Uphill battle on Family Day - The NOTL Local
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Young local
couple choose
NOTL over
world
page 14
The
The trusted
trusted voice
voice of
of our
our community.
community. notllocal.com FEBRUARY 21, 2019 Volume 1 • Issue 6
Uphill battle on Family Day
Sharon Burns, Hannah Burns, Catherine Dubois, and Rob Burns with his grizzly, snowy fake beard were out on Family Day tobogganing by the Fort George hill. The locals say they love taking
their sleds to the hill when it snows. (Fred Mercnik)
Farm worker calls Niagara home year-round
By Lauren O’Malley went back to Jamaica off-sea- Small Talk Vineyards), and was ty at Coyote’s Run was worth it
The Local son until 2005, when he decid- patiently trained by then-own- though, and has paid off. “I was
ed to stay in Canada. “My work er Lambert Hunse. “He taught hired as a tractor driver and
“I know what I’m do- is here,” he says. me everything I know,” the sin- experienced vineyard person,
ing, I’m confident in it, well Hall just celebrated his 65th cere man says with gratitude and was promoted to vineyard
confident. Some people birthday (“I feel pretty good”), and respect. manager.”
around here think I grow the and continues to enjoy the hard Hall moved from The field-schooled viticul-
best grapes.” work and great reward of vine- Stonechurch to Coyote’s Run turist is proud of his clean vine-
Linford “Dougie” Hall is a yard management at Coyote’s in 2012 — the same year he yards, and his clean record.
serene and self-assured man. Run Estate Winery. became a Canadian citizen. “People come from Niagara
He first came to Niagara-on- “I know all about the “It was hard to leave there and College to see what we’re do-
the-Lake from Linstead, Ja- grapes,” says the compact and come here. Hank [Hunse, ing,” he says. “’How come your
maica on June 5, 1978, on the elegant man, removing his well- owner of Small Talk] came two vineyards are so clean? What
Temporary Foreign Worker worn baseball cap. “I learned it years ago and asked me to come are you doing here?”
Program, and has been work- all in the field.” Hall started at back. He said there’s a job for me Linford “Dougie” Hall is the vineyard manager at Coyote’s Run
ing in vineyards ever since. He Stonechurch Vineyards (now there anytime.” The opportuni- CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 winery, and knows every vine as if it were family. (Lauren O’Malley)
2 February 21, 2019 THE NOTL LOCAL notllocal.com
Council crafting response to governance review
Penny Coles as a politician in To- riorates because you have “If that’s the intent, as
The Local ronto through the 1990s to look at other ways of a symbolic gesture, so be
Lord Mayor Betty Dis- round of amalgamation, saving.” it, but the real savings is
ero has asked councillors it didn’t produce the ex- Coun. Stuart McCor- in looking at service de-
to help her and Town pected cost savings. mack, living and work- livery throughout the re-
staff prepare a position That’s not to say there ing in Ottawa at the time gion,” she said.
on governance for the aren’t ways to operate of its amalgamation, said There are services the
provincial government. more efficiently, Disero he experienced the same Region provides “really
The Province is look- said, and Niagara should outcome — increased well,” said Disero, and
ing at 82 Ontario munic- embrace the opportunity costs for more full-time some which are best left
ipalities, including the to look at effiiciencies, councillors, and reduced to the 12 municipalities,
upper tier of Niagara and but she wishes it weren’t levels of service delivery. while there are others
its 12 lower-tier govern- under the threat of amal- Disero says she isn’t that to her fall into a grey
ments, for cost-saving gamation. interested in battling area.
opportunities and ways “I’m not trying to fear- with the Province, and “I’d list services in
to deliver services more monger, but my experi- is happy to be part of a three columns,” she said.
efficiently. ence with amalgamation review that could lead On one side would
There are several pos- is that everything went to more efficient, better be services local munic-
sible outcomes of a mu- to the highest cost for the services. ipalities do a good job of
nicipal review, Disero lowest level of services.” But cutting out a local delivering, such as look-
said, including amalga- Put a group of unions council or even reducing ing after roads, planning,
mation of municipalities together to combine ser- the number of council- and building permits.
uninterested in giving up vice delivery, “and no- lors in NOTL, who make On the other side
their identity and being body says we’ll take the $13,000 a year, isn’t going she’d put housing, health,
absorbed by a larger enti- lower amount,” she said, to offer significant sav- social services and emer-
ty. But in her experience “so the service level dete- ings, she said gency services, which the
Region does well.
Zalepa looking on bright
In the middle are Lord Mayor Betty Disero (Penny Coles)
water and waste water,
policing, and garbage review “could be any- ero said. She is also
side of provincial report
collection, expensive thing,” she said — four concerned about NOTL,
items about which she large municipalities, 12 with its relatively low
is undecided — possibly local municipalities and $1-million debt, having
the local municipalities one service board, one to take on responsibili-
could do a better job. big city, or any other ty for the higher debts
By Penny Coles ings, “that’s a suspect rea- I do that?”
“I think we should start combination. of other municipalities,
The Local son for doing this,” he add- But an opportunity to
ed — cost savings have not look at a regional planning having that discussion,” She said she is glad such as Pelham, with its
What would a good gov- been the result following process could have a posi- Disero said. council is willing to $30-million liability.
ernance model look like past amalgamations. tive impact on NOTL, one She and Town CAO start a discussion local- “But it’s really difficult
for Niagara-on-the-Lake? “That would be a futile of the most heavily regu- Holly Dowd met recent- ly, to put their thoughts to comment on anything
One that leaves the exercise. I’m hoping the lated areas in the province, ly with two men sent by together “for our little until we find out what
all-important planning de- reason is improving gov- with several layers of reg- the Province to talk to corner of the world, and we’re dealing with,” she
cisions in the hands of lo- ernment, and how people ulatory bodies — includ- representatives from the to provide some sug- said.
