The Voice of Pelham, April 2, 2014

Pelham’s independent news source from the Heart of Niagara

The

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Vol.18 No. 1

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Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Pelham Cares sees increase in services

Weekend Weather Thursday High 3º

BY WAYNE CAMPBELL

Friday High 6º

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Pelham Cares on Monday opened its new home.

It bought to an end a 30year search for a permanent site for the community service agency. It has operated out of homes, a rented office and most recently a leased former restaurant.

The new headquarters, in the former Wine Garden at Regional Road 20 and Rice Road, provides space for its food bank, storage of various supplies, office for administration and coordinating medical appointment rides as well as a board room for meetings.

It contains a residence the rental of which will help cover mortgage payments.

At its 31st annual meeting last week, outgoing president Jane Gilmour said a $500,000 capital campaign, called Home For Good, is half way to it goal.

A gala earlier in the month raised $13,268 to add to previous funds raised for new home.

Jacinthe Langlais sorts food donations in the new Pelham Cares home at Regional Road 20 and Rice Road on its opening day Monday.

Wayne Campbell/Voice Photo Service club, school and Thirty years later the Garden of Eating of Nichurch events are con- work continues. agara and donations from tinuing to contribute to Gilmour said the cre- local farmers and gardenthe fund. ation of the capital fund ers, Pelham Cares has At the annual meeting, to cover mortgage pay- increased the amount of Pelham Regional Coun. ments and other routine fresh fruit, vegetables and Brian Baty, on behalf bills will allow the agency eggs it provides clients, of Holy Trinity Angli- to concentrate on the she said. can Church presented a service needs of the comThey supplement regucheque for $2,347 along munity. lar donations such as with gift cards as part of a For example in 2013, those from the Pelham fund-raiser by the church. the food bank demand Community Food Drive.

A collaboration by Pel- increased 4% from clients Holiday hampers went to ham churches led to the who are ill or have lost 37 families at Easter and founding of Pelham Cares jobs.

Thanksgiving as well as to address gaps in social Thanks to Ontario As- 54 at Christmas. Fonthill services in the town. sociation of Food Banks, Firefighters Association

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provided Christmas toys and gifts for 72 Pelham youths.

Pelham Cares’ youth services program helped 51 young people participate in 85 recreation programs.

It was the largest increase since the program began in the 1990s.

In the medical appointments program, 22 volunteers provided 514 rides within the region and beyond in 2013. The 78 Pelham residents using the service are mostly seniors who do not drive or have family close by.

In its annual report, Pelham Cares said it has 80 registered volunteers who put in 7,101 hours and drive 34,044 kilometres.

“At a minimum wage, this translates to approximately $72,785.25 in hours worked, which are donated back to Pelham Cares.”

Gilmour has served as president for three years including one year as interim president.

She called it a challenging experience she enjoyed.

Tracy Holmwood will move into the president’s position while Gilmour serves as past president.

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Page THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Probus providing social network for retirees

Spring Tea t ACW

BY STEPHEN DYELL

April 9 t t Wednesday, 1:30 - 3:30 pm

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

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The Probus Club of Pelham is offering a new and exciting place for retirees to socialize.

Probus began operations in 1965, when a recent retiree named Fred Carhill started meeting for coffee with several other ex-commuters. There were many retired men in this area with similar business and professional backgrounds.

Carhill decided to form a luncheon club and the local Rotary president held their first meeting with 45 people in attendance.

“It was founded originally in the United Kingdom and it came from Rotary.

So most of the clubs in North America, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand were formed by rotary clubs,” Probus president Lynne Mitchell said.

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The Probus Club of Pelham received sponsorship from a St. Catharines chapter, allowing for over 80 members to join. With guest speakers including the Mayor and a former Brock professor, the clubs popularity continues to grow.

“The whole premise behind Probus Club is to replace that social network

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are not looking to be a commercial enterprise so we talk now about social activities.”

Meetings are held monthly at the Fonthill Legion.

Those interested in joining can receive an application form by contacting Bill Snyder at 905-8424676.

Local prepares for performance BY STEPHEN DYELL

UP TO

that you lose when you retire. Instead of going to the office and having your water cooler chats, you can come here to socialize.”

While founded on business talk, Mitchell says speeches will be on everyday issues.

“At this point, since we are so new, we do not talk about business. We

Fonthill native Stephanie Jones is taking on the role of producer and performer in the Essential Collective Theatre presentation of Scenic View.

A story about Louise and Paul, two diametrically opposed actors who are paired together in a scene study class playing the doomed lovers from Clifford Odets’ classic play Golden Boy. Louise is a Niagara native and long time student of acting who has decided this will be her last class before hanging up her ambitions of making it in the business, while Paul is an upcoming television star.

The entire performance progressed for years until Jones jumped at the opportunity.

