Photos at the Canadian National Exhibition 2026

I've been attending the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), known by locals as "the EX," all my life.  It's changed during the years.  It used to be the place which introduced new technology, the latest in appliances etc.  There used to be all kinds of free samples.  Those days are over.  However, I still enjoy going.  It's a tradition.  It always ends on Labour Day.  As a child, it always meant one more summer pleasure before the new school year.

Here are some pictures of  flower art during my visit to the Ex on August 27, 2026.  They were taken in the Enercare Centre.

Below is a photo of Slovenian dancers at the Spotlight Stage in the Enercare Centre.

- Joanne

The Blue Jays and their woes

What a disappointing season for the Toronto Blue Jays!  Back in April, I was looking forward to the Blue Jays making another run at a World Series victory, or at least giving a good account of themselves in the playoffs. It's almost September now and my World Series dreams have vanished completely.  My wildcard playoff hopes are also fading rapidly.  With every loss, Toronto is digging itself  deeper and deeper into a hole.

Last night, the Blue Jays were crushed 13-2 by the Kanas City Royals.  The home crowd booed their team.  Even manager John Schneider admitted that the crowd  had the right to boo, and he acknowledged his team's poor performance.  The Jays have been drawing about 42,000 for every home game.  They have received a great deal of loyalty and support. The fans have every reason to boo.  You can be sure that attendance will go way down if this continues, especially if there is an MLB lockout in 2027.  

Blue Jay fans just want to see their team compete.  They don't always have to win, but their performance should not be so lacklustre.  All season, the Jays have teased us.  Just as they near the .500 mark, they start slumping again.  After the trade deadline, the injection of new players such aa Brett Bateman and Charles McAdoo seemed to add new life and spirit to the team.  Alas, it doesn't seem to have lasted.

Yes, the Jays have had a lot of injuries, especially to starting pitchers.  However, I never expected the magical 2025 season to turn into a forgettable 2026 season.  I never expected them to be in last place in the American East Division on August 28th with 65 wins and 70 losses.  I never expected Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to only have 7 home runs (none at home in the dome).  This is the most frustrating Blue Jay team in years, and Vladdy is at the core of the frustration.  This whole season has been one gigantic struggle for him.  Vladdy should have gotten out of his slump by now.  Something needs to change.  Why hasn't he been moved down in the batting order?  By the way, isn't it about time he stopped dousing his fellow Jays with Gatorade  It's getting tiresome.

I have seen enough of bullpen days.  Th Blue Jays may end up winning bullpen games that way, but the cost is far too high.  They wear out an already exhausted bullpen, especially when the starters seldom last past 5 innings. The situation was so bad last night that a position player, Myles Straw, had to take the mound to get out of the 8th inning.  

I am also sick and tired of the Jays leaving runners on the bases.  They rarely hit well in the clutch.  It's so frustrating to see a fair amount of hits and nothing to show for them.  Where is hitting coach David Popkins?  Shouldn't he bear some responsibility for the lack of clutch hitting and power hitting.

So, yes, I am in agreement with John Schneider.  The Blue Jays deserved to be booed lustily last night.

- Joanne

Why Canada had to say NO to the U.S. trade deal

 

"They asked too much and offered too little."

- Prime Minister Mark Carney

Prime Minister Mark Carney

"The suggestion that Canada would not trade with other countries or reduce our trade with other countries ... would reduce us to the economic equivalent of the 51st state." 

David Eby

Premier of British Columbia

Premier David Eby

Canada was absolutely right to suspend trade talks with the United States under the Trump regime.  No deal is better than a bad deal.  The time has come for Canadians to draw a line in the sand.  Canada is being asked to relinquish its sovereignty.  We can never do that.  We cannot sell our soul.  We cannot be bullied any long.  This situation  is highly regrettable, a real tragedy.  Most Americans do not have ill feelings toward Canada.  Canadians and Americans live in close proximity to each other and most of us have friends and relatives who reside on either side of the border.

Until Trump came along, American and Canadians supported each other, and we were infinitely better for it.  This September 11th will mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  During that terrible time, Canadians in Gander, Newfoundland showed hospitality to stranded American travellers.

Donald Trump and his supporters do not regard Canada as not a real country.  Well, I've got news for them.  Canada is real country with many differences from the United States.  We are a proud nation with our own history and our own political and social customs.  

