News

 

– You won’t have to look any farther this spring than Upper Canada Playhouse in Morrisburg to enjoy some of the greatest country music north of Nashville. 

The phenomenal Leisa Way and her Wayward Wind Band are premiering an incredible country music extravaganza, Country Jukebox,  opening May 2, running until May 13.

Artistic director Donnie Bowes  describes this all new production as “packed with fabulous music from everyone’s favourite singers. There’s such a variety of hit songs it’s hard to know where to start.”

I had an opportunity to talk to Leisa Way, now deep into final rehearsals for the show, about Country Jukebox.

“Country music is the most popular music in the world,” Way said, “and there is a very good reason for that. Everyone can relate to the stories and to the emotions that pour out of the songs and the songwriters. The old stereotype, that country is something like “my dog died” or my “man’s bad”, that’s really not the case any more. There’s heart and soul in this music.”

Way, who starred in two previous hit shows at Upper Canada Playhouse, one based on the life and times of Patsy Cline, the other on Dolly Parton, has done a lot of research into the artists represented in her new production. 

“The songs I’ve chosen, from artists like Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, Shania Twain, Kris Kristofferson, among a host of others, are strongly focussed on the great duet partnerships that have become a real force in country and western music,” she explained. 

“It was challenging researching into the singers’ lives, looking for what was influencing them, happening to them, when their music was written. As Tammy Wynette once said ‘It’s so much easier to sing a song with heart and soul when you write it yourself.’”

Herself a star of traditional musical theatre, a singer who has performed three times for the British royal family, a much sought after artist at theatres across North America,  Way said that creating Country Jukebox was a “return to my own roots.”

“I love all kinds of music. When I discovered jazz, it became a passion,” she said. (Way is currently writing a show based on the great Peggy Lee). But I was raised on country. And frankly, you just can’t stereotype country. Waylon Jennings put it this way: ‘Country music and the blues are close, close relatives. They’re singing the same song about good and bad times, a woman he’s got, a woman he wants, and one he can’t get rid of’.”

The songs featured in Country Jukebox, many of them duets,  will reflect an extraordinary range of  well known singers.

“We include a section on the Outlaw Cowboys, as they were called, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and of course, Jennings,” Way said.  “They didn’t care what anyone thought about the way they approached country music. They used different instrumentations; they had a very different outlook on what was country. They were often also good timing men with incredible women supporting them, backing them up. These relationships evolved into duets that have lasted. People really relate to them.”

Way will be backed up by some pretty extraordinary talent herself when she comes to the Playhouse.

She will be joined by renowned musicians Bruce Ley, Dave Wilson and Kim Radcliffe. Also playing in the Wayward Wind band, and singing many of the duets with Way will be Aaron Solomon and Randall Kempf.

Solomon, who starred in UCP’s production of Johnny and June “sings like an angel,” Way said. “His voice is beautiful, with a wide range.”

“Randall has a crustier, rich voice, and is fantastic on intricate harmony.”

Why is she debuting Country Jukebox at Upper Canada Playhouse?

“We love Donnie, the Playhouse staff, the incredible audiences that come to this theatre,” Way explained. “Donnie said to me, if you write this show, I will premier it for you,  which was an incredible offer. As performers, when we get a chance to sing before a warm, inviting audience, it’s simply a joy. There is just something incredibly special about Upper Canada Playhouse.”

Tickets for Country Jukebox are available at Upper Canada Playhouse by calling 613-543-3713 or 1-877-550-3650.

[…]

 

On behalf of the Iroquois and District Celebration/Festival Committee, Candace Menges submitted a written request to council for a letter supporting the groups Charity Casino Fundraiser coming up in June.

According to clerk Brenda Brunt at the April 17th council meeting, “we have to do a resolution for the province.”

In order to gain a license for the casino, the committee requires “a letter of support from our township to proceed with the license application” to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), wrote Menges.

She also pointed out that proceeds from the Charity Casino Fundraiser will go toward funding the group’s “Dundas Militia… A Call to Arms… War of 1812” celebration, which they expect to hold on September 15, 2012.

Council agreed to support the casino fundraiser.

