Niagara College Opens The Book On A New Academic Year With Strong Enrolment, New Facilities

Niagara College is ready to usher in a new academic year with more than 10,000 students projected to begin their studies after Labour Day – including close to 5,000 new students – along with a full slate of activities and new facilities to welcome them.

“We look forward to welcoming our new and returning students and providing them with an outstanding start to the new academic year,” said College president Dan Patterson, PhD. “We are also excited to unveil several new facilities that will enrich learning environments on our campuses and enhance student life for many years to come.”

New facilities
Sudents will kick off the fall term with newly renovated study spaces at both campuses. The Glynn Family Library and Learning Commons at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, as well as the Eva M. Lewis Library and Learning Commons at the Welland Campus have been renovated, featuring new and additional seating, as well as flexible space to accommodate individual and collaborative work.

September will mark the grand opening of the Marotta Family Innovation Complex at the Niagara-on-the Lake Campus. The new four-storey $18.25-million complex includes new research areas that expand the College’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute Innovation Centre (CFWI IC) and classrooms, in addition to a fitness centre and gymnasium which opened in September 2018.

Renovations are also underway at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus that will provide new and updated spaces for NC’s Student Administrative Council, International offices, and Indigenous Education. The new NCSAC offices and International offices are expected to open the week of September 23, while new facilities for Indigenous Education will open in November.

Construction crews have been busy over the summer months to complete extensive road realignment and repave parking lots at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, to create additional parking spaces, make better use of available land, and aid in navigation.

Fall Orientation
The Niagara College Student Administrative Council (NCSAC), and Centre for Student Engagement and Leadership (CSEL) are gearing up to host Fall Orientation at the Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake campuses from September 3-6 with a new theme for 2019: ‘Orientation Week for All.’

NCSAC president Tom Price noted that by delivering opportunities for social engagement, Orientation plays a key role in stimulating positive well-being for students – particularly for new students who may experience a sense of loneliness during the transition.

“I believe #OWEEKFORALL is essential to the success of all Niagara College students. It provides the opportunity for students to connect with fellow classmates, make friends, and build lasting relationships, all while having fun,” said Price. “I hope that students will make a lifetime of memories and lifelong friends participating in NCSAC events.”

Orientation kicks off on Tuesday, September 3 with a day of activities for new students. For the first time, the College will host a Checklist Fair to help new students manage necessary tasks on their ‘to-do lists’ – from picking up student ID cards, to locker rentals, and ITS help. The day will also include help sessions, program and co-op information sessions, and social initiatives like a free lunch and a pub night at The Core (Welland).

The first day of class (for most full-time programs) on Wednesday, September 4 begins with a welcome back initiative for all students – free coffee, tea and baked goods from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. at both campuses.

One of the highlights of the week will include a lawn party on Friday, September 6 at the Welland Campus (3-7 p.m.). Students can enjoy the Ferris wheel, carnival rides, browse vendor displays, mark the occasion with a henna tattoo, and pose for a photo near the green wall and more ‘Instagram-worthy’ moments. A shuttle will be available to transport students from the NOTL Campus for this event.

The lawn party will also shine the spotlight on safety, with a live dorm room burn demonstration from the Welland Fire Department scheduled to take place that evening (weather permitting).

Orientation week will also include a courtyard cookout on Wednesday, September 4 at the NOTL Campus (3-7 p.m.), a BBQ lunch on Thursday, September 5 at the Welland Campus (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) and more. All Orientation week activities are free for NC students to attend. College staff and volunteers will be ready to assist students at ‘Ask Me’ stations, which will be set up at both campuses throughout the first week of classes.

Be NC Ready
The College’s International Division has had a head start in preparing students who are new to Canada for college and life in a new country – from pre-departure to after arrival. The division is offering a full suite of ‘Be NC Ready’ initiatives with a Be NC Ready website, online modules and a new student life app. From August 27-29, ‘Be NC Ready’ orientation sessions were held at the Welland and NOTL campuses addressing topics including housing and lifestyle, education and immigration, and health care and services.

