NEWS

Local news in and around Aylmer and Elgin County

Mayor to lead opposition to Belmont bank closing

May 25, 2016 | 0 Comments

Central Elgin Mayor David Marr has promised to appear at a public hearing at Belmont Arena, Thursday, June 2, at 7 p.m., to oppose the proposed closing of the village’s only bank. Scotiabank has announced that it will close its Belmont branch on Jan. 22, 2017, merging it with its St. Thomas bank 20 kilometres…

Central Elgin permit fees to rise at slower rate

May 25, 2016 | 0 Comments

Central Elgin councillors, in a split vote Tuesday night, May 24, decided that much higher fees for new home building permits should be phased in between now and 2020, two years longer than originally proposed. The change came after an appeal from Dick Greenway of Don West Construction, who argued the higher fees would drive…

Getting Techy at OTH Library

May 25, 2016 | 0 Comments

Library technician Merrill Taylor, left, helped Dawson Loewen, 9, with his Raspberry Pi kit during the Techy Tuesday workshop at Aylmer Old Town Library on Tuesday afternoon, May 25. That afternoon, the children installed LED (light-emitting diode) lights on circuit boards and then used computer code to turn them off and on. Techy Tuesdays, which…

Belmont Scotiabank closing

May 23, 2016 | 2 Comments

Belmont will lose its only bank branch, Jan. 12, 2017. Scotiabank revealed the news in a letter to Central Elgin councillors to be considered at their meeting Tuesday night, May 24. All accounts would be moved to the Scotiabank branch at 472 Talbot St. in St. Thomas, District Vice-President Andrew Smith wrote.

Port Burwell Trinity celebrates 180th

May 22, 2016 | 0 Comments

Robert “Bob” Bennett, right, the Bishop of Huron Diocese, greeted the congregation of Trinity Anglican Church in Port Burwell outside, at the end of the 180th anniversary service Sunday, May 22. Rt. Rev. Bennett spent his youth in Port Burwell, as he recalled while speaking to congregation members, especially those from Scouting groups. He dedicated…

Spring concert at Summers Corners PS

May 20, 2016 | 0 Comments

Grade 4 pupil Emily Boldt performed Taylor Swift’s Mean during the Summers Corners Public School Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 18. The talent on display at the school located east of Aylmer included pupils playing flutes, dancers, guitarists, comedy skits, pianists, drummers, someone playing a bassoon, several other solo vocalists and the schools’ choirs and bands.

Checking out the “rainbow slime” in Straffordville

May 19, 2016 | 0 Comments

Izabelle Zarb, left, Trudy Peters, Serena Braun, Kailah Blondeel and Hailey Peters showed off the shade of “rainbow slime” they made during the last “Girls Club” meeting of the season at Straffordville library on Tuesday, May 17. The program, for girls in Grades 4 through 6, runs monthly through the school year. The last session,…

May Madness at EESS

May 18, 2016 | 0 Comments

East Elgin Secondary School students Isabelle Neukamm, front left, and Rachel Vandenbrink, right, led a group of Grade 8 pupils from various local schools through the halls of EESS to the weight and fitness room during a scavenger hunt, part of the fun of Eagle’s May Madness on Wednesday, May 18. Formerly known as the…

South Dorchester’s Got Talent

May 16, 2016 | 0 Comments

South Dorchester Public School teachers Angela D’Alessandro (with arms by Christine Pertschy), Linda Fenn (Denyse Woods), Jennifer Shackelton (Cheryl Duffet), Teresa Webster (Rosemary Baughman) and Kristin Methot (Patty Wakem) performed to “The Chicken Dance” during a recent “South Dorchster’s Got Talent” show at the school. While most of the acts featured pupils, teachers always prepare…

Concert celebrates 200th in song at Aylmer Baptist

May 16, 2016 | 0 Comments

Melissa Wang Jackson, left, of the Calgary Opera waited for her turn to sing during a duet with Barbara Thorson at Aylmer Baptist Church on Sunday afternoon, May 15. The pair were performing It’s a Grand Day for Singing, one of several selections of songs and instrumental music enjoyed by the audience during the Spring…

Sparta Scouts plant 500 trees at Archie Coulter

May 14, 2016 | 0 Comments

A group of about 40 First Sparta Scouts and adult volunteers, including Beaver Lysha Annandale, left, and John Bynsdorp, helped Catfish Creek Conservation Authority workers plant 500 trees at Archie Coulter Conservation Area near Orwell on Saturday morning, May 14. The Beavers, Cubs and Scouts planted native sycamore trees along with pine and spruce saplings.

Plant sale attracts green thumbs despite rain

May 14, 2016 | 0 Comments

Aylmer and District Horticultural Society Treasurer Lesley Malcolm checked out some plants at the $2 table during the Society’s annual Plant Sale in front of Aylmer Old Town Hall Library on Saturday morning, May 14. The event was held despite the rainy start to the morning and featured a varied selection of mostly perennials and…