It’s My Life, Sort Of – Word leaked out at the library

Reading comics such as these was an easy way to reach your quota in the library’s summer reading club. (All photos by Joe Barkovich)

By Joe Barkovich, Scribbler-at-large

With the calendar poised to turn from July to August, most kids on the block had a common reaction: “Gulp!”

Summer holidays were half over. Days without curfews (or, for some of us, days with extended curfews) would be coming to an end soon. Too soon.

This was getting back to reality time.

If you were a member of the library’s summer reading club, you could be in trouble if it was the first of August and you had read only four or five of the 10 or 15 books you had committed to reading over the holidays.

This was something we signed up for every summer. It was a good incentive to get kids to pick up a book over the holidays and spend some time between the pages. And besides, there was always an acknowledgement of success at the end if you reached that goal and got a prize of one kind or another to go with it.

Being slick operators we re-read titles we had read before: books like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Hardy Boys because you could get through them easily and more important – actually know what you were reading. That was one way to reach your target by deadline.

When you were really in a lurch and your back was against the wall because August had arrived and you were nowhere near your goal, you could borrow someone’s Classics Illustrated comics and read them instead of the real thing. That was bending the rules, I suppose, maybe it even was the “c” word – cheating – but at one time or another you had to do it, and we did it. Shhh! It was a well-kept secret. Or so we thought.

I still recall being quizzed one day by librarian Miss Jones about whether I was really reading the titles that were recorded on my chart – the library’s version, that is, or if I was getting around it by reading the comic book versions of the great stories and doing book reports based on them.

Word about these transgressions had leaked out (what more fitting place for “word” to leak than a library?) but apparently I was among the last to know. And so I was caught between a rock and a hard place, or perhaps more appropriately, between the library’s hard cover book and the Classics Illustrated comic book.

Back in the late 1950s, when this vignette takes place, this was serious stuff. My vivid imagination had me being reported to the library police and having, good grief, to surrender my library card to the long arm of the law. My overactive imagination had this scene playing out in front of me – Mom: “How many books did you sign out of the library today, Joey?” Me: “None.” Mom: “None? Why not?” Me: “Because they took my library card away.”

Needless to say, it never came to that, thanks to Miss Jones. She turned out to be understanding and forgiving. I was allowed to remain a member of the summer reading club, but had to give my word – my verbal word – that I would not stoop to such misdemeanours ever again. I gave her my word, my verbal word right then and there, on the spot. And now you have my word, right here and now, in writing. A classic tale from yesteryear.

(A former reporter and city editor, Joe Barkovich lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario, Canada’s Rose City. It’s My Life, Sort Of, appears regularly on the blog.)

Welland Snaps: 100 Years Later, A Remembrance of Lost Lives

Names of local dead in World War 1 as inscribed on the Welland-Crowland War Memorial in Welland’s Chippawa Park. The shadow on the monument is cast by one of the flags flying nearby. (All photos by Joe Barkovich)

By Joe Barkovich, Scribbler-at-large

Monday, August 4 marks the 100^th anniversary of the start of World War 1.

Although this war was fought “over there” in parts of Europe, it had great impact on communities like Welland and its residents.

The late historian, William H. Lewis, provides historical information with several local “story angles” and accounts in the third volume of his trilogy,  Welland, Aqueduct, Merrittsville and Welland, A History of the City of Welland – The 20^th Century.

The chapter is titled The Great War 1914-1918, The First World War. Mr. Lewis devotes 30 pages to it, enhanced with newspaper clippings and photos.

Chosen here are a few excerpts from the chapter, all relating to Welland and Wellanders. If you have not read the information previously you may be surprised, even shocked, by some of the  local content:

“Enlistment response in the Niagara area was immediate. By August 10, some 200 men from Welland and other local communities had volunteered for military service with the Lincoln and Welland Regiment. After brief initial training at Beaverdams, 121 area volunteers left by train on August 21 for Valcartier. It was expected that the 44^th would remain as a unit and preserve its identity throughout the conflict. (This, however, was not to be.)”;

Welland Suffers

“On April 22, 1915, during the Second Battle of Ypres, German forces, for the first time threw poison gas against French troops, who fled, choking for breath. The following day, a second gas attack was directed against Canadain forces near the Belgian village of Langemarck. The Canadians, wearing handkerchiefs soaked in water or urine, held firm although outflanked and outnumbered four to one and thus began their reputation which was later described by a Canadian historian as the “deadliest Allied fighting force on the Western Front.

