Month: March 2013

The Friends of the South Mountain Library have donated $1100 to the SD&G County Library. Earmarked specifically for collections, this money will go towards book purchases that will benefit the entire SD&G County Library system.

“The Friends of the South Mountain Library are very pleased to partner with the SD&G Library on behalf of our community to enhance the collection and support local authors”, said Shelley Lyall, Chair of the Friends.

The Friends of the South Mountain Library is a registered charity dedicated to the enhancement of Library services, increasing community awareness of Library services and working with other community organizations. The Friends regularly fundraise in support of the Library through memberships, donations, and special events including an annual Canada Day Used Book Sale at the Agricultural Hall, the Fall Book Sale at Mountain Orchards, the Gingerbread Workshop every December and various Trivia Challenge Nights at Sandy Row Golf Club.

Each book purchased with this money will be recognized with an inscribed silver bookplate. “We’re pleased to be able to appropriately recognize this contribution to our Library collections”, said Karen Franklin. “We are very grateful to our community members for their generous gift”.

All monetary donations to the Library are used to further the mission and purposes of the Library, and may be designated for specific collections, equipment, furniture or Library programs.

Donations over $500 are recognized at bronze, silver, and gold levels.

If you would like to make a donation to the SD&G County Library, please contact your local branch or call 613-936-8777.

Help shape the future of Winchester Hospital

The Board of Directors of Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) is inviting interested individuals to consider applying to serve on the Board for a three-year term beginning in June 2013. People with a passion for health care and good governance practices, and an understanding of their local communities, are encouraged to apply.

“An energetic and dedicated Board of Directors is vital to a leading organization,” notes Cholly Boland, CEO. “We encourage everyone to consider this important volunteer opportunity.”

“Being involved with the WDMH Board has been a rewarding experience for me,” adds Lisa Little, Board Chair. “It is a privilege to work with the physicians, staff, volunteers and fellow community members to ensure the very best care is provided. I am honoured to be able to give back to my community in this meaningful way.”

The Board’s responsibilities include oversight and accountability for the hospital’s mission, vision and values; quality and performance monitoring; strategic planning; financial stewardship; and relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

In particular, this year WDMH is seeking applicants who have experience in accounting or financial management; quality improvement; a legal designation; or have worked in the health care system.

Anyone interested in the recruitment process can contact Chris Barkley at 613-774-2420, ext. 6350 or visit www.wdmh.on.ca and click on ‘About Us’ and ‘Governance’ to download an application. (http://www.wdmh.on.ca/AboutUs/Governance/tabid/59/Default.aspx)

The deadline for applications is March 29, 2013.

Lookin’ for Forever Homes

Chance, looking for a chance. One-year-old Shepherd/Chow Mix, a real beauty. Black with sprinkles of grey & brindle. He is not neutered & weighs 90 pounds. He needs training & an experienced dog owner who will work with him. This guy is absolutely gorgeous, he has the Chow eyes and much of the Chow black/grey colouring, but here and there is a sprinkle of the Shepherd brown. He was a pet, but a pet that was pretty much given free reign and allowed to run at will. He will need a strong owner, prepared to work him and to become the leader of Chance's pack. He will need to be neutered upon adoption.

Two-year-old female black & white Lab mix, Missy, (40 pounds) is spayed and has all her shots. Few social skills and very timid, but very friendly and will have to learn to trust. Time and lots of patience will be required for Missy who has had a sad life and will need housetraining help. She has had at least one litter & really deserves a break with a kind & loving family. She is an easily frightened little girl and the shelter is most fortunate to have lined her up to be worked with by a professional in the hopes of helping her to adjust to a loving life.

One year old Hope is a brown/white Lab mix. She is spayed and has her shots. Because she had a litter of puppies at a very young age, she probably won’t grow much more than her current 40 pounds. She is very friendly, but will need puppy/manners training & house-training. Young Hope appears to be a most friendly pup. She eagerly ate treats from our hands, but of course was jumping up and was very excited. We got the impression these treat handouts might have been the first acts of kindness this little girl has ever seen from people…and frankly we think she was delighted.

Still at the South Dundas Animal is our darling hound/doberman mix, who has been with us for four months. This guy is not fixed and would make someone a devoted pet. He is very outgoing and likes to run so he would need an owner that can provide a safe environment where he can be contained. He is housetrained, however he has also been at the shelter for close to five months so some potty retraining would be necessary. This lad has never shown any kind of aggression and during his brief encounters with other dogs has been very friendly. He will mark his territory and should be neutered upon adoption, both to prevent unwanted puppies and to help to keep him at home.

