Tag Archives: Elgin Ontario

‘A Canadian Summer’ theme for Saturday’s Elgin Days parade

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Weekend family fun kicks of Thursday and wraps up Sunday

LAURIE WEIR

ELGIN — The fun and excitement of Elgin Days returns from July 10 to 13 with four days of family-friendly events, local entertainment and classic summer traditions. The annual festival draws crowds from across Rideau Lakes and beyond, offering a mix of music, markets, games, food and children’s activities.

A festival favourite is the parade through the village on Saturday, this year featuring “A Canadian Summer” theme.

Festivities begin Thursday evening with bingo at the Lions Hall at 6:45 p.m. A silent auction starts at the same time and continues through the weekend. A sound bath meditation session hosted by Autumn Moon Holistic Wellness runs from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. at the community hall.

Friday’s events include a free coffee club breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. at the community hall. The evening features a Yuk Yuks comedy show at the Lions Hall, with tickets required. At the Elgin Rink, disco roller skating runs from 5 to 10 p.m. A euchre tournament will also take place at the community hall at 7 p.m.

Saturday is the busiest day of the festival, beginning at 8 a.m. with the Elgin Friendship Club breakfast of egg sandwiches at the community hall and a village-wide yard sale. Free pancakes will be served at Bethel Tabernacle, along with a CWL bake sale. More food, crafts and raffle tables will be set up at Elgin United Church and the Lions Hall, check out the frozen pie sale, and the Elgin Swans’ bake sale with free Freezies.

A plant sale and historic canal display will be held at the Red Brick School House. 

Entertainment starts early too. The Rock Dunder Rebels kick off live music on Main Street at 8:30 a.m., followed by performances from Evan and Ron, the Wildflower Trio, and Wright and Lowe. Line dancing and clogging will be going on at vendors’ square.

A vendor market runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the community hall parking lot. A book sale will be happening inside. 

Activities for children at Bethel Tabernacle include bouncy castles, hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, free face painting and kite flying. 

A free pop-up yoga session will be held at The Tipped Ship at 9:30 a.m.

At 10 a.m., the smoked meat sandwich booth opens at Elgin United Church. A community corn roast will begin at 11 a.m. at Fire Hall. Youth can draw chalk art in front of The Tipped Ship. Watch for entertainment at the Tipped Ship including Pat Johnson and Billy MacInnis from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Parade registration starts at 12 noon and participants will start to line up at the high school for a 1 p.m. start down Main Street. The theme is “A Canadian Summer” so let’s see the red and white. 

Look for the OPP Canine demo at the Lions Hall and another new event, “Elgin School Days’ at the hall with live music. 

The ever-popular chicken barbecue will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. hosted by the Fire Association, with 75 meals available starting at 2:30 p.m.

The festival wraps up Sunday with the Val Patterson Memorial Euchre Tournament at the Lions Hall at noon. Silent auctions close at 3 p.m. The weekend concludes with a kitchen party and family open mic session at St. Columbanus Church from 2 to 4 p.m.

A full schedule is available on township bulletin boards and through the Elgin Days Facebook page.

Bulloch reflects on byelection win, sets sights on collaboration

Adelaide (left) and Maddie join their dad, Dustin Bulloch, who is the new Ward 3 councillor for Rideau Lakes after the by-election win on June 26, 2025. Photo credit: Submitted [Jillian Bond].

Focus on school safety, community engagement and policy over politics

LAURIE WEIR

Rideau Lakes Township officially welcomed Dustin Bulloch to council following his decisive win in the Ward 3 byelection on June 26.

With 283 votes, Bulloch secured more than half the ballots cast, surpassing candidates Jordan DeLong (114), Rob Hennessy (65), and Jonathan Carr (43) in the four-way race to fill the vacant council seat left by Joan Delaney, who resigned on March 3.

“I feel pretty good,” Bulloch said in an interview with Hometown News the day after the results. “It’s nice to know the work I put into this, getting out and speaking to people, resonated.”

The municipality issued a statement Friday morning congratulating Bulloch and acknowledging the contributions of all four candidates.

“All candidates ran for the position with the intent of helping their community,” the township stated. “Mr. Bulloch brings with him a lifetime of community service and volunteerism.”

