LOCAL HEADLINES

The Brocksden School Museum has long educated many young students in North Easthope Township, but earlier this week, it was more than just a school museum.

Co-authors Michael Decter, a Canadian health-policy expert and former Ontario deputy minister of health, and Mike McCarthy, a leading Canadian patient advocate, are coming to Stratford on Sept. 24 to talk about their new book, The Canadian Health Care Guerrilla Handbook: How to Fight for What You Need.

The Black Swan Coffee House for Change is back after being sorely missed by the community and visitors to Stratford.

Ben Sleet was an escaped Kentucky slave who probably came here in about 1850 with his wife Elizabeth (Betsy) and son Benjamin through the efforts of Stratford pioneer John E. Linton.

Stratford's Jean Aitcheson, a retired Canadian nurse, founder and leader of the Stratford Mission Depot, was a guest speaker at the Reaching Ontario Sharing Education (ROSE) program, co-hosted by Braemar Women’s Institute and the Anglican Church Women, Christ Church. Aitcheson was also appointed to the Order of Canada in 2023.

Expectations are high for the Stratford Humphrey Fleet Service U18 AA Aces this season as the team got ready for the year ahead.

Martin Ritsma is once again vying for the City of Stratford’s top spot.

As the Stratford Police Pipes and Drums band led a procession through the Army Navy & Air Force Veterans building on Sept. 2, numerous officials and dignitaries spoke about his dedication and leadership, and his family and friends filled out chairs in the hall, Stratford Police Service Deputy Chief Jason Clarke was thinking of one word.

It is not common for a city this size to be blessed with a symphony orchestra, and even more so for an orchestra with such longevity.

On Sept. 1, the Stratford Hunter Steel Warriors revealed their leadership group for the upcoming season.

Sixty years ago, on Sept. 8, 1966, Star Trek made its television debut. As fans around the world celebrate the milestone, Stratford-based Ballinran Entertainment is marking the anniversary by opening its archives and sharing some of the stories and behind-the-scenes images from its work documenting the worldwide phenomenon.

When it comes to writing something down and preserving a message for generations to come, language matters.

For my money, there’s nothing quite like a well-written, well-staged family drama.

For farmers, the pressures of work and home are often impossible to separate. Weather, commodity prices, livestock health and finances can all weigh heavily on a farm family, while long hours and geographic isolation can make it difficult to connect with others or seek help when those pressures become overwhelming.

The world of municipal politics may not seem like a natural fit for a musical, though for David Scott and Gil Garratt it fit like a glove.

There were many curious onlookers passing by the library last week as members of the Stratford branch of Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism demonstrated the ancient art in the garden. On Sept. 12 and 14 they will be holding open houses at 670 Ontario St., where those interested can come and learn more about Taoist Tai Chi arts and the many benefits practicing can bring.

The award-winning documentary, You Are Here: A Come From Away Story returns to Stratford for a free screening on Sept. 11 at 4 and 7 p.m. in the city hall auditorium. The film documents the impact the event of the attacks on New York had on small town Newfoundland.

Training camp for the Stratford Hunter Steel Warriors resumed last week at the Stratford Rotary Complex as the 2026-2027 regular season draws closer.

Here For Now Theatre’s final play of its 2026 summer season, Suzannah, is a journey into the mind of a woman losing her grasp on the present as she processes the grief she feels following the loss of her husband and attempts to reconcile the complicated feelings she has and had for the man.

The team behind the Kiwanis Garlic Festival is thrilled to partner with the Stratford Chefs School to discover the versatile applications of garlic in the culinary arts through demonstrations and educational sessions.