News

 

When he heard the proposed title of this article, Kevin Eamon laughed. “Well, no question, I’m still gonna be me! Rock My House Music Centre is going to revolve around music, and music is still my deep passion.”

Eamon is the proud new owner of Rock My House Music Centre in Kemptville.

Eamon, a former Morrisburg resident, graduate of Morrisburg elementary school and Seaway District High School in Iroquois, has embarked on this challenging, and very exciting new business linked to his love of music. 

Rock My House allows him to combine years of live performance with rock bands and strongly honed skills as a percussionist, with his deep love of all types of music and of musical instruments. He also holds an audio engineering diploma from Recording Arts Canada and possesses a firm understanding of the technical side of music.

Following its grand opening on September 7, the Centre can fully address the supply needs of both professional and amateur musicians. The business also offers the opportunity, to those of any age who want to experience the thrill of playing an instrument or of studying voice, to learn from outstanding  teachers. There are both group and individual lessons available at Rock My House. The Centre is only a half hour away from the South Dundas area.

“I’ve been stressed and busy putting this music centre together,” Eamon laughed, “but it’s been a great kind of stress. I saw the potential in opening my own business, and I thought, ‘I’ve got ideas. Let’s give this a go.’”

In 2009, Kevin Eamon was the drummer with Rehab Dolls, a band founded by Rick Thomas in 2008. The group gathered some strong musical reviews and created a special song, This Means War, for a huge High Voltage Mixed Martial Arts Championship at the Robert Guertain Arena in Hull. He toured with this band, but also cut his musical and composition teeth with fleShpaiNt and Chopped Suicide. He is experienced in the challenges and the demands of  the live music industry.

“I can share music with my students, and discuss the realities of the recording industry, of touring, of getting a start as a musician, and of getting real work. I can speak from honest experience,” Eamon explained.

He eventually left Toronto, moving back to Morrisburg, where he worked construction. However, he began to see that his training and experience might be an asset in a business.

“I applied for a S.E.B.P. program (Self Employment Business Program) offered out of South Grenville. I was one of those accepted into this government program from among many applicants and had as my mentor Cathy Gilmer of Iroquois.”

Eamon praises the program.

“I had ideas, but S.E.B.P. really helped me develop business skills. I took a business course at school, but I needed the hands on support offered by S.E.B.P. And they will continue to monitor me for the next year as I get my Music Centre off the ground.”

As he did his ground work, and studied the market for a business like his, Eamon learned that there appears to be a huge demand for musical training.

“Originally I had planned to limit my musical offerings to drums and percussion, but I learned very quickly that the demand for other instruments, and just for learning basic music was too great to ignore.”

The death of most organized music programs in elementary schools, and the cut backs to many arts programs, including music, at the secondary school level, has left a real void. Parents are actively seeking places where their children can experience the joys and the educational values of music.

Currently Kevin is approaching area schools hoping there will be interest in group workshops in music possibly to fill some of these musical gaps. 

He is also deeply interested in the benefits of offering musical therapy both at his Music Centre and in local schools. “Music can be an avenue of expression for troubled or autistic children, for kids with disabilities or social needs. My hope is to start up a unique program as soon as possible.”

Rock My House in Kemptville offers supplies, instruments and sheet music as well as private lessons and studio space. 

“Music is a language we all have in common,” said Kevin Eamon. “You have to love music, to want to do it. I definitely still do. My business, I think, is really a new way to express that love, and to share it.”   

[…]

 

There is nothing that prepares us for how quickly the summer will pass. This year was no exception. Where did it go?

All I know is what a wonderful season the Canadian Club had last year – and the local speakers rated very high on the chart.  The largest crowd  in  recent years, came to hear Dr. Wayne Domanko speak on his involvement in our medical system over the last 40 or so years.

It is, once again, the pleasure of the Canadian Club membership committee to inform the public of the upcoming season.

Membership costs remain the same as last year at $95 per person, and that includes six meetings (dinner and speaker).  

