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Haldimand Museums hosting International Women’s Day Presentation at Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre

On Wednesday, March 8 at 1:30 p.m., Haldimand Museums will be offering a special, theatrical presentation to celebrate Woman’s History Month and International Women’s Day. Guests will travel back in time and walk in the shoes of 20th century suffragette, Annie Fearless to learn about the challenges and triumphs experienced by women in the early 1900s.

The cost for this presentation is $12.50/person. Pre-registration is required. Register online at link.haldimandcounty.ca or in person (prior to the event) at the Haldimand County Administration Building, 53 Thorburn Street South in Cayuga.

International Women’s Day emerged in the early 20th century, resulting from labour movements in North America and Europe which signalled an increasing call for equal opportunities for women. European countries such as Germany, Denmark, Austria and Switzerland were the first to recognize International Women’s Day, beginning on March 19, 1911.

Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre is located at 80 Caithness Street East in Caledonia. For more information about programs and activities, contact Edinburgh Square at (905) 765-3134 or email museums@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

Haldimand County’s Fall/Winter 2022-23 Playbook highlights programming and leisure options for the season

The Fall/Winter 2022-23 Playbook—your guide to indoor and outdoor activities, programming and experiences—is now available online and at the Haldimand County Administration Building, libraries and museums. Highlights of the Playbook include:

Free skating programs for all ages

Free skating programs are offered at all four arenas, providing residents and visitors with options to keep active and have fun throughout the colder months. Public skates, preschool skates, child’s hockey skates, youth shinny, teen shinny, adult skate, adult shinny, women’s shinny and open figure skating are all free of charge and require no registration. Check the Playbook or the County’s website for locations, schedules and additional details.

Once the cold weather really sets in, check out Haldimand County’s two natural ice rinks in Fisherville and Selkirk; visit the County website for updates on conditions.

Walking tracks & low-impact exercise

Arenas in Caledonia, Cayuga and Dunnville have walking tracks open daily from 8 a.m. to closing. Please call the arena to confirm closing times. Seniors Sit To Be Fit, offered by the Haldimand Abilities Centre, is another popular, free program designed to increase participants’ strength, flexibility and endurance.

Outdoor activities

For enthusiasts of the great outdoors, Haldimand’s trails and parks have a lot to offer. Check out disc golf courses in Caledonia’s LaFortune Park (18 holes) or in Jarvis Lions Park (nine holes). You can also try out the Haldimand GeoTour, rated the second-most-popular geocaching experience in southwestern Ontario in 2021.

New this fall is The Ripple Effect, a series of hand-painted paddles installed along trails throughout the county. This latest series of public art is the second phase to the original PATH (Paddle Art Tour Haldimand), a county-wide display of more than 25 handmade wooden paddles painted by local artists. Details about the locations of these public art installations are available on the county website.

Museum and library programming/exhibits

Haldimand County’s museums and libraries also offer a variety of activities and programs, including exhibits, presentations, workshops and social opportunities. A full schedule of museum programs is available online; some programs require registration.

March Break Camps 2023

During March Break, the County’s camps and museum workshops will keep your children active and engaged. Pricing, locations and registration details are in the Playbook and online at link.haldimandcounty.ca.

Visit the Haldimand County Administration Building, your local library branches or museum to pick up a copy of the Playbook or find it online at haldimandcounty.ca/recreation-guide.

10th Annual Uniquely Haldimand Photo Contest running October 15 – December 1, 2022

The County’s annual Uniquely Haldimand Photo Contest – now in its 10th year – will be accepting entries from October 15 to December 1, 2022. Residents and visitors are invited to submit photos of Haldimand’s beautiful environment, architecture and vibrant community life for a chance to win some great local prizes.

With 87km of gorgeous Lake Erie waterfront, the Grand River, sprawling countryside and charming towns, Haldimand County is one of the most picturesque destinations on Ontario’s southwest coast. Its abundance of outdoor recreation options, scenic lookouts, community events, historic sites and culinary experiences make it an incredible place to live, explore and photograph.

