News

Some 25 outdoor enthusiasts gathered recently at Two Creeks Forest Conservation Area to celebrate final implementation of improvement projects provided under the Great Lakes Community Guardian Fund.

The $25,000 GLGF grant permitted upgrading part of the four km hiking trail that runs through the South Dundas site operated by South Nation Conservation, installation of interpretive signage, and publication of a self-guided brochure.

Both SNC chairman Bill Smirle and South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds – a member of the SNC board – were on hand to welcome visitors and to publicly thank the Community Guardian Fund for its generous contribution.

“Because of the funding, we were able to move ahead with improvements to Two Creeks that otherwise would have been postponed, perhaps indefinitely,” Smirle observed. “The park is much more inviting and accessible thanks to the assistance.”

Sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Environment, the GLGF is intended to help communities and organizations take action on restoring their section of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin. Successful projects must contribute to the goals of protecting water quality, improving wetlands, and/or enhancing habitat and species.

“We met the criteria and received the maximum allowable grant,” Smirle noted. “It’s another clear indication that SNC is on the right track with its conservation projects.”

The chairman said he was pleased to see Two Creeks added to SNC’s network of natural parks, forests and trails throughout the 4,200 square-km drainage basin extending from the Ottawa River at Plantagenet to the St. Lawrence River at Prescott.

Comprising about 500 acres, Two Creeks is located along County Road 2 between Morrisburg and Iroquois. 

Features include two tributaries of the St. Lawrence running through it – hence the name – provincially significant wetland, and more than 300 recorded plant and animal species.

While motorized vehicles are prohibited, area residents are invited to enjoy the conservation area free of charge right through the winter. Ample parking is available at the entrance.

[…]

The pumpkin displays have been put away and Upper Canada Village is preparing to light up for Alight at Night on Friday, December 6.  

The Alight at Night Festival at Upper Canada Village is one of Ontario’s premiere winter events where over a million lights transform this 60 acre heritage site into a magical winter wonderland that you can explore by foot, horse-drawn wagon or by romantic carriage ride.  

“Alight at Night is Eastern Ontario’s largest outdoor winter light festival,” said Darren Dalgleish, General Manager/CEO, St. Lawrence Parks Commission. “This year we certainly seem to have Mother Nature on our side with a fresh blanket of snow.”

 “We try to add to the visitor experience and with new technology on the market each year we are able to enhance our lighting displays to bring out the best of the beautiful backdrops and vistas that the Village and surrounding grounds provide.  We are making some exciting lighting enhancements to the Toy Train experience this year and I think families will love it”

The Festival is open on select nights from Friday, December 6 through Saturday, January 4, 2014, from 5-9 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Upper Canada Village continues to impress visitors by introducing state-of-the art, innovative lighting during its Alight at Night Festival.  

Over a decade ago, the Village switched over all of its incandescent stringed lights to energy-saving LED Christmas lights, now over a million in total. 

 In 2010, new Wallwasher technology provided a rainbow of alternating colours that illuminate the facades of the Village’s historic architecture and paint a dramatic effect on many of the site’s majestic trees.  

The Sound & Light Show, featuring seasonal music accompanied by dancing lights, will be offered with shows playing every half hour on the grounds around Crysler Hall.  A video clip of the show has seen over 100,000 views on YouTube. 

And this year, visitors will delight in the addition of laser beam technology, where over 100 new projectors will shower tiny laser beams that will create a starry, firefly effect … watch for the dazzling results of this new technology along the Toy Train ride!  Toy Train rides are included with admission.

The Festival brings together many family favourite holiday traditions.  Carolling takes place in Christ Church at select times led by a keyboard player and vocalist.  

Christmas carol song books are provided in the church and visitors are encouraged to sing along or just soak up the holiday ambience.

Strolling through the site is a great way to see the lights at your own pace, or you can relax and take a horse-drawn wagon ride.  

For a more intimate and exclusive experience, romantic carriage rides for two are available in the Village’s Pommier Carriages.  It’s an ideal way to make engagements, anniversaries, or your visit extra-special!  Advance reservation is required. 

The Pommier Carriage ride is $80(tax extra) which includes admission for two, half hour romantic tour of the lights, gourmet departing gift and a 20 percent off discount for Pommier Jewellers in Cornwall.  

Carriage rides are very popular and book up quickly.  

Call 1-800-437-2233 or locally 613-543-4328 to make a reservation.

Follow the tantalizing smell of fresh bread and cinnamon rolls baking in the wood-fired oven at the Bakery.   You can find the fresh baked cinnamon buns and bread for purchase at the Village Store and the buns for purchase in Cook’s Tavern or at the Snack Shack next to the Bakery.