[…]

 

With heavy equipment roaring up with the needed crushed stone to make the play site completely safe for children, this hard-working and very professional crew paused for just a moment from the job of erecting a brand new piece of playground equipment at Iroquois Public School on Tuesday, April 17. The new $20,000 upper body climbing device, painted in IPS colours, is the result of over two years of community minded fund raising events by the school students, teachers and parents under the leadership of the IPS Parents Council, which is co-chaired by Linda Sinclair and Joyce Latulippe. The Kid Crew, from the left Sierra Latulippe, Nathen Verhey, Vanessa Latulippe, Braden Verhey, Kolby Latullippe and Duncan Hutt, graciously allowed several parents to assist them with the work Tuesday evening. The generous support of Lloyd McMillan, the Prescott Building Centre, with landscaping by Eric Jansen and Tommy McMillan, meant that the play structure was ready for grades 3-4 to enjoy on Wednesday morning at the school.

[…]

 

As reported in an earlier edition of The Leader, the Iroquois Waterfront committee is working on a questionnaire to determine what residents opinions are on future changes to be made to the Iroquois waterfront.

A follow-up email from the committee was presented at South Dundas council’s April 17th meeting in which the committee requested “that financial support from council be approved to cover the cost of reproduction and mailing of this questionnaire with covering letter to all households in the Iroquois Ward.”

The committee suggested that “collection be achieved by having respondents drop off their completed questionnaires at the Iroquois Public Library or at Iroquois Sears Travel.”

It was also pointed out that the questionnaire had been “reworked” by committee member Keith Poore and subsequently accepted by the committee as a whole. 

Poore, it was revealed, had also created a “web-based version for use by those so inclined” at http://app.fluidsurveys.com/surveys/poorek/iroquois-waterfront/.

In addition to updates and requests concerning the questionnaire, the committee also offered council an “interim report” with suggestions for both the waterfront trail and the public beach.

“General clean up of brush along the shoreline and the installation of more benches with adjoining shade trees” was recommended for the waterfront trail.

The Iroquois beach recommendations included: “clean up of adjoining ditches including removal of hazardous timber bridge; refreshment of sand on the western portion of the beach; drain opening in parking area and addition of parking dividers to restrain joyriding; install flower boxes recycled from the shopping mall; and initiate a water-weed removal program in the enclosed swimming area.”

[…]

 

During the April 17th South Dundas council meeting, manager of public works, Hugh Garlough, presented council with an update on where things stand with the Iroquois Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades.

He also informed council that “April 27th is the sod-turning ceremony with the provincial and federal government being there.”

In the original notice to residents, chief administrative officer Stephen McDonald reported that “the work will include upgrading the equipment at the Elizabeth Drive sewage pumping station, clearing and excavating at the existing WWTP for new facilities and modifications to existing facilities and removal and replacement of existing outfall sewer.”

According to Garlough’s report, “everything is progressing quite well.”

The work is being done by J.C. Sulpher Construction Ltd. and overseen by AECOM Canada Ltd.

“They have the outfall just about completed,” said Garlough. “They were testing yesterday (April 16th) to make sure there were no leaks. There’s been excellent dry weather,” he continued, so “no extra pumping.” 

McDonald confirmed that the ceremony is expected to take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 27th.

[…]

 

At the April 3rd South Dundas council meeting, councillor Archie Mellan opened discussion with council on where things stand with several of the South Dundas murals.

According to Mellan, the South Dundas Mural committee “had two meetings in March. They’re wanting me to express to council there’s going to be three down this year,” including the one on the Valumart wall. “It’s such a large mural and no one’s come forward.”

He reminded council that the “township is responsible for removing the mural and for repairs to the wall.”

“There will probably be some cost to that,” added Mellan. “The mural committee doesn’t know how much.”

“It isn’t at the point yet that it has to be taken down. They would suggest some notification to public,” said Mellan.

“It is such a large prominent mural in Morrisburg, so some people might complain,” he continued. “If people know the fate of the mural, maybe somebody might come forward.”

Chief administrative officer Stephen McDonald suggested, “the sooner we talk to Riley (Hatherall), the better so we know what his expectations are.”

Mellan pointed out that “there’s two other murals that may be coming into that, but right now it’s the Valumart one that’s most pressing.”

Deputy-mayor Jim Locke inquired as to whether it was a matter of finding an artist to take on the project. 

Mellan informed that two artists have looked at the mural and “both agreed it has to be completely redone.”

It was estimated that it would cost approximately $10,000 to redo the mural.

“It’s gone past the point of repairing or touching up,” said Mellan. “The backing is rotting.”

Bringing everything to point, mayor Steven Byvelds said, “I think the mural committee should be responsible for telling council when that mural has to come down.”

“I guess the best time to look at it is in the fall,” he added. “It’s ours to look after and we’ll look after it.”

On April 16th, South Dundas Mural committee representative Jane Cox reported that “this will be another busy year for the murals.”

