LOCAL HEADLINES

Designed to help shoppers and diners make their holiday dollars go a little further, the BIA is bringing back its 10 Bucks Back program to encourage shopping and dining in the downtown core.

On Sept. 27, after three years of planning, Alliance North launched its Volunteer Emergency Response Air Corps (VEAC) here in the Festival City.

During the Air Bridge 2025 training event at the Stratford Municipal Airport on Sept. 27, Mayor Martin Ritsma told the gathering pilots and stakeholders that his dream for the local airport is to be an emergency hub.

Jesse Walker has taken the southwestern Ontario culinary scene by storm, and he’s done it one burger and butter tart at a time.

A popular Scotch tasting event raising money for the Rotary Club of Stratford’s initiatives is back with tickets nearly sold-out.

Bruce Whitaker and his family have traveled the world – from Egypt to India – and now he would like to give the same opportunity to Stratford’s youth.

The Royal Canadian Legion hosted its Honours and Awards Ceremony on Sept. 28, where many legionnaires were recognized.

A weekly walking group in Stratford is giving people a gentle way to cope with grief, offering fresh air, peer support and connection through Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth.

Got an idea to make your community better? United Way Perth-Huron’s Youth in Action Grants give young people the funding and freedom to create projects that matter to them and their peers The United Way is inviting youth aged 14–24 to apply for its Youth in Action Grants, offering up to $1,200 for projects that address issues affecting young people in Perth and Huron counties. Applicants will also need an adult trustee over the age of 25. 

Speak Stratford Toastmasters is looking for more members to join their organization and ensures a safe space to practice speaking for anything from speeches to job interviews to day-to-day conversations.

Fire Prevention Week runs Oct. 5-11, and this year’s theme is Charge into Fire Safety.

The Stratford Hunter Steel Warriors travelled to Sarnia to face the lowly Legionnaires on Sept. 25 and hosted the Komoka Kings at the Allman Arena on Sept. 26.  

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Stratford Festival favourite Jessica B. Hill didn’t consider herself a writer, though she knew she loved writing. Only a few years later, Hill is now considered one of Canada’s most exciting burgeoning playwrights, having been profiled by the Globe and Mail and featured on CBC Radio’s Q program.

Band of the Year. Best Blues Song of the Year. Best Folk Song of the Year.

The list of Timothy Findley’s accolades is a long one – deservedly so – and it grows even today, years after his death.

Now that the end of September is here, one of the busiest churches in Stratford is back serving a full breakfast (after a two-month summer break), for anyone in the area – whether church members or not.

Margaret Smart, executive director of the Local Community Food Centre, welcomed attendees and thanked sponsors at a recent “table-to-farm” event on Sept. 22.

It was with great excitement that the team at United Way Perth-Huron announced their newest $2.5 million campaign goal before a large crowd in Market Square. The goal of $2,529,770 is lower than last year’s goal by $95,000 due in part to an excess in fundraising last year.

A new subdivision is being eyed at 750 McCarthy Road West, a currently vacant agricultural parcel just down the road from the Rotary Complex.

Get ready for the sweetest festival filled with lots of treats, baked goods and Halloween fun.