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Red Raiders basketball league president Jamie Clarke, second from left, is shown in the brand new gym at Princess Margaret Public School in Niagara Falls with school principal Cindy Kohinski, vice-principal Angela Leitch and physical education teacher and coach Martin Beswick. The Red Raiders funded extensive renovations to the gym, and in return will use it as the league's home base. See story, page 5.

UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP A SLAM DUNK FOR RED RAIDERS, SCHOOL

YOUTH BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION FINDS

A NEW HOME AT STUNNING NEW GYMNASIUM AT NIAGARA FALLS SCHOOL

When most people think of elementary school gyms, it conjures up images of dim lighting and scuffed flooring, but folks who walk into the new gym at Princess Margaret Public School in Niagara Falls nowadays describe a very different venue.

Gleaming hardwood floors, brilliant lighting, a motorized room separator that drops down from the

ceiling and digital shot clocks at each end of the cavernous space would put just about any high school gym in Niagara to shame.

The work to completely redo the school's gym was the result of a unique partnership between the Niagara Falls Red Raiders Basketball Association, the school and officials with the District School Board of Niagara.

Red Raiders board president Jamie Clarke said his 26-year-old youth basketball organization, which includes travelling teams, house league teams and novice instructional play for younger kids, has longed for a place to call home for years.

League officials brainstormed with school teacher and coach Martin Beswick and principal Cindy Kohinski about how the association and school could

enter into a mutually beneficial agreement, leading to a sizeable financial contribution by the association so the gym could get a complete makeover and serve as the home base for the next decade for the organization that typically has 500 to 600 youth players from ages six to 19.

That led to the major renovation, which will be unveiled to former league volunteers and executives at the school on June 14 at 6:30 p.m.

Clarke said the association went through two years of shutdowns that saw no house-league play and very limited travelteam play during the pandemic, but had the good fortune to have had a building fund that previous board members were wise enough to invest in over decades.

"We wanted to benefit

the community and benefit basketball, and we were struggling with how we could we do that," said Clarke. "This idea seemed to be a win-win."

The school gets a stateof-the-art gym that kids can use on weekdays, and the Red Raiders — who for years rented space at various school gyms — get to play games and have practices weeknights and Saturdays.

Beswick said after two years of gyms being largely shuttered, the new gym is a big hit with the students.

"They were so excited, having a fresh start and a new gym and seeing kids in here playing," he said.

Kohinski said the partnership has truly benefitted both sides.

"This was already one of the best elementary gyms size-wise in the board," she said. "Now with the renova-

tions, it is the best gym among elementary and secondary schools. It's a great partnership with the Red Raiders. It's been fantastic."

Clarke said at the association's first tournament at the gym on a recent Saturday, some parents were initially disappointed to learn it would be in an elementary school gym. "But the parents came in and they were like, 'Wow,' " he said. "They were a little shocked."

Clarke, who praised the forward thinking of past association executive members, said it was a lot of work pulling the partnership together. But when he saw the finished gym, "I was blown away myself," he said.

He's hoping the gleaming facility will help the association to recruit more new players when registra-

tion for next year begins in July.

"It's not just basketball: a lot of sports have been hurting the last couple of years," he said. "Showcasing this new venue will hopefully get kids to register again and back playing basketball and being active."

"We're very excited for next year."

Past association president Mark Federinko said the league now feels more grounded after going without a home base before.

"We finally have a place to call home," he said.

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: Hearing of a partnership between the Red Raiders basketball association and Princess Margaret Public School, This Week looked at how the partnership came about and what it's achieved.

PAUL FORSYTH pforsyth@niagarathisweek.com

WAYNE GATES READY TO GET BACK TO WORK

With the provincial election now behind him, Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates is ready to get back to work, with addressing affordability issues in Ontario a priority for him in parliament.

"We've got a lot of work to do. There's a lot of people in my riding that are hurting right now. And they're hurting on an affordability crisis that we have, particularly around food, rent."

He stressed that seniors in particular have been affected by rising prices of gas and food, and can be at higher risk of eviction without rent control, all issues he hopes to find ways to address.

"A lot of our seniors in our community are living in poverty now because of cost, whether that be gas prices, the price of food," added Gates. "A report today said that some people aren't eating enough food because they can't afford it. So I think making sure people can get food that's affordable is a big hit."

Gates also wants to find solutions for long-termcare homes to ensure that all residents are taken care of and treated with respect.

"Our long-term care still has many challenges around staffing, around seniors not being treated with respect and dignity in these homes. And they're continuing to put profit ahead of care, which is just so sad," added Gates.

Gates says he plans to continue to work on many of same topics he campaigned on during the election and has worked on in the last nine years in the legislature. This includes working to get a hospital built in Niagara.

"We have to access the health care in Niagara. We've got to make sure that we get the Niagara hospital built and shovels in the ground," said Gates.

The hospital isn't the only health care-related issue Gates hopes to address. He's hoping to find solutions to what he describes as a "crisis" in health care with nurses leaving the job at high rates and there not being enough paramedics available.

To accomplish his goals, Gates says he plans to

reach out and work with everyone who is willing to work with him to make the province better, whether they are Liberals, Conservatives, NDP, independent, or with another group entirely.

"I'm going to continue to be a strong voice at Queen's Park for my riding. I'm prepared to work with everybody to make sure our riding's needs are met," he said.

Gates says he isn't sure if running for party leadership is something he'll pursue now that he's been reelected, but he isn't ruling it out as a possibility.

"I'm getting a lot of encouraging messages ... I'm going to meet with our caucus and see what the process will be," said Gates. "Obviously anything like this will be with the blessing of my wife and my family."

He says right now his main focus has been cleaning out his campaign office and picking up more than 3,000 signs he and his team placed during the election period.

BRILEE SEARS bsears@metroland.com

WAYNE GATES

Wayne Gates photo

'I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE A STRONG VOICE AT QUEEN'S PARK FOR MY RIDING. I'M PREPARED TO WORK WITH EVERYBODY TO MAKE SURE OUR RIDING'S NEEDS ARE MET'

'MOMENTOUS DAY:' QUEEN'S PLATINUM

JUBILEE CELEBRATED IN NIAGARA FALLS

Queen Elizabeth II.

PAUL FORSYTH pforsyth@niagarathisweek.com

A new black gum tree planted in Rosberg Park next to Niagara Falls City Hall will for centuries to come let folks not even born yet know it was placed there to mark a very special day for Commonwealth countries around the world.

At the park, folks gathered at 11 a.m. on Thursday — just as they did at the exact same time in cities across the British Commonwealth — for a flag-raising to celebrate the platinum jubilee of

Clark Bernat, culture and museums manager for the City of Niagara Falls, called it a "momentous" day for Niagara and the Commonwealth. The newly planted tree, complete with a plaque noting it was for the Queen's platinum jubilee, reflects the wishes of the 96-yearold monarch.

"She wanted to add to the tree canopy of the world and around the Commonwealth, so our forestry division decided to do the black gum tree because of its longevity and the beauty that it exudes in the fall," he said.

The tree will turn a stunning red in the fall and is a long-living species, so many, many generations to come will gaze upon its beauty, said Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati.

"Some have been known to grow to up to 600 years," he said.

"It's native to our area, and it's known to provide brilliant fall colour, so it's going to look absolutely spectacular."

The gathering for the flag raising in the park included a couple visiting Niagara Falls from Israel, Diodati noted.

"Niagara Falls is one of the top leisure destinations in the world," he said. "People come from every corner of the Earth to view the majestic cataracts, but today we're here to celebrate the Queen, her special, special celebration."

It's been 70 years since the Queen ascended to the throne, surpassing even Queen Victoria as the longest-serving British monarch in history, said Diodati.

"It's a day that's never been seen before," he said. "It's a very exciting time for all of us and everyone around the Commonwealth who are celebrating this

day. "We're really grateful that she's been able to hit this milestone."

Niagara Falls town crier Pat Sirianni read the official proclamation at the flag raising, citing the Commonwealth's celebra-

tions of "our most beloved sovereign ... (and) that we are one nation and one Commonwealth." He said beacons would be lit throughout the United Kingdom, from the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands to all the capital cities of the Commonwealth.

FIRST-EVER MONARCH TO REACH 70-YEAR MARK ON THE THRONE A DAY LIKE NO OTHER, MAYOR SAYS

Niagara Falls town crier Pat Sirianni and Mayor Jim Diodati unveil the plaque on a newly planted black gum tree at Rosberg Park in Niagara Falls on Thursday, marking the platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

Paul Forsyth/Metroland

ABOUT US

OUR NIAGARA: END OF AN ERA

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GETS IT RIGHT ON GUN CONTROL

The Trudeau government, goes a common argument, is cynically taking advantage of public outrage over mass shootings in the United States to push more guncontrol measures in Canada.

To which we say: so what? If it takes a jolt of outrage to get the government to act on gun violence, or at least to give it the political cover it feels it needs to act, then so be it.

So rather than dwell on the always-complicated motivations of the politicians in Ottawa, let's focus instead on what the government is actually proposing.

The package of measures it unveiled this week as Bill C-21 is a big step forward from its previous failed effort in this area.

The last time out, in the spring of 2021, the government completely flunked the handgun issue. Amid calls for a national ban on handguns, it instead tried to punt the issue by saying it would give municipalities and provinces the power to bring in bans if that's what they wanted.

This made no sense since firearms control is the furthest thing from a local issue. So it's good to see the government finally drop that notion this time. Instead, it plans to introduce a national handgun "freeze" — not a ban — that will bar future sales, purchases, transfers and importation of handguns by anyone across the country.

That's a step forward. It would cap the number of handguns held legally by Canadians and prevent them from being sold or otherwise moved around.

It would not, of course, do away with illegally owned handguns or have any effect on the arsenal of illegal weapons that are behind the epidemic of deadly gun crime in so many cities.

That must be tackled in other ways, such as increasing penalties for gun smuggling and trafficking and giving law enforcement agencies more resources to crack down on illegal guns coming across the border. The federal bill proposes action in both those areas.

Likewise, the government seems to have learned something from its earlier proposal for a voluntary national buyback program for assault-style rifles, such as the infamous AR-15 design used in so many mass shootings.

It will take more, but that, is no reason to oppose what the government is trying to do with its latest effort at tightening our gun laws. Nor is the undeniable fact that the government is willing to surf on public emotions generated by events in another country with very different laws.

Statistics Canada tells us that gun violence is trending upward in this country. Public opinion polls consistently show the majority of Canadians favour more controls on guns, particularly on handguns and assaultstyle weapons.

This is a reasonable, if partial, response to those facts.

As they say: whatever works.

LETTERS & COMMENTARY

TOURISM SURVEY SELF-SERVING

Re. Poll finds Niagaraon-the-Lake residents think tourism is critical to the town's future, May 18:

This study was selfserving piece of gaslighting by those entities that directly profit from tourism at the expense of NOTL ratepayers.

The questions and findings bear no resemblance to each other. There were five questions about why people live in NOTL, move to NOTL, the quality of life here, and so on ... however, not one response credited 'tourism'! The answers given were the normal answers to why does anyone live anywhere? ... location/ location/location; family; close to work; things to do. My favourite question that highlights the gaslighting is "How important is tourism?"

More self-serving question/phrasing.

This survey is another example for why ratepayers need a strong voice in the development of the Tourism Strategic Plan and the Municipal Accommodation Tax Governance Group. Without it, as this unsolicited study/survey has shown, the tourism operators will continue to lobby and pray upon ratepayers for their tax dollars. The hoteliers and other tourism operators will continue to gaslight the staff and council.

The Lord Mayor and CAO need to ensure, by direct action, that ratepayers have a strong and equal voice at all times.

JOE ACCARDO NOTL

PRIME MINISTER DESERVES RESPECT

Re. Canada's political leaders deserve our respect, Editorial, May 30: I do not like Justin Trudeau. I do not like his poli-

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tics, and I did not vote for him. But I respect him because he is the elected prime minister of Canada.

So, I agree completely with the editorial calling on us to behave ourselves and not let us fall into the abyss of polarized politics that we see to the south of us, where for some the only answer to those who disagree is contempt.

When I see a pickup truck with a *^#! Trudeau sign I see the exhibition of a spoiled child who has no ability to express himself in a civilized manner.

This is nothing short of hate, and has no place in Canada where we can express our displeasure at the ballot box.

DAVID FOWLER WAINFLEET

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After more than 35 years in operation as a popular Niagara Falls attraction, the IMAX theatre is demolished. Photographer: Bobbie Johnston, Niagara Falls. Niagara this Week and the Niagara Region promote residents' photography skills. Please visit www.niagararegion.ca for information about submissions.

Bobbie Johnston photo

HAVE AN EVENT HAPPENING IN NIAGARA? HELP US SPREAD THE WORD

OUR WEBSITE OFFERS THE COMMUNITY A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PUBLICIZE THEIR EVENTS, MIKE ZETTEL WRITES

It's about trust. Our relationship with our readers is built on transparency, honesty and integrity. As such, we have launched a trust initiative to tell you who we are and how and why we do what we do. This column is part of that project.

After more than two long years following the great shutdown in re-

LETTERS & COMMENTARY WE SHOULDN'T BE COMPLACENT ABOUT ABORTION RIGHTS

While abortion health care is protected in Canada (decriminalized, though not enshrined in law), there are many individuals and groups who would prefer to see legal protections stripped. They're now even more galvanized by the probable US overturning of Roe v. Wade. As national

sponse to the global COVID-19 pandemic, business, attractions — and especially events — are back up and running.