cals, said NOTL’s regional interact with government.” ing the upper-tier Region, 82 municipalities, with gestions for streamlin- If municipalities had
councillor. He agrees with Lord the Niagara Escarpment a goal of making recom- ing. We have a couple of been given a provincial
The upper-tier discus- Mayor Betty Disero that Commission, the Green- mendations by summer. months to do this, so we plan and asked to come
sion about preparing a there would not be signifi- belt Plan and other pro- During a half-hour have to start the ball roll- up with a business case
position for the provincial cant cost-savings by reduc- vincial policies. meeting with Michael ing. The sooner we get of their own to accom-
governance review hasn’t ing the number of part- “This is an opportunity Fenn and Ken Seiling, started talking about it plish it, rather than hav-
begun, but there will be time politicians. “That’s a to do something that would Disero said the men lis- the better.” ing the threat of amal-
definitely be a conversa- false truth,” he said. benefit the Niagara region, tened without sharing Councillors were gamation hanging over
tion, said Gary Zalepa. In addition, “part-time but still allow municipal- any information about asked to submit ques- them, “we would have
And he believes it local politicians are really ities to make their own what might be in the tions for relevant infor- been able to work with-
should be a collaborative connected to their com- decisions, with a planning cards for Niagara. mation or suggestions out fear.”
effort with the 12 Niagara munities, and are much department resourced and “They didn’t say much to Dowd by the end of Along with Niaga-
municipalities. “I think it’s more responsive and better staffed to be shared, but at all. They’re tasked with last week. ra, the Province is re-
important we work togeth- at making decisions. I’m with decisions to be made conducting this review With the num- viewing Halton, York,
er on what we take to the not in favour of one amal- locally. It would bring costs
and putting recommen- ber of visitors NOTL Durham, Waterloo,
Province.” gamated municipality. I down for growth and de-
dations before cabinet. gets each year it needs Peel, Muskoka District,
Niagara is “pretty don’t think that makes any velopment. It could help
They’re just listening at to keep its unique iden- Oxford County, the
unique” in Ontario, with sense.” with affordable housing.
the moment, without tity, not have amal- County of Simcoe and
different communities re- He points to the dis- There are strong reasons
preconceived notions.” gamation turn it into their lower-tier munic-
quiring different approach- trict school boards and to do something like that,
es to governance, he said. the Local Health Integra- and that might be what the The outcome of the another suburb, Dis- ipalities.
That needs to be reflected tion Network, saying they Province has in mind,” said
on any decision presented don’t do a good job of rep- Zalepa.
by Niagara. resenting the small mu- In the long run there -Licious
He thinks local peo- nicipalities well. could be a solution that
ple make better decisions “The failure of the would be good for NOTL February 21st – 28th
about their municipalities, school board in Niaga- and for Niagara, he said.
especially when it comes ra-on-the-Lake is proof “Twenty years from 2 Course Lunch $25
to planning decisions, “but that bigger is not better.” now, it could be something Includes Your Choice of the Following
that doesn’t mean it has to Referencing the strong we would look back on and 1st Your choice of Chicken Tetrazzini Gnocchi
be the exact same model as local agricultural indus- see as better for all of us.” Course or New Orleans Pasta or Vegetable Lasagna
we have now. It could be a try, Zalepa said, “NOTL 2nd Grand Marnier Panna Cotta
Niagara hybrid solution,” has the most concentrat- Course
said Zalepa. ed tender fruit land in the 3 Course Dinner $45
“We could take advan- province, and the number Includes Your Choice of the Following
tage of the many things we of small farms makes us 1st Choice of Soup or Salad
do better together, and still different than the rest of Course
have some things we do Ontario.” 2nd Your choice of Pistachio Seared Salmon or
better locally.” NOTL also has natural Course Roasted Chicken Supreme or Vegetable Lasagna
The key point in pre- heritage and unique built 3rd Grand Marnier Panna Cotta
paring a response to the heritage as major driving
Course Tax and Gratuity not included. Please call ahead to reserve your table.
provincial governance re- forces in town, he said. “I OLiV TASTING ROOM & RESTAURANT in Strewn Winery,
view is “what we’re doing can’t imagine NOTL not 1339 Lakeshore Rd., NOTL • 905-468-1222 • olivtapasnotl.com
now that we can do better,” being one of the 12 mu-
he said. nicipalities. If I was run- Remember to visit us on Friday evenings for Live Music 6-9pm and
Gary Zalepa, NOTL’s region-
If it’s all about cost-sav- ning Ontario, why would al councillor our Jazz & Brunch Series Sunday’s 12-3
Official plan approval expected by April
notllocal.com THE NOTL LOCAL February 21, 2019 3
Dock Area residents have concerns about be left in a natural state.
It shows more develop-
ment, and larger houses, when
we expected it would.”
He was disappointed to
learn, after following up with
come after, of a document
that now includes some items
we’re not happy with now.”
lack of protection for their neighbourhood many residents thought they
would be protected from large
the planning director, that the
master plan, which best reflects
The statutory public meet-
ing under the Planning Act
By Penny Coles priorities, needs and aspirations.”
It has to be consistent with
to incorporate the Dock Area
secondary plan, but coun-
homes that overpower their
smaller neighbours, he said.
what most residents want for
their neighbourhood, is not a
will be held Feb. 25, during
the committee-of-the-whole
The Local provincial planning policies, he cil also approved a master “There are a lot of other binding document, he said. meeting which begins at 6
After years in the making said, and some of the delay has plan in 2015, called the Dock bits and pieces, such as chang- While he was also told the p.m. in the Town Hall.
and a newly-elected council de- been due to the 2017 reviews Area Public Realm Landscape es to road patterns. It seems secondary plan would be re- Public comments must
termined to see its timely com- of the provincial Growth Plan, Design Concept. Residents the official plan is not protect- viewed, “I’m concerned we’re be received by the Town by
pletion, the final approval of the Greenbelt Plan and Niagara remember the more recent ing the Dock Area in the way relying on a review that will March 15.
Town’s official plan is within Escarpment Plan, all of which process, and pointed out dis-
reach, but Dock Area residents, impact the local official plan. crepancies in the plans.
fiercely protective of their There have been sever- The secondary plans, which
neighbourhood, are not happy al drafts presented in recent include those for St. Davids,
with what they’ve seen in it. years —one in 2015, three in Queenston and Glendale, as well
It includes a secondary 2016 and the latest in Decem- as the Dock Area, form part of
plan for the Dock Area, which ber 2018, which incorporates the official plan and are binding.
stretches from the Melville comments made about earlier The Dock Area master
Street town-owned dock to drafts, said Hunter. plan is not part of the official
King Street and the beach at It will still be an “interim plan — which is all very con-
Queen’s Royal Park, but resi- situation,” Hunter said, while fusing, almost dizzying, given
dents were dismayed to learn the Region completes its that in some cases they appear
last week that some of what growth management review to be contradictory, says Dock
they thought would be pro- now underway. Area resident Paul Shepherd.