In addition to college-wide Orientation activities, international orientation will be held for English for Academic Preparation students (August 29, 30 and September 3), and postsecondary and graduate students (August 30-31), including a welcome breakfast, an information fair to highlight on-campus international services, games, and an outing to Niagara Falls for a Hornblower Cruise and a shopping trip.

NC is also one of 19 postsecondary institutions in the province to partner with Destination Ontario for a welcome kiosk at Toronto Pearson International Airport running until September 8. The kiosks are set up at terminals one and three to greet international students and provide a variety of services including shuttle and transit info, accommodation and hotels, banking services and currency exchange, special assistance baggage claim, orientation and campus info and more.

Move-in Day
For hundreds of students planning to call campus ‘home’ for the next academic year, the excitement will begin on Labour Day weekend when they move into campus residences. On August 31, 250 students will move into residence at the Welland Campus, and 230 students will move into residence at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus. A team of NC volunteers will assist with the move, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

(Source: Niagara College media release)

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

City Had ‘Strong Presence’ At Conference: Campion

From left, CAO Gary Long, Coun. Adam Moote, Mayor Frank Campion, Minister of Transportation and Francophone Affairs Caroline Mulroney, Coun. Jim Larouche, Coun. Leo Van Vliet, Coun. Lucas Spinosa. (Supplied photo)

WELLAND – The City of Welland’s delegation has returned home after a busy agenda of meetings, workshops, and presentations at the 2019 Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) Conference in Ottawa. Mayor Frank Campion, Councillors Jim Larouche, Adam Moote, Lucas Spinosa, Leo Van Vliet, and Chief Administrative Officer Gary Long attended the conference and had the following meetings:

Jim McDonell, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation and Francophone Affairs
Jennifer Bell, Chief of Staff to the Minister of Infrastructure
Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport
Andrea Khanjin, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Environment, Parks, and Conservation
Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long Term Care
Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction
Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs

City projects and strategic initiatives were discussed including urban boundary expansion, Hunters Pointe development, Forks Road bridge, climate change, Welland International Flatwater Centre, Francophone tourism, 2021 Canada Summer Games, transit, infrastructure funding, new fire stations, Foyer Richelieu, long term care beds, and modernizing compliance regulations.

Mayor Campion also joined Mayors from other cities including London, North Bay, Kitchener, Mississauga and Thunder Bay in a roundtable discussion, facilitated by the Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, on reducing barriers to investment, eliminating duplication and red tape, streamlining processes, and modernizing business regulations to save businesses time and money and to help stimulate economic growth and job creation.

“Welland had a strong presence at this conference and it’s important for us to stay current with provincial announcements and the key issues and emerging trends in the municipal world as well as the global economy so that we can lead and manage change effectively,” said Campion. “Our government relations strategy has been successful in building relationships with provincial and federal officials, establishing key points of contact on city projects and priorities, and ensuring that Welland’s voice is being heard on public policy issues impacting our community.”

Almost 2,000 participants from across Ontario attended the AMO Conference held from Aug. 18-21 at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa. For more information about AMO and the conference, visit http://www.amo.on.ca.

(Source: City of Welland news release)

Jackfish Announce Semi-Finals Schedule

WELLAND – The Welland Jackfish, members of the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) have announced the schedule for the semi-finals of the 2019 Dominico Cup Postseason presented by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. Welland will play the Barrie Baycats in a best-of-seven game series beginning this Saturday, August 17 in Barrie at Coates Stadium.
HOME SCHEDULE:
Game 2: Sunday, August 18 @ 7:05pm – GET TICKETS
Game 4: Thursday, August 22 @ 7:30pm (Thirsty Thursday) – GET TICKETS
Game 6: Sunday, August 25 @ 6:05pm

(Source: Welland Jackfish news release)

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City Delegation, Provincial Ministers To Meet At AMO Conference

WELLAND – Welland’s mayor, members of council and senior staff will be attending next week’s Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference and have meetings confirmed with several ministers and parliamentary assistants. The theme of this year’s conference is “Municipalities: Ontario’s Frontline.”

