East Zorra-Tavistock (EZT) Mayor Phil Schaefer’s newly acquired Strong Mayor Powers will remain on the township’s agenda for the foreseeable future.
“It was in consultation with Mayor Schaefer and we agreed to put the strong mayor item under the unfinished business so it would always be a forum. Even though, as clerk (Meaghan) Vader indicated, his decisions and directions are his to make outside the regular council meeting forum,” CAO Karen DePrest told councillors at their May 21 council meeting. “This … is an opportunity for you as representatives of the community to ask questions if
Waterloo Regional Police Service Rural Patrol Sgt. Jay Hiuser knows what it is to be a resident of rural Waterloo Region.
He grew up in rural Waterloo Region and he raised his family and continues to live in Wellesley Township today, giving him that insider’s understanding of how rural communities work, who the major players are and how the WRPS can best serve rural residents. Now, as part of the WRPS’ new rural township policing strategy, Hiuser is putting his knowledge and experience to good use as the police service’s point person for all things rural policing in the townships of Wilmot, Wellesley, Woolwich and North Dumfries.
“We used to have a police station in New Hamburg and we had a police station in Elmira, and our officers worked out of there,” Hiuser said. “I actually started my career as a young officer back in the early 2000s; I worked out of New Hamburg for many years. I was born and raised in a rural community, so I’m very familiar with the area – I spent a lot of my time out there.
“They shut down out there, maybe about 10 years ago. Once (WRPS) Chief (Mark) Crowell started, he made rural policing an absolute priority, and that was
Friends Alarik, Luna, and Thomas soar down the zip line at Spectrum Acres during a fun-filled Neurodivergent Family Event focused on connection, play, and learning about the Davis Method. Full story and more photos on page 5.
(DIANE DANEN PHOTO)
HEALTH FAIR
Strong Mayor Powers stay on EZT agenda as council seeks clarity
Continued from page 1
things happen that you weren’t aware of.”
Coun. Scott Zehr said the mayor could implement policies on his own and asked if future councils would need to adhere to those rules.
“To the best of our knowledge, at this point, when there is a new election in 2026, and if there is a change at the head of council, our understanding … is that it would reset,” said Vader. “If Mayor Schaefer is no longer the mayor, the new head of council would have to make the decisions at that time.”
Shaefer and 168 other mayors’ extended powers were announced several weeks ago and Coun. Jeremy Smith asked the mayor for clarification on what his plans were going forward.
“I think this is our third meeting since it came to light, and with all due respect to his worship, I think all of us are wondering … whether you’ve given consideration to delegate powers that are available to you.”
Schaefer said he has been very transparent and will continue to do so.
“I made it pretty clear when this came out that I had no intention of wanting to do the budget, and as far as the staffing goes, I really had no intention of wanting to insert myself between the CAO and the department heads. I haven’t formally delegated (the powers) at this point, but that’s my intention.”
There appears to be some confusion surrounding what, if any, next steps are involved in the process. Deputy mayor Brad Smith asked Schaefer if he needed to inform the province of his intentions.
“Will you be required to make a statement that you are not going to do this? Are you required to say, ‘No, we’re going to continue the status quo?’ Do you have to declare that at some point?”
Schaefer deferred to Vader, who said as EZT makes its way through the legislation, the mayor has certain powers at his disposal.
“There are mayoral decisions and directives. Any time he wants to make a formal direction to staff, it would be considered mayoral direction, and that would be anything in relation to the four provincial priorities.”
She said mayoral decisions involve Schaefer’s power to veto a decision of council or delegate authority to the CAO for the township’s organizational structure or staffing.
“It’s not something under the legislation
that would come to council but is something done in writing and (most municipalities) have created a section on their websites for Strong Mayor Powers, and that’s where those decisions live,” she added.
Schaefer said he is being as transparent as he can be by opening up the floor to questions.
“That’s part of the reasoning we have it on as unfinished business so it’s on our agenda each meeting and we can all talk through this. Bear in mind, things that are delegated can be undelegated immediately and at any time. That’s an important thing to keep in mind.”
Brad Smith explained he is comfortable with how Schaefer is handling his powers but wants to ensure ratepayers are kept in the loop.
“I think we’d better be cognisant of this if someone challenges our current mayor or there comes an issue that becomes a serious thing around this horseshoe that could come out into the public. I hope the public is following this a little bit so they can be sure of what we are doing the next time we have an election and if we get down this road, that somebody’s trying to take it over. It’s something people should be aware of.”
The next municipal election is scheduled for the fall of 2026.
Township ends 2024 with surplus
The year-end audit at EZT is complete and an operating surplus of just over $132,000 has been realized.
“Those funds will be transferred to the tax-rate stabilization reserve to replenish it after our recent building of (the township offices). This is also the first time for this council and this township, assuming council endorses it, we will post the treasurer’s statement of reserve funds,” said DePrest.
She explained the move comes out of the township’s development charges bylaw, which would provide a public record of how much money was collected and what those funds were spent on.
“We spent $477,000 of development charges on the Hickson land acquisition. We spent money on the salt-sand storage shop, which was fully funded from development charges and then we have our two debt repayments.”
Just under $270,000 was spent on the storage facility in Hickson. East ZorraTavistock currently has close to $2 million in reserves with just over half of it in the public works department. The remainder is split between the fire, recreation and administration departments.
Sgt. Hiuser leads community-focused policing in townships
based on information he received from the community – community members in the townships – and also we had (a consultant) review the service, and one of their recommendations was for a rural sergeant for all things rural related, essentially.”
Having worked many years first as a member of the WRPS K9 Unit and then as part of the regular patrol unit, Hiuser said he was looking for something a little different. With plenty of experience engaging with the public and his extensive rural background, Hiuser was the obvious choice for rural patrol sergeant, a job he officially began back in January.
Since that time, Hiuser has made it his mission to reimagine the role of a police sergeant within the rural townships. His job, as he explains it, is all about connecting with community, whether that’s local politicians and township staff, community partners and social-service providers, local businesses, and residents from all walks of life. He leads a team of 20 patrol sergeants, all of whom he pushes to become publicfacing members of the communities they serve, be it by attending local events, speaking with people on the streets, or even dropping in at local youth groups to hang out with the kids and local seniors centres to share information on things like frauds and scams.
“We had sergeants in rural before, but they had a very different role. I realized how busy it is and how much need there is out there for police interaction on a regular basis proactively, instead of reactive,” Hiuser said.
Hiuser is the lynchpin at the centre of the WRPS’ rural policing operations, being the person anyone and everyone can bring
issues and concerns to. He says when a resident, a business owner, a member of a local council or anyone else comes to him with a concern or a recommendation for how the WRPS can improve its rural policing, he is always there to listen, understand and bring those ideas to the people who can make a difference up the chain at WRPS.
Hiuser also has at his disposal a number of specialized policing teams at WRPS like the community engagement team and the Direct Action Response Team (DART).
With the help of the community engagement team, Hiuser meets with the most vulnerable members of our communities who are struggling with homelessness, mental-health issues and
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patrol officers – there’s 16 patrol officers that work Woolwich, Wilmot, Wellesley, and then in North Dumfries, I have four additional officers. If those officers are available or they’ve been involved in the incident, then I will contact that officer and their supervisors, assign it to them so they can do a very, very strategic approach on crime suppression for that incident.
“When I started policing, we did a lot of good policework, but we went based on our gut, based on the information we got and a hunch, and we got a lot of success. But now, we’re very strategic, we go based on data and data-based enforcement.”
Another big issue Hiuser deals with in the rural townships is traffic and road safety. When road-safety issues are brought to him by township staff and residents, Hiuser works with the WRPS traffic services unit to study the data, develop a solution specific to each issue and assist with implementing those solutions.
addictions, and works with local socialservices and health-care providers to ensure they have access to all the services and resources they want and need.
Working with the Direct Action Response Team (DART), Hiuser also plays a major role in the WRPS’ first-in-Canada stratified policing and crime suppression model – an approach that relies on data and statistics to help police focus on high-crime areas, repeat offenders and serious crimes with tailored solutions.
“When it’s a township (case), it gets assigned to me. So, I actually read the issue, I’ll pull the data, I’ll read the calls, I’ll develop a crime-suppression plan for that individual problem within the township,” Hiuser said. “Then I will direct it to
Optimist Club of Downie Inc.
May 18 Kevin Kelly, St. Marys
May 19 Chris Brooks, Stratford
May 20 Andrew & Margaret Dunbar, Stratford
May 21 Helen MacFarlane, Lucan
May 22 Alan Riehl, Sebringville
May 23 Doug Flanagan, St. Pauls
May 24 Nikki Leyser, Burnstown
May 25 Jason Core, Stratford
May 26 Calvin Strathdee, St. Pauls
May 27 Jessie Welsh, Kilworth
May 28 Barb Park, Stratford
May 29 Lynda Robinson, London
May 30 Keith Taylor, Lakeside
May 31 Nora Sicilia, St.
Above all else, Hiuser’s job is focused on showing the residents of rural Waterloo Region that WRPS is present across all four townships, its officers are engaging with the communities they serve and they are here to listen and help in whatever way they can.
“We’ve evolved and we are doing so many good things out there that people don’t see,” he said. “So, my job is to go out there and just let people know. After the police stations closed, they may have a perception that we don’t care, we’re not out here, or we’re not engaged. No, we are. We always have been, it just looks a little bit different now.”
To speak with Hiuser about nonemergency situations in Wilmot, Wellesley, Woolwich, or North Dumfries, email RuralSGT@wrps.on.ca.
As of January, Sgt. Jay Hiuser is the Waterloo Regional Police Service’s rural patrol sergeant for Wilmot, Wellesley, Woolwich and North Dumfries.
(GALEN SIMMONS PHOTO)
Families gather for neurodivergent event
On Saturday, May 24, the Van Dyke family of Tavistock hosted a Neurodivergent Family Event at their farm, Spectrum Acres.
The free event offered a chance to connect and share experiences and meaningful conversations centered around neurodiversity.
With plenty of space to run around, it was a relaxed, informal atmosphere where children were free to play and participate in various activities. A zipline, trampoline and clay modelling were among the favourites, allowing kids to enjoy themselves while parents listened to presentations.
The central focus of the event was on the Davis Method. Presentations were given by three certified Davis facilitators. Nadine Schumont, Maureen O’Sullivan and Colleen Malone shared their personal stories about how they became involved with the Davis Method.
Schumont, who runs Picture Perfect Learning Solutions in Stratford, spoke about her own experience navigating neurodiversity. She shared how the Davis Method helped her experience success in university in her 40s and inspired her to become a certified facilitator. Her centre now offers one-on-one support, which helps individuals embrace their unique learning styles and unlock their potential.
O’Sullivan recalled a powerful turning point with her eight-year-old son who was struggling with reading. After reading The Gift of Dyslexia by Ronald D. Davis, she knew she had found a solution. Her son
noticed improvements after just one session of the Davis Method. He went on to graduate from university and leads a fulfilling life.
“It still makes me emotional,” O’Sullivan said. “The program allowed all four of my children, each neurodiverse in their own way, to truly blossom.”
Malone, a former hospital worker of 30 years, also found a new calling after her teenage daughter’s struggles in school were turned around using the Davis Method.
“After seeing the difference it made, I
thought this is what I need to do,” she said.
We used to believe that dyslexia was a lifelong neurological disorder, but Davis discovered dyslexic individuals simply have an alternative way of thinking. Often, people with dyslexia struggle because they are not taught in a way that aligns with their thinking style. Davis facilitators focus on what people with dyslexia can do, viewing it as a talent rather than a limitation.
The Davis Method addresses the root causes of challenges faced by individuals with language-based learning disabilities. There are specific programs available for
dyslexia, attention, autism and math, designed for both adults and children aged eight and older. A separate program for young learners offers a strong foundation for children aged five to seven who are just beginning their literacy journey.
The event offered attendees a chance to hear real-life experiences and explore different perspectives on learning and neurodiversity. Families left with information, connections and new ideas about how to support the unique learners in their lives.
Visit Picture Perfect Learning Solutions to learn more about the Davis Method.
Iris, age two, enjoys the slide during a day out. She is the daughter of Erika and Gary Streicher of Milverton.
