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191.4 | DECEMBER 2021

IMPACT program at U of G receives positive feedback following its October launch

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National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women spotlights the need for systemic change P 11 - 15

Holiday Special: Tips for decorating, shopping, family get-togethers, and more!

DEC. 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

NEWS 3.

Holocaust survivor shares his harrowing story at U of G event

IMPACT program at U of G receives positive feedback following its October launch

ON the Radar

Generosity from a Snow Angel

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women spotlights the need for systemic change

OPINION 7.

How to read more effectively

8 & 9.

Advice for the discouraged first-year

10. How to make LSAT prep a little more bearable 11.

WE H AV VEGA E OPTIO N NS!

BOB’S DOGS Come see for yourself why Bob's Dogs is a U of G Tradition

Celebrating an environmentallyfriendly Christmas

12 & 13. Surviving awkward family get-togethers this holiday season 14.

Holiday shopping on a budget

ARTS & CULTURE 15.

December: A time to celebrate!

16 & 17. How to shoot fashion photography 18.

One Million Trees documentary explores the untold stories of tree planters in Canada

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

The French Dispatch is a heartfelt ode to the yesteryear of magazine journalism

SPORTS & HEALTH 23.

Dealing with strain during exam season

24 & 25. 20 stress busters to try this December 26 & 27. Four delicious holiday and winter inspired recipes

FUN STUFF 28.

December To-Do List

29 & 30. Fun Pages

CONTRIBUTORS

Executive Director Aaron Jacklin

Chen Chen Sarah Peters Rachel Fioret Jessie Davis Anna Naim Graham Burt Prabhjot Bains Gabriella Dritsas Anchitaa Ghag

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

20 & 21. Tobogganing: More than just a fun winter sport 22.

OFFICE STAFF

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

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

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Alex Lefebvre Chair of the Board Miguel Mabalay Vice President Finance Anne O’Keefe Vice President Communications OPEN POSITION Staff Representative Nicolas Buck

DIRECTORS Tasha Falconer Josh Szweras Taelor Reid Rachel Tudor

The Ontarion is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. Since The Ontarion undertakes the publishing of student work, the opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of The Ontarion staff and Board of Directors. The Ontarion reserves the right to edit or refuse all material deemed sexist, racist, homophobic, or otherwise unfit for publication as determined by the Editor-in-Chief. Material of any form appearing in this newspaper is copyrighted 2021 and cannot be reprinted without the approval of the Editor-in-Chief. The Ontarion retains the right of first publication on all material. In the event that an advertiser is not satisfied with an advertisement in the newspaper, they must notify The Ontarion within four working days of publication. The Ontarion will not be held responsible for advertising mistakes beyond the cost of advertisement. The Ontarion is printed by Hamilton Web Printing.

NEWS

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4 | MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM

5 | SNOW ANGELS

6 | GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

A speech by Sol Nayman, Holocaust survivor, was one of several U of G events hosted for Holocaust Education Week. He and his family were deported in a cattle cart such as the one that was displayed near Branion Plaza. CREDIT: NICOLAS BUCK / THE ONTARION

Holocaust survivor shares his harrowing story at U of G event Sol Nayman hopes that his wartime experiences can serve as a lesson about the perils of complacency in the face of hate ELENI KOPSAFTIS

Evil happens when people let it happen, and our best defence against it is never to forget where it leads.

— Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

ol Nayman was born in Stoczek Wegrowki, Poland in 1935, just four years before Nazi forces invaded the nation. He is the last living Jewish person from his hometown and one of 3.5 million Jewish people in Europe to survive the Holocaust. For Holocaust Education week, Nayman spoke to U of G community members about his experiences as a Holocaust survivor and about the importance of learning from history. The event, which was held online on Nov. 11, was hosted by Guelph Hillel, an organization that facilitates an open community for Jewish students at the U of G.

Nayman said that the memories and accounts of survivors continue to be crucial because the trauma of genocide can carry forward for countless generations. “There may be no justice for a single dead child. There will be no restitution for a single home. But, recognition and remembrance will humanize those who have been dehumanized,” he stated during the event. “As has been said, if we forget history then history will repeat itself.” However, Nayman said he was initially conflicted about being considered a survivor because he had never lived directly under Nazi occupation or been in a Nazi death camp. He said he only took on the title after he visited the Washington Holocaust Memorial Museum. The museum defined a Holocaust survivor as “all those who were displaced, persecuted, or discriminated against under the racial, ethnic, and political policies of the Nazis and their al-

lies between 1933 and 1945.” For his 75th birthday, he wrote his story in a personal account of the Holocaust (sometimes referred to as the Shoah, the Hebrew word for “catastrophe”) titled Zadie’s Story. In the account, he explains having to flee to Soviet-occupied Poland with his family when Hitler invaded his hometown in 1939. By this point, Hitler had long cultivated Nazi Germany’s antisemitic principles through his racist Nuremburg Laws and his military’s refusal to intervene during the torching and vandalization of Jewish property during the event now known as Kristallnacht. The Nayman family would be deported by the Soviets and sent to Syktyvkar, the former capital of the Komi Republic, not far from a slave labour camp. There, food and water were scarce and disease was rampant. The winters were terribly cold, reaching as low as -40 C, and

many died daily due to sickness and starvation. “We were crammed into a small room in one of the barracks with another couple … A hanging sheet separated us. We had wooden planks for beds. We would burn wheat or dry cow dung in a metal barrel for heat,” said Nayman. In 1943, Nayman and his family would be transported to Ukraine, and while he stated that many Ukranians were sympathetic to the Nazis at the time due to being “liberated” from the Soviets by Nazi forces, a few farmers in the area were kind to his family and often shared produce with them. “No one survived the Holocaust without the help of others,” he said. When the war ended in 1945, The United Nations allowed European Jews to emigrate, so the Nayman family set their sights on Canada. When immigration officials informed them that only the children would be granted visas, they bought bogus marriage certificates to improve their chances and falsely claimed to have tailoring skills to meet the country’s limited tailor quota. After a nine-day journey on the General Sturgis transport ship, the Nayman family’s first step into Canada was at Pier 21, the same pier that had rejected Jewish refugees on the SS St. Louis just nine years prior. Many of those refugees would later be murdered by the Nazis. Nayman was eventually given a photograph of the General Sturgis that was inscribed with the

words, “Canada became a better place on October 16, 1948, when the Nayman family landed on Pier 21 in Halifax.” Nayman told the event participants that he gave a lot of thought to that statement, and to how it would have applied to the Jewish refugees who had previously been turned away. “Perhaps we, and the 40,000 or so other survivors who made Canada their home, made it [better]. But then on the SS St. Louis, [how] would those 937 Jews [have made] Canada a better place in the fields of medicine, finance, technology, the arts? How many future Nobel Laureates may have been on that ship?” Nayman noted that since the Holocaust, 15 genocides have been carried out throughout the world. He listed Ukraine, Cambodia, Croatia, Uganda, and Rwanda, to name just a few. “If the world allows those and other mass killings to happen, it is because the lessons of the Holocaust have not been learned or have been ignored, or simply that the so-called civilized world would rather not know,” Nayman said. He also showed a picture of a Uighur detention camp. There, more then one million Muslims have been denied the ability to practice their religion and are being sent to re-education camps. There are also reports that these camps utilize treatments akin to those of the Nazi death camps, such as starvation, torture, rape, electric shock, and medical experiments. To prevent these mass acts of hatred and violence, Nayman explained that we must all educate ourselves on the Holocaust so that we can spot the signs of history repeating itself. However, education is not memorizing that Hitler killed six million Jewish people, said Nayman. Rather, it is understanding how one person can start a hate movement with just words, how millions of ordinary German citizens were convinced that hatred was standard, and how countless nations and millions of people were indifferent bystanders. “Six million victims of the Shoah no longer have a voice, so it is up to the diminishing universe of survivors and all of us to sustain their memories, which are an eternal gift to the world and a warning of what can happen when hatred prevails,” said Nayman. “By listening to witnesses, you also become witnesses to the truth of the most profound stain on humanity.”

DEC. ISSUE | NEWS

THE ONTARION

IMPACT program at U of G receives positive feedback following its October launch The mental health program has diverted calls from the hospital and collaborated with residence staff to ensure students receive more comfortable and accessible support ELLYSE MCGARR

he Integrated Mobile Police And Crisis Team (IMPACT) program is a partnership between the Canadian Mental Health Association of Waterloo Wellington (CMHA WW) and local police officers. The program launched at the University of Guelph on Oct. 21 and is receiving positive feedback for its ability to provide comprehensive mental health support to students after hours. “There's been lots of engagement and people wanting to hear about the program, what it's about, and appreciating the efforts of having this type of service on campus,” said Alison Burnett, director of Student Wellness at the university. The program allows for a joint response to mental health, addiction, and crisis-related calls. Its goal is to provide callers with the most appropriate community-based crisis response to ensure better health outcomes. IMPACT was originally created in 2015 to provide mental health services to residents living in the regions of Waterloo and Wellington. It has successfully resulted in less-intrusive service interventions by reducing emergency room and hospital involvement. However, most recently, IMPACT expanded its services to the U of G where it launched out of the campus safety office. In this partnership, a mental health worker hired by the CMHA WW is on campus Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Friday to Sunday from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. to respond to student distress calls alongside

campus safety officers. Students in distress are offered resources and care from services both on and/or off campus. According to Burnett, U of G is the first Ontario university to have a mental health professional working alongside campus safety officers. In the past, students have been less likely to seek out help from campus safety officers if they think it will result in them being apprehended under the Mental Health Act and taken to emergency, says Jeff Stanlick, the director of services for the CMHA WW. Typically, officers are not trained to offer individuals mental health support from a clinical standpoint, and so they have to send the person to the emergency department for assessment. “That process can be quite invasive. It can be clinically damaging. It's at times unnecessary, and having said that, there's times where it absolutely is needed. But if there's a way that we can provide support and assessment right there in the moment, it translates to better care for people,” said Stanlick. Since campus officers now work alongside the IMPACT worker, the worker is able to provide the appropriate clinical care for the caller on the spot, thus removing the need to contact the emergency department. Knowing there is a trained mental health worker who can help them right away may change students’ perception. “If they know that there's a service

LOGO USED WITH PERMISSION FROM JEFF STANLICK

U of G is the first Ontario university to implement a program that has mental health experts working with campus officers to respond to student’s health and safety needs. CREDIT: PEXELS

available, such as [one] where they can receive a full clinical kind of assessment and support in the moment and on campus, they may be more willing to engage and reach out for support,” said Stanlick. According to both Burnett and Stanlick, the pandemic has increased rates of anxiety and depression in the general population, including amongst university students. It was for these reasons that Burnett initially reached out to CMHA WW to partner with the U of G. Although the program is not available to contact for help 24/7, there is one group of people on campus who are—the residence staff. According to Stanlick, residence staff are like insiders on campus. They are usually well connected with the students and know what's going on around them. “They're familiar with who may or may not be struggling. They might be someone who other students bring concerns to. And they're the ones who will act on getting help for residents.” For these reasons, the IMPACT team has reached out to residence staff and let them know what they should do if a student needs help. “It's that informal training and informal conversation about how to best support somebody who may be in crisis that really helps build the capacity,” said Stanlick. One of the biggest benefits the team has seen with the program so far—both on and off campus—is the amount of calls that have been diverted from hospitals. According to Stanlick, the IMPACT program overall has an average hospital diversion rate of 75 per cent, which he says is a “huge win.” Word has spread about IMPACT at U of G, and it has attracted the attention of other post-secondary institutions. “I've had at least three conversations with colleagues at other institutions. I

know CMHA WW has had people reach out as well,” Burnett told The Ontarion. Stanlick confirms this. CMHA WW has been approached by many other campuses, both locally and provincially, who are interested in the program’s model. He says it speaks to the excitement around what the possibilities are to offer support to people after hours on campus. “I think it's a really great initiative that will absolutely be successful, and I would love to see other campuses benefit from an arrangement like this. Because the challenges are not unique to the University of Guelph. The need is everywhere.”

Resource information for students who need urgent help: Within business hours (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) • Student Wellness Services: For responses that can wait 24 hours, or responses needed that day, dial 519824-4120 at ext. 52131. • Campus Safety Office: To contact by phone dial 519-840-5000, or, if using a campus telephone, use ext. 52000. After hours (after 4:30 p.m.) • Here 24/7 (Mental health resource): 1-844-437-3247. • Crisis Text Line powered by Kids Help Phone: Text UofG to 686868. • Campus Safety Office (for immediate responses): To contact by phone dial 519-840-5000, or, if using a campus telephone, use ext. 52000. An IMPACT mental health worker will respond with the campus safety office if available. • Off-campus (for immediate responses): Call emergency services at 911.

