Aside from weekday commuter times when County Road 24 becomes a drag strip, the hamlet of Dunvegan is usually a pretty sleepy place. Last week was an exception, when a number of first responder vehicles rushed to the 1980s bungalow at the corner of County Road 24 and Pendelton Street. Denis Lavigne had found it strange that the lights in the house next door had burned all night. He knew that his friend and neighbour to the west, Kim Villeneuve, hated to waste electricity. So he called emergency services for a wellness check.Unfortunately, she had died, possibly from a stroke.
Kim Villeneuve was a very private individual. The daughter of Ron and Florence (McIntosh) Claire, Kim and her sister Cynthia were raised in the Maxville area. After her divorce, Kim moved to Dunvegan and purchased the bungalow at the eastern edge of Dunvegan. I’m told Kim loved music and, if so, she came by it honestly. Her father Ron played the accordion with a local band and, when our paths crossed, he was working on a musical history project. Like his daughter, Ron was a bit of an enigma. An émigré from England, no one I spoke with could recall exactly what he what he did for a living. However, sometime in the 70s or very early 80s, he built the Glengariff Apartments on Mechanic Street in Maxville. There’s no evidence of it now, but when Terry and I first moved to Glengarry, Ron owned and operated a small grocery store in the basement under his rental units. I think the store was part of the Red & White chain, but stand to be corrected.
I did not know Kim personally, but will remember her fondly as a fixture of the warm weather months in Dunvegan. Rare was the day when I passed by her home that Kim wasn’t on her riding mower cutting the grass. She had it down to such an art, I bet there were many putting greens that were envious. My condolences go out to Kim’s family. I have no details on when and if a service will be held, but assume she will join her sister Cynthia and mother, Florence O’Donohue, at peaceful rest in the Dunvegan grave yard.
Rev. Jim takes a break
I have more announcements from interim moderator Rev. Jim for members of his Dunvegan flock. This week’s missive concerns the services of worship in Dunvegan for the next two Sundays (August 14th and 21st). Both have been cancelled so Jim and his wife Olga can take a well-deserved vacation. Worship, in Dunvegan at least, will resume on Sunday, August28th at 11 am. I was also asked to remind you that Kenyon Church’s annual Memorial Service is scheduled for Sunday, September 4th at 11 am… and that members of St. Columba, Kirk Hill have been invited to the service, plus the luncheon that will follow. As well, starting September until December, Sunday services in the Dunvegan church will be at 11 am.
Dylan additamentum
Last week, I handed out kudos for the sturdy new museum sign frame at the east end of Dunvegan Road. I have subsequently learned that Dylan Lauzon also played a major role. Dylan is one of Matt Williams VCI students. He cut the pieces at a museum work party in thespring that Ben Williams and his nephew Jesse then assembled and installed. Well done, gentlemen.
NEW! Honey Garlic.
The buzz is that, this coming Saturday, August 13th from 10 am to 4 pm, the Glengarry Honey Fair in Dunvegan is the place to ‘bee’. Last week, I covered in fair detail what the organizers have planned. So I won’t repeat myself like a broken record. However, if this is the first you’ve heard of this sweet celebration of honey, I urge you to check the museum’s web site — GlengarryPioneerMuseum.ca — for the details. Or you can just show up and be surprised.
My focus today is the hive of activity that will be the Dunvegan Recreation food tent at the Honey Fair. Once again, DRA volunteers, young and old, will offer visitors an array ofbeverages, snacks and light lunches.
DRA president Kim Raymond tells me that ‘Sausage on a Bun’ is back. “Naturally, we’ll have Oktoberfest. It’s always a crowd favourite,” Kim told me. “But in honour of the Fair, we’re also introducing Honey Garlic sausages.” These two succulent menu items will be cooked to a turn on the DRA’s brand new BBQ…. recently purchased thanks to a generous discount from the Maxville Home Hardware. If you’d prefer, the DRA will swap out the sausage and sell youcreamy egg salad on a bun instead. At the dessert end of the fun-food spectrum, Kim says they’ll be serving generous pieces of carrot cake or chocolaty brownie squares.
Cash is always welcome at the DRA checkout. However, they also offer customers a convenient ‘tap & go’ option for credit and debit cards. Funds raised at events like this help support a raft of worthwhile local community programs.
Only EIGHT days to go
This year’s “Classical Music Under the Stars” event on August 18th with piano soloist Nicholas Deek features a complimentary wine tasting from Lochiel’s Stonehouse Vineyard. Purchase your tickets now through the museum’s online box office:GlengarryPioneerMuseum.ca. The cost is $25 per person, or $20 for museum members. Children under 12 are free.
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