DIANE DANEN Gazette Correspondent
(DIANE DANEN PHOTOS)
Davis facilitators Maureen O’Sullivan (left) and Colleen Malone (right) join Nadine Schumont of Picture Perfect Learning to share their personal experiences during the Neurodivergent Family Event.
Siblings Quintin and Maeve Steffler get creative with modelling clay during a hands-on activity.
Joseph Van Dyk, 10, demonstrates his volcano experiment for visitors at Spectrum Acres.
Wilmot Family Resource Centre rebrands as Wilmot and Wellesley Resource Centre
After two years of work and thanks to a $65,000 federal grant, the Wilmot Family Resource Centre has officially rebranded as the Wilmot and Wellesley Resource Centre and it launched a new website aimed at improving its internal operations and its communication with the people and communities it serves.
According to resource centre executive director Trisha Robinson and administrative coordinator Kathryn McEwin, who was instrumental in seeing this project to fruition, the rebrand is meant to reflect the services and programs the centre has offered to residents in both Wilmot and Wellesley for more than 40 years.
“We do serve Wellesley and we wanted to reflect that and put that into our name and help Wellesley feel included,” Robinson said. “ … We satellite into Wellesley, so we’re doing some programs – an EarlyON program at the (Wellesley) rec centre, we have a free-clothing room and we’re there Thursdays in partnership with the food cupboard, we deliver food through our food services probably almost every day of the week except for Fridays. So, we’re doing deliveries and we have food-bank clients in Wellesley who come here for services too. We just wanted to broaden slowly and do some more services
website will provide a user-friendly experience for all visitors. Building a secure and accessible website was partially funded with $65,000 from the Government of Canada’s Community Services Recovery Fund – a fund aimed at helping community services agencies modernize and adapt their operations post-pandemic.
The funding was also used to implement customer-relationship management software and to strengthen IT infrastructure and security to help meet growing needs.
“A lot of us (community services agencies) learned that, while we were busy before the pandemic, the pandemic highlighted some of the areas where maybe we could work on or strengthen because, of course, we had to find different ways to communicate with people and get services to people,” McEwin said.
in Wellesley.”
Though Robinson said “family” was dropped from the name of the resource centre primarily to keep it from being too long, McEwin noted it was also a way to make the centre’s name more inclusive in
After 27 Years Heather is Retiring
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT
the hopes people in both communities understand the centre serves not only families, but individuals from all walks of life as well.
Designed with accessibility in mind by Accessibrand of Wellesley, the new
The new website and software upgrades now allow for things like an online donation form for community members who want to support the resource centre, the potential for online ticket sales in support of fundraisers and an e-newsletter, increased security of personal information, a central communications list that makes it easier to stay in touch with donors, clients and stakeholders, and so much more.
For more information on the services and programs available to Wilmot and Wellesley residents through the resource centre, visit www.wilmotwellesleyrc.ca.
The Wilmot Family Resource Centre has launched a new website and has rebranded as the Wilmot and Wellesley Resource Centre. Pictured, executive director Trisha Robinson and administrative coordinator Kathryn McEwin show off some of the new branding.
GALEN SIMMONS
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
(GALEN SIMMONS PHOTO)
Area members of parliament weigh in on federal Throne Speech
Khanna and Louis optimistic as the house reconvenes
LEE GRIFFI
“The fact the King delivered it is very impressive.”
Those were the first words from Kitchener-Conestoga MP Tim Louis when asked about his initial thoughts on Tuesday’s Throne Speech inside the Senate chamber on Parliament Hill.
“It said all the things it needed to say. It talked about what we are doing as a nation, as a government and the direction we are headed in,” added the Liberal parliamentarian.
Oxford Conservative MP Arpan Khanna had similar thoughts on the presence of King Charles III and the positives that came with it.
“It’s always great to have the monarchy in Canada after almost 50 years and there was a lot of excitement here in Ottawa in terms of visitors, so plenty of tourism happening. It’s good to see all that energy here in the nation’s capital.”
The last time a member of the royal family delivered the speech was in 1977 by Queen Elizabeth II. She also presented 20 years earlier in 1957.
In terms of the content of the speech, Khanna criticized the lack of a strategy from the Liberal government for the country’s future.
“There’s no actual plan. During the campaign, they talked a lot about how Mark Carney would have a plan and a budget. There were a lot of words but we want to see the action and the steps necessary
to get to the desired outcomes they are talking about.”
He added Canadians run their households on a budget and the federal government needs to table one as soon as possible.
“It will show us what the deficit is sitting at and also where our money will be spent, and what programs will be funded and which ones will be cut. In the tough economic situation we are in today and with the anxiety Canadians are feeling, people expect that from the government. I am hopeful a plan will come soon so we can take a look at it and see what the government’s actual priorities are.”
The majority of political pundits agreed there were no surprises in the speech, and Louis explained it clearly set out his government’s agenda.
“The things we put in our election platform, what we told Canadians we were going to do, the things they expect us to do, were all in the Throne Speech. It’s what is in the immediate future for new legislation.”
He added the government is going to move quickly to implement a one per-cent income tax cut across the board and cut the goods and services tax from the price of new homes, along with removing interprovincial trade barriers.
“There are indications the government will use ways and means motions to get some of their key priorities pushed forward,” said Khanna. “We’ve been clear, as Her Majesty’s loyal opposition, our job is to hold them accountable and make sure we don’t give them a free pass on passing
some of these bills or ways and means motions.”
Ways and means motions are defined as the process by which the government sets out its economic policy through the presentation of a budget and obtains parliamentary approval to raise the necessary revenues through taxation. There are two types of ways and means proceedings, one being the debate on a motion to approve in general the budgetary policy of the government, and the consideration of legislation which imposes a tax or other charge on the taxpayer.
He added the Conservatives won’t stand in the way if a worthy idea is tabled in the House of Commons.
“If there is something that has good common sense, that has solutions and gives relief to Canadians during this crisis, we will support it. But, if they bring out more of the same as we saw over the last 10 years where we have seen record numbers of homeless encampments, crime and drug chaos across the country, we will oppose them.”
The house is only sitting for four weeks before the summer break, meaning there isn’t a lot of time to pass legislation, especially if opposition parties challenge the government. There does seem to be more of a willingness for all parties to work collectively, particularly the Liberals and Conservatives. Louis said he is looking forward to putting all party stripes together to improve the lives of his constituents and all Canadians.
“The more the parties cooperate, the
faster we can achieve the results Canadians want. If we are willing to cooperate, and I believe that is possible, I think we can get the things we need to get done in four weeks. It’s going to be long days and long nights, but that’s what I’m here for.”
The main Conservative criticism coming out of the speech was it did not include the words pipeline or energy. Louis came back to the word cooperation and believes anything can get done if all sides work in tandem.
“We need to grow our energy sector, whether green or traditional, they both need to grow and I am willing to work with any party to make sure things are done responsibly and we have natural resources we need to get to market.”
Khanna admitted he was skeptical in light of conflicting messaging from members of the government, particularly Steven Guilbeault who recently stated Canada is weaning itself off fossil fuels and doesn’t need another pipeline.
“One goes and says one thing and another one rebuts it literally the next day or even the same day. Carney said he wants to bring down housing costs but then he proposes more bureaucracy that actually drives up housing costs. He talks about building national-resource projects, but his own ministers disagree with it.”
He added Carney has made it clear he has no intention of repealing Bill C-69, which Conservatives say is pipeline-killing legislation.
Arpan Khanna (left) was recently sworn in for his second term as the federal representative for Oxford while Tim Louis (right) was sworn in and is serving his third term in Kitchener-Conestoga.
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
How prepared are Ontario municipalities in the event of a cyber attack?
Former Stratford mayor warns municipalities at recent OSUM conference
LEE GRIFFI
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
According to one expert in the field, it isn’t a matter of if a municipality will be hit by a cyber attack; it’s when.
Dan Mathieson served as the mayor of Stratford for 20 years and spent 27 years in municipal politics. That city suffered an attack in 2019, one that crippled its IT systems and cost taxpayers $75,000 to fix. Mathieson was named a special advisor on cybersecurity and municipal engagement at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) in 2023 and works closely with the school’s Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst.
He said once Stratford’s IT system was healed, he decided to dive into the field to learn more about it by talking to organizations specializing in the field, including the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity.
“In doing so, I met Dr. Mohammed Lachemi, president of TMU. He was starting to work on municipal engagement … and I told him one of the things he was missing was one of the biggest threats municipalities have, and that’s in cybersecurity.”
Municipalities are putting more services online and providing increased databases in the interest of transparency, but with it comes increased risk.
“That risk has to be managed as it has the ability to cripple municipalities. It led to, ‘Ok, let’s start to build some awareness around that,’ and really why I have been going to some conferences to advance the awareness side of things.”
Mathieson explained the vast majority of municipalities say they are not prepared in the event of a cyber or malware attack.
“I will go on the record. A lot of councillors may not have realized the amount of risk that’s out there, and it’s not a slight to staff, there’s only so much money to be spent by local government, and cybersecurity ranks below homelessness, housing, transportation, clean water, sewers and recreation facilities.”
Mathieson said one of his goals is to get municipalities to collaborate on the subject, something that could save precious tax dollars.
“Maybe there is an opportunity for a
down, or when someone takes over your website. How are you going to communicate? What do you do for records retention if they take over your computer system?”
Mathieson said the goal of the checklist is to get municipalities thinking. Hamilton was also hit with a major cyber attack recently and, according to the Hamilton Spectator newspaper, that city spent nearly $10 million to regain control of its systems.
“Hamilton’s IT budget increase this year was just over $30 million. What I say to members of council is it’s not what the initial cost is, it’s the cost to recover, to rebuild and then operate going forward. They need to know all three of those aspects.”
The former Stratford mayor suggested local government remember the Japanese phrase, Kaizen, which is essentially continuous quality improvement.
group of them to share services and information to help reduce the risk while making their money go further as opposed to being it’s all us on our own type of thing.”
He is suggesting something along the lines of a regional security operations centre where dedicated staff can keep a close eye on things.
“Perhaps we split the cost of two IT professionals and all our servers go through that and those people live and breathe that all day long. Their job is to keep all the network pieces safe. Stratford has a very strong IT department, but they have multiple things each day they need to worry about. They need someone whose sole focus is on IT security.”
Improving cybersecurity comes at a cost, and presently, there are no funding streams available from any level of government. Mathieson is optimistic change could be coming.
“I think there has been some traction at the provincial and federal level. You’re starting to hear of more municipalities doing annual emergency exercises as they have been simulating cyber attacks.
Whether it’s on communication systems or ones that run water and wastewater facilities, they are talking about what they would do if it were to happen.”
Two municipal representatives approached the former Stratford mayor following his recent presentation at the Ontario Small Urban Municipalities Conference in Collingwood to say they were in the midst of an attack but haven’t made it public.
“They were working through it with their insurer or police, and it’s because they’re trying to make sure they don’t share too much information that could give the attackers more ideas. Just like we need professionals focused on security every day, there are criminals focused on how they can exploit municipalities and other government entities every day.”
TMU has compiled a checklist for municipalities to utilize free of charge to see just how prepared they are. It has been put together by top students who are simulating attacks.
“Some checklist examples are what’s the backup for when your email system goes
“You don’t do this by checking something off the list and say, ‘Alright, we have it looked after.’ It is a continual, organic piece that needs to be looked at on an ongoing basis because everything changes in systems. How many times do people get an update for their phone or computer? Every time there is an update, a new vulnerability comes with it.”
All of East Zorra-Tavistock’s IT operations are handled by Oxford County, which provided the Gazette with a brief statement.
“Oxford County takes a number of approaches to keeping its information systems safe. Protecting municipal assets in all forms is an utmost concern for the county, as is protecting the information of our residents, employees and partners.” Wilmot Township also released a statement to the Gazette.
“Protecting privacy and personal information is a priority for the Township of Wilmot. We have tools and strategies in place to safeguard our systems and continue to innovate to align with the latest cybersecurity trends.”
Statements like these are commonly given to media outlets by municipalities that don’t want to give criminals any hint of what they are using to protect themselves.
(VECTEEZY PHOTO)
Shakespeare Optimists donate $10,000 to Tavistock Community Health Inc.
