julia galt

September 29, 2024

Sixty-five per cent of Canadians know at least one woman who has experienced gender-based violence. In York Region, more than 6,000 calls about intimate partner violence are made to police each year – with many more incidents going “chronically” underreported.

On Nov. 25, the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, keep your eyes peeled for municipal buildings lit up in purple across York Region, symbolizing support for stopping gender-based violence locally and internationally. Prompted by a letter-writing campaign in partnership by the Aurora/Newmarket and Markham/Unionville chapters of the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW), Nov. 25 will see multiple locations across York Region light up in purple.

July 26, 2024

Many children have a favourite cartoon character growing up – be it a glamourous Disney princess, crime-fighting superhero, or goofy sidekick. Oftentimes, it’s because they see a bit of themselves in the character – and aspire, one day, to be “just like them”.

But what happens when children don’t see themselves represented on the big and silver screen, streaming services, or books? And what if, during the tricky times in life, they really needed to?

Local mother Sarah Bankuti knows just how important representation can be for a child. When her daughter, Alice, was diagnosed with brain cancer at 10 months old, Bankuti endured years of tests, surgeries, and chemotherapy treatments by her side – and was dismayed at how little relatable, comforting picture books there were to help Alice through this very difficult time. That’s why Bankuti began telling her own stories about a princess who knew what it was like to experience cancer – a princess who understood being sick, having her hair fall out, and staying brave in the face of tough treatments.

May 26, 2024

A little positivity goes a long way.

And for pet owners in Newmarket, good vibes come in the form of Pawsitive Packs, a charitable initiative run by the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society that provides much-needed supplies and resources to local pets and owners in need.

Launched just a couple of months ago, the program has already provided more than 20 backpacks filled with goods to pets and owners facing homelessness or financial insecurity in the area. To ensure supplies reach those who need it most, the OSPCA works with local social service agencies and food banks to identify pets in need and distribute the backpacks throughout the community.

February 26, 2024

Leaving school can be a big transition for anyone. But for individuals with special needs, or for families who rely on quality care for their loved ones throughout the day, the change can present serious challenges.

Thankfully, that’s where locally owned and operated business Our Happy Place, a social and recreational enrichment program for individuals with special needs, comes in.

Designed for adults between the ages of 18 and 65, Our Happy Place not only offers a social atmosphere where members can interact with their peers, but provides a fun and entertaining opportunity to gain new life and learning skills and enjoy the fun of arts and crafts, songs and dance, community outings, interactive games, and more. As an added benefit, the program offers caregivers some respite – and peace of mind – from what can often be a full-time position caring for their loved one.

December 31, 2023

Studies show that exercise can be extremely beneficial for both mental and physical health.

And with daylight in short supply, we need all the exercise we can get to beat the winter blues – which is why local organizations like Newmarket Park Walking and Health Group, which brings the community together to stay physically fit year-round, are so important.

Founded last February by local dietician Abraham Anjarkouchian, Newmarket Park Walking and Health Group not only aims to foster healthy habits for people in the area, but bring together neighbours to support small businesses, get to know one another, and – of course – make friends.

October 26, 2023

Every Monday evening, the smell of delicious home-cooked food wafts down Newmarket’s Ontario Street. That’s because Monday is when St. John Chrysostom Parish, located at 432 Ontario, opens its doors to all in need of a good meal during its weekly community meal, a low-cost program designed to help address food insecurity in the area and beyond.

The meal, which generally attracts around 70 people each week, boasts an ever-changing menu ranging from barbecue to fresh baked goods to “fancier” fare courtesy of the cooks who volunteer their time to help the program. All ingredients for the meals are donated, with the church relying on a rich community of local businesses and organizations, as well as the generosity of both Catholic church congregations in Newmarket.

August 26, 2023

Giving someone the boot isn’t often a good thing – but in the case of Central York Professional Firefighters Association, the official representative of Newmarket and Aurora’s Central York Fire Services, the gesture is one of good will.

That’s because its members – today numbering around 120 across five different stations – have been supporting Muscular Dystrophy Canada through their biannual Fill the Boot boot drive for decades – raising thousands of dollars to enhance the lives of those affected by neuromuscular disorders and search for a cure.

June 26, 2023

A hot, home-cooked meal can go a long way. Thankfully, that uplifting experience is available in Newmarket for anyone who wishes to enjoy one – young or old, near or far, friend or stranger. Opening its doors wide to the community the second and fourth Thursday of each month, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church offers a tasty variety of homemade soup, sandwiches, finger foods, and more, served with love inside the historic church walls. Organized by congregation member Heather Cromie, the lunches aren't just meals, but a way for the community to come together, mingle with friends new and old, and satiate a need for good food and conversation.

April 1, 2023

Founded in 1873, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is celebrating a milestone this year – an incredible 150 years of providing comfort, care and compassion to animals in need across the province. More than 1,000 animals have found their forever homes from Ontario SPCA shelters in the first three months of 2023 alone, with nearly 600 volunteers working tirelessly to make happy endings possible every day.

York Region has its own stalwart voice for animal welfare: the Ontario SPCA York Region Animal Centre, once called the York Regional Shelter and Clinic, which has been a voice for pets in the area since the region’s original building — which also acted as the provincial office headquarters — was built in 1988.

March 3, 2023

As the oldest remaining public school in Newmarket, Stuart Scott Public School has witnessed not only the passage of countless students and teachers through its doors, but the evolution of the town from sleepy to bustling. Built and officially opened in 1923, 2023 marks a special year for the school: its 100th anniversary, a momentous achievement that no other historic school in the area – including the former Alexander Muir (1891-1976) and King George (1913-1994) schools – have reached.

Only the third public elementary school to be erected in Newmarket, it’s no wonder that more than 500 people turned out to witness the laying of the cornerstone – though the event’s popularity can also be attributed to the attendance of the MPP for York North William Keith, MP for York North Sir William Mulock, and the Honorable William Lyon Mackenzie King, prime minister of Canada.

