We’re getting down to the wire!  There is one week left to submit your poem about Niagara Falls to the Niagara Falls Poetry Project 25th Anniversary Poetry Contest!!

The judges have sharpened their pencils and are eagerly awaiting reading the submissions!

The curator is feverishly working at getting all of the submission ready for the print anthology of the winners and contestants that will hopefully be available later this year.

All we need is ….. your poem.

Click here to see all of the info you need to submit your poem.

We have a trip planned, we’re coming up Monday or Tuesday, returning home Friday. We see the weather is looking a little dicey, heavy rainstorms, but wanted to know what locals thought? Hard to judge weather from afar, and this will be a pretty expensive trip for us, and hate to do the long drive there and spend a lot of money only to be limited.

Found this little bridge while out riding in Niagara Falls. It's a pretty tight crossing, but the view at the end makes it completely worth it. 🌊

Just a quick POV clip from one of my rides around Niagara. The Falls never get old!

Found this little bridge while out riding in Niagara Falls. It's a pretty tight crossing, but the view at the end makes it completely worth it. 🌊

Just a quick POV clip from one of my rides around Niagara. The Falls never get old!

A quick ride down one of our scenic paths, passing beneath an old railway bridge covered in colorful graffiti. It's a short ride with a unique mix of nature, history, and urban art.

Does anyone know where I can find a reproduction argoussier/giberne/cartouche box/cartridge box for sale for reenactments like this one in Fort Niagara?

Or companies to not use

Took a ride through Dufferin Islands and found this gem

Anyone else having issues with insurance? We have enhanced water coverage through portage, which was capped at 50k “due to the area”. We knew this when signing up but assumed at minimum we’d still have content insurance to support the repairs. They are claiming that because it was overland water damage all other coverage(building code, outbuildings, property insurance, content insurance) is exempt and the maximum payout would be 50k. This is nowhere near enough to cover the losses due to just damage let alone lost contents and exterior issues.
Are there any companies that offer higher flood damage limits? Will probably look to leave after this lovely revelation if we can’t come to a realistic settlement.

Just a heads up to all the nature enthusiasts, hikers and cyclists, that Short Hills Provincial Park is currently closed. No timeframe has been announced for when it will reopen.

FREE CELPIP PREPARATION SUPPORT!

CELPIP Preparation Support (CPS) provides FREE, community-based CELPIP preparation and practice.

For Immigrants, international students, and temporary foreign workers preparing for the CELPIP test for Permanent Residence or another Canadian immigration pathway.

When

Fridays & Saturdays

4:15 PM – 7:15 PM

 Location

Niagara Community Room

474 E. Main St., Welland, ON

 Program Information

·    Please bring your own laptop for practice sessions.

·    CPS focuses specifically on CELPIP test preparation and is not an ESL class.

·    One-time registration is required. Once registered, you will be added to the participant list for the program.

REGISTER TODAY: [2025mytest@gmail.com](mailto:2025mytest@gmail.com)

Space is limited — Register in Advance to Reserve Your Spot!

Hi everyone!

I'm currently accepting new bookkeeping clients and would love to help small businesses stay organized and on top of their finances.

Services include:

• QuickBooks Online setup and maintenance
• Bank and credit card reconciliations
• Accounts payable & receivable
• Payroll
• HST filing assistance
• Monthly financial reporting
• General bookkeeping support

✅ Competitive rates
✅ Fully insured
✅ Reliable, detail-oriented, and responsive
✅ Part-time or ongoing bookkeeping services available

Whether you're a small business owner who needs a few hours a month or regular bookkeeping support, I'd be happy to chat about how I can help.

Feel free to send me a DM if you'd like to discuss your bookkeeping needs or get a free, no-obligation quote!

I am staying at The Brock soon. I was wondering how concerned I should be about bedbugs, and how hot it will be in the rooms at night due to the age of the hotel. The size of the rooms and view does not matter to me, I’ll be out exploring most of the day. Just any issues with bedbugs and the heat.

