News

 

 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.

[…]

 

What municipal staff were hoping would be a permanent solution to re-routing children who walk to school around the construction site at the former Morrisburg Collegiate Institute, may not be so permanent.

Council discussed the move of the crossing guard to the intersection of Ottawa and Second Streets, away from its former location at Ottawa and Alice Street, at the Oct. 2 council meeting.

The move now has children crossing Ottawa at Second Street, travelling second street between two painted lines denoting a sidewalk to the four way stop at St. Lawrence Street where they are to cross into the school yard.

The problem is that children are reportedly darting across Second Street at various locations making for a very dangerous situation.

“Our staff have done their best with a very challenging situation of not having a sidewalk there,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds, who reported that the school board chair wants to work together with the municipality to find a better solution.

“The possibility of children darting across the street is an issue and he considers safety paramount,” said Byvelds, who attended a meeting with the board chair last week.

From that meeting, South Dundas chief administrative officer Stephen McDonald reports that the municipality and the board are working in partnership and are presently discussing alternatives.

South Dundas councillor Jim Graham inquired about the cost of the municipality hiring a second crossing guard to get children across Second Street. 

The CAO estimated the cost to the municipality at about $600 per month.

“It’s an additional expense, but I’d sure as hell rather spend the money than see somebody get killed,” said Graham.

As of press time there had been no changes to the route, and no additional crossing guards were on site.

[…]

 

 South Dundas’ newest business is hoping everyone in the community  will come out and “officially” meet them on Thursday, October 11, from 4-7 p.m. 

Hicks Insurance Brokers Ltd, very much a family business, opened an office in Morrisburg in May, 2012. In the words of Doug Hicks, “We look forward to being active members of this business community.”

He is echoed by his son, Daryn, who has been a member of the brokerage since 2006. “We want to extend our support to the South Dundas community as a whole.”

Assisting them in the Morrisburg office are Laury Pilon, and Lise Van Beilen, both residents of the South Dundas area, and experienced in the needs and concerns of this community.

On Friday, October 5, Doug and Daryn talked to the Leader about their background in insurance and  about their new Morrisburg location.

The original family business was established in 1946, in Metcalfe, by Doug’s father, Stan, working alongside his wife Hazel.  

Doug, who was studying business at Ryerson, came home to join the brokerage in 1977. 

“I really enjoyed the challenges the insurance industry offered,” Hicks said. “I learned about what the industry had to offer, and, really, it remains a learning experience for me.”

Son Daryn joined the firm in 2006, after earning his degree in business from Algonquin College. He is the youngest of three children. While his older brother and sister have chosen other careers (“They couldn’t work with Dad,”  Daryn commented, laughing), he has enjoyed the challenges of working in the insurance field. 

“We really are a family business,” Doug said. “Hicks is now six years into the third generation of the company. My mom, Hazel, who is 88, remains keenly interested in the business, and will actually be at our October 11 opening.”

The Hicks family purchased Benson Latimer Insurance in Metcalfe in 1985, forming Hicks Insurance. Their next acquisition was made in May, 2012, when they purchased Fred Hill Insurance in Morrisburg. 

“I had been friends with David Hill for about 30 years,” Doug explained. “When he decided it was time to move on, the opportunity to purchase the Hill brokerage came to us, and we finalized the deal in May, 2012.”

Hicks Insurance is situated at 147 Main Street (Pinkus Plaza) in Morrisburg, in re-vamped and re-furbished modern offices. 

They kept familiar long term staff with them when they opened in South Dundas. 

Laury Pilon joined Hill Insurance in 1985, and brings 29 years of insurance experience to the Hicks brokerage. Lise Van Beilen joined Hill in 2001, and also brings her business expertise to Hicks.

“Frankly,” Doug Hicks said, laughing, “I think we are just here to support our great long-term staff members, Laury and Lise.”

Doug and Daryn handle all lines of insurance, primarily property and casualty, and welcome enquiries from clients with insurance needs.

“In the last 20 years, insurance has become very competitive,” Doug commented. “We keep up with what the market has to offer. We feel that we are doing this in both offices. 

Market and technology changes really demand that we stay current.”

Hicks Insurance Brokers Ltd. looks forward to serving the business needs of people in South Dundas. 

The members of the Hicks family look forward to meeting new friends and clients as they welcome everyone to their grand opening October 11.