ISSUE 191 .4 | NEWS

THEONTARION.COM

#ONTHERADAR

ONTARIO GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES A PAUSE TO THE COVID-19 REOPENING PLAN The Ontario government has announced a change in plans for reopening in light of a spike in COVID-19 cases in the province. “Out of an abundance of caution, we are pausing the next step to reopening Ontario and managing COVID-19 for the long term,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, in a Nov. 10 press briefing. Nov. 15 was initially the date where capacity limits would be lifted from establishments that require proof of vaccination upon entry. The pause will keep capacity limits in place for food and drink establishments where there are sections for dancefloors, wedding reception venues where there would be dancing, strip clubs, sex clubs, and bathhouses. The province established a 28-day period for review and reflection of the COVID-19 case data. This period began on Nov. 15.

ON THE RADAR “The plan was always designed to be guided by the ongoing assessment and monitoring of key public health and healthcare indicators to ensure that public health and workplace safety measures are lifted safely,” Dr. Moore said. There are no current plans to reimplement the restrictions that have previously been lifted. Moore said the most pressing concern for Ontario’s progress towards fully reopening is a COVID-19 variant that resists the protection from the vaccine, though he states this has not occurred yet. The seven-day average for new COVID-19 cases in Ontario continues to rise, with 481 on Nov. 16 to 613 on Nov. 23. Dr. Moore said this was expected with people spending more time indoors due to the upcoming winter season and temperature drop.

U OF G ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF BLACK CANADIAN STUDIES PROGRAM

Set to launch in fall 2022, the Black Canadian studies minor program at U of G aims to empower students to establish inclusive spaces in work, personal, and political environments. In addition, the program will analyze how Black Canadians have influenced society, and shaped our understanding of the world by focusing on their histories, experiences, communities, and politics. “It is critical that the University of Guelph’s academic programming represents the diverse lived experiences and needs of the University community and the broader communities we serve,” said U of G President Charlotte Yates, in a U of G news release. The program was championed by English Professor Dr. Jade Ferguson in collaboration with the Guelph Black Students Association. It grew out of the University’s Anti-Racism Action Plan which was established in 2020 in order to commit to initiatives towards creating an equitable learning space for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC). “The new Black Canadian Studies program will introduce

Generosity from a Snow Angel Snow Angels is a snow shovelling service for seniors and persons with disabilities ELENI KOPSAFTIS

f you’ve lived in Guelph for more than a year, you know that when the snow comes, it comes in droves. Stepping over large snow banks is challenging, and on top of that, snow shovelling is a rigorous task even without any chronic pains or other physical disadvantages. If it weren’t for services such as Guelph’s Snow Angels program, some residents would have to consider moving to a less snowy location. The Snow Angels program is a volunteer-run snow shovelling service for seniors and persons

with disabilities. It was created in February of 2009 by the People and Information Network (PIN) in partnership with the City of Guelph. According to the Snow Angels’ website, last year 73 volunteers contributed 949 hours of snow shovelling for residents who couldn’t do it themselves. Emily Vincent has been the Snow Angels’ program coordinator since 2009, and she says the service has been essential to locals. Without the Snow Angels, Vincent told The Ontarion that residents “wouldn't be able to get out of their home and go and do something as simple as grocery

shopping, go to the bank, or to medical appointments without help … Something like home care, medical supports and services that they need to be able to live in their home and be healthy and well would not be able to come if [the Snow Angels] service wasn't provided for them.” Not only does the program contribute to the well-being and independence of people in need, but it also serves as a great volunteer opportunity for those who want to give back to the community. Anyone can participate, and volunteers can even bring their friends and family.

students to the culturally rich and vibrant communities of Black Canada and beyond,” said Ferguson in the release. “The multi-disciplinary program offers a wide range of courses, including community-engaged and experiential learning opportunities with the Guelph Black Heritage Society and courses that attend to the past, present and future of Black lives in Guelph and beyond.”

DEVASTATING FLOODING FORCES B.C. RESIDENTS TO EVACUATE THEIR HOMES Residents of Abbotsford, Merritt, and Chilliwack, British Columbia were ordered to evacuate their homes on Nov. 16 after an abnormally heavy rainfall caused sections of the cities and the surrounding Sumas Prairie basin to flood. B.C. issued a statement informing residents that the flooding constituted a significant threat to human life, and that it would have catastrophic con-

High school students looking to complete their 40 hours of community service can participate in the program with fellow students. Many U of G students also participate, whether it be individually or with roommates. Even those living in on-campus residences have volunteered to shovel snow for residents away from the university. Vincent notes that since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, more people have had spare time on their hands due to being unemployed or working from home. As a result, volunteer numbers have risen as individuals searched for physical activities to do with loved ones. “One of our first families that volunteered together did it because they wanted to have an opportunity that all of the children in the family could be involved in,” said Vincent. “The youngest was about three and a half, and although they weren't able to do a lot of the heavy lifting, they were quite excited to be able to participate [with] their own shovel and be helping out the rest of the family.” Volunteers are assigned to a specific resident based on the area

@THEONTARION

sequences for local property and infrastructure. Despite this though, some residents ignored evacuation orders and remained in their homes due to fears of looting. In addition to posing a drowning risk, the rising waters created devastating mudslides. Massive sections of unstable earth blocked off all routes of travel between B.C.’s Lower Mainland and Southern Interior, making escape challenging and posing a direct threat to the safety of drivers. As of Nov. 24, four people have been confirmed dead after being caught in a roadway mudslide, and a fifth person remains missing at the site of the incident. Members of the Canadian Armed Forces arrived in B.C. on Nov. 18 to help local authorities begin assessing the damage and coordinating relief efforts. However, the province is still far from being out of the woods. The damage caused by the floodwaters is expected to have far-reaching economic consequences, with repair costs estimated to be in the billions.

that the volunteer is available to travel within. Then, after an accumulation of at least four centimeters of snow, the volunteers are sent out to shovel the windrow left by snow plows. While not required, Vincent notes that many volunteers also shovel a path to the front door. Anyone can become a volunteer, although persons younger than 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Those interested in becoming either a Snow Angel volunteer or a service recipient can apply on the PIN website at pinnetwork. ca/snow-angels/. They can also call the Snow Angels phone line at 519-822-1155 or apply in person at 55 Wyndham St. N in suite 4A. Service recipients must be aged 65 years or older and/or have a physical disability, and they must be unable to pay for snow removal, have no able-bodied person living in the household to shovel snow, and be unable to remove their own snow. The Snow Angels program is a free service, but PIN accepts donations at canadahelps.org/en/ charities/PIN/.

DEC. ISSUE | NEWS

THE ONTARION

The first step in addressing the issue of gendered violence is to create spaces for open conversation. CREDIT: PEXELS

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women spotlights the need for systemic change Educating ourselves about gender-based violence is crucial, especially amidst COVID-19 EMILY BRAY

ec. 6 marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. With rates of violence against women and girls on the rise as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the day and its underlying messaging are just as important as ever this year. The National Day of Remembrance and Action was created in 1991 as a way to pay respect to the victims of the École Polytechnique massacre, which took place on Dec. 6, 1989. This deadly shooting claimed the lives of 14 women and injured many more at the École Polytechnique engineering school campus in Montreal, Quebec. The shooter specifically targeted female students, stating that he was “fighting feminism,” which he believed had ruined his life. The event has since become symbolic of the broader prevalence of violence against women and girls. Thus, Dec. 6 is a time for communities to come together to remember those who have been affected, and to pledge to do better in the future. Although Canada has seen few gender-based crimes as lethal as the Polytechnique shooting in

1989, violence against women and girls still permeates our society at every level. According to a 2019 Statistics Canada report, women in the general population are violently victimized at a rate nearly double that of men, and are five times as likely to become victims of sexual assault. For Indigenous women, women living in rural areas, and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, these rates of violence are even higher. Yet since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, these numbers have only risen further. According to Jensen Williams, public educator for Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis (GWWIC), the pandemic has exacerbated many of the existing challenges faced by women in the Guelph community. “Pandemic isolation has increased the severity of violence for many women,” Williams said. “We’ve seen an uptick in our crisis calls at GWWIC. And there have been statistics that have shown that deaths related to gender-based violence have increased in 2020 compared to 2019. There has been a noticeable increase in the lethality of these crimes.”

Williams cites widespread job losses, food insecurity, and the current housing crisis as factors that have contributed to this rise in violence. “The pandemic has heightened what it means to be in crisis,” they said. Although news like this can make the fight against gendered violence feel hopeless, Williams stresses the importance of open dialogue and education as tools to combat the mistreatment of women and girls. “The first step is to have open conversations and to be able to facilitate dialogue around experiences with sexualized violence, whether that be through town halls or surveys. Having that open mechanism where people feel safe to share their experiences is important.” In the context of university campuses specifically, Williams encourages the implementation of mandatory courses that address things like bystander intervention training and discussions about consent. They believe that this type of education must be readily available and accessible, and that students should play an active role in helping design what this education looks like, so as to ensure

that it addresses the issues that affect them most. As for what we can do as individuals, opening up informal conversations with those around us about sexual violence is a great starting point. Williams also recommends becoming more involved with community efforts to combat violence. “You can attend events in the community that are raising awareness, such as Take Back the Night, and volunteer your time, whether that be on campus with Student Life efforts to mobilize around sexual violence, or in the Guelph community with GWWIC.” Ultimately, it’s about dedicating your time to learning about these issues and seeing yourself

as part of the solution. Solidarity and cooperation are our most useful tools when it comes to creating meaningful and lasting change. “Communities and students all need to work together,” Williams said. “It isn't just the job of gender-based violence organizations to be leaders in this work. We need everyone to join us and to work together, because we know that this can’t be done alone.” This Dec. 6, GWWIC will be holding an in-person vigil at 6:30 p.m. in Marianne’s Park to pay respects to those who have lost their lives to gendered violence. All are welcome to attend. For more information, visit gwwomenincrisis. org/event/december-6th-femicide-vigil/.

If you are a survivor of abuse or sexual violence, there are a number of supports available to you both on campus and in the city. Here are three resources committed to supporting and uplifting victims that you can reach out to confidentially, regardless of your gender: • For emergency support, you can dial the Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-265-SAFE (7233). • For on-campus support, the University of Guelph’s Sexual Violence Support Office is open to students from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is located in the J.T. Powell Building at 168 Reynolds Walk. If you would prefer not to go in person, you can also refer yourself or a friend to the Sexual Violence Support and Education Coordinator by emailing svinfo@uoguelph.ca. • On-campus mental health counselling services are available through Student Life. Enter this web address: wellness.uoguelph.ca/counselling to browse different programs and book an appointment. If you are interested in learning more about how to support survivors, the University of Guelph provides free sexual violence support training for students, staff, and faculty. Visit https://wellness.uoguelph.ca/sexual-violence-support-centre/trainings to learn more.

THEONTARION.COM

OPINION

8 & 9 | ADVICE FOR FIRST YEARS

11 | ENVIRO-FRIENDLY XMAS

12 & 13 | FAMILY GET-TOGETHERS

Applying effective reading strategies can help with productive exam-prep. CREDIT: PEXELS

How to read more effectively A three-stage guide to help you develop your reading comprehension skills CHEN CHEN

ith exams coming up, do you still find yourself with lots of unread chapters from your textbook? Do you find yourself reading word by word, taking hours to get through the material? If so, I’ve got an effective reading guide for you! Effective reading is an essential skill that university students should practice. Here is a three-stage approach consisting of pre-reading, reading, and reviewing.

PRE-READING Prior to starting your reading session, make sure that you set yourself up in a quiet, comfortable study space. Turn off distractions such as your cell phone, email reminders, and social media notifications, so that you can better concentrate on the task at hand. Recall what you already knew about the material. Spend five minutes contemplating and jotting down some thoughts or keywords about what you already know. This step can work as a “warm up” to shift your mind to the topic of the reading material. Preview the material to capture the content structure and keywords. Take five minutes to

scan through the material. If you are reading a textbook chapter and have lecture notes or a summary of the textbook available, review that first. This can help you develop a sense of the general topics and important points in the textbook. As you are scanning through the reading material, here are some things to pay attention to: • Headings and subheadings often contain the main topic discussed in the subsequent paragraphs. • Diagrams are often used to summarize and compare the concepts explained in the text. • Keywords are often used to highlight new concepts introduced in the text. Divide the reading materials into smaller, more manageable chunks. Measure the time it will take to go through the reading and break it down into chunks that can be finished within a study session (e.g., a 25-minute session). This can help you plan your reading, avoid burnout, and give you some reflection time after your reading. You usually need to do the division before your first

reading, and then afterwards you can just follow your reading plan. Think about the questions that you want answered from your reading material. Write down the questions or make a mental note of them. One way of doing this is to turn subheadings into questions. For example, a subheading that says “Warning signs of procrastination” can be turned into the question of “What are the warning signs of procrastination?” This can help you look for the answers while you are reading.

