Report: South Dundas is short-staffed

 A large crowd and many dignitaries turned out at the site of the Lost Villages Museum on Sunday, June 30, to remember the heroism of the small militia which, 200 years ago, delayed an American invasion of Canada at Hoople’s Creek. While the skirmish may have been lost for the 500 outnumbered Canadians, the actions of the 1st Stormont Militia and the 2nd Glengarry Militia in that fight ensured that those American troops ultimately had to take on the British/Canadian forces at the Battle of Crysler’s Farm.

Carol Goddard, one of the organizers of the day’s events said there “were great crowds and great support for the celebration.” There were many exhibits and a tattoo which featured the SD&G Highlanders Band, the Sea Cadets band, the 1st Grenville Militia and the City of Brockville Pipe Band. Colonel Bill Shearing  addressed the audience telling the story of the battle. Honorary Lt.-Col. of the SD&G Highlanders, Jim Brownell, (7th from the left above) shared the stage with descendants of the Hoople family and Lt.- Colonel Duda (9th from the left), commander of the Glens. South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds (4th from the left) was also on hand for the celebration. Town crier Lawrence Levere (extreme right) said “our heritage will never be forgotten and our pride will never be diminished,” in describing the battle.

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Lunch and a backstage tour of the Upper Canada Playhouse was on the menu for this month’s Linking Hands Lunch and Learn program. 

Linking Hands is a project of the The House of Lazarus Community Outreach Mission. 

Although its mission is to give a voice to people living in poverty in the communities of Dundas County by raising awareness, and offering networking, empowering and supporting opportunities, Linking Hands welcomes all residents of Dundas County to join in their activities. 

Community Lunch and Learn is an opportunity to socialize and enjoy a free lunch while learning about various topics of interest.

This month, two dozen people were at the Upper Canada Playhouse, which opened its doors for the luncheon. Lorne Pardy, a former actor and director with the Great Canadian Theatre Company spoke about acting.

“This is a rare opportunity where my past and present are intersecting,” said Pardy, while centre-stage at the playhouse. 

Pardy is now the coordinator for Linking Hands Dundas County. For the first time in about five years, he also acted performing a moving dramatic piece for the audience assembled for the luncheon.

Following Perrin’s performance, Upper Canada Playhouse director Donnie Bowes took guests on a tour backstage of the playhouse were they saw the ‘green room’ dressing rooms, prop room and workshop were all of the sets are built on site. 

Participants enjoyed the backstage tour, seeing the modest facility behind the scenes of this area’s popular attraction.

“This is a great opportunity for anyone to get out, socialize while enjoying a new experience,” said Pardy. 

“We are really pleased to be able to offer this program,” said Janet Carkner,  executive administrative manager with the House of Lazarus. 

She said that the program offers a free social opportunity for those who may be feeling isolated, which so often happens in a rural setting. 

They will arrange transportation and child care for those who may need it at each of their Lunch and Learn sessions.

They hope to grow their club, and at each meeting ask those attending to come back to the next one, and if possible, to bring a friend.

Nancy Christie with the Lunch an Learn program was pleased with Friday’s event. 

“We had such a great opportunity here,” she said. “Everyone who comes to Lunch and Learn, always learns something.” 

Since Linking Hands is a Dundas County initiative, events alternate between North and South Dundas. 

The next Lunch and Learn will be at a Chesterville area sugar bush. The next South Dundas event will be in May when mental health will be the focus. 

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The antiques themselves were wonderfully old, but the location of the 2013 Antique Festival in Morrisburg was very new. This year, the Festival, which was held July 20-21, was set up in downtown Morrisburg, in the plazas.

“From all that we are hearing, we have a success on our hands, said Gerri Fitzsimmons, manager of the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce. “The vendors (about 20 this year) told us they were very happy with the new venue. We found that we had steady visitors to the tents both Saturday and Sunday. Everything set up on the main mall, and really visible,  which seemed to attract a lot of visitors. Also there was no admission price for the Festival.”

This year’s Antique Festival was operated for the first time by the Morrisburg Business Improvement Association, after the Morrisburg & District Lions Club indicated they were no longer able to operate the popular event. Carl McIntryre served as the chair  of the committee, which assumed responsibility for organizing the festival in May.

“Earlier this year, our mayor outlined goals for South Dundas,” McIntyre said. “An event like this festival, bringing partnerships with business, government and local groups, really speaks to those goals. Doug Grenkie and the Pinkus family were very generous in donating their buildings to our  event.”

“From a business poll we took,” Fitzsimmons said, “local businesses saw a substantial increase in traffic and revenue. Many felt that this move was a great idea. We are going to use feedback from the surveys to determine where to concentrate advertising in the future and to determine improvements for next year’s event.”

Shoppers could visit places like the tent of Brian Wildsmith, a specialist in antique ‘advertising.’ “Signs and any kind of advertising  materials are top sellers in the antique market today,” he explained.

Mistralle Brouillard of Ottawa was interested in old books, while Susan and Chris Dwyre of Brockville were “looking for old toys.” Donna Leroux of Glen Walter came to Morrisburg’s Antique Festival to examine estate jewellery.

Times Past Antiques, from Ottawa, specialized in silver and antique objects from England and the continent. There were booths showing  furniture,  china, music and other collectibles and even a display of Ken Carter memorabilia.

“We talked to visitors from as far away as Pennsylvania,” said Festival volunteer Kim Morrow.

“The response has been wonderful this weekend,” said Helen Laurin, also manning the welcome desk. “This is the Morrisburg BIA’s first time running the Antique Festival, and we will use what we learn this week to make the event even better next year.”

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