“But the battle was not without local casualties. On May 17, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bacon, 35 McCormick Street, were notified that their son, Private Frank Henry Bacon, aged 22, had been killed on April 24 by poison gas fumes during the battle of Langemarck. Pte. Bacon was one of 7,000 casualties in the Second Battle of Ypres.”

Mr. Lewis also reported on the loss of Welland lives in the sinking of the RMS Lusitania off the coast of Ireland, torpedoed by a German submarine. For more details and names of the local victims, read pages 106- 107.

Here’s another local story:

“The year 1916 would bring further misery to the people of Welland. In August, Mayor John Crow and Mrs. Crow were the proud recipients of word that their only son, Lt. Gordon W. Crow had been awarded the Military Cross for bravery.The official record stated that Lt.. Crow “repelled with a revolver a party of the enemy, and then reconnoitered and sent back information of the enemy’s new positions.”

“But their joy was shortlived. On September 19, Mayor and Mrs. Crow were advised by cable from their son’s commanding officer that their son had been killed in action the previous Sunday. Two days later, the family received official notification of their loss from Ottawa. Lt. Crow was to have received his Military Cross from King George on his first leave had he not met death on the field of battle.” (Note: The surname was incorrectly inscribed on the monument.)

There’s more, of course and the chapter also provides some background about goings on here on the home front.

Other snippets can be found in the local newspaper’s 140^th anniversary compilation, in the years 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917 and 1918. Here’s one from 1916: “Among the first area residents to be killed or injured in the war were the two sons of Z. Croft. John Croft, a bomb thrower, was killed March 25 at the age of 23. His brother James was seriously wounded Dec. 23, 1915 when an exploding shell smashed his shoulder and tore several ribs loose from his spine.”

The story of the city’s Welland-Crowland War Memorial must also be woven into anything that is written about the war. Here’s some background about artist Elizabeth Wyn Wood’s magnificent figure, the information excerpted from the official program for its designation and plaquing ceremony, September 11, 1999:

“This WW1 memorial is unique in that it departs from the design of a single soldier, so common on other monuments of that vintage. It incorporates stylized elements of the Canadian landscape: red pines and sheaves of wheat along with the representation of a WW1 trench mortar and two heroic figures, a soldier and a woman. These symbolized the “Service and Sacrifice” not only of those who fought but of those who supported the war effort at home. The names of the fallen from our two communities are inscribed on the west face of the base.”

The program says the monument was “the last large World War 1 memorial erected in Canada”. Its official unveiling was held September 4, 1939, three days after the start of World War 2. Of course, names of local dead in that war, and later in the Korean War were subsequently added to it.

This summer, one of Welland’s always outstanding floral tribute beds on Prince Charles Drive (across from West Side Fire Hall) is dedicated to Canadian involvement in World War 1 (and also World War 2). It’s worth a look when driving or walking by. Perhaps – and hopefully – there will be local activities in recognition of the 100^th anniversary of what (mistakenly) became known as “The War to End All Wars”, as Mr. Lewis refers to near the end of his chapter.

“The Dominion of Canada suffered 66,661 fatalities in the Great War with Welland enduring more than its share of this slaughter. Of a community of only some 9,000 persons, Welland and the surrounding area lost nearly 100 dead (100 names are inscribed on the monument) in the terrible conflict.”

The Welland-Crowland War Memorial is the last large World War 1 memorial erected in Canada.

(A former reporter and city editor, Joe Barkovich lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario, Canada’s Rose City. Welland Snaps appears on the blog weekly.)

Yesteryear’s recipes stir curiosity, tempt taste buds

Cover of a local church group’s collection of recipes, some well known, some not so. (All photos by Joe Barkovich)

By Joe Barkovich, Scribbler-at-large

A book of “tested recipes” provides a smorgasbord of 1931 Welland-area tastes and a who’s who of local businesses.

Tested Recipes is the title of the book, compiled by the Ladies’ Aid of Crowland United Church. Handwriting on the cover gives an endorsement: “good cream pie, easy recipe” the fading script notes.

It’s part of my local history archive, one of several books that offer a connection with Welland of yesteryear. I had it out a few days ago and thought it could be turned into an interesting read.