December 1, 2022

John van Teunenbroek knows the value of a good meal. As the owner of Newmarket’s John’s No Frills, he has made it his business – quite literally. And since launching the franchise in August 2019, van Teunenbroek has also made a point to give back to the community that has supported his business from the beginning – starting with a $1,000 donation to the Newmarket Food Pantry the very day the store opened, and continuing in 2022 and beyond with his commitment to filling Newmarket’s community fridge weekly. Launched June 21 of this year and located outside of the Newmarket Public Library, this community fridge acts a space in central Newmarket where residents in need can pick up fresh food and other pantry items, as well as hot meals prepared in the Newmarket Food Pantry’s kitchen.

September 26, 2022

There’s little more quintessentially summer than seeing a long line of classic cars snaking down a country road on a hot day. Members of the Highway 11 Cruisers Car Club have enjoyed this experience together for more than 10 years, coming together from as far as Wasaga Beach and Niagara Falls to enjoy a love of classic cars, fun events, and good friendship that feels more like “family.” Founded in the summer of 2010 by current president Danny Facchini and a small group of friends, Highway 11 Cruisers Car Club today boasts more than 300 members with a wide variety of vehicular gems — classic, modern, tuner, and euro cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, and even some vintage tractors.

August 25, 2022

From their dairy farm off a high crest of Schomberg’s 11th Concession, the O’Hara family- Dennis and Sandy, son Devin, and daughter Ashley- can see swaying fields of green and gold, forested hills and valleys, and- on more pleasant days- azure blue skies that stretch for miles. The pastoral view has remained largely unchanged since Dennis and his parents first moved to the King Township farm almost 60 years ago, even though other aspects of the small community bear little resemblance to the agriculture-driven environment of the early 1960s. Though Schomberg no longer offers the convenience of an in-house farmers co-op, Shur-Gain, and tractor dealership- something Dennis calls “hard”, as the family now has to drive as far as Elmira, an hour away, for supplies- King has remained, at large, blissfully green.

August 1, 2022

One of the tenets of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association is a commitment to promoting love and compassion for all human beings. The association, which boasts a 40-strong chapter in Newmarket, is an auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at, a dynamic and fast-growing international revival movement within Islam that advocates for universal human rights. Members range from 16 to 40 years of age, with those younger (seven to 15 years of age) covered by the Newmarket Ahmadiyya Muslim Children's Association. In Newmarket, their charitable and advocacy efforts have seen members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association organize fundraising events, food and blood drives, charity runs and more. By running structured programs that focus on academics, sports, social welfare and charity, youth are provided with beneficial work that keeps them “busy and engaged”.

July 1, 2022

Team sports offer a myriad of benefits for youth, from promoting physical fitness to encouraging respect and sportsmanship. And for the Newmarket Hawks 10UA baseball team, team sports also promote volunteerism and giving back to the community. In June, the team, consisting of boys aged nine and 10, partnered with the York Region Food Network for a charity event that saw them assist with maintaining crops at Mulock Community Garden. The “educational” day saw the boys spreading woodchips on the gardens, getting rid of weeds, and assisting older volunteers with their plots.

June 9, 2022

He made it to the final few rounds of Muscle & Fitness magazine’s Mr. Health & Fitness competition, the world’s largest online fitness competition, last year, and local bodybuilder Dean MacMurray is back and more committed than ever for a chance at taking the top spot. MacMurray, the former owner of Schomberg’s now-closed LifeDrive Fitness, is competing for a grand prize of $20,000 and a two-page spread in Muscle & Fitness magazine. At 51 years old, MacMurray- who’s currently made it past four elimination rounds– will be competing in a pool of athletes up to 30 years younger.

June 1, 2022

If one man can change the world, then what can 100 achieve? It’s the idea driving grassroots organization 100 Men Who Give a Damn, a charitable offshoot of 100 Women Who Care that focuses on supporting small, local charities that frequently struggle to raise enough funds to provide critical services in their communities.

By paying an annual membership of $400 — $100 for each quarterly meeting (March, June, September, and December) — members pool their donations to support local charities in the most impactful way possible. With 95 fully paid members in the Newmarket-Aurora chapter, that means more than $38,000 is donated locally each year.

May 2, 2022

For many Canadians with disabilities, dog guides can play a crucial role in empowering them to navigate their world with confidence and independence.

Since the early 1980s, the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, which operates the largest school of its kind in Canada, has provided Dog Guides at no cost to those in need across the country. Operating vision, hearing, service, seizure response, autism assistance, diabetic alert, and facility support programs to cover a wide range of medical and physical impairments, the foundation continuously grows to meet the needs of all Canadians.

April 19, 2022

Their motto is “we change what we must,” and apparel company Revolution Now! is living up to the phrase more than ever just seven months after being founded by Newmarket’s Megan Glanfield, a single parent and science teacher at Aurora’s Rick Hansen Public School.

“One thing I’m really proud of about Revolution Now! is that we all really learn from each other and that we all have each other’s backs,” said Glanfield. “I think that’s one of the things that’s really resonated with our community and with the communities that find Revolution Now!”

March 3, 2022

Like a poet, Mary Morganelli views life through the trained eye of an artist. Moments with inherent beauty- a mother’s embrace, the whisper of wind through the trees, the sunlight’s sparkle on the water, just so- are not only moments to be cherished in the space of a heartbeat, but immortalized, like verse, on smooth canvas and board. From her home studio in King City- a dedicated “sanctuary” of a space, awash with natural light- inspiration and expression come together like a symphony.

“There is something so beautiful about the miracle of life. All we really have to do is open our eyes to all that’s around us to be inspired,” says Mary. “I like to look for those tiny fine details- like how the light from the sunset glints off the metal from the fence line, striking the birds’ feathers with golden illumination, or the adoring gaze of a mother and her firstborn babe.”

