DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: There was hardly a cloud in the sky as the sights, sounds, and smells of the Port Perry Fair filled the Fairgrounds over Labour Day weekend. With beautiful summer weather providing the backdrop, thousands of fairgoers had plenty of reasons to linger, from the midway and live entertainment to livestock competitions, tractor pulls, rodeo action, and one of the community’s most anticipated annual demolit

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard UXBRIDGE: The midway lights will soon be glowing, tractors will be rumbling, and the sounds of livestock, live entertainment, and excited fairgoers will once again fill Uxbridge’s Elgin Park. The Uxbridge Fall Fair returns, from Friday, September 11th to Sunday, September 13th, bringing with it a packed three-day schedule, celebrating agriculture, local talent, competition, and one of Uxbridge’s favourite lat

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: For 173 years, the Sunderland Fair has brought together generations of families, farmers, volunteers, and visitors, to celebrate the agricultural traditions at the heart of the community. This September, one of Brock Township’s longest-running and most beloved traditions returns, with a theme which leaves little doubt about its rural roots: “Holy Cow, It’s Fair Time.” The 173rd Sunderland Fall Fair tak

BRANDON CLARK The Standard NORTH DURHAM: Local municipalities are once again coming together for Hunger Action Month, to raise awareness and collect food and monetary donations, to fight hunger in the community. Food insecurity doesn’t always look the way one might expect. It can affect anyone - a neighbour, coworker, senior, or a family struggling to keep up with the rising cost of everyday essentials. The need across Durham remains significant. Over 880,000 visits were made

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: With the current term of Council nearing its end, the City of Kawartha Lakes is reporting significant progress on the priorities it set out, nearly three years ago, with 98 percent of its tracked strategic initiatives now either completed or moving forward as planned. Council received its 2026 mid-year update, on the 2024–2027 Strategic Plan, during its August 25th meeting. According to the re

By Shawn Lackie Lately, I have been seeing more and more of AI (Artificial Intelligence) articles being posted. Note, I didn’t say written, as these travesties are far from written pieces of work. They are computer-driven cliched pieces of junk, with absolutely no soul and definitely no feel for the topic being discussed. Here’s a sample: “Allowing Canadians to reflect on the diverse and vibrant nation they call home. With its stunning array of four seasons and rich cultural.

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Artists across Kawartha Lakes and surrounding communities are being offered a new opportunity to turn creative ideas into reality. The Kawartha Lakes Arts Council (KLAC), the official Community Arts Council for the City of Kawartha Lakes, has launched its new Creative Futures Grant Program, providing financial support to artists looking to develop their creative practices, explore new ideas, o

by Lauren Walker While this is a slight deviation from my usual subject matter, I feel compelled to write about a few valuable insights I have learned from my ninety-seven-year-old friend. These are gentle reminders about finding joy in the simple moments and I'd like to share them with you. Enjoy the Moment Who knew a little bit of ice cream could make someone's day? Well, that may be an overstatement, as it isn't much but it is something to enjoy in the moment. Every day we

by Tina Y. Gerber-McCurley It's certainly been a challenging year for my husband and I. We both look forward to a fresh start with hope and anticipation. Consequently, as believers, we focus our eyes on Jesus. Many people see an older person as broken, and they somehow need to be fixed! I will admit our bodies do change, sometimes suffer, and their parts no longer work like they once did! Most seniors seem to begin to disappear into the background, and this is a growing probl

by Jonathan van Bilsen September has always been one of my favourite months. The heat of summer begins to disappear, jackets make their annual return, and leaves slowly transform into brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow. There is a freshness to September, a feeling of change and anticipation. At least there used to be. Twenty-five years ago, on September 11th, 2001, that changed forever. It is difficult to believe a quarter of a century has passed since that terrible m

KELLY WHYTE VCST KAWARTHA LAKES: Did you know the Victoria County Studio Tour (City of Kawartha Lakes) is the second oldest studio tour in Ontario? Our tour offers a diverse range of art sure to satisfy visitors from across the province. If you crave a local landscape, created in oils, watercolours or acrylics, we’ve got it! Jewellery designed to dazzle, wood-turned bowls, fabric art creations and pottery that will make your guests green with envy- we have it all! And the bes

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Residents across Kawartha Lakes can expect routine watermain flushing to begin Tuesday, September 15th, as the municipality carries out its annual autumn maintenance program. The flushing program will run through October 14th and will affect drinking water systems throughout the municipality. Woodville will see flushing between September 21st and October 9th, while other communities will be serviced on specific dates. Flushing is sch

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard SCUGOG: Nearly 50 years ago, a new chapter in Port Perry hockey history began with a near-capacity crowd, a new home, and a scoreline which left little doubt about who was in charge. On Sunday, January 9th, 1977, the Port Perry Flamingos took to the ice at the newly constructed Scugog Arena for the first time, officially bringing junior hockey to the new facility near the Fairgrounds. The Flamingos, sponsored by Port Perry's Flamingo Pastries, had b

By Patricia Dawson Friends of the Lindsay Branch will hold a book sale at the Kawartha Lakes Library in Lindsay on Tuesday, September 15th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, September 19th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Every Tuesday, come out to St Paul's Anglican Church, 383 Osborne Street, in Beaverton, for drumming for health on September 8th, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. This is completely free; it's a free community wellness program. All drums, world percussion instruments, and

by Pat Asling It’s probably been 70 years since I last went to the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), so I came across an online piece about three young people given $90 each to see how far they could make it go. I was flabbergasted by the price of the few things they bought: food, playing games, etc. $90 would have seemed like a fortune back in the day, but it didn’t stretch far that day. I can’t imagine how families with several kids could afford to spend much time there.

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: The sound of engines roaring, the midway coming to life, and the unmistakable buzz of a late-summer fair will soon fill the air in Port Perry. However, this year, the Port Perry Fair is getting started a little earlier. For the first time, the Fair is adding a Friday night concert to its Labour Day weekend festivities, bringing country music stars 'the James Barker Band' to town, with special guest Ro

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard NORTH DURHAM: For residents with a question about policing, a concern about their neighbourhood, or simply a desire to get to know the officers who serve their community, there will soon be an easy place to start, over a cup of coffee. Durham Regional Police Service’s (DRPS) popular 'Coffee with a Cop' initiative is returning this autumn, with North Division officers making stops at coffee shops, in Uxbridge,

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Sunshine, warm temperatures, and plenty of community spirit combined Saturday, to make the 159th annual Blackstock Fair a memorable celebration of rural tradition. With temperatures reaching the mid-twenties, under beautiful sunny skies, families, farmers, exhibitors, and visitors made their way to the Blackstock Recreation Centre and Fairgrounds, on August 29th, for the one-day celebration. From earl