email: southdundasinbox@gmail.com
Will Junior Lions get to playoff rounds . . .
Tuesday, Jan. 14th - Morrisburg’s Junior Lions have put themselves in a tight spot. Of the eight teams preparing to enter the National Capital Junior Hockey League playoffs the Lions are currently guarding the 8th-place basement door. Although the handful of regular season wind-down games does suggest the Lions have an advantage, that suggestion could be argued either which way to Sunday. Starting with the 9th-place Almonte Inferno who have three games in hand over the Lions.
Morrisburg does have history over the Inferno, however small, in that they have posted three victories against Almonte in their four meetings to date. Two of the Lion’s five remaining games are entertaining and being hosted by the Inferno. A home and home sort of thing that can correctly be described as must win games.
Coming off a two-loss weekend the Lion's chances of continuing their 2024-25 season are still within their control, surprisingly enough. That is as long as the team’s bench bosses can convince all of their current line-up to show up for the remaining five games, physically and mentally.
Six of the Lion’s regulars were missing over the past weekend, games that were recorded as a 4-3 loss at Westport on Friday evening and a 6-4 loss at Chestervile on Saturday evening.
In each of those games the Lions were leading going into the final period. A full line-up may have provided enough energy to make a difference in the game score. That being said, the full line up idea does and always has required commitment. That would be the very reason each and every player was deemed important enough to wear a team jersey.
Friday, JAn. 10th - In Westport on Friday, Morrisburg went into the final frame riding a 3-2 lead on goals by Lukas Rozon (2), and Ben Lapier, the latter packing points to his current 7-point lead in league scoring. Bennett Harty and Lapier set up Rozon’s opening marker in the 1st period and Harty recorded an assist on Lapier’s goal one minute later.
Team Captain Lapier drew an assist on Rozon’s repeat performance goal in the middle period, at the time giving the Lions a 3-2 lead.
Slightly more than a minute had elapsed before Westport turned the Lion’s 3rd-period lead into a tie score on Noah Cyr’s burner and the home team Rideaus took the lead with four minutes remaining in the game on a Rylan Boyer winning counter organized by Reagan Donnelly.
“There are games when the boys play hard, full of energy, and still come out on the short end. This was one of those games.” Coach Jamie Smith opined following the tight loss.”Opportunities were there! We just couldn’t bury the puck.”
Lion's Josh Broad sets up screen in front of the Almonte Inferno netminder Andrew Brooks during
previous game at Morrisburg Arena. The Lions scored a 3-2 victory in that game . . .
Saturday, Jan. 11th - On Saturday at Chesterville the Lion’s Ben Lapier extended his scoring lead over Sebastian Ouiment of the Vankleek Hill Cougars to 7-points assisting on Justin Ctr’s and Jordan Elliott’s opening period markers scored less than a minute apart. Cyr had opened the game scoring on the previous shift on a set up by Elliott who is quickly emerging as the team’s local future favorite and line-mate Kahantiio Lazore. (Ben Lapier retires the Junior ranks at the end of this season).
The Lions were going into the middle stanza with a comfortable 3-0 lead.
As the second period reached the midway point Morrisburg was called on a 6-minute spearing and unsportsmanlike penalty that in turn handed the home team Rockets the golden opportunity to tie the game. And quick to the task on two goals by recently acquired Noah Penny and a single by Jordan Cruz. Jordan Heuff scored the Rockets fourth counter with a brotherly assist from sibling Jayden and Evan Houle before Ben Lapier evened the count with his 20th marker of the season from Shamus McDonald.
Will Colborne managed to beat the Lion’s defence in the dying two minutes of the middle frame, beating netminder Carson Turner for the go-ahead goal that gave the home team Rockets the lead going into the final 20-minutes.
Neither team managed to score over the ensuing 19 minutes until the Lions, with two players sitting out six minutes of penalty time, allowed an empty-net insurance marker by North Dundas newest sniper, Penny.
“We played our best period of hockey this year in running up a 3-0 lead in Chesterville on Saturday afternoon, and Carson Turner was just something else playing between our pipes.” said frustrated Coach Jamie Smith following the 6-4 loss to the North Dundas Rockets.
The Lions plan, in light of the losses, is to organize their positioning for a possible play-off run. Smith believes his team still holds a good opportunity to do well and are capable of pulling off a playoff upset as the regular season winds down.
Two of the Lion’s final games are against the Almonte Inferno and two more against the South Grenville Rangers, two teams they have an edge on in past meetings this season. Morrisburg’s home game on Saturday, Jan. 25th against the North Dundas Rockets could have great influence over their playoff hopes.
The Lion’s are looking for a packed arena of supporting fans for their final three home games, starting with their Friday, Jan. 17th meeting with Almonte Inferno at Morrisburg in an 8:00 p.m. start.
Remaining schedule for Morrisburg Junior Lions:
Friday, Jan. 17th - Almonte Inferno at Morrisburg Arena - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 18th - South Grenville Rangers at Prescott Arena - 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Jan 19th - Almonte Inferno at Almonte Arena - 2:15 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 25th - North Dundas Rockets at Morrisburg Arena - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 8th - South Grenville Rangers at Morrisburg Arena - 7:15 p.m.
Abby Smail, Olivia Mudde bringing learning home . . .
Succession important for family farm . . .
Eighteen-year-old Abby Smail and her first 'show holstein' Cherry Blossom, since retired,
agreed to lead the photo-op parade for this article, and we agreed that would be a good idea.
