven, Wait (Coyote / Akira)

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CATE LE BON Pompeii (Mexican Summer)

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TANYA TAGAQ* Tongues (Six Shooter) *Canadian Artist

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APRIL ISSUE | APRIL 202 2

16

THE ONTARION

Using essentialist skills can help you better understand tasks, focus on your work, and even learn to say no.

CREDIT: UNSPLASH

Applying essentialist principles for better time management Tips on how to save your energy for the tasks that really matter CHEN CHEN

E

ssentialism is leading a lifestyle that honours the mindset of “less, but better.”

In Leadership and Business Strategist Greg McKeown’s book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less (2014), he introduces the idea of essentialism, which means focusing on the vital few tasks that are important to us instead of the trivial many. McKeown believes it’s better to commit to a few things and do them really well than commit to a lot of things and perform average on them.

As depicted in the diagram to the bottom right, it’s important to direct our limited energy to the few tasks that really matter to us instead of having our energy pulled in 100 directions.

As a busy university student, I am sure that you can relate to having many tasks on your plate.

The essentialist mindset might give you new insight on how to manage your tasks. McKeown’s suggestions might help you to re-examine your task list and focus on the ones that really matter.

Essentialism principles for better time management 1. UNDERSTAND THE TASKS BEFORE COMMITTING TO THEM Before committing to a task, it’s a good idea to understand what completing it will do for you. For example, ask yourself

what knowledge and skills you can develop from finishing the task. How is the task lining up with your bigger goals? You can also use the following questions to narrow down the tasks that you want to commit to: • What am I good at?

• What do I enjoy doing?

• What do people need the most?

Try to find the tasks that lie in the intersection of these three questions and channel your energy in that direction.

Another tip is to frequently review your task list. Sometimes we let ourselves run on autopilot and check things off of our to-do list without realizing how they contribute to our goals. There is value in pausing and stepping back to reflect on what we’ve accomplished. Do those tasks line up with your goals? What did you learn from them? Schedule some reflection time in your weekly or monthly calendar and use it to review your task list and prune out the tasks that don’t contribute to your goals.

when they no longer benefit us.

For example, we hold on to a shirt that doesn’t fit us because it was an expensive purchase, or we agree to do things that we don’t want to do in order to avoid hurting others.

However, your friends and other people may appreciate it more if you are honest with them and say no. For example, politely saying no to a friend who needs a partner for a project and explaining that you don’t have the time to do a good job on the work is better than committing yourself to a task that you are only able to invest in half-heartedly and that takes you away from your own priorities.

Finally, it is important to set boundaries. If you don’t, other people will set them for you.

Knowing where your lines are is important because it helps you to make better use of your limited time and resources. Knowing when to say no is just as important as knowing when to say yes, and this keeps you focused on the tasks that serve your longterm goals.

2. DARE TO SAY NO AND DECOMMIT

3. EXECUTE THE TASKS WITH FOCUS

Have you ever continued to work on a task even though it no longer benefited you?

One of the common biases that we have is called the “sunk cost bias.” This refers to the tendency to hold on to things that we have already invested in even

Now that you’ve decided which tasks to work on, the next step is completing them. Here are some strategies that can help you to stay committed and focused on your goals.

• Firstly, remember to refocus your attention when you

•

find yourself getting distracted. It’s totally normal to get distracted and lose track of what to focus on. Whenever you find yourself distracted, ask yourself this question: “What is the most important thing to work on right now?”

This is a powerful question, and you will know the answer intuitively. Then, divide your work on the task into shorter time intervals and focus on the task at hand and things that you have control over.

Secondly, focus on the small wins. Sometimes people believe they need to have big achievements to accomplish big tasks. All tasks, big and small, start with minimal achievements and small wins.

Focusing on the small wins can help you stay motivated and focus on the task at hand.

•

Finally, consider adopting an essentialist lifestyle. This means that at times you may get derailed by trivial matters, but always take time to review the tasks that you are working on and understand how they contribute to your larger goals. Then, try to direct your focus on tasks that really matter to you.

This exam season, use these essentialist strategies to save yourself time and energy for your most crucial tasks so that you may perform at your best.

Essentialist

Non-Essentialist

ENERGY ENERGY

A diagram McKeown uses to illustrate how essentialism helps one to focus their energy in order to complete the most important task(s).

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17

spin on your sudsing up or soaking routine. In terms of makeup and nail polish, what’s more fun than getting dolled up in the colours of the season? Look for an eyeshadow palette or polishes in light blues, purples, pinks, yellows, and greens, and be reminded of fresh springtime flowers whenever you look in the mirror or down at your hands.

SNACKS AND TREATS In addition to chocolates and candies, try putting a twist on edible Easter basket treats by including some more traditional sweets associated with the holiday. Look for a mini carrot cake, carrot muffins or cupcakes, hot cross buns, Pizzelle cookies, or Easter bread.

Personally, I can’t get enough of the subtle sweetness, chewy crust, and fluffy inside of Italian Easter bread. It's my favourite!

If you’re looking to make an Easter basket for an adult, include treats and chocolate (of course), but also items they can use for self-care or home decor.

Easter basket ideas for grown ups If you or your loved one misses the good ol’ Easter Bunny days, bring them back by creating your own basket ARTICLE & PHOTO BY ELLYSE MCGARR

I

f you grew up in a household that celebrated Easter each spring, you might be familiar with the Easter basket—a basket filled with colourful fake grass, chocolate, and goodies from ‘the Easter Bunny.’

When I was younger, my brother and I got Cadbury minieggs (still my favourite Easter candy) and chocolate and gummy bunnies for Easter, and boy do I miss those days! As a grown up who now lives away from ‘the Easter Bunny,’ I’m sure I’m not the only one who misses the fun and deliciousness of an Easter basket.

But you know what? Who says the fun has to stop when you’re an adult? Let’s normalize Easter baskets for 20-somethings!

