Month: April 2013

Upper Canada Playhouse is announcing this year’s Charity Fundraising Event which assists area organizations with their important work in the community.

This marks the 12th year that The Playhouse has held this Fundraising Event which has helped over 190 local charitable organizations.

The Playhouse will be donating all of the tickets to a special August 24th matinee performance of this season’s hilarious comedy, No Sex, Please We’re British, to 15 area non-profit charitable organizations.

Interested organizations are asked to submit their group’s name, mandate, contact name, phone and fax number along with a statement that declares their organization is a non-profit organization.

Each organization receives 18 tickets and they are encouraged to sell them at The Playhouse’s regular adult price of $32 to get the maximum benefit for their organization.

The organizations keep their ticket sale revenue for their charitable work.

“It’s a fun and easy way for our valuable community organizations to raise some funds,” says Artistic Director Donnie Bowes. ‘They receive their tickets, sell them and keep the revenue for their group’s work. It’s as simple as that.”

Selection will be on a first-come, first-served basis and organizations are asked to submit their request to The Playhouse by FAX at 613-543-4388 or mail at PO Box 852, Morrisburg, K0C 1X0 or by dropping by in person.

It’s Time, Already

There was an alien substance on my living room floor this week.

I studied it intently, puzzled; deep down I had the feeling that I had seen something exactly like it once. Only that occasion had been months and months ago. The puddle-shaped outline was frustratingly familiar, yet it had been so long that I just couldn’t quite place it.

I noticed the substance was coming through the window and actually beginning to spread. That’s when I had my moment of blinding revelation. I did know what this was!

It was sunlight.

Officially in Canada it has been spring for some weeks.

You could have fooled me.

With the plummeting night time temperatures, the downpours of ice rain, the sporadic snowfalls, the cutting, constant wind and the relentlessly grey skies every day – well, it’s felt like mid February for months.

Why just the other day I glanced out my window and spotted a robin, bundled in a wool scarf and toque, and the Mrs., loading three blue eggs into the back of a minivan with “Returning to Florida” plates on it. A couple of Canada geese were trying to hitch a ride.

I’ve put my winter coat and ear muffs away, then taken them back out of the closet again, six times. My lawn furniture remains tucked away behind bags of Ice Melt. The heating bill has not gone down.

I recently stumbled on to a website calling for the lynching of Wireton Willie and Punxsutawney Phil…and I didn’t report it.

We need spring. We really do. Physically and psychologically. It’s time already. After all, only spring can trigger those special, experiences that we dream of in the deep, snowy depths of winter.

We crave the chance to once again spend hundreds of dollars buying flowers, with exotic names, that last about two months. We yearn to spend long sweaty hours scrubbing barbecue grills, picnic tables, driveways and patio sets. We eagerly anticipate the ritual of discovering the holes and brown patches under the melting snow where skunks and grubs have torn up our lawns.

We thrill to the return of Kamikaze mosquitos.

Frankly, many of us are simply anxious to swing our golf clubs without wearing Arctic parkas; taking chip shots, not chips of ice off the greens.

Spring, it’s time to spring!

(I even found myself thinking nostalgically of shad flies last weekend. Scary.)

Scouts honour Tyler

“This is only the second time that this honour has been given to a young person since the BPSC (Traditional Explorers Association) was formed 14 years ago. We are here because this is a very significant event,” said Scouter Jim Henry, chief commissioner of the BPSC, who came to Riverside Heights on Saturday, April 13, to present a certificate of commendation in life-saving to Tyler Barkley, who is a Timber Wolf with the 1st Williamsburg BPSC. Joining Henry was Scouter Bob Anderson, quartermaster with the Association. “We felt that Tyler was a Scout who had gone above and beyond the call to help someone in need, to do a good deed.” Tyler’s actions, assisting in the rescue of a badly injured elderly neighbour on March 3, led his Williamsburg group scouter, Joanne Jansen, to recommend him to the BPSC council, which then determined that he should receive the commendation. “The motto of the Timber Wolves is ‘Do your best’,” Henry said. “Tyler did.” From the left are Bob Anderson, Jim Henry, Joanne Jansen and Tyler Barkley.