“In 1998, Jason Cadieux and I wanted to write a play for ourselves. We knew we wanted the show to be comic, and we knew we wanted it to be about two actors who use the power of acting to work on themselves,” she said.

“With Michael Healey as our dramaturge we wrote the piece to be performed at the Toronto Fringe festival. But we didn’t get in. So we independently produced the play in Toronto at the Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse in 1998.”

Jones, the founding artistic director at the theatre in St. Catharines, has over 20 years of experience in acting and writing. Her experience played a major role in creating Scenic View.

“I had been producing plays for years in Niagara, and with Jason, I formed

The Essential Collective Theatre and started doing shows in Niagara, for Niagara. We soon learned that there were no published plays we could find that were set in Niagara, and so we began to write them.”

“The next fifteen years would see us learning to write and produce, and by trial and error.”

Juggling numerous challenges with playwriting and performing, Jones’ creation of a viable local theatre company has grown steadily in Niagara.

Scenic View runs until April 6 at the Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre in St. Catharines.

For tickets call Essential Collective Theatre at 905684-6255.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Page THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Cyclists pick businesses as destinations If Pelham businesses want to tap into packs of cyclists spinning through town, they must show they are bike friendly.

Bea Clark, speaking for Healthy Living Niagara at a meeting to the Pelham Business Association last week, said cyclists seek a destination when they set out.

“You can make it your business,” she said.

To do so, shops and restaurants must provide the basics such as bike racks, water and washrooms either on their own or with neighbouring businesses.

Clark, who also chairs Pelham’s active transportation advisory committee, said restaurants and shops can tell cyclists they are bike friendly through the Welcome Cyclists Network.

Connections can be made through HYPERLINK “http://www.healthylivingniagara.com” www. healthylivingniagara.com, she said.

Pelham with its rolling landscape, scenic country roads and small communities attracts both local and tourist cyclists.

“Some come from

Welland but many are coming from the north such as St. Catharines and off the wine route,” Clark said.

Pelham has its own success story.

Patti Fegan’s Cafe On Main has become a local destination by accident.

Both large group of cyclists discovered her patio during a major event last year. They now make downtown Fonthill a place to stop.

Fegan said she put in bike racks at the back of her restaurant and found the town more than co-

operative when she asked about a set on the sidewalk in front.

Clark pointed to similar businesses in neighbouring communities that have become destinations.

Dale Robinson at Robinsong Bed and Breakfast on the Canal Trails in Thorold has had cyclists surge to more than 50 per cent of her business in the past 10 years.

Pelham Regional Coun.

Brian Baty told the PBA the region will drop fees on its regional cycling map to encourage its use.

BY WAYNE CAMPBELL

proach,” said PBA president Tom McIntyre.

The association is promoting a collaborative effort for local promotion under the theme “Pelham – Discover Our Villages.”

McIntyre told a PBA meeting last week the first of a series of advertising in a magazine to 30,000 business offices around the Golden Horseshoe

has begun distribution.

The branding campaign is intended to promote Pelham as a destination and a place to do business, said McIntyre.

It stresses through photographs Pelham’s central location in Niagara and the beauty of its country side.

Once here, people will discover the diversity local

businesses in the five villages of Fonthill, Fenwick, Ridgeville, North Pelham and Effingham.

The PBA is stressing the campaign through its updated website www.pelhambusinessassociation. com.

The association has almost 100 member businesses from across Pelham.

PBA campaign sprouting into spring for the VOICE During April, watch for the first public appearance of a Pelham Business Association marketing program.

A Pelham campaign will go on billboard advertising along Regional Road 20.

“It’s a branding ap-

Pelham Regional Coun. Brian Baty presents Pelham Cares President Jane Gilmour with a cheque for $2,347 from money raised by Holy Trinity Anglican Church members for use by Pelham Cares.

Wayne Campbell/Voice Photo

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Page THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, April 2, 2014

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THE VOICE

of Pelham

From The Heart of Niagara 209 Highway 20 East at Rice Road (inside Birchley Place) Office: Mon-Thurs 8am-2pm Fonthill, ON, L0S 1E6 phone: 905-892-8690 fax: 905-892-0823 editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca office@thevoiceofpelham.ca www.thevoiceofpelham.ca Wayne Campbell, Reporter Stephen Dyell, Reporter Warren Mason, Advertising Liz Hayden, Production Coordinator Leslie Chiappetta, Office Manager The Voice is independent, locally owned and operated.

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Letters to the Editor are welcome provided the submission contains the writer’s full name, signature, address and telephone number. Names only will be published. Names will not be withheld. The newspaper reserves the right to change, condense or reject any contribution for brevity or legal purposes. All Material in this publication is protected by copyright. Reproduction is prohibited without express, written permission of the publisher. Advertising: The VOICE of Pelham regrets any errors that appear in advertisements in this newspaper, however, we will not be held responsible for more than one incorrect insertion or for any damages beyond the amount of space which contains the error.

