News

 

A whole new slate of directors has South Dundas Chamber of Commerce officials excited about the prospect of bringing new blood and new ideas to the organization that was founded in 1946.

The South Dundas Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting was held April 29 at the Upper Canada Playhouse. About 40 people attended.

“This is an exciting time to be in business in South Dundas,” said Chuck Barkley, who is returning for his second year of a two year term as president of the organization.

“Not only do we have one of the fastest growing trade shows in the area, last year was the first year that the Chamber of Commerce has been over the  150 member mark in its history.”

“It benefits the entire community to have a strong chamber of commerce. It’s a good time to be in business in South Dundas and I am looking forward to a strong year,” said Barkley.

The 2013 board members include president Chuck Barkley, first vice president Carl McIntyre, secretary Tracy Jones, treasurer Lauren Harriman, and directors Sue Jarvis, Joey VanKoppen, Stewart Cook, Brenda McIntosh, Donnie Bowes, Ralph Rick and Nicole Keicks.

Part of the AGM included a vote to re-affirm the general manager’s position, which they did.

Artistic director Donnie Bowes was guest speaker at the event, where he reflected on 30 years of the playhouse.

He spoke about its humble beginnings and its present successes.

He credits the longevity and success of the playhouse with a supportive community, professional actors and strong marketing.

“This playhouse has established itself as one of the most successful companies of its size in the province,” said Bowes.

That success translates into a great economic impact on the local community. “We really treat this like a business,” said Bowes. “Show business.”

“My greatest source of pride is seeing that parking lot full every night,” he said. “When I see that parking lot full, it means that people are choosing live theatre. They are supporting culture, but most of all they come here because they want to. We have really broken down a lot of barriers.”

[…]

 

This year’s first local Masonichip child identification clinic was extremely successful.

Don Salt, reported that the program funded by the Masons that gathers important data for parents useful to police in the case of a missing child, was very well received.

They had a booth set up at the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce Trade Show and there they saw 75 children. 

They even had six teenaged girls and two teenaged boys participate in the clinic. 

Salt was especially pleased that the teenaged girls participated in the program, a target group that he would like to seem more of at the clinics. 

From his years as a law enforcement officer, he knows that they are the highest risk group. For those who missed the first clinic, the Iroquois-Cardinal Masons are hosting their next clinic at the Cardinal Firehall Saturday, May 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. No appointment is necessary. 

[…]

 

CJAM Fashion Boutique quietly opened its doors in the Iroquois Plaza almost a month ago, and already sales are exceeding expectations of owner Colin Jones.

Local dignitaries dropped by the Iroquois location May 4th to celebrate the store’s official opening.

CJAM offers new fashions, mostly for women, from fashion basics, to dress clothing to bridal and formal clothing. 

Jones plans to fulfill the fashion needs of the community by talking to his customers, learning what they want and need. 

“The community is telling me what they need. Now, I just have to listen to my customers,” he said.

So far, the store’s customers are mostly seeking conservative fashions and basics. “The people of this area are really starved for fashion,” said Jones.

While the store is already stocked with plenty of clothing and accessories, Jones is already planning to expand his offerings They sell sheepskin fashions including vests and jackets and will soon offer Dri-zabone Australian oilskin coats. He also plans to offer an alterations service.

Jones, who is originally from Australia was living in Ottawa when he found Iroquois.

He spent 30 years in the Australian Army where he flew an Iroquois Helicopter. So the community name really struck a chord with him.

After visiting the town many times he decided to retire here, but instead of retiring, he decided to open CJAM.

At Saturday’s official opening, South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke welcomed Jones to the Iroquois Plaza. “I wish you the greatest success,” he said.

Evonne Delegarde, speaking on behalf of the Iroquois Business Group pointed out that with this store opening, there is now only one storefront left to fill in the plaza. Jones worked closely with South Dundas’ economic development officer Nicole Sullivan to open this business in the Iroquois Plaza.

[…]

 

The Seaway Valley Presbytery is the first presbytery in Canada to complete an en-masse restructuring.

In 2011, hundreds of church delegates voted to support a process that would support and encourage dialogue concerning the future of local United Churches.

The presbytery includes United Churches in the Seaway Valley from Prescott to the Ontario-Quebec border. 

The results of those dialogues are now coming to fruition, with many of the ongoing changes set to take effect July 1, 2013.

