This Week in Photos - May 7, 2026
Superhero fundraiser – Hundreds attended the Jefferson Elora Community Centre on May 2 for a “Princesses and Superheroes” fundraiser for Lily Kalinowsky, who has an ultra-rare genetic disease, known as CASK, that causes developmental delays. Lily’s mom, Amy Clifford, was brought to tears by the support. Batman, Spiderman and Elsa were among those on hand, as were face painters, jugglers and balloon artists. Many local businesses donated items for a silent auction. PHOTO 1: Paul Kalinowsky, Charlie, Lily and Amy Clifford pose with superhero characters. PHOTO 2: Danny, Emma and Natalie get into the spirit. PHOTO 3: Violet Maltais compares notes with Spiderman. Photos by Duncan Hossack
PHOTO 1: The Elora Festival Giant Booksale is held during the first weekend of May each year. Last year it raised almost $100,000 in support of the summer festival. Last weekend, thousands of people visited the Elora Curling Club to stock up on summer reading and maybe find that rare first edition. PHOTO 2: Elora Festival Book Sale co-chair Judy Bates, second from right, and four volunteers. Photos by Duncan Hossack
Production – “All for one and one for all” was the slogan of the Three Musketeers in a play of the same name, directed by Catherine Johnston on May 3 at the Fergus Grand Theatre. It includes sword fighting choreographed by professional sword fighters and music written for this performance by the Elora Community Theatre. The Musketeers uncover political plots, battle the schemes of Cardinal Richelieu, and protect the honour of the Queen. It’s a story of loyalty, sword fights, friendship, and daring adventure. There are more performances on May 8, 9,and 10. Photos by Bill Longshaw
Roots – Volunteers with NeighbourWoods and Tree Trust worked to remove invasive trees and bushes, including black locusts, in the Haylock Park area, a new subdivision off South River Road, on April 29. According to the Invasive Species Centre, the black locust “is detrimental to local ecosystems as it pushes out native vegetation, alters soil properties, and negatively impacts species at risk.” Even the roots have to be removed or they will grow again. About 12 people worked on removing the plants. PHOTO 1: A group digging up the roots of a big black locust. PHOTO 2: Renee Marentette and Ian MacRae working on a to get all of the tree and the roots. Photos by Bill Longshaw
Elora Fergus Edge Ringette teams end season on high note. Provincial champs – PHOTO 1: The Elora Fergus Edge Ringette U14A team brought home the gold and was named U14A2 provincial champs in Waterloo in March. PHOTO 2: Emily Linton was named MVP. PHOTO 3: Silver success – The Elora Fergus Edge Fun 3 team captured silver at regionals in London in March. PHOTO 4: Ringette gold – The Elora Fergus Edge Ringette U14B team brought home the gold at regionals. Submitted photos
Bazaar - The Fergus Legion held a spring craft sale on April 25. PHOTO 1: Ann Giesel and Sharon Roche. PHOTO 2: Mary Rose Mitchell of Mary Makes All. PHOTO 3: Madi Soullivan with her grandmother Sherry Felmming. PHOTO 4: Maesynn Drinkwater, left, and Marlene Skerritt of the Alma Girl Guides.
Duck race – The Clifford Rotary Club held its annual Duck Race at Old Rotary Park on May 2. Despite the cold, blustery day, several families bundled up to watch the ducks float down Coon Creek. Minto Fire was on hand for the first time this year to provide assistance. Volunteers had their work cut out for them, sorting out the nine prize-winning ducks from the flock of 400 that was released. Proceeds from the event will be used for park maintenance. PHOTO 1: Rotary Club volunteers use paddles to nudge rubber ducks downstream on Saturday. Low water and a lack of current challenged the ducks’ progress during the event. PHOTO 2: Making sure ducks didn’t get caught up along the creek bank kept this helpful family occupied during the Clifford Rotary Club’s annual Duck Race last Saturday. PHOTO 3: Members of the Clifford Rotary Club prepare for the annual Duck Race on May 2nd at Old Rotary Park. Front row, from left: Randy Ruetz, Tom Cadenhouse, Bruce Kaufman, Mary Cadenhouse, Trish Ruetz and Trish Palmer. Back: Nick Oleksandriw, Holt Armstrong, Margaret Oakey and Karen Dowler. PHOTO 4: ABOVE LEFT: Madison Armstrong and Peyton Strilec visit with Clifford the Big Red Dog while waiting for Clifford Rotary Club’s annual Duck Race to begin. PHOTO 5: ABOVE RIGHT: Ten year-old Torbyn Kell tries to spot his duck as it floats down Coon Creek during the Clifford Rotary Club’s annual Duck Race on May 2. Photos by Sue Hogenkamp
Job fair – Wellington Heights Secondary School hosted the Wellington North and Southgate Job Fair in the school gymnasium on April 15. There were 38 exhibitors from across the Wellington North and Southgate region at the fair, which was visited by nearly 500 students and community members. It was organized by WHSS teacher Matt Timberlake in collaboration with Robyn Mulder from the Township of Wellington North, Brenna Carroll from Southgate Township and Kelly Schafer and Sadia Batool from the Career Education Council. PHOTO 1: WHSS students, from left, Will Bignell, Flynn Wettlaufer, Tyson Catley-Doney, Kaedan Campos-Callaghan, Ben Bolen, Isaac Gurr, Fynn Black and Cashton Albrecht pose in front of a township of Wellington North truck parked outside the school during the job fair. PHOTO 2: A bird’s-eye view of the job fair in the WHSS gymnasium. Submitted photos
CELP – Community Environmental Leadership Program (CELP) students recently volunteered at TG Minto, where they combined a community cleanup with a scavenger hunt and planted a memorial tree. The group also spent time in downtown Harriston, assisting with sweeping, litter collection and window washing. Submitted photos
Amazing Race – Jazlyn L. and Caitlin R. are the winners of Norwell District Secondary School’s Amazing Race, a fundraiser for Relay for Life. High school admin office assistant Mackenzie Norman said every participant across the 12 teams “showed true determination, grit and perseverance as [they] tackled clues, powered through challenges and raced from one business location to the next. It wasn’t just a test of speed – it was a test of teamwork, resilience and heart.” She said the winners’ “performance was nothing short of amazing,” and thanked the volunteers who helped run each of the stations. PHOTO 1: Jazlynn L and Caitlin R. PHOTO 2: Ryder E and Jude K. Submitted photos
Farm co-op placements – Some Norwell District Secondary School students have been completing their co-op placements on local farms. PHOTO 1: Alex S. is farming with Echo Valley Ranch just outside of Drayton. He milks and feeds cows and spends time with the new calves. PHOTO 2: Will H. has been helping his family at their home farm and has been busy this week with thousands of baby chicks delivered into the barns. He has also started prepping fields for summer crops. With him is Elena Norris, a past graduate from Norwell, helping with the delivery of the new baby chicks. Submitted photos
Stamp land – PHOTO 1: Stamp collectors Claire Nadeau and Bill Sanders check out one of the displays at the Saugeen Stamp Club’s annual show in Clifford on May 2. The couple travelled from Port Elgin to attend. PHOTO 2: Lisa Douglas of St. Thomas teams up with Greg Smith of Hamilton to share their vast knowledge of stamps with avid collectors during the Saugeen Stamp Club’s annual show in Clifford last Saturday. PHOTO 3: John Armstrong proudly displays a catalogue of Canadian stamps during the Saugeen Stamp Club’s annual show at Clifford’s Community Hall on Saturday. Armstrong travels from Brights Grove, near Sarnia, every year to participate in the popular event. Photos by Sue Hogenkamp
