CN overpass project slated for this summer

United Way/ Centraide of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry has reached 60 per cent of its $707,070 goal for the 2014 Annual Campaign, but is concerned that the target may not be reached.

“We are always grateful for the generosity of our Community and we hope that spirit of giving and caring will carry us through this year too!” said Danny Aikman, Board President. This sentiment is felt by all of the volunteers on the Board of Directors and Campaign Team, but the organization is realistically looking at the numbers and is concerned it is not on track to reach the Campaign goal by next Friday.

“We are extremely thankful for the money that has been contributed so far”, said Nolan Quinn, 2014 Campaign Chair. “We very much need to reach our goal to ensure we have the best and most significant impact in our community. We fundraise so that our agencies can concentrate on what is important – running programs to help those who need it most. Our volunteers and staff are motivated and moving forward with strategies to close the gap, and we are hoping our Community can help us to reach the end successfully”.

The organization has one week remaining to reach the 2014 target. 16 agencies provide 19 programs, directly impact the lives of thousands of local residents. Proceeds from the yearly campaign stay local and fund programs which assist people throughout SDG.  The organization is not discounting the possibility of extending the Campaign end date in order to achieve its objective. 

“We thank everyone who Believes in Community and chooses to give a gift to those who need it most”, said Lori Greer, Executive Director. “No amount is too small to give. If you would like to empty your change jar and bring it to the office, we will gladly accept it. Every donation helps us to help your neighbours, family and friends in our Community”. 

Contributions to the 2014 Annual Campaign can be made online at unitedwaysdg.com, by mail or in person at 405 Fourth Street West, P.O. Box 441, Cornwall K6H 5T2, and also by calling 613-932-2051 to donate by credit card. Donations of $25 or more enters you into a draw for a $3,000 gift certificate for Algonquin Travel, supported by Bell.

The United Way of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry is governed by a local Board of Directors, who, with United Way staff and volunteers help to raise funds that assist 16 agencies (19 programs) throughout Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. 

Its is to improve lives by working together with priorities focused on moving people from poverty to possibility, healthy people, strong communities and all that kids can be. For more information on United Way/Centraide SD&G, or to donate, visit unitedwaysdg.com. 

[…]

“This show just seemed to push all the right buttons with me,” said Donnie Bowes, artistic director of Upper Canada Playhouse, “I really liked the idea of a play about interesting people, and about rural people like many of our audiences. I saw Mark Crawford’s Stag and Doe, a play about small town weddings, and the funny challenges they bring, and it appealed to me: I thought it would appeal to Playhouse audiences.” 

Stag and Doe, a brand new play, opens at Upper Canada Playhouse on June 11, and runs until July 5. Featuring a cast of six, the comedy is being directed by Bowes on a spectacular set designed by former Playhouse technical director, Sean Free.

The play is built around the wonderful, and hilarious crises that erupt in a small town when a bride and groom from one side of the tracks, due to a wedding tent ‘disaster’ that features pig manure, must suddenly hold their reception at the only town hall on the same day that another engaged couple, (from a different side of the tracks) has scheduled their Stag and Doe party. The comic chaos that ensues will leave audiences in stitches.

“Mark Crawford just seems to have his finger on the pulse of small town life,” laughed Bowes. “You look for humour and conflict in a play, and this show has it all. And it asks some questions about weddings and pre-wedding events that must cross the minds of a lot of couples. Is there such a thing as a ‘perfect wedding,’ really? And is a Stag and Doe held so that friends who aren’t going to attend the actual ceremony can celebrate with the bride and groom, or is it held for the money?”

Entertainingly, two performers are getting to experience a vicarious look at this whole on stage wedding ‘scene’,  just as their own special day draws near. 

Parris Greaves and Jody Osmond, who play Rob and Mandy in Stag and Doe, will be married this September. For real.

“We actually met here at the Playhouse, doing a show,” Greaves said, “and we’re delighted to be back at UCP with a chance to play a couple on their wedding day. Our characters Mandy and Rob are facing some issues as their wedding gets bigger and bigger, and the whole event seems to be growing more important than what it is supposed to mean.” “That’s not Parris and me, of course,” laughed Osmond.

Cast members create characters who may be very familiar to anyone who has ever been involved in the small town wedding experience. Bonnie (Julia Lederer) and Brad (Zach Counsil), who have the Stag and Doe planned, are also in a kind of “pre-nuptial crisis.”

“Bonnie is very focussed on fixing her financial issues through the Stag and Doe,” said Lederer, “because she has overspent ‘just a little’ on this wedding.” 

“Brad, the small town guy, just wanted a nice, simple, reasonable wedding,” said Counsil, “and everything is spiralling out of control. Then they have to deal with this other couple.”

Colleen Sutton is Dee, who is donning bridesmaid’s clothes “for the fifth time, and is getting pretty ‘vexed’ that she has never been the bride. And she may have a bit of history with Mandy’s man.” Jay, the caterer, played by Perry Mucci, isn’t actually marrying anyone, but he’s still got wedding issues of his own. What do you do when your entire staff gets themselves arrested on the day of the wedding, and the wedding cake itself has vanished?

This is a production that is going to demand a lot of the backstage crew as well. With particular sound and props cues scattered throughout the show, costume changes, and food that must be both realistically ‘fake’ some times and realistically edible other times, they are very, very busy in this new show. However, stage manager Liz Campbell, production assistant Tristan Goethel and apprentice stage manager Bradley Dunn will have the action well in hand according to director Bowes. The show is being lit by the theatre’s new technical director, Jenna Robinson.

Stag and Doe, a comic and wonderful look at a slice of small town life, runs at UCP until July 5. For tickets and information contact 613-543-3713 or 1-877-550-3650.

[…]

Iroquois holds its Remembrance Day ceremony

It was cold, almost bitter, and the skies were grey in Iroquois on Sunday, November 4, as Iroquois held its Remembrance Day ceremony.

That did not stop people, all ages, from coming out to honour and remember the young men who laid down their lives for Canada in the great World Wars. Also remembered at the ceremony were the veterans of Korea, of many Canadian peace keeping missions and of Afghanistan.

The Iroquois Fire Department joined the Legion Colour Party and members of Branch #370 in the parade to the cenotaph, as did the scouts and many others.

During the services at the Legion and at the monument, the pipes and drums of the Kemptville Legion Branch #212 Pipe Band, directed by Pipe Major Mike Durant, played hymns and airs that would have been very familiar to the soldiers who served Canada’s colours. Everyone sang “O Canada” before the memorial.

Wreaths were presented on behalf of local organizations, businesses, churches, families and individuals. The young people of the community were also part of the service. MP Guy Lauzon laid a wreath on behalf of the federal government while MPP Jim McDonell placed one for the government of Ontario. Councillor Evonne Delegarde represented the Township of South Dundas. Two minutes of silence was observed.

Legion chaplain the Reverend Janet Evans led those present in prayer, finishing with the words, “We give You thanks for all who served their nation in time of trial, and for those who made the supreme sacrifice.” 

[…]