The Fonthill Kinsmen welcomed two new members. From left Sponsor Doug McIntee, New Member Chris Birtles, President Steve Bronn, Sponsor John Pruyn, and New Member Rick Pruyn.

Special to the Voice

to the editor LETTERS Second thoughts on upcoming Suppermarket I was very surprised to read that the Pelham Supper Market had been approved. It is to feature mostly food vendors and take place under the arches on Thursday nights while the bandshell concerts and Farmers Market are on. My wife is the owner of Nature’s Corner, a member of the Farmer’s Market Committee, and we are currently a vendor at the Farmers Market.

We recently received an e-mail from the town of Pelham to ask if we would be interested in participating in a proposed suppermarket. It stated that over 2,000 people came to town each Thursday, beer and wine would be sold, and that it would be modelled after the successful Niagara-on-the-Lake suppermarket.

An answer of yes or no was all that was needed and if there was enough interest, planning would proceed. This would seem to be an attractive option for us, but we also realized there were a number of issues not addressed in the email. Our response said we could not answer unless we had some idea of how these issues would be dealt with. Since that time, town staff has prepared a report and recommendations that have been approved by council.

My wife and myself have been able to speak to some members of town staff and some councillors and have learned a few things about this new market.

Parking has been an ongoing issue on Thursday nights and

Council has said that a solution must be found if the suppermarket is to take place. Many businesses In the plaza and downtown area have complained about a drop in business at this time because there is nowhere for their customers to park. How will adding this new event make things any better? Why would we be able to solve this now even though the problem has been around for years? Downtown restaurants who lose business could try to recover by joining this new market but it has the potential to create even more problems for area businesses.

The closure of the arches would hinder access to the Farmers Market. The staff report says the closure would be a good thing because it would eliminate congestion. If this is true shouldn’t they always be closed to traffic?

Better yet we could close all access to town square and eliminate traffic problems altogether.

The sale of alcohol at this event has not even been questioned .

There is a family atmosphere on Thursday nights and the addition of drinking may not be a good fit. I have definitely heard some strong disapproval. I would have expected town staff’s report to include some public feedback on this and other issues but there was none whatsoever. It turns out the only public consultation was the same email to local food providers that we received. Was there any doubt there would be

enough interest? One councillor actually told my wife that sometimes it is better not to consult the public. It seems that may be how this town operates.

I would have at least expected a serious consultation with the farmer’s market but this did not happen either. The Farmers Market Committee has sent a letter to the town expressing their disappointment at being excluded in this process. I very recently asked a member of town staff about this letter and was told that it was not an issue because the market actually was consulted. This is absolutely untrue. The Farmers Market will be strongly impacted by this and the Committee is not supportive of this new market as it is proposed.

The farmers market is made up of artisans, food vendors, and farmers. In order to be classified as a farmer’s market over 50% of vendors must be farmers. The reason to create this new market would be to get around this this rule. This would allow the addition of any number of food vendors just a few feet away without having to add more farm producers. I don’t know if this will ultimately affect the status of the farmer’s market but it will definitely have a negative impact on customers.

Normally, on the Thursday during Summerfest, the Farmer’s Market sees a steep decline in business. I’m sure this new market would have the same effect.

It should be noted that Niagaraon-the-Lake does not have their suppermarket at the same time as their farmer’s market. Why would they? It doesn’t make sense to have the two markets competing against each other. This new market could eventually cause the Farmer’s Market to leave the downtown core altogether.

Why have we not considered holding the suppermarket on a different night? The two markets could actually promote each other instead of competing .We could bring people downtown two days in the week instead of trying to pack everything into one. When the Farmers Market began it was the only event on Thursday yet it managed to become successful. Why couldn’t the supermarket do the same?

I’m sure this idea was brought forward with good intentions but the town still needs to gather a balance of opinion before an informed decision can be made. So far this has not been done. In my opinion they have shown a lack of respect for the Farmer’s Market. I have applied to appear as a delegation to speak on this issue at the next council meeting and am hoping representatives from the Farmer’s Market will also be allowed to speak. If you have an opinion on this matter please contact the Town.

Stacey Duncan, Fonthill

MUNICIPAL matters

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Page THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Lemonade made from the town’s 32 acres

BY DAVE AUGUSTYN

Mayor of Pelham Council recently approved an agreement to sell 7.8 acres of the 32 acres of Town-owned land at Regional Road 20 and Rice Road. Because we successfully completed the East Fonthill Secondary Plan and worked together with a developer for a new medical centre and retirement home, we agreed to sell for $375,000 per acre ($2.9 million) plus applicable servicing costs.

You may recall that in March 2005, a previous town council purchased

the 32 acres from Westerra Equities and borrowed $3.6 million ($112,021 per acre) to pay for it.

While this transaction predates my service as mayor, I understand that the concept was to consolidate most Town services – arena, indoor pool, soccer and baseball fields, town hall, library, and a multi-purpose facility – onto the property.

