Niagara Parks Partners With Brock University To Deliver Environmental Speaker Series

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  Brian Kon

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  Dr. Jessica Blythe

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  Elizabeth Hendricks

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  Dr. Adam Shoalts/ Photos courtesy Niagara Parks

• Series to feature prominent Canadian leaders in environmental stewardship and research with four free virtual events running weekly, beginning October 7

 • Additional details including event schedule and registration are available at : niagaraparks.com/speaker

 NIAGARA FALLS, ON – Niagara Parks and Brock University’s Environmental Sustainability Research Centre have partnered to deliver an exciting new virtual event series this October, showcasing a diverse collection of renowned environmental leaders.

 The interactive four-part speaker series will run each Wednesday evening in October beginning at 7pm, with full details available at: niagaraparks.com/speaker

The series will kick-off on October 7th with Brian Kon, Chair of the Niagara Region Metis Council and Indigenous Lead for the NCDSB. This opening session will focus on how our changing environment has many people looking to the traditional ways of the indigenous community for guidance on how we can respect and care for mother nature moving forward. 

Event Schedule: 

October 7: Brian Kon, Chair of the Niagara Region Metis Council and Indigenous Lead for the NCDSB, Braiding Sweetgrass.

October 14: Dr. Jessica Blythe, Brock University, Resilience, and Climate Change in the Niagara Region. 

October 21: Elizabeth Hendricks, WWF, Connecting the Land, Water and Climate Impact to the Region 

October 28: Dr. Adam Shoalts, Westaway Explorer-in-Residence of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Beyond the Trees: A Journey Alone Across Canada’s Arctic

Brock University and Niagara Parks are excited to offer this new programming as part of their ongoing collaboration and support of environmental research and stewardship. In recent years this has included the development of Niagara Parks Environmental Stewardship Strategy and Action Plan, in addition to providing Brock faculty and students access to Niagara Parks properties, such as the Niagara Glen, to complete important environmental research initiatives.

(Source: Niagara Parks news release)

Sign Language

Always a good cause to support. And the need, in these times, is greater than ever. Wesley United is on First Avenue, Welland. (Sign Language is a recurring feature on the blog. Photo by Joe Barkovich)

Mellow, Mellow Yellow

Spectacular display of colour greets walkers along the Steve Bauer trail, this scene spotted while on Woodlawn Road near Clare Avenue, Welland, earlier today. Welcome, autumn! /Photo by Joe Barkovich..

Armed Forces Expands Training Exercise On Welland’s Recreation Corridor

WELLAND – The Canadian Armed Forces has expanded its scheduled physical fitness training activity to include one extra exercise on Saturday, Sept. 26, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The training will take place on Welland’s Recreation Corridor, near the Welland International Flatwater Centre. Soldiers will participate in the training while wearing full camouflage attire, carrying gear, and moving canoes. A military presence will be on-site during the exercise. For more information on Welland’s Recreation Corridor amenities and future projects, visit yourchannel.welland.ca. For more information on the City of Welland, visit welland.ca.

(Source: City of Welland media release)

Welland Embraces Franco-Ontarian Day September 25

WELLAND – The City of Welland is sending best wishes to Niagara’s Francophone community on Sept. 25, in celebration of Franco-Ontarian Day. 

With more than 620,000 Franco-Ontarians living in the province, Welland is proud to be one of Ontario’s 26 designated Francophone communities and boasts an 11% French-speaking community. 

In celebration of Franco-Ontarian Day, the City of Welland and Niagara’s Franco-community will raise the Franco-Ontarian flag at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 25 at Welland Civic Square. Later in the evening, Bridge 13 will light up green and white to commemorate the day. 

City of Welland Mayor Frank Campion, Council, and staff are working with the Minister of Francophone Affairs, The Honourable Caroline Mulroney, and staying current with Ontario’s Francophone policies and opportunities. The City of Welland continues to enrich tourism and Francophone culture through a partnership with the Francophone and Francophile Cities Network (FFCN). 

The Francophone and Francophile Cities Network brings cities together by linking them with a trail of associated Franco-cities throughout Canada, the U.S., and the Caribbean. The city’s website also offers visitors a French-language section that provides information on the best places to see and visit in the city. The Francophone section highlights Welland’s attractions, provides a history of Welland’s Francophone culture, showcases Welland’s sister city Sorel-Tracy in Quebec, and provides relevant links to related news and resources.

 “We’re fortunate to have such a significant Francophone presence in Welland,” said Mayor Frank Campion. “We look forward to strengthening relationships with local Francophone support networks and upper-tier governments in 2021.” 

