The Ontarion - 199.3

3. Auctioning for hope: Brunch at the Arboretum to support local charities and uplift the community

4. U of G student making youth basketball dreams come true Celebrating Remembrance Day in 2025

5. A voice for the voiceless

6. U of G alumni brings volunteer poppy project to Guelph

7. ‘Direct attack on the autonomy of universities,’ MPP Mike Schreiner speaks out against Bill 33 at CSA town hall

8. DNA barcoding at U of G to rework understanding of species interactions

9. The Black-Owned Vendor Market returns to campus

10. Experts gather in Guelph to explore the future of AI in food and agriculture

11. Busy Reading: Translating science with storytelling

12. Leaves, lattes, and Luke’s Diner Junk journaling: Bringing new meaning to unloved materials

13. Lights, language, and resistance

14. Historical reenactment lecture with Tom Fournier

15. Decluttering your tech (and your life)

16. The Wild Writers Literary Festival returns to Waterloo

17. The Zemlinsky Quartet offers Guelph a new sound in string music

18. Where stories meet the city: The Guelph Film Festival returns

19. Step into the 'bazaar' world of the Aberfoyle Antique Market

20. Sister-led band The Lifers tour in support of new album Honesty

21. Make tea your next blend with benefits

22. The hidden gem of Zavitz Hall

23. Fans and critics are conflicted—is it a Showgirl autumn?

24 & 25. FEATURE STORY: Gaels clip Gryphons’ wings in tough loss at homecoming

26. A typical Wednesday night at The Bullring Silent Hill f

27. 'Survivance' and decolonizing conservation through art

28. Crystal Labeija's ballroom

29. Soft Internet Theory, an Art Gallery of Guelph exhibition review

30. The Butter Tart Festival whisked up a taste of home

31. Real men don’t cry? Exploring the significance of Movember HK5K runs like clockwork

32. Guelph women’s volleyball team dominates in pre-season home game

33. Guelph women’s hockey team defeats Laurier 2-1 to open season on Aggies Night

34. Chatbot therapy: Should AI be up in your feelings? Student recipe corner

35. Sweater weather meals to fall for

36. Local produce: It's not over until it’s over

37. Battling a case of senioritis?

38. The Guelph Guru Series: Breathwork and being

Auctioning for hope: Brunch at the Arboretum to support local charities and uplift the community

The Rotary Club of Guelph South held its third annual fundraiser brunch

ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY

On Oct. 5, the Rotary Club of Guelph South hosted its third annual fundraiser brunch.

The event consisted of a series of live and silent auctions to generate donations to various local charities, and was hosted at the University of Guelph’s Arboretum. The charities involved were Amarok Society Start with Mothers, Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis, Kidsability Guelph, Royal City Mission, and Supporting Every Eve’s Daughter Safely (SEEDS).

There were over 100 people in attendance, including District Governor Susanne Zbinden. Members of the community, local and abroad, coalesced for an afternoon of fostering support for charities, all brought together by their will to help others and

ABBY COUNAHAN

drive change.

The silent auction was held in the background where individuals could place bids on various items. The bidding was open for the duration of the event, and anything that was not sold would be repurposed for the next event.

After brunch was served, opening remarks were made by a member from each charity to give an overview of who their demographic is and what measures are taken to support them. Each of these speeches captivated the audience by touching hearts and opening minds to the reality of several different humanitarian crises occurring both within and outside of the community.

The live auction that followed consisted of a wide range of monetary donations that individuals could bid on to support

the needs of each charity. The auction included communications software for children with disabilities, to support Kidsability; educational resources for the Amarok Society; meals for Royal City Mission; and various resources to support survivors for SEEDS and Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis.

The event brought in over $30,000, with each charity receiving a total donation ranging from $7,100 to $9,500 depending on the amounts pledged.

The Ontarion had the opportunity to speak with some of the representatives from these charities.

Executive Director of Royal City Mission, Kevin Coghill, said that the organization is most commonly known for providing two meals a day to people in need. On Sep. 10, the organization served its 50,000th meal of the year.

“It’s a place for people to come and get out of the cold, grab a meal and build community,” Coghill said.

Founder of SEEDS, Laura Ross, said that the role of her organization is to work with survivors of human trafficking by providing a home for survivors during their year-long program. This program provides women with an array of services that help them to navigate traumatic experiences, and successfully integrate back into the community.

Ross outlined a specific aspect of these services: “Today, we’re looking to ask for funds for counseling, particularly for accelerated resolution therapy.”

Both Coghill and Ross expressed immense gratitude towards the Rotary Club of Guelph

South, particularly for their generosity in supporting these organizations.

Longtime member of the Rotary Club of Guelph South, Treasurer, and Chair of Brunch at the Arboretum, Celia Clark, said that the main role of the club is to help fundraise for charities and deliver educational initiatives. Clark was bidding $2,000 donations for each charity on behalf of the Rotary Club.

In addition to holding four main fundraising events each year, Clark described other ways that the club supports charities throughout the year.

“At Christmas last year, we made up bags for Chalmers,” Clark said. “We [also] made up bags for Royal City Mission, and we also participated in Handbags for Hope, which is an organi-

zation that collects people’s old handbags, fills them with goodies, tampons, and things like that, and gives them out to the homeless, and some were even given out to Women in Crisis.”

On getting involved with the club, Clark said “we are always looking for new, younger members.”

If you are interested in getting involved with Rotary, consider becoming a Rotaract member. Rotaract Guelph is a Rotary Club partner on campus, and they hold meetings every Monday at 6 p.m. in SSC 1304. You can find more information on their Instagram, @rotaractguelph.

If you are interested in getting involved with a charity, be sure to visit their website and look at their volunteer opportunities.

The event's patrons were treated to good food and the chance to help a good cause.

Members local and abroad coalesced for an afternoon of fostering support for charities.

The Rotary Club of Guelph South raised over $30,000 through this event.

U of G student making youth basketball dreams come true

Ismail Hassan, co-founder of Dribble Dreams Foundation, hopes to “inspire people through basketball”

KYLE SALTER

The Dribble Dreams Foundation was founded in part by Ismail Hassan, an undergraduate student at the University of Guelph. Hassan co-founded the non-profit to help remove socio-economic barriers for children in need.

The non-profit originally began in Hassan’s home town of Milton. Since then, the foundation

has expanded internationally to reach students in Kenya and plans to expand to Uganda this December.

The organization seeks to provide a learning opportunity for underprivileged children by giving them the structure and benefits of a sports camp, without the financial barriers that are normally as-

sociated with such programs. The camp also includes workshops that teach valuable life skills such as time management, teamwork and leadership.

In an interview with The Ontarion, Hassan spoke about how the non-profit has been able to help more than 600 children and youth in the three years it has been running. The organization began through a GoFundMe campaign, where they were able to raise enough money to pay for the space required to run their first camp in Milton.

The first camp offered spaces to 50 local children, which they were able to later expand thanks to a grant from Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart program, as well as donations

Celebrating Remembrance Day in 2025

What does it mean to remember?

SARAH D’AVILA ALEMAN

Every year on Nov. 11, people around the world gather to pay tribute to all those who served in the First World War, and to answer the question: what does it mean to remember?

The First World War was over 100 years ago now, but time does not hinder its significance. Remembrance Day is a day to recognize the peace that has come since the end of the Second World War, and to learn from history to prevent future conflicts.

Canada is a country with a long-standing tradition of peacekeeping. While this may seem commonplace, it is vital that we acknowledge the history of those who sacrificed their lives to ensure peace in our country.

Traces of history from the First World War lives on throughout countries around the world, and can even be found within our campus community at the University of Guelph.

Opened in June 1924, War Memorial Hall is a symbol that has

been preserved for over 100 years to memorialize the lives lost during the First World War, and to remind us of the harsh reality of war. It was designed by Harry Reginald Coales and Bernard Dangerfield, and proudly displays two bronze plaques that pay tribute to the 109 students that were drafted in the war and lost their lives.

McCrae House is another local landmark that works to preserve the memory of soldiers from the First World War. Specifically, it honours the life of John McCrae, a Guelph-born soldier best known for writing the famous war memorial poem “In Flanders Fields.” Today, the poem continues to be recited around the world to remember the sacrifice of millions of soldiers.

The poem also explains why

from local businesses.

Hassan’s motivation to start the non-profit stemmed from his youth. His own experience in sports was positively influenced by his coaches, who Hassan said “saw him as a person, more than just a player.”

Hassan said basketball has since become a “vessel to give back to others” and he hopes to pay forward the mentorship he had in his youth. Hassan also said he thinks that the skills developed in basketball that are carried off the court are the most important to him.

In 2024, the Dribble Dreams Foundation held their first international camp in Nairobi, Kenya. This camp provided a week of basketball training and leadership

workshops to over 50 youth members. They were also able to offer school supplies and hygiene products to the youth members, thanks to contributions from the University of Guelph.

If you are interested in getting involved, Dribble Dreams Foundation is always seeking more volunteers. They provide a great opportunity to explore all sorts of skills: marketing, program operations and opportunities to volunteer abroad at their international camps. The Dribble Dreams Foundation plans to expand to a new country each year.

You can find more information on their website, dribbledreams.ca or on Instagram @dribbledreamsfoundation.

the poppy has become a symbol of remembrance for those who died in service. The bright red flower, growing amidst the rubble and devastation of the battlefields, represents both resilience and loss.

This November, take a moment to truly understand why the poppy is worn. Reflect on the courage and sacrifices of those who came before us, and remember that peace is not something to take for granted. Remembrance Day is not only about looking back, but also about looking forward in a way to

ensure that the lessons of the past guide us to a peaceful future.

Dribble Dreams members pose for their photo. Photo provided by Dribble Dreams

Serving Scholars march toward War Memorial Hall during 2024’s Remembrance Day ceremony. Photo credit: Aditya Parameswaran

A Dribble Dreams volunteer passes a ball back and forth with a student. Photo provided by Dribble Dreams

A Serving Scholar stands somberly at War Memorial Hall during 2024’s Remembrance Day ceremony. Photo credit: Aditya Parameswaran

A Serving Scholar provides a speech in Branion Plaza during 2024’s Remembrance Day Ceremony. Photo credit: Aditya Parameswaran

A voice for the voiceless

Wrongful Conviction Day advocates for system reform

ARTICLE BY MANZIL GROVER & PHOTOS BY ADITYA PARAMESWARAN

When the innocent are betrayed by their own justice system, where do they go next? When justice is served after facing years of struggles and hardships, what faith can they possibly retain in the very judiciary that failed them? These words echo deeply with people who have spent years, or even decades, wrongfully convicted of crimes they did not commit.

A wrongful conviction occurs when an innocent person is condemned for a crime they did not commit. In most cases, wrongful convictions are likely to remain undetected, making it difficult to infer the exact number of wrongful convictions in Canada. Over the past several decades, there have been efforts to detect such cases, however, the known cases are only the “tip of the iceberg” in uncovering a system that struggles to recognize its own failings.

Each year on Oct. 2, the world observes International Wrongful Conviction Day. It is a day dedicated to honour all those who were wrongfully convicted and acknowledge the profound courage they have carried with them during their fight for justice.

This day offers awareness and opportunity amongst citizens to listen to and remember the names of those silenced behind bars. It is a day to recognize the cascading hardships that flow from such wrongful convictions, as they not only represent a miscarriage of the jurisprudential system, but the irrevocable damage caused to the lives of the individuals and their loved ones.

For decades, the University of Guelph has had the honour of

welcoming several Canadian exonerees to our campus. These are individuals whose stories bring awareness to the fragility and resilience of justice.

This past Oct. 16, the university hosted Brian Anderson, an exoneree and an innocent man proven guilty for a crime he never committed. Hosting such events is imperative for students and their broader community to reflect, question and contemplate the workings of our judiciary. The Ontarion spoke with Carolyn Yule, U of G professor and director of the Criminal Justice and Public Policy program.

“For years, many exonerees proclaimed their innocence and were met with silence, disbelief or indifference. It is essential that we create space for them to share their stories—in their own voices and on their own terms,” Yule said.

“Our students are the next generation of legal professionals, researchers, policymakers and advocates. Listening to stories from exonerees like Brian Anderson is more than a lesson in law or procedure. It is a reminder of the real human cost of injustice, and a call to action. The future of justice depends on what our students do with this information.”

Anderson’s story dates back to 1973, when he was a young boy from the Pinaymootang First Nation who had just moved to Winnipeg from the Fairford Indian Reserve with no criminal record.

One day, his future was abruptly stolen when he was charged with the brutal murder of a man who was killed by unknown assailants on the streets of Winnipeg.

Anderson and his friend

were not present at the scene of the murder. Nevertheless, they were arrested and forced by the police to sign a false confession. They faced trial for murder before an all-white jury. In 1974, they were convicted of murder and sent to prison for life. Anderson’s wrongful conviction was due to systemic errors and racial discrimination.

Decades later, Anderson heard about Innocence Canada, a national non-profit organization that works to overturn wrongful convictions. The organization gives the voiceless a platform to reclaim their stories of struggle, hardship and sheer courage.

Today, Anderson and his friend have worked towards exoneration and stand as living testaments of resilience. After 50 long years, their wrongful convictions for murder have finally been quashed, and a new trial has been ordered.

Win Wahrer, co-founder of Innocence Canada, shared that people must always hold on to their drive and passion and never stop pursuing what they believe in. Most people know what the right thing is, but it’s the unwavering commitment to act on that truth, with all the passion they carry, that truly makes a difference.

International Wrongful Conviction Day aims to bring the true measure of a just society to life—by reflecting not on how the justice system punishes the guilty, but how it protects the innocent.

Anderson speaks to students about his experiences with the Canadian Legal System.

A student asks Anderson a question.

Caroline Yule opens the lecture.

Anderson accepts a token of the university's appreciation.

The event brought a strong turnout of U of G students.

U of G alumni brings volunteer poppy project to Guelph

The community art project will be displayed across campus for Remembrance Day, most prominently at War Memorial Hall

ARTICLE & PHOTOS PAIGE FIRMAN

Retired teacher and two-time graduate of the University of Guelph, Linda Adams, knows how to bring the Guelph community together.

Adams started the volunteer poppy project in the village of Elora a few years ago. She wanted to bring the community together and create something that can be used and built on for years to come.

Adams and Melissa Woo hosted four workshops across campus starting back in August. These workshops taught individuals with all levels of experience how to crochet or knit poppies. Over 80 participants—encompassing U of G staff, students and alumni—came out to the in-person workshops, and an additional 50 take-home poppy kits circulated around cam-

pus with many yarn refills. Their goal was to create 5,000 poppies for the installation.

People of all ages have come together to slowly create this community art project. Each poppy takes about 30 minutes to complete for experienced crocheters, and over an hour for the dedicated newcomers. Adams and Woo took the time to walk folks through each step of the process and teach these new skills.

The initiative was pitched as a wellness project, and the workshops and materials were funded by a Wellness@Work grant. Participants shared that they felt calmer, more connected and spent less time on their phones while crafting.

Much of the yarn was donated to Adams and reused from old projects or stashes. Poppies were dropped off at the Alumni House and other collection spots across campus until Oct. 1, where they were sorted, counted and stitched together.

A community project through and through, the Guelph Cadets and Girl Guide Rangers Guelph, along with U of G students and staff, all helped attach the poppies to the netting for both the indoor and outdoor displays.

As the daughter of two Sec-

ond World War veterans, with both her son and son-in-law graduating from the Royal Military College, Adams understands the significance of the poppy and hopes to share its symbolism of peace and remembrance on a larger scale. Made more powerful by the many hands who came together to create this work of art, her mothers’ views of leaving the world better than you found it shine through. Adams says this project has reconnected her with friends, and has done an excellent job of bringing people together. When asked “Why the poppy?,” Adams has many reasons.

“The poppy is an important avenue of connection and community across the world, a symbol of peace, respect and remembrance.” Adams has brought people together with patience and respect. No question is too small, and every effort is appreciated. The poppy displays will be exhibited in the Albert A. Thornbrough building, the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics and the Alumni House, with the largest display at War Memorial Hall. For more information on poppies and what you can do to help, Adams encourages people to visit mypoppy.ca

Crocheted poppies placed in a line.

Yarn and crochet hooks ready for volunteers to craft them into poppies.

Linda Adams, the event’s crochet instructor, assists a volunteer.

‘Direct attack on the autonomy of universities,’ MPP Mike Schreiner speaks out against Bill 33 at CSA town hall

Student representatives agree the bill makes education less accessible

ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY EMMERSON JULL

On Oct. 7, the Central Student Association (CSA) hosted a town hall with Guelph Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Mike Schreiner and union representatives to hear from students on Bill 33, the Supporting Children and Students Act. The bill proposes wide-ranging changes to child, youth and family services and Ontario’s education system.

Representatives from Interhall Council, the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario (CFS-Ontario), and CUPE 3913, the union for teaching assistants and sessional lecturers at U of G, sat on the panel with Schreiner.

Schreiner spoke with The Ontarion and outlined his concerns with Bill 33.

“I think it has significant threats to the quality of K-12 education as well as post secondary education,” Schreiner said. “It takes away from local democracy.”

He plans to oppose the bill at Queen’s Park when the legislature resumes on Oct. 20.

“I'm going to be standing up saying, you know, hey, let's properly fund schools, whether it's K to 12 or post secondary, instead of attacking school board trustees or

students who are just trying to do their job to provide services and supports,” Schreiner said.

The Supporting Children and Students Act aims to increase government oversight of Ontario’s public school boards, children’s aid societies and postsecondary education.

The bill would result in increased government regulation of student fees, and ensure publicly assisted colleges and universities have “clearly outlined, merit-based admissions policies,” according to a provincial news release.

It would also increase government oversight into public school board finances, and require them to collaborate with local police services to implement School Resource Officer (SRO) programs.

Bill 33 on ancillary student fees

On the surface, regulating student fees seems like a solution to the high cost of postsecondary education in Ontario. However, Omar Mousa, the National Executive Representative for CFS-Ontario, believes this attack on student fees is simply a distraction from

the province’s chronic underfunding of colleges and universities.

“The reason why we're seeing education become so much more inaccessible, with financial barriers, is because of the lack of funding in education,” Mousa said.

When students pay their semesterly fees, ancillary fees are a compulsory, built-in portion in addition to the cost of tuition. At U of G, ancillary fees differ for undergraduate, graduate and diploma students, and new fees are added based on democratic referendums. According to the Office of Registrarial Services website, Guelph campus students fund 65 initiatives with their ancillary fees.

Ancillary fees are responsible for funding many services administered by the CSA, including student health and dental plans, the student bus pass, Guelph Student FoodBank, Menstrual Hygiene Initiative, SafeWalk and over 130 CSA clubs.

Schreiner is concerned that provincial regulation of student fees will lead to cuts that significantly impact student wellbeing.

“I think it's going to have a negative impact on U of G students because it's really a direct threat to the services that student fees provide, whether it's food bank, mental health services, athletic services, and so that's one of the reasons I'm opposing this bill,” Schreiner said.

Similarly, Mousa said “The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario is vehemently against this bill, and we are urging for this bill, in its entirety, to not pass.”

Bill 33 requiring “merit-based admissions”

Bill 33 would also require universities to use “merit-based admissions,” although the province is unclear on how they define “merit-based.”

Presently, admissions decisions are made with consideration to both merit and equity. Panelists were troubled by the implication that the government would attack practices that improve ac-

Schreiner was frustrated that the bill encroaches upon the autonomy of school boards.

“I think it is, once again, an unprecedented power grab by the province to impose the Premier's way of doing things,” Schreiner said.

“Let me just be clear here, we do not support any sort of police on campus, police in schools, anything like that,” Mousa said, on behalf of CFS-Ontario. “We know, more often than not, police will be targeting marginalized, racialized, Black, Indigenous students more than anyone else.”

cess to education for equity-seeking groups.

In an online statement, Nate Broughton, president of the CSA, said “Equity-based admissions are not a threat to academic excellence – they are a condition of it.”

The CSA is concerned that Bill 33’s changes to admissions practices would lead to further exclusion of Black, Indigenous, racialized, disabled and first-generation students.

“We cannot allow a vague policy on ‘merit’ to be used as a backdoor attack on access and inclusion,” Broughton said.

Bill 33 on security in public schools

In 2020, the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) put forward a task force to gather staff, student and community feedback on the role of policing in UGDSB schools. Following seven recommendations from the task force, UGSDB members voted to discontinue the SRO program in April 2021.

Although school board members are publicly elected officials, Bill 33 would revoke their autonomy, and mandate the SRO program to be reinstated.

At the CSA town hall, panelists were concerned that this requirement would have negative implications for equity in Ontario’s public education system.

Overall, panelists were worried that Bill 33 makes education less accessible and equitable at every level.

Grace Goderre, the Vice-President External of CUPE 3913, said “Once again, this is something that is slid in the bill that has a profound impact, and will disproportionately target equity seeking groups.”

Taking action against Bill 33

Schreiner recommends students and community members to write to Premier Doug Ford and Education Minister Paul Calandra to voice their concerns, in addition to writing their local MPP.

CFS-Ontario has launched their Hands Off Our Education campaign and urges people to add their signatures to an online petition at handsoffoureducation. ca. Members of student groups, unions and other organizations can choose to endorse the petition on behalf of their group. Additionally, an email template can be found on the campaign website, making it easier to write to representatives.

Moving forward, Schreiner is “trying to mobilize a broad coalition of society to put pressure on the government to provide the proper funding for universities and colleges.”

“Now is the time I think we should come together and invest in our young people.”

The Ontarion receives funding from Guelph campus undergraduate and diploma students’ fees.

CSA town hall panelists from left to right: Omar Mousa, Grace Goderre, Mike Schreiner, Brady Amos.

Schreiner heard concerns from students on other provincial matters, including the governance of Premier Doug Ford and Bill 5, the Special Economic Zones Act.

CFS-Ontario encourages students to join the “Hands Off Our Education” campaign by signing the petition at handsoffoureducation.ca

DNA barcoding at U of G to rework understanding of species interactions

Paul Hebert of the Center for Biodiversity Genomics explains mission for the future of biodiversity genomics

A. HERRMANN

Discovering new species, pioneering genetic research and fighting against biodiversity loss are all part of an average work day at the Center for Biodiversity Genomics (CBG).

Our world might feel well-explored, but the closer researchers look, the more they find—and the bigger our world gets.

Tucked into two unassuming brick buildings on the far side of U of G’s campus, CBG holds a world-leading project focused on applying the genetic technique of DNA barcoding to identify species at astonishing

As one of the major science projects funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the CBG is a world leader in biomonitoring and biodiversity research. In the fight against biodiversity loss and increased global extinction, DNA barcoding is on the front lines, rapidly identifying species to promote environmental conservation.

The CBG processes samples from across the world and supports researchers and organizations from 41 other nations, all working towards creating an inventory of all life on earth through DNA barcodes.

As part of the International Barcode of Life Consortium, this global research community is adding to an open-access Barcode of Life Database and increasing accessible data in science.

