New Skateboard, BMX Park Will Be On West Side of Recreational Canal Trail

WELLAND – The new Welland Skateboard and BMX Park has found a new home on the west bank of the recreational canal trail. Directly across the waterway from the Welland Community Wellness Complex, Welland’s new state-of-the-art skate park will sit on the south side of Lincoln Street.

After extensive public engagement meetings—including consultation with Niagara Regional Police Services and months of technical investigation—the new location was chosen due to better visibility and the ability to provide a safer and more accessible location for all users.

“The west side of the canal is a great location for the new park because it’s central to Niagara’s bike trails, and directly on the Greater Niagara Circle Route,” said Facilities Project Manager, James O’Neill. “The new site will be far more visible and provide a better user experience, along with a wide range of skateboard and BMX terrain.”

City staff expect site preparation for the Welland Skateboard and BMX Park to begin this summer, with construction commencing later in September. The development of the new park stems from the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council fund-raising efforts, and community engagement public meetings. For more information on City of Welland community improvement projects visit welland.ca.

(Source: City of Welland news release)

City Shorts, Try ’em On For Size

CITY SHORTS ART: At the Chippawa Park pond, a hand out for friendship! (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

LOTS GOING ON FOR CANADA DAY!

WELLAND – Celebrate Canada Day in downtown Welland. Enjoy Family Fun in Merritt Park. Free activities on the water all from the King Street Docks. Final Round for the Canada 150 Talent Showcase starts at 2:30pm on the Merritt Park Amphitheatre. Fireworks at 9:50pm.

When: Saturday, July 1, 2017, Time:  Noon to 10:00pm

On The Water @ Merritt Park: Free Water Activities: Paddle Boards, Pedal Boats, Canoes and Kayaks,Wibit on the Water: Reach the peak on the massive IceTower XXL. Ride the tubes on RodeoSplash for the ultimate cooling-down experience.

Lifeguards will be On Duty for all water activities and Life Jackets are mandatory!

On the Merritt Park Amphitheatre @ 7:30pm: The beat definitely goes on this Canada Day when the legendary ’80s band The Kings take to the Merritt Park Amphitheatre, where they will no doubt perform their greatest hit: “This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ To Glide”.

Opening act: the Madhatters

In The Park: Inflatables, Face Painting, Arts & Crafts, Canada Day Cupcakes, Pop-Up in the Park, Kub Kar Racing Track

On King Street: Explore the Museum’s 150th Exhibit, Robert Wood Singers, Smudge Fundaes, Food Trucks, Bike Valet Onsite

WOO HOO! WEEKEND ON THE WATER

WELLAND  –  Celebrate the Canada Day long weekend on the water at the Merritt Park Amphitheatre. Enjoy four nights of excited concerts and events. Check times on the city website.

Friday, June 30, 2017 Summer Music Series presents: Chicago Tribute Brass Transit with guests Aidan Payne & Autumn Conrad. Special guest Merv & Johnny G

Saturday, July 1, 2017  Canada Day Celebrations    Talent Showcase Top 10 acts and awards; The Kings with special guests The Madhatters

Sunday, July 2, 2017  Worship on the Water Interdenominational City-wide Worship Service

Monday, July 3, 2017 150 VOICES CANADA 150 Hungarian performers, Szentegyháza Children’s Philharmonia – Canada tour.

WELLAND REMEMBERS  WARD 5 COUN. ROCH LETOURNEAU

WELLAND – City of Welland Council and staff are mourning the loss of Welland’s Ward 5 Councillor Rocky Letourneau, who passed away on Thursday, June 22, 2017.

Councillor Letourneau was a distinguished figure in the Francophone community. He helped bring a variety of Francophone events to Welland, including the Francophone Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AFMO) conference in 2014.

Councillor Letourneau lobbied to have a permanent flagpole at Welland Civic Square to display the Francophone flag. His funeral Mass was celebrated Wednesday, June 28 at St. Kevin Catholic Church.

