Month: July 2013

If there had been as many people, in 1813, able to take up arms as there were people gathered to watch a recreation of the Chrysler’s Farm Battle in 2013, well, no Americans would have dared to invade this nation.

Upper Canada Village Saturday, July 13, and Sunday, July 14, drew some of the largest crowds ever seen at the heritage site. By any standards, the much anticipated re-enactment of the battle which saved Upper Canada 200 years ago during the War of 1812 was an unqualified success. According to Village authorities, over 7,200 people attended the battle, toured the Village, or took in both activities.

The success of the bicentennial re-enactment was also due to the tireless efforts of the Friends of the Crysler’s Farm Battlefield, who have hosted the event for the last 13 years. The committee is made up entirely of volunteers who spent long weeks organizing events, contacting other key groups and co-ordinating the hundreds of living history re-enactors who came to South Dundas for the weekend from all over Ontario, Quebec and from the States. Working in partnership with the Village, Robin Morris, Bob Irvine and the Friends helped make the 200th anniversary one that visitors were eager to praise.

“It was a really strong event for the Village,” said Jancis Sommerville, Special Events Officer at UCV. “We may all be a little tired today on the site, but it was a wonderful weekend.”

The recreation of the pivotal battle drew over 850 re-enactors to the South Dundas area. Nearly 500 of them actually took part in three weekend battles.

These re-enactors camped in the fields below the Crysler Memorial in tents that imitated those that soldiers, officers, their families and camp followers would have shared 200 years ago. They dress, walk, ride, cook and carry the arms and colours of those who actually served in the War with the United States.

Visitors were invited to step back in time and see blacksmithing, 1800’s military surgery, tinsmithing, rope making, itinerant medicine men hawking their wares, lively games of cricket, dress making and military parades.

Throughout the weekend, noted historians held talks on the local Battle and the origin and nature of the events of the War of 1812 in general.

Also present, reminding visitors of the enormous contribution to the survival of Canada made by the First Nations warriors, were singers and dancers from Akwesasne.

“Represented here today are the Awkwesasne Spirit Singers with dancers from the North American Indian Travelling College,” said Mohawk Jerry MacDonald. “We have 12 young dancers with us who are proud to perform the ancient dances, proud of learning about their culture and heritage.”

Accepting 1812 honours on behalf of all Francophone militia from Lower Canada who fought in battles like Chateauguay, were the Voltigeurs de Quebec. South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds accepted the salute and inspected the troops at the base of the Memorial during the ceremony. The Voltigeurs are one of the oldest French Canadian regiments, having served in many major conflicts from the 1850s to modern day.

The full flavour of the War was brought to bear with the participation in the battles of the tall ships Fair Jeanne and La Revenante, as well as seven gunboats of the era. Cannons firing over the water formed a powerful backdrop to the cannonades on shore.

Definitely the high lights of weekend were the re-enactments of the actual Battle of Crysler’s Farm. As a narrator described the action, the British troops, Canadian militia and Native allies took to the field in a powerful struggle against the invading Americans. The crowds packed on to the hill, cheered loudly and long as the ‘enemy’ was finally repulsed.

All in all, 1813 was a year to remember. And Upper Canada Village and the Friends of the Crysler’s Farm Battlefield staged an historical event to remember.

Senior Drama At UCP Presents Louder Than Words

“We have the whole theatre to rehearse!”

“Better than your basement!”

Three young narrators, Justin Whittam Geskes, Fiona Peets and Christina Stellmacher introduced the culminating performance of the Upper Canada Playhouse two week senior theatre school.

The 24 members of the class presented the original show to parents, friends and family on Saturday, July 13. I may have been an audience of one at the Friday afternoon dress rehearsal, but the young performers put their hearts into the production, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The students, ages 9-16, were taught by Mary Ellen Viau, who has an extensive background in drama. During the two weeks course, she was also assisted by Justine Erdellyi, who works professionally in production at the Playhouse.

Louder Than Words grew out of their experiences with theatre techniques, with vocal and physical training, drama exercises and interpretations.

“Our goal with this year’s session was to work on communications skills, particularly non-verbal ones,” said Viau. “With many young people, texting and technology have really taken over: many do not realize that such technology has its limitations. It’s important to show how non-verbal communication is necessary on stage and in real life. It’s nice to open this special window to kids: there are limitations to electronics.”

