LOCAL HEADLINES

It’s sad to think about it, but we will soon be saying goodbye to the ‘dog days of Summer’ and hello to the cooler weather and colours of autumn. But just because the seasons may be changing there is still a lot to see and do in Waterford.

The Monster Madness Show, with three full-size monster trucks, was an instant hit at the Tillsonburg Tri-County Fair in on August 15th and 16th. “Saturday and Sunday, the grandstands were jam-packed,” said Rosemary Dean from the Tri-County Fair. “It shows that people were interested in that new addition to the fair. I think we made a good choice this year.”

This year’s Terry Fox Run in Simcoe on Sunday, Sept. 20 starts – and finishes - at the Lions Park on Davis Street East. Online registration can be completed at run.terryfox.ca - type Norfolk in the search box and you will be taken to a link for the local 2026 run page (run.terryfox.ca/129759). Shelley Weiler has been coordinating the Tillsonburg Terry Fox Run for the past seven years. Over the years she has learned several ‘best practices’ from the Terry Fox Foundation and

Simcoe Composite School alumnus Jim Garder (who writes as James Alan Gardner) was recently inducted into the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association Hall of Fame. We caught up with Jim to ask him what advice he has for aspiring science fiction writers. He generously provided the following suggestions:

Convicted arsonist Chad Reimer managed to avoid jail time for his role in a months-long series of fires that targeted barns and vacant houses in Norfolk County. It remains to be seen if Reimer’s co-accused, Matthew Smith, will have the same fate. The two men were arrested shortly after a barn went up in flames east of Port Dover on Jan. 26, 2025.

Willow Hyatt’s llama showmanship was on a championship level at the Tillsonburg Tri-County Fair on August 15. “This is my third summer,” said Hyatt, from Simcoe, who won the intermediate llama division of the Norfolk 4-H Showmanship at the fair, then won the overall best-at-show junior-intermediate llama showmanship title.

We have some of the most beautiful countryside right here in and/or near Waterford and my hubby and I often choose to take a ride just to enjoy the scenery. Recently we took some time to stop and snap a photo or two of one of our county’s most colourful crops - sunflowers.

Sixteen babies competed for prizes and ribbons at the 172nd Tillsonburg Tri-County Fair at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 15 in the Lions Auditorium at the Tillsonburg Community Centre. Judges for the event were Anne Hollis and Fran Brown.

Author Jim Gardner, a science fiction writer with a local connection, was recognized for his body of work on August 9, 2026.

For farmers, the pressures of work and home are often impossible to separate. Weather, commodity prices, livestock health and finances can all weigh heavily on a farm family, while long hours and geographic isolation can make it difficult to connect with others or seek help when those pressures become overwhelming. Agriculture Wellness Ontario (AgWO) is working to change that by providing mental-health education, counselling and community support designed specifically for O

The 2026 Norfolk County Terry Fox Run is fast approaching. This year’s Terry Fox Run is Sunday, Sept. 20 at Simcoe Lions Park (Davis Street). Check-in or registration starts at 10 a.m. Opening ceremonies start about 10:30 a.m. and the Terry Fox Run starts at 11 a.m.

Bonnie Sitts might be considered a local expert on Teddy Bears. Her display at the Tri-County Fair, which she first came up with to decorate a room at Annandale National Historic Site last Christmas, focused on the ‘Bear Facts.’

The 2026 Simcoe Heritage Friendship Festival ended on a high note Monday, August 3rd. The four-day festival had a good crowd Friday, a great crowd Saturday – and a fantastic crowd Monday. Sunday, however, was rained out. “We were watching the forecast in the days before… at the beginning of the week, it looked terrible,” said Sara Moody Veldhuis. “And then it cleared up - it was going to be perfect. Then a day or so later, no.”

Police responding to false alarms at properties in Norfolk County will now cost the owners a little more. The Norfolk County OPP Detachment Board recently approved the increase in an effort to “reflect the current cost recovery rate.” Owners will now be charged $240 per occurrence, up from the previous $200.

The beauty of local gardens was on display Saturday at the Simcoe & District Horticultural Society’s annual Flower Show. Judged by certified judge Dianne Elliott, following the Ontario Judging & Exhibition Standards, the top entries received ribbons. Exhibitors (members of the Simcoe & District Horticultural Society)

The 2nd annual Your Local Norfolk County Ribfest is returning to Simcoe, August 28-30 at the Norfolk County Fairgrounds. Enjoy live music and award-winning ribs - and you can vote for your favourite!

Somebody’s got to pay for it. While Norfolk’s homebuilders say proposed increases to the county’s development charges could further strain an already weakened market, county staff say long-term infrastructure needs are going to have to be paid for somehow. County councillors learned about the review of the charges at the July 28 council meeting.

Norfolk will attempt to expand the number of condos that can receive municipal waste collection services when the new system comes online next month.

One hundred racks of ribs were prepared for the 4th Annual Ribfest at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 123 Waterford on Saturday, August 8. Live music was provided by Mary Simon (3-6 p.m.) and The Killin’ Time Band (6-10 p.m.).“It’s growing – it fluctuates every year,” said Legion member and grillmaster Ed Lemery. “This year, there’s been a lot going here and in Norfolk County. Everything’s getting busier and busier.

Waterford Legion Branch 123 and its members played host to a full house of guests on July 18th. They were all there to celebrate not only 100 years - and going strong - but the long-standing work and dedication of its members and the community support as well.