South Dundas is already planning for next Christmas

 Locally, we are all well aware of the event now known as the Battle of Crysler’s Farm, but what is not so widely known is that on two occasions Point Iroquois witnessed notable armed conflict.

The Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club is planning a to commemorate these armed conflicts with a memorial Cairn, and  a re-enactment at the point on November 9, 2013.

They requested, and received, South Dundas council support and approval for the Cairn and the event at the September 18 meeting. Township support is the first step in a process to work to obtain funding.

“We are taking this first step to try and revive one historic event that has been dormant for many years,” reported Jacques Asselin, chairperson for the War of 1812 project for the Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club.

“We are proud of the contributions made by our fore-bearers of Stormont-Dundas and Glengarry to the creation of Canada,” wrote Howard Kirkby who is also working on this project. 

The memorial Cairn to the First Regiment of Dundas Militia will be constructed of field-stones and mortar and include four plaques highlighting key historical facts. It is proposed to have a prominent location at Iroquois Point.

In addition to that static tribute, the organization is proposing a dynamic tribute for the dedication of the memorial, a re-enactment take place at Iroquois Point.

According to the documents provided to South Dundas council, re-enactment regiments from Canada and New Your State have expressed enthusiasm and sincere interest in performing a re-enactment of the 1813 skirmish on the 9th of November 2013 with approximately 100 re-enactors. They will also participate in the public dedication ceremony of the memorial and perform a solemn memorial service at the grave sites of those militia members who are buried in the Iroquois cemetery.

For the re-enacting regiments this event would occur in association with the planned re-enactment at Hoople’s Creek and memorial service at the Crysler’s Farm Battle Monument on the 10th and 11th of November.

This Iroquois-Matilda Lions 1812 project also includes an educational component whereby they plan to prepare online and printed materials and make them available to the public to help raise public awareness and appreciation of the exploits and sacrifices made by the First Regiment of Dundas Militia.

“To conclude, this project, with broad-based community involvement and support, will put South Dundas on the War of 1812 commemorative map,” reads the report.

[…]

South Dundas budget deliberations for 2012 are complete and grant allocations have been decided.

At the first meeting, March 5th, Treasurer Shannon Geraghty told South Dundas council that grant requests were “a little over $40,000” while only $20,000 had been allotted for that purpose.

Rather than alter the allotment, council decided to go through the requests first.

While almost all groups requesting grants received money, most didn’t receive their requested sum. In fact, two groups didn’t receive at all. 

Allocated grants are as follows:

• Canada Day Committee, Morrisburg – $2,000

• Santa Claus Parade – $300

• Williamsburg Community Association – $300

• Canada Day, Iroquois – $2,000

• Dundas County Hospice – $500

• Bluegrass Festival – $3,000

• Iroquois Lawn Bowling – $2,000

• St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage – $1,000

• Upper Canada Playhouse – $1,500

• Iroquois Festival Committee – $1,000

• Seaway District High School Graduation – $750

• Cruickshank Amphitheatre – $3,000

In total, council approved $17,350 in grants, leaving $2,650 in the original grant budget.

“Last year it was decided that was a one time thing,” said Councillor Jim Graham in reference to the Iroquois Festival Committee.

The debate centered around whether this was actually a ‘community’ festival benefitting the community or a ‘plaza’ festival benefitting the businesses.

Councillor Evonne Delegarde pointed out that this year the focus will be on the War of 1812.

Mayor Steven Byvelds said, “I do agree this is a fine line.”

This will be the last year for this particular grant. 

Another huge discussion was had over the Iroquois Lawn Bowling request. As Byvelds pointed out, “I see an issue of fairness. Compare it to the Morrisburg Curling Club.” 

It was suggested that this would be the last year the Iroquois Lawn Bowling would receive grant money.

As for the matter of how much to give to whom, this came down to an attempt at fairness. Both Morrisburg and Iroquois Canada Day celebrations received the same amount, to be fair. This raised an issue with the Bluegrass Festival receiving more than Canada Day festivities. In the end, it was decided that Bluegrass needed some help getting started.