This week, our newspaper featured a special section, Best of Summer, which highlights some of the best festivals and attractions taking place across Ontario. The feature will continue through-

out the month of June.

One of the pieces, by Abby Green, centred on Pride month and all the ways in Niagara to celebrate it — from flag raisings to a selection of curated films to the fan favourite Pride in the Park event.

But unfortunately, we don't know about everything and we know the difficulties non-profit groups and grassroots organizations have trying to get the word out about their events and press releases with small teams and varied budgets.

The good news is we can help.

Whether it's a fundraiser, festival, farmers' market or holiday happening,

we invite community groups and organizations to share news of their events on our website.

Our online events calendar is a popular feature. And the best part? It's absolutely free.

Looking to submit an event? Follow these simple steps:

• Visit www.niagarathisweek.com

• Register for a free account or login using your existing credentials

• Under your username, select "Submit Your Content"

• Click on "Submit Event" to create an event

• Fill out the required fields and click submit.

If you run into issues,

Our events page is a great place to let people know about community activities, such as the Grimsby Farmers' Market, which returned for the season late last month.

you can download an easyto-follow guide or reach out to a member of our team at news@niagarathisweek.com.

With life starting to return to normal — or perhaps the new normal — people are anxious to ven-

ture out again and enjoy the places and events they took for granted in the past. Perhaps your event can become a new favourite.

president Jeff Gunnarson of Campaign Life Coalition replied when asked about this, "Are you stoked? I am."

Social conservative groups like Campaign Life Coalition and RightNow work hard to nominate and elect anti-abortion candidates at municipal, provincial, and federal levels, believing that abortion is the key issue worth considering at election time.

Their ultimate aim is to

have a majority of antiabortion politicians across Canada, with the hope of subsequent anti-abortion laws.

As our own Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff stated back in 2019, "...we pledge to fight to make abortion unthinkable in our lifetime."

Even though the majority of Canadians support the right to choose, given the increased restriction of reproductive choice and

access in the US, and the attempt to get anti-abortion politicians elected here in Canada, we would be foolish to take abortion rights for granted.

FACTS TELL THE STORY

Re. Blind to problems in education, Letter, June 2: Facts are not only important for naysayer but to everyone. Facts tend to

keep one's biases in check.

I have reviewed the recent OECD educational data and Canada ranks 2, 4, and 8 in reading, science, and math respectively out of 41 countries. I would think this is indicative of respectable performance. Regardless, standardized testing in education remains controversial globally.

As to the notion that larger class sizes have no impact on the quality of ed-

ucation, I would leave you with this thought: "Come to our institution because we have the largest class sizes," said by no private educational institution. Ever.

EffectiveJanuary1,2022,FourofNiagara’soldestandmostprestigiouslawfirmsjoinedrankstogain strengthandcombinetalentstoservicethelegalneedsofNiagararesidentsandbusinesses.

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Mike Zettel is the online editor for Niagara this Week.

Metroland file photo

CHRISTA BERVOETS GRIMSBY

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Recently I noticed a lot of vehicles flying the Canadian flag. Great! After 36 years, our men's soccer team qualified for the World Cup! I'm so naïve. Having a keen eye for the obvious, I then noticed it was mostly trucks that were brandishing Canadian flags and I quickly connected the dots — the so-called "Freedom Convoy" that mistook personal selfishness for collective freedom, the 24-day siege on our nation's capital that will cost taxpayers $40 million, the desecration of national monuments, urinating in the streets and splashing in a hot tub, terrorizing ordinary Ottawa citizens with ungodly noise and diesel fumes — and now these mobile protesters want to patriotically wrap their whole

nasty mess of contagious entitlement in our Canadian flag!? Are you serious even in an upside down, sick sort of way?

Oh, no. You do not get to coopt our flag. When it was the Union Jack, that flag cost the lives of 45,400 young and brave Canadians fighting for real freedom in the Second World War. Each and every one of those fresh-faced kids would have gladly taken a shot in the arm instead of a bullet to the head if freedom was another word for inconvenience and could be accomplished by illegally parking trucks.

Oh, no. This small but loud gang of anti-vaxxers and protruckers do not get to celebrate their civil shame with the flying of our Maple Leaf when 80 per cent of real Canadians painstakingly followed the rules of the long and tedious pandemic road.

There were so many different flags being flown in Ottawa, we need to get the positioning correct to clear up all the confusion. Officially, the Canadian flag must be flown slightly higher than any other flag.

America's Stars and Stripes could be next in line but, in honour of the true founder of the trucker movement, not higher than the Trump flag. The Confederate flag, a symbol of slavery, should be flown as close as possible to the Trump flag.

The black and gold Proud Boys' flag would come next, fol-

leader Pat King — "The only way this is going to be solved is with bullets." So you're headed in that direction anyway.

There's a house here in Port Colborne that proudly displays a F--- Trudeau flag above an upside down Canadian flag on the front porch. The image screams: "Look at me! I'm furious, rude and uncultured and I have no problem using the 'Fword' around children." That's the school kids who walk by that house every day.

lowed by the Roman numeral III and a hand shaped in the "OK" position to represent white supremacist groups both here and in the States. I think we can all agree that the Swastika, a reminder of Hitler's genocide of six million Jews, should be flown at the very bottom. We can all agree on that, right?

What began as a protest against COVID-19 protocols in Ottawa quickly degraded into a celebration of anger and chaos that badly tarnished Canada's image abroad and severely split our national unity at home.

And now those who attended and supported that cross country "Cry Baby Convention" want to mark that infamous event with the same flag that adorned the uniforms of 158 Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan trying to free that country from an army of cavemen called the Taliban. More of our soldiers have taken their own lives since returning home.

Celebrating that dumpster fire in our nation's capital with the Maple Leaf flag is like standing and proudly singing our national anthem at a professional dwarf-tossing contest.

However, if you must fly our flag on your trucks, fly it upside down. That's probably illegal but why would you care? In the words of Freedom Convoy

Yet the one thing this person got right, was positioning the Canadian flag upside down. That's what the truckers and their supporters need to do — identify themselves and their cause with our flag upside down.

Otherwise, they could be mistaken for Canadian soccer fans or Olympic supporters or just plain Canadian citizens who love this country, respect what it still stands for and are heartbroken to see it being ripped apart.

Or worse, unless your flag flies upside down, on Canada Day, everyone might mistakenly think that all the trucks festooned in red and white silk represent people who respect our free and fair democracy and ... even the prime minister himself.

The last thing the "F--- Trudeau" crowd would want us to believe is they actually support the guy they so obviously revile.

So, if you truly believe our federal government in Ottawa is the great oppressor because it imposed health measures in order to save your lives — then flip the flag upside down so we all know what you stand for.

For a comment or a signed copy of humour columnist William Thomas's "The Legend of Zippy Chippy," email: williamjthomas@gmail.com Please donate to UNHCR

It was the highest goal yet, and still, the Niagara Children's Centre beat it.

Each May, the annual Help Kids Shine campaign, apartnership between the St. Catharines-based centre and the local Bell Media radio stations, aims to raise money to help the centre run its programs and get kids off the wait-list.

This year, they set out to raise $250,000. It was the most ambitious goal the campaign had set in its 19 years.

When the campaign ended on May 31, they had

raised $267,200.

The centre's CEO, Oksana Fisher, said as demand continues to grow for the centre's services, funds raised during Help Kids Shine provide immediate financial support to help more children and their families in Niagara.

She said it also ensures additional programs not covered by provincial government funding, such as recreation therapy, behavioural consultation services, family-to-family support programs and aquatics, can continue to thrive at the centre.

The campaign closed with the annual plasma car races at the Gale Centre in Niagara Falls.

The relay-style event featured 19 teams of four adults competing on plasma cars by wiggling their

way toward the finish line.

"It's a lot of fun," said Fisher. "Plasma cars bring out a sense of nostalgia among competitors, and the event is a great way to engage with local residents and businesses."

Each of the participating teams took on the responsibility of fundraising aminimum of $550 for the centre in the weeks leading up to the event.

Team Unicorn, comprised of Todd, Amelia and Kimberly Melville, along with Lauren Skeoch and Rhonda Silwa, raised $1,000 for the centre with their fundraising efforts.

Their team name is a tribute to the daughter, Amelia, who is often seen wearing a unicorn headband or something uni-

See CAMPAIGN,page 14

GOAL

Niagara Children's Centre staff and supporters announce the result of the Help Kids Shine community fundraiser, which raised $267,200 - the largest amount in the centre's 58-year history.

Niagara Children's Centre photo

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CAMPAIGN RAISED NEARLY $270K

Continued from page 13

corn-related.

Amelia has a rare condition called Zellweger spectrum disorder and has

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been receiving care from the centre for nearly nine years. She has accessed services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language

pathology, augmentative communication and the centre's gait clinic.

"She is also a bit of a unicorn herself," said Kimberly. "There is something magical about her, her energy."

Each year, more than 5,800 children and youth in Niagara with physical, developmental and communicative delays are supported by the range of services offered at the centre.

NOTICEOFMOSQUITO

LARVICIDINGPROGRAM

WorkingincooperationwithNiagaraRegionPublicHealth,TheNiagara ParksCommissionwillbeconductingalarvicidingprogrambetween June7toAugust31,2022,undertheauthorityoftheLocalMedicalOfficer ofHealthtocontrollarvalmosquitoestopreventtheirdevelopmentinto vectorsofWestNileVirus.ThelarvicideMosquiron0.12CRD(ingot, PCP#31079)willbeplacedbyhandintocatchbasinsofNiagaraParks propertieslocatedintheTownofFortErie,CityofNiagaraFallsandthe TownofNiagara-on-the-Lake.AlllarvicideswillbeappliedbyMinistry oftheEnvironment,ConservationandParkslicensedapplicatorsor trainedtechnicians.

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Team Unicorn, comprised of Todd, Amelia and Kimberly Melville, along with Lauren Skeoch and Rhonda Silwa, raised $1,000 for the centre with their fundraising efforts for the plasma car race.

Niagara Children's Centre photo

Finishedinstallation

SOARING COST OF LIVING, HOUSING ON MINDS OF RESIDENTS

HOME PRICES THAT HAVE SKYROCKETED, GAS TOPPING $2 A LITRE AND INFLATION PUSHING COST OF FOOD EVER HIGHER A CONCERN TO MANY

PAUL FORSYTH pforsyth@niagara thisweek.com

The soaring cost of homes, gasoline that's topped $2 a litre and prices for groceries that's putting healthy food choices out of reach for a growing number of people are top of mind for Niagara voters heading to the polls in last week's provincial election.

At the Firemen's Park recreation hall in Niagara Falls, concern over affordability was palpable.

"How are our grandkids every going to be able to afford to rent a place, let alone buy a place?" asked one man who just voted with his wife.

The couple from Niagara Falls declined to give their names.

"Home prices are way

too high: they're not worth what they're saying, they're just making a bunch of fictitious millionaires out of people who aren't really millionaires," said the husband.

"We're just lucky we own our house and it's paid for," he said."It's the cost of everything," said his wife.

"The cost of groceries? Oh, my god."

The husband worries about the future of his grandchildren.

"If grandparents or parents can't afford to help their kids, the kids are going to be lost. They're going to have to move away and go to a city where it's cheaper to live," he said.

Jane Andrew of Niagara Falls, who just voted along with her husband Jim, is most worried about the sky high cost of homes that have soared by more than 30 per cent since the pandemic hit in Niagara.

"I think everyone should be able to have their dream and afford their home," she said. "I'm not saying it's an entitlement, but I feel it should be within everyone's reach to be able to afford a home."

Jim Andrew is equally

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concerned about the future for young people.

"It's tough for the kids today to even get enough for a down payment" for a house, he said.

Paul and Dorothy Teeple of Niagara Falls always make a point of taking the time to vote in elections, but Paul admitted he doubts Queen's Park can turn around the housing crisis in Ontario.

"I don't know what government can do about housing prices," he said. "It's out of their control. Anything they do is artificial and it just causes problems down the road. What the province can do is create jobs."

Dorothy said timely access to health care is also a big concern to her.

But even if the planned new south Niagara hospital in Niagara Falls expected to cost more than $1 billion becomes reality, Paul Teeple said it won't make fix health care in the city if the province doesn't make the health system more efficient.

"The new hospital won't make a new difference if they don't change the processes," he said.

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MotherEarthDay-June11,2022 ACelebrationoftheEnvironment

Celebratetheenvironmentatthisyear’sPenFinancial MotherEarthDay!Theeventwillincludeinteractive environmentalandhealthfocuseddemonstrations, &accesstoearth-friendlylocalbusinessesand organizations.TheeventwilltakeplaceatFiremen’s Parkfrom12-4PMthisSaturday,June11th,rainor shine.

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For Niagara Falls residents who voted at Firemen's Park in last week's provincial election, affordability was top of mind in the face of soaring costs of homes, gas and food.

Paul Forsyth/Metroland

PROMPOSAL AT CITY HIGH SCHOOL GOES VIRAL ON TIKTOK

he said. "Then Ms. Caruso said, 'You're doing this today.'"

Pharand said when she walked in the class, she saw other students who weren't part of the chemistry class. "I was confused," she said. "I was like, 'What's going on?'"

PAUL FORSYTH pforsyth@niagarathis week.com

Anifty chemical reaction, a teenage girl sent on a"fool's errand," a chance meeting in a school library and a teenage boy mustering up his courage against the chance of rejection all coalesced in a classroom in Niagara Falls in a promposal that is making waves across the planet.

