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From Junior Kindergarten to grade 12 teens, all area young people are invited to take part in a very special Ecumenical Ash Wednesday Youth Day, on February 22, at St. James Anglican Church in Morrisburg, 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Ash Wednesday traditionally marks the beginning of Lent for many Christians, and the start of the weeks leading up to Easter. It is a time of reflection, a time of good will and a time to find ways to grow closer to God.

Organized and run by the Lutheran and Anglican churches in South Dundas, the 2012 Ecumenical Ash Wednesday Youth Day will feature many interesting, exciting and fun-filled activities. Participants are divided into age groups when they arrive at St. James at 8:30 a.m. for registration. Older participants will spend some time at the Food Bank, learning how the community is helped by this organization. Throughout the day, all young people will enjoy crafts, outdoor events, games, music,  interesting learning activities and the chance to share ideas about this year’s theme, “Lord, Teach Me to Pray.”

Some of the special outreach activities planned for the day will revolve around the missionary work in Madagascar of Mary Sherwood, and the work of Chris Marshall and Shayna Campbell who are attempting to complete a maternity hospital in the heart of Uganda. Primary participants will be creating cards and messages that will be delivered to Sherwood’s orphanage in Madagascar in the spring. Junior and senior participants will hear and see a presentation by Chris’s mother, Karen Marshall, about efforts to open the much-needed hospital outside Mbiko in Uganda.

There is no cost or fee for the Youth Day. All organizers ask is that participants bring a non-perishable donation for the Food Bank. Lunch, snacks and drinks will all be provided. There will be adult supervision of participants and activities throughout the day. 

Registration forms are available at area churches, by calling 543-3904, or by simply coming out to St. James for 8:30 a.m. on February 22.

The annual Ecumenical Ash Wednesday Youth Day is open to all young people. It promises to be a day to remember.  

[…]

 It’s probably a good thing that the Oakfield Golf and Country Club is a fictitious place. Otherwise, given the comic confusion that thoroughly engulfs its weekend guests, in a bright new production at Upper Canada Playhouse,  it might require a new name: the Oakfield Asylum.

Fortunately, audiences coming to see Michael Parker’s mad cap comedy, Whose Wives Are They, Anyway? will be glad they ‘checked in’ to the Oakfield Club where lots of laughter is delivered along with the room service.

“It’s almost a tradition at the Playhouse to start off our summer season with a classic farce,” said artistic director Donnie Bowes, who is also directing the production. “Michael Parker, the playwright, uses the sharp dialogue and the tightly written plot twists” that are the basis of traditional British farce. 

“Actually,” Bowes remarked, to the nods of the cast, “we laugh all the time rehearsing this show. It’s just that funny.”

An eight person cast and a script that moves at Mach 2, demand a versatile set design and a first rate stage crew. 

Fortunately, according to Bowes, designer Sean Free has been able to create two adjoining ‘bedrooms’ that take into account challenging sight lines and  complex stage actions. “Kat (Sokyrko) Jocelyn (MacDowell) and Liam (Collins) are fully occupied back stage and going at a frantic rate.” 

The actors are also going at a frantic rate in intensive final rehearsals. 

“It’s actually serious business to be funny,” Bowes laughed. 

The audience can expect a production that is polished, exhilarating and hilarious. 

David and John are just two normal, average guys, out to enjoy a golf weekend (without their spouses) before they take on new jobs under a new boss.  They sign into the Oakfield Golf and Country Club, unaware that said boss (played by Mary Ellis as “one who runs a very tight ship”) has also arrived for the weekend. 

In typical farce, this plot very quickly involves the sudden appearance of one or two seemingly ‘simple’ problems.  

“Then these ‘little’ problems create choices for John and David, the characters make them, and, in no time at all, everything goes totally mad,” Bowes said. “There is comic chaos.” 

Bruce Tubbe plays Wilson, the handy-man, who, according to Tubbe, “always has something wrong with me.” Kate Gordon as receptionist Tina, is cool and professional… “until she tastes champagne.” 

Erin MacKinnon and Vivana Zarillo, as the ‘wives’ Laura and Karly, unexpectedly arrive at Oakfield to surprise their spouses, and “walk into utter confusion. They are determined to get to the bottom of what is going on.”

Brenda Quesnel, as the manager Mrs. Carlson, believes she is in “the moral majority, but things get very complicated. Wilson is my nemesis.”

Garfield Andrews and Perry Mucci head up the cast as the hapless John and David. “Frankly, we go a bit mad when our boss arrives, trying to find solutions to the fact that our wives are not on holiday with us,” Andrews said. “Yes,” Mucci echoed, deadpan, “there are one or two problems for us with this golfing weekend.”

The puns, the double (even triple) entendres, the twists and turns will all be there in a production that promises to explode with comedic energy. 

“And, knock wood, nothing on the set will fall over,” laughed director Bowes.

Whose Wives Are They, Anyway? runs at Upper Canada Playhouse from June 6 to June 30. For tickets and information phone 613-543-3713 or 1-877-550-3650 or go on line at www.uppercanadaplayhouse.com. 

[…]

Three members of the Morrisburg & District Lions Club were honoured with Ontario Volunteer Service Awards at a ceremony on June 5th, 2012 at the Best Western Parkway Inn in Cornwall. 

Presented by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration, Lions Keith Robinson, Mike Domanko and Matt McCooeye each received a Volunteer Service Award certificate, a pin and a special pin depicting the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.   

Specifically, Lion Matt McCooeye was recognized for his vision that resulted in the building of a wonderful play park in the village of Morrisburg. 

McCooeye obtained a “Let Them Be Kids” grant; built a dedicated team to lead the project; and then with that team inspired and mobilized the South Dundas community. 

The effort resulted in the community coming together to raise almost $120,000 and more than 200 volunteers participating in a highly successful build day to erect the structures. It was all achieved in less than six months. 

Lion Michael Domanko was recognized for his ongoing leadership and inspiration for Morrisburg & District Lions Club projects dedicated to youth, young families and adults in our community. 

Domanko has been instrumental in introducing and conducting Vision Screening to all elementary schools in South Dundas as well as in Ingleside. He manages the annual Tubie Festival and he, along with Lion Matt, was a key organizer in the “Let Them Be Kids” playground project.

Lion Keith Robinson has served two consecutive terms as president of the Morrisburg & District Lions Club and is involved in every aspect of club activities.  

Well known in the South Dundas community, Robinson takes the lead in fund raising initiatives and is a key mover for change.  

He manages the Lions canteen at the Morrisburg arena, and the Lions Docksyde and Ice-cream and Snack bar from May to September.  He mentors the Leos Club, helping these youths understand and embody the “We Serve” motto of the Leos and Lions.

[…]