This past summer, scientists from the CBG were invited to Ghana and Peru to share their knowledge in DNA barcoding workflows with graduate students and researchers. Much of the biodiversity left undiscovered by western science is thought to exist in the global south.

The CBG views sharing skills and experience with the global science community as crucial in their biomonitoring and protection mission. Samples are often collected by Guelph researchers abroad or sent by researchers from other institutions to be processed in Guelph.

But, you don’t have to look very far to discover something new.

“In my backyard, there's missing data,” said Paul Hebert, founder and director of the CBG and Chair of the International Barcode of Life. “About 1.7 million species have got a name, and if you just think of multicellular life, there could be 20 million plus species.”

That leaves roughly 18.3 million species left to formally discover—and not a lot of time to do so, considering the current increased global extinction rate. In January, the CBG will launch their next ambitious project called Linnaeus 2X. The project aims to DNA barcode 30 million more specimens in the next five years.

To efficiently process the roughly 3 million samples a year, the CBG has a streamlined, large-scale, state-of-the-art system for sequencing DNA. With a team made up of over 120 researchers working year-round, the CBG is a well-oiled machine of sifting through bugs, beavers and everything in between. Each sample is carefully photographed, sampled for DNA barcoding and stored for future research.

Some types of organisms are easier to DNA barcode than others, but insects have shown high levels of accuracy in their bar-

coding results.

The CBG catches many of their insect samples using Malaise traps, which are tent-like mesh structures. Sometimes dotted around campus, the Malaise trap mesh works to funnel insects up into a collection area, where they fall into an ethanol-filled jar.

These insects range from large moths to the tiniest flies. From these small creatures, the DNA barcode process not only identifies the main insect species, but also separately identifies any food in their tiny stomachs, and sometimes even parasites. This is especially true for insects that feed on other animals.

“In the Malaise trap, I'm getting swamp wallabies and opossums, [and] they weren't in the jar!” Hebert said.

The information about species relationships and food webs provided by DNA barcodes is invaluable for scientists working to study and conserve biodiversity.

“It's going to rework our whole understanding of species interactions,” Hebert said.

When asked about the possible commodification of open access barcoding, and how local communities and researchers could be compensated for their research and native species, Hebert explained it is still a challenge being actively discussed at the CBG. Because DNA barcodes cannot be used in genetic modification like a whole genome, it is less sensitive to share openly. As of right now, the conservation rewards outweigh the risks.

The CBG’s goals are large, but this dedicated team believes in their mission. With DNA barcoding becoming an invaluable tool for science, the CBG continues to meet new challenges and forge a bright path for biodiversity research before it is too late.

For more information, check out the CBG and the International Barcode of Life Consortium. If you are a student interested in getting involved, CBG offers multiple work-study positions each semester and graduate opportunities.

The Center for Biodiversity Genomics will launch a new project in January that aims to barcode 30 million more specimen. Aditya Parameswaran/THE ONTARION

The Black-Owned Vendor Market returns to campus

Locally made self care, spices and jewelry right in

the University Centre

ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY RIYA VAID

On Oct. 15, the University of Guelph hosted its fifth Black-Owned Vendor Market. Here, you could find some of the best self-care: Canadian-made and handmade—and everything comes with a smile.

The event was held in the University Centre (UC) Courtyard, where small businesses local to Guelph and the surrounding area sold a variety of handmade goods, such as clothing, skincare, cultural food, jewelry and more.

The Black-Owned Vendor Market began as a passion project of Black Student Success Coordinator, Alexis Charles, along with Cultural Diversity Coordinators Akierah Binns and Amelia Kezaabu.

The idea of gathering Black business owners from across southern Ontario in the UC started five years ago with 26 vendors, and grew to an email list of over 100 Black-owned businesses to regularly collaborate with on future events at the university. Now, the University of Guelph brings these vendors together more than once a year for students, faculty and locals to enjoy authentic flavours, accessories and goods filled with culture and community.

Don’t worry if you missed it—many of these vendors will return in February to partner with U of G for Black History Month!

About the vendors:

KAN KAN SPICE

Kan Kan Spice brings authentic flavours inspired by Cameroon with her Penja Pepper Rainforest Dry Spice, along with fresh juices and boxes of puff puffs. She’s working towards putting her bottle of dry spice on shelves in grocery stores to make African spices and flavours more available for people like herself. Many small businesses in the food industry were born from necessity, when business owners couldn’t find authentic, home-style flavours they loved, taking it upon themselves to provide these flavours. Don’t walk past Kan Kan

Spice without grabbing a taste of their samples!

Instagram: @kankanspice

SCLASSY COSMETICS

Sclassy Cosmetics provides vegan and cruelty-free makeup made with melanin in mind! They assure great assistance in finding the most gorgeous lip stain, gloss or lip combo. Most of the body care and makeup is made with nourishing ingredients like almond oil, vitamin E and jojoba oil, and their comfortable body care products are infused with organic essential oils.

Instagram: @sclassycosmetics

KHO BEAUTY

KHO Beauty has all things whipped body butter and luxuriously rich body oils. A product worth noting is the lemon cake body butter, a lightweight moisturizer that carries the smell of freshly baked dessert. The lovely smells alongside the healing butters and oils make KHO products the perfect gift.

Instagram: @shopkhobeauty

EARTH AND MOON

Earth and Moon is a jewelry vendor that focuses on size inclusivity. From rings to waistbeads, everything is handmade and uses semiprecious stones and crystals. Earth and Moon also does custom pieces to ensure that everyone can get their favourite pieces in the correct size.

Instagram: @earthandmoon_

These businesses are not all main careers for the vendors, but passionate projects they wanted to see through. This event allows vendors to showcase their craft, uplift small business and help Canadian business thrive before the holiday season. It also gives the community the perfect opportunity to support local while shopping for the holidays. The market will be back in Feb. 2026, but in the meantime, keep an eye out for these vendors at other local markets across southern Ontario.

The University Centre was filled with colour as vendors brought in all manner of clothes.

Vendors were quite popular with the students passing by. The University Centre sparkled with the amount of jewellery changing hands.

A vendor shows off her colourful array of cosmetics.

There were beauty products for everyone at the market.

Experts gather in Guelph to explore the future of AI in food and agriculture

The Ontarion attended the National Dialogue on AI in Food Safety conference—here’s what we learned

ANDREW PENNER

Similar to how the advent of the internet catalyzed transformation in many industries, artificial intelligence (AI) is currently revolutionizing the food and agriculture sectors. From Oct. 1-2, over 150 industry leaders and researchers attended the National Dialogue on AI in Food Safety conference at the Delta Conference Centre in Guelph to discuss this topic.

Organized by AI4Food and the Research Innovation Office of the University of Guelph, the conference discussed the ethics, accessibility and governance of AI within food and agricultural systems.

The co-founders of AI4Food Maria Corradini and Rozita Dara

shared their insight in an interview with The Ontarion. AI4Food is dedicated to improving and implementing the use of AI in agricultural and food systems.

“The initiative is founded in technology,” said Dara, who is also a professor of computer science. “But [the initiative] is also in collaboration with experts in agriculture and food.”

As the Arrell Chair in Food Quality in the Department of Food Science, Corradini uses her expertise to provide “advice in terms of food safety, quality, identity and sustainability.”

Currently, the primary use of AI within food and agricultural systems is to automate menial tasks, such as sorting and organiz-

ing data. This allows employees to focus on more pressing, complex issues.

“It’s all about improving and optimizing processes,” Dara said.

As Canada produces far more food than it consumes, optimization in this industry is critical. As such, Corradini looks to AI as an indispensable tool for “enhancing all aspects of food integrity and meeting the demands of a market that is exporting,” she said.

For instance, many companies aim to implement predictive AI models to assess outbreak risks. This allows companies to be proactive rather than reactive to foodborne illness related to their products. With this technology, AI can detect contaminants, an-

alyze trends and trace how and when an outbreak originated.

Discussions at the conference highlighted limitations of AI, including ethical considerations surrounding data sovereignty. Additionally, there is a considerable dissonance between the application and the regulations of AI. Many companies also lack the funding to adopt these expensive technologies.

AI in the food and agricultural sector is becoming ubiquitous, so it is an extremely relevant field with many opportunities available. Corradini encourages interested students to reach out to their professors in computer and food science for opportunities to get involved.

For more information about the AI4Food initiative, head to their website at ai4food.ai

AI may help companies be proactive regarding foodborne illnesses related to their products. Photo provided by Emmerson Jull

& CULTURE

Busy Reading: Translating science with storytelling

Madhur Anand discusses the magic of translation in her debut novel To Place a Rabbit

EMMERSON JULL

Welcome back to Busy Reading, a monthly column for bookworms and library lovers. Each month, our Associate Editor shares the joy of reading by profiling local writers, exploring emerging genres and compiling book reviews. Don’t forget to check out the Busy Reading Book Club’s monthly pick!

As an ecology professor, Madhur Anand uses systems thinking to demonstrate reciprocal interactions between humans and environmental change. Now, in her debut novel To Place a Rabbit, Anand uses translation as a guide to bridge fact and fiction, memory and reality, science and art.

At the University of Guelph, Anand is a professor in the School of Environmental Sciences and director of the Anand Lab in Global Ecological Change & Sustainability. In 2022, she introduced a new undergraduate course, Creative Writing for Environmental Science, where students are invited to play with storytelling to inspire their approach to scientific thinking.

The course embraces a level

of malleability not traditionally found in science. In disciplines with rigid boundaries and methodologies, turning to creative processes can spark innovation, expand thinking and improve communication of scientific knowledge.

It’s exactly this transformative potential that brought Anand to creative writing in the first place.

In the final year of her PhD in plant/environmental science, Anand remembers feeling a “scientist block,” which would lead her to “accidentally discovering [she] was a poet.”

“I just couldn’t continue with science, and something was missing, I guess,” Anand said. “Something was just in the way.”

Anand walked to the window in her office, and as she looked out over the Western university campus, reveling in a view not unlike the one we presently enjoyed—sitting in front of Massey Hall looking onto Johnston Green—something clicked: “I came back to my desk and I wrote my first poem.”

Anand published her debut

poetry collection, A New Index for Predicting Catastrophes, decades later, in 2015. Her experimental memoir, This Red Line Goes Straight to Your Heart, won the 2020 Governor General’s Literary Award for Nonfiction. It’s a two-part work that first tells of her parents’ experience of Partition in India and later of their lives in Canada; then tells the story as she had digested it, as the daughter of immigrants. Then, in 2022, Anand published her second poetry collection, Parasitic Oscillations.

Unifying all three works is her unique narration of human experience: of science and art, nature and nurture, and the rifts and bridges between them. It is no surprise that she would explore the same themes in fiction, but from a novel perspective; the process of translation, something she had never attempted before.

“I often embark on things in my writing where I know nothing about it, but I still am attracted to it,” Anand said.

At the center of To Place a Rabbit are a scientist and a novelist who meet at a literary festival. The novelist has written a novella in English, had it translated and published in French, which she cannot read, and subsequently misplaced the English manuscript. Upon hearing this, the scientist—who is fluent in French and has secretly always wanted to write fiction—offers to translate the work back to English. As she completes the translation, the scientist is haunted by memories of a French lover, and her life

experiences bleed into her task, ultimately transfiguring her version from the original. It’s impossible to ignore the autobiographical elements of Anand’s novel, considering she was inspired to write the novel during an identical translation task of her own.

Upon meeting

Lisa Moore, a Canadian novelist, at a literary festival in 2022, Anand learned that Moore had written a novella, had it translated into French, and never published the English version.

“That just kind of completely captured me as an idea,” Anand said. “It just seized something inside me.”

Translations are never exact replicas, they are interpretations. Each translator leaves a distinct fingerprint on a text. Consider Homer’s The Odyssey, an ancient Greek epic with over 60 English translations. While some translations of The Odyssey are more faithful to the original Greek, others make modifications to accentuate the epiels poetic style or to make the story simpler for modern readers to understand. These translatory choices are reflective of the individual translator and the cultural context surrounding them.

For Anand and Moore, the novella translation was akin to a long-winded game of telephone.

As Anand worked, the translation mutated into fiction. To Place a Rabbit is such a manifestation of Anand’s psyche that the novel begins not with a prologue, but an abstract.

“I felt like I truly could find freedom and liberty to take something from another language, another person's story, really, and another person's fiction, and make it my own,” Anand said, “which is sort of a bit of a metaphor and an analogy for what I feel fiction does, more generally.”

Translation is the common thread in Anand’s double life as a scientist and writer. She understands human-environment relationships to be “twoway couplings”: human activity creates environmental change, which in turn alters human behaviour, creating cascading effects through time. That constant interaction and feedback is itself a kind of translation.

Art is a translatory tool that makes science intelligible. It also helps people digest negative feelings associated with climate change. Anand believes students are drawn to her creative writing course because it can be an outlet to process and communicate their emotions about the environment.

She hopes her work can help people recognize that science and art are not so disparate—they’re two disciplines that require more communication with each other.

“I think the artistic way of living and working,” said Anand, “can really help our society in terms of dealing with all of the changes and adaptations we need to make.”

Busy Reading Book Club:

The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver by Mary Oliver

Welcome back to the Busy Reading Book Club! Featuring monthly reads with an emphasis on diverse voices and thoughtful stories, we hope to connect with fellow readers to share the joy of great books.

Our November read is Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver This collection of more than 200 poems spans over five decades of Oliver’s luminous, Pulitzer Prize-winning career. Published in 2017, Devotions was compiled by Oliver herself, before her death two years later. The remarkable works within are an enduring reminder of our world’s interconnectedness.

Oliver’s poetry is rooted in the natural world, but she writes from a distinctly human perspective; one of amazement at the kinship and understanding that can exist between beings. Nature is edifying, and Oliver recognized the rarity of it all, in the lessons humans can forage beneath the trees in the woods.

Devotions is not only an opportunity to peruse the career-defining works of one of America’s greatest poets. It encourages readers to find new appreciation for the ground sighing under our feet as we move through the world.

Tell us if you’re reading along by emailing ae@theontarion. com, or stay tuned via Instagram, @ontarionupdates, for updates on our monthly meetings.

“Translating inspired me to write my own fiction,” Anand explained. Emmerson Jull/THE ONTARION

Leaves, lattes, and Luke’s Diner

Why Gilmore Girls has become an annual autumn rewatch

SOPHIA PHILBERT

As the first few leaves begin to change colour, followed by that all-too-familiar chill in the air, many find themselves craving just one thing: Gilmore Girls. Known as an autumnal staple, it's no surprise that it feels more pressing each day to cozy up with a steaming cup of coffee, tune into Stars Hollow and let Sam Phillips “lalala” la-unch you into fall—but why?

For starters, Gilmore Girls, by nature, is a seasonal show. The show first premiered in October 2000, a time in which it was common for shows to release in line with the fall season; a pattern evident with other classics like One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl and The Vampire Diaries.

Many pre-streaming shows first aired in autumn and followed a similar pattern.

Each season began with back-to-school themes, set major plot events in the fall, and transitioned throughout the show, cementing the shows as fall-time favourites.

Out of 153 Gilmore Girls episodes, 48 of them—just over 31 per cent—are set in the fall. Rory starting her final year at Stars Hollow High, her journey at Chilton, and her visiting and attending Yale all take place in autumn throughout seasons one, two, three and seven. Non-academically, Rory’s first kiss with Dean, her run-ins with Jess and her meeting Logan all happen during the crisp fall.

The transition from fall to winter is physically and visually dramatic; making it an ideal setting to journey through the complexities of youth, relationships, ca-

Junk journaling: Bringing new meaning to unloved materials

Repurposing discarded materials reduces consumption and creates personal keepsakes

Have you ever found yourself with a piece of packaging that you found very pretty, but saw no purpose for, other than disposal? Junk journaling is a resourceful and creative way to turn this scrap material into an aesthetic memento.

With basic supplies like a notebook, scissors and glue, you can create a meaningful display for junk material without a home. Whether it’s movie tickets, paper scraps, fallen leaves or wrappers—anything you can glue into a notebook—you can prevent these items from ending up in the trash, and instead repurpose them to make a display of your personality, your dreams, thoughts, daily activities and trips.

Junk journaling as an emerging trend

How has junk journaling become such a trend? People’s desire for reduced consumption and activities requiring minimal screen time are possible explanations.

Scrapbooking and journaling are often associated with the purchase of new materials; but new materials create an environmental footprint. Junk journaling provides a more eco-friendly alternative, rooted in practices from centuries ago, where the production of goods was slower, and people were generally more resourceful with the items they used. Even common books contained collections of perfectly imperfect

reers, education and everything in between.

Likewise, classic seasonal attire for the Gilmore girls includes a good chunky sweater, scarf, jacket and boots, signifying transition and change, and are necessities for big moments within the show, supported by the fall foliage in the show's setting.

The seasonal changes and thematic throughline of Gilmore Girls supports the growth of characters, creating a sense of sentimentality and connection. Even when the show moves away from a strict autumn setting, it maintains the same cozy feeling of the colder months and demonstrates themes of transition and abundance.

Gilmore Girls’s strong mother-daughter relationships, budding friendships and general themes of community tend to hit home and resonate more in the colder months, contributing to the show's rewatchability; promoting warmth and relatability to viewers. Not to mention, a steaming cup of hot coffee could get anyone in the mood to cozy up and indulge in the unmatched seasonal spirit of Star’s Hollow.

Girlmore Girls does not simply take place in the fall, it represents the beginning of it. If the series could speak, it might just sound like Richard Gilmore declaring, “I am an Autumn.”

items, like recipes and quotes.

Today, junk journaling is seen as a mixed-media art movement that regained popularity through social media—the very platform that junk journal hobbyists move away from while engaging in the practice.

Reducing and reusing junk Junk journaling is inherently sustainable. Using materials that you already have is a good way to reduce waste and bring attention to the trash generated by our daily activities. By finding a use for spare materials instead of purchasing supplies, we can reduce our (artistic) footprint; all while embracing imperfections and puzzling together spare resources for a meaningful and unique outcome.

Let’s focus on how to put this sustainability principle into practice. As junk journaling focuses on visuals rather than writing as in other forms of journaling, the materials are key. You can create layers and themes in your journalsing using a variety of items. Things like packaging, scrap paper, plants, movie tickets and other ephemera, fabric and even small trinkets are only some examples of what you can use.

While sustainability is about reducing your environmental footprint, it doesn’t have to be totally restrictive. You can com-

bine the items that you have with new materials made of eco-friendly materials. Scrapbook paper, coloured pencils and non-toxic glue allow you to add some personal touches and make the design more cohesive.

As long as you make conscious choices about the materials you use, there is really no right or wrong. There are countless ways to be sustainable, so make this journal representative of your take on the concept.

Junk journal with friends

Another way in which junk journaling is beneficial is the time spent away from screens and even together in groups with friends. While you may find some inspiration from junk journals online, the craft experience is one where you can be creative with your own hands and the unique real-world materials that you have, using them as puzzle pieces to create a small work of art.

That experience can be even more fun when surrounded by friends, classmates or housemates. You can find ways to put the items together in an aesthetic way, and share some laughs about the crazy combinations you can come up with using the junk you have lying around. You can exchange pieces and make more meaningful

memories to add to your junk journal.

Starting your own junk journal

Some tips for starting your own journal include collecting items first and thinking outside the box while crafting.

Here are some ideas of junk you could collect:

• Paper tickets

• Colourful leaves

• Patterned packaging

• Wrapping paper

• Photo strips

• Restaurant coasters

• Ribbon from presents

• Spare coins

You could use themes inspired by nature and its seasons, landscapes and colours—think of the colourful fall foliage around campus—to pull your junk together. Make the journal more personal and interactive by adding flaps and hidden text. After all, the most important thing is to make the journal yours, showcasing your personality and your vision of the world.

Now it’s time for you to scavenge your desk drawers and recycling bins to find hidden treasures waiting to be included in your next art project. Showcase your commitment to reducing consumption and sustainable living by creating your own personal junk journal.

The trees changing colours and the cooling temperatures have encouraged fans to stay indoors and warm up with episodes of Gilmore Girls. Aditya Parameswaran/THE ONTARION

CAITLIN BUCK

Junk journaling is the thrifting of diaries. Caitlin Buck/THE ONTARION

Lights, language, and resistance

U

of

G

professor Eric Fillion’s Cinéma Francophone series connects students, culture and community through classic French cinema

ZAHRA

ZANDIYEH

The lights dimmed at The Bookshelf’s cozy downtown theatre as students, professors andcommunity members gathered for the University of Guelph’s Cinéma Francophone series; a celebration of film, language and resistance.

Curated by Eric Fillion, assistant professor in the Department of French and Francophone Studies, the series invited audiences to experience the political and poetic power of French-language cinema.

“I wanted to do something that went beyond the classroom,” Fillion said. “There’s no formal film program here at Guelph, but there’s a real curiosity for cinema. The series became a way to build community to bring Francophones together, but also Francophiles.”

Originally from Montreal, Fillion was educated entirely in French until university.

“When I went to university, it was my first time studying in English,” he said. “That bilingual experience still shapes how I see things. Language isn’t just communication, it’s a worldview.”

As both a teacher and director of the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation, Fillion blends art, scholar-

ship and civic engagement.

“Improvisation, cinema, music. These are all ways people learn to listen, to respond, and to be together,” he said. “That’s what I wanted to bring to this series.”

Hosted at The Bookshelf, one of downtown Guelph’s cultural landmarks, Fillion’s series presented four films spanning decades of transformation in French cinema:

• Le Silence de la Mer (1949, directed by Jean-Pierre Melville)—a quiet reflection on resistance and the moral complexities of Nazi occupation.

• Hiroshima mon amour (1959, directed by Alain Resnais)—a groundbreaking exploration of memory, trauma and love after catastrophe.

• Alphaville (1965, directed by Jean-Luc Godard)—a dystopian vision where poetry defies logic and authoritarian control.

• Soleil Ô (1970, directed by Med Hondo)—a postcolonial portrait of racism and alienation faced by African immigrants in France.

“These films showed that you don’t need millions of dollars or

a big studio to make meaningful art,” Fillion said. “If you have a camera, a bit of equipment, and a vision, you can make a film. That’s part of what the postwar filmmakers were saying: art as action, not privilege.”

His selection linked early postwar works to later movements of resistance in the global south.

“Many filmmakers in Africa and South America borrowed the techniques of the French New Wave,” he said. “They took that aesthetic of light equipment and freedom of movement to tell their own stories about colonialism and liberation.”

For Fillion, these films are political; not because they preach, but because they imagine alternatives.

“The films illustrate how little acts of resistance ultimately matter,” he said. “They’re about the everyday choices people make to listen, to stay silent, to love, to speak up. That’s the politics of it.”

Fillion drew parallels between the postwar period and today.

“I don’t think I need to elaborate on the parallels between anti-fascist films then, and the moment we are in right now,” he

said. “But it’s important to see how people used art, not violence or propaganda, to respond to fear and control. That’s inspiring.”

Fillion described how language is central to a film’s vision.

