Welcome to our SummerJune/July 2025 edition Navigate between pages using the☜ previous and next ☞ page iconsat the top and bottom of each page.Click the issue title “Summer — June/July 2025”(at the top of the page) to go to the table of contents for this edition....
Support all your local peeps, a summertime contest, and Happy Canada Day!
Happy Summer —by Anna Proctor Hopefully by the time you read this we will have moved beyond the moody rainy weather in May to some glorious sunny, summertime weather. After all, this is our SUMMER issue! And we are ready to soak in all the summertime sun, heat, fun,...
Fun events in June and July in North Simcoe
Hot Summer Events in theSimcoe North 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!—background photo by Deb Halbot
Local hero spearheads fundraisers for local mental health initiatives
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...
Beloved community day at Leacock Museum back after six-year hiatus
Arts for Peace Orillia: A Celebration of Community and Connection —by Annalise Stenekes After a six-year hiatus, the Orillia community is invited to gather on the grounds of the Leacock Museum Historic Site (50 Museum Drive) on Sunday June 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. for the...
Musings on weather, gardens, concert-making, friends and life
Digressions by D’reen — by Doreen Uren SimmonsHi there: Well now…wasn't that a lovely summer…so deserved and earned. You remember, those three days before the long weekend. We nearly got our dear neighbour to install the air conditioner in the window. Something...
Kerslake Pottery house and studio on the market for 1.195 million dollars
A beloved family home, art studio, and gallery is set to go on the market after over 50 years. Iconic Jarratt Property for Sale Kerslake Pottery Studio in Jarrett, at the corner of Line 10 North and Horseshoe Valley Road, has just been put up for sale at the asking...
Jill Dunlop MPP for Simcoe North
Jill Dunlop MPP for Simcoe North As we welcome the vibrant days of summer, I extend my warmest wishes to the residents of Simcoe North. This season brings opportunities for community gatherings, local festivals, and cherished moments with family and friends. It's a...
Musings on the ice storm, spring, golfing, new school and more!
Horseshoe Valley Kaleidoscope — by Valerie ThorntonThe sounds of spring were rather different this year; added to the normal returning bird songs as they searched for food/mates and materials for building nests, were the sounds of chainsaws, tree limbs thudding on the...
Summertime gardening, and enjoying the fruits and beauty of your labour!
Gardening with Gail — by Gail McIlroy Following the most severe winter in “like forever” we are embracing spring wearing rubber boots, savouring lots of rain, warm sunshine and lots of visitors! Wonder bulbs popping through the earth, red squirrels always present,...
The Woodrow Farm: farming at Coulson for over 90 years!
Coulson Past and Present The Woodrow Farm:farming at Coulsonfor over 90 years! — by Anne WalkerFor many decades the skyline north of Coulson has been defined by the tall silos of the Woodrow Farm. The Woodrow family has deep agricultural roots in Oro-Medonte and has...
Discover the Summer Art Scene in Orillia & Lake Country
Discover the Summer Art Scenein Orillia & Lake Country The vibrant colours are in bloom across Orillia & Lake Country! While nature is putting on its on artistic flare, the region’s cultural scene is bustling with gallery exhibits, art tours, and professional...
Hawkestone Community Hall – Resilient, Rebuilding, and Ready to Celebrate!
Hawkestone Happenings — by Rebecca Rodgers Like so many in the area, Hawkestone Community Hall has weathered the challenges of the recent ice storm. The basement sustained serious flooding and is still under repair—but the good news? The main floor is open, bustling,...
Fiddling and Dancing for Service Dogs in Eady
Fiddle Jam/Old Time Dance/Square Dance At Eady Community Hall, Fundraiser For Cope Service Dogs On the Saturday May 17 the EADY Community Hall in Oro-Medonte Township was filled to capacity. What a day! A great day! A super day! A tremendous day! We did it, we...
