This Week in Photos - May 28, 2026

Leadership – The race to succeed provincial Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie will be decided on Nov. 21. On May 21, two hopefuls attended an event at the Jefferson Elora Community Centre. Etobicoke-Lakeshore MPP Lee Fairclough is a declared candidate and Rob Cerjanec from Ajax is going through the vetting process. PHOTO 1: From left: Guelph Provincial Liberal Association president James Smith, Wellington-Halton Hills PLA president David Morris, Fairclough, WHHPLA executive members Kat Taylor and Mavis Vet, Cerjanec, and Centre Wellington Ward 3 council candidate David DeWitt. PHOTO 2: Cerjanec chats with attendees. Photos by Duncan Hossack

Car show – The Model T Ford Club International’s regional Ontario chapter stopped at the Wellington County Museum and Archives in Aboyne on May 23 with around 30 cars during a CanAm tour. Cars were driven in from as far away as New York and Michigan. Photos by Bill Longshaw

Donation – The 100 Women Who Care Rural Wellington group presented a $12,000 cheque to the Canadian Mental Health Association to support The Grove Youth Wellness Hubs. The group’s next meeting is June 15 at the Harriston Legion, and officials are encouraging new members to”come out and see how your $100 donation can make such a meaningful impact in our community.” Submitted photo

Busy year – The Centre Wellington Food Bank held its annual general meeting on May 21. According to its annual impact report, there were about 379 new clients in 2025, with 1,182 total individuals accessing the monthly client grocery program. There were a total of 3,979 visits to the food bank that year, including 365 children. There were more than 50 community food drives in 2025 and 255,000 pounds of food was distributed with a value of $1.1 million. Executive director Curt McQueen stated the year was successful, but wished there weren’t so many in need. He thanked sponsors, donors and volunteers for their support. This photo features board members and those who attended for the presentation of certificates. Photo by Bill Longshaw

Hanging basket help – Knox Presbyterium Church in Elora raised over $1,500 for a new defibrillator by selling hanging baskets, with the help of Tim and Kristine Gerrie of Gerries Farm Market. Christine Nye, right, presented the Gerries with a cheque for providing 140 baskets. Submitted photo

Soggy Saturday – The Fergus and District Horticultural Society forged ahead in the rain on May 23 with its annual Best Bloomin’ Plant Sale at the stone house grounds next to the Fergus sportsplex. Society members donated plants and gently used gardening equipment, which were snapped up by dozens of gardeners at the sale. From left: plant sale organizer Kathy Bouma and horticultural society members Michelle Goff and Betty-Anne McBea. Photo by Duncan Hossack

Plant sale – Many plant enthusiasts braved rain and high winds to attend Centre Wellington Native Plant Gardeners’ first plant sale on May 23 on the grounds of the Elora Centre for the Arts. Over a thousand plants were sold spanning 50 different species, providing a boon to pollinators (bees, butterflies, etc.) in the area. PHOTO 1: Volunteers kept native plants sorted. PHOTO 2: Picking out plants for their home in Fergus are little one Maisie Fancher-Shepherd, dad Justin Shepherd and mom Samantha Fancher. Photos by Bill Longshaw

Garden time – Ignatius farms hosted its Spring Field Day and Seedling Sale May 16 from 9am to 12:30pm. The sale featured veggie plants of all kinds, all grown on plots around the farm. PHOTO 1: Lin Luo, left, and Ripley Nolan searched for the perfect plant at the sale. PHOTO 2: Larissa Conley and Meredith Wagler from Kitchener made the trip to the farm. Photos by Ellouise Thompson

Toss it – Hundreds attended the Jefferson Elora Community Centre last Saturday afternoon for the 5th annual Waddies Classic tournament. Seventy-two teams of two participated and the competition was sold out. The origins of the game are shrouded in mystery although many think it began in the 1940s. It was revived during the pandemic by Trevor Aitchison, Jeff McLean and Andy Speers. Friends from Centre Wellington District High School, the boys – inspired by Andy’s grandfather who knew the game – used to play Waddies when they were younger. Aitchison, who now lives in Kincardine is president of Bortco, which manufactures the Waddies equipment. McLean and Speers, from Elora and Fergus respectively, are also involved, and the trio has grown the sport to its current level of popularity. PHOTO 1: From left, Jeff McLean, Trevor Aichison, and Andy Speers with the prestigious Waddies Cup. Photos by Duncan Hossack. PHOTO 4: Winner – LEFT: Ryan England, left, from Alma, and teammate Andrew McKeen of Fergus celebrate with the Waddies Classic Trophy. The “Rowdy Waddie Snipers” are the first back-to-back champions, having also won in 2025. Submitted photo

PHOTO 1: Monsters on the move – Elora’s monsters, which typically come out during Monster Month in October, were caught moving to their new home near the Gambrel Barn on May 22. It was pretty windy and some of them tried to take flight. PHOTO 2: New digs – No wonder they are so cranky and monstery in October. Volunteers were busy on May 22 moving them into their new shipping container homes, where they appear to be a bit squished. Photos by Joanne Shuttleworth

Rain, rain go away – The Fergus Fibre Festival started the day of May 23 in the rain and wind. The inclement weather progressed into a wee bit of a storm, however, quite a few brave souls came out to see what was happening in downtown Fergus. As the tents were being blown around there were a couple of vendors remarking that their business wasn’t too bad in spite of the weather conditions and were happy with the number of people who visited their display. Unfortunately vendors started to pack up around noon and departed to their homes hoping for better weather next year. Photos by Bill Longshaw

Silver Stick champs – The Minto Mad Dogs U15 team was recognized at a May 19 Minto council meeting by Mayor Dave Turton. “Their season was one to remember, marked by incredible dedication, teamwork and success, both locally and internationally,” Turton said. The team won gold at the Bradford Blue and Gold Classic, was Woolwich Winter Wildcats’ Weekend champion, went undefeated in the Kincardine Regional Silver Stick tournament, and won the International Silver Stick Pelham Finals. The team finished the season with 46 wins, four ties and six loses. “This group demonstrated exceptional hard work, perseverance and sportsmanship every step of the way,” Turton said. Coach Nick Jennings said, “We won against a lot of teams that had two or three teams and 30 to 50 people to choose from, we had our group, and with our group we just worked hard went out there and played the game and ended up with a few wins.” Submitted photo

Surge – The Southeast Surge U13A team was recognized at a May 19 Minto council meeting for finishing as Ontario Hockey Federation champions last month. The team started the season strong, winning the Milton Halloween Havoc tournament with a record of 5-0. The Surge also won a regional Silver Stick tournament in Brampton, and were Intenatioinlal Silver Stick finalists in Port Huron. The team entered the tournament as league finalists, and won a semifinal game in overtime, defeating Sarnia 10-4. “They were consistently ranked in the top 12 out of 137 U13A teams in Ontario, and finished with an overall record of 52 wins, 17 loses, and two ties,” said Minto Mayor Dave Turton. Submitted photo

Donation – Blessings to You Palmerston donated $500 to Wellington County 4-H to help with an exchange visit with an Alberta 4-H club. Pictured are Hudson Dann, Sawyer Signer, Dorothy Noecker, Grayson Dann, Jen Van der Meulen, Colin Van der Meulen, Jill Dann and Charlotte Van der Meulen. Submitted photo

Hero’s welcome – The Centre Wellington Rotary Club dedicate its Community Hero Award to member Alyssandra Kent, executive director of the Community Resource Centre. Officials say “this award was given in gratitude for all that she/they do for our community’s families.” Submitted photo