Julia Sacco, Author at Niagara Now

Backyard beauty on display in 17th annual Shaw Garden Tour

Fourteen years ago, 19 Colonel Butler Cres. was a far cry from the Tudor-style getaway that it is today. After Brian Carberry and his partner Jan Van Haren bought the property in the

Bringing the Croatian centre into the 21st century at folk arts festival

For Josipa Petrunic’s first time running the region’s folk arts celebration as president of Niagara’s Croatian National Centre, she took inspiration from other cultures. “We went to other folk arts events to see

Meloen’s walking tour highlights secrets of Chautauqua’s past

The neighbourhood of Chautauqua began as one of many “adult summer camps” in Niagara, as Rick Meloen describes them. The Chautauqua movement of outdoor-minded adults began in the United States in the late

Fire call interrupts final firefighters community breakfast

The St. Davids Firefighters’ Association served up breakfast for the community one last time Saturday before taking their summer break. Last weekend’s breakfast at the firehall featured all the classics and a side

St. Davids Leos take charge of dog guide fundraiser

It was the younger members of the St. Davids Lions Club who led the charge in boosting a fundraiser for a worthwhile cause. Two Leos, youth members of the club, were the lead

Old and new faces ring in farmers market season

Kathryn and Don Recourt were among a group of fresh faces at the first Market at the Village of the summer season. Saturday was the kick for the annual farmers market, with beautiful

NOTL Palliative Care opens new offices beside Simpson’s Pharmacy in Virgil

After five years of searching, Niagara-on-the-Lake Palliative Care has found a new home. On Friday, the group held an open house welcoming the community to their new location next to Simpson’s Pharmacy on

Walking tour looks behind history of NOTL heritage homes

More than 230 years ago, Niagara-on-the-Lake was founded as the first capital of Upper Canada. Some of the original homes of important townspeople still stand here today, and on Friday, realtor and architecture

Purse bingo sells out in support of Community Crew

Both parking lots at Club Heidelberg were overflowing with cars for Friday’s purse bingo fundraiser. “The woman who won the 50/50 draw won $657, that’s how popular it was,” said NOTL’s Nancy Broerse,

People of the Stampede: Kids, couples, carny workers and more

For 55 years, the Virgil Stampede has been a staple of life in Niagara-on-the-Lake. With attractions from pony rides and reptile shows, to a Ferris wheel, midway and all the classic carnival snacks,

Legion raises more than $3,000 for former bartender

More than $3,000 was raised in support of former Legion bartender Sue Pauls on Saturday, says Legion president Al Howse. Pauls suffered a devastating stroke in November 2022, which left her blind and

Friends of Fort George gather for book signing

It’s an effort four years in the making. On Sunday, the Friends of Fort George hosted a book signing for “Fort George: A History,” which highlights the story of the national historic site,

Yellow Door holds open auditions for fall musical ‘Newsies’

From Disney to Broadway, and now to Niagara-on-the-Lake: the Yellow Door Theatre Project is holding auditions for the fall production of “Newsies.” Auditions will be held on June 4 at the Yellow Door’s

Don’t dare touch the duck

A mother duck was found nesting her eight eggs in a flower pot in The Gardens at Pillar and Post. Staff have placed caution tape around her spot to protect the resting mother.

A taste of upper crust life on Officer’s Day at Fort George

Unless you can travel back in time, it’s not easy to picture how officers during the War of 1812 lived off the battlefield. That is unless you’re at Officer’s Day at Fort George.

Rain or shine, paws hit the trail

Niagara-on-the-Lake residents walk their furry friends along the Upper Canada Heritage Trail all the time, but this past Saturday, they raised money while doing it. The Heritage Trail committee collected donations at its

Walking tour shines light on the historic role of Commons

Now a peaceful place to sit and enjoy a book, back in 1955 the Commons in Niagara-on-the-Lake hosted around 11,000 boy scouts over the course of eight days. Drawing nearly 250,000 people to

Dizzy & Fay spread their love for jazz at Niagara festival fundraiser

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a welcome getaway from the city for many – and earlier this month, that certainly includes jazz duo Dizzy & Fay. “As soon as I got out of my car and

Wine sommelier talks stereotypes and sexism at Peller Estates book launch

Natalie MacLean is tired of the harmful notion that women are driven to drink. A good example of this, and one that will likely be familiar to anyone who’s on social media, is

St. Davids Leos wash pups to raise cash for dog guides

Last Saturday dog lovers crossed a chore off of their to-do lists all while helping out a worthy cause. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. the St. Davids Leos were at Pet Valu

Inaugural Road Rally aims to raise $20,000 for Red Roof Retreat

Retired business executive Jon Taylor always likes to have a charitable event to get behind and this year he’s leading Red Roof Retreat’s inaugural Road Rally in September. With 25 spots at $500

St. Davids homewares shop rises from ashes of major fire

After two years of difficulty, including losing all her work in a destructive fire, a St. Davids businesswoman is ready for a new start. Jeska Eedens, the owner of Taurus Terrazzo Homewares, has opened

Rock club pitches kids’ education centre at Queenston Quarry

Nearly all of the limestone here in Niagara-on-the-Lake, including that used in the construction of the old courthouse and the Brock Monument, was sourced right from the quarry of Queenston. Dating back 400

‘Back to normal’ for 55th annual Virgil Stampede

This year it’s back and promising to be better than ever. The 55th annual Virgil Stampede, running May 20 to 22, is returning to normal in the wake of three years of COVID

NOTL throws a coronation fete fit for a king

Doreen Hounsham attended the second coronation celebration of her life on Saturday, trading Scotland for Simcoe Park. After completing the one-kilometre walk organized by Queen Street’s Scottish Loft from the post office to

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