Year: 2014

 

Calling all moustaches that are involved in the local Dare to Flash A ’Stache campaign to raise awareness and money for Porstate Cancer in November….the time is almost here.

This Saturday night, November 29, the campaign will come to an exciting close, with the removal of some ’Staches, a silent auction and three fun and exciting games of hockey at the Winchester Arena.

The evening fun will kick off at 7 p.m. with a hockey game between the South Dundas and North Dundas Ladies. 

Game two will be between the old Winchester Hawks and those old Morrisburg Lions Alumni who have crept up over the 35 year category.

Then the younguns will take to the ice in the under 35 year Hawks versus Lions match.

The local Flash A ’Stache campaign will benefit the Cancer Care Navigation Program at Winchester District Memorial Hospital, improving the experience for those diagnosed and affected by cancer; and Dr. Anthony Bella’s Men’s Health Research Project, for for improving quality of life for men following prostate cancer treatment.

There are so many men and families affected by Prostate cancer and the Movember Dare to Flash A’ Stache has been a hugely successful initiative to bring awareness to it.

Organizers of the Saturday night, November 29 event, are really looking forward to a good turnout and a good show of support for this great cause. 

Officials have also just released the lineups for the four hockey teams that will be out in full support of the campaign.

The under 35 Lions will include Justin Elliott, Travis Baldwin, Wayne Garlough, James Morrell, Chris Sommers, Matt Walsh, Carson Runions, Charlie Froment, Greg Millard, Cory Gove, Mike Carbino, Kyle Legace and Tyler Lafortune.

They will be facing off against the Hawks Nik Paas, Robyn Sadler, Dave Summers, Darren Trenholm, Travis Armstrong, Colin Bowie, Craig Holmes, Tylor Copeland, Bill Henderson, Justin Heuff, Brent McFaul, Derek Vingerhoods, Sean Williams, Travis Rowe and Trevor Helliker.

Dusting off their skates for the Lions 36 and over will be Rob Casselman, Andy Lee, Jim Bennis, Craig and Dennis Villeneuve, Jeremy Morrow, Randy (Tug) Mullin, Dale Swerdfeger, Steve (Jig) Casselman, J.D. Hunter, Shawn and big brother David Lapier, Yvon Besner, Randy Jodouin, Chris Vanbridger, Doug McNairn, Scott Reaney and Al McNairn (in net).

On the bench to try and keep these wild Lions under control will be former Lions coaches Brian McNairn and Big Doug Casselman.

At press time, the final roster for the 36 and over Hawks had not been released…

Carrie McCadden will be in net for the lady Lions and skating for the cause will be Andrea Francis, Jennifer Wilson, Kelly Morrell, Dianne Lapier, Kaila Beckstead, Laura McDonnell, Janice Casselman, Tanya Barnhardt, Vicki Van Hoof, Krista Casselman, Jessica Grisel and Amanda Mabo.

The Hawk ladies will include Kristie Wade in net along with Karen Benoit, Laurie Marriner, Heather Cooke-Erwin, Holly Klein-Swormink, Stephanie Scott, Tabitha Derue, Emma and Amy Fraser, Courtney Barkley, Amanda Rylaarsdam and Kathy Kerr.

The action begins on the ice at the Winchester arena at 7 p.m.

[…]

 

 Shoppers at Something Old Something  New in Iroquois, have been dropping coins in a donation jar kept near the cash checkout by Thrift Store owner Laurie Turriff….and now that money will be used to help grant a wish to a child living in Eastern Ontario with a life-threatening medical condition.

Thursday, November 20, Turriff turned over a cheque for $800 to Make-A-Wish, Eastern Ontario Canada’s Mike Wlotzki, Director, Fund Development. 

Something Old Something New customers contributed $400 to the jar and this was matched by Turriff.

“That is a lot of wrapping coin,” said Wlotzki as he accepted the cheque. “That is beautiful.”

