Spring is Around the Corner in Arran-Elderslie
Stay aware of flood risk and scams + Upcoming Community Events + Council News
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Welcome to March! It certainly came in like a lamb on Saturday with some beautiful sunshine. As we look ahead, spring is just 2 weeks away and the sun will not set before 6 PM again until October!
Outside Arran-Elderslie, the world seems quite chaotic. It can be hard to process and take in, but times like these are when we need to lean on one another more than ever. There’s lots of news about what is happening in the U.S. and to our country as a result, so I’ll save the space here.
March is also the OPP’s Fraud Prevention Month. Phone and cyber scams are on the rise and fraudsters are getting more and more difficult to detect. The OPP issued a press release this week with information and tips on staying aware. Read more here or on The Owen Sound Current (below).
~ Jen
The Relationship Between Snowmelt & Flooding
Grey Sauble & Saugeen Valley Conservation Authorities Monitor Flood Risk Across Arran-Elderslie
With all the snow we have, I have wondered whether we are at risk of flooding this spring. Luckily, I learned this week that our Conversation Authorities monitor snow levels and moisture content. According to Grey Sauble Conservation Authority, sno-melt and runoff are highly dependent on weather.
This year’s snow, while we have a lot of it, contains an average water content of 4-8 inches. This is above average, but not extreme (2020 had comparable water levels). The “ideal melt” has daytime temperatures around 5 - 8 degrees Celsius and nighttime temperatures below freezing. Windy and sunny days melt snow faster. Snow melt alone doesn’t usually cause flooding. Flooding typically results from heavy rainfall at the end of snow melt when the ground is fully saturated.
To stay aware of flood danger you can subscribe for updates from GSCA (if you live in Tara, Allenford or north of Dobbinton) or SVCA (if you live south of Dobbinton, in Paisley or Chesley).
Chesley homecoming ticket packages on sale
Chesley will be celebrating 145 years with a Homecoming Celebration July 31 - August 3, 2025. Gain exclusive access to a guaranteed weekend of fun, with great events and the opportunity to create unforgettable memories with family and friends. Ticket packages are now available. They include:
Admission to 3 Dinners
Admission to 3 Open Air Dances (Age of Majority)
Ticket purchasers will be notified when packages will be available for local pick-up. Buy Tickets
IPM 2026 Cookbook Recipes Being Accepted Until April 1
The 2026 Bruce County IPM (International Plowing Match) Committee are seeking recipes from community members for their fundraising cookbook. To submit your recipe, simply fill out the online form here or send it by mail to; IPM Cookbook, PO Box 422 Mildmay, ON N0G 2J0. The deadline to submit recipes has been extended to April 1. The IPM will be held west of Walkerton in September 2026.
March Break Skating
Thank you to to all the local businesses and individuals sponsoring public skating at each arena over the March break. Specific times can be found on the Municipality’s Facebook page and in the events below.
Council Corner
DYK? The Council meeting agenda is posted online the Friday before the meeting. All meetings can also be viewed by livestream. You can find all information here.
3rd St. SW Chesley Construction
The municipality is planning construction of 3rd St. SW between 1st & 4th Ave. SW in Chesley this summer. There will be a Community Meeting to get public input on the project on Tuesday, March 18 at 7 PM in the Council Chambers. Learn More
Council Exploring Food Truck & Sidewalk Encroachment Permit Bylaws
At the last Council meeting, Council received information from staff on two potential new bylaws. One is to bring in a bylaw to regulate food trucks within the municipality. The second recommendation was to explore a sidewalk encroachment permit to ensure our downtowns remain accessible and vibrant. No decisions have been made and the bylaws will come back to a future Council meeting. More information can be found here.
At Large Vs Ward Representation Open Houses This Week
There are two more information sessions happening today, in Tara from 3-5PM and Chesley from 5-8 PM, for residents to learn more about a possible electoral change being explored by Council. The survey will also be available until March 20. Take some time to learn more about this process and participate in the survey here.
Expressions of Interest Now Being Accepted for Paisley Library
Do you have an idea that would be ideal for a downtown space in Paisley? The municipality wants to hear from you and is now accepting expressions of interest for the former library. Read more here.