Orillia Repair Café — New Date June 14
Orillia Repair Café New Date June 14 Following up on our article about the Orillia Repair Cafe in the Feb/March 2025 edition of North Simcoe Life, please note an important update! Originally scheduled for April 5, the Repair Cafe was postponed due to the ice storm. ...
Introducing Barfolomew the Turkey Vulture
Speaking of Wildlife — by Jamie Proctor Welcome to the twenty-first 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 humans. Today we’ll be looking...
Understanding the deeper emotions underneath: the iceberg of anxiety
Mental Health Journeying — by Zoe Fysikoudi In this article, I want to take a closer look at what it feels like to experience anxiety and delve deeper into the root causes of why it can cause us discomfort at different points of our life. Anxiety is a natural response...
Township News June/July 2025
Township NewsJune/July 2025Regularly scheduled Meetings of Council for the months of June and July 2025 will take place on the following dates: Council Meetings:Wednesday, June 11th – 3:00 p.m. Public SessionWednesday, June 25th – 3:00 p.m. Public SessionWednesday,...
A local arborist speaks out for the love of trees
Rooted in Orillia: Brent Maw’s Mission to Restore Nature After the Storm — by Kelsey MooreBrent Maw isn’t just in the business of trees, he’s rooted in them. A certified Ontario and Utility Arborist with over 12 years of experience, Brent founded Horizon Tree...
Better Soil, Better Garden
Oro-Medonte Horticultural Society Updates and Information — by Suzana WilmotThere’s something incredibly special about garden soil. It’s where garden life begins, where seeds take root, grow, and turn into the beautiful plants we love so much. But just like any living...
Commissions taking off for Xavier Fernandes as locals seek to preserve favourite trees
Local WoodturnerTurns Treesinto Memories — by Anna ProctorLocal woodturner Xavier Fernandes is making a name for himself as the guy who will turn beautiful and sentimental items from local trees. “I am making memories, one bowl at a time!” he said. Fernandes has been...
Camping with Kids: some advice and suggestions from a relative newbie!
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...
Aftermath of the Storm, Fiddlers, Dogs, Speakers, and more from Eady
Eady News — by Bonnie Smith Mother nature has not been kind to us in Oro-Medonte and surrounding areas this spring. In March I told you about the extraordinary amount of snow we had this winter, which caused many small and large buildings/barns to collapse in the...
Mariposa Folk Festival Lineup, Lightfoot Exhibit and Photo Retrospective makes this summer one for the musical books!
A Mariposa Summer — submitted Mariposa Folk Festival Lineup, Gordon Lightfoot Exhibit and Photos from the Mariposa Folk Festival makes this summer one for the musical books! The Mariposa Folk Festival returns July 4 to 6 to Tudhope Park in Orillia with a fantastic...
Beyond the Beach Body: Unleashing Your Inner Superpower Through Fitness
The Wellness Column — by Matt Spencer We all know the mantra: exercise is good for you. Doctors preach it, public health campaigns echo it, and deep down, we acknowledge its truth. We envision a longer, healthier life, free from the shackles of chronic disease. But if...
Bugs bugging you? Ways to deal with them!
Living Harmoniously with Wildlife — by William McIntosh Summer is finally upon us! After such a long and dreary winter, with a stubborn spring, we definitely are absorbing these sun rays with a vibrance! Winter drear followed by summer cheer! Summer does have its...
Summer is here and Warminster is here for it!
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...
Lakehead University Selected as Preferred Site for New Orillia Hospital
Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital Updates — submittedIn a historic announcement with the potential to profoundly advance access to quality healthcare and education in the community, Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) and Lakehead University are excited to...
New businesses, organizations, and fun activities this summer in Coldwater
Coldwater Communique — by Lois Rooney-GiurinAs always, Coldwater has been a busy spot. Usually, this column lists the upcoming events in Coldwater but sometimes there are more that come up after this paper goes live. This time, let’s talk about what’s happening around...
Random Samplings
...and now for something completely different... Random Samplings by Caston