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NPCA closes Beamer, other sites
After several hundred residents flocked to Beamer Memorial Conservation Area over the preceding two weekends, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority closed all its conservation areas March 26.
By Mike Williscraft For NewsNow On the heels of inquiries by concerned citizens and a subsequent story in the March 26 edition of NewsNow, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority took quick action closing Beamer Memorial Conservation Area last week. Among those who commented early last week was Grimsby resident Jim Cowan, who also contacted NPCA vice-chair and Grimsby representative Bruce Mackenzie. “There is no question in my mind that immediate closure of the facility is required to help prevent further spread of COVID-19. It is imperative that we react immediately,” wrote Cowan after reading NewsNow’s coverage
last week. And the NPCA did exactly that, taking additional steps to support social distancing. “Yes, these times are very concerning, fast changing and challenging. The NPCA has been closely observing the situation and on March 16 it was one of the first agencies to close its conservation areas and facilities and office to the public,” noted Mackenzie. “The areas were open for passive use and now that situations are found where people may not be following proper physical distancing the NPCA has announced that its conservation areas are closed to passive use as well, effective tomorrow (Thursday).” In the last editon, it See NPCA, Page 4
Dillon’s Distillers: the heart of Ontario spirit By Joanne McDonald For NewsNow Response to a local distiller’s production of lifesaving hand sanitizer has been 100 percent proof of community spirit in the fight against COVID-19. Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers in Beamsville rolled 11,500 bottles of the antiseptic through the line Monday – 90 per cent of the production had already been allocated to first responders. It’s going to more than 40 hospitals across the province,
doctors, police, fire, long term care homes, all on the front line of the pandemic. Tankers full of alcohol/wine donated from neighbouring wineries have been pouring into the Tufford Road distillery and local businesses from label makers to trucking firms have joined the effort to distribute the bottles to where they are most needed. It’s been a wild ride and an emotional two weeks. “We’ve had some amazing sup-
port to keep us going,” said Geoff Dillon, owner and distiller. “My adult life I don’t know if I really cried until the last two weeks with everybody coming together,” Dillon said. “We’ve had some emotional times in the office. We’ve had thousands of stories from doctors and others that are in such need.” By early this week, Dillon’s had marked the production of about 25,000, 750 ml bottles. “We have all three stills running
and can produce about 10,000 bottles a week,” Dillon said. What started only two weeks ago, giving small sample bottles to guests visiting the distillery’s sipping room has shifted to lightning in a bottle gear to supply thousands of first responders. Ontario Premier Doug Ford gave a shout out to Dillon’s Distillers during his daily news update to the province. Ford spoke about the ingenuity of Ontarians including See DILLON’s, Page 7