LIVE. WORK. PLAY. NORTH DUNDAS
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Explore
Live. Work. Play.
N o r t h D u nda s
VO L 3 . 2 02 0
VOL 3. 2020 i
ii E X P L O R E NORTH DUNDAS
Greetings from Council!
L i v e , Wo r k a nd P l ay i n N o r t h D u nda s !
Welcome to the third edition of Explore North Dundas! This edition is a celebration of our
lifestyle, what it is to live, work and play in North Dundas.
Residential growth in North Dundas is booming with the development of new subdivisions,
including three that are anticipated to start construction this year. In this issue, we
introduce you to these new subdivisions and the developers behind them.
Our community is home to numerous family-run businesses. They are a key strength in
North Dundas and an important part of our economy. We are showcasing five businesses
and the owners, whose hard work and determination have stood the test of time and
made them successful for several generations. Council congratulates these businesses on
their success.
Work life balance is not just a saying in North Dundas; it is a way of life. Recreation and
culture play essential roles in our lifestyle. We are ver y proud of the variety of facilities and
programs that are available, due largely to the many volunteers that contribute countless
hours to providing this vital part of our culture. We are thankful for the ef forts of these
dedicated volunteers that make our community what it is.
As Council, we are grateful for the opportunity to ser ve the residents and business people
of North Dundas. Our residents share a strong sense of community and we love to come
together in celebration. We are excited that the 2020 edition of the extremely popular
Meet Me on Main Street event series is expanding to Marionville. We hope to see you at
one or all of the events!
We encourage you to take some time and check out all that North Dundas has to offer!
Contributors Table of Contents
M IKE D EAN ’ S SU PER LO UIS ’
FOO D STO RE RESTAURANT
p .4 p .18
NATION VALLEY NEWS
WELLI N G S of W Y LIE C REEK
Wi nc h e s ter ESTATES
Writers
Nelson Kelsey Smith has p .7 p . 21
Zandbergen is worked for three
a longtime local years at Nation
journalist with Valley News.
KAYAK WEAGANT FAR M
over 20 years The Morrisburg C LU B SU PPLIES
in the industry. resident handles
p .8 p . 22
The Chesterville a diverse file of
resident is the responsibilities,
founder of Nation including news D U N DAS P OWER S N OWM O B I LE
Valley News Ltd. reporting.
LI N E ASSOCIATIO N
p .9 p . 25
WI N C HESTER REC REATIO NAL
M E aDOWS PRO G RAM S
p .12 p . 26
G i n a D r agon e CO M M U N ITY E VENTS JWS D E VO LUTI O N
P h otog r a p h y
p .13 p . 29
Photographer
Gina Dragone is a local portrait,
lifestyle, and product photographer. E XPLO RE no rth AT V C LU B
Her latest projects include photograph- d u nda s MAP p . 32
ing the region to help promote SD&G
tourism. She is based out of Maxville.
p .16
M ARRI N ER D ESI G N
Graphic Designer
Susan Marriner specializes in
GÖe northdundas.com
branding, web design, social and
print media for business marketing.
She owns and operates her local
Municipal Office
graphic design company Marriner 636 St. Lawrence St Hours of Operation: Extended summer
hours every Tuesday
Design, which serves businesses Winchester, ON Monday to Friday
until 7pm
all over SD&G and Ottawa. K0C 2K0 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
(May 7 – until Aug. 27)
Phone: 613-774-2105
Fax: 613-774-5699
1200 visitors can’t be wrong.
The annual Local Business Expo,
held at the Joel Steele Community Centre
on the 3rd Saturday each April,
is definitely the place to be.
Sponsored by the Township of North Dundas and the
North Dundas Chamber of Commerce this event con-
tinues to attract more visitors each year. The Expo
stage features a variety of performances and demon-
strations throughout the day, with different presenters
each year.
The Township in conjunction with South Nation
Conservation distribute hundreds of trees at the door
while supplies last, along with ballots to enter to win
door prizes. Larger trees are available to win as part In light of the COVID-19 outbreak,
of an Expo contest. Admission is free, so save the date the Township and the Chamber of Commerce
and plan to attend. Come out and support the more have elected to cancel this event for 2020.
than 100 local vendors.
What began as a celebration of community
for Canada’s 150th birthday has become an
annual tradition that is not to be missed!
Starting on the first Wednesday in July, the
Township of North Dundas closes a section of a
main street in a different hamlet each week. Tables
and chairs are set up in the middle of the street so
residents and guests can enjoy live entertainment
Mark your calendars and join us for one from 5:30PM till 8:00PM. Each location features
night or take part in the entire series! a different local band, food options for purchase
from local vendors, and buskers for everyone’s en-
WEDNESDAYS 5:30PM - 8:00PM joyment. This event truly is fun for the whole family.
LED
CEL
CAN Alcoholic beverages are available from various
JulY 8 JulY 15 JulY 22 craft breweries and a local distillery. New this year
is the addition of local cider producers and the ex-
Morewood South Mountain HALLVILLE
pansion of this series to include an evening in the
Village of Marionville.
JUL 29 AUG 5 AUG 12
MARIONVILLE Chesterville Winchester
GÖe northdundas.com
c
The Dean Family
MIKE DEAN’S
SUP ER F OO D STORES
by: N ATI O N VA L L EY N E W S | P h oto s : G i n a D r agon e P h otog r a p h y
Born in Chesterville, a unique grocery chain reinvents itself
to survive in a tough industry
4 E X P L O R E NORTH DUNDAS
Live. Work. Play.
CHESTERVILLE — Mike Dean’s Super Food Stores’ flag- chickens, wings, ribs, meatloaf, tourtiere and more —
ship King Street location is where it all began for the “and tons of pizza.”
small-town grocer, and where the next generation of
Chesterville also hosts the company’s 8,000-square-foot
this Eastern Ontario family business continues to adjust
warehouse, located on Industrial Drive, feeding all three
and adapt to an evolving marketplace.
stores, and it’s in Chesterville where much of the fresh
When his father bought that first Chesterville store food is prepared as well. “Our office is here and our over-
from George Laflamme in 1976 (in the building beside head staff are here,” he adds.
the current store), “there were seven grocery stores in
“Everyday
Bearing the name of the found-
town,” says Gordon Dean. That includes general stores,
er who passed away in 2017, the
competing grocery stores and a butcher shop in the
business continues to support there’s some-
thing that
village at the time. “Talk about a different day,” remarks
the family begun by Mike and
the company president, in his office at the local gro-
you can
Nancy Dean — their children
cer’s North Dundas headquarters.
and grandchildren.