READ Set a pomodoro timer to help you focus on the reading. ‘Pomodoro’ refers to the Pomodoro Technique, a time management system that encourages you to break your work up into intervals. These intervals are traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. Dividing readings into small chunks can help you better absorb the main ideas and stay engaged with your reading. Take notes. Take notes of key words and important concepts. However, don’t mindlessly copy the text or highlight the material. Try to use active note tak-

ing strategies, such as taking note of only the keywords, stopping once in a while to reflect on the notes, and using your own words to summarize concepts.

AFTER READING Reflect on what you just read. After your reading session, ask yourself some questions: What did I just read? How does it relate to the lecture? How will my professor test me on the materials? Summarize your notes in your own words. Review the notes that you took during the reading session and then use your own words to write a summary about what you just read. You can use the reflection questions outlined

above to guide you in writing the summary. Reading is a skill that takes practice to develop. Try consciously applying these techniques and you will find that your reading muscle grows, which will help you become a more effective reader and a better student overall!

There are many other resources and techniques on reading textbooks. You can get more textbook reading tips from the University of Guelph Library or book an individual study appointment with a Learning Specialist to discuss learning strategies that may work the best for you.

Did you know...? Writing can improve your reading skills! Find out more about the beneﬁts of volunteering with The Ontarion by going to theontarion.com/volunteer

DEC. ISSUE | DEC. 202 1

THE ONTARION

CREDIT: PEXELS

Advice for the discouraged first-year There are lots of ways you can succeed despite your struggles, but remember, university doesn’t have to define you! ELENI KOPSAFTIS

s your first year not going how you planned? Look, I know university can be challenging, especially when you’re just starting out. I came out of Grade 12 in high school with stellar grades only to barely pass one of my first electives with a 53 per cent. And yet a few years later, I graduated! So despite what you’re feeling now, I promise you that it’s possible to succeed and that you’re not the only one struggling. Yes, even the top student in your hardest class and your roomie with a ton of new friends are having a hard time. If there’s one thing I picked up on at uni, it’s that they’re almost definitely sacrificing another aspect of their life to maintain their success, such as sacrificing their mental health to maintain grades or their social life. So don’t worry, there are ways to excel at university no matter what you’re struggling with!

For working students Working and studying fulltime has become very commonplace, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to do. According to a 2020 study by WhatToBecome, an education and career advice blog, approximately 45 per cent of college students experience more than average amounts of stress, and 70 per cent of students stress about their financial situation. Luckily though, there are ways to balance work and school. Monster.ca suggests developing a “plan of attack” by outlining exactly how many hours you need to set aside for work and school to meet your financial and academic obligations. Once you do that, you can formulate a realistic plan on how to meet your goals. You should also try to merge work and school whenever pos-

sible. For example, if you need to report a job’s employment requirements for a marketing class project, you can use your current field and avoid doing additional research on a subject you’re less familiar with. Also, schedule work and school on a single calendar and reserve time for any last-minute overtime. You can even bring study notes with you to work so you can study during breaks!

For commuting students The ideal form of commuting is not commuting at all. If possible, rent out an apartment that’s close to the university so that you don’t have to waste much time going to and from school. If you’re eligible to live on campus, that’d be even better. If you can’t live close enough to university to cut down on com-

muting, don’t worry! You don’t have to be stuck twiddling your thumbs on your 40-minute bus ride. Blog Writer Roxine Kee explains that there are actually plenty of benefits to being a commuter. For one, it’s an excellent way to catch a break and practice some self-care. You’re usually going to be alone while you’re driving to school, so if you take the bus or train, you can catch up on your favourite Netflix show or use a meditation app on your phone. If you’re comfortable enough, you can even catch up on a bit of sleep! Depending on rent prices, you might actually be saving money by commuting to campus

instead of living there. Another pro to commuting is that it’s a pre-scheduled study session for when assignments start to pile up. Bring cue cards with you on the transit and quiz yourself on your school notes. If you’re heading to class, you probably have your lecture notes on you anyway, so make use of them! If you’re driving, listen to audiobook versions of your textbooks or record and play your personal notes via text-to-speech.

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For students with low grades It can be incredibly discouraging to get a low mark after you worked so hard. However, I can guarantee that every student has experienced this at some point or another. As a matter of fact, “grade shock” is a very common occurrence for new university students. Maclean’s reports that even students who graduated high school with 93 per cent averages can struggle, and even fail, their first semesters at post-secondary institutions.

with, hard work and effort after university can still take you to great places! But with that said, keep in mind that any low grades you’re getting now are probably just a result of grade shock, and there’s still plenty of opportunities for you to improve. For all of the students out there, I understand that you might really want that dream job or that you had specific expectations going into school, but at the end of the day, you need to do what’s best for you. If that means taking on an easier job, moving, dropping a course, or dropping out completely for a year, then know that your academic career won’t fall apart if you try out these options. If you need a break to catch up on finances or self-care, know that the U of G isn’t going anywhere. Your university experience doesn’t have to be a fixed set of expectations. Instead, it can be whatever you make of it.

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For whatever consolation it might be, low grades don’t determine your future success. According to CNBC, 41 per cent out of 233 high net-worth individuals and selfmade millionaires were B students. 29 per cent were C students, and only 21 per cent were A students. So, even if you graduate out of university with an average you’re not satisfied

For help with developing educational plans and goal-setting, reach out to U of G’s program counsellors at uoguelph. ca/uaic/programcounsellors or faculty advisors at uoguelph.ca/uaic/ facultyadvisors.

Remember, your success in school doesn’t define your worth! CREDIT: PEXELS

There's no deadline on your academic success, and you should be allowed to enjoy your university experience and not just stress over it the whole time. For full-time students Taking a full course load can be really challenging, but know that you’re not the only one experiencing the struggle. If you’re taking 2.0 or more credits this semester and are having some difficulty managing everything, consider taking 1.5 credits or less next semester. Also, all students at U of G except for those in the D.V.M. program can drop as many courses as they want until a scheduled deadline right before final exams. Maybe you feel like you have to be a full-time student, but there’s no reason why you can’t just take it slow! With less courses to worry about, you’ll be giving yourself more time to focus on personal hobbies and socializing, the latter of which can “make us happy and improve our overall life satisfaction in the long run,” says Medical News Today. According to the Chicago Evening Post, going part-time also gives you more time to explore other interests, jobs, and opportunities. This is ideal for students

who don’t want their education to be limited by “the four corners of the classroom.” You’ll also save some money by not having to pay full tuition fees. If you have to study full-time due to scholarship requirements or any other reason, you’re going to have to schedule effectively; plan out every part of your day from classes and study sessions to breaks and mealtimes. This way, you can plan out effective study strategies while still having guilt-free time to yourself. Otherwise, don’t worry about finishing school in only four years; there’s no deadline on your academic success, and you should be allowed to enjoy your university experience and not just stress over it the whole time.

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How to make LSAT prep a little more bearable Try out these tips for LSAT prep from U of G’s own director of law admissions SARAH PETERS

his time of the semester can be stressful for students trying to find a balance between their academic and social lives. This is only intensified for students attempting to make post-graduation plans, such as those with law school aspirations who are planning on taking the Law School Application Test (LSAT). The LSAT measures the skills that are needed for the first year of law school and is required to apply. It is a difficult test requiring a lot of time devoted to preparation. Students often have to juggle their prep on top of their undergraduate academic requirements. Enter the COVID-19 pandemic and we see changes to the academic landscape such as with hybrid learning. Student Hailey Palmer is a fourth-year English major who

has previously taken the LSAT and is currently serving as a director of law admissions in the U of G Pre-Law Society. Her role entails working alongside her co-director Maria Saba to bring U of G students presentations on different topics surrounding the LSAT and law school applications. Palmer’s previous experience with the LSAT, along with her role in the Pre-Law Society, allows her to provide informed advice that can be helpful for any students struggling with LSAT prep or debating whether the prelaw route is right for them. Here are her recommendations and tips:

1) Aim to take the LSAT in the summer Attempting the LSAT in the summer between your second and

third undergraduate year allows for optimal study time and provides a year of wiggle room if you are not happy with your results. 2) Carve out a designated amount of study time Calculate the number of hours you would like to study for the LSAT in advance. Everyone’s study time will be different based on their study habits. For example, Palmer spent approximately three hours per day studying. If you are studying through the semester, you must balance and prioritize different commitments. As it comes closer to test day, you might choose to commit more time to study for the LSAT. Make sure you are scheduling out times to focus on both academic and LSAT studying to ensure that

Balancing your undergraduate studies and LSAT prep can be difficult, make sure to set aside time to study and connect with support networks to ensure a stress-free LSAT admission. CREDIT: PEXELS

neither are being neglected.

3) Stay connected and access all resources available to you U of G Pre-Law Society shares great resources and presentations about studying for the LSAT and applying to law school. Palmer and Saba offer informa-

tive presentations about the LSAT and law school applications to U of G students. You can expect a presentation on different topics revolving around the LSAT, the Law School application process, and legal careers, each semester! Follow them on instagram @ guelphprelaw or email prelaw@ uoguelph.ca to catch these resources and events.

CFRU’s Monthly Top 10 Albums 1.

ALANNA GURR** Life of the Party (Missed Connection)

THE GARRYS* Get Thee to a Nunnery (Grey)

MAS AYA* Máscaras (Telephone Explosion)

GAYANCE* No Toning Down (Self-Released)

HOMESHAKE* Under The Weather (Dine Alone)

JERUSALEM IN MY HEART* Qalaq (Constellation)

GEORDIE GORDON** The Tower (Victory Pool)

SARAH DAVACHI* Antiphonals (Late)

LANGUAGE ARTS* Lemon//Lime (Self-Released)

10.

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L A I C E P S 15 Y A 11 D I L ES O H PA G

Celebrating an environmentallyfriendly Christmas Consider these gift and activity suggestions for a sustainable holiday season RACHEL FIORET

IMAGE CREDIT: PEXELS

n the hustle and bustle of Christmas, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the materialist approach to the holidays. This can be dangerous because of harmful effects on the environment, and easily forgetting the true meaning of the celebration. As you plan your Christmas holidays this year, consider different ways that you can make your celebrations more eco-friendly. Whether it be making decorations with natural materials or gifting people homemade presents, there are lots of ways you can celebrate sustainably. Here are some suggestions for how to create a magical and sustainable December!

Start with decorations Using natural items like plants or fallen branches to decorate your house in December is a wonderful way to incorporate the environment into your festivities. This can be done by using things like pinecones and leaves from a nearby forest, or by purchasing plants from a local nursery. You can design your own outdoor flower pot, wreath, or fireplace arrangement for a beautiful rustic look! To make a flower pot, take a vase or pot of any size and assemble the materials however you like. Similarly, if you want to

make a wreath you can use your creativity to arrange the materials around a circular foam ring. These rings can be easily purchased at Walmart. If you have a fireplace or ledge in your home, you can also place leaves and branches across this and top it off with some Christmas tree ornaments for an original look. Each Christmas, my mom goes into the forest near our backyard to collect fallen birch branches and pine stems to pull together a seasonal arrangement. What I love about this is that at the end of the season, she can put it all back into the woods to decompose.

Go thrifting When natural decorations aren't an option, what’s more fun than checking out thrift stores for unique Christmas pieces? Each year, a wide selection of holiday decor is donated around the city for others to use in their homes. This prevents many good quality items from becoming waste and can help you restyle your home at a reduced cost. My favourite part of thrifting is the element of surprise. Who knows what you might find during your shopping trip! If you’re not on the market for new decorations, consider donating some items that you don’t

use. Thrift stores worth visiting and donating to in Guelph include Value Village and Goodwill.

Christmas shopping The holidays are probably the most exciting time of year to visit the mall because of all the holiday specials and the wide variety of items all conveniently located under one roof. It can be the best spot to shop if you have a large family or lots of friends to buy for. However, something that has always mattered to me and my family is focusing more on our experiences together and the quality of the gifts that we exchange rather than the quantity. When you’re thinking about the perfect gift for someone, consider giving them an experience, such as a pass to an art gallery or a certificate to a restaurant. If you enjoy being creative, investigate gift ideas that you can make yourself! Last year, I made cute hot chocolate mugs packed with chocolate powder, marshmallows, and candy canes for some of my family members. This kind of gift can be adjusted for many different tastes. Homemade gifts are often much more valued by the person you give them to, and they are also more likely to be of better quality

because of the time and effort put into them. I think this is a special part of the holidays, because the people you give a homemade gift to will know that you put additional thought into it. My aunt loves to knit and one year she crafted some wool bunny ears for my cat to wear. This unique idea has become one of my most memorable presents.

