Month: October 2012

The Morrisburg Junior B Lions dug themselves a little deeper into the St. Lawrence Division basement, when they lost to the Alexandria Glens 11-2 in front of their hometown fans on Sunday afternoon. It was the Lions eighth consecutive loss and it leaves them in the division’s sixth place position, three points behind the Akwesasne Wolves.

The wins give the Glens sole possession of third place with 10 points.

The first period of Sunday’s game got off to a slow start, but just over nine minutes in Jarren Burke beat Lions goaltender Ryan Cooper to get the Glens rolling.

By the end of the second period, they were up 4-0.

Chris Rutley put the Lions on the scoreboard less than a minute into the second period with help from Michel Lefebvre but that was it for the Lions until well into the third period.

The Glens stormed back for two more in the second for a commanding 6-1 lead.

At 5:06 of the third period, Lefebvre scored short-handed with help from Chris Rutley and that was it for the Lions scoring as the Glens pumped home another five to claim the 11-2 win.

Ryan Cooper handled the Lions loss and was relieved in net for the final 7:15 of the game by Joey Lamarch. Lions goaltender Mikael Dion was serving his first of a three game suspension assessed in last week’s game against the Winchester Hawks. Antoine Marchand handled the net duties for the Glens.

The first period saw just two minor penalties assessed, both to the Glens. The Lions sat out two minors and a misconduct for checking to the head in the second, while the Glens were assessed one minor. The Lions handled the six minor penalties assessed in the third period and the Glens took advantage for two power-play goals.

Jonathan Cyr and TJ Burns led the Glens scoring with three goals apiece and Luca Ciale, Bradley Gabbour, Jarren Burke, Erik Just and Leo MacLean all had singles. The Glens out shot the Lions 45-35.

This week the Lions announced a change to their bench as Andrew Scott joins Dan Frawley’s coaching staff.

“On behalf of the Lions management, I would like to thank Herbie Seguin for his commitment to our organization, and wish Herbie all the best in his future coaching endeavours,” said Lions manager Kevin Casselman.

Scott is an experienced junior coach having served two seasons as assistant coach with the South Grenville Rangers. From the Rangers, he moved up to Junior A as an assistant coach with the Kemptville Jr. “A” 73s before returning for two seasons at the Junior B level as the coach of the Metcalfe Jets.

“Andrew brings experience to us in the recruitment process and is a welcome addition to our staff,” said Casselman.

The Lions have a busy week coming up as they travel to Casselman this Thursday, night November 1 to take on the Vikings at 7:30 p.m.

They have two scheduled home games this weekend, the first when the Brockville Tikis come to town for an 8:30 p.m. match this Friday night, November 2. On Sunday, (November 4), starting at 2:30 p.m. they will host the Casselman Vikings.

Hospice Telethon expands to Morrisburg

This Saturday the fourth annual Telethon for Hospice will take place in Cornwall and be broadcast into homes of Cornwall area residents through TV Cogeco, but this year, for the first time ever there will be a local option to facilitate supporting this worthy cause.

A remote location for the live broadcast will be set up at the Basket Case Café in Morrisburg, November 3, noon until 5 p.m., where people are welcome to drop by and make a donation. While the live telethon is being broadcast to a television at the Basket Case, the owners are offering soup and dessert for a donation to Carefor Cornwall Hospice. Volunteers from the neighbouring Scotiabank branch will be serving lunch at the Basket Case or answering telephones in Cornwall. Scotiabank’s participation means matching funds of $5,000 will be contributed to Carefore Hospice Cornwall.

Sandy Collette, fund raising coordinator for Carefor Hospice explained that since more of their patients, recently, have come from Dundas County, especially South Dundas than any of the other areas, they had wanted to bring their fund raising efforts here.

Since, TV Cogeco is not available to residents of South Dundas, although locals have used the hospice, they have never been able to participate in the telethon, which is a major fund raiser for the hospice.

Carefor Hospice Cornwall provides compassionate, end of life care for individuals who prefer not to be in hospital and can no longer stay at home.

The hospice is a home when home is no longer possible or practical, making the last days of a person’s life together with their family peaceful, comfortable and meaningful.

This hospice is the only residential hospice south of Ottawa in Eastern Ontario.

In the three years since the hospice facility opened in Cornwall, 450 patients have been cared for.

Carefor Hospice does receive some government funding, but $500,000 over and above that funding must be raised through fund raisers like the upcoming telethon on an annual basis to keep the facility operating.

