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Kickers Finish Season on a High Note

The Kickers made this an undefeated season by winning a final make-up game 6-4 over the Ottawa Internationals Team 2, on Thursday, August 16, in Iroquois, then going on to do an outstanding job at the year-end tournament held at Kemptville Agricultural College on Sunday, August 19. The Iroquois game was tied 4-4, with three minutes left in play, when Randy Doherty scored for the Kickers, giving him three goals in total for the night.  With seconds left on the clock, Jeff McLaughlin rushed in to make the last goal of the evening. Coaches Jeff Buchanan and Don Hoogwerf were very pleased with the season’s results. “The Kickers also made the year-end tournament,” said Hoogwerf, “where they won all three of the games they played. They defeated North Dundas 1-0, in the first game, Nepean Hotspurs, Team 2, 3-2 in the second game and Nepean Hotspurs Team 1 by a score of 2-0 in the third game.”  On the field,  Liam Bush controls the ball. 

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Williamsburg Warriors Claim Title

The Williamsburg Warriors Majors claimed their league title Monday, August 20, in a tight, well-played 4-2 win against Prescott. This was the second game of the best of three series, with the Warriors having won a close 7-4 game the previous night. The Warriors placed first in the six team league during regular season play and were given a first round bye. In the semi-finals, the Williamsburg Warriors faced another Williamsburg team, the Thunder. After dropping the first game 6-5  to the Thunder, the Warriors came back with 14-3 and 14-6 wins. In the front row (l-r) are Matt Backes, Thomas Rae, Jack Thom, Kobey Young, Jonah Bennis, Dean Lapier and Kent Young (coach). In the back row are Dwayne Backes (coach), Johnny Testerink, Lucas Bennis, William DeJong, Cal Bilmer, Travis Barkley and Adam Lapier.

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Cedar Glen Tournament Boon to Young Athletes

The generosity of members of the Cedar Glen Golf Course has made a big difference to three young players from the club. Kurtis Barkley. Brandon Cousineau and Jessica Whitteker each received a $500 cheque at a special presentation at the club on Monday, August 20.

“Our September 10, 2011, Members for Members tournament was meant originally to raise funds to defray Kurtis Barkley’s C.P.G.A. entry costs,” said Barry Casselman, a member of the Cedar Glen executive. “But as those costs didn’t materialize, we decided to redirect the funds to three deserving members of the Club. Kurtis, Brandon and Jessica all came up through our Junior Program here at Cedar Glen.” 

Each of the three young recipients is deeply committed to sports.

Kurtis Barkley is using the $500 for “entry fees for the Chase the Dream qualifier. The Canadian Tour event is scheduled for Smuggler’s Glen, and the $500 will pay for my entry fees, my driving fees and my practice rounds. The news of the cheque was really great, and I am very grateful to the members of this club.”

Should Barkley qualify at Smuggler’s Glen, he will move  on to the Canadian tour. “My chances are good, I hope,” Kurtis laughed. “I have to be one of the top three competitors out of a field of 28. And there are lots of pros in the event.”

For Brandon Cousineau, the Cedar Glen cheque will help off set the expenses he incurred when he played for Team Canada in the  2012 Amputee Hockey Games, held this year in Finland. 

“And we came home with the gold medal,” Cousineau said.

Cousineau made it through two major try outs before he was finally selected for the men’s team in the Games. Although normally a forward,  during the tournament he played defence. “I was definitely the ‘young guy’ on the squad,” he said.

Brandon said that receiving the cheque from his home golf club took him by surprise. “But I am very glad, very grateful,” he added. He has played golf for years, but “I think I am probably better at hockey,” he smiled.

The third cheque recipient, Jessica Whitteker, was represented by her father, Bruce, at the presentation. The young golfer has already reported to Coastal College of Georgia where she has been awarded a partial golf scholarship. 

While she left golf for a short time a few years ago, her father said that “in the last three years, she has been a determined keen golfer.  She’s a ‘decent’ golfer,” he said, smiling, “with a five or six handicap. Of course, she hasn’t beaten the old man yet.”

When she was in Florida in early March, a Georgia coach saw Jessica golf and invited her to come to Coastal College for discussions. When the school offered her a two-thirds scholarship, she accepted.

Her father said that Jessica was very happy and very surprised to be honoured with a cheque from her home club.  She appreciates the generosity of the Cedar Glen membership. The $500 will go to her educational expenses. 

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Lightning strikes again, winning championship

 In their final clash of the season, White Lightning struck another win to claim the Dundas Men’s Roller Hockey League championship title.

Thursday, they capped off their stellar season with a 6-3 win over New Blue.

The first period ended with one goal a side, but by the end of the second, white held a 4-3 lead. They scored two unanswered goals in the third to capture the win and the league title.

Five different players contributed to the tally. Only Brandon Buma scored twice. The other goals were scored by Dave Summers, Steve Mattice, Tyler Brown and Tyler Gallinger. Billy Henderson had three assists on the night and Rob Thurler had two assists. Barret Brundige backstopped the win.

