The Beacon Herald
PILED HIGH
Tahirih Mcdonnell chips away at the large snow pile on her front lawn on Dufferin Street Friday afternoon.
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CHILLED OUT
Heather Mckay waits for a bus on Cawston Street on Thursday morning in Stratford. A band of freezing rain – accompanied by lightning – moved through the area on Wednesday evening, leaving many surfaces coated in ice on Thursday before temperatures...
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LATE-WINTER THAW
As the temperature rises and the ice at Lake Victoria melts, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority is warning people to be cautious around area waterways.
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Adult Learning Programs of Perth supports Stratford learners
Adults in Stratford looking to upgrade their skills, return to school or gain confidence navigating today's digital world have access to a wide range of free educational supports through Adult Learning Programs of Perth. Funded by the Ontario Ministry...
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Stratford manufacturer gets funding boost from province
A Stratford manufacturer is getting a significant financial boost from the province that will help bring more than three-dozen new jobs to Southwestern Ontario. Perth-wellington MPP Matthew Rae announced Friday that Accumetal Manufacturing Inc. will...
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TAKING FLIGHT
A duck takes flight off a patch of open water along TJ Dolan Drive in Stratford on Thursday afternoon.
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TAKING ON WINTER
Rick Kennedy clears the snow build-up at the front of his Simcoe Street driveway on Wednesday afternoon.
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Regional unemployment rose to nearly five per cent last month
Unemployment in the Stratford-bruce Peninsula reached nearly five per cent last month, the Four County Labour Market Planning Board reported on Friday. According to the release, unemployment increased by 0.9 percentage points to 4.9 per cent in...
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CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES
Work on the O'loane Avenue sanitary trunk extension continued Friday at the corner of O'loane and Huron Street in Stratford. Construction has lasted several months from Riddell Drive to Galt Road but is expected to wrap up within a couple of weeks, one...
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CHIPPING AWAY
Steve Johnston took some time Thursday morning to chip away at the ice at the end of his John Street driveway in Stratford. More snow is expected on Friday with temperatures plummeting into the weekend.
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PROTESTING HEALTH-CARE CUTS
Kevin Cook the first vice-president of CUPE-OCHU, spoke to around 14 union members during a Tuesday rally outside of Perth-wellington MPP Matthew Rae's office. The union claims the provincial government is making cuts to health care while 73,000...
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Can Stratford learn from Kitchener when it comes to Grand Trunk rehabilitation
Stratford needs a proper vision for the Grand Trunk site. That stark appraisal comes from Cory Bluhm, executive director of economic development for the City of Kitchener. “I think the key for us is every parcel we look at is a strategic opportunity...
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FROSTY FUN
A steady stream of people bundled up and headed to Upper Queen's Park for Stratford Winterfest on Saturday. This year's event featured games, performances, food trucks and other activities.
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WINTERFEST WEEKEND
Stratford Winterfest committee member MJ Thomson places a sign for the event at Upper Queen's Park on Friday. This year's event is set for Saturday, with games, performances, food trucks and other activities at Upper Queen's Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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WINTER WALK
Ryan Stark and Rosie, his two-year-old German shepherd, braved a Thursday afternoon snow squall to go for a walk during another wintry day in Stratford.
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Conestoga's Stratford future in doubt after campus listed for lease
Less than six months after opening a brand new campus on Erie Street, and with a presence in the Festival City that dates back to 1969, the future of Conestoga College in Stratford is in doubt. The new campus -- touted by college officials last year...
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IDEAL CONDITIONS
Conditions were perfect on the weekend for families to hit the hills in Stratford. Marcas Mcdonnell took a few trips down the Stratford Festival hill on his dad Quintin's original GT Snow Racer, while little sister Eva kept a close eye on things. Remco...
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GREAT LAKES CUP
Huron-perth Lakers U14 forward Mark Richardson tries to squeeze past a Soo Greyhounds player after a dump-in during the second period of Friday's game at the Rotary Complex. The U14 and U12 Lakers are hosting the Great Lakes Cup tournament at arenas...
