by Faye Ashton I hope your gardens received some much-needed rain, which fell first on Thursday and again on Sunday. This farm was working into the night on Saturday to get the cut hay baled and wrapped, and the haylage into the silo before the predicted rain on Sunday. So is the life of all farm families because the weather plays such an important role in our livelihood. As we look back 50 years on June 13th, we think of the tremendous help we received when lightning hit our

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard One of the area’s brightest golfing talents will once again tee it up on one of the biggest stages in Canadian golf. Little Britain native, Justin Matthews has earned an exemption into the 2026 RBC Canadian Open, taking place June 10th to 14th, at TPC Toronto, on Osprey Valley’s North Course in Caledon. Golf Canada and RBC recently announced the 13 players receiving exemptions into Canada’s national men’s championship, where Matthews earned his plac

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 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 Ken Wilson It’s hard to believe it is the Third week of June already. The Spring Tennis Programs will be finished next week, after a very busy Spring schedule. The programs were a great success, again this year, with approximately 140 people participating in the programs and leagues, during the Spring session. May thanks to our Club Pro – Colin Hooper and his coaching staff. The Summer Tennis Programs will begin the week of July 6th, 2026. For anyone interested in improvin

by Faye Ashton What a beautiful first week of June with a bit of rain on Friday evening to help the plants from gaging. It was hard to believe our lawn started to look dry even after all the Spring rains. I must apologize, the next blue moon is not December 2026 but December 31st, 2028. A very beautiful and delicious bridal luncheon in honour of Brooklyn Kerry’s September marriage was held at Aunt Donna Kerry Ireland’s home, on Washburn Island, with Brooklyn’s sister Hayden h

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: The future of the Blackstock Arena took a significant step forward, recently, as Scugog Council approved the purchase and installation of a new permanent refrigeration plant for the historic facility. The issue dominated discussions, during the Monday, May 25th council meeting, when members of the newly formed Blackstock Community Arena Development Committee presented a five-year vision for the arena

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: The Township is updating the way film and television productions operate within the municipality, following Council approval of a revised Film Policy, during its meeting, on the evening of Monday, May 25th. Included in the meeting’s agenda was a staff report, from Lori Bowers, Director of Communications and Strategic Projects, outlining proposed changes, aimed at supporting continued economic opportun

by Faye Ashton I hope you didn’t miss the second full moon this month, called the “blue moon” Saturday/Sunday night. We will not experience this phenomenal event again until December 2026. So many songs were created because of a blue moon. Remember the decoration service at the Breadalbane Presbyterian Church, in Utica, on Sunday, June 7th, at 2:30 p.m., with Rev. Rob Kennedy, minister and Beth Willis as pianist. The decoration service for the Kendall and Hillman Cemeteries a

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: The winding waters of the Nonquon River will once again come alive with paddlers, spectators and volunteers, when the 56th annual Canoe the Nonquon takes place, on Saturday, June 6th. What began in 1969 as a fundraiser, organized by the Lake Scugog Historical Society, continues today as one of the region’s most recognized sporting traditions, raising funds in support of Scugog Shores Museum Village. S

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard SCUGOG: Engines will rumble to life and chrome will gleam under the early summer sun, as thousands are expected to gather along Water and Queen Street in Port Perry, for the 13th annual Roar by the Shores classic car show, a tradition which continues to draw enthusiasts from across Durham Region and beyond. Scheduled to run Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the waterfront event will transform the town’s historic downtown into a rolling museum of aut

BRANDON CLARK The Standard SCUGOG: On Wednesday, May 13th, Darwin Pivot J.L Richards & Associates visited Scugog Council Chambers in Port Perry to hold a 'Your Voice, Your Fairgrounds' interactive open house and workshop for attendees. The day was broken into three sessions: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., and 6 to 8 p.m. Attendees were given packets which contained concepts for the fairgrounds' future. The packet also includes spaces for attendees to write down feedbac

by Helen Nicolaou The month of May has certainly been busy, with garden centres having gardeners choosing annuals to bring colour into their gardens. Sunny dandelions have brightened up our lawns, providing native pollinators with some of the first important food sources. The early spring perennials have bloomed, and now the landscapes are dotted with fruit tree blossoms and the scent of lilacs filling the air. Thanks to those hard-working members who came out on May 4th to t

by Faye Ashton Last week it was the extreme heat. This weekend, we tried to survive the gale-force winds and rain, which brought down many new leaves, branches, and even whole trees, before it slowly crept away, leaving a soggy Sunday with highs of only 14-15 degrees. The Bethesda-Reach Women’s Institute are inviting you to an evening with author Barbara Dickson with her book entitled Bomb Girls: Trading Aprons for Ammo, which explores women’s roles in World War 2. It takes p