Barky’s Billboard

Please Support/Attend This Worthwhile Community Event

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

Heritage Lives: Hanging Out At The Cross Street Pool

 

Welland’s Cross Street Pool, a very busy place, part of our heritage that can’t be forgotten. (Supplied photo)

 

By Terry Hughes

For many of us, our growing-up years involved some time at the pool complex because there were two pools that hosted us.

Our day as seven and eight-year-olds began in the morning with swimming lessons where hundreds of us met and learned basic ways of becoming friendly with the water in the wading pool.

We walked to the pool in just swimsuits, a towel, T shirt and running shoes. If you had a nickel, you could get a shopping bag into which you put your belongings and had them placed in that orange building at the top of the hill near the big pool. For most of us, however, you saved your nickel and placed your clothes in what you thought was a secure spot outside the wading pool. A quick trip home for lunch and soon, you were on your way for an afternoon of fun, running under the sprinkler in the centre of the pool or doing belly flops at the deep end. Shivering, you looked for a sunny spot to dry-off, checking out the clouds for monster faces or atomic bomb explosions and then took another round in the water!

As time and your degree of courage grew, your need to graduate to the big pool finally took hold. Walking through the showers that served as a shocking experience in itself, you found yourself standing at the top of the stairs, wondering if you made a mistake. Timidly, you walked down to the water’s edge and headed to the wall where chains hung and offered you a place to which to dog paddle. And after many attempts with your friends as witnesses, you succeeded in splashing to the chain and back. After that, your days in the wading pool were over. And when the catwalk was built, it enabled us to venture forth to deeper and more thrilling experiences.

Welland offered the best swimming program anywhere. Instructors that governed my years in the pool were, Jane Duff on whom I had a boyhood crush, Lee Maus and Frank Doan. Lee took over the role as our Life Saving Instructor and I was able to earn four life saving awards thanks to her efforts. I cannot recall any of us who took lessons with Lee that ended in failure. I would be rewarded with an opportunity to act as a lifeguard, a very prestigious job with those of the female gender.

Thousands of kids would benefit from this program and no one ever drowned in the Cross St. Pool! Two fatalities – one from sunstroke and the other a diving accident after the pool closed, were the exception.

And what about the fun we had in the canal? That’s for a future article.

Next column: Before the Titanic, there was the Fort Henry on Welland’s waterfront.

(Terry Hughes is a Wellander who is passionate about heritage, history and model railroading. His column, Heritage Lives, appears on the blog once or twice monthly.)

 

Welland Campus Hosts College’s Spring Convocation

 

                                                                                                                                     Supplied photo

 

WELLAND – Spring Convocation ceremonies are being held at Niagara College’s Welland campus June 19 – June 22.
For individual ceremony details and other related info visit: http://www.niagaracollege.ca/enrolmentservices/convocation/ceremony-schedule/

New Team For La Maison de la Culture Francophone

 

The new board of directors of La MCFN (La Maison de la culture francophone du Niagara), from left, Yolande Lécuyer, Annie Boucher, Suzanne Giroux, Andrée Davis, Claire Cronier et Béatrice Groux. Absent: Gérald Lagacé. (Supplied photo)

WELLAND – La Maison de la culture francophone du Niagara (La MCFN) held its first annual general meeting recently at the Centre de santé communautaire du Niagara in Welland. Three members were elected to fill the vacancies.
The new board consists of Yolande Lécuyer (chair), Gerald Lagacé (vice-chair), Suzanne Giroux (treasurer), Béatrice Groux (secretary), Annie Boucher (elected, director), Claire Cronier (elected, director) and Andrée Davis (elected, director). All are active in their community.
“We would like to thank the outgoing members, Marc-Yvain Giroux (chair), Raymond Audette (director) and Guy Potvin (director) for their dedication to this cultural project, said Lécuyer.
La MCFN is a non-profit organization created in 2015 whose goal is to unite the francophone community in all its diversity, and preserve and perpetuate the use of the French language, cultural heritage and francophone traditions. It promotes literary, musical and theatrical events and program and all other educational and cultural activities. Francophone youth remains its top priority.
According to the inclusive definition of ‘francophone’ in Ontario, the francophone community represents more than 15,000 people in Niagara region. The current francophone network of La MCFN is made up of seven elementary schools and a secondary school on the Catholic school board side, four elementary and one secondary school on the public side and 11 day-care centres. The region also includes 19 schools with French immersion programs.
La Maison is appreciative for the financial support of Canadian Heritage.
(Source: News release)