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A `LIGHT' SNOW
Kevin Petrie of Destination Stratford clears snow on Thursday morning from Market Square and the Chronoharp exhibit that's part of Lights On Stratford's Winter Festival of Lights. The interactive installation was closed on Thursday as crews cleaned up...
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SAMPLE SIZE
Jay Ford, from Work Pub and Eatery, serves up taco soup on Saturday at the Rotary Complex during the annual Soup's On fundraiser for the Alzheimer Society Huron Perth.
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A BUMPY RIDE
Mild temperatures and rain this week have left potholes on several Stratford streets. Public works crews have been trying to keep up with the broken asphalt, and residents can report potholes at stratford.ca.
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SWEET WEEKEND SWEEP
Stratford Warriors' players celebrate after Coen Galbraith's first-period goal against Lasalle on Friday at Allman Arena. Stratford won 6-2 and opened 2026 with a weekend sweep. Please see a full recap on page
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AN `ICE' WAY TO START 2026
Haidleigh Huff, 4, and her mom, Shaneika, had a little help to get around the Rotary Complex ice during Friday's free public skate.
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PILING IT ON
Greg Gansevles of Casey Gansevles Excavating piles up snow in the Sobeys plaza on Thursday morning as the city continues to get buried by snow squalls that are expected to continue into Saturday.
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`Significant weather event' closes Perth County roads as collisions pile up
Snow squalls and blizzard-like conditions closed at least two Perth County roads on Monday as wicked winter weather continued to batter the region. Highway 23 from Mitchell to Lucan was shut down before 11 a.m. and remained closed into the afternoon...
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Mayor Ritsma `very pleased' with Stratford's 2025
As part of our end-of-year musings, Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma sat down for a lengthy interview with the Beacon Herald to look back on the year that was while also looking ahead to a busy 2026 that includes the next municipal election. Q: How was...
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Festival City Big Band aims to drive winter blues away
The Festival City Big Band's last concert at Avondale United Church went so well the church's music committee asked them that day -- almost a year in advance -to return for another concert. “We had them here early last year and it went over so well...
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Stratford menorah lighting shows solidarity with Jewish community
Following the deadly, antisemitic mass shooting in Australia earlier this week, a large crowd gathered outside of Stratford City Hall Thursday evening to show solidarity with the area's Jewish community in a menorah-lighting ceremony that coincided...
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RIVALRY GAME
Stratford District secondary school students cheer on the boys' hockey team during its game against St. Mike's on Wednesday afternoon. Hundreds of students from both schools filled the Rotary Complex seats for the rivalry game. For more, please turn to
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HOWARD AND HUGO
Howard, the larger-than- life skeleton that has become a fixture on Cambria Street, has gotten into the festive spirit with his dog friend, Hugo.
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Local actress savouring her experience as young Anna
Oakan Oyafuso already seems to have her life figured out. The 10-year-old Stratfordite is currently starring as one of the two actresses to play young Anna in the London Grand Theatre's production of Frozen, her second major production of this...
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A SNOWY STROLL
After heavy, wet snow blanketed the city overnight on Tuesday, light snow Wednesday morning made for a picturesque walk down Lakeside Drive.
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LIGHTS ON STRATFORD READY TO ILLUMINATE THE CITY
One of the city's most popular events is returning later this week. Destination Stratford is getting set for its sixth annual Lights On Stratford winter festival that will illuminate the city every Thursday through Sunday from Dec. 12 to Jan. 18. The...
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PARADE OF LIGHTS
Santa Claus — who else? — once again rode the final float Sunday at Santa's Parade of Lights. For more photos from the parade, please turn to
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Stratford auto parts plant gets funding boost from province
One of Stratford's biggest manufacturers is getting a significant funding boost through one of the province's new tariff-countering investment funds. Perth-wellington MPP Matthew Rae announced Friday morning that Aisin Canada, an auto parts...
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Stratford confectioner competes on Bake Master Battle
There were no casualties in this sweet battle. Stratford's Jessica Pett went head-to-head with a fellow confectioner Thursday morning on Breakfast Television, coming up with a Christmas-themed cake creation for the show's first Bake Master Battle. “I...
