email: southdundasinbox@gmail.com

Size is a mute subject when it come to determined effort and especially in winger

Georgia Elliott's world. Ever a presence in a goal-mouth scramble and constantly battling along

the boards, Elliott and her team iced a great game on Sunday morning here . . .

Sunday, Sept. 14th - Cornwall's U15AA Lady  Royals entry hosted a game against the Kingston Ice Wolves on Sunday morning at Morrisburg Arena, keeping a good crowd on the edge of their seats throughout. The Ice Wolves brought a noticeably larger physical presence to the ice which turned out to be the greatest difference in the outcome of the game.

        A determined effort by the Lady Royals, who's roster includes South Dundas' left winger Georgie Elliott and defenceman Evan Dixon, came back to tie the game after falling behind on a 2-0 count in the opening period. The two teams battled back and forth with the visiting Ice Wolves outlasting the Royals in the dying minutes.

        According to the 10th Annual Great Ontario Yield Tour 2025 results

the province's corn and soybean crop yields are below a 10-year average,

Nelson Zandbergen reported in the Farmer's Forum in early September.

Researchers counting (corn) kernels and (soy bean) pods in fields across Ontario

through mid-August recording the research pointed out wide ranging projections,

including projected and historic production lows in eastern Ontario.

According to one agronomist presenting the tour results,

“Central Ontario is just a disaster to be honest. There’s not much else to say!”

There are few  locations in Eastern Ontario that can provide exposure to the natural beauty

as well as does the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

On Saturday, Sept. 13th the Friends of the Sanctuary are inviting everyone,

and especially all of the Kids for a Nature Zone Day

complete with interactive activities, a Story Walk, bug identification, bird sounds,

the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Rescue folks, more friends from the

Raisin River Conservation group, a barbecue, and more.

Admission is FREE, there is a charge for eats from the barbecue,

and the Friends of the Sanctuary are open for donations

from anyone who wants to provide support for the ongoing costs

of keeping this eastern Ontario gem shining well into the future.

See you there!!!

Accompanying photos were captured on Thursday, Aug. 28th

during a walk on select trails. Colors will have evolved to

a more expanded palette by Saturday, Sept. 13th

UCDSB Director of Education Ron Ferguson, Student Trustees Alexander Moussaand Allison Gibson,

and Chair of the Board Jamie Schoular. at the official swearing in on Wednesday, Sept. 10th . . .

Wednesday, Sept. 10th - The Upper Canada District School Board met on Wednesday, Sept. 10th in a meeting that included greeting and introducing student trustees Allison Gibson from Rideau District High School and Alexander Moussa from Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School who publicly signed and verbally stated their declaration and oath of allegiance.

        Chosen by members of the Student Senate in February 2025, the pair will participate in regular UCDSB Board of Trustees Meetings, offering succinct reports to the Board of their activities as Student Trustees. They also assume the roles of Chair and Vice-Chair of the Student Senate. They are given the opportunity to attend conferences organized by the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association – l’Association des élèves conseillers et conseillères de l’Ontario (OSTA-AECO).

        Both trustees are enthusiastic and ready to begin providing the student perspective at the Board table.

A glimpse of a frog's eyes poking out of the algae bloom, and with the taste of cuisses de grenouille on his

tongue, this Blue Heron cocks his neck, loading an unbelievably fast and sharp beak, striking

the frog with deadly accuracy . . . - plating in this world simply isn't necessary.

CSL Thunder Bay slides past the marker west of Mariatown after navigating the Iroquois Lock.

She is on her way to Sept Iles, arriving there around the time we posted this photo.

A week or so recently past we were invited to drop by a summer soirée

arranged by volunteers and being held prior the start of the 2025-26 Hockey Season.

The 2024-25 Upper Canada Minor Hockey League U11-B Champion South Dundas Lions

requested we attend and take part in their celebration, an invitation that will be

an over-the-top wonderful memory for us thru years to come.

This group of young men have proven they are a team our community can be proud of!

They played through a season, intent on winning a title, as the game was designed to be played.

They played with an aggressive approach to accomplishing the eventual title presented, and they played

with a fair and respectful effort toward opponents, officials and whomever they met along the way.

They celebrated with laughter and glee, presenting us with one of their Gold Medals.

That kindness, inclusiveness, and trust, is appreciated beyond words.

We have experienced the grand fortune of watching closely, to listen and learn

as the young people of today solved the puzzle of accomplishment, one of many they will face

over and over as they wander life's path. Being included in that, as a friend, is our Championship.

