News

 

South Dundas Animal Shelter Name: Roxy. Hi everyone! My name is Roxy and I am a beautiful Husky Shepherd mixed female. I am no more than two years old, if that, a puppy really. I am a very happy dog, very friendly and I do need some manners training. I am not a big sized girl and I probably won’t be cause I am kinda short and sweet and dainty.  I like to play and romp and cuddle, and I can hardly for a new best friend to come and claim me so we can play and romp and cuddle together. There are no adoption fees but all the guy and gal dogs here at the Shelter sure do appreciate a donation of food, based on my size and my length of stay. 

 

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Churches everywhere, including those within South Dundas, are struggling but the churches in South Dundas do something special every year to demonstrate to the community that churches are still relevant and still have an important message to share, a message of love.

“Love South Dundas is our way of presenting it,” says Rev. Clarence Witten of the Community Christian Reform Church in Dixon’s Corners. 

Together, every church in South Dundas is behind the Love South Dundas initiative.

This is the fifth year for Love South Dundas. 

This year it starts June 9, and runs through June 23, when it culminates in a large children’s fair. 

Throughout the two weeks, through the Love South Dundas movement, volunteers from all of the churches will be out in the community engaging in service activities and random acts of kindness.

A car wash June 15 at the Iroquois Fire Station, a hymn sing at the Morrisburg Pentecostal Church, a food drive where donations can be dropped off at any church and delivery of baskets of baked blessings, are taking place. Witten says that they too are offering to do chores for seniors and those in need. 

New this year, Love South Dundas will be sharing the love with those attending the Bluegrass Festival in Iroquois on Sunday, June 16.

“We are offering those at the Bluegrass Festival a free breakfast from 8 a.m. to about 10 a.m. It should be lots of fun,” said Witten.

“The whole point is to show love to the community. Love is what God is about. We are giving freely for free,” said Witten.

“We do hope that you’ll come out and take advantage of our service projects, be blessed by some random acts of kindness and will join us at our closing event of June 23.” 

The June 23 event, in Morrisburg’s Earl Baker Park, which starts at 2 p.m. will feature bouncy castles and clowns and new this year, a petting zoo and free pony rides. Supper is at 4:30 p.m. with burgers and hotdogs being served. 

It all ends with a huge outdoor worship at 7 p.m. with guest speaker Ken MacLaren.

This is the third year that the closing event is a children’s fair, and a tradition that Love South Dundas hopes to continue. Two years ago it attracted a crowd of about 400 people. Last year it was rained out. 

For further information, to suggest someone in need of a hand, or to find a way to get more involved with Love South Dundas contact Nancy Blockland at communitycrc@ripnet.com 

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May 30, the Ontario Minister of Energy, Bob Chiarelli announced that the province is increasing local control over future renewable energy projects.

This announcement means little to the South Dundas residents who are opposed the pending 10 megawatt wind energy project that will see EDP Renewables erect 10 industrial wind turbines in the Brinston area.

This project already has an agreement in place, with construction expected to start this summer.

“Working with the Ontario Power Authority and municipalities, the province will develop a competitive procurement process for renewable projects over 500 kilowatts. The new process will increase the existing large project stream of the Feed-In Tariff program and better meet the needs of communities,” reads the Ontario news release. 

“It will require energy planners and developers to work directly with municipalities to identify appropriate locations and site requirements for any future renewable energy project.”

Also, as part of strengthening municipal participation and supporting communities, the province announced that they are revising the Small FIT program rules, they will work with municipalities to determine a property tax rate increase for wind turbine towers and through funding will help small and medium-size municipalities develop municipal energy plans.

“From what I have gathered from the announcement, South Dundas and other municipalities will have more say, but the devil is in the details,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. He plans to learn more about the issue, this announcement and its implications. 

It is the mayor’s understanding that this announcement will have no affect on the South Branch Project.

Leslie Disheau, of the South Branch Wind Opposition Group agrees that this announcement will not apply to the South Branch project.

“Even if these new rules did apply to the South Branch wind project, it is quite apparent that the current South Dundas council is not willing to be proactive, but prefer to sit with their hands tied,” said Disheau.

Commenting on the announcement by Chiarelli, Disheau said, “The central planning still remains firmly in the hands of the Energy Ministry, not municipalities. What the announcement didn’t do was to provide municipalities the power to simply say, ‘we are not willing hosts’, which is what 36 of approximately 90 municipalities have said so far, by passing bylaws proclaiming that phrase.”

