Will Holy Rosary Hall fall to the wrecking ball?
Holy Rosary Hall was filled with vocal Knights of Columbus and parishioners, many of whom signed a petition to keep the aged Queen Street hall open.
With the number of regular church-goers dwindling each year, and mounting operating costs, Father Michael Basque said that financially speaking, “This year and last year, we are not doing well.”
The church has had to absorb the added cost of repairing its steeple recently, and the ongoing upkeep of Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Port Robinson, which the church owns, Basque explained.
He presented the $1 million cost estimate for the hall’s renovation from architect Raimondo & Associates, which includes a new roof, new insulation, repairing some of the bricks which are “starting to fall off,” new floors, doors, LED lighting and electrical upgrades, HVAC units, exhaust fans, plumbing and accessible washroom upgrades, kitchen equipment and other upgrades.
The priest said he “recognized all that the Knights have done, and I thank you for that, but I have to look at what’s going on right now. How can we raise $1 million for a hall when we can’t even pay our operating expenses?” He added that the Bishop’s decision would be made “in January or February of 2020.”
DiFruscia sets goal of $1,000; raises close to $30,000
Sherry DiFruscia high-fived her husband Anthony Sunday, as he triumphantly crossed the finish line at the Big Move Cancer Ride.
The father of three embraced his wife, who’s undergoing a second round of chemotherapy at the Walker Family Cancer Clinic.
Anthony—a rookie rider— set a modest goal of $1,000 but brought in more than $10,000 in pledges for the Clinic.
“I’d never done a ride like that before,” he told the Thorold News, “but seeing all the people at the stops” along the route—and recognizing volunteers and cheerleaders as his wife’s nurses—“It was pretty motivating” to finish the 75 km route, which he initially found “intimidating.”
Online donations poured in, and after an article in the Thorold News, continued to skyrocket, as his target changed to $15,000, followed by $20,000. By the time he crossed the finish line, he’d collected $28,900 in pledges, and the total was still climbing at press time.
Stolen Thorold South signs don’t deter Sentance
A sign proudly pronouncing the town of Thorold South at the Niagara Falls Road entrance was installed by city staff on July 5.
“There are some residents in that community who like to recognize that it is a distinct community in the city of Thorold, and it’s nice to have that recognition,” the city’s Public Works and Community Services director Geoff Holman told the Thorold News.
It disappeared about a week later.
A heavier, more secure sign was bolted onto a post on Aug. 23, but less than a week later, the second sign was vandalized; hacked off at the top.
“The only way to steal it was to take a chainsaw to it,” said Coun. Ken Sentance, who grew up in Thorold South, and spearheaded the mission to make the entranceway more attractive.
He hoped that it would discourage illegal dumping and littering, which has become commonplace at the site for many years.
As far as replacing the signs—which cost the City $400 each—“I think it would be pointless to keep doing the same thing,” said Holman, who described the vandalism as “disheartening.”
“We are going to look into something a little more permanent,” in terms of signage, in the future, said Sentance.
Ophthalmologists see Thorold as ideal spot for eye care centre
Four ophthalmologists saw cutting-edge technology and treatment as the best way to build their eye care business.
The four eye care specialists have seen a steadily increasing stream of patients at their busy Schmon Parkway centre.
“We’re lucky with this location,” said Dr. Adnan Pirbhai, who moved to the Niagara area from Timmins. “We’re smack dab in the middle of the (Niagara) region; right off the (Hwy.) 406, and accessible by many bus routes. It’s definitely the biggest eye centre in the region and one of the biggest community-based.”
Dr. Pirbhai, who provides ophthalmology and oculoplastic surgery; is joined by Dr. Sarit Khimdas, specializing in medical and surgical eye diseases; Dr. David Dudok, in glaucoma and cataracts; and Dr. El-Karim Rhemtulla, an eye physician and surgeon.
“All four of us do cataract surgery,” said Pirbhai, as well as address a wide range of medical and surgical eye diseases. “Four of the nine surgical ophthalmologists in the region work out of here. I specialize in eyelid reconstruction due to cancer trauma, tear duct surgery, and some cosmetic surgery,” he added.
Front Street hosts first student welcome event
An estimated 300 to 350 people strolled down Front Street, enjoying free food and giveaways at Thorold’s first student welcome and community barbecue.
