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No matter how many times the Morrisburg Santa Claus Parade takes to the streets of this town, no one ever tires of the fun and enjoyment it brings to the hundreds who will line the parade route this Saturday to take in the festivities.

“It’s the same route as it has always been,” says perennial organizer George Davies. It starts at Giant Tiger winds its way through town and ends after the procession has made its way through the Morrisburg Plaza. 

Davies says that people can expect to see about the same things as they do every year. 

As Davies starts to talk about the number of bands, incidentally six this year which is more than usual, the at least four dozen floats he expects to see join the parade at 11 a.m this Saturday, and the van full of costumes, everything from Dora to the Grinch, that will be worn by volunteer walkers during the parade, Davies’ smile widens and his eyes get that sparkle reminiscent of the Jolly Old Elf who always steals the show parade day.

“I always look forward to it,” says Davies of the Morrisburg Santa Parade that he has been organizing for 19 years. “And, I’m already working on next year’s which will be the 20th anniversary.”

Speaking of the Jolly Old Elf, Davies mentions that he has recently spoken to Santa about this Saturday’s parade. 

“He told me, it looks like it’s going to be a real good one again this year,” said Davies. 

Santa also asked Davies to remind everyone that after the parade he will be at the firehall handing out peanut free candy canes, to all those who want to meet him. There will be enough chocolate milk and hotdogs for about 400 kids.

Students from Morrisburg Public School will be collecting donations for the local food bank along the parade route.

“The weather looks just about perfect for a parade,” says Davies, who just like the rest of us, can hardly wait for the big day – parade day!

[…]

 

 Parents, teachers and fellow students gathered at Seaway District High School on Thursday, November 22, at 7 p.m., to celebrate the undergraduate winners of academic honours last year. Welcomed by principal Terry Gardiner, the recipients were from grade nine to grade 11.

“It was really a wonderful evening,” said Mark Lewis, guidance counsellor at Seaway. “It is always great to honour this school’s finest award winners. The ceremony was very well attended by staff, students, families and the community.”

It is a long standing tradition at Seaway to recognize the efforts of grades 9-11 students in a special assembly in the late fall. 

This year 85 students were presented with awards in all different subject areas, including co-op, by their teachers and administration. The awards are based on highest academic standing in a given subject area. Also presented at the ceremony are special Character Education Awards, from the Upper Canada board, that recognize solid citizenship.

[…]

 Good food, good desserts, good music and good company were the order of the day on Saturday, November 24, when the annual Seniors Christmas Party took place at Matilda Hall. The party was jointly planned and hosted by the Morrisburg and District Lions Club and the Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club.

Nearly 250 seniors from the area enjoyed homemade food and some serious toe-tapping music from Good Time Country.

And dropping in to enjoy the festivities, despite a very busy schedule at the North Pole, were none other than Santa and his charming wife, Mrs. Claus. They greeted seniors throughout the hall before they had to rush off and catch an early sleigh back to the workshop.

The Iroquois-Matilda Lions president Steve Wilson and Morrisburg and District Lions president, Bob Bechard, were on hand to greet guests.

“The party has gone very well,” Wilson said. “We have over 30 Lions and spouses helping out today.”

“People really seem to look forward to this celebration,” added Bechard. 

“At 1:30 p.m. the Hall was packed even though the party didn’t start until 2 p.m.” 

The presidents praised the committee members who planned the event, including Paul and Ruth Robertson, Keith and Linda Robinson, Brian Erratt, Shirley Pettinger, Evonne Delegarde, Carol Thompson and Earl Wood. Members of the Morrisburg Leos, standing in for Santa’s elves, were lively additions to the party.

Morrisburg Lion Wayne Domanko acted as MC for the party. Judging from the laughter (and one or two groans) he was in fine form with his jokes and commentary.

“This party would not have been possible without a lot of area support,” Bechard said. “McEwens in Morrisburg has been sponsoring us for years, and the Hartford Retirement Centre also supported us. But many businesses and individuals donated food, or time or helped out financially with the celebration. We are very grateful to them all.”

Christmas must be just around the corner: the area Seniors Party is recognized as the unofficial ‘official’ start to the holiday season.

[…]

 You’d have to have a heart 10 sizes too small not to fall in love with the spirit of Upper Canada Playhouse’s holiday production of Robert More’s Everything I Love About Christmas. It really does manage to bring together all those things, both magical and ordinary, that mean Christmas.

“There are many ways to tell a story about Christmas,” Grandad Barnes (Doug Tangney) informs the audience at the start of the play. “But there are a few things you must have: a tree, a house and a family.”

