ELORA – While star sightings may not materialize, a show official has confirmed a Netflix series is filming in downtown Elora next week.

A notice posted to the Centre Wellington Township website warned people who might be visiting the municipal office between April 29 and May 2 that parking would be unavailable and access to the building might be delayed.

“We are excited to share that filming for an upcoming production will take place at 1 MacDonald Square …” the notice stated.

But the notice revealed nothing about the production and, when asked, a spokesperson for the township said she was unable to share what would be filmed.

Slightly more information was provided by assistant location manager Andrew Bezuk-Greig, who was parked at the municipal office on April 26 waiting for crews to arrive.

He told the Advertiser they would be filming for season two of a Netflix series, but would not identify the series.

Asked if any big names were expected in town for the filming, Bezuk-Greig shook his head.

“It’s not that kind of show,” he said.

An area business owner said production staff had visited nearby businesses to discuss the project, and she was told they were filming the Netflix series FUBAR.

The comedy action series stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as a CIA operative on the verge of retirement who ends up working with his daughter, who unbeknownst to him, is also a CIA operative.

Township and production staff wouldn’t confirm FUBAR as the show being filmed in town.

A notification provided by Bezuk-Greig states no filming will take place between April 26 and 29.

Instead, preparation work was expected to take place on April 26 and 29, with filming to happen on April 30 and May 1.

Parking at Macdonald Square and on the south side of James Street, between Metcalfe and Price streets, was expected to be available over the weekend, but reserved again for the production starting Sunday at 7pm.

Parking around Hoffer Park is expected to be reserved for the production starting at 7pm on April 29.

Bezuk-Greig said special effects people would be coming Monday, and props would be added to the green space in front of the municipal office in preparation for filming on Tuesday and Wednesday. He said a rain date had also been planned.

“Our scene involves some folks hanging out in the middle of the square, and we’d just like to have some nice weather,” he said.

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On April 26 at approximately 11 a.m., Rich Uncle Tavern announced on Instagram that they would be closing down permanently on April 27. Run by the Ignite Group of Brands, owners of Crowsfoot in Conestogo, Rich Uncle Tavern has been known for its “charming and homely ambience to gather with old friends and find some new ones.”  

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the KW community, our team members, local suppliers, and industry partners. You all contributed to our successes throughout the years,” said the representative for the Ignite Group of Brands in their statement. 

CLIFFORD – The inaugural Life Outdoors Show is coming to the Clifford arena on May 4 and 5.

The event has over 50 vendors signed up to show off fishing and hunting gear, demos, camping equipment, homesteading tools, cottage life decor and more.

The idea for the event started when a group of local businesses met at Sarah McGoldrick’s place to discuss how they “could do more to bring people to the community from a tourism standpoint, or engage the locals more so they support the businesses in the area,” she said.

McGoldrick reached out to Belinda Wick-Graham, director of economic and community development with the Town of Minto.

Wick-Graham stated in an email to the Community News that “on average per household, Clifford’s trade area spends more than the provincial average on outdoor recreation such as recreational vehicles.

“Clifford has a large trade area, and there are numerous campgrounds and areas for outdoor recreation within close proximity – so the idea for an Outdoor Recreation Show made a lot of sense.”

McGoldrick added “all of Wellington County, if you look at it from a broader perspective, is very much outdoor-focused in a lot of the things that we offer for visitors and locals.”

Some organizations attending the outdoors show include the Bruce Trail Conservancy and the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority.

McGoldrick said the groups will show there “are parks right in our own backyard that don’t require a lot of geography to get to there. And a lot of people [who are] new to the area may not even know that these are available.”

Guest speakers are also invited to talk to attendees about individual passions.

McGoldrick said there will be an expert in beekeeping coming  and someone known as the “Worm Wrangler,” whose topic is teaching people the “right way” to compost with worms.

She added the event “doesn’t have to be [just about] recreational outdoors. It can also be a bit of your own backyard too,” and “how you can just enjoy the outdoor space around you.”

Food trucks will be there and the Clifford Rotary Club is offering a barbecue.

“We wanted to make this an event too, where it would make a difference,” said McGoldrick.

Admission is by donation and proceeds go to the Rotary Club, which will use the funds for “community betterment.”

“This area is beautiful. It’s there for [the community] to enjoy, and hopefully this event will help them see some new people and companies and groups who can help,” said McGoldrick. 

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GUELPH – Music echoed through the halls of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School on Wednesday evening. 

The Wellington Catholic District School Board’s second annual Battle of the Bands brought over 100 enthusiastic students, parents and teachers to the school on April 24. 

It was an evening full of musical performances, with eight opening acts followed by the competition featuring three bands, each representing a Guelph Catholic high school, battling it out. 

