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With a final score of 94 points, Team Ross Video took home the cup in the Seaway District High School Trivia contest held at the Iroquois Legion on Thursday, November 10. Organized by teachers Jeff Crooke, Melissa Ringler and Heather Thompson, the fun-filled event, featuring eight member teams, raised nearly $1,400 for Champions for Kids, an Upper Canada District School Board initiative that provides funds for deserving children in the board area for a variety of things from eye glasses to gas cards to sports fees. “Many kids in the Seaway family of schools have been helped in the past by this charity,” said SDHS principal Terry Gardiner. Coming in second place was Seaway Then and Now with 86 points and Oks and Friends 1 with 80 points. In the back row (l-r) are Ross Video players Merrill MacMillan, Olivier Barrie, Ray Grant, Coleen Holder, Hannah Barkley, Laura Levere, Jimmy Mullins and teacher Crooke. In front are teacher Ringler, Chuck Saddlemire and teacher Crooke.

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It appears that the Morrisburg Shopping Plaza will be getting a skating rink for the Christmas season.

At the October 4th South Dundas council meeting Councillor Jim Graham reported that the Morrisburg Business Improvement Association (BIA) met the previous evening and “agreed there should be a better location.”

Hugh Garlough, Manager of Public Works, said that he’d like to “thank the BIA for accepting my thoughts” and went on to say that  “we will do our best to work with them (and when it) comes time, do whatever we can to cooperate.”

In terms of where the rink will be located, he reported that “the mall location south of the clock tower will not be used as the township has concerns with this location.”

Possible locations were discussed, including the area of the parking lot where the former visitor’s centre was located. However, Garlough informed the Leader that “the location of the BIA’s skating rink has not been decided as of yet.”

“The location will be decided by township staff and the BIA representatives at a later date.”

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A whole new slate of directors has South Dundas Chamber of Commerce officials excited about the prospect of bringing new blood and new ideas to the organization that was founded in 1946.

The South Dundas Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting was held April 29 at the Upper Canada Playhouse. About 40 people attended.

“This is an exciting time to be in business in South Dundas,” said Chuck Barkley, who is returning for his second year of a two year term as president of the organization.

“Not only do we have one of the fastest growing trade shows in the area, last year was the first year that the Chamber of Commerce has been over the  150 member mark in its history.”

“It benefits the entire community to have a strong chamber of commerce. It’s a good time to be in business in South Dundas and I am looking forward to a strong year,” said Barkley.

The 2013 board members include president Chuck Barkley, first vice president Carl McIntyre, secretary Tracy Jones, treasurer Lauren Harriman, and directors Sue Jarvis, Joey VanKoppen, Stewart Cook, Brenda McIntosh, Donnie Bowes, Ralph Rick and Nicole Keicks.

Part of the AGM included a vote to re-affirm the general manager’s position, which they did.

Artistic director Donnie Bowes was guest speaker at the event, where he reflected on 30 years of the playhouse.

He spoke about its humble beginnings and its present successes.

He credits the longevity and success of the playhouse with a supportive community, professional actors and strong marketing.

“This playhouse has established itself as one of the most successful companies of its size in the province,” said Bowes.

That success translates into a great economic impact on the local community. “We really treat this like a business,” said Bowes. “Show business.”

“My greatest source of pride is seeing that parking lot full every night,” he said. “When I see that parking lot full, it means that people are choosing live theatre. They are supporting culture, but most of all they come here because they want to. We have really broken down a lot of barriers.”

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