Francesca CarusoLeitch, who teaches Grade 12 chemistry at Saint Michael Catholic High School, was walking in the school library on Tuesday when she heard one of her students — Benjamin Thekkethala — talking to his buddy during a spare about his plan to hopefully ask classmate Faith Pharand to the school prom.

Problem is, time was running out: the prom, the school's first one in three years due to the pandemic, is coming up fast on June 27.

"His buddy said, 'If you don't ask her today, she's going with someone else,'" said Caruso-Leitch. "It's now getting pretty late: prom is just a few weeks away."

The teacher told Thekkethala she had an idea for apromposal.

With chemistry class soon to start, they sprung into action and recruited some students from a neighbouring class and others on spare to help out in the chemistry classroom. Beakers were filled with chemicals for what's known as the iodine clock, in which clear chemicals

that are mixed become blue after about eight seconds.

"We sent Faith out on a fool's errand around school to get her out of the classroom while we rehearsed it," said Caruso-Leitch.

When Pharand re-

turned, the students used the chemical reaction to spell out 'Prom' in beakers that suddenly turned blue on a table. "Benjamin pulled out two dozen roses and asked her to the prom," said Caruso-Leitch. "It was really cute and sweet. She

said yes.

"They had a bit of a hug."

Thekkethala admitted that asking her in front of his whole class was nerveracking.

"I was so nervous," he said. "I was terrified. "We

Isabella D'Addio, a friend of both who was recruited on a spare to help, said students had to hustle over to Costco to get the flowers a mere 15 minutes before the promposal and hid them in the classroom next door. She shot the video that's gone viral.

Caruso-Leitch joked to her students that she was going to put the video up on social media giant TikTok, but she didn't even have an account. So her students helped her get set up and told her what hashtags to use.

By the time CarusoLeitch got home that day, she already had 14,000 views, so she reached out to her students via the virtual classroom app they use to ask if that's a lot.

"They're like, 'Oh my goodness, it's blowing up,'" she said on Thursday.

As of Thursday, the video had more than 2.4 million views and hundreds of thousands of likes from people around the globe, and more than five million views on an Instagram page that picked it up, and those numbers just keep soaring higher.

Caruso-Leitch said the promposal was heartwarming to see after two years of turmoil at schools due to COVID-19 restrictions and in-person learning interruptions.

had to pull this all together in the span of an hour or two."

He said he was having trouble coming up with the right time to pop the question.

"I was hoping it would just come out of nowhere,"

"After all these kids have been through and what they've missed in the last two years, for me it was special," she said. "It was a beacon of hope that maybe we're getting back to those great things.

"It was a lot of fun and it seems to be catching on."

'YOU'RE DOING THIS TODAY,' TEACHER BEHIND PLAN TELLS TEEN RUNNING OUT OF TIME BEFORE THE BIG DAY

Benjamin Thekkethala got help from fellow students and his chemistry teacher at Saint Michael Catholic High School to ask Faith Pharand to the upcoming school prom. The video of the event has generated far more than a million views on social media platform TikTok.

Paul Forsyth/Metroland

COVID-19 RISK REMAINS DESPITE FALLING CASELOADS: HIRJI

ACTING MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH SAYS INTERNATIONAL POLICIES AT BORDERS NEEDED TO GET RID OF PATCHWORK OF RULES

PAUL FORSYTH pforsyth@niagarathis week.com

With fewer and fewer people wearing masks now, capacity limits lifted and people once again flocking to spring and summer fairs, carnivals and fundraisers that have returned after a two-year hiatus, a growing number of Niagara residents may feel the pandemic is finally something to look back on through the rear-view mirror.

But while caseloads and hospitalizations have fallen from their peak of the most recent wave, Niagara's acting medical officer of health is warning this virus with its different

variants has real staying power that may well come roaring back in the fall as people move indoors during the cooler weather.

Dr. Mustafa Hirji told reporters in a COVID-19 briefing Monday that this summer should be the time when we collectively use the relative lull we're seeing — cases and hospitalizations still remain substantially higher than where they were at last fall and summer — to better prepare for what will most certainly be a long slog in terms of dealing with the virus.

He said he'd like to see the province update voluntary proof of vaccination passports to include third booster shots, and improved ventilation in public buildings along with changes to the Ontario Building Code so new building construction projects and major renovations of existing buildings include higher ventilation standards, made possible in part by government incentives and funding.

Hirji also said permanent paid sick days should become the norm at busi-

nesses across Niagara to prevent people from heading to work while sick and then infecting others.

"We really want to ingrain that as a permanent part of our culture going forward," he said. "COVID-19 is still spreading in our community and people are still at risk.

"This virus has every ability to come back and

do us some more harm," he said.

While the local hospital system is still at more than 100 per cent capacity, Hirji said it wasn't as overrun during the last wave even without more draconian restrictions. That's probably influencing public perceptions, he said.

"I do think people are less worried about the

pandemic," said Hirji. "I think it's not entirely incorrect: we are in a much better place with this pandemic. The public is picking up on that."

But Hirji said while steps such as capacity limits and business shutdowns may not be necessary, ongoing masking and continuing to push for booster shots remain im-

portant.

"The public is probably resistant to going back to some of the most intense measures we've had over the last couple of years," he said. "I don't think they're adverse to doing the things that are more mild ... that will allow us to stay safe from the pandemic."

The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce on Monday said it has asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the province to lift remaining border restrictions to help the battered tourism industry recover.

Hirji said the risk from travel has certainly diminished over time. "We don't need to be putting very onerous restrictions on travel," he said.

But Hirji said some kind of international travel rules related to COVID-19 need to be implemented to get rid of the "patchwork" of rules out there right now, to simplify the rules.

"That will be welcomed by businesses," he said. "Right now it's very confusing."

A chart shown by Dr. Mustafa Hirji in a COVID-19 briefing to reporters Monday shows that while the number of hospitalizations in Niagara has dropped from the peak of the latest wave of the virus, it remains far higher than last fall and summer.

Paul Forsyth screenshot

TROPHY RETURNS TO IN THE SOIL FESTIVAL WITH NEW SHOW

Catharines has been so generous to us and just really eager participants in our artistic experience experiments and then the work has gone on to tour pretty significantly after that," she said. "Our last show that was there has toured to like 20 places throughout the world since then."

An immersive audio experience is coming to this year's In the Soil Arts Festival.

"Remixed," the latest show from Ottawa-based Trophy, will be heading to the annual downtown St. Catharines festival this weekend.

Sarah Conn, Trophy's artistic director, said this will be the group's third time in the city, and she said they love coming to Niagara to try out their new material.

"The audience in St

As for "Remixed," Conn said the team created an algorithm where the participant will answer some questions, and through the results, will receive a curated playlist of stories to listen to.

Conn said the goal of the stories is to inspire, and reflect.

"(It's) a chance to think about the change you might want to make in your life or the changes that you have made in your life and what it took to get there," she said. "I think so often we

just flash through our lives and don't take time to think about what brought us here. And I think perfor-

mances like 'Remix' give us achance to sit with that and to think about it, and really acknowledge and give our-

selves a bit of credit for what has brought us to where we are today."

As far as the physical

space participants will be seated in, Conn called it a "kinetic sculpture." She described it as a large flower bed that moves and comes to life over the course of the performance.

"We're really trying to bring people, bring listeners to the storyteller so that they're into the stories," she said. "You kind of feel like you're sitting in someone's kitchen hearing them talk about a moment of change, or maybe you're joining them in the part of where the change took place."

To try out "Remixed," visit Oddfellows Temple at 36 James St. on Friday, June 10 at 7 p.m., or Saturday, June 11 at either 2 p.m. or 6 p.m.

Participants can enter with an In the Soil festival pass, or by paying $15 at the door.

The whole experience lasts about 45 minutes.

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10 THEATRE EXPERIENCES TOO GOOD TO MISS

May 26 to June 26, $25+

Record heatwaves, shortages of fans and air conditioners in big-box retailers, and a rush of folks high-tailing it to cottage country can mean only one thing: summer has hit Southern Ontario.

It's a welcome shift in the performance sector. The last few months have been strange ones for theatre in the GTA and beyond: there have been a plethora of conflicting opening nights, for instance, and numerous shows have had to cut their runs short due to COVID cases within casts and creative teams.

But despite the chaos of the last few months, on the way are warmer weather and a powerful new season of theatre. Here are the top 10 shows and festivals I'm looking forward to.

TORONTO: "Where the Blood Mixes" at Soulpepper,

Governor General's Award-winning playwright Kevin Loring is a major voice in Indigenous playwriting in Canada. As Artistic Director of the National Arts Centre's Indigenous Theatre, Loring is a champion for native voices onstage — now his own gets to shine at Soulpepper in a play which explores familial strength despite trauma endured at the hands of Canada's residential schools. Visionary director Jani Lauzon brings Loring's lauded text to life in Toronto's Distillery District this June.

STRATFORD: Stratford Festival, various programming through Oct. 29, $21+ No way could this list possibly exclude the worldfamous Stratford Festival. Shakespeare fans might have already committed the lineup to heart, but those of us less friendly with the

Bard might wish to check out the fantastic studio lineup. I'm particularly looking forward to "Hamlet-911," written by Ann-Marie MacDonald and directed by Alisa Palmer. The play wrestles Shakespeare's text into whimsical submission, roving from a matinee performance of the text at the Stratford Festival to ... the Underworld. It's a metatheatrical, daring world premiere, one sure to charm even the least classically informed of Stratford attendees.

TORONTO: "Sweeney Todd" at Talk Is Free Theatre, June 6 - July 3, $75+ You might already be fa-

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miliar with a certain demon barber of Fleet Street, but not like this. The Barriebased company Talk Is Free Theatre comes to Toronto this summer with an immersive production of what is perhaps Stephen Sondheim's most famous work. Happening at the Neighbourhood Food Hall on Gerrard Street East, this "Sweeney Todd" will foster an intimate connection between the audience and the story. Helmed by director Mitchell Cushman, the founding artistic director of immersive theatre company Outside the March, this ambitious take on Sweeney looks to be one for the books. How about a shave?

BLYTH: Blyth Festival, various programming June 22 to Sept. 24, $15+

Located in a tiny town (like, population-underone-thousand tiny), the Blyth Festival is one of Ontario's most highly regard-

ed summer theatre events, drawing in audiences from across the province. This year's programming includes Michael Healey's "The Drawer Boy," a Canadian classic with deep ties to Healey's experience working as an actor at the Blyth Festival over twenty years ago. Also featured is Indigenous playwright Drew Hayden Taylor's "Cottagers and Indians," a hilarious and timely look at the relationship between cottage country and the land it occupies.

TORONTO: "& Juliet" at Mirvish Productions, June 22 to Aug. 14, $49+

"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," looks to be quite the stunner, judging by the influx of bus ads, social media banners and billboards touting the production. But the equally exciting "& Juliet," a re-imagining of Shakespeare's most famous not-love story, is also coming to King Street for its North American premiere — it's not an overstep to assume the production has Broadway aspirations.

Created by "Schitt's Creek" veteran David West Read, the musical features tunes from legendary producer Max Martin and performances from Broadway's Betsy Wolfe and Tony Award-winning Paulo Szot.

KITCHENER-WATERLOO: "We Could Be" at Green Light Arts, Aug. 16-25, $0

Five playwrights from the Waterloo region come together with "We Could Be," a collection of short plays which speak to the present moment. Themes of hope and resilience underscore the new works, making "We Could Be" an ideal project for what will be one of Kitchener-Waterloo's first in-person theatre events back since the pandemic. It'll also be taking place inside the Kitchener Market — because who doesn't love a summer farmers' market followed by new theatre?

EAST YORK: "Detroit" at Coal Mine Theatre, July 3 to Aug. 7, $35+

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'PROMISINGLY INNOVATIVE'

Continued from page 22

Located in Toronto's East End, Coal Mine Theatre is a tiny little space known for telling stories which are anything but. Coal Mine's first project back from the pandemic, Annie Baker's cerebral "The Antipodes," has been a hit with critics and audiences alike, and I know I'm already counting down the days until the company's next show. Playwright Lisa D'Amour's "Detroit" takes a suburban American summer fête and runs amok with it: it's a barbecue I'm more than a little eager to attend.

HAMILTON: "Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story" at Theatre Aquarius, July 27 to Aug. 13, $55+ Hannah Moscovitch is

one of Canada's most celebrated playwrights, her prolific "Old Stock" one of the country's most inventive plays. Featuring musician Ben Caplan as the captivating Wanderer, "Old Stock" follows two Romanian Jews making the journey to Canada in 1908. Weaving together music, humour, and poignant storytelling, Moscovitch's deeply personal play is a modern classic, and with Caplan at its forefront, I can't imagine a better way to spend a summer day at the theatre.

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE: Shaw Festival, various programming year-round, $28+

Stop by Niagara-on-theLake for some wine, then stick around for this year's Shaw programming. The

Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre lineup, in particular, looks promisingly innovative: 2018 Pulitzer finalist "Everybody" by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins takes an early modern morality play and turns it on its head, while Keith Barker's "This Is How We Got Here," produced in co-production with Native Earth Performing Arts, explores the nuance and contradiction of grief. Over in the Royal George Theatre, Johnna Wright and Patty Jamieson's play "Gaslight" runs through Oct. 8 — it's an excellent piece of writing, and there's no time like the present to learn where the phrase "gaslighting" first originated.

