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There is a book, Franklin in the Dark, on the shelf of the Iroquois Public Library. In part the inscription inside its cover reads, “donated by Paulette Bourgeois in memory of a special little girl, Shelby.”

Above it, carefully displayed in a shadow box, is a bright blue, knitted sweater, with Franklin the Turtle in his red scarf, happily scurrying somewhere. Beneath this box is a simple paper plaque which reads, in part, “This sweater was lovingly knit by Freda Bourgeois. She was the mother of Paulette Bourgeois, the author of the Franklin books. Freda called herself Franklin’s grandmother…Freda was a wonderful and talented woman…The sweater is displayed in honour of Freda.”

This is the story of how a baby called Shelby and a grandmother called Freda touched many, many hearts.

When their daughter Shelby, born in February, 2000, was barely six months old, the Staye family of Iroquois was given news that would devastate them. 

Shelby was diagnosed with a very rare type of brain tumour. So rare is this form of cancer that there were, at the time, only 12 cases in all of North America.

“She had a fever all the time,” recalls her mother, Cheryl O’Duffy-Staye. “She could not keep her food down. She was very ill, always, due to increasing pressure on her brain stem.”

Doctors at CHEO could only offer the family a three per cent possibility that Shelby would survive her illness.

On June 6, 2001, baby Shelby Staye died.

“The only good thing, I guess,” Cheryl said quietly, “was that she was too young to understand what was happening to her. I saw too many parents trying to explain to their older children the reality of what was happening to them, trying to console them.

But it was a very tough time for her dad and me.” 

During the dark and difficult days while Shelby was in CHEO undergoing different types of treatments, Cheryl met other moms whose children were taking cancer therapies. 

“CHEO insisted that we had to attend parent meetings with  Philip, a psychologist, to talk and to share our pain,” Cheryl said. “I didn’t want to go to these meetings at first. I felt that I was not at the hospital to make friends. But in the end, it was a good thing I did attend. I did make friends with moms who understood what I was facing.” 

Eventually she grew very close to a particular group of seven women. She also met a wonderful CHEO volunteer, an outgoing elderly woman who often baked loaves and cookies and brought them to the meetings or presented them in baskets to the families.

This volunteer was Freda Bourgeois, who, Cheryl later learned, was founder of the Bouclair chain, and also the mother of Paulette Bourgeois, creator of the much beloved Franklin the Turtle. 

Freda often introduced herself, with a laugh, to parents and families on the oncology floor as “Franklin’s grandmother.”

The Group of Eight Moms, as  Cheryl and the mothers began calling themselves, “adopted” the cheery little woman they had all come to like. 

“When our children didn’t need CHEO any more,” Cheryl said quietly, “we decided to create our charity, The Group of Eight Moms, and held different kinds of fund raisers for the hospital. 

We supported the Children’s Wish Foundation, and when CHEO re-vamped its cancer floor, our Group raised the funds to purchase TVs, DVDs and video players for the children who had to be in isolation wards. Every Christmas the Group still collects donated gifts from area merchants and creates lovely baskets for families. We all understand what it is like to spend Christmas in the hospital.”

That bright blue sweater that now has its home in the Iroquois Library was especially knitted by Freda for Cheryl, to comfort her through the difficult days.

The Group did not learn until later, however, that their Freda, who had already survived one bout with cancer, was quietly battling ovarian cancer. This would be a fight she would not win.

Cheryl cherishes a photo she has of herself with Freda in her last months, shortly before “Franklin’s grandmother” passed away.

“After we lost Shelby, I kept Freda’s special sweater for a few years. Then I decided that it should be out where people could see it. Our family loves reading, so I presented it to Eleanor Pietersma, of the Iroquois Library: when it was mounted, I sent a photo of it to Paulette in her mother’s memory,” Cheryl said.

“Paulette wrote me back, saying it was a wonderful gesture. She then sent a personally signed Franklin book to our Library. Freda was a wonderful, optimistic woman. I suspect having Freda for a mom may have inspired Paulette’s stories.”

When Cheryl learned that she was again pregnant with a little girl (son Callahan was almost seven), “I was so glad. In a way I felt it was like having my first baby back again.”

Baby Shannon and big brother Callahan do not forget Shelby.  Her memory is kept alive in her family. Like  grandmother Freda,  baby Shelby continues to touch many lives. 

