ALZHEIMER'S WALK
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SENIORS MONTH
STRATFORD VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 42
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14-19
JUNE 5, 2026
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Shakespearean Gardens celebrates 90 years
CONNOR LUCZKA
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Stratford Shakespearean Gardens celebrated its 90th anniversary last week, complete with cake, a fete and perfect garden party weather. On a particularly sunny afternoon on May 28, the Friends of the Shakespearean Gardens invited community members and dignitaries alike to the gardens to celebrate its history, adorning the grounds with signs, balloons and informative notices. Although it is just one garden in a city known for its horticulture, the Shakespearean Gardens are an important historical and cultural fixture in the city. “For the past 90 years, the Shakespearean Gardens has been a special place in the heart of Stratford, delighting both residents and visitors alike,” Perth-Wellington MP John Nater wrote in a commemorative letter for the anniversary, read that day by Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma. “This beautiful sanctuary beside the river connects us to the history that has made Stratford the city it is today, from the plants and the flowers that arrived from Stratford, England, and are mentioned in the plays and sonnets of William Shakespeare to the striking tower once part of the Dufton Woollen Mill that stood on this site. These gardens commemorate the art and industry that have defined our city for generations.” The gardens are next to the Perth County Courthouse on Huron Street, just before the stone bridge crossing the Avon River and beyond a wooden lychgate bearing its name. Like its name suggests, it is a Shakespeare garden, a garden that specifically cultivates the CONTINUED TO PAGE 2
(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)
The Waterloo Region Chinese Canadian Association's Dragon Dance, Waist Drum and Big Drum teams pose after a highpaced performance during the closing ceremony for Asian Heritage Month. For more photos of the performance, see page 7.
2026 Pride March most successful celebration to date
SYDNEY BOYLE
Times Correspondent
Volunteers and pride workers gathered together Sunday, May 31 at 9 a.m., unpacking and preparing the tents at Upper Queen’s Park for this year’s vendors. Tasks were quickly given out and everyone was sent to work, putting together what was going to become Stratford-Perth Pride’s most successful festival to date. Everyone was feeling just how needed this celebration of love was this year.
"We are thrilled to see so many community members come out to support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at this year’s Pride March and Festival,” expressed A.J. Adams of Stratford-Perth Pride. “We hope that we have been able to create a welcoming space for the community to come be their true authentic selves and show their pride!” At the Tom Patterson Theatre a few hours later, and after a few speeches, the ninth annual Pride March began. The excited crowd started walking along the river towards Upper Queen’s Park, flags held high and pride on CONTINUED TO PAGE 3