The St. Thomas Rotary Music Festival for 2019 came to a spectacular close with its Keynotes Concert April 5. This was under the overall direction of Gerald Vreman as Chairman of the Music Festival Committee.

Featured were the Public School Grade 1 & 2 choir from Aylmer showing well in bright red shirts and leading in O Canada and an Intermediate choir from John Wise Public School who sang their winning Hallelujah.

Individual performers thrilled the packed auditorium with piano, vocal and instrumental presentations. These were Sandra Huang (piano) Maggie Yurek (vocal), Madison Carrick (flute), Sydney Barrett (Bass Clarinet), Levi Redekop (piano), Haley Clark (vocal),  Mimi Zhang (piano), Alexandria Pearce (vocal). Kevin Alexander capped the wonderful evening with piano numbers by Brahms and Listz.  He captured both the Silver Tray and the Stephanie Leung scholarship and trophy. 

Fifty-Five scholarships were awarded.  It was wonderful to see so many young people accepting these.  Presenters commented on the value of music festivals, and the need to encourage more young people into all the varied music fields open to them for festival growth.  The St. Thomas festival welcomes students from the surrounding areas of Elgin and Middlesex and is opening the way for advancement to the higher levels of provincial competition

Quilts in Bloom filled the Shedden Complex with an amazing display of pattern and craftsmanship on April 13th and 14th.

The Rotary Music Festival Keynotes Concert celebrated 64 years, showcased some amazing local talent and announced an exciting new initiative which will provide new opportunities for young performers.

 The Rotary Music  Festival, ended Friday March 2 with the final competitions once again showcasing fine local talent. Shown above are are Alexander Friesen, Aylmer,  Silver tray award; Katrina Wohlgemut Dorchester, Stephanie Leung award; Rachel Ginther, St. Thomas, Rose Bowl for vocal.
 
The Keynotes Keynotes Concert will take place on Friday April 6th, 7pm at the Salvation Army. All are welcome with admission by goodwill donation.

Several New Year's Levee events across Elgin County welcomed members and community to a warm welcome on a cold first day of 2018. Show below are photos from a few of the many Levees and some snowy outdoor scenes along the way.

Rogers Hometown Hockey rolled into downtown St. Thomas for the weekend of Nov 18 & 19. Enthusiastic crowds joined in the fun with special hockey guests, games and prizes, live music and the finale, a Rogers Hometown Hockey outdoor viewing party with Ron McLean and Tara Slone.

Many of the businesses in Sparta kicked off the Christmas season with special events and happenings over the annual Christmas in Sparta weekend. Below are photos from a few of them on Saturday.

The annual Christmas tree lighting outside City Hall in St. Thomas took place with a countdown to turn on the lights, hot chocolate, carols and a visit from St. Nick.

Volunteers, homeowners and businesses presented the Aylmer-Malahide Museum & Archives 16th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes November 17th and 18th. Stops included four homes as well as the Museum with opportunity to view the "Memories of Main Street" Exhibit, enter for prizes and try some treats and samples. The tour is the Museum's biggest fundraising event of the year.

Kids looking for a scary good time visited the St. Thomas Public Library on October 27th for their annual haunting. The Library was also one of the stops on the Downtown Development Board's Pumpkin Prowl.