Board Chair Chris Cummings, Associate Student Trustee Heidi Baumann,

Student Trustee Junior Malunda, Director of Education Shelley Montgomery)

Tuesday, Aug 26, 2025 - The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario is pleased to announce that Junior Malunda, a grade 12 student at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School, has been installed as the next Student Trustee for the CDSBEO. Student Trustee Malunda, who served as Associate Student Trustee for the 2024-2025 school year, has assumed the position from Brooke Guindon.

        The Board also welcomed Associate Student Trustee Heidi Baumann, a grade 11 student at Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School, at the August 26th board meeting.

        “We are very pleased to welcome Student Trustee Malunda and Associate Student Trustee Baumann to their new positions,” noted CDSBEO Chair Chris Cummings, “We are confident they will serve as excellent representatives for all CDSBEO students, and we look forward to collaborating with them in the coming year.”

        Heidi Baumann was elected to the Associate Student Trustee position in April by the Student Senate. As Student Trustees, Malunda and Baumann will represent the more than 13,700 students across the Board and will lead the Student Senate. The Senate discusses student matters, gathers feedback, and helps to develop communications with all students across the school board and also provides a means for student council leaders and senators to gain leadership skills.

        The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario operates 39 elementary and 10 secondary schools across eight counties. The CDSBEO offers excellence in Catholic education through provincial-leading programs to approximately 13,700 students.

Upper Canada Playhouse - Thursday, Sept. 4th - Sunday, Sept.. 28th

A joyful, uplifting & hilarious comedy . . . 

Wednesday, Aug. 20th - Theatres across the country are calling Hurry Hard ‘Joyful, uplifting, and absolutely hilarious’ and Upper Canada Playhouse is excited to close out its summer season with this newest Canadian hit comedy by Kristen Da Silva playing Thursday, Sept. 4 thru Sunday, Sept. 28th. Da Silva is one of the country’s most successful and prolific playwrights whose plays Where You Are and Sugar Road were also produced at The Playhouse. Hurry Hard is a joint production with Orillia Opera House where the production is getting rave reviews, full houses and tons of laughs in advance of its Upper Canada Playhouse engagement. Hurry Hard is certainly packing them in wherever it plays. If advance sales are any indication, the show is already gearing up to be a season hit in Morrisburg as well. 

        Hurry Hard is a fast-paced comedy that proves curling isn’t just about stones and brooms—it’s about pride, family, love and a whole lot of laughs. When the small Ontario town of Stayner’s Curling Club faces its last-ever bonspiel, Terry Mead is determined to lead his men’s team to glory—never mind that he sold his car to buy a broom. Mead's brother Bill is still pining for his ex-wife and half their team keeps ending up in the hospital. Add in Sandy (Bill’s ex-wife and skip of the women’s team), her best friend Darlene (who is hopelessly smitten with the new guy), and Johnny (the “new guy” who manages to limp into every disaster), and you’ve got a recipe for comedic chaos.

        With witty banter, slapstick mishaps and plenty of small-town rivalry, Hurry Hard delivers laugh-out-loud moments on and off the ice. At its heart, it’s a story about second chances—on the rink, in love and in life. Whether you’re a curling fan or don’t know a rock from a broom, this crowd-pleasing comedy will sweep you away. It will give you something to cheer for.

        Hurry Hard features a stellar cast of actors that will also give you something to cheer for. Playing Terry is Tim Walker who has been performing internationally for the better part of two decades and is a Canadian Comedy Award and Dora Award nominee. He has also appeared at Toronto’s Factory Theatre, 1000 Islands Playhouse and Western Canada Theatre among others. Veteran actor Darren Keay plays Bill and has appeared on stages across Canada including The Foster Festival, Canadian Stage, Blyth Festival, Tarragon, Drayton Entertainment, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Neptune Theatre, Theatre Orangeville and many more. He also spent a good part of his youth in the Stellarton Nova Scotia Curling Rink.

        Erin MacKinnon, known to Playhouse audiences for her appearances in such productions as Drinking Alone, Sugar Road, Steel Magnolias, Hilda’s Yard and Hotbed Hotel, plays Sandy. She has just appeared in the world premiere production of Norm Foster’s I’m In Love With Your Sister at Theatre Orangeville, in Port Stanley Festival’s production of Hurry Hard and the world premiere of Foster’s Danny and Delilah at the Foster Festival. She also toured across Ontario and in Halifax with Foster’s Jonas and Barry in the Home with David Nairn and Foster himself.