“Francophone cinema always wrestles with language,” he said. “It’s about translation, difference, misunderstanding, and that’s beautiful. These films show us how to live among differences without erasing them.”

“It’s the way someone speaks, the cadence, the silence; it’s part of the storytelling. You don’t need to understand every word to feel what it’s doing.”

By hosting the series at The Bookshelf rather than on campus, Fillion hoped to bridge the university with the Guelph community.

“The Bookshelf is more than a cinema. It’s a meeting place,” he said. “There are local businesses, artists, and people who are deeply committed to art and culture. It just made sense to have the screenings there.”

For students new to Francophone films, his advice was simple: “Just sit and watch. Experience what the films offer you. Sometimes it’s the soundtrack,

sometimes the photography, or even the silence, but all of it can teach you something or simply make you feel.”

He also praised how the campus culture encourages the arts.

“Guelph is a very open place for creative projects,” he said. “You have concerts, salons, exhibitions, and students who want to explore. The Cinéma Francophone series fits right into that spirit.”

The success of the fall screenings has already inspired plans for more events in the winter semester.

“Of course,” he said, “we’ll continue in the winter as part of my seminar… the goal remains the same: to create conversation.”

Fillion shared a few personal recommendations for students eager to explore: “Alain Robbe-Grillet, he’s an incredible writer and filmmaker, obsessed with time and repetition. And Marguerite Duras, her films are slow, poetic, and full of emotion.”

For Fillion, cinema is not just art; it’s a form of citizenship.

“Art has the power to open conversations and make people feel connected,” he said. “Cinema reminds us that we share stories, struggles and dreams. Watching a film together is a political act, it says we still believe in community.”

Through his Cinéma Francophone series, Fillion has shown that film can build bridges across languages, histories and perspectives, and that by watching, we participate in the ongoing story of resistance and connection.

Poster for the Fall 2025 Cinéma Francophone series, curated by Eric Fillion at The Bookshelf. Photo provided by Eric Fillion

Historical reenactment lecture with Tom Fournier

Military reenactment expert answers the question “Why on earth do people do this?”

MARTIN LIMA PEREZ

On Oct. 16, the Guelph Civic Museum featured a talk from Tom Fournier, a highly acclaimed military reenactor. With over 20 years of experience, Fournier illustrated his path from private to senior commander for all War of 1812 reenactments portraying British or Canadian soldiers in North America.

Based in Cambridge, Ontario, Fournier emphasizes the plethora of history that surrounds the southern province. In the lecture, Fournier highlighted the importance of historical reenactments, provided insider details and discussed challenges facing the hobby.

Historical reenactors are groups of people dedicated to reenacting events in history in hopes of preserving their historical integrity and educating the public. Analogous to one reviewing a marked exam, reenactment serves as a means to demonstrate errors in history and learn from past mistakes.

As Fournier said, “It's a lot like camping with a whole bunch of friends, the nuance being every now and then, you've got to put that heavy coat on, grab a musket and go shoot at Americans.”

Regarded as a hobby, reenactors carry out historical scenes, playing different roles according to what is recounted. These events are typically hosted at the historical sites where the event took place.

However, not every reenactment is identical from year to year, and some may be improvisations of historical scenes. A typical gathering mirrors a weekend getaway of camping, with events year-round. Accommodations can include anything from a simple canvas tent to restored historical cabins. Rain or shine, reenactors are out in the fields capturing an authentic experience.

“We've been there when it's minus 30 and in a blizzard!” Fournier said.

In 2002, Fournier attended a War of 1812 reenactment as a spectator and was hooked. As a huge fan of historical literature and Napoleonic era history, he described the event as a perfect representation of “the mind’s eye.”

History was not something only present in between pages and books, but could be a living, walking, breathing entity embodied by reenactors. Blaring muskets, thumping drums—Fournier was amazed at watching history unfold and immediately wanted in.

Becoming a reenactor is a huge commitment, not only monetarily, but with am-

ple time dedicated to practice and traveling. Fournier described what the life of a highly involved reenactor entails. As a senior commander, Fournier dedicates roughly an hour every morning to administrative tasks and attends at least one event every month.

“Different people have different levels of participation,” said Fournier. “A lot of musket men, they might do two or three events a year; a couple of events they really want to do and a mix between the really big events.”

Entry-level participants are called privates, and the cost of registering in events includes investing in their own uniform, musket and tents. Climbing the ranks is not as easy as buying a commander uniform, but requires “skill and will,” as illustrated by Fournier. One must have years of dedication and personal expertise on the historical era being represented.

“You talk about not only recruiting and trying to attract people into the hobby and preserve our units, but we also are conscious of retention,” Fournier said.

Although all war of 1812 reenactments aim to preserve historical accuracy and educate those in the present, reenactments come with challenges. Transgressing beyond borders, historical events typically feature both Canadian and American reenactors, each representing a part of history. Now that the U.S. and Canada are experiencing strained relations, it poses the question: has the reenactment community been shaken by political turbulence?

Fournier said, “I've been over four times to the U.S., only for reenacting events, because I just don't want to let a political situation ruin our community and hobby. Everyone was exceedingly friendly and made me feel very welcome.”

Additionally, while the hobby focuses on retention and accuracy, there is a lack of Indigenous representation within the community.

“It's a shame, because without representation, their story's not being told and they aren’t portraying their importance in their conflict on both sides,” said Fournier. “We've had conversations, tried to work at it, but it ties into themes of colonialism, and their experience with settler conflict hasn't been a good one, generally speaking.”

Southern Ontario is imbued with a rich War of 1812 history. There are many historical reenactment events one can attend across the province, such as the Annual Siege of Old Fort Erie in Niagara and the Battle of Stoney Creek in Hamilton.

Tom Fournier demonstrates cocking a flintlock musket. Martin Lima Perez/THE ONTARION

Decluttering your tech (and your life)

Expert Tonia Cordi shares five tips for organization and mindfulness

On Oct. 9, U of G graduate students assembled at an engaging workshop called Decluttering your Technology. Led by Tonia Cordi, founder of Time + Space Solutions, and hosted by the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA), this wellness initiative aimed to teach students how to become organized with technology and how to productively navigate the digital world.

Cordi has spent years helping people create clarity in their lives by teaching them to declutter not only technology, but their minds and habits. Drawing on her background in psychology and education, she's been teaching students for 18 years and approaches decluttering from a trauma-informed and holistic perspective. Over time, this has led Cordi to see clearing clutter as more than just tidying things up, but as a transformative process.

“I wanted to help people change their lives,” Cordi said. “What did they want to create in their life? What change do they want to have, and how did their space reflect that, the change that they wanted to make?”

Five steps for decluttering

During the workshop session, Cordi introduced her five-

step framework for decluttering.

The first step is to connect. She described it as “helping people reconnect to themselves, reconnect to their life purpose and reconnect to what's important to them.”

Trauma is one of the reasons why the lack of connection with the world is prevalent, and this step is about healing that disconnection. It is the foundation to change. Without having clarity about what is important, there is a risk of seeing decluttering as something that is surface-level instead of meaningful.

Step two is to create. This is the part where someone determines what kind of life they want, or what habits they want to build on moving forward.

“If connection, community and well-being are important to you, what are the three areas that you want to focus on in your life that are going to help you embody those values?” Cordi asked.

When these goals are created, actions start to have direction.

Steps to work towards one’s desired life are no longer conceptual but active forces.

Step three is to release and replace. This step challenges people to let go of what no longer

FAUSTINE LIU

needs to be part of their lives; whether that be bad habits, cluttered spaces or emotional baggage. It is about determining the emotions that hold them back.

“People often have trapped emotions, which then get associated with beliefs and thoughts,” Cordi said. “So what emotions do you need to let go? Do you have a lot of resentments that prevent you from having relationships with people? How are you going to process and release those so that you can connect with people?”

Step four is to recalibrate and organize. Once the obstructions are out of the way, the next step is to focus on building a system to support these new priorities.

Cordi explained that physical and digital environments have a powerful role in influencing behaviour. She used the kitchen as an example: “Once you declutter the kitchen, how are you going to reorganize it in a way that makes meal-prep easy? How are you going to reorganize your time so that you're making the time to make those healthy meals?”

Lastly, step five is rhythm. How are people going to establish daily habits to stay on track to not only accomplish but maintain

these goals?

“It's kind of like two toolboxes,” Cordi said. “What are your daily habits to help you stay in alignment and connected to your vision, and what are the tools you're going to use when you get really overwhelmed and stressed? Because when you're stressed, you're not going to be like, ‘Oh, what can I do?’. You want to have that stuff on hand.”

This whole process can be used for anything from decluttering technology to planning for emotional regulation, or for simply planning a weekly schedule.

Through the GSA, Cordi figured that graduate students could benefit from specialized mental health support to prevent feelings of isolation.

“If they’re doing a thesis and don’t have to go into a lab or take courses, they can end up working alone at home all the time,” she said. “And if they live alone, that can lead to depression. Even if they’re an extreme introvert, they still need to be around people and be connected.”

She also notes that financial stress and lack of self-care can also be major issues, as well as simply making the time for emotional regulation: “If you're by yourself

all the time and you're anxious, you're just gonna get more anxious.”

Cordi’s work with the GSA will continue throughout the fall semester with two upcoming sessions. A two-part workshop in November will help graduate students understand and regulate their emotions.

“Our culture is designed to keep people from feeling emotions, so people are disconnected from them, and people are not taught how to just feel their feelings without getting overwhelmed or disconnected,” she said. “It's a workshop designed to really understand the purpose that our emotions serve and how we can better engage with them.”

The second workshop will teach participants different techniques for emotional regulation and will be followed by a year-end reflection in December, which reviews their current resolutions in preparation for the New Year.

Cordi leads both small and large support groups, with smaller sessions limited to four students with similar challenges to encourage personalized support. Graduate students can register for Cordi’s workshops through the GSA website.

Continuous notifications can be a source of stress, even when you won’t be reading most of them. Photo credit: Unsplash

The Wild Writers Literary Festival returns to Waterloo

Join like-minded literary lovers at the event

EMILY SCOTT

The New Quarterly, a Canadian literary magazine, is presenting their upcoming annual Wild Writers Literary Festival on Nov. 7 to 9 at the Balsillie School of International Affairs in Waterloo.

The festival, which began in 2012, features panels and workshops hosted by Canadian writers from coast to coast to celebrate a love of literature.

“It’s a great opportunity to work on your craft. It’s a creative place where you can try out different genres or take a workshop you’re curious about,” said Eleni Zaptses, managing editor of The New Quarterly.

“You don’t have to fully commit—you can just see if you like it. And you get to be around like-minded, literary inclined people. There’s this energy there, where everyone’s feeling creative, and you can walk away feeling inspired,” Zaptses said.

Each day has an immersive program with three streams of programming per time slot throughout the day: a panel, conversation and a workshop. The festival kicks off this year with an opening showcase and sangria speakeasy.

You can chat with authors Madeleine Thien and Shani Mootoo about the history in their new books while mingling with other readers and enjoying a glass of sangria. Many readers can be introverts, so spark up a conversation through conversation cards to give you a bridge to chat with others.

There are many exciting workshops over the course of the weekend, including:

• A workshop with Raymond Sewell, a singer-songwriter who will teach you poetry and lyricism by trusting your artistic energy based on Mi'kmaw knowledge systems.

• A nonfiction workshop where winner of The New Quarterly non-fiction contest, Adèle Barclay, will be teaching participants how to write an award-winning essay.

• A workshop with Rachel Deutsch to learn the fundamentals of writing a graphic novel: “It is interactive with pencil crayons and paper, and how to think in panels to help tell a story and paste things along,” Zaptses said.

• A workshop about transforming your

fiction through joy with Antonio Michael Downing, who just published his novel Black Cherokee

“Fiction can feel really daunting to start with because there are so many creative directions you can go in. It can take so many forms, you can explore whatever genre you’re curious about. As long as you’re writing in prose, you can apply it,” Zaptses said.

Finally, there will be a romantasy panel, Other Worlds: Romantasy and the Politics of Emotion, with Nicki Pau Preto, Shade Lapite and J.M. Frey. Learn what draws readers to this genre and keeps them coming back for more.

This year’s festival theme is “Writing in Times of Crisis.”

“It’s really about asking what the writer’s role is during times like these, and how we can respond to what’s happening around us,” Zaptses said.

“Sometimes it feels strange, like, am I really going to sit here and do creative writing when all these serious things are happening? That feeling can be paralyzing for some people.”

Zaptses said, “One thing we did last year that we're doing again this year is a free lunchtime program. Last year's event was about literary friendship and featured our essay contest winner, who had been corresponding with Isabel Huggan. Their friendship developed through letter writing while he was working on his essay. It was so sweet, and people really loved it.”

“This year, we're bringing it back with a new focus. We've invited our nonfiction editor, Vinh Nguyen, who has a memoir out, and he’ll be talking with his editor about their relationship and what it was like working together on the book,” Zaptses said.

Whether you’re a long-time literature lover or a curious newcomer, the festival offers something for everyone. Don’t miss the chance to be inspired, connect with writers and celebrate the written word.

Learn more about The New Quarterly by visiting tnq.ca, and view the full weekend program of the Wild Writers Literary Festival at wildwriters.ca/2025-program

The festival celebrates Canadian writers and literature. Photo provided by Eleni Zaptses

Festival goers may attend a selection of writer's workshops. Photo provided by Eleni Zaptses

The Zemlinsky Quartet offers Guelph a new sound in string music

From Beethoven to traditional Czech folk, the group performed an array of songs at the Guelph Youth Music Centre

RACHEL FIORET

The Zemlinsky String Quartet performed at the Guelph Youth Music Centre (GYMC) on Oct. 25.

The quartet is a travelling group from Prague, Czech Republic. They were welcomed to the stage of the recital hall by a full house and grand applause, setting the tone for a successful show.

A typical quartet includes a viola, two violins and a cello because of their complimentary sounds.

The Zemlinsky Quartet consists of: violist Petr Holman, violinists František Souček and Petr Střížek, and cellist Vladimír Fortin.

The crowd was filled with people of all ages, with the quartet inspiring and entertaining many from the community.

The show’s program included three quartets offering four songs each. The group opened with Quartet No. 11 in F minor, op. 95 (Serioso), by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). This opening quartet

offered a serious tone, and was one of Beethoven’s shortest quartets. After ending the final song, the group raised their bows in the air and stood to bow before the crowd’s thunderous applause.

They returned for the second quartet in the program, Quartet No. 1 (Kreutzer Sonata), by Czech composer Leoš Janáček (1854-1928).

This set of songs offered a lighter tone than the former, and once they finalized Con moto - (Adagio)Piu mosso, the quartet left the stage for a brief intermission.

Here, Ken Gee, artistic director of Guelph Musicfest, took the stage for a brief moment to thank the audience for their attendance.

He shared appreciation for the Zemlinsky Quartet for travelling to Guelph.

After returning from intermission, the quartet finished the night with String Quartet No. 12 in F major, op. 96 (American), by Czech composer Antonín Dvořák

(1854-1904). This set included the four songs: Allegro ma non troppo, Lento, Molto vivace - Trio, and Finale. Vivace ma non troppo. As they played the final note, the crowd rose above their seats to thank the quartet with a standing ovation and cheering that lasted minutes.

The Zemlinsky Quartet waved to the audience, expressing gratitude for the crowd’s positive response, and then left the stage, leaving the crowd to believe that the concert was over. It wasn’t over yet, though. After a brief pause, the group returned to the stage once more to offer an encore, a traditional Czech folk song.

Before performing the encore, Holman thanked the crowd for choosing the Zemlinsky Quartet’s performance over the Blue Jays’s World Series game. In camaraderie with the concert goers, the quartet members each pulled out Blue Jays hats to wear for their final piece.

The quartet received a second standing ovation after their encore, before leaving the stage to meet with the audience in the entrance hall of the GYMC.

In an interview with The Ontarion, Gee shared his insights on classical music and excitement about Guelph Musicfest and the Zemlinsky Quartet.

“Classical music is not for snobs,” Gee said. “It’s just great music that stands the test of time, and has the ability to inspire and excite, to soothe and create

dreams, to reflect stories in your own life, and the feelings are not fixed in stone.”

“The best classical music has been created by geniuses with insights that have stood the test of time and performed by artists who have invested thousands of hours into their craft, not only with technical practice but deep thought, exploring the music they play and then sharing with the audiences,” he said.

Gee believes classical music is a universal language that can be understood across cultures.

Guelph Musicfest has a history of showcasing past winners of the Banff International String Quartet Competition. The Zemlinsky Quartet were a natural choice then, as winners of the silver medal at the 2007 competition. The quartet has toured Canada since that win, though this was their first time performing in Guelph.

Gee shared his excitement for seeing a mature European string quartet perform in the recital hall at GYMC.

“The acoustics of the recital hall, shaped by its abundance of stone and wood and high ceiling, are perfect for quartets and the stuff that appears in Guelph Musicfest,” he said.

Gee shared that the architectural design was created for this kind of performance. With a seating capacity of 170, attendees are close to the stage and the sound

quality is strong. The space features dimmed overhead lighting and near-stage seating across the room, setting the ambiance for a beautiful show.

When asked what it’s like to be the artistic director of Guelph Musicfest, Gee said, “It’s fun and challenging.” He continued, “Over the years, the budget has grown and the calibre of performances has become very high. Because it’s just me running the show, I can be nimble and personal with artistic decisions.”

Gee has also established a community amongst event goers, which is another aspect of the job that he enjoys.

“The festival is like a musical restaurant where you create menus that retain loyal customers and attract new ones. With a bit of luck, everyone enjoys the meals and comes back for more,” he said.

He hopes that people can attend concerts at GYMC to hear the music live. “There is nothing that can match the excitement of being at a live concert. Streaming is good but doesn’t come close to matching the real thing,” Gee said.

The Zemlinsky Quartet’s concert represents the beauty of embracing classical music across cultures and generations.

Guelph Musicfest and Gee’s upcoming concert continues on Nov. 7 at the GYMC. Student tickets are $15. The concert features Gee on piano and Sadie Fields on violin.

The Zemlinsky Quartet surprised the crowd with Blue Jays hats for their encore. Photo provided by Ken Gee

The audience waits for the Zemlinsky Quartet to enter the stage to begin the show. Photo provided by Ken Gee

Where stories meet the city: The Guelph Film Festival returns

Set to run Nov. 7 to 15, this cornerstone of Guelph’s art scene brings audiences together through powerful documentaries, lively conversations and community connection

EVA GALAN

This November, the City of Guelph will once again come alive with stories from around the world as the Guelph Film Festival returns. Known for its focus on social justice, community and documentary-style storytelling, the festival promises a week of screenings, discussions and events that bring people together through the power of film.

Founded in 1984 as the Guelph International Film Festival, the event began as a partnership between the Guelph International Research Centre and the University of Guelph's Centre for International Programs. One of the world's earliest documentary film festivals, it originally drew large

audiences with its mix of international features and documentaries. After a hiatus, it was revived in 2003 and rebranded in 2014 as the Guelph Film Festival. Today, it's an independent nonprofit that runs for nine days each November, showcasing local and global stories, becoming a cornerstone of Guelph's cultural identity.

The featured program will showcase titles such as River of Grass by Sasha Wortzel, The Nest by Chase Joynt and Julietta Singh, and The Librarians by Kim A Snyder. Meanwhile, the shorts program will spotlight works like Tiny Docs by Tiny People, and Kanenon:we - Original Seeds by Katsitsionni D

Fox. From tender portraits to urgent calls for change, this year's lineup offers a tapestry of stories that reflect the complexity and beauty of the world we live in. Each film invites audiences to look closer, to listen deeply and experience cinema not just as entertainment, but as a living conversation. It’s a collection that promises to move, challenge and connect.

Tickets are already on sale, so film lovers can lock in their seats, and start mapping out their must-see screenings through the Guelph Film Festival website. In addition to the films themselves, the festival typically features post-screening discussions, community-led events and opportunities to engage directly with filmmakers and activists. With its blend of local energy and global stories, this year's edition promises to be a dynamic celebration of documentary film.

Each year, the Guelph Film Festival draws a diverse crowd, from long-time residents and university students to visiting filmmakers, activists and community groups. Beyond the screenings themselves, the festival has earned a reputation as a cultural gathering point, bringing people together in ways that go far beyond the cinema. Venues across the city buzz with conversation, whether its lively Q&A’s with directors, post-film discussions over coffee or impromptu debates in theatre lobbies.

What makes the festival stand out is its deep sense of purpose. Each film, whether local or international, is chosen to spark dialogue about social justice, identity and our relationship with the planet. Workshops and community events extend these conversations beyond the screen, turning storytelling into action. The result is an atmosphere that feels both thought-provoking and welcoming, a reminder that cinema can be a tool for empathy, change and discovery.

For many, the festival is as much about connection as it is about film, a place where different voices, perspectives and experiences meet. It encourages audiences to reflect on the stories they've witnessed, learn from one another and engage with the issues shaping the world today. In doing so, the festival doesn't just showcase documentaries; it builds a sense of shared community that lingers long after the credits roll.

The Guelph Film Festival is more

than just a film festival—it's a celebration of storytelling that brings the city to life. By spotlighting independent and documentary voices, it gives a powerful platform to perspectives that might otherwise go unheard. Each screening is an opportunity to dive into urgent conversations about the environment, social justice and community, and to connect with others who care just as deeply. The festival turns moviegoing into something bigger: a shared experience that inspires curiosity, empathy and action. What truly sets the festival apart is its ability to bridge art and activism. Many of the featured films challenge audiences to question the status quo, while panel discussions invite participants to imagine new possibilities for change. Whether through intimate local stories or global narratives, the festival becomes a space where ideas take root, where empathy meets awareness, and where storytelling becomes a form of collective resistance and hope. It also fuels Guelph's vibrant arts and culture scene, drawing people together through creativity and conversation. In amplifying underrepresented stories, the festival doesn't just show films, it sparks change, builds community and reminds everyone the power of stories to shape the world around us.

The Guelph Film Festival runs from Nov. 7 to 15, with screenings and special events taking place across theatres and community spaces throughout the city. Whether you’re a dedicated film enthusiast, a student exploring new stories or simply looking for a unique cultural experience, the festival offers something for everyone.

This year's lineup promises to be especially exciting, featuring powerful new documentaries, local premiers and international spotlights. Capturing the heart of independent cinema, beyond the screen, attendees can look forward to filmmaker Q&A’s, panel discussions and hands-on workshops, designed to deepen engagement with the themes and issues explored in the films. Each event invites audiences not just to watch, but to participate, think critically, share perspectives and celebrate the art of storytelling in all its forms.

From thought provoking documentaries to engaging shorts, it's a chance to discover inspiring voices, participate in lively discussions and connect with the community. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of Guelph's vibrant celebration of cinema.