Firefighters Learn Life-saving Techniques

“We are spending these two days in intensive training,” said Chris McDonough, chief of South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services. “We are training to learn how to safely remove fire fighters who may have become trapped in smoke, or in actual fires or in collapsed buildings.”

Firefighters from the three South Dundas stations gathered at the Morrisburg fire hall on Saturday, April 13, and again on Sunday, April 14, for special Rapid Intervention Training (RIT). The course was taught by Mark van der Feyst, president of Firestar Services Inc., and his highly qualified, expert staff.

Firestar Services Inc. delivers high quality training for service professionals, offering workshops and classroom instruction and demonstrating practical techniques for dealing with fire, chemical and hazardous matter emergencies.

“Many fire departments have begun to train their personnel in the concepts of rescuing downed, trapped or injured firefighters,” chief McDonough explained. “The concept of rapid intervention teams is not new. It’s been around for 10-15 years in the US, but has only begun to infiltrate the Canadian fire service in the last five years. What was once a trend is now a standard practice with many fire departments implementing some kind of a RIT program.”

Van der Feyst and his instructors stressed that safely rescuing a fire fighter is actually a very different proposition than rescuing a civilian.

“A fire fighter, in full gear, carrying all of his equipment, on the average could weigh close to 300 pounds,” van der Feyst told the South Dundas teams. “This is a very different situation than rescuing a civilian. For example, staircases in older buildings are often wooden and narrow and may turn several times. In blinding smoke and darkness, with air at a premium, special techniques must be learned to bring a fallen or injured firefighter to safety in these circumstances.”

Using the former Loyalist Lodge as an additional training area, fire fighters learned and practiced, hands on, the best ways to stage rescues of injured colleagues in constricted areas and under extreme conditions.

“To be an RIT firefighter requires special training. It requires emphasis on many subjects that need to be looked at from the RIT perspective,” said McDonough.

“Is every fire department able to provide this type of training to each of its members? Probably not all at once, but over time, each department can. How and when is up to each department. This is the kind of training that is needed and beneficial for a firefighter to be proficient at rescuing downed, lost or trapped firefighters.”

Aaron Solomon starring in Wichita Lineman at Playhouse

“Audiences are in for a great production, I think,” said Aaron Solomon, who will be starring in the debut of a sensational new show, Wichita Lineman, which opens at Upper Canada Playhouse on April 23.

“What I really like about Glen Campbell’s career, and about his music, is the incredible amount of variety it involves. When Leisa approached me and asked if I would like to handle the ‘Glen duties’ in her new show, I immediately said yes.”

Wichita Lineman, written by Leisa Way, the author of the hugely popular Country Jukebox, Rhinestone Cowgirl and Sweet Dreams: a Tribute to Patsy Cline, has created her exciting 2013 production around Glen Campbell.

“I was fascinated by the music of Glen Campbell,” said Way, who will perform some numbers with Solomon in the show. “The man had just about everybody in the musical world on his Glen Campbell Good Time Hour on television. He sang with guests ranging from Tom Jones, Cher and Dean Martin to Kenny Rogers, the Monkees and Tina Turner. ”

Campbell’s extraordinary career and his wide-ranging musical versatility gave Way a buffet of songs and styles to incorporate into this new production.

When it came to choosing a powerhouse singer and performer to star in Wichita Lineman, Aaron Solomon was Way’s immediate pick.

“When I first heard Aaron sing, I thought he would do an amazing job of performing a Glen Campbell concert. Frankly, I could listen to Aaron sing these songs all day. And (like Campbell), he’s a pretty amazing guitarist himself. We’ll also have him bring out his fiddle in the show too, as I know audiences love to hear him play.”

Aaron Soloman has a musical pedigree that most artists just dream of. “My heart and soul lie in performance,” the artist said.Classically trained, a violinist, guitarist, actor and singer, the master of styles as diverse as jazz, swing, country, celtic, rock, blues and blue grass, Solomon has been thrilling audiences since childhood.

Visitors to Upper Canada Playhouse gained a powerful sense of his talents when they heard and saw him on stage in Johnny and June and Country Jukebox.

