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Haldimand County Public Library partners with Service Canada to host information sessions for youths, seniors and Indigenous Peoples

Haldimand County Public Library has partnered with Service Canada to offer informative in-person workshops about government benefits and services for local youth, Indigenous Peoples and seniors.

These programs will be offered in person at the identified branches with a Service Canada representative. Participants will be able to ask questions and join in discussions facilitated by library staff during and after the presentation. Pre-registration for these programs is recommended but not required.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) /Old Age Security (OAS) benefits and My Service Canada Account Workshop

This workshop provides information about the Canadian Pension Plan and Old Age Security benefit such as eligibility requirements, how to calculate your payment, how to apply, when to apply, survivors benefits, child benefits and more.

At the end of this workshop, a Service Canada representative will answer questions about the My Service Canada Account. Anyone wishing to obtain a Personal Access Code (PAC) to access their My Service Canada Account (MSCA) that day will need to know their SIN and have photo ID.

Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security Workshops are open to all residents and are scheduled as follows:

  • February 9 at 10 a.m. – Cayuga Library and Heritage Center, 19 Talbot  St.
  • March 6 at 1:30 p.m. – Selkirk Branch, 34 Main St W.
  • March 15 at 1:30 p.m. – Hagersville Branch, 13 Alma St N.
  • March 21 at 10 a.m. – Caledonia Branch, 100 Haddington St.
  • June 6 at 10:30 a.m. – Dunnville Branch, 317 Chestnut St.

Services for Youth Workshop and Social Insurance Clinic (SIN)

This workshop will cover a variety of government benefits,  programs and incentives aimed to help youth find employment and fund post-secondary education.  Some of the topics covered will be the Canadian Government Job Bank, education grants and loans, apprenticeship incentives, grants and loans.

At the end of the workshop, a Service Canada employee will assist youth and any other members of the public in registering for a Social Insurance Number (Social Insurance Numbers are needed to gain employment, open a bank account and apply to post-secondary education).

Services for Youth Workshops and Social Insurance Clinics are open to all residents and are scheduled as follows:

  • March 13 at 11 a.m. – Caledonia Branch, 100 Haddington St.
  • March 16 at 1:30 p.m. – Dunnville Branch, 317 Chestnut St.
  • April 24 at 2:30 p.m. – Jarvis Branch, 2 Monson St.

Anyone wishing to register for a Social Insurance Number must bring the following things:

  1. A valid primary identification document such as a birth certificate, Canadian citizenship card, work or study permit, or permanent resident card.
  2. A valid secondary identity document such as a passport, driver’s licence or health card.
  3. A document showing proof of address such as a bill from a service provider, employment or school document, or a letter from an organization attesting to the applicant’s address signed by a representative of that organization and the applicant.

Services for Indigenous Peoples Workshop

This workshop will provide information on the Indigenous Seniors Assisted Living Program, The Hope for Wellness Hotline as well as the Canadian Pension Program and Old Age Security. Other topics that will be covered include the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program and financial assistance for Indigenous students.

The Services for Indigenous Peoples Workshop will be held at the Hagersville Branch (13 Alma St. N.) on Thursday, Mar. 16 at 5 p.m. The workshop is open to all residents.

For more information about these or other government benefits and services, or clarification on any document requirements, visit www.canada.ca or call 1-800-O-Canada.

January programs at Haldimand County Public Library

The Haldimand County Public Library is hitting the ground running in 2023 with three engaging events coming up this month for the community to enjoy.

Author visit with Carolyn Huizinga Mills

The Library will be hosting an in-person author visit with Carolyn Huizinga Mills at the Dunnville Branch on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 3 p.m. where she’ll be discussing her latest novel, Sins of the Daughter. The visit will be approximately an hour in length with a short reading, book discussion and Q&A session. No registration is required.

Already an award-winning children’s author, Sins of the Daughter will be the first adult novel for the former Dunnville resident. The novel explores the fragile bond between mothers and daughters, and how the choices of one generation impact the next. Copies of the book are available to borrow from local library branches.

Book Club information night

The Haldimand County Public Library is launching a new book club at the Cayuga Branch. All those interested in joining or learning more about the program are invited to an information night at the Cayuga Branch on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m.