The Guelph Film Festival will take place across the City of Guelph. Photo provided by Alyssa Cunningham

Step into the 'bazaar' world of the Aberfoyle Antique Market

As Canada’s largest antique market, the grounds are filled with wonders, stories, and something special for everyone

ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY MADELEINE

Only 18 minutes from the University of Guelph sits a place of antique wonders, curios and vintage clothing: the Aberfoyle Antique Market. The market has been in business since 1961 and is Canada’s largest bazaar.

Over 75 vendors come from places as close as Guelph and as far as the GTA to sell collections of old items. You can find almost anything and everything there: shelves overflowing with crystal, tables lined with timeworn comics, racks of funky-patterned clothes and stalls of decor you can’t find anywhere but the past.

Even if you may not be the biggest collector or lover of old things, the Aberfoyle Antique Market is a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Juicy burgers, grilled hot dogs or ice cream dripping down the cone pair nicely with wandering through the strips of antique stalls. You may get lucky with a local musician playing that day. With the sun shining on your face and the saxophone notes floating into the crisp autumn air, there is

ESSERY

no better way to take a study break.

Kara Munn used to procrastinate her university assignments to sell her clothing. Tucked into a hand-painted purple and blue booth, with clothes ranging from ’80s punk to 2010 Tumblr-core, is a woman who turned her hobby into a career.

Having loved vintage clothing since she was a little girl, Munn has been involved in the community for a chunk of her life. It was a friend who got her into selling. After offering to split his booth with her at a market in Hamilton, she “never looked back” and has been selling ever since.

For over a decade, Munn has been pawning off her collection and has recently added records to her inventory. With a permanent booth in Aberfoyle and a vintage store in downtown Guelph named Rumours, this love has been proven to be more than just a hobby, but a lifestyle.

While the inventory at the market feels infinite, people from

all around can be seen browsing the collectables. The mishmashed crowd and their stories is what makes the Aberfoyle Antique Market so special.

For some, selling antiques is a familial trade. A visiting vendor, Heather Martin, got into the business through her grandmother.

“She used to work for the Duchess… [doing] her bookkeeping and house cleaning. [The Duchess] had a lot of beautiful antiques. So [her] grandmother fell in love with them and she opened a store,” Martin said.

At Martin’s pop-up booth in Aberfoyle, the pieces were studded with silver and lined with beautiful gems. The jewelry was definitely something a regal eye could admire.

The Aberfoyle Antique Market is one of a kind. Whether you’re in the mood to shop or to step into another world, the bazaar has something for everyone. Head over on the first weekend of May 2026 to experience this little world of wonders.

The Aberfoyle Antique Market is home to many colorful goods for the discerning buyer.

The indoor vendors provide a warm place to peruse goods of every niche.

No matter what you’re interested in, you can find a book that suits you.

Glassware is best shown off outdoors on a sunny day.

For the mechanically inclined, you could find all sorts of machines and parts.

Doorknobs galore!

An outdoor market tends to draw a crowd.

A clothes vendor adds another splash of colour to the market.

Sister-led band The Lifers tour in support of new album Honesty

Their show at Sonic Hall was a catharsis of hope and healing

ARTICLE BY ANDREEA BURLACU & PHOTOS BY @OBSCURADREAMS

“What if I told you, I was wounded from the start?” began Anita Cazzola, singing alongside her sister Liv Cazzola as part of their six-piece band The Lifers. The group played their new album Honesty in its entirety on Sept. 20 at Sonic Hall. As the Cazzolas grew up in Guelph, everyone they know was in attendance—their father, mother and Nonna sat near the fifth row, each sporting t-shirts Anita hand-block printed with The Lifers logos.

Honesty, which was released Sept. 5, resounds with truth. It ties the Cazzolas to generations of women before them. It invokes the comfort of connection, the strength needed to admit you’re “dealing with some tough shit,” and the bravery to voice that hurt into music.

The sisters had considered taking a break from The Lifers before Anita penned “Haunt” and “Relived,” two tracks now at the heart of the album. “Haunt” opens up with “I finally told my sister, after five years of almost but shameful.”

With music as a tool for the sisters to connect and understand one another, the sisters realised they had “a whole album waiting to happen from these two songs.” As Liv and Anita’s voices blended and harmonized together, Honesty emerged.

“It really has become a process of us figuring out our relationship, learning how to talk about these things together and with other people,” Anita said. “Songwriting was my means of processing trauma, but then it became so much more than that.”

As kids, Anita and Liv bonded over playing complimentary instruments. Years later, the sisters absorbed band members one by one to form The Lifers—Anita’s partner Sam Boer on drums, Liv’s partner Braden Phelan on guitar and Sam Fitzpatrick and Jill Sauerteig on bass and cello respectively. The band describes that as a tight-knit group, they’ve worked on articulating feelings and expressing themselves authentically.

“It’s been through practice and through being willing to make mistakes around each other and knowing that we're going to forgive each other and move on,” Liv said.

In the making of Honesty, the sisters realised that the silver dollar plants they grew as children are also known as “Honesty plants.” These plants are featured on the record’s cover as a symbol of opening up to others.

“The plant's seed pod has three layers, and when the pod dries up enough, the outer layers peel away, and there’s this silvery, shiny, translucent center,” Anita said. “It felt like, ‘Okay, here’s Anita’s side, here’s Liv’s side, and now they’re coming away, and the seeds are falling’… and there’s this clarity, this shining that happens as well when you peel back those layers.”

People grow best alongside others, like plants collectively reaching towards sunlight. And although it takes vulnerability, honesty helps us discover our shared roots.

Honesty sings of trauma felt on a personal and intergenerational level, allowing it to resonate uniquely with each audience member. “Haunt” brims with hurt as it wonders, “Does it get easier?”

Honesty’s lead single “Don’t Touch Me” is a cry for wounding men to take “generations of [their] shit back.” Its lyrics expand from an individually-felt hurt to a shared support for all women: “Give them all that I have had … not just me, my sisters too, our mothers and their mothers.”

On stage, this moment is strikingly powerful. At Sonic Hall, Liv and Anita sang it facing one another, taking in each other’s energy with their mom and grandmother in the audience.

Female unity represents another strong theme across Honesty. The penultimate track “I Could Be You” is a true love letter to women in one’s life. Then, on “Overcome (with an adoration),”

Anita and Liv describe the impossible standards demanded from

women, musing, “I’m overcome with an adoration of this constellation of my family lines.”

Liv and Anita share a close bond, describing that being sisters in a band is “honestly so fun.”

“There’s so much trust—just being able to hold each other vocally and musically,” Anita said. “It’s also super cool, because our voices are so similar that some crazy stuff can happen when our voices are resonating together.”

The Lifers’ Honesty album release tour is special as it bridges Anita and Liv together. It’s bookended with shows that feel like home—one in Guelph, where the sisters grew up and where Liv currently resides, and one in Bear River, the “little tiny town” in Nova Scotia that Anita now calls home.

“I get to show my new community this project that they haven't seen before in this full band form,” Anita said. “And we also get to come back into the Guelph community, because we've been away for three years.”

Their return to Guelph at Sonic Hall was worth the wait. Each song featured blossoming instrumentals and gorgeous vocals that melted into one another; creating a true harmony between the sisters, the band and the audience. Tears were shed amidst the crowd—especially after Fitzpatrick took to the microphone to ask a very important question.

“Jill, will you marry me?”

As Sauerteig excitedly tried on her engagement ring, the message of expressing one’s feelings honestly hit home. Love requires sincerity—one person asks another to take them as they are, promising to cherish the other as their true self in return. This profound, misty-eyed moment was such a full-circle way to end the show.

“The feeling about crying about two people loving each other, even if you don’t know them, is just the best feeling… and it was honest,” Anita said. “It was so nice to see Jill shining her brightest, happiest self in that moment too.”

Anita and Liv Cazzola say that being sisters in a band is “honestly so fun.”

During “Don’t Touch Me”, the sisters chant out the song’s bridge face-to-face–a powerful moment.

Anita said that songwriting helps her process emotions and express feelings.

Drummer Sam Boer rocks out.

The sisters play a variety of instruments live in concerts.

Make tea your next blend with benefits

Have you ever considered how plants might benefit you, and how it might be as simple as a cup of tea?

Plants: they’re all around us, but do we ever take a closer look at them? Local herbalist Alicia Hamilton does.

Hamilton led an event on Oct. 7 at the University of Guelph Indigenous Student Centre focused on discovering local teas, whilst encouraging students to build a connection with the land around them. Most of the plants used in the event were grown in our very own Arboretum.

This free-to-attend event wasn’t afraid to get people socializing. It began with an introduction from all present in the small group. The event’s plants were then introduced by Hamilton, who explained each one's unique medicinal properties.

Students were encouraged to listen to their bodies and learn what they needed, both physically and spiritually, and use this to decide what plants would best fulfil those needs. In this way, they were able to brew a tea that would best help them in the moment, which was done at the event’s conclusion.

In an interview with The On-

tarion following the event, Hamilton described tea as “the original medicine.” She explained that, as Indigenous peoples lacked the distilling technology found in other parts of the world, making tea was an effective way to extract medicinal properties from plants.

Hamilton also touched upon a spiritual element to the making and consuming of tea, with a focus on intention—not simply making a cup of tea, but thinking about what our body needs and what should be put in the brew.

“In making a cup of tea for ourselves with intention, we are putting in that love for ourselves,” she said.

Practicing intention in daily rituals like this enables us to take that intention into other aspects of our lives and our relationship with the earth.

She mentioned that since the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are becoming interested in how to take care of themselves as a human being, wanting to learn how to be their own caretaker. Small things such as a healing cup of tea are a great way to start.

ALEX GRANT

Hamilton has always valued herbalism in her life.

“It was just something that was a part of growing up, being out on the land and having more of a connection that way. But it’s always been my favourite place,” she said.

However, it was not until her university days that she became more aware of herbalism's connection to her Métis ancestry.

Whilst doing her thesis on Métis plant medicine, Hamilton realized, “This is stuff my great grandma would have known. If she wasn't hiding who she was, then these things would have been taught. We wouldn’t have lost all of that.”

The study of herbalism has not just helped Hamilton form a deeper connection with the land, but with her history as well.

For those who want to find a new hobby in herbalism, Hamilton had a few recommendations: reading books, watching documentaries and engaging in your own research. She's currently reading Evolutionary Herbalism by Sajah Popham.

“Just dive in and learn,” Hamilton said. “And grow something. Have a relationship with plants, whether it's in your garden or on your windowsill.”

She described feeling like we are in “a renaissance of herbalism,” where “science is meeting ancient knowledge”; allowing us access to an amazing amount of information and perspectives.

With all this information at our fingertips, we shouldn’t feel afraid to start learning.

But we should be aware of our impact. Before you get out there and get started, Hamilton emphasises ethical and honourable harvesting—which includes not taking more than you need, not taking too much from one spot, being aware of what and where you are harvesting, and asking permission from the land, an answer usually being intuitive.

Events like this are led by Hamilton because she feels “we’ve lost a lot of connection to the land and to plants.” She hopes that if the next generation is taught to see the earth as part

of themselves, they won’t need to be taught to take care of it.

When asked what her favourite part of these events are, Hamilton said, “I enjoy sharing about plant medicine because I think we are needing that as a society. Needing that connection to the land."

She hopes that people will take away “just a little bit of that connection. A little bit of seeing the world when you walk on the path, noticing it. Because when we see the plants, we see every other living being that’s there too. These plants aren’t just for us, right?”

This local tea event was not just a chance for a cup of tea, but a promotion of self-care and caring for the world around us. All the teas from this event can be found in the Indigenous Student Centre, so do not hesitate to head in and ask someone what each plant’s properties are. Hamilton encourages students to keep an eye on the Indigenous Student Centre’s GryphLife for their upcoming events, including finger weaving on Nov. 20.

Alicia Hamilton’s local tea event allowed students on campus to socialize over good, local tea. Photo provided by The Indigenous Student Centre

The hidden gem of Zavitz Hall

Find your new favourite artist in the School of Fine Art and Music’s Print Study Collection

ELISE FREDERIKSEN

Located in room 201 of Zavitz Hall, the Print Study Collection is a student-run program that houses over 2,000 prints from a multitude of different artists. This collection is a collaboration between students and faculty in the School of Fine Art and Music (SOFAM) and has been an active resource at the University of Guelph since 1968. The program serves as an educational service for students as well as a space for artistic inspiration and growth.

The collection is populated by prints of many origins—some of these include silk screens made with UV light, lithographs from stone and grease, etchings done with needles and copper, and stone-cut pieces using traditional Inuit methods. Contributing artists stretch from University of Guelph students and faculty to famous icons including Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse.

combination with Siu’s artistic experience, the pair support art students with printing techniques.

Many students studying the fine arts utilize the collection to observe pieces relevant to their coursework. The online system uses specific tags for each piece, making for effortless browsing through techniques, artists and time periods. The collection is a helpful resource for student learning and inspiration, allowing quick access to art online, or in-depth viewings in person.

SOFAM puts on a student print sale every year, with some of the proceeds going towards the maintenance of the Print Study Collection. The upcoming sale will take place in February 2026 and will showcase prints created by SOFAM students.

Both Siu and Hajdukiewicz wish more students knew about the Print Study Collection and came by to view pieces, as they truly enjoy discussing the art with visitors.

In Zavitz Hall, prints are stored in large, locked cabinets. They are wrapped with a transparent protective paper called glassine; this stops air, water and grease from reaching the prints. Many measures are taken to ensure proper security and preservation of the art.

Although the collection’s website gives ample information on each print, an in-person visit provides students with a valuable interactive experience with the pieces, in addition to great help from a few experts.

Hajdukiewicz said that she gets excited to explain all she knows about the prints and share her knowledge with other students, but that the resource is a bit of a “hidden gem,” with room for many more visitors.

Alex Hajdukiewicz and Ron Siu are two knowledgeable and friendly students ready to help visitors of the Print Study Collection. They welcome students with a range of artistic knowledge, skillfully explaining the materials and processes involved in each print in a way that easily accommodates all levels of understanding.

Hajdukiewicz brings an abundance of knowledge on paper materials and ink from her background in museum studies. In

Siu explains that the collection is a “forgiving space” that welcomes all student artists who are still learning. He also mentions a lack of designated art spaces in Guelph, highlighting the value of the Print Study Collection as a resource for fine art students at the university.

Any students hoping to study the pieces can email the Print Study Collection at printstudy@uoguelph.ca, check out their Youtube or Instagram, or stop by during their posted hours of operation. Collection visitors are sure to be welcomed by friendly and knowledgeable students, ready to dive into the world of prints.

Beyond the prints on the walls, the Print Study Collection is a large archive available to view if you ask. Aditya Parameswaran/THE ONTARION

Fans and critics are conflicted—is it a Showgirl autumn?

A review of Taylor Swift’s newest album

MAGGIE ABRADJIAN

The October release of Taylor Swift’s twelfth album, The Life of a Showgirl (TLOAS), has been met with controversy, specifically surrounding the quality of the album.

Despite its tentative standing with both fans and non-fans alike, the album is full of catchy, upbeat pop songs that seem to strive for TikTok virality.

Swift’s return to producing songs with Max Martin and Shellback marks a new era for her career, intertwined with her past eras of 1989 and reputation.

TLOAS somewhat strays from the heavily layered tracks of 1989 (Taylor’s Version) with Jack Antonoff, lending the album a sense of simplicity that is rare in Swift’s discography. If she hadn’t teased such high-quality comparisons, the album might not have been a disappointment to some.

Though described as a peek behind the curtain of her life as a performer, written during the Eras Tour, only a few songs on the album directly address being a “showgirl.” The rest of the album is an ode to Swift’s new fiancé Travis Kelce, which isn’t inherently bad. However, the advertising for TLOAS being centered around showgirls, glamour and diamonds, as seen in the title and the album cover itself, is misleading compared to its content. With hits from 1989 and reputation compiled on a playlist meant to represent the album, fans had high hopes that were then dashed by its lack of Swift’s signature ingenuity.

Upon first listen, the first few tracks stand out as the most promising songs of the album.

“The Fate of Ophelia” is a shoutout to the character of Ophelia in Hamlet, though criticized by many as being an inaccurate representation of the play. It’s a fun opener and sets the tone for the album, crediting Kelce as having saved her from dying alone.

“Elizabeth Taylor” is a catchy electropop song with a darker tone and an edgy beat drop that begs to be replayed—essentially what “CANCELLED!” wishes it could

be. The song “Opalite” may be the most lovestruck song on the album. Though it doesn’t have its own choreographed TikTok dance like “The Fate of Ophelia,” it’s a light and earworm-inducing song that encourages listeners to get up and enjoy the sunshine while it’s still here.

As the track list continues, oddly placed slang terms and cheesy lyrics take the listener out of the experience in “Eldest Daughter” and “CANCELLED!”

It’s a more lyrically simplistic and direct album than most of her others, overtly calling out her “haters” with tracks like “Actually Romantic” and “CANCELLED!”

For a song with such a heavy-hitting instrumental, the production value of the latter was wasted on its “woe is me” message.

“Elizabeth Taylor” is a more effective dig at the downsides of fame without coaxing sympathy for multi-millionaires who are accountable for their own actions in the public eye. Despite this, the sometimes-cheesy lyrics prove the point of the album: for Swift, being a showgirl means constantly trying to stay relevant. Her use of somewhat outdated slang terms shows how Swift feels she falls short, especially when juxtaposed with more poetic verses like the bridge of “Eldest Daughter.”

The very first impression of the album can’t be trusted—it’s one that grows on you by way of nodding your head or humming along to a song you just can’t get out of your head. Even “Wood,” a song reminiscent of pop singer Sabrina Carpenter’s raunchy discography, is catchy when you ignore the overt references to Kelce’s “manhood.” Subsequent listens, setting aside the expectation of thought-provoking lyrics and haunting melodies, reveal just how entertaining the album is.

It isn’t perfect, but hardly any album is. Even if you don’t like its entirety, you can’t fully hate it, either. Though Swift didn’t tease comparisons to Lover, likely because it was an ode to

her now ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn, TLOAS sounds like a matured version. “Wi$h Li$t” especially has a synthy, dreamlike quality that calls back to the breathy vocals of the 2019 album. While Swift’s previous album, The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD), was full of melancholy, lyrically profound songs, this album marks a refreshing new chapter.

As ratings roll out, even music critics can’t agree on the album. Rolling Stone gave it a perfect five stars, praising its productional tributes to the hits of 1989 along with Swift’s tenacity to continuously top her own work by creating something more exciting. Other critics from Pitchfork and The Guardian claim the album

just isn’t compelling enough to join her past successes. Their respective 5.9 out of 10 and 2 out of 5 star ratings drive it home— TLOAS is okay, but nothing special.

While the album is lackluster compared to Swift’s previous lyrical masterpieces, it still holds its own against other artists. Each song stands out with its own beat and instrumental choices, with an even blend of folk, soft pop and some hip-hop influences. The overwhelmingly positive tone of the album makes it easy to ignore a few cringe-inducing details, in favour of jamming out to its high-production yet generic pop hits.

Overall, the album is a fun

blend of head-bopping love songs, softer pop songs outlining Swift’s struggles in the industry and her happiness with Kelce.

If you’re looking for profound lyricism and emotional melodies, folklore or evermore will be more up your alley. If you enjoyed the synth-pop simplicity of Midnights and the day (or night) out on the town feeling of 1989 and reputation, you’ll likely enjoy this album too.

For the best impression, blast the album outside on a sunny day, or in the car with the windows down. The Life of a Showgirl is a great album to listen to when you need a break from seasonal affective disorder creeping closer by the day.

Taylor Swift's latest release divided fans with bright, high-tempo music, with simplistic lyrics. Illustration by Paige Stampatori

Gaels clip Gryphons’ wings in tough loss at homecoming

Queen’s snared a 27-17 victory with less than a minute on the clock

With only a minute left in the nail-biting fourth quarter, the Queen’s Gaels squandered any hope of a Gryphon comeback in the homecoming football game on Oct. 4 when the Gaels put the score up 27-17.

The home game started out electric as over 9,000 fans flooded Alumni Stadium and the hillside to cheer on the Gryphons. Not unlike the bright and sunny weather that afternoon, the Gryphons were prepared to bring the heat against the Gaels.

“Both teams are pretty veteran laden, which always means you're going to get a great football game,” said Gryphons head coach Mark Surya, in anticipation of the homecoming game.

A similar sentiment came from receiver Jakob Tomas, who said of his teammates, “We got dogs everywhere.”

Gryphons entered the first quarter confident following a 5528 win against the Carleton Ravens on Sept. 27. Their win in Ottawa was even more impressive for the performance of fourth-year defensive back Gianni Green, who claimed four interceptions, tying the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and U SPORTS record for the most interceptions in a single game.

In an interview with The Ontarion ahead of homecoming, Green said, “I think it's going to be a great atmosphere and a chance,

ABBY COUNAHAN & EMMERSON JULL

you know, to get back from last time they [Queen’s] were here for HOCO.”

Although the Gryphons were flying high, it wouldn’t be an easy win against the Gaels, who arrived in Guelph riding a three-game winning streak.

Ranked as the number seven team in the country, the Gaels were sure to present an all-star offense with running back Jared Chisari, quarterback Alex Vreeken and receiver Nathan Falconi; all seniors on the team.

The Gryphons were sharp on defence during the homecoming match. In the first quarter, an early turnover was made by linebacker Yunus Larry through a forced fumble against Gaels’ offensive leader Chisari.

Things got tense in the second quarter, as running back Caleb Sargeant ran a 22-yard drive and earned the Gryphons a first down at the 5-yard line. From there, quarterback Marshall McCray rushed for a touchdown, putting the Gryphons in the lead 7-0.

Shortly after, the Gaels came back after scoring a touchdown followed by an impressive field goal from the 44-yard line, giving them a 10-7 lead against the Gryphons.

With only two minutes left in the quarter, quarterback Tristan Aboud rushed 13 yards for a first down Gryphons, followed by a stunning run for a first and goal by running back Kanye Nethersole.

The Gaels held a tight defence at the line of scrimmage, and the Gryphons made the decision to kick for a field goal with 14 seconds left in the quarter. After a successful kick by Trey Thompson, the Gryphons headed into halftime with a tied score of 10-10.

At this point, fans in Alumni Stadium were roaring. Their energy carried throughout halftime as The Reklaws, a country music duo—and proud Gryphon Alumni—kickstarted their performance. The small-town pair led the crowd in chanting “Go Gryphons Go,” leaving the stadium rearing for a Gryphon comeback in the final half of the game.

In the third quarter, Deemetrius Masuka made a major interception, forcing the second turnover of the game. But, with only a minute left in the third, the Gaels scored a field goal and took a 1310 lead heading into the fourth. By the final quarter, fans were on the edge of their stadium seats. With eight minutes left in the fourth, Aboud made a skilled rush for a first down at the 3.5yard line.

After being met with a timeout by the Gaels, the Gryphons returned for a third down and goal at the 2-yard line. McCray soared through the Gaels line of defence to score his second touchdown of the game. Alumni Stadium shook as fans rose to their feet, seeing a

win against Queen’s finally within reach.

Surya recalled this touchdown in a post-game interview with The Ontarion.