GRAND OPENING AT SEAWAY MALL FOR KIDS

WELLAND –  Kids, listen up! School is out and Welland library staff are planning a big Seaway Mall Branch Grand Opening just for you!

Join in on July 11th from 2pm-4pm for family-friendly activities and refreshments. Come celebrate the new branch with balloons, green screen fun, crafts, face painting and more!

CROATIAN  TOURING GROUP IN CONCERT

WELLAND  – Croatian Fraternal Union (CFU) Lodge 617 Hrvatski Sinovi, Welland  is hosting the Croatian Tour 2017 group  TS SARMERI & VLATKA KOPIC-PERKOVIC “TENA”  Saturday, August 19, in the Croatian National Home clubroom.  Tickets $40 for dinner and concert, dinner 5pm, concert 7:30pm.  For tickets call Ann Simunic 905-734-9851.

A DIFFERENT TYPE OF MARKET AT OUR FARMER’S MARKET

WELLAND – The next Antique and Artisan Market is scheduled for Sunday, July 9,  9am – 2pm at Welland Farmer’s Market, 50 Market Square. Events: Food Truck Frenzy, Repair Cafe, Workshops, Junk in the Trunk & more.

IT’S BACK! RIDE TO READ

WELLAND – The Welland Public Library is proud to partner with Welland Transit and the City of Welland for another summer of reading and riding to library branches. Ride to Read supports our TD Summer Reading Club and summer programs. This special service began June 26.

Those participating in Ride to Read 2017 will be entered in a draw for a special prize donated by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1633! For more details, or to get your sticker for Ride to Read 2017, visit any of the Welland  library branches.

CANOE RENTAL PROGRAM OPEN WEEKDAYS AS OF JULY 1

WELLAND –  Welland’s popular canoe rental program has started up for the season at the PenFinancial Credit Union Flatwater Centre.

Canoes, solo kayaks, tandem kayaks, standup paddle boards and pedal boats are available for rent at the site.

The centre is open 10am to 6pm on weekends June to September. During July and August the centre is open weekdays from 11am to 6pm.

Cancellations due to weather will be posted on the Welland Canoe Rental Program Facebook page

DON’T MISS JAMMIN’ AT THE MARKET

WELLAND – The 2017 music series Jammin’ at the downtown market is now in full swing. Featured performers are: Flatwater Shadows, July 15; Joe Crawford Karaoke, July 29; David and Joni, August 12; Niagara Region Old Tyme Fiddlers, August 26; Jessica Wilson, September 2 and Tracks, September 9. Great entertainment while you shop at our local farmers market. Performances are 9:30am to 10:30am.

Music To Our Ears!

Weekend on the Water

Celebrate the Canada Day long weekend on the water at the Merritt Park Amphitheatre. Enjoy four nights of excited concerts and events.

---

• Friday, June 30, 2017
  Summer Music Series presents:
  Chicago Tribute
  Brass Transit with guests Aidan Payne & Autumn Conrad. Special Guest Merv & Johnny G
• Saturday, July 1, 2017
  Canada Day Celebrations
  Talent Showcase Top 10 acts and awards; The Kings with special guests The Madhatters
• Sunday, July 2, 2017
  Worship on the Water
  Interdenominational City Wide Worship Service
• Monday, July 3, 2017
  150 VOICES TO JULY CANADA 150
  Szentegyháza Children’s Philharmonia – Canada tour

(Source: City of Welland webpage)

Grad Nights For Welland, Pelham Schools

Congratulations to the Class of 2017!!!!

School                   Date                                      Time              Venue

E. L. Crossley        Wednesday, June 28         6pm             Niagara College

Notre Dame          Wednesday, June 28          7pm            Welland Arena

Centennial             Thursday, June 29              6:30pm      Centennial

Eastdale                 Thursday, June 29              5pm            Niagara College

Confederation        Thursday, June 29             5:30 pm      Confederation

Jean Vanier           Thursday, June 29               7pm          Jean Vanier

Canada Day Brings A Special Gift To Downtown Welland

WELLAND – Mayor Frank Campion and representatives from Welland Hydro will unveil a special gift—bestowed from Welland Hydro—at this year’s Canada Day celebrations. On July 1, 2017, at 9:45 a.m. in downtown Welland, Mayor Campion and Welland Hydro representatives will bid farewell to the city’s 150th time capsule, and welcome a surprise gift to Civic Square.

