The latest edition of our seasonal community newsletter, the Heart of the Harbour, is now available!
You can read the Spring 2024 edition of the newsletter now on our website here:
To hear an audio readout of the newsletter, call (709) 596-3631 ext. 7 or listen online here: https://on.soundcloud.com/wf3eCd4Se8t958Nb9
Paper copies are available at the Town Hall now. Additionally, paper copies are available at the following locations:
- Hotel Harbour Grace (Water Street)
- Kay’s Restaurant (Harvey Street)
- Ultramar (Harvey Street)
- Needs Convenience (Harvey Street)
- Riverhead Irving (Harvey Street)
- Riverside Mini-Mart (Harbour Grace South)
- War Memorial Public Library (Harvey Street)
Newsletter photos by Judy Ash, Liz Golder, Ashley Janes, and Cheryl McCarthy. We had over 30 photos submitted for the newsletter – thanks to everyone who submitted!
Photo ID: A picture of the Admiral’s Marina on a sunny day. The ocean is visible in the foreground. Fishing boats are assembled along the dock.
Full newsletter text follows:
THE HEART OF THE HARBOUR (SPRING 2024)
TOWN OF HARBOUR GRACE NEWSLETTER
MESSAGE FROM COUNCIL
On behalf of my colleagues on Council and all residents of the historic Town of Harbour Grace, I’m proud to present the spring 2024 edition of the Heart of the Harbour, our seasonal community newsletter.
We are presently working on an update of our strategic plan document. This plan is your vision, which we will do our best to make a reality. We continue to work on our financials, and I thank our Council of 2021 for their commitment to your financial interests.
We have a busy summer ahead with the Pirates to Pilots Festival from July 19 – 28; the opening of Otterbury Schoolhouse and tribute to Mr. Roger Pike on July 7; the annual Regatta on July 27; and hosting NL Summer Games soccer with our neighbours the Town of Bay Roberts from Aug. 10 – 17. I wish to send a special thank you to our various volunteer committees who contribute so much to our community; it was an honor to celebrate you during our recent Volunteer Week at the HGVFB Social Building.
Let’s keep the positive momentum going. Our doors are always open—Let Yourself In. It’s a great place, our Harbour Grace.
– Mayor Don Coombs
TOWN HALL NOTICES
The due date for 2024 municipal taxes is June 30. Interest will be applied to accounts after this date. This deadline includes online banking payments, which may take up to five business days for processing.
For those who have not made arrangements with the Town Hall, water shutoffs will be scheduled for accounts in arrears. We strongly encourage those in arrears to contact the Town Hall to make arrangements regarding payments past due.
Keep up to date with your community! If you want to join our community email notice list, email the general email, [email protected]. Please include “Request to Join Community Email” in the subject header.
Building season is upon us! Make sure to check with the Town Hall prior to any construction work on your property—a permit may be required.
Cleanup from winter maintenance, including sidewalk clearing, will start in early June.
LeMarchant Street Water & Sewer Project (curb, sidewalk, gutter, and paving) will be starting this construction season. Check our website and social media for notices on disruptions related to this project.
Hydrant flushing will start in mid-June. Residents may experience discoloured water as a result. As this date approaches, please check the Town’s website or social media for the schedule in your area.
Pirate’s Path Trail is snow-free and open for residents and visitors! Spring maintenance is forthcoming, so please be mindful of present trail conditions.
As part of our new Accessibility Plan, we’re looking for suggestions on how to make our town more accessible! Email your feedback to [email protected].
YOUR COMMUNITY
We have three new birding pamphlets developed with the Stewardship Association of Municipalities. Each pamphlet contains information on birds you can find in our three Conservation Areas. Can you complete the checklist? Send along your photos of the birds featured to be entered to win a prize! Full contest details on our website. Contest draw: Aug. 30, 2024.
CBN Minor Soccer registration is now open online for 2024 programming at St. Francis Field! Cost is $70 per person. For full details, visit CBN Minor Soccer on Facebook or email [email protected]. Registration closes Friday, May 17.