The purchase was also contentious because many thought that the town overpaid. For example, the 2004 property appraisal assumed full water and sewer services; in reality, water and sewers weren’t installed for

another three years.

The appraisal also assumed 8.2 acres of commercial lands (valued at $188,000 per acre) and 23.4 of “business park� ($91,000 per acre); in reality it was all designated “business park� and zoned as agriculture.

Finally, similar adjacent lands sold for far less just days ($88,000 per acre) or weeks ($66,000 per acre) before.

After I became mayor we started paying down the loan’s principal. As of December 31, 2013, the Town has invested $1,984,212 in principal and paid $980,447 in interest with $1.6 million

owing on the loan. (For detailed financial information, please see www.pelhammayordave.blogspot. com.)

Some might say that they knew that the property would be worth far more in the future.

In reality, however, nothing was guaranteed.

You see, at the urging of a majority Landowner’s / Developer’s Group, that previous council deferred approval of a secondary plan for East Fonthill in April 2006.

When the Province changed all municipal planning in June 2006 – just as had been warned – the plan needed a total

overhaul.

Then, in September 2006, that Council gave control of the overhaul to the Landowner’s Group.

So, how did we fix the mess? In 2007, Council hired an expert to work directly with the Landowner’s Group to complete the required studies and guide their work.

When it became clear that the work was stuck in the mire, Council retook control in 2011 and acted quickly, approving the secondary plan in April 2012.

After the Region approved it in October 2012, it was appealed to the

Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). Those small issues were settled in October 2013 and the OMB finally approved the Plan on January 30, 2014.

With hard work, vision, and determination we made major progress and turned “lemons� into “lemonade.�

We will continue to ensure more progress regarding this property over the coming months.

You may contact Mayor Dave at mayordave@ pelham.ca or read past columns at www.pelhammayordave.blogspot. com.

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Library thankful for volunteers BY STEPHEN DYELL

for the VOICE With National Volunteer Week slowly approaching Melanie Taylor-Ridgway would like to give a big thank-you to those donating time at the Pelham Public Library. allows for a top-notch library experi-

ence. “We have over 190 volunteers that help us out on a regular basis and we could not do the programs, events, sales, yard work, Books on Wheels delivery service and book return between the branches without them.�

National Volunteer

Week runs from April 612 across Canada and the library planned numerous events. “Last year our volunteers gave over 2,080 hours of their time and we think that is amazing that people enjoy and care about the library that much that they would do that. We

could not possibly thank them enough but we want to try,� community services coordinator Taylor-Ridgway said.

Giveaways, recognition and gratitude will all be major components of a week-long celebrations of the unsung heroes of a community.

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Page THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Gardening in Niagara BY KARIN VERMEER

for the VOICE

Hello everyone.

First things first. I am not going to talk about the weather. We have done that all winter and spring….oh it’s not spring yet? I hadn’t noticed.

It’s great to be back writ-

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

ing garden tips and ideas for the Voice of Pelham.

For those of you who do not know me, my name is Karin Vermeer.

I’m a plant and gardening specialist and I work in two different ways. I

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work in people’s gardens, to help them create an ideal outdoor space. And I work in therapeutic settings, bringing plants and gardening to the elderly, those with brain injuries and others who benefit

from being around growing things.

I was raised in a greenhouse in Welland. When I was a kid, hanging out in our family’s greenhouse was the most natural thing to me. I just loved

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being in the warm, humid climate that the plants were growing in. And the next most natural thing for me was telling the customers, who came in to enjoy the atmosphere, all that I knew about plants.

And hopefully sell them something.

Not much has changed over the years. I still love working with people and plants. I have now devoted my life to bringing joy using plants to people wherever they are. Whether in a retirement home, classroom, or a rehab hospital, it gives me great pleasure to see the responses of kids and seniors (and every age in between) when they are able to dig their hands into soil and plant something.

As readers of the Voice, you can look forward to reading my garden advice weekly throughout the spring and summer. And if you have specific questions, send them along to the Voice and they will pass them on to me.

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Page THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, April 2, 2014

RIDING Fenwick United gives back TO CURE CANCER BY STEPHEN DYELL

for the VOICE

BY STEPHEN DYELL

for the VOICE Jesse Farr is determined to find a cure.

The 19-year-old Welland native has teamed up with Pelham Friends Church to raise awareness on pancreatic cancer.

“We were trying to look for a fundraiser and a charity event geared towards pancreatic cancer.

I met Matt (Bradbury) through buying a bicycle part and I told him about the ride. Basically it grew from there,” Farr said.

Farr will be partaking in the 7 Days In May pancreatic cancer fundraiser, in which cyclists travel 1,120kilometres around Lake Ontario. Last year, the ride raised over $24,000 and is expected to surpass that total during this ride.