Experiment with food Continuing with the theme of making things this Christmas, if you’re interested in testing out a new recipe, the holiday season is the best time to do so! During a typical year, my mom and I meet up with our family friends for a cookie exchange and games night. Although this was put on hold because of the pandemic, they continued the tradition by sharing recipes and meeting through a Zoom call last year. Making a new recipe or an all-time favourite is a great way to test your creativity and spend time with the people you love.

Make memories To expand on spending time with the people you care about, focus on making memories with these people this holiday season.

I think that the most valuable part of the holidays as a university student is the time we have during the winter break to relax and enjoy ourselves. During these few weeks, we have additional time to celebrate the season and be with the people who matter most to us. Spending quality time with your favourite people can be sustainable because you can just have fun playing games, enjoying food together, and spending time outdoors.

Spend time in nature December is my favourite month to get outside during the winter because it’s not too cold yet and there are often some Christmas displays set up throughout the city. For example, Riverside Park in Guelph hosts the Sparkles in the Park light displays from Dec. 16 to Dec. 31. For additional outdoor ideas, you can enjoy the fresh snow blanketing the trees and gardens in the University of Guelph’s Arboretum, go skating at Market Square in downtown Guelph, or walk through your neighborhood at night to admire your neighbours’ festive lights. Hopefully you can use at least one of these tips for a wholesome and sustainable Christmas!

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Protect your mental health this holiday season by setting boundaries, offering your opinion respectfully, and maintaining a self-care routine. CREDIT: PEXELS

Surviving awkward family get-togethers this holiday season Advice on how to navigate difficult conversations and protect your mental health JESSIE DAVIS

ou’re headed home for the holidays and ready to enjoy some well-deserved time off from school. Yet this time to relax and decompress can be filled with all kinds of unwanted stressors. A study from the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) states that 64 per cent of people with mental illness report that their condition is worse during the holiday season. Financial stress, keeping up with holiday events, cooking, cleaning and entertaining are all factors that contribute to anxiety and depression during the holiday season. This is especially true this

year, in the midst of a pandemic, where you may find yourself in uncomfortable situations and conversations at family events. Last year, the holiday season was celebrated remotely through video chats and phone calls because of COVID-19 restrictions. Now that most people are vaccinated and many restrictions are lifted, many families are gathering together this year. However, not seeing family for an extended amount of time could make things awkward and uncomfortable this holiday. Vaccines, social justice issues, your and your loved ones’ health throughout a pandemic, and your plans for the future are all conver-

sation topics that could come up this holiday season. How can you maneuver through uncomfortable conversations? Here are some tips to help you survive the holidays and prioritize your mental health.

SETTING BOUNDARIES Establishing boundaries with your family can help you to avoid topics that could cause awkwardness. Setting healthy boundaries is a form of self-care. According to an article from PositivePsychology.com, there are numerous mental health benefits to setting

boundaries. For one, they aid you in defining your individuality and establishing a space where you end and another person begins. Determining healthy boundaries will encourage you to focus on the things you can control and determine what you are responsible for in your relationship. Additionally, setting boundaries helps avoid anger, resentment, and burnout in relationships, according to psychologist Dana Nelson. In order to set boundaries, you first need to know where you stand on certain issues. This means that you may need to do some self-reflection work regarding your personal stances. Be honest with yourself and your family about your boundaries. Once you have decided on the boundaries you need, talk to your family. Use “I” statements to express your feelings clearly. Using “I” statements means taking ownership for your feelings rather than using a “you” statement and blaming another person for the way you feel. Here is an example of setting a boundary: “I am feeling uncomfortable about gathering with our family in a large group during this time. I will not be engaging in any embraces or physical contact with the family because of this.”

EXPRESSING YOUR OPINION RESPECTFULLY Just because you and your family may disagree about certain topics doesn’t mean that you should avoid the conversation altogether! There are ways to express your opinion respectfully and without offending anyone. In an interview with CBC News, psychologist Melissa Hoskins discusses how to have tough conversations about vaccines with family. She recommends using the DEARMAN acronym as a tool to get you through difficult conversations. • D – Describe the situation. Be neutral and factual in your description. • E – Express your feelings using “I” statements to demonstrate accountability for your emotions. • A – Assert Yourself. Be clear in the ways you need support and what your needs are. • R – Reinforce your requests. • M – Mindfulness. Be aware and present in the moment. • A – Appear confident. Don’t be afraid to ask for support in meeting your needs. Your feelings are valid! • N – Negotiate. Listen to your

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family and be open to what they have to say. Keeping an open mind can help you and your family to compromise and find a solution that makes everyone happy. This doesn’t mean giving up your boundaries or needs, it means finding a way to work with your boundaries and needs.

OFFER A NEW TOPIC If there’s one thing that I have learned from being a part of a big family, it is that sometimes you can’t win. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is agree to disagree, even if that means the person you are disagreeing with doesn’t understand your side. Dealing with family members who are not open to understanding your feelings and opinions can be very frustrating.

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Taking the time to evaluate if the argument is worth the emotional distress that comes along with it can help protect your mental health. You have the right to say no to talking about certain topics. Instead of jumping into a hopeless argument or an awkward conversation, try changing the topic to something less divisive. Changing the topic can be a great way to learn about your family and engage in more meaningful conversations. Here are some alternate conversation topics that you can bring up: • Reminisce. What are your favourite memories with your family? What is your favourite holiday memory? • Talk about the upcoming New Year. What is the most exciting thing that happened to you this year? What are you most proud of? What are your goals for next year? • Start a conversation about food. Have you cooked any new recipes? Have you tried a new restaurant or kind of food recently? What was your favourite dish at the family get-together? • What are you watching? If there is one thing that this pandemic has been good for, it is binge-watching all of the

greatest new shows. Ask your family if they have seen anything good or give a recommendation about a show you are watching.

DON’T FORGET TO KEEP UP WITH SELF-CARE The holidays are a busy time and it can be easy to forget to make time to care for yourself amidst the holiday events, shopping, cooking, and cleaning, but this is when it is most important to engage in self-care. Taking time to relax, do things you love, get enough sleep, and eat well will help increase your happiness and help you to cope with the stressors that come with this busy time of year. Spending time on self-care will also give you time to acknowledge your feelings so that you can set healthy boundaries and be in a good headspace before attending family get-togethers. The holidays and family get-togethers don’t have to be something that you dread and they certainly do not need to be awkward. Be realistic and remember that things don’t have to go perfectly. I hope everyone has a safe and cheerful holiday season!

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Try offering new conversation topics when encounters with family members become awkward and uncomfortable. CREDIT: PEXELS

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Plan out the gifts you’re going to buy and where you’re going to buy them before you head out to shop. This will make sticking to your budget easier. CREDIT: PEXELS

What you’ll be buying

How you’re going to pay

Now that you have the budget figured out, you can start thinking about what you’ll be buying. Naturally, you’re going to have to stick to the spending limits you set up earlier. Sure, your little sister might really want a Nintendo Switch this year, but that might not fit with the $30 budget you set aside for her. Find out what other things she's interested in, and pick one that's more budget friendly. You’ll also want to do your research about more cost-effective alternatives before you select the perfect gift. For example, if you’re opting for homemade crafts this year, look up what materials you’ll need and if you can substitute any of them for cheaper alternatives. Or if you’re getting someone an electronic, look into used or older models. Usually, the last two versions of a device have similar features to the latest one, and they’re often cheaper too. As you’re looking around for gift ideas, don’t be afraid to tweak your budget. Sometimes you might end up paying less for one person’s gift, which then lets you spend a bit more on someone else. Just don’t go over the total maximum spending limit you set up for yourself.

First thing’s first: Do not dip into any of your emergency savings for the holidays. As much as you might want to get someone the perfect gift, it’s not worth risking the money that you’ve reserved for urgent situations. Emergencies can still happen during the holiday season. Instead, look into your more viable options. Your regular bank accounts, store rewards, and credit cards are what you’ll want to be using. These options make it easy to keep track of the exact amount you're spending through bank apps and online store accounts. On the day you go out to do your shopping, consider taking the exact amount of cash you plan to be spending, and intend to only use that cash. This way, you won’t be able to go over your budget, as you’ll have a limited amount of money to spend. Also, make sure that you hold onto any receipts. On the off chance that one of your items turns out to be defective, broken, or if your gift recipient simply doesn’t want it, you’ll be able to get some money back through a refund. Budgeting is tough, especially if you’re a student, so don’t overextend your wallet this season. Expensive gifts aren’t necessarily better gifts, and if you’re in a really tight spot financially, just make a point to spend time with loved ones virtually or otherwise this year. Go easy on yourself, and, above all, enjoy the festivities of the season!

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Holiday shopping on a budget The holidays don’t have to cost you an arm and a leg ELENI KOPSAFTIS

unning low on finances this holiday season? Don’t worry! If you were planning on handing out gifts this year, there are lots of ways that you can budget for the holidays by taking a realistic look at your earnings, planning out your gifts in advance, scoping out shops, and setting up a payment method. Whether you're a student or currently in between paychecks, keep in mind that you can always communicate to your loved ones that gift-giving is simply not in your budget this year. Instead, let them know that you’d love to celebrate the holidays with them in other ways, such as by visiting and sharing a meal together. Without further ado, here are some things to consider before going holiday shopping.

Your budget Before doing anything else, figure out what you usually earn and spend in a

month. Earnings include pay from your job, scholarships, and benefits, while spending includes rent, groceries, bills, and so on. Once you have an idea what your December earnings and expenses are going to look like, you can plan your gift budget. If your budget is tight and it looks like you can’t afford gifts this year, don’t panic. If possible, scale back your spending on some aspects of your budget, such as clothing or groceries. If you haven't before, consider getting clothes you need at thrift stores or checking out dollar stores for some of your food items. Next, start figuring out exactly what amount you’ll be spending on certain people. If you have any siblings, you can each chip in a small amount towards one big gift for your parents. Have any baby nieces and nephews? Don’t allocate a ton of your budget to them; young kids aren’t going to fuss over what you spent on them so long as they find the gift fun. Overall, you’re going to want to set a specific maximum price for each gift you’ll be paying for. That way, you can stick to your budget and hold yourself accountable.

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HANUKKAH

The colours of the Kinara candles represent pan-African solidarity. CREDIT: PEXELS

December: A time to celebrate! Tis the season for Christmas—and many other holidays across different cultures EMILY BRAY

ith Christmas fast approaching, many of us are rushing to buy stocking stuffers, set up our trees, and pose for pictures with Santa. Yet for others, December is a time to partake in different traditions. Canada has earned a reputation as one of the most multicultural nations in the world, and thus it may come as no surprise that Canadians partake in a diverse range of cultural traditions every year. According to the most recent national census, the province of Ontario alone is populated by people from over 250 distinct ethnic backgrounds whose families hail from a vast range of countries and practice countless world religions.

This vibrant diversity can also be seen right here in Guelph where residents report belonging to over 200 different cultural groups and more than 20 per cent of the city’s population self-identifies as a recent immigrant. So this month, prepare to see your friends and neighbours gearing up for their own celebrations that may look a little different from yours. If you’re unfamiliar with someone’s holiday, the best thing to do is ask them about it! But for those who might not have the opportunity to do so, we’ve prepared a handy guide outlining some of the more popular celebrations taking place this month.

Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration that takes place over the course of eight days and eight nights. The holiday begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, which falls in November or December on the Gregorian calendar. Hanukkah commemorates a successful Jewish uprising against the oppressive Seleucid Empire that took place in 166 BCE. After two years of imperial occupation, the local Jewish population regained control of Jerusalem and recovered the city’s holy Second Temple, which the Seleucids had captured and defiled. The temple was purified and its menorah—a golden candelabra—was relit. However, according to the Talmud, a foundational Jewish text, the menorah miraculously burned for eight days and nights despite only having enough oil for a single day, thus inspiring the eightday festival of Hanukkah. Today, the menorah is still featured in Hanukkah celebrations. It holds nine candles – eight to represent the eight days of Hanukkah, and a ninth that is used to light the others. Each night, families kindle one additional candle, until all of the candles are lit on the final day. Menorahs are often displayed in windows or other prominent areas of the home. Other Hanukkah traditions include playing dreidel games, exchanging gifts, and eating foods cooked in oil to pay homage to the oil that miraculously kept the Second Temple menorah alight for eight days.

