🎄 As we wrap up our final Creative Hub newsletter before Christmas, I just want to say thank you.
Thank you for reading every week, for sharing your events, for cheering on local creators, and for helping this little community project grow into something special.

Elgin County is full of incredible people doing incredible things and you’ve helped bring all of it to life by tuning in, submitting events, and spreading the word.

As we head into the holidays, keep the momentum going:
✨ Have an event coming up in 2026? Send it in — I’ll help you fill the room.
✨ Know someone who should be in the loop? Invite them to subscribe.
✨ Want your business or community project highlighted? Just reach out.

The Creative Hub is (and always will be) free, local, and community-powered — because of you.

📩 [email protected]
✅ Subscribe: creative-hub.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Wishing you a warm, joyful, festive season — and an amazing year ahead for our Elgin County community. ❤️🎁

Shake off the winter chill and join us indoors for some frosty cornhole fun to kickstart the new year! ❄️

It’s time for the Big Winter Toss Cornhole Tournament on Saturday January 17, 2026, starting at 4:00pm at Joe Thornton Arena!

For just $50 per team of 2 players, you’ll enjoy 5 guaranteed indoor games of cornhole in our exciting 4-game round robin format with double elimination playoffs.

Compete for cash and prizes while supporting life-changing mentoring relationships for children and youth in Elgin County through Big Brothers Big Sisters. Stay cozy and enjoy the festive atmosphere as you toss your way to victory—no snow boots required! Licensed beverages and tasty food will be available for purchase throughout the evening. All skill levels welcome!

🎄 Christmas Eve Worship at First United Church 🎄

Join the community at First United Church in St. Thomas for a meaningful Christmas Eve Worship Service on Wednesday, December 24 at 6:30pm.

A welcoming evening of reflection, music, and togetherness as we celebrate the spirit of Christmas.

✨ All are welcome.
Whether this is a long-standing tradition or your first visit, you’re invited to come as you are.

One of the things we love most about this community is how many small businesses are built from passion, hard work, and a whole lot of heart. Bailey Tech is a great example of that — a local web design and digital marketing studio right here in St. Thomas that’s dedicated to helping entrepreneurs show up confidently online.

Whether you’re launching a new venture or finally giving your website the refresh it deserves, Bailey Tech creates clean, modern sites that make it easier for customers to find you and connect with what you do. They focus on simple solutions that actually work for small business owners — no overwhelm, no jargon, just friendly support and solid results.

If you’ve been thinking about updating your website or giving your brand a little boost heading into the new year, Bailey Tech is a great local partner to have in your corner.

📍 St. Thomas
📞 519-870-5842
🌐 baileytech.ca

Supporting local starts with amplifying local and we’re always proud to feature businesses helping our community grow.

The Creative Hub is thrilled to feature “Nature’s Canvas.”

My name is Michael Wright, and I am an artist from St. Thomas. I’ve always loved creating with my hands. I rely on my imagination, along with the endless materials that are right outside our door, for inspiration. I’ll use everything from pieces of driftwood and mushroom conks to various tree barks and many types of moss to paint colourful natural scenes; I also sculpt sea creatures using clay and a chisel. The wild world is where I find my visions while walking the local beaches and forests. This connection has allowed my love for nature and art to merge, as I alchemize past pains into the endless creative process. That’s where Nature’s Canvas began

Interested in connecting with Michael? Let us know, and we’ll put you in touch.

“Here are some pictures and details about my latest batch of bags fresh out of the studio.”

“The LOVE handbag is more than an accessory, it’s a symbol of those captivating moments when love found you.  

The little sister in the TRIAD collection - petit, with simple lines and style. A little rustic, with a knotted strap and a wrap leather bottom. Expect to be charmed and fall head over heels for this little beauty.”

https://suzannefaris.com/products/love

Storefront Studio

576 Talbot Street

St. Thomas, Ontario 

cell: 519-690-0424/

Looking for something with character, space, and endless potential?
12 Chester Street is one of the most unique properties to hit the St. Thomas market.

Initially built in 1890 as a church, this landmark has been thoughtfully adapted for modern living while keeping its historic charm intact. With almost 3,900 sq. ft. across two levels (approx. 2,192 sq. ft. on the main and 1,700 sq. ft. on the lower level), it’s a rare find for anyone craving room to create, live, or invest.

Fully set up as a comfortable living space featuring:

Great for multi-generational living, owner-occupied with income, or a future rental suite.

Zoned R3, this property opens the door to big ideas:

With its blend of history, flexibility, and nearly endless potential, 12 Chester Street is the kind of property that inspires buyers, investors, and creatives alike. Whether you want to redevelop, generate income, or make this extraordinary space your home, it truly is a canvas full of possibility.

Roof replaced in 2023.

Check out the listing by clicking below

MLS® 41461312

A historic church conversion like 12 Chester Street often inspires big ideas — adding bedrooms, updating finishes, or reimagining the space entirely. And the good news is: there are mortgage options explicitly designed to help buyers bring those plans to life.

This program allows buyers to finance the cost of renovations right into their mortgage.
It’s a great fit if you’re planning updates such as:

You provide quotes for the work at the time of purchase, and the improvements are funded after the job is completed, making it easier to buy a unique home and transform it.

Because the property is zoned R3, buyers considering a duplex or triplex conversion may also have access to specialized financing based on future rental income. This can open the door to:

This is especially helpful for buyers looking to live in part of the home while creating rental units in the rest.

If a property like this sparks something for you — whether it’s the idea of living in a historic space or creating income-producing units — I’m always happy to walk through the financing side and show you what your options could look like.

No pressure, just clarity and planning.
📩 [email protected]
📞 519-637-2519
🌐 mortgagewithbrad.ca

Hi, I’m Brad Lister, a local mortgage agent here in St. Thomas and the person behind Mortgage with Brad. Our community is growing quickly — new families, new businesses, and a ton of momentum — and my work is focused on one thing: helping everyone home.

Whether you’re buying, renewing, refinancing, or navigating the mortgage world as a self-employed borrower, I bring clear guidance and creative solutions that fit real life in a fast-growing city.

If you’re starting to plan your next move or just want to understand what’s possible, take a look at my website:
👉 MortgageWithBrad.ca

You’ll find tools, resources, and simple planning guides to help you chart your path home. And if you ever want to talk through your options, I’m right here — a neighbour who’s committed to helping our community move forward, one home at a time.

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