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 “On July 11, 200 years ago today, the Dundas Militia was mobilized to defend Upper Canada from invasion by American forces,” Bill Shearing, a member of the 1812 Signs committee, told the dignitaries and guests gathered at the formal dedication of the War of 1812 Commemorative Signs, held in Iroquois, Wednesday, July 11. 

Wednesday’s ceremony was the last act in almost two years of hard work.

The South Dundas War of 1812 Commemorative Signs Committee was formed in 2011 by chair Bill Shearing. He described it as an “informal group made up of Brenda Brunt, Nicole Sullivan, Hugh Garlough and myself. Federal or provincial funding did not exist.” 

Instead members directly approached each area council for support in the initial phases of the project.  This year, South Dundas provided  labour and equipment for setting up local signs and South Stormont and South Glengarry have also committed to signs in their regions. 

The Commemorative  Com-mittee researched historical information for the signs and brochures, designed art work, scouted locations for signs and worked hard at fund raising.

Shearing reports that signs will run from the west end of Dundas County to the east end of Glengarry County.

The last South Dundas sign, which recalls the exploits of teenage Trooper John W. Loucks, Dundas County’s ‘Paul Revere’, was on display during the  Iroquois dedication ceremony. 

Joining Bill Shearing for the dedication were Deputy Mayor Jim Locke, representatives of the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders, piper  Peter Coughlan, MPP Jim McDonell, Eric Duncan on behalf of MP Guy Lauzon, SD&G warden Ian McLeod, Brenda Brunt, clerk for South Dundas, Nicole Sullivan, Economic Development Officer, Alicia Wanless, St. Lawrence 1812 Bicentennial Alliance and the Rev. Janet Evans. 

“The installation of these signs is a big step to bringing alive our history,” Nicole Sullivan said. “They represent a source of pride. I hope they create awareness of the role South Dundas played in the War of 1812.”

“These signs are an example of how our heritage can be celebrated by our communities,” said Alicia Wanless. “Few places in North America have the sense of history we have in Eastern Ontario. We have the chance, in these two years, of sharing our heritage and showcasing it to the world.”

Bill Shearing made it clear that the generosity of organizations and individuals made the signs project possible. “We could not have done this without the support of these groups. We received donations of upwards of $6,000 from these supporters.”

Shearing thanked Lt. Col. William Masson, president of the SD&G Highlanders Regimental Association, Robert Ivine, president of the Friends of Crylser’s Farm Battlefield, Dr. Graham Houze, Branch #48, the Morrisburg Legion, Linda Halliday, public affairs officer Eastern Ontario, Ontario Power Generation, Mrs. Jean MacDougal and Doug Grenkie, (who was unable to attend the ceremony) for their generous financial support.

Shearing explained that his focus in this project has always been on the citizens of Dundas County and their contributions to Canada. 

“No other region in Upper Canada was more successful in defending Canada and ensuring she did not fall into American hands. The role of the people of SD&G is sometimes forgotten by historians. Our role needs to be emphasized. I want people to stop, read these signs and remember.”

Also present at the ceremony was local author, Mike Phifer, who spent over a year intensively researching and writing Lifeline: the War of 1812 Along the Upper St. Lawrence. His book specifically focuses on the history of this region. 

“We need to emphasize the importance of this area militarily,” Phifer said. “It was the key, in my view, to saving Canada.”

The Reverend Janet Evans presented a special 1812 prayer for the dedication ceremony. 

“Two years ago, my colleague and I were discussing the coming 1812 celebrations,” Evans said. “We decided to contact American churches in Massena and Ogdensburg, an experience which proved very rewarding. From our talks, the prayer developed.”

In part, the 1812 Prayer asks for reconciliation “with our First Nations, who lost so much in this War.” It also remembers “the violence, fear and pain that came 200 years ago when Canada and the United States were at war. We hope this peace will remain lasting.”

[…]

 

Call it a seven-year itch, a mid-life crisis or just a case of ‘a change is as good as a rest’, but Upper Canada Playhouse’s next hilarious comedy is all about a marriage on the rocks. And like all good comedies, Wife Begins at Forty, by Arne Sultan, Earl Barret and Ray Cooney, employs a good sense of humour to get people through the ups and downs of life by allowing us to laugh at ourselves. 

In fact, people can be at their funniest when they’re under pressure or stress. 

Wife Begins at Forty, running August 2-26, takes place at the Harper residence. (No, not 24 Sussex Dr!) Rather it’s the fictional home of Linda and George Harper, a house they share with George’s father, Bernard, their sixteen-year old son, Leonard, and their family dog. 

