Opinion
Sales from Railway City’s new seasonal brew, Ruff Day, will support the new facility
:
Eric Bunnell • Special to Postmedia Network
Oct 30, 2025 • 8 minute read
Sharing Halloween kisses are Terry and Theresa O’Brien and their pet Chihuahuas, Izzy and May, who were all dressed up for a puppy parade last Saturday at Pinafore Park that raised over $800 for the new St. Thomas Animal Shelter. (Eric Bunnell/Special to Postmedia Network)
Feeling like you’re having a Ruff Day?
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If so, you’ll be excited about Railway City Brewing’s upcoming seasonal brew set to launch early in 2026.
The name was chosen this week through a poll organized by the St. Thomas Animal Shelter, which will benefit from sales as it raises funds for a new facility located on Southdale Line and Bill Martyn Parkway. The brewery is situated next to the current shelter on Burwell Road.
The online voting took place along with an event on Saturday-a Halloween-themed puppy parade at Pinafore Park-where around 175 people brought along their 80 dogs and raised $816.65 for this worthy cause.
The cost of building the new facility is estimated at $4 million, so the shelter is actively seeking donations.
“Our fundraising goal is $200,000, and we’re currently at $164,074,” says Laura Keates, shelter coordinator. (She suggested Conductor’s Companion as her name choice for the new brew.)
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<p“The community has been very supportive,” shares Mike Elliott, a municipal bylaw enforcement officer.
“I truly believe St. Thomas is a city that loves its pets. Whenever there’s an effort to fundraise for dogs or cats, folks always show up in strong numbers.”
(His choice was New Leash on Life.)
In addition to launching the brew on January 17 at Railway City-tickets will be available soon-the fundraising activities have included trivia nights at the brewery, microchip clinics, puppy parades, public skating events and even a Valentine’s Day tattoo fundraiser hosted by Limitless Tattoos.There’s also a microchip clinic scheduled for December.
Each piece offered has been generously donated either by artists or collectors. Some well-known names participating this year include Clark Mc Dougall , William St. Thomas Smith , and Ross Reverdy Osgood. “It’s rare we have an Osgood.” A pleasant surprise for Sherri – as well as many others – has been discovering provenance often attached behind each artwork piece. “You lookat apieceand you getase senseofits history.” The hammer-wielding auctioneer this year will be Col. Steve Peters who holds accreditationas an auctioneer. Current sale offerings canbe viewedat theartgalleryandonlineon thestepac. ca website. Tickets canbe purchased bothatthe center and online thisyear!Sports Spectacular And maybe I don’t claim expertise in sports.” But I’ve heard Ray Bourque will headlinethe2026St. Thomassports Spectacularscheduledfor January22.” “Oneofthegreatestdefensemenin NHLhistoryisamongearlycelebrityguests confirmedattheevent,”Brent Lale informsme. Bourque hails from Boston Bruinslegendstatusholdingrecordsformostcareergoalsassists pointsbyadefensemanalongwithfive Norris Trophiesasbestbluelinerwhilealso garnering sixrunner-up spots throughout his career concludingwith raisingthe Stanley Cupasthe Colorado Avalanche captainduringhisfinalgame.” A Kodak moment indeed : NHL Hall-of-Famerwill bringalongboth Calderand Norris trophieswithhim! Sinceitspremiere50yearsago, the Sports Spectacularhas providedanoccasionfortheathleticcommunitytocomem together whileraisingnearly$1millionforthe Special Olympics&Community Living Elgin. Chairperson Sean Dyke reassureseveryone “we expect2026to topall previous years!” Joining Bourqueare Rick Mahorn -legendof Detroit Pistons ; Fred Ottman (known as Tugboat/Typhoon) WWE Halloffame member ; Yvon Barrette(played Denis Lemieuxin Slapshot movie); Natasha”The Nightmare “Spence – WBAInternational Boxing Champion; And there’smorecomingsoon ! Tickets go onsales starting Monday ! Click here(stthomassportsspectacular. com). (Oh, and sponorship opportunities still exist!)
