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Monthly Archives: February 2024
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Strikes, Spares And Misses: Sports Scribe Laments Demise Of Bowling In The Rose City
By WAYNE REDSHAW
At one time there were six. That number has now dwindled to one. And come sometime in June, the number will read zero.
The announcement earlier this week that Jeff’s Bowl-O-Rama, formerly known as Bowl-O-Rama Lanes on Niagara Street in Welland will be closing for good and demolished to make way for a commercial development brings back a lot of memories for me. I grew up in that area when the bowling establishment was constructed.
It wasn’t Niagara Street as it’s called today but Highway 58/3A. It wasn’t located in Welland back then but in the Township of Thorold when the late Mel Swartz was reeve.
I attended old Quaker Road Public School when it was a two-room facility to start, then expanded with extra classrooms complete with a gym. In those days, we didn’t have the luxury of a school bus picking and dropping us off each day. You walked no matter what the weather was. Most of the time my father drove my brother Reg and I to school in the mornings just in time for classes to begin but we walked home. Sometimes I would take a shortcut through the fields but when there was a foot of snow or more I walked the longer way home.
That’s how I became familiar with Bowl-O-Rama Lanes and its progress as I remember it being constructed from the ground up. Just before Bowl-O-Rama was a Shell gas station on the north-east corner of Quaker and the highway intersection while on the east-south was Nagy’s Confectionary, where now sits Boston Pizza. Next to Nagy’s was DeSmit Lumber.
On the opposite side of the corner sat Pine Croft Dairy now home to David Chev-Olds while on the northwest side is where Harrison Motorways started and later moved down to build a bigger terminal as Harrison Motorways transport fleet increased in size
There were few other business establishments on Highway 58/3A in those days. Right across from Bowl-O-Rama was Gram Brothers Auto Collision & Repair while further down the road was my father’s store, Redshaw’s Hardware, while next door was Mallory’s Variety and Cabins which later became The Moulin Rouge Motel under new ownership. Then on the corner of Merritt Road, which was a mud sideroad in those days was Bill Wilson’s residence, Bill worked at Martin’s Dairy in the daytime but repaired cars in evenings, operating a mechanic shop out of his garage.
In those days, the highway was two lanes and there were no street lights. Today it’s four-lane and at the intersections of both Quaker Road and Merritt Road there are stoplights. Merritt is also paved hooking up to the 406 and is the main gateway to the western portion of Port Robinson.
So much for the history of Highway 58/3A and the businesses and back to bowling and Jeff’s Bowl-O-Rama closing. When I became a sportswriter at the Tribune back in 1962 bowling was one of my responsibilities. Being the new guy on the block, I had the task of putting together the weekly bowling report “Down the Alleys” from forms every bowling alley was provided with. The report featured high singles, triples and averages from each league and every fourth week I usually included their league standings. It was in six-point type (smaller print) but weekly reports varied in length from 15 to 25 inches depending on how many were submitted. But it included names and scores and that’s what people looked for in those days. They liked to read names that normally wouldn’t appear in print. Competitive or recreational, I did my best to provide coverage. It also helped, I must say, sell newspapers in those days.
Back then, there were six bowling establishments in the Welland area with Bowl-O-Rama offering both five and 10 pins. And Bowl-O-Rama expanded over the years offering more lanes. It was the biggest bowling business in the Rose City.
There were other bowling alleys here but on a smaller scale. They included Miller’s Lanes on Division Street which later became known as Eastside Lanes, Kingsway Lanes on Riverside Drive offering both five and 10-pins, Lincoln Lanes in the basement of the Lincoln Plaza on Lincoln Street with both five and 10-pin lanes offered. I remember when you walked down the stairway to enter Lincoln Lanes it offered a panoramic view of all the lanes.
There were two smaller bowling alleys in Welland in those days too. One was Audet’s Bowling Lanes at the corner of Duncan and Welland streets later known as Duncan Lanes. The other was Crowland Bowling Alley located on Seventh Street. Both were small establishments but at one time also offered duck pins.
