News

 

Nattily dressed suspect, Miller Bannister, also known as Lion Brian Speer, isn’t sure whether he’s holding a priceless relic, a murder weapon, or a red herring. However he’ll certainly find out, maybe the hard way, when the Iroquois-Matilda Lions present Monday Always Leads to Murder at Upper Canada Playhouse April 26-28. The cast of 10, with construction and technical crews hard at work behind the scenes, is in final rehearsals for the big show. The comic murder mystery, set in New York in 1939, will leave you laughing as you try to figure out what gorgeous dolls, tough cops, suspicious custodians, an ancient curse and a dead body or two have to do with the fun. Your guess will probably be as good as scruffy private detective Harry Monday’s. Tickets for the Lions production, four performances only, are going fast. Pick yours up at the Playhouse, Mustard’s Variety or from Lion Albert DeJong, 613-652-4588.   

[…]

 

“I am amazed at how well, comfortably and calmly everyone spoke today, and how well each speaker looked at the audience,” said deaf and hard of hearing resource teacher, Ashley Middleton, who joined retired teachers and fellow judges Ron Gillard and Chris Jarvis in judging the Morrisburg Public School grades 4-6 speeches on Thursday, April 12. Nine speakers presented outstanding speeches to the school on topics ranging from Bollywood to Accents, from Maple Syrup to Budgies. The winner was Bronwyn Wallace, with a speech on Phobias, with second place going to Abigail Jordan, who talked about Shoes. Runner-up Shyla Crowder spoke about Universal Studios. Bronwyn and Abigail will be going to the Dundas Public Speaking Contest on April 18. All the speakers posed with their awards. In front (l-r) are Kristyn VanHoof, Erika Jordan, Bryce St. Pierre, Brody Fairbairn, Grant Wells and Harneet Cheema. In back are Abby Jordan, Shyla Crowder and Bronwyn Wallace.

[…]

 

Brockville Presbyterial W.M.S. met on Thursday, January 26, 2012, at Knox Presbyterial Church, Morrisburg, for the annual meeting. President Catherine Blatch opened with prayer focusing on the theme, “Reach out in love.”

The Winchester group led worship with Claire McPhee and Donna Wilson seeking guidance from Luke 17, 11-19, for the proper approach to the rejected and dejected people in society. People needing to be encouraged and befriended today are the Ottawa Inner City homeless and First Nations people who need to be heard and action taken.

Reports were encouraging and accepted. In 2012 money has been donated to Gracefield Retreat Centre and Canada Youth who will meet at Brock University. The amount was $200 each.

Catherine divided everyone into five groups to discuss how to give love and receive love based on the Bible and on real life experiences.

After lunch, Janell Moore and Leslie Claxton of Morrisburg, chose beautiful duets to follow the theme, then led all participants in a sing along of joyful songs. 

Reverend Ken MacLaren, as executive director of the Inner City Ministry, was introduced by the president. 

He explained that homeless people are drawn to Ottawa from the Ottawa Valley mainly. Services are easier to access here without public transit than in other cities. He, along with volunteers, befriends residents and encourages them to use their God-given talents to help others and show respect for one another.

The Passion for Youth Art Program for street kids helps to develop self esteem, talent and relationships by role playing and has had success returning some of the young people  to productive lives after finishing high school and work programs. People interested in becoming involved can phone 613-237-6031 or contact www.ottawainnercityministries.ca.

Gifts of winter street survival kits gathered by the five groups at the session were presented to Rev. MacLaren along with a monetary donation for the Inner City Ministry.

A fitting memoriam was given for former members by Mary Moorhead and Donna McIlveen from the Ventnor group. 

It was announced the Spring Rally would be held in St. Paul’s, Winchester, at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 24. At that time, Catherine will give an account of her exposure tour of the Immigration Centre in Montreal and about our project to offer improvements through Action Réfugiés Montréal.  We welcome everyone to join us in this cause.

The annual Synodical of Quebec and Eastern Ontario will meet at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Carleton Place, on Friday and Saturday, April 13-14.

Donna McIlveen installed the 2012 executive at the conclusion of the meeting.

