email: southdundasinbox@gmail.com
Leisa Way, Wayward Wind delivering a Christmas Spirit . . .
Musical Christmas returns to Playhouse . . .
Saturday, Nov. 25th - Music is one of the great joys of the Christmas season! And spreading that very special joy will be Upper Canada Playhouse’s Home For The Holidays with Leisa Way and the Wayward Wind Band, a very special Christmas Concert to celebrate that joy.
Opening in Morrisburg on Tuesday, Dec. 5th and running through Sunday, Dec. 17th, this live concert has something for everyone. Way and her band frequently choose The Playhouse to premiere their new concerts and Home For The Holidays is another fabulous concert that Playhouse audiences will be the first to experience and enjoy.
"It’s not the first festive concert that Leisa and her band has originated right here at The Playhouse", remarks Artistic Director Donnie Bowes, adding "Her other Christmas concerts, Have Yourself A Swinging Little Christmas and Mistletoe Magic both made their debuts right here in Morrisburg and have then gone on to entertain audiences at many other theatres."
The Playhouse regularly arranges for other musical companies to develop and premiere new concerts at their theatre and live concerts have become an integral part of the theatre’s season for the last several years providing a value-added addition to their flagship theatre season.
"Your season will be merry and bright at Upper Canada Playhouse!" guarantees Way, "Our spectacular musical celebration is filled with laughter, comedy & festive songs to put everyone in the Christmas spirit!"
Their concert will include toe-tapping fiddling, virtuoso guitar playing, laughter, joy and all the magic you’ve come to expect from this talented troupe. It also includes favorite classic Christmas songs, contemporary holiday tunes and also lots to give kids an experience they won’t soon forget with appearances by Frosty, Rudolph, Snoopy and Charlie Brown. Joining lead vocalist Way will be musical director Bruce Ley on piano, Bobby Prochaska on bass, Don Reid on drums, Fred Smith on guitars and Nathan Smith on fiddle, with all of the musicians also performing as vocalists.
Home For the Holidays is a fitting conclusion to the Playhouse's successful 2023 Season. The theatre's newly announced 2024 Season of laughter and music is already proving popular with audiences booking season tickets for the theatre’s line-up that offers entertaining shows throughout the year.
Home For The Holidays runs Tuesday, Dec. 5th - 17th
Contact Box Office at 613-543-3713/877-550-3650
uppercanadaplayhouse.com
Northern Knowledge presentation at St. Mary-St. Cecilia . . .
Inuit William Komaksiutiksak pays visit . . .
William Komaksiutiksak explains the Inuit culture and demonstrates their unique
way of life in Canada's most northern lands . . .
Tuesday, Nov. 28th - Who knew that constructing and using an Ulu would attract so many questions. At St. Mary-St. Cecilia Catholic School on Tuesday of this week Inuit culture teachings were presented by William Komaksiutiksak to individual classes. Included in the teachings were methods of constructing the Inuit's favoured tool, an Ulu, used in so many of the daily life skills of Canada's most northern indigenous peoples.
Komaksiutiksak tours many schools with his teachings, and visits with many of the students through each of his presentations highlighting the ways and skills adapted and used in the daily life of the Inuit. Students on Tuesday were most interested in the construction and the extensive uses of an Inuit Ulu, a palm handled tool with a half-moon shaped cutting blade.
As one may expect, when the subject of skinning and butchering caribou and seals for the dinner table was presented, hands were quickly raised in an interest of asking questions. And as their visitor became more descriptive in explaining the Inuit methods of skin preparations for clothing the Grades four and five students sought answers to even more questions.
William Komaksiutiksak's teachings provide a personal and colourful peak into the Inuit way of like. He brings a camaraderie into the room, and he signs his name as spelled above, with a second line "aka Northern Knowledge" trailing his signature. And when he informs the attentive group that the Inuit people's menu includes fish, seals, whales, caribou, and walruses, all eyes in the room were riveted on this interesting gentleman standing at the front of the classroom with a Ulu in his hand.
Komaksiutiksak explained that his people make use of all of the body parts of animals they hunt, and for food, clothing and tools. He explained the uses, included the making of spears and harpoons, coats, blankets, and even boats.
He displayed a Qulliq he had carved from soap stone, a traditional oil lamp that serves as a heat and light source fused in many purposes in the Inuit way of life. And he encouraged the students to learn about their own culture, to follow their interests in art, and seek out avenues in life they will love.
In explaining to the students his love of learning his people's ways of creating art, tools and clothing, William Komaksiutiksak added that he intended to further his education by joining more instructional and art classes, and that his next work would be in creating his own unique Ulu.
In closing the session with the Grades four and five group Komaksiutiksak posed with Pyper Hunter, who he had handed his Ulu and a seal skin vest to use as props. Seemingly as a gesture for his generosity, Pyper smiled, widely . . .
Trio of St. Lawrence Parks Halloween events scares up 75,000 guests . . .
The St. Lawrence Parks Commission's Halloween program was responsible for more than
75,000 guests celebrating Autumn in Eastern Ontario . . .