Last year the fund raising goal for the telethon was $75,000, but they surpassed that goal and raised $94,000. This year the goal is to raise $80,000 through the expanded telethon.

Pauline Harper, spent time at Carefor Hospice in Cornwall when her husband passed away.

Harper has nothing but praise for the facility.

“The nursing staff was wonderful. I think God sent each one of them from heaven,” said Harper. “The families are cared for there too. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

To thank the staff and volunteers of the hospice, Harper has been working hard to raise funds for Hospice and before the weekend had already collected over $2,000 in pledges.

Jennine McCourt, whose daughter Kathleen McCourt passed away at Carefor Hospice in Cornwall encourages anyone who can support this great facility to do so, as they provide an excellent service.

“They really listened and provided very individualized and personalized care,” she said. The home-like setting of the hospice gave Kathleen something that no one else could.

“She wanted to go home,” said Jennine. “When we went there, she said, ‘this is just like home’. They provided the perfect setting for her to say goodbye.”

The Telethon for Hospice on TVCogeco is live from noon to 6 p.m. November 3. Donations can be made during the telethon by calling 613-543-3982.

Kenneth Gordon Strader

A resident of Morrisburg for the past 24 years, Kenneth Gordon Strader passed away at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Monday, October 15, 2012. He was 82.

Ken was born April 26, 1930, to Grace and Dwight Strader, on the original Strader farm in Dundela. He was the eldest of nine children; five girls and four boys. Everyone knew him as Ken. He was a long-standing resident of Matilda Township, having lived briefly in Florida, before returning to South Dundas.

Ken met his share of challenges in life. He suffered complications at birth; however, it did not prevent him from accomplishing what he set out to do in life.

Being the risk taker that he was and never afraid of taking on a challenge Ken undertook many projects. The first being to own and operate his first school bus in 1954, which he later expanded to include several school buses and highway coaches.

He was forever envisioning ways to get ahead in life. The bus lines didn’t seem to capture his energy level enough, so he added a new venture being the “Stra-Dish” Restaurant, which he opened in April, 1958, at the young age of 28.

During this time, he met the love of his life, Linda Marie Payne. They were married at Elma in 1959, and in 1960, their daughter Penny was born.

While carrying out his role as a husband and father, Ken still found time to own/operate several businesses, including a snowmobile franchise, Admiral appliance dealership, a used car dealership, and he even dabbled in real estate.

Ken always had a passion to live life in the sunny south so in the late 70’s he made that dream come true when he sold his businesses in Canada and moved the family to Dade City, Florida where he purchased an orange grove and later opened a coffee shop. He expanded the coffee shop to become a full menu diner which was family owned and operated until 1987, at which it was dissolved and the family returned to Canada.

Ken enjoyed carpentry and sitting and drinking coffee with family and friends, until the wee hours of the morning.

Friday night was family night at the Daffodil Restaurant in Iroquois, after which he would settle in at Cephus Sypes’ kitchen table for many hours of attempting to solve the world’s problems over several pots of coffee. Ken was known to pull in a driveway for a visit where ever he could find the kitchen light on.

Ken often spoke of things from the past; old buildings, antique cars or furniture, or attending auction sales with his grandmother Nettie Bell Strader.

His most prized possession was an RCA Victrola from the 1920’s that he purchased at the age of 15, with money borrowed from his grandmother. Ken’s daughter is still the proud owner of that Victrola.

Ken was always willing to share his knowledge of history, politics, and life in general. He was never afraid to share his opinion on any matter, regardless of whom he offended.

He will be remembered most for his natural spirit of giving. To his family and friends, he was a very kind person and was always ready to help. He always had a solution to every problem and had his ways of making things simple. He never asked anyone for help, but he was a very generous man…never wanting to be acknowledged for anything he did. When he helped, he simply helped out of the kindness of his heart; ensuring that everyone had a means to get ahead in life.

Ken made sure that his daughter never lacked for anything, however, he ruled with an iron fist. He encouraged Penny to try different things in life including piano lessons, singing in the church choir, and most of all becoming a “lady”. As a father, he didn’t always agree with all his daughter’s choices in life, but he was always there to support her.

Growing up on a farm, Ken was very fond of animals. After Linda passed away in 1988, Ken’s best friend was his cat “Buster”. Buster held a special place in his heart and Ken truly enjoyed his companionship.

Ken is survived by his daughter Penny Strader-McMillan (Jim) of Iroquois, his siblings Edna Disheau (Arthur Jackson) of Brechin, Lorna (Ernie) Lascelle of Inkerman and Willie (Audrey) of Cardinal.

