The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, N ov em be r 8, 20 18 | 6 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca newsroom@theifp.ca IndependentAndFreePress @IFP_11 WHO WE ARE Publisher Kelly Montague Regional General Manager Steve Foreman Regional Director of Media Holly Chriss Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara Managing Editor Karen Miceli Distribution Representative Iouliana Polar Classified/Real Estate Kristie Pells Regional Production Manager Manuel Garcia Production Shelli Harrison Halton Media General Manager Vicki Dillane CONTACT US The Independent & Free Press 280 Guelph Street, Unit 77 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Phone: 905-873-0301 Classifieds: 905-234-1016 Fax: 905-873-0398 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, con- dense or reject letters. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail lpolar@miltoncana- dianchampion.com or call 905- 234-1019. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT THEIFP.CA EDITORIAL We, as Canadians specifically, now enjoy a time of prosperity and luxury previously unmatched in the course of our history. We have freedoms and advantages that are still unfortunately well out of grasp for many nations of the world. Canada was in essence a dominion of the British Em- pire when the First World War broke out in 1914. Hun- dreds of thousands of soldiers would ultimately enlist and be conscripted by war's end four years later, forming the Canadian Corps that would distinguish itself as a formi- dable and tactically adept fighting force in battles at the Somme, Vimy and Passchendaele, among many others. Soldiers who have lived through war are the only ones who truly know what it was like. "The Great War," was likely seen as anything but for those who made their home in the trenches of France and Belgium from 1914 to 1918. The trenches were muddy, they were cold, they were claustrophobic. There were flies, there was lice, there were rats. You slept there and you ate there. There were long periods of boredom and morale often sagged, as a kilometre of territory that was gained the day before at the cost of hundreds of lives would be reclaimed by oppos- ing forces days later. There was constant fear of artillery or sniper fire. When forces were ordered over the top for an attack on the enemy line of trenches, soldiers had to negotiate a literal no man's land littered with craters, bodies of the dead and wounded, barbed wire, bullets, artillery bursts and mud. Sometimes the mud was so deep, able-bodied soldiers would be sucked into holes and drown before it was even noticed they were lost. It was hell. There is no other suitable word to describe it. The last Canadian veteran of the First World War passed away eight years ago at the age of 109, but that doesn't mean we should move on from remembering all that was given up so many years ago. On the contrary, it is all the more reason to do so. Remembrance Day is held every Nov. 11 in relation to the signing of the First World War armistice and subsequent ceasefire between the Allies and Germany, and this Sunday marks 100 years since this took place. And while the conflict is long since ended, our respect and regard for those who made the ultimate sacrifice should never cease. That of course extends to those who took up arms for our country in the 100 years since, and who continue to put their lives on the line every day in conflicts around the world. On Sunday, wear a poppy, attend a cenotaph service, shake a veteran's hand. They didn't fight wars for fame or glory, they did it so their families and the generations to follow could live in peace and prosperity. And here we are. Respect them, honour them, remember them. ON THE ELEVENTH HOUR, OF THE ELEVENTH DAY, OF THE ELEVENTH MONTH... Autumn is here. Mum- ble, mumble. We plan on being cooped up for the next several months. It's a good time to get rid of stuff so you can ma- neuvre. One of the best avenues to get stuff gone fast is right before your eyes - the curb. A lot of us use this method for instant results. Isn't it funny how the closer your superflu- ous stuff gets to the curb the less attached you are to it? And it's less likely that stuff will find its way back into the recesses of your house. You did your due dili- gence: you tried selling 'the stuff', family have said, "Nay, nay," and no- body wanted it for a buck at your garage sale. Yet there it clutters, making closets hard to close, pok- ing out from behind the couch, dripping down like stalactites from the base- ment rafters, clutter on clutter. Maybe it's time to walk the stuff down to that ever flowing river at the end of your driveway - the street. Now it's both entertainment and a way for someone to put new energy into it for free. Make a habit of giving useful free stuff away on non-garbage days and people will absolutely re- ciprocate by making it go away. A "free stuff" sign beside it is essential as we are a polite bunch. Two lovely sisters who frequent my diverse se- lections dubbed it, "The Outdoor Store." My neighbors know they can always snatch up a find: toys, books, tools, snappy clothes, doggie parapher- nalia, cottage cups, gar- den faeries, garden sup- plies, things they can turn into garden sup- plies, old china tea cups in which to plant things, bi- cycles, boots, home décor, cleaning supplies, dishes. You name it, and it has ap- peared at the end of my driveway at one time or another. Yes I also have my charities but nothing beats treating a neigh- bour to something for free. Sometimes there are small gatherings curb- side at my place where conversations and all manner of wonderful so- cial interactions abound. Bonus. Try it. It'll bring a little therapy to your home. Stephen Ilott is a pro- fessional home organizer with decluttering.ca and author of "The Domestic Archaeologist." For more information, visit www.decluttering.ca or contact him at info@de- cluttering.ca or 416-460- 8098. DOWNSIZING STUFF? USE THE OUTDOOR STORE A SURE FIRE WAY TO SEE STUFF VANISH IS BY USING THE CURB IN FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE, WRITES ILOTT STEPHEN ILOTT Column