Homestead opens in Thorold
Homestead Donuts opened its Thorold bakery on Pine Street, featuring “Grandma Ella’s recipes,” which drove the store’s success in Port Dalhousie and on the corner of Linwell and Grantham, according to Kristian Falkowski, who co-owns the new Thorold outlet with his partner/brother, Sebastian.
Port Robinson Remembers
Retired volunteer firefighter Carl Austin was honoured during Port Robinson’s annual Remembrance Day parade and service, held at Station 3 fire hall in November.
Austin, described by Station 3 District Chief Carl Pearson as “One of the most patriotic Canadians I’ve had the pleasure to be associated with,” passed away on Feb. 2, 2019.
Long-time Port Robinson resident William Blue, who passed away July 17, 2019, was also remembered fondly, with a wreath laid in his memory.
Many wreaths were laid by local, regional, provincial and federal organizations. Following the service, refreshments were served in the fire station’s community room.
Hwy. 20 bridge closed for “emergency repairs”
Carolyn Ryall, director of the Region’s transportation service and Frank Tassone, associate director of transportation engineering, gave a status report on the smaller bridge—adjacent to the Allanburg Bridge—that closed Hwy. 20 on Oct. 31 at Thorold council meeting in November.
Regional staff conducts assessments of Niagara area bridges “every second year,” Tassone explained.
“In 2017, we identified this bridge would be a one to five-year need” in terms of capital repair costs, he added.
“Due to budget pressures, it fell on the later end of the five-year” project list. However, “when we had our 2019 inspection,” staff said they noticed a high level of decay on the bridge, and closed it for what they considered “emergency” repairs.
“It will be closed for the next two to three weeks to perform the interim repairs,” said staff; adding that they “hope to carry out the permanent bridge reconstruction in 2021.”
Council concerned about road congestion
Beaverdams Road has become heavily-used, especially where it meets Decew Road, and requires “intersection improvement to realign it to bring it to better operational standards,” Frank Tassone, associate director of Engineering told council.
Coun. Fred Neale said he’s heard “a number of people complaining they can’t get out of Confederation (Ave.) and Summers (Drive) because the traffic is horrendous in Confederation now. There’s no traffic light,” he pointed out, at the corner, where current construction of a new subdivision is causing congestion.
Coun. John Kenny raised concern about access in and out of Thorold, with the current bridge closure on Hwy. 20, and the Thorold Tunnel still under construction, particularly “if we get a bad snowstorm.”
“We are monitoring the weather patterns,” said Carolyn Ryall, director of the Region’s Transportation Services, adding that staff “was anticipating detouring traffic from Thorold to Niagara Falls direction to allow plows to make it through the Tunnel. The MTO is looking at a different sized plow to get through the Tunnel.”
While the recent Hwy. 20 bridge closure became “an emergency, that wasn’t anticipated,” said Mayor Terry Ugulini, he and city staff were working with Regional staff and “communicating that we have serious issues.”
Health inspection leaves Thorold Arenas lacking canteen services
A recent Public Health inspection has resulted in the departure of a food and beverage supplier at the Thorold Arenas.
A background staff report by Public Works director Geoff Holman presented to council stated that a three-year contract to provide food and beverage services at the Thorold Community Arenas starting on Nov. 6, 2018, ended two years earlier than expected.
On Nov. 9, 2019 Niagara Public Health staff conducted an inspection and identified a number of health related issues resulting in a closure. The vendor opted to remove its equipment rather than comply with the Order.
Flying Fathers fund Thorold food bank
Thorold Mounts players and referees were doused with pails full of water, Mike Braun and Charlie Elwell of the Mounts both took a pie to the face, and some sketchy scoring tactics took place at the Thorold Arena on Nov. 20.
But it was all for a good cause.
Nicknamed “the Harlem Globetrotters of hockey,” the legendary Flying Fathers flew into town, bringing their fun-filled brand of slapstick hockey to Thorold while helping fund the city’s food banks.
