The search for the most important staffing position at the city level has begun.
At the city council meeting on March 24, Adam Betteridge, the City of Stratford’s director of building and planning, was unanimously voted to be the interim CAO.
Betteridge joined the city in 2023. He has previously worked in the planning departments of Perth East, Perth County, the Region of Waterloo, and he served as CAO for the Township of Malahide most recently.
Betteridge takes the city’s top staffer position temporarily as council struck a new selection committee for the position, appointing Mayor Martin Ritsma, Coun. Mark Hunter, Coun. Harjinder Nijjar, Coun. Jo-Dee Burbach and Coun. Brad Beatty to be on that committee.
Loreena McKennitt delegated on the selection of the city’s new CAO. She reminded council just how important the position is for not only the administration of the city, but for its long-term viability.
“This may be the most important file and decision in front of this council right now and in the long term; to get this position right is essential,” McKennitt said. “Perhaps other things can be temporarily set aside until the position is properly approved and which no doubt will benefit from having the right person in place.”
Not a month after the provincial election wrapped up on Feb. 27 this year, Perth-Wellington and the rest of Canada will be heading to the ballots once again.
On March 23, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced he had asked Governor General Mary Simon to dissolve parliament, instituting a snap election scheduled for April 28.
On the steps of Rideau Hall, Carney, who had only served as prime minister for 14 days at that point in time, alluded to his government’s most recent actions before
asking the Canadian people for a stronger mandate to deal with U.S. tariffs and President Donald Trump’s threats to Canadian sovereignty – the same ask Ontario Premier Doug Ford had when he called the snap provincial election last month.
“We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump’s unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty,” Carney said. “Our response must be to build a strong economy and a more secure Canada. President Trump claims that Canada isn’t a real country. He wants to break us so that America can own us. We will not let that happen.”
Warren Gorman sprawls to clear the puck out of the Stratford Bentley’s Fighting Irish’s zone during Game 4 of the Fighting Irish’s semi-final series against the Tilbury Bluebirds.
March 24 council briefs: City staff investigating taxdeferral program
After this year’s 5.46 per-cent property tax increase had many residents worried about their bills, Stratford city council approved the investigation of a deferral program.
At the March 24 meeting, Coun. Mark Hunter originally asked staff to investigate a deferral program that extends to all residents, with special mind to a deferral of tax increases rather than a full deferral. However, a number of councillors expressed preference for a deferral program that is only accessible for those of “financial hardship,” such as residents with Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), on Ontario Disability Support Payment
(ODSP) and seniors. The reason being, as Coun. Taylor Briscoe said, the city could reassess after a year and expand the limited program if it’s working, rather than shrink a full-fledged program if it isn’t.
Tax-deferral programs exist in other municipalities to varying degrees. As noted in the staff report, any deferral program would have some economic impact on the budget as the levy increases would still need to be born by taxpayers, effectively meaning other taxpayers would need to bear the burden.
“If programs were to be limited to low-income households and any forgiveness limited to a portion of the current-year increases, it is not expected that this would have a significant budget impact,” the staff report reads. “However,
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if more substantive programs were implemented, the financial effect would be to transfer this element of the burden for these taxpayers to another subset of taxpayers (those who receive a benefit pay less, and those who do not, pay more for this benefit to be provided to others).”
American flag will remain raised on city property
After Coun. Geza Wordofa inquired about the use of the American flag on city property, Mayor Martin Ritsma said that given the anti-Canadian rhetoric coming from the current U.S. administration, it is something that many residents have brought up with him.
In response, and after reaching out to the province for some guidance, Ritsma said the flag will continue to fly as the Canadi-
an-American relationship is much deeper than recent developments – especially in the Festival City.
“In our municipality, we do receive 1.7 million visitors a year, and 500,000 of those visitors are Americans. And Americans, when they tend to come, they tend to stay longer. And if you stay long, you spend more money.
“It's an emotional issue when somebody calls us out as the 51st state, and somebody is indicating that they're going to economically drive us into, you know, non-country,” Ritsma went on to say. “But I do believe Canada is far stronger than any of those questions or comments, and it's not to say that at some point down the road, if the rhetoric heightens, that we can't revisit this.”
Director of building and planning named interim CAO as search for Stratford’s top staffer begins
Then CAO Joan Thomson attended her last meeting that evening before her retirement. On behalf of all past mayors, council and staff, Ritsma thanked Thomson for her work and particularly highlighted the work she has done in service to Stratford residents.
“That's what we're here for, is to serve the residents of our city. And you've done that with great courage, great commitment, for 40 years,” he said.
In response, Thomson said that she is humbled.
“It has been 40 amazing years,” Thomson said. “I remain fascinated by all that you do and all that we as a team have
accomplished. I expect great things to continue with council. I can't say enough about this great community. … If you have never been a municipal employee, you do not understand what it means to serve the public. And we serve at the local level, meaning that we run into each other in the grocery store and in the parks, and we hear a lot.
“And as I said, if you have never served at the municipal level, you don't know what that commitment is like. So, it is unique, it is special and I remain humbled by all the employees who continue to show up every day and try to do the best that they can.”
We understand that some people might like the convenience of the Stratford Times arriving at their home (located near or far) through Canada Post, so we do have subscriptions available for this purpose. The
CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Perth-Wellington heads to the ballot … again
Nationally, Carney will face Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, New Democratic Party (NDP) Leader Jagmeet Singh, Bloc Quebecois Party Leader Yves-François Blanchet and Green Party Co-Leaders Jonathan Pednaeault and Elizabeth May, in addition to the People’s Party of Canada (PPC) Leader Maxime Bernier.
MP John Nater of the Conservative Party is the incumbent in this election. He has served as Perth-Wellington’s federal representative since 2015 when then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first formed this Liberal government. Since 2004, when the riding was first formed, it has been a Conservative hold with Nater’s predecessor Gary Schellenberger sitting as MP.
So far, David Mackey has been announced as the Liberal candidate for Perth-Wellington, his first time vying for a federal seat. Kevin Kruchkywich is again standing as the NDP candidate, as is Wayne Baker who is the candidate for the PPC. Representatives from the Green Party of Canada informed the Independent that Nathan Litt will be the Green candidate.
The period for nominations ends on April 7 and the final list of confirmed candidates will be available on the Elections Canada website on April 9.
Profiles on Nater, Mackey, Kruchkywich and Baker can be found on Pages 8-9. The Green Party did not respond to an inter-
view request in time for press.
To vote in the federal election, residents will need to prove their identity by either showing a government-issued ID with a photo, name and current address (like a driver’s licence), or show two pieces of ID that collectively have a name and current address, such as a health card and bank statement, for example.
For a full list of accepted IDs, visit www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=ids&document=index&lang=e.
Additionally, if a resident doesn’t have ID, they can still vote by declaring their identity and address in writing and having a voucher with them that can prove their own identity and address. Vouchers can only vouch for one person, except in longterm care institutions.
Residents can register to vote online, by mail, or in-person at their local Elections Canada office – or at the polls right before voting.
Advance voting takes place from April 18-21. The address of residents’ appropriate polling locations can be found on voter information cards which will be delivered by mail, or on the Elections Canada website, www.elections.ca/home.aspx, after April 1. Otherwise, election day is Monday, April 28. The address of residents’ polling locations can likewise be found on their voter information card or online after April 1.
The Stratford Police Service is investigating after election signs were stolen from several locations across Stratford.
On Monday, March 31, police received reports of election signs being stolen from several locations throughout the City of Stratford over the previous weekend.
The Stratford Police Service is reminding residents that the removal of political signs constitutes the criminal offence of theft, and
those involved could be charged accordingly for this offence.
Police encourage all community members to respect the electoral process and allow all individuals running for a seat in Parliament to advertise without interference, regardless of which political party is being represented.
If anyone has any information regarding the theft of a political sign, contact the Stratford Police Service at 519-271-4141. Anyone who has information and wishes to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.p3tips.com.
Editorial
A eucatastrophic nation
CONNOR LUCZKA
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
In a lecture at the University of St Andrews, British fantasist J. R. R. Tolkien posited an antonym for catastrophe – that just as there is catastrophe, the sudden change from good to bad, there is also eucatastrophe, the sudden change from bad to good.
Tolkien gave that lecture in March 1939. He wasn’t talking about reality in that lecture, but it is difficult to think reality didn’t influence him at least a little. Tensions were rising in Europe with the old enemy and just a few months after his lecture, England would declare war on Germany and many of Tolkien’s young students at Oxford would go off to France to fight – something he himself did when he was a young student at Oxford during the First World War.
When September rolled around and tanks rolled through Warsaw, did Tolkien think about eucatastrophe? It must have felt uneasy at that point. Gut-wrenching. It must have felt like history repeating itself.
In November, history repeated itself on our continent when Donald Trump was re-elected as president of the
United States – though his short tenure so far has been anything but a repeat of his last time in office. Along with some questionable domestic actions, he has violated the trade agreement his own administration signed in 2018, ignited an on-again-off-again trade war on the continent and has made repeated threats to our sovereignty in Canada.
Even worse, his supporters have latched onto the idea of the “51st state” and whether because they think it’s funny or they think it’s a good idea, Trump has not been the last to make the suggestion.
What a catastrophe.
Yet, coast to coast to coast, the reaction has been anything but a catastrophe. I ask anyone reading, have you seen our country so united behind Canada? I haven’t. Not recently and certainly not in my lifetime.
What does it say about us that we have a word like catastrophe so common in our collective lexicons, when hope is all around us and the goodwill of our neighbours can so often be seen in this country. Here in Stratford, we at the Times chronicle this goodwill bi-weekly on the local level, but nationally, we have known eucatastrophe before.
Letters to the Editor
City short on details related to annual event’s impact To the Editor.
Stratford Live Music & Food is planning to come to town from June 9-22 and the City of Stratford seems poised to, yet again, welcome this event with open arms. But citizens who care about the parks, air quality, access to city streets and parking spaces should be concerned about the lack of information that the impact this four-day event has on the downtown.
The only notice for this event is a flyer I received March 1 from the organizers for an exemption to the city’s noise bylaw, as I live near the bandshell on Veteran’s Drive. There are many other residences, condos, apartment buildings and houses on both sides of Lake Victoria that suffer the disruption, pollution and noise until 11 p.m. Not all of them got
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Vimy Ridge, Terry Fox’s run, Laura Secord’s walk, Sidney Crosby’s 2010 Golden Goal, Connor McDavid’s recreation just last month in the 4 Nations Face-Off, Gander’s hospitality after 9/11, the Kitchen Accords, Banting’s breakthrough in my hometown of London, Ont.
Tommy freaking Douglas.
Our nation has seen eucatastrophe before but it has never, ever, ever happened on accident. We have never just stumbled into it. Eucatastrophe has only ever been possible because when Canadians have been face to face with catastrophe, they have fought against it. This time around, as we face a catastrophe like never before, we can’t just sit and wait for the sudden change from bad to good. That’s not what Canadians have done in the past and that is certainly not what Canadians want to do now.
A catastrophe may be around the corner for us. In fact, it is hard to imagine that catastrophe won’t crash into our world – yet eucatastrophe might also be in our future if we fight for it.
It’s a moot point at this point, when Canadians are so united already, but it needs to be said regardless: Elbows up everyone.
the notice.
The event involves closing Cobourg Street, Veterans Drive, part of Erie Street and the entire York Street parking lot for four days. Eighty metered parking spaces, including three handicapped spaces, are hooded. Public parkland is restricted and the rib vendors – who are not local businesses but travel throughout Ontario leaving unknown, if any, economic benefit behind – generate air pollution, as greasy smoke wafts east over Lake Victoria and its parkland.
City staff tell me this will be considered on a “consent agenda” at council, the date not yet set. But staff, nor the organizers, ever bothered to inform residents that the request for a liquor licence had already been on a council agenda a week before the notice I received. This year, as last year, the event was rubber-stamped at the board of park management as an “annual perpetual event in the park system” without public notice or input. When the noise bylaw exemption does go to council, it would be respectful for citizens to know that members of council, whose businesses may be sponsors (as was the case last year), will recuse themselves from voting. Last year, the city itself was advertised in this paper as a sponsor. One wonders how any voting can be done objec-
Conservatives promise lower taxes, but at what cost?
Dear Editor,
The leader of the Conservatives has declared that, if elected, he will cut taxes on lower income earners.
I wonder what social programs, benefits, and other
tively if members of council are sponsors.
After last year’s iteration, my request (through an FOI) for a debriefing of the event from city staff yielded none. It is in the public interest to know the costs and benefits, if any, of an event which is so disruptive to its downtown. Such a review should be done prior to any voting.
Like when the circus comes to town, an event like this should be held outside downtown Stratford. There, parking would be plenty, it wouldn’t occupy public streets and parks, food vendors would have a captive audience and the noise and greasy barbecue rib smoke would affect fewer residents of Stratford.
Here are the contacts for the event, city staff and council.
• Stratford Live Music and Food committee, stratfordliveinfo@gmail.com
• Mayor and council, https://forms.stratford.ca/ IT-Services/CAO-Mayor-Council/Email City-Council
• Tim Wolfe, director of community services, twolfe@stratford.ca
I urge you to contact the city and ask for a review of the costs and benefits of this event.
Robert Lemon, Stratford
services essential to these people’s lives Pierre Poilievre would ax, if elected, to pay for these cuts?
Sincerely, Julia Schneider, Stratford
STRATFORD
Is Stratford getting too dense? Residents express concern with new builds in four public meetings
CONNOR LUCZKA
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Last month, four public meetings were held on proposed builds in the City of Stratford. While many residents praised the creation of much-needed housing, many others expressed concern over one crucial aspect: density.
The four properties, located at 156 Albert St., 576 O’Loane Ave., 1296 O’Loane Ave., and 963 O’Loane Ave. are all of varying densities. The Albert Street proposal would convert an old funeral parlour into 12 apartment units, 576 O’Loane would create 141 street townhouse units, 1296 O’Loane would create 56 single-detached houses and 109 street townhouse units, and 963 O’Loane would create 38 apartment units spread out over three buildings.
Over the course of these public meetings, held on March 20 and 24, many neighbours expressed concern over what these builds will bring to their neighbourhoods, the lack of parkland, the small size of townhouses with even smaller yards, the traffic on the streets closest to them, and the safety of their children as they cross roads that are yet to have sidewalks installed, for instance.
Speaking on 1296 O’Loane, one resident put it simply when he asked why the proposed subdivision has to be so heavily populated.
“It’s not Toronto,” Moe Biasin said. “It’s not Kitchener. You have developers coming from these cities creating a city density to create those cities. And it's not a necessary thing. It seems a little excessive. … The people that are developing these ar-
First past the what?
NATHAN BEAN
Times Contributor
This year will be the year of elections for Ontarians. We just wrapped up a winter provincial election and we’re already scheduled for a spring federal election. With all this voting going on, it might be helpful to understand how we vote.
So, what is first past the post?
First past the post, or FPTP, is the electoral system used in Canada, all 10 provinces and many Commonwealth nations. Originating from the United Kingdom, FPTP is named after, of all things, horse racing.
To determine which horse won a given race, the judges would watch to see which horse passed the finish line, marked by a post, first. Now, this antiquated electoral system, used initially to determine the winners of a horse race, is used to select the leaders of our country.
In this winner-takes-all system, the candidate with the most votes wins. This candidate does not need a majority of votes, just a plurality. A plurality is when someone gets more votes than any other candidate, but they do not have more than 50 per cent of the votes. When you hear about a minority federal government, the largest party has a plurality of seats but not the majority of seats in the House of Commons.
