2014 – Page 32 – Morrisburg Leader

Perspectives with Rev. Firas Shammas

May 7, 2014 Editor

A new collection of paintings

In the beginning of the past month (April) the former U.S. President George W. Bush surprised many people around the world when he unveiled a new collection of paintings.

He displayed them at his Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas, Texas. Prominent figures like Putin, Merkel, and the Dalai Lama among others, inspire his art.

Isn’t it a very interesting idea to recapitulate a part, or a phase of our life, in some paintings and pictures? If we think a bit, we will quickly realize that we do the same thing for our own life without having a presidential library and museum.

Our childhood, teenage years, working career, and many other parts and phases of our lives are turned into and remembered as a collection of paintings and images. We display them somewhere inside us and we unveil them on particular occasions.

But do we need anybody to remind us that we are very selective when it comes to the pictures we want to keep from the past?

President Bush Jr. must have met hundreds of people in his two presidential terms, and experienced many events, but he just chose to pick thirty world leaders and paint their portraits.

Likewise, we choose a pinch of whom we meet, and what we’ve been through, to keep as our personal collection of pictures and images. Every one of us has his or her filtering system.

When we revisit our past we like to go through flowery and nice pictures. We don’t want to re-experience our hard moments, awkward situations and painful memories. It is like displaying pictures in the funeral home, they are meant to make us remember only the best moments in someone’s life.

When I first heard the news of the presidential art display by Mr. Bush I could not help remember some pretty pictures that he painted back in 2003 in Iraq.

After all, you wouldn’t expect to go to the Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas to see (for example) a picture of what happened at Abu- Ghraib displayed there. We don’t enjoy having pictures of torture and abuse in our personal collection, do we? In fact, some people argue that some bloody pictures that we see today in Iraq still carry Mr. Bush’s signature!

But, are we any better? I mean, hasn’t every one of us done the same? I know I did.

I have suppressed the horrible pictures I painted somewhere in a dark cave, and if you are to visit my art gallery, you will just see green nature, blue sea and holy places. The best picture I keep is a self-portrait, I look awesome in that picture!

Usually we look great in our self-portraits and selfies; we capture, keep and communicate a certain image of ourselves. Our standards of selectivity go up when it has to do with our own image.

But the fact is we can never pretend that the images and pictures we don’t like have ceased to exist and live according to this fact, not because Google makes almost any picture in the world accessible and traceable, but because we know they do exist and we can’t make ourselves believe otherwise. We live aware there are many pictures painted by us, including self-portraits that we don’t like!

Just as the Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas made the news a month ago, I hope what you read and see in the Bible is good news for you.

Jesus has revealed there a new collection of paintings; one of them belongs to me, and the other to you!

It gives me great pleasure to know that I have been accepted and loved, not because of the pictures I’ve chosen to display in my art gallery, but I have been accepted and loved in spite of all the pictures that I have been making sure to hide for a long time now. It gives me a reason to live my life in a different way than I did in the past because I am portrayed in the Bible as a beloved son or daughter.

The Bible says: “In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. Gal. 3:26.” I wonder if you want to add this to your personal collection.

Rev. Firas Shammas,

[…]

It’s a wrap for figure skaters

May 7, 2014 Editor

Katie Buter, Cameryn Broad and Ali Van Hoof were named the Morrisburg & District Skating Club StarSkate Spirit of Skating Award winners at the club’s annual banquet on Sunday.

Buter and Broad received the award as co-winners at the Intermediate Skating level while Van Hoof won at the Senior level.

The purpose of the StarSkate Spirit of Award is to recognize Intermediate and Senior level skaters who have demonstrated, spirit, determination and commitment to the StarSkate program throughout the skating season. The recipients were selected by a committee which consisted of all coaches at the two levels and board members representing both intermediate and senior skaters.

“It was very difficult this year to pick out one skater,” said Ellen Biemond. “This year you have all worked very hard, and you should all be very proud of yourselves.”

Morrisburg club president Julie Van Hoof kicked off the awards program.

