Stratford Times April 24, 2026

STRATFORD

A Passion for People

SHERRIE ROULSTON

Real Estate Broker

email: sherrieroulston@royallepage.ca

Direct: 519-272-3578

Go Train pulls back

After more than two years without GO Train service, Stratford will once again be connected directly to Toronto by rail beginning July 6, this time with what provincial and local officials say will be a permanent, year-round expansion of service.

The announcement was made April 17 at the Stratford train station, where Mayor Martin Ritsma and members of Stratford city council were joined by Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae, Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria and Metrolinx president and CEO Michael Lindsay. According to the province, the expanded service will include one daily round trip between Stratford and Toronto on the Kitchener GO line.

Standing at the station with a big smile on his face Friday morning, Ritsma called the announcement the result of years of advocacy and collaboration among the city, Metrolinx, VIA Rail, CN Rail and the province.

“These things don’t happen without great conversation, great delegations and great collaboration,” Ritsma said. “I think about the impact of what we’re doing here today … for individuals that work here in Stratford and then commute to Toronto, to the GTA. I think about the students that come to Stratford for education and go beyond Stratford for education. I think about our tourists.”

On weekdays, the service is intended primarily for commuters and students, with a morning train from

a $15 million city contribution to a shared community hub including the Y and library and begin developing the facility design, operating and ownership model.

As City of Stratford staff, consultants and council have worked to get closer to a vision of what a revitalized Grand Trunk could look like, local architect Robert Ritz has developed his own, garnering a huge amount of support from the public. Though his plan has been shared with staff and council, and could perhaps mesh with what they propose, it was not publicly discussed by council – until this week that is.

On April 20, council held a special meeting to hear from the public on the proposed path forward, which includes formalizing partnerships with the YMCA of Three Rivers and the Stratford Public Library, plan for

A total of 12 members of the public shared their thoughts either through written correspondence or delegating, including Ritz.

“It’s not just about deciding the future of the GTR site, but for many of us here, it’s primarily to determine the fate of the building itself,” Ritz said during his presentation. “I believe that most people in this room share the same perspective as the ad hoc committee did. We want to preserve as much of the building as possible, and I feel the same way about it.

“… I think it would be a lost opportunity,” Ritz emo -

For the first time since 2023, a GO Train was back at the Stratford train station April 17, signalling its permanent return with daily round-trip service to and from Stratford beginning July 6.

(GALEN SIMMONS PHOTO)

GALEN SIMMONS

Councillors push back on Ritz’s GTR plans

tionally petitioned. “… I have the talent, I have the time … I want council to see it because it would hurt me, that’s where the emotion comes, in letting it go … And that’s why I started with the opening point on the people in this room, the people that were at the open houses: they own it. And if we get to that point, let them decide what to do with it.”

Ritz reiterated much of his plan as previously discussed at open houses earlier this year. His vision would see the whole superstructure transformed into a community hub with spaces for a new Y, library, businesses and community organizations, luxury apartments

(meant to offset the cost of the development) and even locomotive 6218 – a reminder of the old shops’ origins. Like at his open houses, Ritz did not share prices for the vision, asking council and the public to bear with him as numbers come back from contractor PCL Construction, which he has been working with to price out as if it was a real project. A report from PCL could be delivered as early as next week, Ritz said.

While Ritz was pricing the project by components, saying efficiencies could be found that way, Coun. Jo-Dee Burbach used the Class D estimates provided by city staff to determine that a 10,000 square foot community facility within the structure could be $138 million.

“It’s an impressive superstructure, but it’s a very costly superstructure,” Coun. Larry McCabe added. “… I was originally in favour of retaining the structure, but evidence has proven that to be a very difficult thing to think through. … We are a small municipality of 35,000 at a stretch as a population, and we do have a real possibility of toppling the finan-

cial structure of this city if we get this wrong. So I appreciate the vision behind the site but I am concerned about the scale.”

Another point of contention was surrounding Ritz’s proposal to sell the current YMCA to the Stratford Police Service as its new headquarters. Currently, the city is investigating the former Scotiabank data centre on Wright Boulevard to house police, a property that is currently on the market for $14 million. Ritz believes that if the building is bought by the city, the $4 million estimated cost would go directly to the Y’s new community hub, effectively going towards the city’s very own project.

“So $4 million is actually buying $8 million,” Ritz said. “Because it’s doing two for the price of one – definitely worth consideration.”

Coun. Harjinder Nijjar inquired about what Ritz thinks it would cost to convert the Y into a police headquarters, though Ritz had no hard numbers. He reasoned that if purchased for $4 million, it would give the city $10 million to work with, considering the $14 million price tag attached to the Scotiabank property.

Nijjar, a member of the police service’s board, claimed one cost he heard to retrofit an old building not up to the emergency standards needed for police was $30-40 million – and that was an estimate from 10 years ago. As a data centre, built for similar standards, it

would cost much less to convert the Scotiabank property, Nijjar said.

Coun. Lesley Biehn also said that from her discussions with police, leadership does not believe the Y to be the ideal place for their headquarters.

While a few councillors pushed back on what they saw as the fiscal shortcoming of Ritz’s plan, he was supported by many of the delegates that evening – most of whom spoke in favour of it.

“I ask you, please, before this goes any farther that you take a whole meeting with Mr. Ritz, take advantage of all of that time and effort that he's put into this, his true expert knowledge, someone who knows this city,” delegate Robert Verdun pleaded. “We're only five months away from the municipal election, and democratic principles demand that the current city council should not make any major irreversible decisions during this period. The election means the citizens will be really engaged. They will be paying attention like never before, and their participation in the overall process must be respected.”

Stephen Landers, another delegate, went a step further.

“If we have maybe a referendum this December, people have the full facts and can decide on what they should be doing …”

The GTR will be back on the docket next week as council considers the community hub at its April 27 regular meeting.

(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)

Robert Ritz presented his vision for the Grand Trunk site at a special meeting on April 20 meant to hear from the public. While many councillors and members of the public praised his vision, some councillors pushed back on the cost.

Go Train pulls back in to Stratford

Stratford to Union Station and a return trip in the afternoon. Weekend service will be geared more toward tourism, with a morning train from Union Station to Stratford and a return train to Toronto in the evening. Stops along the route will include Kitchener, Guelph, Acton, Georgetown and Brampton.

Ritsma said the return of GO service is particularly important in a city that already functions as a transportation hub through Stratford Transit, PC Connect, FlixBus and VIA Rail.

“I also think about our environment. Our job is to reduce greenhouse gases, and this is a way to do it,” he said. “Also reducing the congestion on our roads, especially our 400 series (highways).”

The service marks the return of a rail connection Stratford lost in October 2023, when the previous GO Train trial between London and Toronto came to an end after Metrolinx, CN Rail and VIA Rail did not renew the agreement that allowed the service to operate on existing rail infrastructure. At the time, many Stratford residents expressed frustration at losing what some called an affordable transportation lifeline to Toronto, particularly compared to the higher cost of VIA Rail.

One of the biggest questions surrounding Friday’s announcement was how this expansion will differ from the last GO service, which saw concerns about low ridership and limited scheduling. Asked directly about that history during the press conference, Sarkaria acknowledged there are always variables when introducing service to a new or returning market, but said the province sees Stratford as part of a broader integrated network.

“This is a really important first step,” Sarkaria said. “This is a commitment from our team at GO Transit and

Metrolinx to ensure that we have a presence here, that we can continue to build towards increasing ridership.”

Lindsay added the weekday schedule will initially resemble the old commuter-focused model, but Metrolinx is projecting more than 16,000 riders a year from the Stratford station alone and expects that number to grow.

“The initial service profile on weekdays will absolutely be for commuters and, therefore, it’s going to look a little bit like it did last time,” Lindsay said. “The train’s going to leave here at 6:15 a.m. … and it’s going to get you into Union Station before 9 a.m. You’re going to leave (Toronto) around 5 p.m. in rush hour and (it will) get you back here sort of around 7:30 p.m.

“We will continuously evaluate what ridership looks like and take customer feedback as to how that’s going, but for what it’s worth, we’re projecting more than 16,000 riders a year here at this station, and … I see nothing but an upside in that number.”

Unlike the previous GO trial, officials stressed this service is permanent and will run seven days a week.

“We’re bringing the GO train service back to Stratford, and it’s permanent,” Rae said.

Rae said the renewed service will benefit not only Stratford residents but also people throughout Perth County and St. Marys who can connect into the station through other local transportation options.

The announcement is part of a wider push to expand transit access across Ontario, including along the Kitchener corridor. The province says the Stratford service forms part of Ontario’s broader $70-billion transit expansion and follows the recent launch of weekend GO Train service between Toronto and Kitchener.

(GALEN SIMMONS PHOTO)

Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria announces the GO Train expansion to Stratford alongside Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma (left) and deputy mayor Harjinder Nijjar (right), among other local politicians and dignitaries.

200 books down, $5K more to go for Izzy the Bookworm

Izzy “the Bookworm” Martchenko, nine, is well known as one of the city’s most voracious readers – and this year she is using her gifts to help raise money for a new library.

Izzy and her mom Lindsey Martchenko run a readathon every year, raising money through community donations. In the past they have devoted their proceeds towards MS research, though Izzy wanted to focus on another cause in the news recently: the Stratford Public Library.

“Because I heard that they need a new building that's larger because there's not enough space and it's not accessible,” Izzy shared about why she picked the library as the beneficiary. “So say somebody's in a wheelchair and there's a fire upstairs … they can't get down the stairs. They have to wait for somebody to come and rescue them. It's really not accessible. So they need a building that's more accessible and larger for all of the events.”

The local library has long suffered with space issues, being severely undersized for Stratford’s population at its St. Andrew Street location, on top of the accessibility issues Izzy spoke about.

With its board focused on a new location, library leadership is looking to Stratford’s keystone Grand Trunk renewal project as its next home. No formal agreement has been made, though a memorandum of understanding may be signed as soon as next week and the partners of said project are moving forward with the understanding that the library will be included in a new community hub with the local YMCA.

This year, Izzy and Lindsey hope to raise $5,000 for the site, though the library may be expected to contribute $4-5 million for the community space. When asked if Izzy will be back next year to help get closer to that figure, Lindsey said, “I hope so!”

“We’re happy to do it,” said Lindsey. “And I mean, everybody is loving the

Asian Heritage Month set to be packed full

STRATFORD TIMES STAFF

stratfordtimes@gmail.com

Stratford will be full of events during this year’s Asian Heritage Month in May.

A local planning team, including local representatives from the Chinese community, the Indian community and the Filipino-Canadian Community in Perth-Huron (FCC), in partnership with the City of Stratford’s department of community services, has organized a month of initiatives which celebrate the rich diversity, traditions and contributions of Asian communities in the city, including:

Opening ceremony

May’s opening ceremony will welcome the wider community to celebrate through traditional dance, musical performances and cultural showcases. Several local community leaders will be in attendance and offering remarks. It takes place Friday, May 1 from 7- 8:30 p.m. at the Burnside Agriplex Community Hall.

Asian Heritage Month business map

In collaboration with Destination Stratford, the team has put together a map featuring Asian-owned and Asian-inspired businesses across Stratford. It will be widely distributed in both print and digital formats.

Stratford Public Library exhibit

Throughout the whole month, an art exhibit featuring artists of Asian heritage will be displayed on the main floor of the library. In addition, the Stratford Perth Muse -

um will host a mini exhibition beside the reception area for the month.

Bilingual poetry book launch

This event highlights a bilingual poetry collection inspired by Tai Chi and Taoist philosophy, with English and Chinese translations. Written by awardwinning poet Heidi Sander, the poems explore cycles of returning, reshaping and becoming. All poetry, culture and mindfulmovement enthusiasts are welcome. It takes place Saturday, May 2 from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Agriplex Community Hall.

Closing Celebration

This familyfriendly event will feature live performances, food vendors and interactive cultural activities for all ages. It takes place Saturday, May 30 from noon to 7 p.m. at Upper Queens Park.

All events are free and open to the public.

