When Stratford residents pick up their trees this spring through the Festival Hydro Tree Power program, the city will be edging closer to a significant environmental milestone – nearly 1,000 new trees planted in just five years.

Stratford diners will have a chance to explore the flavours, music and stories of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) later this month as the Provocation Ideas Festival launches its 2026 Flavours of Home dinner series at Foster’s Inn.

More than 100 walkers braved the late-winter chill in New Hamburg Feb. 28 for the ninth annual Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser in support of the Wilmot and Wellesley Resource Centre (WWRC), raising $44,000 and counting to help local residents experiencing hunger, homelessness and poverty.