Welcome to VALENTINE’SFebruary/March 2026As part of our 20 year Anniversary we’ll be rolling out a brand new NSlife logo! Here’s a sneak peek.We’ll finalize and refine the design over the next while. 🙂 Navigate between pages using the☜ previous and next ☞ page...
Our snowy February March issue!
Valentine’s Edition Heart & Soul —by Anna Proctor Welcome to our snowy February March issue! We used to call this the early spring issue, but I think in these times of extreme weather, we might as well let that one go. Winter is here and furious, and it’s not...
North Simcoe Life 20th Anniversary Contest: February March 2026
North Simcoe Life20th Anniversary Contest:February March 2026 For our 20th anniversary year contests, we are excited to announce that we have partnered with Orillia Lake Country Tourism,who will be donating a $120 Orillia Downtown Dollars gift card for each...
Area Events
Local Events! February and March are the months when local events get going again, after the wintery lull and cancelled happenings of snowy January! Submit your event here through our handy form, and browse through what’s on offer event-wise to enjoy the rest of...
North Simcoe Life’s Social Media Manager: Hillary Handy
Community Hero by Anna Proctor North Simcoe Life’s Social Media Manager: Hillary Handy In 2026, as part of our 20th anniversary year, we will be showcasing the folks on the North Simcoe Life team as our Community Heros. Last issue, we featured our photographer, Deb...
Musings on winter and optimism and hope for spring
Digressions by D’reen by Doreen Uren Simmons Well now ...I am searching for reasons for optimism…although why there should be ‘justification’ for an obviously positive emotion is a good question. I won't answer it, except to say that it makes me feel better…so...
Funding announcement regarding water infrastructure, free roller skating, and congratulations to North Simcoe Life!
Message from MPP Jill Dunlop As the snow begins to melt and our communities look forward to the promise of spring, I’m reminded of the amazing seasonal changes that define Simcoe North, the kindness of neighbours, the pride in our communities through the many...
Overwhelm and the newborn: creating space for the caregiver’s experience
Mental Health Journeyingby Zoe Fysikoudi Overwhelm and the newborn:creating space for the caregiver’s experience As a child therapist, I am deeply interested in understanding child development from the very beginning of life. In this upcoming series of articles, I...
20 Years of Stories. 20 Years of Home.
20 Years of Stories. 20 Years of Home. Celebrating Two Decadesof Community, Connection& CommitmentFor 20 years, North Simcoe Life has told the stories that define our region — the people, the places, the moments that make North Simcoe feel like home. For 20 years,...
Slithering into Spring with Snakes…how to avoid having them in your house!
Living Harmoniouslywith Wildlife by William McIntosh Well, the fall winds have descended, and the cool weather reminds us of another year coming to a close. So, in keeping with the weather changes, we also reflect on the year we’ve had, what that all entails, then our...
Join the Oro-Medonte Horticultural Society in 2026 to grow, learn, and connect!
Oro-Medonte Horticultural Society Update — by David St. Amand, President The Oro-Medonte Horticultural Society (OMHS) is the perfect spot to plant yourself this year if you enjoy gardening or just being around people who do. Whether you're an experienced gardener, an...
Two wonderful upcoming concert band shows at St. Paul’s Centre in Orillia
The Orillia Concert Band is celebrating 40 years, and we want you to join us! — submitted On Saturday, May 2, 2026, the Orillia Concert Band will celebrate its 40th anniversary milestone at its Spring Concert. The show will be held at St. Paul’s Centre in Orillia. The...
City of Orillia to Expand Boundary by 481 Acres – Stop Sprawl Orillia Statement
Sustainable Simcoe North —by Madeleine Fournier of Green Orillia City of Orillia to Expand Boundary by 481 Acres- Stop Sprawl Orillia StatementWe are long overdue for an update on Orillia’s boundary expansion process. On February 4, 2025 at a Special Meeting of...
