email: southdundasinbox@gmail.com

The Algoma Harvester is one of our favourites that travel back and forth between Thunder Bay

and eastern Canada. She came through today (Sunday), heading west and we caught this photo

under some sloppy clouds. Watchers barely hear her motors as she slips the entirety of her

massive, 740 foot long bulk through the water, her stern constantly chasing her bow . . . 

South Glengarry -  The 51-year-old man, reported missing in the Summerstown area, has been located deceased.

        The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (SD&G) Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) began the search April 24, 2024. Foul play is not suspected.

        Out of respect for the family, no other details will be released.

South Dundas Mayor Jason Broad had "the team" lined up for the opening of the annual

Chamber of Commerce Home and Trade Show on Friday evening at Morrisburg Arena,

including Councillor Daniel Ward who was attending on the expected day of a

new arrival to her family. Celebrating the event with Chamber of Commerce

President Randy North and ST&SG  MP Eric Duncan, the group welcomed

steady stream of visitors who came through the door throughout the evening intent

on visiting the various booths and displays. The show continues through Saturday,

opening with a pancake breakfast, and runs throughout the day, with

entertainment and fun for the young crowd included.

Deals are abundant, in particular an Eastlink internet/phone/tv 2-year package

that comes with free installation and a $200 credit to start things off.

Everyone is welcome, including youngsters who enjoy sampling a candy bowl

booth to booth, or experiencing the view from the Municipality's new Zamboni . . . 

And on the second last Tuesday of April a storm approached from the west . . . 

Tuesday, May 14th thru Sunday, May 19th - Hot on the heels of their recent sell-out concert Oh Canada! We Sing For Thee!, Leisa Way and the Wayward Wind Band return to the Playhouse stage with another blockbuster live concert-Opry Gold!      

        Featuring hits from the legendary and contemporary Queens and Kings of Country music, Opry Gold originally had its premiere run several years ago at The Playhouse.

        "It’s always such a thrill for us to bring these musical talents to our Playhouse stage here in Morrisburg," comments Artistic Director Donnie Bowes. "These are some of the finest musicians in the country and this concert not only showcases the incredible music made famous by the greatest country stars, they also tell the fascinating stories and anecdotes behind the music and the artists who made them famous."

        Audiences will enjoy hits from such country artists as Johnny Cash, Shania Twain, Vince Gill, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Charlie Daniels, Willie Nelson, Tammy Wynette, George Jones, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Taylor Swift, Tony Keith, Roger Miller and More. It’s a mixture of classic Grand Ole Opry masters and the next generation of breakthrough country artists, highlighting all the amazing stars who have played the Opry stage over the years. 

        Opry Gold clearly is a labour of love for show creator Leisa Way and her multi-talented band, Brant Garratt, Jack Gaughan, Al Braatz, Alex George, Don Reid and musical arranger Bruce Ley. Fiddle, banjo, drums, keyboard, guitars, bass, harmonica and even the washboard- these artists can play them all! And when they vocalize, the audience is treated to first class harmonies and solos. 

        Opry Gold takes the audience on a journey back to 1925, when Nashville’s radio station WSM became the first all-country music station and brings audiences some of the very best of classic and new wave country music with a heapin’ helpin’ of good-natured fun! 

        The Playhouse reports that Opry Gold is already close to 90% sold. Audience members are encouraged to book now.

Opry Gold plays Tuesday, May 14th thru Sunday, May 19th

Shows 2pm & 7:30pm

613-543-3713/ 877-550-3650 

uppercanadaplayhouse.com

Wednesday, May 1st - 370 motorcyclists lost their lives in Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) jurisdictions in the past 10 years, and the OPP is casting light on causal factors and other relevant data, with the aim of helping motorcyclists and other drivers recognize how they can avoid contributing further to these preventable deaths.  

         Between 2014 and 2023, excessive speed, failing to yield right of way, driver inattention and losing control accounted for more than 50 per cent of the contributing factors in OPP-investigated motorcyclist fatalities. Alcohol and/or drugs were involved in 17 per cent of the deaths. Following too closely, improper turns, lane changes and passing are among other factors every year.   

         For motorcycle fatalities that involved other vehicles, 46 per cent of the actions and behaviours that led to the fatalities were on the part of the motorcyclist, with the remaining 54 per cent attributed to other drivers involved in the crashes. Thirty per cent of the fatal incidents were intersection-related, while 38 per cent of the collisions occurred on provincial highways.

         The OPP and its valued partners at Moto Canada are counting on all drivers to help make it a collision-free riding season by sharing the road safely and staying alert. Motorcyclists are reminded to make themselves visible, wear protective gear, ride sober and within the speed limit, and make every decision a safe one while riding. Drivers are urged to keep a watchful eye out for motorcycles and contribute towards a safe driving environment, not just for motorcyclists, but all road users.   