March 3, 2022

Kettleby author Monique Duclos has released her first ever novel, an LGBT romance heavily influenced by punk and her longstanding love for California and Los Angeles. Written in the first person, Inked Caffeine follows the life of Dallas Penske, a barista working at a Starbucks in Hollywood. When Penske meets a local tattoo artist, Jimmy, he comes to terms with his own sexuality and together, the two confront a series of sinister events in the city.
“There’s action and violence, but it also touches on some more serious subjects that the gay community still has to deal with today,” said Duclos. “There are relatable personal life issues for different individuals. It’s an LGBT romance novel that’s never been told before, and has you eagerly turning every page.”

February 3, 2022

King City’s Beretta Farms continued a spate of high-profile media appearances with a recent feature in Grass Farmers: Regenerative Agriculture & the Canadian Grasslands, an A&W produced documentary now streaming on Crave and CTV.
Grass Farmers examines regenerative agriculture and low-impact ranching in Canada, exploring how making soil health a top priority can lead to healthier grass, healthier cattle, and, ultimately, a healthier earth.
Regenerative agriculture, which is practiced by Beretta Farms, is a farming and grazing practice that claims to reverse climate change by rebuilding organic matter and restoring biodiversity in soil. Cattle live off the land, returning nutrients to the earth and, in turn, helping grasslands flourish.

January 6, 2022

After a year-long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the King Township Women of Influence Giving Circle gathered virtually this past December to support two initiatives benefiting students at Seneca College’s King Campus.
The influential group, which is made up of female entrepreneurs, leaders in business, local councillors, and senior members of major organizations, provides members the opportunity to pool their finances and support their community with greater impact. Each year, the group gathers to listen and evaluate pitches from students and employees of Seneca King Cam-pus, awarding the winning initiative $10,000 of their donated funds. As no funds were allocated last year due to COVID-19, the King Township Women of Influence Giving Circle made the unprecedented decision to support two projects in 2021.

January 4, 2022

For 34 years, no-kill, no-cage shelter and facility North Toronto Cat Rescue has given abandoned, abused, and injured cats a second chance at life. Entirely volunteer-run, and helmed by founder Donna Cox, the non-profit has seen more than 4,000 cats tread through its doors.

But after three decades operating out of the Vaughan area, North Toronto Cat Rescue is making the big move to their fur-ever home just north of Newmarket- a massive undertaking, considering the 100 to 150 cats in their care at any given time are, uniquely, housed in the NTCR shelter, and not fostered out to homes.

The move comes after an unsuccessful petition to remain in their previous location, which is up for redevelopment and slated for demolition. Despite receiving more than 76,000 signatures, the request to Vaughan’s zoning committee for a temporary amendment to remain was denied, hastening the urgency of the move.

“We’ve come a long way in 34 years,” said Donna Cox. “It’s perseverance. We’ve been knocked down a thousand times.”

December 16, 2021

For many, the new year brings with it resolutions to kick off a healthy, weight-busting new diet. Amazon Canada is helping Canadians make smarter food choices in 2022 with the launch of their Small Business Gift Guide, which highlights home-grown business Farm Girl, a low-carb and keto food range, as one of their featured Ontario storefronts.
Visitors to Amazon Canada will be able to shop a wide range of Farm Girl products like ketogenic cereal, granola, and baking supplies and support other small and medium businesses in Ontario.
Half of all items sold on Amazon come from small and medium businesses, making the platform well-suited for businesses of all size.

November 1, 2021

Newmarket’s Heather Wilson Gonsalves knows the value in the little things — a box of coloured pencils, a pair of warm socks, a fresh toothbrush, and, even, an empty shoebox.

For the past 12 years, she’s tirelessly collected all manner of products: school supplies, toys, clothes, accessories, hygiene products, and more. Sometimes, Gonsalves’ efforts mean saving the free crayons given at restaurants like Swiss Chalet, keeping the unopened toys from her and her son’s McDonald’s Happy Meals, and buying out racks of clothes when local stores post blockbuster sales. All in all, Gonsalves’ volunteer work is a full-time job.

But as a committed volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child, Gonsalves knows the year-round effort of collecting as much product as possible means more children in need receive special care, love, and assistance over the holidays. So, too, does she know the impact a single shoebox can bring.

October 21, 2021

Traversing the Kingbridge Centre’s 113 acres of rolling hills, woodland trails, and bucolic rivers is a lesson in serenity. Nestled on the outskirts of King City, it’s a place where community, sustainability, and innovation- in King Township and the world at large- takes center stage.
“We see our role as being a catalyst, a convenor, a collaborator to really help identify what the community can do to make a difference, and to try to be a bridge between polarizing views,” said Karen Dubeau, Executive Director of the Kingbridge Innovation Hub.

October 21, 2021

Valentine’s Day 2019 was a fitting first day of business for the Schomberg Village Pharmacy. Almost three years since their soft opening that cloudy February morning, Cristina Privado-Azzopardi and Annaor
Feliprada-Patrizio, the store’s pharmacists and co-owners, have felt nothing but love from King Township and surrounding areas. Loyal customers are the “heart” of the long-time friends’ independently owned and operated business (teamed up with the Whole Health Pharmacy Partners banner), allowing them to provide continuously unmatched service, quality, and care
throughout the ups and downs of the past several years.
With a wide selection of medical, health, food, beauty, fashion, sun, skin, and haircare products to compliment every trip, Schomberg Village Pharmacy is a one-stop shop for all your health and self-care needs.

October 2, 2021

“Every woman should have a purse of her own.” 

It’s the phrase that ignited the Fill a Purse for a Sister Campaign back in 2015, and though Susan B. Anthony wrote it nearly two centuries ago, it rings just as true today.

The Fill a Purse for a Sister Campaign is simple, but the impact it has on women and youth in crisis is enormous. As many people arrive at shelters with few or no personal belongings, the initiative can make all the difference to their situation and confidence.

Those who wish to gift at risk youth and women “comfort, hope, and dignity” fill a purchased or gently used purse with essential items such as shampoo and conditioner, hand sanitizer, toothbrush and toothpaste, gift cards, winter accessories, and more. To add an even more special touch, a personal note of encouragement can be included with “love and thoughtfulness”.