Today, the operation represents one of just 76 indepen- get and
take home
Gordon and his wife, Pamela,
dent grocery retailers left in Canada, down from 2,000
are fixtures at the business,
for supper,
in the 1980s, according to Gordon. Among the chains
and their four children — Siena,
in that group, Mike Dean’s is unique as a rural Ontario
ready to go.”
Thomas, Benjamin and Samuel
operation with a trio of outlets — in Bourget (12,000
— have growing roles within
square feet), Sharbot Lake (12,500 square feet) and
the aisles of the store as well. “I
Chesterville (11,000 square feet).
skipped a lot more school than
Today’s grocery store, Gordon says, must compete for my own children when I worked here as a kid,” Gordon
a 2020 consumer wooed not only by online sales and laughs, while conceding his progeny are following his
discount stores, but especially regional “destination childhood example by helping out.
malls” anchored by superstores owned by the domi-
His sister, Julie, and her husband, Daniel, are part of
nant five grocery giants not part of that group of 76
the team, and their mother continues to be a regular
— Sobey’s, Loblaws, Costco, Metro and Walmart.
presence at the store, too. Nancy “likes doing her part,”
The challenges are felt in Chesterville, he concedes, says her son, adding with a smile that she “still does
where the village population has increased over the work too much.” A retired teacher, the family matriarch
past decade and yet “probably half the people are driv- is, of course, the inspiration for the store’s own in-house
ing to Ottawa every day now.” “Nancy’s Fancy” brand of products, which Gordon and
his father introduced — to her surprise — 20 years ago.
Acutely aware of each change in his home village’s
commercial landscape and knowing the impact on the
number of customers through his own door, Gordon
says the enterprise has “reinvented itself” by eschew-
ing the traditional focus on large volumes sold cheaply.
They have shifted toward more specialized, local prod-
ucts and “a ton” of food prepared or cooked in store.
“That’s what will keep us alive as a retailer is that spe-
cializing in a lot of local, and people know it’s local,”
he says. “Volume has become irrelevant. Today, I don’t
care what my sales are … It’s a matter of what prod-
ucts are we selling? Are we selling products that make
sense?”
Local customers are today more likely to be attracted
into the store on their way home from work to buy a
hot meal or a fresh, prepared dish — a niche in which
proximity still matters. “Everyday there’s something
that you can get and take home for supper, ready to
go,” he says, rhyming off such fare as barbecued whole
VOL 3. 2020 5
The company employs 75 people, “three quarters of “Mike Dean’s has always been good to the Lions, no
them full-time,” the president proudly notes. “We would matter how you look at it,” says Carl Robinson of the
rather have full-time staff than three sets of part-time Chesterville Lions Club, who also points out that Lions
staff with no benefits.” and other service clubs are always welcome to set up
and sell fundraiser tickets inside the store.
For years, Mike Dean’s has contributed to a variety
of charitable causes in Chesterville, such as supply- Gilroy has been shopping at the place since it opened
ing food to various Rotary Club of Chesterville events up nearly 45 years ago, and says she is always able to
and selling calendars to support the Chesterville get what she needs. If an item happens to be out of
Lions’ Christmas hamper distribution. Also receiving stock, “I just ask somebody, and it’s back on the shelf.
support are the Dundas Junior Farmers, Chesterville Gordon’s ready to help, same with Pam, Julie, Dan …
Agricultural Society, both elementary schools in the and of course, Nancy. They’ve been great.”
village, North Dundas District
High School, Timothy Christian mikedeans.com E
“Mike Dean’s School, Morewood Recreation,
has always and Art on the Waterfront — to
been good to
name but a few.
the Lions,
Ruth Gilroy of Chesterville, a
Rotarian, lauds the Deans for
no matter supporting causes like the Club’s
how you look annual Breakfast with Santa
at it...”
and its recently revived Shrove
Tuesday pancake dinner.
“They contribute a major amount
to the breakfast,” says Gilroy, tallying outright Dean do-
nations of “78 dozen eggs, 30 loaves of bread, jams,
ketchup and coffee” plus discounted orange juice at the
most recent Christmas event alone. “They give a lot.”
6 E X P L O R E NORTH DUNDAS
Nautical Lands Group
W ELL INGS OF WINC HESTER
by: N ATI O N VA L L EY N E W S
Sleek and ultramodern, the largest “adult lifestyle community” ever developed by Nautical
Lands Group is set to begin rising in a field off Main Street West this year.
WINCHESTER — Available in one- and two-bedroom charge — currently estimated at $1,495 (one bedroom)
models (respectively averaging 750 and 956 square and $1,995 (two bedroom) — remains affordable be-
feet), the no-basement, wheelchair-accessible de- cause there is no “care” component when compared to
signs are inspired by the architectural style of Frank a retirement home.
Lloyd Wright — with flat roofs, 12- to 14-foot ceilings,
The 470-unit rental development falls within the devel-
lots of large windows, earth tones and in-floor heating.
oper’s unique “Wellings” brand.
Set to start construction with an initial four-unit display
“Are you feeling adventurous and fun? Because that’s
model this spring, the Winchester build follows a market
what Wellings is,” says Tommy, adding, “We’re vibrant,
path blazed by the developer’s first — and smaller —
we’re fun, we’re full of life.” Wellings of Winchester aims
Wellings of Waterford, Ontario, “cottage community.”
to woo a fully independent older demographic into its
Aimed at the 55-plus segment, Wellings residents enjoy collection of semi-detached small-scale townhouses.
full autonomy in modest-sized — but nicely appointed
Instilling a sense of lively community in the new neigh-
— homes arranged in four-plexes and six-plexes along
bourhood is part of the successful Wellings formula.
curbed (but technically private) streets. Catering to a
The developer helps make that happen by putting up
mobile clientele, there is room for parking and some of
a community centre — a place for clubs and group ac-
the units have carports.
tivities to take root. Each tenant also receives an iPad
“ ...designs are While Wellings, as landlord, loaded with the Wellings app to keep them aware of the
inspired by the
handles lawn-mowing and goings-on in their midst.
snow-clearing outside, the
architectural style
Watch for the large Winchester clubhouse to take
regular chores of day to
shape sometime during the year-long first phase of
of Frank Lloyd day life — such as cooking
construction, starting this August or September. The
Wright...”
meals and laundry — nat-
first 68 housing units will go in during this initial phase
urally remain the tenant’s
as well, with four more phases completing the multi-mil-
responsibility. Each unit
lion-dollar build in subsequent years.
features a full-sized washer and dryer as well as a kitch-
en equipped with full-sized appliances. “We’re really proud of the way this is turning out,” says
Construction Manager Alex Lyons.