        Caitlin Driscoll, seen in the Playhouse’s production of Where You Are, plays Darlene. She has also appeared at Vancouver Island’s Chemainus Theatre, Port Stanley Festival Theatre, Lighthouse Festival Theatre and CBC’s Murdoch Mysteries. Caitlin and hubby Tim Walker are thrilled to share the stage in this production of Hurry Hard.

        Rounding out the cast is Jack Ettlinger playing Johnnie and who got his professional start at age 11 as a featured soloist in La Boheme with the Canadian Opera Company. His selected stage credits include Rent, West Side Story at Etobicoke School of the Arts, Les Miserables at Berkley Street Theatre and MEMPHIS: The Musical at Orpheus Musical Theatre. He was also a semi-finalist on Canada’s Got Talent.

        Hurry Hard is directed and designed by Orillia Opera House Artistic Director and Playhouse Associate Director Jesse Collins who has directed for The Playhouse World Premieres of Norm Foster’s The Ladies Foursome, Doris and Ivy in the Home, Moving In and most recently A Woman’s Love List. Other Playhouse directing credits include The Affections of May, Bedtime Stories, Halfway There, Plaza Suite, and Same Time Next Year to name a few. Collins also created and directed     The Playhouse’s live concert hits Dean & Jerry: What Might Have Been and The Eagles & Linda Ronstadt. He was also nominated for an Emmy Award for his direction of Zoboomafoo for PBS.

        Hurry Hard closes out The Playhouse’s summer comedy season.

        Up next is Lucien & Jimmy the Janitor’s new comedy Senior Moments,  Tuesday, Oct. 14th to Sunday, Oct. 19th, followed by the theatre’s family production of Christmas Carol, Thursday,  Dec. 4th - Sunday, Dec. 21st.

Hurry Hard . . .

Upper Canada Playhouse

Thursday, Sept. 4th - Sunday, Sept.. 28th 

Shows TUE; WED; THU; FRI; SAT; SUN: 2:00 PM

THU; FRI: 7:30 PM

For Flex Passes, single tickets and more information contact:

613-543-3713 / 877-550-3650

www.uppercanadaplayhouse.com

This little guy couldn't resist the leavings of a bee that had wisked away

just moments before his arrival . . . 

100th Anniversary Celebration

Canadian Club, Morrisburg and District

Wednesday, Oct. 15th, @ 5:30pm - Dinner & Guest Speaker 

Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 48, Morrisburg

Information: Please reply to canadianclubmorrisburg@gmail.com

Ron Beaupre 613-543-3362

On Monday, Sept. 21st, 1925 a number of men, Morrisburg residents and business owners, gathered at the Department of Agriculture office, located on the south-west corner of Union and Main Streets, to discuss the "advisability of forming a Morrisburg Canadian Club".

         The Canadian Clubs web page offers the purpose of the organization is “To foster throughout Canada an interest in all matters of public concern in order to strengthen Canadian unity; to encourage the preservation and promotion of Canadian heritage and history; to increase the knowledge and understanding of Canadians for the peoples of other nations.”

        In a few short weeks, the Canadian Club of Morrisburg and District that was formed on that day so many years ago will see their current membership meeting a few blocks to the north and west as the crow flies. They will be celebrating the Canadian Club of Morrisburg and District's 100th Anniversary.   

         Gathering several times through every year of past 100 years, the group, unwittingly over that time, recorded an astounding history of who's who anecdotes in their meeting "Minutes" book. Through the Great Depression, war, the development, destruction and construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway, the destruction, moving and replacing their own community, the Canadian Club of Morrisburg and District has survived, and currently is seeking to expand their membership. 

        Three years after the original group of Directors had accepted the task of forming a Canadian Club the membership topped 350 persons who had a paid accreditation. And more than 95 years later the club could boast that every Canadian Prime Minister, save the Trudeau's, had attended a dinner and been the guest speaker of the Morrisburg and District Club.

        Those September 1925 initial gathering minutes recorded the appointment of a Secretary, "moved by Archdeacon Carson and seconded by Mr. J. H. Meikle, that Mr. George H. Challies be Secretary. Carried . . ."

        It was further decided in this meeting "to proceed with the organization of a Canadian Club; plan to hold five meetings for the season; and charge a membership fee of 50 cents and 50 cents for each meeting, a total of $3.00 per year payable in advance. Carried."

        Officers were nominated and named as Officers, including, President: Mr. W. Gormally; Vice-President: Dr. Davy; Secretary: Geo. H. Challies; Treasurer: A. E. Springstead; Directors: C. F. Fetterly, J. Gormley, C. Marsh, J.H. Meikle; Auditors, J. H. Meikle and M.J. Whitteker. 