The basis of the restructuring is the pressure that all churches are facing due to increasing costs and declining membership.

The bold moves that this region has taken to facilitate change have garnered the interest of many across the country and across faiths.

“We get calls from right across the country, from people who are interested in finding out how the process is going,” said Rev. Wendy Wright-MacKenzie. She chairs the vision and transformation committee of the Seaway Valley Presbytery. “Many, including those of other faiths, are monitoring our model,” she said.

The discussions have been left with the congregations, rather than the governing body (the presbytery), to allow each area to choose their own path forward, explained Wright-MacKenzie.

Some churches, like Morrisburg’s Lakeshore United Church, have opted to remain a stand alone church. 

Change for that church will be minimal, however, their minister is moving on, so they will be seeking a new minister.

Others like Iroquois United and Brinston (pictured) -Hulbert Valley United have decided to amalgamate. Through this new union, they will become the Iroquois-Matilda United Church. 

It will be a two point charge, under one minister. The Iroquois-Matilda United Church is seeking a minister.

Other models being explored across the presbytery are a regional model and cluster model. 

A cluster model involves sharing one new governance. Churches at the west end of the presbytery are in the process of determining if they would like to follow this new cluster model.  

A regional model is a fresh start. “In a regional model, churches disband and close, and a new ministry is started,” explained Wright-MacKenzie.

Only one regional church has been formed in the Seaway Valley Presbytery: Christ  Church United.

This new ministry is located in the Chesterville United Church building, but the building has been completely changed in order to make it a new space to those moving there from the former Morewood and Chesterville area churches. 

Christ Church United is still in discussions with other area congregations, including the Williamsburg congregation, which presently holds services at the former Elma School location after selling their church building. 

Wright-MacKenzie explains that this regional model is one that is generating much excitement among its parishioners.

“The difference between amalgamation and what is happening here, with a new ministry, is that people are encouraged to get rid of the tangibles and to embrace letting go. Church is not the building,” she said.

“Churches generally have key leaders. When you go to a regional model, this puts all of their energy together. And, when you do that, something exciting blossoms,” said Wright-MacKenzie.

In a regional church model, one minister does two services on Sunday. 

There is more lay-leadership, pastoral care is shared with the people in the congregation, study groups are led by trained lay-leaders, and a central youth group is formed. Resources, such as music are shared.

“We are looking at ways to meet the needs of the community,” she said while the congregation explores new ways of worshiping differently, together.

[…]

 

During a tragic situation along the St. Lawrence River near Cardinal that claimed the life of a diver, those on hand trying to help encountered difficulties with reaching the proper emergency services.

While some locals may be aware that occasionally their mobile phone calls are picked up by powerful towers on the American side of the border, those who do not live here, especially tourists enjoying the river, may not be aware of the issue.

Generally, the result is being billed for expensive and unexpected roaming charges, but in an emergency situation the impact is much greater.

“We rely on 911 for help in an emergency and we pay for it on our phone bills, but in reality, when we are near the St. Lawrence River, in some places the only reliable access to 911 is a land line,” noted Hugh Hamilton of South Mountain.

Hamilton, after the recent diving accident at Cardinal, has been doing what he can to make as many people, including local politicians aware of this serious and important issue.

“Because of this anomaly, and three 911 calls later, we did not get timely assistance for a diver who died on Tuesday April 23,” he said. “In the middle of an emergency, when you get an operator that doesn’t know where Cardinal, Ontario is, does it occur to you that you have reached American 911? No. You are too busy doing CPR.”

“When Canadian 911 got the message, they were excellent and efficient … but it was that horrible gap between sending three calls out, and Canadian emergency services receiving the calls. This is a major concern.”

Hamilton implores everyone to take action and do something to raise awareness of this issue so that something will be done to fix this serious problem.

“Let the powers be know you want the safety net you are paying for,” said Hamilton, who encourages constituents of Leeds and Grenville and Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry to contact their MPPs, Steve Clark and Jim McDonell. He also suggests phoning your movbile phone provider to let them know, no matter what, a 911 call made in Canada must reach Canada.”

Jacqueline Michelis, Bell spokesperson, confirmed that wireless calls are routed through the nearest cell site with the strongest signal. 

“On the border, Canadian calls will occasionally be picked up by a U.S. cell site (and vice versa) but it is a rare situation, and all wireless carriers on both sides of the border configure their sites to reduce this possibility,” she said.

