News

 

Almost a year and a half after the Dunbar Recreation Centre was lost to fire, the project to rebuild it received its final approvals.

The Dunbar Recreation Centre burned to the ground October 8, 2011, likely due to a wayward cigarette butt. 

March 5, 2013, South Dundas council accepted the $235,236 tender for the reconstruction of the Dunbar Recreation Centre. It was awarded to Wells & Son Construction Ltd.

The building was insured, so the net cost of the reconstruction to taxpayers is about $33,000.

The first round of tenders far exceeded the insurance payout, so staff worked with a committee of Dunbar Recreation Centre users to find cost savings in the project. 

With the new specifications which included changes to the heating system, roof and building’s aesthetics, the lowest bidders were asked to re-submit bids based on the proposed changes.

Of those bids, Wells was the lowest, by about $10,000.

“I support this reconstruction,” said South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan. “They deserve a hall, it was unfortunate that they lost theirs.”

“I do not agree,” said South Dundas councillor Evonne Delegarde. “One of council’s goals was to reduce the number of buildings. This was an opportunity we could have used to do that.”

Councillor Jim Graham did not agree with Delegarde. He pointed out that the value of the new building, which belongs to South Dundas, will far exceed the $33,000 cost to taxpayers.

Deputy Mayor Jim Locke congratulated staff on the tremendous work they had done on this project. “I’m well satisfied with the bottom line,” he said.

“I apologize to the committee for the length of time this has taken,” said South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds. 

“This will be a new asset for South Dundas. Dunbar is part of South Dundas.”

[…]

 

On Thursday, February 21, 2012-2013, The Williamsburg BP Scouts gathered for their annual Thinking Day Celebration. 

The evening included the presentations of badges earned since the start of the year. Pictured are this year’s four groups. 

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The Morrisburg and District Cooperative Pre-School is trying to help themselves and the environment with a new fund raising endeavor.

They are collecting used inkjet cartridges, which they will have recycled. 

The recycling company has a program for charitable non-profit organizations like the pre-school whereby they pay a small amount of money to the organization for each cartridge collected.

“Every bit helps, so the more support we get from the community, the better,” said Heather Stirling, president of the Morrisburg and District Cooperative Preschool.

For parents of children attending the preschool, a drop box is available there. 

For the community, drop boxes are already available at Iroquois Foodland and Riley’s Valumart in Morrisburg. Others will be added to new locations in the future.

Funds raised through this ongoing collection will be directed towards programming, supplies and upgrading toys for the pre-school.

[…]

 

The celebration of the wedding of Wendy McGregor to John Burn, February 21, in Antigua, was already a very special occasion for the Morrisburg couple, but a chance encounter with celebrity couple Alley Mills Bean and Orson Bean made it a little more special.

McGregor and Burn went to Antigua, with the blessing of their families to get married in a quiet ceremony.

In addition to the wedding, the couple was celebrating the end of a tough year, during which John suffered from health issues. This included treatments for thyroid cancer and the removal of a benign brain tumor. 

“We were just elated that we were able to make it to Antigua and to get married,” said McGregor.

“After a year of virtual hell, it was such a wonderful experience to be able to lie on the beach and sit in the sun with Wendy,” said Burn. “We went through a lot and the fact that Wendy was there supporting me through all of it made it all bearable.”

The second night that Wendy and John were at the resort having dinner, a couple came and sat at a nearby table. “We nodded and smiled when they sat down,” said McGregor. 

They struck up a conversation. “It was then that we found out who they were,” said McGregor. 

Alley Mills Bean currently stars in The Bold and the Beautiful. 

Orson Bean is best known for his role on Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, and has had stints on Two and A Half Men and Desperate Housewives.

While McGregor and Burn learned that their new acquaintances were celebrities, the Beans learned that their new acquaintances were in Antigua to get married.

“We asked them if they had friends or family with them and when they said they were all alone, we offered to be their witnesses,” commented Mr. Bean in an article in the Antigua Chronicle. “They were so thrilled, but we felt honoured to be able to do this for them.”

“That’s exactly how it happened,” McGregor told The Leader. 

“We were so excited about the positive and good times ahead of us, when our day came, to be joined by them, just made it even better,” said McGregor. “They were sincerely excited to be there with us. It was like the cherry on top of an already beautifully decorated cake.”

“The icing on the wedding cake,” said Burn.

“The wedding without them, was already a dream come true, but with them, it was even better,” said McGregor.

“We got to know Alley and Orson and they are absolutely kind, sincere people,” said McGregor. “We didn’t talk about celebrity things, we talked about our real lives.” 

“They were such awesome friends, real down to earth and honest people,” said Burn. “Whenever we crossed paths, they always took an interest in us.”

“They made a point to find us at our wedding dinner on the beach to offer their best wishes, and Alley even came to see us off the day we left,” said McGregor.

