Extinguishing tool proves out in first use

 

 South Dundas’ newest business is hoping everyone in the community  will come out and “officially” meet them on Thursday, October 11, from 4-7 p.m. 

Hicks Insurance Brokers Ltd, very much a family business, opened an office in Morrisburg in May, 2012. In the words of Doug Hicks, “We look forward to being active members of this business community.”

He is echoed by his son, Daryn, who has been a member of the brokerage since 2006. “We want to extend our support to the South Dundas community as a whole.”

Assisting them in the Morrisburg office are Laury Pilon, and Lise Van Beilen, both residents of the South Dundas area, and experienced in the needs and concerns of this community.

On Friday, October 5, Doug and Daryn talked to the Leader about their background in insurance and  about their new Morrisburg location.

The original family business was established in 1946, in Metcalfe, by Doug’s father, Stan, working alongside his wife Hazel.  

Doug, who was studying business at Ryerson, came home to join the brokerage in 1977. 

“I really enjoyed the challenges the insurance industry offered,” Hicks said. “I learned about what the industry had to offer, and, really, it remains a learning experience for me.”

Son Daryn joined the firm in 2006, after earning his degree in business from Algonquin College. He is the youngest of three children. While his older brother and sister have chosen other careers (“They couldn’t work with Dad,”  Daryn commented, laughing), he has enjoyed the challenges of working in the insurance field. 

“We really are a family business,” Doug said. “Hicks is now six years into the third generation of the company. My mom, Hazel, who is 88, remains keenly interested in the business, and will actually be at our October 11 opening.”

The Hicks family purchased Benson Latimer Insurance in Metcalfe in 1985, forming Hicks Insurance. Their next acquisition was made in May, 2012, when they purchased Fred Hill Insurance in Morrisburg. 

“I had been friends with David Hill for about 30 years,” Doug explained. “When he decided it was time to move on, the opportunity to purchase the Hill brokerage came to us, and we finalized the deal in May, 2012.”

Hicks Insurance is situated at 147 Main Street (Pinkus Plaza) in Morrisburg, in re-vamped and re-furbished modern offices. 

They kept familiar long term staff with them when they opened in South Dundas. 

Laury Pilon joined Hill Insurance in 1985, and brings 29 years of insurance experience to the Hicks brokerage. Lise Van Beilen joined Hill in 2001, and also brings her business expertise to Hicks.

“Frankly,” Doug Hicks said, laughing, “I think we are just here to support our great long-term staff members, Laury and Lise.”

Doug and Daryn handle all lines of insurance, primarily property and casualty, and welcome enquiries from clients with insurance needs.

“In the last 20 years, insurance has become very competitive,” Doug commented. “We keep up with what the market has to offer. We feel that we are doing this in both offices. 

Market and technology changes really demand that we stay current.”

Hicks Insurance Brokers Ltd. looks forward to serving the business needs of people in South Dundas. 

The members of the Hicks family look forward to meeting new friends and clients as they welcome everyone to their grand opening October 11.

[…]

The days are getting shorter, the leaves are turning colours and the pumpkins are in the fields.

That can mean only one thing.

The 20th annual Fall Harvest Festival is coming to Williamsburg on Friday and Saturday, September 23-24, and everyone is invited to come out and enjoy two days of fun and excitement.

“This is a real community event,” said David Lapier, president of the Williamsburg Community Association, which organizes the two day celebration. “We really couldn’t do the Harvest Festival without the support of many groups in our community, our sponsors, area churches, scouts, firefighters and businesses. No doubt about it, team work makes everything happen.”

Lapier says that there will be some new events at this year’s Festival.

“In our noon parade, we will have a marching band from Cornwall, a first for us. Also new this year is an ATV group ride, which will take place at J.C. Whitteker Park Saturday morning. That should be a lot of fun. And I think kids of all ages will enjoy the visit from Maple the Cow especially since there will be free ice cream bars. For adults, Jed the Mechanical Bull, will be coming to the Saturday night dance at the Matilda Hall where Landmark will be performing. As in other years, we’ll be running a bus from Williamsburg to and from the dance.”

Lapier points out that all the popular activities from previous fall festivals will also be returning.

The entire village will be decorated in a Hillbilly fall theme this year. Children are invited to come out in their best Harvest-themed costumes on Saturday morning for the judging. There are many activities for youngsters including colouring and poster contests, pumpkin carving, biggest vegetable contests, ball hockey, face painting, mini-putt and a petting zoo, Tribeck Inflatables and water games with the Williamsburg Fire Department.

For adults and the young at heart there are a photo contest, a scavenger hunt, the Allan Doherty Memorial Horseshoe Tournament, a flea market, a farmers’ market and a colourful craft show at the J.W. MacIntosh Seniors’ Support Centre.

“The great thing about our Fall Festival is that everything, with the exception of the food, is absolutely free,” David Lapier said. “There are no admission fees, no fees for games and rides. Everyone can come out and have a good time.”

The Fall Festival weekend will kick off on Friday night with a firefighters’ softball game at 8 p.m. and movie night at the Oddfellows Hall at 6:30 p.m.

“We’re looking for great weather for our Williamsburg Fall Harvest Festival,” said David Lapier, “but it’ll be a good time no matter what.”

For additional information contact 613-535-2264.

[…]

A sign bylaw for South Dundas is in the works.

A first draft of the bylaw was given to council at a recent meeting, however they were not happy with the document which they found too restrictive and far reaching.

With council’s input the document is being amended to better fit this municipality’s needs. 

What council would like to see is a document that primarily addresses the use of temporary signs, especially those which are scattered along the front of busy retail areas like the plazas in Morrisburg and Iroquois.

After they provided their input, council asked that the document be reviewed by the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce, the Morrisburg Business Improvement Area and the Iroquois and District Business Association.

[…]