Discarded smoking materials are the likely cause of the fire that destroyed this Levere Road hunting camp building in South Dundas. South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services attend the scene to extinguish the blaze around 2 p.m. November 28.
“The building looks great,” said Erika Heesen, communications and marketing librarian for the SDG County Library following a final site inspection at the renovated building that will be home to the new Williamsburg branch.
“We’re looking forward to moving into our new space and taking the time to get everything set up for our patrons,” Heesen told The Leader.
The library will be moving in throughout December and early January.
The plan is for the branch to open to the public in mid-January.
The new Williamsburg branch will be a full service and accessible neighbourhood branch, with computers, internet access, programs, and collections for adults, teens and children. “We’re also working on a full suite of programs to offer the public when the library re-opens in January,” said Heesen.
Firm opening dates are not yet available, but when they do re-open the hours will be the same as at the old branch; Tuesdays-Thursdays 4-8 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
South Dundas municipal officials have been taking a hard look at the Morrisburg Plaza, and know that it is definitely in need of a rehabilitation.
As owners of the canopy, sidewalks and roadways, upkeep of that infrastructure is the responsibility of the municipality.
Paint, general repairs, and replacement of damaged wood are some of the most pressing issues, when it comes to the appearance of the aging plaza.
In 2012, council set aside funds for some rehabilitation of the plaza, but not enough to get the work done, or even started.
“In 2012, the price to get the priority work done was $120,000,” said South Dundas chief administrative officer Steve McDonald, at a recent orientation session for council-elect. “Just to give you an idea, the Iroquois plaza project was $1.1 million, and we have $100,000 set aside.”
South Dundas manager of planning and enforcement Donald Lewis said, “What’s needed is not just aesthetics. There are other issues as well, and they are significant.”
The Iroquois Plaza project was funded through a one time grant from the Province of Ontario called the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative.
Manager of public works Chris Bazinet then spoke about the difficulties that arise with the potential excavation of a 12 foot deep sewer line that runs along a section of the Morrisburg mall.
Bazinet, informed the group that the sewer work done at the plaza earlier this fall, when a large area behind a portion of the plaza was dug up for days, represents only about 30 per cent of the sewer work that needs to be done in the Morrisburg plaza.
He added that they have just completed a three month investigation of the area sewers, and that the deterioration of certain underground infrastructure is starting to present a service issue.
Morrisburg Plaza fund allocations will definitely be part of budget discussions which will take place in the new year.
“It’s time we look at imposing a special tax rate on the downtown sections,” said South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke.
That too will be a discussion for budget time.
Upper Canada Village will light up with over one million lights for its 14th annual Alight at Night festival on Friday, December 5, 2014. The Alight at Night festival at Upper Canada Village is one of Ontario’s premiere winter events where the heritage site is transformed into a magical winter wonderland that you can explore by foot, horse-drawn wagon or by romantic carriage ride. The festival will be open on select nights from Friday, December 5 through Saturday, January 3, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Complete festival details, dates and times can be found atwww.AlightatNight.ca or by calling the Customer Service Unit at 613-543-4328 or 800-437-2233. Upper Canada Village continues to innovate with expanded laser lighting effects, a new Ferris wheel, and a transformed Crysler Hall into Saint Nick’s Merry Mansion.
Visitors will have the chance to get a stunning view of Alight at Night from fifty feet high in a new Ferris wheel set in the Village fairgrounds. Rides on the Ferris wheel will be included with admission and will be on a first come, first served basis for the duration of the festival, weather permitting. Saint Nick’s Merry Mansion will greet visitors with a brand new Sound & Light Show with three new Santa themed songs including “Here Comes Santa Claus”, “Run Rudolph Run” and “The Man with the Bag”. Inside, a Victorian Saint Nick dressed in a luxurious red suit with rich brocade will be available to hear your Christmas wishes until Tuesday, December 23, 2014; a great photo opportunity for the whole family! Saint Nick’s Merry Mansion is sponsored by Leon’s.
Streamlined pricing provides affordable family fun with one price for all activities including entry to the festival, horse-drawn wagon rides, a ride on the Toy Train and Ferris wheel and a visit with Santa. Adults (13 yrs +) $13; Senior’s (65 yrs +) and Youth (6-12 yrs) $10; Children 5 yrs and under FREE. Pricing is plus HST.
“We attribute much of the success of Upper Canada Village’s Alight at Night to our constant innovation. Almost every year we add something new, make improvements to existing elements and just try to improve the overall experience for our visitors. For many, a visit to Alight at Night is part of their family holiday tradition” said Geoff Waycik, Manager, Upper Canada Village. “We look to holiday traditions for inspiration. A great example of this is how we have transformed the visit with a new Santa experience. This year Saint Nick’s Merry Mansion will leave families wondering if they just visited the ‘real’ Santa Claus …”
Special Needs Night on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 will be an evening where groups of people with special needs can ride in the comfort of their own vehicle to view the Village adorned in lights. Only “special needs” vans or parabuses are allowed. Coaches and school buses cannot be accommodated due to their size. For safety, Upper Canada Village will provide a trained and licensed staff person familiar with the Village roadways in the dark, to lead these vehicles through the site. Reservations are required.
A Fun & Lunch with Santa event will be held at the Harvest Barn restaurant starting at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 13. Saint Nick will be available to meet families and hear everyone’s special wishes. Enjoy a hot sandwich combo (drink and fries plus hot turkey sandwich for adults/hot dog for children) and decorate gingerbread men. The Village Store will be open for shopping following lunch. Fun & Lunch with Santa also includes evening admission to Alight at Night. Reservations are required. Adult (13-64 yrs) $37.50, Senior (64 yrs+) $34.50, Youth (6-12 yrs) $27.50 and Children (5 yrs & under) $7.00. Prices are plus HST.
