Closing Mass At Welland Parish

St. Augustine Catholic Church in the city’s Welland South neighbourhood. (File photo/Joe Barkovich)

WELLAND – The final Mass at St. Augustine parish will be celebrated tomorrow, Sunday, January 1 at 10:30 a.m.

The church, in the city’s Welland South neighbourhood, opened in 1952.

A meeting was held Saturday, June 25 with parishioners to notify them of the decision to close their church. The news was announced by the bishop.

The recommendation to take that step came from a lengthy parish discernment process for the parishes of Welland.

“The most notable outcome of the process is the decision to close St. Augustine Parish,” the bishop of St. Catharines diocese, Gerard Bergie, wrote to clergy June 28.

Declining attendance over a period of years was a factor in the decision to close the parish. One of the weekend Masses, 5 p.m. Saturday, was attended on average by about 15 worshippers, a parishioner said.   

Another reason that was given is the parish is hurting financially.

A  committee of parishioners organized a petition campaign in the fall and had a meeting with the bishop to try and win a reprieve for the parish. They wanted the decision to close deferred for a year, one Mass to be celebrated  weekly by a retired priest and  also suggested a maintenance plan for upkeep of the site but their efforts were to no avail.

The diocese has recommended that parishioners attend St. Mary parish, at Hellems Avenue and Griffith Street.

Some parishioners have said they will make their own decision about the parish they will go to, with Sts. Peter and Paul parish, 300 Chaffey St., being a popular choice.

The celebrant for tomorrow’s closing Mass will be Bishop Bergie.

 

 

HERITAGE LIVES: Hanging Out With Your Girlfriend

The author remembers his generation, from the 50s, pioneered rock and roll. (Supplied graphic)

By Terry Hughes

When growing up in the 1950s those of us who had been war babies experienced what could be called the best years of any generation. We had seen the sports world generate hockey and baseball favourites with radio and the advent of early television. The six team league in the NHL would generate names like Richard, Howe, Kennedy, Lindsay, Beliveau and Horton. The Maple Leafs won their share of Stanley Cups. Most baseball teams were found in the eastern United States including the Yankees, Indians, Dodgers and Red Sox dominating discussions held across the city by groups of boys as they entered their teens.

But high school would begin to refocus our attention to the opposite sex and our hormones would demand that it would be nice to partner with one. Boys have not changed much and like today, were not comfortable asking a girl to dance until the last record was about to be played by the disc jockey. Once you were received favourably by your girlfriend, it became common to go steady. That would mean having regular visitation with her not only at home, if you were on good terms with her parents, but at local restaurants, high school and church dances.

Comparing the two high schools, Notre Dame had the best dances although Welland High had some well known Disc Jockeys like Guy King show up. Sunday church dances became very popular. They included Holy Ghost Hall, St. Kevin’s and Our Lady of Hungary halls. To get in, all you had to know was the Our Father and Hail Mary! Port Colborne had dances at Morgan’s Point and Bethel Harmony Hall.

After school meetings were an opportunity to meet your girl for a Coke and fries. Many of us without a part time job had to go “Dutch” with your partner. Unfortunately, cigarettes became part of the equation so lighting up became part of the ritual. Dropping a coin into those interesting silver boxes on the counters or booths allowed us to play a favourite song on the juke box.

As shown in the accompanying picture, our generation pioneered rock and roll and many of these artists were the people we danced to. Record Hops became popular with Buffalo Disc Jockeys bringing in popular artists. At the Thorold Community Centre Freddy Clestine featured the Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis and Paul Anka.

There were many popular places where teens would gather. On the east side were the Olympia, Terminal and Majestic Restaurants while the Normandy and Astor were found on the west side.

The Terminal Restaurant was next door to a record shop where you could get the latest hits. My sister claimed to be the third person in Welland to buy “Love Me Tender.” After school dances may find you and the gang at Shep’s at Turners Corners or the Kopper Kettle in Dain City. Hangouts in Port Colborne would include Walters on West St. and the La Jolla on Highway 3.

Our generation would make fashion statements that would endure for years. Blue jeans, wellingtons, drape pants, tight skirts and sweaters were “cool” while poodle skirts, saddle shoes and Ivy League fashions were worn by others. Although this movie came a little later, American Grafitti comes pretty close to representing those times we enjoyed. The disc jockey Wolfman Jack would represent a local favourite at WKBW called the Hound.

Many of us would date and go steady with several girls until you found the one who would become your partner for life. Luckily, that is how I found mine.

 (Terry Hughes is a Wellander who is passionate about heritage, history and model railroading.)

 

At Soup’s On, ‘Every Ladle Bit’ Helps

Part of the crowd at one of three servings, Soup’s On! 2016 (File photos Joe Barkovich)

By Joe Barkovich, Scribbler-at-large

WELLAND – Do too many cooks spoil the broth?

