September 2026 Issue 82 Hometown St. Thomas
Congratulations on 100 Years!
Letter from the Editor One of the great ironies of social media is just how... unsocial it can be.
PortStanley FestivalTheatre
Now, lest anyone starts typing an angry comment before they’ve fi- nished reading this, let me be clear: I’m not anti-social media. They have tremendous value, reconnecting old friends, helping small businesses reach customers, spreading impor- tant community information in se- conds and, occasionally reminding us what our neighbours had for dinner. That’s a lot of power. But like any powerful tool, it comes with a downside. It’s amazingly easy to criticize someone from behind a keyboard; it’s easy to say things we’d never dream of saying face-to- face. Sometimes it’s a harmless disagreement. Other times it’s downright cruel. I’ve seen firsthand what social media can do to people’s confidence, especially young people. They can create an inflated sense of self-worth one day and completely tear someone down the next. Personally, I think social media should come with an age requirement much like a driver’s licence. We expect teenagers to learn how to safely operate a vehicle before we hand them the keys. Perhaps the same should apply before we hand them access to a world where every opinion, comparison and criticism is only a click away. Even beyond that, there’s something else we’ve quietly lost. We’ve forgotten how to simply be social. This community is full of opportunities to reconnect with one another: grab a coffee at a local café; wander through the Horton Market; stop into a neighbourhood business and ask the owner for a recommendation instead of reading twenty anonymous online reviews from people you’ll never meet. Of course, the hardest part is taking that first step – walking into a room, introducing yourself and starting a conversation where you don’t know many people. But I promise, they don’t bite. Most adults don’t make new friends nearly as easily as they did when they were kids. We meet people through work, community events or because our children become friends. Those opportunities don’t happen if we stay behind a screen. So this month, challenge yourself. Visit the Horton Market. Attend Bridges to Better Business. Stop by a local festival. Strike up a conversation with someone you’ve never met before. Support a local business and spend a few extra minutes chatting with the staff. It’s good for our businesses. It’s good for our community. And it’s good for the soul. Besides, after you’ve had a great conversation with someone in person, don’t be surprised if you get home and Facebook immediately suggests them as someone you might know. Maybe the algorithm has finally figured out what we’ve known all along. The best connections still happen in real life.
PACKED WITH FALL ENTERTAINMENT! SIMON JOYNES PLAYWRIGHTS’ FESTIVAL Join us for three nights of FREE Public Readings as we develop new Canadian stories. Hosted by PSFT Artistic Director Liz Gilroy September 17- 19 th , 2026 at 7:30pm “Now The Bells Ring” A Docu-Concert by Lindsay Kyte, Music by Rita MacNeil “Martha Rules” (working title) by John Spurway “Hen Party!” by Jody Stevens Reserve Free Seats in Advance Donations Welcomed at the Door
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Page 2 Hometown St. Thomas • September 2026
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Lotus Thai Celebrates 20 Years of Bringing Thai Flavours to St. Thomas Twenty years ago, opening a Thai restaurant in St. Thomas was something of a gamble. Today, Lotus Thai Restaurant has become a familiar part of the city’s food scene, and co-owner and founder, Pom Quang-Montague, is proud to have proven the early doubters wrong. Located at 295 Talbot St., Lotus Thai is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, marking two decades since Pom first introduced her Thai cooking to St. Thomas. “We didn’t have any Thai restaurant back in the day,” Pom says. “I’m the first one who opened one in 2006.” Before opening a restaurant, Pom had been doing private catering for friends, and word quickly spread about her cooking. As demand grew, people began encouraging her to take the next step. “A lot of people talked her into it,” says co-owner, Peter Murphy: “Why don’t you open a restaurant because your food is so good?” When the restaurant opened, Thai food was still relatively unfamiliar to many local diners. At Lotus Thai, Pad Thai remains the most popular dish; however, Pom says the Thai curry is her personal favourite. The restaurant’s handmade spring rolls and wontons have also developed a loyal following. Peter estimates that every week they now make more than 2,000 of each, all wrapped and rolled by hand. That hands-on approach extends throughout the menu. Sauces are made in-house, including their plum sauce, and Pom remains heavily involved in maintaining the quality of every dish leaving the kitchen. “I want everything perfect,” she says. “Customers are spending their money; I think they should receive the best!” Even after 20 years, Pom says she is still involved seven days a week, keeping an eye on the kitchen and making sure the food meets her standards. For Peter, Pom’s story is also an important part of what Lotus Thai represents. He points to her journey arriving in Canada as a refugee who didn’t speak much English and building a successful local business around recipes and food that are very much her own. When first launching the restaurant, Pom remembers hearing plenty of predictions that the restaurant wouldn’t survive. “I feel excited. I feel like, wow – I made it this far!” Pom says. “A lot of people think, ‘You’re going to open this restaurant? I don’t think
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September 2026 Issue 82 Hometown St. Thomas
Hometown St. Thomas September Cover To celebrate 100 years of Arthur Voaden Secondary School, our cover is a yearbook of some of the volunteers for the 100th Anniversary, their photos then and now. Look at that hair! New photos by Geoff Rae.
