OrilliaMatters+ Features

'I enjoy seeing the look on their face when they get their new belt,' says longtime Orillia karate teacher

'I wanted to make sure my kids had a better opportunity than I did,' said Smith of reason he decided to become a trustee — a role he has enjoyed for decades

Sisters who run downtown eatery provide tips for satisfying — and surviving — family during Christmas

Christmas lover says decorations are fun, but stresses, 'I want to teach my girls that the magic of Christmas is about more than what is under the tree'

Alison Stoneman, part of clinical trial in 1996, continues to draw inspiration from cancer research, Terry Fox; 'It was his incredible determination'

'I’m lucky to be somewhere where everyone is cheering me on... and people are happy to come see me play,' says Oro-Medonte singer Sam Johnston

'To bring happiness to a child and see the glow on their face means everything to me. The magic in their eyes is amazing,' says Wayne Campbell

The Sharing Place needs our help year round to meet growing need

Thieves, in mid-afternoon, neatly removed about a metre of pipe and the catalytic converter, which apparently can fetch big bucks on the black market

'The arts draw people here, and Orillia is amazingly rich with all kinds of arts,' says Molly Farquharson, owner of Hibernation Arts in Orillia's Arts District