September 1, 2021

Visiting WaterStone Estate and Farms is like stepping into another world. Nestled on 100 serene acres of rolling fields, mixed forests, and trickling streams, it’s well worth the scenic drive to the edge of rural Newmarket.

What might not be apparent at first glance, however, is the beauty that goes on within the barns. Home to Horses at Heart, a registered non-profit since 2004, WaterStone Estate and Farms has helped countless youth and adults achieve personal fulfillment and growth- all through the healing power of horses.

August 1, 2021

As the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic took hold of the world early 2020, it was the comfort of tried-and-true traditions- like arts and crafts- that provided an escape for many. But for the 120-odd women of the Region of York Quilters Guild, crafting was, for the most part, business as usual. Switching seamlessly to monthly Zoom meetings and welcoming a wide array of aspiring and experienced quilters alike, the non-profit continued to bring quilters of the region together, encourage the development of new and old skills, and pass along their knowledge of the craft- all while giving back to their community in a bigger way than ever before.

July 29, 2021

To celebrate King City’s very own Rosie MacLennan, a two-time Olympic gold-medal trampolinist, Canadian Tire has unveiled one of six cross-Canada Celebration Walls at the corner of King Rd. and Keele St., King City.

The interactive, trampoline-themed installation will be on display as MacLennan competes for Team Canada for the fourth consecutive time at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. As the sole Canadian to win back-to-back gold medals in the same event at the Summer Olympics, MacLennan has a chance to bring home an unprecedented third consecutive gold medal. MacLennan’s parents, John and Jane MacLennan, and husband, Nick Snow, were present at the Celebration Wall’s unveiling July 21.

June 3, 2021

A Maple family is urgently seeking the public’s help to find a stem cell donor for their young daughter.

3-year-old Leia Luna Fallico was diagnosed with Dyskeratosis Congentia, a rare genetic blood disorder that causes bone marrow failure, in February 2021.

The only cure to Dyskeratosis Congentia is a stem cell transplant. Without this, nearly 80% of patients will develop bone marrow failure- the condition’s leading cause of mortality. Leia’s blood levels continue to drop, hastening the need to find her a match. Because of Leia’s mixed ethnicity, finding a donor has been extremely difficult. Only 3.5% of Canadian Blood Services’ Stem Cell Registry is made up of people of mixed descent.

July 1, 2021

Sometimes, all it takes is a phone call.

For seniors living alone, isolated, or simply seeking reassurance, just a single phone call a week can provide safety, security and enhance well-being. Newmarket’s Vanda Pendlebury has been a telephone reassurance volunteer with CHATS, Community & Home Assistance to Seniors, for over six years. During that time, she’s provided support to seven local seniors, and continues to work with two of her original clients to this day. What began as a productive way to fill some extra time has grown into an important, uplifting and personally fulfilling tradition for Pendlebury.

May 27, 2021

When it comes to mental health, young Canadians know the importance of prevention, treatment, and support better than anyone.  

The Newmarket-King-Vaughan volunteers of youth-led activist group Future Majority hosted a virtual conference May 6, discussing the importance of cross-partisan prioritization of mental health. Members were joined by Ann Raney, former Green Party candidate for King-Vaughan, and Future Majority coalition partners Fedor Kim of YR Events and Peter Bradstreet, Swimming Head Coach at Brock University. Deb Schulte, Liberal MP for King-Vaughan, was scheduled to attend but dropped out due to a prior commitment.

May 19, 2021

York Region’s frontline workers are being honoured after a year of hard work and sacrifice. The 12th annual Portraits of Giving will be celebrating 21 individuals across nine municipalities- Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Markham, King, Stouffville, Aurora, East Gwillimbury, and Georgina- who exemplified the courage and perseverance of frontline work in 2021. From mid-June to December, the Portraits of Giving exhibit will cycle through the nominees’ municipalities, displaying a personalized photograph of each honouree and a story of their giving.

May 17, 2021

Two of Newmarket’s most determined young volunteers are celebrating another successful fundraising campaign. Manha Yusuf, 10, and Laiba Yusuf, 8, have raised another $2,520 for Newmarket homeless shelter Inn From the Cold by selling bouquets, baskets of fresh fruit, and seasonal planters for Mother’s Day. The generosity and ongoing support of the community saw the sisters receive 125 total orders, helping them surpass their original $2,000 fundraising goal.

May 6, 2021

Chartered May 31, 1991, the Men’s PROBUS Club of Newmarket is marking a milestone 30 years of fellowship and entertainment. For the past three decades, retired and semi-retired men from all backgrounds, businesses, and creeds have been brought together to socialize, keep abreast of current topics, and network with new and familiar faces.

April 29, 2021

When Newmarket’s Elena B. Mihailov was a child, she chanced upon the most perfect stuffed animal. Soft, huggable, and unimaginably inviting, there was just one problem: the toy had been abandoned, with no owner in sight. Unable to return the bunny, it soon became Mihailov’s favourite toy. Memories of that childhood treasure have inspired Ella and the Lost Teddy, Mihailov’s first ever picture book for children aged two to eight.

April 29, 2021

Famed legal clerk and activist Erin Brockovich spoke to over 700 staff and students of Seneca College over livestream April 22, kicking off Seneca Business’ Sustainability Speaker Series. A household name thanks to the eponymous 2000 Oscar-winning movie that that followed her role in the Pacific Gas and Electric Company lawsuit, Brockovich today works as a consultant, environmental activist, and highly sought-after public speaker. Over the course of her talk, Brockovich spoke about the importance of speaking up against unjust business practices, recounting her own experience fighting against PG&E for their role in Hinkley, California’s carcinogenic groundwater contamination.

April 23, 2021

When Connor and Kyle entered the world eight weeks premature on May 10, 2017, mom Krissy Young felt like the world was crashing down around her. Moments after giving birth, her twins were rushed to Southlake Regional Heath Centre’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, hooked up to mechanical ventilation, and intubated. With the NICU team working tirelessly to help her sons grow as strong as possible, it was a difficult day of waiting before she could first hold Kyle, and another five days — fittingly, on Mother’s Day — before she could do the same for Connor.

