News

 

At the February 21st South Dundas council meeting, Economic Development Officer Nicole Sullivan supported Bill Shearing’s efforts to erect four signs honouring specific events connected to the War of 1812. 

Sullivan asked council to “approve an application to the Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) for funding to support” the initiative. They unanimously agreed to the request.

Former honourary Colonel of the SD&G Highlanders, Shearing pointed out, during a plea to council at their December 20, 2011 meeting, that “our township has an important military history that is largely forgotten.” 

At the time, council applauded the idea of heritage signs commemorating the War of 1812, but were resistant to the project’s potential cost.

Since then, Shearing has been able to raise over $2,000 to make the signs a reality. Both the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders Regimental Foundation and the Friends of Crysler’s Farm Battlefield have promised a donation of $1,000 each. 

In addition to this, Shearing is pursuing other benefactors, like the Morrisburg and Iroquois Branches of the Royal Canadian Legion.

“If EODP funding for the project is approved, it would offset any costs associated with the project,” said Sullivan.

Furthermore, she added, “the signs installed would be township property. Barring any accidents or vandalism, the signs will last approximately 10 years after which Council can evaluate the merits of having them replaced.”

The total project cost is estimated at $6,200.

Mayor Steven Byvelds said, “I’m glad to see that we’ve found a source.”

According to Sullivan’s report, “the signs themselves will be painted metal with 3M reflective lettering meeting Ministry of Transportation  Ontario (MTO) specifications. Sign faces will be a MTO standard size” of three by four inches.

“I like the proposed size of the signs and the proposed materials,” said Deputy-Mayor Jim Locke.

Events commemorated by the signs include: the first engagement along the front of Toussaint’s Island; the landing of the Americans and their occupation of the front of Matilda; the burning of Nash Creek Bridge; and, the Battlefield encompassing the Nine Mile Road to Fetterly’s Farm.

Shearing informed council that South Stormont has already agreed to erect commemorative signs for the War of 1812 and South Glengarry is considering doing  the same.

Sullivan pointed out, in her report, that with the erection of signs in South Dundas, it will “provide continuity across the three areas and further promote our common history with which the region appeals to visitors.”

She reported that the initiative has “potential benefits” for South Dundas as it “will bring to life the early history of Dundas County to support tourism marketing and development.”

Shearing told council that he hopes, if signs are complete in time, to have a ceremony and reception on July 11th in Iroquois. He chose this date as it is “the 200th anniversary of the mobilization of the Dundas Militia.”

With support from the community and from South Dundas council, Shearing seems to be well on his way to making this dream a reality.

[…]

 

“We often require services of tradespeople and vendors on an ongoing basis,” said Chief Administrative Officer Stephen McDonald at the February 21st South Dundas council meeting.

He outlined a proposal for dealing with “small jobs (that) fall below the approval levels in the Procurement Policy,” whereby the “selection of a supplier is at the discretion of the Manager.”

“In order to insure an open process for these jobs, quotations were invited for the supply and delivery of recurring services for 2012 and 2013,” reported McDonald.

Invitations for bids were advertised on the South Dundas township’s website as well as with local newspapers.

McDonald explained the idea behind the process: “while submitting the low quote does not make any company the exclusive supplier of that service, the township will endeavour to utilize the company submitting the lowest quote for these services where possible subject to scheduling and satisfactory work performance.”

“Where the low price supplier is not available, the next lowest quotation will be used,” he added.

“Managers will monitor the work of these suppliers to insure that jobs are completed in a timely, professional and satisfactory manner. In the case of unsatisfactory work, managers will have the discretion to utilize the next lowest supplier for future jobs.”

Councillor Archie Mellan asked if staff had considered “setting a price as a township and seeing if anyone would do it for that price,” which he explained would “give everyone the opportunity.”

McDonald responded saying, “no, we hadn’t thought of that, but I guess it’s something we could consider.”

The jobs for recurring services fell into the following categories:

•plumbing repairs/installations

•trouble shoot water meter problems

•electrical repairs/installations

•locksmith services

•HVAC repairs/maintenance

•tree trimming

•roofing repairs

•pest control services

•fire protection systems

•septic/holding tank pumping

•property clean-op

The following companies have submitted bids for jobs in one or more of the listed categories:

•Arthur Thom Electric Ltd.

•Aurele St. Jean Plumbing

•ATEL Air

•Barry McShane Electric

•Black Lumber

•Brooks Tree Service Inc.

•Garry Munro Plumbing & Heating

•Kim’s Locksmith Service

• Logtens Tree Service Ltd.

