CAPTION: In celebration of Earth Day, the City of Welland is having a free tree giveaway for residents of Welland. Registration begins online April 2nd and in person at the Welland Community Centre April 3rd.
Eight different varieties of trees to select from. Limited quantities. One tree per address. Pickup is during the Welland Farmers’ Market April 20, April 27 and May 4. Must have a Welland or Port Robinson address. Must be 18 years or over. ID showing the registrants name and address must be produced at pickup.
The view from Woodlawn Bridge as we crossed the recreational waterway headed for downtown Welland followed by a visit to the island today, March 25 shortly after 12 noon. The picture shows walkers on the upper trail with others in the distance. A few in the younger demographic were spotted in t-shirts and shorts. A great day for a walk! (ViewFrom The Bridge is a recurring feature on the blog. /Joe Barkovich photo)
Take your eye off the prize for even a few seconds and this is the price you pay: missed swoop down by a blue jay leaving you with liftoff and the great escape, peanut secured in beak. But he’ll be back, and I’ll be waiting. /Joe Barkovich photo.
Columnist Terry Hughesshares a cherished memory of MV Frontenac/Supplied photo
By Terry Hughes
While traveling down the service road near the flight locks in Thorold last December, a huge red hull riding high because she was empty, with a large wheelhouse up front and emblazoned on her hull the name CANADA STEAMSHIP LINES, appeared the MV FRONTENAC! Our one time encounter that occurred nearly 50 years ago shortly after her launching brought back memories that are not easily forgotten.
As luck would have it, my mother developed a friendship with a lady who knew the Commodore of the Fleet, Cliff Armstrong. She had shared my interest in Great Lakes shipping with him and so an arrangement was made that when the ship would be passing downbound through Lock 8 that we could board her. Several months later, a phone call came to meet the ship in a half hour as she was coming off Lake Erie. As we stood on the east wall, the 25,000 ton vessel glided into the lock. At that particular moment the water level of the canal and the lake were the same, so we were able to step on board without the ship stopping and were taken to the wheelhouse and introduced to Capt. Armstrong.
After exchanging pleasantries with Capt. Armstrong who was now needed to move his ship through the canal, an officer took us on a tour of the vessel starting with the cabins below the wheelhouse. These quarters were reserved for the captain and three officers but two cabins were reserved for guests all nicely furnished. A lounge facing back to the stern offered a place for relaxation. Each of these rooms were furnished with a TV.
A long walk down the deck passing dozens of hatches and the crane that services them took us back to the crew quarters, the galley, and engine room. Great Lakes ships maintain extremely clean engine rooms. The galley where a wide variety of food , desserts and beverages are served cater to the appetites of the crew. Iwas told by a sailor that when signing up for a ship you asked who was her captain and head cook! There was a recreation area for activities like table tennis, cards and other social enterprises.
A quick trip to the bow through a tunnel below the main deck system between the outer hull and the inner wall holding the cargo was experienced. This passage and its twin on the opposite side provides safe passage between the bow and stern while dealing with heavy seas during a storm. As we came on deck, we had just passed under the Lincoln Street Bridge and I quickly arrived at the bow. Straight ahead was the Main Street Bridge, Bridge 13, red light winking as the lift span rose above the canal and finally, reaching the top, the green light told the captain that he could pass through. Imagine, like tens of thousands of ships that had passed under this structure since 1930, I had been able to enjoy this wonderful experience.
But there were to be more surprises as we entered the wheelhouse. It was as large in square footage as the first floor of our home and contained a large table with a series of holes containing maps of all the channels and harbours on the Great Lakes. Two radar sets stood opposite the helms or steering wheel, assorted controls to operate the ship, a variety of intercom controls to speak to any part of the ship and radio sets to communicate with Seaway Authorities.
“Would you like to steer her?” asked the captain. The helmsman stood aside and replacing him, I took control of the steering column and moved the ship through the syphon. Steering this seven hundred and thirty foot vessel was as easy as the power steering we have on our cars.