In addition to the events listed above, the team is also collaborating with local partners on several related programs, each offering unique ticket options: Stratford Film Festival – Shining Light: A VietnameseCanadian Legacy

This special paywhatyoucan screening explores the VietnameseCanadian experience through storytelling and reflection. It takes place Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m. in the Stratford City Hall auditorium.

The Flavour of Homes

Join chef Huong Vo for a Vietnameseinspired evening of food and storytelling, where a curated meal opens con-

cause as well. I was a little bit worried about it when we first chose the library, because I know everybody loves the library, but not everybody thinks about it in terms of a charitable cause, right? You know, it's very easy to think about giving to the hospital or homelessness or some of these very important causes in our city, and I wasn't sure how people would receive the fact that we transitioned our charitable efforts to the library. But the book donations are pouring in.”

In addition to the readathon, the Martchenkos organize a book sale every year at Bedford Public School, with all of the products donated from the community and all of the proceeds going towards a cause of their choice. In the past, the proceeds went towards MS research. This year, in keeping with the focus on the library, the sales will go towards this readathon.

The book sale takes place April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Book prices are by donation, meaning attendees can pay what they want.

Izzy has read about 200 books this year for the readathon, though noted that there is still time and reading to do.

As of press time, $845 has been raised towards the $5,000 goal. To donate, visit https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/peer-topeer/izzys-read-a-thon.

versations about memory, migration, identity and belonging. Copresented by the Provocation Ideas Festival, Asian Heritage Month Stratford and the Common. It takes place Thursday, May 14 at the Common. Those interested can find more information at https://tinyurl.com/33anhhzp.

Which country has won the most

What pizza flavour was famously invented in Canada?

5. What was the original name of the search engine "Google"?

6. Where is the strongest human muscle located?

7. What is the only food that can never go bad?

8. What is the only mammal capable of true flight?

What was the first toy advertised on television?

True or false - The colour orange is named after the fruit.

(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)

Emma, Izzy and mom Lindsey Martchenko sit in front of the Stratford Public Library as Izzy’s readathon barrels ahead.

CONNOR LUCZKA

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

There were literally hundreds of parents, grandparents, siblings and friends who came to Avon Public School in Stratford last week, to observe how 63 Grade 3 students displayed their self-made projects, outlining their family’s individual heritage. Moksh Patel along with his mother, Kajal Patel, stand in front of the student’s India project, explaining how India differs from Canada.

Stratford Police report rise in traffic enforcement, welcome new constable

AMANDA NELSON Times Reporter

The Stratford Police Service March 2026 report highlighted an increase in proactive traffic enforcement, with 312 top traffic tickets issued. That’s up from 277 in February and 155 in January.

“Speaking specifically about some key highlights regarding traffic enforcement, the top five categories of the tickets that we’re issuing in our area in March were speeding, driving while under suspension, careless driving, failing to surrender driver’s licence and no valid permits,” said acting Deputy Chief Jason Clarke.

Across Stratford, St. Marys and Perth South, police responded to 2,134 calls for service and laid 768 charges. Stratford accounted for 1,743 calls, followed by 209 in St. Marys and 182 in Perth South.

Notable Stratford statistics included 90 mental health-related calls, four overdose calls and 38 domestic incidents.

The community resource unit remained active throughout the month, attending training sessions and community events across the region.

Year-to-date projections show a 2.6 per cent increase in calls for service and a 10.1 per cent increase in charges compared to 2025.

“March reflected a strong level of operational activity across all service areas,” said Clarke. “We continued emphasis on proactive traffic enforcement, response to community safety concerns and visible

community engagement.”

During the meeting, board chair Martin Ritsma raised concerns about an increase in complaints involving drivers passing stopped school buses with stop arms extended.

Clarke said members of the public are encouraged to report as much detail as possible when submitting complaints.

“To anybody in the community, if you are able to capture a driver’s licence (plate), then that will at least direct us to the owner of the vehicle to investigate,” he said. “Date, time and place, or even a description of the vehicle is also helpful.”

At the same meeting, Const. Andrew Maguire was introduced as the newest member of the Stratford Police Service. A Stratford resident, Maguire attended local schools, played minor sports in the community and went on to study at Georgian College.

He spent eight years working at Source for Sports and three years at Nicholson Concrete before joining police as a special constable in June 2025. He became a police constable in December 2025, graduated from police college in March, and is now assigned to D Platoon.

Ritsma welcomed Maguire, noting his strong local roots.

“It’s not surprising that he’s here in front of us today – a great student, a great athlete and will be a great addition to the service,” he said. “We’re so pleased to have another local individual; it’s wonderful to see our youth homegrown.”

(GARY WEST PHOTO)

(GARY WEST PHOTO)

Andrea and Peter Waddell stand with grandma Elizabeth Halliday from Tavistock, who said she was very proud of her grandson’s display to bring back his Dutch heritage.

(GARY WEST PHOTO)

Grandma Carolyn Jantzi, Jean Aitcheson (holding shoes worn by the past generations of Vandenbergs), Grade 3 teacher Emelie Taylor and mom Leanne Vandenberg, holding son Crew, stand in front of Grade 3 student, and Detroit Tigers fan, Max Jantzi.

(AMANDA NELSON PHOTO)

Stratford Police Service board chair Martin Ritsma congratulates and shakes hands with new Const. Andrew Maguire, during the March police board meeting, welcoming him to the service after his recent graduation from police college.

Emily Murphy Centre hopes new tiny homes will have big impact

Since the Emily Murphy Centre’s inception in 1988, it’s always had a waitlist. Now, with the new Tiny Homes … Big Impact campaign, the local women’s housing facility means to shorten that list.

“This has been a long time coming,” said Lisa Wilde, executive director of the centre. “… We've been open for 37 years, and in that 37 years we have always carried a waitlist, sometimes greater than others. It shot up during COVID, when we had 83 families waiting for a safe place to live. That number has thankfully started to come down, but we know what housing is like, and we know what safe housing is like, not only in Stratford, but across Ontario, and we are doing our small part to make sure that women and children have a safe place to be and to live and to thrive.”

The centre launched the Tiny Homes … Big Impact campaign on April 20 at its Barron Street location. It is a community-driven initiative with the goal of building five new tiny homes on their existing land: safe, private and supportive housing that will act just as all of the centre’s spaces do, providing counselling, safety planning, life-skills development and connections to community resources that support women as they rebuild confidence and move toward long-term stability.

The campaign responds to a growing need for second stage housing for women who have experienced violence, with or without children, in Stratford and Perth County. It will focus on building awareness, strengthening community connections and mobilizing support to raise the $1.2 million needed to bring this transformative project to life – helping change lives today while creating lasting impact for generations to come.

The materials for the tiny homes have been donated by Blue Branch and New Housing, meaning the campaign is already halfway to its goal. The remaining $600,000 needed from the community will go towards the infrastructure needed to service the homes.

The initiative will be led by co-chairs Martin Ritsma, mayor of the City of Stratford and Natalie Moore, consultant and founder of Moore Creative.

“It feels like a creative solution to a problem,” Moore said. “So the waitlist being the problem, the tiny homes is a creative solution because obviously it's harder to expand the building – so a fast solution to a creative problem. … For me, that is really the exciting piece behind it. Not only is it the impact of giving back to our community, but it's also super exciting to see this happen.”

“We talk about a waitlist, but I wonder how many aren't

on the waitlist because of that fear of ‘Where do I go?’” added Ritsma. “… We need to support women in those situations and children in those situations. When I was in education, I would see those scenarios. And now I'm in a position where I can do something positive and constructive.”

The Emily Murphy Centre is calling on community members, businesses and philanthropic partners to support the Tiny Homes…Big Impact campaign through donations, sponsorship and advocacy. Organizers say every contribution moves the project closer to reality –strengthening the community, addressing second stage housing needs and helping create safer, healthier futures for those most in need.

Campaign organizers hope shovels can be in the ground for the homes this fall, though it will depend on the community’s participation.

As Wilde said, the ultimate goal is to create a community in which the need for the centre is a thing of the past; however, if the tiny homes built are a success and their waitlist continues to grow as it is now, more tiny homes may be built in response.

Those interested in donating can do so online at https:// www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/emily-murphy-second-stage-residences/.

Additionally, a public campaign launch with community members is planned for June 4 at Ritsma’s barn on Kelly’s Lane. More details for that launch are forthcoming.

CONNOR LUCZKA

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO) Co-chairs Martin Ritsma and Natalie Moore, executive director Lisa Wilde and board members Mary Lindsey and Chloe Miller announce the Emily Murphy Centre’s Tiny Homes … Big Impact campaign, a $1.2 million fundraiser that will go towards new tiny homes that will act as satellite spaces to its Barron Street headquarters.

Ottawa’s KingDOM Theatre to perform PRISMA in Stratford

EMILY STEWART Times Correspondent

Ottawa’s KingDOM Theatre will return to Stratford for the first time in a decade to enlighten audiences and spark hope in their PRISMA production.

KingDOM Theatre will present PRISMA at the James C. Reaney Auditorium at the Stratford Intermediate School on May 14, starting at 7 p.m.

PRISMA is a one-act, non-verbal production based on the acclaimed children’s book The Gray City by German author and illustrator Torben Kuhlmann. The story is about a girl named Robin who learned a city lost all of its colour. Robin then goes on a journey to restore vibrant colours back to the city.

Director Ekaterina Vetrov said that students who watched the play so far said that the play is about hope and finding a shining light in gray and dull times.

"Even in the most gray place that you find yourself at some point, the Gray City, gray people, everything becomes dull. Everything sometimes feels like you have no friends, no people who support you and you're part of the system. Just you're so small that you cannot recognize yourself anymore, you can still look through the prism and see the light in a different sense, different way and discover colours of your own city, discover what's special about it, find people that you really feel connected to and also create art that will help you to move forward,” she said.

The play will be presented by a group of advanced students who are training to perform professionally around the world. The students collaborate with professional artists, including Vetrov as director, choreographer and technical director. Elements of PRISMA are all student-created.

"Everything is handmade and it's very important that this message that’s told on the stage is from the hearts of youth who see the world this way and I think it's im-

Optimist Club of Downie Inc.

portant for both children and adults,” Vetrov said.

"Because it's non-verbal. it places a huge need for creativity from the students and as a former theatre teacher and director, this is a magical kind of thing that happens with kids,” said Ron Dodson, director of the world festival of children’s theatre. “When you ask them, when you challenge them as Ekaterina has to find the essence of a piece and express it

without words, because they're so used to words. We're all used to words. It becomes really, really special."

KingDOM Theatre was last in Stratford in 2016 for the 14th World Festival of Children’s Theatre, which brought in 200 children from all over the world. KingDOM’s production of The Legend of Parvana Lake was well-received.

"KingDOM Theatre was one of the groups, because they had something special, using shadow theatre and puppetry and non-verbal choreographed expression, it was important that they perform and they did a fabulous job. They were one of the real hits of the festival,” Dodson said.

Prior to the evening PRISMA performance, KingDOM Theatre will have a performance and follow-up discussion with Stratford Intermediate School students who are studying The Gray City. KingDOM Theatre will also run shadow theatre workshops with the students.

"We feel it’s very special when it's children connecting with children and they're going have this honest communication with discussing things that they believe in without much intervention – just supportive adults instead of us just telling them what to tell everyone and what to discuss,” Vetrov said.

PRISMA is recommended for audiences who are six years old and older. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children and students. To purchase tickets online, visit https://www.kingdomtheatre.ca/event-details/prisma-stratford.

Melanie Farrar draws from

Local author Melanie Farrar wrote two books as she navigated and accepted her own journey with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Farrar wrote and illustrated Charlene Stiletto Still Fabulous and Charlene Stiletto’s Pocket Colouring Book to create awareness and raise funds for MS Canada. She held a book sale and launch of the two books on April 18 at the Leonor on 21 George St. East with a representative from MS Canada in attendance. Farrar said to the Times that while it was a quiet double book launch amid rainy and cold weather, those who attended said positive remarks.

