Our Spring 2025 Contributors
Meet three talented people – photographer Bob Noble and writers Francesca Discenza and James Gerus – whose work debuts in our spring issue.
Bob Noble
Bob Noble is a nature photographer who specializes in capturing images of insects and other small creatures in their own environments. His superb photography appears for the first time in our magazine in Don Scallen’s article “The Secret Lives of Little Things,” illustrating the wondrous worlds of Headwaters insects.
After retiring from the technology industry in 2015, Noble stumbled into close-up photography when he bought a used macro lens. Ever since, he has been crawling on the ground, looking for interesting critters and learning how to capture glimpses of their lives. It is a treat for him to be able to act like a kid again, getting dirty, making new discoveries and experiencing the wonder of the natural world.
Noble lives with his wife in Brampton’s Heart Lake area, and spends a lot of time in Heart Lake Conservation Park and in the nature reserves and trails of Caledon. His photos have won national competitions and have been featured in magazines and insect field guides. He also loves to take pictures of his grandchildren and mushrooms.
Francesca Discenza
Francesca is a first-time contributor to In The Hills, and in this issue she highlights how Caledon residents and local government officials are working to address illegal land use in the town and across Headwaters and the GTA.
By day Discenza serves as an advisor at Humber Polytechnic, helping students achieve their academic and career goals. When she is not guiding students, Discenza enjoys life in a cozy country home on the edge of the forest in Bolton. She shares this peaceful spot with her husband and two children, and together they explore nature, read, play music, support local farmers and embrace sustainable living.
Before turning to writing and contributing to local newspapers, Discenza helped aspiring artists and students find their voices and refine their work. A longtime reader and admirer of In The Hills, she sees this issue as a pivotal milestone in her journey as a writer.
James Gerus
James Gerus is an actor, comedian and writer living in Mono. He grew up in the Theatre Orangeville community, doing his first professional play at 13, and working with local artists, including Leisa Way, David Nairn and Mark Dubois.
He graduated with a BFA (Performance: Acting) from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) and was a member of The Second City Conservatory in Toronto. Gerus has acted in Hallmark movies, video games and commercials, and collaborated with celebrities, including Howie Mandel, Michael Bublé and Jodie Sweetin.
In his first time writing for In The Hills, Gerus had the rewarding task of meeting Orangeville Food Bank executive director Heather Hayes for “A Day in the Life.” He recently published his first novel, The Muskoka Murders, now available at BookLore in Orangeville. When not writing or creating, he enjoys hiking with his two huskies, Tundra and Flurry.
Related Stories
Macro Nature Photography Captures the Secret Life of Little Things
Mar 12, 2025 | | EnvironmentA close-up look at some of the small critters that inhabit Headwaters and how their lives intersect with ours in crucial ways.
Serving Up More Than Something to Eat
Mar 12, 2025 | | A Day in the LifeHeather Hayes and the Orangeville Food Bank team bring dignity to people’s lives as they keep the shelves stocked.
Building the Case Against Illegal Trucking Yards
Mar 12, 2025 | | CommunityHow the rise of truck depots on Caledon land zoned for agricultural use has galvanized local governments and activists to work together to turn back the tide – if it isn’t already too late.