For more information on the City of Welland and connections to the Francophone community, visit http://www.welland.ca. Letter from the Honourable Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Francophone Affairs https://www.welland.ca/Council/Mayorpdf/LettreWelland-20200917.pdf

WELLAND CÉLÈBRE LE JOUR DES FRANCO-ONTARIENS LE 25 SEPTEMBRE

WELLAND – La ville de Welland tient à adresser ses vœux à la communauté francophone du Niagara en cette journée des franco-ontariens, journée célébrée le 25 septembre.

Avec plus de 620 000 Franco-Ontariens vivant dans la province, la ville de Welland est fière d’être une des 26 communautés francophones désignées et compte une communauté francophone représentant 11% de sa population.

Afin de célébrer le jour des Franco-Ontariens, la ville de Welland et la communauté francophone du Niagara vont hisser le drapeau franco-ontarien le 25 septembre à 11 h 30 au centre civique. Un peu plus tard en soirée, le pont numéro 13 sera illuminé en vert et blanc afin de commémorer la journée.

Le maire de la ville de Welland Frank Campion, le conseil municipal, et le personnel de la ville de Welland travaillent avec la ministre déléguée aux Affaires francophones, la très honorable Caroline Mulroney, afin de se maintenir à jour relativement aux politiques et opportunités de la francophonie ontarienne.

La ville de Welland continue d’enrichir le tourisme et la culture francophone par le biais d’un partenariat avec le Réseau des villes francophones et francophiles d’Amérique. Ce réseau rassemble les villes en les mettant en lien avec des villes francophones du Canada, des États-Unis et des Caraïbes.
Le site Web de la ville offre également aux visiteurs un volet francophone qui donne de l’information sur les meilleurs endroits à voir et à visiter dans la ville. Ce volet francophone souligne les attraits touristiques de Welland, présente un historique de la culture francophone à Welland, met en valeur ses villes jumelles de Sorel-Tracy au Québec, et fournit des liens pertinents aux nouvelles et aux ressources ayant trait à la francophonie.

“Nous avons la chance de compter sur une forte présence francophone à Welland,” de souligner le maire Frank Campion. “Nous comptons renforcer nos relations avec les réseaux de soutien des francophones et avec les hautes sphères des gouvernements en 2021.”

Pour de plus amples informations sur la ville de Welland et ses liens avec la communauté francophone, veuillez visiter le site Web http://www.welland.ca. Lettre de l’honorable Caroline Mulroney, ministre responsable des Affaires francophones https://www.welland.ca/Council/Mayorpdf/LettreWelland-20200917.pdf.

(Source: City of Welland news release)

College To Celebrate Fall 2020 Grads With Virtual Convocation October 30

More than 1,000 students are expected to complete their extraordinary academic journey this fall – during what has been a year like no other – and Niagara College is planning a convocation to match.

Following the resounding success of Virtual Spring Convocation in June and continued restrictions on public gatherings due to COVID-19, the College will celebrate its Fall 2020 graduates with Virtual Fall Convocation on October 30.

Two ceremonies will be livestreamed from the Welland Campus – a morning ceremony at 10 a.m. and an afternoon ceremony at 2 p.m. The ceremonies will feature the treasured traditions of a typical NC convocation, combined with modern, interactive, digital elements to bring viewers #NCTogether in real time.

As graduates and their families watch the live formal ceremonies from the comfort of their homes, they will hear inspiring speeches from College officials and a special guest speaker (to be announced). They can cheer for their graduate as each name is called out, one by one, and will appear on screen.

As they view their ceremony, graduates can connect with their classmates and faculty through program Zoom parties. Select clips from the Zoom parties will be incorporated into the convocation livestream, enabling graduates to make an on-screen appearance during their ceremony for a virtual ‘crossing of the stage.’

The pomp and circumstance will be punctuated by a custom social media experience with photos, video well wishes and posted messages infused into the live events by using the NC convocation hashtag #NCGrad2020.

Through Virtual Convocation, the College continues its custom of celebrating this important academic milestone for graduates and their families in a safe and meaningful way, before they embark on the next chapter of their lives. The College also plans to invite the Class of 2020 back to campus for an in-person celebration in the future, once public health circumstances allow for large groups to gather safely.

Graduating students are encouraged to watch out for details regarding virtual convocation during the weeks ahead.

The planning team will reach out to staff and faculty with information on how to submit well wishes to graduates that will be shared during the live ceremonies.

Visit niagaracollege.ca/virtualconvocation for updates.