“I think the students are taking some new ideas away from their time in drama camp,” said Erdellyi.

Judging by the enthusiasm the young performers demonstrated in their play, the possibilities existing in non-verbal communication are exciting and often comic.

With just flat, bare bones words beginning, “You’re late.” “What kept you?” “I thought you’d understand..” the cast showed how actions, different expressions, costumes and lighting can totally change the meaning of words on a page, or a screen. A hospital operating room, burglars meeting up to “do a job”, the skits performed couldn’t have been more different. Yet each skit used the exact same words. (Two rather hilarious set dressers, the ‘Long and Short’ of it, as I dubbed them, dashed about the stage silently changing all the scenes and demonstrating comically how they could also communicate with an audience – non-verbally.)

The actors show cased musical talents, dance and piano, proving that communication can take many forms, not just words. And what is spoken aloud (a mother/ daughter phone call) may reveal emotions at odds with words through body language. The play ended with an exhilarating musical number developed out of everything from sink strainers to sandwich boxes. “Actors know all about communication,” said Viau. “Texting isn’t bad. It just doesn’t tell a complete story.”

The junior theatre school will be presenting their play on Friday, July 19, at 2 p.m. at UCP.

Seaway Changes Graduation Date

A tradition several decades old will come to an end at Seaway District High School in 2014. Graduation October 11, 2013, will be the last one held in the fall for senior students.

“Our graduation committee has considered switching to a June graduation exercise for the class of 2014 and beyond. We have decided to make this change,” said principal, Terry Gardiner. “This change has been made to facilitate student attendance at the graduation exercises and to align our practice with other schools in the Upper Canada District School Board.”

Friday, October 11, 2013, the last graduation on the Thanksgiving weekend will take place. In 2014, on a date to be announced later, graduation will be held in June.

“Graduation is one of the highlights of our school year,” Gardiner said. He emphasized that the ongoing support of businesses and the community has always been very important to the school. “We hope that (businesses and organizations) will be able to continue supporting our graduates, and the fact that we will be having two graduation ceremonies in closer proximity to one another will not pose a problem.”

Cory Coons Performing at Cruickshank Amphitheatre

Get out your lawn chairs, picnic blankets and picnic baskets and head for Cruickshank’s Amphitheatre on Saturday, July 20, from 3-5 p.m. Local musician, Cory Coons, will be putting on an outstanding free concert for every one at the amphitheatre that afternoon.

Already a well known and popular artist in this area, Coons will be accompanied on stage Saturday by harmony vocalist Michelle Arthurs, with Mike McNeil on percussion. As a bonus, musicians Lana and Labarr, an exciting pop rock duo from Oshawa, are opening for Coons.

I had the opportunity to chat with Cory Coons about his music and his concert on July 20.

“I love music,” he explained. “It’s basically my passion in life, writing, creating and performing. Anything musically related I love.”

While he says that he doesn’t necessarily come from a musical family (“My mom played the organ, my dad loved to sing big band numbers.”) he laughed that “Michelle (Arthurs) is actually my sister-in-law, so that does sort of make it a family tradition.”

He has been performing in concerts for over two decades now.

“I’ve been playing the guitar since I was 17 years old, still attending Seaway District High School. I really love harmony. I turned professional around age 20.” He played for 12 years with a band called the Tycoons, but then decided to strike out in a solo recording career. His long term goal is to eventually work as a musician full time. He also shares his love for music as a Freelance Guitar Instructor.

Coons feels that certain other artists have served as an inspiration for his work.

“The 70s and 80s style of classic rock and newer country appeal to me. I enjoy Keith Urban and Neil Young, pretty much good music of any type. I would characterize my original work as roots rock meets country rock.” His most recent CD release (2012) is Here and Now and his single, Roses Need Rain, has generated some local airplay and interest. In the fall, he is looking at creating a new video.

I asked Cory about his song writing, since much of the work he will be performing at the Amphitheatre will be original.

“Every song is different,” he said. “Sometimes the melody comes first, and then the lyrics, sometimes the other way. I like to tell stories with my music. But I do have one rule. I believe that every listener should take his own elements out of my music. When they hear my songs, I want there to be a bit of a mystery there that they can solve themselves. After a concert, I like to talk to people, and I often discover that they have found ideas in the music that I hadn’t even thought of.”