In a two-party country like the USA, a plurality is almost always a majority. You either vote Democrat or Republican, and the winner will have a majority. In a multi-party country like Canada, this is much less likely.
At the federal level in Canada, you can vote for the Green Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party, or any other registered party. The odds of any candidate receiving a majority of votes are very low. When a candidate wins with only a plurality, it can be considered a "false majority."
These "false majorities" are where the
eas; they don't live here. They don't have investment in Stratford. It's hurtful.”
Adam Betteridge, director of building and planning with the city, said although the city’s official plan (OP), a broad guiding document for city staff, has density targets within, it does not reflect the current need for housing.
“Our official plan was adopted in 2016, it’s different now,” Betteridge said. “It’s going on 10 years ago. There’s talk about children playing in parks but we’re also talking about children struggling with their parents to find places to live and rest their head at night.”
The OP is currently undergoing a lengthy review process, and until it is approved by council and codified for planning staff, the department will have to balance provincial expec-
tations set out by the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS) and the outdated OP. While city councillors did not comment on the density of these projects, as the meetings were held to hear from the public, many have expressed that density is needed in Stratford as the region grows and the tax levy continues to expand.
Councillors will have a chance to debate these proposals, and the greater question of density in Stratford, when each project comes to council at a later date.
Comments made during the public meetings were noted by staff. Any comments received before or after will be included in the staff report provided to council when they make decisions on each of the four zone change applications.
problems with FPTP exist. In many ridings across Canada, candidates are elected with less than 50 per cent of the vote. That means in those ridings, most people did not want the winning candidate elected. In the 2021 federal election, 215 or 64 per cent of all members of parliament were elected with less than 50 per cent of votes.
One of the worst examples of this was the riding of Nanaimo-Ladysmith in British Columbia. The residents of that riding elected Lisa Marie Barron from the NDP as their MP with only 28.8 per cent of the vote. That means over 71 per cent of people did not want Barron as their MP.
These common “false majorities” are a substantial flaw with FPTP. As a result, electors resort to strategic voting. This type of voting is based on voting for the party that most closely represents your beliefs but also has a reasonable chance of winning.
People also commonly use this voting method to prevent one candidate from being elected rather than voting for their preferred candidate.
FPTP’s flaws lead to voter apathy, a real issue in Canada; not enough people feel their vote matters. But as the numbers show, their votes do, in fact, matter.
Across the province, only 45.4 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot in the February provincial election. If “did not vote” was a party, they would have handily won almost every riding. This group of voters would have easily won in both Oxford and Kitchener-Conestoga.
Until our electoral system changes, we must work with what we have and make the most of this problematic system.
If we want a system that truly reflects our voices, it starts with participation. So, let’s show up, cast our ballots and make democracy work for us.
If you need some motivation, repeat the wise words of The Little Engine That Could: “I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.”
Letter to the Editor
Stratford council needs to revisit 2025 tax increase amid tariffs
We agree with Joani Gerber of investStratford (March 21) that while the full impact of the proposed U.S. tariffs are unclear, they will be significant and will be felt by not just the auto industry and its workers, but by virtually every business sector and their workers.
Like Ms. Gerber, we believe Stratford residents and our many employers recognize the seriousness of the potential impacts and are doing all they can to prepare for them, in part by reducing or eliminating activities and expenditures that are “nice to do” and focusing on those that are “must do.”
We are very disappointed that at a time when people and businesses are examining their plans and budgets to identify the “need to do,” the City of Stratford has not stepped up to say it is reviewing the 2025 budget with a similar approach (according to the Feb. 21 edition of the Stratford Times the 2025 budget is $86,038,828, an increase of $5.948,452 or 7.4 per cent from the 2024 budget of $80,090,376).
We believe council should focus on the
“must do” and take steps to reduce or even eliminate that increase. These include, but are by no means limited to, a hiring freeze (the budget provides for more than a dozen new hires), a freeze on acquisition of new vehicles or equipment, no use of contractors or consultants to “temporarily fill” staff vacancies or undertake new projects, and travel restrictions for both council and staff.
Council could also decide not to make any additions to fiscal reserves (at a time when many individuals, families and businesses will be drawing upon their savings, and the city should not seek to increase its reserves), or to forego the 3 per-cent increase in remuneration approved for 2025.
We have written to the mayor and council to request that they urgently not just review, but to reduce the 2025 budget, and we encourage others to do the same. The email contact page for the mayor and council can be found at: https://forms. stratford.ca/IT-Services/CAO-Mayor-Council/Email-City-Council.
Patrick and Mary O’Rourke, Stratford
Ballinran Entertainment strikes deal with Rogers tv Waterloo Region for more dedicated Stratford content
GALEN SIMMONS Regional Editor
Area residents who tune in to watch Rogers tv Waterloo Region could soon be seeing more content related to Stratford after the local TV provider agreed to expand its partnership with Stratford film-and-television production company Ballinran Entertainment.
Since 2020, Ballinran and Rogers tv have partnered on the annual Stratford Perth Remembers Remembrance Day live broadcast from the Stratford Cenotaph produced by Ballinran and distributed by Rogers tv across the region. This annual production has become widely recognized for its exceptional quality and high production standards.
With the expansion of this partnership, Rogers tv will now broadcast Ballinran's popular podcast, The Stratford Slice, three times each week. Additionally, viewers will gain access to Ballinran’s distinctive short documentaries or mi-
cro docs, auction broadcasts and various community-focused programming showcasing the vibrant culture and notable personalities of Stratford and its surrounding region.
“It means that Stratford has an outlet for stories that originate here and it’s another audience,” Ballinran president and executive producer Craig Thompson said. “In addition to what Ballinran already has, they’re also looking for new content. Because Rogers, under the (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) regulations, is a community channel, they cannot pay for programming, so they have to use the PBS or TVO model where they do billboards – ‘the following programming is made possible by blank.’
“So, we have the opportunity to create new content with community partners in Stratford, but it has to be funded and advertising driven.”
By offering some of its local productions on Rogers tv, Ballinran Entertain-
ment has increased its reach. Combining the social-media presence of both organizations will also help to cultivate an even wider audience for this programming. Moreover, the enhanced collaboration provides valuable opportunities for local businesses and brands through targeted sponsorship, supporting the development of new and impactful productions.
Not only will Rogers broadcast Stratford content on its television channel, but Thompson says there is also an opportunity for local content to be shared on Rogers tv Waterloo Region’s YouTube channel and streaming platform.
"Rogers tv has a long and proud history of community engagement,” said Rogers tv Waterloo Region station manager Patti Berardi in a press release. “Our continued collaboration with a respected local production studio like Ballinran allows us to enhance our programming lineup. Our viewers benefit from this expanded partnership through engaging, locally produced content that speaks directly to
their interests and experiences."
Thompson says this is another way for Stratford content producers to share uniquely Stratford stories with a larger audience in the surrounding region.
“We have to come together collectively and collaborate on what kind of ideas will work for Rogers, and then how to fund it through advertising or sponsorships,” Thompson said. “Right now, the content partnership is for all of our existing and pre-funded programming, but if anybody has a good idea and a way of paying for it, we have a carte-blanche to produce stuff for Rogers.”
Companies and brands interested in sponsorship opportunities are encouraged to connect early to be part of this initiative which comes at a time when Stratford must look to expand its focus on attracting regional visitors from southwestern Ontario.
For more information on becoming a sponsor, contact Ballinran Entertainment directly at action@ballinran.com.
Longtime Stratford police Sgt. Matthew Peck awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal
Stratford Police Service Sgt. Matthew Peck has been awarded the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of more than two decades of public service, volunteerism and leadership in the Stratford community.
Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae presented the medal to Peck on the afternoon of March 26 during a ceremony at his Perth-Wellington constituency office, where Peck was joined by members of his family.
“Matthew has proven himself to be an integral part of the Stratford police force and a caring and active member of the community,” Rae said in a press release. “As an active member of local minor sports associations and, in his professional capacity, a major proponent for days of remembrance throughout the community, Matthew has clearly made significant contributions to the wellbeing of our community. It is an honour to recognize his contributions to Ontario and Canada with a King Charles III Coronation Medal.”
Peck, who has served with the Stratford Police Service for over 22 years, said he was deeply honoured to receive the award.
“I am thankful and honoured that someone took the time to nominate me,” he said. “I am even more grateful to receive it. I have found that as I have moved through the different stages of my life and career, that becoming involved in your community through volunteer work can be such a rewarding experience. It can be good for one’s perspective. It does not always take a lot
of time or effort, and even small amounts can make a difference.”
Among his many contributions, Peck has volunteered with Stratford Minor Hockey and Stratford Minor Soccer, he serves on the board of directors for the Emily Murphy Centre, and he has led initiatives encouraging fellow officers to engage with the community. These include organizing police participation in Remembrance Day ceremonies, the Ontario Police Memorial and the Canadian Police Memorial.
“As public servants, police officers are committed to helping people, keeping our communities safe and solving problems,” said Stratford police Chief Greg Skinner. “It can often be a thankless job, but still, we try very hard to make a positive difference and enjoy the little wins that contribute to making our communities a better place to live, work and raise our families.
“Not only does Matt contribute to his community through his chosen profession as a police officer but also through his selfless commitment to volunteerism. Young people look for role models and mentors in their lives – someone to look up to, to emulate and follow. Matt is one of those people not only in the community but also in the police service. I congratulate Matt on this incredible achievement and appreciate what he does on a daily basis to professionally and positively represent the City of Stratford and the Stratford Police Service.”
To be eligible for the King Charles III Coronation Medal, recipients must have made significant contributions to Canada, Ontario, their region or community, or have achieved something abroad that brings credit to the country. Nominees must have been alive on May 6, 2023 – the date of His Majesty’s coronation.
GALEN SIMMONS
Regional Editor
Stratford police Sgt. Matthew Peck accepts his King Charles III Coronation Medal from Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae at a ceremony in Stratford March 26.
(MATTHEW RAE PHOTO)
Meet your candidates: John Nater of the Conservative Party
MP John Nater says that coming into this election there are many commitments he and his party are making. The first and number one commitment is one he has made every election.
“The number one commitment, the number one promise I make every election, is that I will work hard on behalf of the people of Perth-Wellington,” Nater said. “That is my first commitment. That is my number one priority. You will get my hard work, my dedication to this community each and every day, should I have the honour of continuing to serve as your Member of Parliament.”
Nater is Perth-Wellington’s Conservative Party candidate and the incumbent in the upcoming federal election scheduled for April 28. He has served as the riding’s MP since 2015, when the current Liberal government first formed under then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Much has changed in the last nearly 10 years and as Nater starts his campaign knocking on doors, he is hearing one issue overall: affordability.
“And then, you know, making those concerns even worse is the threat of tariffs,” Nater said. “The threats from Trump south of the border is just one of those overwhelming challenges that kind of gets layered on top of all the other challenges that folks are experiencing right now.”
In response to the rising cost of living, Nater said his party is unveiling its complete platform as the month-long election period goes along. As of press time, Na-
ter shared a number of initiatives a Pierre Poilievre-led Conservative government would make, including scrapping GST on new housing builds, taking the carbon tax off completely (rather than just the con-
sumer portion which the Liberals have already scrapped), and supports for seniors.
“We've got some broad policies focused on public safety, public security, fixing the budget to make sure that, you know, we're not leaving future generations with an untenable burden of debt,” Nater said.
In regard to removing GST from new housing, Poilievre had earlier announced that move would be funded by his government scrapping the $4-billion Housing Accelerator Fund, a federal program that is meant to support municipalities grow their housing stocks, entirely.
Nater said that loss won’t be felt in the region at all. No municipality in the region had ever been successful in securing funding.
Additionally, Nater said any recipient of the Liberal government’s dentalcare and pharmacare plans will not lose access to those programs under a Conservative government.
“I will work hard on behalf of each and every person in every community, in every corner of Perth-Wellington, whether I'm in government or wherever I'm in opposition,” Nater said. “I hope that folks have seen that over the last nine-and-ahalf years that I will fight and advocate on their behalf regardless of where I sit in the House of Commons. But obviously we're into an election, and elections are about making that choice, and we're obviously putting forward a strong, positive vision for Canada.”
Meet your candidates: David Mackey of the Liberal Party
Though the federal riding of Perth-Wellington has been decidedly blue since its creation in 2004, David Mackey has “no doubt” it is winnable for the Liberal Party this year.
“In 2015, in addition to what was going on locally, the winds were blowing in a good direction for the Liberal Party,” Mackey said. “Those winds are blowing the right way right now outside of Perth-Wellington. What will put us over the top is the local effort. So, all of the volunteers that are coming in, all of the donations that are coming in, which I'm very, very grateful for; we have to work within Perth-Wellington to take the winds that are blowing the right way and put it over the top.”
Mackey is the Liberal candidate in the upcoming April 28 election. He lives in Stratford, where in the past he has volunteered with the Stratford Public Library and the Perth District Health Unit (now called Huron Perth Public Health). He current- ly serves on the library board. He said he decided to run in
this federal election after trying to find a candidate for his party and a friend told him he should step up himself. After realizing he had the skills to serve in the front row rather than as support, he put his hand up.
As Mackey said, the Liberal Party and the landscape of this year’s looming federal election has changed drastically over the course of last year and 2025 as well – not least due to the resignation of then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the rise of Prime Minister Mark Carney, who won a decisive leadership race and assumed office on March 14.
Mackey said with time-honoured Liberal values and a new dynamic leader, the Liberals are posed to be the best party for the riding and Canada overall. He called Carney a leader in every sense of the word, rather than a politician.
When asked about priorities going into this election, he said any initiatives need to be balanced on both sides: revenue and expenses.
“You have to look at both of those, so the issues are balanced,”
Mackey said. “You know, there's some trade-offs. You have to start with a stable, growing economy because you cannot afford to look after any of the social services that we want if you don't have that revenue side.”
Specifically, Mackey mentioned the modernization of health care and improving affordability as priorities for him going into this election but stressed balance between revenue and expenses will be a throughline throughout the party’s comprehensive platform.
When asked about the anti-incumbency trend going around the world right now, and whether or not a Liberal government in power for nearly 10 years can survive, Mackey pushed back on the idea that the Liberals are an incumbent party this election. He asserted that although the core values are the same, with Mark Carney’s leadership win, it is a “completely different environment.”
“This is a completely different leader. This is a completely different Liberal Party,” Mackey argued.
CONNOR LUCZKA
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
MP John Nater is the Conservative Party candidate, and the incumbent, in the federal election on April 28.
David Mackey is the Liberal Party candidate for Perth-Wellington in the upcoming federal election on April 28.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
CONNOR LUCZKA
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Meet your candidates: Kevin Kruchkywich of the New Democratic Party
In a world as divisive as ever, Kevin Kruchkywich says a “politics of compassion” is what the New Democratic Party (NDP) is offering.
“I think we offer an approach that takes care of working Canadians and takes care of Canadian jobs, and has a plan to bring industry back to this country using our own resources and our own people and our own know-how,” Kruchkywich said. “I think we are a very Canadian party, and we always have been, and I think we are a party that will take care of people – and now more than ever, we need that in our country.”
Kruchkywich is the Perth-Wellington NDP candidate for this year’s federal election coming up on April 28. He moved to Stratford nearly 13 years ago with his wife, working as an actor and as a general contractor in that time. Now that an election has been called, he is eager to get on the campaign trail.
