Jane’s Walk will take you down Gadd’s Alley in Paris!

By Casandra Turnbull

Are you looking for a little bit of exercise, or some outdoor time, while learning more about the neighbourhood and community you live in?

If so, check out Jane’s Walk taking place in Paris on Saturday, May 4th . Nathan Etherington was before the Brant Heritage Committee this week seeking support for the walk next month

Perhaps you’ve heard of Jane’s Walk before It’s a global movement with over 500 cities participating in walks held during the first weekend of May. It was founded in 2006 by a group of Jane

Jacobs’ friends and colleagues hoping to honour her life as a writer, urbanist and activist. Jacobs championed community-based approach to building Jane’s Walks was created to honour her love for activity and creating connections between community and its urban environment.

The initiative caught on and now people participate in Jane’s Walks to discover unseen aspects of their communities and using these walks to connect with their neighbours.

The Paris walk will guide people down Gadd’s Alley. Where? Gadd’s Alley formed the south edge of the town’s limit dating back to

1847 and was considered part of the Robert (and Catharine) Roseburgh Survey aka Catharine Street It wasn’t until 1911 that John Reynolds Survey would kickstart the next phase of development and the expansion of the town of Paris southwards. Etherington presented this information, research he conducted at the Paris Museum, during Thursday’s Brant Heritage Committee meeting.

If you’d like to participate in the walk, and learn more about your community, the group will meet at 10:30 am on May 4th at the corner of Catharine & Ball Streets. Everyone is welcome.

Join the County of Brant for Roller Skating at the Burford Community Centre every Tuesday from April 16 to August 13! No registration is required.

Family Skate (All Ages) runs from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm and cost is $3.25/person.

Adult Skates (16+) runs from 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm and costs $7 50/person Skaters are reminded to please bring your own inline or roller skates. Skates are available for rent at $4.00 per pair

Are you steady on your feet? Check out Roller Tuesdays! (limited quantities and sizes are available). Wrist guards and helmets are also recommended. For more information visit brant.ca/RollerSkating.

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PARIS ROAD CLOSURES: Road Restoration Services to Cause Disruptions in April

By Chris Whelan

Paris residents should be prepared for upcoming road closures as road restoration services are set to commence on April 8, 2024. The County of Brant has announced that several roads in the area will be affected, including Dundas Street West, Daugaard Avenue, Chapel Street, and Main Street. The restoration work is expected to last until late May, with the exact end date yet to be determined

The specific locations that will be impacted by the road closures are as follows: Dundas Street West, between King Edward Street and 77 meters east of Chapel Street; Daugaard Avenue, between Dundas Street West and 95 meters south; Chapel Street, between Dundas Street West and the south end; and Main Street, between Chapel Street and Washington Street.

Sierra Infrastructure Inc., a reputable road construction company, has been contracted by the County of Brant to carry out the necessary work. The restoration project aims to address various aspects, including sidewalk installation, curb installation, boulevard grading, asphalt resurfacing, and surface asphalt placement.

During the construction period, it is important to note that through traffic will not be permitted in the affected areas. However, local access to residences and businesses will be maintained throughout the road restoration process Emergency access will also be preserved to ensurethe safety of residents

To facilitate the smooth flow of traffic and provide guidance to motorists, appropriate signage will be posted at strategic locations. In addition, a dedicated flag person will be present to direct traffic whenever necessary, ensuring the safety of both drivers and construction workers.

Motorists who are not local residents are strongly encouraged to seek alternative routes to minimize congestion and delays. The County of Brant recommends visiting Municipal511 http://www.municipal511.ca for real-time updates on traffic conditions and road construction information.

For any further inquiries or additional information, concerned individuals can reach out to Joe Murphy, the Capital Project Manager at the County of Brant. Mr. Murphy can be contacted at 26 Park Avenue, Burford, ON, N0E 1A0, or by calling 519 449 BRANT (519 449 2726) extension 2209 Alternatively, inquiries can be directed to operations@brant.ca.

As the road restoration services begin, Paris residents are advised to plan their routes accordingly and allow for extra travel time to mitigate any inconvenience caused by the temporary road closures. The County of Brant and Sierra Infrastructure Inc. are committed to completing the project efficiently and minimizing disruptions as much as possible.

Soup for the Soul: Providing Nourishment and Care to the Community

The Power of 100

Presented by 100 People Who Care Brant

This month’s focus: Soup for the Soul

AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY GIVING CYCLE, MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL GIVING CIRCLE 100 PEOPLE WHO CARE BRANT ARE INVITED TO NOMINATE A CHARITY OR NON-PROFIT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE COLLECTIVE DONATIONS FROM OUR GROUP. IN THIS NEW MONTHLY COLUMN, WE WILL SHINE SOME LIGHT ON THE WORK AND COMMUNITY EVENTS OFFERED BY NOMINEES WHO HAVE NOT YET BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF OUR DONATIONS. APRIL’S FOCUS IS ON SOUP FOR THE SOUL

Soup for the Soul is more than just a meal program; it’s a haven of warmth and support for those facing food insecurity in our community Founded in the 1980s by dedicated volunteers at St. Andrew’s United Church in Brantford, ON, the initiative has grown from humble beginnings to serving over 500 meals a week, thanks to the generosity of our volunteers and donors

Our mission is simple yet profound: to offer free, nutritious meals in a safe, caring, and nonjudgmental environment. We believe that everyone deserves to enjoy a meal without worrying about where it comes from or feeling marginalized.

That’s why we welcome all individuals, regardless of their circumstances, with open arms.

Our dedicated team of over 20 volunteers ensures that our program runs smoothly and efficiently. From food preparation to serving, they work tirelessly to meet the needs of our diverse clientele, which includes seniors, single-parent families, students, individuals facing mental health or substance abuse challenges, and those with disabilities We don’t require any

To the left, a Thanksgiving food drive that "Andrew and Kate Real Estate" held in October 2023. From left to right, Lauren Brady, Kate McGinnis, Andrew Evans, Jeanine Van Hout (program manager), Norah Chinwe Nwosu, Stephanie Robinson (program assistant). Above, a Christmas lunch 2023 - from left to right - Ryan Maguire, Carlos Castro, Stephanie Robinson and Derek Douglas Submitted by Soup for the Soul form of identification all are welcome to join us for a meal.

But our support doesn’t end with food. Thanks to generous donations, we also provide essential items such as personal hygiene products, meal supplements, clothing, blankets, diapers, and feminine hygiene products to those in need. We strive to address the holistic needs of our community members, recognizing that food insecurity often intersects with other challenges.

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