Tours Honoring Fallen Canal Workers

WELLAND – Cemetery walking tours for Welland Ship Canal  Fallen Workers in Welland will take place Saturday, October 21. The schedule:

(a) 2:00 p.m. to 2:45± p.m.:  Woodlawn Cemetery, 708 Niagara St., Welland  and,
(b) 2:45± p.m. to 3:30± p.m.:  Holy Cross Cemetery, 50 Woodlawn Rd., Welland.

The number of burials at Woodlawn Cemetery is nine, as for Holy Cross, there are 11 fallen worker burials there. In addition, the Smith Street cemetery has one, and the Church of Japanese Martyrs Cemetery, Aqueduct and Church/Elizabeth streets, also has one. This makes for a total of 22 in Welland.  (Pictured: three recently-placed markers in Holy Cross Cemetery.)

Tour leader is Penny Morningstar, Manager/Curator, Welland Museum. Cost to attend:  free. Watch for a follow-up story closer to the date of the event.

New Book – Triumph and Tragedy: The Welland Ship Canal

Book to be published about the Welland Ship Canal and its Fallen Workers; Order Before October 1st to receive a 20% discount, details below

ST. CATHARINES – In conjunction with the Welland Canal Fallen Workers Memorial project, a new publication about the Welland Ship Canal – Triumph and Tragedy: The Welland Ship Canal – is currently being prepared for release in 2018.

For almost two centuries the Welland Ship Canal has linked Lakes Ontario and Erie, thus enabling ships from around the world to sail to the heartland of North America.  Once completed, the present Ship Canal (the Fourth Welland Canal) was viewed as a twentieth century marvel in engineering, but there was a terrible cost paid in lives over its twenty-one year period of construction.

At more than 350 pages, the forthcoming book is illustrated with hundreds of never-before-published photographs from numerous public and private collections.  Its release will mark the culmination of four-and-one-half years of detailed research by a special committee whose efforts have been rewarded with historical material from collections throughout Canada, the United States, and beyond.  Included in the thousands of hours of research has been an ongoing effort to locate the families of the fallen in order to permanently record the stories and preserve the memories, documents, and photographs about their ancestors and their work in building the Welland Ship Canal.

The book ultimately pays tribute to the 137 workers whose lives were lost during the Canal’s construction by featuring individual profiles of each casualty and placing them within the context of the huge construction effort that was necessary to complete this achievement in Canada’s marine transportation network.

Triumph and Tragedy: The Welland Ship Canal will provide a unique insight into a man-made structure that has impacted Niagara like no other.  The Welland Ship Canal is, however, much more than concrete locks and twenty-six miles of waterway.  This new book is especially a people’s story about those labourers whose sweat and toil built the Canal, and those who sometimes died in its peacetime trenches because of accidents and mishaps.  Triumph and Tragedy will provide a special understanding of the hardships and sacrifices of those “heroes of peace”.

Through its particular style and subject content, the book is unique as a social history and as a study of industry as it documents specific themes of the Canal’s construction.  Because of this specialized content it will also be an important addition to previous histories about the Welland Canal that have been published by other authors.
Biographical profiles and special feature articles have been prepared by many of Niagara’s most distinguished authors, historians, genealogists, curators, librarians, university professors, and canal authorities.  As an example of the subject matter, it will include content from newly found research about the Welland Canal Construction Railway, Medical Services, labour issues, the Anglican Mission to workers, and much more.  Through this special format of subject features, readers will gain a new understanding into many of the lesser-known aspects of the Welland Ship Canal and its construction.

INFORMATION RELEASE – Book Release
“Triumph and Tragedy: The Welland Ship Canal”
September 28, 2017:

• Triumph and Tragedy: The Welland Ship Canal will be published in full colour, hard cover, 350+ pages, and will be available in 2018:
• Orders placed before October 1, 2017 will receive a 20% discount, $31.95 (+ HST & shipping)
• Regular rates apply after October 1st – $39.95 (+ HST & shipping)
• Order Forms and information can be downloaded at:  http://www.stcatharines.ca/en/governin/Fallen-Workers-Memorial.asp
• Triumph and Tragedy is being released in a limited edition print run.  Those considering purchasing a copy are advised to Pre-Order now in order to reserve a copy of the book.

Pre-paid book orders may be dropped off at the St. Catharines Museum at Lock 3, or ordered by telephone at:  905.984.8880

(Source: News release)

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.

October
2
Senior Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting  ≫
4:00 PM Monday Oct. 2   –
Welland Community Wellness Complex, 145 Lincoln Street

2
Welland Downtown Business Improvement Area Board of Management Meeting  ≫
5:30 PM Monday Oct. 2   –
Location: Billiards Insurance Group, 38 East Main Street.