Affordability and the threats U.S. President Donald Trump have repeatedly made, both in regard to tariffs on Canadian goods and Canada’s sovereignty, are key issues for Kruchkywich this election. He said these issues stand to affect the people who are struggling the most and the NDP offers “real change.”
“I think they need a voice that's going to speak for them, not just for industries and corporations,” Kruchkywich said. “We're talking about how we can not just help in-
dustry but help people.”
Specifically, Kruckywich said the NDP have a plan to protect unionized jobs, use federal land to create rent-control housing
and an expansion of the dentalcare and pharmacare plans that were pushed through this Liberal government due to NDP intervention, as well as moving into mental-health care.
Kruchkywich also said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is the best person to deal with Trump, saying the leader won’t acquiesce in standing up for Canadians.
There is a concern that the Liberal Party, with newly selected leader Mark Carney as Prime Minister, will bleed the NDP more this election than the last federal elections, but Kruchkywich said that is always a concern and something which is spoken about each election. He called it fearmongering.
“People are willing to listen, and if people are willing to not accept the status quo, then the NDP is the choice to make. … What if we vote NDP and try something different for a change?
“I'm confident. I'm hopeful,” Kruchkywich continued. “I'm hopeful that we've been laying the groundwork that we can eventually convince voters who vote in a traditional way to listen to a different option. You know, sometimes you get people who just vote a certain way because they've always voted that way, and they don't put as much thought into it as you hope. And so, you spend your time talking about different options and maybe having people open their eyes to what is possible.”
Meet your candidates: Wayne Baker of the People’s Party of Canada
Keeping government small and business big is key to Canada’s future, according to Wayne Baker.
Baker, a small business owner from Arthur and the former president of the Arthur Chamber of Commerce, is the People’s Party of Canada (PPC) candidate for Perth-Wellington during the April 28 federal election.
Heading into this election, he said the PPC’s top priority is immigration.
“Our population is roughly 30 million in 2015. It’s 40 million now,” Baker said. “The infrastructure to accommodate that 30 percent increase in the population has not kept pace. … That’s why we're seeing huge shortages in housing, huge shortages in health care, issues with our education, issues with our infrastructure. That's the party's perspective.”
In response, the party has vowed to institute a moratorium on immigration until the country is able to catch up, Baker said.
“From a personal perspective, an issue that's even bigger and an issue that actually drives our affordability problems … it's government, the size of our government and the overreach of our government,” Baker continued. “Government overreach is a huge, huge factor.”
Another key issue this election for Canadians is the threats U.S. President Donald
Trump has made to Canada’s economy and sovereignty. Baker said the issue as a whole stems from how the governing Liberal Party has “grossly mismanaged government” for nearly 10 years and that Trump sees vulnerability.
“What we should have been doing for the
last 10 years is building pipelines and access to the shorelines, both shores,” Baker said. What Baker called the “environmental narrative,” climate change, is something he also discussed. He said as Canada relies on fossil fuels given its size and geography, emissions should not be shied away from – though ac-
knowledged that change should come over time.
“I believe our carbon, carbon-based fuels, (are) a finite resource,” Baker said. “I believe that we need to develop technologies and encourage that development to gradually wean ourselves off of that resource. We can't do it overnight, and we can't tax our way into doing that. Those two things are counterproductive.”
During this election cycle, other political parties have drawn attention to a perceived connection in rhetoric between Trump and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as an attack on the Conservatives. When asked whether he was nervous that Trump’s unfavourability in Canada might harm a rightwing party like the PPC, Baker claimed the PPC was not right-wing, but centrist.
He further argued the country is in a dangerous place in regard to an “insane drive towards socialism” and far-left extremism promoted by the media.
In response to whether he can flip this historically Conservative riding purple, Baker remained optimistic.
“The first PPC election, the percentage was one per cent. The second was 10 per cent,” Baker said. “The team I had and myself, we managed to get up to 10 per cent of the population, or 10 per cent of the voters. If we carry on that trend, then the joke is we'll hit 100 per cent next time.”
CONNOR LUCZKA
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Kevin Kruchkywich is the New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for Perth-Wellington in the federal election on April 28.
Wayne Baker is the People’s Party of Canada (PPC) candidate for Perth-Wellington in the upcoming federal election on April 28.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
It’s another year of wins for United Way Perth-Huron – and a surprise win for executive director Ryan Erb
The United Way Perth-Huron (UWPH) has continued the trend of setting fundraising records year after year, announcing the region once again raised more money for the most vulnerable than ever before.
At its celebration for the 20242025 annual fundraising campaign at the Arden Park Hotel on March 27, the organization revealed that donors, volunteers and the community raised $2,356,497, slightly above last year’s record-setting total of $2,331,057.
Although short of the just over $2.6-million goal, combined with a further $542,050 raised for United Housing, a separate organization started by UWPH to address the housing crisis, $2,898,547 was raised in total for the 2024-2025 annual campaign.
“Our locally raised and invested funds are imperative to the collaborative good work of United Way and making communities stronger,” said Kristin Sainsbury, co-chair of this year’s campaign with John Wolfe, at the celebration. “We're excited to see the impact funds raised this year will have on the lives of our
neighbours, friends, family and even ourselves.
“I want to just thank all of you because, as everyone has said, it takes a community to contribute – some small, some large – but all of it together has collectively helped us to meet this incredible goal,” Sainsbury went on to say.
“It may sound cliché, but our donors and volunteers really are what makes our organization tick,” said Ryan Erb, executive director of UWPH, in a media release. “There are so many challenges we face as a region that are beyond our control. Despite that, the people of Perth-Huron continue to support the work we’re doing. We are grateful for the trust our community places in United Way to help deliver important programs and services.”
It was a win for Erb that evening, too. Erb was surprised with the King Charles III’s Coronation Medal, one of the greatest awards for community advancement in Canada.
As the packed dining room of the hotel erupted in a standing ovation, Erb thanked the “incredible kindness” of his staff and the way they all uplift each other day-to-day, as well as the generosity of the community.
“We can’t do it alone,” Erb put succinctly.
In addition to Erb, volunteer spirit awards from UWPH were presented to Gerry Bell, David Clarke, Barry Hutten, Cindi Jones, April Selkirk, Eva Sippel, Tom Soltys, Robert Stanton and Grace Theophilopoulos. The Avon Maitland District School Board, McCann Redi-Mix, Goderich Mayor Trevor Bazinet, Goderich councillor Randy Carroll, and Kerry Prober and her teams at McDonald’s in Stratford and St. Marys received community spirit awards.
FIO Automotive Canada once again topped the list of workplace fundraising campaigns, raising $192,194. This total included a dollar-for-dollar corporate match from FIO.
Every year, regional United Way organizations undertake exhaustive fundraising campaigns that go to local issues at the heart of what the charity is dedicated to. In the region of Perth-Huron, the United Way provides funds and services towards “unignorable issues” like lack of housing, low income, mental health, access to services, intimate partner violence, food insecurity and discrimination.
The Salvation Army’s Easter Food Drive returns April 12 at Sobeys and Giant Tiger
food bank’s supply ahead of the quieter summer months.
As shelves begin to thin from the generosity of the Christmas season, the Salvation Army in Stratford is gearing up for its annual Easter Food Drive – a much-needed effort to replenish the local
“This is our last big push before summer,” said Jennifer Morris, community services manager for the Salvation Army Stratford and St. Marys Regional Community Ministries. “Once the warmer weather arrives, donations drop off sig-
nificantly. People go on vacation, schedules shift and food insecurity doesn't stop – but giving often does.”
The Easter Food Drive will take place Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Giant Tiger and Sobeys in Stratford. Community members are invited to drop off non-perishable food and hygiene items. Volunteers from the Stratford Police Service and members of Families In Operation (FIO) will be onsite to assist, creating an energetic, collaborative atmosphere rooted in compassion.
The food drive is not only a seasonal tradition – it’s a lifeline. Everything collected stays local, supporting individuals and families across Stratford and its surrounding rural communities, including Sebringville, Shakespeare and St. Pauls. On average, the food bank serves 100 households every month, and that number continues to grow.
In 2024, the Stratford Salvation Army gave out over 67,000 pounds of food. However, the donations received fell short, which is why the kettle campaign is so important for when the organization needs to dip into their cash reserves to fill the gap.
“We try to keep hampers consistent so people can rely on them,” Morris said. “It
helps them budget – if they know we’ll have cereal, snacks, or eggs, they can plan accordingly. And we customize where we can, especially for those with allergies or dietary needs.”
Clients can book an appointment to access a monthly hamper, which includes non-perishables, fresh produce, frozen meats and donated bakery items. The process is discreet, thoughtful and personalized.
This Easter, the top-priority items include:
• oatmeal
• canned fruit
• canned pasta
• crackers
• lunch snacks
Donations of hygiene products such as shampoo, deodorant, body wash and tampons are also in high demand. Morris gently reminds donors to check expiry dates and ensure items are unopened. The event is more than just a food drive; it’s become a community moment.
A local band will return to Sobeys this year, bringing live music and joy to donors and volunteers alike. What started as a simple gesture has grown into an anticipated part of the event.
CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Ryan Erb, executive director of United Way Perth-Huron, looks onto a standing ovation at the Arden Park Hotel on March 28. Erb was surprised on stage with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, one of the greatest honours for community advancement in Canada, after years of service with the organization.
(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)
JULIA PAUL Times Correspondent
Bailey’s delivers local: Keeping farmers and families connected
When Maryrose Ivanco announced her plans to retire from Bailey’s Local Foods after 15 years, many of its loyal customers may have quietly wondered if it was the end of an era.
Thankfully, local entrepreneur and community advocate Rob Puschelberg had other plans.
“I couldn’t see it just go away,” said Puschelberg, who officially took over the beloved online farmers’ market in January of 2024. “Bailey’s has such a rippling effect between local farms and consumers – it’s an ecosystem worth protecting.”
Puschelberg is no stranger to the Bailey’s operation. His company, Toad (Take Out and Delivery), had been handling deliveries for Bailey’s for three and a half years prior to him taking it over. That time gave him a unique perspective on the business and, perhaps more importantly, an appreciation for what it means to the community.
Bailey’s began humbly in 2008, the brainchild of Nina Bailey-Dick and her father, Wendell Bailey. Inspired by the “100-Mile Diet” movement and launched from a family carport, it was a simple buying club focused on healthy, local, organic food. Over time and through the efforts of passionate contributors like Ivanco and co-owner Rachel Ward, Bailey’s evolved into a fully operational online farmers’ market connecting over 125 local pro -
ducers to households across the region.
Through its website, Bailey’s offers customers access to a carefully curated selection of locally grown and produced goods –from organic beets to maple syrup and farm-fresh eggs. Around 80 per cent of their products are sourced from within 100 kilometres, with the remaining 20 per cent covering items not readily available locally.
From the beginning, Bailey’s has remained committed to supporting local farms, especially those using natural or organic practices. Farmers are empowered to set their own prices and harvest to order, which helps reduce waste and ensures peak freshness. As Ivanco put it, “It literally comes from the farm
and hours later it’s at people’s homes.”
Bailey’s also plays a crucial role in reconnecting consumers with where their food comes from – a relationship that has grown more distant over generations. With an FAQ section, producer map and farm bios online, Bailey’s makes transparency part of the shopping experience.
For customers, it’s more than a shopping trip. It’s an opportunity to align their values with their purchases: local, organic, sustainable and community focused. It also helps that the prices are increasingly competitive with conventional grocery stores, with some Bailey’s baskets reportedly coming in under big-box prices in recent comparisons.
The mantra for Bailey’s has
Queer Book of the Month Club
ALIDA LEMIEUX Stratford Public Library
Broughtupsy, by Christina Cooke
@SPL: FIC Cooke
Broughtupsy is the debut novel from Christina Cooke, a Jamaican-born Canadian author based in New York City. The title refers to the Jamaican word for upbringing or good manners, and this short coming-ofage novel is one that explores the complexities of family, home, identity, and grief. Twenty-year-old Akúa’s kid brother Bryson has recently died from sickle cell disease in Vancouver, the same disease that claimed their mother’s life ten years earlier in Jamaica. Grieving her brother and a breakup with her girlfriend, Akúa buys a one-way ticket to Jamaica to reconnect with her estranged older sister, Tamika. Cooke’s immersive writing style transports the reader to Kingston, Jamaica as the sisters visit numerous haunts from their childhoods and spread Bryson’s ashes (much to Tamika’s horror). The dialogue is thick
never been more relevant than it is today, and that is Bailey’s offers the ability get healthy, locally grown and/or produced food for either pickup or delivery, all on demand. Customers just order and they take care of the rest.
And just recently added to the mix of offerings is a Bailey’s partnership with a local butcher to offer great prices on locally raised meat (beef, pork, lamb or goat) in various quantity selections.
Under Puschelberg’s leadership, Bailey’s will continue its mission while strengthening community ties in new ways.
One of the first steps? Partnering with OUR Community Dollar, another initiative by Puschelberg that allows customers to pay 10 per cent of their order using local community currency. It’s another way Bailey’s is putting its money where its mouth is – circulating dollars within the local economy to support the people who grow and produce our food.
“We want to be the one-stop shop for customers looking for locally grown or produced items,” Puschelberg said. “And we want those items to be as clean and healthy as possible – no chemicals, hormones, or steroids.”
Puschelberg is energized by the opportunity to take the torch from Maryrose and Rachel.
“It doesn’t get any more local than local farms,” he said.
“This gives
with Jamaican patois, which challenged me to read slower and really hear the characters speak. There are lots of references to Jamaican music, food, folk tales and the cultural icon Miss Lou: a toe-dip into Jamaican culture that is sure to leave some readers wanting more.
Tension runs throughout Broughtupsy, often conveyed by what the characters don’t say out loud. Akúa feels pulled between cultures and countries, and craves connection with a sister she doesn’t really understand or agree with. After a decade apart, Akúa is still baffled and hurt by Tamika’s decision to return to Jamaica at 16, leaving the rest of the family to start a new life in Texas and then Vancouver. Tamika is very religious and denounces Akúa’s lesbian lifestyle. And while Akúa is defiant about her sexuality, even striking up a steamy relationship with a stripper named Jayda, she comes face to face with the ramifications of being openly gay in 1990s Kingston. This brings the otherwise slow-paced story to a dramatic and dangerous conclusion.
people a chance to get everything they need without driving to 20 different farm stands. Let us do that instead.”
That philosophy is exactly why Bailey’s has continued to resonate with customers from all walks of life.
“Our people get that piece of it,” Ivanco said. “They understand that buying local isn't just about what's on your plate. It's about who it supports, how it’s grown and the kind of community we’re choosing to build.”
As Bailey’s enters this new chapter, there’s a deep sense of continuity and optimism. While the founders and longtime stewards step back, the mission remains the same, to make it easier and more rewarding for people to eat well and shop local.
For those who’ve been part of the Bailey’s journey from the start, and for newcomers just discovering it, one thing is clear, local food has a strong future and it's being delivered with care. Delivery is currently available to Kitchener, Waterloo and Stratford with plans to branch out to adjoining areas.
Local farmers and producers who would like to list their items on Bailey's platform can email info@baileyslocalfoods.ca for more information.
To shop or learn more, visit www.baileyslocalfoods.ca.
