Off-price retailer throws surprise party for long-time customer
A northern Ontario woman got the surprise of a lifetime from the staff of her favourite store.
June Graham thought she was just attending the grand opening for the new Winners location in the Sault Ste. Marie. However, the staff decided to use the occasion to celebrate one of their best-known shoppers' 95th birthday.
Graham has been a regular at store since the retailer opened its Cambrian Mall location.
While she was looking forward to the grand opening of the new outlet on Northern Avenue, she was not expecting to be the centre of attention.
"Such a surprise, the biggest surprise of my life," said Graham.
"It was just so wonderful to see all of these beautiful women and men and to know that I had so many friends, it was just outstanding."
- Download the CTV News app now and get local alerts on your device
- Get local breaking news and updates sent to your email inbox
The new Winners location carries some historical significance for Graham.
"My maiden name was Huckson, and this is called 'Huckson's Corner,'" Graham to CTV News.
"This is where my grandfather had a beautiful home and orchard and pine trees. So, it has so much memories for me."
The Huckson family sold the property in 1963 and it has hosted various retailers since.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
EXCLUSIVE
EXCLUSIVE 'Shared intelligence' from Five Eyes informed Trudeau's India allegation: U.S. ambassador
There was 'shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners' that informed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's public allegation of a potential link between the government of India and the murder of a Canadian citizen, United States Ambassador to Canada David Cohen confirmed to CTV News.
1 RCMP officer killed, 2 seriously injured while executing search warrant in Coquitlam, B.C.
One RCMP officer was killed and two others were seriously injured while police were executing a search warrant at a home in Coquitlam, B.C., Friday.
'He was truly exceptional': Slain B.C. RCMP officer identified
B.C. RCMP have identified the officer killed while executing a search warrant in Coquitlam Friday morning as Const. Rick O'Brien.
'Spirit of MuchMusic' still alive at doc premiere with former VJs in attendance
While the party died years ago at MuchMusic's broadcast centre on the corner of Queen and John streets in Toronto, the screening of a new documentary on Friday proved nostalgia for the nation's music station is still very much alive.
Not even the fall colours can escape climate change's impacts: scientists
It's almost leaf peeping season, but scientists say shifting or intensifying weather conditions brought about by climate change could increasingly alter when trees begin their fall colour display each year, how long it lasts and how brilliant it is.
WATCH
WATCH Video of rats running on wall prompts closure of Waterloo Tim Hortons
A Tim Hortons on University of Waterloo campus has been closed after a video of rats scurrying down one of the restaurant’s walls surfaced online.
NEW
NEW Why is Brampton rent surging 3 times faster than every other city in Canada?
Rent in Brampton shot up three times faster over the last year than the national average in Canada, according to a rental report.
5M Canadians experienced a mental health disorder in 2022: StatCan
More than five million Canadians experienced some form of mental health disorder in 2022, a new Statistics Canada study has revealed.
'He had a big heart': Father of fallen teenage wildland firefighter remembers his son
When 19-year-old Jaxon Billyboy graduated high school in Williams Lake in June, it was a proud moment for his father Sheldon Bowe.
Barrie
-
Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin moving into cabinet
A local MPP is taking a big step forward in light of the sudden resignation of one of her colleagues.
-
Key witness dodges testifying, delaying fatal dump truck crash trial
The trial of Milton Urgiles, accused of criminal negligence leading to the death of one of his workers in 2020, resumed Friday in a Barrie courtroom with the Crown alleging that a key witness was "holding her evidence hostage."
-
Fallen South Simcoe officer honoured by hundreds of colleagues in annual 'Run to Remember'
A fallen South Simcoe Police officer was honoured by hundreds of officers Friday on a journey that was near and dear to his heart.
Toronto
-
NEWNEW Why is Brampton rent surging 3 times faster than every other city in Canada?
Rent in Brampton shot up three times faster over the last year than the national average in Canada, according to a rental report.
-
Premier Doug Ford announces cabinet shuffle hours after 3rd minister resigns in a month
Premier Doug Ford is shuffling his cabinet for the second time in recent weeks after Ontario Labour Minister Monte McNaughton announced Friday he is stepping away from politics to move into the private sector.
-
TTC throws goodbye party for Scarborough SRT after derailment hastened closure
Toronto's public transit provider is bidding farewell to one of its most iconic lines today with a goodbye party in the part of the city the trains served for nearly 40 years.
Ottawa
-
Police seeking witnesses to south Ottawa shooting
Ottawa police are asking for witnesses to a shooting in the south end to come forward.
-
Ukrainian Canadians in Ottawa show support for Zelenskyy
Ukrainian Canadians gathered on Parliament Hill on Friday as a show of support for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he addressed parliament.
-
Wrath of the wasps
There is a buzz in the air and it’s more than that summertime weather we’ve been feeling. It's wasps and lots of them.
Kitchener
-
Pride flag burnt outside Kitchener, Ont. high school: Police
Waterloo regional police are investigating after a Pride flag was trampled and set on fire outside a Kitchener, Ont. high school.
