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2024 Perth Polar Bear Plunge hits $30,000 for this year’s recipient BY LAURIE WEIR The Perth Polar Bear Plunge was a huge success for the Rural FASD Support Network in more ways than one. Some $30,000 was raised by 144 participants, but for Rob More, the board chair of Rural FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) […]

The Smiths Falls Child Development Centre, located on Thurber Street, is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated reopening of its facility on Monday, December 11th, 2023. As the community eagerly anticipated this reopening, the centre will once again welcome children and staff to its warm and nurturing environment. The center is currently offering 10 toddler and […]

During Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, council and town staff discussed the 2024 preliminary budget. CAO Malcolm Morris presented the budget for discussion, and department heads discussed their anticipated expenditures based on past needs and current prices. Several items raised questions from council, including a $40,000 price tag for live streaming, […]

At its meeting on December 12th, 2023, Tay Valley Township Council gave final approval to the Township’s 2024 budget. The Township is planning for its future capital needs by investing more into reserves. Increases in reserve contributions continue to help the Township fund infrastructure gaps and cover increasing costs due to inflation. The Township has seen growth […]

Home Hospice North Lanark (HHNL) is wrapping up its 11th Annual Hike for Home Hospice, and we are beyond excited. The last line of the press release that announced the start of this year’s virtual Hike said “Let’s do this North Lanark!” And holy moly, did you ever come through! Over 360 separate donations were […]

Help the Lanark County Food Bank – The Hunger Stop put a little Christmas cheer in client’s homes this year for its 15th annual Sandy Claus Stocking Drive. The Sandy Claus Stocking Drive began with Sandy Schappert 15 years ago, an idea sparked when her late husband Hank remarked while volunteering at the Food Bank that recipients often said, […]

The Perth & District Library is launching a Community Survey for the public to share their ideas and opinions about the library and its services. The Library will use the survey to update their two-year Agility Plan.  The library’s current Agility Plan runs from 2022 to 2023. Its main objectives are: to make the library […]

Council puts brakes on project support  At Aug 15th’s session of Perth council, a letter of support request that was approved by the committee of the whole, was deferred to October. Ekobuilt Village came to the committee at its last meeting to present their plans for a 60 unit apartment block to be located at […]

SUBMITTED BY HOME HOSPICE NORTH LANARK Are you a caregiver? We know that even when you take it on willingly, this role can be challenging. It can be difficult to keep all the balls in the air. We want you to know that you are not alone. Home Hospice North Lanark is ready, willing and […]

As influenza has been detected in the region, KFL&A Public Health and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit strongly advises getting vaccinated against the flu, with a particular emphasis on individuals under the age of five. The flu is more than just cold-like symptoms. It can cause absences at school, work, and other gatherings. […]

Volunteers of a popular skating event in the village of Portland, Ontario in the township of Rideau Lakes are working on reinventing the way they have organized races for 20 years. Traditionally, Skate the Lake was held on the last weekend of January, but the pandemic and climate change have organizers reconsidering that approach. “Twenty […]

Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital (CPDMH) is looking forward to welcoming volunteers once again – and two community volunteers have stepped up to lead the way.  As the new Volunteer Coordinators, Gillian Sweet and Debra Davidson say they are excited to work with other community members who want to give back. “I’ve been living […]

Outdoor artisan show on Labour Day weekend, Maberly Celebrating its 17th year, the Sundance Artisan Show is an outdoor art show featuring 40 artists in a beautiful riverbank setting in Maberly, Ontario. The show takes place across all three days of Labour Day weekend. Peppered across two acres of forest, field, and riverfront, will be […]

Parks Canada is pleased to welcome all new and returning visitors for the opening of the 191st navigation season on the Rideau Canal National Historic Site. Following a record year for overnight mooring along the Ontario Waterways in 2022 and a surge in popularity among international guests, travellers are encouraged to book their preferred travel windows, […]

A special ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Thursday at Lanark Lodge to mark the opening of the Maples Butterfly Home Round Room. The room is part of an innovative initiative based on the Butterfly Household Model of Care developed by Dr. David Sheard of Dementia Care Matters, a leading UK-based dementia care culture change organization. […]

Article was originally printed in the February edition of Hometown News. The dates have since been changed. Read the full article for details. – Hometown News Staff Video Submitted Skate the Lake returns for first time since the pandemic How many of you have never heard of Skate the Lake (STL)? Well, it has been […]

One warm September evening, about two dozen people gathered in the upstairs room at The Hub: Art and Music in Smiths Falls. They had heard about the new group from friends or they saw an ad on Facebook about a brand-new adult choir called Sing Your Heart Out. “I joined this choir because I loved […]

