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MORRISBURG–Local historian John Carruthers, who specializes in the reproduction of black powder muskets, has produced a unique piece to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, and in particular, the Battle of Crysler’s Farm.

In keeping with the time of the battle, Carruthers, in collaboration with good friend Sheldon Beverage, has produced a beautiful black powder horn that would have been used by the soldiers of the day (both the British and American).

Over the 38 years that Carruthers has been reproducing muskets, he has had occasion to make powder horns, but this one to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 has become a work of art. Engraved on its exterior is John’s name, the Crysler Farm battle date, a 1756 replica map of the intended American route from Sacketts Harbor down the St. Lawrence River to Montreal, the Coat of Arms of King George III, a salute to the Mohawk Indians who fought side-by-side with British regulars, and a replica of the 1895 Monument for Crysler’s Farm.

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the War, John with his wife Mary have included the powder horn, a replica musket, a cutlass and a documented collection of U.S. musket balls and buckshot and other War of 1812 memorabilia in an exhibit they have displayed at various War of 1812 celebrations over the past year and a half.

“Mary and I put on displays six times last year, and will have done another nine this year which will include  the Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club Commemoration coming up in Iroquois, on November 9.

The production of the powder horn was an intensive labour of love, with Carruthers putting in some 80 hours preparing, sanding, polishing and carving the horn and Beverage, whose engraving career was with the Royal Canadian Mint, adding another 80 hours for the engraving.

Carruthers explains that his work was with rasps and files, “to keep taking it down until it was smooth.” Sand paper and fine steel wool gave it the final sheen. In addition, Carruthers produced the plug (for the butt end) out of cherry wood and used a fiddle key at the small end. He explains that when powder horns were used, the plugs would have been sealed with beeswax to keep the horn watertight, and the small end plug was often a fiddle key.

While Carruthers talks about his work on the powder horn, he can’t say enough about the quality of engraving produced by Beverage. In the Coat of Arms, “Sheldon even included the thistle and the rose. The process involved little scratches, that were then darkened with India ink to accent the engraving details. His work is beautiful. It just amazed me.”

Carruthers says that although the main function of the power horn, “was to carry black power for their muskets, some horns were quite elaborate. They usually had a map, and their names.”

Carruthers has a small collection of powder horns. He has one made from a cow’s horn that came from the Toyes Hill area that would probably have belonged to a working man, and another, older one that “hung in Alex English’s store. We think it belonged to a Weagant, and that it might have been used in the War of 1812.”

Highlighting his collection is a 200 year old horn, complete with a British Stamp. “It was used for priming canons, and it too could have been used in the War of 1812.”

Also popular in Carruthers’ display is his collection of musket balls and buckshot he and his family collected in the water along the St. Lawrence shoreline west of Crysler Marina in the early 1970’s.

Carruthers was first made aware of the balls and buckshot by some duck hunters who had pulled their boats to shore west of the Marina and noticed these round objects in the water. “They told me they had found a couple of balls they thought were ball bearings of some sort. I asked them if they were rusty and when they said no, they were more grey and had a crusty texture, that had me thinking. Lead oxidizes, so over 200 years a grey crust would have formed over them. You could scrape it off down to the lead, but I have left the crust.”

In 1977, the musket balls and buckshot were examined by Lee F. Murray, then Chief Curator of the Canadian War Museum at the National Museum of Man.

In Mr. Murray’s opinion, “what he has found are U.S. musket balls and buckshot. I believe that to be the case because the location where he finds them is what was, at the time of the battle [Crysler’s Farm], the bush on the U.S. right flank from which the main U.S. force on the east side of the gully was attacked by Canadian and Indian skirmishes. The calibre of the balls, which Carruthers tells me varies from 0.64 inches to 0.69 inches suggests that they are of U.S. origin. The buckshot too suggests U.S. origin for they were known to load 2-3 buckshot with each musket ball.”

Carruthers says he has enjoyed sharing his collections and knowledge at the various events held to commemorate the anniversary of the War of 1812, and he is looking forward to the upcoming celebration in Iroquois, on November 9.

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WILLIAMSBURG – The rain held off and 10 teams held on here Saturday to raise $5,045 for the Dundas County District Chapter of Easter Seals Ontario. That brings the 12 year total of the Brian and Tracey Shaver organized ball hockey tournament to over $40,000, an amount the Shavers and all of the ball hockey players are very proud of.

