Month: June 2013

 

This year those enjoying Canada Day at the Morrisburg waterfront will have a new opportunity that has never before been part of the Canada Day festivities here.

This year, there will be a cruise boat operating from the dock offering tours. Some tickets will be available the day of the event, ticket sellers will be set up at the Morrisburg dock. 

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to go out on the river,” said Tracey Veinotte of the Morrisburg Canada Day Committee.

In the park there will be plenty of activities including activities and entertainment for the kids. Inflatables, rides and games will be on site. The Ontario Early Years will have activities on site and from 12-3, some more traditional games like the three legged race are being organized by Carrie Van Allen.

For those who like a little competition the Children’s bike decorating contest takes place at noon and there is a new competition this year.

This year, a pie baking competition is taking place. A table will be set up in the market for entries. The pies must be in by 2:30 p.m., with judging to follow immediately. A cash prize is up for grabs.

Musical entertainment, will be much the same as previous years but a couple of new bands have been added to the lineup including Furious Gord (with special guest appearances by Sons of Furious Gord) and Rogue.

Plenty of Food will be on site, including a Thai food vendor, lobsterfest, and sugar monsters (fried dough) along with all the standard fare.

Mobile Gamerz, which features a trailer of gaming equipment with enough room for 16 players at once, will be on site this year. They had planned to be at last year’s event but their trailer was stolen. 

The popular market will be even bigger and better this year. Last year the market had just over 20 vendors and this year, it has been expanded to nearly 30 vendors and displays.

According to Veinotte, the market proved popular with both the public and the vendors, so the committee has expanded it a bit and prolonged the hours, running from noon until 7 p.m.

Fireworks will go as planned. Organizers had some tense moments when they realized that the fireworks factory that burned, and sadly where two lives were lost, was the company that they deal with. 

Since the tragic event the company’s customers have been notified that orders will still be delivered on time.

This year the committee will have some well marked volunteers collecting donations for those who want to give to the fireworks for next year. 

“It would really help us if people made some donations, it would mean we would have to spend less time selling tickets. Then we could focus more of our time on the event,” said Veinotte. Seventy percent of the cost of running the event is spent on fireworks.

Also new this year, is a giant Canada Flag to be painted on the Cruickshank Amphitheatre. The committee hopes that this 18×36 will bring added enthusiasm.

This is the third year the Canada Day Committee, of about 10 volunteers has run this event.

The committee generates funds for the event through raffle ticket sales, the support of many wonderful sponsors from the local business community, some township and federal government funds and the Red and White Dance organized by Kaylee Morrell. 

The Morrisburg Legion helped the cause by donating the use of the hall for that important fundraising event which brought in $1,177 for the fireworks.

“The efforts of everyone who donates and supports this event are much appreciated,” said Veinotte.

[…]

 

The Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club, who have hosted Canada Day festivities at the Iroquois Locks for over 25 years, this year have made a significant change to the July 1st event’s grand finale.

The fireworks will be set off at the waterfront instead of the traditional Iroquois point location.

“We feel this location will make it easier for everyone to see the display of fireworks from town,” said Steve Wilson, president of the Iroquois-Matilda Lions. 

“We are always proud of the great job the firemen do in putting them on, making it easier for everyone to see is a bonus.”

While the all day event features plenty of food and fun, the club is proud to be able to feature an antique car show by the Golden Gears Car Club.

“Everyone should attend the event this year to see an amazing display of antique and classic cars,” said Wilson. 

“There is a renewed interest in restored and preserved automobiles. Here, enthusiasts can see the time and effort that has gone into making them look like new.” 

The car show runs from 10-3:30, with awards being handed out at 2:45 p.m.

“Our main attraction is the amazing line up of local talent that will entertain everyone from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.,” said Wilson. Cory Coons, Mary Perry County Classics, Bobby Paradis and Rukus are all featured.

“The most special event has to be our famous barbecue chicken,” said Wilson. 

“It is the best chicken by a dam site!” He recommends that tickets be purchased in advance at Mustard’s Variety or from any Lions’ member. 

“Get you tickets early because they will sell out, and you don’t want to be disappointed.”

Fireworks at the waterfront are expected to start around 9:45 p.m. Anywhere along the front streets should be the best vantage point.

[…]

 

The proponents of a proposed grain terminal for South Dundas released a number of details about the upcoming project on Monday.

Ontario Grain Terminals is proposing to construct a grain terminal on the site of the UTI dock located on Lakeshore Drive in South Dundas. 

Once in operation, the grain terminal expects to receive wheat, soy beans and corn during their respective harvest periods for shipment by marine vessel. 

Eastern Ontario produces over one million tons of grain annually and this creates a seasonal surplus that must find its way to market. 

Current storage capacity in the area is insufficient creating less than ideal market conditions for local farmers at harvest.

It is expected Ontario Grain Terminals new export facility will relieve some of the congestion by providing local farmers and elevator operators with a new market for their grains. 

Several major marine shippers of grain have expressed interest in loading their ships and this should provide better economics for local grain farmers.

The proposed facility will consist of two 20,000 ton grain bins similar in design and construction to grain bins on farms and grain elevators with the possibility of adding two more bins of the same size in the future is demand is sufficient. 

The bins are proposed to be located immediately south of Lakeshore Drive on the UTI dock. 