The family is the Barnes family, father Ted (Jeff Mulrooney), mother Maggie (Meredith Zwicker), daughter Gracie (Jody Osmond) and son Robbie (Clayton Labbe). 

There is one other daughter, Susan (Katie Edwards). And therein lies the difficulty for the Barnes family this Christmas eve. A terrible snow storm has swept over the countryside, and Susan is all alone, stranded at a deserted bus station. It will take some kind of miracle to bring her home in time for Christmas.

Miracles can sometimes come with rather pointy ears.

Four elves (Parris Greaves, Ryan Jacobs, Jess Vandenberg and Bruce Tubbe) come to the rescue because “every year somebody gets stuck and we arrive to help them out…” Helping the Barnes family be reunited with their eldest daughter will call for considerable elf ingenuity, and an “alpha cable” sent directly to Santa, who is “somewhere between Hawaii and Vancouver” this Christmas eve. (Alpha cables can only be sent by elves. Don’t try it at home.)

A further complication this busy night will be the Brannigan family, just down the road from the Barnes. There is very little to be joyful about this Christmas for them. Father Brad has lost his job. Their savings are gone. There are no presents, no dinner, very little hope in their household.

Another miracle is needed.

Will these dilemmas somehow be resolved by Christmas Day? Will Susan get home? Will the Brannigans find new hope? Will Santa appear in the very nick of time?

Well, this is a children’s show, so…

The entire cast of Everything I Love About Christmas is strong, and their ability to sing and dance is wonderful. Meredith Zwicker, who is also the production musical director, has showcased the actors’ considerable talents. “The level of energy and enthusiasm in this cast is stupendous,” director Donnie Bowes said. “I know the audience can feel it too.”

This is a show both adults and children can enjoy together. There is much whimsical humour in it that delights. 

Santa (wedged into a chimney): “Memo to Mrs. Claus. Stop making all those Christmas goodies.” 

Santa (still stuck, moments later): “Memo to self. Stop eating all those Christmas goodies.”

The stage, designed and lit by Sean Free, is versatile and striking, and makes exciting use of a revolving section and some unique special effects. 

Toss in the mighty “Rammer”, (you’ll see!) a shadow puppet version of the Christmas story and some serious magic, and you have a winning production at Upper Canada Playhouse.

Tickets for the show (which runs until December 16) are still available, but they are going very fast.

Incidentally, I’m not sure I recall a hippopotamus called Amber at the manger in the original Christmas story. Then again, I might be mistaken. After all, Everything I Love About Christmas proves that anything is possible.

[…]

“This was our first year collecting in Iroquois,” said Dundas Food Bank secretary, Celeste Guse, “and the people here have been incredibly generous. We’ve received all kinds of food, and many people have given cash donations as well.”

“We’ve had an excellent turn-out here in Morrisburg,” said OPP Constable Theresa Lauzon. “People have really been getting into the spirit of giving, and it’s been great for the Food Bank. We’ve already filled three cruisers.”

Stuff-a-Cruiser was the initiated by Auxiliary Staff Sergeant, Alan Jodoin. The event represents a joint effort by the OPP and the OPP Auxiliary to help Food Banks ensure that shelves are well stocked during the Christmas season. This year the campaign brought in 1,000 items of food. “We also received $1,500 in donations from the Morrisburg/Iroquois locations,” said Donna Quesnel, on the board of the Dundas Food Bank.

 Pictured above, taking donations and groceries outside Foodland in Iroquois, (l-r), are Auxiliary Sergeant Jason Flaro, Celeste Guse and Jim Wilson, a member of the Dundas Food Bank. Below, set up outside of valu-mart in Morrisburg, (l-r), are Auxiliary Constable Tyler Kelly, volunteer Sage Barkley, the Reverend Sue McCullough, board member, OPP Constable Theresa Lauzon and volunteer Chris Plant.

[…]

This just in…Michele Proulx at Canadian Tire in Morrisburg has asked us to let the community know that to help out the Brody Froats family, as they deal with Brody’s and mom Lisa’s illnesses, Canadian Tire has set up coin collection jars at each of its cash outlets. Through the Canadian Tire Jumpstart program, every penny collected in the Canadian Tire jars will be double matched up to $1,000. 

So, if we as a community drop up to $1,000 in donations in the Canadian Tire jars, that means the Froats family will benefit to the tune of $3,000. What a boost that will be, and what a wonderful, wonderful community spirited thing this is for Michele and Canadian Tire to do. 