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Hometown St. Thomas • September 2026 • Page 5
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90 for 90 Brings Tiny Hope One Step Closer to Completion With roots stretching back nearly 60 years in St. Thomas, a project that began with a dream in Puerto Rico took another important step forward on Thursday, August 6. Doug Tarry Homes officially broke ground on its new 90 for 90 LifeARK™, an all-electric home that will be built and sold to raise at least $90,000 for the final piece of the YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin’s Project Tiny Hope. For Doug Tarry, the project brings together affordable housing, innovative home construction and a very personal piece of his family’s history. “Tiny Hope began as a dream I had in 2018 while fixing roofs down in Puerto Rico, after Hurricane Maria,” Doug told those gathered for the groundbreaking. “My vision was to try and address the need to deliver a deeply affordable rental project for our community that could also be best-in-class high- performance housing.” At the heart of that vision was a simple belief: “Safe, affordable housing is a basic human right.” From the beginning, Doug knew he wanted the YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin involved. While providing housing was important, he wanted Tiny Hope residents to have help in building a better future. “I wanted to partner with the YWCA specifically because they provide their client tenants with programming to help them improve their life situation,” he said. The latest project will help fund the Tiny Hope Program House, an important final component of the community. The name 90 for 90 comes from Doug’s aunt, Iris, who turns 90 this year and whose own connection to the YWCA dates back to the 1960s. At a Tarry family gathering last year, Iris began asking Doug questions about Tiny Hope. Eventually, he asked why she was so interested. Her answer provided a connection between gen- erations. Iris served on the YWCA Board of Directors and was president in 1968, when the organization faced a decision about whether to amalgamate with the YMCA. Iris strongly believed the YWCA needed to remain independent so it could continue focusing specifically on supporting women.
In a note shared by Doug, Iris recalled the young women who lived at the YWCA residence, including women coming from farming communities for their first jobs and others experiencing difficulties at home. “The residence provided a safe and home- like environment,” Iris wrote. When amalgamation was proposed, Iris believed the YWCA’s mission could be lost within the larger organization. The board ultimately voted unanimously against amalgamation. Years later, that decision helped make partnerships such as Tiny Hope possible. “Our goal is to raise at least $90,000 in support of the Tiny Hope Program House, in honour of my aunt Iris turning 90 this year,” Doug said. “We are very thankful for the opportunity to honour
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Page 6 Hometown St. Thomas • September 2026
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as we build towards making LifeARK™ ready, our baseline building standard for Doug Tarry Homes.” LifeARK™ means the home is being designed so that during an extreme weather event it can temporarily come off the electrical grid and continue providing essential systems for its occupants using battery power. For Doug, increasingly frequent extreme weather events, along with recent wildfire smoke in Ontario, demonstrate why homes need to become more resilient. “The need for resilient construction is becoming more urgent by the day,” he says. Almost six decades ago, Iris and a group of local women fought to preserve an organization dedicated to giving women a safe place and opportunities to move forward. Today, that same mission continues through Project Tiny Hope and with 90 for 90, one home being built today will help ensure even more people have a place to call home tomorrow.
her efforts with the YWCA all those years ago. Today could not have happened without her leadership then.” The home itself will also serve as another testing ground for the future of homebuilding. “This is our fourth LifeARK™, and our first that is all-electric,” Doug said. “We have learned from each one
Middle, the official groundbreaking of the 90 for 90 lot on August 6th. Above, Doug with his Aunt Iris.