The host school got to keep the winning trophy this year, as the Lourdes band You Might Be Sleeping claimed first place. 

The competition was judged by Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie alongside Lourdes teacher Brian Gillis.

“All the bands were totally killer,” Gillis said. 

Decoration of Time from Bishop Macdonnell Catholic High School played Radiohead’s Creep, an original song called Fly Away, and the Beatles’ While My Guitar Gently Weeps. 

Guthrie described the set as “tight,” and compared the band’s Beatles cover to Prince’s – “that’s how good you were.”

And the band gave both cover songs their own sound, Guthrie added.

Gillis said Decoration of Time remind him of Sloan.  

It was good to see the musicians switching instruments throughout the set, he said, describing their “excellent dynamics” and “super melodic vocal deliveries.” 

“You guys are going somewhere, 100 per cent.”

That’s what Guthrie said of St. James Catholic High School’s band Tortugal Sacrifice. 

“You might not think the mayor is into screamo, but I totally am at the end of a long day,” he added.

Guthrie described the band’s transitions, stage presence and confidence as “phenomenal” and the vocals as “freaking awesome.”  

Gillis called the band, which won last year’s Battle of the Bands competition, fabulous, sophisticated and “really, really impressive.”   

Back in his day, Tortugal Sacrifice “would have fit in so healthily” at old Guelph bars the Shadow and Trasheteria, he said.  

Of the winning band, Lourdes’ You Might Be Sleeping, Guthrie said, “The over all tone was phenomenal and the confidence in the whole band was great. You really owned it.”

He added the band reminded him of an Islandic band called Leaves. 

The use of a vocal pedal gave the set a dreamy, atmospheric feel, bringing the audience in, he said. 

You Might Be Sleeping’s set left some students so moved it brought them to tears.

“Seriously, really well done,” the mayor said. 

Gillis said he has been impressed watching the band progress and improve throughout its time at Our Lady of Lourdes. 

He called the band sentimental and brave and said the juxtaposition between the band’s “big percussion and airy guitar was a great fusion,” he said. 

Event emcee and Our Lady of Lourdes teacher Anne-Marie Kane said the performances throughout the evening went beyond talent – showcasing the time the students took to perfect their sets. 

Gillis called all the musicians a “super impressive group” and said he is “super excited to see all the bands play more gigs.” 

You Might Be Sleeping is set to play at Silence Sounds in Guelph on April 27 as part of GAIN Fest, and the band will be releasing its first album soon.

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WELLINGTON NORTH – Cracks, erosion, exposed steel, corroded rebar, misaligned rails, and concrete chunks missing.

It’s time for four bridges crossing the Conestogo River along Wellington Road 109, built by the province in the 1930s, to be replaced.

Responsibility for the bridges was handed down to Wellington County in 1998, and they have since fallen into an “advanced state of deterioration.”

Some of the bridges don’t meet current standards, or have the ability to handle flooding. If the bridges aren’t replaced, weight restrictions and outright closures are in store.

That analysis comes from a 159-page WSP Canada environmental assessment report published in April.

The county commissioned WSP to conduct the assessment and examine options for dealing with the four rigid-frame and barrel-arched bridges — all of which run along a 3km stretch east of the Highway 6 and Wellington Road 109 intersection in Arthur.

Complete replacement of the bridges was recommended by the Thornhill-based consultant.

The other choices were repair, realigning Wellington Road 109, or doing nothing.

This map illustrates the locations of four Wellington Road 109 bridges to be replaced. Image from WSP environmental assessment

The replacements could cost $16 million, but that’s a preliminary estimate provided by WSP, and as the county has experienced as of late, the project’s price tag is almost certain to change.

The early estimate also doesn’t consider the cost of relocating utilities, such as hydro poles and lines.

The federal government has committed to providing the county with $4.2 million toward the total project cost, which is budgeted in the county’s 10-year plan at $18.25 million.

With the environmental assessment complete, early drafts of bridge designs from multi-national engineering firm Gannett Fleming are being reviewed.

County roads manager Joe de Koning anticipates construction beginning in the latter half of 2025.

A construction schedule isn’t finalized, but de Koning said the county wants the work wrapped up in under four years.

It’s expected the county will have a better idea about the project’s scale with more calibrated designs from Gannett Fleming by the fall.

Each bridge would be replaced by a welded plate or concrete girder design, estimated to cost between $3.4 and $4.2 million per bridge. Asphalt repaving between the bridges is also planned.

Two-way traffic will be maintained at the bridge closest to the Tim Hortons and gas station near the Highway 6 intersection, and at a second bridge, a little over halfway between Arthur and 1st Line.

The number of lanes at the other two bridges between 1st Line and Sideroad 7 is not known, but the county is pushing for two-way traffic at each location.

