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John Swart

John Swart

After three decades co-owning various southern Ontario small businesses with his wife, Els, John Swart has enjoyed 15 years in retirement volunteering, bicycling the world, and feature writing. At the Voice of Pelham he won the George Cadogan Memorial Outstanding Columnist Award, and Outstanding Columnist in the Canadian Community Newspaper Awards. His column The Balanced Life appears weekly on PelhamToday.

Recent Work by John

COLUMN: When cancel culture comes to bicycling

COLUMN: When cancel culture comes to bicycling

Removing bike lanes isn't about bikes; 'it’s about choosing sides, calculating the votes to be won or lost, and dismissing those in the other camp,' says columnist
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COLUMN: Who needs Hercules when stretch therapy will do?

COLUMN: Who needs Hercules when stretch therapy will do?

Assisted stretching is a rapidly growing industry, columnist writes
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COLUMN: What are the secrets to marital longevity?

COLUMN: What are the secrets to marital longevity?

Lessons learned over 50 years apply beyond marriage—and aren't mysterious at all, columnist says
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COLUMN: Travel might be great way to beat 'premature aging'

COLUMN: Travel might be great way to beat 'premature aging'

But writer isn't convinced by findings of much-publicized new study that outlines potential benefits of travel
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COLUMN: Yes, it's a thing. What you need to know about Dead Butt Syndrome

COLUMN: Yes, it's a thing. What you need to know about Dead Butt Syndrome

Otherwise known as Gluteal Amnesia, and you definitely don't want it
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COLUMN: Best activity to maintain physical, cognitive function may surprise you

COLUMN: Best activity to maintain physical, cognitive function may surprise you

It's better than swimming, it's better than jogging, it's better than bicycling
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COLUMN: Lectins like tiny political systems inhabiting our bodies

COLUMN: Lectins like tiny political systems inhabiting our bodies

Much like modern politics, distinguishing facts from conspiracy theory is a challenge
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COLUMN: Get the facts on antioxidants before diving in

COLUMN: Get the facts on antioxidants before diving in

$3.6 billion dollar supplements industry is built on speculative sand, writer says
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Reading to dogs: A big win for the pup and the person

Reading to dogs: A big win for the pup and the person

'Just giving them the comfort of knowing that someone is there caring for them,' volunteer says. 'I go to sleep at night knowing I’ve done some good'
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GUEST COLUMN: Vintage radios dial up a lesson in life

GUEST COLUMN: Vintage radios dial up a lesson in life

'It would be the understatement of the year to say there were a lot of radios and radio-related paraphernalia' at Chevy Halladay's Orillia home
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