tected in the plan is not. The two meetings drew He was concerned to learn
Two open houses were held about 100 residents, who were at the meeting that issues he
at the community centre last given a brief presentation outlin- thought were settled about the
Wednesday, and a public meet- ing the the process to date, with future of his neighbourhood
ing will be held Monday, leading consultants and planning staff are not, or if they are, not in
to the adoption of the new offi- on hand to answer questions. the way most residents would
cial plan, which has been under One of the areas of concern want them to be.
development since 2015. mentioned by residents at both “A lot of what shows up in
It replaces a document meetings was the town’s Dock the secondary plan isn’t what
approved in 1994, and when Area which, planning director we agreed on in the latest dis-
passed by council, anticipated by Craig Larmour explained, has cussion,” said Shepherd.
the end of April, it will be sent to three documents outlining For example, he was sur-
the Region for its approval. potential development of the prised to learn the secondary
The purpose of it, said con- neighbourhood. plan calls for the paving of
sultant Rick Hunter at last week’s The official plan had an a path along the waterfront,
open house, is to “reflect local amendment approved in 2014 which residents had asked to
Strategic plan will go ahead, Dock Area resident Paul Shepherd indicates his concerns for his neighbourhood to Lord Mayor
Betty Disero at a recent meeting to discuss the draft official plan. (Penny Coles)
with a slight delay
Councillors unable to agree on consultant
to help them through the process
By Penny Coles wanted to go with the staff
choice, the majority voted to
important tool that would help
guide them in making future
The Local ask all three who had quoted decisions. That is not the case,
Ni agara-on-t he-L a ke for the work to come to council said Disero.
councillors will develop a stra- and make a presentation about “There will definitely be a
tegic plan to guide Town de- their services. The three were strategic plan, and it will be done
cisions through the next four
years and longer, but it will
be a little behind schedule,
scheduled to appear before
council last week. But in the in-
terim, Disero said she thought
right. We don’t want a one-day
session, without taking the time
to talk to staff and the public, and
Try-It-First, Hassle-Free,
while councillors sort out who
they want to help guide them
about the process council had
approved and felt it wasn’t ap-
to make good decisions.”
Council just hasn’t agreed Pressure-Free, Deposit-Free,
Risk-Free, Take-Your-Sweet-Time,
through the process. propriate to have one consul- on the consultant who will
The strategic plan is com- tant come up after another to lead the process, she said.
monly one of the first tasks sell their services in a public “There were questions on
undertaken at the beginning
of a council term. It sets out
forum. “I don’t think you do
business that way,” she said.
both sides.”
Cheropita gave council no- Hearing Aid Test Drive
priorities against which coun- The first one will come up tice she would make a motion
cil decisions are measured, and say ‘I can offer you this,’ regarding the strategic plan, HERE’S HOW IT WORKS
and the process is customarily and the next one comes up and and although the process has 1. Make an appointment for an initial hearing
done with the aid of a consul- makes a better offer, and the been slightly delayed, it is likely evaluation.
tant who specializes in collab- third one will top that, she said, to begin in March, said Disero.
oration on such a plan. and that didn’t sit right with her. In the meantime, the lord 2. Take home a state of the art hearing aid today.
At the committee-of-the- Before Monday’s meeting, mayor is working on a work plan We allow you to try many different types and price
whole meeting early in Febru- she contacted each councillor for 2019, “so everyone knows
ary, councillors debated a staff and explained her concern, who is doing what and when it’s
levels with no commitment or deposit required.
recommendation that outlined with the exception of Gary supposed to be done,” she said. 3. Take your time evaluating which hearing aid
quotes from consulting com- Burroughs, whom she couldn’t For example, the official plan
panies ranging from $23,000 reach before the meeting. is targeted to be presented April
suits you best.
to $52,500. Staff recommend- She didn’t want to drag the 29 for final approval, although
ed consultant Bill Winegard of consultants to town to make depending on public comments,
The choice is yours.
Municipal Strategic Planning presentations that weren’t go- it could be delayed. A discussion
Associates be retained, at a cost ing to happen, so she cancelled for long- and short-term hous-
of $26,000, but Coun. Wendy them, with the agreement of ing rentals is also going to be
Cheropita suggested a more
thorough look at other compa-
all but Burroughs, who ques-
tioned her decision.
scheduled in her work plan, she
said, so members of the commu-
Call to schedule your risk-free
nies.
Cheropita, who has experi-
Council voted and defeat-
ed the staff recommendation
nity will know about it ahead of
time.
hearing aid test drive.
ence in leading strategic plans, to hire Winegard, and also de- Disero will give councillors
said face-to-face meetings with feated a motion by Cheripota a chance to approve or amend
those who had provided quotes to hire another consultant. it, hopefully at the next com- 1630 Niagara Stone Road, NOTL
would be helpful. Another mu- “So no strategic plan,” said mittee-of-the-whole meeting.
nicipality had recommended an obviously frustrated Disero, “I think it’s important to tell hearbetterniagara.com
a different company based on leading to some comments on the public what we’re doing in
a positive experience, she said. social media that council had 2019, and then be accountable 905-468-4999
Although some councillors chosen not to proceed with an to them,” she said.
4 February 21, 2019 THE NOTL LOCAL notllocal.com
NOTL airport hoping to attract even more traffic
Number of scheduled flights and
private planes both increasing
By Penny Coles ating policies, developing said Burroughs. “This is
The Local and overseeing a budget totally a success story.”
and appointing the air- The airline advertis-
Thanks to expan- port manager. es a flight of 12 minutes,
sions at the Niagara The regularly-sched- “with a stunning view.”
District Airport, Niag- uled FlyGTA flights be- “More and more peo-
ara-on-the-Lake is be- tween the Niagara air- ple are trying it. You can
coming a destination for port and Billy Bishop in get to Toronto in the
the rich and famous, at Toronto have increased, morning, attend a meet-
least at its gateway. and once its third year ing and come home at
Use of the Niaga- of service is completed noon. It’s very comfort-
ra District Airport has and passenger targets able, and a really great
grown significantly in are met, said Burroughs, experience.”
recent years, but plans the airport becomes eli- There is a 24-hour,
are to increase traffic, gible for “big dollars” in phone-ahead customs
build more hangars, federal funding to cover clearing service available
and further improve the capital projects for im- for International flights
treatment of VIPs who provements. The airport landing, said Burroughs,
fly their private jets into has a capital budget of and there are “a large
NOTL. $326,000 for 2019, fund- number of private jets
Residents would be ed by the three munici- coming in. Names aren’t
surprised at the number palities, and a proposed recorded, but you’d be FlyGTA offers four flights weekdays from Niagara District Airport to Billy Bishop Airport in
of very high-profile visi- operating budget of al- surprised by who is fly- Toronto, and two on the weekends. (Fred Mercnik)
tors to the area who arrive most $775,000. ing into NOTL,” he said.
