The Lake Report’s strong performance in the Ontario Community Newspapers Association’s awards continued last Friday as Niagara-on-the-Lake’s hometown news source again took home more top honours than any other publication in the province.
Augusta Van Muyen, vineyard manager at Tawse Winery in Vineland since 2021, knows her terroir. She's been named this year's Grape King: “I’m super honoured to represent the wine industry,” she says.
Premier Doug Ford, writes Kevin MacLean, "has shown time and time again that, really, he is 'For the People' — though maybe just not the common people who have to live with his actions and decisions."
"The Ford government is spending millions upon millions on private planes, private spas and handouts to developers, while our public services crumble and life gets increasingly unaffordable for families in Ontario," writes Wayne Gates.
"Will NOTL’s council ever be ready to consider other options for this public property? Based on what we’ve seen so far, you don’t what you’ve got till it’s gone," writes David Israelson.
"Is this still an artistic enterprise worthy of oodles of tax money, the sympathy of donors and exemption from all heritage rules? Or, has it become a non-tax-paying corporation heavy into real estate development?" writes Garth Turner.
"If you go for a walk in your neighbourhood, look at the houses — what you’ll see on the streetscapes will begin to communicate its architectural language," writes Brian Marshall.
"These days, the nature of consciousness is hotly debated by several competing groups, with no consensus or clarity emerging in the debates between them," writes Dr. William Brown.
"A subtle aspect of planning a trivia night is selecting questions that are challenging, but not too challenging. We paying participants don’t need to be reminded how dumb we are," writes Ross Robinson.
"Do you think that people in Niagara should have less ability to find out what the government is doing on these files behind closed doors? I certainly don’t," writes Wayne Gates.
"Given the level of public support, it would be good to know more about how this web of interests is being run. Is it sustainable? What happens in an economic downturn, with a half-built theatre complex?" writes Garth Turner.
"If you plan to do any work on your contributing property, that undertaking should be informed by the building’s architectural style to ensure that any alterations are compatible and in-keeping with its contributing attributes," writes Brian Marshall.
"Driving everything in my quest for understanding nature have been recuring themes for me," writes Dr. William Brown, citing the universe, human evolution, the rise of AI and more.
The NOTL U13 and U15 Wolves both prevailed against imminent playoff elimination, earning berths in the provincial championships in Halton Hills at the end of March.
An affable, easygoing sort, Michael Bloss, is currently the music director at St. Mark’s Church in Old Town. And, up until this past fall, a full-time pilot for Canada’s leading air service company, Cargojet.
"The irony is that Gale’s resignation leaves Niagara Region better off, but not for the reasons he resigned. These reasons relate to his job, not his peccadillos," writes David Israelson.
"Is this bureaucratic overreach? Abject stupidity? Or a clumsy attempt to tamp down the grassroots rebellion? Let’s see where that vote lands," writes Garth Turner.
"Intrinsic to the plan’s policies and guidelines is the understanding that a property that contributes to the overall integrity of the cultural heritage value of the conservation district," writes Brian Marshall.
"Colonizing Europeans often encountered what they considered primitive peoples," writes Dr. William Brown. "Yet, within a few generations, those so-called 'primitives' mastered European languages, cultures and technologies."
"Henry Paffard accomplished so much, and helped to create our town fire department. This was a busy citizen, and remember, all without modern means of communication," writes Ross Robinson.
Across the park, women spoke about the people who shaped them, often naming mothers, daughters, mentors and colleagues while reflecting on how expectations for women have shifted across generations. “As women we should respect each other and allow every generation to become stronger and better than the last," said Elaine Sonoda.
“Niagara-on-the-Lake has a bedrock of community strength — developed by many women dedicated to its natural beauty, heritage and culture,” said Janice Thomson.
For the first time, women make up half of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s council table — a milestone the town’s four female councillors say is helping bring broader perspectives to decision-making at town hall.
As the sisters continue a way of life for their family that started four decades ago, they hope to encourage a new generation of winemakers and grape-growers, especially fellow women, to forge their own paths.
The town’s 100+ Women Who Care NOTL held its first meeting last October and has raised $33,900 in its first two meetings. A third meeting is planned for next month.
“As a woman and a mom of three, I believe I have a natural ability to nurture, support and encourage others,” said Montanaro, the supervisor of enforcement for the town.
More than 20 years after taking a job decorating cakes at a Sobeys store, Lindsey Bridgeman now owns Niagara-on-the-Lake’s newest grocery store and says getting offered to run the store was "one of the greatest honours I've had."
Romance, acclaimed for Christmas and family life paintings, and a longtime former resident of the historical McArthur Estate, said she views herself as a woman artist, rather than an artist who happens to be a woman.
Whether it's working on her farm, waitressing, setting up cable network connections, or making her award-winning jams and jellies, McQuhae says she's always done things on her own terms.
