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Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre in Caledonia welcomes back children this August for lots of fun-filled activities and adventures!
Join in the excitement and explore workshops with various themes from arts and science to mystery and mayhem including:
August 10: Mad Science – To Infinity and Beyond: Shoot for the stars and explore the universe with us!;
August 12: Art Attack – Hands-on painting, drawing and sculpting;
August 17: Who Dunnit? – A special Edinburgh Square Mystery featuring Wade the Wandering Heron;
August 18: Eco-Art in the Square – The wonderful world of ecology, insects, animals and plants; and,
August 19: Castles and Dragons – A magical, medieval adventure awaits young Ladies, Lords, and Knights.
The Centre’s staff have taken care to ensure the safety of its young participants, with staff following protocols established by the Provincial and Haldimand Norfolk Public Heath Units including smaller group sizes, health screening, hand washing, mask wearing, physical distancing and increased facility cleaning.
Summer Discovery Days take place at Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre, 80 Caithness Street East, Caledonia. Workshops are suitable for children aged 6 to 10 years and will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cost is $27.50 per child and registration is available online at www.link.haldimandcounty.ca or in person at the Haldimand County Cayuga Administration office.
For additional information contact the Centre at 905-765-3134.
On Tuesday, October 5th at 7 PM join fellow Haldimand County readers for a virtual author visit with Carolyn Huizinga Mills as she discusses her first novel The Good Son. Already an award-winning children’s author, the former Dunnville resident has written her first adult novel and it promises not to disappoint.
The Good Son is a psychological thriller following Zoe Emmerson as her world is turned upside-down when, after thirty years, the murder of her six-year-old neighbour is reopened. At the time, Zoe didn’t share information that indicated that her brother may have been involved – she was young and scared and was unsure what exactly she saw. But the knowledge has always haunted her and now, as her past and present collide, she is forced to face a difficult truth.
Copies of the book can be borrowed from your local library branch. Anyone wishing to join the virtual event is asked to register by calling his or her local library at 289-674-0400 or by e-mailing kkrupicz@haldimandcounty.on.ca
We have had tremendous success in Haldimand-Norfolk as we continue through with the vaccination programs. The staff and volunteers have been dedicated, professional and courteous, making the experience for everyone as flawless as possible. We have received plenty of positive feedback regarding the process and we thank you for taking the time to thank those on the frontlines.
At present, over 120,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered across both counties, with almost 65% of residents fully vaccinated. The Ministry of Health is aiming for all communities across the province to have 80% of the population with first dose, and over 75% of the population fully vaccinated by early August.
All residents with a second dose appointment booked for August, September or October who are 28 days past their first dose are being asked to book an appointment at a closer date. Appointments are available in various locations and may be booked using the HNHU’s Online Booking Tool or by calling the Health Unit’s Vaccine Hotline at 519-427-5903.
I urge those of you who are holding out to reconsider and think about your family and your community. While I can appreciate the decision being yours to make, your decision not only impacts you, it impacts those of us around you and we must ensure that we can withstand another potential wave. For the sake of our children who need to reacquaint themselves with traditional schooling; our businesses who need to bring much needed revenue for their families; our sporting programs that help our community stay health and vibrant both physically and mentally, lets pull together and be one of the leading areas in vaccinations in Ontario.
As we move into the fall, we are transitioning out of the arenas to make way for the sporting programs and will be working towards providing vaccination clinics in a variety of places throughout both counties.
Caledonia Protest Update
As you all know, the developer has begun the process of refunding deposits to those poor home owners who have been cheated of their dream. This is not them abandoning the site, as we still believe that they hold legal title to the lands in dispute. This is a respectful decision to allow the potential homeowners to make future decisions that best serve them.
If and when the Province and the Federal government move forward and not just engage those on Six Nations with some meaningful dialogue but also stand behind the land registry system that guides all of us accordingly, we will then start to see progress.
Whether you are a homeowner, a developer, or a municipality following the planning process, you should be able to count on the regulations and policies set out to guide the final outcome of owning your dream home.
I continue to support my friends on Six Nations who truly deserve an outcome on their long time outstanding claims, but I will never support the methodology that has been employed on Douglas Creek Estates or Mackenzie Meadows or any of those involved in such acts of disobedience.
I will continue to lobby those at the Province to engage leaders on Six Nations and to bring the Feds to account on the actual claims that are legitimate and will continue to show Haldimand, of which Caledonia is in, being a great place to live, to work, to play and mostly to raise a family.
Haldimand Museums is excited to announce the reopening of its three sites to the public following recent pandemic closures.
As of Tuesday July 27, Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum in Selkirk and Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre in Caledonia will be open to visitors, along with the already-reopened Heritage Centre located in the Cayuga Public Library.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to check out a diverse range of on-site and online programming and activities for the summer and fall, including:
You Can’t Live Without It, the newest exhibit at the Heritage Centre—located at 19 Talbot Street, Cayuga—runs until September 30 and highlights the history of advertising and how this form of communication was and is used by businesses to promote their wares and activities.