So, if you’re a parent looking to make something special for your no-longer-child-age children, a friend or partner hoping to spoil your loved one with something festive over the holidays, or just someone who loves Easter and wants to gift themself something special (hello self-

care!), here are some ideas to fill a more grown up version of the childhood classic. But of course, remember to include chocolate and candy! Nobody ever grows out of loving those.

or Easter-related designs, such as eggs, carrots, bunnies, florals, etc.

Baking supplies that are most likely to have Easter-related designs include cookie cutters, treat and cake moulds, and cupcake liners. For stationary items, look for pens, pencils, notebooks, sticky notes, and stickers. These are some of the most essential office supplies, in my opinion. The stickers maybe not so much, but hey, they can brighten up anyone’s agenda, calendar, or notebook!

These are things that are just cute and festive to have around the house this time of year. Look for candles in floral and chocolate scents, or ones that are pastel-coloured. If you or your loved one like plushies, opt for bunnies, chicks, or other animals wearing Easter-related accessories or clothing. Lastly, Easter is a spring time holiday, and spring calls for plants and flowers! Shop around for some greenery, live or fake, depending on whether the recipient has a green thumb.

HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS

HYGIENE SUPPLIES AND MAKEUP

There are certain things that anyone may find handy to have in their house, such as water bottles, reusable shopping bags, stationary, and baking supplies. When you’re out shopping, try to look for these items in pastel colours

If you or your giftee like using bath and body care items or cosmetics, shop for soaps, bath bombs, makeup, and nail polish.

A pastel-coloured or floral or chocolate-scented soap or bath bomb can be a delightfully festive

ICONS BY FLATICON

DECORATIVE ITEMS

If you’re feeling ambitious and have the time, you could try making these treats yourself instead of buying them. Just be sure to ask about any dietary restrictions your recipient may have prior to gifting them any of these.

You want to make sure they are actually able to enjoy them!

ARRANGING EVERYTHING Use a pastel-coloured cloth, cardboard, or wooden storage container to put all of your gifts in. The benefit of using one of these and not a traditional woven Easter basket is that the design is more practical to use to store things afterwards. The handle of a woven basket makes it difficult to place just anywhere, but with a storage container you can tuck it under your bed or on a shelf.

For stuffing, opt for paper types instead of plastic to be a bit more environmentally friendly.

I hope that these suggestions will be helpful to anyone looking to treat their Easter-loving, adult-aged loved ones. Have fun assembling your baskets, and remember to spread peace and love to those around you as we all come out of hibernation this spring!

APRIL ISSUE | APRIL 202 2

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Five books to dive into this spring Welcome the new season with these tales of growth, renewal, and reflection LOREL DANIELOV

T

he sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the flowers are blooming … spring is here! In addition to having picnics, taking hikes, and gardening, why not also sit under a tree and dive into a new book?

Whether they are set in spring or explore themes of growth and renewal, here are some books that are perfect for springtime reading.

Absent In The Spring follows Joan Scudamore, who is stranded in a rest house in the middle of a desert after visiting her daughter in Iraq. She struggles with a retrospective battle where she is forced to confront her actions and the choices she has made. This book is an excellent choice if you are looking to jump into something deep and thought-provoking.

Absent In The Spring (1944)

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (2017)

Famed mystery author Agatha Christie wrote the tragic fiction novel Absent In The Spring under the pen name Mary Westmacott.

The novel encourages self-reflection and examines themes such as loneliness and growth, making it a great choice to welcome the season of fresh starts.

Maybe you’ve heard of this novel if you’ve been on TikTok in the last couple of months, or maybe you are just an avid Taylor Jenkins Reid fan like me who will seriously read anything she puts out.

This romance and histori-

THE ONTARION

cal fiction novel follows superstar Evelyn Hugo as she reveals her past to magazine reporter Monique Grant. You get to explore the complex life of a (fictional) Hollywood legend that is equal parts opulent and devastating right alongside Grant.

This is a compelling read with incredibly complex and diverse characters that will be perfect to enjoy on a sunny, spring day.

Seven Days In June (2021) Seven Days in June by Tia Williams is another fantastic fictional romance novel that deals with the gripes of navigating life as a young person. You follow Shane and Eva, two lovers connected through their experiences with pain and coping. This book takes a dive into struggles with addiction, illness, and the issues that people of colour face in the literary community.

Seven Days in June is an authentic and heartfelt novel that will leave you feeling a whirlwind of emotions. It is perfect for spring with its themes of second chances and fresh starts.

Geese Are Never Swans (2020)

Written by Eva Clark and Kobe Bryant, Geese Are Never Swans examines the painful relationship between a boy named Gus and his brother, Danny, who has recently passed away.

Gus’s love for swimming and his desire to make it to the Olympics results in a beautifully written, cautionary tale about the challenges of mental health and coping with loss. It is an emotional coming-of-age book that touches on a heavy but important topic, leaving the reader in a pensive mood perfect for the season’s change.

Such a Fun Age (2019) This book won its author, Kiley Reid, the Goodreads Choice Awards Best Debut Novel back in 2019.

Heavily nuanced and beautifully executed, Such a Fun Age follows Emira Tucker, a young black woman who has been wrongfully accused of kidnapping a white child. The novel details her life after the accusation and examines the struggles of growing up.

The book is an excellent reflection on performative activism and privilege and how it affects marginalized communities.

If you are looking to immerse

CREDIT: BLOOMSBURY PUBLISHING INC

yourself in something that will encourage you to reevaluate the state of our current society, then this is the book for you.

There is nothing like picking up a good book and taking a break from the real world for a while as you dive into an entirely new one.

Be sure to read something you enjoy to kick back and relax this spring!

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Another possible explanation for the holiday’s origins is the vernal equinox, which occurs on March 21. It is one of two days during the year when the sun is directly above the sky at noon, which splits the day into equal halves. This marks the beginning of spring, when nature ‘tricks’ people with its rapidly changing and unpredictable weather.

Today, countries worldwide generally celebrate April Fools’ Day with pranks, although there are a few regional variations.

In Scotland, April Fools’ is a two day affair. According to History.com, on the first day, or ‘Hunt the Gowk Day,’ unfortunate people are sent on endless errands.

This is then followed by the ‘Tailie day’ during which people are pranked with ‘kick me’ signs and fake tails stuck to their backs.