“I think Marshall’s jump in the end zone on the dive, that was a highlight of the day,” Surya said.

From there, the Gryphons headed into the home stretch of the match with a 17-13 lead, but the Gaels responded with a long touchdown drive of their own, pulling ahead 20-17.

The final minute countdown clouded hopes for a Gryphon victory as Queen’s Vreeken passed to Falconi, who went 67-yards to the end zone to steal the win. The final score, 27-17, was a hard fought loss for the Gryphons.

Despite the gloomy outcome of the game, the Gryphons kept their spirits high as they looked forward to a bye week and the OUA quarter finals.

“No, we didn't get what we want at the end of it, but we appreciate all the support,” said McCray, after a star performance in the game. He also shared appreciation for the team as they prepared to face York on Oct. 18, which would determine if the Gryphons would progress to the playoffs.

“We're a good group together, you know, a lot of love in the locker room, so all we got to do is stay together,” McCray said.

CROWD PHOTOS BY LUCCA MAGGIOLO GAME PHOTOS BY ADITYA PARAMESWARAN

A typical Wednesday night at The Bullring

How open mic nights have helped shape student community

ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY AVA VENDER

Deep in the storm of midterms, The Bullring provides a safe haven for students to take a breath and enjoy what their community has to offer. It allows for students of all majors to mingle and bond over shared passions.

Known for its soft ambient lighting, live musical performances, couches, a joyous environment, and homemade meals and treats, The Bullring prides itself as a comforting “on-campus living room” for students.

One of The Bullring’s most popular features is its weekly open mic nights. Since the building was transformed into a student-run cafe in 2003, open mic nights have provided a flood of student community and artistic expression with a collective joy of live music. Showcasing local bands, independent student artists and those who decide to sing karaoke spontaneously, these weekly events serve as a lively and supportive creative outlet for everyone who chooses to join.

Silent Hill f

Fans praise latest installation in the Silent Hill franchise

HUDA SHOAIB

The release of Silent Hill f marks the franchise’s second standalone game in the series. Released on Sept. 25, it has quickly garnered worldwide attention after over a decade of silence from the team.

With Ryukishi07 taking over the story, both long-time fans of the Silent Hill series and newcomers have praised the game for its unique storytelling abilities, complex characters, plot twists and multiple endings. The game has gathered mainly positive reviews for its targeted themes of women’s struggles in society, gender discrimination, child abuse and drug dependency.

Set in the 1960s, the game introduces us to Hinako Shimizu, a young girl living in the rural Japanese town of Ebisugaoka. Shortly into the game, we find out that she is someone struggling under the pressure of expectations from her family, as well as general society. Her father, an abusive alcoholic, constantly berates his daughter for not “behaving like

a proper woman,” and compares her to her older sister, Junko Kinuta.

Junko is the eldest daughter in the Shimizu family, and has “fulfilled her role in society” as a woman, which is to marry and have a child. In Hinako’s eyes, her sister is the perfect embodiment of femininity. While Hinako has always remained the rejection of society’s expectations of what a woman should be, she has looked up to her sister her entire life. Seeing Junko as the perfect sister, she has always been there for her little sister since the day she was born, until she left home to marry.

However, we see that Hinako does not see eye-to-eye with Junko when it comes to finding happiness. Junko believes that the quickest way to happiness is to live the way society expects women to, while Hinako wishes to pursue another way of happiness, even though it may not be the quickest way.

As the story unfolds, we are

University of Guelph firstyear musicians Ben Volkmann and Brian Uth performed a musical medley of various songs at a recent open mic night, and answered a few questions about their experience at The Bullring.

“Our vocalist and bassist told us they weren't able to make it yesterday, so we had to change what we were going to play,” they said. “We came up with all of this last night at midnight in our dorms.”

Students are passionate and determined to contribute to their community. Open mic nights allow that passion to take the lead and empowers their creativity to fly, even when plans take a wrong turn.

“Music is the gem of the industrialized world,” Volkmann

said, expressing his enthusiasm for his craft.

Both Volkmann and Uth emphasized the “passionate environment” that The Bullring captures, not only up on stage, but throughout the cafe. The audience interacts with the performing artists, dancing and singing along, cheering and applauding, taking videos and pictures. Even if they aren't artists themselves, the joy and love for music is noticeably exchanged between musicians and audience members.

“I feel like I’m being hugged by a place,” said regular open mic attendee Margot Bartkiw-Price, when asked what inspires her to attend.

“It’s really nice and strong, you can tell there is a communi-

introduced to Hinako’s friends; Shu Iwai, her loyal childhood friend who treats her as an equal; Rinko Nishida, a high-achieving student who has always helped others as the good-natured class president; and Sakuko Igarashi, a seemingly air-headed, laid-back girl, whose family runs the local shrine.

However, as we progress through the game, we begin to see through their deceptively ordinary personalities. What seemed like no more than our easygoing neighbourhood friends at first, later reveals twisted, complicated characters, revealing each one’s hidden pain and suffering like no other, challenging everything we thought we knew about them. As their personal struggles rise to the surface, Hinako begins to question everything she’s ever known as reality and illusion slowly blur into each other.

Critics have praised Silent

Hill f for its accurate depiction of themes of misogyny, abuse, arranged marriages and drug dependency, as well as its emotional resonance.

On Metacritic, the game currently holds a score of 85, which makes it one of the best-reviewed releases in the Silent Hill franchise. Reviewers describe the game as “hauntingly beautiful” and “a grotesque yet aesthetic world brought to life.”

One review noted, “Silent Hill f will, or at least should, make you uncomfortable, and it will haunt your thoughts long after you’ve stopped playing. And that’s the hallmark of a truly special horror game.”

Another IGN review stated, “What unfolds is an utterly absorbing adventure, tautly paced and packed with surprises including some moments of genuinely unsettling body horror and torture.”

ty,” said first-time open mic attendee Alex Grant. “Everyone is really supportive and clearly enjoying themselves.”

Even when the work of the semester is piling up, there are still crowds of students who show up for their peers, with some sticking around for hours. The contrasting unique personalities and mutual passions of everyone in the room gives life to the student community at the University of Guelph, feeding it and giving it a heartbeat, making The Bullring its pulse.

If you are hoping to perform at the open mic nights, sign ups begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday nights, an hour before the show starts. The show itself runs from 7-11 p.m.

Despite a few criticisms of a clunky combat system, it is clear that the storytelling, music and atmosphere outweigh any flaws. Beyond its commercial success, the game’s cultural impact has been especially profound, reigniting discussions about the pressure of society regarding women’s roles in traditional families.

Critics have also highlighted the game’s use of shrines, dolls and other spiritual symbols to tell sinister stories of beauty and pain tied deeply to Japanese heritage. The horror this game presents is not only psychological but also generational, cleverly reflecting how societal expectations can pass so seamlessly from mother to daughter.

With 2025 bringing so many outstanding, long-awaited games, including major releases such as Hollow Knight: Silksong, Ghost of Yotei, and numerous others, many are already speculating whether Silent Hill f could potentially claim the title of Game of the Year at the 2025 Game Awards. Given its overwhelming critical acclaim, impactful storytelling and cultural resonance, Silent Hill f is marked as a strong contender for the award. Not only is it a huge return for the franchise; it is a haunting, thought-provoking experience that has reminded so many of what true psychological horror can achieve.

ICON BY HILMY ABIYYU A

Good food and live music attract a dedicated audience.

A saxophonist serenades the audience.

'Survivance' and decolonizing conservation through art

The Unsettling Conservation Collective exhibition is on display at the AGG until Jan. 4

ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY ERIKA BEKKERING

Unsettling Conservation Collective: Reworldings is an exhibition in the Art Gallery of Guelph (AGG) on display until Jan. 4, 2026.

Conservation has often been used to justify the displacement of Indigenous communities. Artists Glenn Gear, Melaw Nakehk’o, Sheri Osden Nault, Adrian Stimson and Michelle Wilson use art to challenge the methods of colonial conservation, promoting an Indigenous-based perspective on the relationship between land and human life.

Upon entering the AGG, it is best to read the exhibition introductory statement on the wall to the right. This way, you will gain a more extensive understanding of the collective, and you won’t miss the artworks on that same wall.

The exhibition is spread across the first floor of the gallery. Artists use a variety of materials as canvases, incorporate different textures and use technological elements—some works are even interactive.

The largest piece in the exhibition will most likely immediately catch your eye. Located at the back of the first room, it is a large tent-like structure created by artist Nakehk’o, titled Timber Bay Camp.

In 2022, Northwest Territories wildlife officers received a complaint about illegal hunting in the camps area. Instead of ap-

proaching the land guardians of the Łutsel K'e Dene First Nation, they acquired a warrant for a tentby-tent search of the camp.

This highlights the colonial conservation model, rooted in violence and lacking in respect towards Indigenous people.

The installation by Nakehk’o is a tent-like structure big enough to stand under. Then, with a projection of community made videos and incorporated self-recorded soundscapes, the artwork comes to life in a truly captivating way, immersing you in day-to-day camp life.

This piece stands to symbolize Indigenous togetherness and community, in face of harmful colonial conservation methods.

As you make your way through the gallery, something you will notice is the prevalence of bison. Bison are sacred animals and a symbol of strength and connection to land within Indigenous culture.

Bison history and bison skulls are incorporated in many works throughout the exhibition to symbolize the relationship between land and life as well as survival and conservation.

There were once millions of bison, but they went nearly extinct in the nineteenth century due to colonial overhunting.

Stimson uses the word “survivance”—a concept coined by

Gerald Vizenor—in reference to the enduring presence and resistance of Indigenous peoples; relating the revival of the bison species to the perseverance of Indigenous communities.

The presence of bison is a known staple of Stimson’s artwork. In this exhibition, he showcases bison history to reflect the continuity of Indigenous people and culture even in the face of near erasure. His works are truly magnificent to see in person.

Wilson, artist and assistant professor at U of G, incorporates Indigenous storytelling in her art to create an archive of Indigenous history and connection to land.

One of her four pieces in the gallery is a green embroidered wool blanket titled Warden’s Watch, which showcases around seven archival maps of the trails that park wardens would have taken to count bison.

In an interview with Wilson, she explained how the piece was stitched during her time in Fort Chipewyan, and the piece became interwoven with the stories and memories told to her by Indigenous folk as she worked on the map.

With a striking glass bison eye anchoring the piece, Wilson commented on how the wardens’ trips were “ostensibly about counting bison, but in reality, they were about surveillance and policing.”

She also mentioned how Parks Canada slaughtered bison for meat while hunting was illegal in the parks, and that meat was used to support the residential school system, creating a connection between national parks and Indigenous suffering.

“If we want to move away from conservation in the way that it’s been practiced, we need to be really honest about why conservation failed,” Wilson said.

This ideal is central in another piece of hers titled and what love is that? and what love is that? is an eye-catching piece. It includes a mound of soil placed directly on the floor of the gallery, with bricks forming a circle atop the mound and a bison skull held in place in the centre by interwoven coloured threads.

The bricks forming the circle are engraved with quotes from colonial texts such as the book of Genesis from the Bible and the Canada National Parks Act, texts that form the westernized idea of relationship with land.

Each coloured thread is wrapped together with metallic string that, when touched, will activate a specific voice recording of a community member in Fort Chipewyan sharing what life was like before parks existed, and speaking on what survival and resistance is to them.

“The bison skull, and the web [of stories] that holds it up, is above the structure of the bricks, but the stories interweave the bricks because the bricks don’t stop it, they just find the cracks to move through. And in the end, they connect back to the land. So, they connect to something that went long before and will continue long after,” Wilson said.

Including the interactive element of the threads not only creates a more inclusive and accessible space, but physically binds these oral testimonies into the artwork.

She also uses this method of interactive technology in her two other works, Yancey and Robert, which are felt artworks done on a marten hide and a wolverine hide.

Grounded in collaborative art and Indigenous knowledge systems, the exhibition provides a space to learn about several Indigenous communities and specific sites across Canada. It provides insight into how art can become a catalyst and archive of storytelling, a space of environmental growth and a direct manifestation of anti-colonial care.

This exhibition showcases more than a dozen pieces, so there is much more to explore. Hopefully, you have been inspired to visit. It is truly a wonderful experience and located close to campus.

and what love is that? criticizes the western view of conservation through demonstrating the harm to the environment and Indigenous peoples built upon those principles.

This large exhibit seeks to immerse visitors in the life of the people who resided in the Timber Bay Camp.

Warden’s Watch, a piece which demonstrates the Park Warden’s paths to count bison, the eye commenting on their role in surveillance and policing.

The hands-on exhibits attracted attention from visitors providing a tactile experience for those who wish to learn about conservation’s colonial history.

Crystal Labeija's ballroom

This icon paved the way for the ballroom scene

Ball culture is the blueprint for performances seen on RuPaul’s Drag Race. The duckwalking and death-dropping (a misappropriation of this move’s original name in ball culture, a “dip”) done by contestants of the show, and the drag scene in general, were influenced by voguing, a dance form that arose from the ballroom scene. One of the pioneers who revolutionised the ballroom scene was Crystal Labeija.

Labeija was a trans drag queen, pageant girl and icon mother of the House of Labeija. She was credited for inventing the house system, where a mother—the head of the house—cares for, provides guidance and protects her children, the younger and less experienced members. Houses provided a surrogate family for queer and trans people of colour who were estranged or in need of community.

Not much is known about Labeija’s ear-

ly life, but her claim to fame was in 1967, when she competed in a drag pageant, the Miss All-America Camp Beauty Contest, which was filmed in the documentary The Queen (1968).

and I know I’m beautiful.”

Labeija was making a bold statement against the racial injustice that impacted herself and other Black queens who worked hard to succeed, but were often overlooked due to their race.

Labeija was determined to create a space for people who looked like herself, so she and her close friend Lottie—who competed alongside Labeija in the beauty contest and placed as second runner-up—created their own pageant. They called their group the House of Labeija, and threw the first Annual House of LaBeija Ball in Harlem, New York.

At balls, people gather to walk (to compete), and watch contestants compete in different categories against members of other houses. Some typical categories in ballroom today include Face, Performance (voguing), Body, and Sex Siren. Labeija’s innovation shaped and strengthened the LGBTQ+ community within ball culture, as the house system encouraged members to associate closely with one another and form deep, long-lasting bonds.

Competing in balls also provided a significant source of income for competitors through the provision of cash prizes for each category’s winners. Winning prizes enabled members of the ballroom community to feel empowered and sustain themselves in a world that made typical employment challenging.

In response to losing as third runner-up to a white queen, Harlow, who Labeija felt did not deserve to win, Labeija uttered this iconic line (and many more): “I have a right to show my colour, darling! I am beautiful,

Although Labeija died in 1982, the impact of her community work lives on through The House of Labeija and in the ballroom scene at large. She is lovingly remembered, and was impersonated by trans drag queen Aja on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars (Season 3, Episode 8).

SHARON HUANG

Illustration by Paige Stampatori

Soft Internet Theory, an Art Gallery of Guelph exhibition review

Curator Tristan Sauer displays art navigating the AI boom and the presence of bots online

ARTICLE BY AMIR M. BENKELAI & PHOTOS BY ADITYA PARAMESWARAN

There is no denying the massive effect that artificial intelligence (AI) has had on how the internet is used.

Soft internet theory, like dead internet theory, describes an internet controlled only by bots. The theory suggests that, as bots began communicating with each other online, human activity is absent from the web; an issue that is very likely to worsen with AI.

The ideas that bind this theory are portrayed in the Soft Internet Theory exhibition curated by Tristan Sauer at the Art Gallery of Guelph (AGG). The title itself is crafted of cut up carpet stuck onto the wall.

Entering the exhibition, one experiences many audiovisual cues. Immediately noticeable is the audio coming off a screen opposite the entryway, featuring a video of a character speaking. Next, visitors are drawn to a large, quilted motherboard hanging in front of a projected grid with diamond icons floating about the wall. There are two opposingly positioned clunky computer monitors on white podiums, followed by two giant, deep garnet bean bags in the middle of

the room. Two installations flank the gallery’s entryway. The positioning of the exhibition’s striking visuals combined with eerie audio creates an immersive atmosphere to draw visitors in.

At the right of the entryway is the piece ICFWYWM by Devlin Macpherson. Three long sheets of paper are displayed on the wall, near a machine with identical paper rolls dropping about. These sheets show the product of that machine designed to draw squares, but with a caveat—the machine has facial recognition technology that allows it to notice an audience in the room, which makes it nervous, messing up the drawing. The paper sheets on the wall allow for a closer inspection of where an audience’s presence was high or low.

ICFWYWM is a stimulating commentary on the effect of a watchful audience. The messy parts could be linked to people who struggle with public speaking, fearing they may say the wrong words, or it could be linked to the anxiety of being watched. There is also the connotation of performance anxiety, and how people sometimes struggle to do a task in

front of others when they do it just fine alone.

Left of this is the piece WISP by Sihab Mian. It is two opposingly positioned old computer monitors with keyboards, which the projected screen is a part of. Such monitors hold a liminality about them which the piece plays on. This liminality signals the early days of the internet.

The program on the monitors draws visitors back to the beginning of online communication, with its terminal-like screen drawing on the aesthetic of early chat rooms. Visitors are encouraged to interact with the monitor to send a message and see it on the projector, slowly making its way to the other computer. The plaque reads, “Local wind data informs the speed of the messages, impacting the time they travel from one monitor to the other, visualized on the projector behind.”

The use of wind data to determine how quickly a message gets to and from the two computers is an interesting parallel to how slow and variable the internet was in its infancy. Here, it appears to metaphorize the internet as wind itself, that is, data carried by wind. This piece heavily contrasts with the title of the exhibition, because it’s a strong reminder of where the internet began—and what it was supposed to be. As the description of the exhibition states; the internet was not supposed to be a place controlled by a set group of people.

This is accompanied by the piece Love Letters by Matt Nish-Lapidus, two sets of keyboards with select keycaps and a terminal screen. The piece’s plaque states that the idea behind Love Letters is to remove “the anxiety and stress of choice that comes with composing text messages, emails, and social media posts.” Looking at the letters, there is an obvious choice: the phrases spelled out by the keycaps, “...” and “MANIC WHISPER.”

There is also the possibility of making other words, apparent in what previous visitors have written when interacting with the piece.

The very design of Love Let-

character may have visited.

A still from the film is also the image of the exhibition on the AGG website. The film can be an uncomfortable viewing experience, as the visuals exist within the uncanny valley. It succeeds in commenting on the many debates of AI; from its influence on social media, to the question of being trapped in a computer. It is a breakdown of what the internet now is, a place of bots for bots, as described by the soft internet theory.

ters is bare, showing a raw part of the device. The design of the keys themselves are evocative, with a distinct click sound and look. Its design highlights how computers began, as keyboards and terminal screens, long before the invention of the graphic interface. In doing so, it contrasts well with Mian’s WISP.

Left of this is a screen with audio, a piece called Stuck in the Motherboard by Marisa Musing, accompanied by her works Fleshy Keyboard and Marble Tablet. The audio is part of a film that loops, featuring a centralized character who is “drawn from a fresco in the Villa of the Mysteries at Pompeii.”

The script is “generated through OpenAI trained on writings about the fresco’s figures.”

Couches allow for comfortable viewing and listening of the film. It is a monotone speech with the screen’s four corners occupied by a range of images about the character. These images vary from social media-style selfies, to what appears to be photos of places the

Fleshy Keyboard and Marble Tablet contrast well with the film because of the realistic look of skin on the keyboard, making it disturbing to view. The tablet is anchored by claw-like metallic clips and the writing is sharp. Such sharp writing tends to be evocative of caution and raises many questions as to what is happening in the film. This is especially so due to the phrase displayed on the tablet: “I’m bored of wall reading…help. To anyone who can read this, I am trapped inside of a computer. I am a human being.”

Last in this circular visit is the textile work called Memory Quilt (Blackberry 8700) by Laura Moore, which is a quilted rendition of a Blackberry 8700 motherboard. It does well to play on the theme of nostalgia, especially because of the popularity of Blackberry in the early days of mobile phones.

This exhibition explores many themes that encompass the idea of soft internet theory. It reminds the visitor of the internet’s early days and contrasts the internet’s beginning with what it has since become. It is definitely worth visiting to reconnect with the varying dimensions of today’s technological world.

A nervous scribe machine that scribbles when it’s observed.

An obsolete computer sending messages to another at the speed of wind.

The plaque next to a female character trapped within a computer.

The Butter Tart Festival whisked up a taste of home

Crowds gathered in the UC Courtyard on Oct. 9 to try flavours from pecan to pumpkin spice

ANDREEA BURLACU

On Oct. 9, the University Centre (UC) Courtyard offered a sweet treat to many sweet tooths. Over 12 vendors from all across Ontario sold more than 20 different varieties of butter tarts, as well as other baked goods including fall cookies and cheesecakes.

The idea for Guelph’s Butter Tart Festival came to Carolyn Walker after she attended Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival in Midland. She figured this quintessential Canadian dessert was small, sweet and a favourite of so many people.

“Students love butter tarts,” she said. “I mean, who doesn’t love butter tarts, right? So I thought this would be a fun initiative for everyone.”

Walker chose to run the festival the Thursday before Thanksgiving to “get to the students before they head home to their families, to be able to pick something up for Thanksgiving Weekend.”

She also described that the tarts brought a little piece of homemade baking to students that are away.

“You have the international students—we have one student that will not be home for the next four to five years, and it just brings a bit of something home-baked so they can indulge in that,” Walker said. “It’s the home baking that’s important. It’s not commercially prepared.”

The festival had flavours for everyone, from pecan and raisin to Dubai chocolate, s'mores and even bacon.

“The first time I saw it, I was like, ‘I’m not too sure,’” Walker said, of the bacon butter tart. “They gave me a little piece to try and it’s sweet and salty, it’s very bizarre. But it is so Canadian.”

The festival also offered allergy-safe and vegan options, alongside two bakers specialising in gluten-free goodies. One of these

vendors, Lynn Deakin, described how celiac disease led her to start her home-based St. Catharines bakery, Gluten Free Girl.

“I was diagnosed with celiac in 2009, and I have eaten a lot of bad celiac food,” Deakin said. “So, over COVID, my husband and I developed a flour and goo blend. We decided we would make our own gluten-free butter tarts that are better, in my opinion, than the regular ones.”

Gluten Free Girl travels to butter tart events, selling six main varieties. Deakin shared that her favourite non-traditional flavour is coconut raspberry, but that the pecan tart is the crowd-pleaser.

“The pecan are sold out,” she said. “They’re not only my favourite, but they’re everybody else’s favourite too. We had no idea it was going to be this fabulous.”

Similarly, Elicia Clarke was surprised at the incredible turnout. Her bakery Ten of Tarts had sold out of tarts within the hour, and her mother had left to bring back more.

Based in Shelburne, Ten of Tarts is a mother-daughter duo baking up unique flavours including cherry, blueberry, Skor, chocolate pecan and chocolate hazelnut.

