News

 

“We thought that perhaps many children aren’t really being taught bike safety, even though more and more kids are out on bikes these days,” said Marja Smellink, a member of the Optimist Club of South Dundas, organizers of the Bike Safety Rodeo held at Matilda Hall on Saturday, June 1. “And we thought that it was important for our local kids to get some proper training before the bad habits set in. Canada is a little behind in this area. In Europe, bike safety is strongly emphasized.”

The 23 members of the Club, under president Peter Biemond, called on the O.P.P. and the RCMP (club member Hugo Desrochers is a member of the force) for help in putting the rodeo together. 

Constable Darren Hawkins and corporal M.J. Homsy of the RCMP, along with O.P.P. constable Theresa Lauzon and acting sergeant Bryce Fournier, with the SD&G Auxiliary, were all on hand to assist. 

Several volunteers on site helped with the training and with the food (milk was donated by the Dairy Farmers of Ontario.) The Iroquois Branch of Scouts Canada also came out to lend support. Traffic signs were loaned by the Snowmobile Club.

The bike course was laid out to teach young riders how to use hand signals and to safely manoeuvre through intersections. Youngsters saw a training film and were able to take a short written test (which gained them points towards special gifts) as they learned the rules of the road.

“We had over 20 kids go through the training this morning,” said constable Lauzon. “We really believe that education is the key to safety, especially when it is presented in a fun way like this. I expect some of the parents here are also picking up some information.”

Hannah Biemond and Ella Desrochers were the lucky winners of two bikes donated to the rodeo by Morrisburg Canadian Tire. Canadian Tire also donated bicycle bells for every participant.

A real highlight at the Bike Rodeo was the arrival (with Hawkins and Homsy) of two recently retired members of the RCMP Musical Ride. Horses Sherif and Rocomo drew many young admirers, at the same time reminding everyone that horses were around even before bikes.

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Emily Millard, a member of the band, Morlove, held a home coming concert at St. John the Baptist Anglican Church in Iroquois on Tuesday evening, May 21. Morlove performed to a near capacity crowd: several of the pieces were taken from their latest CD release, Old Tomorrow. After the concert, old friends and new fans had a chance to visit with the band members. Morlove, whose home province is British Columbia, is currently on tour in Ontario and Quebec. Emily is the daughter of Doug and Joyce Millard of Iroquois. Left to right are the very talented and versatile Morlove artists Noah Cebuliak, Emily Millard (also known by her stage name, Miss Emily Brown), Corwin Fox, Hannah Epperson and Christina Zaenker.

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 Princess Snow White taught an enthusiastic group how to be ‘perfect princesses,’ Barney sang songs with his young fans and Spiderman delighted would-be super heroes. 

On Saturday, June 1, the Morrisburg & District Figure Skating Club held a Fun Fair at the Morrisburg Arena. 

“This is our second year for the Fun Fair,” said Club president, Julie Van Hoof. “The event was organized by Tracey Yalden. It is our hope to raise $2,000 today for the Figure Skating Club. We have princesses, the Vanderlaand Barnyard Zoo, Tribek Inflatables and a Mad Scientist show. We also have the ‘Love to Groove’ Dancers coming from Ottawa.” 

There were plenty of activities for youngsters of all ages to enjoy at the Fair and plenty of delicious food. Morrisburg’s Giant Tiger donated hot dogs to the event; pink cotton candy and popcorn were also very popular. Riley’s Valu-Mart donated gift cards to the Fun Fair.

The baby goats, hamsters and bunnies in the Barnyard Zoo also drew lots of happy attention.

