email: southdundasinbox@gmail.com

Tubie weekend gives back!!

Members of the Earl Baker Park waterfront committee (multi use sports courts) were the recipients

of a donation from the Tubie Committee on Monday evening! The Tubie Committee, including,

Kevin and Lois Casselman; Jeff and Laura Barclay; Geraldine Fitzsimmons; Cole Veinotte;

Jordan St Louis (absent); and Monika St Louis, presented a cheque filled out to the tune

of $4,000 intended to go toward the development of multi-use sports pads . . . 

Saturday, October. 4th - South Dundas' Oakley Beavers says he called on his supporters and friends and together they staged the 2nd Annual Run for the Cure at the community waterfront on Saturday. And the crowds too came to take part.

        Beavers said on Monday the open invitation family participating event had raised some $7,000 for cancer research, an impressive number in only its second year. The Run for the Cure's promotional material invited participants to walk, run, bike or rollerblade and included that dogs would be made welcome. And all of that showed up at the starting line.

        In introducing the event prior to the official start South Dundas Mayor Jason Broad offered the good fortune of the community we live in where young people take it upon themselves to join in, take part, and get things done. 

Saturday, October. 4th - Fraser Hall was packed for the 75th Anniversary celebration honouring the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Morrisburg Branch 48 on Saturday evening. The local Auxiliary members welcomed friends from various area branch Auxiliary's, distinguished guests and friends of the organization to an evening of recognition highlighted by presentations, words of recognition, thank you from various levels of government and a wonderful dinner.

        The Branch 48 Legion Ladies Auxiliary has carved a path of generosity and commitment over the past 75-years. Providing support, investing in local community organizations and projects, all the while providing and serving countless dinners to community gatherings guests.

        The Auxiliary received their 'Charter' in the fall of 1950 and the 25-members of the day led by Mabel Vipond as the organizations 1st President. immediately initiated a habit of supporting Legion activities and events. 

        Minor hockey and baseball to the skating club, the waterfront park to the playground development, municipal beautification projects to weekly bingo, dart leagues, dinners for the Canadian Club crowd, and more have all received the considerable support of this organization. And the details and numbers were mentioned throughout the speeches on the evening.

        MP Eric Duncan and MPP Nolan Quinn and South Dundas Mayor Jason Broad were in attendance to thank the Ladies Auxiliary on behalf of the greater community, all mentioning how their tasks are made easier knowing they will enjoy great meals before the evening is out. Marsden/McLaughlin's David Lapier mentioned the commitment the Auxiliary has provided his many 'Celebrations of Life' gatherings held at the Legion's Fraser Hall. Lapier, explaining himself further, in saying he had been informed that Auxiliary member Inez Bilmer will have been serving with the organization for 65-years on this date in 2026.

        The  current executive of the Branch 48 Legion Ladies Auxiliary includes President Debbie Shaver; 1st-Vice President Carol Armstrong, 2nd-Vice President Candace Jamieson; Secretary Catherine Lortie; Treasurer Rosie Stitt; Sergeant at Arms Michelle Liddy-Brooks; and Sports Officer Donna Dillabough.

OPP, MTO, CBSA and Sûreté du Québec Focus on Commercial Vehicles . . .

Thursday, October. 2nd - A joint highway safety initiative earlier this week has led to 16-commercial vehicles being removed from the road and the recovery of a stolen vehicle. Officers with the Ontario Provincial Police, Ministry of Transportation, Canada Border Services Agency and Sûreté du Québec spent Monday, Sept. 29th, 2025, focussed on the area around the Lancaster MTO Inspection Station, near the Ontario/Quebec boundary.

Thursday, Oct. 2nd - It’s been a terrific 2025 Season for Upper Canada Playhouse and for the impact its constantly full parking lot is having on the area’s economy and tourist trade.

        "We’re two-thirds through our season or as they say in baseball 'the 7th inning stretch’" recently remarked Artistic Director Donnie Bowes.  An ardent Blue Jays fan, he can’t resist the comparison.

       "Each one of this season’s concerts and comedies have been a hit for The Playhouse. Now, again like the Jays, we’re launching into our exciting post summer season. We have a hilarious comedy in October, our new 2026 Season announcement in November and a sensational family Christmas show in December."

        Hot on the heels of our final summer comedy, Hurry Hard, Lucien and Jimmy the Janitor will star in their new comedy, Senior Moments, Tuesday, Oct. 14th thru Sunday, Oct. 19th. Audiences will be treated to more East Coast hilarity from everyone’s favourite Maritime comic duo as they probe the mysteries and wonders of aging. An added performance has already added been scheduled.

        The Playhouse releases its 2026 Season soon following, on Tuesday, Nov. 17th, when the box office will be inundated with patrons, groups and bus tours booking tickets and flex passes for the theatre’s new 43rd-season of live professional theatre and music.

        The current Season concludes following Thursday, Dec. 4th thru Sunday, Dec. 21st with The Playhouse’s popular family production of A Christmas Carol. Scrooge’s adventure discovering the true meaning of Christmas comes alive in a musical and magical journey performed on an exciting revolving stage filled with song, dance, special effects and a large cast of Dickens’ legendary characters.

