Month: October 2012

 

 It will be a grand afternoon for anyone with a drop of Celtic blood in their veins (and also for those who simply love the wonderful Celtic sound) when the Williamsburg Community Association holds Celtic Unplugged on Sunday, October 28, at the Matilda Hall, Dixon’s Corners. 

This special concert is a first for Celtic music in this area.

Celtic Unplugged will be an afternoon of socializing and traditional Glengarry music performed by outstanding artists, who have performed all over North America.

Fiddler Ashley MacLeod is from the county of Glengarry, a multiple music award winner who was invited to play at the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championship as a junior show case artist when she was only 14. 

She has performed her magic before thousands of fans, on stage with many outstanding musicians including the Celtic rock band, Hadrian’s Wall, the Brigadoons, the Paddys, and the Paperboys. 

South Dundas audiences will thrill to her jigs, reels, waltzes and beautiful airs. 

Joining  her  for  Celtic Unplugged will be Kelsey McDonell who also hails from Glengarry. A talented and renowned fiddler, Kelsey has performed on stage, with the Glengarry Pipe Band, and has toured with the folk group, Greenwich Meantime.

Denis Carr of the Brigadoons is no stranger to those who love Celtic music. Currently the leader of the Brigadoons, Carr has performed for diverse audiences  including the National Arts Centre and the military at CFB Alert. 

He and his group have been favourites in pubs, parades and concert halls, and are a high light of the Friday night Tattoo at the Glengarry Highland Games. 

Carr will deliver a stunning program which will certainly include many beloved and traditional songs like  “Glengarry My Home” and the “Martintown Song.” 

South Dundas audiences will also enjoy the Celtic stylings of Paddy Kelly and Paddy Maher at the Sunday afternoon concert.

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the joy, the energy and the beautiful memories in a concert of outstanding music at Celtic Unplugged, coming to the Matilda Hall.   

Hosted by the Williamsburg Community Association, Celtic Unplugged will take place at the Matilda Hall on Sunday, October 28, beginning at 2 p.m. 

Tickets are only $10 and are available at the door, or at the Williamsburg Garage. There will be complimentary refreshments available at the concert.

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“We serve” is the Lions International motto, established back in 1917 when the organization was first founded.

That same philosophy of service to the people and institutions of the community of South Dundas has been part of the spirit of the Iroquois-Matilda Lions club for 65 years. At a unique and very special evening, Saturday, October 27, at the Matilda Hall, the Lions are inviting the entire community to join them for a celebration of their more than six decades of service to South Dundas.

There are currently 36 active members of the Iroquois-Matilda Lions, led by 2012-13 president Steve Wilson. 

“We really have three objectives for our 65th Charter and International Night on October 27 at the Matilda Hall in Dixon’s Corners,” Wilson said. 

“First, is to celebrate the 65 years the Lions have served this community. Second, is to offer our guests a delicious meal and some outstanding entertainment from the comedy team of Bowser and Blue. And third, we hope to raise funds for the Glaucoma Society of Canada.”

Wilson explained that the gala is linked to the “sight mandate” of Lions International.

“Lions have always supported sight related causes. We felt that raising funds during our celebration for the Glaucoma Society was the perfect fit for us. Ruth, wife of Lion Paul Robertson, has glaucoma. She and Paul have become strong advocates of raising awareness about glaucoma, and helping in the search for a permanent cure.”

Quite aside from the good cause the Lions are supporting, guests at the gala can expect to enjoy a wonderful evening of great food and sparkling entertainment.

The Lions are definitely bringing in some stellar talent for their anniversary.

George Bowser and Ricky Blue, the team of Bowser and Blue, have been A-list entertainers since they first created a professional partnership in 1978. Musicians and comedians, they have performed in concert halls and theatres across Canada: since 2007, they have headlined in the Canadian Snowbird Extravaganza concert series across North America.

Regularly guests at the Just for Laughs comedy festival, Bowser and Blue can often be seen on CBC television and the Comedy Channel. Their Christmas CTV special, “Two Nuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” was nominated for a Gemini award. 

They have recorded for Supertramp’s Rick Davies, created  a number of sold-out musical comedies for Montreal’s Centaur Theatre, and collaborated on 12 CDs. 

