News

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. 

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The Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry 2015 International Plowing Match & Rural Expo (IPM) has issued a call to local artists to submit original artwork for the IPM Official Poster Art Contest.  The contest is open to all residents of Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, City of Cornwall and Akwesasne. 

The artwork must showcase the rural lifestyle of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and incorporate the SDG 2015 IPM tagline “Link to the past…Look to the future”.  “We have been receiving lots of positive feedback from our members” states Bruce Davis, Executive Director at Your Arts Council Cornwall & the Counties.   

“The contest will be an excellent way for all local artists to showcase their work and illustrate the great community we live in”, said Shauna Baggs, Contest Coordinator. “The 2015 IPM is expected to draw over 75,000 people to Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.  The whole event will be filled with opportunity – for local businesses, attractions and now artists.  This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase what SDG is made of!”

One Grand Prize winner will receive a cash prize of $1,500.  All of the artwork will be displayed in a silent auction during the week of the plowing match from September 22-26, 2015. 

Contest Information:

• Must be a resident of Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, City of Cornwall or Akwesasne

• Artwork can be painted, pencil, pastel or photography

• Size: Vertical 18 x 24 canvas

• All artwork must capture the rural lifestyle of SDG (emphasis on plowing)

• Tagline for the S-D-G 2015 IPM is “Link to the past….Look to the future”

• Entry form must be submitted by email by January 17, 2015 by 12:00 midnight

• Final submission of original artwork to be dropped off January 31, 2015 at the IPM office in Finch, 9A John Street  between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm, along with a $25 entry fee.

• Full contest details at www.plowingmatch.org

The 2015 SDG International Plowing Match and Rural Expo will be held in September.

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Saturday night, December 13, was the busiest night ever in Alight at Night’s 14 year history.

Susan Le Clair, manager, customer service and corporate communications with the St. Lawrence Parks Commission confirmed that they had just over 4,300 people in attendance for Alight at Night at Upper Canada Village.

“We have been really fortunate with great weather — the blanket of snow is beautiful, makes it that much more magical, and I think many families are enjoying both the new Ferris wheel and the new Santa experience – Saint Nick’s Merry Mansion,” said Le Clair. “The Upper Canada Village seamstresses really did an amazing job on Santa’s Victorian garb and Saint Nick’s Merry Mansion is absolutely beautiful!” Santa will be at Saint Nick’s Merry Mansion (Crysler Hall) from Friday, December 19 through till December 23 from 5pm to 9 p.m.  While Alight at Night is open on the 18th, Santa is otherwise engaged.

So far the weather forecast is good for this week so village officials hope that the good weather continues to allow crowds to continue to enjoy Alight at Night and make it part of their families holiday traditions.

[…]

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation’s lock team at Iroquois was selected as the recipient of the President’s Safety Award for 2014. 

The award aims to raise awareness of workplace health and safety requirements and encourage, recognize and celebrate work teams who make significant contributions to improve our safety performance at the SLSMC.

“The Iroquois team’s efforts are commendable” said Terence Bowles, President and CEO of The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC). 

“The team completed 215 safety interventions during the year, out of a total of 1,500 interventions completed within the SLSMC. Team members were responsible for a number of innovations, including devising a mechanism for the deployment of an oil containment boom, and a jib used to bring material down safely in the cable gallery. These innovations underscore the staff’s commitment to reviewing and improving critical tasks. When combined with their consistent efforts to keep their shop and work areas clean, and their widespread participation in safety inspections and interventions, one can understand how the Iroquois team has completed 21 years without a lost time injury.”

Over 227,000 jobs and $35 billion in economic activity are supported by the movement of goods within the Great Lakes-Seaway System.

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For the first time ever, Winchester District Memorial Hospital will have four obstetricians, and that fourth obstetrician will be part of the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic group.

“That really reflects the growth in our maternal care program,” said Cholly Boland, WDMH CEO, when he announced that Dr. Roger Perron will join the hospital full time in the new year.

Dr. Perron says he has found the best kept secret in Ontario in discovering Winchester District Memorial Hospital and the surrounding region. 

Dr. Perron is WDMH’s newest specialist in obstetrics and gynecology. 

He will deliver babies and perform general gynecological surgery with a specialty in minimally-invasive procedures. He will practice at the St. Lawrence Medical Clinics in Morrisburg, Iroquois and Ingleside.

