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LIBRARY BRIEF: Spring Book Sale!
WELLAND – Welland Public Library is holding its Spring Book Sale tomorrow, Saturday May 11. It’s from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The sale is being held at the main branch only, 50 The Boardwalk, downtown Welland. Find books to curl up with this spring at this one-day only book sale! Other library materials may also be available to browse and buy.
Bring a grocery tote or small box and fill it for only $5. WPL totes will be available for purchase ($2) each. Alternatively, fill a WPL bag for $1 with a donation of a non-perishable food item, going towards our Little Free Pantry. Items of need include granola bars, cereal, and pre-packaged snack items.
All book sale proceeds support library collections, programs, and services.
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City’s Annual Tulip Bulb Giveaway May 17
WELLAND – Get ready for Welland’s annual tulip bulb giveaway.
For residents of the City of Welland, this popular tradition of picking up a bag of free tulip bulbs will take place on Friday, May 17, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. The event will run rain or shine at the Welland Stadium at 90 Quaker Road.
Parks staff will distribute the bag of bulbs, providing one bag per vehicle while quantities last. For a smooth flow of traffic, vehicles should enter from the east side of the parking lot and slowly proceed along the designated route.
Anticipating a strong turnout like years prior, Dave Steven, manager of parks, forestry, cemeteries, operations, and development, said, “This giveaway is an exciting opportunity that lets us engage with our community about the importance of green spaces while adding some vibrant tulips to our landscapes.”
Approximately 15,000 tulip bulbs from the City’s commemorative gardens will be distributed this year. While specific varieties or colours cannot be guaranteed, there will be a pleasing assortment to brighten residential gardens.
(Attribution: City of Welland media release)
Bud Light
COMMUNITY BRIEF: Volunteers Needed
WELLAND – The Welland St Vincent de Paul Thrift Store at 51 East Main St., urgently requires volunteers. You would work one three-hour shift a week, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. You can call store manager Pat, at 905-788-3413 if you are interested
NHL Playoffs: Back To Crystal Ball Gazing
By WAYNE REDSHAW
One down, three to go.
First-round matchups in the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup playoffs were completed over the weekend and now it is onto round two.
I didn’t do badly predicting in the opening round picking six winners out of eight. My only blemishes were two Canadian teams — the Toronto Maple Leafs in the east and the Winnipeg Jets in the west. I picked the Leafs over the Boston Bruins in six and the Jets over the Colorado Avalanche in seven. The Leafs-Bruins series went seven but it was Boston who prevailed winning 2-1 in overtime in the deciding game. Meanwhile, Jets’ goaltender Connor Hellebuyck didn’t continue his outstanding performance from the regular season and the Avalanche took advantage and won in five.
Now, here’s my fearless forecast for round two.
Eastern Conference
Bruins vs Panthers
Last year, these two teams squared off in the opening round and the Bruins, who ran away with the regular season to nail down the President’s Trophy jumped out to a 3-1 series lead only to lose to the Florida Panthers in seven. I can’t see this series going seven games this time around.
The Panthers, who went all the way to the finals last year only to lose to the Vegas Golden Knights have the home ice advantage and that should make a difference. Furthermore, they are well rested having disposed of their state rivals —the Tampa Bay Lightning — in five games. Also throw in the factor the Bruins have to be dog-tired after a tough seven-game series with the Maple Leafs. If the Panthers can jump out to a 2-0 series lead it will be a brief series.
The Bruins are going to need magical goaltending from Jeremy Swayman again just to keep this series interesting. I just think the Panthers have too much depth up front with Sam Reinhardt, Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett although the latter was injured in the last series and is expected to miss at least the opening game of this round. Meanwhile, the Bruins top aces— Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy were spotty against the Leafs at times.
Prediction: The Panthers in five games.
Hurricanes vs Rangers
This series should be a dandy pitting two talented teams in the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers. The Rangers hardly worked up a sweat in disposing of the Washington Capitals in a four-game sweep.
It will be a different story against the Hurricanes, who are relentless on forechecking and very aggressive on penalty killing. But in the end I feel the Rangers will prevail. They simply have more skilled players in the likes of Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Adam Fox, Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere. And in goal I’ll take Igor Shesterkin over Frederick Andersen any day.
Another reason I like the Rangers is their power play. Carolina may have excellent penalty killers but the Rangers have a potent power play. The best advice for the Canes — try to avoid dumb penalties.
Prediction: The Rangers in six games.
