Funding for funerals

South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services is proactive when it comes to ensuring its residents are protected with a proper working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

SDFES runs a program, whereby its members go door-to-door visiting homes in South Dundas to test smoke detectors, to help homeowners/tenants ensure that they are properly located within the home, to provide new batteries, and if needed to provide homeowners, one time, with a free smoke alarm. 

They too inspect carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are installed properly in an optimum location, and are in working condition. These have been mandatory in South Dundas since 2011, in any home with a fuel fired appliance or an attached garage.

Fire chief Chris McDonough explained that this ongoing program has never been about fining people for non-compliance. It is about ensuing that they are properly alarmed, which is an essential, life-saving, first line of defence in an emergency.

So far this year, South Dundas firefighters have visited 170 homes. 

“It is a very successful program,” said McDonough, adding that the homeowners are very receptive to it and that the firefighters love helping out their friends and neighbours with important advice.

“This is a hugely important program,” said McDonough, adding that the winter and the holiday season is the highest risk time for fires, especially in single family dwellings. 

Since the inception of the alarm program, the number of residential fires in South Dundas has decreased.

Each year, Union Gas searches out worthy community programs and provides them with grants in support of their efforts.

They selected the SDFES Alarm Program as one of those worthy community initiatives, providing it with a $2,000 grant. 

“As a company, our focus on safety doesn’t end with the work day. We believe in investing in programs that will help make our communities safter 24/7,” said Jake Lapierre of Union Gas. 

“South Dundas Fire and Emergency Servicdes continues to actively promote fire safety throughout the community with the door-to-door campaign. We are very pleased to receive this generous donation from Union Gas,” said Chief McDonough.

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There was considerable discussion on whether to pave more of the Morrisburg Plaza than originally planned for at the September 6th South Dundas council meeting.

Hugh Garlough, Manager of Public Works, told council that several projects had “come in considerably under budget” and he recommended increasing the amount of road to be paved to “cover more area” or to “do it all.”After much discussion, it was decided that Garlough should come up with numbers on how much money has been saved compared to how much it would cost to pave more area.

It was also suggested by Garlough that the current contract with Eastern Engineering should allow for an increase in the area to be done at the same quoted price.

Mayor Steven Byvelds made it clear that if Eastern Engineering decline to cover more area for the same price quote, “then we go back to tender. I want to be fair.”

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Spring has finally arrived and Upper Canada Village has opened its gates to welcome visitors to an exciting, new season.  

May will be a busy month and the Village will be alive with tradition over the Victoria Day weekend.  Visitors can join in the Queen Victoria Birthday celebrations on Sunday, May 17 with patriotic speeches, grand military manoeuvres, a hand-pumped fire engine demonstration and enjoy a piece of birthday cake. 

Without a doubt, one of the joys of Spring is watching the fields and gardens come back to life after a long winter.  The Spring Planting weekend (May 30, 31) at Upper Canada Village is a great time to visit and see nature’s renewal.  

The 2015 season will mark the 350th anniversary of the arrival of the Canadian Horse in Canada.  

All season long visitors will be able to see the Canadian horses at work.  

They are an integral part of daily life at Upper Canada Village performing tasks such as drawing the Tow Scow along the canal, pulling Carry-alls through the Village for tours and other farm related chores.  

This season, Horse Lovers’ weekend will be a not-to-be-missed event on Labour Day weekend September 5-7.

Upper Canada Village offers a number of summer youth camps.  Some spaces are still available.

“We have a great season of events, programs and summer camps at Upper Canada Village.  Our summer youth camps are a great opportunity for young people to make new friends and have a completely unique experience.  This season we have a full line-up of events planned with many returning favourites such as Medieval Festival, Food Lovers’ Field Days and the War of 1812 Military Re-enactment weekend.  In July and August we will be bringing back the Haunted Walks and Murder Mystery Dinners that were very popular last year,” said Geoff Waycik, Manager of Historic Sites, St. Lawrence Parks Commission.

New this year is the ‘Breaking Down the Barriers to History’ weekend on June 20 and 21.  While Upper Canada Village offers an excellent multisensory experience every day, this event will be further enhanced for those with sight loss, hearing loss and mobility challenges.

Other events coming up in June include Sheep Shearing Days – June 2-5 and Medieval Festival June 6-7.  

Special education days include Monday, May 25, War of 1812  and Monday, June 8 for Medieval Festival.  Students can also visit the Aultsville Train Station for the British Home Child Exhibit and Educational Program offered June 2 and 3.

Upper Canada Village will be open daily from May 6 to Labour Day and then Wednesdays to Sundays from September 9 to 20, 2015.

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