LOCAL HEADLINES

Big plans for Norfolk’s transit future have run into a big, but entirely familiar issue that’s led councillors to decide on holding the status quo for the time being.

With character names like Dove (Cloey Starks), Raven (Savannah Starks), Grackle (Paige Moon) and Magpie (Adelia Mirie), writers Jenna Thompson and the Delhi District Secondary School Drama Club were on point for Murder Birds, the school’s recent May 9-10 murder mystery play. It featured live music between scenes, including the iconic Pink Panther theme performed by Chris Thompson and Kali DaSilva.

The Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk is gearing up for a big day on May 25. “That’s what we’re hoping for,” said David Horton, chair of the Grand Erie chapter of the MS Society of Canada and organizer of the 25th Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk, at a MS Brunch fundraiser at Kaley’s Restaurant on May 11 – Mother’s Day.

Directed by Jane Spence, Artistic Director at Lighthouse Festival, ‘The New Canadian Curling Club’ by Mark Crawford is described as a heartwarming and hilarious story of overcoming adversity, friendship, inclusion… and curling.

Nature’s Calling Environmental Education recently announced they were the recipient of a $74,400 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation. Over a period of 24 months, the money will be used to update and expand curriculum-based outdoor programming for Nature’s Calling Environmental Education local schools.

Simcoe Composite School’s annual Spring Sale and Car Show shifted into high gear on May 10. There was an expanded car show, plant sale, woodworking sale, cosmetology program face and nail painting for children, and a BBQ. It featured the school’s famous ’56 Volkswagen Beetle project and Jason and Sandi Hardie’s massively-powerful Celtic Thunder drag racing funny car, all in support of the school’s tech education department.

The Silver Spokes are a recreational road cycling club ‘with a long history in Norfolk County.’ The club provides an opportunity to socialize with fellow cycling enthusiasts ‘in a safe, friendly and supportive environment.’

Langton Lions Club recently donated $5,000 to a playground equipment revitalization project for Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School in Langton. “Whatever they need, it goes toward that,” said Langton Lions’ treasurer Art Vandendriessche. The school has been actively raising funds, said Bryan Cairns, Langton Lions president, noting that it will be a multi-year project.

There was ‘Party rock in the house tonight’ when Simcoe Composite School Sabres cheerleaders won the second annual Norfolk Invitational Cheerleading Competition on May 7.

Berkelbloem may have been one of Norfolk County’s best kept secrets.

Norfolk General Hospital has its roots in the community. In 1915, James Allgeo of Simcoe bequeathed his estate of $11,212 to the Town of Simcoe for “the purpose of establishing a public hospital in Simcoe.”

Norfolk General Hospital is marking its 100th anniversary milestone year with several community events.

Marc Vanden Bussche of Vanden Bussche Irrigation, presenting sponsor at the 2nd Annual Heart of Healthcare Gala, identified many of them at the May 3rd gala fundraiser.

When the cry for help goes out, there is no shortage of Waterford volunteers ready to step forward to tackle the task at hand… whatever it might be. When the Waterford Heritage Trail Association planned a work day on the trail and the request for help went out, their call was answered. With tools in hand, dressed for the weather and eager to get the necessary work done, about 20-25 volunteers gathered by the old Train Station on Saturday, April 26th at 8:30 a.m. ready to ‘di

Norfolk County Mayor Amy Martin describes Norfolk General Hospital as a bright, shining star in the community. “Norfolk General Hospital is a valued community partner,” said Martin at the second annual Heart of Healthcare Gala, a NGH Foundation fundraiser, “working with our health unit. “To be a rural community that provides excellent healthcare and has a hospital with labour and delivery, emergency access is so important and critical.” The hospital has never really ‘stood

The Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum held its annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 19. In spite of the damp, rainy weather at the Waterford baseball diamonds, the turnout was amazing. According to WHAM Curator James Christison there were 463 people through the Easter Eggstravaganza gate and 240 of those were kids of all ages. 

The Norfolk General Hospital Foundation, which launched in 1986, has a history of fundraising in the community to purchase vital hospital equipment. “Our government, really, funds the four walls,” said Emma Rogers, CEO of the NGH Foundation. “So the Foundation exists to ensure that the vital equipment that our doctors and nurses need is available to them. So whether that is newer technology, or other technologies coming into our life,

Delhi District Secondary School boys soccer team solidified their hold on ‘mid-pack’ on Thursday, May 1, defeating Valley Heights 6-1. As of May 5, three AABHN South Division teams – Holy Trinity, Waterford and Simcoe Composite – shared the division lead with 6-1 records. Delhi (4-3) and Cayuga (3-4) were in fourth and fifth –

After some sober second thought, Norfolk councillors decided to continue offering security services at Talbot Gardens. They made the decision at the April 23 council meeting, approving a motion put forward by Coun. Alan Duthie that calls for a security guard to be hired for up to 36 hours a week through the summer and into the upcoming hockey season. His motion was similar to a recommendation at the April 8 council-in-committee meeting that was defeated.

In 2024, Norfolk County Agricultural Society asked the Simcoe Gliders to vacate the Grandstand building before the end of June 2025. After months of searching, the nearly 52-year-old gymnastics club has a potential new location to continue programming.