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Many are the products/trash of a throw-away society. Some, because they are no longer cute and cuddly puppies, others because they are sick, or hurt or old. Others because they are simply too much bother.

These are some of the dogs that end up at the South Dundas Dog Pound located at 5066 Prunner Road and operated by Kevin Casselman who is contracted by the municipality. 

On a recent Saturday, “I picked up five dogs in one day. One had gotten loose and was claimed back by an elderly gentleman.”

Casselman advises anyone who has a dog that goes missing to get hold of him immediately either by contacting the township or calling him at 613-543-2980.

Although sometimes it is a matter of a dog getting loose, Casselman says, “A lot are being dropped. A lot are sick ones that we pick up. It’s the money. Vet bills are so high.” He suspects that some of the people are from the urban areas/cities that are abandoning the dogs, thinking they will be taken in by the rural folk. Most often they are not and once-loved and cared-for family pets are finding themselves in the wild to fend for themselves against coyotes and wolves.

“We’ve had them tied up to the sign at the end of the road, because they know we are here. We get everything from purebred to crosses to dogs that have obviously been family pets.” 

Casselman is currently looking for a home for a purebred yellow lab that he has kept long beyond the four days the township pays for an animal’s care. This guy is a beauty. He is good with children, very friendly, very kind and has been neutered. Casselman with the help of Pam Bullard, who assists at the pound, has been actively seeking a new family for the yellow lab.

Casselman says it is a misconception that all dogs are automatically euthanized after the four day period runs out. Yes,  euthanism is part of the job, but he also tries to find homes for as many dogs as he deems are suitable.

“I’ve shipped as far away as Sudbury,” he told the Leader during a visit to the pound on Friday, September 14. “Recently, we adopted out a Shepherd that had been here for 2.5 months. This past Monday, a little Black Lab mix went out.”

A purebred female Great Pyrenees was picked up Saturday, and taken to her new home in South Mountain and a purebred Welsh Terrier was expected to go to a forever home in Morrisburg sometime this week.

In all Casselman had 18 dogs on the property, some still in the four day period and that he had taken into his care and is now sheltering and feeding at his own expense. 

Some of these included a beautiful purebred young chocolate lab (very high puppy energy), a husky and an adorable mid-size mix.

Casselman does not charge for dogs that he adopts out but he does gratefully accept donations to help him pay for their care expenses.

He explains that under his contract with the Township, “they pay for the heat, food and maintenance for four days. During the four day period, the dogs can’t be removed from the facility, except by their owner. As a municipality, we are responsible for them, and we are required to ensure that nothing happens to them while in our care. After the four days, the dogs go into my name and they go up for adoption.”

Casselman’s longtime dilemma is that people aren’t aware that they can get dogs through him. That is where Bullard comes in. In addition to providing some grooming, Bullard works at getting the information out there on the available dogs through her Facebook page and on various free advertising sites such as Kijiji. Bullard says she is hoping to soon have a link with the municipality’s website.

South Dundas owns the pound which includes three buildings, one outdoor, one indoor and one used for storage. All are heated and  government inspected. The South Dundas pound can handle up to 10 dogs indoors.

“I have to dispose of sick dogs and our pound vet is Dr. Gray who issues me the stuff through the Ministry of Agriculture. The ministry has full access to the buildings, 24-7. They go through regularly, and we have had no bad reports.”

“I am well monitored. I must have proper ventilation, maintain proper temperatures and make sure there are no contaminants, no insects. We pressure wash every day and disinfect twice a month, more often if we deem necessary.”

Having worked with dogs for 28 years, Casselman says it is still tough when he has to euthanize the sick, or the unadoptable, the aggressive ones. He says it is especially tough when he knows it is an animal that has been abused. “I can tell right away. I know.”

Casselman says that when times are tough he sees more animals. People can’t afford vet bills for care or to pay to have the animals euthanized. So they abandon them.

He says he also has problems with image. “People just don’t know what all goes on down here,” he says,  asking that we print that the name of the town is “Morrisburg not Rumourburg. I hear from people that there are those who say, I keep the dogs for four days and then I kill them. Enough is enough. I’ve had enough. If they are adoptable, I will find them a home. Unfortunately, when I get rid of one there are often two or three more that come in.”

