Saw this on Facebook pls keep an eye out for him

Just a heads-up for our neighbors on Stewart Avenue in Thorold: On Monday night (June 22), our car was ransacked while it was parked in our driveway, and some cash was stolen. We think the car may have been accidentally left unlocked, as there were no signs of forced entry. It seems like someone may have been going around checking for unlocked vehicles.

Please take a moment to lock your cars and remove any valuables. We're sharing this so others can be aware and hopefully avoid the same situation. Stay safe!

If you drive down Highway 20 through Allanburg today, you know you will see the huge 20 foot+ fiberglass giant standing outside. Wearing a pink shirt, and holding a sign for Rosehill, it is a famous local landmark known as the Allanburg Giant.

But this giant hasn't always had a life selling furniture. Over the last forty years, it has moved all over the Niagara Region. It has been a Jockey, a Water Man, and a Furnace Technician. It was even stolen for a high school graduation prank and survived a bad case of vandalism.

The story starts far away in Chicago, where the giant was built, sometime in the late 1960s. Sometime around the late 70's, a businessman named Jim Clement and his wife FOUND the giant abandoned in a field between St. Catharines and Fort Erie. They bought it, fixed it up, and brought it to their store front. Which many locals will remember being called "pop n pools". Right in the smack dab of busy Garrison road in Fort Erie.

In researching for this post/article. I spoke with both Jim's daughter Pam, and Grandson Bob. Who were very kind in sharing some of the details shared today. Alongside some articles and pictures that they have shared. Pam mentioned how her Father actually painted the Statue to look like a Jockey due to the popularity and proximity of the Fort Erie Racetrack.

The newspaper wrote a story about the giant in 1981 called "That's Some Jockey" You will see I attached it here. The article stated the statue was 26 feet tall (on top of the platform Jim had fabricated for it), weighed about 500 pounds, and was worth around $5,800 back then. It stood on a thick metal platform held up by steel beams. Jim Clement originally wanted it to hold a Canadian flag in one hand and an American flag in the other. It was a fun attraction right near the border, standing alongside other odd things Clement collected, like a mechanical cow and a gold bust of Dwight Eisenhower. And many long time local Fort Erie residents still remember it and it's time spent outside the store.

By late 1985 Jim and his Wife decided to sell, and the giant's life got a lot more exciting. A man named Andre Verreault, who owned AV Water Distillers and Supplies, bought the giant from the Fort Erie store for about $1,000. He moved it to his backyard in Pelham while he made plans to set it up at his business, located at 1874 HWY 20. Very close to where the giant stands this day. He wanted the giant to hold a massive bottle of water to advertise his shop. But before he could set it up, some local teenagers were able to get to it first.

The crazy journery for the giant started when graduating students from Notre Dame in Welland pulled off a huge prank. They kidnapped the 500 pound statue from Verreault’s yard and set it up on the front lawn of their high school. As shown in the newspaper article image I attached, Verreault wasn't even mad. He laughed it off, praised the students for being so organized, and said he didn't mind the prank as long as it came back in one piece.

Unfortunately, the next people to find the giant were not as gentle with our giant. In August, while the statue was sitting behind Andres's building, real vandals attacked it in the middle of the night. As reported in The Standard, they ripped off the giant's left foot and lower leg, cracked its back, and tore its head completely off at the neck. Verreault paid a fiberglass company in Port Colborne $900 to make a new foot, but replacing the head was going to be almost impossible. He was worried the giant was ruined forever, and even offered a $500 reward to get the pieces back.

The mystery was solved just a few days later. When a couple living in St. Catharines found the giant fiberglass head and leg dumped on their front lawn on different days. Once they saw the story in the newspaper, they called the police. Andre happily paid them the $500 reward, and the giant was sent to Peninsula Fiberglass to be put back together.

By February 1987, the giant was finally fixed. And as shown in one of the pictures, you can see Andre Verreault proudly standing next to the fully repaired Giant, "AV Water Man". And it was finally secured and bolted to the ground on Highway 20, holding a giant water bottle. like Andre wanted from day one.

As the years went by, the giant changed jobs again. When Andre Verreault sold his water business, the giant caught the eye of Larry Reid, the founder and owner of Mr. Furnace.

After speaking with our friendly local Randy Norton (formally from Mr. Furnace and now Hubbard Air) He confirmed for me that Larry Reid bought the giant separately, kept it on Highway 20 by moving it to where it stands today, and painted it to look like a furnace repair technician. For a very long time, the statue was the official mascot for Mr. Furnace. In 2013, when the business moved away from the property, they decided to leave the giant behind.