In Brazil, the day is called ‘Day of the Lie,’ reports Insider. com. In the United Kingdom, jokes are apparently only acceptable until midday, after which the prankster is considered the fool, states Independent.co.uk.

Sometimes companies join in on the fun too, including brands like Google, A&W, Pizza Hut and BBC, and they tend to go the extra mile to trick customers into believing their jokes.

Some companies and individuals have really gone above and beyond in their pranks over the years. Here are some of my favourites:

Spaghetti trees

The origin of April Fool’s Day may be contested, but that hasn’t slowed the long tradition of telling jokes and pulling pranks.

CREDIT: FREEPIK

What’s April Fools’ Day all about?

A look at the quirky, unofficial holiday’s origins and some of its most memorable pranks PAULA HENRY-DURU

T

o kick off the first full month of spring, we have April Fools’ Day, the annual custom that traditionally sees people pulling pranks on friends and family.

But how did the tradition of April Fools’ come to be? While there is no one definitive explana-

tion of its origins, there are a handful of possible events that may have birthed this hilarious holiday.

According to History.com, one event that is speculated to have given rise to this holiday was when France stopped using the Julian calendar in the 1560s and switched to the Gregorian calendar.

The Julian calendar cele-

brated the new year on April 1 while the Gregorian calendar recognized it as beginning on Jan. 1. After the switch, people who celebrated New Year’s Day on April 1st came to be known as ‘April fools.’ These people were pranked by having paper fish called ‘poisson d’avril’—meaning ‘April fish’—stuck to their back.

In 1957, the BBC ran a documentary showing spaghetti being harvested from trees in Switzerland. According to the BBC, viewers called in after watching the documentary to find out how they could grow their own spaghetti trees, to which they were allegedly told to “stick some spaghetti in a tin of chopped tomatoes and hope for the best.”

Matt Hart This Montreal resident has been playing pranks on his mother Bonnie for a number of years.

In separate interviews with CBC and CTV News, Bonnie has revealed that over the years Matt has put her house up for sale, thrown her a retirement party even though she hadn’t retired yet, and congratulated her in The Chronicle Herald newspaper for giving birth to twins even though she hadn’t.

A&W In line with COVID-19 prevention measures, A&W Canada announced the release of its very own onion ring-scented hand sanitizer on social media in 2021.

The comments on the posts made

19

it clear that customers loved the joke as it was a lighthearted way of pulling a timely and news-relevant prank.

ICONS BY FLATICON

However, while pranks on April Fools’ Day generally aim to be fun and lighthearted, a few have ended up doing more harm than good.

One such instance was in 2002 when some DJs in Kansas City announced that water in the local area had been poisoned by dihydrogen monoxide, which is the chemical name for water.

The joke did not go as planned.

According to the Dailystar.co.uk, residents panicked, called 911 and the water department, and talks arose of a possible terrorist threat.

Another prank gone wrong was one played by South-Korean singer Jaejoong on his fans. He joked last year that he had contracted COVID-19, which caused fans to become outraged as many people had lost loved ones due to COVID-19 and did not think it was appropriate to joke about.

BBC reported that he apologized soon after.

On this year’s April Fools’ Day, be careful with your pranks.

Many people are still reeling from the effects of the pandemic and not all pranks may be appropriate.

Some harmless pranks you could play on your loved ones may include changing the language settings on their device or TV, pretending they’ve forgotten the date of a ‘special’ event, or setting random alarms on their phone to go off throughout the day.

Above all, try to gauge people’s moods and their situation before pulling pranks, and if in doubt, perhaps skip April Fools’ Day this year and gear up for next year. Remember that some announcements you see on social media may be true, but some may just be in on the fun!

APRIL ISSUE | APRIL 202 2

20

THE ONTARION

In this photo, someone is lying on the floor but it looks like they are jumping very high. Experiment with angles when trying to take a photo like this.

CREDIT: UNSPLASH

How to create photo illusions

In this photo, the photographer had fun with clouds to portray a steaming drink. Use a small aperture when trying to take a photo like this.

CREDIT: PIXABAY

Trick your friends this April with some trippy photos NICOLAS BUCK

P

hotography comes in many forms and each photographer has their own unique style. There is no one way to take a photo, nor is there one way to look at a photo.

For a unique way to prank someone on April Fools’ Day, here are some tips on shooting optical illusions, also known as forced perspective photography.

Use a small aperture To create fun pictures, shoot with a smaller aperture. Aperture refers to how open the camera lens is and is measured in ‘fstops.’

A higher number fstop creates a smaller lens opening/aperture, which has 2 effects—less light is let in, which creates a darker image, and more of the picture is in focus.

When it comes to controlling the viewer's perspective of a photo, there are two aspects: the foreground and the background. Having a simple picture that doesn’t include unnecessary elements will catch your viewers’ attention on the main portion of your image.

In most cases, you want to make sure that every aspect of the photo is sharp. This way, the elements in the foreground and background feel like they are a part of one another.

 Experiment with angles To create misleading and confusing pictures, you need to focus on your angles. Creating an illusion can involve a switch in perspective that deceives a viewer into believing that an unnatural picture is natural.

Whether you take a shot from a low angle, overhead, or even with a tilt of your camera, you can successfully create an illusion. If the subject of the photo is a person, they can also help by posing in an abnormal position.

Conclusion The goal of your photo is to make the viewer wonder how you got the shot or make them question what is real. Using these techniques are sure to add unique effects to your photos and give you the chance to experiment with photography in fun and creative ways.

 Use photoshop Although the way you shoot can create misperception, an application such as Photoshop can do some heavy lifting as well.

First, take your initial picture with a small aperture to make sure everything is in focus. After that, the possibilities are endless; there are countless tutorials online that can guide you through a variety of effects. For example, you can make a road bend upwards or have a pond look like it's made of shattered glass.

GRAPHIC BY FREEPIK

A photo portraying an extreme drop on a road. This illusion was created in Photoshop by tweaking the white lines in a photo of a straight road.

