There are family secrets to divulge when the photog shows up to snap a few pictures of the Halloween jack-o-lantern carving, and two-year-old Noella Perrault loves to play at the requirement of being coaxed into sharing her stories. Her brother Charlie on the other hand, who at six-years-old is willing to share not only the secrets and what he describes as the pumpkins guts, but is open to offer a sample tasting, (lots of "yech" and laughing here), says he has to get his pumpkin carved so he can be ready to gather a bag of candy. 

        Noella used a large spoon to draw the insides out of her pumpkin, pasted on a few stickers, sprinkled a few sparkles, and with a little help from her pal Gracie Morrow, a masterpiece appeared. Charlie, and his buddy Sam Morrow, are an eerie pair, and bent on creating a Halloween spooktacular jack-o-lantern, and they did. 

        The Morrisburg and District Figure Skating Club is continuing operations and although somewhat restricted as far as fans go while operating under corona virus regulations, the skaters are working on their techniques to improve at their sport. We photographed those in attendance in Monday afternoon, and hope to catch some of the younger set at the weekly CanSkate this coming Monday. And we'll continue to post photos throughout the season in an effort to retain fan numbers and support of this long established South Dundas organization. We've uploaded 60 more photos of skaters for viewing by clicking here . . . 

        It is now official. Fall 2020 has arrived. Downward spiralling temperatures, striking sunsets, and we're still trying to post all of the fall colors we captured this year. Because they too have disappeared as quickly as they arrived. At this time too we seem to change our habits working behind the camera. We spend more time indoors, in cold, damp arenas, trying to capture the ultimate young faces in hockey games and skating routines. 

        Last evening, as we were heading toward Ottawa Street and Morrisburg Arena, we noticed the setting sun as we pulled out of the driveway. There was a huge fireball on Lakeshore's west horizon, at the top of the rise that runs through the hamlet. We turned around, just in case there was a ship coming from the west, and went to Duncan Park. There was a beautiful sunset indeed, but no boats. 

        As we returned toward Ottawa Street there was the CSL Assiniboine moving west, right in front of our home. So back, and around again, this time we waited for her to slide past the park and into the setting sun. 

        The resulting image would make a striking presence on the right wall . . .        

        Filet of beef, roasted on a bed of caramelized, fresh from the garden, last pick green onions; mushrooms sautéed in a tiny ores of duck fat and butter; the last of the garden beets, oven roasted and dressed, tossed in salt and pepper and topped with fresh chopped parsley; and a fall favourite, baked acorn squash constantly swabbed in butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup. Kinda Canuck style.

        A truly satisfying plate. And one recent dieting calls for a cheat night about once a week. We're sorry to say there was no dessert, and tomorrow is a 'long walk' day. We're still winning, approaching the loss of 27 pounds, with a goal of close to 50. And we will get there. But tonight, tonight is cheat night. And the above dish with a decent bottle of Cote de Rhonde just made our day. We're hoping everyone experienced a like happiness . . . 

        Lakeshore Drive United Church surrounded in fall seasonal colors is a striking structure. One of Morrisburg's oldest churches, the building was constructed in 1880 by the Methodist Church of Canada, and became a United Church at the time of the Church Union in 1925.

        Constructed of brick, the design includes cut stone dressings, following a Gothic design based on a St. Paul's Church in England, although the exact location is not listed. The east spire, on the left, was destroyed by a lightning strike in 1964 and later reconstructed. As steeple jacks, (the type prominent in 1881), were not available, changes had to be made to the shape of the spire.   It is not as pointed, nor as high as the original one. The steeple is now a truncated copper clad spire.  In 1981 the original slate roof was replaced with steel, due to increasing damage from caused by winds sweeping across the St. Lawrence River and updraughts created following the construction of  Allan Hall compounded the problem.

        The Sanctuary is of an amphitheatre style, with the floor rising from the pulpit to the doors, bringing the most distant point under the eye and voice of the speaker.  The Sanctuary seats up to 300 people for a service.