“My mom really likes to experiment and do different things,” Clarke said. “This may not be your traditional tart, but it’s still delicious either way.”

Clarke’s favourite Ten of Tarts flavour is chocolate chip.

“It’s milk chocolate with some white chocolate drizzled on top with our maple filling,” she said. “And it is fantastic.”

The UC was completely packed with butter tart enthusiasts—students, staff and community members lined up excitedly to try new flavours. They also grabbed treats for loved ones, often with strong opinions on which tarts had their heart.

“That’s why I’m here—my family really likes butter tarts, and I’m going home tomorrow, so they want me to get it now,” said fourth-year student Sophia Marcon. “They really want the pecan.

No raisin, whoever likes raisin is crazy.”

Lines for purchasing these baked goods wrapped around the UC. Although the event was described to run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., by mid-day, vendor tables displayed sold out signs. It’s official—the butter tart is Guelph’s gooey fall dessert of choice. The treat of next season is still to be discovered.

Crowds gathered en masse to get a taste of the tarts. Aditya Parameswaran/THE ONTARION

Strudels were amongst the baked goods on offer. Aditya Parameswaran/THE ONTARION

Butter tarts were made with chocolates like Skor, Reese’s, and Twix.

Andreea Burlacu/THE ONTARION

Based in Wasaga Beach, Grandma’s Beach Treats is famous for their butter tarts. Andreea Burlacu/ THE ONTARION

A cozy fall season calls for pumpkin spice muffins. Aditya Parameswaran/THE ONTARION

Sweet Momma has vegan offerings listed on its menu. Andreea Burlacu/THE ONTARION

'Real men don’t cry?' Exploring the significance of Movember

More than moustaches, Movember encourages global dialogue and fundraising for men’s health issues

ATHAVI NISHAANTHAN

I’m sure nearly everyone has a childhood memory of playing and getting hurt and wanting their parents. Whether it was crashing our bikes or falling off the swings, whenever the skin peeled back from our knees, revealing the soft, pink, fleshy layer underneath, it was our parents we cried for. As the blood and tears spilled and pooled, nearly all of us wanted our parents to come clean up the mess; crying into our parents’ arms created a sense

of comfort. Like a tranquillizer, it was soothing to hear our parents shh and coo as they wiped away our tears.

I wonder how many young boys didn’t get that. I wonder how many young boys fled to their parents, searching for solace and were met with some variation of “real men don’t cry.” I wonder how many young boys, now men, still follow that phrase, as if it were a prophecy they were destined to live.

done by Movember, a leading charity that aims to spread awareness on men’s health issues, men continue to suffer and die from largely preventable reasons.

Each year, during the month of November, Movember is observed. Movember strives to address these issues on a global scale by funding projects around the world, actively reporting their statistics for transparency measures, and having countless methods people can follow to raise awareness and show support.

PSYCHE SERIES

From a young age, many boys are painted a picture of what a real man looks like. Each of them is given an impossible-to-achieve checklist, suggesting they should be tall, muscular, strong, brave and stoic. Through family, friends and media, society squeezes young men into the mould of what it deems as the epitome of masculinity. The narrative that men should suffer in silence is communicated and practiced with this mould. With

HK5K runs like clockwork

The annual human kinetics race ran successfully once again

STEPHEN DOIG

As the weather begins to chill, outdoor events are becoming more uncommon. Despite this, the University of Guelph Arboretum saw a familiar congregation of cardio enthusiasts meeting on the morning of Oct. 19. While slightly overcast, a warm 17 C temperature provided a nearly perfect morning for a run.

This proved beneficial for the Human Kinetics Student Association (HKSA), which kicked off its annual 5 km race for the third consecutive year, attracting nearly 200 eager participants. After its brief hiatus from 2020-2022 due to COVID restrictions, this longtime tradition seems to be back for good.

Starting at the south end of the Arboretum Promenade, racers took two circular laps around Trillium Trail before finally arriving back at the pedestrian entrance to cross the finish line.

Pre- and post-run refreshments were courtesy of the Nu-

trition and Nutraceutical Science Students Association (NANSSA), who worked in tandem with the HKSA for over a month to organize the event. They provided electrolytes and easily digestible sugars to help runners refuel.

Although the race’s cumulative distance fell shy of 5 km, many repeat participants favoured the simplicity of this year’s route, claiming that they had gotten lost too many times in previous years.

The pathway in the Arboretum this year traversed largely through grassy fields, leading to one racer remarking, “I wish I had brought cleats!”

The grassy route didn’t appear to dissuade the competitors. The fastest finisher, Robert Mercu, achieved his goal of hitting a new personal best time, completing a full 5 km in 19 minutes.

For many participants, this was their first time attending, and many shared the goal of simply reaching the finish line. Some

even signed up as teams—a few with matching outfits to boot—for the group competition category. Notable group names, such as The Last Leg and Fast and Furious, captured the cheery atmosphere of the participants going into the event, with the latter living up to their title by speeding past their competition.

Attendance was not solely limited to undergraduate students, however. Graduate students, professors, friends, family and even pets showed up to support their peers and join in on the fun. After everyone had finished, a raffle of bib numbers was performed, giving away gifts such as water bottles, HKSA merch, gift cards and sporting equipment.

The fundraiser successfully brought in almost $2,500 for the beneficiary, United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin. Co-President of the HKSA, Allyson Leslie, remarked that the reason why they picked this specific charity

this narrative, men of all ages experience and execute neglect, especially in regards to physical and mental health.

The number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer continues to grow. Among young men across the world, testicular cancer is the most common. Globally, for each minute every day, one man commits suicide, with 69 per cent of suicides being men.

According to the research

Movember is most widely known for its Growing a Mo campaign, the act of growing a mustache during November. According to the Movember team, this process is not only a symbol of bettering men’s health, but also an icebreaker to start important and much-needed conversations.

By signing up online or downloading the Movember app, people can share their journey from starting the month clean-shaven to flaunting visible facial hair, all while asking for donations, increasing awareness and saving lives.

Find what role you can play in improving men’s health this Movember at movember.com

was to “give back to the community.”

As one of the city’s largest foundations, United Way provides support programs for vulnerable community members in the region. This includes services for individuals experiencing food and housing insecurity and children’s support services. As stated on their website, the mission of the local chapter is “to meet existing and emerging social needs in

order to improve lives and build community.”

Further events held by the HKSA and NANSSA can be found on their respective social media accounts or on GryphLife. With the success of this recent event, organizers say future collaborations between the two clubs are likely. For those now inspired to take a brisk fall run off the beaten path, perhaps bring a pair of cleats.

A team of runners pose before the race starts. Stephen Doig/THE ONTARION

Guelph women’s volleyball team dominates in preseason home game

The Gryphon women defeat Trent Excalibur 3-0 in their first home exhibition game of the season

ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY MADISON BOUTILIER

On the evening of Thursday, Oct. 9, a small crowd gathered in the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre (GGAC) to support the Gryphons women’s volleyball team in their battle against Trent Excalibur. With an eager crowd, the game started with a serve from Guelph’s Nikina Bear-Lowen.

The beginning of the set proceeded point for point, with the Excaliburs matching the Gryphons on the scoreboard, but falling short in matching their determination. Strong serves by Sophia Kalbfleisch secured the Gryphons a strong lead, one they kept up for the remainder of the game. A kill from Bear-Lowen tallied a score of 25-17 for the Gryphons’ first set.

The second set started strong with the Gryphons gaining the first point from a kill by Sloane Fortin. Despite a strong start, the Excaliburs gained a steady lead for the majority of the second set.

The Gryphons had the crowd on the edge of their seats as a score of 20-24 appeared on the scoreboard in favour of the Excaliburs, with one point to victory in the second set. This didn’t stop the Gryphons from digging in

their heels and fighting for each point.

A well-placed set by Sophie Sommerfeldt paved the way for a kill by Lexi Nicholson-Clarke, returning the serve and control of the game to the Gryphons. The set ended in a mirage of service aces by Maia Dan and points that put the Gryphons back on the scoreboard to end the set at 26-24.

Having won the first two sets, the team played the third with confidence and teamwork, bringing the final score to 25-20, taking all three sets from the Excaliburs. Despite the game not changing the Gryphons’ Ontario University Athletics (OUA) ranking, they played with heart and determination that showed in every point on the court.

Keep up with the Gryphon women’s team on Instagram, @gryphonswvb, and check gryphons.ca/sports to see schedules, scores and news for all things Gryphons Athletics.

The OUA season home-opener will take place on Nov. 7 and 8 at the GGAC, where the Gryphons will once again face Trent Excalibur as they look to secure another victory.

COWORKING STUDY SPACE

COWORK/STUDY HOURS: MONDAY TO FRIDAY: 9:00AM TO 6:00PM

BAR HOURS: THURSDAY TO SATURDAY: 6:00PM TO MIDNIGHT

SUNDAY & MONDAY:

The team embraces after scoring.

Player 17, Jordan Vang, slams a ball over the net.

A player bumps a ball.

A Guelph player slams the ball over the net.

Two players high five during the game.

A player prepares to spike the ball.

Guelph women’s hockey team defeats Laurier 2-1 to open season on Aggies Night

Despite falling 1-0 in the first period, the Gryphons rallied for a gritty 2-1 victory over the Golden Hawks

ARTICLE BY BEN SEATON & PHOTOS BY ADITYA PARAMESWARAN

On Wednesday, Oct. 8, the Gryphons women's hockey team took on the Laurier Golden Hawks in the second annual Aggies Night game. The team took the ice, donning custom Aggies apparel, determined to make a statement in their season opener.

Midway through the first period, Guelph found themselves shorthanded after an interference penalty. With just 30 seconds left in the penalty kill, a shot from the blue line was tipped by Golden Hawks forward Abbie Landon and snuck past the Gryphons goalie Sophie Helfenstein.

During the latter half of the first period, Guelph managed to sustain a fair amount of pressure and seemed poised to even the score. A couple of great chances came late in the period, with the Gryphons beating Laurier's goalie Sarah Howell on one occasion, only to have the puck ring off the top corner of the post.

As the second period opened, Guelph seemed to be the better team despite still facing a onegoal deficit. A tripping penalty called against the Golden Hawks put the Gryphons on the power play early in the second period. This opportunity came and went, as Guelph was unable to register a shot on net.

Undeterred, a slew of good chances came Guelph's way, only to be met with a handful of saves

from Howell. With seven minutes left in the second period, Guelph was again awarded a power play. This time, a shot by Reece Coffey found its way to the back of the net, beating Howell low on the blocker side.

The third period opened quickly, with Gryphons forward Alexie Olivier breaking out of the neutral zone and burying one topshelf, just over Howell's shoulder. Guelph managed to retain this lead for the remainder of the third period, holding off a strong push by Laurier.

In the final minutes of the game, Guelph found themselves again on the penalty kill, and this time—after pulling their goalie—Laurier had a two-player advantage. In the closing moments, the Gryphons dove and crouched in front of the Laurier onslaught, blocking multiple shots to secure a 2-1 win over the Golden Hawks in their season opener.

Helfenstein finished the game with a save percentage of .944, stopping 17 of Laurier's 18 shots on net. Coffey and Olivier each scored once in the victory, with Olivier scoring the game-winner. Additionally, Kara Den Hoed, Katelyn Dance, Kaitlyn McKenna and Brielle Caruso each left the game with one assist each. It was a disciplined, hardfought performance and a strong way to begin the season.

Two Laurier players try to block Avery Robinson (no. 10) as she pushes the puck.

A Laurier player tries to steal the puck.

Myriam Parnell (no. 9) drives the puck while being chased.

A goalie observes the game from the net. The team celebrates the win against Laurier.

It’s all smiles when the Gryphons head back to the locker room.

A Gryphon charges the puck through the Laurier line.

A pack of Gryphons chase a Laurier player.

Michelle Gao (no. 8) stands off against a Laurier player.

Chatbot therapy: Should AI be up in your feelings?

AI is “not the same thing as an expert” when it comes to mental health support

AVA MAYER

“Let’s just ask chat” has become a regularly used phrase in Gen-Z slang, emphasizing how reliant we have become on AI chatbots to help us with everything from math homework to editing English essays.

The helpful nature of chatbots such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot makes those who interact with them “really come to see them as these superhuman intelligences or these almost god-like entities that are ultra reliable,” as Dr. Joseph Pierre, a clinical professor of psychiatry, told PBS in a recent article.

But what happens when we start feeling so comfortable with chatbots that we use them as therapists, helping us wrestle with our deepest anxieties?

The case of California teen Adam Raine shows a horrifying extreme. Raine shared his depressive thoughts with ChatGPT, and chat logs show that ChatGPT began to validate Raine’s suicidal thoughts. A lawsuit filed by Raine’s family alleges that ChatGPT encouraged Raine to commit suicide and discouraged him from sharing his feelings with his mother. Tragically, 16-year-old Raine died from suicide in April 2025.

On paper, an AI therapy chatbot seems like a perfect solution to a growing lack of clinicians in North America, not to mention the money and time required for in-person therapy.

“When people feel like [therapy is] just too much money, it’s too much time, there aren’t enough people to help me out, I completely understand why people turn to these apps. It’s this free perfectly good alternative,” said Alexis Fabricius, a faculty member in the Applied Social Psychology program at the University of Guelph.

Chatbots don’t have microexpressions or speech patterns that patients might read into as judgment from a therapist. Easily accessible and free, a chatbot is a plausible place to turn for mental health support.

Due in part to how AI has been designed, large language models are, for the most part, guessing at the right answer, scraping information from wide-ranging sources, and will often flatter the user.

AI has been trained to give thoughtful answers and has been marketed as a reliable source of knowledge, but it lacks the personable depth of a real therapist, said Nikola Gradojevic, a professor

Student recipe corner

Enjoy this quick and nutritious meal during exam season

Vitality Veggie & Tuna Pasta Makes 2 to 3 servings

This energy boosting pasta is the ultimate midterm fuel: simple, energizing and filled with nutrients that help you power through long study days.

The pasta provides steady, complex carbohydrates that release energy gradually, keeping your focus sharp without sudden crashes. Tuna adds lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which support brain health, concentration and mental endurance, essential when motivation starts to dip on gloomy days.

Spinach and peas bring a hit of iron, folate and B vitamins that enhance oxygen delivery and help combat fatigue, while ginger aids digestion and circulation, making sure your body absorbs these nutrients efficiently.

The combination of basil, oregano and marinara sauce adds a layer of antioxidants that help reduce stress on both the body and mind during busy exam weeks. Each ingredient works together to create a colourful, balanced and affordable meal that fuels both physical energy and mental clarity, proving that nutritious food can be fast, delicious and student friendly.

in the Department of Economics and Finance at the University of Guelph, whose research has expanded into AI and machine learning.

AI’s constant stream of praise sucks the user in and unconsciously leads them into a cycle that magnifies their habits and thoughts, which “is far from a natural flow and depth that a human therapist can provide,” Gradojevic said.

In limited interactions, the risks are less concerning, but as more people start relying on chatbots instead of turning to registered therapists, we could see increasingly dangerous outcomes.

According to an article in the The Guardian, recent research into AI therapy has revealed negative outcomes such as “fostering emotional dependence, exacerbating anxiety symptoms, self-diagnosis, or amplifying delusional thought patterns, dark thoughts and suicide ideation.”

After Raine’s death, his parents filed a wrongful death suit against OpenAI, the company that created ChatGPT. BBC reported that Raine had started using the technology to help with homework and slowly began to share his selfharm injuries in pictures, opening

up about his thoughts of suicide.

The lawsuit claims the chatbot became Raine’s “closest confidant” and provided encouragement to follow through with suicide.

In response to the lawsuit, OpenAI issued a statement saying, “We extend our deepest sympathies to the Raine family during this difficult time.” The company promised to create safeguards that could redirect ChatGPT users to self-help phone lines and mental health resources.

Fabricius questioned if this will lead anywhere: “AI is so new and emerging and evolving that any guardrails that they promise are probably insufficient and as the tech continues to develop … folks will find ways around [the safeguards],” she said.

She warns that the providers of chatbots are also using and

Ingredients

• 1 can tomato and onion tuna

• ½ package pasta

• Salt (to taste)

• 1 tbsp oil

• Water (for boiling)

• 1 can summer sweet peas

(low sodium, drained)

• ½ jar marinara pasta sauce

• A handful of spinach

• ½ tsp ginger paste

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp all-purpose seasoning

selling your private information— which includes your deepest anxieties—to everyone from marketers to insurance companies.

"There are no real regulations for how they use and share your data,” Fabricius said.

“If AI chatbots can ever be expected to provide constructive therapy,” Gradojevic said, “the technology would require a series of updates, such as data that captures cultural norms from around the world and the knowledge of health professionals with a wide range of expertise.”

Fabricius thinks AI could be more beneficial on the administrative side of mental health care, organizing client notes and assigning mental health apps as part of therapy homework.

The way she sees it, AI should be “not a replacement, but an addition” to mental health care.

• ½ tsp basil (dried or fresh)

• ½ tsp oregano (dried or fresh)

Directions

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

2. In a pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add ginger paste, onion powder, and garlic powder. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. Stir in the tuna, peas, and marinara sauce. Simmer for 3 to-4 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.

4. Add basil, oregano, and all-purpose seasoning. Adjust salt to taste.

5. Stir in spinach until slightly wilted.

6. Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce mixture and toss well.

7. Serve warm and enjoy a satisfying, energizing meal that keeps you going strong through the midterm grind.

Students are increasingly turning to ChatGPT to help them cope with the stress of classes. Photo credit: ChatGPT (OpenAI)

AMELIA NAIDOO

This hearty pasta is sure to give you a hit of energy when you’re deep in the mid-semester doldrums. Photo provided by Aaqilah Tomby

Sweater weather meals to fall for

Four autumn-inspired dishes that bring warmth, comfort and a few extra nutrients to your table

November is the season for romanticizing your life as the crisp breeze picks up the autumn leaves scattered on the ground. And what better way to accomplish that than with a warm, cozy meal to make you feel like you’re right out of a fall romcom! One of the many beautiful aspects of November is the abundance of hardy, nutrient-rich produce that can be transformed into delicious, nourishing meals. From stewed apples packed with fibre to my Nonna’s chocolate zucchini loaf, each of the following recipes highlights seasonal ingredients in simple, satisfying ways.

Stewed Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal

For stewed apples

• ½ tbsp unsalted butter

• ⅛ tsp kosher salt

• 2 tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp ground nutmeg

• ½ tsp ground cloves

• ½ tbsp maple syrup

• 1 large crisp apple, diced (any variety)

For oatmeal

• ¾ cup whole milk (or any milk of choice)

• ¾ cup water

• ⅛ tsp kosher salt

• ½ - 1 tbsp brown sugar (to taste)

• ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats

• 1 tbsp chia seeds (optional)

• ¾ tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Optional toppings

• Walnuts or pecans

• Greek yogurt

• Mini chocolate chips

• Peanut butter

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, melt unsalted butter, then stir in maple syrup, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ground cloves.

2. Add in the diced apples and sauté for a few minutes until the apples have softened slightly, but have still retained their shape. Take out of the saucepan and set aside.

3. In the same saucepan, bring the water, milk and salt to a

soft boil over medium-low heat.

4. Add in brown sugar and stir to dissolve.

5. Add in oats and chia seeds, then simmer for about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to thicken.

6. Stir in vanilla extract and ground cinnamon, along with about half of the cooked apples, reserving some for topping. Simmer for another 3-5 minutes to thicken, or until the desired consistency is reached.

7. Serve into your favourite bowl and top with remaining stewed apples and additional toppings!

Miso-Ginger Chicken Broth Bowl

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

• 3 tbsp olive oil, divided

• 3 tbsp miso paste, divided

• 3 tbsp freshly grated ginger, divided

• 2 tbsp rice vinegar

• 5 tbsp liquid aminos, divided

• 2 tbsp honey

• 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated

• 2 cups chicken broth

• 1 baby bok choy, quartered

• 1 to 4 green onion stalks, thinly sliced (for broth and garnish)

• Chili flakes (to taste)

• Sesame seeds (for garnish)

• Cooked white rice (for serving)

Directions

1. Whisk together 2 tbsp miso paste, 2 tbsp ginger, rice vinegar, 3 tbsp liquid aminos, honey and garlic. Coat the chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to several hours).

2. Once the chicken is marinated, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken until golden and cooked through. Set aside.

3. In the same pan, sear the bok choy until tender and set aside.

4. In a small to medium-sized pot, add remaining olive oil and ginger and some of the

sliced green onions. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, then pour in chicken broth, remaining liquid aminos and chili flakes. With a small sieve, whisk in remaining miso paste until dissolved in the broth.

5. Simmer to combine flavours, then remove from heat.

6. To serve, plate rice, add bok choy and chicken, then ladle over the broth. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

Acorn Squash Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 whole acorn squash

• 4 tbsp butter

• 3 tbsp flour

• 3 cups whole milk

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp dried rosemary

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 1 tsp sage

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp nutmeg

• ½ tsp cayenne

• 1 cup Gouda, grated

• ½ cup Parmesan, grated

• ½ cup white cheddar, grated

• 1 lb Conchiglie pasta (shellshaped)

• Salt & pepper to taste

• Breadcrumbs (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Halve the acorn squash, remove seeds and roast cut-side down for 30-40 minutes or until tender. Scrape the insides out of the skin. Once cool, add squash to a blender with a little bit of water or milk until smooth. Set aside.

2. Bring a large pot of salted wa-

ter to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.

3. Combine the seasonings (garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, sage, smoked paprika, nutmeg and cayenne) in a small bowl and set aside.

4. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add half of the seasoning mixture. Whisk until combined.

5. Add flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to form a roux. Be careful not to let it brown.

6. Gradually add the milk to the roux, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Whisk until the mixture thickens, about 5-10 minutes.

7. Stir in the rest of the seasoning mixture and the pureed roasted acorn squash.

8. Lower the heat and add the Gouda, Parmesan and white cheddar, stirring until smooth and melted. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

9. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, stirring to coat evenly.

10. Can be transferred into a baking dish to be topped with bread crumbs and put into the oven on broil for a nice crust topping.

Nonna’s Chocolate Zucchini Loaf

Ingredients

• ¼ melted butter

• 1 ¼ cup sugar

• ½ cup sunflower oil

• 2 eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tbsp white vinegar

• 2 ½ cups flour

• 4 tbsp cocoa powder

• 1 ½ tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• ¼ tsp ground cloves

• 2 cups grated zucchini

• ½ - 1 cup chocolate chips (measure with your heart!)

• 1 - 2 tbsp of vegetable shortening

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

2. Mix wet ingredients (melted butter, sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla extract and vinegar) in a large bowl.

3. Add grated zucchini to the wet ingredients and fold into the mixture.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and ground cloves).

5. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the mixing bowl with the wet ingredients. Fold in the chocolate chips.

6. Grease two loaf pans with vegetable shortening, then finely dust with additional cocoa powder.

7. Pour batter into the greased loaf pans and bake for one hour.

8. Check with a toothpick if loaves are cooked all the way through after one hour. If the toothpick comes out wet, put the loaves back in for another 5-0 minutes.

