☀️Hello Norfolk! ☀️ 

It’s that quiet stretch of the year where the calendar looks a little thinner…
but make no mistake — Norfolk is still very much alive.

This week we have the Polar Bear Dip (and a fun video about it!), a playful house video disguised as a prescription drug commercial, a free guide, our final dinner club call-out, a $200,000 house listing in Norfolk, a community ice rink, and so much more!

Let’s get to it.

-Brad

P.S. A special shout-out to two of our incredible contributors — David Gilbert and Brian Humphrey.

Each week, they take the time to share their stories, photos, experiences, and insights with Norfolk, not because they have to… but because they want to. Because they care about this place and the people in it.

The Norfolk Insider is what it is because of people like them — locals who believe that community is built by showing up, sharing, and staying connected. And these two exemplify that spirit in the best possible way.

Thank you, gentlemen. Norfolk is better for it.

POLAR BEAR DIP

Brave souls will gather at the Port Dover shoreline today for the annual Polar Bear Dip — a true test of courage, community spirit, and questionable decision-making 😄. With cheering crowds, costumes, and plenty of shivering laughter, participants will charge into the frigid Lake Erie waters, many in support of local causes. Whether you plan to dive in or watch from a warm coat with hot coffee in hand, it will be another classic Norfolk moment that reminds us why we love this place.

We already caught video of some true polar bears at the Pier in Port Dover getting their January 1st dip in - check it out!

REAL ESTATE

The market has been fairly quiet over the Christmas and New Year stretch — which is completely normal this time of year. Most buyers take a short pause during the holidays, but historically, things begin to wake up again in early January as people start planning their next move for the year.

If you’re thinking of listing in 2026, now is the perfect window to start preparing. I’ve put together a Before You List Guide that covers the highest-return moves you can make before a sign ever goes up — you can find it here.

There are also several open houses happening this week — if you’re even half-curious about what homes are selling for right now, this is the easiest way to get a feel for the market. You can see the full list here.

And yes — a house for $200,000 actually exists. No time travel required. It’s real, and you can check it out here.

Finally, this week we’re unveiling our very serious new “prescription commercial” for the home at 209 Richardson Drive. It’s a dramatic pharmaceutical-style ad, except the only thing being treated is your urge to move. Side effects may include: sudden house envy, spontaneous Realtor.ca browsing, and an urgent need to book a showing. Watch it here:

DINNER CLUB

This will be our last call for Dinner Club sign-ups. The first gathering is January 13th. We’ve already got a pile of people going - and I can’t keep signups open for many more or we’ll have too many!

If you’re interested in joining us, get the details and sign up HERE. Signups close January 2nd.

Dinner Club is a new Norfolk Insider social dinner event where six people are matched at one table to share a meal, good conversation, and build community. You reserve a seat for $16 (you pay for your own food), fill out a short questionnaire, and the team handles matching and the reservation — no awkward networking, just real conversation.

OUR COMMUNITY

If you don’t know Handy Henry — you should.
The local concrete specialist isn’t just busy building projects… he’s busy building community.

Every winter, Henry turns his downtown Simcoe lot into a public skating rink so people have a place to gather, skate, and enjoy the season. It’s become a bit of a local tradition. He just posted this photo, which means this year’s rink is almost ready — sharpen your skates!

It’s no secret the weather has been relentless lately — snow, rain, freezing rain, slush… we’ve truly had it all.
But when you live by the lake, the elements hit differently.

This is a property in Long Point from this past week.
Nature doesn’t knock — it just shows up.
Wow.

HAPPENINGS

Thursday January 1st, 2026

🐻‍❄️ After The Dip | 12:30pm | Port Dover Community Centre | $12.50 | Thaw out with friends | More

🐻‍❄️ Captain's Polar Bear Levee | 1:00pm | Port Dover Harbour Museum | Proof the fun doesn’t hibernate | More

Friday January 2nd, 2026

♠️ Catch The Ace Rotary Club of Simcoe | 4:30pm | Simcoe Legion | Feelin' lucky, Norfolk? | More

🥃 Whisky Night | 6:00pm | Capitol 33 | Neat, on the rocks, or just here for the vibes | More

🎯 Darts | 7:00pm | The Wagner Memorial, Teeterville Legion Branch 526 | Aim true, brag later | More

Saturday January 3rd, 2026

⛸️ Free Skating and Shinny Sessions | 3:00pm | Port Dover Arena | Fall gracefully. Laugh it off. Hot chocolate after? Mandatory | More

🛍️ Silver Lake Market | 8:00am | Silver Lake Park | Get all your market needs! | More

🎶 The Outlets | 2:00pm | Erie Masonic Lodge Port Dover | Live music | More

Sunday January 4th, 2026

♠️ Catch The Ace | 2:00pm | Delhi Legion | 5 per ticket | Will you be the winner? | More

🎯 Youth Darts | 10:00am | Waterford Legion | Bring your bullseye energy | More

Monday January 5th, 2026

🪑 Sit and Fit | 12:00pm | Waterford Legion | Exercise but make it comfy | More

🎱 Monday Night Bingo | 5:00pm | Simcoe Legion | BINGO! | More

Tuesday January 6th, 2026

🎶 Felicia McMinn | 7:00pm | Capitol/Lounge 33 | Live Music | More

Wednesday January 7th, 2026

🎶 Felicia McMinn | 8:00pm | 211 Main | Live Music | More

🎯 Delhi Belgian Club Archery | 7:00pm | Delhi District Hungarian Hall | Unleash your inner Robin Hood | More

*Please confirm details with the event organizer. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change.

CONTRIBUTED

Contributed articles are sent in by community members. If you’d like to contribute something - an article, poem, thought, or anything else - email me HERE

Brian Humphrey wrote THIS ARTICLE is about the power of small daily habits — “non-negotiables” — and how they quietly shape your life.

David Gilbert writes on one of Norfolk’s time-honoured traditions: fishing the hard water. CHECK IT OUT HERE

WEATHER

Thursday High -5°C 🌡️ Low -11°C ❄️ 
Friday High -5°C 🌡️ Low -9°C 🌤️
🌡️ View current weather HERE 
🚗 Check out local gas prices HERE

Like what you see?
Don’t Like what you see?
Just want to say hi?
Reach out to me HERE