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Get ready to take in some great toe-tapping, hand-clapping good times at Iroquois Point this weekend. The annual Bluegrass Festival, sponsored by the Galop Canal Committee, is running June 18-21 at 6020 Carman Road. This year, the Festival is even bigger and better.

Four days of music provided by outstanding live bands, will thrill dedicated bluegrass fans, and win new fans to the genre. And this year, there’s a special session, Friday, June 19, 2 to 5 p.m. only, of country music, featuring Ralph and Brenda Country. 

Following the Festival opening ceremonies at 5:45 p.m., held at the Lions Bandshell, audiences can just sit back and enjoy some outstanding bluegrass for the rest of the weekend.

 “We already have reservations for 200 campers right on the site,” said Geraldine Fitzsimmons, manager of the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce. “The chair of the Galop Canal Bluegrass Festival, Joey Vankoppen, and his team of dedicated volunteers, have been working a lot of hard hours to make this Festival a runaway success. And we have a great musical line-up for audiences, due in large measure to the efforts of Melissa Sherman, who helped put the band line-up together. And the word is definitely out there, since our advance sales are really good this year. I know that people simply love this South Dundas area.”

The bands featured this year are Grassy Fiddle Time, County Road 5, Maple Hill, County Road 44, Hard Ryde, Monroe Sisters, Barrel Boys, Canucky Bluegrass Boys, Georgian Blue and the Schotts. 

Not only will people be able to enjoy the best of Bluegrass performances, the Festival also offers free workshops to those interested in learning more about playing traditional bluegrass. On Saturday, June 20, members of the band, Hard Ryde, will be offering an 11 a.m. mandolin workshop, a 12 noon banjo workshop and a 1 p.m. guitar workshop. All participants need is an interest and an instrument. All ages are welcome from novices to experienced players.

And there will be plenty of good eating all weekend to go along with the fun and music. The Iroquois Legion is offering a delicious breakfast on Saturday morning: tickets will also be on sale (reserve in advance with Barb Rabideau at 613-543-3114) for a Legion steak supper Saturday night. Halees at the Point will also be open for the entire Festival. Watch for interesting vendors on site as well. 

In between acts, on Saturday, visitors to the Festival can also enjoy viewing some special cars, antique, muscle and modern, right on site with the members of the Golden Gears Car Club. “This is simply going to add to the interest and to the excitement of the weekend,” said Fitzsimmons. 

Events like the Bluegrass Festival bring many visitors to the South Dundas area, helping to boost the local economy. “We are certainly very grateful for the sponsorship we have received,” Gerri Fitzsimmons said, “but since the Festival impacts the entire municipality, we hope to work more closely with the municipality in the future. Funds raised will go back into developing the Bluegrass Festival into one of the biggest festivals of its type in Canada.”

Passes for part or all of the weekend events, and additional information, are available by contacting galopcanalbluegrassfestival@gmail.com. There’s something for everyone at the Iroquois Point Bluegrass Festival June 18-21: come out and enjoy four great days.

[…]

“I attend many meaningful occasions,” said MP Guy Lauzon, addressing the crowd gathered at Iroquois Point on Sunday, June 14, “but I can’t think of one where I have been more moved or emotional. We are celebrating Canada and 50 years of our proud flag. We live in a wonderful country.”

On February 15, 1965, Canada first raised the red Maple Leaf flag as the new symbol of this nation. In 2015, Canadians are celebrating the 50th anniversary of that flag.

The memorial service held at the Iroquois United Church Cemetery, Iroquois Point, was a special event both of remembrance and of flag recognition that drew a large crowd. 

Organized by Connie Brown and the United Church cemetery board chaired by Robert Thompson, the service centred around a presentation of a new song, “Canadian Pride” especially written to honour the red maple leaf ensign. 

 Guest speaker, Brockville poet and composer Darlene Burns explained the background to her  patriotic song.

She was driving home from work when she saw a tattered, and torn Canadian flag flapping in the wind.

