This Week in Photos - Vol. 59, Issue 05
For the week of January 29, 2026
Face off – The Wellington County OPP and the Palmerston Firefighters Association faced off on Jan. 24 at the Palmerston Arena in a friendly hockey game in support of the Palmerston Community Food Bank. Admission was by donation. PHOTO 1: OPP representative Nick Moore, left, food bank volunteer Helen Meyers, and Palmerston firefighter Todd Boyne participate in the ceremonial face off. PHOTO 2: The OPP and firefighter teams got together for a group photo after the close game, which the OPP team won 5-4. But the big winner was the food bank, as $2,000 was raised for its benefit. PHOTO 3: Local fans weren’t the only ones to come out to the charity game. These OPP officers stopped in to watch some of the action. Submitted/Ellouise Thompson photos
Burns’ night – The Fergus Pipe band hosted its annual Robbie Burns Night at the Fergus Legion on Jan. 24. The late Robbie Burns is a famous Scottish poet recognized each year in this town, steeped in Scottish heritage as it is. PHOTO 1: John Campbell raises the haggis after the address is given, all part of the event’s tradition. PHOTO 2: Pipe major Mark Cripps addresses the audience. Photos by Bill Longshaw
Art – An enthusiastic crowd braved the wind and snow on Sunday to attend the The Elora Centre for the Arts (ECFTA) where Canadian artist and Elora resident Barry McCarthy was centre stage. ECFTA hosted an artist’s reception to launch the new installation Light and Solitude: Landscapes of Spirit and Place. The exhibition of McCarthy’s vibrant landscapes runs through March 8 in the newly renovated gallery space. PHOTO 1: From left, Centre Wellington mayor Shawn Watters, artist Barry McCarthy and ECFTA executive director Lianne Carter. Photos by Duncan Hossak
Whisky – On Jan. 24, Mark Anderson and Marty van Vliet, co-founders of the Elora Distilling Company, hosted eight local Ontario Craft Distillers at the Ontario Craft Whisky Festival, an afternoon to sip and savour a wide array of whisky. Guests at the sold-out event were in high spirits as they sampled cocktails, enjoyed the music, and learned from guest speakers on mixology, history, pairing and blending. The event took place in the brand-new wing of the Elora Centre for the Arts. PHOTO 1: Anderson, left, and van Vliet. PHOTO 2: From left, Laeum and Josh from John Sleeman and Sons Springmill Distillery in Guelph shake up something special for guests Amy and Dan Harvey. PHOTO 3: From left, Sandra Hattle, Cheryl Collet, and Tim Hattle enjoy a cocktail with Lucas Kusiak and Himmat Rajput from the Stillwater’s Distillery in Concord. Photos by Duncan Hossak
Awards – Six skaters from the Elora Skating Club participated in a competition Jan. 23 to 25 in Lucan, Ontario. The skaters were Brooke Bates, Daisy Desautels, Lily Cox, Jane Williams, Carley Winch and Shanna Beggs. All six skaters returned home with a gold or silver assessment result. PHOTO 1: Brooke Bates. PHOTO 2: Daisy Desautels and Lily Cox. PHOTO 3: Carley Winch. PHOTO 4: Skater Shanna Beggs on the right. PHOTO 5: Jane Williams showing off a silver award from the competition. Submitted photos.
Seed workshop – PHOTO 1: Gwen Swick, left, and Randall Coryell, shown here planting aster seeds, took part in the CW Native Plant Gardening workshop on Jan. 23 at the Elora Centre for the Arts. The theme was winter sowing and participants planted annual seeds in plant trays. The seedlings will be transplanted into the ground in spring. Native plants are encouraged, said Kate Anderson, co-chair of the group, as they produce food and habitat for pollinators that are critical for flower and food crop pollination. PHOTO 2: Karen Boivin plants seeds. Photos by Bill Longshaw