“I was overwhelmed with the lovely things people had to say,” she said.

After starting treatment, Farrar began writing Charlene Stiletto Still Fabulous. From the time Farrar had initial symptoms and medical appointments, she experienced denial, fear and acceptance before treatment began. Sometimes, Farrar had to take breaks when working on the manuscript.

“It was a very difficult journey, emotionally and mentally,” she said of her MS journey. “Charlene experiences a similar journey.”

Charlene’s dog Boots, inspired by a plush dog that Farrar received from her husband, adds a sense of humour to the

story; just like Farrar’s own Boots plush brought her comfort when she was feeling low after her diagnosis.

“Charlene finds bravery through her friends, her dog Boots, the therapeutic power of wheels and through the magic of creating art,” Farrar said. “She realizes that she is, in fact, still fabulous, regardless of the life changing challenges; a message I felt strongly sharing.”

The other book, Charlene Stiletto’s Colouring Book, was created so readers could add colour into Charlene’s greying world. The colouring book was based on Farrar’s own experience, as she lost the ability to see red and green shades through her left eye because of optic nerve damage from MS.

Farrar’s first book, Charlene Stiletto and Her Search for a Fabulous Pair of Shoes, is fundraising for a different cause. Proceeds from each copy sold go towards the C. Arlene Innes Guthrie Award which is awarded annually to a Stratford Festival wardrobe member living with a temporary illness.

All three Charlene Stiletto books can be purchased online either through the FriessenPress Bookstore (https://books. friesenpress.com/store), on Farrar’s website (https://www. melaniefarrar.ca/books) or in-person at Stratford Festival gift shops. Still Fabulous and Charlene Stiletto’s Colouring Book can be purchased in-person at the Leonor.

More information can be found online by visiting https://www.melaniefarrar.ca.

(KINGDOM THEATRE PHOTO)

Ottawa-based KingDOM Theatre will bring a story of hope in trying times to Stratford on May 14 with their production of Prisma at the James C. Reaney Auditorium.

EMILY STEWART Times Correspondent

High school trip of a lifetime: My top 5 unique Peruvian experiences

Over the past March Break, I had the unique opportunity to travel abroad to Peru with 23 other students and four teachers from Stratford District Secondary School, Goderich District Collegiate Institute and Central Huron High School. This was my first time out of Ontario and the whole trip was filled with adventure. I visited many places including the renowned Machu Picchu, but I also had some other extraordinary experiences. These are some special highlights from my nine-day trip, that I would also recommend if you get inspired to go to this South American country too.

My favourite town to walk around and explore during free time was Ollytaytambo. It is approximately a one hour and 38 minute bus ride from Cusco, the ancient capital of Peru and a one-and-a-half to two hour train ride from Aguas Callientes, the base town of Machu Picchu. Ollytaytambo is the main train station to reach Machu Picchu, so people might rush past it to get to the prized Wonder of the World, but it is worth your time to explore the town.

We stayed in Ollytaytambo for two nights, and I’m glad for it. Ollytaytambo is the best-preserved living Incan settlement in Peru, and it’s incredible to walk through its streets and observe all the buildings and water canals. It’s a small town isolated by the stunning mountains each way you look. It was also the perfect place to acclimatize to the altitude. We had about three hours of free time to wander the town before dinner one day, and it was so relaxing to explore the small town with friends unrushed.

The town of Ollytaytambo has a massive Incan ruin to explore, which has tall terraces and the unfinished Temple of the Sun at top. There were many stairs to the top, but it was absolutely worth it, because at the top you have a breathtaking view of Ollytaytambo and the Sacred Valley. Taking time to explore the historical town should for sure be on your bucket list when you visit Peru.

Aguas Callienties is the base town of Machu Picchu, but also has its own adventures to offer too. We stayed one night in Aguas Callienties and had the opportunity to play soccer with the local teens for two hours. As someone who has been a soccer player since I was young, this was such a special and memorable experience for me. It showed how even though we didn’t speak the same language as the local teens, just one thing like soccer, could bring us together. It didn’t matter what the final score was, it was just about having friendly competition and a good time. The

experience mattered so much more because it wasn’t a tourist destination, it was a real connection and the chance of being fully immersed in Peruvian culture. We got to share our passion for a sport together. So, I would highly recommend finding ways to meet the locals and learn about their culture if you have the chance to visit this incredible country.

In Peru’s capital city, Lima, which is home to approximately 11 million residents, we toured around the Basílica and Convent of San Francisco. This cathedral in Lima was so beautiful, the craftsmanship and artistic skills were so remarkable. Taking photos was not permitted, but it made the experience so much better because then everyone could feel fully immersed in the history. There was a massive courtyard and the walls of the walkway around it were decorated with carefully painted tiles to create unique pictures. The ceiling was decorated with precisely carved and curved wood, you could tell that so much imagination and creativity was used to create this cathedral. Then we toured a small section of the catacombs under the cathedral, where many were laid to rest. It was impressive

to see how hundreds of years ago, people were able to build something so structurally sound, especially as Lima is prone to earthquakes. Then we headed up to the library in the cathedral, which was so interesting to see, as it looked like it had been stuck in time with all the old books on the shelves. Even on display was a Bible from the 1500s. This cathedral should be on your bucket list for sure, as you truly feel like you are walking through history.

My favourite pitstop while we traveled was stopping at Lake Huaypo. While we were traveling back to Cusco from Aguas Callientes, we stopped at this picturesque lake, which is approximately a halfway point from traveling between Ollytaytambo and Cusco. Not only was it a nice spot to stretch our legs, but the view was so stunning. In the distance you could see some of the mountains with glaciers. The fresh green vegetation during the rainy season made a cool contrast with the blue lake and sky. It was a peaceful stop and I would highly recommend stopping at a lake during a trip to Peru, even if it is not Huaypo.

My final favourite unique Peru experience was a chocolate tasting in Cusco.

Peru is a large producer of cacao, so we went to ChocoMuseo, and we had the opportunity to taste different kinds of chocolate and a couple chocolate spreads. We tried everything from 100 per cent cacao to chili chocolate to sweet white chocolate. Not only did the chocolate taste delicious, but our guide at ChocoMuseo had lots of energy and made the whole experience very entertaining. If you are looking to add some extra sweetness to your trip to Peru, make sure to add a chocolate tasting to your itinerary.

Going to Peru has created so many memories that will last a lifetime, and it made it extra special to have some time to explore some unique places. I would like to thank the Ellice Optimist Club for providing me with some generous funding so I could have this incredible experience. This was a field trip like no other, the Peruvian adventure gave me the chance to see and be immersed in their culture and history. These are just five different places of the many I had the chance to visit. I hope this article inspired you to go explore Peru yourself, or at the very least, you learned some cool facts about this South American country.

(NADINE EGGER PHOTO)

View from the top of the Ollytaytambo ruins, overlooking the town of Ollytaytambo and the Sacred Valley.

NADINE EGGER

Black and Gold Correspondent

Child hospitalized after ingesting THC gummy found at Pyramid Recreation Centre

GALEN SIMMONS

Regional Editor

A 10-year-old boy was taken to hospital last week after ingesting a cannabis edible he found on the floor at the Pyramid Recreation Centre (PRC) in St. Marys.

According to a Stratford Police Service media release, police were contacted April 13 after the child became ill following attendance at an after-school program at the PRC.

Police say video surveillance confirmed the youth found what appeared to be a gummy candy on the floor inside the entrance to the recreation centre and consumed it. The child later became ill, parents were contacted and the youth was taken to hospital for treatment, where THC was confirmed to be present in the child’s blood. The child was later released into the care of family.

Stratford police community resource officer Const. Aaron Mounfield said the incident highlights the importance of safely storing and handling cannabis edibles, particularly those that resemble common candy products.

“The Stratford Police Service encourages everyone to treat cannabis (THC) edibles like medication,” Mounfield said.

“THC gummies can look and taste like regular candy, and they should be treated with the same level of caution as prescription medication.”

Because edible cannabis products are legal for adults, Mounfield said some users may overlook the potential risks they pose if not stored properly or brought into public spaces.

“Just because they are legal does not mean risk-free,” he said. “THC gummies require responsible storage, awareness and prevention to help protect children, families and others in the community.”

Mounfield added cannabis edibles should remain in their original sealed packaging and should not be transported loosely in bags or pockets where they could be dropped or mistaken for regular candy.

“It is strongly recommended that THC gummies be kept and consumed at home, and not brought to or consumed in public places, to reduce the risk of incidents like the one that unfortunately occurred,” he said.

Police also encourage parents to speak with children about the importance of not consuming unknown items.

Town of St. Marys director of community services Stephanie Ische said municipal

staff assisted police as needed following the incident and were relieved the child recovered.

“Our staff are always ready to support the police whenever incidents arise, and above all, we are grateful that the child involved is safe and well,” Ische said in a statement on behalf of the town.

Ische said the town does not have any new protocols in place as a result of the incident, noting situations involving children picking up items from the ground are difficult to prevent entirely in a large public facility.

Police say the incident serves as a reminder that while cannabis is legal for adults over the age of 19, edible products can closely resemble popular candy and pose a risk to children and other vulnerable individuals if not handled responsibly.

According to Huron-Perth Public Health, cannabis products, particularly edibles such as gummies or chocolates, can pose a serious risk to children. These products are often brightly coloured and look very similar to candy, making them especially appealing and easy for children to mistake as something safe to eat.

Because children have smaller bodies and developing brains, even a small amount of cannabis can cause serious

symptoms, such as extreme drowsiness, confusion, vomiting, anxiety or difficulty breathing.

There are several important steps parents and caregivers can take to help keep children safe:

• Store cannabis products locked and out of sight, similar to medications or household chemicals.

• Keep cannabis in its original, child-resistant packaging and clearly separated from food or candy.

• Avoid consuming cannabis in front of children and never leave products unattended.

• Speak with children about not eating or tasting items they find on the ground or are offered by others, even if they look like candy.

Anyone who thinks a child in their care has consumed cannabis should call the poison control centre at 1-844 POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) for help. If the child loses consciousness or has difficulty breathing, call 911.

For more information, including guidance on prevention and what to do if a child is exposed to cannabis, visit Parachute Canada’s cannabis safety resource at: https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/ poisoning/cannabis/.

Former Minister of Environment coming to Stratford

STRATFORD

Catherine McKenna, former Minister of Environment and Climate Change will be in the Festival City next month, hosted by Climate Momentum.

McKenna’s Climate Change and Youth will be a presentation, book signing and Q-and-A, both on her perspective and resilience and also on her memoir Run Like A Girl: A Memoir of Ambition, Resilience, and Fighting for Change.

McKenna, Minister of Environment from 2015 to 2019,

is known for leading the ministry through Canada’s carbon pricing plan and for enduring sexist remarks while doing it. Her memoir is written in a scrapbook-style with a blend of personal anecdotes, political battles and reflections on balancing ambition, motherhood and activism. It details her life from early Olympic dreams to the frontlines of climate politics.

McKenna’s presentation takes place May 2 at Stratford City Hall. Doors open at 1 p.m., with the talk scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. The Q-and-A and book signing are set to follow.

The event is free, though registration is required. To book a spot, visit https://tinyurl.com/6mptujku.

As the Canadian Dairy XPO wraps, eyes are on Ontario Pork Congress around the corner

The annual Ontario Pork Congress (OPC) is again being organized for another great show on Wednesday, June 17 and Thursday, June 18 at the Stratford Rotary Complex on McCarthy Road.

The OPC committee works hard throughout the year to bring in new, innovative and time-tested programs for all to enjoy (not just for pork farmers).

On day one, “Taste the Best” is always one that draws hundreds of people who like to sample pork and foods featuring local restaurants and breweries in the Stratford area.

This year’s cut of choice is pork shoulder and apricots.

Attendees are encouraged to vote for their favourite sample for a chance to win a $50 gift card to their featured restaurant of choice.

The first day also includes the international workers educational event, the hospitality tent, a barbeque lunch, with a variety of pork-based meal options and assorted sides, and there’s also a kids’ play zone open during trade show hours for couples to bring their kids with them.

