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.
A lifetime resident of the Chesterville area, Alma Brownlee passed away at the Dundas Manor in Winchester, on Tuesday, November 18, 2014. She was 101.
Alma was born in Brockville ,on February 7, 1913, just prior to WW1. She was the third child, but the first daughter to Reverend Foster Chapin Bowen and his wife Margaret. Alma would soon have three younger sisters to help care for.
The family did not have much money, but they had the foundation on which great lives are built: strong faith, a good work ethic and a dedication to community service.
The six Bowen children were often sent out to help others in the community. One summer when Alma was 10, she was sent to help a parishioner maintain her garden. Alma enjoyed gardening, and for years she kept a huge vegetable garden at her home on Howard Street.
During the Great Depression, hobos left signs pointing to a welcoming house where they could get a free meal. The Bowen household was one of those homes with an open door to the hungry and the homeless.
Like her parents, Alma never stopped caring for others even in the last year of her life.
Alma was an excellent nurse. Alma graduated from the Ottawa Civic Hospital in 1936, at the age of 23. One of Alma’s patients was struck by her beauty and invited her to a hockey game. A perfect Canadian first date. That fellow was Mansel Brownlee, whom Alma married in 1938.
When Alma moved to Chesterville with husband Mansel in 1938, she was welcomed to the town at a reception attended by over 100 people.
Alma enjoyed Chesterville’s friendly small town spirit for many decades. She was an enthusiastic member of Christ Church United (formerly Chesterville United) for over seven decades.
She was also a faithful canvasser for the local Canadian Cancer Society and member of the Women’s Institute.
In 1938, a nurse had to quit her job when she got married. Until she returned to nursing almost 30 years later, Alma dedicated herself to being a resourceful homemaker. She was able to feed and clothe a family of six children on a shoestring budget.
Alma’s secrets to living a long and healthy life were: just keep moving, eat a healthy diet and think about others.
Alma will be remembered for her loving attitude towards everyone she met, her fabulous energy and uplifting spirit.
Alma is survived by her children Lois Quartus of Chesterville, Donald of Williamsburg, Margaret Carruthers (John) of Morrisburg, Lorraine Cross (Jack) of Peachland, B.C. and Brian (Louise) of Oakville, her son-in-law Gary Merkley of Chesterville and her brother-in-law Rev. Fred Francis of Kingston.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 49 years, Mansel Brownlee, who died in 1987; her daughter Betty Merkley who died in 2012; her sisters Luella Bailey, Ruby Dickson, Grace Francis and her brothers Carmen and Willard Bowen.
Alma will be fondly remembered by her grandchildren Larry, Janet, Peter, Catherine, Shelley, Matthew, Rodney, Cindy, Allison, and Nick; by nine great-grandchildren Michael, Chris, Owen, Emma, Grant, Anderson, Jacob, Petra, and Everleigh, and one great-great-grandson, Alejandro George Bemi, along with her nieces and nephews who shared their happy memories of Alma in a Tribute Book created for her 100th birthday.
Friends called at Christ Church United in Chesterville, on Friday, November 21st from 10 a.m. until time of the funeral service at 11 a.m., which was conducted by Rev.Debbie Poirier.
Interment followed at Maple Ridge Cemetery, Chesterville. Pallbearers were grandsons Larry Quartus, Peter Carruthers, Nick Brownlee, Mike Bemi, and Chris Bemi.
Donations to Christ Church United or the Canadian Cancer Society would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.
Waiting in Anticipation
The snow is falling outside as I write this and I can’t help but think about the excitement that must be stirring in children everywhere.
I noticed one little girl out for a walk with her grandma and grandpa that was all bundled up in her snow suit. She couldn’t wait for there to be more snow so that she could play in it.
I remember being her age and playing in the snow with my siblings. Every year I would be so excited when the first snowfall came bringing with it the prospect of that year’s very first snowman.