Following grant deliberations, council discussed the new application format put into effect last fall, requiring groups to fill out forms and meet qualifications. The point of the new process is accountability. Byvelds suggested adding a component to the forms: “For next year, tell us exactly what they did with our money.”

As for the new application’s November deadline, Graham added, “it makes people plan ahead instead of doing things at the last minute.”

[…]

From 50-cent treats, old-fashioned kids’ games and family entertainment, to heritage horse and cattle shows, there will be something for everyone to enjoy at Upper Canada Village at the much anticipated 1860s fall fair coming up at Upper Canada Village September 15-16. 

Visitors are invited to admire the top-prized heritage products, crops and vegetable classes.

“From one end of the Village to the other there’ll be no shortage of things to see and do,” says Gabriele Thomas, UCV Site Supervisor. “The Fall Fair provides a perfect opportunity for enjoying a beautiful natural setting while getting immersed in living history. What’s more, it includes the Discovery Centre, boisterous period entertainment, children’s games, and tasty treats.”

All the best things made and grown at Upper Canada Village will be exhibited under the big tent in the fairgrounds.  

Beautiful Victorian needlework and embroidery, delicious preserves, pickles and baked goods, heritage vegetables, watercolours and oil paintings, honey, cheese as well as articles showcasing early industry will be on display. 

The public is invited to enter their vegetables, flowers, food items and other products to see how they measure up against Village staff.  All entries must comply with 1860s guidelines which can be found and downloaded at www.uppercanadavillage.com under Activities, Special Events, Fall Fair and all must be registered by noon on Friday, September 14.

What fair would be complete without fun and laughter?  

Village performers are tuning up their instruments and voices to entertain the crowd with a lively program of singing and instrumental music.  The Upper Canada Village Brass Band is slated to perform at Cook’s Tavern from 1:30-3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, September 16.

The wonder-filled world of the Mental Floss Sideshow, a new act at this year’s fair, will present two shows daily – noon to 12:30 p.m. and 3-3:30 p.m. Meet Professor Archibald Floss, carnival impresario and human oddity and his partner Dr. Charlotte Tann, snake oil peddler of some renown. 

Visitors are invited to witness feats of derring-do and exhibits garnered from the five corners of the globe. 

Other performances and displays running both Saturday and Sunday are: Village musicians and entertainment 11:15-11:45 a.m.; Opening Ceremonies in the fairgrounds including poetry reading, music and dancing by the Young Interpreters 1-1:30 p.m.; Horse & Cattle Show 2-3 p.m.; Children’s Games & Races 2:30-3:15 p.m.

On Saturday only, from 4-4:30 p.m. there will be music at Cook’s Tavern.

One of the highlights of the event is the more-than-“fair” prices for treats.  Apples, UCV-baked bread, UCV cheese, cider, lemonade and fudge will all be available at only 50 cents per serving.

Children can burn off steam by participating in several 19th century games taking place throughout the weekend.  

Ring toss, three-legged races, sack races, wheelbarrow races, and tug-of-war are being organized to provide young visitors with a taste of some good old-fashioned fun and tasty prizes.

Admission includes the Discovery Centre:  Adult (13-64 yrs) $17; Senior (65 yrs+) $14; Youth (6-12 yrs) $14; children 5 yrs and under are free.  

Upper Canada Village is open from 9:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Coming up next a Upper Canada Village is A World of Glass  beinging featured the weekend of September 22 and 23

From the pop bottle to the chandelier, glass is imminently practical as well as exquisitely extravagant. 

Discover the magic of glass blowing, painted and stained glass, mirrors, kaleidoscopes as well as industrial applications.  

Special feature of the weekend will be the remarkable stained glass windows painted in the 1880s by Harry Horwood for the Prescott home of distillery owner J.P. Wiser.

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