April 14, 2021

When Terry Fox kicked off the inaugural Marathon of Hope on the shores of St. John, Newfoundland April 12, 1980, he had little more than one thing: hope.

But by the time his cross-Canada run came to a tragic end in Thunder Bay five months later, he’d inspired the world, ran 5,373 kilometres, and was well on his way to raising over $24 million — a far cry from his original goal of $1 million. Though Terry passed away from cancer June 28, 1981, one month shy of his 23rd birthday, his legacy lives on 41 years to the day of his first few miles, more than $800 million has been raised for cancer research in his name. 

April 6, 2021

One year, 150 kilometres, and several shoes later, it’s George Markow’s big day at last. On Wednesday, April 14, Markow will be celebrating his 100th birthday — capping off an incredible year that saw him raise more than $160,000 for medical research. To make the day as special  as possible for Markow, Tracee Chambers and Markow’s daughter, Sylvia Perkins, have arranged a surprise drive-by parade that will loop past his retirement home, the Roxborough Retirement Residence, several times. They encourage any Newmarket residents who have been following his fundraising walk through the past year to take part in the celebration.

April 1, 2021

As one of the first service clubs in Newmarket- and the oldest still in operation- the Newmarket Lions have seen a fair bit of change through the years. Formed in the early 1930s, they’ve weathered the Second World War, changes to fundraising with the rise of the Ontario Lottery Corporation, and, now, the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, they’re set to celebrate an incredible 90 years exemplifying Lions Clubs International’s motto, “We Serve”. 

March 5, 2021

Carol Gellatly Field’s 19th century farmstead looks much the same as it did when her great-grandfather, Peter Gellatly, first cleared the land of its towering 100-foot white pines. The original white farmhouse, built in 1860, still stands proudly atop the hill. Artifacts from the past- an old butter churn, a handmade clock, a small oil lantern- grace the wooden halls, bearing witness to times long passed. Feet from the back door stands the restored gambrel barn, while crops sway lazily- as they have for nearly two centuries- over the neighbouring hillside. For Carol Field, it’s a tale- and view- as old as time.

March 2, 2021

There are few things more uplifting than a good old-fashioned hockey game — even in the most difficult of times. For young players struggling with the isolation of COVID-19, having an outlet to distract from the stress of today’s “new normal” can make all the difference.

The volunteer coaches, officials, administrators and parents of the Newmarket Minor Hockey Association (NMHA) know the importance of extracurriculars all too well. From the game’s first shutdown in March 2020 to the opening of the new season in September 2020, NMHA volunteers’ efforts have allowed the game to continue, in some fashion, throughout the pandemic.

February 13, 2021

Mark Svorov and Anton Iakovenko are on a mission.

The young Newmarket-based filmmakers are the brains behind IAVA Productions, a film and video production company that specializes in commercials, in-house content creation, creative productions, and more. Working for a variety of international and Canadian businesses since founding IAVA Productions in 2018, Svorov and Iakovenko are taking the company down a new, exciting path — and they’re asking their fellow Newmarket residents for help.

February 1, 2021

Angela Rotherham-Watkins knows the value of volunteering. As a third-generation volunteer with St. John Ambulance, an international first aid and emergency medical organization, she’s part of a tradition that began with her grandmother, Margaret Rotherham, in the late 1950s, and continues with her daughter, Vanessa Rotherham-Featherstone, in 2021.

January 7, 2021

It should come as no surprise that 2020 has hit community volunteer groups particularly hard. With fundraising events cancelled, gatherings restricted, and donations in short supply, King’s volunteer groups have faced a year unlike any other. This holiday season, few would have faulted local volunteer groups for putting a pause on the traditional festivities. With COVID-19 regulations and safety measures in place, however, community volunteer groups have pushed forward.

December 27, 2020

With the arrival of winter, there are more than a few furry felines aching for a warm place to stay.

Michelle Leigh, founder and owner of Michelle’s Kitten Rescue, offers a safe haven for these abandoned, abused, and feral cats. Alongside her team of dedicated volunteers, Leigh locates and captures wild and abandoned cats, provides them with medical check-ups and surgeries, and places them with loving foster owners until forever homes can be found. 

December 10, 2020

“Seeing the joy on everyone’s faces is what makes it special.”

It’s the motto that’s (quite literally) driven Dennis O’Hara, Schomberg’s Farmers’ Parade of Lights’ organizer and founder, through 21 years of the annual Christmas tradition.

November 26, 2020

A former King resident who grew up in the hamlet of Snowball is making (sound)waves as one of Toronto’s most in-demand bassists. Alexander St. Kitts, who also performs under the stage name Alexander Saint, plays bass on Comedy Records’ Fog and Lasers II, a follow-up to 2019’s comedy-pop-rock collaboration Fog and Lasers.

October 29, 2020

Frequent visitors to Beretta Farms may see a familiar face pop up in A&W’s newest advertisements.

The star of the burger chain’s new grass-fed beef campaign is Lieschen Beretta, Ranch Manager of the King City farm and daughter of Beretta Farms founders Mike and Cynthia Beretta. Working with A&W to promote their commitment towards using 100% grass-fed beef was a natural step for Lieschen and the Beretta brand, which has raised organic, grass-fed, and antibiotic and hormone-free meat since conception.

October 8, 2020

Irene Sankoff and David Hein know the value of small-town Canadian charm. As the writers of the Tony Award-winning musical Come from Away, they have transformed the real-life story of Gander, Newfoundland’s adoption of 7,000 travellers following the forced grounding of planes after the 9/11 attacks into a smash Broadway hit. 

When it comes to good, home-grown stories, they certainly know their stuff. Critically and commercially successful, Come from Away currently holds the record as the longest running Canadian musical in Broadway history. Newmarket may not be as small as Gander — it’s roughly 90,000 population dwarfs Gander’s 11,000- but according to Sankoff and Hein, the town has more than enough charisma to go around.

