Remembrance Day Ceremonies in Elgin County

Port Burwell Armistice Day Parade   - November 4th, 2012, 2pm
Parade from the Legion in Port Burwell, westerly on Wellington St., turning left of Robinson St. and left on Pitt St. to Cenotaph.
Contact: 519-874-4308
Website: www.bayham.on.ca

Dutton Remembrance Day Service - November 9th, 2012, 7pm
Dutton Dunwich Municipal Office/WEDS Theatre
Contact: 519-762-2204

Remembrance Day Service at the Boy Soldier - November 11, 2012, 10:45am
St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital, 189 Elm St., St. Thomas

West Lorne Remembrance Day Service - November 11, 2012, 11am
West Lorne Cenotaph, Arena Graham Rd.
Contact: 519-768-2795

Aylmer Remembrance Day Ceremonies - November 11, 2012, 10:30am
Cenotaph, Talbot St.

Chantel Ward Share's Her Camping Experience

As the years have passed, my love for camping seemed to have been leaning more towards a love of "cottaging". But, as the mother of two, I knew my boys needed to experience a true camping trip. Building fires, eating smores, hiking trails, and swimming in the lake.

So instead of the cottage in Muskoka, we hit the Port Burwell Provincial Park Campground.

And let me tell you, it was a FANTASTIC idea!

Beautiful campground - mature trees - friendly people - fun beaches - and as for the hiking trail, it's a good one but I suggest better footwear then my $2 flip flops!

My husband, my sons and I were given the gift of time with each other. We hadn't sat and played cards as a family in...well, I couldn't tell you the last time. I've attached a picture of our youngest son - I think we captured this one right around game #273 of 'Go Fish'. That is joy.

Boy, I am glad we chose to be campers again this Summer.

-Chantel Ward, Port Stanley

Elgin Arts Trail Celebrates One Year with Award

On Tuesday October 2, the International Economic Development Council presented Elgin County with an award in recognition of its Elgin Arts Trail Discovery Guide at an awards ceremony in Houston, Texas.

"The Elgin Arts Trail program has had an extremely successful first year," said Elgin County Warden Bill Walters. "It is an honour to be recognized amongst our peers at an international level."

In September of 2011 Elgin – St. Thomas Tourism, in partnership with the Elgin Business Resource Centre and the St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre, developed and launched the Elgin Arts Trail to connect the area’s art community. The program seeks to build local awareness of the artists in Elgin and St. Thomas, evoking a sense of community pride and having a positive impact on the community.

The Elgin Arts Trail Discovery Guide takes visitors on a journey to 14 studios and galleries featuring original paintings, sculptures, photography, pottery, and other hand crafted items.

Members of the Elgin Arts Trail met on October 3 at the St. Thomas – Elgin Public Art Centre to celebrate the program’s one year anniversary and international award.

For more information about the Elgin Arts Trail visit 

www.elginartstrail.ca or call 1-877-GO-ELGIN ext. 168.

Photo: Elgin Arts Trail members 

Front Row: Kevin Morrell, Paul Smith. Back Row: Laura Woermke, Susan Morrell, Dave Phillips, Brenda Smith, Lucy Ogletree, Grace McGartland, Jenny Phillips.