email: southdundasinbox@gmail.com


Greeter and a pep-talk all in one . . .

When the team needs a pep-talk, a salute or simply a great smile, this is the guy!!!


And the U11-B Rep squad scores 5-2 win . . .

Grayson Lemire moves in tight on Cornwall Colts net minder, seeking a loose puck opportunity

on Sunday morning at Morrisburg Arena. Lemire picked up multiple points in the game . . .

 

Sunday, Mar. 17th - Coming to the game somewhat thin on their line-up had no shortfalls for South Dundas’ U11-B Rep Lions on Sunday morning at Morrisburg Arena. The Lions outscored the visiting Cornwall Colts on a 2-1 count in the opening period, shut them out 1-0 in the middle frame and outscored them again in the closing period on a 2-1 score. 

        Affiliate Raleigh Plumondon opened the game scoring midway through the 1st-period when she worked a Blake Sears shot behind Colts net minder Warren Ellis for the 1-0 lead. Chase Scott followed up on that goal when he handed line mate Harrison Barker a scoring opportunity and Scott wasted little time in drifting the puck over the glove of Lions backstop Emmett Cooper-Kerkhof.

        Seconds prior to the end of the frame Plumondon hit Grayson Lemire’s stick with a hard pass and the Lion’s smooth skating winger buried the disc in the Colts twine behind Ellis for a 2-1 lead.

        Easton Gilmer scored the only goal in the middle period, eventually the game winning goal, on a Lemire set up.

        Parker Johnson put the Lions up by three goals minutes into the final period on an unassisted marker that caught goaltender Ellis well off guard, The Colts Alex Ouellette intercepted a Lion’s break out pass following Johnson’s first goal and beat Cooper-Kirkhof to set a 4-2 count. Johnson replied minutes later with the final marker of the game when Blake Sears organized a can’t miss opportunity. And Johnson didn’t miss, closing the game scoring in a 5-2 count for the Lions.


U11-B House Lions take final home game . . .

Sunday, Mar. 18th - Duncan DeVries and Jensen Roderick led the South Dundas U11-B House Lions to a lopsided 7-2 victory in their closing home game of the 2023-24 season on Sunday afternoon at Morrisburg Arena.  The South Dundas entry kept the pressure on the North Dundas Demons net minder, Owen Price, thought three period, who, in spite of the score, made a strong showing as the visitors backstop.

        The Lion’s Roderick notched the opening two goals of this outing late in the 1st-period when he relayed Noah Caers  set-up passes into the twine behind Rice. Charlotte Arsenault drew an assist on Roderick’s 2nd-marker.

        Duncan DeVries managed to beat Mr. Rice for the only counter netted in the middle period, a 15-minute stanza during which Rice virtually stood on his head in keeping the attacking Lions from let the score get out of hand.

        In the final frame the Demon’s Harrison Kerr fired two goals early, the first on an unassisted effort and the second with help from Elliott Postestio. 

        The home team Lions roared back in the final half of the period, adding another trio of markers, the first from Raleigh Plumondon’s stick on a Jordis Julien set up. The final two Lion’s goals were added by DeVries, both unassisted, in the dying minutes of the 7-2 victory.


Youngest division of students of the game are top entertainment . . .

Most entertaining players in photos . . .

While attending the U11-B Rep hockey game on Sunday morning at Morrisburg Arena we were

approached by an even younger player who asked if we would be at the T1er 1 game that afternoon.

When we answered "Why?", he somewhat shyly said "Maybe you can take some pictures of me!"

We said, "What do you need the pictures for? Your Mom or your girlfriend?"

He looked at his hands, twitched a few fingers, said, "I'll probly need 5!", holding up both hands!


St Mary St Cecilia teachers and dad's draw full student body before March break . . .


Cougars out-skate, defend near perfectly to oust home team . . .

Junior Lions bounced out of playoffs . . .

Morrisburg Junior Lions Captain Justice Brownlee out worked the Vankleek Hill Cougar's

defence to grab a rebound and beat net minder Tristan Paquette with his second

and final Morrisburg goal prior to leaving the South Dundas team.

Brownlee is one of four players graduating Junior hockey ranks . . . 