The Trump administration has treated its northern neighbour with contempt and disrespect.  It wants to control us.  How can we make a deal with an unstable leader such as Donald Trump.  He is erratic and volatile.  He enjoys causing chaos.  He can change his mind at the drop of a hat.  That's why Prime Minister Carney stated that sometimes the U.S. signature is written in pencil.  

Donald Trump claimed on his social platform Truth Social (actually Lies Social) that "Canada wants the benefit of being a State, without being one!!!"  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Canadians don't want to be swallowed up by the United States.  We believe we should have a say in our own destiny and our own future.  Has Trump ever thought to ask the people of Canada what they want?  No, he has not!  Why!  Because he is a tinpot dictator who wants to stomp over anyone who stands in the way of his desires.  

As someone who has lived in Canada all my life, I can confidently guarantee that the vast majority of Canadian do not wish to live in Trump's so-called 51st state.  Here's a sample of what Trump would do to Canada if he had the opportunity.  He would abolish the Canada Health Act.  There would be no more universal health care.  The French language in Quebec would also be abolished.  That would really sit well with  francophones in that province, wouldn't it?  He'd also weaken gun laws and there would be more mass shootings  Then he'd persecute undocumented immigrants.  Of course, there would be more tax breaks for the wealthiest Canadians.  Forget about social programs and environmental protections.

No, Donald Trump.  Canada cannot make any more concessions.  Canadians will have to face hardships due to your infernal tariffs, but you have given us no real choice.  It is sad that Americans will also pay a price for Trump's tariff folly.  Fortunately, the U.S. midterm elections are coming up in November.  It will be a great opportunity for Americans to demonstrate how unhappy they are with inflation, ICE, and the war in Iran.  Democratic victories in the House of Representatives and the Senate will weaken Trump's position.

The more Canada concedes, the more Trump will demand.  That is why we cannot accept his unfair deal.  That is why we will remain the true north strong and free.

- Joanne

Your tax dollars paying for "Protect Ontario" ads

Enough is enough!  I've had it with those "Protect Ontario" ads  It's disgusting that taxpayers' money is being used to pay for them. The ads are not informative. They simply put forth Doug Ford propaganda. They promote his policies and his agenda. If the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario wants to run those ads, the party should pay for them. They have every right in a democracy to express their views, but not at public expense.  

Why is Premier Ford getting away with this?  His ubiquitous "Protect Ontario" campaign includes television, radio and social media placements.  The ads can't be avoided.  I feel livid when I think how that tax money should have been spent on health, education and combatting climate change.  Those "Protect Ontario ads are self-promotional and they cost taxpayers millions. Their full cost remains under wraps.  However, according to Trillium (using the freedom information system), the full cost for just one ministry to produce and run them was almost $10 million.  The Ministry of Energy spent a whopping $9,932,437.20 during the 2025-26 fiscal year.  What s waste!  It is truly unconscionable.  The Ford government should be held accountable for this.  Talk about a gravy trains.  This is a scandal of epic proportions

So, how did Ford defend his "Protect Ontario' ads from criticism.  He compared the "Protect Ontario" ads to federal Liberal government advertising on cutting taxes and making life more affordable. "I think that it's great that we're informing people.  And I love the federal ads, too," Ford stated.  He then put forth that his government's ads offer an alternative view to what voters may encounter in the media.

The premier's defence does not hold water.  Firstly, why does Ford use the Trumpian tactic of mentioning what federal Liberals have done?  He sounds like Donald 'Trump, who when criticized, always points to Democrats, in order to deflect the pressure from himself.  Secondly, the federal ads do not appear as often.  Thirdly, much of the media is right wing and supports cutting taxes, even at the expense of much-need social programs.  Finally, the ads promote such controversial Ford policies such as building Highway 413. How is this informative?

The "Protect Ontario" ads should cease immediately unless the PC Party of Ontario is willing to pay for them.  You should not have to pay for them at a time when so many people are struggling to get by.

- Joanne

Trump's Priorities

How is this happening?  Why is this happening?  The world is crazy right now, first and foremost because the United States is being led by a man who is mentally and physically ill.  One doesn't need to be a doctor to determine that Donald Trump is not well.  Just look at him.  Just read his deranged social media posts.  He is totally unhinged.