Romantic Pommier Carriage rides are an ideal way to have a private tour of the lights and make engagements, anniversaries, or other events extra-special! The Pommier Carriage ride is $80.00 (tax & administration fee extra) which includes admission for two, half hour romantic tour of the lights, gourmet departing gift (includes Village made bread, cheese, sparkling cider and a 20% off discount for Pommier Jewellers in Cornwall). Carriage rides are very popular and book up quickly. Reservations are required
Get in the spirit of the season and join in for carol singing in Christ Church. Different performers will be on site each night along with select nights featuring guest choirs. Visit the website for performers, dates and times.
And of course, no visit would be complete without holiday treats and festive dining. Follow the tantalizing smell of fresh bread and cinnamon rolls baking in the wood-fired oven at the Bakery. You can find the fresh baked cinnamon buns and bread for purchase at the Village Store. Cinnamon Buns are also available for purchase in Cook’s Tavern or at the Snack Shack next to the Bakery.
You can also relax over a heartier meal, full service dining at Willard’s Hotel or at the Upper Canada Golf Course restaurant (just across the road) or cafeteria style service at the Harvest Barn. Traditional turkey dinners with all the fixings along with many other menu options will be available. Groups are welcome and reservations recommended. To make reservations at Willard’s Hotel or the Harvest Barn call B & A Foods at 613-543-0660. To make reservations at the Upper Canada Golf Course restaurant call Stephanie at 613-543-2035.
Alight at Night has been named one of Ontario’s Top 100 Events three times by Festivals & Events Ontario. Advance ticket purchase, particularly during the holidays, is strongly recommended to speed entry into the festival and reduce time waiting in line. Purchase tickets online at www.AlightatNight.ca.
For more information or to make reservations for Special Needs night, Fun & Lunch with Santa or for the Pommier Carriage, call the Customer Service team at 1-800-437-2233 or locally 613-543-4328 to make a reservation.
Major event sponsors of Alight at Night include Celebrate Ontario and Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation.
MORRISBURG – “1976. This is the year that Gordie Roberts learned the true meaning of Christmas.”
With those words, Uncle Charlie invites Playhouse audiences to travel back to a time when family Christmas specials, usually featuring performers like Andy Williams, The Osmonds and Perry Como were a staple and welcome part of the television networks’ holiday fare. The Gordie Roberts’ Christmas Special is just such a show, a production that Gordie and his troupe have been performing every December, in pretty much the same fashion, for the last 15 years.
This year, 1976, however, the world is going to change. And if Gordie can’t deal with those changes, Christmas (and the networks) are going to leave him behind.
Playwright and composer Jesse Collins’ Lights, Camera…Christmas! is a nostalgic, music and dance filled homage to those grand old days of television, and to the performers who were once such a familiar part of holiday celebrations in millions of homes.
As this final production of the Upper Canada Playhouse 2014 season takes to the stage, audiences will find themselves swept into the lives of some very special characters. Throughout that journey, there is plenty of laughter, unforeseen twists and turns in the story, exuberant musical numbers, and, perhaps, one or two little tears to wipe away.
Director Collins (assisted by an outstanding crew) has assembled a terrific cast of nine for his production. They are all accomplished singers and dancers (something they demonstrate delightfully throughout the play). Liz Gilroy is the choreographer for the show, with Meredith Zwicker handling the music and arrangements. From soft shoe to rock and roll, from tap to disco, the music and dancing in Lights, Camera…Christmas! are dynamite.
More than this, Christmas is a play with characters that audiences will come to care about. Collins paints them in such a memorable fashion.
Character Gordie (Derek Marshall) is a crooner and a traditionalist. He’s done his Christmas special a certain way for 15 years, and he means to keep on doing things his way. Unfortunately, his finances and television contracts are in a mess. Corporate sponsors are pressuring him hourly. Even his faithful cast is getting restive. And then there is his failure to listen to, sometimes to even notice, his long time girlfriend, Marilyn (Liz Gilroy), who has loved and supported him for years. Despite his loud protestation that “There’s a lot more to Gordie Roberts than just a hit song!” he’s in trouble.
There is nervous Morty (Duff MacDonald) who keeps proclaiming “I was just supposed to be the warm up act, not the manager.” And Rick (Geoffrey Tyler), who is desperate for a chance to finally showcase his dance and vocal skills. There’s Rhonda (Meredith Zwicker) who has embraced the whole disco scene and dancer Denise (Miranda MacDonald), a woman of few words but big smiles. Who will forget Uncle Charlie (Rod Campbell) whose understanding heart makes a difference in the lives of everyone? And there is Zach Council, whose wide-eyed Vince brings the house down with his puppets, magic and reindeer suit. Even Butch, the corporate hatchet man, played with Scrooge like nastiness by Brian Young, while delivering lines like “I don’t like you. I don’t like this show. And I’ll can this hunk of junk! There’s a new sheriff in town!” is a memorable villain.
Will the Gordie Roberts Christmas special survive? Will jive talk, disco Santa and the evil Fairbanks 2000 replace the traditions of Christmas? Will the members of Gordie’s troupe rediscover the joys of Christmas in time? Will this be the year that Gordie Roberts really does learn the true meaning of Christmas?
Lights, Camera…Christmas! is a magical journey of song, dance and story. Go and warm your heart.
Lights, Camera…Christmas! runs at Upper Canada Playhouse until December 14. Contact the theatre at 1-613-543-3713 for information and tickets.
©2025 — The Morrisburg Leader Ltd.