The Voice of Pelham September 3rd, 2014 Edition

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Vol.18 No. 9

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Vol.18 No.25

Weekend Weather Concerts, suppermarket ending on a high note Thursday High 18º

Friday CAMPBELL High 15º

BY WAYNE for the VOICE Saturday

High 20

SWINGING SUCCESS The sound of golf balls hitting iron

is normal at Lookout Point Country Club, but was a little different on Monday.

Golf professional JJ Alexander chipped away in the second 1,000 Ball Challenge, to raise funds for Wellspring Niagara.

The not-for-profit charitable organization offers free social, emotional, psychological and informational support to people with the cancer.

“It’s great to give back with something I love to do,” Alexander said.

He has used Wellsping’s services himself.

“We’re a big family here at Lookout so the entire day has been awesome bringing awareness and raising much needed dollars.”

Alexander sold out the $5 spon-

sored balls and with donations raised $10,000 for Wellspring, which will build a new centre in Pelham.

The golf club’s donation is in memory of former club member and friend Carol Smith, who recently passed away from a rare form of Melanoma.

“While she was battling the disease, her treatment was not covered in her health-care plan,” said Alexander, “so we decided to help out by starting this challenge in 2013.”

Since opening in June 2001, more than 46,000 people have used Wellspring programs. They are run by volunteers and financed by donations like the 1000 ball challenge.

“It is vital with so many programs at Wellspring,” volunteer Sheila

Massie said. “Three of my friends have gone through them and that’s what got me involved.”

Raffles, barbecue and good weather helped the day fly by. A holein-one drew cheers after chipping over 500 balls just feet away from the pin.

“There really is nothing too hard about doing this compared to what (cancer patients) are going through,” said Alexander.

“It’s just a great opportunity to give back to something I’ve used during my fight with cancer.”

Donations are still being accepted, contact Lookout Point Country Club at 905-892-2639. You can also donate by calling Wellspring Niagara at 905-382-6121 or visit www. wellspring.ca/Niagara.

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An uncertain start to this year’s Thursday evening events has eased into optimism as two of three wind Sunday down this week.

High 23º Fonthill saw the addition of the Pelham SuppermarSource -The Weather Network ket in June as a pilot project to showcase local restaurants.

Inside The Voice It joined the Pelham Farmers Market and Fonthill Bandshell Concerts in Pelham Peace Park.Beach Juno Page This Thursday night the suppermarket and6 bandshell concerts will draw to a close. Toronto jazz and blues singer Miss Robin Banks belts out the season finale. to thewill dogs The Pelham Farmers Market,Going meanwhile, conPage 10local food tinue its weekly sales of fruit, vegetables and products through harvest season of September and October.

NIFF This summer, visitors to the markets and concerts adjusted to new parking arrangement.Page 15 See Events (Page 2)

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THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Events (From Page 1) It helped shopping plaza and downtown businesses who had lost customer parking to concert goers.

The new Fonthill and District Kinette Club soon found a fundraising project as parking monitors became an unusual challenge. But they rose to it with smiles and courtesy.

Restaurant and wine booths with an eating area sprung up placed between the bandshell concert site and the farmers market.

As the summer went on, it became a link between the bandshell lawn chair audience and the farmers market. Visitors flowed from one to the other. Soon one attraction fed the other.

“It turned out better than expected,” said Patti Fagan, who had her Cafe on Main booth in the suppermarket each Thursday.

The market introduced visitors from across the region to Pelham restaurants, she said. Fagan found many coming back to drop into her cafe on other days.

“We want to make Pelham a destination,” she said about the project’s goal.

Farmers market vendors had worried that the new market. It could draw customers away from their booths especially those who sold prepared food.

Farmers market chair Fred Arbour said it didn’t happen that way. His own Klager’s Meats barbecue booth and others selling food did as well as ever.

Farmers market vendors saw an increased flow of shoppers from the concerts through the supper market. And they referred some of theirs over to it.

New parking arrangements got off to an unsteady start with heavy enforcement, Arbour said. However, shortterm parking alongside the farmers market improved access for market shoppers.