Visitors can also relax over a heartier meal, full service dining at Willard’s Hotel or cafeteria style service at the Harvest Barn.  

Alight at Night has been named one of Ontario’s Top 100 Events three times by Festivals & Events Ontario.  

Advance ticket purchase, particularly during the holidays, is strongly recommended to speed entry into the Festival and reduce time waiting in line.  

Streamlined pricing provides one price for all activities including entry to the Festival, horse-drawn wagon rides and a ride on the Toy Train – Adults (13 to 64 years of age) $13; Seniors (65+ years of age) and Youth (6 to 12 years of age) $10; Children 5 years of age under are FREE.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.AlightatNight.ca.

 

[…]

Santa, Mrs. Claus and all their helpers are ready to ring in the festive season this Saturday, December 7, with the annual Morrisburg Santa Parade. 

This is the 20th year that Santa’s local right hand man, George Davies, has organized the parade, which year after year delights all who attend.

Davies expects to see about four dozen floats, six bands and 40 walkers participate in this year’s event. 

“That’s a little bigger than last year,” said Davies. 

This year the participating bands are coming from Brockville, Ottawa, Montreal West, Kemptville and two from Cornwall.

He also mentioned that Morrisburg Public School will have students travelling the parade route with shopping carts collecting food donations for the Dundas County Food Bank. 

He urges everyone to support their efforts by bringing a food item for the collection. (The Morrisburg location of the food bank is especially in need of cold cereal, crackers and vegetables.)

The floats will gather in the Canadian Tire and Upper Canada Playhouse parking lots around 10:30 a.m. The parade sets off along the route promptly at 11 a.m.

The route winds through town along St. Lawrence, to Fifth, to Augusta, to First, to Ottawa, to Maud, to Sir James Morris to Fifth and then along Dairy to Main Street, where it travels the length of the Morrisburg Village Plaza and then on to the Morrisburg Fire Station, where it ends up. There kids can have a snack and greet Santa after the parade.

“I’m hoping to get a really good crowd of spectators out this year,” said Davies. 

“More support allows us to increase the calibre of the parade next year,” said Davies who is working to get a special entry from the Toronto area to join next year’s event.    

While George and his wife look after organizing the event themselves, on the big day George has many “elves” who come out to help him ensure that everything runs smoothly. He is very appreciative of the efforts of the elves who include both family and friends.

This year, Davies has been a little more worried about the parade logistics than other years, because he has lost one of the parking lots always used as a staging area to construction. On top of that,  First Street has been under construction, but Davies said Monday, that the road patch work is supposed to be finished this week, allowing the parade to stick to its traditional route.

[…]

Members of the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees Women’s Volleyball team were at Seaway District High School on Sunday, where they worked with local players (grades 8-12) who are participating in the second annual Spikes Volleyball program organized by Andy Lee. 

The Spikes program, this year, has attracted 26 local volleyball players intent on improving their skills.

Sunday’s number for the Gee-Gees clinic, presented by GeeGees Myriam English, Stephanie Theiler, Kira Tome and Katherine Weihrer, grew to 31 girls from South and North Dundas, Brockville and Cornwall. 

“The Gee-Gees were able to send us out the best of the best in university volleyball,” said Lee. “The girls did a marvelous job instructing both our kids and the numerous coaches who attended. I hope the girls realized the skilled company they were in.”

 Stephanie Theiler is the Gee-Gees co-captain with Myriam English. She is currently ninth in Ontario for digs while English is the highest point getter in Canada University ball. Kira Tome is the Gee-Gees starting setter, currently fifth in Ontario in assists, and Katherine Weihrer was last year’s captain and starting middle player.  

The Gee-Gees are currently in first place in the OUA East with nine wins and one loss. They are ranked eighth in Canada.

The eight week Spikes Volleyball program, developed by the Ontario Volleyball Association, began at Seaway in early November and runs every Thursday night. 

“We will continue to build our core skills,” said Lee following Sunday’s clinic. “Clinics like these go a long way to achieving that.”

“Our Spikes group took in a game at Ottawa U a few weeks ago, and it was nice to be on the courts with these same players today. They were excellent ambassadors for both their school and their sport. We hope to build on this relationship in the years to come.”

[…]

Not only is current deputy warden Eric Duncan the youngest deputy warden in SDG history, he will be the last.

An ad hoc committee of counties council was formed to review and make procedural recommendations. Those were recently reported to counties council.

