I am a Canadian who loves your part of the world. I’ve traveled often. I live in Ottawa and it’s one of the nicest drives to a mountain getaway, ever. I was there this past weekend (Feb. 6). My purpose of this trip was to escape the insanity of a Freedom Convoy in Canada’s capital as I live five blocks from Parliament Hill. I also ski and spent a day at Whiteface.

However, this past trip kinda threw me for a loop.

I crossed the border Sunday at noon and when I went to the Olympic Oval to skate around 8 after a burger and beer at Big Slide before I handed the gentlemen in the ticket booth my debit card to pay. Without saying a word, he knew everything about me and rattled off my name, my address and my date of birth. He sort of chuckled and alluded to facial recognition. Well, needless to say, I know all about politics and homeland security, but I don’t like some dude I don’t know behind a ticket booth possessing every relevant piece of information of me at his access.

I love Lake Placid. I love Keene. I hike there in the summer and ski in the winter. However, I will not be going to the Olympic Oval when I return to skate. That makes me sad.

I have two questions though: Why is Lake Placid so paranoid, and why don’t I have a right to know who has my personal information when I cross the border to visit?

Kelly Patrick

Ottawa, Ontario