“I don’t know about you, but it really bothered me to see our flag in that condition,” she said. She felt compelled to go home and compose a poem she called “Canadian Pride.” The chorus uses these words:

When you see me

Think of Freedom,

When you see me

Think of pride.

For I represent our great country,

For which many brave soldiers have died…

Burns took her song to Brockville tenor and producer Christopher  Coyea, who loved the concept, and organized singers of all ages into a choir to officially launch the song at the Brockville Arts Centre, February 10, 2015. 

“I was honoured to be asked to be part of this project, and very proud of what we accomplished,” said Coyea.

With the generous support of Proctor & Gamble, the team has been able to produce a dramatic DVD of “Canadian Pride.”  Burns and Proctor & Gamble have assigned all the proceeds from the sale of this DVD to the United Way of Leeds and Grenville.

As part of the Iroquois service, Burns and Coyea played “Canadian Pride” for the crowd. After the presentation, members of the audience praised the emotional impact of the song honouring the flag.

Following final prayers by the Rev. Valerie Vande Wiele, and musical selections from Faye McMillen, the Iroquois Legion, branch # 370 colour guard retired the Colours to end the special memorial service.

[…]

 “Two key people are leaving our staff,” said Seaway District High School principal, Don Lewis. “Eileen and Sharon worked tirelessly for their kids. Eileen has supported her students both in and out of the building, and Sharon constantly looked for new things to try with her students. Theirs will be tough shoes to fill.”

On Monday, June 15, the students and staff of the high school said good-bye to veteran teachers, Sharon Last and Eileen Johnston. Both are officially retiring at the end of the school year.

Between them, Sharon and Eileen have devoted 70 years of service to education. 

“I started in 1982 teaching at Timothy Christian,” said Sharon Last. “In my career, I’ve taught math, physical education, special education, even wood-working. I’ve taught almost everything,” she laughed.

“I was at Iroquois Public School, when I first started teaching in 1978,” said Eileen Johnston. “In elementary, of course, you teach everything. But for most of my career, I have been in special education, working with children with developmental disabilities. My last 15 years have been at Seaway.”

With over 30 years each as educators, they have seen a lot of  board and ministry of education programs and initiatives come and go. However, it is their students they remember most fondly. 

“There are just so many memories,” Sharon said. “One of my proudest moments was to see two of my DEPP (Destination Employment Preparation Pro-gram) students graduating with their diplomas. I was involved with students council, with all kinds of sports, and fundraising for area charities and good causes. I loved my job.”

“I remember the fun we had taking the kids camping,” said Eileen. “For many, it was the first time ever having such an experience. The trips, the arts projects, just exposing these kids to the wonders of the world: it’s been great helping them to reach their full potential.”

After retirement, what lies ahead?

“I’m going on a grand  adventure,” laughed Eileen. “I have relatives all over the world, and we’re going to do some travelling. We’ve also built a new home. And I want to get back into my art.”

“Other adventures are knocking at the door for me, too,” said Sharon. “I don’t have specific plans, except to support my family and get into volunteering in the community. And maybe I’ll be a grandmother one day.”

[…]

 

 Upper Canada Village turned the clock back nearly eight centuries when it presented the Medieval Festival, June 6-8, 2015. Knights in shining armour and ladies fair, archers and soldiers, serfs and entertainers, even the King and Queen, were all on the Village grounds re-creating a long gone world. Hundreds of visitors took advantage of the opportunity to see how people in Europe once made their way in a sometimes hard world. Jousts between brave knights, sword fights, archery, demonstrations of siege equipment, music, magic and dance were all part of the three day event, and drew plenty of spectators. School children also enjoyed living history lessons, and occasionally, found themselves locked in the stocks for falling foul of the Sheriff of Nottingham. The Medieval Festival has become a popular annual event at the Village. 

[…]

 The $4.8 million Iroquois waterfront plan was unveiled at the June 2, South Dundas council meeting.

The estimated price tag for the bulk of the plan is $3.8 million, but a proposed re-alignment of Adair Road adds a million dollars.

