Around the Township…

When I was growing up, my father worked for the railway which meant moving around a fair amount. Until I was nine, we moved frequently – which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The longest we […]

They’ve certainly come a long way.

Seven years ago, a small group of music lovers had a dream that it  could bring musicians, both professional artists and amateur hopefuls, to perform in an intimate local setting, the stage at the Operating Engineers. The volunteers began this project with very little money and virtually no outside funding. What the members of the board of the St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage (as they decided to call themselves) did have, however, was a passion for music and the drive to do something about that passion.

The St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage is a remarkable phenomenon. From its somewhat rocky beginnings, often learning as it went, the board has contrived, in just a few years, to bring some extraordinary professional artists into this community (and to launch some talented amateurs into new careers). 

Serena Ryder has performed here. So has Lynn Miles and Graham Greer, Don Ross and Manitoba Hal. There have been many others: some of them have shared their knowledge and talent at special workshops for people in the community. To a person, these musicians have repeatedly praised the performance venue in Morrisburg, the dedication and professionalism of the board, and the warmth of the welcome they have received from audiences here.

The St. Lawrence Stage operates on a proverbial shoe string. 

While the Stage has received some provincial and federal grant money, and the Township of South Dundas has helped out, audiences are still developing and funds are tight. The SLAS remains dedicated to presenting musicians and shows that are the equal (except for much lower ticket prices) of anything in the city.

If you’ve never attended a concert at the SLAS, go to one. Any one. You’ll be impressed, entertained, thrilled, by what you can see and hear right in our own community. This is an organization worthy of support and an asset to South Dundas.

The St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage and its volunteer board have indeed come a long way. That journey needs to continue.  

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February 2nd-At Last

It has come and it has gone; that day in the year that many of us look forward to without our even realizing it. 

February 2nd is known in the church as Candlemas or the Festival Day of the Candles – the day that all the candles that are used in the church for the coming year are blessed. 

Candles were used in the church in times past as a method of lighting but people also believed that they gave protection against illness and famine. For Christians candles are a reminder that Jesus is the light of the world.

Candlemas is also associated with the prediction of weather. If the weather is bright and sunny, more wintery weather is on the way. If the day is cloudy, the worst of the winter weather is behind us. 

In Canada and the United States we attribute these predictions to ground hogs – Wiarton Willie in Ontario and Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania, hence Ground Hog Day being celebrated on February 2nd.

February 2nd is the day of winter that marks the midway point between the shortest day of the winter and the spring equinox! 

So, my friends, it is now a downward slide to spring! 

The number of hours of sunshine is increasing noticeably and the “normal” temperatures should now be on the rise. We have made it better than halfway!

But as I rejoice about the coming of spring, I must keep in mind that through the coming days, beginning on February 13th we will find ourselves observing Lent once again. 

We will walk that journey together again as we prepare ourselves for an exceptionally early Easter this year.  

As you give some thought to the coming of spring also give some thought to what your Lenten discipline will be this year – “self-examination, penitence, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, reading and meditating on the word of God.” However you choose to observe

Lent, remember the “Light of the World” and how he has made a difference in your life.

Cheers,

Sue+

Rev. Sue McCullough

Anglican Parish of Morrisburg, Iroquois & Riverside Heights

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