The company’s Vice President of Marketing and
Branding, Natalie Tommy, says the monthly rental Winchester, says Lyons, is “the perfect spot” for the
WELLINGS OF WINCHESTER latest Wellings community.
SITE PLAN: CONSTRUCTION PHASES TRUSTED BUILDER AND DEVELOPER
OF GLOBAL AWARD WINNING
COMMUNITIES SINCE 1991
nlgc.com
OF WINCHESTER
PHASE 3
PHASE 5
COMMERCIAL
PHASE 1B
CLUBHOUSE & PATIO
PHASE 1 POND
POND
COMMERCIAL
PHASE 1A
PHASE 2 PHASE 4
nlgc.com
WELLINGS OF WINCHESTER
VOL 3. 2020 7
SITE PLAN: CONSTRUCTION PHASES TRUSTED BUILDER AND DEVELOPER
OF GLOBAL AWARD WINNING
COMMUNITIES SINCE 1991
Live. Work. Play.
Chesterville
Kayak C LUB
by: N ATI O N VA L L EY N E W S
A 10-year tradition of kayaking in Chesterville
CHESTERVILLE — Ten years ago the late Bernie Curran of the Club. Members have further benefited the vil-
was paddling with friends when he proposed turning lage by arranging placement of a porta-potty on the
their weekly hobby into a community club. Chesterville waterfront for the last number of years.
Over 30 interested people showed up for an advertised Beyond the South Nation, members also ply the waters
formational meeting a stone’s throw from the South of the St. Lawrence and Rideau rivers. Other excursions
Nation River. have taken them to places like Barrin Canyon and Lake
Nippising. Organized by Club Coordinators Kim Smith
From as far as away Cornwall, Vankleek Hill and
and Bob Forward, the calendar list comes out in the
Ottawa, members are today drawn to the group’s casu-
spring and members can individually pick and choose
al activities. Bonnie MacIntosh of Avonmore and Wayne
what they do. “There’s no obligation. Sometimes you
Laprade of Chesterville cite the Club’s website and the
might have 10 members, you might have 30, you nev-
relative lack of kayaking clubs in the area as reasons for
er know at an event,” says Laprade. “There are lots
its popularity, along with a reputation for welcoming
of things going on, not just going up and down the
for a wide range of skill sets and ages.
Nation.”
“Our youngest member is 35 and oldest is in their late
The club’s most popular paddling date is the annual
70s,” explains MacIntosh, president.
Poker Run between Cass Bridge and the Chesterville
They explain the Club has also proven attractive by waterfront. Ninety-seven people took part in last year’s
being more than paddling. It’s also about the social as- event, raising $1,600 divided among four local chari-
pect, nature and educational benefits. “We love being ties: Community Foodshare, Dundas Hospice, Naomi’s
together,” says MacIntosh, recounting a trip last year to Family Resource Centre and Camp Kagama. The Club
a series of lakes in the Peterborough area. hopes to see 100 paddlers turn out for the 2020 edition
The fun includes potlucks, barbecues and day trips — on June 13. Find out more about joining the Club and
to bowling nights, a Christmas party and snowshoeing participating in this event on their website.
in the off-season — and more.
chestervillekayakclub.com EQ
Boat launches at the Chesterville Waterfront and the
Thompson subdivision have been funded with the help
8 E X P L O R E NORTH DUNDASThe Heerkens Family
DUNDAS POWER LINE
by: N ATI O N VA L L EY N E W S | P h oto s : G i n a D r agon e P h otog r a p h y
A very long run of achievements that began with just
“two men, two trucks and a backhoe”
VOL 3. 2020 9Live. Work. Play.
CHESTERVILLE — It’s not a stretch to say that Dundas The company has grown and evolved to do work all
Power Line (DPL) has strung high-voltage wire in quan- over Ontario — and, when it comes to storm-relief ac-
tities measurable on a planetary scale. tivities, the rest of North America. But the operators
say North Dundas Township remains the place to be for
“I wouldn’t doubt twice around the world, easy,” says
their main base of operations.
company co-founder Frank Heerkens, quickly tallying 40-
plus years’ worth of new and replacement powerline work. “It’s home,” declares Jeremy, who followed in his fa-
ther’s footsteps by achieving ‘lineman’ status — known
A recent job in Kapuskasing saw the DPL crew install
today as powerline technician — in 2001.
over 300 km of wire alone (53 km of six-wire line), he
notes as an example of that global estimate, while sit- “It’s home, and it’s a great community,” his father
ting at a boardroom table shared with his company echoes. “It’s been a fantastic place.”
partners — daughter Kandi (head of operations), son
They also highlight the success their firm has had deal-
Jeremy (field operations manag-
ing with the municipality on one building project or
er and project manager) and Tim
another as various expansions were erected at the DPL
McKay (head estimator).
yard over the years.
It’s a very long run of achieve-
DPL today typically employs more than 30 people —
ment that began in Chesterville
swelling to more than 60 at one point last year. Beyond
and continues to spool out of
the main electrical pole- and line-installation company
the same North Dundas communi-
(DPL), there is an affiliated rock-drilling and blasting
ty where Frank — now semi-retired
outfit serving the utility industry (Dundas Drilling), a
— established DPL on April 30th,
storage and property-man-
1979 with just “two men, two
“It’s home,
agement concern (Dundas
trucks and a back-
Mini Storage) as well as a
hoe.”
small hydroelectric gen- and it’s a great
eration company (Dundas
community...
