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Keep Calm, Tubie theme announced

 

Keep Calm and Paddle On, Tubie Weekend is right around the corner.

Organizers for the Morrisburg Tubie Festival are hard at work planning activities for the 43rd annual event, which falls on the August Long Weekend (August 2-4).  The theme of the weekend is Keep Calm and Paddle On.

This is the seventh year the Lions Club has organized the Tubie Festival, and the fourth year since it moved the Tubie Dance from the Morrisburg Arena to the outdoor venue at the softball diamond.  

Organizers are working towards the future of this long-standing event, by creating opportunities for the younger set to get involved in the 43 year old event.

One of these is the return of the teen dance, which takes place Friday, August 2, under the big tent.

“The teen dance was very well received last year,” said Michael Domanko of the Morrisburg & District Lions Club.  “We were very pleased with the number of teens who attended the first teen dance, and we hope to see more of them this year.”

Domanko added that holding the teen dance provides younger residents an opportunity to participate in Tubie Weekend.

“Many of our participants are between 16-18,” added Domanko, who pointed out that a 16-year-old, Katherine Lee, captained the winning Tubie craft two years ago. “We encourage teens to get their friends together and participate in the weekend.  Those who get involved early have a lot of fun and come back year after year.”

An important rule change will also help bring Tubies to the next generation of paddlers.

This year, each team will be allowed to have up to two 14-year-olds participate. In previous years, the age of participation was 16 and older. 

“We had some participants last year say they wanted to get their kids involved, and perhaps even include their kids on their team,” explained Domanko.  “We feel this is a good way to encourage a new generation of Tubie participants to get started.”

The usual events of the Saturday parade and dance will take place. Organizers are looking for floats to participate in this year’s parade, those interested can contact Michael Domanko mdomanko@gmail.com.

The outdoor dance will feature some local performers; The Woodwork with Bobby Paradis, Justin Beckstead, Ron Dupuis and James Orendi, will take the stage to open the party at 8 pm.

A new headlining act will follow.  Sticks ‘n Stones, a party rock band that has entertained thousands throughout Eastern Ontario over the years, will play their first Tubie Dance.  The band has opened for a variety of high-profile musical acts, including Tom Cochran, Nazareth, Trooper, The Stampeders and Chilliwack.

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Proposed grain terminal represents economic growth and competition

 

While South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds is getting an earful from a certain group of people about the proposed grain terminal for the Universal Dock, located along Lakeshore Drive in South Dundas, he too is looking at the proposed project for its broader benefit.

“As mayor, I’m looking at this as an opportunity to have a new business come to South Dundas,” he says.

“Looking at this from an economic development point of view, it’s a potential business that will generate revenue,” he added.

While he acknowledges that much of that revenue will go into the pockets of those in the agricultural community, there too will be some job creation. 

The company building the terminal is also a member of the Stormont Dundas and Glengarry business community.

“What this will do is provide a new market for agricultural products,” says Byvelds, who is a farmer.

As a farmer, he confirms that there is a need for such an outlet for agriculture commodities. 

“The reality is that we can’t use all the product that is made here and storage is an issue, so exporting makes sense,” he said. 

He explained that there are some relatively local outlets for product but during the busy harvest season there is a significant bottleneck. 

“Adding another outlet provides competition. And, competition is good for the industry. More competition tends to increase prices and that in turn brings more dollars into our local economy,” he added. 

The building permit application is still in front of South Dundas’ building officials. 

South Dundas Chief Building Officer Don Lewis, with the help of a peer review, has determined that the proposed terminal does meet the existing zoning requirements, however a building permit has not yet been issued.

While there is a process to obtaining a building permit, building permit issues are not a council matter. 

“In the end, if it meets applicable law, it can proceed,” said Byvelds. Lewis said the same.

Building permit issues only become a council matter if a zoning bylaw amendment is required. 

No zoning amendment is needed for this grain terminal project.

Byvelds acknowledges that people have alleged that his participating in voting on the matter could be seen as a conflict of interest. However, since building permits are not a council matter, and do not require a council vote, he has no conflict.

Mayor Byvelds has offered those opposed to the grain terminal the opportunity to make a presentation to South Dundas council as a delegation at the July 16 meeting.

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Clinic is open and ready for the future

 

Tuesday, July 2, St. Lawrence Medical Clinic opened the doors of the new Iroquois clinic to its patients and to future growth.

