It would appear there may be some foundation to the rumours that Mr. and Mrs. Claus are seeing a marriage counselor, and that it’s having a positive impact on their relationship. One encouraging sign is that they’re doing more things as a couple. True the jolly old elf still falls off the sleigh on Christmas Eve and takes a solo flight ‘round the globe. However, more and more of the promotional appearances involve both. Dunvegan’s “Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus” slated for next Saturday, December 8this a perfect example. Mrs. Claus will be close by Santa’s side as the crimson-clad duo drops in to record the Christmas wishes of Dunvegan’s wee ones.
The admission-free event will take place at the Dunvegan Recreation Hall at 19053 County Road 24, from 10 AM to 12 PM. While the occasion is open to one and all, it really helps if you have one or more youngsters in tow who believe in the magic that is Santa (or at least pretend to). There will be snacks, treats and fresh, hot-buttered popcorn. And Santa’s elves will try to keep a lid on things until Kris Kringle and his main squeeze pop in for a visit.
As the obligatory lap-based consultation with St. Nick is in progress, DRA president Ben Williams will be on hand to digitally capture the Kodak moment. Unlike the big-city malls, the DRA doesn’t charge for this service. Proud parents will receive the festive keepsake via e-mail, at no cost, to print and display proudly on their fridge. If you have kids (or grandkids) and have never attended a Dunvegan Recreation event, this coming Saturday morning is a perfect place to start.
Double the Craft Fair fun?
Saturday’s sunny disposition was a welcome backdrop for the Historical Crafter’s Fair and Christmas Marketplace at the DRA hall. However, Sunday’s weather was less than stellar, and no doubt this was reflected in the sales the vendors racked up. Terry and I stopped in around noon on Saturday and grabbed a miniature birch log reindeer to add to our bark slab evergreen forest by the same artisan. While there, the Glengarry Pioneer Museum’s display of gift shop items impressed us. I was also heartened to see that the museum was using the new Square mobile credit card reader. This was made easier by Dunvegan Recreation’s Rural Connections Broadband project ten years ago. In return for helping Xplornet expand their network to Eastern Ontario, we insisted that the DRA and the Glengarry Pioneer Museum receive basic high-speed Internet service at no charge. And it was gratifying to see this free Wi-Fi capability being used at this weekend’s craft fair in Dunvegan.
After exploring what Dunvegan had to offer, we whipped up to the “Christkindl” Christmas Craft Show in St. Bernadin. There, I met the woman who organizes the European-themed marketplace and asked, if the two events coincide next year, she would be willing to promote the Dunvegan sale (say on a big sign board as people are exiting), if we promoted her group’s show. She appreciated that this might increase traffic for both craft fairs and was very open to the idea.
Yuletide Euchre warning
I’ll ring this bell again next week, but I wanted readers to have advance notice that the DRA’s Euchre Luncheon in December will be held one week early… Friday, December 14th. We usually meet the third Friday of the month, but this would have resulted in a tournament on December 21stand our members felt this was a might to close to C-Day.
However, the place and time remain unchanged… 19053 County Road 24 from 12:00 noon to around 3:30 PM. Admission is only $5 and includes an almost Michelin Star-worthy spread — a piping hot bowl of soup, plus homemade sandwiches and holiday sweets by Sandra Daigle. A 50/50 draw is also part of the fun. Everyone is welcome drop by. We even have regular players from Cornwall. Hope to see you there.
Dunvegan machine gun?
Honourary Dunveganite Robin Flockton came across an intriguing item in the Friday, August 6thissue of the Glengarry News… the one published in 1915. There, in the then equivalent of a Coming Events notice, readers were informed that, “…next Thursday evening, August 12th, the members of Dunvegan’s Orange Young Britons Lodge No. 43 will be holding a lawn social on the Lodge grounds.” As this was four years before the new O.Y.B. building would be completed on the north side of Dunvegan Road, the social would have been held on the grounds of the original square-log Lodge (now the Visitor’s Centre down at the museum). The notice painted a rosy picture of what was in store, “A splendid programme is being arranged and no effort will be spared to make the entertainment a delightful one. Admission 25¢.” It was the underlying reason behind the Social that caught Robin’s eye: “… the proceeds of which will go towards purchasing a machine gun.”
Now, this was at the height of the First World War and patriotic fervour was running high. So no doubt the rationale for this fund-raiser was completely above board… to support our boys overseas. Nevertheless, the thought of Dunvegan’s loyal Orangemen and their kin sitting around a lawn social and thinking about acquiring a machine gun might have given Papists in Glengarry County pause for moment’s concern. Just saying.
M&M… 12thand 14thstill available
2018 is the very last year for Dunvegan’s hit Christmas revue: Music & Mayhem. There’s no next year. So if you miss out on attending one of this December’s “Best Of Show” performances, there’s no recourse. Yes, I know it’s a hot ticket, and that Opening Night and the two Sunday matinees are sold out. However, when last I checked, there were still seats available for the evening shows on Wednesday, December 12thand Friday, December 14th.
Getting your hands on a pair of tickets or more, may take a bit of effort; if one outlet doesn’t have what you want, you’ll have to check with the other locations. However, I promise you it will be worth it. Tickets may be available (for a “Best Of” price of $15 each) at the Caisse Populaire Desjardins in Alexandria, Home Hardware in Maxville, The Quirky Carrot in Alexandria and The Review in Vankleek Hill. Or you can try calling Rosemary at 613-525-1336. Hope to see you there.
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