Perth Tourism invites you to explore all that the town has to offer this holiday  season. Enjoy a weekend in Perth and take some time for yourself to unwind and indulge. With  over 20 events planned throughout November and December, the holiday spirit will be sure to  surround you while you stroll the streets and […]

Smiths Falls, Ontario – A remarkable journey of passion and dedication has led one individual to celebrate the history of the Hershey’s Chocolate Factory and the enduring legacy it left in Smiths Falls. Harrison Barconnor, a native of the Ottawa-Gatineau region, who has brought the town’s sweet memories back to life in a stunning 1:87 […]

Outdoor artisan show on Labour Day weekend, Maberly Celebrating its 17th year, the Sundance Artisan Show is an outdoor art show featuring 40 artists in a beautiful riverbank setting in Maberly, Ontario. The show takes place across all three days of Labour Day weekend. Peppered across two acres of forest, field, and riverfront, will be […]

The Pakenham Maple Run Tour returns April 1-2 with eight fascinating tour stops and over 30 artists and artisans. A tour like no other, Maple Run is a unique blend of art, fine craft, interesting and heritage buildings, spectacular spring scenery, and to top all that off, it takes place right in maple syrup country. […]

During Monday evening’s council meeting in Smiths Falls, Mayor Shawn Pankow recognized Wednesday March 8 as International Women’s Day.  “The theme this year is ‘embrace equity,’” Pankow said, “True belonging and inclusion require equitable action.” Councilor Jay Brennan announced that the Heritage House Museum recently displayed an exhibit featuring 28 women who have impacted Smiths […]

During the month of June, the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) will be celebrating National Indigenous History Month. This is a time to learn, grow, and celebrate Indigenous peoples and culture. The UCDSB is specifically situated on the traditional Anishinaabek and Haudenosaunee territories.  With 79 schools and 27,000 students covering approximately 12,000 square kilometres of rural and urban areas, the UCDSB is committed to providing relevant and […]

The popular Carleton Place Spring Home show, originally scheduled for April 8th to the 10th has been cancelled. This consumer event had grown over the years since its inception to providing dozens of local suppliers and retailers the opportunity to connect with new and old clients and customers, filling the one of the two Neelin Street Arena’s […]

Kemptville YIG co-owner comes to town with extensive background BY LAURIE WEIR After 15 years in Smiths Falls, Dan and Wanita Andress have retired from Your Independent Grocer.  “It has been an incredible journey filled with meaningful experiences, growth and cherished memories,” they said in their farewell Facebook post on Dec. 31.  The duo credited […]

This year 2 local students have been selected for the 2023 Summer Company Program in the Lanark County/Smiths Falls/North Leeds Grenville area. Summer Company provides an opportunity for students to be their own boss and to start/run a business for the summer. The successful students for 2023 from this area are: Sam Molomaya (Sam’s Lawn […]

On February 24th, 2023, the doors of The Tipped Ship on Main Street in Elgin will open to the public following a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 am. All are welcome.  In 1893, John R. Dargavel built and opened a general store on the main corner of Elgin. 130 years later, The Tipped Ship opens […]

Each year, students between the ages of 15 and 29 apply to the Summer Company program, submit a business plan and if selected, they can receive up to $3,000 in funding. This year, these 2 students have been selected for the 2022 Summer Company Program administered local by the Small Business Advisory Centre (Lanark County/Smiths […]

The spirit of the season is alive and well at North Folk Cafe & Gelato in Perth. This cafe is decked out for Christmas with festive decorations, a holiday drink menu, and an old-timey postbox for mailing letters to Santa. Owner Dasha Smolentseva writes, “[I’ve] been dreaming of this since the inception of North Folk […]

The Carleton Place & District Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Smiths Falls & District Chamber of Commerce and the Perth & District Chamber of Commerce, is inviting local businesses to a virtual meeting to provide information about how to engage with Lanark County’s Think Local campaign along with marketing insights and inspiration for […]

On the road again. At least that’s what Fred and Sue Gieratz plan when they sell the business they’ve been in for 27 years. The couple have catered to the sewing, knitting and quilting clientele, running Sew Crafty, now in the heart of Rideau Ferry. They’ve put their property and business up for sale, surprising […]

Canopy Growth Corporation (“Canopy Growth” or the “Company”) (TSX:WEED, NASDAQ:CGC) today announced a series of Canadian operational changes designed to streamline its operations and further improve margins.  Canopy Growth will cease operations at the following sites: St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador; Fredericton, New Brunswick; Edmonton, Alberta; Bowmanville, Ontario; as well as its outdoor cannabis grow […]