This Week in Photos - March 19, 2026

First place – On Feb. 26, Grade 7 and 8 students from four local Upper Grand schools competed in intramural basketball at Centre Wellington District High School in Fergus. The boys and girls teams from Elora Public School, above, finished first in the tournament. Submitted photo

Art gallery – The Minto Arts Council held its grand opening for its new exhibit, Held Between Stillness and Change, on March 5. PHOTO 1: Brigitte Huber is a Kitchener artist. Her art is inspired by the Region of Waterloo’s plants, birds and open land. Huber studied graphic design and later became a psychotherapist. The exhibit will be open until March 27, and is located on the third floor of the Wellington County Library, Harriston Branch. Submitted photos

Ribbon cutting – A new dance studio opened in downtown Fergus last weekend. Aura Movement and Mediation has two missions – to offer drop in dance classes for adults, and conflict transformation services like mediation and conflict groups. “We want to set the standard for how arts and professional advocacy work together to build community,” officials say. The studio is at 151 St. David St. North (2nd Floor). Visit auramm.as.me for more information. Submitted photo

Horses – These horses seemed to enjoy the winter sunshine on a farm near Lakelet, west of Clifford, last weekend. Photo by Duncan Hossack

Public speaking – The Belwood and District Lions Club held its annual Effective Speaking Competition on March 7. The competition was available for students from Grades 4 to 9 and offered in English and French. Winners were invited to the Multi-District Competition that will be held on May 1 in St. Catharines. PHOTO 1: Group shot of the competitors in the junior English category. PHOTO 2: The impromptu category, started by late Lion Wayne Robson, challenges students by giving them five minutes to design a speech for recital. From left: Ev Robson, Lions Club president George Woodley and impromptu winner Olivia T. PHOTO 3: Olivia T. also won in the intermediate English category. PHOTO 4: The winner of the intermediate French category. Submitted photos

Toys – The Optimist Club of Alma hosted its Toy Show and Sale at the Alma Community Hall on March 15. PHOTO 1: Caleb Eastep was one of eight exhibitors participating in a competition to decide who has the best farm diorama. Eastep’s new hobby has resulted in a display with a wide range of farm animals, tractors and buildings. This diorama took him five months to complete. PHOTO 2: Kyle Bosomworth’s collection mainly consists of John Deere products. PHOTO 3: Rachael Murray has created farm dioramas for four years now. PHOTO 4: Noah Murray shows off his farm display. PHOTO 5:Tractors large and small were on display at the show. Photos by Georgia York

Early morning – This was the scene as the sun rose on March 13 just west of Bosworth in Mapleton Township. Photo by Duncan Hossack

The arts – Norwell District Secondary School’s theatre students travelled to John F. Ross on March 6 to compete at the National Theatre School Drama Festival district competition. Norwell’s production of Darklight was awarded four awards including the Distinctive Merit Award for Innovative Choreography and Movement; the Outstanding Design Award; the Outstanding Production Award and the Spirit of the Festival Award (received by student Abby S.). Norwell’s production was selected as one of three shows, out of 11 that competed, to advance to the regional level of the National Theatre School Drama Festival. The festival takes place in Gravenhurst in April. PHOTO 1: Darklight cast and crew. PHOTO 2: Abby S. with her Spirit of the Festival Award. Submitted photos

Donation – Blessings to You Palmerston recently donated $5,000 to the Palmerston Lions Club to help with installing a new polypropylene surface on the sports pad in Lions Park. Submitted photo

Hydro work – There was a fleet of Honeywell trucks at the PMD arena in Drayton on March 12, there to change hydro boxes for Hydro One. Submitted photo

Student experiences – The Norwell District Secondary School co-op program allows high school students to earn credits by completing a work placement in the community. PHOTO 1: Kurtis K., left, has been enjoying his time at Lammers Dairy farm, outside of Palmerston. Kurtis has been busy making calf feed, milking dairy cows and cleaning up the yard and barns. From left: Kurtis K. with dairy farmer Scott Lammers. PHOTO 2: Abby P., right, has been doing her placement at Teenie Tiny Tots in Palmerston. Abby has been enjoying her time making social media posts. From left: owner Ang Christensen and Abby P. PHOTO 3: Kassey I., left, is completing her placement at Elegant Aesthetics in Palmerston. She wants to make hairstyling her career. From left: Kassey I., teacher Jamie Cribbin and salon owner Nicole Crispin.