July 24th 2025

Bradley Mottashed
July 24, 2025

Hello Norfolk!

This week, we bring you something truly special—an exclusive interview with Dan Johnson, the Norfolk dad biking across Canada to raise funds for a local hospice in honour of his son, Luke.

Dan’s story is raw, powerful, and deeply moving. He didn’t just speak with anyone—he spoke with us. This one’s just for Norfolk Insiders.

Also in this edition:
🧩 Puzzle project updates (your votes made it happen!)
🎞️ AI-animated vintage Norfolk photos
🎸 Ridiculous amount of live music

– Brad

Ps. If you have events you want included in upcoming weeks submit them HERE.
If you have stories you want told, people you want recognized, want to partner with me or just chat, reach me HERE.

INTERVIEW

This week, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Dan Johnson, the Norfolk man who is literally riding his bicycle across Canada 🚵‍♂️ to raise funds for something close to all of our hearts — a local community hospice 🏥.

If you haven’t heard of him yet, trust me: Dan’s story is deeply inspiring 💫.

Dan lost his 8-year-old son, Luke, to brain cancer 🎗️. While most of us might collapse under that kind of grief 💔, Dan has transformed his pain into purpose. Through marathons 🏃‍♂️ and long-distance biking 🚴‍♂️, he's raising funds and awareness, building something lasting for the community — all in Luke’s honour ❤️.

👇 I’ve selected clips from our conversation that I think you’ll find powerful and moving.
🎧 Want to hear the full interview? [CLICK HERE] 🔗

Dan is an incredibly humble guy. We chatted about how everyone keeps calling him a ‘Hero’ and how he rejects that moniker.

My favourite quote from this clip:
“We’re just normal people who have been through this, and maybe the difference is that we are committed, in the midst of tragedy, to not quit. To not give up.”

We talked about community building, and what Dan hopes that people will get from seeing him undertake this huge endeavour.

“This is the best cheque that their heart as ever written…”

I asked Dan about Luke. His tone immediately changed. The love he has for his son was palpable. You couldn’t help but notice the passion and love shine through when he spoke.

“That’s why we made this project the way we did. Because it honours him, in the spirit of who he was…”

Lastly, I asked Dan for a message he wanted to communicate to the readers of the Norfolk Insider. This is where he unveiled what the final day of the journey will look like, and how excited he is to thank all his supporters.

“I’m just some guy across the country right now. Most people who have seen this don’t even know me. Whereas on the 23rd, I’ll get the opportunity to meet them and say “thank you.” It’s not about them meeting me - it’s about me saying thank you to them.”

This incredible human being is bicycling across the country, and all he asks is that you give a one-time donation of $50 to support his cause.

Dig deep. Make your donation today.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

PUZZLE HELP

Exciting news! 🎉 Remember when YOU voted for a Norfolk-themed puzzle? Well, it’s happening! 🧩 We’re teaming up with the amazing Katie Sinkowski Design (https://ksdesign.ca/) as our creative director, and she’s designing a beautiful tribute to Norfolk County. 🌾 This puzzle will capture everything we love about the area!

We want YOUR photos to be a part of it! 📸 If you have any iconic shots of Norfolk—whether it’s a recognizable place, event, or moment—send them our way! Email your "Norfolk" photos to me HERE, and you might see them featured in the puzzle! 😍 Just a heads up—photos used won’t be paid, but we’ll give you credit in the Insider for the submission!

Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the launch!

VIDEO

Norfolk’s full of incredible old photos 🖼️ — charming snapshots of the past. But let’s be honest: they don’t exactly pop 💥.

So I gave a few of them a modern twist 🔧✨

Using AI 🤖, I’ve brought these vintage Norfolk scenes to life 🎞️.
Can you recognize the locations? 👀📍

HAPPENINGS

Want a Featured Event with a poster or video? Reach out.
Want to add an event? Use this link.

Thursday July 24th

🐟️ Thursday Night Bass Tournament | Collins Harbour Marina | 5pm - 9pm | Show off your angling skills and win | More

🚶Discover Norfolk Walking Group | Quance’s Dam Trail, 200 Talbot Rd., Delhi | 6pm | Register

📽️ Open Doors Family and Friends Movie Night | 4152 ON-3, Simcoe | 8pm | Join us for MUFASA under the stars! | More

Friday July 25th

♠️ Catch The Ace | Simcoe Legion | 4:30pm - 7:30pm | Ace of spades worth over $3300 | More

🎙️Karaoke | Turkey Point Hotel | 9:30pm | Bring a friend and laugh | More

⛪️ Church Garage Sale | Colborne Village United Church | 5pm - 8pm | More

🛶 Sunset Glow Paddles | Newfie Nautical Tours | 8pm - 10:30pm | Paddle under the stars while fireflies dance around you | Tickets

🍦Scoops & Shenanigans | Jennie’s Ice Cream - 76 Main St Courtland | Board games - fun vibes - ice cream | More

Saturday July 26th

⛪️ Church Garage Sale | Colborne Village United Church | 8am - 1pm | More

🎸 Free Open Jam | Teeterville Legion | 1pm - 10pm | Bring an instrument or just come listen | More

📖 Book Sale | Trinity Anglican Church | 10am - 2pm | Used books for sale |

🏌️ Golf Tournament | Springview Farms | 9:30 | More

🎂 Birthday Weekend | Suzie’s Bombshell Boutique | 11am - 5pm | In-store pop up - birthday treats - outdoor music - bevvies - one day deals | More

👕Field to Flour and Field to Fabric | Backus Heritage Conservation Area | 11am - 4pm | Learn traditional processes of turning wheat to flower, and fiber to fabric | More

Sunday July 27th

🐕‍🦺 Reading Buddy Program | Simcoe Humane Society | 12pm - 3pm | Read to furry friends | More

🧘Beach Yoga | Turkey Point Beach | 9:30am | Beachside yoga and complimentary wellness drink | Register

Monday July 28th

🚗 Show and Shine | Silver Lake Park | 4pm | Music, food, prizes | More

Tuesday July 29th

🏊️Free Swim | Delhi Kinsmen Pool | 6:15pm - 8:15pm | Drop in and make a splash | More

🌳Under the Willows | Port Dover | 6:30pm - 8:30pm | Breathwork, Reiki and Visualization with Tamiah Johnston | For info email [email protected]

Wednesday July 30th

🎭️Pinkerton Comes to Prospect - Opening | Lighthouse Festival Theatre | 2pm and 7:30pm | An 1890’s Saloon Comedy | Tickets

LIVE MUSIC

Thursday July 24th

🎶Boston Pizza | Jay Davis | 7:30

Friday July 25th

Saturday July 26th

Sunday July 27th

Monday July 28th

No music today

Tuesday July 29th

🎶 Lounge 33 | Felicia McMinn | 7:00

Wednesday July 30th

WEATHER

Thursday High 32°C 🌡️ Low 23°C 🌤️
Friday High 28°C 🌡️ Low 21°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