Peanut Pilferer
Leave a reply
Awaiting Spring
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.
ROSE FESTIVAL BRIEF: City of Welland Rose Bushes Available
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)
City Of Welland Raising The Flag In Celebration Of Francophonie Day
WELLAND – The City of Welland is preparing to commemorate International Francophonie Day on March 20, a day dedicated to celebrating the French language and Francophone culture worldwide.
Designated as a Francophone community under Ontario’s French Language Services Act, Welland is honouring its heritage with a ceremonial flag raising at City Hall at 9 a.m. An added display of the City’s commitment to recognizing its Francophone community is Bridge 13 being illuminated green and white.
“It’s a special point of pride to celebrate Francophonie Day in a city designated as one of Ontario’s Francophone communities,” said Mayor Frank Campion.
With more than 15,000 French speakers residing in the Niagara Region, the majority of whom call Welland home, this community plays a pivotal role in preserving and promoting French language and culture.
The City of Welland extends a warm invitation for all residents to join in celebrating its vibrant Francophone community and encourages everyone to learn more about the city’s thriving French culture. A French-language section on the City’s website provides a history of Welland’s Francophone culture.
Roda Muse, Deputy Minister of Francophone Affairs, conveyed her best wishes to the City of Welland as Council, staff, and residents celebrate Francophonie Day.
“Throughout Welland’s history, this community has contributed to our growth and diversity. As the City continues to partner with French-speaking organizations, our French-speaking residents can look forward to resources being available in their official language.” – Mayor Campion
Lettre Welland_Journée internationale de la Francophonie 2024_signée.pdf
(Attribution: City of Welland media release)
Local Athletes Fondly Remembered
By Wayne Redshaw
The Niagara sports community lost four well-known members in just over a two-month span.
That foursome includes: Bill Glashan, Anne Sharpe, Bob Mason and Philippe Racine.
Bill Glashan, who died January 11, came to Niagara as a 16- year-old from New Liskeard, Ontario to play hockey for the Niagara Falls Flyers of the OHA Major Junior A League. He played three seasons with the Flyers. Then from 1963-64 to 1970-71 Glashan was in in the Eastern Hockey League playing for the Clinton Comets, the Jacksonville Rockets and then the Florida Rockets. In the summertime he returned to Niagara Falls and played fastball. He became well-known in the Niagara District Fastball League for his superb pitching performances for Niagara Falls teams.
He was also well-known around the Niagara golf circuit as he became one of the top superintendents as he worked for the Niagara Parks Commission for 43 years. He took pride in his work and kept Whirlpool Golf Course in immaculate condition. In fact, it was always one of the top public courses in the province. And when the Parks Commission started building Legends on the Niagara in Chippawa around 2000, Bill oversaw the construction.
Anne Sharpe, who passed away January 24, was well-known around the Niagara golf circuit and around the province as well having won the Ontario Ladies Amateur in 1953 and again in 1954. Then in 1980 she added the Ontario Senior Ladies championship to her list of accomplishments. In the 1980s she finished second in the prestigious North/South Tournament held in the U.S.
Anne won nine ladies club titles including six in a row between 1945 and 1950 at Lookout Point in Fonthill. She also won the the Niagara District Champion of Champions in 1965 and twice won the senior ladies title at the Niagara District Ladies Tournament held annually.
In her early years she had a passion for skiing and competed in the Canadian Nationals Downhill event as a 16-year-old. She also earned a teaching degree at University of Toronto and taught phys-ed to high school students in Welland and Fonthill.
In 2021, she was named to the Niagara Golf Wall of Recognition.
Bob Mason, who died February 9, was another top golfer who played out of Lookout Point Golf and Country Club. He won a number of men’s titles, which was tough because Lookout always had a very competitive men’s field in the championship flight. Bob also won one men’s title at the Niagara District Champion of Champions back in 1961.
He also loved boating and enjoyed working on restoring one of his many, many boats.
In his obituary it said “The best way to describe how Bob lived his life was at full throttle.” That was so true. And he always was a good interview after finishing a round of golf.
Philippe “Phil” Racine, who passed away March 3, was a professional figure skating teacher. The Welland native turned pro at 19 in 1952 and spent two years touring North America with Ice Capades. He then turned to teaching in Welland, Alymer, Ingersoll and Tillsonburg.
He also taught in Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Detroit. He achieved his Masters Certification from the Professional Skaters Guild of America for coaching freestyle, free dance, dance and figures. Over the years, Phil’s students earned over 250 gold medals.
In 2014, he was inducted into the Welland Sports Wall of Fame.
To the families of the four, I express my sincere condolences.
(Wayne Redshaw has written and covered both amateur and professional sports in the Niagara area spanning seven decades. He can be reached at wredshaw@icloud.com).
CITY BRIEF: Committees Seek New Members
The city is now recruiting to fill positions on the following committees:
- Committee of Adjustment: two members (deadline is March 29)
- Accessibility Advisory Committee: three members (deadline is April 12)
- Active Transportation Committee: one member (deadline is April 12)
- Affordable Housing Advisory Committee: one member (deadline is April 12)
- Seniors Citizen Advisory Committee: ten members (deadline is April 12)
- Welland Arenas Advisory Committee: three members (deadline is April 12)
More information regarding these positions is available at welland.ca
(Attribution: City of Welland E-bulletin)
Barky’s Billboard
Please support this soup-er Port Colborne event
Barky’s Billboard
Please support this “green” community event
Heritage Lives In Pictures: Welland High And Vocational School
By Terry Hughes
Two of the pictures for this feature show the property once occupied by Welland High and Vocational School being developed into townhouses and being identified as Welland High Gardens. It is hard to believe that tens of thousands of our youth attended this institution of learning for over a century. It went through a number of additions as noted in the aerial photo. After the expansion of the original structure facing West Main Street in 1914, the first major addition was in 1930 when the vocational wing opened allowing students opportunities to learn skills in the business and trades that were so much in demand at the time. Because it was the only vocational facility in the area, students from Port Colborne and Pelham took the N.S.& T. trolley to get here.
With the increasing number of students from neighbouring Crowland Township attending the school, a major addition occurred creating a new gymnasium, classrooms, office space and renovations in 1954-55. Aww, I can recall the smell of fresh tar coming into Mr. Duncan’s classroom during the warm weather! This addition would reduce the need to take half a day off from the week for Grade 9 classes and, later, ended staggered times to start school.
While attending the school, I never felt comfortable in the auditorium because so much of it was constructed of wood making one wonder what would happen if a fire started there. The school was closed in 1999. Ironically, a fire broke out in 2011 gutting the structure and leading to its demolition.
Note: The three black and white photos used above are from the magnificent Celebrating 150 years, Walking through Welland commemorative edition.
Next Heritage Lives in Pictures: A NEW FIRE HALL.
(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.)
Sign Language
fromareportersnotebook 