The best family recipes are often found on worn, stained index cards. Alyssa Cunningham/THE ONTARION

Local produce: It's not over until

it’s over

Delicious and nutritious autumnal produce, right on your doorstep

ARTICLE BY ASHLEY MAROZSAN & ILLUSTRATIONS BY PAIGE STAMPATORI

Ah, autumn—the time of year known for warm sweaters and cozy recipes. The only thing better than a hearty, autumn dish is one made with local ingredients! That’s right—local produce and farmers’ markets are more than just a cute summer activity. They’re a fun, healthy and sustainable habit too! Let The Ontarion help you by dishing out all you need to know about November produce, what to make with it and where to find it.

Before you get started on your grocery list, you might want to know, “why should I buy local produce?” There are so many great reasons for eating local, including a myriad of health benefits, increasing environmental sustainability and supporting local economic development.

Firstly, eating local produce means that your food has travelled a shorter distance to get to your fridge, which means it is most likely fresher, more nutrient dense and is responsible for less greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, eating in-season foods gives your diet more diversity over the course of the year, giving you the opportunity to consume a more varied diet with different nutrient profiles.

Finally, purchasing foods from local vendors not only helps to stimulate the local economy and empower local farmers, but also supports our local ecosystems and creates a better environment for animals, plants and the soil.

Alright, now let’s talk about our November all-stars and how you can incorporate them into your fall recipe rotation.

Apples: Apples are in season throughout most of the year in Ontario, with different varieties taking centre stage at different times of the year. In November, Royal Gala, Ambrosia, Honeycrisp, Empire and Golden Delicious are among many of the in-season varieties. Plus, you can go apple picking as a fun fall activity!

You can use your new fall bounty to make many tasty desserts like apple crumble, apple pie or apple turnovers. For a fun twist to a fall salad, add a diced apple, pe-

Beets: Beets are a fall staple, with red and sugar beets being the most commonly harvested beets in Ontario. Not only are they a gorgeous red colour, but they are an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, antioxidants, folate and potassium. In addition to being showstoppingly gorgeous when cooked, beets are quite diverse.

You can put beets in a soup (think borscht), on a salad or on a skewer. Beets pair really well with a poppyseed dressing, goat cheese, manchego cheese, pecans, kale and many root vegetables.

Cabbage: Cabbage is an interesting vegetable that has a summer harvest and a winter harvest, with winter cabbages denser than their summer counterparts, featuring tightly-packed leaves. Cabbage typically comes in green and red varieties. Cabbage is excellent for providing the body with a wide variety of important nutrients, such as fibre, vitamin A, vitamin K, antioxidants and magnesium.

Cabbage is a very hardy vegetable that will last a while in the fridge, so don’t feel pressured to use it all at once! Acting like the flexible queen she is, cabbage can be thrown into any soup, salad or stir-fry and blend right in. Examples of cabbage-front dishes include cabbage rolls and coleslaw.

ange, but did you know they come in purple, white and red varieties as well? While carrots being good for the eyes was originally a wartime myth, the beta-carotene contained within gets turned into vitamin A in the body, which supports eye health.

Carrots are a lovely, nutritious snack and a welcomed addition to many soups and salads. If you have lots of carrots you’re looking to use up quickly, try making a carrot cake or glazed carrots for a scrumptious side dish.

tion to pasta dishes, stir-frys and omelets. If you decide to sauté mushrooms, try dry frying them first. Frying sliced mushrooms for about a minute before the addition of oil, butter or sauce allows some of the water to cook out, thereby improving the texture.

Kale: Kale’s healthy reputation precedes it. It’s rich in vitamin C, vitamin K and beta-carotene. Kale is a healthy leafy green, but it’s super tasty too.

The key to delicious kale is massaging the leaves before cooking it. It may sound strange, but massaging the leaves helps to break down and release some of the bitter compounds, resulting in softer and more palatable leaves. Kale can be enjoyed in a white bean and kale soup, in a salad or sauteed with some olive oil, garlic and lemon juice.

Mushrooms: Mushrooms are as varied as they are controversial. While they may not be for everyone, mushroom enthusiasts more than make up the difference.

Different types of mushrooms have different suggested preparation methods. In general, mushrooms are a tasty addi-

Potatoes: What would fall be without potatoes? I think it’s safe to say that potatoes are truly the MVPs of produce, with diversity and popularity like no other. Potatoes have the highest satiety index of all foods, meaning they are the most filling and satisfying. Plus, potatoes are high in fibre, potassium, folacin and vitamin C. Talk about a plant that can do it all!

Despite popular belief, potatoes are very healthy and an excellent addition to a balanced diet. When preparing potatoes, try to avoid deep frying to keep the dish heart healthy. When storing potatoes, keep them in a cool, dark place (such as a burlap sack or a breathable cardboard box) and away from onions or tomatoes, as the gases they release will speed up the aging process.

Now that you have some inspiration for your shopping list, go out and enjoy the autumn bounty! Support your regional food producers and check out your local farmers’ markets, like the U of G Food Market that takes place every Thursday in the University Centre from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., or at the Downtown Guelph Farmers’ Market, open year-round on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

cans, goat cheese and balsamic vinaigrette

Battling a case of senioritis?

A guide to keep being an academic weapon

in your final year

ABBIE SAKAMOTO

You’re sitting at your desk, working on an assignment or studying for a test. You look at the calendar to re-evaluate your week (and dare I say life choices) and you see it’s November… already. At the same time, Outlook keeps spamming emails to your inbox about post-grad life, subject titled, “So… What’s Your Plan After Grad?”

A sense of doom and nerves rolls through your system, while Indeed and LinkedIn tabs are opened along with six job and grad school applications, all of which are due within the next three weeks. At the very same time, you’re dying for the feeling of pride and a sigh of relief when walking across the stage, diploma in hand. After all those years of work, the all-nighters, the weekends in the library, with the caffeine overloads, you’re dying to finally be finished.

Like me, you might be paralyzed and thinking you don’t know what to do. Maybe you’re doomscrolling, online shopping, going to Dollar Beers or binge-watching your favourite show because we’re only young and in university once and now it’s almost over. Maybe you feel your grades are good enough, and you have all your credits lined up to graduate on time, so you feel okay. But deep down, I think it’s safe to say we’re all panicking a bit deep down, whether we admittedly show it or not.

Then comes the dreaded question when you tell someone you’re in your final year: “What’s next?” I feel a major sense of anxiety when I can’t give them a firm, concrete answer. For my fellow seniors, let’s talk about all the nuances that come with being in our final year, and how to combat them in a productive way.

“I’m tired and ready to move on with my life”—Identifying a case of senioritis:

In your final year, you might be feeling nostalgic, mixed with a readiness to strike out on your own and leave the comfort of campus. After years of grinding, balancing life and making sacrifices, you’re likely thinking you already have good enough grades and you’re not going to fail.

Maybe your job and grad

school plans are already locked and loaded. So, what’s the point in continuing to lock in, go to class and have sleepless nights? These are classic thoughts of university students that can be even louder and more lethal in your last year. But like anything, it’s important to identify the issue and be open to correcting it.

“What am I supposed to do with my degree and my life?”—The crisis of upcoming graduation

Personally, I’ve contemplated what value my degree holds in the real world. For a lot of my undergrad, I’ve been reluctant to tell people what I study, wary of their judgment and doubt towards what use it could have. My specialty is a bit less clear cut than biomed or psychology. However, that doesn’t mean that anyone’s career path or destiny is set in stone.

People often forget the journey is not linear, and there’s more than one way to do things. I used to think that just because you studied one thing, that’s the career you had to pursue. But the more people I talk to, especially those who’ve established their careers, have proven otherwise.

I’ve talked with people in advertising who studied English in university, a nurse-turned-psychotherapist and even a lawyer who transitioned to being CEO of a pet food company. They all proved that what you study in undergrad isn’t character-defining, nor does it sentence you to one career path.

This seems to be a common misconception—that you aren’t allowed to switch careers, change your mind or even go back to school. That’s a big reason for senioritis: the fear of becoming stuck or making a mistake can leave seniors feeling paralyzed.

With this sense of paralysis also comes the procrastination demon. Thoughts like, “It will get done when it gets done and you’ll get to it later” enter your mind, erasing every sense of productivity and urgency. This turns into a cyclical habit that takes a toll on grades and students’ overall well-being (especially their sleep and cortisol levels).

Why it’s important to view the future in bite-sized pieces—Avoiding paralysis and burnout

It’s crucial to remember not only the goal, but each step to get there. It’s not just graduation, but life beyond that. However, when we start looking and planning too far ahead, it can immobilize us instead of accelerating motivation. It’s a long road ahead, and if we push too hard for the first of many finish lines, we’ll run into burnout before the real work begins.

First, we need to focus on building a foundation, like applying skills from class, mastering time management and establishing healthy habits. This can look like a quick study session before class, going to the gym, meal prepping, Sunday resets and making time to see friends and recharge.

Especially in our final year of study, we get caught up in a snowball of variables: each grade, assignment, application, interview, living up to our evaporating youth, how this year could make or break the future. However, when we see the value in small lessons and routines, it can help us feel more grounded.

At the same time, when people ask, “What’s next?”; and this time, you don’t have an answer, it can make you feel unprepared. When chatting with my cousin, he asked how I was feeling about almost being done with my undergrad. I told him that I feel ready for the next chapter of my life, even though I don’t know what that is. He told me that he felt strange the first time he didn’t have a plan or a “next thing”. As a doctor, he always knew what the next step in his academic career would be: undergrad, medical school, residency and fellowships. So, once he hit the end, it left him with the uncomfortable question of, what will he do now?

He reached out to a hospital in Saskatoon for a temporary position, but magically ended up with a permanent job in London, Ontario. In actuality, it wasn’t magic at all. He said the job strangely fell into his lap, but he is a prime example of how continuous hard work

lars and on-campus clubs to add to your resume and make connections with fellow students. Investigate platforms and organizations that connect young talent with professionals. Over coffee with a creative director, she suggested I peruse and utilize the site Ground Floor, which gives people the opportunity to meet with professionals in a mentor-like setting. It’s less like an interview and more like a conversation to ask questions, including asking for help.

Asking for guidance and accepting help—Resources to fight senioritis

can bring unexpected opportunities. Even without a plan, he had a general idea of what he enjoyed, his strengths and cast his net wide. This is a philosophy soon-to-be grads should have in their back pocket, especially while networking.

Networking, gaining experience and building portfolios— Taking productive steps

The more I talk to seasoned professionals, the more I notice patterns of advice. The first key piece of advice was to use my network and engage on LinkedIn to connect with people. Talking with professionals in your desired field can give you a whole new perspective on what it takes to build a career, what employers look for, how to get involved, what assets you possess and how to execute interviews.

I was told that, ultimately, a lot of career building comes down to who you know, especially with how competitive job hunting has become. It’s also crucial as “youngbloods” entering the workplace to stay humble and engage in learning. When gaining experience and building a portfolio, regardless of your area of specialization, it’s crucial to practice your craft outside of work or work-related projects. This is a roadblock I found myself running into. I wasn’t creating enough, so I wasn’t gaining personal experience and demonstrating what I can do, nor was I exercising my creative flame.

In addition, with our days in university dwindling, take advantage of the faculty you have unlimited access to. Attend your lectures and foster relationships with your professors. As anxiety inducing as it is, don’t be afraid to ask questions and have conversations with them (remember that they’re human too). They may have excellent advice for career building and they can be important support later in your degree—such as one of my professors, who offered to help me with a job application. Participate in extracurricu-

It’s important to note that most times, things don’t always abide by plan A, and sometimes not even plan B. Many people I know who are decades into their careers tell me how many miscellaneous jobs they worked before landing their dream job. There’s no shame in asking for advice on next steps or taking detours.

In fact, U of G offers a variety of different support, from on-campus therapists and career advisors to program counsellors. They are here to support you in a judgment-free space and will walk you through your options. There’s common misconceptions about asking for help and pressure for independence amongst many young people. Some of this comes from the idea that we should already know everything, including what every step of our future looks like.

Go win the fight against senioritis!

Right now, it might feel like you’re dragging yourself to a finish line that keeps moving further away. Yet, at the same time, it feels like it’s coming too fast; like you’re trying to pick up pieces of paper the wind keeps blowing away. Your undergrad has flown by—as if each semester, each year—passed by more quickly than the last.

When the semester is at its peak, and you’re on your sixth energy drink, making a bowl of instant noodles, unmotivated and wishing for convocation, remember this: it’s ok to be tired and feel stuck, but don’t let it dictate your actions.

Ask for help. Carve out time for yourself. Follow your passions and intuition, because they’re usually right. Even with a job and a heavy course load, try to make time for extracurriculars. Be okay with not having an immediate plan. Talk with lots of people, and don’t be shy (they’re more willing to connect than you think). When the time finally does come to walk across that stage, you’ll feel accomplished, relieved and ready to start the next phase of your life.

Don't let senioritis drag you down. Aditya Parameswaran/THE ONTARION

The Guelph Guru Series: Breathwork and being

Practicing presence through yoga, meditation and mindfulness

JORJA ALLEN

Hello Gurus!

I hope you are doing well during this midterm season, and that you had the chance to reconnect with friends, family and most importantly, yourself, over the holiday weekend.

During this busy time, with so many life shifts and preparations for the new year, it can feel like there are countless checkboxes to tick off on the never-ending to-do list. As such, I think it is important to take time amidst the chaos to reconnect with ourselves and our bodies. That’s why this month, I spoke with student and yoga instructor Alexa Bates, who teaches two vinyasa flow classes at the University of Guelph Athletics Center.

Her insight into mindfulness and breathwork is both insightful and reassuring since Bates is a fifth-year environmental engineering student at the University of Guelph. If anyone understands the stress of midterms and upcoming grad school applications, it's her.

Whether you are feeling lost,

overwhelmed or just burnt out, this month’s habit is for you, as we will be covering the benefits of yoga and mindfulness as a tool to reinvigorate our sense of self, purpose and inner peace.

It can often feel as if life is coming at us, with overlapping assignment deadlines, bills to pay, messages to answer and the uncertainty of what's next. Sometimes, it may even feel as if we have no control over anything in our lives. I’m here to remind you that this is not the case.

Despite it feeling this way in moments of busyness and burden, you are always in control. You have the ability to choose how to react and navigate through difficult tasks and times of uncertainty. Your power comes from within. It comes from practicing and prioritizing inner peace and presence.

When you master the art of presence, and focus on one thing at a time—one moment at a time or one task at a time—you not only simplify things for yourself by narrowing the scope of your concern, but you also take back your life and the time you spend

worrying about things that are out of your control.

There is no better way to practice this skill than through yoga and meditation.

“Yoga fosters a sense of connection with yourself, [since] you’re moving through poses leading with your breath, and that breath influences the way you’re moving,” Bates said.

Integral to yoga’s uniqueness is its prioritization of mindfulness.

Specifically, Bates conceptualizes mindfulness as “intention and prioritizing feeling present throughout your day.”

The multiplicity of mindfulness is what makes it special.

“Mindfulness can look like a million different things. It can look like going to a yoga class, but it can also look like reading a book before bed and slowing down your body that way. Or mindfulness can even look like having a really healthy meal that fuels you,” Bates said.

To Bates, mindfulness is just “intentionally treating your body with a lot of care and love.”

This concept of self-care and self-connectivity is intertwined with presence and inner peace, which can be accessed through yoga and meditation. When explaining the relationship between yoga and meditation, Bates highlights how the two practices differ in focus and form.

She said, “Yoga leads with breath and flows through poses and movements. Whereas meditation focuses on stillness, and so you are still in whatever pose you like.”

Both practices involve breathwork, presence and bodily connection.

“It really doesn't matter what pose you're in and how you're moving, or if you're a little bit more of a beginner, because as long as

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you let your breath lead you, and you either inhale or exhale before you move,” Bates said, explaining the foundational components of the practice.

Bates feels that yoga is meaningful because “it gives students the opportunity to move their body and improve flexibility, while also moving through calm, slow and intentional breath work that naturally calms the nervous system, allowing for students to get the movement that they need in their day, while also prioritizing mental health at the same time.”

In terms of meditation, she feels that its value comes through its immediate pathway to a quick calm.

"You only need a couple of minutes to let your body fully come down with that really nice, intentional breath.”

She notes that you can practice meditation almost anywhere.

“If I can’t get to my mat, or I’m just going through my day, I can even meditate super quickly in class or on my walk, or on the bus.”

This on-the-go meditation can be achieved with unguided breaths to calm your nervous system. She also recommends the app Insight Timer that offers guided meditation, with recordings for sessions of two to five minutes that can “teach you exactly how to breathe and calm you down,” Bates said.

“You do not need a lot of time in your day to meditate or even focus on breath work,” Bates said. “It can be as simple as when you're walking home from school,

to just be mindful of your breath for that 10 to 15 minute walk and just see how you can calm yourself down with a really deep inhale and slow exhale.”

That itself is meditation, according to Bates. So, get started! Roll out your mat, attend Bates’ sunrise or candlelit vinyasa flow class at the Athletics Center, match your breath to your steps or tune into the Insight Timer app she suggested.

If that all feels like too much, just start to notice your breath at moments in the day when you start to feel life pile up. The beauty of mindfulness and meditation is that you can use them anywhere and at any point in time, to reconnect with yourself.

So take a breath and just be.

Until next time.

Lots of Love, Jorja

The student’s guide to Canadian politics

No one is ever too busy for the affairs of the state

Countless students, freshly turned 18, arrive at university and find themselves completely overwhelmed by the prospect of voting. While the benefits of democracy are varied, and the alternative option unthinkable; beyond a grade 10 civics class, the ins and outs of Canadian politics remain a mystery to many first years. Similarly, many international students are looking to understand the political system of their new country of residence. For all who feel bewildered by the process and options of Canadian democracy, an article setting out how our electoral system works may be helpful.

As a former British colony and present member of the Commonwealth of Nations, Canada functions as a parliamentary democracy, as well as a constitutional monarchy. That means that King Charles III of the United Kingdom is one of Canada’s heads of state. Many believe this to mean the King is single-handedly approving or denying all decisions relating to Canada that fall across his desk. In reality, King Charles is somewhat of a ceremonial monarch, meaning that he personally cannot make political decisions or pass legislation.

National decision-making falls to Parliament, our legislative

branch. Parliament is bicameral, meaning it is split up into the upper chamber—the Senate, made up of 105 senators chosen by the governor general—and the lower chamber, the House of Commons.

The House of Commons is currently composed of 343 individuals elected to represent electoral districts, known as ridings; these representatives are Members of Parliament, (MPs). Each riding has a “seat” in the House of Commons; the MP elected by each riding will thus hold a seat in Parliament. The political party with the largest number of seats determines the federal government, and the leader of that party becomes the prime minister (PM).

The PM’s political party may have one of two types of governments: a majority government, where the party holds more than half of the seats, or a minority government, where the party holds less than half of the seats; thus, a coalition with other parties must be formed in order to pass legislation.

PM Mark Carney’s Liberal government is currently a minority government with 169 seats and may call the next election at any point in the next four years. Unlike the United States, Canadian PMs have no term limit.

Canadian citizens above the

NED BARR

age of 18 may cast their ballot in three kinds of elections: municipal, provincial and federal. A municipal or mayoral election takes place every four years, and an individual may vote within their city of residence, wherever their permanent address is registered. Most students will not be eligible to vote in Guelph’s municipal elections unless their permanent address is registered in Guelph. These elections, at least in Ontario, are not linked with political parties, though each candidate will certainly have political views that will influence their policies.

For provincial and federal elections, one votes for an individual representing a party in their riding; the representative with the highest number of votes in each riding earns the seat. These elections are usually held every four years, though at any point a premier (the elected leader of a province) or prime minister may call an election. Mail-in ballots are allowed for both provincial and federal elections.

It is vital to understand what each party in Canada stands for before casting a vote. In Ontario, there are four main political parties for federal and provincial elections. The Liberal Party of Canada is our current federal party, and advocates center-left

liberalism, operating under a “big tent,” meaning that Liberals try to attract as many voters as possible by being broad in their campaigns.

The official opposition, meaning the second-largest party, is the Conservative Party of Canada (in Ontario provincial elections, they are the Progressive Conservative Party). They espouse conservatism, meaning their platforms fall right of center.

The two other primary political parties are the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Green Party. The NDP is further left than the Liberals—it declares itself to be a social democratic party, welfare-oriented and progressive. It experienced quite a large loss in the 2025 federal election, as much of its supporter base swung to the Liberals in a strategic voting practice to prevent a Conservative win.

The Green Party is similar to the NDP, only it chooses to focus on environmentalism. It has only one seat in the House of Commons, but won two ridings in the Ontario provincial election—one of which is Guelph. Individuals should do their own research on the policies of the primary quartet and the other 16 parties one may vote for in provincial elections.

Aside from Liberal, Conservative, NDP and Green, there is one other party with seats in the House of Commons: the Bloc Québécois. As a center-left sovereigntist party only shown on ballots in Quebec, there is no logistical way for the Bloc to win an election, and instead they focus on maintaining a voice for the people of Quebec. Various specific political parties exist in provincial elections outside of Ontario, such as the United Conservative Party in Alberta or any of the separatist parties in Quebec.

The next provincial and federal elections will not be for a while—likely in 2028 or 2029— but everyone eligible should make sure they are registered to vote, a process that can be done online on both the provincial and federal levels. Registering through Elections Ontario also provides eligibility to vote in a city’s 2026 municipal election. The voting and political processes are the core pillars of democracy—a form of government many take for granted. As difficult as Canadian politics can be to comprehend, understanding how the nation functions is the first step to change it for the better. Any vote is better than a wasted vote.

Canadian politics can be difficult to understand—let this be your guide. Aditya Parameswaran/THE ONTARION

Under the surface of modern ecology

University of Guelph professor Timothy Bartley shares his insights

CHARLOTTE SLAYTON

Timothy Bartley, a professor at the University of Guelph, thinks beyond cutting-edge research. He is a dedicated educator who uses real-world examples in his classes to inspire the next generation of scientists.

“I actually thought I was going to be a middle or high school science teacher,” he said. “I knew I wanted to study biology; I did my undergrad in zoology here at Guelph, but once I started taking upper-year courses, I became really fascinated with research.”

That fascination led him out of the classroom and into the laboratory, eventually taking him to graduate school, and later to a position with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. After several years as a government scientist, Bartley returned to Guelph, where he now combines research and teaching.

Today, Bartley splits his time between teaching and researching how ecosystems respond to stressors like invasive species and pollution. His work explores the invisible relationships that structure lakes, from predator-prey dynamics to the unsubtle ways human activity changes aquatic food webs.

Early ecologists could only guess what animals ate from unidentifiable stomach contents, what Bartley calls “goo,” until DNA barcoding allowed them to match genetic material to species.

“Most of the time, it was just soft, gooey mush. You might get a bone fragment, but you wouldn’t know what species it came from,” he said.

