Organizing the past
It’s taken a few decades, but Nancy Maitland is doing the job she always wanted to do. Maitland is the new part-time archivist at the Wellesley Township Heritage and Historical Society room. She studied archaeology at Wilfrid Laurier University before completing a master’s degree in museology and a certificate course at the National Archives. Maitland’s aim was to work in local history, but she wound up working at the University of Waterloo archives for a short time before taking a job as a Read more
Community fund celebrates 10 years
The Woolwich Community Fund celebrated 10 years of presenting grants to groups in Woolwich Township this week and distributed grants to this year’s recipients.
Approximately $4,500 was handed out this year to Woolwich Community Services’ Women of Courage program and the Elmira Boy Scouts. The Scouts are using the funds to move a storage shed and rebuild its hall Read more
Just like all the other kids
Two and a half year old Gabbie Strauss is still too young to realize that she’s different from other little girls. As far as she knows, everyone drinks glasses and glasses of water and takes ‘vitamins’ every six hours.
Some day Gabbie will understand that her vitamins are actually medicines that slow the effects of a rare genetic disease called cystinosis. The drugs help prevent the formation of crystals of cystine that would otherwise build up in her cells and destroy her organs Read more
Local judo fighter headed to Lethbridge
In the moments before he steps on the mat at a judo competition, Phil Leeman puts on his music and mentally goes over every move, grip and throw, right down to the bow at the start of the fight.
Mental focus is just as important as technique in a competition; Phil describes judo as “physical chess.” He’ll need a strong focus this weekend when he fights in the under-17 national judo Read more
Canada playing catch-up on recycling
Sometime in the 1980s, the three Rs taught in schools changed from “reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmatic” to “reduce, reuse, recycle.” The environmentally conscious carefully sort their plastic, glass, cardboard and cans into blue bins and carry them to the curb every week.
What happens next is sometimes less than environmentally friendly. Some items are recycled more successfully than others; the current recovery rate for paper-based packaging is 58 per cent and 56 Read more
Back in the saddle again at the Milverton Rodeo [Gallery]
Trevor Dunk won the tie-down roping event at last weekend’s Milverton Rodeo with a time of 15.1 seconds. Here, his horse puts on the brakes as the loop settles around the calf.
Wayne Vanwyck’s new book touts the benefits of transition planning
About eight years ago, the owner of a successful industrial supply company announced he was going to sell his business and retire in five years. The day came and went, and he made no move to do so. Instead, he changed Read more
July 1st time to get your Canadian pride on
Canadians may lack the patriotic fervor of our neighbours to the south, but it’s time to put on our red and white and do a little flag-waving.
The annual Canada Day celebration in Elmira’s Gore Park kicks off at 4 p.m. next Thursday. The Kiwanis Club of Elmira will be serving ice cream, the Optimists are putting on a barbecue and Read more
Retirement a long time in the making
After 37 years at the helm of Way-Mar Inc., you might wonder what Wayne Martin will do with his time when he retires. Martin himself has no such questions. Read more
Singers can’t be idle while there’s Idol work to do
Can you carry a tune without the help of a bucket? Do you have the Glee soundtrack on repeat? Do you fancy yourself the next Kelly Clarkson, David Archuleta or Carrie Underwood?
It’s time to stop serenading the soap dish and step on stage. After a year’s hiatus, the Wellesley ABC Idol competition is back and looking for singers.
The competition is open to students 12 to 18 years of age who live and go to school in Wilmot, Woolwich, Wellesley or Perth East townships. The student who claims the Wellesley Idol title will win $300 and another $300 for their school’s fine arts department. Second and third place will win $200 and $100 respectively, and matching amounts for their schools. The people’s choice winner, voted on at the Wellesley Fall Fair, will receive $125.
The competition takes place in three rounds, with tryouts starting 7 p.m. June 27 at the Wellesley Community Centre. The six semi-finalists will perform at the Wellesley Fall Fair Sept. 14, with the top three advancing to the finals at the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese festival Sept. 25.
Wellesley Idol started five years ago for the 30th anniversary of the Apple Butter and Cheese Festival, and was such a success it returned for the next three years. Last year a shortage of volunteers and difficulty finding a place to hold it meant the event was put on hold.
The last time Wellesley Idol was held, the top three prizes went to students from New Hamburg and Baden. Organizers are hoping to get other schools involved and perhaps spark a healthy inter-township rivalry.
Aspiring idols need to prepare four different songs, and can repeat one during the competition. For tryouts, singers will perform one song a capella and one song with accompaniment.
Organizer Marg Runstedler said they need at least eight contestants; as of Wednesday, there were only four. To sign up, contact Runstedler at 519-656-2721 or Wendy Richardson at 519-656-2961 by early next week.
