LOCAL HEADLINES

Explore Waterloo Region is celebrating a big win at last week’s Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala in Ottawa.

Residents of New Hamburg and the surrounding Wilmot Township gathered first at the New Hamburg Cenotaph and then at the New Hamburg Community Centre Nov. 11 to pay tribute and show their respect to those who have lost their lives in service to our country.

Youth programs continue to play a vital role in keeping young people active, engaged and supported whether they live in rural areas, small towns, or city centres.

As the cold settled over the cenotaph in downtown New Hamburg on Monday night, local air cadets stood in silent rotation, keeping watch in honour of those who served.

The Tavistock Agricultural Society has heard what the public wants and is working hard to give it to them.

The township held its first 2026 pre-budget meeting on Monday evening, and unlike last year, there are more questions than answers at this stage in the process.

A heavy emergency crew presence at peopleCare in Tavistock on Sunday led to widespread community concern, but a small fire was quickly extinguished.

Remembrance Day is a time for reflection and gratitude – and at Sprucedale Public School in Shakespeare, students, staff and families came together this week to honour those who served and sacrificed for Canada.

After another busy season on the back roads and in local parades, the North Easthope Antique Tractor Club (NEAT) gathered for its annual banquet at the Shakespeare Optimist Hall, celebrating a year of community involvement, fellowship and charitable giving.

Across the region, Remembrance Day services on Nov. 11 once again brought communities together to honour those who gave their lives in service to Canada.

The employer application process for the Canada Summer Jobs 2026 program is now open, Perth-Wellington MP John Nater announced recently, encouraging local organizations and businesses to apply for funding that helps connect young people with valuable summer work experience.

There’s new energy brewing at one of Perth County’s favourite craft beer destinations.

The Wilmot Township Quilters and Knotters are once again hard at work at Steinmann Mennonite Church near Baden, using their skills with thread and needle to help people in need around the world.

Don’t look now, but New Hamburg is creeping up the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s (PJHL) Doherty Division standings after a pair of weekend wins.

The Tavistock Royals lost for the second time during the 2025-2026 Ontario Elite Hockey League (OEHL) season, and they can look back at a second period where longtime rival Seaforth exploded offensively.

The second annual “Taste the Culture - Bite and Delight” event was a sold-out celebration of community, diversity and culinary exploration, drawing nearly 240 attendees to the Bill Gies Recreation Complex in Wellesley.

The Community Players of New Hamburg delivered a flawless performance of A Christmas Carol last week, earning a standing ovation from the audience.

Theatre Wellesley’s 27th fall show, The Curious Savage, a 1950 classic by John Patrick, is coming to the Steinmann Mennonite Church stage on Nov. 27 and 28 at 8 p.m., with matinee performances on Nov. 29 and 30 at 2 p.m.

Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School (W-ODSS) invites community members to its fall production of Silver Dagger by David French.

Sea lamprey have been called the vampires of the Great Lakes.