•Morrisburg Plumbing & Heating Ltd.

•Neal’s Heating, Cooling & Refrigeration

•Orkin Canada

•Safe & Dependable Fire Extinguisher

•Tremblay Fire Solutions

•Twin Peaks Sanitary Services Inc.

•W.C. Robinson & Son Ltd.

•Williamsburg Pump Supply & Service

Mayor Steven Byvelds applauded township staff on their efforts toward fairness by opening the process to anyone.

[…]

 

The Playhouse is a hub of activity these days with the construction of a new production storage area and the official opening of the recently completed new box office.  

But the real action begins when Norm Foster’s hilarious hit comedy, The Foursome, takes to the stage on March 16 running until April 1. In fact the four funny guys who’ll keep audiences in stitches have already arrived. 

This promises to be a fun-filled early start to The Playhouse’s 2012 season. 

The Playhouse has built its reputation on laughs, and audiences will get a bellyful of those as veteran actors Jesse Collins, Richard Bauer, Sweeney MacArthur and Brian Young bring this popular comedy to life on the Playhouse stage which set designer Sean Free has transformed into a functional golf course. In fact two chunks of the stage have had to be removed to allow the actors to properly swing their golf clubs! 

One of this popular playwright’s funniest plays to date, the show features four friends who meet, after years apart, for a round of golf. 

In the course of this reunion, they catch up with each other’s lives and their stories, secrets, schemes and surprises have consistently left audiences howling with laughter in virtually every theatre in the country for years. 

Women in the audience have just as much fun as the men as the characters reveal their insecurities and engage in an hilarious and poignant game of one-upmanship as the play unfolds. 

‘The great thing about the show is the fact that you don’t have to know a thing about golf. It’s just a fun thing for them to be doing as the comedy unfolds,’ remarks Artistic Director Donnie Bowes. ‘It’s full of the kind of humour audiences have come to rely on Norm Foster to deliver: comedy that comes from real peoples’ lives and predicaments. And the cast is iron-clad.’  

The characters are an interesting mix of men from all walks of life. 

There’s Ted, played by Jesse Collins, who’s on his second marriage with a younger woman and just a tad insecure about the age difference. A drinker, he fills his golf bag with enough beer to ignite the foursome as the game progresses. Collins also directs the play, bringing his experience and love of both directing and golf to the play. 

Brian Young plays Cameron, a worrier and a hypochondriac by nature, who’s insecure about his job as a TV ad salesman. 

Richard Bauer plays Rick, an arrogant, womanizing and manipulative bachelor who sells boats for a living. 

Finally there’s Donnie, a regular family man with four kids who considers himself a loser and is a terrible golfer. 

All in all the cast has all the ingredients, talent and experience for a wild and crazy show! 

Collins, who has had an enviable career as a stage, TV and film actor and director, was last seen at The Playhouse in The Affections of May, which he also directed, along with Norm Foster’s Bedtime Stories. He has starred in theatres in Toronto and across the country, as well as in many television shows including the seasonal classic The Santa Claus as well as five seasons as the star of CTV’s Katts n’ Dog. 

Collins also received an Emmy nomination for directing the children’s television program Zooboomafoo. 

Richard Bauer is familiar with Playhouse audiences as an actor and director and was seen in Not Now, Darling, which he also directed, and the holiday play, Dear Santa. 

Brian Young was also seen last season in Not Now, Darling as well as in such past productions as On Golden Pond and The Odd Couple (female version). 

Sweeney MacArthur, who starred in Mervish Production’s Mama Mia, and has been seen in countless musicals and plays in the Toronto theatre scene, returns after several seasons. He was seen in such shows as Perfect Wedding and Looking.

Often described as a hole-in-one comedy and a laugh-fest that’s filled with superb one-liners, The Foursome promises to be just the tonic audiences need to chase away the winter blues.  

The Playhouse on-stage golf course is groomed and the four hilarious guys are ready to go. However, audiences will be the big winners when this comic season opener hits the stage. 

Contact UCP, at 613-543-3713, for ticket information.

[…]

 

“I do have the opportunity tonight,” began South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds, “to present cheques to services I feel are worthy.” 

On February 21st, Byvelds presented cheques to Carefor Hospice Cornwall, Dundas County Hospice, and St. Lawrence College’s Cornwall Campus.

Carefor Hospice received $1,000. Sandy Collette, a representative from the hospice, confirmed that “we’ve had a number of people from South Dundas come through our hospice.”

