Strike Averted

Upper Canada Village will light up with over one million lights for its 14th annual Alight at Night festival on Friday, December 5, 2014. The Alight at Night festival at Upper Canada Village is one of Ontario’s premiere winter events where the heritage site is transformed into a magical winter wonderland that you can explore by foot, horse-drawn wagon or by romantic carriage ride. The festival will be open on select nights from Friday, December 5 through Saturday, January 3, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Complete festival details, dates and times can be found atwww.AlightatNight.ca or by calling the Customer Service Unit at 613-543-4328 or 800-437-2233.  Upper Canada Village continues to innovate with expanded laser lighting effects, a new Ferris wheel, and a transformed Crysler Hall into Saint Nick’s Merry Mansion.  

Visitors will have the chance to get a stunning view of Alight at Night from fifty feet high in a new Ferris wheel set in the Village fairgrounds.  Rides on the Ferris wheel will be included with admission and will be on a first come, first served basis for the duration of the festival, weather permitting.  Saint Nick’s Merry Mansion will greet visitors with a brand new Sound & Light Show with three new Santa themed songs including “Here Comes Santa Claus”, “Run Rudolph Run” and “The Man with the Bag”.  Inside, a Victorian Saint Nick dressed in a luxurious red suit with rich brocade will be available to hear your Christmas wishes until Tuesday, December 23, 2014; a great photo opportunity for the whole family! Saint Nick’s Merry Mansion is sponsored by Leon’s.  

Streamlined pricing provides affordable family fun with one price for all activities including entry to the festival, horse-drawn wagon rides, a ride on the Toy Train and Ferris wheel and a visit with Santa.  Adults (13 yrs +) $13; Senior’s (65 yrs +) and Youth (6-12 yrs) $10; Children 5 yrs and under FREE.  Pricing is plus HST.  

“We attribute much of the success of Upper Canada Village’s Alight at Night to our constant innovation.  Almost every year we add something new, make improvements to existing elements and just try to improve the overall experience for our visitors.  For many, a visit to Alight at Night is part of their family holiday tradition” said Geoff Waycik, Manager, Upper Canada Village.  “We look to holiday traditions for inspiration.  A great example of this is how we have transformed the visit with a new Santa experience.  This year Saint Nick’s Merry Mansion will leave families wondering if they just visited the ‘real’ Santa Claus …” 

Special Needs Night on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 will be an evening where groups of people with special needs can ride in the comfort of their own vehicle to view the Village adorned in lights.  Only “special needs” vans or parabuses are allowed.  Coaches and school buses cannot be accommodated due to their size. For safety, Upper Canada Village will provide a trained and licensed staff person familiar with the Village roadways in the dark, to lead these vehicles through the site.  Reservations are required.  

A Fun & Lunch with Santa event will be held at the Harvest Barn restaurant starting at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 13.   Saint Nick will be available to meet families and hear everyone’s special wishes.  Enjoy a hot sandwich combo (drink and fries plus hot turkey sandwich for adults/hot dog for children) and decorate gingerbread men.  The Village Store will be open for shopping following lunch.  Fun & Lunch with Santa also includes evening admission to Alight at Night. Reservations are required.  Adult (13-64 yrs) $37.50, Senior (64 yrs+) $34.50, Youth (6-12 yrs) $27.50 and Children (5 yrs & under) $7.00.  Prices are plus HST.

Romantic Pommier Carriage rides are an ideal way to have a private tour of the lights and make engagements, anniversaries, or other events extra-special!  The Pommier Carriage ride is $80.00 (tax & administration fee extra) which includes admission for two, half hour romantic tour of the lights, gourmet departing gift (includes Village made bread, cheese, sparkling cider and a 20% off discount for Pommier Jewellers in Cornwall).  Carriage rides are very popular and book up quickly.  Reservations are required 

Get in the spirit of the season and join in for carol singing in Christ Church. Different performers will be on site each night along with select nights featuring guest choirs. Visit the website for performers, dates and times.

And of course, no visit would be complete without holiday treats and festive dining.  Follow the tantalizing smell of fresh bread and cinnamon rolls baking in the wood-fired oven at the Bakery.   You can find the fresh baked cinnamon buns and bread for purchase at the Village Store. Cinnamon Buns are also available for purchase in Cook’s Tavern or at the Snack Shack next to the Bakery.

You can also relax over a heartier meal, full service dining at Willard’s Hotel or at the Upper Canada Golf Course restaurant (just across the road) or cafeteria style service at the Harvest Barn.  Traditional turkey dinners with all the fixings along with many other menu options will be available.  Groups are welcome and reservations recommended.  To make reservations at Willard’s Hotel or the Harvest Barn call B & A Foods at 613-543-0660.  To make reservations at the Upper Canada Golf Course restaurant call Stephanie at 613-543-2035.

Alight at Night has been named one of Ontario’s Top 100 Events three times by Festivals & Events Ontario.  Advance ticket purchase, particularly during the holidays, is strongly recommended to speed entry into the festival and reduce time waiting in line.  Purchase tickets online at www.AlightatNight.ca.  

For more information or to make reservations for Special Needs night, Fun & Lunch with Santa or for the Pommier Carriage, call the Customer Service team at 1-800-437-2233 or locally 613-543-4328 to make a reservation.

Major event sponsors of Alight at Night include Celebrate Ontario and Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation.

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 Several local residents celebrated some significant membership milestones this past weekend.

Legion Branch 48 held their annual awards night dinner on Friday, November 4th in Morrisburg.

The evening got underway with a delicious meal prepared and served by the Ladies Auxiliary.

Speeches and awards presentations followed immediately on the heals of dessert.

