After a year and a half of distant learning, Niagara College and Brock University students returned to campus this week. Photo credit: Twitter/Niagara College
Post-secondary students return to campus locally
Wednesday marked the first day of the fall semester for students attending Niagara College and Brock University. After many months of online learning, both institutions are welcoming a large portion of their student population back for on-campus learning.
“For many of our students and employees, this will be your first time in 18 months on campus, while others will be experiencing everything Niagara College has to offer for the first time ever,” said Niagara College president Sean Kennedy. “This is an exciting time of transition for all of us and as always, the health and safety of our staff, faculty, students and community remains our top priority.”
Prior to the start of the school year, both Niagara and Brock instituted mandatory vaccination policies for all individuals on campus.
CAA Niagara collects over 3,000 pounds of non-perishable donations
Between August 23 and 28, CAA Niagara called for local residents to help in the fight against hunger by dropping off non-perishable food donations or registering to have the organization pick-up items at their doorstop. The final tally saw over 3,000 pounds of donations collected.
The massive haul benefitted all nine food banks across Niagara: Community Care of St. Catharines & Thorold, Community Care of West Niagara, Community Outreach Program Erie (COPE), GBF Community Services, The Hope Centre, Port Cares, Newark Neighbours, Project SHARE of Niagara Falls and Village of Hope.
“Project SHARE is extremely grateful for the continued support of CAA Niagara. Their generous donation of 301 lbs of food and $10,000 from the CAA Niagara Big Boost will help us to provide emergency food and 16 additional support services to our Niagara Falls neighbours in need,” said Pam Sharp, Executive Director of Project SHARE. “We thank them for their ongoing partnership as together we ensure our community is fed, housed and healthy.”
In addition to hosting the food drive, CAA also donated over $100,000 to 15 local organizations.
50,000 visit beaches along Port Colborne’s Lake Erie shoreline
After a less than spectacular 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Port Colborne took proactive steps to ensure a successful 2021 beach season.
Staff created a strategic operational plan, which included facilitating a free beach pass to Port Colborne residents and implemented an online portal for Niagara residents and non-residents to prepurchase a beach pass.
“The overall comparison between 2020 and this year is night and day,” said Blair Holinaty, recreation coordinator and Nickel Beach supervisor. “Last year, we were constantly reacting to the changing climate of the pandemic and beach operations seemed to be adjusting every day. By implementing the PORTicipate pass, and creating an online portal to purchase day passes, the entire 2021 season operated smoothly.”
From May to September, the total number of carloads – with approximately four people per car – that accessed Nickel Beach was: 3,833 Port Colborne residents, 2,556 Niagara residents, and 6,112 non-Niagara residents.
Niagara Falls receives tree-planting grant
CN and Tree Canada, Canada’s leading national tree-planting charity, announced the names of 26 communities awarded tree-planting grants this week. The grants are a part of the CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up initiative that invests more than a half a million dollars in community greening projects across Canada. The City of Niagara Falls received $25,000. The money will be used to plant 170 new native trees along the city’s Millennium Recreational Trail.
“Keeping our city green and our tree canopy flourishing has truly been a community effort. With the ongoing commitment of CN EcoConnexions, Tree Canada, and our tireless volunteers on The Park in the City Committee, we keep making replanting a priority,” said Mayor Jim Diodati. “Our goal in Niagara Falls remains: When we remove a tree, we replace it with two or three!”
McMaster Children’s Hospital reminds public not to let pandemic prevent necessary visits
In a message sent out Wednesday, Hamilton’s McMaster Children’s Hospital urged parents not to let COVID-19 stand in the way of necessary emergency visits and appointments.
According to the hospital, emergency visits decreased by 50 per cent over the first two waves of the pandemic, presumably due to fear of contracting COVID-19. In addition to this 50 per cent drop, about 20 per cent of appointments during the 2019/20 and 2020/21 fiscal years were either cancelled or simply went unfilled due to no-shows.
“It’s so important to your child’s health that you don’t miss your specialist appointment so they can continue to receive the care they need,” said pediatric rheumatology doctor, Dr. Liane Heale. “It’s especially important to contact your subspecialist for advice if your child has a flare up in their chronic medical condition.”
This Weekend Around the Region
Officers’ Day at Fort George National Historic Site
The War of 1812 comes to life inside Fort George, the main British Army headquarters in the Niagara Region and the site of one of the war’s key battles more than 200 years ago.
This Saturday, Fort George will be filled with pomp and circumstance as War of 1812 re-enactors show what life was like in the colonies for the “upper class”. Beautiful uniforms and décor will adorn the Officers’ Quarters with demonstrations happening throughout the day.
Where: Fort George National Historic Site, Niagara-on-the-Lake
When: Saturday, September 11, 12:00-5:00pm
For directions to the fort and admission fees go to Parks Canada’s website here.
Roman Army Re-Enactors Day
Visit Lincoln’s Villa Romana Estate Winery this Saturday to enjoy live performances as the winery welcome back the Principia Legiona to take us all through the history of the Roman Empire. Experience historic theatrical re-enactment, hands-on interactive pavilions, trivia, artifacts, games, and more!
Admission includes a glass of wine and pizza from Gigi’s Pizza.
Where: Villa Romana Estate Winery, Lincoln
When: Saturday, September 11, 2:00-5:00pm
To buy tickets head to Villa Romana’s Eventbrite page here.
Rotary Ribs to Go 2.0
Hosted by the Niagara Parks, this summer’s second installment of the Niagara Falls Rib Fest will again take place at Rapidsview Park along the Parkway. Rib vendors include the award-winning Billy Bones and Camp 31.
Proceeds from the event go to helping the Niagara Falls Sunrise Rotary Club deliver its many vital community services.
Where: Rapidsview Park, Niagara Falls
When: September 11 and 12, 12:00-7:00pm
Find out more details click here.