The presentation was delivered to council by Jim Wilson, chair of the Iroquois Waterfront Committee, and Mark Brandt and David Lashley of MTBA, project consultants.

“The concept is meant to reflect community interests and focus on enhancement rather than development, while respecting the town’s history,” said Wilson. 

“Maintaining views was an important aspect of the plan,” said Lashley. 

Calling it Iroquois Commons Waterfront Park, the consultants explained that this enhancement plan is intended to evoke an understanding that this special place is for all residents and visitors connecting the village’s resources – the village and the river – together in a common place that honours the past while providing for present activity.

The design team’s efforts focused on renewing and enhancing the existing waterfront, beach, campground and arrival sequences to create an attractive, refreshed place that complements and reflects Iroquois’ history.

The area of the plan called, ‘The meadows’ is intended to use plantings of seed mixes with wildflowers to delineate the former village streets. “It creates a really pleasant area, and it’s a really important element because it’s such a large area,” said Brandt.

They suggested iconic elements such as a stone wall to connect the Forward House area to the Carman House area to create an historical area. 

The Iroquois Beach area, has been identified as a priority area for this design. The consultant proposed changes to the existing beach building to make it look like, “a beach pavilion rather than a beach bunker.”

With a waterside expansion to the existing building, it could be given new life, making way for a café and deck area. “With a modest café, this would be a delightful spot,” said Brandt.

They have proposed doubling the size of the beach and doubling the size of the swimming area.

Boardwalk, and finger docks reaching out into the water and kayak/canoe rentals, are all part of the proposal. 

“These are all modest, gentle, evolutionary enhancements that reinforce the value that’s already there,” said Brandt.

“There are substantial costs involved with this plan, and it’s easy to see that as a roadblock,” said Wilson, but he is positive about the plan that the community now has at its disposal.

Like the Morrisburg Waterfront Plan, this plan was designed such that projects can be done, piece by piece, as funds are available. Many portions of the plan could be accomplished through community driven efforts.

“I am impressed,” commented South Dundas mayor Evonne Delegarde. “This plan reflects the wishes and desires of the people, particularly in Iroquois.”

“Our challenge now is to determine what we can put aside annually to see that these two plans are implemeted,” said South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke. “I don’t think these two concepts will ever be outdated, which is a good thing. It’s taken us 50 years to get these plans.”

[…]

South Dundas council will not replace the economic development officer position.

After stalling for over a month, South Dundas council finally put the future of the economic development officer position to a vote at the June 2, regular meeting.

South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke has repeatedly expressed his support for South Dundas replacing its economic development officer who resigned April 23.

“If council feels we shouldn’t fill the EDO position, say so,” said Locke. “If any of you have ideas, I want to hear them.” 

“I’m not in favour of hiring an EDO right now,” said South Dundas councillor Bill Ewing. “We need to do a review of all positions and go from there,” he said.

“We need an economic development officer,” said South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan. “Whatever handle you want to give it, we need one. We were ahead of the curve when it came to economic development, and now others are going that way. We have to have one.”

South Dundas councillor Marc St. Pierre disagreed.

He argued that tourism takes care of itself and the BIA, Chamber of Commerce and other business groups look after themselves, and that the Morrisburg waterfront committee is self-sufficient.

“For economic development, we need to be more geared to business and residential growth and I just don’t see that,” he said. 

South Dundas mayor Evonne Delegarde suggested that the work being done by this full time person should be combined into other departments such as communications handling the promotion and marketing aspect of the job. She argued that business development is done through the planning department and that the website is sufficient as an investor profile resource, as long as it’s kept up to date. She also said that in some other municipalities, economic development is handled by the CAO.

“I am not for re-hiring until we’ve completed an organizational review,” said Delegarde, suggesting that until that review is done, that the workload be distributed amongst existing staff. 

There is no money in the 2015 budget for an organizational review.

“Do you think we have the capacity to re-distribute the workload, if we take tourism out of the equation,” councillor Mellan asked the CAO.