The executive invites member to come early and enjoy the pre-dinner  reception – cheese,  crackers, and juice – beginning  around 6:30 p.m.

Our first speaker of the season – after a roast beef dinner – on September 18, will be Pamela MacDonald, who has been with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency since 2001. Pamela will provide a presentation on Canadian Food Safety.

On October 16, (roast pork dinner), Chris MacDonald, will speak on “Unions and Their Role in Canada”.

The final speaker of the fall season will be Tony Glen scheduled for just after Remembrance Day. 

Tony, the Director of Collection at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, will provide insight into ‘Ensuring a Future for the Past: the Challenges of Museums.”

After the winter break, the Canadian Club will meet on March 19, when roast pork will be on the menu and the speaker will be Rev. Daniel Hayward –Pastor of the United Churches of South Stormont. Rev Hayward will provide a light-hearted look at life. 

Roast turkey is on the menu for April, when Ron Bonnet, a local farmer, will speak about  the “Canadian Agriculture’s Contribution to our Economy and the World”.

The final meeting will be on May 21, 2014, at which time the speaker will be the “Area Crime Prevention” officer from Long Sault, who will speak on what is happening in the real world and how people can protect ourselves.

The Canadian Club membership committee hopes everyone will them – either by way of membership – or as a visitor.

Tickets are available from Clara at 613-774-2407, or Doug at 613-543-2922. (Please give us a week’s notice.)

 

 

[…]

 

“We were quite the threesome.”

Ida, Lucille and Doris are quite the threesome,  and audiences will be forgiven for instantly entering into a love affair with them all. The Cemetery Club, now  running at Upper Canada Playhouse until September 29, is a show that makes you very glad you chose to spend two hours sharing the lives of these marvellous women.

The title of Ivan Menchell’s play is deceptive. Far from being gloomy and dark, this production embraces life. Life is precious. Time is precious. Friends are precious. Ida, Lucille and Doris make that very clear.

Actors Linda Goranson, AnnaMarie Lea and Patti Kazmer are wonderful as colourful, outspoken widows, whose decades old friendship is now rounded by monthly visits to the grave sides of their late husbands. Each woman has her own particular reasons for the cemetery ritual, reasons the audience begins to understand in the course of the evening.

Not that these women are long-suffering, mournful saints. Not by any means. 

One of the great pleasures of Menchell’s script is how incredibly funny it is. 

From the moment Lucille bursts into Ida’s comfortable living room,  draped in her latest outfit, a mink, the laughter never stops.  “Do you really need a mink coat?” Ida asks. “A mink you buy because you want it. Support hose you buy because you need them!” Lucille retorts. 

AnnaMarie’s Lucille might be described, in the kindest way, as a bit outré. Clothes and make up and attention matter to her. “Can I help it if men find me attractive?” “Lucille, you never stay with one man long enough for me to meet him,” Ida sighs. 

Opinionated, outgoing, ready to say exactly what is on her mind, however outrageous, Lucille grabs at life with both hands…and generally gives it a good shake.

Linda Goranson, as Ida, is gentler, more introspective. She adored her late husband, Murray, but sometimes “it worries me that the memories are still so strong…sometimes it seems like (Murray’s) still right there.” Tentatively, however, she has begun to consider the idea that it may be time to get on with this life. “I need to be with someone…to give to someone…I’m not going to spend the rest of my life feeling guilty.”

The sudden, unexpected possibility of a new love leaves Ida almost giddy, and the audience rooting for her. 

Doris, the third widow,  memorably portrayed by Patti Kazmer, can be sharp even cantankerous. Her whole life revolved around her ‘Abe’, her one, her only, her forever love. Visits to talk to him at his grave are deeply and emotionally necessary. Indeed, these trips to the cemetery are “the high point of Doris’ month,” as Lucille puts it. “She prepares for them for two weeks ahead and thinks about them for two weeks after.” 

To Doris, true love can happen once, and only once.

