News

 

Sixteen interested community members gathered at the recreation hall, here September 19, and agreed that the history of this area is important enough to them, to work to do something to preserve it.

As a first step the group decided and agreed that they will form an organization called the South Dundas Historical Society.

The group will meet again next month, and at that time they may name an executive. 

At the meeting, it was suggested that the South Dundas Historical Society needs to decide if its mandate will be to preserve historical artifacts of the area or to take on projects that aim to educate the public about the history of South Dundas.

No matter the direction, Phillip Blancher, one of the organizers of the inaugural meeting, suggested that they start small. “I think simple is better, to start.”

According to Blancher, the first goal of the South Dundas Historical Society is a digital history project, to be documented on southdundas.net

“With this meeting, we really wanted to gauge the community’s interest in re-starting a historical society with a focus on the entire South Dundas area,” said Blancher. The meeting was organized and hosted by Blancher and Sue Peters with the help of Evonne Delegarde.

“Across South Dundas, everyone seems to talk about the importance of its history and the importance of promoting history, but there is no organized group to do that,” said Blancher.

All who attended the meeting agreed that the formation of this society is important and worthwhile.

“It’s important to know where you come from, if you want to know where you are going,” said Robert Gillard. 

“There is a great potential to build a corridor of historical excitement,” said Howard Kirkby, mentioning South Dundas in relation to Upper Canada Village and the Lost Villages.

Alec Ball, who travelled from Metcalfe to attend the meeting, pointed out that the only historical society in all of Dundas County is a Chesterville group. He, and others who attended, said they would join the group simply because of their interest in local history and learning more about it.

Others who have long been advocates for the preservation of local history, such as Jim Jordan and Glen Cunningham, attended the meeting to support the formation of the group, in hopes that interest in this area’s history is not lost with their generation.

“This doesn’t stop here,” said Delegarde, adding that she believes there is much more interest, in the community, in the formation of this group, than the 16 people in attendance.

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The Eastern Ontario Health Unit is confirming the summer’s first human case of West Nile Virus in the region. 

Mosquitoes in the area served by the Health Unit tested positive for the virus in August, but human cases had only occurred in other regions of the province.

“This finding shows that West Nile virus remains a concern in our area, even towards the end of the summer” says Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health. 

“I urge all residents to keep on taking preventive measures to protect themselves and their families as mosquitoes will still be active until the first frost.”

Residents can take precautions against mosquitoes and therefore against the virus by taking the following steps:

• Use federally registered personal insect repellents, such as those containing DEET. Use a light coating on exposed skin. Follow label instructions for proper application.

• Wear light-coloured clothing, long sleeves, pants and socks when outside.

• Avoid being outside at dusk and dawn, as mosquitoes are the most active at that time.

• Ensure that all containers in or around the yard like tires, pool covers, saucers for flowerpots, wading pools and children’s toys are regularly emptied of standing water.

• Ensure that screens, windows and doors are fully sealed to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house.

For more information, visit www.eohu.ca and click on the Community Health section, or call 613-933-1375 or 1 800 267-7120 and ask for Health Line.

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A recent letter to South Dundas officials and council from Karen Franklin, manager of library services for the SD&G County Library, has raised alarm about the potential for new library space in Williamsburg.

South Dundas council agreed that a 558 square foot addition to the existing North Williamsburg Recreation building, along with some shared existing space, is a likely opportunity to bring library space back to Williamsburg. 

Such an addition could cost in the vicinity of $90,000, according to South Dundas CAO Steve McDonald.

Council has already authorized some preliminary design work that would allow more accurate costing to take place.

That work will allow council to make a final decision on whether or not to pursue the project.

In the meantime, Franklin’s letter was distributed to South Dundas council and others.

“I was surprised by the tone of the letter,” said South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke, who is also a member of the SD&G County Library board. 

Board members were copied on the letter, which states that the proposed space is too small and that any space sharing would make it difficult to operate the location as a library. 

Franklin also noted that the configuration of the space would present visibility issues, making it unfavourable for effective public service. 

“Simply put, the building does not adhere to the most basic standards for a public library facility,” she wrote.

Despite the letter, members of South Dundas council are still convinced that the proposed space will work for the library and for the community.

“We want to make darn sure that we can do this,” said South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan. “I don’t want to spend the money on this project, and then have them (SD&G Library) say that it’s not appropriate. Can they say no? Is that an option? We definitely need some sort of commitment from the library board on this.”

“A lot of people have done a lot of work to get this resolved,” he added, council agreed with his sentiments.

“Where the library board will take this, I don’t know,” said Locke at the September 17 South Dundas council meeting, adding that he would raise the issue with the board. The library board met September 19, and according to Locke the issue was discussed. 

