Wiarton Echo
SOUTH BRUCE PENINSULA AWARDS TENDER FOR NEW TOWN HALL
South Bruce Peninsula has awarded the tender for construction of its new town hall in Wiarton, but not before several revisions were made to bring the cost down by more than a million dollars. Town council awarded the contract on Jan. 13 to Allen...
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Sauble Beach Winterfest offers food, games and fun Jan. 16-17
Sauble Beach Winterfest returns for another year on Friday, Jan. 16 with nighttime activities, followed by events all day Saturday, Jan. 17, at the community centre. Things start Friday with the annual parade up Main Street at 7 p.m., starting at the...
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Sauble Beach Party promoter announces event details for 2026
Sauble Beach Party 2026’s promoter expects to draw 20,000 people over the three-day music festival on the Labour Day holiday weekend. That would be a big jump over last year’s just over 14,000, Wiarton-area festival promoter Hayden Hellyer said in a...
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Bruce Peninsula National Park inviting visitors to explore over winter
Bruce Peninsula National Park is offering up the opportunity for a less busy, tranquil experience for anyone interested in visiting over the winter. Parks Canada is reminding the local community that the park, which is extremely popular from mid-June...
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Grey-Bruce school board officials pleased with standardized test result trends
The test results are in, and local school board officials say they are pleased with positive trends in Grey-Bruce. The Bluewater District School Board said it continues to see an overall upward trend in the newly released standardized test results...
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Lloyd’s donates to firefighters toy drive in Wiarton
Every year, after Thanksgiving, Lloyd’s Smoke Shop & Pool Hall starts giving away its Bruce’s Best Homemade Ice Cream for a donation to the firefighters toy drive. This year, the ice cream lasted for only five days, and people generously donated well...
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Deep Water Gallery gala raises funds toward a new vision
Deep Water Gallery’s sold-out fundraising kick off raised more than $5,000 at a gathering in Colpoy’s Bay Nov. 21, gallery co-founder Joe Vanderzand said. The Wiarton & District Chamber of Commerce started the gallery in 2019 as an economic...
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Georgian grad and Chippewas of Nawash member receives Premier’s Award
A Georgian College graduate who grew up in Neyaashiinigmiing as a member of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation has been awarded the 2025 Premier’s Award for Cultural and Creative Achievement. Solomon King, who graduated from Georgian’s...
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Share joy through the Dorrell Young Christmas Program
The holiday season is a chance to make a real difference in the lives of local families. Bruce County’s Human Services department is proud to launch the 2025 Dorrell Young Christmas Program and is inviting the public to help share the joy. The Dorrell...
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WIARTON REMEMBERS
Hundreds of people gathered in Wiarton to pay respects to the fallen during Remembrance Day ceremonies on Nov. 11. The McLaren Pipe and Drum Band led the colour party and others from Legion Branch 208 along a closed section of Berford Street to the...
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Community Foundation Grey Bruce grants exceed record $1 million
Community Foundation Grey Bruce reached a milestone for giving this year. Excluding the pandemic years, when federal support flowed through the charitable group, 2025 marked the first time it has given more than $1 million of its own earnings. The...
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Nawash soldiers among those honoured at Billy Bishop ceremony
It’s been 25 years that the Billy Bishop Museum has honoured local veterans. Another 11 servicemen and women were honoured Oct. 11 at the Royal Canadian Legion in Owen Sound, bringing the total number of recipients to 231, since the presentations...
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Outdoor ed centre dinner supports special needs kids camps
Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre’s annual fundraising dinner will feature a local chef’s meal using local ingredients and a speaker whose life’s work to make spaces accessible stemmed from an accident that requires her to use a wheelchair. Every...
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OPP make major drug seizure in Wiarton after months-long investigation
Two people have been arrested and suspected street drugs valued at about $300,000 have been seized following a months-long drug trafficking investigation in Wiarton. Officers from a number of OPP units executed a search warrant at a residence on Frank...
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Saugeen First Nation celebrates beach victory with ceremony and fun
With all the legal appeals exhausted, it was time for Saugeen First Nation’s Saugeen Beach Victory Celebration on Oct. 4. There was a ceremonial sacred fire, water and pipe ceremonies, remarks from community leaders, kids’ activities and a lake plunge...
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Neyaashiinigmiing chiefs share residential school stories at gathering
At Neyaashiinigmiing and Wiarton, high winds affected National Truth and Reconciliation events on Sept. 30. A boat trip to Flowerpot Island to visit a sacred site, participate in an archaeology tour and take guided nature walks was cancelled after it...
