Stratford Times February 21, 2025

STRATFORD

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Here’s how to vote in Stratford

Perth-Wellington is gearing up for a cold election as Feb. 27 gets closer and closer.

Here’s what you need to know leading up to election day:

Your voting location can be found at the Elections Ontario website by inputting your postal code. Additionally, residents can apply to vote by mail online by Feb. 21.

Early voting can be done at the Stratford Rotary Complex, located at 353 McCarthy Rd., in halls A and B from Feb. 20-22. The stations will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For further information, residents can reach out to the Perth-Wellington local election office, located at the Stratford Hotel rear entrance, 107 Erie St. It is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Residents can also reach it by phone, 1-(833) 505-3410.

A Passion for People

SHERRIE ROULSTON

Real Estate Broker email: sherrieroulston@royallepage.ca Direct: 519-272-3578

THE SNOW KEEPS PILING UP

CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter City budget passes; tax rate to increase 5.46 per cent this year

Seven candidates have declared in Perth-Wellington. As listed on the Elections Ontario website, there is Jason Davis of the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP), Ashley Fox of the Ontario Liberal Party, James Montgomery of the New Blue Party, Ian Morton of the Green Party of Ontario, Matthew Rae of the PC Party of Ontario, Rob Smink of the Freedom Party of Ontario and Sarah Zenuh of the Ontario Party.

Candidate profiles on Davis, Fox, Morton and Rae can be found in the Feb. 7 edition of the Times, which is available digitally at www.granthaven.com/stratford-times.

Profiles on Montgomery and Zenuh can be found on pages 7 in this edition. Smink did not respond to the Times’ request for an interview by press time.

This picture could be taken from many homes in the area. Most residents have almost had enough of winter and, if the weather person deals out any more snow, residents are wondering where they will put it all!

Property taxes will increase by 5.46 per cent this year after a months-long-debated budget finally passed this month.

On Feb. 10, in the middle of a more than three-hour Stratford city council meeting that included delegations from numerous residents on the budget, the tax increase was approved after one more debate by council.

During said debate, council discussed the increased burden Stratford and other municipalities face while other levels of government – namely the province – shirk responsibility. Many councillors felt they had to bear that responsibility, especially through their social services department, a sentiment shared throughout deliberations.

Mayor Martin Ritsma said the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), a network of the municipalities in the province, is advocating for change.

(GARY WEST PHOTO)

CONNOR LUCZKA

McKennitt wants a deeper review on Normal School’s future as possible sale looms

CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Though Loreena McKennitt originally thought the sale of Stratford’s former Normal School to the Stratford Festival could be advantageous, she now thinks a more comprehensive public review should take place.

McKennitt shared her thoughts at the most recent Stratford city council meeting after the lease for the Normal School, now called the Discovery Centre at the Normal School, was up for renewal.

Though council is considering selling the school – and the festival has made a public petition to buy it for $1 –staff were still recommending renewing the lease until December 2025 so council can make a final decision.

McKennitt had previously called the festival a reasonable buyer, but had a chance to review the documents prepared by them and has some concerns.

“The festival notes in their letter to council that they are currently running a deficit, but does not provide an accompanying financial plan as to how they would intend to maintain a building that, by their own words, may require as much as $3.5 million in capital repairs over the next decade. So, where would these resources come from?”

She also suggested the idea the festival is not assisted by the municipality and its residents, as artistic director Antoni Cimolino said in his delegation on Jan. 16, is “misleading.” For instance, the festival does not pay property taxes on any of its properties.

“A quick calculation of the festival's lease rate for the

Normal School over the past 10 years suggests that perhaps the city has also been subsidizing this aspect of the festival's operation to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year,” McKennitt continued. “I think strong consideration must be given to the prudence of selling a multi-million-dollar property for a minimal amount of $1, even if it would serve to free up capital reserves for other priorities. Some would say this offer may be just too generous, given the city's contributions to date.”

Council unanimously voted to extend the lease until Dec. 31, 2025. CAO Joan Thomson confirmed a report on the potential sale of the property is still being worked on by staff and will be before council, but did not provide a date or timeline.

Council approves 3 per-cent increase to their base renumeration

Reporter

Stratford city council approved a three per cent wage increase for 2025, a “cost of living” increase as Coun. Larry McCabe called it.

In 2025, as part of their base pay, Mayor Martin Ritsma will receive $86,800.16, Deputy Mayor Harjinder Nijjar will be paid $24,333.75, and all other councillors will be paid $22,390.14.

Last year, the base pay was $85,318, $24,000, and $22,050, respectively.

The only change council made to staff’s recommen-

dations was to keep per diem rates the same, a motion suggested by McCabe and put forward by Coun. Lesley Biehn.

“It’s more of a statement of willingness to also not have increases for us like that,” Biehn explained. “It’s more of an act of good will.”

Staff originally recommended that the per diem for three hours or less be increased from $40 to $75 and that the per diem for more than three hours be increased from $90 to $150.

In addition to their pay and per diems, members of council receive a $4,000 flat rate in lieu of benefits, a training allowance shared with other members of council, and mileage equal to $0.67 per kilometre.

Downtown Stratford BIA Ten Bucks Back returns

EMILY STEWART Times Correspondent

Area residents and visitors can get $10 for shopping locally once again.

The Downtown Stratford Business Improvement Area (BIA) announced the return of the Ten Bucks Back program in a Feb. 10 press release. The initiative encourages shoppers to make a purchase of $100 pre-tax between Feb. 15 and 28 at one of the participating downtown merchants to earn a $10 voucher to be spent downtown. The BIA has about $10,000 total to give away.

"It is a big hit. We go through the $10,000 fairly quickly,” said Jamie Pritchard, Downtown Stratford BIA general manager. “Everyone responds well to it. You're getting a bonus just for shopping and making purchases downtown."

Pritchard said shopping locally is always important and now, more people are considering it in light of tariff threats from the United States.

“The recent talk of the tariffs and all the things going on south of the border are really bringing it to light and I think people are giving their head a shake and saying, 'Hey, I do need to support local because I

want to get into that habit,' " he said.

Shopping from small, locally run businesses, as well as promotional programs like Ten Bucks Back, also put money directly into the community.

“We have to remember these local businesses downtown sell products,” Pritchard said. “They take in the money and they're also members of our community that spend money in our community. They give to our local community charities and their kids go to school in our schools here, so they're very involved in the community."

Receipts worth between $100 and $500 pre-tax can be brought to either RBC at 30 Downie St. or the Tourism Office at 47 Downie St. up until March 12. The $10 vouchers must be used by April 30.

More information about Ten Bucks Back can be found online by visiting downtownstratford.ca/whats-on/ten-bucksback-2025-2.

CONNOR LUCZKA

Local Journalism Initiative

City budget passes; tax rate to increase 5.46 per cent this year

“We need a new partnership with the province with regards to covering things in our budget that we historically haven’t covered,” Ritsma said. “Four-hundred and forty-four municipalities across Ontario have shared that with the province.”

“And quite frankly, the province is not listening,” Coun. Cody Sebben said in response. “They're not advocating for municipalities and not advocating for Stratford, and they know they're underfunding – they're being told quite often, in my opinion. They're not listening.

“We can complain about the province and that's fine. We can try and make change as a municipality to the province, make them listen. In the meantime, while the years go by and the budgets go by, this is the last stop for charging our residents to make up that slack.”

Sebben argued they were scapegoating the province and not finding efficiencies in the budget. He said they need to both complain about upper levels of government underfunding and also work harder to bring their budgets down – not one or the other.

Coun. Mark Hunter said they could match the province’s funding and cut down the services they would provide to match the funding, namely through the municipality’s social services department, but it would disproportionately affect vulnerable residents. It would increase homelessness and poverty in the city.

“It does leave us in a spot,” Hunter said. “I’m not prepared to make that choice. … I don’t have the stomach for that.”

Originally, a 5.39 per-cent increase to the budget was expected to pass; however, a last-chance delegation from Nora Auster, Leif Wahlquist, Zach Kritzer and Ewan Mann of the Stratford District Secondary School Eco-Club advocated for a new community energy liaison contract position, which had been requested by staff in last year’s budget as well, to finally be implemented to the tune of $104,850. While appreciative of the work the city has done to combat the climate crisis, they argued more needs to be done not just by the city.

“Even during tough times, we cannot turn away from taking action on the climate crisis. It affects our futures,” Wahlquist said.

The liaison position, which was subsequently added to the budget after a 9-2 vote with Coun. Mark Hunter and Coun. Lesley Biehn opposed, will assist Stratford citizens in finding savings related to green initiatives like governmental grants.

After that final position was implemented into the budget, it passed in a 7-4 vote

with Biehn, Sebben, Coun. Geza Wordofa and Ritsma all opposed.

This year’s budget adds a $5,948,452 increase to the tax levy, which is $86,038,828 total.

During budget deliberations, council voted on the following additions and subtractions which affect the bottom line that taxpayers will foot:

• Striking the costs to maintain the Normal School in 2025, saving $250,000, given its potential sale this year.

• Deferring $60,000 for a traffic-study consultant.

• Approving an emergency exercise for Stratford’s first responders, expected to cost $50,000.

• A new supervisor of policy placemaking position, $76,296.

• Changing six casual recreation positions into permanent positions, $16,776.

• A new Ontario Works caseworker position, $21,730.

• A new bylaw enforcement officer position, $60,686.

• A new bylaw supervisor position, $68,705.

• A new financial services supervisor, $66,514.

• Two vehicles for the new bylaw staff, $110,300.

• An additional $45,000 to the CAO’s budget, as required, rather than the requested new communications coordinator position.

• A new backflow prevention officer position, $30,343. Additionally, council approved a few other changes that will not impact the rise in tax rates. Instead, reserve funds or other savings are expected to fund these initiatives:

• Using $700,000 from the tax stabilization reserve fund to bring down the levy increase.

• Using Municipal Accommodations Tax (MAT) revenues to fund $150,000 for Lights On Stratford, saving that money from the levy.

• Using MAT revenues to fund $150,000 for the Attainable Housing Incentive Community Improvement Plan.

• Supports to investStratford for its Grand Trunk endeavours.

• Two new electronic message board trailers.

• An additional mobility bus.

• A new facilities plumber position and vehicle.

• A new facilities electrician position and vehicle.

• A new water meter technician position. The full budget can be found on the city’s website at www.stratford.ca/en/inside-city-hall/2025-budget.aspx.

MCKENNITT CM, OM, CD, LL.D. AND D.LITT

There are moments in history when a generation is called upon to define and defend itself, now and for the future. For Canadians, this moment has come in the form of the punishing tariffs the president of the United States is threatening us with – we who are his closest ally and largest trading partner. We should be under no illusions. These moves are meant to cripple our economy and put millions of Canadians out of work. He wants to bring us to heel.

Largely unwarranted and seen as illegal by some, these tariffs serve as a pretence and cover for a bigger idea - to annex Canada, while also threatening the sovereign-

ty of those he sees subservient in his new world order, be they Greenland, the Panama Canal and even Gaza.

Canadians will have none of it. Neither will the Europeans, Mexicans, Central Americans or Gazans who are also in his crosshairs. The road to self-determination and freedom has been too highly fought for and paved with the blood of too many ancestors to let it slip from our hands now.

We are not interested in going back to a feudal past, a religious crusade or an authoritarian regime.

Not long ago, Canada and the United States were bound by a close friendship, helping each other through thick and thin. Together, we were part of the Allied Forces who fought and died alongside each other to eradicate acts of tyranny.

But the White House has lost sight of

Letter to Editor

We can’t afford another four years of Doug Ford

We definitely can't afford another four years of Doug Ford because his spending of our tax dollars is out of control. We can't afford his record of making things worse, like health care, education, housing and affordability, ignoring studies and reports about proposed projects when it didn't give him the outcome he wanted and the provincial debt. The campaigning here in Perth-Wellington is focused on rebuilding our economy, making life more affordable for taxpayers and protecting us from tariffs. Ford's mandate letters to the ministers five years ago in 2019 included:

• Adhering to spending using the established guidelines;

• Returning the province to budget balance as quickly as possible;

• Showing Ontario why they can believe in government again and why they can trust their publicly elected offi-

Restoring small-town journalism, one community at a time!

STRATFORD TIMES

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Spencer Seymour, Betty-Jo Belton, Julia Schneider, Gary West, Paul Knowles, Emily Stewart, Lisa Chester, Fred Gonder, Sheila Clarke, Irene Roth, Lee Griffi, Stuart Lender, Thomas R. Verny, Sydney Goodwin, Kristen Parker, Alex Hunt, Hannah Kavanagh, Julia Paul

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that friendship and a feeling of betrayal lies in its wake.

Thankfully, there are millions of Americans who, just like us, have expressed disbelief at these attacks and against his own people and others around the world. They are starting to rise up against the President and his billionaire-tech oligarchs.

Our mission now is to be clear-eyed about the moment we’re in and to move forward with clarity, resolve, resilience and resourcefulness. We have a responsibility to ourselves and to our children to shape a world inspired by the values of respect, self-determination, human rights and the rule of law.

As Canadians, we must stand resolute as we defend our nation and with nations who share our values.

Across this country, an “awakening” is

cials

• Expecting them to hold themselves to the highest ethical standard on and off the job; and

• Ford will personally hold them accountable for their actions.

How do you think the government did on these mandates?

Much of Ford's spending of our money is not responsible or transparent. Ford allowed the Greenbelt sell-off of 7,400 acres to developers he knows, which is still being investigated by the RCMP.

The unnecessary snap election (he still has a strong mandate until July 2026) that he had been planning for some time is to get ahead of any reporting coming from this investigation and the certainty of a federal election soon. It has nothing to do with the Protect Canada campaign as anyone elected premier could do just as good a job on that issue as he can, if not better. Ford has spent $189 million on this unnecessary election that could have waited until mid 2026.

Two-hundred-million dollars unnecessarily went to the Beer Store for breaking a contract to speed up the availability of liquor in corner stores a year ahead of time just before the election (pretty sure this could end up increasing our need for health care). Who knows how much of our money was spent on pre-election style ads?

Commenting on Ontario's energy jobs, economy, etc. making him look good as well as the multitude of funding announcements just ahead of the election. Between $575 and $675 million or more will be spent on an unnecessary, highly disputed Austrian Spa rental and exclusive rights to Ontario Place for an unheard of 95 years (they are only paying 30 per cent of the investment) that no one wants, especially ordinary, taxpayers; possibly over $1.8 billion to subsidize the Ontario Place project.

Possibly a low estimate for Highway 413 at $2.6 billion in 2021 and what about $55 billion to dig a tunnel under Highway 401? Taxpayers end up spending their time fighting these expensive initiatives/distractions. The latest bribe just before voting of $3.6 billion in the form of a $200 cheque to all taxpayers, even the rich ones, that we now owe interest on. Thanks for nothing, Doug. Doug Ford is very expensive to have as a premier!

Ford's record didn't "Get It Done" at all. He didn't end

happening, fueled by a sense of purpose and pride. A resistance has already begun through the actions of everyday Canadians who are forming a vanguard that will spread beyond our shores. I am joining them too.

This unfolding situation reminds us that bad things happen when good people stand by and do nothing. Canadians are not ones to stand back and do nothing. We never have been. We are justly proud of who we are and are prepared to defend and fight for it now and forever.

There will be no surrender.

Loreena McKennitt is an international, multi-platinum recording artist, a member of The Order of Canada, the former honorary colonel of the Royal Canadian Air Force and founder of Wise Communities. wisecommunities.org/canada.

hallway medicine but now expects to by 2029 (the end of this term). Ford is underfunding our health care, closing emergency departments, utilizing private care facilities and nurses which cost more and not fixing the problems within the hospitals. Education is underfunded after Ford took away $1,500 per student which means larger class sizes and not enough special staff to deal with mental-health issues and special education. Education of our children is law and we must strive to do our very best for them. Ford has a failing grade with the lowest house-building record in Canada despite the promise to "Build More Homes Faster." There are too many single dwelling homes on larger lots instead of mixed housing to make it more affordable for all.

Life is not affordable, even for the middle class, as they try to pay off mortgages, keep food on the table and drive to work.

The Greenbelt issue was Ford trying to break up the organized green area around the congested GTA for his developer friends, which is supposed to be a natural area and for farmland to help feed the over 7-million people living there. Ford ignored his promise to leave the Greenbelt alone. It was only through continuous opposition from taxpayers that Ford backed off and apologized saying he would leave the Greenbelt alone.

Ford has slashed any powers that the local conservation authorities had to stop these land grabs in environmentally sensitive areas. He continues to dishonour his promise by continuing with Highway 413 which would go through some of the Greenbelt, farmland and natural wetlands and habitats. Then, the biggest problem will be the developers that want to build along the route and destroy the Greenbelt. Is Doug Ford really sorry and is he really going to leave the Greenbelt alone as he promised?