The City of Welland’s delegation will be comprised of: Mayor Frank Campion, councillors Jim Larouche, Adam Moote, Lucas Spinosa, Leo Van Vliet, and Chief Administrative Officer Gary Long. In keeping with the city’s government relations strategy that strives to ensure Welland’s priorities are brought to the attention of the upper levels of government, the city has succeeded in securing the following meetings:

· Jim McDonnell, parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
· Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation and Francophone Affairs
· Stephen Crawford, parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Infrastructure
· Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport
· Andrea Khanjin, parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Environment, Parks, and Conservation
· Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long Term Care
· Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction
· Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs

Mayor Campion was also invited by the province to participate in a roundtable discussion, facilitated by the Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, regarding ways to streamline government processes and approvals to make it easier for businesses to invest, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth.

“There have been changes in the provincial Cabinet so we’ll be focused on building relationships and key contacts with new ministers and parliamentary assistants, outlining Welland’s priority projects, reviewing open files we have with their ministries, and discussing ways we can work together and partner in support of the city’s growth and development agenda,” said Campion.

Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford, Municipal Affairs minister Steve Clark, interim Liberal Leader John Fraser, NDP Leader Andrea Horvath, and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner will be giving keynote presentations. Almost 2,000 participants from across Ontario will attend the conference August 19 – 22, at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa. For more information about AMO and the conference, visit http://www.amo.on.ca.

(Source: City of Welland news release)

Welland High Reunion: A Postscript

That’s me! Lonny Petrachenko, Class of 1969, points to his image in the Senior Tigers football team pic in the 1969 yearbook. (Photos by Joe Barkovich)

Tribute to Senior Tigers football teams in the 1950s. Notice reference to Tiger great Ed Learn.

Autograph sheet posted at Saturday’s reunion. Notice that of Tiger great Ed Learn.

Caesar Hajdu, Class of 1940. Mr. Hajdu, 98, recalled taking the trolley from Port Colborne, where he lived, to Welland High. He said it stopped in front of the school.

Mr. Hajdu’s 1939 report card. Info on the front said he was in Form T-3-B.

Teachers share memories: From left, Joe Winterhalter, Maria Volante and Bob Muir, also a former WHVS principal.

Many attendees were overheard asking: Will there be another (reunion)?

Lost Among The Hostas

Olde Towne Gardens in Niagara-on-the-Lake has much to woo the eye..

Bird’s eye view….

First Blush, a red-leaf hosta…

Come on in, the water’s fine…

Look closely and you will find a wren house tucked away beneath the leaves…

Hosta humour…

Follow the path and discover more! (Photos by Joe Barkovich)

Milestone Year For Memorial Golf Tournament

The 10th annual John-Micheal Martin Memorial Golf Tournament will take place on Sunday, September 8 this year. Registration will take place at Whisky Run Golf Course at 2 p.m. with a 3 p.m. shotgun start. The cost is the same as last year: $65 for 9 holes, cart, dinner and $25 tax receipt. The link for tourney registration is: https://transactions.sendowl.com/orders/44809614/13423657bfc541d0c179198039260d7a/1

John-Micheal

Set the day aside and come out for a day of fun and to remember our son and brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend and student through continuing donations to various community charities: Bereaved Families of Ontario, Women’s Place of South Niagara, Niagara Community Foundation (John-Micheal Martin Scholarship Fund). In the past 9 years we have disbursed over $50,000 thanks to your continued support. Last year alone we netted a whopping $8,500.

John-Micheal Martin graduated from École secondaire catholique Jean-Vanier in June 2006. Three weeks later he drowned.

Check out John-Micheal’s website at: http://www.john-michealmartin.ca

If you or anyone you know is able to donate either to a hole sponsorship ($250), or a gift for the prize table, please let Diane know. Pass the word along to your friends and neighbours!

(Source: Diane Martin, co-chair of the tournament.  She can be reached at: ladydi10@cogeco.ca)

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With A Seven-Medal-Sweep By Its Teaching Winery, Niagara College Sparkles At National Wine Awards

Winning Wines: The seven winning wines from Niagara College’s Teaching Winery, from left:  Balance 2014 Blanc de Blanc Brut, N/V Balance Brut, 2017 Balance Gewurztraminer, 2017 Dean’s List Prodigy Icewine, 2017 Marmitons Gastronomy Pinot Noir, 2017 Marmitons Gastronomy Chardonnay Ziraldo, 2018 Balance Rosé. (Supplied photo)

It is proving to be a vintage year for applied learning at the Niagara College Teaching Winery, with seven new medals from a national wine competition – two for sparkling alone.