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Volunteers the lifeblood of Wiarton Fall Fair in its 157th year
The Wiarton Fall Fair is celebrating its 157th year in style. One of the area’s oldest traditions continued the weekend of Sept. 20 at the Wiarton Arena and Bluewater Park with a full slate of activities held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wiarton and...
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Tickets selling fast for Peninsula Empty Bowls fundraiser
Organizers of an upcoming fundraiser for the Bruce Peninsula Community Food Bank are advising the public to get their tickets while they still can. Tickets for the second annual Peninsula Empty Bowls event on Sept. 22 are almost gone, according to a...
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Residents raise concerns about proposed solar farms in Allenford area
A group of residents has spoken out against a pair of proposed solar farms in the Allenford area. At a South Bruce Peninsula council meeting on Sept. 2, resident Susan Walker led a delegation before council where she voiced opposition to the planned...
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BEAR AWARE
A bear checks out a garbage bag in the area of 6th Street North and York Avenue in Sauble Beach at about 5:15 p.m. on Aug. 26. Bears have been a common sight in the North Sauble area this summer.
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POWWOW
What started as a vision by a small group at Neyaashiinigmiing four decades ago has grown into a cherished event held each year to celebrate the traditions and culture of the First Nations community. The Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation held...
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SANDFEST
Stay hydrated. That was the advice for the sand sculptors at Sauble’s Sandfest on a hot Aug. 9 morning, and the trick to keeping their intricate creations together. “This sand is wet, but it still takes so much water to build something,” said...
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HOMECOMING
When she got the chance, Jann Carder moved back home to Wiarton, just like Rod Lee and Kelli Driscoll did. All Wiarton-raised, they left the Bruce for work or when life’s circumstances changed. But the Bruce beckoned and they all returned. Saturday...
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Volunteers lovingly restore Bruce County marine artifact
An historic vessel that first plied the Lake Huron coastline of the Bruce Peninsula in the late 1800s has been lovingly refurbished and will go on display for the public. The Kayoshk, a Mackinaw-inspired boat that was donated to the Bruce County...
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South Bruce Peninsula council supports proposed solar farm near Allenford
South Bruce Peninsula councillors unanimously supported a proposed 60-acre solar farm near the intersection of Bruce Road 14 and Pleasantview Road. Council received a delegation from Roberto Caputo on behalf of Compass Greenfield Development, where...
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HERE’S HOW THOSE ROADSIDE BOXES ARE PROTECTING AT-RISK TURTLES
Some turtle species roamed the Earth alongside the dinosaurs and have survived for eons, but it’s human sprawl and the motor vehicle that have proved to be the biggest challenge for the hearty reptile. Dozens of volunteers from across Grey and Bruce...
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June busy for Men’s Shed members
June has proven to be a very busy month for Peninsula Men’s Shed members, as there was a flurry of pickups and deliveries of the planters. All have been now been delivered. Keep tuned to this station for the final tallies in our next article. We were...
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HEALTHY AGING
Participants take part in a chair yoga session at South Bruce Peninsula’s first Healthy Aging & Wellness Day on June 21 at the sauble Beach Community Centre.About 200 attended and had a chance to hear about health, lifestyle, social and legal...
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Dirt Road Revival headliner Jade Eagleson donates $10,000 for Brightshores
On April 26, country music fans gathered for a night of performances at the Dirt Road Revival, held at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre. The lineup featured country artists, Jade Eagleson, Jess Moskaluke, Steven Lee Olsen, and Erin...
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Region’s unemployment rate remains second lowest in province
The region’s unemployment rate remained the second lowest in the province in May. Last month, the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region’s unemployment rate decreased by 0.3 percentage points to 3.9 per cent. Meanwhile, the provincial unemployment...
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Smile Cookie drive raises nearly $15,000 for peninsula hospitals
Nearly $15,000 was raised at the Hepworth and Wiarton Tim Hortons restaurants during this year’s Smile Cookie campaign. Owners Bill and Sarah Trude, staff and guests helped raise $14,647 to support the Bruce Peninsula Hospitals Foundation. That makes...
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Lion’s Head music scene is booming
Lion’s Head is known for its sparkling blue waters, beautiful vistas, a bustling marina and, of late, a music scene that becomes more active with each passing year. Then Harbour Master Ken Hodge founded Harbourside Music in 2012. An impromptu stage...
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Cobble Beach fun run raises money for two regional charities
The YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce’s third annual Cobble Beach 5km Lighthouse Fun Run raised $11,882.37 for two regional charities. The money raised will be shared between the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grey, Bruce &...
