May 2014 – Page 3 – Morrisburg Leader

South Dundas councillor Graham seeks third term

May 9, 2014 Editor

Friday, two-term councillor Jim Graham filed nomination papers to seek re-election as South Dundas councillor in this fall’s municipal election.

If re-elected, it would be Graham’s third term as councillor, a position which he is proud to have held for eight years.

“I have spent eight years working on behalf of the residents of South Dundas and a feel I would like to continue to do so as there are many challenges ahead,” said Graham, who is ready to fully commit to four more years.

“I decided to run for councillor instead of one of the other positions because whether you are mayor or deputy mayor or councillor you still have only one vote when it comes to council for decisions,” said Graham. “I feel I can be as effective as a councillor as one of the other positions.”

“There are many challenges ahead,” said Graham, giving the landfill sites approaching capacity as an example. “I feel my experience and past record will serve me well to represent the residents of South Dundas on municipal council,” said Graham. “I have enjoyed representing the residents of this municipality and hope I can continue to earn their respect and confidence to represent South Dundas as a municipal councillor for another four years.”

Graham filing his nomination papers leaves South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds as the only member of the current council who has not yet officially made public his election intentions.

So far, Jim Graham, Archie Mellan and Bill Ewing have filed nominations for the three councillor seats, Jim Locke for the deputy mayor’s seat and Evonne Delegarde for the mayor’s seat.

The nomination period for the October 17 municipal election is open until September 12. The final ballot is not officially set until after that deadline passes.

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Hummel, Wells throw gold

May 7, 2014 Editor

Cassie Hummel, left, and Maggie Wells got the Seaway District High School Track and Field team, off to a good start, at the Ottawa University Invitational meet on Thursday, May 1, when they threw their way to a pair of gold medals and then added one silver and one bronze.

Hummel collected a gold medal in midget girls javelin with a p.b. throw of 21.93m and a bronze in midget girls shot put with a p.b. throw of 8.20m.

Wells produced a 23.12 m gold medal throw in midget girls discus and a 9.60m shot put throw for a silver medal. The Seaway athletes finished in second and third in midget shot put behind Abby McMann of Immaculate H.S. who won with a throw of 10.02m.

While Hummel and Wells have thrown shot before, it was Hummel’s first attempt in javelin and Wells’ first time at discus. They both admit, they surprised themselves with their gold medal results and are now working at perfecting their technique.

Of her first time in javelin, Hummel says, “I just wanted to try it, but I didn’t think I would do that well.”

Said Maggie, “We both learned discus the night before in the pouring rain. We had a 15 minute lesson.”

They were well instructed in those 15 minutes, said Trevor Thompson who, with Mark Lewis, is this year coaching the Seaway track and field team. Both are delighted that the team has climbed from last year’s record low number to 15 athletes this year.

“We are mostly grade 9’s,” said Thompson. “But that is good. We are rebuilding, and hopefully they will stay with it.”

In addition to the medals won by Hummel and Wells, runner Brynn Gilmour claimed a bronze medal in junior girls 100m dash with a time 13.41 seconds and Kaitlyn Stewart claimed a bronze medal in midget girls long jump with a 4.17m jump.

Some other athletes who compete last week were Quinn Horne, Kyle Ault, Cole Thompson, Johnny Strackholder, Keanne Van Dodewward, Dillan Sullivan, Ashley Whitteker and Lorenzo Garcia.

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Graham Hess

May 7, 2014 Editor

A lifetime resident of the area, Graham Hess passed away at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Saturday, April 26, 2014, following a brief illness. He was 92.

Graham was born and raised on the family farm in Williamsburg Township, on November 21, 1921, to his parents Saxon and Della Hess (nee Wells). On October 4, 1941, he married the love of his life Emma Merkley at her grandparents home in Dunbar. Together they had two children Richard and Judy.

Graham worked at several jobs in Cornwall including butchering in his brother Colbourne’s store and work for Bell Telephone when the Seaway was being built where they lived. He also helped on his Uncle Ross Hess’s farm in Aultsville.

In the mid fifties, Graham purchased the Shannette farm on Saving Street. There he farmed and lived until March 3 of this year, when he moved to the Hartford in Morrisburg.

In the early 70’s, Graham purchased the Don Hess farm to expand his farming when his son joined him in partnership.

Graham was active in Municipal Council and served on church council of the Lutheran Church of which he was a lifelong member. Graham was a dedicated member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for over 50 years.

Graham never really retired, but semi-retired to enjoy many years of camping and fishing and making strong, lasting friendships with other campers.

Graham’s last five weeks at home were spent at the Hartford which he loved due to the great food, the many people to visit with and finally the activities. On April 10th, he had three dances at an activity, saying he thought he would never have danced again if not for being there.