KWANZAA Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African heritage that takes place from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. It is a relatively new holiday, with the first Kwanzaa celebration taking place in 1966. Kwanzaa lasts a total of seven nights, during which families gather together and celebrate through song, dance, storytelling, gift giving, and shared meals. Each day is dedicated to one of the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles) of Kwanzaa, which are based on traditional African values meant to help build and uplift the community. These values are also represented by the seven candles placed in the Kinara candle holder, which families come together to light each night. The holiday was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of Black Studies at California

19 | TOBOGGANING

State University. Karenga was deeply affected by the Watts Riots of 1965, during which thousands of Black Americans were killed, injured, and arrested for protesting police brutality and systemic discrimination. This motivated him to create Kwanzaa as a way to bring Black Americans together and to help them feel more connected to their African roots. Over 50 years after its creation, Kwanzaa is celebrated by many Black Canadians across the country, and its message of Black unity remains just as relevant as ever.

YULE Yule is an ancient celebration that takes place on the winter solstice of each year. Although Yule has its roots in pre-Christian Germanic paganism, it is still celebrated today by people of many beliefs, including Wiccans and Druids. In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice usually takes place on Dec. 21 when the North Pole is tilted at its furthest point away from the sun. It marks the first day of winter as well as the longest night of the year, after which the days gradually lengthen again. Those who participate in Yule gather on this night to celebrate the return or “rebirth” of the sun and connect with the natural world through activities such as singing, feasting, and socializing around bonfires. During the Christianization of Europe, many aspects of Yule were incorporated into Christmas celebrations. However, the recent proliferation of neopaganism has revived many of the original traditions of the holiday, allowing modern celebrators to reconnect with the practices of their ancient ancestors.

YALDA NIGHT Like Yule, Yalda Night is a winter solstice celebration with roots stretching back to the ancient world. However, Yalda originated with the ancient Persians who believed that a battle between good and evil occured on the longest night of the year, when darkness is at its peak. Today, it is celebrated by their modern Iranian descendants across the globe. During Yalda Night, families gather together and stay up through the night socializing, singing, dancing, and playing games. It is also customary to feast. Fresh fruits like pome-

granate, watermelon, and grapes are often served on Yalda, along with nuts, dried fruit, sweetmeats, soups, and other traditional dishes. According to the Encyclopædia Iranica, many of these foods have symbolic importance, such as watermelon, which is said to protect against disease during wintertime. Poetry reading is also a highly important feature of the holiday. A copy of The Divan of Hafez, a collection of poems written by the Persian poet Hafez in the 1300s, is often read on Yalda. Although the poems are primarily a source of entertainment, they may also be consulted as a form of divination, providing guidance to celebrators for the months ahead.

BODHI DAY

Statues of the Buddha are a popular decorative choice for Bodhi Day. CREDIT: PEXELS

Bodhi Day is a Buddhist holiday that commemorates the enlightenment of Prince Siddhartha Gautama. On this day over 2,500 years ago, Prince Siddhartha became the Buddha—meaning the “Awakened One”—after a long period of meditation under a sacred fig tree. The holiday derives its name from the Sanskrit word “bodhi,” meaning awakening and enlightenment. Although the traditional date of Bodhi Day is determined according to the lunar calendar, many Buddhists in the Western world observe the holiday on the fixed date of Dec. 8 in the Gregorian calendar. Bodhi Day celebrations take different forms across different groups of Buddhists. However, meditation consistently plays a central role in the holiday. Bodhi Day is celebrated in a quiet and peaceful manner, often at a temple or in the home. A meal of rice and milk may be served, as this was the first meal that the Buddha ate after reaching enlightenment. Moreover, some observers of the holiday may also bring fig trees into their home and hang up strings of lights to represent the many different paths that can be taken to achieve enlightenment.

DEC. ISSUE | ARTS & CULTURE

How to shoot outdoor fashion photography Different photography tips that can turn any one of your friends into a model for your fashion spotlight ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY NICOLAS BUCK | MODEL: ANNA NAIM

veryone has their own variation on style and glamour, so why not show off yours by creating your own fashion photoshoot? Don’t worry if you are not a model; with these photo tips, everyone will look like they are capable of hitting the runway. We will focus on natural outdoor settings and specific modeling and camera techniques to produce Instagram-worthy seasonal pictures.

 Taking

candid photos Once you’ve found a suitable backdrop, the next thing to think about is the role of the model, which is as simple as just letting them be themselves. In this scenario, producing a candid photo will create a natural feeling that makes the model more relatable. A candid photo is a picture that involves the model acting as if there were no camera involved. Whether they’re laughing or looking off into the distance, behaving naturally will help your model avoid static poses. Static poses can make a subject look awkward and uncomfortable within the shot.

 Experiment

with action shots To give some variety to your photos, you can also add a little bit of natural movement to the image. You can have the model simply walk by, towards, or even away from the camera. This would simulate a regular action adding a sense of motion and comfortability to the outfit.

 Finding the

proper backdrop The first step is to scout out locations that you believe will serve your style the best. In this case, we went to the Arboretum to look for a nice pathway that had many trees and plants to match our fall theme. The goal is to have a distinguishable backdrop that can be slightly out of focus in order to make your subject pop. For our shoot we had a mix of trees, plants, and even the sky, to work with as our backdrop.

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 Get unique

with angles

Action shots help add excitement to your photoshoot. For a fall-themed photoshoot, try throwing leaves in the air, or walking towards or away from the camera.

Adding a fall-themed backdrop helps with making our subject, Anna, pop.

To make a photo stand out, avoid the typical eye level angle. Try getting lower to the ground to make the subject and their outfit stand out even more. You can also try putting an item in the foreground, such as a tree or a leaf, to add extra depth to the image. There you have it, simple methods that you can use to turn regular picture-taking into a fashion show. If you and your friends need something to do one day, dress up, whip out your camera or phone, and hold a fun photoshoot to enjoy the season.

Anna Naim is currently working on a masters by thesis in animal biosciences at the U of G after graduating from her zoology program this past April. She also has an interest in fashion, which she acquired while studying fashion communication at Ryerson University. In her spare time she works as a bridal consultant and on her fashion design line (@ostentaciousfashion). She was also the social media and volunteer coordinator at The Ontarion from October 2018 to April 2019.

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Incorporating items in the foreground is a good way to create depth in your picture.

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Director Everett Bumstead filmed One Million Trees to unveil the mystery behind the tree-planting industry. CREDIT: EVERETT BUMSTEAD

One Million Trees documentary explores the untold stories of tree planters in Canada Revealing the realities of the tree planting industry in conversation with director Everett Bumstead ALYSSA MARKS

he Guelph Film Festival kicked off its annual month-long broadcast of featured documentaries on Nov. 5. This year’s program included both Canadian and international films with a focus on “social justice, the environment, and community building,” according to the festival's website. The festival predominantly consists of films that highlight challenging and relevant issues, with the goal of inspiring viewers and catalyzing discussions on focus topics. One such film is One Million Trees, a documentary offering an authentic perspective on the ambitious and precarious industry of tree planting in Canada. Director Everett Bumstead explores the arduous industry, workplace culture, and associated personal growth in tree planting projects. Kimber Sider, artistic director and lead programmer of the Guelph Film Festival, said that the festival programming team decided to feature One Million Trees

because, “it connects to the common Canadian experience of tree planting, while also touching on some aspects of tree planting that are often overlooked — the safety of the work environment, the challenge, and the mixed environmental context.” The film follows planters in Alberta and British Columbia. It chronicles their experiences traversing challenging terrain and navigating communal relationships in the remote bush, residing hundreds of kilometers away from any urban centre. Born and raised in Plattsville, Ont., Bumstead spent four seasons tree planting to pay off student debt, purchase film equipment, and to remedy his wanderlust. He says that tree planting was an incredible experience and an opportunity to meet lifelong friends. In making the film, Bumstead sought to pay homage to the planters before him, and to showcase the untold stories of Canadi-

an tree planters. “The operations behind tree planting aren't really discussed in mainstream media,” Bumstead said. Planters are primarily hired by commercial logging companies to plant trees in ruined “cut blocks” that have been previously harvested for timber, and will be harvested again once the trees mature. While many participate in tree planting for the motive of environmental stewardship, planters have expressed their mixed feelings about “being a cog in the system” of commercial logging. Ultimately, some rethink their participation in a system that facilitates deforestation, as it is unclear whether planters are still serving their intended environmental purposes. Nonetheless, one tree planter in the film reflects that, “we’re doing the better part of the industry, I think. I’m proud to be the guy who puts ‘em back rather than the guy who cuts ‘em down.” Tree planting is a piece-work

industry and planters follow a quota of approximately 1,000 to 4,000 trees planted per day. This goal varies depending on weather conditions, the experience level of the planter, and the geographic location. To sustain motivation and reduce potential burnout, tree planters follow a “one at a time” mantra. Instead of viewing daily quotas as a collective 4,000 trees per day, Bumstead advises planters to take each tree at a time, in individual succession. “The trees come out of your bag, one at a time. One at a time, it’s getting imperceptibly lighter,” a pioneered tree planter points out. Bumstead notes that this advice is pertinent to physically laborious tasks. Particularly with tree planting, there is motivation in the physical and visible fruits of your labour. He adds that with a desk job, a computer still looks the same at the end of an eighthour work day. But with tree planting, workers can visibly see the thousands of trees they have planted. This concept is critical to encouraging motivation for workers. After four seasons of tree planting, Bumstead notes that this experience completely changes his perspective on work. Apart from the repetitive nature of tree planting, planters cite additional difficulties associated with the industry, such as working in a remote environment, swarming pests, and treacherous weather conditions. Bumstead himself also warns of the hardships associated with the job. Many planters featured in the documentary tell stories of workplace injuries such as frostbite, dangerous encounters with local wildlife creatures, and the annoyances of loitering bugs and unpredictable weather conditions.

CREDIT: EVERETT BUMSTEAD

Working in desolate isolation can also be a daunting experience for new planters. Just like many tree planters, the toll of strenuous labour on the body was one of the reasons why Bumstead quit tree planting and pursued filmmaking full time. Overall, Bumstead suggests tree planting to anyone who may be interested in starting, but advises that it may not be for everyone. In the documentary, he aims to show all sides of the industry, the good, the bad, and the ugly. However, on the other end of the spectrum, the documentary outlines that tree planting has helped many with remedying mental health issues and addiction, and clarifying and resolving a loss of direction in life. Many planters have also attested to making lifelong friends with their crews, who they spend months with in complete isolation. Apart from workplace relationships, there is also a sense of accomplishment associated with planting upwards of one million trees. “We leave a lot of really incredible growth in our wake. I think that’s something we’re incredibly proud of,” one tree planter said. For some, the struggles are worth the lifelong friends, freefor-all party environments, natural work environment, and pay cheque that the industry offers. Sider recommends anyone who is interested in tree planting to watch One Million Trees. “It is a very well made documentary, with excellent production value, that presents the complexities of tree planting in an engaging and thoughtful approach,” Sider said. The documentary can be found on CBC Docs’ Youtube channel.

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 SELECTIONS FROM ARCHIVAL AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

Tobogganing: More than just a fun winter sport What one American’s love affair with tobogganing can teach us about the historical and social significance of the sport GRAHAM BURT | ARCHIVES ASSOCIATE

“A winter in Canada! I think I should rather spend it there than anywhere else on the face of this broad earth.” “What! And freeze to death?” “No, old fellow, you’d have no time for freezing.” — An exchange between Harry Clay Palmer, a Chicago-based sports journalist, and a young Montrealer named Dick from The toboggan: A brief sketch of Canadian winter sports, and something as to their growing popularity in the United States.

he toboggan, written by Harry Clay Palmer in 1886, offers interesting insight into the history of the toboggan and its relationship to late 19th-century views of Canadian culture, athleticism, science, colonialism, and the visage of ideal womanhood. Since hockey is quintessentially (and perhaps stereotypically) known today as Canada’s premier winter pastime, it may surprise some that in the late 19th and early 20th centuries this was not the case. Rather, when people thought of Canadian winter sports, they thought of the tobog-

gan. The American Harry Palmer, a self-declared summer-loving baseball fanatic, decided to brave the cold and travel north to see what all the fuss was about. He wrote about his adventure in The toboggan. “The cold, bracing atmosphere, the exhilarating effects of ice skating, the snow-shoe tramp, the toboggan slide, the sleighing jaunt, and the score of other pastimes in which the Canadians indulge with an abandon and degree of enthusiasm I have never seen equaled ... The Canadian, it seems, is never happier than when the snow falls,” Palmer wrote, describing his first impressions of Canada soon after he arrived in Montreal. In addition, Palmer’s de-

scription of his first toboggan ride captures the essence of what many people who live in snowy climates still love about the activity today. “We shot over the polished surface of the slide with a speed that I had never before experienced,” he wrote. “And I have ridden sixty miles an hour upon a railway train on more than one occasion. To breathe was difficult; to speak was impossible. The world seemed to be suddenly sinking beneath us, and we, together with the hill behind us, seemed plunging down into eternity.” Notwithstanding some tired legs and bruised limbs — caused mostly by falling off of his toboggan after hitting numerous ‘cahots’ (bumps) on the hill — Palmer fell in love with the sport.