“As far as I can read, Mr. Chiarelli still has yet to divulge the real details of just how this ‘revised’ Feed In Tariff program will appease the taxpayers of Ontario and municipal governments,” said Disheau. 

Of the portion of the announcement outlining the province working with municipalities to determine a property tax rate increase for wind turbine towers, Disheau says, “This is interesting as the former Minister of Finance instructed the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation to assess industrial wind turbines at $40,000 per MW, despite the fact that the capital costs per MW were in the $1 million to $1.2 million range. Wind developers have a great financial relationship with the Liberal Government of Ontario and thanks to us, the taxpayers, they will continue to ‘roll in the dough.’”

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 It’s probably a good thing that the Oakfield Golf and Country Club is a fictitious place. Otherwise, given the comic confusion that thoroughly engulfs its weekend guests, in a bright new production at Upper Canada Playhouse,  it might require a new name: the Oakfield Asylum.

Fortunately, audiences coming to see Michael Parker’s mad cap comedy, Whose Wives Are They, Anyway? will be glad they ‘checked in’ to the Oakfield Club where lots of laughter is delivered along with the room service.

“It’s almost a tradition at the Playhouse to start off our summer season with a classic farce,” said artistic director Donnie Bowes, who is also directing the production. “Michael Parker, the playwright, uses the sharp dialogue and the tightly written plot twists” that are the basis of traditional British farce. 

“Actually,” Bowes remarked, to the nods of the cast, “we laugh all the time rehearsing this show. It’s just that funny.”

An eight person cast and a script that moves at Mach 2, demand a versatile set design and a first rate stage crew. 

Fortunately, according to Bowes, designer Sean Free has been able to create two adjoining ‘bedrooms’ that take into account challenging sight lines and  complex stage actions. “Kat (Sokyrko) Jocelyn (MacDowell) and Liam (Collins) are fully occupied back stage and going at a frantic rate.” 

The actors are also going at a frantic rate in intensive final rehearsals. 

“It’s actually serious business to be funny,” Bowes laughed. 

The audience can expect a production that is polished, exhilarating and hilarious. 

David and John are just two normal, average guys, out to enjoy a golf weekend (without their spouses) before they take on new jobs under a new boss.  They sign into the Oakfield Golf and Country Club, unaware that said boss (played by Mary Ellis as “one who runs a very tight ship”) has also arrived for the weekend. 

In typical farce, this plot very quickly involves the sudden appearance of one or two seemingly ‘simple’ problems.  

“Then these ‘little’ problems create choices for John and David, the characters make them, and, in no time at all, everything goes totally mad,” Bowes said. “There is comic chaos.” 

Bruce Tubbe plays Wilson, the handy-man, who, according to Tubbe, “always has something wrong with me.” Kate Gordon as receptionist Tina, is cool and professional… “until she tastes champagne.” 

Erin MacKinnon and Vivana Zarillo, as the ‘wives’ Laura and Karly, unexpectedly arrive at Oakfield to surprise their spouses, and “walk into utter confusion. They are determined to get to the bottom of what is going on.”

Brenda Quesnel, as the manager Mrs. Carlson, believes she is in “the moral majority, but things get very complicated. Wilson is my nemesis.”

Garfield Andrews and Perry Mucci head up the cast as the hapless John and David. “Frankly, we go a bit mad when our boss arrives, trying to find solutions to the fact that our wives are not on holiday with us,” Andrews said. “Yes,” Mucci echoed, deadpan, “there are one or two problems for us with this golfing weekend.”

The puns, the double (even triple) entendres, the twists and turns will all be there in a production that promises to explode with comedic energy. 

“And, knock wood, nothing on the set will fall over,” laughed director Bowes.

Whose Wives Are They, Anyway? runs at Upper Canada Playhouse from June 6 to June 30. For tickets and information phone 613-543-3713 or 1-877-550-3650 or go on line at www.uppercanadaplayhouse.com. 

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“We thought that perhaps many children aren’t really being taught bike safety, even though more and more kids are out on bikes these days,” said Marja Smellink, a member of the Optimist Club of South Dundas, organizers of the Bike Safety Rodeo held at Matilda Hall on Saturday, June 1. “And we thought that it was important for our local kids to get some proper training before the bad habits set in. Canada is a little behind in this area. In Europe, bike safety is strongly emphasized.”