Discussions revealed a lack of communication between library and township staff concerning the project. Locke believes that lack of communication will be rectified when the library and township officials meet. The board has asked that the meeting take place. 

After that meeting, the board has agreed they will meet again regarding the issue, if necessary, Locke explained.

[…]

 

A September 16 letter distributed to residents in the vicinity of the Universal dock indicates that changes have been made to the proposal to build an export grain terminal at the UTI site.

The proposal has been modified to locate the proposed 105’ diameter by 90’ tall grain bins, that were met with much disapproval from area residents, on UTI property, north of County Road 4 (Lakeshore Drive), rather than on the south side as originally proposed.

According to the letter, the proposed location is on the east side of the property approximately 120 meters east of the north/south internal access road that exists on the UTI site today.

“The grain bins will be aligned in a south to north configuration so that only lone bin is located close to Lakeshore and the second and possible expansion of bins are located to the north of the first bin,” say project proponents Tom Kaneb and Ben Currelly.

The proposal includes an enclosed conveyor over Lakeshore Drive to move grain from the bins on the north of the road to the south east end of the dock. A portable conveyor and ship loading stacker will be used when ships are loaded or unloaded.

According to Kaneb, “We have proposed locating the grain bins and truck area on the north side of Lakeshore to minimize the impact on the view of the St. Lawrence River from Lakeshore Road, to minimize the impact on the view of the neighbours, and to not have trucks cross Lakeshore.”

“Ontario farmers are expecting another bumper crop of soy beans and corn, emphasizing the need for an export terminal that will enable area farmers to access global markets effectively,” said Kaneb.

“Construction must await the acquisition of the required permits,” he added. “We are in the midst of that process now.”

Asked what these changes mean to the concerned citizens group opposed to this project, Gerben Schaillee, a member of the group says, “It really changes nothing. The zoning is incorrect.”

Lesley Rowntree, who is also part of the concerned citizens group, said the group has discussed the recent changes to the proposal. “The consensus is, it doesn’t change the illegality of putting a grain terminal on land that is zoned for light industrial use.” She said that though the changes would be better, visually for the area, any discussion of the impact is purely hypothetical. 

“Yes, if the proposal was legal, it would be marginally better,” said Rowntree. 

According to Rowntree, this project, if allowed to go ahead, would negatively impact more than just residents in the vicinity of the dock. She mentioned the Lakeshore Drive is part of the Waterfront Trail, which brings those in the booming cycling tourism industry to the area. She also said that the impact of increased truck traffic would be felt much farther out than the immediate area of the UTI property.

“This whole scheme is of little advantage to anyone in South Dundas,” according to Rowntree. “It would only result in a couple of jobs, the Waterfront Trail would be ruined and noisy trucks would be travelling through our rural towns. This transforms the entire nature of the area.”

She concedes that farmers may benefit, but sees expansion of the port at Prescott, as a more appropriate alternative, since the government has already subsidized that port with Canadian tax dollars.

Should South Dundas choose to issue a building permit for the proposed development in its new location, the threat of litigation by the concerned citizens group still stands.

Despite her opposition to the project, Rowntree is thankful that Kaneb has been so open with area residents about the details of this proposed project.

Grain terminal proponents have been in contact with the municipality regarding the new site plan. “They still have to satisfy applicable law to obtain a building permit,” said South Dundas chief administrative officer Steve McDonald. He is unsure of the current status of the application for this new location.

[…]

 

Well known Williamsburg and area couple, Don and Melba Morrell say that living in Dundas County is made a whole lot easier thanks to the many services available and agencies such as the J.W. MacIntosh Seniors’ Support Centre, that make it easy to access them.

In 2004, Don and Melba decided to sell their home and move into Park Drive Village. “It was a big decision to move but not having to worry about the lawn and snow removal was a relief,” says Don. “Living in the apartment isn’t that much different. We come and go as we like, travelling around the country side.”

The Morrells, married 66 years, are well known in the local community having raised their four boys who were talented athletes as well as through their involvement in community dances and events through Don’s musical talent on the saxophone.

As most local folk know, Don played in area bands beginning when he was 15 years old. He travelled far and wide with various bands until he retired in 2000, at that time playing with his band known as the Don Morrell Band.

Following their retirement from their day jobs in 1994, volunteering became a big part of the Morrells’ daily lives. They drove for Meals on Wheels throughout rural South Dundas, and shortly after his retirement from band life Don teamed with Betty and Cliff Barkley to return to the musical stage and this time provide entertainment at various senior events throughout the area.

As the year’s moved along, Don and Melba found themselves in need of various services for their health and well-being and they discovered that the majority of their needs could be met with the services available right here in Dundas County.

In 2006, Don and the family realized that Melba was having some trouble with her memory. “I stopped into the Seniors’ Centre and asked for information on what services were available,” says Don. “They gave me the Alzheimer Society’s number and some brochures, and also mentioned the services that were at the centre.”

