Year: 2012

Just a day after the project that will put the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic in a newly renovated space in Morrisburg broke ground, South Dundas municipal officials announced that the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic in Iroquois will also be getting a new home.

A partnership between the SLMC and Township of South Dundas will see the former St. Cecilia Catholic School building in Iroquois retrofitted to provide a new modern clinic in Iroquois.

Earlier this year, the Township and the SLMC had been discussing a partnership to provide modern, accessible space on a long-term lease basis, similar to the arrangement that will provide a modern Clinic in the redeveloped Morrisburg High School. In August, the SLMC backed away from the project citing an uncertain future with respect to Provincial support of rural medicine. But now, the SLMC has a renewed interest in the project.

Mayor Steven Byvelds welcomed the news of the expanded partnership.

“As I stated back in August, the Township of South Dundas is willing to work with the SLMC to provide for the health care needs of our residents,” said Byvelds. “Expanding our partnership with the SLMC in Iroquois will put in place a community owned medical facility that will aid in attracting new physicians, provide greater efficiency and accommodate growth for the next twenty years. The two new clinics will provide great health care for years to come.”

South Dundas has purchased the former St. Cecilia school for $80,000, an amount that was based on an appraisal, according to McDonald.

The lease between the township and the SLMC will be structured such that all costs, including the purchase, retrofit and operating costs will be paid by the SLMC. “This will be a full cost recovery project,” said McDonald.

Brian Markell

A lifetime resident of the area, Brian Markell passed away suddenly at home in Morrisburg, on Sunday, December 2, 2012. He was 61.

Brian was born in Matilda Township on December 30, 1950, to his parents Robert and Della Maude Markell (nee Kelly). Brian and Elaine Lavallie were married by Pastor Charles Marshall at Rowena Full Gospel Tabernacle on May 20, 1972.

Brian will always be remembered for his warm heart and helping hand to anyone who was in need of help.

He enjoyed fishing, day or night, and he always knew where to find the fish biting. When the kids were young, Brian and his daughter picked dew worms late at night, without Elaine knowing. However, Elaine often wondered why Loretta was so tired and did not want to get up for school!!

Brian was well known in the community for making sinkers and his own lures to catch the big ones, which he often did.

Brian enjoyed collecting junk to tinker with. He always managed to fix whatever it was he was working on just so he could sell it or deal it off for something else that he would fix up again.

Quite often the kids would come home from school and Brian would have some kind of motor completely torn apart on the table on newspaper. He would tell them not to touch anything and soon after he would have the motor put back together and working!

Brian was also a huge fan of wrestling, not very often missing a match, with too many heroes to mention. His family knew when wrestling was on to stay back because they didn’t know when Brian’s hands were going to fly depending on what was happening to his hero during the match.

Brian worked for many local farmers in Matilda Township when he was young, and then he and his brother Charlie got a job working as tree planters in Limerick forest. They worked there for many years.

Brian’s fondest memories involved all his family sitting outside on a warm sunny day reminiscing about the good old days or he and his family walking up the road to visit his parents and enjoy the fresh toast his Mom made on the wood stove.

He also enjoyed getting together with his brothers and sisters and their families to enjoy a good meal. Brian was somewhat of a prankster and he enjoyed playing a joke on someone when they least expected it. His family never knew what he was up to.

Brian is survived by his wife Elaine and his children Loretta (Rob) Margison of Williamsburg and Alex of Morrisburg.

He will be fondly remembered by his brother Bernie of Morrisburg and his grandchildren Tiffany, Dereck, Terisa and Fernanda.

He was predeceased by sisters Flossie Royle and Nellie Hitsman and brothers Robert, George, Art, Charlie, Sid and Carl. He was also predeceased by sisters-in-law Marilyn and Sharon Markell by his nephew Kevin Markel, and by his mother and father-in-law Charles and Mildred Lavallie (Hitsman), Helen Markell.

He is survived by sisters-in- law Kathy Markell, Cairlyn Chater, Marion Markell, Fay (Roger) Markell, Pat (Cecil) Keeler, by his brother-in-law George Hitsman Sr. and Paul Lavallie.

He is also survived by nieces and nephews.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service was held at the funeral home on Wednesday, December 5th at 2 p.m., with Pastor Jim Kirkby officiating.

Interment followed at New Union Cemetery, Williamsburg.

Pallbearers were Alex Markell, Rob Margison, Dereck Margison, Eldon McCorkell, Sydney Markell, John Hitsman, Garnet Wolfe and Bill Markell.

Donations to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

Jubilee Medal Winners

“We have such incredible citizens here in our community, who are incredibly giving of their time day after day,” said MP Guy Lauzon, at the ceremony to honour 31 area recipients of the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. “I can’t thank all of you who volunteer in your communities enough. You all make me very proud.”

