DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: As winter winds down and the promise of longer days beckons, families across Scugog and the surrounding area are starting to dream of sun-soaked afternoons and busy summer schedules. From splash-filled days at the pool to action-packed day camps, the Township of Scugog is gearing up to welcome residents with a full lineup of recreational programs, designed to keep kids active, spark creativity, and b

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Generations of skaters, players, and families are uniting behind a shared goal, as the community puts forward the Blackstock Recreation Complex, as its nominee for the 2026 edition of the Kraft Hockeyville contest. Blackstock Arena is one of Canada’s true hockey originals. First opening in 1933 as an outdoor skating pad, it holds the distinction of being the second-oldest ice surface in the country.

by Janet Van Camp I hope some of you tried out the cornhole night on January 28th at the Recreation Centre, hosted by the Lions Club. If there is enough interest, perhaps another evening will be offered, or even a league started. If you would like to become a member of the Blackstock Lions Club, or would simply like more information about the club, please contact Lion Lynne Gallant at lynnegallant711@gmail.com . They are always open to new ideas to support our community. The

by Janet Van Camp On Wednesday, January 28th, the Blackstock Lions Club is hosting a fun and free Cornhole evening with light refreshments at the Blackstock Recreation Centre, 7-9:30 p.m. The Lions Club is hoping to form a league, so this could be a weekly/monthly outing where people come out and have some fun while meeting others in the community. Sounds like a fun evening! The Blackstock Agricultural Society's AGM was postponed due to the weather last Thursday. They are hop

by Janet Van Camp Several local families enjoyed vacations in the Caribbean over the holidays. What a change from swimming in the ocean one day to snowmobiling the next! The annual Potluck and AGM of the Blackstock Agricultural Society will be held on Thursday, January 15th at the Blackstock Recreation Centre. Doors open at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome!

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: A community-led vision, for the future of the Blackstock Arena, was brought before Township of Scugog council recently, as a delegation called on the municipality to partner with residents, to revitalize the aging facility and secure its long-term future. Kirk Swain, Mike Blakey and Rob Harvey addressed council, at their meeting on Monday, December 9th, on behalf of the newly formed Blackstock Arena Planning and

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: Programming at Blackstock Arena was briefly disrupted last week after a small fire broke out, on the exterior of the Church Street facility, on Monday, November 17th. At approximately 5 p.m., Scugog Fire, supported by Uxbridge Fire and Durham Regional Police, responded to reports of a fire on the building's outside wall. The blaze was quickly brought under control. Early assessments indicated while t

by Janet Van Camp There was a small electrical fire at the Blackstock arena last week, which forced the shutdown of all programs from Tuesday to Friday. I am happy to announce it is open once again for all user groups. 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 rais

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Long-standing concerns, over the future of the Blackstock Arena, were back before Scugog councillors, on Monday, November 10th, as the General Purpose and Administration Committee reviewed a detailed follow-up report, outlining five potential remediation options for the facility’s failing refrigeration plant. After extensive and, at times, tense discussion, councillors ultimately defeated a recommend

BRANDON CLARK The Standard SCUGOG: Scugog Township, informed residents and businesses, in Blackstock, about water conservation measures in the area, for municipal water supply users. The water conservation will be in effect for a month, starting on November 10th and ending on December 11th. The work schedule may be affected by weather conditions. Ongoing upgrades and construction, at the Blackstock municipal well site, have prompted the area to implement water conservation.

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

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 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

By Janet Van Camp On Tuesday, November 11th, 2025 a Remembrance Day Service will be held in Blackstock at the Cenotaph at 11 a.m. Please come directly to the Cenotaph. Refreshments will be served, courtesy of the Blackstock Lions Club, at the Recreation Centre following the service. All are welcome. Blackstock Minor Hockey and Curling have started their seasons. On November 10 th , Scugog Council will receive suggestions from their staff as to how to proceed with improvements

by Janet Van Camp The local BIA (Blackstock Improvement Association!) was busy last week decorating the poles that have veterans' banners along Old Scugog and Church Streets. Special thanks to Davd and Ingrid Larmer for providing the corn stalks, and to Ellen, Louise, Ingrid, and Janet for decorating and putting them up. Congratulations to Ellen Martyn, who recently received her Canadian citizenship at a ceremony in North York. A proud moment for her and the Martyn family. Ha

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: An updated Emergency Management Program and Emergency Response Plan will help ensure the Township of Scugog is ready to respond to any emergency which might come its way. The new plan was presented to Council by, Alternate Community Emergency Management Program Coordinator (CEMC), Jacqueline Bjorklund and Fire Chief Mike Matthews at a recent meeting, where both emphasized the importance of keeping Sc

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Blackstock Arena, a community cornerstone since 1937, faces...

by Janet Van Camp This is a busy week for many families as students, teachers, and administrators head back to school. Wishing all of you...

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: The sights, sounds, and smells of summer tradition filled...