Then Sam, the widowed butcher, arrives, and stirs up this established threesome. Sparks fly in all directions. Doug Tangney brings warmth and humour, and a vulnerability to Sam that is deeply appealing. “Instead of looking at what a woman was like, I kept looking at how she wasn’t like Myrna,” he admits.

A strong cameo appearance by Brenda Quesnel creates a pivotal, and critical moment in the play. 

Yet the laughter in The Cemetery Club is contagious. 

This is a play of boisterous one liners, and of outrageously hilarious comments that only those who truly love each other can make. It is a play that shares with us wickedly funny situations (like the latest wedding of the much married Selma, where the threesome have all been summoned to be bridesmaids…again), or a post wine, spontaneous cha-cha by the women that brought Friday’s house down. 

This is also a play that can deeply, very deeply, touch your heart. Trust me.

Staged on a versatile set by Sean Free, with lighting that seems to effortlessly take the action from  the indoors to the outdoors, director Donnie Bowes’ production of The Cemetery Club is a wonderful end to the Playhouse’s summer season. 

Ida, Lucille and Doris: quite the threesome indeed. And isn’t that lucky for audiences!

The Cemetery Club runs until September 29 at Upper Canada Playhouse.

Contact the box office  at 613-543-3713 or on line at www.uppercanadaplayhouse.com.  

[…]

 

Yet another, obstacle is impacting South Dundas’ project to open up access to municipally-owned commercial property in the Morrisburg Industrial Park.

Unlike any potential planning obstacles, this roadblock  is much more tangible.

Eight butternut trees will need to be cut down for the project, which is now at a standstill, to continue.

These eight trees are in the direct path of the new roadway.

Butternut trees are endangered, so work has been stopped while South Dundas officials follow the necessary Ministry of Natural Resources guidelines in place for the protection of the trees.

South Dundas chief administrative officer Steve McDonald told council at their September 3 meeting that they are in the process of applying for a permit to remove the trees.

He explained that removal of the trees requires a compensation plan to plant other butternut trees in a new location and that they be monitored.

According to information on the MNR website, it generally takes about three months, from the time an application is submitted, for a decision to be rendered.

“Obviously, we are hopeful this process will be expedited,” added McDonald.

With fall coming, any delay to the project is worrisome, confirmed South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. 

“It is an unfortunate delay and hopefully we can resume construction shortly,” he said.

According to McDonald, the financial implications of the delay, at this point, are minimal.

“The contractor has completed all the work they can,” he said, adding that South Nation Conservation is assisting South Dundas officials with the application process.

[…]

 

South Dundas had a $623,515 surplus in 2012, and at the September 3, council meeting the treasurer recommended that the surplus be used to offset some of the cost of the ongoing South Dundas Municipal Centre project.

Immediately upon hearing the potential savings associated supporting the treasurer’s recommendation, council unanimously agreed to the allocation.

“Three hundred and four thousand dollars worth of interest would be saved over 20 years by using the surplus,” South Dundas treasurer Shannon Geraghty told council at the September 3 meeting.

“Well then, that’s the best place to use it,” said South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan. “Especially when you have a long-term investment in the South Dundas Municipal Centre.”

By using the surplus to offset SDMC costs, it would mean that South Dundas would only have to borrow $3.6 million, rather than the $4.4 million that they had originally planned. 

“It really makes a significant difference,” added South Dundas councillor Evonne Delegarde.

South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds acknowledged that this surplus resulted from prudent budgeting, and that it would also be prudent to use these funds as an opportunity to save some dollars. 

[…]

 

If the Morrisburg Terry Fox Run raises $5,000 this year, this site will surpass the $100,000 fund rasing mark.

Although organizers of the Morrisburg Terry Fox Run, which has been taking place from the Morrisburg Legion site since 1980, are aware of this number, really the amount of money raised is not what they are thinking about as they prepare for the 2013 Run. 

The run, walk, bike, event is set to take place Sunday, September 15. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and goes until noon at the Morrisburg Legion.