Weekend Quiz
By Jake Grant
1. What is the birthstone for April?
2. Where did the SS Edmund Fitzgerald sink?
3. What does CNN stand for?
4. What U.S president served 4 terms?
5. What was Blackbeard’s real name?
6. How many continents are there?
7. Peabody Museum of Natural History is located at what University?
8. What is the only country lemurs are native to?
9. A perfect game of bowling consists of how many points?
10. Star Wars "Revenge of the Sith" celebrates 20 years on what day?
SCOTT DUNSTALL Times Contributor
Bailey’s Local Foods, a food-delivery service that specializes in local, healthy and organic meats and produce, is now under new ownership.
(BAILEY’S LOCAL FOODS PHOTO)
Social and interactive Third Age Learning series for seniors launches in Stratford
GALEN SIMMONS Regional Editor
Stratford seniors now have the opportunity to learn new skills and information about topics that matter to them, all while building social connections and engaging in interactive course material following the launch of the Stratford Third Age Learning (S3AL) series.
Throughout April and into May, Stratford seniors who have previously signed up for the program will participate in one or more of four classes taught by members of the community and held in person at the Falstaff Family Centre.
“(These types of courses) started 30 years ago in London and I joined a knitter course the second or third year they were going, and really enjoyed it,” said Jean Hewitt, a member of the S3AL steering committee who is also leading a course called Aging Wisely as part of the series in Stratford this month. “Then, my own father got dementia. He was in England and, because I was so interested in brain health, I hooked up with the research going on in Britain – they’re ahead of us in that. Their demographics have more old people than we do and they were just hitting that tsunami of dementias.
“So, I was interested in that and stayed interested in brain deterioration because I was an educator. I taught teachers how
our responsibility as teachers is to grow young brains. The decline in the brain was just the other side of the coin and when my own husband got Lewy body dementia, we had one granddaughter who was just learning to dress herself as he was forgetting how to dress himself.”
In 2010, Hewitt said she was speaking with Stratford resident and owner of the Falstaff Family Centre Loreena McKennitt about the third-age learning courses for seniors in London, and suggested a similar series of educational courses for seniors would be a good fit for the family centre in Stratford. Hewitt’s husband, however, quickly began requiring 24/7 care and the idea was put on the back burner for more than a decade.
Nearly 14 years later after her husband passed and after pandemic restrictions were in the rearview, Hewitt established the S3AL steering committee with about 20 members, all of whom were interested in having Hewitt lead a course on aging, which she facilitated last October.
“It was so popular, we had a waiting list and we could have filled three classes,” Hewitt said. “The whole idea of this type of learning … is the most important learning for seniors to maintain after 65 is to do with active learning. Yes, you can sit down and do a crossword, but first of all, that’s recall which is a lower-order skill, and you’re sitting doing it.
If you’re concerned this is the gentlest and cleanest option in Canada for your
“ … Active learning, which is what these societies all over the world are doing, … is based on the idea that seniors, when they retire, must maintain active learning, so that means they’re learning new things, they’re interacting, they’re expressing themselves. And Stratford has quite a retirement community, and I said we need that. We have wonderful fitness classes, we have lots of lectures, which are okay, but we don’t have courses where you go specifically to do readings and to study some things and to learn.”
While the concept of active learning has been proven to help seniors maintain their brain health longer into old age, these courses have an added social benefit for seniors, giving them an opportunity to learn alongside other people in their age bracket and discuss the topics and skills they’re learning with their new peers, thereby breaking the cycle of isolation many seniors suffer from.
“In the British studies, they found the seniors living on their own during the pandemic lost ground cognitively and reported high rates of depression,” Hewitt said. “The idea of active learning has a double whammy because it’s socialization; they break into small groups, pairs to discuss readings, to solve problems, so it’s very interactive.”
Thanks to the success of Hewitt’s aging course last fall, the steering committee opted to expand its S3AL offerings this spring with four courses held weekly throughout April and into May.
The first course, called Living and Dying Well, is being led by Rutherford Cremation and Funeral Services manager Stuart Lender every Friday from April 4 to May 9 from 1:30-3:45 p.m. at the Falstaff Family Centre. Lender, who has a lifelong interest in death and dying, and how those concepts affect our lives, will lead seniors in an exploration of living well and dying well through both a practical examination of what they can do to prepare themselves and how they might
view themselves and others in the context of their personal lives and the more universal boat all people are in.
The second course is called Attention Lifelong Doodlers and Others and is led by James Colbeck, a retired teacher, artist, children’s author and illustrator, every Wednesday from April 9-30 between 9:30 and 11:45 a.m. at the family centre. As the name suggests, Colbeck will lead participants as they try their hands at the art of sketching.
The third course, led by Stratford Concert Band flautist Nancy Stotts-Jones, is called Let’s Share Music and will be held every Thursday from April 10 to May 8 between 9:30 and 11:45 a.m. at the Falstaff Family Centre. In this course, participants are invited to bring their favourite piece of music with them to class. Each participant will then have a chance to share that piece of music and discuss why it is so special to them, whether it’s the piece’s unique sound that has stayed with them or a special memory associated with hearing that song for the first time.
Finally, Hewitt is once again leading her popular Aging Wisely course every Thursday from April 10 to May 8 between 1:30 and 3:45 p.m. at the family centre. In this course, Hewitt will help participants explore how they can maintain independence as they age through readings and discussion around the latest research on aging.
While there is limited space left in these courses this spring, Hewitt said the steering committee has hopes of expanding S3AL with more opportunities for learning throughout the year as well as additional courses taught by volunteer community members.
The cost for each four-, five- or sixweek course is $35, and each is limited to just 16 participants to keep class sizes small. To inquire about course availability now or in the future, and to register, email evscott@quadro.net.
Some people have called it “water cremation.” No casket or cremation container needed and no damage to the environment. There are remains from an aquamation, same as there are remains from a cremation, to be kept, placed in an urn, scattered or buried – and there is piece of mind that you gave back to the planet that sustained you.
Rutherford Cremation & Funeral Services has carried out dozens and dozens of Aquamations since we started offering it in 2022 in Southwestern Ontario. Ask us about this more gentle and responsible option.
The Salvation Army’s Easter Food Drive returns
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“They even take requests!” Morris smiled. “They’ve already asked us when the next drive is.”
This growing tradition is a testament to the spirit of Stratford residents.
“It’s humbling to see people come together from different backgrounds to support a shared goal,” said Morris. “Everyone has a role to play, whether it’s a can of soup, a few hours volunteering, or simply spreading the word.”
Can’t make it on April 12? Donations are accepted year-round at Giant Tiger’s
permanent donation bin, or at the Salvation Army office (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Interested in volunteering? Call 519-271-2950 to get involved.
To stay informed about future food drives and other support opportunities, follow The Salvation Army Stratford St. Marys Regional Community Ministries on Facebook or visit www.salarmycfs.ca.
“Go out, get your groceries and do some good,” said Morris.
A small donation may not seem like much, but together, it creates a safety net for those who need it most.
Cycle Stratford rolls into new season May 4
The 2025 season for Cycle Stratford launches May 4 with a Sunday ride leaving Market Square at 9 a.m.
The cycling club has been together in its current iteration for about 11 years with a membership of typically around 60-70 riders. Members of all ages are encouraged to join in on routes that are the right fit for their experience and skill.
Pete McDonnell, president of the cycling club, has been riding pretty much since he could walk. His uncle was a dedicated cyclist who made a big impression on him, and he too is now passionate about the sport.
“I commute by bike as much as I can, and the club is involved in a lot of advocacy work as well promoting active transportation and cycling as a mode of active transportation. I am very fortunate to live and work in town, so I commute by bike as much as possible even in the winter,” said McDonnell.
Routes are generally not structured in advance of the ride. The group assembles in Market Square where leaders will ask those gathered how they are feeling, what kind of distance they are looking to ride that day and what the wind is like.
“The first ride will be a shorter, easier ride. Some of our members stay on their bike trainers indoors through the winter but most don’t, so many won’t have fresh legs. We will take it easy the first few rides as we build up our strength,” said McDonnell.
Sunday rides start at 9 a.m. and Wednesday evening rides start at 6 p.m. All rides begin at Market Square and are weather dependent – weather will factor into the route as heat can make it difficult, as can wind.
They are planning to try a gravel route this year, likely to be held once a month to see if there is enough interest. The route will be a little longer and challenging but there are fewer cars and hopefully the road is not freshly graded. There are a number of options and strategies in the route that
can be employed if that is the case.
This is a group that does not do drop rides. Those that do drop rides tend to be more competitive and, if someone falls behind or has a flat tire, then that is something the rider must contend with on their own. Within this club, there is a leader and a sweep who follows at the end to ensure all riders are accounted for at check points and no one falls behind.
“A decent portion of the membership appreciates the social aspect of the group but also being able to participate in a group exercise with likeminded individuals. It’s a very supportive group. We’ve had people with a flat tire and there would be a cluster of people offering to help. There’s comradery among the riders,” said McDonnell.
New cyclists wanting to try out for themselves before committing are welcome to participate once signing a waiver found on the website. The waiver allows them to ride with the club twice so they can see if this is something for them and they enjoy the route.
“Folks are more than welcome to come
before 9 a.m. on Sunday morning and meet some of the members, see what we are planning to get up to that day, or show up a bit before 6 p.m. on a Wednesday and do the same thing. Sign a waiver and you are welcome to join us for two rides to see if you like it,” said McDonnell.
The safety of riders across all skill levels is paramount. There is a dedicated safety officer who is involved in anything ride related in terms of scheduling rides, training, or a short safety briefing before setting out on rides. New cyclists are greeted with a chat about where they are at with their skill level and recommendations for an appropriate cycle route they can join in on.
The biggest challenge to the club when riding is pot-holes, but Stratford is a very bikeable city. Riders need to keep their wits about them and be aware of traffic, but by choosing the appropriate route, riding can be a pleasant and fruitful exercise.
For more information about Cycle Stratford, to become a member, or to sign the waiver to try out the ride, visit cyclestratford.com.
LISA CHESTER
Times Correspondent
New educational election series kicks off this month at The Local
but are split between two candidates and other factors.”
Filing your taxes isn't as taxing as you may think
ALEX HUNT Times Correspondent
The United Way Perth-Huron (UWPH) has partnered with the Local Community Food Centre to bring an interactive, educational series about the upcoming federal election to the community.
After the success of their provincial election series, the community collaboration returns with a federal focus. The three-week education series will be hosted at the Local Community Food Centre from 6-8 p.m. every Wednesday from April 9-23. Throughout that period, voters will have the opportunity to meet with Perth-Wellington candidates in a conversational format to discuss important topics, identify issues and develop a voting plan for the upcoming election.
“We want these conversations with the candidates to not be debates or arguments but collective, collaborative conversations, so the first week will be focusing on how to have those kinds of conversations,” said Will Wellington, social research and planning specialist with UWPH.
“From what we learned during the provincial election series, these conversations can help make material decisions. It's a nice format because, oftentimes, you will get people who are committed to voting
Wellington said it was important to establish a sense of broader community development that extends beyond the election while still identifying its significance.
Wellington said voters have found the past provincial series to be very engaging and he hopes this event will replicate that.
“We know that someone is going to be elected, and they are going to be in the office for years,” said Wellington. “In that time, it’s important that voters are connected to each other and establish a relationship with whoever wins while also maintaining a connection with the other candidates that continue to be leaders outside of the election cycle.”
Wellington said the objective of the series is to build a relationship between voters, candidates and the person who will be elected as the local member of parliament.
Community members interested in attending these sessions can sign up at perthhuron.unitedway.ca or by calling the Local’s Julia Docker-Johnson at 519-5083663 ext. 1005.
By fostering open dialogue and community engagement, the series aims to empower voters with the knowledge and connections needed to make informed decisions that extend beyond election day.
Stratford Dairy Queen reopens early for another season of sweet treats
Ontario Street DQ kicks off its 18th year under Anderson family ownership
Nothing signals the arrival of warmer weather in Stratford quite like the return of the Dairy Queen on Ontario Street, now open for another season of cool treats and hot eats – but this year, it opened much earlier than usual.
For the first time, the Stratford DQ opened its doors in February, giving local ice cream lovers a welcome surprise after a long winter.
When asked about the earlier start, co-owner Erik Anderson said it was “nothing exciting. Dairy Queen would like us to be open year-round. We opened earlier and our last day will be Dec. 14.”
Erik Anderson and his wife Karen Anderson are celebrating their 18th sea-
son running the popular location and are inviting both longtime fans and new visitors to stop by and meet their courteous, seasonal staff.
Karen Anderson, the daughter of Stratford Dairy Queen founder Don Galloway, continues the family legacy, while Erik Anderson – well known in Stratford hockey circles for his time with the Junior B Stratford Cullitons and a professional hockey career in Europe – has found a second passion serving up smiles with soft serve.
“We love being part of the Stratford community,” the couple said. “It’s always great to reconnect with regulars and meet new faces every year.”
Whether it’s a Blizzard, a sundae, or a footlong hot dog, there’s something nostalgic and satisfying about a visit to the Ontario Street DQ, no matter the season.
In the heat of the tax season, it can be overwhelming when searching for viable options to file one’s taxes, but the United Way Perth-Huron (UWPH) is here to help the community.
Volunteer tax clinics are available within the community to assist anyone who lives below the living wage and is in a simple tax situation. Examples of simple tax situations include people who are students, receiving retirement income or people who have recently moved to Canada.
Kristen Crane, director of community impact and research at UWPH, encourages members of the Perth-Huron region to dial United Way’s 211 helpline where they can be efficiently assisted and directed to local tax clinics and volunteer accountants that will provide free services for tax filing.
“Last year for the 2023 tax season, there were close to a thousand taxes filed and there was over $1.8 million that went back to individuals from filing their taxes,” said Crane.
“For people who haven't filed their taxes for years, they can receive thousands of dollars back. Particularly for somebody who resides in a household with children,
the returns can be quite significant.”
Crane says the money received through tax returns is likely spent buying goods and items from community businesses, which increases the purchasing power of individuals along with boosting the local economy.
The volunteer-led tax clinics are a part of a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) outreach program which kicked off in the 1970s. Clinics may include up to two volunteers, some of whom are CRA employed staff.
Crane said these clinics are dedicated to helping low-income individuals who are owed money from the government.
“It’s such a fantastic program and it's so clear how it’s helping out the community, and there are people that really need that support,” said Crane. “If somebody has a question on these services, they can call 211 and they will be directed to an operator where they can provide extra clarification and guidance.”
Clinics are always looking for volunteers to assist with tax filing and other roles. More assistance from the community means additional locations can open to further assist community tax needs.
To become a volunteer, email taxclinics@perthhuron.unitedway.ca.
GARY WEST Times Correspondent
The team at the Stratford Dairy Queen is all smiles as the new season begins. From left are members of the Stratford DQ team Alisha Moffit, Atticus Lakin, owner Erik Anderson and Morgan Hendriks.
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
ALEX HUNT
Times Correspondent
Stratford volunteer receives King Charles III Coronation Medal for work at Re-Store
GARY WEST Times Correspondent
Volunteers have long been the heart of Stratford and Perth County, and this month, that spirit of service was recognized in a royal way.
George Smith, a well-known Stratford resident, was recently awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of more than 9,000 hours of volunteer service at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore on Lorne Avenue. His longstanding dedication and hands-on support have made a lasting impact on the organization and the people it serves.
Just weeks earlier, his wife, Cleo Smith, was also recognized for her own commitment to the community. She received an award from Spruce Lodge for her more than 20 years of volunteer service with the long-term care facility.
