Barrie family brings back inflatable holiday display after last year's vandalism
A Barrie family overwhelmed by community generosity after their Christmas display was destroyed by vandals last year has refused to let the Grinch-like act diminish their holiday spirit.
"I'm not going to lie; it kind of broke me. To me, it was very devastating. Some of those we've had for a while. Some of them were bought for our son, very special," said Lori Carter.
"It hurt, it did. It made us really question whether we wanted to do it again. We had even talked about it because the cost of replacement was up there," explained Andrew Carter, Lori's husband.
- Download the CTV News app free to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
But support from a local Home Depot and anonymous community members who generously replaced the items restored the family's Christmas spirit.
"It was that first knock on the door and just somebody coming and saying, 'We can't believe that happened to you. We love that you do this. It's amazing. Please take this from us. We want to see you guys rebuild," said Lori.
A seven-foot tall inflatable Santa lays in the snow after someone allegedly slashed it on the front lawn of a Barrie, Ont., home on Wed., Nov. 16, 2022 (CTV News/Kraig Krause)
The Carters said sometimes it just takes a little adversity to remind you of the good in the world.
"It feels amazing. Nothing short of amazing. And it's really nice to know that the support this there," said Andrew.
The family said the reason they keep building the displays is simple and they have no end in sight.
"I just love to be able to look out that window and see it. You see kids coming by, and they're just staring. They're in awe, and it's just amazing to see the joy that it brings for kids," Lori explained.
Inflatable Christmas decorations adorn the front lawn of a Barrie, Ont., home on Fri., Nov. 17, 2023. (CTV News/Ian Duffy)
"We have some who drag their parents out every day to come take a look, and there's nothing wrong with that. So as long as the kids get a good kick out of it, we enjoy it," said Andrew.
The Carters also do a big Halloween display, so they take about a week-long break after that before building up the winter neighbourhood attraction. This year, they added some new inflatables to their Christmas display.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Joly touts 'private' diplomacy as Mexico criticizes Canada's culture, trade
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is not escalating a war of words with Mexico, after the Mexican president criticized Canada's culture and its framing of border issues.
Singh won't support Conservative non-confidence motion that uses his own words
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he won't play Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's games by voting to bring down the government on an upcoming non-confidence motion.
Calgary man who drove U-Haul over wife sentenced to 15 years
A Calgary man who killed his wife in 2020 when he drove over her in a loaded U-Haul has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars.
Canada Post strike: Kids no longer need to mail their letters to Santa by the end of the week
Canada Post says it has removed the deadline for its Santa Claus letter program amid an ongoing national workers' strike that has halted mail delivery leading up to the holiday season.
Opposition leaders talk unity following Trudeau meeting about Trump, minister calls 51st state comment 'teasing'
The prime minister’s emergency meeting with opposition leaders on Tuesday appears to have bolstered a more united front against U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
Another case of 'zombie deer' disease confirmed in B.C.'s Kootenays
Health officials have confirmed a fourth case of chronic wasting disease in B.C.’s Kootenay region, prompting calls for a swift cull to prevent further spread.
Man severely injured saving his wife from a polar bear attack in the Far North
A man was severely injured Tuesday morning when he leaped onto a polar bear to protect his wife from being mauled in the Far North community of Fort Severn.
Video shows 'completely unprovoked' stranger attack in Vancouver, police say
Police in Vancouver are searching for witnesses after a seemingly random and unprovoked assault was captured on video in the city's downtown core.
South Korea lifts president's martial law decree after lawmakers vote against it
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's government early Wednesday lifted the martial law he imposed during a tense night of political drama in which troops surrounded parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule.
Kitchener
-
Ontario's ministerial zoning order process needs overhaul, auditor general says
Ontario's ministerial zoning order process needs to be overhauled, even after the introduction of a new framework for the land use planning tool, the province's auditor general said Tuesday.
-
Teddy Bear Toss happening tonight at the Aud
Calling all Kitchener Rangers fans! The Teddy Bear Toss returns for tonight's game against the Brantford Bulldogs.
-
Students with disabilities gaining new skills at Cambridge Memorial Hospital
A program at Cambridge Memorial Hospital is giving high school students with disabilities a chance to learn some new skills before entering the workforce.
