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NOTL Votes 2026: The business of running a town: Mayoral rivals disagree on the job

At the final meetup of Niagara-on-the-Lake's mayoral candidates before the polls open on election day, Oct. 26, Erwin Wiens, Andrea Kaiser and Vaughn Goettler were divided on a variety of issues, including how a municipality is supposed to be run.

Niagara-on-the-Lake voters at last advance poll before Oct. 26 talk development, planning, patios

Early voting gave some Niagara-on-the-Lake residents peace of mind, while others saw it as an opportunity to make their voices heard ahead of election day.

NOTL Votes 2026: School board trustees talk student mental health and responsible spending

The Lake Report asked more nominees for trustees what their top three priorities are, why they decided to run and what they would like to change or fix at the school board level.

NOTL Votes 2026: ‘Will they betray your trust again?’ Parliament Oak accusation heats up candidate debate

The gloves came off on stage Thursday night when one Niagara-on-the-Lake council candidate accused two fellow candidates, both incumbents, of betraying residents over the Parliament Oak development.

Sports: NOTL phenoms reflect on a season of progress on links

At barely 14, NOTL's Kaige Zhu and Eli Perng already competed in tournaments far more intense and demanding than most recreational golfers will ever experience. But they're just getting started.

Growing Together: Help your summer plants stay cool

"When the hottest days of summer hit, many container garden plants slow down on making flowers and fresh foliage — even if you keep up with watering," writes Joanne Young.

Exploring History: Bicycle Gymkhana in NOTL

Held annually in the early 1900s in August, the Gymkhana welcomed cyclists from all parts of America for some fun competition.

The Turner Report: Dividing our world into left and right solves nothing

"Dividing the world into left and right, as the Americans are doing (and we’re following) solves nothing. One side is not right and good, the other wrong and evil. Trust me. I’ve been on both," writes Garth Turner.

Arts review: The hits abound at Shaw’s popular Spiegeltent

"'It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing' and swing audiences certainly did when Duke Ellington composed this jazz classic with lyrics by Irving Mills in 1931 and performed it at Harlem's famous Cotton Club," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson, highlighting one of several standout show at the Shaw Festival's Spiegeltent this summer.

Arts: RiverBrink hosts Turbulence exhibit until Sept. 14

In "Turbulence," her exhibition of drawings, watercolours and digital prints at RiverBrink in Queenston, artist Millie Chen focuses attention on past and present, on historical events and memory.

Arch-i-text: Protests and problematic planning reports

"It was my observation, particularly given the universal opinion expressed to me by those gathered on the lawns, that many of this council's decisions are the antithesis of their campaign promises," writes Brian Marshall, who attended the town hall protest last week.

Growing Together: Time to think big about tropical gardens

"There is just something to be said about a more tropical look in the summer," writes Joanne Young, sharing her four favourite summer beauties that will add some “wow” to your garden.

@theMuseum: Part 6: So much more than rooms filled with artifacts

"We present things that are not just in the past. We are talking about now and appreciation of your culture around you.”

Exploring History: Niagara Canning Company Ltd./Strewn Winery, 1945

There used to be a number of canning companies in Niagara-on-the-Lake and this image shows the Niagara Canning Company in September 1945.

Sports: NOTL Soccer Teams of the Week for Aug. 8

The U9-10 Sandtrap and U11 Between The Lines teams are The Lake Report's teams of the week for Aug. 8

Dr. Brown: Evolution of jet engines shows how far we’ve come

"The single most important technical development to have a major impact in commercial and military aviation after the war was the development of turbine jet engines," writes. Dr. William Brown.

Arts review: A remarkable play and excellent debut in Canada

"THE HOUSE THAT WILL NOT STAND" *** (out of 5) Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre, 2 hours 30 minutes, one intermission. Ends Oct 12. Writer: Marcus Gardley....

Dr. Brown: What AI can teach us about the human brain

"Like the human brain, AI acquires large databases (sets for AI), which cover a broad range of subjects sequestered in different sets. The issue is: how does AI choose from among different sets of data to better focus and solve the problem or question at hand?" writes Dr. Brown.

Ross’s Ramblings: Today’s tradition in NOTL was yesterday’s change

A few years ago while rambling in The Lake Report, I observed that we often seem to live in a BANANA Republic. “Build absolutely...

The Turner Report: With prices high, homes are unaffordable for many

"Rates have now dropped twice, with two more chops likely in 2024. In NOTL the market, like the weather, has been uncomfortably sticky," writes Garth Turner

Arts: Autism Ontario and Shaw stage relaxed performance of ‘Secret Garden’

More than 120 people who often find it daunting to visit a theatre were able to enjoy a special relaxed performance of "The Secret Garden" at the Royal George Theatre last Thursday evening.

Growing Together: More from the world of hydrangeas

"Every year, growers are coming out with more and more varieties of hydrangeas," writes Joanne Young. "Just when you think that they can’t possibly come up with something different, they do."

Sports: NOTL Soccer Teams of the Week for Aug. 1

The Timbits Blue team and Timbits Green team are The Lake Report's two Teams of the Week for Aug. 1.

Arch-i-text: Niagara-on-the-Lake needs to learn from the past

"To paraphrase the writer and philosopher George Santayana: one can either learn from the past or be condemned to repeat it," writes Brian Marshall in comparing the decline of NOTL's commercial fishing industry to its present-day development interests.

Exploring History: Happy Simcoe Day! — Wait, who is Simcoe?

Our August holiday’s namesake, Lt.-Gov. John Graves Simcoe, came to North America in 1771 after he joined the British Army. His short five years here set the foundation of our provincial government and law system of today.

Dr. Brown: As leaders age, they should undergo cognitive testing

"Connect the dots and look back; it seems Biden obvious was suffering from some form of dementia, which affected his memory, speech, thought processes and planning — made worse by the bad news piling up on his desk and pressure at home and abroad to look 'in command,'" writes Dr. William Brown.

Sponsored: Stronghouse Contracting, Niagara’s chimney restoration experts

With a combined 80 years of experience, Peter Bernatowycz and Bob McDonald have positioned Stronghouse Contracting as the go-to for challenging chimney and masonry projects in Niagara Region.

Breaking News: Angry residents picket town hall to protest council decisions approving new developments

Dozens of placard-waving Niagara-on-the-Lake residents, upset about what they see as inappropriate developments being approved by town council, picketed, chanted and vented their anger...

Sports: Two NOTL lacrosse teams crowned zone champs

In sports, it's never over till it's over: Two Niagara-on-the-Lake lacrosse teams embraced that mantra Saturday as they battled back to capture their zone championships at home in Virgil.

Arch-i-text: Assault on heritage continues, but it’s not too late

"It is past time that we come together as one voice to save the cultural heritage landscapes of Niagara-on-the-Lake," writes Brian Marshall.

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