TORONTO: SummerWorks Festival, Aug. 4-14, $0+ I'll be finishing the

warm season strong at Toronto's SummerWorks Festival, a beloved platform for emerging and established artists alike. Though this year's SummerWorks programming remains under wraps, the festival has historically been a consistently strong

forum for new writing and performance from Toronto artists. In collaboration with the City of Toronto's ArtworxTO: Toronto's Year of Public Art 2021-2022 initiative, this year's SummerWorks lineup has also expanded to include largescale public art installa-

tions alongside public performances and workshops. SummerWorks is a laboratory; a playground; an incubator. It's everything at once — and a fantastic way to finish out one of Southern Ontario's most promising summer seasons of theatre ever.

With warmer weather comes a powerful new season of theatre in Ontario.

Toronto star photo illustration

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FRIDAY, JUNE 10

50/50 Cash lottery - May Court Club of St. Catharines fundraiser

WHEN: 12:00 a.m WHERE: ONLINE, 261 Martindale Road, Unit 14C, St. Catharines CONTACT: Suzie Findlay, 9054662503, homes@suziefindlay.com, https:// www.rafflebox.ca/ raffle/cashlot

You are cordially invited to click on the link below, have some fun and help us make a difference for those who need our help in the Niagara Region.

Port Colborne Farmers' Market

WHEN: 8:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m

WHERE: Port Colborne Farmers' Market, 59 Charlotte St., Port Colborne CONTACT: portcolbornefarmersmarket@gmail.com, https://www.facebook.com/ portcolbornefarmersmarket

The Port Colborne Farmers' Market returns on Thursday, April 14 with an Easter Market, opening at 8 a.m. until noon. The official start of the regular season is Friday, April 22, every Friday morning from 8 a.m. till noon, until Oct. 28, 2022.

Adult Book Club

WHEN: 2:00 p.m - 3:00 p.m

WHERE: Caistorville Branch, 9549 York Street, West Lincoln CONTACT: West Lincoln Public Library, 9059573756, info@westlincolnlibrary.ca, https:// www.westlincolnlibrary.ca/ Join us as we discuss "From the Ashes" by Jesse Thistle. Copies are available at the Caistorville and Smithville Branches of West Lincoln Library and may be available through the Libby app. Registration is required.

SATURDAY, JUNE 11

2022 St. Catharines Farmers Market

WHEN: 7:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m

WHERE: St. Catharines Market Square, 91 King St, St Catharines,

ON, St. Catharines

CONTACT: Deanna Chakarova, 905-932-0639, dchakarova@stcatha-rines.ca, http:// www.stcatharines.ca/ market

The year round market expands to outside from may14, 2022 to october 15, 2002 featuring live entertainment from local talents, over 55 vendors offering a bounty of local grown and made products and free activities for all ages.

TUESDAY, JUNE 14

Seed Saving 101

WHEN: 6:30 p.m - 7:30 p.m

WHERE: Wellandport Branch, 5042 Canborough Road, West Lincoln

CONTACT: West Lincoln Public Library, 9059573756, info@westlincolnlibrary.ca, https:// www.westlincolnlibrary.ca/ The Seed Savers Club is a monthly social club for those interested in sharing knowledge about growing food. June's club meeting includes the program, "Seed Saving 101 with Linda Crago of Tree and Twig". Please register your atten-

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15

Catch the Ace: United Way Niagara

WHEN: 7:00 p.m WHERE: Online, 63 Church St, St. Catharines CONTACT: Cortney Gusek, 9056885050, cortney@unitedwayniagara.org, http://catchtheaCOST: 3 tickets for $10, 10 for $20, 50 for $50, 200 for $100

United Way Niagara is excited to launch our first online Catch the Ace progressive jackpot raffle! Enter to win a chance at a weekly prize in addition to the progressive jackpot. 50% of proceeds will be donated back to United Way

Niagara!

THURSDAY, JUNE 16

Hot Meals and Warm Hearts

WHEN: 5:00 p.m WHERE: St. Michael's Church Fort Erie, 310 Central Avenue, Fort Erie CONTACT: nena@safariniagara.com Free shuttle from St.Michael's church in Fort Erie. 3rd Thursday of the month Pick up at 4:45 p.m. with drop off after meal. All are welcome for a free home cooked meal.

SATURDAY, JUNE 18

S.T.E.A.M. Saturdays

WHEN: 10:30 a.m WHERE: Wellandport Branch, 5042 Canborough Road, West Lincoln CONTACT: West Lincoln Public Library, 9059573756, info@westlincolnlibrary.ca, https:// www.westlincolnlibrary.ca/

A science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics program for children ages 8 to 12.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Ghost Walks

WHEN: 8:30 p.m WHERE: Ghost Walks Gift Shop, 126 Queen Street, NiagaraOn-The-Lake CONTACT: Ghost Walks, 8558446787, info@ghostwalks.com, https://ghostwalks.com/niagaraon-the-lake COST: 16 Niagara-on-the-Lake tours are a traditional Ghost Walk of "Canada's Most Haunted Town". Featuring stories at the Olde Angel Inn, iconic Courthouse and Prince of Wales Hotel and more...

TUESDAY, JUNE 21

Niagara Falls Red Raiders Summer Basketball

WHEN: 12:00 a.m WHERE: MacBain Centre, 7150 Montrose Rd, Niagara Falls CONTACT: Jamie Clarke, jamieclarke23@hotmail.com, http://nfredraiders.com

Summer basketball sessions. All information at nfredraiders.com

SCAN THIS CODE to view or post events in your area.

IN THE SOIL FESTIVAL

Witch Profit. At the same time, over on James Street, there will be the Vendor Bender Kickback Market, in partnership with Blackowned905. Those events run from 6 to 11 p.m.

SATURDAY FAMILY FUN

In the Soil Arts Festival is returning to downtown St. Catharines with in-person events.

The annual arts festival, which will run from June 10 to 12, features artists of all walks of life from music, to visual art, to dance, and everything in between.

To purchase a weekend pass, or to see the full schedule of events, visit in-

thesoil.on.ca.

Here are some of the events coming up at this weekend's festival:

LAUNCH AND MARKET

The festival kicks off on Friday, June 10 at the main festival hub at 201 St. Paul St. Musical performances will follow on that stage, including performances by OL Child, Chance Mutuku, Ryan Mowder, and

Saturday kicks off at 11 a.m. at the library with the Massive Band Parade that will travel to the festival hub. Following that, there will be the Family Fun Dance Party.

At the First Ontario Performing Arts Centre, "PEEP" will be set up. PEEP is a custom wooden peep box for performances and art installations by Hercinia Arts Collective.

Inside of Mahtay Café's

Community Room, families can catch the Carousel Players' performance of "Dragon on the Hill" at 1 p.m.

ART INSTALLATIONS

Aside from the more time-sensitive events, In the Soil will also have a number of art installa-

tions up around downtown and at the Niagara Artists Centre for viewing.

Martina Doom's work "Human Snackrifice" will be viewable by the Festival Hub. Her piece, a larger than average vending machine, "reflects the ultimate sacrifice that many creatives have to make in

the digital realm."

Cree Tylee's "Unending Pathway" is made up of flagstone rocks that have been laid out to create a circular path. Each stone holds an image from an archive of family photographs. His installation will be on the front lawn of Silver Spire Church.

In The Soil returns to downtown St. Catharines from June 10 to 12.

Melinda Cheevers/Metroland

TO FALL

With the heat of summer already upon us, it might be time to find a new café to quench your thirst or grab a bite to eat. The Niagara region has a variety of unique cafés that are different, delicious and unique in their own way. Here are five cafés in Niagara to check out.

Black Sheep Coffee Roasters (The Black Sheep Lounge)

Coffee is good, but sustainably sourced coffee is better. Black Sheep Coffee Roasters (known as The Black Sheep Lounge) is found in Welland right along the canal and has been a favourite since it opened in 2015.

One thing that makes this café unique is that they offer direct-trade coffee.

They offer baked goods and often have musicians, poets and artists performing at their location.

Black Sheep Coffee Roasters is at 64 Niagara St. in Welland. They are open Tuesday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit blacksheepniagara.com.

Nature's Corner Bakery and Cafe

This little café in the town of Ridgeville nestles along Fenwick's country roads. They offer hot and cold beverages, a lunch menu and baked goods like scones and muffins.

On their lunch menu, the "grown-up grilled cheese" is a favourite.

The café offers outdoor dining during

the summer months or indoor dining all year round.

Within this cute little café, customers will find a gift shop with many items like jewelry and giftware that are made locally. They also sell local jams and artisanal cheeses.

Nature's Corner is at 302 Canboro Rd., Unit 1A, in Ridgeville.

They are open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information and to order online, visit naturescorner.ca.

JC Patissier

This new French-styled sit-in café and bakery opened in Thorold a few months ago, and it was well worth the wait. JC Patissier offers plenty of baked goods that are made fresh and perfected in-house.

Baked goods aren't the only items on the menu. Fresh crêpes, cheese croissants and a selection of hot drinks are on the menu too.

JC Patissier is at 33 Front St. S. in Thorold.

The café is open Tuesday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Customers can preorder items ahead of time and pick them up at the store. The Watering Can — Greenhouse Café Within the jungle of plants inside the Watering Can lies a little café called the Greenhouse Café.

The café sells many pastries like cheesecakes, scones and cookies. Customers can enjoy a classic New York-style cheesecake or one of their many specialty

The Greenhouse Café at The Watering Can in Vineland offers drinks, desserts and lunch.

Somer Slobodian photo

RIDE TO CONQUER CANCER RETURNS TO CITY THIS WEEKEND

the ride to be held only as a virtual event the previous two years.

Niagara Parks said the 15th annual event will raise important funds for research at the Prince Margaret Cancer Centre.

Thousands of cyclists are expected to pour into Niagara Falls this weekend as the Enbridge Ride

To Conquer Cancer returns.

The pandemic forced

The provincial Crown agency said the event, the first since 2019, is expected to draw more than 3,600 cyclists to Queen Victoria Park for the official finish of the ride, meaning local traffic will be impacted from Friday, June 10 to Monday, June 13.

The Parks said the funds raised through the

event that sees cyclists ride from Toronto to Niagara Falls directly support personalized cancer medicine, research, treatment advances, education and new standards of care at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and around the world.

The agency said it is committed to providing participants with a safe and secure environment, so it announced the following temporary road closures:

•Friday, June 10, Saturday, June 11 and Monday, June 13: There will be a

temporary single lane closure of a northbound lane of the Niagara Parkway between Dufferin Islands and the Toronto Power Plant from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. to facilitate the event's setup and cleanup.

•Sunday, June 12: Beginning at 8 a.m. and continuing until 5 p.m., there will be a full road closure of the Niagara Parkway from Marshall Road to Macklem Street at Portage Road. In addition, Bridgewater Street from the Niagara Parkway to Cummington Square in Chippawa will be reduced to one lane. There will also be asingle lane closure over Weightman Bridge to allow cyclists to re-enter the Niagara Parkway via Macklem Street. These sections will reopen as the last participant cycles

through the event around 5p.m.

There will also be a full closure of the Niagara Parkway from Macklem Street at Portage Road to Upper Rapids Boulevard and a full closure of the northbound lanes of the Niagara Parkway from Upper Rapids Boulevard to Fraser Hill in effect from 2 a.m. to about 7 p.m. All northbound traffic on the Niagara Parkway in this area will be diverted to the southbound lanes, which will operate in an opposing traffic pattern.

To avoid congestion, the Parks recommended that vehicles enter Niagara Parks via Murray Street or Clifton Hill.

Dufferin Islands and Burning Springs Hill Road will remain closed to all traffic and parking during

the event. The parking lot at the Floral Showhouse will also be closed to service the event. As a result, all vehicles will be directed to Niagara Parks' falls parking lot A or Rapidsview parking lot C.

Access to bus management at Table Rock Centre or Rapidsview parking lot will not be interrupted. WEGO bus service between Rapidsview parking lot and Table Rock Centre will begin at 10 a.m. and continue without interruption. Traffic delays are to be expected, with all roads reopening by 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 12.

All the times listed are approximate, the Parks said.

Donations and registration information are available at https://ride2conquer.ca/.

JocelynnRodgers FuneralDirector

Part of the Niagara Falls skyline is seen behind cyclists at a previous Ride to Conquer Cancer. The event, a major fundraiser for cancer research, returns to Niagara Falls this weekend after the pandemic forced the previous two years to be held virtually.

Niagara Parks photo

MORE THAN 3,600 CYCLISTS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE FOR 15TH ANNUAL EVENT, LANE CLOSURES IN EFFECT

PAUL FORSYTH pforsyth@niagarathis week.com

EXPLAINER: WHAT'S THE DOWNTOWN NIAGARA FALLS STORYWALK?

PAUL FORSYTH pforsyth@niagarathisweek.com

THE STORY:

The Downtown Niagara Falls Business Improvement Area (BIA) and the Niagara Falls Public Library have teamed up to bring StoryWalks to the city's downtown this summer.

WHAT IS THE STORYWALK?

The StoryWalk is a story with pages that will be on display in the windows of 12 participating businesses in the downtown starting in June, with new stories in July and August.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Families can walk to each of the store windows to read the panels, going from business to business to read the entire sto-

ry.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

StoryWalks give kids the opportunity to experience reading a book while walking through the downtown. Becky

Stark, community development and programming librarian, said StoryWalks are a "fun and interactive way to share the love of reading and storytelling in our community."