In reading an agriculture article recently, concerning the disappearance of the family farm
and addressing the demands of the farm product's consumer, we decided to take a look for
ourselves. Admittedly, our agricultural knowledge could probably fit comfortably inside a match box,
although we do pride ourselves in being learned at identifying a good read. And this one is indeed
a good one, highlighting our own crop of South Dundas' newest and up-coming entrepreneurs.
After speaking to several farming people we were caught up in the subject of succession and success.
Most spoke of the happier notes around farms, families, and futures. Along the way we spoke to
Abby Smail who plans on leading the 4th-generation of South Dundas Oliver-Bert-Rob Smail's
LoLan Holsteins operation at Brinston. Olivia Mudde told us she was moving home to Mudde Farms Inc.
after three years at McGill's MacDonald campus in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, West Montreal, Qc.
Olivia plans to work with her father, Ian, eventually initiating a 3rd-generation at their swine farm slightly
more south of Brinston. And we spoke to Ellen and Josh Biemond, 2nd-generation owners and
operators of Upper Canada Creamery and New Care Farms, three kilmoetres east of Mudde on Waddell Rd., South Dundas. Josh and Ellen Biemond have been continuously developing and adding products, and
narrowing the gap between producer and consumer since taking over that family operation 10-years ago.
In early November of 2024 a journalist with Global news, Trisha Dev, produced a story presented within their “Economy” section. The story announced the official closing of Lindley’s Farm and Market in the Hamilton, ON area.
This particular farm and market had operated through eight generations and more than 180-years, opening in 1842 shortly after James and Mary Lindley arrived in Canada from England. The couple, journalist Trisha Dev had composed, grew fruit and vegetables in their new found property, and over time built themselves a strong family with sound values, and a great love of farming. Eventually they passed the business along to the next generation, and generations to come.
Well down the line, as the family moved and expanded and continued to produce products for their market, the news eventually came that operations were shutting down, Ms. Dev’s research offers. The announcement included that the farmland ‘would be leased for the foreseeable future.’
Around the same time Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s Vice President, Sarah Wood, said there was a trend in farm closing, adding that farms, in attempting to manage risk, are diversifying due to new challenges, tariffs and taxes.
The farming community in Eastern Ontario is no stranger to family dairy farm closures in a distinctly changing agriculture landscape. Once an area well populated with many small, family owned and operated dairy farms, those have taken a huge hit in both numbers and visibility. Where once a drive in the country offered a wide variety of architectural vistas of small farm homes, barns and silos huddled along rural roadways, those scenes have been replaced with miles of maturing corn and soy beans. Even the tree lines are gone.
Today cash cropping has become the staple investment in ever expanding agricultural land-use, providing less costly profits, and in turn ensuring the business of all types of farming retains a viable future..
“There is a changing landscape!” VP Sarah Wood said while being interviewed by Global News.
“Long-standing family farms (often) close due to a lack of succession planning, and a generational shift where no children are interested in taking over.” Ms. Wood pointed out.
In following discussions around the generational farm continuance with local owner/operators the long time love affair between owners and their inherited family business remains evident. However, the words ‘cash cropping’ came to light repeatedly, in a noticeable string of sentences, much more so than words like dairy, or beef, or pigs.
Eventually we were directed to the Smail farm at Brinston and the Mudde farm a few miles south of Brinston. The Bert & Rob Smail operation, Lolan Holsteins, is both a dairy and cash crop business while Mudde Farms Inc. is a swine and cash crop obusiness. Both are indeed generational, and both are planning to include daughters who are at the moment, being specifically educated in the business of agriculture. Abby Smail and Olivia Mudde.
Abby Smail as she was interrupted during morning chores . . .
Meeting 18-year old Abby Smail, (officially Abigail) we are quickly made aware this young lady is keenly intent on earning the 4th-generation moniker as owner of Lolan Holsteins at Brinston. Abby’s great-grand-father Orville and his wife Charlotte (Moore) originally acquired the property for a farm in the early 1940’s says their grandson Rob Smail. The original Smail’s two boys, Bert and Ron, inherited the farm, eventually handing off parcels to their sons, Rob and Tom respectively.
Rob Smail smiles when he’s asked about his daughter’s intentions to continue the family operation. He speaks shyly, certainly with pride when asked about his eldest daughter’s involvement. As though caught saying too much in answering our questions, he smiles widely, and says while nodding over our shoulder, “You might just as well ask her!” We’re unaware the eldest of Rob and Tracey's three children, Abby, is standing right behind us.
Abby Smail is currently enrolled in Algonquin College’s Generalized Business Agriculture Program at their Perth Campus. She makes the drive weekly, returning home prior to each weekend to put in three days, carrying out the milking and associated chores demanded to keep some 50-purebred Holstein cows happy and productive.
Abby is keen to share her dairy farm knowledge. She speaks in a confident and strong manner. Over the next hour Abby discusses the twice-daily milking program currently in place, automating for the future, ensuring the recently born holsteins are comfortable, and she talks about increasing quota, breeding and along with her sister Grace, showing their cows at various agricultural events. The youngest sibling, Harris, is a star defenceman in the Upper Canada Minor Hockey League U11-Rep Division and he keeps busy working on his stick-handling and shooting.
“We have to be prepared to fill our quota every day,” Abby defines, emphasizing, “Seven days a week to just retain what quota we own.”
