Fire on Beckstead Road

 

Mother Teresa once said, “if you can’t feed a hundred people, feed just one.”

On a chilly November 12th the OPP Auxiliary Unit held their second annual “Stuff a Cruiser with Food Drive” in locations across Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, including Riley’s Valu-Mart in Morrisburg.

OPP Auxiliary Constables Tyler Kelly and Mike Meagher were on hand from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. accepting donations of food, money and grocery gift cards at the Morrisburg location.

The chilly weather didn’t dampen the moods of the constables. Meagher told the Leader that “the energy and spirit keeps us going.”

The two were indeed kept quite busy throughout the day. In addition they were assisted by the Dundas County Food Bank (DCFB) as well as volunteers from Riley’s store, Karen Gelner and Shaina Lewis.

Meagher told the Leader that some people were coming to the store for the sole purpose of donating to the cause. He said one man had “heard over the radio and decided to make a swing over.”

Meagher applauded the community saying, “the need arises and they’re certainly here and supporting.”

Kelly said, “the kids like it too.” He had shown quite a few kids the inside of the police car, to great effect.

Some people filled entire grocery carts with donations, while others dropped money or gift cards into the donation jar.

“We love being involved in this and having the success we’ve had,” said Meagher.

DCFB Chair Brenda Millard greeted customers, handed out suggestion lists, and thanked people for their support. She bore witness to the extreme generosity of the people in this community. 

Once again, with the help of the OPP Auxiliary, the DCFB proved that together a community can make a difference. According to DCFB Administrator Donna Quesnel, “there were 11 trips made between Riley’s and the Food Bank.”

The Leader talked with a representative at the Morrisburg Food Bank location on November 14th and it was estimated that the six hour event raised 5,000 pounds of donations in addition to over $600 in money and gift cards.

On November 15th the SD&G OPP sent out a release outlining the success of the food drive throughout the United Counties.

“Once again, residents of SD&G showed their generosity in giving to worthy causes.”

The five locations raised approximately 13,900 pounds of food items and $2,925.77 in monetary donations.

Dundas

Proceeds from the Morrisburg and Winchester locations will go to the Dundas County Food Bank.

The total raised included approximately 6,400 pounds of food items and $1,155 in monetary donations.

This year, Dundas County collected 3,000 more pounds of food than it did at last year’s event.

Stormont

Proceeds from the Cornwall and Ingleside locations will go to the Agape Centre.

The total raised included approximately 4,000 pounds of food items and $947.27 in monetary donations.

Glengarry

Proceeds from the Alexandria location will go to the St. Vincent de Paul.

The total raised included approximately 3,500 pounds of food items and $823.50 in monetary donations.

SD&G OPP Auxiliary Unit Commander, S/Sgt Al Jodoin stated: “From all the members of the SD&G OPP Auxiliary Unit and Detachment, we wish to sincerely thank everyone for making this Food Drive a phenomenal success!”

For those wishing to make a donation to the Dundas County Food Bank, please phone one of the locations at 613-543-0065 or 613-774-0188.

[…]

 

By the narrowest of margins, the SDG County Library Board passed motion, at the June 20 meeting that will keep a library in Williamsburg.

In a 4-3 recorded vote, the motion states that library staff will work with South Dundas to find a suitable location in Williamsburg for a branch of the SDG Library system. 

“It is now up to South Dundas to move forward on sourcing a suitable location for the Branch,” said South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke, who is a member of the library board. Locke voted in favour of keeping a branch of the library in Williamsburg.

“We are pleased with the result of the library board meeting,” said Kharla Ward, one of the library users who fought to keep a library in Williamsburg. 

“As time is of the essence, we look forward to working with the library board and the South Dundas council to settle into a new location before the August 1, 2013 deadline.” 

The library has been asked to vacate the space by August 1, in order for South Dundas’ new building tenants, the TR Leger School of Adult and Alternative Education to move in. 

According to Ward, committee members, along with Mayor Steven Byvelds and Deputy Mayor Jim Locke, have looked at a house, a commercial building (the former Canadian Tire) and have also discussed the possibility of a new building for the Williamsburg branch of the library at J.C. Whitteker Park. She also mentioned that perhaps T.R. Leger could still consider finding them a space.

While Byvelds and Locke did participate in one meeting, with the Friends group to discuss potential locations, it will be up to South Dundas staff, library staff and the Friends organization to choose a location and then bring their proposal to South Dundas council for funding approval.

[…]

 

Stuart McLean is a nationally known radio broadcaster, humourist and author. 

During his outstanding career, McLean has won an ACTRA award, the Rooke Fellowship for Excellence in Teaching, Research and Writing, Trent University, the Canadian Authors Association Best Non Fiction Book, 1993, the Canadian Author’s Association and Jubilee Award, 2004, and three Stephen Leacock Memorial Medals for Humour, 1999, 2001 and 2007. 

But Stuart McLean is probably best known, and loved, by generations of Canadians, for creating Dave and Morley, characters whose zany misadventures are often featured in his long-running CBC production, The Vinyl Café.

This January 28-29, 2012,  Stuart McLean is bringing his hit CBC Vinyl Café production to Upper Canada Playhouse, according to artistic director, Donnie Bowes.

Stuart McLean and his crew will be taping two live programs at the Playhouse in front of two sold out audiences. 

McLean, in his very distinctive voice, during the show, will narrate tales of Dave (who makes a living running the Vinyl Café in Toronto), his wife Morley, their children Stephanie and Sam, their friends, and the people in their neighbourhood. 

Dave keeps a juke box in his living room and the motto of his  record business is “We May Not Be Big, But We’re Small.” 

Each story performance by McLean is a complete tale in its own right, affectionate, often nostalgic,   gently humourous, as Dave and Morley cope with the quirks of daily life. 

These stories on air, and their appearance in a series of books and audio books, have won McLean millions of fans since the characters’ premiere. 

The Vinyl Café features essays, fiction and music. McLean is noted for introducing new Canadian musicians. Café episodes often begin with McLean reciting a description of the venue and the community in which he is appearing (Morrisburg) and end with his signature signoff “I’m Stuart McLean, so long for now.”

Which stories he will be sharing during his taping in Morrisburg are not yet confirmed, but audiences can hope that some of McLean’s beloved seasonal tales, Dave Cooks the Turkey, Christmas with Rasheeda and Ahmeer, Morley’s Christmas Pageant and Dave on the Roof may be in the line-up. 

While tickets are currently sold out for the The Vinyl Café, contact Upper Canada Playhouse at 613-543-3713 for additional information. 

[…]