[…]

 

After the first budget meeting for South Dundas council, March 4, it appears that South Dundas property owners can expect to see a modest increase in their taxes.

That increase, to the municipal portion of property taxes, is likely to be around two per cent.

The draft budget presented shows that South Dundas needs about $91,000 more than last year to cover the cost of day to day operations and to go forward with staff-determined priority capital projects in each department. 

Council is now in the process of reviewing the departmental list of capital projects, to determine whether staff priorities fit with council priorities.

Throughout budget deliberations council has been asked to keep in mind some major costs on the horizon, including financing the $4 million Morrisburg Collegiate Institute redevelopment and the need to fund the expansion or closure of its landfill sites which are both nearing capacity.

Council could choose to add some of those costs to this year’s budget to minimize the long term impact.

Council will meet again next week to continue budget talks.

[…]

 

March 4, 2013, Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, recognized Tyler Barkley’s heroism through the following statement in the House of Commons: 

“Mr. Speaker, last Friday I received a call from Ivan Whitteker of Williamsburg telling me about his ten year old neighbor, Tyler Barkley, who should be recognized as a hero in the riding of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry.

That’s correct Mr. Speaker, ten year old Tyler Barkley is responsible for saving the life of Elsie Knight. Due to his keen hearing, Tyler heard Elsie’s cry for help after she had fallen outside her home and was exposed to subzero weather for 30 hours with a broken leg. 

Because of his Boy Scout Training, Tyler sprang into action, summoned his father, and together they saved Elsie. His proud parents are Rick and Carolyn Barkley. His equally proud grandparents are Rick and Greta Roberts and Sylvia Barkley.

And I, Mr. Speaker am Tyler’s proud Member of Parliament.”

[…]

 

From 9 a.m. Saturday March 2, until 3 p.m. Sunday March 3, 70 year old Elsie Knight laid outside the back door of her home with a broken leg, unable to move.

She laid there until the keen ears of a 10 year old boy heard her calls for help.

Tyler Barkley, Elsie’s neighbour, heard her calls from his County Road 18 home, which is about 100 meters away.

“I was outside shovelling the ditch, looking for some ice,” said Tyler. “I thought I heard her calling her dog, but then I heard it better. I heard ‘Help me please!’”

Hearing that call for help, Tyler got his dad, Rick. The two listened and heard the calls for help. It was then that Rick went to Elsie’s and found her outside on the ground. 

“My dad threw his coat over her. She was soaked because she was right under the eavestrough,” said Tyler.  

It was Rick who called the ambulance. 

Elsie has slipped while shovelling the snow off the back stoop and broke her leg just above the knee.

Elsie was taken to Ottawa Hospital, but is likely to be moved to Winchester Hospital soon. Tyler is planning to visit Elsie there on Sunday.

Tyler credits his ears with making it possible for his dad to find Elsie. “I hunt,” said Tyler. That hobby has obviously allowed him to develop very strong listening skills.

The whole experience hasn’t changed Tyler at all, according to his dad.

Tyler is not sure what to think of all the attention and of seeing himself on the television news. “We got lots of phone calls,” said Tyler. 

His friends at school thought what he did was pretty cool though.

Tyler is in grade four at St. Mary- St. Cecilia Catholic School in Morrisburg.

[…]

 

“This is truly a very busy church,” interim pastor Lorna Casselman, of the Morrisburg Pentecostal Tabernacle Church, told The Leader. “There is a lot going on. It’s amazing how a smaller church like this one is so deeply involved in the community. We regularly have many events happening.” 

Following the retirement of long time pastor, the Reverend Duncan Perry, on December 30, 2012, the church selection committee is currently in the process of seeking the right candidate to become the new full time pastor.

In the meantime, the reverend Lorna Casselman has stepped in on a part time basis to minister to the congregation until that new pastor is named. 

“I am definitely following in some very big shoes after pastor Duncan,” Casselman said. “He’s left a big mark in the church and in the area.”

Pastor Lorna was born in Montreal (“I speak a little French,” she laughed, “but it was really the English side of the city.”). She said that she was at a church youth convention when, at age 12, “I felt the Lord’s call.”

Following high school, she attended the Eastern Pentecostal Bible College (now Masters College and Seminary) in Peterborough. She met her future husband, Robert ‘Bob’ Casselman, also a student there, and “never looked back.”

With Bob as the senior pastor and Lorna as associate pastor, particularly as their three children grew, the Casselmans served congregations in Quebec and Ontario. In later years, “we served side by side in our congregations.” 

Bob, who spent his teen years on a farm outside Morrisburg, loved this area: the two of them built a home in South Dundas about 30 years ago for their retirement. 

In 2003, they came to live in the area. 

Unfortunately, Bob passed away in 2005. The Casselman’s eldest daughter also passed away not long after her father.

Lorna continued to serve the church as senior pastor in Long Sault for the next 6.5 years. She retired and had “three months off from full time before I was called to Morrisburg to serve as interim pastor. 