It’s that private plane the airport. We can’t be a out,” said Burroughs.
in their private planes FlyGTA expects to ex- “I’m told Mick Jagger has
traffic driving the need successful region without As Pearson in Toronto
at the local airport, says pand its schedule, which landed here, and there
for VIP airside service a successful regional air- reaches its flight capaci-
Coun. Gary Burroughs, is mostly aimed at busi- are a lot of big players,
improvements, he said. port. It’s a real resource ty, a group of 10 airports
newly appointed to the ness commuters. Its fleet business owners and in-
It was $11 million for Niagara.” is working to prepare for
airport commission. It of eight planes fly Niaga- dustry leader who come
in federal funding that The airport is a “long a time when they could
manages the facility on ra-to-Toronto four times for meetings. Some don’t
allowed for recent im- way from 737s” flying take over some of the
behalf of NOTL, Niagara most weekdays, with two even leave the airport —
provements leading in, said Burroughs — its traffic.
Falls and St. Catharines, flights each way sched- they have their meetings
to regularly scheduled plans for expansions in- “Our part of it is
and is made up of nine uled for weekends. here and then fly off. It’s
flights, he said, but that clude more hangar space small, but there is a fu-
members responsible for “The demand has in- quite a change for the air-
was only the beginning. for people who are mov- ture for growth. Projec-
strategic direction, oper- creased significantly,” port.”
“We’re hoping the new ing to Niagara and need tions for the future are
Regional council won’t be space for their planes. terrific, and we’re doing
so hung up on partisan- “We need dozens more what needs to be done
ship, and will support the — as soon as we can build in the right time frame,”
continued expansion of them, we can rent them said Burroughs.
ANNOUNCING
Construction on Mewburn
Bridge to begin soon
225 Ricardo Street, Suite 306, NOTL Completion should ease traffic
$734,900
1330 Sq. Ft. 1 bedroom condo available at
Kings Point. The waterview from the balco-
congestion through St. Davids
ny and kitchen design with breakfast bar and By Penny Coles
large centre island gives this suite a unique The NOTL Local bridge is rebuilt. first to determine who
character of its own. Call Nancy Bailey for Ron Tripp, interim was going to pay for it
your private viewing 905-371-4234. A much-discussed Regional CAO, at coun- — CN was willing only
route to ease traffic cil recently to provide to replace the narrow
in and out of Niaga- an update on the NOTL bridge that was there,
ra-on-the-Lake is a step sewage treatment plant, while both NOTL and
closer to becoming a re- was asked about prog- Niagara Falls said it
ality. ress on the Mewburn needed to be wider for
A decade ago, Con- Bridge. today’s traffic.
cession 6 was well-trav- “What’s actually hap- The financing has
elled as a route to and pening,” questioned Lord been in place for the
from Niagara Falls. It Mayor Betty Disero. bridge replacement
376 Mary Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake connects with Mewburn The project “has been since 2017, and design
3521 Portage Road, Niagara Falls
Road south of Warner tendered and awarded by was completed last year,
Road, by way of an old, the city of Niagara Falls,” with a scheduled con-
narrow and crumbling Tripp said, explaining struction start expected
THE ENGEL & VOELKERS TEAM
bridge owned by CN, Niagara Falls will be last December. It is now
Drop in for a cappuccino at either of our shops and closed since 2009 for managing construction. projected to begin this
safety reasons.
meet our team. Or for a private meeting, please give Since then, traffic
“It’s moving forward.” winter.
Both Concession 6 NOTL has commit-
us all call at 905-468-4700 or 905-356-1800. through the St. Davids and Mewburn are local ted $250,000 toward
intersection at York roads, he said, and Niag- the $5 million bridge
Road and Four Mile ara Falls has plans to up- reconstruction, while
Creek Road has in- grade their portion as far CN has now agreed to
creased significantly, as Mountain Road once contribute $1.5 million.
residents say. The pres- the bridge construction The remainder of the
sure at that four-way is complete. project will be shared
stop intersection is ex- The long delay in re- by the Region and the
pected to ease once the placing the bridge was City of Niagara Falls.
notllocal.com THE NOTL LOCAL February 21, 2019 5
A ‘good man and great teacher’
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 labels and weather.” Taylor, he’s such a nice guy,”
In the weather department, says a gracious and grateful
I always come out with this year has been a doozy. Hall Hall. “Taylor and I make a
clean berries, no fungus, no has been monitoring the vines happy working crew. It’s beau-
bugs — just clean berries. to determine whether or not tiful working with Taylor —
Everyone says it.” He cites they have survived the brutal he’s so easy to get along with.”
some important names in cold snaps, as well as the ice The two men clearly have
the industry: “Thomas Lasz- and warm spells. a surfeit of respect for one an-
lo, [former winemaker at He explains the process: “I other: Hulley has much good
Stonechurch] walks in the went to each block and collect- to say about Hall. “Dougie is a
vineyard, says he has nev- ed 10 canes with 12 buds on good man and a great teacher.
er seen anything like this, each at random from across I’m constantly learning from
not even bugs or fungus on the block,” he says. “I put all the him. He has a way of under-
High school kids can be dropped off at the community centre cafe, where they can do home- the leaves. Even Ron [Gies- canes in water and left them standing things from the in-
work, stay warm and even have a bite to eat while they wait to be picked up. (Lauren O’Malley)
brecht, faculty and co-ordi- for four or five days, until I side out. Whether he’s fixing
Late bus for kids into
nator of Niagara College’s could see the buds swelling engines or growing grapes he
wine programs] says it’s su- up — then I cut them open to just seems to inhabit what-
per-clean, pristine clean,” he see which ones were dead, and ever he sets his mind on. It’s
says with great satisfaction. which ones were alive. This that empathetic thought pro-
after-school activities
The father of four (aged way I can tell right away how cess that I most admire about
19 to 31) says, “I think I’m many canes are alive or dead in him,” says the winemaker. “I
a nice guy — I don’t break any vineyard.” think that’s also what drives
rules. I got my driver’s li- It looks like the brutal his fierce loyalty and sense of
By Lauren O’Malley might be several groups at a
school needing the later re-
but have never been linked.