I don't know about you, but I don't trust Ford to come through for taxpayers; just look at his record. Is he going to fight for you or his developer friends? Is this really the person you, the taxpayer, want to support for the next four years? It is time for a change. Thanks for the $200 bribe as the majority of mine went to the Green Party.

Make sure to vote early because you know, we are in February and it snows.

Jane Marie Mitchell, Stratford

LOREENA

Times Contributor

Local Community Food Centre hosts roundtable discussions on issues ahead of election

It’s hard to have a discussion on affordability and not talk about a universal livable income, Kathy Douglas said.

Douglas was one of the attendees at the Local Community Food Centre’s Meet the Candidates event on Feb. 11, the second event in a special election series where residents could come and discuss with their neighbours some pressing issues facing them.

That evening, Jason Davis of the New Democratic Party (NDP), Matthew Rae of the PC Party of Ontario, Ian Morton of the Green Party of Ontario and Ashley Fox of the Ontario Liberals – and a newly declared James Montgomery of the New Blue Party – gathered with potential voters and discussed four key issues: housing and land use, affordability, education and health care.

At the affordability table, when the issues of transportation, food security and rent were brought up, Douglas suggested a universal livable income was a necessary part of the conversation.

“A guaranteed living income is a really good idea that should be considered and highly recommended,” Douglas said. “People have agency when they have a guaranteed living income – and not a basic

income, a livable income.”

She wasn’t the only one who thought that. A universal livable income and its viability in Ontario was repeatedly brought up and discussed by residents.

While all five attending candidates came

to the affordability table and discussed the issues at hand, hearing what Douglas and other residents had to say, they were encouraged to listen and not delve into policy, though occasionally veered into that arena.

After the discussions, each had a few minutes to address those who attended.

All of the candidates thanked the United Way Perth-Huron and the Local for organizing the event and encouraged everyone to get out and vote – either on Feb. 27 or before through advance polling or by mail.

Rae focused on his track record as the incumbent, promising constituents he will continue to advocate for them and bring much-needed investment into the region.

“We heard a lot about affordability, health care, education here tonight – and housing, of course,” Rae said. “I know all of it sort of meshes together. I know in the past three years, I've worked diligently to work with all of our councillors locally, all of our municipalities, with our federal representatives and all the organizations in the room this evening as well, advocating for personal management, ensuring that we're getting investments in our rural communities. If re-elected, I will continue to do that.”

His opponents also focused on his government’s track record, pointing out many of the areas of discussion that night surrounded where Ontario’s current government is falling short.

In her time slot, Fox encouraged collaboration across government levels to address the issues at hand.

Incumbent Matthew Rae was one of the candidates that attended a “meet the candidates” event the Local Community Food Centre and untied Way Perth-Huron hosted on Feb. 11.

(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)

CONNOR LUCZKA

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Despite potential for provincial funding, Perth County council stands by cancellation of PC Connect rural route

Though the Ontario minister of transportation recently welcomed an application from Perth County for funding through the Ontario Transit Investment Fund (OTIF) to support the PC Connect rural-route bus service set to be discontinued at the end of March, Perth County council is standing by its decision to end the bus service that connects rural communities within the county.

At the Feb. 6 county council meeting, county economic development officer Justin Dias informed council of a conversation between county delegates and transportation minister Prabmeet Sarkaria and senior ministry staff at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference on Jan. 20.

“Information about the forthcoming OTIF program was announced in early 2024 at the Ontario Transit Association Conference, and then in October of 2024, the actual OTIF guidelines were released, which included a number of eligibility criteria,” Dias said.

Until that conversation, the ministry had been advising recipients of Community Transportation funding that OTIF was not intended to provide operational funding for their projects, which informed county council’s decision on Dec. 5, 2024, to discontinue the PC Connect Rural Route service when the county’s $2.47-million Community Transportation grant funding agreement with the province ends on March 31. That funding agreement has been in place since the transit service launched in 2020.

At ROMA, the minister acknowledged that Perth County does, in fact, qualify for OTIF funding, which was a significant shift from previous guidance offered by MTO senior staff. When the program guidelines were released, OTIF was only intended to allocate a total of $5 million annually to support the development of safe, reliable and sustainable transit options in areas with limited transportation infrastructure. According to the guidelines, eligible projects included new bus services, on-demand shared rides and

“The key point that was mentioned at that time was that OTIF … was not intended to support ongoing operations for the (Community Transportation Grant Program) funded pilot projects – PC Connect and others. Based on the criteria for OTIF, council led a delegation to the minister at ROMA and, based on that (conversation), though OTIF guidelines haven’t changed on the website, there was an openness from the minister to see an application come forward from Perth County.”

door-to-door transit services.

In follow-up conversations, MTO staff confirmed Perth County could apply for OTIF funding under a five-year plan with a structured funding decrease each year. A strong application would have to identify how OTIF funding would only be used to support existing operational funding in the short term with a fulsome plan for how the service would become sustainable over the long term.

Additionally, MTO staff emphasized the importance of securing financial partnerships to strengthen the application. Securing financial partnerships would be essential to reducing the financial impact to the county levy as OTIF funding decreases.

According to Dias’ report to council, in 2025, the OTIF funding would reduce the impact on the county’s tax levy from $225,103 without the funding to $22,705 with it. That funding would continue to decrease each year until 2030 when the cost of the rural-route bus service would once again fall fully on the shoulders of county taxpayers to the tune of nearly $530,000 annually.

“Is it too late to turn this thing around now?” Coun. Walter McKenzie asked, referring to whether county council could reverse its decision to discontinue PC Connect’s Rural Route service. “We’ve already cancelled the contract we had. … Is there

any desire from this group to even look at it?”

While Dias said Voyago, the transit company that provides buses and drivers for PC Connect, indicated its buses and drivers are still available to continue the rural bus service after March 31, councillors voiced concerns around continuing the service.

“I can’t, in good conscience, support an investment for over $1.3 million over the next five years and, possibly, $2.6 million over five years (after that),” Coun. Bob Wilhelm said.

“By 2030, we’re back up to over halfa-million bucks again, and I think that to try to get some funds now; how long will that take to get those funds?” added Coun. Hugh McDermid. “And, in the end, they’re still not going to contribute a very big percentage over time of what we’re going to have to (pay). I think we have bigger hills to get over.”

PC Connect’s rural-route service will continue providing transit for riders between rural communities in Perth County including Stratford, Mitchell, Monkton, Atwood, Listowel, Newton, Milverton, Brunner and Gadshill until March 31. The cancellation of the rural-route service does not impact PC Connect Routes 1, 2 and 3 offering service between Stratford, St. Marys, London, Kitchener-Waterloo and North Perth.

Perth County grants over $56,500 to 20 landowners and communities for 2025 tree-planting projects

in from West Perth, five from North Perth, four from Perth East and two from Perth South.

one county they have trees along their road and it’s stopping the snow, and yet in Perth County we don’t seem to have that.

From a total budget of $100,000 for the program this year, Perth County will allocate a combined $56,537 to 20 landowners, communities and organizations through the spring intake of the 2025 Perth County Stewardship Program for local tree-planting projects.

At the Feb. 6 Perth County council meeting, councillors voted to approve all 20 applications for funding. The stewardship program is divided into three funding streams. The landowner stream offers 50 per cent of project costs up to $3,000 to landowners planting 50 or more trees; the community stream offers a maximum of 100 per cent of project costs up to $5,000 to non-profit groups, municipalities, or conservation authorities planting trees or conducting tree-distribution programs in the county; and the woodland stream offers a maximum grant of 75 per cent of project costs up to $750 to landowners completing a 10-year forest-management plan.

Of the 20 applications approved by council, 12 were made to the landowner stream with a total of just over $30,000 in requested funds, seven were made to the community stream with a total of just over $25,700 in requested funds and one was made to the woodland stream with a total of $750 in requested funds. Nine applications came

“These projects will complete one forest-management plan and plant 3,592 trees and shrubs encompassing 28 native species,” said county resiliency and stewardship coordinator Hannah Cann. “The applications … would add 6.99 kilometres of windbreak and 16.35 acres of natural assets in Perth County.”

Along with the recommendation to approve the applications to the program, the county’s agricultural working group also recommended that council uses the balance of the funds for the program in this year’s budget, roughly $43,460, to offer further funding to landowners during a fall intake for the program later this year. Some county councillors, however, asked whether the remaining funds could instead be directed back into the overall county budget to support county projects such as the establishment of roadside windbreaks to combat the dangers of blowing snow on county roads.

“I’d like to know where this fall stream comes from,” Coun. Rhonda Ehgoetz said. “ … That’s not something that I thought council was doing or this committee was doing. Also, I would like to see us put that money towards windbreaks on our roads. We’ve had an awful lot of complaints if you watch Facebook and take it with a grain of salt. There are people that are saying in

“I don’t know what the urgency is to spend this money and if people don’t want it, then we should put it back into our budget. We have other things, but if we really want to spend it, I say we put trees along our roads.”

In response, deputy warden Dean Trentowsky, who serves as chair of the agricultural working group, noted the advisory committee had always intended for the program to have two intake periods – one in the spring and another in the fall. The only reason there was just one intake period last year was because the program’s budget was allocated fully during the 2024 spring intake.

“The 2025 year is different in that an additional $25,000 was allocated to the program and not all the funds available were taken up in the spring intake,” he said. “It’s still a very good program for private landowners to engage in given the nature of the decline in the forestry health in terms of … the ash trees. There’s still a need for the private landowners to engage in this program and it’s still a popular program.”

Returning to Ehgoetz’s point about the need for natural windbreaks along county roads, Coun. Sue Orr asked if there was any way to incentivize private landowners to plant trees that could act as windbreaks

for drivers on county roads once mature, to which Cann said staff is in the process of identifying new funding streams for the program, one of which could provide funding for “living snow fences.”

“It was always the intention of the county stewardship program to add new streams as more money was allocated year over year,” Cann said. “Living snow fences is a stream that we are looking at adding as one to highlight for landowners. Unfortunately, living snow fences are amazing, but you have to have the buy-in of the landowners whose land is adjacent to the roads. Being able to support landowners who are wanting windbreaks and living snow fences on their own accord is a really great initiative to do for this program to start. We are in the process of also identifying priority areas for living snow fences in the county.”

In response to a follow-up question from Ehgoetz about why the county can’t just plant living snow fences and windbreaks on the public road allowance, Cann said they need to be planted a certain distance away from the roadway, often on private property, to be effective.

Trentowsky also noted funding for the protection of saplings and seedlings once they’re planted may also be included as part of the stewardship program as early as this fall – something the agricultural working group had determined there is a need for going forward.

GALEN SIMMONS

Regional Editor

GALEN SIMMONS

Regional Editor

Meet your candidates: James Montgomery of the New Blue Party

CONNOR LUCZKA

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

James Montgomery says it’s time for a government that will lower the cost of living, unlock more homes being built and protect the rights of Ontarians.

Montgomery is the New Blue Party candidate for Perth-Wellington. He has spent the last 13 years serving as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces army reserves. As a captain, he has instructed cadets in Stratford for the past year but has previously instructed cadets in Clinton. He is also a factory worker and a preacher.

Stratford residents may also recognize his name from the 2022 municipal election, in which he was unsuccessful in securing a seat on council but had a “good learning experience,” he said.

His priorities going into this provincial election are affordable child care, tax relief by lowering HST from 13 per cent to 10 per cent, reducing governmental fees, protecting personal freedoms and limiting lobbyists’ power in Queen’s Park.

“I’m a huge personal-freedoms guy; I know New Blue Party is a huge personal-freedoms party, so defending personal freedoms, property, free speech and making sure that the government is fully transparent and held accountable. … An-

other big talking point for the New Blue is to have more accountability when dealing with lobbyists. I'm not here to serve the lobbyists. I'm here to serve the constituents of Perth-Wellington.”

Health care is also a key priority for Montgomery. With family working in that field, he says he understands the challeng-

Meet your candidates: Sarah Zenuh of the Ontario Party

The Times was unable to interview Sarah Zenuh, the Ontario Party candidate for Perth-Wellington, in time for press; however, Zenuh sent the following statement on who she is and why she is running:

“My name is Sar ah Zenuh. I live in Stratford, Ont. and have lived in Perth-Wellington all of my life. I am a registered early childhood educator and an educational assis tant and have worked in the education sector for over 20 years. I am passionate about education and seeing the children of my community thrive. My husband and I have been married for six years.

“I chose to join the Ontario Party because I felt that their values most represented myself: faith, family and freedom. I chose to run because I have been disheartened by our current government

and their disregard for the people of Ontario. I have had many conversations with people throughout Perth-Wellington who are broken, defeated and feel so unheard. Our province is in a crisis and the issues continue to grow while our government continues to ignore the real and terrible impact that their policies are having.

We have an affordability crisis, many worsening social issues, a health-care crisis and indoctrination in our schools just to name a few.

“I decided that I had two choices, I can either sit on my couch and complain about it or I can step up and be a voice for the people of Perth-Wellington. So here I am! Join me in giving Perth-Wellington the voice they so desperately deserve and take back Ontario!”

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

es facing the system.

“There's a lot of hospitals that are closing ERs just due to staffing shortages,” Montgomery said. “So to address this, the New Blue Party, but also myself, want to focus on rehiring nurses and doctors and healthcare workers that were dismissed due to the COVID-19 mandates, push for policies

that would improve working conditions of health-care staff and provide competitive wages, ensure adequate mental-health supports to prevent burnout and, additionally, I would advocate for better training programs and incentives to attract and retain health-care workers.”

To address the housing crisis, he is advocating for lowering the taxes and fees associated with building a home and with buying a home. Specifically, he advocated for scrapping HST on the purchase of a primary residence and lowering the fees for municipal building and inspection permits, costs he said add up for the average consumer.

Preserving Ontario’s agricultural heritage is also important to him. He is advocating for “smart growth” to meet the region’s growing population while limiting urban sprawl.

“I believe in an Ontario that works for everyone,” said Montgomery, “where families can afford to raise their children, where home ownership is within reach and a government that respects your freedoms instead of restricting them.

“I understand the struggles that people face. The cost of living is rising, child care is scarce and too many people are priced out of the housing market. That's why I, as well as the New Blue, have a plan to make life more affordable, fair and free.”

...Local Community Food Centre hosts roundtable

“My synopsis from this evening is that we need to get the basics right, and that's something that we are incredibly lacking in Ontario,” Fox said. “We need to work on housing. We need to work on affordability. Health care is a primary concern. We need to collaborate across all levels.”

Davis, meanwhile, felt disheartened that the key issues this election are not negotiables – that they are essentials.

“If you do not have housing, you will die. If you do not have functional health care, you will die. If you cannot afford food, you will die,” Davis said. “We should not be having conversations about the basic necessities of life at this level. That means that something is wrong. It means something is broken.”

Montgomery, new to the race at that point, agreed with Davis that the issues are essential to life and added that personal freedoms are an important issue for him this election.

“There are things that I definitely would like to work to address; … housing, affordability, finding where we're not meeting our goals and rectifying that, encouraging people (and) emboldening them with their individual rights and freedoms, making sure that they're safe from … their own government and the people around them.”

Morton echoed points the other candi-

dates brought up and added that no matter who people in Perth-Wellington vote for, they will have a representative with their best interests at heart.

“You need to continue to advocate for these issues,” Morton said. “You need to make sure that that we have a government that stands up for the people because that's who they represent, that they listen to you, that they respond to you, that they take your issues seriously and take measurable, real action on those issues.”

Will Wellington, social research and planning specialist with the United Way and one of the organizers for the election series, said he was pleased with the evening – especially since this format was untested.

“We really wanted to run an event where voters and candidates could talk together, and I really heard that going around the room,” Wellington said. “I heard voters sharing their personal experiences. I've heard them sharing their visions and their good ideas, and I heard and I saw candidates listening to that and absorbing that. So, I think it was very successful. We're excited, of course, to hear what people thought and hear their feedback.”

The provincial election is Feb. 27. For more information, see the Times’ cover story or visit Elections Ontario’s website, voterinformationservice.elections.on.ca.

James Montgomery is the New Blue Party’s representative in Perth-Wellington.

Sarah Zenuh is the Ontario Party’s candidate for Perth-Wellington in the Feb. 27 provincial election.

(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)

CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

New homes and new beginnings happening for L’Arche Stratford

L’Arche Stratford has been a vital organization helping community members living with disabilities to find a welcoming place to live and to grow a sense of independence.

With that in mind, L’Arche Stratford is excited to announce the beginning of construction of their new community hub at 426 Britannia St. with groundbreaking set for June of this year.

L’Arche is an international organization that creates communities where people with and without developmental disabilities can live and grow. Founded in 1964, L’Arche is now in around 138 communities worldwide, and is always working to expand.