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Hometown St. Thomas • September 2026 • Page 7
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What do you consider the centre of St. Thomas? Ask 20 people, and you may get 20 different answers. Some might point to City Hall as the centre of our politics and civic life. Others might look at a map and choose somewhere around Wellington and First. And, depending on the time of day, there are probably a few who would nominate the Walmart parking lot. But Wil Zufelt, CEO of the St. Thomas Railworks Coalition, believes the Elgin County Railway Museum, CASO Station and surrounding railway lands have the potential to become something much more important: the heart of the city. “The Museum is an important part of the fabric of our city,” says Wil. “It’s the place that we celebrate our rail history.” And that history can be a springboard for the future. Wil sees the evolution of the railway lands, stretching through the downtown core and connecting areas around the museum, CASO Station, and the Horton Market, as an opportunity to create an identifiable centre for St. Thomas. “We are the Railway City,” he says. “It is a great opportunity… incorporating the beautiful feature of the historic CASO Station and the museum into one big community that really creates an identity for our town.” The Elgin County Railway Museum is currently closed because of structural concerns, but the long-term vision isn’t simply about reopening the doors and returning to what was there before. “We’re adapting to what tomorrow looks like,” Wil says. Perhaps more importantly, it means continuing to rethink what a museum can be.
In recent years, the building has hosted weddings, community events, Christmas celebrations, banquets and activities for children. Wil points out that young people have embraced the unique industrial space, often discovering the museum’s railway
Re-Elect Jim Herbert for City Councillor Passionate About St. Thomas. Committed to Getting the Details Right.
With years of experience serving on City Council, I have worked tirelessly to help shape a stronger St. Thomas. During my time on council, our community has celebrated major milestones, including the opening of Hospice care, securing our own MRI, attracting new industries and jobs, supporting families with our new childcare centre, and building strong partnerships with organizations like the YWCA (Project Tiny Homes) and Indwell to create housing stability. My priorities for the next term include: • Organizing a task force to guide St. Thomas’ continued economic growth • Listening to and supporting our senior citizens • Conducting an in-depth review of the Transportation Master Plan • Continuing critical infrastructure improvements
• Advancing the City’s Climate Action Plan • Supporting our emergency responders • Continue to advocate for a reasonable tax rate Monday, October 26th, Vote Jim Herbert for City Council
Page 8 Hometown St. Thomas • September 2026
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treasures simply because they came through the doors for something else. “Museums are more than bricks and mortar and steel,” he says. “Museums are emotional.” The numbers demonstrate what can happen when the building is activated. Wil recalled that when the effort began several years ago, the museum was seeing approximately 2,200 visitors annually. At one event last year, nearly 4,000 people came through the doors in a single day. The Christmas Tree Spectacular provides an even bigger example. What started as an idea inspired by decorated Christmas trees that Wil saw while travelling in British Columbia grew from roughly 2,000 visitors in its first year to 37,000 last year. Overall, Wil estimates approximately 57,000 people walked through the museum last year. His dream is eventually to see the Christmas celebration become a regional attraction, bringing visitors from communities well beyond Elgin County. He has already seen visitors arrive from Woodstock, Brantford and Kitchener-Waterloo, people who may visit the museum and then ask the important tourism question: where should we go for dinner? “That’s tourism,” Wil says. The vision for restoring the museum has changed as well. Rather than trying to complete everything at once, the current plan is to move forward in phases, much like the restoration of CASO Station and development of the St. Thomas Elevated Park. “Dream big, figure out what it is – then, okay, this is what we can afford to do,” Wil explains. The current plan is in the $8 million to $10 million range, with the possibility of continuing to build upon it in future years. For Wil, however, the bigger conversation isn’t really about a museum; it is about creating what urban planners sometimes
call a ‘third place’, somewhere beyond where we live and where we work, where people gather, socialize and feel connected to their community. “This is the place that we come to celebrate our heritage and do many different things,” he says. “It’s the place that you come back to and revisit over and over and over.” And perhaps that is what the centre of a city really is. Not a dot you can find on a map, but a place where people naturally come together. For a community that proudly calls itself the Railway City, maybe its heart has been sitting along the tracks all along.