TECHNOLOGY PLAYS A ROLE:

By scanning the QR code on each page, the story can be read aloud from a mobile device as families take part in the StoryWalk. BIA events assistant Grace Beaman said it promotes accessibility. "Children can read the story at their own pace or have it read to them," she said. "This includes those of all reading levels in the activity."

ICE

CREAM INCENTIVE:

As a carrot to help kids get motivated, Ronnie Don's Ice Cream will provide a free ice cream cone to children under 12 who finish the monthly story and find the keyword hidden in each book.

WHICH BUSINESSES ARE PARTICIPATING?

Color by Kellie; the BIA office; Adventure Rooms Canada; BATL Axe; Third Space Café; African Women Acting (AWA); La Noire Beauty Studio; Bake, Frost, Repeat; Steve Wilson Studios; The White Whale; Cat and Monkey Events; and Ronnie Don's Ice Cream.

The Niagara Falls Downtown BIA and the Niagara Falls Public Library have teamed up to bring StoryWalks to the city's dowtown this summer.

Metroland file photo

SPLASH TOWN NIAGARA

OPENING AT NICKEL BEACH

will be opening on June 18 at 10 a.m.

Stonier said there would be cake for the first 100 customers.

Once it is set up, the course will be about the size of "half a football field."

will be installed closer to the date of opening.

"It will expand in the sun. We need to do pressure checks and make sure we are in the sweet spot," he said.

Nickel Beach is already adestination.

Derek Stonier, owner and operator of Splash Town Niagara, said the park is going to push the beach "over the top."

Splash Town Niagara will be a floating obstacle course.

Stonier said it would be like the course from the television show "Most Extreme Challenge."

He said the course is open to those ages five and up. Everyone is required to wear a life-jacket. All the required lifeguards have been hired.

Splash Town Niagara

There are, however, plans to expand in the future.

Stonier said he wants to make Splash Town the largest of its kind in Ontario, but those plans are for the future.

The design, he said, will allow the course to be reconfigured as desired.

"My family has been waiting for this dream to become a reality for two years," he said.

They signed an agreement with the City of Port Colborne two years ago, he said. Unfortunately, the pandemic prevented them from opening when planned.

Stonier said the course

He said there will be security patrolling while they are closed. Beach access, he said, should not be impacted.

"My wife and kids have worked very hard on this," said Stonier. "It's a bit surreal. We could not be happier with the reception from residents and the city. They have been excellent with us.

"There is a growing excitement about the park coming," he said.

Stonier said those wishing to come to Splash Town Niagara must enter the beach first.

For more information check out the Splash Town Niagara's website

.ca.

Splash Town Niagara, an inflatable waterpark business, will be opening at Nickel Beach in Port Colborne on June 18, 2022.

Metroland file photo

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CharmingHomeOnLargeTreedLot.3bedrmbrick&vinyl 2storeyNorthendcharacterhomeonveryprivatesetting.Large livingroomw/f/p,formaldining.Invitingcoveredfrontporch,3car detachedgarage(inneedofrepair).Adjacenttofuturesubdivision.

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3623EastMainSt.

New1459sq.ft.,twobedroom,2bathroomintheQuaintVillageof Stevensville.StoneandVinylexteriorwithcovereddeckonalargelot.

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BuildyourDreamHomeonthisgorgeous1acrelotlocatedinastately neighbourhood.Situatedclosetocityamenities,butwithabeautifulcountry setting.Buyertocompletetheirownduediligenceregardingfutureuses, buildingpermits,servicesetc.IncloseproximitytotheGreaterFortErie SecondarySchool,arena,majorhighways&ThePeaceBridge. JackieDenham905-708-3603(cell)•DaynaBlair-Denham905-651-9004(cell)

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Attentionbuildersanddevelopers!Thispropertyhasgreatpotentialforafixerupperor landdevelopment.Nicesizepropertywithawesomedetachedgarage.Woodstovein thehouseandthegarage!This3bedroomshomehasanexcellentfloorplanwithroom foragrowingfamily. MLS:4026058 BarbaraScarlett905-871-2121

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1069MeadowoodStreet,FortErie•$639,900

Nicely-kept3BR/3+BABungaloftnearschools.1265sq.ftofliving space.Openconceptkitchen,living&dining.Vaultedceilings, hardwoodflooring.Main-levelmastersuite.Finishedbasement.Deck andfencedyard.

JackieDenham905-708-3603(cell)•DaynaBlair-Denham905-651-9004(cell)

318JarvisSt.FortErie•$599,900

Great,turnkeystarterhome,shortdistancefromdowntownamenitiesandwaterfront area.Agentleman’sdreamgaragewithlargepaveddriveway.Beautifullylandscaped backyardwithnewdeck&gazebo!3beds,2bath!Openconceptmainfloorwithmodern interiordesigns. MLS:40265015

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516GarrisonRdFortErie•FORLEASE-Unit1,2,6&7

4Commercialunitsavailableforlease!Easilyaccessiblemainfloorunits withgreatexposureonamainroadinFortErie.Idealforamedicalpractice, personalservicesorasalonofanykind!Combine2oftheunitsforalarger business!Don’tmissoutonthisgreatopportunity.

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516GarrisonRdFortErieUnit9•$1425perMonth+Utilities516GarrisonRdFortErieUnit12•$1675perMonth+Utilities

Forlease!Thisresidential1bedroomapartmentisconveniently locatedclosetoallamenitiesinourgrowingcommunityofFort Erie.Stylishfeaturessuchaspotlighting,glassshowerand laminateflooring.4stoolbreakfastcounterforentertaining!

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Leasethisspacious1bedroomapartmentinFortErie!Fully renovatedthroughoutandincludesa4piecebath,laminate flooringandpotlighting.Openconceptlivingareawithalarge storagecloset.Stylishapartmentwithtonsofnaturallight.

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JeannieRipley* jeannie.ripley@century21.ca

EvaPawson* eva-pawson.c21.ca

EugenePilato*** eugene.pilato@century21.ca

JohnPalumbo* john.palumbo@century21.ca

BarbaraScarlett** barbara.scarlett@century21.ca

MelissaStack melissa_stack@centum.ca

RoyZanatta** roy.zanatta@century21.ca

KevinNoonan* kevin.noonan@century21.ca DanWeaver* dan.weaver@century21.ca

DreamingoftheeasylivinginNovaScotia?Ateamofexperienced realtorsisreadytohelpyoufindtheperfectpropertyandhelp planyourmovefromdoortodoor.Weareheretoprovideinsider accesstohotpropertiesforsaleinNovaScotia,helpyoutoavoid obstaclesandpitfalls,andassistwiththelogisticsofmovingacross provinces

CarltonCorner,NovaScotia

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•Approx.southstreetlotsizeis1.6acresparklike propertybackingontoAnnapolisRiver

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BarbaraGrumme,Salesrepresentative Century21TodayRealty,NiagaraFalls,Ontario 905-356-9100

LyanneCantin,Salesrepresentative Century21TridentRealty,Dartmouth,NovaScotia 902-802-7193

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BACK ON TRACK: ATHLETICS NIAGARA UP AND RUNNING

CLUB LOOKING FOR ATHLETES, COACHES AS IT REBOUNDS FROM COVID-19 PANDEMIC

RICHARD HUTTON rhutton@niagarathis week.com

The way Avery Watson sees it, joining Athletics Niagara was a better fit for her than the sport she participated in previously.

"I was a soccer player, but I never touched the ball," the 16-year-old said with a smile as she prepared for a training session with the club at Oakes Park. "But I was great at running around."

She joined the club, which trains every Monday and Thursday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Oakes, back in 2017 and she hasn't looked back. At the moment, she is working on shaving seconds off of her time in the 800 metres, where her best time is two minutes, 37 seconds.

"We need to work on that," said Wayne Rae, who has been coaching at the club for the past 18 years.

While not a sport that is on the top of everyone's radar, with many kids registering for sports such as baseball, hockey and soccer, those who do become dedicated, said Rae, who is also the club's president.

"It just gets into your system," he said.

Athletics Niagara was established in 1974 at Oakes and holds the distinction of being the oldest track club in Niagara. Membership has bounced up and down over the years, the COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on club activities and subsequently, membership dropped from prepandemic levels of 100 members to just 30. With the club now back at full operation, those numbers

have climbed again.

"Now, we're back to 50," Rae said, adding that members of the club come from across Niagara.

The club is also looking to add to its coaching complement. Currently, there are nine coaches that work with athletes of all ages — the club is open to ages eight an up — in running, throwing and jumping events. In addition to the training, the club partici-

pates in summer track and field meets, including events in Welland, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and Hamilton.

"At eight, they get a broad overview," Rae said. "And basically, coaches can tell who should be were."

That means young athletes who show promise in a discipline such as javelin or a middle-distance running event such as 800 me-

tres will have their training tailored to that.

That's something Watson appreciated.

"That's the great thing about the club," she said. "I got to try a lot of things."

Many of the club's athletes have gone on to success, competing and medalling at the Ontario Federation of School Athletics Associations (OFSAA) championships. Rae has a wall dedicated to those suc-

cess stories in the group's clubhouse. His own son, Jeremy, excelled on the track in 1,500 metres and earned a full scholarship to the University of Notre Dame. He also represented Canada at the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russia, earning a silver medal.

The club also hands out scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000. The scholarship was recently named for Julianne Miszk, a mem-

ber of the club who died in 2020 after living for four years with cancer. All throughout that time, she continued to pursue her love of running. Membership costs range, depending on age and duration of participation. More information is available at athleticsniagara.ca. Anyone who is interested in becoming a coach can contact Rae at athleticsniagara@gmail.com.

Lydia Jeffery from Pelham leads Athletics Niagara teammates through warm ups at Oakes Park.

Richard Hutton/Metroland

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OFFERS BIG IMPACT IN SOUTH NIAGARA

CLOSE TO 200 CHILDREN WAITING FOR

Something small like taking a walk, having a game night, or even just sitting on the couch together to watch a movie can have a huge impact on a young person's life.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara Falls and South Niagara (BBBS) volunteer Samantha Addario said the activities she chooses to do with her mentee don't have to be extravagant; it's about spending quality time and building a bond together.

"I'm currently matched with a 10-year-old named Amelia and she is so sweet. We spend time outdoors. She likes playing in the park," Addario said.

"Our job is just to be a friend to a child, and role model where possible, and asupport system if we can be."

BBBS offers in-school and group mentorship programs as well as its one-onone mentoring program, where meaningful matches are made between adult volunteers (known as Bigs) and children (known as Littles) ages.

Addario, who resides in Welland, was matched with her Little last March, when there were pandemic restrictions in place.

"We actually started our match virtually. By midsummer that year, we started to be able to hang out in person and it was so much fun," she said.

Addario said the ability of BBBS to continue to carry on, even during a pandemic, highlights how important it is for the people it serves.

"I think it's a real testament to the fact that the program continues to thrive and I think it's a real testament to how we tether ourselves to people. We are social animals," Addario said.

The volunteer said mentors did their best to stay in

contact with their mentees virtually and in person when possible.

"It was about working harder to make up the difference and I think that's really special," she said.

Mentoring has the power to increase the socialemotional skills of mentees, and improve their mental health and well-being, as well as educational attainment.

"I've learned about how smart kids are these days.

They are thoughtful and intelligent, critical thinkers," she said.

Most importantly, Addario said she's learned to be present in the moment with her Little, rather than being caught up in something else.

"It's just about having fun and enjoying each other's company and being present."

BBBS recently wrapped up its spring fundraising events, which included the

rage sale is indicative of our community's readiness to return to in-person events again this summer and that is exactly what we plan to deliver."

The organization is planning more fundraising events this summer.

Golf for Kids' Sake is happening on June 13 at Lookout Point and a bottle drive is planned for Aug. 6 in locations in Niagara Falls and across south Niagara.

BBBS has a wait list that is increasing daily. Drew Comerford, the organization's marketing and communications co-ordinator, said there are currently close to 200 children on a wait-list.

"Last year, we provided 399 mentoring opportunities to children and youth of Niagara Falls and south Niagara," he said.

The cost for a community based one to one match is about $1,200 per year to support a youth and their mentor through their first year.

Comerford said how much money needs to be raised per year is a difficult question to answer, but this year's goal has been set at $100,000.

Nearly New Thrift Store Garage Sale and a virtual campaign called Move for Mentoring. The two campaigns raised a total of $16,643.

"We were so pleased to see the community come out in large numbers to our first in-person fundraising event since many of the pandemic restrictions have been lifted," said BBBS Executive Director Sarah Ludberg.

"The success of the ga-

"The significance of our fundraising is that it supports life changing mentoring programs for children and youth facing adversity. The act of mentoring, of being there, of providing support, time and friendship to a young person is what makes a difference in a young person's life," he said.

For more information about BBBS and its mentoring programs visit https://niagarafallssouthniagara.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca.

Welland resident Samantha Addario has volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara Falls and South Niagara since 2014 and has seen the benefits the organization's programs offer volunteers and the children and teens it serves.

Sarah Ferguson/Metroland

SARAH FERGUSON sferguson@niagara thisweek.com

SERVICES

NoticeofOnlinePublicInformationCentre#2 MunicipalClassEnvironmentalAssessment

Lundy’sLane(RegionalRoad20)fromHighlandAvenue toMontroseRoad(RegionalRoad98)intheCityof NiagaraFalls.