Fall events inject $9M economy boost . . .
Monday, Nov. 27th - St. Lawrence Parks Commission ushered in the fall season with a thrilling trio of Halloween experiences, offering guests a range of options to celebrate autumn in Eastern Ontario. From pumpkin delights to terrifying frights, SLPC's fall experiences in Kingston and Morrisburg attracted more than 75,000 guests, casting a spell of excitement and economic impact across the region.
Pumpkinferno, a mesmerizing luminary experience featuring thousands of handcrafted, glowing pumpkins continues to be a family-friendly favourite. Originating in 2012 at Upper Canada Village and expanding to the Kingston market two years ago, this year the signature event ran in both Morrisburg and at a new Kingston location, Kingston Penitentiary. This year also marked the bone-chilling return of Fort Fright to Fort Henry in Kingston, a scare attraction featuring more than 50 movie-style, quality animatronics, dynamic special effects, intense sound and lighting and a large number of costumed scare actors. Originally introduced at Fort Henry in 2007 Fort Fright was back by popular demand after a two-year hiatus.
“We are pleased to have contributed to strong economic activity levels in Eastern Ontario during a time of year that is typically slower for tourism,” said SLPC Chair, Hon. Bob Runciman. “This is particularly meaningful in a year during which people are choosing how to spend their discretionary income very carefully. By offering guests different experience options as well as their favourite annual fall tradition in two distinct locations, we were able to appeal to the market and make these experiences accessible to them.”
Fall events like Pumpkinferno and Fort Fright play a key role in extending the tourism season. With fall special events at all three historic attractions this year, SLPC was able to maximize its draw post-core season, generating important economic spinoff for local communities and the Eastern Ontario region. The positive impact of these three fall events is estimated at nearly $9,000,000 according to the Tourism Regional Economic Impact Model. The increased spending directly and indirectly benefits restaurants, accommodations, retail and transportation providers and hundreds of other businesses across South Eastern Ontario.
“Pumpkinferno is a must-see attraction that brings guests from all across Eastern Ontario & Western Quebec,” pointed out Nolan Quinn, Member of Provincial Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry.
“The Parks of the St. Lawrence have done a tremendous job in developing and nurturing these exhibits. My family anticipates visiting Upper Canada Village every year, especially during the fall to take in the thousands of carved pumpkins.” Quinn added.
In particular, Pumpkinferno at Upper Canada Village continues to illuminate the South-Dundas-Glengarry region with the greatest economic impact, offering a boon to small businesses and commerce in the eastern end of the St. Lawrence corridor.
“Congratulations to the St. Lawrence Parks Commission on the success of Pumpkinferno and Fort Fright,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism Culture and Sport. “These popular events showcased the magic of fall in Eastern Ontario and provided a welcomed boost to the local economy.”
Upper Canada Village is now preparing for the 23rd season of Alight at Night, one of Ontario’s largest outdoor light festivals which features more than a million lights. The picture-perfect Alight at Night festival runs from Friday, Dec. 1st thru Saturday, Jan. 6th, 2024 in Morrisburg.
Graduate Lions enjoying the U13-Rep experience . . .
Demons terrorize 2nd-place Rangers . . .
Sporting #12 for the South Grenville Rangers U13-B Rep team on Tuesday evening
at Chesterville was Abby Dake, a young lady with an intense competitive spirit and an
ability to match. Abby skates beautifully, defends against all comers and takes no guff from the guys.
Following being slammed to the ice by an opponent in this 'no contact' level of competition
Abby immediately jumped up and returned the favour, although somewhat harder.
Both were ejected from the game . . .
Tuesday, Nov. 28th - Three graduates of the South Dundas Minor Hockey Association chose to chase the opportunity to play U13-B Rep level hockey earlier this season. To realize the dream, and with no Rep opportunity in South Dundas at their level, Charlie Priestman, Charlie Sears and Linden Lemire tried out for and eventually signed on with the North Dundas Demons entry in the Upper Canada Minor Hockey League.
Playing home games out of the Chesterville Arena the Demons have been “running with the big dogs” thru the initial two months of the regular season, recording a single loss in their 12 regular season games. Kemptville’s Royals caught the Demons napping on Wednesday, Nov. 5th at Kemptville in a 5-2 upset.
The North Dundas team is currently leading the U13-B Rep group, as of Tuesday evening, Nov. 28th, when they routed out yesterday’s 1st-place South Grenville Rangers in a 9-3 thrashing.
League regular season statistics show North Dundas as a formidable opponent for any team in the group. They are cruising along on a .917 winning percentage at the near perfect time of the season and netminder Jonah Drouin-Geurts has been extremely stingy behind a talented defence, allowing the slightest hair over two goals per game. The Demons are averaging a blistering 7.25 goals for per game.
North Dundas star list appears to be led by Wes Mattice who notched four points in the Tuesday evening game on a pair of counters and to helpers. Carter Sadler and Wyatt Johnston each added a pair of goals and single assists with single goals by Emmett Heuf, Rijker Roosendaal and Colby Morozuk in the runaway.