CREDIT: UNSPLASH

ISSUE 192 .4 | ARTS & CULTURE

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21

ladders i am beginning to look at the stars

capitalist realism

heavenward ascended haze which fell and now i find hard pressed beneath the pavements face

she always dresses so cool

and its a private glory

dont know how she does it

to know the quiet story

im wearing a hoodie from high

and look to where

school

their backs are bare

smothered in paint and patience

the ladder set half-shaking

i am waiting for nothing

a leg slowly eaten through

but it always gets postponed

the collapse of the return

thought i might see something

to cloudless sky and blue

at least, a way home Br ay

these model moments stay

by Em

ily

in our heads and in our ways

t io

n

loving you with my body staring again that sacred gaze

u Ill

ra st

and each profane moment between

no space in us do we allot churn under the sun the field under the sun yourself sweat in the rows the dirt the yield more glory than heaven sent more glory than what god gives divine behind the tapestry weaved between your eyelids the ladder out of anomie

Noah Kozicki is a fourth year English student at the U of G.

nostalgia can be the blackest black a cruel way to waste your time

delaying futures where we drown anterograde amnesiac

streaming

old memories for the new we lack

inundated with streams of sound i cant seem to turn my mind down

atomic age and atomization

cause this one goes to eleven

find your creed make relations

but blue light works suppression

sonic annihilation, attention

always someone to praise your

subversion

opinions

not enough room in the back of my

swimming in internet streams of

never change grow or give in

mind

coercion

try i might, find it in my eyes

so you dont drown

hey its really okay

blue light dance on blue iris

in the stream of consciousness

we're all deluded anyway

enough sound and i might find

youre facing now

but to live you gotta pretend

silence

Poems by Noah Kozicki

with nothing real to find

always recycling the past now

with blue light and time shot doesnt have a thing to mean

looks like everyones lookin back

a leap of faith that this aint the end streams streams streams

just the start of something

sonic annihilation, attention

livestreams

wonderful

subversion

internet, consciousness, and glacier

with all the good so goes the terrible

swimming in internet streams of

dreams

beauty will go alongside sickness

coercion

the hurricanes wake the streams

war crimes will die with hot sex

so i dont drown

from their bed

in the stream of consciousness

while you let pretty streams play in

its all relative anyway

im facing now

your head

thats what the hippie girls say so im gonna start listenin

its the same as everything else

picture yourself a moth picture

vice-like when it comes to health

yourself a lamp

but theres so much danger in

picture yourself a goth dancing a

no mother will cry for her childs

thinking

tiktok dance

death

when empires and coastlines are

picture yourself a moth picture

no addict will try again for heavens

sinking

yourself a flame

crest

nose ring of authority glistenin

worship is attention and your gods

no one in hospice or dying alone

well the more and more things

are vain

we're all going together, coming

change

come to punish you with the flood in

home

pretty blue lights stay the same

your brain

always there for you at the end of

chemicals firing in diminishing

im digging a mass grave

the day

returns

and hosting a party

warms the bed for you where

like decreased concern with floods

id be glad if you came

nobody lays

and burns

its just about starting

SPORTS & HEALTH

22

24 & 25 | FOUR EAST ASIAN DESSERT RECIPES

Get your taste buds blooming: Four delicious edible flower recipes From pansies to lilacs, add a pop of colour to your favourite dishes ALYSSA MARKS

CREDIT: FREEPIK

T

o celebrate the arrival of spring and the annual regrowth of our ecosystems, here are four recipes that incorporate flowers. Simply take a quick trip to your garden and add a pop of colour to these delicious dishes.

These unique plates are suitable for desserts, appetizers, and snacks, and are almost too pretty to eat!

LILAC SCONES

Steps: 1.

2.

3.

Adapted from “Lilac Scones with Rhubarb Curd”

by Kitchen Vignettes When I think of springtime, the first thing that comes to mind are beautiful lilac trees in full bloom. Why not bring their lovely floral scent into the kitchen? Try these warm lilac scones with your tea or coffee while soaking up the morning sunshine.

Ingredients: • • • • • • • •

3 cups of all purpose, unbleached flour ⅓ cup of granulated sugar, plus more for sprinkling 2 ½ tsp of baking powder ½ tsp of baking soda ½ tsp of salt 12 tbsp of chilled salted butter 1 cup of full fat buttermilk, well shaken 1 cup of lilac blossoms

4.

5.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Cut the butter into small pieces and add to the mixture. Thoroughly mix the butter with your hands until the pieces are no larger than the size of a pea.

Add lilac blossoms to the mixture (no stems). Add the shaken buttermilk to the mixture and fold together until you can form a rough ball with the dough. Try to mix as little as possible.

Dust a clean surface with flour and roll out the mixture to a ½ inch of even thickness.

Cut into triangles and place on a greased baking sheet.

Sprinkle them with coarse sugar and add lilac blossoms for garnish.

Bake for 12 to 16 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Serve while warm.

Serve these lilac scones warm with butter or jam, and tea or coffee.

CREDIT: UNSPLASH

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BELLINI POPSICLES WITH EDIBLE FLOWERS

Adapted from “Spring Salad with Edible Flowers”

by The View from Great Island

As the weather begins to warm and the sun sets a little later, these peach popsicles are the perfect ode to the changing seasons.

This simple recipe embodies the growth and blossoming of springtime with colourful flowers and bright greens. You can add your own twist by incorporating your favourite ingredients into the mix. I chose to add heirloom tomatoes!

• • • • •

2 cups of soda water ½ cup of simple syrup ½ cup of lemon juice 2 peaches Edible flowers for garnish

Steps: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

STUFFED ZUCCHINI FLOWERS

Adapted from “Roasted Zucchini Flowers Stuffed with Bacon, Mushrooms, and Ricotta”

by White on Rice Couple These flavourful stuffed zucchini flowers are the perfect appetizer to share with your loved ones. The bright and tangy taste from the zucchini blossom combined with the creamy filling is the perfect concoction for springtime.

