Welland Library Recipient Of Award Of Excellence

Welland Public Library statement: We’re proud to announce that Welland Public Library has received the Angus Mowat Award for Excellence in 2025 (medium-sized public libraries in Ontario) from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Gaming for our proactive mailout initiative. This award recognizes outstanding public library service and innovation across Ontario.

We’re grateful to be recognized at a provincial level, and even more grateful for our team, whose creativity and teamwork brought this initiative to life in a way that truly served our community.

Sign Language

Went for a walk this morning, the outdoors looked so inviting through the front window. This photo was taken at 11 a.m., 15 minutes after setting out on my trek. Way too cold, I said to myself on the way home. / Sign Language is a recurring feature on the blog. Joe Barkovich photo.

Barky’s Billboard

Gobble, gobble!…. pick-up date to gobble them up…Jan. 31!

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

Barky’s Billboard

Niagara Health Coalition holds town hall re: local public health services. Have your say!

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

Storm Report

/Supplied graphic

Today’s storm is shaping up to be less than originally anticipated, with about 10 cm of snow expected in Welland. No major accumulation is expected beyond tonight.

Public Works crews will continue maintaining main roads and bus routes throughout the rest of the day. A full plow operation is planned to begin around 1 a.m.

Today’s weather has not affected City services or facilities, and all City facilities have remained open with their regular Sunday hours.

As always, we’ll continue to monitor conditions and share updates if anything changes.

Attribution: City of Welland release

Barky’s Billboard

Always ‘ Molte bene!’

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

Barky’s Billboard

Experience the ‘Winter Wonderland’ at Welland market tomorrow !

This Saturday is our Winter Wonderland event and this is the first year in a while that it may actually look like Winter! Come in for free hot chocolate or hot apple cider. In the cafe, we have the last chance to have our famous Otter Feet until November. We also have our Winter pancakes which are very popular.
There are gift bags for all the kids who can decorate or dress our Market Snowman inside by the courtesy window. It’s going to be a ‘wintery’ day at the market. /Supplied graphic

Community Grants Program Returns To Fund Initiatives That Enrich Welland

WELLAND – The City of Welland is inviting artists, community groups, and not-for-profit organizations to submit their ideas for the 2026 Community Grants Program. Applications will be accepted from January 15 to February 16.

The program is designed to support initiatives that enhance Welland’s livability. Funding is available for a wide range of projects, from arts and culture to recreation, events, education, and social services. Successful applicants help create a stronger sense of belonging, foster inclusivity, and provide more opportunities for residents to connect.

“The Community Grants Program is about helping great ideas take shape,” said Amanda Degazio, manager of business and community services. “By funding projects that reflect our community’s diversity and creativity, we’re investing in the vibrancy, accessibility, and well-being of Welland.”

Registered non-profit organizations, charitable entities, and individuals or groups delivering services or activities within Welland are eligible to apply for funding. Past projects have included cultural programs, festivals, and social support services. Applicants are encouraged to have all required information and attachments prepared before starting the online form, as it cannot be saved and completed later. Submitting a complete application is essential to avoid delays or ineligibility.

A virtual information session is being held on Thursday, January 29, to guide potential applicants through the process. For those unable to attend, the recording will be available afterward on Engage Welland.

The Community Grants Program supports the City’s strategic priority of Livability, which focuses on creating a welcoming city with access to recreation, cultural experiences, and community events, while encouraging growth and connection across neighbourhoods.

Full eligibility guidelines, application instructions, and program information are available at https://engagewelland.ca/community-grants-program

Lynx Hungry For Trib Tourney Championship

Dominic Mawaya (11) of Brébeuf defends against Cole Kelly.

By Joe Barkovich, Scribbler-at-large

WELLAND — Just a few words about Friday night’s St.-Jean-de-Brébeuf Lynx – Denis Morris Reds game at the Tribune Tournament:

OMG! … Thriller!…  Heartstopper!… Nailbiter!

Get the gist?

The Lynx emerged with a 79-75 overtime win in a frenzied, noisy ND gym. Attribution for the sound effects, deafening at times, goes to pumped, proud Lynx fans who stomped their feet, clapped their hands, rooted for and shouted about their team for much of the game. Yeah, yeah, you made me a believer. Praise the fans!

 The atmosphere in Dillon Hall was electric! My ears are still ringing.

I can’t provide a game description — I didn’t take notes, didn’t keep track of scorers — so if you’re looking for that, read the excellent coverage on https://www.bpsportsniagara.com/ , you’ll feel like you were there, in person.

Are the Lynx a “Cinderella” team? We wondered about that in our seats just above courtside.

They didn’t have an easy road to tonight’s championship. En route, they played — and beat — three teams from St, Catharines schools — Sir Winston Churchill on Wednesday,  Governor Simcoe on Thursday and the Reds on Friday. Some avid hoops followers painted them as underdogs in the tournament. To show what they were up against, the three St. Catharines schools made it to the semi-finals of the Standard tournament in December, and Denis Morris defeated Governor Simcoe in the tournament’s championship game.

So are the Lynx a “Cinderella” team? Who cares! In my book, they’re where they belong.

Félicitations!” . 

/Joe Barkovich photos

And Then There Were Four. . .

After Semi-finals Friday, the 16-team Welland Tribune Basketball Tournament is down to the final four.

On the consolation side of the tournament bracket, E.L.Crossley Cyclone downed Holy Cross Raiders 51-49 Friday to earn a berth in the championship, while Centennial Cougars advanced to the final with a 42-39 win over Eden Flyers.

On the championship side of the bracket, St. Jean-de- Brébeuf Lynx got by Denis Morris Reds 79-75 in an overtime thriller to advance to tonight’s big game. The Lynx will face St. Paul Patriots, who eliminated Westlane Spartans 67-43 in a clash of Niagara Falls schools.

The consolation final is set to start at 5:30 p.m. while the championship final is scheduled for 7 p.m. Both games are Notre Dame’s Dillon Hall.