Bancroft this Week

When the world comes to you: celebrating 125 years

For 125 years Algonquin Provincial Park has been Ontario's place of superlatives. Its first provincial park. Its biggest. At 7,723 square kilometres, it's one and a half times the size of Prince Edward Island, containing 2,500 lakes and 1,500 kilometres of canoe routes. Established in 1893 when the Ontario government acted upon a recommendation of the Royal Commission to protect watersheds, preserve fish and wildlife, control human settlement and logging, and provide a health resort for Ontarians, the park now attracts more than half a million visitors a year from all over the world.

Protecting the future through sharing values

Over the past six years as a reporter, I’ve had the pleasure and privilege to engage with several members of the Kijicho Manito Madaouskarini Algonquin Nation at a variety of events and gatherings throughout North Hastings.

Help stop the spread of invasive species

At a recent shoot at Bancroft Ridge Golf Club co-owner John Puffer and Bancroft Mayor Paul Jenkins included me in a conversation about how Bancroft and its surrounding area are the heart of "unspoiled cottage country."

North Hastings gets the scoop on poop

Rick Esselment, CEO of ESSE Canada and former president of the Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association, wants to know how much locals and cottagers know about their septic systems.

Festival returns for seventh year

Bancroft’s Wheels, Water and Wings Festival is returning for the seventh year. The festival will run July 6, 7 and 8 with a special focus on all things motors and motorcycles.

Students strive to get active, healthy in Maynooth

Maynooth Public School is celebrating its Ophea’s Healthy Schools Certification.

Bancroft celebrates Indigenous Day

A crowd of 40 people congregated in Millennium Park June 21 for Bancroft’s first ever Indigenous Day celebration. It was co-hosted by members of the Algonquin First Nation and the Town of Bancroft.

Local artists join together for new sound

A new local band is releasing their first CD. The Salt Cellars include JUNO winner Rick Joudrey, Virginia deCarle, Rob Bersan, Ron Kapitain, Anne Wilde and Brendon Burgess. But if you ask them about the band name at their release show this weekend, deCarle will tell you it’s mostly because it sounds good.

First time mayoral candidates comes forward

A fresh face is running for mayor in Hastings Highlands.

Drag party helps raise scholarships for students

It was standing room only around the stage at the Bancroft Eatery and Brew Pub. LGBT+ community members and allies sipping on rainbow drinks and wearing rainbow costumes cheered as men and women dressed in drag strutted down the aisles between their tables. The kings and queens plucked tips from the hooters and hollerers together celebrating Pride and raising money for local students.