It’s been a
Power Generation)
that’s intended
to one fantastic
place”
10 E X P L O R E NORTH DUNDASday build a planned 135 kW water-powered plant in From that same twister eventually emerged DPL, which
Griffith, Ontario. has carried on a tradition of working to restore power
after Mother Nature does her worst — from the 1998 Ice
Following the example of their serial entrepreneur fa-
Storm to dozens of calamities south of the border. DPL
ther, Kandi — who joined the company in 2002 — and
crews have lent assistance at least 30 times in the U.S.,
Jeremy each have their own corporations that operate
starting with Hurricane Sandy in 2012: After 26 days,
out of the same Chesterville site. Jeremy and a partner
“DPL was the last Canadian crew to leave Long Island,
run Nationview Service Centre, while Kandi remote-
New York,” Frank recounted during the company’s
ly operates Trans Test Ltd., which maintains 30,000
40th anniversary celebra-
streetlights in the Niagara Region with her own crew
tions last year.
DPL crews
based in that region.
Working through a broker
have lent
Frank bought Trans Test in the early 2000s and sold it
specializing in utility re-
assistance at
to Kandi, and they emphasize it wasn’t given to her. “I
lief work, DPL employees
made her slug it all the way to the end,” he says of the
least 30 times
clocked in 21 days deal-
financial arrangements. “So she knows what it was like
ing with the aftermath of
in the U.S.
to borrow the money,” he says, noting that his daughter
Hurricane Irma in Florida, in
now occupies the office that he once did at DPL head-
2017, where they were again
quarters. “She’s grown into her role. She can write stuff
among the last Canadian
I can’t even dream about writing.”
crews to leave the scene. And last year, they spent a
The seeds of all this success were sown when a tor- similar period of time travelling 10,000 km through 14
nado tore through Chesterville in 1973. A teenaged states and four provinces effecting repairs to power
Frank Heerkens — “fresh out of high school and not lines after Hurricane Dorian.
knowing what I wanted in life” — worked on the local
They could have taken part in the rebuilding effort af-
recovery effort. Employed at the time installing poles
ter the recent California wildfires but already had too
and anchors for the only boss he ever had in his life —
much work on that occasion.
electrical line contractor Art Duff — he spent “two days
straight … helping people get their life in order.” DPL is just one of two private high-voltage line instal-
lation contractors left in the region, out of the seven in
It was an experience that left the son of Dutch im-
the field when it started. Pursuing a philosophy of “go
migrant farmers with no doubt he wanted to be a
big or go home,” Frank played a role in that industry
journeyman lineman.
consolidation by buying up the firm run by the family
of Tim McKay, which put the third-generation lineman
(then in training) into the orbit of DPL several years ago.
“I made her slug Tim landed a powerline technician’s job with DPL and
it all the way to worked outside until the founder discovered his employ-
the end.” ee possessed a four-year business administration degree
from Bishop’s University. “He was a diamond in the
rough,” he says of Tim, now a partner in the enterprise.
The Bainsville native, who largely paid his way through
university as an online poker player, helped DPL win its
biggest contract ever in 2018. That job was completed
on time and ahead of schedule as well.
Meanwhile, the semi-retired founder has been tapping
a totally different opportunity for the last several years
— running On the Bend Sugar Shack off County Rd. 11
in partnership with a childhood friend. “If you stop, you
die,” he says. “The problem with retirement is you never
have a day off.”
dundaspowerline.com
VOL 3. 2020 11Live. Work. Play.
Prem Arora
Win chester M ea dows
by: N ATI O N VA L L EY N E W S
This village’s latest collection of planned dream homes are beginning to emerge
at Winchester Meadows’ nine-acre site off Ottawa Street.
WINCHESTER — Developer Prem Arora finds that detached doubles and single detached dwellings erect-
prospective buyers are drawn especially to the semi-de- ed over the next five years — the majority marketed
tached bungalow option and the allure of a price in the and built by Arora’s chosen builder, Moderna Homes
$300,000 range for those 1,000- to 1,100-square-foot Design. As many as 19 could be singles, he says, with
models. Moderna offering sever-
al handsome designs up
“As many as
These units feature “a single-garage and one-floor
to a bit more than 1,600
design to meet the 55-plus market,” says the Ottawa
resident, an otherwise familiar face to many North
square feet in size.
45 units are to
Dundas residents in his capacity as a part-time local Partners in the develop-
be constructed
on 26 fully
pharmacist. ment with his optician
wife, Poonam, they’re
serviced lots”
While their economical value appeals to locals, he
also building a small
says they seem to attract even more of those new to
number of the homes at
Winchester.
the property themselves.
Residents will have the peace of mind of close prox-
Instead of a housing development, it was actually the
imity to Winchester District Memorial Hospital while
idea of building a retirement home that initially drew
enjoying the village’s combination of “small-town vibe”
Arora and his wife, Poonam, to check out Winchester.
— exemplified by a selection of friendly, small shops,
They stopped at the office of an enthusiastic North
eateries and live theatre — and urban conveniences like
Dundas Planning Director Calvin Pol on their very first
a 24/7 Foodland grocery store and multiple clinics and
foray into the village, and Pol pointed them in the direc-
pharmacies.
tion of a local realtor, which led to their purchase of the
At least two high-speed internet providers operate in former Lancaster family property.
the new neighbourhood.
“He was very helpful, I would say, and encouraging,”
As many as 45 units are to be constructed on 26 says Arora, adding Pol and his officials “practically
fully serviced lots, depending on the final mix of semi- walked me through the whole process.”
The Winchester The retirement home is still going ahead, he adds, along
Meadows site, looking
with a neighbouring high-density rental development
east off County Rd. 3.
of 30 to 40 units, again
catering to the 55-and-up
demographic.
He aims to wrap it all up in
the next seven and a half
years, and he suggests
that Winchester Meadows
just might become his and
his wife’s personal ad-
dress, too.
winchestermeadows.ca
12 E X P L O R E NORTH DUNDASEvents Lineup
See why North Dundas is a great place to live, work and raise a family.
DUNDAS COUNTY PLAYERS 100 Who Care
LIVE THEATRE North Dundas
D
“On Golden Pond” WO M E NCSE’L L E
CAN
Mens’
APR 17 - 26 CAN
C ELL
ED
MAY 7 + SEP 24
Get together with a group of 100 (or
“2 Across” LED
more) men and women who each
CEL
JUN 18-21 CAN commit to donate $100.