Their mother smiles at her two laughing children as they play in the library near the shadow box and the Franklin books.

“Even now, when Callahan draws a picture of our family, at the top of the drawing there is always a tiny baby with small angel wings.”

[…]

 

The nomination process for the 2014 municipal elections doesn’t open until the new year, but already, Leslie Disheau has announced that she plans to seek a seat at the South Dundas council table.

Disheau made the announcement to the South Branch Wind Opposition group, and its followers, within the context of the announced dissolution of the group, over the weekend.

Although Disheau has not yet announced which seat at the South Dundas council table she has her sights set on, she has been considering an election run for some time.

“This decision has not come easy, and it’s not something that just happened overnight,” said Disheau. She said she has been approached often by community members suggesting that she seek election to either the school board or municipal council.

“I’ve been very active over many years in the public school system on the parent councils with our local schools and still am with Seaway. However, it has taken this mess of industrial wind turbines and the actions of our current council to put me in the direction of municipal council,” said Disheau. “I’ve decided to open that door of opportunity and bring positive change to a community I am passionate about.”

“My definition of community includes all of South Dundas. I’ve lived in Iroquois, Morrisburg and now in Brinston. My university degree is in sociology and anthropology with a minor in political science. I’ve been down the path of social work, now it’s time to use that political science education as an elected municipal official.”

In order to make this council run official Disheau, like all other potential candidates will have to file nomination papers with the Municipality of South Dundas between January 2 and September 11, 2014. The next municipal election will take place October 27, 2014.

[…]

 

A sewer use bylaw for South Dundas is in the works.

“This could be a very significant document,” said Todd Grant of AECOM who is working on drafting the document that aims to protect the sewer collection system from extraneous inflow by providing legal grounds for the elimination of improper connections.

An example of an improper connection would be a sump pump connection into the sanitary sewer system. 

These types of connections are believed to exist within the villages of South Dundas, and may be partially to blame for the extreme amounts of water that have overtaxed the waste water treatment plants during large rainfall events in the past.

Many municipalities already have sewer use bylaws in place. 

Grant explained to South Dundas council at the October 15 meeting that this document members of council are presently reviewing is not re-inventing the wheel. 

The current draft of the bylaw is similar to that of six municipalities much like South Dundas. 

Protecting the sewer collection system from corrosion, damage and obstruction, and protecting the wastewater treatment process from upset are the primary objectives of the bylaw. 

According to Grant, having this bylaw in place has the potential to improve the operational efficiency of the wastewater treatment plants by improving the influent quality and reducing influent inflows.

The draft document has been circulated to council for comment. 

It too will undergo a legal review before being presented to the public for input. After the public consultation process the document will require council acceptance before it becomes law. 

While the implementation of this bylaw has no financial implications for the municipality, this bylaw could be costly for some homeowners, where illegal connections do exist. They would be on the hook for costs associated with eliminating those illegal connections.

[…]

 

The South Branch Wind Opposition Group Inc. is being dissolved.

The motion for the voluntary dissolution of the South Branch Wind opposition group was tabled by Leslie Disheau and seconded by Bruce Albers and supported at an October 20 meeting.

The group made the decision because the SBWOG has served the purpose of their original mandate, which was to provide information about the South Branch industrial wind project to local government and citizens of the community.

Disheau thanked everyone for their support of the organization over the past three years. “It has been a very profound experience for this community and those individuals involved,” she said.

[…]

 

Last year’s best new event in Ontario, is even bigger and better this year.

October 10 area media and dignitaries  were led through the 2013 Pumpkinferno display at Upper Canada Village, to see the bigger and better display.

In its sophomore year, even before the display welcomed its first visitors for the 2013 season, officials already knew that what they had to offer was an improvement  over their first year event, which was hugely successful, attracting over 35,000 visitors.

“The display is 25 to 30 per cent bigger,” said St. Lawrence Parks Commission CEO Darren Dalgleish. He explained that not only are there more carvings on display, the display is spread out over a larger area of the village.

The layout of the display had been changed, alleviating many of the congestion issues seen last year.

“This is a unique one of a kind event in Canada. And, the success of last year’s event suggests that this is something that people haven’t seen before,” said Dalgleish.