On August 18 at 1:00 pm, join Heritage Centre staff via Zoom for the presentation Historical Kitchen Gardens, which looks at how early settlers tended their kitchen gardens, a vital part of their families’ survival. Advance registration at www.link.haldimandcounty.ca.
Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre (80 Caithness Street, Caledonia) tips its cap to the history of headgear with A Head for Fashion, an exhibition featuring some very unique hats, their significance and the stories they tell.
Edinburgh Square will also be offering in-person its popular summer Discovery Days workshops for children during the month of August – from arts and science to mystery and mayhem. Check out www.link.haldimandcounty.ca for a complete list of Discovery Days programs and to register.
Stop by the Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum to experience The Life and Times of Lyric Poet Wilson MacDonald, with displays highlighting the history of rural education and the heritage of the surrounding community. This original one-room school house is located at 3513 Rainham Road, Selkirk.
Registration for all Haldimand Museums programs and special events is open, and residents and visitors can reserve their space using the County’s online reservation system www.link.haldimandcounty.ca or by visiting the Haldimand County office in Cayuga.
Pandemic-related protocols which allow patrons to safely explore our local arts, heritage and culture remain in place. Visitors to Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum and Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre will be required to wear a non-medical face mask and physical distance while on site. Visitors are encouraged to book their visit in advance where possible. A maximum number of four patrons may be admitted at one time, with each visit limited to 45 minutes. Visitors without a prior reservation may be admitted if capacity allows.
At this time, the archives and reference collections located within the Haldimand Museums sites and all in-person services will remain closed until further notice. These services continue to be available upon request through email at museums@haldimandcounty.on.ca.
In February, Canadian Tire Corporation announced an additional $12 million commitment to Jumpstart’s Sport Relief Fund to help sport and recreation organizations build back sport and play in Canada.
Jumpstart conducted a State of Sport study via Ipsos, which revealed the pandemic has not only impacted current access to sport and play but has real long-term effects, as well. Haldimand County and the communities it serves have experienced this impact of the pandemic first-hand.
Recently, Haldimand County was pleased to receive confirmation that it is among the more than 500 national sport and recreation organizations to be provided with grant support through the latest round of Jumpstart’s Sport Relief Fund. In 2021, Jumpstart has already distributed in excess of $9 million in funding to more than 800 organizations across Canada through the fund.
“We are very grateful to receive this news as we know the funding will have a positive impact on our local youth programming,” says Lynda Kissner, Supervisor of Programs & Events. “In Haldimand County, we plan to use the funding towards the introduction of the Louise Brown & Ross Brown Juniors Tennis Program, which will be made available free of charge to youth ages 8 to 18 years.”
Haldimand County is excited to announce the introduction of the Louise Brown & Ross Brown Juniors Tennis Program, geared towards youth ages 8 to 18 years of age and available from August 3rd to September 2nd in Caledonia, Dunnville and Jarvis.
The program, which will be coordinated by David Brown—who represented Canada in the Davis Cup—is named after his late mother, a top-notch provincial and Canadian tennis champion, and father.
Louise Brown learned to play tennis in her hometown of Dunnville. Her passion for the sport helped her win the Canadian Open women’s singles and doubles titles in 1957 and she ranked in the Top 10 in Canadian women’s tennis for 26 years. Throughout a tennis career that spanned more than four decades, Louise won more than sixty Canadian singles and doubles titles. Her husband, Ross, served in the R.C.A.F. from 1939 to 1945 and was the President of the Ontario Tennis Association from 1965 to 1970.
The goal of the new program is to introduce youth to the sport and teach them the fundamentals of the game. Participants will benefit from lessons led by a highly-qualified group of dedicated tennis professionals. “I’m very excited at the opportunity to come back to Haldimand County and share my family’s passion for the sport of tennis with our younger residents,” says Brown.
Thanks to the support of Canadian Tire Jumpstart’s Sport Relief Fund—which helps provide access to sport and play for Canadian youth—and Wilson Sporting Goods, the Louise Brown & Ross Brown Juniors Tennis Program will be offered free of charge to participants, including equipment (racquets and balls).
For more information, or to register (registration opens Wednesday, July 21), please check the County’s online registration system at link.haldimandcounty.ca.
Haldimand County is pleased to announce the official launch of its newest outdoor public art initative on Saturday, July 10.
The Paddle Art Tour Haldimand (PATH) is a celebration of the municipality’s local talent and the importance of the Grand River and Lake Erie to Haldimand County.
Haldimand County residents and visitors will be inspired by 24 unique designs created by 23 local artists who used wooden paddles—hand made by high school students—to create art portraying the area’s natural landscapes, wildlife, history and much more.