        The 2022 production of this classic show sold out its shortened run due to the pandemic. The Playhouse is excited to bring it back by popular demand for those who didn’t get an opportunity to see it and those excited to experience it again.    

        Special school performances of the show are almost sold out including an additional school performance recently added to the schedule. Schools interested in attending are advised to contact the theatre for these remaining seats.

        In addition to the regular season, The Playhouse treated audiences to performances from students in their annual 'Playhouse Summer Theatre School' class and also from participants from the theatre’s community outreach program 'Community Living Onstage'.

        The Playhouse is in constant contact with its professional colleagues in the industry and share some of their successes and challenges. Audiences everywhere are returning to live performances which is great news. There are also some challenges The Playhouse shares with other live theatre companies. Most of the actors and production team are not from the area and live in Morrisburg for the duration of their contracts. Finding accommodations for these artists to rent has become increasingly difficult.

        Another universal problem in the industry is cell phones. Even after reminding audiences to silence their phones during the show, some fail to do so affecting the actors’ concentration and the enjoyment of their fellow audience members. Hope springs eternal that this problem will diminish eventually.

        The Playhouse continues to attract some of the most talented actors, musicians, designers, directors, stage managers and technicians in the country. It prides itself on an experienced and dedicated core staff who work hard to ensure that the theatre maintains its high quality of service and product. The Theatre also enjoys the support of its Board of Directors, sponsors and an impressive group of loyal volunteers who give of their time, talent and support to ensure audiences have an enjoyable experience.

        2025 has been a home run so far for The Playhouse. The intend is to continue to 'hit it out of the park' til the end of the year. Then do it all over again next Season!

For Flex Passes, single tickets and more information contact:

613-543-3713 / 877-550-3650/uppercanadaplayhouse.com

The team that quietly builds and maintains the gardens in Morrisburg's Earl Baker Park

closed their volunteer season earlier this week following a trying, very dry and hot year. Yet the gardens

came through it all unscathed, colourful as usual and pleasing to so many who use the park area . . .

Left to right: Michelle Perron, Joanne Baker, Faye Baker, Susan Barkley,

Sonja Laurin and Rosemary Laurin. Absent for Photo Day - Jane Domanko and Jill Dumaresq

Family-favourite fall event returns for its 14th season at Upper Canada Village!!

Thursday, Oct. 2nd - Pumpkinferno, the award-winning luminary experience, returns to Upper Canada Village for select evenings from Friday, Oct. 3rd to Saturday, Nov. 1st, including Thanksgiving Day. This mesmerizing installation features thousands of handcrafted, glowing artificial pumpkins arranged along a self-guided outdoor path set against the historic backdrop of the Village.

        Now in its 14th season, Pumpkinferno continues to captivate guests with five brand-new exhibits unveiled this year, in addition to returning fan favourites.

This year’s new displays include:

         •  Gilded Garden Party (Victorian elegance)

         •  Feline Frenzy (playful cat-themed fun)

         •  Rhinestone Rodeo (Western flair)

         •  Avant-Gourd Gallery (fashion meets pumpkin art)

         •  Under the Weather (a creative take on weather experiences)

Also returning is The Smoke Dancers, a hand-carved tribute created in partnership with Akwesasne Travel, celebrating Indigenous dance and music.

        Pumpkinferno was created by the St. Lawrence Parks Commission in 2012 and has since become a trailblazer in pumpkin-themed events across Canada. Each spring, a team of talented young artists begin the intricate process of designing, carving, and constructing the exhibits. These student artists, selected for their creativity and passion, spend months bringing each glowing scene to life.

         Tickets are available at www.pumpkinferno.com. Bundle your Pumpkinferno and Alight at Night tickets and save 25% on your Alight at Night admission in honour of the holiday event’s 25th anniversary year.  

Tuesday, Sept. 30th - The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was celebrated today

at South Dundas' municipal office with a full staff compliment, representation from both

Morrisburg Public and St. Cecilia's-St. Mary's Separate Schools, Mayor Jason Broad,

Deputy Mayor Mark St. Pierre, and Councillor Danielle Ward and son Cavan,

MPP Nolan Quinn, local historian Sue Peters, and a host of locals came out for

Orange Shirt Day, the Canadian day of memorial to recognize the atrocities

and generational effects of the Canadian Indian residential school system.

It is indeed a spectacular stroke of good fortune that our community can so shout out such

natural appeal.  Last evening at 6:59pm the Captain Henry Jackman moved into the spotlight

that was the setting sun, around the point at Mariatown. I had just set our dinner plates

on the table when she passed our frontage, excused myself, grabbed the camera

and raced to the waterfront a bit west of our place. We've seen this set-up

every fall since we moved to our current home. These sunsets and these

ships will recreate this scene time and again before the St. Lawrence

Seaway closes for the season. And you're welcome to visit anytime!

Bring your camera, take in our updated restaurant scene, and

chase the big gals climbing the waterway to inland ports . . . 

