News

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On January 17th, South Dundas council was visited by Marie-Eve LaRocque of The Economic Development and Employability Network of Ontario (RDEE Ontario) and Danika Bourgeois-Desnoyers of Place aux Jeunes Ontario – SDG.

LaRocque and Bourgeois-Desnoyers introduced council to their “newest project” called Place aux Jeunes Ontario – SDG, which means Make-Way-for-Youth SDG. The project “aims to promote and facilitate the integration of bilingual post-secondary graduates in Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.”

As Bourgeois-Desnoyers pointed out, “studies and statistics show youth have the tendency to leave after high school and they don’t come back.”

She went on to explain that the project, Make-Way-for-Youth SDG, has two components: Discovery Days for youth aged 18 to 35; and, Teens Place aux Jeunes for youth aged 14 to 17.

Discovery Days  provides young adult professionals with several opportunities: “training workshops, meetings with potential employers, and discover of different attractions in the area.”

Teens Place aux Jeunes provides bilingual teens to take part in activities that reinforce their “feeling of belonging to their native region.”

The objective behind the project is to strengthen rural communities by preventing “out-migration of youth,” as well as by “attracting young professionals to settle in the region,” and by promoting “the integration  of bilingual young graduates in the region.”

According to LaRocque’s presentation, RDEE “is the only national network which specifically supports economic development of francophone minorities in Canada.”

Funding for the shared project,  Make-Way-for-Youth SDG, comes from the Fondation franco-ontarienne and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Following the presentation, Mayor Steven Byvelds thanked both LaRocque and Bourgeois-Desnoyers for coming. 

“There’s not a lot of francophone in the region,” he said. 

“It’s certainly interesting,” he added.

[…]

Change is in the air for many of the United Churches within the Seaway Valley Presbytery.

Presbytery Chair, Wendy Wright MacKenzie revealed that last year the Seaway Valley Presbytery received “a number of requests from the people in the pews for help in addressing over-all declining membership.”

“We realized that the people knew their community better than anyone else,” said Wright MacKenzie, “and so in January 2011, 85 people gathered to dream about what the church might look like in a changing world.”

“In March 2011, over 800 people gathered at North Dundas High School for a vote to divide the Presbytery up into districts in order to continue a process of visioning and change. There was an overwhelming YES vote.”  

“Since that time, the congregations have been doing self-reflections and analysis. By November 28th, all congregations within the Seaway Valley Presbytery voted on whether they wanted to be in conversation with other churches to discuss possibilities for the future,” she continued.  

“At this time, we have 13 churches already in conversation, visioning and dreaming of what it might look like when following a different model of being ‘church’.”  

Iroquois United Church Reverend Janet Evans revealed that the “Iroquois United Church has a team of four people who will be meeting with some local churches – Brinston, Hulbert Valley, Williamsburg – to see where we might go from here.”

 The United Church in Williamsburg was recently listed for sale. The congregation, like so many  others, has grown too small to manage the upkeep of such a large and outdated building. 

Retired Reverend Ralph Taylor recently joined the Williamsburg United Church to help the congregation through the upcoming changes.

Taylor said that he is there on a renewable six-month contract, but will stay “as long as it takes.”

As for the decision to sell the church in Williamsburg, Taylor admitted that it wasn’t an easy choice to make for the congregation. “Some are more excited than others and some are anxious,” he said.

“The congregation is getting older and the cost of maintaining (the church) means they’d just be focused on maintaining, not on missions,” said Taylor.

He admitted that the choice is ‘heart wrenching’. “But what other choice do we have at this point?”

Currently, Williamsburg’s United Church congregation is meeting at the J.W. MacIntosh Seniors Support Centre on Sundays.

The congregation will return to the church in March, if it hasn’t sold. When it does sell, the congregation will seek an alternative location in the area.

Taylor admitted that “eventually they’ll be joining another congregation, but it will take a little while.”

With this news, comes the question of what will happen to the many other United Churches within South Dundas. How will they fare in the months and years to come?

According to Evans, “people from Iroquois United Church are both excited and nervous about the changes that will inevitably come our way.”

“Iroquois United Church, for example, has been able to support a full-time minister which means that the present minister has time to care for all of the shut-ins who are associated with our congregation,” she explained.

“Perhaps more people will have needs when several churches work together under a new model. Lay people may have to undertake more of the church’s work.”

“No one really wants to lose their building but that may or may not happen under a new structure,” she said, adding, “new structures could mean, however, more people coming together to offer their gifts and talents in God’s service.”

