News
Turkey vultures nesting in Aylmer trees
David Chalk of Aylmer took this picture of turkey vultures, who nest on St. Andrew Street, drying themselves out after early-morning thunderstorms on Saturday, Aug. 31. He noted that he had about 44 millimetres (or 1.75 inches) of precipitation in a rain gauge at his home as a result of the storms, and added, “Turkey…
Read MorePerfect weather for Watermelon Fest
Mike, left, and Jenn Collins cut free slices for everyone coming into the annual Straffordville Watermelon Fest on Saturday, Aug. 24. They went through about 180 melons as crowds thronged the event. Rose Gardner, one of the organizers, said the festival was another overwhelming success. For more pictures, see the Aug. 24 edition of The…
Read MoreAylmer dips toe into possible indoor pool
While the town couldn’t afford to build a new indoor pool for at least eight to 10 years, Aylmer council members on Wednesday, Aug. 14, moved up the first step, pre-engineering designs for such a facility, to next year from 2026. They were meeting as finance committee and were considering a proposed capital budget for…
Read MoreEECAP, food bank giving out more than getting in donations
The need among local families for food and financial assistance is outpacing what East Elgin Community Assistance Program is receiving in donations, Chairman Peter Ungar told Aylmer councillors on Wednesday, Aug. 14. “I’m not here for money,” he assured council members, but did seek their support in a push for a “living wage” in Ontario.…
Read MoreOwner of lost bull found
Elgin OPP reported on Monday, Aug. 26, that the owner of a lost bull in Central Elgin had been found. Police investigated a report of a bull running at large on Belmont Road near Ferguson Line on Saturday, Aug. 17, at about 7 p.m. Assisted by members of the public, officers corralled the bull and…
Read MoreBig crowd at Aylmer Fair
The 176th Aylmer Fair last weekend, enjoying mild weather and no rain, recorded an attendance of more than 11,000 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. That’s up – way up – from 7,000 last year. “Amazing,” Fair President Randy Laur said on Monday, “It was better than I ever expected. “I haven’t seen crowds here that…
Read MoreAylmer Fair opens Friday, Aug. 9
President Randy Laur says this year, the 176th edition of the Aylmer Fair, promises as always, an opportunity to gather together, socialize and take in all the attractions, including cattle shows, demolition derbies, arts and crafts competitions, flower shows, farm produce contests, a variety of foods, a petting zoo with pony rides and, for the…
Read MoreMP Karen Vecchio won’t seek re-election
Elgin-Middlesex-London Member of Parliament Karen Vecchio is preparing to leave office and is considering other avenues of community service after 10 years on Parliament Hill. MP Vecchio, who was raised on a turkey and hog farm in Sparta, has advised Carleton MP Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, and Leader of the…
Read MoreLegend Rubber cleaning up after fire
Legend Rubber of Bayham hopes to be back in production by the end of this week after a major fire in the early-morning hours of Monday, July 29. The company manufactures rubber livestock mats for use in beef cattle and dairy barns. Chief Marketing Officer Brendan Church said the company was grateful to Bayham…
Read MoreAylmer Fire Department marks 150th anniversary
Retired volunteer firefighters attended the 150th anniversary open house of the Aylmer Fire Department on Saturday, July 20. Standing in front of a recently-restored 1942 firetruck that had at one time been in town service were, from left, Barry Shipp, Wayne Gavey, Steve Gray, Jim Laur, Jim Thompson, Lew Underhill, Tom Miskelly, Bob Sproul, Gerry Freeman,…
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