Saturday, September 24, 2011

Watching the 2011 Grape and Wine Grande Parade in St. Catharines - 24 September 2011

Today was the 2011 Grape and Wine Grande Parade in St. Catharines, Ontario. The Grande Parade marks the end of the Annual St. Catharines Grape and Wine Festival.

The parade lasts about an hour and given the size of the community in St. Catharines, there is a very good turnout to watch it pass. Today was no exception. It was a sunny, bright early Fall day - perfect to both participate in or watch the parade.

Watching the marching bands, people from diverse organizations and the many floats pass brought me back to my youth and re-enforced in me the real sense of community that exists here in St. Catharines.

We have divided this video into 3 parts as we thought the whole 40+ minutes was a bit much to sit through in one viewing.

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


We hope that you enjoyed the videos and that you experienced some of the community spirit that was very evident to everyone that was there. We hope you come and visit the parade next year in St. Catharines - better yet, come visit us anytime. St. Catharines is Canada's best kept secret.

If you have comments on this or any other content or if you wish to suggest a review, please email us at NiagaraWatch (at) gmail.com .

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

A visit to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. George in St. Catharines - 20 September 2011


I had just finished visiting with the ladies at the Church's Parish Hall when I was invited to see the Church itself. The Right Reverend Archpriest Pawlo Berezniak was very welcoming and permitted me to record some of the aspects of the interior of this beautiful church. Importantly, the viewer should know that the church welcomes guests to services.


Clearly this is a congregation that cares greatly for their religion and this church. It was beautifully appointed and spotless and obvious to me that the people of this parish care deeply for their religious traditions.



I will let the video and photographs of this church speak for themselves.






Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. George in St. Catharines - 20 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com



Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. George in St. Catharines - 20 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com



We thank the Right Reverend Archpriest Pawlo Berezniak and the members of the congregation for permitting us to share their church with us and with you, our readers.

 

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. George

65 Facer Street, St. Catharines, Ontario  L2M5R2
Tel. 905-397-8340


If you have comments on this or any other content or if you wish to suggest a review, please email us.

A visit to Baba's Supper and Kitchen - 16 and 20 September 2011

 
Every Tuesday morning the ladies (all volunteers), most in their 60's, 70"s and 80"s, come to the kitchen / dining facility (the Hall) at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. George Parish Hall in St. Catharines to make "varenyky" (Perogy).
Here is a video of the ladies of the Parish making varenyky
 
Younger women who no longer work also come to help. There are two cooks and their helpers, who also make cabbage rolls, meat sticks and borscht (a wonderful beat & cabbage soup). All these tasty dishes are available to buy directly from the Church Hall at 4 Augusta Ave. (off Facer street) on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30am to 12:00pm. The selection includes potatoes / cheddar cheese or potato / sauerkraut perogies, cabbage rolls with or without meat, borscht and meat-on-a-stick. Special bulk orders can be pre-ordered by phoning the cook (Mary) at 905-980-0881or the parish hall at 905-397-8340.
How many varenyky have these hands made?
Baba's Supper and Kitchen - 16 and 20 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com
 
They also host a "Baba's Supper" (Baba means Grandma in Ukrainian) on the third Friday of every month. The menu alternates between an all-you-can-eat perogy supper and a full "Ukrainian Supper" of borscht, a cabbage roll, some perogies and sausage. All this work is done to raise money for the church but it is also a chance to give back to the community - and of course it's a lot of fun and very delicious too.
 
Here is a video of the over-flowing Parish Hall for the Baba's Supper - 16 September 2011



 
Baba's Supper and Kitchen - 16 and 20 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com
 
Baba's Supper and Kitchen - 16 and 20 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com
 
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. George Parish Hall was given a special honor last June during Access Awareness Week, when they were awarded the "Breaking the Barriers Award" by the Ontario March of Dimes as well as the NAAAW 2011 "Breaking the Barriers Award - Employment" from Jim Bradley. They were given these awards because of the good work they have done including hiring a young man through the March of Dimes, who had suffered a brain injury.
The lovely ladies of the Ukrainian community were kind enough to show me how it's all done. I enjoyed it very much and I recommend that you come by for a visit and try the food - you will be glad you did!
 