She reiterated the unhappy news Mellan brought to council earlier in the month, saying that “the hardest part of this whole mural project is letting them go. In the committee’s 2011 Year End Report it was recommended for the ‘Aerial View of Morrisburg’  mural on Valumart   be turned back to the township and allowed to age graciously.”

“As a  result, the township is in the process of coming up with a decommissioning plan for this and any subsequent murals,” she added.

In addition, the two other murals which Mellan mentioned might be on their way out are the ‘North Side – Main Street’ mural on the Giant Tiger building and the ‘South Side – Main Street’ mural on the Upper Canada Playhouse building.

The two murals do not, Cox revealed, have champions to lobby for them.

“From a distance,” said Cox, “they are still appealing but we have a very narrow window before we lose them.”

“We do have short and long term recommendations  for their maintenance but both require funds to accomplish the goals.”

“As a result the life expectancy of these murals are unknown but this fall they very well may be part of the decommissioning process,” she continued. “We hope not.”

As for some of the other more fortunate murals, Cox informed that “the ‘Homecoming’ mural, championed by the Morrisburg Legion,  and the ‘New Canadian’ mural, championed by the Kolff Family, will have their maintenance done by Pierre Hardy this summer. Both will have some touch-ups done with an overall varnish coating applied.”

“The maintenance of the ‘Caldwell’ mural in Iroquois will be more labor intensive,” she continued. “A lot of water damage has been done over the years and as a result the bracing behind the mural will have to be replaced. When that is done Mike Kelly, champion and owner of Magnus Restoration in Iroquois, will be doing his magic with the mural.”

Cox also pointed out that “the mural committee’s mandate of the restoration and maintenance of our standing mural collection is drawing to an end and should be completed by year end.”

“By then we hope to place a plaque close to each mural acknowledging each mural’s champion. Again, we would like to thank everyone that has stood beside us with this endeavor including the support shown by the Morrisburg Leader.”

[…]

 

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has been recognized for providing meaningful learning opportunities to secondary school students.

The OPP is one of several organizations to earn the Passport to Prosperity Ontario Employer designation by the Ontario Ministry of Education, for helping students throughout the province prepare for their future. 

Each year the OPP works with schools and school boards across the province, engaging students through classroom visits, career talks, job fairs, workplace tours and cooperative education.  

The OPP believes that it is important to match strengths with career goals, and encourages young people to gain the knowledge and education they will need to succeed in the workplace.  

As one of North America’s largest deployed policing agencies, the OPP continues to search for progressive and innovative ways to reach out within communities in Ontario to recruit, train and retain young workers.  

Many organizations in Ontario who place the education of young people as a priority include nursing homes, health care facilities, building supply outlets, and other police agencies.  

For a complete list of the organizations being honoured for the 2011 Passport to Prosperity Ontario Employer designations, go to http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/job/passport/designate.html  

[…]

 

Glenna Schaillee, special programs officer for St. Lawrence College’s Centre for Training and Business Development attended the April 3rd South Dundas council meeting where chief administrative officer Stephen McDonald recommended that council approve township support for a Morrisburg Blossoms program.

The program, expected to run from May 29th to August 17th, was originally introduced to township staff when, in March, Schaillee approached them about the 12-week employment program designed for people aged 15 to 30 who need to gain work experience and training.

“St. Lawrence College, through the Centre for Training and Business Development, has been successful in obtaining funding for an employment preparation and training program,” reported McDonald.

“Participants will graduate with well rounded knowledge, practical skills and certifications in WHMIS, First Aid/CPR/AED, and safety training.”

There will be six weeks of in-class training and six weeks of placement in the “work world.” Participants will be paid $10.25 per hour for the 12 weeks.

In addition, Schaillee reported that the 12 people chosen will also receive work boots and tool kits, free of charge.

Participants will be expected to commit to 30 hours per week for the 12 weeks. South Dundas township is currently creating a list of work projects for participants to complete during the work portion of the program.

Some items from the list presented to council include:

• “Iroquois Marina – repair cement walkway east of boathouses

• Morrisburg outdoor rink

• Paint and install shelves at Iroquois visitor centre

• Earl Baker Park – general gardening, edging, pruning, painting picnic tables”

McDonald told council that “we would basically provide the projects, budgets for materials and supervision by our own staff.”

Deputy-mayor Jim Locke supported the program saying, “it’s an opportunity to get some beautification projects done that might not otherwise happen.”

