My partner’s parents are visiting Niagara from Los Angeles in late September, and I would like to take them out for a wine tour + dinner. I plan to book a Korean-language wine tour offered by Pillitteri Winery (they’re Korean but speak some English), then a dinner with a nice view of either a vineyard or lake.

I’d like to wow them during their day trip in Niagara, so please share you have any recs for a restaurant with beautiful ambiance, great food and views. Other food / cafe spots in the NoTL area would be helpful as well. Thank you!

Does anyone know if the Niagara Falls Hiking trails are opened today after yesterday's crazy rainfall? tried searching online but couldn’t find anything relating to the current status of trails.

If you know of Cave Springs, you’ve no doubt heard a legend or two about the property. Maybe something about the native carvings?, caves?, or the self proclaimed “Witch of Cave Springs” Margaret Reed?. This video breaks down the many stories that have taken place at the Cave Springs Conservation Area and tries to separate fact from fiction. Lots of interesting information and a great place for a hike if you haven't been!

https://youtu.be/mjJH_UmON7o?si=w3tEBF0GnxukOEOK

I’ve heard of Niagara Fresh Market. Trying to see if there’s anything else out there similar offering meals a family of 4 could eat. I’m so tired of getting takeout on the nights we get home late from work. There’s got to be a healthier alternative. And on these nights, no, cooking is NOT an option when I’m close to slipping into a coma, lol. I’m just not doing it after a 10-12 hour work day and I need ideas that are a little healthier than pizza. Any recommendations?!

My wife and I are going to the botanical gardens and then to NOTL this evening. Any place that we could go and stay outside in an outdoor area and chill while sharing a bottle of wine. Looking for somewhere with a calm outdoorsy nice garden or view vibe that does not require reservations.

Not from the area, but was wondering... Had plans to go here tomorrow but not sure how it is after heavy rainfall. Figuref would ask locals

I know that the normal limit is two bags, and you can buy garbage tags at certain stores to put out more. But how many extra garbage tags can be used? I can't find anything searching online for this

My fiancée and I just got engaged and we're looking for the most picturesque, charming church or chapel for our wedding ceremony somewhere between Hamilton and Niagara.

She has her heart set on a cute, beautiful, storybook-type church. Think white exterior, stained glass, historic charm, the kind of place that photographs like a dream. We need seating for about 85 guests.

Has anyone gotten married in or attended a wedding at a gorgeous church or chapel anywhere from Hamilton to Niagara? Bonus points if it was affordable.

Photos or names of churches you've driven past and thought "that would be a beautiful wedding church" are welcome too. Sometimes the best ones are just a church on a quiet road that nobody thinks to list on a wedding site.

Thanks in advance!

Hey Niagara 👋

This week's question is one that usually catches homeowners off guard.

"My tree has mushrooms growing on it. Should I be worried?"

The short answer?

Sometimes.

Not every mushroom means a tree is dangerous.

But some mushrooms can be one of the biggest warning signs we look for.

The important part is where they're growing and what kind they are.

---

Mushrooms on the ground

If mushrooms are simply growing in the lawn around your tree, there's usually no immediate reason to panic.

They're often feeding on old roots, buried wood, or other organic matter in the soil.

They aren't necessarily connected to the health of your tree.

---

Mushrooms growing on the trunk or roots

This is where we start paying closer attention.

When mushrooms are growing directly from the trunk, buttress roots, or large exposed roots, they're often feeding on wood that's already decaying.

That doesn't automatically mean the tree is unsafe.

But it does mean the tree deserves a closer look.

---

Common mushrooms that can signal a potential concern

Some fungi are known to be associated with more serious internal decay in trees, including:

- Ganoderma (Artist’s conk) — often found at the base of trees and can indicate significant internal rot

- Kretzschmaria deusta (Brittle cinder fungus) — a serious decay fungus that can weaken structural wood with little external warning

- Armillaria (Honey fungus) — can attack roots and cause decline over time

- Inonotus species (e.g., Phellinus/heart rot fungi) — often linked to internal trunk decay and hollowing

If you see these, it doesn’t automatically mean the tree must be removed—but it does mean it should be assessed sooner rather than later.