Coons has opened for April Wine, Kim Michell, Glass Tiger, David Wilcox and Prairie Oyster. He has been in demand locally, performing at the Spencerville Stampede, Chesterville Hotel, Papa Gus in Chesterville and in Kemptville at the Old Coach House.

The Cruickshank Amphitheatre is the perfect venue for an afternoon of great music with local artist, Cory Coons. The entire concert is free, and everyone is welcome. “People will enjoy themselves,” Coons said. “The whole event will be laid back, but lots of fun.”

Jimmy Tschoumy

Jimmy Andre Tschoumy of Calgary, Alberta, formerly of RR2 Iroquois, passed away suddenly July 2, 2013. He was 52 years of age.

Jim attended Seaway District High School and, once met, was considered a close and compassionate friend by all. Jim loved life, as he did his family, especially his son Jordan who remembers him as “the best dad ever”, his siblings and his parents Andre and Jean.

He loved fixing or finding out how to fix things, was known to ask endless questions about almost any subject and treated people with deep respect, curiosity and compassion.

Jimmy had an incredibly inquiring mind that delved into almost any subject, from complicated mechanical operations, to how to simply better bait a hook for fishing. Whatever made it work better was better, “whatever works” was even better.

His was a genuine smile, and it almost always creased his face. He had an insatiable sense of humour, always wanting to find something on the light side of anything dark.

A gangling sort of youth, Jim turned into a tall, handsome blonde-haired man whose presence alone lit up a room. He was strong and lithe and had a “get ‘er done” attitude at whatever chore faced him.

He loved family, the outdoors and nothing better than a campfire where the flickering light would glimmer and twinkle off his eyes, emphasize his smile and depict a man who loved life, who would look longingly at the fire, then at the stars and clouds above and then back at the fire before smiling a comfortable sort of smile, knowing it was all, somehow, connected.

Jim is survived by his son Jordan of Calgary, his parents Jean (Geesien) and Andre Tschoumy of Iroquois, Ont., brothers Andre of Iroquois and Jeff and Carolynn Tschoumy (nee Little) of Olds, Alberta, sisters Linda Salma (nee Tschoumy) of Edmonton, Wendy (Neil) Cameron (nee Tschoumy) of Campbell River, B.C., Nancy Kilpatrick (Dwayne) (nee Tschoumy) of Olds, Alberta and several nephews and nieces.

Aafke VanderVeen

illa Nursing Home in Long Sault for the past eight years, Aafke VanderVeen (nee Hoekstra) passed away there on Thursday, June 27, 2013. She was 89.

Aafke was born in the Netherlands on February 16, 1924, the oldest of five children born to her parents Ype and Klaaske Hoekstra (nee Wiersma).

At a very young age she became a care giver within her own family, experienced the excitement and fears of World War 2 and the joy of the Liberation of the Netherlands.

In 1950, she married Theunis VanderVeen and they immigrated to Canada in 1952, with a baby in their arms. They had five more children in coming years.

Theunis and Aafke came to Canada with practically nothing, but they built a life for themselves and their family in their adopted homeland.

In 198, Aafke lost her dear husband and travelled the rest of her journey here on this earth without a partner.

In 1985, she moved back to the home farm and was an important part of her family and the lives of the people she touched for 15 years. Then in 2000, she moved to the Williamsburg Seniors Home and soon after began to suffer the first signs of memory loss.

Aafke loved her family. She enjoyed travelling to see them and made friends everywhere.

She will be fondly remembered by her family for her love for the Lord, her generous nature and her willingness to help anyone in need. She was a very hard worker, who possessed an excellent sense of humour.

Aafke is survived by her children Heine (Bonnie) of Agassiz, B.C., Ype (Gail) of Ingleside, Ykje (Doug) Striker of Agassiz, B.C., Clare (Bill) Don of Smiths Falls, Sid (Arlene) of Drayton and Brenda (David) DeJong of Chesterville.

She was dear sister of Gerlof Hoekstra (Siep), Jan Hoekstra (Reino) and Boukje Grypstra all of the Netherlands.