However, this possibility can increase when calls are made from the river.

According to the Bell spokesperson, Public Safety Awareness Points handle all 911 calls.

“Border municipalities can establish agreements with nearby U.S.-based PSAPs to transfer 911 calls if this situation occurs,” she said.

“This is a serious issue,” said Michael Jiggins, executive assistant to MPP Steve Clark. 

“We are now working with industry experts to see if there is something we can do to resolve the problem. Mr. Clark recognizes this concern and is taking it very seriously,” he added. 

According to Jiggins, Clark has been in contact with Jim McDonell’s office regarding upcoming meetings where they plan to get together with experts who know how to come up with a solution.

[…]

 

Attractions Ontario has named Darren Dalgleish, General Manager & CEO of the St. Lawrence Parks Commission as one of two recipients of the Tourism Champion of the Year award. 

Attractions Ontario introduced the new award category “Tourism Champion of the Year” in 2013, to recognize individuals in the tourism industry with the following criteria:

•provided significant organizational employee assistance, commitment, enthusiasm and used specific expertise in guiding the business

•provided exceptional internal and external customer service

•shown exemplary initiative and leadership

•illustrated depth of involvement in the business.

Darren Dalgleish joined the SLPC in April 2011, charged with the challenge to execute a corporate transformation to create business growth and long term sustainability.  

Bringing with him extensive experience in business renewal and development, in just two years he has led the implementation of significant changes at the St. Lawrence Parks Commission to ‘lean’ business processes and reduce waste, improve market share, cost effectiveness, preserve the core attractions and enrich opportunities around them, research and build new events with a primary focus on customer satisfaction.  

Dalgleish introduced the ‘Kaizen’ business philosophy of continuous improvement and has engaged staff from all levels of the organization to identify and bring forward ideas for incremental change improvement.  The results of a net performance improvement of 40 percent speaks for itself.

Dalgleish is quick to share the honour with his team commenting: “We wouldn’t realize the business results we’ve achieved in the past two years without the entire St. Lawrence Parks team working cohesively and without the combined innovation and enthusiasm that our staff share for our attractions, recreational products and experiential integration and satisfaction.”

The SLPC staff have enjoyed recent industry accolades for event excellence from Festivals and Events Ontario including 2012 Top New Event of the Year honours for Upper Canada Village’s new fall event Pumpkinferno and Top 100 Events in Ontario for Fort Henry’s Sunset Ceremonies (eighth time) and Upper Canada Village’s winter lights festival Alight at Night (third time).

Looking forward to 2013, Dalgleish has exciting plans for more improvements and the introduction of exciting new events and program enhancements.  

“We are just starting to hit our stride.  This summer we will introduce an exciting new high-tech sound and light wall projection experience as part of Fort Henry’s Sunset Ceremonies that will transform the visitor experience.  In August we will host the PGA Tour Canada ‘Great Waterway Classic’ at Upper Canada Golf Course.  This will be the first PGA Tour Canada event in Ontario.”  

“Upper Canada Village is developing another new event called ‘Food Lover’s Field Days’ scheduled for August.  Plus we have invested over $1.6 million in our parks infrastructure to vastly improve our visitor services and their experience camping in our campgrounds. It’s another exciting year of growth and support for our surrounding communities and partners.”

Celebrate Ontario recently awarded the SLPC $300,000 to fund four events including Fort Henry’s Concert Series and Fort Fright and Upper Canada Village’s Pumpkinferno and Alight at Night.

The SLPC strives to boost the local economy through the enrichment of product mix and is confident that the regional communities and municipalities will realize significant benefits. 

 Product enrichment is a key part of the SLPC’s strategic direction to serve the community in a thoughtful and entrepreneurial manner by making its vast array of attractions and experiences more economically accessible and collaborative while at the same time ensuring future growth and fiscal improvement.

                       

[…]

 

Chartwell Retirement Residences is excited to announce that local auditions will be held in June for Senior Star, Canada’s largest talent competition dedicated to seniors. 

 Now in its seventh year, this singing and musical instrument competition is open to anyone who is 65 years and over and a Canadian resident. Contestants do not have to be living in a Chartwell residence.  

