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MARKET UPDATE
STRATFORD VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 45
23 FREE
JUNE 26, 2026
Jennifer Anderson
Jamie Gerber
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Maria Walsh 519-272-3229
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Judah Bootsma 519-272-4378
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Hog Jog raises $30K for Emily Murphy Centre EMILY STEWART
Times Correspondent
Despite the rainy weather, more than 300 runners and walkers were ready to start the Hog Jog route. The Ontario Pork Industry Council (OPIC) held the Hog Jog at the Stratford Rotary Complex on June 17 in the evening. Participants could either complete the 10 kilometre run, 3.5 kilometre walk/run or the weaner race. Proceeds from the event support the Emily Murphy Centre’s Tiny Homes … Big Impact campaign. "What a great event, oh my goodness. I can't believe how many people not only came through the Pork Congress but then gathered for the Hog Jog and they knew exactly what they were doing,” said Lisa Wilde, executive director of the Emily Murphy Centre. “Nobody complained about the weather. Everybody was enthusiastic. It was just a fantastic event." The Tiny Homes … Big Impact campaign is a proposed $1.2 million capital campaign looking to build five tiny homes as a response to a growing need for second-stage housing for women and children who experienced violence. The Hog Jog fundraiser raised over $33,000 for the tiny homes. Wilde said the Hog Jog fundraiser “will put a significant dent” in the fundraising goal and that the community support has been quite positive. "I'm overwhelmed, to be honest. This community is so generous and when they can get behind something very concrete like the installation of five homes, they're on it,” she said. “I've had such good CONTINUED TO PAGE 3
(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)
Walter, Theresa, Maria, Lydia, Clara and Emmett – the fourth generation of Strawberry pickers (and perhaps Strawberry farmers one day) – sit in a patch on the Walch family farm just south of Stratford. For more on the Walchs, see our story on 2.
Want to lend your name to City of Stratford property? Naming rights for certain assets soon to be up for bid CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Advertising with the City of Stratford is set to expand after an updated policy was approved by city council on June 22. The new policy establishes guiding principles, eligibility criteria, procurement safeguards, agreement requirements and approval authorities to support transparent and strategic decision-making, according to the staff report. It will also allow for certain assets to be named.
Per an amendment from Coun. Jo-Dee Burbach, staff will bring forward a list of eligible assets to be approved by council ahead of any negotiations with interested parties regarding naming rights. Through the new policy, the city will retain ownership and control of its assets, all arrangements will be documented through fixed-term written agreements, financial obligations for the city will not be created beyond the terms of an agreement, staff and elected officials must comply with City of Stratford code of conduct policies and privacy legislation, benefits proCONTINUED TO PAGE 2