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News

Money for meat

 

On December 22nd, Kristine Blokland, a civilian staff member for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment in Morrisburg, gave Donna Quesnel, Administrator for the Dundas County Food Bank, a donation of $320 on behalf of the staff and seniors of the North Stor Seniors Support Centre in Finch.

Blokland, a member of the OPP’s Coppertones, sang for the seniors at their annual Christmas celebration in addition to serving them their dinner. 

Quesnel reported that, in addition to actual food items, monetary donations are very important as well because they allow “the FoodBank coordinators to purchase what is missing yet needed for the food boxes.”

Quesnel said, “with this donation, we will be able to purchase a half order of ground beef that can be put in the freezer and be distributed to families over the winter months.”

“Since meat is one of the basic items that the Food Bank provides in small quantities to families in need as part of the food allocation assistance available, once per month, purchases are made locally every couple of months in order to distribute throughout the year,” continued Quesnel. “Donations such as this one helps the FoodBank stock these much needed food items.”

Quesnel offered an updated list of Food Bank needs on December 27th: “Most needed items currently at the Morrisburg DCFB location include: soda crackers and pasta sauce.  These can be dropped off at the Food Bank or in the drop-off bin at Riley’s valu-mart.”

Quesnel said she is grateful for the generosity of so many.

Holiday hours for the Food Bank are Wednesday evenings (Dec 28th and Jan. 4th) from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday afternoons (Dec 29th and Jan. 5th) from 1 to 3 p.m.  

Beginning January 9th, the Food Bank will be open regular hours: Monday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m., and Thursday afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m. 

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News

Scotiabank makes Christmas a little bit brighter

 

On December 14th, Naomi’s Family Resource Centre in Winchester received a wonderful and timely gift from the Morrisburg branch of Scotiabank. The Scotiabank staff unanimously decided to donate the $500 raised from their Dress Down Fridays to the Dundas charity. Louanne Tindal said the decision to give to Naomi’s, especially at Christmas, was an easy one. Tindal expressed hope that Verna Léger and staff at the Winchester centre “could use the funds to make their Christmas a little bit brighter.”

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News

Free rent for food bank

 

“We started this a number of years ago. We can at least do our share toward it,” said South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds.

He was referring to the Dundas County Food Bank, which has been living rent-free at the Second Street location in Morrisburg.

Council members unanimously agreed that the food bank will continue to have their rental fees waived for as long as they remain at the Second Street location.

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News

Iroquois WWTP moving steadily ahead

 

The Iroquois Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade will be moving ahead now that a construction contract has been approved.

At the December 20th South Dundas council meeting, Chief Administrative Officer Stephen McDonald submitted the recommendation that J.C. Sulpher Construction Ltd. be awarded the contract with their tendered bid of $12,299,808 excluding HST.

The bid was one of seven received, coming in at $176,792 lower than the second lowest bid.  AECOM reviewed all bids and recommended J.C. Sulpher Construction Ltd. to the Ontario Clean Water Agency, who, in turn, agreed and passed on the recommendation to South Dundas council.

In addition to being the lowest bid, J.C. Sulpher Construction Ltd. also provided excellent references, which included work done on the Morrisburg Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Councillor Jim Graham added his recommendation saying, “I’m glad to see Sulpher back. They did a fantastic job.”

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News

Consultants hired for strategic plan

 

A new strategic plan outlining and evaluating growth potential for South Dundas was deemed a priority for the township more than a year ago.

At the December 20th council meeting, Chief Administrative Officer Stephen McDonald brought forward a report, which recommended council hire Dillon Consulting Limited at a cost of $24,870 plus HST. 

Dillon Consulting was one of 10 proposals received. Each proposal was then evaluated by McDonald, Mayor Steven Byvelds, and Economic Development Officer Nicole Sullivan.

Dillon Consulting, an Ottawa-based company, will be holding four Community Cafés throughout South Dundas in the new year because, as McDonald explained, “the whole intent of this was to get good feedback from the community and hear what they have to say.”

“I do hope we get as many as possible to participate,” said Byvelds. “Their proposal was strong. I’m looking forward to getting this underway and getting some good results,” he concluded.

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News

Snow removal costs for new subdivision

 

When is a township responsible for snow removal on township roads?

This question created a heated debate at the December 20th South Dundas council meeting with Deputy-Mayor Jim Locke voicing outrage at the township’s intention to charge local developer, Swank Construction Ltd., for snow removal in the new subdivision east of Iroquois.

He pointed out that there are already two houses in the subdivision whose occupants will be paying taxes to South Dundas. He also reminded council that Swank Construction does a lot for the township in terms of supporting growth.

According to Chief Administrative Officer Stephen McDonald, however, the agreement surrounding snow removal is in the legal contract signed between Swank Construction and South Dundas township.

He maintained, with input from the Manager of Public Works, Hugh Garlough, that the $125 fee for snow removal is within reason. He suggested that Swank hire someone else to clear the roads if he thought the cost was too high.