Known as “B109132” or “Conestogo River Bridge #6,” this bridge is located a couple hundred metres east of Highway 6 in Wellington North. Built by the province in 1931, recent assessments have found it to be in a severe state of deterioration, with several cracks exposed reinforcing steel and a collapsed retaining wall – to name some of the issues. Photo by Jordan Snobelen

Wellington North Mayor and county Warden Andy Lennox said traffic management will be challenging.

The idea of working on two bridges at a time to get the work out of the way sooner was discussed at a recent county roads committee meeting, Lennox said.

The WSP analysis noted 2018 data suggesting nearly 8,100 vehicles travel along the regional transportation route each day.

Trucks accounted for 17 per cent of that traffic, and large farm equipment and horse-drawn carriages also rely on the roadway. Traffic volume is projected to increase to 8,570 vehicles per day by 2025.

WSP also considered realigning Wellington 109, which would create a new roadway and eliminate three of the existing bridges with only a single river crossing.

However, the estimated cost was pegged at $23 million, and the project would cut through farms, create more sideroads, require extensive archaeological assessments, affect drainage, and slightly increase travel time.

Elsewhere on Wellington Road 109, Cambridge-based Brantco Construction repaved a section between the county’s border with Dufferin and Wellington Road 16 last summer.

And the county recently awarded a $2.62-million contract to the same company to repave Wellington Road 109 between Teviotdale and Harriston.

Work on the 10km stretch is expected to begin in late May and finish mid-summer.

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GUELPH – Torchlight Services turns 50 this year and that’s cause for celebration, says executive director Patty Coté-Duncanson.

It’s also cause for reflection on the enormous changes that have occurred for the agency, which now provides day programs for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

That’s not how Torchlight began, Coté-Duncanson said as she offered a tour of the facility at 78 Carden St., right across the street from the Guelph Central Station bus terminal.

Torchlight began in 1974 as an agency that provided paid work for people with disabilities.

“The idea was it would give people with disabilities something to do,” Coté-Duncanson said.

“It also provided a workplace where they were accepted. And they could have their own spending money.

“They could do excellent work if given the opportunity.”

The agency found contracts with local businesses for piecework – simple assembly of items or packaging nuts and bolts to be included with other products, for example.

The agency was paid for the contract and that covered overhead costs for the building. There was also enough for the workers to be paid a stipend.

In 1980, Torchlight started its Community Options program, where staff helped clients with resumes and getting jobs in the community.

“It was good, but it was hard on staff,” Coté-Duncanson said of Community Options, noting some clients had mental health issues and didn’t always show up for work.

It became increasingly difficult to find workplaces that would take on these clients.

But over time there was a general shift in thinking on how to treat people with developmental disabilities and in 2015 the province began transitioning away from sheltered workplaces.

By 2019, agencies that had not transitioned were shut down.

“Some people thought these sheltered workspaces were little sweat shops. They weren’t ever that,” Coté-Duncanson stressed.

“Our clients felt productive. They were happy to go to work. But someone complained, and it blew up from there.”

Coté-Duncanson said 2018 and 2019 were tough years.

“If we didn’t transition properly, we would be shut down. So we had to let go of our contracts,” she said.

“We had to tell people they could no longer work here. It was a difficult time.”

The Community Options program ended as well, and the agency started looking for a new home. It moved to Carden Street in 2021.

Now Torchlight runs day programs for people with developmental disabilities at its new downtown location, and participants pay a fee to attend. 

Broadly, the programs teach skills for independence, active living, social opportunities and community engagement. But daily they include the interests and wishes of participants as much as possible.

“We are so proud of it now,” Coté-Duncanson said. “We went through such a hard time with the transition. We thought we’d never recover. But we did.”

The day programs cost $35 per day but Passport funding – moneys provided by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to individuals with developmental disabilities – can be used to cover the cost.

On a chilly day in April, the place was pumping and the music thumping as members of the Heartbeats Club engaged in some exercise. There was lots of laughing and cheering.

On that same day a small group was on an outing to visit a fish shop – not quite the same as visiting Marineland, which was what the group originally wanted to do, but participants were satisfied with the substitution.

Other outings include swimming, nature hikes, bowling and occasionally they take in a show at the River Run Centre.

Torchlight Services has had some rough patches over its 50-year history, but is on firm ground now, says executive director Patty Coté-Duncanson. Photo by Joanne Shuttleworth

“We take a holistic approach,” explained program coordinator Kim Court. “The focus is getting participants into the community on their outings.”

And it’s also to provide activities participants want to do, she said.

So there’s a stocked kitchen with multiple cooking stations. Participants learn to make every aspect of a meal, rather than working in an assembly line, and then they eat the meal together.

