News

“When I came here to interview for the Iroquois-Matilda pastoral charge, I just felt welcomed,” said the Reverend Valerie Vande Wiele, who took up her duties in her three point pastoral charge on September 22, 2013. We are sitting in her office in Iroquois United Church.

“When I met the people, heard their stories, learned who they were, I knew that I could walk with these people. It felt right.”

Reverend Valerie has been in Canada since 1996.

She was born in Belgium, “in the south, the French part,” (she is fully bilingual) and spent the first 29 years of her life there: then  she made the decision to immigrate. To come to Canada alone was an important, life-changing decision for her, and one that was not undertaken lightly.

“Immigrating to North America gave me the chance, I believe, to discover who I really was.”

For several years she had worked in a bank in Belgium, in the position of a debt collector.

“It was tough. I feel I was very green at that point in my life, and I needed to grow up. I needed to learn that the world could be a tough place. 

(In my position at the bank) I faced situations, and had to enter into people’s lives as part of dealing with their finances. Confronting the realities of divorce, mental illness, poverty, illiteracy, well, these all made me grow up in a hurry.”

Gradually, these experiences cultivated in her new feelings and attitudes.

“Cemented in my mind was the idea that I wanted to walk with people, to be there for them, rather than extracting money from them.”

She does not regret the time she spent in a difficult job.

“I feel I needed that experience to arrive at where I am today. It taught me compassion and caring and to see there are other points of view. But in that bank position I had to be someone I wasn’t, and that made me unhappy.”

Making a complete break with her old life, and undertaking the “adventure” of immigrating, gave her time to begin the process of finding herself. And as that process continued, what became louder and louder for her was a call to the ministry.

“I settled in Quebec City and studied to be a secretary, working for different companies for five years. But when my last secretarial job ended, I understood that I had just been hesitating, unwilling to make the leap of faith. Losing the job gave me the impetus to start studying for the ministry.”

She earned her bachelor of theology through McGill University, and her Master of Divinity in 2008, from the Montreal School of Theology.

How did the United Church of Canada become her spiritual home?

“I had been raised in the United Protestant Church of Belgium. In Quebec I tried several Protestant denominations, but I ultimately chose the United Church because it was the church, I felt, that allowed me to be who I was. It was the church I felt welcomed me with everything I am, and without judgement.”

She was ordained and served in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, and for five years in Richmond.

Although it was a hard decision to leave her Richmond church, she applied to the Iroquois-Matilda pastoral charge, interviewed and was invited by the congregations of Iroquois, Brinston and Hulbert Valley to become their spiritual leader. 

“I am the first minister of this new pastoral combination,” the Rev. Valerie said.

“My view of the ministry is that it is co-operative, minister and parishioners “walking together for the coming of the kingdom.”

I asked her about her hopes for the future.

“We need to cement the new pastoral charge, to build links among the three congregations. Through those links, we can celebrate who we are, respecting our differences. This is a primary goal for me. And we can have fun together,” she added with a laugh.

“A second goal for me is to help people discover and enjoy scripture, to see that scripture is still very relevant today.”

As the Reverend Valerie Vande Wiele settles into her new home, she is very much looking forward to her life in South Dundas.

“I hope to learn from my congregations as I am walking with them. Sometimes, I think, we will walk down some interesting side roads together.”

[…]

December 6, over 200 people packed United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Council Chambers to witness the inauguration the youngest Warden in its history.

Twenty-six-year-old North Dundas Mayor Eric Duncan was nominated as 2014 Warden by North Dundas deputy Mayor Gerry Boyce. South Dundas Deputy Mayor Jim Locke seconded the nomination, council supported it. Duncan replaces Bill McGimpsey in the seat at the head of county council.

Duncan was proud to have his former school principal Brenda Whitteker (pictured right, with him) speak at the ceremony. Not only is she connected to his education, which he values so much, but she also has a strong connection to municipal government, her father, Johnny Whitteker, having served as SDG Warden and on council for over 50 years.

“In the room just behind these walls hang the pictures of 160 men and women who have stepped forward, taken the oath, and served these United Counties,” said Duncan. “When I look at the names and the achievements they have made in their public and professional lives, I am so humbled to join their ranks as Warden.”