 

Friday, Mar. 16th - South Dundas’ Morrisburg Lions were eliminated from further playoff action on Friday evening at Morrisburg Arena by the Vankleek Hill Cougars. Visiting the Lions “den” the Cougars were cheered on by a huge crowd who had made the trip to witness the 5th-game in the best of seven series. They traded goals with the home team Lions in the opening period then outscored their hosts over the following 40-mintues on a 4-1 count.

        Vankleek Hill will meet the winner of the Gatineau Hull Volant-Cumberland Castors series, currently at 3-2 for the Volant. The two teams will settle the series tonight, Saturday, Mar. 16th, and if required, Sunday, Mar. 17th, to move on to the league final. Gatineau-Hull scored the Friday evening 4-3 victory at home when Clément Gravelle relayed a Sam Emery-Shayne Lafleur play past the Castor’s netminder Shayne Morris 8-minutes and 9-seconds into the 1st-overtime period.

        At Morrisburg fans filled the arena an hour prior to the drop of the game puck, most ready to show support, many hesitantly, somewhat quietly, offering “I hope we can come back with a win tonight.”  Others prepared to provide vocal support for as long as the time clock was running. 

        If there was any victory for the Lions on this night, it was of the utmost importance that the organization could celebrate a successful season in game performance, in league recognition, and in fan appreciation that will go on to build teams in years to come.

 

        It was near unbelievably fitting in what would be the final game as the Lions team captain, graduating leader Justice Brownlee would be the home team’s lone scorer on this night. And it was fitting too that line-mate and team scoring leader Ben Lapier would assist Brownlee on both of those goals. Brownlee was awarded the NCJHL Best Defensive Forward trophy earlier this season. And Lapier picked up the league’s regular season Most Valuable Player hardware. 

        The Lion’s Curran Gilmour drew an assist on Brownlee’s second counter, on top of putting in an exceptional effort from a defensive stand-point. 

        “Last nights game was a battle,” Steve Iwachniuk announced the morning after! One of two Morrisburg coaches, Iwachniuk added, “Vankleek Hill is a good hockey club and we wish them well.”

       “In saying that we’ve had an incredible season, we’re really proud of our guys. And they fought hard all season.” 

        The Lion’s Coach continued, “The two goals I was hoping for we achieved. I wanted each player to go out on the ice everyday and be the hardest working player they could be, while at the same time to be having the most fun they could possibly experience.”

        “It’s been an honour.” Iwachniuk announced in closing.

        Accepting the exit handed the Lions coaching team member Jamie Smith pointed out, “To be completely honest, I have really enjoyed coaching this group. I really believed we had an equal chance of moving past Vankleek Hill and going to the finals.” 

        “Oviously, that didn’t happen!” Smith continued, “The Cougars proved a very fast and very potent team, and keeping it simple, they beat us!”

        “As of right now,” Smith said, “Our regular season 2nd-overall finish, Ben Lapier’s and Justice Brownlee’s league awards, and continuing to the semi-final playoff round makes me pretty dam proud!”

        In congratulating the four graduating Lion’s players and extending well wishes, Smith said it was time for a short break before focussing on the 2024-25 season.

Lion's goalkeeper Carson Turner stops a hard screened shot behind Vankleek Hill's forward

Rowen McPherson during the final period in Game 5 . . .

 

        Morrisburg fans can look forward to changes and several new faces in their favourite Junior team come the 2024-25 regular season. Graduates to age include;

        •  #9, forward Rylan Iwachniuk, who played a full 32-game season scoring 9 goals and 31 assists for 40-points. Iwachniuk also recorded 4-power play counters, 1-game winning goal and 2-game tying goals. He served 50-minutes in penalties.

        •  #17, forward Alex Bergeron, The smooth skating forward who consistently maintains his position throughout every game, dressed for 33-outings over the season, notched 17 goals and added 16-assists to play at 1-point per game throughout the campaign. Alex scored 6-power play counters, 1-short handed marker and 3-game tying goals. He served 46-minutes in penalties.