        At the upcoming meeting of the current edition of the Morrisburg Canadian Club the list of Officers includes President: Anne Caza; 1st Vice: Leo Tessier; 2nd Vice: Miriam Wylie;  3rd Vice: Bob Weagant; Past Pres: Steve Caza; Treas: Doug Grenkie; Sec: Muriel Carruthers; Memberships: Ron Beaupre, 613-543-3362; Speakers: Jim Algire; and Directors: Cynthia Batchelor, Colleen Brock, Carol Goddard, Judy Tessier.

        Morrisburg's Canadian Club will present "an exceptional series of speakers through the coming Fall and Spring of 2026", according to a recent information pamphlet prepared by the group. The organization is intent on expanding their membership numbers.

September 17th @ 7:00pm: Diana Beresford-Kroeger - the author and presenter of a feature documentary, Call of the Forest.

October 15th @ 5:30pm, 100th Anniversary Celebration: Adam Shoalts - a professional adventurer and the author of five national bestselling books.

November 19th @ 7:00pm: Kristina McDermott & Cathy Ashby from the House of Lazarus - presenting "Building Community, Sharing Hope."

March 18th @ 7:00pm: Ryan Hreljac - a Canadian activist, who established the Ryan's Well Foundation to bring clean water to 1.5 million people in developing countries.

April 15th @ 7:00pm: Jeff Ridal - Executive Director of the River Institute, Cornwall will speak on the topic 'Communities for Rivers, Rivers for Communities'.

May 20th @ 7:00pm: Eliza Batchelor -  "One Child - The Hidden World of

Human Trafficking and how a better understanding can help prevent it".

        All six meetings through the season are scheduled for the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 48, at 10 Legion Steet in Morrisburg. And all six meetings are open to new members, visitors and guests at fees as recorded below.

        Seasonal Membership, which include six full course dinners and a speaking engagement (this year includes special 100th celebration) are offered at $225. per person. Visitors and guests are offered individual attendance at $50/per, with the exception of the October 2025 celebration event which has been set at $60/per.

        Corporate Memberships are available and include six meetings, 2 tickets for each, plus recognition in Canadian Club annual brochure, program and sponsor board, for a fee of $500.

Remittance: by e-transfer to: ccmd1925@gmail.com. Cheques to Canadian Club of Morrisburg can be mailed to P.O. BOX 3190, Morrisburg, KOC IX0.

Contact Information: Please reply to canadianclubmorrisburg@gmail.com or call Ron Beaupre 613-543-3362. 

Please feel free to visit: www.canadianclubmorrisburg.com

Note: As the meeting minute book explains, reasonably early in the existence of the newly formed Canadian Club, the need for larger quarters to hold meetings developed as the membership grew rapidly. The group was prepared to present 'dinner meetings' should such a venue be available.

        The Morrisburg Music Hall in the Merkley Block of Main Street, Morrisburg was almost immediately next door and was large enough to seat as many as 1200 individuals for a performance. Meetings were arranged and eventually a deal was struck with the owners of the Music Hall. Future meetings, 1928-29, were be held there, as shown in the accompanying photographs displaying the exterior of the building in the inset and the interior, 3rd-floor, Morrisburg Music Hall with the Canadian Club in attendance. The photos are the work of George Smith and are dated as captured between 1955 and 1957 (see vehicles in inset foreground).

        Through the 3rd-year of Canadian Club meetings the membership topped some 270-individual memberships with an average attendance of 190-persons. An additional 27-guests (non-members) attended the five meetings and 171 visitors paid admission to the balcony to hear the speaker of the day (no meal service). It is noted Wm. G. Hall was paid $5.00 (five meetings) to serve as the doorkeeper.

        A listing in the record of expenses offers the Lutheran, United, Anglican, Presbyterian and Catholic Churches were paid a total of $529.50 for catering the five meetings and serving some 1,085-meals! Three of the speakers presenting that year were paid a total of $30. It is noted in the record the visiting speakers did not pay for their meals.

        Sitting at the table, second table from right, counting the gentleman in the lower right corner of the photograph, the 5th individual to his left is longtime Williamsburg Township Mayor Johnny Whittaker and township clerk Casey Schell to his left.        

        Sitting at the head table, counting from the left including the half-face, is Morrisburg industrialist George Beavers. And the list of familiar faces is long. And that Weber piano on the stage, that instrument has found a home at Stone Crop Acres winery where, on occasion, talented individuals bring wonderful sound to life . . . 

      •  Additional information for this story has been gleaned from James Jordan's wonderful volume "Morrisburg, a history - c. 1784-1958' . . .