The 23 members of the Club, under president Peter Biemond, called on the O.P.P. and the RCMP (club member Hugo Desrochers is a member of the force) for help in putting the rodeo together. 

Constable Darren Hawkins and corporal M.J. Homsy of the RCMP, along with O.P.P. constable Theresa Lauzon and acting sergeant Bryce Fournier, with the SD&G Auxiliary, were all on hand to assist. 

Several volunteers on site helped with the training and with the food (milk was donated by the Dairy Farmers of Ontario.) The Iroquois Branch of Scouts Canada also came out to lend support. Traffic signs were loaned by the Snowmobile Club.

The bike course was laid out to teach young riders how to use hand signals and to safely manoeuvre through intersections. Youngsters saw a training film and were able to take a short written test (which gained them points towards special gifts) as they learned the rules of the road.

“We had over 20 kids go through the training this morning,” said constable Lauzon. “We really believe that education is the key to safety, especially when it is presented in a fun way like this. I expect some of the parents here are also picking up some information.”

Hannah Biemond and Ella Desrochers were the lucky winners of two bikes donated to the rodeo by Morrisburg Canadian Tire. Canadian Tire also donated bicycle bells for every participant.

A real highlight at the Bike Rodeo was the arrival (with Hawkins and Homsy) of two recently retired members of the RCMP Musical Ride. Horses Sherif and Rocomo drew many young admirers, at the same time reminding everyone that horses were around even before bikes.

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Emily Millard, a member of the band, Morlove, held a home coming concert at St. John the Baptist Anglican Church in Iroquois on Tuesday evening, May 21. Morlove performed to a near capacity crowd: several of the pieces were taken from their latest CD release, Old Tomorrow. After the concert, old friends and new fans had a chance to visit with the band members. Morlove, whose home province is British Columbia, is currently on tour in Ontario and Quebec. Emily is the daughter of Doug and Joyce Millard of Iroquois. Left to right are the very talented and versatile Morlove artists Noah Cebuliak, Emily Millard (also known by her stage name, Miss Emily Brown), Corwin Fox, Hannah Epperson and Christina Zaenker.

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 Princess Snow White taught an enthusiastic group how to be ‘perfect princesses,’ Barney sang songs with his young fans and Spiderman delighted would-be super heroes. 

On Saturday, June 1, the Morrisburg & District Figure Skating Club held a Fun Fair at the Morrisburg Arena. 

“This is our second year for the Fun Fair,” said Club president, Julie Van Hoof. “The event was organized by Tracey Yalden. It is our hope to raise $2,000 today for the Figure Skating Club. We have princesses, the Vanderlaand Barnyard Zoo, Tribek Inflatables and a Mad Scientist show. We also have the ‘Love to Groove’ Dancers coming from Ottawa.” 

There were plenty of activities for youngsters of all ages to enjoy at the Fair and plenty of delicious food. Morrisburg’s Giant Tiger donated hot dogs to the event; pink cotton candy and popcorn were also very popular. Riley’s Valu-Mart donated gift cards to the Fun Fair.

The baby goats, hamsters and bunnies in the Barnyard Zoo also drew lots of happy attention.

The Fun Fair ran from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

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Four of the six branches of the Stormont-Dundas District of the Women’s Institute have recently disbanded.

Among them was the district’s largest branch, Riverside Heights. The others were Ingleside, Finch and Newington.

Declining and aging membership has left the district finding it difficult to fill key positions such as president and secretary roles. According to W.I. rules, if those positions cannot be filled at the district level, the lower tier branches lose their governance.

The prospect of that happening resulted in many of this district’s branches making the hurried decision to disband. 

“I have really enjoyed this group,” said Florence McManus of the Riverside Heights WI, explaining that decision was a sad and difficult one to make.

“Maybe we should have waited, but it’s done.”

McManus said that it was important to the group, which was formed 54 years ago, to make the decision on their own. “We really didn’t want to be forced into it.”

Having agreed to disband has meant that the club remains in charge of how and where their remaining funds are disbursed.