Unfortunately, one by one the above mentioned establishments gradually closed or disappeared from the map leaving just Jeff’s Bowl-O-Rama. And in June, Jeff’s will no longer be around, it too will be history.
Frankly, I’m shocked, I can’t believe Welland may not have a bowling establishment for league purposes, for recreational purposes and for bowlers of all ages.
Looking back, these local lanes helped play a role producing Canadian national champions, provincial champions and house league champions over the years. And while everyone cannot emerge a champion, these establishments helped create many friendships and lasting memories.
(Wayne Redshaw has written about sports including bowling in Niagara for over 60 years. He can be reached at wredshaw@icloud.com).
Bird’s Eye View
Landmarks
Flower bed, Niagara Street and Riverbank. This eye popper showcases tulips in early spring and then is turned into one of the city’s themed beds celebrating local groups, anniversaries and other events through summer and fall. Its high profile location makes it a head turner for pedestrians and folks who drive by. It’s a joyful paean to spring’s arrival as evident in this photo from April 2023. The view makes it special too. A new feature, Landmarks will appear on the blog from time to time. Joe Barkovich photo.
Niagara Catholic Honors Leaders In Catholic Education With Award Of Distinction
WELLAND – John Belcastro, Sr., Sister Mary Kay Camp and Angelo Di Ianni have all left a lasting impact and legacy on the Niagara Catholic District School Board. They were endorsed as the 2024 recipients of the board’s Award of Distinction during a special board meeting February 13. They will be presented with their awards at the Niagara Foundation for Catholic Education’s Annual Benefit Gala at Club Roma March 21.
“I have been fortunate to have served with all three recipients of the Niagara Catholic Education Award of Distinction during my career at Niagara Catholic, and I can confidently say all three are very worthy of this honor,” said Danny Di Lorenzo, Chair of the Niagara Catholic Board of Trustees. “Each played a very different leadership role within Catholic education in Niagara, and they impacted the lives of thousands and thousands of students over their years of service. Many of these young students have since gone on to do great things in their own fields of study. I believe that the legacies of John Belcastro, Sister Mary Kay Camp, and Angelo Di Ianni will be spoken about for years to come across Niagara.”
Director of Education Camillo Cipriano called the contributions of the 2024 Award of Distinction recipients humbling.
“We know that we have people across Niagara Catholic, which includes our partners at local parishes and the Diocese, who have given their lives to Catholic education in Niagara in many different ways,” said Mr. Cipriano. “But when you sit down and you read the things these three recipients have done to enhance and advance Catholic education here and across Ontario, it is truly humbling to know you are a part of that same system. I look forward to celebrating our honorees at the annual Benefit Gala next month.”
The 2024 Niagara Catholic Education Awards of Distinction are the first awards presented in five years. The last recipients, Bill Amadio and Pat Hudak, were honoured in 2019.
BIOS:
John Belcastro, Senior
John Belcastro, Sr., known to many as “Boxer” Belcastro, graduated from Notre Dame College School in 1952, returning to the school as a teacher, vice-principal, and principal. He became the school’s sixth principal in 1981 and was the first vice-principal and principal from outside the clergy.
Mr. Belcastro spent his entire career at Notre Dame save for brief sabbaticals in Kenya in 1965 and attending UCLA to obtain his Master of Education in 1967. As principal, Mr. Belcastro oversaw the implementation of full funding for Catholic secondary education in 1984 and remained at Notre Dame until his retirement in 1994.
An active supporter of Catholic education, Mr. Belcastro frequently canvassed neighbourhoods throughout Welland, asking families who sent their children to Catholic school to ensure they directed their tax support to the English-Separate board.
While a student, Mr. Belcastro excelled at sports. He brought that love of athletics back to the school as a teacher and coach. But what he offered students transcended sports. Mr. Belcastro nurtured young student-athletes not only to better their skills but to better themselves through the development of their faith and character. Generations of students were inspired by him and carry not only a lifetime of memories of their time at Notre Dame, but also lifelong lessons thanks to his firm and gentle care.
