Woolwich Observer Newspaper- Connecting Our Community

Sean Heeger - May 28, 20200

A little pizzazz for the village

To help people rediscover St. Jacobs and aid in rebranding the village, the Business Improvement Association tasked Waterloo artist Stephanie Scott with...

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Local News

Damon MacLean - May 28, 20200

GRCA, townships move to reopen outdoor rec...

With loosening of coronavirus-related restrictions, Ontarians now have more options for enjoying outdoor recreation activities at parks and beaches. Municipalities and agencies...

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Local News

Damon MacLean - May 28, 20200

Small abattoirs see increase in demand due...

Issues of food security have been high on the list of changes and adaptations demanded by the coronavirus pandemic. In particular, the...

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Local News

Damon MacLean - May 28, 20200

Racing to resume at Grand River Raceway

And they’re off ... even if nobody’s there to see ‘em. When harness racing resumes next week at Grand...

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Local Coverage of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Our reporters are tracking down the latest local information to keep our communities informed about COVID-19. We'll keep you posted with daily updates, global tracking and resources to help inform you.

COVID-19 Coverage

LOCAL NEWS

Local News

Observer Admin - May 28, 20200

Fourteen-year-old dies after tractor rolls over in on-farm accident

A 14-year-old boy was killed Tuesday night on a farm near Winterbourne when the tractor he was driving rolled over.

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Local News

Damon MacLean - May 28, 20200

Martin’s Family Fruit Farm to hold off on reopening its retail store

While other businesses are taking tentative steps into reopening as coronavirus restrictions are eased, one St. Jacobs farm has decided to hold off...

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Covid-19 Resources

Damon MacLean - May 25, 20200

Number of coronavirus cases stabilizes in Waterloo Region

The spread of the novel coronavirus continues to slow in the region, with the number of cases now at 1,082, a slight increase...

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Covid19

Damon MacLean - May 22, 20200

COVID-19 cases trending down in region

The spread of COVID-19 has slowed in Waterloo Region, with the daily number of new cases at the lowest levels since the early...

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Local News

Damon MacLean - May 21, 20200

Neighbours see bigger as better when it comes to free “library”

At the corner of High and Charles streets in Elmira, three neighbours have come together to launch the new ‘Northeast Branch Elmira Library,’...

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POLICE REPORT

Local News

Observer Admin - May 28, 20200

Fourteen-year-old dies after tractor rolls over in on-farm accident

A 14-year-old boy was killed Tuesday night on a farm near Winterbourne when the tractor he was...

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Police Report

Observer Admin - May 28, 20200

Police ask residents to refrain from gathering in larger groups

Over the past two weekends, Waterloo Regional Police have received several reports of people gathering contrary to...

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CRIME OF THE WEEK

Crime Stoppers

Observer Admin - March 30, 20200

HESPELER RD, CAMBRIDGE, ON Canada

Crime of the Week: March 30, 2020 Case#: 1717 Offence: Distraction Theft...

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Living Here

Sean Heeger - May 28, 20200

Plenty of opportunities for charitable work

With more and more people finding themselves on hard times because of the virus pandemic, there are those in the community who are taking it upon themselves to step up and find ways to support the less fortunate. Creekside Church recently completed a project of their own, this one aimed at helping the local food bank.

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Living Here

Pet adoptions on the rise during lockdown

Sean Heeger - May 28, 2020 0

Everyone’s life has been altered during the coronavirus pandemic as we adjust to the current version of the new normal, a situation...

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Living Here

Finding some time to be creative with wood

Sean Heeger - May 28, 2020 0

Derrick Stryker has always had a passion for working with his hands and learning to do things on his own, but it...

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Living Here

Wellesley Idol competition to stay virtual after ABC Fest cancelled

Sean Heeger - May 21, 2020 0

The cancellation last week of the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival didn’t mean just the postponement of the long-running event, it...

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Living Here

Building more than birdhouses

Damon MacLean - May 21, 2020 0

Unquestionably, COVID-19 has been great for one thing: The virus has successfully increased the call to “love thy neighbour.”

