News

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On December 22nd, Kristine Blokland, a civilian staff member for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment in Morrisburg, gave Donna Quesnel, Administrator for the Dundas County Food Bank, a donation of $320 on behalf of the staff and seniors of the North Stor Seniors Support Centre in Finch.

Blokland, a member of the OPP’s Coppertones, sang for the seniors at their annual Christmas celebration in addition to serving them their dinner. 

Quesnel reported that, in addition to actual food items, monetary donations are very important as well because they allow “the FoodBank coordinators to purchase what is missing yet needed for the food boxes.”

Quesnel said, “with this donation, we will be able to purchase a half order of ground beef that can be put in the freezer and be distributed to families over the winter months.”

“Since meat is one of the basic items that the Food Bank provides in small quantities to families in need as part of the food allocation assistance available, once per month, purchases are made locally every couple of months in order to distribute throughout the year,” continued Quesnel. “Donations such as this one helps the FoodBank stock these much needed food items.”

Quesnel offered an updated list of Food Bank needs on December 27th: “Most needed items currently at the Morrisburg DCFB location include: soda crackers and pasta sauce.  These can be dropped off at the Food Bank or in the drop-off bin at Riley’s valu-mart.”

Quesnel said she is grateful for the generosity of so many.

Holiday hours for the Food Bank are Wednesday evenings (Dec 28th and Jan. 4th) from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday afternoons (Dec 29th and Jan. 5th) from 1 to 3 p.m.  

Beginning January 9th, the Food Bank will be open regular hours: Monday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m., and Thursday afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m. 

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Although there has been some growth, the Zandbergen late 1800’s-early 1900’s village, located just east of Brinston, remains a constant source of holiday pleasure to all those who visit the home of Bill and Coby Zandbergen.

In 2006, The Leader featured the wonderful miniature village assembled by Coby, and now five years later, a return finds the village has grown by “one full sub-division”, or, in reality, a third sheet of plywood.

Coby first began to develop her village in the early 1980’s. It began with the purchase of a miniature church, and it started out on her buffet.

By 2006, it covered two full sheets of plywood or about 60 square feet. And it hasn’t stopped growing, as Coby continues the hunt for unique and unusual pieces.

“I’m missing one item and that is the old fire house with the horse drawn water wagon,” says Coby explaining that part of the pleasure she has received in developing her village has been the “thrill of the hunt.”

The hunt has had her purchasing pieces everywhere from yard sales to retail stores to large department stores. She has even managed to persuade salespeople to sell an item or two she has discovered in a display.

“I’m not a shopper, that’s the funny part. But I’m always looking. The toy shoppe, I found at a yard sale. It is so unique,” she says as she points to the couple she has smooching behind a building. “Over behind the trees there, another fellow is proposing to his lady.”

Her hobby now includes everything from the toy shoppe, to the post office, the cheese factory, bakery and of course a town hall and train station. “I have five churches now. They are all different. Some are fancy and some are plain.”

All of her buildings and lampposts light up and that is where Bill comes in.

Coby estimates that if she sticks with it, “it takes me a good week to get it all set up. Once the base is in place, the mountain to the back of the display is added. I work from the back to the front. I set the houses in place and then Bill wires it all.”

“Then I have my famous kitchen tongs. When you have to place something, while balancing on one leg, they come in handy.”

The village and surrounding countryside remains in the Zandbergen’s front porch area until March break, when it is all packed up and put away.

Coby says she has no idea the population of her village. A quick count locates 53 people just in the town square and another 23 children playing in the school yard. The whole layout easily includes several hundred people all busy with their daily lives…skiing, chopping wood, cutting ice from the pond…ice skating…cutting down trees…

For years now the display has been a delight for the Zandbergen family and visitors to their home. “We have 10 grandchildren, all of whom enjoy it. I have one granddaughter who thinks she has to re-arrange everything,” says Coby with a chuckle. “The kids love it in here.”

[…]

Well, the weather outside may have been frightful, but the warm and cheery greeting   a certain North Pole visitor received in Iroquois on Thursday evening, December 15, more than made up for rain.

Guest of honour, Santa Claus, arrived at the Royal Canadian Legion a little damp of fur, but in great spirits, to join his chief elf in the gala celebration. 

Delivered in a brightly decorated red fire truck by members of the Iroquois Fire Department (we hear his reindeer were off shopping), Santa wasted no time rushing in to visit with the over 400 children and parents waiting to talk to him.

Lots of HoHos and plenty of hugs soon warmed everyone up.