Ladies Auxiliary Zone Commander Rose Phillips began saying, “we’re all proud of you and the work you do on behalf of our veterans.”

South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds said, “on behalf of the township, thank you for all the work you do. Thank you for all your efforts and congratulations to all the winners tonight.”

After a brief “Poppy Push” from Legion President Maurice Praine, awards were given to women of the Ladies Auxiliary. Member Michelle Brooks took the podium to announce the awards while President Rita Fowler handed over pins and medals.

Ladies Auxiliary – 10 Years

Receiving 10-year pins were Elaine Baker, Brenda Fyke, Florence Merkley, Diane Trudeau, and Loretta Kennedy.

Ladies Auxiliary – 25 Years

Kim Murphy was the lone recipient of the 25-year pin.

Ladies Auxiliary – 35 Years

 Donna Dowson was the sole recipient in the 35-year pin category.

Ladies Auxiliary – 50 Years

The sole 50-year pin went to Ruth Rice.

Ladies Auxiliary-Life Member

Inez Bilmer received her Life Membership pin while a congratulatory card from Barbara McIsaac was read aloud.

2011 Branch Service Pins

Following the LA presentations, Praine retook the podium to single out the “Years of Service.”

5 Years of Service

Recipients included: John Hitsman. Marcel Hubert, Mary Ellen Merkley, Donald Nesbitt, Geoffrey Peters, Susan Peters, Maurice Praine,  and Kevin Spencer.

10 Years of Service

David Baldwin, Philip Jamieson,  and Lewis Tomlinson earned their “10 Year” pins.

15 Years of Service

Recipients included Lawrence Belmore, Eleanore Belmore, Jeff Cassell, Melanie Cassell, Arlene Darrach, Robert Darrach, Lori-Anne Davies, Nancy Davies, Michele Dumaresq-Watt, Jeffery Lowe, and Elwin Woolsey. 

20 Years of Service

James Caldwell, Kevin Keyes and Michael Robertson achieved twenty years of service.

25 Years of Service

“25 Years of Service” pins were given to Gord Dillabough, Mark MacDonald, Anna Nicolier, and Sydney Smith.

30 Years of Service

Recipients included John Falardeau, Jane Gale, E. Hamilton, Brian Howald, Glen Howald, Mary Meher, and Gwen Phelan.

35 Years of Service

Recipients included Larry Jardine, Cecile Millar, Anne Carruthers, and Bob Henophy.

50 Years of Service

George Dowson was the lone recipient in this category.

55 Years of Service

Sydney George was the sole recipient. Unable to attend, Ray Boucher accepted on his behalf saying George and his wife “hope to make it for the 60th.”

65 Years of Service

Charlie Eamon was on hand to receive his pin for 65 years of service. Keeping it short, he said, “I’ve really enjoyed my 65 years being here. It’s been a long time and it’s been worth it. Thank you very much.”

Life Members

Barry Holmes, from Branch 108 in Winchester, introduced the two life member award recipients, Beverly Beck and Tom Beck. 

The Becks were former members of the Winchester branch before transferring to Morrisburg, where they now live. 

Before their transfer, Branch 108 had been planning to bestow the honour on the couple, but were unable to make it happen in time. 

Branch 48 worked in conjunction with Branch 108 to make the awards for the couple a reality with the former making the recommendation and the latter offering the financial backing. 

The award is given to those who have put in a substantial amount of volunteer service, both inside and outside the Legion, over a significant number of years. 

Holmes was accompanied by 11 other Winchester members.

Service Bar Medals

Branch Service Medals and Ladies Auxiliary Service Medals were introduced in 2010 “to recognize the significant volunteer and service work accomplished by members.” 

This year the recipients included Steven Coligan, Donna Dillabough, Rita Fowler, Elsie Guindon, Anna Nicolier, and Bill Shearing.

[…]

 

A recent letter to South Dundas officials and council from Karen Franklin, manager of library services for the SD&G County Library, has raised alarm about the potential for new library space in Williamsburg.

South Dundas council agreed that a 558 square foot addition to the existing North Williamsburg Recreation building, along with some shared existing space, is a likely opportunity to bring library space back to Williamsburg. 

Such an addition could cost in the vicinity of $90,000, according to South Dundas CAO Steve McDonald.

Council has already authorized some preliminary design work that would allow more accurate costing to take place.

That work will allow council to make a final decision on whether or not to pursue the project.

In the meantime, Franklin’s letter was distributed to South Dundas council and others.

“I was surprised by the tone of the letter,” said South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke, who is also a member of the SD&G County Library board. 

Board members were copied on the letter, which states that the proposed space is too small and that any space sharing would make it difficult to operate the location as a library. 

Franklin also noted that the configuration of the space would present visibility issues, making it unfavourable for effective public service. 

“Simply put, the building does not adhere to the most basic standards for a public library facility,” she wrote.

Despite the letter, members of South Dundas council are still convinced that the proposed space will work for the library and for the community.

“We want to make darn sure that we can do this,” said South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan. “I don’t want to spend the money on this project, and then have them (SD&G Library) say that it’s not appropriate. Can they say no? Is that an option? We definitely need some sort of commitment from the library board on this.”

“A lot of people have done a lot of work to get this resolved,” he added, council agreed with his sentiments.

“Where the library board will take this, I don’t know,” said Locke at the September 17 South Dundas council meeting, adding that he would raise the issue with the board. The library board met September 19, and according to Locke the issue was discussed. 

Discussions revealed a lack of communication between library and township staff concerning the project. Locke believes that lack of communication will be rectified when the library and township officials meet. The board has asked that the meeting take place. 

After that meeting, the board has agreed they will meet again regarding the issue, if necessary, Locke explained.

[…]