Like asking if the late bus
cence in 1979 — not one winter hasn’t done as much duty to the people in his life.
The Local ticket since.” He recounts damage as it might have: most He knows what it’s like to go
trieval, and some buses an- could stop at the community with pride, “I was pulled over of the varietals at Coyote’s through tough times and
Maybe you don’t know swer to several schools. centre. In this case, Hoskiw by a cop a few years ago. He Run are at an 85 per cent or when he sees someone in need
about “late buses” because you That’s just the collection is the genius. “I thought the told me I was speeding, and I higher success rate. Hall has a he’s always there to help.”
don’t have a kid in high school; part. Then there’s the drop-off. most logical place is where knew I wasn’t, because I nev- plan to mitigate any losses. “If When asked, Hall says his
or because your kid in high Obviously it’s not feasi- there’s a library, a cafe, and a er speed. He took my driver’s there are dead buds on a vine experience with racism as a
school didn’t choose to share ble, having waited for several gym, open until 8 or 9 p.m.,” licence and scanned it and I will leave more when prun- person of colour in Niagara
that little piece of information groups at several schools, for she says. “It just made sense. said, ‘This guy is so clean.’ He ing, to compensate. I might has been blessedly limited,
with you. Because maybe they the buses to drop students off It’s a safe spot with resources let me go.” have to leave a longer cane, “And if there’s ever one per-
prefer to have you pick them on their doorsteps. So the ser- where they could do home- One of Hall’s sons is a but I can still compensate,” he son who is rude, the majority
up at school after band/foot- vice attempts to find central- work, work out, and so on.” chemical engineer, currently says confidently. of people are so nice, they just
ball practice. ized points, convenient spots Kyle says, “We set and working at the winery until While in the summer and blanket over anyone who isn’t.”
Late buses are available to for several kids to either wait change the routes based on he lands a more permanent harvest seasons Hall runs a This good man’s sensible
deliver high school students for parents to collect them, or requests—we don’t always say job. One of his daughters is staff of 10 to 18 people, he has creed: “I try to work within
back into Niagara-on-the-Lake make their way home safely yes. But if there is not an ex- an ultrasound technician. His plenty to do throughout the the rules, be a law-abiding
from public high schools in St. on their own. isting stop nearby [to the stu- offspring seem to have inher- winter too. “I’m busy here all citizen, and I am honest —
Catharines and Niagara Falls. One such spot was the dent’s home] we take a look at ited Hall’s clear, logical mind. year around — I’m respon- it’s a great way to be in life.
The service is organized — as strip mall at the corner of the route to see what’s close.” Even Hall’s fingernails are sible for all of the machin- The only way to be.”
is all public school bus transit Thorold Stone Road and Four In the case of the community clean: He met and wooed his ery, servicing the tractor and
— by Niagara Student Trans- Mile Creek Road. Kathryn centre, it made sense for a few second wife, Mary, at her nail ATVs. All the machines I use
portation Services. Hoskiw’s teenaged son would students, so Hoskiw’s request salon, where he would go I maintain myself, winterize
Heather Kyle, operations be dropped off at the mall on was approved. regularly to get manicures. them, put them away,” he says.
manager at NSTS, explains cold winter evenings after “If more parents knew They’ve been married for five The fifth of 11 children,
that buses are scheduled to rowing practice, but she might about it maybe more kids years now. Hall feels short Hall makes time to visit his
wait at the schools for which- not be able to collect him for could participate in extracur- and well-maintained nails friends and family in Jamai-
ever group has scheduled over an hour. “It wasn’t a safe ricular activities,” says Hoskiw are a crucial aspect of vine- ca regularly. “I have lots of
them. “It’s a skeletal service or realistic walking distance to optimistically. yard management, where sisters and brothers there. I
meant to help kids who stay home,” says the working single School administration any fungus, insect or residue miss it sometimes — espe-
for extracurricular programs,” parent. staff should be able to provide could be tracked from one cially now, in February,” he
she says. It’s not the easiest They say genius is connect- information on any late buses vine to another. He flashes laughs, looking out over the
service to plan, in that there ing things that seem obvious at your child’s high school. his strong and immaculate property seized in ice. “At Dr. Kevin Clark and
hands, fingers that can sense one point I thought maybe
Seeking fur-ever homes
Dr. Rebecca Zabek-Clark
the life and health of a plant I’d retire to Jamaica, but now
Dentists
through simple touch. more and more it’s no.”
Part of keeping healthy and their registered
While he has siblings in
vines is maintenance and Jamaica, Hall’s family is here Dental Hygiene Team
dedication, Hall believes. He in Niagara. He has chosen
is often found on the proper- family here as well, in Coy- 369 MARY STREET
ty as early as 4:30 a.m., and ote’s Run’s winemaker, Tay- NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE
on weekends. “I scout the lor Hulley, and his partner www.niagaradental.ca
vineyards every weekend, do Laurel Minnes who took
all the tractor driving my- him to Silks Country Kitch- NEW PATIENTS WELCOME
self,” he says. “I keep chem- en in Virgil for his birthday. EVENING HOURS AVAILABLE
icals to a minimum, and “That’s like family.”
check the berries. I follow “I like to hang out with
905-468-3009
Derek Styles is holding on to Harley, and Chanel Kruger has a cuddle with Holly, at Pet
Valu this weekend. They are fostering these beautiful felines for NOTL Cats, a local res-
cue organization. Harley and Holly were found on Hunter Road, living under a porch,
when Holly gave birth to kittens. The cats were at at the Virgil pet store during an
adopt-a-thon, which it holds regularly throughout the year. Styles and Kruger hope the
Bring this ad in for a
pair will be adopted together. They plan to have two kittens at the store for adoption 10% Lunch Discount
Valid Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday in February
this week, Thursday to Saturday. NOTL Cats needs more volunteers to foster kittens
until forever homes can be found. For more information email notlcats@cogeco.ca or
chanel.kruger08@hotmail.com. (Fred Mercnik)
EDITORIAL
6 February 21, 2019 THE NOTL LOCAL notllocal.com
Maybe Province should
look at de-amalgamation
A quick look at research local restructuring propos-
the fly — and it seems to be
LOCAL FINDS
on past amalgamations als have often been met carrying out a large-scale
of Ontario municipalities with stiff resistance fromreview in a bit of a rush.
