Summer In The Hills 2026
Welcome sunny days with a garden-inspired focaccia, follow the map to buy fresh from the farm, and get in the race for October’s municipal elections.
Summer has arrived, and the latest In The Hills magazine is packed with ways to savour the season.
The new Headwaters Farm Fresh Guide – complete with a handy map – shows you where to find fresh eggs, produce, meat, honey and more across the region. Elaine Li shares her recipes for a garden-inspired focaccia paired with dressed up dips. And with patio season in full swing, it’s time to discover restaurants, local craft breweries and field-to-fork dinners in our Food + Drink column.
This season’s events are kicking off, including concerts galore, Canada Day celebrations, arts festivals and more – check out our Field Notes column and What’s On calendar to start building your dream summer schedule.
Want to know more about the lush landscape on our summer cover? This issue’s At Home in the Hills by Alison McGill zeroes in on how one couple created their charming home and garden in Erin.
The magazine also features essential local reporting, with a guide to running in October’s municipal election by Bethany Lee and an in-depth look at Ontario’s plan to reshape conservation authorities, including four in Headwaters, by Emily Dickson.
Warm weather has us all heading outdoors, but do be prepared for nature’s pricklier side. Don Scallen’s “Toxic Tricks” looks at the creatures and plants that can deliver a nasty sting, or worse.
And in her Editor’s Desk, Tralee Pearce shares news about an exciting journalism award nomination for our work in 2025.
There’s more to explore next week, when we’ll send you more of our readers’ favourite columnists and departments that we hope make every issue a pleasure to discover.
Happy reading from In The Hills!
HEADWATERS FARM FRESH GUIDE
Looking to eat local? Use this guide to find the freshest eggs, produce, meat, honey and craft beverages right at the source.
GARDEN-INSPIRED FLATBREAD IS A FRESH TAKE ON SUMMER ENTERTAINING
Fairy garden focaccia, pea shoot pesto and dressed up dips anchor an easy and eye-catching spread designed by Elaine Li.
THE SECRET TO PERFECTLY SMOKED JERK STARTS WITH THE SEASONING
Plus culinary collabs at local craft breweries, field-to-fork dining experiences and exotic game sandwiches, all on the menu in this issue’s Food + Drink.
YOUR GUIDE TO THIS SUMMER’S MUST-DO EVENTS
Paint in lavender fields, catch concerts and live music, and test your endurance at Mud Hero.
AN URBAN FAMILY’S JOURNEY TO ERIN’S COZY COUNTRYSIDE
How a couple’s country retreat quickly became the preferred family home, thanks to their designer daughter’s expert touch.
SO YOU WANT TO RUN FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT?
Ever considered running for office? Here’s a guide to get you to the October 26 municipal election.
EXPLAINER: ONTARIO’S CONSERVATION SYSTEM FACES A MAJOR OVERHAUL
By next spring, familiar names like Credit Valley Conservation will disappear as 36 authorities are folded into nine – with potential ripple effects across the Headwaters region.
TOXIC TRICKS: STRATEGIES PLANTS AND ANIMALS USE TO STAY ALIVE
In Headwaters and beyond, plants and animals, from stinging nettles and poison ivy to ants and porcupines, rely on physical and chemical defences to stay alive. We tend only to notice when we get too close.
CLOSE TO HOME
In The Hills is honoured to be nominated by the National Magazine Awards for its distinctly local storytelling.
Related Stories
Garden-Inspired Flatbread is a Fresh Take on Summer Entertaining
Fairy garden focaccia, pea shoot pesto and dressed up dips anchor an easy and eye-catching spread designed by Elaine Li.
Toxic Tricks: Strategies Plants and Animals Use to Stay Alive
In Headwaters and beyond, plants and animals, from stinging nettles and poison ivy to ants and porcupines, rely on physical and chemical defences to stay alive. We tend only to notice when we get too close.
So You Want to Run for Local Government?
Ever considered running for office? Here’s a guide to get you to the October 26 municipal election.
Explainer: Ontario’s Conservation System Faces a Major Overhaul
By next spring, familiar names like Credit Valley Conservation will disappear as 36 authorities are folded into nine – with potential ripple effects across the Headwaters region.