“I came to Winchester Hospital to provide summer coverage and my wife and I fell in love with the area,” he says. “We didn’t even know it existed.” He has equal praise for the hospital. “It’s the best kept secret around. The people here are great. And the operating rooms are magnificent. Any tertiary care centre would be happy to have them.”

With 25 years of experience, Dr. Perron says he knew early on that obstetrics was his passion. “It’s one area of medicine where people actually want to see you,” he smiles. “And if I’m going to be up in the middle of the night, I might as well deliver a baby and make everyone happy.”

When not delivering babies or performing surgery, Dr. Perron says he loves to hike, canoe, fish or do anything outdoors. “We seem to never spend any time in the house,” he laughs.

Because all of WDMHs other OBGYNs are focused in the north of the hospital’s catchment area, it was natural for Dr. Perron to come to the south, to the SLMC. He will be living in Morrisburg, which he very much looks forward to. He was looking for a retirement lifestyle, although he intends to fully practise medicine for about 10 years and then to assist for about six more. He takes referrals as he does not have a primary care practice.

Dr. Perron comes here from Guelph. He is the first OBGYN to join the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic team since Dr. Gerry Rosenquist, one of the SLMC founders.

Perron grew up in northern Ontario. He did his undergraduate schooling at Lakehead, Masters and PhD at University of Guelph, and med. school and residency at McMaster. He has three children and two grandchildren.

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The Sixth Council of the Municipality of South Dundas, including South Dundas’ first female mayor, were sworn into office December 2, 2014.

About 50 people, including family, friends, supporters, and elected officials from neighbouring municipalities attended the inauguration ceremony at the South Dundas Municipal Centre in Morrisburg. 

The ceremony started with invocation by Rev. Clarence Witten. Oaths of office was read in turn by each elected official. The Chain of Office was presented to South Dundas mayor Evonne Delegarde by South Dundas clerk Brenda Brunt and then area dignitaries formally offered their congratulations before Delegarde delivered her inaugural address.

“I am humbled by your support and by your confidence. All members of council are very cognizant of the serious responsibility and obligation that is bestowed upon us.” she said. “We are willing to engage our residents in an open and accessible manner and together with staff protect the quality of life and make South Dundas an even better place to live.” 

To her council, Delegarde said that their journey together will be challenging, requiring patience, appreciation and respect for each other. “I encourage each of you to express your own independent points of view. At the end of the day, I am confident that we will operate as a team and make good decisions on behalf of our municipality.”

She spoke of the importance of customer service and open and honest communication, and the need to rebuild and strengthen relationships with various groups and organizations, recognizing their value. 

Delegarde foresees financial challenges, and mentioned the need to do some planning for neglected village streets and sidewalks, and to deal with landfill issues. “The list is long, and we have much to accomplish.”

As part of her inaugural address, she announced that the Mayor’s office on the third floor of the SDMC has been re-named Mayor & Council office.

Each member of council had the opportunity to speak.

Re-elected South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke said that the budget will be council’s first challenge, saying that he would work to keep tax increases, at or near the cost of living.

First time councillor Marc St. Pierre said that it was an honour to be elected, and thanked his wife Michelle and daughter Victoria for their encouragement and support.

South Dundas councillor Bill Ewing said, “What we do a council, will be for the benefit of all residents of South Dundas.”

Re-elected councillor Archie Mellan said, “We have accomplished a lot, but there’s still a lot to do.”

The Sixth Council of the Municipality of South Dundas will hold their first full council meeting December 16, 2014.

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About six months ago, Chris McDonough, fire chief for South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services took on the additional role of Fire Coordinator for the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.

The role of fire coordinator is largely administrative and at this point, a volunteer position.

As SDG fire coordinator McDonough oversees the Mutal and Auto Aid programs whereby neighbouring departments work together, when needed at incidents or to ensure backup protection is available in case of further emergency.

In case of a large event, McDonough could be called on attend the scene or provide organizational support. Since his appointment, he has not been called on in that capacity.

When the appointment was made by the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office, it was them who approached McDonough to take on the role, as at that point he was the only person qualified.

“It’s important to the county that we have this. It’s a benefit to our community and SDG,” said McDonough. “It’s a program that is beneficial to all.”

Part of the administrative work is an inventory of fire service equipment and personnel across SDG. 