“Our goal was to make more people aware of all the great things they can do and experience in downtown Thorold, and I think we accomplished that,” BIA marketing chair Diana D’Intino told the Thorold News.
Coordinated by the BIA, city of Thorold, and Brock University, the event was designed to welcome students and residents in a friendly backyard format.
Youth Unlimited Catering and its new food truck supplied free hotdogs and hamburgers to a steady stream of people of all ages, who also enjoyed free snow cones and popcorn, seated on picnic tables placed along Front Street—closed to vehicular traffic for the day.
“As for the students, there were some there,” said D’Intino, “but of course next year we'd love to see more. The students who did attend were pleasantly surprised at how much Thorold has to offer in the way of goods and services they need and use every day.”
Thorold Terry Fox Run Reaches Milestone
After decades of championing the Terry Fox Run in Thorold—and passing the torch to Cindy Dickson for this year’s event—Michael Charron was thrilled to see donations top the $400,000 mark.
“We have now exceeded $400,000,” he announced to the sound of cheers and applause from the throng of walkers, runners, and cyclists who gathered at Thorold Secondary School before the 39th annual run.
Feds announce $29 million in funding for Canada Summer Games
Addressing a crowd of athletes, politicians, and slew of stakeholders in the Canada 2021 Summer Games, Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, announced $29 million in federal funding for constructing infrastructure for the Games in municipalities across Niagara.
At the gathering in Welland, chair Doug Hamilton also thanked MPs Vance Badawey and Chris Bittle for their “herculean efforts” in helping secure funding for the Games throughout the past four years.
The announcement follows a recent funding announcement of $29 million for the Games from the Province. Sport Canada is providing an additional $3 million and the 11 host municipalities, along with Brock University, will contribute the remaining funding.
Councillors unite against apartment proposal
Councillors were skeptical that a proposal to build four-bedroom units would attract senior residents.
Despite presenter Daniel Romanko’s claim that some seniors enjoy sharing a four-bedroom apartment—equipped with one common kitchen and living area—with other seniors, council wasn’t buying it.
Speaking on behalf of developer Better Neighbourhoods Inc., Romanko recapped the proposal to convert the northeast corner of 22 Cunningham and 10 and 12 Lyndon Street West into two apartments, each containing three storeys of six units.
Asked what would happen if council didn’t permit the proposal, city planner Denise Landry said the applicant would have the right to appeal, “As staff is in support of this application. We can’t control who occupies the dwellings. We desperately need housing stock, and we have an intensification target.”
Council voted unanimously against supporting the proposal.
Thorold teen wins "Top Stick" award for flying glider planes
Benjamin Yarnell isn’t old enough to get a driver’s licence. But he can fly a plane.
Not only did the Thorold Secondary student and FSgt earn his wings this summer as a glider plane pilot, the 17-year-old also earned the LCol R.R. Massier Trophy—AKA “Top Stick” award—for being the best cadet pilot on the Glider Pilot Scholarship at Mountain View Cadet Flying Training Centre in Prince Edward County.
Yarnell was presented his wings after passing the Transport Canada Exam and taking 21 solo flights, plus nearly 40 flights with an instructor. Out of 60 cadets from across Ontario earning their wings this summer, he was chosen to receive the prestigious award at the “Wings Parade.”
Next, he has his sights set on getting an aviation license and joining the Air Force, Yarnell told the Thorold News.
Thorold catches garage sale fever
Beautiful weather brought bargain hunters out in full force, with a choice of 98 registered host homes acting as sale sites in Thorold’s 16th annual Community-Wide Garage Sale.
The annual event acts as a catalyst for Thorold tourism, said organizer Craig Finlay, with people coming from all across Ontario each year to scour the city for deals and discounts.
Thorold artist pens best original song of the year
Cam Philip captured best original song of the year at this year’s 12th annual Niagara Music Awards gala in Niagara Falls.
The Thorold artist, who was also nominated for hip hop album of the year—Feelings and Failures, and hip hop artist of the year, accepted his award for Pretender, after a passionate onstage performance of a soon-to-be-realeased tune, My God, at the ScotiaBank Convention Centre.
