Issue 02 • 2020
G R I M S B Y
Phelps Homes Family Literacy Day
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Quality Window Fashions at an Affordable Price 905-945-8008 11 LIVINGSTON AVENUE G R I M S B Y ,
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PRESIDENT JAMES BAKER
james@thnmedia.com
ADVERTISING SALES
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The Honourable Jean Augustine Phelps Homes Family Literacy Day
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Twenty-Valley Winter WineFest
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Tuscan Bean Soup
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Q&A with Bruce Mackenzie Community Events
DAVID JOUBARNE david@thnmedia.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR JASON STACEY
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CREATIVE PRODUCTION DERECK ADDIE
dereck@thnmedia.com
TIM FRANKIW
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WEB DESIGN VAUGHN JOSEPH vaughn@thnmedia.com
ADMINISTRATION DIANA LYNAS
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COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR SUSAN GIBBINS susan@thnmedia.com
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NEW YEAR’S LEVEE
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The New Year’s Levee is a wonderful tradition that brings the Town of Grimsby together to celebrate the New Year. Mayor Jeff Jordan, along with members of Councillor, hosted a free public skating at the Peach King Centre on Sunday, January 5th. There were plenty of skaters of all ages enjoying the ice and the Grimsby Museum hosted on-site crafts. Great start to 2020!
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Black History Month the Toronto-area riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore, winning four consecutive elections until her retirement from politics in 2006. Jean’s work as a parliamentarian included service as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, Minister and Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women, Chair of the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee and Chair of the National Women’s Caucus. In her final year, Jean was elected Deputy Speaker by her peers.
The Honourable
Jean Augustine
Queen’s Privy Council, Companion of the Order of Canada www.jeanaugustine.ca
Jean Augustine’s story is a testament to the power of hard work and devotion in pursuit of social justice. Born in St. George’s, Grenada in 1937, Jean lost her father at a young age, but blossomed into an outstanding young student raised by a wise grandmother. In 1960, already a qualified teacher, Jean immigrated to Canada through the Canada-Caribbean Domestic Program. With focus, she attended Toronto Teachers College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto. Jean earned her Master’s in Education degree while working as an elementary school teacher with the Metropolitan Separate School Board in Toronto. She would later become principal/supervisory officer
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while remaining deeply involved in grassroots efforts in the community. Jean’s contributions extended to many social causes. She was an active member on boards including York University Board of Trustees, The Hospital for Sick Children, the Donwood Institute, Harbourfront; and served as Chair of the Metropolitan Toronto Housing Authority. She was the National President of the Congress of Black Women of Canada. Her capacities were recognized by government leaders who requested her assistance when undertaking important initiatives -- the development and launch of Canada’s official multiculturalism policy in 1971; member of the Ontario Judicial Council; the Toronto Crime Inquiry; and the training of teachers in Equity and Diversity. In 1993, Jean Augustine made history. She became the first African Canadian woman elected to Canada’s House of Commons. She served as the Member of Parliament for
Amongst her notable achievements was legislation to protect low-income individuals including single mothers. Jean used skilful negotiation to garner unanimous support to pass a historic motion designating February as Black History Month in Canada. Jean also championed legislation to erect the Famous Five statue, the only statue featuring women on Parliament Hill. Jean donated her parliamentary papers to York University’s Faculty of Education, thus creating the Jean Augustine Chair in Education in the New Urban Environment. This Chair supports research on issues related to education policy, immigration and cultural diversity. In 2007, the Government of Ontario asked Jean to lead the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade. Later that year, she was appointed the first Fairness Commissioner for the Province of Ontario. Jean set new regulatory standards for clarity, openness and streamlined access to employment conditions for foreign trained professionals. Jean served as Fairness Commissioner until her retirement in 2015. In 2009, Jean was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada for her extensive contribution to Canadian society as a politician, educator and advocate for social justice. She received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, and in 2014 was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her services to education and politics. Today, Jean remains involved with community activities including the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment. She also supports several scholarships at various post-secondary institutions to help provide a better future for young women.
PHELPS HOMES
Literacy Day By Susan Gibbins
Phelps Homes held their annual ‘Family Literacy Day’ hosted at the Grimsby Library on Saturday, January 25th. There were so many arts and crafts to do including face painting, dancing, playing instruments as well as the very popular Therapy Tails. It was a fun filled afternoon for the whole family with play-based activities to help promote reading and learning.
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T WENT Y-VALLE Y ’S
Winter WineFest By Susan Gibbins
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What a weekend! From January 10th to 12th, the Winter Winefest brought together Niagara’s
top winemakers, chefs and premium VQA wines to the streets of the magical Jordan Village.
