Twenty-five apply for public works boss job opening

 

 “We had great crowds, and some really great volunteers making everything happen,” said David Lapier, a member of the Williamsburg Community Association, which  planned and ran the 21st Annual Williamsburg Fall Festival,  held September 28-29. “We even had good weather. This was a wonderful community event.”

There was something for everyone at this year’s Wil-liamsburg Harvest Festival.

The noon parade was a high light of Saturday’s celebration.  Colourful floats and dancers, the Air Cadet band and a piper, antique cars, decorated bikes, equestrians,  mascot Sparky, and even two uniformed and mounted members of the RCMP took part. 

Throughout the day, the Williamsburg  ball park was trans-formed into a midway. Inflatables, petting zoos, pony rides, water events with the South Dundas Fire Department, Maple the Cow, face painting and plenty of great food ensured that families had lots to enjoy.

The craft show and sale at the J.W. MacIntosh Seniors’ Support Centre drew many shoppers, hoping, possibly, to get a jump on this year’s Christmas gifts.  

In the afternoon, people took in some great country music with Earl Casey and Good‘n Country, then saw an exciting demonstration by the Harbour Lites Square dancers. Landmark was the headliner at the Saturday evening dance, following the annual chicken dinner at the Oddfellows Hall.   

And, except for food purchases, all daytime events, presentations and games at the Williamsburg Fall Harvest Festival were free.

“The generous support and sponsorship of area businesses allowed us to offer our fun events for free to everyone,” Lapier said. “There are not a lot of regional community events any more, where there are no admission or rides fees. This business support is really important to us.”

Williamsburg was transformed during the celebration, with fall themed, decorated doors, and porches and telephone and hydro poles. 

A number of special contests for young and old to enjoy took place throughout the weekend.

 

Prize and Contest Winners

In the Kids’ Colouring Contest, Trevor Backes took first in the age 0-5 category, while Mary Richmire and Cameron Stewart tied in the age 6-10 category. Sarah Backes took the age 11 and up contest. Honourable mention went to 17-month-old Mia Henderson, who entered the event for the first time.

The heaviest potato went to Melissa Toonders, 1st, Brenda Toonders, 2nd and Nicole Toonders, 3rd.

The heaviest carrot was won by Madilyn Beckstead, 1st, Carl Barkley, 2nd and Caleb Guerin, 3rd. 

The largest zucchini was grown by Bea Stewart, 1st, Larry Schell, 2nd and Madison Chretien, 3rd.

The best decorated wheel barrow was won by April Richmire, with Jaime Baldwin and Florence Merkley coming in second and third.

The best decorated door saw April Richmire, Drew DeDekker and Ellyn Wells tie for first place with Jaime Baldwin, 2nd and Helen Mathieu, 3rd. 

In the best decorated bike contest, Brendan Shaver came first with Kyle Merkley and Travis Merkley coming second and third.

Bruce Whitteker’s corn stalk was judged tallest, while Louise Richmire’s sunflower was deemed largest.

The trivia contest was won by April Richmire and Erika Jordan.

In the Havest Poster contest, Kyra Lewis took first in the six and under category, while Louise Richmire came second and Abby Steward came third. In the seven and up category, Hailey Steward was first, with Matina Lewis second and Mary Richmire, third. 

In the best fall centrepiece contest, in the children’s category,  Mary Richmire was first, Drew DeDekker second and Tyler DeDekker third. 

In the adult division, Heather Whitteker was first, Laurin Barkley second and Debbie Disheau, third. 

The contest for largest real red Maple leaf saw Hailey Steward’s entry take first, Abby Steward take second and Kurtis Steward take third.

The photo contest, judged by reporters from local papers, saw Karen MacPherson take first in the Landscape division, with Ashton Urquhart second and Kelly Morrow third. In the People division, Kelly Morrell was first, Karin MacPherson second and Debbie Disheau third. In the Animals division, Julie Mitchell was first, Randy Mathieu second and Kelly Morrell third. 

Winners of the Allan Doherty Memorial Horseshoe Tournament were Brian Witteveen and Elaine Leveille, first, Mike Felker and Charlie English, second and Ray Joanisse and Morris Dusomos third.  

