2014 – Page 25 – Morrisburg Leader

Solon Whitteker

July 9, 2014 Editor

A resident of Cornwall for the past 30 years, Solon Whitteker passed away at the Cornwall General Hospital on Saturday, June 28, 2014. He was 79.

Solon was born in Matilda Township, on December 3, 1934, to his parents Mahlon and Alma Whitteker (nee Casselman).

Solon was a devoted family man who loved children. After his children grew up and moved away, he offered a playground in his backyard so he could watch the neighbourhood children play and laugh.

He loved watching John Wayne movies and listening to music, especially Stompin’ Tom Connors.

Solon is survived by his children Almon of R.R.#1 Iroquois, Lawrence “Tank” (Linda) of R.R.# 1 Iroquois, Lynn Bissonnette (Richard) of Calgary, Gloria Barnhart (William) of Cornwall, Steven of Cornwall and Heather Malyon (Greg) of Lancaster.

He was a dear brother to Betty Barkley of Winchester and Marion Barkley (Don) of Inkerman.

Solon will be fondly remembered by nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son Robert, his grandson Jamie Bissonnette, his sister Marjorie Baker and his brothers Bill, Don, Sheldon and Harry. He is also survived by nieces and nephews.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Friday, July 4th from 10 a.m. until time of the Memorial service at 11 a.m. The service was conducted by Rev. Janet Evans.

Interment followed at Dundela Cemetery.

Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

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Chuck Munroe

July 9, 2014 Editor

A lifetime resident of the area, Charles “Chuck” Munroe passed away at the Ottawa Civic Hospital on Sunday, June 29, 2014. He was 50.

Chuck was born in Winchester, on September 9, 1963, to his parents Charles Munroe and June Hunter.

Chuck worked at Tim Horton’s for several years and loved to drink coffee. He also enjoyed visiting with his family and friends and snowmobiling.

Chuck is survived by his mother June Picard (nee Hunter) of Toyes Hill and his sons Ryan and Christopher of Morrisburg.

He will be lovingly remembered by his siblings Valerie Munroe (John Fawcett) of Winchester, Julie Padbury (Doug) of Winchester, Barry of Ottawa and Neil Picard (Angie) of Calgary. He is also survived by nieces and nephews.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Friday from 7-9 p.m.

A graveside interment service was held at Maple Ridge Cemetery, Chesterville, on Saturday, July 5th at 9 a.m. followed by a luncheon at Julie and Doug Padbury’s home in Winchester.

Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com

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Dale McMillan

July 9, 2014 Editor

Claire “Dale McMillan of Pleasant Valley Road, South Mountain, died on Monday, June 30, 2014 in Winchester District Memorial Hospital. Dale was 79.

Dale was born October 10, 1934, in Williamsburg Township. The son of Cecil and Annie McMillan was baptized at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Dunbar on November 8, 1934, during the pastorate of the Rev. Carl Cronmiller.

He received his education at local schools in the Dunbar area, and on May 8, 1959, he married Alice Anderson at St. Luke’s. Together they had four children Chris, Curtis, Lesley and Leah.

Dale worked at the Rohm and Haas factory in Morrisburg, for many years before retiring at the age of 58. He then found a new challenge to keep him busy, driving a school van for Brennan’s Bus Line for a few years.

After moving to South Mountain, he continued driving, this time for Rideau Auctions in Winchester. Dale spent his last years doing what he loved to do – driving – and got the bonus of making many friends along the way.

Dale was a generous man. He would do anything for his grandchildren. He was very easy-going, approachable and non-confrontational. Everybody loved him.

Dale was a big Ottawa Senators fan. He loved watching the birds at his many feeders and enjoyed good old country music.

His vehicles were his pride and joy. He really enjoyed cleaning and detailing them. He took pride in his work, and whatever he did was done with great care.