“I agree,” said councillor Evonne Delegarde, “it’s a great project.”

Councillor Archie Mellan added, “it’s a great opportunity for people to get some experience and training.”

With unanimous support from council, mayor Steven Byvelds concluded the discussion saying, “we do appreciate the opportunity to participate. It will not only provide opportunity to get some stuff done in South Dundas, but also provide opportunity for employment.”

To apply for the program, interested people must first pass an eligibility test by phoning Lauralee Barkley, a St. Lawrence College representative, at 613-933-6080, extension 3176. For starters, the program is set up for people who are “out of school, out of work, and not receiving EI.”

During the phone consultation, Barkley will ask for some personal information, including name, contact information and social insurance number. 

According to Schaillee, the information collected will  then be “sent into Service Canada to see if they’re eligible.”

For those who are eligible, there will be a one-page application to fill out. The successful applicants will then go for an interview following which, if chosen, they will meet with Job Zone to complete the process.

True to its name, the Morrisburg Blossoms program training will take place in Morrisburg, while, as McDonald pointed out, the work portion “will be in Iroquois and Morrisburg.”

The program, however, has “no geographical boundaries” in terms of who can apply. 

In addition, Schaillee reported that there may be options available for those people who need extra assistance with transportation or daycare costs.

Organizers will continue to take applications until May 18th or until all twelve spaces are filled. With limited spaces, Schaillee reminded that this is a first come, first serve situation.

The Blossoms program has previously run in the Sharbot Lake area as well as in the Winchester and Chesterville areas. In each situation, the program met with great success.

[…]

 

From April 6th to the 9th, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), East Region Traffic Teams and participating detachments conducted a highly visible traffic safety enforcement initiative along Highway 401 that was simultaneously mirrored by the New York State Police(NYSP) and the Sûreté du Québec to emphasize the shared goal of safe roadways. 

OPP Detachments included Grenville County, Leeds County, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (SDG) and the OPP East Region Highway Enforcement Team (HET).

Officers concentrated on the offences that result in the greatest contribution to serious and sometimes fatal collisions, with particular attention to impaired driving, aggressive driving, distracted driving and improper seat belt use. Officers also focussed on violators who do not move over for emergency vehicles that have their lights flashing.  

OPP officers in East Region stopped 2,634 vehicles with the following results:

• 682 provincial offence notices issued

• 648 speeding charges

• 23 seatbelt charges

• 2 distracted driving charges

• 1 impaired driving charge

• 7 suspended driver charges

• 15 commercial motor vehicle charges

• 108 move over charges

Section 159 of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) was created to keep emergency workers safe while stopped on our roadways. OPP officers issued 108 tickets to those drivers that failed to do so.

This is unacceptable. Emergency services workers need your help in providing a safe environment to respond to emergencies. Slow down and move away from the emergency services vehicles with its light flashing. We are here to help you… please help us!

[…]

 

With the Spring Home and Trade Show just days away, the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce is busy firming up last minute details.

The weekend event will take place at the Morrisburg Arena from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 20th and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 21st.

The official opening ceremony will take place on Friday night at 6 p.m. along with the traditional Friday night chicken barbecue provided by the Morrisburg and District Lions Club.

Following the Friday night barbecue, there will be a Saturday morning pancake breakfast complete with maple syrup donated by the Basket Case Café and Gallery.

In addition to free admission, visitors have the opportunity to win prizes from the Chamber as well as from several of the vendors. According to Chamber manager, Geraldine Fitzsimmons, “there are probably about 50 (vendors) doing draws.”

The Country Touch Landscaping Services owned by Chris Roach and Rachel Hewetson is just one of the vendors taking part in the give-away fun. They will be hosting a draw for an outdoor fire pit worth approximately $2,000.

The South Dundas Chamber of Commerce will be giving away ten $100 prizes. The ‘gift certificates’ will be good for use at any one of the companies participating in this year’s event.

There are over 80 companies and organizations signed up for this weekend’s event. “I would say that this is the biggest ever,” said Fitzsimmons. There are, she confirmed, exhibitors from at least four counties.

Some of the organizations participating include South Nation Conservation Authority, Community Living Dundas and the Williamsburg Non-Profit Housing Corporation.

 In addition to companies and shops, there will also be a few radio stations broadcasting from the arena throughout the weekend.

Fitzsimmons revealed that Ed Kingsley, past-president of the Chamber, will be on hand to emcee the event.

“We’re hoping people come out to see what South Dundas has to offer,” said Fitzsimmons earlier this month.

[…]