Abby Smail radiates a very open, family established pride in her Holstein milk cows, stroking their cheeks and scratching their ears as we walk the length of the barn. She speaks to many of them by name. Abby explains the regular employment of a classifier, hired to visit the farm every few months “to guide our keeper selections.”
“We work to maintain stock that scores between 85 and 100 points.” Abby points out, adding, "The best milkers are the first picks of those judged.
“We are constantly circulating our milk stock and we also have a good sized cash-crop operation,” Abby says as we approach the end of the barn, then apologizes, “I don’t drive the big equipment.”
“She doesn’t like to drive fast at all,” Mom Tracey chimes in without breaking stride. She flashes a smile, then continues walking through the barn toward the office to speak with Rob.
“We get involved in that part of it,” Abby defends the admission that the large equipment is simply too big to accommodate her safety comfort level. And cousin Jordy (Smail) apparently manages the harvesting equipment, lives virtually next door, or “right over there!”, identified with a nod toward the north, Abby says before adding, “But I will drive with the wagons.!”
Abby Smail says “I dream of the day we can initiate our own plans to develop a robotic driven dairy operation.”
In fact, Abby’s ‘we’ speaks volumes, driven to retain the Smail name in the farm for generations to come.
“Our year end project is actually a five year business plan. I’m hoping to be able to use that as an outline for our own business plan on expanding the farm when I graduate,” she says.
In Abby’s words: “When I’m planning I understand it’s for the future and I am fully aware we’ll run into unknowns. I believe there would be even more unknowns if we didn’t plan ahead. Over the next year I’ll be continuing my education while returning home on weekends to work. I’ll have that opportunity to look at implementing some of that learning and some of those new ideas we discuss to find a fit that is good for us and for our business.
Following graduation, I am excited to start working full time alongside my Dad, and initially I plan to make small upgrades to our barn, including the installation of automatic feeders. We are also discussing expanding our box stalls for the calves and continuing to build our quota in an effort to expand our daily production and our overall operation.
I intend to create a business plan that can constantly be adjusted and updated, directed at eventually creating a free stall barn with technically advanced production automation that will allow us flexibility and the opportunity to work to accomplish our goals, whatever they may be at the time.”
As we close the interview Abby Smail walks with us to our car. Her manners and her mannerisms, her devotion to family and family values precedes near every word. During our verbal engaging back and forth, Abby included her grand-father and grand-mother, her parents and each of her siblings repeatedly. To Abby, the family in family farm is very special. And the relationship with her holsteins is just next to that.
U18-Lions in the thick of the battle . . .
South Dundas' Skyler Keeler is shut down on a clear break away by Leeds Charger's netminder,
16-year old Ava Higgs, on Thursday evening in a U18-B House game at Morrisburg Arena.
Higgs' team came away with a 4-2 win, her second over the Lions this season.
Thursday, Jan. 16th - A young lady named Ava Higgs strapped on the goal pads on Thursday evening at Morrisburg Arena, intent on stopping the South Dundas U18-B House Lion’s intentions of moving into 1st-place in the regular season standings. And with an outstanding performance supported by a 60-minute effort from her defensive group, Ava Higgs did just that, leading the 6th-place Leeds Chargers to 4-2 victory.
Higgs is the 16-year-old backup puck stopper for the Chargers who said previous to the game that she has dressed for every game this season. In fact, Ava verified that she was in the net the last time the Chargers upset the Lions on a 2-1 score, Monday, Nov. 25th at Leeds.
The loss wasn’t for a lack of shooting as to why the Lions came up short in this one. The home squad had plenty of opportunities to put the puck in the net. And it was that Higgs and her gang played that well in this outing.
During the opening period Owen Smyth had several good chances shooting at Higgs and was turned away on all of them. Smyth, who played easily as determined as any of the Chargers, did eventually beat young Ava with a hard wrist shot from in close late in the middle period.
Jason Langois opened the game scoring midway through the 1st-period when he twisted the twine in back of Higgs with Henry Martens and Skyler Keeler drawing assists. The lead lasted a full 30-minutes before the visitors Ethan Ross burnt Lion’s netminder Logan Hoger on a Keegan Lynn/Rory Shanks set-up. South Dundas backstop Logan Hoger and the Chargers regular goaltender, Cameron Cumpson, have been battling all season for top spot in ‘goals against’. Cumpson currently holds top spot: Leeds 41 - Lions 46.
Two minutes remained in the middle period when Smyth notched his marker, short-handed, stealing the lead on a Reed McCadden set-up. That lead lasted just 20-seconds, erased by J.J. McCarthy, unassisted on a power play, tying the game at 2-each.
The Chargers added another pair of markers in the final period, both unassisted and both on power plays to capture the 4-2 victory.
The Lions are holding in 3rd-place in the regular season standings with 33-points on 24-games played. The front running North Dundas Demons lead with 35-points over 22-games and the Kemptville Royals II sit between the Demons and the Lions with 33-points in 22-games.
South Dundas’ next home game will be hosting the 9th-place Brockville Braves 1 on Monday, Jan. 20th at 8:00 p.m.
Alysha Brilla!