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A FROSTY WELCOME
A family of snow people greets passerby at the corner of John and Avon streets in Stratford.
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Stratford officially named a `Bird-friendly City'
Stratford is officially a Bird-friendly City. The Festival City is now one of just 36 cities across Canada to be given that designation by Nature Canada, the country's oldest nature conservation charity. This year, Stratford was joined by Kingston,...
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Ontario unveils legislation to restrict invasive medical research on dogs and cats
The Ontario government has introduced draft legislation that aims to restrict invasive medical research on dogs and cats. It is the first proposed law of its kind in Canada, triggered by an Investigative Journalism Bureau investigation in August that...
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PASSPORT TO SAVINGS
Ruth and Richard Kneider, from Simple Dreams, show off the 2026 Passport to Savings coupon booklet that benefits Simple Dreams, the Stratford House of Blessing and Kiwanis Club of Stratford. For more, please turn to
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FESTIVE FOLIAGE
Jenn Vanden Hoven picks from one of dozens of poinsettias at Cozyn's Garden Gallery in Stratford. The flower comes in various colours and sizes and has become a Christmas staple.
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CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Sergio Perera, 4, and his grandma Bernice came from Mitchell during a PA day on Friday to decorate gingerbread cookies at Klomp's Home and Garden.
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STRATFORD HONOURS SACRIFICE AT REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY
Robert Lemon had a simple, but powerful, message: The reason why we remember is because the horrors and impacts of conflict do not stop when the fighting does. Lemon, the rector of St. James Anglican Church, provided this call to remembrance to the...
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THE IMPORTANCE OF REMEMBRANCE
Richard Boon thanks Canadian Second World War veterans during a special repatriation ceremony at the CN Tower in Toronto in May of this year. Boon frequently accompanied his late father, Stratford veteran Art Boon, to overseas commemorative services...
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SOME GOOD SPORTS
Stratford Youth Soccer recognized its most sportsmanlike players for 2025 with the Paul Nickel Award. Pictured from left: Mathew Gervais. Savannah Truong, Lincoln Wagler, Wilder Dahms, Leo Roblin, Nolan Lane, Ezekiel Ibarra, Brett Rose. Absent: William...
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Ballinran Entertainment celebrates three decades of filmmaking
While the journalism has always been the easy part for Craig Thompson, it's the other things that come with running his own production company that he's had to learn on the fly. “I didn't go to school to learn how to be a producer or an accountant or...
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Sitting down with Jonathan Church
A few hectic days after Jonathan Church, one of the United Kingdom's most celebrated stage directors and producers, was announced as the Stratford Festival's next artistic director, he sat down with the Beacon Herald at the Festival Theatre for an...
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PUMPKIN PARADE
Hundreds of jack-o-lanterns were on display in Market Square on Saturday evening as part of the annual Downtown BIA Pumpkin Parade. After Stratfordites enjoyed the illuminated gourds, they were taken to a local farm for animal feed.
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GRACE UNDER FEATHER
Stratford's swans enjoy some late fall sun — and a drink — in their winter home on Morenz Drive, where they'll stay until being paraded back into the Avon River in April.
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SKATING HIS BEAT
Simon Bowie dressed as a police officer for the Stratford Skating Club's Halloween celebration. For more adorable photos from the event, please turn to
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ARRR YOU READY TO BOWL?
Janice Wick, dressed as a pirate, gets ready to bowl during the V-ettes' annual Halloween event at Mike's Lanes on Tuesday.
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WHAT A TREAT!
Motlee, a three-year-old golden retriever, was dressed as a lion — and blended in with the leaves at Upper Queen's Park — during the Stratford Dog Walkers' second annual Halloween parade on Sunday morning. The group meets at the park on the last Sunday...
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BONING UP ON BASEBALL
The Skeletons of Vivian Line are back for a 12th season, with this year's theme a fall fair — and an ode to the Blue Jays. A new skeleton “story” is unveiled each day, and events are scheduled for this weekend. Money raised goes to Operation Smile. For...