The couple, surrounded by their large
and supportive family, say they love giving back to the community in any way they can and will continue doing so for as long as their health allows.
The Smith family gathered to celebrate George and Cleo’s volunteer achievements. From left are Pat O’Donovan, Dean O’Donovan, Nancy Smith, Dean Smith, Jordie Smith, Allie Ayre, Cleo and George Smith, Janet Hanlon (behind), Lexi Smith, Brian Simmons, Denise O’Donovan and Katie O’Donovan holding her daughter, Scarlett, the great-granddaughter of George and Cleo.
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
Devilled eggs delivered to Stratford’s frontline services, feeding those who help people in need
GARY WEST
Times Correspondent
Perth County’s egg farmers are doing their part to support those helping others.
Through donations of protein-rich devilled eggs, local egg producers have been quietly assisting community organizations in Stratford that work daily to support vulnerable residents.
“Eggs are a nutritious, high-protein treat, and when we can, we like to donate devilled eggs to organizations making a difference,” one farmer said. “It’s a small gesture, but one that we hope brings comfort and nourishment.”
The farmers’ recent deliveries made stops at three vital local organizations: Shelterlink, the Local Community Food Centre and the Stratford Connection Centre.
Their first stop was Shelterlink, located on the third floor of the former nurses' residence building at Conestoga College, beside Stratford General Hospital. The organization provides a safe and supportive environment for youth facing homelessness – many of whom are still required to
attend school.
“Shelterlink is a hand up for youth who don’t have a stable home life at a time when it’s needed the most,” a staff member shared.
The second stop was at the Local Community Food Centre on Erie Street, where volunteers prepare nutritious meals for community members every Friday. The donated tray of devilled eggs added a welcome protein boost to a lunch that also provides a social opportunity for attendees to connect and share time together.
Lastly, a tray of devilled eggs was dropped off at the Stratford Connection Centre, located in St. Paul’s Anglican Church at the corner of Downie Street and Douro Street. The centre provides a safe and welcoming space for walk-in clients in need of food, support and a listening ear.
The donation is part of a broader tradition among Perth County farmers – whether they raise pork, beef, dairy, or vegetables –of giving back to local organizations, especially in a time when food prices continue to rise and access to affordable, nutritious food is more challenging than ever.
STRATFORD SPORTS
Warriors to meet Chatham after sweeping Vipers
The Stratford Hunter Steel Ltd. Warriors are set to battle the Chatham Maroons in the second round of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) post-season after sweeping the sixth-seeded LaSalle Vipers in the opening round.
Head coach Dave Williams said the team didn’t have an easy road to the second round, despite winning four straight.
“Anytime you can get through a series in four games, I think you're always incredibly happy,” Williams told the Times. “Our group had to find different ways to win games against LaSalle. We started slow in the first game and Carter (McDougall) was really good and gave us a chance to find our way in the third. And games two and five were closer than I think the 5-2 score would suggest.”
UPCOMING GAMES
Friday, April 4 - 7:30pm vs Chatham - Allman Arena
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Monday, April 7 - 7:00pm vs Chatham - Allman Arena
Steve Kerr Memorial Arena
Williams added no one expected the Warriors to win four straight given the strength of the conference.
in the first period, giving the Warriors a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission, which was cut in half quickly in the second stanza on a Vipers’ goal by Julian Gignac.
Wednesday, April 9 - 7:30pm* at Chatham - Chatham Memorial Arena
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Friday, Sept. 15th 7:30pm vs Listowel Allman Arena
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“I don't think anybody thought the series would be a sweep given the parity in the entire league, especially one through eight in our conference that made the playoffs. We had to battle through some adversity. We were missing different guys at different points in the series. Jonas (Schmidt) wasn’t ready to play the first two games, and then we were missing Cole (Lewis), Aiden (Wilson) and Haden (Frayne) in Game 4, so guys have had to find ways to grind out wins.”
After coming away with a narrow 2-1 win in the first game of the series, the Warriors travelled to LaSalle for Game 2 and came away with a 5-2 victory on March 19. Hunter Nagge and Quinn Kipfer found the back of the net for Stratford
Almost exactly 10 minutes later, Nagge potted his second goal of the game, followed just two minutes later by a goal from Drew Hodge. Heading into the semi-final series with Chatham, Hodge leads all Warriors’ defencemen in points.
Williams praised the first-year rearguard for hitting his stride at the most important time of the season.
“Drew (Hodge) is another young guy who has come in, and I think he has grown his game considerably from where he started to where he's at now,” said Williams. “He
SPENCER SEYMOUR
Times Regional Reporter
Quinn Kipfer fires a shot on goal during one of the Stratford Hunter Steel Ltd. Warriors’ games in their first-round playoff series against the LaSalle Vipers. Heading into the team’s semi-final series against the Chatham Maroons, Kipfer was tied with Colin Slattery for the team lead in points with two goals and three assists in their four games against LaSalle.
(PAIGE CAMPBELL PHOTO)
Fighting Irish beat Tilbury in five games to advance to WOSHL finals
The Stratford Bentley’s Fighting Irish have advanced to the Western Ontario Super Hockey League (WOSHL) Championship series with a five-game win in their semi-final match-up with the Tilbury Bluebirds.
The Fighting Irish’s only blemish in the series came on March 22 in Game 3 when Tilbury hung on for a 6-5 victory to cut Stratford’s series lead to two games to one. A slightly down first period for the Fighting Irish saw Tilbury take a 2-1 lead into the first intermission, but Stratford roared back to life, scoring four goals and outshooting the Bluebirds 20-5.
Despite the lopsided shot clock, the Bluebirds managed to score a pair in the middle frame to keep the Fighting Irish’s lead at one goal heading into the third. In the final period, two goals in 43 seconds lifted the Bluebirds to a 6-5 victory.
Jaden Peca led the charge for the Fighting Irish with two goals and two assists in Game 3.
Just 24 hours later, Stratford stormed back in response to their first loss in the series, scoring three goals in six minutes and 53 seconds in the first period en route to a 5-2 victory. Peca, Christian Pollilo and Zach Magwood scored to give Stratford a three-goal lead heading into the first intermission, with Magwood’s goal going down as the eventual game-winner.
Tilbury appeared to be turning the tide in the second with a pair of goals six minutes and 57 seconds apart, but Magwood’s second of the game blunted their momentum and gave the Fighting Irish a two-goal lead heading into the final frame. Stratford regained a firm handle of the game in the third, punctuated by a goal from Cameron Stokes with one minute and 32 seconds left to ice the game.
Zach Weir made 31 saves to secure the victory in the Fighting Irish’s crease.
Many familiar names came up with another strong offensive output in Game 5 to guide the Fighting Irish to the series win. Pollilo opened the scoring just two minutes and 31 seconds into the game before Magwood potted two and Graham Brulotte netted the eventual game-winner in the second stanza.
The Bluebirds managed to score twice in the third, but were otherwise held off by Weir, who turned away 39 Tilbury shots in Stratford’s series-winning 5-2 victory. Magwood completed the hat-trick with a goal in the third.
The Fighting Irish will play the Strathroy Jets in the WOSHL finals after Strathroy defeated the Alvinston Killer Bees in six games.
Zach Weir fights through traffic to make a save during Game 4 of the Fighting Irish’s semi-final series against the Tilbury Bluebirds. Weir and the Fighting Irish eliminated the Bluebirds in five games to advance to the WOSHL Championship final.
(FRED GONDER PHOTO)
Warriors to meet Chatham after sweeping Vipers
is a really solid, two-way defender, and I think he’s shown in the first round that he is incredibly competitive and has some really good offensive upside that he might just be starting to realize and tap into.”
Each team scored once in the final 20 minutes, with Cole Lewis burying his first of the post-season for Stratford before Alec Stewart brought the game back within three. Carter McDougall made 29 saves to secure the victory in the Warriors’ net.
The series returned to Stratford 48 hours later on March
21 for Game 3, and once again, the Warriors got out to a hot start, jumping out to a 3-0 lead going into the second period. Nagge scored the icebreaker just 32 seconds into the contest, followed by two goals a minute and 23 seconds later in the first by Hodge and Kipfer.
“Scoring first and scoring early the way we did gives everyone a bit of an energy boost and a bit more confidence,” Williams said. “You play differently when you’re ahead than when you’re
playing from behind. I think those early goals were definitely key to getting those wins.
“I really liked our third game in particular. It was probably our best game of the series. We did a lot of good things right from puck drop. Our powerplay contributed well. We got on top of pucks and forced turnovers. We were shortening the ice, and I just thought, overall, we played to our identity.”
A scoreless second frame wasn’t without chances, with both teams registering 17 shots on net. Colin Slattery scored the only goal of the third period en route to a 4-0 win.
Heading into Game 1 on April 2, Kipfer and Slattery were tied for the team lead in points, posting two goals and three assists in their series against LaSalle, and earning praise from the bench
“Quinn (Kipfer) and Colin (Slattery) both have continued where they left off in the regular season. They both have had really solid first years and we have obviously relied on them a lot offensively, but they have both been good two-way players as well. They have played significant minutes killing penalties and against the other teams’ top lines, so it was good to see them carry that into the playoffs and hopefully continue building their confidence.”
The Warriors got another strong performance out of McDougall in between the pipes, who stopped all 32 LaSalle shots in Game 3 to earn the shutout.
“Carter was a big piece in every game in the first round,” said Williams. “He has been incredibly consistent for us, going back to last year when we acquired him and later on, when he got forced into the conference final against Listowel after Matt Perdue had an appendectomy. Both Carter and Chase (Furlong) have been excellent throughout the year, and they have allowed the group to play with confidence even if we’re not at our best.”
A back-and-forth opening frame in Game 4 saw the two teams trade goals, sending the game into the first intermission tied at two apiece.
Joseph Curtin tallied Stratford’s first goal a mere 47 seconds into the game, creating a one-goal deficit that lasted for six-and-a-half minutes before Kade McGeen tied it up at one apiece for the Vipers. McGeen’s goal was the first in a segment of three minutes and eight seconds during which there were three goals scored, which also included a goal by Slattery for Stratford and a powerplay marker by Brendan Gouin.
The Warriors took steady control the rest of the way, outshooting the Vipers 23-10 in the final 40 minutes and getting a hat-trick by Jonas Schmidt, including two empty netters, en route to another 5-2 win to eliminate LaSalle in four straight games.
By beating the Vipers, the Warriors now face off against the second-placed Chatham Maroons in the Western Conference semi-final, with the winner of the series to meet either the St. Marys Lincolns or London Nationals in the Western Conference Final.
According to Williams, the team has a very clear understanding of what it will take to find success in the heavyweight semi-final series.
“We just have to play to our identity. Chatham is obviously a really good team. The thing that stands out about Chatham is their ability to score goals in bunches and their powerplay has been strong the entire year, but I think they defend better than they get credit for because of how their offense jumps off the page.
“We have to do what has worked for us for 54 games this season,” Willians continued. “We’re not looking to get into a track meet with Chatham. We’re going to have to play really good, detailed, tight hockey and take advantage of our opportunities when we get them.”
Drew Hodge slaps a shot from the point during one of the Stratford Hunter Steel Ltd. Warriors’ games in their first-round playoff series against the LaSalle Vipers. Hodge leads all Warriors’ defencemen in points heading into the Warriors’ second-round series against the Chatham Maroons.
(PAIGE CAMPBELL PHOTO)
Clemmer takes bronze at Stratford provincials
All veterans and First Responders are welcome at the branch Tuesday mornings 10:30 to noon for a social visit at the Buddy Check Coffee.
The Branch Chaplain can provide Mental and Moral support. The Stratford Branch 8 Veterans Service Officer with the support of Veterans Affairs Canada continues to serve the needs of all Canadian Veterans in need of assistance or advice on all servicerelated situations.
Pictured is Stratford Skating Club (SSC) member Mason Clemmer, who captured a bronze medal at the Skate Ontario Provincial Championships hosted in Stratford on March 21-23.
Cineplex to screen Stratford director’s debut documentary on Canada’s Chinese Exclusion Act
Keira Loughran’s Exclusion: Beyond the Silence to play nationwide during Asian Heritage Month
GALEN SIMMONS Regional Editor
A documentary directed by former Stratford Festival director Keira Loughran and produced by Stratford production company Ballinran Entertainment will be screened at up to 30 Cineplex locations across Canada in May, marking a rare national theatrical release for a Canadian documentary.
Exclusion: Beyond the Silence will play May 2, 3 and 7 as part of Asian Heritage Month, offering audiences from St. John’s, N.L., to Victoria, B.C., a chance to engage with a deeply personal and often overlooked chapter in Canadian history.
Directed by Loughran and produced by Stratford’s Ballinran Entertainment in association with White Pine Pictures, the film explores the intergenerational impact of Canada’s Chinese Exclusion Act through the stories of the filmmaker and co-subject Helen Lee. Together, they uncover the legacies of their grandmothers — women who helped reunite Chinese Canadian families and laid the groundwork for multicultural policy in Canada.
“This is an extraordinary, forgotten story of Canada’s multicultural history,” said Craig Thompson, president of Ballinran Entertainment and the film’s executive producer. “At a time when conversations about immigration, identity and belonging are more important than ever, we are
thrilled to partner with Cineplex to bring this film to audiences across the country.”
Thompson said the scope of the release is a rare moment for Canadian documentary filmmaking.
“It’s extraordinary that a Canadian documentary gets a release like this across Canada,” he said. “It speaks to the important message of the film — that all Canadians are immigrants or descendants of immigrants, many of whom faced discrimination in their own right. However, Chinese Canadians bore the brunt of discrimination and were the first to be harsh-
ly singled out and denied entry to Canada based on their race and country of origin.”
Filmed in both Canada and China, the film sheds light on the sacrifices and contributions of Chinese Canadians who helped shape the nation. After it premiered at Toronto’s 28th Reel Asian International Film Festival at the TIFF Lightbox last November and then at Stratford’s Tom Patterson Theatre a few weeks later, it saw its Chinese premiere in March at a festival in Fuzhou with further international screenings planned in June and July.
“I’m proud that Exclusion is gaining traction not just in Canada but elsewhere in the world,” Thompson said. “From the point of view of Ballinran, it reinforces the creative talent we have here in Stratford and our ability to create impactful films for audiences around the world — films that have the Made in Stratford stamp.”
Loughran said she hopes the documentary encourages reflection and conversation during Asian Heritage Month and beyond.
“This collaboration with Cineplex during Asian Heritage Month is a rare and significant moment for Canadian cinema,” she said. “We hope this film sparks conversations about our shared history and the resilience of the Chinese Canadian community.”
For full details on participating theatres and screening times, visit cineplex.com.
New milling machine at St. Mike’s will give students state-of-art experience for an evolving world
The manufacturing world is one that has evolved much since Mark Flanagan, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) representative for the local catholic school board, first came on board.
“Twenty-four years ago, the trustees, the superintendent, the director of education put technical education into this facility,” Flanagan said the morning of March 26. “As the OYAP person and being here all that time, I've seen apprentices, I've seen families grow, I've seen great paying jobs for kids of all levels of education. … We are now taking the next level.”
Flanagan made those remarks at St. Michael Catholic Secondary School, where it was just unveiled that the school received new CNC
machinery thanks to the Canadian Tooling and Machining Association (CTMA) and the Ontario Council for Technology Education (OCTE), with additional funding
from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) through the Skills Development Fund.
The new industrial mill and the five desktop training units, which will allow students to gain handson experience before using the larger CNC mill, repxwresent a
$90,000 investment.