I am officially part time, working three days a week, but the reality is that we are busy and there is a lot going on.”

She will continue to serve until  the church’s selection committee has had time to study the resumés and sermons of candidates, and has had the opportunity to bring potential pastors to the area to meet with the committee and the congregation.

“My job is to keep the church functioning and to prepare for the new pastor. I will definitely be here for as long as I am needed.”

As a member of the South Dundas community, pastor Casselman made a very special journey in September, 2012. 

She travelled with the SD&G Highlanders to Europe to trace the Glens’ actions during World War II, from the landing beaches all the way to Germany as the war ended. 

The regular padre of the Glens had been unable to make this trip, and pastor Casselman was asked to serve as the forces’ padre for the two week journey. “It was the trip of a life time, a fantastic time,” she said. 

Pastor Casselman sees a strong future ahead for the church. “The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada are still growing,” she said. “We follow a strict adherence to the word of God. People seem to respond.”

The Morrisburg Pentecostal Tabernacle Church will know “when the right candidate for full time pastor arrives,” the reverend Lorna Casselman said. “When that person comes, then I will go back to being a member of this church…if they haven’t kicked me out,” she added, with a definite twinkle in her eye.

 

[…]

 

 Dan Summers, son of the late Jack Summers and his wife, Christine (Blok) and stepson of the late Art Martell, has achieved a very significant honour. He has been named one of Canada’s Outstanding Principals. 

The announcement was made February 7, 2013, by the South Slave Divisional Education Council (SSDEC), where Summers is principal of Deninu School in the North West Territories.

He will travel to Toronto to receive the national award from The Learning Partnership at a formal ceremony.

A graduate of Timothy Christian Elementary School who also attended Seaway District High School in Iroquois, Summers completed high school, university and his teacher’s training in Alberta. 

The SSDEC stated that “We believe that Principal Summers was selected for this award because of his excellent leadership in improving learning outcomes at Deninu School. Since his arrival in 2009, he has implemented a variety of research-based strategies for maximizing achievement…that have been a great success.”

The SSDEC also said that Summers has shown himself from the outset to be “up to the challenge,” an educational leader who “embraced high expectations with vigor. The improved Deninu School results have also contributed to the success of the region in its efforts to close the achievement gap between aboriginal and non-aboriginal students.”

Notified of his award selection, Summers commented that he felt that his success was the result of the “strengths of each of my staff and the all hands on deck attitudes. I have never once felt we are eight separate schools, DEAs and a Central Office. Rather, it’s always seemed to be to be one big effort.”

As a further indication of his educational achievements as both teacher and principal, Dan Summers and his entire Deninu staff were also awarded the NWT 2012 Premier’s Award of Excellence.

[…]

 

 An important fund raiser is being held at the Matilda Hall on April 6 for Mark, Lisa, Brody and Brett Froats, whose lives changed dramatically last fall.

Brody, who recently celebrated his 17th birthday, was born with Prader-Willi Syndrome, a debilitating disease that has caused obesity, severe muscle atrophy and heart and respiratory problems. It is no longer possible for Brody to be cared for at home. His condition has deteriorated, and he must be hospitalized and cared for day-to-day.

Lisa, Brody’s mother, is fighting Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. She just completed six months of chemotherapy, and still faces a CT Scan, a PET Scan and Bone Marrow biopsy. She is with Brody on the days she feels well enough, staying over in the city. 

Brett Froats, nine, remains at home to attend school during the week.

Father Mark Froats is self-employed, but has been unable to work since Brody was admitted to the hospital. Mark must be involved in his son’s care 24/7, costing the family their sole provider, a situation that will continue for an unknown length of time. Family and friends help the Froats’ out as much as possible, but expenses keep mounting and are never-ending.

The Matilda Hall Fund Raiser on April 6, is an organized community event run through the combined efforts of the Morrisburg and District, Iroquois-Matilda, Finch, Chesterville and Winchester Lions clubs. 

The fund raiser will feature a Car Rally, and later a roast beef dinner prepared and catered by local caterer, Gayle Hart. (Dinners must be reserved in advance. Call Kelly deDekker at 613-535-1424 for tickets.)

Several local bands and a professional Elvis Impersonator will provide lots of entertainment  at the Hall during the afternoon and evening, with the cost of admission a donation of your choice to the cause. The day will end with an enjoyable dance. 

Master of Ceremonies for the special day will be small business owner, Oddfellow member and devoted community volunteer, David Lapier. The Williamsburg Independent Order of Oddfellows will operate the cash bar.

The Pulling Together Team has begun canvassing for donation items for both a silent and a live auction. Well known auctioneer, Hugh Fawcett, will auction the larger items. This should be a very exciting part of the day.

Mark Saturday, April 6, on your calendar, and support this important fund raiser for the entire Froats family. 

[…]