Wright MacKenzie said, “we realize that everything in life changes.” 

“The way to experience our worship needs an extreme makeover,” she added, pointing out that “the world is changing and so we have to look at new ways of what it means to reach out to the community. The way we ‘do worship’ does not appeal to the younger generation so we need to also look at some other options.”

“This is still very much a work in progress so it is exciting to see what the congregations come up with as they talk together.”

“Change is always somewhat nerve wracking but God will be with us as we journey into the future,” reminded Evans.

The Presbytery, according to Wright MacKenzie, will continue to offer help and support in whatever way possible.

As for the years to come, she said, “time will tell what this looks like in the future. This is completely in the hands of the people in the pews.”

[…]

 On January 19th, South Dundas council approved Recreation Program Coordinator Ben Macpherson’s request to create a new logo for South Dundas Recreation.

This week, Macpherson is launching the South Dundas Recreation Logo Competition, which is open to South Dundas residents of all ages, except for those who are employees of the township.

In addition to incorporating the title ‘South Dundas Recreation’, Macpherson is looking for a logo whose artwork “reflects the values of the township of South Dundas and South Dundas Recreation in so much that any artwork will be tasteful and reflective of healthy living.”

As for why Macpherson has chosen to pursue the creation of a logo, he said, “South Dundas Recreation wants to make healthy active living a priority and in doing so want to become more visible in the community.”

“Branding will, over time, help develop an instant recognition of any program or activity run by or in partnership with South Dundas Recreation and the township.” 

“The underlying goal is to foster community ownership.” What do you think a South Dundas Recreation logo should look like? The township is giving residents artistic reign; giving residents ownership of the final product. 

“As part of the competition, the winning artist and logo will be launched on the cover of the next South Dundas Recreation Guide, due out the first week of March.”

“The guide will be delivered to every household in South Dundas and will also be available to pick up at a variety of places throughout the township,” said Macpherson.

He challenged, “we want to see the creativity that we know exists in the Township of South Dundas.”

The contest will close at 4:30 p.m. on February 21st. For a list of guidelines, see the accompanying advertisement.

[…]

Williamsburg farmer Gordon Garlough, who has given much of his time to volunteering, both in the farming community and in the Dundas community in general, was recently honoured as the Dundas Federation of Agriculture’s ‘Volunteer of the Year’.

The Awards were made to mark the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s 75th Anniversary. Regional and county level volunteers were recognized and from these one volunteer was recognized as the overall provincial leader.

The provincial award was won by Donna Lunn from Elgin County located along the north shore of Lake Erie.

Garlough, who lives on the Bouck’s Hill Road at Williamsburg, was nominated at the local level by the Dundas Federation of Agriculture (DFA).

In her nomination proposal, DFA president Jacqueline Kelly-Pemberton said, “Gordon Garlough for over three decades has given endlessly of his skills, time and energy to help agriculture move forward, locally, provincially, nationally and internationally.”

“His volunteer experience holds a long list of community involvement with the United Church of Canada-Williamsburg Congregation and the Canadian Food Grains Bank. He has hosted, through the International Livestock Management Schools, farm students from Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Indonesia and Latvia. and he has participated with the CFA and the Agricultural Institute of Canada in two partners projects with the former  Soviet Union.”

At the Dundas County level, Garlough has served as a director, president and vice-president. He was a provincial director with OFA from 1981 to 1992.

“…Gordon exemplifies the word volunteer, by always demonstrating his career commitment to agriculture.

As one of the regional/county Volunteers of the Year, Garlough received a commemorative anniversary farm gate sign. 

The OFA represents 37,000 farm families across Ontario. Based in Guelph, it works to champion the interests of Ontario Farmers.

[…]

Many of the current Winchester Hospital Heelers were on hand to celebrate the hand over of 75 per cent of the funds they raised in early 2011 to the WDMH Foundation. Peter Linkletter, Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation (ORCF) Board Chair, addressed those in attendance and presented a cheque for $75,372. WDMH Foundation Board Chair, Diane Crummy was on hand to inform those present that the Heelers have raised over $500,000 towards cancer care in this region and applaud the Heelers for their commitment to this cause and specifically in helping to purchase the WDMH Digital Mammography machine. 

[…]

“If we can make ourselves laugh, I guarantee we’ll make an audience laugh,” says Richard Bauer who is directing the final Cow Patti production at the Ramada Inn in Cornwall in February.

