THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE PAGE
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LINCS SPLIT BACK-TO-BACK Thursday, PAGE October 9, 2025
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 #1283
Thursday, October 9, 2025
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Thanks to Home Suite Home, St. Marys youth able to rent first home CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
11th: Thanksgiving 18th: Oktoberfest 25th: Scaretastic All tournaments include 18 holes, cart, and dinner $60/person
thanks to the launch of a new transportation pilot in partnership with St. Marys and Area Mobility Service. Thanks to grant funding from the St. Marys Healthcare Foundation, the Local Community Food Centre has partnered with
With rental prices continuing to skyrocket, Paige Noel, a 20-year-old St. Marys native, was doubtful she would be able to stay in or near the town in which she grew up. Now, thanks to Home Suite Home and the wider community, Noel is doubtful no more. On Oct. 3, Noel picked up the keys to her brand-new tiny home from Vicky Devocht, executive director of Home Suite Home. The plot of land is 10 by 10 metres and the whole building is six by six, complete with a kitchenette, living room, bedroom and full bathroom – and a porch sitting area to boot. As Noel said, it was a surreal moment. “I could never imagine having a place like this for myself,” Noel said. “I could never do it on my own and I’m so grateful for everybody who’s put the work in to make this happen for me. … I’m so happy that I get to stay in St Marys. … A lot of people end up going to these bigger places, but even in bigger places, it doesn’t make it more affordable. Finding affordable housing like this is – it’s hard.” Noel’s new home is the first tiny home built by the non-profit Home Suite Home. Construction finished just a little more than a year after the organization had announced its intention to build affordable tiny homes for the community across Perth County. “The community stepped up,” Devocht said at the key-handing ceremony. “From day one, we said, ‘Let’s rally the community.’ … And that’s what got the ball rolling so quickly. We were able to do this (in) just a little over a year.” Devocht explained the reason this home was the first to be built was simple. The family that owned the property, Noel’s family, was the first to reach out.
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(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)
Paige Noel, a 20-year-old St. Marys native, holds the key to her new affordable tiny home, courtesy of Home Suite Home, a Perth County based non-profit.
Local Community Food Centre announces transportation pilot for Nourish Equal Access Market A bus service provided by St. Marys and Area Mobility Service will launch for marketgoers on Oct. 16 GALEN SIMMONS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
THORNDALE
BALTIC CHRISTMAS MARKETS CRUISE ON DANUBE AUGUST 11-22, 2026 NOV. 26 – DEC. 5, 2026
As of Oct. 16, more St. Marys residents will be able to purchase fresh, local and affordable food from the twice-monthly Nourish Equal Access Market than ever before
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