The first afternoon of the show also includes the 2026 Hog Jog and Weiner Run, and this year the thousands of dollars collected will go to supporting the Emily Murphy Centre, a Stratford-based organization dedicated to supporting women and children who have experienced violence.

The evening also includes a pig roast.

On day two, there will be a barbeque lunch with a variety of pork-based meal options and assorted sides, and lunch is included with admission each day. The hospitality tent opens at 11 a.m. and goes to 10 p.m. and in the evening there is another pig roast.

It’s a special day for the youth to show their live hogs in the bacon maker classic.

The annual show is for youth in a swine competition that’s open to ages nine to 21.

The second day also features the Past President’s Lunch event and the international workers educational event as well. There’s also a pork quality competition on day two, and this year will feature different cuts of meat instead of the whole carcass.

Victoria Stewart, the 2026 president of the OPC, thinks they have a lineup of activities that will suit all pork producers, families and employees.

weekend

Quilting enthusiasts, art lovers and community members alike should make plans for this weekend as the Huron Perth and Stonetowne Quilt Guilds present the highly anticipated Piecemakers Quilt Show, taking place over three days from April 23-25 at the Pyramid Recreation Centre in St. Marys.

Established in 1994, the show celebrates the timeless art of quilting while showcasing the innovation and passion of today’s quiltmakers. The upcoming show promises to bring together a stunning array of traditional patterns, modern designs and everything in between, with over 300 quilts and other quilted items crafted by our quilt guildmembers, ranging from hand-stitched heirlooms to contemporary textile art. There’s something magical about seeing hundreds of hours of work stitched into a single quilt and each piece tells a story – about the maker, the fabric and the tradition it carries forward. Visitors can expect to see a wide variety of styles, including patchwork, appliqué, paper piecing, plus

national award-winning quilts from the recent Canadian National Juried Show at Quilt Canada 2025 in Toronto. The guild members are an accomplished group with exceptional talent.

In addition to the quilt exhibit, the show will include a Merchant's Mall, a boutique and a luncheon/tea room. Come for the day and take some time to explore the beautiful town of St. Marys. In addition to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, St. Marys boasts beautiful walking and hiking trails that take in the lovely rural landscape, as well as a vibrant main street where you might also spot some heirloom quilts in downtown store windows.

Whether you're a seasoned quilter, a beginner or simply curious, this show is a wonderful opportunity to be inspired. Organizers hope people walk away not just with admiration, but with ideas and a deeper appreciation for the craft.

The event is being held Thursday, April 23 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Friday, April 24 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Saturday, April 25 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at the Pyramid Recreation Centre at 317 James Street South, St. Marys. The cost is $10 admission, with cash only accepted.

GARY WEST Times Correspondent

(TIMES FILE PHOTO)

The 2026 Ontario Pork Congress is just around the corner in June, with plenty on tap to make the two-day event one to stand out.

(TIMES FILE PHOTO)

Local St. Marys quilters (from left) Wendy Anderson, Joan Robinson and Darlene Roger recently won National Awards at the 2025 Quilt Canada National Juried Show in Toronto. Their award-winning quilts will be on display at the 2026 Piecemakers Quilt Show, running April 23-25 at the Pyramid Recreation Centre in St. Marys.

LYNNE GODKIN Guest Contributor

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT Dairy Cares debuts at CDX

GARY WEST Times Correspondent

THE TOWNSHIP OF PERTH SOUTH

EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

The Township of Perth South Public Works Department is seeking a qualified Equipment Operator. Reporting to the Operations Manager, applicants will be experienced with the ability to operate and maintain various pieces of equipment, such as road graders, wheel loaders and tandem dump trucks. The candidate will also be required to complete roadside maintenance activities including, trees, signage, potholes, and debris clean up.

Applicants should have road maintenance and construction knowledge, experience in equipment operation and maintenance and a valid “DZ” license. This position is subject to weekend and winter scheduling and some emergency call-out.

The 2026 salary range for this position is $27.63 – $33.67 per hour based on a 40-hour work week.

The Township of Perth South offers excellent benefits and a competitive compensation package. For a detailed job description of this position, please visit www.perthsouth.ca

We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Interested candidates are invited to submit a detailed resume expressing their interest to the undersigned clearly marked as “Equipment Operator” by Monday May 4, 2026.

Ken Bettles, Director of Public Works Township of Perth South 3191 Road 122 St. Pauls, ON N0K 1V0

E-mail - kbettles@perthsouth.ca

Information gathered is under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and shall only be used for candidate selection purposes.

Position Summary:

There is a new organization made up of dairy farmers in Perth and Huron counties aimed to tackle the mental health of local farmers.

Huron-Perth Dairy Cares was inspired by other communities across Ontario who all shared the same goal: of giving back to their communities that they are proud to call home.

Two area members of the committee, Frank Louwagie and Jamie Beaumont who both dairy farm near Mitchell, say mental health challenges continue to be a concern on farms in the two-county area. They also add to that physical illness and food insecurity are not distant issues either. They can affect families, friends and neighbours

within our community.

Huron-Perth Dairy Cares is committed to raising funds to provide hope and support for loved ones facing these challenging circumstances.

On Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Stratford Rotary Complex there will be a night of giving with a live auction and entertainment, with all proceeds going to the mental health divisions of both Huron and Perth County hospitals.

Proceeds will also go to support Ronald McDonald house charities in Canada and Huron-Perth food banks.

The organizing committee hopes all farmers, and especially dairy farmers, will join them in the opportunity to support causes that are close to home.

The goal is to bring family, farmers, producers and other agricultural partners together to support the two county communities.

The Township Of Perth South DEPUTY CLERK

The Deputy Clerk will play a key role in supporting the administrative, policy, and procedural functions of the Township of Perth South. Under the direction of the Clerk, the role will support the administration of Council, and Committee meetings, assist in developing and implementing the Municipality’s Records Management system, and lead the administration of Municipal licensing and permitting.

Duties:

• Attend Council meetings and provide technical support for live streaming.

• Support the Clerk with completion of statutory requirements for licensing and permitting.

• Provide administrative support and act as backup administrative support for Council, and Committee meetings, including preparation of agendas and minutes and drafting reports.

• Support the development and implementation of a Municipal Records Management System.

• Provide communications support through various municipal platforms including the Township website, social media, and the Township engagement platform.

• Provide support for organizing and executing public relations, special events, and meetings.

• Support the Clerk with policy research and development as needed.

• Assist the Clerk with the delivery of municipal elections.

• Provide backup customer service support to the front counter as needed.

• Perform such additional duties as assigned.

• Acts as Clerk, in the absence of the same or as required, performing statutory duties.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Post-secondary education (College Diploma or University Degree) with a major in Business Administration, Political Science, Communications, or related programs.

• 2-3 years of related experience in a municipal or public sector setting. A combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to deal with difficult and emotionally charged situations while maintaining a high degree of customer service at all times. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Demonstrated political acuity, tact and diplomacy skills and the ability to handle confidential matters with discretion.

• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite.

• Project management skills, with the ability to meet tight deadlines.

Salary:

The salary range is $68,747 to $85,934 (2026 rates) based on a 35-hour work week and a comprehensive benefit package.

How to Apply:

Applications must be received no later than Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. and sent to the attention of the Clerk at lscott@perthsouth.ca

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Accommodations:

The Township of Perth South is an equal opportunity employer. The Township of Perth South will attempt to provide reasonable accommodation for known disability for an applicant or employee if requested.

Sleep Country opens with donation to Emily Murphy Centre

Sleep Country is bringing its retail experience to Stratford for the first time with the opening of its new store at 1067 Ontario St. To mark the occasion, the company is also giving back locally through a donation of new bedding essentials to the Emily Murphy Centre, which supports women and children in Perth County and surrounding areas in need of shelter.

Sleep Country donated 40 new bedding essentials, including pillows, sheet sets, mattress protectors and duvets.

“We’re incredibly excited to open our first Sleep Country location in Stratford and become part of such a vibrant community,” said Ashley Senuita, regional sales manager of Sleep Country. “Stratford has always held a special place in my heart –I’ve been coming here for years to attend the Stratford Festival – so bringing better

sleep to a city I love is especially meaningful. We’re also proud to support the Emily Murphy Centre and the important work it does for women and children in the community. Being able to open our doors while also giving back makes this moment even more special.”

“The Emily Murphy Centre Second Stage Residences provides transitional housing and support services to women and children who have experienced violence. Sleep Country Stratford has partnered with us to provide the families in our care with new bedding, and we couldn't be more grateful,” said Lisa Wilde, executive director of the centre. “The opportunity to distribute these essential items to our clients is so meaningful as they start to rebuild their lives violence-free.”

To celebrate the grand opening, shoppers can also enjoy up to 20 per cent off mattresses, sheets, duvets and more for a limited time. Restrictions apply.

(GARY WEST PHOTO)

The Huron-Perth Dairy Cares committee at this year’s Canadian Dairy XPO. Front: Lynanne Mason, Danielle Johnston, Cheryl Hunt and Megan Louwagie. Back: Frank Louwagie, Jacqui Tam, Rodney Phillips, Lynn Higgs, David Price, Viola Laing and Jamie Beaumont.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER

(SHANE OOSTERHOFF PHOTO)

Tyson and Ali Aitcheson take part in the Avon Riverbank cleanup hosted by Shane Oosterhoff of Home & Company Real Estate Corp. and the Boathouse as part of Earth Day in downtown Stratford

(SHANE OOSTERHOFF PHOTO)

Orielle Wybrow, volunteer, cleans up along the Avon River during the riverbank cleanup last weekend

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK APRIL 19-25

Volunteers brave the rain to plant trees between Stratford and Harmony

Despite rain and grey skies, more than 40 volunteers gathered along Road 112 on April 18 for a tree planting event led by the Rotary Club of Stratford, turning what could have been a dreary morning into a meaningful show of community action. By early morning, volunteers were already at work, carefully planting bare-root trees along the stretch of road between Stratford and Harmony. In total, more than 120 trees were planted by hand – each one dug into place, secured with a stake, mulched, protected with a tree guard and watered before the group moved on to the next.

“We planted 123 trees, five varieties of native trees,” said volunteer leader Doug Thompson. “It was a slug fest because of the conditions and the rain, but we got it done, and I think everybody was pretty proud of their effort.”

The event is part of a broader effort to increase tree cover in Perth County, where forested land currently sits at just nine per cent – well below the roughly 30 per cent recommended by Environment and Climate Change Canada to support healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.

Among the volunteers were 15 students from Nancy Campbell Academy, who took part as part of their World Citizenship

course. The program blends environmental research with community service, encouraging students to engage directly with the world around them.

For student Colosteer Owenyass, the experience was about more than just planting trees.

“Planting trees helps the ecosystem,” she said. “I think we are all human and can help with healing the environment, help with global warming. We're just human beings, and we have spiritual qualities and the responsibility and ability to help the environment become better for our children and the future.”

Teacher Shabnam Tashakour said that opportunities like this allow students to connect their learning to real-world impact while fostering a deeper sense of environmental awareness and responsibility.

The initiative is supported through the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, and Perth County public works, which provided funding and resources for projects that strengthen environmental resilience across the region.

Tree planting and forest

stewardship play a key role in protecting local ecosystems, improving biodiversity and supporting the longterm health of agricultural land.

While the planting itself wrapped up in a single morning, the work doesn’t end there. The Rotary Club and Perth County will continue to monitor and care for the trees over the next two to three years to help ensure they take root and thrive.

(AMANDA NELSON PHOTO)

Volunteers gather along Road 112 on April 18 before heading out in the rain to plant more than 190 trees as part of a Rotary Club of Stratford initiative.

(AMANDA NELSON PHOTO) Natasha Widmer (left) and her mom, Malak Sidky, stand beside one of the trees they planted during the Rotary Club of Stratford tree planting event along Road 112 on April 18.

