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Environmentally-conscious students educated their peers while learning a lot themselves during Earth Week at Stratford District Secondary School.

Guest speakers stopped by the local high school to chat with students about a variety of environmental topics, part of activities held throughout the Avon Maitland District School Board.

Students from the school's Eco Club organized some fun activities, including a 'Where's Bruno' game. Similar to 'Where's Waldo', students had to find Bruno and then answer questions about the environment, such as what can be recycled in Stratford, to win a prize.

Trustee Bruce Whittaker stopped in to talk about the city's skate park and new outdoor gym and how it helps the environment.

The Eco Club have appeared in delegations before city council and have worked on a produce bag initiative with the Local Community Food Centre. They have planted trees with other local organizations and try to raise awareness in their school.

Student Lucy Chung said students have also worked on an urban farm project, learning about soil best practices in the process.

"One of our goals for Earth Week is to show people that talking about the Earth and caring for the environment isn’t just specific to biology and science programs…we had something about robotic farming so it can apply to engineering and apply to Indigenous studies and English classes, even math classes and physics classes."

Students said they learned new insights into how city processes work through their Eco Club involvement, and ideas on how to connect with the community and inspire changes.

Some may pursue careers that intersect with the environment.

"What I am personally going to take away from Earth Week, it was really interesting to see, you can do things for the environment from any career. You can always make a change, make an impact," said Elliana Morrison.

Christine Ritsma teaches a Green Industries course at the school, and is staff advisor for the Eco Club.

"They are a robust group of kids and it’s not just this group. We have been so lucky at this school to have such great kids in leadership. This is a group that sees an idea and then they go for it...they work so well together, they are amazing."

Ritsma said there is so much motivation to go around that her only concern is keeping everyone focused and narrowing in on ideas.

"They want to make changes, here in the community, so it’s just about what is our goal, what do you want to do, how do you want to do it. And that is fun right, that is so much fun.”

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OPP are modernizing public phone systems outside detachments.

The new 'E-phones' are touchscreen based, replacing handset phones used for many years outside of provincial police buildings.

The new systems have been installed in Mitchell and Listowel and should be up and running at the Sebringville detachment in August, Derek Rogers, regional media relations coordinator, told My Stratford Now.

Although a modernized system, the function remains the same, OPP said.

All E-phone calls will connect to OPP Provincial Communications Centres for service.

When the user touches the call-screen icon, call-takers and dispatchers will see the originating location of the call. The location display saves time gathering the caller's information and provides the public with the confidence that their location is readily identified and that police will respond.

To date, 20 of 34 West Region locations have transitioned to the new E-phone system.

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A popular musical trio are coming to Avondale United Church.

Boreal are an award-winning group featuring Katherine Wheatly, Tannis Slimmon, and Angie Nussey. The singer-songwriters are performing May 11 at Avondale United Church.

According to their bio, in the winter, Boreal shines their collective light on Canada’s coldest months with their show 'Songs for the Snowy Season'. The brighter months are reserved for 'Songs of Renewal', a show that combines sun-loving, moon-watching, finger-snapping, heart-touching and deeply uplifting songs.

Avondale United Church marks just one of the 13 venues on the 'Songs of Renewal' tour.

Boreal describes their performance as a journey of "friendship, laughter, and connection”, while celebrating hope, and new beginnings.

“Stratford just breathes with art, theater, and culture. We're very excited to be part of it...if only for a night," said Nussey.

The Stratford performance starts at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening 30 minutes before. Tickets are $25 each, and can be purchased at the Avondale United Church office (194 Avondale Ave), by emailing avondaleuc@wightman.ca, or by visiting Ticketscene.

For more information, call Avondale United Church at: 519-271-7946.

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Jamie: Lots of fun chatting with Izzy Marchenko Izzy the Bookworm and her mom Lindsey about Izzy's MS Book Sale! happening THIS SAT APR 27 at Bedford School. Izzy and Lindsey have all the info on this fundraiser:

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A 20-year-old Stratford man was arrested in Waterloo earlier this week.

Waterloo Region Police said they responded to the area of King Street North and University Avenue East on Monday at 11:50 p.m. for a report of a stolen GMC pickup.

The driver of the stolen vehicle attempted to flee from police at a high rate of speed, collided with a police cruiser, and then fled the area, police allege.

The suspect was arrested after a foot pursuit.

Both vehicles sustained significant damage. No injuries were reported.

