Water/sewer rate increases effective June 1

“This community has, as always, been very generous, even in these difficult times, with our Angel Tree drive,” said Morrisburg & District Lion, Wayne Domanko, chair of the 2012 Angel Tree drive in South Dundas. “The drive is designed to provide gifts for area children who might otherwise not receive a present this Christmas morning.”

Helping the Lions to make this a successful drive were the Bank of Montreal, Scotiabank and SDS Kerr. The Morrisburg Legion, Branch #48, the Ladies Auxiliary, Canadian Tire, the South Williamsburg Recreation Association, St. Mary-St. Cecilia grade eights and Morrisburg Public School’s Penny Drive, all made generous donations to the Angel Tree. 

Lions and spouses will organize the gifts, make some additional purchases and deliver the presents to the Legion on December 19, to be turned over to the South Dundas Christmas Exchange. “I am deeply appreciative of the work and financial contributions all our donors have carried out to make this a special Christmas for our kids,” Domanko said. "All the schools and businesses have been enormously supportive of our efforts."

[…]

Last week the Ontario government announced infrastructure funding for Eastern Ontario Municipalities, and the news for South Dundas wasn’t as good as local municipal officials had hoped.

Through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund, 426 municipalities across the province will receive annual funding to support improvements and repairs to road, bridge and wastewater projects.

The $100 million OCIF has two components, $50 million is allocated annual using a funding formula, and the other $50 million is made available to municipalities based on an application process.

South Dundas will be receiving $76,600 of formula based funding, but their application-based funding request was denied.

South Dundas had applied for $1.1 million from the OCIF program for a resurfacing project on Main Street, Morrisburg.

“There was no reason given for the denial,” South Dundas treasurer Shannon Geraghty told The Leader.

At the same time as the OCIF intake, applications for the Small Communities Fund were also being accepted to identify priority municipal projects for the federal fund.

Through this intake, South Dundas had applied for funds to resurface Riverside Drive.

If successful, South Dundas would have received one-third funding from each of the provincial and federal levels of government towards the $838,000 project. However, that application was also denied.

Geraghty said that it is disappointing, but there’s always next year to try again. He also acknowledged that South Dundas has been in the fortunate position to receive government funds for many major infrastructure projects over the last several years.

Through the formula-based component of the OCIF program, the United Counties of SDG will receive $210,600. South Dundas’ neighbours, South Stormont will receive $76,900, North Dundas $54,400 and Edwardsburgh-Cardinal $47,200. 

[…]

“This is our second annual Bluegrass Festival,” said Geraldine Fitzsimmons, “and we’re very excited about building on the success of last year.”

This year’s Bluegrass Festival will be held on the weekend of June 15th, 16th, and 17th at the Iroquois Locks. 

“It’s so thoughtful that the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation allows us to go on their property,” said Fitzsimmons.

This year’s line-up includes: Dave Nichols & Spare Change; Grassland; Northwind; Hard Ryde; The Dusty Drifters; Grassy Fiddle Time; Concession 23; and Darwin & Gilles.

Asked how the idea for the Bluegrass Festival originated, Fitzsimmons said, “I’ve always wanted to do a festival and I thought it would be a good fundraiser for the Galop-Canal project.”

“So, I went to see Mike Anderson to see if he would help me with it.” Given the option between Country and Western versus Bluegrass, Fitzsimmons went with Bluegrass.

“He assured me that this festival will grow, but only if we can bring in bigger name bands.” As an example, she suggested Ricky Skaggs might be a future option.

Mike Anderson is the owner of the Bluegrass Connection in South Dundas.

The weekend event will be emceed by master of ceremonies, Terry Joe Banjo who, as Fitzsimmons pointed out, is “a young man with a lot of energy. He’s funny. He goes along to a lot of the festivals.”

The sound system will be professionally manned by Shawn Markell of MK Music Solutions.

In addition to Bluegrass music, the event also offers instructional workshops on Saturday in the art of playing the guitar, the madolin, the banjo, or the dobro. 

An assortment of vendors, organized by Sharon Piche, will be showcasing their wares while the Iroquois and Matilda Lions Club will provide sustenance in the form of a barbecue.

While camping out for the weekend isn’t necessary, it is an option and Fitzsimmons pointed out that the campers are “bluegrass followers from all over” and “all of them last year had never been to our area before and just loved it.” Barb and Jerry Gurnhill are in charge of the campground detail.

As the committee learns and grows year to year, Fitzsimmons said, “we’re still going through growing pains, but we have an outstanding committee.”

“We’re hoping the weather will be like last year,” she continued. “It’s just bringing lots of people into our community.” 

The Galop-Canal Revitalization project focuses on restoring the history of the area, keeping the shorelines clean, utilizing the beautiful waterfront, and welcoming tourists into the area. 

Located in Iroquois and complete with a marina, the Galop-Canal is a great place for locals and tourists, with or without boats, to enjoy the waterfront along the St. Lawrence River. 

[…]