[…]

 

The families of fire chief Les Bilmer and captain John Lortie were joined on Saturday, October 6, by uniformed South Dundas firefighters, dignitaries and members of the community for the re-dedication of a memorial plaque in honour of the two men and of the Morrisburg firefighters who have served over the last 70 years.

Also dedicated was a plaque recognizing the members of the current South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services.

In his address, Morrisburg deputy chief, Kevin Keyes, recalled that it was almost 20 years to the day that the original memorial plaque was dedicated in 1992, through the inspiration of then chief, Les Bilmer.

“After the passing of Les and Captain John Lortie, the Bilmer family and the Lortie family gave a very generous donation to this fire department,” Keyes said. “We did not want to spend the donations on tools and equipment but rather something that would pay tribute to these two highly respected firemen.”

He pointed out that the firefighters looked at a number of different ideas, and finally decided that the original plaque should be refurbished, updated and relocated to the wall of the fire hall.

In this new location, the plaques would not only be “paying tribute to Les and John, but to all firefighters who have served this community.”

The plaques were officially unveiled at Saturday’s ceremony by Inez Bilmer and Julie Lortie as piper Jack Yourt played and those gathered at the ceremony applauded. 

South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds, on behalf of the South Dundas council and the township, said that “we have come to honour those past and present who have dedicated themselves to the community. We are always able to count on our firefighters in our time of need, and we are proud to have these plaques recognizing them.”

Chief of South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services, Chris McDonough, thanked the Bilmer and Lortie families for their generosity, and praised the efforts of deputy chief Keyes and assistant deputy chief Brian St. Pierre in bringing the project to completion. “Members of the South Dundas firefighters are a diverse and terrific group. I feel fortunate for having been given the opportunity to work alongside our men and women in the firefighters.”

Brian McBain, from the Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office also expressed his deep appreciation for the generosity of the Bilmer and Lortie families for making this “recognition of our firefighters possible.”

Inez Bilmer told the audience that her late husband, Les, was a proud member of the Morrisburg Fire Department for 33 years. “He took a great deal of pride in his fellow firefighters and the department in general. When we lost Les, our family was deeply touched by the outpouring of kindness and camaraderie demonstrated by the department. These are things that are never forgotten.”

Julie Lortie said that Saturday’s ceremony of dedication would have meant a great deal to her husband, John. “The fire department was a very big part of his life. I think he would also be very proud that his son Bradley, and his stepson, Jason Denio, are both following in his footsteps as firefighters.” 

Kevin Keyes concluded his address with a remark from the original 1992 dedication ceremony, made by Lorne Campbell, then editor of the Canadian Fire Fighter magazine.

“Somewhere down the road, in another 20 or 25 years, somebody is going to be talking about you, and they will be respecting you, the way that you and I respect the members who have given their services to this community.”

[…]

 

“High school graduation is not an end, but a beginning,” valedictorians Montadher Hamadi and Katherine Lee told their fellow graduates at the 2012 graduation ceremony, held in the beautifully decorated gym at Seaway District High School on Friday evening, October 5.

“Today is but a moment along the way of your journey,” said Montadher (“Monty”). “The future lies before you like a field of driven snow: the steps you take on this field of driven snow will sculpt your success.”

“I hope that your dreams take you to the corners of your smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever known,” said Katherine.

Over 80 students received their high school graduation diplomas at the annual graduation ceremony held before a packed house of teachers, parents, grandparents and friends. In the course of the evening, according to principal Terry Gardiner, thanks to the generosity of the South Dundas community, Seaway students received close to $40,000 in bursaries, scholarships and gifts.

“I am also thrilled that this is the first graduation where students earned the Agriculture high school major Red Seal,” Gardiner said. 

“I am very happy that so many of our graduates are using the skills they have learned at Seaway at college, university and in apprenticeships. The generous community support of our school has been wonderful. Many of our grads truly need this support to continue in post secondary education.” 

[…]

 

“Dr. Carmichael put me up for 10 minutes of daily exercise. I haven’t been on exercise since 1942, eight years ago, so it will certainly be strange walking down the street again. I am very happy. This has been a great day.”

Clara Raina was 24 years old when she wrote those words on October 26, 1950, in her detailed and meticulous diaries. She entered the Royal Ottawa Sanatorium in 1939, diagnosed with tuberculosis. In 1952 she was able to leave the hospital.

Clara would see seven members of her immediate family enter the same sanatorium. She would see her father, and her brothers John and Billy, die of the deadly contagion. And she, herself, would undergo several therapies used for treating TB sixty years ago. One such treatment cost her 11 of her 24 ribs. 