There was an overwhelming sense of happiness when I would look out the window in the morning and there was a light covering of sparkling snow on the ground. It was something I always looked forward to.
As the weather got colder and more snow began to fall, the feeling of anticipation for Christmas grew stronger. Christmas is a time of buying gifts, decorating trees and putting up lights. It is also the time when we remember Jesus coming to earth as a little baby in Bethlehem. Bringing with him peace, hope and promise that can be felt every day and seen in each fresh snowfall.
Every family has their own Christmas traditions of giving gifts, turkey dinners, or traveling to visit family. Whatever the tradition is for you, if you don’t have a church family, we invite you to join us for our Christmas Eve Service as we celebrate the birth of Jesus together.
Dennis Casselman has put the rumours to rest with his recent announcement that the 15-year-old back nine portion of the Cedar Glen Golf Course located east of Williamsburg has been sold to neighbouring farmer Robert Byvelds.
In an interview on Monday afternoon, Casselman said the sale of the back nine land will probably be finalized in late January.
It’s pretty disappointing for us,” said Casselman. “The way things have been going, every year the revenue is dropping and the expenses are going up.”
With two thirds of the 165 acre property occupied by the back nine layout, Casselman says that two thirds of the maintenance budget was going on the very spacious back nine holes which totalled 3,453 yards from the blue tees.
In addition to the longer holes, the back nine Cedar Glen holes featured huge expansive greens, large-sized tees and extensive mowed areas between holes.
With the Byvelds farm expected to put the land back into crop production, Casselman says it is certainly not something he or his family want to see.
Casselman recalls the building of the back nine holes and its opening in July of 1999, with his sons David and Paul and workers, David Stewart, Bunny Bennet and Randy Burke. “They were a great bunch of guys, and we all put in a lot of hard work.”
Although the back nine is sold, the Casselman family is pleased to be able to keep the land for the driving range intact along with the parking lot and current clubhouse location.
The northern boundary will be along the North tower line, which runs about halfway through the current 10th tee.
“Basically, we had too many holes and not enough golfers,” says Casselman of the current trend of fewer members and decreasing guest play in the golf industry. The current Cedar Glen membership of 350 members is well down from when the game was peaking in this area in the mid to late 90s.
“All the revenue streams are down,” says Casselman. “It isn’t just the fewer green fees and fewer members, but the members are getting older and not sticking around as much. And there just isn’t the young people coming up. Around here, it is also crazy competitive.”
“Our membership is great. We have a very longtime loyal membership. We have met a lot of nice people and made a lot of friends over the years We are hoping that most of them will stay with us, but we do realize that we are going to lose some for sure who enjoyed the 18 holes. That is why they were here.”
“So far the reaction from the members is that they are sorry to see it [back nine] go, but happy that we were able to hold onto our front nine. We still have our club, it’s intact and our nine hole original course is intact.”
Dennis who is 70 and perhaps looking forward to a little retirement golf himself, says [son] David will be getting more involved. “The 18-hour days are getting hard for me to take.”
For the 2015 golf season, members and the golfing public at the Cedar Glen Golf Course can expect conditions to be every bit as good as they were this past summer, and they were great. Casselman suggests that they will even get better with the focus now on just nine holes.
Work continues on the new tee on the second hole and plans are in the works for some other sodding in needed areas.
“It’s going to be a challenge, but we will make the best of it. We look forward to continuing with all the fun events of the past and to develop new ones. We believe that with the lessened pressure of maintaining the entire 165 acres, we will be able to provide better facilities, better course conditions and an even more enjoyable golf experience.”
Golfers were out and about thanks to the warm spell earlier this week and play will continue until the snow flies…again.
In the spring, it will be golf as usual at Cedar Glen with golfers returning to the 42 year old original nine holes for their action.
Dozens of area residents attended the TransCanada Energy East Pipeline Open House November 20, at Matilda Hall, Dixon’s Corners to learn more about the proposed multi-billion project.