Beppe will be fondly remembered by 22 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Aafke was predeceased by her husband Theunis, her granddaughter Lori-Ann VanderVeen, her brother Reinder (Nel) Hoekstra and her brother-in-law Jaap Grypstra.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service was held at the Williamsburg Christian Reformed Church on Tuesday, July 2nd at 11 a.m., with James Kooistra officiating. Interment followed at New Union Cemetery, Williamsburg.

Pallbearers were grandsons Matthew Don, Josh VanderVeen, Kris Don, Tony VanderVeen, Jordan VanderVeen and Travis DeJong

Honorary pallbearers were granddaughters Jennifer Wagensveld, Helena Kwantes, Debra Vuyk, Jessica Menkhorst, Kristen DeJong, Beth VanderVeen and Erin DeJong.

Donations to the Timothy Christian School would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

Frances Collard

Frances Anne Collard (nee Fawcett) died peacefully at home as a result of cancer on Saturday, June 29, 2013. She was 68.

Frances was a devout Christian, loving mother and wife and a long time worker at the Caldwell Linen Mill.

Frances attended the Rowena Full Gospel Tabernacle since she was a child and was a pillar of the church from its inception 60 years ago. She fulfilled many volunteer roles in the church over the years including Sunday school teacher, treasurer and church elder.

Frances married Keith David Collard on July 8, 1967, and they had two children Dwayne and Carol. While raising a family, Frances maintained a long time career at Caldwell Linen Mill where she worked until it closed. With the closure of the Mill, Frances continued to contribute to the community by volunteering at the Helping Hands.

Determined to complete what she had started, Frances returned to school to finish her high school certification at the age of 59 and then earned a certificate in photography.

Frances can never be replaced, but will always be remembered by her family.

Frances is survived by her husband Keith, her children Dwayne (Blessie) Collard of Iroquois and Carol Collard of Hanesville. She was the much loved Grandma of Nathaniel and the dear sister of Art (Phyllis) Fawcett of Iroquois, Hubert (Sue) Fawcett of Brockville, Phyllis (Earl) Holmes of Cardinal, Marion (Lyle) Runions of Iroquois and Dale (Carol) Collard of Crystal Beach.

She was predeceased by her parents Manson and Sarah Fawcett (nee Armstrong), her sisters Nellie and Beatrice Fawcett and her brothers Donald and Dwain Fawcett and Roger Armstrong. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Iroquois, on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service was held at the funeral home on Wednesday, July 3rd at 11 a.m. with Pastor Marcel Charette and Pastor Ian Kelsey officiating.

Interment followed at Spruce Haven Cemetery, Brinston. Pallbearers were Dwayne Collard, Kenny Markell, Kevin Markell, Bert Fawcett, Glenn Fawcett and Sonny Runions.

Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

Jerry Baird

e past 30 years, Jerry Baird passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, following a six month battle with cancer. He was 61.

Jerry was born in Renfrew, on November 7, 1951, to his parents Eldon Baird and Helen Fournier. He was raised in the Arnprior area around Kinburn. He met Marlene in 1970, in Stittsville, Ontario, and they were married in September 1971.

In 1972 their son Bill was born, and in 1975 Jim was born. The young family grew together.

They moved to the Winchester area in 1973, where they became active in the community. Jerry became involved with coaching baseball; he and Marlene both became active in the scouting movement when the boys became involved with the scouts. He was a family man second to none.

After a brief stint in the Navy, Jerry became a mechanic – and a very good one. As a family, the Baird’s enjoyed camping, fishing and golf. Jerry will be fondly remembered by his family for his good sense of humour and his dedication. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Jerry is survived by his wife Marlene Baird (nee Coughler), his sons Billy Baird (Barb Levesque) of Chesterville and Jimmy (Amanda) Baird of Elk Point, Alberta; his siblings Doug (Linda) Guest of Bryson, Quebec, Glen (Dianne) Baird of Carp, Stanley Baird of St. Thomas, David (Deneige) Baird of Matchewan, Leonard Baird of Edmonton, AB, Bonnie Gow (Remy Caccioti) of Stittsville, Vickee (Daniel) Villeneuve of Smiths Falls, Wanda (Tom) Byron of Smiths Falls and Danny Coughler of Smiths Falls.

Gerald will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren Brandon, Cameron, Corey and Jacob. He is also survived by nieces and nephews.