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Hometown St. Thomas • September 2026 • Page 9
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20 Years of Putting People First For Andrew Crichton, Desjardins Insurance Agent, celebrating 20 years at his St. Thomas office is about more than longevity. It is about the relationships built with clients and the team that has helped him serve the community.
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To advertise here, please contact Geoff@VillagerPublications.com Looking ahead, Andrew plans to continue growing his team while maintaining the personal service that has defined the office for two decades. As St. Thomas grows and insurance becomes increasingly digital, Andrew believes there is still tremendous value in a small-town storefront, where the phone gets answered, questions are welcomed, and relationships matter. After 20 years, Andrew’s goal remains simple: continue taking care of his team and his clients. Central to that service is Andrew’s team of Office Representatives, Jamie Levesque, Rene Parlee and Ryan Kelly. Andrew intentionally staffs his office with a larger team than some comparable agencies, believing it provides better support for employees and better service for clients. “My focus is my team and my clients,” he says, adding, “My team is fantastic.” Andrew also sees himself as a mentor, helping prepare the next generation to continue that customer-first approach. “At the end of the day, it’s just true caring customer service,” Andrew says. His goal is to give clients the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about protecting themselves and their families. After beginning his insurance career with State Farm in 2005, Andrew opened his office at 729 Talbot St. on August 1, 2006. When he took over the location, he inherited part of the previous agent’s business, including clients with a long history at the office: some of those relationships now stretch back 35 or 40 years. Before insurance, Andrew owned and operated an audio-video store that handled insurance replacement work. With a background in sales and service, the move into insurance felt natural. “I just like dealing with people and helping them,” he says. The office originally operated under State Farm before transitioning to Desjardins beginning in 2015. Today, the team provides home, auto, commercial and life insurance, along with products including critical illness, disability, health and dental coverage. While the industry has become increasingly digital, Andrew remains committed to a local storefront where clients can talk directly with someone who knows them. “The insurance world is a complex purchase,” he says. Sitting down with clients allows his team to explain coverage, discuss options and help people make informed decisions rather than focusing solely on finding the lowest price online.
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Owner Warren Silverthorn can hardly believe the milestone has arrived. “When I think back, it seems crazy that it’s been 30 years,” Warren says. “It seems like it was just yesterday when we opened.” When Fixed Right Automotive first opened its doors in September, 1996, Warren expected slow, steady growth. Instead, the community had other plans. “We killed all of our projections,” he laughs. “It was basically myself, an apprentice, and my wife who was on the counter part-time. By January I hired another mechanic, and by June I added one more. We were just that busy.” Success didn’t come without sacrifice. During those early years, Warren poured countless hours into building the business. “The first three years I worked a ton of hours just to get things up and running. There were lots of times I’d be there until midnight or one o’clock in the morning, go home, then come back for five,” he recalls. That hard work paid off. In 2007, the business moved from Talbot St. into its current location at 165 Edward Street in St. Thomas, allowing room to expand services and equipment. Just as important as the equipment is the team behind it. Warren believes that treating employees with respect is one of the biggest reasons for the shop’s success. “I’ve worked for other people, so I know what it’s like when you treat staff well, or not well,” he says. “We try to keep pay competitive, buy lunch for everyone once in a while, have a summer barbecue, and just make it a good place to work.” That positive atmosphere extends to customers, many of whom have been coming to the shop for decades. “Our customer base has expanded a lot,” Warren says. “People come in because they were referred by a neighbour or friend who may have been coming here for 10, 20, even 30 years. Before they ever get here, they already know what we’re about.” “Figuring out problems on vehicles is still one of the highlights of my day,” Warren says. “The second is helping the customer. Whether it’s a small problem or a big one, making people happy and getting their vehicle back on the road is what it’s all about.” Thirty years after opening the doors, Warren isn’t slowing down. He plans to continue growing the business, adding more staff in the future, and to keep doing what Fixed Right Automotive has always done best – providing honest service, earning trust, and treating every customer like a neighbour.
