Top Stories

In Retrospect

Mar 20, 2023 | In The Hills | Features

A look back on how we’ve covered the pleasures and concerns of country life over the last three decades.

Finding Sanctuary

Mar 20, 2023 | Liz Beatty | Community

Displaced by war, Ukrainians are offered a place of welcome in Headwaters.

Healing Powers

Mar 20, 2023 | Tony Reynolds | Environment

“How could I not help those animals that don’t have a voice?”

Kids’ Summer Camps 2023

Mar 20, 2023 | Emily Dickson | Community

The long, sunny days of summer are almost here! Check out our roundup of upcoming summer camps to help you choose some fun activities for your kids.

Our Cup of Tea

Mar 20, 2023 | Janice Quirt | Food

How local tea lovers are growing and reimagining an ancient drink for modern times

Home, Sweet Home

Mar 20, 2023 | Don Scallen | Environment

The amazing architectural feats (and sometimes cheeky parenting techniques) of nesting birds

Artistic Legacy

Mar 20, 2023 | Anthony Jenkins | Arts

The bursary in his name has proved a lasting gift from Mulmur artist Reed Cooper to local artists.

Life Is in the Details

Mar 20, 2023 | Ellie Eberlee | Arts

Bolton author Glenn Carley reveals glory in the ordinary.

In Every Issue

Dream Country

Mar 20, 2023 | Alison McGill | At Home in the Hills

When Ann and Jim Magee happened on a hidden gem in Caledon, they snapped it up and created an idyllic year-round country retreat for their sprawling family.

“Speak to me, Alexa”

Mar 20, 2023 | Gail Grant | Over the Next Hill

It’s a struggle to make friends with new technology.

The Call of the Open Road

Mar 20, 2023 | Bethany Lee | Headwaters Nest

When the call of the road beckons, it’s time to plot a course for new adventures, towns and cities.

The Reformation of the Township Dump

Mar 20, 2023 | Dan Needles | Fence Posts

No longer reminiscent of a Mad Max movie set, the township dump has become something of a pleasant, well-managed place, finds Dan Needles.

Local Buys: Spring 2023

Mar 20, 2023 | Janice Quirt | Made in the Hills

Rustic wood bowls, an ode to mushrooms and eye-catching tea towels are just some of the handmade crafts to look for this season.

A New Decade

Mar 20, 2023 | Signe Ball | Editor’s Desk

With our design refresh, we’ve dressed ourselves up in some stylish new togs, and we’re ready and excited to embrace the future in our 30th year.

Albion Hills Loop (Palgrave)

Mar 20, 2023 | Nicola Ross | Take a Hike

What better way to welcome spring than to take a hike through one of our many gorgeous conservation areas.

Paving Broadway, 1921

Mar 20, 2023 | Dyanne Rivers | Backstory

In our first installment of Backstory, we zoom in on the paving of Orangeville’s main street, Broadway, more than 100 years ago.

Tree Talk

Mar 20, 2023 | Emily Dickson | Country Living 101

No matter what your goal – adding shade and beauty to your property, attracting wildlife or fighting climate change – planting more trees is a good idea.

The Alpaca Whisperer

Mar 20, 2023 | Janice Quirt | A Day in the Life

Julie Broadbent spends her days tending to her herd of 10 fuzzy, rambunctious characters.

Field Notes for Spring 2023

Mar 20, 2023 | Johanna Bernhardt | Field Notes

Adventures to put spring in your step

Meet the Maker: Courtney Chard

Mar 20, 2023 | Janice Quirt | Made in the Hills

How professional welder Courtney Chard uses the tricks of her trade to craft intricate, often delicate sculptures.

Letters – Our Readers Write: Spring 2023

Mar 20, 2023 | In The Hills | Letters, Our Readers Write

Got something to say about our stories? Drop us a line!

Carol Good

Mar 20, 2023 | Gail Grant | Over the Next Hill

Former corporate consultant Carol Good turned to writing poetry later in life, and recently published a book of her own poetry, ‘Alive & 65: A Celebration’.

Sherry Park

Mar 20, 2023 | Tralee Pearce | Artist in Residence

Painter Sherry Park’s oil portraits rely on soft brushstrokes and a soulful take on realism.

Food + Drink Spring 2023

Mar 20, 2023 | Janice Quirt | Food + Drink

From pop-art macarons to melt-in-your-mouth maamouls, these adorable bites will sweeten your day.

Notes From the Wild

Not All Invaders Are Bad

Feb 7, 2023 | Don Scallen | Notes from the Wild

During a trip south, naturalist Don Scallen gets a closer look at introduced lizards in Florida and asks questions about our own invasive species in Ontario.

Home Sweet Home

Jan 6, 2023 | Don Scallen | Notes from the Wild

Most of us have the good fortune to raise our families in safe, comfortable houses. Birds want nothing less. 

Return to the Trout Stream

Dec 1, 2022 | Don Scallen | Notes from the Wild

Rivers in the Headwaters region still flow clean, clear and cool through areas not yet urbanized. This natural heritage is a gift to area residents and well worth protecting.

Crooning Tree Crickets

Nov 3, 2022 | Don Scallen | Notes from the Wild

Male tree crickets – rock stars of the insect realm – sing to attract females, and display other courtship behaviour not so different from ours.

About bloomin’ time

Regenerative Agriculture Puts the Soil First

How cover crops, crop rotation and using livestock to fertilize fields puts local farmers on the front lines in reducing climate change.

Karen stores her ample collection of preserves in a cold cellar. Photo by Rosemary Hasner / Black Dog Creative Arts.

From Soil to Table

Vegetable grower extraordinaire Karen Hollingshead uses galvanized steel raised beds and water troughs to hold her 35 varieties of tomatoes and other gems.

Amateur gardener Emily Quinton grows vegetables in her backyard and in the Alton Village Square community garden. Photo courtesy Emily Quinton.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Creating your first vegetable garden can seem like a daunting task. Here’s a beginner’s guide to choosing the right spot, the top crops and enjoying the fruits (well, vegetables) of your labour.

Not in a hurry? Growing your own mushrooms might be for you. Photo by Rosemary Hasner / Black Dog Creative Arts.

How to Grow Mushrooms

Not in a hurry? Growing your own mushrooms might be for you.

Get moving

Kayaking

Seeking peace and solitude on Island Lake in Orangeville.

Nature therapy guide Kaitlyn Powers (centre) instructs writing pals Gail Grant (left) and Nicola Ross how to be still, breathe deeply and absorb nature with all their senses – followed by tea. Photo by Rosemary Hasner / Black Dog Creative Arts.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side: Forest Bathing

Slowing down, tuning in. With forest bathing, the slow movement takes to the woods.

Trail Running in Headwaters

Through the woods, up the hills, down the valleys, the popularity of trail running races is surging in Headwaters – and this competition is all about fun.

Angus and his father, John, paddled together at least once a month through every season for 21 years. Photo by Fred Webster.

Canoeing the Humber

Everyone must believe in something. I believe I’ll go canoeing.
– Henry David Thoreau

Nature’s new crew

Movers and Shakers: River Chub

The breeders and the egg stealers make a river chub nest a happening place in springtime.

Merlin female close up. Photo by Don Scallen.

Magical Merlins

Merlins have been recorded nesting in Orangeville, Caledon Village and just south of Headwaters in Georgetown.

American robin. Photo by Don Scallen.

Signs of Spring

In March nature pushes against the shackles of winter, and then bursts free with birdsong and butterflies.

Calvin the piebald salamander in 2022. Photo by Don Scallen.

Calvin the Salamander Returns!

Calvin and his kin depend on two things for their survival: forest and fishless ponds.