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

Darryl Knight – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter / Brandon Clark – The Standard News SCUGOG: Plans to develop a long-term vision for the Port Perry Fairgrounds are moving into their next stage following strong community participation in the first round of public consultation. At a special meeting on Monday, March 9th, Scugog council reviewed an interim report on the “Your Voice, Your Fairgrounds” land-use visioning project and agreed to move the process forward as the c

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard The Uxbridge Bruins have advanced to the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) Orr Division finals, eliminating their arch-rivals, the Port Perry MoJacks, in a hard-fought five-game Battle of North Durham series. After storming to a 2-0 series lead last weekend, Uxbridge faced a resilient LumberJacks squad in Game 3 on Tuesday, March 10th, in Uxbridge. Port Perry struck first in the third period with a power-play goal from Parker Lemay, assisted by

by Faye Ashton It’s hard to prepare oneself for what to wear the next day with the quick ups and downs this weather system takes. Certainly not conducive to the sap run. Having lost most of the snow this past week, except for what has been piled, we are back to a good amount of snow again. Doesn’t everything look nice and clean again? Come and enjoy a potluck breakfast in support of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank Project at Epsom Church on Good Friday. April 3rd, 9 a.m. for vis

By Larry Doble The Greenbank and District Lions, now in their 33rd year, recently gave 12 of their members certificates of appreciation. The years of dedicated service totalled almost 250 years. We are always looking for new members to help those in our community who need assistance. Our recent project is the sale of 55-pound bags of lawn 28-4-8 and garden 18-18-18 fertilizer for $50 each. This includes tax and free delivery. Email larrydoble@hotmail.com with your order and

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard NORTH DURHAM/KAWARTHA LAKES: The community is grieving, following the tragic passing of Woodville youth Rowen Greening, whose life touched countless people both on and off the ice. Rowen, a Grade 6 student and a member of the North Durham Warriors Under-12 AA hockey team, passed away, following an ATV accident, on Thursday, March 5th. In the days since, an outpouring of love and support has spread throughout

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 Jay Thibert NDN   SCUGOG: All around us, creatures are conducting their lives, many largely unseen. Who has observed amorous salamanders, piscine stonemasons, or crooning tree crickets?   We are more aware of birds and the larger mammals, but there are a host of animals which are active underwater or after dark and are seldom noticed. Others use camouflage to conceal their presence. Everyone is welcome to North Durham Nature’s March talk, to hear Don Scallen share stories

Natasha O’Dell, Digital Brand Manager LSRCA DURHAM/KAWARTHA LAKES:  The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) is warning residents, across the Lake Simcoe watershed, to exercise extreme caution near rivers, lakes, and streams, as warming temperatures and melting ice create increasingly hazardous spring conditions. After a winter, marked by heavy snowfall and significant ice buildup, a rapid warmup is now accelerating the seasonal thaw. Weather forecasts indicate t

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard The Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) playoffs shifted into the divisional semifinal round over the weekend, and one of the most anticipated matchups is the Battle of North Durham between the Uxbridge Bruins and the Port Perry Lumberjacks. Through the first two games of the best-of-seven Orr Division semifinal, the Bruins have seized early control of the series. Nearly 800 boisterous fans packed the Bear Den in Uxbridge on Friday night (March 6

by Faye Ashton First I must apologize. I don’t know whose calendar I was checking, but the proper date for the Breakfast in support of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank Project at Epsom Church, Good Friday, is April 3rd at 9:30 a.m. Please keep this date on your calendar and plan to attend. We have been made aware of the desperate need for aid in areas around the world. Sending all March birthdays and anniversaries warm congratulations for a year full of blessings and lasting memo

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Agriculture remains a driving force in Durham Region’s rural communities, and members of the Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee (DAAC) brought that message to council, during their annual update, on Monday, February 23rd. Matt Somerville and Nicole Swain outlined the committee’s ongoing work and the major issues currently facing the agricultural sector, emphasizing DAAC’s role as a key advisory

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Tourism growth and stronger coordination across sectors were front and centre, at Scugog council’s Monday, February 23rd meeting, where members endorsed a new four-year Visitor Growth Plan, aimed at building on the community’s rising visitation numbers and economic momentum. The plan was presented through a staff report, authored by Lori Bowers, Director of Communications and Strategic Projects. Chu

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

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard A North Durham rivalry will take centre stage this weekend, as the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL)’s Orr Division semifinals open, with a familiar and heated matchup. The first-place Uxbridge Bruins will square off against the fourth-place Port Perry LumberJacks, in what promises to be another intense chapter in the Battle of North Durham. Uxbridge enters the series as the clear favourite, having dominated the regular season rivalry. The Bru

by Faye Ashton The bright sunshine on the first day of meteorological Spring (March 1st) helped defray the -11 daytime temperature, and it sank to -21 in the evening. I don't seem to recall the temperature with such wide swings as we’ve seen this year. We have not seen the height of the snowbanks along our road in many years, quite something. Watch on Facebook, Otter Greenhouse is rolling out their new baby plants to hang from the rafters. What a delight. The Ontario County H

by Janet Van Camp At a recent gathering of the Blackstock Agricultural Society, several people were recognized for their contributions. Congratulations to Craig Larmer, Barry Van Camp and Ann-Julia Bajema on receiving awards of merit for long-standing service to our Fair. All have worked diligently for many years to help make our events a success. Also recognized was Helen Coates for her past association as a Director and Homecraft President, and her ongoing work with the Veg