Month: January 2012

Richard, Margaret Mary (nee Meikle)

Peacefully on Sunday, January 8, 2012. Beloved companion of Roland Smith, Maggie is survived by her sisters Catherine Diguer (Bernie) and Grace Lundy and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends may pay respects at the Kelly Funeral Home 1255 Walkley Rd. (East of Bank) Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by a Funeral Service in the Chapel. Interment to take place in the spring at her birth place, Morrisburg, Ontario. Donations to the Ottawa General Hospital or the Elisabeth Bruyère Palliative Care Unit appreciated.

Doris Casselman

A lifetime resident of the Williamsburg area, Doris Casselman passed away suddenly at the Woodland Villa Nursing Home in Long Sault on Friday, December 30, 2011. She was 90.

Doris was born in Williamsburg Township on June 7, 1921 to her parents John and Sarah Whitteker (nee Casselman).

On October 2, 1941 she married Hubert Casselman and together they had 3 children Ron, Dennis and Jo-Anne. Doris remained at the family farm west of Williamsburg, while Hubert was away training for the Air Force. In 1942 their first child Ron was born. Two years later in 1944 their second son Dennis was born. The family then was stationed in Exetoer Ont., when their third child Jo-Anne was born in 1948. From Exeter the family was then stationed in Claresholm, Alberta. The family returned home to Williamsburg in 1952 and resided with Doris's mother Sadie for a short time. They then rented for a while before building a new home on Pinkus Drive in 1960 where Doris resided until health problems forced her to leave her home in 2009.

Doris worked on the family farm as a child. After returning home from Alberta she then worked at English's Clothing Store, Fairbairn Furniture Store in Williamsburg and as a clerk at the Department of National Defence in Ottawa. Her final place of employment was at Upper Canada Village.

Upon retirement Doris and Hubert did some travelling with a group of close friends.

Doris was a very special person who meant so many things to many people. She enjoyed baking, gardening and bird watching. She was a great mentor and advisor. She was patient and kind and always put others before her. She always leant a helping hand. She left a special mark on everyone and was known to all as "Nan." She let everyone know how important they all were to her.

Doris is survived by her children Ron Casselman (Linda) of Williamsburg, Dennis Casselman (Kathy) of Williamsburg and Jo-Anne Whitteker of Cardinal., her siblings Edna Schell of Williamsburg, Ivan Whitteker (Shirley Moke) of Williamsburg, Rex Whitteker (Mary Ruth) of Morrisburg and Glenn Whitteker (Lois) of Perth. Nan will be fondly remembered by 7 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Hubert, her brother Ward Whitteker and her sisters Velda Steinburg and Flora Whitteker. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.

A private family Funeral Service was held at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg on Monday, January 2, 2012, with Rev. Noreen Gullons officiating. Cremation followed. Pallbearers were grandchildren Todd Casselman, Traci Bailey, Mark Cassselman, David Casselman, Paul Casselman, Angie Merkley and Derek Whitteker. Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Interment of cremated remais will be at New Union Cemetery , Williamsburg . Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

How to spot a true animal lover

Anyone can say that they love animals, but do they really? I’ve met several people who say they love dogs, but when they came face to face with my Irish Setter they cowered in a corner in fear. For those who don’t know, Irish Setters are not vicious. They’re actually large bundles of love. In fact, I don’t believe that any dog is innately vicious. When you meet a nasty dog, look at the owner or previous owners because, more often than not, people are to blame for mean dogs.

I’ve also met people who say they love animals, but “not in the house where they might dirty up the place.” While I will concede to the fact that I personally don’t want to live in the same house as a chicken, a pig, a cow, or a horse, I couldn’t imagine living inside my home while part of my family is forced to live outside at the mercy of the elements. Radar (my dog), George, Violet, and Salem (my cats) are family.

Before I made the decision to ‘adopt’ a dog into my family, I did a lot of reading, a lot of thinking, and a lot of soul-searching. There were articles that came right out and said ‘don’t get a dog if… you don’t like hair, fur, or muddy footprints in your house.’ At the time, I had much younger children and, so, I had already committed to living with happy fun-loving little mess makers. Getting a dog wasn’t really going to stretch me at all… a little more vacuuming, a little more mopping, no big deal. True animal lovers accept the ‘bad’ with the ‘good.’