Following his retirement, Mr. Belcastro continued to support Catholic education as a school board trustee, serving as a trustee from 2000-2010, including a term as Chair of the Board. For his lifetime of support for Catholic students in Welland and across Niagara, we are proud to honor John “Boxer” Belcastro with a Niagara Catholic Education Award of Distinction.
Sister Mary Kay Camp
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Sister Mary Kay Camp has been an advocate for Catholic education in Niagara for almost 50 years.
A member of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (the Loretto Sisters) since 1961, Sister Mary Kay was principal of Loretto High School (the former Loretto Academy) from 1977- 1982. She played a key role in transitioning Loretto High School to Saint Paul Catholic High School. Loretto High School was then transformed into the Loretto Christian Life Centre, offering retreats for youth and adults.
Sister Mary Kay was a strong advocate for the SCOEP retreat program for Grade 8 students at the Loretto Christian Life Centre from 1982-2005. She supported the SCOEP program (later renamed Journey) as it continued at the former Our Lady of Grace Catholic Elementary School in Ridgeway. Sister Mary Kay was very supportive of chaplaincy and helped with the creation of Niagara Catholic’s elementary chaplaincy team. She was a dedicated Catholic educator in all her roles and has devoted her time to Catholic education unreservedly and passionately. Sister Mary Kay is always available for advice, stands tall against injustice, and is fearless in speaking her mind.
She has impacted the lives of thousands of Catholic students and educators in her role as a teacher and principal and as Director of the Diocesan Office of Religious Education, a role she has held since 1989. She has acted as liaison between the Bishop and school board and works closely with agencies such as the Institute for Catholic Education (ICE), the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), directors of education and in supporting parish ministries. She is also editor of the diocesan newspaper, Vineyard, where she ensures Catholic education in Niagara is highlighted and celebrated.
Sister Mary Kay was a 1999 recipient of the papal honor Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (For Church and Pope), an award founded in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII to recognize clergy, religious, and laypeople who are outstanding examples of how to follow Christ in our lives.
For her dedication to the foundational history of establishing Catholic education in Niagara, and her lifetime of support for Catholic education, we are proud to honor Sister Mary Kay Camp with a Niagara Catholic Education Award of Distinction.
Angelo Di Ianni
Angelo Di Ianni is Niagara Catholic’s founding Director of Education, serving first as the Director of the Welland County Roman Catholic Separate School Board from 1995-1997, then as the Director/Secretary Treasurer of the newly amalgamated Niagara Catholic District School Board from 1998-2008.
While serving and promoting excellence within Niagara Catholic, Mr. Di Ianni served as Chair of the English Catholic Council of Directors of Education (CODE) from 2002-2003. In that role, he was an enthusiastic advocate for the importance of a strong Catholic education system in Ontario.
Mr. Di Ianni was the 2006 recipient of Niagara University’s Canadian Administrator of the Year and received the Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers’ Association Distinguished Leadership Award in 2007.
Mr. Di Ianni created faith formation programs for teachers, principals, and trustees, including the annual Advent celebration for the Bishop, parish priests, and administrators. He also created and oversaw faith formation opportunities for non-teaching employees and Board-sponsored religious education credit programs for all employees through Christ the King Seminary.
Mr. Di Ianni recognized the importance of the home-school-parish triad in supporting the faith and educational life of students. Through this, he recognized the importance of Catholic School Councils and Parent Involvement Councils and was instrumental in the creation of the province’s first regional Catholic School Council.
The Niagara Foundation for Catholic Education was created under Mr. Di Ianni’s leadership, as was the Niagara Catholic Education Award of Distinction and the Italian Heritage Language program, leading to government support and funding of all international language programs.
For his leadership in Catholic education and his innovation in ensuring students are offered relevant programming, we are proud to honor Angelo Di Ianni with a Niagara Catholic Education Award of Distinction.
Attribution: Niagara Catholic District School Board media release
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Sweet Success For Niagara Pastry Chef, Professor
Catherine O’Donnell hand-picked as juror for World Chocolate Masters
Checking email is like a box of chocolates – for Baking and Pastry Arts Program Coordinator Catherine O’Donnell – and on a day in mid-January she received the sweetest surprise.