shows little good has come local residents.” Input from municipali-
of it. Yup, that’s pretty
ties, if it is to be heeded at
“Study after study has much the local reaction all, will take time to gather
found that the benefits of to potential restructuringand assimilate into a com-
municipal amalgamation proposals which could prehensive report with rec-
have failed to materialize,” severely damage Niaga- ommendations calling for
says a report by the Fraser ra-on-the-Lake’s identity extensive change and po-
Institute, the great Cana- as a small community that tentially undesirable con-
dian think-tank that offers is an amazing place to live,
sequences, yet we’re told it
non-partisan information work and visit. will happen this summer.
and analysis. In fact, given the re- The fear, of course, is
Its report states, as evi- search showing higher that although we all hope
denced by those who have costs and lower service this is an exercise to actu-
lived through it in Ontario, levels as a result of amalga-
ally save money and im-
costs gener- prove ser-
ally increase vices, it may
due to har- be already
monization decided it Three sets of these concrete sentinels border the Epp farm property at Concession 2
and Line 1. (Lauren O’Malley)
of costs and will con-
wages. This tinue the
reflects the work begun Mysterious gateway
experience by Mike
of Lord Harris, by by Lauren O’Malley
Mayor Bet- amalgating
There are three pairs of white columns bordering the farm at the corner of
ty Disero the eight
Concession 2 and Line 1. They are grand, if slightly decayed, and hint at a more
who went regions that
noble era. Many of us have passed them by regularly over decades or longer, and
through it as a Toronto mation, and the resistance were saved in his cam-
some of us might have wondered at their significance.
politician — nobody ever to the idea of merging to paign to elimininate levels
The property is currently part of the Epp family farm. Scott Epp provides
agrees to the cheapest create a larger, likely less of government.
some insight into the land and the columns. “The property was owned by the
wage, she said. efficient entity, perhaps And if such is the case
Canadian Canners Company. That’s who we bought it from. They were a big
The Fraser Institute Niagara should be used as there is not much any mu-
fruit canning company,” says the third-generation farmer. “As for the pillars, I
study also backs up her a model for de-amalgama- nicipality can do about it.
believe they were fancy boundary markers.”
assertion of a reduced tion. The Fraser Institute All any of us can do is
We’d love to have our readers send in their own “local finds,” either with
service delivery, when the report says is often sug- support our politicians in
an explanation provided, or with a mystery for us to try to solve. Send them to
point of amalgamation has gested by municipalities whatever review they un-
lauren@notllocal.com.
always been to increase thesuch as Toronto. dertake. We can hope they
quality of services we re- There are two signif- make a convincing case —
LETTERS
ceive — or so we’re told. icant problems with the not necessarily for the sta-
“Municipal mergers re- current provincial govern- tus quo, because that’s the
duce competition between ment’s approach to this re- least likely scenario — but
Thanks to touching tribute, Egon Epp
municipalities, which
view that is taking its show for some improvements
weakens incentives for ef- on the road to 82 munici- that actually make sense
ficiency and responsive-
ness to local needs,” the
palities: it’s carefully hold- locally.
ing its cards close and not And trust (oh how ter-
will not be soon forgotten
research discovered. sharing the rules of the ribly naive that sounds) I was touched to read folded through the sto- Street, when a grey SUV
“With so many negative game — possibly because that the provincial govern- the account in your paper ries and reminiscences of stopped suddenly and a
aspects, it’s no surprise that
rules are being made up on ment will listen. of the sad passing of Mr. the countless friends and young woman jumped
Egon Epp. neighbours of Egon that out. “Are you Egon Epp?”
Lauren O’Malley Lauren encountered on she called. Puzzled, (and
gave us a compassionate, that day. Would we not my hearing not being what
heart-warming story of a all wish for a eulogy such it should be), I asked her
man. A good man; loved as she has written for this to repeat what she had
yet, though now lost. We ‘perfect little gentleman’. asked. She came over to
learned of his skill as a I went back to the pa- me and repeated her ques-
woodworker, and the qui- per today, to read the story tion. “No”, I answered, “I
et generosity that flowed again. Strangely, it was not am not familiar with that
from that. We were told of at all as I had remembered name” “Oh”, she said, “we
his love for family and of it. My memory had kept are looking for a man
The
Thetrusted
trusted voice
voice of of our
our community
community. how shared gardening was no details of the search; who is missing, and he is
Editor: Multimedia Journalist: there entwined. We heard but it held every single wearing a brown cap and
Penny Coles Lauren O’Malley of the wide outpouring thing that Lauren had told a brown jacket, as you are,
penny@notllocal.com lauren@notllocal.com of concern and affection us about the man. so I thought you might be
905-246-5878 during the search, which I never met Mr. Epp him.” Before I let her go, I
Graphic Designer: speaks to how highly Mr. myself, but I now feel a thanked her, as on behalf
Publisher: Rosie Gowsell Epp was valued in the kinship with him; per- of all of us, for her con-
The Niagara-on-the-Lake Local composing@notllocal.com community. haps because I share with cern and effort, hoping he
Advertising Sales: Your reporter took him old age and interests, would be found.
Karen Skeoch time to describe in detail and because of an odd That day, I did not know
karen@notllocal.com • 905-641-5335
notllocal.com the search and outcome, thing that happened to Egon Epp. Now I do, and I
Julia Coles
facebook.com/notllocal not the least in a clinical me on that sad day. I was will not soon forget him.
instagram.com/thenotllocal way, but wonderfully. The walking home from the Thank you, Lauren.
julia@notllocal.com • 905-934-1040
progress of the search un- post office, down Victoria Andrew Henwood
COMMENT
notllocal.com THE NOTL LOCAL February 21, 2019 7
Youth need to begin taking
responsibility for environment and skipping out of school? continues to get warmer. Kindergarten we have been
No. But I do believe in actions Evidence of climate warm- taught the 3 R’s — reduce, re-
speaking louder than words ing has been documented in use, recycle — and we must
and that action is necessary. I nine areas: global tempera- be successful at doing this.
do think her movement is vi- ture rise, shrinking ice sheets, We have been on eco-teams,
tal to making the adults listen. warming oceans, glacial re- green teams, environmen-
So what type of action can treat, less snow coverage, sea tal cleanup days and more.