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FlixBus adds seasonal service to Sauble, Southampton and Port Elgin
FlixBus is launching a new seasonal extension to its route between Toronto and Owen Sound with service beginning Thursday. The service will expand to popular summer tourist spots, such as Sauble Beach, Southampton and Port Elgin. “With summer travel...
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100 Women Who Care Grey Bruce makes biggest donation yet
The 100 Women Who Care Grey Bruce group has kicked off its 2025 giving season in style with its largest donation yet. The grassroots philanthropic group that meets four times throughout the year has given $33,200 to Victim Services Bruce Grey after...
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RUFF WINS THIRD TERM IN BRUCE-GREY-OWEN SOUND
Voters in Bruce- Grey- Owen Sound have returned Conservative Alex Ruff to Ottawa for a third term. Ruff declared victory in the riding late on election day, April 28, but while it was a win for himself locally, he will be in opposition once again as...
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Peninsula hospitals again to benefit from local Smile Cookie campaign
Back again for its 29th anniversary, Tim Hortons Smile Cookie week, April 28-May 4, will support charities in communities across the country, including Bruce Peninsula Hospitals Foundation, one of more than 600 Canadian charities, hospitals and...
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STUDENTS HEADING TO EUROPE
Peninsula students taking part in Victory in Europe, liberation of the Netherlands events
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Vickers named agriculture parliamentary assistant
Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Paul Vickers is now the parliamentary assistant to Trevor Jones, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “Agriculture has been the passion of my life,” Vickers said in a news release which announced his...
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BPH Foundation endowment makes contribution to Brightshores hospitals
Bruce Peninsula Hospitals Foundation marked another successful year for its Caring for Tomorrow Endowment Fund on March 24, presenting a $49,500 contribution to Brightshores Health System for 2024/25. “Annual contributions from the endowment only...
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Fishing tug sinks at Howdenvale dock
Another tugboat has sunk while tied up at a government dock on the Lake Huron side of the Bruce Peninsula, most recently at Howdenvale. The Canadian Coast Guard said March 21 in an emailed response to questions that it received a report on March 10...
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Flooding, high water leads to road closures in parts of Grey-Bruce
Mild temperatures and rainfall over the weekend of March 15 led to high water and flooding in some areas of South Bruce Peninsula and elsewhere in Grey-Bruce. The spring melt prompted some road closures and warnings were issued to the public to avoid...
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THE BRUCE PENINSULA IS READY TO EMBRACE THE SHOULDER SEASON, ARE TOURISTS?
Tourism on the Bruce Peninsula has steadily rebounded since COVID-19 pandemic restrictions ended. Those helping to steward the surge are again looking to extend the shoulder seasons and spread the love around the area while preserving the features...
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CARDS RESULTS
OLIPHANT YOUNG AT HEART Feb. 21 Bid euchre 1st Bruce Richarson 195 ■ 2nd Hank VanVugt 193 ■ 3rd Lynn Bardwell 178 ■ Moon shot Ken Russwurm ■ Euchre High Blue John Foris ■ 59 Lone Hands Challas L. ■ 1 & Steve Loader 1 Low Blue Peg...
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WINTER STORMS LEAVE MANY ROADS BURIED
Efforts to clear snow from Bruce County roads after days of squalls and drifting continued late last week. Some Bruce County roads remained closed to traffic Thursday as crews worked to clear drifts and tall banks. Lakeshore Boulevard North in Sauble...
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Regional unemployment rate jumps to 5.8 per cent in January
The unemployment rate for the economic region that includes Grey-Bruce jumped two percentage points in January, the largest increase in the province. The unemployment rate for the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region increased to 5.8 per cent...
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WORD FROM WILLIE: SPRING
No shadow, spring is on the way. It’s unclear if the people’s pleas swayed Wiarton Willie as they gathered amid Wiarton’s towering snowbanks and shivered on a crisp Sunday morning — eight below freezing. What is clear is the prognosticating pug-nosed...
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BPSA INVITES COMMUNITY OVER FOR FAMILY DAY
This is your invitation to join Bruce Peninsula Sportsmen’s Association (BPSA) volunteers at their 2025 Family Day open house. The club has a true family friendly schedule of events lined up for this special day Monday Feb. 17 from 11 a.m. to 2...
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Wiarton Willie festival weekend full of winter fun
Wiarton Willie may help put an early end to winter this Groundhog Day, Sunday, Feb. 2, at the future home of the new south Bruce Peninsula town hall (370 William Street) in Wiarton near Bluewater Park. A lot is on the line this year, with heavy winter...
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Grey-Bruce farmers told to be ready to adapt to changing climate
Grey-Bruce and the rest of southern Ontario is expected to be less affected by a changing climate than many other areas, but farmers here will still need to be ready to adapt. Mark Robinson, a meteorologist and storm chaser with The Weather Network,...