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Living Here

Elmira long-term care facility see residents coping well with COVID-19 restrictions

Damon MacLean - May 21, 2020 0

By this point, it is a fair assumption that every group in society has been experiencing some form of loneliness and isolation....

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View From Here

Scott Arnold - May 28, 2020 0

LOCAL SPORTS

Local News

Sugar Kings’ Brody Waters heading to B.C. for next season

Damon MacLean - May 7, 2020 0

A member of the Elmira Sugar Kings, Heidelberg’s Brody Waters will be playing a bit farther from home next season, as he’s joining the Nanaimo Clippers. The team is part of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), a tier-two Junior A league. Brody Waters The 18-year-old says he’s feeling “awesome and really excited about” the move some 4,500 kilometres west, a sentiment shared by his family. “I think they are more excited for me than anything else. A new chapter.” The move...

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Local News

Sean Heeger - April 23, 20200

Local soccer season to be delayed; potentially shortened

There will be plenty of local soccer players and fans disappointed that games won’t be starting when they should, as the coronavirus...

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Local News

Damon MacLean - April 16, 20200

Pair of Elmira players OHL-bound

Fifteen-year-old Elmira residents and Waterloo Wolves teammates Liam Eveleigh and Lucas Carson were both drafted to the OHL during the Ontario Priority...

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Local Sports

Sean Heeger - March 19, 20200

Local hockey player gets signed by American college

He has loved hockey since he was a young boy and always dreamt of playing professionally. Now Keanan Stewart is taking the next...

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Covid19

Sean Heeger - March 19, 20200

Widespread cancellations put an end to playoff runs of...

In the wake of major sports leagues suspending their seasons, fears of the coronavirus (COVID-19) have now reached local hockey teams.

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EDSS Sports

Sean Heeger - March 12, 20200

EDSS boys win CWOSSA hockey title

The EDSS boys’ hockey team is heading back to the provincials, having emerged victorious this week at the regional level.

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Wellesley Applejacks

Steve Kannon - March 12, 20200

Jacks drop new series opener against Tavistock

It wasn’t the start the Wellesley Applejacks wanted to their third-round series against the Tavistock Braves, but it’s early yet.

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Local Sports

Damon MacLean - March 12, 20200

Pair of artistic swimmers take part in the Ontario...

Joy Szabo and Audrey Hodgson both placed in the Ontario Winter Games for artistic swimming on March 1. Wellesley...

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Elmira Sugar Kings

Steve Kannon - March 5, 20200

Kings advance after sweeping Brantford in four straight

The Elmira Sugar Kings advanced to the second round of the GOJHL playoffs, having swept the Brantford Bandits in four games. A 6-1...

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Not So Great Outdoorsman

Steve Galea - May 28, 20200

Better days are just around the corner

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Not So Great Outdoorsman

Steve Galea - May 21, 20200

Dealing with the implications of a near-tragedy

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Submit Team Scores

BUSINESS VENTURES

Business Ventures

Sean Heeger - May 28, 20200

Return to shopping beyond the essentials

Add ‘bargain hunting’ to the list of shopping options in the restarting economy, as thrift stores have gradually been opening their doors.

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Business Ventures

Sean Heeger - May 28, 20200

Cancellation of YouthForce program will make job market tougher...

People across the country are struggling to find and maintain work in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now local youth, who...

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Business Ventures

Damon MacLean - May 21, 20200

Retirement prompts sale of St. Clements farm

Nauman’s Farm near St. Clements has been synonymous with pumpkins for two decades. Now, while the Nauman family retires from the business,...

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Business Ventures

Sean Heeger - May 21, 20200

Elmira Golf Club reopens over weekend as province lifts...

It seems like most of the world has been sitting indoors forever, waiting for the chance to see some semblance of normalcy...

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Business Ventures

Sean Heeger - May 21, 20200

More businesses can reopen as province eases restrictions

Some retail businesses with a street entrance were able to reopen last week, subject to guidelines to ensure the continued safety of...

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Business Ventures

Sean Heeger - May 21, 20200

Restaurant donating money from every meal to mask-making efforts

Takeout and delivery are currently the main ways people are continuing to get their favourite meals and support local restaurants during the...