There are games and movie nights. There’s woodworking and other crafts in the basement, where participants in the Ignite program can make things to sell.

They set up their booth at local markets and events in town. They also sell items from Torchlight.

Martin Kuttelwascher oversees the woodworking program. It’s not a full workshop, but there are saws and drills, paint and sandpaper, and a healthy donation of reclaimed wood for projects.

Some projects are suggested by participants; others come from staff.

Back in April they were making doll-size Adirondack chairs. The project allowed some to work the saws and drills, some to assemble the pieces once they were cut, and others to paint and do other finishing work. Participants rotate through the various jobs.

“The idea is to learn the basics,” Kuttelwascher said. “We’re always trying to come up with new ideas.”

Participants make and sell cards, their woodworking projects, and with a couple of sewing machines at the site, they also sew bags and scarves to sell.

Participants of Ignite get to keep the money when items are sold.

Coté-Duncanson said the agency has some new board members and is hiring more staff as there are now 60 participants in the day programs.

Most are in Guelph, but residents of Wellington County are welcome if they can get themselves to the site. Coté-Duncanson said there are a few out-of-towners who attend regularly.

Finally, after a tumultuous few years, the agency is back on firm ground, she said.

“But many people still don’t know we exist.”

So to celebrate its 50th anniversary, Torchlight is rolling out the welcome mat to the community at large. It is holding an open house on June 15 from noon to 4pm at 78 Carden St.

There will be food, music, tours of the building, demonstrations, and a whole lot of fun, officials say.

Torchlight is holding a 50/50 raffle and issuing a special 50th anniversary cookbook, for which it is seeking advertisers.

For details on all Torchlight events and programs, visit torchlightservices.ca or its Facebook page, or email info@torchlightservices.ca.

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KITCHENER – Centre Wellington residents Bryce Richardson and Tim Porter are heading to the 2024 summer games – the Canada 55+ Summer Games that is.

“We’re still in shock,” Richardson said of learning that he and his pickleball partner had qualified for the national competition.

He and Porter competed in the Ontario Senior Games Association’s 65+ men’s doubles pickleball tournament in Kitchener on April 16, placing silver and earning them a berth in the Canada-wide competition.

The Canada 55+ Games is a biennial event, taking place this year from Aug. 27 to 30 in Quebec City.

Approximately 2,500 participants from across the country are expected to attend, competing in events that range from track and field, floor shuffleboard and golf to table tennis, slo-pitch, swimming and more.

Porter and Richardson will be focused on one event – pickleball – a sport Richardson said they took up because it’s easier than tennis.

“We’re originally tennis players,” he said, noting he has a court in his backyard and still plays that sport, too.

Richardson took up pickleball seven years ago, and Porter has been playing for about two years, he said.

“It’s the fastest growing sport in North America, so there’s nothing hotter these days,” said Richardson.

The popularity of the sport means competition for space to play can be fierce, but luckily Richardson can practise in his own backyard.

He said he expects the national tournament to be as competitive as it gets, but he and his partner are “as good as anybody.”

In preparation, they will continue to practise, do their best to stay healthy, and generally “keep doing what we’re doing,” he said.

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GUELPH – Students from Mexico said they got a real feel for Canadian life during the time they spent visiting Guelph schools this spring.  

The Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) welcomed over 100 students to Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School and St. Michael, St. Paul, Mary Phelan and St. Ignatious of  Loyola  Catholic elementary schools. 

Two groups of students visited Ontario from March 18 to 29 and April 2 to 12, on a trip organized by the Muskoka Language International Education Group (MLIEG).

The students are in Grades 6 through 11 and attend four different schools in Mexico City. 

The WCDSB partnered with MLIEG  to show the Mexican students what attending school in Canada is like, and to give the local students an opportunity to get to know the visitors and learn about their culture.

MLIEG chief operating officer Cheryl Lee said board officials, principals and teachers showed a “warmth, flexibility and genuine curiosity” and excitement for the students that was “precious.” 

“The kids felt so included by the schools,” she said, and they were welcomed with signs and flags.

“One school had cut out Mexican and Canadian flags and made frames around poster boards down the hallways,” she said.   

On April 12, their last day visiting Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School, the Mexican students shared a cultural presentation with the Canadian students. They played Mexican music including El Payaso del Rodeo, a popular party song, and also had fun with La Loteria, a traditional Mexican board game similar to bingo, and a piñata. Photo by Robin George

Bishop Macdonell principal Stephen Gulyas said school officials jumped at the chance to have the Mexican students visit, because “we like to have any opportunity to embrace and get to know other cultures.

“So we reached out to our students for volunteers to be buddies,” who each paired with a visiting student and was responsible for showing them around and bringing them to class. 