Upcoming Committee & Public Meetings
Accessibility, Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (ADIE) Committee Meeting, Monday, March 3 from 4 - 5 PM, Council Chambers and Virtual
Wards or At Large Representation Open Houses:
Paisley: March 4 – 5-7 pm
Tara: March 5 – 3-5 pm
Chesley: March 5 – 6-8 pm
Council Meeting, Monday, March 10, 9 AM, Council Chambers
3rd St. SW Chesley Construction Community Meeting, Tuesday, March 18 at 7 PM, Council Chambers
Community Events
A full list of events can be found on the website. If you have events you’d like to add to this list, you can email them to jshaw@arran-elderslie.ca.
Weekly Events
Mondays
Crokinole & Coffee, 9 AM, Paisley Legion
Learn to crochet or knit, 7 PM, Paisley Legion, $2 / night. Every Monday except holidays.
Euchre, 6:30 PM, Paisley Legion
Pickleball, 7 PM, Paisley Central School gym
Tuesdays
Euchre, 7 PM, Tara Legion
Wednesdays
Game Night, 7 PM, Tara Legion
Thursdays
Brockton & Area Family Heath Team Exercise Class, 9 AM, Paisley Legion
Community Meal, 12 Noon, Chelsey Baptist Church
Live Jammin’, 1 PM, Tara Legion
Fridays
Corn Hole, 4 PM, Paisley Legion
Sundays
Darts for Meat, 1 PM, Paisley Legion, $4 / round with meat prizes
March
Wednesday, March 5
At-Large or Ward-based Representation Community Open House - 3-5 PM, Tara Community Centre
At-Large or Ward-based Representation Community Open House - 6 -8 PM, Chesley Community Centre
Friday, March 7
Arran-Elderslie Community & Business Association International Women’s Day Breakfast - 8 - 10:30 AM, Paisley Community Centre
Sunday, March 9
Public skating sponsored by Beitz Siding & Eavestrough, 5-6 PM, Chesley Arena
Monday, March 10
Public skating:
Sponsored by the Tara Arran Smoke Eaters, 11 - 12 PM, TaraSponsored by EXP Reality Brokerage, Stephanie Tuck, 1 - 2 PM, Chesley
Sponsored by the Paisley Legion, 3 -4 PM, Paisley
Tuesday, March 11
Public skating:
Sponsored by the Tara Festival of Crafts, 11 - 12 PM, TaraSponsored by Artisans at the Mill, 1 - 2 PM, Chesley
Sponsored by Rob & Gail Fullerton, 3 -4 PM, Paisley
Wednesday, March 12
Public skating:
Sponsored by Built Wright Fencing, 1 - 2 PM, Chesley
Sponsored by All Bodies Pilates and Wellness Studio, 3 -4 PM, Paisley
Thursday, Mar 13
St. John Ambulance Babysitting Course - Chesley Community Centre, all day. Pre-registration required. See post for details.
Public skating:
Sponsored by Multiple Enterprises Inc., 1 - 2 PM, Chesley
Sponsored by MacKinnon Farms, 3 -4 PM, PaisleyMagical Mr. Oh! - Bijou Theatre Chesley, 3:30 - 4:30 PM
Friday, March 14
St. Patrick’s Euchre Luncheon - 12 - 4:30 PM, Treasure Chest Museum, Paisley
Hearty Stew Dinner - 5 - 7 PM, Tara Legion, $15 / person
Chili Luncheon - 11 AM - 1 PM, Chesley Legion, $8.00
Public skating:
Sponsored by Arran Ward Councillor Ryan Nickason, 11 - 12 PM, TaraSponsored by Hamilton Construction, 1 - 2 PM, Chesley
Sponsored by the Paisley Legion, 3 -4 PM, Paisley
Saturday, March 15
Corn Hole Tournament - Registration 12 Noon, Start 1 PM sharp, Paisley Legion, $50 / team (2 players).
That’s it for this edition of The Back Porch Brief! You can expect the next newsletter in your inbox in 2-ish weeks!