News

“The building looks great,” said Erika Heesen, communications and marketing librarian for the SDG County Library following a final site inspection at the renovated building that will be home to the new Williamsburg branch.

“We’re looking forward to moving into our new space and taking the time to get everything set up for our patrons,” Heesen told The Leader.

The library will be moving in throughout December and early January.

The plan is for the branch to open to the public in mid-January.

The new Williamsburg branch will be a full service and accessible neighbourhood branch, with computers, internet access, programs, and collections for adults, teens and children. “We’re also working on a full suite of programs to offer the public when the library re-opens in January,” said Heesen.

Firm opening dates are not yet available, but when they do re-open the hours will be the same as at the old branch; Tuesdays-Thursdays 4-8 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

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Discarded smoking materials are the likely cause of the fire that destroyed this Levere Road hunting camp building in South Dundas. South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services attend the scene to extinguish the blaze around 2 p.m. November 28. 

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December 2, members of South Dundas council were sworn into office at the South Dundas Municipal Centre in Morrisburg. South Dundas's first female mayor was sworn in along with re-elected deputy mayor Jim Locke, returning councillor Bill Ewing, re-elected councillor Archie Mellan and newly elected councillor Marc St. Pierre.

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Dozens of area residents attended the TransCanada Energy East Pipeline Open House November 20, at Matilda Hall, Dixon’s Corners to learn more about the proposed multi-billion project.

“This is a $12 billion project – One of the biggest infrastructure projects in the history of the country,” said TransCanada spokesperson Tim Duboyce.

This open house which had a dozen TransCanada experts on hand to answer questions is part of the extensive consultative process that the company has undertaken.

October 30, TransCanada Corporation filed the formal application for the Energy East Pipeline Project with the Nation Energy Board of Canada.

The NEB has 15 months to process the application and hold their own consultative process before presenting their report to the federal government.

“Ultimately, this is a federal government decision,” said Duboyce.

If the government approves the project early (January-February) in  2016 and all goes as planned, the Energy East Pipeline will go into operation at the end of 2018, including the conversion and the new build. 

Energy East is a 4,600 km pipeline that will carry approximately 1.1 million of barrels of crude oil per day from Alberta and Saskatchewan to refineries in Eastern Canada.

Major components of the project include converting a section of an existing natural gas pipeline to an oil transportation pipeline. That conversion runs from North Bay to the existing station at Iroquois.

New pipeline will be built to link up with the converted pipe from Iroquois through Quebec to New Brunswick.

Along with that new pipeline construction will come the construction of the associated facilities, pump stations and tank terminals required to move crude oil from Alberta to Quebec and New Brunswick.

The project includes the construction of new terminals along the route, one in Saskatchewan, one in Cacouna, Quebec, and one in Saint John, New Brunswick.

Approximately 70 per cent of the pipeline is already in the ground and more than half of the new pipeline segments will run parallel to existing pipeline rights of way.

Converting one of the pipelines in the Canadian Mainline natural gas transmission system to crude oil service will make better use of the capacity of the Canadian Mainline that is no longer needed to export natural gas to the United States, explained Duboyce.

Along with the Energy East Pipeline project application, TransCanada also filed an application to build and operate the Eastern Mainline Pipeline Project in Southern Ontario. This proposed $1.5 billion, 600 mmcf/d project will provide an additional 250 km of natural gas pipeline in an area where the demand and need are strong – the Toronto to Montreal corridor – providing greater access to affordable new natural gas supplies from the northeastern United States.

A local open house for that Eastern Mainline natural gas pipeline project will take place December 3, 2014 at the Iroquois Civic Centre.

That proposed natural gas pipeline will primarily follow the existing route where TransCanada currently operates two natural gas pipelines.

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 Shoppers at Something Old Something  New in Iroquois, have been dropping coins in a donation jar kept near the cash checkout by Thrift Store owner Laurie Turriff….and now that money will be used to help grant a wish to a child living in Eastern Ontario with a life-threatening medical condition.