“Really, we just want people to come out and participate,” said key organizer Scott Robinson. “If you are heading out on a Sunday walk, why not come out and join us?” he said. “You don’t have to go and get pledges or fund raise, just drop by anytime during registration, and make a personal donation. Then go for a walk.”

He adds, “I’m happy if anyone comes by and donates a dollar and goes for a walk, and during that walk they think about those lost to cancer, those who have cancer and those who are going to get cancer. That’s what this is all about.”

Five kilometer and 10 kilometer routes are marked for the event. 

But, organizers too say that the distance is unimportant, it’s the participation that truly matters. 

[…]

 

The St. Lawrence Medical Clinic’s efforts to well-position the clinic, for now and into the future, surpassed another milestone Monday, when the new Morrisburg location opened to patients.

Of the moving process, SLMC business manager Stephen McCann said, “It’s been hectic.” 

He explained that while working feverishly to get the new clinic location ready for opening, they too had to get everything out of the old location and hand the keys over to the contractors to allow them to proceed with phase two of the clinic renovation. 

Phase two will see part of the old clinic renovated to house SLMC’s administration and the remainder transformed into the new Morrisburg branch of the SDG Library.

It was very important to the clinic partners that this Morrisburg location not be closed for more than just one day, as it is the busiest location, and has long been the hub of all SLMC operations, explained Dr. Paul Coolican. He showed The Leader around the new space Sunday, during the moving process.

“We are really excited about the new place,” said Dr. Coolican. “The whole space is clean, and has a nice look to it,” he said, adding that once inside, the building has the feel of a brand new one.

The new location, which is larger than the old one, will eventually feature 12 exam rooms, which is four more than the old location.

Until phase two of the renovation is complete, four of those exam rooms will be temporarily used for administrative purposes. So, doctors and patients will not see the full impact of the renovation and expansion until the new year, explained McCann.

For now, everyone who visits the clinic will notice the bright, beautiful, clean space that has been designed and built, not only to withstand the clinic’s heavy foot traffic, but also to be appropriately cleaned to maintain that appearance for many years to come. “The flooring here is similar to what you see at the hospital,” said Dr. Coolican.

Visitors to the clinic enter the building using the main entrance, which is well-marked. They are greeted with an unattractive temporary plywood facade that will remain in place until all of the ongoing construction is completed in the new year. Once visitors proceed into the clinic entrance, they are then greeted by a beautiful, open and airy space that is the main waiting room. The new clinic has one large waiting room, with a separate, smaller, waiting room for the lab.

The clinic features separate rooms for EKG and similar procedures, and another room for baby weights. The large procedure room is easily accessible by ambulance for those patients who are acutely ill. 

Once complete, the Morrisburg clinic will feature three patient exam rooms through which each of the four doctors that can be on site at one time can circulate. So, patient flow will be improved. 

For each of these three exam rooms, there is one office for the doctor and associated nurse to share, with adequate working space and equipment for both. In the old building the doctor and nurse each shared a computer terminal, and phone. “So, quite often we were tripping over each other,” said Dr. Coolican. 

In the new space, the doctor and nurse each have their own desk, phone and computer terminal. This simple upgrade greatly improves the efficiency for the health care professionals. 

These offices have doors, that close, thus allowing for much more privacy. Patient privacy is much improved throughout the entire new space.

The third exam room, will not only allows the doctors to better circulate through patients, it will result in  less shuttling of patients from one place to another. 

Importantly, additional exam rooms will make room for the students and residents that SLMC doctors often have with them. “We are quite involved with teaching, so it’s important for us to have space for our students. We love having the students here, and they love to come here,” he said. 

Dr. Coolican mentioned that the expanded space allows greater opportunities to bring in other allied health professionals, which is something the clinic is working towards.

The exam rooms in the new space are larger than the old ones, but most importantly, they are better organized and set up not only for the doctor’s use, but also for the comfort of the patients, Coolican explained. The patient chairs are oversized for comfort, to allow patients to better relax during blood pressure checks. 

With the move the SLMC has invested in additional equipment. 

Now, each room is equipped with its own bpTRU machine, thus eliminating the past practice of shuttling this important equipment between patient exam rooms.