The session will determine if there is enough interest to start a new club, discuss how each meeting will run, and chose the titles that will be read during the year.

Crafternoons

Crafternoons are adult-only craft sessions held at various branches of the Haldimand County Public Library with a different craft each month. Participants in the January Crafternoon sessions will be creating wooden spoon snowmen to bring some seasonal charm to their kitchen décor. All sessions take place at 1 p.m. and require a $2 fee.

  • Jarvis Branch – Monday, Jan. 23
  • Hagersville Branch – Wednesday, Jan 25
  • Dunnville Branch – Thursday, Jan 26
  • Cayuga Branch – Friday, Jan 27

Holiday programs and take-home crafts at Haldimand County Library

The Haldimand County Public Library is hosting holiday programming for children aged 3 to 12 at all local branches over the winter holiday. Each library location will be offering in-branch crafts, parties and winter-themed Storytimes for some added fun over the winter break.

For a list of what is offered at each local library, residents can visit their library branch, call (289) 674-0400,  or visit www.haldimandlibrary.ca. Registration is required and some programs do have a small fee (between $1 and $4) to cover supplies.

The Library will also be offering more of the popular Children’s Take-Home Crafts in each of the local branches. Everyone is welcome to come in and grab a craft, completely free of charge, to complete in the comfort of their own home.

November programs at Haldimand County Library

Haldimand County Public Library has two engaging events coming up this November. To register, visit or call your local branch at (289) 674-0400 or e-mail the library’s Outreach Coordinator at kkrupicz@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

2022 One Book One Haldimand author visit

Residents are invited to join fellow Haldimand County readers for a virtual visit by this year’s One Book One Haldimand author Emily Austin on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.

Attendees have the option to visit either online, from the comfort of their own home via Zoom, or in person at the Cayuga Branch. Participants will enjoy a short reading, a book talk and a Q&A session facilitated by library staff. Library membership is not required to join the discussion.

This year’s selection is Everyone In This Room Will Someday be Dead, written by Canadian author Emily Austin. Copies are available at Haldimand County Library branches in print format and from the library’s CloudLibrary and Libby digital services in e-book and e-audio formats.

Christmas card stamping workshop

Join Annette Ball from Stampin With the Bee’s to make three beautiful Christmas cards to send to family and friends. The registration fee is $10 with all proceeds being donated to the Library. Workshops are scheduled as follows:

Hagersville Branch: Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.

Jarvis Branch: Thursday, Nov. 24 at 6 p.m.

Cayuga Branch: Thursday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.

October programs at Haldimand County Public Library

Haldimand County Public Library is offering something for everyone with three exciting programs this October. All programs are free and some require pre-registration.

Healthy Eating While Watching your Pennies

The Haldimand County Public Library and the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit are inviting residents to join Health Unit dietitians for a free, one-hour interactive and engaging workshop to discuss: strategies for cutting grocery bills without compromising taste or nutrition; how to interpret the Nutrition Facts Table and nutrition content claims on food items; and meal planning tips using pantry staples.

Upcoming Sessions:

  • Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. – Dunnville Library Branch
  • Thursday, Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. – Jarvis Library Branch

Pre-registration is required and can be done in person at any branch or by calling (289) 674-0400.

Author Visit with Constance e Bryce

Local Haldimand author Constance e Bryce will be sharing her latest book of poetry, It’s Different Now. This latest book, the last in her “Walking Among The Mighty” series, is a poetic commentary on recent political and social issues that have been in the news.

Constance will be at Dunnville Library branch on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p. m. Everyone is welcome and no registration is required.

Virtual Cooking Class with Chef Rabiya

Chef Rabiya from Rabi’s Grand Kitchen will be hosting a free virtual cooking class, via Zoom, on Monday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m.  Novice and advanced chefs alike will be treated to step-by-step instructions for unique and delicious beef cutlets. Participants can cook along with Chef Rabi or simply observe and try the recipe later.