The Iroquois Business Group, which organized the reception for Santa, was assisted by Donald Barkley, River Rat Treasures and the Legion. Presents for every child were donated by the Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club, while Byers Furniture made sure that all kids went home with a special treat bag. 

Joining in the fun were the Parents Council and teachers of Iroquois Public School who arranged a home-made hot chili or hot dog supper for visitors as part of a school fund raiser.

“The food was all made by IPS parents and staff,” said teacher Jennifer Perry. “We served between 350 and 400 meals on Thursday evening. We certainly weren’t expecting that many to turn out, since this was our first time trying things this way, but we were totally thrilled,” Perry laughed. The support of the community allowed the school to raise nearly $800 in the campaign to replace aging school yard playground equipment.

Organizers had set up activity and craft centres for the very excited little visitors.

“We had to change our hay rides around town to see the Christmas lights into bus rides, with all the rain,” said Candace Menges, “but everyone seemed to have a good time.” 

Special contests and draws were held during the celebration. Organizers were happy to note that Santa’s “missing” reindeer had a great time “shopping” in the mall. 

The Leader spotted Santa busily updating his “Nice Files” as he left Iroquois to return to the North Pole. 

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Stuart McLean is a nationally known radio broadcaster, humourist and author. 

During his outstanding career, McLean has won an ACTRA award, the Rooke Fellowship for Excellence in Teaching, Research and Writing, Trent University, the Canadian Authors Association Best Non Fiction Book, 1993, the Canadian Author’s Association and Jubilee Award, 2004, and three Stephen Leacock Memorial Medals for Humour, 1999, 2001 and 2007. 

But Stuart McLean is probably best known, and loved, by generations of Canadians, for creating Dave and Morley, characters whose zany misadventures are often featured in his long-running CBC production, The Vinyl Café.

This January 28-29, 2012,  Stuart McLean is bringing his hit CBC Vinyl Café production to Upper Canada Playhouse, according to artistic director, Donnie Bowes.

Stuart McLean and his crew will be taping two live programs at the Playhouse in front of two sold out audiences. 

McLean, in his very distinctive voice, during the show, will narrate tales of Dave (who makes a living running the Vinyl Café in Toronto), his wife Morley, their children Stephanie and Sam, their friends, and the people in their neighbourhood. 

Dave keeps a juke box in his living room and the motto of his  record business is “We May Not Be Big, But We’re Small.” 

Each story performance by McLean is a complete tale in its own right, affectionate, often nostalgic,   gently humourous, as Dave and Morley cope with the quirks of daily life. 

These stories on air, and their appearance in a series of books and audio books, have won McLean millions of fans since the characters’ premiere. 

The Vinyl Café features essays, fiction and music. McLean is noted for introducing new Canadian musicians. Café episodes often begin with McLean reciting a description of the venue and the community in which he is appearing (Morrisburg) and end with his signature signoff “I’m Stuart McLean, so long for now.”

Which stories he will be sharing during his taping in Morrisburg are not yet confirmed, but audiences can hope that some of McLean’s beloved seasonal tales, Dave Cooks the Turkey, Christmas with Rasheeda and Ahmeer, Morley’s Christmas Pageant and Dave on the Roof may be in the line-up. 

While tickets are currently sold out for the The Vinyl Café, contact Upper Canada Playhouse at 613-543-3713 for additional information. 

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Alyza Mullin, just three, appears confident that Santa Claus is hearing all her special wishes for this Christmas. Alyza was just one of many area children and their families who came out to greet the jolly gentleman when he dropped in at the Royal Canadian Legion in Iroquois on Thursday, December 15, to enjoy some chili and good cheer at the community party. 

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Life’s most basic needs are air, water, food, shelter, and clothing. While there are people all over the world whose most basic needs are not being met, there are also people right here in Dundas County who could use a little help. 

According to Dundas County Food Bank (DCFB) Administrator Donna Quesnel, “donations received at this time of year are extremely important to the Food Bank operations. These donations help enormously with distribution of aid during the winter months when the number of visits is generally high and donations are usually down, understandably.”

At this time, the Food Bank is still in need of the following items: juice and juice boxes; canned fruit and fruit cups for school snacks; canned vegetables; soda crackers; cereal without sugar and without nuts; baby formula; hand soap; toothpaste; and toilet paper.

In addition, Quesnel said that once basic needs are met, the DCFB also tries to provide for baby needs, snacks for children, and toiletries. In addition to formula, baby needs include: junior fruit/vegetables; infant cereals; diapers; and, wipes. Snacks for children include granola bars; crackers with cheese; as well as pudding and fruit cups. 

Additional toiletries like deodorant; shampoo; and so forth are also welcome.