Philip, age 22, has garnered an impressive 500,000 YouTube followers around the world, and has exploded in popularity, with fans eager to hear his original material, K-pop (Korean popular) covers and English dubs.
He had already established a lucrative career through his own efforts, featured on YouTube, which became even more lucrative last year, when he signed with Studio71, a global leader in branding and merchandising on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter.
Club Capri champs at bocce tournament
Bocce balls—and some good-natured trash talk—were tossed around the courts at C. E. Grose Park.
The Club Capri team beat 10 teams and took top honours as champions of the first Intergenerational Bocce tournament.
The brainstorm of Diana D’Intino, who partnered with Thorold’s Age-Friendly committee, the event was a successful, fun, friendly first that’s set to become an annual, with plans already in the works for next year, she said.
Bringing warmth through coat drive
Thorold resident Darryl Forten, assisted by Ed Ciprian, hosted his 5th annual Coat Drive, collecting more than 220 items of clothing in the TCAG parking lot on behalf of Niagara Gives Back.
Door-to-door blitz teaches students about being neighbourly
With school back in session, some Thoroldites were fearful their peaceful neighbourhoods would erupt into noisy student parties.
In efforts to prevent this, as well as unkempt student residences, a proactive delegation of Brock University and city volunteers embarked on a mission to meet students at the source of past problems—where they live.
“We were out in the Winterberry (Boulevard) area,” Tanya Bradley, Brock’s manager of students and community experience, told the Thorold News.
“It’s part of our annual initiative we run, called ‘The Welcome Wagon.’ We distribute welcome kits across homes, with resources and information for students to ensure their success living off campus.”
Representatives from the cities of Thorold and St. Catharines, along with Brock president Gervan Fearon, and volunteer firefighters, bylaw officers, waste management employees, Habitat for Humanity, and the community at large joined forces, knocking on doors in the Confederation Heights campaign.
Thorold Legion launches Legion Week
Legion Week featured a Seniors and Veterans Appreciation Day at Thorold Legion Branch 17, with luncheon served on Sept. 19, followed by an awards ceremony with wine and cheese social on Sept. 20.
Mary Kempson and Dino Girotti were both awarded for an astonishing 70 years of service to the Thorold Legion.
Several other Thorold Legion supporters were presented with service pins, as part of Legion Week activities held throughout the week.
Thorold prof makes math more fun, creates international math contest
As chair of Brock’s math department, Thomas Wolf launched the Caribou math contest, which has now grown to include participating students from 28 countries.
No ordinary math contest—filled with basic formulas—the Caribou features “common sense, flexibility and logical thinking instead of focusing on just your knowledge. I’m constantly making new material,” said Wolf, often staying up until 1 a.m. to find new questions. Working with students, he spends “months, sometimes years, to create a new interactive question.”
“We have reports from parents and teachers that kids were bored and not participating but were gifted, and the Caribou Math Contest gave them a chance to shine, and it changed them.”
Cameras ready to catch careless drivers
People who speed past stopped school buses are in for a rude awakening this school year, as school buses are armed with cameras, ready to capture the license plates of impatient drivers, who may be levied heavy fines, demerit points, and even jail time.
Incorporation “breathes new life” into Thorold’s Museum
Thorold’s Museum became one step closer to becoming incorporated in September, when Rob Leverty, executive director of the Ontario Historical Society, visited the Thorold Museum to ensure it met criteria for becoming incorporated by the OHS, a not-for-profit, government organization.
Incorporation would give the museum non-profit status, allowing it to get insurance and issue tax receipts for donations.
Currently, all its contents belong to the Thorold and Beaverdams Historical Society (TBHS), said Sarah King Head, Thorold’s official historian.
The OHS is “authorized to protect the property and assets of non-profit corporations. Importantly, it can hold these in trust, if necessary, until another non-profit is found to operate the corporation.”
She added, “The TBHS can’t legally consider itself a museum without being incorporated as a non-profit. But because the overheads are usually so high, a lot of the smaller organizations look to the OHS” for help.
Scheer makes Thorold pitstop
Two blue buses—transporting Andrew Scheer and his entourage—pulled into Thorold’s Cracker Jacks Bar & Grill.
Supporting small business owners and cutting red tape was the main message touted by The Leader of the Conservative Party while on the campaign trail.
