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Welcome – Valentines 2025 – February/March
Welcome to our Valentine’sFebruary/March 2025 edition Navigate between pages using the☜ previous and next ☞ page iconsat the top and bottom of each page.Click the issue title “Valentines—February/March 2025”(at the top of the page) to go to the table of contents for...
Our Valentines issue and Highlighting the Arts in Orillia
Welcome to our February/March issue. We hope you are enjoying our very seasonal winter here in Simcoe North. It really is winter, with lots of snow and lots of cold. Bundle up and embrace it! For those of us that find it harder to face the cold weather, there are lots...
Heritage building lost forever, several small businesses and artists lost everything
Devastating Downtown Fire in Orillia —by Anna Proctor On Tuesday January 21,2025, Orillians woke to the devastating news that a key heritage building in the heart of downtown Orillia was in flames. The large, white-painted brick building at the southwest corner of...
Susan Wadds’ deeply personal novel wins award in fiction category
Sebright Author Wins Canadian Book Club Award —submitted It was announced in September that Susan Wadds had been selected as a finalist in the fiction category of the Canadian Book Club Awards, for What the Living Do. On Wednesday, her publicist announced the book had...
Make Memories this Winter in OLC
Make Memories this Winter in OLC The snow is here and making this season one to remember across Orillia & Lake Country! We have your guide for some ways to explore the region’s winter wonderlands.This Family Day Weekend, find a winter activity that the young and...
Giant in land conservation, tireless volunteer, loving family man passed away in December
Remembering Ron Reid —from The Couchiching Conservancy A giant in the land conservation movement passed away at his home in Washago on Sunday, December 15. His partner of 45 years, Janet, and their sons Alex and Peter were by his side.Ron Reid is locally known as...
Annual event will raise funds locally for The Lighthouse Shelter in Orillia
Coldest Night of the Year —submitted The Lighthouse invites the Orillia community and surrounding areas to join us for Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) on Saturday, February 22, 2025. This family-friendly winter walk is designed to raise funds and awareness for those...
Politics, weather, music and aging in Toronto
Digressions by D’reen —by Doreen Uren Simmons Well now…the sun is shining and it's only minus six. Wonderful. Are you amongst those who wished for a 'good old-fashioned winter'? Are you happy now? I realize I'm writing from the relative comfort of Toronto to those who...
Our Community Hero this month is Pamela Paylor!
Community Hero —by Hillary Handy This issue’s Community Hero comes to us from Orillia. You probably have met her in your travels, as she is involved in so many aspects of our community. Meet Pamela Paylor. By profession, she is a Registered Nurse. But it is entirely...
A Leacock Love Story
Stephen Leacock Museum Winter Updates —submitted— Stephen Leacock's house in Orillia was a labour of love. He built it for his wife, Beatrix Hamilton Leacock. Beatrix, the niece of Sir Henry Pellatt, who was the builder of Toronto’s Casa Loma, was used to the finer...
Celebrating Community, Family, and Fun in Sugarbush!
Friends of Sugarbush —by Samantha Sattler Founded in 2003, Friends of Sugarbush is a vibrant, community-driven organization that has become a cornerstone of local events and initiatives in the area. Rooted in a deep love for the natural beauty of the Horseshoe Valley...
Showcase 2025 – Pulling Back the Curtains
Arts Orillia Announces Signature Event —submitted Arts Orillia is thrilled to announce Showcase 2025: Pulling Back the Curtains, an extraordinary evening celebrating the transformative power of the arts and their impact on the youth of Orillia. This signature...
Contributing to a Vibrant, Healthy, and Sustainable Community
The Orillia Repair Café —by Annalise Stenekes Everywhere you look, it seems that people are struggling in our communities. From food insecurity to homelessness to social isolation - many people feel like there are no solutions. Or that the solutions are too difficult...
Family Day, March Break, Euchre and Easter Eggs in Hawkestone!
Hawkestone Happenings —by Rebecca Rodgers As we reflect on 2024, the Hawkestone Hall team would like to thank everyone who made this past year so memorable. Our rich and diverse programming has strengthened our role as a true centre of community life. From lively...
Oro-Medonte Township News – February/March 2025
Township NewsFebruary/March 2025Regularly scheduled Meetings of Council for the months of February and March 2025 will take place on the following dates: Council Meetings:Wednesday, February 12th – 3:00 p.m. Public SessionWednesday, February 26th – 3:00 p.m. Public...
School updates, fundraisers, soccer and more in Warminster!
