COLLEEN GREEN The Standard SCUGOG: Celebrating 50 years, Homestead Furniture and Appliances credits its longevity to community support, dedicated staff, and a unique approach to business. Founded in 1976, by Ralph Ballard and Richard “Chic” Carnegie, the store began as a small, locally rooted partnership between two families with deep ties to Port Perry. Over the years, the business changed and expanded, in various points offering everything from TVs, VCR’s and movie rental

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard UXBRIDGE: Provincial leaders gathered in Uxbridge on April 1st to announce new measures aimed at supporting small businesses, highlighting a significant corporate tax reduction, during an event hosted at the long-standing family enterprise, Low’s Furniture. The announcement brought together Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, Associate Minister of Small Business Nina Tangri, and Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Busine

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard BROCK: The 29th annual Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival is set to bring the sweet taste of tradition back to the heart of Sunderland, on Saturday, April 11th, and Sunday, April 12th. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., each day, visitors can take in a full weekend of maple-themed festivities, including: a bustling outdoor vendor market, live entertainment, hands-on demonstrations, and family-friendly attractions spread throughout the community. “The Sunderland

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: With spring finally settling in across the community, the familiar signs of the season, melting snowbanks, budding trees, and returning wildlife, also bring a renewed focus on caring for the local environment. That spirit will take centre stage during Earth Week, running April 19th to 25th, and culminating with Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22nd. This year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” em

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: A roadmap for the future of local fire protection is now in place, after Council gave the green light to a comprehensive new Fire Master Plan, aimed at guiding service delivery over the next decade. The plan, prepared by Emergency Management Group Inc., was first presented to the General Purpose and Administration Committee, on March 2nd, following months of research, consultation, and analysis. It

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: A familiar gathering place, in Oakwood, is set to receive a careful refresh, as restoration work begins, this month, on the community’s historic library building. The Oakwood Library will undergo several months of repairs, as the City of Kawartha Lakes invests in preserving the structure while improving safety and accessibility for residents. Work on the heritage building is expected to begi

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard The Uxbridge Bruins opened their Provincial Junior Hockey League quarterfinal series in strong fashion, over the weekend, skating to a 5-2 Game 1 victory, over the Frankford Huskies. From a field of more than 60 teams, the Provincial Junior Hockey League has been narrowed to the final eight, with Uxbridge travelling east, along Highway 401, over the Easter weekend, to face the Tod Division champion Huskies, in a best-of-seven East Conference champi

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: The importance of collaboration and community-driven solutions was highlighted at a recent council meeting, as members heard an annual update from the North Durham Social Development Council (NDSDC). Presenters Nathan Gardner and Loretta Fernandes-Heaslip outlined the group’s ongoing efforts, to identify critical social issues, address gaps in programming, and strengthen communication among agencies s

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard For Jamie McTaggart, life changed dramatically at just 25 years old when unexplained numbness in her left leg and foot led to a diagnosis which would shape her future: multiple sclerosis (MS). “I couldn’t understand why it was happening,” Ms. McTaggart recalls. “It was scary, especially because my grandmother had MS and her condition worsened very quickly. I was terrified of what my future might look like.” Diagnosed in 2009, Ms. McTaggart began nav

by Lauren Walker My favourite go to snack is apples dipped in peanut butter. I don't mind bruises on my apples, I'll happily gobble them down any time. They may be flawed on the outside but just as sweet on the inside. The so called 'imperfections' on the outside can effect how we see ourselves and effect our physical wellness. Let's look into the mind and body connection. Emotional Wellness - There are those who find it difficult to make meaningful change because of unresolv

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard Ontario has become the first province in Canada to publicly fund the drug vorasidenib tablets (VORANIGO) for eligible adults living with a specific type of glioma, marking a significant shift in how quickly patients can access breakthrough treatments. The funding comes through Ontario’s Funding Accelerated for Specific Treatments (FAST) program, an initiative designed to shorten the gap between federal approval, by Health Canada, and public access

by Tina Y. Gerber - McCurley Every generation has its own battles; our parents and grandparents went through war, famine, and grew up in the middle of a worldwide economic meltdown. They struggled with high costs, job insecurity, and political conflicts. Things have not changed, and many are still overwhelmed today, as most media wants to keep us scared and agitated. Sometimes, life doesn't make sense. There are moments when the path ahead feels uncertain. Faith means believi

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard SCUGOG: For 18-year-old Port Perry curler Ryne Fisher, years of dedication to the sport have led to a national championship moment he will not soon forget. Mr. Fisher was part of Team Ontario #1 which capt ured g old at the 2026 New Holland Canadian Under-20 Men’s Curling Championship, held March 28th to April 4th at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex in Sudbury. Having started curling at just six years old, Mr. Fisher has spent more tha

by Shawn Lackie “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Dickens wrote this in A Tale Of Two Cities, in 1859, but it could have been written yesterday. Need proof? Take a wander through any of the social media sites and check out the finger pointing and name calling. It is astounding; and a huge amount of the bitterness is around political beliefs. Even the Winter Olympics couldn’t escape the wrath of the political effect. The great divide comes from whether you

by Janet Van Camp The Van Camp, Rudkin, and Bisschop families recently celebrated the baptism and first birthday of Archer Michael Dale Van Camp at the Blackstock Nestleton United Church. What a lucky boy to have had great-grandparents (Jake and Barb Bisschop), grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, great-aunts and uncles, and a great-great-aunt (Aileen Van Camp) in attendance. Lots of visiting took place in the afternoon. The Blackstock Agricultural Society has started its an

by Faye Ashton April fools day has come and gone before I realized it was the April full moon (pink) on that very day. Most days have been cloudy, windy, and wet, except for the most beautiful and warm Good Friday. As most friends who attended the Good Friday Breakfast know, it was warmer on the steps than in the church. Thank you to everyone who didn’t complain about the situation we found ourselves in and came to support the Canadian Foodgrains Bank Breakfast and fellowship

By Patricia Dawson There will be a Cottage Country Spring Craft Show on Sunday, April 12th, at the Lindsay Exhibition, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring numerous vendors. Vendors will offer homemade goods, crafts, tasty treats, custom jewelry, woodcrafts, and other items. This event will be held at the Commonwell building at the Lindsey Fairgrounds and will feature unique, locally sourced items. Families can enjoy the Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival from April 11th to 12th, in

by Pat Asling Spring is not here yet. Even though it was 19 °C one afternoon, much of the snow had already melted. Finally, my pond is ice-free. The ducks found it immediately. Several mallards and a pair of hooded mergansers appeared. It is so nice to see them. Hundreds of geese, of course, but none here yet. Only a few ever come here because it doesn’t have the cleared side that the shallow pond across the road has. Regarding swans, none visit here as the pond is too small