North Simcoe Life Community Hero June/JulyCommunity Hero:Steve Caston —by Hillary Handy and Anna Proctor We are continuing in our trip down memory lane as we celebrate 20 years of North Simcoe Life. A crucial part of our story and our ability to tell your stories is...
Toddler Tourist by Hillary Handy Orillia ParkPassport Adventureand contest! Summer is on the horizon! There are so many fun things I have planned. Dreams, schemes…that turn into memes. No matter what I plan, there is usually an element of chaos that ensues. Do I keep...
WarminsterWrite-Up by Hillary Handy Summer mode has been activated in Warminster! It has been so exciting to see all the action at the newly completed XBHL facility. All ages have been playing, and it is such a blessing to the community. The indoor space is so...
Community Hero by Hillary Handy Anna Proctor— Championing Community & Culture in North Simcoe It is hard to toot your own horn, so I’m happy to sing the praises of our own Anna Proctor as this issue’s Community Hero! Throughout our issues in 2026, we have been...
Toddler Tourist by Hillary Handy Birding in North Simcoe In North Simcoe, the sounds of spring bring delight to our souls. It feels as if we have been hibernating for far too long. Then you hear the chirping of birds and suddenly, everything feels different. You’re...
Warminster Write-up — by Hillary HandyThe end of 2025 was a sweet one. Students at Warminster Elementary School enjoyed the final weeks of school. The holiday concert was fantastic. Students performed an assortment of holiday tunes bringing joy to family members in...
Toddler Tourist by Hillary Handy Family Day Mayhem:Ideas for family funright here in North Simcoe February’s Family Day long weekend is the perfect reminder that you don’t have to travel far or spend much money to make meaningful family memories. February 14, 15 and...
WarminsterWrite-up — by Hillary Handy Warminster loves autumn. With our corn fields and pumpkin patches, it is a holiday hallmark movie for the lovers of fall. But we are now dreaming of a beautiful, magical holiday season. Halloween came and went, and the entire...
Toddler Tourist by Hillary Handy A Christmas 2025 calendarof events in North Simcoe…or, just do your own thing! The Toddler Tourist and entourage adore everything merry, magical, and joyfully over-the-top. If there’s twinkle lights, hot cocoa, or an inflatable snowman...
Community Hero by Hillary Handy Lucy Goodman In May 2025, Monsignor Lee Catholic School hosted the musical production of The Little Mermaid. It was an incredible, high calibre production that presented as much more sophisticated than the usual you would expect from...
Toddler Tourist by Hillary Handy Reflections of summer in Simcoe North When I think about this summer, I am very grateful. I am privileged to be able to work my schedule to have lots of time to spend with my children, doing loads of adventures across land and sea....
Orillia Thrift Store Update by Hillary Handy The Orillia Thrift Store is a not-for-profit, 100% volunteer-run social enterprise that’s more than just a place to find hidden gems. It’s a store with heart, purpose, and a mission to give back.What started as a shared...
The Maker’s Circle by Hillary Handy 17 Peter Street South is now home to The Maker’s Circle! This is a collaborative art gallery and teaching studio in the heart of Orillia’s Arts District. This space will allow for 13 different creators to showcase their creativity...
Warminster Write Up by Hillary Handy Summer feels like a distant memory now that we are back to school. It was a wonderful summer, indeed! Warminster Soccer was a smashing success. With a new executive team willing to lead the initiative, the transition from the...
Laura DicksonCommunity Hero — by Hillary Handy Our Community Hero for this issue is Laura Dickson. You have seen her when you’re grabbing a bite to eat, but you have also seen her all around town because she is so active in our community. Long before Laura Dickson...
Warminster Write-Up — by Hillary HandyAs we think back to the last month of school, June was a busy one! Several classes enjoyed visits to the Coldwater Bowling Centre to wind-down the year. Students were recognized at the Character Award Assembly. We have some...
Author Spotlight: Pure Bliss — by Hillary Handy From playdates to pages: Two moms pen a book and celebrate its release. Madeline Sheppard and Rachel Durocher are friends and sisters-in-law. Madeline lives in Newfoundland and Rachel calls Warminster her home. Every...
The Toddler Tourist — by Hillary Handy I have always loved music! I was fortunate to be gifted tickets to see Lance Anderson perform at the Orillia Opera House, an ode to Jazz royalty in the spring. I brought my daughter with me, who was nine at the time. She had...
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...
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...
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...
Community Hero: Leslie Fournier by Hillary Handy Teacher. Entrepreneur. Artist. Community Minded. Community Hero. These are just some of the titles we can attribute to our latest Community Hero, Leslie Fournier. Leslie is originally from Napanee, Ontario. She had the...
Your Mom Goes to College: Part 2 — by Hillary HandyIn a previous issue, I had written about my decision to pursue further post-secondary education as a 30-something-Mom. I had grand dreams of taking you along with me and documenting my learning to share with you all....
Toddler TouristGoes South — by Hillary HandyOccasionally, the Toddler Tourist and Entourage likes to venture outside of the North Simcoe region. Sometimes it's an hour drive away and sometimes it's a three-hour flight. And while it is certainly easy to spend money...
WarminsterWrite-Up — by Hillary HandyWarminster survived the lingering effects of the several snowmageddons this winter season. What a time to be alive. Snowbanks towering on the streets made for tricky driving and reduced visibility, but great tobogganing for the...