For the past couple of months, we have had an older Boxer mix at the Shelter. We have been fortunate to have been able to relocate her to a rescue where we feel she will have more exposure and more opportunity to be adopted.

In the last two weeks, we have adopted out Keila (a spotted mix breed), our 1.5 year old Black Lab, the Husky with one blue and one brown eye and the Rottie puppy.

If you are interested in any of our featured dogs, or any other dogs currently at the shelter please call Kevin at 613-543-2980. For more information on our dogs you can also follow us on Facebook at South Dundas Pet Rescue or on our website straydogrescue.com

Donations of food, cash to purchase food, and dog supplies (collars, blankets, towells etc.) can be dropped off at the Morrisburg Veterinary Office on Highway 2 where our volunteers pick up.

We appreciate all help provided …

Begorrah, CWL St. Patrick’s Day Bazaar and Tea a hit

There’s an old saying that everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.

Judging by the number of people who came out to support the Catholic Women’s League St. Patrick’s Day Tea and Bazaar, held at the Morrisburg Legion on Saturday, March 16, the saying is true.

“We’ve been running this event for many, many years,” said Trudi McGinn, president of the St. Mary-St. Cecilia’s CWL. “I can actually recall my dad helping out.”

The Legion hall was decorated in shamrocks and leprechauns, and set just the right mood for the fund raiser. There were crafts, spring plants, jams and jellies and baked goods (“They go fast,” Trudi McGinn laughed) for visitors to purchase. The CWL also sold tickets on a beautiful wall hanging, and a number of door prizes, donated by local businesses, went home with some lucky ticket holders.

“This bazaar is a major event in our community and people look forward to it,” McGinn explained.

“All the funds we raise go to support area charities such as the Food Bank and the Christmas Exchange. We also support a family in India.

This year, the CWL decided to make a donation to St. Joe’s student, Zack MacMillan, who travelled with a school group to the Dominican Republic over March break to help build two homes for needy people.”

The lottery tickets sold help provide three academic bursaries at Seaway District High School, St. Joseph’s and St. Michael’s.

The CWL has around 80 members and a large number were working at the bazaar assisting with the delicious lunch visitors could enjoy after they shopped.

“We also have six or seven students out to help us again this year,” McGinn said.

“And our Knights of Columbus were also here today, selling bright red shoe laces. Those funds go to the Special Olympics.”

Organizers of the 2013 St. Patrick’s Day Bazaar and Tea hope to realize $2,500 from the event.

Rev. John DePater

A resident of the Hartford Home in Morrisburg, for the past 18 months, Rev. John DePater passed away at the Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Friday, March 1, 2013, following a brief illness. He was 89.

John was born in Scherpenzeel, the Netherlands, on October 15, 1923, to his parents Jan and Margo DePater (nee Markus).

John DePater was a strong-minded man who lived with passion, but most importantly he lived his life in the knowledge that he would be nothing without the grace of God reaching out to him.

As a child in the Netherlands, his family moved frequently. At age 13, he completed elementary school and then worked as a farm labourer throughout his teen and early adult years.

During the war years, he was involved in the underground and the resistance army. After the war, he joined the police force and then the army. Before being sent to Indonesia, he met his future wife Alice, got engaged within a few weeks and married her upon his return from Indonesia three years later.

In 1951, John and Alice immigrated to Canada, with a small infant to pursue new opportunities.

During their first years in Canada, John worked a variety of manual labour jobs to support his growing family. In 1957, the family moved to Hamilton where John completed his high school education by correspondence courses and then received a BA in theology from McMaster University.

From there, the family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, so John could pursue his studies to become an ordained pastor. He served churches in Holland Marsh, Ontario; Williamsburg, Ontario; Escalon, California; Duncan, British Columba; and York, Ontario.

He “officially retired” in 1988, but continued to serve churches on an interim basis in various locations throughout Ontario and in the U.S.A. Until very recently, he led Bible studies and a monthly worship service at the Hartford Retirement Centre.

Throughout his life, John and Alice travelled extensively throughout North America and Europe. He enjoyed nature, camping, reading and spending time with his family. John lived his life with strong convictions desiring to let others know the gospel message.