The Kinettes did a good job of directing people, Arbour said.

Members of the women’s service club greeted drivers pulling into the Fonthill Shopping Plaza. They asked whether they were shopping at the plaza or attending the concert. Shoppers were allowed to park at the plaza

while others were directed to nearby sites at churches, schools, businesses and on streets of Fonthill.

The service club benefited from a $5 premium parking fee in a lot beside the plaza and bandshell. Funds from it will go to community projects.

Fonthill Bandshell Concert organizers feared paid parking would cut into donations at the concerts. They help to pay for next season.

Chair Gayle Baltjes-Chataway said the turnout was tremendous this summer, thanks in part to good weather most Thursdays. People seemed to like the variety of bands that performed, according to the feedback she has received.

They also appreciate that it is family entertainment available for free, or at least for a donation dropped in a bucket.

The concert committee, she said, is grateful for the community’s support. “They are very loyal.”

The concert series ends this Thursday with Miss Robin Banks a Toronto singer of jazz, classic, rhythm and blues, soul, and reggae music.

Next year is its 10th year.

“It’s unbelievable it has been that long,” said the committee chair.

Baltjes-Chataway would like to see the town move ahead with a reconstruction of Pelham Peace Park. It could include terraced seating around the bandshell and permanent washrooms in the park.

Work on the park may be influenced by a review of this summer’s three-event season.

The Pelham Suppermarket is a pilot project.

Town staff will sit down with committees running the suppermarket, farmers market, bandshell concerts as well as downtown and plaza merchants.

They will review the events, parking arrangements, traffic flow, park setup and safety concerns, as well as problems and ideas that are raised.

Recreation director Vickie van Ravenswaay said such a review meeting will probably be held in three weeks or so.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Artful labour

Sixteen dedicated artists from southern Ontario attended a five day Colour Organization course taught by painter Jane E. Jones of Dallas, Texas at the Pelham Library from Thursday to Labour Day Monday.

The Pelham Art Association invited Jones to teach the principles of using the colour wheel. A technical course for artists of all levels, Jones teaches colour composition using seven colour contrasts. Starting with primary colours with black, white, and grey students create separate compositions based on light, medium, and dark values, then combine them; this is repeated using complimentary colours. It is a step by step process and students understand the colour wheel and how to use it in their composition by the time they leave.

The attending artists found the course intense but extremely informative that can be used in many art forms, and the instructor is ‘an excellent, natural teacher who has the ability to breakdown difficult concepts and make it understandable.

Jones’ loves students and sharing her knowledge. She has no secrets when it comes to art.

Each student used examples of the compositions demonstrating various values. The painting’s composition reflection the colour balance that is in the gridwork. Upon completion of the course the student has created their own notebook for future reference.

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THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, September 3, 2014 Page 3

First a meat market on Church Hill; now a possible Five Plex. What’s next?

A notice from the Town of Pelham has informed some Fonthill residents that a Rental Five Plex has all but been rubber stamped for 6 Church Hill St. This is a well travelled street with historical significance in the town. But let’s stick to the facts here. A rental complex requires a 98 foot frontage; 6 Church Hill has less than 50 feet. The proposal is for five 600 square foot apartments with eight parking spots.

The asphalt will cover almost half the lot.

As most people know Fonthill is built on a kame and water flows down, not up.

What will happen with the first big rain when the asphalt disturbs current water flow? You don’t have to be an engineer to determine that the water will flood neighbours homes, including the units behind 6 Church Hill in Victory Garden. Who will pay for that damage – the Town?

Once Town Council alters the bylaw you can expect Church Hill will have other rooming houses. And perhaps the next one will be in your neighbourhood.

I agree that Fonthill is in need of apartments but there are many appropriately zoned areas for that sort of development. Why disturb a residential street that is already dealing with parking issues and traffic?

If you are opposed to this development make your voice heard by writing to Town Clerk, Nancy Bozzato, PO Box 400, 20 Pelham Town Square, Fonthill, ON, L0S 1E0 no later than September 5, or attend the Council meeting on Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m.