The Every Penny Counts-Help the Froats Family fund raiser is now totally up and running and donations to assist the family can be made at any Scotiabank branch in the name of Froats Family Trust Fund, Account #706720303984.  In addition to the Canadian Tire Coin collection jars and donations made at any Scotiabank, coin jars are now located in a number of other local retail outlets.

In last week’s story on the Froats family, we incorrectly stated that mom Lisa is battling breast cancer, when in fact, she is receiving treatment for Indolent Follicular non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

We have been in touch with Lisa who tells us she is feeling better after her recent treatment. She tells us that during her chemo weeks she is very ill. She spends as much time at the hospital with Brody as possible, as there is also brother Brett to care for at home. Dad Mark continues to be at Brody’s bedside and has not been home in five weeks.

“Everyone has been so supportive and genuinely concerned for Brody and myself,” says Lisa. “It really touches one’s heart in a way that cannot possibly be expressed in words. I can say we are so very blessed to be a part of such a wonderful community.”

In regards to Brody, Lisa tells us, “there has been no change. He is stable. The most recent echo cardiogram showed the same as others. It hasn’t gotten worse, but sadly isn’t repairing itself either. It’s a wait and see what happens. Prognosis is unknown. It is up to his body. I will say he is a miracle in all of the doctors’ eyes, as the second day he was there they told us there was no chance of survival…We didn’t accept that a month ago, and we continue to hold faith that somehow he will beat the odds.”

On a happier note, Lisa reports that the family will be helping Brody celebrate his 17th birthday on Sunday, December 2. 

“Brody is very excited and has invited everyone to come to the hospital to have cake with him. I am a little concerned about how many are going to come through the doors,” says Lisa. “To date, he has had well over 100 different wonderful people visit him. He has loved every minute. He is such a social butterfly.”

[…]

Hi. I am a very thoughtful lady, but I am sad. I didn’t think that when I got away from my home in Morrisburg that I wouldn’t be able to find my way back and would end up at the South Dundas Animal Shelter. According to that nice lady who took my picture, “I am just beautiful, although I do need a grooming.” I am a collie mix, about four years old, and compact in size, which is perfect for snuggling with my best friend(s). I have beautiful black, gold and white colours. The picture lady was so nice, that when she offered me a treat, I offered her my paw and showed her what a loving pal I can be. I am not sure why she was sad and had tears in her eyes when she left, but I am hoping the picture she took helps me to get a nice home. I’m a real tail wagger when I am happy. (This loving little dog was picked up in Morrisburg two weeks ago with a chain still dangling from her collar. She can be reclaimed (or adopted by a new family) by calling 613-543-2980.)

[…]

Historic Upper Canada Village will once again be aglow for the holiday season starting this Friday night, November 30, when the switch is thrown to turn on close to one million festive lights.

Now in its 12th year, The Alight at Night festival at Upper Canada Village is one of Ontario’s premiere winter events.  

This year the festival will operate on select nights from Friday, November 30, through Saturday, January 5, 2013. 

“Alight at Night, Eastern Ontario’s largest outdoor light festival is now in its 12th year and still ranks number one with families as an annual tradition,” says Darren Dalgleish, General Manager/CEO of the St. Lawrence Parks Commission. “I recall my first family visit as being overwhelmed with the peace and tranquility of this event, its pure beauty and simplicity in the rural setting – I’m so pleased we’ve maintained that spirit.”   

“This year we have added even more decorative lights getting us very near that spectacular one million mark,” says Dalgleish. “We’ve also added a new seasonal display at Crysler Hall that is both charming and fun.”

  “As a community leader, it is also important to keep our festival priced ‘family friendly’.  That’s why admission rates remain the same as last year, continuing as well with all-inclusive pricing which combines festival admission, train and wagon rides. This offers guests great value and helps accelerate entry into the site.”

“I hope local residents will invite out of town family and friends to Alight at Night this year – it’s an event all of our partnering communities should be very proud of.”

Alight at Night has become a true family tradition. To celebrate this, Crysler Hall will set the stage for an all-new Visions of a Victorian Christmas exhibit, where visitors will get an elaborate glimpse into the origins of some of the popular traditions associated with the season today.  

Visitors are invited to drop in to marvel at beautifully animated 19th century tableaus of the traditional family Christmas dinner, church carollers, and delightful Dickens characters, all within the walls of this majestic mansion.

The Sound & Light Show featuring seasonal music, accompanied by dancing lights, will be offered with shows playing every half hour on the grounds around Crysler Hall.  

The Gingerbread Competition previously held inside Crysler Hall will not run in 2012.