        •  #5, Justice Brownlee, Lion’s Team Captain. Brownlee tied his skates for all 34-games this season, exemplifying the weight of the C on his sweater. His determined and successfully dogged, never-say-die approach to every shift grabbed and retained his team-mates admiration throughout the year. Brownlee played in 34-games, he beat opposing goaltenders 27-times and he helped team-mates in beating opposing goaltenders 39-times. Most remarkably, Justice scored 12-power play markers, and-single handed goal and 10-game winning goals. He averaged slightly under 2-points per game at 1.94 and sat out 52-penalty minutes.

        •  #14, Curran Gilmour, a fan favourite in the Lion’s defence line-up. Smart, great skater with a strong and accurate point-shot, Gilmour, far from a heavy weight, can and does deliver thundering body checks. Curran plays aggressively, every time out, took part in 27-games registering 2-goals and 7-assists for 9-points. He served 61-penalty minutes over the season.

               Midway through Friday evening’s opening period it was Brownlee gave the Lions the lead with the game’s first goal, an even strength counter from Gilmour and Lapier while battling in front of Cougars net minder Tristan Paquette.

         Late in the same period the Cougars Andy Lightle-Blais tried the count on a power-play when Morrisburg’s Rylan Iwachniuk was nicked for a holding minor. Zach Bigras and Malcolm Sequin drew the assists.

        Fans provided constant vocal support while both teams worked players into scoring positions through the first 10-minutes of the middle period, although neither could beat the Lion’s Carson Turner or the Cougar’s Paquette, each of who put on entertaining performances.

        While Landen Sinfield sat out a hooking infraction Ben Lapier checked a bouncing puck, flipping the disc to a very aware Justice Brownlee, and the Lion’s Captain handed his team the game lead for the second time on the night.

        Late in the same period the Cougars long, and very talented, affiliate player, Michael Bigras scored the tying goal from Malcolm sequin and Brenden Easterbrook. One minute and 16-seconds later, Bigras then scored what would turn out to be the game winning goal from Sequin again, with additional support from Bruno Laframboise. The visiting Cougars were in a 3-2 lead going into the final round.

        The Lions commanded much of the play through the final period. The home team pounded the visitors with offence, what appeared to be near futile. Vankleek Hill’s defence of their zone through that same time was flawless. The visitors checked relentlessly, then held on to or slowly iced the puck to cut playing time from the clock in protecting their lead.

        The Cougars scoring ace, Jérémy Marcotte, intercepted a Morrisburg scoring pass attempt late in the period and broke from the visitor’s zone, moving to puck to Mathieu Belanger. Belanger outskated the Lion’s defence, awaiting the moment to set Malcolm Sequin on a clear break. Sequin, in turn, beat Carson Turner on the clear break with slightly more than a trio of minutes remaining in playing time.

        Morrisburg’s coaching team chose to pull Turner for the extra attacker, a move that thrilled Jérémy Marcotte who immediately provided the speedy winger an empty net scoring opportunity. The seasoned performers seldom miss such an opportunity and Marcotte was no exception. Including when he calculated the time remaining and slowly killed those seconds before releasing the puck toward the open goalmouth. 

        The marker ensured the close of the Morrisburg Lions 2023-24 season. 


6-days to the return of the great ships . . .

        The opening of the 2024 navigation season is scheduled to take place on Friday, Mar. 22nd, 2024 - 0800 hours.  Welland Canal: March 22, 2024 - 0800 hours. Ship transits are subject to weather and ice conditions. Restrictions may apply in some areas until lighted navigation aids have been installed.

       Opening of the Sault Ste. Marie Locks (U.S.A.) is currently scheduled for Monday, Mar. 25th, 2024.  In the Montreal / Lake Ontario Section, the maximum allowable draft of 80.0 dm (26' 3") will be increased to 80.8 dm (26' 6") for all ships when the South Shore Canal is ice- free and when water levels are favourable.

        In the Welland Canal, a maximum allowable draft of 80.8 dm (26' 6") will be in effect from the start of the navigation season for all ships.

        Ship watchers are encouraged go support the many social media pages by sending in photos that can be posted on the various sites. Thousands of shut-ins, and residents cannot get to locations along the river and do look forward to these sites to witness the scenes they have enjoyed over the years.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/49428348655/

https://thousandislandslife.com/quick-guide-to-tracking-ships-on-the-seaway/

https://ais.boatnerd.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/theprescottanchor/

https://theshipwatchers.wordpress.com/


Nation Valley ATV Club raises $14,643.53 . . .