Even taken into account was the positioning of the patient chairs and the computer terminals, to ensure easier interaction between physician and patient.

“Dr. (Marilyn) Crabtree, took control of all that, and I’m sure all the other physicians would agree, she did a fantastic job,” said Dr. Coolican. 

He said that the organizational efforts of Dr. Crabtree and McCann, were invaluable throughout this entire project. 

“There were lots of little issues in making sure that everything was done right, and they looked after all that,” said Coolican, He too mentioned the importance of Wendy Casselman, who coordinated the move.

[…]

 

With more than 60 participants currently registered, there are plenty of people excited about the second annual WDMH Foundation’s Heel ’n Wheel for Local Cancer Care.

Taking place on Saturday, September 7, participants will be walking or cycling on four active routes including: Finch, Osgoode, Russell and South Mountain.

As with last year’s event, due to the far-reaching WDMH catchment area, seven communities were initially chosen as starting locations for all walkers, runners and cyclists including: Crysler, Finch, Morrisburg, Greely, Osgoode, Russell, or South Mountain. 

The final routes chosen for the event include: Finch, Osgoode, Russell and South Mountain. 

By merging some of the initial routes, fewer resources are required, including food, shelter, portable washrooms and even volunteers, therefore making the event more cost effective.

Walkers will be leaving from the Community Centres in Finch and Osgoode at 9 a.m. and from the South Mountain Township Agricultural Hall at 10 a.m. Cyclists and runners will be leaving from Russell High School and the South Mountain Township Agricultural Hall at 2 p.m. 

If you’re into cheering on these participants, you can meet the walkers along the Finch, South Mountain or Osgoode routes between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.; or you can meet the cyclists or runners on the Russell or South Mountain routes between 2 p.m, and 4 p.m.

This event’s proceeds are designated to the WDMH Foundation Cancer Fund, many people who are participating or pledging are interested in the event because they or someone they know has been touched by cancer. 

 

In 2012, More than 6,300 patient visits took place, including people: having a colonoscopy, using the Ontario Breast Screening Program, or having Chemotherapy visits. 

In addition, many surgical procedures occur at WDMH, including biopsies and cancer surgeries.

Once the active portion of the Heel ’n Wheel is over, participants, their families and friends, as well as any members of the general public, can attend and enjoy an After-Party and BBQ in the Winchester Public School Field on York Street in Winchester (in case of rain, After-Party and BBQ will be at the Winchester Lions Hall). 

Meant to be an inclusive event, this family-friendly afternoon will feature a barbecue, musical entertainment, mini-putt, face painting, balloon animals, a photo slideshow and an awards ceremony. For only $5, the general public can purchase a barbecue ticket which buys: a drink, a burger or hot dog, and a bag of chips.

[…]

 

MORRISBURG – While the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic group had optimistically planned to be opening the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic in its new Morrisburg location September 3, the SLMC team now has a new plan to open in its new location September 9.

According to Stephen McCann, SLMC business manager, to facilitate the move and to allow time to connect and set up the data system, internet and phone lines the Morrisburg clinic will be closed September 6. 

South Dundas chief administrative officer Steve McDonald says that South Dundas municipal officials have been trying to ensure that the SLMC group is satisfied with the space and that it meets their requirements, before the move. 

Last week, the cleaning process had started and the SLMC had their own contractor in the building doing some installation work, preparing for the September 9 opening.

“Our contractor (RJ Bourgon through Chris Markell) has worked expediently over the last week, towards completion of the first floor,” said McDonald. “Progress over the last week has been amazing.”

The first floor of the South Dundas Municipal Centre will be the new home of the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic. The SLMC group holds a long term lease on the site.

“We are really excited about the space,” said McDonald of the SDMC project.

South Dundas is now headquartered in the new building, on the second and third floors.

While South Dundas staff are moved in, this week’s council meeting had to be held at the Morrisburg arena, because council chambers was not yet fully accessible. 