NiagaraRegionisundertakinganEnvironmentalAssessment StudyforimprovementstoLundy’sLane(RegionalRoad 20)fromHighlandAvenuetoMontroseRoad(Regional Road98)intheCityofNiagaraFalls.Itisafour-laneroad thatisanimportantcorridorformovingvehicles,peopleand goodsacrossthecity;itisoftenheavilypopulatedwithtraffic associatedwiththetourismindustry,asmanyattractions, restaurantsandretailstoresarelocatedalongLundy’s Lane.ItisimperativethatLundy’sLaneremainsasafeand effectivetransportationroutenowandinthefuture.

ThisstudywillbuildontherecommendationsoftheNiagara Region’sTransportationMasterPlan,whichincludedthe following:

•Considerationsforactivetransportationand completestreets

•Intersectionimprovements

•Safetyandoperationalimprovements

•Capacityimprovements

Thestudywillaimtoidentifyimprovementstotheroadway tomeetthefutureneedsofthesurroundingcommunityfor allroadusers.Thestudywilladdressactivetransportation, completestreetsapproach,streetscapingandcompatibly withthevariouslanduseswithinthestudyarea.

ThestudyisbeingcarriedoutasaSchedule‘C’projectin

accordancewiththerequirementsoftheMunicipalClass EnvironmentalAssessmentprocess,whichisanapproved processundertheOntarioEnvironmentalAssessmentAct. ThisstudywilladdresstherequirementsofPhases1to4 oftheMunicipalClassEnvironmentalAssessmentprocess. Oncethestudyiscomplete,anEnvironmentalStudy Reportwillbepreparedandavailableforpublicreviewand comment.ANoticeofCompletionwillbeissuedatthatstage. Consultationwiththepublic,IndigenousNations, regulatoryagenciesandstakeholdersisakeyelement oftheClassEnvironmentalAssessmentprocess.Three PublicInformationCentreswillbeconductedthroughout thisstudytosolicitpublicinput.Atthistime,theNiagara RegionisplanningtohostPublicInformationCentre#2.The purposeofthesecondPublicInformationCentreistoshare informationonthecurrentstatusoftheproject,presentthe planningalternativesthathavebeenidentifiedforthestudy area,andobtaininputfromthepublicandstakeholders withrespecttotheresultsoftheevaluationoftheplanning alternatives.PublicInformationCentre#2willbeheldinan onlineformat.Youcanparticipatebyattendinganonline presentationand/orbyviewinginformationmaterialsonthe projectwebpage.

InformationmaterialsrelatedtotheonlinePublicInformation Centre#2willbeavailableat niagararegion.ca/projects/ lundys-lane/default.aspx starting June8,2022,and commentswillbereceiveduntil July6,2022.

Thestudyteamwilldeliveranonlinepresentationon

June22,2022, startingat 6p.m. Followingthepresentation, thePublicInformationCentrewillcontinueuntil 7:30p.m. Commentsreceivedfromthevirtualconsultationplatform willbeaddressed.Therewillalsobeanopportunityatthe endofthepresentationtoaskanyquestionsorsubmitfurther comments. Pleaseemail inquiries@uemconsulting.com to registerforandreceiveaninvitationtotheonlinepresentation. Ifyouwouldliketoreceivefuturenoticesviaemail,orifyou haveanyquestionsorcomments,pleasecontactoneofthe studyteammembers:

MichaelKowalczyk,C.E.T.

ProjectManager, TransportationEngineering NiagaraRegion

905-980-6000ext.3662

Michael.Kowalczyk@niagararegion.ca SteveBrant,P.Eng.

ConsultantProjectManager

Urban&EnvironmentalManagementInc. 905-371-9765

SBrant@uemconsulting.com

Personalinformationcollectedorsubmittedinwriting atpublicmeetingswillbecollected,usedanddisclosed bymembersofRegionalCouncilandRegionalstaffin accordancewiththe MunicipalFreedomofInformation andProtectionofPrivacyAct(MFIPPA). Thewritten submissionsincludingnames,contactinformationand reportsofthepublicmeetingwillbemadeavailable. QuestionsshouldbereferredtothePrivacyOfficeat 905-980-6000ext.3779or FOI@niagararegion.ca.

Ifyourequireanyaccommodationsinordertoparticipatein meetingsorevents,pleaseletusknowinadvancesothat arrangementscanbemadeinatimelymanner.

Pleasecontactthe AccessibilityAdvisoryCoordinator at 905-980-6000ext.3252or accessibility@niagararegion.ca.

ThisnoticewasfirstissuedonThursday,June9,2022.

FANS HAPPY TO BE BACK AT FORT ERIE RACE TRACK

RICHARD HUTTON rhutton@niagarathisweek.com

Joe and Bev Gianfrancesco were happy to back at the races.

The Fort Erie residents have attended races at the border oval for years and were among the more than 5,000 people who came out for opening day at Fort Erie Race Track on May 31. It was the first time in two years that the border oval welcomed fans back without any public health restrictions in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We come out a lot," Joe said as he poured over his racing program looking for a potential winner to back in the second race of the 10race card. "We really, really missed it," Joe said.

"It's such a nice way to spend the afternoon," Bev added.

But she admitted the Monday-Tuesday schedule isn't perfect for them.

"We really liked coming on the Sunday afternoons," she said.

While race dates for the track's 125th season are primarily on Mondays and Tuesdays, there are some Sunday dates. There will be

racing on Father's Day, June 19 and special cards featuring wiener dog races on July 17 and basset hound races Aug. 14.

Meanwhile, Laurie Rempel of Niagara Falls was in her happy place trackside watching the races.

"I try to come here a cou-

ple of times a year," Rempel said. "I just like looking at all the horses. I used to have one."

She did put a wager down on the first race, picking the No. 2 horse and 10-1 long-shot Wicken Cents to come out on top.

"He didn't win," Rempel said with a laugh.

Rather, it was Erratique, with Helen Vanek in the saddle, which won the first race of the milestone season at Fort Erie. Wicken Cents was fourth.

"She's a nice little filly who ran her heart out," said Vanek, who has been racing at Fort Erie since

1997. "It is great to be back at the home oval. It is nice seeing fans back and having a blast. It feels good to be back to normal."

Joe Gianfrancesco, meanwhile, had better luck, picking the Exactor in the second race when the No. 2 and 4 horses, Act of Bob (Christopher Husbands) and Ace Destroyer (Leo Salles) finished 1-2. A $2 bet on the race paid $8.90.

Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium general manager Drew Cady was positive after seeing fans turn out to the track.

"It was great to see so many of our loyal fans and

new customers at our opening day," he said. "Everyone was happy to be back to racing and in person events. It was a great kickoff to our 125th anniversary season."

More than $1.65 million was wagered, a record number for opening day, apart from the 2020 season where Fort Erie Race Track was one of the first tracks in North America to start running without spectators, after closures due to COVID.

In addition to the racing, opening day festivities included a post-race performance by band Jonesy.

Above: Act of Bob, with Christopher Husbands aboard, crosses the finish line to win the second race on opening Day May 31 at Fort Erie Race Track. Right: Joe Gianfrancesco makes his picks for the second race on May 31 as his wife, Bev, looks on. The Fort Erie residents were happy to be back to see the races live after fans were allowed back to the track with no restrictions for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Pictured belw are: Laurie Remple from Niagara Falls; Adam Curry, 6, put the words on his T-shirt into action, cooling off with some water as he and dad, Chris, and sister Hannah, 8, took in the opening day action; First-race winner Erratique gets a well-deserved cool down.

Richard Hutton/Metroland

BORDER OVAL STARTS SEASON WITHOUT COVID RESTRICTIONS FOR FIRST TIME IN TWO YEARS

SENKALOWSKI,James(Jim)

Durastanti),ChrisErkelens (Erin),LisaSchultz(Dave),and theirlovingfamilies.

Jimwasblessedwithmany friendships;amongthosewere hislifelongfriendsJimAllez, KenMcGuintyandAaron Hurst.

KEATING,Elizabeth"Sue"(néeWilkinson) February19,1945-November23,2021

Itiswithimmensesadnesswe announcethepassingofour BelovedHusband,Father, Papa,Brother,Uncleand Friend.Withhisfamilies embrace,Godwelcomedhim intohisarmsonThursday, June2,2022inhis73rdyear.

Cherishedandlovinghusband ofJo-Ann(Duffield)for46 years.Irreplaceablefatherof SabrinaNapoli(Enzo).

PredeceasedbyMichaelGrant Senkalowskiwhoheisnow reunitedwithinheaven.His prideandjoywerehis grandchildren,Lucaand SophiaNapoli,whoadored theirPapa.

Predeceasedbyhisparents JadwigaandMarian Senkalowski.Dearstepsonof JanineSenkalowskiof Winnipeg.Honoredbrother ofJohnSenkalowski(Alice)of Smithville,JoeSenkalowskiof B.C.,andEvaBima(Martin)of Winnipeg.ValuedBrother-inlawofAnnMarieErkelens (AnthonyFalcone)of Burlington.

TreasuredbyextendedNapoli familyCosimo,Teresa,Frank, Frances,CassieandMatthew. Rememberedbyhisnieces andnephewsChristine Morwood,LianeMcIntosh (Brent),MatthewSenkalowski (Jovana),DanielSenkalowski, TerriErkelens(Pete

Familyandfriendswillbe welcomedattheVineland ChapelofTALLMANFUNERAL HOMES,3277KingStreet, Vineland,onTuesday,June 7thfrom2-4and6-8p.m.A FuneralMasswillbe celebratedatSt.Joseph's RomanCatholicChurch,135 LivingstonAvenue,Grimsby onWednesday,June8that 12:00p.m.Cremationto follow.

Toviewthelivestreamofthe FuneralMass,pleasevisit TallmanFuneralHomes Facebookpage.

WeareforevergratefultoDr. JulianOwen,andthe neurologicalteamatthe HamiltonGeneralHospitalfor theirexpertcare,kindness, andeffortstosaveJim'slife. ThenursesthatcaredforJim wereangelsonearth,they caredforhimbeyondour expectation,andexudedan unwaveringcompassionand empathy.

Theloveandprayersofour manyfriendsgaveusstrength daily.Weareeternally humbled.

Inlieuofflowers,weaskthat youdonatetoyourlocalfood bankorcharityofyourchoice.

"Yourlifewasablessing,your memoryatreasure,youare lovedbeyondwordsandwill bemissedbeyondmeasure"

Unknown

Onlinecondolencesatwww.tallmanfuneralhomes.ca

AsperSue'swishes, cremationhastakenplaceand herlifewillbecelebratedon June18th,2022at1:00pmat StPaul'sAnglicanChurchFort Eriewithareceptiontofollow attheRoyalCanadianLegion Br.71FortErie.

Pleasejoinusaswepaya specialtributetoawonderful womanwhoalwaysimparted sayingsthatwereattimes insightfulfortheinstantor couldbringachuckletoa momentofextreme seriousness,"blessher pointedlittlehead".Sue's positiveoutlook,sincereand memorablesmile,andsense ofhumourremainedwithherhermemoriessharedand recounted,funniesmadeand herloveabounding.

Suewillbedearlymissedby

herchildrenKatie(Tracy Reynolds)KeatingandSean (Tricia)Keatingandher3 grandchildren,Brody,Colbie andBeauKeating.Alwaysa familywoman,herlegacywill liveonforeverthrough continuedtimetogether, storiestold,andalotof laughingandsmiles.

Suewasacaringsister-in-law toLinda(Phillips)Wilkinson, andalovingaunttoherniece, KellyKeating(Pete),and nephews,GordKeating, TimothyMatthews-Sawicki (Greg),WilliamWilkinsonand theirfamilies.Suewillbe rememberedbymanycaring extendedfamilymembersand friends,namelyherdearest andoldestfriendsRobin Vassallo,andBobbieLynch. AwaitingSue's"arrival"were herparentsPhyllis(2019)and Harry(1995),herbrotherRick (2021),hertwinsisterJane (2019),andnephewBrett (2020).

Inlieuofflowers,ifdesired, donationstoGarrisonPlace RetirementResidence,The KidneyFoundationofCanada, oracharityofyourchoice wouldbeappreciatedbythe family.

HALL,ClaytonArthur"CA"

ThefamilyofthelateClayton ArthurHall"CA"willgatherto celebratehislifeattheFort ErieConservationClub2555

OttRd,Stevensvilleon Saturday,June25,2022from 1p.m.to5p.m.

Clayton"CA"Hallpassed awayThursdayJune17,2021, attheageof66years.A lifelongresidentofFortErie, Ontario,Claytonwastrulya wonderfulmanwhodeeply lovedhisfamily,friends,coworkersandcommunity. Wehopeyouwilltaketimeto joinwithothersandshare storieswithhisWifeDonna, sonsKevin(Corey)andJustin (Andrea),andhisgrandchildrenwhowerehispride andjoy,Hunter,Emma, Addilyn,andCooperalong withtherestofhisfamilyand themanyfriends,teammates, playersandcoachesthathe wassoproudtohavehad relationshipswith. Memorialcontributionsmay bemadetoLastChance HorseandPonyRescue,Fort ErieConservationClubora charityofyourchoice.

