Out And About

Late-June sunset over north Welland, Monday, June 29. (Photo by Joe Barkovich. Out and About is a recurring feature on the blog.)

Key Project Taking Shape At College’s Welland Campus

The Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre at Niagara College’s Welland campus is taking shape. It’s the subject of the cover story in the college’s magazine, ‘encore’. The following excerpt provides info on what the new centre is all about: “The facility will offer 15,000 square-feet for innovation. The ground floor will include specialized labs with 3D printers, scanners, and other equipment along with office space for student and staff scientists and researchers. It will also offer flexible lab space that can be used by industry partners as incubation space.
“The top floor will house Niagara College Research and Innovation offices and space for ncTakeOff – the College’s entrepreneurship hub. Research and Innovation’s digital media and web solutions group will also be on the second floor, along with meeting and conference space.” (Photos by Joe Barkovich)

Through-the-fence looks at the construction site, above and below

This after-hours, evening view shows construction equipment idled. The building in the background is the college’s athletic centre. Another excerpt from the magazine story: “The Centre has been named in recognition of a $1.2 million contribution from Niagara’s Walker family and its company, Walker Industries Holdings Limited. The contribution is the largest corporate donation in Niagara College history.” The “need” for this centre has been recognized by the province which stepped in with a $4.2 million investment toward its development, the magazine piece says.

Welland Snaps: Rendezvous At The Rex

Met old schoolmate, workmate, Welland mate Wayne “Soupy” Campbell at the iconic King Street landmark, The Rex, Sunday afternoon.

We settled on The Rex’s signature thin-crust pizza, wings and draft beer. Soupy ordered the pizza his way – with the works! The server brought it piping hot – and loaded. That’s why it’s called the works. Rex pizza is a Welland tradition, a bona fide taste of Welland!

The Rex is rich in nostalgia and mementoes. This t-shirt was just overhead, behind our table. The family-owned Rex goes back to 1915, a long time to be in business. Can you imagine the conversations that took place through two World Wars, the Great Depression, countless World Series games, Stanley Cup championships, Super Bowls, friends’ nights out, and so much more?

Neat movie promo! Can’t say I recall this Rex though.

Love this sign.There’s that root word – Rex – again! And the T-rex image is kinda cool.

Sports team pennants are part of the décor. Had to capture the Jays pennant but hey, how did that Leafs flag get in here???

 

Chances are you sat at this table one time or another. Remember?

Belly up to the bar where you’re made to feel welcome.

My pal Soupy putting the bite on a slice. Hey, that’s what we came for. Well, gotta go, mine’s getting cold! It was a great rendezvous at The Rex: good company, good chatter and of course good eats. We’ll be back. Somehow, you always go back! (Photos by Joe Barkovich)

Gadabout Gardener: Sun Worshippers

These Monday morning coneflowers scream out: ‘After that weekend, bring on the sun!!! (Photo by Joe Barkovich)

Gadabout Gardener: Roses In The Rain

Those are mighty big “rain drops” that fell yesterday afternoon when this photo was taken, pelting (and drenching!) just about everything in sight. (Photo by Joe Barkovich)

City Shorts: Try ‘Em On For Size

CITY SHORTS ART – Three ducks enjoy a swim in the Chippawa Park pond. Two seem to be underwater adventurers. (Photo by Joe Barkovich. City Shorts Art is a recurring feature on the blog.)

Compilation by Joe Barkovich, Scribbler-at-large

City Shorts is a compilation, from various sources (government websites, news announcements, press releases, church bulletins, community service information and events, bulletin boards, requests, telephone requests, web postings, email requests etc.) of short items (in most cases) about matters of local interest in Welland. Want to submit an item for consideration? Please send to: joe0606barko@gmail.com

Canada Day open/closed

WELLAND – The City of Welland (City Hall), and all departments and services listed, will be closed on Wednesday, July 1, 2015, for Canada Day, and will re-open on Thursday, July 2, 2015, at their regularly scheduled times: Welland Transit, WELLTRANS, Community Bus, Transcab, Port Colborne Link and Community, Niagara-on-the-Lake Link, and Niagara Region Transit Service; Main and Jack Ballantyne (Youth) Arenas; Welland Community Wellness Complex; and Public Works. Visit the city wepbage: http://www.welland.ca

Welland’s Canada Day celebration

WELLAND  – The city’s Canada Day party is July 1 at Memorial Park, Memorial Park Dr. from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. And a lot is going on! Always popular is the cutting of the Canada Day cake, scheduled for 2 p.m.