Before the long journey, Pelham Friends Church have an event on April 6 which includes food, information and a 20-kilometre bike ride through Niagara with Farr and Bradbury. 7 Days in May founder Gord Townley will also be attending.

“This isn’t a fundraising event,” Farr said. “Donations are welcome but it’s more about sharing information on the subject.”

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in Canada.

Many people who develop pancreatic cancer do so without any predisposing risk factors. Lying deep in-

side the belly, pancreatic cancer grows silently for months before it is discovered. Often most pancreatic cancer tumours are found after the cancer has grown beyond the pancreas or has metastasized to other places.

Despite the danger, pancreatic cancer receives less than two per cent of funding through general cancer research, yet has a 5-year survival rate of less than five per cent – one of the only cancers with a single digit survival rate.

Farr has watched the damaging effects. His girlfriend, Alex Pascoe mother passed away from pancreatic cancer. She will also be participating in the ride.

“I’m really prepared for this ride leading up to the event. Going in a group helps because it allows you to draft which makes the long distances much easier.”

Community support has also eased the pressure. Churchhill Natural Meats provided food for the event and Thornton’s Cycle and Sports has helped with the creation of his bicycle – allowing for more time spreading awareness.

Head down to Pelham Friends Church on April 6 to support improved funding for pancreatic cancer. For more information on the journey, go to www.7daysinmay.com.

Last year during Lent, the Youth of Fenwick United Church raised money to support the local Riehl Skate Park. Once again, the congregation has decided to stay local with Pelham Cares as the recipient of their newest Lenten Project.

“We are excited about this project as it very

timely coincides with Pelham Cares moving into their new facility,” Linda Sharpe-Pietras of the Children’s Ministry said.

“The Project is the story of The Loaves and The Fishes and Jesus; Feeding the 5000. We are mimicking the story by setting up five containers in our Sanctuary for fundraisersing during Lent.”

Last Sunday, Tracy Holmwood from Pelham Cares joined the children at the church to tell them

about the work of the operations and the impact it has throughout the community. They are continuing with other activities throughout the church and in the town.

“We are having fun, learning about the work of Pelham Cares and doing our part to make our community a better place to live,” Sharpe-Pietras said.

For more information contact Fenwick United Church at 905-892-3081.

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Mayors’ luncheon discusses Niagara’s future ing environment, provements over all 12 projects, and gave a municipalities. Over call-out for opinions $2 million budgeted for the VOICE annually to support A gathering of lead- and suggestions.

“We’re listening, community projects, ers from south Niagara discussed the fu- “The entire 450 acre area has the potential ture developments in for 5,000 people. That’s about 2,300 units the region last week. expected to be built over the next 20 year Fort Erie and Niaga- period,” — Augustyn ra Falls, Pelham, Port Colborne, Wainfleet we’re learning and better known as CIP and Welland mayors’ we’re trying to re- (Community Involveheld their annual spond accordingly,” ment Program). Not Southern Tier lun- Port Colborne Mayor only in our respective but cheon at Riverstone Vance Badawey said. communities, Event Centre. They “Investing millions throughout Niagara.” spoke on the chang- in infrastructure im- Presentations provided updates on each municipality, includEveryone reads ing the building of the Niagara Regional Police Headquarters in Niagara Falls, updates on the Fort Erie racetracks, and the fight for GO Transit to the region.

“Not everything in Niagara is negative,” Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati stated.

Locally, Pelham BY STEPHEN DYELL

The Voice

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Mon. to Fri. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Sat. 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Elena Grande of Fenwick, with friends and family, recently visited Bali, Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She took a copy of The Voice with her. Here they are after climbing the 272 stairs of Batu Caves, a limestone hill and series of caves, containing various Hindu temples and shrines.

Send us your picture holding The Voice, whether across town, or abroad, and we will share it with our readers.

Email your photo with a brief description to: office@thevoiceofpelham.ca.

We use organic ingredients & drug free meat

Mayor Dave Augustyn shared updates on the Fenwick revitalization project, possibility of a recreational complex, and the East Fonthill Secondary Plan..

“The entire 450 acre area has the potential for 5,000 people.

That’s about 2,300 units expected to be built over the next 20 year period,” Augustyn said. “There also will be an announcement in April about a regional service that will be located in this area.”

Augustyn believes changes will benefit businesses and customers in town.

“It’s so important that it’s connected to our downtown—that it is walkable and cyclable. It makes our community complete.”