Solomon says that it was an easy decision to agree to take on the challenges of performing in a Glen Campbell tribute. “I like the variety of things Campbell’s done in music, from pop to country. He was a great guitar player, and as a guitarist myself, I admire that talent. He was also a great singer: the man knew how to deliver a song.”

Solomon especially likes the versatility of this production.

“Campbell was originally a member of a group known in Los Angeles as the ‘Wrecking Crew,’” he explained.

“They were studio musicians who played back up for essentially every major artist. Campbell made such a strong musical impression in the studio that when Brian Wilson had to bow out, Campbell was invited to replace him and toured nation wide with the Beach Boys. He laughed later that that was one of the hardest things he ever did.

Campbell often sang duets with performers like Tanya Tucker and Bobbie Gentry. In the 70’s he had a lot of pop rock hits. You know, I think practically everyone can sing at least one Glen Campbell song. He had incredible vocal and musical virtuosity.”

Preparing for his role in this new production has been intensive for the Toronto based artist.

“I’m not ‘playing’ Campbell exactly,” he said. “This production is a tribute to him. We will be saluting his music. I have had to work to achieve Campbell’s high vocal range…a little like I had to work to meet the low notes of Johnny Cash’s voice,” Solomon added, laughing. “And because Campbell emphasized the guitar in so many of his songs, it’s been demanding for me to learn to play like this outstanding guitarist.”

Aaron Solomon is enthusiastic about returning to Upper Canada Playhouse for the debut of Wichita Lineman.

“Donnie Bowes delivers a winning theatre season,” he said. “He is willing to trust Leisa and me to premiere a good new show. As artists, we love to come to the Playhouse, and to perform for the audiences here.”

Wichita Lineman premieres at Upper Canada Playhouse on April 23, running until May 5, with both evening and matinee performances.

For tickets and additional information, contact the box office at 613-543-3713, 1-800-550-3650 or visit www.uppercanadaplayhouse.com

Kathleen Harkness

A lifetime resident of the area, Kathleen Harkness (nee Sloan) passed away at the Woodland Villa Nursing Home in Long Sault on Wednesday, April 3, 2013. She was 98.

Kathleen was born in Edwardsburg Township on November 13, 1914, to her parents Bert and Carrie (McFadden) Sloan. She was the youngest child with one older sister Estella and two brothers Lloyd and Stanley. She attended the local public school and went on to further her education in Spencerville.

Kathleen then moved to Iroquois to work at Brouse’s Dairy. She loved to spend her evenings and Sundays skating with her friends at the rink which is where she met her future husband Harold Wesley Harkness who played hockey there.

On Nov. 4th 1936, Harold and Kathleen were married in Shanly, and they began their married life on the Harkness farm on the 4th concession of Matilda Township, which they developed into a successful dairy farm and apple orchard named ‘Harbeth Farm’

Kathleen and Harold were never apart from each other and their lives were a true partnership. Their lives were full and busy but they always made time for their daughter Mary, helping her with school projects and taking her to movies, picnics, ball games and hockey games.

They were great fans of the Inkerman Rockets and the Morrisburg Combines. Their daughter Mary especially enjoyed the visits to the ice cream parlour on Saturday night after shopping.

Kathleen also found time for gardening, canning and freezing the produce. She was a great cook and baker. She made beautiful birthday cakes.

Kathleen was a great seamstress. As a result Mary always had a new dress for every occasion and Kathleen made sure that Mary always wore the right socks and shoes to go with the dresses she made.

She always found time for her church–Dundela United, and she served for many years on the Matilda Women’s Institute.

Kathleen worked hard every day and she used to fall asleep at night reading the Ottawa Journal.

When Harold became ill in 1979, they sold the farm and they retired to a home on Orchard Way in Morrisburg. Harold died in late 1979, and Kathleen had to face her life without him.

She then began to devote more time to her church, Lakeshore Drive United, the SSS Christian Womens’ Group, Morrisburg Women’s Institute, the senior citizens group, bowling and she spent many hours making quilts for the Red Cross and for her family. Some were displayed at the quilt shows and sold.