He was predeceased by his wife Linda, his brothers Glen and John and sisters Jean Jensen, Margaret Barkley and Anna Casselman-Nicolier. He is also survived by nieces and nephews.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.

Funeral service was held at the funeral home on Thursday, October 18th at 11 a.m., with Rev. Janet Evans officiating. Cremation followed.

Pallbearers were Shawn McMillan, Steven McMillan, Cephus Sypes, Guy Hart, Gary Hart and Keith Beckstead.

Interment of cremated remains was at Dundela Cemetery. Donations to the O.S.P.C.A. would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

Perspectives by Rev. Arlyce Schiebout

Saints and Sinners

Here we are teetering between All Hallow’s Eve and All Hallows, October 31st and November 1st.

Let me tell you a couple of personal experiences, also known as stories.

I was settled in my first pastoral charge in the month of October. I invited a friend over for dinner on October 31st that year, and we were deep in discussion later in the evening when there was a pounding on the door. I was not expecting any children because the manse was located out in the country. I answered the door and in walked six fully disguised adults who stood in the kitchen and just looked at me.

Initially I was amused, but when I asked them who they were and what they wanted, they said nothing. Then I got a little concerned. I stepped closer to the figures and looked into their eyes. Perhaps I could recognize them just from their eyes. I stepped back and took in their body size. Slowly I began to search for names that were becoming familiar to me over a few short weeks.

During my ministry at this pastoral charge I came to know its parishioners as hard-working, faithful people. As trust was built they began to tell me their stories. They told me why they sat on this side or that in the sanctuary. They told me about divisions within and reconciliation; they told me about “keeping up appearances” when all indications would point to difficulties.

They were dealing with two issues that resonate with most pastoral charges then and now: insufficient resources, human or financial, and trying hard enough to keep the parish alive, let alone growing.

The solution was to take “make believe.” They reminded people in the rural area that they were a worshipping community, celebrating the sacraments, sharing hospitality in meals and activities, using their hall. For those people who were told years before that the church would close, these parishioners kept up a good appearance of existing by the grace of God.

And actually that “make believe” was not false, it was their faith. They did not change their appearance; they continued to act in faith. It was their leap of faith. And it is these people who taught me what it means to move from All Hallows’ Eve, October 31, to November 1st, Feast of All Saints, or All Saints Day.

There are many demons that would sap our strength, and then we triumph because, regardless of one’s religious preference, we can honour the unnamed heroes and heroines of our families or parishes.

Saints are sinners turned inside out, writes Edward Hays. By throwing off all our disguises and demons we use our talents and time to hold fast to our faith in these changing times.

In fact, this is exactly living in a new life in Christ. Christ showed us the way, so let’s give it a try. And in living as saints we will be given the strength to discern the way forward.

Peace and Blessings

Rev. Arlyce Schiebout

Lakeshore United Church

Morrisburg

Morrisburg golfers drop 2013 rates

Approximately 50 members attended the annual fall meeting of the Morrisburg Golf Club on Sunday afternoon with much of the discussion this year centering around the summer-long problems with several of the greens.

With three greens severely damaged by blue algae, and several others showing slight damage, it was a long tough season for both the club’s board of directors and the greens staff, as they did their best to work on the problem and provide the members and paying guests the best playing conditions as was possible.

With the season now behind them, and the course officially closed to all play as of this past Monday, October 29, the board members laid out the plans for next spring’s work on the troubled one, two and three greens.

According to treasurer Sean Boulerice, greens two and three are to be sodded in the spring, while the first green which has been showing signs of recovery since it was seeded in September, will continue to be worked on.

Greens chair Shawn Hummel, along with Boulerice and club president Jason Broad, have solicited much appreciated help from several area greens professionals and it is following their advice that the club will proceed next spring.

“We started off pretty tough,” said Hummel in his report. “There was a lot of maintenance required on the equipment and we were looking at a lot of water damage on the fairways. We decided to go ahead and fix the fairway drainage problems (where required).”

Questioned as to how long the second and third greens, could be expected to be out of play after sodding next spring, Boulerice said they were hoping that it would be six weeks max, after the sodding.

Boulerice said the sodding can be done as soon as the ground reaches a temperature of 50 degrees and that will be dependent on the weather. “So we are hoping to get an early spring and to get at it in April,” he said.

With declining membership, which is being felt throughout the golf industry, and the fear of losing more members due to the problems with the greens, at the advice of the executive, the Morrisburg Golf Club members voted a fairly hefty drop in membership fees for the 2013 season.

