SJ grad wins $100K

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Good morning, Saint John! Won a plushie out of the claw machine at Bowlarama the other day and felt like I absolutely beat the system, but imagine handing it to my nephew and it just… blinks at him. That’s basically what happened in Australia this week, where someone spotted a real possum sitting perfectly still among a shelf full of stuffed animals at an airport shop, just trying to blend in. Honestly describes me at my day job.

Here’s what else is on the shelf this morning:

Let’s get it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

The Saint John Region is shaped by the people who call it home, including those who have chosen to build a new life here. Our Region, Our Home shares real stories from newcomers who are helping to strengthen our communities and create a deeper sense of belonging across the region. By listening, learning, and reflecting, we can all better understand one another and continue building a place where everyone feels welcome.

🚛 SJ grad wins big with bridge tech idea

A Saint Johner just took top prize at NBIF’s breakthru pitch competition and the idea started with a summer job question.

Dr. Ethan MacLeod, a SJHS grad who started at UNBSJ, is now based in Fredericton with his company Infralytix but says he’ll always be a Saint Johner at heart.

His company does something pretty wild in a simple way. “We turn bridges into scales,” MacLeod says, installing sensors that measure how a bridge responds to traffic and estimate the weight of trucks passing over without shutting anything down.

The idea came during a summer role with the province’s transportation department. “We were trying to figure out just how heavy the trucks were going over a small rural bridge,” he says. “It turned out that was easier said than done.”

Now, that same question has turned into a company helping governments make smarter decisions about repairs and infrastructure spending.

MacLeod took home a $100,000 grand prize equity investment and also won the crowd-voted Viewer’s Choice award.

✈️ Come From Away landing back in Saint John

We mentioned a few weeks ago that Come From Away was heading back to New Brunswick this fall with shows in Moncton and Fredericton.

Well… Saint John just got added too.

Six shows are coming to the Imperial Theatre starting Wednesday, September 16, and tickets go on sale tomorrow at noon.

If you missed it the first time, this is the true story of what happened in Gander after 9/11, when a small town welcomed thousands of stranded travellers. It’s fast, funny, and still manages to hit you right in the chest.

This run features an all–New Brunswick cast, including Broadway’s Tony LePage, which makes it feel a little more like ours.

Tickets will definitely be flying away!

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🎭 Theatre Talk Tuesday

A Streetcar Named Desire | March 24
Saint John Theatre Company’s National Theatre Live series continues Tuesday at 7:30pm with a filmed stage production of A Streetcar Named Desire at the BMO Studio Theatre. With Gillian Anderson, Vanessa Kirby, and Ben Foster leading the cast, this is a strong pick for theatre lovers who want a big-name production without leaving Saint John.

Dwayne Gretzky | March 25
Imperial Theatre gets a blast of pure nostalgia Wednesday at 7:30pm when Dwayne Gretzky rolls in with a set packed full of classic pop and rock from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. It’s the rescheduled date for the show originally planned for March 26, and it sounds built for anyone who likes their live music loud, familiar, and impossible not to sing along with.

Royal Canadian Legion Comedy Night | March 27
The Kennebecasis Legion is turning Friday night over to stand-up, with Katelin Dean hosting a lineup that includes Ryan Whittaker, Jason Gary, Josh Kostabasakis, Martin Bowmaster, Zophia Aldred, and a headlining set to cap it all off. It’s a nice local comedy option for anyone who wants laughs without making a full expedition out of their night.

St. Malachy’s presents The Sound of Music | March 26-28
St. Malachy’s Memorial High School is staging The Sound of Music across multiple performances from March 26-28, with Saturday’s matinee running 2-4:30pm. It’s the kind of big, familiar musical that tends to bring out parents, alumni, theatre fans, and anyone who can’t hear Do-Re-Mi without immediately being transported somewhere else.

Ride the Cyclone The Musical | March 26-28
Hampton High School Theatre Company is putting on Ride the Cyclone across multiple dates from March 26-28, with rush seating and a show that leans a little darker and weirder than the average school production. It’s recommended for ages 11 and up, runs about 90 minutes, and sounds like a solid pick for anyone into offbeat musicals with cult-favourite energy.

Coming Soon…

Symphony NB presents Beethoven’s 9th Symphony | April 1
Symphony New Brunswick brings one of the most recognizable pieces in classical music to the Imperial Theatre Wednesday at 7:30pm, teaming up with Choeur Louisbourg and a full slate of soloists for Beethoven’s 9th. With more than 100 performers on stage, this is one of the bigger live music productions to hit Saint John this season and a rare chance to hear Ode to Joy performed at full scale.

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📸 Bill Hart | 📍 Bay of Fundy

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-Geoff Walsh - Publisher