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Wellington Advertiser Logo

Friday, December 19, 2025 | Vol 58 Issue 50

Community News
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Jessica Lovell

Reporter

Santa Claus is coming to Mount Forest for a ‘night before Christmas’

Jessica Lovell November 26, 2024Community News

MOUNT FOREST – It’s not Christmas Eve, but it will be “the night before Christmas” when people gather for the Mount Forest Santa Claus Parade on Dec. 6.

Children’s Foundation in need of donors to ‘Adopt-A-Family’ this holiday season

Jessica Lovell November 21, 2024News

GUELPH – The Children's Foundation of Guelph and Wellington currently has approximately 300 families still waiting to be adopted though its annual Adopt-A-Family support program.

Veterinarian honoured for leadership in agricultural community

Jessica Lovell November 21, 2024News, Rural

GUELPH/ERAMOSA – It was farming that inspired Rob Swackhammer to become a veterinarian, and now his work and volunteerism in the field has earned him an award named for his mentor.

Solar panels coming to three county housing buildings in Guelph

Jessica Lovell November 20, 2024News

GUELPH – The county’s joint social services committee has endorsed a recommendation that would see solar panels installed on the roofs of three county-owned residential buildings at a cost of more than half a million. 

Arthur Santa Claus parade theme includes snow

Jessica Lovell November 20, 2024Community News

ARTHUR – Even if there’s no snow in the forecast, people just might get to see some snow of sorts at the Arthur Santa Claus Parade on Nov. 30.

Township council approves sale of road allowance, endorses two provincial funding applications

Jessica Lovell November 20, 2024News

BRUCEDALE – Guelph/Eramosa Township held its regular meeting of council on Nov. 4. The meeting was brief, but included the following highlights:

Child care recruitment campaign leads to increase in number of home providers

Jessica Lovell November 18, 2024News

GUELPH – An effort by the County of Wellington to increase the number of licensed day care providers in Guelph and the county seems to have paid off.

Wellington North decides to scrap dog licensing in 2025

Jessica Lovell November 13, 2024News

KENILWORTH – Wellington North Township is doing away with dog licences.

Public meeting looks at rezoning rural lands for Mennonite school in Damascus

Jessica Lovell November 12, 2024News

KENILWORTH – Wellington North council is considering an application to rezone a property in Damascus to facilitate the development of a Mennonite church, cemetery and school.

Wellington North council eyes 3.5% tax rate increase in 2025 budget

Jessica Lovell November 8, 2024Community News, News

KENILWORTH – Wellington North council is hoping to shave at least one per cent off the 4.5% tax rate increase initially proposed during a Nov. 4 budget presentation.

Wellington Rural Water Quality Program celebrates 25th anniversary

Jessica Lovell November 7, 2024News, Rural

WELLINGTON COUNTY – The Wellington Rural Water Quality Program, which was launched in 1999, offers grant money as well as technical assistance to farmers and landowners to implement a variety of different types of projects that improve and protect water quality.

County remembrance ceremony highlights sacrifices of young soldiers

Jessica Lovell November 6, 2024News

ABOYNE – While Remembrance Day has not yet arrived, around 100 people gathered at the Wellington County Museum and Archives on Nov. 5 to pay tribute to individuals from Wellington County who lost their lives in various wars and conflicts.

Cost concerns raised in discussion of Erin, Brucedale roads garage projects

Jessica Lovell November 6, 2024News

GUELPH – Wellington County is moving ahead with the next steps to replace its roads department garages in Brucedale (in Guelph/Eramosa) and Erin, despite concerns raised by some councillors about the potential costs.

OPP salary increases mean ‘very significant’ rise in county policing costs

Jessica Lovell November 5, 2024News

GUELPH – Salary increases for OPP officers will likely result in tax increases for Wellington County residents. The policing contract is expected to rise to $20.4 million in 2025.

Wellington Heights student takes the cake in college baking competition

Jessica Lovell October 31, 2024Community News, News

WATERLOO – Mount Forest teen Brodie Oliver is thanking his grandmother for the inspiration after he was part of a team that won a baking competition at Conestoga College that comes with a prize of free tuition.

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Select Your Region

Hanover theatre casting for School of Rock

HANOVER – Based on the hit 2003 film, School of Rock the musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed wannabe rock star who is down on his luck. 

Hanover Community Players thank all who made Bare, Bear Bones a success

HANOVER – Hanover Community Players are offering “A big thank you to all of our audience members who took the time from their busy schedules to attend and support our Bare, Bear Bones shows.”

See all Bruce County area articles.