“L’Arche Stratford has been around for about 50 years at this point, so we have very much been a part of the Stratford scene for a long time,” said Elaine Clark-Siberry, co-chair of the Be Belong, Become capital campaign in support of the new community hub building.

L’Arche Stratford is hoping the construction of this new facility will begin to cut away at the waitlist the organization is seeing for these kinds of facilities.

“There is such a huge need in the counties of Huron and Perth for residential support, activities support,” Clark-Siberry said.

Back in 2022, there were 486 requests in

Huron-Perth just for residential support, and only 11 of those could be met – just three per cent.

“Since then, we’ve seen a 50 per-cent in-

crease of need for that support,” Clark-Siberry said.

With the completion of the new facility, the building will reduce program waitlists

by 65 per cent and the housing waitlist by 25 per cent thanks to 15,000 square-foot size. The centre will include eight living suites, activity rooms, eight offices and several rooms dedicated to helping those with L’Arche become independent.

Of course, construction of a building this size does not happen overnight; it takes time, careful planning and a dedicated community.

“The new design really caught fire in the community for the capital campaign. We were doing presentations at service clubs and, at one of those, an anonymous family came forward and donated $1 million (for a) matching campaign and then, four months later, someone walked in with a cheque for $1 million,” Dennis Goforth, the other co-chair of the Be Belong, Become campaign. “We still have a ways to go, but we are at 63 per cent of our goal right now. Of course, the last leg of the race is always the hardest but I think once we get shovels in the ground, we’ll see another surge of giving.”

To learn more about L’Arche and what it has to offer, visit their website at L’arche. org. L’Arche Stratford can also be found on social media at larche_stratford on Instagram and L’Arche Stratford on Facebook. To donate, click the “donate” button in the upper-right corner of the website’s home page.

211 Day raises awareness of Community Helpline

Feb. 11 was 211 Day, a day to raise awareness of the United Way Perth-Huron’s Community Helpline, which connects area residents with local service providers.

Dial 211 and the caller will be transferred to a live operator who will guide them to an abundance of community programs and services based on each individual’s needs. Initiated by United Way Perth-Huron, the 24/7 dedicated helpline service is available through text, phone call and email, and will direct the caller to resources best suited to their needs, whether those needs involve food insecurity, mental health, housing or other challenges.

Susan Faber, director of resource development and communications at United Way Perth-Huron, said more people should be using the helpline she struggles with getting the word out there.

“I think we can make more of an impact if we can share with people that the helpline exists. It’s amazing to us that many people don’t know about it,” said Faber.

Faber said 211 can be a great resource, especially for women experience intimate-partner or gender-based violence formulating an escape plan. With the

caller's permission, the helpline makes frequent callbacks to inquire about changes to the situation and whether it has escalated or lessened.

Faber said there is a strong demand for support relating to housing, mental health, as well as food insecurity. Though not trained counsellors, 211 operators can provide advice and insight to every individual caller with the main objective of connecting the person in need with what they need.

“With the high demand of housing, food and mental-health services, it is a reflection of the way the world is at the moment. It is not just here locally, it’s right across Canada,” said Faber. “The call is confidential when it comes in; we don’t ask what their name is but we do ask for the location in order to locate local programs and services for referrals.”

United Way Perth-Huron can also investigate calls in which needs are not being resolved. Calls that come through the helpline that have not resolved through referrals provide valuable information that can be used for grants as well as locating programs and services that need to be offered.

Faber said even after a referral has been made for a caller, with the person’s permission, quality checks will be offered to inquire if the referred programs or services are meeting the caller’s needs.

The future construction site at 426 Britannia St. where L’Arche Stratford will be breaking ground on a new community hub building in June. Pictured from left to right are Feltz Design Build project managers Cam Scott and Iain Reynolds, Be Belong Become capital campaign co-chair Elaine Clark-Siberry and L’Arche Stratford executive director Stephanie Calma.

The United Way Perth-Huron encourages the community to take advantage of its 211 Community Helpline for connections to local service providers.

(SYDNEY GOODWIND PHOTO)

(UNITED WAY PERTH-HURON PHOTO)

ALEX HUNT

Times Correspondent

Licensing fees for short-term accommodations will be more than double the fees for bed and breakfasts

CONNOR LUCZKA

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Short-term accommodations like AirBnBs will now have to pay licensing fees just like the bed and breakfasts of Stratford after city council approved the fees at its most recent meeting Feb. 10.

A license will set accommodators back $412 for one room and an additional $125 per additional room. There is a $70 late-filing fee, a $34 transfer-processing fee and an $185 appeal fee – a few dollars more than what was initially suggested in April of last year during a public meeting on the subject. Bed and breakfasts, on the other hand, pay $152 for one room and an additional $91 per additional room, pay a $51 late-filing fee, and a $25 transfer-processing fee. They will pay the same $185 appeal fee that short-term accommodations pay since that

fee is being implemented for the first time for them as well.

Adam Betteridge, Stratford’s director of building and planning, clarified there is greater challenge in ensuring compliance with short-term rentals, and that was why a higher rate was suggested by staff to reflect the additional enforcement resources needed.

Coun. Cody Sebben said he has heard concerns from a few accommodators who say this move is too quick and will come as a shock.

“I would hazard a comment about quick,” Betteridge replied. “This was opened in a public meeting in April 2024 and we’re here almost a year later implementing the fees. … I think it's always been known, even with the grace period, that fees were coming at some point.”

Revenues are expected to be $20,000-

35,000, but as noted in the report included in the meeting’s agenda, the fees aim to cover operational and enforcement costs instead of burdening taxpayers.

Barb Shaughnessy, representing the Innkeepers’ Collective, an organization made up of various accommodators in town, made a “big ask” of council just prior to discussing the bylaw.

Since bed and breakfasts have had to pay licensing fees while short-term accommodations have not, she suggested council should put forward a motion to reimburse bed-and-breakfast operators the 2024 licensing fees and that money instead comes from the municipal accommodations tax (MAT), a four per-cent tax on overnight stays in Stratford.

“Would this not be fair and equitable to all? Level the playing field,” she said.

While that suggestion didn’t gain trac-

tion among council, another suggestion she made got some endorsement.

Shaughnessy also suggested the Innkeepers’ Collective and Destination Stratford, the city’s tourism organization, form an ad-hoc committee to develop terms of reference for the use of MAT funds.

Currently, there is no long-term direction on how those funds will be used. This year, $300,000 of the funds have been earmarked to offset a few line items in the 2025 budget.

Coun. Larry McCabe thanked her for the suggestion, pointing out something similar had occurred in the past when it came to the marketing plan of Destination Stratford.

“I think it's a very important aspect of making the accommodators feel as though they are included in the decisions that are being made,” he said.

CFUW International Women’s Day breakfast March 8

In challenging times, how do we stay resilient? How do we keep focused on moving forward?

Join us at the International Women’s Day Breakfast on March 8 to honour the contributions of women in society while discussing how we can collectively foster hope, community and forge a better future.

Under this year’s theme, “Breaking Barriers – Stories of Progress,” the breakfast will bring together people from all walks of life to hear from a special keynote speaker followed by a panel of exceptional Stratford based women leaders.

The keynote speaker, Halyna Padalko, is a communications expert from Ukraine and research fellow at the University of Waterloo where she specializes in AI and disinformation. Halyna will share her insights about the inspiring resilience of women in the face of war.

The panel will also include Mary Hofstetter, Pamela Jeffery and moderator Deanna Horton. Hofstetter is a Member of the Order of Canada, a former general manager of the Stratford Festival and will share her thoughts on the current state of

the arts in Canada. The founder of the Women’s Executive Network and Canadian Board Diversity Council, Jeffery is an accomplished business leader, political candidate and tireless promoter for women’s prosperity. The moderator, Horton, brings a wealth of political insight as a distinguished fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy and a former ambassador of Canada to Vietnam.

“This is an extraordinary group of speakers, a truly exceptional opportunity. These women are leaders from the world of arts, communications, business and global politics, and will share unique insights we can all learn from,” CFUW Stratford president Cambria Ravenhill said. “And it will be interactive – the panel will be taking questions from the audience. So please join us for an uplifting, informative and fun morning. Everyone is welcome, not just women.”

Tickets are $45 for the buffet breakfast and speaker program, and can be booked online at www.ticketscene.ca/ events/50797/. The event will also serve as a fundraiser for the CFUW Scholarship Fund, which gives awards to female high school graduates and mature students in Stratford.

Canadian newspapers are powered by journalists, not AI. They check the facts so you can trust what you’re reading. That’s why 4 in 5 people in Canada come back each week for more. Thanks for keeping it real with us. nationalnewspaperweek.ca

International Women’s Day Breakfast

March 8, 2025 @ 8:30 am Arden

• cfuwstratford.ca

CFUW STRATFORD Times Contributor

PAMELA JEFFERY

DEANNA HORTON

Our Buildings Tell a Story: Avon Theatre Part 3, 1942-1986

Enter the Stratford Festival.

In 1941, the Theatre Holding Corporation purchased the Majestic Theatre from Sarnia Theatres Ltd. The new movie house would be known as the Avon Theatre. Shortly after the purchase, they added a new marquee which can still be seen in the photo advertising In Search of the Castaways starring Hayley Mills in 1962.

The Stratford Festival Foundation of Canada rented the Avon for some ancillary attractions for a number of years, beginning in 1956, but only during the summer. It was still a movie house during the rest of the year. However, with that rental by the Stratford Festival, 30 years after Albert Brandenberger had died, his building once more became the venue for legitimate theatre, opening in the summer of that year with Le Theatre du Nouveau Monde presenting Three Farces by Moliere, directed by Jean Gascon.

From 1961 to 1964 at the Avon, the Festival Theatre put on very successful Gilbert and Sullivan operettas: in 1961 HMS Pinafore, in 1962 Pirates of Penzance, in 1963 The Gondoliers, and in 1964 The Mikado.

It was during this time that the Avon was purchased by the Festival. The Stratford Beacon Herald in February 1963, reported: "The Theatre Holding Corporation and the Stratford Festival Foundation came to an agreement that the Festival would take over the building and refurbish it.”

Renovations began in 1964 by Stratford’s own Pounder Brothers Company that had been selected as the general contractor. An official announcement was made by Victor Polley, administrative director of the Festival, that the building would undergo extensive renovations. Robert Fairfield, who designed the Festival Theatre and Fairfield Drive is named after, was retained to redesign the Avon Theatre. That summer, the Festival presented The Mikado and The National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica at the Avon.

The first renovation stage concentrated on the extension

of the stage facilities and the redesign of the auditorium, with decor by Tanya Moiseiwitsch. The carving of the cartouche above the stage was completed by designer Bob Ihrig. The theatre was officially opened in the same year by Mayor C.H. Meier (C.H. Meier Boulevard. is named for him). Two operas were presented, The Yeomen of the Guard and The Marriage of Figaro.

This artist's sketch in 1964 gave a preview of what the theatre would look like when it opened its doors for the 1967 season on July 3.

The Stratford Beacon Herald stated that “The theatre's new decor will make use of gold, green, brown, greys and russet tones. The ceiling will be light blue, the dome dark blue and a new central chandelier and matching wall bracket lighting fixtures will be installed. In addition to enlarging the stage, the orchestra pit will be widened and deepened to accommodate 30 players. The inner foyer will be recarpeted and the balcony reconstructed and redecked. Pounder Brothers have been contracted to do the work."

The grand opening of the newly renovated Avon paid tribute to the colourful early days of Theatre Albert that was the largest in Western Ontario. The Avon was now an integral part of the internationally-renowned Stratford Festival.

Here is a description of the opening as written by the Stratford Beacon Herald: “At 3 p.m., July 7, 1967, the official party drove up in a one horse Hackney carriage reminiscent of the earlier era. The official party members were greeted by Mr. David Rae, chairman of the building committee of the board of governors of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Mrs. Gertrude Allen, who had managed the theatre in its early years both as a legitimate and then a movie theatre, turned the door key symbolizing the new importance of the theatre in the presentation of Stratford Festival productions.

The ribbon across the doors into the comfortable lounge in the foyer was cut with the sword used by Douglas Rain in the 1966 production of Henry V by a representative

(CONTRIBUTED

of one of Canada‘s best known theatre families, Ernest Marks Q.C., Mayor of Oshawa, a descendent of the Marks Brothers Company which toured much of Canada several decades ago. The power for the new theatre was turned on by one of the original members of the world famous Dumbells, Jack McLaren, who used an original switch from the old 1911 theatre, which activated the new electric control lighting board.”

For more on the Avon Theatre, read Part 4: 1984 to the present in a later edition of the Times. Text and photos provided by the Stratford-Perth Archives. For more on our buildings visit www.streetsofstratford.ca.

Feb. 20 Carole Everett, Stratford $50.00

Feb. 21 Brandon Townsend, Kitchener $50.00 *Feb. 22 Marlene Wivell, Stratford $200.00 *Feb. 22 Virginia Bell, St. Pauls $200.00 *Two calendars sold under Ticket #1598

PAUL WILKER AND GORD CONROY Times Contributors

The Avon Theatre, as pictured in 1962.

A sketch of the interior. Although in black and white, a Stratford Beacon Herald article at the time wrote that the that “the theatre's new decor will make use of gold, green, brown, greys and russet tones.”

Above: Gertrude Allen, who had managed the theatre in its early years as a legitimate theatre and as a movie theatre, turns the door key on opening night – symbolizing the change.

Right: A carriage pulls up for the grand opening of the Avon Theatre.

PHOTOS)

Grant Haven Media partners with Paris Independent Paris’ online newspaper will launch print edition in March

Publisher

“Start the Presses!” was the big headline in the Saturday, Feb. 15 online edition of The Paris Independent, as managing editor Casandra Turnbull broke the exciting news to her hometown that their newspaper would be available for the first time in print format on Wednesday, Mar. 19.

Effective Mar. 1, the Paris Independent becomes the 11th newspaper under our Grant Haven Media banner as we continue to follow our mandate of “restoring local journalism, one community at a time.”

I have admired the work of the Paris Independent for over a year; ever since our company expanded into Brant County in January 2024 with the purchase of the Brant Farms publication. The Paris Independent, like the St. Marys Independent in my hometown, developed locally in response to failures of the media conglomerates to safeguard local news reporting. Three years after St. Marys saw the closure of its Journal-Argus, Paris lost its Star.

Paris Independent founder Chris Whelan wrote in his history column this week about the rich history of journalism in Paris. “The Paris Star, a stalwart publication, stood as a testament to the town’s commitment to news dissemination … Had fate been kinder, the Paris Star would have celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2025. Alas, the echoes of its presses fell silent in 2020, hushed by the hand of Postmedia.”

Though Postmedia had closed the Paris Star during the pandemic, along with 14

other community newspapers, a grassroots campaign began the following year to fill this void. “Throughout the majority of 2021, our community endured a notable absence of a vital communication channel precisely when it was most needed,” recalled Whelan, who put a call on social media hoping to find like-minded people to help launch a new digital publication.

“The outpouring of support was truly overwhelming, notably from key figures such as Casandra, the former editor of The Paris Star until 2011.”

The first edition of the online Paris Independent was launched in September of 2021. For each of the last 180 weeks, Whelan, Turnbull, and the rest of their Paris-based team have put out a digital newspaper, building up a loyal following of over 2,000 readers. Still, an online paper has its limitations. It’s not something that you can see or be aware of when you are walking the streets of Paris and visiting the stores, restaurants, or coffee shops.

Last month, I met with Chris for lunch at the Cobblestone Public House in Paris and suggested that we establish a partnership with the goal of converting the Paris Independent into a print publication so that it may make an even greater impact to its community, with a more visible presence and a powerful new distribution model.

Following our meeting, Chris, who I’ve found quickly to be a kindred spirit, consulted with Casandra who agreed that this was the perfect time to take their newspaper in this direction.

“This was always our end goal,” said

Shelf Help Book Review

MELANIE KINDRACHUK

Stratford Public Library

The Lightning Bottles

Marissa Stapley

@SPL FIC Stapl

Mix 90's nostalgia with the perils of fame and the difficulty of being a woman in the music business, add in some true love, and you'll get this novel — the journey of a fictional Indie band, The Lightning Bottles, a duo out of Seattle hitting it big in the 90s.

In chapters that move back and forth between the growth of the band in the 90s to a current day road trip/mystery, the relationship between Jane Pyre and Elijah Hart is mapped through its peaks and valleys, especially as they begin to descend into addictions and a rock and roll lifestyle.