SMITH,Grant(Harvey)

Passedawaypeacefullyon Sunday,May29,2022.He wasinhis89thyear.Grant andBarbara,hiswifeof34 years,havecreatedan amazingblendedfamily. Children,EricaRobertson, (Drew),AndrewSmith,Lauri Harvery,(Spiro),David Conron,(Liz),OwenConron, (Laura)andHonourary daughterBrandieGairns, grandchildrenKiraandJames Robertson,RoryMiller, (Rachel),ArdenMiller,(Dean), Aliyah,JillianandMadelyn ConronandHonourary granddaughtersTavia,Amara andElinaGairnsaswellas great-grandsonJaysonMiller wereallpartofhisfamily circle.Grant'sfamilywould liketothankthecaringstaffat RapeljeLodgeinWellandfor theirexpertise,compassion andsensesofhumour. Despitehisstruggles,you madehimsmile.ACelebration ofLifewillbeheldon Saturday,August13at3p.m. attheChurchofChristin Beamsville,4900JohnSt., Beamsville.Visitationwillbe from2-3p.m.followedbythe service.

Onlinecondolencesat www.tallmanfuneralhomes.ca

Your memory is as dear today, as in the hour you passed away.

wonderful person, friend and aide,

not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep, I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glint on snow, I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn’s rain.

Pleasant in manner, patient in pain, our loss is your eternal gain. Your cheery ways and smiling face, are a pleasure to recall; you had a kindly word for each, and died beloved by all.

A sweet little flower, nipped in the bud, no grief or sorrow knew; just came to earth to win our love and then to Heaven withdrew. No stain was on your little heart, sin had not entered there; and innocence slept sweetly on that pale white brow so fair. You were too pure for this cold earth, too beautiful to stay, and so God’s holy angel bore our darling one away.

GALLAGHER(neeAssheton-Smith),AnnEvelyn

tifulgarden,takingpainting lessonsattheNiagara PumphouseArtsCentreor cookingupastorminher kitchenmakingpreservesfor manyNiagara-on-the-LakeMuseumfundraisingevents. AtAnn'srequestprivate cremationhastakenplaceand therewillbenovisitationor service.

DABBS(neeMaxwell), JacquelineDelores

WINGER,OliveEileen

PIKOR,Julia

Passedawaypeacefullyon Saturday,May21,2022,atthe ageof93.Feisty,strongand verylovingmotherofTrish (Brent)andFiona(thelate Rick).Predeceasedbyher belovedhusbandBrian,her brotherRogerandhersister Joan.

AnnlivedinIndia,England, theBahamas,Colorado,MontrealandTorontobefore makingNiagara-on-the-Lake herhomein1979.Shewas happiestworkinginherbeau-

Ann'sfamilywouldliketo thankIreneYoungforher lovingfriendshipandsupport whileAnnwasathome,Dr. FrancoisViviersforhisgoodnaturedandoutstandingcare overmanyyearsandthestaff atNiagaraGardensSenior Livingfortheiramazing kindnessandcompassion.

IfyouwishtohonourAnn's memorywithadonation, pleaseconsidertheSheldrick WildlifeTrust,oneofAfrica's oldestwildlifecharitiesthat rescuesandrehabilitates orphanedinfantelephants. Memories,photosandcondolencesmaybesharedat www.morganfuneral.com

FLOWERS,RichardMichaelRueben

PassedawayatWestLincoln MemorialHospital,onWednesday,June1,2022,atthe ageof80.Belovedwifeofthe lateJohnDabbs.Loved motherofJohn(Natalie)and Richard(Debra).Cherished grandmotherofHannah, EthanandMorgan.Predeceasedbyherbrothers RichardandJohnny.Cremationhastakenplace.A CelebrationofJacqueline's lifewasheldatTrinityUnited Church,4287WilliamStreet, BeamsvilleonThursday,June 9,2022withvisitationfrom1 p.m.untiltheserviceat2p.m. Ifdesired,memorialcontributionstoWLMHFoundation ortheGrimsbyBenevolent Fundwouldbesincerely appreciatedbythefamily. Arrangementsentrustedto STONEHOUSE-WHITCOMB FUNERALHOME,GRIMSBY, 905-945-2755.

OnFriday,June3,2022, RichardMichaelReuben Flowersdiedsuddenlyat homeinhis50thyear.Dearly lovedsonofMargaretProud (neeFyke)(Belleville)andthe lateRichardFlowers(Fort Erie).Muchlovedbrotherof, BrendaFlowers(DaveDowns), Marmora.Lovinggrandsonof thelateFrankandDoreen Fyke(Ridgeway)andthelate RobertFlowers(FortErie)and JosephineFlowers(St. Catharines).Richwasthe proudownerofHunt's ChimneyCleaninginBelleville.

Helovedhisworkandcared forhiscustomers.Healso deeplycaredforhislong-time andloyalfriends:Gord,Tom, JR,Rob&Samplusmany more.Hewasknownforhis bigsmileandforhisloveofhis tunes,ticketsandworking aroundthehouse.Cremation hastakenplace.AMemorial ServicewillbeheldatSteele FuneralHome,MoiraStreet Chapel,30MoiraStreetWest, Belleville(1-877-256-3688),on Saturday,June11,2022,at 1:00p.m.,(withvisitationprior from11:30a.m.untiltimeof service).Receptiontofollow theserviceattheSteele FamilyCentre(adjacenttothe FuneralHome).TheService willbeLivestreamedonthe SteeleFuneralHomewebsite forthosethatareunableto attendinperson.Inlieuof flowers,donationstothe HumaneSocietyHastings PrinceEdward,Belleville wouldbegreatlyappreciated bythefamily.

TosharememoriesofRichandforonlinecondolences, pleasevisitwww.steelefuneralhome.ca

June16,1927-June13,2021

AMemorialServicewillbe heldforthelateEileen("Skip") KahlerofFortErieatSt.John's AnglicanChurch,Ridgemount, onSaturday,June18,2022,at 11:00a.m.Allwhowishto attendareinvited.Asper churchpolicy,maskswillbe required.

Eileenpassedawaypeacefully onWednesday,June1,2022 attheageof96.Shewillbe sadlymissedbyherdevoted sisterDorothySimsalongwith manyniecesandnephews. Sheispredeceasedbyher fatherMerleWinger,mother Velma(Cline)Winger,sisters LeonaWinger,MarionSider, ShirleyKing,brothersRoss, KennethandLloydWinger. Heartfeltthankstoallthe caregiversatRedstacksRetirementHome,Dr.Che,Dr. Spencerandthecaringstaff atGilmoreLodge,FortErie. William'sFuneralServices, entrustedwithfuneralarrangements.Visitationwas heldonTuesdaymorningfrom 10to11a.m.Acelebrationof herlifefollowedinthechapel at11a.m.IntermentatBertie Cemeteryfollowedbyabrief timeoffellowshipand refreshmentsatthefuneral home.InmemoryofEileen,in lieuofflowers,donations appreciatedtoCrystalRidge CommunityChurch.

St.John’s PublicCemetery

•CremationColumbarium

•CremationBurials

•ScatteringGrounds

•TraditionalBurials

•NaturalBurials

ContactBrian.G.Culp 905-562-5945or 905-641-5945

bculp2@cogeco.ca

St.John’sPublicCemeteryisanon-profit, non-denominationalcemeteryoverlooking thehistoricvillageofJordan

Itiswithdeepsadnesswe announcethepassingofJulia KatherinePikoronMay31, 2022attheageof80.

SurvivedbyherpartnerArven Duguay;childrenCharlene Alexander,CherylSkrobal,Bill Pikor;andgranddaughter JuliaSkrobal.Wewillmissher greatcooking,especially thoseHungarianCabbage Rolls,hersparkleandkeen fashionsense. Therewillbenovisitationor funeralservice.Acelebration oflifewillbeheldinprivate withherimmediatefamilyata laterdate.

Cardsofcondolenceand wordsofcomfortcanbe mailedtothefamilyat:157 OrchardHillRd,Ridgeville,ON L0S1M0.

Onlinecondolencesat www.tallmanfuneralhomes.ca

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

PASSERO(neeKnighton), JoyceElvina 1939-2021

Familyandfriendswillgather tocelebrateJoyce'slifeon Thursday,June16,2002at11 a.m.inthechapelatBenner FuneralServices.Joycepeace -fullypassedawayDecember 1stathome,aftera courageousbattlewithcancer. Predeceasedbyherhusband Ralphandlongtimepartner DarylWellsJr.AlsopredeceasedbyherparentsEllen andJohnandlovingbrothers Jack,RoyandDavid.Loving motherofCheryl(Vito) Brigantino,Angela(Joe) Adams,Laurel(Gary)Bainand Christopher(Emily)Passero. Lovinggrandmotherto Dominique,Alexander,Lilah andScarlett.Joycewillbe missedbymanyniecesand nephews.

NEVINGER,Howard

ASouthernOntario CelebrationofLife willbeheldon Saturday,June18,2022

Receivinglineat1:00p.m. Serviceat2:00p.m.

Lightluncheontofollow.

Addressis: 421EffinghamSt Welland,OnL3B5N8

Usethemarkeddriveway. Pleasepassontopeoplewho wouldwanttoknow.

PHIBBS,Martha

Withmuchloveandaffection, weinviteyoutohelp celebratewithus,ourlate motherMarthaJeanPhibbs whopassedawayon February3rd,2022. Withopenarmsandopen heart's,wewillbereceiving friendsandfamilySaturday, July9thatBridgewater CountryClub,FortErie, from1p.m.to4p.m.

KAHLER,EileenS. (neeNunn)

so good, unselfish and kind, none on this earth your equal I’ll find. Honourable and true in all your ways, loving and faithful to the end of your days, honest and liberal, ever upright, just in your judgment, always right; loved by your friends and all whom you knew, one in a million, that person was you. One year has passed, our hearts still sore, as time rolls on we miss you more; a loving person, tender and kind, what beautiful memories you left behind.

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DescriptionofLand: RollNo.2714000006184500000; LakeshoreRd.;PIN64012-0088(LT);PTLT31CON1WFLT,LYING BTNSLYLIMITOFLTS38&39,PL753&THEWATER'SEDGEOF LAKEERIE,CONFINEDBTNSLYEXTELIMITLT38&SLYEXTW LIMITLT39,S/T&T/WWF16235;WAINFLEET;FileNo.19-04 Accordingtothelastreturnedassessmentroll,theassessedvalue ofthelandis$3,200.00

Minimumtenderamount:$8,743.15

Tendersmustbesubmittedintheprescribedformandmustbe accompaniedbyadepositofatleast20percentofthetender amount,whichdepositshallbemadebywayofacertifiedcheque/ bankdraft/moneyorderpayabletothemunicipality.

Exceptasfollows,themunicipalitymakesnorepresentation regardingthetitleto,availabilityofroadaccess,oranyother mattersrelatingtothelandstobesold.Responsibilityfor ascertainingthesemattersrestswiththepotential purchasers.Theassessedvalue,accordingtothelast returnedassessmentroll,mayormaynotberepresentativeof thecurrentmarketvalueoftheproperty.

Transfersofpropertiesthatcontainatleastoneandnotmorethan sixsinglefamilyresidencesandaretransferredtonon-residentsof Canadaorforeignentities,aresubjecttotheProvince'sNonResidentSpeculationTax(NRST).

ThissaleisgovernedbytheMunicipalAct,2001andtheMunicipal TaxSalesRulesmadeunderthatAct.Thesuccessfulpurchaser willberequiredtopaytheamounttenderedplusaccumulated taxesandanytaxesthatmaybeapplicable,suchasalandtransfer taxandHST.

Themunicipalityhasnoobligationtoprovidevacantpossessionto thesuccessfulpurchaser.

Acopyoftheprescribedformoftenderisavailableonthewebsite oftheGovernmentofOntarioCentralFormsRepositoryunderthe listingfortheMinistryofMunicipalAffairs.

Forfurtherinformationregardingthissaleandacopy oftheprescribedformoftender,visit: www.OntarioTaxSales.ca

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Canadian families are gearing up to travel this summer — many for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

More than two-thirds of us intend to travel between May and October, according to the Conference Board of Canada.

But as COVID-19 continues to loom large, many travellers are once again concerned about the possibility of having to unexpectedly cancel their trip at the last minute.

Amid the uncertainty, travel agencies are pushing trip-protection addons, while insurance pro-

viders are promoting their travel insurance plans.

But what's the difference between the two — and do you need either for your upcoming vacation?

Trip protection typically allows you to waive cancellation or change-of-date fees for your trip if you become sick, and covers reimbursement for lost baggage, says Megan Honan, a Torontobased travel writer.

Travel insurance, on the other hand, usually covers all that plus additional expenses, such as medical emergencies, natural disasters — even accidental death, she says.

"I typically go with a comprehensive travel insurance plan, but I think it

depends on different factors, like your family size, age and the type of trip you're taking," says Honan.

Trip protection plans often vary widely in what they cover, says Honan, adding travellers should review all the terms and conditions before purchasing such a plan.

And although Honan uses the comprehensive travel insurance provided through her credit card, she says others considering that option should review the fine print, noting that not all policies cover other family members.

Dorian Werda, vicepresident of operations at the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO),

stresses that if travellers decide to purchase trip protection with a travel provider or agency, they should not forfeit health insurance if they are travelling out of province.

"Some people may be comfortable taking the suppliers' top-up on cancellation protection, but definitely get out-of-province

health insurance as well," she says. "With the new normal especially, you want to ensure that you're completely covered."

At the very least, Werda says travellers should ensure they go through a TICO-regulated travel agency or service provider, which is under provincial oversight and has a set

standard of consumer protection.

"When consumers book their services through an Ontario-registered agency or website, they're automatically protected by a compensation fund if the services that they purchase are not provided due to bankruptcy or insolvency," she says.