Collectively they have $10,000 (at
“Sherwood: The Adventures minimum) to donate to various local
of Robin Hood” charities and causes.
FALL 2020 One night per year, registered
not-for-profit and charitable orga-
The Dundas County Players have nizations pitch their cause and this
been entertaining the community group decides who to support. Tax
with plays, cabarets and dinner the- receipts are issued for donors. Any
atre since 1996. This amateur theatre event costs are donated so 100%
group always welcomes interested of the money raised goes directly
people to join them. to the selected organizations! You
do not need to be a North Dundas
E dcplayers.ca resident to participate in this annual
event, now in its third year.
E 100 Women E 100 Men
100northdundas.com
VOL 3. 2020 13Events Lineup
20th ANNIVERSARY Art on the
TELUS RIDE FOR DAD Waterfront RIBFEST 2020
D D LED
JuN 12
LE LE
Jun 6 CAN
CEL
Jun 6 & 7 CAN
CEL
CAN
CEL
The mission of the TELUS Ride For Bring the whole family to the Sweet Corner Park in Winchester
Dad is to raise funds to save men’s Chesterville waterfront for this free comes alive with tasty ribs, bever-
lives by supporting prostate cancer event celebrating local artists & ar- ages and live music. Get your tickets
research and raising public aware- tisans. Enjoy live music, “Kids Zone”, early as this event is a sell-out suc-
ness of the disease. The 2020 Ride demonstrations from local martial cess every year. Don’t forget to bring
features an event finale and closing artists, dancers and performers, a lawn chair. This event is brought to
ceremonies in Winchester. Come out vendor booths featuring artwork, you by the Winchester Downtown
to see over one thousand motorcy- handmade soaps, jewelry, preserves, Revitalization Committee.
cles and support the cause! home baked goods and much more. E
E D Q ridefordad.ca E D artonthewaterfront.ca
WINCHESTER BIKE NIGHT Canada Day
Celebrations
JUN 18, JUL 16 LED
& AUG 20 C ANC
EL LED JuN 30 - JUL 1 CAN
CEL
Celebrate Canada Day at the South
Gather your friends, get your bikes
Mountain Fair Grounds. The local Lions
and come out for a sweet ride to
Clubs will be hosting the celebra-
Winchester! Free admission, live mu-
tion starting with a pre-Canada Day
sic, food vendors and more! Held the
party on June 30 featuring Ambush.
3rd Thursday of the month starting
July 1 events include activities for the
in June from 5pm - 9pm (weather
entire family — a petting zoo, boun-
permitting). Check the Facebook
cy castle, musical entertainment, a
page for updates and rain dates. You
BBQ dinner, refreshments, cake and
don’t need a bike to attend this fes-
fireworks.
tival-like event. This event is brought
to you by the Winchester Downtown E D Q northdundas.com
Revitalization Committee.
E
14 E X P L O R E NORTH DUNDASVisit our Community Calendar of Events at northdundas.com
for full details on these and many other great events.
128 th annual 89 th annual
South Mountain Fair Chesterville Fair
LED LED
Aug 13-16 CAN
CEL
Aug 28-30 CAN
CEL
Don’t miss the South Mountain Fair Celebrate rural life with a visit to the
where there’s something for every- small fair with BIG value. Come see
one. Activities include cattle and the truck & tractor pull, demolition
horse shows, milking competitions, derby, goat show and hunter horse
agricultural exhibits, demolition der- show. Enjoy local entertainment and
by, truck & tractor pulls, baby show, children’s activities and browse the
midway, and great musical entertain- home crafts displays.
ment. Previous headliners include E D Q chestervillefair.com
Terri Clark, Tanya Tucker and The
Reklaws.
E D Q southmountainfair.ca
THE FESTIVAL OF NORTH DUNDAS ANNUAL
SMALL HALLS PARADE OF LIGHTS BEAT THE WINTER BLUES
OCT 9 DEC 5 JAN & FEB
The Ontario Festival of Small Halls Enjoy a full day of shopping activi- Bring your family and friends to cele-
is coming to Winchester. This inter- ties, food, fun and of course Santa! brate winter with these communities
national event brings exceptional The Parade of Lights and the vendor during their carnival weekend.
Canadian musicians to a select num- & trade show is a not-for-profit, vol-
Morewood Winter Carnival - Jan
ber of small venues across Eastern unteer-run event. Visit the website
Ontario for an unforgettable night. for a full list of activities and spon- Marionville Winter Carnival - Jan
Share your love of music with friends sorships. Check back often as events Chesterville Winter Carnival - Feb
and family at the United Church in get posted as they are confirmed.
downtown Winchester. Let’s show Inkerman Winter Classic - Feb
E northdundasparadeoflights.ca
our community spirit with a small- Dates and activities will be post-
town welcome to be remembered. ed on the Township’s website and
E D Q thefestivalofsmallhalls.com Facebook as they become available.
E D Q northdundas.com
VOL 3. 2020 15E XPLO RE North Dundas Map
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LO UIS’ R ESTAURANT
by: N ATI O N VA L L EY N E W S | P h oto s : G i n a D r agon e P h otog r a p h y
It takes a ‘Louis’ Restaurant’ to feed a village
18 E X P L O R E NORTH DUNDASLive. Work. Play.
CHESTERVILLE — Members of the Pavlounis family restaurant, which they acquired and turned into their
have cooked up tons of delicious food and served mul- family home several years ago.
titudes of patrons since taking over the eatery at the
Louis’ originally opened with Greek and higher-end
corner of King and Water streets 42 years ago.
items on the menu but quickly shifted to the more pop-
They renamed the former Milano Restaurant after new ular fare demanded by the local marketplace. However,
proprietor Elias ‘Louis’ Pavlounis, a Greek immigrant the proprietors have since added some Greek dishes,
who had arrived in Canada with just $20 in his pocket and Dinos credits Ottawa’s Greek Festival for creating
years earlier. He and wife Pitsa, also from Greece, and
their two Canadian-born children took up residence in
Chesterville six months after Louis’ opened — moving
into an apartment above the establishment. The liv-
ing quarters were nothing strange to the family: The
Pavlounises came to Chesterville by way of Winchester,
where they occupied a similar dwelling over the Country
Kitchen Restaurant; Louis and his brother-in-law had
owned that business together for several years after
purchasing it from the Docksteader brothers.