Here’s what else is planned: swimming, splash pad (pools will be open!), ice-cream and other food, Kids Korner 1-3 p.m., inflatable bouncers 1-4 p.m., balloon creations 2:30-4:30 p.m., glitter tattoos 2-4 p.m., face painting and monster mural madness 4-6 p.m., Pan Am interactive game, water balloon toss and other games 4-6 p.m. Entertainment: Laura Sabo will sing O Canada at 1 p.m. Also on the schedule: magic show 2-2:30 p.m., Harmonic Minors 2:30-3:30 p.m., Split Union 4-5 p.m., Fiddlin’ Around 5:30-6:30 p.m., Stonewall 7-9 p.m.

And don’t forget: the gigantic fireworks display at dusk! .

Watch Main Street Bridge light up

WELLAND –  Welland’s Main Street bridge will be the centre of attention – perhaps for thousands if the hype has anything to do with it – on Canada Day evening.

On July 1, the official LED lighting of the  – some say – iconic structure, will be celebrated.

According to plans, the bridge will be closed to traffic that night from 8 p.m. to midnight so pedestrians can stroll the sidewalks, better enjoying the event and sight.

At 10 p.m., a two-minute or so pre-light show will be given to highlight what is capable of being done in terms of LED lights dislpays. Then, it will be lit up in the colours of the nation’s flag to celebrate Canada Day.

Looking for something educational and fun to do this summer?

WELLAND  – Welland Museum will again be conducting four architectural walks throughout the summer. Exercise your mind and body with this insightful walk through downtown Welland, featuring the city’s oldest and most interesting buildings.

Architectural Walks are held from 10 a.m. – noon. Dates include: July 11 and 25, and August 8 and 22.
$5.fee per person.  Pre-registration is required. To register please call the museum at 905-732-2215.

Rosie Smith tribute

WELLAND  – A tribute to Rosie Smith is being held today, Sunday, June 28, at St. George Park starting at 2 p.m. The Welland South woman, who died June 25, 2014 at 76, was a distinguished, well known, well respected and admired Welland volunteer.

On Sunday, the pool at St. George Park will be formally renamed as a tribute to her. A highlight of the program will be the unveiling of a plaque in her honor as well as the dedication. A reception with refreshments will follow.

They’re back – Variety Nights concerts

WELLAND  – Here is the weekly lineup, commencing July 8, for the Variety Nights concerts, in the Wellness Complex theatre on Wednesday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.:

July 8 – The Retro-Matics

July 15 – Barbara Mantini Jazz Quartet

July 22 – Lincoln Concert Band

July 29 – Lisa Klassen Band

August 5 -The Moonlighters

August 12 – Chelsea Crites

August 19 – A Cappella Niagara

August 26 – Kindred

St. Vinny’s store needs donations

WELLAND – The St. Vincent de Paul store on East Main Street is in need of towels, washcloths and hand towels. Please bag clean, lightly-used or new items and place them in the St. Vincent box in the St. Kevin Church back parking lot, office door entrance to the church. Your support is greatly appreciated as these items are given to clients who find themselves in an emergency situation.

Time to be a volunteer?

WELLAND – The St. Vincent de Paul store is also in need of volunteers who are able to give ½ day per week working with customers or who are able to sort donations on a regular basis.

Please call Margaret at the store 905-788-3413 (Monday or Friday morning).

