December 2013 – Morrisburg Leader

Beatrice Becksted

December 25, 2013 Editor

A resident of the Woodland Villa Nursing Home in Long Sault, for the past three years, Beatrice Becksted passed away there on Tuesday, December 17, 2013. She was 89.

Beatrice was born in Williamsburg Township, on October 18, 1924, to her parents Clifford and Mary Herriman (nee Merkley). She attended school at Boucks Hill, and after completing a secretarial course in Cornwall, she was hired at Ogilvy’s in Ottawa, where she spent five years.

Beatrice then returned home when family sickness forced her to help with the family farm. Back in the Boucks Hill area, she met her life long mate William Becksted, and they were married in October 1951. Together Beatrice and William started their farming operation with the addition of two sons.

William took full time work at St. Lawrence Parks in the late 1950’s, and Beatrice tended to the farm work. She enjoyed all her animals, and loved to watch them. She interacted with them by petting and talking, and it seemed they responded by acknowledging her when she stepped into the barn. She always enjoyed her pig calendars and farm magazines.

As the farming industry progressed, Beatrice and William decided it was time for them to move on, and so in the earlier 70’s they moved to Riverside Heights.

William carried on with his full time work, and Beatrice spent her time with flowers and gardening that she loved so well.

When their health started to affect their mobility another painful decision was made to move to a local retirement home. There they could enjoy people taking care of their everyday needs along with the social aspect.

With the passing of time, health issues again plagued them and another decision was made to move to a nursing home facility. Here, more of their everyday needs and health issues were addressed with the compassionate and professional staff at Woodland Villa.

Beatrice is survived by her husband of 62 years, Bill, her sons Brian of R.R.# 1 Morrisburg and Glenn (Pat) of R.R.# 1 Morrisburg and her sisters June Elliott of Ottawa and Iris Anderson of Florida.

Beatrice will be fondly remembered by her granddaughter Carrie (Trinity) Larocque and by her great-grandchildren Logan and Peyton and step-grandchildren Kim and Paige Kirkwood. She was the sister-in-law of Janet Herriman of Williamsburg. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.

Beatrice was predeceased by her sisters Thelma Chuter and Jean Jones and her brother Hubert “Goldie” Herriman.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Friday, December 20th from 11 a.m. until the 1 p.m. funeral service conducted by Rev. Janet Evans. Cremation followed.

Spring interment of cremated remains will be at Maple Ridge Cemetery, Chesterville.

Donations to Dundas County Hospice would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

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Perspectives with Rev. Clarence Witten

December 25, 2013 Editor

The Most Wonderful Time of the year

Andy Williams sang it. The movie (with that name) declared it, but I have a hunch that not all of us would agree.

For some it’s more like the worst time of the year. Maybe because it’s a time we feel most alone. Or because we miss loved ones the most. Or perhaps because it’s a time of painful memories.

Even if none of those situations are true of us (and I hope and pray they aren’t), I suspect that for all of us Christmas has this huge down-side simply because it’s a season of stress, crazy busyness, too much baking and preparing, and too much running around.

This makes me smile. I find it a tad ironic that this is how we (me included) celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

When he was born the angel promised that Jesus would bring us “peace.” And in one or Christ’s most famous quotes he promised us “rest.”

Remember what he said? “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me… and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)

This rest he promised was more than just a nap on the couch. More than a quick coffee break from the treadmill of life.

It was meant to be something deep-seated; a supernatural peace that carries us through life. That stays with us through whatever life throws at us. Through all the upheaval and ugliness that comes our way: illness, loneliness, even the death of loved ones.

So how can this peace, this rest, become ours? In two ways.

It begins us with finding peace with God. That happens when we own up to our to our wrong living (our sin) and ask Christ to forgive us. This reconciles us to God.

That’s where ‘rest’ begins as we become dearly loved children of God and as we increasingly experience God taking care of us.

Christ also gives us the rest we need by coming to live within us. This may seem hard to grasp, but there’s something amazing about having God ‘move in.’ Then come what may in life, he is able to give us strength and comfort to help us through.

I think Blaise Pascal, one of the greatest scientists of the 17th century explained best how Christ gives us rest.

He discovered that even though he enjoyed success, pleasure, and a good life in many ways, he still felt empty. His conclusion was that we have a ‘God-shaped’ hole in our hearts that only God himself could fill.

I do hope that your Christmas will be a most ‘wonderful time of the year.’

Yet in the hustle and bustle of it all, remember, that at this time and always there is ‘rest’ to be found and peace. It’s in the Christ of Christmas, the Prince of Peace.

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Final sweep for 2013

December 25, 2013 Editor

As promised, we have an update on results of the first half of the curling year. But before that, our thanks to the curling club executive and especially our ice technician, Wally Baker, whose prompt attention to an ice crisis is much appreciated.

Our compressor broke down, and while waiting for the part and the replacement of it, games had to be cancelled, as the ice was out. Three days later, curlers were able to get back to curling, though we could see the outline of the brine lines through the ice surface that remained. Great recovery, folks!

Now to the curling: the Thursday morning mixed league wound up with the team of Jack Barkley, Keith Robinson, Bud Perry and Kevin Minish winning the Bank of Montreal trophy for finishing first in league play. Our thanks to the Morrisburg Community Living Association for supporting Kevin, one of their residents, in his desire to curl with us. Jack has been a great encouragement to Kevin at the rink, and for this last draw, Bud Perry arranged for Kevin to get a special small trophy with his winning team’s names on it. Kevin’s laughter and obvious pleasure at these outings has been a delight to us.

Curlers and their guests enjoyed the banquet catered by Subway, and Ruth Kelly, our hard-working coordinator, arranged a Christmas Quiz, complete with prizes for the winning team. The “quiz whizzes” were Sam Locke, Alice Thompson, Doug Jarvis, Linda Murphy and Philip Vinokuroff. The next draw begins on January 2, with several curlers missing, since the “snowbird season” is upon us.

The senior men finished their draw as well, with the team of Sid Morrell, Karl Duncan, Keith Robinson and Al Gowanlock winning the Bowman Trophy. Curling continues for them and all other leagues on the first week in January also.

The ladies, who partied on their last night, do not announce winners for their draws, and the Thursday night competitive league announces their results at the end of the year. Tuesday night men’s league results and those for Friday night were unavailable, and we’ll get those later.

Because of cancellation for compressor problems, a tight league finish could delay results for the present.

There are three rentals over the holidays, and Wally will be doing more work on the ice, including a much-needed flooding, so aside from the New Year’s Eve party and bonspiel, there’s nothing else to report until January.

Next month we have a Parnell competition for the senior men, in Cornwall, as well as a bonspiel at our club for seniors.

In addition, teams will be out to several clubs, including Navan, Granite and North Grenville. Another two-person bonspiel is scheduled, and of course our little rockers will be out in January as well.

See you then!

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Midget Lions streak ends at 13 wins

December 25, 2013 Editor

The South Dundas Midget B Rep Lions winning streak ended at 13 games here Friday night, December 17 when the South Grenville Rangers put together a last-second goal for a 1-0 win.

Josh Martineau was in net for the Lions in a game that was very evenly played and remained scoreless throughout the first and second periods.

Late in the third period, with the score tied 0-0, just 6.1 seconds left in the game and the Lions on the power play with a face-off in their end, Prescott pulled their goaltender in a last chance effort to earn the win.

The Lions lost the draw, which resulted with a South Grenville defenceman slap shot that beat Martineau with .3 seconds left on the clock and the Rangers claimed a 1-0 win to end the Lions winning streak at 13 games.

On Thursday, December 12, on home ice, the Lions for the first time this season defeated Cornwall, 6-4.

After the Lions went up 3-0, Cornwall got one past Lions goaltender Zach Frawley to end the first period 3-1.

Then early in the second, Cornwall charged back to count two in a row to even it at 3-3.

The Lions regrouped and got it going with a Toby Mullin goal from Tanner Hummel at 5:05. Thirty-one seconds later, Nick Lalonde, with help from David Plamondon, made it 5-3.

The visitors got one more to finish the second period behind 5-4.

Aaron Smith (from Trey Suddard) pushed the Lions lead to 6-4, less than one minute into the third period and Frawley was unbeatable in the Lions net for the remainder of the game to hold on to the win.

Coming up the South Dundas Midget Lions will compete in the Ottawa Bell Sensplex tournament, January 3-5. League play resumes Thursday, January 9 in Morrisburg at 8 p.m.

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Vikings crush Jr. B Lions

December 25, 2013 Editor

Due to the weekend ice storm there wasn’t a whole lot of Eastern Ontario Junior B Hockey action, but before the bad weather arrived, the Morrisburg Lions were able to make the trip to Casselman, on Thursday night, December 19.

Results weren’t good for the St. Lawrence Division’s last place Lions as they were handed a 9-2 by the division’s leading Vikings. The win puts the Vikings’ record this season to 25 wins with just one loss and two losses in overtime.

The Vikings went up 3-0 over the Lions in the first period and then held a way out of reach, 7-0 advantage, after two.

Thierry Gibeault led the Vikings attack with four goals. Sebastien Planted added two, and Mark Hough, Gabriel Laurin and Devin Desnoyers counted singles.

Lions goaltender Brandon Chilton played just over 53 minutes of the game and was relieved by John Gilmer. Gianmarco De Meis was in net for the Vikings.

Scoring for the Lions was Isaac Brownlee with two goals.

The Vikings out shot the Lions 44 to 26.

Coming up on Friday, December 27th the Lions are on the road to Alexandria. Saturday night, December 28 they host the Winchester Hawks. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

They will complete a three-game weekend on the road to take on Akwesasne on Sunday, December 29.

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Paper ballot returns for 2014 municipal election

December 25, 2013 Editor

Paper ballots will return to South Dundas in the 2014 municipal election.

The paper ballot will be in addition to the phone and internet methods that

In Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, only South Dundas and South Stormont will be using the paper ballot.

South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds said, “going paper is going backwards, but it is wanted.”

Council agreed to the use of a paper ballot, even though it will add to election costs. Additional costs will be related to additional staffing of polling stations and the rental of tabulators for the paper ballots.

“Democracy doesn’t have to be cheap,” said Byvelds.

According to the council report by clerk Brenda Brunt, the election will cost at least, $28,000, but that number is likely to increase.

Although council all agreed to the return of the paper ballot, the did not agree with Brunt’s recommendation to offer only one polling station for paper ballots, election day, at the South Dundas Municipal Centre in Morrisburg.

South Dundas deputy mayor wants a polling station to be offered at four locations, specifically mentioning Matilda Hall.

Brunt explained that Matilda Hall cannot be offered, because of lack of a secure and reliable internet connection, which is needed to ensure that voters only vote once.

Councillor Evonne Delegarde, suggested a second polling station be set up in Iroquois.

“If we’re going to do that, then we will do one at Williamsburg too,” said Byvelds.

With that information, Brunt will prepare a new report for council outlining the feasibility and costs of the added paper ballot polling stations.

The phone and internet voting service will be provided this year by SCYTL Canada Inc. This company had the lowest tender amount of $2.26 per elector. This tender was a joint tender with other SDG municipalities.

This is a different company than that used in the last election, which experienced technical difficulties during peak voting, forcing voting deadlines to be extended and creating much confusion. “Do we have a back up plan if the system crashes,” asked Locke. “Yes, it will be part of our procedures this time,” said Brunt.

SCYTL recently handled the Edmonton election without an issues, according to Brunt.

Intellivote, the company which handled the last election in South Dundas did submit the second lowest bid on the recent tender.

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OPP and Canadian Tire team up for an unexpected Christmas gift

December 25, 2013 Editor

An elaborate plan, resulted in an unexpected Christmas gift for 11-year-old Cody Broadfoot of Winchester, here December 23.

Cody had his bike stolen from his Church Street residence weeks ago, reporting the theft to police December 11. Police, with the help of a tip, recently recovered the bicycle.

They arrested and charged 20-year-old Jessie Quesnel of Morewood with the bicycle theft, along with other thefts in the Winchester area.

“People see that arrest as justice, but all too often the victims of the crimes don’t really get any justice. They still lost something,” said Teresa Lauzon, of the SDG OPP.

When police recovered Cody’s bike, it was literally in pieces. Police tried to reassemble it, but found they could not, so they took it to the Morrisburg Canadian Tire Store, to have it reassembled, in hope that they could return Cody’s repaired bike to him in time for Christmas.

Canadian Tire staff tried to piece the bike back together, but instead decided to donate a new bike to Cody.

Learning of this good news story, Lauzon hatched an elaborate plan to surprise Cody with the new bike.

Lauzon, who teaches Cody as part of the in school VIP program at Winchester Public School, told Cody that they had found his bike, but that it couldn’t be repaired. She said he was really upset by the news, but tried to hide his disappointment. She told him that as consolation, she would take him on a ride along, hopefully to lift his spirits.

Cody and Lauzon went into the store, and Cody grabbed a jug of fluid. There he was met by Canadian Tire Store manager Brian Shaver and supervisor Adam Casselman, who showed Cody his old bike in pieces. They then surprised him with a new bike.

A shocked Cody, could only say, “Okay.”

“This wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Canadian Tire,” said Lauzon.

“It’s just nice to be able to help out, especially at this time of year,” said Shaver. “It’s sad to see something that someone has worked hard for just taken away from them.”

Before leaving the store, Lauzon purchased a bike lock for Cody’s new bike.

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Chris Ozinga

December 18, 2013 Editor

Surrounded by love, Chrissie Ozinga (nee Lamorie) passed away at her home on Wednesday, December 2, 2013.

Chrissie was born in Kingston, July 28, 1952. She was the daughter of Jack and Kaye Lamorie and loving wife of Pieter Ozinga.

Chris grew up in Cornwall, and worked for Bell Canada in Ottawa for 25 years.

Introduced to Pieter by a dear mutual friend, Gayle Hayes, she and Pieter just celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary September 17th, 2013.

Following their marriage, Chris and Pieter’s first home was in Orleans. Later they found their beautiful home in Aylmer, Quebec which overlooked the Ottawa River.

A few years before Pieter retired, they moved to Morrisburg near the golf course, and in 2010, they found the perfect spot in Morrisburg, this time overlooking the Seaway where they built their home ‘Morning Glory’.

Friends Heather and Allan Black said when Chris and Pieter moved to Kyle Drive, it didn’t take long to realize what a pleasant, friendly couple they were. They waved to everyone on the street; the neighbours, the golfers going to and from the Morrisburg Golf Course and people just driving by.

Family was extremely important to Chrissie. She was very close to her paternal grandmother, Hilda Lamorie of Arnprior and looked forward with anticipation to visits from her maternal grandmother Margaret Chisholm of Cape Breton.

She was more of a sister than cousin to Liz Chisholm and Sandy Morin, sister by choice to Steve Richer, beloved Godmother to Jake Kitts and Nicholas Morin and more aunt than second cousin to Nicholas and Emily Morin.

Chrissie had a quiet sense of humour and a dry wit that often surprised and entertained people. After all, she loved clowns.

She enjoyed golf and luncheons with her friends. She loved animals, especially dogs and donkeys, but had a tendency to over treat and spoil the dogs she babysat for family or friends. But you knew that they would be well cared for.

Chrissie and Pieter loved to entertain: Halloween parties, talent nights, playing cards. If you were having a hard day you knew that at 4 p.m. you would find them sitting by the water (Chrissie’s oasis), on their veranda or in the living room ready with a drink and an ear to listen to whatever was on your mind.

Chris had a way of making you feel you were the most important part of her day, no matter what was going on in her life.She remembered everything you told her and days or weeks after a conversation she would ask about something you had already forgotten.

She greeted everyone with a smile, a hug and a genuine ‘How are you?’

Chrissie and Pieter enjoyed a quiet life and the occasional trip to visit family on the west and east coasts and in California. One of their most memorable trips was a cruise to the Caribbean three years ago.

Chris was a very organized person, she never threw away a receipt and she made files for everything.

She fought a hard battle with cancer. She never stopped fighting, and she never questioned her lot in life. She hung on to Pieter and drew strength from him, her family and her friends.

While going through some papers, we found the following:

What Cancer Cannot Do:

Cancer is so limited…

It cannot cripple love,

It cannot shatter hope,

It cannot corrode faith,

It cannot destroy peace,

It cannot kill friendship,

It cannot suppress memories,

It cannot silence courage,

It cannot invade the soul,

It cannot steal eternal life,

It cannot conquer the Spirit.

Cancer did none of these things to Chrissie. She died at home cared for by Pieter and surrounded by love. She was at peace.

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Curlers sweep in the holiday

December 18, 2013 Editor

Christmas is nearly here. We have no better indication of this than the weekend completion of our Christmas bonspiel.

Fortunately for our health when discussing such matters with our iceman, there were no turkeys tossed down the ice, as happened when we used to call this a “turkey” bonspiel. It was fun though.

Wally McDonald and his cousin Kathy Kritchlow respectively won the door prizes on Saturday for the “guess the number of candy canes in the jar” prize and for the lovely basket of goodies. In addition there were a number of fine matches.

The best score of the day came from prize winners Andy Patenaude, Greta McGann, Maurice Kolff and Denis Thibault. Also winning two games were Susan McIntosh, Betty Locke, Dave McIntosh and Jim Locke, while honourable mentions are owed to Al Herriman’s and Paul St. Pierre’s foursomes. The lunch was great, everyone admired the “new” kitchen, the ice was fast, and the rocks curled beautifully. Thanks to all who organized the event and helped pull things off.

Last Friday our senior men hosted three Cornwall teams in a friendly bonspiel. Andy Patenaude, Ted Herriman, Ron Beaupre and Peter Byvelds lost to the visitors, while Don O’Brien, Arnold Barkley, Wayne Pulfer and Lynn Loucks trounced their opponents. Raymond Benoit, Bud Perry, Sam Locke and Bob Bechard did their best, but let victory slip from their grasp to appear “friendly” to their big city opposition.

The usual fine meal after the bonspiel was served and enjoyed by all, as was the humour. By the way, I called the matching counters “granite”, and they look like it, but I’ve been assured that our executive wouldn’t overspend. They do look great, though.

Four of our little rockers were in Manotick recently for their bonspiel and had a very good day. James Szuky, J.J. Charette, Tommy Derickz and Ewan Wilson beat Winchester 6-1 in their first game, and tied Vankleek Hill 2-2 in their second. Their final match, for first place, was a heartbreaker, a 4-2 loss to Navan.

The win was soured for some when the Navan coach was caught giving signals to his team during the match. This is forbidden, since a time-out must be called for discussions with players during a match. The convenor spoke to the Navan coach, who promised never to do it again.

Sometimes people forget how they are supposed to behave when coaching young people. Hope the message is remembered.

Anyway, our little rockers are off now until January 18, when they travel to Metcalfe. Well done folks! Good luck in Metcalfe.

There are still a few openings for the annual New Year’s Eve bonspiel, dance, and party. Sign up at the club if interested.

With wind-up matches and league parties coming up, some are thinking ahead to curling in the new year. We’ll have any details about the current draw, etc., next week, and that write-up will likely be the last until January.

Not that we’re boasting, but with the completion of the kitchen, entry ramp, and main floor handicapped washroom, the clubhouse is ready to entertain all renters for bonspiels, staff parties and other events as desired.

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Jr. B Lions unable to hold onto leads, lose two

December 18, 2013 Editor

MORRISBURG–The Morrisburg Junior B Lions continued to give their opponents a run for their money in two games on the weekend, but once again, despite early leads, they were unable to cash in.

Saturday night at the Char-Lan Rec Centre, they were handed a 6-3 loss by the St. Lawrence Division’s second place Rebels after holding a 3-2 lead heading into the third period.

Then on home ice Sunday afternoon, after going up 2-0 in the first two periods against Akwesasne, they gave up three in a row, in a 3-2 Wolves victory.

Saturday night in Williamstown, the Lions kept pace with the Rebels holding the first period to a one goal draw.

Michael Paquette, on the power play, put the Lions on board less than a minute into the game, but at 5:54 Kevin Veilleux beat Lions goaltender Brandon Chilton to even it.

Then at 3:56 of the second period, Zach Belaire counted for the Lions, again on their power play, for a 2-1 lead. They held on until 14:00 when Isaac Lavallee counted for the Rebels to make it a 2-2 game.

Just over one minute later Paquette counted his second to put the Lions ahead 3-2.

That lasted until 2:10 of the third period when Scott Hope counted to tie the game. At 6:01 he struck again for what would turn out to be the winner.

Alexandre Gendron made it 5-3 at 13:15 of the frame and Blain MacKay counted the final Rebels goal into the empty Lions net for the 6-3 win.

The game saw a total of 156 minutes in penalties handed out. This included eight five minute fighting majors and eight corresponding game misconducts.

Lions goaltender Brandon Chilton gave up five goals on 28 shots on net, while Alex Boileau was beat three times on 15 Lions shots on net.

Sunday afternoon in Morrisburg, the Lions started strong with a Drew Veenstra goal assisted by Christian Leger and Chris Pearson at 6:20 of the first period.

Eric Evans made it 2-0 for the Lions less than one minute into the second period with Michael Paquette and Kieran Devine providing the assists.

But that was it.

The Wolves came charging back with their first goal from the stick of Dom Coyle at 9:51 of the second period. Then at 18:03 the Wolves power play went to work to even the game 2-2 with a Hayden Mancini counter.

The tie held until the last minutes of the third period, when Coyle connected for his second goal against Lions goaltender John Gilmer to give the Wolves a 3-2 win.

Just four minor penalties were assessed in the game, three of them to the Lions.

Cory Garrow was in net for the Wolves who out shot the Lions 32-23.

The Wolves are holding the St. Lawrence Division’s fourth spot, two points up on the Alexandria Glens. The Casselman Vikings are looking solid in first place with 50 points, while the Char-Lan Rebels and Winchester Hawks are battling for second place, the Rebels now holding 33 points to the Hawks 32.

Coming up this week, Thursday, December 19, the Lions are on the road to Casselman for a 7:30 p.m. match. This Saturday night, December 21st, they are at home to the Gananoque Islanders. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

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