The
Lakereport.ca / Niagaranow.com Hyper-local news for Niagara-on-the-Lake
Lake Report
Daily floral journeys | Page 12
Canada’s most-decorated community newspaper
Vol. 6, Issue 10
March 9, 2023
Non-profits want old hospital to be community hub Evan Loree Local Journalism Initiative The Lake Report After the town decided in September to do nothing with the old Niagara-on-the-
Tim Jennings.
Lake hospital, a non-profit group has offered to assume the operating costs of the building so community groups can continue using it as a communal space. Members of the Niagara
Creative Cultural Community Hub, a collaborative group of non-profit organizations, pitched council on Feb. 28 about the benefits of using the space as a shared facility for commu-
nity groups. They also asked the town to renew the leases of the existing renters in the building. Council made no decision on the proposal but di-
rected town staff to prepare a report on the operating costs of the old building. However, councillors did agree to explore a shortContinued on Page 2
Celebrating the women of NOTL More than 100 women fill Queen Street for mass photo to mark International Women’s Day
More than 100 women filled Queen Street on Monday to mark International Women’s Day. See our 12-page special section inside today’s paper. DAVE VAN DE LAAR
Julia Sacco The Lake Report Queen Street was closed Monday morning all in the name of celebrating the women of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Lake Report invited women from all walks of life and from all corners of town to a photoshoot in front of the clock tower cenotaph in recognition of International Women’s Day, which was Wednes-
day, March 8 this year. The gathering included a mass photo of more than 100 women who flocked to the historic town’s Main Street out on a cloudy, windless morning. As well, separate group pictures were taken of the women in the groups with which they are associated, including the agriculture, farming and wine industries, the arts, business, church, community organizations, sports, the town’s leadership
and the women of The Lake Report. Pulled together quickly over the past two weeks, the consensus among the women was that the celebration was a big success – and many participants said they hope it can become a yearly happening. Doing it annually wasn’t the plan initially, said Lake Report managing editor Kevin MacLean. The mass photo Continued on Page 11
Page 13 March 9, 2023
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: #EmbraceEquit y
the Women of
NOT L
Looking back well over 200 years, Niagara-on-the-Lake has a long history of important contributions by dedicated and brave women who strived to make a difference in their community.
This keepsake Special Edition honours the ordinary and extraordinary women of NOTL. From years past, the lives and times of many of these women were documented in the NOTL Museum’s award-winning book, “Making Her Mark: The Women of Niagara-on-the-Lake.” The book relates the everyday stories of NOTL women who were courageous environmentalists, heritage activists, artists, scientists, war heroes, teachers, matriarchs, politicians and professionals. The museum contributed the list at right of more than 100 women, now deceased, who, indeed, made their mark on life in town. Inside this edition, read about some of the women of today who are making their mark on NOTL now.
For years, Alice Schmidt monitored the town’s emergency phone calls and dispatched the necessary services. (NOTL Fire Department Collection)
Emma Currie was an author and women’s rights champion who helped the museum acquire genuine Laura Secord artifacts. (NOTL Museum Collection)
A vocal community, heritage and environmental activist, Margherita Howe was a recipient of the Order of Canada. (Howe Family Collection)
A former Citizen of the Year, Joy Ormsby was a researcher, author and passionate guardian of the town’s history. (NOTL Museum Collection)
A special project of The Lake Report: Rose Ellen Campbell, designer; Kevin MacLean, editor
Elizabeth Hawley was a designer, business owner and activist who supported women who were escaping abuse and recovering from addiction.
A 12-page special section, starting on Page 13, is The Lake Report’s salute to the women of NOTL.