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COMMUNITY BRIEF: Grant For Central Station Work
WELLAND – Niagara Centre MPP Jeff Burch will be at the historic Central Fire Station, 30 Hellems Avenue, Thursday Dec. 12 at 10:30 a.m. to celebrate the receipt of an Ontario government grant funded through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).
This grant has allowed Central Station Education Initiative to complete building restorations that will allow opening of an exhibition of local firefighting history on the main floor.
Burch and an OTF volunteer will attend the event to acknowledge the government grant and its impact on the community.
Dave Thomson, chair, Artefact/Display and Education Committee of Central Station Education Initiative will discuss the importance of the grant for the organization and the work being done.
Attribution: Central Station Education Initiative release.
In 1974 Canada Post Issued A Stamp For The 150th Anniversary Of Welland Canal’s Start Of Construction
ALLANBURG – The 200-year anniversary of the sod-turning for the First Welland Canal will be celebrated tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 30 with speeches and the unveiling of a plaque. But 50 years ago, a stamp was issued by Canada Post to mark the project’s 150th anniversary. It was, and still is by many, hailed as one of the greatest engineering achievements of its time
A brochure accompanying the stamp provides biographical information about canal builder William Hamilton Merritt. Because Merritt’s life story is widely available, the text won’t be repeated in this space. But two paragraphs from the brochure, the first and the last, follow below:
“The Post Office will honour William Hamilton Merritt ‘the father of Canadian transportation’ on the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the start of construction on his greatest project, the Welland Canal between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.
“The stamp in honour of William Hamilton Merritt was designed by William Reuter. The portrait of Merritt is taken from an oil painting by Robert Whale (1805-1887). Whale painted this portrait around 1860 and it originally hung in his home “Oak Hill”. The painting is presently held at the St, Catharines Historical Museum. The view of the Welland Canal is a steel engraved interpretation of an original wood engraved illustration “Lock No. 23 Thorold”. The illustration is taken from George Monro Grant’s “Picturesque Canada” published in 1882. This work was illustrated under the supervision of L.R. O’Brien and the wood engraving itself was executed by Schell & Hogan.”
Just as a reminder, the starting time for tomorrow’s commemoration is 11 a.m. on the west bank of the canal at the Allanburg lift bridge.
Barky’s Billboard
Christmas celebrations at the Welland Market the next four Saturdays!
View From The Bridge
Barky’s Billboard
Please support/attend this popular seasonal event
‘We Are There To Make Sure No One Has To Start Their Day In Hunger’
More than 85,000 meals served by Welland Community Breakfast Program
By Jim Butts, Program Coordinator
WELLAND – Sunday, December 1 will mark the three-year anniversary of the Welland Community Breakfast Program held at Holy Trinity Anglican Church on Division Street in Welland.
The program is volunteer based and funded through grants and donations. Over the past three years more than 85,000 meals have been served to people struggling with food insecurity. The genesis of the program was an encounter with a homeless individual on the church property. Once given a hot meal this individual’s demeanour switched from being confrontational to become thankful and polite. He was ‘H’angry”.
So many individuals who wander the streets are in this position of not having a meal. If a hot, nourishing breakfast could be provided to start their day, their interaction with the public and each other would become kinder.
A menu was developed that could be easily put together by the 31 volunteer teams, and still meet the goal of being healthy and filling.
Pots of oatmeal porridge are made each day and packaged into takeout cups with a scoop of brown sugar on top. A breakfast sandwich made from English muffins, fresh eggs, real cheddar cheese and a slice of ham are wrapped in foil. These two items along with a bottle of 100% juice, a napkin and serving spoon are placed in a brown paper bag and distributed through a takeout window. Each guest can select tea or coffee prepared as they enjoy it, with bottled water available upon request.
There is a different team for each day of the month, with 5 – 7 volunteers on each team. Volunteers arrive at 6:30 a.m. and for the first hour the food is prepped and packaged. Meals are served between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. by which time the kitchen cleanup is complete and volunteers leave to get on with their day.