2nd Annual Food Drive draws 111 riders . . .

Tuesday, Mar. 12th - On an early March Saturday 111 ATV enthusiasts from near and far gathered for the Nation Valley ATV Club's 2nd Annual Food Drive in Support of the Community Food Share. Following registration at the North Dundas District High School, a silent auction, and food and cash donations presented to the Community Food Share. 

        In spite of participants playing in 30-centimetres of fresh snow during last year's event, this year a completely different style of weather including unseasonably warm temperatures meant a wet and muddy adventure for the day! 

        The ride involved a 100-kilometre tour of the Nation Valley ATV Club’s trail‐system. Some trails had to be bypassed this year due to weather conditions, but riders managed to enjoy many detours and sections of favourite trails.

       A BBQ lunch was served by Mountain Fire Department Volunteers at the South Mountain Fire Hall. Following lunch, participants continued their tour. 

      Returning to North Dundas High School everyone was treated to a buffet dinner by Leatherworks Catering, and a culmination of the silent auction and prize draws! 

Participants brought in 175 pounds of food (a cash value of $612.50 and $403.00 in direct cash donations to the Community Food Share. Thanks to sponsors, volunteers, landowners, and participants, the organization raised $14,643.53 in total. 

       Event Co‐Chair, Gerard Savoie, announced “This event went as smoothly as we could have hoped with the weather conditions, and our second kick at an event supporting the Community Food Share. Our community businesses and sponsors came out in spades to support this event for such a worthy cause. The events committee is proud to say we came within $120 of what we raised last year, and look forward to trying to beat that in 2025!” 

 

        For more information on how Community Food Share assists in the greater community please check out https://www.communityfoodshare.ca/ 



Blending blues with soul and folk, Australian blues musician Lloyd Spiegel’s musical flair is an emotional and visual roller coaster. His masterful command of the guitar, both dynamic and expressive, works in tandem with his powerful, full-bodied vocals to deliver a show full to the brim with dazzling technical wizardry, grounded storytelling and wicked humour.

        He is a 14 X Australian Blues Award winner and has toured the globe for 30 of his 40 years  with frequent visits to Europe, Japan, New Zealand, the United States and Canada.  Whether performing original numbers or honouring those who have inspired him, Spiegel’s deep connection to the blues and profound respect for its traditions are at the core of everything he does while he also etches his own mark on the genre. Get ready for a truly unique performance that reinvents the genre and dispels the clichés associated with the Blues. Visit Lloyd's website: https://www.lloydspiegel.com/.

Opening this show is Emma Lamontagne, who graced our stage in an Intimate Acoustics lineup last year and made a whole lot of new fans in Morrisburg! Emma was born in Kingston and is now based in Ottawa. Her very first performance landed a recording deal in a contest put on by the Ottawa Bluesfest. The teenager at the time went on to achieve close to half-million streams for the song, but she wasn’t happy with the electronic-pop direction her sound was going, so she took a break and came back with the sound she wants: lyric-focused folk-pop. Emma is also known for her hilarious between-song banter, with one fan writing "You may have a career as a comedian who is also a singer OR a singer who is also a comedian.” Check out Emma's website: https://emmalamontagne.com/home

 

Tickets for this show are $25 in advance (+ online fees) or $30 at the door. Advance tickets are available online only through the Eventbrite Link below. Your ticket will be delivered to you via email. If shows are sold out, we will post that information here and on our Facebook page, otherwise you should assume you can also purchase tickets at the door. We accept cash, credit card or debit for day of show sales.

        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 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 info@st-lawrencestage.com immediately before or after you have purchased your tickets so that we can ensure the space is reserved for you.



Braised rabbit, Hasselbeck potatoes + . . .

Sunday afternoon, new sunrise today, and quite probably a new sunset will be on the horizon!

There's a rabbit in a very French dijon mustard sauce braising in the oven, to be served

with balsamic stewed, sweet white onion pieces, steamed early asparagus and

small Hasselbeck white potatoes, with fresh Calabrese rolls for dipping.