The Fun Fair ran from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

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Rooney Feeds Ltd., in Iroquois, was the scene of an unexpected mishap on Wednesday, May 29. About 8:25 a.m., a trailer belonging to Transport Beauregard Inc., out of Saint-Jacques-Le-Mineur, Quebec, was in the process of delivering a load of oats from Lister at Rooney’s loading dock when the trailer tipped over on to its side, snapping the hoist. Following the incident, Rooney’s was able to successfully unload the oats, safely storing the entire cargo by 10:30 a.m. No one was injured in the incident. A representative of Beauregard Inc. estimated the damage to the trailer would probably run to around $45,000. Cornwall Towing and Bill’s Towing and Recovery were called to the scene to salvage the trailer and clear Rooney’s loading area.

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It’s an entire weekend, June 8-10, filled with continuous shows and entertainment, artisans and merchants – all in true Medieval style!  

And this year a giant 12 foot, smoke breathing dragon will be on the loose in the Medieval Fairgrounds, adjacent to Upper Canada Village, on Sunday, June 9 and Monday, June 10.  

Always a crowd favourite, this year’s festival line-up is guaranteed to amuse and entertain visitors of all ages with its ever-popular shows of Jousting Knights on horseback, camels, falconers, belly dancers, swordsmen, Vikings, comedy acts, artisans, vendors and more! 

All performances, including the jousts, are included in the price of admission.  Details on performance times are at www.MedievalFestival.ca.

Renowned for their exciting shows of horsemanship, bravery and chivalry, the Knights of Valour have been entertaining audiences for over a decade. 

The Knights will perform two action-packed shows per day at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. (one heavy armour joust and one light) in a style worthy of Kings!  

Stick around after the shows as the friendly Knights will meet with the public to talk about the history and chivalry of Knights. Their magnificent horses will be on view throughout the festival and you can even ride one of the mighty steeds for a small fee!

New this year is the Darc Viking Artisan Encampment where the medieval history buff, will learn more about the history and material culture of Northern Europe during the Viking Age. 

Marvel at colourful glass beads being made right before your eyes using an historic clay furnace; see blacksmithing, wood carving and weaving on a Norse warp weighted loom … all at a Viking encampment! 

These demonstrations will be ongoing each day of the festival, authentically presented by members of DARC, (Dark Ages Re-creation Company), who will engage visitors with their museum experience, academic credentials and artistic ability. 

A core group of DARC members were the only Canadian group selected to take part in “Norstead”, the special historic event that marked the 1000 year anniversary of the Norse landing at L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland.

The festival offers continuous entertainment in addition to the Jousting Tournaments and colourful medieval performers will present a variety of interactive shows each day.

Visitors are invited to meet King Henry II and Queen Eleanor as they bestow knighting to boys and girls who have been deemed worthy of this honour.

Chivalric Productions, which specializes in Medieval Hunting, will put on various demonstrations and visitors will be given the opportunity to meet a falcon, owl, hawk and a wolfhound. Medieval Weapons and hunting artifacts will also be on display.

Viking, Kievan Rus and Medieval Europe Encampment will featured swordfighting and combat demonstrations and interactive ancient games along with the opportunity to try on some armour.  

The nearby Dark Ages Recreation Company’s Viking Encampment will feature historic glass beadmaking, wood carving, blacksmithing and the warp-weighed loom.

Ottawa School of Medieval Armed Combat will demonstrate spontaneous light armour fight demonstrations and the South Tower Armouring Guild will feature ongoing armour and sword demonstrations.

At the Weapons of War demonstrations, visitors will see a life-size trebuchet, ballista and catapult in action, and the  14th Century English Archers will perform daily demonstrations.

Demonstrations will also be ongoing at a variety of locations, including archery, maille, candle making and more and a tour of the medieval marketplace’s “Vendor’s Lane”  is sure to provide the opportunity to purchase a souvenir or two.

Follow the aromas and savour the flavours of Medieval fare  to discover a variety of food and snack booths, including the Bow & Arrow Eatery and the Medieval “Chip Shoppe”.

A kid-friendly ballista and battering ram will be found along the games alley, together with the miniature trebuchets, Frog Jump, Jacob’s Ladder, Jail and Stockade and a number of Medieval performers will be wandering the grounds with impromptu acts and musical entertainment.

