October was a month of new beginnings and community connections at Village!
From welcoming another site to our growing network, to bringing communities together for multiple mayoral debates across our markets, there was plenty happening both behind the scenes and out in the communities we serve.
With new milestones reached and meaningful conversations taking place, let’s take a look at what kept Village busy this October. 🎃
We welcomed seven new members to the Village team in October:
OshkoshToday reporter Bethanie Gengler
OshkoshToday reporter Dashal Mentzel
Wisconsin regional community engagement coordinator Kylie Gapko
SheboyganToday reporter Shelby Rickert
SooToday IT operations specialist Thomas Gravelines
OshkoshToday digital media account executive & community lead Sara Kay McCarthy
The Trillium Ottawa bureau chief Frédérik Plante
Welcome everyone! 👏
Headlines & major wins this month
OshkoshToday.us is officially live, marking another exciting step in bringing local news and community-focused storytelling to new audiences. From the early planning stages to launch day, this milestone reflects the teamwork and dedication of colleagues across the company who helped make it happen.
Congratulations to everyone involved in getting OshkoshToday off the ground. We’re looking forward to seeing the team grow its local presence and become a trusted part of the Oshkosh community!
We celebrated 11 community leaders in October 🏆
Big things happen when communities come together! This month, we celebrated the people who make our communities stronger with Community Builders Awards in Sault Ste. Marie and Stratford, shining a spotlight on the local heroes and dedicated changemakers who make a difference every day.
Scary good events 👻
October was full of community celebrations, exciting launches and plenty of opportunities to bring people together across Village Media!
From Reader Favourite events honouring local businesses to live music, Halloween festivities and a brand-new market launch, our teams hosted meaningful events across our network.
Teams at Oakville News, CambridgeToday, PelhamToday, FlamboroughToday, NewmarketToday, OrilliaMatters and Niagara-on-the-Lake Local celebrated their Reader Favourite winners with live events recognizing the outstanding local businesses that make their communities special.
At Village Media's Canopy, the SooToday SPACES team kicked off Village Sessions with performances by two local bands, giving community members a chance to enjoy live music together.
The team also continued its monthly SPACES Harry Potter Book Club, diving into Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and hosted a Halloween party complete with pumpkin carving, a spooky movie and a costume contest that awarded a prize for the most creative look.
Meanwhile, the launch of AppletonToday.com brought another reason to celebrate! The team marked the occasion with a coffee shop event, treating local community members to a free coffee while introducing them to the new site.
Spotted around the Village 🌎
On Wednesday, October 14 and Friday, October 16 the FlamboroughToday and DundasToday teams ran and moderated two candidates debates!
✨ Spotlight on sponsorships ✨
We sponsored 20 community initiatives across our communities in October 🤩
AppletonToday
Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra
AuroraToday
Aurora Historical Society
BayToday
Nipissing Hospice Hike for Hospice
BurlingtonToday
Telling Tales Festival, Bursary of Hope for Autism
CollingwoodToday
Face Off For Hunger
DundasToday
Bursary of Hope for Autism
EloraFergusToday
Addy-Tude concert, The Elora Singers
FlamboroughToday
Bursary of Hope for Autism, SACHA Chocolate Fest
GuelphToday
CIBC Run for the Cure
MiltonToday
Palm Sign Language Ltd.
NewmarketToday
Run For Newmarket, Newmarket Public Library's Romance Festival, Neighbourhood Welcome Newmarket
SooToday
Henderson Metal Fall Classic, Henderson Metal Fall Curling Classic, John Rhodes Dinner, Musical Comedy Guild, Sacred Hearth Community Wellness, Sault Newcomers Diwali 5.0
Sudbury.com
Capreol Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic, YWCA Women of Distinction Awards
Meet Nani!
This is Nani, a playful, lovable husky-shepherd mix with a big personality and an even bigger heart! Rescued from a northern fly-in community, this approximately 18-month-old foster fail found her forever home in Sault Ste. Marie, where she keeps her two unimpressed kitty brothers on their toes.
Whether she's bringing joy to her family or making sure everyone gets a little extra love (and grooming), Nani has certainly made herself at home!
Proud pet parent: Carol Martin
That’s a wrap on October! 🎃
See you next month!