For its 11th and final curtain call in the Seaway Valley, AnnaMarie Lea’s Cow Patti Theatre is producing Marc Camoletti’s Boeing-Boeing.

“Boeing-Boeing is a wonderful farce,” says Bauer. “It takes place in this bachelor pad in Paris. Garfield (Andrews) plays Bernard, and he’s decided he can have three mistresses at the same time. Over the years, he’s devised a time schedule. But, you know, schedules change, weather happens and planes get faster.”

“Bernard is a ladies man,” says Andrews of his character. “He’s formulated a way to live out his fantasies and never have these women meet. He’s on top of his game.”

Boeing-Boeing is set in the 1960s, and Bernard’s lifestyle becomes unravelled in a very short 24 hour period when his carefully arranged time schedule falls apart.

Joining Andrews, a longtime favourite on the Cow Patti stage and on the stage at the Upper Canada Playhouse in Morrisburg, is Jamie Williams playing Bernard’s old school chum Robert. The two haven’t seen each other in more than 10 years, and Robert just happens to drop in.

“I’m from the country and have a farm where we make oil…walnut oil, apparently,” explains Williams. Robert quickly learns of his friend’s lifestyle and “at first I just react to things, but, eventually I find myself involved with keeping the three air hostesses from meeting.”

Also enlisted in keeping the hostesses apart is Bernard’s French housekeeper Bertha, played by AnnaMarie Lea. “I think Bertha quite likes her boss, and I think she wants to please him,” says Lea. The difficulty however is, “one minute I’m cooking sauerkraut, then it’s pancakes and molasses and then frankfurters.”

That’s because each of Bernard’s flight attendants hails from a different country…Germany, the southern United States and Italy.

Thoroughly enjoying their characters, just a few days into rehearsals, are Susan Greenfield, Kate Gordon and Katie Lawson.

Greenfield is playing Gabriella, the Italian, “who is very passionate. I love being in love, and I’m jealous and possessive.”

Gloria, the American from the South is played by Katie Lawson. “Gloria is very confident, and she has a strange appetite.”

Hostess number three is Gretchen, the German, played by Kate Gordon. “Gretchen is assertive, definitely not delicate, and she has a big personality.”

“The women in this farce really drive the show, they provide the spice,” says Bauer. 

Lea is hoping that the five Boeing-Boeing benefit shows will push the Cow Patti 11-year total to over $200,000 raised for local charities.

This year’s Benefit Shows are scheduled for February 22 for the SD&G Highland Dance Association; Thursday, February 9 for Water for Life; Sunday, February 12, for the Ontario Senior Games District #8; Thursday, February 16 for the Knights of Columbus; Sunday, February 19 for Glengarry Memorial Hospital.

Boeing-Boeing opens Thursday, February 2 and runs through Sunday, February 19. The dinner theatre ($58 tickets) and Brunch Theatre ($48 tickets) include the always delicious Ramada Inn buffets while evening and afternoon cabaret tickets sell for $27. 

This year, Cow Patti has added a TGIF cabaret on Friday night, February 3. “I’m trying to encourage younger couples to come and see the show, so I thought I would change it up a bit for the Friday night (Feb. 3) show, make it a bit more affordable with the cabaret.” For information or tickets call 1-877-552-9166 or visit www.cowpatti.com.

Bauer says it is an honour to direct the final Cow Patti show in the Seaway Valley. “I’ve worked with all of these people before and it is an honour to work with established professionals.”

Excited about the show, he says “it’s like a plane taking off…it’s off…it’s flying…then it hits the turbulence.”

It’s that turbulence that Cow Patti promises will have the audiences “airborne with laughter!”

[…]

Municipalities were notified on January 24th of the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund’s (OMPF) budget decisions.

South Dundas has been allotted $1,046,000. This is $22,400 more than last year, according to the OMPF 2012 Allocation notice.

According to the government’s website, the OMPF “is the Province’s main transfer payment to municipalities. Its objectives are to: assist municipalities with their social program costs; support areas with limited property assessment; address challenges faced by northern and rural communities; and, respond to policing costs in rural communities.”

The surrounding SD&G municipalities will receive the following: North Glengarry will receive $2,010,700; North Stormont will receive $1,230,600; North Dundas will receive $958,700; South Glengarry will receive $1,188,800 which is $62,800 more than 2011; and, South Stormont will receive $999,200 which is $149,600 more than last year.

[…]

On December 6, 2011, the South Branch Wind Opposition Group (SBWOG) presented South Dundas with their case against Prowind’s planned South Branch Wind Farm near Brinston.

