Andrew Hawlitzky, Author at Niagara Now

Teen leads NOTL’s Pride picnic at Simcoe Park

Queer Niagara is hosting its second annual Pride Potluck on June 14 from noon to 7 p.m. under the bandstand at the park.

RiverBrink unveils Naoko Matsubara’s visionary woodcuts

Matsubara studied art in Japan, then travelled to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh as a graduate student in 1961, when she discovered her connection to woodblock painting — and has been working with the art form for six decades since.

Stampede rolls out free shuttle to corral Virgil traffic

The shuttle service, paid for by the Virgil Business Association, ran every 20 minutes from noon to 11 p.m. on May 19, marking the first time in the fair’s history that visitors have been given the option to take a shuttle.

CJ’s Skatepark ramps up fun at Virgil Stampede

More than 100 youngsters, from toddlers to teens, tried their first ramps with protective gear and boards that CJ’s Skatepark provided. “At first, it’s fear, and then they’re surprised at how well they actually do with instruction,” said instructor Kevin David.

NOTL Museum ‘overwhelmed’ with honour after Living Landmark award

In recognition of the museum’s 130th anniversary this year, the Niagara Foundation has chosen to name it the town’s newest Living Landmark. The honour will be presented this November at Navy Hall.

Sudsy pups fetch $500 for guide dogs

The cash will be added to pledges at the 40th anniversary Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides on Sunday, May 25, at St. Davids Lions Park to support Canada Dog Guides in providing service dogs to qualified applicants for free.

Virgil Stampede turns thrills into $100K for local organizations

“The kids have been waiting months for this, and they go crazy when the games open,” said Dominik Choquette-Lague, who’s worked at the Stampede game booths for the past seven years.

Royal Oak’s Mother’s Day bake sale boosts camp funds for students

Kids and community baked their way to Bracebridge this past week, with Royal Oak Community School’s Mother’s Day fundraiser securing sleepaway camp spots for students who’d otherwise miss lakeside hikes and canoe paddles.

Mothers Day market brings artisan everything to Lakeview Winery

Shoppers descended on Lakeview Wine Co. last Saturday, as 29 small business owners transformed the Niagara winery into a bustling Mother’s Day market of handmade treasures.

Walker volunteers take out the trash from NOTL’s streets

More than 50 staff combed parks, trails and roadsides on May 13 for the company’s sixth-annual Day of Action on Litter, collecting the mass equivalent of 21 refrigerators of trash.

Petals and paintbrushes draw Mother’s Day crowd to tulip farm

While the first weekend of May at the TASC Tulip Pick Farm saw heavy rain and a traffic jam cause hours of trouble for its staff and visitors, last Sunday brought the tulip fields sunny skies and a peaceful Mother’s Day.

Eager gardeners snap up plants at Horticultural Society sale

Local green thumbs proved they were no late bloomers at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Horticultural Society’s annual plant sale, quickly clearing tables of popular items within the first hour.

Thwaites farm stand launches season with asparagus and extended hours

The Thwaites family-run farm stand at 1984 Townline Rd. began its summer season this week, offering locally grown asparagus, peaches and other crops daily.

St. Davids Lioness Club rallies community with spring market success

Rainy skies couldn’t put a stop to the St. Davids Lioness Club’s annual spring market on Saturday, which drew steady crowds despite having to move indoors to avoid the weather.

Traffic turmoil tests TASC tulip farm’s blooming popularity

Heavy rain flooded the tulip farm’s 20-acre grass parking lot, stranding over 50 vehicles in mud and forcing it to close the parking lot completely. Cars sat bumper-to-bumper from Concession 2 to Four Mile Creek Road after the farm closed its waterlogged lot at 2:30 p.m., despite forecasts predicting rain would stop by 11 a.m.

Yellow Door celebrates 10 years with an all-star performance

“Being seen matters. Belonging matters. Safe spaces and strong mentors matter. That’s what Yellow Door creates,” said donor Jordie Burton, who spoke about his own experience as a teenager finding joy and purpose in theatre.

Pastorals in pastel captivate art lovers at Queenston Pottery show

Niagara-on-the-Lake artist Kathy Cullis brought her luminous pastel landscapes to life at Queenston Pottery’s “Meet the Artist” event last Saturday, attracting visitors with scenes inspired by the NOTL countryside.

Grace United spreads sweet success with jam sale

The annual spring jam sale raised funds through preserves crafted by volunteers David Greaves and Heinz Probst, with proceeds going to a “berry” good cause: A new roof and boiler. “It’s a 170-year-old building. Things wear out,” said Pauline Miller, Grace United’s council chair.