News

 

Hamlet signs in South Dundas are fading and deteriorating, and it has become much more noticeable now that our neighbours have replaced their existing signs with new, redesigned hamlet and welcome signs.

South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan brought the issue to the South Dundas council table Oct. 16 to bring to staff’s attention the need to do something with a couple of existing signs that need repairs. 

However, discussions steered instead towards highlighting the need to re-sign the entire municipality with new, uniform redesigned hamlet and welcome signs.

“We seem to have a wide variety of them,” said Mellan. “It would be nice to see something done like our neighbours to the north. Their new signs look nice. I do realize there is a cost to make everything uniform.” 

“We do need to renew our signs,” agreed South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. “Signs boast of where you live and North Dundas, in their second time around, have done a really good job. The signs give you a good sense of where you are.”

“Our signs are starting to fade. I think for now we’ll patch up what we have and work towards a new plan,” said Mayor Byvelds. 

As part of an upcoming report about the Upper Canada Region branding concept, South Dundas clerk Brenda Brunt says that the issue of signs will be discussed.

“Also, all the traffic on the 401 needs to know who we are and what we have to offer,” said Byvelds.

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While the local Meals on Wheels was packing up lunch on Friday for 41 area clients, Walter Reid, 1st vice-president of the Iroquois/Matilda Lions Club dropped in at the busy kitchen in Morrisburg to hand over a very appreciated cheque for $1,000. 

The Iroquois/Matilda Lions were answering the call to help Meals on Wheels purchase some needed insulated trays/tray liners which are used in the delivery of meals to clients in Morrisburg and Iroquois. 

With a cost of $700 for 10 trays and another $800 for 20 lines, Reid, who is also a volunteer driver with Meal on Wheels, pointed out, “you can see this donation won’t go very far. We (the Lions) heard that Meals on Wheels was in need and we wanted to help out.” 

On hand to accept the donation was Meals on Wheels Executive Director Glenn Beckstead and treasurer Bob Ruddock, along with Ruth Doesburg and Audrey Bruining who were busy packing up Friday’s lunch which consisted of pea soup, salmon loaf, scalloped potatoes, mixed vegetables and apple pie. 

“Our service is available, basically, to anyone who is unable to prepare his/her own meals,” said Ruddock.

For some clients the service is used on a fairly permanent basis, for others it may be short term, while recovering from an illness or hospital stay for example.

Beckstead said the local Meals on Wheels has become very busy of late. “The demand has gone crazy in the last three months. We’ve gone up 10 clients.”

Doesburg, who has been cooking for nine years, said it was the largest number she has seen since she started with the service.

Clients pay $4 for their meals.

The food is packed in the tray liners which are then set inside the covered trays, which in turn are packed in insulated covers. The 60 plus volunteer drivers then deliver to the Morrisburg/Iroquois area clients, leaving the day’s tray liner with the food, and picking up the liners left on previous days.

[…]

 

In recognition of School Bus Safety week, 28 drivers with Whitteker Bus Lines participated in a bus safety workshop last week which included bus evacuations, the use of fire extinguishers and knowing your mirrors.

“We try to do this every year with our drivers,” said Elaine Whitteker. “We get new drivers and we have longtime drivers who get in a routine.  Both can benefit from these workshops.”

This year’s workshop included first-hand bus evacuations and video training on the use of mirrors. It also included instruction on the use of fire extinguishers provided by a South Dundas Fire Prevention Team which included firefighters Trevor Riopelle, Justin Vanhecke and Chris Paulino.

After discussion on fire extinguishers and their proper use,  the drivers were provided the opportunity to extinguish a fire in a Fire Training Module which can be set up to replicate everything from a car fire to a trash can fire.

For the benefit of the Whitteker bus drivers last Wednesday, the module was set up to simulate a “fairly involved dash board fire”. 

Riopelle explained the PASS acronym for the use of fire extinguishers…pull, aim, squeeze, sweep. He discussed how to pull the pin, to aim at the base of a fire, to squeeze the lever and to use a sweeping motion.

“Be ready for the mess and be ready for the kickback,” he warned. He also warned everyone, “to never turn your back on a fire.”

“It (the fire extinguisher) is something you have on your bus that you hope you don’t ever have to use,” said Whitteker. “Think how much worse it would be to have it on your bus and not know how to use it.”