Thursday, November 20, Turriff turned over a cheque for $800 to Make-A-Wish, Eastern Ontario Canada’s Mike Wlotzki, Director, Fund Development. 

Something Old Something New customers contributed $400 to the jar and this was matched by Turriff.

“That is a lot of wrapping coin,” said Wlotzki as he accepted the cheque. “That is beautiful.”

Turriff explains that the ‘donation jar’ is always in its place in her shop located in the Iroquois Shopping Plaza. 

“When I get up to $300 to $400, I match it and make the donation. When that is done, it starts over, and I find the next organization that helps kids with cancer. This is all thanks to my customers. Already we have raised $20 for the next donation.”

The Make-A-Wish Eastern Ontario area stretches from Ottawa to Cornwall, west to Belleville and north to Peterborough said Wlotzki.

“We are very proud to say we have granted 66 wishes in 2014,” said Wlotzki.

With 60 wishes completed in 2013, and the goal for 2014 set at 65, Make-A-Wish Eastern Ontario has reason to be proud. 

Chief Executive Officer for Eastern Ontario, Tanya Desjardins points out in a Make-A-Wish publication that, “these wishes are not possible without the support through donations, sponsorship and awareness. From travel wishes to Disney and London, to room make overs and “man fan caves”, to meeting Sidney Crosby and One Direction and to hot tubs and computers…the list of creative unique and special wishes keeps on growing. This year is a historical one as we granted our 500th wish to a 15-year-old boy….” 

 Make-A-Wish Eastern Ontario does not solicit wishes. All children who receive their wishes are referred by family, friends, medical personnel or social workers. Any child with a life-threatening medical condition, from three years to not yet 18, may be referred.

Once the family is aware of the referral, Make-A-Wish, verifies the child’s medical condition with his/her doctor.

The fun begins with the child making three wishes which can be…. “I wish to be, I wish to have, I wish to meet, or I wish to go…..

Once this is accomplished Make-A-Wish goes to work on making a wish come true.

“If there is anyone who thinks there may be a child, they can go to our website to the “refer a child” section,” says Wlotzki. “We are always looking for a Wish Child.”

“It’s a lot of work, but it is very magical.”

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Calling all moustaches that are involved in the local Dare to Flash A ’Stache campaign to raise awareness and money for Porstate Cancer in November….the time is almost here.

This Saturday night, November 29, the campaign will come to an exciting close, with the removal of some ’Staches, a silent auction and three fun and exciting games of hockey at the Winchester Arena.

The evening fun will kick off at 7 p.m. with a hockey game between the South Dundas and North Dundas Ladies. 

Game two will be between the old Winchester Hawks and those old Morrisburg Lions Alumni who have crept up over the 35 year category.

Then the younguns will take to the ice in the under 35 year Hawks versus Lions match.

The local Flash A ’Stache campaign will benefit the Cancer Care Navigation Program at Winchester District Memorial Hospital, improving the experience for those diagnosed and affected by cancer; and Dr. Anthony Bella’s Men’s Health Research Project, for for improving quality of life for men following prostate cancer treatment.

There are so many men and families affected by Prostate cancer and the Movember Dare to Flash A’ Stache has been a hugely successful initiative to bring awareness to it.

Organizers of the Saturday night, November 29 event, are really looking forward to a good turnout and a good show of support for this great cause. 

Officials have also just released the lineups for the four hockey teams that will be out in full support of the campaign.

The under 35 Lions will include Justin Elliott, Travis Baldwin, Wayne Garlough, James Morrell, Chris Sommers, Matt Walsh, Carson Runions, Charlie Froment, Greg Millard, Cory Gove, Mike Carbino, Kyle Legace and Tyler Lafortune.

They will be facing off against the Hawks Nik Paas, Robyn Sadler, Dave Summers, Darren Trenholm, Travis Armstrong, Colin Bowie, Craig Holmes, Tylor Copeland, Bill Henderson, Justin Heuff, Brent McFaul, Derek Vingerhoods, Sean Williams, Travis Rowe and Trevor Helliker.