Answering for the Rangers were Avery Millar, Wyatt Walker and Lucas Kirkby.
The Demons next home game is set for Wednesday, Dec. 6th when the 5th-place Brockville Braves visit Chesterville for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop. North Dundas doubled the Braves, 6-3, in their last outing, Monday, Nov, 20th at Brockville.
U15-B 1 Lions outshine Lion opponents . . .
Leila Cassell prepares to unload a back-hand shot on Lincoln Robinson
in the final period of Sunday night's U15-B House action. Cassell's team scored
an 8-1 victory, although Robinson stopped her on this scoring attempt
Sunday, Nov. 26th - Hudson Shaver led his U15-B1 House Lions in a bombardment of shots against the never quitting net minder Lincoln Robinson and his U15-B2 Lions’ teammates on Sunday evening at Morrisburg Arena. The crafty and slick puck handling Shaver not only celebrated a 5-point night with a trio of goals in the 8-1 victory, he also stood in for some rough tactics late in the game that scored him a trio of infractions.
At the opposing end of the ice surface, B2 cage keeper Lincoln Robinson faced a constant barrage of shots and goal mouth battles, 51 of them recorded on the score sheet, refusing to let up until the sound of the final buzzer brought relief.
Shaver scored the first goal of the game on a very pretty unassisted effort, added a second counter in the middle stanza on a Kane Casselman play and a third marker in the final frame on an assist by Keagan Sadler. While Leila Cassell and Kane Casselman took part in the final 20 minutes with single goals, it was Shaver who provided them assists too.
Leila Cassell scored a pair of goals in the game, her first early, to open the middle period and her second to close the third frame. Affiliate Max Bazinet added the other U15-B1 marker when he scored Sadler a second assist on the night finishing off the big defence man’s play bending the twine behind Robinson.
Brooke Tait set up the only goal by the B-2 squad, that on a pass to Owen Smyth who managed to break through the B1 defence and beat Joel Perreault early in the final period. The goal was scored on one of 11 shots on net by the B2 Lions side.
Affiliates Garrett Templton and Talon Brundige also took part in the 8-1 game.
The victory leaves the U15-B1 Lions holding on to 7th-place in the regular season standings while the U15-B2 entry and the Demons from North Dundas are battling each other to see who stays ahead of 11th and final spot in regular season action.
On Friday, Dec. 1st the Smiths Falls Bear are hosted by the South Dundas U15-B2 Lions in a visit to Morrisburg Arena for an 8:00 p.m. puck drop. The following afternoon the U15-B1 Lions travel to Kemptville to meet the Kemptville Royals 1 at 5:30 p.m.
Glens 3rd goal burns Lions effort . . .
Greyson Durant tips an Alexandria shot up and over the net in the opening period
on Saturday afternoon at Morrisburg . . .
Saturday, Nov. 25th - Had it been any closer it surely would have been the second win of the season for the South Dundas U11-Rep Lions on Saturday afternoon at Morrisburg Arena. The home team Lions were hosting the second place Alexandria Glens, a squad sitting on six wins and two ties over 11-games. South Dundas, in six outings owns a single win, with all of the losses by a very slim goal or two.
Owen Wray opened the game scoring on Saturday when he beat Lion’s netminder Emmett Cooper-Kirkhof for the 1-0 lead. Owen Beauclair picked up the helper. It was the only counter in the 15-minute, back and forth battle over this period.
Second frame action was witness to a superb performance by Cooper-Kirkhof in particular and the Lions defensive play at large when the Glens owned control of the puck for the majority of playing time. Alexandria went up on a 2-0 lead, this time with Max Duval sliding the puck between the posts on assists from Owen Wray and Sebastian Quensel.
The Lions turned it around early in the final frame when the smooth skating Mav Delong fired a clean wrist shot past the Glens cage keeper, Aryanne Robichaud, cutting the visitor’s lead in half. The goal was answered by the Glens just more than a minute later with Owen Beauclair notching his second point of the night and Alexandria’s Connor MacMillan and Sebastian Quensel scoring the support points.
Nash Dempsey kept the Lions in the game three minutes following the Glens third counter when he snared the puck in the Alexandria zone, neatly stepped around the visitors defenders and wired a wrist shot high into the open side of the net. Easily the goal of the day.
Neither team scored in the final seven minutes of the third period, leaving the tally at 3-2 for the visiting Glens.
On Thursday, Nov. 30th at 6:00 p.m. the Lions host the Cornwall Colts at Morrisburg Arena in what is expected to be an action packed game. This is wildly exciting hockey with end to end action, start to finish.
Lions caged in game with Braves . . .
South Dundas Lions U11-C sniper Jaxson Shaver wires a shot into the twine
behind the Brockville Braves netminder on Saturday at Morrisburg Arena.
Shaver and his teammates unfortunately dropped the game . . .