4
City of Welland Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting  ≫
5:00 PM Wednesday Oct. 4   –
– Civic Square, Room 109

4
Council Meeting in Committee-of-the-Whole In-camera (Closed to the Public),  ≫
5:55 PM Wednesday Oct. 4   – to discuss the following:
Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.
– Committee Appointments for the following Committee:
Welland Public Library Board.
Proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board.
– Welland Hospital update.
– Plazcorr update
– Lease of Merritt Island offices
– Purchase of lands
– Lease renewal for Welland Tennis Club
– Tax Sale update
– Rice Road update
– Quaker Road Trail Access

in the Council Ante Room

4
Council Meeting, in Open Session  ≫
7:00 PM Wednesday Oct. 4   –
in the Council Chambers

5
Welland Community Wellness Complex Advisory Committee Meeting  ≫
3:00 PM Thursday Oct. 5  2017 –
Welland Community Wellness Complex, 145 Lincoln Street

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

POSTED AT: 1:38 PM EDT Friday 29 September 2017
Severe thunderstorm watch in effect for:
Niagara Falls – Welland – Southern Niagara Region
Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms have developed over the area. There is the potential that one of these thunderstorms may produce a brief wind gust of 90 km/h and small hail.
Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!

Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall.

The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.

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.

For more information:
http://www.emergencymanagementontario.ca/english/beprepared/beprepared.html.

Gadabout Gardener

Fall Wildflower, Merritt Island, Thursday, September 28.  Photos Joe Barkovich

Barky’s Billboard

Please Support/Attend This Worthwhile Community Event

 

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

City Shorts, Try ’em On For Size

CITY SHORTS ART: Colleges Ontario’s Amazing 50 interactive trailer will be rolling into the Welland Campus on Oct. 4 for NC’s 50-year anniversary event. More info, see City Shorts brief, below. (Special 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

CITY’S THANKSGIVING DAY HOURS
WELLAND – All City Hall Departments will be closed on Monday, October 9, for Thanksgiving Day, and will re-open on Tuesday, October 10, at 8:30 a.m. For the full monty go to: https://www.welland.ca/HotTopics/HolidayHours.asp

CELEBRATE NIAGARA COLLEGE’S 50TH!
WELLAND – Niagara College’s Welland Campus is marking the college’s 50th Anniversary by hosting a special event. This is a great opportunity for alumni, retirees and the community to join current students, faculty and staff to mark this special milestone where you can:
Visit Colleges Ontario’s Amazing 50 Campus Tour mobile display [link to amazing50.ca/events/];
Visit NC’s archives display, meet retirees, alumni and alumni relations staff, the Centre for Student Engagement and Leadership;
Be a part of a commemorative 50th photo;
Visit NC’s Food Truck – Bench on the Go.
The date is Wednesday, October 4 from 10am to 2pm, with special remarks scheduled at 10:15am and a commemorative photo at 10:40am. (Wear blue and white!) It’s at the Welland Campus, 100 Niagara College Boulevard, outside, in front of the Athletic Centre.   (Source: Inside NC)

FOOD FOR FINES: OCTOBER 2-31 AT WELLAND LIBRARY
WELLAND –  October 15-21 is Ontario Public Library Week and the library is celebrating by offering the annual Food for Fines drive for the entire month!
From October 2-31st, donate non-perishable food items at any Welland Public Library branch and the library will waive the overdue fines from your account. All proceeds from the Food for Fines campaign go directly to Welland food banks.
Note: Only overdue fines can be waived – charges for lost or damaged items and item processing fees are not eligible.

BOOK SALE RAISES FUNDS FOR SCHOLARSHIP
WELLAND –  Canadian Federation of University Women Welland and District hold their annual book sale Saturday, September 30,  9am to 3pm at the Niagara Regional Exhibition site’s Building B, 1100 Niagara Street  North.
Always lots of fun between the covers at this popular event. It features great bargains on books and more! Proceeds to scholarships and community projects.
For more info or to donate items: uwcbooksale@yahoo.com or call 905-835-2291

LIBRARY CONTRIBUTES TO LOCAL HISTORY BOOK
WELLAND –  “Triumph and Tragedy: the Welland Ship Canal” profiles the fallen workers whose lives were lost during the construction of Welland’s waterway. The book is slated for an early 2018 release and can be pre-ordered through the St. Catharines Museum until October 1st. Several Welland Public Library staff members contributed articles to this collection – the first of which, by Conor Echlin, can be read here: http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2017/09/07/fallen-workers-a-young-life-cut-short

NIAGARA REGIONAL LIFE CHAIN
WELLAND –  Are you the missing link? On Sunday, October 1, from 3pm to 4pm join with thousands internationally, rain or shine, standing in peaceful witness to the sanctity of all human life. Come with your family and friends to pray for an end to abortion along Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls. Welland and area residents are asked to register at Midas Muffler, Dorchester Avenue and Lundy’s Lane, by 2:45pm. More info, contact niagaralifechaininfo@gmail.com

COLLEGE SCHEDULES FALL CONVOCATION
WELLAND – Niagara College’s Fall 2017 Convocation Ceremony will take place on October 27 at 10 a.m. at the Welland Campus with a reception immediately following the ceremony.

