LOCAL HEADLINES

Kelly and Cory Robinson were among the first to pick out their Christmas tree this year, deciding an early start was the best way to get into the holiday spirit, and to take advantage of the best selection.

The Stratford and Perth County Community Foundation (SPCCF), an organization dedicated to philanthropic giving and serving as the steward of funds earmarked for local charitable causes, is looking for new board members to support its mission across Stratford, St. Marys and Perth County.

From humble beginnings in 1987, Sprucewood Tack has grown to become southwestern Ontario’s largest retailer of quality equestrian equipment and apparel. Now, they have the most visible retail operation anywhere in East Zorra-Tavistock (EZT).

After two straight days of heavy snowfall, sidewalks in Shakespeare were quickly made safe again thanks to the steady work of Perth East operator Scott Pettapiece.

A well-known and highly committed 4-H volunteer from North Easthope Township has been honoured for her dedication to local and district clubs.

The grounds of Grace United Church in Tavistock were transformed into Bethlehem on the weekend as volunteers staged Journey to the Stable, an outdoor retelling of the birth of Jesus that drew more than 100 visitors.

A group of musicians who had never played together before performed in concert last week at an event that raised funds for House of Friendship, the Waterloo Region charity that provides a wide variety of services to those in need of assistance in the community.

Wellesley only had one game over the weekend but picked up a valuable win to move two points back of first-place Woodstock in the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) standings.

Tavistock Braves players were all smiles as they mingled with the crowd during this year’s Santa Claus parade, greeting fans who have been cheering them through an impressive start to the season.

A backyard rink on Galt Street in Shakespeare is only waiting on freezing temperatures before it becomes one of the busiest spots in the neighbourhood.

Nine members of the Oxford County 4-H Dairy Classic Team returned from this year’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair feeling energized by the experience and grateful for the chance to compete on a national stage.

Members of the Perth County Holstein Breeders’ Association gathered recently for their annual meeting at the impressive new robotic dairy facility operated by Brian, Cory and Claire Vink of Vinksland Holsteins near St. Paul’s Station in Perth South.

Both the federal and provincial governments have acknowledged in recent years that rural mental health needs stronger support. Last week, that commitment took the spotlight inside the North Easthope barn of Martin Ritsma, who is not only the mayor of Stratford but also a longtime Perth County farmer.

East Zorra-Tavistock (EZT) Township’s first attempt to sell its former office was unsuccessful, prompting the municipality to pay for a pair of studies at 90 Loveys St. in Hickson.

The Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) presented its Vital Signs report to Wilmot council at the Nov. 24 meeting, showing the township is growing at a much-slower rate than the rest of the Region of Waterloo.

Real Christmas tree lovers can rejoice – Tavistock’s annual shipment of fresh, fragrant Balsam Fir trees has arrived once again.

The holiday season in Wilmot always seems to begin the same way – with music in the air, families gathering downtown and a tree lighting that has become one of the community’s longest-running and most heart-warming traditions.

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.

Updates have been scarce on the Region of Waterloo’s plan to acquire 770 acres for a future mega-industrial project, leading one opponent to accuse members of maintaining a troubling lack of transparency.

At the Nov. 24 council meeting, the proposed upgrade to the Petersburg water system – estimated at more than $3 million – was discussed, but the decision was deferred to January 2026 to allow time for public input.