Cats. They’re different from dogs. Cats are very majestic and bossy. Dogs are easy-going, loving, and, most often, complacent. What do they have in common? Both are loyal and loving. Each cat, however; will choose its own way of sharing affection and you pretty much have to go with it. You are not the ‘boss’ of the cat. The basic hierarchy in a home with both of these animals is… cat, human, dog.

A true animal lover loves all animals even if they don’t want to live with all of them. I can feel sympathy for the plight of a porcupine, but I don’t want to live with it.

A true animal lover would NEVER harm an animal or abandon it to the elements. All animals have feelings whether people care to admit to it or not.

The sign of a true animal lover? Someone who is almost always covered in fur, has ‘poop’ bags in their pockets, and has ‘pet’ pictures displayed right along with ‘family’ pictures.

Perspectives by Rev. Sue McCullough

Today I’m writing this as I sit at the table of a retreat house in Memphis, TN where the weather is a balmy 20 degrees Celsius. The sun has been shining and I have been doing some post-Christmas reflecting. Here is where I come for refreshment and renewal after a hectic Christmas season. Here is where I make every effort to renew my spirit and refill my cup so that I can give my best to the people whom I serve in my parish and beyond.

Part of my retreat is to examine what it is that I have done to make myself as tired and depleted as I have felt. My spiritual director is good at pulling from me the “other” stuff that wears me out and how to establish good ways to serve God and the parish so that doesn’t continue to happen.

We have been looking at all of this with the help of a book written by Joan Chittester called “The Monastery of the Heart.”

In her book Chittester says, “Retreat time is the practice of making personal time for the kind of spiritual time that is beyond the routine of religious practices or spiritual duties.” In other words, what we need to do is take time away from our everyday activities and pay attention to God and how God is at work in our lives – even if for only a few minutes in our day.

When we make time for God in our daily lives – and I mean intentional time, then we will find ourselves refilling our cups, renewing our spiritual selves and we will be refreshed.

As you find your way through 2012, take time for God every day. Learn what it is that makes you renewed and refreshed. Move through the coming days with joy and peace with God by your side.

See you tomorrow when I get home. Do you think that you can manage a 20 degree day for me?

Water skier Karen Stevens has big end to season at Pan Am games

Local water skier, Karen Stevens, finished off a hugely successful chapter in her water skiing accomplishments this past fall, when she represented Canada at the 2011 Pan Am games in Mexico, in October. At the games, Stevens scored three bronze medals for Canada, one each in the slalom and jump events and the third in a separate ‘overall’ three event competition (slalom, tricks and jumps).

Stevens, 22, described as “another in an endless stream of young rising stars in the sport in Canada” in an October 23 WaterSki & Wakeboard Canada story, finished an impressive third in the ‘overall’ at the Pan Am games behind gold medal winner Regina Jacques of the U.S. and Canadian teammate and silver medal winner Whitney McClintock of Cambridge, Ontario.

In the WaterSki & Wakeboard Canada article, Stevens was quoted saying, “The competition was tough. It’s awesome to come home with three medals. I’m very happy with the way it has gone.”

The Leader caught up with Stevens in December, when she was home for a visit.

Of her selection for the four-member Canadian team, the highest team selection of her skiing career to date, she said, “It was an honour to be picked for the Canadian team. It was pretty cool. We are a really young team (21 to 27 years). The coolest thing for me was that my medals contributed to Canada’s medal count.”

Making the trip to Mexico, for the Pan American games was Karen’s dad, Mark, who says, “It was really good. There were more people there than I have ever seen at a water ski competition. It was a very big week.”

“When they picked the Canadian team they were looking for a skier who they felt could get them three bronze medals,” he explained. “So she did what they wanted. It was truly an honour for her to be picked, and we were happy with her performance. She jumped her personal best and her tricks were close to her personal best. Unfortunately, her best event, slalom was down a bit.”

Mark, also an accomplished skier, says he is extremely proud of Karen, but admits, “It’s hard watching. It is definitely worse than skiing yourself.”