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Hometown St. Thomas • September 2026 • Page 11
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ELGIN COUNTY STUDIO TOUR LOCAL ARTIST PROFILE
Jessica Wallace by Peri Hayes Having moved from Australia, Jessica Wallace has proudly resided locally for several years: “This is where my mom’s roots are, and this is my family’s dream come true being in St. Thomas. I didn’t have to create my home, this already is.” With Canadale Nurseries honoured as such a meaningful piece to Jessica’s story, she earnestly offers: “I love that St. Thomas holds the four generations of my family. Oma moved from Holland to St. Thomas to pursue her dreams, and this is such a gift that I channel through my own endeavours. Despite closing next year, Canadale is not leaving the community – we will continue to contribute, even beyond the storefront.” As Jessica introduces about her background: “I was holding a paintbrush before I was holding a pencil.” She has vast experience teaching every form of art under the sun. Included in Jessica’s portfolio is her time as Manager of Education and Outreach for the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, as well as instructing at the Sir Sandford Fleming School of Fine Arts. Her favoured mediums are acrylic on canvas, as well as clay, street art and watercolour. Jessica feels a deep connection to nature and for portraying the incredible landscapes in Canada, along with her ancestral relationship to Mother Earth. About this, she beams, “The lakes, trees, and rocks are in my bones.” With her background in psychology and education, Jessica reflects, “I am impacted greatly by my students, who have taught me the importance of focusing on well-being and the value of feeling safe, seen and heard.” In many ways, Jessica integrates this blueprint into her artistic craft. Experienced in teaching at YOU ASKED, WE ANSWERED We install
every level — as well as offering extra-curricular art clubs and private lessons — Jessica’s eyes light up while she expresses, “There’s freedom in creativity and when you encourage a safe space for children to explore their passions, they go so far beyond any expectation. We experiment with materials and have fun throughout the process. I learn just as much from my students, using a play-based, student directed model.” As Jessica proceeds to describe, “In my work, I aim to convey more than a surface appearance – I strive for people to feel the spirit of a subject. I want to create the magic, so that my audience is not perceiving my own connection and memories to a certain piece that I create – but rather, experiencing their own. Art has an innate ability to evoke emotion, and each work of art is a meditative journey for me.”
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Page 12 Hometown St. Thomas • September 2026
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Nearing the end of this month, Jessica will be celebrating the Elgin County Studio Tour alongside her mother and fellow creative, Mary Intven Wallace. “With my mom being one of the founders of the Elgin County Studio Tour, along with being able to participate and have her next to me — not only as a teacher, but as a colleague — is a huge deal. I am very excited for the Tour, to connect with people in the artistic community, and to share our creations.” Meet the lovely Mary and Jessica on September 26th and 27th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, 120 Axford Parkway. As Jessica remains dedicated to expanding her own artistic practice, she reveals her long-term ambition to launch a school with an art focus. “Empowering children ensures a bright future for our community,” the entrepreneur warmly concludes. Jessica offers worldwide commissions. Visit Jessica Wallace Art on Facebook for details, and connect with the local artist at consciouseducationcanada@gmail.com. The accompanying photo at right features three
generations: Mary Intven Wallace, Jessica Wallace, and her children, Jude and Jasmine. Check out the Elgin County Studio Tour September 26 & 27
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Hometown St. Thomas • September 2026 • Page 13
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St. Thomas Duplicate Bridge Club: Come One, Come All! by Peri Hayes Anne Doupe-Lounsbury (Secretary) and Harry Liebregts (Club President) discuss the St. Thomas Duplicate Bridge Club. This is Harry’s second time as President, ongoing for several years: “I was playing another card game when somebody suggested that we play bridge. Of that group, I am the only one who continued on.” The St. Thomas Duplicate Bridge Club debuted 80 years ago, which means that this club is one of the longest operating in the region. Anne reports that they were the fourth largest in the grander region prior to COVID-19, further demonstrating their impact: “This includes Kitchener, Mississauga, Thornhill and us.” Through the rental program with Central United Church, they facilitate lessons each Monday evening throughout their operating months. For this, Harry is a dedicated instructor. With mentored play, students work through learning curves and dive into the world of bridge in an engaging and hands- on environment – complemented with beverages, snacks and conversation. As Anne details, “Our bridge lessons will resume on Monday, November 5ᵗʰ at 7:00 pm, Central United – with no statutory holiday Mondays – and the cost is $5.00.” “Bridge is more of an experience,” Harry proceeds to express. “The more you play, the more you learn.” While there are presently about 50 members onboard, Anne and Harry urge that anyone is invited to attend their gatherings. They play 21- 28 boards with multiple tables simultaneously in action, four players per table. Located at the St. Thomas Seniors’ Recreation