February 1, 2025 | 7 pm
$30 in advance (+ online fees) or $35 at the door
Alysha Brilla is a 3X JUNO Award nominated composer, music producer and multi-instrumentalist weaving together global roots sounds into healing music. Alysha is the 2024 Canadian Screen Award nominated music composer for the score of Fawzia Mirza's 2023 Feature Film "The Queen Of My Dreams"
The child of an Indo-Tanzanian musician, Brilla’s original music is a colourful tapestry. Themes of re-connection with ourselves, each other and the earth are woven into uplifting rhythms and soulful melodies. In 2013, Brilla became one of the first self-produced female artists in history to receive a Juno Award nomination for her debut album.
Touring the world performing live music and collaborating with communities, Alysha's musical mission unites cross-culturally by featuring a mosaic of genders and ancestral backgrounds on stage. Her distinct and powerful voice and musical tapestry have taken her across Australia, South America, Canada, Europe and Asia. Whether sharing intimate storytelling sets of music or headlining festival stages of tens of thousands with her all-star band, by the end of the show, Brilla always has the audience singing along and leaving with a positive feeling in their heart.
Tickets for this show are $30 in advance (+ online fees) or $35 at the door. Advance tickets are available online only through https://www.st-lawrencestage.com/shows.html 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 at least half an hour before show time.
The Upper Canada Playhouse in Morrisburg 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.
South Dundas is growing in both river-front communities . . .
Development has Iroquois front & center . . .
Municipal CAO moves on to Cornwall . . .
Friday, Jan. 10th - The Municipality of South Dundas has announced the resignation of Chief Administrative Officer Tim Mills, effective February 21, 2025. Mills will become the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Cornwall, on February 24, 2025.
Mills has served as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Municipality of South Dundas since 2023, following his tenure as CAO for the Township of South Glengarry from 2019 to 2023. With a career spanning over 30 years, Tim has held prominent leadership roles in both municipal administration and education, including Superintendent of Schools with the Upper Canada District School Board (2014–2019) and Executive Director of the Upper Canada Leger Centre for Education and Training (2011–2014).
Tim holds a Master of Science in Leadership in Education, a Bachelor of Education, and a Bachelor of Arts. He has also completed executive education programs, including the Executive Municipal Leadership Program at Western University's Ivey Academy and the Supervisory Executive Leadership Program at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management.
A proud resident of the Cornwall area, Tim and his spouse Robyne, a registered nurse with the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, are deeply rooted in their community. Together, they have four adult children and three grandchildren.
Tim is an active contributor to community development, having served on the boards of several organizations including the Cornwall Tourism Development Fund, the Boys & Girls Club of Cornwall/SDG, and ACC Futures. His leadership philosophy emphasizes consensus-building, innovation, and fostering community engagement.
During Mills' tenure, South Dundas achieved significant development milestones, continuing to lay the groundwork for expanded residential and commercial growth and enhanced municipal services. His leadership fostered innovation and strengthened service delivery standards across departments.
"Working with a Council dedicated to community engagement and good governance has been incredibly rewarding," said Mills, adding, "The collaborative spirit of our senior leadership team and staff has made South Dundas an exceptional workplace."
"Tim's leadership style and commitment to excellence have significantly advanced our municipality," said Mayor Jason Broad. "His ability to bring together staff, Council, and community partners has created a lasting positive attitude and culture for South Dundas. We particularly value his focus on development and community-driven initiatives that will benefit our
residents for years to come."
South Dundas' Council will begin the recruitment process for a new CAO immediately.
OPP nab 1.7 kg cocaine, $1/4 million cash . . .
Thunder Bay, ON - A resident of East Gwillimbury and three others are facing charges under the Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act after nearly two kilograms of suspected cocaine was seized in connection with a drug trafficking investigation in Thunder Bay. On Tues., Dec. 10th, 2024, three search warrants were executed at residences in Thunder Bay and Kakabeka Falls by the Ontario Provincial Police led Provincial Joint Forces Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team, OPP Emergency Response Team, OPP Community Street Crime Unit, Thunder Bay Police Service Emergency Task Unit and Nishnawbe Aski Police Service . The Toronto Police Service Drug Squad also assisted with this investigation.
As a result of the search warrants, police seized:
• 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine
• $257,000 in Canadian currency
• Four cell phones
• Three digital scales
• One laptop computer
The estimated street-value of the drugs seized is $170,000.
Malcolm PARCHMENT, age 30 of East Gwillimbury; Philip ARPIN, age 62 of Thunder Bay; April ARPIN, age 43 of Thunder Bay; and Lauritz PAJAMAKI, age 70 of Kakabeka Falls have each been charged with the following two offences under the CC and CDSA:
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine
One of the accused remains in custody and the other three accused were released. They are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay on various dates.
Anyone with information of illegal firearms or the possession, manufacturing or
trafficking of illicit drugs should contact the OPP: 1-888-310-1122; Crime Stoppers anonymously:
1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
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Impaired driving remains a problem . . .
South Glengarry, ON - The Stormont Dundas & Glengarry Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police has charged two motorists with impaired driving. On Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, shortly after 11:00 p.m., SD&G officers observed a motor vehicle unable to maintain its lane on Highway 401 in the South Glengarry Township. Further Investigation led to the driver being arrested.
Megan POUPORE, aged 30, of Massena, New York was charged with:
• Operation while impaired - alcohol
• Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused was released and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Cornwall, Thurs., Feb. 6th, 2025.
South Stormont, ON - On Sunday, Jan. 12th, 2025, shortly before 7:00 p.m., SD&G officers responded to a single collision on Simcoe Street in South Stormont Township.
