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 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

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

It's a time of casting off the callousness, encasing one's existence, and soaking up something new offered there. Like when a seed discards its outer shell and is given new life, provided by the bacteria from the soil, an entirely new manner and direction of growth is activated. The transformation is radical, a seed radical, if you will. This is when new purpose is begun, living in darkness below the soil is ended, and a stage of soaking in the light, a dependency on the sun,

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Motorists in Port Perry can expect smoother drives ahead, as Scugog Township moves forward with a targeted plan to repair several high-traffic roads, following a punishing winter season. At its meeting, on Monday, March 23rd, council approved a recommendation, from the Public Works and Recreation Department, to use unallocated Roads Levy Reserve funds to rehabilitate key stretches of roadway in the Port Perry

Jamie Steel, Senior Lead of Community Relations, AMP KAWARTHA LAKES: Surrounded by leaders in science, technology, engineering, art and math, as well as their peers, community supporters and educators, participants of the first-ever inSTEAM event on March 25th spent the day connecting, learning, sharing and exploring what life in STEAM could look and feel like. The event, a partnership between the Women Changemakers Fund of Kawartha Lakes, Ampere Canada, and community partn

BRANDON CLARK The Standard NORTH DURHAM: On Tuesday, March 24th, the North Durham Chamber of Commerce gathered at Blackstock Recreation Complex for its Annual General Meeting, running from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sponsored by several organizations, including TD, Durham College, and Elevation Accounting. Lunch was served by Mary's Country Kitchen. Following the welcome remarks from emcee Jonathan van Bilsen and Scugog Mayor Wilma Wotten, the meeting continued with an update

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,

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: A smooth leadership transition appears to be underway in Brock Township, with veteran municipal leader Fernando Lamanna set to take on the role of Acting Chief Administrative Officer and Clerk. Mr. Lamanna will step into the position, effective Saturday, April 11st, following the departure of outgoing CAO Michelle Willson. With more than two decades of municipal experience, Mr. Lamanna is expected to

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard BLACKSTOCK: Residents and businesses in the Hamlet of Blackstock are being asked to limit water use as the Regional Municipality of Durham implements temporary conservation measures in support of ongoing infrastructure work. The advisory applies to all municipal water users in Blackstock, located in the Township of Scugog, from March 27th through April 27th, though officials note that unfavourable weather conditions could affect the project timelin

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: A milestone celebration is on the horizon in Port Perry, as the Scugog Arena prepares to mark 50 years at the heart of the community. Residents, past and present, are invited to take part in a full day of festivities, on Saturday, September 19th, honouring five decades of memories, milestones, and community spirit built within the arena’s walls. For 50 years, the Scugog Arena has served as a gatheri

William Woodstock , Vets Around the Corner SCUGOG: Vets Around the Corner (VAC), a 100 percent independently and privately owned, locally rooted veterinary organization, is proud to announce the soft launch of its new Emergency Department, VAC-ED, beginning April 3rd, at 8 a.m. This new small animal service has been developed in direct response to a growing need for accessible, high-quality veterinary emergency care within the community. VAC-ED will initially operate on a wee

KAWARTHA LAKES:  In an effort to mitigate fire hazards, Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service has issued its annual April burn ban. The burn ban will be in effect as of 12 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1st. During this period, all Regular Annual Burn Permits will be temporarily suspended, in adherence to both April's annual burn ban and any municipal-wide burn bans in effect. Exceptions to the burn ban may include Agricultural or Special Burn Permits, though strict adherence to safet

By Shawn Lackie Over the last 22 years, I have had more than a few clients looking to buy a new (to them) home. Some have been easy to please. Some not so much. But for the most part, it was an enriching and rewarding process. I take great pride in matching the right buyer with the right house. That’s not always easy. In fact, it is seldom easy, for a myriad of reasons. Wrong size home. Wrong size lot. Don’t like the area. Needs too much work. Why is that street light there?