Leading any council during an election year can be challenging, but Duncan is planning for a year of “tackling issues, making progress and getting things done.” His plans are to move SDG forward through simple but effective means. Three key pillars set out by Duncan for his first term as Warden – education and the pursuit of knowledge, continual improvement and embracing technology. 

“To show taxpayers in SDG that we are serious about addressing the challenges we face head on. That we are innovative. That we are forward-thinking. All while respecting the fiscal restraint needed as always,” he said. “I love what I do, and I am thankful to be in this job every day. And that is because of where I live, the people around me, and the amazing things that we have going for us here.”

[…]

Following the resignation of Bill Shearing from the role of Emergency Management Coordinator for South Dundas, municipal officials went looking for someone to take over the position, and it turns out they didn’t have to look far.

Chris McDonough, fire chief for South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services, will take on an additional role, starting in the new year.

In this role, McDonough is responsible for coordinating the emergency management program.

In the event of an emergency, it is the emergency management coordinator that consults with the municipality.

In situations like the 1998 ice storm, the emergency management coordinator consults with municipal officials on the declaration of a state of emergency. Emergency training efforts and emergency preparedness are also part of this role.

South Dundas did contract and pay for Emergency Management Services provided by Shearing. With these services assumed by a municipal employee, that employee will receive no additional compensation, according to South Dundas chief administrative officer Steve McDonald.

[…]

Helping Hands of Matilda president Lorne Strader welcomed 68 members and four guests to their annual Christmas dinner, December 4, at Matilda Hall.

The dinner was catered by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 370, Iroquois.

Gwen Bosma played piano for the singing of O Canada. Rev. Valerie Vandewiele, United Church minister said grace before a delicious turkey dinner, with all the trimmings, was served to members and guests.

 

Entertainment by Mattie and Fred Zandbergen, Bill Horner and Ralph Jollata and Mary Perry followed.

Non-perishable food items were donated by members and packed by Velma Casselman and Gwen Bosma, and were donated to the local food bank.

Dinner party closed with God Save the Queen, again acccompannied by Bosma.

Helping Hands next meets January 8, 2014, at Matilda Hall. Everyone welcome.

[…]

It was a dream of a lifetime for young hockey fans Brody Froats and Tysen Lefebvre, who, together dropped the opening puck(s) for the Ottawa Senators versus Vancouver Canucks NHL game at the Canadian Tire Centre, last Thursday night, November 28.

In front of 17,931 cheering fans, Brody and Tysen made their way to centre ice, not only to drop the puck(s), but to introduce the teams’ Heritage Classic jerseys which will be officially worn March 2, at BC Place, for the NHL’s third Heritage Classic.

The boys were thrilled to be part of last Thursday night’s festivities and it was all made possible through Make–A–Wish® Eastern Ontario and the cooperation of the Ottawa Senators. 

“No Disney vacation for this boy,” said Brody’s mom Lisa with a laugh. “It was all Sens and dinner out, and that was all he would ever want…and of course the new captain Spezza jersey which he received. It was such a wonderful day as a family.”

The family was notified of Brody’s centre-ice appearance through a phone call. “On the Wednesday, before the Thursday night game, we received a phone call from Make–A–Wish telling us that the Senators had requested Brody and Tysen,  to be guests along with our families to drop the puck for the unveiling of the new Heritage Jerseys. Well, you can imagine our excitement, and Brody was uncontainable to say the least.”

Related Story: A Big Year of Recovery for Brody Froats

[…]

Gary Goodyear, Minster of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario was in Winchester Friday, November 27, and there he announced that the federal government will invest $48 million in the renewal of the Eastern Ontario Development Program. 

Goodyear made the announcement at the quarterly meeting of the Ontario East Economic Development Commission (Ontario East). 

Ontario East represents over 200 communities, with more than two million residents and promotes eastern Ontario as a centre for investment. 

“I am proud to announce that our Government will continue to promote business development, job creation and strengthening communities in rural eastern Ontario with the renewal of EODP,” said Goodyear. “Through EODP, the Agency will continue to act as a champion within this region, encouraging new partnerships and project development for the expansion of community economic assets, business growth and business infrastructure/services to help create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity.”

