In my world, preparing for the Christmas season is all about traditions. Collecting cedar, white pine and spruce boughs for decorations. Freezing my fingers off putting up the outside lights. And getting the DRA Hall decked out for the days of Yule. To be honest though, Terry and I only help with this last one. For many a year, it has been Nancy and Gordon White who have done the heavy lifting on this file. Late in November, the Dunvegan West couple load up their SUV with garlands, swags, lights, lanterns and wreaths and head on down to the community hall to transform it in, what feels like, the wink of an eye.
For those of you who don’t know her, Nancy is a born decorator. Not content with managing the décor of the couple’s lovely square-log home, Nancy volunteers her time to gift wrap a host of local events — from the St. Andrew’s Ball to the Glengarry Memorial Hospital Foundation Gala. One might think that preparing the Dunvegan hall for a month of Christmas events would deplete her stock of decorations. But you’d be mistaken. I’m told that virtually every square inch of her basement is packed with the tools of her “trade”… items she finds, always on sale, that her well-tuned eyes tell her can be used to spin her magic.
So when you drop by the DRA Hall this December for one (or more) of the Christmas-themed events I will next describe, say a silent thank you to Nancy White and her husband, Gord, for their generosity and dedication to this community.
Now that I’ve set the stage, let’s take a look at what Dunvegan has in store for you this December.
“Mayhem” is magical
Tonight’s dress rehearsal is the last chance for Rosemary Chatterson and the cast and crew of this year’s Music & Mayhem revue to put the finishing touches on their production. Ready or not, Friday, December 2nd is show time! As is December 9th… and December 11th. That’s right. There are three performances this year: two Friday evening shows and one afternoon matinee… all designed to raise money for St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank.
Like last year’s inaugural concert, the show starts with the rousing “Comedy Tonight” number and closes with a side-splitting interpretation of “The 12 Days of Christmas.” But everything between these two bookends is brand new. Hilarious skits, sultry solos and toe-tapping musical numbers all add up to an evening (or afternoon) of entertainment you won’t want to miss.
I was going to give you a sneak peek at what’s in store, until I realized that telling you the titles could ruin the surprise. At least for some of the numbers. So you’ll just have to take my word that you’ll be delighted. And after each performance, you’re also invited to mix and mingle with your neighbours while enjoying some of Sandra Daigle’s delicious Christmas sweets. It’s a lovely way to start off this year’s festivities.
Remember, though, that seating for this year’s series of concerts is reserved. You must purchase a ticket. So don’t leave it to the last moment. I’m told they’re going like proverbial hotcakes. The price of each advance ticket is $10, and they are available at the Home Hardware in Maxville, The Quirky Carrot in Alexandria and The Review in Vankleek Hill. If there are any tickets left for a performance, they will be available at the door for $12 each. For ticket assistance or more information, you can reach Rosemary at 613-525-1336.
Before we leave this topic, I wanted to acknowledge the support the Music & Mayhem troupe has received from Alexandria’s Caisse Populaire Desjardins. It’s heart-warming to see large corporate entities such as this giving back to the community. Well done, Caisse.
Old-fashioned holiday
For the fourth year in a row, Jim and Shelley Mullin will start setting up their unique two-day “Historical Crafter’s Fair and Christmas Marketplace,” virtually the moment Friday’s concert crowd leaves for home. Designed as a fundraiser for the Dunvegan Recreation Association, the dollars you spend at this event not only support local artisans, they also help underwrite DRA activities like the DRA’s Community Halloween Party and Winter Carnival. “It’s our way of thanking the DRA volunteers for catering museum events such as the War of 1812 Re-enactment,” says Jim Mullin, chair of the museum’s re-enactment committee and co-owner of The Chocolate Box, which is hosting this unique craft show. This year, the vendors (who donate a portion of their sales to the cause) invite you to join them by tossing a few ‘shinplasters’ in the donation jar at the door… or the equivalent, in today’s currency, of this paper-based 25¢ piece. The DRA is raising money towards new playground equipment for the hamlet.
The Christmas Marketplace in Dunvegan showcases pioneer-inspired designs and trades of early Ontario settlers, offering you unique items not found at a typical craft show. For example, silhouette artist, Jillian Metcalfe, will be on hand creating heirloom-like profile portraits right on the spot. Fresh Christmas wreaths and other natural holiday greenery will also be available… as will handmade candles, maple syrup, honey, leather goods, recycled silver jewellery, hand-forged iron goods, primitive candlesticks and wooden ornaments, preserves and locally handcrafted chocolate. It’s the perfect opportunity to find one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts without having to travel to the Big Smoke. “There will be something for just about everyone on your shopping list,” says Jim.
The Fair and Marketplace will be open on Saturday, December 3rd from 10 AM until 4 PM… and on Sunday, December 4th from 11 AM to 3 PM. Please come out and support this worthy initiative. I hope to see you there… at 19053 County Road 24, just west of the Dunvegan crossroads.
Santa meets Charlie Brown
I’ll remind you again next week, but don’t forget that Old St. Nick is booked to visit Dunvegan on Saturday, December 11th from 10 AM to 12 noon. If you have kids, or grandkids for that matter, who still believe (or even just pretend to believe), this is not an event you want to miss. As always, the DRA volunteers have planned an amazing “Visit With Santa” party to get the entire family in the Christmas spirit.
Santa will stop by the Hall at 10:30 AM, but while they’re waiting for the jolly old soul, your children will be invited to take part in a host of reindeer games (or their human analog). Upon his arrival, Santa will preside over the Yuletide activities, read the children a story and make note of each youngster’s Christmas wants… as opposed to needs. Plus, there will be free hot-buttered popcorn and other refreshments. The DRA will also be printing out a photo of your child on Santa’s lap. This photographic keepsake is completely free. All the DRA asks is that you make a donation of non-perishable (unexpired) food items for the group’s St. Vincent de Paul Food Drive.
While I’m still waiting for full details on this year’s Santa session, I have heard rumours that the group will be screening the classic Charlie Brown’s Christmas. I’ll confirm this next week, but in the meantime, pencil in a note for December 11th on your calendar… Advent or otherwise.
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