Dale is survived by his wife of 55 years, Alice Anderson, and his children Chris (Janice) of Winchester, Curtis (Cathy) of R.R.# 2 Chesterville, Lesley Francis (Mike) of R.R.# 1 South Mountain and Leah McMillan (Andrew VanDam) of R.R.# 2 Chesterville,.

He will be fondly remembered by his sisters Elva McIntyre of Kanata and Marjorie Munroe (Harold) of Carp, his grandchildren Amy, Josh, Shaun, Bradley, Tyler, Tanner, Taryn, Christian, Jordyn and his great-grandchildren Alexis, Peyton, Ivy and Gage.

He is also survived by nieces and nephews.

Donations to the Canadian Wildlife Fund or the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home in Chesterville. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

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Perspectives with Rev. Firas Shammas

July 9, 2014 Editor

A teacher complained to Tim’s parents about their son (11 years old), saying that recently he became aggressive in his behaviour. He is hitting his friends, and even when playing group games he will be violent in all his actions. The teacher’s notice, however, did not take the parents by surprise; Tim did not shy off from his behaviour at home. His older sister has had some bruises on her arm lately.

Tim parents, teachers and the school’s social worker tried to talk to him about this issue, but things did not seem to be changing at all; on the contrary the snow ball was going downhill.

One day, his class teacher arranged to meet the family right after the school; she was to take the school bus with Tim home to see if anything could be done, but she was not very optimistic.

Once there she surprised his parents when she said, “I think I just learned what is wrong with Tim.”

On the way to their house the bus had to go through the downtown and pass by the central cinema house where they had a huge poster about the movie being played there. The movie was an action one and the poster showed a picture of a very good looking, topless actor where you could see every single muscle in his upper body.

“He really looked like everything an 11 year old boy wants to be. I saw Tim captivated by the poster as we passed by,” she said.

Apparently, Tim identified himself with the picture or with the person in that picture; in other words, he saw himself to be that actor and quickly acted as one.

This story is not only about an 11 year old boy, it is about everyone. The honest response to it is not if we go through the same experience; rather, it is what kind of images play an important role in one’s self-understanding or in understanding the world around you?

Before answering this question, we might want to remember a couple of things:

•It is a picture-culture we live in; pictures surround us all the time, and we don’t have control over the ones we get to see every new day.

•They are all taken in professional shooting sessions: from the best angel, using the best lighting, putting the right things in, taking the wrong things out and by expert hands.

So, we are surrounded with pictures that can’t be spontaneously found in everyday life.

The picture-culture we live in is really a fairy-like picture-culture; there is a tension between the images that surround us and the world we live in; there is a big distance between what you have on your tray and the giant hamburger you see in the ad.

Our eyes and minds are being trained, everyday, to connect and appreciate another kind of reality; a reality that has to do with the appearance more than the content, a reality where we are invited to identify with the eye-candies we see around.

This can be a major reason behind our frustrations and unreal expectations.

And it can explain why our self-understanding, models and aspirations have become unreal more than real.

In the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Samuel 16:7 it says: “…God sees not as people see, for they look at the eye, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

I think we are invited to learn again to look at the more important things in life and identify with them. Our life can take a big turn if we look to the heart and not to the eye.

Our bus goes through downtown every day, what are we looking at and what are we learning?

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One under par wins Iroquois Men’s Open

July 9, 2014 Editor

Prescott golfer, Bruce Perrin put up a one under par 71 on the Iroquois golf course, Saturday to easily win the 2014 Men’s Open Tournament in a field of 56 competitors.

For the tournament, the players played the back holes 10 through 18 first, and then moved over onto the course’s front nine holes to finish it off.

Perrin played the course’s front nine holes at one under par 36, and was even on the back nine with a 35 for his 71.

Next up was Kevin Duvall who plays out of the Morrisburg Golf Club. Duvall was right on Perrin’s heels with a 75 (38-37) which gave him the low net in A flight with a 64.

Despite the high wind of the day, some solid scores were turned in with nine of the 17 A flight players breaking the 80 barrier.