“We feel that by lowering our prices, we would be very price competitive,” said Boulerice explaining the board has looked at other clubs’ pricing and what they have been doing to attract members and green fee players.

The drop sees the fee for single member golfers drop from last year’s $540 to $450 (before applicable taxes and a club levy that is being collected to help pay for the beautiful deck added to the clubhouse two years ago).

All membership categories were adjusted to correspond to the base rate change and come spring reduced green fees will be put into effect.

The club will also have membership gift certificates available immediately for people to purchase as Christmas gifts.

The meeting ended with the annual election of officers for the 2013 season which saw the majority of board members returned.

The main changes in the board are in the club captain positions as Monique Patenaude takes over for Lori-Anne Davies who finished out two terms, and Andy Patenaude replaces Bob Mann who handled the men’s duties in 2012.

Jason Broad was returned as president, Mick Mabo as 1st vice-president and Barry Henderson as second vice-president. Sean Boulerice remained as treasurer, Candace Jamieson as secretary and Shawn Hummel as greens chair. A seniors rep had yet to be found to replace Lawrence Larocque who has stepped down.

Wasn’t that a Party? Lions Celebrate 65 Years

If a great meal, outstanding entertainment and approximately $4,000 raised for the Canadian Glaucoma Foundation equal a successful anniversary celebration, then the Iroquois-Matilda Lions outdid themselves.

The club celebrated its 65th anniversary at the Matilda Hall on Saturday, October 27. It was quite a party.

Over 250 Iroquois Lions, members of the community and Lions from Morrisburg and other clubs, attended the gala reception. The 2012-13 president of the Iroquois-Matilda Lions, Steve Wilson, acted as emcee.

“We thank you very much for coming out to celebrate with us tonight,” Wilson said. “I must tell you that this was a wonderful year to be president of this club. We had three goals for this evening. First, we wanted to celebrate the 65 years the Lions have served this community. The second goal was to offer our guests a delicious meal and some outstanding entertainment. And our third goal was to raise funds for the Glaucoma Foundation.”

The silent auction brought in approximately $4,000 for Glaucoma research, according to Lion Paul Robertson (with Jim Mustard and Steve Wilson, a gala organizer). “We are very pleased with the generosity of people. We offer many thanks to those who donated to our cause, and to those who supported us by bidding.”

Greetings and honours were presented to the club following the dinner.

MP Guy Lauzon will be delivering a formal plaque from the federal government to the Iroquois-Matilda Lions later this week. “Our government appreciates all that you Lions do in your communities. This is a remarkable achievement: without our Lions, what kind of community would we have?”

Jim Locke set aside his Lions’ colours and donned his deputy mayor’s hat to bring the congratulations and best wishes of mayor Steven Byvelds and the South Dundas council to the club.

Special guest at the gala was John Chilvers, Lions International District A-4 governor.

District A-4 is made up of 68 Lions clubs, with 1,710 active members. The Iroquois-Matilda Lions are part of A-4.

“I feel that it is a real privilege to be here tonight to celebrate with a club that is hitting such a milestone,” Chilvers said. “I want to emphasize that Lions do a lot in the world. There are currently 1.35 million Lions in 208 countries. You Lions support your local communities, but you also support the greater world.”

The governor brought a special commemorative plaque to the club as part of the celebration.

Bowser and Blue, who provided the entertainment for the gala evening, quite literally brought the house down.

Rick Blue and George Bowser are a stellar Canadian musical and comedy act. Their witty on-stage patter, and the clever lyrics to their songs kept guests entertained and roaring with laughter.

“We shall now sing a song in the Canadian key.

The Canadian key?

Yes. The key of ‘eh’!”

From the classic Colorectal Surgeons Song, to We’re All Canadians (“We’re all here/’cause we’re not all there!”), Bowser and Blue were outstanding showmen.

For many, though, the musical highlight of the evening may have been Bald is Beautiful, which the duo sang to Lions Phil Parry and Glenn Swerdfeger to thunderous laughter and applause.

The Iroquois-Matilda Lions have had a great 65 years. They plan to continue to be of service to this community as they enter their next decade.

Iroquois area Halloween tradition continues, expands

Many members of the Iroquois community have come to expect more than just ‘trick-or-treators’ knocking at their doors on Hallowe’en.

For the past 12 years, a group of teens in grades 9 to 12 from Dixon’s Corners Community Christian Reformed Church has organized a food drive between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on October 31st.

They walk, in small groups door-to-door, collecting non-perishable items for the Dundas County Food Bank.

