The Voice of Pelham, January 15, 2014

VOICEThe

Pelham’s independent news source from the Heart of Niagara

Vol.17 No. 43 Wednesday, January 15, 2014www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Pelham needs a one-pad arena but cannot justify a twin-pad yet.

Similarly, demand is weak for an indoor swim-ming pool but strong for a multi-purpose gymna-sium, fitness and commu-nity centre.

Consultant John Ste-venson of Leisure Plan International spent an hour Monday outlining to town council his study of the use and demand for a new arena.

Meanwhile, Norma Draper from his staff explained the results of a telephone survey into local demand for a multi-use recreational complex.

The consultants were looking into a business case for an arena and rec-reational complex.

The arena study, called Arena Facility Provision Strategy, looked into cur-rent use of the arena, po-tential demands for more ice time, availability of ice in neighbouring com-munities and potential growth trends for the town.

Stevenson said the cur-rent Haist St. arena has outlived its usefulness and should be replaced.

If it is, he suggested a signal pad with a design to allow for a second pad possibly 10 years in the future. By that time, pop-ulation growth may make a business argument for a second pad.

Current use, he said, has not reached a 75% capac-ity level to warrant a twin pad. It’s the industry fea-sibility standard.

The Toronto-based con-sultant said, unlike the

GTA, where there is a demand for regional ice time, the market is not in Niagara.

“In the GTA, an extra hour would be snapped up immediately, but not here.”

User groups who say they want more ice time, he said, change their per-spective when asked if they are prepared to pay for it.

“You’re on the cusp of population growth which may have impact. It’s time to be cautious.”

The recreation com-

plex telephone survey received 1,091 responses from 6,000 calls. It found little demand for an in-door swimming pool, said Draper.

It did find interest in an indoor walking track, gymnasium, fitness centre and multi-purpose rooms for community activities.

Many potential users are using the YMCA facilities in Welland, which Pelham helped to finance, she said.

The recreational centre study also surveyed Pel-ham groups about current

town facilities. They were considered inadequate.

Stevenson recommend-ed against including an indoor pool calling it the most expensive feature.

“There is no compelling reason to include an in-door pool that is available in a five to seven minute drive from town.”

The town, he said, could build an arena and a rec-reation centre separately or put them together in one complex.

In answer to a question from Mayor Dave Au-gustyn, he discouraged using the current arena.

“There is a time to stop investing in an old facility and finally make a com-mitment to do it right.”

Ward 3 Coun. John Durley, who has chaired a committee looking into recreational facilities, handed Stevenson a list of questions about the study.

I f he read them, Durley said, they would be there late into the night. He said there was a demand for ice time.

Ward 1 Coun. Richard Rybiak asked if cultural groups interested in the-

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Pelham is still in the run-ning for an urgent care centre with the announce-ment of a $26.2 million planning grant for a new South Niagara hospital.

Mayor Dave Augustyn told town council Mon-day night the planning will include two urgent care centres.

The town contends it should be a location of one of those centres be-cause of its central spot in the region.

It has serviced land ac-

cessible from Regional Road 20 and Highway 406.

Augustyn attended the announcement by Heath Minister Deb Matthews in western Niagara Falls near the proposed hospital site at Montrose and Lyons Creek roads.

The new South Niagara hospital would replace existing hospitals in Welland, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie and Port Col-borne.

The urgent care centres would supplement the South Niagara hospital.

Picking the sites for the urgent care centres would

be part of the planning process, said Augustyn.

A possible location in Pelham would be on town-owned land at Re-gional Road 20 and Rice Road, where a medical centre is already planned.

The health minister also announced that the prov-ince has returned control of the Niagara Health System to its board of directors after a two-year supervision.

The supervisor, Dr. Kevin Smith, becomes the new chief executive offi-cer of the NHS.

Pelham continues bid for urgent care centre

From left to right: Barry Wright, Jim Bradley, Jim Diodati, Deb Matthews, Kevin Smith and Gary Burroughs at the $26.2 million announcement.

Stephen Dyell/Voice Photo

With the nearing con-struction of Pelham’s first off-leash dog park, fund-raising efforts are begin-ning to pick up.

“We started to try and get the dog park (in Pel-ham) over three years ago. We had a petition and about 300 people signed it. Some were for it and some were against it,” Pam DeFazio, Chair of the Pelham Dog Park Com-mittee said.

The deal was the town of Pelham would pay $35,000 towards the proj-ect. The Niagara Region would pick up the biggest chunk of change at ap-proximately $66,000, but would own and maintain the park. The site chosen was the old landfill site on Centre St., which was already owned by the Re-gion. This left the Pelham DOGS group to contrib-ute $10,000 for their four-legged friends.