Library CEO announces retirement

WELLAND –  Janet Booth, CEO of Welland Public Library, has announced her retirement effective September 30, 2015. She has been the CEO since 1995, and during that time has seen the Library grow and change. The Library continues to adapt to and offer new technologies while maintaining traditional library services.

She also oversaw the planning for the new Main Branch at Civic Square and was instrumental in developing the unique partnership with the District School Board of Niagara and the opening of the Diamond Trail Branch Library. The partnership with the School Board was the first such partnership in Niagara.

After almost 40 years as a professional librarian in public libraries in Cape Breton, Town of Haldimand, Niagara Falls, Stormont Dundas & Glengarry County, and Victoria County, Janet says that she has mixed feelings about the upcoming retirement, but will enjoy having more leisure time for personal and community interests.

Going on holidays?

WELLAND  – Ask at the circulation desk, or call Welland Public Library at 905-734-6210 ext. 2520 to extend your loan period to cover the time you are away. (note: cannot be applied to high demand items.).No need to miss your holds or lose your position in line either! Simply ask to have your standing holds suspended until after you return. Holds can also be suspended from your online account. Click on the My Account link, enter your library barcode and PIN, and go to the Holds tab.

Enjoy your holidays!

Road closure for Pan Am Games

WELLAND – A temporary closure of Canal Bank Street from Ontario Road to Townline Tunnel Road is ahead.The closure will be in effect from Sunday, July 5, until Wednesday, July 15.

The detour route will utilize Ontario Road, Prince Charles Drive, and Townline Tunnel Road. If you have questions, please contact Bryan Purins at Welland city hall 905-735 -1700 x 2212.

(City Shorts is a recurring feature on the blog.)

Out And About: Merritt Island

LED enhancement coming? Nope, not needed. God’s natural beauty is beyond improving. (Photo by Joe Barkovich)

Out And About: Merritt Island

Momma keeps a watchful eye on her ducklings, basking in the sun on a boat dock in the Welland River, Merritt Island, Welland earlier today. (Photo by Joe Barkovich)

Conary Coyne: ‘Our journey has been shaped by all of the characters and loving people in our lives.’

Valedictorian, Conary Coyne, presented an eloquent speech to the graduating class stressing the importance of gratitude and assisting one another in life. Conary is the recipient of the prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarship; one of 25 engineering scholarships given out in Canada. Conary is pictured here with ND principal Ralph DeFazio (Photo courtesy Kevin Grand/Notre Dame College School)

Valedictorian Speech, Conary Coyne, Notre Dame College School Class of 2015, Wednesday, June 24.

Good evening family, friends, guests, faculty of Notre Dame and fellow graduates. I am truly honoured and humbled to have the privilege to represent the amazing graduating class from Notre Dame College School in 2015.

Congratulations! We made it! The last four years together have been an amazing journey and on behalf of all the graduates I would like to extend a thank you to all of those who have touched our lives and helped to guide us along the way. First off, I’d like to thank the big man himself, our principal Mr. DeFazio. The memories of the accordion-playing leprechaun and the man who became like a father to us, will remain in our hearts for the rest of our lives. To our VP’s, Mr. Belcastro and Mrs. Quinn-Boyer, our teachers, guidance counselors, coaches, chaplain, the Holy Cross Fathers, secretaries, caretakers and all the staff who worked tirelessly to make Notre Dame a second home for us, thank you. And to you, our parents and family members, for all the sacrifices you have made to raise us to the people we are today. We would not be here without all of you. Thank you.

We are here to celebrate our milestone of graduating high school and the journey that we have been on together for the last few years. For many of us, high school has been the best years of our lives. For others, this journey has come with many challenges and difficulties. But we are all coming out of this together, as one graduating class. Our experiences have shaped us into the people that we have become today, and Notre Dame has become an integral part of our lives. Our Catholic faith and teachings have molded us into upstanding citizens, with strong moral consciences and who are always there for one another.