“We had way more students than expected reach out and really wanted to be a part of it,” Gulyas said. 

And it was the same with Bishop Mac teachers – when asked who wanted to have a student from Mexico attend their classes, “the response was overwhelming,” he said.

The Advertiser spoke with four of the visiting students about their trip: 15-year-old Regina Soltero and 14-year-olds Mariano Hernandez, Max Fernandez and Tania Velez.

For Soltero, getting to know her buddy Kaylee was the highlight of her trip.

Soltero said the Canadians she met were kind and “always so open to everyone. I think it’s amazing, honestly.”

Hernandez shared this sentiment, saying everyone he met was respectful and very nice.

“I made a Chinese friend and learned a lot about his culture,” he added.   

Fernandez said he was impressed by the diversity of Canadian culture and how “everyone has an open mind.” 

He enjoyed listening to new music that his Canadian peers introduced to him,  from all his favourite genres, especially pop and R&B. 

He was also impressed by the athletic ability of Canadian students, particularly playing basketball.

Bella Chapel was one of the Bishop Macdonell students who took a turn hitting the piñata. Photo by Robin George

The Mexican students watched a Bishop Mac hockey game and participated in a range of activities, including scavenger hunts and athletic games during the trip, Gulyas said.

And they were “extremely courageous in their willingness to get involved in activities at the school. 

“We were a little bit worried they might be nervous and take time to become acclimated, but they got involved right away,” he said.

Fernandez had just one complaint about the trip: the weather. “It’s too cold,” he told the Advertiser on a blustery April day. 

The students spent six full school days at Bishop Mac, during which they attended four classes each day. 

“We tried to give them a full experience of what high school would be like in Canada, by giving them a mix of core and optional credits, Gulyas said. 

The students found Bishop Mac very different from their schools in Mexico City.

One thing that stood out to Velez is the length of the classes – at her school in Mexico they attend eight classes per day that are 50 minutes long, where as at Bishop Mac there are four classes per day that are each almost two hours long. 

Fernandez said he was surprised by certain classes, including nutrition: “In Mexico I have never seen a class that teaches people how to cook or classes that help us in our daily lives.” 

Soltero said classes were very different from lessons back home – more “interesting, exciting and funny.” 

Hernandez agreed, saying, “I didn’t get bored in any class.”

His favourite class was geography. He said before showing up at the school he felt nervous, but after the first day he felt sure it was a safe place and he could socialize.

Nick Tarchanin is the Muskoka Language International Education Group program coordinator for the group of students visiting from Mexico. Photo by Robin George

The students stayed at Campfire Circle Rainbow Lake in Waterford, where they slept in cabins and studied survival skills, Indigenous studies and outdoor education. 

During their stay in Canada, Lee said the students played soccer in the snow, saw the solar eclipse, and visited Niagara Falls, the CN Tower and the Eaton Centre. 

Lee said it’s the first time MLIEG has hosted a program where the students stay at a camp (rather than in homes) and she is “very hopeful we can run this again next year. 

“Talk from the Mexico side is fully interested and hopefully we can do this again” too, she added. 

And from Gulyas’ perspective, “It was a great experience for our students and for the students from Mexico as well. We would certainly do it again.”

Lee expressed hope the trip would encourage the students to consider coming back to Canada to study or to visit. 

“I love Canada,” Soltero said. “If I could, I would make my life here.”

She spoke with the Advertiser the day before returning home, and she said she felt sad to be leaving, but was hoping to convince her parents to bring her back for a family vacation – “to see my friends again.

“I made a really strong bond with them. I don’t want to break that,” Soltero said. 

They exchanged phone numbers to keep in touch.

Bishop Macdonell High School student Andre Espinel takes his turn hitting the piñata. Photo by Robin George

Velez said she also formed close bonds with her buddy Abby and the group of friends Abby introduced her to.

Velez said she signed up to visit Canada “because I knew it would be special in my life,” but added the trip exceeded her expectations. 

She hopes to return to Canada to attend college.

“I leave with not a doubt that I will be very happy if I live here,” she said. 

And she recommends Canadians visit Mexico too. 

Hernandez too,  shared hopes of returning. 

“I will ask my parents if I can study here next year,” he said. “It’s a very good school.” 

And while Fernandez doesn’t want to study here himself, he hopes his own children will go to school in Canada. 

When asked if there’s anything else he’d like to add, Fernandez proudly exclaimed “¡Viva México!”

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TORONTO – On April 15 Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae tabled the Growing Agritourism Act.

“Agritourism is ripe for growth over the coming years in Perth-Wellington and across Ontario,” Rae said in a press release. 

“This legislation, if passed, will remove barriers to investment, provide consistency across Ontario’s agritourism providers, and ensure participants are aware of the inherent risks associated with farm activities.”