Phyllis Paroshy, Fonthill

Last week I read in ‘The Voice’ that the LCBO wants to ‘jazz up’ the signage outside their new building on Hwy. 20. Good luck. It would be like putting Christmas lights outside a mausoleum. In the former Soviet Union, a monstrosity of a building like this would have won an architectural award. But the real issue here is why was this building built in the first place. In Europe, the U.S., and most countries outside of Iran, alcohol is available in grocery stores. We already have such a store in the same parking lot as the LCBO – it’s called Sobeys.

Craig Gordon, Fonthill According to an article in The Voice of Pelham, on August 27th, a recommendation went to Town Council on September 2nd regarding the removal of Town councillors on advisory committees. I am assuming that the decision included a reduction in remuneration paid to councillors coinciding with their reduced workload.

Tara Druzina, Pelham In response to the pets missing, I live in the 600 block of Canboro Rd. We’ve heard coyote howls and yelps of pups for years. They have become hybrid now mixing with dogs and wolfs called COY. Three series have been on nature shows on television showing how they are adjusting to living with people. Some cities bothered are New York, Chicago, and Toronto as urban growth is pushing them out. Last week, we saw one run down the road at dusk and it’s not uncommon to hear killing sounds at night. Pets are very vulnerable so our cat, who is 14-years-old, is always in by dusk.

Merelle Stirtzinger, Fenwick

Election candidate field grows Library construction continues

BY WAYNE CAMPBELL

for the VOICE Peter Papp, the incumbent Ward 3 councillor, is the latest candidate to file nomination papers for the Oct. 27 municipal election.

He joins fellow incumbent John Durley in a two-seat contest in Ward 3.

Town council changed the boundaries of the town’s three wards for the first time since the 1970s. It balances the population of each and allows for an expected population increase in East Fonthill.

Ward 3 now runs south from Port Robinson Road and Pancake Lane to Foss Road and from Effingham Street in the west to the town’s eastern boundary.

In Ward 1, which covers Fenwick and rural Pelham, the two incumbents Richard Rybiak and Jim Lane have filed pa-

pers as has Tara Druzina for the two-seat contest.

Ward 2 in Fonthill also has a potential race with incumbent Catherine King, and newcomers Justin O’Donnell and Larry Frost seeking the two seats.

So far, Mayor Dave Augustine is the only candidate for Mayor.

For Pelham regional councillor incumbent Brian Baty is running along with newcomer Jim Inman.

For trustee positions on the four school boards serving Pelham, there is a candidate signed up for each one: Dale Robinson, District School Board of Niagara; Rev. Paul MacNeil, Niagara Catholic District School Board; Derrick Fournier, French Language Public District Board; and Jules Letourneau.

Deadline for filing nomination papers is Friday, Sept. 12. The election is on Monday, Oct. 27.

SEND US YOUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL PHOTOS AND BE FEATUED IN THE VOICE! EMAIL: EDITOR@THEVOICEOFPELHAM.CA

Students at Glynn A. Green Public School will not be using the library quite yet.

Work to completely renovate the facility into a state-of-the-art learning commons continues as the completion date creeps closer.

“It’s a little behind schedule but there is so much work going on at the school that we can’t complain,” school librarian Ann Holmes said. “When it’s finished, it’ll be a 21st century learning centre for the kids, which will be great.”

The $68,470 project will see changes to make the library more inviting. Couches and other comforts aim to draw students into the library for homework and reading. Something former principal Todd Bright wasn’t witnessing during his stay in Pelham. Concrete floors and metal classroom chairs drew few, so students began fundraising. Within several months, the project has raised over $45,000, including $3,000 for new books.

The library also received a name over the summer. The facility will be called the Fox Family Learning Commons after they donated $25,000 towards the project. The unselfish actions of others, such as the Fox family, have allowed future students to learn in the best environment possible, Holmes said.

“Not only are the kids excited, but so are all the teachers. It’s something that was needed and the community has done a great job in making it happen.”