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Page THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, April 2, 2014

online anywhere at: www.thevoiceofpelham.ca Electrical

SERVICE ACB

directory

Electrical

Fenwick Alex Bover-Master Electrician

-ECRA #7003130 Service Upgrades • Energy Efficiency Upgrades Troubleshooting • New Wiring & Re-Wiring Commercial • Industrial • Residential

Lawn Care

Design & Build Ben Benson

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

Mowing, Rolling, Sodding, Mulch, Aerating, Overseeding, Shrub/Hedge trimming, Garden Maintenance, Spring & Fall Cleanup

Fenwick, ON

CELL

905.658.6084

OFFICE 905.386.9999 FAX 905.386.0009 www.bensonhomeimprovements.com bensonhomeimprovements@hotmail.com

LANDSCAPING

Interlock Walkways, Decks, New Gardens

tel: 905-892-4988 Email:abover@cogeco.ca cell: 905-714-2145 for urgent calls

Heating & Cooling

Concrete Supplies

Small Engine Repair

Landscaping LANDSCAPES Inspired By Your LIFESTYLE

Niagara’s Complete Concrete Contractor (905) 262-2000 We Service All Makes And Models

Renovations

or Toll free

1-800-881-1628

Landscaping

Fairhaven Gardens

FG

Bill De Bruin

J&S

Edging • Planting Mulching • Grass Cutting Garden Maintenance New Sod & Repair Snow Removal Spring Clean Up

905.892.8608

Furniture Refinishing

New expanded facilities 278 Canboro Road West Ridgeville, ON L0S 1M0

Open Mon-Friday 8am-5pm

905-892-4271

Plumbers

1825 Hollow Rd., Fonthill

905-892-3023 www.filbertrefinishing.com Established 1976

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“TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUE OF OLDE”

specializing in

We offer Drain Snaking, Hydro Scrubbing and Video Inspections

Plumbing

Landscaping

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residential • commercial • farm Licenced plumber & gas fitter with 25 years experience

905-386-6483 • 905-651-8558 www.joesplumbingniagara.ca

Tree Service Fully Insured Free Estimates

Brian Alkemade

905.892.0261

ROBERT WILLIAMS PLUMBING & HEATING LIMITED

330 MOORE DRIVE, RR 1, RIDGEVILLE 905-892-2655 1-800-676-4029

Plumbing

HEIRLOOM HAND REFINISHING

AUTO • TRUCK • INDUSTRIAL REPAIRS

Jeff Pietz

905.892.6908

www.dekorteslandscaping.com

Property Maintenance

Automotive

799 Balfour St, Fenwick

cottoninc.ca

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by Bill Nieuwenhuyzen Office 905.892.4510 Cell 905.641.8203

Natural rock • Interlocking Brick • Design & Planting

Masonry Repair

Vandewert

Masonry Ltd. Residential Brick • Stone • Chimney Repair

Nick Vandewert 40170 Forks Road, Wainfleet Ph: (905) 732-0881 Cell: (905) 658-7881

• Landscape Design & Construction • Interlocking Stone • Natural Stone • Retaining Walls • Ponds & Water Features • Mini Excavator & Bobcat Services • Free Estimates

Steve Van Lochem NPD • 905-892-2188

874 Hwy #20 West, Fenwick • www.naturesownidea.com

Landscaping

Page 10 THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Community Events

ONGOING • “Alone Together” a touching comedy by Lawrence Roman. Held at the Trinity United Church - 15 Pine Street S, Thorold.

For tickets call: 905682-8779 or email: info@ thoroldtheatre.ca www.thoroldtheatre.ca -Fridays: Apr 4th & 11th @ 8pm -Saturdays: Apr 5th & 12th @ 8pm -Sunday: April 6th @ 2pm • Ontario Senior Games Association (OSGA) for fellowship, friendly competition and a more active lifestyle. Info www.ontarioseniorgames.ca

• Newcomers Club of St. Catharines & District welcomes women new to the region to participate in a variety of activities. Call Maureen 905-397-7593 or Gwen 905-641-9816 for details.

• Exhibitors Wanted: 19th Annual Pelham Home Show presented by the Fonthill & District Kinsmen. Pelham Arena. April 25, 26, 27. Applications at www.fonthillkinsmen.ca.

Call 905-346-8288 or email fonthillkinsmen@hotmail. com.

• 7:15 p.m. Peninsula Orchestra invites players to join them every Monday

Aggressive

ADVERTISING Impressive RESULTS! Warren Mason Advertising Coordinator

Phone 905.892.8690 advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca

at Holy Trinity Anglican Church. No audition. For info. please contact Bev @ 892-0583.

• Tuesdays • 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

SPAN (Single Person Association of Niagara) is a social club for mature singles who meet Iggy’s Pub 115 Hway 20 E Fonthill.

Offers members a monthly calendar of social activities.

Further information, call Lynie @905-788-0359 • 7:00 p.m. Bingo at St. Ann’s Church, 834 Canboro Rd. Fenwick. Wheelchair accessible.

• 7:30 p.m. “A Cappella Niagara” Men’s Chorus invites singers for fun, fellowship, and fabulous 4-part harmony at the Welland Community Wellness Complex, 145 Lincoln St. in Welland. For info call Kerry—289-820- 6584. Come and sing with us—you’ll be glad you did!

• Thursdays • (first Thursday of every month) 1:30 p.m. to p.m.

