Month: June 2013

 

A project that will open up some municipally-owned commercial property in Morrisburg finally has approval. 

At the June 18 South Dundas council meeting the nearly $535,000 project tender was awarded to David Brown Construction.

The project will see Industrial Road in the Morrisburg industrial park extended 500 meters north and 400 meters east to complete the loop to Prospect Road.

While the properties to the east of the new roadway are privately-owned, those west and north of the road are owned by the municipality.

Having commercial property available and ready for development is something that the municipality has not been able to offer businesses expressing an interest in coming here. This project will open up that opportunity.

“If we want someone to build there, then we better put a road out there,” said South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan.

“This is the only way it happens,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. “If we don’t have it, it will never happen.”

Council agreed and approved the project.

The roadway will be built, but the land will not be serviced until the need arises.

[…]

 

Saturday June 29, another “don’t miss” summer event takes place along the shores of the St. Lawrence in beautiful Lamoureux Park in Cornwall.  It’s the 10th annual Mopar Magic Car Show which hosts collector cars and enthusiasts from across Ontario, Quebec, and Upstate New York.  

The Mopar Magic Car Show is held rain or shine and runs from 11a.m. – 4 p.m.  

As always admission is free to the public, so bring the family and enjoy the day, and vote for your favorite Mopars.  Your ballots will select the winners of 25 People’s Choice trophies, plus 5 additional “modern muscle” awards for the newer generation of Chargers, Challengers, etc.  Best Club Participation, Long Distance Award, and Lou’s Pick trophies are awarded as well.  All presentations start around 3 p.m.

The day is sponsored by Notman Chrysler Dodge Jeep and is a major annual fundraiser supporting activities of the local Girl Guides.  

This year the 17th Cornwall Pathfinders and Rangers are sending a group of 12 to England, so proceeds from their all day barbecue and 50/50 draw will help defray some of their costs.

Mopar Magic has grown to become Canada’s largest, single day Mopar-only event, and this year we expect to host approximately 275 Mopars. You can check out last year’s show on You Tube under Mopar Magic Cornwall 2012. 

The name “Mopar” was coined in the late 1930’s as a contraction of “motor” and “parts” recognizing Chrysler’s Parts Division.  Since then it has evolved to include a family of iconic brand names including Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, Desoto and AMC.

Mopar products were renowned for their high impact colours during a past, now nostalgic era, and a colour spectrum of Lime Light to Vitamin ‘C’, Plum Crazy to Panther Pink, will brighten anyone’s day. 

Hemi’s, 440 Six packs, Max Wedges, and even the famed Slant Six will be represented to rekindle memories of your first car, or perhaps the weekly Sunday cruise with mom and dad.

As well, renowned Canadian artist Michael Irvine returns with a huge display of his automotive-themed art, both original and prints.

Fabulous 50’s-60’s-70’s music will be supplied by Johnny B. Good and radio station 104.5 FM will broadcast live throughout the day.

So mark your calendar for Saturday June, 29 and join us for Mopar Magic 2013. It’s great family fun….. and it’s all free.

[…]

 

 Over 164 children, grades 1-4, from Iroquois Public School, were the delighted guests of the Iroquois Public Library on Wednesday, June 19, to help launch the 2013 TD Summer Reading Club at SD&G County Library.

Sponsored by the Toronto Dominion Bank, the summer reading program introduces children to the wondrous world of books, and helps them explore the possibilities that books represent.

Erika Heesen, communications and marketing librarian with the SD&G County Library, welcomed the children and their teachers to a special show by Bri the Cowguy. The launch took place in the civic centre, right next door to the Iroquois Library. She also thanked Clint Fleet, manager of the Toronto Dominion Bank in Chesterville for coming to Iroquois to join in the celebration. 

Bri the Cowguy  (Brian Wilson of Orbital Talent in another life) quickly won a new group of fans as he dazzled the children with feats of magic and juggling. He invited audience volunteers to assist him with many of his ‘tricks’, and encouraged the children to visit their local libraries often. 

Stories, games and fun are all part of the Reading Club.

Parents can register children ages 3-12 at any SD&G county library branch to participate in the reading program. All library branches will be hosting weekly programs for kids ages 6-12, while some branches will also offer a program geared to younger children, ages 3-5.

The program, running July 2 to August 22, is free of charge. 

Morrisburg Library offers the program for ages 6-12 on Thursdays, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Williamsburg’s 6-12 program is on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. Iroquois Library offers the 3-5 year old program on Wednesdays, July 10 and August 7 at 10:30 a.m., only, and a 6-12 year old program every Wednesday at 1 p.m. All programs run for an hour to an hour and 30 minutes. Children will receive  passports, activity books and stickers. Some special events or activities may be set up to coincide with the programs.