Courtney BROCKETT, aged 32, of South Stormont Township was charged with:
• Operation while impaired - alcohol
• Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused was released and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Cornwall, Thurs., Feb. 6, 2025.
Fatality in All Terrain Vehicle collision . . .
Sunday, Jan. 12th - Members of the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Detachment of the Ontario Provincial police are investigating a fatal All Terrain Vehicle collision. On Sunday, Jan. 12th, 2025, shortly after 9:00 p.m., officers responded to a single vehicle collision involving an ATV near County Road 11 in North Dundas township. The 27-year-old male driver from Martintown was pronounced deceased at the scene. An 11-year-old passenger had no serious injuries but was transported to hospital.
The SD&G OPP continue to investigate with the assistance of OPP Technical Collision Investigators and a collision Reconstructionist.
Four arrested, criminal charges laid . . .
Wednesday, Jan. 8th - An ongoing joint forces operation led by the Ontario Provincial Police Border Enforcement Security Task Force and Canada Border Services Agency, with assistance from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, revealed evidence for a traffic stop under the Excise Act.
On Tuesday, Jan. 7th, members from OPP BEST and the RCMP conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the City of Cornwall travelling in the direction of the CBSA port of entry. Officers located eight individuals concealed in the back of the vehicle and subsequently charged the driver and passenger of the vehicle under the Criminal Code. Further investigation revealed another two suspect vehicles, which led to the arrest of an additional two individuals.
"The OPP has a significant role in assisting the RCMP and CBSA in maintaining border security. OPP members are assigned to the BEST at international boundary crossings in Ontario." stated OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique, adding, "We will continue to identify, investigate, dismantle and prosecute individuals who attempt to exploit our nation's borders. In addition to our federal partners, the OPP works in conjunction with our partners in the United States, including the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency. Maintaining the integrity of our borders is of utmost importance and we will continue to collaborate with our partners provincially, nationally and internationally."
Police have arrested four people after a traffic stop revealed eight individuals concealed in the rear of the vehicle destined for the United States.
Charles EDWARDS, age 58 of Akwesasne; George TOOKER, age 54 of Akwesasne; Ngoc Dung LE, age 52 of Brossard, Quebec; and Huu Huan NGUYEN, age 43 of Anjou, Quebec; have each been charged with conspiracy to violate US law, s. 465(3) CC.
The four accused were released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cornwall on February 25, 2025. The investigation is currently ongoing. The eight individuals found concealed within the vehicle were arrested and charges may be laid if applicable.
U13B House Lions finally earn 2nd win . . .
Lion’s Noah Caers keeps the Chargers Evan Knapp away from getting a rebound or shot
at winning netminder Rebecca Beckstead in Saturday’s 6-5 victory . . .
Saturday, Jan. 11th - South Dundas’ U13-B House hockey team has posted another victory, and that is good news. This team is the local version of the Bad News Bears who couldn’t manage a win for love ‘nor money! This gang did it by dogged determination exercised every minute for more than 50-minutes on Saturday at Morrisburg Arena. They scored a much needed victory over the Leeds Chargers.
The U13-B house Lions scored their only other win on Sunday, October. 27th when they edged the Smiths Falls Bears on a 5-4 count at Morrisburg Arena.
The win does not move the eighth place team out of their season long basement position in regular season standings, but it does allow hockey’s version of several days of cold weather bragging and exaggeration.
Bland Mackinnon was the hero of the moment at exactly 7:44 of the final period when he put the winning goal puck into the twine behind the Chargers netminder, Lachlan Morrison for the victory. Previous to that moment Bland’s five team mates, Chase Pellegrini, Colton Sadler, Grayson Durant, Charlotte Arsenault and Maverick De Jong had scored singles, toppling the five markers scored by the losing team.
The Lions next home game will be at Morrisburg Arena on Saturday, Jan. 18th at 3:00 p.m. when the second place Kemptville Royals 2 attend the den for a round.
Tough season for the U15-B House Lions . . .
South Dundas' Keagan Sadler runs off the Royals Jakob Szufranowicz after
netminder Liam Barkley stops a scoring attempt . . .
Saturday, Jan. 11 - South Dundas’ U11-B House squad put up a good showing in their game on Saturday at Morrisburg arena. Unfortunately the last place entry in this division’s five team category were playing the Kemptville Royals 1 team that has won 16 of their 19 games played to date. South Dundas’ Lions have managed to win on three occasions and tie another two outings, and currently trail the leaders by 25 points.
Saturday’s game saw the visiting Royals take a 1-0 lead in the opening period when Darcy Tackman beat cage keeper Liam Barkley for the opening goal late in the first period. The Royals then doubled their lead early in the middle period when Bryson Boyce-Pettes scored the visitors second counter.
South Dundas Charlie Priestman cut the Royals lead to a single goal when he scored an unassisted counter at the midway mark but less than a minute following Caleb Purcell wired a shot past Barkley to re-establish the two goal lead.
Tyler Cureston and Rye Mansell added unanswered singles in the final period for the 5-1 victory.
The Lions next home game is scheduled for Morrisburg Arena on Saturday, Jan. 18th at 4:30 p.m. when the 3rd-place Kemptville Royals II come to town.
U15-Rep Lions facing showdown for 1st . . .