Unfortunately, there has been occasions where people will adopt a dog and donate $20 to him even though Casselman has been feeding it for weeks if not months. “Then they’ll take the dog and put it on the internet for sale for $300.” According to Casselman, by law he has to go out of his way to ensure that dogs do not go to anyone who is going to turn around and sell them for profit.

Casselman says he will accept donations to help with the care of the animals he is housing, but he does not solicit. He can use cash donations, food donations and even old blankets, pillows, bowls and crates. “Some people drop off bones that we keep frozen. We’ll accept anything and we’ll even pick it up.”

Casselman’s job also has him dealing with cats and wildlife the latter sometimes being in places they shouldn’t be.

Thankfully, there are a lot more good pet/dog owners than bad. Unfortunately, there are the latter, and it is the results of their actions that the South Dundas Dog Pound and Kevin Casselman are dealing with.

Anyone who is looking to adopt a dog is invited to contact Casselman, and anyone who might be interested in any of the animals currently in his care should contact him for more information. He will refuse anyone he feels is not suitable and having worked around dogs and people for so many years, he says, “I know right away when there is a good match.”

Although some of the dogs in his care are neutered/spayed those that aren’t and are adopted, he strongly encourages the new owners to have the procedures done to prevent anymore unwanted animals.

Anyone who wishes to donate to help with the animal-care expenses (past the township’s responsibility), or to donate food and supplies or who has ideas on some effective advertising methods for successful adoptions can also contact Kevin.

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Sunday’s Terry Fox Run in Morrisburg was an incredible success, bringing in a total of $9,801 for the Terry Fox Foundation.

“We had 81 participants, which is better than usual,” said organizer Scott Robinson. “And, we raised a grand total of $9,801. That is our largest amount to date.”

At 8 a.m. Sunday, Robinson spoke to the 40 participants on hand, thanking them for showing up on a chilly Sunday morning to support such a great cause. 

“I see some familiar faces that I see here every year, and that’s good. But, I also see some new faces, and that’s good too,” said Robinson who has been involved with the even for the last 12 years.

Not sure why this year’s fund raising effort was so successful, Robinson simply said that they did get more runners out and that larger donations came in.

“I really appreciate all the support of the participants and the donations made,” he added. “I couldn’t do this without the support of my volunteers, the support of the Legion who donates the space to us and to South Williamsburg Riverside Recreation who donated the snacks and the water for along the route.

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The latest $1,000 change collection at the Mustard’s Variety Store in Iroquois has been donated and thanks to the generosity of the store’s customers a child will soon see his wish become reality.

Friday the latest coin collection totalling $1,000 was handed over to Terri Jones, who is in charge of Fund Development for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern Ontario.

In thanking Jim Mustard, owner of the popular variety store located in the Iroquois plaza, Jones said this $1,000 would be put towards the fulfillment of an 11 year old boy from the Mountain area whose “wish is to go to Disney world. He is crazy about planes and machines and Mickey Mouse, so this will be his first time in a plane and his first time to see Mickey Mouse.”

Mustard was delighted that the money was going to grant the wish of a local child.

He explained that “what we started doing a few years back was putting jars beside the cash register where people could drop in their change.”

Over the years, Jim has selected a number of different charities that could benefit from a $1,000 donation.

As each $1,000 donation is reached and handed open, a new collection project is launched. The jars are once again back in action and this collection will benefit Mental Health Awareness.

“We have some very, generous customers here,” said Mustard. “I have a lady who comes in once sometimes twice per ($1,000) cycle with her bag full of pennies, nickels and quarters. Some customers drop money in the jar every time they are in.”

Donations made to Make A Wish of Eastern Ontario remain in the area. “All of our money comes from donations,” said Jones explaining that wishes are granted to children facing terminal illness and to those who suffer from debilitating illnesses.

“A wish can cost from $6,000 to $10,000 because it is not just the child but a trip will include the entire family, sometimes a caregiver,” said Jones.

While travel is a popular wish sometimes wishes are to attend a hockey game, or to meet a singing star. “One little boy wished for a playground in his back yard, and we had a wish from a little girl (medical issue with her muscles) for a hot tub.”

“All donations are appreciated. There is nothing too small,” said Jones. 

[…]

 

South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds recently tabled a motion that will help govern the rules conduct for council members, now and into the future.

Deputy Mayor Jim Locke seconded the motion, with every member of council supporting the formation of such a document.

Prefacing the need for such a document, Mayor Byvelds said, “I will first state that we, as a council have not had any major issues. However, I believe it is a course of action that will make us a better council.” 