Graham is survived by his daughter Judy Raistrick of Greely, his daughter-in-law Jane Hess of Williamsburg and his grandchildren Denny Raistrick, Jill Robinson, Rob Raistrick, Ricky Hess. He will be lovingly remembered by his great-grandchildren Mercedes, Doug, Bobby, Emma, Callum, Taylor and Emma Jane.

He is also survived by nieces and nephews.

Graham was predeceased by his wife Emma, his son Richard, his sister Olive Hatfield and his brothers Colbourne and Gerry Hess.

Cremation has taken place and interment will be at a later date.

Donations to the Williamsburg Odd Fellows Lodge would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Arrangements were entrusted to the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

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Perspectives with Rev. Firas Shammas

May 7, 2014 Editor

A new collection of paintings

In the beginning of the past month (April) the former U.S. President George W. Bush surprised many people around the world when he unveiled a new collection of paintings.

He displayed them at his Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas, Texas. Prominent figures like Putin, Merkel, and the Dalai Lama among others, inspire his art.

Isn’t it a very interesting idea to recapitulate a part, or a phase of our life, in some paintings and pictures? If we think a bit, we will quickly realize that we do the same thing for our own life without having a presidential library and museum.

Our childhood, teenage years, working career, and many other parts and phases of our lives are turned into and remembered as a collection of paintings and images. We display them somewhere inside us and we unveil them on particular occasions.

But do we need anybody to remind us that we are very selective when it comes to the pictures we want to keep from the past?

President Bush Jr. must have met hundreds of people in his two presidential terms, and experienced many events, but he just chose to pick thirty world leaders and paint their portraits.

Likewise, we choose a pinch of whom we meet, and what we’ve been through, to keep as our personal collection of pictures and images. Every one of us has his or her filtering system.

When we revisit our past we like to go through flowery and nice pictures. We don’t want to re-experience our hard moments, awkward situations and painful memories. It is like displaying pictures in the funeral home, they are meant to make us remember only the best moments in someone’s life.

When I first heard the news of the presidential art display by Mr. Bush I could not help remember some pretty pictures that he painted back in 2003 in Iraq.

After all, you wouldn’t expect to go to the Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas to see (for example) a picture of what happened at Abu- Ghraib displayed there. We don’t enjoy having pictures of torture and abuse in our personal collection, do we? In fact, some people argue that some bloody pictures that we see today in Iraq still carry Mr. Bush’s signature!

But, are we any better? I mean, hasn’t every one of us done the same? I know I did.

I have suppressed the horrible pictures I painted somewhere in a dark cave, and if you are to visit my art gallery, you will just see green nature, blue sea and holy places. The best picture I keep is a self-portrait, I look awesome in that picture!

Usually we look great in our self-portraits and selfies; we capture, keep and communicate a certain image of ourselves. Our standards of selectivity go up when it has to do with our own image.

But the fact is we can never pretend that the images and pictures we don’t like have ceased to exist and live according to this fact, not because Google makes almost any picture in the world accessible and traceable, but because we know they do exist and we can’t make ourselves believe otherwise. We live aware there are many pictures painted by us, including self-portraits that we don’t like!

Just as the Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas made the news a month ago, I hope what you read and see in the Bible is good news for you.

Jesus has revealed there a new collection of paintings; one of them belongs to me, and the other to you!

It gives me great pleasure to know that I have been accepted and loved, not because of the pictures I’ve chosen to display in my art gallery, but I have been accepted and loved in spite of all the pictures that I have been making sure to hide for a long time now. It gives me a reason to live my life in a different way than I did in the past because I am portrayed in the Bible as a beloved son or daughter.

The Bible says: “In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. Gal. 3:26.” I wonder if you want to add this to your personal collection.

Rev. Firas Shammas,

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It’s a wrap for figure skaters

May 7, 2014 Editor

Katie Buter, Cameryn Broad and Ali Van Hoof were named the Morrisburg & District Skating Club StarSkate Spirit of Skating Award winners at the club’s annual banquet on Sunday.

Buter and Broad received the award as co-winners at the Intermediate Skating level while Van Hoof won at the Senior level.

The purpose of the StarSkate Spirit of Award is to recognize Intermediate and Senior level skaters who have demonstrated, spirit, determination and commitment to the StarSkate program throughout the skating season. The recipients were selected by a committee which consisted of all coaches at the two levels and board members representing both intermediate and senior skaters.

“It was very difficult this year to pick out one skater,” said Ellen Biemond. “This year you have all worked very hard, and you should all be very proud of yourselves.”

Morrisburg club president Julie Van Hoof kicked off the awards program.

Tonight marks the end of the 2013-14 skating season,” said Van Hoof. “It has certainly been one of the best skating seasons for the Morrisburg and District Skating Club.”

“On behalf of the Club, I’d like to thank all members of the board for all the work that each of you has done throughout the skating season. I would also like to thank those parents who continue to volunteer when needed. The success of our club comes from the dedication and commitment of our many volunteers. MDSC is very fortunate to have such a strong volunteer base.”