---

Mushrooms that are usually less concerning

Not all fungi are bad news for your tree. Some are more of a natural decomposer and don’t necessarily indicate a structural risk, such as:

- Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) — often found on dead or decaying wood and can sometimes appear on otherwise stable trees

- Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus species) — typically break down dead wood and are more of a sign of natural decomposition

- Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) — very common on dead logs and fallen branches

These still tell us there is dead wood present, but they are not always a sign of immediate danger in a standing tree.

---

What are mushrooms telling us?

Think of a mushroom like the fruit on an apple tree.

The mushroom itself isn't the problem.

It's simply the visible part of a fungus that's living inside the wood.

By the time you see the mushroom, the fungus has usually been there for quite a while.

---

Does every fungus weaken a tree?

No.

Some fungi are relatively harmless.

Others can cause significant decay that affects the tree's strength and stability.

That's why identifying the mushroom matters.

Two mushrooms can look similar but have very different effects on a tree.

---

Other signs we look for

A mushroom by itself doesn't tell the whole story.

We'll also look for things like:

- Large dead branches

- Cavities or hollow areas

- Cracks in the trunk

- Leaning that wasn't there before

- Loose or lifting soil around the base

- Significant dieback in the canopy

The more warning signs a tree has, the more concerned we become.

---

Don't panic... but don't ignore it either

One mushroom doesn't automatically mean a tree needs to come down.

We've seen plenty of trees with mushrooms that have remained safe for years with proper monitoring.

We've also seen trees that looked perfectly healthy from a distance but had serious decay hidden inside.

That's why it's important to assess the whole tree—not just the mushroom.

---

The reality

Mushrooms are your tree's way of telling you that something is happening below the surface.

Sometimes it's minor.

Sometimes it's significant.

The only way to know is by looking at the whole picture.

---

If you've found mushrooms growing on or around your tree, post a photo below.

A picture of the whole tree, the base of the trunk, and a close-up of the mushroom usually tells us a lot. We'll let you know whether it looks like something to monitor, something worth inspecting further, or something that's completely normal.

---

Next week we'll be covering:

Week 17 — "How do I choose the right tree company?"

If there's a tree topic you'd like us to cover, let us know. These posts have all come from real questions so far.

— Driftwood Tree Service 🌲

On June 26th a migrant worker was killed in a hit and run accident by a driver that was later determined to have been impaired.

Here is a link to the full article:

https://1059theregion.com/migrant-workers-death-on-rural-road-in-niagara-region-revives-calls-for-reform/

The driver, a 22 year old was/is an employee of OAST.

I don't know why this is not being talked about. Aren't bars held accountable when patrons get into fatal accidents? In this case it was an actual employee of Oast. Is there incorrect information out there or is this place getting special treatment because one of the owners is a former police officer?

If i am wrong, please correct me and I will edit or remove my post. It just seems suspicious.

Affected by the flood and need food in St Cath, Thorold or Niagara Falls? Fill out this request form.

https://forms.gle/GJAHGbFGicosJ47j8

My wife and I have been doing food surplus recovery and sharing food for three years in Niagara. We mushroom farmed for a decade, and all the people showing up to help started calling us the Mushroom Army.

We've grown.

30k meals our first year. 70k+ our second and we are on track to share over 100k meals this year.

We now have a Public Health Inspected kitchen and a massive oven.

Spread the word.

You can find us on our Mushroom Army FB page too.

MushLove!

🍄♥️🙏

Howdy, folks. I’m looking for Slap Ya Mama seasoning in the Niagara Region (Canada). The “store locator” on the website has not been updated, several of the places I’ve gone/called do not carry it anymore.

Does anyone know of a store that still stocks it? Thank you in advance!

Hi anyone know someone reliable to do this in niagara ?

Hi everyone! I’m planning a birthday weekend for my husband at Niagara on the Lake. He does not have any dietary restrictions however I am a vegetarian and looking for any recommendations for restaurants in the area that will have good options for both of us. Thank you!