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• Several hundred people gathered at the CASO Station on June 25 to take in a re-enactment of the 91st Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force’s 1916 departure from St. Thomas. More than 900 members of the force travelled to Halifax before making the trip overseas to serve in the First World War. Following the CASO Station service, a patriotic concert took place in Pinafore Park. • On June 21, the day after the Great Lakes International Airshow wrapped up, a media release estimated attendance figures of 4,300 on the Saturday and 3,800 on the Sunday — a total far below those earlier predictions. However, the event was proven a success when considering slightly more than $50,000 in donations was raised for, and eventually distributed to, eight local charities and organizations.
• On July 18, the rainbow flag was hoisted up the flagpole in front of city hall to mark the start of the first official St. Thomas-Elgin Pride Week. Headed up by the Central Community Health Centre (CCHC) and the local LGBTQ youth group, TRUEYOUth, the week promised to be one that promoted inclusion, education, and the community’s diversity. • Mayor Heather Jackson, along with a group of city officials and community leaders, handled the ribbon-cutting duties on July 18 at the official unveiling of the Talbot Street West renovation project. • Anyone driving down Sunset Road in July couldn’t have missed a change in the iconic Shaw’s Ice Cream road sign. The old sign, which drew drivers in to the iconic shop for over 30 years, was replaced with a new design co-owner Kelly Heleniak called ‘retro new age,’ reminiscent of an older drive-in sign.
July • Buy a button, help fund a dream. That was the idea behind Elgin-Middlesex-London MP August Karen Vecchio’s effort to raise enough money • In addition to being a successful tourist to help send Gordie Michie’s cheering squad attraction, Port Stanley Harbourfest is also a on his Paralympic adventure. The campaign celebration of the lakeside community’s rich kicked off July 1, with a goal of reaching $12,000, which was the estimated cost Michie’s family faced to join him in Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Paralympic Games. • After wildfires ravaged Fort McMurray, Geerlinks Home Hardware reached out to their customers, collecting funds to help those in need after the disaster. In the end, the community was able to donate $4,800, which the store passed along to the Red Cross. • A tragedy the likes of which St. Thomas had known only once before marked its 91st anniversary. The Pinafore Park disaster — also known as the swan boat disaster — occurred July 6, 1925, in the park’s lake during a joint Sunday school picnic of Trinity and St. John’s Anglican churches, as well as St. Luke’s Church and Yarmouth Heights. • For years it has been a beacon marking the way home for Port Stanley’s fishing fleet and entrance to a safe harbour from the storm for sailFIXED RIGHT. Closed ors of all kinds. On July 6, it was anDec. 23rd - 26th EVERY TIME. & Dec. 31st nounced the Port Stanley BreakwaGUARANTEED. Jan. 2nd ter Lighthouse has been designated as a heritage lighthouse under the 165 Edward St., St. Thomas ON N5P 4A8 Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act. fixedrightauto.com • 519-633-1633
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St. Thomas - Elgin Weekly News
Mayor Heather Jackson, along with over 150 community supporters, proclaimed Pride Week in St. Thomas during a flag raising event at city hall on July 18.
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The Weekly News - Thursday, December 29, 2016
heritage along Lake Erie. The annual festi- in London & Middlesex have agreed in 11 val, which took place Aug. 6-7, featured in- principle to become one organization. In door and outdoor vendors, street performers, a media release on Aug. 25, the agencies live entertainment, an art show, fireworks and declared the United Ways of Elgin-St. even a professional pirate. Thomas and London & Middlesex have • The United Way Elgin-St. Thomas faced agreed in principle to unify and create a several challenges in recent years, despite single, regional United Way that will be managing to reach 2015’s campaign target “better positioned to serve Elgin, Lonof $475,000. In an effort to change the agen- don, Middlesex and St. Thomas achieving cy’s approach, its board of directors recently greater regional impact.” shook things up by deciding not to renew the contract for the executive director position, held most recently by Carrie Fisher. • Officers arrived at 337 Talbot St. around 12:35 a.m. on Aug. 11, after being called to assist local EMS with a medical emergency. The victim, who was identified as 20-year- $6 fOR a Bag Of ClOThES 17 old William “Billy” Lamers, was mOnDay JanuaRy 2, 20 transported to hospital where he latBIBLES er died. The incident was originally FOR MISSIONS labelled as a suspicious death, but an autopsy performed at University Hospital in London found Lamers had died as a result of a stab wound 7 First Avenue St.Thomas 519-633-7300 he sustained during a confrontation in his apartment. While one man was immediately charged, a second lead police on a manhunt before he was captured several days later. • At their Aug. 18 meeting, the Elgin County Railway Museum (ECRM) board of directors approved the conceptual Site Master Plan for the long-discussed Railway Park. The site plan, presented by a+LiNK Architecture Inc., crafts a vision for the ECRM lands that would include a multi-use central park with the ability to provide event space and recreation activities for the community. • The United Way of Elgin-St. Thomas and it’s sister agency