Elijah has disappeared, presumed dead, five years before the beginning of the book. Jane has suffered ever since both from his

Casandra of a print edition. “When we started the Paris Independent, we promised the community that if it was viable, one day we would roll out a print edition. With a strong online presence and digital footprint, it's only natural that we take that next step in growth and publish a weekly edition that will reach stores, businesses and community centres across Paris. Even as the community has adjusted to digital

loss and their fans' vilification of her, blaming her for everything. But when Jane retreats to a small German town, she discovers that her teenage neighbour, Hen, is a Lightning Bottles superfan. Hen has a secret — she's seen street art on a wall in Berlin that she is convinced is a message from Elijah, that he is still alive and waiting for Jane to find him. Jane and Hen head off on a road trip through Europe, following successive clues to find the truth.

The book is peppered with music industry characters, some fictional, some real, and highlights the contradictory expectations and treatment of women in the music world. The core relationships in the book are compelling, and the characters develop from 'celebrities' to complex people over the course of the story.

If you loved the 90s music scene and want a clear-eyed depiction of the effects of sudden fame on individuals and relationships, this is the rocking read for you.

news, we still get the occasional question, 'where can I pick up a copy?' There will always be a longing for a print edition, something tangible to hold in your hands and flip the pages as you digest what is happening in your own backyard.”

The presses will begin to roll soon, with the first print edition being delivered to Paris on Mar. 19, while also being available online at www.granthaven.com.

Weekend Quiz

By Jake Grant

1. What is the world's oldest known currency that is still in use today?

2. What is the tallest building in the world?

3. What tool is used to measure angles?

4. The Brooklyn Bridge spans which river?

5. What was a “garderobe” in a medieval castle?

6. A mule is a cross between which two animals?

7. Who wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland?

8. What country has the most pyramids in the world?

9. What ingredient makes bread rise?

10. Who founded the technology company Microsoft?

STEWART GRANT

Some of the Paris Independent team got together at the Paris Inn recently to plan for the first print edition and beyond. Pictured from left to right: George Le Gresley (Sports Reporter), Michelle Malvaso (Photographer), Stewart Grant (Publisher), Casandra Turnbull (Managing Editor), and Chris Whelan (Editor).

(CINDY WHELAN PHOTO)

Wearing PJs to support children battling cancer

Erie north to Grey-Bruce, and beyond.

Spending the day in pajamas can sound amazing for some, but for others, it’s their only clothing option.

Children battling cancer spend many of their days in their pajamas and would give anything to be able to go out and wear normal clothes again. To support these brave kids and show them they’re not alone, Childcan ran their sixth-annual Childcan’s PJ Day on international Childhood Cancer Day, which was Saturday, Feb. 15.

Started back in 1974, Childcan is an organization that helps support families of children facing cancer. Through fundraising, Childcan is able to help kids and their families with unexpected expenses, provide an ear to listen, provide activities and offer necessary information for families coming to terms with their new reality.

“It’s very isolating, cancer treatment, especially the portion of their treatment that is spent in hospital,” said Childcan community engagement and communications specialist Amy Mathias. “Because it’s so incredibly isolating for the kids, for them to see that they’re surrounded by a community that loves them and supports them is just wonderful.”

As all children diagnosed with cancer at London Health Sciences Centre’s Children’s Hospital are referred to Childcan, the organization is able to support families from Windsor-Essex to Kitchener-Waterloo, all the way from the shores of Lake

PJ Day started back in 2019 when workers at Childcan wanted to show support for the kids in a fun way that helped make them feel a sense of normalcy. Since the kids couldn’t get out of their pajamas, the workers decided to dress up in their own PJs, creating a fun day for the kids to help them get their minds off of the stresses they were facing.

“So many kids wear their pajamas while they’re go ing through treat ment, and it’s one time to show sol idarity with them and to show them that they’re not alone.” Mathias said.

Participating in PJ Day helps spread awareness of what Childcan does, the difficulties young cancer patients have to endure and it shows the kids there are hundreds of thousands of people who are supporting them. Individuals and organizations all around southwestern Ontario have been taking part in Childcan’s PJ Day, including companies like Libro Credit Union here in Stratford.

To learn more about Childcan, PJ Day, or to donate, visit Childcan’s website at childcan.com, or check out their social media @Childcan on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Loreena McKennitt’s live album, The Road Back

Home, nominated for traditional roots

album of

the year at the 2025 Junos

Stratford musician-singer-songwriter Loreena McKennitt and Stratford based Celtic band The Bookends are being recognized on the national stage for an album that came about as almost an afterthought during a tour of four Ontario summer music festivals nearly two years ago.

McKennitt’s album, The Road Back Home, was released in March 2024 and was recorded during the summer of 2023 when she performed with The Bookends and her longtime cellist, Caroline Lavelle, at four folk festivals in southern Ontario: The Goderich Celtic Roots Festival, Summerfolk Music Festival, Muskoka Music Festival and the Peterborough Folk Festival. Now, that album has been nominated for a 2025 Juno Award for traditional roots album of the year.

“It was actually a second thought in many respects because … I had

been invited to perform at some of these folk festivals in southern Ontario over the years and hadn’t been able to for one reason or another,” McKennitt said. “I saw that summer two years ago coming up and I said to The Bookends, ‘What do you think about working out 60 minutes of material and doing these festivals with me?’ So, we did, but leading up to them I said, ‘Maybe we should record them at least for posterity, but maybe it can be a recording.’

“So, it wasn’t like, ‘Oh, I want to make a traditional recording.’ It was really more let’s go and perform, and by the way, let’s record it.”

The 10-song album represents a return to McKennitt’s roots to where her passion for Celtic and folk music began. It includes many songs that date back to her earliest days on the folk circuit, some of which had remained unrecorded until this album.

The Road Back Home is meant as an homage to what feels like

simpler times, offering comfort and familiarity. It’s like going home, McKennitt explained. The early songs, the local musicians, the bursts of energy and spontaneity in those folk performances are what inspired the album that has now been Juno nominated. It also manages to capture the deep affection, sense of community and electric energy these types of events foster in the hearts of performers and folk festival devotees alike.

“It’s a compilation of the best tracks of each of those performances. It’s traditional material; some are pieces that I learned when I was back in Winnipeg in the late ‘70s where I first got introduced to Celtic music. The pieces that are the instrumentals are ones The Bookends had worked up on their own. … It was great to be able to go back to the beginning. It’s just so fantastic to have The bookends here because if they weren’t here, I don’t think I’d have been able to do it.

SYDNEY GOODWIN

Times Correspondent

Childcan employees showcasing their PJs as they support PJ day. Above left: PJ day logo inviting participants to talk about the reason they’re wearing pajamas.

Loreena McKennitt and The Bookends’ 2024 album, The Road Back Home, has been nominated for traditional roots album of the year at the 2025 Juno Awards.

(CHILDCAN PHOTOS)

GALEN SIMMONS Regional Editor

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Local Flavour

RESTAURANT GUIDE

Advertise your restaurant specials here! Call 519-655-2341 or e-mail us at stratfordtimes@gmail.com

Stratford Makers Market hosts first-ever Food Festival a celebration of local flavours

JULIA PAUL

Food lovers, mark your calendars!

The Stratford Makers Market is bringing a brand-new, mouthwatering event to the city – the first-ever Food Festival. Taking place on Saturday, March 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Stratford Rotary Complex, this one-day-only event is set to highlight an incredible array of local food artisans, bakers and culinary creatives.

The idea for the festival was born out of the overwhelming number of food-vendor applications the Stratford Makers Market receives for its regular, seasonal events.

“We often host markets around holidays such as Easter and Christmas, and with each market, we get dozens and dozens of food-vendor applications,” said Sara Clarke, co-owner of Stratford Makers Market. “This year, we thought, why don’t we have a food festival, an event where people can gather and shop from local small businesses that offer only food-related products?”

This isn’t just any food market; this is an all-out celebration of flavours, bringing together a diverse lineup of vendors offering everything from freshly baked bread, soft pretzels and pies to gourmet cheeses, kombucha, sauces, spices and even frozen pizzas. The festival is packed with both sweet and savoury delights.

“We tried to get the most diverse group of food vendors for this event,” Clarke said. “The only thing we don’t have are fresh vegetables, which you can grab before the event at the Stratford Farmers’ Market that morning.”

For those looking to indulge in something extra special, expect cotton candy, popcorn, desserts, cannoli, jams, pickled products, candy and more. This festival is a food lover’s dream, and Stratford’s local culinary scene is ready to impress.

Beyond the incredible selection of edible delights, the Food Festival also promises an interactive and family-friendly experience. Attendees can get their faces painted by Picasso Painters (with designs ranging from $5-15) or have a custom car-

icature drawn on site. And what’s a food festival without some tasty food trucks? There will be plenty of food trucks on site to serve up hot and delicious street food throughout the day.

This event isn’t just about indulging in amazing food, it’s about supporting the Stratford community. Admission is by donation, with all proceeds going to The Local Community Food Centre, an organization dedicated to addressing food insecurity through programs that focus on access to food, food education and community engagement.

“All donations collected the day of the event will be given to The Local Community Food Centre,” Clarke said. “They do incredible work in the community and we’re thrilled to support them through this festival.”

Whether you’re a seasoned foodie, a casual marketgoer or simply looking for a fun, flavourful way to spend your Saturday, the Food Festival welcomes all.

“Our target audience is anyone and everyone who loves food!” Clarke said.

This event will be fully accessible, ensuring everyone can come out and enjoy the incredible food and festivities.

While vendor spots are completely booked, attendees can support local businesses by coming out to shop, sample and savour all that Stratford’s food scene has to offer.

This is the first-ever Food Festival hosted by Stratford Makers Market, and the response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.

“We have received great support and feedback from the community,” Clarke said. “We are very excited for this event!”

For the organizers, who describe themselves as foodies at heart, the festival is a perfect way to showcase Stratford’s culinary talent and passion for good food.

“We’re just excited to be able to showcase a variety of small businesses with delicious products that we can’t wait to share with everyone,” Clarke added.

So, grab shopping bags, bring an appetite, and get ready for a festival that will leave everyone’s taste buds delighted!

Loreena McKennitt’s live album, The Road Back Home, nominated for traditional roots album of the year at the 2025 Junos

“ … There’s an interesting thing about performing in front of a live audience as opposed to recording in a studio. The studio, sometimes, you work things over too much. With live performances, there’s that spontaneous interaction with the audience that makes it unique and quite an electrifying experience. And you’re in a vulnerable kind of way when you’re performing and recording because you don’t know if there will be mistakes or somebody will forget the lyrics like me. So, there is something very special about live recordings.”

The Road Back Home was released on CD and 180g vinyl, and via digital music services including those offering Dolby Atmos.

This is the fourth Juno nomination for McKennitt. She was a nominee in 2008 for music DVD of the year for Nights from the Alhambra. In 1994, she won the Juno Award for best roots/traditional album for The Mask and Mirror and, in 1992, she took home the Juno for best roots/traditional album for The Visit.

The 54th annual Juno Awards will be broadcast from Rogers Arena in Vancouver on March 30. McKennitt said she plans to attend the awards ceremony in person.

Times Correspondent

Stratford musician-singer-songwriter Loreena McKennitt.

(RICHARD HAUGHTON PHOTO)

Conestoga offers sneak peak of new Stratford campus at Brch & Wyn breakfast

Conestoga College offered a glimpse of what its new Stratford campus will look like during a breakfast at Brch & Wyn on Feb. 6.

Conestoga’s Stratford campus, which will continue to offer its personal support worker (PSW) program and academic upgrading, will move to 60 Erie St. The 22,700 square foot building will host hundreds of students enrolled in the new programs offered at Stratford campus starting in September 2025. Those programs include:

• General Arts and Science – Diploma

• Media Foundations

• Office Administration – General

• Health Office Administration

• Early Childhood Education

• Payroll and Bookkeeping (optional co-op)

• Business – Marketing

The Stratford campus will also offer event management and other programs starting in January 2026.

•

Brch & Wyn was filled with many local leader from throughout Stratford and the surrounding area including Mayor Martin Ritsma as well as leaders from organizations such as the Downtown Stratford Business Improvement Area (BIA), the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance and the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board.

Paula Gouveia, academic vice president at Conestoga, said the enthusiasm for the event began the moment it was

suggested. The campus will provide networking opportunities for Stratford stakeholders and prospective students, and give Stratford and area residents a chance to study closer to home.

“There's lots of excitement in the room and … we're hearing this morning and that this is allowing students to start in Stratford then stay in Stratford,” Gouveia said.

Andrew Vanner, who is construction services project manager at Conestoga College, said the campus will have four typical classrooms, a student lounge, testing sector, staff space and a bed lab for PSW students with six beds.

"You might have 200, 300 or 400 students at any given time,” Vanner said.

Conestoga will welcome guests to Stratford city hall for a Stratford Site Preview between 2 and 3:30 p.m. March 1. The event will show the renderings of the new campus and similar events will be held on the same day at at Conestoga College’s other campuses.

“It will feel like an open house because our faculty will be there,” Gouveia said. “So, prospective students can come and ask them questions about what's the curriculum like, what are the courses, where would I do a field placement if I were to do that? So, it helps students to imagine who they're going to learn with, where they're going to learn and how successful will they be."

More information can be found online by visiting www.conestogac.on.ca/ about/campuses-and-locations/stratford.

EMILY STEWART Times Correspondent

Conestoga College construction services project manager Andrew Vanner is leading the renovations for the college’s new Stratford campus. "We're excited because we can show off what we're building for everybody," he said at the Conestoga Stratford breakfast on Feb. 6 at Brch & Wyn.

(EMILY STEWART PHOTO)

How property taxes are calculated and affected by inflation

NATHAN BEAN

Times Contributor

Understanding property taxes can be confusing, so let's break it down.

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is one of the least-understood components of your annual property tax bill. MPAC, an organization under the provincial government, evaluates properties in Ontario every four years.

So, how does this affect your tax bill?

Your property tax bill consists of two main parts: the municipal levy and the MPAC land assessment. These two numbers are used in a simple formula: the municipal levy divided by the total MPAC assessment for the municipality. The levy is a municipality's annual tax budget — how much they need in taxes to fund services. For simplicity's sake, we will disregard the education tax portion of the levy. This formula sets your tax rate.

MPAC categorizes properties based on primary use, such as residential, commercial, or agriculture. This classification enables MPAC to assess each property's value using a unique formula for each type. The assessment considers over 200 property characteristics like building age, size and location. You wouldn’t want your farm appraised using the same system for a condo!

The Ontario government halted property value updates at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, your property taxes are still based on 2016 values. MPAC continues to update properties, but only when renovations, new buildings, or ownership changes occur. These changes are backdated, meaning even updated properties are taxed on their 2016 values.

On average, residential properties in

Ontario have almost doubled in value since 2016. What happens when the evaluation process resumes? Will your property taxes double?

The short answer is no because property taxes depend on more than just property values. To see why, let’s look at a hypothetical example.

In the municipality of Timestown, there are 50 homes with a combined value of $25 million. To plow the streets, manage wastewater and pay the fire department, Timestown needs $250,000 annually. To calculate the tax rate, we divide the levy ($250,000) by the total assessment ($25 million), resulting in a 0.01 per cent property tax rate.

If Jim’s house is worth $500,000, he pays $5,000 in annual property taxes. You calculate your property taxes by multiplying your homes assessed value ($500,000) by the tax rate (0.01 per cent). If Todd’s house is only worth $250,000, he pays $2,500. It is proportional to the value of their properties.

After 10 years of inflation, Timestown

stays at 50 households, but now the total value of the properties has doubled to $50 million. For this scenario, we will imagine Timestown’ levy remains at $250,000 annually. The property tax rate will now be 0.005 per cent, half the rate it was 10 years ago.

Let’s look at how Jim and Todd’s property taxes have changed.

If Jim and Todd’s homes increase by the same value, they will continue to pay the same rate. Even though their property values doubled, the tax rate was halved, so the increases cancel out. The difference emerges with unequal growth.

If Jim’s home grows by more than 125 per cent instead of the average 100 per cent, it's now worth $1.125 million. His new tax bill will be $5,625 — just $625 more.

If Todd’s property grows by only 60 per cent in value because of flood damage, his home is now worth $400,000. His new tax bill drops to $2,000 — $500 less than his old bill.

Your tax bill isn't just based on how

much your property changes in value — it depends on how it changes compared to other properties in your municipality. If every property increases by the same percentage and the levy stays the same, property taxes won’t increase.

However, we do not live in Timestown. Property taxes will increase as municipal costs grow because of inflation and population growth. Properties also increase in value at different rates; some people will pay more and others will pay less. Rising property values don’t necessarily mean higher property tax rates. Understanding how MPAC assessments work can help you make sense of your tax bill. While this explanation oversimplifies the topic and does not consider municipal budget growth or the education tax rate, it should help clarify how MPAC assessments impact property taxes. For more on municipal budget variations and growth, stay tuned for next week's column.

For more details on property assessments, watch MPAC’s YouTube video, "How Your Property Tax Is Calculated."

Introducing our “Inside Local Business” feature

Some feedback that I’ve received from readers is that they enjoy learning about local businesses. I could not agree more with this sentiment.