Centre, the group meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:00 pm. “Whether you are from out of town or are brand new to bridge, we welcome you to play.” Regarding membership, and for an annual cost of $20.00, members receive their informative newsletter on a monthly basis and pay $8.00 per game. Anne and Harry emphasize their upcoming local tournament, The Jumbo Sectional. Costing $15.00 per session, cash will be accepted at the door this September 12ᵗʰ and 13ᵗʰ. Anne exclaims about bridge, “It’s social; we chit-chat and the game is beneficial for cognitive well-being.” To this, Harry adds, “It is a social and good competition, with the same hand played by everyone. It’s a communication-based game, with the opportunity to play with different partners on different days. Plus, these skills can transfer to other places.” Moreover, a free-play opportunity is offered to debuting players as part of their new program through the club and unit. Anne and Harry also encourage those interested to utilize the free bridge lessons which are accessible online. “You can take your skills to whatever level you want,” Anne enthuses, as she works toward her goal of becoming a ‘Regional Life Master’. As Harry concludes with cheer, “We’re so very grateful for this game. If you’re competitive and you love cards, this is the place for you. Just remember, it’s only a game!” Explore the St. Thomas Bridge Club on Facebook for further information, and kindly phone Anne at 519-631-7185 with rela- ted inquiries.
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“Experience You Can Count On” Responsive and Prepared I listen to your issues and come prepared for Council meetings. Committed to a safe and healthy community A safe and healthy community is essential to the continued growth of St. Thomas. Supporting seniors and accessibility A strong supporter of seniors, accessibility, and inclusive community growth. Vote for Councillor, October 26, 2026 Joan Rymal
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Page 14 Hometown St. Thomas • September 2026
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Celebrating 35 Years of Briwood Farm Market with an Open House For 35 years, Briwood Farm Market has been more than a place to pick up fresh produce, meat, dairy and groceries. It has been a familiar part of St. Thomas, a strong supporter of local organizations and a business that has always believed in giving back. On Thursday, September 24, the community will have an oppor- tunity to return some of that support during a special open house celebrating Briwood Farm Market’s 35th anniversary. Hosted by Hometown St. Thomas and 94.1 myFM, the celebration will take place from 6 to 9 pm at the CASO Station, 750 Talbot Street, St. Thomas. Everyone is invited to drop in, say hello and congratulate the Briwood team on an incredible milestone. “Brian, Sherwood and the entire team have been tremendous supporters of our community for the past 35 years,” says myFM’s Dave Thomson. “Their commitment goes far beyond business, with ongoing support of local sports teams, community or- ganizations and not-for-profits.” Dave has known Brian and Sherwood since myFM launched in St. Thomas in May 2011. What began as a business relationship soon became something much more. “Over the years, our business relationship has grown into genuine friendships, and I’m grateful to say that those friendships will last a lifetime,” says Dave. For myself, from the Weekly News to Hometown St. Thomas, I have also seen firsthand what Briwood means to the community. They have an amazing staff they are rightfully proud of. Walk
into Briwood and you’ll find employees joking with customers, helping people find what they need and creating the welcoming atmosphere that has become part of the Briwood experience. Briwood’s commitment to local is another reason myFM and Hometown St. Thomas wanted to host this celebration. Their shelves showcase an impressive selection of locally produced products, while their support of community initiatives demonstrates that ‘local’ is much more than a marketing slogan. They have also been tremendous supporters of both Hometown St. Thomas and myFM, but this celebration goes well beyond recognizing a great advertiser. It is about recognizing great people who have spent 35 years supporting the community around them. Whether you are a long-time Briwood customer, a former employee, someone whose organization has benefited from their generosity, or simply a member of the community, you are invited to stop by the CASO Station and help celebrate. As Dave says, “Come out, say hello and help celebrate 35 years of Briwood Farm Market!” After all, there really is only one Briwood.