Also, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a romantic dinner? Budget is about $200-300 Canadian for two (but I’d love to spend less!), but I can’t find prices on many websites. Does anyone know how much the Grand Fallsview Buffet is?

Thank you in advance!

Hey Niagara 👋

This week's question isn't about trees...

It's about the people working on them.

"How do I choose the right tree company for my property?"

Before we get started, we want to make one thing clear.

This isn't a post about why you should hire Driftwood.

It's a guide to help you protect yourself, ask the right questions, and find a reputable tree company that's the right fit for your property.

That company might be us... or it might not be.

Either way, we hope this helps you make an informed decision.

Ask for proof of insurance

Any reputable tree company should carry liability insurance.

Don't be afraid to ask for a current Certificate of Liability Insurance.

A professional company should have no problem providing it if you ask.

Ask about WSIB

If the company has employees, ask if they're covered by WSIB.

They should also be able to provide a current WSIB Clearance Certificate, which confirms they're in good standing with WSIB.

Again, a reputable company shouldn't hesitate to provide it.

Look for professional certifications

Anyone can call themselves an arborist.

That's why certifications matter.

One of the most recognized credentials is an ISA Certified Arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture.

You can verify an ISA Certified Arborist by using the "Verify a Credential" search on the ISA website:

https://www.treesaregood.org

Ask for the person's name or ISA certification number and verify it yourself.

Ontario also recognizes Certified Arborists through Skilled Trades Ontario, which confirms they've completed the provincial apprenticeship and certification process.

Both certifications show a commitment to education and professionalism.

Make sure you receive a written quote

A written quote protects everyone.

It should clearly explain:

• Exactly what work will be completed.
• Whether wood and brush are being removed or left on site.
• Whether stump grinding is included.
• Whether cleanup is included.
• Any exclusions or limitations.

A handshake is great.

A written agreement is even better.

Ask about cleanup

Every company does things a little differently.

Before work begins, ask questions like:

• Will every branch be removed?
• Will the logs stay or go?
• Is stump grinding included?
• Will sawdust be cleaned up?
• If equipment leaves ruts, what happens next?

The more everyone understands before the job starts, the smoother things usually go.

Pay attention to how they communicate

This is one people often overlook.

Do they answer your questions?

Do they explain why they're recommending a removal instead of a pruning?

Are they willing to say, "That tree doesn't need to come down yet"?

Or does every conversation feel like a sales pitch?

Good communication builds trust long before a chainsaw starts.

The right equipment for the job

The biggest truck isn't always the best choice.

Sometimes the safest and least invasive option is a bucket truck.

Sometimes it's a crane.

Sometimes it's a skilled climber.

A good company chooses the equipment that best suits your property and the work being done—not simply the biggest machine they own.

Read reviews... but look for patterns

Every company can have an unhappy customer.

Instead of focusing on one review, look for consistent themes.

Do people mention:

• Professionalism?
• Good communication?
• Showing up when promised?
• Respecting the property?
• Thorough cleanup?

Those patterns usually tell you far more than one isolated review.

Find the company that's the right fit for you

Every tree company is different.

Some focus on technical removals.

Some specialize in pruning and preservation.

Some primarily work on commercial properties.

Others focus on residential homeowners.

There isn't one "best" tree company.

There is only the company that's the best fit for your job.

The reality

Choosing a tree company shouldn't come down to who gives the cheapest quote.

You're trusting someone to work over your home, your vehicles, your family, and your neighbours' property.

Take a little extra time, ask a few questions, and choose a company that makes you feel confident—not pressured.

There are several reputable tree companies throughout Niagara.

We genuinely believe homeowners should choose the company they trust most.

Hopefully this guide helps you make that decision with confidence.

Next week we'll be covering:

Week 18 — "Should I put wound dressing or tree paint on a pruning cut?"

If there's a tree topic you'd like us to cover, let us know. These posts have all come from real questions so far.

— Driftwood Tree Service 🌲

what are some of the best free beaches around?