Cruickshank Construction wins 2014 Paver of the Year

It was a sad day on October 7th when the Dunbar Recreation Hall was devastated by fire.

With sighs of relief and several shout-outs of “thank you,” the South Dundas council decided on December 6th that the hall will be rebuilt.

Until that meeting, local residents had been very concerned about the fate of the former hall. So much so, in fact, that they came out in droves to the December 6th council meeting to hear the council’s verdict. 

Clerk Brenda Brunt recommended to council that they choose one of four options to determine the fate of the former hall. The first option was also the only one that allowed for the hall to be rebuilt on the same spot.

Deputy-Mayor Jim Locke quickly chose option one saying, “prior to the fire the building was not slated to close. We have full replacement cost insurance. We have a committed community group. I believe it’s an asset in that part of the township.”

Councillor Evonne Delegarde suggested council consider option two, “use the depreciated value of the building and put towards an existing building.”

Delegarde pointed out that while the building hadn’t been slated to close, it was also not being used very much. She suggested that the township building in Williamsburg would be available in the near future and could possibly become a replacement for the lost hall.

Councillor Archie Mellan, choosing option one, said, “these little communities make South Dundas great. They rally around their communities. They rally around South Dundas, and I think we should rally around them.”

Mayor Steven Byvelds also chose option one, pointing out that “it gives us our asset back and it is covered by insurance.”

He also pointed out that the well and the sewer on the site would need to be investigated. Should either require a lot of work and financing to bring to code, then “we’d have to come back to this because that could change things.”

However, at this time, Byvelds wanted to make it clear to the inhabitants of the hall’s community that “they are part of South Dundas, not part of Chesterville, and we want them to know they’re part of South Dundas.”

He concluded: “let’s take the opportunity and rebuild it.”

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Hi. I am a very thoughtful lady, but I am sad. I didn’t think that when I got away from my home in Morrisburg that I wouldn’t be able to find my way back and would end up at the South Dundas Animal Shelter. According to that nice lady who took my picture, “I am just beautiful, although I do need a grooming.” I am a collie mix, about four years old, and compact in size, which is perfect for snuggling with my best friend(s). I have beautiful black, gold and white colours. The picture lady was so nice, that when she offered me a treat, I offered her my paw and showed her what a loving pal I can be. I am not sure why she was sad and had tears in her eyes when she left, but I am hoping the picture she took helps me to get a nice home. I’m a real tail wagger when I am happy. (This loving little dog was picked up in Morrisburg two weeks ago with a chain still dangling from her collar. She can be reclaimed (or adopted by a new family) by calling 613-543-2980.)

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Food bank usage in Dundas County continues to rise.

“Our usage is up 10 percent over last month,” said Brian Cox, a director with the Dundas County Food Bank who was at the Morrisburg location Friday morning to receive the large amount of food delivered by Ken Rundle, owner of the Morrisburg Giant Tiger store.

Cox thanked Rundle for the quantity of food and funds he delivered, courtesy of Giant Tiger shoppers. “This food is deeply required,” said Cox.

Giant Tiger recently wrapped up their food drive whereby the cashiers asked customers to make a donation to the food bank. 

One of the donation options was to donate $5 for a whole bag of food which included canned tomatoes, canned beans, caned flaked tuna, canned flaked ham, can flaked turkey and canned beans.

These food bags were tailored to feed the specific needs of this food bank.

“These items collected are among those that the food bank distributes on a regular basis and are always needs,” noted Dundas County Food Bank administrator Donna Quesnel. “Ken made an excellent choice in selecting these items and we are grateful to the Giant Tiger customers who purchased this food.”

Donations made equated to 75 bags of food, including $450 worth of food product. Another $150 in cash donations was also collected.

Rundle credits the community with the success of the food drive, which he plans to do again next year. “The support of the community was great. They are the ones who made this happen, we just facilitated.”

In seeing the most recent statistics showing increased need, Cox is pleased to have this food drive and others taking place. While the DC Youth plan on collecting food on Halloween, Creepy Creek Camp is accepting food donations for the food bank and the OPP Auxiliary are also planning an upcoming food drive.

“These are all deeply needed and appreciated,” said Cox.

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