The plan is for the September 17 council meeting to be held in the new council chambers, located on the third floor of the SDMC.

The incomplete elevator was the reason the space was not accessible.

“But, the elevator guys are on site now, and they will be until it’s done,” said McDonald. 

When it is complete, including the necessary approval process, the building will meet all accessibility requirements.

“We are really excited about the new space,” said McDonald.

When the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic move is complete, the contractors will shift their focus to the library phase of the project, which will transform a portion of the adjoining SLMC building into a new home for the Morrisburg branch of the SDG Library.

Once the library moves into its new home, its space, in the Morrisburg arena, will be transformed into a new home for the Dundas County Food Bank’s South Dundas location.

[…]

 

A wrinkle has appeared in South Dundas’ ongoing project to expand the Morrisburg’s commercial business park.

South Dundas council decided that offering more readily accessible commercial land in the Morrisburg Industrial Park was a priority, so this summer they broke ground on a project that has been in the works for several years.

The $535,000 road extension to extend roadway 500 metres north and 400 metres east to complete a loop to Prospect Road is underway and will make available municipally-owned commercial properties, located on the west and north sides of the new road.

“When South Dundas decided on constructing the road it was with the understanding that the wetland was not a current issue but may impact us down the road,” said South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds. “However, now it may become an issue sooner.”

Local councils and municipal officials have known for many years that the Provincial Government (MNR) had intended to designate part of South Dundas’ holdings of municipal land in the Morrisburg industrial park as a provincially-significant wetland, but a loop-hole meant that the designation had not been made officially thus leaving open one last opportunity for the municipality to open up access to the lands, allowing them to be properly marketed for economic growth.

“South Dundas is still allowed to do what we want, within reason, in the area,” said Byvelds. 

That is why South Dundas undertook the study of the area and moved forward with the road project. 

“None of the roadway and adjacent lands are in the wetland but they are within the 120 meter buffer area. One can develop that area with a study that proves the proposed development does not impact the wetland.”  

In advance of this project, South Dundas and the United Counties had agreed that any employment lands that would eventually be lost to the PSW designation, would be shifted west of Morrisburg, through an expanded settlement area designation.

SDG is the planning authority for the region, by virtue of the Official Plan. A recent report to Counties Council revealed that, the province will not agree with the compromise.

“When this was put to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, they said we needed to do a study to determine what the future needs were and what was available to justify the proposal,” explained Byvelds. “The study indicated that there is enough vacant land throughout SDG to accommodate any growth for the next 20 years and as such, MMAH were not going to allow any expansion unless vacant land was traded off to do so.”

A trade off could mean that South Dundas loses potential employment lands completely, if the trade off is for land in another municipality within SDG.

South Stormont council is pushing the issue by passing a resolution supporting a proposed 260 hectare planning expansion of employment lands in South Stormont.

If approved by counties council, South Dundas would lose 160 hectares of potential employment lands and the other 100 hectares would come from other, much smaller vacant land parcels from all the other municipalities in SDG.

Counties council has made no decision on the matter, but it is expected that South Stormont will continue to push the issue.

“I acknowledge that some of the Morrisburg employment lands are wetland, however, I want to make sure the line is in the right place,” said Byvelds. The lines already exist on a map, and Byvelds is of the opinion that the designation extends too far to the south. 

If the lines were a little further north, it would move the buffer area away from the commercial properties South Dundas will market for commercial growth. 

Byvelds would like to see some of the vacant land being lost in South Dundas move to another area of South Dundas.

“I want to protect what we have and what we may be able to use in the future,” said Byvelds. “I am willing to work with our partners at SDG but it needs to be fair to South Dundas and all the townships.”

South Dundas and Counties staff will meet soon to determine a course of action.

“If it looks like things are changing, I would recommend South Dundas hires a firm to study the area and delineate the boundaries,” said Byvelds. “I strongly feel that there are less lands in the proposed wetland and it will be up to South Dundas to prove it, not MNR.  I know this does not sound right but it is the way it is for now.”

[…]