I have always been fascinated with stories of how businesses got started; where the entrepreneur found their inspiration; what challenges they faced; and how they found success (or otherwise).

I thought of this idea earlier this week when listening to one of my favourite podcasts, “How I Built This”, a show about innovators, entrepreneurs, idealists, and the stories behind the movements they built. In each episode, host Guy Raz speaks with a different founder about their journey. During these various segments, we learn that inspiration can come from anywhere, and we see that no business moves forward in a straight line – there are always different challenges and unexpected happenings that must be overcome.

When I think about my own journey in

newspapers, I think about how it all could have ended in 2016 when I was at my lowest point. Just two years earlier, I had branched out from the accounting world and bought the St. Marys Independent, which was one of two newspapers in the Stonetown. It was never easy, but based on some early successes in St. Marys, including hiring a talented local journalist named Dan Rankin to be our editor, in 2015 we launched our second paper, called the Exeter Examiner.

Duplicating the results we had in St. Marys was not in the cards, especially when so many advertisers were still loyal to the incumbent paper, Metroland’s Exeter Times-Advocate. By the summer of 2016, our Exeter Examiner experiment came to an end. After losing tens of thousands of dollars despite working way too many hours each week, we decided to abandon the project.

Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016 was the single worst day in the history of our company. Heading to his niece’s Christmas concert at South Perth Centennial School, Dan

Rankin was involved in a car crash on a snow-drifted rural road. Two days later, at the age of just 29, Dan passed away.

Within our community this was a monumental tragedy. Within our tiny company, I didn’t know if I wanted to carry on.

In March 2017, I called a meeting with Metroland Media to see if they would be interested in buying the St. Marys Independent, just as they had invested in so many other local papers.

Fortunately, the talks with Metroland never got any further than that. It turned out that they had put a hold on doing any more acquisitions. Just eight months later, on November 27, 2017, we found out why, when together with Postmedia they closed three dozen community newspapers in one day, including the St. Marys Journal-Argus and the Stratford Gazette. Eleven months after Dan’s passing made me want to give it all up, the Metroland / Postmedia closure of community newspapers gave me a new focus. I vowed never to sell to an untrustworthy conglomerate. In the years since then, I’ve tried to ex-

pand the newspaper business and bring back local news to communities that were neglected by the media giants. Together with other like-minded individuals across Canada, we are going to continue to strengthen local news in communities that have been abandoned by the conglomerates.

I tell this personal story to share an example of what we do with this type of ongoing column. A good business story shouldn’t simply be “we offer this service or that product” but should delve into stories and inspirations that led to someone putting up their sign.

Particularly given the current world state of affairs, I think that interest in local businesses is higher than we’ve seen in a long time, and I’d love to explore a variety of stories within this “Inside Local Business” feature. Do you have any suggestions for local businesses that we should profile, whether it is a place that you frequent, or a place that you yourself own? Please send your suggestions to me at stew@granthaven.com.

An MPAC graphic showing the difference between equal and unequal property assessment increases. (MPAC PHOTO)

STEWART GRANT

Publisher

Canadians Stand Together: Local campaign launched

As Canadian government officials, industry leaders and business owners try to anticipate and counteract the potential damage of U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on all imported Canadian goods, citizens across the county are launching responses in their own communities, in their own ways, including in Stratford.

Wise Communities, a local grassroots organization launched in 2020 by Canadian artist and local resident Loreena McKennitt, has initiated a campaign, Canadians Stand Together: Our True North Strong and Free. It aims to boost patriotism, mobilize local citizens and draw attention to real, impacted people within the community.

“While politicians are doing what they can, we as citizens need to be ready to help those in our community who may be most impacted,” said McKennitt, who has posted an opinion piece on the Wise Communities website.

“We also hope that what we’re doing might serve as an inspiration for other communities across the country in the event they, too, would like to join this campaign. This is the time for us all to now rise above our individual differences and come together as Canadians to meet this moment in history.”

On Saturday March 1 at noon in Market Square, a public rally will be held to demonstrate solidarity of purpose just three days before Trump’s 30-day tariff reprieve is set to end.

Wise Communities has also commissioned Stratford based promotional-products manufacturer TallMan.Promo to make T-shirts, bumper stickers, lawn signs, water bottles and other goods displaying the campaign slogan: “Canadians Stand Together: Our True North Strong and Free.” An online store has been

MARCH & APRIL EVENTS

$10 per person Takeout orders from 5:00 to 5:30 only. Please call Dave with your takeout order 519-703-6544

Sunday, March 9 Pork Schnitzel Dinner, $25 per person, 4:30-5:00 take-out, 5:00 dine in. Call Frank 519-271-9669, Pearl 519-273-0457 or Legion 519-271-0450

Wednesday, March 12 Ladies’ Auxilliary Lasagna Luncheon, $16 per person, $2.00 delivery charge, take out 11:30 -12:00 Dine in 12:00. Call Mary Helen 519-273-1389

Friday, March 14 19 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction

Friday, March 21 Friday Night Euchre, $20 per team, Pre-registration only. Call Dave 519-703-6544 or Anne 519-301-0914

Friday, March 28 Burger and Fries Night, 5:30 - 8:00, $10 per person, drop-in and enjoy

Sunday, March 30 Don McKone Memorial Crib Tournament, Registration 9:00, games start at 10. $20 per team (2 person), email the Legion stratfordlegion008@gmail.com, Dave at mewhinney55@gmail.com or call the Legion 519-271-0450 PRE-REGISTRATION ONLY

Wednesday, April 9 Ladies’ Auxilliary Luncheon, $16 per person, $2.00 delivery charge, take out 11:30 -12:00 Dine in 12:00 Call Mary Helen 519-273-1389

Friday, April 11 Friday Night Euchre, $20 per team, Pre-registration only. Call Dave 519-703-6544 or Anne 519-301-0914

Sunday, April 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

Tuesday Morning Buddy Check, 10:00 -12:00pm OPEN to all Veterans Widows and First Responders Friday Afternoon Weekly Social 3:00 pm - 6:00pm Saturday Afternoon Meat Draw doors open at 2:00pm, meat draw starts at 4:00pm

launched with items available to local citizens and others across Canada at wisecommunities.org/Canada.

According to BBC Toronto, data released Feb. 5 by national pollster Angus Reid found that 91 per cent of Canadians want their country to rely less on the U.S. in the future and noted a big jump in national pride, also reporting that 90 per cent of Canadians were following the issue closely with engagement levels not seen since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In addition to her vast musical accomplishments, McKennitt is the founder of Wise Communities and the owner and director of the Falstaff Family Centre in Stratford. She is a former honorary colonel of the Royal Canadian Air Force and a member of the Order of Canada and Order of Manitoba. She was the recipient of Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals. In 2013, she was appointed to the rank of Knight of the National Order of Arts and Letters by The Republic of France.

(WISE COMMUNITIES PHOTO)

Members of Wise Communities rally against threats of U.S. Tariffs at Stratford city hall recently.

Scamming here, scamming there, scamming, scamming everywhere

JULIA SCHNEIDER Stratford Times Correspondent

I listen to all the warnings about phone scams, I do. But recently, I have been amazed at how invasive they can be, and how hard they are to recognize.

Take a few days ago. I had the number for VIA Rail, I thought, and wanted to call to make a train reservation.

I dialed the number and quite unexpectedly got not a response from a VIA Rail agent but a woman who didn’t identify herself but said I had been chosen for a special offer. Though unexpected, I thought, how nice, I might get a discount on my train fare. This had never happened before, but discounts are always welcome!

The woman told me to press one if I was over 50. Again, I thought, how nice, VIA Rail is offering those over 50 a discount!

I pressed one.

That is when I was offered a free med-

ical-assistance device which, said this woman’s voice, was so important if I had a bad fall or other medical emergency. In need, all I needed to do was press the button on my device and help would come running.

At this point, I said I just wanted a train ticket, whereupon Ms. Medical Assistance Device Pusher said I should listen to further information about the device she was offering and passed me on to another voice. This one said I’d heard all about such devices on TV.

“I don’t have a TV,” I said.

At that point, another voice came on the line and said the number I had dialed had been changed and the current one would be provided if I pressed one again – for a $3 charge.

I hung up; directory assistance doesn’t come at a charge.

I checked my number and found that the 1-800 number I needed started with 1-888,

not 1-800. I got VIA Rail, booked my ticket (at the usual price) and then, curious, called the other number back to see if it still had the same “offer.”

This time it didn’t; it was now after 10 p.m., so I suppose they thought everyone over 50 would be in bed. All I got was the connection offer for directory assistance at a charge of $3, so I hung up again.

The previous week, I had received a message purporting to be from a major bank’s fraud centre. It notified me that someone had tried to use my credit card to pay a $460.97 bill, but that it had been declined.

Of course, I was relieved. I called the number on the message to find out more and was told the fraudster had tried to use the card in France. Amazing! How could this be?

I didn’t give the fraudster centre agent any information; I couldn’t find my card, I told him. Then I called the bank in question after making sure I had the right num-

ber to check up on all this. When I did so, the person I spoke to said I should come to the bank.

When I did so, I was told that calls from a fraud centre are a common scam fraudsters use. They also told me that I hadn’t activated my credit card from their bank that had expired two years before; shows how often I use this card!

What are my takeaways from these calls?

Scammers are inventive and can show up when least expected, like when dialing a wrong number similar to the one you want. One needs to be suspicious. Remember that free telephone promotions are seldom free and anonymous helpers usually want to help themselves. Don’t believe them.

Keep up to date on cards, check the numbers you call and, above all, don’t give out any personal information over the phone.

Be suspicious, be safe and hope you are!

STRATFORD SPORTS

U12 Warriors step up to capture gold at St. Marys tournament

The U12 Stratford Warriors finally got back to the calibre of play that led them to a strong start to the season at the Rock Cup tournament Feb. 7-9 in St. Marys, earning the gold medal by winning a high-flying final against the host team.

According to head coach Tim Bickell, the U12 Warriors began looking like a version of themselves from earlier this season as the Rock Cup went along.

“They really stepped up as we got further into the weekend,” Bickell told the Times. “We've been struggling in league play a little bit lately, and we thought this tournament landed at a good time for them to build some confidence. In the round-robin, they played similar to how we’ve played recently, but in the semis and the final, we started seeing hints of what we were used to earlier in the year.”

Stratford finished second in their pool, which set them up for a semi-final clash against the Belle River Jr. Canadiens. Goals by Kohen McLeod in the first period and Kyle Finnie in the second gave the Warriors a 2-0 lead heading into the final period. Matthew Adair potted the eventual game-winning goal, while Stratford withstood two goals by Belle River to hang on for a 3-2 victory.

The win pushed the Warriors into the gold-medal game against the host St. Marys Rock, and Stratford turned in their best performance of the entire weekend. Bickell noted the execution of their gameplan was on point in the championship contest.

“We were struggling to score goals coming in, which obviously makes things difficult. It’s easy to get frustrated when the puck isn’t going in. With that frustration and at this age, they forget about

the little things that actually lead to scoring. But goals come from getting the puck down low, which comes from turnovers we create, which comes from our back-checking and neutral zone control.

“Heading into the final, we were hoping that they were going to be that team of old that did so well at the start of the year,” continued Bickell. “We really pressed the idea of back-checking and controlling the neutral zone, and every line was helping out in executing that. We tell them that if we do that as a team, we will frustrate opponents and keep the puck in their end, and we did a good job of that in the final.”

The Warriors jumped out to a 2-0 lead

in the opening frame, which they extended to a four-goal spread after the second period. McLeod added an empty netter in the third to complete a hat-trick. Adair and Gus Wood-Zippel also chipped in goals for Stratford, and Bentley Rekker stopped all but one St. Marys shot in between the pipes en route to a convincing 5-1 win to claim the tournament’s top prize.

Bickell explained what the coaches, who have guided this team throughout much of their hockey journey, hope the team gets out of the tournament win heading into the home stretch of the season.

“This coaching staff has coached these guys since they started rep hockey, so to see them progress the way they have is great to see,” Bickell said. “It’s not just seeing how their skills have developed, but their understanding of how little plays are what wins hockey games has grown as well.

“We just hope this weekend gives them their confidence back. Having been somewhat snake-bit in league play lately, they have been reminded this weekend that they can score goals when they do those little things, and you could feel their energy coming back on the bench as they finally started to break through.”

Deadline: Tuesday prior at 3 p.m.

Contact: stratfordtimes@gmail.com

SPENCER SEYMOUR Times Regional Reporter

The U12 Stratford Warriors won the gold medal at the Rock Cup tournament Feb. 7-9 in St. Marys. Pictured in the front row are Bentley Rekker and Karsten Shore. In the second row, from left, are Kyle Finnie, Liam Chessell, Gray Parkhouse, Jaxon Schmidt, Matthew Adair, Myles Havens, Cale Klumper and Blake Weber. In the third row, from left, are Randell Everett, Harper Bickell, Liam Uniac, Kohen McLeod, Gus Wood-Zippel, Hendrick Cheney, Stefan de Wit and Cam Gibson. In the back row, from left, are Dan Adair, Eric Schmidt, Tim Bickell and Mike Gibson.

(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)

Warriors clinch playoff spot; win eight straight

SPENCER SEYMOUR

With the playoffs right around the corner, the Stratford Hunter Steel Ltd. Warriors have heated up in a major way, hitting eight wins in a row to clinch their place in the post-season.

According to head coach Dave Williams, the Warriors have started to find a key element they have been searching for the whole season – consistency.

“We’ve played a little bit more consistent,” Williams told the Times. “We haven't tried to change anything about our identity. We’re just starting to play the way we would like to play for longer stretches of time in games. We’re doing a lot of little things better than we were earlier this season and more consistently than earlier this season, and I think all of that has helped us play some better overall hockey.”

The Warriors picked up a 4-1 victory on Feb. 7 when they hosted the Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins. Quinn Kipfer scored a powerplay goal with one second left in the first period, and almost exactly four minutes after the Siskins found a game-tying goal in the second frame, Kaedyn Long netted his 16th of the campaign.

Aaron Green found his fourth of the year in the final 20 minutes before Jonas Schmidt iced the game with an empty net goal with two seconds left on the clock.

“We played the way we needed to play,” said Williams. “It was a really good, consistent effort from all throughout the lineup. The last time Kitchener-Waterloo was in our rink, they were quite physical with us, so we knew to expect them to try and play heavy with us again. But this time, I thought our guys did a good job just playing whistle to whistle and focusing on playing the game the right way.”

The search for consistency has been arguably the biggest theme of the season so far for the Warriors, who at times have looked like a juggernaut only to look far less impressive the next game or even the next period. However, in the eyes of Williams, it’s always a process to get to the level the Warriors have reached.

“Coaches always want to see the group get to where we'd like them to be a lot faster than it typically takes, but I think since Christmas, we’ve played some of our best hockey. It isn’t lost on our guys the amount of parity in our league and an

accumulation of little things done right consistently are going to be the difference on most nights, more than a few highlight-reel plays.”

After the first half of a home-and-home series with the London Nationals was postponed due to inclement weather, the Warriors got back on the ice Feb. 14 when they hosted the Nats and came away with a convincing 5-1 victory.

Cole Lewis scored the ice-breaker just over seven-anda-half minutes into the game, a lead extended by Schmidt scoring five min utes later. Carter Petrie scored the only goal of the second frame before Schmidt found the back of the net, and Hudson Binder hit an empty netter in the final period.

Stratford outshot the Nationals 24-9 in the second and third periods combined, including a second stanza in which the Warriors limited London to just three shots. Williams said the final two periods by his squad were especially impressive.

helpers, and Quinn Kipfer scored a pair of goals.

However, no one had a bigger game offensive than Kaedyn Long, who has hit his stride with Stratford following early scoring struggles when he first joined the team after being traded by the St. Thomas Stars. In his first six games with the Warriors, Long had zero goals and just one assist. Those struggles are a stark contrast to Long’s last five games, four of which the North Bay native recorded points in, totalling six goals and nine points in his last five outings.

“When Kaedyn (Long) came over from St. Thomas, obviously, he wanted to contribute right away,” Williams said. “He knew we acquired him to help provide offence to our group. These young men feel a lot of pressure to perform every single night, but I think it takes guys a little bit of time to settle in and get comfortable.

room to be more consistent there.

“No matter what time of year it is, there is always something you’re doing well and something you could do better,” Williams continued. “I think we just have to keep coming to the rink with the right mindset to be competitive and execute at a high level.”

Stratford Warriors

Player Statistics

CORRECTION:

In the last issue of the Times, our Fighting Irish recap included a photo that had an incorrect caption. The caption should have described Zack Weir making a save instead of Zach Magwood scoring a goal. We apologize for the error.