Scoring for New Blue were Connor Hodgson, with two goals and Jamie McIntosh with the single.

No consolation final was played. 

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Students Stronger When Linked

“I remember being very nervous in grade nine,” said 17-year-old Brodey Casselman. “I wasn’t from the area and I didn’t know many people at Seaway. I remember how scary it was not to know people, and how I would have liked some one to turn to.” 

Brodey, along with 15 other senior students at Seaway, has chosen to join the new board-wide Link program that will be introduced at Seaway this September.

When Seaway District High School opens its doors on September 4, the 2012 grade nines will find that there is definitely someone they can turn to, to help ease the transition from elementary to high school. 

“The Link program is based on a big project developed by California educators known as the Boomerang Project,” said Heather Thompson, the teacher who is heading up Seaway’s new program, with the support of fellow teacher Lilace McIntyre and guidance councillor Mark Lewis. 

“The focus of the Boomerang Project is to create a positive transition for grade nines into high school. That is also the focus of the Link program of the Board.”

Teachers introducing Link programs to their schools (known as Link co-ordinators) themselves take part in three days of intensive training with professionals, the “best training experience I’ve ever had,” Thompson said.

The one credit Interdisciplinary Course on Leadership that is now set up at Seaway High School (the Link program) has been developed for grade 12 students who will act throughout the school year as mentors, friends and role models to the grade nines with whom they are matched.

These Link leaders, as the grade 12 students are described, “we hope can begin to build strong relationships with our grade nines,” Thompson said. “They become people to whom grade nines can safely turn to ask questions, to seek help, to share worries and concerns as they adapt to a new high school environment. There are two link leaders for every grade nine ‘crew’ of 8-10 students.”

Grade 12 students get into the Link program by applying. Some Seaway seniors have had their names put forward by teachers who have seen qualities in them of which even they may be unaware.

“I was recommended to the program,” said Sierra Stone, 17, who has also opted to join Link. “When I came to Seaway in grade nine, I did know some people, but it was easy to be intimidated by kids older than me.”

The students who have been selected to join the Link program must make a personal commitment in terms of time and effort, and not just in a classroom. They must involve themselves in all aspects of the nines’ school life. Outside regular school hours training is mandatory.

The Leader attended an intensive work shop held at Seaway on Monday, August 27, where the 16 seniors, all chosen for different strengths and unique qualities during the June screening process, were undergoing training. 

The seniors were, in a number of organized activities, learning how to lead their student groups, how to break the ice and how to set up comfortable dialogues. The training they were undergoing teaches them leadership and communication skills, works with them in learning to cope with unexpected or challenging situations, helps them explore ways to reach younger students who need support.

“The Boomerang program is strongly organized and purposeful,” Thompson said. “and it’s been proven to have a positive impact on a whole school. It sends a strong message that we are not only supporting our nines, but teaching leadership qualities to our 12s. I think this program will start the school year off in a positive, energetic way that will make this the best year at Seaway.”

The newly trained grade 12s will have the chance to put their knowledge to good use on Thursday, August 30, when all grade nines are invited to attend their high school orientation, starting at 8 a.m. 

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South Dundas Emergency Services collect for MD

Last weekend, fire fighters were out in Iroquois with the familiar boot asking people to help in the fight against muscular dystrophy. On Friday, August 24, representatives of the South Dundas Fire Emergency crews were out collecting in Morrisburg for the national charity. Jason Denio (l) and Kent Nugent said they “hoped to raise as much as we can” for the cause. Eight to ten local firefighters took part in the “boot drive” at different locations in and around the plaza inviting people to help in the fight. 

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Equine Pride at UCV Horse Lovers’ Weekend

It was a weekend to celebrate all things “horse” at Upper Canada Village, August 24-26. The Village invited visitors to see horses as people of the 19th century saw them, as faithful companions,  hard workers and keen sports contenders.

Popular Valley entertainer Wayne Rostad was grand marshall for the parade held on Saturday. He put on a lively, fun filled concert on the steps of Cook’s Tavern treating the crowd to familiar and funny songs as well as stories of old-time Morrisburg, Iroquois and Williamsburg. Following his performance, Rostad served as celebrity auctioneer at a horse auction, a popular activity which would have been very familiar to the residents of Upper Canada in the 1860’s.

Throughout the Village grounds, there were many events to take in for the visitors who came out for the late summer event.

They could watch field work across from Crysler Hall and the Loucks farm, then see how horses created “power” to operate a drag saw at Ross Farm or run a threshing machine. Numerous carriages and wagons pulled by Percherons and Clydesdales offered visitors the chance to see these beautiful animals in action or to take a ride themselves. 

The ‘gentry’ also made their appearance on Village streets, on expensive thoroughbreds, the men in top hats and jackets, the women riding elegantly sidesaddle. 