Art auction
I may not know much about art but I do know how to enjoy myself-and that’s what you’ll find at the St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre’s annual art auction happening November 7. This has not loaded yet!, but your article continues below. –––A fun evening featuring drinks and snacks alongside exciting live auctions , silent auctions , and online bidding showcasing a total of82 unique artworks across various mediums awaits guests; it’sone ofthe center’s primary annual funding sources.. The gallery aims to raise $40 ,000.“Anything above that would just make us say ‘Wow!'” adds Sherri Howard , education & events coordinator.Each piece offered has been generously donated either by artists or collectors. Some well-known names participating this year include Clark Mc Dougall , William St. Thomas Smith , and Ross Reverdy Osgood. “It’s rare we have an Osgood.” A pleasant surprise for Sherri – as well as many others – has been discovering provenance often attached behind each artwork piece. “You lookat apieceand you getase senseofits history.” The hammer-wielding auctioneer this year will be Col. Steve Peters who holds accreditationas an auctioneer. Current sale offerings canbe viewedat theartgalleryandonlineon thestepac. ca website. Tickets canbe purchased bothatthe center and online thisyear!
A St. Thomas connection And speaking of art..
The recent saleof Hudson’s Bay collection artworks & artifactshas made headlines. And sure enough – there’sa connectionto St. Tomas! Among items being auctioned offon November19is apaintingby Frederic Marlett Bell-Smithwho servedas drawingmasterat Alma Collegefrom1881to1890. His striking nearly two-meter tall1894 oil paintingdepicting Toronto’s King Street West rain-soaked street scene happens to be among auctioneer David Heffel’s personal favorites. Thishasnotloaded yetbutyour articlecontinues below. “You reallyfeel likeyoucan step rightinto thatpainting,”Heffelis quoted. The estimated valueforthepieceis between$100kand$150k. That’s significantly more than Bell-Smith’sprevious record, a watercolor hecreated duringhis Alma dayswas soldin2023foronly$66Kaccordingto Wikipedia.Sports Spectacular And maybe I don’t claim expertise in sports.” But I’ve heard Ray Bourque will headlinethe2026St. Thomassports Spectacularscheduledfor January22.” “Oneofthegreatestdefensemenin NHLhistoryisamongearlycelebrityguests confirmedattheevent,”Brent Lale informsme. Bourque hails from Boston Bruinslegendstatusholdingrecordsformostcareergoalsassists pointsbyadefensemanalongwithfive Norris Trophiesasbestbluelinerwhilealso garnering sixrunner-up spots throughout his career concludingwith raisingthe Stanley Cupasthe Colorado Avalanche captainduringhisfinalgame.” A Kodak moment indeed : NHL Hall-of-Famerwill bringalongboth Calderand Norris trophieswithhim! Sinceitspremiere50yearsago, the Sports Spectacularhas providedanoccasionfortheathleticcommunitytocomem together whileraisingnearly$1millionforthe Special Olympics&Community Living Elgin. Chairperson Sean Dyke reassureseveryone “we expect2026to topall previous years!” Joining Bourqueare Rick Mahorn -legendof Detroit Pistons ; Fred Ottman (known as Tugboat/Typhoon) WWE Halloffame member ; Yvon Barrette(played Denis Lemieuxin Slapshot movie); Natasha”The Nightmare “Spence – WBAInternational Boxing Champion; And there’smorecomingsoon ! Tickets go onsales starting Monday ! Click here(stthomassportsspectacular. com). (Oh, and sponorship opportunities still exist!)
Cottage Life They call them Ontario cottages Andthey’ve become synonymous with older southern regions including St Thomas&Elgin ”. Accordingto Dan Schneider, writtenalongsided Lynne Di Stefano.’s recentlyreleasedbookfocusesonexploringthoseunique residentialstructures” 9 This has notloadedyet but yourarticle continuessbelow
Dan Schneider showcaseshisnew book titled The Ontario Cottage: Perfectofits Kind co-authoredwith Lynne Distefano launching Tuesdaywithin Londonarea highlightingseveralexamplesfoundaroundlocalitiessuchas St Thomas&Elgin!(Contributed photo)jpeg STapsmc “They’revirtuallyunknownoutside Canada exceptmaybeintheworldof Britishcolonial influence where similarsized homesare foundin Australia & U. K., though modified versions were imported”. Perhaps asmanyas10kwerebuiltbetween1810-1920 when they were mostpopular.” Thisbookrepresentslong-awaitedoutcome stemmingfromanexhibition curatedby Lynne backintheyear2000when it first showcased Ontario cottages specifically held atthe then Museum London.”, However life gotintothewayincludingyears she spentabroad workingon architectural conservation projects endingupback home finally ledher friend Dan convincinghertoputitalltogether now! “Wehopepeoplefind our publicationworthwaitingfor,” says Dan formerly head cultural heritage policy expert Ontariogovernmentwho encouraged Lynnetocompleteherproject.