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Owen Roberts

Owen Roberts - May 28, 20200

Still too many close calls and safety issues for farmers

The COVID-19 pandemic fallout – in particular, the food shortages we’ve experienced in some commodities, due to either increased demand or decreased...

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Owen Roberts

Owen Roberts - May 21, 20200

Frontline food workers to Ontario: We’re here for you

We’re pretty attached to our neighbourhood butcher. He’s always been renowned for quality, let alone service and friendliness. And...

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Owen Roberts

Owen Roberts - May 14, 20200

Tree planting is cool. So why not crop planting

Arguments over whether international workers or homegrown Canadians should provide the labour to grow our crops and raise our livestock fizzle when...

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CREATIVE ARTS

Music

Damon MacLean - May 28, 20200

Critical Mass’ first single in seven years

Mental health concerns abound in the climate of anxiety and isolation prompted by the novel coronavirus, a reality not lost on musician...

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Music

Damon MacLean - May 28, 20200

The evolution of Joshua Sade James’ musical style

He used to describe his musical style as the love child of Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake. Now, Joshua Sade...

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Music

Damon MacLean - May 14, 20200

Guelph indie-pop artist sees international success

With influences ranging from Coldplay to Marina and Lana Del Ray, Guelph teen indie-pop musician Mikalyn Hays has her mindset on a...

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Music

Sean Heeger - May 7, 20200

Performing live from their living room

Necessity means we’re finding more ways to do things ‘from the comfort of home’ these days. It’s a list that hasn’t traditionally...

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ON THE MENU

On The Menu

Chef Duff - May 28, 20200

A quick change in the weather brings BBQ season

A quick change in the weather brings BBQ season. One time while vacationing in Florida, I met a local...

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On The Menu

Steve Kannon - May 21, 20200

Spicing up your eggs for breakfast … or anytime

Perfect for breakfast or any meal of the day, this dish is made with simple ingredients and is a fun twist on...

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On The Menu

Chef Duff - May 14, 20200

A soufflé is an original culinary high point

A long time ago when I was in culinary school – I won’t divulge how long – the world was a different...

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On The Menu

Observer Admin - May 7, 20200

Mom’s breakfast made simple

Breakfast in bed is a Mother’s Day staple. Also common is a big mess in the kitchen for someone – i.e. mom...

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On The Menu

Chef Duff - April 30, 20200

Enjoying the tastes of BBQ from your kitchen

As we hopefully near the spring it’s great to feature a recipe that both combines one of the first seasonal ingredients of...

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On The Menu

Observer Admin - April 23, 20200

A good way to ham things up

If you tossed any leftover ham or potatoes into the freezer following your Easter dinner, this recipe for Leek, Potato and Ham...

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STRANGE BUT TRUE

Strange But True

Bill & Rich Sones - May 28, 20200

They may have a bad reputation, but wasps are useful critters

Q. As far back as the fourth century B.C., Aristotle lamented the shortcomings of Greece’s young people, saying “They think they know...

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Strange But True

Bill & Rich Sones - May 21, 20200

Love is a drug, with real medicinal benefits

Q. Have you heard talk about a “love medicine”? Is it a new wonder drug? A. It’s certainly wonderful...

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Strange But True

Bill & Rich Sones - May 14, 20200

We have many phobias, and the words to describe our fears

Q. 2020 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, founder of the nursing profession and undoubtedly the most famous...

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MARYHILL NEWS BY DIANE STRICKLER

Maryhill News

New Horizons

Diane Strickler - March 16, 2020 0

The monthly session of New Horizons took place at the Maryhill Heritage Park Community Centre on Thursday, March 12th at 10 a.m. Guest speaker was Ken Becker who is a Cruise and Travel Consultant from Expedia Cruise Ship Centre in Kitchener. His topic was “Travel..the World is Waiting for You!” Ken has been with Expedia for 13 years. Although with the Coronavirus upon us he was optimist that things will eventually turn out. Now would be the time to think of where you would like to go. The best...

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Maryhill News

Diane Strickler - March 16, 20200