Month: September 2013

Sixteen interested community members gathered at the recreation hall, here September 19, and agreed that the history of this area is important enough to them, to work to do something to preserve it.

As a first step the group decided and agreed that they will form an organization called the South Dundas Historical Society.

The group will meet again next month, and at that time they may name an executive. 

At the meeting, it was suggested that the South Dundas Historical Society needs to decide if its mandate will be to preserve historical artifacts of the area or to take on projects that aim to educate the public about the history of South Dundas.

No matter the direction, Phillip Blancher, one of the organizers of the inaugural meeting, suggested that they start small. “I think simple is better, to start.”

According to Blancher, the first goal of the South Dundas Historical Society is a digital history project, to be documented on southdundas.net

“With this meeting, we really wanted to gauge the community’s interest in re-starting a historical society with a focus on the entire South Dundas area,” said Blancher. The meeting was organized and hosted by Blancher and Sue Peters with the help of Evonne Delegarde.

“Across South Dundas, everyone seems to talk about the importance of its history and the importance of promoting history, but there is no organized group to do that,” said Blancher.

All who attended the meeting agreed that the formation of this society is important and worthwhile.

“It’s important to know where you come from, if you want to know where you are going,” said Robert Gillard. 

“There is a great potential to build a corridor of historical excitement,” said Howard Kirkby, mentioning South Dundas in relation to Upper Canada Village and the Lost Villages.

Alec Ball, who travelled from Metcalfe to attend the meeting, pointed out that the only historical society in all of Dundas County is a Chesterville group. He, and others who attended, said they would join the group simply because of their interest in local history and learning more about it.

Others who have long been advocates for the preservation of local history, such as Jim Jordan and Glen Cunningham, attended the meeting to support the formation of the group, in hopes that interest in this area’s history is not lost with their generation.

“This doesn’t stop here,” said Delegarde, adding that she believes there is much more interest, in the community, in the formation of this group, than the 16 people in attendance.

[…]

A September 11, Canadian Press report regarding the province of Ontario and its contracts with wind power generators inspired South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke to draft a motion for South Dundas council to debate at their next meeting.

The report explains that wind power generators are being paid by the province not to produce electricity.

According to the report, Ontario has had a surplus of power since 2006, and that there are current signed contracts for approximately 5,800 megawatts of electricity, though only 1,500 megawatts are currently connected to the grid.

Locke read the following to his fellow council members at the September 17 council meeting: 

Acknowledging the fact that the Municipality of South Dundas is currently hosting a project consisting of 10 turbines with the capacity of 30 megawatts, which was approved prior to legislation giving the municipality the opportunity to support or not support hosting such a project, I make the following motion: 

Due to the fact that Ontario has a considerable surplus of electrical generating capacity and only 25 per cent of the current wind power generating approved contracts are currently connected to the power grid, the Municipality of South Dundas hereby declares that any future proposals will not be supported until the supply and demand for electricity demonstrates a need.”

South Dundas councillor Jim Graham was eager to second that motion, as he has on many occasions stated his displeasure with Ontario Green Energy Act.

“I feel, as a member of council and as a responsible citizen, the time has come to do something about this situation,” said Locke.

“I am not anti wind generation,” Locke told The Leader, explaining that based on the given facts he simply could not support any wind power application in South Dundas in the future, until supply and demand in this province dictates a need.

All members of council will have the opportunity to speak to the motion when it is debated at the next regular South Dundas council meeting.

[…]

“Other than the weather, Harvest Festival was great,” said David Lapier of the Williamsburg Community Association, the group that has organized the annual Williamsburg Harvest Festival for 22 years. 

The rainy day impacted only a few activities, such as the model plane exhibit and parade car show entries. 

It may have had an impact on crowds, but overall, Lapier says the event was great.

“The outhouse races were hugely successful,” said Lapier, who was a little surprised by their popularity.

Five teams entered raced in the inaugural event, but more importantly, a huge crowd of about 150 people came out to watch the race. 

“And, that was at 9 a.m.,” added Lapier.

“The success of those outhouse races is something we will definitely build on for next year,” he said, adding that they are likely to move them closer to midday.

Friday night’s movie night, which included a wagon ride, was the best attended movie night ever and the contests were also hugely popular. 

“We had the most contest entries this year than we have had in years,” said Lapier.

The kid’s colouring contest was won by Trevor Backes, Lilly Lewis and Brianna O’Neil, with honourable mention to the youngest artist Averie Merkley (2).

