Joanne Shuttleworth

ELORA – A public meeting about a proposed 273-townhouse development on Wellington Road 7 that was cancelled last month due to bad weather, has been rescheduled for Jan. 27.

GUELPH – It didn’t take long for George Bridge to get a gavel back in his hand. The former mayor of Minto, who did not run in the October election, was appointed by Wellington County as its citizen representative on the WDGPH board of health. At the board’s inaugural meeting, he was reelected chair.

WELLINGTON COUNTY – It might seem an unusual career path right out of high school, but both Graham Giddy and Allan Lee have found being funeral directors to be deeply meaningful, satisfying, and important work. And they each received recognition in 2022 for 50 years in the business.

CENTRE WELLINGTON – The Centre Wellington Food Bank gave its Crystal Award to Centre Wellington District High School (CWDHS) and Giant Tiger, but because it couldn’t hold its AGM, the awards were given without fanfare. But they still have meaning.

FERGUS – It was like finding buried treasure when Ted Bednarski started renovating the lower unit at 220 Bridge St. here.

ELORA – Elora House has come a long way since its interrupted beginning back in March 2020. The facility, which helps women escaping sex trafficking to overcome their trauma, learn some life skills and re-integrate into society, was only open a few days before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

PUSLINCH – Jim Estill wants to open the Estill Innovation Community in Puslinch – a $100 million project - and he’s hoping council will be open to a new kind of planning process to move the project along.

ABOYNE – Famous for its beauty and inspiration, it comes as no surprise the Elora Gorge would be the subject of an art exhibition at the Wellington County Museum and Archives. 

BRUCEDALE – The newly-minted bylaw allowing alternate residential units (ARU) on properties in Guelph/Eramosa was put to the test at a public meeting on Dec. 19.

Christmas parade – The Alma Optimist Club Santa Claus Parade marked St. Nick’s final pre-Christmas trip though Wellington County on Dec. 18.

BRUCEDALE – If bylaw officers have to revisit your home or business again and again because you are not in compliance with bylaws in Guelph/Eramosa, there will be a fee for that.

ELORA – Jim Paterson just can’t quite fathom why someone would take the ribbons from the wreaths at the Elora cenotaph, but if it’s meant to be a political protest, it’s action misplaced, he said.

ELORA – If a visit to Antarctica is on your bucket list, 2023 might be the year to make the trek. Elora adventurer Ian Evans has a connection with a tour company that is offering reduced prices in January and February for a limited number of travellers. 

ELORA – Kirk McElwain said he felt a bit like Santa Claus on Dec. 14 as he and his colleagues handed out a cheque for $9,052 to the Centre Wellington Food Bank, and another for $957 to Centre Wellington Eats, a program at Centre Wellington and District High School.

GUELPH – The United Way of Guelph Wellington Dufferin's 2022 fundraising campaign fell short of its $2.7 million goal and that spells disaster for the 50 or so community benefit organizations that rely on United Way funding.