Originally there was a large and commodious space awaiting a pipe organ, behind the rostrum.  At the time of dedication a chapel organ held that space. The present day pipe organ was installed in September 1937, a gift from a Mrs. Agnes Dardis, after a committee of four choir members journeyed to Montreal to complete the purchase.

        Lakeshore united Church, prior to the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway, was situated a city block from the shore of the St. Lawrence River. Today the southern boundary of the property borders the shoreline of the St. Lawrence River.

        The Rose Window on the north wall of the building is the oldest of the original windows having been installed in June 1881. Theare six panels read, from left to right, Erected June 1881: A prominent temperance advocate: Methodists for a century; A local preacher, about 40 years: By Mr. & Mrs. Carlo DeCastle; and a hero of 1812. The last two panels may have been interchanged. Rev. Janet Evans currently serves the congregation.           

                    - Information: https://www.ucmorrisburg.com/the-church/

Appearing in above photo: Inspector Mike Mulhearn, Nurse Don Depratto, A/ Sgt. Jim Blanchette, S/Sgt. Simon Hardy

Friday, Oct. 23rd - The Stormont Dundas and Glengarry (SD&G) Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police, the Cornwall Community Hospital and the United Counties of Stormont Dundas and Glengarry have launched an innovative partnership to provide mental health expertise and responsive care.  Mental health-related calls continue to rise in SD&G and the severity of the mental health concerns that police encounter are increasingly more complex.

        The new Mobile Crisis Response Team will provide early intervention for those who need it. People, not knowing who else to turn to in a mental health crisis, have typically called the police. Previously, police had few options in this type of call. Now police and a trained medical professional, working together, have options. 

        SD&G OPP Community Mobilization Officer, Jim Blanchette stated that "he is thrilled to see the program underway after two years of hard work, and that after only a couple of weeks there has already been some great work done by the team."

         Since September 28, 2020 members of the OPP have been patrolling with Mental Health Nurse Don Depratto from the Cornwall Community Hospital. The team responds to call where mental health is a factor. Nurse Depratto, with advanced mental health training and experience, is able to screen for serious mental illnesses or substance use, complete a mental and basic physical health assessment, advocate for client care, review medications, complete a suicide risk assessment and provide health information for family members and caregivers. Don describes this partnership as "the perfect blend of two professions working together for the community". 

        Mental health related calls for service to the OPP increased by 42% from 2007 to 2018. During the same period, the time officers spent responding to these incidents increased by 65%. The new SD&G MCRT will improve the experience of residents and their families by providing a less intrusive service, on an immediate basis, with no lengthy wait and should lead to a reduction in traumatic mental health apprehensions.

        "We're extremely proud of the collaborative efforts and common vision demonstrated by our OPP members, our partners, especially the Cornwall Community Hospital and the United Counties of SD&G to provide an alternate approach of service delivery, thus increasing our service excellence to the community we serve, especially for some of its most vulnerable members". pointed out Staff Sergeant Simon Hardy of the SD&G OPP.

Thursday, Oct. 23rd - Lucas Menard's Williamsburg U18's squad fired 8 goals in their final game against Nolan Henry's Iroquois entry to take Round 2 of the scrimmage style Town League Cup Tournament. The South Dundas Minor Hockey's effort to keep hockey fun for the under 18 (Midget) group paid off with four teams playing 3-on-3 games. The U's group has only one goaltender so teams switched ends for every second period of the two period games. Needless to say Brendan Shaver was kept busy between the pipes in every game. In the B-Division playoff Hunter VanBeugel's Morrisburg entry bounced Cam Shaver's Riverside team on a 5-3 score.   - See more photos here . . .

Tuesday, Oct. 20th - The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is again joining forces with law enforcement, government and other public safety partners to recognize Cyber Security Awareness Month and highlight the advancing threat posed by cybercriminals.

