Welcome to the first edition of the new format of NSlife. A few tips to help you get around: scroll to the bottom of a page to navigate to the next or previous story Click the title of the edition (Spring—April/May 2024) right at the top of the page to go to the table...

North Simcoe lifeNew Format Just in Time for Springtime by Anna Proctor Well folks it’s officially spring, according to the calendar, and, unusually for our neck of the woods, the weather. As a spring and summer lover, I can attest I am loving this no snow, early...

Community Hero: Eric Watkin by Hillary Handy Our community is filled with terrific people. You pass them in the street and may never know their names. But they are making their own corner of the world a better place. These are our community heroes. This issue, North...

Horseshoe Valley Kaleidoscope of Updates and Events by Valerie Thornton To quote V. E. Schwab: “That’s the trouble with March – the warmth never lasts. There’s that narrow stretch when it parades as spring, just enough for you to thaw if you’re sitting in the sun, but...

Gardening with Gail by Gail McIlroy It’s funny as we look back over the last few months, I am thinking, did we really have winter? There was not a lot of covering from the snow. Have you noticed any difference with the perennial plants or shrubs? A favourite spring...

Breathe in the fresh air of a new season and step outside to enjoy the first signs of spring in Orillia & Lake Country. As the days get warmer and the landscapes turn greener, it’s a great time to dust off your bicycle and head out to explore the hundreds of...

The Couchiching ConservancyReceives New Land Donation —submitted The Orillia Horticultural Society has donated the Sid Pomeroy Arboretum on Division Road West to The Couchiching Conservancy. It will now be called, “Cedar Grove Nature Reserve”.  The 7-acre property,...

Local Author Susan Wadds Releases New Book, “What The Living Do” —submitted Winner of the Writer’s Union of Canada’s Prose Contest in 2016, Susan Wadds’ award-winning work has appeared in The Blood Pudding, Room, Quagmire, Waterwheel Review, Funicular, WOW-Women on...

EADY Community Updates and Events for April and May by Bonnie Smith   Wow!  What a winter this has been (or shall we say …spring, summer)?  With barely any snow and mild, mild temperatures throughout our province, it sure has been a great winter for travelling and...

An In-depth Look at Lucille Oille’s Prints at MacLaren Art by Gillian Lowry  I recently had the great pleasure of attending a research session at the MacLaren Art Centre in Barrie, to view the collection of Lucille Oille’s prints.  Many know Lucille Oille and Kenneth...

Roots North Music Festival Returns April 18 to 21, 2024 Roots North Music Festival returns this year from April 18 to 21, and this year’s main stage lineup is bigger and better than ever! Featuring Begonia, The Redhill Valleys, Julian Taylor, Spencer Burton and...

Sustainable Simcoe North Let’s Get Growin’ in Orillia and Area Community Gardens!   by Madeleine Fournier of Green Orillia Cost of living crisis. Inflated grocery store prices. Farmland being rapidly gobbled up and turned into subdivisions. What could a truly...

Oro-Medonte Ganaraska Hiking Club Events April May 2024 submittedbackground photo by Deb HalbotMonday, April 8⇒EASY ⇒ 3-4 hours 9:00 am  Meet at the Crown Hill Car Park (junction Highway 11 and 93) to carpool. Tour some Muskoka Waterfalls in the Gravenhurst and...

Carley Community Hall Updates and April May Events by Kelly Skinner-MeyerHello everyone, Welcome to Spring! Yesterday at the farm we had the regular crew on the pond, a couple of returning Swans, our families of Canadian geese and our annual ducks. They're all looking...

Toddler Tourist: Spring Cleaning With or Without Your Kids by Hillary Handy Spring is in the air! We survived a strange winter with uncharacteristic weather and warmer temperatures have us coming alive once more. We have emerged out of hibernation! There is a definite...

Coldwater Spring Events and Happenings Communique by Lois Rooney-Giurin Coldwater has been busier than you’d expect during the early part of 2024. The Frosty Funfest on October 17 was a fun event as promised and the weather was somewhat frostier this year than last....

New Cidery in Oro-Medonte Open for Tours in June —submitted Nestled in the hills of Oro Medonte, Woodfolk Cider is a new cidery in Simcoe County, recently opened by husband and wife duo Martha Lowry and Alastair Whitehead. The couple came together through a mutual...

Speaking of Wildlife Snappy Common Snapping Turtle Facts by Jamie ProctorWelcome to column number fourteen describing the animals of Speaking of Wildlife – Ontario animals that can’t be released back into the wilderness of Ontario due to injuries or habituation to...

The ice has melted on the lake. Daylight lasts longer. The trees are ready to burst in greenery. Animals everywhere are ready to create the next generation. We know spring has arrived!  The anticipation of the warmth after the long darkness beckons us outside more...

You can’t contain the anticipation, excitement and family pride of cousins Mike and Chris Hill, the new owners of Hill’s Maple Leaf Restaurant, 181 Memorial Avenue in Orillia. Now in its 97th year as a family-owned business, the restaurant is famous for its welcoming...

Hawkestone Happenings for April/May Spring 2024 by Rebecca Rodgers Happy spring to all from our Hawkestone community! And what a packed spring it is here at the Hawkestone Community Hall. We continue to offer our regular sessions of Nia-inspired movement, pickleball,...

Ask Risha Q and A on Personal and Professional Development by Risha YorkeI answer questions about personal and professional development.Send your questions in to risha@yorkemotivational.com I’ve been thinking about switching careers, but I don’t know where to start or...

A Guide to Emotion Regulation for Children by Zoe Fysikoudi Helping Your Child Master the Rollercoaster of EmotionsImagine your child as a tiny explorer, navigating a world full of exciting discoveries and surprising encounters. Sometimes, these encounters activate...

COMING EVENTS April/May 2024background photo by Deb HalbotFri. March 29 at 8 pmat Couchiching Craft BrewerySunday March 31 at 10 amat Maple Grove Farm 2448 Burnside Line Free event, email Rochelle at rochellemervinrealestate@gmail.comto sign up.Thursday April 4 at...