Three projects eligible for South Branch money, council to consider fund allocations

Fire broke out in the upstairs half of an Iroquois home last Thursday morning, May 3rd.

According to South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services chief Chris McDonough, “after speaking with the owner it was determined, although not confirmed, that the cause was a clothes dryer on the second floor.”

The owner of the Ridge Road home, according to McDonough, “was at work in Ottawa” at the time the fire broke out.

McDonough reported that all three South Dundas fire stations responded to the call, which came in around 9:15 a.m.

“Upon arrival, there was heavy smoke coming from the soffits and eaves.”

“On the initial attack, it was determined that the second floor and attic area were fully involved and no access could be gained from the interior stairs.”

“Fire fighters had a difficult time ventilating due to the steel roofing and the angle of the roof,” he continued.

“We had two fire fighters suffer minor injuries. One was transported to the hospital for treatment and was released.”

As for the house, McDonough reported that it could not be saved.

He estimated the damage to be in the vicinity of $180,000.

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One of the first signs of the holiday season for many in the community is Upper Canada Playhouse’s Annual Christmas Gift Auction. 

This year’s 19th Christmas Auction is being held on Saturday, November 17th at the Morrisburg Meeting Centre. 

The Auction is The Playhouse’s only fund-raising event and it’s also a win-win for everyone in attendance.  Proceeds from the Auction are used to maintain both the ongoing repairs and renovations required on an annual basis to keep the building a safe and comfortable venue for the audience. 

It also ensures that the theatre can continue to produce the highest quality of professional theatre for which it is known locally and provincially. 

This year’s Auction proceeds will go towards the installation of new seats in 2013 to celebrate the Playhouse’s 30th Anniversary. 

In addition, the Auction is a unique and fun evening that gives friends and colleagues the opportunity to socialize, share a fantastic meal, enjoy some entertainment and bid on some truly unique and practical items in the famous Silent and Live Auctions. These items include products and services generously donated by many businesses, individuals and organizations within the community. 

The Auction is a great way for The Playhouse to showcase these products and services for its donors by proudly displaying them in their Auction Catalogue and at the Auction itself. 

The Playhouse has enjoyed a great deal of success over the years and revenue from the Auction has helped to ensure that the theatre is able to sustain this level of success through its extensive marketing, production and administrative operations. The theatre is also proud to support many community charitable organizations through the Annual Charity Fund raising Event and also by contributing tickets to the many local groups who also hold fund raisers. 

This year’s Auction will begin with a social hour between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. where people can mingle, enjoy complimentary wine and cheese and be entertained by a fabulous Barbershop Quartette  who will perform everyone’s favourite Christmas songs. 

Following that will be a scrumptious buffet meal prepared by the renowned AJ Catering. 

During the whole evening people can browse and bid on the many Silent Auction items with the flagship Live Auction beginning at 8 p.m.  

Those interested in purchasing tickets, private tables or donating a product or service for the Auction can contact The Playhouse at 613-543-3713 or drop by the theatre. 

Start your Christmas season with a fun holiday event and find that unique gift for that special person—or yourself!

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The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) predicted that cargo shipments would rise by about three per cent to 38.6 million tonnes for 2012 as it marked the official opening of its 54th navigation season on Thursday, March 22, at Lock 3 of the Welland Canal. 

Exports of coal are expected to be a bright spot, as producers in Montana route their product by rail to Great Lakes ports, where the cargo is loaded onto lakers and brought to the Port of Quebec via the Seaway.  

The coal is subsequently trans-shipped to ocean vessels destined for Europe, avoiding congested coastal ports.

Rob Bryson from Parrish and Heimbecker’s Hamilton operation, and Donald Gallienne from Aluminerie Alouette, served as keynote speakers at the event. 

Canadian agribusiness firm Parrish and Heimbecker, has invested $30 million in expanding its grain handling facilities strategically located at the Port of Hamilton, testifying to the enduring value of the Seaway in cost effectively moving grain. 

Aluminerie Alouette, the largest aluminum smelter in North America, uses the Seaway to transport substantial volumes of aluminum ingots on a tug / barge combination from its facility in Sept-Iles (Quebec) to Great Lakes ports in the U.S. 

Both speakers testified to the critical role that marine transportation plays in their respective firms’ ability to compete effectively in a global marketplace.

The tug/barge used to transport the aluminum ingots, McKeil Marine’s Wilf Seymour/Alouette Spirit, served as the opening vessel at Lock 3 of the Welland Canal. 

 “McKeil is honoured to be part of the Seaway opening celebration,” said Steve Fletcher, President of McKeil Marine Limited.  “Our company’s innovative marine solutions provide shippers with a cost effective and environmentally friendly means of moving cargo. The Seaway has been a strong advocate in shifting more cargo onto our waterways, which also serves to ease pressure on congested road and rail links.”  

As a result of the tug and barge operation, tens of thousands of truckloads are being shifted from two and four lane highways to the Seaway.  

“We are pleased to see continued momentum in the burgeoning tug and barge sector,” said Bruce Hodgson, Director of Market Development for the SLSMC.  “The Aluminerie Alouette shipments serve as a great example of how marine transportation directly supports the operation of a major North American business and, at the same time, bolsters our quality of life.”  

Canadian and international carriers are in the process of building new vessels, with some scheduled to begin transiting Seaway waters in 2012.  

Collister Johnson Jr., Administrator of the U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, noted that with carriers investing hundreds of millions of dollars in fleet renewal, the Seaway system’s future is bright. 

“Marine transportation is already the most energy efficient means of moving cargo, and these new vessels will increase energy efficiency by up to 40 per cent in addition to offering leading edge emissions performance,” said Johnson.

A recently published economic impact study, commissioned by Marine Delivers, demonstrates the significant role that the Great Lakes / Seaway system plays in supporting the Canadian and U.S. economies.  

Some 227,000 jobs and $34 billion in economic activity are supported by the movement of goods within the Great Lakes / Seaway waterway. 

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