This madman has gotten the U.S. involved in an illegal war, without the consent of the U.S. Congress.  The war against Iran is costing lives and making everyday life miserable for Americans. He entered the war with no clear plan and he has no clear plan to get out of it.  The United States is trapped in ignominious defeat.  It is mired in a military conflict that is more unpopular than Vietnam was in its final days.  Pathological liar that he is, Trump promised that he would not involve the U.S, in foreign wars.  

Everything would be much different had Kamala Harris won the 2024 U.S. election.  This nightmare would have been avoided.  It's such a tragedy that on the 250th anniversary of its birth as a nation, America's president is an authoritarian, a war criminal, who has no respect for the rule of law.  He is consumed by vanity projects while Americans suffer from high prices and the burden of unnecessary tariffs.  There is also the murderous and  disgusting behaviour of ICE.  Immigrants, women, people of colour, the poor and the disabled are dishonoured and vilified in Trump's America.

Follow the money and you will understand who benefits from Trump's follies - and it's not the American people.  It's Big Tech and Big Oil.  It's billionaires such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg and various gas and oil magnates and corporate leaders.  They know that Trump is unfit and cruel, but they want him in power because it serves their selfish purposes.  They happily enjoy tax cuts for billionaires.  As for lower income Americans, their Medicaid has been lowered.  They can't afford rent and groceries.  Yet, Trump's wealthy cohorts refuse to call out that the emperor wears no clothes because it is not in their interests.  He helps them maintain their wealth and power.

The midterms are approaching.  If democracy is to survive in the United States, if the U.S. is to regain the respect of the world, Democrats must win a majority in the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate.  Decent Americans cannot miss this opportunity to restore some semblance of sanity before it is too late.  Trump has gotten away with far too much for far too long.  It's about time that he be held accountable for his crimes and his corruption.  He has used the office of the presidency as a means of enriching himself and his family.

As a Canadian, I have seen Donald Trump insult my own country.  I have seen him attack Canada's sovereignty.  I have seen his vindictiveness and lack of empathy.  This is a very sick, deluded man who should not be anywhere near the nuclear button.  

Trump does not care about the American people or people in other countries.  His priorities are the following (This is only a small sample in no particular order).

* Enriching himself and his family through graft and corruption

*Getting the support of billionaires

* Attacking his enemies, especially Barack Obama and Joe Biden

* His vanity projects, such as his ridiculous ballroom

* Bullying

* Bragging

* Being the centre of attention

* Appearing tough and macho and powerful

* Doing whatever he wants

* Being flattered 

* Giving himself awards he hasn't earned

* Lying and cheating

* Hurting the American economy and the world economy by imposing tariffs

* Having delusions of grandeur about himself

Ordinary Americans are not Donald Trump's priority.  Low income Americans are not on Trump's radar. Yesterday he said, "The economy is doing unbelievably well from the standpoint of Wall Street."  The struggles of Main Street don't matter to Trump.  He told Americans to accept high gas prices (He might as well have said, "Let them eat cake!").  Has Donald Trump ever known poverty or homelessness?  Has he ever been unable to pay for health care, rent or groceries?  Has he ever been reliant on food stamps or food banks?  I don't think so.  Not everyone has had a rich daddy who provided them with millions.

The price of gas has risen because of Trump's war.  The Strait of Hormuz was open before Trump decided unilaterally to attack Iran.  He caused the price of oil and gas to rise, to the delight of the oil barons.  Barack Obama and his Secretary of State, John Kerry, had a deal in place with Iran.  But that wasn't good enough for Trump.  He was determined not to let Obama's achievement stand, so he tore it up.  

By the way, there wouldn't be so much dependence on oil and gas if Trump and his supporters didn't oppose green energy.  Forests are burning, but they still think climate change is a hoax.  There aren't words to describe how disgusting and disgraceful Trump and his minions are.

- Joanne

The problem with Vladdy

What the heck is the matter with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.?  He's definitely not himself.  Is it physical?  Is it psychological?  Probably a combination of both.  It's certainly not age.  He's only 27 years old.  However, he has experienced back problems this season, and has been plagued by tight, tired hamstrings recently.  After resting for two games, he hit his seventh home run of the season on Saturday, August 8th in Philadelphia against the Phillies.