Friday, Jan. 10th - Coach Jason Martens’ U15-Rep Lions do have a statistical shot at winning their regular season, even though that shot demands a looming, and what will no doubt be, an all out battle with the Kemptville Royals. That game, slated for Morrisburg Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 22nd at 7:30 pm should be a doozy!
The Royals are currently leading the regular season wins, points and 'goals against' columns on the ‘standings’ chart. The Lions are three points back, 17 goals ahead in the ‘goals for’ column, and owe the Royals a game in hand.
South Dundas is scheduled for seven more games in this regular season, not including the two points they stole from the Brockville Braves on Friday evening at Morrisburg arena. The highlight of that game was that the Lions iced a squad stitched together with four affiliate players while four of their regulars are nursing injuries.
Speedster and always hot scorer Will MacPherson and slick stick-handling marksman Grayson Casselman are both sorely missed on the offensive side of the Lions attack. Two of the team’s defensive forwards, Hudson Shaver and Logan Veerman are also riding the band aid box. Replacements Charlie Priestman, Will Cummings and Peyden Wilson were impressive in their fill-in roles. Back-up netminder Liam Barkley didn’t get an opportunity to get into the action as regular Lincoln Robinson, with an abundance of support on excellent defensive play by the team’s regulars, was stellar between the pipes for South Dundas on Friday night.
On the offensive side of the 4-2 victory Simon Martens led the Lions with three points after defenceman Charlie Sears backed the visiting Braves into their own end and fired a screened shot over the arm of Braves back stop Grasen Burns for the game’s opening goal.
Brockville tied the count two minutes later when Cohen Bowler slipped a Chris Farrah pass over Robinson’s shoulder and into the Lion’s cage.
Simon Martens corralled a rebound off Burns pad in the dying minutes of the first frame, handing Jackson Dunning an opportunity he couldn’t miss. And he didn’t!
The Braves notched the only goal of the middle period on a Lochlan Brown shot through a maze of bodies blocking Robinson’s ability to view the action. Beckett Francis picked up the helper on that tying goal.
In the final period the Lions baited the Braves, taking hits and rebounding quickly on the attack that wore on the visitors defence. Simon Martens again intercepted passes and captured rebounds, offering up scoring chances for the Lions marksmen. On two of those occasions team Captain Taylor Elliott lasered the puck past Burns, recording the winning and the insurance markers for yet another victory by South Dundas.
The Lions are on the road on Monday, Jan. 13th to face off against the Char-Lan Rebels before returning to Morrisburg Arena Wednesday, Jan. 22nd for a 7:30 pm opening face-off against the Royals.
That stage is set for a showdown!!!
Off-game, these Lions still record a win . . .
Thursday, Jan. 9th - South Dundas’ U11-B Rep Lions are closing in on a near perfect season. Top spot in the regular season standings, three wins and four points over their closest rival. Fifteen wins in sixteen games. A single loss, 3-1, way back on Wednesday, Nov. 6th to the North-Glen-Stor Braves.
These Lions are a split hair off scoring four goals per game while allowing just 1.3 goals against per outing so far this season. And they are currently riding an 11-game winning streak. For local hockey fans, the South Dundas team hosts the 11th-place Smiths Falls Bears on Saturday at Morrisburg, noon sharp, before hosting the 8th-place Char-Lan Rebels on Sunday afternoon at Morrisburg in a 4:00 p.m. puck-drop.
On Thursday evening at Morrisburg the U11’s put in a sluggish start before opening up for three counters in two minutes midway through the final frame to capture a 4-1 victory over the Leeds Chargers. Parker Johnson put on a sparkling performance to lead his line-mates in the short-lived scoring raid. Johnson set up Jack Heuff for the night’s winning goal before scoring the next two counters, the first organized by Heuff and the second on an unassisted effort.
South Dundas’ Harris Smail had secured the Lions a lead in the opening period when he rushed out of his own end of the ice, beat the Chargers defence and wired a shot past Leeds’ netminder Sam Cowan. The Chargers tied the game late in the middle period on Sawyer Wykes marker with line mate Jace Bruyere serving up the scoring opportunity that eluded replacement Lions’ netminder Ben Langlois. Regular South Dundas goal tender Emmett Cooper-Kirkhof has been sidelined suffering an unspecified bug.
Saturday at noon, Sunday at 4:00 p.m., Morrisburg Arena, for South Dundas Minor Hockey’s hottest team.
U18-B House Lions add to wins column . . .
Thursday, Jan. 9th - South Dundas’ U18 B House hockey squad continue to hold off three Kemptville teams while sitting back four points of the front running North Dundas Demons. The tight race in the 11-team U18 division includes, in numerical order of standings, North Dundas, South Dundas, Kemptville 1 and Kemptville 2.
On Thursday evening at Morrisburg Arena the Lions hosted the South Grenville 1 entry to a game in which the visitors grabbed a 1-0 opening period lead. South Dundas came alive in the middle frame with five unanswered markers to eventually score a 7-3 victory.
Orien Cowan beat Lion’s cage guard Logan Hogan late in the first frame for a 1-0 lead, recording the only scoring point of the frame.
Through the middle period the Lions directed the Rangers, firing five consecutive counters. Bryce Kirkwood, Logan Casselman, Skyler Keeler, Austin Workman and Mason Roderick all managed to put the puck behind the Ranger’s Cole Clarke for the 5-1 lead.
In the final period each team added a pair of counters on goals by the Lion’s Roderick and Henry Martens answered by the Rangers Dan Milk and Orien Cowan.