• • • • • • • •

12-14 zucchini blossoms (centre pistil or stamens removed) 4 slices of bacon 4 ounces of diced mushrooms 2 tsp of minced fresh rosemary ½ cup of ricotta 1 egg yolk Kosher salt to taste Black pepper to taste Olive oil for drizzling

Remove the pits from the peaches and chop finely. Puree the peaches in a blender until smooth, then strain through a fine mesh strainer.

Transfer the peach puree to a mixing bowl and add soda water, simple syrup, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.

Add the edible flowers to the popsicle moulds and pour the mixture into the moulds.

Place the moulds into the freezer and leave for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes have passed, take the moulds out and then add the popsicle sticks. Return the moulds to the freezer until they are fully frozen.

Release the popsicles by placing the moulds under warm water for a few seconds.

Ingredients: • • • •

2 cups of mixed spring greens 1 small sweet onion Edible flowers ¼ cup of dressing of your choice

Steps: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Peel and slice the onion into thin rounds. Remember to separate the rings!

Pour the dressing into a large salad bowl, then put the greens and onions into the bowl.

Scatter the edible flowers on top of the salad.

Toss and mix the salad right before serving.

GRAPHICS BY FLATICON & PIXABAY

Steps: 1.

2.

3.

Ingredients: •

SPRING SALAD WITH EDIBLE FLOWERS

Adapted from “Bellini Popsicles with Edible Flowers”

by HonestlyYum

Ingredients:

As the season begins to change and the weather becomes warmer, enjoy a floral bellini popsicle outside.

CREDIT: PEXELS

4.

5.

23

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking dish or line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Cook the bacon according to package instructions and remove from the pan. In that same pan, cook the mushrooms and rosemary for 3 to 5 minutes or until browned.

Remove from the pan and let cool for 10 minutes.

Cut the bacon into small pieces. Combine the bacon, ricotta, mushrooms, rosemary, and egg yolk. Add salt to taste.

Open the blossoms and stuff them with the mixture, approximately 1 to 2 tsp per blossom, depending on size.

Wrap the petals around the stuffing. Lay the flowers on the baking sheet and lightly drizzle them with olive oil.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve while warm.

Get into the spirit of re-growth with a fresh, spring salad that incorporates edible flowers.

CREDIT: PIXABAY

APRIL ISSUE | APRIL 202 2

24

THE ONTARION

Four East Asian dessert recipes to indulge in this month There’s nothing like sweet pudding and chewy mochi to help you make it to the end of the semester BRUBEY HU

A

s finals and graduation approach, you might be experiencing stress or anxiety.

An effective cure for me whenever I feel mentally-strained is to slow down and make a dessert! During the cooking process, my negative thoughts are gradually dissolved, and getting to enjoy the dessert once it is ready fuels my energy and motivation.

Here are four East Asian recipes I have learned over the years that are simple to make and use ingredients you can find in most Asian markets.

milk, egg whites, and sugar. In my version, I add red beans for some texture to complement the smoothness of the milk.

Ingredients: • • • • • •

Snow Fungus Soup is a refreshing soup that can be served warm or cold at breakfast or after dinner.

CREDIT: BRUBEY HU

Steps: 1.

2.

DOUBLE SKIN MILK WITH RED BEANS I first encountered this tasty, pudding-like dessert when I traveled to Hong Kong in middle school. Double Skin Milk is a famous Cantonese sweet dish that uses simple ingredients such as

500 ml whole milk 3 egg whites 3 tbsp white sugar ⅔ cup red beans 500 ml water Lemon juice (optional)

3.

Soak the red beans overnight.

Cook the beans with water on high heat. When the water begins to boil, turn to low heat then simmer for 50 minutes until the red beans are soft and falling apart. Filter the water out and mix the beans with some white sugar.

Pour milk into small bowls and cover with plastic wrap.

Place the bowls into a steamer pot and bring water to a

4.

5.

boil. Steam for 5 minutes and allow a layer of skin to form on top of the milk.

Take the bowls out of the steamer. Carefully flip up a corner of the milk’s skin and pour the milk into another bowl, being careful to leave the skin.

Mix the egg whites, sugar, and liquid milk together.

Add drops of lemon juice if

6.

7.

you don’t like the flavour of plain milk and mix well.

Pour the mixture back into the bowls with the skin using a strainer to make the dessert smoother and silkier. Make sure the mixture is under the milk skin!

Cover the bowls with plastic wrap again. Steam for about 15 minutes.

Add the red beans on top and

your dessert is done! Serve warm or cold.

SNOW FUNGUS SOUP This is my mother’s recipe and it is super easy and yummy!

When I was a kid, she usually made a large pot of this dessert soup for the family for breakfast or after dinner. This light soup leaves a refreshing feeling in the mouth. In my version, I add some soy milk for a smooth taste.

Serve it warm or cold—both ways are delicious.

Ingredients: • • • • • •

1 snow fungus 8 dry red dates 2 tbsp dried goji berries 2 tbsp rock sugar Milk (optional) Water

Steps: 1.

2.

3.

Double Skin Milk with Red Beans is a tasty, pudding-like dessert that uses simple ingredients such as milk, egg whites, and sugar.

CREDIT: CAN PAC SWIRE ON FLICKR LICENSED UNDER CC BY 2.0

4.

Soak the dry snow fungus in hot water until it’s soft. Cut the snow fungus into small pieces with scissors and trim off the dark yellow part.

Add water to a pot and bring it to a boil, then add in the snow fungus. Simmer for 40 minutes.

Stir the soup then add in red dates, goji berries, and rock sugar. Simmer for another 10 minutes. Make sure the rock sugar is completely dissolved.

The soup is done! Add in milk if you desire.

ISSUE 192 .4 | SPORTS & HEALTH

THEONTARION.COM

Coconut Mango Black Rice is a healthy, comforting, and gluten-free dessert option.

CREDIT: FOODIES FEED

COCONUT MANGO BLACK RICE

STRAWBERRY MOCHI

5.

Coconut milk and mango are a perfect match used in many Cantonese and Thai dishes. In addition, black rice is rich in antioxidants and naturally gluten-free.

What we have here is a healthy and comforting dessert option.

