MORRISBURG–For their very many and very valuable contributions, Mike Domanko and Mae Pederson were recently named “Lions of the Year” by the Morrisburg and District Lions Club.

The two were recognized for their achievements at the Lions annual installation meeting held at the Masonic Hall in Morrisburg on Thursday, June 10.

WILLIAMSBURG – “In 1985,  many of you may have been at the official opening of the Park Drive Villa where we were welcomed by reeve Johnny Whitteker, Claude Bennett, the minister of tourism and recreation and our MP Noble Villeneuve,” said James Kooistra, chair of the Board of Directors of the Williamsburg Non-Profit Housing Corporation, Saturday, June 19, at the Villa.

IROQUOIS – Doug Millard is a man on the run. Literally.

The Iroquois native describes his efforts as “Cornwall to Toronto in 100 days.” He is making a ‘virtual run’ that will carry him the 450 kilometres that lie between Cornwall in eastern Ontario, and Toronto in central Ontario to raise money for schools in Ethiopia.

Millard is making his run on behalf of the charity, Imagine One Day, (or Imagine1day or i1d) whose goal is to provide sustainable educational facilities in the African nation of Ethiopia.

IROQUOIS – The Dixon’s Corners Community Centre, developed by brothers Peter and Arie Van Dodewaard, is holding its first open house on Saturday, June 26 at 2 p.m. to show South Dundas families, organizations and businesses the potential of the new facility.

However, the transformation of unused classrooms into family and teen facilities is due, in no small measure, to the work of a group of Life Skills students from Seaway District High School under the direction of teacher Eileen Johnston.

 

MORRISBURG – The third annual Medieval Festival held on grounds behind Upper Canada Village continued to draw crowds and thrill visitors over the weekend with almost 10,000 visitors over the three-day event.

 

A revamped King’s Banquet, more games and activities plus camel and joust horse rides for visitors were some of the highlights.

DIXON’S CORNERS – “We want to make this building a community centre, renting out affordable space to fitness and other community groups,” said Marja Smellink, a member of the board of the new Dixon’s Corners Community Centre, located in the former school.

“Purchasing this old school and transforming it was a joint venture between my brothers. They love kids, and they want to create a space for them to use.”

BERWICK – A Nationview Public School student has become the face of Roger’s House as a member of Roger’s Dream Team.

Stephanie Fawcett, a 15-year-old special skills student at Nationview, has joined the 10-person team to help spearhead fundraising efforts for the Scotiabank Walk, Roll and Run June 20 for Roger’s House.

The campaign is a major fundraiser for the respite centre which provides a place to stay for children under the care of medical staff at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

SOUTH DUNDAS – Local officials had thought that local municipal governments were close to an agreement to re-brand all of SD&G as the Upper Canada Region.

However, South Dundas economic development officer Linda Wilson told South Dundas council at the June 1 meeting that the initiative is not as far along as they had originally thought.

MORRISBURG – “There are a lot of characteristics of greatness,” said former CFL star and Grey Cup winner, Tracy Ham, addressing the crowd gathered at the Morrisburg Arena at the conclusion of two weeks of Love South Dundas. “In football, it’s often stats. But that is not what God calls greatness. Greatness can even come in small town packages with His help.”

IROQUOIS – The students and teachers at Seaway District High School and Seaway Intermediate School are making a difference in the lives of children half way around the world, one cot at a time.

For the last four weeks, the MSIP classes at the high school and the grades 7-8 students have been fund raising to support a group of Kenyan orphans. The secondary students have “adopted” six babies while the intermediate students have “adopted” one baby as part of the OKKids (Our Kenyan Kids) campaign run in the school by the Global Outreach Group.