It addition to the annual fall workshop, Whitteker Bus Lines  runs several workshops throughout the driving season. Another, held a little later on, involves safe driving in winter conditions.

Riopelle stressed to the drivers that if there is an incident, “make the call. Let dispatch know what’s going on and to put Emergency Services on alert. You’ll never get in trouble for reporting a problem.”

Bus Safety Week 2012 runs from October 15-19.

[…]

 

The ladies of Dundas County love a good “Night Out”.

They proved it by once again filling the Matilda Hall at Dixon’s Corners for the fourth annual Community Living Dundas County Ladies’ Night Out fund raiser.

Event organizer Marlene Lewis was ecstatic to see the hall filled with over 200 people Thursday night.

Lewis who came up with the idea for this “Ladies Night Out” event four years ago, reports that every year they have managed to fill the building. The only difference now is that with four years of experience, it is getting easier to attract the large crowd. That bodes well for the event continuing annually.

“It’s tremendous to see such a great crowd. It is great to have the support of the community, after all, that’s what we’re all about,” said Lewis.

Debbie Boardman, executive director of Community Living Dundas County said, “It’s great to have a community that is so supportive. That’s what Community Living is all about. All of us supporting each other. Community Living Dundas County is more than just a service.”

The event featured shopping, snacks and plenty of socializing.

Twenty-two vendors displaying fashions, cosmetics, home decor, culinary products and more provided ample opportunity shop, especially when combined with the silent auction. The fashion show, with its new format was well received.

Proceeds from the evening’s event support the George Davidson Family Resource Fund, which helps families attend important conferences, the Snoezelen Room, which provides sensory stimulation especially helpful to those with autism and transportation costs.

Community Living Dundas County advocates for the inclusion of people with an intellectual disability, providing training and resources for families and self -advocates.  

It provides supports and services to adults with an intellectual disability to promote opportunities for personal growth within their community.

Funding comes from the provincial government as well as from the efforts of fund raisers like this one.

Community Living Dundas County’s Vision: Citizenship is the uniqueness of each person being accepted, supported and acknowledged within an inclusive community.

Their goal: That all persons live in a state of dignity, share in all elements of living in the community, and have the opportunity to participate effectively.

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After attending the 2012 Arts and Culture Summit, South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds suggested at the Oct. 2 South Dundas council meeting that the municipality take a ‘wait and see’ approach to the newly formed organization.

A regional arts council is being formed, and that council’s board of directors includes one South Dundas resident.

Although there has been no funding request from the organization, Byvelds spoke, in general, about the challenge municipalities may have with supporting arts councils. “Traditionally municipal funds are for things like roads, sewers and bridges. It may be hard to draw from municipal funds for culture. They will really have to demonstrate that there is a benefit,” he said.

Last month, the SDG Community Futures Development Corporation (SDG CFDC) hosted the 2012 Arts & Culture Summit at Aultsville Theatre in Cornwall, Ontario where the arts and culture sector voted on an interim board of directors to help the sector that voted them into existence to collaborate and grow.

The 2012 Arts & Culture Summit was held by the SDG CFDC and in participation with The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (SDG), The City of Cornwall, The Eastern Ontario Training Board, The Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Sport and the Government of Canada (FedDev Ontario) to provide much needed information on what is required to form an arts council for the region. 

The guest speakers included, Esther Bryan, an established artist and Quilt of Belonging founder from South Glengarry, Karen Ennis, Program Manager from WorkInCulture, Loree Lawrence, Community and Multidisciplinary Arts Officer for the Ontario Arts Council, Carol Feeney, Executive Director of Quinte Arts Council and Clayton Windatt Co-Founder of Nippissing Arts Council. 

The guest speakers each spoke about the importance of the role of an arts council from their community and how that role is unique and individual to the community it serves. They also spoke about the importance of collaboration and communication.

The SDG CFDC based on its research and development of how arts councils have been formed in other regions in Ontario decided that it was important to create a grass roots movement and have the arts and culture sector vote on and interim Board of Directors. 

“This grass roots movement is community economic development 101,” said SDG CFDC’s Executive Director François Désormeaux. 