Summer students will be running the  reading programs at each of the SD&G libraries, but the regular branch staff will also be on site as well.  

Check for information with local libraries or go on line at http://tdsummerreading club.ca/ or at http://www.sdglibrary.ca/

[…]

 

Warning to Playhouse audience members. There’s tons of murders being planned at the Morrisburg theatre. But have no fear. They’ll likely result in tons of laughter. 

The Playhouse is celebrating its 30^th season with some of its biggest crowds ever. The great upcoming comedy, Murder at the Howard Johnsons, promises to continue the trend as it runs from July 4-28 on the stage.

This popular classic by Sam Bobrick and Ron Clark is the second installment in the Playhouse’s summer series and offers up a comedy with some entertaining new twists. Is all fair in love? Even murder? That’s the question posed by this light and funny suspense-comedy filled with thrills, surprises, wacky characters and a whole lot of laughter. 

When Paul finds out that wife Arlene is having an affair at the Howard Johnsons with their dentist, Mitchell, it unleashes an hilarious set of events that spans three different nights at the same hotel as this love triangle plots three different murders.

 Only problem is, these three characters are no good at it. 

Their bungled attempts to carry out their crazy crimes just escalate the comedy even further. Who do they try to kill and how do they try to do it? It’s all part of the entertaining fun and suspense of this off-the-wall comedy audiences won’t want to miss. 

Directing the production is Emmy Award winning director, Jesse Collins, who has been at the helm of such previous Playhouse hits as Norm Foster’s Bedtime Stories and The Affections of May. Collins previously directed a hit production of Murder at the Howard Johnsons at Harbourside Playhouse in Mississauga. 

“I jumped at the chance to direct this wonderful, funny show again,” says Collins, “especially with this blue chip cast of some of my favourite actors.”

 Reprising the role of Mitchell the dentist from Collins’ former production is Timm Hughes, last seen in the 2012 season opener Hotbed Hotel and also in such Playhouse productions as Dear Santa and The Seaway Story. 

Playing cheated upon husband Paul is Jamie Williams who has appeared in several Playhouse hits like last season’s Here on the Flight Path, A Nice Family Gathering and farces like Run For Your Wife and It Runs in the Family to name a few. 

Arlene is played by another Playhouse veteran, Susan Greenfield, who has also racked up an impressive list of memorable performances since being introduced to audiences several seasons ago. She was last seen here in Hotbed Hotel and also starred in such past shows as A Christmas Carol, Bedtime Stories, Chapter Two and Perfect Wedding.

These three experienced actors continue to work all over the country with Williams and Greenfield  coincidentally arriving for rehearsal just hours after closing in the show Henry and Alice Into The Wild at Port Dover Lighthouse Festival Theatre and Port Colbourne.  

After Murder at the Howard Johnsons, Williams goes on to appear in Norm Foster’s Drinking Alone at Port Stanley Festival Theatre, along with Kate Gordon, one of the actors from this season’s Whose Wives Are They Anyway? 

Playhouse artistic director Donnie Bowes is always happy when talented and busy actors such as these are available to appear in Playhouse shows. 

“It’s nice when all the stars align to bring our audiences the best talent out there,” he remarks. “It sounds like a funny thing to say, so to speak, but producing a good comedy is a serious business. You have to have talented experienced actors, great production values and, of course, great scripts.” 

Sam Bobrick and Ron Clarke, authors of Murder at the Howard Johnsons are part of the same team that wrote past Playhouse hits Wally’s Café and Weekend Comedy. 

Bobrick has also written for such TV shows as The Andy Griffith Show, Get Smart and The Smothers Brothers. 

“For the most part, my plays are comedies,” writes Bobrick. “There is nothing more satisfying to me than to sit in an audience and listen to people laugh. Although I feel there are moments of insight and enlightenment in my plays, I’ve never really had a depressing message I felt necessary to share with the public. My main goal has always been to entertain, to have people leaving the theatre feeling good. Life is tough enough.”

Audiences are in for a comedy treat, complete with a great story, some hilarious characters and a lot of laughs.

Murder at the Howard Johnsons runs July 4-28 with both evening shows and matinees. For additional information or to order tickets, call 613-543-3713 or 1-877-550-3650 or contact uppercanadaplayhouse.com

[…]

 

Saturday June 29, another “don’t miss” summer event takes place along the shores of the St.Lawrence in beautiful Lamoureux Park in Cornwall.  It’s the 10th annual Mopar Magic Car Show which hosts collector cars and enthusiasts from across Ontario, Quebec, and Upstate New York.  

