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St. Marys Independent
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St. Marys Independent 36 Water St. S., St. Marys ON | 519.284.0041 | info@stmarysindependent.com | www.stmarysindy.com
Issue #1297
Thursday, January 22, 2026
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Local author to debut her first novel at Betty’s Bookshelf later this month
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AN EAGLE EYE VIEW
(WENDY LAMOND PHOTO)
This large bald eagle was hanging out looking for his next meal out on the River Road on Sunday.
Former provincial Green Party candidate and local teacher urges St. Marys council to endorse Bill 21
Ontario Green Party bill aims to put restrictions on developing farmland GALEN SIMMONS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A local teacher and former Perth-Wellington candidate for the Green Party of Ontario is urging St. Marys council to endorse Bill 21, the Protect Our Food Act, put forward by provincial Green Party leader and Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner and Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi-Ann Brady. Speaking as a delegate before council at its Jan. 13 meeting, Ian Morton shared his
and the Green Party of Ontario’s concerns with the Conservative government’s development-first agenda at the cost of roughly 319 acres of Ontario farmland every day. “Through my heavy involvement in politics over the last decade, I feel I have a pretty good understanding of the pressures facing communities in Perth County, specifically St. Marys, Stratford and rural areas as well,” Morton said. “So, here we come to the great need for housing across the
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St. Marys Public Library clerk Laura McAsh has finished her first novel, a project she credits to self-belief and perseverance. Alison’s Adventures in Time is a book McAsh has been writing since 2015. Following the publication of her novel later this month, McAsh will host a launch event at Betty’s Bookshelf on Jan. 31 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Loosely inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, Alison’s Adventures in Time is a whimsical young-adult, science-fiction novel featuring elements of time travel and self-discovery. Set in 2007, the book centres on a 17-year-old girl named Alison who struggles to find her purpose in life. Alison embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she aids a time-travelling organization in helping to overthrow their corrupt leader. “It’s not addressed, but it’s alluded that Alison is somewhere on the spectrum, and I’m neurodivergent myself,” said McAsh. “Writing this book has been a true healing process for me. I wish a book like this had been around when I was her age because I really struggled with what I wanted to do with my life. “I hope this book resonates with the (young adult) group. The book is about finding confidence in yourself while retaining who you are.” After facing rejections from traditional
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Owen Lewis-Havard
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St.Marys & Thorndale
Sales Representative for Coldwell Banker Homefield Legacy Realty, Brokerage
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