On Saturday, Dec. 2nd the North Dundas Demons come to Morrisburg
to face the Lions in a 1:00 p.m. puck drop.
Jr Lions host SG Rangers, ND Rockets here Saturday, Sunday . . .
Brownlee notches platinum hat trick . . .
Sunday, Nov. 26th - As most of the teams comprising the National Capital Junior Hockey League passed the midway point of their regular season over the weekend it was the Morrisburg Junior Lions, and particularly Ben Lapier, who caught considerable fan attention.
Lapier may have given some of the scorekeepers around the league writers cramp in amassing seven points in Friday’s game against the 10th-place Metcalfe Jets and an additional five points against the Inferno the following evening at Almonte. Lapier and his teammates moved the local Jr Lions into 3rd-place in the league’s regular season standings.
These numbers and the pair of Lion’s victories do read as attention grabbing, but in fact, at Saturday’s game it was Lapier who performed at the edge of the scoring spotlight.
Justice Brownlee, who many hockey fans believe is Morrisburg’s and one of the league’s top all-around players, game in and game out , led the Lions with 5-goals (referred to as a platinum hat trick by real hockey fans) and 2-assists on the night. Rylan Iwachniuk added four assists to his scoring race totals.
“Great all round play from all four of our lines,” announced Assoc. Coach Jamie Smith following the game, “I know we weren’t playing one of the league’s top teams, but watching all of our guys performing like that is what coaches love to see!”
The Lions currently share the top six spots in the league scoring race with the Gatineau Hull-Volant. Volant’s Julien Arruda owns the number one position with 19 goals and 51 points, Lion’s Ben Lapier is in second place with 22 goals and 48 points, Volant’s Clement Gravelle sits in third spot with 44 points and 17 goals, Volant’s Sam Emery is in fourth place with 13 goals and 37 points, Lion’s Justice Brownlee holds fifth place with 17 goals and 35 points, and Lion’s Rylan Iwachniuk is in 6th place with 8 goals and 29 points.
Morrisburg blasted into the Inferno zone early in the Saturday evening meet when Justice Brownlee snared an Owen Fetterly pass and beat Almonte’s netminder Daniel Gagnon for the 1-0 lead. Lapier added a second Morrisburg goal midway through the frame and the Lions added four more counters in the middle period prior to Almonte getting on the scoreboard. Brownlee etched a pair of goals and both Justin Cyr and Ben Pilon added singles to give the Lions a 6-0 lead in the lopsided contest.
Cooper Rock broke the scoring ice for the Inferno when he beat goaltender Andrew Brooks with seven minutes remaining in the middle period, but before the frame closed Eammon McSwiggan and Bowen Gamete sent Justin Cyr into the Almonte zone for the Lion’s seventh goal of the night.
In the final 20 minutes Morrisburg outscored their hosts on a 4-2 count for the 11-3 victory. Carter Overhoff releived Daniel Gagnon early in the final period which did little to slow the visitor’s pace.
Daniel Berti cut the Lion’s lead to 7-2 when he beat Brooks on a Ben Hester set-up although that goal seemed to spark the Morrisburg players interest to add more points. Brownlee added a pair followed by singles from Ashton Adams and Lapier for an 11-2 lead. The Inferno’s Hayden Wellstead picked up the final marker in this game when he netted one with less than two minutes remaining on the time clock.
The Lions were called on 11-infractions including a major to Hudson Fetterly. Almonte was assessed eight infractions including a Gross Misconduct to Hayden Wellstead immediately following his scoring the final goal of the game.
The Lions, having played 20 games to date, hold third place in league standings. Most of the teams own games in hand on Morrisburg and what is shaping up for the fans is an upcoming wild race to the finish line. The Lions are in for some heated action heading down the stretch.
Morrisburg hosts the 6th-place South Grenville Rangers on Saturday, Dec. 2nd in a 7:15 start at Morrisburg Arena and the following day meet the 7th-place North Dundas Rockets, Sunday, Dec. 3rd at 2:15 p.m. in a two home-game weekend. Fans are expected in large numbers at both of these games and good seats will be at a premium.
The Rockets and the Rangers each hold five games in hand on the Lions at the time of this posting.
“It’s another round of divisional games this coming weekend, Coach Smith added, “These are going to be great games for the fans as we head into the last half of the regular season with the teams fight for playoff positioning.”
Jr. Lions maul Jets in goals & penalty fest . . .
Saturday, Nov. 25th - Morrisburg’s Junior Lions grounded the Metcalfe Jets on Friday evening at Larry Robinson’s palace in Metcalfe. The low flying Jets scored the game’s opening goal early, then allowed three against before the first period closed.
Morrisburg added three more counters in the middle frame and stopped the rout at nine goals on the night midway through the final 20 minutes, registering a 9-5 victory.
Not only were the Lions extending their win streak in this meeting to four games, the team’s captain, Ben Lapier, took part in seven of the nine goals against Metcalfe’s duo guarding the net, Wyatt Perry who was between the pipes for all nine markers, and Youngjin Han who kept Morrisburg at bay for the final eight minutes. The Lions are 7-2-1 (win-loss-tie) in their last 10-outings.