For the Iroquois-Matilda Lions, Bowser and Blue have promised an evening of rip-roaring music and comedy that will leave gala guests “rolling in the aisles.”

The Lions hope that all members of their South Dundas community will come out to support their 65th anniversary celebration next week. 

“Groups like the Lions are a vital part of the community,” said president Steve Wilson. “In a time where membership in service groups is declining, and many groups have been forced to end their organizations, it is important that the community encourage and support the Lions, who truly are dedicated to serving those less fortunate than themselves.” 

There will be a silent auction, a dinner, catered by Ruth Wells, and a draw prize of three nights in Quebec City at the Fairmont Le Chateau, Frontenac. 

Tickets for the gala 65th Charter and International Night celebration on Saturday, October 27, at the Matilda Hall in Dixon’s Corners, starting at 5 p.m., are $50 each, and are available from Lions club members or from Mustard’s Variety in Iroquois.

[…]

 

Construction projects reportedly worth almost $17 million are taking place in South Dundas so far this year.

That’s about $7 million more than last year.

This year has been an especially busy year for residential construction in South Dundas.

South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds reported at the Oct. 9 open forum meeting in Iroquois that the municipality’s building permit department has been “extremely busy” issuing a much higher number than average so far in 2012.

Dan Tessier, South Dundas’ building inspector, agreed that this year has definitely been a lot busier than last.

By the end of August this year 104 building permits had been issued, compared to 86 last year.

In comparing the two years; industrial, institutional and agricultural permits have remained roughly the same. 

The number of commercial building permits issued has decreased slightly, dropping from 12 to nine.

All of the growth in South Dundas appears to be residential. 

By the end of August last year, 57 residential permits had been issued. This year, in that same time frame, 79 permits have been issued.

“Things are happening,” commented South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke about the building permits at last week’s public meeting.

This growth, if it continues through the end of this year, helps to improve the municipality’s financial situation in two ways. 

Firstly, the fees paid by the applicants are revenue for the municipality, and so far, about $27,000 more fees have been collected this year than in the same time period last year.

Secondly, the homes/buildings being constructed will share the property tax load in South Dundas.

“Growth equals additional tax revenue. Growth is our main goal, and the main goal of any townhsip,” says Shannon Geraghty, treasurer for South Dundas. “It has a domino effect, everyone benefits from it.”

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Hi. My name is Lexi and I’m a three year old Welsh Terrier living at the South Dundas Animal Rescue facility, and I am looking for a permanent and loving (indoor) home. I have been spayed. I love children, and I get along well with other dogs. Lexi has the typical black and tan coloring of a Welsh Terrier which are friendly, intelligent, out-going dogs who are eager to please. They love to play, especially love to chase toys, and they get along well with children. They make devoted friends and this gal is really looking forward to finding that new, special, pal for life. For more information please call Kevin Casselman at 613-543-2980. There is no charge to adopt Lexi but cash/food donations are appreciated.

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Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry was presented with the Proud to Be Canadian award during the Conservative Government’s regular caucus meeting Wednesday morning. 

The award is presented to the riding that displays the most Canadian flags on Canada Day.

“It is an honour to accept this award on behalf of the constituents of Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry. I am proud that for the third time in four years SD & SG has won the Proud to be Canadian Campaign,” said Lauzon, “it was a tough competition as forty of my colleagues participated in the campaign and the final numbers were close.”

The Proud to be Canadian Campaign is an opportunity for Conservative Members of Parliament to participate in a competition to encourage constituents to display a Canadian Flag on Canada’s birthday. The riding displaying the most Canadian flags is declared the winner. 

“It will give me great pride to congratulate all the constituents of SD&SG during a statement from the floor of the House of Commons on Friday, October 5.” declared Lauzon.  

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Starting on October 16, the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) will begin holding free seasonal flu immunization clinics throughout the five Eastern Counties. A pamphlet announcing clinic dates, times and locations will soon be mailed out to every household. The pamphlet can also be found on the EOHU’s website at www.eohu.ca.  

“You need to get the flu shot every year to be protected because the viruses that cause the flu do change frequently,” explains Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health. “The flu can cause serious illness and even death for some people. The best protection against the flu is the vaccine. It’s free, safe and available for everyone aged 6 months and older.”