She revealed that Carefor Hospice Cornwall has “to raise about half a million dollars a year to keep it running.”

Bea Van Gilst, a representative from Dundas County Hospice, was also on hand to receive a cheque for $1,000. Byvelds said he was inspired to help the hospices after his wife Debbie took a course in hospice. Byvelds said, “we need people for support, and these special people need us for support.”

St. Lawrence College received $300 towards its building program and another $4,000 for scholarships.

“I feel we need to invest in our young people,” said Byvelds.

Fairweather assured council that the donations would “certainly be put to good use” and “directed specifically at people from our area.”

Byvelds said, “the funds were remaining from money collected from donations for use during my term as Warden for events such as the Warden’s Room at ROMA.”

“Since the funds were donated,” Byvelds felt it important to donate the money to services within SD&G that could benefit everyone.

[…]

 

 “I enjoy what I do very much,” said Dr. Suru Chande. “I will admit that I am not a morning person, but once I am on the road, on the way to work, I am always looking forward to the day ahead.”

Father of three, grandfather of three, for over 40 years, Dr. Chande has served the South Dundas regions both at the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic. Morrisburg, and at Winchester District Memorial Hospital. 

In late December of 2011, his dedication to medicine was recognized at WDMH with a Long-Term Service Award.

“We are incredibly fortunate that a surgeon of Dr. Chande’s calibre has devoted his career to caring for the patients in this area. It represents a more than 40 year commitment to serving our community,” said Cholly Boland, CEO of Winchester Hospital. 

On Wednesday, February 8, after a typically very busy day, Dr. Chande sat down to reflect on a long career devoted to caring for others. 

He was born in a small community in Tanzania, receiving most of his high school education in that country. He took his medical training at Birmingham University, one of the largest universities in England. 

“Back in the 60’s and 70’s, there were limited spots in specialty training in England, and the process often took a number of years,” Dr. Chande recalled. “It seemed a good idea to come to Canada to do my residency.”

Dr. Chande received his FRCSE (Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh) in 1968 and his FRCSC  (Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada) in 1971.

“I am called a general surgeon,” he explained. “The term general surgery has no definite meaning, unlike terms such as cardiac surgeon or neuro-surgeon. Doctors of my vintage, trained as general surgeons, definitely gained a fairly extensive repertoire because we have always been called on to do many different types of surgery.” 

Dr. Chande was completing his residency at Ottawa Civic Hospital when he decided to reply to an ad in a medical journal from the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic. 

The clinic was started in 1960 by doctors Gerry Rosenquist and Don Robertson. In 1971, Dr. Chande recalls, they were looking to replace a doctor who was leaving. Chande and his wife, Dr. Ann Chande, came to Morrisburg, looked at the area, and decided to sign with the St. Lawrence group.

Dr. Chande laughed when I asked him what made his family choose to put down roots in very rural Ontario.

“Well, my home town may have been small, but Dar es Salaam in Tanzania is a huge city, and so is Birmingham. Frankly, to me, Ottawa seemed little. But we found we loved the small town life in South Dundas. It was easy to make friends within the medical community. We could send our kids to school here, since we were big believers in the public school system. 

And I love to play golf and tennis, and it’s much easier to do those things in South Dundas than in the big city.  

The doctors at the Clinic are amazing people. If they have left here before retirement, it has never been due to medical issues, but for personal reasons. They love being here in this area.”

In forty years serving this region, Chande has seen a number of changes in the medical profession, and in the actual Winchester Memorial Hospital. 

The  building additions to WDMH and the professional growth of its staff, as well as its transition to a teaching hospital with university affiliations have been exciting changes. Laparascopic surgery, for example, is very different from when Dr. Chande began his career.  And regular in-hospital programs for training young doctors have taken Dr. Chande, in the last few years, into another aspect of medicine: teaching. It is an area he has found he truly loves.

“Most of us want to pass on our medical knowledge to students. Teaching is very important; I believe it is vital to introduce young doctors to rural medicine.  And I think that you have to have lived life to be a good physician. 

Life’s experiences shape your views and approaches to medicine,” he added. “We teach young doctors every time we bring them (with the patient’s permission) into the room with us, even when we must give a patient bad news. How else can future doctors learn?” 

Dr. Chande has worked with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, the regulatory body of the medical profession. Licensed medical practitioners take courses and seminars throughout their careers to keep abreast of changes and innovations in medicine.

“I am not an inspector,” Dr. Chande explained. “Rather I go out on arranged visits to look at the practices of other doctors. When I visit, I try to create a dialogue to make it a learning experience for both of us.”