“This is a $12 billion project – One of the biggest infrastructure projects in the history of the country,” said TransCanada spokesperson Tim Duboyce.
This open house which had a dozen TransCanada experts on hand to answer questions is part of the extensive consultative process that the company has undertaken.
October 30, TransCanada Corporation filed the formal application for the Energy East Pipeline Project with the Nation Energy Board of Canada.
The NEB has 15 months to process the application and hold their own consultative process before presenting their report to the federal government.
“Ultimately, this is a federal government decision,” said Duboyce.
If the government approves the project early (January-February) in 2016 and all goes as planned, the Energy East Pipeline will go into operation at the end of 2018, including the conversion and the new build.
Energy East is a 4,600 km pipeline that will carry approximately 1.1 million of barrels of crude oil per day from Alberta and Saskatchewan to refineries in Eastern Canada.
Major components of the project include converting a section of an existing natural gas pipeline to an oil transportation pipeline. That conversion runs from North Bay to the existing station at Iroquois.
New pipeline will be built to link up with the converted pipe from Iroquois through Quebec to New Brunswick.
Along with that new pipeline construction will come the construction of the associated facilities, pump stations and tank terminals required to move crude oil from Alberta to Quebec and New Brunswick.
The project includes the construction of new terminals along the route, one in Saskatchewan, one in Cacouna, Quebec, and one in Saint John, New Brunswick.
Approximately 70 per cent of the pipeline is already in the ground and more than half of the new pipeline segments will run parallel to existing pipeline rights of way.
Converting one of the pipelines in the Canadian Mainline natural gas transmission system to crude oil service will make better use of the capacity of the Canadian Mainline that is no longer needed to export natural gas to the United States, explained Duboyce.
Along with the Energy East Pipeline project application, TransCanada also filed an application to build and operate the Eastern Mainline Pipeline Project in Southern Ontario. This proposed $1.5 billion, 600 mmcf/d project will provide an additional 250 km of natural gas pipeline in an area where the demand and need are strong – the Toronto to Montreal corridor – providing greater access to affordable new natural gas supplies from the northeastern United States.
A local open house for that Eastern Mainline natural gas pipeline project will take place December 3, 2014 at the Iroquois Civic Centre.
That proposed natural gas pipeline will primarily follow the existing route where TransCanada currently operates two natural gas pipelines.
Although their main intent is the collection of information, mostly in the digital format, the Historical Society of South Dundas recently received its first donations of artifacts.
Three school photos, from two different sources, have brought three locally-relevant 19th century photos, from sequential years to the society.
Weeks ago, the Historical Society was put in contact with Norm Shepherd of Sackville, New Brunswick who was looking for a home two mounted class photos from the Morrisburg Model School, one from 1896 and one from 1897.
Through a chain of transport, the photos arrived in the HSSD’s possession a couple of weeks ago.
Around about the same time that these photos were making their way to South Dundas, the HSSD received another photo donation from Shirley Pettinger, offering up a class photo, also from the Morrisburg Model School, this one from 1898.
“The fact that these two similar donations were being made about the same time, and that they ended up being sequential years is completely coincidental,” said Sue Peters, president of the Historical Society of South Dundas.
While the Historical Society mainly wants to collect and share local historical information, the group knew it was important to accept these donations.
“I know there is nothing like this in the municipal archive,” said Peters.
The Historical Society of South Dundas met last week, at the Iroquois Civic Centre, and in addition to viewing these photos, each participant brought artifacts of their own for a ‘show and tell’.
The Historical Society of South Dundas wants to use the donation as an opportunity to invite those who may have information or old stories from the Morrisburg Model School to share to contact them.
Peters can be reached by email (teahistorian@hotmail.ca) or the Historical Society can be contacted by mail (Historical Society of South Dundas c/o Box 282 Morrisburg, ON, K0C 1X0) or email (info@southdundas.net).
©2026 — The Morrisburg Leader Ltd.