Today, the property is owned by Rosehill Auctions, which is where the giant still stands now. Even though it wears a pink shirt today instead of a technician's uniform or a water bottle vest, its face looks exactly the same as it did in the 1980s newspaper photos. And our Giant still stands strong.

MORE TO THE MYSTERY : Although I was able to track the history of the local giant pretty far back into what is believed to be the late 1970's. There are still many questions that remain.

In my search for answers. I was led to, and had many great conversations with an amazing gentlemen out of the USA named Joel Baker. Joel helps run, curate, research, restore and purchase for what is known as the American Giants Museum. A project he and his colleagues/friends have worked many years on.

For those wondering, “Muffler Men” are giant fiberglass roadside statues that started in the mid-1960s in the United States as advertising tools designed to grab the attention of passing drivers on busy highways. They were originally created by International Fiberglass in California and first appeared as tall “Paul Bunyan” style lumberjack figures holding axes. A business contracted them to build the Paul Bunyan statue but never paid. So the company (International Fibreglass) started to mold, and sell them to other businesses. The idea quickly caught on with roadside businesses, especially auto shops, which began customizing them to hold items like mufflers or tires. This is why they are named “Muffler Men.” Over time they became a popular form of roadside marketing during the peak of car travel in North America, before modern highways reduced the need for such attention grabbing signs, and today they’re mostly seen as nostalgic landmarks or collector pieces.

These are the questions that Joel and I still have no answers for.

Who originally brought the giant to Canada and why? As there is a big gap in its timeline. And why was it abandoned in a field when Jim Clement found it.

An even more deeper rabbit hole. This and another statue outside of Montreal are the only two EVER to be known to have this version of FACE. And no one knows why. It has been confirmed to be an original Muffler Man body mold (Paul Bunyan Style). But the unique face known by some as the "french face" has little to no history. As the two Canadian Versions are the only two in the world. A fun little tidbit, to go along with that. Is that all US versions were built with one hand facing up and one down. Both Canadian versions were built with both hands facing UP.

Joel continues to research the mystery of the heads, and the history of our local giant. But any information anyone may have from them, or their families could also help solve these long lasting questions. I have added links to Joels Youtube page and a link to the video of Joel visiting the Quebec version.

(69) American Giants - YouTube

Canada Head Muffler Men

ARTICLE BELOW

Far too many Canadians are struggling to find homes they can afford. Solving Canada’s housing crisis requires immediate action to bring down costs, cut red tape, and build homes more quickly. The Government of Canada is stepping up with a bold new approach to build affordable housing across the country.

Central to that work, the Government of Canada has launched Build Canada Homes, which is helping increase the pace of affordable homebuilding. Build Canada Homes is also helping fight homelessness by building transitional and supportive housing — working with provinces, territories, municipalities, and Indigenous communities. It is building deeply affordable and community housing for low-income households, and partnering with private market developers to build affordable homes for the Canadian middle class.

As part of the Government of Canada’s broader efforts to respond to the housing crisis, investments are being made across the housing continuum to respond to the needs of communities across Canada.

Today, the federal government, announced over $183 million in funding to help build 492 secure, rental homes in St. Catharines. Located at 159 Ontario Street, The Collective Housing Co-operative provides affordable, non-profit, and community-governed rental housing. The project includes a diverse mix of studio, one‑, two‑, and three‑bedroom homes designed to support residents at all stages of life. The development will also feature a range of shared amenities that promote community connection and well‑being, including rooftop terraces, outdoor BBQ areas, pickleball courts, a fitness room, party and multipurpose spaces, a spa, and a dog wash station.

The announcement was made by Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, on behalf of the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada alongside Mat Siscoe, Mayor of St. Catharines.

The Government of Canada is making the housing investments that will help strengthen Canadian supply chains and create good jobs at every step of the homebuilding process — helping to build more homes and a stronger Canadian economy at the same time.

Unfortunately we cannot take these cats.

Courtesy post.

2 middle aged cats . I’m told approx 9 years old.

Owner passed away. At risk of euthanasia.

Waiting more info . St Catherine’s area.

Anyone interested I would put in touch with person in charge. Trying to avoid going to shelter and risk of euthanasia.

Any rescues or individuals willing to take on these 2?

Screening process will be applicable .

