Royal Canadian Mounties Musical Ride at the Village

The Winchester District Memorial Hospital Wish Tree has been officially lit, and the Hospital Foundation hopes that the spirit of giving in the community will be strong this holiday season. 

Last year gifts totalling over $49,000 were given in support of high priority needs at the hospital. To date, more than $30,000 has already been donated, with a deadline of December 31 about two weeks away. 

This year, 23 students from Morrisburg Public School attended the official Wish Tree lighting ceremony on Tuesday, December 11, in the main lobby of the hospital. 

Two MPS students, Cameryn Broad and Kristyn VanHoof, were given the honour, with Troy Cross, executive director of the WDMH Foundation, of throwing the switch to light the tree.

The Morrisburg students, with teacher Sarah Barclay-Thomas, had earlier delivered close to 400 hand made Christmas cards to the hospital, intended for patients who might have to spend Christmas in hospital care. 

“We also brought Christmas jingle bells, paper snowflakes, Christmas ornaments and special art work with us,” teacher Barclay-Thomas said. “Morrisburg Public School does not have a large population, so many of our students, from kindergarten to grade six, created more than one special card. We wanted to be sure that every patient was remembered. We look forward to coming to Winchester at this time of year, to sing, visit patients and present our cards to them.”

Accompanied by Joanne Sidorchuk, manager CCCU Rehab and Diagnostics, the students visited several floors of the hospital before the tree lighting ceremony. One of the highlights of their visit was the ability to deliver “welcome to the world” cards, especially designed for babies, to day old Kaley Kelly and her parents, Corinne and Chris.

Then the students joined hospital officials and guests in the lobby, where the Village Voyces choir performed songs of the season.

 “This Wish Tree is a symbol of the light our loved ones and caregivers have brought into our lives,” said Troy Cross. “Many, many people have touched our lives and this Tree represents them. 

Everyone recognized on this tree has given a gift to the hospital, recognizing a loved one who has passed, a friend or a member of our staff. The gifts we receive at this time serve our hospital not just in this season but also onward. 

And it is a real pleasure to see Morrisburg Public School students with us, touring our hospital to sing and give cards to our patients.”

This year, several hundred generous donors have given their support to the Wish Tree campaign. In the past, Scotiabank (whose seven branches support the campaign), was the sole matching partner of the Wish Tree program. This year Scotiabank will be joined by new sponsors Dan R Equipment, MacEwen Petroleum, Riveredge Farms and Russell Meadows Retirement Community.

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Friday, Jim Whelan of Sun Life Financial invited, customers, community officials, friends and neighbours to join him for an open house celebrating the relocation of his business from a home office to a storefront in the Morrisburg Plaza.

“I have always wanted a storefront and here I am,” said Whelan of his Main Street plaza location (in the former Allan Bell office) that he has now occupied since October 1. 

Whelan has 10 years experience with Sun Life offering life and health insurance, mutual funds and estate planning.

Friday, Bill Ewing, president of the Morrisburg Business Improvement Area (BIA) welcomed Whelan to the Morrisburg Plaza, saying that it is always positive to see the storefronts filling up.

South Dundas councillors Evonne Delegarde and Archie Mellan were on hand to offer their congratulations. “Congratulations and best wishes to Jim,” said Councillor Delegarde. “We are glad to see another business in the Morrisburg Plaza. “I’m glad to see Suds (Jim) in his new digs. It’s great to have him here,” added Councillor Mellan.

Mayor Steven Byvelds welcomed Whelan to the Morrisburg Plaza and said, “This gives Jim an opportunity to put his name out there is an accessible location, while becoming part of the BIA community, where he can help them work together to promote the plaza.”

“Small businesses are important to our local economy,” said Nicole Sullivan, South Dundas’ economic development officer. “Small business represents about half of the businesses in the area, so we are thrilled to see small businesses and entrepreneurs starting new ventures.”

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It was a tough decision for the three official, and one slightly unofficial, judges who had to choose the best chili entry at the Iroquois Legion Branch 370 Great Chili Cook-off on Saturday, February 28.

When all 12 entries had been sampled (and greatly admired) the judges selected Gail McCallum first, Lyle Fickes second and Anita Gilmour, third. Vicki Tetley took home an honourable mention and the People’s choice awards.

“It’s never easy for the judges to choose,” said contest organizer Shelley Cumberland. “We had 12 great contenders for the title of Chili Champion, 2015, with bragging rights for the year.”

This was the ninth annual Chili Cook-off held at the Legion. After the official judging, guests enjoyed a delicious dinner and the music of Keith Johnston, King of Karaoke.

Official judges for this year’s cook-off  were  Michael Tryon, chief cook on the Canadian icebreaker ‘Griffon’, South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services Chief, Chris McDonough, and South Dundas mayor, Evonne Delegarde.

The somewhat unofficial  fourth judge was one ‘Juan Pedro de la Rodriques’, apparently from Tijuana, a noted chili eater, visiting in Iroquois to get away from all that hot weather down in Mexico. (In another life, Judge “Juan” is also known as Justin Mayhew).

“The chilis are all submitted anonymously, with none of the cooks on hand,” said Shelley Cumberland, “so there is not a hint of favouritism. The decisions are based on the judges’ personal tastes. We don’t have a set criteria.”

The funds raised at events such as the Great Chili Cook-off allow the Legion to continue its support of many community efforts.

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