Four years ago, we entered Notre Dame as baby-faced, naïve children, awestruck by the seniors towering over us, the crowded maze of hallways, the pressure of having to write exams for the first time. And now, in just a blink of an eye, we are sitting here together, decked out in cap and gown, as graduates. We have been through a lot together on this journey. Whether it be through academics, athletics or clubs, we have enjoyed numerous experiences that have bonded us into a tight-knit family. We bled blue and gold as we worked together in the class room, as we gave it our all on the sports fields, as we hit the slopes with ski club, as we performed in the musical, as we solved intricate math problems for Mathletes, as we challenged our brains through chess, Reach, or other clubs. We worked together to instill the Catholic faith teachings and invoke social justice through the Pilgrimage and the Walk Against Male Violence. Under the guidance and influence of Catholic educators, we were able to create a strong faith community that promoted the dignity and acceptance of all. Notre Dame has a great deal to offer and we all found our own individual niches and flourished within them, but when put together we became something even greater. Together we have learned new skills, discovered new interests, developed long-lasting friendships. We have learned how to live as a Catholic citizen in the global community and we have become a part of the undeniable Fighting Irish tradition.

I have mentioned a number of times that our four years together at high school was a journey, and it truly was. To help me with this, I have brought along a familiar face. For those of you who do not know the goose that is now on my head, I will provide a quick back story. Following our graduation prom, we gathered as a class for one of the final times, and I brought along six of these geese that quickly became a hit amongst the graduates. However, these geese are much more than some crazy thing to wear on your head. In fact, they epitomize our journey together, our journey as students of Catholic education and our future journeys through life.

When geese migrate, they fly in a V-formation and take turns leading the way and breaking the wind for their flock mates. They would never be able to complete their journey on their own, they need the support and co-operation of every member in the flock. We are not graduating today as 263 individuals, but we are graduating as one. We were on this journey together, and we all helped to carry each other through it. We were all pivotal members that displayed loyalty, camaraderie, compassion and teamwork as we worked together towards graduation. The memories and friendships that we have created together as classmates on this journey will last for all of our lifetimes. Graduates, look to your left and to your right, look around this arena at all of our classmates and all of the wonderful people that came here to support us tonight. We could not have made it here without them, and they could not have made it here without us. Our journey has been shaped by all of the characters and loving people in our lives.

When a goose gets sick or injured on their journey, a healthy one will stay behind and nurse it back to the group. Whenever one of us were down or struggling through the difficulties of high school life, there were numerous faces to turn to for support. As a class, we never let our friends or classmates fall behind because we were all on this journey towards graduation together. The Notre Dame family can be likened to Mary Stevenson’s famous poem about a person is walking with God through the sand as their life flashes before them. However, during the most difficult times in their life, they can only see one set of footprints, because God is carrying them. Whenever we struggled through our journey, we were not only carried by God, but we were carried by our classmates, family and teachers as well. God was the guide and together we travelled on His back and on the backs of us all.

As we move on in our separate ways, no matter what they may be, remember that all of life is a journey and in order to make it through, we need to support those in our lives and be supported in return. A journey is not a solitary trek, but rather a group effort as we all strive to achieve our goals and share them with others.

We will never forget this four-year journey through high school and the amazing bonds we formed together. We will forever be Fighting Irish. Nobody can take these memories and this tradition away from us. Congratulations Class of 2015 and together let’s all say this with me. We are…!

Response: N.D.!

 Thank you

(Photo courtesy Kevin Grand/Notre Dame College School)

Out And About: Sign Language

Ah, the last day! I remember it well, even though in my case it was decades ago. It ended, usually, with a chorus of: “No more pencils, no more books…..” I’ ll let it end there. Featured here is a collection of signs found while out and about this afternoon. Above: Glynn A. Green Elementary School, Fonthill; and, St. Alexander Catholic School, Fonthill; Sacre Coeur Catholic School, Welland and once again – Glynn A Green, Fonthill, perhaps to show there are two sides to every story! Have a safe and happy summer boys and girls! (Photos by Joe Barkovich)