DeFazio says the sup-port since the fundraising began in September has been mixed. Numerous fundraisers with the sup-port of local businesses have helped raise $3,577 thus far. “It’s been a little bit of a slow start. A lot of

people might not be use to the idea but once the dog park is in, they will real-ize the benefit of having it here.” Expected to begin construction sometime in 2014, the last prepara-tions are being made for the dog park. The area is already fenced in, but must be separated for a small and large dog sec-

tion. Double gates must be added and parking must be up to standard. This is why fundraising efforts are heating up to reach the $10,000 goal.

The latest fundraiser is a bottle drive with DeFazio seeing the community support really begin to pour in. “The bottle drive has reached $117 which

isn’t bad. It takes a lot of bottles and we’re hoping around Christmas and New Year’s that residents will have lots to give

away.”The drop-off location for

bottles is 37 Pancake Lane in Fonthill. Residents can also call for pick-up at

(905) 892-4567. For more information visit www.pelhamdogs.com.

Fundraising efforts continue for dog park

Fonthill and District Kinsmenare accepting

submissions for their annual Pelham Citizen

of the Year Award, 2013

The guidelines are...you cannot be a sitting politician, and must live or work in Pelham.

The Citizen of the Year shouldexemplify volunteerism,

and positive community activism.

Submissions must be in writing,and post marked no later than

Friday, January 24, 2014.

Send submissions to:The Kinsmen Club of Fonthill & District

Box # 906, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0

Page 3 THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, January 15, 2014www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

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On Monday at approxi-mately 1:38 a.m. Niagara Regional Police officers observed a stolen green GMC Suburban traveling eastbound on Regional Rd. 20 in Pelham. Officers initiated a traffic stop, but the driver refused to pullover. A second crime patrol unit was in the area and successfully deployed a stop stick causing the Suburban to stop on Con-

cession Rd 4. Two males jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot into the wooded area in opposite directions.

Additional Units from Patrol, Detective Services, Canine and the helicop-ter from the Erie County Sheriff’s Department were called out to assist in maintaining perimeter and tracking the suspects.

At 6 a.m. Niagara Re-

gional Police were called to the area of Hwy. 20 and Hwy. 24 where one of the suspects was located and arrested without incident.

Three homes were bro-ken into in the area of Hwy 20 in West Lincoln. At the first home the sus-pect was confronted by the homeowner and left the residence. In the sec-ond home a mother, fa-ther and son were injured

after being assaulted by the suspect (all three transported to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries). In the third home the sus-pect was able to steal a ve-hicle after an altercation with the home owners.

With the assistance of the helicopter operated by the Erie County Sher-iff’s Office the vehicle was tracked from the air, and

pursued to the Brantford area. The male was subse-quently located in a home and arrested by Six Na-tions Police. The suspect was then turned over to Niagara Regional Police Service.

Hagersville resident, 24-year-old Joshua Bea-ver and 27-year-old Jarvis resident Nicholas Hill are currently under arrest and will be charged with vari-

ous offences in relation to this matter.

The investigation contin-ues with the assistance of Waterloo Regional Police Service, Hamilton Police Service and Six Nations Police. Anyone with infor-mation is asked to call the Niagara Regional Police Service Major Crime Unit at 905 688-4111 ext 4200 or Niagara Crime Stop-pers.

Helicopter chase leads to arrests of two people in Pelham

Page 4 THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, January 15, 2014 www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Ward 3 Coun. Peter Papp thanked public works director Al Mannell “for keeping the sidewalks clear of snow so I could walk my dog.”

The tongue-in-cheek comment was a reflection on snow and ice storms that blew across depart-ment reports during Mon-

day’s council meeting.Town staff spent Decem-

ber dealing with snow, ice and wind.

Meanwhile, it was get-ting used to new sidewalk snow clearing program. This year the town took over plowing snow off sidewalks rather than re-lying on homeowners.

In November and De-cember the town “expe-rienced 11 days of snow with accumulation totals of 77 centimetres” Man-nell wrote in his public works and utilities report.

It meant the use of 546 tonnes of 5:1 sand and salt mix and 97 tonnes of salt “to treat roads dur-ing winter control condi-tions.”

During the same period in 2012, the town had four “snow events” drop-ping 47 centimetres.

On Dec. 22, the town was hit by freezing rain with accumulation of ice. It knocked down trees and limbs throughout the town. Crews work day and night to treat roads and clear limbs.

“Due to the volume of debris and continuous snow events clean-up has been slow” with priority given to winter control road work.

The fire department was kept busy during the storms with emergency calls.

The fire chief Bob Lym-burner also sent out bylaw enforcement of-ficers during overnight snowclearing operations to look for cars parked on streets. They put warnings rather than tickets under wipers.

“Handing out warnings seems to have made a big impact, very few cars are being reported on streets during operations,” he said.

Meanwhile, the timing of clearing 60 kilometres of sidewalks is getting better Crews shaved off 20 man hours of work.

There are challenges.They include narrow

sidewalks, uneven surfac-es, overhanging landscap-ing and sidewalks ending at empty lots in new de-velopments.