Attending regular mutual aid meetings is also part of the job. Those meetings take place evenings. 

McDonough estimates that the role involves a few hours a week of work on his part, and those hours are not done on South Dundas municipal time.

The alternate SDG fire coordinator is Vic Leroux. Leroux is full time fire chief for South Glengarry. He is former fire chief for the City of Cornwall.

[…]

Although the likelihood of Winchester District Memorial Hospital ever seeing an Ebola patient is low, there are still very prepared.

Since the Ministry of Health sent out the first Ebola alert to hospitals, WDMH went to work right away on developing a kit and process to ensure the safety of its staff and patients.

Those visiting the hospital emergency recently may have already noticed the difference.

Now, all patients walking in to the emergency room must answer a screening question through a closed glass partition.

It is not until after staff confirms that the patient has not travelled to Africa that they open that partition to continue the triage process.

If the patient is at risk of having come into contact with Ebola, the Ebola process takes effect. It involves the donning of protective gear, the patient being taken to a specific area of the hospital, public health being notified and the hospital following the directives of infectious disease specialists, which are at the Ottawa Hospital and CHEO.

Should a patient with Ebola risk arrive by ambulance, WDMH staff would do all they could to help the patient without leaving the ambulance, and that patient would be taken to one of the city infectious disease sites for treatment.

WDMH has all the equipment it needs to deal with an Ebola situation, and staff have been trained in the process, and the especially important donning and doffing process, which the demonstrated to area media last week.

“Even though the likelihood of seeing Ebola here is low, the risk is still scary,” said Laura Landry, the nurse leading the demonstration. “After all the training with the equipment, I actually feel quite safe, if this situation ever arises.”

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Upper Canada Village will light up with over one million lights for its 14th annual Alight at Night festival on Friday, December 5, 2014. The Alight at Night festival at Upper Canada Village is one of Ontario’s premiere winter events where the heritage site is transformed into a magical winter wonderland that you can explore by foot, horse-drawn wagon or by romantic carriage ride. The festival will be open on select nights from Friday, December 5 through Saturday, January 3, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Complete festival details, dates and times can be found atwww.AlightatNight.ca or by calling the Customer Service Unit at 613-543-4328 or 800-437-2233.  Upper Canada Village continues to innovate with expanded laser lighting effects, a new Ferris wheel, and a transformed Crysler Hall into Saint Nick’s Merry Mansion.  

Visitors will have the chance to get a stunning view of Alight at Night from fifty feet high in a new Ferris wheel set in the Village fairgrounds.  Rides on the Ferris wheel will be included with admission and will be on a first come, first served basis for the duration of the festival, weather permitting.  Saint Nick’s Merry Mansion will greet visitors with a brand new Sound & Light Show with three new Santa themed songs including “Here Comes Santa Claus”, “Run Rudolph Run” and “The Man with the Bag”.  Inside, a Victorian Saint Nick dressed in a luxurious red suit with rich brocade will be available to hear your Christmas wishes until Tuesday, December 23, 2014; a great photo opportunity for the whole family! Saint Nick’s Merry Mansion is sponsored by Leon’s.  

Streamlined pricing provides affordable family fun with one price for all activities including entry to the festival, horse-drawn wagon rides, a ride on the Toy Train and Ferris wheel and a visit with Santa.  Adults (13 yrs +) $13; Senior’s (65 yrs +) and Youth (6-12 yrs) $10; Children 5 yrs and under FREE.  Pricing is plus HST.  

“We attribute much of the success of Upper Canada Village’s Alight at Night to our constant innovation.  Almost every year we add something new, make improvements to existing elements and just try to improve the overall experience for our visitors.  For many, a visit to Alight at Night is part of their family holiday tradition” said Geoff Waycik, Manager, Upper Canada Village.  “We look to holiday traditions for inspiration.  A great example of this is how we have transformed the visit with a new Santa experience.  This year Saint Nick’s Merry Mansion will leave families wondering if they just visited the ‘real’ Santa Claus …” 

Special Needs Night on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 will be an evening where groups of people with special needs can ride in the comfort of their own vehicle to view the Village adorned in lights.  Only “special needs” vans or parabuses are allowed.  Coaches and school buses cannot be accommodated due to their size. For safety, Upper Canada Village will provide a trained and licensed staff person familiar with the Village roadways in the dark, to lead these vehicles through the site.  Reservations are required.  