However, all is not well in suburbia! 

Wife Linda wants a change. 

Nothing seems to excite her anymore and she’s looking for a new direction in life. Unfortunately this is terrible news for poor George who hasn’t tuned into his wife’s frustration: he tries in every way he can to satisfy her. 

Even the best efforts of neighbours, Roger and Betty Dixons, cannot help rescue the marriage. 

Inevitably there is a separation and George agrees to move out to give Linda some space and the chance to ‘find herself’. 

Returning to the household to spend Christmas with his family, George hopes to be received with open arms only to find that everyone’s moved on quite happily. His last ditch efforts to get the romance and marriage back on track result in a hilarious scene that will leave audiences howling with laughter. 

‘It’s the kind of funny and breezy comedy that our audience has come to expect in August. A great way to cool off and laugh away the heat!’ remarks Artistic Director Donnie Bowes. 

The blue chip Playhouse cast will ensure the laughs are plenty. 

The play stars Brian Young and Alison Lawrence as George and Linda Harper. ‘It seems to be a trend this summer, though unintentional, that we’ve had two real-life couples acting opposite one another on stage. First Melanie Janzen and Jamie Williams in the current play, Here on the Flight Path, and now Brian and Alison who play husband and wife in a rocky marriage. Here’s hoping it doesn’t affect their off-stage lives!’ laughs Bowes. 

Not a chance of that with this talented acting duo. They’ve both appeared in several shows at The Playhouse and shared the stage in last summer’s August hit comedy Not Now Darling. 

Young was recently seen in The Foursome. Lawrence’s connection with The Playhouse goes back many years. She actually appeared with Donnie Bowes in The Playhouse’s first production of Norm Foster’s The Affections of May (with Bowes in a bunny suit and Lawrence as Little Bo Peep). 

Joining them is veteran actor Walter Learning as George’s father, Bernard. Learning has entertained Playhouse audiences as a hapless older gentlemen in such comedies as Run For Your Wife, There Goes the Bride and many more. 

Melanie Janzen plays neighbour Betty Dixons and is currently rehearsing while still performing Here on the Flight Path running  until July 29. 

Newcomer to the Playhouse is Kyle Orzech who plays George and Linda’s son Leonard. Orzech is a talented young  actor who has already been seen on the Toronto stage and recently finished a tour of Saskatchewan. He will soon be heading to Theatre New Brunswick for a four-month engagement. 

Rounding out the cast as neighbour Roger Dixons is Richard Bauer, who also directs the comedy. Bauer has not only been seen in many Playhouse shows over the past several years, but has directed several of  the theatre’s August comedies including such hits as Not Now Darling and There Goes The Bride. 

An added treat for audiences  in this production will be the occasional appearance of the family dog in the play. The theatre is currently narrowing down its prospects for this star canine! 

For information and tickets for Wife Begins at Forty, opening August 2, contact Upper Canada Playhouse at 613-543-3713.

Here on the Flight Path continues at the Playhouse  with the final performance taking place on July 29.

[…]

 

 When one young performer remarked on stage, “What do we really know about the history of 20th century film?”, in the spirit of Mickey and Judy, 27 students in the 2012 senior drama school at Upper Canada Playhouse, exclaimed, “Hey, let’s put on a show!”

To the obvious delight of the audience gathered at the Playhouse on Saturday, July 14, the students, under the guidance of teacher Mary Ellen Viau, presented a wonderful show. With the overall theme of “silent, silly and sensational moments in film” the actors traced the history of movie-making from the silents to the blockbuster musicals of the later 20th century. 

“Nobody ever said becoming a movie star was easy,” teacher Viau said, opening the show. “Lots of talents and skills have to come together. With these students they did.”

Introduced by three strong narrators,  Sammy Peets, Michaela Cormier and Brett Weegar (who also demonstrated impressive technical skills by creating the musical CD for the entire show), the young actors mimed, danced, sang, played instruments and generally wowed their audience. 

In the first week of the popular Playhouse school, the students explored movement, mime, vocal work and stage presence and researched the history of film. 

“The kids also worked as directors for segments of the play,” Viau explained. 

The second week involved creating, writing and rehearsing the original show, incorporating the instrumental, vocal and dance skills of all of the students into the movie docudrama. 

On Friday, the class came to the Playhouse for a full rehearsal on stage. Jackie  McCormick,  stage manager at the Playhouse, lent her skills to working with the young students. She also stepped in to run the sound and lighting for the show.