The group choses this specific date to collect food because it is an evening when most families are home and already expect people knocking on their doors.

This drive has become one of the largest the food bank relies on each year.

With increased interest and a few new groups joining the DC youth, they plan to expand the drive into Morrisburg in an attempt to out-do the 1,700 items collected last year.

Much like the ‘rules’ of trick-or-treating, the teens will only knock on doors where the lights are on. The goal is to eventually have enough help to cover all roads in both Iroquois and Morrisburg. But, given the volunteer numbers for this year, not every road will be covered. If your road is missed, you can still donate by bringing your food items directly to the food bank.

The DC youth group is thankful for the support each year and looks forward to another fun and successful night helping their local communities.

Mayor issues â€˜stache challenge

From a 15 year old with peach fuzz on his top lip that grew into a proper moustache by the time he was 18, now South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds has never been without a moustache.

That could all change at the end of this month if the residents of South Dundas take up the challenge being issued by Mayor Byvelds in support of the Flash a ‘Stache effort to help fight prostate cancer.

“I am issuing a challenge,” said Byvelds. “If $1,000 in donations are made, I will cut off my forever moustache.”

Saturday night at the Dundas County Hospice Hoedown Jan Clapp convinced Byvelds that he should participate in the Dare to Flash a ‘Stache fundraiser benefitting the Winchester District Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Ottawa Region Cancer Centre Foundation to fight prostate cancer.

“It definitely took some convincing,” said Byvelds, “This is a pretty big leap for me.”

Although, now that he has decided to participate, he sincerely hopes people will take up the challenge and donate to this very worthy cause.

“I think each one of us knows someone who has battled prostate cancer,” he says.

In addition to helping to raise funds, this effort helps to raise awareness so that people get checked and through fund raisers like this one ensure that the hospitals have everything they need to provide treatment.

There is only one week to reach Byvelds fund raising goal, so he asks that anyone interested in taking up the challenge by making a donation to the Dare to to Flash a ‘Stache effort do so before October 31.

Donations can be made online at www.flashastache.ca, click on Sponsor a Participant and type in Steven Byvelds and follow the steps. For those not comfortable with donating online, contact Byvelds and he will help facilitate the donation process. He can be reached by email mayor@southdundas.com or by phone 613-652-2271.

Local senior winter games setting up for provincial

CORNWALL & DISTRICT–Plans for local 55 plus winter games are under way, as the district prepares to send a team to the Ontario 55 plus Winter Games in Huntsville, February 26-28.

The local games will kick off with prediction skating, scheduled for Monday, November 12 and Friday, November 16 at the Benson Centre in Cornwall. Convener is Robert Peladeau (613-931-1641).

Glengarry Curling Club in Maxville will host a qualifying mixed bonspiel. The Stuart McKay rink from that club is the Ontario 55 plus Winter Games champions from 2011 in Haliburton.

Dates are being finalized and information will be sent soon to local curling clubs.

Other qualifying events which will take place in the next couple of months are duplicate bridge and hockey, which has two age divisions (55 – 64 and 65+).

Alpine skiing and nordic skiing held their qualifying events in February 2012. District 8’s Nordic Ski team won the Ontario team award in 2011 so will be defending that title in Huntsville.

Any 55 plus seniors wanting more information may contact the District Winter Games coordinators: Stanley Fraser (613-525-3777) or Monique Patenaude (613-543-3453).

Fading signs need replacement

Hamlet signs in South Dundas are fading and deteriorating, and it has become much more noticeable now that our neighbours have replaced their existing signs with new, redesigned hamlet and welcome signs.

South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan brought the issue to the South Dundas council table Oct. 16 to bring to staff’s attention the need to do something with a couple of existing signs that need repairs.

However, discussions steered instead towards highlighting the need to re-sign the entire municipality with new, uniform redesigned hamlet and welcome signs.

“We seem to have a wide variety of them,” said Mellan. “It would be nice to see something done like our neighbours to the north. Their new signs look nice. I do realize there is a cost to make everything uniform.”

“We do need to renew our signs,” agreed South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. “Signs boast of where you live and North Dundas, in their second time around, have done a really good job. The signs give you a good sense of where you are.”

“Our signs are starting to fade. I think for now we’ll patch up what we have and work towards a new plan,” said Mayor Byvelds.

As part of an upcoming report about the Upper Canada Region branding concept, South Dundas clerk Brenda Brunt says that the issue of signs will be discussed.

“Also, all the traffic on the 401 needs to know who we are and what we have to offer,” said Byvelds.