Tonight marks the end of the 2013-14 skating season,” said Van Hoof. “It has certainly been one of the best skating seasons for the Morrisburg and District Skating Club.”

“On behalf of the Club, I’d like to thank all members of the board for all the work that each of you has done throughout the skating season. I would also like to thank those parents who continue to volunteer when needed. The success of our club comes from the dedication and commitment of our many volunteers. MDSC is very fortunate to have such a strong volunteer base.”

Van Hoof also thanked the MDSC coaching team which included Allison Scott, Louise Dimmick, Danielle Napier, Veronica Whyte, Ali Van Hoof and Dana Grant (dance coach). “Each of you devotes so much time and effort into coaching, encouraging and believing in your skaters. The relationship you develop with each of them are memories that will never be forgotten. Without you, we would not have the successful and talented skates we have within our club.”

Van Hoof then turned her attention to the skaters.

“Tonight we are very proud to be rewarding many of you for your accomplishments and achievements. It doesn’t matter what jumps you land or what tests you passed. It is important to remember you are your own individual on the ice, working hard to achieve your personal goals. MDSC is very proud of each of you for all the hard work and commitment that goes into your skating. I encourage all of our skaters to continue to follow your dreams and strive for your goals.”

Accomplishments were recognized in the four skating disciplines: Dance, Skills, Interpretive and Free Skate.

Topping off her goals this year was Alisha Van Hoof who completed her gold level in Interpretive and in Skills. “Two golds in two disciplines is a huge achievement,” said club test chair Isabella Jordan. This is the highest level of achievement in the Skate Canada Program, and achieving gold is certainly something to be proud of.”

Following are Dance passes: Junior Bronze Dances which include Swing, Fiesta Tango and Willow Waltz–Reagan Belanger and Cameryn Broad. Senior Bronze Dances, 10 Fox, Fourteen Step, European–Alexis Engwerda, Kristyn Van Hoof, Abigail Jordan, Kendra Buter, Trina Dykstra-MacPherson, Kaitlyn Stewart and Tayler Pilon.

Skills Passes: Jr. Bronze– Katie Buter. Senior Bronze–Erika Jordan, Reagan Belanger, Cameryn Broad. Junior Silver–Kristyn Van Hoof, Trina Dykstra-MacPherson. Senior Silver–Abby MacMillan, Alexis Engwerda. Gold Skills–Alisha Van Hoof.

Interpretive Passes: Introductory–Kendra Buter and Kaitlyn Steward. Gold Interpretive–Alisha Van Hoof.

Free Skate Passes: Preliminary–Ashley Bouwman, Olivia Hart, Mikaela Furo, and Xandra Furo. Junior Bronze–Kaitlyn Stewart, Cameryn Broad and Katie Buter. Senior Bronze–Trina Dykstra-MacPherson and Abby MacMillan.

The club and her fellow skaters also took the time to say good bye to senior skater Alyssa MacMillan who heads off to university in the fall. “Alyssa, you have devoted so much time into our club, both as a skater and as a Program Assistant,” said Van Hoof. “You worked hard to achieve your personal goals, and should be very proud that along the way you achieved a gold test. On behalf of the Morrisburg and District Skating Club, I wish you all the best as you prepare for a new journey in your life.”

The Can Skate members of the Morrisburg & District Skating Club wrapped up their season at an ice cream party banquet in March. At that banquet, Emma Morrow was named Canskater of the Year and Abigail Smail and Lilly Napier were named the “Spirit Champions”.

[…]

Legion Branch 48 makes a big splash at launch

May 7, 2014 Editor

Forty area school children, gathered Monday to learn about a community splash pad project set for this summer, here in Earl Baker Park.

Having already secured about half of the $200,000 needed to make the splash pad a reality, the community playground committee was surprised with a $10,000 cheque from the local Legion, Branch 48 in Morrisburg at the launch of the fundraising campaign.

“What a great way to start,” said Matt McCooeye, committee spokesperson. “In our last campaign, they were among the first to step up and contribute. We really felt their generosity served as a springboard for all of the great community support we received in our last campaign.”