Over the next five years, starting in April 2014, EODP will promote strategic economic development in eastern Ontario that will have a long-term impact in the region. To date, the Agency has invested over $80 million through 7,636 business and community development projects. 

[…]

Weather, among other factors, threw a wrench into the plan to get a first lift of asphalt put down on Lakeshore Drive this year. 

Friday, the contractor working on the Lakeshore Drive sewer project was on site doing some grading work, but Chris Bazinet, manager of public works for South Dundas, confirmed that the planned first course of asphalt will wait until spring.

“I met with the contractor earlier this week,” said Bazinet. “They will get the grading done, but the road will remain gravel until spring. Basically, the contractor ran out of time to get it done.” 

Bazinet explained that this snow event and cold weather did cause concern from the municipality about the quality of the first lift of asphalt if it is put down now. Because of this concern he felt it would be prudent to leave the stretch of road gravel for winter.

Another factor in this decision was that some potential storm sewer issues were discovered during construction. They would like to investigate those further. 

South Dundas, along with the Counties of SDG who are partners in the storm sewer project, are going to have some camera work done over the next couple of weeks. The results of that investigation may mean that the section or roadway they had planned to pave this year would have to be dug up again in the spring. 

Rather than risk asphalt quality issues and possibly dig up new asphalt in spring, South Dundas officials decided it would be more prudent to wait.

[…]

Last year he celebrated his birthday, a very sick young man, in his hospital bed at CHEO.

This year Brody Froats, the son of Mark and Lisa Froats of Morrisburg, celebrated his 18th birthday (Monday, December 2), no longer in hospital and fresh from an exhilarating experience last Thursday, November 28, when he and Tysen Lefebvre dropped the puck for the Ottawa Senators versus Vancouver Canucks hockey game

It was a long road for Brody who has Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), but thanks to a great medical team at CHEO, Brody’s willpower and the love, support and prayers from his family and community, it was a road to recovery.

And thanks to the Make–A–Wish® Eastern Ontario and the Ottawa Senators, it was a road that took him, with Tysen, to centre ice at The Canadian Tire Centre last week to drop the ceremonial game-opening puck wearing the Sens newly revealed NHL Heritage Classic jersey.

The Froats were first approached by Make–A-Wish on October 19th when, “we were surprised by a visit with season Sens tickets and all kinds of gifts,” explains Brody’s mother Lisa. “We were driven by limo to that day’s game as well as to Brody’s favourite restaurant in Kanata, Jack Astors.”

“We have been enjoying the games as a family, and it is extra special because we are able to see Brody during the week, depending on game nights, and not just on the weekend.”

Lisa explains that Brody has been living happily in a group home in Orleans since September, and that he has “started back to school at the local Catholic high school there.”

“To date, he has never been as healthy as he is now.”

Lisa recalls the bleak outlook for Brody’s future one year ago when he was a patient at CHEO. At that time, he was battling with heart failure and respiratory problems all of which are complications of PWS. He was on a BiPap machine for four hours at a time, alternating with 45 minutes off, and was constantly on oxygen.

Brody’s future wasn’t great and with Lisa undergoing intensive chemotherapy treatment for Indolent Follicular non-Hodgkins Lymphona the family was experiencing a truly difficult time.

“To think a year ago where we were, and the bleak outlook that was upon us in regards to Brody’s survival is outstanding,” says Lisa. “He is now completely oxygen free, which the doctors thought he would always need. Although he still needs the BiPap for sleeping, he is otherwise very healthy.”

“Many of his physicians have said, ‘he is a medical miracle, definitely one for the medical journals’.”

So when the phone call came last Wednesday, inviting Brody to drop the puck with Tysen, to say there was excitement in the Froats’ household is an understatement.

Lisa says that both families were given the royal treatment from the start of the evening to the finish. “We received awesome seats and after the game, our two families were able to meet the players. What an amazing group of guys. Every player not only autographed, but they took the time for pictures and stood and talked and laughed with our kids.”

