Return to Glory Days Dance….Supporting the Return of Ball to South Dundas

“We’re looking at $2.5 million with this transfer,” said South Dundas treasurer Shannon Geraghty at the June 5th council meeting.

South Dundas saw a surplus of $642,503 in 2011, which was transferred to the working capital reserve. 

Geraghty requested council accept the 2011 financial statements as presented by Jamie Pollock of Craig Keen Despatie Markell LLP during the May 15th council meeting.

During his request to council, Geraghty also pointed toward the suggestions Pollock had made concerning some deficiencies.

“We’re currently working on these and over the summer we’ll be providing council with alternatives on how we’re going to deal with this.”

Two of the more recognizable issues noted in Pollock’s presentation are:

• Future landfill closures and lack of funds to cover costs associated with closure

• Water/sewer fund deficit and options to address the deficit, which may include an increase in user rates

Councillor Evonne Delegarde requested an update on where things stand with the water/sewer fund issue to which Geraghty replied, “we’ll be presenting council with plans over the summer,” followed by a public meeting in the fall and implementation in the new year.

Also, during the discussion, mayor Steven Byvelds relayed that the United Counties of SD&G had offered financial assistance with respect to the resolution approved a month prior concerning multi-residential taxes. 

“I don’t think we need any assistance from the counties,” said Byvelds. All agreed.

In terms of the $2.5 million, Geraghty asked, “does council have any desire to earmark any of that money now?”

Deputy-mayor Jim Locke said, “there’s no rush on it as far as I’m concerned.”

Byvelds agreed. He also suggested that “we should keep $2.2 million” in reserve.

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Things are moving steadily forward for the South Branch Wind Farm project. Submitting the final report to the Ministry of Environment (MOE) is Prowind Canada’s next step.

On March 13th, Rochelle Rumney, Environmental Coordinator for Prowind, reported that while the company had expected to have the final report submitted by early March, “it will be closer to the end of the month.”

Rumney gave a brief explanation of the process following submission of the final report for the South Branch Wind Farm: “The MOE will review the application within 40 days of our submission and determine if it is ‘complete’. Once that has been established, it will be posted on the EBR (environmental registry) and the 30 day review period begins.”

Tracking the progress of the final report can be done by going to www.ebr.gov.on.ca. The public can submit comments and opinions about the report to the MOE once the 30 day review period has begun.

According to Rumney, “we will notify the public by way of newspaper ad once that review period begins.”

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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

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