A very nice Italian Pinot Grigio will be perfect with this dish, . . .

there is one coming to temperature in the fridge . . . 

We're cheering, from afar, for our Junior Lions over in Vankleek Hill.


South Dundas vs South Dundas, Mar. 20th . . .

Lions defenceman Keagan Sadler moves a Bears attacker out of harms way in the final period . . .

 

Thursday, Mar. 8th - Local hockey fans who follow the up and comers are in for a treat before this season is out. Following a finish that saw both South Dundas U15-B House teams among the final four regular season positions and entering the Pool B play downs, these two entries will meet each other in the final game.

        On Wednesday, Mar. 6th U15-BH  2 Lions sent the Smiths Falls Bears on their way home after Tyler Stirling backstopped the locals to a 3-1 victory at Morrisburg. Stirling was sensational throughout the game.

        Hudson Shaver opened the game scoring early in the middle period in completing a Joel Perreault/Joel Onstein play when he buried the puck in the webbing behind Bears net minder Jaxxon Stiles. Late in the same period Aaron Duberville tied the count when he became the only visiting player to beat Stirling on this night. Hudson Thomas picked up the assist.

         Shaver returned to the scene early in the 3rd-frame when he moved a rebound to Brenna McCooeye who in turn gave the Lions the lead on a 2-1 score. The goal appeared to kick off a heavy attack by Smiths Falls who enjoyed the majority of the 3rd-period time in the South Dundas zone. 

          Unfortunately for the Bears, Austin Workman, who had been forechecking like a man possessed, intercepted a pass at centre ice, raced in on Sinclair and slipped the puck under the sprawling goaltender for the insurance marker.

          The Morrisburg teams get it on Wednesday, Mar. 20th @ 7:30 p.m. at Morriburg Arena.

It’s Showdown Time at the Den!!!!


Students request & receive autographs for shoes, shirts, hats, and more . . .

Lions are coming, the Lions are coming . . .

Everyone in this picture is hoping to get to the final round of hockey in their respective divisions.

The three players in front are, l-r, U11's Ali Conlin with the Kemptvile Storm, Ellie MacPherson

and Cami Dickson with the Cornwall Typhoon. The Typhoons met the Storm on their Division final

earlier this week with the Cornwall entry coming away the winner on a very tight 3-2 score.

The Typhoons, Ellie and Cami, are moving on to the provincial play downs in April at Oakville, ON.

The back row, l-r, are with the Morrisburg Lions. Morrisburg will meet the Vankleek Hill Cougars

on Saturday evening at Morrisburg Arena. That game is the 3rd-match in a four-of-seven series,

is currently tied at one game each. The photo was captured at St. Mary St. Cecilia Catholic School

where the players were visiting while working on building community spirit in an effort to ensure

a packed arena for their run at a long awaited championship . . .

 

Thursday, Mar. 7th - The lights seldom grow dim on the way to conquering one’s world. And the Morrisburg Junior C Lions, who just happen to be in the semi-final round of the National Capital Junior Hockey League Championship battle, are preparing, non-stop, to ensure the Lion’s Den on Morrisburg’s Ottawa Street is jammed to the rafters with supportive fans for the 3rd game of the series. The Lions meet the Vankleek Hill Cougars on Saturday, Mar. 9th at 7:30p.m., and one team will leave the arena with a 2-1 lead in games.

       “It’s every young player’s dream to play in their home arena, in front of a crowd squeezed into every seat and lined three-deep along the boards!” an excited Steve Iwachniuk, the Lion’s coach, announced on Thursday at St. Mary St Cecilia’s Catholic School. Iwachniuk was visiting the student body, with four of his team members in tow, keeping the Lion’s image in front of supporters.

        Four of the popular Lions’ players, defensemen Hudson Fetterly and Curran Gilmour, forward James Martens, and late season acquired net minder Carson Turner, visited the kindergarten group in the outdoor play area before stepping into packed hallways of cheering fans. Most of the students  dressed in Lion's blue and gold for the occasion.

        All of the students requested autographs and the players willing gave time to yak a little hockey with each of them. 

