Terra Hazelton: hot jazz at St. Lawrence Stage

 

Two World’s One Price!  That is the theme running through Parks of the St. Lawrence attractions for 2012 with the roll-out of a new Reciprocal Program.  

The new offer (based on a buy-one-get-one of equal or less value principle) aims to boost value to guests with added experiences by providing a free admission to Upper Canada Village with the purchase of a Fort Henry admission – and vice versa.  Or it can be redeemed for one of the day-use/beach areas at the campgrounds.  

The free visit can be used anytime throughout the regular season for regular day programs at the heritage attractions or at day-use/beach areas at all Parks of the St. Lawrence.  

Plus at time of check-in, campers to Parks of the St. Lawrence campgrounds along the St. Lawrence River will also receive two free passes to visit either Upper Canada Village or Fort Henry.

Upper Canada Village is opening this Saturday, May 19 and will remain open until October 7. 

Visitors can join in the opening weekend celebrations on Sunday, May 20 as the Village celebrates Queen Victoria’s birthday with music, a militia muster, patriotic speeches, fire engine trials and 1860s athletic games.  

The Village will be decorated in an array of colour and patriotisms with flags, bunting and decorations.   Guests can even help out with the Village’s ‘Queen’, a hand-pumped fire engine and indulge in a piece of birthday cake.  

Other upcoming events include the Heritage Plant Sale May 26-27, Sheep Shearing Weekend June 1-4, Medieval Festival June 9-11 and the Fantastic Fibres and Quilt Show June 16-17.

“The 2012 season is one of exciting rejuvenation for all of our attractions and experiences,” says Darren Dalgleish, CEO of the St. Lawrence Parks Commission. “The past three years has represented an unprecedented level of investment in our product and visitor experiences of over $40 million dollars.”

“The new Commission-wide reciprocal program and lower admission pricing in some areas will assist in creating value-added family experiences while stretching our guest’s vacation dollars.  We clearly have the best attraction deal in the province this season and anticipate it will translate into more eager guests through our gates.”

“Most of our guest experiences are delivered through our staff and professional interpreters,” says SLPC marketing director Bryan Mercer. “They are an integral part of our experience-based products.  We’ve launched a new promotional campaign this year centered around visiting our many sites and meeting our front line staff.”  

“These are the key people that truly make our guest experiences memorable and become the centre of thousands of guest photographs each year. Our entire team is excited to see just how many guests recognize them from our ad campaign!” 

Along with a schedule of themed weekend events and activities, Upper Canada Village is adding some exciting new experiences. 

Starting in June, visitors can take a ride in an open air, Vintage biplane in their choice of the Village Tour or the Seaway Tour.  

The shorter Village Tour for $79 per person will fly over the Village, Upper Canada Golf Course, Crysler Park Marina and area.  The longer Seaway Tour for $120 per person will also take in the Long Sault Parkway, Lost Villages and the St. Lawrence River.  The price includes admission to Upper Canada Village and a souvenir scarf.  As spaces are limited, reservations are recommended.

Campgrounds – Opening May 18

A number of significant investments have been made throughout the parks system to improve the services and amenities available to campers with all improvements aiming to make the camping experience memorable and enjoyable.  

These improvements include: The new reciprocal program;  new improved and quicker check-in process to campgrounds on the Long Sault Parkway; New registration buildingis at five campgrounds; over 100 amp campsite upgrades at McLaren campground; new theme playground equipment at several beaches; two new camper cabins at McLarne Campground; new washroom/shower/laundry facility at Ivy Lea Campground

Upcoming events include the ”Thunder on the River” Hydroplane Races at Mille Roches Beach on June 2 and 3.

Camping reservations can be booked online 24/7 or by calling the Customer Service Unit.

Upper Canada Golf Course

With spring arriving early this year, Upper Canada has been open for several weeks already.  Conditions are superb!  

New membership categories have been introduced which provide great value and flexibility to players of all levels.  

A “Pay-as-you-go” membership option for just $250 (weekdays anytime and afternoons only on weekends /holidays) plus $20 per round is the perfect option for someone with limited time or who would like to try Upper Canada before committing to a full membership.

Upper Canada has been selected as the host site for the Canadian Tour professional golf event The Great Waterway Classic in 2013.  The Chase the Dream qualifying event for the 2012 Classic will be held at Upper Canada on June 3, 2012.

The clubhouse dining lounge was completely renovated last year and the club has taken over the operation of the food and beverage services and is offering a new menu at golfer friendly prices.  

Tee off times can be booked up to 14 days in advance either online at “www.UpperCanadaGolf.com” www.UpperCanadaGolf.com or by calling 800-437-2233 or 613-543-2003.

Crysler Park Marina

Demand for dock space at one of the region’s favourite marinas continues, and Crysler Park Marina recently underwent yet another dockage expansion adding 44 slips plus a 175 foot long finger dock to accommodate larger boats, more transient traffic and seasonal boaters.

