DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Families across Scugog will once again have access to a summer favourite, as the Township’s Park and Play program returns for another season of free recreation activities, for local children. Running weekdays, from July 6th to August 28th, Park and Play brings the excitement of Camp Scugog directly into neighbourhood parks, offering games, sports, crafts, themed activities and more, for children aged

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Young readers across Kawartha Lakes are invited to make a splash this summer, as Kawartha Lakes Public Library launches its 2026 Summer Reading Club, a season-long program, designed to inspire a love of reading, while keeping children and families engaged through fun activities and community events. This year's theme, “Dive In,” draws inspiration from the lakes, rivers, and waterways which hel

by Lauren Walker So what do you do when your Instagram video takes off? I posted a video on my Instagram page, @theartistwithin86, and it blew up past my wildest expectations. By the time this article gets published, I'll have almost 3 million views. It is overwhelming, to say the least. Uncharted Territory This is uncharted territory for me. I believe these moments are rare and fleeting, so I feel like I'm riding a wave, until it settles back in to the vast social media ocea

by Geoffrey Carpentier Wind turbines have become one of the most visible symbols of the clean energy transition, worldwide, with the goal of shifting away from fossil fuels and toward a low carbon future. Still, wind turbines can have significant negative environmental impacts. For many people, these turbines raise a troubling question: What about the impacts on birds and bats? Wind power and wildlife conservation are often portrayed as opposing forces, since migration patter

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard NORTH DURHAM: Families looking for an affordable way to enjoy the outdoors this summer will have two opportunities to cast a line in the waters without purchasing a fishing licence, as Ontario’s annual Free Fishing Weekends return, later this month. Anglers of all ages can fish for free, during Father’s Day Weekend, on June 20th and 21st, followed by Family Fishing Week, from June 27th to July 5th. The initia

by Geoffrey Carpentier I had the good fortune to spend much of the winter in very tropical areas, with daytime temperatures often well into the high 30s. Arriving home, I was anxious for a different kind of warm though. I longed for the wonderful spring temperatures I grew up with, cool nights and lovely warm summery days. Well, it seems for 2026, at least, that didn’t happen. On May 21st, we had frost warnings, not unheard of but, certainly not anticipated nor welcome! My bi

As Canadians prepare to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day, on June 21st, communities across the country are being encouraged to celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, languages and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. For generations, the longest day of the year has been a time for gatherings, ceremonies and celebrations. In recognition of this importance, the Government of Canada officially designated June 21st as National Aboriginal Day, in 1996. Th

by Jay Thibert NDN Africa is famous for its large mammals, and many tourists go there to get a firsthand view of some of their spectacular beasts. However, there are many other amazing animals to be seen there, in particular a great diversity of birds. James and Lynda Kamstra took just such a trip through the Serengeti Plains and some of the great national parks of Kenya and Tanzania. The wildlife was awesome with the Great migration of many thousands of zebras and wildebeest

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: For many young people, discovering a future career path can happen in unexpected ways. For Tanner Big Canoe, it started with a high school elective and eventually led him to studying computer science, at Queen’s University — a journey he credits, in large part, to the support and opportunities provided by Ampere. Mr. Big Canoe first became involved with Ampere through a personal connection, while searching for a part-time job, during

by Geoffrey Carpentier It’s May, and most of our migrants are back already, setting up territories, finding mates and getting ready to start the next generation of their species. Many of our migrants, most in fact, spend the winter in South and Central America and make the perilous journey, twice annually, north to south then back again in the autumn. With their return each spring, they do bring joy and colour to our lives, after we’ve enjoyed (?) our own, long cold winters.

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Growing demand for skilled trades workers was front and centre at a City of Kawartha Lakes Committee of the Whole meeting, on Tuesday, May 5th, as councillors received a memorandum, calling for stronger municipal support of trade programming at Fleming College’s Frost Campus. The memorandum, brought forward by Ward 5 Councillor Mark Doble, asked the municipality to advocate for the advancement

by Geoffrey Carpentier Without any exaggeration, our birds and many other wild things are under siege and face a battle they really can’t win, without help. Sounds gloomy? Well, it actually is! Canada’s wild landscapes, from the Arctic tundra to the temperate rainforests of British Columbia, to our own Great Lakes and the vibrant rocky eastern coast, serve as a critical nursery for billions of birds. Over 450 species of birds call Canada home, for at least part of the year, a

JAY THIBERT NDN UXBRIDGE: For years, the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority (TRCA) has been monitoring the aquatic community, within the Lower Don River, gathering valuable data on the health of local fish populations. As the Don Mouth Naturalization Project (DMNP) nears completion, these ongoing monitoring efforts are critical in understanding the project’s impact on the area. Bryann Coey will present an overview of the project, focusing on TRCA’s long-term monitoring o

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 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

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Expanding adult education opportunities in North Durham took centre stage, at a recent Brock council meeting, as local officials learned about a program aimed at helping residents build skills and access new career pathways. During the Monday, March 23rd meeting, council received a presentation, from, Learning Network of Durham Region representative, Jennine Agnew-Kata on the Ontario Get SET (Skills,

Don Gordon , SLMF Public Relations NORTH DURHAM : The 66th edition of the Sunderland Lions Music Festival gets underway on April 8th and 9th at S.A. Cawker Public School in Port Perry, featuring elementary and secondary school bands, followed by piano, vocal and instrumental classes on April 14th through April 23rd at the Sunderland Town Hall auditorium. The festival has been presented annually by the Sunderland Lions Club since 1958, with a three-year hiatus from 2020 to 202

by Geoffrey Carpentier A few years ago, a cloud was just that, a cloud. Now it seems it’s actually a remote computer which mysteriously stores any information I wish to entrust to it. While we may not understand it, if you’ve ever saved a photo to ‘the cloud,’ streamed a movie on Netflix, or backed up your phone, you’ve used the ‘cloud.’ The term sounds nebulous and abstract, as if your data floats somewhere above the Earth, but in reality, the cloud is firmly grounded in bui

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: The Kawartha Art Gallery is set to shine a spotlight on the next generation of local talent, with its upcoming Young Musicians Showcase, bringing together students from across the community, for an evening of music and inspiration. The concert, part of the Gallery’s 2025/26 Music Series, will take place on Wednesday, April 15th, at 7 p.m., at Celebrations, in Lindsay, located at 35 Lindsay Str