Guerrero has obviously been hurt and fatigued this season.  Why wasn't he placed on the Injured List earlier in the season earlier this year.  He might have returned to the lineup refreshed and rested, able to contribute more , especially in terms of power hitting.

Vladdy is supposed to be a superstar, the face of the franchise, but he hasn't been playing like one.  He's still an excellent defensive first baseman.  He still hits singles and doubles, but his batting average has gone down, and his power hitting is just a shadow of what it once was.  Where is the player who in 2021 led Major League Baseball in home runs (48, tied with Salvador Perez), runs scored (123), batting 311/401/601. Where is the player who on July 10, 2023 won the MLB Home Run Derby in Seattle and hit a final round record of 25 home runs?            

Players have slumps.  That's not unusual.  But slumps eventually come to an end.  Everybody thought Vladdy would snap out of his.  It should have happened by now, but it hasn't.  It's August 11th and he only has seven home runs to date.  Not only that, but he hasn't even hit a home run in the dome yet this year.  

Vladdy is under more pressure than other Blue Jays because he signed a 14-year, $500 million extension with the Jays, one of the largest in MLB history.  He is expected to produce, but sometimes his mind and his body just can't do it.

- Joanne

Summer reading in August

Although the back-to-school commercials have started, summer is not yet over.  There is still plenty of time to relax with some summer reading.  Why not curl up on your patio or backyard with a good book,  or if you prefer, read it in ebook form.  Check out my author's page by clicking on the link below.

Joanne Madden – Author

Are you looking for some mysteries, thrills and suspense?  Then read my latest novel, The Roving Reporter: Spanning the Globe in the 1990s, and follow the adventures of Sandra McKay, the intrepid reporter from Prince Edward Island.  In the first “Reporter” novel, The Missing Reporter, which takes place in 1989, Sandra is kidnapped while working as a crime reporter for the CBC.  

The Roving Reporter is the second installment of my “Reporter Trilogy” featuring the spunky Maritime journalist.  The Riving Reporter covers the years 1990 to 1997, when Sandra becomes a foreign correspondent at the London bureau of the Canadian Press.  She covers major stories in Britain, France, Italy, South Africa, Japan, Hong Kong, Egypt, Mexico and South Africa, while being pursued by the mob  She is accompanied by Colin Purcell, a crusty English photographer.

I am currently working on The Return of the Reporter, the third and final novel of the series.  In The Return of the Reporter, Sandra returns to Canada and works as an investigative journalist at the Toronto Star.  The novel will focus on the time period leading up to the Millennium and the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  It should be noted that all of the “Reporter” novels stand on their own.  However, it is advisable to read the complete series in sequence so that you will have a better understanding of the characters and circumstances.

- Joanne

Robby Benson: From teen idol to Dr. Mauer on "Severance"

Robby Benson is a man of many talents. He is an actor, writer, director, composer, lyricist, professor of film and a novelist.  Robby was born Robin David Segal on January 21, 1956 to a Jewish family in Dallas, Texas.  He is the son of Freda Ann (née Benson), a singer, actor and business promotions manager, and Jerry Segal, a writer.  When Robby was five, his family moved to New York City, where he grew up.  He appeared in television commercials and stage productions before establishing himself as a film star.

At the age of ten, Robby adopted his mother's maiden name as his stage name.  He attended the Lincoln Square Academy in Manhattan, where he graduated as class valedictorian.  By the time he was 12, Robby was co-starring with Ed Begley Jr. on Broadway in a play called. Zelda.  He left the production to star in the film Jeremy.  He also began writing scripts, and by the time he was 18, he'd sold his fourth script to Warner Brothers.

Robby became popular in the 1970s as a teen idol.  Young audiences identified with his coming of age films.  In the romantic drama Jeremy (1973), he co-starred with Glynnis O'Connor as two high school students who have a month-long romance.  In Ode to Billie Joe (1976), based on Bobbie Gentry's hit song, he played the title role of Billie Jo McAllister, with Glynnis O'Connor once again played his love interest.  In One on One (1977), Robby portrayed basketball star Henry Steele in the sports drama he co-wrote with his father, Jerry Segal.

Robby then melted hearts as Nick Peterson in the 1978 romantic drama Ice Castles, the story of the rise and fall of a young figure skater played by Lynn-Holly Johnson.  Robby, who had never skated before, learned how to skate for the film.   "The best thing is interacting with people," he said.  "If you stop and look into their eyes, nothing gets out of hand.  That happened on Ice Castles."

