Over 500 traffic sign deficiencies identified across South Dundas

  Marilyn (nee Meikle) Hunt says she is excited to see the result of the restoration project for the John H. Meikle Memorial Gate at Mount Pleasant Cemetery on Lakeshore Drive west of Morrisburg. Last […]

“Being in a small community, this is what it’s all about. This is the way it should be,” said Tony Hall, of the Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club, and part of the committee that has been working to organize and host a benefit dance and auction for the Jessica (Beckstead) Blok, her husband Dustin and young daughter Autumn.

“The Lions Club and the community just can’t wait to help these young folks,” said Hall, in the days leading up to the event, which will take place January 10, at Matilda Hall in Dixon’s Corners. Doors open at 7 p.m. The dance starts at 8 p.m.

Community support for the young family has materialized in the wake of 19 year old Jessica’s diagnosis with stage four Rhabdomyosarcoma cancer.

Popular entertainers Eddy and the Stingrays have volunteered to provide the entertainment for the dance. 

Emcee duties for the evening will be handled by Joel Lamoureaux of Country 101 radio, with the help of Erica Scott, a local comedian who is now a member of the Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club.

A call out to the community to donate items for a silent and live auction, which will take place in the earlier part of the evening, resulted in over 50 donated items that will be up for grabs, ranging from food baskets to tutus to event tickets (Upper Canada Playhouse, Neil Diamond, Bryan Adams, Ottawa Senators Hockey).

Hall reminds those attending to bring cash or cheques to purchase items. (ATM, debit or credit will NOT be available on site).

“This week ticket sales have been brisk,” said Hall. 

As of press time 300 of the 375 event tickets were sold.

“We have been completely overwhelmed, in a good way,” said Hall.

It is unlikely that Jessica will be able to attend the event having undergone a chemotherapy treatment this week, but Hall hopes to have a recorded message from Jessica to share the night of the dance.

A trust fund has been set up for Jessica and her family at the Bank of Montreal (BMO transit #0358 A/C #8989-553). Donations can be made at any BMO.

[…]

 Good food, good desserts, good music and good company were the order of the day on Saturday, November 24, when the annual Seniors Christmas Party took place at Matilda Hall. The party was jointly planned and hosted by the Morrisburg and District Lions Club and the Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club.

Nearly 250 seniors from the area enjoyed homemade food and some serious toe-tapping music from Good Time Country.

And dropping in to enjoy the festivities, despite a very busy schedule at the North Pole, were none other than Santa and his charming wife, Mrs. Claus. They greeted seniors throughout the hall before they had to rush off and catch an early sleigh back to the workshop.

The Iroquois-Matilda Lions president Steve Wilson and Morrisburg and District Lions president, Bob Bechard, were on hand to greet guests.

“The party has gone very well,” Wilson said. “We have over 30 Lions and spouses helping out today.”

“People really seem to look forward to this celebration,” added Bechard. 

“At 1:30 p.m. the Hall was packed even though the party didn’t start until 2 p.m.” 

The presidents praised the committee members who planned the event, including Paul and Ruth Robertson, Keith and Linda Robinson, Brian Erratt, Shirley Pettinger, Evonne Delegarde, Carol Thompson and Earl Wood. Members of the Morrisburg Leos, standing in for Santa’s elves, were lively additions to the party.

Morrisburg Lion Wayne Domanko acted as MC for the party. Judging from the laughter (and one or two groans) he was in fine form with his jokes and commentary.

“This party would not have been possible without a lot of area support,” Bechard said. “McEwens in Morrisburg has been sponsoring us for years, and the Hartford Retirement Centre also supported us. But many businesses and individuals donated food, or time or helped out financially with the celebration. We are very grateful to them all.”

Christmas must be just around the corner: the area Seniors Party is recognized as the unofficial ‘official’ start to the holiday season.

[…]