It feels especially good to share some good news this season. Christmas spirit is already flowing through our communities, helped along by the beautiful weather. The Elmvale Tree Lighting looked like something straight out of a Hallmark movie—just as magical as last year, when snow blanketed the ground and soft flakes drifted through the air.
Next up, the Township of Tiny will host its annual Tree Lighting Celebration on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Perkinsfield Park (43 County Road 6 South). Families and friends are invited to kick off the holiday season from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., with the official lighting taking place around 6:15 p.m.
Homer Barrett Park in Elmvale is set for long-awaited upgrades, including new washrooms—the improvement many residents have hoped for. (See editorial on page 5.)
As a young mom, I used to take my kids to Bishop Park, where no washrooms were available. I joked about teaching them “outdoor survival skills,” but truthfully, it never felt right for a public park to keep its facilities locked. Twenty-five years ago, when I raised the issue, I was told there wasn’t enough staff to keep them clean.
And there’s more positive news: Bishop Park has \had its bridge returned. On December 2, 2025, Councillor Matt Garwood was on site to watch the restored bridge being carefully lowered into place by crane.
Garwood explained, “The bridge wasn’t supposed to be returned until the spring, but working with the vendor and staff—and thanks to the cooperative weather—we were able to get it back in place for the winter season so folks could enjoy it. The bridge was first removed, then completely sandblasted and coated with a special paint that will last multiple decades. It won’t chip, it won’t rust, and it now includes a new chain and new bars added for safety. It’s a welcomed addition back to the community.”
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