Following Owen Chatland’s game opening goal Lapier tied the score at the midway mark of the period on a Justice Brownlee play, the first of Morrisburg’s three unanswered period markers. Josh Price put the Lions up 2-1 with assists from Josh Broad and Landen Sinfield before Lapier hit Rylan Iwachniuk who marked the game’s first power-play counter while the Jet's Cole Byrne sat out a roughing minor. Three - one Morrisburg!
Through the middle period the visiting Lions feasted on the Jets power play gifts. Lapier added a pair of goals with the extra man and Jakob Bennett fired the Lion’s third goal of the period putting the Morrisburg in a 6-1 commanding lead. Iwachniuk recorded assists on all three goals, combining with Alex Bergeron on Lapier’s first and with Jacob Bennett on Lapier’s second counter. Iwachniuk was then credited with an assist on Bennett’s goal.
Logan Desrosiers was the lone Jet to beat Morrisburg’s netminder Andrew Brooks in the second period, that one from teammate Bryce Bols late in the frame.
The Jets picked it up and ran with the Lions over the final 20 minutes, each team recording three goals. The sudden improvement in the level of competition on the part of the home team was not so much miraculous as it was taking advantage of Morrisburg's winded players. Lachlan Brown notched a Metcalfe goal three-minutes into the frame and team-mate Cole Byrne added a pair just 31 seconds apart before the frame ended.
On the strong side of the final period’s action Lapier assisted on all three of the Lion’s markers. Jakob Bennett was credited with a pair of goals while Alex Bergeron fired the single marker.
Over the game Ben Lapier enjoyed a 7-point outing with three goals and four assists. Two of Lapier’s markers were scored on the Lions power play. Five of the final period’s six goals were power play counters.
Jakob Bennett added a hat trick for the Lions and topped four points when he assisted on Lapier’s second goal of the middle frame.
Rylan Iwachniuk had a four point night on a single marker and four helpers, Alex Bergeron marked a goal and one assist and Josh Price fired a single goal. Josh Broad, Justice Brownlee and Landen Sinfield all picked up single assists in the 9-5 outing. Andrew Brooks recorded the victory over the full 6o minutes.
The busiest spot on the night was the penalty box with four minors over the opening 20-minutes, 11-minor calls through the middle period and 11-minors again in the closing period. The Lions were called on ten minor infractions over the duration of the game.
Happy 75th B-day Winchester Hospital . . .
Let’s Go Skating to celebrate together!
On Friday, Dec. 8th,
Winchester District Memorial Hospital
celebrates a 75th Birthday.
So, we’re having a party!
Winchester District Memorial Hospital and the Winchester District Memorial Hospital Foundation want you to attend their
75th Birthday
Free Family Skate Night
Saturday, Dec. 9th, 2023 • 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Sam Ault Arena in Winchester.
In addition to skating, guests will enjoy free hotdogs and hot chocolate, face painting for kids, fun quizzes, door prizes and more!
“We are celebrating 75 years of caring and thanking our community for your ongoing support through the WDMH Foundation,” announced CEO Cholly Boland, adding,
“Please join us!”
“We are so grateful to our community for your generous support over so many years,” adds WDMH Foundation Managing Director Kristen Casselman. “We hope you and your family can join us for the party!”
Skates and helmets will be available at the arena and the Triple B Canteen will be open. Please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult.
$15 in advance • $20 at door • Students $10 • 12 & under Free
Tickets available from hair members & on-line
www.seawayvalleysingers@gmail.ca
Information: 613-643-2090
Oddfellows Victor Hughes and Richard Pickard present WDMH’s Kirstie Brewer,
Donor Services with another Foundation cheque.
"The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is committed to helping others," says Oddfellows member Victor Hughes, and South Mountain Lodge #428 certainly has done just that!
Local members recently stopped by the WDMH Foundation office to present yet another cheque, topping up their "health care close to home" support project to more than $2100.
“The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is based on three fundamental principles," explains Victor Hughes, of "Friendship, Love, and Truth. Its fundamental existence or justification is based on character building by helping each member, their family and the community. Hence, we are here to provide help to the local community charities.”
The donation will be directed to the Family Care Fund to support families. These donations are used where they are most needed, to buy new medical equipment, upgrade existing equipment or meet other urgent needs at Winchester District Memorial Hospital.
“At the WDMH Foundation, we are working with our donors to help ensure compassionate, excellent health care,” says Kristen Casselman, Managing Director, “And South Mountain Lodge #428 is currently on a tour of philanthropy on which we are honoured to be included in their long list of beneficiaries.”
UCDSB Trustees elect 2023-24 Chair, Vice-Chair . . .
Trustee Jamie Schoular is UCDSB chair . . .
Thursday, Nov. 23rd – The Upper Canada District School Board’s Board of Trustees has elected Ward 3 Trustee Jamie Schoular as Chair and Ward 1 Trustee Lynda Johnston as Vice-Chair for 2023-2024.
