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Heritage Haldimand hosts cemetery mapping workshop

Heritage Haldimand will be offering a special cemetery mapping workshop on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 9 a.m. to noon. The workshop will be led by Archaeology and Cemetery Conservancy expert Seika Groves at Riverside Cemetery in Dunnville, 660 Main St. W.

Geared toward the historian or genealogist, the workshop will teach participants how to create a map cemetery map, catalogue grave sites (names, dates, symbols, etc.), and offer technical explanations. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and enclosed footwear.

The cost for this workshop is $35 per person, with limited space available. Registration may be completed online at link.haldimandcounty.ca or in person at the Haldimand County Administration Building, 53 Thorburn St. S., Cayuga.

For more information please contact Heritage Haldimand at heritage@haldimandcounty.on.ca or 905-318-5932, ext. 6516.

New disc golf course now open at Jarvis Lions Park

Haldimand County has a new disc golf course for the community to enjoy located at Jarvis Lions Park, 1 James St. E. in Jarvis. The nine-hole course is a family-friendly way to get out and play disc golf, one of North America’s fastest-growing pastimes.

The Jarvis Lions Club and the Jarvis Parks Committee, with partial funding from Haldimand County’s Community Partnership Program, looked to bring this installation to the park to provide residents with more opportunities for lower-cost outdoor recreation.

Disc golf is played similar to regular golf but with specialized flying discs that are engineered for specific characteristics to allow for the desired speed, loft, glide distance, stability and turn tendency.

Haldimand County also boasts a championship 18-hole course in Caledonia’s LaFortune Park. The Jarvis Lions Park course is somewhat less challenging yet appropriate for experts and beginners alike. The course is designed to avoid pedestrian walkways and to offer players a compact course. There is no cost to play.

“The new disc golf course is a wonderful recreational resource for Jarvis and the surrounding area and is another great example of Haldimand County’s commitment to helping groups build assets that benefit their community through the CPP program,” says Ward 1 Councillor Stewart Patterson, who has been a strong supporter of the project since its initial proposal.

Discs are available for purchase at a number of online retailers. For those wishing to try the sport, a number of discs, donated by Jarvis company Concession Road Brewing, are available for loan at the Jarvis Branch of the Haldimand Public Library.

“One of Haldimand Public Library’s goals is to explore and adopt new and innovative collections for public enjoyment,” says Library CEO Paul Diette, “and when the proposal to loan disc golf equipment was presented to us, we were excited to add something that promotes exercise and fun amongst community members to our collection mix.”

Disc golf course signage

Photo Credit: Instagram @aceplacediscgolf

Applications now being accepted for 2023 Community Beautification Grants

Applications are now open for community groups and not-for-profit organizations wishing to apply for a Haldimand County Community Beautification grant.

Each year, the County sets aside $60,000 in partnership funding for beautification projects on municipal property. These grants support the efforts of volunteer groups in enhancing the vitality, sense of pride and overall quality of life within Haldimand County.

Groups may apply for grant funding of up to 50 per cent of the proposed project’s total cost to a maximum of $4,000 per year, per project.

Proposed projects must take place on property owned by Haldimand County. The County may be able to fund more than one application per community group; organizations submitting more than one application are asked to rank their requests in priority order.

Community/volunteer groups can access the online application package at: HaldimandCounty.ca/community-partnerships/ after speaking with Community Partnerships staff about their project.

Applications, including all supporting materials, must be received online by Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, at 4 p.m.

For more information about the Community Beautification Grant program, please contact a Community Partnerships Liaison by e-mail at partnerships@haldimandcounty.on.ca or phone: (905) 318-5932, ext. 6119.

Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre hosts afternoon tea and tea leaf reading event

Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre invites the community to join them at Shelly’s Family Dining (1192 Kohler Road, Kohler) on Thursday, Sept. 15 at 1:30 p.m. for Afternoon Tea and a Tea Leaf Reading.

Attendees will enjoy tea, scones and other sweet treats while historian and television personality Seika Groves discusses all things ‘tea’, including demonstrating tasseography, a method of fortune-telling that uses loose tea leaves at the sides or bottom of your cup to see what possibly lies ahead.

This special presentation is given in conjunction with Edinburgh Square’s current exhibition, “A Spot of Tea”, on display at the Centre located at 80 Caithness Street East in Caledonia.

The cost for the Tea and Tea Leaf Reading is $22.50 per person and pre-registration is required. Registration may be completed online at link.haldimandcounty.ca or in person at the Haldimand County Administration Building (53 Thorburn Street South, Cayuga).

