This Week in Photos - February 19, 2026

Palmerston – This drone shot of Palmerston was captured on Feb. 2, a “perfect day with the sun, no wind and frost on the trees,” stated photographer Mark Robinson. Submitted photo

Helping the community – The Blessings to You Centre in Palmerston donated $6,000 to the Palmerston Community Food Bank’s Christmas hamper gift cards for children. The volunteer-run community organization accepts general donations of clothing and household goods to sell to the public at low cost. Both stores are located in downtown Palmerston, one at 203 Main St. and the other at 237 Main St. From left: Food bank representative Linette Hibbs, food bank co-chair Deanna Martin, Marg Stevens and blessing volunteers Helen Myers and Diane Speers. Submitted photo

Winter garden workshops – The Mount Forest Community Garden has been working hard to meet the needs of anxious gardeners with monthly winter garden workshops at the Mount Forest Legion, officials say. On Feb. 8 the workshop invited guests to come out and learn about and to create pollinator hotels for mason bees. PHOTOS 1, 2, 3: People of all ages worked on their projects. PHOTO 4: This participant made sure there was plenty of room for the busy bees. PHOTO 5: This couple beamed as they held up their work. Photos from the Mount Forest Community Garden Facebook page

Sharing the win – Long-time friends John Young of Guelph and Christine McKillop of Cambridge will split the bank after winning $100,000 in the LOTTO 6/49 draw on Dec. 13 last year. This is the second win for Young, who won $100,000 in 2013 in an ENCORE draw. Young plans to pay some bills and save for retirement with his half. McKillop said she’ll invest some, share some with her daughters, and will soon check Paris off her bucket list. The winning ticket was purchased at 7-Eleven on Eramosa Road in Guelph. Submitted photo

Club welcomes community – The Optimist Club of Puslinch held its annual Family Fun Day on Feb. 16 at the Puslinch Community Centre in Aberfoyle. PHOTO 1: The rink was full for the family skate at the recreation centre. PHOTO 2: The fire pit behind the Optimist Recreation Centre was a popular place for families to warm up and roast marshmallows. Here Avalon Flaherty, left, and her sister Elowyn let their dad roast marshmallows for them. PHOTO 3: Christian Staring found his marshmallow was a little too well done. PHOTO 4: Quentin Beazer tried to hit the target with the snowball slingshot on Family Day.

Family fun – The Rotary Club of Erin had lots of fun lined up for Family Day on Feb. 16, including a pancake brunch, carnival games, public skate, crafts, Party Safari animal experiences and more at Centre 2000. PHOTO 1: Jennifer Snowball from Party Safari showing a large snake to guests. PHOTO 2: A carnival game inspired by hockey. PHOTO 3: Families enjoyed a leisurely skate. PHOTO 4: Carnival games prize table with organizers Stephanie Bailey and Chris Bailey.Erin firefighters from left, Brooke Bradburn, Michael Shannon, Christian Clarke, Jacob Smith and Amanda Ralph. Photos by Tristan Clark

Family Day – Hundreds of people flocked to the Wellington County Museum and Archives on Family Day. The event featured a Wildlife Rescue exhibit featuring snakes, spiders, rats and ferrets, among other creatures. PHOTO 1: Outside, the toboggan hill was busy with children – and some adults and a dog – enjoying the ideal snow conditions, including Jaxson and Isabelle Kouwen. PHOTO 2: Chael, Owen, Teal and Lily from Rockwood with their moms. PHOTO 3: Scarlett from Fergus was queen of the hill on Family Day. PHOTO 4: Matthew, Wesley and Norah from Drayton admire a Mexican red kneed tarantula through the glass of its enclosure. Photos by Duncan Hossack

Theatre – Students at JD Hogarth in Fergus are getting ready to take audiences on an underwater adventure with their production of The Little Mermaid. This year’s production includes just over 50 actors and nearly 30 crew members in Grades 5 to 8. The production is student-run, with students managing lighting, microphones, set changes and other technical elements. “We selected the show and started working on aspects, such as costumes, as soon as our last production ended back in April 2025,” said director and Grade 7 teacher Nava Zarrabi Yan. “Everything from the costumes, props and sets are made in house, designed and built by teachers with the help of student volunteers.” PHOTO 1: Eden, Evelyn, Jacquelyn, Payton, Quinlynn and Kai play a flock of playfully hilarious seagulls. PHOTO 2: A student playing Queen Triton. PHOTO 3: William, left, and Oliver, who is playing Prince Erik. PHOTO 4: Students Annika, Skyla and Maryn as Flounder, Ariel and Scuttle. Photos by Ellouise Thompson