“Council will eliminate the position of deputy warden,” reported South Dundas deputy mayor and county councillor Jim Locke at the November 19 South Dundas council meeting.

Traditionally, the person selected as deputy warden, moved into the warden’s seat after one year in the role.

Once these changes are ratified by counties council, the warden will be elected at the October meeting and sworn in to the seat at the head of the council table in December.

Duncan will be the last Deputy Warden to automatically move to the warden’s seat. His inauguration as warden is set for December 6.

Once the new rules come into effect, the sitting warden will also be given the opportunity to serve in the role for one year, or to serve, with council’s approval, for two years.

South Dundas mayor, counties councillor, and former SDG warden Steven Byvelds was on the committee that made these recommendations. 

He recognizes that some wardens are eager for the one year term to end, while others would like to have the opportunity to stay on a little longer to further advance their efforts on committees like the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus.

The deputy mayor often stands in for the warden during ceremonial events. 

In future, this will be handled by an acting warden. Council members will take turns at being acting warden, thus getting more of them involved with community events across SDG. This will be done on a monthly rotation.

Traditionally, though not an official rule, the warden has been rotated between the six municipalities. This change, may or may not impact that traditional rotation. That will be at the discretion of council, as they elect each warden.

The committee has also recommended that counties council adopt the use of a consent agenda. This is the type of agenda already being used here in South Dundas.

[…]

Public washrooms for the Morrisburg plaza, are one step closer to becoming a reality.

At the November 19 South Dundas council meeting, the generous offer of the donation of 99 Main Street Morrisburg, made by Doug Grenkie in 2012 was accepted by council.

They passed a resolution agreeing that the municipality accept the conveyance of the property as a gift in kind and issue a charitable donation receipt of nearly $35,000.

With that acceptance, South Dundas municipal staff were directed to draft a long term lease agreement with the Morrisburg Business Improvement Area confirming that the property will be used for public washrooms and that the BIA will be responsible for all improvements and operational costs of the property.

That lease agreement will come back to council for approval once it is drafted.

“This has been five or six years coming. I’m glad to see it,” said South Dundas councillor Jim Graham. “This has been a long time coming,” said mayor Steven Byvelds. “I am glad that the BIA has taken this on as a project.”

“This is a great partnership with the BIA,” said councillor Evonne Delegarde. “We are needing washroom facilities in our malls. What a great opportunity to offer this to patrons.”

While offering public washrooms plaza patrons, the site will also provide the BIA with much needed office space. 

[…]

The Iroquois Golf Course Board is going to be eliminated.

Formed when the municipality was operating the Iroquois Golf Course, the board consists of the members of South Dundas council.

South Dundas and Seaway Golf have a lease agreement, but that lease is with South Dundas, represented by the council, and not the board.

“The bills are being paid, and it the golf course is not costing the municipality any money,” said South Dundas chief administrative officer Steve McDonald. “The board has served its purpose. There is no longer a need for the board.”

“I don’t think we’re going back in to the golfing business,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. 

“Eliminating the board will just eliminate a layer of bureaucracy,” he added.

Staff was directed by council to bring a resolution to dissolve the board to council at their next meeting.

Following the elimination of that board, any issues regarding the lease agreement will go directly to council. 

[…]

 

CBC is looking for the next great hockey song, and a band made up of local musicians think they might just have the ‘right musical stuff’.

Furious Gord, created in 2010 by singer/songwriter/musicians Dan Barkley, above left, Scott Veinotte, right, Mario Beriault and Derek Jones has written an exciting, upbeat, driving number called ‘The Best Game in Town’, which they have entered into the Hockey Night in Canada SongQuest. 

The voting on line has already begun to find the top 50 songs which will move on to round two in the selection process. The band is hoping that the South Dundas community (and beyond) will rally to support their entry into the Canada-wide contest.

‘The Best Game in Town’ grew out of a different song the band had already written for their new CD, Concession. “We knew we had a really good song,” said Scott Veinotte. “The timing couldn’t have been better. When we learned about the CBC contest for a new song to play during the pre-game highlights reel, we knew our piece could be re-jigged to fit the hockey theme. Dan adapted the lyrics, and the new song took shape. It literally drives to the net.”

With its dynamic lyrics and a blood-racing beat, the song could go all the way to the finals in SongQuest.  “You’ve got to be here when the place goes crazy/’Cause we know it’s the best game in town.”

Voting on line began November 23 and runs until December 11, for round one. If the song makes the first cut, in round two it will be judged by music industry and hockey panels, CBC radio and, again, the public. The ultimate winner, out of the final 10 songs surviving round two, will be chosen just by the public. The judges take into consideration more than just the votes, but also the likes and the listening for a song, in making decisions.