Fergus resident represents Canada, wins silver at international ball hockey tournament

FERGUS – Richard Wigmore recently led the men’s Team Canada Ball Hockey Team to a silver medal at the world championships. 

Arkells, Dallas Smith headlining Meadows Music Festival

FERGUS – Arkells and Dallas Smith are the headliners for Meadows Music Festival in Fergus on May 29 and 30 and in making the announcement on Dec. 16, organizer Collin McKinnon crossed two things off his bucket list.

See all Centre Wellington area articles.

To avoid getting sick over holidays, get your shots now: public health

GUELPH – Local public health officials are echoing a statement from the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, to get flu and COVID-19 shots before the holidays arrive.

Local health unit first in Ontario to offer avian flu vaccines

GUELPH – Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) was the first health unit in Ontario to administer the H5N1 vaccine to humans in the fight against avian influenza.

See all Dufferin County area articles.

Erin council passes budget with 3.8% tax hike

ERIN – It wasn't a unanimous decision, but town council here has approved the 2026 budget with a tax rate increase of 3.8 per cent – up from the 2.5% originally proposed.

Two health workshops in December at EWFHT

ERIN – December will be light on community workshops at the East Wellington Family Health Team as only two workshops are on offer.

See all Erin area articles.

Enbridge, Grand Valley fire department partner on Safe Community Project Zero

GRAND VALLEY – On Nov. 4, Enbridge Gas Ontario and the Grand Valley and District Fire Department worked together to improve home safety and attempt to bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero.

‘Gourd’ times to be had at this year’s Grand Valley Fall Fair

GRAND VALLEY – “Gourd” times are sure to be had at this year’s Grand Valley Fall Fair.

See all Grand Valley area articles.

Hanover Community Players Drama Camp a success

HANOVER – The Hanover Community Players Drama Camp took place in July with mask making, drama games and auditions and a play.

Holstein to host an afternoon of bluegrass entertainment

HOLSTEIN – Residents of Holstein can look forward to an afternoon of bluegrass at the Love’s Sugarbush located at 392098 Grey Rd 109, on Aug. 17.

See all Grey County area articles.

To avoid getting sick over holidays, get your shots now: public health

GUELPH – Local public health officials are echoing a statement from the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, to get flu and COVID-19 shots before the holidays arrive.

Local health unit first in Ontario to offer avian flu vaccines

GUELPH – Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) was the first health unit in Ontario to administer the H5N1 vaccine to humans in the fight against avian influenza.

See all Guelph area articles.

Guelph/Eramosa passes budget with 2.7% tax rate increase

BRUCEDALE  – Gyelph/Eramosa council has passed the municipality’s 2026 budget, which will include a 2.71 per cent tax rate increase for 2026.

Province gives green light to controversial ‘Hidden Quarry’ after 13-year saga

GUELPH/ERAMOSA – The province has green-lit a new aggregate operation 13 years after James Dick Construction first applied to tap into a dolomite deposit at the so-called “Hidden Quarry” southeast of Rockwood.

See all Guelph/Eramosa area articles.

Joseph Racinsky rides blue wave to Queen’s Park

WELLINGTON-HALTON HILLS – The blue wave that swept across Ontario Thursday night, swept across Wellington-Halton Hills as well as Progressive Conservative candidate Joseph Racinsky was elected with a sweeping majority. 

Health care, roads, voter turnout, local knowledge dominate discussion at Aberfoyle debate

ABERFOYLE – The debate hosted by the Optimist Club of Puslinch on Feb. 20 gave voters the opportunity to ask their own questions.

See all Halton area articles.

Youth pack shoeboxes to help kids through Operation Christmas Child

HANOVER – Lita Ernest, a young member of 1st Hanover Guides, worked hard this season to organize the packing of Operation Christmas Child (OCC) shoe box gifts with her troop.

See all Huron County area articles.

Rink project at PMD Arena in Drayton to cost $3 million

MAPLETON – The replacement of the rink and refrigeration system at the PMD Arena in Drayton will cost Mapleton $2,944,782, and be completed by Ball Construction Limited. 

Township considering dike extension to reduce Drayton flooding

MAPLETON – Flooding has been an ongoing problem in Drayton for many years, and Mapleton councillors agree something needs to be done about it. And that “something” could cost $4.3 million over 10 years. 

See all Mapleton area articles.

Another cyclist dies after being struck by a vehicle

MINTO – The most recent incident took place on Dec. 9 at about 5:30pm. Emergency crews responded to a collision between two vehicles and a cyclist on Highway 9 near Anna's Lane, just outside Harriston.