He even predicted that tobogganing would soon become the national winter pastime of the United States, equal in popularity to baseball, which means an awful lot coming from one of the country’s top baseball reporters of the day. Tobogganing in the late 19th century was far more than a fun winter activity. It was also a symbol of cultural and scientific progress. In his brief section on the history and etymology of the toboggan, Palmer recognizes its rich Indigenous heritage. He claims that the toboggan, which came from the Esquimaux word adabaggon, was a “primitive” invention of the “untutored red man,” who used it for thousands of years to

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it was for men. The benefits were more about the development of aesthetics and character. “If ever a woman looks fresh and young and irresistibly lovely,” Palmer wrote, “it is when at the top of a climb up a toboggan slide she stops with her cheeks flushed, her lips parted, and her eyes shining with the exertion of the tramp.” Indeed, Palmer went so far as to claim that time spent on the toboggan hill led to “perfect physical and ideal womanhood.” In many ways, tobogganing in the 19th century was an insouciant and carefree social activity. Men and women alike could put aside the “work-a-day worry of business and home life” in one “seemingly reckless whirl of pleasure.” And yet, the sport also carried with it various social and aesthetic expectations. Interestingly, the toboggan hill became a fashion runway of sorts. “Not the least of the attractions in tobogganing lies in the picturesque beauty of the costumes worn,” Palmer said. “These [costumes], for both ladies and gentlemen, are fashioned from soft woolen blankets of blue, scarlet, orange, old gold, pink, purples and other attractive colors, either solid or tastefully blended ...” A typical toboggan costume consisted of a button-down frock, knee breeches, stockings, moccasins, and a “brilliantly hued” tuque. Women also wore a colourful sash which matched their

transport goods, food, and furs across large swaths of land. The “Indian,” Palmer suggested, used the toboggan for practical reasons. Only when the ‘civilized’ settlers came on the scene was it adapted for fun and sport. In conjunction with the cultural adaptation of the toboggan, a clear example of colonialism, was its scientification. Written like an academic article, Palmer described the science behind tobogganing and included the best sled and hill designs and conditions. “I don’t think maple is as good a material as hickory,” Palmer wrote. “Most Canadian toboggans are perfectly smooth and flat on the bottom. Now that’s a mistake; three or four of the planks only ought to come in

contact with the ice [to act as runners], and they should be rounded off so that the friction may be reduced to the minimum.” The physical benefits of tobogganing were also viewed in scientific terms. “For of all the sports I ever participated in,” Palmer said, “none can equal in excitement, healthful physical exercise, and real exhilaration than that of tobogganing … Gymnasiums have been invented for the bone and muscle, but where is the machine to properly exercise the nerves? It is the toboggan.” “Without question,” Palmer continued, “tobogganing stands alone as a healthful and delightful winter pastime. It strengthens one’s lungs, invigorates his body,

and tones up his nerves as no nerve tonic ever could.” All of this was “founded on scientific truth,” of course. Notice the masculine pronouns Palmer used in describing the health benefits of tobogganing—his body and his nerves. Women were very much present on the toboggan hill in Palmer’s account, but their participation was far more passive. It was the men who escorted the women up the hill, and the men who steered the toboggans down the hill. In local tobogganing clubs, women were inducted as “lady associate members” and were ineligible to vote or hold office. Tobogganing was still advantageous for women, according to Palmer, but not in the same ways

male escort’s outfit. It was expected for everyone to buy a costume and wear it when they came to the hill. Many aspects of tobogganing have certainly changed in the 135 years since Palmer wrote The toboggan. Natural hills have become popular again, women are free to toboggan without an escort, and the wearing of colourful costumes is no longer a prerequisite to participate. The thrill of the ride, it seems, is the only constant, save perhaps for a few multi-coloured tuques that are still donned today. If you find yourself on a toboggan hill this holiday season, keep in mind the rich history of Canadian winter sports. And remember, watch out for cahots!

Images from The toboggan: A brief sketch of Canadian winter sports, and something as to their growing popularity in the United States (1886), A&SC, University of Guelph Library, s0121b19. Archival and Special Collections in McLaughlin Library holds a firstedition copy of The toboggan that interested readers may view.

DEC. ISSUE | ARTS & CULTURE

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Wes Anderson offers an aesthetically pleasing iteration of journalistic storytelling in his recent film The French Dispatch. CREDIT: Searchlight Pictures

The French Dispatch is a heartfelt ode to the yesteryear of magazine journalism Wes Anderson’s richly detailed anthology is profoundly idiosyncratic and moving PRABHJOT BAINS

es Anderson has always had a penchant for framing his narratives within storybook-like conceits. From The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) to The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), Anderson has never shied away from conveying earnest portraits of family, grief, and innocence within his niche filmmaking style. He obsessively wraps his heartfelt stories in the loveable veneer of a quirky novel. Yet, The French Dispatch marks the first time that the “storybook” itself takes centerstage. Here, Anderson makes the journalistic magazine the focal point of his cinematic efforts, and it results in a meticulously detailed, dazzling, and melancholic celebration of the innate power of storytelling. Detailing a specific foreign bureau of the fictional Liberty Kansas Evening Sun, The French Dispatch centres around four separate stories being collated for the magazine’s final issue by its esteemed editor-in-chief, Arthur Howitzer Jr. (Bill Murray). The stories include a short travelogue

by the endearing cyclist Herbsaint Sazerac, an arts report focusing on the exploits of a prisoner artist by J.K.L. Berensen (Tilda Swinton), a political document of a student uprising by Lucinda Krementz (Frances McDormand), and a moving food editorial about a renowned police chef by Roebuck Wright (Jeffrey Wright). The stories are bookended by a prologue and epilogue detailing the history and current state of the publication.

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In typical Wes Anderson fashion, each chapter is steeped in witty dialogue and intricate set designs, all seamlessly united in his trademark symmetrical shot composition. Each frame is packed to

the brim, making it impossible to appreciate each detail on the first viewing. The film echoes Anderson’s love for journalist magazines, as each scene serves as a periodical that begs to be poured over time and time again. Yet for all the wonder that beams on screen, Anderson will still not win over any naysayers as he leans more heavily than ever into his idiosyncratic style, making it clear that he won’t let any detractors sway his cinematic vision. Film lovers will undoubtedly find that commendable, especially because his vision is so wholly original. Anderson’s characters

are unmistakably his, and the personalities that populate his world are at once both dumbfoundingly peculiar and spectacularly charming. These are all people who you would want to stumble into at a bar, so that you could listen to them describe all of the whimsical adventures that they’ve been on. Who could forget the beauty Sazerac sees in the sleazy and clockwork-like town of Ennui-sur-Blasé, or the way Wright describes the poetry within police cooking? These might sound like ridiculous scenarios with an even weirder cast of characters, but Anderson never forgets to im-

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bue them with heartfelt emotion, making you feel the undeniable deep-seated humanity that underlies each story. However, the sheer charm inherent in each story makes it that much more painful when they conclude. Each chapter is overflowing with so many ideas and interesting personalities that they could have all been expanded into their own feature length picture. Because of this, some segments couldn’t help feeling a little undercooked, leaving us wanting more. Yet, this feeling is soothed by the realization that another sprawling story is just around the corner. The French Dispatch features a vast A-list cast, many of whom flutter in and out at a rapid rate, lending a vibrant colour to each chapter for the few minutes that they grace the screen. However, it is arguably Jeffery Wright who gives the most memorable performance in the film as his captivating journalist character, Roebuck Wright. Wright exudes a simultaneous confidence and vulnerability, making one especially receptive to how he portrays the majestic nature of police cooking and the predicament he finds himself in during the later parts of his segment. This is the most Wes Andersonion film Wes Anderson has ever made, and because of that, people who are not already the greatest of fans won’t find much to love. But those of us who hopped on the Anderson train a long time ago will be enamoured by his vision from the first frame. For all of the peculiarity embedded in this tale, it is still one that is human to its core, making it undoubtedly clear that many will find much to laugh, cry, and reflect on when the credits roll. This is one of the greatest films of the year, and it will assuredly be one that will provide a new treat upon each subsequent viewing.

SPORTS & HEALTH

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24 & 25 | 20 STRESS BUSTERS

Dealing with strain during exam season Practicing self-care is important to reduce eye strain, neck pain, and headaches ARTICLE & PHOTO BY GABRIELLA DRITSAS

or many students, exam season is filled with late nights, cramming study notes, and hours spent in front of your laptop. This can take a big toll on your body, resulting in eye fatigue, neck pain, and headaches. Thus, a balance between studying and self-care practices is necessary to ensure you keep yourself in good health.

EYE STRAIN Digital eye strain, or computer vision syndrome, can happen when the muscles that help the eyes focus become strained from spending too much time looking at your devices. Digital eye strain can be identified through symptoms including headaches, light sensitivity, dryness, double vision, and difficulty focusing. To avoid

these symptoms, there are a number of things you can do. Firstly, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety (CCOHS) suggests keeping your screen an arms length away. In addition to this, it suggests following the 20/20/20 rule. This involves taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes and looking at something about 20 feet away. Exercises like this allow your eyes to take a break and “prevent feelings of fatigue from accumulating.” Lastly, try wearing blue light glasses when looking at your screen. These specialized lenses aid in filtering out blue light that comes from electronic devices, including phones, laptops, and TVs. Blue light flickers which casts a glare and can reduce visual contrast. This can impact visual clarity and sharpness which causes fatigue and headaches.

NECK PAIN Avoiding neck pain is another important factor to ensuring a comfortable study session. You can do so by setting up an ergonomic workstation that allows you to keep your screen at eye height, open up your shoulders, and keep your feet flat on the floor.

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As suggested by Veritas Health, various exercises can be performed throughout the day to reduce neck pain. One exercise is

the chin tuck. This can be done by sitting upright, looking straight ahead, placing a finger on your chin, and then slowly pulling your chin and head straight back until a good stretch is felt at the base of the head and top of the neck. At the end of the tuck, there should be some separation between your chin and finger.

HEADACHES According to the Mayo Clinic, tension headaches commonly arise due to stress. To mitigate the effects of stress, there are a couple measures you can take. For starters, ensure that you are properly fueling your body. Pack study snacks to eat throughout the day. Healthline reports that certain foods may have “stress-relieving qualities,” such as various antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects. A few of its recommendations include

U of G student Katherine Newman practices proper posture and wears blue light glasses while studying.

sweet potatoes, eggs, sunflower seeds, chickpeas, and blueberries. Staying hydrated is also always a good idea. Proper sleep will also help to reduce headaches. While pulling an all-nighter to cram notes can be tempting, it will only set you back. According to Hopkins Medicine, sleep deprivation impacts your mood, memory, and health. For example, sleep deprived individuals are three times more likely to catch a cold, which would not be ideal during exam time. Engaging in self-care is important. Try to follow these tips to improve your chances of a more productive and healthy exam season.

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Getting some bright light everyday (i.e. drawing up the curtains and blinds or going for a short walk during daylight hours) and taking Vitamin D may help improve one’s symptoms.

2. WALK THROUGH THE TREES According to the Greater Good Science Center (GGSC), being surrounded by trees can be a good stress-reliever. In fact, the GGSC reports that “forest bathing,” or spending time in the woods, has also been linked to reduction in fatigue.

3. EMBRACE THE SNOW For most Canadians, the winter season brings an abundance of snow. Taking time to connect with the seasons by spending time outdoors can have a positive impact on your wellbeing. During the winter, try learning how to ice-skate, playing ice-hockey, engaging in snowball fights, building a snowman or forming snow angels.

The great indoors

6. KNIT A SWEATER Knitting or crocheting a sweater, sewing, embroidery, creating handmade christmas cards, or painting expressively can all serve to reduce stress levels, says an article by The American Institute of Stress. Repetitive actions, such as needles clicking while knitting, can be meditative and soothing. These activities can serve as an outlet for everyday stress and distraction from anxious thoughts.