This year’s double knock out event attracted 10 teams, down one from last year’s record 11 teams.

For the third consecutive year, it was the James Morrell entry finishing as the champs. Playing for the Morrell team were Kelly Morrell, Laura MacDonnell, Lindsay Waddell, Dave Summers, Greg Millard, James Morrell, Adrian Glauser, Daniel Glauser and Colin Moran (goalie).

For this year’s win, the Morrells knocked off Team Francis which included Andrea Francis, Scott Francis, Jamie Francis, Adam Schofield, Chelsea Seguin, Debby Berwick-Seguin, Will Mclean and Paul Flaro.

Money is raised for Easter Seals through pledges, with each player asked to collect a minimum $25 in pledges. Getting the most pledges this year was Jason Rooney at $475.

The Dundas County Chapter of Easter Seals assists children living in Dundas County with physical disabilities.

The Chapter counts annually on three major fundraisers, the ball hockey tournament, Snowarama and a blooperball tournament along with the annual Easter Seals Paper Egg Campaign.

The Dundas Chapter now consists of just four committee members and it assists 14 children living in Dundas County.

“We need this [successful ball hockey tournament] because we are down in events, and we are a small committee,” said secretary Harriet Clarke. “As always the community has been very generous with our prizes today and Brian and Tracey [Shaver] do a wonderful job. It is a lot of work. Brian and Tracey do this out of the goodness of their heart. They deserve the credit and a huge pat on the back.”

According to Chapter Chair, Ian MacLaughlin, the group is looking for volunteers. “This would allow us to diversify and to take on more activities.”

“We would like to make more people in the Dundas County Community aware of us and what we do. We would also like to reach out to the parents out there who don’t know they can access us.

To find out more about the District Council for Easter Seals, local residents can contact any member of the committee. In addition to MacLaughlin and Clarke, they include Bob Ruddock and Deanna MacKillican.

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The South Branch Wind Opposition Group Inc. is being dissolved.

The motion for the voluntary dissolution of the South Branch Wind opposition group was tabled by Leslie Disheau and seconded by Bruce Albers and supported at an October 20 meeting.

The group made the decision because the SBWOG has served the purpose of their original mandate, which was to provide information about the South Branch industrial wind project to local government and citizens of the community.

Disheau thanked everyone for their support of the organization over the past three years. “It has been a very profound experience for this community and those individuals involved,” she said.

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Last year’s best new event in Ontario, is even bigger and better this year.

October 10 area media and dignitaries  were led through the 2013 Pumpkinferno display at Upper Canada Village, to see the bigger and better display.

In its sophomore year, even before the display welcomed its first visitors for the 2013 season, officials already knew that what they had to offer was an improvement  over their first year event, which was hugely successful, attracting over 35,000 visitors.

“The display is 25 to 30 per cent bigger,” said St. Lawrence Parks Commission CEO Darren Dalgleish. He explained that not only are there more carvings on display, the display is spread out over a larger area of the village.

The layout of the display had been changed, alleviating many of the congestion issues seen last year.

“This is a unique one of a kind event in Canada. And, the success of last year’s event suggests that this is something that people haven’t seen before,” said Dalgleish.

He is exceptionally proud of Pumpkinferno, which has won many awards, and broken all St. Lawrence Parks Commission attendance records. He takes a great deal of pride in the estimated $4 million economic impact this event has had on the area.

“Re-establishing Eastern Ontario as a tourist destination involves more than just the St. Lawrence Parks,” said Dalgleish. “Being connected to our community is an important priority for us.”

Geoff Waycik, Upper Canada Village General Manager, after just the opening weekend was pleased with attendance, saying that this year’s opening weekend was already larger than last year’s opening weekend.

Waycik spoke about the impact of Pumpkinferno locally last year, with Tim Hortons running out of coffee cups and the local McDonalds this year getting special permission for additional staffing. 

“Pumpkinferno’s impact has definitely been felt locally, and we’re very proud of that fact,” said Waycik.

The walking paths are wider to allow people to take more time to enjoy the 7,000 carvings. 