AMANDA NELSON Times Reporter

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK APRIL 19-25

United Way puts spotlight on its 600 volunteers

In the Perth-Huron region about 600 people volunteer with the local United Way – and for National Volunteer Week from April 19-25, the organization is recognizing and thanking them.

“We’re grateful for all our volunteers,” said Ryan Erb, executive director of United Way Perth-Huron, in a media release. “They make an impact in so many ways including helping with events, inspiring colleagues in their workplaces to give and sitting on our board and committees. We thank everyone who supports us by giving their time to our work across Perth-Huron.”

Chad Alberico, manager of communications, added that United Way has been incredibly blessed by the calibre and dedication of its volunteers.

“We have a lot of volunteers who have been very loyal to United Way and have really stuck with us,” Alberico said. “I mean, obviously, we just came out of a really great campaign, and donors have been amazing as well. But we really find that our volunteers have really stayed with us and they're willing to help us (in) whatever way they can, to make sure that we're able to keep our work going in the community.”

course, we also have our two highest profile volunteers, which are our campaign co-chairs, and in this case, it was John Wolfe and Kristin Sainsbury. So we also got a chance to thank them for their two years as co-chairs and really being the faces of our organization out in the public and helping advocate for us. So it's always a great opportunity to say thank you.”

For anyone interested in volunteering with United Way, Alberico said it is never too late to reach out – and that the organization is always looking for more people to assist.

“Don't be afraid to reach out and find out about it. We always welcome people. If they're interested, they can certainly give the office a call at our main number 519-271-7730, that's a great way to start a conversation. Or if you happen to be in the neighborhood, you can also drop in to our offices on Erie Street.

For National Volunteer Week, the United Way is also reflecting on the recent Spirit of Community Celebration on April 2, which officially capped last year’s annual United For Good campaign. At the event, the organization also recognized a group of dedicated volunteers from across Perth-Huron who did amazing work in their communities: Ellen Barnett, Beth Blowes, Gwen

Bradley, Sarah Bussey, Sally Desjardine, Karen Dickins, Patti Fievoli, Bernice Glenn, Wendy Hutton, Andrea Loohuizen, Nick Skinner, Tom Soltys, Terri Sparling and Denise Winger.

“It's always nice to have an opportunity to thank the people that help us be as successful as we are,” Alberico said. “… So much of their work is unseen. And of

“We welcome volunteers,” Alberico continued. “… Whatever time they can give us, we appreciate it. It can be a much more intensive role, like if you're sitting on the board of directors, for example, or a committee, it will probably require more of your time. But if you just want to help with an event … we are open to whatever people are willing to give us. We appreciate it.”

Volunteer opportunities for recent grads

During the months between graduating high school and beginning college, or between getting a university degree and entering the workforce, graduates may want to explore the personal growth that comes from volunteerism.

Volunteering provides various benefits. Some of these rewards include networking with an entirely different group of people. Volunteering also can help a person realize greater happiness by doing selfless acts for others, while they also can help one to realize a new passion. In the future, volunteering with an organization also may help with a student's job search.

There are many arenas where young people can focus their volunteer efforts. Here are some ideas.

· Animal shelter: Animal shelters rely on volunteers to help with their operations. They can be a good fit for anyone with a passion for animals and animal rights activism.

· English as a second language: Volunteers can spend time abroad teaching English to students. Others may want to volunteer domestically by helping non-English-speaking individuals improve their language skills.

· Community government: A person

may choose to sit on the board of a school, a neighborhood housing association, or even explore volunteerism with a township municipal office. This will provide valuable hands-on experience and may help one lend a voice to issues that affect his or her living situation.

· Religious groups: Churches, synagogues and mosques may have volunteer opportunities focused on community outreach or programs affiliated with local

nonprofits.

· Conservation groups: Volunteers can work on conservation projects across the country. From wildlife management to trail restoration to invasive species eradication, there are a wide variety of conservation-based volunteering opportunities.

· Tutoring: Graduates can volunteer to tutor students in local schools or overseas. Volunteerism can fill gap years or add to résumés for recent graduates.

The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance extends a heartfelt thanks to our amazing volunteers for their generous gifts of time, commitment and service.

CONNOR LUCZKA

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Ellen Barnett, Volunteer Spirit award winner (Stratford and Area), with Sonya Heyen, United Way senior manager of resource development and communications, at the Spirit of Community Celebration on April 2. Barnett is just one of the volunteers United Way Perth-Huron is thanking during this year’s National Volunteer Week.

STRATFORD SPORTS

Warriors lose in Game 7 to Lincolns, ending their run for Sutherland Cup

MICHAEL WILLOUGHBY Times Correspondent

The Stratford Hunter Steel Warriors’ unforgettable 2025-2026 season ended with a Game 7 defeat to the St. Marys Lincolns in the GOHL Western Conference Championship on April 21.

Before a full house at the Pyramid Recreation Centre in St. Marys, with more than 1,450 of both Warriors and Lincolns fans present, Max Wildfong from Cruz Ferguson and Coen Galbraith scored the opening goal for the Warriors with 6:38 remaining in the first period.

Throughout the first two-plus periods, Stratford kept control of the Lincolns through strong defence and solid goaltending by Noah Bender. The Warriors nearly doubled their lead midway through the second period when Wildfong’s shot from the right circle in the St. Marys zone missed by less than an inch, hitting the crossbar and nearly crossing the goal line, but the puck stayed out.

Grady Murphy from Jonas Schmidt and Quinn Kipfer put the Warriors ahead 51 seconds into the third period, making it 2-0. The visitors maintained control until the middle of the final period when the Lincolns started their comeback. Despite

Stratford Warriors Player Stats (Playoffs)

(as of April 22, 2026)

Player Pos GP G A PTS

Quinn Kipfer F 19 12 7 19

Coen Galbraith F 19 7 9 16

Max Wildfong F 19 6 7 13

Jonas Schmidt F 17 5 8 13

Cruz Ferguson F 19 5 8 13

Dominic Marshall F 18 5 7 12

McQuen Haylock F 19 5 5 10

Jaxon Broda D 19 4 6 10

Aaron Green D 13 3 7 10

Rhyse Brown F 19 4 5 9

Grady Murphy F 19 3 6 9

Joseph Curtin D 19 1 8 9

Will Coward D 18 0 9 9

Haden Frayne D 19 1 6 7

Dax Vader F 17 3 3 6

Drew Hodge D 19 3 3 6

Colin Slattery F 7 3 2 5

Evan Arnold F 15 2 3 5

Lucas Minard F 16 2 3 5

Mateo Craievich D 9 0 0 0

Colten Brenzil F 3 0 0 0

Goalies Record GAA SV-%

Noah Bender 11-8 2.94 0.904

Gage Hurst 0-0 4.20 0.714

(PAIGE CAMPBELL PHOTO)

The Stratford Hunter Steel Warriors console each other after Game 7 at the Pyramid Recreation Centre April 21. The Warriors' run for the Sutherland Cup came to an end with a 4-2 loss to the St. Marys Lincolns.

the hard-fought effort by Bender and the defence, the Warriors were dealt the cruel twist of fate in the midway mark of the third period, and in a span of two minutes and six seconds, goals by Lincoln Moore, James MacGregor and Ethan Weir gave the home team the lead.

The Warriors pushed for the equalizer and replaced Bender with an extra attacker with 1:45 remaining, but goaltender Colby Booth-Housego and the St. Marys defence managed to hold on. St. Marys sealed the victory and the conference championship with an empty-net goal from Camden Kean with nine seconds remaining.

Head coach Dave Williams was disappointed by the Game 7 loss but looked back on the team’s growth during the season and playoffs with optimism.

“Yeah, I'm immensely proud of the guys. To get to Game 7 and lose is kind of gut-wrenching for the guys, because we see how much time and effort those coaches put into it throughout the week. They want to win more than anybody else in the rink. They want to win, you know, for each other,” Williams said.

“It's a tough finish to what I thought was a really good season. We had lots of growth, and it was really exciting to come to the rink throughout the season, but even more exciting to come the last six weeks here as we pushed through the playoffs.”

More details about the outcome of Game 7 and the team’s season review will be in next week’s edition of the Times

The Warriors put in a hard-fought battle, both in that game and the ones that came before.

The GOHL Western Conference Championship series between the Warriors and the Lincolns continued this week with

Game 3 in St. Marys.

Stratford started the game with a 2-0 series advantage, having won six in a row and seven of their last eight games.

Blake Elzinga started the scoring for the Lincolns on the powerplay at 6:14 in the first period. St. Marys continued their strong second period for the second straight game. Devun Colebrook extended the lead to 2-0 at 6:03. Just over a minute later, Colin Slattery scored an unassisted goal, getting the Warriors on the scoreboard.

St. Marys took a two-goal lead with a powerplay goal from Kean at 9:31, and Lincoln Moore extended it with another powerplay score with 8:36 remaining in the middle frame. Following Moore's goal, Stratford's starting netminder Bender was replaced by Gage Hurst. Bender had conceded four goals on 18 shots over more than 31 minutes of play.

Despite the goaltending switch, it didn’t stop the Lincolns’ offensive onslaught, as Chase McQueen-Spence put the home side up 5-1 before the end of the period. At the midway mark of the third period, Owen Kalp cemented the victory as the Warriors dropped Game 3 in a convincing 6-1 defeat.

Less than 24 hours after their rough loss in Game 3, the Warriors aimed to recover and solidify their hold on the series at the William Allman Memorial Arena.

After a scoreless first 20 minutes, the Lincolns took the lead with Colebrook's goal at 5:05 of the second period. Kipfer replied for Stratford, scoring his tenth postseason goal with 5:57 remaining in the middle frame. Drew Hodge from Ferguson and Galbraith put the Warriors ahead 2-1 less than four minutes into the third period. However, the Lincolns equalized in the middle of the third after Moore seized the loose puck in

front of the net and potted it in just before the whistle.

After a back-and-forth overtime, Kalp capitalized on a rebound to score the game-winning goal at 9:46. Bender made 37 saves in the loss during Game 4.

The Warriors travelled back to the Pyramid Recreation Centre for Game 5 on April 17.

In front of 1,445 fans, St. Marys initially took the lead 62 seconds into the game with a goal from Moore. Slattery equalized for the Warriors on the powerplay, assisted by Galbraith and Schmidt, midway through the first period. Callum McAuley responded with a powerplay goal for the Lincolns with 5:01 remaining in the first. However, Dax Vader scored under 90 seconds later, with McQuen Haylock and Slattery providing the assists, bringing the game to a tie at the end of the first period.

Moore’s second goal of the game with 6:53 remaining was the only goal scored in the second period, giving the St. Marys Lincolns a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes. Kipfer scored his 11th playoff goal from Joseph Curtin and Slattery with 7:19 remaining in the third period, tying the game.

The game went into overtime again in the series, marking the second consecutive time. However, the Warriors turned things around and took the series lead once more. On a counterattack from their own zone, Rhyse Brown and Dominic Marshall coordinated a play that allowed Hodge to score the game-winning goal 4:35 into overtime. Hodge emphasized the significance of winning that game for the team, as it put them back on top in the series and gave them the advantage of playing at home, a challenging venue for opponents.

“That was just a great goal for me. It was just a nice setup. I ran a quick turnaround, three-on-two, and Dom (Marshall) just made a nice pass, let it over to me,” Hodge said.

“Just winning that game was huge, being back on top, in the series, and coming and playing in our home barn, and it's a hard place to play, and this is where we want to be in the series.”

Marshall notes that the locker room atmosphere was upbeat, with everyone looking forward to the next game. He thinks returning to the aggressive style of the first two games is essential to clinching the series on Sunday.

“I was a huge win for us. Obviously, that's what we're taking a lead in the series, and that's just exactly what we're looking for. Brownie (Brown) came down the around from the back of the net and hit me, and I didn't have a D on me, so I just kind of started taking it up the ice and got my head up. Colin took his guy to the net, and Tito (Hodge) was all alone, so I just fired it over to Drew, and he put her on the top corner. So that's … that was a pretty good goal,” Marshall said.