The story of Wingate If you’re drivingtowards Port Bruce fromwest, you’llpassby Wingate, a quaint neighborhood consistingof28cottages overlooking Lake Erie. Filmmaker Maya(Siskind)Kellynowaimsto sharethat community history founded backin1948by her great-grandparents, Abe&Evelyn Siskind.” Being Jewish, membersofthelong-standing Londonfamily faceddiscriminationwhichresulted intobarringthemfromenjoyinga simple dayatthebeach- leadingtothetitlename No Dogs No Jews, “I wantedtoprovokefrom reality,” admits Maya whotodayworksstrategicallywithsocialmediacoordination UNPeacekeeping Toronto area.” Her grandparents founded Wingateprovidingsafehaven Jewishfamilies escaping hate, rather allowingtheirchildrenfreedomtosimplyexistwithoutfear” Originally envisioned asa familyethnic history projectfollowinghermastersdegree UCLA aboutrace ethnicity historicalculturalstudieseducationlate year afterearlier workitdebutedin June screening atherecent Toronto Jewish Film Festivalcurrently featured Forest City Film Festivalpresently underway London.” “No Dogs No Jews screened Wednesday.” “I’ve alwaysdreamtcreatingdocumentary preserve ourfamilyheritage,”she explains. Narrated by children Abe&Evelyn Bob Paul Janet that includes narration throughouttheir film done beautifully capturing essence prideful family dynamic sharing heartfelt stories interwoven through lives lived together today maintaining twocottagesthat had initially begunfilled exclusivelywith Jewishfamilies untilmid-60s beganintegrating others too!”
An extra hour It seemslikeit’sthat timeagain.. We getto fallback into bed oneextrahour thanks daylight saving time changeoccurringthis Sundayat2AM! Timeforsleep.. And perhapsdreaming about Halloween treats collectedfrom Friday night festivities! And astypicaltradition goes “Trickortreat via my !” Please save me some Rockets because theymake agreatsandwich.. (Additionally Central United Church hasto announce bazaar occurring Saturday8amuntil12:30pm.)
Poppy campaign Finally today, but certainlynot leastly Valeri Clark, poppychair Royal Canadian Legion Lord Elgin Branch41located in St Thomas was slatedpin ceremonialfirstpoppon Mayor Joe Preston lapel kickingofflocalfundraisingcampaign.” On Saturday Branch41will launchannual blitz poppy drive locationsacross town solicitingdonations supportinglegionwork ensuringveterans aren’tforgottennor thosewhomadeultimatesacrifices! Pleaseconsiderbeinggenerous!
ericbunnellspeople@gmail. com
Read More![Lifted tothetaskbyhisfather Jeff, andalongsidehis mother Diana, four-year-old Austin Housecuts ribbonofficiallyopening Highlandsapartments. Thefamilycompanyis partnerintheproject.]()
< –
Dan Schneider showcaseshisnew book titled The Ontario Cottage: Perfectofits Kind co-authoredwith Lynne Distefano launching Tuesdaywithin Londonarea highlightingseveralexamplesfoundaroundlocalitiessuchas St Thomas&Elgin!(Contributed photo)jpeg STapsmc “They’revirtuallyunknownoutside Canada exceptmaybeintheworldof Britishcolonial influence where similarsized homesare foundin Australia & U. K., though modified versions were imported”. Perhaps asmanyas10kwerebuiltbetween1810-1920 when they were mostpopular.” Thisbookrepresentslong-awaitedoutcome stemmingfromanexhibition curatedby Lynne backintheyear2000when it first showcased Ontario cottages specifically held atthe then Museum London.”, However life gotintothewayincludingyears she spentabroad workingon architectural conservation projects endingupback home finally ledher friend Dan convincinghertoputitalltogether now! “Wehopepeoplefind our publicationworthwaitingfor,” says Dan formerly head cultural heritage policy expert Ontariogovernmentwho encouraged Lynnetocompleteherproject.
