McDonell talks Ontario energy

“I do not recommend that we get involved with the snow plowing on these two plots,” said South Dundas Manager of Public Works, Hugh Garlough.

Garlough addressed council at the February 7th meeting where he lobbied against a request made by South Nation Conservation’s (SNC) Josée Brizard for help in maintaining the parking lots for two SNC conservation areas within South Dundas. 

In her letter to council, Brizard wrote, “it has come to our attention that many residents use both trails at Bob Graham and Two Creeks during the winter months. To facilitate the usage of these trails, SNC is inquiring about the possibility for the township of South Dundas to assist with the plowing of these two parking lots.”

She emphasized that “SNC will inspect the trails on a weekly basis and also will be grooming the trails when needed.”

According to Garlough, “there is a cost involved and the road department does not have time to send a truck or backhoe to these remote locations.”

He went on to say that he and his crew “worked with South Nation this summer. It went okay, but South Nation  didn’t really consider my time or my men’s time. They just called at the last minute.”

As Deputy-Mayor Jim Locke pointed out, however, Two Creeks “has become quite a recreational spot and it’s going to grow.”

In response to not plowing the parking lot, he added, “I guess it’ll mean parking on the highway.”

Debate ensued, revolving around two opposing facts: the importance of recreational opportunities for South Dundas residents and the inconvenience and cost of having to plow the parking lots.

Mayor Steven Byvelds reminded everyone that these are trails within South Dundas, saying, “I thought it was a great idea. It’s an opportunity where we can partner with them (SNC).”

“People are interested in it,” he added.

Locke suggested moving the topic to budget time. It was agreed that plowing could be covered in the recreation budget since, as Chief Administrative Officer Stephen McDonald pointed out, “Ben (Macpherson) may have plans for recreation there in winter as well.” Macpherson is the South Dundas Recreation Program Coordinator.

Council inevitably agreed to refer the topic to budget.

[…]

 

A “training video” released virally on YouTube this week shows how easy it is to train for the Winchester District Memorial Hospital Foundation’s September 8 fundraiser, the Heel ’n Wheel for Local Cancer Care.

The training grounds in the video are right in front of WDMH, in the roundabout, but your training grounds can be anywhere. Staff organizer, Christina Enright, said, “you can walk or bike a little or a lot; in your own backyard, or through the streets of your hometown.”

“However you choose to train, we’re encouraging you to get moving, because we want you to enjoy this event with no pain, and lots of gains!”

“We hope that this funny video shows people that they can still have fun while they’re training,” she continued.  

The video features several current and former Winchester Hospital Heelers (occasionally in costume), Janet Hutt, Tanya Keats, Heather Harper, and WDMH Dietician, Lisa Raoul Watt, along with some neighbours and friends.  Check it out on YouTube under the name: Training Laps for the Heel ’n Wheel.

To start your own walking club or cycling group for the event, you first have to register yourself or your team at heelnwheel.ca.  

Then, to get your team active, you can easily make a phone or email tree, and reach out to your teammates to arrange your weekly training walk or bike ride.  

Or, you could mobilize on Facebook or on the Heel ’n Wheel event website, where there are tools that will get you talking and moving in preparation for the event.

The event will be held on September 8, 2012. There are seven starting locations including Greely, Osgoode, Russell, Crysler, Finch, Morrisburg and South Mountain. This event is open to all ages. 

The Heel ’n Wheel will wrap up in the early evening with a celebration barbecue in front of WDMH, complete with musical entertainment, children’s activities, and a presentation of awards.

[…]

 

 “We have such incredible citizens here in our community, who are incredibly giving of their time day after day,” said MP Guy Lauzon, at the ceremony to honour 31 area recipients of the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. “I can’t thank all of you who volunteer in your communities enough. You all make me very proud.”

Five members of the South Dundas community, Doug Grenkie, Joan Farlinger, Helen Tupper, Dr. Graham Houze and Trevor Tolley were among those honoured with medals. 

St. Andrews Catholic Church, the site of the Sunday, December 9, ceremony was packed with family and friends and dignitaries gathered to acclaim the area medal winners. 

The commemorative medal was created to mark the 2012 celebration of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne and honours significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.

Joan Farlinger broke the “glass ceiling” and was selected as the first female chair of the Winchester Hospital Board of Directors, and also served six years as the president of the WDMH Auxiliary. She represented the auxiliary and this community as the president of the Hospital Auxiliary Association of Ontario.

Joan has served with the Morrisburg Curling Club, Knox Presbyterian Church, the Dundas Junior Farmers and as provincial director for the Junior Farmers of Ontario. She currently acts as a board member for the Rural Healthcare Innovations overseeing the former Dundas Manor in Winchester.  

Lawyer Doug Grenkie, a Morrisburg & District Lion for 40 years, and a member of the Cornwall, SD&G Shrine Club, has been president of the Dundas County Cancer Society and past president of the Eastern District of the Cancer Society for the Ontario division. 

He serves on the board of Partners for Children in Development, and  has acted as a fund raiser for the Children’s Treatment Centre in Cornwall. He has served with the Morrisburg & District Canadian Club for 40 years.

Doug completed a stint as chair of the Morrisburg Waterfront Committee and acted as chair for the Close to Home campaign for WDMH. He was also a founding member of Upper Canada Playhouse. Doug was awarded the Law Society Medal in 2009, and has served in many roles with  prestigious Bar associations.

Dr. Graham Houze was a family doctor in Morrisburg for 40 years, acting as Chief of Medical Staff at WDMH, and serving as past representative to the Ontario Medical Association Council for the Winchester-Kemptville Medical Society. He also acted as provincial coroner for SD&G for 43 years. 

In retirement, Graham serves as a member of Council for the Physicians’ Services Foundation. He is currently president of Branch 48, the Morrisburg Royal Canadian Legion, and has served in leadership positions with the Dundas Chapter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and with the Morrisburg & District Canadian Club.

Trevor Tolley is a retired Professor Emeritus of Com-parative Literature from Carleton University who has also authored several publications focusing on English language and literature. 

He served as councillor for the former Township of Williamsburg, and as president for the Williamsburg Non-Profit Housing Corporation. He was instrumental in bringing additional social housing units to Williamsburg, where the housing project now bears his name. He received the 20 year service award from the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association in 2008. 

He acted as president of the Community Living Dundas County and remained on its board until 2009.

Trevor was a spokesperson and volunteer for the New Democratic Party of Ontario, chosen as president of the SD&G Provincial NDP Association for 25 consecutive years. He also received the Community Activist Award from the Cornwall & District Labour Council in 2009.

Helen Tupper has been a key organizer for over 12 years with the South Dundas Soccer Association. She has also been a committed planner for a yearly soccer tournament in Iroquois which involves over 600 young players, dozens of teams and hundreds of parents.

She has served for five years as Hulbert-Valley Playgroup Co-ordinator and 14 years with the Iroquois Public School/Seaway District High School Councils. Her efforts have provided great programs, healthy active living and education for thousands of area children in South Dundas.

“May we be ever mindful of the contributions these people have made to our communities. May we be inspired to lead as these people have led,” said Eric Duncan, executive assistant for Guy Lauzon. 

[…]