Five members of the South Dundas community, Doug Grenkie, Joan Farlinger, Helen Tupper, Dr. Graham Houze and Trevor Tolley were among those honoured with medals.

St. Andrews Catholic Church, the site of the Sunday, December 9, ceremony was packed with family and friends and dignitaries gathered to acclaim the area medal winners.

The commemorative medal was created to mark the 2012 celebration of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne and honours significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.

Joan Farlinger broke the “glass ceiling” and was selected as the first female chair of the Winchester Hospital Board of Directors, and also served six years as the president of the WDMH Auxiliary. She represented the auxiliary and this community as the president of the Hospital Auxiliary Association of Ontario.

Joan has served with the Morrisburg Curling Club, Knox Presbyterian Church, the Dundas Junior Farmers and as provincial director for the Junior Farmers of Ontario. She currently acts as a board member for the Rural Healthcare Innovations overseeing the former Dundas Manor in Winchester.

Lawyer Doug Grenkie, a Morrisburg & District Lion for 40 years, and a member of the Cornwall, SD&G Shrine Club, has been president of the Dundas County Cancer Society and past president of the Eastern District of the Cancer Society for the Ontario division.

He serves on the board of Partners for Children in Development, and has acted as a fund raiser for the Children’s Treatment Centre in Cornwall. He has served with the Morrisburg & District Canadian Club for 40 years.

Doug completed a stint as chair of the Morrisburg Waterfront Committee and acted as chair for the Close to Home campaign for WDMH. He was also a founding member of Upper Canada Playhouse. Doug was awarded the Law Society Medal in 2009, and has served in many roles with prestigious Bar associations.

Dr. Graham Houze was a family doctor in Morrisburg for 40 years, acting as Chief of Medical Staff at WDMH, and serving as past representative to the Ontario Medical Association Council for the Winchester-Kemptville Medical Society. He also acted as provincial coroner for SD&G for 43 years.

In retirement, Graham serves as a member of Council for the Physicians’ Services Foundation. He is currently president of Branch 48, the Morrisburg Royal Canadian Legion, and has served in leadership positions with the Dundas Chapter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and with the Morrisburg & District Canadian Club.

Trevor Tolley is a retired Professor Emeritus of Com-parative Literature from Carleton University who has also authored several publications focusing on English language and literature.

He served as councillor for the former Township of Williamsburg, and as president for the Williamsburg Non-Profit Housing Corporation. He was instrumental in bringing additional social housing units to Williamsburg, where the housing project now bears his name. He received the 20 year service award from the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association in 2008.

He acted as president of the Community Living Dundas County and remained on its board until 2009.

Trevor was a spokesperson and volunteer for the New Democratic Party of Ontario, chosen as president of the SD&G Provincial NDP Association for 25 consecutive years. He also received the Community Activist Award from the Cornwall & District Labour Council in 2009.

Helen Tupper has been a key organizer for over 12 years with the South Dundas Soccer Association. She has also been a committed planner for a yearly soccer tournament in Iroquois which involves over 600 young players, dozens of teams and hundreds of parents.

She has served for five years as Hulbert-Valley Playgroup Co-ordinator and 14 years with the Iroquois Public School/Seaway District High School Councils. Her efforts have provided great programs, healthy active living and education for thousands of area children in South Dundas.

“May we be ever mindful of the contributions these people have made to our communities. May we be inspired to lead as these people have led,” said Eric Duncan, executive assistant for Guy Lauzon.

Perspectives by Rev. Norine Gullons

Preparing for Joy

This afternoon I received a long distance call from Alberta from a long time friend of mine that I haven’t seen for a few years. It was so good to hear her voice again!

It wasn’t long before we were on to familiar topics of discussion and updates on our families. That conversation was a time of joy in the course of daily work, and personal preparations for Christmas.

The season of joy and light is not necessarily that for all people. Even in the midst of Advent and Christmas preparations, our real life stories enter in and attempt to draw us into the dark places of our lives.

Parents become ill. Younger couples are having rough times in their marriages. Some one is laid off work. A little child ends up in the hospital. The great unknowns in our lives can present us with doubts and darkness.

That is why I feel that it is important to take time to remember that God is our joy and our light.

The Christmas lights we see in our neighbors’ houses can cheer us momentarily. The Advent candles we light in church remind us that God’s light changes the darkness in our personal worlds and transforms that darkness by grace into a path where fear is no longer necessary.

Remember the story of the shepherds who were overwhelmed with fear.

Luke 2: verse 10 and the angel said to them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all people. That means for you and for me. Let God handle the darkness, and prepare your heart for little joys this Christmas season.