The community playground group, which was created in 2011, piloted a community driven campaign that recruited over 225 volunteers and raised over $114,00 to build the playground in Earl Baker Park.

The splash pad is phase two of that 2011 project.

Legion president Graham Houze, said they were happy to provide $10,000 to this cause. “It’s a very worthwhile cause for the children and the people of the area, so we thought we would throw our support behind it with this donation.”

“The concept is about the whole community working together to deliver something for the kids,” said McCooeye.

Like the in phase one, the children will have a say in their new splash pad, which the committee intends to have completed by the end of this year.

“It is important for us to engage all people in South Dundas, including the kids,” said McCooeye. “We want to get the kids’ input into what they want included. We can’t wait to hear what they have to say.”

The kids will get their say as part of the ‘Dotmacracy’ when the committee visits area schools in June. Kids will have the opportunity to vote on their favourite features, and that input will be used for the creation of the final design.

Since the project is meant to be a community endeavour, anyone who has an idea to help fund raise for the splash pad is welcome to bring it to the committee.

Already, a local band – One Night Standards, has approached the committee to hold a fund raising dance for the splash pad. Lane Hunter, Oak Hunter, Troy McMillan and Night Hunter will play the Morrisburg Legion, May 17, with all proceeds going to the splash pad.

[…]

David Barkley

April 30, 2014 Editor

A lifetime resident of the Dunbar area, David Barkley passed away suddenly on Wednesday, April 23, 2014. He was 55.

David Charles Barkley was born in Winchester on May 5, 1958, to his parents Lee and Edna Barkley (nee Colquhoun). He was baptized June 29th, 1958, and confirmed November 8th, 1970 – a life-long member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Dunbar.

He was educated at local schools, S.S.#8 Beckstead, Elma Public and North Dundas District High School. He attended Centennial College in Scarborough, where he completed a two year Automotive Technician program.

After graduation he worked at Steinberg’s Garage in Williamsburg.

David was always a hard worker. A lot of times he worked too hard. He loved to fix things and he loved working on cars. David was incredibly intelligent and he had one speed when he was working and it was fast. He always wanted to get chores done quickly so he could sit down and have a coffee and a smoke…with maybe a side order of ice cream and cheese.

The first 22 years of David’s life were pretty normal. He worked on the farm, then at the garage, had lots of friends and was always on the go.

After that David experienced many difficulties and life became a struggle for him and for those closest to him. However, during the last 10 years life became easier as he worked on the farm and enjoyed the company of his family.

David is survived by his parents Lee and Edna Barkley (nee Colquhoun) of R.R.# 2 Chesterville and his siblings Garry Barkley (Diane) of Vernon and Sandra Barkley-Probst (Rev. Jo) of R.R.# 2 Chesterville.

He was the dear uncle of Adam Barkley (Jen), Angela Barkley-Dallas (Nick), Meghan Barkley (Michael), and great-uncle of Evan and Aiden Barkley and Amelia Dallas. He is also survived by aunts, uncles and cousins.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Friday April 25th from 7-9 p.m. Funeral service was held at the funeral home on Saturday, April 26th at 11 a.m., with Rev. Jo Barkley-Probst officiating. Interment followed at Maple Ridge Cemetery, Chesterville.

Pallbearers were Adam Barkley, Nick Dallas, Michael Beaulne, Gordon Elliott, Garry Elliott and Wayne Dillabough.

Donations to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church or the charity of your choice would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

[…]

Perspectives with Rev. Geoff Howard

April 30, 2014 Editor

If I Had A Hammer

Have you ever lost something? Back in the fall, I lost my hammer. Maybe misplaced is a better word. Last fall I was working on some stuff around the house in preparation for the coming winter and I misplaced my hammer.

All winter long I have been looking for my hammer. I know I had it. I know I used it in the fall. It has to be here somewhere. But it is not in my tool box, or any of the other normal places it would or should be. I misplaced my hammer. I knew it had to be around somewhere but it was lost.

