Big interest in a small committee

 The Morrisburg & District Lions Club CIC are partnering with the Play It Forward committee for a Fun Run taking place on September 9.

“This will be our second annual South Dundas Fun Run,” said Mike Domanko. “It is a great opportunity for people to get out, get active and raise money for another great community project.”

On Race Day, Sunday, September 9, the 5 km walk/run starts at 9:30 a.m., while the 2 km walk/run begins at 9:40 a.m. On site registration will be accepted. Adults are $25, youth $20 and a family $75. People can register on line at www.runningroom.com.

Organizers promise that there are some new and exciting changes for the 2012 event.

There will be a free technical race shirt guaranteed to those who registered by noon, Friday, August 31. There is a new digital race clock to track finish times. And the two and five kilometre courses are newly laid out, starting from the playground.

“Funds raised from the Run will be directed to the playground and the splash pad, both integral parts of the overall project plan,” Domanko explained.  

[…]

Glenna Schaillee, special programs officer for St. Lawrence College’s Centre for Training and Business Development attended the April 3rd South Dundas council meeting where chief administrative officer Stephen McDonald recommended that council approve township support for a Morrisburg Blossoms program.

The program, expected to run from May 29th to August 17th, was originally introduced to township staff when, in March, Schaillee approached them about the 12-week employment program designed for people aged 15 to 30 who need to gain work experience and training.

“St. Lawrence College, through the Centre for Training and Business Development, has been successful in obtaining funding for an employment preparation and training program,” reported McDonald.

“Participants will graduate with well rounded knowledge, practical skills and certifications in WHMIS, First Aid/CPR/AED, and safety training.”

There will be six weeks of in-class training and six weeks of placement in the “work world.” Participants will be paid $10.25 per hour for the 12 weeks.

In addition, Schaillee reported that the 12 people chosen will also receive work boots and tool kits, free of charge.

Participants will be expected to commit to 30 hours per week for the 12 weeks. South Dundas township is currently creating a list of work projects for participants to complete during the work portion of the program.

Some items from the list presented to council include:

• “Iroquois Marina – repair cement walkway east of boathouses

• Morrisburg outdoor rink

• Paint and install shelves at Iroquois visitor centre

• Earl Baker Park – general gardening, edging, pruning, painting picnic tables”

McDonald told council that “we would basically provide the projects, budgets for materials and supervision by our own staff.”

Deputy-mayor Jim Locke supported the program saying, “it’s an opportunity to get some beautification projects done that might not otherwise happen.”

“I agree,” said councillor Evonne Delegarde, “it’s a great project.”

Councillor Archie Mellan added, “it’s a great opportunity for people to get some experience and training.”

With unanimous support from council, mayor Steven Byvelds concluded the discussion saying, “we do appreciate the opportunity to participate. It will not only provide opportunity to get some stuff done in South Dundas, but also provide opportunity for employment.”

To apply for the program, interested people must first pass an eligibility test by phoning Lauralee Barkley, a St. Lawrence College representative, at 613-933-6080, extension 3176. For starters, the program is set up for people who are “out of school, out of work, and not receiving EI.”

During the phone consultation, Barkley will ask for some personal information, including name, contact information and social insurance number. 

According to Schaillee, the information collected will  then be “sent into Service Canada to see if they’re eligible.”

For those who are eligible, there will be a one-page application to fill out. The successful applicants will then go for an interview following which, if chosen, they will meet with Job Zone to complete the process.

True to its name, the Morrisburg Blossoms program training will take place in Morrisburg, while, as McDonald pointed out, the work portion “will be in Iroquois and Morrisburg.”

The program, however, has “no geographical boundaries” in terms of who can apply. 

In addition, Schaillee reported that there may be options available for those people who need extra assistance with transportation or daycare costs.

Organizers will continue to take applications until May 18th or until all twelve spaces are filled. With limited spaces, Schaillee reminded that this is a first come, first serve situation.

The Blossoms program has previously run in the Sharbot Lake area as well as in the Winchester and Chesterville areas. In each situation, the program met with great success.

[…]

 If a great meal, outstanding entertainment and approximately $4,000 raised for the Canadian Glaucoma Foundation equal a successful anniversary celebration, then the Iroquois-Matilda Lions outdid themselves. 

The club celebrated its 65th anniversary at the Matilda Hall on Saturday, October 27. It was quite a party.

Over 250 Iroquois Lions, members of the community and Lions from Morrisburg and other  clubs, attended the gala reception. The 2012-13 president of the Iroquois-Matilda Lions, Steve Wilson, acted as emcee.

“We thank you very much for coming out to celebrate with us tonight,” Wilson said. “I must tell you that this was a wonderful year to be president of this club. We had three goals for this evening. First, we wanted to celebrate the 65 years the Lions have served this community. The second goal was to offer our guests a delicious meal and some outstanding entertainment. And our third goal was to raise funds for the Glaucoma Foundation.” 

The silent auction brought in approximately $4,000 for Glaucoma research, according to Lion Paul Robertson (with Jim Mustard and Steve Wilson, a gala organizer). “We are very pleased with the generosity of people. We offer many thanks to those who donated to our cause, and to those who supported us by bidding.”

Greetings and honours were presented to the club following the dinner. 

MP Guy Lauzon will be delivering a formal plaque from the federal government to the Iroquois-Matilda Lions later this week. “Our government appreciates all that you Lions do in your communities. This is a remarkable achievement: without our Lions, what kind of community would we have?”

Jim Locke set aside his Lions’ colours and donned his deputy mayor’s hat to bring the congratulations and best wishes of mayor Steven Byvelds and the South Dundas council to the club.

Special guest at the gala was John Chilvers, Lions International District A-4 governor.

District A-4 is made up of 68 Lions clubs, with 1,710 active members. The Iroquois-Matilda Lions are part of A-4.

“I feel that it is a real privilege to be here tonight to celebrate with a club that is hitting such a milestone,” Chilvers said. “I want to emphasize that Lions do a lot in the world. There are currently 1.35 million Lions in 208 countries. You Lions support your local communities, but you also support the greater world.”

The governor brought a special commemorative plaque to the club as part of the celebration.

Bowser and Blue, who provided the entertainment for the gala evening, quite literally brought the house down. 

Rick Blue and George Bowser are a stellar Canadian musical and comedy act. Their witty on-stage patter, and the clever lyrics to their songs kept guests entertained and roaring with laughter. 

“We shall now sing a song in the Canadian key.

The Canadian key?

Yes. The key of ‘eh’!”

From the classic Colorectal Surgeons Song, to We’re All Canadians (“We’re all here/’cause we’re not all there!”), Bowser and Blue were outstanding showmen.

For many, though, the musical highlight of the evening may have been Bald is Beautiful, which the duo sang to Lions Phil Parry and Glenn Swerdfeger to thunderous laughter and applause. 

The Iroquois-Matilda Lions have had a great 65 years. They plan to continue to be of service to this community as they enter their next decade.

[…]