London's road projects race winter

To pass the time and keep me distracted during the cancer treatments I went digging into my family history. My family has been in London and the surrounding townships for more than five generations. My passion for this city runs deep and it is the reason the Forest City Insider exists.

Some of the research leads to laughter. A hundred years ago the Bothwell Times ran a New Year's Day column reporting on what the townsfolk got up to: William stayed home, or Mary will be visiting a relative in Windsor tomorrow, which as far as I can tell was their version of social media. 😄

So Happy Thanksgiving Forest City! My family and I will be staying home and hosting a turkey dinner.

❤️ Canada's first "heart in a box" transplant

The Gist: Surgeons at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) in Ontario have completed Canada’s very first transplant using a portable system that keeps a donor heart beating outside the body. Using the newly acquired TransMedics Organ Care System, the medical team kept the heart warm, oxygenated, and beating while transporting it back to London.

Why It Matters: This “heart in a box” technology can potentially extend the transport time for a donor heart to as long as 12 hours, allowing transplant teams to travel farther and consider hearts that may not have been usable before. This breakthrough offers renewed hope and expands access to life-saving transplants for patients across Ontario.

🚧 London road projects head into their final fall stretch

The Gist: Crews are working to complete paving, road restoration and other seasonal work across London before winter. Several major projects remain underway, including portions of the East London Link and Wellington Gateway, although some phases will continue into future construction seasons.

Why It Matters: London’s extensive roadwork has supported upgrades to aging underground infrastructure, major roads and the city’s future rapid transit system. Drivers should begin seeing progress in some construction zones this fall, but closures and lane restrictions will remain in other areas.

🍕 When turkey leftovers just won’t do

1240 Commissioners Rd W, London, ON

Every Thanksgiving weekend has that one meal nobody really plans for: the night everyone arrives or the day after the big feast, when another plate of turkey just won’t do. That’s where Byron Pizza comes in. The longtime London favourite has been serving the community since 1967.

Known for its dill pickle pizza and choice of crisp thin or thick crusts, Byron Pizza also has an October special worth trying. The Sweet & Spicy is topped with pepperoni, red onions, hot peppers and a drizzle of Mike’s Hot Honey. Add jumbo fries, wings or panzerotti, and feeding the whole crew is pretty easy.

🧩 A London spot with next-level escape rooms

335 Richmond St, London, ON

If you need something fun to do over the long weekend, Ichabod’s Escape offers a clever change of pace.

Instead of relying on traditional locks and keys, its rooms use custom-built props, electronic controls and hands-on puzzles. Protocol drops your team into a zombie outbreak with an immersive elevator-themed opening, while Atlantis takes players through jungles, a submarine and a series of active challenges. Both are recommended for ages 12 and up, and unlimited clues are available if your group gets stuck.