Hometown St. Thomas • September 2026 • Page 15
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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in St. Thomas by Peri Hayes Joe Preston, Mayor of the City of St. Thomas, voices: “Each year, I’m honoured to take part in our National Day for Truth and Reconciliation activities, including bringing forward the official proclamation during our flag raising ceremony. I have tremendous appreciation for the staff, Indigenous community members, partners, and volunteers who put so much time and care into bringing this event together. I look forward to spending the day with our community – listening, learning, meeting people, and taking part in the important conversations that come from this gathering. Reconciliation is a long journey, and every opportunity we have to learn from one another helps move us forward.” Meanwhile, Amanda Stark is the co-coordinator alongside Betty-Jean, as well as MC of the event: “Over the years, I have committed to doing what I can as a local resident concerned for inclusivity in our community. As an advocate for community causes, I realized years ago that facilitating public education through hosting a flag raising was something practical that I could do to honour ‘Orange Shirt Day’. The flag raising has since grown and evolved into an entire day of activities, as more participants from St. Thomas have joined us to honour this important day and advance efforts toward Truth and Reconciliation with local Indigenous communities.” Mayor Preston offers what this September 30th in St. Thomas will entail: “This year’s event is shaping up to be another wonderful opportunity for our community to come together. Over the last few years, this gathering has grown significantly – thanks to the dedication of staff, Indigenous community members, and local
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Page 16 Hometown St. Thomas • September 2026
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partners who continue to help us build on the event.” Further to note, the City of St. Thomas invites the community to Westlake-Evans Park this year, where there will be enhanced space to accommodate the rising number of people in attendance. “We’ll have many of the elements people have come to appreciate in previous years,” Mayor Preston assures, “including meaningful speeches, Indigenous music and dance performances, film screenings, vendors, traditional food, and other opportunities to learn and connect. We’re also excited to share some new additions this year as we continue to grow the event and deepen our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.” Further to this, Amanda reveals, “This year, we will start with a children’s time in the morning for storytelling and rock painting. Then, we will gather out front of City Hall for the flag raising and a short educational time. Afterward, there will be food and refreshments available at the Library – along with a movie showing inside, and music and dancing outside.” Amanda proceeds sincerely with the following sentiment: “I’m incredibly proud of the way our community has embraced this event, and the effort that so many people have put into making it meaningful. I hope people will join us, ask questions, share in the experience, and continue this important work together.” To conclude, Amanda warmly welcomes, “I hope residents of St. Thomas and area will join us for some part of the day to acknowledge the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation. We want attendees to come with open hearts and minds, prepared to learn new things, and enjoy the Indigenous food, arts and crafts, and entertainment.” As September 30th approaches, refer to the City of St. Thomas’ website and social media channels for event details and further updates: stthomas.ca.
Hometown St. Thomas • September 2026 • Page 17
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The Elgin County Studio Tour is a FREE self-directed tour of artists’ studios, providing a unique opportunity to meet the artists in their workspaces.
Pat Curtis 38664 Fingal Line St Thomas ON Works in oil, acrylic, and mixed media. 1
Shawn De Neire 6194 Stone Church Road, Union Wildlife and human portraits in watercolour and acrylics.
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Jennifer Gerardi-Fraser 2 Dogs Studio 12 Balfour St. St. Thomas Hand built and wheel thrown ceramics.
Grayden Laing 45415 Fruit Ridge Line RR#6, St. Thomas Explores connection and perception through layered texture, line, and colour. Martha Laing 45415 Fruit Ridge Line RR#6, St. Thomas Creates eco prints using natural dyes, leaves, and flowers.
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Angela Hardy 1-82 Wellington Street, St Thomas Acrylic paintings explore a variety of subjects. Enter on Southwick Street, Street parking 3
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Robert Ruby 1-82 Wellington Street, St Thomas Assemblages and collage. Enter on Southwick Street, Street parking
Pamela Cotton 43960 Sparta Line, St Thomas Landscape and abstract art in oil, acrylic and watercolours. Anne Sloboda 45960 Sparta Line St. Thomas Acrylics on canvas. 3-d assemblage sculpture.
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Suzanne Faris 576 Talbot Street, St. Thomas Handcrafted leather handbags and original drawings. Francis Martin 632 Talbot Street, St. Thomas Multiple media, painting, sculpture, and mixed media.
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Judy Mennill 51200 Vienna Line Aylmer Acrylics, acrylic inks, and mixed media.