O’Donnell learned that she had been selected as a juror for the World Chocolate Masters –known as the most thrilling chocolate competition on the planet – and she didn’t even know she was being considered for the honour.
“I was truly shocked. It’s a dream come true,” said O’Donnell, who enjoys both eating and working with chocolate. “I watch the World Chocolate Masters every year but, when I decided to become a judge, I didn’t think that was even in the equation for someone like me.”
In late May, O’Donnell will travel to the Chocolate Academy in Montreal to participate as a juror in the North America preselection for the World Chocolate Masters. The jury for the North American Selection consists of leaders in the industry, known for the contribution to the pastry and confectionery industry. These experts will review, taste and assess all creations.
O’Donnell was chosen as one of five jurors—and the only woman – among the distinguished judges for this event including Olivier Tribut (Canada), Michel Ernots (U.S.A), John Kraus(U.S.A.) and president of the jury Yvan Chevalier (France).
“Catherine O’Donnell’s selection as a judge signifies our commitment to diversity and excellence in the culinary world. As the only female chef on the panel, Catherine brings a unique perspective and expertise that enriches the evaluation process,” said Laurence Torcherie, Chocolate Academy Project Coordinator – Montréal. “Catherine embodies unparalleled dedication, with a career coaching and judging top pastry chefs worldwide. Her diverse roles as a business owner, professor, mentor, and coach underscore her unwavering commitment to excellence.
“Catherine’s title as Pastry Judge A, bestowed by the World Association of Chefs, highlights her remarkable contributions to the culinary world.”
National selections for the World Chocolate Masters for Canada and the United States will take place on May 29 to 30, 2024 in Montreal ahead of the world final in 2025.
O’Donnell, who has been teaching at Niagara College since 2015 and is currently Professor and Program Coordinator of NC’s Baking and Pastry Arts program, has been making her mark as a world-class pastry chef in Nagara and beyond.
The Niagara-on-the-Lake resident is widely known as the talent behind Willow Cakes and Pastries. She is well known for creating exquisite wedding cakes, providing delicious desserts to the area’s finest restaurants, and offering a selection of unique breads and delectable cakes and pastries.
She has worked as Pastry Chef in Toronto for Oliver-and Bonacini, the King Edward Hotel, and in Niagara for the Vintage Hotels, Hillebrand’s Vineyard Café, and Peller Estates Winery Restaurant.
Just a couple of years ago, O’Donnell was one of just five chefs inducted into the Canadian Culinary Federation Honour Society during the Federation’s national conference in Saskatoon and one of few women to hold the esteemed title Pastry Chef A.
In 2016, O’Donnell was part of the coaching crew behind Junior Culinary Team Canada , which captured a gold and silver medal at the Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany. She also coached the senior team.
Later, she earned the title of Certified International Judge from the World Association of Chefs’ Societies, recognizing her as a senior-level culinary professional with advanced judging experience.
Despite her accomplishments, O’Donnell doesn’t consider herself to be among the world’s elite pastry chefs. Even with a successful career spanning more than 40 years, she has seen how both women and pastry chefs can be overlooked in the industry.
“Nobody ever knows the pastry chef at a restaurant, male or female,” she said. “But behind every great chef is a great pastry chef.”
O’Donnell is currently writing a book which sheds light on the life of a pastry chef that the public rarely sees.
“People don’t realize how hard we work. Every holiday,” she said. “They don’t see what we sacrifice and what our kids sacrifice.”
These days, O’Donnell is as passionate about teaching as she is about baking and the pastry arts.
“You get to teach somebody what you love to and make a difference in their lives,” she said. “It doesn’t get better than that.”
“Chef Catherine has dedicated a lot of time and effort to become a top level international judge and its exciting she can share her expertise with future chocolate champions,” said Craig Youdale, Dean of NC’s Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies division. “Having one of our faculty involved in the judging of such a prestigious event is a testament to the quality and dedication of our faculty.”
O’Donnell hopes to inspire her students so they may someday enter a global competition like the World Chocolate Masters.
“I think this will open doors for other women in Canada to actually see that they can get there,” she said.
Attribution: Niagara College media release
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