Pelham’s independent news source from the Heart of Niagara

The

VOICE www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Extra copies of The Voice of Pelham available at these fine area businesses:

FONTHILL: E. L. Crossley Churchill Natural Meats M&M Meats Shoppers Drug Mart Fonthill Library Town of Pelham Cafe on Main Beamer’s Pro Hardware Sobey’s McDonald’s Fonthill Legion Tim Hortons Semenuk’s J&J Floral Expressions

Pic’s Klagers Keith’s Restaurant Target Store Penzoil Quick Lube Lazy Loon Pharmasave Avondale Store Drs. H. & M. Alberts FENWICK: Avondale Store Fenwick Sub Shop Golden Grill Devries Fruit Farm Ridderikhoff Meats

SOS (Survivors of Stroke) Everyone is welcome. Info call Ann 905-892-1621 • 3:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.

Legion Dinners • Saturdays • Computer Tutor & Gadget Clinic.

“One-to-One Help” with a volunteer tech tutor. Get help with web browsing, webmail account set-up, e-books, social media, editing and sharing your photos and more. 12:30 – 3:30.

Register and pay ahead in person. $5.00 per 1/2 hour.

Pelham Public Library.

Thursday April 2- Sunday, April 6 •Spring/easter Sale Fundraising Event. NSNAP (Niagara Spay Neuter Assistance Program) New and nearly new gift items, house wares, clothing, jewellery, baking and more! All funds go to spay/neuter in the Niagara Region. Donations, cat food and volunteers gratefully accepted.

Fairview Mall during mall hours (in front of Zehrs), Contact 289-897-8514 www.niagaraspayneuterassistance.org Thursday, April 3 • 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Spring Classes from the Pelham Art Association: Instructor: Gloria Kingma - Watercolour. Six weekly sessions. Festival Room, Pelham Library, Fees: $ 80.00 members - $100.00 non -member. Contact: Mary Powley 905 - 892 - 4625 to register for classes and workshops.

• 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Youth Leadership Program ages 12-17 yrs old, Adult Leadership Program 18 yrs and older. Learn to communicate effectively and become more confident and motivated in your public speaking and leadership. Program to be held at the Grimsby Town Hall Thursdays 7-9pm.

Please contact Heather to register @ Motivate@ heathertalons.com Friday April 4 • 3:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. Legion Dinner Saturday April 5

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

CLASSIFIEDS

• 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Craft/Gift/Garage Sale.

Ourl Lady of Holy Rosary Parish Hall. 35 Queen St @ Sullivan, Thorold. 40 vendors. All proceeds to restore windows.

• 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Spring Workshop:from the Pelham Art Association: Presenter: Gloria Kingma Acrylic on Birch PanelTime.

Pelham Library, Town Square, Fonthill Ontario Fees: $40.00 members - $60.00 non - member.

Contact: Mary Powley 905 - 892 - 4625 to register for classes and workshops.

Saturday April 5 • 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Meditation Great for beginners and those who have meditated before. Please bring a pen and notebook. $3.00.

Please register ahead. Pelham Public Library • 2:00 p.m. Gallery Players presents “In the Shadow of a Volcano”. Barnabas’ Church 33 Queenston Street, St. Catharines.

The Vesuvius Ensemble paints a portrait of Naples and its surrounding countryside in the Renaissance & Baroque periods, giving colourful details of Neapolitan life. Tickets $5-$32.

905-468-1525 / www.galleryplayers.ca Sunday April 6 • 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. Model Railroad Open House, Fenwick Central Railroad.

1141 Maple St, Fenwick. www.gnmre.ca. Donations greatly appreciated. Sorry, not wheelchair accessible.

Tuesday April 8 • 7:00 p.m. Scooter Diaries: An Adventure Romance through Latin America. $4.00. Please register ahead. Pelham Library.

Wednesday April 9 • 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Spring Tea. Holy Trinity Church, 1557 Pelham St. Fonthill.

Tea Room, Bake table, Trinkets ‘n’ Treasures, Gently used books.

April 10, 11, 12th • 7:00 P.M. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.Tickets avail-

Memoriam

Services

Robert’s Painting I only paint & I do it well.

Remembering our Son Bryan Page May 8 1982 - April 3 2013 On the first anniversary of his untimely death.

You’re not forgotten, Bryan Nor ever shall you be As long as life and memory last, We will remember you.

No one knows the silent heartaches, Only those who have lost can tell Of the grief that’s borne in silence For the one we loved so well.

In memory of a great brother and friend. It is difficult to believe that a year has gone by since you passed away. Even thought there has been many tears and much pain, there are many memories that you have left that still remain. We remember all the smiles and laughs that you gave. We miss you and will love you always and forever.