“We saw the art and culture sector in our region in need and we provided them with the tools required to grow and expand their sector. The Arts Council is that tool.” The SDG CFDC graciously paid for the not for profit articles of incorporation for the Cornwall & the Counties Arts and Culture Council and will continue to support their efforts to make sure they get off on the right foot. “There are legal expenses and various processes to make sure the Board is established and running smoothly and we are there to ensure they do things correctly. Those first steps can be daunting, confusing and overwhelming to young arts councils and we want them to focus on serving their community,” Désormeaux said. 

When asked how the CFDC will continue to support the Art Council in other ways, Désormeaux stated, “We will allow our Cultural Development Coordinator, Bruce Davis to continue to work with them as long as they need it. He will ensure the correct steps are made and that they set off in the right direction to serve the needs of the entire region.” 

When asked how he may set this council off in the right direction Davis stated, “I have been doing a lot of research on arts councils – what’s successful and what is failing so I will be providing that information to this council so they can begin building direction. I will also ensure the communication remains constant and flowing from the regional stakeholders as well as community partners so that the council knows best how to serve the community.”

The Cornwall & The Counties Arts and Culture Council Board of Directors are: Stephen Davies, from South Dundas who has worked in finance for almost 30 years, Jason Setnyk, a teacher in Cornwall, Ann Brady from North Dundas who is a screenwriter, Amanda Marini Rohde, a teacher, dancer and host of a cable show on the arts, Sandra Van der Veer, a Cornwall belly dancer and policy writer, Marie Morrell, founder of the Parade of Nations and a local museum, Charlotte King, a painter from Akwesasne, Carolyn Davis Waldryn, a published author from Cornwall, Richard Salem lives in Long Sault and is a graphic designer, Betty Healy, an author and strategic coach with business experience, Noella Cotnam, an artist and owner of Sign It Signs and Design in Williamstown, Dan Archambault, an internationally renown artist, promoter and consultant and Chuck Leclair an event promoter from Cornwall.

[…]

 

 Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry MPP Jim McDonell hosted more than 50 local residents at a Family Forum meeting Tuesday evening focusing on Special Services at Home for children, teenagers and adults with intellectual disabilities.

The meeting, held at the North Stormont Place Community Centre in Avonmore comes on the heels of the passage of MPP Christine Elliott’s Member’s Resolution to strike a select committee to address a comprehensive developmental services strategy for Ontario.

The local residents’ main concerns centered on the funding formula and the waiting list to ensure continued assistance once the child turns eighteen.

MPP McDonell expressed his disgust with the wait list for group homes being as long as 30 years. “There are 8,000 children and teenagers in the SSAH system and 4,000 of them are on a wait list.”

“Proposed funding cuts will not allow youth with intellectual disabilities to grow up with their families enjoying a better quality of life,” continued McDonell. 

McDonell says many local residents are affected by the proposed cuts and that it is time for recommendations on a comprehensive developmental services strategy to ensure their needs and the needs of their families are met.

[…]

 

Construction projects reportedly worth almost $17 million are taking place in South Dundas so far this year.

That’s about $7 million more than last year.

This year has been an especially busy year for residential construction in South Dundas.

South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds reported at the Oct. 9 open forum meeting in Iroquois that the municipality’s building permit department has been “extremely busy” issuing a much higher number than average so far in 2012.

Dan Tessier, South Dundas’ building inspector, agreed that this year has definitely been a lot busier than last.

By the end of August this year 104 building permits had been issued, compared to 86 last year.

In comparing the two years; industrial, institutional and agricultural permits have remained roughly the same. 

The number of commercial building permits issued has decreased slightly, dropping from 12 to nine.

All of the growth in South Dundas appears to be residential. 

By the end of August last year, 57 residential permits had been issued. This year, in that same time frame, 79 permits have been issued.

“Things are happening,” commented South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke about the building permits at last week’s public meeting.

This growth, if it continues through the end of this year, helps to improve the municipality’s financial situation in two ways. 

Firstly, the fees paid by the applicants are revenue for the municipality, and so far, about $27,000 more fees have been collected this year than in the same time period last year.

Secondly, the homes/buildings being constructed will share the property tax load in South Dundas.

“Growth equals additional tax revenue. Growth is our main goal, and the main goal of any townhsip,” says Shannon Geraghty, treasurer for South Dundas. “It has a domino effect, everyone benefits from it.”