For more information about Haldimand Museums programs and activities, contact the Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre at (905) 765-3134 or e-mail museums@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

Haldimand County to set up cooling centres, charging stations in response to planned Hydro One outage in Dunnville area

On Sunday, August 28, 2022, Hydro One will be performing repairs that require power to be shut off in the Dunnville area from 5:30 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m. In response to this planned outage, Haldimand County will be opening a cooling centre/charging station at the Dunnville Community Lifespan Centre.

Residents in the Dunnville area are encouraged to check Hydro One’s planned outage map to confirm whether they will be affected.

Anyone impacted by this temporary outage may utilize the Lifespan Centre (275 Ramsey Drive) to cool off and/or charge their electronic devices (from 5:30 a.m. until power is restored). The Cayuga Memorial Arena will also be open to affected residents.

Residents affected by the outage are reminded of the following:

  • Make sure your appliances, such as the stove, are in the off position.
  • Make sure your cell phone and extended battery packs are fully charged.
  • Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Use a cooler with ice for items you’ll need during the planned outage.
  • If you plan to use a generator, remember to use it in a dry area outdoors away from any open windows, doors and vents.
  • Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns instead of candles. If using candles, place them in a secure holder and cover them with a glass chimney, away from children and pets.
  • Make sure your home has battery-operated smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. Ensure Alarms have been tested and are working.
  • Municipal water service will not be affected. For those with private water treatment systems, check on the treatment equipment once power is restored to make sure it is operational before using the water.
  • Have non-perishable foods on hand that do not require cooking (e.g. snack bars, trail mix, fruit).
  • Treat intersections with non-functioning stoplights as four-way stops.
  • Purchase any fuel products the day before the planned outage (e.g. gas for vehicles).
  • Have your 72 hour emergency kit

Residents are also advised of the following service impacts:

  • Due to the outage Dunnville Lions Pool will be closed; it will re-open as soon as possible after power is restored (likely on Monday, August 29). The wading pool in Central Park will be open as usual.
  • Installation of ice at the Dunnville Memorial Arena will be delayed, which will result in an opening after Labour Day. The Cayuga Memorial Arena will be opened early to accommodate any Dunnville bookings already in place.

Residents within the planned outage area are also encouraged to sign up for status notifications on the Hydro One website and check the outage map for updates on restoration time.

For more information on what to do before, during and after a power outage, visit the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit’s website.

Dunnville Community Lifespan Centre

Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum annual Time & Talent Live and Silent Auction set for Sept 17

For those looking for a little retail therapy or want to get a head start on holiday shopping, the Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum is hosting their annual Time & Talent Live and Silent Auction on Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Selkirk Centennial Community Centre (34 Main St. W., Selkirk).

The popular annual event has something for everyone including gift baskets, gift certificates, baby quilts, wreaths, flowers, household items, craft items, antique milk bottles, artwork, tools and more.

The silent auction will take place from 5-7 p.m., followed by the live auction at 7:30 p.m., hosted by auctioneer Ken Mercer.  All transactions can be made by cash or a cheque payable to Haldimand Museums.

Shelly’s Family Dining of Kohler will be serving up beef or chicken-on-a-bun with a choice of sides and apple crisp & ice cream.

Proceeds from the auctions will support educational programming at Haldimand Museums.

For additional information about this event, or to donate items to the auction, please contact Dana Stavinga at (905)-776-3319 or museums@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

Haldimand County seeking resident input to shape Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

Haldimand County is currently seeking resident input to help shape its Multi-Year Accessibility Plan.

The plan will outline how Haldimand County will continue to identify, mitigate and remove barriers that people with disabilities may face when accessing municipal programs, services, facilities, information and employment.

The development of a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan is a requirement for all municipalities in the province under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and public consultation is an important part of the process.

An online survey has been launched to collect citizen input at www.HaldimandCounty.ca/accessibility.  Members of the public are encouraged to complete the short survey and provide their unique insights on accessibility within Haldimand County.

Some questions include:

  • When seeking information or accessing services with Haldimand County, has your experience been fully accessible and inclusive?
  • Have you encountered barriers to participating in a County led program or activity?
  • What changes do you think would help Haldimand County be a more accessible and inclusive community?

Physical copies of the survey are also available at all library branches and at the Haldimand County Administration Building (53 Thorburn St. S, Cayuga N0A 1E0). Completed paper copies may be dropped off in person at the administration building or mailed to the attention of the Accessibility Coordinator.

The survey will close on Monday, August 29.

For more information on Haldimand County’s accessibility policies, procedures or related, matters, visit www.haldimandcounty.ca/accessibility or e-mail accessibility@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

New digital sign at the Hagersville Fire/EMS station supports community engagement and information-sharing

With the installation of a new digital sign for education and information-sharing, the Hagersville Firefighters Association is continuing its long tradition of active engagement with the community and supporting local activities for the benefit of residents and visitors.