There was no visitation at the funeral home. A graveside funeral service was held at Spruce Haven Cemetery, Brinston, on Friday, July 5th at 11 a.m. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Rev. Sue McCullough for the excellent service.

Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Arrangements entrusted to the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

“Go and run free with the angels as they sing so tenderly,

And please be sure to tell them to take good care of you for me…”

Perspectives with Rev. Clarence Witten

Trouble and Tragedy

It seems that we’ve seen a lot of trouble and tragedy lately. Terrible floods in Alberta, this horrendous disaster in Lac Magentic, plane crashes.

Across the world it’s the same: ongoing violence in Syria and now again in Egypt. What to make of it? How do we understand all these awful things?

Some would say that all these awful things that happen are just random. There’s no rhyme of reason to them. There’s no god or creator overseeing things. The world just evolved and now things continue to just happen.

If there’s anyone to affect what happens it’s us. We’re it. As for the purpose or end result of this world, they’d say, that there isn’t any. We live, we die, that’s it. This way of looking at things seems mighty meaningless to me. Why live, why be good, why anything.

A world like this would also be a pretty scary place. Imagine there not being anyone in control. Kind of like racing down the highway without anyone at the wheel.

Another way people look at trouble and tragedy is to see it in terms of karma. People reap what they sow. People get what they deserve. If you’re good, good things will happen to you. If you’re bad, it’ll be the other way around. Somehow the universe is able to pay you back what you have coming to you. I hear more people talk like this is a cool way to look at life.

But is it? Are we then to think that those people in Alberta got what they had coming to them? Or beautiful Lac Magentic deserved the awful destruction brought on by the explosion and fire of that runaway train? Yuk. This seems awfully cruel to me. It adds insult to injury.

How then should we see trouble and tragedy? There may not be simple answers, but the Bible sure gives us some helpful insight as it avoids both of the unhelpful approaches mentioned so far.

First it makes it clear that this world is not out of control. There is a god overseeing everything, a god who made all things well. Trouble and tragedy entered the world thanks to us (read Genesis 3 for the details.)

The Bible also steers clear of saying that people get what they deserve in this life (read John 9:3 and Luke 13:1-5).

The Bible makes it clear that in the perfect world God created there was no trouble, no tragedy. Best of all, the day is coming when God will once again perfect his creation. That’s why he sent his son Jesus.

Christ came to pay the world’s debt on the cross. Those who accept that payment personally will one day live in God’s new heaven and new earth. A place where trouble and tragedy are banished forever.

One last thing. Jesus said that even though there’s nothing good about trouble and tragedy in themselves, they can serve a good purpose. They can turn us to himself (see Luke 13:3). They can help us see our need of him.

As we consider all the bad things happening lately, first, let’s pray for all those affected. May we also see that there are answers in God as to what’s happening. And there are long term (as in eternal) solutions. They’re found in faith in Christ.

Pastor Clarence Witten

Community Christian

Reformed Church

Dixon’s Corners

ODHA is now HEO

On June 8th, 2013, at the ODHA Annual General Meeting, a motion was passed by the delegates to change the name of the “Ottawa and District Hockey Association” to “Hockey Eastern Ontario”, commencing July 1, 2013.

The name change will become more consistent with what is used by the other Branches across Canada; it will clearly define the area serviced and will provide for increased marketability and branding opportunities.

The Ottawa and District Hockey Association was founded in 1920, by Captain Edward Archibald, and is one of thirteen Branches of Hockey Canada.

The participant base consists of associations, leagues, players, coaches, trainers, officials, and volunteers. The ODHA has jurisdiction over that part of Ontario lying East of, and including the counties of Lanark, Renfrew, and all of Leeds (except the town of Gananoque and the portion of Highway No. 32 and south of Highway No.15 in the Province of Ontario.

The ODHA is the voice of all its members and participants at the Hockey Canada level. As a not-for-profit organization, the ODHA is guided by a Board of Directors.

The objectives of the Association are: To promote and improve the sport of Amateur Hockey within the territory under its control; To secure the enforcement of the rules of the game as adopted by the ODHA; To conduct elimination competition for the different Association Champions as well as Challenges for

Inter-Branch and Canadian Championships; To adjudicate on all questions arising from and pertaining to Amateur Hockey within this Branch of Hockey Canada

A new logo depicting the name change will be produced, and unveiled at a later date.