 

Hey Seniors, It’s Your Special Month

WELLAND – On June 1, citizens across Ontario will observe the 34th annual Seniors’ Month in Ontario, and Welland is excited to celebrate more than 11,000 seniors who live, play, and volunteer in the city. The Welland Senior Citizens Advisory Committee (SCAC) is opening Seniors’ Month this Friday with festivities to celebrate seniors and how they make Welland a better place to live.

Dignitaries, the Welland SCAC, and community members look forward to gathering at the WCWC for a flag raising, presentations, entertainment, and light refreshments to praise seniors and how they enrich communities. This year’s theme, Now’s the Time to Start Something New, highlights how aging does not prevent seniors from leading rewarding lives. Seniors continue to contribute to their communities and enhance lives through their wisdom, friendships, and experience.

Event Details:
10:30 a.m. to 11:30a.m. Entertainment by Brad Boland, door prizes, and light refreshments

11:45 a.m. Flag raising at Welland Community Wellness Complex

Noon. Verbal presentations from the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee and Council representatives

“Seniors at the Wellness Complex are frequently trying new experiences,” said Ryanne Hale, Community Recreation Coordinator. “There’s always an interest for new classes to accommodate older adults, and we’re always launching or discovering new programs to challenge our members.”

“The Senior Citizens Advisory Committee looks forward to recognizing Seniors’ Month because it demonstrates the role seniors have in the community and also revisits the accomplishments made by seniors over the course of the year,” said Carol Sernasie, vice chair of SCAC. “The committee was recently honoured to receive an Ontario Age-Friendly Community Recognition Award for being leaders in creating a city inclusive to seniors.”

Seniors’ Month is recognized and promoted by the Ontario government to promote healthy living and activity within the older adults’ population. For more information on Seniors’ Month visit ontario.ca, or for more information on Age-Friendly initiatives and opportunities for seniors in Welland visit welland.ca.

(Source: City of Welland news release)

First ‘Heat Event’ Of The Season Monday

POSTED: 3:20 PM EDT Sunday 27 May 2018
Special weather statement in effect for:
Niagara Falls – Welland – Southern Niagara Region
St. Catharines – Grimsby – Northern Niagara Region
The first heat event of the season is setting up for Monday and Monday night for portions of Southwestern Ontario and the Golden Horseshoe Area.

A warm and humid airmass is expected to move into Southern Ontario on Monday May 28th. The daytime maximum temperatures are likely to reach the low thirties with overnight lows near 20 degrees Celsius.

These conditions pose a health risk when you are not used to the heat.

Everyone is at risk from heat, especially older adults; infants and young children; and people with chronic illnesses.

You are advised to 1) drink plenty of cool liquids before feeling thirsty; and 2) keep cool by dressing for the weather and spending a few hours each day in a cool place.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@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)

City Shorts, Try ’em On For Size

 

CITY SHORTS ART: Sunset at the International Flatwater Centre. (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

 

WANT TO BE A CANDIDATE IN THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION?
WELLAND – The municipal election is being held October 22 and the nomination period is already underway, having started May 1 and continuing through to July 27. Interested in running…thinking about running…not sure what’s involved? The City of Welland has everything you need to know available on its website. Please visit: https://www.welland.ca/Elections/CandidateInformation.asp

SPRING CONVOCATION AT COLLEGE’S WELLAND CAMPUS
WELLAND – Spring Convocation ceremonies are being held at Niagara College’s Welland campus June 19 – June 22.
For individual ceremony details visit http://www.niagaracollege.ca/enrolmentservices/convocation/ceremony-schedule/