The story of Wingate If you’re drivingtowards Port Bruce fromwest, you’llpassby Wingate, a quaint neighborhood consistingof28cottages overlooking Lake Erie. Filmmaker Maya(Siskind)Kellynowaimsto sharethat community history founded backin1948by her great-grandparents, Abe&Evelyn Siskind.” Being Jewish, membersofthelong-standing Londonfamily faceddiscriminationwhichresulted intobarringthemfromenjoyinga simple dayatthebeach- leadingtothetitlename No Dogs No Jews, “I wantedtoprovokefrom reality,” admits Maya whotodayworksstrategicallywithsocialmediacoordination UNPeacekeeping Toronto area.” Her grandparents founded Wingateprovidingsafehaven Jewishfamilies escaping hate, rather allowingtheirchildrenfreedomtosimplyexistwithoutfear” Originally envisioned asa familyethnic history projectfollowinghermastersdegree UCLA aboutrace ethnicity historicalculturalstudieseducationlate year afterearlier workitdebutedin June screening atherecent Toronto Jewish Film Festivalcurrently featured Forest City Film Festivalpresently underway London.” “No Dogs No Jews screened Wednesday.” “I’ve alwaysdreamtcreatingdocumentary preserve ourfamilyheritage,”she explains. Narrated by children Abe&Evelyn Bob Paul Janet that includes narration throughouttheir film done beautifully capturing essence prideful family dynamic sharing heartfelt stories interwoven through lives lived together today maintaining twocottagesthat had initially begunfilled exclusivelywith Jewishfamilies untilmid-60s beganintegrating others too!”
An extra hour It seemslikeit’sthat timeagain.. We getto fallback into bed oneextrahour thanks daylight saving time changeoccurringthis Sundayat2AM! Timeforsleep.. And perhapsdreaming about Halloween treats collectedfrom Friday night festivities! And astypicaltradition goes “Trickortreat via my !” Please save me some Rockets because theymake agreatsandwich.. (Additionally Central United Church hasto announce bazaar occurring Saturday8amuntil12:30pm.)
Poppy campaign Finally today, but certainlynot leastly Valeri Clark, poppychair Royal Canadian Legion Lord Elgin Branch41located in St Thomas was slatedpin ceremonialfirstpoppon Mayor Joe Preston lapel kickingofflocalfundraisingcampaign.” On Saturday Branch41will launchannual blitz poppy drive locationsacross town solicitingdonations supportinglegionwork ensuringveterans aren’tforgottennor thosewhomadeultimatesacrifices! Pleaseconsiderbeinggenerous!
ericbunnellspeople@gmail. com
Read More![Lifted tothetaskbyhisfather Jeff, andalongsidehis mother Diana, four-year-old Austin Housecuts ribbonofficiallyopening Highlandsapartments. Thefamilycompanyis partnerintheproject.]()
< –
Poppy campaign Finally today, but certainlynot leastly Valeri Clark, poppychair Royal Canadian Legion Lord Elgin Branch41located in St Thomas was slatedpin ceremonialfirstpoppon Mayor Joe Preston lapel kickingofflocalfundraisingcampaign.” On Saturday Branch41will launchannual blitz poppy drive locationsacross town solicitingdonations supportinglegionwork ensuringveterans aren’tforgottennor thosewhomadeultimatesacrifices! Pleaseconsiderbeinggenerous!
ericbunnellspeople@gmail. com
Read More![Lifted tothetaskbyhisfather Jeff, andalongsidehis mother Diana, four-year-old Austin Housecuts ribbonofficiallyopening Highlandsapartments. Thefamilycompanyis partnerintheproject.]()
< –
Eric Bunnell People: Latestchapterin St. thomashousingboasts14storeys[alt]/-![]()
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