“We are all very sad that this is happening,” said Beth Short who is in charge of public relations for the district. “Our members are getting older and the world is moving faster. The younger people are just not getting involved, so we are not getting new members. And our older members just can’t keep up the pace.”

“We are all so sad. We didn’t want to see it go that way,” said Short.

The mass disbandment has left only two branches of the WI in this district; Williamsburg and Chesterville.

These two branches have people to fill the key roles and thus have been able to maintain the district.

“It is wonderful that they have done that, and we congratulate them on their efforts,” said Short. She hopes that those who belonged to the disbanding branches will be able join one of the two branches which remains.

For more than a century, Women’s Institute Members have actively worked together for family, home, community and country.  The objective of the first Women’s Institute Branch, formed in 1897, was to improve women’s skills in the art of homemaking and childcare.

The Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario was organized in 1919 giving Members a stronger voice by working together as a united group. Through high-quality education and support programs and services, FWIO’s original focus expanded to include personal growth opportunities, government lobbying and health and community wellness initiatives.  Today, FWIO has more than 4,500 Members in nearly 350 Branches across the province.

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 The employees and volunteers helping out at the Morrisburg Canadian Tire on May 25, the fifth annual national Jumpstart Day, proudly wore the Jumpstart motto: “Together we can help all kids play.”

This year, through the generosity of area shoppers, the Morrisburg store was able to raise $570 for the program, Victoria Davidson,  store computer operator and store co-ordinator for the campaign, said. 

 Jumpstart is part of the May Red Ball campaign, which seeks to ensure that all kids, whatever their economic background, can take part in organized sports. 

Funds raised locally, stay local. “In 2012, Jumpstart helped 89 South Dundas kids, and 587 have been helped since the program began,” said Sherry Telfer, a volunteer for the day.

Telfer and her husband, Jim Turner, came to visit her son, Shaun, and his wife, at their new store. “We came to visit, but he immediately put us to work,” she laughed. “It’s an important cause.”

“I like that all the money raised here goes directly to our community,” said Canadian Tire store owner, Shaun Telfer. 

“I feel we are having a direct impact locally. All our store employees are involved in this campaign. and one of our employees, Victoria Davidson, has co-ordinated the event for us.”

Davidson said that Canadian Tire donated three raffle prizes for the draw. The lucky winners were Trevor Beckstead (1st), Tanya Meilleur (2nd) and Lois Dignard (3rd). Canadian Tire also brought in the Barnyard Zoo from Winchester Spring and Tribek Inflatables to keep small visitors amused and involved. The Morrisburg Leos served up hot dogs for shoppers. 

The Jumpstart committee locally is chaired by David Lapier, and the committee determines which children in need in South Dundas could best be helped by the funds raised by Canadian Tire on Jumpstart day.

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“If Jane Ewing had one flaw, it was this. No one ever taught her to say no. And for that we should all be very, very grateful,” said Corry Martens, at the May 25 dedication of a plaque commemorating the life, and dedication to this community, of the late Jane Ewing.

Family, friends and dignitaries gathered by the Morrisburg Plaza town clock to unveil a plaque, made by Merrickville’s The Village Tinsmith, which honours the years of quiet leadership and hard work Jane devoted to the Morrisburg Business Improvement Area. The plaque read in part that she “greatly enhanced our community.”

Welcomed by Shelley Cumberland, several speakers shared their memories of Jane and the incredible job she had done as co-ordinator of the BIA.

“It is a pleasure to be here and to honour Jane, ensuring that her memory and her legacy continue,” said mayor Steven Byvelds. “She always dedicated herself to the job at hand.”

James Grant, retired fire chief of Edwardsburgh-Cardinal, a lay person with the United Church, and a friend of the Ewings for 35 years, said “We are here to honour Jane for her tireless hours of service. She shared her time with the BIA and the community, always putting her everything into the projects she took on. Her peers have chosen to honour her with this memorial, which will remain forever a reminder of the dedication Jane brought to her community and its people.”

Corry Martens, who, in February, first proposed the idea of a memorial for Jane to the executive of the MBIA, worked alongside her for 10 years.

“I saw what it takes to do a job like this,” she said. “Jane was a real force in the BIA. In fact, she was the BIA. Yet she always seemed happiest working behind the scenes and in the background. She really didn’t like the lime light, but she did so much for us all. Jane Ewing was a great lady. I am glad we have the opportunity here to honour her memory.”

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