Iroquois club member, Les Gilmour carded a strong 76 to finish third overall, and then with 77s were Matt O’Neil of Morrisburg, Shawn Lapier of Iroquois and Kevin`Byrd of Prescott.

Lance LePage of Morrisburg shot a 78, and Troy Gilmour of Grafton and Brent Mattice of Iroquois tied with 79s.

Rob Kimmerly, the defending 2013 champion, came in with an 81.

In B flight, it was Jamie Pederson who took charge with a very solid 78. He posted a 40 on the front nine and added a 38 on the back for his winning B flight total.

Next up were Bill Blad of Greely and Bob Mann of Morrisburg with 81s. David Cassell of Prescott, Pete Zeran of Upper Canada and Liam Morrow of Cedar Glen in Williamsburg all posted 82s. Cassell’s 82 gave him the low net score with a 68.

Finishing off the top B flight players were Richard Guthro from Upper Canada with an 83, and Chris Barkley of Iroquois and Jordi MacDonald of Upper Canada tied with 84s.

Upper Canada’s Sam Laurin and Iroquois’ Kent Smith finished the day tied with 82s. With Smith not available for a playoff, Laurin got the nod for the flight’s top spot and Smith had C flight low net with a 66.

Eldon Horner (no club affiliation) and Mike Hlurchuk were next up with 88s and Mike Laurin of Upper Canada was carded an 89.

Lorey Blad of Prescott and Don Poland of Iroquois tied with 90s.

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Jen Banford, a softball success story

July 9, 2014 Editor

It was way back in August of 1999, when Jennifer Banford took a break from her packing for university for an interview with the Leader. Little did she know that she had hit the ball out of the ball park when she landed a partial softball scholarship to Valley City State University in North Dakota.

Jennifer, along with her dad Keith and mom Janice, were thrilled at the opportunity the scholarship provided for her education. What they didn’t realize was that 15 years later, Jennifer would be the head coach of the University of Minnesota NCAA II Duluth Bulldogs women’s softball team and the 2013 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Coach of the Year.

Back in 1999, Jennifer was your typical 18-year-old, bubbling over with excitement as she packed for the 26 hour drive to Valley City. She had just completed Grade 12 at Seaway District High School, and had three OAC credits. She had also wrapped up a third ball season in the shortstop position with a Tier 1 team in Manotick coached by Chris Mullins.

It was Mullins who had encouraged her to apply to some U.S. colleges and universities for a ball scholarship.

Jennifer also put her resume online and that is how Valley City found her. With a student population of 1,200, Valley City was looking for a basketball and softball player. And they found both in Jennifer.

A talented, multi-sport athlete, Jennifer was just two inches over five feet. Hockey was her favourite sport, and she had played high school basketball along with competitive basketball in a league in Cornwall.

At Valley State, she was to play volleyball in the fall, followed by basketball and then softball in the spring.

“I tried everything,” says Jenn who was home in Iroquois in mid-June. “The reality of U.S. college is it’s unique to be able to do two sports, let alone three. I ended up concentrating on softball and was moved to catcher.”

For four years, Jennifer was a standout catcher for the Valley State Vikings. She graduated in 2003 with a B.S. degree, double majoring in Health and Physical Education. She later completed her Master of Science degree in Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science.

“In the U.S., they have really good support for student athletes,” says Jennifer. “It’s totally different than here, just the resources they have. And it doesn’t matter if it’s a small school. They really take care of their athletes.”

Jennifer still recalls that first trip to North Dakota. “There were a few tears when they [dad and mom] dropped me off. But I was excited. It felt good right away. The people were great, and it felt like home right away. I have no regrets. I made lifelong friends there.”

Asked when the possibility of a coaching began to take shape, Jennifer says, “When I was in my sophomore year, I began to realize the opportunities there were in coaching.”

Being that Valley State was a smaller college and with not a big coaching staff, Jennifer began to take a leadership role and that is how she first noted the opportunities in coaching.

