by Faye Ashton Did you extend your winter vocation just to have a bit more warmth? We are really experiencing a “real old fashioned”winter. With this weeks continuing snowfall and very cold over night weather, looks like the last week of February will gives us more of the same. It’s hard to believe that on March 3 rd it’s full moon (Worm) time again". With the passing of Pancake Tuesday and Ash Wednesday last week we know it will soon be Easter (April 1) and possibly warmer

by Pat Asling Another rather dreary week with the temperatures hovering around 0c most days and snow melting almost as fast as it fell, which happened most days. It was nice though to not be enduring such low temps as we had previously. We are warned though that these conditions will return soon! This week was rather uneventful as people and organizations gear up for more activities as we move into spring. I want to start with something I mentioned before but that is not happ

By Patricia Dawson A number of engaging programs are coming up at local branches of the Kawartha Lakes and Brock Township Public Library systems. Bobcaygeon Book Club Readers are invited to join the Bobcaygeon branch for its monthly book club on Tuesday, February 24th, from 1 to 2 p.m. at 123 East Street South, in Bobcaygeon. Registration is required; please contact the Bobcaygeon branch to sign up. The club meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month and explores a different n

by Pat Asling A long weekend with a special day on either end! I hope you all had lovely valentines activities and family time together. The weather was warmer which no doubt suited most people but not those skiers and other outdoor sports enthusiasts. Then maybe, they were all inside watching the Olympics! A couple of local events scheduled for Valentine's evening were cancelled. No explanation was given for the cancellation of the RAD dance at the Legion. The dance at the Z

by Janet Van Camp I hope some of you tried out the cornhole night on January 28th at the Recreation Centre, hosted by the Lions Club. If there is enough interest, perhaps another evening will be offered, or even a league started. If you would like to become a member of the Blackstock Lions Club, or would simply like more information about the club, please contact Lion Lynne Gallant at lynnegallant711@gmail.com . They are always open to new ideas to support our community. The

by Faye Ashton The brightness of this February 1st full moon, named the Snowy moon or Hungry moon by the native people, illuminates the very white, snow-covered earth. This makes Groundhog Day on the 2nd very hard for Mr. Groundhog to avoid seeing his shadow if he were up in the early hours of the morning. Of course, that means six more weeks of winter weather, but we’ve managed so far. Just a piece of cake. I do think of the many road-weary travellers as I watch the traffic

By Patricia Dawson Come out and beat the winter blahs with the “Mood Boosting, Pot Decorating, and Planning — Beat the Winter Blahs” Workshop pm February 4th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at 18 Brock Street West, U xbridge. Gathering with friends are proven method to increase serotonin, a happy hormone, and don't we need as much as possible in February! Let's kick the winter blues by joining Bounty from the boonies shop owner Carly McDougall for a mental health boosting Works

by Pat Asling It seems a lot has happened over the week, but nothing earth-shattering. Oh, but there was an earthquake which shook and cracked and was heard and felt over a great deal of southern Ontario. Apparently, I slept through it while others were truly frightened. I think they said it occurred 5 miles underground, so I wonder how it would feel if you were in a mine or some other deeply dug space? There have also been some spectacular photos on Facebook of what are comm

By Patricia Dawson Winter fun is coming to Kawartha Lakes! The inaugural Kawartha Lakes Winter Festival takes place Sunday, February 1st, at Eganridge Golf Course, starting at 10 a.m. This inclusive, family-friendly event invites people of all ages and abilities to enjoy outdoor activity, fresh air, and community spirit. The morning features endurance runs on snow-covered trails, while the afternoon, 1:30 to 4 p.m., is packed with family fun activities. Highlights include sno

by Pat Asling For many folk, the news of the week was the weather, which affected much of North America! Of course, along with other things Canada got the blame for, that came out of the Arctic, a location much in the news lately for other political reasons. Thankfully, we are more used to this cold than many of the parts of the US to our south. The only thing hot there is the politics, which leaves me colder! I must apologize for no news last week due to a computer glitch. I