The best commercial float was won by Nick Merkley (Marsden & McLaughlin Funeral Home &WCA), while Lyle Van Allen’s Len Godard and WCA float took the best non-commercial float entry. 

Larry Bilmour won the best paraded horse entry, Eliza Laied  was the best individual youth and Brendan, Cam and Donovan Shaver were the best youth group, ages 5-12. Seaway High took the best youth group ages 8-16.

The best paraded car was Wayne Salmon’s, while Denny Raistrick was named best paraded transport/trailer. Best paraded tractor was Terry and Francis Henderson.

Julie Mitchell took first in the scavenger hunt with second a tie between Donna Laporte and April Richmire. Sarah Backes was third. 

Winner of the 50/50 draw was Keith Scott. 

[…]

 

New welcome gardens, which have been installed at Iroquois and Morrisburg, will be complete this week.

“The project was ‘grew’ from the feedback that the Municipality collected during last year’s community strategic planning process,” said Nicole Sullivan, South Dundas economic development officer. “Residents identified a desire for greening/gardening at the gateways and centres of activity. Welcome gardens were one of the suggestions made to accomplish this goal.” 

The gardens have been designed to be attractive year round, explained Sullivan and Erin VanGilst, the Master Gardener who designed and planted the gardens. VanGilst runs Create It! Garden Design & Instillation from her home in Williamsburg.

The gardens feature a mixture of perennials that bloom in the spring (Daffodils), summer (Hydrangeas, Daylilies) and fall (‘Autum Joy’ Stonecrop, ‘Karl Foerster’ Grass). There are also shrubs such as a Service Berry  that were chosen specifically because their branches are colourful year round. 

Each garden also has “structural” elements that will give its shape definition throughout the year including rocks and evergreens. 

In Morrisburg, three Serbian spruce trees have been planted, while in Iroquois, the buoys have been integrated into the design. 

The Iroquois design is representative of a seaside garden, where stones are being installed to represent the stream and the plants, the waves, explained VanGilst.

“To add an extra element of interest for the public, we’ve also integrated a number of plants that are historic to the area including Lavender ‘Munstead Old English’ and Bluewood Asters,” said VanGilst. 

“To identify these plants, we used a list of the area’s heritage plants that the Carman House Museum had compiled to help with the gardening of their Heritage Garden,” added Sullivan.

The cost to have the gardens designed and installed as well as purchase all the plants was just over $13,000, less than the $20,000 budgeted for the project. “We used compost and rocks that the Municipality already had which resulted in some of that cost savings,” noted Sullivan. “The gardens were designed to have minimal ongoing cost with all of the plants being perennials.  

[…]

 

Activation of the time-of-use rates for customers of Rideau St. Lawerence Distribution Inc. are delayed.

According to Rideau St. Lawrence Chief Executive Officer John Walsh, “we haven’t been able to get an actual date.” At this point, there is a “fluid date” of May 1st, but it may happen earlier or it may happen later. Walsh did say that when a firm date has been set, customers will definitely be informed.

The time-of-use rates will be divided into three time periods: on-peak (highest price); mid-peak (mid price); and, off-peak (lowest price). In addition, peak periods will change depending on whether it’s winter rates or summer rates.  

In any case, it looks like electricity will be at its lowest price on weekends, holidays, and between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.

The activation delay, Walsh explained, is due to “a provincial delay with the MDM/R (Meter Data Management and Repository). They need to implement some new software to comply with Measurement Canada regulations. It’s all up to the government.”

For those wondering what will happen when time-of-use rates do go into effect, Walsh said that Rideau St. Lawrence will be sending out comparative bills for two billing periods prior to time-of-use activation.

The comparative bill will show the customer what their consumption and billing rates are for that time period using the present system’s set-up. In addition, the bill will also show what it would look like ‘if’ the time-use-rates had been activated for that particular bill.

In terms of when customers will actually start paying time-of-use rates, Walsh stated that Rideau St. Lawrence bills “won’t be pro-rated.”

If, for example, the time-of-use system goes into effect beginning May 1st, customers won’t pay those rates on the first bill they receive in May. In this scenario, Walsh explained, they won’t start paying time-of-use rates until their June 1st bill.

[…]