Haldimand County Launches Outdoor Dining Campaign

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.

Haldimand County Public Library Launches Child & Youth Summer Reading Programs and Take-Home Activity Kits

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.

Haldimand County Issues Correction and Apology Re: KWIC Internet and KWIC Telecom Ltd.

Haldimand Country would like to correct some inaccurate statements recently made by its representatives regarding KWIC Internet and KWIC Telecom Ltd. (“KWIC”).

In June 2020, after a procurement process, Haldimand County selected KWIC as the preferred proponent to deliver internet services to underserviced areas of the County. KWIC ranked first among its competitors in the procurement and was determined by Haldimand County to be competent and well-qualified.

On June 3, 2021, Mayor Ken Hewitt of Haldimand County mistakenly announced that KWIC had merged with another internet service provider (Xplornet Communications), that Xplornet had purchased KWIC, and that the merger was a surprise to the County. These statements were reported in the Haldimand Press. Regrettably, these statements were based on a misunderstanding of the true facts, and were inaccurate. KWIC has not merged with or been purchased by Xplornet, and did not in any way surprise the County by its actions. KWIC remains an independent and active internet service provider, servicing communities across Ontario.

On June 4, 2021, County CAO Craig Manley stated in a press release that, as a result of increased competition from other internet service providers in Haldimand County, the result would be better internet service in the County. The County wishes to correct that statement, as it has no information to suggest that KWIC’s competitors provide better internet service than KWIC provides.

As a result of recent media interest in the expansion of internet service to underserviced areas of the County, County representatives have made other statements about KWIC that have been reported in the media. None of the County’s statements should be construed as a criticism of KWIC or its capabilities, nor should any impression be left that KWIC is anything other than an active, competitive player in the Ontario internet service provider market. The County is grateful to KWIC for its interest and efforts in bringing internet service to County residents.

Haldimand County sincerely apologizes to KWIC for the mistaken statements made by County representatives.

Haldimand County Council Opposes Use of Haldibrook Road for City of Hamilton’s Truck Route Master Plan

At the Council meeting held on June 28, 2021, Haldimand County Council passed the following resolution:

THAT Haldimand County Council has reviewed the City of Hamilton’s draft recommended Truck Route Master Plan as outlined in the correspondence from the City of Hamilton sent on June 14, 2021;

AND THAT given the overwhelming public opposition, lack of adequate infrastructure to support truck traffic and the existence of a designated truck route in close proximity, Haldimand County Council is strongly opposed to Haldibrook Road being included as a proposed truck route in the City of Hamilton’s Truck Route Master Plan.

Notice of the passing of this resolution will be sent to the City of Hamilton.

The City of Hamilton is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of their Truck Route Master Plan. More information regarding the project, including how residents can participate and provide comments, can be found at engage.hamilton.ca/trmp

Children’s Summer Workshops Kick Off at Haldimand Museums

The Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum is excited to welcome children back to its popular Children’s Summer Workshops, beginning Thursday, July 8 with ‘Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice’!

The 12 workshops will run Thursdays and Fridays each week from July 8 to August 13 and are geared towards kids aged 5 to 12 years. The cost for each workshop is $27.50 per child and registration is limited to ten (10) participants per session, in keeping with provincial and public health COVID-19 safety guidelines.

This year, for the safety of our workshop participants and staff, workshops will operate out of the spacious Selkirk Community Park Pavilion, 17 Main Street West, and follow Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit and provincial guidelines for day camps including safety protocols such as mandatory screening, physical distancing, increased hand-washing or sanitizing stations and increased facility cleaning.

For a complete list of workshop themes or to register visit link.haldimandcounty.ca. For additional information contact the Museum at 905-776-3319.

Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre in Caledonia will also be offering a variety of children’s programming throughout the summer. From arts and science to mystery and mayhem, the seven live-stream workshops in July and three in-person sessions in August will offer something for everyone.

Cost for the virtual programming is $10 per child and includes a supply-kit of everything needed for the 1.5 hour session. On-site workshops will run from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and the cost per child is $27.50. For additional information contact the Centre at 905-765-3134 or to register HaldimandCounty.ca.

Haldimand & Norfolk Counties Opt Out of Canborough Landfill Facility Proposal

Haldimand County Council and Norfolk County Council, as joint owners of the Canborough Landfill Facility located at 499 James Road Dunnville, considered an unsolicited proposal made by a private sector entity for the use of the property.  After deliberations, both Councils agreed to not accept the proposal. In accordance with the conditions of the offer, the details will remain confidential.

Haldimand County Public Library Announces 2021 One Book, One Haldimand Reading Selection

Join fellow Haldimand County readers by participating in this year’s One Book One Haldimand program!

One Book One Haldimand is an annual community-wide reading program through which individuals across Haldimand County are encouraged to read a selected Canadian title and join the author and other community members for a virtual reading and Q&A in early December.

This year’s selection, Precious Cargo, written by Canadian author Craig Davidson, was a finalist for Canada Reads in 2018 and was shortlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize. The book follows a young Craig Davison before he became a critically acclaimed writer.