There was reason to celebrate this week for members of Tavistock Community Health Inc. (TCHI) as they received a generous $10,000 donation from the Optimist Club of Shakespeare.
The funds will go toward ongoing improvements and updates to the Tavistock Medical Clinic on Maria Street, which currently houses five doctors, their staff and members of the Star Family Health Team.
With Tavistock’s population steadily increasing, the need for more physicians both now and in the future is becoming increasingly urgent. TCHI has already approved and installed a new rooftop HVAC
unit and standby generator system, and the board has set an ambitious $500,000 fundraising goal to fund medical-room renovations and further upgrades to the clinic’s waiting and reception areas.
“Tavistock Community Health Inc. is committed to sustaining and enhancing accessible, accountable, high-quality healthcare services in response to community needs in the Tavistock area now and into the future,” said TCHI board chair Russ Huber.
The donation comes ahead of the board’s first major fundraiser of the year – an invitational golf tournament on June 19 at River Valley Golf Course near St. Marys. As of this week, team spots are still available.
Tavistock Men’s Club prepares for annual Fish Fry fundraiser
The Tavistock Men’s Club is once again preparing to welcome hundreds of hungry guests to its annual Fish Fry, set for Wednesday, June 4 from 4-7 p.m.
With fresh pickerel on the menu, along with salads, fries and all the traditional sides, club members say this year’s dinner could be one of their best yet. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children aged six to 12, with organizers aiming to serve more than 600 guests.
Ticket sales are ongoing with opportunities to purchase in person behind the
North in Tavistock on Wednesday, May 28 from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday, May 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Longtime members Keith Wiffen, Ron Wiffen and Jim Pitcher were at the clubhouse this past weekend sharing their enthusiasm and encouraging the public to attend what has become a much-anticipated tradition for families across Oxford, Perth and Waterloo counties.
This year, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Tavistock Community Health Inc. (TCHI) to support renovations and upgrades at the Tavistock Medical Clinic, which serves residents throughout the area.
A $10,000 cheque is presented by Shakespeare Optimist Club president Mike McNeil to Tavistock Community Health Inc. (TCHI) treasurer Carolyn Kropf. Also pictured, from left, are TCHI board member Dennis Kuepfer, chair Russ Huber and past chair Frank Meconi.
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
Tavistock Men’s Club members Keith Wiffen, Ron Wiffen and Jim Pitcher show off tickets to this year’s fish fry, taking place Wednesday, June 4 behind the club hall on Woodstock Street North.
Men’s Club Hall on Woodstock Street
GARY WEST
Gazette Correspondent
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
Shakespeare Opti-Mrs. Club celebrates 50 years
The Opti-Mrs. Club of Shakespeare held an open house on Sunday, May 25, to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Members from the past 50 years were invited to reminisce and enjoy refreshments, including anniversary cake. The event was well attended and enjoyed by all. Stories and memories from the club’s 50-year history were shared, including how the OptiMrs. Club first began.
When the local Optimist Club was started by men in the community, their wives and other women saw an opportunity to form their own group. They wanted a place to connect, contribute and support local causes. Club president Ellen Fuhr joked that, apparently, the ladies wanted a night out too, giving the men a chance to stay home and look after the kids for a change! What started as a ladies night out led to the creation of the Shakespeare Opti-Mrs. Club.
The first official meeting brought together 10 founding members and, over the years, membership has grown and fluctuated, peaking at 27 and currently sitting at 13. Bessie Wilhelm has proudly remained an active member for all 50 years.
The group meets monthly from September through June. Meetings include a mix of guest speakers, outings, planning sessions and plenty of socializing. While there’s no formal mission statement, each meeting begins by reciting the Optimist Creed, a reminder of the group’s
values of optimism, kindness and community service.
Over the past five decades, the OptiMrs. have spearheaded countless events and supported numerous causes. Annual events like the Easter Egg Hunt, Christmas and Field Day floats, the Trike Rodeo, and Christmas baskets for shut-ins have become cornerstones of the group’s work. The club also supports the fire department’s annual toy drive and has, over the
years, organized special holiday gifts for families in need.
Fundraising has played a major role in enabling their contributions. The club has hosted everything from casino nights and fashion shows to community brunches, 50/50 draws and even worked Stratford Bingo nights. These efforts have funded projects such as the children’s playground, tennis courts and Home Alone and Babysitting courses for local youth.
When asked about the best part of being an Opti-Mrs. president, Fuhr said “it’s the friendships formed and the chance to work together to give back to the community.”
As the Opti-Mrs. Club of Shakespeare celebrates this important milestone, their commitment to friendship, service and community remains strong. With dedicated members, the club is sure to continue making meaningful contributions to the community for many years to come.
The Optimist Creed
Promise yourself
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
The Shakespeare Opti-Mrs. 2025 executive, from left to right, are treasurer Jean Smelski, vice president Brenda Mohr, president Ellen Fuhr, treasurer Ann Skubowius and past president Ange McPherson.
DIANE DANEN Gazette Correspondent
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)
Opti-Mrs. 2025 members from left to right are Ellen Fuhr, Ann Skubowius, Mary Lynn Slobozian, Bessie Wilhelm, Valarie Roth, Ange McPherson, Jean Rader, Carolyn Stock, Angela Meconi and Charolotte McTavish. Kneeling in the front row are Brenda Mohr and Diane Zoeller. Absent for the photo was Jean Smelski.
Charter Members of the Shakespeare Opti-Mrs. Club, from left to right, are Bessie Wilhelm, Lorraine Gingerich and Linda Zehr, all of whom are wearing tiaras to celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary. Bessie Wilhelm has been a dedicated member since the club started 50 years ago.
Camp Bimini brings the spirit of summer to Grace United Church
GARY WEST
Gazette Correspondent
The spirit of summer arrived early at Grace United Church on Sunday as Camp Bimini brought its energy, music and community to the congregation during a themed worship service.
Members were encouraged to wear their best camping apparel and the service was guided in part by camp counsellors past and present, who led the congregation in familiar camp songs and games. Carol Young, longtime leader of Camp Bimini, helped steer the service and shared stories from the camp’s decades-long legacy of nurturing youth from across Perth, Oxford, Waterloo and Huron counties.
Founded in 1947, Camp Bimini is a United Church camp located just south of Stratford on Embro Road. The site includes 18 acres of hardwood bush beside Trout Creek, with outdoor cabins and an inviting natural setting that has become a staple of summer for many area families.
The camp continues to invest in its facilities. Recent improvements include renovated outdoor washrooms, a rebuilt footbridge over the creek and a new public-address system installed this spring, featuring upgraded speakers across the site to improve communication.
Looking ahead, an open house will be held on Sunday, June 1, from 2-4 p.m., and some spaces remain available for this summer’s sessions. After a successful trial last year, Camp Bimini is also bringing back its day camp week for children ages 7-9, offering a fun and accessible entry point into the camp experience.
To learn more or register, visit www. campbimini.ca.
Past and present Camp Bimini campers gathered in Grace United Church’s auditorium following Sunday’s special service. Pictured from left are Donna Ellis, Rory Arthur, Marilyn Arthur, Connor Shantz, Kelli Zehr and Carol Young. In front is Ava Cook, who attended camp last summer and is looking forward to returning this year.
peopleCare Communities celebrated 35 frontline employees across all company sites in Ontario last week at an awards ceremony, and five workers in Tavistock took home some hardware.
“At peopleCare Communities, we believe that living our values isn’t just something we talk about, it’s something we do every day. That’s why we were thrilled to celebrate the 2025 Values Awards,” peopleCare said in a press release. “We celebrated 35 award winners who exemplify our values of people, professionalism, excellence, integrity and growth.”
Tavistock peopleCare executive director Deb Wettlaufer said she was thrilled to take part in the ceremony, held at Puddicombe House in New Hamburg.
“The awards are a way for managers and peers to acknowledge employees who go above and beyond to exceed the expectations of residents, coworkers, families, partners and communities. Each of these dedicated staff members, along with their coworkers, demonstrates on a daily basis their commitment to the wellbeing of the residents entrusted to our care.
“We’re grateful and thankful for everything our staff do to provide a welcoming and homelike atmosphere for each other, our residents and our families.”
New four-way stop installed to improve safety at Highway 59 and Line 33
GARY WEST
Gazette Correspondent
A new four-way stop has been installed at the intersection of Highway 59 and Perth Line 33, also known as Pork Street, between Tavistock and Shakespeare. The change is already being credited with improving traffic flow and safety at what has historically been a problematic corner. The new signage, including flashing
red lights and rumble strips, was installed roughly three weeks ago, and area police and firefighters say early signs are positive.
“Hopefully this four-way stop will significantly reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents the fire department has attended at this location in the past,” said Shakespeare fire station chief Greg Ankenmann. “In recent years, we’ve seen a significant increase in motor vehicle accidents at this intersection.”
Ankenmann noted that in many of those incidents, east and westbound drivers on Line 33 were failing to yield to north and southbound traffic on Highway 59. He hopes the new stop signs will reduce that risk.
With clearly marked signage now in place, many local motorists are also praising the update. Several drivers said the new stop signs appear to be helping traffic move more smoothly through the area,
especially during peak times when congestion was common coming out of Stratford. Ankenmann urges all drivers to remain attentive when approaching the intersection.
“I don’t know how anyone could miss the rumble strips or the large red stop signs with flashing red lights,” he said. “But it’s a good reminder for everyone to be more proactive and pay attention when behind the wheel.”
Motorists travelling north from Tavistock or south from Shakespeare are now greeted with a four-way stop and flashing red lights at the intersection of Highway 59 and Perth Line 33, aimed at improving safety.
(GARY WEST PHOTOS)
Local award winners pictured from left to right are Emily Palmer – Excellence; Louise Daponte-Gayle – Integrity; Ambaw Ayele – Excellence; Jo-Ella Raso – Growth; Lindsay Seale – Excellence; and executive director Deb Wettlaufer.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF PEOPLECARE)
Shakespeare Mills Inc. celebrates employees and gears up for local ag. events
Shakespeare Mills Inc. took time last week to celebrate and thank its 35-plus employees for their hard work and dedication, which continue to fuel the company’s growth and innovation in Ontario’s livestock-nutrition industry.
Located in the heart of Shakespeare, the company specializes in customized premixes, micros, ingredients and commodities tailored to swine, dairy, poultry and beef farms operating on-farm feed mills. More recently, growth in the sheep and poultry sectors has further expanded its reach.
Co-owner Jeff Sparling, who grew up in St. Marys and previously managed Yantzi Feed and Seed in Tavistock, said the company’s success is rooted in its commitment to collaboration and forward thinking.
“Our focus is on innovation and partnership,” Sparling said. “We work closely with nutritionists, producers and other industry leaders to stay ahead of the curve.”
Serving farms within a 160-kilometre radius across southwestern Ontario, Shakespeare Mills has also made infrastructure a priority. This year, the company expanded its rail-transfer system – a key component of its supply chain – to better support efficient distribution and cost management of feed ingredients provincewide.
The facility now includes 13 overhead
bins dedicated to mineral ingredients, five mass-flow protein silos and a separate bin for tote-based ingredients.
In addition to its operational advancements, Shakespeare Mills is also supporting key events that celebrate Ontario’s
agriculture community. The company will sponsor and attend the upcoming Wild Hog Country Market’s local celebration of pork on June 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Ontario Pork Congress in Stratford on
June 18 and 19.
Sparling said Shakespeare Mills staff will be present at both events, eager to connect with producers across the pork, beef, dairy and poultry sectors.
Shakespeare Mills Inc. employees, from left, are Bill Thomson (truck driver), Fabian Sutor (lead hand), Dan Chesterfield (lead hand), Chadd Langlands (production operator), Jon Strahan (production operator), Brady Pines (mill operator), Morgan Lawrence (production operator), Jacob Thompson (production operator) and Natalie Hayward (production operator).
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
(SHAELYN WESTON AND GARY WEST PHOTOS)
SMI’s silo storage infrastructure, located beside the rail line in Shakespeare, was built by MWI Inc. of Wellesley, and is owned and operated by Joel, Jackie and Carter Gingerich, along with Calvin and Darlene Schmidt.