Although I could find no reference to Crowland United Church in local listings, there is one for Cooks Mills United Church (office) on Guest Road. Some of the small rural churches have closed in recent years, that may be the fate of Crowland United.

The book’s recipes fall into 19 categories – everything from soups, bread and biscuits, and meats and vegetables to pickles and relishes, canning and preserving, sandwich fillings and beverages.

Each section is introduced with a quote, for example: Bread and biscuits – “Chief nourisher in life’s feast” (Shakespeare); Salads – “To make a perfect salad there should be a mixer for oil, a spendthrift for vinegar, a wise man for salt, and a madcap to stir the ingredients (unattributed); and Beverages – “Except the water boiling be, Filling the teapot spoils the tea” (unattributed).

Each of the recipes is accompanied by the name of the person who submitted it. Many of the names are still well known in the part of Welland that was formerly Crowland. Some examples: Matthews, Carl, Young, Hagar, Horton, Schisler, among others.

This company had “years of experience” in heavy moving; the ad says its prices are reasonable and “our work is satisfactory.”

A baker’s dozen of selected dishes: corn soup, noodles,  baked macaroni and sausage, meat loaf,  baked chops,  Hungarian goulash, Boston baked beans, stuffed green peppers, creamed salmon, rhubarb and date pie,  pumpkin pie with chocolate meringue, carrot pudding and Christmas pudding.

Many of the dishes carry on today of course, handed down from one generation to the next but a few may have faded into obscurity. Three examples: Washday Pudding, Stepmother Cookies and Singing Hinney.

Here follows Mrs. Asa Carl’s recipe for Singing Hinney:

“Measure a qt. of sifted flour, add to it 2 large tsps. of baking powder and a tsp. of salt and sift again. Then with a knife, rub in a large tbsp. of lard until the flour looks granular. Beat 1 egg light and mix with a cup of milk; use this and as much more as is necessary to make a rather soft dough, Roll out and bake on a greased griddle. When done on one side turn over and let it cook on the other. Both sides should be a pale brown. Split open, butter and put together again. Cut in three-cornered pieces and serve hot.”

Hmmmm. Does anyone still make this dish? And what is the significance of the name?

The book also provides readers with some interesting “General Rules” and tips about “Stains” and “Large Amounts for Home Catering”.

Four of the general rules: To shut in juices, meat should be subject to a high heat for a short time; Dry meats are improved by being larded; Do not pierce meat while cooking; and, Salt and pepper draw out juices.

Four tips on removing stains: Grass – soak ½ hour in alcohol; Mildew – 1 qt. boiling water, add 1 tbsp. of chloride of lime and soak article 15 and (sic) 20 minutes Then wash thoroughly; Tar or Grease – Cover spot with lard or any grease and wash in warm soap and water; Fruit Stains – Boiling water poured from a height.

And finally, a couple from large amounts for home catering: Boiled coffee to serve 100: 1 3/4  lbs. coffee, 2 eggs, 1 tsp. salt, 5 gallons of boiling water. Beat the eggs slightly, add shells which have been washed and crushed; add salt and ½ cup cold water. Tie loosely in cheesecloth. Drop in kettle of boiling water; cover tightly, boil very gently 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the bag. Note – Eggs may be omitted; Sandwiches – 1 large Sandwich loaf (3 lbs) cuts 60 to 70 slices. 1 small sandwich loaf cuts 20 slices. 1large loaf requires ½ lb. butter and ¾ lb. filling, if filling is made into mixture to spread as cheese or meat.

The members of the Ladies Aid were thoughtful enough to pay tribute to local businesses that advertised in the book. They asked readers to patronize the businesses for being good enough to support the project.

Many of the businesses were big names around town for years: Vaughan Seed Company, Welland Dairy, Welland Flour and Feed, R. Morwood Co., and optometrist N. J. Penwarden, among others.

But others were small businesses of the day: Betty Bowman Beauty Shoppe, Miss McAllister (When in Welland…We invite you to call and see our stock of high class corsets, lingerie and specialty dry goods) and The Betty Shop (hemstitching, embroidery, buttons covered) and others.

Ad by a local small business.

The little recipe book (44 pages) also has a tribute to all those who cook:

“We may live without Poetry, Music and Art,

We may live without conscience and live without heart;

We may live without friends, we may live without books;

But civilized men cannot live without cooks” – Owen Meredith.