The proposed legislation aims to mitigate some risks involved with agritourism operations on farms across the province, according to the release.

 To benefit from the liability protections in the bill, agritourism operators would be required to clearly inform visitors of the inherent risks associated with farm operations.

“Thank you to MPP Rae for tabling this piece of legislation,” Farm Fresh Ontario board chair and Downey’s Farm Market owner Darlene Downey stated in the release.

“We are grateful for his leadership in putting forth the Growing Agritourism Act. This act will give peace of mind to farm operators across Ontario, allowing us to continue to welcome visitors to our homes and farms, sharing our passion for agriculture through fun and educational experiences,” Downey added.

The legislation would be the first of its kind in Canada, according to the release, and would remove barriers to investment in the agritourism sector in Ontario.

“This bill will serve as a benchmark for the rest of Canada to strive towards,” Rae stated. 

“Many of our farm families in Perth-Wellington, and across Ontario, are choosing to offer agritourism activities on their farms. They are opening their homes to the public to share their love of the land and animals. It is important we ensure all parties know the inherent risks associated with walking on to an active farm operation,” he continued.

In 2022, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture conducted a local food and agritourism survey of its membership. 

At least 40 per cent of respondents suggested they would sell value-added products ranging from baked goods and wool to preserves and prepared meals, as well as providing on-farm experiences. 

Agritourism provides opportunities to diversify farm income and raise awareness of the farm and agriculture sector with urban neighbours, states the release.

The Growing Agritourism Act is Rae’s second Private Members Bill since being elected two years ago, the release notes. 

The Life Lease Act, aiming to improve transparency and accountability for life lease communities, was the MPP’s first. 

He also introduced Motion 63, calling on the provincial government to build out its clean, green nuclear fleet, the release notes.

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PALMERSTON – After not winning a championship title since 2003, the Minto 81’s captured the inaugural Ontario Elite Hockey League (OEHL) Senior AA championship on March 30.

The OEHL’s inaugural season featured 10 teams from the former Western Ontario Athletic Association (WOAA) Senior AA loop.

Rick Fisk, who has served as manager of the Minto 81’s for 21 years, explained to the Community News there are now 11 teams in the division.

Fisk added that “big teams” such as the Dundas Real McCoys play for the Allan Cup every year in Canada.

“So now we’re considered AA, but starting next year, we can challenge to go into that tournament,” said Fisk.

“That’s part of the reason we went to the OHA league instead of WOAA.” 

The OEHL is a member of the Ontario Hockey Association or OHA.

Fisk explained that the Minto 81’s are “supposedly one level below” OHA teams like Dundas, which currently holds the Allan Cup championship title.

“We could challenge them to a playoff series. If we beat them, we would get to go to the Allan Cup. 

“So that’s something to look forward to and build on. And that gets the interest of these young guys to have the chance to play in something like that,” said Fisk.

The 81’s, who play out of Palmerston, defeated three teams to win the OEHL league: Seaforth in the first round, four games to two, Creemore in the semis 4-1, then Tavistock in the final (who the 81’s lost to in the first round last season). 

The 81’s defeated Tavistock four straight games in the final series, sealing the championship with a 5-2 win in game four, led by Riley Cribbin’s four-goal effort.

“In the final series, we had over 900 people in the stands,” said Fisk.

Having been involved with the team for 25 years, including 21 as manager, Fisk has certainly witnessed “some ups and downs.”

However, he added, “We’ve built a hell of a hockey team.

“This is the best hockey team I’ve ever been involved with … this year the average age, I’m guessing, is 26/27. A lot of them are ex-Junior B or Junior A players or university players, and they just get along so well. It’s just a great bunch of young men.”

The 81’s team used to practice once a week, but now only play on weekends since many players are either still in university, or have jobs that may not be close to their home rink in Palmerston.

“If you talk to them, all of them will say they can’t wait until the weekend comes because they get together to play hockey,” Fisk said.

“They’ve just really gelled … they’re a great bunch of guys and we’re really fortunate. And then the coaching has been excellent. They’ve done a heck of a job.”

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HILLSBURGH – Ontario High School Rodeo Association (OHSRA), a division of National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA), held its first event of the season in Clinton last weekend. 

For some competitors, like Amber Gregson of Hillsburgh, the Clinton Spring Fling rodeo marks the beginning of their final season with OHSRA.

NHSRA was created in 1947, and is an international non-profit organization “dedicated to the development of sportsmanship, horsemanship and the sport of rodeo,” officials state. The association has members from 42 states, five provinces and from Australia.

OHSRA’s mission is to “promote the positive image of rodeo, preserve the western heritage and maintain the highest regard for livestock.” 