Supporters can vote once a day on each electronic device or machine  from computers to Ipads. The direct link to the voting site is http://music.cbc.ca/#/artists/Furious-Gord 

Help Furious Gord bring home ‘musical’ hockey gold.

[…]

 

“Bah! Humbug! Every idiot who goes about with Merry Christmas on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart!”

These snarling words of Ebenezer Scrooge set the stage, literally, for one of the most loved tales of Christmas, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. 

Beginning on Thursday, November 28 and running until December 15, a large and wonderfully talented cast will bring the timeless story to life as Upper Canada Playhouse stages the seasonal classic for the young and the young at heart.

This visually stunning production, set on a revolving stage, and highlighted with spirited music, lively sound effects and costumes and wigs from the very streets of Victorian London will thrill playgoers. 

“It is the kind of holiday show families look for at this time of year,” said Playhouse artistic director, Donnie Bowes. “The audience will follow Scrooge on his sometimes scary, sometime joyous, but always fascinating journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas.”

At a recent press conference, Bowes commented on why the tale continues to hold such a powerful charm for audiences, nearly 200 years after it appeared. 

“When Dickens first wrote his novel in 1843, it was really a comment on the social issues of the time. In some ways, A Christmas Carol was not taken seriously. But over the decades it has gained weight. Now people look forward to it, to this traditional show that celebrates the season. We get a lot of families booking this one, and a lot of schools.”

The Playhouse adaptation features unique innovations including much music and singing and dancing. Because, as Bowes said, “it’s a ghost story at heart, this also allows special effects and original interpretations.”

To bring the some 35 separate characters in the play to life, Bowes has brought a multi-talented and energetic cast of 12 to the theatre. 

Richard Bauer will play the lead role, a part he says is a “lovely experience. I love playing Scrooge.”

Doug Tangney creates the Ghost of Christmas Past, while Bruce Tubbe portrays the Ghost of Christmas Present and Playhouse newcomer, Warren Bain, is the Ghost of Christmas Future.

Sending shivers through the audience will be Jamie Williams as the spectral Jacob Marley. Williams will also take on the role of Bob Cratchit, while Meredith Zwicker (who is also the play’s musical director) is Mrs. Cratchit.

Tubbe is also cast as the jovial Mr. Fezziwig, with Bain as nephew Fred and Young Scrooge and Ryan Jacobs as Peter Cratchit, among a variety of other roles. (“Ryan has the longest ‘track’ – most characters – in the play,” the other performers laughed.)

Jody Osmond as Belle and Jess Vandenberg, who also designed the lively choreography, fill out the cast. Joining the seasoned performers will be local actors Conor Veinotte, 12, who is appearing in every show as a fiddler, while his two younger brothers, Gavin and Liam, will alternate in the part of the beloved Tiny Tim.

This adaptation features much music and dance. 

“In this show, there are a number of songs,” said Jess Vandenberg. “Donnie made several suggestions, and then Meredith and I found other pieces  which suit the era and the mood.”

“There is only one time that Jess and I have disagreements,” Zwicker laughed. “The cast is all so talented that we fight over who plays, who sings, who dances in any given scene. We end up bartering. Donnie really gives us a lot of free rein. Oh, by the way, Jamie and Richard are keen dancers,” she added, to the amusement of the cast.

With a hard-working crew backstage (over 30 costumes and hair pieces, and a revolving set that allows for continuous action) and technical director Sean Free lighting the show, Upper Canada Playhouse’s production of A Christmas Carol will delight audiences of all ages. 

For information and tickets, contact Upper Canada Playhouse at 613-543-3713/1-877-550-3650 or uppercanadaplayhouse.com. Discounted tickets for the Nov. 29 preview available.

[…]

 

More than 160 children and their parents and grandparents came out to enjoy all the fun at the Iroquois Legion on Thursday, November 21. The star of the  party was undoubtedly the Jolly Old Elf, Santa Claus himself, who popped in from the North Pole. 

The Christmas party was sponsored by the Iroquois & District Business Group.

With goodie bags donated by the Iroquois-Matilda Lions and Doug Byers,  and wrapped by Elf Jim Mustard, and a hot dogs/chili dinner organized by Iroquois Public School Parents Council, no one went home hungry.  Ontario Early Years crafts tables and OPP escorted hay wagon rides from Donald Barkley just added to the fun. 

“Nice to see the community getting into the spirit of Christmas,” said Tracey Stewart, secretary of the Business Association.

[…]