May 2015 – Page 2 – Morrisburg Leader

Seaway Students Make Hay While the Sun Shines

May 20, 2015 Editor

South Dundas is a community founded on farming and the agricultural life.

This was really evident on Tuesday, May 19, when students and staff at Seaway District High School took part in the 4th Annual Hay Day, held in the track area, a school-wide event organized and run by teacher Robert Knapp and students enrolled in the combined Agriculture/Transportation program, a specialty program at the school. There were tractors in the student parking lot, sheep, chickens, pheasants and a calf under the trees, hunting information, giant tractor tires to roll, wheelbarrows to race, hay to hurl and an hilarious variation on the horse shoe toss which featured toilet seats. (“New toilet seats,” laughed Knapp.)

“Today is a lot of fun for the teachers and the students,” Knapp explained. “My students run each of the events, and the Seaway kids and staff are all organized into teams to take part. I find that this is one of the school activities where almost every kid takes part. Events like this get us back to our farming roots, reminding people of the importance of agriculture in this community. And just to further demonstrate that, we usually hold Hay Day a little earlier in the month, but we pushed the Day back to accommodate the late planting season this year.”

The community helped out with the day. Rooneys provided the grain sacks, hay and straw was delivered by area farmers, and local callers demonstrated goose and wild turkey calls, camouflage gear and the use of wild bird decoys in proper hunting techniques.

Hay Day ran from 9:15 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the school.

[…]

Not a willing host? Not so fast, wind position could waver

May 13, 2015 Editor

Presently, South Dundas is not a willing host for future wind projects, but that could change.

At the May 5 South Dundas council meeting, mayor Evonne Delegarde read the resolution passed October 1, 2013.

That resolution, originally brought forward by South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke, stated that, “Due to the fact that Ontario has a considerable generating capacity and only 25 per cent of the current wind power generating approved by contracts are currently connected to the power grid, the Municipality of South Dundas hereby declares that any future proposals will not be supported until the supply and demand for generation demonstrates a need.”

That motion was forwarded to the Minister of Energy and the Premier of Ontario at the time.

After mayor Delegarde read the resolution at the last week’s council meeting, she said that she would like to direct staff to forward a copy of it to EDP Renewables who at the last meeting spoke about plans for a new project east of the South Branch Wind Farm that could mean up to 40 new turbines to the area.

She also said it should be forwarded to the other company who plans to discuss another proposal with the municipality at an upcoming council meeting.

But the rest of council did not agree with Delegarde’s direction.

“I originally brought that resolution forward, but a lot has changed in the last two years,” said South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke.

He said that he would like to see the location of the proposed towers before taking that stance with those interested in South Dundas for future projects.

He said that a lot of the fears regarding the South Branch project never materialized.

He suggested that, had two of the towers been erected in different locations there would not have been nearly the opposition to the project.

He also said that property values have not been affected.

“Let’s see the plan first, and then make a decision based on the plan,” said South Dundas councillor Marc St. Pierre, who was not part of the council that passed that 2013 resolution.

The other new council member Bill Ewing, who is the South Dundas representative of the Rideau St. Lawrence Utilities board, said that he would like to have a better understanding from the RSL perspective before making any decision.

South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan did not participate in these discussions having declared a conflict of interest in the matter.

Under the new provincial program, municipal support is one of the factors considered in the awarding of contracts.

EDP has not yet officially asked for that support.

[…]

Arrests made in rash of break-ins

May 13, 2015 Editor

Following an ongoing investigation into several reported break-ins occurring during the month of April in South Dundas, Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry and Grenville County Ontario Provincial Police Crime Unit members have arrested and charged four adults.

Details were released May 7.

Criminal Code of Canada search warrants were executed at two residences in Edwardsburgh Township resulting in several items of stolen property recovered; consisting of drugs, assorted electronics, hunting equipment, hand/power tools, lawn tractor/gardening products and cash.

Allan Robinson (42) of Edwardsburgh Township is charged with;

– Break, Enter a Place – Commit Indictable Offence (4 counts)

– Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 (4 counts)

– Mischief Under $5,000 (2 counts)

– Possession of a Controlled Substance – Cocaine.

He is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Morrisburg on June 9, 2015.

Patricia Mellon (36) of Cardinal, Ontario is charged with;

– Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

She is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Morrisburg on June 9, 2015.

Christos Valaveris (50) of Prescott, Ontario is charged with;

– Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000

– Fail to Comply with Recognizance.

He was held in custody pending an appearance (bail) at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville.

Tara McEnaney (41) of Prescott, Ontario is charged with;

– Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000.

She was released and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville on June 5, 2015.

[…]

Three 1st for Seaway at National Capital Classic Track and Field Meet

May 13, 2015 Editor

Shot put specialist Maggie Wells was back in form, and jumper Kaitlyn Stewart was on top of her game at the National Capital High School Track and Field Classic run over two days at the Terry Fox Athletic fields at Mooney Bay Park on Thursday and Friday, May 7-8.

Wells won the midget girls shot put Friday, with a throw of 11.92m, well up from her third place 10.88m throw at the Thousand Island Meet two weeks ago and Stewart won open triple jump with a 10.12m jump, just slightly under her winning jump of 10.45m at TISS. Well’s other specialty, discus, was not offered at the Classic due to renovations being made to the throwing area.

Due to the high volume of athletes (over 1,500 in the last few years), this year’s Classic was run over two days and offered identical competition.

Midget athlete David Swerdfeger had another successful meet with a first in the 300m hurdles (46.14 seconds) and a pair of seconds in long jump (5.35m) and triple jump open (11.75m).

Sid Sideratos took second in high jump with a 1.50m jump (winner jumped 1.55m), and third in shot put with an 11.29m throw (12,88m won it). This was down from his 12.14m throw at TISS.