Dusting off their skates for the Lions 36 and over will be Rob Casselman, Andy Lee, Jim Bennis, Craig and Dennis Villeneuve, Jeremy Morrow, Randy (Tug) Mullin, Dale Swerdfeger, Steve (Jig) Casselman, J.D. Hunter, Shawn and big brother David Lapier, Yvon Besner, Randy Jodouin, Chris Vanbridger, Doug McNairn, Scott Reaney and Al McNairn (in net).

On the bench to try and keep these wild Lions under control will be former Lions coaches Brian McNairn and Big Doug Casselman.

At press time, the final roster for the 36 and over Hawks had not been released…

Carrie McCadden will be in net for the lady Lions and skating for the cause will be Andrea Francis, Jennifer Wilson, Kelly Morrell, Dianne Lapier, Kaila Beckstead, Laura McDonnell, Janice Casselman, Tanya Barnhardt, Vicki Van Hoof, Krista Casselman, Jessica Grisel and Amanda Mabo.

The Hawk ladies will include Kristie Wade in net along with Karen Benoit, Laurie Marriner, Heather Cooke-Erwin, Holly Klein-Swormink, Stephanie Scott, Tabitha Derue, Emma and Amy Fraser, Courtney Barkley, Amanda Rylaarsdam and Kathy Kerr.

The action begins on the ice at the Winchester arena at 7 p.m.

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Although their main intent is the collection of information, mostly in the digital format, the Historical Society of South Dundas recently received its first donations of artifacts. 

Three school photos, from two different sources, have brought three locally-relevant 19th century photos, from sequential years to the society. 

Weeks ago, the Historical Society was put in contact with Norm Shepherd of Sackville, New Brunswick who was looking for a home two mounted class photos from the Morrisburg Model School, one from 1896 and one from 1897. 

Through a chain of transport, the photos arrived in the HSSD’s possession a couple of weeks ago. 

Around about the same time that these photos were making their way to South Dundas, the HSSD received another photo donation from Shirley Pettinger, offering up a class photo,  also from the Morrisburg Model School, this one from 1898. 

“The fact that these two similar donations were being made about the same time, and that they ended up being sequential years is completely coincidental,” said Sue Peters, president of the Historical Society of South Dundas. 

While the Historical Society mainly wants to collect and share local historical information, the group knew it was important to accept these donations. 

“I know there is nothing like this in the municipal archive,” said Peters. 

The Historical Society of South Dundas met last week, at the Iroquois Civic Centre, and in addition to viewing these photos, each participant brought artifacts of their own for a ‘show and tell’.

The Historical Society of South Dundas wants to use the donation as an opportunity to invite those who may have information or old stories from the Morrisburg Model School to share to contact them. 

Peters can be reached by email (teahistorian@hotmail.ca) or the Historical Society can be contacted by mail (Historical Society of South Dundas c/o Box 282 Morrisburg, ON, K0C 1X0) or email (info@southdundas.net).

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There were nearly 50,000 participants in the 2014 New York City Marathon, November 2, but only one of them was from South Dundas, Ontario. Seaway District High School principal, Don Lewis, finished the gruelling race, which takes in five boroughs of the Big Apple, in a time of 3.36.09. 

From start to finish, Lewis found the marathon challenging and exhilarating: he has nothing but praise for the race organizers, the police who lined the route and for the ordinary people of New York City who turned out in their thousands to support the international runners, many of whom had travelled thousands of miles to take part. “The crowds were huge; at places like 1st Avenue, five or six people deep,” Lewis said. “I was wearing a red shirt with Canada written across it, and I could often hear people shouting “Go Canada!” when I ran by. It meant a lot.” Lewis dedicated his run to raising awareness about PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) which has affected a member of his family.

Lewis has taken part in six previous marathons, including the run in Ottawa (now a gold standard meet) four times. He has been training six days a week since June to prepare for the world class NYC event. 