 New this year on Sunday only, visitors will be able to watch for the giant dragon that has found its way onto the festival grounds.

To speed your entry into Upper Canada Village advance ticket purchase is recommended. They can be purchased online at www.UpperCanadaVillage.com.  

Admission for the day includes access to Upper Canada Village, the Discovery Centre and the Medieval Festival!! (Adult $20; Youth/Senior $17; Children 5 years and under are free).

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South Dundas Animal Shelter Name: Roxy. Hi everyone! My name is Roxy and I am a beautiful Husky Shepherd mixed female. I am no more than two years old, if that, a puppy really. I am a very happy dog, very friendly and I do need some manners training. I am not a big sized girl and I probably won’t be cause I am kinda short and sweet and dainty.  I like to play and romp and cuddle, and I can hardly for a new best friend to come and claim me so we can play and romp and cuddle together. There are no adoption fees but all the guy and gal dogs here at the Shelter sure do appreciate a donation of food, based on my size and my length of stay. 

 

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Churches everywhere, including those within South Dundas, are struggling but the churches in South Dundas do something special every year to demonstrate to the community that churches are still relevant and still have an important message to share, a message of love.

“Love South Dundas is our way of presenting it,” says Rev. Clarence Witten of the Community Christian Reform Church in Dixon’s Corners. 

Together, every church in South Dundas is behind the Love South Dundas initiative.

This is the fifth year for Love South Dundas. 

This year it starts June 9, and runs through June 23, when it culminates in a large children’s fair. 

Throughout the two weeks, through the Love South Dundas movement, volunteers from all of the churches will be out in the community engaging in service activities and random acts of kindness.

A car wash June 15 at the Iroquois Fire Station, a hymn sing at the Morrisburg Pentecostal Church, a food drive where donations can be dropped off at any church and delivery of baskets of baked blessings, are taking place. Witten says that they too are offering to do chores for seniors and those in need. 

New this year, Love South Dundas will be sharing the love with those attending the Bluegrass Festival in Iroquois on Sunday, June 16.

“We are offering those at the Bluegrass Festival a free breakfast from 8 a.m. to about 10 a.m. It should be lots of fun,” said Witten.

“The whole point is to show love to the community. Love is what God is about. We are giving freely for free,” said Witten.

“We do hope that you’ll come out and take advantage of our service projects, be blessed by some random acts of kindness and will join us at our closing event of June 23.” 

The June 23 event, in Morrisburg’s Earl Baker Park, which starts at 2 p.m. will feature bouncy castles and clowns and new this year, a petting zoo and free pony rides. Supper is at 4:30 p.m. with burgers and hotdogs being served. 

It all ends with a huge outdoor worship at 7 p.m. with guest speaker Ken MacLaren.

This is the third year that the closing event is a children’s fair, and a tradition that Love South Dundas hopes to continue. Two years ago it attracted a crowd of about 400 people. Last year it was rained out. 

For further information, to suggest someone in need of a hand, or to find a way to get more involved with Love South Dundas contact Nancy Blockland at communitycrc@ripnet.com 

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May 30, the Ontario Minister of Energy, Bob Chiarelli announced that the province is increasing local control over future renewable energy projects.

This announcement means little to the South Dundas residents who are opposed the pending 10 megawatt wind energy project that will see EDP Renewables erect 10 industrial wind turbines in the Brinston area.

This project already has an agreement in place, with construction expected to start this summer.

“Working with the Ontario Power Authority and municipalities, the province will develop a competitive procurement process for renewable projects over 500 kilowatts. The new process will increase the existing large project stream of the Feed-In Tariff program and better meet the needs of communities,” reads the Ontario news release. 

“It will require energy planners and developers to work directly with municipalities to identify appropriate locations and site requirements for any future renewable energy project.”