Popular shows like Paramount Network’s Yellowstone have spiked interest in the competitive equestrian sport of rodeo, specifically rough stock and timed events. But for Amber Gregson and her mother Victoria Gregson it has been a way of life.

The Wellington Advertiser spent some time on the Gregson farm recently, where Amber said she has trained her horse Hoss “since he was a baby. This will be Hoss’s maturing year, his first year competing,” Amber said.  

Goat tying – Amber Gregson competes at OHSRA’s Ancaster Fall Fair event in November of 2023. Submitted photos.

Victoria explained that horses can run as four of five year olds in their maturity year. “He’s big and to build his confidence more we held him back. So, he is running as a five,” she said.

Growing up in the renowned horse country of Erin, Victoria passes on her love of riding to her daughter. Victoria began barrel racing when she was 13, and still does today. At one time, she won the title of Ontario Rodeo Queen in a competition that involved a series of elements including horsemanship.

Amber, a 17-year-old Grade 12 student at Erin District High School, has been a rodeo competitor since she was five. Of the ten events available to compete in with OHSRA, Amber focuses on barrel racing, goat tying, pole bending and breakaway roping. Amber joined the Junior OHSRA when she was in Grade 6, and has continued on through to this, her final year.

In the past few years, OHSRA has introduced Lil Buckaroos for students in kindergarten through Grade 4 and adjusted their Junior High School Rodeo program to begin in Grade 5 rather than Grade 6, and run through to Grade 8.

The OHSRA is highly competitive, so much so that “girls from New York have come up to join us,” Gregson said. Amber has had measurable success as a competitor including winning the title of champion on her horse Big Chief at the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) championship in 2019.

“The sport has grown so much,” Gregson said from the stands at the Clinton Agricultural Arena on Sunday. “It never used to be this busy.”

The Advertiser took in the event on Sunday. The skill and control exhibited by even the youngest competitors as they worked with their horses was impressive. The friendship and respect amongst peers was evident. 

OHSRA student board of directors president Olivia Jamieson said, “OHSRA is a place where anyone should feel at home. Absolutely anyone attending elementary or high school can be part of this amazing association.”

Jamieson added that she has made many friends through the association and has developed life skills like leadership, dedication and commitment “while focusing on the importance of education and sportsmanship.” 

“It’s an amazing way to allow our next generation of cowboys and cowgirls to learn about rodeo, horsemanship and most importantly, having fun,” Jamieson said. 

Amber confirms the value in building relationships that OHSRA provides. She said that one of things she likes most about competing is the “family it creates around you.”

She also values “the amount of knowledge you gain each and every day. With horses, you can never learn enough. There is always something to improve on.”

For Amber, Sunday’s Spring Fling in Clinton was a success. “Hoss did well in all events for his first rodeo. I was mostly impressed with his poles, as that is a harder event. He tried his heart out for me and that is all I wanted.”

Dismount – In goat tying events, contestants can dismount as their horses are sliding to a stop, or when they are still running. Amber Gregson makes the dismount from Bam at OHSRA’s Ancaster Fall Fair event, November 2023. Submitted photos

In the fall, Amber plans to take an online pre-health course and hopes to be able to “squeeze in riding when possible.” Her goal is to become a paramedic.

As for competing, Amber said she will most likely continue barrel racing with the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) and the Ontario Barrel Racing Association (OBRA), and maybe compete in a few Rawhide Rodeos that are sanctioned in Canada and the U.S. by the International Pro Rodeo Association (IPRA).

Barrel racing: three barrels are set in a triangular pattern and riders round each one. Lowest time wins. Knocking down or touching a barrel adds time penalties.

Breakaway roping: riders tie the end of rope to a thin string that is designed to break away from the saddle horn when the calf is roped, and the string becomes taut. 

Goat tying: competitors dismount their horse when it is still running or sliding to a stop. They must flip the staked out goat on its side and tie together three of its legs, then signal with hands to indicate they have completed the run. The event is timed, and the goat must stay tied for six seconds or more.

Pole bending: this timed event tests the speed and agility as horse and rider weave twice through a course of six poles placed in a straight line, 21’ apart. 

 There are two opportunities to take in OHSRA events locally this May in Hillsburgh. Go to ohsra.ca for details.

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CENTRE WELLINGTON –  Township staff are introducing a pilot program to keep speeding in check.

New signs will soon go up announcing new 40km/h speed limits in the neighbourhood of York Road, Elora. All the streets in the neighbourhood – York Street East between Waterloo and Bridge streets – will soon have speeds of 40km/h.

Council approved the project last year and signs are expected to be installed in the coming weeks.

“A common concern we hear from residents is speeding on residential roads,” stated Mayor Shawn Watters in a press release.  