Get back into your body 7. DAILY EXERCISE Mayo Clinic states that any form of exercise can be a stress reliever. Physical activity can boost endorphin production in your brain. Endorphins are feelgood neurotransmitters that are associated with “runner’s high.” Runner’s high is a relaxing state that runners often experience after a good run. The body releases endorphins to help prevent muscles from feeling pain or excessive fatigue. Even simple exercises like taking a walk, trying free Zoom fitness classes, or drop-in classes at the university’s Athletics Centre can be a wonderful way to get moving and take a break from sitting at your desk.

8. GET ENOUGH SLEEP

4. TIS THE SEASON TO BAKE Try picking up knitting when overwhelmed with stress; repetitive actions have meditative and soothing effects. CREDIT: PEXELS

20 stress busters to try this December Ideas to combat exam-related stress ANCHITAA GHAG

s exam season approaches, final assignments, study intensive sessions, and sleepless nights are bound to leave students feeling stressed. However, according to the American Psychologists Association (APA), stress can be both positive and negative. It can motivate you to work hard and perform well on your exams and final evaluations. However, as the APA states, if stress is prolonged

something fun or relaxing. Here are 20 stress buster ideas to try out this season.

The great outdoors 1. GET SOME NATURAL LIGHT

or chronic in nature, it can also adversely impact your health and wellbeing. Some of these adverse effects include: chronic fatigue, an inability to concentrate, heart disease, and increased risk of depression. While we can improve our organizational efficiency and time-management skills to deal with exam stress, sometimes it may be beneficial to turn your attention away from studying and instead do

With the onset of winter, we are experiencing longer nights and shorter days. Fewer daylight hours has also been linked to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The National Institute of Mental Health defines SAD as a type of depression where a person’s mood and behaviour changes significantly as the seasons change. Some of the symptoms include oversleeping, withdrawing from others, and having low energy.

Soups, stews, and oven roasted seasonal vegetables are not only warm and nourishing foods to eat during the winter, but the act of cooking and baking them can be a fantastic stress buster, says The American Institute of Stress. Tuning into the sensory experiences that come with cooking and baking can be an effective mindfulness practice. For example, pay attention to the colors and shapes of ingredients, notice how the smells in the kitchen change throughout the process, and listen to the sounds made while cooking (for example, the sizzling of vegetables in a hot pan).

One way to combat stress is to get a full night’s rest, says WedMD. It recommends a comfortable sleep environment that is dark, quiet, and cool. In addition, setting a sleep schedule may be helpful to ensure that you are getting adequate sleep during this busy time.

9. SOAK IN A WARM BATH The Cleveland Clinic states that soaking in a warm bath can be an effective way to manage stress for a number of reasons. Warm baths may help to soothe muscles, offer a nice escape from daily stressors, and be a good environment for meditation.

5. SMELL THE LAVENDER BUDS According to ScienceDaily, smelling lavender, lemon, and mango are good for stress relief. Try engaging with these scents through candles, essential oils, room sprays, diffusers, or even incorporating them in your cooking (e.g. lemon sugar cookies).

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Relax your mind 10. TALK TO A FRIEND An article by the National Health Service states that connecting with other people can be a good way to reduce stress. Chatting over a cup of tea with a friend or playing a board game with family are examples of connecting with others.

11. READ A BOOK The Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing at the University of Minnesota notes that reading can reduce stress levels by up to 68 per cent. A good book can be effective in transporting you to far-away places and engaging your mind. Looking for a book to read? The McLaughlin Library on campus maintains a collection of Winter Reads that can be accessed online through lib.uoguelph.ca/collections.

Not a tea drinker? Any soothing warm beverage of your choice can work, according to an article by the Office of Science and Society at McGill University. Even the act of taking a few minutes from a study session to brew a warm beverage can serve as an effective stress reliever. However, avoid too many cups of coffee, as Healthline states that caffeine found in coffee can increase stress.

14. LAUGH AND FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE An article by Utah State University states that laughing can relieve stress that is held in the face. Furthermore, laughing can reduce the stress response in our bodies and allow us to relax, says PsychCentral. Taking some time to watch a comedy film or live stand-up comedy can be a good way to relax, focus on the positive, and de-stress after a long study session or grueling exam.

15. MINDFULNESS MEDITATION An article by Harvard Medical School notes that even a few minutes of meditation can kickstart the relaxation response. If mindfulness meditation is not for you, other techniques such as guided imagery, body scans, and yoga or tai chi can also be beneficial.

Try pouring yourself a hot cup of green tea to ease your nerves. CREDIT: PEXELS

12. LISTEN TO A PODCAST

17. CLOSE YOUR EYES

If you do not have time to read, or if physical books are not your preferred format, U of G Wellness and Education and Promotion Centre offers The Shine Cast, a podcast related to student experiences surrounding mental health. It can be found online at wellness.uoguelph.ca/shine-cast-official-podcast-u-gs-wellness-education-and-promotion-centre or through a variety of platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Spending long periods of time reading or staring at computer screens can lead to eye strain. Taking breaks, blinking, or closing your eyes and gently placing your palms over them for a few minutes can help eye strain, according to WebMD.

13. ENJOY A CUP OF HOT TEA Green tea with honey can be an excellent stress reliever, states an article by the University of Colorado Law School. According to the article, green tea contains the chemical L-Theanine that can help reduce feelings of anger, and honey can reduce inflammation.

At your desk 16. WRITE OUT YOUR WORRIES According to an article by PsychologyToday, writing out your worries for 10 minutes can boost your exam performance. The article states that writing out your concerns is a good way to express your fears and avoid ruminating. Before taking an exam or final evaluation, take a few minutes to write out all your worries and concerns. Perhaps it may lessen your stress.

18. DO A QUICK CLEANUP Clutter can cause stress and lead to decreased productivity, says VeryWellMind. Taking a few minutes to clean up your desk and workspace can help you find your notes easily and put you in a calmer frame of mind.

19. STRETCH YOUR WRISTS According to Healthline, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome affects many people every year and is caused by a lack of movement and mobility when performing repetitive activities. Remember to take breaks when typing on your computer or during long writing sessions. Activities such as shaking your hands or stretching your arms can be beneficial.

20. TAKE DEEP BREATHS Deep breathing can help reduce stress, says an article by WebMD. It recommends getting comfortable and taking a few, full, deep breaths every time you need some stress-relief.

If you are struggling with chronic and prolonged stress that is adversely impacting your well-being, the University of Guelph offers counselling and support services on campus via Student Wellness (J.T. Powell Building, 168 Reynolds Walk). Student Wellness offers a range of services (including Counselling Services) from Mon to Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments can be booked and more information can be found online at wellness.uoguelph. ca/counselling.

DEC. ISSUE | SPORTS & HEALTH

THE ONTARION

Try out some new recipes this winter, such as Hot Chocolate Cookies, pictured here. CREDIT: PEXELS

Four delicious holiday and winter-inspired recipes From beloved classics, to new holiday favourites, these are sure to delight your taste buds ALYSSA MARKS HOLIDAY PESTO PINWHEEL APPETIZERS Adapted from “Christmas Pinwheel Appetizer” by VNutrition

These holiday pesto pinwheels are the perfect appetizer for holiday get-togethers. Filled with pesto and sundried tomatoes, and topped with parmesan cheese, these hors d'oeuvres are fresh and delicious. Though these are fitting for any occasion, the vibrant green pesto with the red tomatoes are the perfect colour combo for Christmas.

Ingredients: • • • •

1 package of Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls 1 cup of any pesto 8 sundried tomatoes, chopped ½ cup of parmesan cheese

Steps:

1. Sprinkle some flour on your working surface and roll out the crescent dough sheet, being careful to not pull it apart. Pinch together any of the perforations, making sure it is one continuous sheet of dough. 2. Spread the pesto over the whole sheet and sprinkle sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan cheese on top. 3. Take the shorter side and roll up the sheet of dough being sure that the end is pinched together so nothing falls out. 4. Cut off the sad looking ends that might not be exactly perfect, then cut the roll into eight pieces. 5. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-16 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown.

HOT CHOCOLATE COOKIES

Adapted from “Hot Chocolate Cookies” by Averie Cooks These cookies are perfect for chilly winter days, as their warmth and gooeyness are sure to leave you feeling the same way.

Ingredients: • • • • • • • • •

½ cup unsalted butter 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips 1 ¼ cups light brown sugar, packed 3 eggs 2 tsp. vanilla extract ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 1 ½ tsp. baking powder ¼ tsp. salt

• •

1 milk chocolate bar, diced into ½-inch pieces Approximately 12 marshmallows, cut in half

Steps:

1. Put the butter and chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl, and heat to melt for one minute. Heat in 15-second bursts, stopping to stir after each burst, until chocolate has melted and can be stirred smooth. Allow melted chocolate mixture to stand for five minutes to cool slightly. 2. In a separate bowl, add the brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Beat with a handheld electric mixer until blended, about one minute. 3. Add the cooled chocolate mixture and combine. 4. Add the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat until combined. 5. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours, or until dough has firmed up significantly. 6. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line an oiled baking sheet. Using a two-tablespoon cookie scoop, form dough mounds and place them on the baking sheet, spaced at least two inches apart (approx. eight cookies per sheet). 7. Flatten slightly and bake for

10 minutes, or until edges and tops have just set, even if slightly undercooked and glossy in the centre. 8. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, add one piece of dark chocolate to the center of each cookie. Place one marshmallow half on the top of each piece of chocolate. 9. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for about five minutes, or just until marshmallows have puffed. 10. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before serving.

GOLDEN SWEET CORNBREAD

Adapted from “Golden Sweet Cornbread” by Allrecipes Cornbread is a long-standing tradition for Kwanzaa feasts. With a soft inside and crispy outside, it's the perfect comfort food. This recipe will guarantee a melt-in-yourmouth type of deliciousness.

Ingredients: • • • • • •

1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup yellow cornmeal ⅔ cup white sugar 1 tsp. salt 3 ½ tsp. baking powder 1 egg

ISSUE 191 .4 | DEC. 2021

THEONTARION.COM

Potato latkes are a Hanukkah classic; serve them warm for family and friends this holiday season. CREDIT: PIXABAY

• •

1 cup milk ⅓ cup vegetable oil

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease an inch round cake pan. 2. In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Stir in egg, milk, and vegetable oil until well combined. Pour batter into the prepared pan. 3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.

POTATO LATKES

Adapted from “Classic Potato Latkes” by NYT Cooking Potato latkes are a beloved Hanukkah staple and are guaranteed to compliment a delicious holiday feast. They are warm, comforting, and easy to make, and with ingredients like potatoes and oil, they are bound to taste scrumptious.

Steps:

1. Using a food processor, grate the potatoes and onion. Transfer the mixture to a clean dish towel and squeeze and wring out as much of the liquid as possible. 2. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the eggs, flour, salt, baking powder, and pepper, and mix until the flour is absorbed. 3. In a medium heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat, pour in about 1/4 inch of the oil. Once the oil is hot (a drop of batter placed in the pan should sizzle), use a heaping tablespoon to drop the batter into the hot pan, cooking in batches. Use a spatula to flatten and shape the drops into discs. When the edges of the latkes are brown and crispy, about five minutes, flip. Cook until the second side is deeply browned, about another five minutes. Transfer the latkes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and sprinkle with salt while still warm. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Ingredients: • • • • • • • •

1 bag of Russet potatoes (about 1 pound), scrubbed and cut lengthwise into quarters 1 large onion, peeled and cut into quarters 2 large eggs ½ cup all-purpose flour 2 tsp. coarse kosher salt (or 1 teaspoon fine sea salt), plus more for sprinkling 1 tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper Safflower or other oil, for frying

ICON BY FLATICON

FUN STUFF DECEMBER TO-DO LIST

THE ONTARION

29 & 30 | FUN PAGES

Disclaimer: The events listed are happening and abide by regional COVID-19 restrictions as of Nov. 24, 2021.