Western Conference
Oilers vs Canucks
There are only two Canadian-based teams remaining in the hunt for the Stanley Cup and those two — the Edmonton Oilers and the Vancouver Canucks —and unfortunately they square off in round two putting one on the sidelines in the end.
Who will it be? Vancouver won all four regular season games with the Oilers but keep in mind three of those victories came early on when the Oilers were dreadful and were losing to everyone. A coaching change for the Oilers did miracles. They are a completely different team compared to the first month or so of the regular season.
For that reason, I’m going with the Oilers. They have too much going for them starting with a potent offence led by who else Connor McDavid. He’s the guiding light for the Oilers, the play-maker, the general in charge. And McDavid has a great supporting cast with the likes of Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman and defenceman Evan Bouchard. Bouchard in my opinion has really jelled into a top blueliner.
The Canucks will be heard from in this series with J.T. Miller, Brock Boeser and Quinn Hughes showing the way. However, despite finishing first in the Pacific Division and having home ice advantage I just don’t think they can match the Oilers. And the big question mark about the Canucks is goaltending. They lost their No. 1 backstop in Thatcher Demko. He could possibly be back but don’t count on that factor. They did get some surprising performances from replacements but Nashville, who the Canucks faced in round one; and Edmonton are two entirely different teams. The Oilers simply have too much offensive fire-power and they can kill you on the power play if presented with too many opportunities.
Prediction: Oilers in five games.
Avalanche vs Stars
In round one I didn’t think the Colorado Avalanche would advance past the Winnipeg Jets but they did. I thought the Jets’ Hellebuyck would be the difference maker and he wasn’t.
In this series, the Avs are facing the Dallas Stars, who dethroned the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights in seven games in the first round.
I wasn’t impressed with Colorado entering the playoffs against the Jets as they seemed to sputter towards the end of the regular season. But the Avs got their act in order against the Jets and I expect it to carry over into round two with Dallas.
The Stars were hard-pressed in getting past Vegas in seven games. They also didn’t get off to a great start in the opening round dropping the first two games on home ice.
While they have home ice advantage in this series I think fatigue may be a key factor in the end. I like the Stars goaltending with Jake Oettinger as I’m not sold on Colorado’s Alexandar Georgiev. However, the Avs, who won the Cup in 2022, seem to be clicking offensively at the right time to compensate for the questionable goaltending to advance.
When you look down their lineup — Nathan MacKinnon, Valeri Nichushkin, Artturi Lehkonen, Mikko Rantanen and Calle Maker — they have great depth. Dallas simply can’t match them despite having Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Jason Robertson, Joe Palelski and Wyatt Johnston.
Prediction: Avalanche in six games.
(Wayne Redshaw covered the NHL for 40 seasons and in 1987 was named a Life Member of the Professional Hockey Writer’s Association. He was also inducted as a media member of the Buffalo Sabres Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000.)
Lineup Announced For Concerts On The Canal Series
WELLAND – The City of Welland is excited to announce this year’s highly anticipated Concerts on the Canal series. Set within the picturesque surroundings of Merritt Park, these free concerts are a celebration of community, music, and the arts in downtown Welland.
Families and music enthusiasts alike are invited to revel in the festivities and enjoy an evening of live entertainment from 7 to 10 p.m. The series kicks off June 21 and the dates and lineup include:
– June 21: The Toronto All-Star Big Band with special guest Dan Kozar
– July 1: Neo Young and special guest Madhatters
– July 26: Shania Twin with special guest Andy Colonico
– August 16: Jukebox Heroes and special guest Rebellion Dogs
– August 23: The Unravelling Wilburys with special guest Mike Lynch
– September 20: True Rodeo and special guest Evan Rotella
“With a variety of talented musicians performing at the amphitheatre in Merritt Park, these concerts offer a lively atmosphere for all ages and beautiful views of the canal,” said Aaron Berger, Concerts on the Canal coordinator. “If you’re looking for a unique and memorable experience this summer, be sure to check out our Concerts on the Canal.”
In partnership with GiantFM and Country89, these events promise a diverse range of musical genres and an unforgettable summer filled with music and community. The 2024 Concerts on the Canal series is generously supported by: Billyard Insurance Group, Bridgewater Brewery, Empire Homes, Erion Insurance Group, The Grocholsky Real Estate Group – Royal Lepage NRC Realty, Tailgates Bar & Grill, The Bridge District Concert Hall, McDonalds, Niagara College, North Welland BIA, Build It Again Ron, Lemayzzz Meats, Mr. Mikes Welland, Niagara Home Heating, CAA Niagara, HOPA Ports, Mike Knapp Ford, Rose City Pizza, Ruffins Pet Centres, Ryan Dyck and the DUN Real Estate Group, Seaway Mall, Seniors on the Move, and St. Lawrence Seaway System.For more information, visit www.welland.ca/Events/eventsinfo/concertsOnTheCanal.asp.