“We did some really good things in the first period, but I also thought we had some moments where we were a little sloppy in our execution and puck management. But in the last 40 minutes, we did a really good job of executing and making a lot of small plays. We got good efforts from many different players.

“We were tracking pucks in the offensive zone very well,” Williams continued. “We were prolonging our offensive-zone time. We did a job getting players out and above, which allowed us to shorten the ice and force London to turn pucks over between the top of the circle and the blueline.”

Just 24 hours later, the Warriors travelled to Komoka to take on the lastplaced Kings, and thanks to some multipoint nights from many of its top scorers, Stratford cruised to a 9-0 thrashing of the Kings. Chase Furlong made 28 saves to secure the shutout.

Hunter Nagge posted one goal and three assists while Colin Slattery and Cole Lewis each had one goal and two

“There are a lot of changes when you get moved in our league beyond just what happens on the ice. You’re changing billet families and meeting new teammates. Kaedyn deserves a lot of credit for how well he has fit into our room, and I think we’re starting to see chemistry developing more and more amongst Kaedyn, Jonas (Schmidt) and Hunter (Nagge) as a line.”

With just six games left in the regular season and their playoff spot locked in, Williams reviewed the team’s final preparations before the start of the post-season.

“You constantly want to get better in every facet of your game. I think one thing we still need to continue to focus on is the consistency of our special teams. Your powerplay and penalty kill can be such an important part of winning or losing come playoff time, and I think we have

North Stars compete at Oakville skating competition

The Stratford North Stars Synchronized skating team competed at the Synchronized Skating Series No. 3 on Feb. 7-9 in Oakville. Pictured in the front row, from left to right, are Melanie Milton, Madeleine Milton, Emmy Ford, Hailey Graul, and Izzy Pritchard. In the back row, from left, are Clara Robertson, Rose Clarke, Olivia Clemmer, Jaida Ford, and Bella. The team placed fifth in Star-Four Group Two.

(CONTRIBUTED

SSC has strong showing at LaSalle skating challenge

The Stratford Skating Club (SSC) had five skaters compete at the Provincial Series Competition on Jan. 30-Feb. 2 in LaSalle. In the photo on the left is Olivia Cremmer, who earned the Silver medal in Star-Two Group Six. In the photo on the right, from left to right, are Mason Clemmer, Austin Phillips, Amy Schroeder, and Nicole Verhoef. Clemmer took the Bronze in Star-Five Men O13. Phillips earned the gold in Adult Masters Elite Men’s Freeskate. Schroeder placed eighth in Star-Six Women’s Group Two, and eighth in Star-Seven Artistic Group Two. Verhoef finished 10th in Star-Five Artistic Group Three and 11th in Star-Five Women O13 Group Two.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)

Stratford and District Agricultural Society elects new president and executive

WEST Times Correspondent

The Stratford and District Agricultural Society held its annual meeting recently and elected a new president and executive for 2025.

Laurie Neubrand, who farms with her husband in Logan Township in West Perth, has spent many years on the agricultural society board and was also a very busy farmers’ market vendor in years gone by.

She takes over the reins from South Easthope Township dairy farmer Brian Anderson who spent the last two years at the helm of the agricultural society.

Jente Steenbeek, provincial director for District 8, brought words of congratulations to the Stratford society on another great year from the district.

Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma spoke of the positive aspects the society brings to Stratford and Perth County year after year.

Perth-Wellington MP John Nater and Perth-Wellington’s Conservative incumbent candidate in the Feb. 27 provincial election, Mathew Rae, also joined along with Perth East Mayor Rhonda Ehgoetz in a congratulatory message of encouragement “for a job well done over the last year’s dedication and hard work.”

Those in attendance heard from Katie Lawry, an accountant with Stratford’s Famme and Co., who once again reported that the agricultural society had another

profitable and very successful year.

Their largest event of the year always includes the Stratford Fall Fair, which last year had exceptionally great weather with record crowds.

Susan McGonigle, executive director of the society, reports this coming year will be the 184th annual fall fair, and this year’s fair theme is “Blooms and Butterflies.”

This year’s fair dates are Sept. 18-21 at the Rotary Complex in Stratford.

McGonigle said the society is looking forward to hosting a chicken barbeque on May 29 again as a fundraiser, and they also have planned to host iFarm for Grade 3 students in Stratford and Perth County in June.

The Perth-Waterloo Holstein show comes back in September along with many area 4-H shows.

Not to be forgotten, every week on Saturdays, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., is the Stratford Farmers’ Market, established in 1855.

Market organizers encourage those in the Stratford and Perth County areas to come in for a great shopping experience for local produce, meats and eggs.

The annual meeting also saw two new board members appointed, Angela Fawcett and Breanne Schaeffer.

For more information on the society, email admin@ stratfordfairgrounds.com.

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GARY

Pictured is Laurie Neubrand from West Perth, the newly elected president of the Stratford and District Agricultural Society for 2025.

Pictured are Ruth Moore and Heidi Danen, managers of the Stratford Farmers’ Market on Saturdays, with longtime egg vendors Jared and son Orval Zehr, who farm near Poole.

Every week from 7 a.m. to noon at the farmers’ market in Stratford, bacon and sausage on a bun is served up by three directors of the local agricultural society. Pictured: from left are Elaine Landsborough, John De Wys and Tom Melady.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)

Shakespeare’s Optimist members tour

Tools in Stratford

GARY WEST

Times Correspondent

A large number of Optimist members from Shakespeare were invited to tour one of the more progressive industries in Stratford last week.

New-Form Tools Ltd. at 232 Lorne Ave. E left the members in awe as to what this company, which ships their products worldwide, can do.

Company president and founder Jim Jantzi took the time to tour the members through the company’s facilities which, over the last number of years, has been through many upgrades and expansions.

Their products include HSS circular saw blades and plates, TCT circular saw blades, tube cutoff blades, tube cutoff jaws, slitter knives, rotary disc cutters and dozens more.

The company also supplies sharpening services and reconditioning services available for all their clients worldwide.

Jantzi said he started informally in the basement of his Milverton house and garage in 1983. His first jobs were sharpen-

ing cutting tools for various businesses, farmers and individuals throughout the area. Through various ventures, his business grew and he expanded in several areas over many years while gaining valuable experience in business at the same time.

Once the business moved to Stratford, he and his wife, Carolyn, worked many hours throughout their married years being 5050 partners in the venture together. Their three sons, Andrew, Tyler and Jarrett, are now full-time in this particular growth cycle, producing high-quality blades for the steel cutting of tubes and solid steel.

They each have their own level of expertise in engineering, sales, and product development, creating an exceptional foundation for the future of the company.

They are an organization that employees 65 local workers. Jantzi says they had zero turnover in the company over the last number of years, except for retirements.

They are a progressive worldwide company that Stratford and Perth County can be proud of.

(GARY

Jim Jantzi, president of New-Form Tools Ltd. on Lorne Avenue is now one of Stratford and Perth County’s major leading industries, revolutionizing and delivering the highest-quality metal-cutting solutions.

WEST PHOTO)

Music & Mirth fundraiser for Emily Murphy Centre will be a night of unpredictable fun

Through a collaboration with friends of the Emily Murphy Centre (EMC), an evening of “Music & Mirth” represents the return of a major fundraiser the likes that hasn’t been seen in years.

Prepare to be entertained with the music of Good Lotus and the hilarious improv shenanigans of Rebecca Northan and Kevin Kruchkywich. Music & Mirth will be held Saturday March 8 at the Arden Park Hotel bringing an evening of laughs, lyrics and love to Stratford.

“It’s March, it’s gross outside, everyone needs to be cheered up and have a fun night out and if we can put that together with International Women’s Day, then why not?” said Lisa Wilde, executive director of EMC.

It will be a fun night out with music performed by the dynamic duo of Good Lotus featuring Eric Lundgren (Downie Street Collective, Diamond Mine, Retro Resonance) and Evangelia Kambites (theatre and screen actor, dancer, vocalist, composer).

“Rebecca Northan and Kevin Kruchkywich are both improv artists here and performed with the Goblin Theatre at the Stratford Festival and are hilarious human beings with never a bad review, so we are really looking forward to it,” said Wilde.

All proceeds will go to the EMC in support of the practical assistance fund for things like food and transportation and program supplies for both inhouse and outreach programs, and children’s programs. While there is funding assistance, it is never enough and certainly does not cover all the existing needs. Much of the fundraising dollars are funnelled into practical assistance.

The Emily Murphy Centre has just celebrated it’s 35th year in the community. In that time, the organization has assisted more than 3,500 families in one way or another, from providing support to housing and safety. That number doesn’t decrease. There are countless women and children who have learned to live free of violence and break their cycles of abuse.

“This community is so generous and cooperative so that when I put a call out to our friends and the community, we are well received so we don’t want for much because of that. The more resources we have, the more we

their

can do for the women and children in our care and we are so grateful for Stratford and Perth County,” said Wilde.

“We’re always looking for volunteers; we have a voluntary board of directors, we have folks that help with maintenance, child care, special events and we take financial donations and gifts of household items, cleaning supplies and nonperishable food items, which is actually our greatest need right now.”

This is more than just a fundraiser to Wilde. This is

contact with the community and building awareness of the services EMC provides. The more they can talk to people, the more they can reach those who need their services.

“I am so looking forward to the event. We have a silent auction which I won’t tell you about, but there are significant items to be bid on,” Wilde said.

Tickets are available at ticketscene.ca/events/50838 and doors open at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30 p.m.

Here For Now Theatre achieves fundraising goal to construct new performance space

project so quickly,” said Fiona Mongillo, artistic director at HFN.

After reaching its fundraising goal of $480,000, the not-for-profit theatre company, Here For Now Theatre (HFN), will kick off its sixth season this summer after construction of a new theatre space in the former land-registry office at 24 St. Andrew St.

A fundraiser campaign raised $1.3 million through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, the Government of Canada’s Tourism Growth Program and the Ministry of Rural Affairs’ Rural Economic Development Program.

“This is a little bit surreal still. I think once we move in and are starting to perform there, it will feel a little bit more real. I think the biggest thing that hits every day are the waves of gratitude to the community for rallying behind this

The remainder of the $480,000 goal was reached thanks to heavy community involvement. Spaces within the theatre have been named after significant donors including The Sylvia Chrominska Lobby, The DJ Anderson Greenroom, The Pazzo Bar, The Lily Delina Stinson Ghostlight and The Hunter Agnew Vestibule.

Other notable donor contributions came from Laura Dinner and Richard Rooney.

The new theatre will have a greenroom, storage and rehearsal in the basement, and it will feature a performance space on the main floor specifically designed for a micro-theatre experience with a capacity of 60 people.

Mongillo said the micro-theatre concept will provide a more engaging experience for the audience, allowing a

deeper sense of immersion that separates itself from a standard, large-scale theatre.

“It’s stimulating to be up close to the action because you don't miss anything, and the audience will see that the acting with this style of theatre can be incredibly nuanced. You notice those tiny, little movements and expressions made by the actors that typically wouldn’t be caught in a larger space.”

HFN’s sixth season is set to debut this June and will feature five shows throughout the summer and three during the winter. Mongillo said the theatre company will be doubling its capacity.

The old registry office was labelled a surplus property by Perth County and was scheduled to be demolished until the theatre-renovation project brought a new purpose to the space.

LISA CHESTER Times Correspondent

Headlining the Music & Mirth fundraiser March 8 will be the hilarious duo of Rebecca Northan and Kevin Kruchkywich exercising

extensive improv skills.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)

ALEX HUNT

Times Correspondent

Fiona Mongillo, artistic director at Here For Now Theatre, thanks the community for the overwhelming support to make the theatre a reality.

(HERE FOR NOW THEATRE PHOTO)

Emerging artist Angelica Appelman releases new single, “Finding My Feet”

project and there I am in the country music scene,” said Appelman.

Angelica Appelman has always found solace in music and storytelling through lyrics.

Her new single, “Finding My Feet,” is, in part, her story of recovery following a traumatic brain injury sustained in a major car accident.

She has been writing since the age of 13 as a way to deal with emotions that are rampant at that age, and writing was an outlet to deal with the experiences endured. Her family is musical and had a great influence on her. Her grandfather would sing Italian songs with his coffee clutch in four-part harmony. Her mother plays guitar and leads the church choir as well, and got Appleman involved at a young age.

“My oldest sister is an undercover Adele. She can sing so well and she introduced me to so many different music styles and then my middle sister was kind of where I got into the country bug a little bit for sure. She got into Shania (Twain) and I just wanted to be what my sisters were, so I got into that too,” said Appelman.

She found that she had a gift and wanted to share it. She attended Eastwood Collegiate for the Arts then the University of Toronto and Sheridan College for Performing Arts, keeping her passion alive.

She has been working with her vocal coach, Amanada Kind, for 10 years and finally showed her some of the songs she had written. They impressed her coach so much that Appelman was invited into virtual songwriting circles during the pandemic.

“I was like, ‘Ok, sure.’ I started as the topliner, which is the person that comes up with the melody and lyrics for the artist. So, in the circle was a producer, an artist and two topliners. It was a way to keep music alive during the pandemic and we would have one or two sessions where we would get together and write the song, then sneakily get together for the production side of it. Someone saw something in me and I was given the opportunity. I met a producer and a lot of cowriters on my first

Of course, her songwriting has evolved since her early days of writing as she continued to experience life. Even since her first single, she has been through so much more, especially with her car accident and the challenges and obstacles she faced throughout her recovery. A different perspective has deepened her songwriting.

“I’ve noticed that being this vulnerable with this song (“Finding My Feet”) has brought my fans closer to me and created a deeper connection and a trust that everyone comes up to me after and tells me how they are so grateful for my bravery.

… That’s why I started music in the first place; the sharing,” she said.

Appelman is learning the guitar to accompany the lyrics she writes. She started after the accident as a way to return to music, which she was forced to abandon for a time due to her injury. Learning on her own time and her own standards brought her solace just by playing songs that brought comfort to her. Through learning the songs, she started to understand chord structure.

“As they say in country music, everything is just three chords and the truth, so I learned those chords and brought my truth by penning down some lyrics, and I learned a new way to write songs. There were a few songs that I wrote that were just for me. There was one that I wrote that made fun of what I went through called “Hit Me Like a Truck.” When I played that, people loved it and said that I need to keep playing the guitar. Now, I’ve practiced so much and know a lot more chords and I’ve learned the language of playing,” said Appelman.

“Finding My Feet” was inspired by her devastating car accident two years ago. She was on her way to a gig and was rearended on the 401 at 80 km/hr. The truck that hit her took off down the shoulder and her car was completely crushed. By a miracle, she was able to get out of the car but, in shock, was pacing back and forth and was almost struck as a pedestrian. She was saved by a Good Samaritan that put his arm around

STRATFORD TIME S

Erie Street Esso

Strickland's Toyota

Fix Auto

Stratford KIA

Expressway Ford

McDonald's - Erie St

Tim Hortons - Erie St

Stratford Mazda

7-Eleven - Erie St

Joe's Diner

The Urban Barber

Erie Convenience

Mr. Sub

Balzacs Coffee

Shoppers Drug Mart - Ontario

her and guided her off the road. She went through many struggles, eventually having to give up her job as a legal assistant. She began experiencing bad headaches, dizziness and her balance was off. Seeking out a concussion specialist, she found she had a traumatic brain injury affecting how she processed information. She had to move back home with her parents and she couldn’t look at computers for any length of time, which meant she could no longer function at work and found herself in a very dark place.

She talks about those feelings in the song, especially the first verse. Forced to live a very different life, she worked with a team of health professionals to ultimate-

ly get to a place of healing and acceptance, and reached out to a trusted songwriting friend, Rich Cloke.

“I said someone asked me how I’m doing post-accident and I had the most weird answer, but I think it’s a song. I told them I’m finding my feet and he said, ‘Oh, now that’s a great title for a song.’ Then I said, ‘I think I’m ready to tell the story about it,’ ” said Appelman.

Joining forces with Cloke and songwriters Jesse Slack and Daryl Scott, her raw vulnerability comes through with courage and hope as she shares her journey.

To find out more about Appelman, visit her website, angelicaappelman.com.

Pick Up Locations

Tim Hortons - C.H. Meier Festival Marketplace

Stratford Nissan

Stratford Subaru

Peavey Mart

Stratford Honda

Quality Festival Inn

McDonald's - Ontario St.

Papa Johns

New Orleans Pizza Zehrs Food Basics

Fore Everyone Golf

WalMart

Stratford Motor Products

A&W

Toner & Ink Shop

S

Rutherford Funeral Home

Athens Greek Restaurant

Stratford Legion

Gino's Pizza

Rosso's

Buzz Stop

Union Barber

Mornington Variety

Split Rail

Stratford Rotary Complex

Agriplex

No Frills

Cozyn's

Sebringville Esso

Dave's Diner - Sebringville

Stratford-Perth Museum

Sobey's

Shoppers Drug Mart - Huron

Circle K - Huron

West End Pharmacy

Tim Hortons - Huron

Stratford Hospital

Video 99 - Erie St

Jenny Trout

Stratford Medical Pharmacy

Stratford Chamber of Commerce

A.N.A.F.