JUNE DATE FOR SKATEBOARD PARK GRAND OPENING
WELLAND – The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council presents the grand opening of the Welland Skateboard and BMX Park, Saturday June 9 starting at noon with the official ribbon cutting. Free prize for first 200 to arrive! Raffle prizes. The local skate shop presents a Stunt Team Demo at 12:30pm. The Associates take the stage at 1:15pm. Enjoy on-site food trucks, Community Living Youth Art Project, Niagara Inflatables, face painting and balloon animals. Parking will be available at the Welland Community Wellness Complex and the Welland Arena.

BUSY, BUSY SUMMER ON THE WATERWAY
WELLAND – Lots of action on the local waterway in the weeks ahead. If you’re not aware of what’s going on, the city has a good listing of the various events and competitions posted on its website. Please visit: https://www.welland.ca/Leisure/events.asp

WELLAND BOAT RENTAL PROGRAM
WELLAND – Kayaks, tandem kayaks, canoes, pedal boats and stand up paddleboards….. Free for all renters 12 and under! Weekend hours: 11am to 6pm.
More info: https://www.welland.ca/localattractions/BoatRentals.asp

ST. DAVID’S CHURCH HOSTS PLANT SALE
WELLAND – St. David’s Anglican Church, 369 Thorold Rd., is hosting its 10th annual Plant Sale, Saturday, May 26 from 8am to noon.
A wide assortment of annuals and perennials will be available.

BET YOU’RE ITCHING TO GO TO THIS
WELLAND – A flea market is being held at Welland Curling Club, 197 King St.,
Saturday, May 26 8 am to 1 pm. Huge yard sale of household items, toys, books, clothing, tools. Also bake sale, vendor and craft tables and a BBQ.

MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA PRESENTS ‘ROMANCE’
WELLAND – The Mandolin Orchestra is holding this concert Sunday, May 27, 3pm at the Welland Community Wellness Complex. Tickets are $12 for passholders; $15 for non-passholders. International favourites, North American tunes, Broadway hits, Celtic music, Pops, light classics – the Mandolin Orchestra of Niagara does it all. Under the direction of Sylvia Hlywka Brabson, this group of musicians presents a wide range of music sure to delight any audience.

VELVETONES HOST SPRING PERFORMANCE
WELLAND – Join the Velvetones for their spring performance Sunday, June 3, 2pm at the Wellness Complex theatre. The Music Goes On promises to be a toe-tapping, hand-clapping good time. Tickets: $8 for passholders and $10 for non-passholders.

SUMMER BOARDWALK BANTER AVAILABLE AT LIBRARY
WELLAND – New things are happening this summer and the library is excited to share it with you! Check out the newest issue of Boardwalk Banter to get the inside scoop on everything that is happening.
Available at all branches, or read it online.
Stay tuned for the Summer Program Guides coming later this month!

WANT TO BE A VOLUNTEER WITH THE CITY?
WELLAND – The City of Welland encourages individuals of all ages and abilities
to play an active role in their community by volunteering their time to help deliver recreation and culture programs.
View opportunities here: https://www.welland.ca/RecCulture/volunteer.asp

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR GIFT SHOP
WELLAND – Welland Hospital Gift Shop is seeking 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 Campion at the Merritt Island parking lot Monday mornings at 7:30 a.m. for a 40-minute walk on Merritt Island.

(City Shorts is a weekly feature on the blog appearing Thursdays or Fridays)

 

 

 

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.

May
28
Welland Active Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting ≫
6:30 PM Monday May 28  –
LOCATION: Welland Community Wellness Complex, 145 Lincoln Street

28
Welland Public Library Board Meeting ≫
7:00 PM Monday May 28  –
– Welland Public Library, Program Room, 50 The Boardwalk

Aerial Stalker

 

My aerial stalker is back! “Buzz off!”, I say,  between her passes as I work in the yard. The Queen doesn’t get the message. What we have here is a failure to communicate. (Photo by Joe Barkovich)