“No,” answered chief administrative officer Steve McDonald. 

“During a vacancy or transition, other staff pick up the priority issues, but that is not meant to be permanent,” he said. “I hope council has a plan.”

Council plans to hold a committee of the whole meeting to discuss those plans. A meeting date has not yet been made public.

Following the council meeting, South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke said that decisions like this have municipal staff very frustrated. 

In South Dundas the economic development officer’s portfolio included tourism, strategic planning, business development, liaison work with various committees, promotions and marketing and administratively supervision of the communications coordinator and the initial redevelopment of the website. 

Tourism stakeholder discussion forums, the first South Dundas Business Summit, the Upper Canada Region marketing plan and the uniform branding and sign program that has new roadside signs, hamlet signs and facility signs across South Dundas are some of this department’s recent accomplishments. 

[…]

 

It’s a go! With the Morrisburg and District Lions Club making a huge $20,000 splash on Monday evening, the $200,000 Splash Pad Project goal has been reached and kiddies from throughout South Dundas can expect to see shovels in the ground this week. If all goes well, they could be splashing away by early July.

“This finishes off the fundraising,” said Mike Domanko who was wearing two coats at the Monday night’s presentation as a Lions Club member and a member of the Splash Pad committee.

“This donation is wonderful. We finished the play park in 2011, and we have been actively working towards the splash pad for the last couple of years. It took a bit longer than we had anticipated, but we have made it.”

This latest donation from the Morrisburg and District Lions Club, under president Bruce MacIntosh is in addition to $5,000 donated when the project first launched.

“We wanted to finish it off,” said Lion Judy Charette.

“We [The Lions] are always helping the community,” said MacIntosh. “And we are always happy to help the kids.”

The Lions donation of $20,000 is from the operation of their Docksyde Snack Bar, located near the Morrisburg public dock area. MacIntosh explained that it is mandated that money made at the Docksyde goes back into the local parkland.

Previous projects that Docksyde money has funded include the lighting along the waterfront walkway, the beautiful Lions Pavilion, the interlocking paving enhancement around the Morrisburg Legion Branch 48 Memorial and the finger docks.

The Docksyde has just started its 12th season of operation. “It is just great,” said Charette of the Docksyde operation. “We get a grant to hire students, and this helps us to make ends meet in addition to providing employment for our local kids.”

The Lions donation total of $25,000 is part of a $200,000 South Dundas community fundraising effort that was generously supported by clubs, businesses and individuals over the past couple of years. In addition, the Splash Pad committee organized several fundraising runs which were hugely supported by the community, young and old.

Coming up, the excavation, expected to take place this week, is donated by Cruickshank Construction. The local company has also donated the gravel, and Lloyd McMillan Equipment has donated the trucking to deliver the gravel.

“The splash pad people are scheduled to be here Monday, and it takes them one week,” said Domanko. “The municipality has set a tender to supply water, sewer and electricity to the Splash Pad, and it is closing June 10.” 

With all the splash ducks now in order, Domanko, wouldn’t commit to a July 1st splash, but did suggest it is a possibility.

On hand representing the Morrisburg Splash Committee were Rosemary Laurin and Jack Barkley.

Happily handing over the $20,000 donation were Lions Bruce MacIntosh, Judy Charette, Shirley Gillmor Keith Robinson, Diana Stewart, Tracey Veinotte, Brian Erratt, Fred Langlotz and Jim and Viviane Martin.

[…]

United Church congregations are being invited to ring their church bells 90 times at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 10, 2015, to mark the 90th anniversary of the United Church of Canada.

“Whether you are the only United Church in town with a lone church bell ringing, or in a community where it is possible for many church bells to ring in unison, may we all make a joyful noise to the Lord on June 10th,” says Moderator, the Right Rev. Gary Paterson.

The United Church of Canada came into being Wednesday, June 10, 1925. The inaugural service began at 10:30 a.m. That is why 10:30 a.m. was chosen as the time, in every time zone, for United Churches to celebrate their presence in the community.

