Giant Tiger re-opening draws giant crowds

A $2 million sewer and water project that will see 1,050 meters of roadway from Canada Way west to the first bridge of Lakeshore Drive dug up this summer will get started as soon as possible.

The project will include sanitary sewer and watermain replacement, storm sewer improvements and the necessary road and sidewalk rehabilitations.

Although it was agreed that work should start as soon as possible, South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds, asked that work not start until after Tubie weekend, the 43-year old summer event that attracts large crowds to the Morrisburg waterfront and includes a parade along that stretch of road.

This sewer replacement work was identified as a high priority in the inflow and infiltration study done on the Morrisburg sewer system. 

It is expected that the completion of this work will eliminate or reduce the risk of basement flooding, for which there is a history at several residences along Lakeshore Drive in Morrisburg.

This project includes up-sizing the sewer to accommodate expansion of the collection system to the west limit of the village allowing residents currently on private septic system, as well as future developments to connect to the sanitary sewer, according to the report to council by South Dundas chief administrative officer Steve McDonald.

Todd Grant of AECOM, the project managers, said the hope is that throughout the construction they will be able to maintain a lane to let traffic flow through the area.

“This will be a mess while it’s going on, but in the end it will be worth it,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds.

The sanitary sewer work will be funded by the Government of Ontario under the Strategic Investments Funding for the sanitary sewer rehabilitation program. The watermain replacement will be funded through water capital replacement and water rate stabilization reserves and storm sewer work will be funded by the United Counties of SD&G. 

South Dundas council awarded the project tender to Cornwall Gravel at the July 16 regular council meeting. 

Four bids were received, ranging in price from $2 million to $2.5 million. Cornwall Gravel submitted the lowest bid.

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May 1st is Doctors’ Day and May 5th is Midwives Day in Canada – a great time to welcome two new members to the Winchester District Memorial Hospital’s (WDMH) health care team.

Dr. Amy Commodore and Dr. Karen Li will be joining the WDMH medical staff on July 1st as full-time family medicine residents for the next two years.

“We’re thrilled to welcome two new doctors to WDMH,” notes Cholly Boland, CEO. “WDMH continues to be very popular and well-respected as a rural teaching hospital.”

In fact, more than 300 students from a variety of disciplines had clinical placements at the hospital last year.

Dr. Amy Commodore completed her undergraduate degree at Queen’s University and spent two years in Ottawa completing a Master’s degree. For the past three years, she has been in medical school at the University of Calgary. “I am really looking forward to starting my residency program. Having grown up in Brockville, I am grateful for the opportunity to practice medicine in the area once again.”

Dr. Karen Li received her Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Specialist Pharmacology and Master of Science degree in Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto. She will be graduating with an undergraduate medical degree from the University of Toronto in May. Having lived in China and Japan before immigrating to Canada, Karen is fluent in Mandarin, Japanese, as well as English. “During my undergraduate medical training, I pursued my interest in rural family medicine through electives in Perth, Arnprior and Dryden. I’m looking forward to my residency training in Winchester and the surrounding communities.”

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The Dundas County District Council of Easter Seals Ontario met on June 14th at the J.W. McIntosh Seniors’ Centre in Williamsburg for their annual general meeting.

In 2011, Dundas County raised $19,467.85 through its many fundraising events, which include Paper Eggs, Ball Hockey, Bowling, Snowarama, Curling, and Blooperball.

Council chair Ian McLaughlin attended the provincial annual general meeting  weeks ago and reported that only four per cent of every dollar goes to administration and seven per cent to fundraising costs, leaving a whopping 89 per cent for Easter Seals children.

Currently, there are approximately 11 families in Dundas County registered with Easter Seals Ontario.

Children, youth and young adults up to age 19 are eligible for services through Easter Seals Ontario. At age 20, services are then available through the March of Dimes. 

According to McLaughlin, the main difference between the two groups is that March of Dimes receives financial support from the government whereas Easter Seals relies solely on donations and fundraising efforts.

“We’re very proud of the fact that 2012 is the 90th anniversary of Easter Seals in Ontario,” he continued. “It was started by eight rotary clubs in 1922 in Windsor, Ontario.”

“One of the major funding projects that Easter Seals supports is camping.” The two camps are Camp Merrywood and Camp Woodeden.

“Most Easter Seals kids will tell you that their favourite memory is camping.”

For those who don’t want to go to camp, McLaughlin explained that there is a summer recreational choices program as well where families are eligible to receive financial assistance for alternatives like a family vacation or day camps.

In addition to providing information about Easter Seals Ontario and the many fundraisers, the Dundas County District Council of Easter Seals Ontario recognized and awarded some of the many community volunteers who helped raise money for the cause in 2011. 

There were four awards to give out this year beginning with two for the Snowarama fundraiser and two for the Paper Eggs fundraiser.

The first Snowarama Award, in remembrance of Debbie McHaffie Strader, is awarded to the club that raised the most funds for the event. This year, like several before, the award went to the South Dundas Snowmobile Club. Jean McDougal was on hand to receive the award.

The second Snowarama Award is awarded to the first time participant who raised the most money for the event. Chris MacMillan, a grade 8 student at St. Mary’s-St. Cecilia’s School in Morrisburg won the award.

The first Paper Eggs Award is awarded to the company with under five employees who raised the most money for the event. For the fifth year in a row, Cook’s Corner of Morrisburg won the award. Debbie Denis was on hand to receive the award.

The second Paper Eggs Award is awarded to the company with more than six employees who raised the most money. For the first time ever, Mike Dean’s of Winchester won the award.

The Dundas County District Council of Easter Seals Ontario members include Harriet Clarke, Ron Gillard, Deanna MacKillican, Ian McLaughlin, Margaret Reynolds, Bob Ruddock and Marja Smellink.

McLaughlin pointed out that the council is on its 12th year and that they’re “always looking for volunteers. We meet once a month on the second Thursday night” at the J.W. McIntosh Seniors’ Centre in Williamsburg. There are no meetings in July or August.

“We certainly are always looking for new and interesting volunteers to help us out with one project or more,” he concluded.

[…]