September 21, 2020

Kim Egan had purchased the 12-pack of sidewalk chalk on a whim.

“I was at the Dollar Tree in Newmarket, where I always go for arts and crafts supplies,” said Egan. “They were being sold for only $1.25. It was very much a spur of the moment thing.” 

Chalk in hand, Egan had walked to Newmarket’s Haskett Park and had found a secluded stretch of pavement on which to draw. Her Victorian-inspired artwork, a brightly coloured vase of flowers, was finished 14  hours later. The experience, she said, took her completely by surprise.

September 8, 2020

“Cancer research can’t wait for COVID to be over.”

That is the motto Newmarket’s Terry Fox Run organizers have made their own amidst a year of COVID-19 complications. With only weeks to go until the Terry Fox Foundation’s annual Terry Fox Run on Sunday, Sept. 20, Newmarket’s dedicated volunteers are finding new ways to boost local donations. This year’s run, held on the 40th anniversary of Terry Fox’s original 5,373-kilometre cross-Canada Marathon of Hope, will be a virtual one with participants encouraged to run, walk, and bike on a path of their choosing. 

June 5, 2020

When eight-year-old Andre Flys first followed his grandfather out towards the beehives scattered on the precipice of Don Valley wilderness, he had little idea he was taking the first steps towards what would later not only become a career, but the continuation of a rich family history stretching back to the early 1900s. What he did know, in typical childhood fashion, was that if his grandfather liked beekeeping, well, then he did, too.

June 25, 2020

Long-time residents of the area may remember Schomberg Quality Meats’ grand opening in 1990: with a line of people snaking down the street, eager to nab a $1 hot dog and pop, it was a certainly a sight to behold. Today, three decades later, Schomberg Quality Meats is celebrating another milestone: their 30th year in business, with no sign of stopping.

May 14, 2020

For many Beretta Farms customers, visiting the brand’s home base on 800 acres of rich, rolling hillside in the heart of rural King is like stepping into another world. Whether it’s at one of the brand’s educational “Farm Days”, or during their bi-weekly farmers market, visitors are able to see exactly the kind of free-range fields their food is raised on. It’s this level of transparency that has led to the brand’s considerable success throughout their near-30 years in business.

April 23, 2020

Now, more than ever, is it apparent that senior care is one of the most essential services in our society.

Community & Home Assistance to Seniors, or CHATS, is on the frontline of this essential service. For more than 40 years, it has provided assistance and support, offering community programs, transportation, and home safety and in-home services for seniors so they can age safely, comfortably, and independently.  

April 9, 2020

As many homeowners will attest, there’s nothing quite like the sense of renewal and breath of fresh air that a good spring cleaning can bring. But for Arlene Stephenson, owner and operator of Downsizing Diva franchises in Newmarket, Aurora, Richmond Hill, King City and Thornhill, that feeling is more than a once-a-year indulgence. It’s even more than a business, though she has found considerable success during her three years in the role.

March 26, 2020

As many dog-lovers would attest, there’s no bond quite like the one between a human and their pet.

But for Nobleton’s Bev Berger, the relationship goes far beyond the typical one of love, licks, and those coveted behind-the-ear scratches. For Bev, who has been blind since the age of 30, her dogs provide the freedom and independence she so begrudgingly lost in the first few years of her disability. For the past 31 years, they’ve not only acted as her eyes, they’ve ensured her safety, have allowed her to get involved in her community, and- it goes without saying- provided love and companionship in spades.

February 28, 2020

“Women have never had it easy in the sports world.”

So begins Newmarket resident Rhonda Leeman Taylor’s new memoir, Offside, and, as one of the earliest trailblazers in women’s hockey, she’s certainly an authority on the subject. Co-authored with Leeman Taylor's niece, Denbeigh Whitmarsh, Offside details the hockey pioneer’s journey from a fresh-faced 15-year-old on the Kingston Red Barons hockey team to one of the great innovators of women’s hockey history. 

February 20, 2020

Experiential learning has long been a challenge in post-secondary education. For programs such as Nursing, it can be difficult to fully prepare students for the hazards and stress that can quickly overwhelm those new to the job. Utilizing the most cutting edge learning techniques is the key to providing the best preparation for the workplace possible, and King’s Seneca College has identified virtual reality as that very key.

February 4, 2020

It was apparent from a very young age that Newmarket resident Reg Chappell had an affinity for water. At the age of three, his interest in the beach’s quite precarious waterslide saw his parents tie him to a picnic table to stop him from running into the deep water. Johnny Weissmuller and Esther Williams, Chappell’s competitive swimming idols, served only to deepen this interest. By the time he had received his first swimming lessons at age 12, a lifelong love for the sport had already been solidified.

January 2, 2020

Perhaps one of the easiest ways to learn about the history of King Township is by examining each of its twelve pioneer cemeteries, artifacts of the area’s early settlement throughout the 1800s. Not only do they offer information on who lived where, and when, pioneer cemeteries also shed light on the cultural and geographical history of the towns they stand in. They’re a testament to how far King Township has come, and to whom we owe our progress. And- unfortunately- they’re crumbling before our eyes.  

December 5, 2019

The fear of public speaking is soon to become a much less formidable challenge for Seneca students.

On November 26, the King Township Women of Influence Giving Circle came together for their 3rd annual meeting, awarding a $10,000 donation towards the installation of an InStage Virtual Reality Tool at the college’s King Campus. The event, which took place in Seneca’s Magna Hall, involved a three-hour deliberation and debate as the four competing projects pitched their ideas to the judges in an effort to secure the necessary $10,000 donation.

November 14, 2019

In the age of the internet, it’s easier than ever to remember what once was forgotten. A Facebook page based in Schomberg has set out on a mission to do just that, uncovering pictures and memories of what the town once was decades and centuries ago. Created in March of 2018, and run by a resident of Schomberg for over 40 years, “Remember Schomberg” curates photos from years past, resulting in never-before-seen pictures and artifacts being brought to the public for the very first time.