He further explained that “there are a whole bunch of requirements” that need to be met before the township takes over the responsibility for snow removal in the new subdivision.

Councillor Jim Graham agreed saying, “this is basically a construction site until it’s finished. It doesn’t get turned over to the township until it’s finished.”

Mayor Steven Byvelds added, “you may have a point Deputy-Mayor Locke, but it is what it is.”

Locke put forth a motion: “that we plow the road for zero dollars like we would any other road.”

No one seconded the motion.

Swank Construction will continue to be responsible for snow removal until the new subdivision meets the township’s requirements for completion.

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Sports

Curlers wrap it up

 

Three teams of our Thursday morning mixed curlers were in Russell last week for a friendly bonspiel. Ron Beaupre, Rick McKenzie, Denis Thibault and Cheryl Thompson made up the first quartet, and won their game. Our second group, Andy Patenaude, Alice Thompson, Betty Locke and Sue McIntosh played Sylvie Brault’s foursome, from the women’s team that won our local invitational. Third were Jack Dikland, Sam Locke, Bud Perry and Claire Locke, who lost their game 7-6 to Peter Romme, former provincial farmers’ champion, to make our hosts feel a little more friendly. 

The morning mixed curlers had their final matches of 2011, and enjoyed their windup party on Thursday. Afterwards, they devoured a catered lunch from Subway and learned that the first place team for this draw was the Dave King foursome. With Dave were Sharon Van Allen, Dennis Thibault and Reg Coffey. Ron presented the trophy, refurbished by Doug Brannan, to them. A close second and third were the quartets led by Jack Dikland and Ron Beaupre. Ron and Jeannine Beaupre did another fine job as coordinators for this league, and we thank them for it.

 Senior men’s champions for the Bowman Trophy were Sid Morrell, Karl Duncan, Bud Perry and Al Gowanlock. They broke a tie with Raymond Benoit, Ron Brown, Earl Jeacle and Dave Salsman for the win in this closest of draws. 

The Thursday night competitive league curlers have fixed teams, and they choose a winner at the end of the curling season in March. As often happens, there’s a log jam at the top by the halfway point. 

With nine wins, we have Dave Dolan, Henry Looyen, Al Harriman and Mary McQuaig. Nipping at their heels are Larry and Anita Cooper and Chris and Nancy Barkley. Robert Houze, John Wilson, Joe McCooeye and Steve Boucher were right in there as well. 

Clearly, there have been plenty of tight and well-played games on Thursday nights. We’ll have to keep a close eye on things through until March.

The Friday night social league tends not to pick a winning team, but they seem to have the most fun. Rumour has it they are sometimes still at the club after midnight, perhaps unwinding after the pressure of their games.

On January 4, there will be a four team playoff for our two senior men’s entries in the Parnell competition in Cornwall, on January 6. Sid Morrell, Peter Zeran, Martin Schneckenburger and Jack Barkley’s teams will compete for that honour.

The Bernie Brunt Sr. Men’s Invitational Bonspiel on January 13, has a full slate of 12 teams confirmed. Jack Barkley is the coordinator.

Our Senior Mixed Invitational Bonspiel will be held on Wednesday, January 25. Dave King is the coordinator there.

Our little rockers finished off 2011 with a family bonspiel and a party. They expect to be competing with other clubs in the new year, and will be involved in the Big Four bonspiel with Russell, Metcalfe and Winchester, as will our bantam/junior league players.

The draw for the New Year’s Eve party and bonspiel is full. It’s been a while since we’ve had one of these. Let’s hope this becomes a tradition. See you next year. 

Good curling to all!  

 

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News

Exchange assists over 400 people

 

 this holiday season.

Exchange organizer, Carol Richer said the number of boxes packed by the Exchange was down from last year. However, there were more registrations for single persons, 30, who pick up their supplies at the Food Bank.

Figures this year show that almost 200 children benefitted from the Exchange dinners and the various Angels Trees that collected gifts.

“With the adults (13 years and up), the children and the 30 singles, we probably provided enough food for about 465 people,” said Richer.

While the Exchange makes use of the canned food that is donated by the community, much of the ingredients for the meal are purchased through cash donations.

“Seaway High did a great job with their food drive and Ross Video also held a food drive. That is all in addition to the food donated through area churches and by individuals,” said Richer. “Those receiving boxes have the choice of ham or turkey which we buy along, with the fresh vegetables and fruit.”

These include potatoes, carrots and oranges.

“We are very fortunate here,” said Richer. “Our donations have come in enough to cover our expenses. I have heard that other areas haven’t been as fortunate.”

In addition to the food, cash and toys/gift donations, the Exchange counts heavily on other sorts of donations.

“The Seaway Valley Pharmacy covers all of our advertising in the newspaper. We have businesses and churches all supporting us, along with private donations. Then there is Craig Packaging that supplies us with the boxes. Where would we be without the boxes. It would be impossible. And we have the use of the Legion Hall here every year.”

