[Skip to main content](#main)
Local Christmas display dazzling viewers, fundraising for charity
As the clock turns to 5:30 p.m., the switches get turned on at the Vanleeuwen home in Ilderton, Ont.to reveal a Christmas display of epic proportions.
Inspired by his childhood, Jeff Vanleeuwen has spent a decade perfecting the holiday light show.
“My mother, she made that Christmas pretty special and very magical, and I just lived off of that, and I always wanted to have a house like that.So here we are.It’s been over 10 years in the making, but it’s taken some time and a little bit of money, but we’ve gotten there and I’m very happy with how it’s turned out,” said Vanleeuwen.
And so are the people that start showing up the moment the lights come on.Some viewers are first timers, while others are driving from out of town for a taste of that magical feeling.
“It’s amazing! I don’t know where they get everything.It’s just amazing.You’d need 10 times to see everything,” one person said.
Johanis came from London, Ont.to videotape the lights so that he could send it to his grandkids in Indonesia.
“Oh my god.
Amazing! I cannot believe it.I really enjoy [it].I come from London, you know, this is my second time and I want to tell to my granddaughter and grandson.They will be here in Canada, they have to come here and enjoy with grandma and grandpa,” said Johanis.
There is a very strong charity involvement as well.
“Yes, yes, every year Jeff Van Leeuwen has [this] donation box out here and he’s one of our biggest contributors,” explained Ian MacDonald from the Ailsa Craig and Area Food Bank.
There are also several ways to donate to ChildCan, a charity dedicated to childhood cancer.Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, they brought in nearly $30,000 last year.
“We still raised $27,000 for ChildCan.We’re off to a good start this year [and] may not meet the same goal, but we’re doing well,” said Vanleeuwen.
The home is located on Songbird Lane in Ilderton, and the lights will be on every day between 5:30 p.m.
and 10 p.m.
To donate, you can bring cash, food, or scan the QR code to make a digital donation.
London Top Stories
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
‘One side or the other’: Coutts, Alta.still a village divided after convoy blockade
The sound of blaring horns that echoed through this village 10 months ago has been replaced by the steady hum of semi-trailer trucks filing through the border crossing between Alberta and the United States.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/key-ukrainian-city-s-rapid-fall-leaves-unanswered-questions-1.6199754″>
Key Ukrainian city’s rapid fall leaves unanswered questions
Now that Russia has retreated from Kherson following Ukraine’s counteroffensive in the south, residents want to know why Moscow’s forces were able to overrun the city so easily.
Families of the dead say they have been trying in vain for months to get information from the military and the government so they can have some closure about the deaths of their loved ones.
[]https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/key-ukrainian-city-s-rapid-fall-leaves-unanswered-questions-1.6199754
Ukraine leader calls for global peace summit in video message
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday proposed holding a global peace summit this winter, in a video message Kyiv was hoping would be broadcast ahead of the soccer World Cup final in Qatar, although it appeared unlikely FIFA would allow the move.
[]https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/ukraine-leader-calls-for-global-peace-summit-in-video-message-1.6199803
Messi wins World Cup, Argentina beats France in instant classic on penalties
Lionel Messi’s once-in-a-generation career is complete.The Argentina superstar is finally a World Cup champion.
Rise of respiratory illnesses prompt further caution this holiday season: family doctor
As families set out to enjoy a holiday season free of COVID-19 restrictions in Canada, one doctor suggests people should still take protective measures to combat the rise of respiratory illnesses leaving medical teams on high alert.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/why-we-can-t-get-enough-of-the-wednesday-dance-1.6199853″>
Why we can’t get enough of the ‘Wednesday’ dance
Wednesday Addams doesn’t do anything by accident.So when the spirit of dance possessed the typically morose teen at her school dance in the new Netflix series bearing her name, it caused an immediate stir, onscreen and off.
[]https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/why-we-can-t-get-enough-of-the-wednesday-dance-1.6199853
‘Hallowed space’: Divers pull 275 artifacts from 2022 excavation of Franklin ship
Eleven metres below the surface of the Northwest Passage, deep within the wreck of one of Capt.John Franklin’s doomed ships, something caught the eye of diver Ryan Harris.Harris was in the middle of the 2022 field season on the wreck of HMS Erebus.
Non-alcoholic beer, wine and spirits on the rise as demand grows among Canadians
With the holiday season in full swing and ‘Dry January’ around the corner, Canadians who don’t drink alcohol or want to cut back may find more options on menus and store shelves.