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Preparations underway for Easter cantata
I’ll start with a follow up to last month’s Christmas Cantata. Thank you to everyone who helped to spread the word during the mail strike. Attendance was excellent and I hope everyone had a good time. Both nights went well, but Wednesday was...
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Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Ruff is ready if election gets called
While being election-ready is always a good idea when there is a minority government in power, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Alex Ruff admits there is a little extra thought going into preparations given the current uncertainty surrounding the future of the...
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Local health board appoints Nicholas Saunders from the Chippewas of Nawash
The Grey-Bruce Board of Health recently announced the appointment of Nicholas Saunders as chair. His one-year term began Dec. 20. Saunders is the first Indigenous chair of the local board of health and the health unit said he’s likely the first...
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Grey-Bruce home sales ‘rocket up’ in November
The real estate market in GreyBruce got hot as buyers took advantage of lower interest rates. The association that represents local realtors is reporting that home sales in the region rocketed up more than 43 per cent in November, when compared to the...
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Snow globe effect embraced at Wiarton Santa Claus Parade
The Wiarton and District Chamber of Commerce was certainly spot on when it chose Snowflake Wonderland as the theme for this year’s Santa Claus Parade. Crowds of hardy Bruce Peninsula folks huddled along a snow-covered Berford Street in the middle of a...
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Sauble ski club is back in business
Winter weather has arrived and Sauble Beach Ski & Snowshoe Club is ready to put snow to use when more arrives. The ski club successfully weathered the theft of its trail-maintenance and grooming equipment last summer and is back in business this...
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Fishing tug removed from Stokes Bay waters
The Coast Guard refloated the FV Gary M at the Stokes Bay dock for the second time in less than three months, but this time it was taken to Southampton and put on dry land. The fishing tug was lifted out on Nov. 26, as shown in a Coast Guard photo,...
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Three men face charges following weapons complaint in Wiarton
Grey-Bruce OPP have charged three men following a weapons complaint at a downtown Wiarton business. According to police, officers responded to a Berford Street business at 11:20 a.m. Mov. 18 about a report of three intoxicated men. It was believed one...
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Fire destroys ‘large portion’ of house at Saugeen
No injuries were reported in a late-night Saugeen First Nation house fire south of Sauble Beach that caused “significant” damage. Saugeen Fire & Emergency Services and Sauble Beach firefighters responded to reports of structure fire with flames...
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New legion in Hepworth a ‘cornerstone for future generations’
A place to feel you belong. That’s how legion president Jim Copp described Royal Canadian Legion Branch 586 at its grand opening Nov. 2 in Hepworth. It’s been nearly three years since the old legion building burned down, taking with it irreplaceable...
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Empty Bowls Peninsula helps fill food bank shelves
“Please Sir, I want some more” was a phrase eagerly uttered and quickly fulfilled at the Empty Bowls Peninsula event held to benefit the Bruce Peninsula Community Food Bank. Not only were bowls filled, but the Oct. 28 event raised more than $5,600...
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Preventable wildfires scorch Saugeen First Nation
Separate small wildfires that burned 3.5 acres of Saugeen First Nation #29 land Oct. 21 were “suspicious and preventable” according to Fire Chief Jackson Nashkawa. In an Oct. 23 update the chief said the investigation was complete and there was “no...
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Canadian dairy farmers are dumping billions of litres of milk
In the vast and verdant lands of Canada, a surprising fact is set to emerge over 6 billion litres of milk have been wasted since 2012, with higher estimates suggesting the figure could be closer to 10 billion litres over the last decade. Milk, valued...
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Expert to share ‘easiest wins’ to improve accessibility on Oct. 17
An accessibility expert will share some inexpensive ideas to improve access for the disabled community at a meeting in Wiarton this week. “There’s all sorts of low-hanging fruit that make a big difference when added up that make a space easier for...
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SBP raises concerns about draft of Bruce County official plan
South Bruce Peninsula officials are warning other lower-tier municipalities in Bruce County about what they call a restrictive draft of the county’s official plan. South Bruce Peninsula CAO Bill Jones said at a meeting earlier this month that planning...
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WIARTON PROPELLER CLUB
September 25, 2024 Euchre 1st - Norm Deakins 2nd - Wayne Wright 3rd - Renee Stewart Lone Hands - Norm Deakins Bid euchre 1st - Sam Reed 2nd - Diane McGuire 3rd - Terry Walpole Moon Shot - Doug Thomas Join us Wednesday at 7 p.m. for an evening...
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