In my column of June 16, given a report of surveyors at Cornwall Gravel’s Dunvegan Quarry, I pondered if an “Open for Business” sign would soon grace the entrance to Lot 18, Concession 9. Well it looks like we may have our answer. This past Monday, Cornwall Gravel floats dropped off a pair of excavators that quickly swung into action and began widening the road and clearing the trees along the laneway to the future quarry site. A quarry that I learned while researching this item has a licence from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to remove as much aggregate as they want. Their extraction limit reads “unlimited tonnage.”
As I mentioned at the start of the summer, Cornwall Gravel had made an SD&G Counties Official Plan appeal to remove the “Significant Woodlands” layer on their Dunvegan property. Official Plan policy 5.5.4(3) states: “Clear cutting for the expansion of farming operations, mineral aggregate extraction, green energy development, etc. is strongly discouraged. Best management practices will be encouraged including selective cutting and reforestation, preventing livestock grazing, and encouraging the identification, maintenance and enhancement of higher value woodlands.” North Glengarry’s Planner, Kasia Olszewska, told me when I informed her about Cornwall Gravel’s latest move, “While clear cutting is strongly discouraged, it is not prohibited.” In her email to me, Ms. Olszewska also mentioned that North Glengarry’s Council has yet to enact its Clear Cutting By-law. It’s only scheduled to be adopted on the 12th of this month, followed by a 20-day appeal period until it becomes final and binding.
It could be that the day of reckoning is finally upon on us and Cornwall Gravel will commence extracting aggregate posthaste. Alternatively, they could simply be slipping in under the wire to remove the “Significant Woodlands” layer on their property while there are no regulations that control clear cutting in the Township. Either way, it’s one step closer to “B-Day” when the first blast rocks Dunvegan road.
Scottish comedy flick
It’s official. Laurie Maus tells me that she and Bob Garner have been given the green light to resurrect “Saturday Movie Night” at the Dunvegan Recreation hall. The first film in the 2021/22 series — Local Hero — will be screened on October 16th at 7:00 pm and it sounds like a real winner. Especially in light of the disheartening news that our own aggregate-filled sleeping giant may finally be waking up.
In what is described as a delightfully eccentric comedy written and directed by Bill Forsyth,Local Hero follows the efforts of a Texas oil executive to buy out a remote Scottish seaside village as the location of a new oil refinery. The Criterion Collection web site describes the movie as being: “Packed with a near nonstop stream of droll one-liners and deadpan gags.” The site goes on to say: “This enchanting cult hit finds Forsyth surveying the idiosyncrasies of small-town life… arriving at a sly commentary on conservation, corporate greed, and the legacies we leave behind.” I’ve never heard of the film before, but I really want to see it.
However, in keeping with current provincial regulations, Terry and I (and everyone else who wants to attend Movie Night) will have to show proof of vaccination prior to admission. We’ll also have to observe social distancing protocols and don our masks when a distance of six feet cannot be maintained. The other Covid casualty is hot-buttered popcorn. Laurie says that until further notice, moviegoers are asked to bring their own snacks and beverages… plus a comfy seat, or a cushion if you want to use one of the DRA’s folding chairs.
Vexillologist sighting
Over the course of my tenure in Dunvegan, I hate to think of how many times I’ve driven the back roads of Glengarry en route to Cornwall. 1,000? 2,000? I’m not sure. But one of the sights I look forward to on the tedious journey is the sign outside St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Martintown. I’m not much of a church-goer. Nevertheless, I appreciate the dedication and the sense of humour of the individual (or committee) who is in charge of the sign. Every week or so, they manage to come up with a pithy saying that more often than not sparks a small smile to brighten my day. For example, the one that was posted when the Google Street View camera car went by in 2015 was “Exercise daily. Run from sin and walk with God.” It’s sort of like an old time Twitter message: 64 characters, including spaces, to grab and engage passers-by.
While it’s a whole lot more subtle, Dunvegan boasts a similar regularly updated attraction. You may not have noticed it, but it’s on the south side of the road about three-quarters of a kilometer east of the crossroads. Be forewarned though, if you blink you might miss it, especially at the speeds many of the motorists appear to be doing along County Road 24. The co-owner of the property — Jeremy Falle — is a vexillologist, a lover of flags, in his spare time. So, instead of a signboard, Jeremy uses a flagpole and every month or so hoists aloft a different pennant from his collection.
In early September, he had a huge Canadian flag on display that intrigued me. I thought it might be one of the ones that fly atop the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa and are changed daily. I knew that Canadians could submit a request to receive a used one. However, a peek at the official Parliament Hill Flags web site put shot to that idea in short order. To begin with, you need a 50’ flagpole to display it properly. But the real sticking point is that the wait time for both Peace Tower and other Parliament Hill flags exceed 100 years.
So I went to the source and asked Jeremy about his gargantuan flag. He told me that it’s his favourite. His father gave it to him over thirty years ago. The back story is that his father was gifted the over-size flag by one of his navy mates at the Legion in Lachute who, in turn, claimed it had once flown on a Canadian Navy vessel. Regardless of where it was displayed originally, it’s impressive.
When I caught a glimpse of this month’s offering, my first impression was of a pair of black and white Taliban flags from Afghanistan. However, upon closer examination, I realised that, in keeping with last month’s naval theme, Jeremy had hoisted two Jolly Roger pirate flags to top of his yardarm. I wonder if he has a flag from the North Pole for Christmas?
DRA Halloween cancelled
I was shocked to learn recently that Louise Quenneville, president of the Dunvegan Recreation Association, resigned. I could be mistaken, but I think it’s is the first time this has happened in the history of the organization. I have been unable to reach Louise. However, I do know that the Executive Committee has urged her to reconsider. In the meantime though, at last week’s meeting of the Committee, vice-president Kim Raymond was appointed “acting president” until the next Annual General Meeting.
When Kim alerted me to the latest developments, she wanted me to mention that: “the Dunvegan Recreation Association wishes to thank Louise Quenneville for the time and effort she contributed while in the role of president, and accepts her resignation for personal reasons regretfully.”
Kim also asked me to let the community know that, because of ongoing concerns with Covid, there will be fewer than expected events at the hall this autumn. The organizers of the “Small Halls” concert series have cancelled this season, and the DRA will forego its annual Community Halloween party. However, the hall continues to be available for private rentals. To inquire about using it for a reception, reunion, birthday or anniversary party, a celebration of life, a course or virtually any other legally sanctioned activity, just contact Anne by phone or text at (819) 230-5877… up to 8 pm. Or you can reach her by email at: annefb@me.com.
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