Canadians finding faith as Americans lose it: survey on importance of religion
A new survey suggests the perceptions of Canadians and Americans on religion have changed over the past couple of years.
Kitchener
–
Truck thefts, senior citizen charged with stunt driving and a new hybrid shelter: Top stories of the week
From truck thefts prompting concerns to the Region of Waterloo announcing the location of its first hybrid shelter, here are the top stories of the week from CTV News Kitchener.
–
Multiple drivers charged with impaired driving in Elmira
Waterloo regional police nabbed several impaired drivers last night during a Festive R.I.D.E (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign in Elmira.
–
As it happened: Argentina beats holders France on penalties to win 2022 World Cup
Argentina and France went all the way in the FIFA men’s World Cup final on Sunday and the South American side prevailed on penalties to lift the 2022 trophy.
CTVNews.ca brings you what went down in Qatar.
Windsor
–
Woman arrested for breaking into same apartment twice: Chatham-Kent police
A woman from Wallaceburg has been charged after allegedly breaking into the same vacant apartment twice over two consecutive days, Chatham-Kent police said.
–
As it happened: Argentina beats holders France on penalties to win 2022 World Cup
Argentina and France went all the way in the FIFA men’s World Cup final on Sunday and the South American side prevailed on penalties to lift the 2022 trophy.CTVNews.ca brings you what went down in Qatar.
–
Former resident at 1616 Ouellette gets new home, thankful for community support
It’s been a long month for displaced residents of 1616 Ouellette Avenue.The apartment building was evacuated on Nov.22 by the city after the boiler failed and the building’s power, heat and life safety systems were not fit for occupancy.
But on Friday, the city’s order was lifted, and while some residents have moved on, some 50 residents were welcomed back into the building.
Barrie
–
Crash in Bracebridge sends snowmobiler to hospital in critical condition
A snowmobiler has been airlifted to a Toronto area hospital in critical condition after a crash with a parked vehicle on Saturday in Bracebridge.
–
Barrie woman charged with impaired driving in pedestrian collision remains in jail indefinitely
A Barrie woman charged in connection with a collision that sent three pedestrians to the hospital with serious injuries will remain behind bars indefinitely after a brief bail hearing Friday.
–
London Knights player falls to death, LPS Major Crime Section investigating
The London Police Service (LPS) Major Crime Section is investigating after a man fell to his death from a downtown London, Ont.apartment building on Saturday morning.Hours later, CTV News London learned the deceased was London Knights forward Abakar Kazbekov.
Northern Ontario
–
London Knights player falls to death, LPS Major Crime Section investigating
The London Police Service (LPS) Major Crime Section is investigating after a man fell to his death from a downtown London, Ont.apartment building on Saturday morning.Hours later, CTV News London learned the deceased was London Knights forward Abakar Kazbekov.
–
UPDATED
UPDATED |
Homicide investigation underway in North Bay
As part of the ongoing homicide investigation, North Bay Police Service has identified the 33-year-old murder victim from Saturday morning.
–
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre warns of trending scams this holiday season
With the holiday season upon us, scammers and fraudsters appear to be ramping up their efforts to try to fool vulnerable people and take their money.
Ottawa
–
As it happened: Argentina beats holders France on penalties to win 2022 World Cup
Argentina and France went all the way in the FIFA men’s World Cup final on Sunday and the South American side prevailed on penalties to lift the 2022 trophy.
CTVNews.ca brings you what went down in Qatar.
–
Ottawa LRT to reopen after mechanical failure
Ottawa’s light rail transit line was expected to fully reopen Sunday afternoon after a mechanical failure forced a section to close late Saturday night.
–
Rise of respiratory illnesses prompt further caution this holiday season: family doctor
As families set out to enjoy a holiday season free of COVID-19 restrictions in Canada, one doctor suggests people should still take protective measures to combat the rise of respiratory illnesses leaving medical teams on high alert.
Toronto
–
Ontario’s first supervised drug inhalation service opens in Toronto amid rise in smoking-related OD deaths
For the first time in Ontario, people who choose to inhale their substances now have a safe, indoor space to go.
–
Toronto community to come together to decry hate during menorah lighting Sunday
The entire east Toronto community is invited to come together and stand in solidarity with the Jewish community against hate and anti-Semitism during a menorah lighting event Sunday evening at Woodbine Park.