Private driveway and parking lot plow contrac-tors may have to look over their shoulders when they push snow onto side-walks. Bylaw enforcement officers could tap into municipal bylaws and the Highway Traffic Act.

Mayor Dave Augustyn said he has heard a lot of good comments about snow removal and other municipalities are watch-ing Pelham’s sidewalk clearing program.

The past month has shown us we still get win-ter in Pelham. Snowblow-ers and shovels won’t go out of style.

You can contact Wayne Campbell at [email protected].

VIEWpoints

Tina Chivers, EditorWayne Campbell, ReporterWarren Mason, Advertising

Liz Hayden, Graphics Leslie Chiappetta,

Office Manager

THE VOICE of PelhamFrom The Heart

of Niagara209 Highway 20 East

at Rice Road (inside Birchley Place)

Office: Mon-Thurs 8am-2pm

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Letters to the Editor are welcome provided the submis-sion 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 pub-lisher. 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 inser-tion or for any damages beyond the amount of space which contains the error.

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MY VOICEWayne Campbell

LETTERSto the editor

Skateboard park donations $47,014

Donations keep coming in for Isaac Riehl Skate-board Park. To date the town has received $47,014 including $1,898 from town staff’s dress down Friday charitable donations the corporate services department reported to council this week.

On October 17, 2013 our wonderful and comfortable life as what we were accus-tomed came to an abrupt end. We lost our dream home and all our belongings that have been accumulated over the past 30 years to a devastating fire in Fenwick. All mementoes, pictures and our pet cat of 20 years lost.

Thank God no human life was lost or physically harmed but the emotional effects will require time to heal.

This letter is part of the healing process, to put out our true feeling of sincere gratitude to everyone who was there for us showing their support.

Thanks to our Fenwick and Fonthill Firefighters who were on scene that night bat-tling that stubborn and difficult fire. Not only did they do an excellent job fighting the fire but gave ongoing support afterwards.

Thanks to our neighbours, Mark and Mary Simmonds for opening up their home to us and the dozens of friends and family who came out that night to comfort and support us, their home literally became a meeting hall for everyone to get our of the cold and rain at night.

We are truly blessed to have the friends that we have, a close knit family back-ground, and co-workers at the Welland Fire and Emergency Services (Professional and Volunteer) who also are giving us continued support throughout this ordeal to make the process of rebuilding our lives much easier.

The night of the fire our insurance adjuster was on the scene to witness everything that was happening. The brave and valiant firefighters battling the fire, DaVincis Restaurant providing hot food for the firefighters, neighhours bringing in hot bever-ages, off duty Welland firefighter personnel, concerned Fenwick residents, in-town and out of town friends and the many family members who were all there with sincere support.

It is now time to leave our burnt out home with nothing but the clothes we were wearing.

Our insurance adjuster gave us some parting words of comfort. In all his years and experience of dealing with devastating situations like this one, he has never seen the outpouring of support from a community as he had seen tonight.

I replied, “here in Fenwick and the whole town of Pelham, this is what we do!”

Dan, Cheryl and the Marr FamilyFenwick

Sincere gratitude to all

Snow job a big job for town crews


MUNICIPAL matters

BY DAVE AUGUSTYN

Mayor of Pelham

All way stops at Balfour and Canboro. Soon we’ll have all way stops at every intersection and get nowhere fast.

To all the the folks who helped out with Pelham’s hosting of the Silver Sticks tournament.

Drivers in a no parking zone with four way flashers on...doesn’t make it a parking zone.

Whee-haw, 2014 election year! Kissing babies, kissing support-ers butts, kissing up fence-sit-ters, kissing off opponents.

Toronto City Council expecting the rest of Ontario to help pay their storm damage costs.

Pelham residents that prepared for possible flooding by digging out catch basins and drains.

Email your thumbs up and down to:[email protected]

New public meeting for 1022 Pelham St.The town will hold a second public

meeting to review a proposed commer-cial development that would include a car wash and oil change services at Welland Road and Pelham Street.

Planner Susan Smyth said a public meeting is necessary because of an error in interpreting uses of the site.

A date has yet to been set, she said. The developer has said he may make changes in his proposal.

The project has drawn letters, emails

and calls from neighbours objecting to the proposals.

They expressed concern about noise, landscaping, effect on the residential neighbourhood and the creation of an inappropriate image for the entrance to the south end of Fonthill.

Councillors questioned the need for another public meeting.

Smyth said it was necessary under the provincial legislation.

Town council passed a bylaw rezoning land for a dog park on the eastside of Centre Street north of Regional Road 20. It was rezoned from Extractive Industrial to Open Space.

The property, owned by Niagara Re-gion, is a former landfill site. It will be used by a group called Pelham DOGS for lease-free running of dogs in fenced sec-tions for large and small dogs.

The town, on behalf of the region, has received $3,430 in donations to go to-ward the regional dog park.

While the town is not the owner, Ward 3 Coun. John Durley said he wants to ensure as the dog park moves forward no liability can come back to the town.

“We don’t want to be on the hook for it,” he said.

