Amish open their homes, businesses for tours in Perth East

With the help of the Perth County Visitors’ Association, several members of Perth East’s Amish Community have extended an invitation for the outside world to come and observe their way of life starting this weekend. Perth County Amish Tours run every Saturday in October from noon to 4 p.m. Nine Amish families, farmers and business owners will be allowing members of the general public to come and see how they operate their businesses and conduct their daily lives without modern conveniences like electricity. (Please remember that it is very important to ask permission before taking photographs of any type).
Take a horse and buggy ride, see how the Amish construct their furniture and carriages, learn how they work their farms and much more!
While participating in the tours is free, donations for the Amish school will be accepted at any of the tour locations.
For a complete list of all of the participants to download the map for the tour and to find out other points of interest, visit visitperth.ca

Accident on Notre Dame

A man was extricated from a car following a collision at Notre Dame and Berletts Road on Tuesday afternoon. Police were investigating.

Groundbreaking on New Dundee park enhancements

New Dundee Optimist Club president Kevin Dopko presents Wilmot Mayor Wayne Roth with a cheque for $30,000 to kick off park improvement fundraising efforts in New Dundee. The Township and New Dundee Minor Ball are spearheading the community fundraising portion of a $650,000 project to relocate the ball diamonds and enhance the existing park in New Dundee. The community goal is $116,000 to add to federal, provincial and township funding for the project that must be completed before March 2011. During a groundbreaking ceremony at the New Dundee Community Centre on Sunday, residents joined dignitaries in the field with shovels to show their support for the effort. In addition to the Optimist Club’s donation, the New Dundee Board of Trade announced the recent fish fry raised more than $5,000 for the project.

Doug Coxson, Independent staff

Students rewarded for fundraising for the Terry Fox Foundation

Friday was Terry Fox Run day at local schools.

At Holy Family, students walked the block and got to see French teacher Paul Crouse have his head shaved by teacher Chris Eulenberg as a reward for their fundraising efforts.

At New Dundee School the challenge went out at the beginning of the year. New Dundee students exceeded expectations to raise over $1,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation for cancer research. The school’s annual Terry Fox Run was held at the school Friday along with a few rewards for students. The initial challenge was to raise $100 to see Mrs. Cater in a silly costume. If students raised $250 they got to see Mrs. DeJong kiss a fish. For $625 they got to see run organizer Becky Rourke get duct taped to a post. A $650 total meant Mrs. Scott and Mrs. LeBlanc wear pajamas to school. The final prize came with a $700 fundraising goal — seeing principal Deb Scholl get a pie in the face.

Top fundraiser Mackenzie Huras had the honour of throwing the pie. And as the kids made laps of the school for the run, teachers taped Miss Rourke to a basketball post outside.

Forest Glen held its fifth annual Toonies for Terry on Thursday, September 24 to commemorate Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope. Students from JK to Grade 8 and staff walked, jogged, and ran laps around the school property. The participants collected over $900 to support cancer research.

Ontario students have been tremendous supporters of Terry’s dream to find a cure for cancer. Students at Forest Glen are making a difference.

Mutton Bustin’

Ride with Lance

At the end of his ride, Steve Baechler lay sprawled on the grass, exhausted but happy to have completed the 120 km ride alongside 40 other riders and Lance Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France champion and cancer survivor.

The September 12 Ride with Lance event beat its goal of $1 million, raising $1.6 million for cancer care and research at Grand River Cancer Centre and the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Hospital.

Diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2003, Steve was inspired by Lance Armstrong’s biography, bought his first bike and has been an avid cyclist ever since.  Finishing the ride was particularly inspirational as Steve has recently completed radiation treatments following surgery to remove a second brain tumour.

With the support of family, friends and other supporters, Steve raised more than $44,000, earning him a place of honour at Lance Armstrong’s table as riders celebrated their success at a post-ride dinner on Saturday evening.

“The participation of Steve Baechler in the Ride with Lance was nothing short of amazing,” commented Nancy Hewat, Executive Director, Grand River Hospital Foundation.  “He is a caring, passionate guy who put his heart and soul into the event.”

More photos from the fair!

Doors Open

Fantasy Sky Promotions was one of the many Waterloo Region businesses to open their doors this past Saturday to the public. The hot air balloon manufacturer in New Dundee took people on a guided tour through the converted church.

Clean up at Baden

The eco-team at Baden was out in full force last Thursday as they cleaned up the school yard. Students were busy moving compost, mulch and picking up any scraps of garbage they came across. The school is celebrating a gold environmental rating they received for their efforts to conserve energy and reduce waste.

Mud bogs down Waterloo Street construction

This car got stuck in thick mud on Waterloo Street on Monday afternoon. After a day of rain, the construction zone along Waterloo Street was a mess. And although there are plenty of signs advising people not to drive through the closed road, plenty of people continued to do so. Senior project manager Don Pletch told the Independent that people should do their best to park on a side street and walk to businesses rather than try to drive down the streets. He said most homeowners have been parking off Waterloo to avoid the construction. And although Pletch said the construction crews have been making their best efforts to keep roads smooth, the rain and heavy traffic have foiled their efforts.

Tim Murphy, Independent staff

New Dundee fish fry packs the community centre

Bob Thomson, of The Village Caterer, keeps up with demand at last night’s New Dundee Board of Trade fish fry at the Community Centre. The annual event, which was completely sold out last night, is a way for the board of trade to donate money to a different cause each year. Board of trade secretary Alvin Sararus, who has been involved with the fish fry for 26 years, said this year’s proceeds will go to New Dundee’s recreation project to relocate the ball diamonds and rehabilitate New Dundee Park. The Village Caterer was also donating all proceeds to the project.

Doug Coxson, Independent staff

Follow the detour to get around Waterloo Street reconstruction

Acclaimed author Lawrence Hill comes to Waterloo-Oxford

Author Lawrence Hill came to Waterloo-Oxford Secondary School Wednesday to read from The Book of Negroes, his award-winning historical fiction detailing an African woman’s journey into slavery in the US. Hill discussed the five-year process of researching and writing the novel, its controversial title, the emotional toll it took on him and meeting the Queen after winning the Commonwealth Writer’s Prize. The Book of Negroes was Waterloo Region’s One Book, One Community selection this year. The presentation included a drumming circle with Nii Addico, of Creation Africa.

Doug Coxson, Independent staff

More photos from the Wellesley parade

The annual fall fair parade was held this afternoon. Here are some photos.

Wellesley NEH Fair Photos

Check out last night’s photos from the fair! The fun continues today, so don’t miss out.