Bowling League High Scores

Men's

Matthew Moore 364-871

Tom Hunking 841 triple

Brent Furtney 800 triple

Alex Ward 857

Monday Seniors

Marlene Crerar 221, 321-733

Steve Van Klooster 227

Brian Wagler 208

V-Ettes

Glennis Keene 225

Janice Wick 205

Wednesday Ladies

Joanne Ehgoetz 209

Barb Savelle 216, 202-603

Pin Pals

Thomas Holland 145, 156

Gregory Jones 110

Special Olympics

Nicholas Graham 202

Luke Patterson 230, 155

Tiffany Keller 187, 217

Meghan O’Donovan 162

Matthew Gratton 154

Kerrie Culliton 163

Michael Hitchcock 150, 158

Jacob Kaufman 163,227

Norm Schenck 160

Derek Wray 179

Franny Hitchcock 177

Courtney Moore 153

Matthew Fischer 150

Andy Van Schaik 173

YBC Scores

Bowlasaurus

Dominic Rowe 115

Theo Brown 102

Pee-Wee

Lincoln Butcher-Cassidy 119-209

Stella Hurley St. Pierre 110, 126-236

Bantam

Scarlett II Iman 121, 116, 115-352

Coen Everitt 250 series

Grey Davidson 106, 117-290 series

Addi Kollman 252 series

Caleb Luckhardt 159

Patrick Adair 156, 162

Roland Rains 150, 180

Annika Klomp 115

Junior

Ruby Parker 152, 156

Mckenna Morris 183-455 series

Brent Louwagie 158

Myla Douglas 150, 167-466 series

Hugo Black 180, 187, 208-575 series

Anna Ward 199, 179-519 series

Arik Scheuermann 155, 176-466 series

Charlee Kayle 174

Lauren Furtney 194, 202-541

Hayden Martin 178, 196, 203-577 series

Ryan Scheerer 171, 208

Senior

Peyton Petrie 194, 256-584 series

Peyton Boyles Keating 162, 171, 176

Scarlett II Iman 121, 116, 115-352

Coen Everitt 250 series

Grey Davidson 106, 117-290 series

Addi Kollman 252 series

Caleb Luckhardt 159

Patrick Adair 156, 162

Roland Rains 150, 180

Annika Klomp 115

Dominic Boyles Keating 211, 212, 271694 series

Jake Sipple 205, 214, 252

Zachary Clarke 268

Alex Ward 269, 192, 222-683 series

Sydney Smith 159, 214

Wiatt Robinson 174

Owen Martin 220

Claire Turner 201, 202-565 series

Austin Martin 213

Julian Colalillo 194

Strike 13 YBC results

1st place - Owen Martin, Sydney Smith, Ben Bauer - 4088

2nd place - Victoria Hilpert, Brent Mayberry, Kent Hilpert - 4025

3rd place - Cassidy Petzke, Steve Bauers, Nicole Howe - 3882

Bowler of the Month (Pins Over Average)

Pee-Wee

Girls

1st - Avah Davidson - +80

2nd Piper Patey - +49

Boys

1st - Lincoln Butcher-Cassidy - +26

2nd - Kellar Hvidsten - -3

Bantam

Girls

1st - Scarlett Illman - +87

2nd - Talia Klomp - +69

Boys

1st - Connor Tiegs - +152

2nd - Noah Saunders - +28

Junior

Girls

1st - Sydney Shillolo - +135

2nd - Anna Ward - +74

Boys

1st - Ryan Scheerer - +152

2nd - Hugo Black - +115

Senior

Girls

1st - Claire Turner - +43

2nd - Mayla Laukka - +42

Boys

1st - Alex Ward - +128

2nd - Zachary Clarke - +33

Mike's Lanes bowlers compete at High-Low Doubles Regional tournament

April 12 marked an exciting day for local youth bowlers as they competed in the High-Low Regional Tournament, showcasing determination, teamwork and impressive performances across all divisions.

The High-Low format, which rewards bowlers based on pins over their average, highlights improvement and consistency-making each of these results a testament to the athletes' growth and effort.

In the Peewee division, Lincoln Brown and Adrian Klomp, coached by Kayla Klomp, delivered an outstanding performance, finishing in second place with a remarkable +49 pins over average. Their strong showing has earned them a well-deserved spot at the upcoming provincials, where they will represent the region against top competitors.

The Bantam division saw Caleb Luckhardt and Spencer Koyle, also under the guidance of coach Kayla Klomp, put together a solid effort. The duo finished fifth overall with an impressive +145, demonstrating consistency and resilience throughout the tournament.

In Junior competition, Myla Douglas and Charlee Koyle, coached by Jim Koyle, battled hard in a competitive field. They secured a 7th place finish with a +3, reflecting steady play and determination.

Rounding out the event in the Senior division, Dominic Boyles Keating and Isaac Kroesbergen, coached by Steve Morris, narrowly missed the podium with a fourth-place finish at -2. Despite the tight margins, their performance remained strong in a highly competitive division.

Congratulations go out to all participants for representing the community with pride, and best of luck to Brown and Klomp as they advance to provincials.

Mike’s Lanes upcoming events:

Jake’s Bowling Social is being hosted May 31. The sixth annual iteration of the bowling social event is raising funds for Ronald McDonald House Southwestern Ontario. Jake Sippel, the organizer, suffered burns to 40 per cent of his body at age three and found a welcoming home away from home at the Ronald McDonald House of Southwestern Ontario. To participate, contact Sippel by emailing jakesippel33@icloud.com or call 226-8801881. Donations are greatly appreciated.

Mike’s Bowling Lanes is hosting a Spring Bowling Group starting April 27 at 6:30 p.m., running until June 15. Registration is $10 and the weekly fee is $17. You’re welcome to bring friends and family to make your own team or join one of the other teams. All registration and prize money is returned in prizes. Sign up by calling 519-271-2092 or in-person at Mike’s Bowling Lanes in Stratford.

NICHELE BUTCHER-BONTRUP Times Contributor

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Lincoln Brown and Adrian Klomp with coach Kayla Klomp. The duo captured the silver medal at the High-Low Regional Tournament, earning a trip to the Provincial Championship.

Live hip-hop concert Never Alone, with local artist 519 WaywarD headlining

LISA CHESTER Times Correspondent

An outside the box, high-energy live hip-hop concert dubbed Never Alone will be the highlight of the evening of May 8 at Impact Lounge located in the Rodeway Inn. The production is brought to Stratford by Northern Ninjas Promotions and resident Robert Crowley Smith.

Hip-op is a genre close to the heart of Crowley Smith as one of the first he was interested in, saying that it is a touching genre with a lot of soul and heart. It is also underrepresented locally with only one other concert in the last six years he has been here.

“Our headliner, 519 WaywarD has a slogan: Never Alone. He is very strong on believing that being together, talking, community – together we shine brighter is another of his slogans – so Never Alone; together we shine brighter,” explained Crowley Smith of the show’s name and theme.

There will be several artists appearing from near and far, representing southwestern Ontario and as far away as Sarnia and Timmins. In addition to Stratford’s 519 WaywarD will be Eli The Prophet from London, Molly Gruesome from Guelph, Antha Lee from Guelph, Greasy Goods from Sarnia and surprise opening

act Zedward from Timmins. Together they bring positive messages of resilience, respect, recovery, hope, community and togetherness in a high energy impactful way.

“Attendees can expect a wholesome family-friendly positive vibe. We are not an all ages show but that doesn’t discourage younger people from coming for the first hour of the show where they would see the first three acts. While it may be worthwhile for the younger generation, it is mainly focused for the older generation, as it is a licenced event,” said Crowley Smith.

The goal of Northern Ninja Promotions is to bring more genres to Stratford. The city is a very blues-, rock- and jazz-oriented town without much representation of the likes of hip-hop or punk rock.

“With these groups, 519 WaywarD is in a group called Lost Cause and with Lost Cause is an amalgamation of multiple groups. So, hip-hop, punk rock and some other artists that create the group and it’s just a wonderful vibe that they bring to their events, and I want to bring a similar vibe to my events,” Crowley Smith said.

This multi-artist concert takes place May 8. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show runs from 7-10 p.m. Tickets are available $15 online in advance through Eventbrite. ca and $20 at the door.

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Warriors lose in Game 7 to Lincolns, ending their Sutherland Cup run

“It's huge. I mean, everyone, everyone's pumped. Everyone wants the same thing. So we're all ready to come out tomorrow and then work our hardest. So we're all super excited.”

Game 6 was held at the Allman Arena on April 18. In front of 1,694 fans, the Warriors aimed to secure their spot in the Sutherland Cup Championship series against the Cambridge Redhawks, who had swept the St. Catherines Falcons in the Eastern Conference Championship on April 17.

James MacGregor started the scoring for the Lincolns with 7:31 remaining in the first period. Ferguson answered for the Warriors with 5:30 left in the opening period, but Jacob Montesi scored to give the Lincolns the lead with 3:13 remaining in the first.

After a scoreless second period, the Lincolns extended their lead to 3-1 early in the third on Hodkinson's goal. Vader, assisted by Haylock and Lucas Minard, brought the

Warriors back within one. Oliver Lacko then increased the Lincolns' lead to 4-2 with 8:33 remaining.

The Warriors pulled Bender to the bench for an extra attacker, and Kipfer’s shot with 2:46 remaining brought the Warriors within one goal. They again used the extra attacker with 2:38 left to try for an equalizer, but the Lincolns secured the win with an empty-net goal from Moore at 1:02. Voortman added an insurance goal with 31 seconds to force a Game 7 in St. Marys.

The full story about the series finale will be published in next week’s issue of the Times.

GOHL Western Conference final results

Game 1 – Stratford 4 St. Marys 2

Game 2 – St. Marys 6 Stratford 7

Game 3 – Stratford 1 St. Marys 6

Game 4 – St. Marys 3 Stratford 2 (OT)

Game 5 – Stratford 4 St. Marys 3 (OT)

Game 6 - St. Marys 6 Stratford 3

Game 7 - Stratford 2 St. Marys 4

St. Marys Lincolns take the series, 4-3 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The symbol of light and recovery represented in the stories told through artists with lived experience. Experience this event May 8t at Impact Lounge in the Rodeway Inn.

OnRush and United Housing present The Dark Side of the Moon live in concert

A very exciting collaboration between OnRush Music Festival’s Tim Harrison and United Housing’s Rebecca Scott has brought together local musicians for their interpretation of the decades long chart-topping Pink Floyd album The Dark Side of the Moon on June 6 at Avondale United Church.

Harrison and Scott came together through the philanthropic mission of OnRush Music Festival and became friends who have a passion for music and wanted to come up with another way to raise funds for United Housing. This brainchild of a classic album live was bandied around and they felt that this would be a great way to attract a broader audience of people who are familiar with the music.

“We thought about it for a while and felt this is a great opportunity to get people who are familiar with the music to come out and see it. We’re at what, 54 years now and it’s still relevant today. And students today are now going back and listening to music from the ‘70s and ‘80s because it’s human. It was created by artists together in a room and they are looking for that genuine connection to music again,” said Harrison.

Getting those two demographics together would be a sharing experience as the younger generation would get to hear some great live music perhaps for the first time, and those that have a familiarity with the album have the opportunity to be immersed in this live representation.

“Rebecca said this would be a great thing because we can talk about the hu-

manity of this album, we can talk about how you’re experiencing different emotions and they were all written from the point of view of 22-year-olds, but it’s still relevant today. And when we talk about those fears, those desires, those experiences and emotions that come through that album it’s all human experience. So it’s great for people to connect with and then we connected that to the housing ideas, which is near and dear to my heart, we have United Housing,” said Harrison.

United Housing, created by United Way Perth-Huron, is the region’s first non-profit housing organization dedicated to creating and sustaining mixed-income rental units.

