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“They had so much fun. It’s such a positive experience,” said Fiona Carr, Family Resource Coordinator for GIAG.

Carr was referring to the full-day events on February 22nd, Ash Wednesday, marking the first day of Lent.

Organized and planned by Lutheran and Anglican churches in South Dundas, the base of activities took place at St. James Anglican Church in Morrisburg. Children from kindergarten to grade 12 were invited to join in the day’s activities where the theme for the day was “Lord Teach Us to Pray.”

According to Carr, “we had kids from tons of different schools.” The similarity? “They have a commonality of believing in God,” she said. 

Kids in Carr’s group, the intermediates, were exchanging phone numbers because although they hadn’t known one another before Wednesday, many of them “became instant friends.” 

Both the intermediate and senior groups took trips to the food bank where they dropped off donations, took a tour and helped out. 

“I was really impressed with them,” said Carr, of her intermediate group. “They helped pack some snack bags.” 

Carr was told that “they asked more questions than they’ve ever asked before,” and, in addition, they were fascinated to learn that donations can include pet food and toiletries, things they hadn’t thought of before the tour.

The primary group was led by Carol Rumble of Iroquois. According to Rumble, aside from honouring Ash Wednesday and having some fun in the process, the day’s purpose was to deliver the message of outreach to the children.

The primary group spent time during the day making cards for orphans in Madagascar. Mary Sherwood is a missionary at an orphanage there and had previously visited the area, giving a presentation of her work and what’s needed. According to Rumble, the cards will be forwarded to Sherwood who will see to it that the children receive them. 

The intermediate and senior groups had a visit from Karen Marshall who spoke about the outreach work her son Chris and his partner Shayna Campbell are doing in Uganda.

Currently, the couple is in the midst of a year-long mission to make a difference at St. Francis Health Care Services located near Mbiko, Uganda. They are trying to raise $33,500 to build a maternity hospital at the center. 

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On February 24th, the Linking Hands Network held a working group meeting, Access to Transportation, at The Gathering House in Chesterville.

The meeting is one of six working group meetings set up in response to the outcome from the November 18, 2011 Dundas County Community Forum held at the Christian Reformed Church in Williamsburg. 

In November, Pauline Pratt, Executive Director for the House of Lazarus, told The Leader that “this Community Forum was the next step in the House of Lazarus’s Linking Hands in Dundas project. The overall vision of the project is to develop sustainable solutions to the increasing poverty we are experiencing in North and South Dundas, and create communities that are more resilient.”

The six working group meetings cover the following themes: access to transportation; access to basic health care needs; access to safe, nutritious, primarily local food; community connections and navigating the system; economic and entrepreneurial development and training; and, strategies for increasing participation in physical activities.

Nanda Wubs was the coordinator for Friday’s meeting, Access to Transportation, in which Robert Dupuis discussed the success of a similar venture in Quebec. 

In addition to Dupuis, Harry Gow also discussed similar transportation initiatives, like the non-profit transportation service in North Grenville. Following the presentation, audience members were able to ask both Gow and Dupuis questions.

According to Wubs, “the event was well-attended and there was a good representation of local agencies including both municipalities.”

In terms of a next step, Wubs said, “continue investigating other models of transportation networks, send out a survey to agencies to determine current transportation ‘stock’ and to the community to do a transportation needs assessment.” 

“In regards to political support,” she continued, “I feel that both townships are open to hearing ideas from the community that could make transportation less of a burden on some. At this point we don’t have any more expectation than that from them.”

“However, as Robert Dupuis mentioned, the Federal Gas Tax credit is available to Municipalities for transit only. They cannot access it otherwise which means there is a pool of money that could be used to help the transportation network. More research has to be done in this area.”

Wubs admitted, “this is a daunting task but the wheels are definitely rolling.”

“I want to reiterate the reason Linking Hands is doing this,” she said, “we are an advocacy group for rural poor in Dundas County and transportation was a key theme in the Community Forum held last November which was titled Building a Sustainable Dundas County.”

“If our community is not sustainable, there could be more on their way to being poor. As the Chesterville Record put it so nicely ‘economic hope begins with a ride to work’.”

