Welcome to the October edition of our monthly newsletter, where we share fresh opportunities, milestones and achievements to celebrate.
New Villagers 👋
Last month, we welcomed Directory Coordinator Dirk Becker and OrilliaMatters Account Executive Kimberley Bergeron to our team.
We hope you’re having a great first couple of weeks!
Village Media hits double digits! 🥳
A decade ago, a company intent on saving local news was born. Since its inception in 2013, we have grown by over two dozen owned and operated sites and dozens of partner sites. We now have hundreds of sites licensing our custom content management system, have invested tens of thousands of dollars back into the communities we call home and have shared thousands of stories about our neighbours, our city councils, our local businesses and what is happening in our backyards.
What started as a vision has evolved into a thriving company, one that has not only weathered the storms but has also flourished and excelled in an ever-changing landscape.
Our success is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team members, past and present, who have contributed their talent, energy and unwavering commitment to our shared vision.
This 10th anniversary is not just a marker of the past; It's an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to our mission, to embrace the ever-evolving landscape of the media industry and to continue on our quest to save local news.
We are looking forward to toasting this incredible milestone in our hometown of Sault Ste. Marie, where it all began!
Saultites honoured for community building efforts 🏆
It was an afternoon of inspiration and celebration as SooToday hosted our third annual Community Builders Awards in Sault Ste. Marie.
Winners, sponsors and judges gathered to honour the individuals and organizations putting in the work to make Sault Ste. Marie a better place.
There were some tears and a lot of cheers as a packed Peace Restaurant celebrated this year’s award recipients.
Winners are being announced on SooToday each day from now until November 3. You can see the feature videos on each remarkable recipient by visiting our CBA website here.
BurlingtonToday turns one in November 🎂
Time flies when you’re providing essential news coverage to your hometown!
BurlingtonToday has already become deeply embedded in its community. Between up-to-the-minute daily news coverage to numerous community partnerships to sponsoring red carpet events and delivering random acts of kindness surprises, BurlingtonToday is everywhere.
In just one year, the site has established itself as a go-to source for local news and information, with over 14,000 readers signed up to receive our daily newsletter to make sure they never miss a BurlingtonToday headline.
Congratulations on your first milestone! There will be many more to come 🎉
ICYMI: Is a castle in your future? 🏰
This gives you a quick peek into the global real estate market. 👀
Check out this interesting read from EloraFergusToday’s Keegan Kozolanka about a Fergus couple who traded their four-bedroom home for a 37-acre property with a historic chateau in France.
✨ Spotlight on sponsorships ✨
We sponsored two dozen events in September around our Village, including:
BarrieToday
Parkinson Canada
BayToday
Our Hospital Walk/Run
BradfordToday
Mercy 4 Mankind - Run for Bradford
BurlingtonToday
Burlington Chamber of Commerce Business Before 9, Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation - Horsepower 4 Hospice, Chamber of Commerce Past President's Golf Classic, Equilibrium Burlington's Walk to the Lighthouse for Mental Health
CollingwoodToday
My Friend's House Red Shoe Event
EloraFergusToday
Fergus Agricultural Society - Fun at the Farm, Enchanted Forest of Fergus, Pedal for Portage, River Run Centre
GuelphToday
Fergus Agricultural Society - Fun at the Farm, St. Joseph's Health Centre Foundation's Taste of Guelph, Golf for Griefwalk, River Run Centre
LongmontLeader
Harvest of All First Nations - Corn Festival, Boulder Valley District School Board
MidlandToday
Georgian Bay General Hospital Foundation - Power of Giving Gala
OrilliaMatters
Orillia Soldier's Memorial Hospital Foundation - Golf Classic
PelhamToday
Welland Food Fest
SooToday
2023 Kidney Walk, Downtown Association - Summer Send off Sidewalk Sale
StratfordToday
ONE CARE's Grand Parade, Stratford Kiwanis Club's Garlic Festival, Stratford Rotary Club's Dragon Boat Festival
Open opportunities 👀
There are a couple of new postings on our job board. Check them out!
Spotted around the Village:
Pawesome Villager of the month 🐾
Meet Spencer 🐾
Spencer was an unintended addition to his new home but his arrival worked out perfectly.
Ever the peacemaker, he brings the other three cats in the home together and gets everyone running and playing instead of hissing and growling, even when they are at their grouchiest. His favourite places are anywhere his cat-mom is or smelling the flowers. Preferably both at the same time.
(Proud pet parent: Carol Martin)
November is next...