They have worked to improve the entry process, but with the event’s growing popularity they are strongly recommending that visitors purchase their tickets online to speed the process. 

The House of Horoscopes display (pictured right) is a great unique addition to the display that provides a unique star-gazing opportunity.

The young artist’s pumpkin patch features carvings by area school children. This year 800 young artist participated, which doubles the number involved in the program last year. 

Pumpkinferno runs select nights October 4 to November 2. 

[…]

 

 It has been a long journey for the Reverend Feras Shammas from his original home in Syria to his new home in Morrisburg, Canada. 

While he has only been the spiritual leader of Knox Presbyterian Church in Morrisburg for a little over two months, Reverend Shammas has already begun to feel at ease in his new parish. “Everybody has been very good to me. They have made me feel like family, at home. I am very grateful to the church and to this community for taking in a newcomer and making him feel welcome.”

Reverend Shammas was born in the ancient city of Damascus, now the capital of modern Syria. However, he was brought up in the equally historic city of Aleppo, the largest city in Syria, in the northern part of the nation.

“Aleppo is a very old city,” Rev. Shammas explained, “a place where many different ethnic groups live. There is a very large Christian community there.” He attended high school in Aleppo, until he made the personal decision to move to Beirut, Lebanon, in 1993-4, to attend the Near East School of Theology, where he earned his B.A. in theology, with a major in New Testament studies.

Rev. Shammas feels that he received the call to the ministry at a very early age.

“In Aleppo I attended a school which had been founded by American Protestant missionaries. My mom actually taught at the school, and my dad was on the school board. Both of my brothers (one older, one younger) and I went there. Every day began with morning chapel, and I experienced the preaching of a wonderful chaplain. I was still in elementary school when I felt that I wanted to work in the Church. Over time, the call just grew within me.”

When he announced his desire, as a child, to enter the Presbyterian ministry, his family “thought the desire might fade with time. But by high school, they understood that I was really committed and were very supportive. There is a very strong Presbyterian tradition in my family. My father is an elder, my brother a church musician. However,” he added with a laugh, “I am not sure they were quite expecting to produce a full minister.” 

Shammas began his ministry in 1999, in both Syria and Lebanon, serving and working in a number of churches. His last church in the Middle East was in Syria, by the coast, in Lattakia City. “We had a congregation made up of over 600 families. I was chair of the church board, and the senior pastor. I also had youth and choir pastors.” 

The nature of life in the Middle East meant that Feras’ family was often separated, far away from each other. For more than 15 years, his brothers and parents and he were in various parts of Europe and the Gulf. 

“We made a decision as a family that we were going to be together again. We decided that we would all go to North America.” 

By this time, Rev. Shammas was married, and had two daughters. 

“I met my wife, Reine, at college, where she was also studying theology. But in the Middle East it is still not possible for a woman to be ordained, despite her degree. We wanted to come to a nation where we could be equals, and she could also be ordained. We wanted a place of equality, a place where she could serve the church.”

The couple decided that in North America that would be possible. With emigration in mind, they actually chose the names Cynthia and Amy (ages 10 and eight) for their daughters.

“I had a college friend, a minister in Kemptville. We talked about my coming here. So I applied to the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and well, here I am,” Shammas laughed.

However, the young minister did have to cope with a difficult situation. He had gone ahead to Canada, preparing for his family to join him. However, just as his wife and daughters were to be issued their visas, there was a massive Civil Service strike. 

The great news is that Reine and the girls have now safely made it to Canada. With the arrival of Feras’ wife and children, the entire Shammas family can finally realize their dream of being together in North America.

The Reverend Shammas is very happy, and settling well into his new church family. “Presbyterian traditions are very alike, no matter where in the world the church is,” he explained. “These traditions and ways of doing things, even the similar hymns, meant that I could feel at home in this church and with these people almost immediately. 

Knox has been looking for a new spirit, with a goal of bringing families and young people back to the church. I’m going to be deeply involved in this. Knox Presbyterian Church is part of a beautiful family, and it deserves my hard work.”

[…]

 

“Four years ago, we all walked through the doors of Seaway District High School, not knowing which way to go, or where we would fit in,” said the 2013 SDHS valedictorian, Vicki VanHoof. 