The paddles have been installed throughout the County with the generous assistance of Dunnville Silo. Haldimand County also gratefully acknowledges the support of Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) for tourism businesses in southern Ontario in completing the project.
For those interested in a self-guided tour of the PATH, a map of the locations, as well as contest information for anyone who manages to visit all or most of the sites, can be found on the County’s website. Printed copies of the map may be picked up at the Haldimand County Administration Building, Libraries or by calling 905-318-5932 extension 6370.
When you are out enjoying these public spaces, please comply with current public health orders and maintain physical distancing at all times.
If you’re looking to make new summer memories, the Haldimand Playbook—which hit resident mailboxes this week and is also available online—is your guide to our County and all it has to offer.
The Playbook includes information about registering for summer aquatics and camp programming, heritage and culture workshops and Library programming.
If you’d rather take a less scheduled approach to your plans, visit our splash pads or wading pool to cool off on a hot day. Enjoy our parks and greenspaces including skate parks, ball diamonds, tennis and multi-use courts and picnic areas in several communities as well as disc golf in Caledonia’s LaFortune Park. Visit one of our many trails and pathways throughout the County and along the Grand River.
If tennis is something you’ve always wanted to try, the County is hosting an Introduction to Tennis program, offered in Caledonia, Dunnville and Jarvis. Check the County’s website for more details.
For anyone looking to explore the farthest reaches of the County there are two new tours: the geotour is suitable for adventurers of all ages and skill levels, with twenty geocaches stashed throughout Haldimand, while the public art tour is a County-wide display of 24 handmade wooden paddles painted by local artists. Details are available online and both tours include ongoing contests.
Remember to stop and enjoy a meal or snack at our local eateries, or hit the local shops to experience the County’s many unique offerings as you build out your Haldimand experience.
As always during these unusual times, we ask that you follow the current provincial and public health COVID-19 guidelines when visiting our parks, facilities and trails or participating in programming and activities. Please be respectful of others and do not litter; dispose of garbage or take out what you brought in.
The Playbook also includes a survey—on the back cover or online—about how the County can better stay connected to you. Please let us know how we can best communicate with you!
With restrictions being lifted, and the summer season well underway, Haldimand County is pleased to highlight all the amazing outdoor dining options available throughout the County via an upcoming social media campaign.
The campaign, taking place over the next several weeks, will promote the various outdoor dining options, and can be found at tourismhaldimand.ca. This new landing page features an interactive map and highlights all the participating locations.
“The hospitality sector including restaurants have struggled throughout the pandemic . With the recent announcement of the Province moving into stage two, we believe that it is now more important than ever to remind local residents that all of their favorite dining experiences are opening up again” said Lidy Romanuk, Manager of Economic Development and Tourism.
With over 30 patios, food trucks, and outdoor windows, serving ice cream made locally, Lake Erie perch, and everything in between, there is always a new experience around the corner.
To browse the featured outdoor dining listings and explore the interactive map, visit tourismhaldimand.ca. Stay updated with new additions on our Tourism Instagram and Facebook. For additional information, or if you want to add your business to the local directory, contact opportunity@haldimandcounty.on.ca or 905-318-5932 ext. 6331.
When you are out enjoying these public spaces, please comply with current public health orders and maintain physical distancing at all times.
The TD Summer Reading Program and library summer programing is back at all 6 Haldimand County Public Library branches.
Children aged 0-12 years can register for the Junior Reading Club, and those over 12 years of age can register for the Teen Reading Club. For every library book a child or teen reads, a ballot will be issued for entry into cash prize draws held at the end of summer. Participants fill out and return the ballots to the branch at which they registered. Contact your local library branch in August to find out draw dates.
Junior Summer Reading Club participants will be eligible for cash prizes of $100, $50, and $25 being awarded at each library branch. Participants in the Teen Summer Reading Club will be eligible for one of three $100 cash prizes or one of six $50 cash prizes. It’s the perfect time to get reading!!
This summer, library branches will also offer Take-Home Activity Kits. These kits include amazing crafts and activities based on this year’s Summer Reading Club theme “Game On!” Six unique kits will be available in July and six unique kits will be available in August. Multiple kits can be requested at the same time but with a limit of one unique kit per child. These free kits are available while supplies last.
July take-home activity kits:
Tic-Tac-Toe
Yahtzee
Design your Own Board Game
Frisbee
DIY Twirly Whirly Toy
Baby Yoda
August take-home activity kits:
Butterfly Candy Holder
Jumping Frog Game
Sun Visor Craft
Minecraft Swords
Backyard Scavenger Hunt
Chalk Challenge
To reserve your activity kit or to register for the Junior or Teen Summer Reading Clubs, visit your local library or call your local branch at 289-678-0400.
The Library gratefully acknowledges the support of our summer program sponsors: TD Bank Financial Group, Dunnville Rotary Club, Optimist Club of Haldimand, Caledonia Men’s Club, Friends of the Dunnville Library and Friends of the Jarvis Library.
