Kids in Welland in need of warmth can receive a free winter coat! This program is a partnership between The Hope Centre and Central United Church. Starting November 30th until December 3rd parents can bring their children to select a winter coat, hats, mitts and scarves (while supplies last). The program runs Wednesday to Saturday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. NO registration required.
Note: Adult Coats are available at Holy Trinity Welland’s breakfast program, offered six days a week from 7:30 am to 8:30 am, for the homeless population in Welland.
(Barky’s Billboard is a recurring feature on the blog. /Supplied graphic.)
Spotted today from Merritt Island, a paddler on the recreational canal behind Notre Dame has the waterway all to himself for this exhilarating adventure. /Joe Barkovich photo.
WELAND – Notre Dame hosts its Fr. Fogarty Tip Off basketball tournament Wednesday and Thursday this week. Irish coach Mark Gallagher said it’s the first tournament since before the pandemic.
The senior boys tournament will be played in Dillon Hall and the Belcastro gym. The game sites are represented on the bracket as DH and BEL.
Competing are: St. Marcellinus (Mississauga); St. Thomas Aquinas and Holy Trinity, (Oakville); Orchard Park (Stoney Creek); Assumption (Burlington); Denis Morris and St. Francis (St. Catharines) and the hometown ND Fighting Irish.
Caption: Bob Chambers at a 2014 reunion of, mainly, the Tribune’s “old hands”. He is pictured with the City of Welland 150th anniversary book, open to pages displaying the newspaper’s locations on King Street and later East Main Street, and newsroom staff. /Joe Barkovich file photo
By Joe Barkovich, Scribbler-at-large
A lasting image of Bob Chambers is in my memories archive. He was a photographer and I was a rookie reporter at the Tribune and we had just covered an assignment at Sherkston Beaches. This was about 50 years ago.
On the drive home we stopped at the B and B Restaurant on Empire Road, not far from the famous swimming hole, the quarry. Bob was thirsty. We chose chocolate milk shakes.
He regaled me with stories, the spoken kind. He lived not far from where we were, on Pleasant Beach Road (from 1939 to 1966). He came down with polio in his teenage years. He loved trains. He loved ice cream …. Before we knew it the milk shakes were drained so we had seconds. That setting is my choice as a lasting image: sitting across from this marvellous lensman, watching him and listening to him as he shared memories and stories.
Bob Chambers died Thursday, Nov. 10, aged 83. His death notice said he passed at Juravinski Hospital ICU, Hamilton, “after a lifelong struggle with polio and a four-week battle with pneumonia and COVID.”
He started at the Tribune in 1957 and moved on in 1970 to the Hamilton Spectator. I was privileged to work with Bob just over a year. But even in that short time, I learned quickly about my presence in greatness. This came not only from the boldface admiration and respect for him from his colleagues but also members of the community with whom he came in contact as a representative of the paper.
One of the lessons he left me with: Never downplay the importance of an assignment from your editor because everything is significant in its own way.
Bob was admired by many for his kindness, generosity and humility. At a gathering of friends and family on Thursday, Bob’s son Chris said smething he’d heard from many people in the days following Bob’s death was how supportive he had been of their endeavours. He would unselfishly and willingly go the extra mile to help them, always asking what more he could do to promote their cause. “He was so generous that way,” Chris said.
Bearing that in mind, a post in Bob’s obituary found on the Tribune site amplifies Chris’s comment:
“ ‘Uncle Bob’ as us Child Amputee kids knew him. He took a photo at my first CHAMP seminar (30 years ago) that captured the first real smile I´d had in years after chemo and amputation. He was there to document our growth and triumphs and will forever hold a special place in the hearts of thousands of us who grew up with him as the Uncle with the camera at seminars across the country. May he rest in peace and may his loved ones be sent comfort. – Jennah Stavroff, Vancouver Island.
What do colleagues remember about him? I asked a trio of them to share some thoughts:
“Bob Chambers was a true rail fan – one who loved and knew all things related to trains. I accompanied him on a few of his excursions back in the Sixties, one of which was a ride on the Polar Bear Express that runs from Cochrane, to Moosonee on James Bay. That train passes several tiny, isolated ‘communities’ which had no road access. We passed a school where kids and their teacher were standing out in the yard to wave at the train as it passed by, Bob snapped a picture of them and used it in a story in The Tribune. Surprise, a few days later we received a letter to the editor pointing out that the teacher in that picture hundreds of miles to the north was actually from Port Colborne. And no, Bob didn’t even ask for mileage on that shot. Lol.” — Bob McClellan, city editor.