Not at Soup’s On!, a popular soup luncheon fundraiser, where seven soup prep teams will serve a variety of soups in aid of a social justice scholarship.

Soup prep teams, Soup’s On! 2015 (File photo)

At Soup’s On!, the consensus is: Every ‘ladle bit’ helps!

The event takes place Friday, January 27, 2017 at St. Kevin’s parish hall.

It will be the 15^th to be held.

It raises funds for the St. Kevin Food Bank Social Justice Scholarship, which is awarded annually in June.

The participating soup prep teams and their respective soups are: Blessed Trinity, Grimsby (coconut, carrot and ginger soup), Confederation, Welland, (French-Canadian fava bean soup and, traditional pea soup), Eastdale, Welland (corned beef and cabbage soup), Lakeshore Catholic, Port Colborne (minestrone), Niagara College’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute (Algonquin succotash soup), Notre Dame, Welland (roasted butternut squash) and a local small business, Stephanie the Lunch Lady (hometown borscht with a dollop of sour cream on the side).

Tickets for the event are $10 per person.

Ticket price has not changed since the first fundraiser 15 years ago.

Two of the participants, Notre Dame and Niagara College, are charter members, taking part in all the fundraisers.

The committee has awarded $41,050 since the event started. Almost all funds raised come from Soup’s On! with private donations accounting for a small part each year.

Of the money awarded, $38, 900 has been for the scholarships while $3,150 was allocated to three special funding requests.

The scholarship started at $300, was raised to $500 and currently stands at $1,000.

The social justice scholarship committee decides how many scholarships will be awarded based on interviews with applicants.

The scholarships are for graduating students active in and committed to social justice and charity work especially in the community, and who have solid academic achievement over their four years in high school. 

Three servings are held during each Soup’s On!: 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.

The noon serving for the upcoming event is sold out.

Tickets for Soup’s On! are available from the parish office, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m., to 5 p.m.

They are also sold before and after weekend Masses at St. Kevin: 5 p.m. Saturday, and 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday.

At Niagara College’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute soup station. (File photo)

City Shorts, Try ’em On For Size

In this photo from the 2016 Welland Tribune Boys Basketball tournament, A. N. Myer Marauders defend against Notre Dame’s Braidon Moore in the tournament championship game. The Marauders won. The 62nd annual tournament takes place January 11 – January 14. Watch for more pre-tourney coverage on the blog. (File photo)

Compilation by Joe Barkovich, Scribbler-at-large

City Shorts

City Shorts is a compilation, from various sources (government websites, news announcements, press releases, church bulletins, advertisements, 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

HARVEST KITCHEN SCHEDULE

WELLAND – Here is the schedule for the Harvest Kitchen program in Welland, it started in November and runs through to March 2017. It is a hot meal program with no overnight component:

Sunday: 5 p.m. Central United Church 12 Young Street

Monday: 5:30 p.m. Sacré-Coeur Catholic Church 72 Empire Street

Tuesday: 5:30 p.m. Hope Centre 570 King Street

Wednesday: 5 p.m. St. Kevin Catholic Church 307 Niagara Street

Thursday: 1st & 3rd Thursdays 5:30 p.m.,2nd Thursday 6 p.m. Hope Centre 570 King Street

4th & 5th Thursday 5 p.m. Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church 300 Chaffey Street

Emergency Shelter: Hope Centre – 24 hours 570 King Street 905-788-0744

CHRISTMAS TREE COLLECTION

WELAND – Christmas tree collection takes place Saturday, January 7 only. Christmas trees must be at the curb by 7 a.m.

Remove all ornaments and decorations. Christmas trees wrapped in plastic or buried in snow will not be collected. Artificial trees will not be picked up.

HOLIDAY WASTE COLLECTION

WELLAND – There are no curbside collection changes for January 2017. Garbage, Blue Box, Grey Box and Green Bin material are being collected on your regular collection day.

KINDRED TO PERFORM

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE – A Canada 150 celebration in Niagara-on-the-Lake will feature a Welland-based band.

Kindred is on the program of ICEtravaganza, Jan. 7 at Vintage-Parks Canada skating rink.

The day gets underway at 10 with open skating, also a snowman building contest at the same time. Other highlights: Canadian Raptors bird demonstration at noon, 2:45pm and 4pm, the performance by Kindred from 2pm to 4pm followed by Howling Horns from 6pm to 8:30pm and candlelit tours of Fort George.

LOUD IN THE LIBRARY!

WELLAND – Loud in the Library is an exciting live music event! It will be held at the Main Branch on Thursday, January 5, 2017 from 7-10pm. This event will feature the music of Ryan Guay of Street Pharmacy, The Stotts, and Jessica Wilson. Amazing performances, free food, and cool prizes – all great reasons to celebrate the end of holiday season with us.