The Chesterville restaurant still draws its loyal regu-
lars, but things have changed with the times as well,
observes owner Dinos Pavlounis, seated beside his
mother at the Chesterville establishment.
“Back in the day … you knew everybody by name that
came into the restaurant,” he says, contrasting yester-
day’s scene with today’s equally welcome influx of new
diners.
“There are a lot of different faces now,” adds Pitsa, who
arrived in Canada when she was just 18 and met her late
husband in this country. (Elias passed away in 2015). a local taste for souvlaki, chicken on pizza, Greek salad
She continues to work in the restaurant. and other foods from his family’s ancestral homeland.
They attribute some of today’s revolving traffic to the The Pavlounises also put their culinary skills to work
Garden Villa Retirement Residence, which draws visi- developing their own pizza — one of their most popular
tors from further afield. items — which won a best pizza contest in Morewood a
few years ago. It’s a point of pride for Dinos, as he per-
Dinos and his older sister, Dina, grew up working and
fected the crust to go with his
helping out in the restaurant, and as Chesterville Public
“Back in the
father’s special sauce recipe.
School students often went home to Louis’ for lunch
day … you
— only to find themselves in competition with the noon- The establishment’s long his-
hour rush. The crowd back then included workers from tory shapes the way the place
the Nestlé plant, then teeming with employees. is today. When asked why
knew every-
“We would throw a burger on, and I think we probably
they’re closed on Monday
body by name
that came
evenings, Dinos traces it
got the fifth or sixth burger because the first, second,
back to the time when all of
into the
third and fourth went out to the customers,” laughs
Chesterville was closed that
Dinos, who remembers learning to operate the cash
register at age 10. The skill came in handy at school
day, except for the bank, post
office and butcher. restaurant”
bake sales because “we always got to skip class to run
the cash,” he says. There are highlights after
being in business so long, and Dinos counts the unex-
After more than two decades of residence in Greece,
pected visit by the President of Madagascar as one of
Dina, a teacher, and her twin daughters — now in their
them. The head of state for the African nation lunched
final year at North Dundas District High School — have
at Louis after checking out grain-handling equipment
returned to Chesterville. The Pavlounises live togeth-
in the area, including the set-up at the Vanden Bosch
er in the former United Church manse behind the
farm outside the village.
VOL 3. 2020 19The Ice Storm of 1998 was another period they won’t “Louis’ is a hidden gem, well known to locals for the
ever forget, in terms of sheer time and effort. The delicious, authentic Greek food,” says North Dundas
Pavlounises fed not only patrons coming through the Mayor Tony Fraser, who grew up in Chesterville. “My
front door but also donated prepared food to staging wife and I thoroughly enjoy going to Louis’. Another
areas and schools through the back door — in concert signature item is their piz-
with the local Rotary Club that picked up and delivered za; I highly recommend
it, according to Dinos. the Louis’ Special.” “Louis’ is a
“We donated food to the soldiers,” Pitsa proudly says. Chesterville resident Betty hidden gem,
“We were working nearly 22 hours a day,” her son re-
Vanden Bosch enthuses
well known to
locals for the
over the “amazing” break-
calls. “I don’t want to see it again. Even though we’re
fasts at the establishment,
delicious,
prepared with a generator today, I still wouldn’t want
“especially the poached
to see it.”
Longtime patrons John and Beate Stewart have en-
eggs with bacon.” Adds
authentic
Greek food.”
Vanden Bosch, “I’ve lived
joyed the establishment for more than two decades. in the area since 1965, and
“We’ve been going to Louis’ Restaurant for our daily Louis’ has always been a
morning coffee club and a few times a week for sup- community meeting spot
per and coffee with friends for 23 years now,” say the to catch up with old friends and meet new people. The
Dunbar couple. service has been fast and friendly since the first day we
“The food is always fresh and delicious, with generous became regulars.”
portions too. We really enjoy the chicken parmesan and Though it won’t be as major a renovation as the work
the pizza’s, they’ll surely be your new favorites with just done at the place 18 years ago, the proprietors say that
one bite. Staff are also really friendly and make you feel patrons can look forward to a planned refresh of the
like you’re a part of Dinos’ family.” restaurant interior sometime in the near future.
E
20 E X P L O R E NORTH DUNDASLive. Work. Play.
Ian Drew Enterprise Inc.
Wy lie Creek Estates
by: N ATI O N VA L L EY N E W S
Wylie Creek Estates planted by a ‘ farmer at heart’
HALLVILLE — A self-confessed “farmer at heart,” store,” he observes, lauding the “terrific” Loughlin’s
Ian Drew still plants about 200 acres of crops in the Country Store as the village’s “centrepiece.”
Osgoode countryside each year.
He also cites the community’s close proximity to both
But the former dairyman is really a grower of subdivi- Winchester and Kemptville, as well as its easy access
sions, finding fertile opportunity for development just to Ottawa via Stagecoach Rd. to the north. In anoth-
over the municipal border in the Township of North er drawing card for residents of Wylie Creek Estates
Dundas. — named after the first landowner registered on title
in the 1800s — the township is planning a nearby park
This spring, the local entrepreneur intends to break
opposite the intersection of St. John Street.
ground on the latest endeavour for Ian Drew Enterprises
Ltd. It represents the third North Dundas subdivision in 25
years for Drew, who has followed in the footsteps of his
Located on the east side of Reids Mills Rd. (County Rd.
late father, who built a number of Osgoode-area sub-
1) in Hallville, Wylie Creek Estates will feature 26 homes
divisions in the 1970s and 1980s
— each worth around $500,000 — on one-acre lots.
“the third
while operating the family’s
“We’ll probably set a minimum standard of 1,400 five-generation dairy farm.
square feet per home, with a two-car garage and at
From infrastructure improve- North
Dundas
least 75 percent brick or stone on the front,” says Drew,
ments to new assessment,
seated in a pickup truck and glancing at the snow-cov-
ered property on a February day.
development brings a myriad of
subdivision
in 25 years
benefits to the township, notes
“We’ve already done a little bit of site prep, but con- the businessman, who estimates
struction is pretty much a go in May as soon as half-load
restrictions come off the roads,” he says of the project,
his Wylie Creek investment to
date at about $500,000 and
for Drew”
which he expects will take three years to five years of time.
complete.
