Welcome to our Late Summer August/September 2025 edition Navigate between pages using the ☜ previous and next ☞ page icons at the top and bottom of each page. Click the issue title “Late Summer — August/September 2025” (at the top of the page) to go to the table of...
Summer musings, and a wish to keep the magic going!
EDITORIAL —by Anna Proctor Who has been enjoying summer in North Simcoe? Me! Yes, it’s been hot and humid, yes, there have been some crazy summer storms…but after the hellish winter we had, culminating with that horrendous and traumatizing ice storm, I am ok with some...
Late Summer, Early Fall Events in the Area
Late Summer, Early Fall Events in the Area There is so much going on in our area during August and September, we couldn’t possibly list it all here. But here are a few highlights, our online calendar has more, our columnists have more, and our socials on Facebook and...
Helping her community- from the farm to Harvey’s
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...
Orillia Ride for Refuge assisting North Simcoe Victim Services
Ride for Refuge 2025: What Moves You? The RIDE is a family-friendly fundraising ride/walk wherein folks gather for local charities that support people who are seeking hope, safety, and freedom all across Canada. Join in, Saturday, October 4, 2025 to support North...
A Season of Gratitude: Finding Joy in Summer’s Simple Pleasures
Digressions by D’reen — by Doreen Uren Simmons I am pleased to report that I am in a VERY good mood. Change eh? But I guess, for me, summer does that. Yes it may be a bit too warm, but I do remember that I promised to NEVER complain about the heat so I’m sticking to...
Orillia CDC Lunch ‘n’ Learn: Show Up & Stand Out
SHOW UP & STAND OUT:The Business of Being Seen Thursday, September 18, 2025 9:00 AM – 3:00 PMCasino Rama – Anishnaabe BallroomHosted by the Orillia Area Community Development Corp. (CDC) Are you ready to elevate your presence and grow your business visibility?Join...
Revamped Art and culture awards – Celebrating the best and brightest
North Simcoe Art and Culture Awards Nominations Now Open Following six successful years of joint Art and Heritage Awards, the Orillia & District Arts Council (ODAC) and Orillia Museum of Art & History (OMAH) have concluded their partnership in the Orillia...
Funding for accessibility, teacher training, and rural communities
Message from Jill Dunlop MPP Simcoe North As we soak up the final stretch of summer and look ahead to the vibrant colours of fall, I want to take a moment to thank the people of Simcoe North for continuing to make our community such a welcoming, resilient, and...
Memories of Mariposa Folk Festival
Another wonderful (65th) year at the Mariposa Folk Festival!The much celebrated (Our very own) Deb Halbot captured some of the excitement and fun in these photos!
Summer is in full swing in Warminster!
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...
Tasks for the late summer and early fall gardener
Late Summer Reflections from the Garden — by Gail McIlroyWe’ve had an excellent summer here in this part of Ontario! June brought warmer-than-usual temperatures, even with all the rain which continued well into July. July was extremely hot and dry. By August, the...
Rebellion in Holland Landing: Sam Lount vs. The Family Compact
Sam Lount:The March for Freedom — by Peter Howden On Thursday March 29, 1838, Samuel Lount of Holland Landing, a small settlement north of Toronto, stood before a supreme figure of political and judicial power in Upper Canada, Chief Justice J. Beverley Robinson. With...
Township News August/September 2025
Township News August/September 2025Regularly scheduled Meetings of Council for the months of August and September 2025 will take place on the following dates: Council Meetings:Wednesday, August 13th – 3:00 p.m. Public SessionWednesday, September 10th – 3:00 p.m....
Horseshoe Valley Highlights: New Beginnings and Old Traditions
Horseshoe Valley Kaleidoscope — by Valerie Thornton “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.” I don’t know who came up with this, but it is very true. There is a lot of good but focusing on the negative all the time can be depressing and harm...
Two moms pen a book and celebrate its release
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...
September hikes in the North Simcoe area
Oro-Medonte Ganaraska Hiking Club FALL 2025 —submitted Anyone is welcome to join in on any of the following events. Please bring drinking water on all hikes; hiking boots and poles are recommended. The Oro-Medonte club does not hike during the summer but will start...
All about Cargo, the Eastern Chipmunk
Speaking of Wildlife Cargo, the Eastern Chipmunk — by Jamie Proctor Welcome to the twenty-second 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...
Connecting to your inner resources through creativity
Mental Health Journeying — by Zoe Fysikoudi Have you ever watched a child play and felt drawn into their magical, imaginary world? Children have an innate ability to connect and express themselves through play and creativity. As a child therapist, I’ve witnessed...
A Late Summer Escape
A Late Summer Escapeto Orillia & Lake CountryWhere music drifts across lakes, and in world class concert halls, festivals light up the streets and the comfort of resort life welcomes you home.Along and on our shimmering lakes, rolling country hills and bustling...
Bill 5 and Bill C-5: Nation-Building or Nation-Breaking?
Sustainable Simcoe North — by Madeleine Fournier of Green Orillia Just before Parliament broke for the summer, two controversial pieces of legislation were quietly passed: Ontario’s Bill 5, the “Unleashing Our Economy Act”, and Canada’s Bill C-5, the “Build Canada...
Acclaimed Canadian Folk Festival draws huge crowds, woos younger fans with special performances
Legendary Mariposa Folk Festival Celebrates 65th Edition — submitted “Playing the Mariposa Folk Festival is a badge of honour for folk artists around the world.” - Exclaim! “Colin Linden referred to Mariposa as the gold standard of folk festivals, while his Blackie...
In Praise of Our Great Canadian Maples
Oro-Medonte Horticultural Society Updates — by Lynne Melnyk I spent this spring in Italy on a garden tour with a group of Brits and one Aussie. As we stood at the entrance to one of the gardens, someone questioned the tree over our heads. There was a lot of head...
Want Better Fitness Results? The “Magic Pill” is Consistency
The Wellness Column — by Matt Spencer Have you ever set out to start something new or accomplish a goal, only to end up putting it off, or never getting started at all? Whether you’re aiming for better fitness results, a new career goal or learning a new language,...
The Gift of Free Live Music in North Simcoe
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...
Carley Hall quiet but beautiful in the summer months, history of Booth family lives on
Carley Community Hall — by Kelly Skinner-Meyer The Carley Community Hall has had a few rentals to start the summer but a quiet July. The basement renovations due to ice storm damages are slow and are in a queue with insurance repairs across the Township. The Hall is...
Concert at Historic Coulson Church
Coulson Past and Present — by Anne WalkerIn this edition of “all things Coulson” I’m sharing some exciting news of my own. This summer I’ll be releasing a new recording of my original songs. This is my fifth CD and features an open-hearted collection of songs. There...
Welcome to everything you always wanted to know about Bats!
Living Harmoniously with Wildlife — by William McIntosh We are now fully into the summer heat, blue skies and animal issues are quieting down! Oh, but there is one animal that can come across our radar screen…bats! Summertime can lead to bat issues in homes and...
Community, Canada Day, Summer and Fall plans in Hawkestone
HawkestoneCommunity Hall Update — by Rebecca Rodgers In a world that often feels a bit too fast and disconnected, community still stands as one of the most meaningful foundations for our well-being. Time and again, research reminds us that strong communities help us...
Around town in Coldwater with Family-Friendly Events
Coldwater Communique —by Lois Rooney-Giurin There are so many family-friendly events around town this summer, you can find a lot of things to do without travelling too far.Let’s start with the Coldwater Canadiana Museum- a busy place this summer! School Time -...
Random Samplings
...animals animals and the letting go... Random Samplings by Caston