Representatives from the board say these pieces of equipment will provide “amazing educational opportunities” for students in the manufacturing sector. The milling machine is industry-standard and will be nearly exact to what students will use when they enter the workforce.
“It's a big goal of the ministry of education and of our board and of this school community to ensure that students have opportunities and experiential learning, and our results are outstanding,” said school board director of education Karen. “And kudos to the tech team here and to the families and students that choose us each and every day. The work that goes on here requires a huge investment of resources, of people, skilled professionals, and we have that here.”
Exclusion: Beyond the Silence director Keira Loughran (centre) interviews a great aunt (right) with the help of a translator (left) in the ancestral hall in Guanzui Village, Guangdong, China.
(BALLINRAN ENTERTAINMENT PHOTO)
CONNOR LUCZKA
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Representatives involved in the securing of a nearly $90,000 investment into the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board (HPCDSB)’s manufacturing sector gather around a new, state-ofthe-art CNC mill for a ribbon cutting on March 26.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Stratford Trashion Week returns with over 20 designers
EMILY STEWART Times Correspondent
A fashion show promoting sustainability and repurposing materials will be back just after Earth Week.
More than 20 local and regional designers will participate in Stratford Trashion Week at Factory 163 on April 25 and 26. The fashion show promotes sustainability with trashion and re-fashion categories, and a vintage and preloved show both evenings.
The event will also feature collections by Claire Upcycled on Friday night and Bobby Raffin on Saturday night. The evening of April 26 will have a wrap party with a DJ and a bar after the fashion show.
“Events like this get people thinking outside of the box when it comes to sustainability and fashion. It also shows off the immense creative potential and talent that is right here in our community and all around us,” co-organizer Pamela Coneybeare told the Stratford Times. “Solving issues like sustainability, waste and climate change do take creativity, imagination and community, and that's what this event is all about.”
Trashion Week began in 2018 with multiple events spread out across several venues. The event was paused in 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic before organizers decided to host all events at Factory 163.
“What has been really consistent and pretty amazing is how much community
support and collaboration we have seen from other organizations and businesses in Stratford every year,” Coneybeare said. “We have seen other groups build on and partner with the event to spread awareness.”
The Stratford Public Library will host a screening of the film, Fast Fashion, on April 22 as a lead-up to Stratford Trashion Week.
According to the Fashion Waste Facts and Statistics webpage on the Business Waste website, 100 billion new garments are produced annually around the globe, making the worldwide fashion industry responsible for 10 per cent of global greenhouse-gas emissions. Coneybeare said along with supporting Trashion Week, buying less clothing is a sustainable choice when it comes to fashion.
“We simply need to produce and consume less, way less. Buy second-hand instead of new whenever possible, mend and repair, and take care of your items so they last longer are a couple great things anyone can start doing right now,” she said.
Trashion Week events will run from 7-9:30 p.m. on both nights, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $17.31 each and can be purchased online by visiting www.stratfordtrashionweek.ca.
Stratford Trashion Week, which will be at Factory 163 on April 25 and 26, will show a variety of fashion with repurposed items. Pictured is a piece designed by Rachel Van Harten for Trashion Week’s 2023 event.
(BRILLIANT IMAGES PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO)
INNERchamber presents From Distant Shores featuring oud virtuoso Rihab Azar
Regional Editor
Stratford’s INNERchamber Ensemble will present From Distant Shores, the fifth concert in its 15th anniversary season, on Sunday, April 13 at Factory163, with a second paywhat-you-can performance the next day at The Local Community Food Centre.
The concert features special guest Rihab Azar, a London, England based oud virtuoso, joining INNERchamber musicians Andrew Chung (violin), Ben Bolt-Martin (cello) and Graham Hargrove (percussion). Together, they’ll perform new arrangements of Azar’s original compositions as well as works by legendary oud masters from Syria, Nubia and Palestine. The performance marks a rare opportunity to hear Azar’s intimate, evocative music ahead of her debut album release in 2026.
“The oud is an instrument that fits beautifully in small ensembles like INNERchamber uses,” said Chung, INNERchamber’s artistic director. “Introducing this instrument, one that is used primarily in Middle Eastern music, opens a whole new world of musical language that we can explore and learn. Having a performer as versatile and interested in cross-genre collaboration as Rihab is makes for the perfect musical partner for this project.”
Azar’s connection to Stratford is also deeply personal. Her family – father Samir, mother Rouba and brother Jawad – settled in Stratford over five years ago after fleeing Syria during the war and are now proud Canadian citizens. Chung met Azar during her first visit to Canada in nearly a decade to reunite with her family.
Apr. 9
Ladies’ Auxilliary Roast Beeef Luncheon, $16 per person, $2.00 delivery charge, take out 11:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Dine in 12:00 p.m. Call Mary Helen 519-273-1389
Apr. 11 Friday Night Euchre, $20 per team, Pre-registration only. Call Dave 519-703-6544 or Anne 519-301-0914
Apr. 13 Easter Buffet, Ham and Scalloped Potatoes, salad and dessert bar Adults $30, 6-14 $15, under 5 free Call Frank 519-271-9669, Pearl 519-273-0457 or Legion 519-271-0450 RESERVATION ONLY
May 4 Mother’s Day Roast Beef Dinner, $25 per plate, Take-out 4:30 p.m., Dine-in 5:00 p.m.
Call Frank 519-271-9669, Pearl 519-273-0457 or Legion 519-271-0450 RESERVATION ONLY
May 14 Ladies’ Auxilliary Luncheon, $16 per person, $2.00 delivery charge, take out 11:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Dine in 12:00 p.m.
May 25 Spring Tea, 2-4 p.m., enjoy Dainties, finger sandwiches and Tea, open to all
Call Dave 519-703-6544 or Anne 519-301-0914 for reservations
June 8 Rib ‘n Kraut Dinner,
“I knew Samir was a wonderful oud maker and also a skilled violin luthier, working with Henry Riedstra,” Chung said. “When I wrapped my head around Rihab's artistry and her unique approach to the oud, I knew we had to find a way to bring her to Canada to perform with INNERchamber.”
Azar, who has been building her career as a performer across Europe while studying in the U.K., brings a blend of tradition and innovation
to the concert. She has arranged and orchestrated works by Hamza El Din, Ahmad Al Khatib and Adnan Abul-Shamat specifically for INNERchamber, along with her own original pieces.
"The program invites the audience into a deep and novel, yet relatable experience as we play my music and that of other composers,” Azar said in a press release. “My pieces have a strong, personal undertone as they convey journeys inward to find warmth, consolation and novelty. The oud sits very comfortably with string instruments and percussion, so there will be rich and exciting resonances filling the space! I can't wait to play with Andrew, Ben and Graham. They're all amazing and I'm honoured that INNERchamber has invited me to play with them.”
“She is taking us on a musical journey with the oud as the centrepiece,” added Chung. “A few years ago, I never imagined I’d be performing this style of music with a master of the oud. We are all very excited for this meeting of musical ways. Our musical style is consistent only in the core ensemble players. We love collaborating with guests from diverse backgrounds and working across cultures. We start from our Western classical roots and follow where the music leads.”
In keeping with its community focus, INNERchamber will also offer a second performance on Monday, April 14 at 4 p.m. at The Local Community Food Centre (612 Erie St., Stratford). This pay-what-you-can concert overlaps with The Local’s Monday Night Community Dinner, served from 4:30-6 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Part of our mandate is to share this music with as many in the community as possible,” said Chung. “The Local is a vital point of connection in Stratford – a place where people come together around food and community. What better setting for this music than during one of their fabulous and free community dinners?”
The April 13 concert at Factory163 (163 King St., Stratford) begins at 7 p.m. with a light dinner served at 5:45 p.m. by Boutique Catering. Tickets are $50 and include dinner if purchased before 5 p.m. on Friday, April 11. Student and arts-worker tickets are $35. A video recording of the concert will also be made available on demand beginning Wednesday, April 16 for a two-week viewing period. Tickets for the video are $20.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.innerchamber.ca.
This concert is sponsored by Accountable Automotive, with special thanks to Loreena McKennitt for sponsoring Azar.
Guest performer Rihab Azar will play with Stratford’s INNERchamber Ensemble in its fifth concert of the season, From Distant Shores, April 13 and 14.
(INNERCHAMBER PHOTO)
GALEN SIMMONS
Poetry Stratford hoping to see lots of poets and guests at poetry open-mic event
EMILY STEWART Times Correspondent
Poets of all kinds will get a chance to read their poetry as part of Poetry Stratford’s Open Mic Night in honour of Poetry Month.
Poetry Stratford will host an Open Mic Night at the Bunker Performance Lounge in Stratford on April 24 starting at 7 p.m. The event will feature several poetry readings from anyone who wants to share their poetry with an audience.
"At this open mic, we're a very appreciative audience. We're not a critical audience and some people are just starting out writing poetry and want to try their hand at reading it. That's fine, or if they're an established poet, that's fine too,” said Mark Hertzberger, coordinator of Poetry Stratford. “Some are published, some are not. It really doesn't matter. We want people to hear all the styles and voices out there."
Attendees are also welcome to sit and enjoy the poetry readings.
"Nobody's obligated to read at the open mic. They can just listen and that's perfectly fine and we welcome that,” Hertzberger said.
Poetry Stratford is an informal organization that was founded by Charlie Mumford, who passed away in October 2024.
"I always want to give him credit for starting the poetry culture here in Stratford,” Hertzberger said.
Hertzberger, a published poet, says Stratford has a diverse poetry scene.
"There's so many different styles and there's a lot of interest there. Often, people will say, 'Oh, I didn't realize we had these events,' and there are other events besides ours that are running as well,” he said.
David Stones, Stratford’s Poet Laurate, will be part of the Poetry Stratford Open Mic event.
"It's really exciting that we now have a poet laurate. David's an excellent poet and he's going to speak a little bit and read some of his poetry and talk a little bit about the program,” Hertzberger said.
There will also be poetry writing presentations at the Blyth Branch and Wingham’s Alice Munro Branch of the Huron County Public Library in April. Hertzberger and fellow regional poets like Carol Casey and Peter Luke will read their own poetry and talk about their writing process. The events will be held in Blyth on April 12 from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., and Wingham from 2-3:45 p.m. on April 26 and will be open to all ages with no registration required.
Anyone looking to read poetry at the Open Mic Night can send an email to Hertzberger at hertzbergerhrc@ gmail.com to register by April 17.
Starlight Silver Serenade fundraiser a celebration of Stratford Summer Music
Starlight will be the place to be on June 20 as Stratford Summer Music celebrates its 25th season in the Festival City with an intimate fundraiser.
With just 65 tickets available, the setting will allow supporters to spend some time sharing about past, present and future seasons.
“We wanted to kick off the season right,” said Crystal Spicer, executive director of Stratford Summer Music. “We programmed this event to take place on the summer solstice and we are so grateful to Starlight for partnering with us on this event as we host our first fundraiser for the season. We tried to go for something quite unique and a little bit smaller. It is meant to be a small group of people so that we can enjoy some great conversations and some great music, and we can enjoy some amazing food as we chat about Stratford Summer Music.”
A special treat is the jazz trio that will be performing live. The group will be coming together specially for this fundraiser with the members to be announced, as this is currently a carefully guarded secret.
The event features a meal of four small plates creatively curated by executive chef Yva Santini taking patrons on an extraordinary culinary journey. Tickets include wine pairings by Opimian Wine Club.
“This is an exciting opportunity for us as the executive director of Opimian Wine Club sits on our board of directors and he is very excited to take part in this and work with chef Yva to pair wines with whatever creative meals she comes up with,” said Spicer.
There will be some special guests at the event to share stories and thoughts, but this is not to be one of those nights where there are a lot of speeches. It is more about
bringing a group of people together who are going to enjoy dinner and are going to be chatting together. It is about all of those who are there that night to celebrate Stratford Summer Music and have conversations about it.
The theme for the season after 25 years is nostalgic; where they come from, where they are now and where they are headed.
“I think that’s a big theme across our whole season this year, as our 25th anniversary is the silver anniversary and in our marketing materials we are really pulling out that silver. As we think about Stratford Summer Music, we are trying to remember where we come from, where we are now and that we are hopeful for where we are going in the future. It’s a tough time for the arts in this country and I think that’s something that we all have to keep in mind as we think about where we are and where we are going,” said Spicer.
There will be tax receipts issued for the tickets purchased to the maximum allowed by the Canada Revenue Agency. Tickets are $225 plus fees per person and are available online at stratfordsummermusic.ca. There is also a season long 50/50 draw running for the second season in a row.
“This year we listened to what everyone was telling us about how the paper ballots were too cumbersome, so we have moved everything to an entirely electronic format. You can go to our website and purchase tickets online or you can purchase tickets at events using our electronic ticket machine. It’s a much easier process to go online and purchase your tickets to support the arts,” said Spicer. “You have to think outside the box when looking for fundraising dollars. Everyone is looking for fundraising dollars, it’s a tough climate,
and being able to listen to what our consumers have said and adjust to notes that we got is a really important part of making sure everyone is being heard.”
The other fundraiser that is occurring is the Ensemble of Stratford Summer Music, which is a monthly donor campaign that has been launched with the goal of 100 monthly donors. The importance of monthly donors is it brings an influx of cash monthly coming into the organization, providing stability. There are four recognition levels, $10, $20, $50 and $100.
“It’s really important that donating is accessible to everyone, so we tried to make sure that we have levels that are accessible across the board and it’s a really big goal of ours to try and make sure we get the monthly donors in,” said Spicer.
For more information on Stratford Summer Music, to buy tickets to Starlight Silver Serenade, or to make a donation, visit stratfordsummermusic.ca.
CORRECTION: An error was published on page 22 of the March 21 edition of the Stratford Times.
For the story, "Step into a Time Machine with Ron Finch’s newest book," the corresponding image was meant to be the book cover for Dr. Shitz and the Time Machine. Instead, it was the cover for Finch's previous book in the series. Pictured above is the correct book cover. We regret any confusion this may have caused.
(MARK HERTZBERGER PHOTO)
LISA CHESTER Times Correspondent
Bluegrass Brunch returns to The Local with music, community and comfort food
After a long-awaited return, one of Stratford’s most beloved community gatherings is back: the Bluegrass Brunch.
First launched in 2015 at The Local Community Food Centre (CFC), this cherished event quickly became a Sunday staple bringing together the soulful sound of bluegrass music with a warm, welcoming brunch.
“The Bluegrass Brunch started at The Local in 2015 and it became a very loved event,” said Julie Docker Johnson, community connector at The Local CFC. “During COVID, it had to be paused, but last October we brought it back after many, many people told us how much it meant to them. They really wanted it back, and we listened.”
The next Bluegrass Brunch takes place Sunday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Local CFC, located at 612 Erie St. The Community Access Market will also be open, giving attendees the chance to shop for fresh, farm products while enjoying the event. Though not a weekly tradition, this brunch will pop up a few times a year as a special treat.
The inspiration for the event came from Toronto’s iconic Dakota Tavern brunch series.
“Blair from the Blurry Pickers and To Bean or Not To Bean approached Steve
Stacey, who was executive director of The Local at the time, and suggested we do one,” said Docker-Johnson. “They did it and the rest is history.”
The Bluegrass Brunch isn’t just about music, it’s about food, connection and community.
“Our community chef creates a great Sunday brunch,” Docker-Johnson said.
“There’s a main course, juice and freshly brewed To Bean or Not To Bean Coffee.