Clara had “her own yardstick for measuring happiness,” said her sister, Anne Raina, author of the book, Clara’s Rib, written from the diaries and records and papers the young girl kept during her years of medical confinement. 

“Our mother taught us that “every single day has something beautiful in it,” Raina told the Leader. “Some days you have to look harder to find it, but always look. Clara’s story is one of hope, humour and strong faith.”

Anne Raina is presenting  book talks based on Clara’s Rib, on Monday, October 15, at 7:30 p.m. at the Lost Villages, and on Thursday, October 18, at 2 p.m., at the Morrisburg Public Library.

Clara’s diaries paint a picture of the nature of the disease of tuberculosis, its treatments (“Some seem barbaric by our modern standards,” Anne Raina said, “but doctors were not trying to be cruel. They were doing their best with the knowledge available at the time.”), and TB’s affects on families and on the sufferers themselves. 

“Clara persevered,” Anne Raina said. “She found humour and hope. Readers of all ages, will, I think, be drawn into Clara’s life.” 

Anne Raina was entrusted by her sister with the diaries and a manuscript Clara had written just before her death. “I always felt that this was a story that needed to be told,” the author explained. 

Clara’s Rib, as Peter Jessamine, MD, son of the former superintendant of the Royal Ottawa Sanatorium put it, concerns a woman whose life “is truly a miracle and an inspiration.”  

[…]

 

 Big, orange and thousands of them! They are all at Upper Canada Village for the all-new Pumpkinferno which opened Friday night.

Pumpkinferno creates a new family tradition and fall experience unlike any other in Canada.  A unique blend of creative artistry combined with a definite sense of humour, this mesmerizing installation of 1,000s of LED-lit pumpkins of all sizes is a ‘must do’ fall event.

“The St. Lawrence Parks Commission has invested more than half a million dollars into this new event along with approximately 6,000 hours of labour,” says Darren Dalgleish, General Manager and CEO of the St. Lawrence Parks Commission. “Pumpkinferno will have an instant appeal to absolutely everyone of any age – it will actually reignite many an imagination! ”

A walking tour will take visitors through 30 artistically carved, internally lit, themed exhibits.  Guests will be amazed by an eclectic display of scenes from exotic places and historic ages, forest animals and sea-born creatures, story book heroes, mythical characters, cultural icons and more … all creatively carved from artificial pumpkins! 

In addition, Eastern Ontario school children were invited to share their artistic carvings using real pumpkins. With 13 schools and over 640 school children participating, UCV will display hundreds of their carved pumpkins at “Our Children’s Pumpkin Art”.

Pumpkinferno visitors can stop in at the Village Store Pantry, or the Tent O’ Treats just outside the Village, to discover a variety of fun foods … try a Mummy Dog on a stick, with a side of Brains and Bones Poutine! Enjoy a hot bowl of Spooky Soup or Stew topped with a Spider Croissant, or slurp back a Pumpkin Pie soda … plus lots more!!  The Village Store is the exclusive Canadian supplier of Pumpkin Pie Soda.

Full service dining is also available in the ambience of historic inn Willard’s Hotel and at the Upper Canada Golf Course Bar and Grill which will remain open after sundown throughout Pumpkinferno for groups (minimum 16) who reserve their dinner five days in advance.

Pumpkinferno is open on select nights from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. throughout October: Friday to Sunday, October 12-14; Thursday to Sunday, October 18-21 and October 25-28; Halloween night, October 31st.

The event has family friendly pricing of $10 adult (13-64yrs), $7 senior (65 plus) / youth (6 – 12) and is free for children five and under.

“The Pumpkinferno team has worked really hard to bring this event to fruition,” says Neil Shorthouse, SLPC Special Events Officer. “I think our visitors will be awed by the artistry of the carvings but at the same time they will be entertained because our design team developed some great themes that I think people will really enjoy.”

[…]

 

The Morrisburg tennis courts have received a second reprieve that will see them left as is until at least spring.

A group of a dozen volunteers have organized themselves in an effort to save the tennis courts in Morrisburg.

The delegation attended the Oct 2 council meeting to discuss the courts’ issues and potential actions to keep the courts in Morrisburg.

“All of our children use or have used the tennis courts while growing up, and we would like to see this valuable facility remain available for future generations,” said Martin Streit, who spoke on behalf of the organization. “We believe that the township should invest its resources in the improvement of the condition and accessibility of the courts, not their demolition.”

