Kathie and Byron Calder reached out last Sunday to tell me they’ve put together a serendipitous online collection of family photographs that celebrates the life of their late mother, Peggi Calder. The touching selection of images is accompanied by two of her favourite pieces of country music. At the moment, this Tribute to Peggi Calder it’s being hosted as an “Unlisted” video on YouTube. So you’ll need the following link to view it: youtu.be/2VH76kBwKPs. Alternatively, you can head over to the Facebook memorial page that Byron’s partner, Sam, put together: fb.me/peggicaldermemorial. There should be a link to the online slide show here as well.
If you’re so inclined, Kathie and Byron also invite you to visit the collaborative display in memory of Peggi at the Glengarry Pioneer Museum. They hope you’ll share your remembrances of their mom in the Book of Memories and add a story or photo of your own to the display. The museum is open — preferably by appointment — Wednesday to Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm.
Another J.S. sighting
Last week, I mentioned that I was trying to discover the identity of an accomplished artist who painted local scenes way back in the 1980s. The watercolour painting of Greenfield I described in the column was signed only by artist’s initials: “J.S.” Unfortunately, my appeal failed to unearth the painter’s identity, but it did bring news of a second work by her or him. Vivian Franklin emailed to say that she too has one of JS’s paintings. Hers belonged to her late mother. A charming, vaguely impressionistic, view of the Star Inn in Dunvegan, Vivian believes it was given to Velma on the occasion of her retirement from the museum in 1990. Vivian’s painting is dated 8/88. If you have knowledge of other pieces by this talented individual or, more importantly, are able to round out the initials into a full name, please contact me by phone or email.
Big Beaver’s hidden gem
I’ll be honest, the Glengarry Artists’ Collective’s art exhibition in the Big Beaver schoolhouse at the Glengarry Pioneer Museum has fewer works on display than in past years. Which isn’t surprising given the pandemic. Nevertheless, it was still a refreshing change to venture forth in search of something other than toilet tissue, flour and Kawartha ice cream. While not the very first to visit the art show on Saturday, Terry and I — together with our daughter Ursula and granddaughter Maya — were probably the second bubble to squeeze through the door in search of a culture fix.
Every year, I have a favourite artist and this year it’s Walter Czuma. He has two excellent watercolour paintings on exhibit that I can heartedly recommend. I’m told Mr. Czuma is a new member of The Collective, but it’s easy to see he’s not new to the art world.
The show is open today until Sunday, August 16th from 11:00 to 4:00. Please note the museum encourages you to phone (613-527-5230) or email ahead (info@glengarrypioneermuseum.ca) to arrange an appointment. However, it’s not mandatory. They will accept walk-ins, although you may have to kill some time strolling through another building if another group’s in the schoolhouse.
All but 5% of items sold
This past Saturday also marked the close of the Glengarry Pioneer Museum’s online auction. And I’m pleased to announce that all but two of the 40 donated items on the auction block were sold. When I reached her on Sunday, curator Jennifer Black was just tallying up the results. She was thrilled to declare the auction had raised just over $2,600. She readily admits there was a steepish learning curve when it came to mastering the online auction engine. However, overall, she said it was a relatively simple fundraiser to pull off. “There was no problem getting donated items,” Jennifer emailed. “And we’ve learned many things we’ll be able to apply to another one.” On behalf of the museum, Jennifer wanted me to thank the many people who donated artwork, crafts and services to the cause. “We have so many talented, and generous, artisans in this community,” Jennifer wrote. A big thank you also goes out to all those who placed bids on the items and helped raise much-needed funds for the museum.
‘Le Tabac Canadien’
Chances are good you overlooked them when touring the heritage gardens at the Glengarry Pioneer Museum in Dunvegan. They’re small and unassuming. Nevertheless, wild tobacco (Nicotiana rustica) plants — like the ones that can be found right now around the Trapper’s Cabin and the Star Inn — have been cultivated for centuries by the region’s indigenous populations. The only reason I spotted the plants when I was at the museum this past Saturday is because I ran into the man who’s growing them: John Downing. John, a long-time supporter of the museum, is a man of many talents who always throws his soul into any project he tackles. You may have run into him when he was the GPM’s resident tinsmith. Or perhaps you read his informative article on lute making in the museum’s Timelinesnewsletter. He’s also an avid gardener with an abiding interest in heritage plants.
As John explained while he checked on his plants, indigenous peoples have traditionally used Nicotiana rustica in ceremonies and as a medicine. Unlike its milder cultivated cousin (Nicotiana tabacum) that’s been around since the 17th century, wild tobacco’s high nicotine content is potentially toxic and unpleasant to smoke. It was often mixed with other dried herbs to make it more palatable. John kindly sent me a draft of an article he has written for the upcoming issue of Timelines. I don’t want to steal his thunder, but I did want to quote a short passage: “In New France the retail sale of imported N. tabacum and smoking in public was initially banned. So the poorer rural inhabitants grew and processed wild tobacco for home consumption – a practice that continued until the late 19th C. This ‘anti social’ tobacco became known as ‘le tabac Canadien’.”
I’m told that when the museum’s gift shop finally reopens, you’ll be able to purchase packets of N. rustica seeds harvested right on site. A word of caution, though. John showed me how some of his plants from last year had reseeded themselves. You may want to do as the natives did and pick the flowers before they go to seed and take over your garden. When you do so, the N. rustica plant will shift focus from flowering to vertical grow and maximizing leaf size.
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