Photos eligible for entry must depict a scene from within the boundaries of Haldimand County. They must be original, digital high resolution photos no more than two years old and not previously published.

New this year, a special prize will be awarded for ‘Best Garden’ to coincide with the Dunnville and Haldimand Horticultural Societies’ Year of the Garden celebrations. Representatives of the two groups will be judging this category.

Participants may submit their photos via the online submission portal, accessible at photocontest.haldimandcounty.on.ca. Photos must be submitted by Thursday, December 1 and comply with all rules and regulations.

A panel of judges comprised of both County staff, community members and local media will closely examine all submissions in December. Four winners will be announced prior to the end of 2022 with 1 Grand Prize, 1 Second Prize, 1 Third Prize, 1 Honourable Mention and 1 Best Garden Prize awarded.

Prizes include gift certificates for unique culinary experiences and local shops.

Winning photographs will be featured in an exhibit within the new Cayuga Library + Heritage Centre and displayed permanently on the County website.

 

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

Cayuga Heritage Centre announces August program schedule

The Heritage Centre in Cayuga is pleased to offer an exciting mix of programs for the month of August.

August 9 (6 pm) – Presentation: Historic Mystery Series – True Crime
The Haldimand County Courthouse has been the scene of many notable trials. This series of three programs will look at a different historic trial in each session. Participants will have an opportunity to hear the facts and solve the case before hearing the actual outcome. Each historic crime will remain a secret until the date of the presentation.

August 10 ( 1pm) – Presentation: Senator Lachlan McCallum
This presentation explores the life & times of Lachlan McCallum, a Scottish immigrant who settled in Sherbrooke Township and became a successful lumber merchant, boat builder, Member of Parliament. McCallum was later appointed to the Senate in 1888.

August 16 (6 pm) – Presentation: Royal Spares
The Royal Family’s reign spans 37 generations and 1,209 years. Throughout history, the role of the second or third royal sibling of a reigning monarch has not always been easy. Siblings from the last four generations of the Royal Family have clashed over their formal and family duties. Join us as we explore the ups and downs of being a royal spare.

August 17 (1 pm) – Presentation: Jane Austen
A talk pertaining to  Jane Austen, an English novelist known for her six major books. This talk will highlight the role she played in the early beginnings of women’s suffragette movement and how the movement affected Canada and Haldimand County.

August 20 (12:30 pm) – Presentation: Historic and Obscure Bylaws
There are a number of by-laws that date back to the early 1800s that are still on the books today. For example: horses, cattle, sheep, swine and poultry are banned from running at large in Haldimand and it is illegal to make a snowman taller than 30 inches in Prince Edward Island! This amusing talk will take a look at a number of  historic and obscure by-laws in Haldimand and across Canada.              

August 24 ( 1pm) – Presentation: Royal Rules
There are a number of etiquette guidelines and traditions that the Royals have to adhere to when in public. For example, did you know that members of the family have to bow or curtsey to the Queen or that when the Queen stops eating, everyone else has to stop eating too? Join us for this fun presentation as we explore another aspect of the life of the Windsors.

The cost for all programs is $10 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 programs and activities, contact the Heritage Centre at 905-318-5932 ext. 6613 or e-mail
museums@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

The Cayuga Library and Heritage Centre.

 

Haldimand County to offer additional pickleball programs for adults and youth

After an extremely successful launch, Haldimand County is pleased to announce additional pickleball programs for both adults and youth. Running throughout August, the programs offer both introductory workshops to learn the fundamentals of the sport as well as skill-building workshops for intermediate players.

Pickleball Intro Workshops (Adult)

This workshop is for new players who are just starting out and want a basic introduction to playing pickleball. Serves, returns and other basic strokes/rules will be covered.

