July 1, 2026
On The Upside with Marley
What Makes A Community Strong?
As Canadians celebrate Canada Day, it’s worth asking what truly makes a community a great place to live. While beautiful scenery, parks, lakes, roads, and buildings all contribute, communities are ultimately defined by something much more important: people.
Strong communities aren’t built by governments, corporations, or committees alone. They’re built by neighbours helping neighbours. They’re built by volunteers who quietly donate their time. They’re built by local businesses that sponsor teams, support events, and invest in the places they call home.
Most acts that strengthen a community never make headlines. A neighbour shovels a driveway after a snowfall. Someone volunteers at a local fundraiser. A business owner supports a charity event. A stranger offers assistance to someone who needs a hand. Individually these actions may seem small, but together they create something powerful.
One of the greatest strengths of any community is the sense that people genuinely care about one another. When challenges arise, strong communities respond with cooperation rather than division. They look for ways to solve problems rather than simply complain about them.
Communities also become stronger when people feel connected. Taking the time to attend local events, support local businesses, join organizations, or simply get to know neighbours helps create a sense of belonging that benefits everyone.
Canada Day is a celebration of our country, but it can also be a reminder that the strength of any nation begins at the community level.
Great communities aren’t built by a few extraordinary people. They’re built by ordinary people doing thoughtful things every day.
Surprising Canadian Firsts
Canada has contributed far more to the world than many people realize. Here are a few Canadian firsts that have had a lasting impact.
- Basketball was invented by Canadian James Naismith in 1891.
- Insulin was discovered by Frederick Banting, Charles Best, and their colleagues, saving millions of lives.
- IMAX technology was developed by Canadian filmmakers and engineers.
- The Canadarm became one of the most recognizable tools used in space exploration.
- The Snowmobile was developed by Joseph-Armand Bombardier, transforming winter transportation.
These innovations remind us that big ideas can come from anywhere, including our own backyard.
Things Canadians Are Known For Around The World
Whether accurate or exaggerated, Canadians have developed a reputation for several traits recognized around the globe.
- Being polite and courteous.
- Apologizing, sometimes even when nothing was our fault.
- A love of hockey and winter sports.
- Beautiful landscapes and national parks.
- Welcoming people from many cultures and backgrounds.
- A deep appreciation for nature and outdoor recreation.
While no stereotype applies to everyone, many of these qualities reflect values that Canadians are proud to share.
Fishing In Heaven
Two buddies were out fishing together.
“Do you think you can go fishing in Heaven?” asked Bill.
“I don’t know,” said Joe, “but here’s an idea—the first one of us to get there should let the other one know.”
A few months passed, and Bill suddenly dropped dead from a heart attack.
Joe carried on fishing by himself until one day he heard a voice.
“Helloooooo, Joe.”
“Who’s that?”
“It’s Bill. You can’t see me, but I can see you.”
“Bill, tell me,” said Joe, “can you go fishing in Heaven?”
“Well, I’ve got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that we can fish every day if we want to. The bad news is… you’re fishing in tomorrow’s tournament.”
The New Glasses
A man picked up his new glasses and returned to the store an hour later. “These don’t work,” he complained. “I still can’t read.” The clerk asked, “Can you read at all?” The man replied, “No. That’s why I bought the glasses.”
The Difference Between Stop and Slow Down
A lawyer runs a stop sign and gets pulled over by a police officer.
The officer says, “License and registration, please.”
The lawyer asks, “What for?”
“You didn’t come to a complete stop at that stop sign.”
“I slowed down, and no one was coming.”
“You still didn’t come to a complete stop. License and registration, please.”
“What’s the difference?”
“The difference is that the law requires you to come to a complete stop. License and registration, please.”
The lawyer smiles and says, “If you can show me the difference between slowing down and stopping, I’ll gladly hand them over.”
The officer replies, “Step out of the vehicle, sir.”
The lawyer complies. The officer raises his baton and starts swinging it through the air just enough to make the lawyer jump back.
Then the officer asks, “Now… would you like me to stop, or just slow down?”
The Neighbour
A man told his neighbour, “I think my dog is a genius.” The neighbour asked why. The man replied, “Every time I leave the house, he immediately takes my favourite chair.”
How To Address A Haircut
A man goes to the barber.
The barber asks, “How would you like your hair cut today?”
The man replies, “Shave this side almost completely bald. Leave two bald spots here, trim this side unevenly, and do whatever you want with the middle.”
The barber looks puzzled. “I’m sorry, sir, but I don’t think I could do that, it sounds too complicated!”
The man smiles and says, “Then how did you manage it last week?”
Editors Quote Book
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”
— Winston Churchill
Trivia Quiz
(Click Question For Answer)
Celebrating Canada
Canadians are feeling more proud of their country than in years past according to a recent survey and a Local Rotary Club organization is using that pride to help others. CTV News Edmonton’s Marek Tkach reports.
Your Horoscope
For Amusement Only
Aries Mar. 21 – Apr. 19: A helpful conversation sparks ideas. Listen carefully and act with confidence.
Taurus Apr. 20 – May 20: Steady effort pays off. Small progress creates meaningful results this week.
Gemini May 21 – Jun. 20: Curiosity leads somewhere useful. Ask questions and welcome fresh perspectives.
