Posts by Rob Perry
Bill Gheysen saluted for over 55 years of volunteerism
Bill Gheysen of Vienna has been recognized by the Ontario government for over 55 years as a community volunteer through his activities in the Vienna Lions Club. He celebrated his 92nd birthday on Saturday, Sept. 28, as he recovered from a heart attack suffered three weeks before he was interviewed for this story. He considers…
Read MoreDon’t resort to vigilantism, Aylmer Police warn
Aylmer Police want residents to report suspicious activity when they see it, but not to go beyond that and engage in what amounted to “online hate” against individuals. That is what allegedly led to a “violent assault” against an individual on Aug. 31 that is now under investigation. Police found no evidence to substantiate online…
Read MoreFree public skate for diversity
Jaydon Ball, 17, a Grade 12 student at East Elgin Secondary School, is hosting a free public skate at East Elgin Community Complex on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and he wants everyone to come. Someone without skates doesn’t have to worry—skate rentals will also be free that night. The event…
Read MoreExpress Thanksgiving Food Drive kicks off
The annual Aylmer Express Thanksgiving Food Drive kicked off this week, with donation bags included in the newspaper. Donations will go to East Eglin Community Assistance Program’s Corner Cupboard food bank in Aylmer or the St. Thomas Elgin Food Bank in St. Thomas (pictured here with Operations Manager Sarah Coleman, left, and Administration Manager Karen…
Read MoreAylmer gets a slice of provincial infrastructure pie
Aylmer Mayor Jack Couckuyt was all smiles on Sept. 18 as ministers of the Ontario government visited the region and announced $57.2 million in infrastructure funding that will expedite construction of some 40,000 new houses in Elgin and Middlesex counties. The mayor’s welcome news of a $4.5 million Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund grant that the…
Read MoreGetting ready for Thanksgiving Food Drive
Joan Branje, left, Julie Therrien, Susie Giesbrecht, Kelsey Henry, Alexandra Hunt, Alex Branje and Christine Frisch of the Aylmer office of Community Living Elgin placed labels onto donation bags for the 35th annual Aylmer Express Thanksgiving Food Drive for East Elgin Community Assistance Program’s Corner Cupboard food bank in Aylmer and the St. Thomas Elgin…
Read MorePreserving 62 acres of Carolinian forest
Emotions were running high on Thursday Sept. 12 at the Grand Opening of the Deer Ridge Conservation Area and Hiking Trail, on Glengariff Drive, in Talbotville. The event acknowledged a donation of 61.58 acres of forest in perpetuity to Kettle Creek Conservation Authority (KCCA) by Ted and Duggie Gill, local horse farm owners in the…
Read MoreOPP investigating Archie Coulter altercation
Elgin Ontario Provincial Police are warning local residents to take care after an incident at Archie Coulter Conservation Area on Brouwers Line in Central Elgin that left one person with minor injuries on Wednesday, Sept. 11, about about 5:55 p.m. The injured person was walking along a trail, and was approached from behind. “Physical contact…
Read MorePepper Fest sizzles at Old Imperial Farmers Market
A youngster offered a soothing drink to Jake Bartsch as he competed in a hot-wings eating contest as part of Pepper Fest festivities on Friday night, Sept. 6 at Old Imperial Farmers Market. He had to turn down the offer because, had he taken the drink, he would have been disqualified. For more photos of…
Read MoreCerna says: get shingles shot!
Malahide Councillor Rick Cerna is urging everyone to get vaccinated against shingles, after suffering a bout of the painful disease. At a township council meeting Thursday, Sept. 5, he said, “I don’t know what the Good Lord has against me, but I’ve been through a lot since 2017.” That included a heart operation, a stroke…
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