Kathleen always put other people first and was always concerned with those around her. She was a very unselfish person and she never judged others.

She was happiest with a pot of soup brewing, her famous apple pie in the oven and her salads with the vegetables cut in small pieces all exactly the same size. The family always knew Kathleen’s sandwiches at any function–they were the ones with crusts cut off.

In 1959, Harold and Kathleen welcomed their son-in-law Al into the family and soon became best friends.

In 1960, their first grandson Steve arrived, and in 1963, their second grandson Doug.

Steve and Doug spent a lot of time on the farm with Poppy and Grandma and soon learned the rules were much more lenient there than at home. They always went home with a toy and a treat.

As her grandsons grew and began families of their own, Kathleen welcomed, with love, her granddaughters-in-law Deana and Janis, her great-grandsons Chris, Scott, Patrick and her great-granddaughter Kendra.

They were all very special to her.

After 18 years on Orchard Way, Kathleen’s health started a downward trend and she moved to the Iroma apartments in Iroquois. Her many friends, new and old and Iroquois United church now became her focal point in life.

She was dedicated to her church and to her family and depended on God’s love to guide her. Kathleen lived at the Hartford retirement home for a short time and finally at the Woodland Villa.

Kathleen is survived by her daughter Mary Bueley of Morrisburg, her grandsons Stephen (Deana) Bueley of Edmonton and Doug (Janis) Bueley of Winchester and great-grandchildren Christopher, Scott, Patrick and Kendra. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Harold, her son-in-law Allan Bueley, her sister Estella Connors and her brothers Lloyd and Stanley Sloan.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Iroquois, on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service was held at the funeral home on Monday, April 8th at 11 a.m., with Rev. Janet Evans officiating.

Interment followed at Dundela Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Patrick Bueley, Wayne Disheau, Charles Waddell and Donald Barkley.

Donations to Winchester District Memorial Hospital would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

Perspectives with Rev. Lorna Casselman

The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease

Soon after accepting the position of pastor at my last church, one of my seniors asked me to consider holding a community hymn sing once a month. Well, I was busy and had a lot on my plate and put her off. A few months later, she asked again, and then again. It took me quite a while to accept the thought of taking on one more commitment.

Finally I gave in and we began a community hymn sing one Sunday evening of each month. That church is now into its fifth year of having these sings. The squeaky wheel does get the grease. I’m glad she kept at me.

I knew I would be heavily involved. I play the piano. I cut my teeth as far as piano playing goes on many of these old Gospel hymns. I actually love getting on the piano and bringing the old hymns of the church to life.

Eventually a drummer came along, then a guitar player, even some singers to help lead – some from our own church and some from other area churches. We usually would spend an evening practicing before the big event on the Sunday night.

On the evening of the sing, someone would share an appropriate poem – sometimes humorous, sometimes serious – but always exactly what we needed. Another person would read a Scripture passage. Once in a while, we would have a special musical number. The vast majority of the time we sang. And how we sang!

Well here I am – interim pastor at the Morrisburg Pentecostal Church. Guess what? We’re having monthly hymn sings. And do we sing! I usually pick out fifteen or sixteen old hymns of the church and most of the time, we get through them all. We do it all in an hour! The church resounds with praises.

The messages of the hymns minister to our hearts about the greatness of our God and about His ability to speak to our hearts and make us more like Him.

Johannes Sebastian Bach wrote, “Where there is devotional music, God is always at hand with His gracious presence.” That is true. God is present in these times.

We have fun. Who wouldn’t have fun singing, “There’s a church in the valley by the wildwood”, or “On the wings of a snow-white dove”, or “Because He Lives”, or any other of the old hymns and gospel songs of the last century?

One of my fun favorite ones from my early years is “This Ole House”. I remember going to the basement where there was an old gramophone. It was not electric and you had to crank it up so it would play a little 45-rpm record. These were leftovers from my grandmother’s furniture that were stored there.

I’m sure my Dad became tired of hearing it as he did woodworking in his shop but he never complained. He knew his girls were having fun singing at the top of their lungs and laughing as they sang.

Surprisingly, not all the people who come to these evenings are seniors. Certainly the majority of them are, but I have discovered that people of all ages like hymns.