Friday, June 28, The Leader was given a tour of the former St. Cecilia School in Iroquois.

The nearly $1 million, four month renovation of the former school was finished last week, on time and on budget.

“The retrofit of this old school into a new clinic worked really nicely,” said Stephen McCann, SLMC business manager.

The new location features 6,300 square feet of clinic space, with the opportunity to add more clinic space if needed as the school gymnasium remains in tact. For now, is being used for storage. 

This new configuration of the old school features much that was missing from the old clinic location that was only about 1,700 square feet in size.

Accessible washrooms, a full lab, mini lab, designated procedure room, secondary waiting room, and more secure reception area are all features of the bright, clean, beautiful new space that is filled with new equipment and furnishings.

McCann estimates that between this project and the ongoing Morrisburg clinic project, SLMC has invested about $170,000 in new equipment and furnishings. 

“This will be a lot better,” said Debbie Shaver, SLMC receptionist, of the new Iroquois clinic, who was proud to show off the new space. “This should allow us to move more patients through,” she said, explaining that the spacious waiting areas and prep areas should allow for improved efficiency. 

Presently the clinic is staffed with three doctors, the equivalent of two on a full time basis, three nurses, one lab tech and one receptionist, but now has room to grow their staff at every level.

In this new set up, each doctor has their own office and three patient exam rooms.

“This expansion gives us the opportunity to bring in a third doctor full time,” said McCann. He also added that they now have space to better accommodate the students who are always part of the process as all of the SLMC’s doctors are preceptors. 

While having space for an additional doctor, the new space also opens up the opportunity to add ancillary services such as nurse practitioners. While that is not a reality yet, that is an opportunity that the SLMC group can pursue.

McCann explained that every part of this project has been designed and built with longevity in mind and with a view to the future, right from the floors to the air system to the network cabling.

“We are ready for the next 20 years,” said McCann. 

The building is owned by the Municipality of South Dundas, and leased to the doctors for 20 years. The terms of that agreement are such that the cost of the renovation will be fully recovered through the lease.

CIBC or Hawkesbury was contractor for the project, that was supervised locally by Hartley Hodgson. “We are 100 percent satisfied with the job they did here,” said McCann. “Working with them was a great experience.

The Iroquois Clinic was the first of SLMC’s clinic projects to be completed. The Morrisburg clinic is looking at September completion. There is a desire for renovated space in Ingleside as well, if another doctor joins the group. 

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Honouring Battle of Hoople’s Creek

 

 A large crowd and many dignitaries turned out at the site of the Lost Villages Museum on Sunday, June 30, to remember the heroism of the small militia which, 200 years ago, delayed an American invasion of Canada at Hoople’s Creek. While the skirmish may have been lost for the 500 outnumbered Canadians, the actions of the 1st Stormont Militia and the 2nd Glengarry Militia in that fight ensured that those American troops ultimately had to take on the British/Canadian forces at the Battle of Crysler’s Farm.

Carol Goddard, one of the organizers of the day’s events said there “were great crowds and great support for the celebration.” There were many exhibits and a tattoo which featured the SD&G Highlanders Band, the Sea Cadets band, the 1st Grenville Militia and the City of Brockville Pipe Band. Colonel Bill Shearing  addressed the audience telling the story of the battle. Honorary Lt.-Col. of the SD&G Highlanders, Jim Brownell, (7th from the left above) shared the stage with descendants of the Hoople family and Lt.- Colonel Duda (9th from the left), commander of the Glens. South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds (4th from the left) was also on hand for the celebration. Town crier Lawrence Levere (extreme right) said “our heritage will never be forgotten and our pride will never be diminished,” in describing the battle.

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Pizza and a Poster – LINK program at SDHS exceeds all expectations

 

In August of 2012, Seaway District High School teacher Heather Thompson had just finished training the first ever LINK group at the school. 

As Thompson said at the time, “These grade 12 students, we hope, can begin to build strong relationships with our grade nines. They can become people to whom grade nines can safely turn. I think this program will start the school year off in a positive, energetic way that will make this the best year at Seaway.”

According to UCDSB feed back, reports from teachers and administrators, and comments from both the LINK partners and the grade nines they have mentored for 10 months, the new program has, unquestionably, been an outstanding success. 

The LINK program is a one credit Interdisciplinary Course on Leadership taught at Seaway by Heather Thompson. Sixteen students completed the course.