Turriff explains that the ‘donation jar’ is always in its place in her shop located in the Iroquois Shopping Plaza. 

“When I get up to $300 to $400, I match it and make the donation. When that is done, it starts over, and I find the next organization that helps kids with cancer. This is all thanks to my customers. Already we have raised $20 for the next donation.”

The Make-A-Wish Eastern Ontario area stretches from Ottawa to Cornwall, west to Belleville and north to Peterborough said Wlotzki.

“We are very proud to say we have granted 66 wishes in 2014,” said Wlotzki.

With 60 wishes completed in 2013, and the goal for 2014 set at 65, Make-A-Wish Eastern Ontario has reason to be proud. 

Chief Executive Officer for Eastern Ontario, Tanya Desjardins points out in a Make-A-Wish publication that, “these wishes are not possible without the support through donations, sponsorship and awareness. From travel wishes to Disney and London, to room make overs and “man fan caves”, to meeting Sidney Crosby and One Direction and to hot tubs and computers…the list of creative unique and special wishes keeps on growing. This year is a historical one as we granted our 500th wish to a 15-year-old boy….” 

 Make-A-Wish Eastern Ontario does not solicit wishes. All children who receive their wishes are referred by family, friends, medical personnel or social workers. Any child with a life-threatening medical condition, from three years to not yet 18, may be referred.

Once the family is aware of the referral, Make-A-Wish, verifies the child’s medical condition with his/her doctor.

The fun begins with the child making three wishes which can be…. “I wish to be, I wish to have, I wish to meet, or I wish to go…..

Once this is accomplished Make-A-Wish goes to work on making a wish come true.

“If there is anyone who thinks there may be a child, they can go to our website to the “refer a child” section,” says Wlotzki. “We are always looking for a Wish Child.”

“It’s a lot of work, but it is very magical.”

[…]

 

The Pumpkinferno lights have gone out in some 60,000 hand-carved pumpkins, that delighted 35,000 visitors of all ages at Upper Canada Village this fall.

Despite a rainy and cool fall, Pumpkinferno hosted over 35,000 visitors, a performance that put the event close to its target for 2014. 

Over 1,000 children from the Upper Canada District School Board and the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario painted real pumpkins that were part of the Children’s Pumpkin Patch exhibit.  

Pumpkinferno also showed its appeal as it travelled across the province with a new installation at Dynamic Earth in Sudbury.  Fall visitation to Dynamic Earth rose by 30 percent with the added appeal of 15 of Upper Canada Village’s artistic pumpkin exhibits.

“We had a slow start this year due to the very rainy fall weather, but traffic really picked up each week,” said Geoff Waycik, Manager, Upper Canada Village.  “Feedback from our guests has been really positive.  This year we were able to respond to requests for new exhibits, and we introduced about 50 all new…” 

“Our team is now quickly dismantling and storing our Pumpkinferno displays to get ready for an exciting Alight at Night event that will open on Friday, December 5.”

Preparing for Alight at Night

[…]

Local Member of Parliament Guy Lauzon today launched his annual federal pre-budget consultation process in Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry.  

He will once again be soliciting feedback from constituents and local stakeholders about how the federal government can continue to foster a positive economic climate in the coming years.

“I am always really impressed by both the volume and the quality of feedback that we receive locally. There are some great grassroots ideas out there,” said MP Lauzon. “Whether it is emailing us or attending our informal breakfast roundtable, it is very helpful for me as our community’s federal voice.”

Lauzon’s government caucus colleagues are soliciting pre-budget submissions using the following five key questions:

• Government is focused on creating jobs and economic growth. What can Government do to help businesses grow, increase trade and investment, and encourage the private sector to hire new employees?

• The Government is committed to keeping Canada’s finances balanced and on a sustainable track, including by paying down the debt. This builds upon our Government’s belief in respecting taxpayers’ dollars. In what other areas can we find ways to make spending more efficient and effective?

• How can the Government help Canadians with the costs of living and raising a family?