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EMERGENCY PERSONNEL GET A CRASH COURSE IN DISASTER RESPONSE
A school bus on its side. Students trapped. Downed trees. A flipped car. Those were some of the challenges city officials and first responders faced during Thursday's live emergency exercise in Stratford. “This is a great opportunity,” Stratford's...
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STANDING TALL
A sunflower in a field between Tavistock and Shakespeare basks in the fall sun on Tuesday.
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GIVING A TOSS
Roy Harris tosses a horseshoe during a game with Bob Faulhafer and Bob Mogk on Monday afternoon at Shakespeare Park.
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WORK IN PROGRESS
Work continued Friday on L'arche Stratford's new headquarters. The $6.5-million development will provide homes and support services for people with intellectual disabilities and is expected to open in October 2026. The organization's 10th annual Walk...
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TAGGED OUT
Ray Wolfe (left) of the Mitchell varsity baseball team is tagged out at home on a squeeze bunt attempt by catcher Nolan Miller of St. Mike's during the late stages of their Huron-perth championship final Oct. 15 in Mitchell's Cooper diamond. The Blue...
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A RELAXING AFTERNOON
Kayaks and pedal boats were a popular sight in Lake Victoria over Thanksgiving weekend.
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`IT'S A LITTLE BIG!'
Lilly Ellis, 6, of Mitchell, tried on a firefighter's bunker gear during the annual West Perth Fire Department (WPFD) open house held Oct. 7 during Fire Prevention Week. The gear itself was heavier than she is, but with help from big brother Tyson,...
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HUDSON'S ANNOUNCES PLANS TO CLOSE
It's the end of an era. Hudson's of Stratford, a third-generation family-owned business, announced it will close for good in early 2026 after nearly 114 years in the city. “It was a good run,” owner Lee Helperin said. “We're very appreciative....
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QUITE THE BUZZ
Stratford Police Service Const. Darren Fischer had his head shaved as part of the SPS and Perth County Ontario Provincial Police's third annual Cops for Cancer initiative. More than $25,000 was raised to support childhood cancer research as uniform and...
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TOUCHING BASE
St. Mike's Ethan Priestap slides safely into third base during the Huron-perth boys' baseball quarter-final against Central Huron on Wednesday. The Warriors won and will compete in the semifinal next week in Mitchell.
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RIDE FOR REFUGE
More than 80 cyclists from nine different teams took to the streets of Stratford Saturday for Ride for Refuge. The family-friendly ride and walk — a national fundraiser for “charities that help people seeking hope, safety, and freedom” — raised more...
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Multicultural association giving sleeping bags to Stratford homeless
The Multicultural Association of Perth-huron has launched a new program to distribute sleeping bags and blankets to the homeless in Stratford and St. Marys. Working with local churches and the Stratford Police Service, association volunteers are...
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MAKING A RETURN
Stratford District's Heet Patel returns a shot during the boys' singles match at the Huron-perth tennis championships on Thursday at the Stratford Tennis Club.
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TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Cree poet Scott Tillson provided a land acknowledgement in the form of a poem at Tuesday's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation observances at Stratford's Falstaff Family Centre before leading dozens of supporters on a solidarity walk around Lake...
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HOLDING COURT
Stratford District secondary school Grade 9 student Michael Olsen came prepared for a game of beach volleyball on Thursday at the SERC courts. Students from both SDSS and St. Mike's took advantage of the late summer weather by hitting the sand with...
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HAVING A GOURD TIME
Ten-month-old Carter Wilcox decided to try pumpkin checkers during the Klompenfest Autumn Festival on Sunday, which was hosted by Klomp's Home and Garden.
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PADDLE POWER
Junior teams were among those competing at the 28th Rotary Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday in Stratford. For more festival photos, please turn to page
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RETURN TO SENDER
Kyle Ferrigan returns a shot this week during a match against Joey Hishon at the Stratford Tennis Club.
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TOUCHING UP
Craig Williams of London uses a lift as he paints the fascia on the Hutton-macpherson block in St. Marys on Wednesday. The roughly 170-year-old building is located at the corner of Queen and Water streets in the core of the small town.
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