Town rezones site for dog park

Town council’s committee of the whole is recommending $25,650 in permissive grants for the town’s 2014 budget.

Grants would go: to Pelham Cares $17,600; to Women’s Place $4,000; to the United Way of South Niagara $2,550; and to the Child Advocacy Centre $1,500.

It also recommends council waive a rental fee for the arena for the Pelham Art Festival in May.

Requests were also received from the Welland Historical Museum $3,500,

Niagara’s South Coast Tourism Associa-tion $1,500 and the Fonthill Lions Club $8,000 for a sign.

Staff recommended they be turned down because they did not meet high enough criteria scores for grants.

In answer to questions from Ward 1 Coun. Richard Rybiak and Ward 2 Coun. Gary Accursi , treasurer Cari Pupo said the grant to Pelham Cares is for operat-ing services not for its capital campaign for its new home.

Four permissive grants backed

A new development in downtown Fonthill drew praise from town councillors for its use of Community Improvement Plan grants.

Antonio Nuziato is developing a building at 1518 Pelham St., which will contain two offices and eight apartments.

He will receive $4,400 in grants to assist in the down-town revitalization project.

“I’m pleased to see a CIP grant taken up for this excel-lent project,” said Ward 2 Coun. Gary Accursi. “I hope other take it up.”

Mayor Dave Augustyn said the project, north of Re-gional Road 20 on Pelham St., “is a great addition to our downtown.”

People are surprised by the amount of money they can avail themselves, he said.

Downtown project wins praise

Over the past year assessment in the town has grown by 1.06% adding $100,592 in tax revenue.

Assessment growth is the result of new construction of houses and buildings, additions onto buildings, in-

stallation of pools and other improvements.The corporate services department said town council

will receive a presentation on assessment when is looks at the 2014 operating budget on Jan. 27.

Town’s assessment increases by 1.06%

Town is about to com-plete a land purchase for new northern fire station

The town will take over a site at 2317 Cream St. for a new Pelham Fire Station

No. 3 on Jan. 23. A minor variance has

been approved and the appeal period passed.

Chief administrative of-fice Darren Ottaway said a

tender has been awarded to Charter Inc and the de-sign phase of the project to outline the look and contents of the new sta-tion.

Staff will report back to council on construction cost estimate.

Ottaway hopes to cut the ribbon on the new station to replace the current one, around the corner on Sixteen Road, in the fall of 2014.

New North Pelham fire station by fall

Neighbours are objecting to a proposed development at Pelham St. and Welland Rd.

Page � THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, January 15, 2014 www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

BY WAYNE CAMPBELL

for the VOICE

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Brenda and Rick Page, left, with son Brad and daughter-in-law Jackie hold a plaque presented to the family by the Pelham firefighters in honour of their younger son Bryan Page. The former volunteer firefighter died of cancer last April at age 30. The framed gift contains his flash and service number along with photo.

Wayne Campbell/VoicePhoto

Fonthill Firefighters hon-oured former firefighter Bryan Page with a plaque that was presented to his family at Monday’s town council meeting.

Page died last April of cancer at age 30.

He served as a Fonthill volunteer firefighter for about eight years before moving to Nova Scotia to work as a paramedic.

Fire Chief Bob Lym-burner said the firefight-ers made up two plaques containing Page’s number 109. One is on display at Pelham Fire Station No. 1 while the other was pre-sented to his family.

The number was given to him by a firefighter

Bob Hill when he joined the department. The two worked together at the Pelham Arena.

Bryan’s father, Rick Page said the firefighters have provided the family with support which it deeply appreciates along with the knowledge that Bryan will not be forgotten.

Bryan’s mother Brenda Page said the firefight-ers took turns coming to the hospital in Hamilton when her son was there. They organized a proces-sion through the town for the funeral and have been with the family since April.

“People just don’t know how much they do to help,” she said.

Her son loved being a firefighter and she is grateful he had the expe-rience.

Fonthill Firefighters honour Bryan Page

The Home for Good Capital Campaign Committee is organizing one major fundraising event as part of the campaign to raise money to fund the permanent home for Pelham Cares.

The Gala for Good will take place Saturday, March 1 at Lookout Point Country Club, Tice Road, Fonthill.

The event will start with cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., followed by dancing. The evening will also feature live entertainment from several Niagara-area musicians, and there will be a silent auction, and a few surprises.

Tickets are $125 and can be reserved in tables.To reserve your tickets, contact the Pelham Cares of-

fice at 905-892-5300, or by email at [email protected]. Tickets are also available by contacting Tracy Hol-mwood, event chair, at 905-688-9224, or by email to [email protected].

Pelham Cares is starting the new year with an exciting resolution to focus on its long-term viability through the Home for Good capital fundraising campaign.

The non-profit community agency recently an-nounced the purchase of a building for its permanent home, after 30 years of searching for a suitable, afford-able option. As of April 1, 2014 Pelham Cares will call 191 Highway 20 East home. At present, the location is occupied by The Wine Garden.