In its place for the last five or six months I have been using my wife’s ‘pink trimmed in support of breast cancer research ladies toolkit’ hammer. And each time I had to work on something with this pink trimmed hammer I resolved to go out a buy a new one.

But I knew my hammer had to be around someone. Maybe someone borrowed it, and it did not get put back where I could find it. I hinted and suggested and almost accused others of hiding my hammer on me.

Can you guess where this is all going?

The other day I found my hammer! I found it.

Oh yeah…now I remember. It was right where I had left it back in the fall. I remember now. The hammer was on the shelf of the step ladder and when I folded up the ladder the hammer fell to the ground. No problem. I would put away the ladder and come back and get my hammer.

The only thing was I never went back to pick up the hammer. I don’t know if I got distracted or busy with something else, or maybe I just plain forgot to go back and get it.

And since I did not go back and get it, overnight, when the snow fell, the hammer disappeared underneath a blanket of the white stuff. And that’s where it was all winter long!

And it was only with the coming of the spring, the final melting of the snow and ice, that the hammer reappeared, right where I had left it.

Spring. Everything has a new start. Sure it takes some effort and work to clean up from the winter, deal with leftovers and forgotten bits and pieces in preparation of a new growing season. And of course that new planting and growing will take time and effort over the coming months, but if it was not worth it we wouldn’t do it.

I meaning planting and tending and fertilizing the lawn only so I will have to cut it on a regular basis…

And you know as I think about it the Christian faith is something like that.

God has given us so much, so freely in Jesus. And yet it does take some effort and work on our part. And maybe with the Spring comes a good opportunity to replant and grow that faith.

Maybe along with spring planting there is a place for God in your life. Maybe you might try finding your way back to church. No the roof won’t fall in.

And maybe it begins with us looking for and expecting to see God in our gardens and plantings, in our lives and in the lives of those we love, and yes, even in church.

Yes, I know sometimes the church messes up. Jesus sometimes gets lost. Maybe misplaced is the better word. It happens.

But usually it doesn’t go on for long before God breaks through. God remembers what it’s all about. Even if we sometimes don’t. Even if the church, sometimes doesn’t.

It is not about a hammer lost for a winter or something else frustratingly misplaced in our lives. It is all about Jesus. God’s love for us made real, in the flesh.

With spring comes new starts and it all makes me think…

But right now I see something that needs a little fixing up for spring and I know where my hammer is.

Blessings…

Rev. Geoff Howard, Knox

Presbyterian, Iroquois

[…]

Soccer and municipality on the same team

April 30, 2014 Editor

Although South Dundas Soccer Association chair Phillip Blancher would like to see better communication between the municipality and volunteers running various programs it appears that an issue between the municipality and the association has come to an amiable solution.

The municipality of South Dundas had dropped the ball, the soccer ball to be exact, and Blancher didn’t feel it should be the Association that served the penalty that came with a price tag of about $450.

In a letter dated March 5, to South Dundas Public Works Manager, Chris Bazinet, the Association made its annual request for the closure of Lakeview Drive in Iroquois, between College and Elizabeth Streets for the Saturday soccer mornings, beginning May 24 and running through July 25.

In a return e-mail dated Friday, April 11, Bazinet replies: “I am in receipt of your request road closures/parking restrictions in support of South Dundas Soccer Activities. The Municipality will require proof of Liability Insurance in the amount of 5 Million dollars with the Municipality identified as an addition to the policy. Once we receive this document we will proceed with your request.”

In year’s past, the liability amount was $2 million and so the increased amount came as a surprise to the soccer association. It also came with a cost of $450 more for the coverage.

“Our registrations are done,” Blancher told The Leader after the April 11 reply. “If this is a requirement then fine, it’s a requirement, but you have to let people know ahead of time. There was nothing anywhere that I can find that announced this change. The letter was a standard thing we do every year. And our request to close the road is for the safety of the kids, that is why we do it.”

“We purposely budget things down to the wire to keep this program as low cost to the community as possible,” says Blancher. “That is why we are one of the largest programs in the community. We provide a good, length of time program at a low cost.”