He called the formation of a code of conduct, “a proactive approach to avoid problems that can occur. “This is a proactive approach that we and future council’s will abide by.”

Staff will draft a code that will provide confirmation of each individual councillor’s role. 

It will lay out protocol for how council responds to the community and council’s behaviour within it. 

It will set standards of confidentiality and outline how council will work with staff concerning operational issues. 

It will deal with respecting the decision-making process and lay out protocol for litigation or possible litigation issues.

Communication process for both the public and the media will also form part of this document, along with reputation management and accepting gifts and benefits.

Byvelds list of goals for this documents also lists engagement of incompatible activity and defining more closely conflict of interest.

Professional development, interpersonal behavior and compliance and implementation are also part of his list.

“A code of conduct certainly is not unique to South Dundas, as many municipalities have implemented various versions,” said Byvelds. “I will work with staff to have them bring forth a code that is fairly complete and will certainly be one that council can work with. It will have a fair process for issues to be dealt with.

As seconder to the motion, Locke was supportive, only adding that other communities have had issues and that this type of document is being put into place in many municipalities across the province.

“I totally support the concept of a code of conduct,” said South Dundas councillor Jim Graham. “Situations have arisen showing that we do need this, so I support it 100 percent.”

“I think from time to time there is likely a need for a code of conduct,” agreed councillor Archie Mellan. 

“This is a good proactive exercise to do, and to get taken care of before there are any issues,” said councillor Evonne Delegarde.

This is only the first step in the process of implementing a council code of conduct, drafts will be prepared and reviewed before the final vote is before council. 

[…]

 

This year the big celebrations centred around the Iroquois Plaza focussed on commemorating the War of 1812, in this its 200th anniversary.

In addition to witnessing the fun enjoyed by crowd on hand for the various activities and events, the Iroquois and District Festival Committee, received much praise for their efforts from the dignitaries on hand for the opening ceremonies.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the committee for choosing to commemorate the war of 1812,” said Guy Lauzon, MP for Stormont, Dundas, South Glengarry. He added that this war was a hugely important turning point in Canada’s history. “I would like to commend the committee for recalling that and I would like to thank the committee for underlining its importance.”

After thanking the committee for all their hard work, South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds also spoke about the importance of commemorating the war of 1812. 

“It’s a part of our history that is not so well known anymore, but events like this one will help bring it back out,” said Byvelds. “We have a whole year to commemorate this, and I would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone to take part in any commemorative event that occurs.”

1812 Grenville Militia Captain John Zaluska spoke about the War of 1812, explaining that the St. Lawrence and Iroquois areas have a rich history. He explained that the locals and loyalists of this area formed and joined local militias to work together in all of the engagements of 1812. “The smaller, lesser known battles were just as important and I encourage you to learn about your local history during the war of 1812,” he said.

Events included special meals at various locations, workshops, a parade, car club displays, a farmers market, sidewalk and yard sales in the plaza and fun for the kids which included a magic show, petting zoo and historical displays.

The winners of the colouring contest were Sarah Stewart, Heather Drew and Bryanna Whitford. The winner of the 50/50 draw was Scott Durant. who took home $455. The other $455 will go to the festival committee to cover the operating costs of the event

[…]

 

Total utility bills in excess of $800,000 annually have municipal officials thinking that there has to be a way to cut those costs.

At the last South Dundas council meeting, council agreed to retain I.B. Storey Inc. Professional Energy Solutions to provide professional energy auditing services at various municipal facilities.

They were selected from  South Dundas’ recent request for proposal process that garnered nine proposals ranging in price from about $12,000 to over $77,000.

The proposal accepted was not the highest, nor the lowest priced proposal, but was the highest ranked for quality by the review team. The cost of their services is just about $16,000.

The facilities that will be reviewed during this audit will include the public works depots at Matilda and Williamsburg, the arena in Morrisburg, the water treatment plant, the buildings that house the Morrisburg and Iroquois Fire Stations and the Matilda Community Centre at Dixon’s Corners.

According to South Dundas chief administrative officer Stephen McDonald, the scope of the work will entail four major components for each of the buildings including; energy and utility data analysis, on-site facility audits and equipment inventories, and audit report and training and education.