The Mopar Magic Car Show is held rain or shine and runs from 11a.m. – 4 p.m.  

As always admission is free to the public, so bring the family and enjoy the day, and vote for your favorite Mopars.  Your ballots will select the winners of 25 People’s Choice trophies, plus 5 additional “modern muscle” awards for the newer generation of Chargers, Challengers, etc.  Best Club Participation, Long Distance Award, and Lou’s Pick trophies are awarded as well.  All presentations start around 3 p.m.

The day is sponsored by Notman Chrysler Dodge Jeep and is a major annual fundraiser supporting activities of the local Girl Guides.  

This year the 17th Cornwall Pathfinders and Rangers are sending a group of 12 to England, so proceeds from their all day barbecue and 50/50 draw will help defray some of their costs.

Mopar Magic has grown to become Canada’s largest, single day Mopar-only event, and this year we expect to host approximately 275 Mopars. You can check out last year’s show on You Tube under Mopar Magic Cornwall 2012. 

The name “Mopar” was coined in the late 1930’s as a contraction of “motor” and “parts” recognizing Chrysler’s Parts Division.  Since then it has evolved to include a family of iconic brand names including Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, Desoto and AMC.

Mopar products were renowned for their high impact colours during a past, now nostalgic era, and a colour spectrum of Lime Light to Vitamin ‘C’, Plum Crazy to Panther Pink, will brighten anyone’s day. 

Hemi’s, 440 Six packs, Max Wedges, and even the famed Slant Six will be represented to rekindle memories of your first car, or perhaps the weekly Sunday cruise with mom and dad.

As well, renowned Canadian artist Michael Irvine returns with a huge display of his automotive-themed art, both original and prints.

Fabulous 50’s-60’s-70’s music will be supplied by Johnny B. Good and radio station 104.5 FM will broadcast live throughout the day.

So mark your calendar for Saturday June, 29 and join us for Mopar Magic 2013. It’s great family fun….. and it’s all free.

[…]

 

Earlier in the day, it appeared the weather might not co-operate with the big Children’s Fair scheduled to wrap up the 2013 Love South Dundas campaign. However, the two week celebration of this community ended under warm, sunny skies on Sunday, June 23.

Love South Dundas, now in its fifth year, brings together volunteers from area churches to engage in service projects and random acts of kindness to the people of this region.

Beginning with a hymn sing on Sunday, June 9, at the Pentecostal Tabernacle, members of Love South Dundas (in their  distinctive bright yellow shirts) offered free car washes, distributed special baskets of “baked blessings” for service organizations and schools, visited and sang at seniors’ residences, handed out freezies to all the children in the SD Soccer Association on Saturday, June 22 and staged a food drive. 

“There were also many, many Acts of Random Kindness carried out in our community over the last two weeks,” said the reverend Geoff Howard, one of the volunteers. “This year we also got involved with the Galop Canal Bluegrass Festival, giving a free breakfast Sunday morning for the campers in Iroquois. We enjoyed that a lot.”

The two week celebration, Love South Dundas, culminated at Earl Baker Park in Morrisburg on Sunday, June 23 with a bustling Children’s Fair.

“We really had a good crowd out,” Howard said. “A lot of families were here, with young children.”

There were clowns and Tribeck bouncy castles, pony rides, face painting and the Barnyard Petting Zoo. The SD Fire and Emergency Services dropped in with rescue vehicles for youngsters to try out. The Pentecostal Church served up a free barbecue. A highlight of the afternoon was the exciting stage performance of Michael Bourada, a magician from Ottawa. Later evangelist Layton Kerr talked to the crowds. “Local merchants and individuals were very supportive of our event,” said Howard.

“Our guest speaker for the Ecumenical Worship service at 6 p.m. was Ken MacLaren, from Ottawa Inner-city Ministries,” said the reverend Clarence Witten, another member of Love South Dundas team. “He administers to homeless and the street people. His theme is that we should always support our communities, and make a real effort to meet the needs of our communities. We need to show God’s love in tangible ways.”

[…]

 

As soon as the South Branch Wind Opposition Group asked South Dundas council to consider a motion to oppose the construction of industrial wind turbines in this community, they requested that the decision be delayed.

First, Leslie Disheau, president of the SBWOG, read the motion they drafted for council to address pass as a resolution with a recorded vote.

Then she said, “BUT – I would like to ask that council hold off on dealing with this resolution until your next regular scheduled council meeting.”

She invited them, with appropriate municipal staff, to meet with representatives of the SBWOG to discuss the suggested resolution.