Since he contacted the Alzheimer Society, Don has attended their caregivers’ support group and Melba has been attending the weekly Adult Day Program at the Centre in Williamsburg.

“This gives Melba a day away from home and a break for me at the same time,” says Don with Melba adding that, “she enjoys the day. We have lots of fun.”

In 2008, when the MacIntosh Seniors’ Centre brought new services into Park Drive Villa and the apartment buildings adjacent to the Centre, Melba became eligible to receive assistance from the Supportive Housing Service.

In 2010, Winchester District Memorial Hospital initiated a Diabetes Education Team to go out into the community to give regular information sessions to persons with diabetes or pre-diabetes conditions.

A variety of topics are presented and Don and Melba, who is diabetic, attend regularly. “This has been a great help to attend the sessions and have questions answered,” says Don.

Don and Melba are planning to attend the Fall Wellness Day at the J.W. MacIntosh Seniors’ Support Centre in Williamsburg on October 3, and they are encouraging others, of all ages, living in the community to join them. “You never know what the future will bring,” says  Don. “Come and see the organizations and mini presentations. It’s better to plan ahead.” 

[…]

 

Some 20 plus programs and services available to residents of Dundas County will be the highlight of a Dundas County Fall Wellness Day coming up on October 3.

Jointly sponsored by the J.W. MacIntosh Seniors’ Support Centre in Williamsburg and Carefor/Nor-Dun Seniors’ Support Centre, the Wellness Day will take place at the Support Centre located at 4324 Villa Drive in Williamsburg, from 1-7 p.m.

“We are seeing new seniors, who are becoming senior age and others who are new to our area,” says Janet Levere, Executive Director of the J.W. Mac-Intosh Seniors Support Centre. “There are a lot of support groups available to people living in Dundas County, and we want to make people aware of them.”

“It is not just the services provided at the J.W. MacIntosh Centre, but services that are available throughout the community that we will be highlighting.”

“For instance the Hospital (Winchester District Memorial) has a diabetes committee that goes out to the community. They are going to be here. Fire safety is another important issue for everybody,  and the O.P.P. will be here to do a talk on fraud.”

“We are really hoping people will stop around, pick up some information, ask some questions. We have it scheduled from 1-7 p.m. for those who work.”

A large number of organizations will have booths including the Alzheimer Society, Canadian Hearing Society, CNIB, Parkinson Society, Community Care Access Centre, Daniel’s Funeral Chapels, Dundas County Hospice, Dundas Interagency, Dundas Manor, EOHU, Elder Abuse Prevention, the Hartford Retirement Centre, Linking Hands/House of Lazarus, Naomi’s Family Centre, Ontario Works/ODSP, Royal Bank, SD&G Library, WDMH and Williamsburg Non-Profit Housing.

The organizers, J.W. MacIntosh Support Centre and Carefor/Nor-Dun will also both be available.

Throughout the day presentations will be made addressing various topics such as medications, pole walking, legal matters such as Power of Attorney, housing, Alzheimer disease, diabetes, community support services, fraud prevention, fire safety and preventing falls.

Transportation to the event can be arranged by calling (before October 1st) the Hartford Retirement Centre (613-543-3984), the J.W. MacIntosh Seniors’ Support Centre (613-535-2924) or the Nor-Dun Seniors’ Support Centre (613-774-6109).

“We have a South Dundas Advisory Committee made up of seniors and various representatives and putting on a day such as this has come at the suggestion of this group,” explains Levere. “We get calls from new people all the time who aren’t aware of what’s available in Dundas County.”

[…]

 

The second annual Golden Gears Car Club car show featuring Eddy and the Stingrays, held Sunday, September 15 at the Iroquois Locks, was so successful, the club decided on site, that they will do it all again next year.

This September show, which generally caps off the car show season, attracted 260 cars for the show and hundreds of spectators to the concert.

“We have just decided to invite Eddy and the Stingrays back for next year,” said Golden Gears Car Club president Henry Swank.

“This is so popular, it’s a good tradition to maintain as long as we can,” said Swank, adding that the Golden Gears have had a phenomenal year.

Jim Millard, club spokesperson, said the date for next year’s car show, featuring Eddy and the Stingrays will be September 14. 

“Everyone loves the music and the cars, it’s a winning combination.”

“The turnout at all of our events, like all outdoor events, is highly dependant on the weather,” said Millard. “The weather makes us, or breaks us.” 

Although rain did put a damper on some of the smaller show and shine events held throughout the summer, the club was happy to host a very successful Canada Day show at the Iroquois Locks and was happy the weather cooperated for Sunday’s season finale.

“This show wraps up the car show season,” said Millard. “After this people are generally tuck their cars away for the winter.”