Karen concludes that it was an absolute thrill to compete at the Pan Am games and to be in Guadalajara, Mexico, where she says the athletes were treated ‘royally’.

Over 5,000 athletes representing 42 countries in over 30 sports competed at the Pan American Games which are a continental Americas’ version of the Olympic Games. Held every four years, they include the Olympic Program sports and others that are not part of the Olympic Games.

Canada is scheduled to host the next edition of the Games in 2015, in Toronto.

For the last four years, Karen has skied for the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) ski team. This team is the most successful water ski team in the history of collegiate water skiing having won 20 plus national championships since 1979.

She has now completed the four-year Kinesiology Program at ULM. This winter she is completing the required internship for her ULM degree at the National Training Institute in Florida. She is now skiing competitively, focusing on the slalom pro tour events.

Karen has been water skiing pretty much since she could walk. She got her early training from her dad and grew up skiing with her younger siblings, brother Daniel and sister Janice, in the home bay east of Iroquois.

Karen was a strong skier for the ULM team and her rankings over the four years by the National Collegiate Water Skiing Association, an affiliate of the USA Water Ski Association, are quite impressive.

She completed her final ski season at the college level in 2010, finishing first in Slalom and fourth overall at the Division 1, U.S. Collegiate Nationals.

Final 2011 International Water Ski Association elite women’s slalom rankings have Karen ranked ninth in the world.

Chris McDonough reflects on year of change

On January 10th, 2011, Chris McDonough became the first full-time fire chief for South Dundas.

Almost a year later, on January 4th, 2012, he talked with The Leader about the many changes that have taken place, including the amalgamation of three fire departments into one.

The Morrisburg, Iroquois, and Williamsburg stations came together to form what is now known as the South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services (SDFES), a name chosen by McDonough to reflect the variety of services provided.

Such services include, but are not limited to: public education, inspections, suppression capabilities, water rescue, and auto extrications. As McDonough, attested, “it’s been a busy, but very positive year. I’ve really enjoyed the challenge.”

He went on to explain that, in addition to regular fire suppression services, “as the community grows, more services are required.” He pointed out, for example, that SDFES is also responsible for the area’s auto extrication calls as well as calls associated with incidents on the St. Lawrence River.

McDonough attributes many of the changes to population growth. In the summer, with tourism and the addition of “more people coming to visit the community,” the SDFES is much busier. In fact, “call volume was up last year.”

According to McDonough, Christmas time and the winter months “people tend to get complacent in regards to fire and life safety.” Here he referred to the predominance of accidental fires due to improper use of candles, heating, decorations, and, in addition, to the lack of carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in homes.

McDonough reminded that South Dundas council recently passed a by-law making carbon monoxide detectors in homes mandatory that have fuel fired appliances or attached garages. He believes that South Dundas is the “first in the county to get that by-law in place.”

He would point out to residents that the by-law “is for their own safety.” In fact, McDonough reported that last week Ottawa Fire responded to an incident where a family was transported to hospital with severe CO symptoms due to a defective furnace.

The South Dundas firefighters have been promoting the carbon monoxide alarm program along with the smoke alarm program to great effect. So far, as promised earlier in the fall, they have been able to visit 50 homes in the township to check and install smoke alarms. The program, McDonough says, “has been well received in the community and has been very successful.”

As for the firefighters themselves, according to McDonough, the deputy-chiefs and firefighters from all the stations “really work well together. There’s no longer three separate fire stations.”

“We’re working together and moving forward in a really positive way.”

Representatives from each of the three stations have formed a training committee and a fire prevention committee, which meet monthly. Everyone is dedicated to ensuring that all members are “in line” with the section 21 training guidelines.

In fact, McDonough revealed that, going forward, the firefighters will be using the new training facility in Lyndhurst, Ontario.

In addition to the aforementioned monthly meeting, Chief McDonough also meets monthly with the three deputy and assistant deputy-chiefs from each station. As he explained, the stations are now working as one, which means assessing needs and helping each other out when necessary.

“We rely on each other,” he said. “We’re all coordinating together now. The officers and firefighters are working really well together. It’s been quite a transition.”