This year will mark Dr. Suru Chande’s final year as practicing physician. “I continue to absolutely love what I do,” he said, “but it is time to contemplate retirement.” 

And although he may be retiring in the near future, Dr. Chande remains thoughtful about the direction of medical care in Canada.

“I think the medical profession and the government will have to work very closely together to develop solid, workable medical care for our population. And I think there will never be one ‘magic bullet’ cure for cancer. We will need to find different approaches to different concerns.  We must be realistic about the quality of life as our population ages.”

At the end of the interview, I commented that he has been a vital, much respected member of this community for many years, and his retirement will be keenly felt.

“It’s nice to find that people are going to miss me,” Dr. Suru Chande smiled.

Indeed they will. 

[…]

 

When Luke Whitteker first spoke to The Leader about his racing, it was August 2005. He was 11 years old and was busy preparing for the final lap of his first year of competitive kart racing. He would enter grade 7 at Iroquois Public School in September.

Today, the 18 year old is a first year student at Carleton University, Ottawa, where he is studying mechanical engineering.

Recently, he became the first Canadian to win the prestigious Race 101 Premier Driver Award having graduated the one year scholarship program based in North Carolina with top honours.

He claims that had he been asked during that first interview, he would not have thought that seven years later he would be a veteran Dirt track racer about to experience his first ride in a late model car.

Asked if he is about where he wants to be at this time in his racing career, he says, “Right now I’m a Dirt racer, and I’m going to learn about asphalt racing.”

That is what the Premier 101 Driver Award will provide in the coming months. For the Iroquois youth, that is a good place to be.

Race 101 is an educational and consulting program for the auto racing industry. It offers yearly scholarships for up and coming racers and was founded in 2009, by veteran racing crew chief Tony Blanchard, longtime motorsports marketing/Pr consultant Annamarie Strawhand and television announcer Adam Ross. 

Students experience the driving, mechanical and marketing sides of motorsports and at the end of the year,  the ‘premier’ driver is announced.

The premier driver is then given the opportunity to drive the  Race 101 Howe super late model ‘house car’ in actual competition.

Luke says the program was “heavily weighted towards public relations, how to get money and how to establish yourself.”

Most of the program was delivered on line in weekly webinars. “We could all see each other on line, and we got the lectures together. We got together every week for the whole year.”

In addition, Luke travelled to North Carolina four times, Charlotte, North Carolina twice and to Florida once.

He explains that he was aware of the program through a friend who had gone through it. He applied on line and was thrilled to be selected as one of the 16 students for 2011.

He was even more thrilled when he was named the premier driver at the February 11, 2012, awards banquet held in Hickory, North Carolina.

For the premier selection, he admits “I wasn’t the best on the technical and I wasn’t the best in the marketing, but I was good enough at both to win the overall. I put my honest effort into both.”

He figures he did well in  the situations the students were put into at various events, that he did well in his radio interview and that he had three great references (which were a requirement) from a local O. P. P. officer, a fellow Dirt Car star and from a very good friend and Motivational Speaker.

As the Race 101 premier driver for 2011, Luke says his job now “is to represent Race 101. You can say I’m hired to represent 101.” He points out, however, that it is a two way track, so to speak, as he too will benefit  from the exposure.

“I’m guaranteed three events with the car and however much practise I need. This is special. In our area we are saturated with Dirt track racing. Down there it’s more asphalt tracks.”

With the 2012 season fast approaching the Whitteker Motorsport Team is now busy getting ready. Last year, Whitteker competed at the popular Autodrome Granby track in Drummondville where he was named Top Rookie Driver.

Attracting sponsorships is important for racers and the Whitteker Motorsport team is now in the process of securing sponsorship for the upcoming season. 

Since he first began racing in 2005, Luke has been sponsored by Rust Check and Parcoll Products/Napa Auto Parts. Some other major sponsors include Toy Storage & Boat Transport, the 730 Truck Stop, Steve Summers and C Double J Harvesting. Another eight businesses, several of them local, were on board in 2011.

As he wraps up his current semester at Carleton, Luke is busy putting the marketing portion of his Race 101 studies to the test for the first time as he approaches would-be sponsors for the 2012 race year.

[…]

 

Although it has experienced a solid test run since July of 2011, Upper Canada Playhouse’s new addition, containing an attractive and versatile box office and new administrative offices for Playhouse staff, was officially opened on Friday, February 17, 2012.