Blancher questioned what became of “all of the talk of cutting red tape and making things easier for volunteers working in the community. Last minute changes like this are counter-productive. Ever since we asked that the road be closed it’s been $2 million. The closure saves the municipality, otherwise they would have 400 kids and parents running across the road. It’s done for safety, and it’s done to lower liability.”

“I’m not complaining about the $5 million, but I am complaining about the total lack of communication in this municipality.”

Blancher says the Association is not in bad shape financially, but the money to pay for this unexpected cost will have to be found somewhere. “Registrations are done. Our supplies are ordered, our shirts are ordered, and we are just over a month away from starting.”

Since the soccer association paid the $450 insurance increase to obtain $5 million liability coverage, Blancher has been contacted by Bazinet who has asked for the financial impact the increase will have on the association. In an e-mail dated April 23, he wrote, “I can tell you that any liabilities related to Road Authorities has been moving towards the $5 million mark and our broker has advised us the same. We may be able to do something for this year given the timing of the request.”

And so with everyone apparently back on the same page and working together…it’s game on.

[…]

Pumpkinfero recognized by Ottawa Tourism

April 30, 2014 Editor

Upper Canada Village’s new fall event Pumpkinferno continued its winning ways in Ottawa April 24, when Ottawa Tourism named it New Company of the Year.

The award category recognizes an event or company two years or less in operation that through its success has stimulated the economy.

Pumpkinferno which was launched in 2012 has certainly done that.

In just two years of operation, not only has Pumpkinferno taken the region by storm hosting almost 75,000 people but it has contributed an estimated $8 million in economic impacts to the region’s economy.

“Over the past three years we have taken a close look at our business operations and have encouraged our staff to be innovative in their approach to developing new visitor experiences. Pumpkinferno is a great example of that type of thinking. Not only does it showcase amazing artistic and creative talents that go into making this such an amazing event, but our business strategy is really solid and surpassing our projections” commented Darren Dalgleish, General Manager & CEO, St. Lawrence Parks Commission.

Festival and Events Ontario recognized Pumpkinferno as Ontario’s Best New Event in 2012 and in November 2013 the Tourism Association of Ontario honoured it with the award for Ontario’s Tourism Event of the Year.

“The Pumpkinferno team exceeded expectations to deliver an event that attracted over 35,000 guests in our first year and then topped that number last fall with over 38,000 visits. We believe we have something special here and it is so gratifying to see this acknowledgement from the tourism community. It was an honour just to be named a finalist in the Ottawa Tourism awards. Our hats are off to the other excellent nominees.” said Geoff Waycik, Manager of Upper Canada Village.

Upper Canada Village gets an early start to the 2014 season opening on Wednesday, May 7.

[…]

Renovated port for Edwardsburgh/Cardinal, fish habitat for Municipality of South Dundas

April 30, 2014 Editor

The larger portion of a fisheries compensation project associated with the $35 million renovation at the Port of Johnstown, will be taking place at Riverside Heights later this summer.

Six years of collaboration by several stakeholders to complete renovations at the Port of Johnstown was celebrated at the port April 15.

The cost of the work was covered in a three-way federal, provincial, municipal split.

Started over the winter, the first fisheries compensation project included expansion of an existing Johnstown wetland into a larger habitat for fish and other aquatic life.

It will be completed in June with planting of the shoreline.

Starting in August, under the supervision of South Nation Conservation Authority, a larger fisheries compensation project will be undertaken on property owned by the St. Lawrence Parks Commission at Riverside Heights.

Both projects were required by Fisheries and Oceans Canada to compensate for fish habitat lost due to installation of a new wharf at the port.

Although outside the Port of Johnstown’s home municipality of Edwardsburgh / Cardinal, Riverside Heights was seen by all parties involved as a logical location for additional habitat compensation.

The project will involve creation of an embayment with channels cut into existing marshland.