The 2012 budget includes $10,000 for this energy audit. The balance will be funded through OSWAP funding allocations. Staff plans to examine other funding assistance opportunities and incentives available through the utility companies. The $800,000 annual utility cost includes annual street lighting costs of about $100,000. Staff are looking at ways to reduce these costs as well, but they will be dealt with in future through a different report.

[…]

 

Ontario Power Generation’s Ottawa/St. Lawrence Plant Group advises users of the St. Lawrence River, including recreational boaters and anglers, that the gates raised for the passage of recreational boat traffic through the Iroquois Control Dam, will be lowered from September 24 to October 26, 2012 inclusive.  

This is for the installation of new marine navigation beacons, warning signs, and safety lighting, and is a public safety initiative related to the passage of small boats through these gates.  

Boaters are advised that they must use the Iroquois Lock for passage during this period.

This notification is in accordance with the operating regulations of the International St. Lawrence River Board of Control.

Ontario Power Generation would like to remind all users of the river to take every precaution around its dams and generating stations across Ontario and to practice safety on Ontario’s waterways.

[…]

 

September 16 2012, 200 years to the day after the War of 1812 First Engagement Along Front Toussaint’s (Toussand’s) Island was fought by the 1st Dundas Regiment and 1st Grenville Regiment, Sedentary Militia of Upper Canada, Royal Newfoundland Regiment, a couple of dozen people, some of whom are directly descended from those who fought that day, gathered at the site to for a small commemoration ceremony.

The ‘Battle of Matilda’ site is marked as a historic area within South Dundas and is located just west of Iroquois at the edge of the St. Lawrence River at Galop Lane.

The event was organized by a small but dedicated committee comprised of SD&G Highlanders Honorary Colnel (ret’d) William J. Shearing, Carol Thompson Goddard and Kimberley Baldwin McInnis.

To mark the anniversary of the engagement, also known at The Battle of Matilda, a group of Highlanders marched to the site for the small ceremony, which included information about Toussaint’s Island and an account of the battle which had two casualties.

Following words from the dignitaries on hand, who included Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry MP Guy Lauzon, MPP Jim McDonell and South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds and Major Jim Mills of the Highlanders, floral tributes were laid at the shoreline and a moment of silence was held for those Canadians who gave of themselves in 1812 and in the 200 years since.

Members of the 1812 Grenville Militia reenactment group, led by Captain John Zaluska fired three times towards the American side.

Lauzon pointed out that battles like this one were pivotal in the rich history of our country which was built on ordinary people doing extraordinary things. 

The loyalists took up arms to fight for their homeland. “They faced great hardships and fought fiercely to keep what they had,” said McDonell.

Major Mills spoke about the present saying, “I am constantly amazed by what I see. Today I see you people here, these busy dignitaries who have taken the time to be here and these re-enactors who have invested their time, effort and money in perpetuating the past. You have all taken time out of your day, 200 years later to commemorate this event. On behalf of the SD&G Highlanders I thank you for that.”

The organizers thanked the participants and attendees for their recognition of this local historical event which is part of the fabric of our National history.

In addition to his participation in this event, Mayor Byvelds urged everyone to take in other events that will take place over the next year. “This is a very important year of commemoration,” said Byvelds.

[…]

 

From the pop bottle to the exquisitely cut glass of a beautiful chandelier, glass is both practical and extravagant.  

At Upper Canada Village this weekend, visitors can discover the magic of glass blowing, magic lantern slides and mirrors.  Painted and stained glass, kaleidoscopes as well as industrial applications will all be on display.

A special feature of the weekend will be the remarkable stained glass windows painted in the 1880s by famed artist Harry Horwood for the home of distillery owner J. P. Wiser.  

Two newly restored Horwood windows will be on display in Crysler Hall for the first time since the 1950s.  

On Saturday, September 22 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Brian Eagle of Northern Glass will discuss his restoration work of the Horwood windows.  

David Martin of Ogdensburg, NY, a stained glass photographer and historian, will make presentations on Sunday, September 23 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. about Harry Horwood, the remarkable artist who created the windows.

“This event was inspired by the beautiful Horwood windows that we now have on display at Crysler Hall,” says Dave Dobbie, Manager of Upper Canada Village.  “It is amazing how glass has so many uses.  From its use as an art form to industrial or general household purposes, glass has done it all.  It is very versatile and you can find beauty in even the everyday items.  I hope that our visitors find this as fascinating as we do.”