-
Waterloo Region transit, food banks seeing record breaking usage with high student enrolment numbers
More students in Waterloo Region are relying on food bank and transit services than normal, leading to more pressure on the organizations.
-
Police looking for suspect in Uptown Waterloo homicide
Police are searching for a suspect after a fatal stabbing in Uptown Waterloo.
London
-
London police looking for minivan involved in fatal pedestrian collision
London police are asking the public for help in identifying an outstanding vehicle that was involved in a fatal east end collision that claimed the life of a pedestrian earlier this week.
-
Police on scene of standoff situation in Delaware, Ont.
Police responded to a Delaware intersection for an apparent standoff situation Friday afternoon after a man refused to leave an apartment above a variety store and gas station.
-
Suspect in custody after man fatally stabbed in west end
An investigation is underway after a man suffering from a stab wound attended a home in west London, Ont. and later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
Windsor
-
Graphic warning: Two of four London officers involved in arrest testify at terrorism trial in Windsor
Two of four London police officers involved in the arrest testified at a terrorism trial in Windsor on Friday.
-
Sawed-off shotgun discovered in vehicle on Janette Ave
Windsor police have arrested a suspect after the discovery of an illegal firearm in a vehicle on Janette Avenue.
-
WATCH
WATCH Video of rats running on wall prompts closure of Waterloo Tim Hortons
A Tim Hortons on University of Waterloo campus has been closed after a video of rats scurrying down one of the restaurant’s walls surfaced online.
Montreal
-
The Bill 96 effect: CEGEP student warns others to get their English eligibility certificate before it's too late
A John Abbott College student has learned the hard way that applying for a certificate of eligibility for English instruction before graduating high school has become even more critical under the new French language law in Quebec.
-
Thousands to march in support of Quebec public service workers
In the midst of collective bargaining negotations, thousands are expected to attend a demonstration organized by public sector unions on Saturday afternoon in Montreal.
-
Hydro-Quebec stands by post supporting LGBTQ+ community despite backlash
Hydro-Quebec is standing by a social media post made Thursday in support of the LGBTQ2S+ community. In a post to X, formerly known as Twitter, the utility responded to Canada-wide demonstrations protesting how 'gender ideology' and sexual orientation are discussed in schools.
Atlantic
-
'We’re kind of homeless': Fredericton fire displaces 110 people
A fire in Fredericton’s north side on Thursday has displaced 110 people at a time where the city is seeing extremely low vacancy rates.
-
Rissers Beach Provincial Park partially reopens but the rest remains closed
The northern campground at Rissers Beach Provincial Park reopened Friday, but the rest of the provincial park is closed for the season due to damage sustained by post-tropical storm Lee.
-
Halifax Mooseheads to retire Nathan Mackinnon's number
Colorado Avalanche star player Nathan Mackinnon, is back home. MacKinnon’s number 22 retired will Friday night, by his former junior team, the Halifax Mooseheads.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg mayor asks provincial leaders for funding changes
Winnipeg`s mayor wants funding commitments from the provincial party leaders running to become premier next month.
-
Crime, health care and homelessness: Poll reveals which leader Manitobans believe can best deal with the problem
New polling suggests there is a strong belief among voters in the ability of the NDP and party leader Wab Kinew to tackle major issues such as health care – though the Tories are largely seen as the best equipped to attract more jobs in the province.
-
Thunderbird Restaurant owner takes City of Winnipeg to court over missing land records
A Garden City-area restaurant owner is taking the City of Winnipeg to court, looking for lost land records it says will stop the construction of a new Starbucks next door.
Calgary
-
Calgary students lace up for Terry Fox School Run
Thousands of Calgary students laced up for the Terry Fox School Run on Friday.
-
West Nile virus strikes seven in southern Alberta
West Nile virus has struck several people in southern Alberta.
-
One dead, another injured following 3-vehicle crash west of Okotoks: RCMP
A woman has died following a three-vehicle collision west of Okotoks.
Edmonton
-
Police say 11-year-old girl was sexually assaulted Sept. 19 in southeast Edmonton
Edmonton police are looking for a suspect in the reported sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl in southeast Edmonton this week.
-
Chateh, Alta., evacuated again due to approaching wildfire
Residents of Chateh, Alta., were told to leave their homes once again on Friday night, as wildfire southeast of the community drew near.
-
Taquan Mizzell's TDs lead Lions past Elks 37-29; B.C. clinches playoff berth
The Lions have secured a spot in the CFL's post-season.
Vancouver
-
'He was truly exceptional': Slain B.C. RCMP officer identified
B.C. RCMP have identified the officer killed while executing a search warrant in Coquitlam Friday morning as Const. Rick O'Brien.
-
'He had a big heart': Father of fallen teenage wildland firefighter remembers his son
When 19-year-old Jaxon Billyboy graduated high school in Williams Lake in June, it was a proud moment for his father Sheldon Bowe.
-
1 RCMP officer killed, 2 seriously injured while executing search warrant in Coquitlam, B.C.
One RCMP officer was killed and two others were seriously injured while police were executing a search warrant at a home in Coquitlam, B.C., Friday.
