Our “Spring” Edition... late due to extraneous circumstances... What a time it has been! Sorry this issue is late... But I’m sure you’ll forgive us.In Hillary’s words “communities came together...neighbours uniting...borrowing generators...sharing food....it has been...

Elbows up, Canada! Welcome to spring! Not only in this issue but hopefully in our weather, too. It would be easy to get very discouraged this spring, with everything going on in the world and more specifically, with our neighbours to the south of us. North Simcoe life...

Standout Springtime Events in Our Region Here’s a live listing of area happenings. Contact us if you’ve got an event you’d like us to add! Keep up with events in real time through our social media channels!—bakground photo by Deb Halbot

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...

Roots North Music FestivalReturns to Downtown Orillia April 24 to 27, 2025 Homegrown festival features headlinersRoyal Wood and Jully Black“Roots” is a unique festival that offers free concerts at venues throughout downtown Orillia (and beyond) while at the same time...

Digressions by D’reen — by Doreen Uren SimmonsBefore beginning to write this I checked the outdoor temperature. Wait for it…19 degrees Celsius! Now that helps put me in a good mood. I need help? Why? Well, sometimes the 'old age' thing gets a bit tiresome. Like this...

Jill Dunlop MPP  I am deeply honoured and grateful for the trust you have placed in me by re-electing me as your Member of Provincial Parliament for Simcoe North, and a place I proudly call home. I want to take this opportunity to thank each one of you for your...

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....

Meet Melissa, a remarkable Cumberland Beach individual whose journey to the Invictus Games can be described in one word: “empowering.” Her story is one of reinvention, resilience, and finding motivation through setting goals.A New Beginning —by Wanda Minnings...

Annual CFUW Orillia Event RaisesFunds for Scholarships for Young Women by Jo LanghamIf you have ever walked down a street and admired a neighbour’s wrap-around porch, or walked the dog at night and loved the glimpse you got inside a home with its lights on and...

Fiddle Jam/Old Time Dance/Square Dance Fundraiser For Cope Service Dogs At Eady Community Hall — submitted In 2012, Caoimhin Mac Aoidh, a fiddler in Donegal, Ireland founded the concept of World Fiddle Day, with the purpose of promoting fiddling throughout the world....

A Poem About Nothing by Pat Guinn  I like to write a verse or two whenever someone’s birthday’s due. I sign, “Best wishes, me to you.” Because those words are oh so true. But sometimes, when the sky is blue, or when the webs are wet with dew, a few thoughts, in my...

Speaking of Wildlife by Jamie Proctor April Fool’s, this column is NOT about native Ontario wildlife this issue!Welcome to the twentieth column describing the residents of Speaking of Wildlife: Ontario animals that can’t be released back into the wilderness due to...

Mental Health Journeying — by Zoe Fysikoudi Hi there, it’s me again, Vicious Anxiety! Last time I promised that I will come back, think and share with you some ideas of how I can support Me while keep protecting them.Having anxious feelings is uncomfortable and it is...

Planning Your Next Vacation? Support Backyard Tourism in Orillia & Lake CountryAt this time five years ago, the tourism industry had come to a stand still and we couldn’t do what we love best: inviting people to come explore the wonderful locales of Orillia &...

Township NewsApril/May2025Regularly scheduled Meetings of Council for the months of April and May 2025 will take place on the following dates:  Council Meetings:Wednesday, April 9th – 3:00 p.m. Public SessionWednesday, April 23rd – 3:00 p.m. Public SessionWednesday,...

CLASSIC LIGHTFOOT LIVEcomes to Simcoe County SPRING 2025CELEBRATE Canadian music with Canadian artists and members of the Lightfoot family  John Stinson and the Classic Lightfoot Live - GORDON LIGHTFOOT Tribute show is returning to the Orillia Opera House Saturday May...

Waking up on a sleepy afternoon with Sleepy Jan — by Parthiv Rajeshbhai Solanki The mood was set. The lights dimmed as a crowd filled Orillia's local record store Alleycats. The well-kept, hardwood floorboards creaked under the feet of the incoming viewers pouring in...

Oro-Medonte Horticultural Society News Native Gardening for Beginners — by Suzana WilmotIn recent years, there’s been a growing interest in planting native species, and for good reason. Native plants help support local wildlife, restore pollinator habitats, and create...

“In His Lyrics” is a deeply personal memoir that offers a window into the stark realities of a family grappling with addiction, mental health issues, chronic homelessness, and a life of crime to support it.In His Lyrics by Jackleen Givens   It’s a story that...

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...

Hawkestone Happenings Activities for all ages including yoga, kids, Nia, singing, cornhole and more! — by Rebecca RodgersAs we welcome the warmer days of spring, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on a fantastic winter season at the Hawkestone Community Hall. A...

Oro-Medonte Ganaraska Hiking Club Spring 2025 Events —submitted Anyone is welcome to join in on any of the following events. Please bring drinking water on all hikes.background photo by Deb HalbotSunday, April 6⇒MODERATE ⇒2 hours 1:30 pm.  Meet in the P2 parking lot...

Eady News — by Bonnie SmithSpring has finally sprung…and what a most welcomed spring it is! I think most people are  extremely happy to see the sunshine and warmer temperatures arrive this year after the very snowy and long winter we have had.  We have not had a...

A Simple Prescriptionfor What to Eat by Matt Spencer As we enter into spring from what seemed like an eternity of winter, you may find yourself with a new sense of motivation to restart that healthy lifestyle again.So, let’s be honest with each other, did you try a...

Baby season arrival! Living Harmoniously with Wildlife by William McIntosh Are you waking up in the middle of the night, hearing noises above your bedroom? Quiet chitters that get louder and louder? The sounds of rummaging and scurrying at all hours of the day? These...

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...

Lessons from a Pen Pal: Looking for Blessings in Disguise — by Beth Kudar How a 95-year-old pen pal helped a local teenager navigate the COVID-19 pandemic This month, I was surprised to hear on the radio that it has been five years since the start of the COVID-19...

Coldwater Communique — by Lois Rooney-GiurinSpring is in the air! And Coldwater is revving up for its Spring/Summer fun! First of all, though, we are sad to see the Dark Bazaar leave main street. In its place, the Crafty You Healing Sanctuary will offer a place for...

Ontario Election Results &The State of Democracy Sustainable Simcoe North— by Madeleine Fournier of Green OrilliaWell, another provincial election has come and gone in Ontario, and we are back where we started with Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservatives (PCs)...

Carley Community Hall — by Kelly Skinner-Meyer Well, that was certainly a winter, one for the books! I’m glad to say “Hello Spring”!  The Carley Community Hall wintered the weather well with its new steel roof and new furnace. Thank you to Oro-Medonte Township for...

Adept at maintaining position despite agitation and royal intervention.