The U18-B house Lions next host the Leeds Chargers on Thursday, Jan. 16th in an 8:00 p.m. puck drop.
South Dundas' Kamryn Larocque . . .
Runnin' with the Angels tourney victory . . .
Back row: Jaylynn Whitehead, Ruby Campbell, Bridget Murphy, Ella Leonard, Asia McBride, Ava Tuttle.
Front row: Kamryn Larocque, Elizabeth McBride, Darrah Samson, Summer Covey, Madi Glashan,
Abby Burwood, Maya Emery. Net minder: Hailie Cooper
Congratulations to the Brockville Angels Girl's Hockey team, and especially to our own Kamryn Larocque (who patrols the Angel's blue line) of South Dundas on winning the Scarborough Sharks New Year's Classic Hockey Tournament.
The Brockville Angels U18 Girl's Hockey team kicked off the new year on a high note. The team went undefeated to win the New Year’s Classic Tournament in Scarborough, On. Icing an impressive defensive display and allowing just three 'goals against' on the 4-game road to the final, the Angels secured a hard-fought 4-2 victory over the Nepean Wildcats, showcasing their exceptional teamwork, disciplined defence, and clutch offensive performance.
The team's dominance at both ends of the ice and their well deserved tournament victory solidified the Angel's reputation as one of the elite teams in Eastern Ontario.
Pilot will expand more opportunities Kindergarten thru Grade 8 . . .
Expanded sports program announced . . .
All In Sports, a pilot program of inclusion for all students looking to join various sports activities . . .
Tuesday, Jan. 7th - The Upper Canada District School Board is excited to announce the launch of a new sports initiative that will be piloted in 2025. All-In Sports is a pilot program intended to expand sport opportunities for Kindergarten to Grade 8 students across the district.
As presented to and approved by the Board of Trustees in December, the All-In Sports league will provide all young interested athletes the opportunity to learn and play sports in a structured environment. Local competitions that will allow more students to attend more sporting events will be a focus for this new league.
Students will have the opportunity to play traditional sports such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, etc. but also learn new sports and activities such as handball, korfball and ultimate frisbee. This new league will run in addition to any intramurals that currently take place at schools, not replace it.
“As a former physical education teacher, coach, and huge supporter of student athletics, I am thrilled that we are in a position to make the significant financial commitment necessary for this enhanced and expanded sports league that will benefit all of our students,” says UCDSB Chair Jamie Schoular.
All-In Sports will be at no cost to families but is a financial investment for the UCDSB. This new league will follow best practices as developed by the Coaching Association of Canada and Ophea to ensure a safe, engaging but valuable sporting experience for young athletes.
A steering committee of community members, educators and coaches has been established with representation from across the district. A partnership with the Rick Hansen Foundation has also been formed. To date, 20 schools are part of the official pilot with more than 25 schools requesting to come on board.
“Our aim is to increase student participation in sports and activities. Our hope is that the pilot goes well and that we can expand it to all elementary and intermediate schools next school year. There are numerous physical and psychological benefits to being involved in sports, and we want to ensure that all students get the opportunity,” adds Schoular.
Empty Bowls tickets are selling quickly . . .
Tuesday, Jan. 7th - It’s never too early to pick up a ticket to Community Food Share’s Empty Bowls event, coming up on February 8th. Ticket holders will enjoy a lunch of soup, bread, and a sweet treat served in a locally handcrafted bowl in the company of other Dundas County folks at the Christian Reformed Church in Williamsburg.
Local artisans are hard at work creating the bowls which have become something of a collector’s item. When lunch is over, diners take home their bowl to enjoy again. Tickets are just $45. for lunch and a bowl. If you don’t need a bowl, lunch tickets are $25. with all proceeds going to support the work of Community Food Share in helping folks in our communities who need some assistance putting food on their table.
Along with lunch on the 8th, Community Food Share will host a silent auction and will launch the 2025 Spring Cash Calendar. New this year, tickets will only be available online through Eventbrite.
If you are not familiar with making a purchase online, ask a friend or family member for help or call 613-898-0781 with questions. Here’s the web address to purchase tickets online: www.communityfoodshare.ca
And the competitive years begin . . .
We have attempted to include photos each year, when time allows, of the non-competitive hockey crowd. We're not talking about any Men's League here. We're talking about the U9 teams and younger who are learning their way around the ice, and who do in fact have a few games through the winter season.
As those who have youngsters signed up for the South Dundas Minor Hockey Association's program do know, no record of goals, wins and losses is kept. Except of course in the minds of these young players themselves. They neither hesitate or show any facial expressions of an untruth in telling you they won, each and every time out. Regardless of who you may pretend to be interviewing, 'the other team' (because we forgot their name) never wins. And for the most part, the score runs around 23-5.
On Tuesday evening, Jan. 7th, we went to the U9 Tier 2 game between Kemptville and South Dundas. And although the visiting Royals did start out netting a few counters early, the Lions commanded the second period (they only have two) eventually winning the game on a 23-5 score. How crazy is that?!!!
We've posted some 50 photos here, hopefully you'll enjoy adding them to your family collections . . .
Connecting people to quality care close to home - MPP Nolan Quinn . . .
Ontario provides $4 Million + . . .
Tuesday, Jan. 7th - The Ontario government is investing $4,446,674 in the Cornwall Community Hospital to improve healthcare access in eastern Ontario. This additional funding will allow the hospital to sustain service levels and manage inflationary pressures, while supporting and retaining healthcare workers.