“Bob was young when he first joined the Tribune staff as a photographer. He was a quick learner and could soon handle any assignment given him.
Bob had an eye for the unusual shot, especially if it could include a pretty girl.
One particular shot I remember was a shot of Main Street Bridge with the Park Theatre marquee in the foreground with the wording “Don’t raise the bridge lower the water.”
Bob loved to experiment…like the time he took a picture with the moon as the only source of light.
I enjoyed working with Bob during his years at the Tribune. Besides being a photographer, he had a great interest in trains. One of his assignments was to ride the last train on the NS and T trolley when they stopped passenger service on the line.
Over the past few years we were able to meet for lunch a couple of times and talk over old times.”— Cec Mitchell, photographer.
“Bob was a true professional when it came to photography. He always strived for perfection and he took pride in the photos he snapped over his newspaper career.
He was creative in many ways when it came to setting up for a special photo session.
When he had an assignment for the sports department, he always came back with a variety of shots whether it be hockey, baseball or high school football. He loved his job taking pictures.
One thing I always looked forward to was his April Fool’s photo. Bob had quite an imagination and he produced some dandy April Fool’s photos over the years. Bob was a man for all seasons as he always came up with a photo to match the season or some special day. ” — Wayne Redshaw, sports editor.
And Terry Hughes, who shared Bob’s interest in trains and model railroading offered this:
“The care that Bob put into his livelihood as a photographer was evident in his interest in railroading. He contributed many prototype photos to the local NMRA (National Model Railroad Association) calendars showing local scenes long forgotten. Modellers could use them as a valuable resource when creating and building structures, rolling stock or locomotives. His modelling skills are evident in the construction of the Burlington Station on display in the building of the same name.”
Several years ago I asked Bob if he might be interested in a column for this blog site. I suggested choosing a photo from his days at the local paper and writing a short story explaining the background to it and perhaps some technical details of the shot. He was happy to oblige. The column, Chambers’ Corner, became a hit with readers. Due to requests, it returned a few years later as Chambers’ Corner Revisited.
Below are links to three of those columns. I’m sure if you take the time to visit them, you will enjoy Bob’s photography and his written words.
Not only that, but you may be left with lasting images of this accomplished man’s work.
Lasting Image is a recurring feature on the blog. Some others in the series:
Ivy Riddell, She Loved Having Us Over, May 30, 2022; Alirio Rodriguez, He Spent His Life Serving The Lord, May 25, 2021; Caesar Hajdu, Never One To Miss A Game, October 21, 2020; Fred Turner, Forever A First-Class Guy, March 29, 2020; Frank Sernak, A Great Voice For Radio, December 8, 2018; Ivan Zecchini, His Countenance Glowed From Wide-Eyed Appreciation, July 18, 2018; Augusto Macoritto, Gifted Lensman, August 21, 2018; Mother Alba Puglia, Tireless Trailblazer, June 18, 2018; Michael Santone, A Barber Of King Street, January 23, 2018; Jimmy Roberto, You Could Find Him In The ‘Republic Of Roberto’, September 11, 2012.
EDITORIAL CARTOONING IN NIAGARA will showcase the work of a number of editorial cartoonists who were associated with various communities across Niagara between 1849 and 2008.
This is an adjunct lecture to an earlier presentation by Arden Phair, “The Pun is Mightier Than the Sword: The Art of Editorial Cartooning at The Standard, 1936-1961”. This was presented to the Historical Society of St. Catharines on September 22, 2022 and showcased the work of six staff cartoonists at The St. Catharines Standard. This presentation is available for viewing at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vwnEsDW_gY
EDITORIAL CARTOONING IN NIAGARA is the story of individuals striving to publicly share their interpretations of the daily news and issues of the day within Niagara’s communities, but also dealing with international, national, and provincial matters. While it was a part-time freelance pursuit for most of them, the one thing that they all had in common was a love for the medium of artistic and editorial expression.
Arden Phair (retired Curator of the St. Catharines Museum), has undertaken extensive historical research and a biographical study into the lives and careers of a selection of cartoonists from Port Colborne, Welland, Beamsville, Grimsby, and St. Catharines. It has resulted in many new discoveries about a previously undocumented aspect of editorial cartooning over almost two-centuries of Niagara’s print media history.