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Maksym Nechytailo 2-25 Horton Street, St. Thomas Paintings in watercolour and acrylic, abstract aluminum sculptures. 6 Kim Douglas Harrison 27 Barwick Street, St. Thomas Oil paintings, landscape, portrait, figurative, and abstract subjects. 7
Rosemary Carter 51200 Vienna Line Aylmer Functional and decorative pottery.
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Linda Pitcher The Cottage Forge 365 Warren St Port Stanley Metal artist that repurposes various metals.
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Josepha Van Den Anker 10 McGregor Court, St. Thomas Expressive figurative work exploring the emotional depth of the human experience.
Cathy Horvath Buchanan 50-301 Carlow Road Port Stanley Colourful, stylized impressionist work captures landscapes, beach scenes, and floral imagery. Marcia Pensa 23 Ensley Place Port Stanley Realistic works with expressive shifts in colour, space, shadow, perspective, and reflection. Alexandra Snelgrove 23 Ensley Place Port Stanley A tattoo artist and painter.
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Denise Antaya 2 Harrington Crescent, St. Thomas Oil on linen, realism landscape. Mary Intven Wallace 120 Axford Pkwy, St. Thomas Impressionist style landscape paintings
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Jessica Wallace 120 Axford Parkway, St. Thomas Colourful acrylic landscapes
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Laura Woermke 6 Blue Heron Place, St. Thomas Figurative and landscape in oil, acrylic and printmaking. Emmi Coburn 6 Blue Heron Place, St. Thomas Painter with a soft spot for rich colours, visible brushstrokes, and subjects that feel a little sentimental.
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Page 18 Hometown St. Thomas • September 2026
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YWCA of St. Thomas-Elgin: Return of the Community Coat Drive by Peri Hayes Jackie Anger, former Director of School-Age Childcare at the YWCA of St. Thomas-Elgin, introduces her new role as Manager of Operations with undeniable enthusiasm: “The scope is very rewarding, because I’m able to support the organization in new and diverse ways.” This position of Jackie’s entails supporting YWCA events and fundraising initiatives. The organization is sustaining their momentum from previous years, while celebrating new partnerships with 94.1 myFM and Hometown St. Thomas Magazine for their YWCA Community Coat Drive: “I’m excited to be working with a team of dedicated individuals who care deeply about ensuring no one goes cold this winter.” For this, YWCA provides a collection box to each participating establishment as they accept donations from September 7th until October 2nd. The public are encouraged to donate new or gently used winter coats, gloves, hats and scarves, as well as fresh socks for youth, men and women. Regarding the previous Community Coat Drive, Jackie shares an anecdote about delivering her donation: “I ran into the agency with my own kiddos’ winter back-ups and they were scooped up before they even hit the racks! The need is tremendous, and no one should have to choose between clothing and groceries.” In 2025, YWCA welcomed 578 visitors and gave away 667 coats. Striving for growth and furthering their impact, the goal for this year is to collect 800 coats. As of mid-summer, the following community partners are onboard: All Hands-On Deck Food Drive, Canadale Nurseries, Canadian Tire, Geerlinks Home Hardware, Myrtle, Nurse Next
Door, Port Stanley Festival Theatre, Royal LePage Triland Realty, September Business After 5, STEGH, St. Thomas Early Learning Centre - Elgin Home Childcare, St. Thomas Fire and Police Services, and The Perk. Continuing to expand, Jackie conveys the ways in which this participation is celebrated and deeply appreciated: “The enthusiasm of our community partners is inspiring. Seeing Shawn at Myrtle reply with three exclamation marks and offering a coupon to those who place a donation is a prime example.” “This initiative is about providing dignity to all,” Jackie urges. The YWCA will be hosting their two-day giveaway on October 23rd and 24th, opening their doors to anyone in need throughout St. Thomas- Elgin. Located up the side ramp and into the Commons at 16 Mary Street W, those of all ages are invited to select their choice of coat and accessories. “We do not check ID or income; everyone is accepted!” As Jackie concludes with a smile, “The people who are sup- porting this initiative are so passionate and well-connected; this is an illustration of our special community.” With inquiries, kindly contact Jackie at 519-631-9800 ext.234 or
janger@ywcaste.ca, as well as refer to the ywcaste.ca website for further information.
Hometown St. Thomas • September 2026 • Page 19
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