She was addressing 63 fellow graduates in the beautifully decorated school gymnasium, before a packed audience. VanHoof recalled teachers, classrooms, assignments, assemblies, sports and  special extra curricular events (like Hay Day), describing how they brought everyone together.

“Regardless of where we came from, we were all willing to make new friends, and to become a new Spartan family.” Four years later, “I am standing here before you looking into our futures, seeing that we have many obstacles to overcome, many dreams yet to fulfill…but being a Spartan has taught us never to give up…”

For the grads and the community, this was a joyous and slightly nostalgic commencement. This is the final one which Seaway will hold in the fall. 

Beginning in 2014, in order to “facilitate student attendance at graduation exercises and to align our practice with other schools in the Upper Canada District School Board” Seaway will be holding the ceremony in June SDHS principal, Terry Gardiner, informed the community in July, 2013.

The South Dundas community, as always, was extremely generous to its 2013 graduates. 

Emcees for the graduation ceremony, teachers Sharon Last and Jeff Crooke, estimate that awards, bursaries and scholarships totalling more than $40,000 were presented to the graduating class. 

Vicki VanHoof brought laughter to the last fall graduation ceremony at Seaway, when she ended her valedictory address with the words of Dr. Seuss:

“You have brains in your head

You have feet in your shoes,

You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.

You are on your own, 

And you know what you know,

And you are the one who will decide where to go…”

[…]

 

The Iroquois Matilda Lions Club is hosting Iroquois' 1812 Commemoration event to be held on the 9th of November 2013. 

Four historic plaques will be located on the Point overlooking the Iroquois Lock. 

A dedication ceremony and memorial service will be conducted in the morning. 

The SD&G Highlanders will be represented and participate in the ceremonies as well as re-enactors from New York State, Ontario and Quebec. 

In the afternoon a re-enactment of the 7th of November 1813 skirmish will take place in the same park. 

Displays from various organizations and individuals can be viewed that day in the Iroquois Civic Centre. 

One of the organizers of the event, Howard Kirkby, provided a brief history of the of the armed conflicts that took place 1812-1814.

“Following the US declaration of war against Great Britain on the 18th of June 1812, a number of military engagements were pursued,” said Kirby in a media release. “What is not so widely known is that on two occasions, Point Iroquois and environs witnessed notable armed conflict.”

September 16, 1812 an Ogdensburg force was assembled and captured all but one of the families living on Tousaint Island, in an effort to ambush a British convoy. 

A Mohawk, who was not captured, under fire, canoed to the Canadian riverbank to warn the convoy of the pending ambush, which the Canadian/British force attached to the convoy was able to thwart. 

In this skirmish, one American was killed and six were wounded, while the British/Canadian force had one killed and several wounded.

November 7, 1813, a force of 10,000 Americans received orders to  proceed down the St. Lawrence River, effecting the destruction of all enemy fortifications, and to link up with forces at Lac St. Louis before proceeding to attack an capture Montreal.

While feigning an attack on Kingston, the American commander continued with a flotilla to Ogdensburg. From there, an advance scouting party was engaged in a skirmish by the Dundas Militia that forced the Americans to set up camp at Iroquois Point until November 9. 

The skirmish at Point Iroquois resulted in the death of one American soldier and, perhaps significantly, delayed the enemy’s advance long enough for the Canadian militias to assemble near Captain Crysler’s farm and join Morrison’s forces in effecting a victorious battle plan on the 11th of November. 

[…]

 

It’s not often that someone packing for a trip includes 1,000 pairs of underwear in their luggage, but that’s what an Ault Island couple did as they prepared to leave for Africa this week.

Gail Hamilton and Brian Barkley left on a mission to a Kenyan orphanage, October 8.

This is the second time Hamilton has made the journey and Barkley’s first.

Eight people are making the trip to the orphanage, the Ebenezer Life Centre in Ahero, Kenya.

The orphanage, run by Bishop Winnie Owiti, is not government supported. It relies on sponsors to cover the day to day needs of the 800 children who live there. 

Owiti’s last visit to Canada, when she was here in Morrisburg, is the reason that Hamilton and Barkley decided to pack the 1,000 pairs of underwear.

“When she was here, she bought a bunch of underwear for the children at the orphanage; it was something they needed,” said Barkley. “She packed it in her luggage, and her luggage got lost, never to be found again.”