Mayor Campion

The time capsule will be buried at the front exterior plaza of Civic Square, and is scheduled for re-opening on July 1, 2067. Residents are encouraged to submit their names for the time capsule at Civic Square or the Wellness Community Wellness Complex during facility hours. The time capsule will close to the public on Thursday, June 29 at noon.

Following the 9:45 a.m. speech ceremony, Mayor Campion and Welland Hydro will unveil a special gift from Welland Hydro to commemorate Canada’s sesquicentennial, Welland’s centennial year of incorporation as a city, and Welland Hydro’s centennial in 2013.

“Due to Welland Hydro’s generosity, downtown is receiving a beautiful fixture that is sure to compliment Civic Square,” said Mayor Frank Campion. “We will cherish this 150th Canadian memento for years to come.”

“Canada Day is marking some significant anniversaries for this community,” said President of Welland Hydro, Wayne Armstrong. “We’re happy to work with the city and present a special surprise gift to the community.”

For more information on Canada Day activities visit welland.ca, or visit canada150inwelland.com for sesquicentennial events throughout the city. For information on Welland Hydro visit wellandhydro.com.

(Source: City of Welland news release)

THIS WEEK: 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.

---

June

27

North Welland Business Improvement Area Board of Management Meeting  ≫

4:15 PM Tuesday Jun. 27  2017 –
Ye Olde Squire Restaurant, 800 Niagara Street

---

28

Public Open House  ≫

6:30 PM Wednesday Jun. 28  2017 – Atlas Landfill Remediation Concept Plan
Welland Community Wellness Complex, Theatre

Thunderstorms Could Produce Hail, Gusty Winds

Statements

1:18 PM EDT Monday 26 June 2017
Special weather statement in effect for:

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

More unsettled conditions this afternoon with scattered thunderstorms producing small hail and gusty winds.

Yet another disturbance will sweep across Southern Ontario today into tonight. Scattered thunderstorms have developed from southern Georgian Bay to the Golden Horseshoe. They will spread across Eastern Ontario this afternoon.

Many of the thunderstorms are expected to produce pea-sized hail. The odd thunderstorm may give somewhat larger hail of 1 centimetre or perhaps a little larger. Given the cool temperatures and favourable atmospheric conditions, the hail may be abundant and nearly cover the ground at times. The main concern is damage to tender crops and plants.

Isolated brief funnel clouds and wind gusts to 70 km/h may also be associated with a few of these storms. The funnel clouds are not expected to touch down.

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 using #ONStorm.

Barky’s Billboard

Please support/attend this worthwhile community event

(Barky’s Billboard is a recurring feature on the blog)

WFD Loses Two From Ranks Of Retirees

By Joe Barkovich, Scribbler-at-large

WELLAND – The past week was marked with sadness for Welland Fire Department members, present and past, who are now mourning the loss of two well-known retirees.

Mr. Blazetich

Legendary in the department was Michael “Mikey” Blazetich, who passed Wednesday, June 21 in his 95th year. He became a firefighter in 1952, Training Officer in 1965 and attained the rank of Deputy Chief in 1976. He retired in 1985.

Mr. Blazetich was a sports celebrity in Welland, playing on numerous baseball teams from 1938-1960. He was inducted into the Welland Sports Wall of Fame in 1998 for individual accomplishment, and two subsequent times, in 2001 with the 1942 Crowland Union Jacks and in 2012 with the 1940 Welland Wurbagools.

He was long interested in neighbourhood nostalgia and preservation, first as a member of the Crowland Old Boys, then the King Street Boys. Fire department history and heritage was another of his special interests and he was a long-time member of the Merrittsville Fire Brigade.

A detailed death notice is found on the Tribune and Cudney Funeral Home websites and is well worth the read.