Stratford Hyundai

Daisy Mart

Foodland

Stratford Variety

Brch & Wyn

Stratford Place

Stratford Chefs School

HH Delea

AJ's Hair

Features

United Way Perth Huron

Sinclair Pharmacy

Blowes Stationery

Stratford Tourism

Coffee Culture

Stratford Public Library

The Parlour Restaurant & Inn

Dick's Barber Shop

The Livery Yard

Town Crier Marketing

North End Pharmacy

Angelica Appelman is an up-and-coming country artist that currently calls Stratford home.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

LISA CHESTER Times Correspondent

Find your glass slipper in Stratford

I’m a karaoke junkie. Some of my favorite spots are in Stratford, including Gilly’s Pubhouse. There’s a regular on the karaoke circuit there who goes by the stage name Brando – an incredible singer. The last time I was there, Brando complimented my Cole Haan boots, which sparked a conversation about his job at White-Balmer Shoes & Handbags located in Stratford.

As someone who loves talking about shoes, I was all in. I told Brando I’d love to do a piece on the store, and he referred me to its owner, Karina Bogle. I thought this was a great opportunity because we don’t have a dedicated shoe store in Wilmot, where I live, especially one that serves men, women and kids. It’s 19 minutes from my front door in New Hamburg.

After introducing myself via email, Karina and I settled on a meeting date. When we finally met, I was immediately struck by her professionalism and vision. By the end of our conversation, it was clear that she brings a thoughtful and forward-thinking approach to running her business.

A bit of a backstory

Karina’s journey with White-Balmer Shoes started when she was in high school. She worked weekends and after school, gaining her first taste of the retail world. After high school, she went on to study business and marketing at the University of Guelph. During her time there, she didn’t return to the store. Instead, she focused on her studies and laid the foundation for her future career.

After graduation, Karina landed a job with the Baker Shoe Company where she gained hands-on experience in every aspect of the shoe business. This role became her true classroom. She learned how to source brands, identify the elements that make a shoe stand out for quality and style and develop strategies to bring those brands to market. She also had the unique opportunity to travel to China on buying trips, working closely with the company’s president to master the art of negotiating. Those experiences gave her invaluable skills and shaped her confidence in the industry.

Fast forward five years, Karina received an unexpected call from Pat White and Glee Balmer, the store’s original owners. They were ready to retire and wanted to know if she was interested in purchasing the business. The oppor-

tunity required serious thought and Karina’s dad, Paul, played a key role in helping her evaluate the decision. After careful planning, securing financing and making sure everything was in order, she officially became the owner.

Her dad, who has successfully run his own business for years, continued to guide her through the transition, helping establish back-office processes and connecting her with the right professionals, like accountants and lawyers. Even today, he’s actively involved. On the day of our meeting, he was in the store changing light fixtures. Her mom, Linda, also contributes by designing the store’s beautiful window displays. Besides mom and dad, Karina recently hired her sister, Kala, as their newest sales associate who has been a fantastic new addition and is also helping out by keeping the website up to date. When I submitted the draft for this article to Karina for review, one of the things she asked me to do was mention the other members of her staff besides Kala and Brando (Brandon). I think that speaks volumes about how she runs her business and the connection she has with her team. So, in that regard, please say hi to the other members of her hardworking staff: Jeannie, Brooke and Karin.

When I asked Karina about her most memorable moment since taking over, she didn’t hesitate. She described the emotional day she received the keys and unlocked the doors for the first time, a moment her dad and brother, Lain, cap -

tured on video. She even remembers what she was wearing that day – a detail that underscores how significant the experience was for her.

That was back in 2019, and she hasn’t looked back. Today, Karina runs the business with a team of five full-time employees and an intimate knowledge of the industry.

Overcoming challenges

When I asked about her biggest challenge so far, she addressed the elephant in the room – COVID-19. Rather than letting the pandemic derail her business, Karina got to work. She developed a stunning website on her own using Shopify, one of the most advanced ecommerce platforms (www.whitebalmershoes.ca). The result is an online store that’s as easy to navigate as it is visually appealing, showcasing her inventory beautifully. Her dedication to customer experience extends beyond her website. Karina invests up to three months training each new staff member to ensure they’re equipped to provide personalized, high-quality service. Her goal is for every customer to leave the store not only looking great but feeling confident. The store’s motto reflects that sentiment perfectly: “Step Comfortably, Stylishly.”

A world of shoes and sustainability

While I can’t personally vouch for the handbags and accessories she carries, I can confidently say her shoe selection is impeccable. White-Balmer stocks over 50 brands across the categories she carries, each with its own unique identity. One standout is Rieker, a German brand known for producing some of the sharpest men’s footwear on the market. Karina was especially excited to tell me about MOEA, a brand that blends sustainability with cutting-edge style, demonstrating her commitment to offering products that align with her values and her customers’ preferences.

Lessons from Disney

Karina’s dedication to customer service and merchandising has roots in another formative experience. While in university, she was selected from hundreds of applicants to participate in a Disney student mentorship program. She spent a summer working at Disney World in Orlando where she learned about the art of merchandising and delivering exceptional customer service in a fast-paced environment. This connects back to the glass slipper reference in the title of this article. For Karina, a lifelong Disney fan, it was a dream come true. She even likens herself to Cinderella; someone who takes bold risks and makes thoughtful decisions while staying kind and approachable. After our meeting, I couldn’t agree more.

Visit White-Balmer Shoes online at www.whitebalmershoes.com or in person at 123 Ontario St. in Stratford. Scott Dunstall has been on a stylistic journey for over 10 years. His belief is that every guy has a style of their own. When it’s discovered, it empowers and builds confidence. Scott has appeared several times on Rogers TV Kitchener as a guest on DAYTIME. His writing has been republished by LinkedIn Top Influencer and INC. Magazine contributing editor, Jeff Haden. He has also written several pieces for the Baden Outlook. You can follow Scott on Instagram @everydaystylebyscott or on LinkedIn @scottdunstall or Life & Style Wilmot on Facebook. Feel free to ask questions or propose collaborations: everydaystylebyscott1@ gmail.com.

Karina Bogle of White-Balmer Shoes & Handbags located in Stratford.

(SCOTT DUNSTALL PHOTO)

SCOTT DUNSTALL Times Columnist

Zone 6 Egg and Pullet Farmers of Perth-Waterloo elect executives for 2025

In Ontario, there are many farm, food and commodity groups divided into various provincial zones, where they elect grassroots farmers to offer feedback to their elected boards of directors which, in turn, hires a general manager to run the day-to-day operations of those organizations.

In January every year, egg and pullet farmers from Zone 6, which includes farmers from Perth County and the Region of Waterloo, hold their annual meeting at the Stratford Golf and Country Club.

This year’s meeting included a large number of farmers, their suppliers and staff, who came together to discuss policies and the general health of the industry, egg-consumption numbers, and the organization overall.

At the annual meeting, egg farmer, Sally Van Straaten, who farms with her husband, Mike, and four children on the outskirts of Stratford, was re-elected to represent Zone 6 as a director on the Egg Farmers of Ontario board.

As Van Straaten led the meeting of producers, she expressed how thankful she was as she looked around the room.

She made a point to single out to her fellow producers who contributed to a long list of breakfast fundraisers Zone 6 farmers had contributed to in the past year hosted by numerous churches, Legions, Optimist Clubs, fire departments, hockey clubs and associations. For more than a decade, they have also donated 45 dozen eggs weekly to House Of Blessing in Stratford.

Recently, over the last two years, egg

farmers also donated eggs monthly to Optimism Place and Shelterlink in Stratford and Listowel. Van Straaten said being able to give back to the community is always at the top of the list of priorities for local egg farmers.

During the meeting, Stratford’s Scott Brookshaw, a local Egg and Pullet Farmers director and executive member of Egg Farmers of Ontario, said he was excited to announce there has been a new federal-provincial-territorial agreement signed and said it is historic as the agreement reflects and strengthens egg marketing in Canada and modernizes the supply management system. It also demonstrates the cooperation between all the provinces and Egg Farmers of Canada.

He said the timing couldn’t have been better considering what is happening

south of the border, and it signals to producers that they need to act together as a country and an industry for the benefit of everyone in the production and marketing of eggs.

Brookshaw reported that the annual growth of egg sales is continuing to grow at a record pace in both Ontario and Canada as today’s consumers “enjoy the safe and affordable protein that eggs provide.”

Donna Lange, director of public affairs for Egg Farmers of Ontario, said the new Nielsen preliminary retail sales data is now available up to Dec. 28, 2024, and indicates in the last four-week period, 33.8 million dozen eggs were sold, an increase of 2.4 per cent in sales compared to the previous four-week period.

Nielsen retail sales in the last 52 weeks are up 6.4 per cent over the previous 52 weeks. She said, on the processed-market side, the preliminary national production volumes are available up to week 44 in 2024 and indicate the production was 46.3 million boxes of eggs, an increase of 4.3 per cent from the same weeks in 2023.

The Salvation Army thanks all who helped during this year’s Christmas Kettle Campaign in Perth County

It was another banner year for the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign.

Nancy Argyle, the Salvation Army’s administrative assistant, reports that the overall Christmas campaign total was $406,122.89 for the areas in and around Stratford, St. Marys and Mitchell. That total exceeds previous years as more and more people continue to look to the Salvation Army for help.

Stratford’s kettle donations came in at $222,997.15 while St. Marys kettles collected $125,742.13 and Mitchell’s brought in $71,282.51.

The total for the numerous kettles was $406,122.89, and once that total was added to all other Christmas donations, the overall total raised for the local Salvation Army over the holiday season was $420,021.79.

Argyle and everyone at the Salvation Army would like to thank the hundreds of volunteers and organizations that take part year after year to help finance the programs put on year-round by the Salvation Army, standing by their motto of “Giving Hope Today.”

To volunteer for next year’s kettle campaign, call 519-271-2950 or drop by the local Salvation Army office at 230 Lightbourne Ave. in Stratford.

GARY WEST Times Correspondent

This beauty of an English bulldog welcomed those who were more than glad to give to this Salvation Army Christmas Kettle in St. Marys to help make Christmas just little better for those in need in the area.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

GARY WEST Times Correspondent

Pictured above are the 2025 Egg and Pullet Farmers councillors and delegates elected recently to represent farmers in Perth County and the Region of Waterloo. Pictured in front from left to right are Amanda Cook, Jeff Rundle, Josh Veldman, Sally Van Straaten, Kayla Veldman, Julie Wynette and Scott Graham. In the second row, from left, are Frank DeWeerd, Delmar Schultz, Joanne Groenstage, Andy DeWeerd, Paul Neeb, Gary Wagler, Mike Ready, Adam West, Clarence Martin, Anthony DeWeerd and Josh Gerber. Absent are Rita Reynen and Brett Graham.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)

Stratford’s Scott Brookshaw, a local Egg and Pullet Farmers director and executive member of Egg Farmers of Ontario, is pictured explaining what egg and pullet farmers can expect in the future.

Learn all about entrepreneurship with the Evolving Entrepreneurship podcast

• Virginia Ehrlich, owner and founder of Acre75 (episode released on Feb. 18)

Anyone looking to start their own business can get advice from seasoned entrepreneurs in Stratford through a new podcast.

The Stratford Perth Centre for Business launched their podcast, Evolving Entrepreneurship, on Feb. 11. The five-episode audio-podcast series features interviews with local entrepreneurs and is co-hosted by business advisors Holly Mortimer and Janice Auster. Kelly Lindsay, owner of the Candy Store Co., was featured in the first episode and the rest of the first season will feature the following entrepreneurs:

• Sirkel Foods’ owners Kelly Ballantyne and Mel Lang (episode to be released on Feb. 25)

• Jacqueline Martin, co-owner of Kampkreek Diaries (episode to be released on March 4)

• Nia Bright, co-owner of Good Vibrations Rock Shop (episode to be released on March 11)

"We just found we were having conversations,” Mortimer said. “There were nerves at first from a couple of guests, but five minutes in, it was talking about things we were passionate about.”

The Evolving Entrepreneurship podcast

received funding from FedDev Ontario’s Bridges to Better Business program. FedDev Ontario suggested the podcast have five episodes per season. Mortimer used her windowless office for in-person interviews and learned a lot while putting the podcast together.

The podcast showcases the variety of entrepreneurs in Stratford.

"We have this very unique ecosystem for entrepreneurs where entrepreneurs or supporters of entrepreneurs or people like me have a chance to meet people and talk to people and collaborate, but on a bigger scale,” Mortimer said. “It's not the same everywhere.”

The centre considered an entrepreneurship-mentorship library, but it never

came to fruition and a podcast was decided on instead. The podcast came about as a way to provide guidance from established entrepreneurs to emerging entrepreneurs. Mortimer recognized the need while speaking with her clients.

"In the past few years,” she said, “so many young entrepreneurs or (those) new at entrepreneurship are feeling overwhelmed or lonely, isolated, imposter syndrome, all these things, and I'm like, 'Oh, if only you could just meet so-and-so and talk to them.' "

The podcast is available on all major audio-streaming platforms. You can learn more about the Evolving Entrepreneurship podcast and listen online through www.stratfordperthbusiness.ca/podcast.

Astronomy in Action: A Guiding adventure

EMILY STEWART Times Correspondent

Astronomy in Action brought the universe to Stratford Guides with their 15-foot tall blowup dome used by presenter Daniel Lee-Ying to explore the space around Earth.

The Guides explored the galaxy and the constellations of stars in the night sky.

With capacity for 60 people, there was plenty of room in the travelling dome for the many Guides and leaders in attendance.

The northern lights, star formations, the surface of the moon and the sun were all topics that were explored during the demonstration by Astronomy In Action. This is just one of the exciting activities the local Guides participated in. For information on how to volunteer with Stratford Guides, visit girlguides.ca

(LISA CHESTER PHOTOS)

UNTIL SOON. LIVE WELL: Ghosts

Dear Mom and Dad – so much time has passed. After years of grateful memories since you died, I have to tell you both something that truly hurts me to say: I’m consoled in some small way that you’re dead. I’m sorry to say that. At the same time, I’m despondent to think that your spirits can possibly see me, feel my presence where you might be, as I can feel yours. I don’t want you to know the depth of the sadness I feel for the world as an adult sometimes. It rises. It falls. I can’t help myself. I look back and the joy of my childhood informs today. I remember the stories of your own

childhoods and I’m grateful that your parents' decisions weren’t always tainted for you, weren’t blackened by the soot of despair. I know from those stories that, as children, you grew up hopeful, just as you grew that hope outward into this land that you so loved. Despite the trials and the hard work when you arrived in this country, despite the divorce that happened decades later, you felt love for each other. You became loving parents, and that sense of your warm parental embrace stays with me still. I’m healthy, I’m happy for the most part, because of what you’ve taught me. And I’m learnedly wiser from your mistakes. But I stumble into too much thinking sometimes, too much feeling.

I’m consoled in your having died in 2009 Dad, and you Mom, in 2016, because I can’t bear to imagine what you would be thinking and feeling if you were both alive now.

When you left Germany to come here, it wasn’t popular to be who you were. The great brush of public opinion painted you, to some degree, in dark colours. I cannot imagine the stig-

ma of that and having to prove yourselves compassionate people, your hearts thankful. But I know that our family were more than the history in which you grew. I know that Jewish families to whom you allowed refuge in the basement of the family store became ghosts of your past – not knowing if they lived or if they died, venturing out into the forests at dusk to the next refuge. I know that the black soldiers from the U.S. who finally freed the city of Heidelberg from your own country’s tyranny were the only ones that offered chocolate and sustenance to the starving children, because they knew from experience what it meant to starve. No child should have to grow up in war. I know that you came to adore this country of Canada and proudly called yourselves Canadian, throwing off the mantle of German rags from which you came.

I hurt now because all that you left, all that you despised and all you abandoned in the continent of Europe is now blossoming like poison spores in the continent of North America, where freedom, compassion and sanctuary were once a strong wind

Mental decluttering for a fresh start

In a few weeks, it’ll be meteorological spring, signalling the season of hope and transformation. I just love the spring. It’s the best season of the year for me. I always have felt lighter on my feet, days are longer, the sunlight is more resplendent, and much more.

As the first hints of spring emerge, many of us feel the urge to declutter our homes, clearing out the old, making space for the new, and refreshing our surroundings. And these are all worthwhile pursuits, believe me. However, what about our minds?

Just as physical clutter can weigh us down, mental clutter, such as worries, unresolved emotions, and negative thoughts, can also create stress and stagnation. Spring offers the perfect time to refresh our inner world and embrace a mindset that fosters clarity, peace, and growth.