Reflections on holiday events, winter, and things to look forward to in Warminster
Warminster Write-up — by Hillary HandyThe end of 2025 was a sweet one. Students at Warminster Elementary School enjoyed the final weeks of school. The holiday concert was fantastic. Students performed an assortment of holiday tunes bringing joy to family members in...
Township News February/March 2026
Township NewsFebruary/March 2026Regularly scheduled Meetings of Council for the months of February and March 2026 will take place on the following dates: Council Meetings:Wednesday, February 11th – 3:00 p.m. Public SessionWednesday, February 25th – 3:00 p.m. Public...
Family Day Mayhem: Ideas for family fun right here in North Simcoe
Toddler Tourist by Hillary Handy Family Day Mayhem:Ideas for family funright here in North Simcoe February’s Family Day long weekend is the perfect reminder that you don’t have to travel far or spend much money to make meaningful family memories. February 14, 15 and...
Why “Losing Weight” Isn’t a Real Goal (And What to Do Instead)
The Wellness Column — by Matt Spencer At CrossFit Orillia, we love hearing about the goals our members set for themselves.Whether it’s the 6 a.m. class, the “Legends Lunch” or the evening crew at 6:30 p.m.,there are generally three goals people have in common: Losing...
Carley Hall available for rentals, and date for the Pancake Supper!
CarleyCommunity Hall — by Kelly Skinner-Meyer I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. 2026 is the Year of the Horse—an animal signifying strength and forward motion.I hope this proves true for all of us, as we could certainly use that strength in the...
Excerpt from an upcoming book of memoirs from a retired judge in Simcoe County
A Serious Trial with a Difference — by Peter Howden If you have never sat in a courtroom during a murder trial, and most people have not, often the atmosphere in the room is constantly overlaid by strong emotion. Not always, sometimes the victim was in on a drug deal...
Tap into Maple
Tap into MapleThere’s a moment in Orillia and Lake Country when winter begins to loosen its grip and something sweeter takes over. Sap starts to run. Steam rises from sugar shacks. The air smells of wood smoke and promise. And suddenly maple is not just a flavour, it...
Local gardening guru shares her thoughts on winter, winter sowing, and a Valentine’s wish!
Gardeningwith Gail by Gail McIlroyThere is magic in the air as we walk through the forest at this time of year. The stillness is almost mesmerizing. Now and then, if we’re lucky, we may hear the soft wings of a snowy owl overhead, quietly keeping watch over the...
Come out, walk and raise funds for those in need, February 28 in Orillia
The LighthouseCalls on Orilliato Step Into the Cold forColdest Night of the Year 2026 — submitted The Lighthouse is once again inviting those in Orillia and surrounding areas to come together for Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY), a nationwide winter walk in support of...
Memories of Christmas, and lots of upcoming events in Coldwater, including a bonspiel!
Coldwater Communique — Lois Rooney-Giurin Coldwater becomes a magical village during the Christmas season.Lovely shops, great decorations and a real “Hallmark movie” vibe is what you find here.In the holiday season that just passed, we enjoyed watching our beautiful...
What we like about our all-ages Book Club
Bridging Pages Book ClubLooking for Youth New Members — by Alexandra Steel and Susanna Tomasini We’re 12 years old, and both of us have always loved reading - especially books you can get lost in. When we helped develop the idea of a book club through the Rainbow...
Winter Cheer at Hawkestone Community Hall
HawkestoneHappenings — by Rebecca Rodgers As our wintery 2026 settles in, Hawkestone Community Hall is feeling especially grateful, resilient, and full of optimism for the year ahead. December brought with it moments of celebration, generosity, and progress - bright...
Speaking of Wildlife
Speaking of Wildlife All about Oliver,the Blanding’s Turtle! by Jamie Proctor Welcome to the twenty-fifth column introducing the residents of Speaking of Wildlife: Ontario animals that can’t be released back into the wilderness due to permanent injuries or...
Random Samplings
Random Samplings by Caston We work from memory... we work from intuition... we are “prompted” by ephemera... it’s not for the final “product”... but the moments in between... the moments of “being awake” and human... fragile... the machinery of the world is...