A Fun & Lunch with Santa event will be held at the Harvest Barn restaurant starting at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 13.   Saint Nick will be available to meet families and hear everyone’s special wishes.  Enjoy a hot sandwich combo (drink and fries plus hot turkey sandwich for adults/hot dog for children) and decorate gingerbread men.  The Village Store will be open for shopping following lunch.  Fun & Lunch with Santa also includes evening admission to Alight at Night. Reservations are required.  Adult (13-64 yrs) $37.50, Senior (64 yrs+) $34.50, Youth (6-12 yrs) $27.50 and Children (5 yrs & under) $7.00.  Prices are plus HST.

Romantic Pommier Carriage rides are an ideal way to have a private tour of the lights and make engagements, anniversaries, or other events extra-special!  The Pommier Carriage ride is $80.00 (tax & administration fee extra) which includes admission for two, half hour romantic tour of the lights, gourmet departing gift (includes Village made bread, cheese, sparkling cider and a 20% off discount for Pommier Jewellers in Cornwall).  Carriage rides are very popular and book up quickly.  Reservations are required 

Get in the spirit of the season and join in for carol singing in Christ Church. Different performers will be on site each night along with select nights featuring guest choirs. Visit the website for performers, dates and times.

And of course, no visit would be complete without holiday treats and festive dining.  Follow the tantalizing smell of fresh bread and cinnamon rolls baking in the wood-fired oven at the Bakery.   You can find the fresh baked cinnamon buns and bread for purchase at the Village Store. Cinnamon Buns are also available for purchase in Cook’s Tavern or at the Snack Shack next to the Bakery.

You can also relax over a heartier meal, full service dining at Willard’s Hotel or at the Upper Canada Golf Course restaurant (just across the road) or cafeteria style service at the Harvest Barn.  Traditional turkey dinners with all the fixings along with many other menu options will be available.  Groups are welcome and reservations recommended.  To make reservations at Willard’s Hotel or the Harvest Barn call B & A Foods at 613-543-0660.  To make reservations at the Upper Canada Golf Course restaurant call Stephanie at 613-543-2035.

Alight at Night has been named one of Ontario’s Top 100 Events three times by Festivals & Events Ontario.  Advance ticket purchase, particularly during the holidays, is strongly recommended to speed entry into the festival and reduce time waiting in line.  Purchase tickets online at www.AlightatNight.ca.  

For more information or to make reservations for Special Needs night, Fun & Lunch with Santa or for the Pommier Carriage, call the Customer Service team at 1-800-437-2233 or locally 613-543-4328 to make a reservation.

Major event sponsors of Alight at Night include Celebrate Ontario and Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation.

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South Dundas municipal officials have been taking a hard look at the Morrisburg Plaza, and know that it is definitely in need of a rehabilitation.

As owners of the canopy, sidewalks and roadways, upkeep of that infrastructure is the responsibility of the municipality.

Paint, general repairs, and replacement of damaged wood are some of the most pressing issues, when it comes to the appearance of the aging plaza.

In 2012, council set aside funds for some rehabilitation of the plaza, but not enough to get the work done, or even started.

“In 2012, the price to get the priority work done was $120,000,” said South Dundas chief administrative officer Steve McDonald, at a recent orientation session for council-elect. “Just to give you an idea, the Iroquois plaza project was $1.1 million, and we have $100,000 set aside.”

South Dundas manager of planning and enforcement Donald Lewis said, “What’s needed is not just aesthetics. There are other issues as well, and they are significant.” 

The Iroquois Plaza project was funded through a one time grant from the Province of Ontario called the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative.

Manager of public works Chris Bazinet then spoke about the difficulties that arise with the potential excavation of a 12 foot deep sewer line that runs along a section of the Morrisburg mall.

Bazinet, informed the group that the sewer work done at the plaza earlier this fall, when a large area behind a portion of the plaza was dug up for days,  represents only about 30 per cent of the sewer work that needs to be done in the Morrisburg plaza.

He added that they have just completed a three month investigation of the area sewers, and that the deterioration of certain underground infrastructure is starting to present a service issue.

Morrisburg Plaza fund allocations will definitely be part of budget discussions which will take place in the new year.

“It’s time we look at imposing a special tax rate on the downtown sections,” said South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke.

That too will be a discussion for budget time. 

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