Minto water rate rising 4%; wastewater going up 2%

MINTO – Minto residents can expect their wastewater rates to increase by two per cent next year. 

See all Minto area articles.

Credit Valley Conservation named one of Canada’s greenest employers

MISSISSAUGA  – Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) has been named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the sixth consecutive year.

See all Mississauga area articles.

Grand Valley business donates to food bank

ORANGEVILLE – Staff members from Grand Valley’s Clover Farm grocery store recently presented a $10,000 cheque to representatives from the Orangeville Food Bank’s Dufferin Food Share.

School board explores bringing IB diploma program to Wellington, Dufferin

GUELPH –  Some parents and students would like the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program to be offered in Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) schools in Wellington and Dufferin counties. 

See all Orangeville area articles.

Santa Claus parades through Palmerston

PALMERSTON – Crowds lined Palmerston’s main street on Dec. 6 to watch this year’s Santa Claus Parade. 

Minto hosting annual New Year’s Eve party

PALMERSTON – The Town of Minto, Minto Fire and the Palmerston Lions Club have joined forces to host Minto’s annual Fire and Ice Family New Year’s Eve Party.

See all Palmerston area articles.

Over $6.6 million in OMPF funding to be split by seven local municipalities

PERTH-WELLINGTON –  On Nov. 24, Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae announced over $6.6 million for local municipalities through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) for 2026.

MPP Rae announces over $20 million in housing enabling infrastructure funding

PERTH-WELLINGTON – Matthew Rae, MPP for Perth-Wellington, announced the province has provided four municipalities with over $20.4 million through the Ministry of Infrastructure’s Housing Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF) program.

See all Perth County area articles.

Municipality hopes natural gas heating can come to Puslinch

ABERFOYLE – Enbridge Gas found a supportive audience at the Puslinch council meeting on Nov. 19 as it explained its plans for natural gas expansion across the province and possibly into the township.

Santa Claus arrives in Puslinch with reindeer – and joy

PUSLINCH – Puslinch was the first in Wellington County to hold its Santa Claus parade and the streets were lined with locals on Nov. 23 ready to greet the big guy.

See all Puslinch area articles.

Province releases fall economic statement

TORONTO – The Ontario government released its fall economic statement last week (Nov. 6) with a smaller than projected deficit of $13.5-billion – less than the $14.6 billion forecasted in this year’s budget, but still well above the $1.1 billion deficit carried in 2024-25.

Cheering from the big screen at World Series game

TORONTO – Callum Sweeting was on the big screen at game one of the World Series at the Rogers Centre in Toronto on Oct. 24.

See all Toronto area articles.

Cardiac director: pace yourself when shovelling snow this winter

KITCHENER  – As heavy snow hits the region, local emergency departments are preparing for a spike in cardiac events. 

Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy announces youth theatre camps

WATERLOO – The Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy has announced its lineup of march break and summer camps for 2026. 

See all Waterloo Region area articles.

To avoid getting sick over holidays, get your shots now: public health

GUELPH – Local public health officials are echoing a statement from the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, to get flu and COVID-19 shots before the holidays arrive.

County food banks seek donations to meet growing need

WELLINGTON COUNTY – The rising cost of living, compounded by annual holiday expectations, has left many county residents struggling to make ends meet.

See all Wellington County area articles.

Wellington North approves budget, 3.2% tax levy increase

WELLINGTON NORTH – Wellington North council has approved the township's 2026 budget, including a tax levy increase of 3.16%. 

Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation to ‘light up’ hospital until Dec. 23

MOUNT FOREST – The Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation is hoping to once again make things a little brighter for the staff and patients who will be spending time at the hospital this holiday season.

See all Wellington North area articles.

Editorial

Season of giving

Helping others is contagious this time of year.

The pickpocket

Travel anywhere crowds form and tourists are warned to watch for pickpockets.

In the darkness

Where there is one, there are usually more. That was the advice handed down in the truck as we headed off to practice. A good-sized buck ambled across the road not far from our farm.

Columnists

To Santa

By Kelly Waterhouse

Hey Big Guy, I hope this letter finds you jolly and that your reindeer are healthy and ready for the epic Christmas Eve world tour, where I know children anticipate your mysterious arrival and the subsequent leaving of presents. 

Fergus widow horrified at empty grave of husband

By Stephen Thorning

The following is a re-print of a past column by former Advertiser columnist Stephen Thorning, who…

Palmerston railroad worker proved hard to track

By Stephen Thorning

The following is a re-print of a past column by former Advertiser columnist Stephen Thorning, who…

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