Let’s pick up from where I left you last week. As you’ll recall, we were reviewing the events of the April 22/23 weekend…
Spin, spin, spin
When we moved to the area in 1980, Terry joined a mutual aid society called Farm Wives. The group met at GDHS to share back-to-the-land knowledge and hear lectures on everything from milking goats to stack wall construction. One such presentation — on spinning and weaving — sparked a crafting fire that time has, so far, failed to extinguish: the Twistle Guild of Glengarry.
According to the group’s web site, the word twistle means “between two rivers… (and) is also an old English word for spinning.” The Guild was founded in 1981 by a group of Farm Wives who gathered at Pom Pefani’s house on Highway 43 near the Greenfield Road to learn how to spin. The Twistle Guild was formed officially in 1982 when it joined the Ontario Handweavers and Spinners Guild.
Over three decades later, past and present members gathered in Dunvegan on Saturday, April 22nd to reminisce, break bread together and, of course, spin. And, by all accounts, they had a wonderful time. If you’d like to learn more about the Twistle Guild, visit their web site: www.twistleguild.org.
Cool movies… literally
My final review is of the DRA’s Saturday Night at the Movies get-together on the evening of the 22nd. While attendance at this little gem of an event is still low, the core group is loyal. As for the film we screened, the 1951 classic, The African Queen, was a hit. Although, given the chuckles that could be heard, many in the audience obviously viewed Humphrey Bogart’s and Katherine Hepburn’s performances more through a comedic lens than a dramatic one.
The film done, popped corn tailings swept up and the chairs stacked, talk turned to the future. One idea was to continue the event during the summer, but outdoors… like a Walk-in rather than a Drive-in. The drawback noted with this idea was how long the summer sky takes to darken. Another possibility discussed was to take advantage of the DRA’s embryonic plan to air condition the hall. This would offer moviegoers a cool oasis in which to enjoy a flick and free bags of fresh, buttery popcorn. More details will follow.
DRA’s spit & polish day
Before we leave the DRA Hall, I should report briefly on the annual DRA Hall Cleaning Bee that took place this past Sunday. I’m told windows and woodwork were washed… storage rooms were emptied, swept and re-organized… and some much-needed patching and touch-up painting was done. Bee organizer, Kim Raymond, wanted me to acknowledge the help she received from Ben Williams, Vivian Franklin and Caleb Raymond. An extra special thank you also goes out to Roch Boisvenue of The Paint Store in Alexandria. Roch very kindly donated the primer and paint. Kim hopes that “everyone will notice how spiffy the hall is looking when they attend the next DRA event.”
Carrier moving on
In November of 2012, Dunvegan was assigned a new rural mail carrier, from Cornwall of all places. As I observed in a column from that time, our new mailman was a “very nice young man.” But it turned out he was much more than that. In my opinion, Trenholm Robertson was one of the most efficient contractors Canada Post ever hired for our route. On top of driving from Cornwall each day, he would have the mail sorted and packed in record time. And he then delivered it from the driver’s seat of a standard minivan… without the benefit of an “ergonomic helper” (that’s civil service talk for “assistant”) or one of Canada Post’s butt-ugly, right-hand drive MailMobiles.
Unfortunately, I’ve learned that Tren has been assigned to a much bigger route. While this is good news for him — more mailboxes mean more money in his pocket — I’m sad to see him go. Thank you, Tren. You will be missed.
So long, Diane
Last week, I was saddened to hear that Diane Munroe passed away peacefully in her home. Diane was the beloved wife of Bill and loving mother of Melissa, Megan and Dana. The Munroes didn’t live in our little hamlet; they lived on Bill’s family farm on the outskirts of Maxville. But she did have a strong Dunvegan connection.
For years, Diane worked behind the Dunvegan postal counter when our postmistress, Felice Thayer, was away. Her cheery smile and welcoming ways made her a favourite with all those who dropped by our barn to mail a letter or retrieve a parcel. In fact, she was such a hit that she was the natural replacement when Felice was transferred to the Moose Creek office.
My condolences to Bill and his extended family. As Joanne Marjerrison observed on Diane’s web-based tribute, “…Diane was such a warm, caring and generous lady who always opened her home to anyone and everyone who happened to drop by…”
Blasts from the past
On a happier note, I had word the other day from Lori MacMaster, Sherrill and Renée Trottier’s daughter, about her annual Stepdance Recital. When she’s not working at Glengarry District High School, Lori spends the rest of her professional time teaching Scottish stepdancing to young and old alike.
This year’s recital will be held Friday, May 5th at 7:00 PM in the Laggan School auditorium. There’s no formal admission charge. Lori is simply asking for donations that will be passed along to the Glengarry Memorial Hospital.
PS: This year’s dance showcase will feature surprise guest performers. And that’s all Lori will disclose.
Welcome, neighbour
I’d like to take a moment to welcome Louise Quenneville to Dunvegan. Louise recently purchased Leslie Clark’s cottage to the north of the former manse on Church Road. Formerly, Louise — who grew up in the West Island of Montreal — lived and raised her family in the St. Raphael’s area for 21 years. Work has also seen her residing in far-off cities like Vancouver and Riyadh.
For the past ten years, Louise has been employed at the Glengarry Memorial Hospital where her present job title is Emergency Preparedness Coordinator & Project Management. When I asked her what this entailed, she replied, “As the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator my responsibilities include educating staff on the hospital’s emergency codes, running fire drills, mock evacuations and simulated ‘surge’ scenarios. As project manager there are a variety of projects that I have had the opportunity to work on… Most recently, I coordinated the hospital accreditation process. Prior to working at our little hospital, Louise was an account executive in the travel industry, servicing national clients and large travel agency call centres.
I asked Louise what brought her to our little community and she told me she was looking to downsize. “I came across the little house in Dunvegan with all of its charm, and in a country setting,” Louise said. “I knew it would be perfect!” Apparently, Louise had heard that Dunvegan is a vibrant community. “My hope is to be a part of it and be involved as I can.” I’m sure those involved in the Dunvegan Recreation Association and the Glengarry Pioneer Museum will help her wish come true.
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