a rural, agricultural-based community, but a very supportive community,” says Mayor Tony Fraser. “We have many opportunities to come together as neighbours and residents, to engage with each other. There are many connections to be had in a small community, whether through volunteerism, the workplace, relationships, or extended family.” Those connections are on full display during local events. In Chesterville—North Dundas’s secondlargest village with a population of about 1,200— residents recently enjoyed four separate events in a single day: a trained dog exhibition at the fairgrounds, the bustling Art on the Waterfront festival, the 100th anniversary of Christ Church United, and an open house at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. “When people from the city think of moving to a small community, they might assume there’s nothing to do,” Mayor Fraser says.“But here, we can have four events in one day in a village this size. That says a lot about the spirit of this place.” TURNING MAIN STREET INTO MEETING PLACES One event series in particular captures North Dundas’s character: Meet Me on Main Street. Each summer, for six consecutive Wednesdays, the township transforms a main street in one of its villages or hamlets into a community gathering place. Traffic stops. Tables and chairs line the street. Local vendors serve food and drink. Musicians play. Neighbours reconnect. “People bump into cousins or friends they haven’t met yet,” Mayor Fraser shares. “In Marionville, I met a man in his seventies who said he came hoping to see old girlfriends from high school. That’s the kind of connection we foster here.” HELPING BUSINESSES SHINE While the events bring life to the streets, the township ensures those streets and storefronts are worth showing off. Through the Community Improvement Program, North Dundas provides grants and interestfree loans to help businesses upgrade building facades, signage, and other visual features. “I’ve seen the change,” Mayor Fraser says. “We’ve gone from sun-faded awnings and worn storefronts to everything looking fresh and new. It exemplifies the support we offer to businesses, helping them put their best face forward to attract shoppers.” This visual revitalization pairs with long-term infrastructure planning. Recently, Winchester’s main street was torn up to replace and expand a sewage pumping station.The work was strategically scheduled to allow events to go ahead with minimal disruption, a sign of how closely the township works with both contractors and community groups. 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09 NORTH DUNDAS, ON
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