The heaviest potatoes were submitted for judging by Leah Barkley (1st), Brianna O’Neil (2nd), Cameron Stewart (3rd); largest zucchini: Margaret Westervelt (1st), Gerrit Westervelt (2nd), Barry Casselman (3rd); tallest corn stalk: Brooke Waddell (1st), Dylan Waddell (2nd), Brenda Toonders (3rd); largest sunflower: Emma Hess (1st), John Bern (2nd), Barb Richmire (3rd); largest red maple leaf: Hailey Steward (1st), Louise Richmire (2nd), Mary Richmire (3rd); reddest maple leaf: Emma Pemberton (1st), Mackenzie Buter (2nd).

The best decorated porch honours went to Laurie Van Hoof and best decorated bench to April Richmire.

The best decorated bicycle contest was dominated by the Steward family. Hailey Steward won, with Abby Steward placing second and Kurtis Steward winning third prize. 

Bonnie Haner, John and Cathy Young and Cathy O’Brien were trivia contest winners.

The harvest poster contest winners included; in the youngest category – Abby Steward (1st), Louise Richmire Kylie Schell and Jenna Richmire; in the middle category – Hailey Steward (1st), Kloe Lewis, Kyra Lewis, Hillary Van Moorsel and Mary Richmire and in the top age group – Brianna O’Neil (1st), MacKenna Kyle, Martina Lewis, Zoey Van Hoof and Mary Richmire.

Parade winners in various categories included Sarabeau Stables, Lyle Van Allen, Sandy Marcellus, Brianna O’Neil, Williamsburg B.P.S.C., David Wells, and Terry/Francis Henderson.

The prize for best decorated outhouse was shared by Go-Team and Green Apple Quick Steppers.

[…]

When he heard the proposed title of this article, Kevin Eamon laughed. “Well, no question, I’m still gonna be me! Rock My House Music Centre is going to revolve around music, and music is still my deep passion.”

Eamon is the proud new owner of Rock My House Music Centre in Kemptville.

Eamon, a former Morrisburg resident, graduate of Morrisburg elementary school and Seaway District High School in Iroquois, has embarked on this challenging, and very exciting new business linked to his love of music. 

Rock My House allows him to combine years of live performance with rock bands and strongly honed skills as a percussionist, with his deep love of all types of music and of musical instruments. He also holds an audio engineering diploma from Recording Arts Canada and possesses a firm understanding of the technical side of music.

Following its grand opening on September 7, the Centre can fully address the supply needs of both professional and amateur musicians. The business also offers the opportunity, to those of any age who want to experience the thrill of playing an instrument or of studying voice, to learn from outstanding  teachers. There are both group and individual lessons available at Rock My House. The Centre is only a half hour away from the South Dundas area.

“I’ve been stressed and busy putting this music centre together,” Eamon laughed, “but it’s been a great kind of stress. I saw the potential in opening my own business, and I thought, ‘I’ve got ideas. Let’s give this a go.’”

In 2009, Kevin Eamon was the drummer with Rehab Dolls, a band founded by Rick Thomas in 2008. The group gathered some strong musical reviews and created a special song, This Means War, for a huge High Voltage Mixed Martial Arts Championship at the Robert Guertain Arena in Hull. He toured with this band, but also cut his musical and composition teeth with fleShpaiNt and Chopped Suicide. He is experienced in the challenges and the demands of  the live music industry.

“I can share music with my students, and discuss the realities of the recording industry, of touring, of getting a start as a musician, and of getting real work. I can speak from honest experience,” Eamon explained.

He eventually left Toronto, moving back to Morrisburg, where he worked construction. However, he began to see that his training and experience might be an asset in a business.

“I applied for a S.E.B.P. program (Self Employment Business Program) offered out of South Grenville. I was one of those accepted into this government program from among many applicants and had as my mentor Cathy Gilmer of Iroquois.”

Eamon praises the program.

“I had ideas, but S.E.B.P. really helped me develop business skills. I took a business course at school, but I needed the hands on support offered by S.E.B.P. And they will continue to monitor me for the next year as I get my Music Centre off the ground.”

As he did his ground work, and studied the market for a business like his, Eamon learned that there appears to be a huge demand for musical training.

“Originally I had planned to limit my musical offerings to drums and percussion, but I learned very quickly that the demand for other instruments, and just for learning basic music was too great to ignore.”

The death of most organized music programs in elementary schools, and the cut backs to many arts programs, including music, at the secondary school level, has left a real void. Parents are actively seeking places where their children can experience the joys and the educational values of music.

Currently Kevin is approaching area schools hoping there will be interest in group workshops in music possibly to fill some of these musical gaps. 

He is also deeply interested in the benefits of offering musical therapy both at his Music Centre and in local schools. “Music can be an avenue of expression for troubled or autistic children, for kids with disabilities or social needs. My hope is to start up a unique program as soon as possible.”

Rock My House in Kemptville offers supplies, instruments and sheet music as well as private lessons and studio space. 

“Music is a language we all have in common,” said Kevin Eamon. “You have to love music, to want to do it. I definitely still do. My business, I think, is really a new way to express that love, and to share it.”   

[…]

As children in South Dundas head back to school, many with backpacks filled with all the necessary supplies for a good school year, it is difficult to imagine that on the other side of the world, there are children who stand outside the schoolyard, peering in and hoping that they will someday have the chance for an education.

Unable to go to school due to the lack of family funds, the children will have few opportunities to break out of the cycle of malnutrition and poverty.

In the summer of 2007, an elementary teacher from Maxville decided to try and change that.

Cathy Lucking was volunteering at an orphanage in central Madagascar and resolved to confront the education problem directly by building a school and staffing it with competent Malagasy teachers.

During that year, many in Eastern Ontario responded by contributing money to the registered charity that Lucking had established, and the villagers of Ambatoharanana began making and hauling the important bricks necessary for the construction of their first school. It was completed and in operation by the fall of 2008.

In the past few years, the project has gathered speed and another school has been built and opened. Cathy’s home area of Maxville has been a big supporter of the project. As word spread, more churches and community groups have become involved.

Now, a Christian outreach group from three Anglican churches in South Dundas is working on a fund raising dinner to help fund the ongoing work of operating the schools and increasing the number of classrooms.

On Saturday, October 5, Allan Hall in Morrisburg will be the site of a special dinner that will feature a menu of Malagasy foods, which will be prepared by a dedicated group of local volunteers. Tickets are $20.

Diners will enjoy foods similar to those that would be a holiday meal for the more affluent in Madagascar. Dishes will include a soup of pureed vegetables, tomato salad, also vegetables and chicken and rice, with typical spices from which you may choose. For dessert, pineapple upside-down cake.Organizers will have a small display of items from Madagascar, along with some hand-crafted jewellery for sale. 

Cathy Lucking will be in attendance to share her experiences through a video presentation. Tickets can be purchased at Seaway Valley Pharmacy in Morrisburg or by calling Joan Larocque at 543-0722. MadagascarSchoolProject.com is the online source for photos and information about the Madagascar School and Cathy Lucking’s amazing work.

[…]

TransCanada Pipeline officials hosted on open house in Morrisburg to discuss their Energy East project.

Energy East is a $12 billion, 4,400 km pipeline project that will carry 1 million barrels of crude oil per day from Alberta and Saskatchewan refineries to refineries in Eastern Canada (Quebec City and St. John, Nova Scotia).

Of the 4,400 project, 70 per cent involves the conversion of an existing natural gas pipeline into an oil pipeline, and a portion involves building new pipeline.

The new build portion of the project starts in South Dundas, at the existing Iroquois compressor station. 

Just over 100 km of new pipeline will cross the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and within SDG two new pumping stations will be built. One at Iroquois, in the vicinity of the existing compressor station, and another near Alexandria. 

Nationally, the Energy East project will include the construction of 68 new pumping stations. 

The pumping stations are an integral part of the project. 

Part of the conversion of the existing natural gas pipeline involves the construction additional pumping stations because it takes more pumping stations to pump oil than natural gas. 

More valves are also part of the conversion. For public and environmental protection, valves will be located every 30 km. 

TransCanada Pipeline officials explained that the system is monitored such that in the case of a problem sections of the pipeline can be shut down within minutes.

Pipeline inspections, testing and integrity digs are already underway for this project. It is schedule for completion in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Energy East will transport a variety of crude types including conventional crude oil, diluted bitumen and synthetic crude.

[…]

Lightning is believed to have sparked a fire that caused extensive damage to a County Road 18 home.

September 11, around 7 p.m. South Dundas fire crews from the Williamsburg station were called to a house fire at 1158 County Road 18.

Upon arrival, heavy smoke was visible from the soffits and attic area of the home. 

Crews from the Iroquois station were called to assist.

“In order to extinguish the fire, the ceiling had to be taken down and a vent was removed from outside the house to gain access to the burning trusses,” said South Dundas fire chief Chris McDonough. 

“Once this was done, crews were able to extinguish the flames.”

The attic area was extensively damaged by fire. Approximately $80,000 is the damage estimate.

Thirty minutes into the call to the County Road 18 house fire, South Dundas fire crews were dispatched to a possible structure fire on Maud Street in Morrisburg.

That call also resulted from a lightening strike. 

Lightening had struck a tree during the height of an intense thunderstorm and travelled through the clothesline. 

Fortunately, damage from this strike was minimal, according to the fire chief.

[…]