“They all did a fantastic job,” McCormick said later.

In homage to Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford, the show included silent renditions of The Date, and The Proposal. (In the class’s humourous ‘silent film’,  a marriage-minded young man who insists on four children, learns it is always better to pay close attention to the young woman who  firmly says two. Otherwise, a man can find himself sitting alone reading a title card that says ‘What about no kids?’)

Lollipop wielding ‘Shirley Temples’ danced charmingly to the classic “On the Good Ship Lollipop,” ending with a ‘slurp’ that truly impressed.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game, featured baton twirlers, batters and a very dedicated peanut salesman.

I’m sure Gene Kelly would have been proud to see the wonderful spin the young singers (umbrellas up) and dancers (rain ponchos on) gave to his classic Singing in the Rain. The smiles of the performers lit up the stage.

Two exceptional moments in the show featured solos by Salena Harriman (“Over the Rainbow”) and Mackenzie Whyte (“Hopelessly Devoted’). The audience was very impressed with these young talents,  and with good cause.

Equally memorable (for different and hilarious reasons) was Joshua Casselman’s energetic  disco fever moment in a production number from Fame.

Coming full circle from silent movies to the blockbuster hit, Chicago,  which was set in the 1920’s, the sensational movie show ended with the high-stepping, high kicking showcase number, ‘All That Jazz,’ choreographed by Marcy, Ally, Tayler and Katherine themselves. Grant Wells stepped in to the role of the slick Chicago attorney played by Richard Gere like he was born to it.

The audience loved the entire production.

Later Playhouse artistic director Donnie Bowes handed out certificates of accomplishment to the performers. “These kids brought individual skills to the drama school, then found ways to combine those skills to make a wonderful show,” Bowes said.

“It matters to me that the students are proud of their work,” said Mary Ellen Viau. “The time and effort each one puts into this show, the process, is what really matters, more, in some ways, than the product. They did a great job.”

 The narrators had the last word on the senior drama show: “Now, that’s entertainment! That’s an A+!”

So it was.

[…]

 

On July 16th, at the DC Community Centre in Dixon’s Corners, local residents had an opportunity to hear first hand what it’s like to live surrounded by industrial wind turbines.

The South Branch Wind Opposition Group welcomed Monica Elmes, leader of the Chatham-Kent Wind Action Group, who shared her story and experience living amongst more than 40 industrial wind turbines.

Despite the fact that Elmes’ home is 1.5 kilometers away from the nearest turbine, she and her family have reported experiencing ill effects like sleep deprivation. 

According to Bruce Albers, president of the South Branch Wind Opposition Group, Elmes and her family took time out of their vacation visiting friends in the area to talk with local residents who have concerns about Prowind Canada’s South Branch Wind Farm project.

The South Branch Wind Farm project is slated to erect up to 14 wind turbines in the Brinston and Shanly areas. 

According to Albers, while turnout for the talk was low due to the Monday morning time, those that did attend were shocked to hear that Elmes had registered approximately 130 complaints to the Minstiry of the Environment to no avail.

He also pointed out that the turbines slated for the South Branch project are expected to be taller than those in Elmes’ area and that there will be turbines placed closer than 1.5 kilometers from some area homes. 

The South Branch Wind Farm project’s final Renewable Energy Application has been submitted to the Ministry of the Environment for approval.

The application status is marked “received and being screened for completeness.” 

Once the application has been deemed complete, the ministry will post the application to the Ontario Environmental Registry website where the public will then have the opportunity to post comments concerning the project.

[…]

 

“I have never seen the shelves this low in 10 years,” said Kim Merkley, Food Bank Coordinator at the House of Lazarus, “this is the first time I have had to buy food in May. Usually I have enough to carry us through until August.”

The House of Lazarus Community Outreach Mission and Resource Centre is experiencing higher food bank usage, which has become the norm for food banks in general across the province.  

The lack of employment for permanent, living wage jobs, a shortage of affordable housing, along with increasing prices on just about everything is driving many to turn to food banks. 

So far this year, the House of Lazarus Food Bank has seen 28 families who have never had to use a food bank turning to them for support to get through the month. 

Fortunately, it is very clear that supporters are recognizing the need in these economic times as donations of food have increased over the last year, however the need has surpassed even that. 

In response to hearing about the need from food bank staff, one donor has generously donated a Zero Gravity Lawn Chair as a perk to one lucky person who brings in five food items or donates $5 between July 23rd and August 3rd. 