And as much as they draw newcomers to the com-
Still settling on a builder — or builders — to munity, he suggests such projects also accommodate
erect and market the houses, the devel- expanding local families.
oper himself looks forward to handling
Watch for a Wylie Creek Estates marketing effort and
excavation duties at the site, allowing
website to launch in mid-May. In the meantime, inter-
him to keep a close eye on the project’s
ested parties may contact Drew at 613-223-8320.
overall progress. Now in his 50s and an
experienced carpenter in his own right,
a smiling Drew freely admits to prefer-
ring the relative comfort of a bulldozer
or excavator cab over swinging a ham-
mer anymore.
Hallville has a lot to offer to potential
homebuyers including its “small-
town feel, and the nice general
21The Weagant Family
W e agan t fa rm supplies
by: N ATI O N VA L L EY N E W S | P h oto s : G i n a D r agon e P h otog r a p h y
Pushing 70 years at Weagant Farm Supplies
22 E X P L O R E NORTH DUNDASWINCHESTER — The Weagant family name has been a “We’re all equal,” emphasizes Stacey, also a company
staple of North Dundas agribusiness for nearly 70 years. VP while her counterpart at the shop has the title of
Secretary-Treasurer. This trio of cousins have all been
In 1953, Fred and Anita Weagant sold their farm and
involved with the company since 1996 or 1997.
opened a store, F.R. Weagant General Merchant, offer-
ing everything from soup to nuts, as well as gas and In early March, the Weagant family announced an-
farm machinery, in South Mountain. Their very first other late-breaking evolution at the Winchester site:
tractor to be offered for sale, a Minneapolis Moline, ar- The sale of that location to Delta Power Equipment of
rived in the North Dundas village by railcar that year. Exeter, Ontario. Stacey says the buyer takes possession
of the Winchester store and assets on April 1st, while
“They owned one of probably about eight gas stations
Weagant Farm Supplies Ltd. will carry on as usual at its
in town at the time,” says their youngest grandchild,
other two addresses. Stacey and the Winchester staff
Scott Weagant, a Vice President with Weagant Farm
will become employees of the newly renamed ‘Delta
Supplies, today’s multi-location dealership spawned by
Power Equipment, Winchester,’ with the place still fly-
those humble beginnings.
ing New Holland colours. “The name may
“Grandpa knew machinery just by looking change on the physical store, but the val-
at it. He was a Jack-of-all-trades,” explains
“Grandpa ues and the people are still the same,” she
knew
Scott, whose father, Laird, is one of Fred assures. Meanwhile, Julie and her admin-
and Anita’s four children — all of whom
machinery
istrative team will remain in the employ of
grew up immersed in the family business. the Weagant company, which is moving
Barbara, Bob, Laird and Janice were all en- just by its central office out of the long-time site
looking
couraged by their parents to pursue higher and into rented space at the North Dundas
at it...”
education — a trend that continued with Business Centre.
their own progeny. Arrayed with tractors on a sprawling foot-
Bob began at Weagant’s in an official ca- print, Winchester has been the oldest of
pacity in 1970, with brother-in-law Dave the Weagant dealerships since 1980 when
Black (Barb’s husband) coming aboard in 1974. While the family closed and consolidated South Mountain op-
Bob and Dave have both retired after many years with erations into their “new” spot on County Rd. 43. The
the business, Laird — who joined the operation in 1980 Winchester site was initially set up in the mid-1970s
— is still manager of the Brockville location, a position to handle the White tractor line, leaving the venerable
he’s held since the growing enterprise expanded into New Holland brand at the original store for a few years
that community in 1982. He’s also president. until everything was brought under one roof.
Enter the next generation: Scott’s VP role sees him Torrid growth in Winchester alone saw the company
serve as manager of Topline Trailers & Equipment, es- expand its shop again and again, with several additions
tablished in 1993 on County Rd. 31, north of Winchester. constructed through the years.
Stacey Weagant (Bob’s daughter) and Julie Black The expansion into Brockville involved the purchase of
(Dave’s daughter) have been co-managing the flagship an existing small outfit that sold mostly Hesston prod-
Winchester location.* ucts — turning the Weagant clan into one of the first
VOL 3. 2020 23Live. Work. Play.
Ontario dealers of that respected line. A new, bigger “It is our chance to thank our customers. It is also an
building was erected on the same property a decade unofficial kick off to spring,” says Stacey of the April
later. gathering. “Customers place orders and roll the dice
for a cash discount on that day. We get 400 to 600 ev-
They added Kubota to the mix in 1993 by setting up
ery year at the Winchester location. Customers attend
Topline Trailer and Equipment Sales, to separate the
in multi-generations as well. Many of our clients come
Japanese maker’s products from those of New Holland.
in family groups on that day.”
The company still remains very much in touch with
Bob says the firm’s strategy of maintaining ample in-
its history and institutional memory. Two thirds of the
ventory has helped draw and build up that customer
second generation may have retired, but that doesn’t
base through the years. “The majority of our business
mean they’re uninvolved. “They’re retired but not
would come out of Brockville, Cornwall, Ottawa,
gone,” laughs Scott.
but we have all kinds of customers in Hungtingdon
Bob and Dave remain as directors with the corpo- and Ormstown, Quebec, to
ration as well — and are familiar and active faces in Pembroke to Napanee,” he
“The name
the community, too. Bob and his wife, Sandra, were says, adding, “and we do reg-
may change
honoured with the North Dundas Community Builder ular service for those people
Award in 2016 for their involvement in a slew of good as well.”
causes in the township. Dave is a past president of the
on the
physical
The Internet also generates
Morrisburg Canadian Club and has been involved with
sales further afield, he says, al-
store, but the
the local prostate cancer Black Walnut Support Group.
lowing the company to “fringe
values and
“We are blessed that we can access walking knowl- out to Western Ontario … and
edge,” says Stacey, adding, “But they’re still very good
the people
across the United States.”
at letting us do our own thing.”
are still the
Bob points out that the en-
Fred Weagant passed away in 2003, just short of the terprise got its start in North
company’s 50th anniversary. His 95-year-old wid-
ow lives at Garden Villa, and Anita’s presence there
Dundas and remains there
today, describing the town-
same...”
has been known to sometimes draw a sparkling New ship as the “heart of Eastern
Holland tractor to the parking lot of the Chesterville Ontario agriculture.”
retirement centre during special events.
