Bring on the sun!...

Happy Summer —by Anna Proctor Hopefully by the time you read this we will have moved beyond the moody rainy weather in May to some glorious sunny, summertime weather. After all, this is our SUMMER issue! And we are ready to soak in all the summertime sun, heat, fun,...

Community Hero:Angie Green —by Hillary HandyOur latest Community Hero comes with an inspiring story rooted right here in Orillia. Meet Angie Green, a lifelong Orillian whose heart for helping others has sparked meaningful change across our region. Angie and her...

Arts for Peace Orillia: A Celebration of Community and Connection —by Annalise Stenekes After a six-year hiatus, the Orillia community is invited to gather on the grounds of the Leacock Museum Historic Site (50 Museum Drive) on Sunday June 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. for the...

Digressions by D’reen — by Doreen Uren SimmonsHi there: Well now…wasn't that a lovely summer…so deserved and earned. You remember, those three days before the long weekend. We nearly got our dear neighbour to install the air conditioner in the window. Something...

A beloved family home, art studio, and gallery is set to go on the market after over 50 years. Iconic Jarratt Property for Sale Kerslake Pottery Studio in Jarrett, at the corner of Line 10 North and Horseshoe Valley Road, has just been put up for sale at the asking...

Gardening with Gail — by Gail McIlroy Following the most severe winter in “like forever” we are embracing spring wearing rubber boots, savouring lots of rain, warm sunshine and lots of visitors! Wonder bulbs popping through the earth, red squirrels always present,...

Coulson Past and Present The Woodrow Farm:farming at Coulsonfor over 90 years! — by Anne WalkerFor many decades the skyline north of Coulson has been defined by the tall silos of the Woodrow Farm. The Woodrow family has deep agricultural roots in Oro-Medonte and has...

Discover the Summer Art Scenein Orillia & Lake Country The vibrant colours are in bloom across Orillia & Lake Country! While nature is putting on its on artistic flare, the region’s cultural scene is bustling with gallery exhibits, art tours, and professional...

Fiddle Jam/Old Time Dance/Square Dance At Eady Community Hall, Fundraiser For Cope Service Dogs On the Saturday May 17 the EADY Community Hall in Oro-Medonte Township was filled to capacity. What a day! A great day! A super day! A tremendous day! We did it, we...

Orillia Repair Café New Date June 14 Following up on our article about the Orillia Repair Cafe in the Feb/March 2025 edition of North Simcoe Life, please note an important update!  Originally scheduled for April 5, the Repair Cafe was postponed due to the ice storm. ...

Speaking of Wildlife — by Jamie Proctor Welcome to the twenty-first 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...

Mental Health Journeying — by Zoe Fysikoudi In this article, I want to take a closer look at what it feels like to experience anxiety and delve deeper into the root causes of why it can cause us discomfort at different points of our life. Anxiety is a natural response...

Township NewsJune/July 2025Regularly scheduled Meetings of Council for the months of June and July 2025 will take place on the following dates:  Council Meetings:Wednesday, June 11th – 3:00 p.m. Public SessionWednesday, June 25th – 3:00 p.m. Public SessionWednesday,...

Rooted in Orillia: Brent Maw’s Mission to Restore Nature After the Storm — by Kelsey MooreBrent Maw isn’t just in the business of trees, he’s rooted in them. A certified Ontario and Utility Arborist with over 12 years of experience, Brent founded Horizon Tree...

Oro-Medonte Horticultural Society Updates and Information — by Suzana WilmotThere’s something incredibly special about garden soil. It’s where garden life begins, where seeds take root, grow, and turn into the beautiful plants we love so much. But just like any living...

Local WoodturnerTurns Treesinto Memories — by Anna ProctorLocal woodturner Xavier Fernandes is making a name for himself as the guy who will turn beautiful and sentimental items from local trees. “I am making memories, one bowl at a time!” he said. Fernandes has been...

Toddler Tourist Camping with Kids: some advice and suggestionsfrom a relative newbie! — by Hillary HandyGrowing up, my family did not go camping. We ran a summer camp for children, but there was no way you would ever catch me in a tent, in the wilderness, using a...

A Mariposa Summer — submitted Mariposa Folk Festival Lineup, Gordon Lightfoot Exhibit and Photos from the Mariposa Folk Festival makes this summer one for the musical books! The Mariposa Folk Festival returns July 4 to 6 to Tudhope Park in Orillia with a fantastic...

Living Harmoniously with Wildlife — by William McIntosh Summer is finally upon us! After such a long and dreary winter, with a stubborn spring, we definitely are absorbing these sun rays with a vibrance! Winter drear followed by summer cheer! Summer does have its...

Warminster Write-up — by Hillary HandyThe Spring Vendor Market hosted at the school was a smashing success! There were so many incredible vendors on site with the perfect Mother’s Day giftings. Many thanks to Rebecca Harjupanula for taking the lead on this event. It...

Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital Updates — submittedIn a historic announcement with the potential to profoundly advance access to quality healthcare and education in the community, Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) and Lakehead University are excited to...

Coldwater Communique — by Lois Rooney-GiurinAs always, Coldwater has been a busy spot. Usually, this column lists the upcoming events in Coldwater but sometimes there are more that come up after this paper goes live. This time, let’s talk about what’s happening around...