Editorial by Anna Proctor It is easy to get down and discouraged by all the bad news these days…and it all seems to be bad. Don’t get me wrong, we need to read and understand what’s happening in the world, and do our part to make it better, as much as we are able. But...

​North Simcoe life August September CONTEST In partnership with Orillia Lake Country Tourism, prize is $100 Downtown Orillia gift card   It is still our 20th anniversary year and so, here comes another contest! In partnership with our friends at Orillia Lake...

Local Events! Summer continues with a myriad of community events, many outdoors, many repeating, and some one-offs. Enjoy free weekly Sunday evening band concerts in Orillia’s Rotary Aquatheatre, as well as free Movies in the Park on selected Friday nights, and free...

Community Hero Robert Chapman — by Hillary Handy Our community is filled with so many incredibly interesting people. Every story is so different, but each contribution, big or small, helps shape our community in positive ways. I think that’s one of the reasons I enjoy...

Digressions by D’reen — by Doreen Uren Simmons Hi there! I'm thinking that maybe every column starts with the weather! Why is that?  Well...it has a fairly profound effect on us, eh? For instance, at the moment it is apparently 97 degrees Fahrenheit outside. Phew. But...

Warminster Write-Up — by Hillary Handy We are in the thick of it with summer mode in Warminster! It is a joy to see the scooter gang out and about, kids playing at the park, and neighbours walking around the block, chatting with one another.   It has been so...

MPP Jill Dunlop As we continue through the year, I want to take a moment to share some positive updates and thank the residents of Simcoe North for their ongoing commitment to making our communities strong, welcoming, and resilient. It has been a busy and productive...

Toddler Tourist — by Hillary Handy How did you make out with our Park Passport adventure from our last issue? Our winner was Susan Grant, who did go to five parks and sent a photo! Congratulations Susan!   It is a joy to find fun, affordable outings for you and your...

LIQUIGATOR OROHAS NOW RE-OPENED!Despite the recent fire at the commercial plaza at 2921 Highway 11 North, Liquigator’s Oro location has now re-opened and is ready for your business! “It’s business as usual here at the Liquigator, with weekly specials, and a fantastic...

The Fiddle Capital of Oro-Medonte — by Ralph Price Ralph and Sandy Price moved to Horseshoe Valley in 1999, and Sandy took up playing the fiddle. She was originally from Nova Scotia, and her father had played the fiddle when she was growing up. Over the years she has...

Coldwater Communique — by Lois Rooney-Giurin It’s Summertime in Coldwater and that means that all the merchants are working extra hard to make the summer fun! Coldwater’s inaugural Pride event was held on Saturday, June 27, 2026, featuring the Coldwater Pride Market...

Speaking of Wildlife Introducing Scamp, the red fox, SOW’s newest resident — by Jamie Proctor Welcome to the twenty-eighth column introducing the residents of Speaking of Wildlife: Ontario animals that can’t be released back into the wilderness due to permanent...

Hi! We are Joanie & Taye Pritchett,co-founders of Livin’ Lake Simcoe! We started Livin’ Lake Simcoe in 2022, as a mother-daughter business with one simple idea: create a brand that truly celebrates the Lake Simcoe lifestyle.Based in Oro-Medonte, we’ve grown into a...

Ladies of the Night Golf Tourney Coming on September 10 — submitted The Ladies of the Night (LON) golf group is holding its 20th Annual Charity Fundraiser and Golf Tournament on September 10th, 2026 at Horseshoe Valley Resort. This year the group is very pleased to...

Hawkestone Community Hall — by Rebecca Rodgers At Hawkestone Community Hall, community continues to thrive when neighbours come together. This spirit was on full display at our Canada Day celebration, which was a tremendous success despite record-breaking heat. The...

Horseshoe Valley Kaleidoscope — by Valerie Thornton Our hot steamy summer continues. I must admit my gardening has suffered and been a challenge (and I am not a fancy gardener as I grow wildflowers and love clover in my lawns).  As I am originally from England, people...

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!

Your Mom Goes to College: The Final Chapter — by Hillary Handy If you’ve been reading along, you will know that I made the decision to return to academia after a 15-year hiatus. During that season, I was able to explore different avenues of the workforce, including my...

Carley Hall — by Kelly Skinner-Meyers Carley Hall had a very busy June, highlighted by celebrating my mom's 90th birthday bash with friends, family, and the Carley community. We also hosted rentals for a local family reunion and several other celebrations. July has...

Orillia’s Annual Lightfoot Days Set for October, 2026 — by Dennis Rizzo The Lightfoot Festival is Orillia’s annual celebration of the extraordinary musical career of hometown hero Gordon Lightfoot. The excitement returns for 2026 with a dynamic lineup of events...

August and September in Orillia and Lake Country: Where Summer lingers and Fall begins.There is something magical about late summer in Orillia and Lake Country. The warm days are not over yet, but the crisp evenings hint that fall is just around the corner. It is a...

Living Harmoniously with Wildlife — by Will McIntosh Phew! What a hot summer! After that vicious winter and our mediocre spring, this wallop of heat is a welcome change… as long as you can get out of the sun! In the wildlife world, this time of the year is a...

Lakehead University August and September Offerings — submitted August 6, 2026 | REWIND SESSION | 10AM - 12PM | Muskoka Discovery Centre, 275 Steamship Bay Rd., Gravenhurst, ON Cognitive Aging: It's a No Brainer Dr. Heather Palmer   Join us for the 2nd of two...

Mariposa Folk Festival Recap — by Hillary Handy If you are fortunate enough to be able to attend Mariposa Folk Festival, then you are fortunate indeed. It is an incredible gathering of creative and talented minds, amidst those who appreciate the arts. I enjoy hearing...

Eady News — by Bonnie Smith Happy Summer, everyone!  I hope you have been able to take advantage of this lovely weather we have been having and have been able to get out and take in some of the festivities in and around our local communities and great province or...

North Simcoe Art and Culture AwardsNominations Now OpenNorth Simcoe Arts and North Simcoe life online magazine are coming together once again this year, to present the 2026 North Simcoe Art and Culture Awards. The first iteration of this revamped Orillia and area art...

Rama Community Farm and Market Stand — by Anna Proctor Hillary and I enjoyed an amazing tour of the Rama Community Farm, and boy did we like what we saw. Vegetables and fruits are grown without pesticides by wonderful and knowledgeable experts at Rama Community Farm....

Sustainable Simcoe North When The Smoke Comes For Us All — by Madeleine Fournier of Green Orillia I’ve been seeing this quote circulating on social media: “Climate change will manifest as a series of disasters viewed through phones, with footage that gets closer and...

  Random Samplingsby Caston We have become accustomedto the machinery of life...we’re giving it up now...in the name of efficiency......and the bottom line don’t get me wrong... I’m no neophyteI am comfortable in the world of gears...tell of a new toy... and i’m...