Despite the soggy conditions, the weather did not dampen the spirits of the guests as they enjoyed a warm welcome from some of the best local craft beverages and all the gastronomic pleasures from local culinary talents. Cozy fire pits and warming stations helped keep everyone dry and toasty warm as they listened to live entertainment and moved from station to station in what has become Canada’s ultimate winter street party.
Find more information on this great event, visit twentyvalley.ca/site/winter-winefest
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JANETTE MITCHELL After years of owning and operating a decorating and home staging business, Janette pivoted her career and sights on becoming a food stylist. She enrolled in culinary school and began assisting some of the best food stylists in Toronto. Janette now prepares food for print, packaging, editorials, social media and motion. @janettecooks
Photography by Myla Floresta mylafloresta.com ■ @myla.floresta
Ingredients • 1 tbsp olive oil
Bean SOUP
Prep Time: 15 minutes ı Cook Time: 20 minutes ı Serves: 4
• 2 onions, chopped • 2 carrots, chopped • 2 celery stalks, chopped • 2 tsp oregano • 1 tsp each dried thyme and basil • 1/2 tsp each salt, pepper • 1 bay leaf, minced • 1 clove garlic, minced • 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock • 1/2 cup wine • 1 (398ml) can diced tomatoes with juices
Directions STEP 1. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or wide, deep saucepan and set over medium heat. STEP 2. Cook onion, carrot and celery, stirring often for 5 minutes or until vegetables are softened. STEP 3. Add the oregano, thyme, basil, salt, pepper, bay leaf and garlic. Stir for 1 minute or until fragrant. STEP 4. Add the stock, wine, tomatoes with juices, and beans. Bring to a boil. Bring to a medium heat for 10 minutes.
• 1 (540 ml) can white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
STEP 5. Discard bay leaf. Gently stir in the kale, cook, uncovered for 2 minutes.
• 2 cups lightly packed chopped kale
STEP 6. Remove pan from heat. Serve. Sprinkle grated parmesan on each serving.
• Grated parmesan NeighbourhoodMagazine.ca
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Spotlight Q& A
You have worked hard to combat invasive species. Tell us about that and what strides have you made to get ahead of this issue? Bruce Mackenzie in the Beamer Falls Gorge, Grimsby. Photo by Mark Zelinski
I have been involved with the negative effects of invasive species, be they diseases, insects, plants, aquatic invertebrates, and fish throughout my career. Zebra mussels have changed many of our waterways. Garlic Mustard and European Buckthorn are having profound effects on our forests and regeneration of native plants. I have seen the native wildflowers disappear from some areas because of these plants. We have lost the Sweet Chestnut Tree, most White Elms and now are seeing Ash trees decimated to various introduced pests. At the Grimsby Wetlands we carried out a major control project on the non-native invasive Phragmites Grass. This plant, from the Middle East, is considered to be the most significant threat to wetlands in eastern North America. Working with consultants and an experienced contractor a successful control project was carried out in Grimsby. It was guided by the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club, HNC, and the NPCA and funded by the HNC.
BRUCE MACKENZIE Bruce Mackenzie’s environmental work is a labour of love. The Grimsby Citizen of the Year is a well-known naturalist who just recently became the Grimsby representative to the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA). From his long-time career in the Hamilton Conservation Authority, where he held numerous roles while fostering 11,000 acres of natural lands, to his tireless volunteer efforts to restore the decommissioned Biggar Lagoons, Bruce is proud of the work he has been involved in… and he isn’t slowing down. 12
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Congratulations on being appointed as the Grimsby Representative to the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA). What does this role involve and why did you take it on? Primarily this position is to act as a member of the Board of Director’s of the NPCA. I believe in giving back and do what ever I can to inspire people to have the same considerations for nature as I do. After having spent my entire career with the Hamilton Conservation Authority as a Manager of Conservation Lands / Customer Services and with being a very active naturalist I felt that I would be able to contribute well to the workings of the new Board of the NPCA. I believe public agency boards should have a strong citizen component. After having received the first Rt. Hon. John Turner Water and Environmental Leadership Award in 2016 from the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Foundation my interests in the NPCA began.
Your passion for the natural world is evident. When did your love of nature start? From the beginning, I think. I have always had a curiosity about natural history and my family always encouraged me. I was fortunate to grow up near natural areas where I could explore and ask what and why. I have been so fortunate to be accompanied along my paths by my wife Laurie and rewarded in seeing my children inherit a curiosity and desire to give back. Moving from Toronto to Hamilton in 1976 and working in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area put me into the magic of the Niagara Escarpment biome.