On Sunday, November 2, all the runners were bussed to the start point of the race, on Staten Island, around 6 a.m., although the event did not begin until after 9 a.m. “It was a little chilly waiting,” Lewis said, “although later in the day it was ideal running weather (except for the wind which got gusty at times), around 8-9 degrees celsius. The organizers are really efficient. There are four different start times, and within each of the start times there are six different carrals. Wheelchair athletes start first, then the elite women, then the elite men. The elite runners are all in serious contention so they can’t get caught up with the masses. Everyone runs at his own pace. I noticed,” he laughed, “that the guy running next to me was actually in his bare feet.”

Lewis said that he felt really good for the first 30 kilometres of the race. “Then, around the Queensboro Bridge, I thought oh boy, my quads are shot. Gusts of 60 kph wind in some places really slowed the race, and cross breezes on the bridges made it tough. My hat blew off. Everyone’s racing bibs were flapping up and down like sails: you can’t lose your bib, so you end up holding on to it as you run. There are also slight upgrades on 5th Avenue, and I remember thinking are these hills ever going to be done?” 

Then he saw the 800 metre sign in Central Park, “and I got that adrenalin rush. I’m going to finish this race.”

He crossed the finish line a little over three and a half hours after he started. There are medical tents at the end of the race because some runners experience cramping and some distress, but Lewis said that he was alright. He was given a poncho to wear until he could back to where he had left his outer clothes at the start of the race. He was also given his precious medal of participation, which he was able to get engraved the next day. 

Principal Lewis is very encouraging to Seaway students who want to get involved in running. “I try to suggest that kids try a 2, 5, 10 or half marathon, or a full marathon in Ottawa. We have a lot of kids in our local schools who have been attempting the Kids Marathon, a local event, and there is technology for young runners to track their progress. We’ve got some students now who are seriously working on distance running.”

There was a time when the four minute mile was “the Holy Grail of running. But now it’s the two hour marathon.” There was only 7 seconds between the first and second place women marathoners, three seconds between the men. A two hour marathon may one day be reality. 

Would he compete in the New York City Marathon again?

Don Lewis says a resounding yes. “It was my toughest marathon so far. And next time I’ll factor in the hills and wind, and adjust my pace a little slower at the beginning, but yes, I want to go again. This was my fastest marathon since I took up running again last spring.”

 

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Santa Parade in Morrisburg, Saturday, December 6, 2014

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There are only two ways to expand a Business Improvement Area; one is to build new infrastructure within the existing area, and the other is to welcome membership from a larger geographic area.

Because at this point, construction is not a feasible option, the Morrisburg Downtown Business Improvement Area is readily accepting Associate Members from outside their traditional boundaries.

Technically, always named the Morrisburg Downtown Business Improvement Area, the Morrisburg BIA is now formally using DBIA as an acronym, to reflect the changes.

Membership in the Morrisburg DBIA has traditionally been limited to those businesses within the geographic limits of the Morrisburg Shopping Plaza and East End Promenade. The DBIA is now allowing any business within the geographic limits of the former Village of Morrisburg to join.

Associate members will receive most of the benefits of being a DBIA member, with the exception of beautification. DBIA benefits generally involve the inclusion in the various promotional efforts of the group, as the DBIA mandate is to promote the area as a business, tourist and shopping area.

The Morrisburg DBIA budget is generated via a property tax levy paid by the property owners in the plaza. 

Associate members will not be subject to this levy, instead paying an annual membership fee, which the Morrisburg DBIA board has decided is similar to the average regular levy amount paid by ordinary members.  The fee reflects the level of DBIA services the business will receive, explained Grace McDonough, coordinator for the Morrisburg DBIA.

She is pleased to report that they have already signed on a few associate members, and the membership drive has only just begun.

As a group, associate members will elect one representative to the board as a voting member.

Because the DBIA is a committee of council, the term of this board of management ends with the term of council, this month. 

By January the DBIA will have a new municipal representative, which is appointed by council. 

Councillor Jim Graham held the position for the last two terms of council. 

McDonough says the DBIA plans to make some changes to its constitution and increase its board of management from five to seven members which includes the new associate member representative.

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