Warminster Write-Up —by Hillary Handy Warminster, Warminster. What can we say about you in this issue of North Simcoe Life? It’s hard to believe we are in 2025. What a time to be alive!This winter has been strange. The six snow days of December leading into Christmas...
Regularly Learn and Play New Sports
The Wellness Column —by Matt Spencer You may know someone who does CrossFit, or seen the CrossFit Games on YouTube or TV - and you’ll be mesmerized by the “crazy” workouts. “Hardcore” is another word that gets thrown around when discussing CrossFit and seeing people...
Join the Oro-Medonte Horticultural Society: Cultivate your passion for gardening!
Oro-Medonte Horticultural Society Updates —by David St. Amand Are you a gardening enthusiast looking to connect with like-minded individuals and enhance your horticultural knowledge? Look no further than the Oro-Medonte Horticultural Society (OMHS). Joining OMHS...
Horseshoe Valley Kaleidoscope
Horseshoe Valley Kaleidoscope —by Valerie Thornton Welcome to 2025. It looks like it is going to be a terrific winter season with enough snow and cold for all the numerous outdoor activities which are such an important part of our winter here in Horseshoe Valley. The...
Pests in the winter, do mammals hibernate, and more!
Living Harmoniously with Wildlife —by William McIntosh The deep winter months are now upon us! At this time of year, most of us would rather be in a more southern climate or hidden away someplace heated and wind free. Most animals are of the same opinion. Having found...
Winter and aging reflections, and a time of quiet at Carley Hall
Carley Hall —by Kelly Skinner-Meyer I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and a good start to 2025. So far the winter has not disappointed if you’re an outdoor enthusiast. The snow has been plentiful for the skiers and snowmobilers. I love the good old-fashioned...
Introducing Kaa the Easter Garter Snake!
Speaking of Wildlife —by Jamie Proctor Welcome to the nineteenth column describing the residents of Speaking of Wildlife: Ontario animals that can’t be released back into the wilderness due to permanent injuries or over-habituation to humans. Today, we’ll be looking...
Storytelling to enhance emotional well-being
Mental Health Journeying —by Zoe Fysikoudi I was inspired to write a story about anxiety in this issue’s mental health journeying. Storytelling helps us make sense of the world around us and understand our experiences or abstract meanings in a safe and non-direct way....
Hiking, snowshoeing, skiing in the North Simcoe area
Oro-Medonte Ganaraska Hiking Club Winter Events —submitted Anyone is welcome to join in on any of the following events. Please bring drinking water on all hikes.background photo by Deb HalbotMonday, February 10⇒MODERATE ⇒3-4 hours 10:00 am. Meet at Awenda Provincial...
Guest readers, Slime, Frosty Fun Fest and more!
Coldwater Communique —by Lois Rooney-Giurin As usual, Coldwater Lions helped our town celebrate 2024 and welcome 2025 with a bang! The annual free skate and fireworks were held on New Years’ Eve, and as always were very well attended.January was a relatively slow...
Share the love on Valentine’s Day and beyond!
The Toddler Tourist —by Hillary Handy It’s our Valentine’s Day issue at North Simcoe Life! Time is flying in this new year.The Toddler Tourist is always on the hunt for new fun ideas to keep the chaos alive. But what about keeping the romance alive? I love being able...
Come Square Dance or just watch the dancers, March 30
Fiddle Jam, Old Time Square Dance at Eady Hall —by Ralph Price Most months have four Sundays and for many years, there have been old time jam dances held at various locations on those Sundays. When there was a month with five Sundays, there was usually no event for...
Winters in days gone by, events in the present, in the Coulson area
Coulson Past and Present —by Anne Walker Folks in Coulson are having a good old-fashioned winter this year, much like the ones the early pioneers here endured. As we look out at the snow piled two to three feet deep, pondering a trip into town, we might wonder at how...
Seeding and winter sowing research in Ontario!
Gardening with Gail —by Gail McIlroy So, with all the snow we had in January this year it’s funny to be thinking about seeds and our gardens. I have researched more sites for us, and it appears there is a lot of differences from one site to another. From this research...
Eady Echoes: Winter Highlights and Community Connections
Eady News —by Bonnie Smith Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a good Christmas season and that you were able to get some time in for relaxing, enjoying time with family and friends, and that you also got to eat some of your favourite Christmas goodies along the...
Keeping Each Other Safe Through Mutual Aid
Keeping Each Other Safe Through Mutual Aid Sustainable Simcoe North— by Madeleine Fournier of Green Orillia “Solidarity, not charity!” and “We keep us safe!” may seem like simple rallying cries, but at their core they represent the power of mutual aid. The term mutual...