March 23 June Raycraft, Mitchell $50 00
March 24 Barry Logan, Stratford $50 00
March 25 Isabelle Loucks, St Marys $50 00
March 26 Marion Golz, St Marys . . . . . $50 .00
March 27 Theresa Norman, Clinton $50 00
March 28 David Abbott, Brantford $50 00
March 29 Nicole St Amour, Kitchener $200 00
March 30 Paul Spicer, St Thomas $50 00
March 31 Rosanne Brown, Tavistock $50 00
April 01 Mary Dunsmore, Gadshill $50 00
April 02 Roseann & Allen Chute, Stratford $50 00
April 03 Wayne Barber, St Marys $50 00
April 04 Maldy Keir, Str Marys $50 00
April 05 Chris Brooks, Stratford $200 00
As always, there are vegetarian and vegan options.”
All meals at The Local CFC are made with as much local and seasonal sourcing as possible, staying true to their values of sustainability and supporting regional producers.
Musical guests The Blurry Pickers are no strangers to Stratford stages.
“They are an amazing group of musicians,” Docker-Johnson said. “They bring
a fabulous mix of traditional and modern bluegrass. People have definitely danced between the tables. Music and brunch go hand in hand.”
What makes the Bluegrass Brunch truly unique is the sense of connection it fosters.
“It’s the Bluegrass Brunch!” Docker-Johnson laughed. “It’s just one of those events that’s part of the foundation The Local has been built on. It’s fun, it means a lot to the community and it’s open to everyone.”
Attendees range from families with kids to lifelong music lovers to folks simply looking for a cozy brunch.
“It’s for all of the above,” she said. “We welcome people like we always do – with good food, great music, warm conversation and a chance to shop the Market.”
There’s no need to reserve or buy tickets; just arrive hungry and ready to enjoy.
“Donations are greatly appreciated, but most importantly, we want people to feel like they belong,” Docker-Johnson said.
Volunteers are at the heart of this event, with many of the servers recognizable from local restaurants.
So, what does the Bluegrass Brunch mean to Docker-Johnson and The Local CFC team?
“It’s something that brings people together,” she said. “It’s part of who we are, and we’re so glad to share it again. We hope people leave feeling like their Community Includes The Local.”
Rotary Rural-Urban Night welcomes district governor Katherine Hahn
The Rotary Club of Stratford’s annual Rural-Urban Night brought together residents from both the city and surrounding countryside for an evening of fellowship, food and shared purpose at the Stratford Rotary Complex last week.
A highlight of the evening was the presence of Rotary District 6330 governor Katherine Hahn, who was welcomed as a special guest.
District 6330 spans parts of southwestern Ontario and Michigan, encompassing 56 Rotary clubs dedicated to community service and global impact. In her remarks, Hahn spoke about the importance of unity and compassion in today’s world.
“Service is something that resonates with all of us,” she said. “Whether you live in a rural or urban area, we all see the value in loving our neighbours and looking out for one another.”
Hahn also reflected on the importance of building peace through connection and understanding.
“In a world where peace building is more important than ever before, this Rotary Rural-Urban event is a wonderful way to showcase our community coming together in fellowship and friendship,” she said, wishing everyone a fantastic evening of connection and camaraderie.
The event, a longstanding tradition for the Rotary Club of Stratford, serves as a bridge between rural and urban communities, fostering relationships that continue to strengthen the region.
Rotary District 6330 governor Katherine Hahn was applauded by attendees for her ongoing dedication to Rotary, which has served Stratford and area since 1922. In the background is event emcee Michael Fox.
JULIA PAUL Times Correspondent
The Blurry Pickers playing bluegrass music at a previous Bluegrass Brunch event.
(BLAIR BABCOCK PHOTO)
GARY WEST Times Correspondent
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
UTRCA recognizes ambassadors of the environment with conservation awards
enthusiasm for the environment through all of the roles she held.
On Feb. 25, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) held its annual general meeting, at which three conservation awards given out to three very deserving people.
Ontario Nature’s Conservation Awards recognize excellence by honouring the work of individuals, groups, government agencies and corporations working to protect nature in Ontario.
The first was the Inspiration Award, which was presented to Christine Ritsma, a teacher at Stratford District Secondary School (SDSS) and founder and teacher-liaison of the student-led Eco Club. The Inspiration Award recognizes someone who, through their projects, encourages interest in natural history, creating connections with nature and teaching ways to preserve it.
Ritsma teaches the Green Industries course, which gives students in grades 1012 a chance to learn about the environmental subjects such as agriculture and forestry. It is a hands-on course that allows them to supply produce for the culinary program from a working greenhouse. The Eco Club was recognized in this category as well for bringing awareness to environmental issues and working towards positive change for the community.
The club had a hand in getting Stratford city council to declare a climate emergency in 2020. Ritsma began the club and carries on as their staff advisor.
“As young people, we recognize that it is our responsibility to do our part for the planet,” said club member Lucy Chung, accepting the award on behalf of the Eco Club.
“The honour is huge because UTRCA is such a respected organization, and being recognized by them is such a thrill,” Ritsma added. “However, I would not have been nominated if it wasn't for this fantastic group of environmentally passionate students in the SDSS Eco Club that I represent as their staff advisor. They do all the work. They fight the good fight. They make a difference in the community.”
Next was the Board of Directors Award, which recognizes someone who contributes to environmental education. The very deserving winner of this award was Patti Donnelly, who volunteered with UTRCA for over 20 years.
Donnelly is a St. Marys resident who helped design environmental-education programs for students from pre-school to Grade 12 at Wildwood and Fanshawe conservation areas, and helped implement them. Donnelly is known for her creative approach of finding ways to grab students’ attention, bringing focus to learning about the environment.
The third award handed out went to Brian and Elizabeth Wheeler. It was the Kayla Berger Stewardship Award, which honours a deserving recipient who shows passion for environmental conservation and protecting the natural environment. The award was created to honour Kayla Berger, a young woman who passed away suddenly in 2019 and was a staff member at UTRCA. She showed
The Wheelers donated 85 acres of woodland and valley land along Fish Creek near Prospect Hill in March of 2024. It currently is the home to several species at risk. Many native trees have been planted and invasive buckthorn has been removed, and many hours have been spent taking in the sights
and sounds of the land.
According to UTRCA land management coordinator Brandon Williamson, the Wheelers have demonstrated commitment to environmental conservation within the Fish Creek Sub-watershed, through sustainable, thoughtful management of their property.
"The Wheelers demonstrated the ultimate commitment to conservation within this
area, through the donation of the valleyland portion of their property to the UTRCA,” Williamson said. “We thanked the Wheelers for their contribution to conservation over the years and for the generous donation of this land to the UTRCA, now known as the Wheeler Tract. "
Congratulations to all the well-deserved recipients.
WENDY LAMOND Times Correspondent
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority’s (UTRCA) 2025 Inspiration Award was presented to Stratford District Secondary School teacher Christine Ristma and members of the school’s Eco Club. Pictured from left to right are UTRCA chair Dean Trentowsky, Eco Club members Zach Kritzer, Ewan Mann and Lucy Chung, Ritsma and nominator Vanni Azzano.
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority’s (UTRCA) 2025 Board of Directors Award was presented to Patti Donnelly. Pictured from left to right are UTRCA Chair Dean Trentowsky, Donnelly, and nominators Karlee Flear and Teresa Hollingsworth.
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority’s (UTRCA) 2025 Kayla Berger Stewardship Aware was presented to Brian and Elizabeth Wheeler. Pictured from left to right are UTRCA Chair Dean Trentowsky, Kayla Berger’s parents, Dave and Wendy Berger, Elizabeth and Brian Wheeler, nominator Brandon Williamson and UTRCA general manager Tracy Annett.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)
Perth County Federation of Agriculture hosts annual MP and MPP meeting to discuss farming future
GARY WEST Times Correspondent
Before tractors hit the fields for spring planting, the Perth County Federation of Agriculture (PCFA) brought together local farmers and elected officials for its annual MP and MPP meeting.
The event, held last week at the Mitchell Golf and Country Club, offered a platform for commodity groups across Perth County to share their concerns and priorities with political representatives.
Invited to the meeting were Perth-Wel-
lington MPP Matthew Rae and Perth-Wellington MP John Nater. They listened to briefings from representatives of the beef, pork, dairy, egg, chicken and grain sectors, all operating under the umbrella of the PCFA.
The Perth County Federation of Agriculture represents the interests of Ontario’s nearly 50,000 farms, which grow more than 200 varieties of fruits, vegetables, grains and livestock. Agriculture in Ontario adds billions of dollars to the province’s economy and supports more than 11 per cent of Ontario’s workforce,
making it one of the province’s most vital industries.
Trade challenges and policy solutions
One of the central topics at this year’s meeting was the urgent need to reduce interprovincial trade barriers, especially as Canada’s trade relationship with the United States faces new challenges.
The PCFA is calling on the Ontario government to lead efforts in collaboration with other provinces and the federal government to establish a unified Canadian trade agreement.
“A harmonized set of interprovincial regulations,” the PCFA brief stated, “would streamline commerce and enable farmers across the country to maintain operations and deliver food to Canadians nationwide.”
The organization emphasized that Canada’s growing difficulty in importing goods from the U.S. presents a unique opportunity to strengthen domestic self-sufficiency. By taking decisive action, PCFA said Canada can turn these trade challenges into a long-term success story for the agricultural sector.
Kiss a bumblebee: Climate Conversation March
The March 27 Climate Conversation, Kiss a Bumblebee!, followed its regular format – first came the presentation, then the conversation – but with a difference the large city hall audience had to wait until the very end to appreciate fully.
Well-known Stratford Master Gardener Don Farwell was quick to caution that people should not literally kiss a bee. Instead, he said they needed to show their love in other ways because bees really need it and, since we depend on them as pollinators, we do too. What are pollinators? They are many and various. People often think of honey bees when they hear the word, but that is only one type of bee and it is farmed, not native. In fact, there are 4,000 species of native bees and 14,000 of moths and butterflies in North America, as well as birds and bats, reptiles and amphibians, all working as pollinators to ensure flowers are pollinated so plants can grow, trees can produce fruit, animals (including humans) will have something to eat and life can continue. Without pollinators, we have no future on earth; we will become extinct. And yet their numbers are declining. This is something we all need to take seriously and work to change. But what can we do?
A start is to change the way we view bugs and caterpillars, which are essential to the cycle of life. Caterpillars are the very basis of the food chain; they become moths and butterflies and other insects and these bugs feed birds and bats. Without them, an important link is lost. Farwell said chickadees feed their babies caterpillars and it takes up to 9,000 caterpillars to feed one clutch of chickadees. He spoke of the standard view of the past expressed in an old adage – the only good bug is a dead bug – as an example of a deplorable, doomsday lie. In fact, he said all bugs are good.
So, how can we encourage bees and butterflies and moths and bats and birds in all their different stages of life?
We can:
• Plant keystone plants – plants that support the most different forms of life. These are all native plants and the list is extensive; they include golden rod (which does not cause hay fever; the culprit is ragweed), asters, black-eyed susans, sunflowers and coreopsis, to name just a few. (Be mindful that some pollinators, like monarch butterflies, depend on just one plant; in their case, it is milkweed.)
• Choose plants that will flower at different times in the season so as to ensure an ongoing and ready source of nutrition for pollinators;
• Plant keystone trees – native trees that support native insects. A good example is
oak, which supports 500 species and there are many others including birch, maple, cherry, willow and cottonwood. Be aware that some fantastically beautiful trees, like the gingko, are non-native, so will not support ecological life other than through their carbon effect;
• Pull out invasive plants, which take over and choke out native species;
• Let that grass grow. Cut it less often or, better yet, replace it with a native garden and native grasses. Cut a pathway for walking through the garden of Eden! Remember, a carefully manicured lawn is a wasted opportunity;
• Don’t use floodlights; they confuse moths and moths are major pollinators;
• Leave leaves mulched or spread on the grass in the fall so they can host insects that will emerge in the spring;
• Aim for a 70 per-cent native biomass; bring nature to the backyard!
• Talk to your neighbours about these issues.
Following Farwell’s talk and a Q and A, there were presentations by four local groups actively involved in environmental issues.
The city’s energy and environment (E&E) advisory committee member Anita Jacobsen talked about the committee’s work, specifically about its ongoing efforts to eliminate invasive species in the city along with this year’s plans.
The non-profit, volunteer Tri-County Master Gardeners’ representative offered an enthusiastic crowd free seeds and various informational pamphlets, while telling individuals about the many ways in which members support local gardeners and ecologically minded people and projects.
A Perth County Tree Trust member talked about its annual initiative to name a local Tree of the Year, to foster and repair it and to plant two new ones, thereby increasing public awareness about the importance of trees in the city.
Tree Power, a joint Festival Hydro and Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) venture, was presented as the agency that makes a variety of native trees available to the public for planting each year at a greatly reduced price.
So, what was the surprise waiting for the conversation? Members of the audience, all of whom were seated at tables, were deployed as drones to go to other tables (hives) to collect ideas (pollen) and convey them back to the first table (home hive) for processing by a recorder (queen bee). The ideas (pollen) collected were all to answer the question, “What will you do this fall to prepare the garden for spring?”
What was the outcome?
You’ll have to wait for spring to find out!
South Easthope dairy farmer Julie Danen, past president of the Perth County Federation of Agriculture, chairs the annual spring meeting as Perth-Wellington MP John Nater and MPP Matthew Rae listen to briefings from pork, beef, dairy, egg, chicken and grain producers.
Directors of the Perth County Federation of Agriculture pose with their elected officials. From left: MPP Matthew Rae, Tim Halliday (director), Sara Wood (director and OFA vice president), Julie Danen (director), Laura Good (recording secretary and director), Laura Barker (director), Pete Nyenhuis (director), Eric McLagan (director) and MP John Nater.
(GARY WEST PHOTOS)
JULIA SCHNEIDER Times Correspondent
Forest bathing basics: A path to a better and healthier spring
As spring awakens, it’s the perfect time to embrace the Japanese practice of forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, a mindful way of connecting with nature to rejuvenate the body and mind. This simple yet profound activity can enhance our well-being, boost immunity, and help us transition smoothly into a healthier, more balanced spring season.
Forest bathing is not about exercise or hiking; instead, it is the act of immersing yourself in a natural environment and engaging your
senses to fully experience the sights, sounds, smells, and textures around you. The practice originated in Japan in the 1980s as a response to rising stress and urbanization.
Scientists quickly discovered its benefits, leading to its integration into Japan’s preventive healthcare system.
To practice forest bathing, you simply take a slow walk through a forested area, engage with nature mindfully, and allow yourself to be present in the moment. There’s no rush, no specific goal – just a deep connection with nature.
Studies have shown that forest bathing can have profound effects on both mental and physical health. Here are some of the key benefits:
1. Reduces stress and anxiety. Spending time in nature lowers cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress. The calming effect of trees and natural landscapes helps reduce anxiety and promotes relaxation.
2. Boosts immunity. Trees release essential oils called phytoncides, which have been shown to increase the activity of natural killer (NK)
cells in our immune system. These cells help fight infections and even reduce the risk of certain diseases.
3. Improves mood and mental clarity. Forest bathing can reduce symptoms of depression and improve overall mood. The peaceful surroundings and fresh air help clear the mind, enhancing focus and creativity.
4. Lowers blood pressure and heart rate. Nature has a soothing effect on the body, helping to lower blood pressure and heart rate. This can be particularly beneficial for those with high blood pressure or heart-related conditions.