The group wants the opportunity to discuss specific areas of concern and share information to help council be more informed. 

They will get the chance.

Council agreed to the deferral and have scheduled a meeting with the group for next week. South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan will not be part of that meeting as he has declared conflict of interest in the matter.

At the council meeting, Disheau spoke about four myths regarding the South Branch wind project.

According to Disheau, municipal council’s hands are not tied, a lot of money has not been spent on this project by anyone other than the wind developers, the South Branch wind project is not a done deal as it is still under technical review, and she disputes the fact that this project will have no negative impact on the community, pointing to the marked decrease in property values. 

“As a council, you should take notice and have concern over the reduction in property taxes, as this is a direct effect on your revenue income,” said Disheau.

Disheau informed council about a public safety matter regarding the turbines. 

The Ashfied turbine fire resulted in a debris field that extended 1,800 from the turbine base. “If turbine 15, which is located between the villages of Brinston and Dixon’s Corners caught fire and had a debris field of 1,800 m like that in Ashfied, we have two villages getting bombarded by flying debris,” said Disheau. 

[…]

 

The South Branch wind farm is expected to be operational by the end of this year, according to Ken Little of EDP Renewables Canada.

He and Ryan Brown provided South Dundas council with a project update at the June 18 meeting.

“We are starting to mobilize the project team,” said Little. “There’s been no movement of earth yet.”

However, the contractor, White Construction has been selected.

The 30 megawatt industrial wind project will see 10 three megawatt towers located in the Brinston area.

These Siemens turbines will have a rotor diameter of 113 meters and will be located on a 99.5 meter tower. 

Civil construction is expected to start in late July, early August. Tower delivery is expected in the fall, with erection slated for November.

“We expect to have our renewable energy approval within the next few weeks,” Little said.

[…]

 

By the narrowest of margins, the SDG County Library Board passed motion, at the June 20 meeting that will keep a library in Williamsburg.

In a 4-3 recorded vote, the motion states that library staff will work with South Dundas to find a suitable location in Williamsburg for a branch of the SDG Library system. 

“It is now up to South Dundas to move forward on sourcing a suitable location for the Branch,” said South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke, who is a member of the library board. Locke voted in favour of keeping a branch of the library in Williamsburg.

“We are pleased with the result of the library board meeting,” said Kharla Ward, one of the library users who fought to keep a library in Williamsburg. 

“As time is of the essence, we look forward to working with the library board and the South Dundas council to settle into a new location before the August 1, 2013 deadline.” 

The library has been asked to vacate the space by August 1, in order for South Dundas’ new building tenants, the TR Leger School of Adult and Alternative Education to move in. 

According to Ward, committee members, along with Mayor Steven Byvelds and Deputy Mayor Jim Locke, have looked at a house, a commercial building (the former Canadian Tire) and have also discussed the possibility of a new building for the Williamsburg branch of the library at J.C. Whitteker Park. She also mentioned that perhaps T.R. Leger could still consider finding them a space.

While Byvelds and Locke did participate in one meeting, with the Friends group to discuss potential locations, it will be up to South Dundas staff, library staff and the Friends organization to choose a location and then bring their proposal to South Dundas council for funding approval.

[…]

 

Game, set, match. Tennis has lost in Morrisburg.

South Dundas council agreed to the removal of the Morrisburg tennis courts at the June 18 council meeting.

“The condition of them: they’re not fit to be used,” said South Dundas councillor Evonne Delegarde.

“The issues with the property outweigh the use they’re getting,” agreed councillor Jim Graham.

“We can’t put money into them, when we don’t own the property they are on,” said South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan.

According to reports, the Morrisburg tennis courts originated in the 1970s/1980s with the assistance of Wintario funds. 

The property was owned by the Village of Morrisburg and subsequently sold to the adjoining owners – Chartwell (The Hartford Retirement Centre) and the Upper Canada District School Board (Morrisburg Public School). As a result the municipal tennis courts ended up on land that the municipality does not own.

“As the property where the tennis courts are located is not owned by the township, a long term commitment from the owners is required to justify any investment by the municipality,” said South Dundas chief administrative officer Steve McDonald in his report to council. 

The UCDSB has no interest in the tennis courts, and have given consent for their removal. “Chartwell has also confirmed their position that the removal of the tennis courts will give them an opportunity to revisit opportunities for more seniors housing on their site,” said McDonald.

“We don’t own the property, and they’re looking for it back,” said Councillor Mellan. He suggested that perhaps a single tennis court could be built in a different location in the future.

McDonald told council that with the school year coming to an end, and with the township having summer students available to help with the work to remove the courts, now is the time to do it.

Council agreed.

[…]