For more information, email linkinghandsdundas@gmail.com or phone the House of Lazarus at 613-989-3830.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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Ten teams took part in the annual Curling 4 Heart&Stroke Bonspiel held at the Morrisburg Curling Rink on Saturday, February 18. “The participants all seemed to be really enjoying themselves,” said Greta McGann, organizer, for the third year, of the event. “We were able to raise $1,014 for Heart&Stroke. We had great support from our community and from businesses in Morrisburg and Williamsburg, who donated team prizes.” “All the funds raised go to research and to seeing that defibrillators are available in public buildings,” said Lise Kosloski, volunteer for the Heart&Stroke Foundation. New to this year’s event was a just-for-fun skills competition set up by Jack Barkley and won by Kathy Norg and Wendy Casselman. Pictured above, with Foundation representatives, are the members of the ‘Pas and Daughters’ team (l-r) Dave King, Becky King, Kosloski, McGann, Laura Barkley and Jack Barkley. 

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Iroquois Legion, Branch 370, was the site of the “hotly” contested great chili cook-off on Saturday, February 18. The impartial judges for the annual event, who sampled 16 delicious pots of chili, definitely had their work cut out for them. Judge Brian Clifford (l), Cardinal Branch 105, Judge Sharon Murray, (c) Legion Zone Commander for G3 and Danny McLauglin, local businessman, were ready to take hearty helpings at the fund raiser for the Legion Ways and Means Committee. “I like a little spice, mushrooms and something other than just hamburger,” said Judge Clifford, while Judge Murray wanted “a little spice, not too much, and limited mushrooms.” As for Judge McLaughlin, he looked for “hot and spicy.” “This meal, open to the public, is a great way to start shaking off the winter,” said Vicki Tetley, past president of the Iroquois Legion.

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The Township of South Dundas and the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre have joined forces in an effort to provide “interactive training experience addressing the fundamentals of on-line business” for local businesses.

The first three seminars planned focus on e-business topics. Each seminar begins at 7:30 a.m. with a breakfast and networking opportunity followed by an informative presentation on the topic of choice, ending at 10:30 a.m.

While the first seminar, How You Can Profit from E-Biz, has come and gone, there are two more left in the series: February 28th, Social Media Marketing; and, March 27th, Increasing Traffic to Your Website.

The first session, according to South Dundas Economic Development Officer, Nicole Sullivan, “was very informative. It provided a blend of practical information for businesses looking to create a website as well as those looking to improve their current site.”

“Of particular interest to attendees was the pattern in which users read websites and how that determines the way a website should be laid out.”

She explained that the seminars are part of a “larger goal of being able to offer initiatives that support the business community as a whole and build partnerships and networking opportunities.”

“The next seminar will be led by the same presenter as the first. I have no doubt it will be of equal quality and encourage all businesses interested in increasing their presence on the internet to attend.”

At the February seminar, Sullivan is hoping to distribute a survey to determine what other topics might be of interest to the business community in South Dundas.

“If successful,” she said, “hopefully we’ll be able to continue on” with the seminars.

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South Dundas council passed a by-law on February 7th to enter into a Site Plan Control Agreement with D.E.S. Environmental Services Inc.

According to paperwork submitted by Manager of Planning & Enforcement Don Lewis, the landowner wanted “to construct a building which will alter the current site plan.”

Council members were told that the Ministry of Environment had already given their approval.

D.E.S. Environmental Services Inc. is located in Iroquois.

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A letter from the city of Kingston was received by South Dundas on January 11, 2012, requesting “support and endorsement of the $100 Healthy Food Supplement.”

At the February 7th council meeting, South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds said, “I was the one that asked for this to be pulled out and for council to look at it for consideration.”

The call for support came from a motion passed at the city of Kingston’s December 6, 2011 council meeting. The motion included the following statement: “That Kingston calls on the government of Ontario to immediately introduce and fully fund a $100 per month Healthy Food Supplement for all adults on social assistance as a first step toward meeting basic needs.”

Byvelds reminded council, “as we’ve been told in the past by the House of Lazarus, there’s a lot of poverty in South Dundas.” 

“This,” he continued, “is a fairly easy way to get the province to take a look at this.” 

Council was unanimous in their support of the request.

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