You had a long career with the Hamilton Conservation Authority, including posts as the superintendent at the Fifty Point Conservation Area marina, and Director of Customer Service and Operations for the authority. Talk to us about those years and what you take away from those experiences? Almost all of my roles were new positions to the Conservation Authority. They really did not come with a manual. This provided
me with wonderful opportunities and wow, 11,000 acres of natural lands to foster. These lands came with close to 2 million visitor experiences every year. Balancing all of this was exciting. I learned early to anticipate and meet a customer’s expectations and if I tried to do one thing it was to instill in staff the need to care about the customer’s needs. Experiencing the natural lands and managing them was a privilege. The natural areas around Hamilton/Niagara are world class. The Niagara Escarpment, the Great Lakes, our microclimate and our heritage add up to incredible sums. Our job is to allow them to pass to the next generations unharmed. They cannot be replaced, ever.
What are some of the more unique species found in Grimsby and the greater Niagara community? Grimsby’s waterfront is part of the Western Lake Ontario International Important Bird Area. Each winter there are thousands of ducks on the local Lake Ontario waters and most are close to shore for all to enjoy. Watching and listening to thousands of Long-tailed Ducks on a winter’s day is a surreal experience. Nature is constantly changing. Today we are seeing new species move into the area. Fish Crows from the Atlantic Seaboard are showing up now with Black Vultures from
"Experiencing the natural lands and managing them was a priveledge"
Wetlands at the former Biggar Lagoons, now called the Grimsby Wetlands. Photo by Drone’s Eye Photography
the south and Ravens and Merlins from the north are now a common site in the area and nesting successfully. These are exciting additions to our biota but we are concerned of course with today’s rarity of Upland Sandpipers, Bobolinks and American Kestrels and many other species. In Niagara we have Red Hickory, Tulip Trees, Black Gum and Cucumber Magnolia Trees. These are just some of the rare Carolinian tree species found in our forests. But it is all of the species that live with them that make up our endangered spaces.
At the Grimsby Wetlands, a restored former sewage lagoon, we have seen the successful breeding of Soras, Virginia Rails and Common Gallinule, all quite rare regional nesting marsh birds. These are just some of the rewards we can reap from our restoration efforts. But the important work for us is to PROTECT our established natural areas. We have lost so many. We can’t build habitats for Jefferson Salamanders, Hooded Warblers and Pileated Woodpeckers. Only nature can. ■
Bruce on one of his nature hikes. Photo HNC.
Spotted Sandpiper, a breeding shorebird at the Grimsby Wetlands. Photo by Barry Cherriere
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M A R CH 13
Red Stone Winter Concert - Emm Gryner redstonewines.ca
Until Spring 2020
March 17-21
Grimsby Museum presents “What’s in Your Bedroom” Exhibit
March Break Events @ Grimsby Library
grimsby.ca/Museum
March 7 Paper Bag Princess: 40th Anniversary Party grimsby.ca/library
Every Thursday until June 25 Play Chess
grimsby.ca/library
March 7 Steven Rutledge Firehall Studio Concert stationonecoffeehouse.ca
grimsby.ca/library
March 18 GHS Guest Lecture Series – Liz Benneian grimsbyhistoricalsociety.com
March 20
Red Stone Winter Concert – Emm Gryner redstonewines.ca
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LUNN Variety Show @ The Forty Public House stationonecoffeehouse.ca
March 30
March Break: The Angry Birds Movie 2
Electronic Music Workshop
grimsby.ca/library
grimsby.ca/library
March 28
March 31
Grimsby Art Gallery Fundraiser “All You Need Is Love” 60 years of the Beatles
Grimsby Author Series: Spring 2020
grimsby.ca/Art-Gallery
March 13
March 29
March 28 Lincoln Mom to Mom Spring Sale
momtomomsalelincoln.webs.com
grimsby.ca
March 31 Red Stone Trivia Night: Harry Potter redstonewines.ca
Pet Adoption
Meet
Lucky Charm
GIVE A LOVING ANIMAL A NEW LEASE ON LIFE. SEX: FEMALE
BREED: RETRIEVER / HUSK Y
LUCKY CHARM IS THE LIFE OF THE PARTY. SHE IS SUPER ACTIVE AND HAS NO OFF BUTTON. Her new adopters need to be committed to training her because she needs some obedience. This girl currently has no manners and is jumpy and mouthy when she gets excited. Once she is comfortable, she truly is so lovely!
AGE: 1 YEAR OLD
ID#: 43100367
Lucky Charm’s perfect home has a fenced yard, no children under 14 years old and no cats.
To schedule a meeting with Lucky Charm, please contact the shelter:
Once she has some structure, she’ll be a wonderful dog!
To meet any of the other adoptable pets, please visit our shelter.
All adoptable dogs have been given a behavioural test and our staff will be happy to explain the testing and discuss the results with potential adopters during the initial meeting with the dog you are interested in.
Mon to Fri - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
905 682 0767 or myconnect@lchs.ca
Saturday - 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Sunday - 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
160 Fourth Avenue, St. Catharines ■ L2S 0B6
905 682 0767 ■ LCHS.CA
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