Despite approximating Monty Python’s ‘Ministry of Silly Walks’ spoof, our new federal Ministry of Middle Class Prosperity is frighteningly real and completely irrelevant. By all accounts the middle class (and, of course, “those working hard to join it,” as the annoying government trope goes) is doing fairly well. Despite all the federal efforts to block pipelines and save Quebec jobs at the expense of the rest of the country.
If the Feds are really interested in improving the lives of all Canadians, they should ditch the MCP Office and replace it with a Ministry of Scams and Spams. White-collar crooks are flooding our snail-mail, phones, email and text message sites with increasingly sophisticated schemes to defraud us of our savings, hold our computers for ransom or install malware. These malicious activities target everyone, but especially prey on the elderly and those lacking a certain level of computer literacy. And they are costing our economy big time in terms of real dollars and lost productivity. I don’t know what the answer is. But I know it isn’t burying our heads in the sand and putting out a few feeble public service announcements.
Euchre is napping
Ann Stewart, Linda Burgess and I received a wonderful pre-Christmas gift at the last euchre luncheon of 2019… six full tables of enthusiastic players, including a new foursome from Vankleek Hill.
Here are the official tournament results. Our “50/50” winners were Dytha Robillard, Gary Howes, Margot McRae and Bonnie Elliot. Lorraine Lanthier and Geraldine McKinnon shared first prize with 86 points. Rita McLennan came in second with 85 points. And Doug Robillard captured third with 81 points. René Trottier, who has blessed our hamlet with his gift of music for over 50 years, won the “Most Stars” prize. And a host of folks took home door prizes: Doug Robillard, Lorraine Lanthier, Isabelle McLean, Helen Bellefeuille, Donald Clark, Ginette Lecuyer and Bonnie Elliott
As many of our players find travel in January and February a bit iffy, we take a hiatus for the first two months of the year. However, weather permitting, euchre will resume in March.
Thespians arise
Serendipity is defined as the chance occurrence of events in a happy or beneficial way. The term was first used in 1754 by Horace Walpole, an English writer, art historian, antiquarian and Whig politician. It was based on a fairy tale entitled The Three Princes of Serendip in which the heroes were always accidently discovering things they were not in quest of. And it describes perfectly a conversation I struck up with Violet Shields, a member of the euchre foursome from Vankleek Hill I mentioned earlier.
Violet was admiring our little hall and I was singing its praises as a venue for musical, social and theatrical events. Violet then shared the fact she was very keen on the theatre and had participated in many amateur productions. I have long thought the DRA hall would be a perfect home for a small group of thespians and asked Violet if she would be interested in getting involved. To which she replied in the affirmative. So it was agreed that we would hold an open meeting in Dunvegan in the near future to gauge if there’s sufficient interest in the dramatic arts to form a group. Keep your eye on this column for news of when it will be held and help spread the word via social media.
Post-hospital help
Of late, I know of at least two Dunvegan residents who have had the misfortunate of hospitalization. And, as more and more of us advance in age, this will no doubt occur with increasing frequency. That’s why I wanted to mention a helpful program I learned of that’s offered to those over 65 years of age by the Eastern Counties branch of Carefor Health and Community Services: the ‘Going Home’ program.
The community support services available through this ten-day program may include: post-discharge transportation from the hospital to your home; transportation to medical follow-up appointments; in-home help such as laundry and light housekeeping; personal care assistance such as help with bathing; and Meals on Wheels delivery of hot or frozen meals to your home.
A word to the wise, though. Ask about this program before you are discharged from the hospital. Talk with the hospital’s Discharge Planner or, if you’re in the Emergency Department, the Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) nurse. He or she will fill out a referral form and submit it on your behalf. Within the first 48 hours of your return home, you should receive a phone call from a program representative to discuss your needs. If you don’t hear from an intake person within two business days from your discharge, be sure to call 613-932-3451 or 800-267-1741. Don’t be shy. It’s your health.
2020’s first potluck
I’ll have more information for you next week, but I wanted to mention that the Dunvegan Recreation Association’s annual Potluck Supper and General Meeting is coming up very soon. In fact, it’s slated for Friday, January 17th. The evening will start at 6:00 pm with what has historically been a great supper buffet. This will be followed at 7:00 pm with the business part of the meeting. If your family has been touched by a DRA program like soccer, euchre, concerts, Halloween, Visit with Santa and others, please come and show your support for the volunteers who make these events like these possible. Admission is free. All they ask is that you contribute a main dish, salad or dessert. Hot coffee, water, soft drinks and juice will be provided free of charge.
Carnival on horizon
This year’s Dunvegan Winter Carnival will be held on Saturday, February 1st. I’ll have more information in the intervening weeks. However, I wanted to make sure you highlighted the date on your cell phone or dead tree-based calendar. While we don’t have the wherewithal to mount a multi-day winter celebration like other communities, our down-home event has delighted families for over thirty years. As always, the day will start with a delicious country-style breakfast at the DRA hall, followed by outdoor activities for the whole family. These include old-fashioned sleigh rides through the woods, skating, pond hockey, tobogganing, a scavenger hunt and snolleyball (volleyball played on a snow instead of sand). And if the pond ice cooperates, we hope for a return of CrociCurl. Plus, when your toes and fingers start tingling, you’re invited to warm up by our fireplace or cook stove and enjoy Terry’s homemade soup, butter rolls and hot chocolate or coffee. Everything but the fund-raising breakfast at the hall is free (and it’s only $7.50 for adults and $3 for kids under 12). I really hope you can find the time to drop by.
Foot-tapping time
The other ‘advance notice’ item I wanted to mention is a ceilidh featuring young local talent that’s being planned for Friday, February 7th at the DRA hall (or the 8th in the case of bad weather). Stuart Robertson and Paul Tenger are organizing the event to raise money for the Alexandria Food Bank and the Dunvegan Recreation Association. The action starts at 7:00 pm and admission is a suggested donation of $10 per head, but you can give more if you wish. It’s for two very good causes.
Now, if you’re unfamiliar with the term ‘ceilidh’ and are reluctant to venture into the unknown, don’t be. At first glance, the word may appear unpronounceable, but it’s really quite simple: KAY-lee. It’s the Gaelic word for a social event with Scottish or Irish folk music and singing, traditional dancing and storytelling. In short, it’s a whole lot of fun. I’ll have more details as the date draws nigh.
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