        The funding is helping the River Institute modernize internal systems for tracking project activities and outcomes to increase resilience and improve efficiencies, as well as to better communicate these outcomes and impacts, including through new tools integrated into a refreshed River Institute website that will be made available this summer. “Community service organizations are at the heart of communities like Cornwall, creating a sense of belonging from coast to coast to coast. The Community Services Recovery Fund will enable organizations like the River Institute that serve our diverse communities to adapt and modernize their programs and services and to invest in the future of their organizations, staff and volunteers. Together, we can rebuild from the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic and build a more just and equitable future for those in Eastern Ontario,” said Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

        “The Community Services Recovery Fund is providing important support to the critical behind the scenes work that helps keep all of our projects up and running while ensuring high quality program delivery,” said River Institute Program Leader for Administration, Christina Collard. “We are grateful to the Government of Canada for this timely support for community service organizations, as well as to our national funder, the Community Foundations of Canada, for their work with the Community Services Recovery Fund and their continued efforts to strengthen community well-being in Eastern Ontario.” 

        The River Institute was established in 1994 as a unique community partnership involving the City of Cornwall, the Mohawks of Akwesasne, government, education, business, and industry. Its mandate is environmental research, outreach, and education, with a focus on the Great Lakes / St. Lawrence River ecosystem. For more information about the River Institute’s Education programs, including family workshops and summer camps, visit https://riverinstitute.ca.

Ontario-Quebec - Police have recently arrested 14 individuals in Montréal linked to the emergency grandparent scam that targeted victims across Canada.

        In September 2022, the Ontario Provincial Police Anti-Rackets Branch began an intelligence probe into a group involved in the fraud. In February 2023, the probe was formalized as an OPP Criminal Investigation Branch-led joint forces operation , known as Project Sharp, and consisted of 11 Ontario and Quebec police services in total.

        Aimed at seniors with a landline telephone, the group using the emergency grandparent scam pretended to be an officer or a lawyer and claimed to have the victim's grandchild or family member in custody. They would request bail money to secure the victim's family member's release. In most cases, "money mules" were used to collect the money. The victims were instructed not to speak to anyone due to a "gag order" they said was in effect. Since February 2022, the group of suspects is responsible for over $2.2 million in reported losses Canada-wide. 

There are so many locations across our country that have their own beautiful settings.

And among them are several from our very own community. Bright, bold, powerful vistas

that demand one stand in place and take in this wonderful, very natural scenery.

This particular setting is Mariatown, looking west toward the Iroquois dam,

right here in South Dundas. And quite possibly one of the most perfect locations

from which to watch our great river, passing ships, and that so creative movement

of the sun each and every day and each and every season . . .

www.dundasmanordream.ca

 Under the leadership of Grade 7 teacher Blair Fitzsimons, St. Mary - St. Cecilia's group of eight

competing inventor-scientists, above, includes (back row), Will Millward, Liam Qusnel, Emily Morris,

Owen Markell, Evelyn McClafferty; (front row) Tessa Laurin, Payshence Sheldrick and Georgia Elliott.

Friday, Mar. 22nd - Eight students at St. Mary St. Cecilia Catholic School in Morrisburg have mastered their way into the final five contestant groups from across Canada who are taking part in Samsung’s ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ contest.

        Samsung’s contest encourages the use of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to create solutions around issues that can impact a community. The submissions for the contest are sponsored and submitted by a teacher (Blair Fitzsimons).

       From Samsung’s web site describing the various aspects of the ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ competition, “We consider energy efficiency and resource circularity for our products throughout their entire life cycle - sourcing, production, distribution, use and recycling - to strive towards reducing our impact on the environment, including efforts to increase water reuse and advance carbon capture technology.’

       The web page further explains the contest rules, including the requirement of a team produced video summarizing their entry that will be used by the panel of judges in selecting the order of finish for the five finalists.

       In being selected one of the Top Five entrants in Samsung’s ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ contest, the St. Mary St. Cecilia group of developing solution specialists has already won a $5000 Samsung Cash Voucher intended to purchase new technology for their school. A second  or third place finish will garner St. Mary St. Cecilia an additional $10,000. Should the St. Mary St. Cecilia entry continue on the path to 1st Place and win top approval, they are eligible for a $50,000 Cash Prize for their school, and will become owners of ‘The School for Tomorrow’ title for a year.

       In addition to the prizes handed out by Samsung’s panel of judges there is too a “People’s Choice” presentation of $5000 available for their favourite Solve for Tomorrow finalist entry. 

       When asked if there were plans in the making for any monies the student team is awarded Coach Fitzsimons said, "We see an opportunity to enhance our digital equipment so that in future school years the students can create and develop ideas on a leading edge scale. They will be able to deliver presentations in which they created all of the components, such as instructional images and artwork, right here in the class room."

       St. Mary-St. Cecilia’s eight student competing team is excitedly awaiting Samsung’s final announcement, expected in the next few days, concerning the overall order of finish.