The John Kenneth Galbraith Literary Award contest, now in its sixth year, is an excellent opportunity for Canadian short-story authors. On Saturday evening at the WEDS theatre in Dutton, the award presentation was also a chance for the audience to learn about a remarkable Canadian author from the past and to hear a mesmerizing reading of the winning short story by its author.
It was an art-full weekend in Elgin County with “For Art’s Sake”, an Artists & Artisan Showcase at the Art Emporium in Port Stanley and the Elgin Fall Colours Studio Tour. Open just since this past spring, the Art Emporium is operated by a group of five artists whose goal is to provide a venue to show their own work, and also that of many other regional artists and artisans. With ample floor and wall space, the bright gallery is well set-up to show off an abundance of work. Photo: Mark Girdauskas With Hoptoberfest in the fermenter, a busy summer past and busier ones on the horizon, Railway City Brewing Company has just announced an upcoming facility expansion. It will enable them to keep up with ever-increasing demand for their popular brews, and grow into the future. If they have their way, there will be “a few more Dead Elephants coming out of St. Thomas, Ontario.” In less than five years Railway City Brewery has established a reputation for good beer and good fun. It has made its mark with award-winning craft brews, special seasonal offerings, tastings and tours at its St. Thomas production and retail outlet. Funky brew names and branding have played on the Jumbo the elephant and Railway City themes, making it “our beer” for St. Thomas and Elgin County residents, and making it identifiable to craft beer-lovers across Ontario. Families found no shortage of outdoor activities available near-by this past holiday weekend. Photos below are from just a few places where people gathered to enjoy fall colours and fresh air on a beautiful Thanksgiving Monday. All of them continue to offer the best of fall as their festivals and activities continue throughout October . Check the events listings page for details and hours for the places mentioned below, and more. Heather Snow took on the local food challenge put out by Local Food for Local People Coalition in June. Her completed challenge card was drawn randomly from the almost 200 people who took part, making her the winner of a wonderful basket of locally produced thanksgiving foods presented at the Horton Farmers Market this past Saturday. Fans and friends flocked to the CASO Station on Sunday to join Christine Klaus Noble for the launch of her four children’s books. From the round-the-world quest for a perfect pet (not an alpaca) in Can I Please have a Pet? to Keith’s annoying habit of scaring family members (including Nana reading a Looney Spoons cookbook at the cottage) in Ooga Booga, the books are packed with busy family life and warmth. Vivid, imaginative and fun illustrations by Martin Murtonen fill every page. Stops on Doors Open St. Thomas 2012 followed the route of the St. Thomas Street Railway. Beginning in 1879, it operated for nearly 50 years as the municipal transportation system. At first the service was horse drawn, but electrification of the line began in 1898. Street cars made connections to all the railway stations – Michigan Central, London & Port Stanley, Grand Trunk/Wabash and Pere Marquettte. It was used by residents to get to work, shop, visit friends and relatives, attend an opera and visit Pinafore Park. It was ‘under sunny skies’ and ‘Under the Big Top’ as crowds were drawn to this year’s Wallacetown Fair with a circus theme and starring clowns in the Saturday parade. Attendees came for old favourites (demolition derby, tractor pull, midway and displays focusing on agricultural heritage) and new (Chariot and Chuck Wagon Races). West End Talbot Street was the place to be this past weekend for a fun and energizing shot of culture. St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre took part in Doors Open St. Thomas with tours of the gallery and the vault, hosted the West End Arts Mingle, and launched The Parade of Elephants in conjunction with the Elgin Arts Trail. Connie Greger opened her annual exhibit with a reception on Friday Sept 27th at St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre. She spent many hours over the past spring and summer, rendering Sparta’s local historic buildings in sketches and paintings. The exhibit, “Historical Architecture Sparta: The Inheritance” was on display in the Studio Gallery from September 28th to 30th. Connie’s talent, and her on-going pursuit of making community connections and developing her skills were evident in several oils, mostly in her favourite colour palette, and in her detailed building sketches. |
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