The Chair and Vice-Chair are voted in each year at the organizational meeting by their trustee peers. Elected to the Board in 2018, this will be Schoular’s first year serving as Chair of the Board. He is in his second term as trustee. Schoular is a member of the UCDSB Parent Involvement Committee, sits on the Board of the Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario and is also a UCDSB representative for the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association.
“I am honoured to be elected as Chair of the Board,” says Schoular, adding, “I'm looking forward to leading the Board and continuing to work to provide more opportunities for students.”
Johnston is in her first year as trustee, being elected in October 2022. She sits on a variety of committees within the Board, including the Champions for Kids Foundation, Trustee Innovation Awards Selection Committee, Trustee Professional Development Committee, Supervised Alternative Learning Committee, Suspensions and Expulsions Committee, and is a mentor for Student Trustees.
“I am humbled to be elected as Vice-Chair,” says Johnston. “Over the next year, I look forward to learning from those around me."
Consuming alcohol or drugs, be smart and refuse the driver's seat . . .
Ontario Provincial Police R.I.D.E. is on! . . .
Tuesday, Nov. 21st - The Ontario Provincial Police works all year to keep Ontario roads safe and free of impaired drivers. And they are making our safety a particular focus during the Festive R.I.D.E (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign starting this week and continuing until Monday, Jan. 1st, 2024.
Locally, the Grenville County Detachment of the OPP and the Stormont Dundas & Glengarry Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police will be taking part in this R.I.D.E. campaign.
Police will be highly visible throughout the announced time frame, and motorists should expect to see R.I.D.E. programs in their communities. All motorists across the province can expect to encounter RIDE programs at any time of the day or night. Drivers should know that officers can ask to submit to an Approved Screening Device test, a Standardized Field Sobriety Test and a Drug Recognition Expert evaluation. SFST-trained officers and DREs have the expertise to detect impairment by alcohol, drugs or even both in a driver.
In addition to existing legislation that allows an officer to make a demand for a roadside breath sample when they have reasonable suspicion, the Mandatory Alcohol Screening law gives officers who have an Approved Screening Device the authority to make a demand for a roadside breath sample from any lawfully stopped driver to determine whether a person has alcohol in their body, without first having to suspect the motorist has been drinking. It is mandatory for drivers to comply with this demand, or they can be charged with failing or refusing to provide a breath sample.
The Ontario Provincial Police are reminding the public that a 90-day automatic drivers licence suspension and a seven-day impoundment of your vehicle accompanies any impaired driving charge.
If you suspect a driver is impaired, call 911. You could be responsible for saving a life.
"Let's make this holiday season merry and safe for everyone!" announced the Ontario Provincial Police, "Remember to celebrate responsibly and plan for a safe ride home."
Your help is requested in assisting with keeping our roads safe. If you suspect a driver is impaired call 911.aking part in the Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign from November 16, 2023, until January 1, 2024.
Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario . . .
Sue Wilson acclaimed Board Chair . . .
Wednesday, Nov. 22nd – Sue Wilson, Trustee for Prescott-Russell County, has been acclaimed for a second term to the position of Chair for the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario. Ms. Wilson has served as Trustee since 1999; as Vice-Chair 2020-2022; and as Chair of the Special Education Advisory Committee 2001 to 2022.
“I would like to thank my fellow trustees for their ongoing support. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my second term as Board Chair." Ms. Wilson said while addressing trustees and senior administration at the Tuesday, Nov. 21st Board Meeting.
"We are blessed to have an amazing team, and together we can continue to foster and support the children we serve.”
Karen McAllister, Trustee for Dundas County and Stormont County, was acclaimed for a second term to the position of Vice-Chair of the Board. Vice-Chair McAllister has served as CDSBEO trustee since 2006.
The 2022-2026 CDSBEO Board of Trustees are:
Jennifer Cooney - Trustee, Lanark County
Christopher Cummings - Trustee, City of Brockville, Town of Smiths Falls, and Leeds County Brent Laton - Trustee, Grenville
County and Elizabethtown-Kitley Township
Karen McAllister - Trustee, Dundas and Stormont Counties
Donna Nielsen - Trustee, City of Cornwall and Glengarry County
Karen Torrie-Racine - Trustee, City of Cornwall and Glengarry County
Sue Wilson - Trustee, Prescott and Russell Counties
Chloe Finner - Student Trustee, 2023-2024
Brook Guindon – Associate Student Trustee, 2023-2024
The 2022-2023 Director’s Annual Report was also presented highlighting the accomplishments of the Board, reviews and successes in areas such as student achievement, faith development, and program initiatives in connection to our strategic priorities.
Mountain & District Lions step up to support new Dundas Manor . . .
Another Lions Club pledges $40,000 . . .
Above, left to right: Lion Josh Cooper, Club Treasurer; Cindy Ault Peters, Campaign Assistant, WDMH Foundation;
Hayley Heslinga, North Dundas Leos; and Lion Bob Weagant.