“All of the major company dealerships are accessible
The family matriarch returns regularly to social events in Winchester. That brings buyers and tire-kickers from
at the dealership and still helps out at the annual open all over the country because they can tour six yards at
house that has been a Weagant tradition since 1978. one time.”
“Mother’s likely to be out there cutting buns again this
Weagant’s has in recent years employed a workforce of
year,” says Bob of the April 15th, 2020, Spring Customer
over 75 people at its original three sites, the majority of
Appreciation Event that draws between 400 and 600
them on the payroll of the family business for at least
visitors for a feeding of free bratwurst sausage.
25 years.
weagantfarm.com ED
24 E X P L O R E NORTH DUNDASLive. Work. Play.
Nation Valley
SNOW MOBILE ASSOC IATION
by: N ATI O N VA L L EY N E W S | P h oto s : G i n a D r agon e P h otog r a p h y
Snowmobiling fun for the whole family on Nation Valley Snowmobile Association trails
NORTH DUNDAS — The scenery, the snow, and the with disabilities acquire necessary equipment through
satisfaction of sledding serenely through a winter won- Easter Seals Ontario programs. “It’s a group that does
derland. The Nation Valley Snowmobile Association all of it with hardly any assistance from us,” says Kelly
(NVSA) offers area residents a chance to enjoy this MacLaren, Easter Seals’ Development Officer for
quintessential Canadian activity on its trail system — Eastern Ontario.
and beyond — as well as the opportunity to roll up their
Snowmobiles must be insured and have a current li-
sleeves and help as a volunteer on the local 380-km
cence-plate sticker before using an Ontario Federation
network.
of Snowmobile Club (OFSC) pass to access 30,000 km
“I love snowmobiling because it’s just quiet,” says of provincial trails, including those in NVSA jurisdiction.
Association President Spencer Livingston. It’s a tran-
An interactive trail map is available on the OFSC web-
quility he feels while comfortably suited up and riding
site and associated mobile app. But the NVSA also
his 800 cc machine through the countryside, enjoying
offers a paper map of the local trail system.
a scenic vantage point outside the usual. “I find it a
great way to clear my head and just relax. You see a lot The Federation is the exclusive seller of trail pass-
of stuff you wouldn’t normally see.” es (both seasonal and by the day) — available online
only at www.ofsc.on.ca/permits. Approximately 350
Livingston says snowmobiling is a sport for the whole
residents of the local Association’s coverage area (in
family. He notes that the crowd at the recent annual
Dundas and Stormont counties) have taken out trail
sweetheart breakfast and poker run (held at the NVSA
pases, with a percentage of that revenue forwarded
precursor Mountain Trailblazers clubhouse at the end
to the NVSA to assist with trail maintenance, including
of Van Camp Rd.) included 10 children with their par-
fuel for trail-grooming equipment.
ents. The event also drew a couple of 14-year-olds
driving their own machines. So long as they take an As with any other volunteer organization, the Nation
online course, kids as young as 12 can operate a snow- Valley Snowmobile Association can always use more
mobile on the trail and must be helped across any road helpers on the ground, according to its president.
crossing by an adult. There are opportunities to assist with trail clean-up,
maintenance and patrol. And at the beginning and end
Area sledders can also get a special sense of satisfac-
of each season, it is volunteers that stake out the entire
tion by riding and raising money for a good cause — in
network with a slew of traffic signs and side markers.
the Nation Valley Snowarama. A decades-long tradi-
“You don’t have to go to meetings” if you want to help
tion, the annual day-long event in late January is the
out, Livingston emphasizes.
local version of a fundraising activity involving a num-
ber of Associations around Ontario. The 2020 Nation E
Valley edition brought in $4,800, helping children
“I find it a
great way
to clear my
head and
just relax...”
VOL 3. 2020 25North Dundas
RECREAT IONAL PROG RAM S
Be it the deep end or dance
floor, theatre stage or ice
surface, soccer field, ball
diamond or banquet hall,
folks of all ages in North
Dundas aren’t lacking for
opportunities to step out and
enjoy each other’s company
through sport, culture and
social gatherings.
Arenas and rinks concrete: Sign up for ball hockey, roller hockey as well
as Friday night public roller skating (in Winchester),
Lace up those hockey or figure skates and enjoy the
vigorous activities that put the arena slabs to fun use
township’s indoor and outdoor ice surfaces.
during the summer.
Our community naturally finds much of its recreational
Keep in mind that arena space is also available to host
focus in not one, but two beautifully appointed are-
private and public events like galas, wedding stags and
nas, in Winchester and Chesterville. A meeting place
other gatherings (the annual Local Business Expo in
for many, these facilities are central community hubs
April being a prominent example). If you know some-
during the winter.
one looking for a large venue, please keep us in mind!
Take a stride toward better health and enjoy the ice
underfoot during public skating select times at both Pools
arenas. No skates? No problem. Borrow what you need
Maintain your exercise regimen (or start one!) this
from free skate- and helmet-lending libraries offered at
summer by diving into some refreshing watersports at
both sites. There’s no excuse not to take part!
either of the township’s public pools. Take the plunge
Outdoor rinks in South Mountain, Morewood, Hallville and immerse yourself in Aquafit and Aquazumba, or
and Inkerman offer the chance to skate under the win- simply take advantage of the scheduled public swim-
ter sky on old-fashioned natural ice but are naturally ming times, including lane swimming.
subject to weather and volunteer availability.
Give your children the benefit of learning how to swim
Enrol your child in the North Dundas Demons Minor or improving their skills in the water. Lessons are taught
Hockey program, the perfect place to learn and polish the at both the Winchester pool and the Chesterville pool
skills of Canada’s national game and make new friends. — and each is home base to a proud tradition of com-
Perhaps one day, they will play for the township’s petition with the Winchester Waves and Chesterville
own NCJHL North Dundas Rockets or CCHL2 Rippin’ Racers swim teams.
Winchester Hawks — whose home games are a
The pools are available for private rental as
popular draw for local fans on cold wintry nights.
well — for birthday parties and other gath-
When spring season arrives, ice makes way for the erings. Put some splash into summer by
Chesterville and Winchester arenas’ underlying enjoying these North Dundas facilities.
26 E X P L O R E NORTH DUNDASYou can also read