He is exceptionally proud of Pumpkinferno, which has won many awards, and broken all St. Lawrence Parks Commission attendance records. He takes a great deal of pride in the estimated $4 million economic impact this event has had on the area.

“Re-establishing Eastern Ontario as a tourist destination involves more than just the St. Lawrence Parks,” said Dalgleish. “Being connected to our community is an important priority for us.”

Geoff Waycik, Upper Canada Village General Manager, after just the opening weekend was pleased with attendance, saying that this year’s opening weekend was already larger than last year’s opening weekend.

Waycik spoke about the impact of Pumpkinferno locally last year, with Tim Hortons running out of coffee cups and the local McDonalds this year getting special permission for additional staffing. 

“Pumpkinferno’s impact has definitely been felt locally, and we’re very proud of that fact,” said Waycik.

The walking paths are wider to allow people to take more time to enjoy the 7,000 carvings. 

They have worked to improve the entry process, but with the event’s growing popularity they are strongly recommending that visitors purchase their tickets online to speed the process. 

The House of Horoscopes display (pictured right) is a great unique addition to the display that provides a unique star-gazing opportunity.

The young artist’s pumpkin patch features carvings by area school children. This year 800 young artist participated, which doubles the number involved in the program last year. 

Pumpkinferno runs select nights October 4 to November 2. 

[…]

 

 It has been a long journey for the Reverend Feras Shammas from his original home in Syria to his new home in Morrisburg, Canada. 

While he has only been the spiritual leader of Knox Presbyterian Church in Morrisburg for a little over two months, Reverend Shammas has already begun to feel at ease in his new parish. “Everybody has been very good to me. They have made me feel like family, at home. I am very grateful to the church and to this community for taking in a newcomer and making him feel welcome.”

Reverend Shammas was born in the ancient city of Damascus, now the capital of modern Syria. However, he was brought up in the equally historic city of Aleppo, the largest city in Syria, in the northern part of the nation.

“Aleppo is a very old city,” Rev. Shammas explained, “a place where many different ethnic groups live. There is a very large Christian community there.” He attended high school in Aleppo, until he made the personal decision to move to Beirut, Lebanon, in 1993-4, to attend the Near East School of Theology, where he earned his B.A. in theology, with a major in New Testament studies.

Rev. Shammas feels that he received the call to the ministry at a very early age.

“In Aleppo I attended a school which had been founded by American Protestant missionaries. My mom actually taught at the school, and my dad was on the school board. Both of my brothers (one older, one younger) and I went there. Every day began with morning chapel, and I experienced the preaching of a wonderful chaplain. I was still in elementary school when I felt that I wanted to work in the Church. Over time, the call just grew within me.”

When he announced his desire, as a child, to enter the Presbyterian ministry, his family “thought the desire might fade with time. But by high school, they understood that I was really committed and were very supportive. There is a very strong Presbyterian tradition in my family. My father is an elder, my brother a church musician. However,” he added with a laugh, “I am not sure they were quite expecting to produce a full minister.” 

Shammas began his ministry in 1999, in both Syria and Lebanon, serving and working in a number of churches. His last church in the Middle East was in Syria, by the coast, in Lattakia City. “We had a congregation made up of over 600 families. I was chair of the church board, and the senior pastor. I also had youth and choir pastors.” 

The nature of life in the Middle East meant that Feras’ family was often separated, far away from each other. For more than 15 years, his brothers and parents and he were in various parts of Europe and the Gulf. 

“We made a decision as a family that we were going to be together again. We decided that we would all go to North America.” 

By this time, Rev. Shammas was married, and had two daughters. 

“I met my wife, Reine, at college, where she was also studying theology. But in the Middle East it is still not possible for a woman to be ordained, despite her degree. We wanted to come to a nation where we could be equals, and she could also be ordained. We wanted a place of equality, a place where she could serve the church.”

The couple decided that in North America that would be possible. With emigration in mind, they actually chose the names Cynthia and Amy (ages 10 and eight) for their daughters.

“I had a college friend, a minister in Kemptville. We talked about my coming here. So I applied to the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and well, here I am,” Shammas laughed.

However, the young minister did have to cope with a difficult situation. He had gone ahead to Canada, preparing for his family to join him. However, just as his wife and daughters were to be issued their visas, there was a massive Civil Service strike. 

