by Lauren Walker Did you know that every painting begins with a rough sketch? A sketch is a quick, loose drawing that provides the foundation for any painting. Just like a foundation, you build upon it to create a finished product. Where do you start? Action Lines In my "Beginner Wildlife Painting for Older Adults" course in October, we will learn about action lines. Think of an action line as a line designed to capture your subject's movement. If you're drawing a bird in fli

by Helen Nicolaou The Blue Jays season is over, as is summer, and now our evenings will be spent scrolling through channels, to fill the void of baseball until next Spring. However, with so many autumn Fairs, you can still enjoy the warm autumn days. There is something for everyone to see: exhibits are on display, showing the talents of local members in the community; live music; and tractor pulls and demolition derby's. The month of September has had very little rain, theref

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard SCUGOG: Local jazz musician, Lynn MacDonald is inviting the community to an evening of music, friendship and fundraising, in support of families and communities in Cuba. The fundraiser takes place Saturday, September 26th, beginning at 6 p.m., at The Hall (Church of the Ascension), 266 North Street, Port Perry. The evening will feature an outstanding lineup of musicians, including the Cubano Band, with Sean Bellaviti on piano, “Gato” Bill McBirnie o

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Artists across Kawartha Lakes and surrounding communities are being offered a new opportunity to turn creative ideas into reality. The Kawartha Lakes Arts Council (KLAC), the official Community Arts Council for the City of Kawartha Lakes, has launched its new Creative Futures Grant Program, providing financial support to artists looking to develop their creative practices, explore new ideas, o

KELLY WHYTE VCST KAWARTHA LAKES: Did you know the Victoria County Studio Tour (City of Kawartha Lakes) is the second oldest studio tour in Ontario? Our tour offers a diverse range of art sure to satisfy visitors from across the province. If you crave a local landscape, created in oils, watercolours or acrylics, we’ve got it! Jewellery designed to dazzle, wood-turned bowls, fabric art creations and pottery that will make your guests green with envy- we have it all! And the bes

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Residents can celebrate Kawartha Lakes’ 25th anniversary by displaying the municipality’s official flag, at their homes, cottages, businesses and community spaces. A new supply of City flags are now available for purchase, at Municipal Service Centres, in Bobcaygeon, Coboconk, Lindsay and Omemee. The 36-by-72-inch flags cost $45, plus HST, and are made in Barrie, Ontario. Kawartha Lakes adopted its official flag in 2007, following a

by Lauren Walker Complacency is the enemy of creativity. It's no different in my profession as a personal trainer. When I worked in a gym, I used to watch people do the same routine over and over and never get anywhere. They became comfortable, but the problem is they never got any stronger. If you are locked in a predictable routine, then how will you get any stronger as an artist? Shake it Up Many years before becoming an artist, I was locked into a pattern I didn't like. I

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard The Royal Canadian Legion is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a new commemorative $2 circulation coin honouring a century of service, remembrance and support for Canada’s veterans and military community. The Royal Canadian Mint has released the 2026 commemorative coin in recognition of the Legion’s official centennial, which marks 100 years since a special Act of Parliament incorporated the organization on July 17, 1926. The Legion traces its

DARRYL KNIGHT, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: There is still plenty of time for local residents to make the most of the summer, at Scugog Public Library, with reading programs, a new collection of puzzles, community displays, and a chance to win gift cards to some of Port Perry’s local businesses. The library’s Summer Reading Club continues through to August 31st, and more than 500 people have already signed up for the summer program. It is not