Letters: Seniors lunch group serves up inspiration

Montreal Gazette

19-05-2025

Re: ' Wise to the benefits of male bonding ' (The Gazette, May 10)
It is obvious that congeniality brings happiness to the elderly. As we age, solitude can become an enemy. Older people are, unfortunately, often perceived as irrelevant, which is so wrong.
Susan Schwartz's article is a testament to the fact that even if you are in your 90s, you can still contribute and enjoy life.
I hope that these very bright and interesting gentlemen keep on exercising and lunching together until they are at least 100, and that Schwartz keeps updating us about their inspiring gatherings.
Louise Horlington, Montreal
Even governments can't ruin our spring
Reading these opinion articles all on the same page paints an interesting picture of Quebec and Montreal today.
First the history of education and the handling of immigrants. It reminds me of a story Josh Freed has told about why Jewish children of his generation know the words to Onward Christian Soldiers. We are still feeling the influence of decisions made long ago.
Then the commentary about funding for family medicine. We are living through shortages in medical resources, not helped by the cancellation of the Dawson College expansion — and with it a student-run health clinic that was to 'serve thousands of Montreal patients a year,' according to reporting at the time.
Finally a column by Toula Drimonis about the joys of living in Montreal when spring arrives. It's true that, despite the history of poor government decisions, there is no better time to live in the city.
As Leonard Cohen is quoted as saying, 'the winter has not killed us yet.' Perhaps we should add: nor have previous government decisions.
David Garforth, Pointe-Claire
Trump version therapy? Count me in
Re: 'Surefire coping methods for current U.S. presidency' (Josh Freed, May 10)
I loved Josh Freed's column! Now I know that I, too, suffer from post-T-stress disorder. Sorry, I can't even type his name. I usually call him 'the orange guy.'
I was a news junkie, too, with CNN being my go-to channel, but now that channel is off-limits. And I keep my finger on the channel recall button in case his face appears on the local news.
I like Freed's suggestion of a cleanse. So a thank you to him for diagnosing my problem.
Joyce Stempkowsky, N.D.G.
Quebec and Vermont share special bond
Re: ' Don't blame all of us Americans ' (Letters, May 7)
As an American and frequent visitor to la belle province, I would like to echo the voices calling for readers not to paint all Americans with the same brush.
There are many of us who are utterly aghast at the actions and invective of our president and his administration, and we are doing what we can to fight back.
Here in Vermont, many of us have taken to the streets (like when Vice-President JD Vance came to Sugarbush for a ski holiday) to show our opposition, and we have left countless messages with our representatives in Washington to express our disagreement with the policies and practices of the Trump administration.
Let us not forget that we — Quebec and Vermont — are neighbours and friends, and some of us are family. Our energy flows from your rivers. Your timber frames our homes. Some of you watch our evening news and sail our shared lakes.
Ours is a shared land and a shared history, with many chapters yet to write.
Merci, je t'aime, et désolé pour mon president.
Erik Post, Essex, Vt.
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