Hear, hear! I’ll drink to that!

(A former reporter and city editor, Joe Barkovich lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario, Canada’s Rose City.)

Garden Routes Home: Imitating Eden

Looking through and beyond the front gate at 42 St. George St., in the Welland South neighbourhood. (All photos by Joe Barkovich)

 

“You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind” – Rudyard Kipling.

By Joe Barkovich, Scribbler-at-large

Lydia’s lament: “But I still have some weeding to do!”

I grimaced. Here in Welland South neighbourhood’s own version of Eden, even a weed or two can go unnoticed by untrained eyes. Our peepers are too busy taking in the lush scenery that distinguishes 42 St. George St. as “one of the best gardens in Welland”, to borrow the description of an appreciative neighbour.

The gardener, Lydia Butera.

It’s not the biggest front yard you will find in the Rose City, but size doesn’t matter.

Though I’ve been here a half dozen times, each new visit is better than the previous. The gardener, Lydia Butera, attributes this to its maturing more so than to her doting care.

“Except for the weeding, the garden pretty well takes care of itself.”

A pink, miniature rose.

“My life has changed,” she also says. “I have a grandson now.” The inference is there are other duties to occupy her time these days. But still, signs of her tender, loving care are everywhere.

She knows, for example, the hideaways of tiny garden spiders. She points to silver strands of a web and amongst them a tiny black creature – a spider  – I barely could see. A few feet down the garden path, she pointed out another. Now, that’s what I call knowing your garden.

Hanging ferns adorn the front porch.

She and husband John purchased this property, off Broadway in Welland South, 30 years ago.

When they arrived, it had grass and two trees. That’s all.

My, how things have changed.

Snowball hydrangea.

“I wasn’t one who was afraid of work,” Lydia says looking back over the years and sweat and elbow grease that went into making the garden take shape. “I liked getting behind the wheelbarrow, moving compost from here to there, that sort of thing.”

The work has paid off handsomely.

The view through the front gate gives the garden visitor a hint of what lies behind. Curb appeal is enhanced by two fantastic ferns hanging in baskets over the front porch. You are overcome with an urge to see more.

Sago palms, one of the “tropicals” in Lydia’s garden. They are moved to indoor locations in the fall, just before Halloween.

There is a rich mixture of vines, succulents, tropicals, perennials and more. Some are readily recognizable, like snowball hydrangea while others are not so well known and require a crash course from the obliging gardener.

Hostas are large and lush. I ask how many varieties she has. “Just say ‘many’, I’m not really sure any more,” she says with a smile.

The hosta Sum and Substance nestles in a fern.

She points out ostrich fern, not that it needed pointing out. She spreads apart the fronds to show the hosta Sum and Substance growing within: “It’s just nestled in there, cozy as a bug in a rug,” says Lydia. The ferns, she says, are among her earliest acquisitions, coming from places like “fields and the dump”. Who would have known?

The statue of St. Francis has charm and character.

A focal point, from my point of view, is the statue of St. Francis which overlooks the side yard garden. It has character and charm. It captures the eye when looking from front of the yard to the back; but then a peek from behind – over the statue’s shoulder  – provides a view of the visual feast of what he watches over  day to day to day.

A look over St. Francis’s shoulder.

Does the gardener have preferences?

Autumn clematis, variegated porcelain vine and tropicals, including banana trees, are among Lydia’s garden favourites.

I wouldn’t know what to choose, where to start  – the options in a garden that imitates Eden are so numerous and diverse. Leave it to Lydia. And I did.

NAME DROPPING

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): “This striking magenta-pink flowering perennial hails from the tallgrass prairie of the Midwest and is at its best in mid to late summer. It is heat and cold hardy… Its name is derived from the centre of its daisy flower, which expands into an attractive, egg-sized, cone-shaped seed structure. Bees and butterflies are drawn to the flowers of this plant, which makes it a fixture in every butterfly garden. Later, the seed heads attract birds.

Butterflies are attracted to echinacea, like purple coneflower.

The root of the purple coneflower was used as medicine by Native Americans, and echinacea is gaining prominence as an herbal supplement that stimulates the immune system….

Never pick, dig up or damage these plants in the wild. Overharvesting has caused them to become rare or disappear altogether from many wild places where they were once plentiful.’’ – Source: God in the Garden, Maureen Gilmer..