Bulloch is a graduate of St. John Catholic High School in Perth and did his undergrad in History and Political Science at Carleton University. He works for Parks Canada.

He is married to Jennifer Bond, the daughter of the former Rideau District High School teacher, local historian and author, Doug Bond, who died in 2020. The couple and their two daughters, 7 and 5, live at the Bond homestead between Portland and Elgin. The girls attend South Crosby Public School.

“History’s always been important to me,” he said. “Working on a UNESCO World Heritage Site like the canal ties right into that interest, and it’s what led me to get involved with the township’s heritage committee and the library board. I feel very strongly about the importance of our public library. It’s a beacon in the community, and I’m proud of the work we’ve done.”

‘Hard work is just beginning’

As for hitting the ground running, Bulloch said he’s ready and while he had already planned to run in the 2026 municipal election, he didn’t expect to find himself at the table quite so soon.

He will be sworn in during the regular council meeting on Monday, July 7.

“It’s a bit of a surreal moment,” he said. “But the hard work is just beginning. There’s a year and a half left in this term, and I’m hoping to bring a collaborative approach to the table and help find some common ground between councillors.”

Mayor Arie Hoogenboom thanked township staff for executing a smooth election process.

“Even a small election is subject to meet stringent requirements,” Hoogenboom said. “We appreciate the professionalism with which it has been carried out.”

Policy over politics

Bulloch said one of his goals is to rebuild public trust and focus on policy over politics, including around divisive issues such as the provincial strong mayor powers.

“Being completely honest, I don’t like the law,” he said. “I don’t see how it benefits municipalities. But when I’m making decisions at the council table, I’ll be looking at each issue on its merit and how it impacts the community.”

He said he’s already connected with most members of council, including several who attended the vote count in Chantry. 

“I want to be a facilitator,” Bulloch said. “I’m starting from a position of positive relationships, and I hope to build on that.”

Local priorities

During the campaign, Bulloch said he heard concerns about pedestrian safety, particularly around school zones in Elgin.

“I’ve experienced it myself. The setup near the school in Elgin is terrible,” he said. He said he hopes to collaborate with Coun. Linda Carr, who has been vocal about student safety near the school.

“She’s my daughters’ school bus driver, so she knows what’s going on there. I’d be happy to help if she’s taking the lead on that,” he said. “I want to build on the progress (former councillor) Joan Delaney and others have made and work with the community to find real solutions.”

Bulloch also pointed to infrastructure gaps in Morton and other areas on the township’s periphery.

“Some communities feel a bit left out,” he said. “In Morton, for example, there’s no recreational infrastructure for kids. I’d like to work with the residents to see what’s needed and help advocate for it.” He said he knows of their work to get an air conditioner for the hall, as well. 

Bulloch said he plans to maintain an open-door approach.

“If they want me involved, I’ll be there. If they don’t, I won’t force it,” he said. “My contact information will be out there. I just want to be available.”

Bulloch said he looks forward to attending community events, including local Canada Day celebrations and the launch of a new photo exhibit featuring restored images of the Rideau Canal, happening Saturday at the Red Brick School House in Elgin.

The duck race in Chaffeys Lock is always a family favourite, he added.

“I’m excited to get started,” he said. “I’m here to listen and to serve.”

After 3 years of leaking, St. Columbanus Church in Elgin finally undergoing roof repairs

Elgin Church
The front quarter section of pews at St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Elgin are blocked off due to a leaking roof that is coming in through the ceiling and dripping into large containers. There is water damage on the pews as seen in these photos. Laurie Weir photo.
LAURIE WEIR

After three years of ongoing water leaks resulting in damage inside the church, the roof of St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Elgin is finally getting some much-needed repairs.

But is it too little, too late?

The shingles of St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Elgin have been coming off in large pieces over the past few years as parishioners try and raise money to have it repaired. Laurie Weir photos.

Sue Brus, a long-time church member, said parts of the roof have been repaired, but water continues to seep through the interlocking wooden ceiling, onto the pews and flooring.

“There are a couple of small areas with patches, but it was still leaking Saturday (Nov. 30) at Mass,” Brus said, noting the ongoing challenges the congregation faces.

Fr. Ihedoro Cyprian, who oversees St. Columbanus and three other area parishes in Westport, Bedford, and Sharbot Lake, confirmed with Hometown News that a contractor has been hired to address the church’s long-standing roof issues. “The work is going slowly, but it’s happening,” he said in an email.

