Cycling adventure overnighting in Iroquois

In his address to 175 guests at the 4th annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, held on Friday, October 4, South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds chose to quote from Erma Bombeck, an American columnist and humourist.

“Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience and just plain love for each other.”

“I believe this quote says it all,” mayor Byvelds said, praising those receiving the community’s thanks for their unending dedication, their hours of hard work, and the spirit they bring to South Dundas. “Please continue to work for your community, and always appreciate a warm thank you from those you help.”

The dinner, organized by the municipality, was held at the Matilda Hall in Dixons Corners. The special guest speaker was Christina Judd Campbell, a gold medal winner at the Special Olympics. “She described how volunteers had had a great impact on her life,” said Brenda Brunt, South Dundas municipal clerk, “and pointed out that she herself was now a volunteer.”

Presented with two special certificates this year were Mike Zeron and Kirk Hunter, for their successful efforts to save the life of Iroquois neighbour, Walter Reid, when he was gravely injured.

“This dinner is our celebration of the spirit of volunteerism in South Dundas,” Brunt said.

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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.

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South Dundas council adopted a resolution of support for Plan 2014, a modern water levels plan for Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

Save the River, the Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper organization asked South Dundas to consider a resolution of support.

According to Lee Willbanks, Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper executive director, “The current regulation plan ‘Plan 1958D’ has caused clear environmental harm to fish populations, wetlands, coastal habitats, and the myriad economically and environmentally important species of plants and animals they harbour, thereby degrading the quality of life for all citizens of the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence region.”

Last June, Plan 2014 was been referred by the International Joint Commission to the U.S. and Canadian federal governments, and is now communities along the waterway are being asked to formalize their support with resolutions. According to Willbank, “Plan 2014 will increase production of hydropower by dams in the St. Lawrence River, and maintain the benefits that regulation of the river and lake has provided to international shipping. By restoring some of the natural fluctuations in water levels, while avoiding extreme high and low levels, Plan 2014 will restore the plant and animal diversity of coastal wetlands without public investment and dramatically increase opportunities for hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing.”

“Our communities need this. In the River region our economy is directly tied to our environment. Plan 2014 will improve both. We can no longer claim that we don’t understand the effects of our out-dated water levels plan – we have the data and knoweldge we need to restore the Lake and River.”

South Dundas council approved the resolution at the November 4 meeting.

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