Suddenly, there was a crackling sound from one of the radios and it was the seaway headquarters in St. Catharines warning us that an upbound salty would be passing us and to wait just south of the Port Robison lift bridge. So much for my brief turn steering the ship. Unlike older ships where operating the engines was done using a telemetry system where the captain rings down the speed and forward /reverse movement, he now has the controls in the wheelhouse and so we brought the FRONTENAC to a halt. On the radar scope we could see the oncoming vessel approaching us because the darkness of the night had enveloped us.
We finally arrived at Lock 7 and miraculously parked this floating giant into this chamber like we would park a car. The destination was Hamilton and that would mean an arrival well into the early morning so we left the ship and were driven back to Port Colborne. Today, MV FRONTENAC still plies the Great Lakes carrying a unloading boom that hastens her unloading time and brings wealth to the shipping company who owns her.
NEXT COLUMN: Will we ever see the Stanley Cup back here in Canada?
(Terry Hughes is a Wellander who is passionate about heritage, history and model railroading. His opinion column, Heritage Lives, appears on the blog once or twice monthly.)
Prospective students have a chance to win a $5,000 tuition credit
Niagara College will welcome prospective students to its campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake at Spring Open House, Saturday, March 23./Niagara College photos
Niagara College will welcome prospective students and future Knights to campus on Saturday, March 23 for Spring Open House, one of the College’s largest recruitment events of the year.
Happening simultaneously from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at both the Welland Campus and Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the event is a chance for prospective students and their supporters to meet faculty, staff and current students, explore the learning environments and facilities on campus, and ask questions about what to expect while studying at NC.
“Spring Open House is one of our favourite times of the year at Niagara College and we look forward to welcoming our guests to campus,” said NC President Sean Kennedy. “Open House provides an important opportunity for prospective students and their families to interact with our incredible academic and student service professionals, who are committed to the success of all students.”
Registration is required for prospective students attending Open House. Those who register and attend will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a $5,000 credit towards their NC tuition for the 2024-2025 school year. There is also a chance to win one of 10 $100 Amazon gift cards by registering before Thursday, March 21 at 11:59 p.m. (EST). Visit the Open House website for full contest details.
With expanded offerings for guests to see and do this year, Open House is a not-to-be-missed event that includes participation from all program areas, as well as many departments from the College’s comprehensive suite of student services.
“This is Niagara College’s biggest Open House event ever and is an excellent opportunity for prospective students, applicants and members of the community to come on campus to discover all that we offer,” said Dorita Pentesco, NC’s Senior Director, Marketing and Student Recruitment. “With a wide range of programs and services, along with state-of-the-art facilities, labs and classrooms, Niagara College is supporting students in achieving their goals and dreams.”
During the event, guests can visit the Student Services Fair to learn about the outstanding student supports available at the College and attend faculty-led information sessions with each of NC’s Schools of Study. New this year, is an information session with the School of Trades that will zoom in on the various apprenticeship programs available at NC.
Guests can also visit academic displays throughout campus to chat one-on-one with faculty and students to learn even more about NC’s trailblazing programs and experience live demonstrations and lab tours.
At the Welland Campus, the School of Community Services is hosting a Broom-X demonstration, facilitated by NC’s Therapeutic Recreation Activity Collective (nc-TRAC), while open labs include paramedic lab, nursing lab, massage clinic, Teaching Hair Salon, justice labs, green automotive technology lab, photonics lab, Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film studios and more.
At the Daniel J. Patterson Campus, the Culinary Innovation and Food Technology program is hosting a miniature cookie factory, while the School of Environment and Horticulture will debut its new interactive display on the first floor of the North Wing. Guests can take photos and learn more about NC’s horticulture and landscape programs.
Those who are unsure of where their programs of interest are located are encouraged to visit the Open House website here for information about NC’s Schools of Study and their campus locations.
Campus tours with current students will begin at 10 a.m. and will depart every 30 minutes from a dedicated tour booth, where alumni will mingle with guests to share their NC experiences.
Staff from NC’s Enrolment Services office will also be available during the event to facilitate new student applications and to help applicants confirm existing offers of acceptance.
For more information about Spring Open House and to register, visit openhouse.niagaracollege.ca. Free parking will be available at both campuses during the event.
Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 11,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.