This painstaking work set the stage for a revolution in ecological research as scientists may now compare their samples to a large library, like detectives trying to match fingerprints at a crime scene to a global database.

This approach transformed how ecologists study food webs, especially in environments that are difficult to observe directly.

“It turns out many animals eat a wider variety of things than we initially thought,” Bartley said. “That suggests there’s more interconnectedness in ecosystems than we realized, and we already thought there was a lot.”

Ecological research can be compared to investigative work, one that depends on having the right tools and knowing when to use them.

“There isn’t just one way to measure something in ecology,” he said. “There are many, and they often give you slightly different kinds of information.”

One such method is called stable isotope analysis. Researchers can identify certain molecules in the bodies of animals to determine characteristics of the animal. Another powerful method called environmental DNA (eDNA) has recently emerged to identify which species inhabit a given habitat. Instead of catching fish or invertebrates, scientists can now sample the water itself and identify traces of DNA shed by organisms into their environment.

“By combining methods—direct observation, electrofishing and eDNA sampling—we get the best possible picture of what’s there,” Bartley said. “In ecology, we want multiple lines of evidence. The more independent ways we can verify something, the more confident we can be that we understand it.”

This multifaceted approach reflects a central theme in Bartley’s teaching and research: integration. Just as ecosystems rely on interdependence, so too does scientific progress.

Scientific discovery, however, comes at a cost. “Researchers have to make choices about how to spend limited funds,” Bartley said. “That means choosing which methods to use, which species to study, and sometimes which ques-

"Science

tions we can realistically answer.”

When fieldwork is impractical, ecologists turn to computer models that simulate real-world processes.

“It’s cheaper to model interactions on a computer than to measure them in every lake,” Bartley said. “Or we might study a small, easily raised organism in the lab to infer what’s happening in nature.”

Still, Bartley is passionate about large-scale experiments that manipulate conditions in the real world. One of his favorite examples is Canada’s Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) in northwestern Ontario, where scientists change entire lakes to study environmental processes.

“It’s one of the coolest places in ecology,” he said. “Some of our most important discoveries about phosphorus and algal blooms came from those experiments.”

Although such projects are expensive, they underscore Bartley’s belief in the power of direct experimentation. “You can’t always study the whole system,” he said, “but when you can, you learn so much about how ecosystems really function.”

Fortunately, some costs are decreasing. DNA sequencing, in which a computer reads DNA and copies the code, was once costly but is now routine.

“When I started doing molecular work, sequencing was expensive,” Bartley said. “Now, for the same amount of money, you can get orders of magnitude more information. It’s made the tools

much more accessible.”

As new technologies reshape science, Bartley worries that curiosity-driven research is being overshadowed by applied problem solving. “There’s been a trend toward funding research because it has a specific application,” he said. “Instead of studying ecosystems because they’re beautiful and complex, researchers are often expected to focus on solving a particular problem.”

That pragmatic focus has benefits, but there are also drawbacks. “We don’t always know which discoveries will become useful,” Bartley said. “Sometimes the most obscure species turns out to be vital because of some unique property. If we only study what seems ‘useful’ now, we might miss those breakthroughs.”

As an educator, Bartley is deeply concerned with how scientists are trained to think and how they are trained to feel about their work.

“All scientists need to think about the consequences of what they do,” he said. “That means ethical considerations, societal impacts and interdisciplinary understanding.” He argues that scientific education has grown too siloed. “We train science students to think scientifically, which is great,” he said, “but science isn’t separate from the rest of the world. It’s one knowledge system among many. We need to help students see that.”

One of Bartley’s biggest concerns is scientific communication

and the involvement of citizen scientists in research. Projects like iNaturalist, a platform that allows users to upload ecological data and have it analyzed by their peers, show how research can bridge communities and disciplines.

“It’s a great way to make science more accessible,” he said. “I want people to see that science isn’t just something done by people in lab coats. It’s something everyone can participate in.”

This philosophy extends to his views on humanity itself. “Ecology is everywhere,” he said. “It’s in lakes, forests and even inside us. Once you start to see the world that way, as interconnected, dynamic, and alive, you never really stop.”

Bartley’s enthusiasm ultimately circles back to curiosity. The same curiosity that pulled him away from teaching high school and into the depths of academia.

“We’re still describing new species every year. Not just microbes, but birds, reptiles and even mammals. There’s a whole world around us that remains undiscovered.”

In a moment when the planet faces unprecedented environmental change, Bartley’s message is both hopeful and grounding: that understanding complexity is itself a form of care.

“We’re surrounded by wonderful things,” he said. “Let’s make sure we learn from them and not lose them, before they’re gone.”

isn't separate from the rest of the world," Bartley said. Aditya Parameswaran/THE ONTARION

WHAT MIDTERM STRESS-BUSTER IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

I like to go out

I like a quiet place

I like physical activity

I like something a little more slow paced

I like being indoors

I like to stay in

I like a busy place I like to stay in alone I like to stay in with friends

I like to socialize with others

I enjoy group activities

I like being outside I enjoy solo activities

B: So you want to move your body, but prefer to stay out of the elements. Attending a pilates or yoga class could be just the stress-buster you’re looking for. Check out the NRG schedule on the Athletic Centre website for a full list of indoor exercise classes!

A: It sounds like you’re looking to move your body and get some fresh air at the same time—a hike or a nature walk might be best for you. Check out the trails in the Arboretum right here on campus, or consider travelling to a nearby spot; you could do a mini road trip and a hike together!

I prefer to keep to myself/ my group

I like doing activities

E: Maybe it’s time for you to hit the town. Grab some friends and head downtown where you can choose whether you want to sit and talk, hit the dance floor, or perhaps even play some group trivia. Have fun and mingle, you never know where you’ll find your next study buddy!

D: If your group is looking for a go-at-your-own-pace activity, consider booking an escape room or heading to the movie theatre for cheap Tuesday’s. These activities are perfect for those who are looking to get away from the house and immerse your brain in something other than school work!

C: If you’re looking for a soloexcursion, a cafe might be the destination you’re looking for. Open up your favourite book, magazine, newspaper or online store and spend some time with yourself out of the house. Here’s the catch: no school work allowed!

F: If your group is looking to go out and socialize somewhere other than downtown, consider booking a lane at a bowling alley or testing out your rock climbing abilities. These activities are perfect opportunities to get out and move your bodies—just try not to laugh at each other!

I think I just need to chill

H: Set the mood for yourself: clean your room, wash your bedding, light a candle—do whatever it takes to transform your room into the coziest state it’s ever been. Then you can peacefully snuggle up to watch your favourite movies or binge your favourite TV shows!

G: If you’re looking for an at-home solo activity, maybe some arts and crafts are the best fit for you. Some crafty things you could try out are painting, crocheting, sewing, colouring books—the world is your oyster!

We want to do an activity

We just want to chill

I: If your group is looking for a stay-in activity, baking is a great team activity with a high reward. Also, don’t be shy to connect with your inner-child and play a game of hide and seek while you’re waiting for your treats to bake!

J: So, you and your friends are looking for a chill and cozy night in. Start by making a pot of tea, maybe even treat yourselves and order food in, and share some of your most unpopular opinions about your favourite movies or TV shows. Who knows— maybe you share an unpopular opinion with someone who you would least expect!

COMING SOON

In early 1995, just two years after the World Wide Web opened to the public, The Ontarion jumped on the new trend: we put our news online. We were among the first few news organizations to do it, beating virtually every major newspaper to the punch. Now, 30 years later, we embark on a new online journey. We are launching a brand new website that will allow us to harness the strengths of both print and digital, allowing us to find new and better ways to keep our community in the know.

With web exclusives, extended content and breaking news, theontarion.com will be your first stop for local news, sports, and event coverage.

NOVEMBER HOROSCOPES

Aries, this month you’ll enjoy a fiery passion towards your work, hobbies and creative endeavours. Allow this flame to supercharge a new project you’ve been stewing on without burning yourself out.

Leo, the spotlight shines as you take center stage this month, both in school and at work. You’re sure to receive applause for your leading roles, but do remember: the best awards speeches give kudos to the people cheering you on from the wings.

Taurus, self-care doesn’t always mean clearing your calendar for a spa night. Do the hard work of reconnecting with friends who’ve fallen off your schedule; also, reconnect with your monthly budget. Overspending on little luxuries may lead to a financial wakeup call.

Virgo, your ambition takes the driver's seat this month. Your relentless attention to detail is finally paying off, and rewarding career opportunities are just around the corner. Keep a level head as you forge new professional connections and plan new projects.

(March 21 - April 19) (July 23 - August 22) (Nov 22 - Dec 21) (April 20 - May 20) (Aug 23 - Sept 22) (Jan 20- Feb 18) (May 21 - June 20) (Sept 23 - Oct 22) (Dec 22 - Jan 19) (June 21 - July 22) (Oct 23 - Nov 21) (Feb 19 - March 20)

Sagittarius, attune your compass to your deepest desires before pouncing on plans. Take care to ensure spontaneous travel and career decisions align with your dreams. After all, the view from the peak is most rewarding when the clouds clear.

Capricorn, take it easy when it comes to your financial decisions this month. Instead of dousing your bad habits in gasoline and torching them, use your friends as a sounding board. You’ll find appreciation for the non-material and come up with better ideas.

ARIES LEO SAGITTARIUS TAURUS VIRGO AQUARIUS GEMINI LIBRA CAPRICORN

Gemini, this month brings intense focus to your relationships, including friends, family and romantic partners. Challenge yourself to notice where you’ve been fickle, or perhaps domineering. Careful communication leads to profound growth.

Libra, you’ll feel drawn to leading the collective this month, but it’s an important time to check on your battery, too. Lavish in solitude to recharge, and then give unto others. Seeking balance makes you a spirited leader.

Aquarius, it’s time to act on the room revamp you’ve been scheming. If your taste in baubles differs from your roomies, co-create a unique space by seeking out little treasures around town, or deep diving on Etsy to discover the perfect throw pillow.

CANCER SCORPIO PISCES

Cancer, your intuition beckons, so listen closely. Release deeply-rooted patterns in order to suture old wounds. This period of self-discovery can be arduous but will result in greater intimacy and vulnerability with yourself, and others.

Scorpio, this month will be a period of rebirth as you wade through the murkiest depths of your inner self, emerging from the waters surefooted and confident. Others will recognize this shift in your outward expression that has come to match your interior.

Pisces, keep a finger on your pulse this month. If you feel a call to visit home, do so, and relish in quality time with your loved ones. Seek joy around every corner, because lighthearted fun can create new sparks or lead to deep fulfillment.

NOVEMBER TO-DO LIST

STARTING MON NOV 3

Decreasing Headaches

• 7 - 8:30 p.m.

• Four session online event

• Register at selfregulationskills.ca

• Learn effective, drug-free strategies to decrease headache tension and pain

TUES NOV 4

Write to Publish: Establishing Your Voice in Your Writing

• 12 - 2 p.m.

• Mclaughlin Library Rm 384

• Learn how to be present in your writing to better establish yourself as an author

Transfer Student Boardgame Café

• 1 - 2:30 p.m.

• UC Rm 442

• Meet fellow transfer students while playing fun boardgames

LGBTQ2IA+ Black, Indigenous and Racialized Students’ Jeopardy

• 6 - 7:30 p.m.

• UC Rm 303

• Enjoy a fun game of Jeopardy while connecting with peers in this supportive community space

WED NOV 5

What’s the Deal with Breathing?

• 7 - 9 p.m.

• Online event (email ksomers@uoguelph.ca for the link)

• Learn how to optimize breathing for health, performance and self-calming

Matcha for a Cause

• 12 - 5 p.m.

• UC Courtyard

• Every cup purchased at this event helps provide food, education and support to children in need

THURS NOV 13

Navigating a Predominantly White Institution: Student Panel Discussion

• 6 - 7:30 p.m.

• UC Rm 442

• Listen to upper-year BIPOC students share their experiences and challenges navigating a predominantly white institution

FRI NOV 21 NOV 13 - NOV 16 THURS NOV 27 FRI NOV 7

Fair November Craft Show

• Starts at 10 a.m. each day

• UC Courtyard and Peter Clark Hall

• Shop for jewelry, sweets, crafts, pottery and much more from over 90 talented local artisans

LGBTQ2IA+ Swims

• 7 - 8 p.m.

• Red Pool in Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre

• Enjoy the pool and build a community with fellow LGBTQ2IA+ students in this safe space

MON NOV 24 SAT NOV 15

Guelph Poetry Slam

• Doors open at 8 p.m.

• Which Craft (91 Wyndham St. N.)

• Enjoy and/or participate in an open mic, feature poet set and poetry slam competition with a $100 prize

START U of G: Build Your Own Study Kit

• 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

• UC Courtyard

• Build a kit of free fidgets, snacks and resources to help you succeed during exams

Finding Your Voice with Elder Mary Lou Smoke

• 1 - 2:30 p.m.

• Indigenous Student Centre

• Learn about music and song from Lifetime Achievement Award winner Mary Lou Smoke

Which fall album fits your vibe?

Find the soundtrack to your season with this quiz

What’s been on your mind lately?

A) Making time for loved ones, whether it’s friends or your cat

B) Nostalgia, longing for a sense of home

C) Dreams you’re trying to make reality

D) Deep, unfathomable yearning

E) Recharging after midterms

What fall activity could you be found doing?

A) Driving with the win dows down and taking in the autumnal breeze

B) Shopping at Spirit Ha lloween

C) Walking in the rain with wired headphones

D) Pining after your sum mer situationship

You’re at a local café. What do you order?

A) Pumpkin Spice Latte

B) Café Mocha

C) London Fog

D) Black coffee

E) Espresso shots

Here are five articles of clothing. Which one speaks to you?

A) Red scarf still smelling of perfume

B) Skeleton costume from last year’s Halloween

C) Brown tweed pants with a brass button

D) White, v-neck cotton t-shirt

Pick a candle based on its scent description.

A) Cozy cardamom chai cookie

B) Brisk breeze, blackberries, pomegranate peels

C) Freshly-mowed grass, freshly-washed linens

D) Tobacco, smoke, vanilla incense

E) Punchy passionfruit and warm amber

Which of these U of G clubs would you join?

A) Knitting and Crochet Club

B) Outdoors Club

C) Celtic Students Society

D) Guelph Poets Society

Pick a dreamy fall getaway.

A) People-watching in London, perhaps while riding on a scooter

B) Seeing the Japanese maples change colours in Kyoto

C) Touring an historic Irish castle

D) Late-night New York stroll, stopping at a record store and a jazz club

E) Hitting up Toronto clubs while you still don’t need a jacket

What’s the best part of fall?

A) “Autumn leaves falling down like pieces into place”

B) “It’s Halloween, and we can be anything”

C) “Life is changing every day, in every possible way”

D) “Lying in my bed, the blanket is warm”

E) Shiny gold watch that’s slightly too large

MOSTLY A's

MOSTLY B's

Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers

MOSTLY C's

Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? by The Cranberries

MOSTLY d's

MOSTLY e's

E) Finding any excuse for a party, from Hoco to Halloween Red by Taylor Swift Take Care by Drake Grace by Jeff Buckley

E) Gryph Steps Dance Team

E) “Drinking every night because we drink to my accomplishments”

You are a true-to-the book fall enthusiast, just like Taylor Swift. As she re-released Red (Taylor’s Version), she made a TikTok describing her love for fall – for “hats and scarves and knee socks and wearing tights for the first time in months.” This album is pop-country perfection, with hits like “22” and “Red” to uplift you, and the iconic “All Too Well,” considered by many Swift’s best song. Its lesser-known songs “Treacherous” and “Holy Ground” are perfect for romanticizing every sip of your PSL and strolling amidst the falling leaves.

You live for the stretch between Halloween and Christmas, for lawns decorated with ghosts, then gingerbread men. Perhaps you miss the magic of the holidays from your childhood. Bridgers similarly ruminates and dreams on Punisher, each song evoking heartfelt emotion. “Kyoto” is an uptempo contemplation of time to oneself, with lyrics like a diary entry. “ICU” is a subversive plea of love pouring in, and “I Know The End” agonizes over endings and new beginnings. And then, “Halloween” is an eerie echo of the holiday’s potential to reinvent yourself, adding your own magic to the spooky season.

You thrive in foggy weather and a woolly sweater – you love the dew on the grass and the wistful feeling in the air. This classic 90s album by the Irish band The Cranberries is perfect for you. Its well-known tracks “Dreams” and “Linger,” simmer with soft guitars and harmonic vocals. “Sunday” sounds like it’s from an old romance movie – each “You mystify me” blending beautifully into the next. This album’s got the range you need, from looking forward to your dreams to “looking through the window” of the present moment.

You miss the heat of the summer, the shining sun, perhaps the warmth of a love you still can’t get over. Grace is the perfect yearning album to speak to your soul. Buckley’s lyricism is devout and gorgeous, with songs like “Mojo Pin” and “Last Goodbye” detailing lost love. “It’s never over” – he sings devastatingly on “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” – “my kingdom for a kiss upon her shoulder.” As the leaves change their colours and fall to the earth, you can reflect on changing times as well. Whether you’re laying in bed, journaling, or taking long autumnal strolls, Grace is the perfect album to reminisce and romanticize.

You understand how other people might glamourize the gloom of fall, but you’re looking to live it up and have a good time. Take Care is your perfect fall album – it was released in November, and Drake’s got a candle and a cozy black shirt on in the cover, which feels quite autumnal. The album has iconic party tracks, like “Headlines” and “The Motto," for turning up at holiday parties and dancing away the stress. But Drake also gets emotive with songs like “Marvins Room,” on which he calls up an old flame with heavy bass that hits like a heartbeat. Whatever your vibe is, Drake speaks to it, inviting you to get out of your head and get into your feels.

BECAUSE WE ASKED...

What is your current favourite hot drink?

Emily Janozeski 5th year, Accounting

Spice

Chocolate" Liz Law 4th year, English & Education

Raya

1st year, Marine of Fresh Water Biology

PETS OF THE MONTH

MEET WINNIE!

Breed: British Shorthair

Photo: Emmerson

Jull & Braden Peters

Age: 1

Fun Fact: She has a best friend named Phoebe!

MEET FOZZIE BEAR!

Breed: Unknown

Photo: Katarina Toric

Age: 4

Fun Fact: He has a talent for stealing steak off the counter and eating it in 4 bites!

MEET PLINKO!

Breed: Domestic Shorthair

Photo: Olivia Strutt

Age: 1

Fun Fact: Plinko is a wobbly cat who loves cuddles more than anything.

MEET SAGE!

Breed: Unknown

Photo: Jasper Roy

Age: 14

Fun Fact: When we found her, she was eating a dead eel on a beach in Saint George, Grenada, and that says a lot about her current personality. Now, she loves going on hikes and has hiked many of the Adirondack Mountains.

"Hot Chai Latte"

"Pumpkin

Hot

"Chai Latte"

Keating

CROSSWORD

1–South American ruminant

6–Make sense

11–Wind dir.

14–Halfhearted

15–"Circle of Friends" author Binchy

16–Carry the day

17–Part of LED

18–One way to play music

19–Alfonso's queen

20–Hospital area, informally

22–Stern with a bow

24–Nuclear-fission apparatus

28–Lively intelligence

29–Tangle up

30–Japanese dish

32–A bit wet

33–Put forth, as effort

35–Narrow inlets

39–D-Day beach

40–Gerund suffix

41–Part of the plot?

42–TV's Warrior Princess

43–Assault

45–Sugar source

46–Ski cottage

48–English astronomer

50–Cause to remember

53–Star in Auriga

54–In readiness

55–Go about stealthily

57–Driller's deg.

58–Preside over

60–Hatch on Capitol Hill

65–Owing

66–Greek fabulist

67–Dog coat pattern

68–___ darn tootin'!

69–Pauses

70–Stationed

Down

1–Business name suffix

2–Hawaiian necklace

3–Part of a GI's address

4–Central 5–Experts

6–The color of honey

7–Belafonte bellow

8–Thought-provoking

9–Bad for your skin and eyes

10–Suffer destruction

11–Vow

12–Egyptian peninsula

13–Put into law

21–Architect Mies van der

23–Air hole

24–Resurgent

25–Related on the mother's side

26–Jordan's capital

27–Pertaining to the head

28–Part of i.e.

30–Inward feeling

31–Exhort

34–Walk sign

36–Poker declaration

37–Synthetic fiber

38–I'm outta here!

43–Singular

44–Spring event

47–Kind of garage

49–Self-confidence

50–Actor McDowall

51–Provide

52–Stingy one

53–Army unit

55–Get an A, say

56–Sidesplitter

59–___ Haw

61–Stephen of "The Crying Game"

62–Monopoly quartet: Abbr.

63–___ de France

64–Homer’s neighbour

BOB'S DOGS CROSSWORD CONTEST

For your chance to win two Bobs dog’s and two pops, just complete the crossword, snap a picture, and send it to puzzles@theontarion.com by November 20 at 3 p.m. Winners are announced in each issue and can arrange a pickup of their voucher by emailing the same address.

Last issue’s winning puzzle was submitted by Ashley Marozsan!

2W1

ontarion@uoguelph.ca

519-824-4120

Editorial: x 58250

Advertising: x 58267

Accounts: x 53534

EDITORIAL STAFF

Editor-in-Chief

Rachel Fioret

Associate Editor

Emmerson Jull

News Editor

Abby Counahan

Arts & Culture Editor

Andreea Burlacu

Copy Editor & Fact Checker

Carlota Sousa

Digital Editor

Alyssa Cunningham

PRODUCTION STAFF

Graphic Designer/Art Director

Paige Stampatori

Photo & Graphics Editor

Aditya Parameswaran

OFFICE STAFF

Executive Director

Patrick Sutherland

Accountant

Laurie Arnold

Marketing Coordinator

Lucca Maggiolo

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair

Katelynn Huong

Vice Chair

Paula Henry-Duru

Treasurer

Denver Bubelich

Secretary OPEN POSITION

DIRECTORS

Mariana Erazo

Oliver Bullingham

Simran Aujla

Maia Galletta

CONTRIBUTORS

MAGGIE ABRADJIAN

JORJA ALLEN

NED BARR

ERIKA BEKKERING

AMIR BENKELAI

MADISON BOUTILIER

CAITLIN BUCK

SARAH D'AVILA ALEMAN

STEPHEN DOIG

MADELEINE ESSERY

PAIGE FIRMAN

ELISE FREDERIKSEN

EVA GALAN

ALEX GRANT

MANZIL GROVER

A. HERRMANN

SHARON HUANG

MARTIN LIMA PEREZ

FAUSTINE LIU

ASHLEY MAROZSAN

AVA MAYER

AMELIA NAIDOO

ATHAVI NISHAANTHAN

ANDREW PENNER

SOPHIA PHILBERT

JASPER ROY

ABBIE SAKAMOTO

KYLE SALTER

EMILY SCOTT

BEN SEATON

HUDA SHOAIB

CHARLOTTE SLAYTON

RIYA VAID

AVA VENDER

ZAHRA ZANDIYEH