Parish Hall of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. George
4 Augusta St., St. Catharines, Ontario
Tel. 905-397-8340      


If you have comments on this or any other content or if you wish to suggest a review, please email us.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

A visit to the Welland Farmers' Market - 10 September 2011

Here are a few vignettes and photos taken at the Welland, Ontario Farmers' Market . The official location is Welland Market Square, 50 Market Square, Welland, Ontario.

The shoppers are a varied bunch. I heard several languages being spoken: English, French, Polish, Russian, Italian and Portuguese. It was wonderful to hear everyone talk and rejoice at the bounty of the season.

The produce was beautiful and soooo fresh.  I was glad to see some heirloom vegetables and free range meat for sale there as well. I wish that there were more vendors of heirloom veggies. The taste is heirloom vegetables is so superior to the modernized hybrids so as to be a different vegetable.

The market reminded me of the justifiably renowned Atwater Market in Montreal and that is a good thing. This is very much a community market - I advise that you be there by noon on Saturdays as the place is usually vacated by 2:00 p.m.


Here is the video of the Welland Farmers' Market

People waiting in line for baked goods
Welland Farmers' Market - 10 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com

  This is a very popular market - lots of folks purchasing food
Welland Farmers' Market - 10 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com

  Welland Farmers' Market - 10 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com


Welland Farmers' Market - 10 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com

Welland Farmers' Market - 10 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com

  Welland Farmers' Market - 10 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com

  Welland Farmers' Market - 10 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com

  Have a fresh apple fritter and a tea in the Tea Room
Welland Farmers' Market - 10 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com

  The Welland Farmers Market is a strong contender for the best Farmers Market in the Niagara Region.

 

Welland Farmers' Market

Market Square, Welland, Ontario


 
If you have comments on this or any other content or if you wish to suggest a review, please email us.

Sunday, September 04, 2011

The Annual Tomato Fest at Tree and Twig in Wellandport - 4 September 2011

Linda Crago held her annual Tomato Bash at her Tree and Twig Heirloom Vegetable Farm in Wellandport, Ontario on Saturday. The weather was threatening but the rain held off and the breeze was a respite from the warm humidity of the day. A good number of people turned out to the function to enjoy the food, the tour, good conversation and to purchase Tree and Twig harvested and saved seeds.

For those readers who don't know about Linda Crago; she is a local hero. While many of us talk about wanting to grow heirloom vegetables - Linda walks the walk. Tree and Twig is a testament to Linda's remarkably clear vision and the gumption to bring that vision to fruition - annually.


Here is Part 1 of the video - the Tomato Fest


Here is Part 2 of the video - The Garden Tour



Our hostess, Linda Crago, in her normal surroundings!
Linda Crago - Tree and Twig - 4 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com


Tree and Twig - 4 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com

  Tree and Twig - 4 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com

  The sampling table was busy
Tree and Twig - 4 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com

  The musician, Paul Federici's performance was enjoyed by all.
Tree and Twig - 4 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com

  Friends came to demonstrate dishes:

Nicole and Jason Sawatsky of Mahtay Cafe
Tree and Twig - 4 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com

  Scott Hunter of Commisso's Fresh Foods
Tree and Twig - 4 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com

  Kevin Maniaci from Inn on the Twenty
Tree and Twig - 4 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com

  Shawn Murphy of The Keefer Inn
Tree and Twig - 4 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com

  Marlie Centawer
Tree and Twig - 4 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com

  Tree and Twig - 4 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com

  and Linda waving goodbye
Linda Crago - Tree and Twig - 4 September 2011 - NiagaraWatch.com

 

Thank you Linda, for everything.


Tree & Twig Heirloom Vegetable Farm
84039 Road 45, Wellandport, ON L0R 2J0
Tel  905-386-7388      
www.TreeandTwig.ca

 
If you have comments on this or any other content or if you wish to suggest a review, please email us.