Kaeghan Lowson picked up ribbons in midget boys javelin and 300m hurdles.

Down just slightly from his fifth place 32.45m throw at Thousands Island, he placed second in javelin at 32.03m. A 39.54m throw won the event.

Lowson was third in the 300m hurdles (50.29 seconds) and ran the 400m ninth at 1:01.40 shaving just under two minutes off his TISS time.

Also at the midget level, Shawn Dowson was fourth in high jump (1.50m). He was ninth in shot put with a 9.83m throw.

Rounding out the boys team was junior athlete, Kyle Ault who ran the 200m in 27.38 seconds and the 400 in 1:00.96 to place 10th and 14th respectively.

On the girls team, Cassie Hummel improved her pb throw of 27.60m thrown at TISS two weeks ago with a 27.67m. This gave her third place in junior javelin. (Winning throw 29.54m).

The junior girls had six athletes competing including Wells and Hummel.

Kaitlyn Stewart, along with her triple jump win, had a fourth place long jump finish at 4.45m down. The win went in 4.64m.

Izzy Burrell jumped 8.71m for a seventh place triple jump finish in the open division and was 11th in long jump with a 3.97m jump.

Quinn Horne and Holly Connolly-MacDonald ran the junior girls 100 and 200m races. Horne was ninth in the 200 with a time of 30.21 seconds and 11th in the 100 at 14.43 seconds. Connolly-MacDonald finished well back with a time of 17.47 in the 100 and 38.67 in the 200m.

Midget high jumper, Taylor Sharpley was fourth at 1.30m. She ran the 200m at 30.47 time.

The lone senior athlete was Ashley Whitteker who ran the 100 (12th at 14.83) and 200m (13th at 32.66).

The Seaway Track Team is in Cornwall today, Wednesday, May 13 for the SD&G Meet.

[…]

Skate Canada Award for Engwerda

May 13, 2015 Editor

Morrisburg and District figure skater, Alexis Engwerda added yet another award to a successful season on Sunday, May 3, when she was named the Eastern Ontario Section Program Assistant of the Year at the annual awards gala held in Kingston.

“Alexis has had an incredibly exciting and successful skating season,” says her professional skate coach, Allison Scott. “And her latest achievement of Program Assistant of the Year for the Eastern Ontario Section is the ‘icing on the cake’ so to speak.”

Since the spring of 2014, Engwerda has earned her Gold Skills, passed seven dances and a junior silver freeskate test and half of her senior silver freeskate. She was the silver medalist at the Eastern Ontario Championships and then Champion at the All-Ontario.

Still on the ice, but now giving back to her favourite sport and the young skaters in the Morrisburg and District Figure Skate program, Engwerda was chosen by her club for the Program Assistant Award for her “unwavering devotion and selfless commitment to teaching the younger skaters twice a week on the club Canskate program.”

She was also nominated by her club for the award at the Section level.

“This is a remarkable achievement and exciting for the club to have someone recognized at the Section level,” said Scott.

The Eastern Ontario Section Achievement Awards pay tribute to athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers who make a significant impact to figure skating.

Engwerda and the award winners from throughout Eastern Ontario were piped into the Vimy Officer’s mess, CFB Kingston and served lunch before receiving their awards.

Alaine Chartrand, Canadian National Senior Women’s silver medallist, who has been training with some local skaters during the spring season in Cardinal, was also present and recognized for her successful season. She spoke of her adventures and challenges of the past year.

[…]

Chilren’s Treatment Centre Bike-A-Thon Plus set for May 23rd

May 13, 2015 Editor

If spring alone wasn’t enough of a reason for a bicycle tune-up, the Children’s Treatment Centre’s major annual fundraiser should provide some extra motivation.

The Bike-A-Thon Plus will be back for a sixth year in Dundas county on May 23, with activities in both townships that will raise money for the agency that depends solely on community donations to provide its essential services.

Though headquartered in Cornwall, the Children’s Treatment Centre provides counselling for abused children throughout the United Counties as well as Akwesasne.

The Centre offers assessment and ongoing treatment to families who have been impacted by sexual, emotional or physical abuse, and also works to prevent these traumas in the first place.

Since its launch in 1996, nearly 2,300 children from over 1,900 families have been cared for by professional psychologist, psychiatrist and counsellors at the Children’s Treatment Centre.

Dundas county alone has made over 215 referrals to the Centre, and for the last few years has also made direct financial contributions to keep its doors open.

“The Dundas chapter of the Bike-A-Thon Plus – which began in Cornwall three decades ago and has since become the second largest fundraiser for the Centre – has raised between $5,000 and $9,000 for the Centre each year” said Doug Grenkie, a Coordinator of the event.

Both North and South Dundas townships will have events on Saturday, May 23, including a bike and walk.

Participants can begin registering at 10 a.m. at the Lions Pavilion, Winchester Arena or North Dundas High School. Walkers will head out from the high school around noon, with both cyclists and walkers heading to the Chesterville Fairgrounds for a barbecue at 1 p.m.

Those participating in the southern township will start and finish at the Morrisburg Docksyde, which will also be the place for refreshments in the afternoon.

Pledge forms are available in Morrisburg at the law office of Gorrell, Grenkie & Remillard, in Chesterville at the law office of Cass, Grenkie & Remillard and at the Children’s Treatment Centre in Cornwall. Those who raise $30 or more will receive a t-shirt or magnet, as well as draw tickets for every $10 in donations to win various prizes including cash.

For additional information, contact event coordinators Doug Grenkie in South Dundas at 613-543-2922, or Natasha Hodge in North Dundas at 613-774-3978.

[…]

Childrens Treatment Centre Bikeathon Plus