The Lions roar again!
Tuesday, Nov. 21st - A huge thank you goes out to the Mountain & District Lions Club from the Winchester District Memorial Hospital Foundation this week. The Mountain and District Lions stepped into a growing line-up of donors, pledging $40,000 to the 'Expanding the Circle of Compassionate Care' campaign. intended to go toward building a new Dundas Manor. The Lions recently presented a cheque in the amount of $10,000.
“Dundas Manor is here for our community and so too are the Mountain and District Lions!” Campaign Assistant Cindy Peters, said, “The new Manor, like the Lions, will have an impact on our community for many years to come. We are so grateful for this generous gift. ”
The esmated cost of the new facility is set at $63 million. The province of Ontario is providing approximately $45 million. The Foundation's campaign is working to raise$18 million. And to date, more than $12 million has materialized from individuals, organizations, business and industry and through our greater community.
Additional details concerning the Expanding the Circle of Compassionate Care campaign are available at www.dundasmanordream.ca
or by contacting the WDMH Foundation team at 613-774- 2422 ext. 6162 or 6169.
Friends of the Sanctuary complete trail . . .
Wednesday, Nov. 15th - The Friends of the Sanctuary have completed many months of planning and more months of fund-raising. Then followed that with months of labor in rebuilding the all new Blue Heron Trail at the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary along Highway 2 between Riverside and Ingleside.
The task was monumental, but this group was up to it, and on Wednesday of this week we managed to run into a few of the crowd burning minor fixes into the hundreds and hundreds of names were burned into the board-walk(s) that make up a good portion of the near 3-kilometre stroll.
The result is unbelievably beautiful, 4-season perfection for photo-ops, and within a breath of actually touching nature and the many wild residents who make the nature trails their home.
Open to everyone, this network of walkways through natural forest and meadows is an opportunity worth slowly jumping into. And you'll be glad you did . . .
41st year = great variety, shop gifting tickets & stocking stuffers . . .
Season offer plays, concerts & Christmas . . .
Tuesday, Nov. 14th - Morrisburg’s Upper Canada Playhouse announces its 2024 Season with a line-up of shows guaranteed to entertain audiences throughout the year. The widely popular theatre company ranked as one of Eastern Ontario’s major cultural assets is embarking on its 41st year providing professional live theatre and music presentations. The attraction draws both local audiences as well as patrons from a wide catchment area, including Ottawa, Brockville, Montreal and the many towns and villages within these urban areas and beyond.
Upper Canada Playhouse has also become one of the area’s top tourism generators and significant contributers to the local economy. The Playhouse’s 2024 season provides a show for every season by adding winter, spring, fall and Christmas programming to its flagship summer theatre series, Continuing to stage a mix of live theatre and widely popular concerts in its playbill.
Leading off the summer show, Thursday, June 6th thru Sunday, June 30th, is Perfect Wedding by Robin Hawdon. It’s a knee-slapping comedy about the big day gone wrong when the groom awakes to find a strange girl in bed beside him leading to unexpected chaos. Next up, Thursday, July 4th thru Sunday, July28th, is Bedtime Stories by popular playwright Norm Foster. The lives of fifteen different people in six different bedrooms are all connected in this clever and hilarious comedy.
Audiences will be treated to the premiere of the new comedy Leaving Marjorie Bliss by John Spurway running Thursday, Aug. 1st - Sunday, Aug. 25th. In this laugh out loud comedy, three female residents of a seniors home decide to escape to a better facility when an attractive widower appears on the scene and disrupts their plans.
The summer series concludes Thursday, Sept. 5th - Sunday, Sept. 29th with a new Foster comedy, Those Movies. Harry and Millie finally plan their first date. But Harry’s friend Patrick and Millie’s friend accident-prone Chelsea arrive on the scene and join them. Will romance follow for any of them like in those movies?
Another sure-fire hit comedy by Canada’s most-produced playwright.
The Playhouse season also offers live concerts throughout the year which have quickly become popular additions to their programing. Their Wild Weekend Concerts have been a particular hit by bringing back those shows that sold out their original runs. Chris McHarge’s Summer of Love runs Friday, Feb. 2nd thru Sunday, Feb. 4th and features the music of the 60’s from the Beach Boys to Peter, Paul and Mary, Simon and Garfunkle and more. Friday, April 19th thru Sunday, April 21st will be Oh Canada, We Sing For Thee with Leisa Way and the Wayward Wind Band and showcases music from Canada’s legendary artists from Anne Murray and Neil Young to Michael Buble and Shania Twain.
Leisa Way & Wayward Wind Band band will return Tuesday, May 14th to Sunday, May 19th with the country hit concert Opry Gold which includes the music of Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Hank Williams and many more. Off–season concerts continue in the Fall with Memphis to Motown, a new McHarge concert celebrating hits of such artists as Diana Ross and The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations and Marvin Gaye to name a few.