Pre-registration is required. Participants can purchase the necessary ingredients from their local grocery store using a list that will be sent one week before the session. To register, visit your local library branch or email kkrupicz@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

Haldimand County Public Library partners with Service Canada to host Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security workshops

Haldimand County Public Library has partnered with Service Canada to offer informative workshops about the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and  Old Age Security (OAS) benefits. With the closest Service Canada offices to Haldimand County being in Hamilton, Simcoe and Welland, this is an excellent opportunity for community members to locally learn about benefits for which they may be eligible upon retirement.

The CPP and OAS workshops are open to all residents at the following County library branches:

  • Dunnville branch (317 Chestnut St.) – Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 10 a.m.
  • Jarvis branch (2 Monson St.) – Friday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m.
  • Cayuga Library and Heritage Centre (19 Talbot St.) – Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m.

The program will be offered in a live webinar format with a Service Canada representative joining participants in the library via Zoom. Participants will be able to ask questions and participate in discussions facilitated by library staff during and after the presentation. Pre-registration for these programs is recommended but not required.

For more information about public pensions, including the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security pensions, or related benefits and services, visit Canada.ca or call 1-800-O-Canada.

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

‘Read your way to the Fair’ with Haldimand County Public Library

The Caledonia Agricultural Board and the Haldimand County Public Library have partnered to ensure more local children get to experience the fun of this year’s Caledonia Fair on Friday, September 30.

Children entering kindergarten to grade 8 can come into any Haldimand County Public Library branch throughout the month of August, sign out books and receive one free pass to the 2022 Caledonia Fair. Available while supplies last.

In addition to picking up a free Fair Pass, children aged 12 and under can register for the Summer Junior Reading Club and teens aged 13 to 18 can sign up for the Teen Summer Reading Club. Participants in both clubs will receive a ballot for every library book they read throughout the summer, entering them into draws for a chance to win cash and other prizes. Draw dates are posted at each branch. In addition to the cash prize draws, Junior Reading Club participants will also get to choose a special prize from the library treasure chest for every 15 library books they read.

Registration for Haldimand County Public Library summer programs and reading clubs to open June 21

Starting Tuesday, June 21, registration for Haldimand County Public Library’s summer programs opens at all six Haldimand Library branches. This year’s theme is “Once Upon a Time; Myths and Legends,” and offers a magical summer of fun with parties, Storytimes, crafts and more.

The programs are open to children aged 3-12, with in-person registration required. Program dates, times and costs are available at local branches and on the Library’s website.

In addition to the registered programs, the Library is also offering free summer reading clubs for children and teens. Children aged 12 and under can register for the Junior Reading Club while teens 13-18 can sign up for the Teen Summer Reading Club.

Participants in both clubs will receive a ballot for every library book they read throughout the summer, entering them into draws for a chance to win cash and other prizes. Draw dates can be found at each branch. In addition to the draws, Junior Reading Club participants will also get to choose a special prize from the library treasure chest for every 15 library books they read.

For more information on summer programs and clubs, visit the Haldimand County Public Library website.

Haldimand County Public Library announces winners of 9th annual April Poetry Contest

The Haldimand County Public Library has selected the winners of their 9th annual April Poetry Contest. The contest saw a great response from the community with more than 200 submissions from individuals across the County.

This year’s theme—Back to Nature—asked entrants to express through poetry how nature impacts and inspires them, how they connect with nature, or how their actions affect the natural environment. Winners were awarded across five categories based on the writer’s age.

An awards ceremony and poetry reading will be held at the Jarvis Branch on Monday, June 20 at 6:30 p.m. All members of the public are welcome to attend.

The Library would like to extend a special thank you to their local sponsors, whose generous donations helped make this contest possible: The Selkirk Lions, the Women’s Institute-Haldimand District, The Friends of the Dunnville Library and The Friends of the Jarvis Library.

2022 Winners

Primary (Kindergarten-Grade 3)

1st & 2nd – Peyton Bosch
3rd – Lily Wooloff

Junior (Grade 4 – Grade 6)

1st – Lyla Yager
2nd – Ava Silva
3rd – Roman Maccallini

Intermediate (Grade 7 – Grade 10)

1st – Reese Vanderwier
2nd & 3rd – Lincoln Vanderwier

Senior (Grade 11 – Grade 12)

1st – Madison Barlow

Adult (age 18+)

1st – Christine McClung
2nd – Sarah Butcher
3rd – Rebecca Clifford