As COVID-19 continues to loom large, many travellers are once again concerned about the possibility of having to unexpectedly cancel their trip at the last minute.

Metroland file photo

WORK IS ITS OWN REWARD FOR FORT ERIE AIRBUS EMPLOYEES

CONTRACT AWARD SHOWS CONFIDENCE AEROSPACE GIANT HAS IN PLANT: CHARETTE

rette said.

"As long as the product is needed, it will come out of Fort Erie," he said.

Adecision by Airbus to have the air intakes for the company's H225 twin engine helicopter built in Fort Erie is a testament to the quality of work being done at the company's Gilmore Road plant, the company's president and chief operating officer of the aerospace giant's Canadian arm says.

"The work was being done in Europe," Dwayne Charette said. "It was not a decision that was going to be taken lightly."

The contract also means the creation of new jobs at the plant, which is also Airbus Canada's head office, adding to the 250 people already employed there manufacturing components that make their way in to various Airbus products. The company — which was named one of Hamilton-Niagara's top employers for 2022 — recently held a job fair to scout for new talent.

The H225 is one of eight helicopter platforms in the international aerospace giant's lineup, Charette, a Port Colborne native, said.

"This one is the second largest the group makes."

The contract for the work is open-ended, Cha-

The work comes as business continues along apath toward normalcy after two years under the cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We were small enough agroup that we were able to be flexible," Charette said. "The messaging with COVID was we didn't know what would happen."

And the new contract is anice boost after two years of uncertainty.

"We're starting to see improvement," Charette said. "All in all, we're doing quite well. The opportunities are there and the market is strong for us."

Caralee Grummett, manager of Fort Erie Economic Development and Tourism Services, said that companies such as Airbus have decided to set up in town for numerous reasons.

"One of Fort Erie's greatest advantages is its strategic location, proximity to the U.S. and GTA markets, access to rail and international airports," she said, adding that the fact the town is a part of the Niagara Foreign Trade Zone helps.

She added that the new work for Airbus is positive

news.

"It is great news given that there will be new employment opportunities created locally that have a positive impact on the community," she said.

Charette, meanwhile, said as businesses ramp back up, challenges do remain, but they are not unique to Airbus.

"We're no different than other industry," he said. "There are challenges in the supply chain but we're managing it."

Grummett added that the town is continuing to see "strong interest" from businesses that are looking to set up shop in Fort Erie.

"The interest is from

across all sectors, including retail, restaurants, manufacturers and service providers," Grummett said. "Since March of 2020, over 50 new businesses have opened in Fort Erie."

Charette, meanwhile, said it's the people at the Fort Erie plant who deserve much of the credit

for helping the company navigate the pandemic and put it in the position to benefit from the contract the company was awarded by its French parent.

"We wouldn't be successful without our employees," he said. "They did what they needed to do to keep our helicopters flying."

Above: A group of Aibus Helicopters employees celebrate the production of the first air intake for the H225 helicopter made at the Fort Erie plant. Below: The H225 helicopter produced by Airbus. The company has moved production of air intakes for the H225 to the company's plant in Fort Erie. The move will result in more jobs at the facility, president and chief operating officer Dwayne Charette says.

Airbus photo

Terry McHardy photo

STEP CENTRE CREATES 'CIRCLE OF CARE' FOR

Hidden away in the basement of St. George's Anglican Church from the outside, the STEP Youth Resource Centre doesn't look like much beyond a small community garden. Inside however, it's a room bursting with colour, bringing counselling, life skills, and hope to youth in St. Catharines.

The St. Catharines fire department, police department, and various outreach groups from across Niagara showed up to the STEP Centre on Friday afternoon to help provide information to youth and their families about resources available to them and the area.

"We believe in creating a circle of care around the youth in our community. And this is one way for everybody to get together. We have some amazing agencies in our community, and just everybody working together to support the youth in our community is really important to us," said lead counsellor Carrie Vanderform.

The STEP Centre doesn't just provide counselling. Its unique setup allows it to provide youth between the ages of 12 to 24 with a variety of in-person and virtual events and services.

"If a youth accesses our

centre and wants to learn about how to vote, or how to properly manage their house, or, you know, how to do laundry, if these are things that they haven't had experience with, we can take time to make that happen for them," explained Katherine Kerley, ayouth worker the centre.

The open house and barbecue on Friday after-

noon marked the kickoff for the organization's summer program season, introducing new classes and events to those who visit.

This year, the organization will offer art classes, music programs, and life skill groups that have all been successes in the past. It will also be introducing several new programs to help youth be engaged and

supported in a community setting.

"We're starting a board games afternoon on Wednesdays. We're starting a knitting group on Friday afternoons, and we're doing some mindfulness meditation on Friday mornings," said Kerley.

James, a former client of the centre, says the counselling and resources

James. "Just so many incredible opportunities that were only possible because of the STEP Center."

He now volunteers at the organization in his spare time, helping to share the resources that helped him so much during his journey.

"The STEP Centre has become a second home. It really feels like you're walking into a family basement when you come in here and it's just so comfortable," James explained. "I always want to have other youth come in here and see that I no longer need the support of the services because I had the services."

The STEP Centre is always looking for volunteers and resources to help support its mission. People can make a monetary donation online at stepniagara.ca, or help by donating clothing like pyjamas and undergarments of all sizes that can be distributed to clients.

he received helped to change his life. He says that he never felt like a number to the service providers, and rather than telling him how to live his life, they taught him the skills to be able to do it himself.

"I started here when I was homeless and now I'm employed. I'm living in a different city now," said

For those who want to get involved on a first-hand basis, the group is happy to have more volunteers to support its mission. People can call to find out what opportunities are available.

Youth who are interested in learning more about the STEP Centre and available services can reach out to the group on social media or on the website to find more information.

Staff and volunteers from the STEP Centre in St. Catharines hosted a barbecue Friday to help connect youth in the community with the resources they offer.

Brilee Sears/Metroland

OurBusinessis

FOOD AND DRINK

NIAGARA HOME TO SEVERAL UNIQUE CAFES

Continued from page 26

cheesecakes. But be warned: they are addicting.

They have a made-to-order lunch menu that offers items like baked Brie, a breakfast croissant or a soup and scone.

Customers can grab their food to go or take a seat in the café with some friends, surrounded by unique tropical plants.

The Watering Can is at 3711 King St. in Vineland. They are open Monday to

Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit store.thewateringcan.ca.

Italian Café

This hidden gem in St. Catharines brings a little piece of Italy to its customers. They offer cannoli, gelato, paninis and many beverage options. Their coffee beans are even shipped in from Italy.

Customers can enjoy a beverage inside the café or outside on the patio. According to some custom-

ers, their white pizza is a must-try on the menu.

This homey café is the perfect spot to visit this summer.

The Italian Café is at 88 Facer St. in St. Catharines. They are open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit Italiancafe.ca.

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DECORATION DAY RECALLS SOME OF CANADA'S FORGOTTEN FALLEN

MEMORIAL ORIGINALLY HONOURED THOSE WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES IN BATTLE OF RIDGEWAY

RICHARD HUTTON rhutton@niagarathisweek.com

When honouring the men and women who have served their country, most Canadians look to Remembrance Day every Nov. 11.

But it wasn't always that way.

"Canadians had a different memorial called Decoration Day, in which we commemorate our war dead with the laying of real flowers, not in the hopeless gloom of November, but in the warm light and optimism of the late spring and early summer," said Graham Noseworthy, president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 24 (H.T. Church branch) in St. Catharines. The legion hosted a Decoration Day service on Sunday at Victoria Lawn Cemetery. The day is also celebrated as Canadian Armed Forces Day in Canada.

June 2 was chosen in honour of a conflict that many believe hastened the path toward Confederation — the Battle of Ridgeway — which took place on June 2, 1866. It was there that a group of Irish Americans, known as the Fenians, were repelled by Canadian forces.

The tradition later included honouring those who died in the Northwestern rebellion of 1885, the South African War of 1899 and 1902, and the First World War.

"Nine soldiers were killed in battle, including three university students from Toronto," Noseworthy said. "They were volunteer riflemen plucked from their final exams the day before and thrown into combat against the Irish American insurgents who invaded Canada across the Niagara River near Fort Erie."

While Decoration Day is still marked in some Niagara municipalities, including Fort Erie, where the legion in Ridgeway places Canadian flags on the graves of veterans, it has fallen behind Remembrance Day in the minds of most.

"It remains the second most important day on the calendar after Remembrance Day," said Ron

Chassie, who acted as parade marshal for Sunday's service.

He said attendance for the service has been declining.

"It's getting smaller," he said. "You don't see many young peo-

ple."

Noseworthy, meanwhile, said that when Remembrance Day was established in 1931, the Battle of Ridgeway has been largely forgotten.

"Let's all take one more day to remember that warm, sunny one in June. Let's revive the records — Declaration Day — and place a living flower on the soldier's grave and tenderly embrace the

veteran and thank him for those sacrifices for our liberty and our prosperity that defined that great nation of ours. One more day. Surely that's not asking too much."

Richard Hutton/Metroland

Clockwise from top: The Lincoln and Welland Regiment Band lead the parade for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 24's Decoration Day service at Victoria Lawn Cemetery on Sunday; The colour guard from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 24 march down Queenston Street on Sunday as a part of the legion's Decoration Day service at Victoria Lawn Cemetery; Ron Chassie, who was parade marshal for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 24's Decoration Day service on Sunday salutes during the playing of "O Canada."

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A ROYAL SUCCESS IN RIDGEWAY

LEGION CELEBRATES QUEEN ELIZABETH II'S PLATINUM JUBILEE

RICHARD HUTTON rhutton@niagarathis week.com

While Buckingham Palace had its rock stars, blue bloods and throngs of Brits celebrating the 70-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II, the folks at the Ridgeway Legion had their own take.

And according to Barb Hopkins, incoming future president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 230, it appears that despite being dwarfed by events across the pond, a weekend full of events — including a tradition English garden party at the legion on Sunday — were a hit for those who came out.

"We had about 30 ladies

OPINION

here today (for the garden party)," Hopkins said as women in fancy hats sipped on tea and munched on sandwiches in a room full of laughter.

"I came for the crumpets," Linda McSweeney said with her tongue planted firmly in cheek.

McSweeney's joke brought another round of laughter from the ladies at her table.

On a more serious note, Marilyn Hardabara expressed admiration for the Queen and her longevity.

"Seventy years — that's along time," she said.

McSweeney added that the Queen, 96, comes from afamily with a history of long lives; even though she is now 96, there's still a chance for her to have more years as head of the Commonwealth.

"The Queen Mother was 102 when she died," she said.

"She's got the genetics,"

Hardabara added.

Hopkins, meanwhile, said other events — Friday night's fish fry and Saturday's dance with the Brit-

SUMMER READING IS FUN AND FUNDAMENTAL AT THE LIBRARY

KIDS CAN EARN REWARDS AND KEEP THEIR SKILLS SHARP, BECKY STARK WRITES

With school days counting down, 'tis the season for parents to scout out options for keeping their kids busy over the summer, to avoid those three little words that every parent dreads to hear: "I AM BORED!"

Summer camp, sports, swimming lessons, and family vacations are all great options, but there's one other place you should really add to that list if you want to help your child not

only have fun but become a better student in the fall, and become more successful in life — your public library!

Arecent study (NorthWest Evaluation Association, 2020) of children in Grades 3 and 5 across the United States showed that students lost, on average, about 20 per cent of the reading skills they gained during the school year over the summer. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as "the summer slide." Younger students

ish Invasion Band — were also successful, with the latter proving to be especially popular.

"The place was packed

to the point that we decided to rebook (the band) for Sept. 17," Hopkins said. Despite not every year being a jubilee year, Hop-

kins said it's possible that more garden parties could be in the legion's "This could become an annual event," she said.

(kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2) are particularly prone to learning loss because there is such a steep curve to language learning in early life. Children from low-income families are also at higher risk.

Public libraries to the rescue!

Across Canada, libraries offer free summer reading programs for all ages that include a variety of incentives for reading as well as awesome opportunities for learning and play. In Niagara Falls, we're kicking off our summer reading program on Saturday, June 18 with free activities and giveaways at all our locations.

Throughout the summer, kids (and kids at

heart) can track their reading using our Beanstack mobile app and win points for the minutes they spend reading. Points can then be redeemed for beads to add their free brag-tag necklace. Not into beads? Kids' reading time will also count toward the tally for each school in the city, and the school whose students collectively read the most over the summer will win our brand new Readers Cup Trophy (along with bragging rights, of course). And, if that wasn't enough, we'll also be doing a random draw at the end of the summer for two passes to Niagara Parks attractions and historic sites.

When it comes to activities, we offer a wide range of free programs at all of

our locations, including robotics tutorials, a stuffie sleepover, video game tournaments, painting classes, activities in local parks, and more. And when you want to do your own self-directed activities with friends and family, check out our loanable fishing kits, Nintendo Switches, nature kits, and our free streaming movie service.

Trust me, there's no shortage of brain-boosting summer fun right around the corner at your local library. See you soon!

Becky Stark is a community development and programming librarian for the Niagara Falls Public Library. Contact her at bstark@nflibrary.ca.

Shown enjoying the festivities on Sunday are, in front from left, Mime Pollock, Marilyn Hardabara and Linda McSweeney. In back are Linda Walker, Patti Pokol, Sandii Dixon and Carol Shore.

Richard Hutton/Metroland

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