  • August 9 – Dunnville Lions Court, 6-8 p.m.
  • August 16 – Caledonia Lions Court, 6- 8 p.m.
  • August 23 – Jarvis Lions Court, 6-8 p.m.

Pickleball Drill the Skills Workshops (Adult)

This workshop focuses on building and improving a player’s technical shot inventory and decision-making abilities, such as third shot decisions, managing hard-hitting opponents, the ABCs of dinking, and refusing to ‘pop-up’ the ball.

  • August 11 – Jarvis Lions Court, 6-8 p.m.
  • August 18 – Caledonia Lions Court, 6-8 p.m.
  • August 25 – Dunnville Lions Court, 6-8 p.m.

Youth Intro to Pickleball Workshops (9 to 14 years)

With a fast learning curve, smaller court, and shorter paddles, pickleball is an ideal introduction for kids to racket sports. This workshop focuses on a fun engaging and active experience to build basic skills.

  • July 30 – Dunnville Lions Court, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • August 6 – Caledonia Lions Court, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • August 13 – Jarvis Lions Court, 6-8 p.m.

For more information, or to register please visit the County’s online registration system.

What is Pickleball? 

“Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in Ontario. It is a combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis. The game is played on a badminton size court with a whiffle ball, about the size of a tennis ball; and a solid smooth surface, short handled paddle larger than a ping pong paddle. The game is easy to learn and you do not have to be a great athlete to play.” (Pickleball Ontario, 2022)

The Heritage Centre announces July program lineup

The Heritage Centre in Cayuga has announced its lineup of programs for July featuring presentations, workshops, a walking tour through Cayuga, and a new gallery exhibit, “As the Wheel Turns,” which highlights the history of the textile industry in Haldimand County.

The cost for all programs is $10 per person and pre-registration is required. Register online or in-person at the Haldimand County Administration Building, 53 Thorburn Street South, Cayuga.

July 13 (1 p.m.) – Presentation: Royal Fashions
The Heritage Centre’s Royal Series continues with a look at royal fashions from King Henry VIII’s court to the present day. Many of the royals were trendsetters for the rest of the world. Attendees to this presentation will learn more about the impact of the royals on fashion.

July 19 (6 p.m.) and July 23 (12:30 p.m.) – Architecture Walking Tour
Focusing on the history of Cayuga and the Grand River, this walking tour features the architectural splendour of Judge Helen Kinnear’s house and the Courthouse and includes a trip down the trail to experience the history of the river. Two dates are available: Tuesday, July 19 and Saturday, July 23.

July 20 (1 p.m.) – Presentation: You Can’t Live Without It
Advertising has played an influential role throughout history. As trends and attitudes changed so did buying habits and how consumers were influenced by the manufacturers of the day. This presentation will take a look at the birth of advertising from its beginning to the present day.

July 27 (1 p.m.) – Workshop: Finding Your Roots
This hands-on workshop introduces participants to the process of finding your family’s history utilizing online resources and the Heritage Centre’s Archives, as well as providing tips and tricks to finding information in unexpected places. Materials included.

July 29 (2 p.m.) – Presentation: Celebrating Emancipation Day
Highlighting Emancipation Day, this presentation will share stories of some of the escaped slaves and their descendants who settled in Haldimand County.

For more information about programs and activities, contact the Heritage Centre at (905) 318-5932, ext. 6613 or email museums@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

Haldimand County summer Playbook for recreation, leisure and culture now available

Haldimand County’s Playbook, its guide for all things summer programming, activities and experiences, is now available online or at the Cayuga Administration Building, library branches and County museums.

The Playbook includes information about registering for summer aquatics, week-long recreation and museum camps, heritage and culture presentations and library programming.

New this year, the County is offering youth and adult pickleball programs. Participants can learn the basics of one of North America’s fastest-growing sports, or build their skills with intermediate clinics. Sessions take place in Dunnville Lions Park.

