Westbound motorists and folks collecting mail from Dunvegan’s Community Mailboxes were no doubt shocked to read the DRA’s sign board last week. There, in the notice about the upcoming Crokinole & Taffy Party next Friday, the per-slice price of pizza was pegged at $22. However, upon closer examination, it turns out the dollar sign was backwards, which created the illusion of two “2s”. The actual price is actually a ‘toonie’ per slice, just as it has been for the past few years. This will be good news to the many Dunvegan families for whom this annual event has become a mainstay of their spring social calendar.
If you’ve never attended the DRA’s maple-infused crokinole tournament, I’d strongly recommend giving it a try on Friday, March 24th. All you need bring is a functioning index or middle finger (with which to “flick” the crokinole buttons) and a sweet tooth. For those unfamiliar with this distinctly Canadian board game, crokinole is similar to shuffleboard and curling, but reduced to table-top size. As Wikipedia defines it, “Players take turns shooting discs across the circular playing surface, trying to have their discs land in the higher-scoring regions of the board, while also attempting to knock away opposing discs.” It’s all about eye-hand coordination, so even a novice player can be quite skillful in very little time. As well, there’s no age barrier. Young and old alike can enjoy it. In fact, one of the more endearing photos I have in my collection is of the late Leslie Clark playing opposite a young girl at least sixty years his junior.
Then there’s the taffy part of the evening. While folks are having barrels of fun at the crokinole tables, Dunvegan Recreation volunteers are boiling down pure maple syrup to the “sweet spot” on a candy thermometer: 115 °C or 238 °F. At that precise temperature, the thickened syrup is ready to be poured in long ribbons on to the pans of snow volunteers have hauled out of the freezer. The moment the steaming liquid makes contact with the white stuff, it magically becomes maple taffy. Eager participants then pounce upon the pans, roll up the taffy on a wooden stir stick and pop it in their mouths. Food really does taste better on a stick.
Where does the Pizza come in? Well, many years ago it was decided to make the event a real night out for the entire family by offering dinner at a price most everyone could afford: $2 per slice. The tradition caught on and continues to this day, with a stack of hot pizza pies brought to the hall by DRA treasurer, Sean Burgess.
So come one, come all to 19053 County Road 24 on Friday. The pizza supper gets underway at 6:00 PM and the crokinole tournament begins at 7:00 PM. As an added bonus, Steve Merritt will be on hand with his banjo to provide musical entertainment. Let the games begin!
PS: Before I get chewed out for picking on the person who does the lettering on the DRA sign, let me say that I was just pulling her leg. Vivian Franklin does this thankless, but important, task in rain, sun, sleet and snow. And I know, first hand, how easy it is to err with frostbitten fingers.
Hall was a ‘hopping
It’s a shame that last week’s Celtic Concert with was thrown together at such short notice. Far too many Glengarry music lovers were otherwise engaged or never even heard about it. However, the over 40 folks who were in the audience last Thursday evening were blown away with the energy that flowed from the stage.
Ben Miller and Anita MacDonald from Cape Breton, accompanied by guest musician Zakk Cormier from PEI, gave an instrumental performance that was wall-to-wall Celtic music for nearly two hours straight. I dare say the concert rivaled anything the small stage has seen in its 98 year-old history. It came at you from all sides, including the floor. One could feel the scuffed maple boards move as audience members kept time with their vigorous toe tapping.
While Anita’s mastery of the fiddle was spellbinding and Zakk’s guitar provided the perfect counterpoint, it was Ben’s playing of the Scottish border pipes that had me enthralled. In fact, if you closed your eyes, you would almost believe he was playing the fiddle. Moreover, it was as if he had too much music in his soul struggling to get out. His seat consisted of two or three of the Hall’s old wooden stacking chairs, so his feet almost didn’t touch the stage. Perched thusly, he looked like a dancing marionette as his legs jiggled and jumped and his feet stomped out the beat.
Apparently, Ben Miller and Anita MacDonald are in the Ottawa region a number of times each year. And the DRA hopes to set up a return engagement. If you get a chance, you owe it to your Celtic heritage to attend. You won’t be disappointed.
Kathie’s back in town
You know how some people have a Dorion Grey thing going on? No matter how many years it’s been since you last saw them, they don’t seem to have aged one iota. Well, Terry and I ran into one such individual at Thursday’s Celtic concert… Kathie Calder. She doesn’t look a day older than when we saw her last. And that was years ago.
For those of you who never met her, Kathie is the daughter of Peggi and Bill Calder. Kathie, who now lives in British Columbia, grew up in Dunvegan. She was visiting her mom and dad, accompanied by her teenage daughters, Corra and Hana. Kathie et al had an unfortunate start to their ten-day sojourn. They flew into the jaws of last week’s snow storm and spent 24 hours bouncing from one airport to another, while Peggi and Kathie’s brother, Byron, braved the storm to pick them up at the air terminal. They finally made it home safely and, as a reward perhaps, Peggi took them to Thursday’s concert.
Although BC-born and raised, there must be such a thing as Glengarry genes. We sat behind the Calder clan and the two young ladies were swaying to the music with the best of them. Not that I’m spying or anything, but I’ve also heard tell the family was spotted over at the Sand Road Sugar Camp “for a very filling breakfast and sleigh ride behind two beautiful dapple grey horses.” Great to see you. Kathie. Welcome home, even if it’s only for a few days.
March’s Euchre lamb
Last December, I mentioned that DRA Euchre would be in hibernation during January and February… and return with a bang in March. Unfortunately, euchre-wise, the month came in more like a lamb than a lion. Nevertheless, while attendance was down, everyone had a great time and we did welcome a new player from Dunvegan no less… recent retiree James Prevost. I’m sorry to say that Ann Stewart wasn’t able to attend last Friday’s euchre luncheon. Apparently though, according to Dytha Dixon who managed the euchre tournament in her absence, she’s on the mend.
Here are the results from Friday. Winners of the informal 50/50 draw were Donald Clark, Helen Bellefeuille and Lynn Robillard. Helen Bellefeulle also won the “Most 4s” prize… plus she shared the top score prize with Gabrielle Melcoche. In other words, Helen was on fire! It was a day of ties, with Phyllis Terry and Tigger Benson sharing second place. Last, but not least, Susan Baxter claimed the door prize.
The next euchre luncheon is scheduled for Friday, April 21st. Come one, come all. PS: A big thanks to Stephen Burgess for replacing Linda Burgess as my co-host in the kitchen.
Kirk without pews
Before signing off, I thought should take a quick peek at the Kenyon Presbyterian Church’s web site to see what was coming up… apart from Lent and Easter, of course. The next big event that I could see on the horizon was the ever-popular Community Breakfast on Saturday, April 22nd from 8:00 to 10:00 AM.
I’ll have more on this, and the other April/May church-related events, in future columns. However, if you have a few extra moments, I wanted to suggest you visit their web site: kenyondunvegan.ca. Last year, the 137 year-old church renewed its makeup. The church’s ceiling and walls were repaired and then given new coats of lovely fresh paint, as was the old tin roof. If you’ve ever wondered what the church looks like without its pews, take a look at the renovation-themed slide show on their Home page. It must have been a chore to set up (and take down) all that scaffolding.
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