The current campaign is aptly called “Relaxing in the sun knowing you’ve helped someone!” For each five items donated, the donor will receive a coupon to place in the draw box with the winner drawn on August 3rd at 2 p.m.

The statistics say it all: From January to June 2012, the food bank had 614 visits versus 549 last year, which breaks down to 1,010 adults and 596 children. Sixty percent of those who were served by the House of Lazarus Food Bank are children, which is a dramatic increase and above the Ontario Hunger Count figure of 37.5 percent.

The Hunger Count Report is an annual survey by Food Banks Canada and gives a comprehensive report on hunger and food bank use in Canada along with recommendations for change. 

Food donations show that the House of Lazarus received  9,918.8 kilograms and purchased 431.1 kilograms, while 14,682.8 kilograms was distributed.  

Current needs include: canned vegetables, fruit, meats, and fish; peanut butter; macaroni and cheese; meal extenders (Side Kicks, Hamburger Helper, for example); soups: sugar; skim milk powder; and, instant coffee. 

Shopping in the House of Lazarus Thrift and Household Goods Shops is another way to support the food bank. The dollars spent at the shop go to support food bank operations. 

For more information on activities in the shops and the community or to donate funds on line check out the web site at www.houseoflazarus.org or Like Us on Facebook. 

To contact the House of Lazarus, call 613-989-3830 or email house.lazarus@gmail.com for information on this or other areas of concern. 

Donations can be dropped off at the House of Lazarus, located at 2245 Simms Street in Mountain. Items can also be dropped off at the Hartford Retirement Centre in Morrisburg. 

[…]

 

The Heel ’n Wheel for Local Cancer Care has taken off with a running start.  Six registered teams have already contributed to raising $27,980 for the inaugural walking and biking fundraising event, benefitting the WDMH Foundation. 

The event will be held on September 8th with seven starting locations that teams can choose to start their journey from: Morrisburg, South Mountain, Osgoode, Greely, Russell, Crysler, and Finch.  

On the day of the event, teams will walk or bike from these locations of varying distances, to the Winchester District Memorial Hospital.  

The starting location with the shortest distance is South Mountain, which is 18.6 kilometers from WDMH. The location with the longest distance is Greely, which is 33 kilometers from WDMH.  

Both of these starting locations offer family-friendly routes, because they divert walkers and cyclists along back roads, featuring lots of safety and caution signs along the way.  

The other routes that feature back roads are Russell at 23.8 kilometers, Crysler at 24.6 kilometers and Osgoode at 29 kilometers.

“We’re hoping that the five family-friendly routes will reassure parents’ apprehensions about bringing their children with them on such a long walk or bike ride,” said Arnold Scheerder, the new WDMH Foundation Board Chair.

“Our event organizers have also arranged to have pit stops so that participants have a chance to stop for a rest, a drink, some more sunscreen or a bathroom break,” he added. 

The Heel ’n Wheel will wrap up with a celebration BBQ in front of WDMH, complete with musical entertainment, children’s activities, and a presentation of awards. To find out more, visit heelnwheel.ca.

[…]

 

Let the Canada Day Celebration Continue…Raffle Winners Named

This year’s Canada Day Celebration in Morrisburg was a huge hit that was topped off with a spectacular fireworks display. Thanks to the generosity of a number of business owners in Morrisburg, and the support of the community who purchased tickets, the Canada Day organizing committee was able to raise between $4,000 and $5,000 through a Canada Day Raffle which helped to offset the $10,000 cost of the display. Contributing enormously to the success of the raffle are the merchants pictured who generously donated gift certificates for their stores for the raffle prizes. They are, back l-r, Gurcharn Cheema of Ultramar Gas, Michel Proulx of Canadian Tire, Riley Hatherall of Valu-mart, Ken Rundle of Giant Tiger and Lloya Sprague of Home Hardware. Pictured front centre with her grandson Lincoln is Canada Day Committee representative Linda Robinson. On the left is Muriel McLean top prize winner of a $700 Canadian Tire gift certificate and on the right is Les Marshall who won a $100 gift certificate from Ultramar. Len Bellamy won a $500 Valu-mart gift certificate, Janice Casselman a $200 Giant Tiger gift certificate and April McKay a $100 Home Hardware gift certificate. “Our merchants are always so very generous,” said Robinson as she thanked each of them for their donations. “I have heard nothing but compliments about the fireworks. Their contributions, along with the support of the community helped to make the fireworks possible. The park was packed all day. ”

[…]

 

The Crime Stoppers annual golf tournament is fast approaching and the Township of South Dundas has agreed to “sponsor a hole” for $150.