Also, as part of strengthening municipal participation and supporting communities, the province announced that they are revising the Small FIT program rules, they will work with municipalities to determine a property tax rate increase for wind turbine towers and through funding will help small and medium-size municipalities develop municipal energy plans.

“From what I have gathered from the announcement, South Dundas and other municipalities will have more say, but the devil is in the details,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. He plans to learn more about the issue, this announcement and its implications. 

It is the mayor’s understanding that this announcement will have no affect on the South Branch Project.

Leslie Disheau, of the South Branch Wind Opposition Group agrees that this announcement will not apply to the South Branch project.

“Even if these new rules did apply to the South Branch wind project, it is quite apparent that the current South Dundas council is not willing to be proactive, but prefer to sit with their hands tied,” said Disheau.

Commenting on the announcement by Chiarelli, Disheau said, “The central planning still remains firmly in the hands of the Energy Ministry, not municipalities. What the announcement didn’t do was to provide municipalities the power to simply say, ‘we are not willing hosts’, which is what 36 of approximately 90 municipalities have said so far, by passing bylaws proclaiming that phrase.”

“As far as I can read, Mr. Chiarelli still has yet to divulge the real details of just how this ‘revised’ Feed In Tariff program will appease the taxpayers of Ontario and municipal governments,” said Disheau. 

Of the portion of the announcement outlining the province working with municipalities to determine a property tax rate increase for wind turbine towers, Disheau says, “This is interesting as the former Minister of Finance instructed the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation to assess industrial wind turbines at $40,000 per MW, despite the fact that the capital costs per MW were in the $1 million to $1.2 million range. Wind developers have a great financial relationship with the Liberal Government of Ontario and thanks to us, the taxpayers, they will continue to ‘roll in the dough.’”

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From a field of 10 submissions, Mark Thompson Brandt Architect & Associates has been selected  to complete a pre-feasibility and preliminary design for phase one of the Morrisburg Waterfront Concept Plan.

The successful consultant was selected by an evaluation team consisting of two Morrisburg Community Waterfront Committee members, the Economic Development Officer and South Dundas’ Mayor.

This study will more than eat up the entire $30,000 budget allocated to for the plan.

Because the proposal cost of $29,998 plus $990 in disbursements and HST, which is a little over budget, economic development officer Nicole Sullivan recommended that staff return to the proponent to identify any potential areas of savings. 

If that is not possible, council has given staff the go ahead to transfer some funds from the Morrisburg Waterfront Committee’s park amenities capital budget to cover the difference. 

This proposal includes sub-consulting by Wendy Graham, the landscape architect who has already been involved with the waterfront committee and with the design of the dog park – a factor which the mayor says added a little extra strength giving it good local flavour.

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Past technical glitches and promises made during the last municipal election prompted South Dundas council to put off making a decision about the voting method for the 2014 municipal election.

South Dundas clerk Brenda Brunt brought a report to South Dundas council at the May 21 meeting recommending that council approve an alternate voting method of internet/telephone voting for the 2014 municipal election.

The telephone/internet voting method has been used in the last three municipal elections with much success when measured by voter turnout which has been outstanding at over 50 percent.

This alternate method has been used without offering a paper ballot option, one that council perceives is wanted by some South Dundas voters.

Referring to the technical glitches that meant voting hours were extended in South Dundas, South Dundas councillor Jim Graham said, “The last election left a bad taste.” He explained that during the last election, he was asked to support paper ballots in the next election, so he said he would not support this staff recommendation, as presented.

He asked that staff gather some information and costs regarding an option that would include the opportunity for a paper ballot.

“During the debate nights I said I would support paper ballots, and I’m sticking with that,” said South Dundas councillor Evonne Delegarde.

Although the voter turnout numbers and convenience of telephone/internet voting are appealing to South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan, he too agreed that the inclusion of a paper ballot opportunity does need to be examined. Council unanimously agreed to defer their decision on the matter while staff explores the option of including a paper ballot.

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