Carolling will take place in Christ Church from 5-9 p.m. on Friday through Sunday evenings, November 30 to December 23, and then nightly December 26 to January 1; Friday, January 4 and Saturday, January 5. 

Christmas Carol song books are provided in the church and visitors are encouraged to sing along or just soak up the holiday ambience.  Carolling is made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of local businesses.

Romantic carriage rides for two are available in the Village’s Pommier Carriages, an ideal way to make engagements, anniversaries, or your visit extra-special!  Advance reservation is required and can be made  by calling 1-800-437-2233 or locally 613-543-4328 to make a reservation.

Visitors can stay warm by stopping in at the Bakery to savour the smell of fresh bread and cinnamon rolls baking or by visiting one of several Quick stops at Kettle Corner, The Pantry, the new Chip Truck or at Cook’s Tavern.

Full service dining is offered at Willard’s Hotel or cafeteria style at the Harvest Barn.  Both restaurants will be serving up turkey dinners with all the fixings and other menu options.

Streamlined pricing continues for the event and for one price – Adults (13 years plus) $13; Seniors (65 years plus) $10; Youth (6-12 years) $10; Children 5 years and under free – you get a comprehensive experience that includes entry to the festival, horse-drawn wagon rides and a ride on the Moccasin, Upper Canada Village’s toy train.  

Advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended to speed entry into the festival.  

Visit the website www.AlightatNight.ca to purchase tickets. 

The Alight at Night Festival has many partners and sponsors who provide support to various parts of the festival.  This year’s festival sponsors include: BMO Financial Group – Toy Train, ‘The Moccasin’; Pommier Jewellers – sponsor of the Pommier Carriages; Cornwall Hotel Partners – providing marketing support; Ramada Inn; Best Western Parkway Inn; Comfort Inn; McIntosh Country Inn, Morrisburg; Cornwall & the Counties Tourism – providing marketing support; The Great Waterway South Eastern Ontario.

Alight at Night has helped turn the Cornwall & Seaway Valley region into an overnight tourist destination in what has traditionally been considered a non-tourism season for this part of Eastern Ontario.  Overnight packages are offered through local hotel partners with links on the festival website AlightatNight.ca.

[…]

Emergency services descended on Evonik Oil Additives Canada Inc. Industries of Morrisburg November 23, not for a real emergency, but for real training, in case of a real emergency. 

“As a Responsible Care® company, this is a good measure that we undertake to protect our employees and our community,” says Carmine Bonacci, Evonik President, Plant manager, of Friday’s training exercise that had local emergency service personnel from the South Dundas fire department, Cornwall and SD&G EMS and the SD&G OPP called to the scene of a ‘fire’ in a storage building. 

Bonacci explained that Evonik regularly takes the lead role in ensuring that the community of South Dundas and its emergency response personnel are prepared to appropriately respond to an emergency at the site industry which manufactures oil additives. “At the end of the day, we need to make sure our people and the community are safe.” 

According to Bonacci, most of the additives manufactured are non-hazardous polymers, but some are hazardous raw materials are used during the manufacturing process. 

Friday’s emergency training exercise had been a few weeks in the planning, but only a handful of the employees who left the building following a 9:30 a.m. fire alarm knew that the fire was simulated. 

The emergency responders however did know that the call was simply a training exercise and their response to the scene was quick, as it would be in a real situation. 

Those staff who did know of the drill were on hand to evaluate the scene for later critique to determine how the situation could be better handled in the case of a real emergency. 

“Here we rehearsed a scenario where there was a fire in a storage building,” explained Chris McDonough, Fire Chief for South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services. “When we arrived on scene, we learned that two people were unaccounted for, so we assume that they are in the building. So, our priority is to search for the victims before we suppress the fire.” 

Upon arrival Chief McDonough also received an update concerning what chemicals were in the building in question, that information would be relayed to a hazardous materials team in Cornwall for evaluation. 

“This is a good exercise for all the emergency services,” said McDonough. About 20 South Dundas firefighters, three paramedics and one OPP officer attended the scene. At the end of the scenario, all had the opportunity to discuss areas for improvement. 

“By doing exercises like this, we find out what we can improve on, and that’s what it’s all about,” said McDonough. “It’s a good exercise for them (Evonik) and it’s a training bonus for us.” 

McDonough would like to see South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services participate in a training exercise like this at different locations in the municipality once every year. 

“It is a costly endeavour,” said McDonough referring to the firefighters need to take time off work and for plant production to shut down during the exercise. “But, it’s worth it, because now, in the case of an emergency, we all know exactly what we need to do.”

[…]