It’s not worth wasting police time; they’re swamped as it is. But the Dunvegan Recreation Association is hoping local Sherlock Holmes and Miss Marples will keep their eyes peeled for clues in the Dunvegan “Corner Flags Affair.” DRA past-president Ben Williams tells me there’s been a rash of vandalism at our soccer field. On a number of occasions recently,corner flags from the large pitch have been ripped from their moorings and thrown into the nearby cornfield and bushes. The flags aren’t decorations. They help the referees determine if a ball has crossed the goal line or sideline. Players also use them to check wind direction when taking a corner kick.
In the beginning, the missing flagpoles were eventually found and reinstalled, but the situation has escalated. Now, two of the flags have disappeared entirely and must be replaced. Enough is enough. Wasting volunteer time to crawl through the brush and brambles so young punks can have a lark is one thing. But to steal public property is entirely another. The corner flagpoles are not cheap and it takes a great deal of volunteer effort to raise the money to purchase them. When I was on the DRA committee, I used to think ofitems like these in terms of the number of hamburgers, hot dogs and Egg MacVegans we’d have to sell at the Games to pay for them.
My guess is we’re looking for a ‘gang’ of two or three young persons who are bored and just itching for mischief. I’m hoping the residents whose homes ring the soccer field will band together as a temporary Neighbourhood Watch group. Their vigilance could help nip the problem in the bud, before more serious damage is done.
Small hall. Big music.
After being forced to cease and desist during the public health lockdowns, the Ontario Festival of Small Halls is finally coming back to Dunvegan. The ‘tiny venue’ festival is designed to bring big music to small places. And Dunvegan is once again on the list. They love our small hall. Can you really blame them?
This year’s concert takes place on Friday, October 7th at 7:30 pm and features Inn Echo, a Celtic fusion band based in Prince Edward Island. To learn more, head to their web site:InnEchoMusic.com. Unfortunately, we’ll have to forgo the pre-concert dinner this year. But a night of live music is nothing to sneeze at. I’ll have reminders and info on ticket procedures and prices in subsequent columns.
“… read all about it”
Four years ago, I opined here on the need for greater public engagement in the municipal political process. As I said, it’s the layer of government that may have the most direct impact on the residents of this township and yet only 37.3% of us cast a ballot in the 2014 election. We did a bit better in 2018 — 43.8% — but still have a long ways to go.
My suggestion back then was a series of five Township-organized “Meet the Candidates” events in Alexandria, Maxville, Glen Robertson, Apple Hill, Dalkeith and Dunvegan. But, upon reflection, this might be too cumbersome. So what if this paper became the voice of the election? There’s still time. Election day isn’t until October 24th.
As a start, the News could ask readers to send in their list of the top issues the 2022-2026 council should address, along with one general question the reader would like answered. The paper could then look for commonality in these responses and develop a questionnaire that candidates, as well as acclaimed councillors, would be invited to answer. Their responses could then be published in an exclusive Election 2022 edition or supplement. Each candidate’s responses could be presented in a standard template to make it easier for the public to compare apples to apples. A bit of a marketing blitz for this special election edition wouldn’t be amiss either.
Harvest Fall Sunday
My mistake. The Harvest Sale tent at the Dunvegan museum’s fall festival on Sunday has pulled up stakes. This year, like last, it is being (hopefully temporarily) housed under the Williams Pavilion. Regardless, it will no doubt be stocked to the rafters with home baked, grown and canned examples of our bountiful harvest for sale. And that’s just the beginning. The day also features: demonstrations of pioneer skills, vintage farm machines brought back to life, local artisans, farmers market vendors, entertainment, supervised activities for children… and at 1:00 pm a horse parade led by the Quigley Highlanders.
As the shirtsleeve season winds down, I know there are countless events competing for your patronage. But you won’t go wrong if you at least try the Harvest Fall Festival in Dunvegan for a few hours. Admission is $10 per person ($5 for museum members and students aged 6 – 18). And the family rate is $25. Children five and under are free. Cash, debit and credit cards are accepted at the entrance gates.
Slice of Cow Pie: $1125
Even if you can’t make it to the festival, you can support the Glengarry Pioneer Museum by buying a ticket or two for the “Cow Pie 50/50 Raffle.” It was so popular last year that two draws will be held next Sunday: one around noon and the other after the Horse Parade. The way it works is that a cow is turned loose on a grid with 225 numbered squares and whichever one she deposits a cow pie on is the winner. While raffle tickets will probably be available at the Festival, people are encouraged to purchase them online at GlengarryPioneerMuseum.ca. The tickets are $10 and you don’t have to attend to win. And with a maximum of 225 tickets per draw, your odds of winning up to $1,125 are pretty good.
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