(Source: Niagara College news release)

Barky’s Billboard

Barky’s Billboard is a recurring feature on the blog./Supplied graphic.

Every year, Fire Prevention Week is observed in Canada & U.S. in early October. The date commemorates The Great Chicago Fire that occurred in 1871. This year’s FPW theme is “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen”
Lots of great tips for preventing kitchen fires are coming your way.

College’s Entry Wins Silver Medal At Canadian Brewing Awards

College Brewmaster Jon Downing holds up a can of award-winning Beer 101 Bock at the Niagara College Teaching Brewery. (Supplied photo)

There’s a new reason to cheer the NC Teaching Brewery.

Its beer lesson in a can, Beer 101 Bock, won a silver at the 18th annual Canadian Brewing Awards, in the Bock Traditional German Style category. Canada’s premier national competition for judging the quality of Canadian manufactured beer, a Canadian Brewing Award medal is a widely recognized symbol of Canadian brewing excellence.

“Our Teaching Brewery’s success at national competitions demonstrates how Niagara College continues to lead the way in Canada’s growing craft beer industry,” said Steve Gill, general manager of NC’s Learning Enterprises. “It’s also a testament to the quality applied education we offer our Brewmaster students who gain hands-on experience crafting quality products that are applauded as among the best in Canada.”

College Brewmaster Jon Downing noted that this is the first award Beer 101 Bock has ever won.

“It was one of the last beers brewed by the students before the lockdown and, as a result, we got to age it for a very long time before we kegged and packaged it for the competition,” he said. “Bock is a beer that historically would have been aged for several months, so this means we were really true to style, which is the goal for all of our Beer 101 branded brews.”

Beer 101 Bock is part of the Teaching Brewery’s Beer 101 series, which comes with a lesson about the history, bitterness, colour, aroma, alcohol, ingredients, mouthfeel and typical food pairings for each type of beer. The Bock style beer was originally brewed in Einbeck, North Germany and moved south to Bavaria where it became ‘a bock,’ which also means ‘a goat’ – the animals used in many labels and ads for the style.

The recent national success of Beer 101 Bock follows a line of College brews that have proved their mettle at the Canadian Brewing Awards. In 2019, its Beer 101 Bitter and Beer 101 Strong both won bronze. In 2018, Beer 101 Strong won silver, and in 2013 Butler’s Bitter won gold.

Beer 101 Bock is available in 473 ml cans, and may be purchased at the Wine Visitor + Education Centre, located at the College’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The Canadian Brewing Awards invites Canadian majority-owned breweries of all sizes to compete in a Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) sanctioned blind tasting determining the best beers in 55 style categories. This year’s CBAs were held virtually; winners were announced on September 12. Visit canadianbrewingawards.com

NC’s Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program was launched in 2010 as the first of its kind in Canada. The award-winning, two-year program offers extensive hands-on training at an on-site, state-of-the-art Teaching Brewery to prepare students for employment in the expanding brewery, microbrewery and brewpub industries. Located at the College’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, students learn from award-winning faculty and have access to on-site hop yard and local farm products to brew a full range of beer styles. Visit ncteachingbrewery.ca/

(Source: Niagara College news release)

City To Celebrate Annual Franco-Ontarian Day

Mayor Campion shows off the Franco-Ontarian flag. (Supplied photo)

The following statement is provided on the City of Welland Bulletin:

Franco-Ontarian Day is officially recognized by the Province of Ontario on September 25th of each year. On this day we celebrate and recognize Ontario’s Francophone community and its vast contributions for more than 400 years.

Franco-Ontarian Day provides the citizens of Welland with an opportunity to celebrate our city’s French language and culture. Welland’s Francophone community has deeply enriched our multicultural city and have made significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of the City of Welland and the Niagara Region. 

The City of Welland will recognize and celebrate Franco-Ontarian Day by raising the Franco-Ontarian flag on September 25. The flag was officially recognized as the emblem of the Franco-Ontarian community in the Franco-Ontarian Emblem Act of 2001.

As the Mayor of the City of Welland, I am proud of our Francophone community and proud to celebrate Franco-Ontarian Day to honour the contributions of the Francophone community in the City of Welland.

Meilleurs voeux à toute la communauté francophone de Welland lors de cette journée de célébration de la fête franco-ontarienne!

Mayor Frank Campion

Gadabout Gardener

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Late-summer roses photographed today: Top, Allspice (hybrid tea); centre, Tournament of Roses (grandiflora), pic at right shows three stages of development; bottom, Climbing New Dawn. (Gadabout Gardener is a recurring feature on the blog. Photos by Joe Barkovich.)