The decision to donate the money came during the June 26th South Dundas council meeting.

The golf tournament will take place on July 18th at the Heritage Golf Course in South Glengarry.

[…]

 

“Marriage is too much trouble. Next time I’ll just find a woman I hate and buy her a house.”

Journalist John Cummings is a little bit bitter about his recent divorce and his subsequent move to a small flat in the Aurora Terrace Apartments, under a nearby airport’s flight path.

In fact, he has soured on the whole idea of romance, love, commitment, determined not to get involved in any serious way with any woman again. “It’s silly to think two people can stay together forever,” he says firmly.

Then he meets three rather remarkable women and gradually John Cummings begins to realize that in the battle of the sexes, both sides have unique strategies and  unexpected weapons.

Upper Canada Playhouse’s new production of Norm Foster’s witty, fast moving comedy, Here on the Flight Path,  (running until July 29) is a show for grown-ups.

 You have to have lived a little, loved a little, to appreciate just how clever Foster’s dialogue and characters are. In the course of Flight Path people are able  to catch a revealing glimpse of themselves in the on stage characters Foster has created: but because this is Norm Foster, there is no sting accompanying that look.

“With a Norm Foster play, people find themselves laughing hysterically, because he is just so funny,” Playhouse artistic director Donnie Bowes said during an earlier interview. “Ideas come to him and he channels them.”

“Foster is a gem,” added Walter Learning, who directed the show for the Playhouse. “Norm Foster is a funny, funny man, and people enjoy experiencing his view of relationships in this play.”

And the Playhouse has come up with a stellar cast for Here on the Flight Path.

The sometimes curmudgeonly John is played by veteran actor Jamie Williams (“There are two things a man wants in a relationship. And the second is that the woman not make a scene when the relationship is over.”). 

You just can’t help liking Williams’ character.  

His John changes during the play, opens up, and eventually learns a lot about himself. Williams portrays a man forced to take a fresh look at life and love, and invites the audience along. His Cummings is not quite the same man at the end of the play as he was in the beginning. 

Melanie Janzen is Fay, Angel and Gwen: three remarkable women,  all played by the same remarkable actress. 

In an earlier interview Janzen discussed the challenge of playing these radically different women in the same play. “You have to find three different motivations for each of these women to make her feel complete.”

Janzen does. 

Yes, she changes wigs and clothes (at incredible speed, kudos to her and the stage crew), but it is more than this. 

Each woman moves, speaks, projects differently: Fay, the amused cynic, Angel the wide-eyed ingenue, Gwen, older,  hurt, but learning to stand on her own. They are all Janzen, and all women we (and John) want to come to know.

The audience roared with laughter throughout the show I attended. 

Whether it was call girl Fay’s wry description of her  job (“I’m a consultant.” “Who do you consult with?” “Pretty well anyone who has the money.”) or Alberta Angel’s ingenuous comments (“I’m reading Withering Heights.” “Um, that’s Wuthering Heights. It’s a ‘u’.” “Oh, I thought that was a spelling mistake.”), the laughs are genuine and real. 

I heard more than one person leave the theatre the night I was there with the amused observation that  “there was a lot of truth in that play. A lot of truth.”

Sit back and savor the moment when John steps on to his balcony, at the Aurora Apartments, and says, “I’m going to tell you a story. Three stories really…”   It’s the start of an evening of witty and wonderful entertainment.

Norm Foster’s Here on the Flight Path runs at Upper Canada Playhouse until July 29. For information and tickets contact 613-543-3713.

[…]

 

“Life is about learning,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds, “I always encourage people to look for opportunities to further their education.”

Byvelds congratulated Brenda Brunt, clerk for South Dundas, on her recent achievement of the Certified Municipal Officer (CMO) designation.

“For you to achieve the CMO designation is great for you and for South Dundas,” said Byvelds. “Please continue to keep up the good work that you do.”

To apply for the CMO, Brunt had to first be a member-in-good-standing with AMCTO (the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario), complete the Municipal Administration Program, and be employed by a municipality for at least three years.

Brunt qualified for Certified Municipal Officer status by demonstrating proficiency in the following key areas: municipal knowledge, management, leadership, communication skills, and human resources.

She pointed out that “the CMO is widely known and recognized in the municipal world.”

“The CMO designation process is a huge undertaking but once attained, you feel a sense of achievement and self-worth.”

Brunt will need to recertify every five years.

[…]