With completion expected in November, Holmes will head into classrooms to do her teaching. Furniture also sits waiting in the gymnasium as crews finished repairing the schools roof and adding the YMCA daycare into the building.

“They put in the floors last week and aren’t putting in the circulation desks until next week,” Holmes said. “We’re counting down the days as it’s going to be fantastic when it’s done.”

The school remains on the lookout for donations as they have just under $20,000 to raise. If you’d like to donate to the new library learning commons, contact the school at 905-892-3821.

Page 4

THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, September 3, 2014

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THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, September 3, 2014

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high school.

Some have flashing yellow lights and traffic signals as reminders to slow down and check speedometers.

Over the past few years, the Town of Pelham and Niagara Region have added traffic signals, flashing yellow lights, signalled pedestrian crossings, speed humps and sidewalks to increase safety.

You will see them around Glynn A. Green on Pelham Street, St. Alexander on Regional Road 20, A. K. Wigg on Haist St. and St. Ann on Canboro Road.

Less conspicuous are Pelham Centre Public School on Centre Street near Welland Road and E. W. Farr Memorial School set back from Canboro Road in Fenwick.

Drivers near those two schools must watch for pedestrians and turning school buses.

Few motorists miss the sight of E.L. Crossley Secondary School’s blazing mural on Regional Road 20.

They can, however, overlook the reappearance of cars, trucks and buses turning into and out of the Crossley’s two driveways.

The area near the high school still lacks sidewalks, so students walk along the highway.

In addition to school zones, drivers on Pelham’s main roads and side roads must stay alert for school buses.

They not only pick up and drop off students attending Pelham schools but also those going to schools in neighbouring communities that serve Pelham.

It is best to allow time for delays rather make time in school zones and along bus routes.

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THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, September 3, 2014

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THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Knitters dolls protect medical supplies

Page 7

Pelham’s independent news source from the Heart of Niagara

The

VOICE www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Pearl Grewal, left, explains a doll’s dress she knitted. Along with June Bond, she is a member of the TGIF Craft Afternoon group. It meets each Friday at the Fonthill branch of the Pelham Public Library.

Wayne Campbell/Voice Photo

BY WAYNE CAMPBELL

for the VOICE Their laugher and chatter broke the normal quiet a Friday afternoon at the library.

Meeting in a back section about a dozen knitters with their fingers steadily moving talk about their craft and exchanged a few yarns.

The TGIF Craft Afternoon from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. usually draws about 12 of its 20 members, said Elaine Anderson, of the Pelham Public Library.

“Usually they meet in the Festival Room, but something else is going on in there today.”

In addition to yarn, the craft exchange includes beading, scrapbooking, stamping and fabric trading.

Most of the knitters have enjoyed these sessions for years. They turn their skills to causes as well as making gifts for family and friends.

They have made dolls clothes and as-

sisted service clubs.

Through Project Linus (Charlie Brown’s blanket-carrying friend) they knitted baby blankets for children in McMaster Children’s Hospital.

Now they are knitting Izzy Dolls for Health Partners International of Canada.

The comfort dolls are used as packing material around medical supplies sent to West Africa, Iraq and Gaza.

Health Partners send Physician Travel Packs, filled with treatment items donated by Canadian health care companies, to developing countries.

Doctors and nurses who receive the supplies will give the handmade packing dolls to their youngest patients.

For some children, it is their first toy.

Each year, groups across Canada, such as TGIF knitters, provide 12,000 dolls to Health Partners.

“It’s just a lot of fun,” said Pearl Grewal about the Friday knitting sessions. “We know how to laugh.”

The group has also gone by the name Knit Wits.

Police launch Operation “School Zones” This past Tuesday, members of the Niagara Regional Police Service were out in full force in the Regions school zones in order to remind drivers and pedestrians of students return to school.

As students head back to school, there will be change on the roadways with school buses, pedestrians and vehicles making their return for another school year. The NRPS would like to remind everyone of the need to follow the rules of the road for everyone’s safety.