The great news is that Reine and the girls have now safely made it to Canada. With the arrival of Feras’ wife and children, the entire Shammas family can finally realize their dream of being together in North America.

The Reverend Shammas is very happy, and settling well into his new church family. “Presbyterian traditions are very alike, no matter where in the world the church is,” he explained. “These traditions and ways of doing things, even the similar hymns, meant that I could feel at home in this church and with these people almost immediately. 

Knox has been looking for a new spirit, with a goal of bringing families and young people back to the church. I’m going to be deeply involved in this. Knox Presbyterian Church is part of a beautiful family, and it deserves my hard work.”

[…]

 

“Four years ago, we all walked through the doors of Seaway District High School, not knowing which way to go, or where we would fit in,” said the 2013 SDHS valedictorian, Vicki VanHoof. 

She was addressing 63 fellow graduates in the beautifully decorated school gymnasium, before a packed audience. VanHoof recalled teachers, classrooms, assignments, assemblies, sports and  special extra curricular events (like Hay Day), describing how they brought everyone together.

“Regardless of where we came from, we were all willing to make new friends, and to become a new Spartan family.” Four years later, “I am standing here before you looking into our futures, seeing that we have many obstacles to overcome, many dreams yet to fulfill…but being a Spartan has taught us never to give up…”

For the grads and the community, this was a joyous and slightly nostalgic commencement. This is the final one which Seaway will hold in the fall. 

Beginning in 2014, in order to “facilitate student attendance at graduation exercises and to align our practice with other schools in the Upper Canada District School Board” Seaway will be holding the ceremony in June SDHS principal, Terry Gardiner, informed the community in July, 2013.

The South Dundas community, as always, was extremely generous to its 2013 graduates. 

Emcees for the graduation ceremony, teachers Sharon Last and Jeff Crooke, estimate that awards, bursaries and scholarships totalling more than $40,000 were presented to the graduating class. 

Vicki VanHoof brought laughter to the last fall graduation ceremony at Seaway, when she ended her valedictory address with the words of Dr. Seuss:

“You have brains in your head

You have feet in your shoes,

You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.

You are on your own, 

And you know what you know,

And you are the one who will decide where to go…”

[…]

 

The Iroquois Matilda Lions Club is hosting Iroquois' 1812 Commemoration event to be held on the 9th of November 2013. 

Four historic plaques will be located on the Point overlooking the Iroquois Lock. 

A dedication ceremony and memorial service will be conducted in the morning. 

The SD&G Highlanders will be represented and participate in the ceremonies as well as re-enactors from New York State, Ontario and Quebec. 

In the afternoon a re-enactment of the 7th of November 1813 skirmish will take place in the same park. 

Displays from various organizations and individuals can be viewed that day in the Iroquois Civic Centre. 

One of the organizers of the event, Howard Kirkby, provided a brief history of the of the armed conflicts that took place 1812-1814.

“Following the US declaration of war against Great Britain on the 18th of June 1812, a number of military engagements were pursued,” said Kirby in a media release. “What is not so widely known is that on two occasions, Point Iroquois and environs witnessed notable armed conflict.”

September 16, 1812 an Ogdensburg force was assembled and captured all but one of the families living on Tousaint Island, in an effort to ambush a British convoy. 

A Mohawk, who was not captured, under fire, canoed to the Canadian riverbank to warn the convoy of the pending ambush, which the Canadian/British force attached to the convoy was able to thwart. 

In this skirmish, one American was killed and six were wounded, while the British/Canadian force had one killed and several wounded.

November 7, 1813, a force of 10,000 Americans received orders to  proceed down the St. Lawrence River, effecting the destruction of all enemy fortifications, and to link up with forces at Lac St. Louis before proceeding to attack an capture Montreal.

While feigning an attack on Kingston, the American commander continued with a flotilla to Ogdensburg. From there, an advance scouting party was engaged in a skirmish by the Dundas Militia that forced the Americans to set up camp at Iroquois Point until November 9. 

The skirmish at Point Iroquois resulted in the death of one American soldier and, perhaps significantly, delayed the enemy’s advance long enough for the Canadian militias to assemble near Captain Crysler’s farm and join Morrison’s forces in effecting a victorious battle plan on the 11th of November. 