We were hoping the resident horse whisperer was at the farm in Williamsburg earlier this week but our good

fortune was not working. However, we did manage a few photos of her students and the elder crowd . . . 

Glenda Gibson and grand-daughter Lana present their work . . .

        The season when a day is a bit shorter, follows a cool night, the sun comes up big and bold, unchallenged in the absence of clouds. The season is now. Nature's quiet and constant, mind twisting changes appear in the chemical reactions in foliage, creating eye grabbing landscapes. 

        The final quarter of the year, fall, is here. And the desire to cruise the backroads is contagious.

        Fortunately, this past week, talented individuals throughout our area celebrated their work staging the 34th Annual Apples & Art Studio tour. And we started the car early on Saturday.

        For those unfamiliar with this particular event, near 50 artists from Alexandria to Lancaster to Morrisburg to Winchester and every stop in between open their studio doors over a two-day weekend to display and market their works of art. 

        Apples & Art has built a strong following which in turn has allowed area artists success thru the show for 34-years. This most recent edition is a testament to the talents among us.

        Kicking off our day cruise with breakfast at the Oddfellow's Hall in Williamsburg, ON, we drove east to take in several locations in Cornwall, taking particular interest in works by artists we had not previously met. Louise Mignault, Darlene Varley, Rose Desnoyers, Marleene McWilliam. Prior to leaving the city we stopped on Water Street to speak to Laura Leah Lindeman who had positioned her easel on the sidewalk and was working the final highlights into a huge canvass.

        At Summerstown we stopped at Marlin Orchards where one of the greenhouses is used for the Apples & Art folks. The structure is filled with participating artists and there are literally hundreds of works on display.

        For those who have previously navigated the Apples & Art Tour, none forget this stop is where line-ups start, particularly over at the apple cider donut making station where customers receive a half dozen bag of hot from the oil donuts and a cinnamon-sugar shaker to dress them. It goes without saying our six donuts were set in the car for our next leg of the journey.

        Meeting numerous talents at Marlins included Glenda Gibson who produces wonderful water-colour works. Glenda was working with her grand-daughter, Lana, who pointed out she recognized us when we were attending one of her U15 -Rep hockey games in the past year. 

        Continuing our tour we were back on the road, the apple cider donuts replacing a planned lunch stop, heading toward Alexandria. Signage along Highway 34 alerted us to artists at the Glengarry NorWesters and Loyalist Museum in Williamstown, a picturesque community north-east of Summerstown Station.

        Paige MacLaughlan, a student employee who resides in Kingston attending classes at Queen's University when she is not summer-employed at the museum, sat at a table in front of the door. A large colourful sign announcing the word Welcome was on full display.

       Most attendees would have missed that sign. The much smaller announcement having immediately drawn their attention.

"Pie for sale! $5 with ice cream or whipped cream!"

        On the table were three varieties of pie (apple, blueberry and pumpkin) in generous portion slices, each on a disposable plate, alongside a clay holder filled with plastic forks, all backed by Paige's welcoming smile and clearly announced dialogue.

        Blueberry (the wild variety), and vanilla ice cream laid out a perfect taste challenge for those since consumed donuts. The pies were prepared by show participants, museum supporters and Paige. And the blueberry was indeed a winner.

        Tracy-Lynn Chisholm, a self taught, full time painter and for some years organizer and supporter of Apples & Art displayed a number of eye grabbing pieces inside the museum. And Ellen Astle was also in attendance and drawing considerable attention with her works. Ms. Astle said that during her studies she was influenced by Margaret Barker, an English painter known for her landscapes. And imaginative portraits.

        Astle's displayed works included a selection of the female figure with various vegetable and flowers, and birds inserted in place of each figure's head.

        Our road trip turned toward home on leaving the Williamstown Museum. Having spent several hours with 'new' people discussing a shared interest requires more time than one normally allows, and evening was on the rise.

Wednesday, Sept. 24th - North Dundas District High School has been named the national 2025 Forged by Youth top prize winner, earning a $15,000 award from the Canadian Welding Bureau Foundation for an innovative project led by the Manufacturing Technology class in 2024-2025.

        The winning creation is a mini ice resurfacer, repurposed from a plywood feed cart. Designed and built over two semesters, the project was completed just in time to debut at a North Dundas Rockets Junior Hockey Team playoff game last spring. Since then, the resurfacer has served as a promotional vehicle at Rockets’ home games and community events. It not only drives, it also includes a drawer that can carry promotional materials.

South Dundas' residents can be sure their drinking water is safe and clean for another few years following

the scheduled inspection and maintenance of the water intakes at the foot of Augusta Street in Morrisburg.

Municipal employees, professional divers and the Province of Ontario were on the scene to ensure 

results were satisfactory and met provincially set standards. The inspections and testing are

scheduled around the natural conditions that may affect intakes, including a build up of

aquatic weeds. South Dundas' location is fortunate for the strong water currents that

move any and most materials that otherwise could obstruct the water flow.

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

and diversity as well as does the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary . . .