LOCAL HEADLINES

The Simcoe Farmers’ Market is gathering customer and vendor feedback in preparation for its Nov. 13 relocation grand opening. ​Since 1980, the Simcoe Farmers’ Market has operated in the Homecraft building at the Norfolk fairgrounds. The Market recently moved under the Grandstand after a decision was made by the Norfolk County Agricultural Society, which saw a community need to accommodate a banquet hall in its former location.  

Who would have thought, back in 1992 when the very first Pumpkinfest was celebrated, that it would grow to become one of the most popular community events around? Since then, it has become an annual – and very popular – tradition in Waterford, and the Oct. 17-19 edition has just been ‘put to bed’ for another year.

Despite having no good option in sight, Norfolk councillors have asked county staff for more information on how to adopt provincially mandated recycling collection changes before making a decision. “None of this is good,” said Mayor Amy Martin.

The two sides of the ledger are going in the opposite direction to encourage developers to build more homes, a local builder says. Sam Bunting, owner of Prominent Homes and past president of the Haldimand Norfolk Homebuilders Association, presented to Norfolk councillors at the Oct. 15 council-in-committee meeting, sharing challenges builders are currently facing.

A simplified, flat rate business registration system will be implemented in Norfolk County. Norfolk councillors voted to move to the new system for bricks and mortar businesses following the presentation of a staff report on the issue at the Oct. 15 council-in-committee meeting. It will replace the existing licensing system that charges various fees based on the business. The potential move arose last year - part of its review of fees proposed increases to the licensing sys

The annual Royal Canadian Legion Poster and Literacy Contest, organized locally by Branch 125 in Delhi, is looking for entries.  “Kids from Kindergarten right up to Grade 12 can participate,” said Trudy Ingraham, Youth and Education Chair. “They can make colour posters or black-and-white – it’s a way for kids to be recognized for their artwork. Or they can write a poem or essay for the literacy part of it.”

The 2025 poppy campaign for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 125 in Delhi kicks off Oct. 31. “It’s always the last Friday of October,” said Trudy Ingraham, Poppy Chair, “and it runs through to Nov. 11.”

The Norfolk County Public Library (NCPL) is evolving, introducing a wide range of programs that connect residents across five branches. Last year, the library ran more than 1,600 programs.

A Norfolk County man accused of killing his mother made a court appearance Tuesday, Oct. 14. Justin Morgan, 45, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Barbara Morgan, 71, who was found dead inside her home on Head Street South in Simcoe on Oct. 5. Police also searched part of a duplex on Stanley Street Oct. 8 and remained on the scene over the weekend.

Human remains discovered in Haldimand County on Thursday, Oct. 16 are connected to a recent homicide in Simcoe, police say. According to a media release from Norfolk OPP, investigators found the remains around 6 p.m. in a wooded area off Highway 6, west of Caledonia. Police say an autopsy was scheduled for Friday to confirm the identity of the deceased and the cause of death.

Crafts, culinary arts, and colossal pumpkins. All of these, and more, were on display at the 2025 Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show, Oct. 7-13. Entries in the field crops, garden products, fruit, and plants and flowers competitions were arrayed in the building under the grandstand, with giant pumpkins and squash taking centre stage as the stars of the show.

For those grieving the loss of a loved one, a 10-week program at the Norfolk County Public Library is aiming to bring comfort, community, and understanding. Provided by Senior Support Services and its volunteers, the Grief & Bereavement Group 10-week In-Person Program started Oct. 14 and runs every Tuesday until Dec. 16, at the Norfolk County Public Library, Simcoe branch from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Norfolk County is well known for its ideal soil and growing conditions for a variety of crops. To showcase developments in the agricultural field over the decades, one can visit the Waterford Heritage Agricultural Museum (WHAM), located on Nichol Street. The facility once served as ‘The Pickle Factory’ and to this day is still referred to as such by many residents.

It was an emotional morning for the CIBC Run for the Cure committee on Sunday. “We want to give a huge thank you to everyone who signed up to participate, fundraised, donated and helped spread the word about the Run,” said Norfolk committee director Gail Catherwood at the Lions Ball Park in Simcoe.

Karen Kuzmich from the Canadian Cancer Society, a manager of cancer prevention programs and services, officially kicked off the CIBC Run for the Cure in Simcoe during Sunday’s opening ceremonies. Kuzmich thanked everyone for participating and raising vital funds for lifesaving cancer research and the various support programs.

A large crowd watched Friday’s AABHN Varsity Non-CWOSSA football game at Valley Heights Secondary School. In the first quarter alone, they saw two touchdowns in the first 3:23 with Valley Heights Bears scoring on a 25-yard pass and Holy Trinity Titans quickly responding – after a surprise onside kick attempt – with an electric run on the next play. VHSS added to its 7-6 lead punting into the end zone. Thrilling action continued when the Bears intercepted a Titans’ bomb that

The Waterford Wolves won’t back down from anyone in the Brant Haldimand & Norfolk Non-CWOSSA varsity football division. The team has swagger. “That’s the biggest thing this year,” said Waterford head coach Andrew Miller. “Last year when we were down, there wasn’t a lot of fight-back. Now, it’s almost business-like, the attitude that they take.”

Three Simcoe parks will sparkle this holiday season as the annual Simcoe Christmas Panorama festival lights up with displays, Santa visits, hot chocolate, and community cheer. Panorama lights will be turned on Nov. 29 and will stay on until Jan. 1 every single night from 6-10 p.m. Along with the holiday light displays, attendees will be able to take pictures with Santa Claus who is scheduled to make visits, along with enjoying hot chocolate beverages from Wednesdays to

Cache in, trash out. Geocachers from Norfolk County, and some coming from other parts of Ontario and Quebec and even Michigan, joined this year’s Waterford Ponds area fall CITO, picking up trash alongside the roadways, trails and shoreline on Tuesday, Sept. 30. “This is how we give back to the community,” said Karen Daniel from Bloomsburg. “We’re taking the trash out.”

Canada’s largest pumpkin patch is looking a little lean. Pumpkin farmers in Norfolk County say a prolonged dry spell has led to fewer future jack-o’-lanterns in their fields, and the pumpkins that did sprout are smaller than in past years. “It was a very tough year for growing pumpkins,” said Ryan Kukielka, who harvests 450 acres of carving and pie pumpkins - plus some fancy heirloom varieties - on a farm in Vanessa.