Morrisburg Leader
October 17 2001

MORRISBURG - Main Street Morrisburg and the old Waterfront area have retuned to town bringing with them a lot of fond memories for some and a glimple into the past for others.

The return of the se two historical parts of Morrisburg history mark the near completion of the village's two murals, Main Street on the north side of the Upper Canada Playhouse and the Waterfront area on the west side of the Valu-mart Store in the plaza.

At the Playhouse, the work of Mike Kelly has been drawing a lot of attention for the past few weeks. Mike is no busy with the final details which include the addition of people. It has also been decided to extend the mural around each corner of the building to finish it off.

Monday, the first of the 44 sheets of plywood that make up the mural at Valu-mart were hung bringing the old waterfront and the familiar boats - the Milverton, Rapids Prince, the ferry and a tug boat - that plied the St. Lawrence back to life.

This mural is the work of local artist Cathie Cooper-Scrivener who was selected for the massive project by members of the Morrisburg jury, Dalton Smith, Glen and Kay Keyes, Earl Baker and Early Woods.

Once Scrivener's work is hung, she too will add the final details, and both artists will be ready for the official ribbon cuttings set for Saturday, October 27 and to be held in conjunction with the grand opening of Giant Tiger.

"It works out very well," says Glen Cunningham, the driving force behind the Mural Project which has claimed interest from all corners of South Dundas. "We'll have the official opening at Giant Tiger, and then we'll cut the ribbon at the Playhouse."

The activities will be followed by a reception at the Playhouse being put on by Valu-mart and the Playhouse. Invitations for the reception are being prepared in order to get an idea of numbers. Anyone who would like to attend the reception can call Kirsten Gardener at 543-4536.

It'll mark a great day for the artists and for the Morrisbug jury who have put in a lot of work.

"It's been great," says Dalton Smith. "We started in March, and thought the thing would never get off the ground."

But it has, and with the Morrisburg murals now in place that marks the completion of four mural projects. As well, work will soon be uner way for two murals in Iroquois.

"Mike Kelly has the contract for the Calwell Mural, which will show the progress of the Caldwell Mill and the Caldwell family," says Cunningham. This mural is to be located near the site of the original plant, near the Carmen House.

Donna Zanbelt, originally from Crysler but now living in Metcalfe, has been selected as the artist for the Lions Club sponsored mural to be located near the Iroquois Locks. It will depict pre-Seaway Iroquois.

Cunningham says he is extremely pleased with the response from the Morrisburg community. The two murals are being funded by several individuals and groups who will be named in a commemorative program being prepared for the October 27 unveiling.

For anyone who still wants to donate, (donations are income tax deductible), and to be recognized in the program, the cutoff is the end of this week. "I'm afraid someone is going to wonder why they weren't asked to sponsor, and I don't want to leave anyone out," says Cunningham.

For next year, Cunningham says an agreement has been reached with Giant Tiger for a mural on the west side of their building which will be included in a package of future murals. He says he hopes that package will also include the west side of the Playhouse, which would finish it off nicely. Donations can also be made for the next round of murals.

Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor can call Glen Cunningham at 543-3335.