[…]

 

“We serve” is the Lions International motto, established back in 1917 when the organization was first founded.

That same philosophy of service to the people and institutions of the community of South Dundas has been part of the spirit of the Iroquois-Matilda Lions club for 65 years. At a unique and very special evening, Saturday, October 27, at the Matilda Hall, the Lions are inviting the entire community to join them for a celebration of their more than six decades of service to South Dundas.

There are currently 36 active members of the Iroquois-Matilda Lions, led by 2012-13 president Steve Wilson. 

“We really have three objectives for our 65th Charter and International Night on October 27 at the Matilda Hall in Dixon’s Corners,” Wilson said. 

“First, is to celebrate the 65 years the Lions have served this community. Second, is to offer our guests a delicious meal and some outstanding entertainment from the comedy team of Bowser and Blue. And third, we hope to raise funds for the Glaucoma Society of Canada.”

Wilson explained that the gala is linked to the “sight mandate” of Lions International.

“Lions have always supported sight related causes. We felt that raising funds during our celebration for the Glaucoma Society was the perfect fit for us. Ruth, wife of Lion Paul Robertson, has glaucoma. She and Paul have become strong advocates of raising awareness about glaucoma, and helping in the search for a permanent cure.”

Quite aside from the good cause the Lions are supporting, guests at the gala can expect to enjoy a wonderful evening of great food and sparkling entertainment.

The Lions are definitely bringing in some stellar talent for their anniversary.

George Bowser and Ricky Blue, the team of Bowser and Blue, have been A-list entertainers since they first created a professional partnership in 1978. Musicians and comedians, they have performed in concert halls and theatres across Canada: since 2007, they have headlined in the Canadian Snowbird Extravaganza concert series across North America.

Regularly guests at the Just for Laughs comedy festival, Bowser and Blue can often be seen on CBC television and the Comedy Channel. Their Christmas CTV special, “Two Nuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” was nominated for a Gemini award. 

They have recorded for Supertramp’s Rick Davies, created  a number of sold-out musical comedies for Montreal’s Centaur Theatre, and collaborated on 12 CDs. 

For the Iroquois-Matilda Lions, Bowser and Blue have promised an evening of rip-roaring music and comedy that will leave gala guests “rolling in the aisles.”

The Lions hope that all members of their South Dundas community will come out to support their 65th anniversary celebration next week. 

“Groups like the Lions are a vital part of the community,” said president Steve Wilson. “In a time where membership in service groups is declining, and many groups have been forced to end their organizations, it is important that the community encourage and support the Lions, who truly are dedicated to serving those less fortunate than themselves.” 

There will be a silent auction, a dinner, catered by Ruth Wells, and a draw prize of three nights in Quebec City at the Fairmont Le Chateau, Frontenac. 

Tickets for the gala 65th Charter and International Night celebration on Saturday, October 27, at the Matilda Hall in Dixon’s Corners, starting at 5 p.m., are $50 each, and are available from Lions club members or from Mustard’s Variety in Iroquois.

[…]

 

 It will be a grand afternoon for anyone with a drop of Celtic blood in their veins (and also for those who simply love the wonderful Celtic sound) when the Williamsburg Community Association holds Celtic Unplugged on Sunday, October 28, at the Matilda Hall, Dixon’s Corners. 

This special concert is a first for Celtic music in this area.

Celtic Unplugged will be an afternoon of socializing and traditional Glengarry music performed by outstanding artists, who have performed all over North America.

Fiddler Ashley MacLeod is from the county of Glengarry, a multiple music award winner who was invited to play at the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championship as a junior show case artist when she was only 14. 

She has performed her magic before thousands of fans, on stage with many outstanding musicians including the Celtic rock band, Hadrian’s Wall, the Brigadoons, the Paddys, and the Paperboys. 

South Dundas audiences will thrill to her jigs, reels, waltzes and beautiful airs. 

Joining  her  for  Celtic Unplugged will be Kelsey McDonell who also hails from Glengarry. A talented and renowned fiddler, Kelsey has performed on stage, with the Glengarry Pipe Band, and has toured with the folk group, Greenwich Meantime.

Denis Carr of the Brigadoons is no stranger to those who love Celtic music. Currently the leader of the Brigadoons, Carr has performed for diverse audiences  including the National Arts Centre and the military at CFB Alert. 

