LOCAL HEADLINES

When Porter Huffman and Colton Lawrence first gathered loose Canadian Tire money from around their homes at age six, they never imagined a simple idea, “Let’s help other kids have a great Christmas,” would grow into a community tradition that would touch hundreds of families.

Though, under the newly expanded Strong Mayor Powers granted to St. Marys by the province earlier this year, there was no passing of an official budget bylaw as there has been in years past, the Town of St. Marys has officially adopted its 2026 budget with 3.88 per-cent levy increase, inclusive of growth.

The St. Marys Museum is inviting locals for festive treats and valuable gift ideas at next month’s annual open house. 

The St. Marys Community Players (SMCP) is hoping locals get on board for their production of Marc Camoletti’s Boeing, Boeing.

The old saying, “When it rains it pours,” is very real and no one knows that better right now then Chris Campbell and partner Emily Montgomery.

When I sat down with Alba Evora Weiler to learn about her current role as Elsa in Disney’s Frozen at the Grand Theatre, my first thought was, “This girl is going places.”

Local fiddle fans and those who enjoy Christmas music or a good, old-fashioned variety show will have two opportunities next month to catch Canadian fiddle champion Scott Woods and his band perform their Christmas Hoedown.

As winter’s darkest stretch settles over southwestern Ontario, the St. Marys Station Gallery is preparing to open an exhibition that feels like a much-needed antidote.

Holiday-themed programming, soirees and a new art exhibition will keep art lovers entertained until Christmas, followed by a unique 2026 chapter for the St. Marys Station Gallery.  

Kinna Sohna, the boutique space at 55 York St. in Stratford, is celebrating 25 years of traditional craftsmanship and ethical fashion with 15 per cent off most items from Dec. 4-7.

As of 2027, after next year’s municipal elections in all four of the county’s lower-tier municipalities usher in new councils, members of Perth County council will begin seeing an increase to their base pay.

We surpassed our goal! Our three fundraising events in October raised over $7,000, which enabled the St. Marys Memorial Hospital Auxiliary to fulfill our commitments for 2025. A big thank you to all who supported the bake sale, The Stitch Market and the Bingo.

The St. Marys Firefighters U13 A Boys St. Marys Rock captured gold at the Collingwood Regional Silver Stick Nov. 13-16.

The Social Thirty-One U11 A Boys St. Marys Rock earned the top prize at the Welland Little NHL tournament Nov. 14-16.

Despite dropping two straight games, it’s hard to imagine the St. Marys Lincolns having two more different games than they did on Nov. 21 in Listowel and Nov. 23 in Elmira.

December is a special time at Heeman’s Greenhouse. This year, Heeman’s is offering a full lineup of events and programming for the community, from hands-on workshops to their Merry and Bright Thursday nights with the greenhouse coming to life in a true Christmas sparkling form.

Town council has declared Tuesday, Dec. 2, as Giving Tuesday, a day that encourages people to do a good deed and to help others.

The Town of St. Marys could pay nearly $1.6 million for police services next year according to early 2026 budget estimates presented to the St. Marys community policing advisory committee by the Stratford Police Service (SPS) last week.

With colourful lights, festive crafts and visits from Santa Claus, there will be no shortage of opportunities for locals to embrace the holiday spirit.

Two St. Marys residents are working to gather 24 community vendors for a two-day holiday sale. Friends Cheryl Whatley and Ang March have recruited a variety of local vendors to sell their wares at a Multi-Vendor Christmas Market from Nov. 29-30 at 25 Thames Rd. in the Maple Lane Park Retirement Community.