“For most coaching in the U.S. schools, you have to get a related degree. So I began to gear my education towards that goal.”

After graduation from Valley City, Jennifer spent one year as assistant coach in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and one season as interim headcoach at Mayville State University before she received the head coach offer from the University of Minnesota Duluth.

At Mayville, she was coaching and teaching students her own age.

It was a dream offer that came from Duluth in 2005. “I was very excited to get to Duluth. They play Division II ball which was a step up for me, and they have a very good Division 1 women’s hockey team.”

They are coached by the first ever coach of Team Canada [Shannon Miller]. “I knew, once I got there, it was where I wanted to be.”

And now Jennifer says she has “the best of both worlds.”

From January to May, she is the head coach for the Bulldogs women’s softball team, and from August to March, she is the Director of Operations and Video coach for the women’s hockey team.

During her eights years as the Bulldogs head softball coach, Jennifer’s teams have put up a 247-153 record. They have four NCAA II Central Regional l berths, and one NSIC regular season championship.

This past season, the Bulldogs posted 14 straight wins, their second longest victory streak ever and rolled up their second most victories ever with a 41-13 record. Both on the field and off the field, Jennifer’s Bulldogs have enjoyed some big successes with 21 NSIC/NCC All-Academic Team honorees.

Jennifer’s recent visit home to Iroquois was a brief stop before she headed off to British Columbia (June 24-30) to join Softball Canada as a guest coach for the selection process for Canada’s junior and senior women’s national teams.

She says she was absolutely delighted to get the invite by Softball Canada. “I’ve been trying to get my foot in the door in Canada with Softball Canada as an opportunity to give back to my country. I can’t wait. It’s going to be exciting, and I’m looking forward to it. I know a good handful of the girls trying out as a couple are in Minnesota and one I recruited myself.”

Jennifer was also excited to meet three-time world champion and Softball Canada Hall of Famer, Team Canada head coach Mark Smith who has 27 years of experience in developing and leading high performing teams.

The team selected will compete in the World Cup, July 7-13, in Irvine, California, and the Canadian Open, July 15-21, in Surrey, B.C.

In August, Team Canada will be in Haarlem, Netherlands for the XIV ISF Women’s World Championships.

As a guest coach, Banford is not on the Team Canada coaching staff. She was however thrilled to be a part of the selection process and to work with some really talented and experienced softball coaches and players.

Jennifer tries to visit home, two or three times a year and she says, “I am always willing when back in town to educate people on what is out there. I would love people to have the same experience I’ve had. I worry that the kids in this area, don’t know just how many opportunities there are available to them.”

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Playhouse crowd pleaser, kids take to the stage

July 9, 2014 Editor

Playhouse Theatre School Show Always A Crowd-Pleaser

This Saturday July 12^th at 10AM there’ll be a lot of clowning around at Upper Canada Playhouse! That’s when The Playhouse Senior Theatre School presents its original production SEND IN THE CLOWNS to parents, friends and the general public. The show will mark the culmination of two weeks of creative theatre arts instruction led by instructor Mary Ellen Viau. The first weeks of July are always exciting ones for students recently released from the rigours of classroom studies and home-work. But for the 20 young participants of this summer's Playhouse Senior Theatre School, it marks the beginning of two very intense weeks filled with drama exercises and theatre-themed fun and games. This year students are being encouraged to do as much clowning around as possible in the ten day camp as they focus on the role of clowns in theatre. From Marcel Marceau's famous 'Bip the Clown' and Charlie Chaplin's 'Little Tramp', to the Shakespearean clowns in A Midsummer Night's Dream, these young actors explore the many techniques used to make clowns funny. Teamwork, creativity, enthusiasm and problem-solving are just a of few of the many skills these energetic kids bring to the daily workshops and rehearsals that will prepare them for their final production on the Playhouse stage. Drop by The Playhouse this Saturday, July 12^th for "Send In The Clowns." The 45-minute performance is free, and if past Theatre School shows are any indication, it’ll be fun, educational and sure to put a smile on every face!