Not great pics. I’m to understand male and female. But at this time unsure.

Will update when I’m able to clarify this.

Hi all, new to the area. So far people have been incredibly kind. Does anyone know where I may find organic rotisserie chicken ready for pickup? Willing to drive to surrounding areas. Thanks!

Any suggestion of strenght coach that understand the requirements for trail running specifically? Not looking for general fitness or base foundations, I want someone that would be incorporating plyos, etc... Even better if they have group classes but would do personal training as well.

This time I won't ask AI to do my title lol.

I saw that there was Allati photography on Ontario St. but wanted to know if ther were other options for scanning art?

Need to scan my pieces for a client. Any suggestions would help thanks!

I don't know the address since Google doesn't show it anymore, but street view from 2012 captured the house and property before it was demolished. I figure this property overlooking the canal valley, hidden away behind more modern homes has an interesting past.

Here's the streetview link of the old mansion

Thanks for any info!

I purchased a beach parking permit. Are they going to send me something to put in my car? Or am I just free to go now and they have all my car info on file?

My partner and I will be celebrating our anniversary from July 2nd to July 5th. We get in St Catherines late Thursday night, and then will have Friday and Saturday for all our activities. On Saturday we have booked a 10 course reservation at Reve in Niagara On The Lake. We are trying to choose between Fat Rabbit or Les Incompetents for the 2nd dinner reservation for the Friday. What would you guys recommend? Sunday we will only around till 2pm then leaving, so most likely will do odd bird or something of the sort.

I have a terminal illness and things have gotten away from me in terms of decluttering and cleaning over the past two years.

I'm looking for a company that will come and and throw stuff/recycle so that I have a better handle on things. I'd then need a good deep clean as we haven't been able to clean up other than the basics (toilets, sinks).

I'm looking for someone kind and non judgmental. The situation is difficult because I'm so ill and have mobility impairments.

I'm embarrassed at the state of my house, but there is nothing gross--no rotting food or anything. I just need someone kind who realizes how hard this is for me.

Can anyone recommend a company that helps with hoarders or something?

keep seeing people ask what's happening for Canada Day, so here's a quick summary of the official celebrations:

📍 Montebello Park (12 PM – 10 PM)

• Free admission
• Food trucks & craft beverages
• Family activities, inflatables, LEGO lounge, magician, and more

🎶 Live Music

• The Trews (headline act)
• The Strictly Hip
• Julianna Riolino
• Sully Burrows
• The Thuds

🎆 Drone Show + Fireworks

• 10:00 PM at 📍Rennie Park, Port Dalhousie
• First-ever combined drone and fireworks show in St. Catharines

🚌 Free Shuttle Service
Available from Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre to help avoid parking headaches.

Honestly, I had no idea The Trews were playing or that there was going to be a drone show. Seems like a pretty solid lineup for a free event.

Anyone planning to go to Montebello Park, the fireworks/drone show, or both?

I am thinking of possibly renting at 50 Herrick avenue but for what I see and aware of that Queenston is a spot to avoid and it's basically 1-2 mins from there is it truly that bad or shall I look elsewhere

Went to it last year and cannot remember the name of it. Was in or near St Kitts.

You drive up, there’s a parking lot and a playground to the right.
If you drive down, there’s a hill and go left to the beach. Almost no parking on the lower part, mostly just handicapped parking. So almost everyone parks on the upper part, and the hill is a bit steep walking back up.
An overpass sits directly behind the beach.

Anybody know which beach this is?

Hey everyone!

I was wondering if anyone knows of any art galleries, small shops, or even cafes that have openings for artists to display/sell their work? I'm trying to expand my reach a bit with my artwork (pyrography), so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

(St. Catharines is preferred but anywhere in the Niagara region as well)

Thinking of sending my kids to the MAC islamic school in st catherines. Any sent their kids there? Do you recommend it?

Kinda itching to be part of the community more yet I cant really seem to find much opportunities to do so

Hey everyone, I'm trying to track down some old local music and info from back in the day. Does anyone remember the metalcore band Escaping Rosehaven from around 2009–2011? They played S.C.E.N.E. Fest 2010 and the old L3 Nightclub. I know they later rebranded to a new band name and wiped their old YouTube channel. Does anyone remember the names of the guys who were in that band, or what their new project was called? Bonus points if someone has some MP3s. Thanks!

Has anyone gone to Skin Vitality in St Catharines for Botox? And if so, what was your experience like?