        Cybercrime occurs when technology is used to carry out criminal offences or when technology is the target of the criminal offence. To the end of September 2020, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre received more than six thousand complaints of 'cyberfraud' via e-mail, internet or social media platforms from Ontario and identified 3,659 victims who sustained combined losses of $17.84-million. Phishing -- an email or text message that appears to be from a legitimate person or organization but contains malicious links or attachments -- accounts for a majority of all reported cyber security incidents. In our technologically-driven world, cyber security must continue to be a top priority for all internet users. Cyber security and cyber hygiene become even more important when working with personal and confidential information.

        Cybercriminals have multiple motivators for doing what they do, and their criminal benefits can vary from financial or political gain to raising awareness for a cause or ideology or even causing damage through acts of anarchy. Their interests may serve themselves or a larger group in which they have a vested interest. The OPP, along with other police services and cyber security experts from across the country, want to safeguard all Ontarians from becoming victims of cybercrime.

        The more we know about what motivates cybercriminals and how cybercrime works, the better we can protect ourselves and our devices from cyberattacks. If you or someone you know suspects they have been a victim of digital or online cybercrime, contact your local police service or local OPP detachment, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

                         See more OPP news here . . .

Tuesday, Oct. 20th - Today, Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health for the Province of Ontario, issued the following statement detailing public health advice for Halloween this year:

        "As Ontarians begin to prepare for Halloween this year, I'd like to remind everyone to take extra precautions to ensure you are keeping yourself and your families safe. Given the high transmission of COVID-19 in the modified Stage 2 public health unit regions of Ottawa, Peel, Toronto and York Region, traditional door-to-door trick or treating is not recommended and people should consider alternative ways to celebrate.

This can include, but is not limited to:

      •  Encouraging kids to dress up and participate in virtual activities and parties;

      •  Organizing a Halloween candy hunt with people living in their own household;

      •  Carving pumpkins;

      •  Having a movie night or sharing scary stories; and

      •  Decorating front lawns.

        It is also recommended that you also check with your local municipality or public health unit for any additional advice or restrictions that may be in place. It is also critical that families not travel outside of their neighbourhood to celebrate Halloween.

To have a safe and happy Halloween, Ontarians should follow some simple steps:

Avoid gatherings with people outside of your household, and stay home if you are feeling ill, even if you have mild symptoms, or if you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19.

If you live outside the modified Stage 2 public health unit regions and are going to go out to trick or treat:

Only go out with members of your household; only trick or treat outside, both trick or treaters and people handing out candy should wear a face covering, do not congregate or linger at doorsteps, and avoid high-touch surfaces and objects.

        Whether collecting or handing out treats, wash your hands often and thoroughly, or use hand sanitizer. Do not leave treats in a bucket or bowl for children to grab, and consider using tongs or other similar tools to hand out treats.

        I would also like to remind everyone that we are in a second wave of COVID-19. There have been increases in cases in many areas across the province, and the percentage of people tested who get a positive result is going up.

        The severity of this second wave is in our hands. Through our collective efforts, we can change the outcome of this new outbreak.

A transport full of new Fords is parked on the right side of Morrisburg's Main Street in what appears to be 1955 0r '56 in the above photo. The home at the right of the vehicle transport carrier was approximately where the entrance to the Morrisburg dock is today. Unfortunately, we ran into a problem completing the coloring of this black and white photo. There is a large, tightly grouped series of what appear to be scratches to the left of the Pladium sign which has deleted the image.  We can't make out what was originally in the photo there.  

Stay posted, we'll have more of them . . . 

Imagine, when this project is completed?  - Up to 200 more interesting families will be joining our community . . . and that's good news all the way around . . . 

Ever wonder what Morrisburg's, pre-St. Lawrence Seaway, Main Street really looked like?  Or the appearance of many of the villages nestled along the north bank of the St. Lawrence River in the early 1950's. This is how we remember it. We walked the sidewalks many times through this stretch, on the way from Augusta Street to Lock Street, and we knew most of the store owners/business operators of the day. Where the nickel pop machines were, or where you might pilfer a hand out for an errand accomplished.       - See more here . . .