WORDS TO GROW BY

“Listen to a man of experience: thou wilt learn more in the woods than in books.” St. Bernard of Clairveaux, in Epistle 109.

ALMANAC

Sunset today, Friday, July 25: 8:38 p.m.

Sunrise tomorrow, Saturday, July 26: 5:40 a.m.

Next Garden Routes Home: Friday, August 1

(A former reporter and city editor, Joe Barkovich lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario, Canada’s Rose City.)

It’s My Life, Sort Of – Free as a butterfly

I was spellbound by this butterfly’s dance on wildflowers Tuesday. (All photos by Joe Barkovich)

By Joe Barkovich, Scribbler-at-large

I have taken a liking to what is known as the retired life.

Not that it was easy.

The period of withdrawal after the opiate of a 43-year career in the same workplace had its ups and downs.

That was back in November, 2012. Now it is July, 2014. As the saying goes: “Move on”. So I have.

I suppose I arrived at that reality when I said to myself: “Stop the clock!”

In my life now, there is no starting time, no finishing time. Deadline does not exist. The word has almost become meaningless.

 

Now I’m finding what it can mean to be free as a butterfly. Well, within limits.

Someone gave me some good advice. Unfortunately I did not heed it at the time, well at least not right away. I think it may have been Steve Krar, 90, the renowned Welland textbook author and educator.

“Keep your hands busy, active, and your mind busier and more active,” he recommended.

It was a one-line death sentence for couch potatoitis. I have been known to fall victim to it at certain times and could have fallen into the death trap with so much time on my hands, especially in those long, cold, winter days and nights. It became the executioner’s song for boredom: “Keep your hands busy, active and your mind busier and more active,”

Another thing I learned: Don’t fall victim to Mad Men-like marketing ploys specializing events like “Seniors Day” sales. Why? I don’t want to let myself be herded into a niche that makes people of a certain demographic a special class, one might say. Besides, I think this demographic branding, as I call it, has a way of making people feel older than they are.

Being retired gives one more time and more opportunity, to “give back”, as the saying goes. There is a shortage of volunteers and participants in community groups and organizations like no time before if the pleas for help from them can be believed. Postings are on bulletin boards in offices and public meeting places, in church bulletins and volunteer group newsletters. Giving back, especially with surplus time on one’s hands, can be good for the heart – and for the soul.

My day starts – almost each and every day I might add – with a walk with our dog, Buddy. They have ranged from 15 or 20 minutes up to an hour or more. One learns the meaning of loyalty, friendship and unconditional love through a walk with a dog. When we return home, Buddy plops down beside my chair and does not move until I do. His way of showing appreciation, I suppose. The repetitive physical activity and increased consciousness about diet has helped me shed pounds and inches from my girth. My blood pressure is lower. I am liking being retired.

The daily walks have led to bonding with nature. I know that sounds corny, but I’ve spent hours watching bees flit from one flower to another in pursuit of nectar to be made into honey, and equal time on watching the butterflies dance on wide open, inviting coneflower, a wildflower that has become one of summer’s joys. Although an admirer in years past, I’ve learned to take the time and enjoy the spectacle that goes on each and every day this time of year. It is more than a small joy, it has turned into a spellbinding, open-air recital starring busy bees and flirtatious, beautiful butterflies. Where is the marquee so that others can know about the performance?

I have my rose beds, they require some tending to each and every day. I also have – purslane, (a variety of portulaca), which is highly invasive. Grrrr! Although some folks say it is healthy eaten as a salad, purslane is causing me to pull out my hair because it just can’t be brought under control and it is unsightly. Tending to and working in the garden is a way of keeping one’s hands very busy in retirement days.

And so it is another day. “Stop the clock!” I still say, to no one in particular other than myself. There is no starting time, no finishing time in this still-new form of existence and no deadline. As I like to say: “It’s my life, sort of.” I am free as a butterfly. I am getting to like it that way.

Here’s a closing thought from author LeeAnn Taylor: “We are all butterflies. Earth is our chrysalis.”

(A former reporter and city editor, Joe Barkovich lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario, Canada’s Rose City. It’s My Life, Sort Of appears on the blog weekly.)