According to Quesnel, “the DCFB mandate is to ‘feed the hungry.’ A five-day emergency food allocation is provided once a month based on number of people in the household.”

Quesnel also provided the Leader with some statistics for the DCFB relating to the past year, from January to the end of November 2011. “The DCFB serves approximately 350 families with approximately 1,500 family visits in one year. This suggests that on average these families would visit the Food Bank on a quarterly basis.”

“Approximately 5,000 people visits are made to the Food Bank in a one-year period. This suggests that the average family size visiting the Food Bank is a three to four person household.”

She continued, adding, “children represent approximately 45 per cent of those served overall by the DCFB, while children represent closer to 50 per cent of those served at the DCFB’s Morrisburg location  and 40 per cent at the Winchester location.”

“The Morrisburg location also tends to serve more people overall, with approximately 55 per cent of people served by the south and 45 per cent by the north. The average family size in the south is slightly greater than in the north.”

DCFB hours are Mondays from 10 a.m. until noon; Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m.; and Thursday afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m.

“During the holiday period, the Food Bank is open: Thursday, December 22nd from 1 to 3 p.m.; Wednesday, December 28th from 7 to 9 p.m.; and Thursday, December 29th from 1 to 3 p.m.”

The two locations are: 17 Second Street in Morrisburg (613-543-0065) and 497 May Street in Winchester (613-774-0188).

To donate, volunteer, or ask for help, please contact one of the listed locations for more information.

“Volunteers are welcome and tours of our Food Bank locations are available on request,” invited Quesnel.

[…]

Lloya and Dwayne Sprague, owners of the Morrisburg Home Hardware, donated generously to the Morrisburg and District Lions Club charity, the Angel Tree Fund. The charity received a load full of toys, which promise to make Santa’s job a little easier this year. The Spragues, who officially took over ownership of the Morrisburg Home Hardware location on July 18th, don’t plan to include toys in their store inventory. As reported in August, the Spragues intend to offer products the existing stores don’t offer already. Without a toy section, Lloya said the pet section can be expanded. According to the Spragues, Don Lewis, South Dundas Manager of Recreation, was instrumental in the donation. He suggested the Sprague’s consider donating the toys in the store’s inventory to the Angel Tree Fund. Thinking that was a great idea, the Spragues wholeheartedly agreed. On December 15th, Wayne Domanko, representative for the Angel Tree Fund, arrived at the store to thank owners and staff. 

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Thanks to the Ladies Auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #48, the Morrisburg and District Lions Club charity, the Angel Tree Fund, has increased its capabilities by $1,090. In the Legion Hall, on December 15th, Inez Bilmer (left) and Rita Fowler (right) handed over the large sum to the Angel Tree Fund representative, Wayne Domanko (center). Domanko said the Ladies Auxiliary has “always been extremely generous to the Angel Tree Fund.” He went on to say, “it’s always nice when the Lions and the Legion can cooperate to help others. It’s very much appreciated by the Lions Club and the Angel Tree Fund.” According to Domanko, there are over 200 children’s names on the Angel Tree this year.

[…]

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) released the numbers for local property assessments on December 6th.

This year, South Dundas is seeing a 1.19 per cent increase. The average home in South Dundas will see a 5.48 per cent increase.

According to South Dundas Treasurer Shannon Geraghty, “the 5.48 per cent provided by MPAC represents the increase in assessments from 2011 to 2012 due to the four-year phase-in by MPAC. Therefore, from 2011 to 2012 the average increase in assessment for property owners could be approximately 5.48 per cent.”

The four-year phase-in was introduced by MPAC in 2008 and began in 2009. According to MPAC: “To provide an additional level of property tax stability and predictability, the market increases in assessed value between 2005 and 2008 will be phased-in over four years.”

“The 1.19 per cent is based on a combination of the loss in assessments and the new growth within the township,” Geraghty explained.

“Assessment loss arises from property owners appealing their assessments and thus the decision by MPAC to reduce the assessment creates an assessment loss overall for the township.”

“The 1.19 per cent growth component results in approximately $15,000 to $30,000 in new tax revenue for the 2012 year.”

Geraghty predicted, “this number (1.19 per cent) should be favourable to the residents of South Dundas as it shows a small growth within the community which we hope we can continue to build on.”

“As far as 2012, the increase in tax revenue will be included in the 2012 bottom line during the 2012 budget.”

When asked if there was anything readers should know or understand, he offered: “The overall outlook at tax rates and how much an owner will pay in 2012 is difficult to predict until we have a better forecast on revenue and expense projections, which are completed in the 2012 budget.”

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