Morrisburg Dock: a priority project

On November 10, 2013 a most important commemoration will be observed along the shores of Hoople’s Creek in South Stormont, that being the Bicentennial of the Battle of Hoople’s Creek.  

American Forces under General Wilkinson had moved by boat from Sackets’s Harbour in Upper New York State to just above Cornwall, which at that time was a major military stores location.  

It is a documented fact that a wagon train of 150 commandeered wagons began taking the all important stores north from Cornwall to St. Andrews, to Martintown and thence to Coteau de Lac. 

In order to keep the Americans at bay during the removal of stores, British Regulars, Stormont and Glengarry militiamen were sent to the Hoople’s Creek area where they engaged the enemy at what is now referred to as “The Battle of Hoople’s Creek”.  

This military engagement also served to provide General Morrison, at his headquarters on the farm of John Crysler just east of Morrisburg, time to plan the battle which was to occur the next day on the Crysler, Hanes, Fetterly and neighbouring farms. 

On Tuesday, November 15th, retired SD&G Highlanders Colonel William Shearing will speak to the Chesterville & District Historical Society at their regular meeting about the Battle of Hoople’s Creek as well as his successful endeavour to have signage as near as possible to the actual site of the battle erected.  

The meeting will be held at the Chesterville Heritage Centre at 14 Victoria Street in Chesterville. It is open to the public and will begin at 7:30 p.m. with Col. Shearing speaking soon thereafter.

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You get your drinking water from a private well. Is it safe? It’s easy to find out by having your water tested. 

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) provides a free well water testing service to households that get their drinking water from a residential well. 

Although your water looks clear and has no smell, it might not be safe to drink.

“Bacteria in water sometimes cause illness so severe that it can require hospitalization and can even cause death,” says Caroline Kuate, Program Manager, Water quality. “It is important to test your private water source to ensure its safety.”

Water quality can change over time, or it can happen suddenly and you may not notice a change in look, taste or smell. That’s why your water should be tested at least three times a year, especially in early spring when melting snow may cause water run-off to enter your well. 

Testing your well water on a regular basis is the only way to ensure the quality and the safety of your drinking water. 

The test results help you to address specific problems and to avoid any potential contamination.

Pick up your water test bottle at the EOHU and drop off your sample any day except Fridays. 

Better be safe than sorry and get your well water tested today!

For more information on well water testing, contact the EOHU at 613-933-1375 or 1 800 267-7120 and ask for Health Line or visit our website www.eohu.ca.

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The Moonlight Chapter #224 of the Eastern Star in Iroquois has a few things left on its to do list before it amalgamates with Prescott and last Thursday it took care of one of them with a donation to the Breakfast Program at Iroquois Public School.

Represented by Worthy Matron Gay Rust and Associate Matron Ruth Robertson, the Moonlight Chapter #224 dropped off a $400 donation to the school’s breakfast program which is organized by school secretary Phyllis Fisher and EA Christa St. Pierre. 

It is unfortunate, but “the Iroquois Chapter of the Eastern Star is closing, and we are consolidating with the Violet Chapter in Prescott,” explained Associate Matron, Ruth Robertson. 

“We have retired as a chapter and our consolidation will happen in July,” added Worthy Matron Gay Rust explaining that while the Iroquois chapter has a good sized membership, many of the members are elderly and unable to take an active role. 

As a result of their consolidation with Prescott, the Moonlight Chapter has found itself in a position of having some extra money. 

“We had a chance to give money, and I said let’s keep it here in Iroquois,” said Rust of the $400 to the school’s breakfast program. “Ruth thought that was a wonderful idea, so this is another good note that we are ending on.” 

Fisher and St. Pierre were extremely appreciative of the donation. “When I started the program several years ago, I didn’t want to single out any child,” said Fisher. “So every child has the availability of the food.” 

That means the program provides a nutritious starter to 270 kids daily.

“When I come in, I can see that the kids love it,” said Robertson, a retired Iroquois Public School teacher. “They love the veggies and dip. Some days they have fruit. It’s a lot of work, but it’s healthy and the kids like it.”

Iroquois Public School principal Kelty Grant also thanked the Moonlight chapter. Donations are welcome additions to the ministry funded Breakfast Program she said. 

Each year, in cooperation with the Friendly Brothers Iroquois Mason Lodge #143, the Eastern Star Chapter in Iroquois has been involved with ‘special projects’ selected by their Worthy Matron. This past April the Chapter donated $500 each to the Dundas County Hospice, the Winchester Hospital Heelers and the Mason Lodge #143 in memory of Master Mason Gary Richards.

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