The Natural Horsemanship group put on demonstrations in the fairground. The Team of North American Equine Trainers also demonstrated their skills for the visitors.

With so many interesting and exciting activities, the 2012 Village Horse Lovers’ Weekend proved to be a great success.

However, with horses of all sizes everywhere, there was one practical suggestion given to all visitors during the three days:  they really needed to be very careful to look where they stepped!

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Bacteria levels limit swimming

Although it’s not unheard of, it is a rare occurrence.

Last week, from Tuesday through Thursday the Iroquois beach was posted as unsafe for swimming, while the Morrisburg beach remained open.

“Usually it’s the other way around,” said Ben McPherson, South Dundas recreation coordinator.

It was the last week for the lifeguards at the two area beaches so those in Iroquois were left to inform those wanting to use the beach that the water had been deemed unsafe, cleaning up the area and some, who were able, finished up some ongoing swimming lessons at the Morrisburg beach instead.

“It is strange to have the Iroquois beach posted and Morrisburg not posted,” agreed Don Lewis, long time manager of South Dundas parks and recreation. “But, it has happened once before,” he said, recalling one other similar circumstance in more than a dozen years.

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit samples the swimming water at all local public beaches throughout the operating season to ensure it does not exceed the established bacteria levels. If bacteria levels exceed the safe swimming limit of 100 E. coli per 100 ml of water, a sign is posted advising people not to swim. Beaches are re-opened after E. coli levels return to acceptable levels.

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Friends of Crysler’s Farm receive federal heritage grant

The re-enactment of the Battle of Crysler’s Farm will be the largest War of 1812 event in Eastern Ontario next year with the announcement last week by Heritage Minister James Moore that his department will be supplying a grant of up to $171,400 for the two-day event, to be held July 13 and 14, 2013.

The military heritage weekend has been organized each year since 2000 by the Friends of Crysler’s Farm, chartered in Ontario as a not-for profit, charitable organization and recognized as a charitable body by Canada Revenue Agency, under whose authority the Friends can issue tax receipts. The Friends are a cooperating body with the Parks of the St. Lawrence but they are an independent organization with their own executive and bylaws.

The grant is being provided under Heritage Canada’s Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program and will be used for advertising, increased food costs for the greater than usual number of re-enactors expected in 2013, underwriting travel costs for those coming from great distances and for specialized groups like cavalry units and heavy artillery pieces. Money is also being set aside to pay for floating docks for the small boat flotilla se to take part in the battle demonstrations in 2013.

Organizers are also planning a larger civilian component for the 2013 show. Chief among these will be a larger English country-dance program, both for practiced dancers and first-time visitors.

The Friends are also applying  for a grant for a service of remembrance at the site on Mon., Nov. 11, 2013. It will be held during the afternoon of the actual anniversary date so as not to interfere with area Remembrance Day services.

Grades seven and eight students from South Dundas and South Stormont schools are being invited to the service, which we feature a prominent guest speaker.

The Battle of Crysler’s Farm was fought on Nov. 11, 1813 between a 1200-man Anglo-Canadian “corps of observation” commanded by Joseph Wanton Morrison and an 8,000 man American army commanded by General James Wilkinson on their say to attack Montreal. Wilkinson had sent 4,000 of his men down river to occupy Cornwall while he turned with the remainder to rid himself of the nuisance Morrison presented.

But in a pitched battle on the Crysler, Van Allen and Fetterly farms the superior discipline of the outnumbered Anglo-Canada regiments and native allies proved too much for the invaders and after absorbing heavy losses they withdrew to the U.S. side of the  St. Lawrence, ending the  threat of U.S. invasion in this theatre of the war for the remainder of the conflict.

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Whitteker’s team BMO to Heel and Wheel for cancer care

Among the teams who will be Heeling and Wheeling for local cancer care, September 8, will be a number of local teams, one of which recently spoke about the event.

Team BMO Bikers is captained by Sharon Whitteker of Williamsburg. Her team will be starting at Morrisburg.

“We’re biking from Morrisburg, in our blue team shirts, and have asked a few people across the BMO region to join us or cheer us on!” said Whitteker. “A few of us have participated in the Children’s Treatment Centre walk for the last few years, but we’re excited to be biking this year!”

“This event is close to our hearts as several members of our team have lost family or friends or are currently battling cancer.  To raise funds, we’ve sent out numerous emails and have printed some pledge sheets in the bank for clients that may want to give.  We also have a book sale going on in the Branch, to try to help us meet our goal of $2,500.”

The Heel ’n Wheel for Local Cancer Care event will be held on Sept. 8, 2012, with walkers leaving the seven starting locations (Greely, Osgoode, Russell, Crysler, Finch, Morrisburg, South Mountain) at 8 a.m., and cyclists leaving at 2 p.m.  

This event is open to all ages to participate, and families are encouraged, as there are lower fundraising minimums for registered children/families.  

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

To find out more, online visit heelnwheel.ca

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