The Stratford accused faces charges that include theft of a motor vehicle, flight from police and assaulting a police officer. He was alleged to be driving under suspension and had an outstanding warrant. The accused was held in custody for a bail hearing.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 519-570-9777, extension 6399.

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Jack O'Donnell's first period marker stood up as the game winner as the Listowel Cyclones cruised to a 4-1 win over the Fort Erie Meteors on Wednesday night.

The Midwestern Division champion Cyclones improved to 2-1 in the round-robin portion of the Sutherland Cup junior B championships series. Fort Erie, who won the Golden Horseshoe playoffs, dropped to 1-2.

It was O'Donnell's eighth goal of the playoffs, coming on the power play, after Chet Hudson opened the scoring for Listowel. Ben McRobbie scored his ninth goal of the playoffs in the second period to extend the lead to 3-0.

Chaka-Benjamin Ntumba-Muntu got one back for the Meteors in the third period. Tanner Dietz iced the win with an empty netter with 17 seconds remaining.

Dixon Grimes stopped 24 of 25 pucks shot his way in net for the Cyclones.

Fort Erie are at the Western Junior B League champion St. Marys Lincolns (1-1) on Friday night. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. at the Pyramid Recreation Centre.

The final game of the round-robin is Sunday when Listowel host St. Marys at 7:30 p.m.

Top two teams after the round-robin play a best-of-seven series for the Sutherland Cup championship.

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St. Marys Town Council is recognizing volunteers and donors whose efforts have ultimately contributed to improvements to the Grand Trunk Trail.

Council members will join representatives from the Lind family, the Kinsmen Club of St. Marys, Texo Terra Contracting, Forman Electric, and volunteer Bill Richardson on a section of the trail next to the James St. N parking lot, the Town said in a media release.

The event on Wednesday May 1, beginning at 8 p.m., will feature a speech by Mayor Al Strathdee, followed by a ceremonial lighting of the new trail lights, in a nod to a beloved St. Marys tradition.

Guests can enjoy free refreshments on the trail.

Improvements to the trail include 23 new light standards and 700 metres of paving along a section that runs between Wellington St. N and just past James St. N. The trail has also been connected to the new trailhead parking lot on James St. N.

“The Grand Trunk Trail is one of the jewels of St. Marys,” said Mayor Al Strathdee. “I want to thank all the donors and volunteers, including those that chose to remain anonymous. Your hard work and generosity have made the trail safer and more accessible for all.”

Everyone is welcome to attend the rain or shine celebration.

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Kate: So nice to chat with Margaret Smart all about the volunteers, volunteering opportunities and upcoming events at The Local Community Food Centre!  They do so much to nourish our community! Margaret tells us what's going on:

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Changes are being made to the collection of household hazardous waste in Stratford.

Collection days will now be held at the Romeo Street landfill site, instead of the Rotary Complex parking lot.

It starts this weekend with the first collection day on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Jamie: Great checking in with Cst. Darren Fischer from Stratford Police Service It's the 3rd Annual Spring Community Bike Sale THIS SAT APR 27 with Optimist Club of Stratford. Darren has all the details:

[audio mp3="https://www.mystratfordnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Apr-24-Cst-Darren-Fischer.mp3"][/audio]

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Jamie: Nice speaking with Terri Sparling and Heather Herman from Avondale United Church, Stratford Their concert series continues with Boreal "Songs Of Renewal" for Sat May 11 at Avondale Church. Terri and Heather have all the details how you can get tickets:

[audio mp3="https://www.mystratfordnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Apr-24-Terri-and-Heather.mp3"][/audio]

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The 56th camping season is set to begin at Wildwood Conservation Area.

The conservation area announced Wednesday, May 1 as opening day for campers.

“We’re looking to build on the success of last year – we had a great season with well attended events, new rental equipment and new visitors discovering what a beautiful spot Wildwood is,” Superintendent Alison Miller said in a media release.

While at the conservation authority, campers can use hiking and biking trails from 1.2-25 km. There are also opportunities for water sports, including kayak, canoe or stand-up paddle rentals.

You can also boat or fish at the conservation authority.

Some special presentations this season: 

• Wild Ontario: Saturday, July 20
• Scienssational Snakes: Saturday, July 27
• Canadian Raptor Conservancy: Saturday, August 3
• Scales Nature Park: Saturday, August 10
• Speaking of Wildlife: Saturday, August 24

For more information, or to book online, go to wildwoodconservationarea.ca

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