Love Brad and Jackie

able at Notre Dame or by calling 905.788.3060 Friday, April 11 • 3:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. Legion Dinner • 6:30 p.m. Trivia Night Legion hall on Hwy 20 E. in Fonthill. Teams of eight per table; cost is $20 per person. All proceeds to the Wainfleet Cenotaph Project . To register, call 905-7149308 or 905-386-6978 April 11, 12, 13 • EGGSTRAVAGANZA at Country Christmas Store, 1794 Center St, Ridgeville.

One of a Kind arts and crafts for Mothers Day or Easter gifts. Free Saturday April 12 • 4:00 -7 :00 p.m. Pasta Dinner. Fonthill Lions Hall. $10. $6 for children. LAST ONE until next Fall.

Sunday April 13 • 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. Model Railroad Open House,

Int/Ext 25 years experience, neat, reliable. www. robertspainting niagara.com

732-2352 Janet’s Tax Service 30 years experience 1200 Balfour St. Fenwick 905-892-4654 Portable sawmill service.

I will come to your home or farm and custom mill your logs. Firewood & lumber also available. Call Rob Patterson, 905-401-4948, riverwood@primus.ca

For Sale Josh DeHaan Flooring “For all your flooring needs”

We offer in-stock specials: • pre-finished hardwood

flooring solid, engineered from $2/ft2 • laminate flooring from $.89/ft2 • carpet and vinyl flooring from $4.95/yd2 • fibre flooring from $1/ft2 • ceramic tile from $.89/ft2 ...and other specials!

Call us to see the products that are available & visit our showroom.

Phone: 905-892-7898 Fax: 905-892-4811 No Sunday Calls, Please

Fenwick Central Railroad.

1141 Maple St, Fenwick. www.gnmre.ca. Sorry, not wheelchair accessible.

Monday April 14 •2:00-4:00 p.m. Employment Help: Interview Skills.

Learn tips and tricks to help you excel at job interviews.

Presented by Niagara College Employment and Training Solutions. Free.

Please pre-register. Pelham Library.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Page 11 THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Panthers Atom Girl’s basketball team wins gold at Provincial Cup The Pelham Panther’s Atom Girl’s (U11) travel basketball team participated in the Division III Ontario Basketball Provincial Cup Championships held on Jan. 21-23 in London.

The Panther’s had to real off fourstraight wins in order capture gold. In the first round the Panthers faced the Guelph Phoenix and won convincingly by a score of 25-8. In the second round of the tournament, the Panthers played the Orangeville Hawks and won 29-21 earning a spot in the semi-finals. In the semi-finals the Panthers played the Barrie Royals and won 31-21 to earn their place in the gold medal game against the

top seeded Chatham-Kent Wildcats. The gold medal match was an even contest throughout and the Panthers went into the last quarter down by one but scored a basket with 24 seconds remaining to capture the championship 24-23.

The first year team team is made up of 11 dedicated girls who are playing in their first travel basketball season together. Along with the Ontario gold, the team also earned a second place finish in a tournament in Flamborough, a third place finish in a tournament in Rochester, NY, and a fourth place finish in a tournament in St. Catharines to cap off a successful season.

Tournament delivers

The winning team is pictured: Front row(left to right): Lauren Cimato, Marina Belcastro.

Middle row(left to right): Madey Crawford, Fallon Gervais, Alissa Mete, , Abigale Phillips, Katey Crawford. Back row(left to right): Agi Mete(Head Coach), Klaire Marr, Jillian Landry, Sophia Belcastro, Calleigh Cunningham, Quinn Vos(Assistant Coach)

Have Fun - Get Fit - Socialize Niagara Falls

Goodtimers Slo-pitch Co-ed Baseball

facebook.com/ voiceofpelham Players from New York and across Ontario battled on ice in the first annual Diesel Classic Tyke Tournament.

Hosted in conjunction with the Pelham Minor Hockey Association and the Winnicki family, it aimed to collect proceeds for children in need of hockey equipment.

“This is what the game of hockey is all about. There is some competition involved, but the bottom line is every had a good time and made some new friends,” tournament convener Jerry Winnicki said.

The tournament also aimed to honour former

Pelham Panther Andrew Winnicki with the sport he loved. Family and friends united to complete an unforgettable day.

“The kids were excited regardless if they won or lost which is great. The parents are really happy with what we have offered them in terms of souvenirs, so it’ll make for a great tournament next year.”

All proceeds raised Saturday will go directly back into the community.

Those interested in donating hockey equipment can contact Winnicki at 905-736-1426.

for Men 50+ and Women 47+ Practice May 1, 5, 6 Games start May 7 (weather permitting) Play 2 games/wk.

Contact: Larry 905-892-4499 larry911@bell.net Ken 905-357-1481 Barb 905-374-3468 Gail 905-354-4985

Meeting: April 3, 7:00 p.m.

Royal Canadian Legion Br. 479 5603 Spring St, Niagara Falls Pasta Dinner Fundraiser: April 12, 5:00 p.m.

Legion Br. 479

Page 12 THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, April 2, 2014

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

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