Funds have been raised since 2008, as a result of Proj-ect Pelham Cares, a committee formed to find a perma-nent home. While the work of that committee revealed potential sites, no suitable home was found, but the fundraising continued nonetheless.

Now, the Home for Good Campaign offers a one-time final push for the raising of funds to offset the mort-gage costs significantly while having contingency funds for future necessities. The campaign goal has been set at $500,000; more than $160,000 has already been raised.

For more information about Pelham Cares, and the campaign, visit pelhamcares.org/capitalcampaign.htm.

Gala set for Pelham Cares


Take The Voice on Vacation

Pam Overholt of Cruise Holidays NIagara, reminding everyone to take THE VOICE on Vacation. Right now there are fantastic March Break opportunities, including the wonderful Disney Cruises and the Caribbean.

Send us your vacation 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: [email protected].

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Pelham Library Community Services Coordinator Melanie Taylor-Ridgway with the lastest gadgets.


Fenwick native Matthew Mateljan currently leads the Welland Jr. Canadians in points with 11 goals and 24 assists this year.


Niagara Centre Skating Club Skaters recently competed at the Charles Dover Memorial competition held January 3-5 2014 in Grimsby. The seven skater from our club competed and did a great job we are so proud of each of them.

From left to right Gwen Gibson 5th Jr Bronze Starskate, Christy Engemann 7th Pre-Preliminary, Kelsea Tomaino 5th Gold Starskate, Danielle Lavigne 3rd Jr. Bronze Starskate, Coranne MacKinnon 3rd Jr.Bronze Starskate, Jordan Reeves 4th Bronze Starskate, Jillain Nadeau 1st Pre-Preliminary ladies

Photo/Special to the Voice

Page � THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, January 15, 2014 www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

BY STEPHEN DYELL

for the VOICE

JaneMACKENZIE

(905) 892-0222 • Cell: (905) 932-18191815 Merrittville Hwy, Unit #1, Fonthill

Email: [email protected]

Sales Representative you call

answers!Jane

Pelham Business Briefs

• Bobbi Lococo and staff of Sweet Thoughts in Ridgeville are busy gearing up for Valentines Day. The special day, February 14th, falls on a Friday. The following Monday February 17th is Family Day.• Casa Vostra Ristorante of Fonthill is welcoming 2014 with a new menu.• Isis Body Sugaring & Esthetics at the corner of Hwy 20 and Pelham St., Fonthill, welcomes Registered Massage Therapist Rachel Smith, RMT.New employee? New product? Receive an award? Send the info to [email protected].

atre, art and music were consulted in the recreation centre survey.

A final plan for the use of the land remains unre-solved.

They weren’t formally he was told because it would increase the cost of the study.

Ward 3 Coun. Peter Papp said there were still un-answered questions about a facility such as whether it would be one or two.

Stevenson said the next phase of his company’s study would explore the size of a facility, estimate capital costs and look at possibilities of collaboration with

groups such as the YMCA.“We will be looking at the pros and cons” involved in

a recreational complex.In Pelham, the issue of a potential twin-pad arena and

complex has been a contentious issue for the past de-cade. It generated a number of studies, been debated by council committees and played a role in the past three municipal elections.

The town bought 34 acres of land at Regional Road 20 and Rice Road as a possible site for an arena and complex.

A final plan for the use of the land remains unre-solved.

Pool continued from Page 1

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FREEESTIMATES

Receiving the newest technology can often be a headache. Updated com-puter systems, new cell

phones and oodles of apps are apart of the new age of technology that ad-vances each year.

That is why the Pelham Public Library began run-ning Computer Tutor and Gadget Clinics to ease the

struggle with some pro-fessional help.

“It came out of a need with the technology grow-ing and the biggest need (for tech help) comes at the beginning of the year when the new technology comes out,” Community Services Coordinator Mel-anie Taylor-Ridgway said.

Watches that answer phone calls, 105-inch televisions, and the ever-growing world of social media has left much to learn.

While it may be stressful, new technology is posi-tive in keeping loved ones connected through video calls and sharing photos.

Many overwhelmed with the advancements provid-ed each year began asking for help from the library. They then began search-ing for volunteers in the related field and began offering one-on-one sup-port to get residents up and running with their newest gadgets.

“We see a wide gambit of people looking for ba-sic help on computers , laptops, tablets, e-readers and the occasional GPS,” Taylor-Ridgway said.

Volunteers also help set up social media accounts, uploading photos and the often difficult task of just getting the device to turn

on. Unfortunately, demand

for tech help can be over-whelming for the small amount of volunteers at the library.

“We’d like to provide this all the time but unless we have the people to do this all the time, we obvi-ously cannot. “We’d love some more volunteers onboard.”

Anyone who has expe-rience, or just a passion with the newest gadgets, can become a volunteer.

Taylor-Ridgway says the process is simple with applicants picking up a form at the library. They will then be contacted to go through an interview process to discuss their strengths in technology. A police background check is also required.