Over the three-year period there are still many of the original volunteers who faithfully complete their shift each month. They teach and guide any newcomers to retain the same level of quality in food and service our guests have grown to enjoy. Some of the volunteers who prefer to be more involved, join more than one team and come out two or three time each month. Without the dedication of the 160 + women, men and youth who faithfully serve in all weather conditions, this program could not exist.
Seven days a week, 365 days a year we are there to make sure no one has to start their day in hunger.
Jim Butts is a parishioner at Holy Trinity Anglican Church
Barky’s Billboard
‘Arf, ‘arf…..meow, meow…..How thoughtful is this!
Ceremony Marks 200th Anniversary Of Sod-turning
ALLANBURG – A ceremony with commemorative plaque unveiling marking the 200-year anniversary of the sod-turning for the First Welland Canal will be held Saturday, Nov. 30.
The starting time is 11 a.m. on the west bank of the canal at the Allanburg lift bridge. A reception will follow at the gathering space at Fire Station 2, 701 Allanburg Road, about a two-minute drive from the bridge.
“The public is invited to witness the celebration of the 200-year anniversary of the Turning of the Sod of the First Welland Canal in Allanburg,” says a release by the City of Thorold. “On November 30th, 1824 the first shovel went into the ground for a project which would be one of the greatest engineering achievements of its time, as well as open the heart of the North American Continent to trade and commerce.”
Several speakers are scheduled for the program. They include: historian Tom Russell, St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation vice-president of operations D’Arcy Wilson, Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey, Niagara Centre MPP Jeff Burch, Regional Councillor Tim Whalen, and Thorold Mayor Terry Ugulini.
Various guests from historical research will be present, as will direct descendants of canal builder William Hamilton Merritt, his partner George Keefer, and another partner John DeCou. There will be a program brochure and a guest book to sign.
The current issue of Canadian Antiques and Vintage Magazine features an article about the early history of the Canal as well as the upcoming event. The article was written by Brock University archivist Alicia Floyd.
Welland Food Drive Topped Last Year’s; More Than $60,000 Pounds Of Food And $38,000 Raised
WELLAND – The Welland community has once again demonstrated its incredible generosity and compassion through the success of this year’s food drive. With 66,000 pounds of food collected and $38,000 in funds raised, Welland has surpassed last year’s donations. On November 2, enough food was collected to help local food banks meet the anticipated increased demand this holiday season.
Gratitude Overflowing:
The Welland Food Drive has been a true community event for over 30 years. Monique Finley, the co-ordinator, noted that it could not be such a community success without the support of Club Richelieu and the generosity of Dalton and Kimone at Oliver’s Butcher and Catering (corner of Quaker Road and Clare Avenue). The Food Drive Committee extends heartfelt thanks to every individual, family, business, and organization who contributed to this remarkable outpouring of kindness. “Your support has made a significant impact on the lives of those in need, and we are truly grateful for our community’s response to those less fortunate”.
Meeting Urgent Needs:
The number of people requiring food support in Welland is at record highs. Hunger is a year-round issue, so the local food banks will continue to count on the Welland community throughout the year to help our neighbours in need. The fight against hunger is continuous, and the food banks in Welland will require sustained assistance to ensure that children, families, the elderly, everyone, has enough to eat throughout the winter.
How You Can Help:
If you missed the food drive or would like to continue supporting our community, donations are accepted year-round at The Hope Centre at 570 King St, Welland, Salvation Army at the Seaway Mall, Unit JJ, or at Open Arms Mission of Welland at 933 Forks Rd, Welland. There are also food donation bins in local grocery stores near the exit where food donations may be deposited should you want to continue support during the year. Your generosity ensures that we can provide a safety net for those facing food insecurity.
Once again, thank you, Welland, for your unwavering support. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of our neighbors.
Attribution: Welland Food Drive media release
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