This Week in Photos - June 4, 2026
Improvements – There are now three new pedestrian-activated flashing light crosswalks in Hillsburgh: at the Royal Bank and Mill Street, outside Ross R. MacKay Elementary School (above right), and at the Elora-Cataract Trailway crossing (just north of Esso). Four centre-line bollards have also been installed in Hillsburgh (above left). Photos by Tristan Clark
Rural romp – Eighteen farms, nurseries, cafés and a distillery invited people to northern Wellington County on a self-guided “romp” on May 30. Taste Real’s Spring Rural Romp featured the largest lineup in the tour’s history. Visitors toured stops in Mapleton, Minto and Wellington North to chat with local producers and interact with livestock. PHOTO 1: Chase Thomson greets a goat at Firebrand Goats neat Clifford. PHOTO 2: Faye and Desmond Hallman pet a goat as Mark Hallman looks on at Firebrand Goats. PHOTO 3: Tanya Vickers of Firebrand Goats educates Rural Romp attendees about the goats at Firebrand Goats. Photos by Jordan Snobelen
Derby – The Moorefield Optimists’ annual Kids Fishing Derby was held at Cosens’ Pond on May 30. The club reported that 117 kids aged 12 and under registered for the event, shattering last year’s attendance record of 89 kids. PHOTO 1: Moorefield Optimist Josh Culling presents the award for most fish caught to 12-year-old Samantha Heiben, who caught seven trout during the event. PHOTO 2: Four-year-old Heidi Greer was recognized as the youngest participant to catch a fish. The tiny angler caught a 14.75-inch trout. PHOTO 3: Jordyn Chappell, 12, left, received an award for catching the largest trout during the fishing derby (a 15.75-inch rainbow) PHOTO 4: 9-year-old Colton Bannister, won the award for most fish caught by a boy (four). PHOTO 5: A portion of the 117 kids who registered for the Moorefield Optimists annual fishing derby gathered together following the event. PHOTO 6: Dedicated volunteers – From left, standing: Cody Ferguson, Nate Poechman, Ryan Campbell, Tim Bates, Josh Culling, Dennis Morgan, Sandy Vallance and Jake Wilson. Six-year-old anglers Colton Poechman and Maverik Ferguson are in front. Photos by Sue Hogenkamp
Kites in Clifford – Nicole Vehof and Anastasia von Westerholt at the Kites in Clifford event on May 30 at Clifford Rotary Park. Held in partnership with Clifford Connects and the Minto and District Lions Club, Kites in Clifford featured a vendors’ market, children’s activities and food trucks. Photos by Nicole Beswitherick
Sports pad – The Harriston Kinsmen held a ribbon cutting at the new sports pad on May 11, marking the official unveiling of the multi-use pad. Over the last year, the club worked with the Town of Minto and received a range of support from suppliers and contractors who donated labour, time and materials to make the pad a reality. “It fills my heart with pride when my children ask me if they can go meet their friends at the pad to play on it,” said past president Curt McDonald. “Ultimately, this was a massive community collaboration fueled by your support of Kinsmen events. We wouldn’t be standing here without each and everyone of you.” Club officials say the pad, located beside the Harriston arena, has already seen its fair share of use, including basketball and hockey. Submitted photos
Safety day – The 15th Annual Safe Kids Day was held on May 29 at the Arthur arena for Grade 4 students from Minto, Mapleton and Wellington North. Previously held in Palmerston, this is the first time the event has been held in Arthur. According to organizers, approximately 400 kids from 10 schools participated in a day of hands-on activities led by local emergency services and community organizations. PHOTO 1: Wellington North firefighter Maynard Weber prepares to allow three Palmerston students into the “smoke house,” which teaches students to stay low and try to find an exit quickly in a burning building. PHOTO 2: Alaska Velthuizen-Manning, from Palmerston Public School, tries on a cervical collar. Guelph-Wellington paramedic Justine MacDonald was on hand to explain how paramedics use the collar to prevent further injuries for patients who have been in an accident. PHOTO 3: From left, Palmerston Public School students Elsie Behling, Abigail Tanguay, Rosslyn Campbell and Octavia Zantinge learn about farm safety from Minto Ag during Safe Kids Day in Arthur on May 29. According to Workplace Safety and Prevention Services, approximately 20 % of all farm-related injuries occur with children. PHOTO 4: Guelph Wellington paramedic Lynne Desarzens teaches Palmerston student Aubree Vanveld how to do CPR. Photos by Sue Hogenkamp
Tree planting – Clifford Rotary held a tree planting event on May 1 as part of Rotary’s worldwide Epic Day of Service. About 800 white pine seedlings, provided by Wellington County’s Green Legacy Program, were planted by Clifford Rotarians and volunteers in a regrowth area in Clifford. Club president Trish Palmer said two years ago 1,200 seedlings were planted in an adjacent area and she is hoping that the tree planting can become an annual event. PHOTO 1: Jamie and Mike Roesch. PHOTO 2: Deacon Coulas. PHOTO 3: Kim Klug. Submitted photos
