LOCAL HEADLINES

This year’s Remembrance Day ceremony at the Norfolk War Memorial marked the 100th year it was held at the Carillon Tower in Simcoe. Bigger wreaths with bigger poppies were used in honour of the 100th anniversary. “All of the wreaths that were placed (at Carillon Tower), they were not the traditional ones that you see at all the cenotaphs,” said James Christison, president of Royal Canadian Legion, Simcoe Branch 79.

The Williamson family had already cemented their legacy by donating 10 acres of land on their third-generation family farm east of Jarvis to be the future home of Haldimand-Norfolk’s first hospice. Turns out they were just getting started.

Christmas bells were jingling Saturday morning at Sobeys Simcoe during the official launch of the local Salvation Army’s 2025 kettle fundraising campaign. This year’s campaign runs from Nov. 14 – Dec. 24 with 12 kettle locations in Norfolk County -- and they need your help and support.

Delhi Community Health Centre held its fifth Harvesting the Bounty Fundraising Gala on Oct. 25. “This event is very important because it allows us to raise funds for ongoing building expenses,” said DCHC Board Chair John Bamford.

Robert Lee Ballard killed his friend, Michael Shawn Murray, in Delhi in late March 2021. On that the Crown and defence agree. But Ballard pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder on the first day of his judge-alone trial in Simcoe on Monday, Nov. 10.

From community guest speakers to golfing on the greens, The Lynn River Probus Club aims to encourage socialization within the retirement community.   ​The Simcoe-area club is looking for retired/semi-retired singles and couples to join its 70-person membership base. Inaugurated in 2014, the club serves as a social hub, encouraging the retirement community to participate in a variety of weekly activities, including playing golf, joining book clubs, attending appetizer nights,

Delhi District Secondary School’s drama class and drama club braved the cold weather Oct. 24-25 to present their annual Haunted Sawmill, partnering with the Delhi Tobacco Museum & Heritage Centre.

Zak Muise died while trying to help. The 25-year-old wildland firefighter from Norfolk County was killed in a vehicle rollover in July 2023 while battling the Donnie Creek wildfire in northern British Columbia, on record as the largest in the province’s history.

Looking for a fun outing in Norfolk County? Well, look no further than The Simcoe Little Theatre and their production of Nice Work If You Can Get It! On stage from Nov. 20 to Dec. 7, this comedy production is a classic musical with the songs of George and Ira Gershwin.

A potential boundary adjustment that would bring the Norfolk Mall within the Town of Tillsonburg limits has resulted in some confusion in the media. A press release issued from the office of Tillsonburg Mayor Deb Gilvesy stated, “There have been some misconceptions circulating regarding 400 Simcoe Street (Norfolk Mall) regarding recent discussions surrounding a potential boundary adjustment. These discussions have been

November 11 will mark the 100th Remembrance Day ceremony at the historic Norfolk War Memorial Carillon Tower on Norfolk Street. “The ceremony is very well done and it’s usually a good crowd,” said Bruce Wilson, president of the Army Navy Air Force Unit 255 in Simcoe. “It’s good to see the kids out. It should be acknowledged by the schools – a lot of students, even high school students, don’t know what it’s all about. “I do it for me and for the veterans. In my heart, it mak

The rise in cost of living, mental health challenges, and unemployment has prompted The Salvation Army Simcoe Community Church to provide additional community initiatives. ​Josh Edwards, concerned corps officer at The Salvation Army Simcoe Community Church, says the food bank on Colbourne Street has seen a 21 per cent increase of new customers seeking food and essential items for their day-to-day needs. He adds that there are a variety of underlying factors that could be inc

As Canadians, many of us can recite John McCrae’s In Flanders Fields by heart, fully aware of the sadness, sacrifice, and legacy that poem represents. That legacy lives on each year through the Royal Canadian Legion’s Poppy Campaign, a national tradition of Remembrance. From the last Friday of October (Oct. 31) until Remembrance Day (Nov. 11), Canadians proudly wear the poppy to honour our veterans and all those who gave their lives so we can live freely. While the poppy is

A Port Dover development proposal has been put in the hands of Norfolk County staff, with some advice from council. County politicians maintained some reservations about the 12-unit stacked townhouse proposal for Main Street, though their concerns likely would be best addressed under site plan control, a process that doesn’t typically include council. While they supported the idea of the proposal providing more housing in the municipality, they were still worried about the i

Norfolk County water users will face another steep increase in 2026 as the municipality continues to tackle a challenging shortfall in infrastructure funding for water and wastewater services. Council approved a 10.1 per cent increase for 2026, which equates to a monthly increase of $14.83 for a residential home consuming 12 cubic metres. Staff and politicians both acknowledged the significant increases of this year and last, though stressed it’s a necessary response to both

The Royal Canadian Legion, Delhi Branch 125, introduced the ‘No Stone Left Alone’ initiative to the Delhi area this year. “It’s in its 15th year,” said Trudy Ingraham. “The lady who started it, out west, her mother was a veteran. On Remembrance Day, she placed a poppy on her mother’s grave, and she realized there were a lot of other headstones of veterans laid to rest there. She felt it would be a nice idea if they all were remembered.”

Three Canadian organizations are coordinating efforts to offer mental health support for Jamaican foreign migrant workers struggling to deal with Hurricane Melissa’s devastation. Canadians and workers’ host communities quite literally benefit from the fruits and vegetables of their labour says Leanne Arnal, Manager of Community Development, Catholic Community Services York Region (CCSYR), Simcoe Satellite Office. And now, in those workers’ time of need, she feels responsibil

Jake Ireland’s grandfather, Harry Samuel Green, was a soldier in the First World War. “That’s really why I’m here,” said Ireland, volunteering at a Royal Canadian Legion, Simcoe Branch 79 poppy station Sunday afternoon in Simcoe. “I’ve been doing this for maybe 10 years.” Ireland’s grandfather, Harry Samuel Green, was a Home Child, born Oct. 20, 1893, in Aldershot, Hampshire. He was placed in the National Children’s Home following the death of his mother. Harry’s father, wh

A big plus to writing for this publication is the many interesting people I get to meet and the stories they have to tell. Recently I received a text from Daphne Schuyler with an invite to join her and friends for lunch at Kerry’s St. James Street Eatery in Waterford and I couldn’t refuse.

Norfolk County Championship Wrestling delivered big-time with its first Clash on the Coast, a two-show event Oct. 25 at the Port Dover Community Centre. “Collectively, I would say the whole day ran really smooth,” said NCCW promoter Adam Martin. “The excitement, the energy, it was top notch throughout the entire day and night… for both shows. Especially for something that’s never been done like that in this area before.” Martin said there was some concern it might be ‘too l