By Bethany Poltl we, the youth, take? levels rising, declining Arctic These must continue and our
Youth Member of The Local Firstly, we must be accu- sea ice, ocean acidification, groups need to be larger. All
Community Advisory Board
rately informed, we need to and extreme weather. of us should be involved. We
We are the generation that review the facts and see both After the past couple of should then be the role mod-
has knowledge at our finger- sides of the argument. Once weeks in NOTL where we els for the younger kids. Buy
tips. A simple search and click we have a firm grasp of the have experienced snow, ice, less, use less, want less.
and we can find out whatev- matter we then must think of rain, high winds and seven I have read about garbage
er we want. Information on solutions. days of school disruption, pickup issues in NOTL. I chal-
our phones, our laptops, our What is the purpose of extreme weather seems to lenge us all to not need weekly
desktops, is so easy to ob- calling for change if you do be living up to its reputation. garbage pickup, for the envi-
tain. Technology allows us to not productively offer up solu- NOTL’s 16-year-old Sophia ronmental benefit. We have
become more informed and tions? And those solutions Galbraith says, “I think cli- been voted the prettiest town This photo was taken during the February ice storm in NOTL.
with that information, we can should be viable and realistic. mate change is a real issue and in Canada. Can you imagine Extreme weather patterns, such as ice storms like the one we
react and we can act. Knowl- Here is a very brief sum- one of the first steps to putting if we became the most envi- saw, are an indicator of climate change. (Bethany Poltl)
edge is power. mation of what I have found an end to it is admitting it’s a ronmentally advanced town
Greta Thunberg is a in the research: real problem and not living in in Canada? at purchasing vehicles. City environmental mess: basical-
16-year-old from Sweden According to NASA Sci- denial. We need to own up to Local teen Grace Hannah kids have options for public ly, pay now or pay more later.
who is taking action. She ence, there have been seven our actions and the impact we agrees. “The world we are cre- transport, we country kids Youth need to show they
went on strike from school cycles of climate change over have on our Earth.” ating through pollution is not have a public transportation want the change, that they
to protest climate change, to the last 650,000 years. Our responsibility to our a world we should want to live option but we know realis- are concerned, and lead by
draw more attention to what Most of these climate planet, our home, is a press- in or leave for future genera- tically most of us will need a example.
governments are and are not changes can be attributed ing issue. While we like to tions. We need to change our car eventually. Holding up signs de-
doing. to minuscule variations in push the problem off on big attitude on climate change. Hybrid and electric vehi- manding government ac-
The teen has gathered a earth’s orbit that would change business and pass the blame, It’s not just our generation cles should be our first option. tion and passing the blame
huge youth following, is mak- the amount of solar ener- individuals need to take ac- that needs to understand and Price is a deterrent. Perhaps is short-term. Long term
ing waves, and has met with gy our planet would receive. tion. For as laws and regula- work towards protecting our the government could think we need each individuals
and spoken to government The planet has gone through tory bodies should be taking Earth — everyone has to work about having a first-time car consciously acting. Change
officials and the United Na- warming and cooling trends. care of the big contributors, together to make a difference.” buyer incentive option to en- begins at home. We need
tions. Thunberg has motivat- Where some scientists we as individuals make up A quick search and I courage youth to look to green to do both to show we are
ed other youth around the say it could just be warming, seven billion people contrib- found out we have five electric vehicles and make them more serious, and as my grand-
world to stand up and speak there is a growing number uting to the good and the bad. car charging stations here in economically attainable for ma always says, “We mean
out about climate change. Her who are certain that warming But what can we do? NOTL. I am not old enough us. It seems economics often business.”
focus is to hold governments is due to human activity. Most Everyone has to play their to drive yet; however, this is collide with environmental Youth can make differenc-
and businesses accountable. of this warming has occurred part and we, the youth, should something else for youth to responsibility. The end will be es and at this point, we really
Do I agree with “striking” over the last 35 years and it be carrying the change. Since consider. We will be looking our generation paying for the need to for our future.
LETTERS
Time to rethink approach to annual grants Reader suggests
It is unfortunate that munity centre on statutory members, which fund the with out-of-towners, mak- viable enterprise that will auction to help
NOTL council did not set holidays in 2019, including organization through their ing NOTL a less attractive generate economic or oth- As a local resident who
a target that kept planned Family Day, while pro- membership dues. While it place to live and work. er benefits to local resi- attends the market and the
increases to our 2019 mu- viding funding to Niag- may make sense for NOTL Tourists may be good for dents and businesses. Wednesday evening food
nicipal taxes at or below ara College, the Niagara to contract with the cham- the chamber’s members, The bottom line is truck events, can I suggest
the cost of living index. District Airport, and the ber to list and sell tickets but they’re not necessarily that grants from council an auction to raise funds to
That, plus setting realistic NOTL Chamber of Com- for local events, there is an good for town. to third parties should cover the repair of the tent.
priorities for ongoing and merce, among other orga- argument to be made that As for the airport. I can not be annual line items I would be happy to
future spending, should nizations. providing annual funding see council providing one- in the municipal budget. donate one of my latest oil
have been at the heart of its Niagara College, ac- to the chamber to promote time financial support for They should only be con- paintings for an auction to
budget deliberations this cording to media reports, tourism does not. capital projects, but pro- sidered in years when the repair the tent.
year. had a $13-million surplus Many residents believe viding annual funding Town can provide them They are framed,
I recognize that final- in 2017-18 and receives that NOTL attracts more toward the airport’s oper- without reducing the level 9”x10” oil paintings with a
izing a budget and deter- substantial provincial than enough tourists al- ating costs does not make of services it provides to value of $600.
mining spending priorities funding. Surely it did not ready, which has resulted sense over the long term residents, or raising prop- Ron Boaks
If anyone is interested in
is challenging work. How- need a $20,000 grant from in traffic and pedestrian unless there is a realistic erty or business taxes, and
helping out, Sharon Brins-
ever, it makes no sense to NOTL. congestion, parking and expectation – backed by a only in exceptional cir-
mead-Taylor, The market
me that council has opted The chamber exists to noise issues, and local strong business plan – that cumstances.
co-ordinator, can be reached at
to close the NOTL com- represent and benefit its events being inundated the airport can become a Terry Davis notl.market@gmail.com.
February 21-28
8 February 21, 2019 THE NOTL LOCAL notllocal.com
Author tells of missing, dead Indigenous teens
Vivid attention to detail brings stories to life
By Lauren O’Malley She found herself sit- strangers, be given brochures
The Local ting opposite Grand Chief about how to use traffic lights
Stan Beardy. “I always start to cross major intersections,
To list Tanya Talaga’s with some big overarching and attend a specifically des-
achievements in journal- questions to make people ignated high school.
ism and activism would take comfortable,” she says. “I In Thunder Bay that in-
much longer than to explain asked him why he thought stitution is Dennis Franklin
this person’s drive to force Indigenous people didn’t Cromarty High School. Six
people to pay attention to dif- vote in elections.” of the seven dead or miss-
ficult truths. Beardy’s response was in- ing students attended there.