On Wednesday, June 5, the grade nines and their LINK leaders gathered in the school cafeteria to celebrate the year, and to dedicate the first ever Legacy Poster, as a permanent tribute to this year’s grade nines.

The students took part in some spirit building activities with their LINK leaders, then were introduced to the Legacy Poster, Before I Graduate…, the work of LINK student Jessica Bass. 

“Jessica’s leadership idea was to create a legacy poster (the concept originated with the Before I Die…project) specifically for this school,” said Heather Thompson. “She worked through several drafts with graphic artist Lesley Ellam, and came up with this beautiful final result. Her hope is to see a wall of posters at Seaway creating a permanent legacy of each year’s grade nines.”

Every grade nine student was invited to sign his/her name to the 2013 poster, which will be laminated and mounted on a wall at the school. 

How has putting in place a LINK program affected Seaway? 

“This year the board asked every grade nine student it serves to complete a detailed Tell Them From Me form,” said Seaway principal, Terry Gardiner. “The TTFM was designed to survey the school climate throughout the region. It particularly asked students to rate their sense of belonging. I am proud to say that Seaway’s grade nines scored higher than the national average in their sense of belonging, and lower than the national average in feelings of bullying. 

Our grade nines have set the example for the next group of grade eights coming up, showing them this is a school to be proud of. And our LINK leaders are part of this.”

“The survey results are critical,” said Thompson. “They set Seaway apart. We are a small school, but we can make a huge difference. Through the LINK program we have seen grade nines out with their mentors doing community service and getting involved in community efforts. 

In our entire grade nine class this year, first semester, only three credits were lost. Strong teachers and strong mentoring and support from LINK leaders has made a difference. Creating a culture of caring is generating positive and real feed back, and having an impact on the whole school.”

As part of the celebration, the nines and their grade 12 mentors enjoyed pizza supplied by the board, and cookies from their principal. 

Teachers Carrie Gilmour and Melissa Ringler, who run a cross curriculum activity for grade nines combining science and english, explained that Seaway students won the pizzas for submitting posters to the board. 

“The theme was to be a way to encourage kids to take the Specialist High School Major Program,” Gilmour said. “Our students worked very hard on the project. Seaway submitted so many entries, that the Board was completely impressed, and felt we deserved a ‘prize.’ Ms Ringler and I decided to combine the pizza feast with the LINK legacy poster celebration.”

“We want to create a culture of caring and concern in our school,” Jessica Bass told the grade nines. “Each class hereafter will sign their names, as we do today, to their own posters. These posters will be an awesome reminder to all that Seaway is a great place.”

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Timothy Christian celebrates its 50th anniversary

 

The members of the Timothy Christian 50th anniversary organizing committee won kudos from the hundreds of people who turned out June 28-30 to celebrate the school’s accomplishments and to share memories and good times. “We had 60 people drop in to our memorabilia night on Friday,” said TC principal Gary Postma, “and another 125 attended our car rally and ball games on Saturday. Our celebratory dinner at Matilda Hall on Saturday evening drew a massive crowd with 300 coming out. On Sunday morning, the Christian Reformed Church was packed as 400 worshippers joined in the service. The organizing team just did an incredible job. We seemed to hit all the right notes with our 50th anniversary celebration: lots of good vibes and lots of compliments on the press coverage and all the events. It was just a great occasion for everyone.” The organizing team gathered beneath the theme of the gala Friday evening. In front are Audrie Pol and Art Pol, chair of the TC board, who gives much credit to the hard work of the team. Behind, l-r, are Bill Byker, chair of the committee, Wes Douma, Margaret Ten Brink, Gary Postma and Andrew Bouwman.

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10th annual Mopar Magic Car Show in Cornwall this Saturday

 

Saturday June 29, another “don’t miss” summer event takes place along the shores of the St. Lawrence in beautiful Lamoureux Park in Cornwall.  It’s the 10th annual Mopar Magic Car Show which hosts collector cars and enthusiasts from across Ontario, Quebec, and Upstate New York.  

The Mopar Magic Car Show is held rain or shine and runs from 11a.m. – 4 p.m.  

As always admission is free to the public, so bring the family and enjoy the day, and vote for your favorite Mopars.  Your ballots will select the winners of 25 People’s Choice trophies, plus 5 additional “modern muscle” awards for the newer generation of Chargers, Challengers, etc.  Best Club Participation, Long Distance Award, and Lou’s Pick trophies are awarded as well.  All presentations start around 3 p.m.