This is not your parents’ library, so get ready to make some noise! Admission is FREE. Please bring non-perishable food items to help restock the shelves of the local food banks. Follow this on social media as staff post details about the event and use these hashtags: #loudatWPL2017 #notyourparentslibrary

COLLEGE BOARD SEEKS INPUT ON COMPENSATION PROGRAM

WELLAND -In keeping with the Government of Ontario’s new framework for determining executive compensation at colleges, universities, hospitals, agencies and other parts of the broader public sector, the Niagara College Board of Governors has developed a draft Executive Compensation Program.

As part of that process, the Board is reaching out to the college community and the public to receive feedback. Click here for more information and to review the program. Feedback will be accepted until Sunday, January 15, 2017 at 4:30 pm.

CITY OF WELLAND HOLIDAY HOURS

WELLAND –All City Hall Departments are closed to Monday, January 2, 2017, inclusive, and re-open on Tuesday, January 3, 2017, at 8:30 a.m. For a comprehensive list, visit: https://www.welland.ca/HotTopics/HolidayHours.asp

THE WEEK AHEAD: Meetings In Welland

Meeting Calendar

Meetings are open to the public unless otherwise noted. Information is obtained from the applicable agency, board, committee, or commission and downloaded to this calendar as it becomes available. Information is subject to change. Please check back often for the most up-to-date information, including cancellations.

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January

4

City of Welland Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting  ≫

5:00 PM Wednesday Jan. 4  2017 –
– Civic Square

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5

Welland Community Wellness Complex Advisory Committee Meeting  ≫

3:00 PM Thursday Jan. 5  2017 –
Welland Community Wellness Complex, 145 Lincoln Street

First Light

Cabot Street, off First Avenue, under street light and gentle snowfall, today  6:25 a.m. (Photo by Joe Barkovich)

Freezing Rain, Then Rain, In Forecast

Statements

ISSUED: 7:02 AM EST Monday 26 December 2016
Special weather statement in effect for:

• Niagara Falls – Welland – Southern Niagara Region
• St. Catharines – Grimsby – Northern Niagara Region

Brief freezing rain early this morning, then rain.

A brief period of freezing rain is expected early this morning as a warm front approaches. The freezing rain will change to periods of rain during the morning. Rainfall amounts of 10 to 15 mm are expected before the rain ends late in the day.

Untreated roads may be icy early this morning.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ec.cpio-tempetes-ospc-storms.ec@canada.ca or tweet reports to #ONStorm.

Reading Between The Lines, Hope For A Family Heirloom

Does this tattered, dog-eared Christmas card record book have family heirloom potential? Only if someone wants it. (Photo by Joe Barkovich)

By Joe Barkovich

Christmas card record books are so telling about our lives.

Mine goes back to 1999.

There have been many entries over the years. There have been some departures.

Taking it out, in late November, can be an emotional experience.

This involves happy emotions. This also involves sad emotions.

This record book has become important to me. It is more than a tracking of cards sent and cards received. It is a tracking of life new and life expired.

I recall writing not so long ago that I hope it becomes a family heirloom. It is near the end of its pages, only a few remain. I think it may be two and part of another. I’m undecided what’s to be done when the last page is turned, when the last group of lines is filled with the last name,  address and postal code of a recipient.

It deserves heirloom status because of data it records. I reflect upon the changes in residential addreses and what led to them. In the case of parents, it usually is age and age’s toll on independence. In the case of some families, it could be employment-related uprooting requiring new routes to new beginnings in a different city or province.

In the case of one’s own family, it could be a change in life status, welcome or not.

My book will record that there is good news and bad news to this year.

First the good: it will show four new names added to the list. Now the bad: it will show two names now with ‘Deceased 2009’ added beside their names. A bean counter might be inclined to tell me: “Look on the positive side, that’s a net gain of two.” I value heartbeats more than beans.

My book reminds me of those who send a handwritten note with their annual card. I look forward to receiving and to reading them. They need not be lengthy, though some are.

They need not be overflowing with information, though some are. The bottom line, however, is that a handwritten note is to be remembered, perhaps treasured.  Someone has taken time to write down his or her thoughts.

For most, I daresay, a lost art.

As expected, some of these messages give cause for thought. Such a one, handwritten below the card’s scripted greeting, arrived just this week. It was: “Hope you are able to simplify during this confused ‘holiday season.’ And we also wish you peace with silence.”

Gifts of modern-day Magi? Simplification and peace with silence were nowhere on my Christmas list, though I have made room for them now.

Fittingly, they are at the top of my list.

(From a collection, this piece is from 2009)

Let There Be Lights

Maybe the best outdoor Nativity scene this year? Wesley United Church, Welland. (Photo by Joe Barkovich. Last in the series of Let There Be Lights photos.)