The S.W. Moores Memorial Park Committee is looking for new members for the spring season. Contact the Town Hall if you want to get involved! If you’re interested in purchasing a memorial stone in the Park, contact the Town Hall for pricing and further details.
Are you interested in helping with occasional community events on the day but don’t necessarily have time to commit for planning meetings? A general volunteer application form can be found on our website and at the Town Hall. Completed forms will be added to a volunteer inventory (subject to Code of Conduct check).
Have a look out for our new Municipal Heritage Site signs, developed with help from Heritage NL. We have ten Municipal Heritage Sites currently on the register, which is always open for new applications. Reach out to the Town Hall for further details on what the Municipal Heritage Site program entails.
Congratulations to our Sports Hall of Fame and Town Awards winners! You can find the full list of winners and inductees on our website: townofharbourgrace.ca/article/sports-hall-of-fame-town-awards-04-25-2024
EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
Earhart’s 50+ Club’s Happy Feet walks are back and taking place each Wednesday starting at 10 a.m. Scheduled route info can be found on our website: townofharbourgrace.ca/event/earharts-50-club-happy-feet-walks-spring-2024
Earhart’s 50+ Club’s Line Dancing Nights are held on the third Thursday of every month, starting at 7:30 in the Community Centre’s Multipurpose Room.
Civic Events’ next Kettle’s On event will take place at the HGVFB Social Building on Saturday, May 25, from 9 – 11 a.m. Tickets $5 each and are now available from committee members!
On Sunday, June 30, the Harbour Grace Royal Canadian Legion will host a Memorial Day Parade starting at Taylor’s Marine & Recreation.
Civic Events’ Canada Day Celebrations will take place at St. Francis Field on Monday, July 1. Event time TBA. Firework Display will take place at the Point of Beach at dusk.
We’ll be hosting an opening event for Otterbury Schoolhouse and revealing a new memorial for Mr. Roger Pike at the Spirit of Harbour Grace Municipal Park on Sunday, July 7, featuring some local musical entertainment. Stay tuned for updates.
The 4th annual Harbour Grace Kite Festival will take place at our historic airstrip on Sunday, July 21, at 1 p.m.
Save the date! The annual Pirates to Pilots festival returns from July 19 – 28. Full event schedule TBA. Follow @piratestopilotsfestival on Facebook for all the updates.
Street Jam ball hockey tournament will take place from July 20 – 21 at the Danny Cleary Harbour Grace Community Centre. Details and registration info can be found online here: streetjam.ca/events-1/street-jam-harbour-grace
Indoor Walking Track Schedule at the Community Centre: Mondays & Wednesdays: 4:30 – 8 p.m. | Tuesdays & Thursdays: 4:30 – 9 p.m. These hours are in effect from May until June 28, with a further update to follow. (Schedule subject to change.)
The Town is now accepting resumes for student summer employment with the following departments: Parks & Recreation, Tourism, S.W. Moores Memorial Park Committee, Danny Cleary Harbour Grace Community Centre, Aero Tennis Club. Deadline for applications: Friday, May 10, at 4:30 p.m. Further details on our website and social media.
Community Garden registration is now open for residents. Email [email protected] to reserve your raised bed. Registration fee for 2024 is $10 per bed. A gardening session with Wendy Wagner will take place at the War Memorial Public Library on Saturday, May 18, at 1 p.m. All welcome!
Splash Centre’s Youth Day Camp registration opens online on May 15 at 9 a.m. Day Camp runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Registration: $80 per week, per child (ages 5 – 11). Further details on Splash Centre’s social media.
As part of Mental Health Week, the Splash Centre & Communities Against Violence will be presenting Livingworks’ safeTALK course on Friday, May 10, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Splash Centre. This free training equips participants with skills to be more alert to somebody thinking of suicide and how to better connect them with help. To register, email [email protected].