BRANDON CLARK The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Residents and visitors in Lindsay are invited to take part in a full day of Canada Day celebrations featuring family-friendly activities, entertainment, and an evening fireworks display at Wilson Fields. The festivities run from 1 to 10 p.m., offering an afternoon and evening packed with activities for all ages. Throughout the day, families can enjoy kids’ activities designed to keep younger visitors entertained, alongside opportunit

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: A proposed mixed-use development which could bring between 950 and 1,375 new homes, employment lands, commercial space, parks, and a long-term care component to Port Perry, took its first public step through the planning process, at a Statutory Public Meeting, held by Scugog Township's Planning and Community Affairs Committee, on June 15th. The proposal affects approximately 64 hectares (157 acres) of

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard Summer has arrived, and with it comes one of Ontario's most beloved seasonal traditions—strawberry picking. Across Kawartha Lakes and Durham Region, local farms are welcoming visitors to their fields, offering families a chance to enjoy fresh air, beautiful countryside, and baskets full of ripe, juicy strawberries. Pick-your-own strawberry farms provide a fun and affordable family outing. Children enjoy searching for the biggest berries, while adult

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Dog owners in Beaverton are one step closer to having a dedicated place for their pets to run and play, after Brock Council voted to move forward with the long-awaited Beaverton Dog Park project, this year. The decision was made during the, Monday, June 15th, council meeting, when members considered a staff report, from, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities, Wayne Ward, outlining updated costs

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Plans to significantly expand Brock Township's sidewalk network have been put on hold, after council voted to pause future work, outlined in the Sidewalk Master Plan, and undertake a detailed review of its long-term financial and operational impacts. The decision was made during Brock Township Council's meeting, on June 15th, after members received a report, from, Capital Projects Coordinator, James Pe

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

By Nick Kossovan The word "networking" makes most people's stomachs turn. It conjures images of hotel conference rooms, aggressive business card swapping, and awkward, forced conversations in which everyone is subtly looking over their shoulder, to see if there's someone more important they should be speaking to. If that's your mental picture of networking, you can't be blamed for resisting it. Undoubtedly, active networking has its place in job searching, just not to the ext

by Shawn Lackie This article could also be titled: Buyer quirks and quarks. Remember the old adage, if it’s too good to be true it probably is? That pretty much sums up some of the potential clients you meet in the wonderful wacky world of real estate. If they run in the door waving a check-book saying, “We’re buying a house today,” chances are you’ll never see them again. Any realtors reading this will be smiling and thinking, 'Ya pretty much.' That’s the nature of this busi

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: As the City of Kawartha Lakes continues to mark its 25th anniversary, officials are hoping to connect with a resident whose life story spans generations of local history. The City has launched a search for the oldest person living in Kawartha Lakes, who has called the community home their entire life. The initiative is designed not only to identify a remarkable resident but also to preserve th

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

Editorial by TODD GREEN The Standard Fathers. I've had three in my life, two of them contributed more than they know. The first father I had, brought me into this world. He was a bit of a train wreck, marriage wise, but while in their lives, he was fiercely loyal to those around him, stimulating a return in kind. One of his passions was creative writing. In part, I have reaped a blessing from that lineage, and you are experiencing it now. His other main passion was being a ca

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

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Years of wear and tear, beneath one of Port Perry's key roadways, have prompted additional engineering work, as plans move forward for a major rehabilitation of Old Simcoe Road. The preliminary design phase for the Old Simcoe Road Rehabilitation project is underway and remains on schedule; however, new investigations have revealed underground deficiencies which will require further study before constr

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: The stories behind accessibility often begin with people who see barriers and decide to do something about them. That spirit of inclusion was celebrated during the June 2nd meeting of council, when the City of Kawartha Lakes presented its 2026 Accessibility Awareness Recognition Awards to individuals, businesses, community groups, municipal staff and youth who have helped make the community mo

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard NORTH DURHAM: Treasure hunters and bargain seekers will once again have an opportunity to explore neighbourhoods across Durham Region when Curbside Giveaway Day returns on Saturday, June 13. The popular event, running from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., encourages residents to place unwanted items that are still in good condition at the curb, clearly marked “Free,” allowing others to take them home and give them a second life. Organized in partnership with Durha

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