A true picture of springtime in Waterloo Region
It has to be a sure sign of spring when a person can travel through Waterloo Region and Perth County, and find scenes like this, where there are newborn colts, along with their mothers, grazing in a pasture on a beautiful spring day west of Wellesley. These mares will not only be responsible for raising the next generation but are also responsible for supplying the mode of transportation that many area Amish and Mennonite families depend on. This sight is a very familiar one travelling the sideroads near the communities of Wellesley, Linwood and Milverton.
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
NEAT club shows off antique tractors up for grabs at New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)
to be sold at this year’s Men-
sell at 10 a.m.
help the MCC in their annual
Pictured are two tractors donated by the North Easthope Antique Tractor Club (NEAT)
nonite Central committee (MCC) Relief Sale this Friday and Saturday in New Hamburg. The tractors will
on Saturday at the Fairgrounds in New Hamburg. The club hopes locals will turn out and
fundraiser. Contributed photos
Perth East to pilot backyard-chicken licence program for two years
GALEN SIMMONS
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Township of Perth East will soon launch a two-year pilot program that will officially allow some residents of Shakespeare and other Perth East communities the opportunity to purchase a licence for keeping chickens on residential properties.
After council voted on April 8 to have township staff develop a pilot program that would allow some Perth East residents to keep chickens on their properties for a minimum of two years, township staff presented the program to council at its May 21 council meeting for feedback and consideration.
“The time period (for the program) would be July 1, 2025, ending June 30, 2027,” township clerk Ashley Carter told councillors. “ … Applications would come forward, they would be reviewed and then we can approve up to 20 licences. … Staff, when reviewing the draft bylaw, recommended that if setbacks (from property lines) can’t be met (for the location of chicken coops), then the requirement for the neighbour to give consent would (need to) be filled out. There would be a form we would ask (the neighbour) to fill out in support of the chicken coop being closer to their property line.”
According to program guidelines, only one chicken coop and one outdoor chicken run will be allowed per property, and chickens will not be permitted to be kept on multi-residential properties. Coops must be located a minimum of 2.5 metres
from property lines unless neighbour consent is given, they are not allowed in front yards and they must be weatherproof, ventilated and predator proof. Chicken coops and properties on which chickens are kept are subject to inspection by local bylaw officers.
To apply for the program, residents are required to review the bylaw passed by township council on May 21, submit a site plan with coop and chicken-run locations and setbacks, provide a picture or design of the coop, submit neighbour consent if
required, and pay a $75 application fee.
“I don’t recall in (our original motion) that we’d expect a fee, that we’d be charging people a $75 fee … when it was brought to council and the motion was moved,” Coun. Amanda Brodhagen said.
“I just wanted to flag that. It seems pretty hefty to me. I understand the rationale, absolutely, but I just think that’s pretty hefty to be keeping chickens. I don’t think we’re going to get any uptake on that.”
In response, Carter said the fee was recommended by staff to help the township
recoup the cost of staff time both for the administrative work necessary to process licence application and for the work of the bylaw officer in inspecting applicant properties and chicken coops and runs. She said while the fee was recommended, council could choose to change or remove it. Council ultimately left the $75 application fee as it was proposed by staff.
Brodhagen also asked staff how the township would deal with residents who already keep chickens on residential properties in the township.
“It would be a Part 3 summons; the violation would be a violation of the Planning Act under the zoning bylaw, which doesn’t permit you to have farm animals on residential properties,” said Perth East chief building official Wesley Reidt, later noting enforcement would only be conducted if the township receives a complaint. “ … Obviously, that would happen after a letter is sent (asking the property owner) to get rid of the chickens. Ultimately, if they weren’t going to give them up, that would be how we would have to proceed with the charge.”
Once the pilot program finishes in 2027, Carter said staff will presented a report to council outlining what worked, what didn’t, feedback from those who had licences, feedback from the community and any recommended changes to the program before councillors make the final decision as to whether to make the program permanent.
Some feathered residents could soon be living legally in Perth East backyards, as the township prepares to launch a two-year pilot program allowing up to 20 licences for chickens on residential properties starting July 1, 2025.
(VECTEEZY PHOTO)
Sharon MacInnes Ross recently shared this photo of a team of Garden Wilmot volunteers — Marlene, Al, John and Sharon — doing some spring planting at Castle Kilbride to the Show Us Your Wilmot Facebook page. SHOW US YOUR WILMOT
COURTESY OF SHOW US YOUR WILMOT )
Experience
OBITUARY
Stephen Arthur Locke
was born to loving parents, Frederick Locke and Marjorie (Wright) of Toronto, Ontario on Thursday, August 17th, 1950. Steve entered his heavenly home on Saturday, May 24th, 2025 after a short stay at Innisfree House in Kitchener.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Carol; daughter, Allison and her husband Sean Savard and their children, Bennett, Willem, and Livienne; daughter, Erin Probert and her children, Oden and Adelaide. Steve will also be missed by in-laws Wayne and Joan Yantzi, Lorie Yantzi and John Reimer, and their families; as well as his many friends.
Steve attended Waterloo Lutheran University (Wilfrid Laurier) and met his wife, Carol, in 1972 at her nursing school dance. Shortly thereafter, Steve told his parents he had met “the one”. Two years later, in 1974, they were married. They were blessed with a close, loving relationship for over 50 years.
The couple bought a new house in New Hamburg and Steve started a job in sales at Boehmer Box Corporation, where he eventually worked his way up to a management position. Steve and Carol raised their two daughters in Wilmot township. Steve kept busy going to the YMCA, coaching soccer, and could be heard cheering the loudest for his girls at their soccer matches. He got up early and stayed up late to drive the girls to their activities and jobs. Steve enjoyed many weekend trips to the family trailer at Fisherman’s Cove in Kincardine.
Steve retired early and he and Carol travelled across North America, the Caribbean, and Europe together with friends. Steve also enjoyed the annual summer trip to the cottage in Port Elgin with his family. He was an active man, and most days spent hours playing golf and pickleball, and walking or cycling. Over the years, Steve gave back to his community as a board member for Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp, as a Rotarian, and as a volunteer for the New Hamburg Relief sale.
Steve loved his whole family deeply and would spend as much time as he could with them. He was his grandkids biggest sports fan and cheerleader, attending countless rugby, soccer and basketball games. Steve was eager to babysit and help out anytime he could. “Pop” was a great role model and example to them.
Steve was a true gentleman and made everyone in his life feel comfortable and special. He went out of his way to maintain connections with people. Steve will be remembered for his sense of humour, cracking jokes and making people laugh. He liked to have fun and this joy was felt by those around him. Steve’s love was known to his family. He made sure to say “I love you” to his wife every day, as well as to his kids and grandchildren at the end of each interaction. Every visit started and ended with a hug.
Family and friends are invited to the Mark Jutzi Funeral Home, 291 Huron Street, New Hamburg, on Sunday, June 1st for visitation from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. Funeral service to be held at East Zorra Mennonite Church, 677044 16 Line, Tavistock, on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025 at 11:00 am. Reception to follow the service. Pastor Ray Martin to officiate.
As expressions of sympathy, and in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation that can make a difference to another family like ours. At Innisfree House, Steve was able to find peace and this is where his family received comfort in his final days. To make a donation, please visit https://lisaardandinnisfree.com/donate/ or contact the funeral home.
The family would like to thank the staff at Innisfree House, physicians, and community nurses for their excellent care.
In Steve’s honour, go out and enjoy your favourite foods (his were potato chips and Diet Coke, raisin butter tarts, carrot cake, and fish and chips), spend good times and laugh with friends, hold your family tight with big hugs, and say lots of “I love you’s.”
Personal condolences and donation information available at www.markjutzifuneralhomes.ca
IN MEMORIAM
In loving memory
of a dear husband and father
DOUGLAS CLARENCE MCLEOD MAY 31, 2015
Of all the special gifts in life, however great or small, to have you as my husband was the greatest gift of all. May the winds of love blow softly and whisper in your ear. We love and miss you and wish you were here. A silent thought a secret tear keeps your memory ever near in our hearts forever until we are together again.
Love Carol, Steve, Deb & Glenn, Sherry & Steve, Rob & Ramona, And all your grandchildren
ANNIVERSARY
Please join the family in celebrating this milestone. Best wishes only!
beloved parents & grandparents, will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on July 12th. Their families are proud to honour this incredible milestone, marking five decades of love, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Join us in congratulating them on this special occasion and wishing them many more years of happiness and togetherness!
With much love and admiration, Kim, Kris, Kari & Ken and Families
The Old Gazettes
By Sydney Grant
Slowly but surely, I’m reading through the past pages of the Tavistock Gazette (est. 1895). Within this weekly column I’d like to share with you some of my findings.
May 27 - June 3, 2020, Edition (5 years ago)
On April 24, 2020, Oxford County Provincial Police (OPP) received a complaint concerning an individual impersonating a police officer and stopping people to check their “essential worker” status amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A driver reported she was stopped by an individual on Braemar Sideroad and Highway 59 near Tavistock during the first week of April. The suspect, who was wearing clothing resembling a police uniform, asked the driver about her essential worker status. The driver provided the information and the suspect left the scene. The suspect vehicle is described as a dark-coloured sport utility vehicle equipped with a light bar with flashing red and blue lights.
Pastor Jim Brown of Tavistock Mennonite Church raised $2,550 in the Mennonite Central Committee’s (MCC) Walk for Relief on Saturday morning, May 30, 2020. “Initially I set my goal for $1,000,” he said, “but that was reached very quickly.” Church administrative assistant Alyssa Kerfoot suggested that if his sponsors could double the amount donated ($2,000), he would wear an outfit that she would come up with from the Thrift Store in New Hamburg. “I then suggested that if that went well and they could go over the $2,000 mark, then I would also dribble a basketball on the walk,” Brown said. As it turned out, his outfit was a big hit and “Yes, lots of people sponsored me for this walk,” he said. Brown walked 5.4 kilometres in about 43 minutes, dribbling a basketball the whole time around his Westvale Drive neighbourhood in Waterloo.
May 26 - June 2, 2010, Edition (15 years ago)
There are other important things in this world, not just money. However, in business, it’s what they call the bottom line, and three Northwestern Secondary School Students seem to have found the right combination. Fellow business students Scott Entwistle of Tavistock, Dean Van Nes of RR 1, Stratford, and Tyler Weber of Stratford placed third in the Sprott Business Competition, an online competition sponsored by Carleton University in Ottawa. This competition allows stu-
dents to make a variety of senior management decisions for a fictional firm in a fictional industry. The goal of the game is to make the most money by making the right business decisions. At the outset of the competition, each participating group of students had an equal share in the current market, building and selling smartphones. They were allocated $70,000 in plant and equipment, and $30,000 in cash. “We chose to invest a lot in advertising,” Van Nes said about their intermediate strategy in the finals. Just under 7,000 students from across Ontario took part in the competition which began in February.
Friday morning was a memorable time in downtown Tavistock, especially at the five corners. In the end, of course, the entire episode points to vandals. At least we think so. First of all, a malfunction in the traffic lights caused concerns so the OPP got to exercise their arms for more than an hour at the craziest corner in southwestern Ontario. Never mind that hundreds of kids were on their way to school and the “just-in-time” freight 18-wheelers were all rolling up to the intersection. The County of Oxford’s traffic lights’ service provider, CRU Solutions of Ingersoll, was called in to fix the problem and employee Brad Seward took a drive up to Tavistock to reset the lights. He found the vandals had broken off a key in the access panel and he couldn’t get in to fix it. The night before, some unfortunate woman became locked in the post office foyer while getting her mail and a post-office employee had to be summoned to get her out through the back door. The lock was jammed and a locksmith wasn’t able to come until after noon.
May 24-31, 1995, Edition (30 years ago)
As a wagon train prepares to head west, Bart Slade (Kyle Seyler) and his gang plan to intercept the travellers and steal the money from the well-to-do Mrs. Montague (Krista Kropf). However, the Dude (Brandon Zehr) assists Marshall Rooster Cogpatch (Tyler Klein) in rounding up the outlaws and saves the day for the other travellers, Miss Sally (Melanie Matthews) and Aunt Maude (Jessica Junker). Other scenes included appearances from Sidekick (Holly Bender), Betcha (Shayda McCutchen) and Cookie (Gillian Reibling). The musical production, Going West, was presented last week by the grades six and seven students of Tavistock Public School under the direction of Mrs. Pitts, Mrs. Goodall and other grades six and seven teachers.
The Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette Weekly Quiz
By Jake Grant
1. What year did Ontario switch to 4-letter, 3-number license plates?
2. How many World Series titles does the Toronto Blue Jays have?
3. Big Ben is located beside the Palace of what?
4. Which great ruler’s tomb was kept secret by killing the builders and their executioners?
5. What video game character is blue and is a hedgehog?
6. Who could spin straw into gold?
7. Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman co-starred in what 1995 film?
8. Where did pomegranates primarily originate from?
9. What does KO mean in boxing?
10. Budweiser Gardens is now called what?
Answers found on the classified page
TOWNSHIP OF EAST ZORRA-TAVISTOCK
GRACE UNITED CHURCH
116 Woodstock St. S., Tavistock Phone: 519-655-2151
All are welcome
Service led by Rev. Marilyn Arthur Music by Marilyne Nystrome
TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
SEBASTOPOL-TAVISTOCK
Pastor Steve Hoffard
Church Office 519-655-2372 trinitylcoffice@gmail.com www.trinitytavistock.com
TAVISTOCK MENNONITE
Pastor Julie Ellison White
131 Wettlaufer St., Tavistock 655-2581
Sunday Worship services begin at 9:45am, with coffee and fellowship to follow at 11am. All ages Junior Sunday School will follow after the service. All are Welcome Stream services online at www.tavistockmennonitechurch.ca
TAVISTOCK BIBLE CHAPEL
32 Oxford Street, Tavistock, Ontario
Questions or Need Help? Text or Call: (519) 655-2413 tavistockbc.org
Pastors Ray Martin & Mike Williamson www.ezmennonite.ca
Service audio recordings available at: https://ezmennonite.ca/worship/
WILMOT TOWNSHIP
ST GEORGE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH Corner of Waterloo St and Byron St, New Hamburg
Weekly Sunday services at 10:15 am. All are welcome. https://www.stgeorgesnewhamburg.com
St James Chapel of Ease 4339 Huron Rd Wilmot Township All are welcome.
Rev Margaret Walker; Office: 519-662-3450 sgacnewhamburg@gmail.com
Annual Anniversary Service Sunday June 8 at 3:00pm St James Chapel 4339 Huron Rd, Wilmot Township Come join us to celebrate over 170 years of Anglican Worship in Wilmot.
St Agatha Mennonite Church
1967 Erb's Road St Agatha 519-634-8212
Pastor Jim Brown
Worship service 10am followed by coffee hour and sermon discussion. All are welcome
The Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette
Ontario Elite Hockey League adds three new teams
Royals president looking forward to league’s growth
LEE GRIFFI Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Ontario Elite Hockey League (OEHL) is growing after current teams and the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) have approved three expansion franchises.
Joining the OEHL are the Elora Rocks, Shelburne Muskies and Tillsonburg Thunder. All three will hit the ice for the 2025-2026 season.
“All three are established and respected organizations within their communities and will only add to the quality product the OEHL provides for small communities. These are three franchises steeped in hockey tradition,” said OEHL commissioner Rick Richardson. “We are thrilled to have them join our league.”
The expansion continues on the OEHL’s vision to have competitive senior AA hockey across small communities in Ontario. Further expansion applications are still possible as the league begins the planning process for the upcoming season.
Richardson said expansion has been top of mind for the league since its inception three years ago.
“We started to get some applications this year from some good, solid teams. They did play in another league and it was the right move for us to take them on. We want genuine partners, not teams that are going to come in for a year and say we’re gone now.”
The other league Richardson mentioned is the Western Ontario Super Hockey League (WOSHL), which has seen Tillsonburg, Elora, Tilbury and Strathroy leave for either the OEHL or the Northern Premier Hockey League (NPHL). Sources told the Gazette the NPHL could add Stratford, Oakville and Halton Hills this season. There is also speculation the four remaining teams – Ridgetown, Delhi, Dunnville and Petrolia – could defect to other leagues. Should those teams wind up in the OEHL, it would make it easier for
the league to create divisions.
The WOSHL, while delivering a solid on-ice product, has had some off-ice controversy. Stratford claimed this year’s title, defeating Strathroy in the championship series.
Richardson explained the locations of the new teams have benefits for the current franchises.
“The selling point for all three is they are right where we want them and we are hoping teams won’t have to travel as far. Adding these new teams opens up another
door because we are discussing the possibility of splitting the league into two or even three divisions.”
Most senior hockey players are not attending post-secondary education but have full-time jobs and, in some cases, spouses and children. The OEHL is hoping to minimize travel time to make the league as appealing as possible to potential players.
The OEHL’s annual general meeting is June 25 in Listowel where the division conversation will take place and Richardson said there could be up to three more teams joining the fold, though he
wouldn’t name them. Delhi, Dunnville and Ridgetown would be a fit for a possible Southern Division, one Tavistock would also fit into geographically.
Kyle Wynette is the president of the Tavistock Royals and league director/treasurer. Along with being thrilled with the new additions to the league, he said there needs to be more of a footprint in southern Ontario and an improved social media presence.
“I am hoping the league will form a committee to look at that because it’s a huge resource for us. Elora was very hands-on with promoting its team and we could certainly use more of that across the league.”
Shelbourne is returning to senior hockey after a few years off, something Richardson said is giving that team a fresh start.
“When the WOAA (Western Ontario Athletic Association) moved into the OHA, the team didn’t have enough volunteers to run the organization so they took a leave of absence. They’ve been out for two years, but new ownership appeared and said they were going to take the team over and everyone in the league supported it 100 per cent.”
OEHL rules specify centres are not allowed to have a population over 20,000, though Richardson said they may raise that limit to 25,000 at the June meeting. Wynette said the Royals are looking for help behind the bench as Tyson Zehr and Brad Stere handled virtually all of the coaching load last season. As for recruiting new players, he is optimistic about new faces that could wear the Tavistock uniform in the fall.
“A lot of good players coming out of junior have reached out. We had a skate in early May and we had a good turnout. I don’t want to count my chickens before they hatch, but if they all come out in August, we are going to have some good players to choose from.”
(OEHL IMAGE)
Braves hand out hardware at annual awards banquet
LEE GRIFFI
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
It was all smiles on the links at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club and then at the Queen’s Park Pavilion in Tavistock Saturday as the Tavistock Braves held their annual golf tournament and awards banquet
“I think we had around 80 golfers participate and served about 120 meals back in Tavistock,” said general manager Brent Lange. “The mood was great that day and evening all around.”
It’s always difficult for junior hockey teams to say goodbye to overage players, and the Braves bid adieu to local product Will Schlotzhauer in addition to Trent Davies and Lander Hartley.
“We’re sad to see them go, and I know they would love to play again if they could. But that is the joys of getting older; we all have to move onto the next chapter of our lives and they will all do great things down the road with their jobs and in life, and hopefully they continue with hockey at a men’s level now as they’re great young men who we wish nothing but the best for,” said Lange.
Tavistock struggled during the regular season but almost pulled off a miraculous upset of New Hamburg in the opening round of the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s (PJHL) Doherty Division, taking the Firebirds to seven games. The Birds went on to make the league’s final four before bowing out to Essex.
“The vibe around the team is very positive … taking New Hamburg to seven and being so close to moving on. There are good things happening as we speak, and we have commitments from a few new and exciting players coming in.”
Tavistock golf fundraiser to support medical-clinic renovations
Local golfers and community-minded sponsors are being invited to tee up in support of ongoing renovations at the Tavistock Medical Clinic.
Tavistock Community Health Inc. (TCHI) is hosting a golf-tournament fundraiser on Thursday, June 19 at River Valley Golf Course, just west of St. Marys. Proceeds from the event will go toward covering the cost of recently completed upgrades to the clinic’s waiting and reception areas, carried out by Jon Witzel Construction.
Visitors to the clinic have already noticed the bright, modern and welcoming new layout, but fundraising is still needed to fully cover renovation costs. The golf tournament is part of the TCHI board’s campaign to “Refresh, Renovate and Rejoice to Good Health.”
The format is a four-person Texas scramble, with registration at 9 a.m. and a 10 a.m. shotgun start. The day will wrap up with a buffet steak and chicken dinner, included in the registration fee.
A few team spots remain and organizers are also encouraging sponsorship from local businesses and supporters.
For more information or to register a team, contact:
• Carolyn Kropf, board treasurer – 519-580-0636
• Russ Huber, board chair – 519-301-8531
• Dennis Kuepfer, golf chair – 519-503-1893
Lange doesn’t want to drop any names yet, choosing to make it official after June 1 once player cards can be signed.
“But I can tell you it will definitely help out our back end and in goal. We’re still looking to add some scoring upfront.”
The Braves recently held their spring camp with over 60 players in attendance. Lange said it was a huge success.
“There was a great amount of young, upcoming talent to pick from for either this season or to bring in next year. Some of them can go back to their respective minor hockey team for one more year of development.”
The team will have a good number of players returning this season, but Lange had a warning for them.
“They all have to come into camp ready to compete as nothing is given for free with us. It is all earned by the player, year in and year out. Last year, we learned a lot. Some good and some not so good. There were kids at camp who could very well push a possible returning player out of a spot this upcoming season. We have a very strong team being assembled currently and want to make a good run here. We will see how the next couple of weeks play out.”
The team’s next camp is scheduled for mid-August once the ice is put back in at the Tavistock and District Recreation Centre.
Lange added there may be a changes at the league level this season, but no official announcement has been made.
He also wanted to thank everyone involved with the team for their continuing support.
“First off, the sponsors. Without all of you we could not survive as a club – the executive for the Braves and volunteers that makes this team keep going. The players, their parents and the staff, also. Most importantly, the fans who gave us incredible support during our playoff series with New Hamburg. It was amazing to see everyone coming out. This upcoming season is going to be even better and more exciting.”
The team held its annual 50/50 draw, as well, at the pavilion during the banquet and was just shy of selling all 400 tickets.
“The winner of the draw was Cory McKay of Elora, a former Tavistock resident and Tavistock Braves player. He would have taken home $3780, but he generously donated it back to the club. We want to say a massive thank you to Cory for that. It is appreciated by all the members here at the Tavistock Braves and helps going forward. Thank you, Cory.” Awards this year went to:
• Rookie of the Year - Grady Murphy
• Top Scorer - Grady Murphy
• Most Improved - Jack Hodge
• Defenceman of the Year - Carson Bernhardt
• Heart and Soul - Marc Dionne
• Most Sportsmanlike - Trent Davies
• Robert H. Zehr Memorial Award for Outstanding Leadership - Marc Dionne
• Regular Season MVP - Carson Bernhardt
• Playoff MVP - Lander Hartley
• Overagers - Lander Hartley, Trent Davies, Will Schlotzhauer
The Braves presented all three graduating players with framed jerseys. Pictured are Lander Hartley, Trent Davies and Will Schlotzhauer.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS) Captain and Tavistock native Marc Dionne took home the Heart and Soul Award along with the Outstanding Leadership Award.
Getting their clubs ready for the June 19 tournament in support of Tavistock Community Health Inc. are, from left, board chair Russ Huber, board member and golf chair Dennis Kuepfer and past board chair Frank Meconi.
(GARY WEST PHOTOS)
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
Stevie B’s Ride for Hospice raises over $10,000 in memory of beloved cyclist
GARY WEST
Gazette Correspondent
Last Saturday was an emotional and uplifting day in the Wellesley area, as more than 40 cyclists gathered to celebrate the life of the late Steve Baechler and raise funds for the Rotary Hospice Stratford-Perth.
Known to many as Stevie B., Baechler passed away earlier this year following a courageous battle with cancer. An avid cyclist throughout his life, he spent his final 11 days surrounded by family and friends at the Stratford hospice. In honour of what would have been his 50th birthday, his wife Beth and sons Sam and Alex organized Stevie B’s Ride for Hospice – a cycling event they knew Baechler would have loved.