Various discussions and presentations will take place on both Saturday and Sunday in Crysler Hall and Providence Chapel:

•Brian Phillips will present the story of the Mallorytown Glass Works, opened in 1839, the first glass factory in Upper Canada.  Presentations will be at 12 noon and 3:00 p.m. Saturday only, in Crysler Hall.

•Professor M. Lindsay Lambert is returning to the Village with his popular 19th Century Entertainment!  Three times each day (11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.) both Saturday and Sunday in Providence Chapel, he will present a Magic Lantern show.  Using vintage glass slides and a lantern from circa 1900, Prof. Lambert tells a fascinating story of life and entertainment before film and video.  

•Suzanne Plousos, Archaeologist and Material Culture Researcher from Parks Canada, will be on hand to display and discuss bottles and drink-related tableware recovered by archaeologists excavating War of 1812 through to 1840’s National Historic Sites, including artifacts from Fort Wellington, Fort Malden and Fort George.  Visitors can discover why glass beverage bottles have different shapes, learn to identify British products from French, Netherlands and early American beverage bottles and discover a long standing British military tradition for toasting the monarch.  Presentations will be at 12:noon and 3 p.m. Sunday only in Crysler Hall.

Other displays throughout the Village on both Saturday and Sunday will include: Discovery Centre-Paperweight Collectors of Ontario; Fairgrounds-Paul Reid, Reid’s Beads, sales and demonstrations; Janet Potter – The Glass Case – jewellery and more; Ron Squires – Squires Wood & Glass Works – stained glass demonstration.  

Upper Canada Village education staff will also be organizing family activities including games and music.

 Upper Canada Village will feature various Village artifacts including optical glass in Crysler Hall and other glass items and artifacts in all of the buildings.  

Special discussions will take place in Robertson House (garden cloche); the Cabinetmaker’s (window glass); Crysler Store (poison bottles); the Physician’s House (glass use in medicine); Dressmaker (mirrors) and at Ross Farm House (decorative painting).

Admission to Upper Canada Village is Adult (13 to 64 years) – $17; Senior (65 years and over) – $14; Youth (6 to 12 years) – $14 and Children (5 years and under) – free. 

For more information call the Customer Service Unit at 613-543-4328 (locally) or 800-437-2233 or visit the website at www.UpperCanadaVillage.com.

Visitors to Upper Canada Village are reminded that on select nights from October 5 through October 31, a Hallowe’en experience will unfold unlike any other in the region.  

Visitors are invited to come and stroll through an all-new, hauntingly beautiful and spellbinding outdoor exhibit of thousands of hand-carved pumpkins, set against a stirring night-time backdrop just inside the gates of historic Upper Canada Village. 

This mesmerizing installation of artist-inspired, glowing pumpkins is a not-to-be-missed event for ALL ages.

 

[…]

 

Morrisburg Pentecostal 180 Youth Group, an organization which welcomes youth from grades three to twelve to join them for fun and fellowship Friday nights, has taken on a project to help youth in a rural Tanzania raise enough funds to dig a well that will change their lives.

They leaned about the Tanzania project at a youth convention and since that time have been collecting pennies for the cause. 

They decided on collecting pennies after they heard that our government was no longer going to produce pennies. They explained that they thought maybe this community in Tanzania could turn something that we no longer see as important to us into something very important to them. 

The group, which consists of about 30 local youth, have already gathered up their own pennies. Project leader Rose Wickwire and youth leader Nicole Hummell are proud of the efforts of the group members and now they are turning to the community to support them in their efforts.

“Now we are reaching out to the community to help us help the children of Tanzania have fresh water like you,” said Wickwire.

September 21, the group will be at Canadian Tire, Giant Tiger and the Ultramar Gas Bar from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. asking people to donate their pennies, or any spare change, to the cause.

They also plan to hold a spaghetti dinner to raise funds.

Morrisburg Pentecostal 180 Youth Group has for a number of years been open to youth from grades nine to twelve, but recently opened its doors to include all youth from grade three and up. 

They meet Friday nights at Morrisburg Pentecostal Church located along Lakeshore Drive. The meetings open with worship then they break into smaller similar aged groups for different curriculums, games and activities. Once a month they go to the gym at the local school. Anyone is welcome to join at any time. Simply come by any Friday night at 7 p.m sign the paperwork and join the group.

The group is called 180 because, 180 represents turning away from something to head in a different direction. “Here we are turning to things that honour God,” said Wickwire.” 

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