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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

THE BALANCED LIFE: In rural Spain, it's the connections that count

THE BALANCED LIFE: In rural Spain, it's the connections that count

People and the unexpected make travel truly rewarding
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THE BALANCED LIFE: Spain is full of surprises

THE BALANCED LIFE: Spain is full of surprises

Getting totally lost on their bikes wasn’t one he expected, writes John Swart
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THE BALANCED LIFE: The lively pace of Scottish Country Dancing

THE BALANCED LIFE: The lively pace of Scottish Country Dancing

When I suggest to friends and others they consider Scottish dancing, the first thing I hear is, 'I’m not Scottish'
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THE BALANCED LIFE: Getting set for cold-weather fitness

THE BALANCED LIFE: Getting set for cold-weather fitness

Our mild Niagara winters offer abundant possibilities
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THE BALANCED LIFE: Cancel culture comes to bicycling

THE BALANCED LIFE: Cancel culture comes to bicycling

Removing bike lanes isn't about bikes
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THE BALANCED LIFE: Tired of speed dating? Try a Pickleball Social

THE BALANCED LIFE: Tired of speed dating? Try a Pickleball Social

There is no proof of singleness required
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THE BALANCED LIFE: New research on ageing provides big surprise

THE BALANCED LIFE: New research on ageing provides big surprise

We've all heard of growth spurts. Turns out there are two major deterioration spurts, too
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THE BALANCED LIFE: Secrets to marital longevity?

THE BALANCED LIFE: Secrets to marital longevity?

Lessons learned over 50 years apply beyond marriage—and aren't mysterious at all
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THE BALANCED LIFE: Uh-oh. Hitting 100 not so common after all

THE BALANCED LIFE: Uh-oh. Hitting 100 not so common after all

Magical 'Blue Zones' stuffed with centenarians may be more about pension fraud than healthy diets
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THE BALANCED LIFE: Travel beats 'premature ageing'?

THE BALANCED LIFE: Travel beats 'premature ageing'?

A much publicized new study is not convincing, says John Swart
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