The Niagara College Teaching Winery recently won a gold, three silvers and three bronze medals at the 2019 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada. The competition, known as the Nationals, is the largest wine awards in Canada.

The College’s awards include:
· gold for Balance 2014 Blanc de Blanc Brut (Sparkling category);
· silver for 2017 Marmitons Gastronomy Pinot Noir (Pinot Noir category);
· silver for 2017 Dean’s List Prodigy Icewine (Icewine category);
· silver for 2017 Marmitons Gastronomy Chardonnay Ziraldo (Chardonnay category);
· bronze for 2017 Balance Gewurztraminer (Other Single White including Gewürztraminer and Viognier category);
· bronze for 2018 Balance Rosé (Rosé category); and
· bronze for N/V Balance Brut (Sparkling category).

“Winning seven medals at the Nationals is a real achievement, more so when they are spread among different styles. That speaks to winemaking consistency,” said David Lawrason, co-head judge of the competition.

Lawrason particularly noted the College’s two medals for sparkling wines, including a coveted gold for the Balance Blanc de Blancs 2014 Brut.

“Niagara is positioning itself as a star for traditional method Chardonnay-based bubblies, and the College is now on the leader board,” said Lawrason.

“Winning seven medals at one national competition is an outstanding testament to the high quality of applied learning at Niagara College,” said Steve Gill, general manager of the College’s Learning Enterprises. “Our wine students gain the skills they need to lead and succeed in the industry right here at our on-campus Teaching Winery and on-campus vineyards.”

College winemaker and instructor Gavin Robertson, who is also a graduate of the College’s Winery and Viticulture Technician program (2011) noted that the Nationals marked a first win for both sparkling wines, the rosé, and the Marmitons Pinot Noir. He pointed out that he chose only current vintages to submit to this year’s Nationals, as a way to calibrate the College’s winemaking operations relative to the Canadian industry at large.

He was particularly pleased with the 2014 Blanc de Blanc’s gold medal, because it was the Teaching Winery’s first sparkling wine made from 100 percent estate fruit – in this case, Chardonnay, from the NC Teaching Vineyard.

“The fact that the fruit was grown on campus allowed us to have complete control over all aspects of the wine, from bud break through to disgorging, and to involve several cohorts of Winery and Viticulture Technician program students in the nearly five-year production process at various stages.”

Robertson noted that first-year students picked the fruit in early September of 2014, and were in the winery while the base wine fermented, and was stabilized and filtered. During the spring of 2015, they helped bottle the wine for the secondary bottle fermentation, along with some second-year students.

Students from the classes of 2017 and 2018 disgorged the wine early – a process which removes the yeast sediment from the bottles and tops the bottles up. Students also determined the dosage rate – the amount of wine and sugar added at disgorging.

“It’s great to see that all of the work and time involved was recognized by the judges of the National Wine Awards,” said Robertson.

This year’s Nationals drew 1,815 entries from 259 different wineries from six different provinces. Held in a different Canadian wine region each year, the 2019 competition took place in Prince Edward County (Ontario) between June 10 and 14.

WineAlign awards manager Sarah Goddard noted the high calibre of judging at the Nationals. Judging takes place over five days with two days dedicated to re-tasting the top scoring wines.
“The Nationals bring together the best of Canadian wines and Canadian wine critics under one roof,” she said.

For details about the 2019 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada visit winealign.com/awards.

The Teaching Winery’s award-winning wines are available at Niagara College’s Wine Visitor + Education Centre, located at its Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus (135 Taylor Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON). Proceeds from sales support student learning. Visit niagaracollegewine.ca.

Niagara College’s Teaching Winery is the first and only commercial teaching winery in Canada. It is located at the College’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, along with the NC Teaching Brewery and – the latest addition in September 2018 – the NC Teaching Distillery which were also the first of their kind in Canada.

(Source: Niagara College media release)