News Headlines

Canada’s Polka King Walter Ostanek and his band helped fill the Aylmer German Canadian Club’s Saxonia Hall on Saturday evening, Sept. 30 for a third straight year as the featured attraction of Oktoberfest. Those who chose to attend the entire dinner and dance were treated to a full Bavarian-style sit-down meal with craft beer pairings…

Riana Loewen, 14, left, (her face covered in chocolate pudding from a previous game) tried to pass a Lifesaver to Golden Angels teammate Bradley Tupper, 13, using only toothpicks held in their mouths during the annual Eagle Olympics at Optimist Park in Aylmer on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 28. Grade 9 newcomers to East Elgin Secondary…

A ceremony was held at Sparta South Cemetery in Central Elgin on Saturday, Sept. 23, to salute two veterans of the War of 1812, John C. Ryckman and James Pickard. They were both privates in that war. A stone was added to Private Ryckman’s grade to salute his service to Canada, but unfortunately the grave…

Volunteers at McGregor Public School in Aylmer handed out slices of free pizza during a teacher open house and Terry Fox Family Walk that traditionally opens the new school year there, Wednesday night, Sept. 13. Similar events were being held this week at public, Catholic and private schools across the area.

Thames Valley District School Board trustees put paid to any idea they might change their minds about closing Springfield, Sparta and New Sarum public schools at a special meeting on Tuesday night, Aug. 29 in London. They voted unanimously to approve a priority list for capital projects proposed for Ontario Ministry of Education funding that…

Bayham Mayor Paul Ens sent a seed flying through the air as he and other local dignitaries helped open the 10th annual Watermelon Fest in Straffordville on Saturday morning, Aug. 26. Bayham Wayne Casier was the winner of the seed spitting contest with a 26-foot effort. Events continue through the afternoon and evening.

Thames Valley District School Board Chairman Matt Reid appears to have taken it onto himself to dismiss appeals from Elgin County and Central Elgin for reconsideration of the ordered closings of New Sarum, Sparta and Springfield public schools. The agenda for Central Elgin council’s meeting on Monday afternoon, Aug. 28, includes a reply from Trustee…

Duff’s Garage in Aylmer is holding its 10th annual Car Show and Open House tonight, Wednesday, Aug. 16. Attractions include a variety of vintage and muscle cars, a pig roast and live music from Uncertain Children and Nite Train. Proceeds from the event will be given to the Aylmer Shrine Club and the Salvation Army…

Runners 3 through 8 years old competed in a “water race” during special competitions for children at Aylmer Fair on Friday afternoon, Aug. 11. The goal was to get to the finish as quickly as possible while spilling as little as possible. The fair continues through Sunday.

Khanan Hernandez, left, Sammy Bartch, Reid Unger and Hollis Fehr drew out patterns that could be used for temporary “henna” tattoos during a workshop that was part of Springfield library’s Summer Reading Club meeting on Thursday morning, Aug. 3. The theme for this year’s club is “Canada 150,” and members of the St. Thomas Elgin…