Another positive change for the South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services can be found in its administration. Reports, training records, and inventory from all three stations have been brought together to form one main archive. In addition to providing easier access to information, the new system also allows the chief to ensure that the SDFES records are complete and properly filed.

“This has also been a cost savings to the residents; having everything centralized we can evaluate our resources and avoid duplication,” said McDonough.

As for fire team members, McDonough was quick to commend and applaud the generosity and professionalism of everyone. In terms of the number of volunteer hours many of the firefighters put in, he said, “it’s just been amazing… incredible. I’ve been very pleased with that.”

Firefighters meet three to four times a month for continual training, keeping everyone ready and prepared for whatever might arise. The chief tries to attend some of these meetings as well.

In addition to the volunteer hours they put in for training and for actual emergency response, the firefighters also make time for fun events with the public.

“We’re trying to get involved in community events and public functions,” because, as McDonough pointed out, “it’s all community services.”

The three stations have also come together to work on renovations and to ensure that each station has what they need. The Morrisburg station is expecting the delivery of a new heavy rescue truck by the end of this month. And, in 2012, the Iroquois station may just find itself with a new pumper rescue truck.

“I’ve had a lot of positive feedback from the guys. They are happy with the changes,” McDonough confirmed.

With that said, due to some retirements, the South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services is looking for some new recruits for the Williamsburg and the Morrisburg stations. Those interested can go to www.southdundas.com for more information. Without a computer? Call the township office for additional information at 613-535-2673.

Olga ‘Ollie’ Slipchenko

On December 27, 2011, Olga ‘Ollie’ Margaret Slipchenko (nee Shermeta) passed away suddenly at home after a lengthy debility, caused by a condition of neuropathy, combined with a short term bout of breast cancer.

Ollie was predeceased by her parents, Dmitriy and Nellie (nee Palamarchuk). She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Walter; son, Andrew; brother, Eugene; and several cousins.

She was born in St. Boniface, Manitoba, on October 31, 1935, and educated in Winnipeg. Ollie first became an elementary school teacher, teaching in Winnipeg, Camp Petawawa, Ottawa (Barrhaven); and then as a real estate agent in Ottawa.

Upon moving to Morrisburg in the mid-80s, she became a very active supporter and worker at the Upper Canada Playhouse until the mid-90s when she was forced to restrict her activity because of her illness. Ollie continued with her active support by inviting many friends and acquaintances to the theatre over the last 26 years.

Ollie will be sorely missed, especially her kindness, humour and sharp wit not only by her family and very close friends, but by all those who have come to know her over the years; all of whom wish her vichna pamyat’ (eternal memory)!

There will be no visitation or funeral service. A private service will be held for family and friends at a later date.

Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Breast Cancer Action or any Research Foundations dealing with Neuropathy would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.

Arrangements entrusted to the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Iroquois (613-652-4452). Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

Helen Baldwin

A lifetime resident of the area, Helen Baldwin (nee McIntosh) passed away at the Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Thursday, December 22, 2011. She was 86.

Helen was born in Winchester Township, on July 25, 1925, to her parents Garfield and Viola McIntosh (nee Strader).

In her earlier years she liked to fish, and she worked at the Iroquois cold storage. She also enjoyed crocheting, playing scrabble and doing crossword puzzles.

Helen is survived by her sister Nina (Carl) Pemberton of Elma. She was predeceased by her husband Kenneth, her sisters Pauline Fowler and Ola Froats and her brother Mahlon McIntosh. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.

A Graveside Funeral Service was held at Spruce Haven Cemetery, Brinston, on Saturday, December 24th at 11 a.m., with Rev. Janet Evans officiating.

Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or Winchester Hospital would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements were entrusted to the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Iroquois. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

Marjorie Droppo

A longtime resident of this area, Marjorie Jean Droppo of Morrisburg, passed away peacefully at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Monday, December 26, 2011, following a brief illness. She was 93 years old.

A resident of 64 Park Avenue, Morrisburg, since the Seaway project, Marjorie was the daughter of the late James Hanna and Ethel Dean. She was born March 28, 1918, at Wheatley, Ontario.

On October 11, 1941, at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Burlington, she married her beloved husband, Hosea Droppo, who predeceased her in 1969.