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New role for MPP Jim McDonell

July 9, 2014 Editor

July 4, interim Ontario PC Leader Jim Wilson announced the critic portfolios for the Ontario PC Caucus, and with that announcement, local MPP Jim McDonell received a new portfolio.

Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry MPP McDonell was named critic for Children and Youth Services Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy. “Our interim Leader, Jim Wilson, recognized that our region requires a strong focus on childhood achievement and early development,” said McDonell.

This is the third portfolio for McDonell since he was first elected in 2011, having formerly served as Critic of Consumer Services and then as Critic of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Steve Clark, MPP for neighbouring Leeds-Grenville was named Opposition House Leader.

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Carkinator back to raise almost $40,000 for WDMH

July 9, 2014 Editor

Seventy-eight participants in the Carkinator Car & Moto Rally raised almost $40,000 for the Winchester District Memorial Hospital Foundation.

The event’s namesake, NHL Defenseman for the New York Islanders, Matt Carkner, is a passionate supporter of the hospital foundation, continues to be a great draw for the event.

The 2014 event, July 5, raised just under $40,000 for the Undesignated Fund at the WDMH Foundation, supporting the highest priority needs at WDMH in a range of departments.

The event began this year at the Rideau Carleton Raceway, stopping at Emerald Links to putt against Matt Carkner; then visited Osgoode Scotiabank to complete a puzzle against the clock; and stopped in Inkerman at the Rink House to try to out shoot retired Inkerman Rockets players Denzel Crowder and Percy Armstrong.

Along with the many returning rally-ers, there were also a few dozen new participants who loved being challenged by the various clues and the activities at these “pit-stops” along the route.

The wrap-up and barbecue was held at the Winchester Curling Club where the event MC Al Armstrong walked guests through the prize and awards ceremonies and welcomed special guest Liam Maguire.

Many great prizes were handed out to event participants, thanks to great sponsors.

The highest individual fundraiser was Diane Crummy – and by doing so, won a trip for two to New York to see an Islanders’ home game as a special guest of Matt Carkner, value $2,500.

The highest team fundraiser was “Driving Miss Daisies” who won 14 seats in the Ottawa Senators’ Alumni Box for the Sens vs. Islanders.

The Morrisburg and District Lions Club Team posted the highest pit stop activity score, winning them $500 in Greg’s Quality Meats gift certificates.

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Record McHappy Day support for local Children’s Treatment Centre

July 9, 2014 Editor

Over $18,000 was raised for two children’s charities by area McDonald’s restaurants on this year’s McHappy Day.

The success of this fundraiser was the best ever tally for the one day event locally, said Charles Gagnon, owner of the Morrisburg McDonald’s locations and seven others including those in Brockville, Prescott, Cornwall and Lancaster.

Two cheques for over $9,200 were handed out at Gagnon’s newest location here in Morrisburg July 2. One went to the Ronald McDonald House charity in Ottawa, and the other to the Children’s Treatment Centre in Cornwall.

In handing over this donation to the CTC, Gagnon pledged that a portion of next year’s McHappy Day proceeds will again go to the Children’s Treatment Centre. “We will continue to help you. I have you in my heart,” said Gagnon.

The Children’s Treatment Centre provides free assessment and treatment to children in need in Cornwall and SDG and Akwesasne.

It is a community supported agency, staffed with a team of professionals skilled in the assessment and treatment of physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

“This will do a lot of good,” Vince Robinson, board member for the treatment centre, said. “It certainly will help,” said Lyle Van Allen, who is also a board member. “A number of kids benefit from this service.” He presented Gagnon with a plaque acknowledging the McDonald’s support of the organization.

Gagnon added that this support would not have been possible without the efforts of his staff and McDonald’s customers who made this best ever McHappy Day donation possible.

This year, local schools supported the McHappy Day effort by offering the opportunity for their students to order a Happy Meal for school lunch on McHappy Day, which was May 7.

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