Mochi is a traditional chewy Japanese dessert with sweet bean paste fillings. In this version, I replace the filling with fresh strawberries to create a juicy and crisp texture. This good-looking dish is wonderful for a picnic or an afternoon tea—share it with your family and friends!

6.

Ingredients: • • • • • •

1 mango 1 cup of black rice 2 tbsp sugar ¾ cup coconut milk ¾ cup milk 1 ¼ tbsp condensed milk

Steps: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Wash the black rice and cook it with sugar using a rice cooker if you have one.

Dice the mango.

Mix the milk, coconut milk, and condensed milk together in a cup.

Put the cooked black rice in a bowl or deep plate. Add the diced mangos on top, then drizzle with the milk mixture.

Voila! Enjoy the different textures that mingle in your mouth.

7.

8.

wrap the strawberries.

While the mochi is hot, mix in the butter until melted.

Divide the mochi into 10 equal portions.

Flatten the mochi and use it to wrap an individual strawberry.

To prevent sticking, cover the mochi with shredded coconut. Enjoy!

Ingredients: • • • • • • • •

1 cup glutinous rice flour ¼ cup cornstarch 5 tbsp powdered sugar 160 ml water 1 tbsp butter 160 ml whole milk 10 strawberries Shredded coconut

Steps: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Clean the strawberries and remove the crown.

Mix the glutinous rice flour, corn starch, and powdered sugar with water in a bowl until there are no dry clumps.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and steam for 20 minutes.

Take the bowl out of the steamer. The mixture is the mochi that you will use to

Strawberry Mochi is a Japanese dessert that has a chewy outside and fresh strawberries inside.

CREDIT: TRANSPARENT REALITY ON FLICKR LICENSED UNDER CC BY 2.0

25

OPINION

26

THE ONTARION

The social media detox How to minimize your time online during periods of stress and uncertainty RACHEL FIORET

P

icture your daily morning routine: You wake up, check your social media, brush your teeth, get dressed, hop on the bus to campus, and then check your social media again. What’s the latest TikTok trend? Have any influencers posted since last night? You find yourself scrolling through an endless stream of new pictures and videos until it's time to head into class.

You walk into the lecture hall, connect to the Wi-Fi, and… check your social media again before class starts.

Social media has become a significant part of everyday life in modern society.

When making new friends, one of the first things we do is add them on Snapchat. After a fun day out, you might consider posting pictures on Instagram of that yummy pizza you ate for lunch or that artwork you admired at the museum. If you don’t consistently keep up with TikTok influencers, you might feel like you’re missing out on the trends.

Social media platforms have provided us with the opportunity for global communication, easy ways to connect with people, and simple ways to share the best—and worst—parts of life.

Although social media can be fun and the simplicity of online communication keeps people connected across the globe, it also poses many challenges for its users.

These days, there has been an influx of bad news and misinformation spreading across the internet, ranging from how many COVID-related deaths there are in your city to incorrect data about vaccines.

Thus, clicking the wrong link or reading too many posts regarding a stressful topic might leave you feeling sad and frustrated.

If you feel that the social media environment might be a source of negativity in your life, taking a break might help you improve your overall happiness. Here are a few ways you can spend your time instead of using social media:

For many of us, it can be hard to take a break from social media, even when we really need to.

But don’t worry, there are lots of ways to fend off boredom and keep in touch with loved ones without it.

CREDIT: UNSPLASH

• •

Brisson, Leis & Associates

OPTOMETRISTS

•

• •

Judith A. Brisson, O.D. P. Lynne Leis, O.D. Reita Thomas-Parel, O.D. Violet Zawada, O.D. Jianchang (Iris) Shen, Optometrist

•

•

Serving the U of G community for 40 years, we provide personalized eye care including comprehensive examinations, contact lenses and eyewear.

Exams available in English, French, Polish, Mandarin and Cantonese.

21 College Avenue West, Guelph (across from OVC) TEL (519) 822-2710 · FAX (519) 822-7877 www.eyesoncollege.ca · brisson.leis@rogers.com

Try a new hobby. This could be anything you find fun or interesting like bird watching or sewing.

Read a book. Focus on something you like without online distraction.

Spend time in nature. If you have a backyard or balcony, sit outside, get some fresh air, and observe the beauty of the natural world.

Go for a walk. This can help you clear your mind and feel more relaxed.

Write in a journal. Focus on yourself by writing about something that matters to you.

Spend time with the people you love. If there is a movie or game you all enjoy, watch or play it together and you’ll be guaranteed to feel happier.

Learn something new. Do research on a topic you’d love to learn more about.

Alternatives to social media Communication plays a vital role in society, and social media has provided us with a way to engage in it instantaneously.

Therefore, maintaining the ability to communicate with the people in your life is very important, even when detoxing from social media. When trying to stay in touch with people, consider these alternatives: • Send an email. Enjoy the ease of the internet while avoiding any social media outlets.

• Make a phone call. This is a great way to talk to someone and focus only on the conversation itself.

• Visit someone in person. Interact with people in real life without the distrac-

•

•

tion of your phone.

Send a letter. This is a chance to be mindful of every word you put down on paper. You can also exercise your creativity by including drawings, doodles, or stickers.

Arrange a Zoom call. Video chats are a great alternative to visiting someone in person, especially if distance is an issue or one of you is ill.

A personal social media journey I’ve always struggled using social media in a healthy way. I scroll through Instagram and automatically compare my life and how I look to others. This caused a lot of negativity in my life during high school, so when I moved to university, I decided to start a social media detox.

I started my detox by only allowing myself to go on popular apps for an hour a day, and with time, I found I was actually losing interest in social media altogether. After a year of working on this, I have successfully removed social media from my life (I have accounts, though the apps are not downloaded onto my phone) and I feel much happier! My time is now filled with activities that I find more meaningful, such as reading and journaling.

Even though I removed myself from social media, I don’t think that this is necessary to develop a healthier relationship with it. You can use social media daily and still enjoy it for its benefits. However, just be careful not to take anything on social media too seriously, and remember to always put your own mental wellbeing first!

