Overall, Saturday night’s 1867 Confederation Gala in support of the Glengarry Pioneer Museum was a resounding success. “The gala raised over $11,000 for the museum,” Gala Committee Chair, Marie Tilker told me, “including the Scotiabank’s matching funds of $4470.” That’s a truly impressive result considering the fact that the figure is net revenue, after all expenses.
The cavernous space that is the banquet hall at the Glengarry Sports Palace in Alexandria was completely transformed by a group of dedicated volunteers that included: Heather Bentley, Vivian Franklin, Kathy Gareau, Karen Henry, Renee Homiak, Lindsey Howes, James Prevost, Jim Tilker and Nancy White.
Marlie also wanted me to send out a big thank you to Carma Williams and Bill Gilsdorf, the Gala MCs; speakers Carole Pagé and Dane Lankin; and musicians Kim and Eric Little, Ashley MacLeod and Paddy Kelly and The County Lads.
One final thought. If and when another similar fundraiser is held, I’d suggest that the live and silent auctions consist of items with a “historical” connection. For example, museum members could be asked to donate an antique or collectible to the cause. In addition, the museum might look to its own collection and auction off a few of its duplicate items.
“Big Bishop” Sighting
One of the highlights of the Gala was the impressive effort many of the attendees had put into their period costumes. While, stylistically, the ensembles were all over the map, they shared one common denominator: fun. And, in retrospect, it’s a good thing that not everyone went the 1860s attire route. I question whether the room would have held that many hooped skirts.
However, amongst the belles of the ball and the dandies on their arm, one costume really stood out for me… that worn by Dr. Jeffery Turner from St. Eugene. He chose to come draped as Ontario’s first bishop, Rev. Alexander Macdonell, “Glengarry County’s one and only National Historic Person of Canada,” to quote from the Bishop’s House of Glengarry web site.
Dr. Turner is another example of the amazingly diverse populace we have in this region. A scientific entrepreneur and academic, in 2014, Dr. Turner’s firm, Defyrus, led the Canadian commercial development of ZMapp™, the first successful experimental treatment of the Ebola virus.
Straight from the “be careful what you wish for” playbook, Dr. Turner was surprised when his Bishop Macdonell persona was invited on stage to say grace when the Gala diners sat down for their meal. It’s a good thing no one expired at the festivities; he might have had to give the last rites, too.
Superlative web presence
In doing research for the above account, I came across the “Bishop’s House of Glengarry” web site. It’s the on-line home of the Glengarry Fencibles Trust, a local citizens’ group committed to restoring the Bishop’s House across from the St. Raphael’s ruins to its former glory.
The reason I bring it to your attention is that… in a world overflowing with web sites that are an insult to one’s aesthetic sensibilities… their web site stands out as a rare jewel of excellent design. It’s well worth a visit, and dare I say, a small donation. The reproduction of Stuart McCormick’s stunning landscape, The Bishop’s Church 1821, at the bottom of the “About” page is alone worth the visit. As you may recall, Stuart McCormick (1905-1992) is my favourite Glengarry artist. Well done, guys and gals!
Dunvegan’s Hippy Invasion
Regardless of which side of Dunvegan’s long-haired invasion you were on back in the 1970s (and even if you’ve never heard of this cultural clash), you should make a point of attending the Glengarry Historical Society’s meeting tomorrow, April 13th, at 7:30 PM. Given the subject matter of the evening’s presentation, the GHS has taken its show on the road. Thursday’s gathering will be held at the Dunvegan Community Hall at 19053 County Road 24.
To set the stage, the evening will start with excerpts from a CBC documentary produced back in 1974 on these tumultuous times in our small hamlet. Controversial interviews aside, the video provides a fascinating glimpse of a time when Greenfield Road was gravel… Robert Campbell’s family home (just east of the Supertest sign) proudly sported a white picket fence… and the former Gray’s Garage (the red brick building on the southwest corner of Dunvegan’s crossroads) still had its extension running to the west along Dunvegan Road.
Following the video, guest speaker David Anderson will examine Rev. John A. MacKechnie’s long and impressive career as a Gaelic scholar, and the difficulties he encountered when he accepted a position at Dunvegan’s Kenyon Presbyterian Church in the early 1970s. The event is open for to all. Admission is $5 for GHS members and $10 for non-members.
Stork report
As former Dunveganites, Miranda Burgess and Andrew MacCormick wanted me to share their joyous news. “Our daughter arrived safe and healthy April 2, 2017,” Miranda told me. And while it remained unsaid, I suspect Miranda was glad when the process reached its natural conclusion. Anna Rose McCormick, as she will be called, weighed 9 lbs 6.5 oz when she appeared on the scene. “That’s almost two pounds heavier then any one of my other kids,” said Anna’s proud mom.
Just as it’s said that work expands to fill the time available for it, so does Miranda and Andrew’s family grow to fill the sprawling old farmhouse on Bush Road that Susan Joiner and Bill Gilsdorf lovingly restored. May this latest addition bring you joy and happiness… although I wouldn’t count on it during her teenage years.
Upcoming PAL course
If you’ve always wanted to earn a Possession and Acquisition License (PAL), On The Mark Outdoors Training will be holding a Canadian Firearms Safety Course on Saturday, April 29th at the DRA Hall in Dunvegan. The daylong course starts at 8:00 AM and costs $150, plus $21 for the course manual. Alternatively, you can download a copy of the manual for free. For more information about the workshop, or to register, please contact the Fidlers at 613-387-8602.
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