        “We’re going to continue the effort to raise awareness around Junior and Senior hockey teams in the community,” Iwachniuk said, “We’ll be involved in more events and we’ll be sporting our colors.”

        The local Junior C team owns a history of playing winning hockey when the arena is filled. And fans of all ages speak, and/or, listen intently to the stories of some 20-years past when the Lions won one series after the next, and in some years too, a the league championship.


Cornwall Typhoons Cami Dickson and Ellie MacPherson . . .

South Dundas stars off to provincials . . .

Kemptville Storm's Molly Neville is thwarted at the last second by the Typhoons net minder

and Game Star, Anaïs Quesnel-Parent who led her team to a wildly exciting 3-2 victory . . .

 

Wednesday, Mar. 6th - Cornwall’s U11 Typhoons outlasted a relentless playdown comeback effort by the Kemptville Storm on Wednesday evening at the Benson Centre. The Typhoons will advance to the Provincial Playdowns in Oakville, ON, on April 12th, 2024 on their 3-1 victory. Three of the players involved in the game include Ali Conlin with the Storm while Ellie MacPherson and Cami Dickson dress for the Typhoons. All three are residents of South Dundas.

        The Storm grabbed an early lead when Heidi Geleynse fired a bar-down counter after the efforts of Kennedi McFadden and Molly Neville handed her the puck in front of Typhoons net minder Anaïs Quesnel-Parent. It would be the final time any player in this game beat Quesnel-Parent, who was chosen the game’s Top Performer by her team-mates and Coach Mike Dickson..

        Early in the second frame Typhoons Cami Dickson raced straight into the slot, unloading a hard shot to tie the contest. Tayte Mitchell drew the support point on the goal. Less than a minute following the Dickson marker Brianna Bradbeer snared a Mieke Benton set-up, snapping off a shot that would turn out to be the game’s winning marker.

        As Kemptville’s Storm pressed to even the count the Typhoons retaliated by charging at several opportunities to win possession and increase their lead. Emma Winters and Marilyne Cameron retrieved the puck on a Storm scoring attempt and moved out the Cornwall zone, sending Lacey Boileau in for a shot on net. Boileau put the Typhoons up by a pair of counters with just less than 8-minutes remaining in the game.

        In an all out effort to erase the home team’s lead Kemptville returned to the attack, the game clock winding dangerously close to the final buzzer. Unfortunately for the visiting Storm, the home team Typhoons defence proved stubborn, backed by net minder Anaïs Quesnel-Parent, who guarded every centimetre between the pipes as though her team’s very future was at stake. On this night Quesnel-Parent’s goaltending, 1-goal on 23-shots against, led her team into an opportunity to participate in the upcoming, province wide event.



Local skaters @ Manley Winter Classic . . .

Back Row:  Abby Smail, Sarah Stewart, Jessica Bouwman, Emma Hess, Grace Morrow, and Hailey Sullivan

Middle Row:  Kerri Kelly, Lauren Scott, Karlee Buter, and Grace Smail

Front:  Alex Asselin.  - photo provided, Morrisburg & District Skating Club

Alex Asseslin: Star 1, Silver; Karlee Buter: Star 3, Silver; Lauren Scott: Star 4, Under 13 Solo, 3rd;

Emma Hess: Star 4, Over 13 Solo, 2nd; Jessica Bouwman: Star 4, Over 13 Solo, 6th;

Hailey Sullivan: Star 4, Over 13 Solo, 7th; Grace Smail: Star 5, Solo, 7th; Kerri Kelly: Star 5, Solo, 11th;

Sarah Stewart: Star 5 Solo, 2nd, Star 5 Artistic, 7th; Abby Smail: Star 5 Solo, 9th, Star 5 Artistic, 5th;

Grace Morrow: Star 5 Solo, 4th, Star 5 Artistic, 5th . . .



The housing market is picking up for the spring in South Dundas. We caught Ms. Christyn Veinotte

posting a new listing in the village of Iroquois for the local Red Door Team.

 


Solicitation methods of fraudsters . . .