The family will receive friends at the Cudney Funeral Home  from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, June 26. Mr. Blazetich’s funeral will be held Tuesday, June 27 at 11 a.m. in the Cudney Chapel.

Mr. David

Also being mourned is Richard “Rick” “Shooter” David, who passed Thursday, June 22, aged 70.

Mr. David was a professional firefighter in Welland, retiring after 31 years of service  in 2003.

He was a gifted athlete in hockey, playing with Intermediate ‘A’ teams the Welland Merchants and Port Colborne Sailors, a coach and mentor to many young athletes in the same sport, and played fastball and golf. He immensely enjoyed cooking, especially for family and friends to whom he was known as “Chef Richard”.

Friends are invited to visit the family Monday, June 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Pleasantview Funeral Home, 2000 Merrittville Highway, Thorold. The funeral service will be held in the Pleasantview Chapel Tuesday, June 27 at 11 a.m.

Mr. David is fondly remembered in a death notice that can be read on the Tribune and Pleasantview websites.

Everything You Wanted To Know About Rose Fest Parade Weather

Compiled by Rob Paola, Environment Canada Meteorologist

The highlight of any Rose Festival is the annual grand parade that winds through the streets of Welland, an early summer tradition that celebrated its 50th anniversary on June 19th 2011.

Since the inaugural parade in 1962, parade organizers, participants and onlookers have experienced all sorts of weather on route, from cold damp conditions to searing heat. Generally though, the Rose Festival parade has been blessed with fine summerlike weather.. with afternoon highs averaging a comfortable 24C.

Since 1962, only 6 parades have had rain during the 2 hour event, and three of those were just sprinkles.  The vast majority have been rain free although some parade days have had rain before or after the parade.  And even though summer often brings thunderstorms to Southern Ontario, only one Rose festival parade has been interrupted due to a thunderstorm.  That was back on July 3rd, 1965 when a 30-minute deluge at the start of the parade dropped 22 mm of rain on the proceedings and threatened to postpone the event. The parade went on however, minus a few bands that could not play due to wet instruments.

A look at the weather history of the parade since 1962 reveals other interesting weather facts..

• The first parade, June 23 1962, was held     under ideal conditions.. sunshine and warm temperatures with a high of 26.7C    (80F)
• The hottest parade..     July 2 1966 with a sweltering high of 34C (93F), and a humidex near 40.  St John’s ambulance     treated several people that day for heat exhaustion
• The coldest parade..     June 21 1992 with a high of only 11C under overcast skies, it felt more like    April than late June.  Appropriately, this weekend marked the start of one    of the coolest and wettest summers on record in Southern Ontario.. the     infamous “year without a summer” caused by the lingering effects of the Mt     Pinatubo volcanic eruption the year before
• Average daily high over the past 54     parades has been 24C (75F), with an average low of 14C
• The majority of parades have been held     with temperatures of 25-29C (26 of 54 parades). 8 were cooler than 20C while    5 have been held with temperatures of 30C or higher (4 of those since 2005)
• The parades of the 1970s were generally    the coolest, with an average high of only 21C. Only one parade that decade     was held in temperatures above 25C (1976).
• The parades of the 1980s were generally     the sunniest and warmest with an average high of almost 26C and 6 of 10 held     in bright sunshine
• Most recently, the parades of the past 5    years have featured ideal summerlike conditions with warm temperatures of    25C or more and no rain.

The following table shows weather conditions for every Rose Festival parade since 1962.