After the hour-long sing is over, we share light refreshments together in our basement fellowship room. People stay to chat and just enjoy each other’s company.

Quoting again from Bach, “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul”. How true is that statement!

We find that at the end of the evening, we are tired but we have glorified God and our souls have been refreshed.

I am just beginning to put together the music selection for this month’s sing on Sunday, April 14th, at 6 p.m. Would you care to join in? Now playing, by Stuart Hamblen…

Ain’t a-gonna need this house no longer,

Ain’t a-gonna need this house no more.

Ain’t got time to fix the shingles,

Ain’t got time to fix the floor.

Ain’t got time to oil the hinges

Nor to mend the windowpane.

Ain’t gonna need this house no longer –

I’m a-gettin’ ready to meet the saints.

Rev. Lorna Casselman

Interim Pastor

Morrisburg Pentecostal

Tabernacle

Curling Chatter-Coopers count final rock

The curling season ended last Saturday with the closing bonspiel at the Morrisburg Curling Club. In the early draw, Al Harriman, Alice Thompson, Andy Patenaude and Bob Youmelle won their morning and afternoon matches.

The second draw saw Wendy Casselman, Cheryl Thompson, Joanne Baker and Garry Beckstead triumphant with two wins. The victorious teams in each draw received great prizes, and there were other awards for various events.

In the skills competitions, Denis Thibault won the “raise to the button” event, Peter Zeran won the “hit and roll”, and the “draw through the port” was won by Kathy Norg after going through a playoff with Greta McGann, Paul St. Pierre, Peter Zeran and Wally McDonald.

Special thanks to Bill and Sonja Laurin and their committee for catering another fine banquet, and of course to our highly-skilled ice technician, Wally Baker. Those of us who compete in other venues realize how good Wally’s work is.

The short business meeting following dinner was informative, with the treasurer’s report showing a successful season. Plans for the work over the summer were confirmed, and grants will mean major club improvements can be achieved with a modest cost to our club. Our ramp, upstairs washroom, repositioning of the bar, as well as kitchen improvements should be a reality when we return in the fall.

Our hard-working executive deserves full credit for what has already been, and what will be accomplished. They are looking for some additional members–not for particular offices at present, but to help with the load, take part in planning, and perhaps accept some positions after a brief learning period. See Mahlon Locke or Jack Barkley if interested. The first meeting is likely to be in early August.

For the club championship, on Thursday night in the semi-finals, John Wilson’s team defeated Robbie Stitt’s quartet and Joe McCooeye’s foursome was defeated by Larry Cooper’s. Larry, Chris and Nancy Barkley and Anita Cooper, and John and Ian Wilson, Scott Lane and Mike Staebler did battle for the club championship on Saturday night. It was an exciting event, and congratulations go to Larry Cooper’s team for winning the championship.

In other events, four of our ladies were in Ottawa last week at the Navy Club for their final invitational ladies’ bonspiel. Greta McGann, Alice and Cheryl Thompson and Linda Murphy played their first match against a team from the R.A. Centre to a tie. After lunch they returned to the ice to take on a foursome from Ormstown. In this case they came close, but lost out by a single point, finishing fifth on the day. No prizes this time, but they were two close matches for the Morrisburg four.

Our Thursday mixed daytime league finished with another lunch catered by our local Subway restaurant. Getting their names on the venerable Bradford Trophy were Mahlon and Sam Locke, Kathy Hardy and Keith Robinson, who defeated Al Harriman, Sonja and Bill Laurin and Denis Thibault for the title. Congratulations, and our thanks to our coordinator, Ruth Kelly for the hard work involved.

Watch the Leader for registration info for next season. As always, new members are welcomed, and there will be time before league play starts for novices and returning curlers to get out on the ice to get the kinks out and for the new people to learn the ropes. Our returning curlers are always willing to help you. Good curling to all!

Peewee B House Lions #1 in Kingston

The South Dundas Peewee B #1 House Lions were out and about Easter weekend to collect, not Easter eggs, but goals and that is just what they did…as they filled their Easter basket with enough goals to win the Kingston Kids for Kids Tournament championship that ran from Thursday, March 28 to Sunday, March 31.

