LOCAL HEADLINES

If you’ve ever wanted to go back in time to see what life was like a few decades ago, Lynnwood Arts has you covered.

Treats in the Streets is back in Simcoe this weekend. On Saturday, Oct. 24, the Downtown Simcoe Business Improvement Area (BIA) is hosting its annual Halloween event, Treats in the Streets, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy family time downtown – in costumes – collecting candy from participating businesses, and having some Halloween fun.

How tall can a corn stalk grow? How big can a pumpkin get? Answers to these and other questions were available for viewing at the agricultural displays under the grandstand during the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show, Oct. 6-12.

As she wrapped up her final meeting as Norfolk’s mayor, it wasn’t just the major votes, budget decisions and debates that went through Amy Martin’s mind. It was also the faces of farmers, community members, and volunteers who spoke at council or invited her to events as councillor, then mayor.

Vittoria Women’s Institute recently presented an Honorary Membership to James Christison ‘in recognition of his many helpful, informative, and valuable contributions to the branch.’

The Norfolk Federation of Agriculture hosted a mayoral candidate night at the Delhi District German Home on Sept. 30. Norfolk Federation of Agriculture (NFA) represents 1,140 farmers in Norfolk County, said Jennifer Schooley, NFA president. “We are rooted in agricultural expertise, a legacy of community support, and a forward-thinking commitment to sustainable farming in Norfolk County,” said Schooley. “We blend innovation with tradition, empowering farmers and champion

The Knight of Columbus, Simcoe Waterford Council 4502, recently made a $25,000 donation to the Norfolk Haldimand Community Hospice, which included $14,000 raised at their annual golf tournament.

Construction crews will be asked to use an access through South Drive that will later be turned into a public road as they build a 68-unit development in southwest Simcoe. Councillors at the Oct. 14 meeting supported a staff recommendation to approve a zoning bylaw amendment for 16 Fernwood Drive that paves the way for 14 semi-detached units and 54 group townhouse units on the property.

There will be several more harvests on a 45-hectare piece of farmland in Courtland, though at some point it could be the focal point of residential development in the community. The owners of 256 Main Street are hoping councillors will approve an urban boundary expansion for the parcel, to pave the way for a long-term development vision. That development would coincide with nearby industrial land development, though consultants pointed out nothing is on the immediate horizon

There are some people who enjoy giving more than receiving and Waterford’s Lana Plank is definitely a giver! I introduced you to Plank last Christmas when she was preparing a turkey dinner, with all of the trimmings, free to Norfolk residents who may not have otherwise been able to enjoy one.

Norfolk HERicanes U15 girls house hockey team started its GHGHL season ‘on fire’ – Karaline Mallett scored just five minutes into Sunday’s season opener at the Talbot Arena in Simcoe, slamming home a rebound off a shot from Tennley Dumoulin.

High taxes. Even higher water rates. Depleted reserves. And a $33-million hole in the capital budget over the next decade. Whoever becomes the next mayor of Norfolk County - and the field seems wide open as the Oct. 26 vote nears - will inherit a mess of problems.

The Concerned Citizens Coalition of Norfolk (CCCNC) recently did a deep-dive series of interviews with Norfolk County’s mayoral candidates. Detailed, full results of five interviews (two candidates who were invited did not participate) can be found on their website at norfolkconcernedcitizens.my.canva.site (You might not find it with an internet search, but copy and paste the address into your brower’s URL and that will take you to the site).

It took seven years, from their first steps to officially breaking ground, for the Norfolk Haldimand Community Hospice to reach the ‘construction-ready’ phase for The Williamson House palliative care centre.

After years of planning, fundraising and community support, Norfolk Haldimand Community Hospice (NHCH) officially ‘broke ground’ Sept. 23 on the site of the future Williamson House hospice palliative care centre.

Ontario’s ombudsman has ruled that an item discussed behind closed doors at a March meeting was in order, but the resolution taking them in-camera could have included more information.

The Norfolk Oxford Kidney Walk marked its 25th anniversary on Sept. 27 with almost 50 participants. “This is Anita and I, and family’s 25th year running this event,” said Greg D’Hulster, coordinator of the 2026 Norfolk Oxford Kidney Walk, noting this year’s walk in Port Rowan raised more than $6,700.

Heidi Van Dyk, CIBC Run for the Cure volunteer in Simcoe, was excited to announce this year’s local Friends and Family Team Challenge Award winner, recognizing the top fundraising friends and family team that has excelled in fundraising.

The fifth annual Ontario Cadets Week opened in Simcoe with a Flag Raising Ceremony at Governor Simcoe Square on Friday, followed by an Official Opening Ceremony on Oct. 3, at the Royal Canadian Legion, Simcoe Branch 79, with dozens of cadets from across Southern Ontario in parade.

The third annual Norfolk Applefest on Sept. 26 was well-attended from start to finish this year. “Right at 11 a.m. we were very busy, right from the start,” said Downtown Simcoe BIA coordinator Les Anderson, pleased with the festival turnout on Argyle Street from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26. “It’s still going well.