Mike Balsom

Thorold

Freelance Newspaper Reporter at The NOTL Local

teacher, broadcaster/tv host, freelance reporter, music-lover, steelers and pirates fan, family guy

Featured in: Favicon

notllocal.com Favicon

thevoiceofpelham.ca Favicon

burlingtontoday.com Favicon

thetrillium.ca Favicon

haltonhillstoday.ca Favicon

flamboroughtoday.com Favicon

thoroldtoday.ca

Articles

Author Emma Donoghue charms large crowd at Caroline Cellars

1 week ago | thoroldtoday.ca | Mike Balsom

London, ON-based author Emma Donoghue visited Caroline Cellars on Line 2 Road in Niagara-on-the-Lake Thursday to talk about her 16th novel The Paris Express. More than 130 readers showed up to meet the Dublin, Ireland-born Donoghue in the latest instalment of the NOTL Public Library's popular Wine and Words series.
BCM donation is the icing on NOTL's Canada Day cake

1 week ago | notllocal.com | Mike Balsom

Members of the Friends of Fort George gathered this week to accept a donation of $5,000 from Welland-based BCM Insurance. The influx of cash will support the annual Niagara-on-the-Lake Canada Day cake parade to Simcoe Park, says Amanda Gamble, the organization's executive director.
Special Olympian Carter Simpson meets his fans

1 week ago | thoroldtoday.ca | Mike Balsom

The spotlight continues to shine on 31-year-old Team Canada Special Olympian Carter Simpson. The double-bronze medalist from last month’s 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games met some of his fans at an event in his honour yesterday at Konzelmann Estate Winery on Lakeshore Rd. in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Author Emma Donoghue rolling into NOTL with 'The Paris Express'

2 weeks ago | thoroldtoday.ca | Mike Balsom

Just two weeks after it hit book stores Emma Donoghue’s 16th novel, The Paris Express, is already hitting the upper reaches of the best sellers lists, making it a number one Canadian book. The Irish-born author and historian who has made London, Ontario her home since 1998, is thrilled to see her latest work of historical fiction being received so well. “My Canadian fans are the most loyal to me,” she tells The Local.
NOTL council gives Carter Simpson a hero's welcome

2 weeks ago | thoroldtoday.ca | Mike Balsom

Coun. Maria Mavridis calls Tuesday’s presentation of a certificate congratulating Niagara-on-the-Lake Special Olympian Carter Simpson “the MOST (sic) amazing moment in council history.” Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa invited the 31-year-old to council’s most recent meeting to recognize his accomplishments at the 2025 Special Olympics World Games in Italy.
NOTL council gives Carter Simpson a hero's welcome

2 weeks ago | notllocal.com | Mike Balsom

Coun. Maria Mavridis calls Tuesday’s presentation of a certificate congratulating Niagara-on-the-Lake Special Olympian Carter Simpson “the MOST (sic) amazing moment in council history.” Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa invited the 31-year-old to council’s most recent meeting to recognize his accomplishments at the 2025 Special Olympics World Games in Italy.
ICYMI: All our weekly columns in one place

2 weeks ago | notllocal.com | Mike Balsom

Each week we collect the contributions from our regular columnist as they appeared on notllocal.com an bring them to you in this post, just in case you missed them. Former BBC and CBC producer Nigel Napier-Andrews moved to NOTL in 2022 with his wife Diane and fell completely in love with the town.
SUNDAY SUMMARY: Top NOTL stories you may have missed

2 weeks ago | notllocal.com | Mike Balsom

Editor's Note: Every week in this space we compile the most widely-read stories from the past week. We're in the thick of yet another election campaign, this one a federal election scheduled for Monday, April 28. Last we week ran a profile of Liberal candidate Andrea Kaiser. This week we feature the Conservative and NDP candidates for the newly redesigned Niagara Falls-Niagara-on-the-Lake riding (Fort Erie is now part of Niagara Centre).
Author Emma Donoghue rolling into NOTL with 'The Paris Express'

2 weeks ago | notllocal.com | Mike Balsom

Just two weeks after it hit book stores Emma Donoghue’s 16th novel, The Paris Express, is already hitting the upper reaches of the best sellers lists, making it a number one Canadian book. The Irish-born author and historian who has made London, Ontario her home since 1998, is thrilled to see her latest work of historical fiction being received so well. “My Canadian fans are the most loyal to me,” she tells The Local.
Things to do in NOTL this weekend

2 weeks ago | notllocal.com | Mike Balsom

Events this weekend include a plenty of live music, a ham and turkey roll, and an opening reception at the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre. Have fun, and if you want to send us notices of other up-coming events, or photos of what you did around town this weekend, we would love to include them. Send your event details to [email protected].