Top Stories

The Year in Books: 2022

Nov 20, 2022 | In The Hills | Arts

There’s been an amazing proliferation of new books this year, and local books always make great Christmas gifts! Here’s our annual round-up of what to read this winter.

Home for the Holydays

Nov 20, 2022 | Anthony Jenkins | Community

As the end of year draws near, families and friends gather to celebrate the myriad of traditions, festivals and holy days that are observed in the hills.

The Year in Music: 2022

Nov 20, 2022 | Scott Bruyea | Arts

Our annual review of new recordings by local musicians with flavours of rock, country, jazz and more.

Local Heroes 2022

Nov 20, 2022 | In The Hills | Community

Every year we honour those who go above and beyond to help others, to make exciting things happen, and to improve the quality of life in their communities.

Our Ever Heavier Urban Footprint

Feb 27, 2023 | Don Scallen | Notes from the Wild

As development continues unabated, our growing population and urban footprint will inevitably diminish biodiversity.

In the Bleak Midwinter

Nov 20, 2022 | Don Scallen | Environment

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

In Every Issue

Arrival of the Aunties

Nov 20, 2022 | Bethany Lee | Headwaters Nest

For many of us, as the daylight grows shorter and shorter, it’s a time to gather with friends and family.

Geoff Dilley

Nov 20, 2022 | Gail Grant | Over the Next Hill

Each of Geoff Dilley’s memory boxes has a unique inlay design, crafted with the types of wood once used to make propellers for World War I aircraft.

Letters – Our Readers Write: Winter 2022

Nov 20, 2022 | Our Readers | Letters, Our Readers Write

Letters published in the Winter 2022 edition of In The Hills magazine.

Lynden Cowan

Nov 20, 2022 | Tralee Pearce | Artist in Residence

Lynden Cowan’s highly detailed hyper realistic paintings require “triple-zero brushes by the boxload” to achieve.

Field Notes for Winter 2022

Nov 20, 2022 | Johanna Bernhardt | Field Notes

Hit the great outdoors, take in a play or concert, and get in the holiday spirit this winter

Feed the Birds

Nov 20, 2022 | Alison McGill | Country Living 101

Looking to bring colour and joy to those grey winter days? Setting up a feeder for our fine feathered friends is a mutually beneficial move.

Metric Resistance

Nov 20, 2022 | Gail Grant | Over the Next Hill

Do you still think in a weird mix of metric and imperial? Writer Gail Grant finds that 50 years later conversion doesn’t come easily, especially if you’re in a certain age bracket.

Local Buys: Winter 2022

Nov 20, 2022 | Janice Quirt | Made in the Hills

Locally grown lavender, handmade pottery, leather beer holders and bold brass earrings will make great gifts to give this season.

A Puzzling Conclusion: Winter 2022

Nov 20, 2022 | Ken Weber | Puzzles

Here are some fun challenges to warm up the brain cells this winter! Crack some codes, think outside the circle and spot the misfit letters to solve these new puzzles.

Modern Family

Nov 20, 2022 | Janice Quirt | At Home in the Hills

Jade and Roland Skuce’s passion for building from scratch dovetailed with the birth of their daughter and resulted in a remarkable modern farmhouse.

Winter Contributors

Nov 18, 2022 | In The Hills | Contributors

Meet some of the people who bring you these pages.

Meet the Maker: Johana Cordero

Nov 20, 2022 | Janice Quirt | Made in the Hills

For this weaver, the warp and weft of life is much more than a metaphor.

Bring It On!

Nov 20, 2022 | Tony Reynolds | A Day in the Life

When the winter wind blows and the flakes fly, snowplow operator Bruce Crawford is ready to go to work.

Elora Cataract Trailway

Nov 20, 2022 | Nicola Ross | Take a Hike

Enjoy an amble on the Elora Cataract Trailway, a 47km recreational route that was once the path of the Credit Valley Railway.

Taking the Learning Curve Too Fast

Nov 20, 2022 | Dan Needles | Fence Posts

Safely navigating the narrow, snow covered hills of Headwaters is no walk in the park, as many long-time residents attest and new arrivals quickly learn.

Food + Drink Winter 2022

Nov 20, 2022 | Janice Quirt | Food + Drink

Big flavours brighten the season! From classic bonbons and tourtière to new beers and café treats, a winter of good taste lies ahead.

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.

Lace Up!

Joe Wilson, writer Anthony Jenkins and Peter Glass. Photo by Pete Paterson.

Geezer Hockey

We play municipal seniors’ pickup hockey for the exercise, the banter, the camaraderie and the sheer joy of the game.

Millpond Hockey at the Alton Mill

What could be more Canadian than lacing up to play on the pond?

Home Game

A backyard rink is just one of the deft holiday moves NHL linesman Shandor Alphonso and his wife, Jacelyn, make for their young boys at home.

Al Waltho may have replaced two hips and a knee, but he’s not quite ready to hang up his skates. Photo by Pete Paterson.

The Good Old Hockey Guy

Al Waltho may have replaced two hips and a knee, but he’s not quite ready to hang up his skates.

Winter Wonders

Evening grosbeaks feeding on sunflower seeds northeast of Shelburne

Boreal Birds

Over 300 species, totalling billions of birds rely on Canada’s boreal forest as breeding grounds.

Redpoll feeding on aster seeds. Photo by Yves Scholten.

Winter Bird Watching

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

Common redpoll. Photo by Robert McCaw

Foul-Weather Friends

Birds are drawn to feeders like Saturday morning coffee drinkers to Tim Hortons. The presence of birds in the winter landscape is life-affirming.

Redpolls

The redpoll feeding etiquette is decidedly boorish; they jostle each other rudely for favoured perches on the feeders.

Comfort and Joy

The tea biscuits at The Globe Restaurant are light and flakey with a hint of sweetness. Photo by Pete Paterson.

The Globe’s Tea Biscuits

The tea biscuits at The Globe Restaurant are light and flakey with a hint of sweetness.

Merry & Bright

Local food pros share a few of their favourite holiday recipes, from sugar cookies to Madeleines, to brighten the cookie tray this year.

Rum cake is darker and more dense than its British forebear, and the fruits are puréed to give it a rich, moist texture. Photo by Pete Paterson.

Cooking with Phil Dewar: Rum Cake

“Just play with the recipe. Have fun,” says Soulyve’s Phil Dewar of his Caribbean rum cake ingredients.

Lee Shaw Shortbread Hearts

Lee Shaw’s Secret Shortbread Hearts

Serving size depends how big your heart is!