Van Hoof also thanked the MDSC coaching team which included Allison Scott, Louise Dimmick, Danielle Napier, Veronica Whyte, Ali Van Hoof and Dana Grant (dance coach). “Each of you devotes so much time and effort into coaching, encouraging and believing in your skaters. The relationship you develop with each of them are memories that will never be forgotten. Without you, we would not have the successful and talented skates we have within our club.”

Van Hoof then turned her attention to the skaters.

“Tonight we are very proud to be rewarding many of you for your accomplishments and achievements. It doesn’t matter what jumps you land or what tests you passed. It is important to remember you are your own individual on the ice, working hard to achieve your personal goals. MDSC is very proud of each of you for all the hard work and commitment that goes into your skating. I encourage all of our skaters to continue to follow your dreams and strive for your goals.”

Accomplishments were recognized in the four skating disciplines: Dance, Skills, Interpretive and Free Skate.

Topping off her goals this year was Alisha Van Hoof who completed her gold level in Interpretive and in Skills. “Two golds in two disciplines is a huge achievement,” said club test chair Isabella Jordan. This is the highest level of achievement in the Skate Canada Program, and achieving gold is certainly something to be proud of.”

Following are Dance passes: Junior Bronze Dances which include Swing, Fiesta Tango and Willow Waltz–Reagan Belanger and Cameryn Broad. Senior Bronze Dances, 10 Fox, Fourteen Step, European–Alexis Engwerda, Kristyn Van Hoof, Abigail Jordan, Kendra Buter, Trina Dykstra-MacPherson, Kaitlyn Stewart and Tayler Pilon.

Skills Passes: Jr. Bronze– Katie Buter. Senior Bronze–Erika Jordan, Reagan Belanger, Cameryn Broad. Junior Silver–Kristyn Van Hoof, Trina Dykstra-MacPherson. Senior Silver–Abby MacMillan, Alexis Engwerda. Gold Skills–Alisha Van Hoof.

Interpretive Passes: Introductory–Kendra Buter and Kaitlyn Steward. Gold Interpretive–Alisha Van Hoof.

Free Skate Passes: Preliminary–Ashley Bouwman, Olivia Hart, Mikaela Furo, and Xandra Furo. Junior Bronze–Kaitlyn Stewart, Cameryn Broad and Katie Buter. Senior Bronze–Trina Dykstra-MacPherson and Abby MacMillan.

The club and her fellow skaters also took the time to say good bye to senior skater Alyssa MacMillan who heads off to university in the fall. “Alyssa, you have devoted so much time into our club, both as a skater and as a Program Assistant,” said Van Hoof. “You worked hard to achieve your personal goals, and should be very proud that along the way you achieved a gold test. On behalf of the Morrisburg and District Skating Club, I wish you all the best as you prepare for a new journey in your life.”

The Can Skate members of the Morrisburg & District Skating Club wrapped up their season at an ice cream party banquet in March. At that banquet, Emma Morrow was named Canskater of the Year and Abigail Smail and Lilly Napier were named the “Spirit Champions”.

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Legion Branch 48 makes a big splash at launch

May 7, 2014 Editor

Forty area school children, gathered Monday to learn about a community splash pad project set for this summer, here in Earl Baker Park.

Having already secured about half of the $200,000 needed to make the splash pad a reality, the community playground committee was surprised with a $10,000 cheque from the local Legion, Branch 48 in Morrisburg at the launch of the fundraising campaign.

“What a great way to start,” said Matt McCooeye, committee spokesperson. “In our last campaign, they were among the first to step up and contribute. We really felt their generosity served as a springboard for all of the great community support we received in our last campaign.”

The community playground group, which was created in 2011, piloted a community driven campaign that recruited over 225 volunteers and raised over $114,00 to build the playground in Earl Baker Park.

The splash pad is phase two of that 2011 project.

Legion president Graham Houze, said they were happy to provide $10,000 to this cause. “It’s a very worthwhile cause for the children and the people of the area, so we thought we would throw our support behind it with this donation.”

“The concept is about the whole community working together to deliver something for the kids,” said McCooeye.

Like the in phase one, the children will have a say in their new splash pad, which the committee intends to have completed by the end of this year.

“It is important for us to engage all people in South Dundas, including the kids,” said McCooeye. “We want to get the kids’ input into what they want included. We can’t wait to hear what they have to say.”

The kids will get their say as part of the ‘Dotmacracy’ when the committee visits area schools in June. Kids will have the opportunity to vote on their favourite features, and that input will be used for the creation of the final design.

Since the project is meant to be a community endeavour, anyone who has an idea to help fund raise for the splash pad is welcome to bring it to the committee.

Already, a local band – One Night Standards, has approached the committee to hold a fund raising dance for the splash pad. Lane Hunter, Oak Hunter, Troy McMillan and Night Hunter will play the Morrisburg Legion, May 17, with all proceeds going to the splash pad.

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