Action Continues Today At Hoops Tournament

Two Welland schools meet in a ‘cat fight’ on the tournament’s consolation side

ND’s Aidan Lucchetta passes the ball to David Babalola in Thursday night’s game versus Denis Morris Reds at Dillon Hall. The Irish won 56-47 and Lucchetta was named ND’s player of the game. / Joe Barkovich photo

WELLAND –  The matchups are set for today’s consolation round and championship round semifinals at the Tribune Tournament.

All games are at Notre Dame’s Dillon Hall.

On the consolation side of the bracket, St. Catharines Holy Cross Raiders meet Port Colborne Lakeshore Catholic Gators at 3:30 p.m. and Welland Centennial Cougars play Welland St. Jean-de-Brebeuf Lynx at 5 p.m.

On the championship side, Niagara Falls St. Paul Patriots clash with St. Catharines Governor Simcoe Redcoats at 6:30 p.m. and Notre Dame Fighting Irish take on Niagara Falls A.N. Myer Marauders at 8 p.m.

The tournament’s two championship games will be played Saturday at Dillon Hall.

The consolation championship starts at 5:30 p.m. and the tournament championship matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m.

The tournament, whose roots reach back to 1955 when the first was played at Welland Arena, has a new title sponsor this year, Policella Homes.

Did It…. Or Didn’t It?

Notre Dame and Holy Cross players keep their eyes on the ball during an opening round game in the 68th annual Welland Tribune Basketball Tournament at ND’s Dillon Hall Wednesday afternoon. The Irish won easily, 75-37. In the second half of the doubleheader, Denis Morris Reds beat Port Colborne Blue Bears, 80-35. The Irish and Reds meet Thursday at ND at 8 p.m. in championship round action while the Blue Bears and Raiders clash in consolation round play at St. Jean-de-Brebeuf at 3:30 p.m. Follow the tournament at http://www.bpsportsniagara.com or wellandtribunebasketballtournament.com or http://www.wellandtribune.ca / Joe Barkovich photo

Open House To Showcase Central Fire Station Main Floor

WELLAND – The Central Station Education Initiative (CSEI) is pleased to announce the opening of our Main Floor.

The Open House will take place on Saturday January 25,10 a.m.  to 4 p.m. at The Central Fire Station, 30 Hellems Avenue in downtown Welland. 

Assorted items will be displayed, such as historic documentation, firefighters’ tools and equipment, and many artifacts telling the story of Welland’s Fire Service at Central Fire Station.  Children are welcome!  Come and see our 1926 Gotfredson-Bickle fire truck!  Strike a pose, take a selfie!

Please note that we are still working on our 2nd and 3rd floors, and these will not be open to the public, as of yet.

We continue with our fund-raising efforts, and t-shirts will be available on-site, through our t-shirt gift campaign.

Donations are most welcome and can be made through our website at http://www.centralfirehall.ca 

We look forward to seeing you!

Attribution: CSEI release.

Four Additions To Notre Dame Wall Of Fame

As we kick into a new year, we are incredibly proud to officially announce our Wall of Fame inductees for 2025!

Congratulations to:

Mike Rao, Coach; 

Mike Hominuk, ND Boys Lacrosse; 

Larissa Bruzzese, ND Girls Soccer;

The Notre Dame College School Alumni Association, Builder Category ;

Our rich tradition has been enhanced by these outstanding inductees, and we look forward to honouring them at our Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony April 11.

Attribution: Notre Dame College School announcement.

View From The Bridge

The view from Woodlawn Bridge this day, Thursday, Jan. 2, was breathtaking, for these eyes of mine. /View From The Bridge is a recurring feature on the blog. Joe Barkovich photo.

MUSEUM BRIEF: ‘Death Cell’ Topic Of Presentation

WELLAND – This month’s presentation, “The Death Cell: Capital Punishment at Welland County Courthouse”, delves into the history of capital punishment in Welland.

Discover the stories of the people and procedures behind the gallows’ 100 years in operation and gain a deeper understanding of this intriguing chapter in our city’s history.

 Space is limited, so register today by emailing gwen@wellandmuseum.ca or visiting wellandmuseum.ca/events.

2024: A Baker’s Dozen Of My Favourite Photos

January: Centennial Cougars, Eden Flyers in Trib Tourney opening round play; February: View from the bridge – After a snowfall, Merritt Island’s upper trail is picture-postcard perfect; March: Peanut pilfering blue jay; April: Look closely – Ah, spring! Time for soaking up some rays; May: Out and about for a family stroll; June: Bernie Barkovich snaps a photo or two of the Main Street bridge; July; View from the bridge – recreational waterway looks like a sheet of glass as stand-up paddle boarders emerge from under Woodlawn Bridge; August: Kite surfing at Sherkston Shores, Lake Erie; September: A single bloom stands tall and proud in the front-yard garden; October: Fall-colour paint job along a rural road; November: Framed by branches, our cenotaph is majestic in its Chippawa Park setting; December: Peace offering; The Baker’s Dozen: Roses shelter amid a hosta’s welcoming leaves.

• Joe Barkovich photos

2024: A Dozen Roses For You

Overall, a good year in the rose garden despite the heartache of black spot in late summer. Looking forward to spring! / Joe Barkovich photos.

Heritage Lives: Season’s Greetings!

By Terry Hughes

Our two, penny postcards circa 1910 show winter scenes typical  of any holiday season no matter when it’s stated or the type of media used that still rings true even today. 

 A special thank you to those of you who follow and respond to this column. Hopefully, we will find topics that will interest you, as well as some thought-provoking issues in the coming year.

Have a wonderful Christmas holiday and hope for 2025!

(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.)

Warming Centre Sites Announced

WARMING CENTRES | Hey, Welland, warming centres will be available to the public when temperatures are forecast to reach -15˚C or the wind chill is expected to drop below -20˚C. These locations will be available as a cold weather relief site:

Welland Community Centre – 145 Lincoln Street

Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Welland Main Arena – second floor community room – 501 King Street

Saturday & Sunday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Welland Public Library – Main Branch – 60 East Main Street

Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. 

Attribution: City of Welland release