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Haldimand County Public Library, in partnership with Therapeutic Paws of Canada, is offering an exciting literacy program designed to help children who would benefit from extra practice with their reading.

Children can register for a free 15-minute session to read a book of their choice to a certified team. Paws to Read dogs provide undivided attention to the children as they read aloud.

Studies have shown that reading to dogs encourages confidence and boosts self-esteem in children who struggle to read aloud in class, therefore boosting their literacy.

For the month of June this program is being offered virtually on June 2, June 16 and June 30 starting at 4:00pm. Registration is required and spaces are limited.

For more information or to register please contact Katrina Krupicz, Community Outreach Coordinator at kkrupicz@haldimandcounty.on.ca or 905-318-5932 ext. 6552.

Haldimand and Norfolk counties will be lowering flags at all public facilities to honour the 215 Indigenous children found buried at a former residential school near Kamloops, BC.

Both counties will lower flags across public facilities from Monday, May 31 to Monday, June 8 in one hour increments to symbolize each of the 215 children whose lives were taken.

“Lowering our flags is one way to recognize this abhorrent tragedy and signify that we stand unified with the Indigenous community in mourning the loss of these children,” said Norfolk County Mayor Kristal Chopp.

Chopp was compelled to act after being contacted by a young resident of Norfolk County, Kasey McDonald – a member of the Turtle Clan and Anishinaabe member of Kettle and Stony Point First Nations. “It is inspirational when young individuals get involved in their community and advocate for things that are important to them, especially regarding a matter of this magnitude,” Chopp noted.

“In the spirit of Kasey’s letter, taking small actions to generate awareness and change on a broader level can have an immeasurable impact,” Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt stated. “By recognizing this tragedy, we can only hope to shine a light on the past in hopes of creating a brighter future,” he added.

Haldimand County youth aged 11 to 15 can now register at the Caledonia, Cayuga, Jarvis and Dunnville library branches for summer babysitting courses. The Canadian Red Cross babysitting course, a nationally recognized program, is designed to help participants develop self-assurance, knowledge and skills required not only for babysitting duties, but also when at home.

Topics covered in the course include caring for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children as well as creating safe environments and how to handle emergencies.

The course cost is $40 per person and interested individuals are asked to contact the Caledonia, Cayuga, Jarvis or Dunnville Library branch at 289-674-0400 to be placed on branch waiting lists. Individuals will be contacted later in the summer when a course becomes available.

Revised to ensure participant safety and more opportunities to participate, the Red Cross Babysitting Course now runs over five consecutive days. Participants will be required to attend all five sessions to receive their certificate. Depending on the status of provincial COVID restrictions, courses will be offered either virtually or in person, with a reduced number of participants to ensure social distancing.

For further information on this or other library programming, please contact Katrina Krupicz, Community Outreach/Inreach Coordinator at kkrupicz@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

Visit our website www.haldimandlibrary.com or connect with us on Facebook for information on programs, collections and more!

During the month of April, the Haldimand County Public Library held its annual April Poetry Contest.

The contest was generously supported by the Selkirk Lions Club, Hagersville Lions Club, The Dunnville Friends of the Library, The Jarvis Friends of the Library and the Haldimand District Women’s Institute. Participants were asked to submit a piece of original poetry inspired by the theme: Community.

The winners of the Haldimand County Public Library’s 2021 April Poetry Contest are:

Mary McKinnon, Sarah Butcher, Deborah Beauchamp, Silas Butcher, Eden Fast, Lincoln Vanderwier, Asa Butcher, Amadea Butcher, Finnley Vanderwier, Addison Williams and Adrian Radum.

The winning submissions will be available for viewing at your local library branch once provincial restrictions are lifted.

The Haldimand County Public Library would like to thank everyone who submitted their poetry for this year’s competition and give a special thank you to our panel of judges who donated their time and expertise.

Anyone who is interested in participating in next year’s poetry contest or in learning about other library programming is encouraged to visit the Haldimand County Public Library website or follow the library on Facebook or Instagram.

The Ontario government has announced its three-step roadmap to safely re-open the province. To start, Ontario will allow more outdoor recreational amenities to re-open, with restrictions in place, effective May 22, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.

In response to this provincial direction, Haldimand County staff will begin re-opening outdoor amenities on May 22. These amenities include, but are not limited to: boat ramps, soccer and baseball fields, tennis/pickleball courts, basketball courts, and skate parks.

Residents are asked to be patient as staff work to re-open amenities over the weekend. When enjoying newly re-opened outdoor spaces, members of the public are asked to remain vigilant and follow public health guidelines, including maintaining a distance of 6 feet from members outside of their own household.

The public is also reminded that while some outdoor amenities are re-opening, the stay-at-home order remains in effect and non-essential travel is strongly discouraged by the province.