A former resident of Chesterville, Marjorie was employed at Morrisburg Public School for a time as librarian and also as the school’s secretary.

Forty years ago, a big part of her real life ended. She and Hosea lived their lives for the good of others. They were a team. Together their entire focus was on their kids, other people’s kids, dogs, birds and anyone or anything that needed anything they had to give.

Through the 50’s and 60’s, together they coached every kid in town how to swing a bat and how to slide into second base.

Once Marjorie plunged into a life of her own, with her husband gone and her children gone, she filled her winter void with skiing. But cross country skiing was too girly for her–she downhill skied until she was near 80!

Marjorie also golfed well into her 80’s, until she couldn’t find anyone who could walk the course with her. Golf carts are for old people. Nobody would ever see her riding in a golf cart, not even for the second 18 of the day.

Years ago, winter in Florida helped to extend the golf season for her–until she even outlived all of the 20 other people who she first started that diversion with.

Marjorie was a woman of devotion and strong faith. She served her church through several decades as the organist both in Morrisburg and in Chesterville. She was a member of St. James Anglican Church in Morrisburg and a former member of Signet Chapter #272 Order of the Eastern Star in Finch.

Marjorie was indeed a very private person, insisting to the end on living alone in the house where she raised her family, a home that had been moved in Seaway times.

She had many past time activities to help her get through the lonely days, but her real focus never wavered from her three boys, and then their wives and families became her family too.

And, oh yes–did anyone ever notice that she was opinionated?

The beloved wife of the late Hosea Droppo, Marjorie was the loving mother of Gary (Jane) of Kingston, Rick (Kelly) of Cambridge and Bob (Pam) of Hill Island.

She was cherished grandmother of Kelly (Chris) Van Beilen of Morrisburg, Kevin (Carla) Droppo of Bradford, Dan Droppo of Bolton, Gina (Josh) Beavers of London and Jamie Droppo of Hill Island.

She was dear great-grandmother of Tiago, Maia, Reyen, Kade, Halle and Mikayla.

So many people are linked to the life of Marjorie Droppo in one way or another. Her sons, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren will be part of the legacy that she leaves behind. They will carry on telling of the family history, just as the other people whose lives have been inextricably altered by Mrs. Droppo will continue telling stories of her as they have known her.

Friends were received at the Parker Funeral Home, in Morrisburg, on Wednesday, December 28, from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service, performed by Rev. Susan McCullough in the chapel, at 11 a.m. Spring interment will be at St. Lawrence Valley Cemetery, Long Sault.

Memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society will be gratefully acknowledge. Condolences and donations may be made at www.parkerofmorrisburg.com

Everyday is a new day with no mistakes in it

“Every day is a new day,” wrote Lucy Maud Montgomery in Anne of Green Gables. Well, with this edition, it’s a new month and a new year. Have you made any New Year’s resolutions? Have you sat down and taken stock of what you did last year and then planned for what you want to achieve this year?

Well, according to genius Albert Einstein, “if you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.” In other words, money won’t buy you happiness. Goals that revolve around “getting” someone or something are rarely satisfying and, most often, a waste of valuable time. In contrast, the best goals to set are those that will make a positive difference in your life or in the lives of those around you.

I do this every year. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I don’t. Some things get checked off my list and some things don’t. Either way, I still like to feel like I have a purpose or direction to follow during the coming days – (as opposed to flailing around aimlessly until that fateful hour when my heart stops ticking).

In goal setting, it’s important to remember some famous advice: Winston Churchill once said, “success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” So, if at first you don’t succeed, then try again… and again… and again… and again… (Get the idea?)

Another piece of advice that I found helpful when “taking stock” is from Kofi Annan: “To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there.”

Life doesn’t happen by mistake. Life happens because of choices we make or choices others make. Things, for the most part, don’t happen “to” us. We make choices every moment of every day, whether we acknowledge that fact, or not.

Something I tell myself and something I tell my children often: “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” Think first. Ask yourself, who do I want to be? How will this choice affect me and the people around me? Choose wisely and remember, if you get it wrong, tomorrow is a “new day with no mistakes in it”, so try again.