While Lisa and Mark can’t say enough about last week’s pleasurable outing they also “extend our thank you to our community family and friends and everyone who supported us through this last year. The kindness and generosity, to say the least, has been overwhelming and the genuine concern for our family will always be remembered.”

“At this time we are all well and are feeling so very blessed for our health and being a family again.”

As for Tysen, the trip to centre ice last Thursday night was a thrill, but it was on November 12, 2012, that his wish came true. That was when he got to meet Adam Sandler!

Tysen writes on the Make-A-Wish Facebook page that, “when I entered his cool office, I noticed a wall filled with pictures and souvenirs representing all the good things he has done for others. It made me think…If Adam Sandler can be a comedian, writer, producer, dad, husband, own his own production company, star in 38 movies and STILL have time to grant my wish and help others then the sky is the limit to what I can do!”

As a result, Tysen set out on a mission to raise $1 million for Make-A-Wish which will help grant 100 wishes! This marvelous young man has now raised $14,894 and anyone who would like to support him can do so by going to the Make–A-Wish Facebook page and following the link.

The only disappointing part of last Thursday’s adventure for the two boys was the Sens 5-2 loss to the Canucks.

[…]

Christmas is fast approaching. One of the events in South Dundas which makes the season a little more special is the annual concert by the Seaway Valley Singers.

The 46-voice choir, under the direction of Choir Master Robert Jones, will perform Sing Gloria! on Sunday, December 8, at 3 p.m. at the Iroquois United Church in Iroquois. Pianist Margaret Whisselle accompanies the singers as they celebrate the Christmas spirit in song.

A highlight of the concert will be Handel’s beloved Hallelujah Chorus, which will also feature trumpeter Shawn Snider. Dan Edwards, violinist, is performing with the Singers in the traditional Hymn of Advent. The Winchester Handbell Ringers plan to bring their beautiful sound to the concert as well. 

By popular demand, Dr. Gerry Rosenquist is returning to act as Master of Ceremonies for the joyful event. 

The Singers have been in rehearsal since the fall: their twice yearly concerts are eagerly anticipated in South Dundas.Tickets are $10 in advance (available from choir members, the Seaway Pharmacy in Morrisburg or by calling 613-543-3863). Tickets will also be available at the door for $12.

Sing Gloria! with the Seaway Valley Singers on December 8, and welcome the Christmas season. 

[…]

Led by their senior LINK crew, and the grade 10 WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) crew, the students and teachers at Seaway District High School in Iroquois made it clear that bullying has no place in school or community life.

During the week of November 18-22, there was a board wide initiative in schools to make students aware of the nature of bullying, and what can be done to stop it.

“There is more awareness of bullying, more discussion in the schools,” said teacher Heather Thompson, who also leads the successful LINK program at the high school which matches senior mentors with grade nine students. “Kids have to know that it is okay to stand up ‘for the silent.’ It takes only 10 seconds to stop the bullying when peers intervene.”

Lindsay Waddell, who is the teacher organizer (with fellow teacher Rodney Benton) of the WEB program that matches grade 10 students with intermediate school grade sevens, says the week of Anti-Bullying activities got kids thinking, and encouraged them to act.  “We focused in WEB on how words can be harmful and hurtful. If your words are long-lasting, why not make them positive. We led discussions about ‘safe spheres’ and the ‘role of the bystander.’” 

The high school/intermediate school staffs were very supportive of the anti-bullying activities, and welcomed WEB and LINK representatives into their classes to bring a message of tolerance and respect. The OPP has also been invited to present workshops on cyber-bullying, sadly a growing factor in recent, reported teen suicides.

Jessica Wright, a LINK senior, organized an anti-bullying scavenger hunt. A big flag with power words on it from LINK and a collage from WEB will be displayed in the school. Grades 7-12 students were also encouraged to sign the Anti-Bullying Banner and make a commitment.

Teachers Thompson and Waddell joined the students in the gym, all wearing pink to signify anti-bullying, for a large and positive group photo. Both had great praise for the leadership and the dedication displayed by their WEB and LINK students in this recent campaign.

“It’s amazing the amount of work our LINK and WEB kids take on, and follow through on. When you give kids responsibility, they don’t let you down.”

[…]