        Fraudsters are persistent, persuasive and sometimes aggressive. However, their solicitation methods have changed and expanded over the years. Twenty years ago, the general population had landlines and the internet was not as widely available as it is today. Unsolicited visitors to your front door were much more common in the past. Fast forward to 2024, and fraudsters can now reach you through text message, internet, phones, email, and social media platforms.

        The more information you know, the more you can protect yourself. Here are some ways in which fraudsters may try to reach you:

        •  Links: By sending out hundreds of thousands of messages with malicious links, fraudsters increase their chances of finding a victim who will click on one. Malicious links can look suspicious or legitimate. Don't click links in messages.

        •  Spoofing: A technique used by fraudsters to mislead and convince you that you are communicating with people you know, or legitimate businesses and organizations. Fraudsters can change the caller-ID that is displayed on your phone, the sender address in an email, and often mimic legitimate websites.

        •  Social Media Requests: Be cautious when receiving messages, as the identity of the sender can't always be trusted, especially when it comes with a request for sending personal information or payments. Verify the person's identity by either searches online, talking to them in person if you know them, or asking them questions that could help to verify their identity.

        •  Pop-Ups: These are boxes that pop-up on your computer or device screen. They may say you have won a prize or that your computer is infected, along with a toll-free number for you to contact. Clicking on pop-ups may install malicious software or lead you to a fraudulent website.

        •  Door-to-Door: Despite rules banning door-to-door sales, fraudsters continue to try this avenue for exploiting the public. Fraudsters approach individuals at their door or by phone and use compelling tactics to persuade the homeowner that a new appliance, contract or service is required; something that was never asked for or needed. Consider not answering your door to unexpected visitors or those who are selling items or services. 

        If you or someone you know has been a victim of cybercrime or fraud, contact your local police service or the CAFC through the Online Reporting System, or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. The public is encouraged to report to the CAFC, even if a financial loss did not occur.

        The OPP will be posting tips and resources online. Members of the public are encouraged to engage in the conversation on social media to help them recognize, reject, and report fraud.


The Friends of the Sanctuary . . .

Growing crowds enjoying winter outing . . .

Enjoying the snow on a cold Family Day can bring on a good appetite

and these youngsters we prepared to take advantage of 'dogs and burgers,

chips and drinks after some snow shoeing and trail skiing this past Monday.

Karen & Darren brought their all new, hand-held Birdie Blocks and presented

all of the attending children one to enjoy feeding the hungry birds.

Check their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Birdie%20blocks

The Friends of the Sanctuary organization invited the general public to come out

an enjoy the snow covered trails and the camaraderie around an outdoor fire pit. 

And Mother Nature provided a perfectly cold and bright sunny afternoon for the event.


Turning in the hand you were dealt . . .

Wednesday, Feb. 21st - The Chesterville Bridge Club meets every Monday afternoon from September to mid-May. Members attend from the surrounding area to play cards for a weekly fee of $4. And they, in turn, also give back to support health care close to home!

        Recently, some of the players stopped by the hospital in Winchester to present a donation of $1000 to the District Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Since March of 2016, the Chesterville Bridge Club has raised $28,600 for the Auxiliary. 

        Together, the Bridge Club and our amazing volunteers are truly making a difference and helping WDMH better serve the needs of the surrounding communities.

        “Thank you to The Chesterville Bridge Club for the continued and ongoing support," Eleanor Jordan, Auxiliary Co-President, said at the presentation. "It is so wonderful that you get together to play bridge and support our local hospital."






Colors of cold weather . .

From the Casselman's Creek causeway . . .

 

Five minutes or two hours earlier we may have been fortunate

and captured the sun dog accompanying this late afternoon/early evening

setting sun. But it seemed, incorrectly as it turned out, the time allowed

was all our patience could handle of the strikingly quiet cold on this day.

The sun dog would surely have move this photo from great

into the unbelievable category . . . .

Developing a milkweed patch for the Monarch Butterflies is

a painstakingly slow process, requiring a good bit of reading and watching.

Celebrating the success of such a venture is unbelievably rewarding.

Each year we are seeing more and more of this

mysterious and beautiful species in our front yard . . . 

 

Several times each year this scene slowly develops in a beautiful vista. And each season

appears as beautifully as the next . . . .