“We decided to wait until now to officially open it,” said artistic director, Donnie Bowes, “to coincide with the opening of our first show of the 2012 season, the hilarious comedy, The Foursome.”

Upper Canada Playhouse is one of Ontario’s most successful theatres. To accommodate its growing audience and the increasing number of shows the Playhouse is presenting in a season, the theatre had to expand its facilities.

“The box office is a separate part of the theatre at the west end, conveniently connected to the main lobby where audiences enter the theatre at show time,” Bowes explained. “The box office is a spacious, customer-friendly area with plenty of seating and three efficient areas to book tickets. It also provides new offices for our administrative staff. They appreciate the increased space.”

This new facility has drawn rave reviews from the public and the staff.

The original box office, located at the east side of the Playhouse, was directly attached to back stage and production zones. As Bowes joked with his guests, “people waiting to buy tickets might have to dodge stage crew carrying planks and sets through the area.”

The Playhouse addition was built by Swank Construction.

Following this new addition, the Playhouse is preparing to enter phase II of its expansion project: development of the production department’s storage space which the theatre’s increased programming demands. 

South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds, on hand with other dignitaries to help cut the official ribbon, said that the new addition was a real asset to the theatre.

“It’s great that we were here to celebrate the opening of this box office,” he said. “Upper Canada Playhouse has experienced phenomenal growth and is a vital part of the South Dundas community. We look forward to continuing to work with the Playhouse.”

Following a brief reception, Bowes invited members of the South Dundas recreation and economic development committees, as well as Playhouse board members and councillors back stage for a quick look at the outstanding sets  under construction for the March 16 opening of the riotous Norm Foster golf “classic,” The Foursome. 

“March is a new time slot for us, and we can’t think of a better show to start the season and  officially open our new box office than this  comedy production,” said Bowes. 

[…]

 

The South Dundas Minor Hockey Association is planning a huge evening for Saturday, March 3, an evening of hockey that will see a team of Ottawa Senators Alumni players skate onto the ice to challenge some of South Dundas’ finest.

All proceeds from the evening will go to the South Dundas Minor Hockey Association to help offset some of the costs of running the program for the youth of the community.

Preliminary plans have the Sens Alumni players on the ice from 7-7:45 p.m. when they will skate with local minor hockey players and their families. At 8 p.m. the opening ceremony will see the puck dropped to kick off the game between the Sens Alumni and representatives of South Dundas Minor Hockey.

There will be between periods entertainment and a reception will follow the game at the McIntosh Inn.

Admission for the evening is $10 for adults and $5 for students (4-18). Children under three will be admitted free.

Advance tickets will be on sale at the Morrisburg Arena on February 22 from 7-8 p.m. and on Friday, Feb. 24 from 3-7 p.m.

[…]

 

With over 30 enthusiasts turning out for the inaugural meeting of the Golden Gears Car Club on February 16, organizers are confident that interest in cars,  car mechanics, car shows and vintage automobiles is high in South Dundas.

Named for the original Golden Gears Club, which used to meet in the 60’s at Chuck’s Esso (present day Stinson’s), this Club has been organized by long time car enthusiasts Brian Erratt, Jeff Beaupre and Henry Swank. 

 At this first gathering, Swank stressed that the club will be properly established with by-laws, a constitution, a board, an executive and activities, events and program organizers. 

Erratt discussed cruise nights and building camaraderie in the club through group tours and car rallies. 

Beaupre introduced five members of the original Golden Gears: Wayne (Chick) Barkley, Paul Judson, Mac Casselman, Arnie Fader and Wayne Barkley. They shared a lot of memories of the old days, of drag races and parades and charity work.

The reborn Golden Gears Car Club welcomes any and all area car lovers (over 18) to come out to their next meeting, Wednesday, February 29, at the Iroquois Legion, at 7:30 p.m., to share ideas and a common passion for the automobile. 

Owing a car is not a necessity for membership. Real enthusiasm for cars is all that is needed.

[…]

 

On February 16th a two story century home on Beckstead Road was consumed by fire.

According to South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services (SDFES) Fire Chief Chris McDonough, no one was injured in the fire, but there was approximately $180,000 worth of damage to the property.

“South Dundas fire crews responded from Williamsburg and Morrisburg,” said McDonough.

“It was confirmed that the owners recently purchased the home and were completing renovations,” he continued. They “were planning to move in the following weekend.”

McDonough reported that “this incident has been ruled non-suspicious. However,” he added, “the cause is undetermined due to the extent of the damage.”

[…]