DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard SCUGOG: As Scugog Arena prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, this season, the Port Perry Lumberjacks are hoping to reconnect with the players who were among the first to lace up their skates in the building, more than five decades ago. The organization is searching for former members of the Port Perry Flamingos, the club's original name from 1972 to 1980, when the team was named after the famed Flamingo Pastries bakery and its legendary butte

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: The waters of Lake Simcoe, once again, proved why they are regarded among Canada's premier smallmouth bass fisheries, as anglers from across Ontario converged on Beaverton for the 2026 Competitive Sport Fishing League (CSFL) Bronzeback Cup, on July 4th and 5th. After two days of competitive fishing, Cory and Chris Johnston claimed the championship title, with an impressive combined two-day weight of 56

by Linda Story UXBRIDGE: With a beaming smile, Kathryn Sunn graciously accepted the Marion Cassie Memorial Scholarship at the Uxbridge Secondary School (USS) Commencement ceremony, on June 25th, at Uxbridge Arena. Ms. Sunn received her award in front of a standing-room-only audience who witnessed more than 250 graduates receive their diplomas. In order to receive the Marion Cassie Memorial Scholarship, applicants must have a successful skating career with the Uxbridge Skating

MARY MEYER Blackstock Agricultural Society SCUGOG: This year marks a major milestone, as the Blackstock Truck and Tractor Pull celebrates its 50th anniversary. What began as an idea, in 1976, has grown into one of Ontario's best pulling events, drawing competitors and spectators from across the province. The vision belonged to Harvey Graham, who attended a truck and tractor pull in Western Ontario and believed the Blackstock Fairgrounds would be the perfect place to host a si

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard NORTH DURHAM/KAWARTHA LAKES: A handful of young hockey players, from North Durham and Kawartha Lakes, took a major step toward their junior hockey dreams, over the weekend, as the Ontario Hockey League held its 2026 Priority Selection, in Kingston. While no local players were selected, during Friday night's opening round, several area standouts heard their names called, throughout rounds two through 15. This highlighted the strength of local hockey

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 The Standard A season filled with success, growth and memorable moments was celebrated recently, as the Uxbridge Bruins gathered for their annual awards banquet at the Uxbridge Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. The evening provided an opportunity to recognize individual achievements, while also marking the end of an era, for several key members of the organization. Among those saying goodbye was Bruins president, Jay Simmonds, who announced he is stepping awa

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

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Growing demand for remote viewing of local hockey games and arena activities has prompted Brock Council to approve a new partnership, bringing LiveBarn streaming services to all three municipal arenas. During its meeting, on Monday, May 25th, Council authorized staff to enter into an agreement with LiveBarn, a subscription-based streaming platform, widely used in arenas across North America. The servic

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard UXBRIDGE: A new chapter is underway for one of Canada’s most respected stock car racing organizations, as, former NASCAR Canada Series champion, Jason Hathaway and Jamie Hakonson-Hathaway officially take ownership of Team 3 Red/EHR. The announcement marks a significant milestone for the team, founded in 2001, by longtime NASCAR Canada Series supporter, Ed Hakonson, who passed away just over a year ago. The new ownership group said, it is committed t

DARRYL KNIGHT, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Port Perry hockey product, Jake Bricknell, continues to make a major impact overseas after another standout professional season in England. Playing his first season with the Bristol Pitbulls, in the National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) National Division, Bricknell surpassed the 50-goal mark for the second straight year, while establishing himself as one of the league’s top offensive threats. The former

DARRYL KNIGHT, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK/KAWARTHA LAKES: Baseball season is getting underway for the Victoria Brock Baseball Association (VBBA), bringing together players, coaches, and volunteers from communities across the western portion of the City of Kawartha Lakes and Brock Township, for another year of inter-community competition and development. VBBA President, Christine Clayton said, the association’s focus remains firmly on creating

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Girls hockey continues its rapid rise in Kawartha Lakes, with hundreds of young athletes taking to the ice, in recent weeks, including a busy tryout weekend, of April 25th and 26th, and sessions continuing into May, for the Lindsay Lynx girls hockey program at the Lindsay Recreation Complex. In recent weeks, girls aged 9 to 17 have been showcasing their skills, in hopes of earning a spot on one of the

DARRYL KNIGHT, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard A season defined by resilience and a raucous home crowd came to a close, in dramatic fashion, for the Uxbridge Bruins, on Tuesday, April 14th. Backed by more than 800 fans, at the Bear Den, the Bruins battled until the final horn, but fell, 4–3, to the Frankford Huskies, in Game 6 of the Provincial Junior Hockey League Eastern Conference championship series, ending their playoff run one step short of the fin

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: A new partnership, between the municipality and a community-driven committee, is being positioned as a key step toward safeguarding the long-term future of the Blackstock Arena. During the General Purpose and Administration Committee meeting, on April 13th, members reviewed a staff report from, Manager of Parks and Recreation, Shawna Cornish, outlining a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with

DARRYL KNIGHT, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard A season defined by resilience and a raucous home crowd came to a close, in dramatic fashion, for the Uxbridge Bruins, on Tuesday, April 14th. Backed by more than 800 fans, at the Bear Den, the Bruins battled until the final horn, but fell, 4–3, to the Frankford Huskies, in Game 6 of the Provincial Junior Hockey League Eastern Conference championship series, ending their playoff run one step short of the fin

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard The Uxbridge Bruins opened their Provincial Junior Hockey League quarterfinal series in strong fashion, over the weekend, skating to a 5-2 Game 1 victory, over the Frankford Huskies. From a field of more than 60 teams, the Provincial Junior Hockey League has been narrowed to the final eight, with Uxbridge travelling east, along Highway 401, over the Easter weekend, to face the Tod Division champion Huskies, in a best-of-seven East Conference champi

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard SCUGOG: For 18-year-old Port Perry curler Ryne Fisher, years of dedication to the sport have led to a national championship moment he will not soon forget. Mr. Fisher was part of Team Ontario #1 which capt ured g old at the 2026 New Holland Canadian Under-20 Men’s Curling Championship, held March 28th to April 4th at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex in Sudbury. Having started curling at just six years old, Mr. Fisher has spent more tha