“We will be ringing our bell on this special day,” says local Rev. Janet Evans. “Come to Lakeshore Drive United Church on June 10th and join us as we celebrate our heritage, our present, our future. We will worship our Lord and honour our God and all of His Creation.

The church bell at Lakeshore Drive United Church was purchased and installed in 1910. The inscription reads: Let him that heareth come.

Says Evans, “Come and profess faith in the God who always walks with us. Men, women and children of every denomination can rejoice and remember that God is our guide, our support, our strength, our song. Hallelujah!” 

[…]

In difficult times for manufacturing businesses in Ontario, a dental burr manufacturer located in Morrisburg is finding a way to survive, and grow.

Joanne Kydd, chief operating officer of Xenopus, and Barry Keicks, the company’s production manager, last week spoke with The Leader about the company’s building expansion.

“We are a wholly-owned Canadian firm, and we intend to stay that way,” said Kydd. “And, we are growing.”

“We knew that if we wanted to stay in manufacturing, in Canada, we needed to be making something really good,” she said, explaining that the main dental burr they are producing, is like the Porsche of dental burrs.

“We produce high quality dental burrs. Our focus is on quality, and that focus on quality will continue with this expansion,” said Kydd.

The major burr being produced by Xenopus is an all purpose burr favoured by the European market, among others.

“It’s a niche market that we’ve nestled into,” said Kydd.

Keicks said that gross production at Xenopus has increased over 60 per cent over the last five years.

Kydd adds that the increase has been steady, and has allowed them to  maintain product quality.

Money has been spent on research and development and three new machines have been developed, in house, to improve processes.

This solid and steady growth has enabled Xenopus to similarly grow their workforce, having hired an additional 12 people over the last three years.

“That’s a lot when you are small company,” said Kydd. 

Xenopus has a workforce of less than 50.

Kydd and Keicks agree that being a small company is an asset.

“When you are small, everyone works together,” said Keicks. “That’s the only way we move forward,” added Kydd.

The company’s increase in sales has allowed Xenopus to invest, most importantly, in its people.

“It takes about two years to learn to do the job well here,” says Keicks. “When you want to make a quality product, you need a stable and experienced workforce.”

That workforce will soon be benefiting from an expanded workspace.

With local contractors, Xenopus is breaking ground on a building addition this week that will double the work  area, providing an opportunity for added efficiency.

The front portion of the building will be demolished to make way for a 2,000 square foot addition. The project is expected to be complete  in September.

In the end, the 2,000 square foot addition will increase workspace, and add new offices and a sales area to the business that has been in the Morrisburg industrial park since 1991. 

While the focus of this addition is on improved efficiency, Kydd expects add new staff annually.

[…]

“The organic food sector is booming,” says Tom Manley of Homestead Organics after celebrating the official opening of a flour mill at Homestead’s Morrisburg location, May 27th.

As a result of this boom, the Manleys of Homestead have been able to make a recent purchase to grow and diversify the Homestead Organics business.

They purchased the milling equipment of Mountain Path from its owner Robert Hogg of Mountain as he approaches retirement.

Manley explained that Homestead purchased the (processing) milling portion of the business, and that Hogg’s equipment is now operational in Morrisburg. That equipment includes the original 30 inch stone mill which began grinding organic flour in 1983.

“With this, we have been able to maintain an important element in the local organic food chain,” said Manley.

The mill has a capacity of a quarter tonne per hour, and Homestead is milling bread and pastry flours, rye, oats, barley, kamut, spelt, rice, chick peas, corn, buckwheat and quinoa.

Homestead is a food processor, not distributor. 

The distribution aspect of the Mountain Path organics business was bought by Signature Foods’ Paul Gorman.

Homestead as miller, under a private label, will sell the product exclusively to Signature.

With this latest expansion, Homestead now has four employees based at its Morrisburg site, with the remainder of the operation located in Berwick.

The Morrisburg property will see continuing growth as various processes are shifted to the site. 

Homestead plans to open a factory outlet at the Morrisburg site this fall.  

[…]