Chateau Cornwall Retirement Residence, Hartford Retirement Centre and McConnell Manor Retirement Residence are proud to be hosting regional auditions at Chateau Cornwall Retirement Residence in Cornwall, Hartford Retirement Centre in Morrisburg and the McConnell Manor Retirement Residence also in Cornwall.  

Registration forms can be obtained at any of the three residences.  

“Chartwell’s Senior Star has grown to become the largest celebration of senior talent in Canada,” announced Brent Binions, President and CEO of Chartwell Retirement Residences.  “We are proud to support the incredible talent of today’s seniors and continue to be amazed and entertained year after year by the caliber of performers who participate.” 

During the Regional Competitions, contestants are given a maximum of five minutes to sing a song, play an instrument, or do both, and their performance is videotaped. Musical accompaniment is provided to singing contestants, if required. 

A panel of three judges, made up of local musical experts, government officials, and media representatives choose the top three local contestants, each of whom will be recognized with a Senior Star trophy. 

Videos of the first and second place winners from across Canada are then submitted to a celebrity panel of judges who will narrow the list to eight competitors invited to compete in the Senior Star National Final. 

The National Final will be held in November 2013.

Chartwell Retirement Residences owns and operates a complete range of seniors housing communities from independent supportive living through assisted living to long term care. 

[…]

 

Wait times at the Winchester District Memorial Hospital’s emergency department have dropped by about an hour over last year.

Cholly Borland, CEO of WDMH spoke about the improvement April 25th.

Wait times refer to the time a person enters registration to the time they are seen, treated and leave.

“Last year, our average was about 4.5 hours,” said Borland. “We have dropped that by an hour, and are now under the provincial target for lesser complicated procedures.”

In other hospital news, Borland reported that the hospital has a full compliment of physicians, but they are planning to add one or two general internal medicine specialists to the staff.

Accreditation and strategic planning processes are ongoing.

[…]

 

The $3.5 million, 15,000 square foot Community Care Building that is part of Winchester District Memorial Hospital’s Centre of Excellence for Rural Health and Education, is now open.

Construction was completed, on budget, in less than a year.

April 25, local media were invited to tour the facility that provides a convenient, professional environment for the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, Champlain Community Care Access Centre, Job Zone and Ontario Early Years Centre.

The new environment does much more than look professional. Having all of  these services located together at this hub allows each of the agencies to gain a better understanding of the services and resources each offers, greatly benefitting the community by allowing them to get whatever help they need, all under the same roof.

While facilitating and improving the referral process between these agencies and the hospital, the new building has brought forward new opportunities. The health unit has been able to bring in many more services to this satellite location in Winchester. Early Years is working to secure funding to start a youth centre. CCAC is starting a new program to provide mental health nurses for children in schools.

This new building represents a shift in how agencies like hospitals and health units plan to deal with the health of local populations.

“What we do outside of hospitals will help to prevent people from coming into the hospital,” said Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, medical officer of health for the Eastern Ontario Health Unit when the construction of the building got underway last June. “We know that 75 per cent of what makes someone healthy is not physical so putting these agencies in one place makes sense.”

WDMH CEO Cholly Borland explained that statistically, those with better incomes are healthier, those children with a better start in life are healthier and those who are better educated are healthier.

“So this all works together,” he said. “We are fortunate to have all of these agencies located here.

This building is one of the first hub concepts in Ontario.

[…]

 

South Dundas council held a special meeting April 23 for the sole purpose of coming up with a plan to go forward with new 401, hamlet and facility signs for the Township of South Dundas.

A month ago South Dundas was presented with a new design by the consultants they hired in partnership with South Stormont. 

The consultant was tasked with redesigning the signs to uniformly identify hamlets and facilities while promoting the Upper Canada Region brand across the two municipalities.

While South Stormont council was accepting of the designs, South Dundas council, and the community input they received, were not.

South Dundas council opted to scrap the design, and now are themselves trying to work out what they want.

Nearly two hours of discussions resulted in council sending South Dundas economic development officer Nicole Sullivan back to the drawing board with the task of adding the Township of South Dundas logo to the hamlet signs that were presented by the consultants.

The colour, font and sign shape of the hamlet signs were deemed acceptable. However, council was adamant that a graphic needs to be included for the signs to be eye catching. 

They decided that the township logo should be that eye-catching graphic included on the signs.

Council could not come to any sort of consensus regarding the 401 signs meant to identify the municipality to passing traffic, so they decided, for now, they would not worry about them.

[…]