“He would have been so proud,” Beth Baechler said. “Creating a cycling adventure to celebrate his life felt right. The hospice gave us such comfort during those final days – this ride was our way of giving back.”
The event, which followed a scenic portion of the G2G Rail Trail from Linwood, attracted 45 riders and raised $10,420 for the hospice. Organizers hope to make it an annual ride every May to mark Steve Baechler’s birthday and continue
his legacy of kindness and community involvement.
Beth and the Baechler family extended special thanks to the Butch Mogk family of Tavistock for donating meat for the post-ride barbecue, and to Schmidtsville Restaurant in Wellesley for contributing all the salads. Their generosity, Beth Baechler said, was deeply appreciated.
Friend and fellow cyclist Jeff Ohlhausen joined Beth, Sam and Alex Baechler in organizing the event and hopes the annual ride will grow in years to come.
On what would have been his 50th birthday week, 45 cyclists gathered in Linwood for Stevie B’s Ride for Hospice in memory of local cyclist Steve Baechler.
(DEB BELL AND GARY WEST PHOTOS) Riders lined up at the start of the Guelph to Goderich Trail for the inaugural ride.
Under a glowing sunset, family and friends gathered for a barbecue in Steve Baechler’s honour, sharing memories and celebrating a life well lived.
Steve Baechler’s sons Sam (left, with helmet) and Alex joined the ride alongside several of their friends.
Sprucedale School launches track fundraiser
Sprucedale Public School is kicking off a fundraising campaign to build a 200-metre running track, an initiative aimed at boosting health and community spirit.
“We want to give our youth a place to train and compete, and create a space where families can enjoy being active together,” said Sprucedale principal Lisa Cairncross.
The school council has created an informative brochure and gathered a dedicated
team of parent volunteers who will soon be reaching out to local residents and businesses for support for this worthwhile project.
Early donations from the Shakespeare Optimist Club and Shakespeare Presbyterian Church, as well as a commitment of funds from the Avon Maitland District School Board, are already helping to get the project off the ground.
Cairncross and the school council hope the track will encourage fitness for all ages, help youth build valuable skills and become a gathering place for the entire Shakespeare community.
Sponsored by:
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Shakespeare Presbyterian Church trustees Ted Danen (left) and Murray McTavish (right) present Sprucedale Public School principal Lisa Cairncross with a cheque from the church to help launch the fundraising campaign for the Sprucedale Community Track.
DIANE DANEN Gazette Correspondent
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
St. Marys Independent The Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette
Are aloe vera drinks a good substitute for water or juice?
HEAPS OF HEALTHY
TIPS
By Mercedes Kay Gold
Aloe vera drinks certainly are refreshing when served cold but the conventional ones are not healthy by any means.
They come in fabulous fruit flavours but contain as little as 15 per cent juice and approximately 200 empty calories. One 480-millilitre container, almost two glasses, contains between 4050 grams or up to 10 teaspoons of cane sugar.
This holistic nutritionist loves the exotic fruits used but the amount of fresh pulp is negligible. The drinks may come in a gorgeous, green, eyecatching package, but at the end of the day, they are on par with soda pop.
These inexpensive aloe vera drinks can lead to weight gain, fatty liver disease and diabetes. On top of excessive sugar, they also contain additives and thickening agents. Yes, the drinks contain aloe vera pulp, a powerhouse plant, but the other ingredients minimize the miniscule magic of amazing aloe. Natural aloe vera drink options are available in many health stores. Learning to read labels is monumental to maintain optimal health.
Why is the aloe vera plant an
astounding, all-star addition to add to your daily regime? Aloe has heaps of health benefits from head-to-toe, inside and out. Aloe vera grows in hot climates and, luckily, does well as an inside plant in Canada. It’s like a onestop health food store shop in a plant. It contains more than 75 ingredients – enzymes, amino acids, vitamins and minerals.
Cut open a leaf and say hello to the gel, an amazing home remedy. It’s a holistic way to topically treat simple scrapes to wounds to stings and bug bites. Aloe vera gel soothes sunburns, addresses acne and combats cold sores. It’s perfect for psoriasis.
Aloe gel is heaps of hair-health help. Applied to the scalp and hair, it may prevent hair loss and contribute to stronger hair.
Internally, the gel may be the next natural cholesterol support to take over the market. Studies show promise for the gel helping lower cholesterol levels by reducing the amount of lowdensity lipoprotein the intestines absorb.
Aloe vera juice is extracted from the lovely leaves, and this 100 per-cent pure juice is an awesome add-in to smoothies. It’s
linked to relieving constipation. Barbaloin, a natural ingredient found in the leaf, acts as a laxative. By increasing the water content in the intestine, aloe leaf helps by softening the stool and making pooping easier. There is also some evidence linking the leaf to helping lower blood sugar in those who are prediabetic and diabetic. It doesn’t end there. Aloe leaf reduces acid reflux and has fewer side effects than medication.
Aloe vera juice may also relieve joint and muscle pain by counteracting pain and swelling in arthritic joints. Aloe helps reduce inflammation
Comparison is the thief of joy
INTERFAITH COUNSELLING CENTRE
By John Dinner
“Comparison is the thief of joy” is a simple yet profound statement that relates to one of the most universal struggles of the modern era; the often relentless habit of measuring ourselves against others. In our collective pursuit of happiness, it’s easy to get lost in a maze of comparisons — looking sideways instead of inward, stacking our lives up against carefully chosen snap-
shots of someone else’s highlight reel.
According to Psychology Today, this saying resonates with so many of us because it reflects a deeply common emotional experience. When we compare our achievements, looks, careers, or possessions to those of others, we often feel like we fall short. The result? Dissatisfaction and a diminished sense of self-worth — a quiet but relentless erosion of the joy that otherwise comes from appreciating who we are and what we’ve accomplished. This tendency is continually magnified by today’s online world.
Social media has become a constant stream of selective content that more often than not presents a polished and idealized version of another’s reality. When we scroll through images of tropical vacations, career milestones and picture-perfect families, it becomes easy to forget that we’re only seeing a fraction of the story
throughout the body. A happy gut leads to a happy life. By improving gut bacteria, those suffering from IBS may endure less frequent bouts of bloating and putting up with the back-andforth of diarrhea and constipation. More studies are needed but it looks hopeful.
Aloe is a natural alternative with boatloads of benefits and comes in many forms from the natural plant kept on your windowsill to gels, juices, capsules and even powders. The juice and gel are tasteless and can be drunk alone or added to water, smoothies or juice.
Like any new change to
— and a severely edited one at that. The more we compare, the harder it can become to recognize and value our own path and progress.
But the truth that “comparison is the thief of joy” is more than simply a pointed statement. At its core, the phrase invites us to turn our focus inward — to focus on and consider our own strengths, values and unique life journeys. Instead of benchmarking our lives against someone else’s, it encourages us to set personal goals, celebrate our individual growth and cultivate gratitude for the experiences that shape us as unique individuals.
Appreciation, not comparison, is where true joy resides. It is found in the quiet victories, in overcoming challenges, in meaningful relationships and in self-acceptance. When we begin to honor our own story — with all its imperfections and triumphs — we create space for content-
supplements or herbs, start small, increasing slowly and always consult your naturopath or medical doctor. There are some contraindications to medication and those allergic to onions, garlic and tulips may experience adverse reactions.
Happy holistic living my friends! Have a question or topic idea? Please email me at mercedeskaygoldfitness@gmail. com.
Advice provided in this column should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult a doctor first before adding anything new to your health and wellness regime.
ment and peace.
In practice, this mindset calls for mindfulness. It means catching ourselves in moments of envy or self-doubt and redirecting our thoughts toward gratitude. It’s choosing self-love over self-judgment, and embracing the idea that each of us walks a different path — one not meant to be compared, but to be appreciated. So, the next time you find yourself scrolling and comparing, remember: joy is not found in being better than others. Rather, it’s found in being true to yourself. John Dinner is a registered psychotherapist who works as a counsellor at Interfaith Counselling Centre in New Hamburg. He sees each of our lives as stories which are meant to be different and unique from everyone else’s and not cheap copies of what others choose to portray.
(VECTEEZY PHOTO)
Aloe vera juice may look refreshing, but not all bottles are created equal—many store-bought versions are packed with sugar and additives, overshadowing the powerful health benefits of this miracle plant.
Two unique shopping destinations in New Brunswick
OH, THE PLACES WE'LL GO
By Paul Knowles
There is no doubt that for a large percentage of travellers, shopping is high on the list of musts. Not that every traveller agrees, of course. As someone who has organized and led groups in tours of England and Ireland, I know it is inevitable you will schedule too much time for shopping and too little time for shopping – both at the same time, depending, of course, on the individual traveller.
But let’s assume, for sake of argument and this article, you do want to include shopping on your tourist itinerary and you plan to visit New Brunswick, which everyone should, by the way – it is sadly misclassified as a “drive-through” province. New Brunswick has become one of our favourite destinations.
All the normal shopping opportunities are found in New Brunswick, of course, but I want to introduce you to two unique shopping stops – the Garrison Night Market in Fredericton and the Waterfront Container Village in Saint John.
In Fredericton, the Garrison Night Market runs every Thursday evening, this year from June 26 through Sept. 4. It’s much more than a market; it’s part street party, part farmers’ market, part craft show, part beer garden and part concert venue, all at once and all creating a wonderful ambience.
The market is located on the streets of the historic Garrison District in Fredericton’s downtown. This part of town is worth a visit any time – it’s right on the riverside and retains its historic atmosphere with cobblestone streets and historic buildings. It’s also the locale for other events apart from the bustling Thursday Night Market, including a Tuesday evening summer concert series and the Under the Stars open-air film series.
During our visit to the Night Market, we sampled delicious pastries from a local bakery and fresh fruit from another vendor. We found a comfortable bench and enjoyed the music from an energetic jazz band. We chatted with friendly representatives of the RCMP, who were handing out key fobs in the shape of a
The market runs from 4:30-9 p.m. From our experience, if you want to miss the crowds, go early, but you’ll also miss a lot of the fun. So, go fairly early and stay fairly late!
With a drive of an hour and a bit south to the mouth of the Saint John/Wolastoq River on the Bay of Fundy, you will arrive in Saint John. Now, Saint John is also quite used to people arriving using other modes of transportation, especially cruise ships – and that was the inspiration for the creation of Saint John’s unique Waterfront Container Village.
This wildly decorated collection of shops, food boutiques and a concert venue is made up of repurposed shipping containers. And of course, there is the obligatory beer garden!
It’s located right beside the cruise ship terminal on the Saint John Harbour. The cruise terminal opens directly into the Container Village, but while cruise passengers are certainly among the desired customers for the 60 or so businesses tucked into the containers, the village eagerly welcomes locals and any other visitors to Saint John during the six months it is open each year –the warmer months, obviously.
Saint John is actually Canada’s oldest incorporated city, but this unique development on the waterfront is quite new – the Waterfront Container Village opened in June of 2022. It’s part of Area 506, a district that is a waterfront improvement work-inprogress.
District 506 founder and director Ray Gracewood has been involved in organizing music festivals in Saint John for at least a decade, and that was the genesis of the Container Village – a concert venue that grew to include one of the most innovative shopping areas in the country.
Gracewood told us that developing the destination meant “reimagining what it is to be a port city.” The founders have, at times, let their imaginations run wild. The Container Village is one of the most extravagantly painted destinations you will ever find; artists were commissioned to bring artistic life to the sea cans, and they did!
Gracewood’s group collaborated with the Saint John Port Authority, the Province of New Brunswick and the federal government in developing the new attraction.
He says the Container Village is just one part of a “resurgence” for Saint John.
“I’ve been in Saint John for a long time. … It’s just going to take off!”
The Container Village is built from 56 40-foot containers, which provide one or two business locales each. They started as actual shipping containers – sea cans – that are basically metal boxes. Then, says Gracewood, “We did all the modifications ourselves.”
He points out that more than two-thirds of the vendors are based in New Brunswick. Many are artisans or craftspeople. Some are female-owned businesses; some are Indigenous-owned.
The Container Village and the other features of Area 506 – with more to come – “have given people a place to come,” says Gracewood. “We take a lot of pride in it.”
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.
Mountie’s hat.
The Garrison Night Market in Fredericton runs every Thursday evening in the warmer months.