The day is sponsored by Notman Chrysler Dodge Jeep and is a major annual fundraiser supporting activities of the local Girl Guides.  

This year the 17th Cornwall Pathfinders and Rangers are sending a group of 12 to England, so proceeds from their all day barbecue and 50/50 draw will help defray some of their costs.

Mopar Magic has grown to become Canada’s largest, single day Mopar-only event, and this year we expect to host approximately 275 Mopars. You can check out last year’s show on You Tube under Mopar Magic Cornwall 2012. 

The name “Mopar” was coined in the late 1930’s as a contraction of “motor” and “parts” recognizing Chrysler’s Parts Division.  Since then it has evolved to include a family of iconic brand names including Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, Desoto and AMC.

Mopar products were renowned for their high impact colours during a past, now nostalgic era, and a colour spectrum of Lime Light to Vitamin ‘C’, Plum Crazy to Panther Pink, will brighten anyone’s day. 

Hemi’s, 440 Six packs, Max Wedges, and even the famed Slant Six will be represented to rekindle memories of your first car, or perhaps the weekly Sunday cruise with mom and dad.

As well, renowned Canadian artist Michael Irvine returns with a huge display of his automotive-themed art, both original and prints.

Fabulous 50’s-60’s-70’s music will be supplied by Johnny B. Good and radio station 104.5 FM will broadcast live throughout the day.

So mark your calendar for Saturday June, 29 and join us for Mopar Magic 2013. It’s great family fun….. and it’s all free.

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Industrial expansion approved by council

 

A project that will open up some municipally-owned commercial property in Morrisburg finally has approval. 

At the June 18 South Dundas council meeting the nearly $535,000 project tender was awarded to David Brown Construction.

The project will see Industrial Road in the Morrisburg industrial park extended 500 meters north and 400 meters east to complete the loop to Prospect Road.

While the properties to the east of the new roadway are privately-owned, those west and north of the road are owned by the municipality.

Having commercial property available and ready for development is something that the municipality has not been able to offer businesses expressing an interest in coming here. This project will open up that opportunity.

“If we want someone to build there, then we better put a road out there,” said South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan.

“This is the only way it happens,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. “If we don’t have it, it will never happen.”

Council agreed and approved the project.

The roadway will be built, but the land will not be serviced until the need arises.

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Timothy Christian School (Part II) welcomes all to 50th anniversary

 

 A school is much more than walls and boards and desks, books and playing fields. A school is people: the students who attend it, the teachers who make classrooms welcoming, the parents who faithfully attend every event (and wrestle with homework!), the community that supports and encourages it.

On Friday, June 28, Timothy Christian, which is devoted to “helping children understand God’s world” is inviting everyone to come and help celebrate its 50 years as a vital part of the South Dundas community.

I had the opportunity to spend a morning at the school. Along with principal Gary Postma, my special guides June 12 were members of the 2013 grade eight graduating class: Gwen Knight, Emily Tibben, Cilicia Pol and Kyle Havenaar. (Unfortunately fellow grad Jade van Dyke was not able to attend.)

Gwen is a recent transfer to Timothy Christian. She came last year to grade seven from Rose-des-Vend in Cornwall. “It was easy to fit in here,” Gwen said. “When you go to a big school, you have to find your way. I knew people here by day two.”

Emily, Cilicia and Kyle said, with grins, that they had all been at Timothy Christian “forever.” 

What are some of their first memories of school?

“I remember visiting Mr. Postma,” Kyle laughed. “Then I found I liked nap time a lot.”

“It was great,” Cilicia said, “because we all got a turn sleeping in the Puppet Theatre, which had this big pillow.”

“I remember painting with chocolate pudding,” said Emily, who will be the 2013 valedictorian. “It was gross, but a lot of fun. And we got to eat the ‘paint’ later.”

They talked about field trips to places like Mont Cascade and Cosmic Adventures. They also described science fairs and “fun fairs” that involved some hilarious, if silly games like major “bubble gum blowing.”

Timothy’s Got Talent is a popular yearly school event. Auditions are held and various acts are chosen, including stand up comics. “The best comic in school is Noah, in grade three,” all four students agreed.

Teachers are “very involved. They seem to like it here, they  support us, and they really like kids. Class is usually fun.” (“Maybe not math all the time,” Kyle grinned.)

Were there any embarrassing moments in your school careers?

