durhamregion.com This Week | Thursday, March 3, 2022 | 10 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 70 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 newspaper 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@durhamregion.com facebook.com/newsdurham @newsdurham WHO WE ARE Vice President Dana Robbins Regional General Manager Anne Beswick Director of Content Lee Ann Waterman Managing Editor Mike Lacey Director of Advertising Tanya Pacheco Director Distribution Jason Christie Director Creative Services Katherine Porcheron Durham Advisory Council Dan Carter; Esther Enyolu; Jake Farr; Dr. Vidal Chavannes; Cynthia Davis; Elaine Popp/Don Lovisa; John Henry; Sue McGovern; Kerri King; Steve Yamada; Kelly LaRocca; Peter Bethlenfalvy; Dr. Steven Murphy; Norah Marsh; Tracy Paterson; Chris Darling; Christina Curry CONTACT US This Week Phone: 905- 579-4407 Newsroom: 905-215-0462 Sales: 905-215-0424 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Fax: 905-579-2238 Web: www.durhamregion.com Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 320 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Published letters will appear in print and/or online at durhamregion.com Delivery For all delivery inquiries, call 905- 579-4407 or visit the Contact Us page on durhamregion.com. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT DURHAMREGION.COM LETTERS & COMMENTARY It's an echo of the north woods, hearing the scolding rattle of a red squirrel in the city. Most at home in boreal and mixed coniferous forests, these fluffy-tailed rodents can also thrive in residential areas where evergreens abound, and I've gotten to know them better watching out my window than I ever have on a canoe trip. Don't let those big dark innocent eyes fool you. Red squirrels are anything but sweet and cuddly, no matter how adorable they look sitting up on their haunches nibbling a sunflower seed. These nimble, high-speed tree climbers have one thing on their mind: comfort and survival, which they ensure with their Me First attitude. Not that they don't have great entertainment value, dashing through the yard and keeping all other occupants on alert, even much larger grey squirrels. Red squirrels are territorial year-round, so you never see two together peacefully sharing seeds under a feeder. Classed as "larder hoarders," they spend late summer and autumn frantically clipping cones from conifers and piling them in a heap under a tree for winter. And then defending their cache from all comers, while trying to steal more from the neighbours. But they have to be bold to stay alive. Being so small, without fat reserves, they burn a lot of calories to keep warm, even wearing thick winter underfur and sleeping in snug tree cavities by night. You'd think our local red squirrels would know by now that we're not going to leave them hungry after a snowfall, so they should just relax and enjoy the "free food" we put out. But even in the midst of plenty they keep caching, burying sunflower seeds in the ground or snow. I watched a junco feeding near a hole in a snowbank, only to fly off in alarm when a red squirrel came barreling out. With an ancient cedar hedge on one side, a spruce hedge on the other and white pines at the rear, our yard seems to be where three red squirrel territories overlap. The occupants all squabble with each other, but the one on the east side also seems to have it in for any male cardinal that flits down to "his" patch under the lilacs where we scatter bird seed. I watch from the dining room window at lunchtime as, over and over, a red cardinal shows up and the squirrel puts it to the chase. Minutes later, the juncos, tree sparrows and mourning doves will have settled in eating again. But as soon as the cardinal rejoins them, whoosh! Here comes the red squirrel. Nature queries: mcarney1490@gmail.com or 905-725-2116. Metroland columnist Margaret Carney finds so much to discover and marvel at exploring the great outdoors. 'DON'T LET THOSE BIG DARK INNOCENT EYES FOOL YOU' MARGARET CARNEY Column Columnist Margaret Carney says red squirrels provide her with lots of entertainment. She enjoys watching the interplay between squirrels and birds as they compete for food on her property. Life as a squirrel isn't so easy, she notes: "they have to be bold to stay alive." Mike McEvoy photo RED SQUIRREL STORM SHOWED STRENGTH OF OSHAWA COMMUNITY To the editor: As a resident of Oshawa and an employee of the City Of Oshawa, I would like to bring attention to the countless acts of togetherness and community seen recently. Oshawa experienced one of the largest snowfalls it has experienced in years. As a citizen of Oshawa, it was astounding to see both city staff and citizens of this great community come together to support one another in this trying time. Whether it was clearing a neighbour's snow windrow, pushing cars stuck on snowy streets, or offering a hot beverage to those working hard to clear the roads, acts of kindness were seen throughout the city. As an employee, I was humbled by the outpouring of kindness and understanding from our residents. I'd like to extend my thanks and give the snowremoval operations team some well-deserved recognition. I would also like to recognize the efforts of the waste department as they trudged through windrows and snowbanks and braved frigid temperatures to collect waste, the parks department for keeping the trails and various park lots clear, as well as making Lakeview Park and other areas safe for residents to use, which is crucial during lockdown, the forestry crews clearing branches, fallen trees and brush from the aftermath of the high winds, the fleet team for keeping the wheels turning, and the facilities group for clearing out snow around buildings and providing entry for virtual programs to continue. Each department showed commitment to providing this community with quality services. In snow-cleanup efforts like these, personal sacrifices are made in order to keep up with the level of service that our community has come to expect of our city staff. We are a community built upon a historic and strong foundation of labour and unity. As our city expands and grows, we must not forget this foundation and that the working people of Oshawa continue to support each other. KRISTA LAING, OSHAWA SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT DURHAMREGION.COM