• What can the Government do to ensure Canadians are obtaining the skills necessary for the jobs of tomorrow?

• Are there investments that can be made to build stronger communities and keep our streets safe?

In addition to email or letter submissions, Lauzon is also hosting two stakeholder roundtables in Cornwall and Morrisburg this year. 

The meetings will take place on Monday, November 24th (McIntosh Inn, Morrisburg) and Tuesday, November 25th (Ramada Inn, Cornwall). 

Both meetings run from 8-9 a.m. and are open, with a RSVP, to residents and stakeholders of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry. Contact Francine Lepage at (613) 937-3331 or reception@guylauzon.ca to confirm attendance by Friday, November 21st.

[…]

Last week the Ontario government announced infrastructure funding for Eastern Ontario Municipalities, and the news for South Dundas wasn’t as good as local municipal officials had hoped.

Through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund, 426 municipalities across the province will receive annual funding to support improvements and repairs to road, bridge and wastewater projects.

The $100 million OCIF has two components, $50 million is allocated annual using a funding formula, and the other $50 million is made available to municipalities based on an application process.

South Dundas will be receiving $76,600 of formula based funding, but their application-based funding request was denied.

South Dundas had applied for $1.1 million from the OCIF program for a resurfacing project on Main Street, Morrisburg.

“There was no reason given for the denial,” South Dundas treasurer Shannon Geraghty told The Leader.

At the same time as the OCIF intake, applications for the Small Communities Fund were also being accepted to identify priority municipal projects for the federal fund.

Through this intake, South Dundas had applied for funds to resurface Riverside Drive.

If successful, South Dundas would have received one-third funding from each of the provincial and federal levels of government towards the $838,000 project. However, that application was also denied.

Geraghty said that it is disappointing, but there’s always next year to try again. He also acknowledged that South Dundas has been in the fortunate position to receive government funds for many major infrastructure projects over the last several years.

Through the formula-based component of the OCIF program, the United Counties of SDG will receive $210,600. South Dundas’ neighbours, South Stormont will receive $76,900, North Dundas $54,400 and Edwardsburgh-Cardinal $47,200. 

[…]

There are only two ways to expand a Business Improvement Area; one is to build new infrastructure within the existing area, and the other is to welcome membership from a larger geographic area.

Because at this point, construction is not a feasible option, the Morrisburg Downtown Business Improvement Area is readily accepting Associate Members from outside their traditional boundaries.

Technically, always named the Morrisburg Downtown Business Improvement Area, the Morrisburg BIA is now formally using DBIA as an acronym, to reflect the changes.

Membership in the Morrisburg DBIA has traditionally been limited to those businesses within the geographic limits of the Morrisburg Shopping Plaza and East End Promenade. The DBIA is now allowing any business within the geographic limits of the former Village of Morrisburg to join.

Associate members will receive most of the benefits of being a DBIA member, with the exception of beautification. DBIA benefits generally involve the inclusion in the various promotional efforts of the group, as the DBIA mandate is to promote the area as a business, tourist and shopping area.

The Morrisburg DBIA budget is generated via a property tax levy paid by the property owners in the plaza. 

Associate members will not be subject to this levy, instead paying an annual membership fee, which the Morrisburg DBIA board has decided is similar to the average regular levy amount paid by ordinary members.  The fee reflects the level of DBIA services the business will receive, explained Grace McDonough, coordinator for the Morrisburg DBIA.

She is pleased to report that they have already signed on a few associate members, and the membership drive has only just begun.

As a group, associate members will elect one representative to the board as a voting member.

Because the DBIA is a committee of council, the term of this board of management ends with the term of council, this month. 

By January the DBIA will have a new municipal representative, which is appointed by council. 

Councillor Jim Graham held the position for the last two terms of council. 

McDonough says the DBIA plans to make some changes to its constitution and increase its board of management from five to seven members which includes the new associate member representative.

[…]