–
Popular holiday trains in GTA unexpectedly cancelled.This is why
The North Pole Light UP Express and Santa Express Train Rides in the York-Durham region have been postponed until further notice due to mechanical problems with the trains.
Montreal
–
Studying for a better future: Meet the Montreal students devoted to the climate cause
As the COP15 biodiversity summit in Montreal winds to a close, CTV News is sharing the perspectives of four local students confronting the issue from the inside out.And these students had a message for conference attendees: talk is cheap.It’s time for real, fast, concrete solutions.
–
As it happened: Argentina beats holders France on penalties to win 2022 World Cup
Argentina and France went all the way in the FIFA men’s World Cup final on Sunday and the South American side prevailed on penalties to lift the 2022 trophy.CTVNews.ca brings you what went down in Qatar.
–
Wall collapses, exposes entire apartment in Montreal’s Little Italy neighbourhood
The tenant at an apartment building on St-Dominique St.
in Montreal’s Little Italy neighbourhood will be living elsewhere for the holidays after the entire wall of the building they were in collapsed.
Atlantic
–
Young doctors look outside of Canada for opportunities amid lack of medical training resources
Medical students and young doctors are struggling to find opportunities within Canada’s health-care system as one doctor explains the country’s lack of medical training and resources are to blame.
–
In crowded N.B.
hospital, 88-year-old awaiting nursing home placed in supply room
The daughter of an 88-year-old woman who spent part of Thursday in a supply room at an overcrowded New Brunswick hospital says she’s alarmed by the shortages of space and staff in the province’s health facilities.
–
N.S.county where mass shooting occurred to seek proposals for policing alternatives
One of the Nova Scotia counties where the mass shooting took place in 2020 is planning to seek proposals for local policing, including alternatives to the RCMP.
Winnipeg
–
How a Winnipeg costume designer gave Santa Claus a new twist in Hollywood
A Winnipeg costume designer’s work is turning heads in Hollywood, with her Manitoba-made creations hitting the big screen.
–
‘A truly great Canadian’: Jim Carr mourned at memorial service in Winnipeg
Long-time politician Jim Carr is being remembered as a larger-than-life father who loved his children, a dedicated and tireless public servant, and a ‘truly great Canadian.’
–
Messi wins World Cup, Argentina beats France in instant classic on penalties
Lionel Messi’s once-in-a-generation career is complete.The Argentina superstar is finally a World Cup champion.
Calgary
–
‘One side or the other’: Coutts, Alta.still a village divided after convoy blockade
The sound of blaring horns that echoed through this village 10 months ago has been replaced by the steady hum of semi-trailer trucks filing through the border crossing between Alberta and the United States.
–
Poor highway conditions continue across central Alberta as extreme cold sets in
The RCMP continued to warn motorists about poor highway driving conditions across central Alberta Sunday as blowing snow and bitter cold created challenging road conditions in and outside Calgary.
–
Extreme cold forces cancellation of outdoor activities at Heritage Park’s Once Upon a Christmas
Heritage Park’s final weekend of Once Upon a Christmas was forced to downsize Sunday due to the extreme cold.
Edmonton
–
‘One side or the other’: Coutts, Alta.
still a village divided after convoy blockade
The sound of blaring horns that echoed through this village 10 months ago has been replaced by the steady hum of semi-trailer trucks filing through the border crossing between Alberta and the United States.
–
Autistic children get to enjoy a sensory-friendly holiday exhibit
Children on the autism spectrum or with physical disabilities and their families got the chance to experience the Glow festival of lights on Saturday.
–
Messi wins World Cup, Argentina beats France in instant classic on penalties
Lionel Messi’s once-in-a-generation career is complete.The Argentina superstar is finally a World Cup champion.
Vancouver
–
Flight delays, traffic troubles as snowfall blankets B.C.’s South Coast
The second major snowstorm of the season on B.C.’s South Coast caused more trouble on the roads and highways Sunday morning.
–
Highway closure possible on North Shore as crews work to clear spun-out vehicles
Drivers on the North Shore are being warned of a potential highway closure and urged to stay off the roads if possible as snow blankets the South Coast Sunday.
–
3 charged in Prince George cocaine trafficking investigation still at large, police say
Three men have been charged in a Prince George drug trafficking investigation led by B.C.’s anti-gang police task force..