WELLAND – On April 8, residents and visitors in Welland will experience an historic total eclipse of the sun, beginning at 2:04 p.m. and ending by 4:31 p.m.
A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and earth and its shadow completely covers the sun. Areas where this takes place are said to be in the path of totality, with the sky darkening as it would at dusk. In Welland, this will occur at 3:18 p.m. and last for nearly four minutes.
The City of Welland is encouraging everyone to consider safety while planning to view the eclipse. If individuals can see the sky from their residence or a nearby park, staying close to home is recommended. For those wishing to experience the event at a community viewing location, Rec Rentals @ the Docks, the Welland International Flatwater Centre, and the Welland Stadium are the City’s designated sites and people are encouraged to go to the location nearest their home. Wherever people choose to see this spectacle, walking is suggested to reduce the expected influx of traffic and congestion.
“We’re hoping that all Welland residents will enjoy the solar eclipse in a safe way, whether from the comfort of home, in a neighbourhood park, or at one of our viewing locations,” said Jessica Ruddell, director of community services. “Roads are expected to be busy, so please keep this in mind when choosing the best location and be sure to wear the correct eye protection.”
Looking at an eclipse without specialized eye protection is unsafe and can cause eyesight damage. The safest way to view the eclipse is with ISO-certified eclipse glasses; the City purchased 2,000 pairs and will begin handing them out on Monday, March 25.
The free glasses will be available at City Hall and the Welland Community Centre, with a limit of four pairs per person on a first come, first served basis.
The Niagara Centre YMCA and all Welland Public Library branches will also be distributing free eclipse glasses; a valid library card is required when picking them up at any of the library’s locations.
Ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and visitors is the City’s top priority, and Welland Fire and Emergency Services have been planning for contingencies with Niagara’s other emergency response teams.
“If people are viewing the eclipse with the recommended glasses, they can safely enjoy this rare celestial event with confidence,” said Fire Chief Adam Eckhart.
I was expecting the ever-present cardinal to come home for a feed Thursday afternoon when much to my surprise this blue jay dropped down from the skies and stole a peanut. For ball fans out there, that would make it Jays 1, Cardinals 0 after one. /Joe Barkovich photo
Welcome spring. Nothing is so beautiful!/Joe Barkovich file photo, March 25, 2021
By Joe Barkovich, Scribbler at large
WELLAND – Spring is (almost) here!
Spring begins with the vernal equinox on the 19th, today, at 11:06 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, Canadian edition.
But it is anything but spring-like even though the long-awaited official start is hours away, with cold temps and light snowflurries ruling the day.
I look up more weather details only to read: Light rain and snow are expected in your area. The high will be 1 (day) and, There will be scattered light rain and snow showers. The low will be zero. (night).
I look out the window and see a dusting of the white stuff in the wheelbarrow I was using in milder weather just a few days ago. The cardinal sitting on a nearby tree limb pulls the plug on its birdsong solo and crosses airspace into the adjacent yard. I do not like the sound of silence after its flight.
Winter will not let go its icy grip. The bird bath in the front yard, where rain water pooled in the past few days has a bumpy sheet of ice on it. I sprinkle sunflower seeds and a few peanuts for visiting birds and squirrels who like to drop by. Lookout blue jays on an overhead wire signal my arrival in noisy chatter.
It is now just minutes past mid day. Fewer than 12 hours remain until spring arrives, officially. I would rather have it in reality, yes, the real thing! Nothing is so beautiful as spring.
Get ready to enhance your garden with the beauty of roses! The Welland Rose Festival is thrilled to offer 40 exquisite City of Welland rose bushes available for preorder. They are sure to bring a touch of elegance and charm to your outdoor space.
Details at a glance – Number available: 40; Cost: $35 each (includes delivery); Delivery date: To be announced (mid spring – waiting on city to get them in)
To reserve yours or inquire for more information, contact: finance.rosefestival@gmail.com.
Let the beauty of roses bloom in your garden with the Welland Rose Festival. Order yours today and get ready to enjoy the splendor of these exquisite roses!
(Attribution: Rose Festival Committee announcement)
Eight different varieties of trees to select from.
Limited quantities. One tree per address.
fromareportersnotebook 