🍇 What Do Canadians Do in March?

🌦️ Weather

It’s shaping up to be a bit of a mixed bag across Niagara-on-the-Lake this week. Friday stays cool and grey around 6°C with a good chance of rain, followed by a mild but wet Saturday reaching 15°C. Sunday cools back down to 9°C with some sunshine, and early next week looks fairly comfortable with sun and clouds around 14°C Monday and Tuesday before rain likely returns midweek.

🇨🇦 Roll Up the Rim Returns

With weather like this, it feels like prime coffee-in-hand season… which means Tim Hortons’ Roll Up the Rim has been getting plenty of attention since it returned February 23.

We’re now almost two weeks in, and I’m currently sitting at a very impressive 0 for 8.

Eight drinks. Zero prizes.

Not even a donut. Not even points. Just the emotional support message: “Please Play Again.”

If I see those three words one more time, I might lose it.

Or as the young kids say… I might crash out.

The funny part is I’m not even a huge Tim’s coffee guy… yet here I am continuing to roll like the rest of Canada, convinced the next cup is finally going to be the one.

In the meantime, I am now accepting sympathy messages for my losing streak.

I am also open to coffee donations if you feel so inclined.

(This is mostly a joke… mostly.)

👀 For those who insist on taking things too literally, here is my email in very LARGE print in case you’ve misplaced it…

I will also accept screenshots of your winnings so I can feel even worse about my odds. ☕️

Lets get into the news👇

If you’ve lived in Niagara-on-the-Lake for any length of time, chances are you’re already familiar with Niagara Motors. The dealership has been a long-time staple in the community, serving local drivers for generations and continuing to be one of the town’s most recognizable local businesses.

Right now, they’re leaning into what the auto world calls Truck Month, which simply means there are some strong offers available on GMC trucks, including select GMC Sierras with financing options like 0% for up to 72 months, along with additional incentives depending on the trim and trade-in.

There’s also something worth noting for Costco members.

The Costco Member Bonus Program is running from March 3 to April 30, offering additional bonuses on select vehicles like the Buick Envision, GMC Terrain, and several GM electric models. Executive members can receive up to $1,200, while Gold Star and Business members can receive up to $1,000 in bonus savings.

In other words, if you’re a Costco member and have been thinking about upgrading your vehicle this spring, it might be a good time to see what’s available.

The team at Niagara Motors, right here in Niagara-on-the-Lake, is always happy to walk you through the current programs and help you understand what might make the most sense for you.

📍 Niagara Motors: 1537 Niagara Stone Rd

📞 905-468-2145

If you’re part of a local non-profit, volunteer group, or community organization in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Town has opened applications for its 2026 Community and Youth Initiatives Grant Program.

Applications opened March 2 and will remain open until March 27. The program provides funding for initiatives that help improve the cultural, social, environmental, and economic well-being of residents here in town.

In other words, if your group is organizing something that brings people together, supports youth, or helps make the community a little stronger, this program is meant to help make those ideas happen.

For 2026, the Town says priority will be given to projects that support community-led programming, encourage youth development and leadership, and promote collaboration between local non-profits, schools, and service groups.

A total of $167,443 will be available this year through the program. The funding comes from the Town’s Parking Reserve and includes both the 2026 budget allocation and some unspent funds carried forward from 2025.

Applications will be reviewed in April, with final recommendations expected to go to Council in May.

So if your organization has been kicking around an idea for a community event, program, or initiative, this might be the moment to turn that idea from “we should do this someday” into an actual application.

After all, good things tend to happen in Niagara-on-the-Lake when people decide to build something together.

These are a few things currently on our radar this week around Niagara-on-the-Lake — spots, plans, and moments we’re looking forward to.

Sometimes it’s a new place we’re planning to try. Sometimes it’s an event. And sometimes… it’s just the weather finally doing something interesting.

If there’s somewhere we should be checking out (or revisiting), let us know. We’re always taking notes.

Well, my unlucky streak has been broken.

Someone brought Tim’s coffee and doughnuts into the office. Instead of grabbing a napkin, I grabbed an empty Roll Up The Rim cup to hold my doughnut.

Didn’t even pour a coffee.

Turns out… that cup was a winner!

My record now sits at 1 for 10.

See below for proof 👇

We wish the rest of you wonderful Notlers a happy rolling season. If you feel like it, share your winnings with me, there is always a need for more coffee.. 👀

Thanks for reading today’s issue.

If you enjoyed it, pass it along to someone who always asks, “What’s going on in town?”

And while you’re at it go catch up on last week’s article! 👉 🍇 Where We’re Headed This Weekend

— Matthew Habinski, Editor @ NOTL News

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