August 25, 2024

Many people know what they’d take from their home in an emergency – sentimental jewelry, important family heirlooms, or perhaps a cherished photo album.

But for people living in war-torn areas, there often just isn’t enough time to prepare what they would like to leave with — or the situation is so dire they can only take what’s needed to survive.

That’s why Newmarket’s The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Barrie’s Mapleview Church, and Chatham’s Loads of Love Humanitarian Aid and Mission Society are working together to make those difficult choices just a little bit easier — the best way they can. Until Sept. 1, this local co-operative will be organizing, collecting and donating a “mountain” of emergency backpacks for Ukrainian refugees in need, who are living in or fleeing war-torn areas.

June 28, 2024

Anyone who’s lost a loved one knows the comfort a special memento – a shirt, a photo, a well-loved armchair – can bring.

Newmarket’s Doane House Hospice are bringing these special memories to life through their Memory Bears program, which builds keepsake teddy bears from the special clothing of ill or passed loved ones.

Founded 20 years ago, hundreds of people of all backgrounds, ages, and religions in the area have found comfort in the bears, which can be made from a variety of fabric and clothing – shirts, blankets, work uniforms, and more.

March 27, 2024

Every Tuesday at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Bev Berger and her dog guide, Jensen, settle in with friends for several hours of arts and crafts. Berger – and to an arguably lesser extent, Jensen – are members of the Newmarket Rug Hooking Guild, a community group dedicated to handcrafting beautiful rugs of all colours, shapes and sizes.

“The first time I took Jensen, they knew that he was coming and found a mat and some water so he could lie on the floor with us,” said  Berger. “He’s an amazing ambassador and a real icebreaker.”

Jensen, an energetic and alert black lab, is Berger’s sixth dog guide in more than three decades. Blind since the age of 30, Berger is a longtime client and advocate of the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides program, which provides dog guides – trained dogs specialized for vision, hearing, seizure response, diabetes alert, service, or autism assistance – free of charge to Canadians living with disabilities.

January 26, 2024

With the rise of programming jobs and work-from-home arrangements, it’s no secret that technology has become an integral part of many jobs. In fact, it’s estimated that around 84 per cent of jobs in Canada require the use of a computer or basic technical skills — and that even low-skilled jobs are increasingly requiring basic digital literacy.

Thankfully, Newmarket residents looking to update their abilities or get a step up in the workforce can access free resources to improve their digital skills — all from the comfort of their own home. This year, Literacy Council York-Simcoe will be offering ongoing ABC Connect for Learning workshops, available online at skillsupgrading.ca. The adult learning centre, which helps adults in the region build their reading, writing, math, computer, and employment skills, hopes these courses will help increase individual opportunities for success both at home and in the workforce.

November 25, 2023

Everyone with a pet knows that they’re more than just companions — they’re true members of the family.

And for people facing homelessness or going through turbulent times, they can be the only thing that brings a sense of comfort and stability to daily life.

That’s why caring for pet heath is so important — and why charities like Community Veterinary Outreach, which has a chapter in York Region, are essential to ensure all pets receive the care they need.

“I want to bridge the bonds between the different stakeholders that are a part of health,” said Angela Smith, Community Veterinary Outreach director for York Region. “There’s a lot of breakdowns between human health and animal health. It’s really important they work together.”

September 26, 2023

As summer winds to a close, we’ll soon be missing all that comes with it — like the simple act of gathering around a barbecue, enjoying the company of good friends.

At Newmarket’s Christian Baptist Church, barbecues are something enjoyed year-round — not just because it’s a way to bring people from all walks of life together, but because the weekly gathering helps address food insecurity in the community — something pastor Andrew Hamilton says is the church’s “duty” to address.

“We believe that’s why God has kept us here for 200 years,” said Hamilton. “We believe that God loves the people that fall within the shadow of our steeple so much that He has uniquely placed us here to be able to help people in need in the community.”

July 22, 2023

Newmarket area volunteer Nina Doiron knows better than most just how far a good serving of kindness can go. When her family first came to Canada as refugees more than forty years ago, it was only through the generosity of three local churches — who, alongside sponsoring their arrival into the country, also provided furnishings for their home, donations of food and clothes, and financial support.

“Everything we had in our home was donated,” said Doiron.

Many years later, Doiron still deeply appreciates the kindness that allowed her family to flourish in their new country. Today as the owner of iSO Design, an award winning home staging and design company, she pays their charity forward by giving back to the same community that once gave so much to her and her family — volunteering, donating, and fundraising for a variety of local food banks including the York Region Food Network, Newmarket Food Pantry, and Barrie Food Bank.

April 25, 2023

When Newmarket’s Krissy Young laced up her running shoes and launched the inaugural Baby, I Was Born to Run team in support of the Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake, it was with her young twins – Connor and Kyle – in mind. In 2017, the boys had entered the world eight weeks premature – a terrifying and stressful experience that left Krissy and her husband shattered. But after 26 days in Southlake Regional Heath Centre’s neonatal intensive care unit, where the boys were hooked up to mechanical ventilation and intubated, they were home, healthy, safe and strong – all thanks to the NICU’s “miraculous” team of doctors, nurses and therapists.

March 27, 2023

Mental health is an undeniable crisis – and for young adults burdened with the pressures of school, social media, and more, dealing with their feelings in a healthy way can be all that much harder. Local mental health advocate Judy Brunton is doing her part to increase access to youth mental health supports with her annual Shop 2 End Stigma fundraiser, in support of the Canadian Mental Health Association York Region and South Simcoe. Now in its ninth year, the event has helped Brunton raise more than $135,000 for youth mental health in total – including an average of $6,000 yearly from the Shop 2 End Stigma fundraiser.

February 26, 2023

Spinning a yarn for friends is something a lot of people have done before – but for a group of committed knitters and crocheters in Newmarket, yarning is more than just sharing a good story and conversation with friends. That’s because the members of local group YARNS (You are Really Necessary Seniors) enjoy both meanings of the word – spending quality social time together each week, and hand-knitting and crocheting hats, gloves, blankets, toys, and more – all for the very best of causes.