Dinner for two

A butterfly and a queen bee dine together Tuesday afternoon on a white coneflower in Welland, Ontario. (Photo by Joe Barkovich)

Sun burn

Another scorcher ahead! Sun burns through fog over north Welland, Tuesday, July 22, 6:40 a.m. (Photo by Joe Barkovich)

Welland Snaps: Bench marks

Cool benches, top left, overlook Cross Street, opposite the former county building in beautiful downtown Welland. But my attention was diverted by these cala lilies enclosed in well groomed hedges on the manicured lawn. Check out the benches next time you are in the area! (Photos and file photos by Joe Barkovich)

By Joe Barkovich, Scribbler-at-large

A booming business is being done in benches, it seems.

Just this month, spiffy new benches were installed in the transit strip outside Niagara College’s main entrance.

I tried one out. Gosh, they’re comfy!

Some of the new benches that await transit users at the college.

Maybe the others weren’t quite so.

Parks are great places to park benches. Trouble is, they’re not as well used as they could be.

Why is that? I think it may be the times we live in. People are more apt to be in a hurry these days than they are to sit down on a park bench and enjoy the view.

College student, comfortably parked on this handsome bench, enjoys a read.

I find benches enticing, which is why I sit down on them every now and then and watch the world go by. How relaxing is that!

No one around to sit on these benches.

But the more I think about it, the more I am inclined to think benches are largely ignored.

It seems most benches are almost always empty.

They are there for aesthetics more so than function.

Three benches await their next occupants.

But you and I know both know what would happen if a bench wasn’t in its place one day.

Sooner or later someone would say: “Why is there no bench here?. We need a bench on this street corner!”

Benches from yesteryear look well used. Or might they be weathered?

So, even though many benches are not well used, try and go without them. I dare you. Sit and think about it for a while. On a bench, of course.

A nice spot to sit on a bench – and do your thinking. How rustic is this!

(A former reporter and city editor, Joe Barkovich lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario, Canada’s Rose City. Welland Snaps appears weekly on the blog.)

Steve Krar, a man of many titles, turns page to 90 years

With a warm smile, Steve Krar awaits guests at his 90th birthday party on Sunday. (All photos by Joe Barkovich)

By Joe Barkovich, Scribbler- at- large

Some of us are legends in their own minds. Others are legends in their own time. Count Steve Krar amongst the latter.

Steve asked me to write a book about his life so he could give it to friends as a gift at his 90^th birthday celebration. This was back in early spring, late April I believe. I started researching this man’s life. Eventually I came to realize he had asked me too late, I wouldn’t be able to have a book done in time – just too much here to be researched! I agreed to a two-page story in its place. Soon enough I realized I faced another problem. Two pages just wouldn’t do it justice. Too much here to share!

With a huff and a puff, Steve blows out a single candle symbolizing his 90 years.

I’m sure everyone in this room knows the kernels and nuggets that are part of amazing Steve’s amazing life. So I’m not going to be repetitive about his long lists of achievements, awards and amigos. There are many, many of each. And besides, a lot of this info is sure to come out during testimonials at today’s 90^th birthday celebration.

But I do want to excerpt from one of his writings, An Interesting & Rewarding Life, Learning and Teaching Others. This takes us back to the beginning and my purpose for so doing is to make it clear that our Steve, our friend and yes, our hero – wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Things didn’t come easy. Things didn’t come without hard work. Things didn’t come without struggle and sacrifice.

Daughter Judy, who organized the celebration, with her dad.

“Coming to Canada from Hungary in the late 1920s was quite an experience since we did not know the language nor did we know our neighbours. There was a period of adjustment but most neighbours were very kind since we moved into a section of Crowland (now Welland) where most people were of European descent and had gone through the same adjustment many years before. We learned English fairly quickly from the children in the area we were fortunate to play with. My early recollection of informal schooling from children in the immediate neighbourhood and the first formal education I can clearly recall was at First Street School in Welland.”

Son Allan, left, at head table beside his dad.

What this is leading up to should be obvious: our Steve, our friend, our hero is what often is called a self-made man. His challenge was how to make use of the gifts he had been blessed with, and yes, Steve was blessed, in many ways. He knew from an early age that education would be the key to his future and he applied himself at whatever it was he was doing and the rest, as they say, is history.

