When the dust settled and all the expenses were accounted for, Rosemary Chatterson and her merry band of Music & Mayhemthespians came tantalizingly close to reaching their goal of $20,000 in total donations to the food bank. They missed the mark by $916.96. While this is a bit disappointing, the reality is that Rosemary and her team did an incredible job. Looking at it from the flip side, over the past four Christmases, they have raised a net total of $19,082.89 for the St. Vincent de Paul food bank in Alexandria. Not a figure to be sneezed at.
None of this would have been possible without the vision and dedication of the show’s creative director, Rosemary Chatterson. She put her heart and soul into each and every performance… including one this year where she wrestled a bad case of laryngitis to its knees. And each step of the way she was supported by an amazing assemblage of performers and crew members from all across Glengarry and Prescott-Russell. For the record, here are their names, in alphabetical order: Elizabeth Caddell, Flip Flockton, Alyson Graham, Scott Graham, John Macaulay, Wendy Macleod, Allan MacDonald, Jim McRae, Barb and Garry Newman, Audrey Nixon, Gerry Schmidt, Nancy and Gord White and Shashtin and Jim Winchester. Thank you one and all.
On behalf of the Dunvegan Recreation Association and the Music & Mayhemcast and crew, I’d also like to thank the marvelous audiences who supported the production year after hilarious year. The departure of the Music & Mayhemtroupe has left a big hole in the DRA’s run-up to Christmas. And, as nature deplores a vacuum, it will be interesting to see what comes along to fill it.
Dollop of history at DRA’s Potluck
I’m giving you fair warning that just ten days from the date on this journal’s masthead, the Dunvegan Recreation Association will be hosting its 2019 Potluck Supper and Annual General Meeting. That’s Friday, January 18thfor the numerically challenged. The evening will start with a mad dash to the sixteen-foot long buffet table filled to groaning with homemade mains, sides and desserts. Once everyone has had their fill and has settled back down with a cup of joe (or what have you), there will be a brief presentation on the history of the DRA Hall. Why? For the simple reason that our humble community centre is celebrating its 100thbirthday this year. Your guide for this short trip down memory lane will be yours truly and I will share what I have learned so far about this venerable structure. For example, do you know how many stories the hall had originally?
Once I’ve been dragged off stage, the business part of the meeting will commence. Up first will be the Treasurer’s report, followed by the President’s overview of the year just past… and the Committee’s vision of the year ahead.
You need not live on the Dunvegan postal route to attend the AGM. It’s open to one and all. So if you and/or your family have participated in any of the DRA’s many programs — from soccer and our winter carnival to euchre for seniors or our crokinole & taffy party — please show your support for the volunteers who make these events like these possible. Admission is free. All they ask is that you bring a main dish, salad or dessert. Hot coffee, water, soft drinks and juice will be provided free of charge.
Cheap date
If your brain is still a wee bit addled by all that Christmas cheer, I’d like to remind you that the third Saturday of the month is the official DRA movie night. Which means it’s only eleven short days until Dunvegan’s January cinematic offering: Waking Ned Devine.
When best friends Jackie O’Shea (Ian Bannen) and Michael O’Sullivan (David Kelly) discover someone in their small Irish village has won the lottery, they immediately set off to see if the winner is in a sharing mood. Deducing that Ned Devine is the lucky man, O’Shea and O’Sullivan pay him a visit, only to find him dead from shock. Since Devine is the only one who can claim the prize, the townsfolk band together to convince the claim inspector that O’Sullivan is really Devine, and split the cash.
While the 1998 film is set in Ireland, it was actually shot on the Isle of Man, a Crown Dependency of the United Kingdom. Which explains why the Irish Post van that carries Ned from his home to the Church has a UK licence plate.
BTW, I heard that our movie nights were referred to disparagingly at a local eatery over the holidays. The implication was that nothing ever happened at our hall but “a bunch of old movies.” Firstly, this is wildly inaccurate. We’re one of the most active rec groups in the Township. Second, our Saturday Night at the Movies event is a whole lot of fun. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. But if you do, it’s strongly suggested you bring a comfy cushion or folding chair… along with your favourite beverage. The DRA will supply popcorn and cookies. There’s no entry charge, but donations to the DRA are always welcome.
Carnival “head’s up”
While we’re in a save-the-date frame of mind, you might also want to block off Saturday, February 2nd. That’s when this year’s Dunvegan Winter Carnival will be held.
Dan and his sleigh and team of horses are already booked. The Snolleyball court has been laid out since last fall. Terry has started baking her cloud-soft dinner rolls and is swiping left and right through hearty soup recipes. Jim Tilker is making preparations to tattoo the pond for the return of last year’s new hit activity: CrociCurl. And no doubt the Flapjack & Eggs sub-committee is putting together the list of victuals required for the Carnival Breakfast and checking it twice.
A friend and carnival volunteer down the road recently shared why he loves the Dunvegan’s winter celebration. “It keeps me busy through January getting ready, and provides enough warm memories to carry me through February,” he said. “By then, it’s March and spring is just around the corner.”
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