This is not a tribute band performing, instead, it is a gathering of musicians who will be familiar to locals, united as The Eclipse Players. Local artist Eric Lundgren and Dan Beacock out of Baden will be on guitar and vocals, local actor-musician Andrew Iles on keyboards, recent resident Frank Heisler on bass, Woodstock’s Tracy Frank on sax and in a much-anticipated return to performing is Harrison on drums. Additionally, members of the Stratford Concert Choir and Canaris Women’s Choir will provide background vocals and who will be featured on “The Great Gig In The Sky.”

“It will be a modern version of the song so it won’t be the vocal gymnastics that you hear from 1973, it’ll be more reverent, more emotionally mature version, kinder, gentler that with all luck there won’t be a dry eye in the house. We’ve got United Housing as sort of the sponsor of the show so I think people will see it as something that is focused on housing and on

the community and community members joining that gives me a lot of hope that we can bring different communities together to support something that is so incredibly important to our most vulnerable – that need stability so that they can heal and feel safe,” said Harrison.

Audience attendees can expect a full immersive experience with screen videos, great lighting and some really great sound surrounding them.

“I want this to be an event, I want people to come in and experience this as an event and feel like they got their money’s worth and that we’ve delivered a show that makes them feel they’ve been included in something because as we talk about community, I want the audience to feel part of

that community, because they are helping fund what we’re doing and there is a direct connection,” explained Harrison. Those that wish to contribute but are unable to attend can visit the United Housing website. Sponsors for this show are welcome and Harrison has created a challenge. If he can raise the production costs through sponsorship, his six-yearold son will choose a hair colour and Harrison will dye his hair that colour for the show.

This multi-generational event of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon Live at Avondale United Church is on June 6 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online for $50 and information on sponsorship can be found at www.onrushfestival.ca.

LISA CHESTER Times Correspondent

(NADYA HARRISON PHOTO)

Tim Harrison will join the Eclipse Players in a live performance of Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon to raise funds for United Housing June 6 at Avondale United Church.

Letters to the editor: Next steps for GTR

As council considers next steps for the GTR project, I ask them to stand up for the site's building and support its adaptive reuse.

The GTR building is Stratford’s most important heritage structure. It was the face and economic heart of our city for generations and the foundation of the prosperity we enjoy today. Moreover, we’re a city whose built heritage is central to our cultural and economic strength. It helps our tourist industry thrive, attracts residents from across the country and adds to our sense of identity, belonging and community.

All these things, as well as the environment, our sustainability commitments and the city’s pocketbooks, are best served by repurposing the entire structure and making it the solution, not the obstacle, to the GTR site’s future. It’s been done in similar sites throughout Canada and would be the best use of the assets we already own.

The best time for council to prioritize the GTR shops is now – before the project goes further ahead:

Commit to making reuse of the entire superstructure a condition for site redevelopment, not an option.

If having conversations in the market, ask for ideas on how the building could be reused for community purposes, including potentially the library and/or YMCA.

Give serious consideration to alternative ideas, including public ownership and development. After attending Robert Ritz's open workshops, I believe his plan for the site – and the principles behind how it’s developed and paid for – is by far the best option when it comes to spending within our means, optimizing public assets, protecting our heritage and enhancing the downtown core. I encourage everyone to see his ideas at gtrshops.ca and lend

their support.

If the structure is eventually repurposed for private means such as housing, commit to keeping at least part of it under city ownership for community purposes. Even a basic parking lot within the frame, or refurbishing the frame into an open-air gathering space, would turn it into something we can all value. There’s plenty of land around the structure that could be developed for other uses.

The GTR building is one of the most important aspects of our history and should not be scaled down or destroyed for the sake of private profit. There may be challenges to overcome – but the long-term rewards are worth it.

Let's take the right steps now so that we can transform this incredible structure into something Stratford citizens can enjoy for generations to come.

Adam Gardiner, Stratford

Don’t settle for second best

Dear editor,

For those not at Monday night’s city council meeting looking at Robert Ritz’s plan for the GTR site development I will provide a brief summary.

The ten speakers in favour of Ritz’s plan (I was one of them) spoke of its major environmental as well as social, artistic, cultural, transportation, traffic, parking and, of course, community benefits with its bringing together of many city organizations and activities in one place over the whole year.

No one spoke against the plan, but some council members had concerns about its cost, the final reckoning of which Ritz said was pending until the report by contractor PCI (the largest in Canada) is received; he said it should

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be within the week. Compared to the other option, Plan B, he said his plan would probably have a comparable cost but would result in far more benefits and negligible environmental costs.

Personally, I was reminded of differences from the situation when the new Tom Patterson Theatre was being discussed less than ten years ago. No expense would be spared for the theatre, said proponents (Ritz is much more circumspect about costs), and the theatre ended up costing $73 million. While it is undeniably a unique and beautiful building, it is only available to citizens for a part of the year and does not replace the year-round Kiwanis Seniors’ Centre that was a collateral damage of its construction.

Now for what makes the desirability of the Ritz plan even more obvious. Forty million dollars of the 73 million for the new T.P. Theatre came from governmental funding, with much also coming from donations, so it is very likely that the city’s share of expenses of Ritz's project, whatever they are, will be significantly reduced by outside funding and personal donations.

Councillors need to look back on the major contributions of the past by citizens to such important causes as the (lamented) Avon Crest Hospital, the original Stratford Festival building and the new Tom Patterson Theatre to realize their generosity to good causes. When Stratford citizens see a worthy and life-enriching project, they are very generous, and the GTR site is such a project. Seize this opportunity! Now! Please! Don’t settle for a second-best, inferior option.

Julia Schneider, Stratford

Quote of the Week

“It's a tough finish to what I thought was a really good season. We had lots of growth, and it was really exciting to come to the rink throughout the season, but even more exciting to come the last six weeks here as we pushed through the playoffs.”

— Stratford Warriors head coach Dave Williams on Game 7 loss to St. Marys Lincolns

Opinions

UNTIL SOON. LIVE WELL: THE SHINING OF THINGS

STUART LENDER Times Columnist

Every now and again, I’m overcome. When I say that, I don’t mean stress – I mean appreciation. It can happen anywhere at any time. My daughter is no longer surprised when I tear up over seemingly random ... let’s call them ... episodes. I don’t make a spectacle of myself of course, but these feelings can wash over me suddenly and without much warning. Like a hot flash, a man in menopause, I sense it arriving and the regular filters of propriety dissolve into the emotion, rising like the fragrance of a newly mown lawn that I’m walking upon. Thankfully, most

There is a quiet kind of grief that often goes unspoken in conversations about chronic illness. It is not only the grief of symptoms, diagnoses or limitations. It is the grief of losing the person you once were – the version of yourself who moved through life with ease, who made plans without hesitation, who rarely had to think twice about energy, pain or capacity.

This kind of loss is deeply per-

folks I’m friends with know that I’m often an open book with life and love. That’s okay. I wouldn't want it any other way. Why it happens, I’m not exactly sure – but I’ve mentioned, almost always to those that are much younger than myself, that one of the greatest things about getting on in years is that you don’t really care what people think any more about such things. You’re hopefully secure in yourself – especially if you’re living by the do-no-harm rule. I was raised in a family that was demonstrative with their emotions to a degree. There were hugs in greeting, kisses upon the cheek – and growing up, my brother and I knew there was always the possibility of open and honest dialogue, despite the usual teenage angst.

These episodes I speak of occur during moments of attention. Always. And I daresay, they cannot exist without empathy – directed either inwardly towards the self, outwardly to an individual or universally, towards humanity as it were. Without empathy, one is an island unto themselves and pre-

sonal, and it deserves to be acknowledged.

When chronic illness enters a life, it rarely asks for permission. It disrupts routines, alters identities and reshapes what a “normal day” looks like. Many people find themselves holding onto memories of who they used to be – how much they could accomplish, how freely they could move, how predictable life once felt. These memories can be both comforting and painful, serving as reminders of what has changed.

Grieving the “old you” is not a sign of weakness. It is a natural and necessary response to loss.

Just as we grieve the loss of relationships or life transitions, we must also allow space to grieve changes within ourselves. This grief may come in waves – some days quieter, other days more intense. It may show up as sadness, frustration, anger or even disbelief. All of these emotions are valid, and none of them need

sumably lonely (even in a crowd of people), unaware or unable to share in another's suffering or triumph. And in some extreme cases – even despised. There seems to be a lot of that growing within the psyche of our “advanced” species.

But regardless of why my little episodes occur – another's sad story or a bestowed compliment – I feel it suddenly, and sometimes in regular conversation with another or in the observance of something I’ve noticed dozens of times before, that, for whatever reason, reveals itself to me now as new. There – it presents itself before me – relevant and beautiful in its intricacy. And just as with other people, watching them in their activities or speaking with them in some brief conversation, I become acutely aware of the to and fro of things; between the observer and the observed, the listener and the sound being heard, the speaker and the words spoken –in short, the sharing over what some might consider the most mundane conversation or activity – just as one notices the dance of a cloud across the sky, the

to be rushed or silenced.

At the same time, acceptance is often misunderstood. It does not mean giving up or resigning oneself to a diminished life. Rather, acceptance is a gradual process of learning to live within new realities. It involves recognizing limitations without allowing them to define your entire sense of self. It is about gently loosening the grip on expectations that no longer fit, while making space for new ways of being.

Letting go of the old you doesn’t mean erasing your past. The person you were still exists as part of your story. Your strengths, values and experiences have not disappeared – they have simply taken on new forms. In fact, many people living with chronic illness discover qualities within themselves that they may not have recognized before: resilience, patience, compassion and a deeper understanding of what truly matters.

wrinkled brow of concern or the lightest touch on the arm.

When this happens, the moment is acute, and what is revealed is the shining of things, a particular sense of gratefulness in the sharing, a nuance of belonging in which all the world is good and all is in its place. No disjointedness. The sense that this moment should go on and spend itself out into either sleep or death.

When the reality of our human predicament raises its head gently within the context of an observation or interaction, and the acknowledgement of a connection is recognized, that moment is truth – that the world and everyone and everything is in that connection, like a thread in the fabric; that the earth is our only home; that without the other, we are diminished.

If this is so. If we are so blessed to be able to feel this connection, so too are we able to fumble amongst the darkest and most sorrowful situations of the human condition. And just as sharply, things like the passing by of strangers in front of the homeless one holding out

a cup, without even an iota of awareness, pains the onlooker. Knowing that we yearn for that community, for that recognition of living that opens the heart and reminds us that yes – we exist –and yet to see how callous and bereft of empathy we can be. With great empathy comes deep sorrow.

And so, there too, may be episodes that move in the opposite direction, into great disquietude. And the heart can sink. And that sinking may bolster a response, because the alternative is to drown. And that response should be inclusion – to raise oneself up and breach the surface, as a tiny residue of spirit from all those who’ve gone before us who ever made the slightest difference to another through the living of their short and “normal” lives – and smile into the other’s existence.

Stuart is a celebrant and the manager of Rutherford Cremation & Funeral Services. It is his privilege to serve, dispel myths, and give information concerning his field of compassionate service.

chronic illness

This process is rarely linear. There may be moments of progress followed by moments of grief that feel just as raw as they did in the beginning. That is not failure – it is part of the journey. Healing, in this context, is not about returning to who you were, but about becoming who you are now, with honesty and care. It can be helpful to begin shifting the question from “Why can’t I be who I used to be?” to “Who am I becoming now?” This small change in perspective can open the door to curiosity rather than self-judgment. It allows space for new routines, new priorities and even new forms of joy to emerge – often in quieter, more sustainable ways. Support also plays an important role. Whether through friends, family, support groups, or creative expression, sharing this experience can ease the sense of isolation that often accompanies chronic illness. Writing, in particular, can offer

a gentle way to process grief and explore identity, allowing thoughts and emotions to unfold without pressure.

Letting go is not a single moment, but a series of small, ongoing choices. It may look like honouring your body’s need for rest, setting boundaries without guilt or celebrating small victories that once went unnoticed. These acts, though simple, are powerful steps toward acceptance.

In time, many people come to realize that while chronic illness changes life in profound ways, it does not erase the possibility of meaning, connection or fulfillment. The “old you” may no longer exist in the same way – but the person you are becoming still holds depth, strength, and worth. And perhaps, in learning to let go, you begin to make space for a different kind of life – one that, while unexpected, can still be lived with intention, dignity and hope.

