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This tiny Ontario village with twinkly shops and storybook streets is a real-life Stars Hollow
It's just a short drive from Toronto.
If you've ever wished you could wander into Stars Hollow and join Lorelai and Rory for a coffee, this charming Ontario village might just be the next best thing.
With quaint storefronts, adorable cafes and streets that look like they're straight out of a storybook, this destination is oozing with Gilmore Girls charm, and it's just a road trip away from Toronto.
Located in Markham, Unionville is a historic community with leafy streets, glowing shops, and warm cafes, making it an idyllic spot for a late-autumn outing.
There's a reason this spot feels like a scene from Gilmore Girls. According to Visit Markham, Unionville served as a filming location for the show's pilot episode, and its picturesque streets helped inspire the look of Stars Hollow throughout the series.
The heart of the village is Main Street Unionville, where you'll find heritage buildings and independent shops framed by colourful foliage.
With its small-town atmosphere, little boutiques, and eateries serving up cozy drinks, it's easy to imagine bumping into Luke or wandering into the latest town meeting.
There's lots to enjoy during a visit, whether you're browsing the local shops, treating yourself to something sweet, or enjoying brunch with friends.
Of course, no Stars Hollow-inspired adventure would be complete without a coffee stop. You can head to cozy cafes like Behind The Alley, Acoffee Unionville, Times Café, and Espresso 21 Cafe Restaurant to get your caffeine fix.
If you're a Gilmore Girls fan, there's one stop that's practically mandatory: the gazebo. This charming landmark inspired the iconic gazebo in Stars Hollow's town square, and its seasonal decorations make it an especially cute backdrop for photos.
For a deeper look at the show's connection to the village, you can follow a self-guided Gilmore Girls tour that takes you to filming locations around Unionville.
If you're visiting before the end of October, you'll want to check out the Gilmore Girls-themed Luke's Diner pop-up at Nisa's Cakes & Cafe. The event features drinks and treats inspired by the show, so you can unleash your inner Lorelai to the fullest.
It's also worth keeping this little gem in mind for a Christmas-season day trip. During the holidays, the Main Street transforms with glittering lights, festive installations, and cozy magic, making it a dreamy spot for anyone craving a Hallmark-style winter escape.
So grab your coziest sweater, order something caffeinated and get ready to channel your inner Lorelai. You might not find Luke's Diner on the corner, but this Ontario village comes pretty close to capturing that Gilmore Girls magic.
Main Street Unionville Website
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'He's earned it': Conservatives want Doerkson as premier amid constitutional question
Conservatives champion Doerkson for premier
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Voters gave Lorne Doerkson's B.C. Conservatives a two-thirds majority government on Saturday, now members of his party need to do the same to change their constitution to allow an interim leader to become permanent.
The party's constitution prohibits an interim leader from seeking leadership in subsequent ballot, and change would require the support of two-thirds of the party’s members.
The party's board said after the election was called that if Doerkson became the premier, he would remain leader and that it would pursue appropriate means “to give effect to this intention.”
Conservatives celebrated the win Saturday, praising the premier-designate for uniting the party after a tumultuous few months under the leadership of Kerry-Lynne Findlay, who quit days before the election was called.
Caroline Elliott lost to Findlay for the leadership race by a few percentage points but she won the riding of West Vancouver-Capilano on Saturday.
She said that Doerkson was the "right person" to lead the party to victory as "things were splintering."
"He's earned it. He's earned the trust of British Columbians. He has earned more votes in this general election than we could ever dream of in a leadership race, and so, for me, that's mandate enough and I'll support him for as long as he wants to stay on," she said Saturday.
Doerkson became the party’s interim leader just days before the snap election was called Sept. 22 by outgoing New Democrat premier David Eby, and the victory ends nearly a decade of NDP government in the province.
But how the party's board would ensure Doerkson will lead Conservatives remains unclear.
"A premier chosen by British Columbians deserves the certainty of leading his party. This amendment will provide it," the board's statement said in a social media post on Sept. 23.
Doerkson also has the support of former B.C. premier Gordon Campbell, who called him a "decent, honest, straightforward guy."
"He gets people to understand how good they are and where we can be. We can be a province of possibility and promise again, and I think that's what we're going to get to," Campbell said while attending the Conservative election-night celebration.
Hamish Telford, an associate professor in political science at the University of the Fraser Valley, said it's an interesting situation because a large portion of the party's base wanted to make sure there was no taint of the B.C. Liberals, as was made clear in the leadership results and Findlay's win.
"And now they want to represent themselves as a reincarnation of the B.C. Liberals. How is the base going to react to this new direction of the party? This is now a mainstream business-oriented party, that's not the party they wanted," he said.
Doerkson was elected in 2020 as a B.C. Liberal, which became B.C. United, but jumped to the Conservatives before the 2024 provincial election to win again in Cariboo-Chilcotin.