The Playbook also highlights non-registered recreation options for residents to enjoy at their leisure, such as parks, trails, pools, and splash pads. Many county parks and greenspaces include amenities like skate parks, ball diamonds, tennis/pickleball and multi-use courts, and picnic areas, offering a wide variety of recreation opportunities for all interests. For walkers and cyclists, Haldimand offers more than 40 km of off-road pathways and trails and hundreds of kilometres of on-road cycling routes throughout the county and along the Grand River.

For those looking to explore the farthest reaches of the County, the Haldimand GeoTour challenges adventurers of all ages to find twenty geocaches stashed throughout the community. Rated the second-most-popular geocaching experience in southwestern Ontario in 2021, the GeoTour includes a specially-designed geocoin for anyone who completes the entire tour. For a more leisurely pace, the PATH (Public Art Tour Haldimand) offers residents and visitors a county-wide route of more than 25 handmade wooden paddles painted by local artists.

For more information, visit www.haldimandcounty.ca/recreation-guide/.

The Heritage Centre announces its June program lineup

The Heritage Centre in Cayuga is pleased to offer six presentations during the month of June. Cost for all programs is $10 per person and pre-registration is required. Register online or in person at the Haldimand County Administration Building, 53 Thorburn St. S, Cayuga.

June 7 – Famous Canadian Fathers, 6 p.m.
This talk  looks at some of Canada’s most famous fathers including several notables from Haldimand: Peter Robertson, Dr. Jacob Baxter and Louis Kinnear.

June 8 – Historic Crime Mystery Series, 1 p.m.
Focusing on another historic true crime that took place in Haldimand County or the surrounding area – the  details remain a mystery until the presentation.

June 14 – Dutch Immigration to Canada and Haldimand County, 6 p.m.
The Dutch played a key role in the early settlement of Canada, with many entering Canada as Loyalists following the American Revolution and a large number of Dutch settlers arriving after WWII. This talk will focus on Dutch settlement in Haldimand County and surrounding area.

June 15 – Royal Scandals, 1 p.m.
The Heritage Centre’s Royal Series continues with a presentation focused on  royal scandals that rocked the world.

June 21 – Did You Ring, Madame?, 6 p.m.
This talk examines the life of servants and the class system which existed  in Victorian society.

June 22 – Haldimand Through the Lens of a Camera, 1 p.m.
Utilizing Haldimand Museums’ photographic collection, this presentation will explore the history of Haldimand County through images featuring built heritage, landscapes, industrial history and daily life.

For more information about programs and activities, contact the Heritage Centre at 905-318-5932 ext. 6613 or email heritagecentre@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

Haldimand County launches new pickleball programs for adults and youth

Haldimand County is excited to announce the launch of pickleball programs for both adults and youth. The programs will introduce participants to the fundamentals of the sport and encourage more recreational use of the existing courts in each community.

Courses will include Introductory Workshops for Adults in Caledonia, Dunnville and Jarvis as well as Introductory and Intermediate Clinics in Dunnville. The Junior Pickleball Program for Ages 9 – 11 and Youth Pickleball Program for Ages 12 – 14 will be offered in Dunnville. The courses will be led by Head Coach Jeff Rooney from Performance Pickleball, CPTP Level 2 Teaching Professional / PCI Member & Coach, who has trained alongside top national players and medaled at international competitions.

Thanks to the support of Canadian Tire Jumpstart’s Sport Relief Fund—which helps provide access to sport and play for Canadian youth— Haldimand County was able to purchase equipment for the program as well as subsidize the cost of the Junior Pickleball Clinic and Youth Pickleball Clinic.

For more information, or to register please visit the County’s online registration system.

What is Pickleball?  

“Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in Ontario. It is a combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis. The game is played on a badminton size court with a whiffle ball, about the size of a tennis ball; and a solid smooth surface, short handled paddle larger than a ping pong paddle. The game is easy to learn and you do not have to be a great athlete to play.” (Pickleball Ontario, 2022)