FASHION SHOW  HOSTED BY HOSPITAL AUXILIARY
WELLAND – Welland Hospital Auxiliary is hosting a Fashion Show, Wednesday, October 25 at the Croatian National Home, 6 Broadway. Doors open 5pm, dinner promptly at 6pm, fashion show at 730pm. Door prizes, raffles, vendors. Tickets $50, cash bar.

EASTDALE ALUMNI TO MEET
WELLAND  –  Eastdale Alumni Association will meet Wednesday October 4, 7pm in the school library.  Come out and get involved. Visit http://www.eastdalealumni.com for more info or call Barb @ 905-735-3778

ZICKE, ZACKE, ZICKE, ZACKE, HOI, HOI, HOI… 
WELLAND – It’s Oktoberfest at Welland market!
Come to the farmers’ market Saturday, October 7 for live music, Oktoberfest photo booth, face painting, kids crafts and fun recipe demonstrations, from 9am to 11am.

FROM THE WELLNESS COMPLEX THEATRE, IT’S FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE!WELLAND –  You won’t be able to sit still once Fiddlin’ Around takes to the stage as part of the Friday Night Live Concert Series.
Enjoy a mix of Celtic, East Coast and toe-tappin’ fiddle tunes with a guitar, fiddle and Bodhran.  Come out and enjoy this free event, the kickoff  for Culture Days in Welland  Friday, September 29,  7pm, in the theatre at Welland Community Wellness Complex.

TAIZE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
WELLAND –  A Taizé prayer service is being held the Parish Community of St. Kevin, 303 Niagara St., Welland on Tuesday, Oct, 10 at 7:30pm. Thanksgiving is one of four times of year Taizé prayer is offered at the parish, the others are: Advent, Lent and Pentecost. The prayer service is open to the community.

AUXILIARY SEEKS  VOLUNTEERS
WELLAND – Welland Hospital Auxiliary gift shop is in need of new volunteers and auxiliary members. Interested, call 905-732-6111 ext. 33141 or email whauxiliarygs653@gmail.com

JOIN THE MAYOR’S WALK ON MERRITT ISLAND
WELLAND  –  Meet Mayor Frank Campion at the Merritt Island parking lot Monday mornings at 7:30am for a 40 Minute Walk on Merritt Island.

 

 

 

Out And About

Trail walk, Merritt Island, Welland, Thursday afternoon September 28. (Out And About is a recurring feature on the blog. Photo by Joe Barkovich)

Want A Seat At The Committee Table?

Volunteers wanted to serve on city’s committees

WELLAND – The city is in recruitment mode.
It is looking to fill three volunteer spots on committees:
One position on the City of Welland Heritage Advisory Committee;
One member-at-large position on the Welland Community Wellness Complex board;
One citizen for the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee.
Applications and info are available at the clerk’s office in city hall or by visiting the city’s website, https://www.welland.ca/Media/notices.asp
All applications must be on the prescribed form and should include a brief resume.
Applications must be received in the Office of the City Clerk on or before 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017.

Mayor’s Column For October: ‘Enjoy Your Community This Thanksgiving Holiday’

A Time To Give Thanks

When we were children Thanksgiving was a day of great food, family, and fun. As adults, we know there’s more to Thanksgiving than a great meal and time spent with family. A Thanksgiving feast calls for plenty of preparation, creativity, and perseverance. I’ve grown to be thankful because I’m able to see all the hard work and dedication put into one day.

Mayor Frank Campion

Thanksgiving is similar to community. In order for a community to thrive, work, determination, and planning must be put into motion. Welland has always been rich with residents who love this city, and are dedicated to create a better place for us all to live in. Our volunteers are the backbone of our festivals and events and it shows through the smiling faces of all who came out to enjoy the free concerts, Canada Day, Big Movie Nights, Feast Street Niagara, and more.
The families who live and work in this city are hardworking genuine people and they always have been. Welland was built by people who cherish culture and respect the importance of family. Enjoy your community this Thanksgiving holiday.
We live in an amazing city with amazing people. Take advantage of everything your community has to offer. Stop in the Welland Farmers’ Market to get all your local Thanksgiving needs, and shake the hand of the farmer who feeds you. Take a stroll down beautiful Merritt Island or pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic near the water. I’m grateful to be a part of Welland and proud to be a member of this community. On behalf of Council, have a great Thanksgiving and holiday weekend.

(Source: City of Welland website)