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INT. GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP PAGE
STRATFORD VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 3
9 FREE
AUGUST 28, 2026
A Passion for People
Maria Walsh 519-272-3229
walshremax@gmail.com
Judah Bootsma 519-272-4378
Judah.remax@gmail.com
SHERRIE ROULSTON
Real Estate Broker email: sherrieroulston@royallepage.ca Direct: 519-272-3578
2026 community grants open up STRATFORD TIMES STAFF stratfordtimes@gmail.com
What could your organization do with up to $25,000 to make a difference in Perth County? The Stratford and Perth County Community Foundation (SPCCF) is inviting local organizations to apply for its 2026 Community Grant Opportunities, with funding available for everything from grassroots projects that strengthen everyday community life to larger initiatives addressing some of the region’s most pressing challenges. Two funding streams are available: Community Spark Grants, which grant up to $5,000 for projects and programs that respond to local needs and strengthen everyday community life, and Community Impact Grants, which grant of up to $25,000 for initiatives that address shared community priorities and create meaningful community impact. The 2026 grant opportunities reflect what SPCCF heard through conversations with local organizations, municipal partners and community members, as well as community research. Those conversations reinforced the importance of flexible funding while highlighting opportunities for deeper investment and collaboration around some of the challenges facing our communities. “Organizations across every charitable sector are doing important work in Perth County, and we want to make sure there are opportunities to support that work,” said Rachel Smith, executive director of SPCCF. “At the same time, we heard clearly that there are some challenges that require us to think bigger and work together. These two grant streams give us the opCONTINUED TO PAGE 3
(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)
Zachary Williams, Christine Desjardins, Brian Ross, Jacqueline Bartney and Anthony MacPherson, the swing team for this year’s Stratford Festival production of Guys and Dolls, pose on a rehearsal stage at the Festival Theatre.
Swing Nation: The epitome of ‘the show must go on’
CONNOR LUCZKA
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On one unassuming Tuesday morning, Stratford Festival swing performer Zachary Williams was sleeping on a bus coming back into town from Toronto for a performance of Guys and Dolls. When he woke up, the bus wasn’t in Stratford – it was broken down on the side of the highway. As it happened, festival alum Steve Ross, who plays Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the musical, and Jeremy Carv-
er-James, who plays Calvin, were also on the bus. Without many options, and with a show all three of them were supposed to be in, Steve suggested calling an Uber from the side of the 401. “We're shaking JCJ (Carver-James) up because he just won't wake up,” Williams shared. “… We get in the Uber, and we're like, ‘Okay, great!’ because Steve Ross had to go on because his understudy was sick. Anthony (MacPherson, another swing) was on, and if Steve Ross didn't make it to the performance, it would have been CONTINUED TO PAGE 2