John is survived by his children Margo (Jack) VanGilst of Finch, Bea (Renny) VanGilst of Elma, Jan (Elizabeth) of Almonte, Alice Douma (Dean Howland) of Ingleside, James (Barb) of Kemptville and Stephen (Sue) of Cornwall.

He will be fondly remembered by grandchildren Matthew (Anne), Katrina (Steve), Benjamin (Tracy), Luther, Reuben (Emily), Stephanie (Tim), David (Melissa), Tim (Erin), Andrew (Rachel), Dan (Sarah), Dylan, Dexter, Ava, Nathan, Melissa (Dennis), Jason (Jenny), Aaron (Caitlyn), Thomas (Michelle), Miranda (Fraser), Steven, Jennifer, Alexandria, Madison, Erik and by his great-grandchildren Mika, Naomi, Petra, Jonas, Rachel, Ezra, Elijah, Silas, Kate, Noah, Leah, Ethan, Gabriel, Allison, Desi, Haley, Micah, Eli, Arabel, Tristan, Dryden, Logan, Colton, Jackson and Jacob.

He is also survived by nieces and nephews.

John was predeceased by his beloved wife Alice, his sisters Mija Westervelt, Johanna VanMourik, Margo Wilbrink, Hendrika Pul, Jannigje Wilbrink, Maartje Droogers, his brothers Hendrik and Leonard and his son-in-law John Douma.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Monday, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Service was held at Williamsburg Christian Reformed Church on Tuesday, March 5th at 11 a.m. with Rev. John Noordhof officiating.

Interment followed at New Union Cemetery, Williamsburg. Pallbearers were grandchildren Luther Van Gilst, Reuben Van Gilst, Tim VanGilst, Dexter DePater, Jason Douma, Erik DePater.

Donations to the Christian Reformed World Relief Fund or Timothy Christian School would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

Patricia Phillips

It is with deep sadness that the family of Patricia May Phillips announces her death on Tuesday, March 5, 2013.

Born August 24th 1939, to Daniel and May Regan, the oldest of six children in war torn, London, England, Pat’s earliest memories were of air raids, bomb shelters and a series of parties as one uncle left for the war or another returned unscathed.

In 1958, at the age of eighteen, Pat married the love of her life, John Phillips.

A few years later, in 1964, John and Pat immigrated to Canada looking for a better life for their two young daughters and a baby boy on the way. They settled in Morrisburg, where John’s brother Reg lived and got busy with their young family.

Eventually John became heavily involved in the Morrisburg Lions Club and they lived a happy, busy life, involved in the community and their many friends.

Sadly, in 1985, John died after a brief illness and the light went out in Pat’s world as that chapter in her life closed.

Pat turned to her family, focusing on her grandchildren. She became babysitter, chauffeur, and best friend to Katie, Chris, Josh and Jake. However, as the children grew, Pat started to spend more and more time visiting in Great Britain.

Eventually, at the age of 60, she moved to Wales with her beloved sister Joan. Five years later saw her back in Morrisburg, now in poor health, to live at the Morrisglen senior apartments.

A series of strokes, COPD, uncontrolled diabetes and crippling arthritis eventually left her unable to care for herself, and she spent the last few years of her life in the wonderful care of the staff at the Woodland Villa at Long Sault.

Pat leaves behind three children Mandy (John) of Riverside Heights, Julie of Cornwall, and Mitch (Melissa) of Uxbridge.

Her cherished grandchildren are now grown, some with children of their own who were another source of delight for Pat. Missing their grandmother are Katie (Ross) of Brockville, Chris (Alexis) of Ottawa, Joshua (Brian) of Peterborough, Jake of Cornwall and Paul (Tania) of Morrisburg.

Two young great-grandchildren, Noah Laurent of Brockville and Tianna van de Kamp of Morrisburg are also going to miss their Nanny Pat.

Pat was predeceased by her best friend and husband John, her brother Danny-boy, and suffered the tragic loss of a baby great- grandson Donavin Williamson.

She has been committed to the care of Marsden and Mclaughlin Funeral Home in Williamsburg where in accordance with her express wishes there will be no visitation or service. An interment will be held in the spring where she will finally be reunited with her much missed husband.

Donations to the Woodland Villa Nursing Home would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

Curling up a storm

Our senior men are still curling up a storm, and have begun their fifth and final draw of the season.

In the last one, Sid Morrell, Glenn Cougler, Keith Robinson and Earl Jeacle finished in first place, with Pete Zeran’s team right behind, and a number of other teams within a point or two. Actually Sid’s and Pete’s teams had the same number of wins, and the tie had to be broken by a check of game scores in the draw.