THEONTARION.COM

FUN STUFF

29 | APRIL TO-DO LIST

30 | #IWRITETHEONTARION

easy CROSSWORD

27

30 | PETS OF THE MONTH

BOB’S DOGS CROSSWORD CONTEST For your chance to win two Bob’s dogs and two pops, just complete an EASY crossword, snap a picture, and send it to puzzles@theontarion.com by April 20th at 3 p.m. Winners and anyone else who fills in the crossword correctly are announced in each issue. Winners can arrange a physically distanced pickup of their voucher by emailing the same address.

MEDIUM CROSSWORD Down

1- Scarlett's home 5- Crazed 10- Ballet bend 14- I've Got ___ in Kalamazoo 15- Oldsmobile model 16- Drum sound 17- Time to give up 18- Replay option 19- Bothers 20- Republic in S South America 22- Pernod flavouring 23- Caviar 24- CPR giver 25- Rapid in tempo 29- Wave catcher 33- Emerson's middle name 34- Tore 36- Gad about 37- Doc bloc 38- Bridge positions 39- A mean Amin 40- Super Bowl XXXIV champs 42- It's got you covered 43- Sausalito's county 45- Previous monetary unit of Greece 47- Spartan 49- Employment 50- Cabinet dept.

51- Singer Bonnie 54- Projecting tooth 60- ___ Misbehavin’ 61- "Our Gang" girl 62- Entreaty 63- Hero 64- Fire 65- Listen to 66- Sand hill by the sea 67- Riyadh resident 68- Baseball's "Walking Man" Eddie

1- Currency unit in Western Samoa 2- Ripening agent 3- Pealed 4- Changed 5- Owner of a slave 6- ___ I want for Christmas...

7- Dodge model 8- Cookbook writer Rombauer 9- Dove sound 10- Computer adjunct 11- Actress Singer 12- Sorts 13- Anything ___?

21- Cancelled 22- Invoice abbr.

24- Goals 25- Give merit 26- Truman's Missouri birthplace 27- Alpaca's cousin 28- Honshu port 29- MetLife competitor 30- Bête ___ 31- Low point 32- Nitrogen compound 35- Letter before omega 38- Salinger girl 41- Coal bucket 43- High-ranking NCO 44- Wasting away 46- DDE's predecessor 48- Naked-faced Amazon monkey 51- Sudden assault 52- West Wing worker 53- Hip to 54- Silents star Theda 55- Pakistani language 56- Lump of dirt 57- Yellow spread 58- Afternoon affairs 59- Mature male European red deer 61- ___ Kapital

Last issue’s winning puzzle was submitted by

David Wee

We also received correct submissions from Sean Lloyd and Daisy Duong.

Better luck next time!t

39- K-6 41- Saturn or Mercury 42- At any time 43- Tending to devastate 48- Abby's twin 49- First name in whodunits 50- Name on a bomber 52- London art gallery 54- Cavern 57- Make a lap 60- Endure 62- Japanese mat 64- Every sixty minutes 66- Made tighter 68- Author Calvino 69- Gen. Robert ___ 70- New Year's word 71- Long-tailed parrot 72- Prophet 73- Soviet news service

Across 1- PBS science series 5- "Give that ____ cigar!"

9- Sponge gently 14- Just ___!

15- Be that ___ may...

16- Delight 17- Long drawers with fancy trimming 19- Seizes with teeth 20- Self-centered person 21- Dynamic beginning 23- Worked (up) 24- Chewed the scenery 26- River in central Switzerland 28- Japanese-American 30- Title for a woman 34- Actor Chaney 37- Erotic attraction to corpses

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1- Neck part 2- Missouri feeder 3- Poisonous fluid 4- Director's shout 5- The ___ Falcon 6- Enzyme ending 7- Actress Talbot 8- Baffled 9- Prophetess of Israel 10- Poetic pugilist 11- It's drawn in a lavatory 12- Suit to ___ 13- Assay 18- Sean of "The Lord of the Rings" 22- Freeway access 25- Bing Crosby's record label 27- "What I Am" singer Brickell 29- Fit to be tied 31- Edison's middle name 32- Appearance 33- Make 34- Mother of Helen of Troy 35- Designer Cassini 36- St. Petersburg's river 38- Rubber gasket 40- Damon of "Good Will Hunting" 44- Lacking depth 45- Cheerio!

46- Winter wind 47- Brag 51- Bear witness 53- Adlai's running mate 55- Country singer Tucker 56- Portents 57- Leveling wedge 58- Very small quantity 59- ___ II (razor brand) 61- Mah-jongg piece 63- Bad day for Caesar 65- Menu words 67- Golly!

SUDOKU ANSWERS FROM ISSUE 192.3

28

FUN PAGE

FUN STUFF | A PR I L 202 2

1 Blues singer James 5 Buckeye State 9 Alert 14 Captain of the Pequod 15 Drum sound; 16 Wand 17 Basic monetary unit of Ghana 18 Part of an archipelago 19 Muzzle 20 Earphone 22 Loathing 24 Book of the Bible 26 Man-mouse connector 27 Diacritic mark 30 Convict 35 Lott of Mississippi 36 Predictive sign 37 Peter Gunn's girlfriend 38 Last: Abbr.

39 Odious 42 Compass pt.

43 Country singer McEntire 45 Russian pancake 46 Abyss 48 Unnecessary 50 Rubs out 51 Make public

hard CROSSWORD

21 Compass point 23 Horn-shaped bone 25 Writer of religious songs 27 Complete reversal 28 1957 hit for the Bobbettes 29 Do not disturb 31 Long time 32 Thoughts 33 Dentist's directive 34 Judges 36 Painter's medium 40 "I Hated, Hated, Hated This Movie" author 41 Beat it!

44 Unyielding 47 Yokel 49 Go between 50 Draws forth 53 Body of salt water 54 Loads 55 The ___ Valley is a Californian wineland 56 Supermodel Sastre 57 Actor Morales 59 Illustrious warrior 60 Fine things 61 Misfortunes; 64 Arafat's org.