Every officer working Tuesday participated in the annual Back to School

campaign, now in its 14th year. Officers ranging from the Chief of Police, to divisional detectives, were also reassigned from their daily duties in order to participate in this important initiative.

Officers paid close attention to school zones and their posted speed limits, child restraint systems, school bus safety, aggressive driving and distracted driving concerns. The initiative lasted throughout the day, but their goal was it to continue throughout the year so that students, staff and drivers all arrive at their destinations safely.

The Voice headed to Grand Bazaar and Spice Market in Istanbul, Turkey where Lucca and Emile Zanuttini vacationed in late July.

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

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

STORY IDEA? LET US KNOW EDITOR@THEVOICEOFPELHAM.CA

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This was the third year Independent Riders gathered supplies for students in Pelham as they continue to be major players in changing often unknown lives on a daily basis.

“We do rides and events throughout the year to raise money for charity with most 799 Balfoursaid.

St, “It’s tremendous to have of the donations headed for Pelham Cares,” Mccollum Fenwick so many riders who are willing to help out inw the community. w w . d e k o r t e s l aThis n d s cisa a p igreat n gPage . c group om 2 We Service THE All Makes And VOICE of Models Pelham Wednesday, July 9, 2014 of guys who actually care about others where they live.”

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THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Dixon Funeral Home creator passes away Surrounded by his family and friends, businessman and community enthusiast Donald Dixon passed away.

Dixon, who was born in Alberta, moved to Fonthill in 1959 and took over the Drake and Barron Funeral Home. He changed the name to the Dixon Funeral Home and eventually built a new location where James L. Pedlar Funeral Home is located. He was the funeral director from 1959 until 1992 when he retired.

Dixon was an active member of the Pelham community through his involvement with the Phoenix Lodge #535 AF&AM of Fonthill. He received his 33rd degree of Supreme Council in New Brunswick, while serving for 50 years with the Masonic Lodge.

He was also a past President of the Fonthill Lions Club, a Fonthill Volunteer Firefighter for 25 years, Member of the Niagara District Funeral Services Association, served on the Fonthill Hydro Commission for 17 Years and he was an active member of the Fonthill United Church for 55 years. As well, he was a member of the Advisory Board of the CNIB of St. Catharines, Welland Curling Club and Secretary/Treasurer of the

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“He was a great person to have in this line of work,” Tina Moessner of James L. Pedlar Funeral Home said.

“He knew so many people by their first name after meeting them only once. Not too many people can say they have that trait on top of being filled with compassion for others.”

On top of the community involvement, he was also a compassionate family man. He’d been married to his wife Betty for the past 64 years. He was also father to Darlene Lepp (Bob), Greg (Jean) and Brenda Neilson (John).

Despite his death, his legacy in business and his countless hours spent growing the town will fondly be remembered.

“So many people know this building as the Dixon Funeral Home, so I don’t even bother correcting them,” Moessner said. “He had that big of an impact in the community that his name will continue to live on in the long history of this town.”

Dixon passed away on Aug. 23. He was 89-years-old at the time of his death.

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THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, September 3, 2014

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Niagara Region term report: Transportation and environment

PELHAM MUDFES

CHALLENGE T

SEPTEMBER 6 BISSELL’S HIDEAW AY

PIRATES

HOME OPENER SEPT. 12 7:30 PM PELHAM ARENA

This is the final issue in a series which summarizes the accomplishments of this term of Niagara Regional Council. It is hoped that this series has provided a comprehensive review of the work at the Niagara Region and a glimpse at the challenges ahead.

The last two areas are sources of large capital investments and a need for cooperation and partnership from other levels of government.

The largest “ask” at this time is a joint request from all 12 mayors, regional council and community leaders to achieve twice-a-day train service with two runs morning and afternoon for a permanent Go Train presence by the PanAm Games in 2015.

We have done “ghost runs” to demonstrate that the Welland Canal is not an obstacle. We have more commuters going daily to Hamilton and the GTA than Barrie has which already has a permanent Go Train service.