(PAUL KNOWLES PHOTOS)
The street signs reflect the naval heritage of the district.
The Night Market always includes live entertainment.
The wildly colourful Waterfront Container Village in Saint John.
Shoppers will find food, clothing, crafts and a waterfront bar!
Cooking for
recipe for my dog, Phoebe
JULIA PAUL Gazette Correspondent
When I first adopted Phoebe, I never imagined how particular a dog could be. Kibble? Ignored. Canned food? Sniffed, then she walked away. After trying nearly every commercial option, I finally decided to take matters into my own hands and cook for her myself.
It started as a hopeful experiment – and turned into a routine we both love. With each batch of her homemade meals, I know exactly what she’s eating and, more importantly, so does she. Her tail-wagging at dinnertime says it all.
But Phoebe’s diet isn’t just about picky eating. Like many small dogs, she struggles with anal-gland issues. After the vet recommended we increase her fibre intake, I doubled the amount of pumpkin puree in her recipe. After a few months, another vet checkup showed her anal glands were full again. That’s when we started supplementing her homemade meals with a vetgrade, fibre-rich kibble from Royal Canin, and it has made a noticeable difference. Now, Phoebe gets the best of both worlds: a diet she enjoys, and one that supports her health.
Phoebe’s Bowl: A wholesome homemade dog food recipe
This balanced recipe is designed for
a 20-pound dog and makes four to five servings. It’s a hearty, flavourful blend of whole foods with fibre and nutrients to support digestion and overall wellness.
Ingredients:
• 2 lbs lean ground beef, fully cooked
• 500g chicken liver, cooked and chopped
• 4 cups cooked brown rice
• 2 cups steamed broccoli, finely chopped
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled, steamed and mashed
• 2–3 large carrots, steamed and chopped
• ½ to 1 full can of pumpkin purée (unsweetened; added for fibre and flavour)
• 1 cup mixed berries, finely chopped (blueberries and strawberries work well)
• 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
• 1 tbsp finely ground eggshells (for calcium)
• 5 mL canine multivitamin supplement (ask your vet for the right one)
Instructions:
1. Cook the proteins: Brown the ground beef and chicken liver separately. Chop liver into small pieces.
2. Steam the veggies: Prepare broccoli, carrots and sweet potato until soft, then mash or chop as needed.
STONETOWN TRAVEL
3. Cook the rice: Follow package instructions for brown rice.
4. Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, mix cooked meat, vegetables, rice, pumpkin purée, berries, flaxseed, ground eggshells and the multivitamin.
5. Store safely: Let the mixture cool completely before sealing in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to four days or freeze in portions.
Nutritional benefits
This recipe includes:
• Quality protein: From beef and liver, providing essential amino acids and nutrients.
• Organ meats: Liver is rich in vitamin A, iron and B vitamins.
• Carbs and fibre: Brown rice, sweet potato and carrots for digestion and energy.
• Healthy fats: From flaxseed, for skin and coat health.
• Antioxidants: Berries and greens boost the immune system.
• Calcium: Homemade ground eggshells are a natural way to support bone health.
• Vitamins and minerals: The multivitamin fills any nutritional gaps.
For Phoebe, commercial food was a non-starter. But once we introduced homemade meals, everything changed: her energy improved, her coat became shinier and – perhaps most important of all – she actually looked forward to eating.
Cooking for your dog allows you to tailor their diet to meet both personal preferences and medical needs. With a vet’s guidance, you can combine homemade and commercial solutions in a way that truly works for your dog.
Feeding Phoebe used to be a daily battle, but now, it’s something we both look forward to. Her meals are more than just food; they’re a daily act of care, thoughtfully tailored to her needs and filled with love. We’re always looking for ways to improve. Even now, we’re growing vegetables in our own garden to use in her homemade meals.
If your dog is a picky eater or struggles with digestion, Phoebe’s Bowl might be a recipe worth trying. Pair it with your vet’s advice and you just might find a combination that makes tails wag and bowls empty.
Phoebe loves her bowl now; it’s filled with love, essential nutrients and ingredients you’d eat yourself.
(HILARY SULLIVAN PHOTO)
Stone-faced and flour-dusted
VINTAGE VIEWS
By Tim Mosher Tavistock and District Historical Society
Sometimes the location of a photo hints at when it was taken, such as this one of the employees of the Tavistock Milling Company, most likely from 1910. The curtain and vertical window on the right automatically eliminates this picture from being taken in the Lemp studio because he had this purpose-built room constructed with only an angled skylight window after he purchased the property in 1905.
Skylights were very typical of photographers’ studios at the time because electricity wasn’t widely available and oil lamps didn’t provide enough light for picture taking in the early days of the medium. Big skylights are notorious for collapsing under the weight of wet snow, leaking and since glass is a poor insulator, photo studios were too cold to use mid-winter at the time. An 1897 photo of the south side of Woodstock Street shows two buildings with skylights with hip-jointed vertical windows, so it appears there were rival photo businesses operating in Tavistock at the time. This staff photo was very likely taken in one of these.
One of the beauties of this picture is the employees mostly posed wearing what’s very likely their typical flour-dusted work attire. Adam E. Ratz, the manager, is front and centre in a suit and tie, as are two others including his son, Bert, on his left wearing a very formal wing-tip collar. Note how three men wearing bib overalls are also wearing either a bowtie or long tie, but it’s very unlikely that the latter was not worn in the mill because of the danger of loose clothing being caught in machinery. The fellow on the right is quite dapper with his vest, jacket, long tie and a white variation of a newsboy cap relaxed and leaning against the windowsill. Handlebar moustaches were very common and milliners were doing good business as stand-
alone shops selling hats that mostly died out post-World War II.
So, why aren’t they smiling? Because the light-sensitive materials used for picture taking from the start of photography in the 1830s until 1930 were not fast-acting yet, necessitating long camera exposures. So, the photographers usually told their sitters to “hold still” when their pictures were taken. Of course, someone could hold a smile, but this resulted in frozen, puppet-like expressions that looked very stiff, hence the very frequent flat, expressionless faces of the first century of photography. Only the woman in the long white dress, Mabel Ratz, has a slight grin.
This picture was published in the Christmas edition of the Tavistock Gazette in 1910 and, very interestingly, the back page of the paper notes, “All the good photos in this number of the Christmas Gazette were made by us,” in an ad sponsored by John Lemp, Tavistock’s longtime photographer. This means Mr. Lemp started his photo business not at the back of his pharmacy but in one of the two studios on Woodstock Street. A few years after buying his drug store property on Hope Street in 1905, he had his own photo studio built at the back of it on the second floor (still there today but the skylight is now a shingled roof as it’s a private residence). The toy horse prop on the bottom left of this photo appears in a dozen of his new studio photos, so he moved it and a collection of negatives from the earlier photographers to his larger, up-to-date Hope Street location.
The book Crossroads In Time by Bill Gladding (1998) has a photo of a similar group from the milling company, but it shot outdoors, that includes a cat, a dog, two different men and missing three others from this picture. The people that appear in both pictures are dressed the same and the same man in the middle row is holding a pipe wrench again, all of which strongly hints that both pictures were taken the same day.
This is a fairly rare photo in the Tavistock and District Historical Society’s collection because the purpose of the picture is known, the date it was taken is well established and all but two names have been recorded in Crossroads in Time
There are more photos in the society’s collection of people posing in photo studios in their work attire and sometimes at their workplace, often with their tools or products of their trade visible, but it’s not obvious why they were taken. They give an intimate glimpse of the lives of everyday local people, instead of always posing in their Sunday best.
Last week’s History Mystery answer: The 1905 photo was of a group of mostly young adults casually posing for a group photo on a summer day on a lawn with tennis rackets. The question was: “If an equivalent group photo was taken today of an outdoor, summer tennis group, what two items would they probably be wear-
ing that this group is not?” Connie Roth of Tavistock submitted the only correct pair of answers: shorts and sunglasses. They both didn’t gain popularity until the 1940s, largely because the World War II theatre of operations included the tropics, necessitating improved eyewear for pilots and cooler clothing for soldiers.
This week’s History Mystery: What article of clothing of at least three people is made of cardboard? This question is open to all ages. Send your answer, first name, last name, the name of your community or rural route number to tim_mosher@hotmail.com. The first person to answer correctly will have this information published in the next edition.
The lack of smiles is very typical of pre-1940s photos because cameras’ long exposure times necessitated holding still and a smile that’s held usually looks stiff.
(PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN, LEMP STUDIO COLLECTION #0031.)
As we fast approach LAB, it’s time to move on
DRESS SHARP. SPEND SMART.
By Scott Dunstall
We are now fast approaching LAB – Life After Bay – and it’s a good time to take stock and remind ourselves of the gameplan. The big mantra? It’s not about chasing trends or flashing designer labels, it’s about intentional choices, smart shopping and knowing what works for you, Bay or no Bay.
Whether you’re dressing for the office, a night out, or just want to avoid looking like you got dressed in the dark, you can sharpen your wardrobe without shredding your budget.
Let’s start with the basics. Every sharp-dressed man needs a rotation of timeless pieces that mix and match without effort. Think of it as your personal uniform that says, “I’ve got it together,” even if you overslept and got dressed while making the kids’ lunches.
You don’t need 47 shirts. You need a few go-to pieces that work harder than you do.
That means a navy blazer that plays well with jeans or chinos, a white oxford shirt that cleans up nicely without trying too hard and dark jeans that look like they came from a fashion shop, not a dumpster. I don’t care if you push pens, plough fields, or patch cars, you’ll need this stuff for weddings, parties and company events.
Toss in a pair of neutral chinos, a wool topcoat that makes you look taller (even if your posture doesn’t), a couple of crewneck or quarter-zip sweaters in solid colours and both black boots or laceups (I like mine with flock for that suede look) and white sneakers (my current favourites are lowheel BOSS kicks from Browns at Conestoga Mall). That’s your
Canadian power wardrobe; no maple syrup required.
Stick to neutral tones like navy, black, grey and olive. They all mix together better than your relatives at Thanksgiving. Colour is great if you know what you’re doing. If you don’t, you’ll look like a Crayola factory exploded on you.
Now, with The Bay on life support, where do you find these wardrobe winners without selling a kidney? Locally, there are some options.
Joe Fresh (yes, I said it) has surprisingly decent staples – yes, even the ones beside the frozen peas. Simons and Zara were covered in earlier columns but be warned, their sizing often favours the young and thin. RW&Co walks the line between “corporate casual” and “yes, I own real pants.”
If you like surprises, Winners and Marshalls are treasure hunts where you might score a $300 jacket for $49. And if you’ve got patience and a good playlist, Value Village and the Mennonite thrift stores are where vintage gold lives – especially jackets, boots and rugged outerwear.
Looking sharp isn’t about money, or at least not just money. It’s about knowing how to work with what you’ve got. A $30 pair of
There is a party! Now, who is
pants that fits perfectly will always beat a $200 pair that bunches like sad drapes. Tailoring is your secret weapon. So is dressing in one colour. Want to look 10 per cent more polished? Steam your shirt. Want to look 20 per cent more expensive? Clean your shoes.
Accessories matter. A good belt and a decent watch go a long way.
And let’s not skip grooming. A sharp outfit and a shaggy head is like putting a spoiler on a rusted-out Corolla. Get regular haircuts (I do my own, no bowl required). Trim your nails. I’ve got a morning routine that includes a full oral clean, a vibrating Gillette razor (expensive and under lock and key for a reason), and a shave that goes down and back up for extra smoothness – mama likes it smooth.
Even if I don’t shower, I still hit the pits, nether region and feet. And yes, I’ve got an electric groomer for nose and ear hair. Gross? Maybe. Necessary? Absolutely. If you want to stay in the game, you’ve got to handle the details.
After your face is washed, slap on some moisturizer. You’re not a cheese-eating teenager anymore. Look after yourself.
Style without a budget is chaos,
invited?
By Nathan Bean
April 28, 2025, will go down as one of the most unexpected and consequential days in Canadian political history.
Only a few short months ago, a Conservative supermajority seemed certain. Yet, in a stunning turn of events, Canadians elected a near-majority Liberal government, ousted two federal party leaders from their own ridings and saw the New Democratic Party (NDP) lose official party status in the House of Commons.