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The crowd was much smaller but the concerns were mostly the same at the May 16 SD&G Library Board hosted public information session which took place at the Morrisburg library branch.

About 30 people attended the meeting. Most had previously attended the meeting in Williamsburg the week before.

While this information session was meant to show the people of Morrisburg what the board has planned for the new branch, 95 percent of the questions asked and concerns raised from the floor were from the same people who are continuing to actively fight to keep the Williamsburg branch of the library open.

Karen Franklin made the County library presentation that rationalized and explained the need for change. 

“If we don’t make changes, the library system is at risk of sinking into oblivion,” she said. “Change is necessary and change can be good.”

Because the new branch location in Morrisburg will see foot traffic of 300-500 people per day passing through the doors of the building, they hope they will be able to attract some new users. Presently, about 12 percent of South Dundas residents are active library users.

At this meeting, as at the meeting in Williamsburg, South Dundas council was accused of not working for what the people want. 

Although some members of South Dundas council were at the meeting, they were there strictly in an observatory role. 

Library board chair Bill McGimpsey did comment on this point. “They too are elected to represent the other 10,000 people of South Dundas who are not using the library,” he said.

South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke did point out that council has yet to declare an official position on the matter and that will be done at the next council meeting.

Regardless of South Dundas council’s official position, the Library board has already decided that the consolidation is taking place and that the Williamsburg branch is closing. 

Even if South Dundas council supports the idea of maintaining a library in Williamsburg, the library is being displaced from their current home as of August 1, and the library board has no funds at their disposal to make arrangements for an alternate location. 

“Next election, people will remember this,” said Sandra Bailey to the politicians in the room. “As long as there’s 10 kids in Williamsburg using this library, keep the damn thing open. Find the money. There’s money for other things, why not this?” 

Someone in the audience explained that although he understands that the library is trying to stay alive, the library in Williamsburg is an important resource that the people there are trying to hold on to. “By removing this resource, children are being deprived.” he said. 

Mary Strader questioned how the consolidation would truly be an enhancement. “The only enhancement I see is a few additional hours of open time: Not more terminals. Not more books. I see it as less.”

“Look around, look at who’s here. Nobody in Morrisburg is even interested to see what’s coming their way. You are going after the non-users at the expense of the users,” concluded Strader.

[…]

 

Principal Terry Gardiner, of Seaway District High School, has a lot to smile about these days: the school’s solid performance in the recent rankings, an intermediate  science team heading for the Ontario Science Fair Finals in Charlottetown, and the very successful addition of agriculture as a specialist high skills major at Seaway. 

“Our first group of students will graduate this fall with the specialist high skills major in agriculture on their diplomas. This has proved a very valuable program at Seaway, although it has only been in place for a short time. I would call it a perfect example of the way the education system is partnering with the economic sectors and moving with the times,” principal Gardiner said, during a recent interview. 

The Ministry of Education has established specialized programs in the province which now allow students to focus their knowledge and skills towards a specific economic sector. In June, 2010, Seaway District High School was approved by the Ministry to offer students a diploma in agriculture.

“When we made the decision at Seaway to go after a high skills program, we took a long look at our community partners, and we realized that in this area there is a lot of opportunity in agriculture. The program seemed a really good fit for South Dundas,” Gardiner explained. 

When Seaway was given the go ahead to set up the program, the school also received a $20,000 grant to establish it. 

“We used the funds to purchase welding equipment, a smart board,  and computer technology. During this month of April, we are constructing a green house at the southwest corner of the school.” 

The program does not rely on an “agriculture” teacher. Instead  agricultural components are built into units of study within a student’s prescribed classes at Seaway, under  CLA, or Contextual Learning Activities.

For example, a math class unit could focus on farm budgeting, seeding and equipment costs. An environmental studies unit might look into soil studies and soil nutrients. 

In biology, students might examine animal structure or study the relationship between genetics and crop science to improve yields. 

Seaway Co-op teachers Robert Knapp and Tanya Crosbie co-ordinate the specialist program.

There are specific skills within the program that require specialized instructors. 

Instruction in such things as handling chain saws, pesticide use, chemical safety, equipment maintenance and WHMS regulations, are taught by certified instructors brought to the school.

“There are several parts to the program,” Gardiner explained. “Students earn six industry recognized certificates, two experiential learning activities (attending plowing matches, agriculture museums, farm tours) and two co-op placements in related fields.”

Students enter the specialized skills program in grade 11. Seaway will see its first six students graduate in October with the “red seal” on their certificates. Some colleges and universities give special consideration to students with these qualifications. Kemptville College in particular is involved in a dual credit arrangement with Seaway.

“This specialist high skills program in agriculture is another way Seaway is able to offer a wider choice of pathways to students into different fields of work,” Gardiner said. “Our object is to make this a real and relevant experience. The more students we engage and interest, the more we hope to see graduate.”

[…]