The Hagersville Emergency Services Station #2 (Fire and Paramedic) was constructed in 2017, and plays a central role in the community through its provision of essential fire and paramedic services. In 2019, the Association proposed a digital sign at the roadway as the final capital installation for the Station.

“This is a great enhancement to the Fire and EMS Station,” says local Councillor, Tony Dalimonte. “I was happy to support the digital sign project with Community Vibrancy Fund monies, as the Hagersville Firefighters Association is a hard-working volunteer group, and this new asset will allow the members to share important information with the community more quickly.”


L-R: Retired Station Captain and Project Coordinator Cary Slote, Councillor Tony Dalimonte, and Hagersville Fire Station #2 Chief Doug Fess.

New grant funding allows Haldimand County Digital Service Squad to continue to help small businesses adopt online technologies

Haldimand County, in partnership with Grand Erie Business Centre, has announced that it has received a $118,000 grant from the Digital Main Street program for a two-year Digital Service Squad program, which provides small business owners with the tools and support needed to digitally transform their businesses.

“Haldimand County and our partners Grand Erie Business Centre are thrilled to be able to offer the Digital Main Street program through to March 2024. Since the first introduction of the program in the Fall of 2020, we’ve seen a significant impact to local businesses. To date 123 businesses within Haldimand County have received a $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant and 529 businesses have received assistance and we’re pleased that the program will be continuing.  Businesses who connect with a member of our Digital Service Squad receive valuable one-on-one assistance to successfully navigate today’s digital landscape helping to enhance the economic strength of Haldimand County and apply for a Digital Transformation Grant.” Lidy Romanuk, Manager, Economic Development and Tourism, Haldimand County.

Digital Service Squads (DSS) are the cornerstone of Digital Main Street (DMS), with trained specialists who meet with brick-and-mortar small businesses, at no cost, to help them complete an online assessment and to introduce them to online training modules designed to build their digital knowledge and skills. This one-on-one DSS assistance includes support for basic website setup, Google Business Profiles, 360⁰ photos, social media presence, and much more. Squad members are also trained to help qualified small businesses with the development of their Digital Transformation Plan and then with the application process for a $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant.

“Small businesses are innovative and entrepreneurial, but often lack the resources to respond to change, be resilient, yet flexible,” said Kay Matthews, Executive Director, OBIAA. “OBIAA is delighted to work once again alongside the Digital Main Street team and is thrilled to support Haldimand County’s squad. The Digital Main Street program’s resources, grants, training, and Digital Service Squad assistance provide the means for more small businesses in communities across Haldimand County to adopt innovative ways, create new revenue streams, expand their markets, and face the future with optimism and confidence.”

The Digital Transformation Grant application window is open and will close on October 31, 2022.  All interested Haldimand County business owners are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.  Digital Main Street has also extended its ShopHERE program. This amazing opportunity creates online stores for independent small businesses and artists at no cost.  For more information about the Digital Transformation Grant, the ShopHERE program, or to book an appointment with the Digital Service Squad, email opportunity@haldimandcounty.on.ca or call (905) 318-5932.

Haldimand County launches new online property tax account portal, encourages residents to go paperless

Haldimand residents may now sign up for and manage their online property tax accounts at www.HaldimandCounty.ca/mytaxes.

Property owners who sign up will be able to:

  • view property tax account balances;
  • make payments;
  • set up or change Pre-Authorized Payment Plans (PAPs);
  • look up property assessments;
  • receive correspondence/reminders, and
  • obtain tax certificates – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Residents who sign up by July 10 will automatically begin receiving their tax bills via e-mail starting in July.

The new online property tax portal makes it more convenient for residents to manage their property tax accounts and – with the gradual switch to eBilling – will reduce Haldimand County’s environmental footprint by significantly decreasing the amount of paper used.

The introduction of this new online property tax portal was made possible through funding provided by the Provincial government through the Municipal Modernization program, which intends to help municipalities find efficiencies and implement new initiatives to digitize and streamline programs and services.

Residents and property owners who wish to sign up may do so at www.HaldimandCounty.ca/mytaxes. Individuals should have a tax bill on hand that shows their roll number, which is required to create an online property tax account.

Paper billing will continue to be offered, however, residents are strongly encouraged to activate their online property tax accounts and make the switch to eBilling.

Individuals who do not have access to a reliable internet connection or need assistance creating an account may call 905-318-5932 or visit a myHC kiosk at any Haldimand County Public Library branch.

For more information on property taxes and other online services available, visit the county website.