“Oh, no,” they said solemnly. “Everyone in this group was totally perfect.” 

When the laughter died down, a story about sticking grade seven student Aiden into a garbage pail in the girls’ bathroom came out. “It was just for fun. He thought it was funny too. But just as he got out of the pail and was heading out the girls’ door, Mr. Postma caught him…He caught us too.”

Later the students took me on a tour of several colourful, and bright  classrooms. We visited the junior/senior kindergarten students, the grades one/two and  finally dropped in to the grade seven/eight classroom. Then the grade eights and I joined the entire school outside for a very special 50th anniversary  Timothy Christian photo.

Chair of the Timothy Christian board of directors, Art Pol, also took time from his busy schedule to come by the school June 12 to talk about the big celebration of the school’s 50 years. 

“We formed an anniversary committee last year,” Pol said. “They have really worked hard setting up events, caterers and booking halls. They are also putting together a special booklet that will have pictures of all the graduating classes and all the staffs over the years. On Friday night, people can come to the school to meet and greet and remember, as classrooms will be set up with memorabilia and photos past and present.”

Saturday the committee has arranged a car rally, a barbecue and games at the school. “This is all open house. Everyone is invited.”

On Saturday evening, a special banquet (ticket holders only) will take place at the Matilda Hall. The guest speaker is Dr. Brenda L. Berkelaar, assistant professor at the College of Communications, the University of Texas at Austin, and a former Timothy Christian student. 

On Sunday, a celebration service will be held with guest pastor, and another Timothy Christian graduate, Tim Lumies, preaching the sermon.

For 50 years, what has Timothy Christian meant to this community?

“For my family, it’s important to educate the child,” Art Pol said. “But for six hours a day,  I know my kids are with teachers who also care about what’s going on in their hearts. 

I see it as a triangle of home, church and school. These forces work together to develop the whole child and to equip him or her to better face the future.

Timothy Christian is developing our youth and our future leaders, teaching them that morality matters in a leader.”

“Celebrating a half century of Christian education in our community is very special,” Art Pol explained. “God has led us through all the struggles of the past. He continues to guide and to bless us.”

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Proponents release details of grain terminal

 

The proponents of a proposed grain terminal for South Dundas released a number of details about the upcoming project on Monday.

Ontario Grain Terminals is proposing to construct a grain terminal on the site of the UTI dock located on Lakeshore Drive in South Dundas. 

Once in operation, the grain terminal expects to receive wheat, soy beans and corn during their respective harvest periods for shipment by marine vessel. 

Eastern Ontario produces over one million tons of grain annually and this creates a seasonal surplus that must find its way to market. 

Current storage capacity in the area is insufficient creating less than ideal market conditions for local farmers at harvest.

It is expected Ontario Grain Terminals new export facility will relieve some of the congestion by providing local farmers and elevator operators with a new market for their grains. 

Several major marine shippers of grain have expressed interest in loading their ships and this should provide better economics for local grain farmers.

The proposed facility will consist of two 20,000 ton grain bins similar in design and construction to grain bins on farms and grain elevators with the possibility of adding two more bins of the same size in the future is demand is sufficient. 

The bins are proposed to be located immediately south of Lakeshore Drive on the UTI dock. 

The design includes truck unloading and loading, plus a conveyor to the edge of the water for loading ships. 

The proposed grain terminal is being designed by Horst Systems Ltd, a Guelph based builder of grain storage and handling systems for the past 20 years. 

Earl Horst, the Founder of Horst Systems, now resides in Winchester and is actively involved in the design and construction of grain storage and handling projects in eastern Ontario.

The truck unloading pit will have dust control systems. 

The aeration fans required to maintain grain quality will also be located on the south side of the grain bins. 

The terminal will not have grain drying equipment. 

The site is in close proximity to several residences and is being designed to the highest standards to minimize the impact. 

The project has recently moved to the permitting stage and construction is expected to begin after the required permits have been obtained.

Ontario Grain Terminals will be managed by Ben Currelly, CEO of NorAg Resources Inc. 

As the founder and owner of NorAg Resources, Ben has over 30 years of experience as a grain farmer, elevator operator, and 12 years of experience as a grain merchandizer/trader. 

Ben is well known to farmers and elevators in eastern Ontario and has developed an excellent reputation among his customers and suppliers. 

NorAg provides a full suite of services to grain farmers and elevator including forward purchase contracts, hedging and logistics. 

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