Those interested in get-ting gadget help can also contact the library to set up a one-on-one session. The cost is $5 for a 30 minute session but longer times can be booked.

Library providing computer gadget clinicComputer Tutor & Gadget Clinics:

Saturdays

12: 00 - 3:30 p.m.

January 18

January 25

February 1

February 8

February 15

February 22

February 29

Pre-book yoursessions by calling

the Pelham Library at 905-892- 6443

Page � THE VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, January 15, 2014www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Automotive

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Plumbers

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Electrical

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tel: 905-892-4988cell: 905-714-2145 for urgent calls

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From 1928 to 1958, the little Town of Fenwick was home to the only high school in the area—Pelham (Secondary) District High School. Students came from all over the region, including Lowbanks, Wainfleet, West Lincoln, Thorold, Welland, Fonthill and Ridgeville.

During the mid to late 1950’s, there were more than 1,400 students in the school. As the baby boomers began to hit high school, Pelham was stretched to its limits. With the Thorold-Fonthill High School and E.L. Crossley being built in the area, the school was closed in 1974.

A group of former students thought it would be a grand idea to hold a reunion and in 1984, the first Pelham Reunion was held with over 4,000 people in attendance.

The Committee thought this would be a one time event as the school became apartments and “how could we equal that first Reunion”. But, people kept asking for another and so they decided to hold one every five years. Numbers were down in 2011 with just 365 people attending as the school enters the 40th year since its closure.

To celebrate the landmark, another reunion is set for Sept. 27 at Lipa Park, Oille Rd. in Effingham from 1-5 p.m. Organizers are urging former students to come share laughs and memories of the former school. For more info e-mail [email protected] or call (289) 820-7004.

Pelham High reunion set for Sept. 27


ONGOING• Mondays at 7 p.m. Sing

Niagara Women’s A Cap-pella Chorus at Paroisse Immaculee Conception Church, 99 Garner St, St. Catharines. Call 905-892-1640 or visit www.singni-agara.com.

• Mondays 7:15 p.m. Peninsula Orchestra invites players to join them every Monday at Holy Trin-ity Anglican Church. No audition. For info. please contact Bev @ 892-0583.

• Tuesdays • 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Town of Pelham Walking Club. Meet at the Pelham Arena, 1120 Haist Street. To join the walking club please contact: [email protected] or call 905-892-2607 ext. 329

• 5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Zumba for Kids, 4-7 years of age. Pelham Arena Hall. $4.50 per class drop in.

• 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Zumba for Kids,8 years of age and up. Pelham Arena Hall. $4.50 per class drop in.

• 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. SPAN (Single Professional Association of Niagara) is a social club for mature singles who meet at Bai-ley-Obrady’s,111 Hwy 20, every Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Offers members a monthly calendar of social activities. Further informa-tion, call Lynie @905-788-0359

• 7:30 p.m. “A Cappella Niagara” Men’s Chorus in-vites singers for fun, fellow-

ship, and fabulous 4-part harmony at the Welland Community Wellness Complex, 145 Lincoln St. in Welland. For info call Ker-ry—289-820- 6584. Come and sing with us—you’ll be glad you did!

• Wednesdays. For those who have played Bridge before. Please ar-range for a partner. Wed. Monthly schedule at front desk. Refreshments. $1.00 per session. Pelham Public Library.

• Thursdays • 9:00 a.m. to 10:300 a.m.

Town of Pelham Walking Club. Meet at the Peace Park Bandshell, 20 Pelham Town Square. To join the walking club please con-tact: [email protected] or call 905-892-2607 ext. 329

• 5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Zumba for Kids, 4-7 years of age. Pelham Arena Hall. $4.50 per class drop in.

• 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Zumba for Kids,8 years of age and up. Pelham Arena Hall. $4.50 per class drop in.

• (first Thursday of every month) 1:30 p.m. to p.m. SOS (Survivors of Stroke) Everyone is welcome. Info call Ann 905-892-1621

• Fridays 1:00-3:00 p.m.. Knit Wits - Knitting Club. Work on your pres-ent project while spending time with other knitters. All levels are welcome. Cro-cheters welcome. Knitting tips will be shared at each session. $2.00 includes re-freshments. Drop in at the

Fonthill Library.• 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Legion Dinner• Saturdays Art Camp

- calling all kids ages 4-12. In the Orchard Program-ming for the Arts is proud to bring you Sat. Art Camps at the Pelham Arena from 9am-12. Registration now available for the new year. Spaces still available. An extended thank you to the The Town of Pelham. Walk in registration available or call 905-892-1709. $30 per class. Visit www.intheor-chard.org for more details.

• 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, edit-ing and sharing your pho-tos and more. 12:30 – 3:30. Register and pay ahead in person. $5.00 per 1/2 hour. Pelham Public Library.