Pastor Norine +

Rev. Norine Gullons

South Dundas Evangelical

Lutheran Parish

Morrisburg/Williamsburg

Invitational a Good Draw

The Morrisburg Curling Club’s annual women’s invitational bonspiel is history for another year, and Alice Thompson thanks all of those who helped pull it off. The food was great, the volunteers were awesome, and we sent home 48 happy curlers from various clubs in the Ottawa and Seaway Valleys. Also, the profit for the club was the best ever. Special thanks to Linda Murphy who filled in for one of our Prescott invitees.

The winners in the early draw were the Cornwall team skipped by Luce Lalonde, while the late draw was captured by Virginia Cunningham’s Kemptville foursome. Thanks to our decorating committee for the fine holiday appearance of the clubhouse.

Sid Morrell took a team to a bonspiel at Metcalfe last week. The fellows won their morning match against a Winchester quartet skipped by Malcolm MacGregor, had a fine lunch, and then returned to the ice to face a tough Rideau opponent. It was a very close match, but our local men prevailed and took home top money as the champions. Others on our team were Jack Barkley, Neil Williams and Keith Robinson.

Gretta McGann was in Ottawa at the Navy club for a bonspiel there. Curling with her were Joanne Baker, Alice Thompson and Claire Locke. They won their first game against the R.A. Riverside team, but dropped their afternoon match with Richmond. They finished just out of the prizes, although Alice brought home a $10 prize and a huge basket, with a two-bottle wine theme. After finishing off half of the liquid that evening, Alice generously donated the empty basket to our curling club for future use. All heart, as usual!

Pete Zeran, George Rutley, Karl Duncan and Earl Jeacle competed in another men’s bonspiel, this time in Prescott. They lost their morning game to Gananoque, but they won against Winchester in the afternoon to finish in the money on the day.

On Saturday the club held a Christmas funspiel. There were a number of guest curlers, including Sheila Bush from Prescott, one of our favourite skips from that club. In the early draw, Jack Barkley, Sonja Laurin, Bud Perry and Paul Gunther won out over Pete Zeran, Arnold Barkley, Bert Smail and Jim Locke. In the second draw, Sam Locke, Wendy Casselman, Andy Patenaude and Bob Youmelle defeated Al Harriman, Carolyn Beckstead, and Paula and Claire Locke for the title. It was a great day, with a delicious meal (pulled pork as the main course, with scrumptious desserts for the participants.)

Future events include two two-person bonspiels which are planned for December, one of which is for this Sunday. The sign-up sheets are in the lounge. Also, the OCA Zone 1 intermediate playdowns are here on Dec. 22-23, and a couple of rentals are booked for over the holidays.

Invitational bonspiels for senior men and senior mixed curlers are planned for January, while the Alzheimers and Heart and Stroke charity bonspiels are scheduled for Jan. 19 and Feb. 16. For those looking for more detail, the club’s website is www.morrisburg.ovca.com.

That’s it for now. Good curling!

Breaking down and breaking ground

The contract is now signed and December 6 Bourgon Construction had the shovel on site to start the $4 million construction project to renovate the former Morrisburg Collegiate Institute.

“The first steps are the demolition and abatement,” said South Dundas chief administrative officer Steve McDonald.

As part of the demolition, a small entrance way was removed from the old high school building, the canopy was removed from the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic building and the main entrance was blocked off. McDonald explained these exterior demolitions will make way for the addition that will house the elevator.

The contractor is eager to get the services into the building and the foundation poured for the addition while the weather is still good. Tuesday, a section of Ottawa Street was closed while the street was dug up to get those service into the building.

While work is taking place on the outside, interior demolition is also taking place, with doors and entrances being removed.

While the construction project is taking place right next to the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic, Stephen McCann the clinic’s operations manager, said that it is business as usual at the clinic.

“The parking lot has been sectioned off for the construction, but we have retained about a third of it for parking,” said McCann. Access to the clinic is, one way, off Ottawa Street as usual, but they are asking that patients exit around the rear of the building on to Second Street. “We are working on some fencing to help guide people along the preferred route.”

Patients will enter the clinic using the door on the north side of the building and once inside that door are asked to proceed through the secondary waiting room to the reception desk in the main lobby where they would normally enter the building.

McCann asks that motorists using the clinic parking lot take extra caution as those pedestrians exiting the building are very close to the roadway.

Making Cornwall and Counties a cycling destination, Morrisburg will be a hub

Cornwall and the Counties Tourism, has over 2,000 kilometers of cycling/motorcycling routes mapped and is getting reading to ‘peddle’ this region as a destination for cyclists of all kinds.