London
-
Tire shops 'spinning' with winter tire changeover demand
London tire and automotive shops remain caught off guard by the sudden arrival of winter.
-
'Hopefully inspire those kids': London Knights Booster Club collects thousands of stuffed animals for Teddy Bear Toss game
The London Knights Booster Club (LKBC) is ready to break an OHL record for most teddy bears tossed onto the ice.
-
'A real gamut': LHSC highlights number of serious seasonal injuries ahead of the holiday season
As we head into the heart of the holiday season, experts at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) are cautioning the public in order to help prevent serious injuries.
Windsor
-
Leamington man facing several firearms charges
Essex County OPP have charged a 42-year-old man with firearms-related offences following the execution of a warrant in Leamington.
-
Windsor police charge 7 drivers with impaired driving in one week
Windsor police have charged seven alleged impaired drivers this week.
-
'Hate-motivated graffiti' discovered on community garden shed
Chatham-Kent police say they are investigating ‘hate-motivated graffiti’ that was discovered on a community garden shed.
Northern Ontario
-
Man severely injured saving his wife from a polar bear attack in the Far North
A man was severely injured Tuesday morning when he leaped onto a polar bear to protect his wife from being mauled in the Far North community of Fort Severn.
-
Insults on social media lead to real-life assault in northern Ont.
A Mississauga First Nation woman has been charged with assault after she took offence to comments about her on social media.
-
Five years after toddler's brutal death, Northern Ont. family struggles to find peace, justice
A North Bay family is struggling to find peace and justice as the five-year anniversary of the brutal death of toddler Oliver McCarthy approaches.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Shooting on Manitoulin Island leads to attempted murder charges
Two people have been charged – one with attempted murder – following a shooting in Wikwemikong last week.
-
Insults on social media lead to real-life assault in northern Ont.
A Mississauga First Nation woman has been charged with assault after she took offence to comments about her on social media.
-
Snow squall warning in the Sault, heaviest snowfall expected tonight
Sault Ste. Marie's run of severe winter weather will continue Tuesday, with Environment Canada issuing another snow squall warning.
Ottawa
-
1 teen, 4 adults injured in crash involving school bus and vehicle in south Ottawa
Ottawa paramedics say five people were injured following a collision between a school bus and a van in south Ottawa.
-
Jewish pro-Palestinian protesters occupy Ottawa Parliament building
A group of Jewish-Canadian activists protesting Israel's ongoing armed offensive in Gaza have occupied a parliamentary building in Ottawa on Tuesday morning.
-
TRAVEL ADVISORY
TRAVEL ADVISORY Ottawa could receive up to 15 cm of snow this week
The first winter weather travel advisory of the season is in effect for Ottawa as the city's first dump of snow expected this week.
Toronto
-
Walking pneumonia cases in Ontario have nearly tripled since 2019: report
The number of walking pneumonia cases seen in Ontario this year is triple the amount of what was reported in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
Process around Ontario Place redevelopment was 'unfair' and didn't follow rules: AG
Ontario's auditor general is slamming the Ford government for failing to follow proper process around the redevelopment of Ontario Place, including a revelation that senior staff communicated directly with Therme Canada and other applicants while proposals were still being accepted.
-
Winter weather travel advisory: Toronto expected to see its first snowfall Wednesday
Toronto is expecting its first snowfall of the season this week. Environment Canada has issued a winter weather advisory for the city, advising of snow accumulations near five centimetres on Wednesday.
Montreal
-
Despite devastating poll, Quebec Premier Legault confident he’s here to stay
Despite a devastating poll, Premier François Legault is confident that he will lead the CAQ troops into the next electoral battle in two years' time.
-
Quebec doctors who refuse to stay in public system for 5 years face $200K fine per day
Quebec's health minister has tabled a bill that would force new doctors trained in the province to spend the first five years of their careers working in Quebec's public health network.
-
Quebec prisons on lockdown after correctional officer severely beaten
Quebec prisons were in lockdown on Tuesday after a correction officer at the Sorel-Tracy detention centre was attacked this week.
Atlantic
-
Snow, rain, and wind expected for Maritimes this week with early December storm
A developing low pressure skirting colder air in place across eastern parts of the country will bring snow, rain, and wind to the Maritimes on Thursday.