[…]

 

It’s not often that someone packing for a trip includes 1,000 pairs of underwear in their luggage, but that’s what an Ault Island couple did as they prepared to leave for Africa this week.

Gail Hamilton and Brian Barkley left on a mission to a Kenyan orphanage, October 8.

This is the second time Hamilton has made the journey and Barkley’s first.

Eight people are making the trip to the orphanage, the Ebenezer Life Centre in Ahero, Kenya.

The orphanage, run by Bishop Winnie Owiti, is not government supported. It relies on sponsors to cover the day to day needs of the 800 children who live there. 

Owiti’s last visit to Canada, when she was here in Morrisburg, is the reason that Hamilton and Barkley decided to pack the 1,000 pairs of underwear.

“When she was here, she bought a bunch of underwear for the children at the orphanage; it was something they needed,” said Barkley. “She packed it in her luggage, and her luggage got lost, never to be found again.”

After hearing the story, Hamilton and Barkley set a goal to take 1,000 new pairs of underwear with them to the orphanage when they made the trip. 

“We met and exceeded our goal,” said Hamilton.

They purchased most of the underwear themselves, taking advantage of various close out sales at discount stores, and friends made some donations.

In addition to the approximately $800 spent on underwear, Hamilton and Barkley each raised $2,000 for the orphanage.

While at the orphanage they plan to host a Canada Day event for the children, which will feature fun activities, sports and a special meal.

Hamilton got involved with the orphanage project through her cousin Lorraine Casselman, founder and executive director for the Canadians For the Children of Africa, a non-profit agency.

That was the reason for the first visit for Hamilton. 

The reason for the second visit is the children of the orphanage. 

“The children made me want to go back. Children here have everything; children there have nothing. The only thing they have is their smiles. They look at life differently.”

Barkley sees this trip as a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

Though he is looking forward to the trip he is a unsure of how the experience will affect him. 

Hamilton though, is very sure of how Barkley will be affected by the mission. 

“His heart, that is already big, will open up even more. It really will. It happens when you get the opportunity to spend time with these children.”

[…]

 

Help is available for anyone affected by mental health issues in any way, and a local woman has been working tirelessly since the loss of her son who suffered from mental health issues, to bring that help close to home.

Augusta Waddell is continuing to champion the cause of mental health, with a special view to making more mental health services and programs available locally.

She has been able to organize a family support group that meets monthly at the Iroquois Civic Centre.

The meetings take place the third Tuesday of every month (except December) in the meeting room at the Civic Centre, from 6-7:45 p.m.

The group has the support of the Canadian Mental Health Association and of the Municipality of South Dundas, which is providing the meeting space at the Civic Centre.

What she needs now is for the people impacted by mental health issues to get involved.

The group’s first meeting was held in September, and although a guest speaker was part of the night’s agenda, only one person attended, and that person came from the Kemptville area.

“Our family support group is designed for relatives and friends of individuals with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and other mood disorder,” explains Waddell. “The group meets once a month in Iroquois and is led by the members themselves. By sharing our experiences, we learn how to cope more effectively with the challenges of supporting a loved one with mental illness.”

“There is a real stigma attached to mental illness, and we need to work to get rid of that,” said Waddell, who plans to continue to hold these support group meetings, month after month, regardless of how many people attend.

Although anyone can drop by the meetings, Waddell would appreciate those who plan to attend to let her know by calling her at 613-652-4664. 

The support group meetings will often include an educational component, so on occasions when they have larger numbers participating she plans to arrange for guest speakers. 

Because the Canadian Mental Health Association has been so supportive of Waddell’s efforts, she has organized an event to help fund raise for the organization.

 

Halloween Dance and Costume Party

 

October 26, at the Iroquois Legion, a Halloween Dance and Costume Party will be taking place, starting at 8 p.m. Prizes for the best costume and a silent auction will be part of the night’s festivities. Tickets are $15 per person and are available in Iroquois at the Legion and Mustard’s Variety, in Morrisburg at the Basket Case Café, in Williamsburg at Whitteker Meat Market, in South Mountain at Rick’s Gas Bar or by calling Augusta Waddell (613-652-4664) or Margaret Swerdfeger (613-652-2078).

[…]