[…]

 

At the April 3rd South Dundas council meeting, the topic of Dunbar Hall was raised once again.

According to clerk Brenda Brunt, “water samples were taken from the septic. They’ve dug around the foundation. It’s sloped.”

“Hopefully this week we’ll have it finished,” she said, referring to the RFP (request for proposal) package.

In addition to Dunbar Hall, questions arose as to how the Iroquois Wastewater Treatment Plant work was progressing. Manager for public works, Hugh Garlough, told council that “with a project that size you can’t expect everything to go perfectly. There’s a couple of hiccups that we’re dealing with.”

Mayor Steven Byvelds agreed that “it’s certainly a big project.”

[…]

 South Dundas treasurer Shannon Geraghty made two requests on behalf of the Galop Canal – Iroquois Landing Marina committee at the April 3rd council meeting in Williamsburg.

“The committee is looking for council’s approval to accept Rideau Docks and to increase the amount of loan to cover the difference,” he said.

“Last year the committee was looking at adding an additional 14 slips,” Geraghty reminded, “and council approved a loan of $33,000 contingent on them showing a payment schedule and RFP (request for proposal.)”

“We received about 15 submissions and provided the committee with a breakdown.”

Mayor Steven Byvelds expressed concern that Rideau Docks was not the lowest bid.

Chief administrative officer Stephen McDonald explained the use of a points system and suggested that there were “certainly points to be sufficient to accept something other than the lowest bid.”

The Marina committee report outlined the following factors as part of their overall decision:

• “The existing docks were supplied and installed by Rideau Docks four years ago and they have proven to be of good quality and durable.

• Rideau Docks is quick to respond to our calls and have proven to provide quality service and maintenance.

• The difference between the lowest tender and the Rideau Docks bid is approximately four per cent.

• Rideau Docks is located locally in Westport while Maylen Construction is located in Hawksbury.”

As per their report, the Marina committee requested that council approve an increase of $8,711.36 to their current approved loan amount, which they plan to use to “purchase the supply and installation of four more docks and four new slips.” 

Byvelds asked if “there’s enough potential profit to pay the loan” to which deputy-mayor Jim Locke offered the following: “There are 13 seasonal boaters. She has eight potential clients. She’s planning to do more advertising and updating the website.”

“It’s a great facility and I really do feel it’s an asset to the community,” said Locke. “The demand is there. I support it.”

Councillor Jim Graham added his support saying, “they are doing a good job.”

Support also came from both councillor Archie Mellan and councillor Evonne Delegarde.

With overall consensus from council, the requests were accepted and the Marina Committee is able to purchase 16 docks and 14 new slips from Rideau Docks for $41,700. 

According to committee treasurer Ron Cowalchuk’s written request, “the increased revenue from the slips will allow the marina to begin to pay down the loan in 2014 with a projected complete repayment of the entire loan including interest by 2024.”

[…]

“This year the township has decided or is unable to participate,” said councillor Evonne Delegarde at the April 3rd South Dundas council meeting.

The topic in question was the South Dundas Spring Home and Trade Show coming to the Morrisburg Arena this April 20th and 21st.

She told council that the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce “is wondering if there’s anything to be done to help the township participate.”

Chief administrative officer Stephen McDonald replied, “last year, the main purpose of going in was to promote the website. We certainly hadn’t planned for it to be a yearly ongoing thing.”

“We have numerous projects on the go and decided this was a project we couldn’t take on this year.”

“We’ve just gone through extensive public consultation.”

“Staff is also in the community. Staff works 35 plus hours per week. Whether we’re at the rink, the restaurant, the grocery store,” continued McDonald, “people don’t hesitate to bend our ear.”

He pointed out that “we have nothing against the Chamber.”

Delegarde made a final comment, pointing out that “the fire department is taking part in the trade show so…,” she paused, “maybe next year?”

The topic came to a close without a response.

[…]

During the South Dundas council meeting on April 3rd, Chief Chris McDonough of South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services recommended the purchase of a SCBA compressor.

He recommended purchasing the SCBA compressor from D&L Fire Equipment of Ingleside.