-
N.S. mass shooting: committee member flags lack of action on gender-based violence
A member of the committee monitoring how governments and the RCMP are responding to the inquiry into the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting is raising concerns from survivors of gender-based violence about a lack of action.
-
Halifax council narrowly votes down motion to scrap designated locations for encampments
A motion to remove Halifax’s controversial designated locations list for homeless encampments was narrowly defeated in council chambers on Tuesday after a heated debate.
Winnipeg
-
Manitoba opening trade office in Washington, D.C.
The Manitoba government is opening a trade office in Washington, D.C., next year.
-
Young Manitoba woman dies after medical emergency during dental appointment
The Manitoba Dental Association (MDA) said it is investigating a critical incident where a young woman from the Morden-Winkler area died following a dental appointment.
-
RCMP investigating double homicide in Portage la Prairie
The Manitoba RCMP is investigating a double homicide in Portage la Prairie.
Calgary
-
Person found dead in Taradale home with high CO levels: CFD
A person was found dead in a Taradale home where emergency crews discovered high levels of carbon monoxide.
-
Calgary man who drove U-Haul over wife sentenced to 15 years
A Calgary man who killed his wife in 2020 when he drove over her in a loaded U-Haul has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars.
-
RCMP arrest B.C. woman at centre of alleged Alberta meat scam
A woman charged in an alleged meat scam that cost several victims a total of $60,000 has been arrested by RCMP in Alberta.
Edmonton
-
Ex-Alberta teacher convicted of sex crime involving child for 2nd time
Former Alberta teacher Brian Davison has been found guilty of one count of sexual exploitation in connection with an incident involving a child.
-
U of A team repurposes culinary device to improve frostbite injury outcomes
University of Alberta researchers have created a device they believe could significantly reduce the number of frostbite cases that end in amputation.
-
Man facing multiple charges in connection with shooting south of Edmonton
Charges have been laid in a shooting south of Edmonton more than three months ago.
Regina
-
Regulations around foreign ownership of Sask. farmland need better enforcement, auditor finds
The Provincial Auditor of Saskatchewan is recommending that the province improve its system of monitoring sales of farmland to foreign entities.
-
Formal expectations needed for answering 911 calls: Sask. auditor reports
The Provincial Auditor assessed the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s (SPSA) 911 call taking and dispatching processes for fire emergencies, focusing on the Provincial Emergency Communications Centre.
-
Attempted murder charge laid after home invasion, series of hit and runs in Regina
Two people in Regina are facing a list of charges following a series of alleged acts that include a home invasion, multiple collisions and attempted murder.
Saskatoon
-
Major power outage hits much of Saskatoon's west side
A large power outage is affecting much of Saskatoon’s west side and portions of the east side of the city on Tuesday afternoon.
-
Saskatoon city council raises property taxes 4.96% next year
Saskatoon city councillors approved a municipal budget that will raise property taxes 4.96 per cent in 2025.
-
Vancouver
-
BC SPCA to rescue up to 30 stray cats from one Kamloops home
The BC SPCA is warning of the consequences of feeding stray cats after a person accidentally lured over 25 felines to their home in Kamloops, B.C.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING New Vancouver Art Gallery plan scrapped, board seeks new design
The Vancouver Art Gallery has decided to start all over again and shelve plans for a new nine-level tower made of wood and glass, CTV News has learned.
-
Taylor Swift fans flock to BC Place, days before Eras Tour lands in Vancouver
Security fencing is going up around BC Place stadium in preparation for the final days of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour this weekend, while dozens of Swifties gather near by to feel the vibe and "breathe the same air as Taylor Swift."
Vancouver Island
-
Canadian military drones enter production, though Arctic modifications will be required
Canada's first combat drones have now entered production, though the remotely piloted aircraft will require years of testing and significant modifications before the first units are delivered in 2028.
-
Taylor Swift fans flock to BC Place, days before Eras Tour lands in Vancouver
Security fencing is going up around BC Place stadium in preparation for the final days of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour this weekend, while dozens of Swifties gather near by to feel the vibe and "breathe the same air as Taylor Swift."
-
Coroners inquest set for B.C. woman with Down Syndrome who starved to death
The BC Coroners Service will hold an inquest into the death of Florence Girard, a 54-year-old woman with Down syndrome who died of starvation in 2018.