But what exactly is party status? What does it mean to be an “official party” in Canada?
Canada’s parliamentary democracy differs markedly from the U.S. federal republic. Most notably, Canada has a multiparty system where more than two political parties are regularly represented
in the federal legislature.
Five major parties currently hold seats in the House of Commons, one of which is the New Democratic Party. For the past three decades, the NDP has consistently secured the third-largest share of the popular vote. However, it frequently finishes fourth in terms of elected MPs – a result of how votes translate into seats.
This disparity is largely due to Quebec’s influential voting bloc.
The Bloc Québécois, while typically receiving fewer total votes than the NDP, manages to win more seats because its support is concentrated in Quebec ridings. In contrast, NDP support is more evenly distributed across the country, often failing to reach the threshold needed to win individual races.
The Green Party faces a similar challenge. Rather than concentrated regional support, Green voters are thinly spread nationwide. Despite earning up to five per cent of the national vote in past elections, the Greens have never won more than two seats in the House. This year, they garnered just over one per cent of the vote – yet remain underrepresented.
If Canada’s electoral system were proportional, the Greens would likely hold three to four seats.
Now that I have spoken about a few parties, let me explain party status.
To be considered an “official party” in the House of Commons, a party must have 12 elected MPs in the House. Party status entitles a party to numerous parliamentary privileges, including funding and guaranteed committee seats.
The NDP will lose $1.1 million in research and staffing support for the leader’s office. Every official party in the House of Commons receives a minimum amount of funding for the party leader’s office. This amount of funding can grow beyond the minimum if the party elects over 101 MPs.
This funding comes from Ca-
so make one. Set a seasonal spending goal – $100 a month or $300 a quarter, whatever works. Invest in pieces you’ll wear again and again, not closet dwellers that looked good under the store lights and haven’t been seen since.
Track sales. Sign up for email alerts and don’t fall for a “deal” that doesn’t serve you. “But it was 80 per cent off!” doesn’t help if you end up looking like an understudy for a cruise ship lounge act.
Smart shopping is sharp dressing. Hudson Bay who? Let’s move on.
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.
nadian taxpayers’ pockets. It is designed to help each opposition party conduct research to hold the government of the day to account. Without this funding, many NDP political staffers will likely lose their jobs.
This is especially likely considering the NDP’s recent financial struggles. It was only last year that the NDP finally paid off its debt from the last election campaign in 2021. With a noticeable decline in electoral and financial support, the NDP will face an uphill battle to be considered a reliable party once again.
Beyond the financial ramifications of losing party status lie the procedural challenges that come with only seven elected MPs.
Losing official party status means a party will no longer have a set number of questions to ask during Question Period. This severely limits a party’s ability to hold the government accountable and get its agenda heard.
In this case, the NDP will no longer control their own office locations within the parliamentary precinct. They will lose guaranteed seats on committees. They will lose out on guaranteed speaking opportunities during debates.
Essentially, they will lose their independence.
Without official party status, the NDP will be treated similarly to independent MPs, like those of the Green Party. All privileges –speaking time, office allocations, committee involvement – will now be granted at the discretion of the Speaker of the House.
This places tremendous power in the hands of the new Speaker, Liberal MP Francis Scarpaleggia. His rulings could significantly impact how much influence the NDP retains during this Parliament.
When the NDP could not reach official party status in 1993, it lost its ability to affect legislation in Canada. It could not exert any influence over policy, the budget, or proposed legislation because it did not have a voice, research capacity, or opportunity to question the government’s decisions.
While the dust may be settling from the 2025 federal election, the battle for influence in Canada’s 45th Parliament is only just beginning. The NDP’s fall from official status is a sobering reminder of how quickly political fortunes can change, and how deeply those changes can affect our democracy.
1966!
SUNDAY, JUNE 1
“Y” Knot Quilt Show and Sale
10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Many beautiful new and antique quilts will be for sale with all proceeds going to help support the Stratford Family Y and Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth. For more information please visit yknotquiltshowandsale.com.
Falstaff Family Centre 35 Waterloo St. Stratford
MONDAY, JUNE 2
Wilmot Lions / Lioness Club - New Hamburg Board of Trade - annual Golf Tournament, Raffle and silent auction.
12:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Registration details, Raffle tickets and information: 519-498-9302 Paul Mackie Foxwood Golf and Country Club
2777 Erbs Rd, Baden
Food Trucks at Grace United Church. Tavistock
4:30 - 7:30
SWAT, Wild Boar, Pablas Street of India and Beavertails. Proceeds go to Home & School Association, Playground
Tavistock Legion Members Meeting At 7.00 to elect officers.
Call Jane McKay for details 519-276-9296 223 Hope St W, Tavistock, ON
TUESDAY, JUNE 3
Perth East council meeting
7 p.m.
Council chambers
25 Mill Street East, Milverton
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4
East Zorra-Tavistock Council meeting
9 a.m.
Council Chambers
89 Loveys Street East, Hickson
Tavistock Mens Club Fish Fry
4:00-7:00 pm
Pickerel Dine in or take out. Portion of profits to Tavistock Community Health fundraiser.
THURSDAY, JUNE 5
Food Truck Night
4:30-7:30 p.m.
North Easthope Public School is hosting the event at the school. All profits go to the fundraising for the new school playground. North Easthope Public School 4672 Road 108, Stratford
SATURDAY, JUNE 7
Open House and Charity BBQ
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The new companies in the Francis Furniture building at 66 Woodstock St., N – Stonecrest Engineering Inc., Crescent Ridge Services, Built Gym, and Breaking Elements Dance Co. – in Tavistock, are hosting the event. Everyone welcome.
66 Woodstock St., N
MONDAY, JUNE 9
Food Trucks at Grace United Church.
Tavistock
4:30 - 7:30
Born2Eat, Crystal’s Fries, Fo’ Cheezy, Moreish Ice Cream. Proceeds go to TAP - Tavistock Assistance Program
Garden tour with Garden Wilmot
6:30 pm
Join us for a self-guided tour of the exceptional property and gardens of SpruceHaven Farm, 2005 Notre Dame Drive, St. Agatha. A fine example of restoration and conservation, we are fortunate to be able to visit this local gem. Free event.
TUESDAY, JUNE 10
Chicken BBQ and Pie Auction Fundraiser
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is hosting its 58th Annual Chicken BBQ and Pie Auction. Enjoy a delicious meal and bid on one of 60 pies. All proceeds support our summer camp programs. Visit www.hiddenacres.ca for more information and tickets.
Wellesley Council meeting 6:45 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11 CON’T
Wednesday Walk in Wilmot Wonderful Wood
Join us to explore the flora and fauna on this level trail, much of it on boardwalk over wet areas. Details/register at letstreewilmot. ca/ events
Walker Woods Trail, New Hamburg FRIDAY, JUNE 13
Scotiabank and Tavistock Community Health Inc. is hosting a charity barbeque 11:00 a.m.
Burgers, hotdogs, chips and drink. In support of the medical clinic Alley between the Scotiabank and the IDA pharmacy in Tavistock
SATURDAY, JUNE 14
Wilmot-Heritage Fire Brigade Open House and BBQ Games for the kids and the whole family all day, along with an 8 AM breakfast put on by the Petersburg Optimist Club. Bell Street in Baden, behind the fire hall
“Breakfast on the Farm”
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Farm and Food Care Ontario is inviting all area residents to come
Hoenhorst Dairy Farm near Innerkip
SUNDAY, JUNE 15
Hickson Lions Club’s 10th Annual Brunch in the Park
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
ONLY 200 TICKETS AVAILABLE
Call Valerie 519-462-2786 or Heather 519-4622048 or contact any Lions Member Hickson Lions Park
MONDAY, JUNE 16
Food Trucks at Grace United Church. Tavistock
4:30 - 7:30
Frying Dutchman, SWAT, El Milagro, Moreish Ice Cream. Proceeds go to Camp Bimini
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18
Deadline: Tuesday prior at 3 p.m. Contact: thewtgazette@gmail.com
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18 CON’T
Wednesday Walk in Wilmot Wonderful Woods
We’ll stroll along a few streets in town to see dozens of different trees. If we’re lucky, we can enjoy the fragrance of the Little Leaf Linden flowers. Details/register at letstreewilmot. ca/ events
Downtown New Hamburg
THURSDAY, JUNE 19
Fundraising Golf Tournament
Tavistock Community Health Inc. is hosting a fundraising golf tournament. All the money goes to the renovations at the Tavistock medical health building in Tavistock. Information is available at: info@tchi.ca River Valley golf club
4725 1 Line, St. Marys
The Optimist Club of Tavistock Annual Steak Stag
From 6:30 to 8:30 (rain or shine). Tickets are available from any Optimist member in Tavistock. In the Optimist Pavillion.
MONDAY, JUNE 23
Food Trucks at Grace United Church. Tavistock 4:30 - 7:30
Serial Griller, Pablas Street of India, Ish n chips, Beavertails. Proceeds go to Grace United Church
Perth East council meeting 7-11 p.m. Council chambers
60 Snyder’s Road West Baden
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25
Community Dining for Seniors in Wilmot and Wellesley Townships
12:00 p.m.
Community Care Concepts invites you to join us for lunch and fellowship. Please register byJune 20 by calling 519-664-1900 or toll Free: 1-855-664-1900.
Linwood Community Centre,
The Community Calendar allows non-profit organizations to promote their free admission community events at no charge. Event listings can include your event name, date, time and location as well as contact information (ie phone number, email address or website).
If your event is not free admission or you would like to include more details than stated above, The Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette offers the following options for promoting your community events:
Coming Events Word Ad in Classified section (50 word max.) - $10 + hst
Coming Events Boxed Word Ad in Classified section (50 word max.) - $15 + hst Display Ad - Sizes begin at a Small Classified Display ad (3.3" x 2.5") - $35 + hst
CLASSIFIED ADS —
EMPLOYMENT WANTED
Looking for Employment in Stratford or surrounding area. Hard working, reliable, with full G driver’s license. Randy 519-271-8137.
FOR SALE
Chrome Jag Rims 245/50 ZR17 99W
LG Washer & Gas Dryer good condition $350.00
Call 519-393-5576 leave message
FOR SALE
Hundreds of shade trees, fruit trees, apples, pears, peaches, plums, sweet and sour cherries, apricots, nectarines, blueberries, haskapp grapes, raspberries, elderberries etc. Lots of spruce, pine, cedars for windbreak and privacy hedges. Sizes 1-8 ft. in containers ready to go. Flowering shrubs and much more. MonSat 7:00am to 6:00pm Martin’s Nursery, 42661 Orangehill Rd Wroxeter, ON N0G 2X0 (1 Conc. North of Wroexter on Belmore Line)
PRAYER TO ST. JUDE
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Oh Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us; St. Jude worker of miracles, pray for us; St. Jude helper of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer nine times a day, by the eighth day this prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail. Publication must be promised. S.F.
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
WANTED
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.
GARAGE Sales
STONECROFT BI-ANNUAL COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE
Saturday May 31/25
Time: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Rain or Shine
Stonecroft Community, New Hamburg ANNUAL GARAGE SALE
Saturday May 31st
Morningside Adult Community Bleams & Bergy from 8 - 2 pm.
COMMUNITY YARD SALE
June 7, 2025: 8:00 - 1:00 pm
plants, housewares, books, fabric, etc.
Chrystal’s Fries Food Truck from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Grace United Church Tavistock
We are looking for a dedicated parttime AZ tanker truck driver to join our farm. This parttime job would include operating 4 axle tanker trailer locally around Stratford, Tavistock and St. Marys area. Currently looking to fill approx. 1-3 days per week (no Sundays). Ideally 10+ years AZ experience and ability to load and unload with pump at sites. Contact 519-949-2158 if interested.
BREAKFAST ON THE FARM
Date: June 14, 2025
Location: Hoenhorst Dairy Farm, Innerkip (parking is off-site and free shuttles will take guests to the farm)
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $5 for adults, children free
Get up close with farm animals, see extensive tractor and farm equipment displays, explore interactive games and exhibits about where your food comes from and meet with local farmers and food producers. Full details and tickets at FarmFoodCareON.org