“They are a specialized supplier for this type of equipment and lucky for us they’re in Ingleside.”

“Last year we purchased a ‘Scott re-fill station’ from D&L which was the first of a two part purchase to bring this piece of equipment up to current standards with our health and safety regulations.”

“I did sole source this,” said McDonough.

“This is a specialty item which takes approximately six to eight weeks for delivery and given the age and operating condition of our current compressor, given the condition of this piece of equipment, time will not permit for competitive bids.” 

He explained that the current SCBA compressor has “been limping along. It’s at the end of its life.”

Referring to the close proximity of the company and to the maintenance program, McDonough said, “I feel that it will save money.”

Councillor Archie Mellan said, “we need it. Get it done.”

Mayor Steven Byvelds was concerned with the sole sourcing component of the request, but agreed that McDonough “had good valid reasons.”

The recommendation was approved.

McDonough informed council that the lifespan for this project is at least 15 years. The cost, accounted for in the 2012 capital budget, is approximately $30,000.

[…]

Charlie Eamon, long-time resident of Morrisburg and a World War Two veteran, turned 90 years old on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th. He celebrated his milestone birthday with friends and family on April 7th at the Royal Canadian Legion’s Morrisburg branch. The Easter weekend party brought opportunities for new memorable moments when, in addition to family and friends, Jim McDonell, MPP for Stormont, Dundas, and South Glengarry, dropped by the Legion to congratulate Eamon on his latest milestone. The two, deep in conversation, took a moment to pose for a photograph. 

[…]

At the April 3rd South Dundas council meeting, council approved the Morrisburg and District Lions Club request to use the Morrisburg waterfront for their 14th annual Antiquefest this summer.

In an email the township, Antiquefest chair Mae Pederson requested the club have use of “the space south of the ball diamonds, bordered on the west by the Docksyde Ice-Cream and Snack Bar and by the pedestrian walkway to the east.”

It was also requested that there be “no ball scheduled for play on the adjoining diamonds from the evenings of Friday, July 27th to Sunday, July 29th.”

Antiquefest is scheduled for July 28th to the 29th.

[…]

Media Release

The St. Lawrence Parks Commission will be launching a new Halloween event this fall at Upper Canada Village  all built around a pumpkin theme, Pumpkinferno.

Imagine thousands of pumpkins, four thousand and some odd pumpkins to be exact, but not just any pumpkins. Each pumpkin will be hand-carved to become part of a massive and mesmerizing display of artist-inspired pumpkin installations, arranged in an outdoor exhibit staged at Upper Canada Village.

The designing will start in May, and the carving in June, right through to the opening of the event on Thanksgiving weekend.

The thousands of pumpkins will last from June until October because, for the most part, they will be artificial pumpkins made from moulds of a variety of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes.

The Commission is currently recruiting, from the region, the most creative and ambitious people they can find.  A new product development and design officer will lead a team of two graphic designers and ten students from the design field in turning this vision into a reality.

If you are an artist (or know of an artist) who would find fulfillment in expressing your creativity through the presentation of a pumpkin exhibit, then the St. Lawrence Parks Commission may just have the challenge you’re looking for.  

Anyone who thinks they might be a candidate for the Pumpkinferno team can find out how to apply at www.parks.on.ca.

The hauntingly beautiful display will be open select evenings from October 5 until October 31, 2012.

“We can’t wait to get started on the development of Pumpkinferno, and see this event as the chance to showcase some real artistic talent from the region,” said said Jancis Sommerville, special events, promotions and sponsorship officer for the St. Lawrence Parks Commission.

“We want to create a Pumpkinferno team whose creativity will shine through in their ability to draw, design, carve, construct and add special effects, all with an eye to a unique visitor exploration of a maze-like outdoor exhibit, set against the historic backdrop of Upper Canada Village,” continued Sommerville.

“We want a Pumpkinferno team that’s all ‘fired up’.” 

The new event recently received $75,000 in funding from Celebrate Ontario.  This funding will be used towards the purchase of over 4,000 artificial pumpkins.

[…]