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 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

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: The dream of a national title came to an end for Blackstock, on Saturday night, but the pride and momentum built, through the 2026 Kraft Hockeyville campaign, will carry on, long after the final votes counted. During the live broadcast, on the evening of Saturday, March 21st, it was announced, Taber and Tumbler Ridge had been selected as the Top two communities in this year’s competition, leaving Blac

by Helen Nicolaou At last, it's official, Spring arrived, as of Friday, March 20th. Quickly, our minds begin to make notes, prioritizing garden duties. Carefully assessing the yard will help to decide which areas need attention. The melted snow reminds us of the unfinished jobs, such as the fallen leaves which had been covered by the early snowfall, last November. Just a reminder, it's good to wait and leave the fallen leaves as cover for the sleeping pollinators until they a

by Shawn Lackie In one of my previous missives, I talked about having crazy neighbours and ended the piece by mentioning we were fortunate to have neighbours like Ross and Debbie, who weren’t afraid to help out. That means a lot. One of the big things about Port Perry has always been that the town is home to a great number of people who genuinely care. For the welfare of the community, the buildings, the environment and the people who inhabit the area. Take a look around at w

Melissa Briggs USC There’s been plenty of action happening at the Uxbridge Swim Club (USC) lately, and lots more on the horizon. 2025 Japan Cultural Exchange Tour Team with Swim Ontario Over the winter break, USC swimmer, Chloe Walker, travelled to Japan as part of the 2025 Japan Cultural Exchange Tour Team with Swim Ontario. This was a huge experience for Chloe, offering international racing and training opportunities in Sagamihara, Japan. The exchange also allowed her to e

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: The small North Durham community of Blackstock is celebrating national recognition, after being named Ontario’s provincial winner in the 2026 edition of the Kraft Hockeyville competition. The announcement was made during the March 14th broadcast of Hockey Night in Canada, placing the Blackstock Arena among 13 communities across Canada selected as provincial and territorial winners. The recognition mea

by Lauren Walker My last article touched on a few key items about exercise after a stroke. We've worked with many clients seeking rehab and our goal is to develop strength through the use of progressive weight bearing exercise. Our current client was affected on the left side and therefore her arm and leg suffered subsequent weakness. Let's dive into the key to getting our client up and walking with assistance. Assess the Client One size does not fit all, in this situation. T

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard SCUGOG: A popular summer tradition is set to return to the shores of Lake Scugog, this June. Township staff recommended Scugog Council waive municipal rental fees, to support the annual Dragon Boat Festival. A staff report, from Shawna Cornish, the Township of Scugog’s Manager of Parks and Recreation, was included on the agenda for the General Purpose and Administration Committee meeting, on Monday, March 2nd. The report provides an update on the

by Helen Nicolaou Spring cannot come too soon, as the grey days of the longest winter will finally be coming to an end. The Pine Ridge Garden Club will welcome members and guests to its first meeting, on Tuesday, March 10th, at 7:30 p.m., in the Nestleton Community Centre. Our first speaker is Michael Burns, speaking on Beautiful Dahlias. Mr. Burns is the president of the Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society, who has dedicated his time to cultivating show quality and garden varie

by Janice Teel Seedy Saturdays are a Canadian invention, rooted in a simple idea: gardeners sharing seeds and knowledge with one another. The first event was organized in 1990, by horticulturist Sharon Rempel at VanDusen Botanical Garden, in Vancouver. What began as a local seed exchange has since grown into a nationwide tradition, celebrated in communities across the country, including Pefferlaw. Gardeners across Georgina and Brock are invited to dig into spring, at Seedy Sa

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Long-anticipated repairs at the Blackstock Recreation Complex are moving a step closer to reality, with council approving a design assignment which could lay the groundwork for major roof and structural upgrades at the community facility. At a recent meeting, council received a report from Grant Taylor, Director of Public Works & Recreation, recommending the Township retain Sense Engineering (GTA) I

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 BROCK: More students could soon be hitting the ice, during the school day, after Council approved a new non-prime school rental rate, at its Monday, February 9th, meeting, a move, sparked by a high school program, is already generating excitement among families with children in local elementary schools. Councillors voted to create a $120 per hour daytime school rate, at the Rick MacLeish Memorial Community C

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.

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Families across Kawartha Lakes are invited to make lasting memories this Family Day, on Monday, February 16th, at the Lindsay Recreation Complex. From skating and swimming to yoga and crafts, Parks and Recreation has a full lineup of free and fun activities for families to enjoy together. “Family Day is all about bringing people together,” said, Parks and Recreation Coordinator, Christine Ma

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Work on the Sunderland Arena expansion and renovation project is continuing to move forward, despite slight delays caused by utility connections. Officials report substantial progress has already been made, with demolition nearly complete and construction now underway on both the exterior and interior of the facility. Mayor Mike Jubb called the project “a historic project in the Township of Brock,” no

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Residents of Beaverton may soon see improvements to local pickleball facilities, after a recent request brought the issue before Brock Township Council. At a council meeting, on Monday, January 26th, Andrew Wingrove, a longtime Beaverton resident and community supporter, submitted a letter raising concerns about the newly created pickleball court at Lodwick Park. Mr. Wingrove noted, the court does not

SARA URBANOWICZ Daisy Consulting Group SCUGOG: Darwin Pivot, the Toronto-based consulting firm, hired by Scugog Township to lead the Fairgrounds consultation, insists its mandate is strictly to listen and report and is not intended to advance or justify any predetermined outcome, including the sale of the Fairgrounds. That clarification stands in contrast to ongoing concerns raised in the community, including, following public statements indicating Council may choose to sell

BRANDON CLARK  The Standard News BROCK: Community and Non-Profit Organizations are invited to apply for funding from Brock Township's Charity Golf Tournament fund for senior- and/or youth-oriented projects. The annual golf tournament, hosted by Brock Township, is held at Cedarhurst Golf Club in Beaverton, to raise funds for local charitable organizations. Brock Township requires local non-profit or charitable organizations applying for a specific project to provide detailed