Of course, certain groups of people are at higher risk of complications from the flu, and are strongly encouraged to get the flu shot. These include: 

•children 6 months to less than 5 years of age

•people aged 65 and older

•people with chronic medical conditions

• people who are obese 

• Aboriginal people 

If you live with or provide care to someone who falls under one of the groups listed above, it is also highly recommended that you get the flu shot. This simple step could help protect you and those around you.

The EOHU reminds residents to bring a piece of identification to the immunization clinics. For clinic dates and times, check your mailbox or visit www.eohu.ca. You can also call the EOHU at 613-933-1375 or at 1 800 267-7120 and ask for Health Line.

Locally, clinics will take place October 24 in Morrisburg at the Legion 2-8 p.m., November 7 in Winchester at Winchester Public School 4-8 p.m. and October 18 and 25 at the Seaway Valley Community Health Centre in Cornwall 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

[…]

 

Within the next few weeks, the contractor will be on site at the former Morrisburg Collegiate Institute getting the renovation underway.

In the meantime, plenty of work is going on behind the scenes.

Bourgon Construction has been conditionally awarded the contract. Pre-construction meetings have taken place and they and the township are finalizing cost-saving changes before coming to council with a bottom line cost.

They are also finalizing the abatement process for the removal of asbestos.

South Dundas chief administrative officer Stephen McDonald reported the project’s progress to South Dundas council at the Oct. 2 council meeting.

[…]

 

The spark of a new idea coming to fruition at Upper Canada Village has ignited a number of area partnerships between the business community and the St. Lawrence Parks Commission. 

The South Dundas Chamber of Commerce is fueling the fire of Pumpkinferno by helping spread the seasonal  theme throughout the community.

Last week, in anticipation of the kickoff of Pumpkinferno at Upper Canada Village, the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce launched  “Season of Pumpkin People” at the Upper Canada Playhouse.

Through the Season of Pumpkin people, the organizing committee hopes to get area businesses and residents to create Pumpkin People/Scarecrow displays at their homes and businesses to create a festive harvest season atmosphere throughout South Dundas in support of the Pumpkinferno event at the village which aims to bring 20,000 visitors to the region.

The organizing committee is chaired by local artist Gene Ward.

“We would like to see people make an effort to create their own pumpkin people displays in whatever way they feel is appropriate,” said Ward. “Maybe it will be something so small it will fit in your hand, or maybe something giant. Really the purpose is to engage people in the community to get involved so that people from outside the community can take an interest in the area.”

“Also, this is a great opportunity to promote the area at a time of year which is traditionally a down time for businesses,” said Ward. 

“To have Upper Canada Village include us is a big bonus for this area,” he added. “We need all the help we can get.”

South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds congratulated the chamber of commerce, Ward and the event team on getting involved in this partnership with Pumpkinferno. “We always look forward to forming partnerships, especially partnerships with the St. Lawrence Parks Commission,” he said. “I’m certain the community will buy into this theme.”

“This is a really great opportunity,” said South Dundas Chamber of Commerce President Chuck Barkley.

Nicole Sullivan, South Dundas economic development officer reiterated the importance of working with the SLPC in this initiative.

She spoke about the creation of the theme which was designed to build on the agricultural roots of the community and expand on the highly successful Harvest Festival theme of the 21 year event in Williamsburg. “The way Williamsburg is decorated for the harvest festival really brings that community to life,” she said. 

“This is wonderful,” commented Susan Leclair, corporate marketing and devlopment officer for the St. Lawrence Parks Commission. “We are delighted to have your participation and cooperation.” Of the 20,000 visitors the commission hopes to bring to Pumpkinferno, Leclair said, “I hope they want to visit your businesses as well as ours.”

“It’s one of those events where the pictures don’t really do it justice. We have a great feeling about this event, and we hope we have a winner on our hands.”

In closing she thanked the chamber for embracing Pumpkinferno adding that they hope to build on it in the future.

Those who create a Season of Pumpkin People display, can fill out a registration form to be eligible to win random prizes. The early bird draw prizes of free admission to Pumpkinferno were won by Williamsburg Garage and Brian and Jane Cox.

Registration forms can be dropped off at Candy’s Hair Salon/River Rat Treasures in Iroquois, the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce office in Morrisburg, Williamsburg Garage in Williamsburg or H&I Country Supply in Brinston.

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