“Broke and living alone while trying unsuccessfully to write, Davison plucked a flyer out of his mailbox. It read “Bus Drivers Wanted,” and it marked his first step towards an unlikely new career: driving a school bus for kids with special needs. Fortified only with a sense of humour similar to that of his charges, a creative approach to the challenge of driving an awkward vehicle while corralling a rowdy gang of schoolchildren, and unexpected reserves of empathy, Davison takes us along for the ride.” – Inside Cover

Copies of Precious Cargo are available now at all library branches. Individuals who wish to read the book may call 289-674-0400 to arrange a curbside pickup.

More information about the virtual author visit will be shared and posted on the library’s website and social medial pages in late October.

Share your love of reading and community by participating in One Book One Haldimand 2021. For more information or to suggest a title by an Ontario author for 2022, please contact Katrina Krupicz, Community Outreach Coordinator at 905-318-5932 ext. 6118.

Haldimand County Pools Opening Saturday, June 19th

Haldimand County’s Pools will open for the season on Saturday, June 19!

PLEASE NOTE: Any access to County pools requires either a reservation or registration in keeping with provincial guidelines. Reserve your free public or fitness swim or register for lessons at:  link.haldimandcounty.ca

At the pools, the safety protocols have been updated to reflect Stage 1 of the Province of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen. These include:

  • Reduced bather loads to 25% to comply with social distancing;
  • Advance reservations for recreational (public/fitness) swims and registration for instructional programming through the County’s online booking system;
  • Participants are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes before the start of a reservation/registered program for sign-in and screening and to ensure participants benefit from maximum available swim time;
  • Participants showered and dressed for swim prior to sign-in (i.e. at home); dressing rooms will not be available to change;
  • Leaving valuables at home as participants will have to bring and leave their items on the pool deck during their swim;
  • Walk-ups will only be considered if space is available; and,
  • Social distancing protocols must be adhered to by participants before, during and after swims.

Reservations for public/fitness swims will be accepted on a week-by-week basis; participants are asked to limit the number of slots they book in one day to ensure the maximum number of participants possible can enjoy recreational swims.

Registration is now open and residents may book free public/fitness swims, using the County’s online registration system (link.haldimandcounty.ca) or by calling Haldimand County customer service at 905-318-5932.

Haldimand County Announces “Out and About in Haldimand” GeoTour

If you are looking for a new local adventure this summer, check out Haldimand County’s first ever GeoTour!

The GeoTour is a real-world, outdoor treasure-hunting game that uses GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.

This is a great activity for any resident, visitor or family that likes the challenge of an outdoor scavenger hunt combined with a chance to check out the County’s beautiful parks and natural areas.

More than twenty geocaches have been tucked into parks and public properties throughout the County. Anyone completing the Tour by December can redeem their ‘passport’ to receive a specially-designed “Out and About In Haldimand” geocoin.

To learn more geocaching and the tour, including a ‘how to’ video, visit https://dev.haldimandcounty.ca/main_website/festivals-events/2021-geocache/.

Haldimand County, OPP, GRCA Encourage Water Safety

Haldimand County, OPP and the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) encourages all local residents and visitors to the County to take personal responsibility and make water safety for themselves and their children a priority this summer. It is extremely important for everyone to be aware of safe boating and swimming practices while enjoying the waterways in Haldimand County.

On Tuesday June 8, 2021 at 2:53 p.m., OPP responded to the dam area of the Grand River in Caledonia for a report of a dangerous condition. A concerned passerby noticed a group of youths walking along and swimming in the dam area.

Investigation revealed the youths entered a prohibited area, marked by red and white danger signs, and into the water. Fortunately no one was injured and all parties were accounted for. Tragedy can happen very quickly and the danger of the waters should never be underestimated.

Every year, emergency service personnel respond to many marine related calls including stranded boaters, people fishing or swimming in unsafe areas. Many times, misadventure can lead to tragedy.

It can’t be stressed enough that everyone using the waterways understand the importance of not swimming or boating in prohibited areas. The dam areas in Dunnville and Caledonia are often used by individuals but the water conditions are extremely dangerous.

’Run of the river’ dams, like those in Caledonia and Dunnville may not be as visible from upstream and pose a great risk to river users who disregard warning signs. Like larger dams, low-head dams can also create an underwater recirculating current downstream that is nearly impossible to escape. This current can be so strong that it has the ability to pull people under water, even while wearing a lifejacket. Never swim, walk on, fish, or boat near these dams.

GRCA dams are marked by red and white danger signs. There are also fences, buoys and booms warning you to keep out. You should always:

  • Stay a safe distance outside of the marked danger areas when fishing, boating and swimming
  • Stay off all dams. Use only approved walkways or observation areas.

All parents and caregivers are encouraged to speak with their children about water safety and the dangers of prohibited areas.

The prevention of drownings requires law enforcement efforts and public education but most importantly, prevention starts with you.

There is no one single cause that leads to drownings but there are common contributors. Basic safety practices such as learning to swim at an early age; wearing a lifejacket or a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) while on a vessel or in water; adult supervision of children while swimming; and not drinking and boating can make the difference between surviving, or not.

OPP is also reminding all boaters to ensure they have all of the required safety equipment on board as well as all the required documents to operate a vessel.

For more information about dam safety, visit the GRCA’s website at www.grandriver.ca/en/our-watershed/safety-around-dams

For more information regarding water safety, visit the Lifesaving Society website at www.lifesavingsociety.com/water-safety

For more information on boating safety, visit the Transport Canada website at www.tc.gc.ca/boatingsafety