The 45-minute illustrated talk will explore the work of half a dozen twentieth-century cartoonists, as well as showcasing several nineteenth-century cartoonists and some of the lesser-known names in the industry.
Some of the highlights include:
o The oldest featured cartoons are three 173-year old pencil illustrations by a St. Catharines artist that tie into a pivotal point in Canadian history.
o A part-time cartoonist who became one of Canada’s top-selling authors with over twenty-million copies in book sales.
o Another cartoonist who was born in the village of Beamsville but went on to work for all of the major metropolitan Toronto daily newspapers, as well as North America’s biggest syndication firm.
EDITORIAL CARTOONING IN NIAGARA features a number of cartoons by each cartoonist, as well as many other interesting illustrations and photographs.
Some of the cartoonists who will be showcased include: Ernie Alcott, Thomas Banwell, Sandra Bell-Lundy, J.W. Bengough, James Charters, George Doros, Lyle Glover, Leslie McFarlane, Harry Moyer, William Osborn, and J.T. See.
CAPTION: Although it was open to visitors earlier in the month, opening night for Gone But Not Forgotten, Welland’s Festival of Arts exhibit at Welland Museum was held Thursday evening. The event, attended by about 30 people, offered opportunity for discussion of the past, present and future of public arts in Welland. Left, Bart Gazzolla, a member of the sponsoring group The Welland Creatives Network, admires images of the festival’s murals; top right, Mikki Roy, Rick Woodward and his wife Lina Woodward pause for a photo during their tour of the exhibit (Roy and Rick Woodward were part of Welland’s Festival of Arts from its earliest days); and bottom right, Ward 6 city councillor Jamie Lee. The exhibit is on display at the museum to the end of the year. /Photos by Aldo Parrotta.
Illuminated trails, live entertainment, holiday crafts, s’mores, and more!
LINCOLN, ON – The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is excited to welcome the community to the 3rd Annual Ball’s Falls Holiday Trail (Holiday Trail) this winter season. This family holiday tradition returns brighter than ever, with thousands of sparkling lights along the trails, live musical entertainment, and immersive activities at Ball’s Falls Conservation Area.
The Holiday Trail is an evening trail walk experience featuring a 1.5 km (round trip) illuminated path through natural areas along the Niagara Escarpment and Twenty Mile Creek, and the 1800s heritage village of Glen Elgin.
Along the way, visitors will enjoy the stunning winter vistas, including the 27-metre lower waterfall, illuminated like never before, and experience history in the village with each building lit up with thousands of lights.
“The Holiday Trail offers evening fun outdoors, with stunning lights and activities. Set within the breathtaking Twenty Valley, visitors will experience the magic of the holiday season inside the heritage buildings and Centre for Conservation with sparkling decorations and festive music,” says Alicia Powell, Manager of Conservation Area Services at NPCA. “Funds raised through this event support the operation of these significant natural areas, ensuring nature for all for years to come!”
Guests of all ages will play winter scavenger hunt games, visit the holiday craft station, capture the perfect selfies, warm up by the campfire, enjoy heritage tours and demonstrations, hear choir and musical performances from local school groups and organizations, and so much more. In addition, Fridays and Saturdays feature live musical performances by local artists and performers.
To attend the Holiday Trail, guests must reserve a two-hour time slot on the evening of their choice. Reservations must be made online in advance. The Conservation Area’s accessible trails are stroller friendly. Furry friends must always remain on a leash and are not permitted inside buildings except for valid service dogs.
The Ball’s Falls Holiday Trail will run December 2-8, 12-23, and 27-30, with time slots from 5-7 p.m. and 7:30-9:30 p.m. It will be closed on December 24, 25, 26, and 31. Sensory-friendly nights will occur on November 30, December 14 and 28, and January 4. The weekend of December 9 will welcome Twenty Valley Tourism’s Winter Winefest, a separately ticketed event with unique programming.
Admission is $12 for general admission and $10 for seniors and children ages 3 to 11. Children under two years of age are free. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. The event is rain or shine.
To learn more about the Ball’s Falls Holiday Trail, programming schedule, and live entertainment lineup, and to make a reservation, please visit npca.ca/events/detail/holidaytrail.
For questions, reservation assistance, or to reserve over the phone, please call 905-788-3135 ext. 330.
The Ball’s Falls Holiday Trail is delivered with funding provided by the Government of Ontario, Ontario Power Generation, and Tourism Niagara.
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