LOCAL HEADLINES

Bruce Whitaker has resigned from the Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB), leaving the seat after being elected to represent Stratford in the 2022 municipal elections.

As designs for a three-story, 33,000 square-foot film and television studio in the heart of downtown Stratford inch closer to being finalized, the people behind the ambitious project aimed at placing the Festival City at the centre of Canada’s content-production industry are hopeful shovels could hit the dirt as early as next year.

The Stratford Hunter Steel Warriors travelled to the Vollmer Recreation Complex to take on the Vipers in the second head-to-head matchup in under two weeks.

Local advocates are calling on residents, businesses and the City of Stratford to rally community support for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 8, which funds the annual Remembrance Day commemoration at Stratford’s cenotaph on Nov. 11.

When construction of any kind takes place in Stratford and Perth County, and even beyond, one name comes to mind of a company that has built its reputation on perfection, hard work and dedication to the job.

Former St. Marys Lincoln and Stratford Warrior Carter Schoonerwoerd was honoured on Nov. 1 with the unveiling of the CS8 Memorial Rink in Mitchell.

There are historical moments that happen in a lifetime and class reunions are always a highlight. Eleven graduates of the 1968 Stratford General Hospital Nursing program recently met at the end of October at the Arden Park Hotel in Stratford. The graduates were celebrating 60 years since they stepped off “that old rickety elevator” and first met on the third floor of Avon Crest (across from the hospital), in September 1965.

Across the nation on Nov. 11, Canadians will honour its veterans for Remembrance Day. Here is what’s planned in Stratford that day.

The popular Skeletons of Vivian Line display was back for its 12th season, and this year’s theme was The Skeletons Fall Fair – complete with a Ferris wheel installation.

The Alzheimer Society Huron Perth is inviting the community to gather online for its annual Fall Dementia Education Night on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.

Not even an hour into the early trick-or-treating and around 150 kids collected candy and other goodies during the Downtown Stratford Business Improvement Area (BIA)’s Halloween celebration.

When Margaret Smart’s daughter was 14 years old, she would go to youth-led events and initiatives where adults would tell her and her peers, “You are the future.”

Nearly 100 local firefighters, police officers, paramedics, other emergency workers, city officials and volunteers participated in a live emergency training exercise in Stratford on Oct. 23, aimed at providing hands-on experience with a collaborative disaster-response effort.

After a successful event at the Stratford Perth Museum last summer where an arts open house provided mini workshops to interested participants to try out art, dance, acting and fencing (to name a few), the Ready, Set, PLAY! initiative is returning with a new opportunity. Producer Pat McKinna is putting a call out to any non-professional for a learn and perform production of the comedy musical, Damn Yankees.

Warriors' defenceman Matthew Blake recently played his 100th career game in the Greater Ontario Hockey League. Veteran of three years with St. Thomas and Stratford, Blake says he is glad to be part of the league.

For the first time ever, United Way Perth-Huron will be participating in a tasty fundraiser that’s sure to please burger enthusiasts.

After learning more about a growing need within the community, the Optimist Club of Stratford is donating $5,000 to each of Stratford’s 11 schools to help ensure children arrive at school ready to learn – without the barriers of hunger or lack of proper clothing.

Filmmaker Larry Weinstein has made over 40 award winning films and is considered by many to be the preeminent music documentarian. His film, Beethoven’s Nine: Ode to Humanity, will be opening the Stratford Film Festival with a screening, Q-and-A with Weinstein, and opening night reception on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. in Stratford City Hall.

Remember a time when Saturday morning programming captivated our youth, before cartoons were available at a moment's notice? Re-engage your inner child with this documentary about the cult Canadian classic, The Hilarious House of Frightenstein, which aired beginning 1972.

Though there was some concern about opening up the application period for the spring 2026 intake of Perth County’s Stewardship grant program before the program is discussed and approved as part of the county’s 2026 budget, several staff and councillors spoke in favour of the program aimed at increasing the county’s tree canopy and improving the overall environment.