IRENE ROTH Times Columnist

Perth County agriculturalist Sheldon Hahn recognized as Paul Harris Fellow

There was a special presentation made at the Rotary Club of Stratford’s annual Rural-Urban Dinner last week.

A very prominent rural farmer from Perth County in North and South Easthope Townships, and farm equipment businessman known the world over, Sheldon Hahn, was honoured during the evening. He was presented with the very prestigious Paul Harris Fellow recognition, one of the greatest awards a Rotarian can receive.

For those who might not know, Harris was the founder of Rotary International, over 100 years ago, in 1905. He believed that ordinary people, coming together, could do extraordinary things for their communities and the world.

The Paul Harris Fellow recognition is Rotary’s way of honouring that spirit.

It’s given to people who embody the values that Rotary stands for – service, integrity and making a difference in their respective communities.

As most Rotarians will say, “it is the highest recognition that can be given to an individual by a Rotary Club, as a Paul Harris Fellow.”

When someone contributes to the Rotary Foundation, that contribution is acknowledged by Rotary International, and that recognition can be taken and passed along. That person is someone who de-

Dutch couple new to Canada, giving them work and a foothold in a new country. That same couple went on to build many successful businesses in Woodstock, employing hundreds of workers and bringing industry to that city.

There is also a story that Hahn employed a young man named Dan, who struggled with alcoholism and had run-ins with the law. He had hit rock-bottom, eventually ending up serving time in the Stratford jail.

Even though many would not see Dan being a model citizen, Hahn saw something totally different, a person in despair who deserved a chance and Sheldon drove into town every single morning to pick up Dan and brought him out to Hahn Farms where he put in a full productive day of work.

Then at the end of each day he was taken back and when Dan’s jail sentence was done, Sheldon made the rental house right behind Hahn Farms available to him, so he could walk to work and have the dignity of independence.

serves to be celebrated and is someone who has made a meaningful contribution to their community and extends the recognition outward.

So this Paul Harris award travels, and it starts with one act of giving, being acknowledged, and then finds the way to

someone else deserving of it. Hahn has shown that you don’t have to be at every meeting or every event, but sometimes the most meaningful contributions happen quietly and behind the scenes.

In the past, Hahn sponsored a young

From this there was no fan fair, and no audience, but Hahn did it because it was the right thing to do.

A former club president and district governor, Katherine Hahn, made the presentation to her dad, recognizing him for having the qualities that as a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow, showed the qualities that this award was initially designed for.

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(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Sheldon Hahn, now in his 90s, received a standing ovation from the crowd at the Rotary Club of Stratford’s Rural-Urban dinner on April 16. Hahn received the Paul Harris Fellow recognition for his lifetime contributions to the Stratford and Perth County areas. Pictured with him here is the presenter of the distinguished award, his daughter and long time Rotarian, Katherine Hahn.

GARY WEST Times Correspondent

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Members of the Perth County South-East 4-H dairy club were on hand April 16, helping at this year’s Rural-Urban Dinner. Pictured in front: Austyn and Corbin Lindner, Alex Neeb, Brooklyn and Addison Hyatt, Deanna Halls and Julie Danen (leader). In back: Brandy Bundscho (leader), Heather Peters (leader), Elliott Peters, Cam Faulhafer, Nash Follings and Max Hughes.

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Anne Hathawy Residence 480 Downie St., Stratford Meets every Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. for 3 games. Check our website for further details stratfordscrabble.ca

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Enter your 2-person team for $20 by calling Anne at 519-301-0914, Dave at 519-703-6544, or the Legion at 519-271-4540. Prizes for 1st to 3rd place. Registration is brisk, so call now.

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Monday May 4, 2026, 7:15 – 9:00 p.m.

Army Navy Hall, 151 Lorne Ave. E., Stratford Featured Presentation: “Weeds and Wings: Adversaries and Allies in your Garden”, Amy Turnbull, London Middlesex Master Gardener

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Deadline: Tuesday prior at 3 p.m.

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OH, THE PLACES WE’LL GO: The mystery and wonder of Mount Etna

The sky was blue and the clouds white, though they did not obscure our view of Mount Etna as we began the coach trip from Messina to the slopes of this active volcano. And this was all just as well because by the time we were well on our way to the highest point of our trip, the clouds and mist were rolling in, and when we reached our final destination, the most prominent feature was fog.

But that was okay. The thing about Mount Etna is it’s unique and mysterious – the only active volcano on the island of Sicily, and one of three active volcanos in the Isole Eolie chain of islands that stretches north from Sicily. Those volcanic islands include two others that are still active – Stomboli, the easily identified triangle that can be seen from the western shores of Calabria, and Volcanu (the volcano from which the name, “volcano,” derives).

But Mount Etna is the big guy. In fact, it’s Europe’s largest and most active volcano, ejecting huge amounts of lava every year.

But, say the experts, this Etna is carefully monitored by scientists, so it is safe to visit when “they” say so. And since “they” said so, and

we had the chance to go to Mount Etna during our Senior Discovery Tours visit to Calabria, we were in.

The main reason a visit to Mount Etna is considered safe was explained to us by our Sicilian guide. Volcanos fall into two categories – explosive and effusive. Effusive volcanos tend to erupt often or continually, but in more moderate fashion, “moderate” being a relative term. Mount Etna is an effusive volcano.

So, we joined the early morning queue to board our coach in Siderno, on the east coast of Calabria, and took the one-hour-plus trip across the toe of Italy to reach Villa San Giovanni, the port for the ferry to Sicily.

The ferry ride across the Straits of Messina is brief, perhaps 20 minutes, but there is nonetheless something magical about sailing

toward the legendary island of Sicily for the first time.

We docked in Messina and began the hour-and-a-half ride south to the slopes of Mount Etna.

Mount Etna is 3,400 metres high. We went just over halfway up, to the 1,800-metre level, stopping on route in Zafferana Etnea for scrumptious pastries and espresso. The guide said this was to help us to acclimatize to the altitude, but I suspect it has more to do with the passion all Italians have for pastries and coffee.

Back on the coach, we continued the climb, passing through fascinating layers of topography and plant life. Before long, the predominant feature of the landscape was lava – many hectares of lava flow border the roadway up Etna. It’s a stark, dark landscape, though hardy plants begin to grow not long after

the lava has cooled. In fact, as lava breaks down, it becomes one of the most nutrient-rich soils anywhere.

And as we rose higher, the temperature plunged, and snow appeared. By the time we reached the top, snow covered almost everything. People were skiing and snowshoeing.

The lava fields and the views of the mountain were increasingly obscured by cloud as we climbed toward our 1,800-metre destination. And when we reached the parking lot, visibility was a few dozen metres.

But we persisted because we had disembarked at the site of five craters, and were still able to view some of them. As the mist swirled, the views opened briefly and then were again shrouded in fog. As I said, the entire adventure had a certain air of mystery.

Visitors can go higher than 1,800 meters – there are cable cars and specially outfitted vehicles that head further up, as far as 2,900 metres, the highest point anyone is allowed to go. But all the literature says, “Go with a guide,” and there are factual accounts of foolhardy folk who ignored this advice, and died in an eruption of lava.

While at maximum height, we were invited to dine (Italy, right? Amazing food, right?). The restaurant is La Cantoniera, and it, too, has a Mount Etna story. During a dramatically large eruption in 1983, the original La Cantoniera was consumed and buried by lava flow. Today, the restaurant where we dined is built on top of the lava that contains the remnants of the former building.

And in the main floor dining room, there is a video screen showing that story, as well as wildly dramatic videos of previous Etna eruptions. It tends to inspire visitors to check the view out the windows every few minutes as you dine, just in case.

Our lunch at La Cantoniera, by the way, was a lavish buffet spread with all the great Italian – and specifically Sicilian – tastes. Sausages, pasta, gnocchi, bruschetta, sundry mushrooms, eggplant, bacon, cheese, wine by the bottle and then, of course, pastries – all the pastries. So, did we get a perfect, closeup view of Mount Etna? No, but we did experience the mystery and the wonder of finding ourselves on the slopes of Europe’s largest active volcano. And did I mention the pastries?

Paul Knowles is an author and travel writer, and past-president of the Travel Media Association of Canada. To contact Paul about travel, his books, or speaking engagements, email pknowles@golden.net.

Our clear view of Mount Etna before the clouds obscured the scene.

A lava field on Mount Etna.

One of five craters visitors can view at the 1,800-metre level.

PAUL KNOWLES Times Columnist

(PAUL KNOWLES PHOTOS)

Communication 6. Stoats

7. Showcases

8. Bird of prey

9. King of Thebes 10. Cleaving tool

12. Large African antelope 14. Three are particularly notable 19. Meet one’s needs 23. C. European river 24. Dictator

25. Indicates how much out of 100 (abbr.)

26. The 17th letter of the Greek alphabet

27. Consume food

28. Woman (French)

29. Scrape a surface

34. Green vegetable

35. Pacific Standard Time

36. Capital of Brazilian city

37. Paddle

39. Cause to become insane

40. Drier and flakier

41. Mimic

42. ESPN personality Kimes

44. One who moves slowly

45. Secret political clique

46. Behind the stern of a ship

47. Supernatural force

48. Sanctuary

51. Swiss river

52. Grayish white

53. Engrave by coating

54. North Carolina university

58. Midway between south and southeast

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New inductees to Ag Wall of Fame honoured last week

There was a farming couple from Shakespeare and a Mitchell area dairy farmer from the past, inducted last week onto the Stratford-Perth Museum’s Agricultural Wall of Fame.

The inductees were formally honoured at the Rural Urban Dinner, hosted by the Rotary Club of Stratford on April 16.

As reported in the April 10 edition of the Times, Richard and Jean Smelski were

inducted. The couple not only sold wagonloads of pumpkins for years from their farm east of Shakespeare but donated all the profits over all those years to the Stratford General Hospital Foundation.

That generosity amounted to over $10,000 from the couple, from which they have sponsored a room in the new cancer wing at Stratford General Hospital.

Many other volunteer activities included the Ontario Pork Congress for both Richard and Jean, along with the Optimist and

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JUNK REMOVAL – Garbage, Basements, Yards, Dump Runs. Call Mike 519-276-7766

Opti-Mrs clubs, Probus and Friendship Clubs, and trips to Nicaragua and other third-world countries to help in building schools.

The second Inductee to the Agricultural Wall of Fame was Mitchell area’s Harvey Ische, a dairy farmer who was also known as an agricultural writer with the pen name Rusticus.

Ische and his large family of seven children were instrumental in bringing new ideas and early technology to the farming

community in Perth County. He was also involved in planning as a school board member to build the new Mitchell High School.

Among many other initiatives, he was the first dairy farmer in Perth County to have an operating milking machine using a vacuum pump. It was said by his family, that dairy farming neighbours would come from miles around to see how much less work they could do through it, rather than stripping out cow’s milk by hand.

WANTING TO BUY – All collectibles including sports cards, beanie babies, Funko pops and stamps. Highest prices paid. Free appraisals. Are you downsizing or need an estate clean out? We can help. Call or text Stan anytime 519-868-3814.

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GARY WEST Times Correspondent

(GARY WEST PHOTO)

Stratford-Perth Museum general manager Kelly McIntosh, Jean and Richard Smelski and chairman John McIntosh pose during the Rural Urban Dinner on April 16. As part of the evening, the Smelskis were inducted onto the museum’s Agricultural Wall of Fame.

(GARY WEST PHOTO)

Linda Winteringham, Harvey “Rusticus” Ische’s granddaughter, Wayne Ische, his son, pose with chairman John McIntosh and museum general manager Kelly McIntosh, accepting Ische’s award.

Our plan to protect Ontario is speeding up approvals for mines

As Canada stares down economic uncertainty, we’re ready with a plan to protect Ontario. We’re building mines to unlock the critical minerals the world needs.

That’s how we protect Ontario.

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