Sometimes you just want to shake someone and shout, “Wake up!”

Take, for example, the people who grumble about every COVID-19 aid package announced by the federal or provincial government. Yes, debt is being incurred that will take years, if not decades, to repay. Yes, there will be important infrastructure projects and worthwhile social programs that will not be funded because of it.

The Quebec government recently announced it will inject $70 million into sports associations, federations and leagues after public health authorities paused most sports activities to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Photo: Mathieu Bélanger, Université Laval

Félix Auger-Aliassime of L’Ancienne-Lorette reached the final of the Bett1 Hulks Cologne Indoors tennis tournament in Cologne, Germany on Oct. 18, but came out (almost) empty-handed.

Seeded third, Auger-Aliassime lost 6-3, 6-3 to top seed Alexander Zverev of Germany. Auger-Aliassime is still looking for his first career title. The Cologne tournament was his sixth career final.

Photo: Lise Lafond

Oct. 19 to 25 is Waste Reduction Week. All across Canada, residents and companies are asked to participate in ways that will help change their habits and reduce their environmental footprints.

Photo: Jonathan Letellier-Black

One of the more scenic hillside traverses in Quebec City now has a spectacular lookout.

City officials recently inaugurated the Belvédère de la Côte de Sillery, a project first announced two years ago. Perched on the curve of the steep road and sidewalk, the glass-fenced lookout offers what is described in a city press release as a view from “a hitherto untapped natural promontory.”

Photo: NBC

Ghosts from the past are awakening on the Plains of Abraham. From Oct. 1 to Nov. 8, greet them during mysterious Halloween activities sure to amaze young and old.

Visit the Halloween Garden in the Joan of Arc Garden and wander amid a spooky ambiance of legends and tombstones, reminders of the park’s history, from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1, daily (free activity).

One end of the bright rainbow seems to touch the roof of the Château Frontenac.

Photo: Harvey Majo from Wikimedia Commons - Public Domain

This street is named in honour of Jacques Parizeau (1930-2015), the 26th premier of Quebec. Born in Montreal, he was the son of Gérard Parizeau, who built one of Quebec’s great fortunes and one of the province’s largest financial firms from a brokerage he established in the 1930s.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons - Public Domain

As the 1970 October Crisis unfolded, the Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph (QCT) kept its readers informed.

The Quebec Art Company (QAC) held its annual general meeting (AGM) via Zoom on Oct. 4. The AGM is normally held in person in the spring; COVID-19 forced the postponement and the decision to hold the meeting online. Twenty members attended, including a few from distant locations such as Ottawa and Métis.

Photo: Photos courtesy QMJHL

It was only a matter of time until the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) would be hit by Quebec’s public health restrictions or by the coronavirus.

Photo: Jonathan Letellier-Black

The future construction of the tramway line on Boulevard René-Lévesque has prompted the city to dig into the past.

Archeological digs are underway on two stretches of the busy street where the vestiges of structures dating back to the 1700s are thought to be located.

The annual general meeting of the Jeffery Hale – Saint Brigid’s Users’ Committee has been indefinitely postponed. If you would like to read about the engagements of both the Jeffery Hale and the Saint Brigid’s Residents’ committees, the three annual reports are available online at jhsbusers.ca.

Photo: Lise Lafond

Oct. 1 of each year is National Seniors Day, which coincides with the United Nations International Day of Older Persons.

The Casse-Croûte de Neuville has a magnificent view of the St. Lawrence River. The house specialty, a hamburger, includes Angus beef, ketchup, fries, onion rings, cheese curds and cheddar cheese.