He and his group have been favourites in pubs, parades and concert halls, and are a high light of the Friday night Tattoo at the Glengarry Highland Games. 

Carr will deliver a stunning program which will certainly include many beloved and traditional songs like  “Glengarry My Home” and the “Martintown Song.” 

South Dundas audiences will also enjoy the Celtic stylings of Paddy Kelly and Paddy Maher at the Sunday afternoon concert.

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the joy, the energy and the beautiful memories in a concert of outstanding music at Celtic Unplugged, coming to the Matilda Hall.   

Hosted by the Williamsburg Community Association, Celtic Unplugged will take place at the Matilda Hall on Sunday, October 28, beginning at 2 p.m. 

Tickets are only $10 and are available at the door, or at the Williamsburg Garage. There will be complimentary refreshments available at the concert.

[…]

 

They may not resemble conventional fliers, but this group of plane lovers are definitely ‘pilots’.

“We have jokingly called ourselves the Willyburg Fliers,” said Adam Hill, a remote control (RC) plane enthusiast. “Right now, we’re a small group, just the four of us, but we welcome others to come out and join us. We will teach people how to fly the planes, how to build them if they want. The whole experience is just a lot of fun. I guess you could call us plane addicts,” he laughed.

They can be seen out in the fields behind Williamsburg, at the waterfront in Morrisburg and even up at the point in Iroquois, piloting their graceful crafts. The group flies year round: they firmly believe that no one is too young or too old to enjoy flying remote controlled craft.

The planes the group flies are often striking looking replicas of real planes like the Pitts, the F4 Phantom or the Sbach 342. Among the four of them, they own some 17 planes.

Many people, thinking back to the heavy gasoline powered model planes from a few years ago, might believe that hobby flying is an expensive hobby.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. Dave Rae explained that “our planes are all electric now. New battery technology and the electric engines have dramatically reduced the costs of the planes from what they were a few years ago. Now, instead of needing $1,000 to get started, a person can start on about $200.”

“The planes are all electric and definitely environmentally friendly,” said Jerry Gibson.

The Willyburg Fliers also have experience in building models and would be glad to share their expertise. 

“Right now, I’m actually building a Cessna 182 with a wingspan of eight feet,” Adam Hill  said. “It’s still a hobby plane, but building your own flyer is really a big part of the fun.”

How did the four get drawn into the hobby of flying RC planes?

Michael Butler, 14, the youngest fly boy, said he “spotted the guys out flying, and I went over with my small plane. They let me join them. I listened and learned, and then Jerry let me fly his plane. I was hooked. They ordered the parts, and helped me build my own plane. Now I come out on a regular basis. I say planes before homework,” Michael added. 

“As a kid I drooled over RC magazines,” Dave Rae explained. “When I was growing up, it was still too expensive a hobby, but in May of 2011, I was able to get my first plane, and I’ve been flying since.”

Jerry Gibson began with RC helicopters, but he soon got into the planes. Despite a crash or two (“Crashing is actually part of the learning process,”), he, like the others, was quickly hooked. 

Adam Hill  flew once, the others laugh, and was immediately “addicted.” He is now a major plane collector, who has built a miniature landing strip outside his Williamsburg home.

The hobbyists gather a lot of attention from the public wherever they fly. 

“Our planes are equipped with lights,” Dave said, “and we often fly at night. Actually, some people spotted us night flying and called the police thinking we were UFOs. Fortunately,” he laughed, “Jerry’s brother-in-law is with the OPP and he realized it was just us out there.”

Jerry has also mounted a camera in the cockpit of one of his planes, and been able to record the river and the colours of fall.  “The videos were crystal clear,” he said, “and fairly dramatic. We loaded two inflight recordings on YouTube.”

 A hobby shop (RPM) recently opened at Dixon’s Corners makes getting supplies and kits locally much easier for people interested in flying.

The Willyburg Fliers are looking forward to sharing their love of flying remote controlled planes with anyone in the area who might be interested.

“You don’t need to have your own plane,” Adam said. “We can buddy box two planes hooked into a remote, and we would be glad to work with you, and teach you. We welcome everyone (over age 12) to our hobby flying group.”

Adam Hill can be reached at 1-613-330-7630 for questions, references or information.

[…]