“By decreasing the speed in specific areas identified by our Speed Limit and Traffic Calming review, we can improve roadway safety for all ages, and create liveable and safe neighbourhoods for our residents.” 

Township staff developed a Speed Limit Policy and Technical Approach for reviewing speed limits, assessing speeding concerns, and implementing effective speed reduction measures in urban and rural areas.  

Part of this process includes reviewing posted speed limits and speeding concerns on an annual basis.  

The York Street East neighbourhood was selected by staff and endorsed by council in part by the Speed Limit Policy and concerns brought forward as part of the township’s “Report It” speed concern portal on the website.  

The street layout and the number of reported concerns made this area an ideal setting for the pilot program. 

Gateway signage has been installed on York Street East to educate residents about the speed reduction, and all signage will be up in May or June.

The intent is for drivers to see the gateway signs and adjust their driving habits before the program comes into effect.  

Gateway signs serve as a visual reminder for drivers to adjust their speed before they reach the official speed limit signs. This proactive measure could help reduce accidents and create a safer environment for residents and drivers alike.

“Educating drivers about the new speed limit through signage and giving them time to adjust their driving habits beforehand can help promote compliance and reduce collisions,” stated Sergeant Kevin Driscoll of the Wellington County OPP Traffic Management Unit.

The York Street pilot project represents a continued exploration of methods to improve the well-being and safety of township streets and neighbourhoods.   

For more information visit connectcw.ca/40kmpilot.

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KENILWORTH – The new owner of the Personal Empowerment Studio in downtown Mount Forest is receiving a township grant.

Melanie Needham now runs the studio, with space offered to local health organizations, according to a report to council from township community and economic development manager Mandy Jones.

Needham wants to provide the space to The Grove Hub for free youth mental health services, and also wants to launch a sensory-based program for people with autism.

“Part of this programming would include offering swinging hammocks, infrared light therapy, and music,” Jones wrote in her April 8 report.

But the older building’s ceilings can’t handle the weight of the hammocks and reinforcing structures would need to be built within the studio area to handle the added weight.

The township’s Community Improvement Grant – $35,000 has been budgeted this year – will provide $5,000 to help pay for the total estimated $14,500 cost of the structure.

Needham did not respond to a message seeking comment.

Since the program was launched in 2012, the township has provided 160 applicants with $472,993 for improvements, with applicants contributing $3.62 million.

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WELLINGTON COUNTY – From humble beginnings as a common backdrop in many gardens, hydrangea plants continue to be one of the most popular landscape plants today. 

And with the advent of hybridization and development of new cultivars it isn’t too difficult to find one that fits in your garden.

Despite popular belief, hydrangeas aren’t too difficult to take care of, provided you plant them in the right spot. 

Some types prefer shade over sun, and they need to be well watered and fertilized until they are established. If you’ve chosen the right variety, they should bloom happily for many years.

One of the most common mistakes in caring for hydrangeas is how and when to prune. 

Unfortunately, pruning at the wrong time can result in no blooms the following year.

Thankfully, there are only two options of when to prune hydrangeas — and once you know which column your plant fits under, it’s an easy routine.

Type 1: plant blooms on old wood

This means the plant will set its buds in the fall, on the current year’s growth.

Pruning this type of hydrangea will result in loss of the buds, and no blooming. They should be pruned in the summer, shortly after blooms are finished.

Remove spent blooms back to a strong set of buds, and prune any poor performing stems.

The major types of hydrangeas in this category are: Hydrangea macrophylla (bigleaf and mophead types, such as lacecap cultivars), Hydrangea anomola subsp. petiolaris (climbing) and Hydrangea quercifolia (oakleaf). 

This Hydrangea macrophylla Endless Summer blooms on old wood and should be pruned in summer after it blooms. Photos by Heather Rajotte

Type 2: plant blooms on new wood 

This means buds are formed during spring and early summer on that year’s new growth.

These types of hydrangeas should be pruned in late winter or early spring. 

I recommend leaving the spent flower heads on in the winter as many birds enjoy them for nesting material. 

In early spring, deadhead back to a strong set of buds and remove any spent stems back to the ground. 

These types of hydrangeas will also tolerate an overall hard cut to the ground when overgrown or needed. 

The major types in this category are: Hydrangea paniculata (panicle, such as Pee Gee and Limelight cultivars), and Hydrangea arborescens (smooth, such as Annabelle)

Of course there are a couple new cultivars that bloom on both old and new wood, such as the Endless Summer series.

These plants require almost no pruning – just removal of dead stems in the spring, and deadheading only if desired after blooming.

Proper pruning of your hydrangea will result in bountiful blooms all season long, and doesn’t require much effort. 

Grab your pruners and try it!

***

Written by Heather Rajotte, Guelph Wellington Master Gardeners

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