We have initiated a partnership with the three local transit operators to deliver inter-municipal transit connection between major centres. The $88 million Burgoyne Bridge replacement is wellunderway.

We have partnered with Peel, Waterloo, Halton and Hamilton to pursue an alternate transportation route connecting Niagara to the GTA and American North East. More than 120 lane kilometres have been repaved including Pelham sections of Regional Road 20. We reviewed opportunities to improve the safety, efficiency and movement of truck traffic across the Niagara Escarpment.

Numerous projects have been completed. We now have two new roundabouts in Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake not to mention the one created at the 406 and East Main intersection in Welland.

Numerous bridges have been replaced including O’Reillys Bridge in Pelham and Wainfleet. Several other bridges have undergone major rehabilitation to extend service life or increase load-carrying capacity; the largest of which is the Main Street Bridge in Welland.

Major Road reconstruction has taken place along with the road paving that was already mentioned. Woodlawn

Road in Welland and Fourth Avenue in St.Catharinesare a couple of examples.

On the environmental front we established a Lakefront Enhancement Strategy in partnership with all 12 municipalities, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) and private/public stakeholders with an annual $1 million cost-sharing incentive for each of the next 10 years.

In addition, the NPCA purchased 15 acres of beachfront access in Wainfleet which will be available for public use next year. We worked with the NPCA to develop a Source Water Protection Plan which is only one of two completed so far in Ontario.

We received an Electricity Retrofit Award securing $26,000 in rebates for installing energy-efficient lighting at three facilities. We constructed a state-of-the-art $43.2 million wastewater treatment plant in Niagaraon-the-Lake to replace open lagoons.

We secured $84 million in infrastructure stimulus funding to address aging wastewater infrastructure.

Three former landfill sites were converted for use by residents including the Centre Street Leash-Free Dog Park in Pelham.

A new waste collection system was introduced with weekly green, blue and grey receptacles and initiated a battery collection program as well as new recycling programs for electronics, construction and demolition materials, carpets and mattresses. We also extended service in two municipalities and launched a multi-residential recycling program.

The Lakefront Enhancement Strategy will be broadened to include all water access in the future. While we have achieved a 52% diversion rate from our waste stream we will have to further investigate emerging technology during the next term of council.

Brian Baty is a Niagara Regional Councillor for the Town of Pelham, a member of the board at the NPCA and a member of the Source Water Protection Committee. brian.baty@niagararegion.ca

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THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, September 3, 2014

COMMUNITY Events

PELHAM LIBRARY’S COMPUTER 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. Includes use of laptop or BYOG (bring your own gadget).

Saturdays 12:30 – 3:30. Register and pay ahead in person. $5.00 per 1/2 hour. Visit www.pelhamlibrary.on.ca or call 905-892-6443 for more details.

FONTHILL BANDSHELL PRESENTS ROBIN BANKS A master of tone and phrasing, Robin Banks has a vocal style, strength and clarity that has been compared to Etta James and Dinah Washington. But match that with the charisma and boldness of a Tina Turner and you’ll understand why Robin Banks has the world on a string! Show runs from 7-9 p.m.

PELHAM LIBRARY CARD MAKING WORKSHOP Make six cards with fall themes, learning a variety of techniques. Materials are provided. Tues., Sept. 16 10 – 12:30. $10. Please register ahead.

Visit www.pelhamlibrary.on.ca or call 905-892-6443 for more details.

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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. TF HousekeepBurke’s Masonry THODE Bricklaying, tuckpointing, ing Services. Team of hardworking, organized, step repair, granite coatings, brick slices dependable & energetic 905-682-7061. P18-28 ladies will take care of your housecleaning needs. Give Josh DeHaan Flooring us a call. Elizabeth 905386-0082 after 5 pm.

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FABULOUS FENWICK LIONS FISH FRY Haddock, french fries and much more. Runs Friday Sept. 19 from 4-7 p.m.

Centennial Park, Church Street, Fenwick.