DEC 3

NOV 27 Throw For The Mo! By: Wellington Brewery, Danby, the Italian Canadian Club and the Guelph Cornhole League Your throw can save a bro! Join us at The ICC for Throw For The Mo! A fundraiser cornhole tournament and luncheon to support men's health. Proceeds from the tournament and raffles will be donated to The Movember Foundation. 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. / Italian Canadian Club / Tickets at $60 via canadiancornholeleagues.com/guelph/ tournament-registration/

Adi Braun Quartet “Noir” By: River Run Centre Adi Braun invites you to an evening of delicious and dangerous music from the era of film noir. Let the words and music transport you back in time to the ‘40s and ‘50s. 8 p.m. - 12 a.m. / River Run Centre / Tickets at $30.00 adult, $28.00 senior, $25.00 under 30 via River Run Centre Box Office

Guelph’s Holiday Night Market By: Luna Events Canada Celebrate the magic of Christmas with the Holiday Night Market! Discover a variety of local vendors, artists, and so much more. There will be lots of great and unique holiday shopping and door prizes every 30 minutes. The first 30 guests receive a Christmas Swag Bag! 6-10 p.m. / Victoria Park East Golf / Free

Boreal’s Songs for a Snowy Season By: River Run Centre Boreal's show, “Songs for the Snowy Season”, welcomes and celebrates that oh-so-Canadian of seasons. Their spell-binding harmonies, combined vocal prowess and off-the-cuff storytelling make for a memorable evening. 8 p.m. / River Run Centre / Tickets at $30.00 adult, $28.00 senior, $25.00 under 30 via River Run Centre Box Office

DEC 2 United in Conversation: The Diversity of Mental Health By: United Way of Guelph Wellington Dufferin This is a two part event. Part 1: United Way Feature Film. A radically honest and open discussion between professionals, experts and individuals with lived experience on the topic of mental health in different groups. Part 2: Live Zoom event with community members and film participants. We will hear from our panelists and participants from the film on their journey with mental health and/or their work in the sector. 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. / Online via Zoom /Tickets at $15 via app.kambeo.io/event/united.in.conversation

DEC 4 Napoleon, with Taking Balfour and Black Paint By: Napoleon Toronto alt-punk group Napoleon has been described by Canadian Beats Magazine as “loud, sweaty, and completely overwhelming in all of the best ways.” Some notable releases from the band include their single “Amends” which features Luke Bentham from The Dirty Nil, as well as the 2021 EP “Enemy Within” which features Shane Told of Silverstein, and Corbin Giroux of Rarity. 7-11 p.m. / Silence in Guelph/ Tickets at $11.62 per person via eventbrite.ca

De c e mbe r Concert - KILLY By: MRG Live Killy is a Filipino-Canadian rapper from Toronto. He is known for his break-out single, "Killamonjaro" which is certified Platinum by Music Canada. 7 p.m. / Guelph Concert Theatre / Tickets from $26.50 via admitone. com/events/killy-guelph-7491558

Caribbean Christmas Dinner - “Home Edition” By: Guelph Black Heritage Society Featuring food by Big Jerk Caribbean Catering and Laza Food & Beverages. There are three dinner options: Fried Snapper, Jerk Chicken or Vegan. You can also add on desserts, soup and drinks! Items must be ordered before Nov. 30. Proceeds from the dinner will go towards the Give a Cup Capital Campaign. Pick up between 3 - 5 p.m. / Heritage Hall in Guelph / Order food via guelphblackheritage.ca Silence and Backyard Concerts Present: Winter Carnival Concerts By: Silence Silence and Backyard Concerts are thrilled to announce a series of pop-up concerts on Saturday mornings at Silence this winter. The series is in conjunction with the exhibition of works by Lewis Melville and Jane Bowen on display at Silence as of Nov. 16. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. / Silence / Entry by donation

SU N M O N TU E WE D TH U

SAT

DEC 11

DEC 18

An Inappropriate Claus By: Guelph Little Theatre A Christmas panto written by local Erin playwright Roxanne Thornton. Santa finds himself in hot water over his lack of politically correct practices in a time that requires it. Christmas is almost cancelled. Can the mayor’s clerk, Jasper Truheart and the Christmas Fairy save it? 7 - 9 p.m. / Guelph Little Theatre / Tickets at $10 adult, $5 children via thelittleboxoffice.com

December Daze Market By: Guelph Market Come and support your local small businesses, makers, creators and artisans! 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. / Guelph Black Heritage Society / Free entry

DEC 16-31 Sparkles in the Park By: Rotary Club of Guelph Enjoy beautiful decorations and lights converting Riverside Park into a winter wonderland. 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. / Riverside Park in Guelph / Free

DEC 19

DEC 10 Foods (Band) + SteveDave (KW Hip-Hop) By: Red Brick Cafe Check out some local music and grab a snack at the Cafe, where thousands of customers have passed through its doors, and over 100 local artists have been featured on its walls. 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. / Red Brick Cafe / $15 per person at the door

FRI

ICONS BY FLATICON

Lynnvander's Camelot Christmas Market By: The Round Table Board Game Cafe Come one, come all to the Camelot Christmas Market hosted by Lady Annika of littlepamplemousse, The Round Table, and The Rangers of Govannas. You won’t want to miss this festive market! Over 25 vendors will be in attendance. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. / The Round Table Board Game Cafe / Free entry

FUN PAGE

THEONTARION.COM

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

easy CROSSWORD 2

Down 1–Gift recipients 2–Wide street 3–Recompense for hardship 4–Once, once 5–It's inspired 6–"Lord, is ___?": Matthew 7–Floor covering where the cat sat! 8–Inter ___ 9–Tints 10–Marked by a rhythmic beat 11–Sicken 12–Henpeck 15–Anew 18–Affluence 22–General on Chinese menus 25–Bog 26–This is only ___ 27–Coloring material 29–1 or 66: Abbr. 31–Carrier letters 34–Fungal infection of the skin or nails 36–Grotesque 37–Beseeched 39–Had the mic, say 40–Prayer 41–Court call 42–"I get it" responses 44–Tarzan creator's monogram 46–Road crew's supply 47–Island off Venezuela 48–Potentate 50–Designer Pucci 51–Fleets 52–Picks up the check 57–Entr'___ 59–"Shane" star 60–Swab 62–Dot follower 63–Short trip 64–Fitting

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1–Desperate 5–Commendably 9–"Goldberg Variations" composer 13–Chew the scenery 15–That's ___ haven't heard 16–He sang about Alice 17–Defense covering 18–Lyric poems 19–Psychic 20–Meadow 21–Disencumbers 23–Island off the SE coast of China 25–Neighbor of Cambodia 26–BB, e.g. 27–Slowdown by workers 30–"Wheel of Fortune" buy 31–___ of thousands 32–Frozen dessert 37–Gym counts 38–Late bloomer 40–Ticklish doll 41–Brief summary 43–For want of ___... 44–To the point 45–Walked like a duck 47–River of song 50–Increases 51–Arachnid 52–"___ quam videri" (North Carolina's motto) 53–Simile center 56–Shoppe sign word 57–Need a scratch 59–Strictness 61–Monetary unit of Cambodia 62–Drop ___ (moon) 63–Capture 64–Gas burner or Sicilian volcano 65–Quick sharp bark 66–Mex. miss

1–What's the big ____? 2–Hungary's Nagy 3–Actress Downey 4–DDE's command 5–Abounding in trees 6–Extremities 7–Levi's rival 8–Auditor 9–Pesto herb 10–___ having fun yet? 11–Wedge 12–Word with French or English 14–Wide of the mark 22–It's not free of charge 24–A Baldwin brother 25–Dogie catcher 26–Step 27–Mercury and Saturn, e.g. 28–___-deucey 29–___ Crunch 32–T.G.I.F. part 33–Tears 34–Airline to Tel Aviv 35–Gallic girlfriend 36–Shape 38–Acrimony 39–Web locale 42–Window piece 43–Dangerous snakes 45–Drift onto the beach 46–Spots 47–Cleft 48–Broaden 49–Journalist ___ Rogers St. Johns 51–Achy 52–Earth Day subj. 53–Petri dish gelatin 54–Kind 55–Domain 58–It's past due 60–Social connections

38–Tristan's love 42–Shot spot 43–Professor's job security 45–Group of seven 49–Recalcitrant 53–Payment for regular work 54–Sacks 55–Blemish 56–Currency unit in Czech Republic 58–Martini garnish 60–Old space station 61–Drunken feast 65–Sweet suffix 66–Bent over 67–Low-cal 68–Third degree? 69–Lure 70–Improvised bed

Across 1–Venture 5–Shoot for 10–MSNBC rival 13–Finito 14–Roma's land 16–Bond rating 17–Journalism 19–Used a shovel 20–Maternally related 21–Playing marbles 23–Where It.'s at 24–Diary of ___ Housewife 28–Disney honcho 30–Diligence 32–Winter vehicle 33–Thoroughfare 35–Riviera season 36–Angles

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MEDIUM CROSSWORD 20

Choummaly Smith

ISSUE 191 .4 | FUN STUFF

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SUDOKU ANSWERS FROM ISSUE 191.3

FUN PAGE

FUN STUFF | D EC . 202 1

hard CROSSWORD 1

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1–Thick piece 5–Spud state 10–Cougar 14–"Othello" villain 15–Pitcher Ryan 16–Literary collections 17–Transvaal farmer 18–Minotaur's island 19–Former Fords 20–Given to using long words 23–Oyster spawn 24–Eats to a plan 25–Capital of Inner Mongolia 28–Zeno of ___ 30–Amo, amas, ___ 31–Type of award 36–Way cool! 37–Pain in the muscles 39–Lady of Sp. 40–Every 21 days 42–Get as a result 43–About 44–They're out of this world 46–Tropical vine 49–Like some seals 51–Haphazard 56–Unaccompanied

23 25

SUDOKU

8 4 6

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

55 59

1 7

9 1 4

9 3 2

EASY A

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M E

C E

D O R

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T 27

R O

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O R O N O

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W H O M

A M

A M S

R G N

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HARD 5

1 6 4

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MEDIUM 3

7 9

4 6 1

EASY

1–Bro, e.g. 2–Vientiane is its capital 3–"A Death in the Family" author 4–Soup made with beets 5–Coarse 6–Column style 7–First Hebrew letter 8–Venom 9–Like a line, briefly 10–Pertaining to the cerebral cortex 11–Loosen 12–Angry with 13–Orgs. 21–Status follower 22–Journalist ___ Rogers St. Johns

8 4

6 2

25–Mature male European red deer 26–Actor Sharif 27–___ but known... 28–Jittery 29–Chou En-___ 31–Mackerel shark 32–Pipe bend 33–Aha! 34–Mediterranean port 35–Sleeps briefly 37–Flat-topped hills 38–Thus far 41–Small portable house 42–Capable of being ridden 44–Gets up 45–Dawson of the NFL 46–Fine cotton thread 47–Chip maker 48–A Bell for ___ 49–Down source 50–Change or rectify 52–Lower jaw 53–Irritate 54–Pigeon–___ 55–Genesis garden 59–Conductor ___-Pekka Salonen

Down

9 9

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THE ONTARION

57–Conceals 58–Predict 60–Musical Horne 61–Actress Graff 62–Wine sediment 63–North Carolina college 64–Geeky guys 65–Novelist Ferber

Across

HARD

CROSSWORD ANSWERS FROM ISSUE 191.3

OFF-CAMPUS PARTNERS hospitality.uoguelph.ca

5 Gordon St. 519-265-8828

435 Stone Rd. W. 519-265-6624

35 Harvard Rd. 519-265-8989

304 Stone Rd. W. 519-763-0892

519-824-4120 ext. 58751

519-824-4120

304 Stone Rd. W. 519-837-3030

370 Stone Rd. W. 519-763-7861

ext. 58115

185 Stone Rd. W. 519-836-8882

201 Stone Rd. W. 519-766-1549

987 Gordon St. 519-836-2727

20 Clair Rd. W. 519-265-5979

435 Stone Rd. W. 500 York Rd. 519-837-1111

35 Harvard Rd. 519-265-8313

292 Stone Rd W. 519-821-5050

35 Harvard Rd. 519-823-5197

78 Lewis Rd. 519-821-1700

570 Gordon St. 519-265-7447

97 Wyndham St N. 519-265-7094

492 Edinburgh Rd S 519-836-2233

494 Edinburgh Rd. S. 519-766-4242

19 Wyndham St. N. & 35 Harvard Rd.

519-836-4747 | 519-822-7786

26 Clair Rd. W. 226-314-1971

253 Woodlawn Rd. W. 519-823-2695

@HospitalityUofG

The Ontarion - 191.4

Articles inside

20 stress busters to try this December

Dealing with strain during exam season

Tobogganing: More than just a fun winter sport

The French Dispatch is a heartfelt ode to the yesteryear of magazine journalism

December: A time to celebrate

Celebrating an environmentally friendly Christmas

Holiday shopping on a budget

Surviving awkward family get-togethers this holiday season

How to read more effectively

Advice for the discouraged first-year

IMPACT program at U of G receives positive feedback following its October launch

Holocaust survivor shares his harrowing story at U of G event

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women spotlights the need for systemic change