I remember interviewing Steve way back when he had his textbook resource centre off Webber Road, probably around the mid-1970s. I was amazed by what he had to say about machines, about technology, about how work and the way we lived would be influenced by them in years ahead. Little did I know then that was talking with a bona fide futurist because, as things turned out, that’s what this gentleman and gentle man with the soft-spoken voice actually was.

Leanne, left and Basia, right, Steve’s at-home caregivers.

Memorabilia board on display at the birthday party.

As his career went on, more interviews followed. I’m proud to say that I can take credit for a complimentary appellation that has stuck with him over the years: Steve being “the Stephen King of technology textbook writing” – so prolific was his writing. He is a man of many titles, as I like to call him – a co-author or author of many textbooks. The best seller (of which he is a co-author), is Technology of Machine Tools, now in its seventh edition, with sales of close to one million copies. It is used in schools in several countries besides Canada, some of them are: the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, the U.S. and Spain.

But Steve is more than an academic and a man of letters. I see him as the cornerstone of preserving neighbourhood culture in the Welland community – including, of course, the still revered by many Crowland area to which Steve can trace his roots and routes while growing up off King Street.

This is no small accomplishment, nothing to be given short shrift and shrugged off.

In meeting after meeting with like-minded neighbourhood preservationists, it became increasingly clear that two trends posed threats to their long-term future: assimilation and attrition.

Steve and others in their King Street Boys neighbourhood group along with representatives of other neighbourhood associations knew there was little if anything they could do to stem the tide of attrition and assimilation. But each of the participants recognized that an annual celebration of their roots and routes was a must – if memories, mementoes and musings were to continue.

They brought in “new blood” as the saying goes, successor generations to these pioneers who gave blood, sweat and tears in making and shaping Welland into the community it is today. And again, credit Steve – our friend, our hero – as a visionary in playing the key role in development of the Welland Boys group and reunion, now held annually in early October.

I was at the most recent reunion, last October at Riverstone Event Centre, and so of course was Steve, 89 at the time. Wouldn’t have missed it for all the money in the world, he told me a few days before the event. A lot of old friends to meet up with, he said, some new friendships to make, memories to be shared and re-lived.

Life has always been like that for the guy who says he didn’t know what he was getting himself into when he started writing technology text books. You see: life, for Steve, has been a learning experience. A lifetime learning experience.

And what is so fruitful about this?

Why, that Steve – our friend, our hero, our Welland boy – was able to teach, to share with so many others by written word and spoken word, what he had learned.

Happy 90^th, Steve my friend.

Steve was presented this t-shirt, designating him as founder of the Advanced Technology Think Tank more than 50 years ago. He hasn’t missed one in all those years.

(A former reporter and city editor, Joe Barkovich  lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario, Canada’s Rose City. This column was written as a tribute to long-time friend Steve Krar. )

Graveyards for dead trees

Stricken ash tree on north Welland boulevard awaits removal. (All photos by Joe Barkovich)

By Joe Barkovich, Scribbler-at-large

Boulevards in north Welland are looking like graveyards for dead trees.

The dead and dying are ash trees, most of them victims of the dreaded emerald ash borer.

The same is probably happening in other parts of the city as well but my tour was limited to nearby neighbourhoods in north Welland.

A homeowner on Royal Oak Drive told me there are “easily” 20 dead or imperilled ash trees within close walking distance of his home.

Tree is designated for removal by this marking, homeowner said.

These unsightly epicormic shoots, or suckers, sprout from tree trunks and roots when the ash tree is under stress due to the borers.

He said the tree was marked by city workers in 2013 for removal but the skeletal limbs and branches are still standing probably because they are so busy, he theorized.

The beautiful front yard has great curb appeal, save for the dead tree on the boulevard.

He likened the decimation of ash trees to “a plague”.

A tree under severe stress , as one shown here, can produce an abundant seed crop which actually yields relatively few viable seeds, a source explains.

Bark deformities, like these vertical splits or cracks over top larvae communities are often seen in branches or the trunks of infested trees.

Another north ender claims he was told recently by a “stumper” that there could be as many as 20,000 dying or dead ash trees in Welland. I was not able to verify the estimate with a city forestry crew spokesman Friday.

But one thing is for sure: there are many ash trees in the well kept subdivisions in this part of town and many of them show signs of the emerald ash borer’s work.

More details to follow next week.

(A former reporter and city editor, Joe Barkovich lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario, Canada’s Rose City.)