(Attribution: City of Welland media release)
Michele O’Keefe wins prestigious CICan Award of Excellence
Niagara College’s Director of Athletics and Student Engagement receives silver award
For the second time in two years, a member of the Niagara College community has earned a prestigious national award recognizing exceptional leadership and significant contributions to student success.
Michele O’Keefe, Director, Athletics and Student Engagement, was presented with a silver Leadership Excellence Award for Managerial Staff from Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) on April 30 during its 2024 CICan Connection Conference in Calgary.
Honourable Mentions also went to Niagara College for the Excellence in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award, and to Reginald (Reggie) Williams for the Leadership Excellence Award for Students.
O’Keefe, formerly the CEO and president of Canada Basketball, joined Niagara College in 2018—the same year she was awarded the Leadership in Sport Award at the Canadian Sport Awards, Canada’s premier event for national sport achievement and leadership recognition.
In the years since, O’Keefe’s commitment to promoting sport as a tool of empowerment—especially for women—has remained steadfast. At Niagara College, she’s been a constant source of encouragement for students, athletes, coaches and employees who are motivated by her genuine and inspiring leadership style.
O’Keefe, however, credits the college for creating an environment where she can help student and staff flourish.
“I feel very fortunate to work at Niagara College,” she said. “The special environment we have allows me to have influence in building an atmosphere where our students and staff can participate in programs, events and teams that will help them for life. The collaborative nature of Niagara College—combined with the staff we have in Athletics and Student Engagement—naturally builds programs that put our students in the spotlight.
“I’m very grateful to Niagara College for nominating me for this prestigious award,” she added. “To know that the Knights family feels that my leadership is valuable is a tremendous feeling.”
Highly respected in the field of sport, O’Keefe has received numerous accolades and awards for her visionary leadership, including the City of Welland’s esteemed H.L. Cudney Memorial Award for her contributions to basketball, and an Executive Award of Merit in 2020 for her role formalizing a structure for the development of basketball officials. In 2020, she was also a runner-up for the International Olympic Committee Women and Sport Awards.
O’Keefe is the past Board Chair of the Ontario Sport Network (OSN) and is among a small group of Canadian athletic leaders to sit on world sports boards. From 2014-2023, she served on the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Americas Board and the FIBA Central Board, making her a top female policymaker in international sport.
Throughout her career she has played an integral role in shaping sport policy and continues to build capacity for sport excellence at the local, provincial, national and international levels through her volunteer work.
Among O’Keefe’s recent accomplishments is a partnership with the City of Welland to launch the first-ever Girls Sport Day in 2022, which provides girls between the ages of six and 12 the opportunity to try a variety of sports to build confidence and instill a sense of belonging in sport.
She also held a spot on the board of directors and served as Chair of the Legacy Committee for the Niagara 2022 Summer Games.
Niagara College President Sean Kennedy said O’Keefe’s leadership at the College is shaping a legacy of excellence in sport and a passion for community building.
“Michele’s unique ability to bring people together and drive collaboration in support of students is infectious,” Kennedy said. “Like any great coach, she leads by example, nurturing talent and leveraging connections to build people up and bring out their best. Michele embodies Niagara College’s welcoming, passionate and trailblazing characteristics. She is warm, approachable and pragmatic, and her leadership inspires trust and serves as a magnet for new partnerships and connections.”
The CICan Awards of Excellence recognize and promote excellence within Canadian colleges and institutes, while showcasing the extraordinary contributions of individuals to their college/institute communities.
“The impact of the college and institute sector is felt in the success of our students and the partnerships we build across our communities,” said CICan President and CEO Pari Johnston. “The exceptional leaders within our institutions are the key drivers of that impact. Congratulations, Michele, on your Leadership Excellence Award for Managerial Staff.”
CICan’s Leadership Excellence Award for Managerial Staff recognizes an individual or team who has made an exceptional contribution within their institution and within the community it serves.
O’Keefe was presented with the award at the silver level on April 30 at CICan’s Awards of Excellence Luncheon.
(Attribution: Niagara College media release)
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