According to Coun. John Kenny, who played for the Thorold Mounts team which faced off against the famed Flying Fathers, the entertaining game helped raise $1,600 for Thorold Community Care and for Thorold’s school breakfast program.
Transportation Master Plan strives to make Thorold more mobile
Drivers attempting to enter and exit Thorold have faced roadblocks at every turn in recent months, due to lengthy construction reducing traffic from four lanes to two in the Thorold Tunnel, as well as ongoing construction on Hwy. 406, and the forced emergency closure of a small bridge on Hwy. 20, rerouting drivers around Allanburg’s rural roads.
But even before long delays and accidents—which have become commonplace, as a result—the city has been attempting to resolve these—and other—issues, with its Transportation Master Plan. The Plan’s intent is to “shape how people and goods move around the city,” as well as “direct transportation investment and identify future opportunities for better connectivity and mobility for all of Thorold.”
While Mayor Terry Ugulini was involved with meetings with the Ministry of Transport to find solutions to the problem, the city hosted its final transportation public information centre (PIC) in a series of meetings held to inform and seek input from Thorold residents, at the Thorold Arena in November.
Water is safe, says Whalen
Following news that appeared citing levels of lead in older Ontario daycares and schools that could be considered dangerous when people absorbed lead from the facilities’ drinking water flowing through lead pipes, “Rest assured the Region’s water is safe,” Tim Whalen stated at a November council meeting.
Prior to 1960, lead was commonly used in plumbing, before being replaced by copper, the regional councillor added.
“If anyone is concerned,” reach out to the Public Works department, he advised.
Sarah King Head delivers Thorold’s heritage
Thorold’s rich heritage continues to be promoted on the national front, as Sarah King Head, the city’s official historian, was chosen to speak at the National Trust for Canada conference in Winnipeg, which had the theme, “Heritage Delivers.”
As one of more than 115 speakers at the conference, King Head gave a short presentation on the Beaverdams-DeCew Heritage Parkway and Park that is being mapped out by the City’s Lake Gibson Preservation Task Force committee, a committee she’s belonged to since 2011.
King Head has also been accepted by the board of the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals to be named a Heritage Professional (Historian). Its members are specialists in a wide variety of fields, such as conservation architecture, planning, history, archaeology, landscape architecture and engineering.
The power of partnering for a better Thorold
As guest speaker at OneChurch’s 2nd annual Prayer Breakfast, Pastor Beth Fellinger shared success stories in transforming the town of St. Thomas.
Pastor Terence Schilstra of Thorold’s Village Church said the intent of the breakfast “was to cultivate imagination for our community to work for a better Thorold, and Beth did that.”
A total of 35 agencies work together, said Fellinger, toward “systemic change—not just a band-aid—to fix things that last a lifetime. I am thrilled that Thorold” is also trying to help marginalized residents, she added.
Addressing the hall filled with members from various churches, community, business and political leaders, Mayor Terry Ugulini said, “The food drive and the job fair”—organized in the past year by OneThorold—“show what we can do,” partnering for the benefit of the community. The OneThorold movement was formed following last year’s first annual prayer breakfast, and has been meeting monthly since then.
Shoppers flock to annual Christmas Art & Craft Show
Once again, “Superb Christmas shopping at its best” was featured at Thorold’s 26th annual two-day show in November at Thorold Secondary School, showcasing an exceptional mix of handmade products and unique items.
Santa Claus Parade lifts off
Starring the Jolly Old Elf himself—and, of course, Mrs. Claus—the 29th annual Santa Claus Parade brought music, lights, and a festive flair to downtown Thorold.
Sisters, employee awarded for inclusive hiring practices
A couple years ago, co-owners/sisters JoAnne Maiorano and Diana D’Intino were asked to consider hiring 62-year-old Thorold resident Terry Isherwood to work in their Front Street flower shop.
After an initial trial period, they offered him a position, and found, “Terry is a great employee. He is pleasant, focused and efficient.”
