Month: March 2013

 

March 4, 2013, Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, recognized Tyler Barkley’s heroism through the following statement in the House of Commons: 

“Mr. Speaker, last Friday I received a call from Ivan Whitteker of Williamsburg telling me about his ten year old neighbor, Tyler Barkley, who should be recognized as a hero in the riding of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry.

That’s correct Mr. Speaker, ten year old Tyler Barkley is responsible for saving the life of Elsie Knight. Due to his keen hearing, Tyler heard Elsie’s cry for help after she had fallen outside her home and was exposed to subzero weather for 30 hours with a broken leg. 

Because of his Boy Scout Training, Tyler sprang into action, summoned his father, and together they saved Elsie. His proud parents are Rick and Carolyn Barkley. His equally proud grandparents are Rick and Greta Roberts and Sylvia Barkley.

And I, Mr. Speaker am Tyler’s proud Member of Parliament.”

[…]

 

After the first budget meeting for South Dundas council, March 4, it appears that South Dundas property owners can expect to see a modest increase in their taxes.

That increase, to the municipal portion of property taxes, is likely to be around two per cent.

The draft budget presented shows that South Dundas needs about $91,000 more than last year to cover the cost of day to day operations and to go forward with staff-determined priority capital projects in each department. 

Council is now in the process of reviewing the departmental list of capital projects, to determine whether staff priorities fit with council priorities.

Throughout budget deliberations council has been asked to keep in mind some major costs on the horizon, including financing the $4 million Morrisburg Collegiate Institute redevelopment and the need to fund the expansion or closure of its landfill sites which are both nearing capacity.

Council could choose to add some of those costs to this year’s budget to minimize the long term impact.

Council will meet again next week to continue budget talks.

[…]

 

The celebration of the wedding of Wendy McGregor to John Burn, February 21, in Antigua, was already a very special occasion for the Morrisburg couple, but a chance encounter with celebrity couple Alley Mills Bean and Orson Bean made it a little more special.

McGregor and Burn went to Antigua, with the blessing of their families to get married in a quiet ceremony.

In addition to the wedding, the couple was celebrating the end of a tough year, during which John suffered from health issues. This included treatments for thyroid cancer and the removal of a benign brain tumor. 

“We were just elated that we were able to make it to Antigua and to get married,” said McGregor.

“After a year of virtual hell, it was such a wonderful experience to be able to lie on the beach and sit in the sun with Wendy,” said Burn. “We went through a lot and the fact that Wendy was there supporting me through all of it made it all bearable.”

The second night that Wendy and John were at the resort having dinner, a couple came and sat at a nearby table. “We nodded and smiled when they sat down,” said McGregor. 

They struck up a conversation. “It was then that we found out who they were,” said McGregor. 

Alley Mills Bean currently stars in The Bold and the Beautiful. 

Orson Bean is best known for his role on Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, and has had stints on Two and A Half Men and Desperate Housewives.

While McGregor and Burn learned that their new acquaintances were celebrities, the Beans learned that their new acquaintances were in Antigua to get married.

“We asked them if they had friends or family with them and when they said they were all alone, we offered to be their witnesses,” commented Mr. Bean in an article in the Antigua Chronicle. “They were so thrilled, but we felt honoured to be able to do this for them.”

“That’s exactly how it happened,” McGregor told The Leader. 

“We were so excited about the positive and good times ahead of us, when our day came, to be joined by them, just made it even better,” said McGregor. “They were sincerely excited to be there with us. It was like the cherry on top of an already beautifully decorated cake.”

“The icing on the wedding cake,” said Burn.

“The wedding without them, was already a dream come true, but with them, it was even better,” said McGregor.

“We got to know Alley and Orson and they are absolutely kind, sincere people,” said McGregor. “We didn’t talk about celebrity things, we talked about our real lives.” 

“They were such awesome friends, real down to earth and honest people,” said Burn. “Whenever we crossed paths, they always took an interest in us.”

“They made a point to find us at our wedding dinner on the beach to offer their best wishes, and Alley even came to see us off the day we left,” said McGregor.

[…]

 

The Morrisburg and District Cooperative Pre-School is trying to help themselves and the environment with a new fund raising endeavor.

They are collecting used inkjet cartridges, which they will have recycled. 

The recycling company has a program for charitable non-profit organizations like the pre-school whereby they pay a small amount of money to the organization for each cartridge collected.

“Every bit helps, so the more support we get from the community, the better,” said Heather Stirling, president of the Morrisburg and District Cooperative Preschool.

For parents of children attending the preschool, a drop box is available there. 

For the community, drop boxes are already available at Iroquois Foodland and Riley’s Valumart in Morrisburg. Others will be added to new locations in the future.

Funds raised through this ongoing collection will be directed towards programming, supplies and upgrading toys for the pre-school.

[…]

 

On Thursday, February 21, 2012-2013, The Williamsburg BP Scouts gathered for their annual Thinking Day Celebration. 

The evening included the presentations of badges earned since the start of the year. Pictured are this year’s four groups. 

[…]