• Alternate Saturdays 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Computer & Gadget Drop-in: For beginners to advanced learners. Learn new tips and tricks and share ideas and skills with others in an informal set-ting. Some laptops will be available or BYOG (bring your own gadget). $2.00. Drop in. Pelham Public Library.

• Ontario Senior Games Association (OSGA) for fellowship, friendly com-petition and a more active lifestyle. Info www.ontari-oseniorgames.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.

•Volunteers Needed in Fonthill, Fenwick, Ridgeville for the Meals on Wheels program. Friendly Visiting program and also requires volunteer drivers to take seniors to appointments. Offer flexible hours and mileage reimbursement. Call Laura Dumas at 905-788-3181 ext. 27 or email [email protected].

Wednesday, January 15• 6:30 p.m. The Financial

Mythbusters! Debunk the financial myths we hear floating around from expe-rienced financial advisors. It will be worth your time and may save you money. Bring your own myths and questions. Free but please register ahead. Pelham Public Library

• 6:30 p.m. Niagara Heritage Quilters. Surprise activity and Penny Sale. Please bring a basic sew-ing kit. Merritton Commu-nity Center. 7 Park Ave, St. Catharines. Meeting starts at 7:30.

Friday, January 17 & 24• 3:15 - 4:30 pm Crochet-

ing for KnittersThis course is for knitters

who would like to learn enough crochet to create edging or add crocheted flowers and other embel-lishments to a knitted item.

Please register ahead. Pelham Public Library

Saturday, January 18• 4:00 - 7:00 pm Fonthill

Lions Pasta Dinner. Font-hill Lions Hall, Hwy 20. $10 adults, $6 children under 12. Take out available, cash bar.

Monday, January 20• 10:30 am, 1:30 pm or

7:00 pm Attend a free ‘Resolution Solution’ work-shop sponsored by the Christadelphians of Niaga-ra, at the Pelham Library. Pre-registration preferred by Jan. 17th. 905-714-0701 or [email protected]

Monday, January 20• 6:00 -8:00 p.m. Over-

drive and E-Books. Learn step by step how to down-load and use the Pelham Public Library’s Overdrive e-books. You must have basic computer skills, an email address and a Pel-ham Public Library card. $10.00 payable at time of registration.

Monday, January 27• 10:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m.

Hearing Clinic. Connect Hearing will be at the Fonthill Branch, Pelham Library giving free hearing screenings and answer-ing any questions. Free but please schedule your appointment ahead: 905-892-6068. Pelham Public Library

Saturday, January 25• 7:00 pm Fonthill Lions

Progressive Euchre Tour-nament. Fonthill Lions

Hall, Hwy 20. $5, Light lunch, prizes, cash bar.

Monday, February 3• 6:00 -8:00 p.m. Intro-

duction to Windows 8.1. Marc Mailhot, our Gadget Guy, will present informa-tion on WIN8.1 and will be available while you practice your newly-acquired skills. You must bring your own laptop or device with a WIN8.1 operating system. $10.00 payable at time of registration. Pelham Public

CLASSIFIEDSCommunity Events CLASSIFIEDS

Send your commu-nity calendar listings to: [email protected]

Paper Routes AvailableShorthill, Lorimer, Leslie

73 papers

Cherrywood, Hurricane, Parkdale, Station53 papers

Pancake, Pickwick97 papers

Contact the Voice of Pelham at 905-892-8690 or [email protected]

Help Wanted

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

•

•

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Wheat straw for sale. Small bales. Call 905-788-2956 or 905-892-1303

For Sale

Aggressive ADVERTISING Impressive RESULTS!

Warren MasonAdvertising Coordinator

Phone [email protected]

Obituary

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, [email protected]

Services

Housekeeping

Housekeeping AvailableServing Fonthill for 15 years. Openings available.905-892-4906

Robert’s PaintingI only paint

& I do it well. Interior & exterior,

25 years experience, neat, reliable. 732-2352

EMERY, STANLEY ARTHUR - at the Greater Niagara General Hospital on Friday January 10, 2014, Stanley A. Emery of Stevensville in his 87th year. Predeceased by his beloved wife of 55 years Barbara (2004) and his son Adrian (2012). Hus-band of Kathy. Dear father of Sandra and her husband Jim Newman, Karen and her husband Mike Cardiff, and Stanley and his wife Julie. Dear papa of Chris, Stephen, Lisa, Jo-Anne, Brian, Ashley and Justin. At Mr. Emery’s request there will be no visitation, and Cremation has taken place. Arrangements en-trusted to the LAMPMAN FUNERAL HOME, 724 Canboro Road, Fenwick. 905-892-4701. Memorial tributes to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.www.lampmanfuneralhome.com

Foot Care

Catherine’s Foot Care RPN, Licenced in foot

care, 18 yrs experience. Will come to your home.

Reasonable Rates905-892-8176


Niagara was home to the

15th Annual International Silver Stick AE Finals host-ed by the Pelham Minor Hockey Association over the weekend.