Not only does he keep their store spotless; they recently received an "Excellence in Action" award from Christian Horizons for hiring him.
And as a bonus, Isherwood also received an award for being an exemplary employee.
According to Kevin Isaac, program coordinator at Christian Horizons, “Terry has a long history of being a loyal and diligent employee,” having worked many years at an Arc Industries in St. Catharines, building pine furniture, then spending more than 10 years with Christian Horizons’ Niagara Pathways cleaning crew.
“Terry has always made life easier for staff and fellow crew members because of his great work ethic, dependability, and his great sense of humour.”
Donnellys descendants meet at Donnelly’s Pub
It’s doubtful that Patrick Donnelly—one of Thorold’s most successful businessmen of the 19th century—could have predicted a pub would be named after him, on the very spot where his grand hotel once stood.
It’s even less likely that the only member of the famous “Black Donnellys” who lived in Thorold—and thus, escaped the brutal murders brought upon five other family members in their hometown of Lucan—could have imagined that his descendants would share a meal in that same pub, more than a century after his death.
While, to others, it appeared like an ordinary group enjoying lunch in Donnelly’s Pub last Saturday, it marked a significant occasion for the descendants of Patrick and Will Donnelly—two of the infamous brothers.
For the first time, James Cameron and his wife Mary joined his cousins—the Niagara Newman brothers—on their home turf, at the popular Front Street pub.
Borelli unlashes Thorold’s newest business
Micaela Borelli, owner of Lux Lash, hosted a grand opening of her new Pine Street South business in November.
“I offer eyelash extensions that range from natural to dramatic looks, as well as eyebrow waxing and tinting,” she told the Thorold News.
“I supply premium supplies to the public and others in the industry; shipping out product nationally. I also offer one-on-one private training and small group training for those looking to learn the skill of eyelash extensions and leap into the industry.”
Big-hearted Beaverdams resident continues campaign for the homeless
Once again, James Symons helped the homeless have a happier holiday season, and warmer winter.
This year, the Niagara Toolbox founder delivered his 1,000th bag of items that seem ordinary to most of us; but become lifesavers if you’re homeless.
Some of the “tools” he collects include: soap or bodywash, toothpaste, a toothbrush, shampoo, razors, shaving cream, deodorant, and a warm hat and socks.
Symons estimated there are now about 30 to 40 homeless people in Thorold.
Help for snowbound seniors
With the snowy season upon us, Coun. Carmen DeRose, who also teaches at Monsignor Clancy School, organized a Snow Buddies program to help seniors dig their way out of Thorold driveways, assisted by Grade 8 students from the school.
Council takes step towards subsidizing affordable housing
Hired by the City to review Thorold’s development charges exemption program (DCEP), Erik Karvinen of Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. presented an overview and the firm’s recommendations at a November council meeting.
The decision to grant development exemptions or discounts is left to the discretion of municipal councils, through their bylaws, with costs from those reductions funded from sources such as taxes, water and sewer rates, and reserves. Under the current policy, Karvinen estimated it would cost the city $2.1 million over the next 10 years, if no changes are made. By implementing his firm’s recommendations, the cost would be reduced to $1.1 million.
Sergio Paone, chair of Thorold Municipal Non-Profit Housing (TMNPH) said, “I was surprised to see that there is no exemption for affordable housing,” as discussions ensued among councillors.
Tim Collins, representing the brownfield redevelopment of Artisan Ridge, said his firm had applied “for our next phase of 160 units.” While “looking to partner” with TMNPH; “doing a second project with them,” Collins explained, “The only way to meet the rental rates they want is to lower the DCs” for the affordable housing project.
Coun. Anthony Longo made a motion directing city staff to work with the consultant, TMNPH and Artisan Ridge to resolve the issue, which council passed.
“We put this Thorold Municipal Non-Profit Housing project in jeopardy, the longer we take,” he stated. “We want to offer an exemption for this building. We need to be very specific and offer it to” TMNPH, “rather than open it up to all developers.”