Morrisburg will serve as a hub of this activity.

“We are in the process of creating a paper map,” said Linda Wilson, executive director of Cornwall and the Counties Tourism, who had a draft copy of the map and its routes here in Morrisburg on November 29.

The 28 routes are organized as loops, from 40 km in length to 230 km in length. The recommended routes for cyclists, are considered safe and have water/food amenities available along the way.

The loops include two Quebec entry points as well as entry points from Ottawa and Brockville.

“Our plan is to have the map ready for the end of this year,” said Wilson, who plans to take it to the Vélo show in Montreal in February among other high profile cycling shows in 2013 and to the outdoor and leisure shows in Ottawa in the coming year.

Wilson is also working with GPS technology to push the loop maps to Garmin.

The other side of making the maps work is proper roadside signing of the loops.

That will come in partnership with the Counties of SD&G.

In partnership, the two will apply for funding for the signs, and if successful the signs will be installed, on existing posts by the counties road crews.

“The signing will happen, at least partially, if we get the funding, early in the summer if possible,” said Wilson.

Each loop will be marked by a different colour, making it easy for cyclists to navigate.

As part of the loop system, Wilson has selected areas across the region as ‘hub’ sites where people can drive to, park and unload their bicycles to cycle some of the loops.

Morrisburg is one of those hubs that are located across the region.

“Much work is being done at the county level, but there is still work to be done at the local level to support the initiative,” said South Dundas economic development officer Nicole Sullivan.

She suggests investing in some infrastructure such a bike racks and possibly working with businesses to help educate them on becoming cycle-friendly and cycle-ready.

New rules for burning are in the works

In response to difficult fire situations, including out of control burns and nuisance smoke complaints, faced by the South Dundas fire officials over the summer, municipal staff drafted a bylaw to govern open air burning.

The main source of contention this summer surrounded agricultural burning for land clearing purposes.

The new draft bylaw sets out specific requirements including set backs, brush pile sizes, control measures and permits that will need to be in place for all types of burning, once the bylaw is approved by council. That approval will not come until council’s issues with the requirements and permit fees are addressed.

After a lengthy discussion of the draft bylaw, at a special council meeting November 27, staff was presented with a number of changes.

During the discussions it was indicated that there will be some areas of the municipality, such as the towns of Morrisburg and Iroquois where burning will be prohibited.

Those in areas where open air burning is permitted will have to obtain a permit and pay a small administration fee to offset costs.

The permits guarantee contact between landowners and the municipality, resulting in a record of where and when the burning is to occur, and ensures that there is not a burn ban in place at the time.

Looking for Forever Homes December 5th

Hi, I’m a one to two year old Great Pyrenees. Like most Great Pyrenees, I am good with kids. I am house trained, but I like being indoors and outdoors equally. I pride myself in being very calm, a bit playful and friendly…I was found in the Iroquois area. (The Great Pyrenees is a large breed dog. Anyone interested in adopting this beauty should consider her size and her need for space. Great Pyrenees are known to be confident, gentle with children and very affectionate pets.

Yep…you’ve got the big guy and then there is me…a wee young Jack Russell, just four to five months old. My puppy antics are keeping everyone at the South Dundas Animal shelter hopping to keep up…right Kevin?? Oops!!! I like the indoors and Kevin says I am very high energy. “Aren’t all puppies?” Geez. Anyways, Kevin says, I definitely need training even though I think I am just the friendliest thing ever. I was found in the Winchester area.

For information on this week’s dogs please call Kevin at the South Dundas Animal Shelter at 613-543-2980. There are no adoption charges. However, the shelter counts on donations (cash or food). This week, there are several other dogs at the shelter including a well-behaved and obedient large-sized hound mix that has impressed everyone with its kindly disposition and willingness to please.

Local Leos support V.E.T.S. Canada

The Morrisburg and District Leo club has never done anything special to acknowledge Remembrance Day, so one of their members, 14 year old Dawson Clouthier, had an idea that he shared with the club.

“I saw an ad on the TV about V.E.T.S. Canada, so I checked them out on Facebook,” said Dawson.

He supported them himself by liking them on Facebook, and thought that maybe the Leos could do something to donate to the cause.

V.E.T.S. Canada (Veterans Emergency Transition Services)provides aid and comfort to transient and homeless Canadian veterans by providing the essentials in emergencies, and assisting those at risk.

“I am into helping vets. I want to be army,” said Dawson.

The staff at Scotiabank, Linda Robinson who coordinated the bake sale fund raising event for the Leos and Lisa Lewis who supervised the Leos bake sale at the Morrisburg arena were all happy to help Dawson and the Leos contribute to the cause.