Teams from across the U.S. and Ontario came together to promote citizenship and battle on the ice in the four-day tournament played at the Seymour-Hannah Sports & Entertainment Centre and the Gale Centre.

Tournament Director Dave Kirkness was very pleased on yet another successful year. Despite the bad weather, all teams managed to make the journey into Niagara and participate in the tourna-ment.

Parents and children were all smiles Sunday as the unique and rare expe-rience to play in a Silver Sticks tournament had finally set in.

We have already received numerous compliments

and positive feedback from families and teams that attended,” Kirkness said. “While we know there are always things we can improve on and we strive to, we feel this was an outstanding tour-nament with some excep-tional competition.”

The local Pelham teams put on a great show hav-ing to win numerous tour-naments just to reach the tournament. The Atom Pelham Panthers went 1-4 and the Pee Wee Pelham Panthers finished 3-1.

The highlight for many though was the special guest of honour during the opening ceremonies.

While the Friday night presentation is an oppor-tunity for teams to collect and trade pins amongst each other, Kirkness pro-vided an extra surprise for the young hockey fans by bringing in the Stanley Cup. The symbol of why each of those kids lace up their skates each winter was met with cheers and high expectations for next years tournament.

“Not sure that’s possible

(outdoing the Cup), but we are always trying to come up with new and exciting things. Right now twelve months is a long way off. We just want to take some time and rest and recover and then start the planning process for next year.”

SPORTS

BY STEPHEN DYELL

for the VOICE

Silver Stick brings hockey hopefuls to Niagara

The opening ceremonies included an official puck drop between U.S. and Canada, and also an appearance from the Stanley Cup on Friday night in Niagara Falls.Stephen Dyell/Voice Photo

A strong offensive performance was not enough to take down the defending champions Notre Dame in the Tribune Boys Basketball Tournament

Loaded with confidence, the Cyclones powered through their first round match-up against the Grimsby Eagles 76-54. They took on Sir Winston Churchill next and easily cruised past the Bulldogs 69-40.

It was in the semi-finals where the Cyclones were cooled down. Notre Dame held E.L. Crossley to their lowest point total of the tournament. The Fighting Irish stole the show on their home court, winning 54-30.

For the Cyclones, it was nothing to sulk about. After being in the consolation championship since 2009, the progress on the court was evident. Offence clicked at the right time and the team will use the tournament as motivation for the rest of the season.

Notre Dame went on to defeat Centennial 48-33 for their second straight Tribune Tournament champion-ship.

Cyclones fall short in Tribune Tournament

FONTHILL:E. L. Crossley Churchill Natural MeatsM&M MeatsShoppers Drug MartFonthill LibraryTown of PelhamCafe on MainBeamer’s Pro HardwareSobey’sMcDonald’sFonthill LegionTim HortonsSemenuk’s

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

FENWICK:Avondale StoreFenwick Sub ShopGolden GrillDevries Fruit FarmRidderikhoff Meats

Pic’sKlagersKeith’s RestaurantTarget StorePenzoil Quick LubeLazy LoonPharmasaveAvondale Store

VOICEThe

Pelham’s independent news source from the Heart of Niagara

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

facebook.com/voiceofpelham


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Niagara was well represented south of the border in football over the holidays. In the U13 and U14 divisions, consisting of 45 players, the NRMFA’s Niagara Generals had eight players and two coaches representing on the FBUs Team Ontario in the International Show Case in San Antonio, Texas.

Both teams travelled over 2,700 kilometres to get to play two games each on an International Stage. The U13 team split games with a win and a loss and the U14 team won both games they played in.

The boys were all starters including Chase Osinga, who led the charge on the U14 team, scoring four

touchdowns in two games, while Eddie De La Garza made numerous tackles on the defensive side of the ball as linebacker.

The U13 team were led by running back Eric Neilson, Jeremy Lostracco and centre Markian Hawrylyshyn, who helped move the running game forward. On the defensive side, Pelham native Connor Adams made key tackles in the win with Erik Timbers pressuring the of-fensive line. Sam Gielfeldt showed key support to the boys throughout the experience, in spite of the fact, he had been unexpectedly sidelined with a broken leg prior to leaving for San Antonio.

Coaches described the trip as an experience of a life-time for the boys.

“Not only did they get to play a game they love, they

also got to meet many players from across North Ameri-ca and created some new friendships that will last many years,” Jeff Adams said.

The players were also treated to meeting players and coaches from the NFL who provided valuable informa-tion. One constant message to the boys and their family was the importance of commitment and dedication not only to football, but even more so to their education.

Both teams were thankful for the donations others provided to help make the trip a once in a lifetime ex-perience for the boys from Niagara.

Local football players showcased in Texas

One of 45 Pelham natives in San Antonio for the International Showcase, Connor Adams made key tackles in the U13 win.

Photo Special to The Voice

Future home of the Pelham dog park located at the old landfill site on Centre St.

Photo/Special to the Voice

Documents

The Voice of Pelham, January 15, 2014