Top Stories

Local Books for Kids and Young Readers

Nov 27, 2023 | In The Hills | Arts

Get your kids reading during the holidays – and year-round – with this selection of stories for budding bookworms, written by local authors.

Sheet of Dreams – How Backyard Rinks Are a True Labour of Love

Nov 27, 2023 | Anthony Jenkins | Community

People don’t just ‘build rinks’, they build memories of embracing the winter and playing together, as a family.

In Retrospect – Winter 2023

Nov 27, 2023 | In The Hills | Community

In the final instalment from our archives, we’ve selected a number of stories that embody the kindness and the neighbourly compassion that has helped our small towns grow and flourish.

It’s Time for Holiday Cheer!

Nov 17, 2023 | In The Hills | The Current Issue

Don’t miss out on the festive fun – get your mitts out, grab a hot cocoa, and enjoy the hometown holiday celebrations.

Three Species That Ontario Has Lost

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

As habitats shrink, these three animals have become ‘extirpated herptiles’ — reptiles and amphibians that are now regionally extinct in Ontario.

Local Heroes 2023

Nov 27, 2023 | In The Hills | Local Heroes

Here’s to the hard-working folk who are passionate about helping others, and making our communities a great place to call home.

Northern Connections – Tackling Food Security in Arctic Communities

Nov 27, 2023 | Liz Beatty | Environment

Two Headwaters residents are working with Indigenous people on innovative programs to enhance food security in the Far North.

A Feast to Ring in the Year of the Dragon

Nov 27, 2023 | Emily Dickson | Food

Dumplings shaped like half moons start in a menu inspired by the tasty traditions – and midwinter optimism – of lunar new year celebrations.

The Year in Books: 2023

Nov 27, 2023 | In The Hills | Arts

Delve into mysteries, romance, suspenseful sagas, books of poetry, historic journeys, and maybe even a pinch of psychedelics in this year’s roundup of locally produced literature.

In Every Issue

Winter Preparedness for Rural Homes

Nov 27, 2023 | Alison McGill | Country Living 101

How to prep your home, car – and psyche – for winter storm season and its inevitable hydro outages.

Local Buys: Winter 2023

Nov 27, 2023 | Janice Quirt | Made in the Hills

Cozy crochet blankets, handmade ornaments and lusty lumberjacks are just some of the unique items made by our local artisans this gift giving season.

Hiking Island Lake Conservation area

Nov 27, 2023 | Nicola Ross | Take a Hike

Stroll on scenic boardwalks, lush forest trails and dams while spotting lots of local wildlife at Island Lake Conservation Area.

A Sanctuary of Good Design

Nov 27, 2023 | Janice Quirt | At Home in the Hills

An elegantly renovated former church in Mono fulfills its mission as a serene family nest for a mom and her two daughters.

Food + Drink Winter 2023

Nov 27, 2023 | Emily Dickson | Food + Drink

Holiday cookies, festive tipples and tasty local gifts make it easy to eat, drink and be merry this season.

We Need to Stay in Touch – But Can Community Newspapers Survive?

Nov 27, 2023 | Dan Needles | Fence Posts

Veteran writer Dan Needles laments the loss of printed news while pondering the future of journalism.

Letters – Our Readers Write: Winter 2023

Nov 27, 2023 | Our Readers | Letters, Our Readers Write

Want to share your thoughts or insights about our stories? Drop us a line – we love to hear from our readers!

Meet a Community Elder: Carol Seglins

Nov 27, 2023 | Gail Grant | Departments

Having served three terms as Caledon’s mayor, this advocate still cares deeply about the well-being of her beloved Caledon.

Artist in Residence: CJ Shelton

Nov 27, 2023 | Tralee Pearce | Artist in Residence

As a student of mysticism and esoteric philosophy, artist CJ Shelton’s works reflect her love of the archetypal realm.

Meet the Maker: Stephanie Casino Esguerra

Nov 27, 2023 | Janice Quirt | Made in the Hills

Meticulously applied lines of jet-black ink are a defining feature of the fanciful works of this Orangeville artist.

The Case for Kindness

Nov 27, 2023 | Signe Ball | Editor’s Desk

After reflecting on 30 years of producing In The Hills, editor Signe Ball believes that what holds our community together is the willingness of people to care for other people.

Field Notes for Winter 2023

Nov 27, 2023 | Johanna Bernhardt | Field Notes

Fire & Ice at the Alton Mill, The Nutcracker live on stage, and lots of holiday markets will keep you busy this winter.

A “Snow Blockade” Wreaks Havoc

Nov 27, 2023 | Dyanne Rivers | Back Story

Almost 18 feet of snow fell in February 1904, bringing train travel to a halt and stranding hundreds of passengers north of Shelburne in the cold.

Portrait of the Art Therapist

Nov 27, 2023 | Tony Reynolds | A Day in the Life

Rapinder Kaur built a therapy practice around encouraging children, and adults, to listen to the wisdom of their inner artists.

Some Secrets are Best Kept

Nov 27, 2023 | Bethany Lee | Headwaters Nest

An accidental discovery teaches an important life lesson, that knowing too much can spoil all the fun.

Home Safety Tips for Seniors

Nov 27, 2023 | Gail Grant | Over the Next Hill

There are many steps older adults can take to prepare for the unexpected and avoid unhappy accidents.

Notes From the Wild

Walking Sticks

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

Look closely in the forests of Headwaters and you’ll find walking sticks, one of nature’s cleverly disguised doppelgängers.

Caterpillars Darwin Would Love

Oct 12, 2023 | Don Scallen | Notes from the Wild

With UV flashlight in hand, strolling in the night-shrouded escarpment woods reveals fantastic caterpillars, some of which glow under a black light.

A Monarch Magnet

Sep 5, 2023 | Don Scallen | Notes from the Wild

The sweet nectar of liatris ligulistylis is renowned for its ability to lure monarch butterflies to gardens.

Midsummer Pollinator Plants

Aug 8, 2023 | Don Scallen | Notes from the Wild

Summer holidays might be halfway over, but the bees are still having a field day thanks to these flowering pollinator plants

Holiday Treat Time

Heatherlea Farm Shoppe Sugar Cookies

Use this sugar cookie as the base for your icing artistry.

Gourmandissimo Santa Fudgy Brownie Cookies

Make sure Santa’s batch has extra candies on top.

Le Finis Lavender Sugar Cookies

A staple cookie from the team at Lavender Blue and Le Finis.

Spirit Tree Estate Cidery Snowball Madeleines

This festive update to a French classic is perfect for the holiday season.

Snow Time Like The Present

Ice Angel: Ken Hunt

Thanks to this community builder, the Palgrave Mill Pond is a place where the village meets in winter to skate, play shinny and connect.

Cross-country Skiing

Night skiing, lit trails at Monora Park add magic to a cross-country outing.

Ice Skating Outside

Lacing up outdoors to hit the ice.

Tales of a Snowboarding Newbie

Strapping on a board for the first time can be daunting, but as Nicola Ross finds outs, hiring a knowledgeable instructor keeps bruising at bay.

Winter Wonderland

In the Bleak Midwinter

Don Scallen explores how birds, mammals and reptiles have adapted to survive our long, trying winter.

Winter Ducks

For sheer visual pleasure it’s hard to beat the splendour of ducks on a sunny winter’s day.

Winter Bird Watching

This is a special winter for bird watching in the hills.

Animal Tracks

Tracks inscribed on snow by unseen animals offer tantalizing multilayered puzzles.