Zahraa Hmood

Pickering

Copy Editor at The Lake Report

Copy Editor at Niagara Now

I'm just a sponge. Copy editor @ https://t.co/x7l7LWw9KK

Articles

Virgil Stampede kicks off this long weekend

1 month ago | niagaranow.com | Zahraa Hmood

The community of Virgil is ready to welcome the start of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s lively summer season this May long weekend with the return of the 57th-annual Virgil Stampede from Saturday to Monday. Thousands are expected to come out to the Virgil Sports Park from May 17 to 19 for a weekend of carnival rides, games, family-friendly events, classic fair food and, on Monday evening, a fireworks show to celebrate Victoria Day.
Tribunal rejects developer's appeal on Rand Estate decision

Jan 30, 2025 | niagaranow.com | Zahraa Hmood

The Ontario Land Tribunal has denied an appeal by the developer behind plans for a subdivision on the Rand Estate. In October 2024, the tribunal concluded Solmar needs to re-evaluate its plans for a 172-unit subdivision on the historic estate as they “do not represent good planning in the public interest.”Solmar quickly filed an appeal, asking the tribunal to review its decision.
Tales from NOTL's humbler era in local history buff's new book

Jan 24, 2025 | niagaranow.com | Zahraa Hmood

Anyone driving through the neighbourhoods of Old Town on a summer’s day in this century will be treated to the sight of illustrious homes, manicured lawns, well-kept gardens and shiny store façades. Back in the day, however, the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake looked quite different, says lifelong resident and history enthusiast Jim Smith — as he describes it, things in the ‘40s and ‘50s were more “rough around the ears.”“The boulevards weren’t always cut.
Gerry McIlhone talks summer of tennis wins, including gold in Canada 55+ Games

Oct 23, 2024 | niagaranow.com | Zahraa Hmood

Gerry McIlhone has spent decades, racket and ball in hand, out on tennis courts across the province — from starting on the courts of Malvern Collegiate Institute in east Toronto to spending Saturdays the past 15 years at Memorial Park in Old Town, facing off against fellow members of the NOTL Tennis Club. This past summer, however, is likely to go down as one of the highlights in his personal history of playing tennis.
Annual budget meetings to kick off on Oct. 10

Oct 4, 2024 | niagaranow.com | Zahraa Hmood

That time of the year is almost here: The town is set to spend this fall nailing down its top financial concerns for 2025 — and how it plans to tighten, or loosen, its purse strings. Council approved a two-month timeline for proceedings on next year’s municipal budget during its September meeting — the first budget committee meeting will be held Oct. 10 and the last, to finalize the 2025 budget, on Dec. 10. The budget committee will be made up of all councillors and key staff members.
NOTL teen wins gold in Henley rowing competition

Aug 7, 2024 | niagaranow.com | Zahraa Hmood

Six seconds made a world of difference for Kennedy Bartel and her rowing partner at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. Pushing hard last Thursday, the Niagara-on-the-Lake rower and her teammate, Isabella Essig, crossed the finish line in the women’s under-17 doubles race, beating five other teams and earning gold in St. Catharines. The world-famous regatta, which ran July 30 to Aug.
Silversmith Brewing and others among finalists for Niagara chamber awards

May 29, 2024 | niagaranow.com | Zahraa Hmood

Pillars of the Niagara-on-the-Lake business community are being recognized by the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce among finalists of the annual Niagara Business Achievement Awards. Silversmith Brewing is one of five nominess for the Business of the Year award, while two other businesses, Centennial Construction & Contracting Niagara Inc. and Rugged Books Inc., are nominated for an Excellence in Business Award for businesses that has 26 or more employees, among four nominees.
She made her mark in a male-dominated business

Mar 7, 2024 | niagaranow.com | Zahraa Hmood

Heather Campagnola has had a lot of practice standing her ground. When she started in the trade show industry four decades ago, she was one of the few women in the business. So, she’s dealt with people underestimating her capabilities. “It was really tough and it was a fight,” she says. For example, in 1998, she was a senior project manager for a Toronto company and was in charge of setting up an exhibition in Paris during the FIFA World Cup, leading a 50-person team.
Women's employment rebounds post-pandemic, but challenges remain

Mar 6, 2024 | niagaranow.com | Zahraa Hmood

As Julia Ventresca was preparing to graduate from Brock University last spring, job prospects seemed few and far between — especially for an English language and literature major. “I was definitely very nervous entering my post-grad era,” she says. However, just as she was wrapping up her final classes, she landed a full-time position as a membership services representative and donor manager with the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake. She hopes to celebrate her first year on the job in April.
Inniskillin winemaker sees 'impressive' icewine season after a few rocky years

Feb 8, 2024 | niagaranow.com | Zahraa Hmood

Niagara-on-the-Lake’s wineries have wrapped up another month of harvest for icewine production, collecting tons of frozen grapes during last month’s cold snap. At Inniskillin on Niagara Stone Road, its lead winemaker says while the industry took a hit during the pandemic, this year he’s seeing a resurgence in interest around icewine — corresponding with, for them, a successful harvest.