Formed five years ago, YARNS has since evolved into a group of close friends – not all seniors – who spend their time supporting a rotating batch of causes including seniors’ homes, shelters, and palliative care, hospital workers, and people who simply just need something to make them smile.

November 26, 2022

Providing 24-hour protection to almost 150,000 people across Newmarket and Aurora, Central York Fire Services not only keeps the community safe by responding to fires and other emergencies, but trains a safer public through their comprehensive public safety education programs. Keeping the community running smoothly isn’t anything new for the fire service, which – albeit separately through the Town of Aurora Fire Department and the Town of Newmarket Fire Department before their consolidation in January 2002 become Central York Fire Services – has been in operation since the early 1800s.

September 1, 2022

Newmarket’s Roberta Arbuckle knows the difference a bit of compassion can make. As an almost five-year volunteer with Margaret Bahen Hospice, she has helped ensure a safe and home-like environment for those who need it most at the 10-bed end of life and palliative care facility in Newmarket that provides round-the-clock nursing and medical care, social work services, therapy, and support for residents and their families. Whether this means making someone smile or giving them a chance to “feel normal” again, Arbuckle is there to help.

August 25, 2022

Whether expressed in the vibrant whirls of colour in the clothes of her dancing subjects, or in the dynamisms of touch between partners, Shannon Lively’s artwork is awash with kinetic movement. The Toronto-based, Alberta-born artist has spent what feels like a lifetime mastering the details of the human form, from the way hair moves when whirling across a ballroom to the smooth contortions of arms and legs as a body goes into flight.

July 28, 2022

For 150 years, the Newmarket Citizens’ Band has provided entertainment and enjoyment to festival and concert-goers, event attendees, and regular music lovers, completely free of charge. They proudly offer a broad repertoire of traditional community band fare, from marches to individual concerts, original compositions to fan-favourite waltzes, polkas, rags, pop and more. Now freshly returned to outdoor concerts following a two-year COVID-19-related hiatus, the Newmarket Citizens’ Band’s sights are set on celebrating a very special milestone: their 150th anniversary as a band. The accomplishment isn’t one they celebrate lightly, as it reaffirms their title as one of the oldest continuously running community concert bands in Canada.  

June 27, 2022

For more than 80 years, 94 Newmarket Optimist Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron has taught local teens the benefits of integrity, teamwork and leadership through “youth leading youth”. Founded Dec. 1, 1941 in Stouffville, 94 Squadron was originally staffed by Air Force officers that were stationed at the nearby Camp Borden, which itself had been established 25 years prior as major training centre of Canadian Expeditionary Force battalions during the First World War. The purpose of the organization was to train teenage boys with trades and military abilities, grooming them for an eventual career in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

June 2, 2022

One of Tom Wray’s most acclaimed photographs depicts a field of sunflowers stretching back as far as the eye can see, a tranquil sea of green and gold.

Floral studies have become something of a signature for the Schomberg-based photographer, who often spends his free time traversing the farms, fields, and woodlands of King with his wife, Mara, in search of the next picturesque scene to freeze in time.

“I’ve always thought sunflowers were happy flowers,” says Tom. “They’re bright, they’re big, they’re bold, they’re cheerful.”

Recently, the flower has taken on further importance to the Wrays, apart from their allure before the camera.

In response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, they’ve repurposed Tom’s photographs of sunflowers- Ukraine’s national flower- into lawn signs and greeting cards, with the intent of raising $10,000 or more for the Canadian Red Cross and Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, a joint fundraiser between the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and Canada-Ukraine Foundation.

May 27, 2022

Few businesses in Newmarket have seen the town change as much as Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home. Located in the heart of historic Newmarket at 157 Main St. South — where it has operated since the 1920s — Roadhouse & Rose holds the reigning title of the oldest business in Newmarket, and third oldest funeral home across Ontario.

Founded in 1842, Roadhouse & Rose has not only seen the population of Newmarket grow from just 600 to over 88,000, but has welcomed an increasingly diverse community of clients — changes that have seen the funeral home flourish through almost 200 years of growth, adaptation, and evolution. So, too, does it remain the only locally owned and family operated funeral home in Newmarket and Aurora.

April 26, 2022

For almost 35 years, the Newmarket Food Pantry has supplied individuals and families in need with food and supplies that not only support them in times of need, but uphold their right to basic human dignity. With more than 440,000 meals distributed and 15,000 clients served in 2021 alone- 35 per cent under the age of 18- the charity has cemented its reputation as one of Newmarket’s most reliable and enduring institutions for good.

Few know the positive impact of the Newmarket Food Pantry better than Keith Profit. A 34-year volunteer with the charity, he's been active and present through the charity’s founding, rapid growth, and impressive six relocations, and was also a board member up until 2020.

“Newmarket is wonderful,” said Keith Profit. “The number of people that have gotten involved and helped with the food pantry is amazing. It’s such a caring community.”

April 1, 2022

Reno Pipia’s now 10 years of volunteering at Newmarket’s Elman W. Campbell Museum began with a tour.

“I remember the first time this fellow took me. You talk about history, and that made me get really involved,” said Pipia. “That little tour that he gave me got me into it. It was amazing. I learned off of him how to do the same thing.”

A skilled woodworker, Pipia first began helping out by crafting displays, picture and board frames, and other wooden objects for the museum, meticulously replicating the styles of the period where needed. Today, his volunteer efforts have expanded to helping the museum with tours and displays, crafts, construction, and more. In a typical week, Pipia volunteers at the museum three hours each morning Monday through Friday, and often will stay the entire day if staff need the extra help on busier days.

“I’d like to see more people volunteer and help out the town,” said Pipia, who is also a six-year volunteer with Newmarket’s NewRoads Performing Arts Centre. “I think it’s something we should do, after we retire, put our time back into our community.”