DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard After suffering their first defeat of the 2025-26 season last weekend, the Uxbridge Bruins returned to form with two commanding victories, while the Port Perry LumberJacks and Little Britain Merchants each went one-and-one. The Bruins opened their weekend on Friday night at the Bear Den with an 11-1 rout of the Schomberg Cougars. Uxbridge struck early and often, with Tucker Roberts, Darin Bain, and Ryan Shier each scoring in the first period. Evan G

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard NORTH DURHAM : Business owners across North Durham are being told they’ll soon need to handle their own recycling collections, as the region prepares to end blue box service for commercial properties. The North Durham Chamber of Commerce issued an advisory this week, informing members, beginning next year, businesses will no longer be eligible to use the regular curbside blue box program. Instead, they must e

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Concern for the future of rural mail delivery has prompted Brock Council to take a stand, in defence of local postal services. At a recent meeting, councillors unanimously passed a resolution, urging the federal government and Canada Post to protect rural post offices and mail delivery routes, stressing their importance as a vital communications link, for residents and businesses across the township.

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Inititiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Residents of Kawartha Lakes could again cast their votes, online or by phone, in the 2026 municipal election. This, following a presentation to council, on November 4th, by, City Clerk, Cathie Ritchie. The proposal, presented during a Committee of the Whole meeting, would see the continued use of internet and telephone voting, not only for the election of Mayor, Councillors, and School Board

DARRYL KNIGHT The Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Residents, farmers, and members of the agricultural community packed Council Chambers, recently, for a public meeting on proposed changes to the Township of Brock’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law. The amendments aim to make it easier for farmers to expand and diversify their operations, through new on-farm businesses, while maintaining protection for the area’s prime agricultural land, within th

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Efforts to protect fish habitats and improve water quality, near the Bobcaygeon Dam, are taking another step forward, as Kawartha Conservation continues its detailed study of how dam operations affect the surrounding aquatic ecosystem. The conservation authority shared its latest findings and future plans, with Kawartha Lakes councillors, during a Committee of the Whole meeting, held on Tuesda

by Jonathan van Bilsen I never planned to spend a night in jail, but then again, few seventeen-year-olds do. Most people never see the inside of a cell, unless it is on television, and that is probably a good thing. It is certainly not the Marriott. Still, I can honestly say, I have done time in ‘the Big House’. It all started with a heartbreak. My first, in fact. She was the prettiest girl in my class, and for two glorious weeks, I thought we were destined for greatness. The

by Tina Y. Gerber – McCurley Sometimes, we beg God, or say, “Why, why me!? Why are things falling apart,” or “Why is this happening? It’s just not fair!” I have no answer to these questions, except, we are here to learn and live a full rich life. For peace at heart, we need to affirm our confidence in Gods power and His ability to overcome any obstacle.   In His paramount wisdom, I understand, the Holy Spirit shows up where there is surrender, obedience, and a cry for genuin

by David Minns UXBRIDGE: St. Paul’s Anglican Church, in Uxbridge, is going to be a busy place, on the weekend of November 15th. The St. Paul’s Anglican Church and Trinity United Church invite you to the Festival of Trees. It starts on November 15th, before the Santa Claus Parade, from 10 a.m., in front of the St. Paul’s’ Church, at 59 Toronto Street S., in Uxbridge. Hot chocolate and treats will be served on the lawn. For Saturday, November 15th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and S

SCUGOG: The Durham Chamber Orchestra (DCO) presents ' A Christmas Celebration,' a festive concert, featuring selections from Handel’s Messiah , Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances: Suite II , and favourite seasonal songs, performed with New Song Community Choir, led by Jonathan Liebich. Performances take place on Sunday, November 30th, at 2 p.m., at Port Perry United Church, and again on Sunday, December 7th, at 2 p.m., at Forest Brook Community Church, in Ajax. Now, in its t

by Stuart Beaudoin UXBRIDGE: On Sunday, November 30th, at 7 p.m., St Paul’s Anglican Church in Uxbridge, Music at St Paul’s, will host a performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. The performance will be in English. The Cantorei sine Nomine choir and Orpheus Symphonietta orchestra under the direction of Stuart Beaudoin along with soloists, Leslie Higgins, Shannon Coates, Benjamin Done and Sebastien Belcourt will sing this marvelous setting of the Christmas story. Director Stu

KATIE HUNTER The Standard DURHAM: Tyrone Tackles Hunger is a grassroots approach our family, (the Bell’s), initiated back in 2020. Now running its sixth annual food drive campaign benefiting the Bowmanville Salvation Army Food Bank, running from November 1st until December 6th, 2025. It’s based out of Tyrone but support is also rallied across our northern communities of Haydon, Enniskillen, Burketon, Hampton and places in between! We have a ‘reindeer mascot’ who we grow our

by Lauren Walker A frustrating part of aging for my clients is their short-term memory. While their body are in good condition, it becomes a struggle to remember basic things. It’s quite frankly, a downer for a lot of my older clients. While age-related memory loss is normal, what can I do as a personal trainer to help? The Benefits of Exercise Increases blood flow to the Brain by improving circulation Releases hormones that lower inflammation and insulin resistance, protecti

by Janet Van Camp The walking program for 2025-26 has started again at the Blackstock Recreation Centre. Walkers are welcome to attend on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, please contact Kathy Hill 905-986-4576. Just a reminder the Coffee Drop-In at the Blackstock United Church is now on the second and fourth Mondays of each month from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Coffee, treats, and interesting conversations are guaranteed. Upcoming dates are Novem

by Pat Asling On Saturday morning, a short Indigenous Remembrance Day service was held at the Uxbridge Cenotaph. Rev. Karen Croxall opened the ceremony, and a wreath was placed by Jim Franklin, an 87-year-old, partially disabled, full Indigenous Veteran. Following this, each participant was given a pinch of tobacco, which they then placed on the wreath. Following up on this theme, at Sandford Zephyr United Church on Sunday morning, we had a short service of readings, includin

By Patricia Dawson Come out to a fun weekend in Bobcageon for the Kawartha Lakes Festival of Trees from November 14th to 16th. There will be fun for all ages: the family can visit the candy shop, the children can see Santa, and there will be a silent auction. The address is 85 Dunn Street, in Bobcaygeon. Some exciting activities and attractions include a horse-and-wagon ride, children's activities, and a general store selling unique gift ideas. The festival pass is 15 per per

by Faye Ashton I think we expected this white stuff before now, but we were spared until late Saturday evening. But didn’t everything look gentle and white, a welcome to winter's cooler clime and conditions. Not getting my skis out yet, though. There is a celebration of Life for Kenny Millman at the Community Centre in Acton, Ontario, on Saturday, November 15th, from 2 to 4 p.m. We hope you can come for soup at 11:30 a.m., on Tuesday, November 18th, at Epsom Church, and enjoy

by Shawn Lackie Nobody said it would be easy. But it’s all a matter of perspective. By it I mean finding a good and reliable mortgage broker. In many instances the decision can be an extremely simple one. You have a relative or a very close friend who you trust implicitly to give you the best quality service and really look out for your best interests. Even these scenarios come with a certain level of risk. As long as you ask the right questions and stay engaged in the proces

DARRYL KNIGHT  The Standard It was a busy weekend on the ice for local Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) teams, with the Uxbridge Bruins, Little Britain Merchants, and Port Perry LumberJacks all seeing action across several rinks. The Uxbridge Bruins extended their season-opening win streak to 14 games on Thursday night in Schomberg, skating to a 6-4 victory over the Cougars. Tanner Ryan opened the scoring late in the first period, and the Bruins built a 3-0 lead midway