In 1981, Robby co-starred as Danny Saunders in The Chosen, a film based on the best-selling  novel of the same name by Chaim Potok.  

Robby provided the voice of the beast in 1991's Disney animated film Beauty and the Beast.  He also directed television shows, beginning with the first season of  Ellen in 1996, starring Ellen DeGeneres.

In 2007, Robby's novel Who Stole the Funny?  A novel of Hollywood, appeared on the Los Angeles

Times bestseller list.  It's a satire about Hollywood sitcoms.

Robby surfaced recently in the recurring role as creepy Dr. Mauer on Apple TV's Severance.  He told People that working on the series was a dream.  He praised Ben Stiller as the best director he'd ever worked with.  "From the costume designers to the makeup artists . . . Ben Stiller knows what he wants and he shoots it until he gets it, and it's fantastic."

Robby Benson, now 70 years old, leads a private life, focusing on his family and health advocacy.  However, he continues to work as an actor and a voice-over artist.  He also gives instruction on film at universities.

On July 11, 1982, Robby married singer, actress and voice artist Karla DeVito, in Karla's hometown of Mokena Illinois.  The couple celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in 2023.  In the course of Karla's music career, she has sung many genres, from heavy metal to musical theatre to pop.  She and Robby have two children, a daughter, Lyric Benson (born August 4, 1983) and a son, Zephyr Benson (born March 23, 1992).  Robby and Karla met in 1981 when they were both performing in Pirates of Penzance on Broadway.  Robby was playing Frederic and Karla had replaced Linda Ronstadt in the role of Mabel.  "I fell in love with her immediately and begged her to marry me for a year," Robby told People magazine in 2025.  "I took a year of begging, and it's just the greatest thing that's ever happened to me."

Robby and Karl

END NOTES

* Robby Benson was diagnosed with a heart murmur during his teenage years, the result of an aortic valve defect.  He has undergone four heart surgeries, since age 28, including a bovine valve transplant, to correct congenital aortic valve defects.  Robby credits Karla for keeping him alive.  As a result of his surgeries, he became an activist and fundraiser for cardiac research.  He published a memoir in 2012, detailing his medial issues and his open heart surgeries.  It's titled I'm not dead . . . yet!

* Robby had an early role as Bruce Carson in the daytime soap Search for Tomorrow (1971-1972).  

* In 1975, Robby screen-tested for the role of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, but Mark Hamill was chosen for the part.

SOURCES: People magazine, "How '70s teen idol Robby Benson Ended Up Playing the Creepy Dr. Mauer on Severance"  (Exclusive), by Gillian Telling, March 26, 2025; AmoMama (amomama.com), "Robby Benson & Wife of 40 Years Are 'Simply Beautiful' in Their 60s after They Healed His Ailing Heart," by Junie Sihlangu, January 26, 2023; Wikipedia.; IMDb

- Joanne

The Consequences of a Baseball Lockout

A major league baseball lockout next season seems inevitable., especially after the L.A. Dodger' acquisition of Cy Young pitcher Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers.  The Dodgers have won two consecutive World Series championships and seem poised to win a third.  

It appears grossly unfair that only some teams have the money and the resources to make such a deal.  Without a cap system, there is a terrible imbalance.  At the same time, however, I am very concerned about the damage a lockout will do to the game.  Are the owners and the players considering how a lockout will hurt the fans?  

The fans are not appreciated enough.  I am on their side completely.  The cost of attending a baseball game continues to increase.  Many are forced to stay home and watch the games on television.  Now, the greedy MLB is streaming games on Apple TV, so they won't be able to view those games on the tube.

The fans are being used as pawns, manipulated into spending more and more of their hard-earned money.  For many people, baseball is a welcome diversion from all their problems and their financial woes.  The owners and players possess obscene amounts of money.  Their greed knows no bounds.  There may be a valid reason for a lockout, but the fans will be the ones who pay the price.  I'm talking about the ordinary Joes who just love the game.  Where is the justice in that?

Players, agents and owners consider baseball to be a business.  But why does it have to be only a business?  The powers that be should not forget about the devoted fans, the kind of fans who sit in the bleachers and keep box scores.  We all know the story of how greed killed the golden goose.

- Joanne