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The NiagaraRealtySource.com Welland Realty Ltd. Brokerage
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Vol.15 No.20
VOICE
Characters are coming to town. Page 2
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Shake your booty! Page 2
Drum fun! Page 6
Gelato Village cools off downtown Fonthill BY TINA CHIVERS VOICE Staff When it comes to making gelato, Rocco Spano certainly knows the scoop. Spano, a Welland resident, is opening his new store, Gelato Village at 1417-1419 Pelham Street, downtown Fonthill. People will be able to purchase Spano’s gelato at Summerfest, where he’ll be set up to serve his treats alongside the other food vendors. Then, his shop will officially open at the Pelham Street location on Sunday, July 24. Spano became interested in gelato when he travelled to Italy, particularly Bologna. “That’s where I discov-
ered the true art of making gelato,” he says. Spano spent a good deal of time in Bologna, immersed in the Italian culture, and he even attended “Gelato University”, (a school in Bologna, Italy, which teaches aspiring entrepreneurs everything they need to know about making gelato) where he took a course and learned how to make the creamy treat from some of the world’s greatest gelato masters. “Gelato is not meant to be eaten; it’s meant to be enjoyed,” says Spano. “In Italy, people walk to the gelaterias, gather to-
gether, talk and enjoy the food.” Everything about the 27year-old’s shop is meant to mimic an Italian gelateria. Spano’s cousin, Ivan Laface, is an Italian architect; Laface designed the shop. Laface points out all of the intricate details in the shop’s design, including how the cabinets complement one another, and he explains the use of colour. “All of the colours are earth tones; we used only natural colours” says Laface. “And it’s very upscale.” Spano says that, when they designed the shop, it was important to incorpo-
rate an open concept. “I want people to be able to see us working, making the food,” he says. “I wanted to tie in the idea of freshness with the open concept design. Speaking of freshness, Spano’s gelato is a prime example. “I use only natural products; nothing is processed or powder-based,” say Spano. “I use fresh fruit, real cheese and wine, hormone-free milk, Belgian chocolate and Tahitian vanilla beans.” Spano says that even some of his ingredients are Italian-imported. “My hazelnuts come from the Piemonte region in Italy, and my pistachios come from Sicily.” Moreover, Laface has incorporated Italian-imported items to stock the shop’s interior, such as display cases from Pesaro and an espresso maker from Milan. “I’m trying to bring gelato culture into the Niagara region,” says Spano. “I
(Left to right) Rocco Spano, owner of Gelato Village, poses with his cousin and Gelato Village architect, Ivan Laface. Tina Chivers/Voice Photo chose Fonthill because it has a sense of community similar to what you’d find in a small town in Italy.” Gelato Village will carry several flavours of gelato, and will also stock creamfilled pastries. Spano says he can make all-occasion cakes and even specialty flavours. “Anything you can imagine, we can do it,” he says. “We’re happy to try new ideas and flavours; it
makes us better too.” Asked whether he feels that winter will put a freeze on his sales. Spano says he’s confident that people will desire his gelato year-round. “People can come in and buy the gelato in a larger container such as a pint or quart—or even larger if they desire.” he says. “I also plan to branch out into the catering and wholesale industries.”
Swimmers to join in the fun at Pelham Summerfest
The Scouts of Scotland recently spent a few weeks in Pelham, enjoying time with the local Scouts. Pictured are some of the Scottish youngsters, celebrating Canada Day. Devaan Ingraham/Voice Photo
The Niagara Regional Summer Swim League is made up of recreational summer swim teams from across Niagara. Serving as an introduction to competitive swimming, all meets and practices emphasize having fun and team spirit. Throughout the summer each team takes a turn at hosting a swim meet at their pool which two to three other teams attend. This year Pelham’s swim meet at Marlene Stewart Streit Park will take place on July 23, the same day as Pelham Summerfest. The Niagara Regional Summer Swim
League meet ends at noon—just in time for those attending the swim to venture from the pool to downtown Fonthill to explore all that Pelham Summerfest has to offer. Thanks to the generosity of local sponsor Royal Lepage Niagara Real Estate Centre, all swimmers will be provided with a voucher redeemable for lunch from a Pelham Summerfest food vendor. For more information, contact KatieThorpe, Community Services Coordinator at kthorpe@pelham.ca or (905) 892-2607 ext 341.
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