“Despite their current limitations, the courts are used by local residents and by Morriburg Public School students during recess and physical education classes,” said Streit. The school’s tennis club has about 50 members.

The tennis courts are located on lands owned by the Upper Canada District School Board and Chartwell, and the group recognizes the complications that this ownership situation causes for the municipality.

“The courts are owned by UCDSB and Chartwell: Their interests in the properties are paramount and will affect the future of the courts and all actions recommended,” said Streit.

Nonetheless, the group has ideas to improve the condition, public access and use of the courts.

Condition-wise a volunteer has weeded the courts and the group is looking to find a way to repair the cracks with a long term view to resurfacing.

They are looking at ways to allow the public to more easily access a key for the locked courts and to increase public awareness and use of the facility.

“We are volunteers and we are willing to give our time to help, but we need township support and assistance to make this work,” said Streit.

“Obviously the tennis courts are getting more use than we thought they were,” commented South Dundas councillor Jim Graham, who recognized that the issue of not having a key readily available obviously deters more use and has to be changed immediately.

“Underlying this whole issue, is the issue of where Chartwell stands,” said South Dundas councillor Evonne Delegarde, pointing out that the first step has to be hearing from Chartwell. What she would like to see is the school take over the courts “If the school was willing to take over and run the facility, I’d support that,” she said.

South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan said that the municipality will need to see a long term commitment for use of the property from Chartwell before they could justify any large investment in the courts. However, he suggested that if Chartwell does not want to make a long term commitment, perhaps the municipality could look into fixing up one good court on the UCDSB property.

[…]

 

The spark of a new idea coming to fruition at Upper Canada Village has ignited a number of area partnerships between the business community and the St. Lawrence Parks Commission. 

The South Dundas Chamber of Commerce is fueling the fire of Pumpkinferno by helping spread the seasonal  theme throughout the community.

Last week, in anticipation of the kickoff of Pumpkinferno at Upper Canada Village, the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce launched  “Season of Pumpkin People” at the Upper Canada Playhouse.

Through the Season of Pumpkin people, the organizing committee hopes to get area businesses and residents to create Pumpkin People/Scarecrow displays at their homes and businesses to create a festive harvest season atmosphere throughout South Dundas in support of the Pumpkinferno event at the village which aims to bring 20,000 visitors to the region.

The organizing committee is chaired by local artist Gene Ward.

“We would like to see people make an effort to create their own pumpkin people displays in whatever way they feel is appropriate,” said Ward. “Maybe it will be something so small it will fit in your hand, or maybe something giant. Really the purpose is to engage people in the community to get involved so that people from outside the community can take an interest in the area.”

“Also, this is a great opportunity to promote the area at a time of year which is traditionally a down time for businesses,” said Ward. 

“To have Upper Canada Village include us is a big bonus for this area,” he added. “We need all the help we can get.”

South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds congratulated the chamber of commerce, Ward and the event team on getting involved in this partnership with Pumpkinferno. “We always look forward to forming partnerships, especially partnerships with the St. Lawrence Parks Commission,” he said. “I’m certain the community will buy into this theme.”

“This is a really great opportunity,” said South Dundas Chamber of Commerce President Chuck Barkley.

Nicole Sullivan, South Dundas economic development officer reiterated the importance of working with the SLPC in this initiative.

She spoke about the creation of the theme which was designed to build on the agricultural roots of the community and expand on the highly successful Harvest Festival theme of the 21 year event in Williamsburg. “The way Williamsburg is decorated for the harvest festival really brings that community to life,” she said. 

“This is wonderful,” commented Susan Leclair, corporate marketing and devlopment officer for the St. Lawrence Parks Commission. “We are delighted to have your participation and cooperation.” Of the 20,000 visitors the commission hopes to bring to Pumpkinferno, Leclair said, “I hope they want to visit your businesses as well as ours.”

“It’s one of those events where the pictures don’t really do it justice. We have a great feeling about this event, and we hope we have a winner on our hands.”

In closing she thanked the chamber for embracing Pumpkinferno adding that they hope to build on it in the future.

Those who create a Season of Pumpkin People display, can fill out a registration form to be eligible to win random prizes. The early bird draw prizes of free admission to Pumpkinferno were won by Williamsburg Garage and Brian and Jane Cox.

Registration forms can be dropped off at Candy’s Hair Salon/River Rat Treasures in Iroquois, the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce office in Morrisburg, Williamsburg Garage in Williamsburg or H&I Country Supply in Brinston.

[…]