YEAR	DATE	HIGH (C)	LOW(C)	PARADE WEATHER *
1962	JUN 23	26.7	18.3	SUNNY WITH CLOUDY PERIODS,         WARM
1963	JUN 22	23.3	6.7	MIX OF SUN AND CLOUD
1964	JUN 27	25.6	17.8	SUNNY, WARM, IDEAL WEATHER
1965	JUL 3	24.4	17.2	heavy downpour at start of parade (22 mm) then clearing
1966	JUL 2	33.9	17.2	sunny, hottest parade on record
1967	JUN 24	28.9	16.7	sunny, clear, warm
1968	JUN 22	21.7	13.9	cloudy, cool
1969	JUL 5	26.5	19.4	mix sun and clouds, warm
1970	JUN 27	21.7	12.2	clouds and sun, cool
1971	JUN 26	23.9	15.0	clouds giving way to sun
1972	JUN 24	16.1	11.1	overcast, cool, a few sprinkles
1973	JUN 23	23.9	15.6	mix of sun and cloud
1974	JUN 24 ?	20.6	11.7	sunny with cloudy periods, cool
1975	JUN 7	18.9	11.1	clouds and sun, cool
1976	JUN 26	26.1	15.0	sunny and warm
1977	JUN 25	23.0	18.0	partly        sunny after heavy morning tstorms (46 mm)
1978	JUN 24	23.5	11.0	partly cloudy and pleasant
1979	JUN 23	14.5	9.5	overcast, breezy, chilly
1980	JUN 21	23.0	10.0	sunny to cloudy, mild
1981	JUN 6	26.0	18.0	sunny, windy, warm
1982	JUN 12	22.0	11.5	mostly cloudy
1983	JUN 18	27.5	14.5	sunny and warm
1984	JUN 16	24.0	12.0	sunny, clear, ideal weather
1985	JUN 23	27.0	15.0	sunny, clear and warm   (first Sunday parade)
1986	JUN 22	28.0	13.0	sunny, warm
1987	JUN 21	26.0	16.0	mostly cloudy, hazy, warm
1988	JUN 19	29.0	11.0	sunny, hazy, hot
1989	JUN 18	24.0	12.5	partly sunny, breezy
1990	JUN 24	15.5	11.0	overcast, breezy, cool, some drizzle at times
1991	JUN 23	24.0	13.5	sunny, ideal weather
1992	JUN 21	11.0	6.0	overcast, record cold, patchy drizzle
1993	JUN 20	28.0	18.5	cloudy, hazy, humid
1994	JUN 19	29.0	20.5	mainly sunny, warm   (high of 34.5 on Sat Jun 18)
1995	JUN 18	29.0	17.0	sunny, warm
1996	JUN 23	21.5	10.0	mix sun and clouds
1997	JUN 21	28.0	18.0	partly sunny, breezy, warm
1998	JUN 20	29.0	18.5	sunny with a few clouds, warm
1999	JUN 19	25.0	10.0	partly sunny, dry, comfortable
2000	JUN 18	15.0	10.0	overcast, cool, a few showers (parade temp ~ 11c)
2001	JUN 17	26.0	15.0	sunny, warm, ideal
2002	JUN 16	18.0	12.5	overcast, cool, light rain  (2 mm)
2003	JUN 15	25.0	11.0	ideal weather, sunny, low humidity, light breeze
2004	JUN 13	27.0	15.0	some midday sprinkles otherwise overcast, humid, parade temp ~ 22C
2005	JUN 12	30.5	22.0	morning showers then hazy, hot and muggy, humidex 38C
2006	JUN 11	19.5	6.0	sunny with cloudy periods, cool
2007	JUN 17	30.0	17.0	clouds and hazy sun, hot
2008	JUN 15	27.5	15.0	sunny and warm, southwest breeze
2009	JUN 21	27.0	14.0	Partly sunny and warm
2010	JUN 13	22.0	16.5	overcast
2011	JUN 19	24.7	14.9	** 50th anniversary parade ** ideal     weather, sunny, low humidity, light breeze
2012	JUN         24	24.1	14.3	cloudy
2013	JUN         23	30.2	20.1	mainly sunny and hot, humidex 35C
2014	JUN         22	27.0	12.0	sunny and warm, light winds and low         humidity
2015	JUN         21	26.2	15.7	clouds giving way to sun, warm and humid,         light wind
2016	JUN         26	31.0	16.3	mainly sunny,         BREEZY and hot, humidex 34C

* Parade weather information is based on Welland and local area weather records from Westside Firehall weather station, Welland airport data, as well as parade photos and newspaper accounts. For additional information on weather history in Welland, see History of the Welland climate station.