52 Now 54 Give life to 58 Gratuity 62 Hawaiian island 63 Blueprint detail 65 Architect Saarinen 66 Goes into business 67 Wings 68 Harper's Bazaar illustrator 69 Try 70 Charged particles 71 Crash wherever convenient

Across

Down 1 Per 2 How you used to be?

3 I did it!

4 Ivory Coast's largest city 5 Familiarize 6 Plantain lily 7 Off one's feed 8 Corrida cheers 9 Utterly senseless 10 One who aspires 11 Like ___ of bricks 12 Womanizer 13 ___'acte

THE ONTARION

SUDOKU

EASY

HARD

Fill in the empty squares so that each of the digits 1 through 9 appear once in each row, column, and 3-by-3 block.

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CROSSWORD ANSWERS FROM ISSUE 192.3

ISSUE 192 .4 | FUN STUFF

THEONTARION.COM

29

APRIL TO-DO LIST Disclaimer: The events listed are happening as of March 30, 2022.

Ap ril SU N M O N TU E WE D TH U

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APR 5

APR 8-9

APR 22

Take a Paws By: Take a Paws Looking for a break from studying and a chance to meet some furry friends? Well look no further!

Join Take a Paws in the Athletics Centre to hang out with some cute therapy dogs from St. John Ambulance.

5 p.m to 6 p.m. / Athletics Centre / Free / RSVP via GryphLife

Witches Night In - Pop-Up Event By: The Creative Market You don’t want to miss our biggest event of the year! There will be over 40 vendors, a DJ, tarot card readers, a healing arts space, crystals, candles, self-care products, and more! The first 30 people get swag bags, and there is a giant prize to win!

April 8 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. and April 9 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. / Victoria Park East Golf Club / Free admission

Mo Heart Live in Guelph at the Guelph Concert Theatre!

By: Doll Haus Events Doll Haus Events is thrilled to present Mo Heart from RuPaul's Drag Race and RuPaul's Drag Race Allstars! Along with Mo, we are thrilled to feature Makayla Walker Louboutin along with Tash Riot, Anne Tique Doll, Ultraviolet, Karma Kameleon and Crystal Quartz.

7 p.m. / Guelph Concert Theatre / Tickets $30-$80 via Eventbrite

GRAPHICS BY FLATICON & PIXABAY

APR 7

APR 1 - 3 Freaky Friday the Musical By: Curtain Call Productions A hardworking and stressed out mother swaps bodies with her rebellious teenage daughter. They have 24 hours to swap back to their original bodies before everything goes wrong. Throughout the story, the characters realize just how difficult living each other's lives is and begin to believe in personal acceptance, growth, and a pure mother-daughter bond.

This musical is an all in one comedy and wholehearted family show to be enjoyed by all.

April 1-3 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., April 2 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. / U of G’s War Memorial Hall / Tickets $22.23 via Eventbrite

APR 2 Soul: Gryphon Dance Pak Annual Showcase By: Gryphon’s Dance Pak Join us to celebrate the hard work of the Gryphon’s Dance Pak. Our annual showcase “Soul” is a representation of our love for dance, and our perseverance throughout the last couple of years of uncertainty.

7 p.m. / River Run Centre / Tickets $25-$35 via riverrun.ca

The 2022 Last Lecture By: Student Experience “The Last Lecture” offers graduating students of the Class of 2021 an opportunity to come together and reflect upon their experiences at the University of Guelph, bring closure to the time that they have spent there, and to celebrate their many accomplishments both inside and outside of the classroom. This annual event features an address by a graduating student, a distinguished member of the alumni family, and a faculty member.

5:30 to 6:30 p.m. / Location TBD / Free

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APR 5

APR 8

Romeo & Juliet – Canada’s Ballet Jörgen By: River Run Centre Choreographer Bengt Jörgen masterfully transforms Shakespeare’s tale of love, anguish, and revenge into the magical world of ballet.

Featuring visually stunning sets, outstanding costumes, and worldclass performers, Ballet Jörgen’s acclaimed Romeo & Juliet is an emotional journey into a timeless classic.

7:30 p.m. / River Run Centre / Tickets $25-$45 via riverrun.ca

Prom Night Under the Stars By: Guelph Black Students Association The Guelph Black Students Association, Caribbean Culture Club, and The African Students Association are hosting their long-awaited annual formal. This year’s theme is prom night under the stars. Bring your friends and dress to impress at this event celebrating Black life, culture, and excellence.

7 p.m. to 11 p.m. / Cutten Fields / Tickets $30-$35 via Eventbrite

*Some restrictions apply

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APRIL ISSUE | FUN STUFF

THE ONTARION

#IWRITETHEONTARION Alyssa Marks Editorial assistant for The Ontarion Honours political science major, sociology minor Graduating class of 2022

What do you like the most about working for The Ontarion?

Working with The Ontarion gives me the opportunity to stay updated on what's happening in the Guelph community, while also giving me the creative freedom to write about things I am passionate about.

What's your favourite thing you have written for The Ontarion?

One of my favourite stories I have written was the Feminist International Assistance Program article with U of G researcher Jacqueline Potvin. I learned a lot by speaking with Dr. Potvin, and since I am a political science major, the topic was right up my alley.

I also enjoyed writing an article about One Million Trees, a documentary about the Canadian tree planting industry. It was interesting talking with the director Everett Bumstead about both the film industry and tree planting, two things I never really knew about before this.

What's your favorite thing about the Guelph community?

I like how Guelph is a city but feels like a small town. It is a communityoriented city that embraces local creators and artisans with its weekly markets and fun-filled events. There is always something to see and do in Guelph!

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

I've attended over 50 concerts so far!

Velveteen

PET OF THE MONTH

Hank Human: Rachel Fioret, volunteer Breed: Satin Rex Pets Age: 8 Fun Fact: She loves to hop in the garden and eat dandelions.

PET OF THE MONTH

PET OF THE MONTH

Human: Alyssa Marks, editorial assistant Breed: Border collie sheltie mix Pets Age: 15 Fun Fact: He was born with an extra toe.

Hobbes Human: Emily Bray, editorial assistant Breed: Domestic shorthair Pets Age: 3 Fun Fact: His favourite activity is being picked up and held upside-down.

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