After taking some time to consider the requests, council came back to the January 17th meeting with a decision not to support SBWOG.

In fact, South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds summarized council’s stance, saying, “overall we are in support of the project.”

Councillor Archie Mellan declared a conflict of interest, taking himself out of the equation. The remaining council members were unanimous in their support for Prowind’s wind farm project.

In terms of why council landed where they did in terms of which side to support, it seems to come down to a matter of choosing the winning team.

Deputy-mayor Jim Locke reminded everyone that “it’s a known fact that the municipality really has no say in the matter.”

Councillor Jim Graham concurred, saying, “I think the government has set up a policy where they’re going to limit the interference of municipalities on these projects.”

“We don’t have staff and resources to fight provincial policy on this,” he added.

He suggested that it would be “foolish” for council to support SBWOG “because I don’t think we’ll get far on this.”

Councillor Evonne Delegarde agreed, “the province has taken a firm stand on this.”

However, she also said, “I don’t have a problem sending their concerns on to the Member of Provincial Parliament.”

In addition to council’s feelings that to support SBWOG would be pointless, Byvelds also pointed out that the project “started in 2008 and then in 2011 a group that decides it’s not right came along making demands that we don’t have authority on.”

Interestingly enough, Byvelds informed council of a deputy-mayor in a western Ontario municipality who had recently contacted him with a cautionary note concerning the wind farm project: she reported that those in her municipality were having some problems until the lines from the turbines to the substations were buried. Apparently, above ground, these lines emitted unfiltered electricity.

Byvelds also noted, however, that there “is not a lot to validate her concerns.”

“From a project overall, I think it’s at a point now where I’m certainly not going to stand in the way of it,” he said.

Locke interjected, saying he had heard of similar issues concerning “overhead wires and unfiltered power. There were houses that needed to be vacated.”

“I would definitely support an urge to bury,” said Locke.

With that said, South Dundas council decided against supporting SBWOG and their requests.

This may not, however, be the end of the discussion. On January 20th, Mark Wales, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), issued two releases changing OFA’s stance on wind farms in Ontario: Wind power versus rural power; and, OFA calls on government to suspend wind turbine development in Ontario.

“The OFA is calling on the provincial government to suspend the invasion of rural Ontario with industrial wind turbines.”

[…]

Nicole Sullivan, South Dundas Economic Development Officer, recommended to council at the January 17th meeting that directional signage be purchased for both the South Dundas Dog Park and the Iroquois Locks.

After hearing Sullivan’s recommendation and reasoning, council agreed to the purchase of six signs.

The South Dundas Dog Park in Morrisburg will have three signs in the following locations:  County Road 2 directing West bound traffic; County Road 2 directing East bound traffic; and, County Road 31 directing South bound traffic.

The Iroquois Locks will also have three signs. The locations for these are: County Road 2 directing West bound traffic; County Road 2 directing East bound traffic; and, County Road 1 (Carman Road) directing South bound traffic.

Each sign comes at a cost of $335. In addition, the township will need to rent the sign space. This is done through a membership fee of $75 per year in the County Tourism Signage Program administered by Seaway Valley Tourism.

In total, the cost of the new directional signage will be $2,085 for 2012. 

Sullivan’s recommendation, she said, “comes out of discussions with the Park Pals committee and feedback from the community about directing people to the Iroquois Locks.”

In her report, she referred to the township’s 2005 Strategic Economic Development Plan and two of it’s recommendations. “Both of these recommendations,” she reported, “aim to enrich the experience of visitors to South Dundas. This will result in extended stays, repeat visits and ultimately, greater benefits to the local economy.”

“I fully support signs for the Iroquois Locks,” said Councillor Evonne Delegarde. She was concerned, however, in the many other attractions at the waterfront that could benefit from directional signage, other than the dog park.

During an interview on January 23rd, Sullivan told The Leader that “signage is imperative when people are in your community.” In addition to making the experience more pleasurable, it “also grabs people who might not have been aware” of the attractions in the first place.

“We’re always looking for ways to enrich the visitor’s trip. We’re looking for things to add on to their visit,” she explained. “The longer someone is in the community, the bigger the contribution to the local economy.”

“Recognizing that,” she continued, “one of my goals is a signage review.” The review will begin by compiling a list of all the attractions South Dundas has to offer.

“It won’t be something we can do in one year,” said Sullivan. “Once we look at the whole scope of attractions, that’s when we can start prioritizing.”

[…]