By Patricia Dawson This is a reminder to get your tickets for a fun night at the Robbie Burns dinner on January 31st. featuring music, dancing, and a traditional meal. Doors will open at 5 pm. Dinner is at 6 pm. To be held at the Beaverton Legion Branch 135, 517 Mara Road, Beaverton. Tickets are $50; cash purchases can be made at Jack's place for kids or by calling Jennifer at 705-426-7960. Beaverton Story time for ages one to Junior Kindergarten (JK) will take place on Frida

by Janet Van Camp On Wednesday, January 28th, the Blackstock Lions Club is hosting a fun and free Cornhole evening with light refreshments at the Blackstock Recreation Centre, 7-9:30 p.m. The Lions Club is hoping to form a league, so this could be a weekly/monthly outing where people come out and have some fun while meeting others in the community. Sounds like a fun evening! The Blackstock Agricultural Society's AGM was postponed due to the weather last Thursday. They are hop

By Pat Asling Now that 2026 is underway, things seem to have slowed down a little, but this is likely just a brief pause. After the holiday rush and a bit of overindulgence, people are catching their breath. Before long, lunches, meetings, and events will be back in full swing, and life will feel busy once again. I hope everyone is carrying good memories from the 2025 Christmas season and the start of the new year. Sadly, the world has entered 2026 in a time of great turmoil.

by Faye Ashton I hope everyone is keeping well and managing to avoid the flu bug that seems to be making its way around in many different forms this season. A little bird shared some happy news: Jeannie Ranken will be celebrating 75 years young on Tuesday. Warm birthday wishes to Jeannie from her many friends throughout the community. Best wishes as well to anyone marking a January birthday or anniversary. May your celebrations create special memories to cherish all year long

By Patricia Dawson Residents are invited to step out and enjoy some lively country line dancing in Cannington at the Cannington Legion Community Health Center. Instructor-led sessions are held at the Legion, located at 72 Peace Street, on Monday mornings from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. These classes are open to both new and experienced dancers and feature a fun mix of country favourites and Top 40 hits. For those looking to try something different, Drumming for Health will take place

by Janet Van Camp Several local families enjoyed vacations in the Caribbean over the holidays. What a change from swimming in the ocean one day to snowmobiling the next! The annual Potluck and AGM of the Blackstock Agricultural Society will be held on Thursday, January 15th at the Blackstock Recreation Centre. Doors open at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome!

by Pat Asling Here we are, one week into a new year! Do you feel any different? The last couple of weeks of December have brought us back to old-time winters in regard to snow. There is a song which says, “as high as an elephant's eye,” but the snow drifts have been as high as the corn left in the field! Personally, I am tired of shovelling or thinking about shovelling, and this is early yet. At least we did have some melt and more forecast for this week. Snowmobiles and skie

By Patricia Dawson High school students and youth leaders, save these dates for Blaze, our upcoming winter youth retreat, January 9th to 11th, 2026. We're hosting a youth retreat for high school students here at Fairhaven's Camp and Conference Centre. Come prepared for a weekend full of worship, great speaking, recreation, food and fun! This will take place from Friday, January 9th, at 7 p.m. to Sunday, January 11th, 2026, at 3 p.m. The address is B2215 Highway 48, Beaverton.

by Pat Asling In church today, the candle of Joy was lit! It’s hard to be joyful when so many horrible things are happening around the world and suffering is so great. It is hard to be joyful when your friend had died, another is diagnosed with a stroke, or has only a short time to live as diagnosed by doctors, an unbelievable number of countries around the world are war-torn, hundreds driven from their home by war, floods and other catastrophic natural disasters, all created

by Faye Ashton We’ve been gifted with an old-fashioned winter. When it’s not snowing, it’s very cold. It takes many of us back to the day when snow banks along the road were as high as we were as we trudged along to school. Did it hurt us? I don’t think so. Just created more memories. Don't forget to give Elgin Park in Uxbridge a view. The creativeness of the many entries is well worth the drive; the lights are amazing. Checked out the Santas along Campbell Drive in Uxbridge