However, before we can clear out our mental space, we need to recognize what’s cluttering it. Mental clutter can take many forms, including:

• Negative self-talk: Harsh inner dialogue that keeps you stuck in doubt or fear.

• Unfinished business: Unresolved conflicts, lingering regrets, or procrastinated tasks.

• Information overload: Endless social media scrolling, news updates, and to-do lists.

• Unhealthy comparisons: Measuring your success against others, leading to anxiety or dissatisfaction.

• Emotional baggage: Past hurts, guilt, or anger that weigh on your heart.

By identifying what is taking up unnecessary space in your

that blew across the land – no stronger anywhere at that time than in the United States of America where I was born – before mercifully being brought to Canada when I was less than one year old. The luckiest of all chances. The greatest of all gifts. And although I have no ties whatever to our neighbour in the south, it pains me to see it change to a land that allows equal credence to lies, propaganda and hate disguising it as some warped democracy where “free-speech” means “defaming speech,” where the symbol of your own past tyranny in Germany is being sold in online T-shirts, where some who run the government raise their arms to the sky in salute and where the rich dismantle all avenues of support for the common-folk, while asking them to wait for some mythical “golden age” that will never come.

All of these things, Mom and Dad, all of these hypocritical stories of a nation, that you have lived through yourselves, are coming true in the continent which you so greatly revered. Indeed, they are a reality already. America has already fall-

mind, you can take steps to declutter and refresh your mental state.

Here are some steps to declutter our mind:

1. Refresh your thoughts

Our minds naturally accumulate unnecessary worries and distractions. Begin your mental spring cleaning by practicing mindfulness. Take a few minutes each day to sit in silence, breathe deeply, and observe your thoughts without judgment. This helps clear out negativity and refocus your energy on the present moment.

Journaling is another powerful tool for decluttering your mind. Writing down your thoughts and emotions can help you process them, making it easier to let go of unnecessary worries.

2. Release what no longer serves you

Just as we donate or discard old items in our homes, we must also let go of emotional burdens. Ask yourself: What thoughts, habits, or relationships are draining my energy? Whether it’s an outdated belief, an unhealthy relationship, or a

en to the will of one. There is no true democracy left. And so, I pray that the home you’ve loved and lived for all your adult lives, here in Canada, can endure it.

But now, Mom and Dad, as you would for me, I worry for your grandchild – for Anna, who has my heart and her mother’s grace and within whom I see a potentially fading distant light rather than a beacon calling her to an inclusive and loving world. May she never listen to the fool's overture of one person’s superiority over another, one nation’s strength that ends up defiling itself through the subjugation of another, one heartbeat loudly and selfishly beating the drum while others blindly follow and do nothing, on the road to their own demise. I have loved. I have felt love. Thank you. May I be strong enough to hold it high in the face of adversity.

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

fear of failure, acknowledge it and make a conscious decision to release it. This might involve having a difficult conversation, seeking closure, or simply deciding not to dwell on the past.

Forgiveness is an essential part of this process – both forgiving others and forgiving yourself. Holding onto resentment or guilt only clutters the mind and keeps you from moving forward.

3. Organize your priorities

A cluttered mind often stems from feeling overwhelmed. Simplify your mental space by focusing on what truly matters. Make a list of your current commitments and responsibilities. Are there things you can delegate, postpone, or eliminate altogether? Prioritizing your goals and setting boundaries can help free up mental energy for the things that bring you joy and fulfillment.

4. Practice gratitude and positivity

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to refresh your mind is to shift your focus toward gratitude. Each day, take a moment to reflect on three things you’re grateful for. This practice rewires the brain to notice the positives rather than dwell on the negatives.

Additionally, surround yourself with uplifting influences – positive books, inspirational podcasts, or supportive friends who encourage and motivate you. The more you fill your mind with positivity, the less space there is for mental clutter. Therefore, spring is a season of renewal and possibility. By decluttering your mind, you create space for clarity, creativity, and peace. Just as you would with your home, take time to assess, cleanse, and refresh your inner world. The more you cultivate a clear and focused mind, the more energy you’ll have to embrace the beauty and opportunities this new season brings.

Time management techniques, such as the Pomodoro method (working in focused intervals with breaks in between) or creating a daily to-do list with only three main tasks, can help you stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.

IRENE ROTH

Times Freelance Columnist

STUART LENDER Times Contributor

OH, THE PLACES WE’LL GO: A snowbird alternative in southern France

Let’s be honest, politics has suddenly made a huge impact on tourism. Every day, it seems I hear from a would-be (or has-been) snowbird debating the question of travelling to somewhere warm in the United States.

Many have gone south or plan to go. More than one has told me, “But this is the last time, at least for now.” And many others have stayed home or are seeking out alternatives – they still want to spend all or part of our Canadian winters somewhere warm and welcoming.

In the midst of this, I was invited to spend a morning with a large group of tourism representatives from the Côte D’Azur, a region of France on the Mediterranean Sea. I arrived a bit skeptical; the key cities here are Nice and Cannes, both reputed to be expensive and, in the case of Cannes, jam-packed for the world-famous film festival. It turns out, both things are true at times. The Côte D’Azur is expensive in high season – the summer months. In the colder months and shoulder seasons, not so much.

And yes, Canne is crammed with celebrities and celebrity-watchers from May 13-24. Other than that, again not so much.

In fact, the folks from Nice and its neighbours have no interest in enticing Canadians to come visit in the summer. They’re already full. But the rest of the year, the months when Canadian snowbirds are looking for a warmer and sunnier place to nest, the Côte D’Azur may well be worth considering.

The temperatures in February and March are similar to Myrtle Beach. When I checked the second week of February, the daily highs were around 15 degrees Celsius. Pleasant, sunny and no snow.

No snow, that is, until you finish your espresso and croissant on your terrace in Nice and then head up into the nearby Alps to ski all afternoon.

And that’s a clue as to why Canadians might consider the Côte D’Azur as a good, late-winter option because, unlike some Caribbean resorts for example, there is a lot to do here. There always has

been because, as Bertrand Pous, General Consul of France, told us, “The concept of tourism was created in Côte D’Azur. Tourism is our history.” And today, it represents a full 30 per cent of the region’s GDP.

I chatted at length with Rudy Salles, a long-time Member of Parliament in the French government and now president of the Metropolitan Nice Office of Tourism. A resident of Nice, he is also a huge fan of his community. His job, he says with a smile, “is a pleasure for me.”

Rudy practically bubbled over as he described all the great things awaiting Canadians: inexpensive skiing, about $60 Canadian a day; history, the entire city is classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site; and easy transportation, including the international airport. “Many things to do all year long.”

There is a special focus on art, architecture and cuisine; art gal-

leries include the Matisse Museum. Both Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall were long-time residents of Nice. In fact, one of the highlights of the region is, literally, the light. There are postcards celebrating the “pure light,” and innumerable artists have visited the Côte D’Azur, captivated by this unique natural phenomenon.

Rudy also pointed to the unending variety of experiences available to visitors. Metropolitan Nice includes 52 communities, seven of which are Mediterranean ports. It stretches from the sea to mountains topping out at 3,000 metres.

Charlotte Cejudo is international senior sales manager for the Cannes Visitors Bureau. She told me that, apart from the 11 days in May of the film festival, Cannes is “a city of easy lifestyle,” with hundreds of events, all very accessible, throughout the year. She lauded the historic old town with a castle open to visitors and also

the daily food market. In fact, it seems that open markets offering food, crafts and more are commonplace in the Côte D’Azur. Of course, since this is the French Riviera, shopping opportunities range from craft tables to the highest-end brand names.

A 20-minute boat ride from Cannes takes visitors to either of two unique islands – Ste-Marguerite or St-Honorat, the latter owned by monks who are expert winemakers.

Mélanie Paul-Hus summed up the appeal of the Côte D’Azur for me. “It’s the perfect place for people who want to escape Canadian winters.” She pointed out that “everything is open yearround” – restaurants, attractions, shops and festivals.

Melanie is the Canadian director of Atout France, the France tourism development agency. She added, “In the winter, it’s not expensive and it’s very, very safe.” It’s popular with people looking to learn French, though Melanie told me English is spoken everywhere. It’s also a hit with golfers; the shoulder seasons offer a wide variety of great golf.

She notes that the Côte D’Azur is a day trip away from popular destinations like Monaco and Saint-Tropez, and, in fact, that from here, “You can go anywhere in Europe.”

But, given the huge menu of attractions right here, including temperatures that allow you to dine outdoors year-round, why would you want to go anywhere else?

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.

PAUL KNOWLES Times Contributor

(AURON-COTE D'AZUR, FRANCE TOURISME; GEORGES VERAN PHOTO)

Great skiing is less that two hours from the Mediterranean coast in the Côte D'Azur.

Nice's Cours Saleya, near the harbourfront.

The monk's island of Saint Honorat, near Cannes

(COTE D'AZUR, FRANCE TOURISME; CAMILLE MOIRENC PHOTO)

(COTE D'AZUR, FRANCE TOURISMEPHOTO)

Earthrise: "How fragile

The iconic photo captured on Dec. 24,1968 by NASA astronaut William Anders, and now known as “Earthrise,” sparked a turning point in human history, a paradigm-shift in our understanding of ourselves, our planet, and our relationship to it.

Never before had we had such a perspective. Never before had we seen ourselves, not as separate nations, cultures and religions, but as a collective – one humanity living together on one very finite world.

And for those paying attention, it was a moment of awakening, another step up the ladder of human social consciousness and evolution; this planet is home to everyone and it can not, will not, tolerate endless exploitation and depletion for the comfort and greed of a few. It must be cherished, tended to, and its resources thoughtfully harvested for the benefit of all.

In fact, Earthrise was pivotal in galvanizing and energizing the modern envi-

ronmental movement. Adventurer and nature photographer, Galen Rowell, described it as “the most influential environmental photograph ever taken.” It inspired world-wide protests and calls for environmental action throughout 1969, and led directly to the establishment of the first Earth Day in 1970, with the now famous photo featured on its posters.

COMING EVENTS

TIME S

However, the image could easily have been missed. Anders was actually photographing the lunar surface using black and white film when he caught a glimpse of the Earth rising on the moon’s western horizon. In awe of what he was seeing, he quickly snapped a photo of it, but sensed that more was needed to capture its full emotional impact. He and his crewmates

scrambled to find a roll of colour film which he was able to load in time to continue snapping the never before seen and now unforgettable images.

Thus, the sublime Earthrise came into being and it changed everything forever. As evidenced by their continued irresponsible and self-absorbed behaviour, some cannot yet hear it, but the photo speaks to us of a no longer deniable truth: we are not all-powerful, not invincible, and our reckless actions on this garden-oasis of a planet do have consequences – grave and increasingly irreversible.

Sting’s haunting lyrics, though written a few years prior, capture the message of Earthrise and of the environmental movement so perfectly and poignantly, “But something in our minds will always stay… how fragile we are, how fragile we are.” Indeed.

If you know of an individual, company or organization that deserves recognition for their innovative and sustainable environmental practices, please contact me at frogs-a-leaping@tutamail.com.

TIME S

ANNA KOWALCHUK

Times Contributor

CLASSIFIEDS

OBITUARY

IN MEMORY

in Mitchell, passed away Monday, February 3, 2025 at the Village after a two-year battle with Alzheimer’s and the ef fects of a stroke.

verne of Sebringville, son Trevor and his wife Lana, grand son Kellen and granddaughter Macie of Mitchell. Also survived by sister Gladys Allan of Brampton, ON. Prede ceased by daughter Cindy in 2014, her parents, two broth ers, and two sisters.

ANNIS

In loving memory of my wonderful husband Ken gone too soon

Two years ago February 22, 2023

Please God forgive a silent tear

A constant wish my Ken was here

Others are taken, yes I know

But he was mine, and I loved him so

youngest of six children. The family left the Manitoulin Island when she was 11, moving to her brother Edgar’s farm just north of Hanover, ON. Growing up, she helped her brother around the farm, raking and baling hay and pulling the binder to cut grain. After finishing high school, Wilda got a job at the Heintzman Piano factory in Hanover, working there until it closed. She was a stay-at-home mom until Cindy and Trevor finished public school. In 1985, Wilda went back to work at Bi-Way Stores in Hanover. Moving to Stratford in 1990, she was able to get a transfer to the Stratford store, staying there until they closed. Wilda then moved to Shoppers Drug Mart, retiring from there in 2008.

To honour Wilda’s request, there will be no visitation or funeral service at this time. Spring interment will take place in Greenwood Cemetery in Milverton, ON.

As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to The Alzheimer Society of Huron-Perth (www.alzheimer.ca/huronperth) or a charity of one’s choice, directly, or through Rutherford Cremation & Funeral Services. 804 Ontario St. Stratford, ON. N5A 3K1 / 519-271-5062 / www. jarfh.com.

You did not bid a last farewell

You never said Good-bye

You were gone before I knew it

And only God knows why

So God please take a message

To my Ken in heaven above

Tell him how much I miss him

And give him all my love

To those who have a husband

Cherish him with care

For you never know the heartache

Until you see his empty chair

So lonely without you Your Wife Phyllis

Smiling in the Butterfly House

WANTED

$ Cash Paid $ for your RECORDS and LPs. Jazz, Blues, Rock, Pop, Folk, Soundtracks, and more. Selectively buying CDs, Cassettes, Turntables, and Stereo Equipment. For more information: DIAMOND DOGS MUSIC 114 Ontario St. Stratford / 226-972-5750

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

Fair value offered for your vinyl records, cassette tapes & hifi components. Please contact Sound Fixation, 519801-5421, 4 George St. W, Stratford.

I WILL PAY CASH FOR ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES – Coca Cola Pepsi any pop company, Brewery items Kuntz, Huether Labatts etc. Old radios and gramophones, Wristwatches and pocket watches, Old fruit jars Beaver Star Bee Hive etc. Any old oil cans and signs Red Indian Supertest etc. Any small furniture. If you are moving or cleaning out stuff please contact me - 519-570-6920.

Wanted Receptionist. Mature, reliable, people person. Call for more information Franklin E. Hinz 519-273-1633.

Looking for Employment in Stratford or surrounding area. Hard working, reliable, with full G driver’s license. Randy 519-271-8137.

TREES: Shade trees, Fruit trees, Apple, Pears, Peaches, Plums, Sweet and Sour Cherries, Apricot, Nectarines, Blueberry, Haskopp, Black Chokeberry, Grapes etc. Lots of Spruce, Pine, Cedars for windbreaks and privacy hedges, Sizes 1 to 6+.

Flowering shrubs and much more.

Come check us out Mon-Sat 7:00am - 6:00pm Martin's Nursery 42661 Orangehill Road Wroxeter (1 concession north of Wroxeter on Belmore Line)

We are currently looking for an in person travel consultant to join our New Hamburg team.

Responsibilities and Qualities would include:

• TICO Certified

• Knowledgeable in planning and booking worldwide leisure travel

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to multitask in a busy office environment

• Strong customer service and organization skills

This is a part time with potential to full time position

Please forward your resume to newhamburg@stonetowntravel.com

SERVICES

DO YOU WANT TO WRITE A BOOK AND NEED SOME HELP?

Contact me at roncfinch@gmail.com

FYI - I am currently working on my 60th mystery novel. 53 have been in the Joel Franklin mystery series, 4 in the Dr. Shitz series and 3 standalone mysteries. 15 of my books have been published to date.

These mysteries take place in southwestern Ontario from 1926 to the present.

My books are available on Amazon or signed copies are available for

Also,

contact me. Topics include:

Why do snowmen love winter? Because it’s the only time they can chill out!

What do you call a snowman with a sixpack? An abdominal snowman!

Why didn’t the snowman go to the party? He just wanted to chill at home.

What do you get when you cross a snowman and a vampire? Frostbite!

How do you know if a snowman is on social media? He has a lot of cool followers!

What do you call a snowman’s favorite snack? Ice Krispies!

Why did the skier bring a ladder? Because he wanted to go to a higher level!

What’s a snowman’s favorite game? Freeze tag!

Why do winter storms make terrible friends? Because they give you the cold shoulder!

How does a snowman drink his coffee? Ice-cold brew!

MINNIE

Minnie is a sweet senior who’s had a tough start but is ready for a stable, loving home. This 60-pound couch potato adores people, gives endless kisses, and enjoys lounging more than long hikes. She thrives in a house or townhouse (no apartments) as the only pet, as she prefers all the attention and has a strong prey drive. Minnie is house-trained, crate-trained, and knows basic commands, though she’ll need some training to help with reactivity and manners. She’s good with calm, respectful children and would suit a patient, dedicated owner ready to help her feel secure. Could Minnie be your new best friend? Visit KWSP Humane Society to meet her today!

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