Still with our seniors, Cornwall’s annual McLennan Cup was run last Friday. This is always held in Cornwall, and is a two-team bonspiel.

Our entries were Sid Morrell, Neil Williams, George Rutley and Rick MacKenzie, and Pete Zeran, Sam Locke, Earl Jeacle and Keith Robinson. It was a very tight competition among the four clubs involved, with our fellows each winning their first games and losing their afternoon matches.

The total scores for each club are tallied to determine a winner, and our boys finished second by one point to Cornwall and tied with Prescott. Lancaster was the fourth club involved.

In senior friendly matches, our fellows are hosting their last group of curlers, from Winchester, this week. Pete Zeran’s, George Rutley’s and Don O’Brien’s foursomes are defending our honour in this one. We’ll have the results next time.

Four of our senior curlers competed in one of the last 222 bonspiels of the season. This one was in Navan, and Keith Robinson, Alice Thompson, Fred “Boomer” Langlotz and Sandra Beckstead represented us well. They defeated their morning competitors, a Navan foursome. Their high score tied them for first place at that time, and pitted them against a top team from North Grenville. When the dust settled, North Grenville won the afternoon match, and their curlers were the overall champions in the bonspiel. Well done anyway, folks.

There’s one more 222 bonspiel our curlers have entered, in Kemptville, and we’ll have three teams in the single draw competition. Results to follow.

It’s a bit early for league winners, but the score sheets on the wall show the Locke and McIntosh teams in the Thursday morning league are running one-two. The end is near, folks. Carry on.

It’s been a rough time for many of our senior curlers, some with fairly serious medical problems. A few have had to retire from the game, and we wish them well. Hopefully they’ll drop in from time to time to share a coffee with us after the games.

Special thoughts are with Raymond Benoit, who is due home this week, and is recovering nicely from his surgery. In another month we’ll all have the summer to recuperate, and hopefully we’ll see everyone back in the fall.

We note that Sue McIntosh’s last two-person bonspiel of the year is filled. For anyone who missed getting a team entered, it might be a good idea to put your name down as spares. Often someone has to drop out, and having a team to call on in an emergency allows for a balanced number of entries. It should be a good bonspiel on St. Patrick’s Day.

The men’s City of Ottawa Bonspiel, the largest in the world, begins this Thursday, and the schedule is available on the internet. Robert Houze from our club is competing, and we wish him well. Those interested in curling have enjoyed the national men’s and women’s Canadian championships, await their progress in world competition.

Good Curling to all.

Peewee B1 House oust NGS in two

The South Dundas Peewee B1 Lions were quick out of the starting gate on Friday, March 1, when they claimed a decisive 5-1 victory over the visiting NGS Braves in game one of their UCMHL East Division playoff series.

The Braves put up more of a fuss in game two, holding the Lions from the scoreboard until the second period, but it wasn’t enough, as the Lions skated to a 2-1 victory to wrap up the series four points to zero.

In game one, the Lions went up 2-0 in the first period. Jonah Bennis got it rolling with an unassisted goal just over six minutes in and two minutes later, Lucas Bennis put the Lions up 2-0 with help from Devin Dumoulin and Aden Casselman.

The Braves Connor MacMillan put one goal by Lions goaltender Wes Alexander in the second period, but that was it.

Before the buzzer sounded to end the second Jonah Bennis (from Brady Smith) made it 3-1 for the Lions.

Two unanswered third period goals gave the Lions the 5-1 win.

Jonah Bennis completed a three goal performance (assisted by Dumoulin and Noah Keeler) and Lucas Bennis applied the finishing touch 20 seconds later with help from Keeler for the 5-1 win.

Game two was a much tighter match. After a scoreless first period, Jonah Bennis got it rolling with help from brother Lucas early in the second.

Devin Dumoulin counted what would be the winner at 5:20 of the second with Smith and Connor Dumoulin providing the assists.

The Braves put their lone goal past Wes Alexander in the third period to get to within striking distance but that was it.

The Lions held on for the 2-1 win to take the series in two games straight.

The Lions will now meet Brockville in the East Division final.

Game one is set for March 17 in Morrisburg at 4:30 p.m. and game two will be played March 18, in Brockville at 8:30 p.m. Game 3, if necessary, will be in Morrisburg, March 20, at 7 p.m.

