DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Entrepreneurs, across the community, are being encouraged to take the next step to grow their businesses. Applications open for the Spring 2026 cohort, of the Starter Company PLUS program, in the City of Kawartha Lakes. The program, offered through the municipality, in partnership with the Province of Ontario, is designed to support small business owners who are looking to launch, expand, or

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Recognizing its importance to the local economy and workforce development, councillors in the City of Kawartha Lakes are calling on the province to strengthen funding for Ontario’s college system, to ensure the continued success of the Frost Campus of Fleming College. At its meeting, on February 24th, council passed a resolution, brought forward by Ward 3 Councillor Mark Doble, requesting th

By Patricia Dawson The Royal Canadian Legion in Beaverton offers several exercise classes, including Gentle Fit, which focuses on improving functional performance, strength, and balance to help prevent injury. Contact the Brock Community Health Center to register by calling 705-432-3322. There is also a Zumba class every Wednesday, at 6 p.m., at the Beaverton Legion. The cost is $15. Bring the kids out for a free event during March break at the Legion in Lindsay. On Thursday,

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: A one-day immersive STEAM ( Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics ) experience, aimed at inspiring the next generation of female leaders, has received financial backing from the City of Kawartha Lakes. At its meeting, on Tuesday, February 24th, council approved $2,500 in one-time funding, to support the upcoming Women’s Changemakers STEAM Event. It is scheduled for Wednesda

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: From Lindsay to Omemee to Bethany, the 2025 Kawartha Lakes Business Count reveals a community full of economic potential and future possibilities. Presented at the Committee of the Whole meeting, on February 10th, the survey paints a picture of businesses thinking ahead, ready to hire, expand, and reach beyond the region. Rebecca Mustard, Manager of Economic Development, said, the survey was a

KIM COULTER RMH Foundation KAWARTHA LAKES: Since it launched in 1972, Armada Toolworks Ltd has been advancing its design, development and manufacturing skills. Today, this Lindsay based company is a leading supplier of custom made automotive components. They know having the right tools in the right hands is critical to success. Support from the Armada Toolworks team for the WE ARE THE ROSS capital campaign will help fund the highest priority investments at Ross Memorial Hos

By Patricia Dawson A number of engaging programs are coming up at local branches of the Kawartha Lakes and Brock Township Public Library systems. Bobcaygeon Book Club Readers are invited to join the Bobcaygeon branch for its monthly book club on Tuesday, February 24th, from 1 to 2 p.m. at 123 East Street South, in Bobcaygeon. Registration is required; please contact the Bobcaygeon branch to sign up. The club meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month and explores a different n

KIM COULTER RMH Foundation KAWARTHA LAKES: In 1946, life was changing in the Kawartha Lakes. With the end of the Second World War, families were reuniting and growing; community business and industry launched an era of prosperity; and Ethelreda (Hutton) Morrison, from Elm Tree Corners, graduated from Ross Memorial Hospital’s Nursing School, beginning a long career devoted to patient care. Ethelreda’s daughter, Marlene Morrison Nicholls, has been supporting Ross Memorial, for

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Fifteen local entrepreneurs are being celebrated for successfully completing the Starter Company PLUS Program, a provincially funded initiative which helps aspiring and existing business owners launch and grow their ventures. This year’s graduates represent a diverse and innovative group of individuals, who have demonstrated resilience, creativity and dedication while turning their ideas into

Carissa Ferguson, Kawartha Community Foundation KAWARTHA LAKES : The Kawartha Community Foundation is pleased to announce a $180,000 community investment, through the Together for Justice program, awarded, in recognition of the Foundation’s leadership capacity and its strong track record of community collaboration, to strengthen access to justice services and address systemic barriers across the City of Kawartha Lakes. Delivered locally, through the Kawartha Community Founda

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES : On a chilly January morning, in Lindsay, Simone Watts stepped outside to find her usual blue box pickup hadn’t happened. A few empty beer bottles sat awkwardly beside the bin, reminders of a new rule she hadn’t quite wrapped her head around. “I thought these went in the blue box, like before,” she said, picking them up. “Turns out, they have to go to a separate program now. It’s a bit confus

RYAN YOUNG RMH KAWARTHA LAKES:  Ross Memorial Hospital’s Dr. Gargi Bhatia Family Birthing Centre delivered its first baby of 2026 at 8:47 p.m. on January 1st. Little baby Theo was born to parents Jessie and Mathew, weighing 7 pounds, 1 ounce and measuring 21 inches long. The timing of Theo’s arrival came as a surprise to the new parents. “We were not anticipating this as his due date wasn’t for a few more weeks,” explained Jessie. “We had friends over the night before and wok

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: On a crisp winter afternoon, this past Tuesday, December 16th, in downtown Lindsay, time folded in on itself. Beneath the Eternal Flame in Queen’s Square, a small metal capsule, sealed 25 years ago, waited quietly for its moment. Children, who had placed it there: Reenie Brydon, Mathew Kent, and Caelin Nesbit, all of them now adults, approached it with a mixture of wonder and nostalgia, thei

By Patricia Dawson High school students and youth leaders, save these dates for Blaze, our upcoming winter youth retreat, January 9th to 11th, 2026. We're hosting a youth retreat for high school students here at Fairhaven's Camp and Conference Centre. Come prepared for a weekend full of worship, great speaking, recreation, food and fun! This will take place from Friday, January 9th, at 7 p.m. to Sunday, January 11th, 2026, at 3 p.m. The address is B2215 Highway 48, Beaverton.

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

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Twenty-five years after it was sealed beneath Lindsay’s eternal flame, the community’s Millennium Time Capsule will be opened, on Tuesday, December 16th, in front of the Kawartha Lakes Library’s Lindsay Branch. The capsule was installed, in the year 2000, during the renovation of Queens Square, a project which blended renewal with reflection, as residents marked the arrival of a new century. T

By Patricia Dawson Guided hike in Uxbridge will take place Saturday, December 20th, from 9:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Secord Forest parking lot, a kilometer south of Goodwood Road on Concession 3. Join the Oak Ridges Trail Association on their guided walks and hikes across the top end of the GTA. Enjoy fresh air, meet new friends, and energize your body. Bring the family to the Sunderland Santa Claus parade on December 13th, 2025. This is a free event and starts at 7 p.m.

KIM COULTER Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation KAWARTHA LAKES: HTM Insurance Agents care about what you care about. Among their core corporate values, they commit to making a difference in their communities. Today, that commitment was put into action when Lindsay’s HTM Agents Amanda Hartin, Cam Atkinson and Christine Schiarizza presented a $1,000 donation to Erin Coons, RMH Foundation CEO. The gift supports the Foundation’s $25 million WE ARE THE ROSS capital campaign, which

By Patricia Dawson Come out to a fun event put on by the United Way of Haliburton Kawartha Lakes. This will take place on December 2nd from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at 68 McLaughlin Road, in Lindsay. Get ready to jingle all the way through a festive night of fun and friendly competition. Expect multiple trivia rounds with various holiday categories, prizes for winning teams, snacks and drinks, the party doesn't have to end after trivia, stay for a round of axe throwing after, at a dis

KIM COULTER Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation KAWARTHA LAKES: Whether you’ve lived here all your life or you are new to Kawartha Lakes, what matters most, for you and your family, is knowing the highest quality care is available nearby. That is the message Jeff Todd is sharing this holiday season, through the RMH Foundation holiday appeal letters, being delivered to households across Kawartha Lakes. Having grown up here, moved away for 20 years, and returned to raise his fa