The 2024 Season concludes with a wonderful production of the Christmas classic Miracle on 34th Street telling the story of a store Santa claiming to be the real Santa Claus and forced to prove it in court. It’s a large-cast holiday show complete with a fabulous concert and tons of Christmas spirit.
The Playhouse current 2023 season concludes with the fabulous concert Home For The Holidays, Tuesday, Dec. 5th thru Sunday, Dec. 17th.
Tickets and Flex passes for the 2024 Playhouse season,
as well as their 2023 finale, can be purchased by contacting the
Box Office at 613-543-3713, 877-550-3650 or at uppercanadaplayhouse.com.
Danny Michel & Steve Poltz
November 25, 2023 | 7 pm
Danny Michel and Steve Poltz met at a little Canadian folk festival a dozen years ago and became quick pals, creating one-of-a-kind live musical experiences on the spot. We are delighted to be part of their 2023 Canadian Fall tour.
Danny Michel is one of Canada’s finest songwriters. A musical chameleon, able to slip into many genres with ease. An adventurous and unbounded artist, his thoughtful lyrics & charming performances have earned a devoted fan base, multiple nominations for Junos, The Polaris Prize, CBC’s "Heart Of Gold", and most recently his single “Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself” was the 2022 #1 Fan Voted Song Of The Year on CBC Music’s Top 20.
Halifax-born, California-raised Steve Poltz is a storytelling genius, weaving threads through songs to make you laugh and cry. He’s hyper, charismatic, spontaneous, and joyous. He is a live show legend, with a huge following. The Associated Press dubbed him "part busker, part Iggy Pop and part Robin Williams, a freewheeling folkie with a quick wit and big heart.”
On this tour, Danny and Steve will hit the stage with their own solo sets and sweeten the evening with impromptu collaborations. Carefree. Fearless. You must be there to see it LIVE. Expect the unexpected!
Tickets for this show are $40 in advance (+ online fees) or $45 at the door. Advance tickets are available online only through the Eventbrite Link below. Your ticket will be delivered to you via email.
All seating at our shows is general admission - which means you will choose your seat on arrival. There isn't a bad seat in the house, but if you would like to be close to the front we recommend arriving at least half an hour before show time.
The Upper Canada Playhouse is a fully accessible venue - we will reserve seats for those who need access to wheelchair or walker spaces. Please email us at https://www.st-lawrencestage.com/shows.html immediately before or after you have purchased your tickets so that we can ensure the space is reserved for you.
'PAWS' is the perfect stocking stuffer . . .
2024 Canine Calendar works for Charity . . .
Tuesday, Nov. 17th - The Ontario Provincial Police was thrilled to 'let the dogs out' for the release of their 2024 Canine Unit Calendar to raise money for local charities. Students from Mnjikaning Kendaaswin Elementary School visited the OPP in Orillia, ON, to learn about the Canine Unit and see demonstrations from several four-legged heroes. The Auxiliary Unit and members of the charities were in attendance to support the event.
The year's OPP Canine Unit Calendar showcases twelve canines in action from around the province. Four-year-old Belgian Malinois Aaron was this year's cover model and winner of the Obedience category at the 2023 Canadian Police Canine Association National Police Dog Competition. Embedded in the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit, Aaron is deployed with his handler to support high-risk incidents. Others stars include Hopper, a yellow Labrador Retriever who shows off his search skills in his photo for the month of April and Rico, a Malinois-Shephard mix, tracking through the snow in December.
More than 33 handlers and 50 canines serve the OPP in various capacities, including search and rescue; narcotics detection; firearms, explosives and physical evidence search and detection; as well as suspect apprehension. Canine Unit members also provide community engagement at local events and safety demonstrations.
All proceeds from the 2024 OPP Canine Unit Calendar go to the OPP Youth Foundation and Friends of The OPP Museum. Last year's calendar sales raised more than $32,800 for these worthy causes. Each calendar costs $15 and can be purchased at the OPP Off Duty Shop (777 Memorial Avenue, Orillia) or online at oppshop.on.ca.
Many hockey fans know Dale lewis through his association with both South Dundas Minor Hockey and the Morrisburg Junior Lions. And just as many have come to know Dale through his employment at Morrisburg Arena.
Dale, recently, decided to help out with another cause in and around our community. And now, in its second year, a hockey game aptly titled "Local Faceoff!!", is being staged by Dale and his crew to raise monies for needy community groups and causes.
Attending the game between retired Junior Lions' players and retired members of the Ontario Provincial Police is FREE! to all who wish too come out on Sunday, Dec. 10th. Monies are raised through a lucky ticket draw. And top prize is $1,000 cash!
Canadian Tire's Dempsey family in Morrisburg have joined the effort, providing 4-sets of 4-box tickets to see the Ottawa Senators and the Nashville Predators on Monday, Jan. 29th as 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th prizes. And there's more on the list for lucky winners.
Check out the locations for tickets sales on the above poster, and grab one quickly. There are only 2500 available.
Most importantly, you'll be helping out Dale and his gang of community spirits, South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services, the Jumpstart program at Canadian Tire and Seaway Valley Crime Stoppers.