The Golden Gears Car Club is 80 members strong, and the majority of those members are active members. One highlight of the season for the Golden Gears was taking home the award at a Cornwall Car Show for the Club with the most vehicles entered in the show.

While enjoying the fun and camaraderie throughout the local car show season, the Golden Gears have made a point to be active the community and Saturday “Filled the Fargo” with food items for the Dundas County Food Bank. Those food items were delivered to the food bank today.

[…]

 

Lightning is believed to have sparked a fire that caused extensive damage to a County Road 18 home.

September 11, around 7 p.m. South Dundas fire crews from the Williamsburg station were called to a house fire at 1158 County Road 18.

Upon arrival, heavy smoke was visible from the soffits and attic area of the home. 

Crews from the Iroquois station were called to assist.

“In order to extinguish the fire, the ceiling had to be taken down and a vent was removed from outside the house to gain access to the burning trusses,” said South Dundas fire chief Chris McDonough. 

“Once this was done, crews were able to extinguish the flames.”

The attic area was extensively damaged by fire. Approximately $80,000 is the damage estimate.

Thirty minutes into the call to the County Road 18 house fire, South Dundas fire crews were dispatched to a possible structure fire on Maud Street in Morrisburg.

That call also resulted from a lightening strike. 

Lightening had struck a tree during the height of an intense thunderstorm and travelled through the clothesline. 

Fortunately, damage from this strike was minimal, according to the fire chief.

[…]

 

TransCanada Pipeline officials hosted on open house in Morrisburg to discuss their Energy East project.

Energy East is a $12 billion, 4,400 km pipeline project that will carry 1 million barrels of crude oil per day from Alberta and Saskatchewan refineries to refineries in Eastern Canada (Quebec City and St. John, Nova Scotia).

Of the 4,400 project, 70 per cent involves the conversion of an existing natural gas pipeline into an oil pipeline, and a portion involves building new pipeline.

The new build portion of the project starts in South Dundas, at the existing Iroquois compressor station. 

Just over 100 km of new pipeline will cross the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and within SDG two new pumping stations will be built. One at Iroquois, in the vicinity of the existing compressor station, and another near Alexandria. 

Nationally, the Energy East project will include the construction of 68 new pumping stations. 

The pumping stations are an integral part of the project. 

Part of the conversion of the existing natural gas pipeline involves the construction additional pumping stations because it takes more pumping stations to pump oil than natural gas. 

More valves are also part of the conversion. For public and environmental protection, valves will be located every 30 km. 

TransCanada Pipeline officials explained that the system is monitored such that in the case of a problem sections of the pipeline can be shut down within minutes.

Pipeline inspections, testing and integrity digs are already underway for this project. It is schedule for completion in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Energy East will transport a variety of crude types including conventional crude oil, diluted bitumen and synthetic crude.

[…]

 

As children in South Dundas head back to school, many with backpacks filled with all the necessary supplies for a good school year, it is difficult to imagine that on the other side of the world, there are children who stand outside the schoolyard, peering in and hoping that they will someday have the chance for an education.

Unable to go to school due to the lack of family funds, the children will have few opportunities to break out of the cycle of malnutrition and poverty.

In the summer of 2007, an elementary teacher from Maxville decided to try and change that.

Cathy Lucking was volunteering at an orphanage in central Madagascar and resolved to confront the education problem directly by building a school and staffing it with competent Malagasy teachers.

During that year, many in Eastern Ontario responded by contributing money to the registered charity that Lucking had established, and the villagers of Ambatoharanana began making and hauling the important bricks necessary for the construction of their first school. It was completed and in operation by the fall of 2008.

In the past few years, the project has gathered speed and another school has been built and opened. Cathy’s home area of Maxville has been a big supporter of the project. As word spread, more churches and community groups have become involved.

Now, a Christian outreach group from three Anglican churches in South Dundas is working on a fund raising dinner to help fund the ongoing work of operating the schools and increasing the number of classrooms.

On Saturday, October 5, Allan Hall in Morrisburg will be the site of a special dinner that will feature a menu of Malagasy foods, which will be prepared by a dedicated group of local volunteers. Tickets are $20.

Diners will enjoy foods similar to those that would be a holiday meal for the more affluent in Madagascar. Dishes will include a soup of pureed vegetables, tomato salad, also vegetables and chicken and rice, with typical spices from which you may choose. For dessert, pineapple upside-down cake.Organizers will have a small display of items from Madagascar, along with some hand-crafted jewellery for sale. 

Cathy Lucking will be in attendance to share her experiences through a video presentation. Tickets can be purchased at Seaway Valley Pharmacy in Morrisburg or by calling Joan Larocque at 543-0722. MadagascarSchoolProject.com is the online source for photos and information about the Madagascar School and Cathy Lucking’s amazing work.

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