Cancer Jun. 21 – Jul. 22: A thoughtful gesture strengthens connections. Kindness creates unexpected opportunities today.
Leo Jul. 23 – Aug. 22: Confidence grows naturally. Focus on progress rather than perfection this week.
Virgo Aug. 23 – Sep. 22: Practical thinking helps greatly. A simple solution proves surprisingly effective.
Libra Sep. 23 – Oct. 22: New experiences broaden perspective. Stay open to unfamiliar possibilities ahead.
Scorpio Oct. 23 – Nov. 21: Patience reveals answers. Allow events to unfold before making decisions.
Sagittarius Nov. 22 – Dec. 21: An unexpected discovery excites you. Follow your interests without hesitation.
Capricorn Dec. 22 – Jan. 19: Consistent effort succeeds. Focus on priorities and avoid unnecessary distractions.
Aquarius Jan. 20 – Feb. 18: Creative ideas emerge easily. Share them and encourage meaningful discussion.
Pisces Feb. 19 – Mar. 20: Reflection brings clarity. A new understanding improves future choices.
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The Wake-up Pill
His boss got fed up of his being late always and so threatened to fire him if he didn’t get his act together.
So Bill went to see his doctor who gave him a pill and told him to take it just before going to bed.
Bill did this, and slept very well and actually beat the alarm clock by two hours. So he fixed himself a nice breakfast and drove happily to work, in plenty of time for the start of the work day.
When he got there, he said, “Boss, that pill the doctor gave me actually worked!”
His boss said, “That’s great, but where were you yesterday?”
I’m Not A Weatherman!
A man and his wife are sound asleep when the phone rings in the middle of the night.
The man groans, picks it up, listens for a second, and barks, “For the last time, how should I know? I’m not a weatherman!” Then he slams the phone down.
His wife rolls over and asks, “Who keeps calling at this hour?”
He sighs. “Wrong number. It’s the same guy that calls every night, who keeps asking if the coast is clear.”
Efficient Shopping
The Last Word
“Strong communities are built one thoughtful act at a time.”
I truly enjoy reading the perkolator . It’s funny and informative. I look forward to the next issue.
I’m so happy to hear that Barbara. It means a lot to us to make a positive difference in our communities 🙂
Smack on Cous!
I wouldn’t miss an issue.
Grateful, Thank You so much 🙏
We’re so happy you appreciate it 🙂
And our heartfelt thanx to you, Brian Garvey for coming up with the PERK idea 30 years ago. I and many others have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy the publication for hopefully years to come.
I commend you!
WELL DONE !
The May 1st edition was the best I’ve read since becoming a follower. Positively Speaking……logical and smack on, the quiz, difficult but for the first time ever I’m 8 for 8! The bog island vid…who’d a thunk?
I can’t be all positive though.
The sand which board with I b4 e was a tough one for my aging eyes.
Lastly, could your font be slightly larger with the adds just a wee bit smaller.
So many magazines, internet articles, etc have yet to learn that their main audience is aging and eyes are not what they were of days past.
Keep up the good work.
PS: Adds work. I’ve used more than one company you’ve listed with total satisfaction (politicians excepted)
Hi Dave. Firstly thanks so much for the comments. I’m not the writer of this stuff just the web guy. While reading anything that you find is too small on the internet generally all you need to do is hit your Control and the plus key or minus key together to increase or decrease the size of things. I’m afraid if we reduce the ads any smaller they won’t be readable and of course it’s due to their investment in the Perkolator that the publication can actually exist 🙂 Happy Spring.
why do l keep getting the same perkolator every month for the S Muskoka edition. this is the same issue running from Jan.2026.
Hi Nina
The Perkolator doesn’t actually publish monthly, it publishes weekly. I cannot see what you’re seeing of course. However I have reviewed the website thoroughly and including the last 5 weeks Perkolator’s and there’s no duplication. The only thing I can determine is if you’re clicking on an old email from last month and expecting last months perkolator. Clicking on the link in your subscription email will always take you to the latest edition regardless of how old the email is. Perhaps that’s where the issue lies.
Thanks for reading!
Today’s edition is the same as last weeks.
Apologies Howard. It’s now fixed. The automation wasn’t automatic!!!
Please don’t change anything, I look forward to my weekly paper
We’re glad to hear that you’re enjoying The Perkolator.. You keep reading it and we will keep it coming.
Why, when I’m already a subscriber must the pop up SUBSCRIBE for double your pleasure pop up in the first place? Oh, I just realized, you can’t have pop ups in your printed newsletter.
Silly me.
As well. Without being “logged into” a website, there’s no way for it to determine who you are. SO it displays for everyone 🙂
Lately your articles seem to be very anti-woman. I’m most certainly going to stop reading!
Good day Jessica. I do hope that you are still reading The Perkolator. Although you don’t say which articles you found objectionable, I can assure you that we, at The Perkolator, are not anti-women. In fact, if we look back to past issues men are the Butt of more jokes and stories than are women. In our world we need to find the humour in our words, habits, situations, and actions more often, whether we are male of female. The ability to laugh at ourselves and our humanness allows us to cope better with the stresses in life. I hope that you will consider continuing to read The Perkolator, understanding that we are only joking and mean no offense.
Best Regards.
Brian G