After hearing the story, Hamilton and Barkley set a goal to take 1,000 new pairs of underwear with them to the orphanage when they made the trip. 

“We met and exceeded our goal,” said Hamilton.

They purchased most of the underwear themselves, taking advantage of various close out sales at discount stores, and friends made some donations.

In addition to the approximately $800 spent on underwear, Hamilton and Barkley each raised $2,000 for the orphanage.

While at the orphanage they plan to host a Canada Day event for the children, which will feature fun activities, sports and a special meal.

Hamilton got involved with the orphanage project through her cousin Lorraine Casselman, founder and executive director for the Canadians For the Children of Africa, a non-profit agency.

That was the reason for the first visit for Hamilton. 

The reason for the second visit is the children of the orphanage. 

“The children made me want to go back. Children here have everything; children there have nothing. The only thing they have is their smiles. They look at life differently.”

Barkley sees this trip as a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

Though he is looking forward to the trip he is a unsure of how the experience will affect him. 

Hamilton though, is very sure of how Barkley will be affected by the mission. 

“His heart, that is already big, will open up even more. It really will. It happens when you get the opportunity to spend time with these children.”

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Help is available for anyone affected by mental health issues in any way, and a local woman has been working tirelessly since the loss of her son who suffered from mental health issues, to bring that help close to home.

Augusta Waddell is continuing to champion the cause of mental health, with a special view to making more mental health services and programs available locally.

She has been able to organize a family support group that meets monthly at the Iroquois Civic Centre.

The meetings take place the third Tuesday of every month (except December) in the meeting room at the Civic Centre, from 6-7:45 p.m.

The group has the support of the Canadian Mental Health Association and of the Municipality of South Dundas, which is providing the meeting space at the Civic Centre.

What she needs now is for the people impacted by mental health issues to get involved.

The group’s first meeting was held in September, and although a guest speaker was part of the night’s agenda, only one person attended, and that person came from the Kemptville area.

“Our family support group is designed for relatives and friends of individuals with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and other mood disorder,” explains Waddell. “The group meets once a month in Iroquois and is led by the members themselves. By sharing our experiences, we learn how to cope more effectively with the challenges of supporting a loved one with mental illness.”

“There is a real stigma attached to mental illness, and we need to work to get rid of that,” said Waddell, who plans to continue to hold these support group meetings, month after month, regardless of how many people attend.

Although anyone can drop by the meetings, Waddell would appreciate those who plan to attend to let her know by calling her at 613-652-4664. 

The support group meetings will often include an educational component, so on occasions when they have larger numbers participating she plans to arrange for guest speakers. 

Because the Canadian Mental Health Association has been so supportive of Waddell’s efforts, she has organized an event to help fund raise for the organization.

 

Halloween Dance and Costume Party

 

October 26, at the Iroquois Legion, a Halloween Dance and Costume Party will be taking place, starting at 8 p.m. Prizes for the best costume and a silent auction will be part of the night’s festivities. Tickets are $15 per person and are available in Iroquois at the Legion and Mustard’s Variety, in Morrisburg at the Basket Case Café, in Williamsburg at Whitteker Meat Market, in South Mountain at Rick’s Gas Bar or by calling Augusta Waddell (613-652-4664) or Margaret Swerdfeger (613-652-2078).

[…]

 

The Farm Credit Canada Drive Away Hunger Tour made its first stop ever in Morrisburg, October 10, thanks to St. Mary – St. Cecilia School.

Teacher at the school, Karin MacPherson learned about the Hunger Tour, which is a unique food drive whereby FCC travels through communities collecting food and cash donations and delivering them to local food banks, and decided to get her school involved.

MacPherson learned of the drive through the participation of St. Mary’s in Chesterville, since her mom (Maryanne Verhoeven)works at that school. 

In St. Mary’s-St. Cecilia’s first time collecting for this food drive they were able to contribute 340 pounds of food to the Morrisburg location of the Dundas County Food Bank.

MacPherson is challenging her students to a friendly competition with her mom’s school for next year’s FCC Drive Away Hunger event. St. Mary’s Chesterville collected 455 pounds of food this year.

Since 2004, the FCC Drive Away Hunger has delivered more than 11 million pounds of food to food banks across the country.

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