“With record investments, our government is ensuring Ontario residents have access to excellent care,” said Nolan Quinn, MPP for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry. “This additional funding will enable the Cornwall Community Hospital to continue providing critical healthcare to the people of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry now and into the future.”
Hospitals are important pillars of delivering connected and convenient care in communities throughout Ontario. This funding will support the unique healthcare needs of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, including the long-term sustainability of the local healthcare workforce.
“Our government recognizes the critical role local hospitals, including the Cornwall Community Hospital, play in providing people to access to connected, high quality care,” pointed out Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Through this investment, our government is building on our historic support of hospital partners to ensure they have the tools they need to provide families with the care they need, whenever they need it.”
As an addition to the Cornwall Community Hospital’s base funding, this investment will support both immediate needs and long-term improvements so that the Cornwall Community Hospital can keep delivering tremendous care in Eastern Ontario.
Norman McLeod, one of the last ship's moving as the St. Lawrence Seaway prepares for closing . . .
Upper Canada Playhouse’s newly announced 2025 Season will again offer audiences professional live theatre and music throughout the entire year. Over the past several seasons The Playhouse’s main summer season of comedies has been augmented with live concerts. Including in the winter, spring and fall and a family show at Christmas.
This lengthening of the theatre’s season has been very popular with audiences and has also increased the impact The Playhouse makes on both the local economy and tourist industry.
The 2025 Season kicks off with two winter weekend concerts. Vegas Knights, starring Playhouse favourite Derek Marshall, plays Friday, Feb. 7th to Sunday, Feb. 9th and takes audiences back to the crooner days of Elvis, Sinatra, Tom Jones, Dean Martin, the Rat Pack and more with anecdotes and gossipy tidbits on the lounge singers of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.
Popular singer Leisa Way and her Wayward Wind Band follow with their sensational new concert Early Morning Rain-The Legend of Gordon Lightfoot. This concert of greatest hits from Canada’s favourite troubadour has toured throughout the country and lands at The Playhouse Friday, Mar. 28th to Sunday, Mar. 30th.
The Playhouse is offering a special show just for kids and their families Saturday, Apr. 12th when the famous DuffleBag Theatre returns with their rendition of Beauty and the Beast. Everyone gets involved in the production as audience members get invited on stage to star in the show.
Audiences are in for a treat in the spring when The Highwaymen, one of the theatre’s most asked-for concerts, debuts on the Playhouse stage Wednesday, Apr. 23rd to Friday, May 2. Featuring the biggest hits of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson, this blockbuster country concert is created by the producers of such Playhouse hits as Johnny and June, Glory Days and most recently Memphis to Motown.
The Playhouse’s flagship summer season will open with the world premiere of the brand-new Norm Foster comedy A Woman’s Love List. It’s a counter-point to Foster’s previous play and audience hit, The Love List, where two men listed characteristics that would make the ideal woman.
The Playhouse suggested to Foster that it might be time to flip this scenario and have two women look for the ideal man. He liked the idea and A Woman’s Love List will get its first production at The Playhouse Wednesday, June 5th thru Sunday, June 29th.
The hit comedy The Sweet Delilah Swim Club follows Thursday, July 3rd to Sunday, July 27th and audiences will enjoy the antics of five hilarious women who meet every year at a cottage to recharge their friendships, laugh and meddle in each other’s lives without their husbands.
Another classic Foster comedy, Maggie’s Getting Married, plays next Thursday, July 31st to Sunday, Aug. 24th when audiences get caught up in hilarity and chaos when a big surprise turns a family wedding upside down.
The summer season wraps up Thursday, Sept. 4th to Sunday, Sept. 28th with Hurry Hard, another new comedy that is taking theatres by storm. A men’s curling team are short a player for the big bonspiel and recruits a player from the women’s team. Audiences don’t need to know a thing about curling. They just need to be prepared to enjoy the hilarious ups and downs of this unlikely team in this fast-paced comedy.
Two of the Playhouse’s favourite funny guys, Lucien and Jimmy the Janitor, take to the stage in the fall with their brand-new East Coast comedy Senior Moments running Tuesday, October 14th, thru Sunday, Oct. 19th. It’s always a sell-out when this Maritime comic duo comes to town. Following their previous hits Fort Mac Attack and A Short History of Nuthin’, Senior Moments probes the mysteries and wonders of aging with one-liners and belly-laughter from start to finish.
The 2025 Season will conclude with the return of the Playhouse’s spectacular production of A Christmas Carol, Thursday, Dec. 4th to Sunday, 21st. Scrooge’s adventure discovering the true meaning of Christmas comes alive in a musical and magical production on a revolving stage filled with song, dance, special effects and all of Dicken’s legendary characters. The production sold out in 2022 and The Playhouse is excited to bring it back by popular demand for those who didn’t get to see it and those who wish to see it again.
Flex passes and single tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online, by phone or in-person and patrons are advised to book early to get the seats and dates they wish. The Playhouse also reminds audiences that their final production of 2024, Miracle on 34th Street, plays November 28th to December 15th. This classic Christmas story of Kris Kringle claim to be the real Santa Claus is the perfect family show for all ages and a perfect conclusion to another successful Playhouse’s Season.
Upper Canada Playhouse
613 543-3713 or 877-550-3650