As recently as the 2020 election, the party received less than two per cent of the vote, but the collapse of BC United paved the way for its rise to official Opposition status and now government.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 25, 2026.
- With files from Brenna Owen and Wolfgang Depner
By Brieanna Charlebois | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Wainwright soldier remembered as dedicated brother, friend at funeral
Funeral held for soldier killed in Wainwright fire
THE CANADIAN PRESS/James Maclennan
Dozens of family, friends and Armed Forces members filled the pews of an Edmonton funeral home on Sunday as one of the soldiers killed in the devastating Canadian Forces Base Wainwright fire was laid to rest.
All rose as Sgt. Morgan Wong’s casket was carried in by pallbearers, draped in a Canadian flag that was then carefully folded and presented to one of Wong’s loved ones.
Buddhist practitioners sang and prayed for the soldier, whose photo sat on an altar alongside bowls of white rice and plates of oranges and apples.
The 26-year-old reservist with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, serving with the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, was one of four killed when a fast-moving fire overwhelmed soldiers during a training exercise at CFB Wainwright, injuring dozens more.
Wong’s family, friends and fellow service members gave speeches, remembering the soldier for his commitment and humour.
Wong’s sister Megan said he joined the military when he was 17 and his regiment quickly became like family to him.
His military service saw him deployed to Latvia in 2024, Megan said, where Wong met his wife. They got married last December.
Megan said she was proud to be Wong’s big sister and that she hopes his life serves as a reminder “to use the time we have to achieve a life we would be proud of.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 25, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Voici comment cette blogueuse est passée de 0 à 140 000 fans sur Instagram en un an
Si tu aimes connaître l'histoire des stars d'Instagram, en voici une belle!
Madalin Frodsham est une fille tout à fait ordinaire vivant en Australie, devenue « célèbre » sur Instagram du jour au lendemain. Si tu crois qu'il est trop tard pour ouvrir un nouveau compte et bâtir ton following, tu as tout faux!
L'adepte du fitness est connue sur Instagram pour prodiguer des conseils alimentaires/entraînement surprenants, mais super efficaces. Tu peux d'ailleurs tout lire sur sa méthode de perte de poids ici: Les photos avant/après de cette fille prouvent à quel point c’est mauvais de ne pas manger assez
Voici les étapes qu'elle a suivies pour bâtir son compte IG (elle a aujourd'hui plus de 200 000 fans), telles que mentionnées sur son blogue, qui t'inspireront à partir ta propre marque!
1) Mets l'emphase sur tes atouts, que ce soit ta personnalité, tes talents de photographe, ton humour, ou bien ton derrière, écrit-elle! Madalin n'est pas une experte du maquillage ni de l'entraînement, mais sait comment bien se mettre de l'avant.
2) Tu dois te bâtir une liste pour comprendre quel type de contenu génère le plus de likes sur ton compte. Pour elle, se sont les images de sa transformation physique. Elle suit la règle 80/20: 80% de contenu populaire, 20% de diversité.
3) Tu dois te faire regramer par une personne célèbre sur Instagram. Madalin a tonifié son corps en utilisant le programme de Kayla Itsines, suivie par 6 millions de personnes. Elle s'est assurée de la taguer, ainsi que toutes les personnes importantes du mouvement de Kayla (#BBG), sur toutes ses photos pour augmenter ses chances d'attirer leur attention. Son compte a explosé lorsque Kayla a partagé ses photos avant/après.
4) N'aie pas peur des hashtags! Et si tu ne veux pas les mettre dans ta caption, écris un second message.
5) Tes photos doivent être belles! Pas besoin d'être mariée à Alexandre Champagne: tu peux utiliser ton iPhone et modifier tes images avec VSCO. Les photos prises dans le jour sont généralement plus populaires.
6) Écoute tes fans! Si les gens aiment voir un type d'image davantage, modifie un peu ton calendrier de publication. Réponds aux messages et aux questions le plus possible.
7) Sors de ta zone de confort! C'est gênant se mettre de l'avant, mais pour que les gens apprennent à te connaître, c'est essentiel d'essayer plusieurs nouvelles choses. Exemple: elle ne posait qu'en vêtements de sport, jusqu'à ce qu'elle se rende compte que ses fans aiment aussi les selfies et les photos plus fashion.
8) Sois toi-même. Les gens vont te suivre parce qu'ils s'identifient à toi et ta personnalité. Tu n'aimes pas ça te maquiller? Et bien fvck it, ne te lance pas un compte de beauté parce que ce type de blogue fonctionne bien.
Oh, et btw, Instagram c'est pas la vraie vie. Les blogueuses de fitness n'ont pas cette shape à temps plein. Je te laisse sur des images de la réalité: