'Everyone thinks I'm too old. I'm 91, but the horse does the running'
At 91-years-old, Bill Megens is seeing victory in the harness circuit as he recently guided Willy Strike at London's Western Fair District raceway. In 2024, Megens participated in 21 races. This is highest total he's had since 2016 with 32 races. He's been in the horse business since 1951 and when he isn't racing, he is raising horses full-time on his farm. READ FULL STORY HERE
Retired Guelph teacher releases a second 'musical tale'
Beth Becker is back with her second book, Try Try Try Another Musical Tale. The retired Guelph elementary school teacher's book is multimedia and the story is told through video and song. It encourages children to never give up during trying times. As a music teacher for years she also hopes the book can teach children the difference between beat and rhythm. READ FULL STORY HERE
Wyndham Street Planet Bean closing 'for the forseeable future'
Planet Bean announced on social media it will close its doors at its downtown location on Jan. 5. "The truth of the matter is that the downtown core has gone through a lot of changes over the past five years in many ways, and we simply can no longer forge ahead," the social media post reads. The Grange and Hilltop locations will remain open. READ FULL STORY HERE
Group forms to try and save historic U of G greenhouse
Plans to demolish the historic University of Guelph conservatory move forward but a growing group of alumni, community members and at least one retired school program director want the building saved and restore it so it could be put to use. The current plan for the D.M. Rutherford Family Conservatory at 37 Christie Lane is for it to be teared down and replaced with a commemorative garden, with the stated intent of using some of the building's materials in the garden's design.The group is calling on school officials to reconsider the plans. READ FULL STORY HERE
Mayor 'will not hesitate' to use strong mayor powers for housing
During a year-end interview with GuelphToday Mayor Cam Guthrie pledged to put strong mayor powers to work in 2025. There were 849 new housing starts for Guelph in 2024, with a target of 1,500. Guthrie acknowledged the city has no control over where developers decide to build, there were nearly 6,000 approved but unbuilt units int he city, through developers dispute those numbers - he wants to see their proposals moving through the approval process and "get to yes" more quickly. “If I have to use the stronger mayor powers to do that, I absolutely will,” Guthrie said. “It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone.” READ FULL STORY HERE
Royal City Mission returns to extended drop-in hours
After a year with multiple service reductions due to limited funding, Royal City Mission is returning to extended hours for drop-in service. It was previously closed Mondays and Tuesdays and open from 2 to 7 p.m. the rest of the week. The downtown charity has extended its drop-in hours to seven days a week from noon to 7 p.m. The extended hours are because of municipal funding through the Health and Housing Community Planning Table to be distributed early this year, said Kevin Coghill, Royal City Mission executive director and pastor. READ FULL STORY HERE
Remembering Ernie McFarland, 'everybody's favourite uncle'
Ernie McFarland, also known as E-Mac, was caring, considerate, a good listener and a source of endless inspiration. The 78-year-old former University of Guelph physics professor died suddenly earlier this month leaving behind his wife Mary McMartin, two sons Grant and Steve McFarland, and stepchildren Dana and Lianna Ragula. At the U of G he was known for being inclusive, encouraging, able to make physics exciting, and has impacted the way physics is taught across Ontario. READ FULL STORY HERE