South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds explained that the portion of the project that will take place in South Dundas, is located on Parks of the St. Lawrence land, on the east side of the old County Road 8 allowance, south of County Road 2, at Riverside Heights.

“It will not have any effect on land use, as it is protected now as a provincially significant wetland,” he said.

SNC chairman Bill Smirle said he’s proud and pleased that all parties – not to mention St. Lawrence aquatic species – will gain from the compensation projects.

[…]

Love is in the air: Playhouse celebrates the 60s

April 30, 2014 Editor

About 10 minutes into Memories of the Summer of Love, I suddenly found myself growing very nostalgic.

Where, I wondered, are my love beads, my fringed vest and flower headband, my button reading “Make Love Not War”, my white GoGo boots, my psychedelic tie-dyed India shirt, the iron with which I used to press my hair? Where did the 60s go?

Well, the answer is that the sounds and sights of that turbulent, game-changing decade are on stage at Upper Canada Playhouse in Morrisburg and playing until May 4. Judging by the constant applause at a recent performance of Memories of the Summer of Love, the Chris McHarge and Colin Stewart celebration of the music and the times is a hit.

The stage show takes audiences from the 60s roots in early Haight-Ashbury to the star-studded 1967 Monterey Folk Festival. Along the way Memories showcases music ranging from the Beach Boys (“They practically invented California Rock”) to the British Invasion starting in 1964. (“The British succeeded in recapturing their former colonies.” )

The production hi-lights duos like Sonny and Cher and celebrates the merger of rock and folk, the “good time music” characterized by the Lovin’ Spoonful.

The show is an exceptionally well rounded look, complete with computer screens, at all aspects of 60s culture.

The songs of Bob Dylan, the “guru for the growing counter culture” herald the days of protest against the once popular Vietnam War. The Association’s “Along Came Mary” secretly praises the properties of marijuana, as the 60s explored drugs and invited young people to “turn on, tune in, drop out.”

Memories of the Summer of Love builds to its crescendo with its salute to “heavy metal”. According to author Chris McHarge, no group epitomized the spirit of social and political change, with its fusion of rock and blues, better than the Jefferson Airplane. The audience clearly agreed as they joined in on the singers’ explosive Don’t You Want Somebody to Love?

This exciting, non-stop musical journey on stage at the Playhouse rests squarely on the shoulders of three versatile and uber-talented singers, Derek Marshall, Natalie Howard and Paul Wilson, and their four man live band that, I am quite certain, can literally play anything.

Switching vocal styles (and wonderful, outlandish, but very 60s’ costumes) with deceptive ease and speed, the three singers light up the stage. This is a show that demands stylistic flexibility and stamina from its performers.

From Natalie Howard’s powerful rendition of Janis Joplin’s serio-comic “Mercedes Benz”, to Paul Wilson and Derek Marshall’s extraordinary harmonies on heart-felt Simon & Garfunkel classics, this is a show that delivers.

My hair is short, the GoGo boots long since fell apart, my tie-dyed India shirt was bundled into a scrap bag years ago, but the music of that extraordinary decade, the 1960s, is alive and well, and just as fantastic as it ever was.

Don’t miss your chance to take in Memories of the Summer of Love. The production runs at Upper Canada Playhouse until May 4. For tickets, contact 613-543-3713 or 1-877-550-3650.

Peace and love, brothers and sisters.

[…]

Ontario Election On June 12, 2014

April 30, 2014 Editor

News Release
Ontario Election On June 12, 2014

May 2, 2014

Today, Premier Kathleen Wynne met with the Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario who accepted her recommendation that Parliament be dissolved for a general election.

The official documents will be presented to his Honour later this afternoon, at which time the House will be officially dissolved.

The writs for the general election will be signed on Wednesday, May 7.

Under the Elections Act, the election would ordinarily take place on Thursday, June 5.

However, the Chief Electoral Officer has identified June 5 as a day of religious significance, and has recommended Thursday, June 12 as the alternate election day.

The recommendation has been accepted and the election for Ontario's 41st Parliament will take place on Thursday, June 12.

[…]