Not only did the Lions goes undefeated in preliminary round games, but with goaltender Wes Alexander standing big in net, they refused to give up a single goal as they worked their way through quarter-final, semi-final and championship action.

Alexander kicked off his hat-trick, shutout run in a 5-0 Lions quarter-final victory over the Rockland Nats and added shutout number two in the semi-final, this time with a 1-0 victory over Play It Again Sports.

For the championship and Alexander’s third shut out, the Lions met the Brockville Junior Braves and defeated them 5-0.

The Lions made quick work of the Braves, going up 2-0 in the first period with an unassisted Devin Dumoulin goal followed by a counter from Jonah Bennis with Aden Casselman and Kendrew Byers assisting.

Then in the second it was another two unassisted goals. The first was scored by Connor Dumoulin, assisted by Kasper Furo and the second was scored by brother Devin Dumoulin with help from Lucas Bennis.

Just for good measure, Connor Dumoulin added his second goal of the game, unassisted in the third period, to allow the Lions to skate to the tournament championship with a 5-0 victory.

The Lions kicked off the tournament with a 5-2 win against St. Paul’s Pride. Jonah Bennis led the Lions offensive attack with two goals and two assists, and Connor Dumoulin and Lucas Bennis provided singles.

For game two they met and defeated the Fort Henry Flames, 6-2.

The Dumoulin brothers, this time contributed two goals each while Lucas Bennis and Kendrew Byers struck for singles.

The Kanata Vipers were the Lions next victims. The Vipers fell by a 7-1 count.

Kasper Furo and Jonah Bennis scored two goals each and singles came from the sticks of Connor and Devin Dumoulin and Lucas Bennis.

The Lions three-game undefeated record in preliminary round action put them in the quarter-finals against the Rockland Nats.

Their scoring in the 5-0 win over the Nats was provided by Jonah and Lucas Bennis, Kendrew Byers, Devin Dumoulin and Kasper Furo.

They came up against their toughest opposition in their semi-final game against Play It Again Sports. It wasn’t until late in the third period that Lucas Bennis struck for the only goal of the game, unassisted, to give the Lions the 1-0 victory.

The tournament championship ended a very successful season for the Lions, who won the Upper Canada Minor Hockey League playoff championship earlier that week, and were regular season division champions.

Glimmer of hope for Williamsburg library

“We are asking you to please work in our favour,” said Pamela Rodrigue, who made a plea to South Dundas council at the April 2, regular council meeting.

She spoke on behalf of the group who is fighting to keep the Williamsburg branch of the Stormont, Dundas and County Library open.

The SD&G Library Board decided late last year that the branch will be closed and consolidated with the Morrisburg branch.

Unless the library board reverses the decision, the consolidated branch will be at the new Morrisburg location, in renovated space that will be vacated by the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic as part of the Morrisburg Collegiate Institute redevelopment.

According to South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds, that decision was solely the decision of the SD&G County Library Board.

Byvelds told Rodrigue and the 40 library supporters who packed council chambers, that the library board has never been told by South Dundas that the library has to vacate the building in Williamsburg.

South Dundas Deputy Mayor Jim Locke, who is a member of the library board, said, “If this council supports promoting the library in Williamsburg, I will support that in my position on the library board.”

This offer of support, along with information about a potential tenant for the South Dundas municipal building in Williamsburg, has given Williamsburg library supporters a little hope about the future of the library.

Rodrigue stated at the council meeting that the TR Leger School is in the process of leasing the building in Williamsburg and that they are willing to consider leasing space to the library. “What a wonderful partnership this would be,” she commented.

“This would be a good opportunity to offer a library,” said Byvelds, adding that he is hopeful the possibility of that partnership pans out. “That would be a positive economic drive for Williamsburg.”

According to Byvelds, township staff and TR Leger staff have been meeting regarding the Williamsburg building. Council is aware of the negotiations, however, that information was discussed in closed session.

Byvelds said the township will work with TR Leger, but if the library doesn’t work for that arrangement, there are alternative sites where some level of service could be offered.