by Janet Van Camp The Blackstock Co-op Nursery School's annual "Breakfast with Santa" is on Sunday, December 7th, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Blackstock Recreation Centre. The event features a pancake breakfast, photos with Santa, a silent auction, and a bake sale to raise funds for the nursery school. This is a cash-only event and is open to everyone. Marion Larmer has recently moved to West Shore and is looking forward to visitors. Happy 4th Birthday to Eleanor Van

by Faye Ashton What was that thunder and lightning trying to prove on Saturday? There’s an old saying that it possibly means six weeks of open weather. I think many of us would appreciate that with the many acres of corn still standing in fields. It was a wet start to the Uxbridge Santa Claus parade at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning. I was so thankful the rain only lasted for a very few minutes. I loved seeing all the young people walking and riding with so much excitement on th

By Patricia Dawson The Winter Makers Market 2025 will take place on Saturday, November 22nd, at 10 a.m. Join us at Kent Place Mall, 189 Kent Street West, for the 4th Annual Winter Makers Market, featuring the work of local artisans and celebrating the holiday season. We're so excited to present the incredible work of local artists . This event is the opportunity to discover and purchase original Handcrafted Creations just in time for the holiday season. Explore the jewellery,

by Pat Asling Can you believe more than half of November has passed? Unfortunately I have little to show for it since the weather has been so unpredictable and unfavourable for work outside. Like many gardeners I was hoping for a few days of “Indian summer”. I wonder where that phrase originated? I know it has been a long awaited period of autumn which many look forward to. Weather forecasts do not look all that promising! Did anyone see the spectacular phenomenons in the sky

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard The Lindsay Muskies experienced a weekend of highs and lows in Ontario Junior Hockey League action, starting with a tough 3-1 loss to the Trenton Golden Hawks at home on Friday before battling to a hard-fought 3-3 double-overtime draw against the North York Rangers on Sunday. Friday night’s matchup at the Lindsay Recreation Complex saw Trenton pull off a dramatic late surge. Ajay Rai gave the Muskies an early boost in the second period, scoring his

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard After suffering their first defeat of the 2025-26 season last weekend, the Uxbridge Bruins returned to form with two commanding victories, while the Port Perry LumberJacks and Little Britain Merchants each went one-and-one. The Bruins opened their weekend on Friday night at the Bear Den with an 11-1 rout of the Schomberg Cougars. Uxbridge struck early and often, with Tucker Roberts, Darin Bain, and Ryan Shier each scoring in the first period. Evan G

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard NORTH DURHAM : Business owners across North Durham are being told they’ll soon need to handle their own recycling collections, as the region prepares to end blue box service for commercial properties. The North Durham Chamber of Commerce issued an advisory this week, informing members, beginning next year, businesses will no longer be eligible to use the regular curbside blue box program. Instead, they must e

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Concern for the future of rural mail delivery has prompted Brock Council to take a stand, in defence of local postal services. At a recent meeting, councillors unanimously passed a resolution, urging the federal government and Canada Post to protect rural post offices and mail delivery routes, stressing their importance as a vital communications link, for residents and businesses across the township.

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Inititiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Residents of Kawartha Lakes could again cast their votes, online or by phone, in the 2026 municipal election. This, following a presentation to council, on November 4th, by, City Clerk, Cathie Ritchie. The proposal, presented during a Committee of the Whole meeting, would see the continued use of internet and telephone voting, not only for the election of Mayor, Councillors, and School Board

DARRYL KNIGHT The Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Residents, farmers, and members of the agricultural community packed Council Chambers, recently, for a public meeting on proposed changes to the Township of Brock’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law. The amendments aim to make it easier for farmers to expand and diversify their operations, through new on-farm businesses, while maintaining protection for the area’s prime agricultural land, within th

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Efforts to protect fish habitats and improve water quality, near the Bobcaygeon Dam, are taking another step forward, as Kawartha Conservation continues its detailed study of how dam operations affect the surrounding aquatic ecosystem. The conservation authority shared its latest findings and future plans, with Kawartha Lakes councillors, during a Committee of the Whole meeting, held on Tuesda

by Jonathan van Bilsen I never planned to spend a night in jail, but then again, few seventeen-year-olds do. Most people never see the inside of a cell, unless it is on television, and that is probably a good thing. It is certainly not the Marriott. Still, I can honestly say, I have done time in ‘the Big House’. It all started with a heartbreak. My first, in fact. She was the prettiest girl in my class, and for two glorious weeks, I thought we were destined for greatness. The

by Tina Y. Gerber – McCurley Sometimes, we beg God, or say, “Why, why me!? Why are things falling apart,” or “Why is this happening? It’s just not fair!” I have no answer to these questions, except, we are here to learn and live a full rich life. For peace at heart, we need to affirm our confidence in Gods power and His ability to overcome any obstacle.   In His paramount wisdom, I understand, the Holy Spirit shows up where there is surrender, obedience, and a cry for genuin

by David Minns UXBRIDGE: St. Paul’s Anglican Church, in Uxbridge, is going to be a busy place, on the weekend of November 15th. The St. Paul’s Anglican Church and Trinity United Church invite you to the Festival of Trees. It starts on November 15th, before the Santa Claus Parade, from 10 a.m., in front of the St. Paul’s’ Church, at 59 Toronto Street S., in Uxbridge. Hot chocolate and treats will be served on the lawn. For Saturday, November 15th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and S

SCUGOG: The Durham Chamber Orchestra (DCO) presents ' A Christmas Celebration,' a festive concert, featuring selections from Handel’s Messiah , Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances: Suite II , and favourite seasonal songs, performed with New Song Community Choir, led by Jonathan Liebich. Performances take place on Sunday, November 30th, at 2 p.m., at Port Perry United Church, and again on Sunday, December 7th, at 2 p.m., at Forest Brook Community Church, in Ajax. Now, in its t

by Stuart Beaudoin UXBRIDGE: On Sunday, November 30th, at 7 p.m., St Paul’s Anglican Church in Uxbridge, Music at St Paul’s, will host a performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. The performance will be in English. The Cantorei sine Nomine choir and Orpheus Symphonietta orchestra under the direction of Stuart Beaudoin along with soloists, Leslie Higgins, Shannon Coates, Benjamin Done and Sebastien Belcourt will sing this marvelous setting of the Christmas story. Director Stu

KATIE HUNTER The Standard DURHAM: Tyrone Tackles Hunger is a grassroots approach our family, (the Bell’s), initiated back in 2020. Now running its sixth annual food drive campaign benefiting the Bowmanville Salvation Army Food Bank, running from November 1st until December 6th, 2025. It’s based out of Tyrone but support is also rallied across our northern communities of Haydon, Enniskillen, Burketon, Hampton and places in between! We have a ‘reindeer mascot’ who we grow our

by Lauren Walker A frustrating part of aging for my clients is their short-term memory. While their body are in good condition, it becomes a struggle to remember basic things. It’s quite frankly, a downer for a lot of my older clients. While age-related memory loss is normal, what can I do as a personal trainer to help? The Benefits of Exercise Increases blood flow to the Brain by improving circulation Releases hormones that lower inflammation and insulin resistance, protecti

by Janet Van Camp The walking program for 2025-26 has started again at the Blackstock Recreation Centre. Walkers are welcome to attend on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, please contact Kathy Hill 905-986-4576. Just a reminder the Coffee Drop-In at the Blackstock United Church is now on the second and fourth Mondays of each month from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Coffee, treats, and interesting conversations are guaranteed. Upcoming dates are Novem