Bantam Cs collect tough series win

It was a tough series from start to finish as the South Dundas Bantam C House Lions used a pair of ties and one win to scrape out a victory over the South Stormont Selects in Upper Canada Minor Hockey league East Division play last week.

The four point series got rolling on Saturday, March 2, in Long Sault, where a late third period goal from Lion Ewen Baril tied the game 3-3 and sent each of the teams home with a single point.

Tyler Nelson gave the Lions a 1-0 first period lead, but the Selects charged back in the second to go up 2-1 on a pair of Griffin Martel counters, both assisted by Nolan Thompson.

With 4:12 left in the frame, Lion Tyler Rae found the mark to again balance the playing field.

The Martel-Nolan Thompson combination wouldn’t give up and midway into the third period, Martel completed his hat trick with Thompson adding his third consecutive assist.

The Selects lead held until Baril’s unassisted marker late in the frame.

Baril had a big game, assisting on the two earlier counters before hitting for the tying goal.

Peewee B affiliate goaltender, Wes Alexander was between the Lions pipes.

The Lions were back home for game two, and this time they took charge with a big three-goal first period in the 3-1 win.

Early into the first period, Tyler Nelson got it rolling with help from Matt Backes and Jane Van Moorsel.

Kody Arsenault, from Jonathan Mayhew, put the Lions up 2-0 less than a minute later and that was it until late in the frame when Teisha Mullin struck, unassisted, for a commanding 3-0 Lions lead.

It was late in the third period that goaltender Sam Waytowich had his shut out spoiled by the Selects Martel.

With the win, the Lions went into game three needing at least a tie to end the series and a tie was all they got.

The game kept the fans for both teams on the edge of their seats as a scoreless first period was followed by a scoreless second period.

Then began what would be a seesaw battle until Tyler Nelson’s unassisted tying goal in the last minute of the game.

The Lions struck first with Tyler Rae and Ewen Baril providing the setup on a Nick Woolley goal.

The Lions’ advantage held for several minutes until, with the clock showing 5:25 left in the game, Nolan Thompson beat Waytowich unassisted to even it.

Just over two minutes later Rae gave the Lions a 2-1 lead, this time with help from Mitchell Woodward and Woolley, but again the charged up Selects pushed ahead for the win to stay alive in the series.

This time it was Alex Winters getting the goal with 1:59 left on the clock.

That set the stage for Nelson’s tying marker, assisted by Baril, with 42 seconds left in the game.

The South Dundas Bantam C Lions now advance to play NGS in the East Division final series. The series will open in Maxville on March 17 at 12:30 p.m. and return to Morrisburg for game two, on Tuesday, March 19 at 8 p.m.

The West Division final will see Smiths Falls and Kemptville square off.

The winners of the two divisions will advance for the UCMHL championship series.

Morrisburg Senior Combines strikes for gold

Thanks to a solid performance from goaltender Les McAllister throughout the tournament and a two goal effort from Fern Gauvreau in the final, the Morrisburg Senior Combines skated away from the Ontario 55 plus Senior Winter Games with gold medals.

The games were held in Huntsville, Ontario February 26-28, and the Morrisburg-based Combines laced up as representatives of the local District 8 which includes Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Prescott, Russell and Akwesasne.

They were one of 12 teams that played in the 65 year plus division and one of two teams representing District 8 in hockey.

The other was the Cornwall Seaway Blades who captured Bronze Medals in the 55 plus division.

The Combines opened with a 6-0 win over Windsor/Essex and then tied York 3-3 to qualify for the quarter finals. Providing the opposition in the quarter final was Grey Bruce, who fell to the Combines 4-0, a second shut out for McAllister in three games.

Next up was Muskoka/Nipissing in semi-final action. In this game, the Combines jumped into an early 4-0 lead, and never looked back as they cruised to an 8-0 win.

The Combines now found themselves in the gold medal game, with London providing the opposition. This time out it was a much closer encounter, but thanks to the two goal effort from Gauvreau, the Combines edged out their opponents, 2-1.

The win qualifies the Combines to compete in the upcoming Canadian Games in Edmonton.

The Cornwall Seaway Blades lost their opener 3-2 to London. They followed that with a 3-0 win over Haliburton to advance to quarter finals play where they defeated Huntsville 6-1.

A loss to Brampton in the quarter finals put them into the bronze medal game against York. A 2-0 win, with goaltender Dave Alguire in net, earned them the bronze medals.