The design includes truck unloading and loading, plus a conveyor to the edge of the water for loading ships. 

The proposed grain terminal is being designed by Horst Systems Ltd, a Guelph based builder of grain storage and handling systems for the past 20 years. 

Earl Horst, the Founder of Horst Systems, now resides in Winchester and is actively involved in the design and construction of grain storage and handling projects in eastern Ontario.

The truck unloading pit will have dust control systems. 

The aeration fans required to maintain grain quality will also be located on the south side of the grain bins. 

The terminal will not have grain drying equipment. 

The site is in close proximity to several residences and is being designed to the highest standards to minimize the impact. 

The project has recently moved to the permitting stage and construction is expected to begin after the required permits have been obtained.

Ontario Grain Terminals will be managed by Ben Currelly, CEO of NorAg Resources Inc. 

As the founder and owner of NorAg Resources, Ben has over 30 years of experience as a grain farmer, elevator operator, and 12 years of experience as a grain merchandizer/trader. 

Ben is well known to farmers and elevators in eastern Ontario and has developed an excellent reputation among his customers and suppliers. 

NorAg provides a full suite of services to grain farmers and elevator including forward purchase contracts, hedging and logistics. 

[…]

 

 A school is much more than walls and boards and desks, books and playing fields. A school is people: the students who attend it, the teachers who make classrooms welcoming, the parents who faithfully attend every event (and wrestle with homework!), the community that supports and encourages it.

On Friday, June 28, Timothy Christian, which is devoted to “helping children understand God’s world” is inviting everyone to come and help celebrate its 50 years as a vital part of the South Dundas community.

I had the opportunity to spend a morning at the school. Along with principal Gary Postma, my special guides June 12 were members of the 2013 grade eight graduating class: Gwen Knight, Emily Tibben, Cilicia Pol and Kyle Havenaar. (Unfortunately fellow grad Jade van Dyke was not able to attend.)

Gwen is a recent transfer to Timothy Christian. She came last year to grade seven from Rose-des-Vend in Cornwall. “It was easy to fit in here,” Gwen said. “When you go to a big school, you have to find your way. I knew people here by day two.”

Emily, Cilicia and Kyle said, with grins, that they had all been at Timothy Christian “forever.” 

What are some of their first memories of school?

“I remember visiting Mr. Postma,” Kyle laughed. “Then I found I liked nap time a lot.”

“It was great,” Cilicia said, “because we all got a turn sleeping in the Puppet Theatre, which had this big pillow.”

“I remember painting with chocolate pudding,” said Emily, who will be the 2013 valedictorian. “It was gross, but a lot of fun. And we got to eat the ‘paint’ later.”

They talked about field trips to places like Mont Cascade and Cosmic Adventures. They also described science fairs and “fun fairs” that involved some hilarious, if silly games like major “bubble gum blowing.”

Timothy’s Got Talent is a popular yearly school event. Auditions are held and various acts are chosen, including stand up comics. “The best comic in school is Noah, in grade three,” all four students agreed.

Teachers are “very involved. They seem to like it here, they  support us, and they really like kids. Class is usually fun.” (“Maybe not math all the time,” Kyle grinned.)

Were there any embarrassing moments in your school careers?

“Oh, no,” they said solemnly. “Everyone in this group was totally perfect.” 

When the laughter died down, a story about sticking grade seven student Aiden into a garbage pail in the girls’ bathroom came out. “It was just for fun. He thought it was funny too. But just as he got out of the pail and was heading out the girls’ door, Mr. Postma caught him…He caught us too.”

Later the students took me on a tour of several colourful, and bright  classrooms. We visited the junior/senior kindergarten students, the grades one/two and  finally dropped in to the grade seven/eight classroom. Then the grade eights and I joined the entire school outside for a very special 50th anniversary  Timothy Christian photo.

Chair of the Timothy Christian board of directors, Art Pol, also took time from his busy schedule to come by the school June 12 to talk about the big celebration of the school’s 50 years. 

“We formed an anniversary committee last year,” Pol said. “They have really worked hard setting up events, caterers and booking halls. They are also putting together a special booklet that will have pictures of all the graduating classes and all the staffs over the years. On Friday night, people can come to the school to meet and greet and remember, as classrooms will be set up with memorabilia and photos past and present.”

Saturday the committee has arranged a car rally, a barbecue and games at the school. “This is all open house. Everyone is invited.”

On Saturday evening, a special banquet (ticket holders only) will take place at the Matilda Hall. The guest speaker is Dr. Brenda L. Berkelaar, assistant professor at the College of Communications, the University of Texas at Austin, and a former Timothy Christian student. 

On Sunday, a celebration service will be held with guest pastor, and another Timothy Christian graduate, Tim Lumies, preaching the sermon.

For 50 years, what has Timothy Christian meant to this community?

“For my family, it’s important to educate the child,” Art Pol said. “But for six hours a day,  I know my kids are with teachers who also care about what’s going on in their hearts. 

I see it as a triangle of home, church and school. These forces work together to develop the whole child and to equip him or her to better face the future.

Timothy Christian is developing our youth and our future leaders, teaching them that morality matters in a leader.”

“Celebrating a half century of Christian education in our community is very special,” Art Pol explained. “God has led us through all the struggles of the past. He continues to guide and to bless us.”

[…]