City Shorts, Try ’em On For Size

CITY SHORTS ART: Gentle beauty where least expected. (Photo by Joe Barkovich)

Compilation by Joe Barkovich, Scribbler-at-large

City Shorts

City Shorts is a compilation, from various sources (government websites, news announcements, press releases, church bulletins, advertisements, 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

MIDNIGHT MASS AT THE CATHEDRAL

ST. CATHARINES – This year’s will be the 84^th annual broadcast of Midnight Mass from the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria, St. Catharines, and the broadcast is over Newstalk 610 CKTB. Christmas music will be by the Cathedral choir under the direction of Lucas Chorosinski, beginning Christmas Eve at 11:30 p.m.

LOUD IN THE LIBRARY!

WELLAND – Loud in the Library is an exciting live music event! It will be held at the Welland Library Main Branch on Thursday, January 5, 2017 from 7-10pm. This event will feature the music of Ryan Guay of Street Pharmacy, The Stotts, and Jessica Wilson. Amazing performances, free food, and cool prizes – all great reasons to celebrate the end of holiday season with us. This is not your parents’ library, so get ready to make some noise! Admission is FREE. Please bring non-perishable food items to help restock the shelves of the local food banks. Follow this on social media as staff post details about the event and use these hashtags: #loudatWPL2017 #notyourparentslibrary

COLLEGE BOARD SEEKS INPUT ON COMPENSATION PROGRAM

WELLAND -In keeping with the Government of Ontario’s new framework for determining executive compensation at colleges, universities, hospitals, agencies and other parts of the broader public sector, the Niagara College Board of Governors has developed a draft Executive Compensation Program. As part of that process, the Board is reaching out to the college community and the public to receive feedback. Click here for more information and to review the program. Feedback will be accepted until Sunday, January 15, 2017 at 4:30 pm.

THANK TIMS FOR FREE SKATES

WELLAND – Holiday skates sponsored by Tim Hortons are brewing next week at Welland’s Jack Ballantyne Memorial (Youth) Arena. Dates are Tuesday, December 27 to Friday, December 30 from 1pm to 3pm. Admission is free.

KINDRED TO PERFORM

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE – A Canada 150 celebration in Niagara-on-the-Lake will feature a Welland-based band. Kindred is on the program of ICEtravaganza, Jan. 7 at Vintage-Parks Canada skating rink.

The day gets underway at 10 with open skating, also a snowman building contest at the same time. Other highlights: Canadian Raptors bird demonstration at noon, 2:45pm and 4pm, the performance by Kindred from 2pm to 4pm followed by Howling Horns from 6pm to 8:30pm and candlelit tours of Fort George.

CITY OF WELLAND HOLIDAY HOURS

WELLAND –All City Hall Departments will be closed from Monday, December 26, 2016, to Monday, January 2, 2017, inclusive, and will re-open on Tuesday, January 3, 2017, at 8:30 a.m. For a comprehensive list, visit: https://www.welland.ca/HotTopics/HolidayHours.asp

HOLIDAY HOURS AT LIBRARY

WELLAND – Yule holiday hours for the Welland Public Library Main Branch are as follows:

Saturday, December 24th: OPEN 9 am – 12:30 pm Sunday, December 25th: CLOSED Monday, December 26th: CLOSED Tuesday, December 27th: CLOSED

December 28th-29th: OPEN 9 pm – 9 pm December 30th: OPEN 9 am – 6 pm

Saturday, December 31st: OPEN 9 am – 12:30 pm Sunday, January 1st: CLOSED Monday, January 2nd: CLOSED

Regular hours resume on Tuesday, January 3, 2017.

The Diamond Trail Branch will be CLOSED from Friday, December 23rd to Tuesday, December 27th and also from Friday, December 30th to Monday, January 2nd.  The Branch will be OPEN from 3:30 pm – 8 pm on Wednesday, December 28th and Thursday, December 29th.

LIBRARY CEO MAKES HEADLINES

WELLAND – Welland Public Library CEO, Ken Su, is featured in this article from the Welland Tribune, discussing our 3D printers which are available for public use. Read the article here. Call (905) 734-6210 ext. 2521 to register for these upcoming 3D printer courses: Tuesday, January 17 at 7:00 pm or Tuesday, February 21 at 7:00pm. You can also submit 3D print job requests on the website. The library will begin to offer the use of other technologies in January 2017 at our Innovation Station. Stay tuned for more details!

COLLEGE’S HOLIDAY HOURS

WELLAND – Niagara College wishes you a safe and happy holiday season.Our campuses will be closed on Dec. 23 at 4:30 p.m. and will remain closed until Jan. 2, 2017 at which time normal hours of operation resume.Some services may be operating on modified hours leading up to the holiday closure and early in the new year. Full details on the college website.