Debbie Krause is our congruous: “Why aren’t you Beardy delivered Talaga to
public library’s program and doing a story on Jordan Wa- the school and presented her
outreach coordinator, and as basse, who has been missing to the principal, saying, “This
such the coordinator of the li- for 70 days?” is Tanya, she’s Anish. Tell her
brary’s Wine & Words series. Talaga recounts this went everything.”
Of Talaga’s presentation on on for several minutes: She “Six hours later I had
Wednesday night at the Hare would ask Beardy about vot- found the story that would
Wine Co. on Niagara Stone ing practises, and he would change the course of my ca-
Road, she says, “She had the reply with details about the reer,” says Talaga, who called
audience, and she really told Indigenous high school stu- her editor and reported the
a story.” The event was sold dent’s disappearance. “After change of plans. “They ran it
out: 100 rapt attendees were 15 minutes I told myself on the front page,” she says,
silently riveted to the dynam- I’d better get a grip. I was celebrating the support she At the recent Wine & Words event organized by the NOTL Public Library author Tanya Talaga
ic, intelligent and compelling sitting with the Grand Chief had from her editor and gives a riveting and tragic account of seven Indigenous students. (Lauren O’Malley)
speaker and her very difficult and he was trying to tell newspaper.
— and necessary — stories. me something,” she says. “I “I wrote little stories,
To the library’s credit, Tal- needed to listen.” and big stories. But I knew brother’s last time together. hard to hear; it would have been it and to call out racism when
aga spoke about other writers Beardy told her Wabasse I had a bigger story to tell, detailing a chilling scene be- even harder to have to have re- you see it. I can do that.”
telling her she should snag was the seventh student to bigger than news articles.” tween the two siblings that searched each one in such depth. Local Terry Mactaggart
this great Wine & Words gig, die or go missing in the com- Talaga knew she had a book contained a premonition of Local Kim Manley Ort says she was curious to attend
where authors get to present munity. “I felt a lot of things: on her hands, but — as a Chanie’s brief future. was in the audience at the the event for a number of rea-
in wineries, stay overnight Shame that I didn’t even full-time-employed single Talaga describes scenes winery; she had purchased sons, including the fact her
in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and know the story. Anger: Why parent of two — had to wait and people with a storytell- tickets because she had daughter has a master’s degree
be treated with respect and was no one researching the until her kids were a little er’s vivid attention to detail, been following Talaga’s CBC in Native Canadian women
generosity. story; where was the national more independent. bringing everything to life. Massey Lectures titled All writers. “It’s so frustrating be-
“
Talaga is an Indigenous inquiry, the national media, Our Relations: Finding the cause we’ve been looking at this
person, a journalist, a moth- the police?” Path Forward. The series ex- issue for so long and nothing
er, an activist, and a relentless
fighter. She tells of her expe-
Beardy took her on a drive
in his truck, playing gospel
I wrote little stories, and plored the issues surrounding
Indigenous youth suicide in
has been done,” she says, re-
garding removing Indigenous
rience as a political reporter music. “I asked ‘What’s up big stories. But I knew Canada and international- youth from their environment
”
I had a bigger story to tell,
for the Toronto Star, learning with the music?’ Stan said, ly. Ort came away from the for education — which began
how to “yell at the Premier for ‘When I hear songs about night with several thoughts. with the Indian Act in 1867
a living” in media scrums —
and of how useful that skill
God I feel closer to my son
Daniel.’” Beardy proceeded to
bigger than news articles. “Education and awareness
[around Indigenous issues]
and continues to this day.
Mactaggart says, “We are
became to her as her career tell her about his teenaged son Tanya Talaga are key and have been lack- refugees in Canada; the Na-
swung toward a focus on the who had been beaten “within ing in our schools and soci- tives belong here.”
stories of the abuse and ne- an inch of his life,” and subse- ety,” she says. “Assimilation Talaga is asked during a
glect of people of her culture quently died. The family had Three years later she fol- She proceeds to tell the stories and removal of children from Q&A session whether she has
and heritage. moved from traditional terri- lowed up with Grand Chief of all seven students, in such families devastate families hope, and she says she does.
In 2011 Talaga used that tory to Thunder Bay so Dan- Alvin Fiddler, who directed a way it seems she spent life- and culture,” she continues. She also says it’s important we
heritage to back a pitch to her iel could attend high school. her to start her book with times studying and enjoying “There has to be some way to all call people around us on
editor: It was the time of the This is a common theme the story of Chanie Wenjack them before their tragic ends. educate these kids while leav- their subtle — or not-so —
federal election between Ste- in Talaga’s stories, and in In- — an Indigenous boy who She lovingly describes a “full ing their families intact. First forms of racism. “Educate the
phen Harper and Jack Layton, digenous life. There are no died of exposure trying to wattage smile,” and specifical- Nations people and especially people in your circle.”
and the basis of her story idea high schools on reserves or escape a residential school. ly describes the handwriting the kids have not been treated For their part library staff
was, “Why is it First Nations traditional lands. Youth as Talaga tracked down Wen- of one of the victims. They as equals in this country. This plan to continue their Mocca-
people don’t vote in elec- young as 13 years old are jack’s sister Pearl. spring to life and become is an important issue for me sin Talk series regarding Indig-
tions?” Her editor supported forced to leave their home, The journalist was one real — and haunting — in her in the upcoming election.” enous issues, and also feature
the pitch — “What an exotic parents, family, culture, and of the first people to give voice and telling. Ort says when Talaga was a permanent FMNI First Na-
idea” — and Talaga was off to language to go to a bigger city. Chanie Wenjack a voice. The sad tales and their bit- asked what people could do, tions, Métis, and Inuit collec-
Thunder Bay for research. They will typically board with She describes Pearl and her ter, unsatisfying aftermaths are “she said to tell others about tion throughout their stacks.
Tales by Moonlight
Caroline Rigby joined about 45 people at the NOTL Public Library Saturday for the opportunity to make some noise with djembes (a type of West African hand drum) at an event held to
celebrate Black History Month. GTA-based drummer Babarinde (Baba) Williams (right) led the event. (Lauren O’Malley)
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