5. Enhances sleep quality. Exposure to natural light and fresh air during a forest bathing session can help regulate circadian rhythms, leading to better sleep at night.
6. Encourages mindfulness and connection. In our digital world, forest bathing offers a break from screens and distractions. It fosters mindfulness and a deeper connection with the natural world, helping us feel more grounded and present.
Spring is an ideal time to start incorporating forest bathing into
your routine. Here’s how you can get started:
1. Find the Right Spot. Choose a quiet, natural area such as a forest, park, or nature trail. The presence of trees is ideal, but any lush, green space can work.
2. Engage your senses. Take deep breaths and notice the fresh scents of flowers and trees. Listen to the rustling leaves and chirping birds. Feel the texture of tree bark or soft grass beneath your feet.
3. Go slow and be present. Unlike a typical walk, forest bathing involves slow, deliberate movement. Avoid distractions, such as phones or cameras, and focus on your surroundings.
4. Practice deep breathing. Take slow, deep breaths to absorb the clean, oxygen-rich air. This helps reduce stress and enhances relaxation.
5. Stay as long as you like. Even 20-30 minutes can have noticeable benefits, but longer sessions can deepen your experience and relaxation.
6. Reflect and appreciate. At the end of your session, take a moment
to reflect on how you feel. Gratitude for nature’s beauty can further enhance the benefits of forest bathing. Spring symbolizes renewal, making it the ideal time to embrace new habits that promote health and happiness. As the days get longer and warmer, spending time outdoors becomes more inviting. By practicing forest bathing, you allow yourself to harmonize with nature’s rhythms, reduce stress, and step into the season with renewed energy and clarity.
Whether you’re looking to improve mental well-being, boost immunity, or simply enjoy a moment of peace, forest bathing is an accessible and effective way to reconnect with nature. As you enjoy spring, take time to step into nature, breathe deeply, and let nature work its healing magic. Your mind and body will thank you.
I love that you can forest bathe anywhere, even in your backyard. If you have trees and a small water fountain or a garden, you can forest bathe on a swing right outside of your home. Just don’t forget your favorite beverage.
Web-crawling through the pinball machine
Once upon a yesterday, my granddaughter asked me to take a quiz. The outcome would be which Disney princess I was. The result was Moana – of whom I had never heard of. I watched the movie and went down a rabbit hole learning about South Sea Islands navigation. The Indonesian people navigated throughout the Pacific, by observing nature (That was a great film, by the way, with a solid research base!).
I have another “M” word, Mauna Loa, the observatory in Hawaii. Mauna Loa is the source of the monthly carbon content of the atmosphere that I’ve been tracking for two years. It has been in operation since March 1958 and was the research base of Dave Keeling, who first demonstrated the Keeling curve. That was the first proof of the steady increase in atmospheric carbon content,
which was later tracked back to the industrial revolution. That observatory has remained a pinnacle of carbon ppm (parts per million) data for the globe. It is a critical piece of climate science. It also tracks weather around the globe in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) which has recently endured devastating cuts to budget and staff.
This column is intricately connected to climate science.
Web-Crawling derives from the web of life, and how everything is connected to everything else. If we destroy elements of nature (e.g. the insect population that has fallen by 80 per cent) all elements of the web that depend on insects will also be destroyed, as will the resource
capital we enjoy in nature. That resource capital enables us to survive and helps to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Web-Crawling also refers to the internet. Wearing my science hats, I track the latest research in many areas and refer to their connections in this column. It means I read the latest news. And that makes this column difficult to write.
I’ve watched the rise of populism and even took a course on it. Count me gobsmacked on what has actually happened. As a species, humans may not always make the wisest choices, but our research and engineering abilities are incredible. The gains we have made in a very short time in health, climate, geology, sociology, construction, to name but a very small
number, have been amazing. We’re smart enough to figure out how important it is to bring all of that impressive knowledge together with the limits of our planet’s resources and the natural world. However, within a nanosecond, we have found the science and research core of our continent being completely gutted, coupled with an apparent absence of compassion.
And to circle back, I read in March, unsurprisingly, that the funding support for the Mauna Loa Observatory is threatened, as its lease comes up for renewal. Of course it is. Any connection with climate is being removed – and yet … climate change is the biggest threat the planet has known, since humans appeared.
This will change, my eternal optimism says. Our better selves will recognize the danger to life and property and will care for this incredibly beautiful blue green jewel floating in space, our home, before it is too late. Dig deep for your better selves. As elections loom, VOTE, and vote real science (not the fake science filling social media); work together, and hold compassion in your hearts. Without the tools provided by science, without climate science tracking and warnings, we will be helpless in a pin ball machine.
UPDATES:
1. Carbon parts per million
(ppm) in the atmosphere as of March 24, 2025: 429.2. Safe level, 350 ppm passed in 1990 (the highest level since I began tracking two years ago).
2. Social media tips:
a. Am I searching for what will agree with me?
b. Who said so? And when?
c. Ask an expert – talk to your doctor, a teacher, a nurse, a scientist. Social media is filled with “experts” who are not. Try putting “university” into your search to get the research or seek a news media source based on fact, not opinion.
d. Use fact-checkers – these days they’re important. There are good Canadian ones. Cover several at mediasmarts.ca.
3. Consider April: the temptation is to rake. Don’t do it! Bees and other pollinators are still sheltering in the leaves, wood chips, dead plants, pine needles, and other debris in your yard. How do you know when it’s safe to rake? You can start cleaning up your garden once the apple blossoms have faded. To help nature, adopt a No-Rake April. Just ask yourself, “What happens in the forest, where nature is alive and well?Sheila Clarke is a Stratford advocate for the environment, of our community and of our planet. She is a member of CFUW Stratford, Stratford Climate Momentum, and the Perth County Sustainability Hub.
SHEILA CLARKE Times Freelance Columnist
(UNIVERSITY CORPORATION FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCHPHOTO)
IRENE ROTH Times Freelance Columnist
The Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii.
OH, THE PLACES WE’LL GO: An enviro-space odyssey
The year is 2001. Gardening guru Mark Cullen and I are sharing the back seat of a mini-bus, part of a small group of travel and garden writers touring the south of England. Today, our tour is taking us to a dramatic, brand-new attraction dubbed The Eden Project.
And that was my introduction to yet another visionary project spear-headed by Tim Smits. I knew about Smits, the guy behind the most ambitious garden restoration project of all time – the Lost Gardens of Heligan, which had opened to the public in 1992 and which I had already visited a couple of times (and several more since). I’ve written about Heligan previously in this space; if you love gardens, architecture, history, or utterly mad endeavors, you should check it out.
Well, by the last ‘90s, Heligan was up and running beautifully and Smits was looking for something else to do. Other people, like you or me, might then take up golf or knitting, but Smits cast his eye on an unused chalk mining pit, a 20-minute
abandoned quarry, Smits saw a spectacular, unique, environmental showcase and the Eden Project was born.
The impossible concept involved constructing a series of linked, geodesic domes, or “biomes,” which would house two entire ecosystems – a rainforest and a Mediterranean landscape. There would also be extensive outdoor gardens – the biomes and outdoor gardens cover 30 acres.
The first time I visited the Eden Project, the biomes were complete and full of relatively small plants and relatively big hopes. But would it work? Would this brave new world of artificially created environments survive, and would it attract visitors?
Yes, on all counts, but not without major challenges. In December 2020, torrential rain caused landslides on the chalk cliffs that
thusiastic crowds of visitors in mid-2021. The latest annual figures show 604,000 visitors in a 12-month period. Since opening, Eden has welcomed more than 19 million guests. It's so popular you need to book timed tickets in advance.
The Eden Project is a tourist attraction with distinct difference. It’s a place that definitely offers a lot of entertainment – even including a zip line – but its first priority is not to entertain, it’s to educate.
And there is lots to learn, all presented in an immersive, captivating environment. In my most recent visit to Eden, I was again struck by the drama of walking through a genuine rainforest, albeit in a biome in rural Cornwall. The recommended schedule for a visit is four hours, but if you like, you can spend much longer, checking out the flora and fauna (the latter limited to some birds native to the rainforest), and mar-
velling at the achievement itself.
Because it’s all here – the trees, vines, flowers, replica buildings, waterfalls and more.
One piece of advice – you are visiting a site that occupies an unused quarry and covers a lot of territory. There can be a lot of walking and although the paths are level and comfortable, the climb back up from the biomes to the visitor centre and then again to the parking lot can be a bit tasking. But the Eden Project will provide motorized scooters, preferably booked in advance.
On one visit to Eden, I was leading a group that included a couple of women who felt they should use scooters. This was arranged. They then discovered the joys of scooter racing, and I am surprised they a) survived and b) escaped incarceration. But I digress.
The visionary ambition that inspired first Heligan, and then the Eden Project has not waned. The
attraction’s website, edenproject. com, includes a section called “New Edens.” There are plans underway for unique projects in Dundee, Scotland, Lancashire, England, Derry, Northern Ireland, and much farther afield in China, Costa Rica and Australia. In all cases, the focus is on the environment, sustainability and education. And in all cases, the projects employ many local residents, a true boon to struggling economies. The Eden Project itself employs between 300 and 400 people, as well as having a volunteer group of over 100.
Cornwall itself is one of my favourite destinations in the world. Visitors should definitely schedule time to visit The Eden Project, but my itinerary in this part of England’s southwest would also always include The Lost Gardens of Heligan; the late-Victorian country mansion, Lanhydrock; the coastal towns of Fowey (pronounced “Foy”) and Mevagissey, all within a few minutes of the Eden Project. That’s not to mention the many other fascinating destinations in this westernmost part of the U.K. – St. Michael’s Mount, the village of Mousehole (“Mawzle”), Penzance, St. Ives, Tintagel and more. The whole of Cornwall is less two hours from Land’s End to Tavistock, so time spent here can involve a minimum of time travelling, and a maximum of time experiencing this unique part of the world, including a lush, indoor rainforest, waterfall and all.
Paul Knowles is an author and travel writer, and President of the Travel Media Association of Canada. To contact Paul about travel, his books, or speaking engagements, email pknowles@ golden.net.
The biomes that house Rainforest and Mediterranean ecosystems.
PAUL KNOWLES Times Contributor
(PAUL KNOWLES PHOTOS)
A gigantic bee sculpture in the outdoor gardens illustrates the educational and artistic intentions of the creators of the Eden Project.
The soaring plant life in the Rainforest.
Stratford’s Community of Christ Church serves up breakfast for a cause
Each month, Community of Christ Church in Stratford opens its doors for a free community breakfast and gives back to a local organization in the process.
Located at 226 Foreman Ave., the church
recently hosted its monthly breakfast with donations from attendees directed to The Local Community Food Centre, a vital organization based at 612 Erie St. that supports residents facing food insecurity.
Guests enjoyed a full breakfast featuring eggs, sausage, pancakes, porridge, toast, juice and coffee or tea. While the
Representatives from The Local Community Food Centre and Community of Christ Church gather in thanks for the church’s donation. From left are Pastor Nancy Brookshaw, Peggy
meal was free, generous donations from attendees raised hundreds of dollars for The Local.
Julie Docker-Johnson, a community connector with The Local, was on hand to accept the donation and expressed her gratitude to Pastor Nancy Brookshaw and the congregation.
“This contribution offers a hand up to local residents who rely on The Local for access to nutritious meals and support,” said Docker-Johnson.
The next free breakfast will take place Sunday, April 27 from 9-11 a.m. at Community of Christ Church. All are welcome.
Nafziger, Barbara Howard (community connector team member at The Local), Christian Payton, church official Gary Goulding and Julie Docker-Johnson (community connector at
The “Get Cracking” team, organized by Pastor Scott Brookshaw, prepares a hearty Gray Ridge egg breakfast in the church kitchen during the monthly community meal at Community of Christ Church on Foreman Avenue.
GARY WEST Times Correspondent
(GARY WEST PHOTOS)
Bake for the Animals raises over $20,000
Humane Society ahead of shelter’s spring adoption event
EMILY STEWART Times Correspondent
Whether it was hosting a bake sale or grabbing a treat from a local business, the sweet actions helped animals in need during the recent Bake for the Animals fundraiser.
The Humane Society of Kitchener-Waterloo and Stratford-Perth (HSKWSP) raised more than $20,000 from the February Bake for the Animals campaign as of March 31, with more donations coming in. About $3,000 of the funds raised came from the Pastry Path, through which local bakeries and cafés in Kitchener-Waterloo, Stratford, St. Jacobs and
surrounding areas sold treats in support of the fundraiser.
"It's honestly been such a wonderful thing to see our community members participate. It's a lot of fun,” said Beverly Martin, marketing and communications coordinator for the HSKWSP.
Bake for the Animals is an annual fundraising campaign through which residents can either host their own bake sales within the community to support the regional Humane Society or make a purchase from one of the participating vendors on the Pastry Path such as Stratford’s the Barkery and Black Angus Bakery.
“It was fun to visit each of these cafés
and taste all the treats that they have,” Martin said.
Proceeds from Bake for the Animals will support the animals in shelter needing day-to-day and medical care, as well as outreach programs like the Pet Pantry, low-cost vet services and dog-training programs. The fundraiser will also support the foster care program and animals living in foster homes.
There are about 120 animals in the Humane Society’s shelters, with more than 40 ready to be adopted. The HSKWSP will hold a Shelter Spring Walk-In Adoption event on April 5 and 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the shelters at 125 Griffith St. in Stratford and 250 Riverbend Rd. in
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Looking for Employment in Stratford or surrounding area. Hard working, reliable, with full G driver’s license. Randy 519-271-8137.
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Kitchener. Over the weekend, the organization will take $100 off the adoption fee for adult dogs in shelter.
"We're hoping to see some animals find their forever home,” Martin said.
Martin added in addition to donating, fundraising and adopting animals, sharing the HSKWSP’s social media posts also helps the organization. Sharing the posts can lead the animals in care to their new families.
“We really appreciate the support from our community in any way it looks like,” she said.
To find out more about the adoptable animals online, visit kwsphumane.ca/ adopt.
team. We offer competitive wages and an extensive benefit package.
Please submit resume to: Email: denise@fraserpaving.ca Fraser Asphalt Paving Inc.
What do you call a bear with no teeth? A gummy bear!
Why don’t oysters share their pearls? Because they’re shellfish!
What do you get when you cross a snake with a pie? A python!
Why did the cow become an astronaut? To see the moooon!
What do you call an alligator in a vest? An investigator!
Why did the chicken join a band? Because it already had drumsticks!
What do you call a sleeping bull? A bulldozer!
Why did the cat sit on the computer? To keep an eye on the mouse!
What do you call a fish that practices medicine? A sturgeon!
Why did the elephant bring a suitcase to the zoo? Because it wanted to pack its trunk!
What do you call an owl that does magic tricks? Hooo-dini!
SOPHIE
Meet Sophie! This high-energy sweetheart came to the Humane Society as a stray, quite thin, and is currently working on gaining weight. She absolutely loves people and has shown interest in playing with other dogs. Sophie is looking for an active home that will help her work on her separation anxiety, impulse control when taking food from hands, and minor resource guarding-she tends to gulp her food quickly. She can be mouthy and jumpy when excited, so ongoing training will be important. Sophie adores walks and would thrive in a home that keeps her both mentally and physically engaged. Could you be her perfect match? Visit www.kwsphumane.ca to learn more about Sophie!