“We have the banks who allow us to set up the Angel Trees and the Lions Club, Sandra Johnston in Iroquois and Beavers Dental who take care of the Angel Tree program. Then there are the kids, like those from St. Mary/St. Cecilia’s who step in and put the boxes together.”

“Sometimes stuff just shows up and I have no idea where it came from.”

“I get cards in the mail with cheques. Some come from people living on pensions, who feel this is so important.”

Richer explained that the Exchange also counts on its volunteers who organize, transport and sort the food and then pack everything in the boxes.

“Some volunteers have been doing this for many, many years. This year we had a healthy group of new volunteers which is nice to see.”

“The whole process is like a well-oiled machine. Everyone knows what has to be done. They latch onto the new people and the job gets finished.”

For the last several years the Exchange has coordinated its effort with the Food Bank. All non-perishable food that does not go into a food box goes to the Food Bank.

 

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Opinion

Perspectives by Rev. Arlyce Schiebout

 

Do you see what I see?

Christmas has passed and life is back to normal, right?  

There is the story of a little boy who had watched with great interest how the creche/nativity scene was set up outside his church.  A few days after Christmas the scene had been dismantled and all that remained was the outline of the scene on the ground covered with snow.

He asked his mother what had happened, why the scene and baby Jesus had disappeared.  The little boy’s mother tried her best to give an explanation—that Christmas was over and the heavy snow of January would envelope the scene.  

The little boy, as most little children, knew that it was not such a good explanation.  But then his mother added, the love and joy of Jesus was not just in the nativity scene but should be lived out in his life and the lives of others who believed that Jesus came to show us God’s love and how to live in the Way. 

The little boy liked that answer and now had something that he could remember every day of the year, not just on Christmas.

The outline of God’s love is with us all the time.  God is as close to us as the breath that we breath.  Regardless of where we find ourselves on life’s journey, God is always near.  

For those characters in Luke’s gospel story of Jesus’ birth, God was near. For the wise ones in Matthew’s story, God was near. 

The outline of God-with-us, Emmanuel, is a great comfort to us when we are in the midst of burdens which seem to have no resolution. God-with-us, Emmanuel, is a source of energy and new life when we forgive as we have been forgiven by God for those many times when we forget that God is the voice we should listen to.  

God-with-us, Emmanuel, Jesus, reminds us daily that we are to be the hands and feet of Christ in a world that yearns for hope, healing, justice.  

God-with-us reminds us that our faith is lived out in the world around us, not just inside us or within a particular denomination or faith community.  

God-with-us, Emmanuel, reminds us that even after long hard work for the kingdom of God, we are not discouraged but encouraged.

Do you see what I see?  I see the Christ-light shining brightly in our world.  This light shines even in the darkest of corners.  And I see many people who live that light in our communities.  Let your light shine, and share it liberally!  

Blessings and Peace for 2012 and the season of Epiphany.

Rev. Arlyce Schiebout

 

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Sports

Islanders nip Junior B Lions

 

The Morrisburg Junior B Lions were handed a tough 3-2 loss by the visiting Gananoque Islanders on Friday, December 23.

After playing to a one-goal first period draw, the two teams remained on an even keel, ending the second period, deadlocked 2-2.

The deciding marker was scored at 8:28 of the third period when the Islanders’ Graeme Moore was set up by Tyler Murray to deposit the winner behind Lions’ goaltender Mikael Dion.

The Islanders opened the scoring just over eight minutes into the first period with a Tyler Murray goal. Providing the assists were Wyatt Cota and Dillon Black.

Late in the frame, the Lions answered back with a Chris Rutley goal assisted by Clarke Veenstra and Matt Ouimet.

At 7:02 of the second period, Wyatt Cota again gave the Islanders a one-goal lead, and they held that until the final minutes of the frame. 

With just under two minutes remaining in the second period, Michel Lefebvre (from Alex Steingruber) counted for the Lions to even it 2-2.

That set the stage for the winner from Moore in the third period.

The Lions out shot the Rideau division’s third place Islanders, 49-42.

Both teams were assessed four minor penalties and the Lions picked up an additional 10 minute misconduct to Clarke Veenstra (who clocked the entire 18 penalty minutes assessed to the Lions).

With a minimum of games played over the holiday weekend, the Lions remain five points behind the fourth place Char-Lan Rebels. They have one game this week, and that was a make-up game against South Grenville, played last night, Tuesday, December 27.

The Winchester Hawks and the Casselman Viking are now tied for the St. Lawrence Division’s top spot, both with 49 points.

The Alexandria Glens are in third place, with 37 points, while the Rebels have 24 points. 

The Rideau-St. Lawrence Division teams are now gearing for the 2012 Showcase Event being hosted by Winchester. The Lions will open the event at 9:30 a.m. in a game against South Grenville.

 

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