Morrisburg Fire Hall Receives $10,000 Grant

The Morrisburg Canada Day Committee is getting ready to have a laugh to support the fun-filled Canada Day event that they are planning for July 1, 2015.

The commitee is bringing back the popular Yuk Yuks comedy show, with proceeds going towards Canada Day 2015 in Morrisburg.

The funds support the general activities of the day, which include a petting zoo, rides and more.

The Yuk Yuks fundraiser was so popular last year that it sold out, so organizers recommend that those planning to attend book their tables, and buy their tickets early.

“It was really well supported last year, so we hope everyone who joined us last year, will do the same again this year,” said Canada Committee member Viviane Martin.

The Yuk Yuks comedy show, headlined by returning favourite Chris Quigley, takes place March 28, 2015, 7 p.m., at the Morrisburg Legion. 

Tickets can be purchased in various locations throughout the community. Entire tables can be reserved by contacting Jim and Viviane Martin at 613-543-0779.

Viviane and Jim Martin are part of the Canada Day Committee, which is a stand alone organization with the mandate of hosting Morrisburg’s Canada Day festivities. It is not affiliated with any other service organization or the municipality.

“We do this strictly to volunteer for this for the community,” said Jim Martin. “This day wouldn’t happen, if it weren’t for these volunteers,” added Viviane.

The committee has recently lost some of its volunteers due to various life circumstances, and is in need of some new members. They welcome anyone willing to join the group, and are open to new ideas. 

[…]

Nicole Sullivan, as South Dundas’s new Economic Development Officer (EDO), is here to help build our community. 

The Leader met with Sullivan at her Morrisburg office on November 2nd to learn more about her and her plans for the area.

Sullivan is a native of Bells Corners in West Ottawa. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Waterloo where she majored in human geography and minored in business and tourism. According to Sullivan, she “went into geography because it was a little more of a broad focus.”

As for her Masters degree, Sullivan went to the University of Guelph where she produced a thesis entitled “Immigration Attraction and Retention for Small Towns and Rural Areas.”

Her first job was actually a volunteer internship in Nicaragua where she worked “on an organic farm (which was) part of a bigger community development project.”

She was impressed with “how the community took what they had and built on it to improve their quality of life.”

When she returned home she “started looking at similar projects,” which is how she found her position as the Area Economic Development Coordinator for the Parry Sound Regional Economic Development Advisory Committee. This position was a year-long internship sponsored by FedNor.

According to www.fednor.gc.ca, it “is a regional economic development organization in Northern Ontario that promotes economic development, diversification and job creation and encourages sustainable, self-reliant communities in Northern Ontario.”

As for why Sullivan chose to become an EDO, she said, “I really like the variety of initiatives and how dynamic the field is; there’s a lot of space for creativity; (and, the position) allows for a lot of interaction with the community and I feed off that.”

In choosing South Dundas as her new home for both work and personal life, she admitted that she’s “always been attracted to small towns and rural areas.”

“I saw the opportunity and couldn’t resist,” she continued. “I was attracted to the tourism opportunities, the rich heritage, and the strong agricultural community.”

Sullivan, at the time of the interview, was only on her third day of her new position in South Dundas and was “still trying to get a feel” for how things work here.

She acknowledged that “people who live here know it the best” and she welcomes their input.

“Yes, if there’s a business that would like to provide some feedback, please come out.”

The EDO position is vast in its description as well as its list of duties. She explained that “it’s very diverse, from marketing to looking at industrial park to engaging with the community.” Sullivan believes that making it work is all about balance.

As for where she will start, it “depends on the community’s objectives and how it wants to move forward.”

At the moment she is “getting oriented to the community (and) learning about its priorities and dynamics.”

Sullivan “recognizes that economic development means different things to everybody” and she’s “really excited to be here and to get moving.”

“I’m looking forward to being part of the community.” Sullivan is hoping to find a place in South Dundas before the snow falls.

[…]

The weather was perfect. The apple pies and apple desserts were perfect. And the large crowds were perfectly happy to enjoy games, rides, music and lots of good food during the Iroquois Apple Festival held on Saturday, September 17.

Candace Menges, chair of the Iroquois & District Celebration Festival Committee, which organized the event, said that organizers were “extremely pleased with the day.”

“The only complaint we’ve heard thus far is that there was no where to park,” Menges laughed. “I think I kind of like that complaint, as you don’t hear that too often in the Iroquois Plaza.”

The theme of the 2011 festival was tied in to the 200th anniversary of the McIntosh Apple.

Descendents of the McIntosh family and other guests came from Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Cornwall and the United States to visit the community and enjoy the festival.

“We want to offer many thanks to Smyth’s Orchards for providing tours of their orchards and for setting up the McIntosh Apple Visitors’ Centre,” Menges said. “The family was great to work with, and we are very thankful that they have sustained the McIntosh Apple within our community where it originated.”

With members of the McIntosh family assisting, South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds and members of council officially opened the Festival by cutting the red ribbon. Mayor Byvelds praised the work of the organizers. With councillor Evonne Delegarde he presented McIntosh descendents with specially created commemorative coins in honour of the 200th anniversary.

An all day farmers’ market, colourful vendors, Tribeck Inflatables, a petting zoo and lots of fun contests for kid and adults alike were popular at the Festival. Children especially enjoyed the music of H&S Express, while the beat of Landmark rocked the plaza in the afternoon.

Members of the South Dundas council were also called upon to judge desserts and pies. (Some had to sample each offering two or three times just to be sure.) The apple pie winner was Lori Link, while Anne Hartle won top apple dessert.

Cutest apple dumpling baby under age one was Addisyn Blanchette while Kacey Claxton took honours in the one to two year old category. Sarah Steward, Mateo Lacroix and Amber Bailey were judged best in the colouring contests in their age categories. Ethel Merkley won the peeling contest with an apple peel measuring 31.5 inches, while Sharron Miller was the winner of the apple trivial challenge. Lynne Jamieson was the 50/50 draw winner. 

[…]