Brus explained that the ceiling continues to leak, forcing churchgoers to rely on Tupperware containers and buckets to catch the drips during rain storms and melting snow. She said she worries that the insulation will have to be replaced due to possible mould from the constant dampness, not to mention any electrical work, or ceiling damage that may be required. And what will the total cost be for the entire roof and ceiling repair, she wonders. 

“This isn’t just about the roof—it’s about the health and safety of everyone who comes to Mass,” Brus said.

Ann Androvich, another long-time member, said the situation is deeply concerning.

“When you’re saying the rosary, there are so few people left to project their voices, and my sister and I end up coughing because of the smell and dampness. It’s awful,” she said.

Sue Brus, a long-time member of St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Elgin shows where rainwater is coming into the church and dripping into buckets.Laurie Weir photos.

Despite the challenges, Androvich remains hopeful. “We give every week, my sister and I. There’s even a separate envelope for the roof,” she said. “We love this church, but it’s hard to see it like this.”

Once filled with families, St. Columbanus now sees only 25 to 30 worshippers at Saturday services. The front section (about five rows) is roped off to prevent people from sitting there.

The congregation initially sought to hire a contractor they had worked with previously on a smaller project. However, this contractor was not approved for the roof repair due to insufficient liability coverage and noncompliance with WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) regulations.

Instead, a new contractor was hired. Brus said the parish has raised about $41,000 of the approximately $100,000 needed to repair the roof. However, the Archdiocese wouldn’t release the $50,000 they hold in trust to the previous contractor due to their lack of proper insurance coverage. They told the congregation they needed to find a contractor with proper coverage.

In an October email, Archbishop Michael Mulhall explained that all contractors must comply with WSIB and liability regulations to protect the parish and the Archdiocese from legal and financial risks.

While parishioners acknowledge the need for compliance, they remain frustrated by the lack of direct support. “No one from the Archdiocese has come to see the church’s condition,” Brus said. “This church is worth saving. It’s not just a building—it’s a piece of our history.”

A church with deep roots

St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Elgin is undergoing some much-need roof repairs. Laurie Weir photo.

St. Columbanus Catholic Church, built on land purchased from Philip Halladay for $320 in 1896, reflects the dedication of its community. During the winter of 1896-1897, parishioners hauled materials by horse and wagon or sleighs to the site. Sandstone was cut on nearby farms, while stone for framing the windows and doors came from Kingston by horse.

The church and rectory were completed for $9,000. The stained-glass windows, crafted by Mackey Stained Glass Company of Toronto, were installed in March 1901. The church bell, weighing 1,500 pounds, was made in Troy, N.Y., and cost $460—more than the land itself.

Today, fundraising work continues, driven by a shared hope to preserve this piece of history for future generations.

Grand opening – The Tipped Ship, Elgin

The new home of The Tipped Ship
Screen Shot - Google Maps

On February 24th, 2023, the doors of The Tipped Ship on Main Street in Elgin will open to the public following a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 am. All are welcome. 

In 1893, John R. Dargavel built and opened a general store on the main corner of Elgin. 130 years later, The Tipped Ship opens as an emporium, offering a curated collection of goods which includes artwork and local handcrafts, pottery, clothing, jewelry, gift cards, personal care products, fine foods and drinks, as well as a kids’ section. 

“I bought this building a year and a half ago with a dream in my heart—to open a retail shop that would also be an occasional live music venue,” says owner Trish Bolechowsky. “Getting this historic building ready to open the shop doors has been a careful process built from a thousand details, large and small, and with the support of many helping hands. I’m grateful and also proud to be an active community member and business owner in Elgin. I hope The Tipped Ship becomes a treasured stopping point for residents and visitors alike, and helps enliven “The Hub of the Rideau.”

The Tipped Ship
3 Main Street 
Elgin, ON K0G 1E0
At the corner of Main Street and Kingston Street. 

Opening day:

Ribbon cutting ceremony starts at 11 a.m., Friday, February 24th, doors open following the ceremony.

Regular business hours: 

Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Media contact:

Trish Bolechowsky
Owner
trish@thetippedship.ca
613-299-6535
thetippedship.ca

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