PELHAM MINOR HOCKEY EQUIPMENT SALE Buy, sell or trade used equipment at the Pelham Arena. Aimed to provide cheaper options for players in this upcoming season. Runs Sept. 6 from 9-12 in the morning.

PELHAM DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL REUNION All former students,staff & support staff of Pelham (Sec.)District High School, Fenwick. Lipa Park, 2850 Oille Rd., North Pelham/Effingham. Sat.,Sept.27th,15pm$10(door)CashBar.Email:pelhamhighreunion8@gmail.com..or..905.892 7090.

NIAGARA REGIONAL EXHIBITION Demolition derby, games and live entertainment headline this years exciting event. It runs from Sept. 11-14 at the Welland Fairgrounds.

BIG MOVE CANCER RIDE The Big Move Cancer Ride is a non-competitive ride taking place on Sept.

7. Proceeds for the Big Move stay in Niagara and support the Walker Family Cancer Centre.

WALKING CLUB Interested in walking in Pelham? Join them Tuesdays at the Pelham Arena from 9-10 am and Thursdays at Fonthill Bandshell for 9-10:30 am. There is no fee for this program. For more information, please contact jcook@ pelham.ca or call 905 892-2607, ext 329.

HAMPER DAY FOR PELHAM CARES Purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at the Market or bring a non-perishable food item to fill the hampers at the Pelham Farmers Market on Sept. 4.

COMMUNITY Events

Event Submissions Standards If your organization is hosting an event that would be of interest to the community, you may submit an events profile by sending your community events information to editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca Some restrictions apply. Event submissions that meet the acceptability standards of The Voice of Pelham will then be posted until the date of your event. The Community Events Calendar is updated weekly. Please provide as much notice and information as possible including the date, time and description of your event. The Voice of Pelham reserves the right to edit for space.

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Page 12

THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, September 3, 2014

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The ladies of Slo-Pitch The Pelham Slo-Pitch League Ladies Masters Division – comprised of women 35 years of age – are in dire need of new blood.

Longtime ball player Linda Warren has witnessed the decline first-hand with shrinking members and even fewer teams entering each season. What was once a flourishing league filled with a wide diversity of players, now sits with question marks as they’re down to just four teams.

The Masters division, which play league games at Fonthill Lions and Harold Black Park, are one of just several left in Ontario that offer the opportunity for women to play with others in the same age group.

With many of those playing this year addicted to the sport, the concerns mount as their season draws to the end.

“We’re down a few teams from previous year’s so we need more,” Warren said. “The problem is that nobody wants to run a team as they think it’s a lot of work to do when in reality, it’s only once a week that we get together and play.”

Teams find the perfect balance of fun and competition. Hitting with a smile and sprinting full-speed to a base are a common occurrence during games. Something that has drawn the interest of many for the past decade.

“The thing many of us like about the league is that you can be older and still play. You aren’t playing against 20-year-old’s – yet the league is still is very competitive.”

Warren and her team went to the Slo-Pitch National’s in British Columbia during a previous season and look to take the same route sometime in the near future.

While the skill level remains high, newcomers are always welcome. Warren says often it’s the newcomers who steal the spotlight as they often did not know they had a hidden talent in playing on the field.

Sheryl Van Alstine, the daughter of United States National Senior Softball Hall of Fame inductee Sylvia Mergl, echoed the statements made by Warren. As a woman who played since she was little, the league remains close to her heart.

“It’s very important to keep this league going,” Van Alstine said. “It’s a social event that promotes physical activity, so we’re hoping the younger generation takes over for us,” The decline rests in the popularity of co-ed softball and interests in other sports, Warren says.

“You look at the cost of playing hockey compared to the cost of playing baseball and it’s huge. It’s really affordable to play and offers a great social atmosphere to be a part of.”

While playoffs begin next week, the future of the Masters division still remains undecided. Instead of letting the game they love fade away, teams are on the search for those interested in participating in next years season. They are currently looking for teams, individual players and any support from the local businesses. To register for the next season, email slopitchniagara@ cogeco.ca.