DARRYL KNIGHT, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Concerns over housing affordability and tenant stability prompted local elected officials to call on the provincial government to rethink proposed changes to rent control legislation which could further strain the rental market. At a recent meeting, council supported a resolution, after receiving a memorandum from Councillor Pat Warren, regarding rent control. The resolution endorses a moti

DARRYL KNIGHT , Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK : With the Sunderland Arena temporarily closed for renovations, Brock Township is making sure residents still have plenty of opportunities to enjoy ice time, this holiday season. A full slate of free public skating sessions is being offered, at the Rick MacLeish Memorial Arena, in Cannington, and the Foster Hewitt Memorial Arena, in Beaverton, with several local organizations and businesses stepping f

Gifts are given, the days been lived in. The children have spent the day in delight, the big feed has happened, and maybe some laughs and memories have passed between family members who came to visit. A flurry of phone calls, Zoom calls, and texts have taken place and a warm glow of support and renewed connection is in the atmosphere. Well, what's next, tomorrow? Do we continue on, in this newly asserted goodwill, or do we malinger back into the distances we have become accu

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard SCUGOG: Downtown Port Perry welcomed a fresh new addition on Sunday, December 7th, with the opening of Anyway Fruit at 88 Water Street . The shop specializes in fresh, natural fruits and vegetables, emphasizing flavour, quality, and affordability. Daniel, one of the co-owners, explained the business grew from a lifelong passion for fresh produce. “We’re all childhood best friends — 15 plus years,” he said. “One of our friends’ families has been in

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Residents’ concerns about the condition of their local roads are shaping a new approach to road planning, in the City of Kawartha Lakes, following Council’s support of the Roads Task Force recommendations, at its meeting on Tuesday, December 9th. Councillor Mike Perry told Council, the Task Force focused less on technical processes and more on how residents experience their roads every day.

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: An aging and structurally compromised sand storage facility, in Sunderland, will soon be replaced, after council approved the purchase of a new fabric-covered dome with a temporary foundation, at its meeting, on Monday, December 8th. Council’s decision followed the presentation of a report, from, Interim Director of Public Works, Ben Kester, which detailed significant deterioration in the existing wo

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard Long before Basil McRae carved out a 16-year career in the National Hockey League, his hockey journey was taking shape in the rinks of small-town Ontario, where the game was as much about community as competition. Born and raised in Beaverton, where he made his mark early, helping his hometown teams capture several provincial championships. Those successes opened the door to junior hockey, and in 1975 he arrived in Port Perry, to suit up for the Fl

by Geoffrey Carpentier Animal mimicry, an important adaptation which many animals employ, to lure prey or survive predators, is an adaptation where one species resembles another organism to gain a survival advantage. Mimicry can manifest itself in many ways, through physical or behavioural means. It can be Batesian - a distasteful or dangerous model is mimicked by a harmless one, to fool predators. For example, a Viceroy Butterfly may mimic a Monarch (which is distasteful) an

by Jonathan van Bilsen Christmas always carried its own collection of memories, but there was one which never faded. It went back more than fifty years, to when I was in my early twenties, and somehow found myself hosting a local television talent show, in Peel Region. Our very first taping took place during the first week of Christmas, which already felt like a risky choice. The show was called Cowboy Pete’s Talent Time, and there I was in a television studio, dressed head t

Dear Readers: Council finalized our 2026 Capital & Operating Budget. After much discussion and deliberation, our final numbers are as follows: Operating 2.9 percent, Infrastructure 2 percent and Police 1 percent. Affordability is always on my mind, when trying to reduce expenditures, in a tight budget year. Some important projects for next year, in Ward 6, will be: the $6.7 million renovation of the Emily Omemee Community Centre, final exterior renovation of Coronation Hall,

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: A new shade structure is one step closer to becoming a reality in MacLeod Park, after Brock Township Council approved the proposed location for a donated gazebo, during its Monday, December 8th meeting. The structure is expected to be installed near the skate park, with construction anticipated to begin in spring of 2026. The decision followed a report from, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilitie

by Shawn Lackie It’s that time of the year again and I always want to send my list to Santa for things to wish for. Against all logic, I thought I would share here: 1. Awesome clients, like I have had in the last few years. It makes the job a joy and really NOT a job. These people have dreams and wishes, and being able to fulfill some of their aspirations is inspiring to me. Especially when they find THAT place. Especially first-time buyers. Matt, Hannah, Sarah and Anujan, An

I thought I would share of some of the Christmas traditions we have entered into, in our home and family time. Christmas, many will agree, is especially marketed to children these days, however, it's truth has nothing to do with children frantically opening boxes of gifts, set aside so quickly they have no time to truly appreciate the thought behind the offering. In our early years of being married, my wife Colleen and I attempted to start a new Christmas tradition of making

by Pat Asling In church today, the candle of Joy was lit! It’s hard to be joyful when so many horrible things are happening around the world and suffering is so great. It is hard to be joyful when your friend had died, another is diagnosed with a stroke, or has only a short time to live as diagnosed by doctors, an unbelievable number of countries around the world are war-torn, hundreds driven from their home by war, floods and other catastrophic natural disasters, all created

by Faye Ashton We’ve been gifted with an old-fashioned winter. When it’s not snowing, it’s very cold. It takes many of us back to the day when snow banks along the road were as high as we were as we trudged along to school. Did it hurt us? I don’t think so. Just created more memories. Don't forget to give Elgin Park in Uxbridge a view. The creativeness of the many entries is well worth the drive; the lights are amazing. Checked out the Santas along Campbell Drive in Uxbridge

By Patricia Dawson Christmas open mic and sing-along. Come out to the Bobcaygeon Legion on December 20th, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., for the carol singing with free admission. Looking for something to do over the Christmas break that is fun? The Beaverton Lions Club is so happy to be sponsoring two free public skating dates! The days are December 22nd and 29th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Foster Hewitt Memorial Center in Beaverton. As always, complimentary hot chocolate and trea

by Janet Van Camp Breakfast with Santa was a great success for the Blackstock Co-op Nursery School. Thank you to all the volunteers who spent so much time organizing, setting up, getting raffle prizes, cooking and cleaning up...well done! The Cantata was well-received on Sunday, December 14th. A wonderful choral service by the Church Choir, directed by Linda Kyte, was enjoyed by all. Souper Sundae was a tasty conclusion to the service. Scott Attfield, Marie Van Camp's son, wi

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Plans for the long-anticipated Queen Street and Perry Street construction project, in downtown Port Perry, have been revised following public consultation, business input and recent changes to the Township of Scugog’s capital budget. Council discussed the updated design, after receiving a report, from Dan Rosebrugh, Manager of Capital Projects, and an overview, from, Director of Public Works and Rec

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard The Uxbridge Bruins enjoyed a dominant weekend, in the Provincial Junior Hockey League, picking up two big wins over North Durham rivals. For the second straight Sunday, the Bruins travelled to Scugog Arena and skated to victory, against the Port Perry LumberJacks, in the Battle of North Durham. Returning from a three-game suspension, goalie Robby DiMaria stopped 29 shots, to secure the win. Uxbridge struck early, when Danny Thomakos scored, just 2: