Fewer fatalities on Eastern Ontario roads

The days are getting shorter, the leaves are turning colours and the pumpkins are in the fields.

That can mean only one thing.

The 20th annual Fall Harvest Festival is coming to Williamsburg on Friday and Saturday, September 23-24, and everyone is invited to come out and enjoy two days of fun and excitement.

“This is a real community event,” said David Lapier, president of the Williamsburg Community Association, which organizes the two day celebration. “We really couldn’t do the Harvest Festival without the support of many groups in our community, our sponsors, area churches, scouts, firefighters and businesses. No doubt about it, team work makes everything happen.”

Lapier says that there will be some new events at this year’s Festival.

“In our noon parade, we will have a marching band from Cornwall, a first for us. Also new this year is an ATV group ride, which will take place at J.C. Whitteker Park Saturday morning. That should be a lot of fun. And I think kids of all ages will enjoy the visit from Maple the Cow especially since there will be free ice cream bars. For adults, Jed the Mechanical Bull, will be coming to the Saturday night dance at the Matilda Hall where Landmark will be performing. As in other years, we’ll be running a bus from Williamsburg to and from the dance.”

Lapier points out that all the popular activities from previous fall festivals will also be returning.

The entire village will be decorated in a Hillbilly fall theme this year. Children are invited to come out in their best Harvest-themed costumes on Saturday morning for the judging. There are many activities for youngsters including colouring and poster contests, pumpkin carving, biggest vegetable contests, ball hockey, face painting, mini-putt and a petting zoo, Tribeck Inflatables and water games with the Williamsburg Fire Department.

For adults and the young at heart there are a photo contest, a scavenger hunt, the Allan Doherty Memorial Horseshoe Tournament, a flea market, a farmers’ market and a colourful craft show at the J.W. MacIntosh Seniors’ Support Centre.

“The great thing about our Fall Festival is that everything, with the exception of the food, is absolutely free,” David Lapier said. “There are no admission fees, no fees for games and rides. Everyone can come out and have a good time.”

The Fall Festival weekend will kick off on Friday night with a firefighters’ softball game at 8 p.m. and movie night at the Oddfellows Hall at 6:30 p.m.

“We’re looking for great weather for our Williamsburg Fall Harvest Festival,” said David Lapier, “but it’ll be a good time no matter what.”

For additional information contact 613-535-2264.

[…]

 Conductor Robert Jones had every reason to smile as he stood among some members of his 41 voice Seaway Valley Singers. The Singers had just finished their December 16 concert, O Come, O Come, in Iroquois United Church. The packed house gave the choir a standing ovation. 

The Singers present two concerts a year, and the Christmas celebration is eagerly anticipated in the community. 

Mixing classical and religious songs with  bouncing secular pieces, there was something to please everyone in this year’s program. The spiritual, Rise Up Shepherd And Follow, which highlighted all the choir divisions, was rich and soulful. The Minuet Noel, an unexpected mingling of Bach’s composition with the First Noel was also very pleasing. And with the full choir beautifully backing her, Margaret Whisselle (who is also the Singers’ accompanist) allowed her powerful soprano voice to fill the hall in Gesu Bambino. 

There was definitely a twinkle in conductor Jones’ eye as the Singers performed the (very) unconventional, The Twelve Days After Christmas. (How many of us, in the stress of the season, have not thought about a ‘cartridge’ and that partridge!) It was great musical fun.

The Handbell Ringers of Winchester United Church were again very welcome guests at the concert,  performing several pieces and leading the entire audience in a lively version of Jingle Bells. 

Word is that the Seaway Valley Singers are already hard at work putting together another fantastic concert scheduled for the spring. 

[…]

From all accounts the inaugural event of the Golden Gears Car Club was a great success. On Friday evening, May 25, the Club held a Show and Shine beside Canadian Tire in Morrisburg. Members came out to show off 33 cars, drawing large numbers of car enthusiasts among the public.

“We are trying to get established, trying to let people know we are here, and who we are,” said Henry Swank, president of the newly re-formed club. “We held this event as a way for the public to see the cars, and to chat with the owners. We also had memorabilia, including the original club charter, for visitors to see. There was a great turn-out of club members (currently 55, with room for more). We know there is a lot of interest out there, and the club has a number of events planned, including the Canada Day Car show in Iroquois and a July 29 Golden Gears own car show.”

Tony Byvelds shows off his 1974 Triumph Spitfire 1500.  Braden Lewis already has the “cruisin’ look” down, as he stands by his grandfather’s ‘62 Chrysler New Yorker. Garry Tracey displays his custom 2001 PT Cruiser Hemi.

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